Content:
Biomass represents one of the renewable resources with greatest potential of application, being an efficient raw material for the use in many industries. The large amount of wasted biomass, namely forest residues, constitute a dramatic environmental problem. These residues are available in large quantities and poorly used, while boosting forest fires. The present work intended the valorisation of Portuguese forest residues, namely of Cupressus lusitanica Mill and Cistus ladanifer L., while contributing to a small-scale biorefinery within regional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) premises to reach zero waste. A steam-distillation procedure was applied to each of these biomasses, resulting four distinct fractions: a) essential oils (EOs), b) hydrolates (Hs), c) distiller condensation waters (DCWs) and d) extracted solid residues (ESRs), which underwent chemical and biological activity characterization while different valorisations were tested. α-Pinene, limonene, δ-3-carene and sabinene were the main C. lusitanica EO constituents, whereas its Hs volatiles were dominated by cis-3-hexen-1-ol, camphor, umbellulone, p-cymene-8-ol and terpinen-4-ol. C. ladanifer EO major constituents were α-pinene and camphene, whereas 2,6,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone and trans-pinocarveol dominated the Hs volatiles. DCWs and ESRs showed a high phenolic content, mainly tannins. Catechins were the major compounds found in both species. Gallic acid, quercetin, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, salicylic acid, apigenin and syringic acid were only identified in C. ladanifer. C. lusitanica and C. ladanifer ESRs were both rich in lignin. All fractions showed antioxidant activity while Hs showed the highest anti-inflammatory one. Besides the potential of C. lusitanica and C. ladanifer biomasses as source of natural bioactive compounds, preliminary assays showed the potential of these biomasses in artisanal soaps and pellets production. A simplified economic viability study showed that the valorisation of these biomasses within the ...
Note:
Dissertation 2021
Language:
English
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