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Article

Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Containers Made from Mulberry Wood (Morus Alba L.) Waste

by
Manuel Ferrandez-Villena
*,
Clara Eugenia Ferrandez-Garcia
,
Teresa Garcia-Ortuño
,
Antonio Ferrandez-Garcia
and
Maria Teresa Ferrandez-Garcia
Department. of Engineering; Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03300 Orihuela, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(9), 1806; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091806
Submission received: 14 February 2019 / Revised: 5 April 2019 / Accepted: 25 April 2019 / Published: 30 April 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Methods for Packaging Design of Perishable Products)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Mulberry trees (Morus alba L.) are used as ornamental and shade trees in urban gardening in Spain. These trees must be pruned once a year, and the waste is usually sent to the tip. Current research efforts aim to optimize biomass-based material sources and reduce the pressure on natural and planted forests. The objective of this study was to produce fruit and vegetable containers using particleboards made from mulberry tree pruning waste and to evaluate their properties. Mulberry particleboards were made and their mechanical properties were tested to demonstrate their suitability for industrial uses. Afterwards, the containers made with mulberry particleboards were tested. The strength of the containers was less than 5000 kg to dynamic compressive strength. Deformation by stacking was 3.15 mm, which is less than the maximum allowed of 6.1 mm, and flexural deformation of the base was 2 mm.

1. Introduction

Mulberry is a widely cultivated tree in Asian countries. It is a fast-growing, deep-rooted, deciduous, perennial tree. Mulberry leaves are the only available food for the silkworm Bombyx mori L. [1]. Additionally, mulberry can be used for animal forage, fruit, medicine, paper, gas production, gardening, firewood, timber and as protection against wildfires in dry areas [2].
Historically, mulberry has been used effectively in traditional Asian medicine to treat various infectious and internal diseases. There are many studies on the structural characteristics and bioactivities of mulberry polysaccharides that support their therapeutic potential and beneficial properties [3], and their main bioactive components have been analyzed, including anthocyanins, polysaccharides, phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids [4]. Research has also analyzed the structural characteristics of the polysaccharides in their branches [5,6], polyphenols have been obtained from the bark and used to whiten cosmetics [7], and among the many bio-functional components of mulberry, 1-deoxynojirimycin has been successfully used in clinical therapy to reduce blood sugar levels [8,9].
Currently, there are numerous studies about the use of mulberry as animal feed [10]. Through treatments with mulberry polysaccharides, the weight of chickens has been increased, improving the animals’ immune activity [11]. This result has also been achieved with pigs [12,13].
Traditionally, mulberry wood has been well considered in cabinetmaking due to its good quality. Several studies have shown that it is resistant to both termites and fungi [14,15,16] and that it has good structural [17] and dynamic [18] properties. According to the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, the expected wood deficit in the EU is estimated to be 448 million m3. In this regard, a project has been carried out in eastern Spain to promote mulberry as a substitute material to help alleviate the aforementioned shortage [19].
Mulberry wood is used to manufacture barrels, especially for the production of balsamic vinegar (from Modena or Jerez), since the last fermentation takes place in them to obtain suitable properties and qualities [20]. The wine’s contact with the wood during the fermentation and ageing processes produces significant changes in its chemical composition and organoleptic properties, modifying its final quality. In this regard, studies have been developed on mulberry barrels for oenology, defining the extractable composition of each type of barrel and their use in wine production [21].
In Spain, sericulture was abandoned in the 1970s; hence, mulberry trees are currently cultivated as ornamental and shading trees in urban gardening. These trees are pruned at least once a year. This pruning results in a white-yellowish wood, which is either sent to landfill or burned. Currently, the trend is to improve these waste management practices and use waste to make new products. The lignocellulosic waste from the urban pruning of mulberry trees used in the ornamental vegetation of Mediterranean countries has been quantified. The mean quantity of dried pruned biomass obtained in street and park locations was 31.67 kg/tree and 77.78 kg/tree [22].
There are studies on the use of mulberry pruning waste from urban forests as an energy source [23]. Morus alba L. pruning waste had suitable values of chemical and physical properties for use in soilless substrates [24]. The composting of mulberry pruning waste and wastewater sludge together is beneficial for soil improvement and vegetation growth as compared to their use separately [25]. Using waste wood for the production of wood-based materials has been considered environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable. Each year a huge amount of biomass results from the seasonal pruning of woody tree species through agricultural practice and plantations in gardens and streets, which could be a cheap, adequate resource [26]. Attempts have been made to reduce the use of wood in particleboard by introducing mixtures of forest waste [27], whole trees [28], gardening tree pruning [26,29] and fruit tree pruning [30]. Particleboards have been designed with mulberry pruning waste using different adhesives: phenol formaldehyde [31], urea formaldehyde [32] and starches [33]. In addition, mulberry laminated veneer lumbers with different impregnation products for construction materials have been investigated as fire retardants [34].
Fresh fruit and vegetable containers are a very important part of transport logistics from producer to consumer. Part of the product losses is due to bruising caused by poor handling and low-quality packaging. Adequate packaging can reduce squashing and bruising of products, improve sales, reduce moisture loss, reduce contamination and spoilage, reduce theft and maintain a clean environment during the sale of the products [35]. Fresh fruit containers measure 300 × 200 × 112 mm and are made from plywood, as stipulated in the Spanish standard [36]. Substituting timber products with pruning waste (due to wood scarcity) and avoiding burning waste has environmental benefits.
Previous studies conducted on particleboards made with mulberry pruning waste have shown good results [32]. Other studies have been conducted on containers made with Arundo donax L. [37], which performed similarly to conventional wood containers.
The objective of this research was to make fruit and vegetable containers using mulberry pruning waste particleboards, analyze their mechanical properties and evaluate their industrial applications.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Raw Materials

The material used was one-year-old mulberry (Morus alba L.) branches obtained from tree pruning operations. These branches were taken from shaping and pruning operations carried out in the gardens of Universidad Miguel Hernandez in Orihuela, Alicante (Spain). The branches had a diameter of < 2 cm, as can be seen in Figure 1. The initial moisture content of the branches was 87%. The branches were placed vertically to air dry for 12 months to reach a moisture content of 7.8%.
The static bending resistance (fm), the modulus of elasticity (Em) and the density of the mulberry branches were measured using 10 specimens from the thickest and the thinnest end.
The branches were then cut into pieces measuring approximately 5–10 cm long, they were shredded in a blade mill. The particle sizes used were 0.25 to 1 mm.
The morphology of the internal structure of the raw material was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an elemental analysis (quantitative and semi-quantitative) was conducted using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Pictures were taken of fractured cross sections measuring 5 × 5 mm. For the observation, a microscope (Hitachi S3000N) equipped with an X-ray detector (Briuke XFlash 3001) was used.
As a binder 8% urea formaldehyde (UF) class E1 was used based on the dry weight of the Morus alba L. particles. Ammonium nitrate at a concentration of 0.4% (based on the weight of oven-dry particles) was used as a hardener. The solids content of UF was 60%.

2.2. Particleboard Sample Manufacturing and Testing

Fourteen particleboards were manufactured (four for testing the boards and ten for constructing the containers) by resin addition in accordance with the standard industrial dry process. The pressure used was 2.6 MPa, and the temperature was 120 °C for 6 min. No waxes or hydrophobic substances were used. They were single-layer boards and their dimensions were 600 × 400 × 3 mm.
The mechanical and physical properties determined were: moisture content [38], density [39], the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) [40], internal bonding strength (IB) [41], screw holding strength (SH) [42], water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) [43].
For the tests, the wood particleboards were cut to obtain samples with the dimensions indicated in the European standards from each of them: six rectangular samples with a width of 50 mm (three for each direction) were used to test the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE), three samples measuring 50 × 50 mm were used to test the internal bonding strength (IB), three rectangular samples weighing 10 g were used for the moisture content test, six samples were used to evaluate the density, three samples were used to evaluate water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) after immersion in water for 2 and 24 h, and three samples measuring 70 × 70 mm were used to determine screw holding strength (SH).
Before performing the tests, the samples were placed in a conservation chamber for 24 h at a temperature of 20 °C and at 65% relative humidity.
The moisture content was measured in an Imal laboratory moisture meter (model 200). For the water immersion test, a heated reservoir was used, with a water temperature of 20 °C. The mechanical properties were tested using a universal Imal testing machine (Model IB600). The conservation chamber used is from JP Selecta (Medilow-L model). The tests were carried out in the construction laboratory of the Orihuela School of Engineering (Universidad Miguel Hernández) at a temperature of 20 °C and at 65% relative humidity.

2.3. Container Manufacturing

The boards were then cut into pieces, as shown in Figure 2, to make the containers, which were simple boxes measuring 300 × 200 × 112 mm in accordance with the standard [36]. The board parts were stapled to each other and to solid pine wood corners to form the container, as shown in Figure 2. The pine corners gave the containers the necessary strength to be stacked into piles. This kind of container is generally used for single journeys and can hold between 2.5 and 3 kg of fruit.
Eighteen containers were made and their mechanical strength to compression and stacking was tested under transport simulation conditions.

2.4. Container Testing

Tests were conducted in accordance with Spanish and European standards. The flexural strength of the base of the container [44] is tested by placing a load (S) inside the container, which must be calculated using formula (1). Then the deformation of the base is measured at the center of the board.
S = (P/2) + P
where P is the weight of the full container.
The static flexural strength of the base [45] was tested in six containers. The test consisted of placing a load (S) into each container and measuring the deformation at the center of the base after 10 min.
Stacking tests evaluate the container’s resistance during the storage phase. Two containers were placed one on top of the other on a horizontal surface and tested under compression in the universal testing machine. For this test, six containers were used, stacked in pairs. A total of three compression strength tests were conducted. Method 3 of the standard was used and the applied load (C) was calculated using the following formula:
C = M ⋅ (H−1) ⋅ 1.5
where
  • M = Weight of the stacked containers
  • H = Number of stacked containers
  • 1.5 = Safety factor
The dynamic compressive strength [46] test was carried out by measuring the maximum compressive deformation that the containers resisted. This test was conducted in six containers. The load application speed was 10 mm/min ± 3 mm/min. For this kind of container, the standard requires ≥3500 kg.
The containers were evaluated in accordance with the standard [47].

2.5. Statistical Analysis

Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM, SPSS v. 25.0. software (V.25, IBM, Armonk, New York, NY, USA, 2018). The mean value and standard deviation were reported for each value.

3. Results and Discussion

The results of the flexion and density values of the mulberry branches compared to the woods used to make the plywood boards for packaging are shown in Table 1.
A great variability of properties is observed in the mulberry branches, depending on the part of the branch where the measurements are made, observing a high fm, similar to that of the Scots pine and an Em similar to fast-growing cultivated woods. Scots pine also shows great variations, depending on the area of Spain where it has grown, and it presents a high degree of rigidity.
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) image in Figure 3a corresponds to a tangential section of a one-year-old mulberry branch. The longitudinal fibers can be seen, surrounded by small holes. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results shown in Figure 3b indicates that the particles do not contain harmful metals or minerals that can contaminate food products; hence, its use as a food container is suitable.
The results of the physical and mechanical tests conducted on the mulberry pruning waste particleboards are shown in Table 2. Conventional plywood boards were also tested as control samples, the results of which are also shown in Table 2.
Mulberry particleboards are almost twice as dense as conventional plywood boards. The moisture content of the particleboards was 2.5%, which is less than wood and conventional plywood. This value is in accordance with the standard, which requires a moisture content of less than 20%.
The MOR and MOE values are lower than for conventional plywood boards. The higher density and lower mechanical performance of mulberry particleboards make these boards of lower quality than those usually used to make this kind of containers.
As seen in Table 2, the moisture content of mulberry boards is half that found in plywood boards, which can be considered an advantage. It is also observed that the TS (24 h) is greater than that of plywood, but it meets the requirements for type P3 boards [50] and can be used in humid environments because it is less than 25%. The results obtained for WA after 24 h are significantly better than those obtained for plywood. Finally, it can be seen that the mulberry boards have worse physical qualities than plywood since they have twice the density and the thickness swelling% is almost triple, although the water they absorb is similar.
In Table 3, it can be seen that the modulus of rupture in flexion (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values are lower in the mulberry boards than in the commercial plywood boards.
According to the European standard (36), mulberry boards would be type P3: non-structural boards usable in humid environments.
Compared to industrial plywood, these boards have much higher internal bonding and screw holding strength, although their flexural strength is significantly lower.
In Table 3, it can be seen that, due to the higher density of mulberry particleboards, the average weight of the containers was 0.418 kg, around 32.7% higher than conventional containers, whose average weight is around 0.315 kg.
The flexural strength of the container’s base was tested considering a full weight of 2.5 kg. Therefore, the full container weight (P) is 2.5 + 0.418 = 2.918 kg.
The weight (S) according to formula (1) is S = 4.377 kg.
Plastic balls full of water (each weighing 200 g) were placed inside the container to reach a weight of 4.40 kg, as can be seen in Figure 4a.
Six containers were tested, and the results obtained are shown in Table 4.
According to the standard, base deformation must be ≤2 mm. Therefore, the mean base deformation of 2.00 ± 0.23 mm of mulberry pruning waste particleboards would indicate that the flexural strength value of their base is on the limit of being useful to the industry. However, we have to consider that the test was conducted using a 4.4 kg load instead of 4.377 kg, which was the exact value according to the standard.
The stacking test was conducted on six containers. Two containers were stacked as shown in Figure 4b and loaded with a force “C”, which is obtained by the formula:
C = (0.418 × 2)⋅(2 − 1)⋅1.5 = 1254 N.
A load “C” of 1660 N was applied and the values obtained are shown in Table 5. The compressive deformation limit established by the standard is 5% of the container’s height. In this test, a value of 1.4% was obtained, which indicates that the containers meet the requirements of the stacking standard.
Dynamic compressive strength tests were conducted on six containers. A dynamic load was applied to failure. The test results are shown in Table 6. A large standard deviation was observed between the values. This could be due to the fact that some containers were made with the external part of the particleboards, which had lower resistance values.
According to the standard, the dynamic compressive strength should be ≥3500 kg ≈ 34,300 N. Hence, the mean value of 19,500 N obtained indicates that these containers do not meet the requirements of the standard.
During this test, the containers did not fail, but the testing machine stopped the test because the staples that joined the particleboards to the solid pine corners detached from the solid pine corners and the containers came apart. This may indicate that the 8 mm crown staples used were not suitable for this kind of containers; therefore, it would be of interest to study alternative joining methods or staples with a greater crown width.
The study [38] conducted on the use of Arundo donax L. to produce fruit and vegetable containers showed that it was possible to obtain a container that met all the criteria of the standards. These containers were lighter and showed higher mechanical strength. This may suggest that it could be of interest to study containers made with mulberry particleboards that have a lower density and weight. In previous studies [32], it can be observed that stronger mulberry boards were obtained with a higher temperature and smaller particle sizes. Therefore, it would be necessary to attempt to produce boards with a smaller particle size and pressure and a higher temperature in order to lower the density. The boards in this research were produced at a temperature of 120 °C and industrial boards are manufactured at 180–220 °C. Therefore, the temperature could be increased without significantly increasing the energy cost.
The percentage of UF used was similar to that used in a previous work [38], where it was observed that this type of adhesive did not negatively affect stored strawberries and tomatoes. However, further studies are needed.
Studies have identified extractive products as possible toxic elements of mulberry wood, which are directly related to allergic reactions detected among the makers of mulberry wood musical instruments [16]. These reactions appear to have resulted from direct handling of the wood by craftsmen and its manipulation in poorly ventilated places. This aspect has been taken into consideration in this research when crushing the mulberry branches, taking care that this is done in open places and with closed tanks, as they are manufactured industrially. Mulberry wood has been used for many years in the manufacture of barrels to make a balsamic vinegar, so it can be presumed that the use of mulberry wood in horticultural containers is perfectly compatible.
The municipal authorities invest a large number of resources in the pruning and removal of mulberry waste [23]. The trunks are used as firewood, but the branches are sent directly to landfill. Due to the large amount of bark they have, the branches generate high concentrations of ash, which obstructs the burners [51]. The use of waste wood for the production of wood-based materials has been considered environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable [52], especially considering that the cost of managing mulberry branches in an authorized landfill is €18/m3 in southeast Spain. The profitability of using mulberry pruning resources is conditioned by the amount of biomass in the ecosystems of urban communities. If there is abundant residual biomass, as is the case in eastern Spain, it is possible to achieve both ecologically and energetically profitable objectives [22].

4. Conclusions

Mulberry particleboards were too heavy, with a mean weight of 0.418 kg, compared to conventional particleboards, which weigh around 0.315 kg. The mean density and thickness were higher than the plywood boards conventionally used to make fruit and vegetable containers; hence, it is necessary to reduce these values.
The containers met the requirements for flexural deformation of the base and stacking tests. However, they did not meet the requirements for dynamic compressive strength due to the staples detaching.
Mulberry pruning-waste particleboards could be a good alternative material to produce containers if the appropriate thickness, density and joining system are selected.
A large amount of mulberry pruning waste is generated from urban gardens. Utilizing this waste would have both economic and environmental benefits.

Author Contributions

M.T.F.-G. and C.E.F.-G. devised and designed the experiments; M.F.-V. and T.G.-O. performed the experiments; A.F.-G. and M.T.F.-G. analyzed the data; M.F.-V. contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools; M.T.F.-G. wrote the first draft of the paper. All authors assisted in writing and improving the paper.

Funding

This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness through the “Retos” programme, project AGL2013-41612-R.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness through the “Retos” programme, project AGL2013-41612-R.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Applsci 09 01806 g001 550
Figure 1. Mulberry branches obtained from pruning operations.
Figure 1. Mulberry branches obtained from pruning operations.
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Figure 2. (a) Board pieces, (b) container type.
Figure 2. (a) Board pieces, (b) container type.
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Figure 3. (a) Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image, (b) energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.
Figure 3. (a) Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image, (b) energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.
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Figure 4. (a) Flexural strength test of the container’s base; (b) stacking test.
Figure 4. (a) Flexural strength test of the container’s base; (b) stacking test.
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Table
Table 1. Properties of mulberry wood, Scots pine, poplar and eucalyptus.
Table 1. Properties of mulberry wood, Scots pine, poplar and eucalyptus.
WoodDensity
(kg/m3)		Fm
(N/cm2)		Em
(N/cm2)		References
Mulberry branches with bark445–63027–40550–1300This study
Pinus sylvestris478–57028–618700–11,598[48]
Poplar3786.1700[49]
Eucalyptus79014.11655[49]
Em. static bending modulus, fm: Static bending resistance.
Table
Table 2. Physical properties of mulberry and conventional plywood.
Table 2. Physical properties of mulberry and conventional plywood.
Particleboard TypeThickness (mm)Density (kg/m3)Moisture Content (%)TS (24 h) (%)WA (24 h) (%)
Mulberry pruning waste particleboard3.10 (0.42)853.86 (33.92)2.5 (0.6)21.4 (2.3)50.9 (3.6)
Conventional plywood2.95 (0.03)457.57 (7.20)5.39 (0.2)6.3 (1.2)86.5 (6.5)
TS: Thickness swelling; WA: Water absorption. RH: Moisture content of the boards. Data in parentheses: standard deviation.
Table
Table 3. Properties of the mulberry and industrial plywood boards.
Table 3. Properties of the mulberry and industrial plywood boards.
Board TypeMOR
(N/mm2)		MOE
(N/mm2)		IB
(N/mm2)		SH
(N/mm)
Agglomerate pruning mulberry20.51 (2.62)1906.70 (327.46)1.65 (0.45)68.36 (5.83)
Industrial plywood63.04 (12.40)6853.04 (1,924.1)0.73 (0.2)21.11 (1.58)
P3 requirements1318000.500.8
Requirements for interior-grade type (including furniture), according to the EN 312 standard. MOR: Modulus of Rupture in flexion; MOE: Modulus of Elasticity; IB: Internal bonding; SH: Screw holding strength. Data in parentheses: standard deviation.
Table
Table 4. Flexural strength of the base.
Table 4. Flexural strength of the base.
Container No.Deformation (mm)
11.71
22.11
32.14
41.77
52.10
62.10
mean2.00 (0.23)
( ) Standard deviation.
Table
Table 5. Stacking test results.
Table 5. Stacking test results.
Container No.“C” Load (N)Deformation (mm)Deformation/Height (%)
7–816603.801.69
9–1016603.201.43
11–1216602.451.09
mean16603.15 (0.65)1.40 (0.30)
( ): Standard deviation.
Table
Table 6. Dynamic compressive strength results.
Table 6. Dynamic compressive strength results.
Container No.Dynamic Load (N)Deformation (mm)
1320,5004.36
1419,5005.18
1520,5006.32
1620,5004.56
1717,0005.68
1819,0004.22
mean19,500 (1378)5.05 (0.83)
( ): Standard deviation.

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Ferrandez-Villena, M.; Ferrandez-Garcia, C.E.; Garcia-Ortuño, T.; Ferrandez-Garcia, A.; Ferrandez-Garcia, M.T. Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Containers Made from Mulberry Wood (Morus Alba L.) Waste. Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 1806. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091806

AMA Style

Ferrandez-Villena M, Ferrandez-Garcia CE, Garcia-Ortuño T, Ferrandez-Garcia A, Ferrandez-Garcia MT. Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Containers Made from Mulberry Wood (Morus Alba L.) Waste. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9(9):1806. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091806

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ferrandez-Villena, Manuel, Clara Eugenia Ferrandez-Garcia, Teresa Garcia-Ortuño, Antonio Ferrandez-Garcia, and Maria Teresa Ferrandez-Garcia. 2019. "Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Containers Made from Mulberry Wood (Morus Alba L.) Waste" Applied Sciences 9, no. 9: 1806. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091806

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