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10 pages, 1434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Properties of Binderless Insulating Boards Made from Canary Island Date Palm and Cork Particles

by Berta Elena Ferrandez-Garcia, Teresa Garcia-Ortuño, Manuel Ferrandez-Villena and Maria Teresa Ferrandez-Garcia

Processes 2024, 12(6), 1245; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061245 - 18 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1258

Abstract

Agglomerated cork is a natural cork that has gone through a process of crushing and pressing using heat and binders. One of its applications is thermal insulator in construction. The design of these materials is becoming an essential part of building. The raw materials currently used to make insulators consume a large amount of energy, which has created the need to increase the use of renewable and ecological resources such as plant fibers to reduce the environmental problems generated. The objective of this study was to determine the different properties of experimental particleboard panels made from cork and Canary Island date palms without using any binder at minimum energy consumption. The produced cork–palm boards (density of 850 kg/m³, reached a MOR 8.83 N/mm², MOE 794.5 N/mm², and IB 0.38 N/mm²) are higher values than the traditional cork particleboards with UF made from cork. The thermal conductivity values obtained 0.069 to 0.096 W/m·K are higher than cork boards with UF. Ecological boards that can be used as rigid thermal insulators in the construction industry have been achieved to improve the mechanical properties of the traditional agglomerated cork. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Processes, Methods, and Challenges in Cork Composites Manufacturing)

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14 pages, 2258 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patterns of Seed Penetration by the Date Stone Beetle Coccotrypes dactyliperda (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

by Dirk H. R. Spennemann

Insects 2022, 13(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010010 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3524

Abstract

The cryptic spermatophagus date stone beetle (Coccotrypes dactyliperda Fabricius, 1801) tunnels into palm seeds for oviposition and subsequent establishment of brood galleries. Based on behavioral observations this paper describes the biomechanical and gustatory parameters that govern the initial excavation of the tunnels and the subsequent establishment of the galleries. When tunneling into Canary Islands Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis Chabaud, 1882) seeds, penetration principally occurs at the dorsal side of the seed, in particular the groove, which allows the beetle to gain the required traction. Tunneling is executed in a circular fashion with clockwise or counter-clockwise repositioning in approximately one-eighth to one-quarter turns. Biomechanically, the three pairs of legs provide thrust (hind legs), pivoting (mid legs), and lateral control (fore legs). Gustatory cues, the nature of which remains unclear at this point, prevent the beetle from tunneling through to the other side. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of True Weevils (Curculionidae))

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19 pages, 2371 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Seed Geometry in the Arecaceae

by Diego Gutiérrez del Pozo, José Javier Martín-Gómez, Ángel Tocino and Emilio Cervantes

Horticulturae 2020, 6(4), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae6040064 - 7 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5654

Abstract

Fruit and seed shape are important characteristics in taxonomy providing information on ecological, nutritional, and developmental aspects, but their application requires quantification. We propose a method for seed shape quantification based on the comparison of the bi-dimensional images of the seeds with geometric figures. J index is the percent of similarity of a seed image with a figure taken as a model. Models in shape quantification include geometrical figures (circle, ellipse, oval…) and their derivatives, as well as other figures obtained as geometric representations of algebraic equations. The analysis is based on three sources: Published work, images available on the Internet, and seeds collected or stored in our collections. Some of the models here described are applied for the first time in seed morphology, like the superellipses, a group of bidimensional figures that represent well seed shape in species of the Calamoideae and Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud. Oval models are proposed for Chamaedorea pauciflora Mart. and cardioid-based models for Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl. Diversity of seed shape in the Arecaceae makes this family a good model system to study the application of geometric models in morphology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Horticulturae)

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14 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Tunisian Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis Hort. Ex Chabaud) Dates and Evaluation of Their Addition in Biscuits

by Mohamed Turki, Letricia Barbosa-Pereira, Marta Bertolino, Ismahen Essaidi, Daniela Ghirardello, Luisa Torri, Nabiha Bouzouita and Giuseppe Zeppa

Foods 2020, 9(6), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9060695 - 28 May 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3866

Abstract

Phoenix canariensis Hort. Ex Chabaud, also known as the Canary Island palm or ornamental palm, is an endemic species of the Canary Islands and has been widely propagated globally. It has become one of the most important and appreciated ornamental plants, especially in the Mediterranean climate. The fruits are edible but used only for feed as they are bitter. Despite its diffusion, not much data on the composition of these fruits and their application as food are available. The aim of this study was to define the chemical characteristics, especially those of the polyphenolic constituents, of red and yellow varieties of Canary palm dates, and to evaluate their use alone or in different mixes in biscuit production. The yellow variety had higher quantities of fiber (36.88% DW (Dry Weight)) and polyphenolic compounds, while the red variety had a high content of sugars, mainly glucose (22.8% DW). Epicatechin is the most important polyphenol of dates (562 μg/g DW). The use of date palm powder on biscuit production resulted in an increase in hardness, polyphenol and fiber content, and antioxidant activity. Sensory analysis showed that the biscuits obtained with a 25/75 mix of red/yellow date powder had the most overall liking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Food Ingredients for Safe and Health-Promoting Functional Foods)

14 pages, 2836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Particleboard Made from Palm Tree Prunings

by Clara-Eugenia Ferrández-García, Antonio Ferrández-García, Manuel Ferrández-Villena, Juan Fernando Hidalgo-Cordero, Teresa García-Ortuño and María-Teresa Ferrández-García

Forests 2018, 9(12), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/f9120755 - 5 Dec 2018

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 7876

Abstract

Palm trees are very fast-growing species. Their management produces annually a large amount of biomass that traditionally has been either disposed of at dumping sites or has been burnt onsite. This paper presents an experimental study to obtain particleboard using this biomass in a low energy process (short pressing time and low pressing temperature), using particles of different sizes from the rachis (midrib) of the three palm species most representative of urban gardening in Spain: canary palm (Phoenix canariensis hort. ex Chabaud), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and washingtonia palm (Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl). Their physical and mechanical properties were tested, and the feasibility of their use as a construction material was evaluated. The results showed that the manufactured particleboard had similar performance to conventional wood particleboard and good thermal insulation properties. Boards made with the canary species showed better mechanical performance. The properties of the particleboard depended on the particle size and species. The use of the pruning waste of palm trees to produce durable materials such as particleboard could be beneficial to the environment since it is a method of carbon fixation, helping to decrease atmospheric pollution and reducing the amount of waste that ends in dumping sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)

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12 pages, 1444 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Red Palm Weevil in the City of Bari: A First Damage Assessment

by Ruggiero Sardaro, Rinaldo Grittani, Maria Scrascia, Carlo Pazzani, Valentina Russo, Francesca Garganese, Carlo Porfido, Laura Diana and Francesco Porcelli

Forests 2018, 9(8), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/f9080452 - 26 Jul 2018

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4874

Abstract

Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (Canary Palm) is one of the most distinctive landscape elements of several coastal urban centers in Italy. However, over the past few years, international trade has increased the risk of the introduction of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red Palm Weevil) in the country, causing the death of numerous plants. In this work we assessed the damage caused by the insect to Canary Palm in the City of Bari, Apulia Region, furnishing useful information to decision makers and communities for proper preservation measures in favor of this important urban-green resource. The findings shed light on effective and efficient spending strategies of public funds for urban green inside areas affected by the Red Palm Weevil, also based on cost-benefit approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Nonnative Species on the Health of Natural and Planted Forests)

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