Agriculture

  2012 SEP 25 (VerticalNews) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at China Weekly News -- Data detailed on Aldehydes have been presented. According to news reporting from Bangkok, Thailand, by VerticalNews journalists, research stated, "The objective of this study was to evaluate some of the properties of experimental medium-density fiberboard panels made from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) using a combination of cassava (Manihot utilissima) starch and a low percentage of urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin as a binder. Experimental panels with density levels of 0.65 and 0.80 g/cm(3) were made using 10 percent starch, 10 percent starch and 3 percent UF, and 10 percent UF for the control samples. ...read more

  2012 MAY 10 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "Albumin-based rigid and elastic foams were prepared by mechanically beating water solutions of the protein mixed with formaldehyde and camphor. The resulting foams were cross-linked in a traditional or in a microwave oven," scientists in Epinal, France report.

  "Formaldehyde was used as hardener of the protein and camphor as a plasticizer. Thermal conductivity was tested and found to be acceptable for thermal insulation but did not appear to be influenced by variations in foam density. Scanning electron microscopy of the different formulations showed some differences in cells structure. Formulations of different water content, formaldehyde hardener content, camphor content and oven curing time were tested. Within certain limits (a) increases in water proportion rendered the foam more elastic, (b) higher formaldehyde content increased foam rigidity and strength up to a value beyond which no further increase occurred, © the amount of camphor influences markedly the compression strength and foam elasticity/plasticity, (d) curing time improving foam strength up to 5 min in microwave curing, without any further effect for longer heating times," wrote X. Li and colleagues, University of Nancy I ...read more

  2012 JAN 12 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "Thirty plant species from Araceae, Agavaceae and Liliaceae families were tested for their abilities of removing formaldehyde in the air. Each plant was placed for seven days in a 1.0 m x 1.0 m x 0.8 m glass box filled with formaldehyde with the initial concentration as 15 mg m(-3)," researchers in Qingdao, People's Republic of China report.

  "Species such as Aglaonema commutatum cv. White Rajah, Spathiphyllum floribundum cv. Clevelandii, A. commutatum cv. Golden Jewelry, Agave potatorum, Dracaena fragrans cv. Massa-Ngeana, D. reflexa, Cordyline fruticosa, Gasteria gracilis and D. angustifolia showed the most resistance to formaldehyde pollution damage; species such as D. sanderiana, D. deremensis cv. Compacta, Sansevieria trifasciata cv. Hahnii, A. commutatum cv. Silver Queen and Alocasia macrorrhiza showed the second most resistance; species such as S. trifasciata cv. Laurentii, Aloe nobilis, Scindapsus aureus, Dieffenbachia amoena cv. Camilla, A. commutatum cv. Treubii, Scindapsus pictus cv. Argyraeus, Philodendron sodiroi cv. Wendimbe and Syngonium podophyllum showed the third class resistance; species such as Asparagus setaceus, Aloe aristata, Chlorophytum comosum, Philodendron martianum cv. Con-Go, Zamioculcas zamiifolia and A. commutatum cv. Red Narrow showed the resistance to less extents. Philodendron selloum showed the worst resistance to formaldehyde pollution damage. The absorption of formaldehyde by plants in the glass box chamber was found especially apparent during the first three days," wrote J.H. Zhou and colleagues, Peanut Institute ...read more