H. L. E. Vix

Bio: H. L. E. Vix is an academic researcher from United States Department of Agriculture. The author has contributed to research in topics: Filtration & Extraction (chemistry). The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 29 publications receiving 399 citations.

Elimination of aflatoxins from peanut meal.

Abstract: Peanut meal containing aflatoxins was heat treated in the presence of moisture and chemicals to reduce the aflatoxin content. Treatments with ammonia, methylamine, sodium hydroxide and ozone were effective in either destroying aflatoxins or greatly reducing aflatoxin levels as indicated both by TLC analysis and feeding experiments with ducklings and rats. Weight gains for animals receiving the treated meals were essentially comparable to those for animals receiving aflatoxin-free meal. The treated meals, however, had somewhat reduced protein efficiency ratios, as indicated by rat feeding tests. Complete elimination of aflatoxins from contaminated peanut meal was achieved by extraction with a 90% acetone-10% water (w/w) solvent system. The extracted aflatoxin-free peanut meal gave good growth in the duckling and rat feeding tests, and had a relatively high protein efficiency ratio.

Degossypolized cottonseed flour—the liquid cyclone process

Abstract: Predictions can be made safely that glanded cottonseed is likely to be with us for quite some time. Worldwide, 20 to 22 million metric tons of glanded cottonseed are produced annually. Hence a workable process for the removal of pigment glands is needed urgently if food-grade products are to be made from cottonseed. A brief history of the development of the Liquid Cyclone Process for the preparation of degossypolized cottonseed flour is outlined. Gossypol is removed in pigment glands via liquid cyclones, thus giving the development its name. The process consists of several unique operations including adequate drying of the meats prior to flaking, fluidizing of the flakes using commercial hexane, comminuting the fluidized slurry in a stone mill and adjusting the solids content of the milled slurry for proper separation of the fine flour from the glands, hulls and coarse meal in the cyclones. Finally, the flour is defatted and washed with hexane on a rotary vacuum filter, dried and desolventized under mild conditions to maintain protein quality. It is visualized that the above operations can be incorporated in a satellite plant operated in conjunction with a parent solvent extraction cottonseed oil mill. Sanitary conditions of the satellite plant will meet the exacting standards of the better food processing plants. Raw material specifications as well as type of plant needed and potential markets are discussed.

A bench-scale method for evaluating the processing characteristics of oilseeds for filtration-extraction

Abstract: A simple laboratory testing apparatus and its use have been described. With relatively few pounds of material it is possible to evaluate many preparation and filtration variables and to predict with a fair degree of accuracy the behavior of a continuous horizontal vacuum filter. It is felt that such a unit will be invaluable for use in commercial plants, especially during the start-up operations of a new plant. The bench-scale unit should also find application in connection with other processes employing the unit operations of extraction and filtration.

Mycotoxins and reproduction in domestic livestock.

Abstract: Molds are parasitic plants that are ubiquitous in livestock feedstuffs. Even though molds themselves reduce the quality of grains, their synthesis of chemical substances termed mycotoxins causes the greatest monetary loss to the animal industry. Five major mycotoxins that impair growth and reproductive efficiency in North America are aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin, and ergot. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Consumption of grains containing aflatoxins by swine affects reproduction indirectly by reducing feed intake and growth. In swine, aflatoxins impair liver and kidney function, delay blood clotting, increase susceptibility to bruising, and interfere with cellular humoral immune systems. Ruminants are comparatively resistant to aflatoxicosis, but presence of aflatoxins in milk of dairy cows is closely monitored for human safety. Depending on environmental conditions, Fusarium roseum can produce either zearalenone or deoxynivalenol. Days 7 to 10 postmating seem to be a critical period of gestation for zearalenone to exert its detrimental actions on early embryonic development. Presence of deoxynivalenol in swine feedstuffs decreases feed intake, causes feed refusal, and induces occasional vomiting. Several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus produce ochratoxin, a mycotoxin that causes necrosis of kidney tissue. Ergot alkaloids produced by Claviceps purpurea on wheat can cause reproductive problems and are associated with lactational failure in swine. Various methods have been developed to remove mycotoxins from infected feedstuffs. Chemical analyses in laboratories as well as diagnostic kits suitable for use at the elevator or farm can be used successfully to identify which mycotoxins are present in suspect feedstuffs.

Spent Coffee Grounds as a Versatile Source of Green Energy

Abstract: The production of energy from renewable and waste materials is an attractive alternative to the conventional agricultural feed stocks such as corn and soybean. This paper describes an approach to extract oil from spent coffee grounds and to further transesterify the processed oil to convert it into biodiesel. This process yields 10-15% oil depending on the coffee species (Arabica or Robusta). The biodiesel derived from the coffee grounds (100% conversion of oil to biodiesel) was found to be stable for more than 1 month under ambient conditions. It is projected that 340 million gallons of biodiesel can be produced from the waste coffee grounds around the world. The coffee grounds after oil extraction are ideal materials for garden fertilizer, feedstock for ethanol, and as fuel pellets.

Aflatoxins in food: occurrence, biosynthesis, effects on organisms, detection, and methods of control.

Abstract: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by species of Aspergilli, specifically Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These molds are ubiquitous in nature and grow on a variety of substrates, thereby producing aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are of great concern due to their biochemical and biological effects on living organisms. In this article, the occurrence of aflatoxins, their biosynthesis, factors influencing their production, their effects on living organisms, and methods of detection and control in food are reviewed. Future areas of research involving mathematical modeling of factors influencing aflatoxin production and alternative methods of control, such as modified atmosphere packaging, are also discussed.