Preparation, friction and wear properties of hydrophobic lanthanum borate nanorods in rapeseed oil

Oleic acid (denoted as OA) surface-caped lanthanum borate nanorods, abbreviated as OA/LaBO3·H2O, were prepared via hydrothermal method. The microstructures of the as-prepared OA/LaBO3·H2O nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The friction and wear properties of OA/LaBO3·H2O nanorods in rapeseed oil were evaluated with a four-ball tribo-tester. The results show that the as-prepared OA/LaBO3·H2O nanorods are hydrophobic and display nanorods morphology with uniform diameter of about 50 nm and length of up to 500 nm. In the meantime, OA/LaBO3·H2O nanorods can obviously improve the anti-wear and friction-reducing capacities of rapeseed oil, and the optimal anti-wear and friction-reducing properties of rapeseed oil were obtained at an OA/LaBO3·H2O content of 1% (mass fraction).

Friction and wear performances of magnesium alloy against steel under lubrication of rapeseed oil with S-containing additive

A S-containing additive, sulfuration modified rapeseed oil （named as SRO）, was prepared by chemical modification of rapeseed oil with sulfur compounds. The results indicate that the friction and wear of the magnesium alloy-steel tribomates could be effectively reduced by formulating SRO into rapeseed oil lubricant. The friction coefficients and the wear volumes of magnesium alloy decrease with increasing contents of SRO. The surface lubricated with SRO-doped rapeseed oil was characterized by less wear as compared with that lubricated with neat rapeseed oil. The enhanced anti-wear and friction-reducing abilities of rapeseed oil by SRO in the lubrication of magnesium alloy against steel were ascribed to the formation of a composite boundary lubrication film due to the strong adsorption of SRO and rapeseed oil onto the lubricated surfaces and their tribochemical reactions with magnesium alloy.

Biodiesel production and its development strategy

Biodiesel, an environmentally friendly biofuel with similar flow and combustion properties as petroleum-based diesel and low emission profile, which is commonly prepared from triglyceride （TG） sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste greases, holds good promises as an alternative to diesel fuel. Alternate fuels for diesel engines have become increasingly important due to diminishing petroleum reserves and awareness of the increased environmental consequences of emissions from petroleum-fuelled engines, as the world is confronted with an energy crisis. Currently, the production of methyl or ethyl esters from edible oils is much more expensive than that of diesel fuels due to the relatively high costs of vegetable oils （about four times the cost of diesel in China）. Methyl esters produced from such oils can be expected to compete economically with diesel fuels, and there is a need to explore low cost alternate feedstocks for the production of biodiesel. Rapeseed is little sensitive to crop input levels, allowing reduction of tillage, irrigation, and weed control. Significant yield increases will be attained using new hybrids and better crop management. Rapeseed cultures in seasonal set-aside lands such as Dongting Lake surroundings can significantly decreases the amount of subsides spent for agricultural overproduction in China, which leads to an increase in farmer incomes as well as the creation of new employment. This significantly lowers production costs, reduces environmental impact, and increases final energy gains. Our rapeseed oil is good source for biodiesel with respect to high oil content and proper fatty acid composition.

Heterosis Analysis of Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Grain Production of Brassica napus L.

[Objective]The aim was to study heterosis of N use efficiency for grain production （NUEg） of Brassica napus L. and provide theoretical basis for breeding N-efficient cultivars. [Method]Dry matter production and N content of six B.napus parents （Zheshuang 3,Yangyou 7,ZJ1,Shilijia,Ningyou 14 and Huyou 16） and their F1 combinations from 6 × 6 complete diallel cross in maturity stage under two N levels were measured; heterosis of NUEg,combining ability and heritability size were analyzed and calculated. [Result]The results showed that NUEg has obvious heterosis; combining ability variance analysis indicated that NUEg was mainly controlled by additive,dominant and cytoplasmic effects; genetic variance analysis showed that additive effects and dominance effects were all significant in low nitrogen fertilizer and dominance effects were significant in high nitrogen fertilizer. [Conclusion]NUEg of B.napus has obvious heterosis.

Strategies and Suggestions for the Development of Mechanized Rapeseed Production in Sichuan

Mechanization is the future direction of rapeseed production in Sichuan. A series of technology tests for rapeseed mechanized production have been carried out in terms of variety selection, key agronomic measures and machinery in the main production area of Sichuan in recent years. In the research, the agronomic techniques, including variety selection for mechanical production, key agronomic measures and mechanical harvesting were analyzed. Based on the present condi- tions, strategy and suggestions for the development of mechanized rapeseed produc- tion in Sichuan also were presented.

Effects of Spraying KCl Solution on Photosynthate and Grain Yield and Quality of Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.)

[Objective] In order to seek the way of high quality and high yield of oilseed rape.[Method] Soil culture experiment was used in this research.1% （mass fraction） KCl solution was sprayed to the stems and leaves of oilseed rape in full blooming stage while 1.17% （mass fraction） K2SO4 solution and clear water were used for comparison,sampling in initial silique stage and harvest stage were conducted to detect photosynthate,soluble sugar and free amino acids content.[Result] The results showed that compared with spraying clear water,spraying KCl solution increased the contents of chlorophyll a in functional leaves,the contents of free amino acids and soluble sugar in leaves,stems and silique,and the total amounts of them all in initial silique stage but decreased the contents of free amino acids and soluble sugar in leaves and stems,and the total amounts of them all in harvesting stage,increased the average grain yield 10.20%,increased the average contents of oil,oleinic acid and linoleic acid in rapeseed 4.40%,10.60% and 11.40% respectively,decreased the content of protein,erucic acid and glucosinolate in rapeseed 5.10%,9.70% and 3.70% respectively.No significant difference between spraying K2SO4 solution and spraying clear water,significant difference between them all and spraying KCl solution.[Conclusion] The experimental results provided theoretical basis for increasing oilseed rape yield and quality researches.

Effects of Main Cultivation Factors on Rapeseed Oil Yield

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the influence of six cultivation fac- tors： sowing date, plant density, nitrogen fertilizer amount, phosphate fertilizer amount, potash fertilizer amount and boron fertilizer amount on seed oil yield of Brassica napus. [Method] Statistical analysis was carried out based on the data from previous studies and our work. [Result] Oil yield shared a negative correlation with sowing date, a parabolic relationship with plant density mostly, parabolic rela- tionships with amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer and amount of applied boron fer- tilizer, straight-line relationships with amount of applied phosphate fertilizer and amount of applied potash fertilizer. The average amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer required to obtain the highest oil yield was 185.18 kg/hm2 for high-oil rape varieties （with oil content above 44.00%）, and under this condition, the average oil yield of low-oil rape varieties （with oil content below 42.00%） was 1 247.84 kg/hm2, while that of high-oil rape varieties was 1 442.60 kg/hm2, which was 15.61% more than the former. The average amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer required to obtain the highest oil yield for lower-oil rape varieties was 286.28 kg/hm2, and under this con- dition, the average oil yield of the low-oil rape varieties was 1 350.57 kg/hm2, while that of the high-oil varieties was 6.81% higher than it. There was a significant neg- ative correlation between rapeseed oil yield and the amount of applied nitrogen fer- tilizer to obtain the highest oil yield （0.980 0）. The optimum amount of applied ni- trogen, phosphate, potash and boron fertilizer were 187.5-195, 187.5-195, 105-120, 135-150 and 15-22.5 kg/hm2 for high-oil B. napus varieties. [Conclusion] This study determined the influence of sowing date, plant density and amount of applied nitro- gen fertilizer on oil yield of B. napus, and proposed an optimum cultivation pattern for high-oil varieties.

Friction and Wear Performance of Magnesium Alloy against Steel under Lubrication of Rapeseed Oil with BN-containing Additive

A BN-containing additive,the boron and nitrogen modified rapeseed oil (abbreviated as BNR),was prepared by chemical modification of rapeseed oil with boric and nitrous compounds.The friction and wear performances of the AZ91D magnesium alloy against the GCr15 bearing steel under lubrication of rapeseed oil containing BNR were evaluated on a SRV tribotester.The topography and chemical species of the worn surfaces of magnesium alloy were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS),respectively.The test results indicated that the friction and wear of the magnesium alloy-steel tribomates could be effectively reduced by incorporating BNR into the rapeseed oil lubricant.The friction coefficients and the wear scars of magnesium alloy decreased with an increasing content of BNR.The surface lubricated with the BNR-doped rapeseed oil demonstrated less wear as compared with that lubricated with neat rapeseed oil.The enhanced anti-wear and friction-reducing abilities of rapeseed oil provided by BNR in the lubrication of magnesium alloy against steel were ascribed to the formation of a composite boundary lubrication film due to the strong adsorption of BNR and rapeseed oil onto the lubricated surfaces and their tribochemical reactions with magnesium alloy.

Separation of Erucic Acid from Rape-Seed Oil Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide with Entrainer

Separation of erucic acid from rape-seed oil using supercritical carbon dioxide with entrainer was carried on a pilot column with an inner diameter 14 mm and an effective total height 2.2 m. Experiments were focused on the effects of entrainers, i.e. acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate, on the extraction. It is showed that entrainers made selectivity lower, but separation time shorter.

Can Cadmium Uptake by Chinese Cabbage be Reduced After Growing Cd-Accumulating Rapeseed?

Rapeseed （Brassica campestris L.）, a Cd-accumulating crop, is effective in reducing plant-available Cd from soil. A pot experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the Cd uptake by Chinese cabbage （Brassica pekinensis Rupr.） grown in rotation with rapeseed would be reduced due to the efficient removal of bioavailable Cd from soil solution by the rapeseed crops. The Cd removal by shoot for the rapeseed cultivar Zhucang Huazi ranged from 0.24% to 0.99% in natural Cd-contaminated soil （soil A） and from 0.63% to 1.23% in artificial Cd-contaminated soil （soil B） during the growth period of 4 7 weeks; whereas that for the rapeseed cultivar Chuanyou Ⅱ-93 ranged from 0.25% to 0.66% and from 0.38% to 1.02%, respectively. Chinese cabbage grown in the pots with soil A for five weeks after harvesting rapeseed exhibited a significantly lower Cd concentration compared to that grown in the control pots （uncropped with rapeseed）. However, the rotation of rapeseed did not lower the Cd concentration of Chinese cabbage on soil B. Although an increase of Cd uptake was observed in the rapeseed cultivars with growth time, and the decrease of soil NH4OAc-extractable Cd was found only in the natural rather than artificial Cd-contaminated soil.

Isolation and Characterization of Microorganisms for Degradation of Minimal Oils and Fats at Low Temperatures

The isolation of microorganisms for biodegradation of minimal fats and oils at low temperatures was reported. By using rapeseed oil as a sole carbon source, six strains were isolated from five kinds of oils/fats-contaminated wastewater, soil, and active sludge. Among them, two strains which show the highest oil removal ratios were identified as Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Pseudomonas mendocina, respectively. The experiments of orthogonal impact conditions show that the optimal oil degradation condition is at pH 8.0, 5 ℃ and 100 mg/L oil. Under this condition, the rapeseed oil degradation ratios of two strains after 24 hours amount to 92.6% and 92.0% respectively, whereas the removal ratios of lard decrease to 39.5% and 54.3%.

A Study on Triacylglycerol Composition and the Structure of High-Oleic Rapeseed Oil

The composition of fatty acids in triacylglycerides （TAGs） and their position on the glycerol backbone de- termine the nutritional value of vegetable oil. In this study, gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （HPLC-MS/MS） were used to analyze the compo- sition and distribution of fatty acids in TAGs of different rapeseed oils. Our results show the content of oleic acid in higb-oleic-acid rapeseed oil to be about 80%. In terms of the number of acyl carbon atoms （CN）, TAGs with CN52-54 were most abundant, with a maximum concentration at CN54 （80%）. The main type of TAG was oleic-oleic-oleic （OOO）, accounting for 71.75%, while oleic-oleic-linoleic （OOL） accounted for ？.56%, oleic-oleic-linolenic （OOLn） accounted for 4.81%, and stearic-oleic-oleic （SO0） accounted for 4.74%. Oleic acid in high-oleic-acid rapeseed oil was distributed in the following order of preference： sn-2 〉 sn-1/3. In high-erucic-acid rapeseed oil, however, oleic acid was enriched at the sn-1/3. These data show that the content of oleic acid can be as high as about 80% in high-oleic-acid material. This finding suggests that high-oleic-acid rapeseed oil has high nutritional value.

Study Rheological Behavior for Rapeseed Oils

Rheological behavior of this article presents rapeseed oil. Dynamic viscosity of rapeseed oil was determined at temperatures between 40 ℃-90 ℃ and shear rates ranging from 3.3-120 s1. All types of oils studied Bingham fluid behavior in the temperature range from 313-363 K. Correlation coefficients have similar values to one for all oils studied.

Tribological Behavior of Benzothiazoline Derivative as Additive in Rapeseed Oil

A novel lubricating oil additive 3-((2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3,2,6-dioxazaborocan-6-yloxy)methyl) benzo[d] thiazole-2(3H)-thione(BTD) was synthesized.The product was characterized by FTIR,elemental analysis,and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA).Four-ball tribological tests showed that the addition of a definite concentration of this additive to rapeseed oil could effectively increase both the load-carrying capacity,resistance to wear,and friction-reducing abilities of the oil.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observations have confirmed that the additive could result in a reduced diameter of the wear scar.

Viscosity Indices of Rapeseed Oil

In this article, viscosity indices was presented for a number of vegetable oils, crude rapeseed oil, degummed rapessed oil, rapeseed oil dry, rapeseed oil bleache and refined rapeseed oil using two methods. Viscosity indices were calculated from the measured viscosity at 40℃ and 100℃ using ASTM D （American Society for Testing and Materials ） 2270 and method graphically using ASTM D 341. The viscosity-temperature coefficients for vegetable oils were calculated from the measured viscosity at 40℃ and 100℃.

Characterization of Rapeseed Oil Using FTIR-ATR Spectroscopy

Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance （FTIR-ATR） spectroscopy was employed to characterize rapeseed oils. The spectral features of rapeseed oils were first investigated. Spectral data was processed using principal component analysis （PCA） and linear discriminant analysis （LDA） to discriminate the oils from three cultivars of rapeseeds. As a result, 100% discrimination accuracy was obtained by LDA. Furthermore, the applicability of FTIR-ATR spectroscopy to characterize the changes of rapeseed oils caused by thermal treatment was studied. The rapeseed oil at 60 ℃ was regularly subjected to spectral measurement, and the spectral changes induced by thermal treatment were analyzed and discussed. This study had demonstrated the good performance of FTIR-ATR spectroscopy in characterizing rapeseed oils.

Local Cooking Oil Faces Foreign Challenges

Alarming local oil industry This year,the purchasing price of rapeseed from China＇s major production bases has gone up due to the decline in planting area of oil-bearing crops.

Growing Development and Physiological Characteristics of Seeds Harvested Different Days after Pollination and Their 7-day Seedlings of Two Yellow-Seeded Cultivars of Brassica napus L.

This study aimed to understand the growing development and physiological characteristics of seeds harvested different days after pollination and the seedlings emerged from the seeds of yellow-seeded Brassica napus L..Two yellow-seeded cultivars‘Hongyuan 558’and‘Qinyou 806’were selected in this study,and 50 seeds were collected 30,35,and 40 d after pollination,respectively.The seeds were weighed and placed on filter paper for hydroponic experiments.The seed germination rate was determined 3-5 d later.The physiological indicators including superoxide dismutase(SOD),peroxidase(POD),and catalase(CAT)activities and malondialdehyde(MDA)content were measured for the seeds harvested different days after pollination and the 7-day-seedlings emerged from the seeds.The results showed that the seed dry weights and germination rates of both‘Qinyou 806’and‘Hongyuan 558’increased as the days after pollination increased,especially 30-35 d after pollination.The germination rate and dry and fresh weights of the seeds showed no significant differences between the two cultivars,and almost all the seeds germinated 40 d after pollination.As the days after pollination increased,the SOD activities in the seeds of both cultivars first increased and then decreased,reaching their peaks 35 d after pollination,which may be related to encountering adverse stress.The POD activity in the seeds of‘Qinyou 806’kept declining,and that of‘Hongyuan 558’first increased and then decreased,which may be related to the antioxidant mechanism and adaptive regulation.The CAT activities in the seeds of both cultivars first decreased and then increased.The MDA content in the seeds of‘Qinyou 806’first decreased and then increased,while that of‘Hongyuan 558’kept reducing and was the highest in the seeds 30 d after pollination,which indicated‘Hongyuan 558’was mildly affected by the environment and had strong resistance.The activities of SOD and POD in the seedlings of two cultivars that were emerged from the seeds 35-40 d after pollination became weakened,which may be related to their exposure to stress.The CAT activity in the seedlings of‘Hongyuan 558’was generally higher than that of‘Qinyou 806’,indicating that‘Hongyuan 558’had stronger stress resistance.The MDA content in the seedlings emerged from the seeds 35-40 d after pollination showed a decreasing trend,indicating that the seedlings emerged from the seeds harvested at this stage had mild cell membrane damage and enhanced stress resistance.In conclusion,‘Hongyuan 558’had strong environmental adaptability and stress resistance.

Over-expression of the AtGA2ox8 gene decreases the biomass accumulation and lignification in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA 2-oxidase) plays very important roles in plant growth and development. In this study, the AtGA2ox8 gene, derived from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), was transformed and over-expressed in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) to assess the role of AtGA2ox8 in biomass accumulation and lignification in plants. The transgenic plants, identified by resistant selection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analyses, and green fluorescence examination, showed growth retardation, flowering delay, and dwarf stature. The fresh weight and dry weight in transgenic lines were about 21% and 29% lower than those in wild type (WT), respectively, and the fresh to dry weight ratios were higher than that of WT. Quantitative measurements demonstrated that the lignin content in transgenic lines decreased by 10%-20%, and histochemical staining results also showed reduced lignification in transgenic lines. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that the transcript levels of lignin biosynthetic genes in transgenic lines were markedly decreased and were consistent with the reduced lignification. These results suggest that the reduced biomass accumulation and lignification in the AtGA2ox8 over-expression rapeseed might be due to altered lignin biosynthetic gene expression.