Agricultural residues have historically been used as animal feed or burned for disposal. These residues, therefore, have little economic value and may end up becoming disposal problems because tighter air quality control measures may limit burning of the residues. Therefore, value-added products made using agricultural residue components would resolve the disposal problem and provide alternative resources for energy, building materials or packaging. Residues are inexpensive to acquire but their transport to conversion plants may be cost-prohibitive. Nevertheless, investigations into the value-added use of the residues need to continue because the residues present opportunities for exploitation especially given the continuing increase in the cost of petroleum products that provide us with energy and an enormous variety products. Microscopy has provided valuable structural information on the formulation of various products. Here, we focus on almond hulls, their native microstructure and their microstructure following various enzymatic treatments.

Focus on agricultural residues: Microstructure of almond hull

244th National Meeting (2012)

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