[in Japanese]

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We carried out comprehensive technological innovation to resolve problems related to post-squeezing yuzu waste. The concepts underpinning this project are effective utilization of agricultural waste ; preservation of the environment ; and recycling of resources toward eco-consciousness. We developed a steam-distillation extractor, equipped with an ultrasonic generator, to recover high quality pure essential oil from post-squeezing yuzu waste more effectively than by the conventional method. We also developed a new bio-system including specific facilities for the purification of the resultant wastewater and for the generation of compost from the post-distillation yuzu waste residue.

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Various types of biomass, such as food waste and logging residue, are found in each region. It is desirable to make the best possible use of these types of regional biomass on the local basis, taking their respective properties and characteristics into consideration. In this report, we will discuss the characteristics of the main biomass species grown in Shizuoka Prefecture, and their usage.
The following examples are considered : 1) Extraction of essential oils from sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) wood and the pericarp of the locally grown citrus variety, daidai (Citrus aurantium), as well as the analysis of their odors. 2) Characteristics of coffee grounds and tea grounds produced in large quantities during beverage manufacture, as well as their valuable components and usage.
An aromatic essential oil could be extracted from sugi wood using supercritical CO₂ , Odor analysis demonstrated that cis-calamenene contained in this essential oil is one of the characteristic aroma components of sugi wood. Also, extraction at pressures of 200kgf/cm² or higher generated an essential oil containing a large amount of ferruginol -a highly antibacterial substance.
Steam distillation of daidai pericarp under reduced pressure produced an essential oil with a high proportion of aroma-active components.

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For the extensive and complete utilization of sweetpotato, it is one of the most important economical and ecological problems for waste byproducts from agricultural products to convert new valuable materials (zero-emission for the agricultural processing). Recently a boom of a traditional type of shochu has risen up and the production of sweetpotato shochu in Southern Kyushu has increased. For one bottle of shochu product (25% alcohol) two bottles of shochu waste (a distilled residue) would be discharged. The waste has high value of BOD and SS and became rotten easily to produce bad odor, although it has rich nutrient substances. Thus, we planed to design a new zero-emission system for sweetpotato shochu making, with the cooperation of a shochu company. For the complete utilization of sweetpotato shochu moromi, fermented moromi was separated into liquid and solid fractions prior to distillation, thereafter each one was distilled separately to obtain new types of shochu (pale and mellow types) and two types of food materials (liquid and solid types). Thus, by the virtue of this new processing system we can attain zero-emission. Liquid type contains a lot of nutrient components such as citric acid, amino acids, soluble dietary fiber etc., whereas solid type contains a lot of insoluble dietary fiber derived from sweetpotato and yeast.

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The first thing that caught my attention about hiba oil, which I extracted from Aomori’s prefecture tree, was its superior antibacterial effect. By researching it and developing it in an industry University Co-operative joint venture for medical, industrial, and agriculture use Hiba oil offered new and interesting applications in fields such as allergy prevention around the house, pest prevention in agriculture, hospitalized infection prevention. Because of hiba oils many applications and uses in the Aomori industry technology center, I examined a technique to emulsify hiba oil and succeeded in making not only an emulsion particle of hiba oil of nano level size less than around 200 nm, but also a superior nano emulsion particle in terms of stability and dilution stability. As applied products of the nano hiba oil, I developed trial products such as the antibacterial machined “collection cutting boards” in “a nano hiba oil mist device” and ”a rush carpet” nano hiba oil.

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There is abundantly logging residues of branch and leaves etc. in the logging area etc. of the woodland. Among logging residues, in branch and leaves, it is hardly used, and the establishment of those uses is pressing needs. ”Essential oil” in which an antibacterial, insect repellents, an effect of the relaxation, an antioxidant property, a deodorant action, and the removal effects of environmental pollutants, etc. are found is included in the logging residues, and the utility value is very high. Then, the vaccumed microwave-assisted steam distillation method was developed as those efficient extraction methods. The target essential oils can be extracted extremely efficiently by new extraction metnod in a short time, and the use development of extraction residues with the fuel etc. is possible, because the extraction residues of dry condition is obtained, The outline of a new extraction method, the possibility of use, and the possibility of a new woodland business that used them were considered here.

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