Search

In this study, the giant reed (Arundo donax L.) was used as a substrate for bioethanol production. To study and optimize the effect of bioethanol production parameters, including sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration (3–9, w/w%), temperature (60–180 °C), and pretreatment duration (30–120 min), on bioethanol concentration, and theoretical bioethanol yield, response surface methodology (RSM) based on the Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used. Alkaline pretreatment with NaOH was done on the substrate and all the samples were subjected to an enzymatic degradation experiment under conditions of loading 30 FPU cellulase/g dry biomass and then converted to bioethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. The results showed significant effects of the variables on bioethanol production, except for the effects of temperature on theoretical bioethanol yield. The optimal conditions for producing bioethanol under alkaline pretreatment conditions are a NaOH concentration of 3.0%, a temperature of 60 °C, and a pretreatment duration of 30 min which identified the optimal conditions of bioethanol concentration (3.19 g/L), and theoretical bioethanol yield (25.62%). These results contribute to supporting the potential of giant reed biomass as a suitable raw material for bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates the energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions for the production and the processing for thermal use of Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a second-generation perennial energy crop. The agronomic study took place in Buenos Aires (Argentina) under humid to subhumid climatic conditions. Rhizomes and in vitro micropropagated plantlets were employed and cultivated under both fertilization and rainfed conditions during 2018–2022. The yield demonstrated a substantial increase from 3.8 t/ha to 23.1 t/ha from implantation to crop setting. Throughout this period, the energy input escalated from 23 to 70 GJ/ha, with the planting phase exhibiting the highest energy intensity. This surge can be attributed to the use of herbicides, accounting for 44.1%–61.3% of the energy consumed. Energy outputs were 17 (±0.19) MJ/kg as the low heating value obtained from the biomass elemental composition. The net energy yield for the 10-year lifecycle resulted in 2851.3 (±20.2) GJ/ha, and the output/input ratio varied from 41 (for pellets) to 126 (for chips). Carbon emissions ranged from 343.9 (for plantlets) to 371.9 (for rhizomes) kg CO2e/ha during the implantation stage, resulting in 208.3, 397.6, and 859.6 kg CO2e/ha for chips, bales, and pellets, respectively. This study reinforced the knowledge about the farming of this energy crop and displayed a promising scenario for the sustainable development of the Arundo donax L. based value chain. JEL Classification Q4, Q43, Q56 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sludge treatment reed bed planted (STRB) with Phragmites australis (P.australis) and Arundo donax (A.donax) was assessed in the presence of Eisenia fetida under control condition during the dry season. Worm-planted units were fed with mixed sewage sludge (dry and volatile solids of 29.44 g DS.L−1 and 24.23 g VS.L−1). Sludge loading rates (SLR) of 50, 60, and 70 kg DS m−2 year−1 were examined to assess dewatering efficiency. Surface layers in units with P.australis and A.donax achieved DS of 80 and 81% at a loading rate of 50 kg DS m−2 year−1, while their subsurface DS were 41 and 25%, respectively. Units with A.donax experienced plant loss when subjected to SLR exceeding 60 kg DS m−2 year−1. More than 10 cm of residual sludge accumulated on the top of units after a 2-month final rest. Evapotranspiration was greater in the unit with P.australis (5.23 mm day−1) compared to the unit with A.donax (4.24 mm day−1) while both were fed with 70 kg DS m−2 year−1. Water loss contributions from residual sludge layer, drained water, and evapotranspiration were 3, 46, and 51%, respectively. Units with P.australis indicated 20% higher water loss compared to units with A.donax. Although the drained water quality improved over time, it did not meet standard limits. The residual sludge layer contained macro and micronutrients, and heavy metals with a significant elemental order of N > Ca > P > S > mg > K (N:P:K = 31:8:1), Fe > Na > B > Mn > Mo and Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd. Overall, STRB could be a sustainable alternative technology to conventional sewage sludge management techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial effluents pose a serious environmental problem, because they contain toxic contaminants mainly heavy metals that are the most dangerous to humans, animals, plants, and the environment in general. Phytoremediation using macrophytes is an adopted technique for the environment decontamination due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The present study aims to highlight the capabilities of macrophytes to remove heavy metals from wastewater of Biskra region (Algeria). The methodology consists of filling out the filters planted with Arundo donax and Phragmites australis with raw industrial wastewater, then recovering decontaminated water after 15 days to assess removal of lead, copper, zinc, and iron. Both plants had shown a good efficiency for the removal of metals loaded in wastewater eliminating about 94 to 98% of initial concentration. In addition, calculated bioaccumulation factor (BAF) had confirmed the accumulation of heavy metals in different parts of experimental plants; recorded values of BAF > 1 allowed the consideration of Arundo donax and Phragmites australis as good hyper-accumulator plants. Obtained results confirm the efficiency of phytoremediation technology using macrophytes for the wastewater treatment in particular and the environment decontamination in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arundo donax L. (Arundinoideae subfamily, Poaceae family) is a sub-tropical and temperate climate reed that grows in arid and semi-arid environmental conditions, from eastern China to the Mediterranean basin, suggesting potential adaptations at the epicuticular level. A thorough physical-chemical examination of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of A. donax leaf was performed herein in an attempt to track such chemophenetic adaptations. This sort of approach is of the utmost importance for the current debate about the hypothetical invasiveness of this species in the Mediterranean basin versus its natural colonization along the Plio-Pleistocene period. We concluded that the leaf surfaces contain, apart from stomata, prickles, and long, thin trichomes, and silicon-rich tetralobate phytolits. Chemically, the dominating elements in the leaf ashes are oxygen and potassium; minor amounts of calcium, silicon, magnesium, phosphorous, sulphur, and chlorine were also detected. In both surfaces the epicuticular waxes (whose density is higher in the adaxial surface than in the abaxial surface) form randomly orientated platelets, with irregular shape and variable size, and aggregated rodlets with variable diameter around the stomata. In the case of green mature leaves, the dominating organic compounds of the epicuticular waxes of both surfaces are triterpenoids. Both surfaces feature identical hydrophobic behaviour, and exhibit the same total transmittance, total reflectance, and absorption of incident light. The above findings suggest easy growth of the plant, remarkable epidermic robustness of the leaf, and control of water loss. These chemophenetic characteristics and human influence support a neolithization process of this species along the Mediterranean basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant reed (Arundo donax) is widely distributed across the globe and is considered an important energy crop. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast genome of giant reed, revealing detailed characteristics of this species' chloroplast genome. The chloroplast genome has a total length of 137,153 bp, containing 84 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes, with a GC content of 39%. Functional analysis indicates that a total of 45 photosynthesis-related genes and 78 self-replication-related genes were identified, which may be closely associated with its adaptability and growth characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Arundo donax cv. Lvzhou No.1 belongs to the Arundionideae clade and occupies a distinct evolutionary position compared to other Arundo species. The findings of this study not only enhance our understanding of the giant reed genome but also provide valuable genetic resources for its application in biotechnology, bioenergy crop development, and ecological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arundo donax is widely used as an ornamental plant in landscape gardening because of its adaptability to varying degrees of waterlogged conditions. However, to date, little information is available about the adaptive mechanism of A. donax under waterlogging stress. The results showed that long-term mild waterlogging efficiently induced the formation of adventitious roots (ARs) and further promoted root aerenchyma development, and that the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) in Ars also was greatly enhanced after waterlogging. At the transcriptomic level, the expression of genes related to apoptosis, the regulation of cell division, ethylene biosynthesis, alginate synthesis, auxin signaling pathways, and anaerobic respiration was mostly up-regulated after the occurrence of waterlogging stress but genes involved in the abscisic acid signaling pathways were partly down-regulated, which indicated a preferential and favorable transcriptional response in regulating adventitious root development. Taken together, this study definitely advances our knowledge of the morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic responses of A. donax under waterlogging stress and sheds new lights on its adaptive mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Paragus Latreille, 1804 with over 100 species of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) is widely distributed except for Antarctica. The larval biology of these hoverflies is well known since they develop in aphid colonies, which are often of economic importance. However, the immature stages of only 9 of the 27 known larvae of genus Paragus are described. Paragus (Paragus) hyalopteri Marcos-García & Rojo, 1994, is a Palaearctic species described from Spain. Its larva has only been found preying on the aphid Hyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy, 1762) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on several species of fruit trees and on leaves of Arundo donax L., and Phragmites spp. Here for the first time the full life cycle of a Paragus hoverfly is described including egg, all three larval stages and the puparium. Eggs, larvae and pupae of P. hyalopteri were collected on leaves of Phragmites australis (Cav.) among aphid colonies of H. pruni, and their morphology analyzed and described in detail using stereomicroscope and Scanning Electron Microscope techniques. To facilitate the diagnosis of Paragus larvae, a key to all known larvae of Paragus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the EU's REPowerEU initiative (COM (2022) 108) which encourages an increase in biogas production by 20% in member states by 2030 to boost energy independence, it has become essential to identify sustainable alternatives to traditional feedstocks for biogas production, especially in the EU Member states where there is still high dependence on corn silage as the main raw material in biogas plants. While corn silage, predominantly used in the European biogas plants today, serves primarily for the livestock sector, alternative sources need to be explored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of Arundo donax, a perennial energy crop, as an alternative feedstock in a continuous anaerobic process. The biogas yield and its quality, characterized by CH4, CO2, H2S and O2 content, were determined during a continuous process with A. donax, compared with two mixed feedstocks of A. donax and corn silage over a 5‐month period in a continuous anaerobic digestion process. The results revealed that A. donax exhibits a biogas yield and methane content comparable to corn silage, indicating its potential as a viable and sustainable alternative feedstock for biogas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on a multilevel analysis considering six species of bamboo of the Phyllostachys family (P. bambusoides, edulis, iridescens, viridiglaucescens, violacescens, and vivax) and Arundo donax grown in temperate climates, most of them not already studied in the literature. The analysis is divided into three levels. The analysis at the first level (the microscopic scale) includes an anatomical study to assess the shapes and dimensions of the vascular bundles and the sclerenchymatic and parenchymatic tissues. At the second mesoscale level, the percentage and distribution of the fibres, voids and parenchyma are calculated. At the third level, the macroscopic one, a discussion of the influence of the microscopical properties on mechanical properties is carried out. Despite the limited number of specimens analysed at the microscale level, differences between species emerged from the analysis and influenced the macroscopic characteristic values. In particular, the morphology of the components differs, especially in the case of Arundo donax, which presents a unique distribution of its components along the culm wall. Different contents of each component are observed for the species analysed. Moreover, an innovative analysis that focuses on the presence and distribution of voids is presented, which have a fundamental role in the mechanical behaviour of this material. The analysis did not account for the influence of the environment on composition or anatomical and physical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Portland cement-based composites have a great environmental impact. Alkali-activated binders can offer an alternative, particularly if they can be obtained even partially from waste. Two residuals derived from the finishing steps of the traditional ceramic industry have been used as possible polymerizable sources mixed with metakaolin. Moreover, to contrast the low dimensional stability of alkali-activated materials and their mechanical brittleness, natural fibers derived from the Arundo donax plant have been added to the mortars. The use of renewable natural fibers instead of synthetic ones can contribute a further environmental advantage. The fresh (consistency) and cured (mechanical) properties of composite materials prepared with residuals and metakaolin were analyzed here. For comparison's sake, a reference set of composite materials not loaded with fibers but with an identical binder/sand and liquid/binder ratio was cast. A room-temperature curing condition was selected that, although inadequate to promote the short-time reactivity of the wastes, has a minimal energy requirement and allows on-site applications. A small-scale decrease in the properties in the compression mode tests was observed in the waste-modified mortars, while the Arundo addition improved their flexural strength and dimensional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to synthesize a green nanoparticle SnCuO@FeO nanocomposite core–shell to break oily water emulsions during petroleum-enhancing production processes as an alternative to chemical and physical processes. In this study, eight bacterial isolates (MHB1–MHB8) have been isolated from tree leaves, giant reeds, and soil samples. The investigation involved testing bacterial isolates for their ability to make FeO nanoparticles and choosing the best producers. The selected isolate (MHB5) was identified by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene as Bacillus paramycoides strain OQ878685. MHB5 produced the FeO nanoparticles with the smallest particle size (78.7 nm) using DLS. XRD, FTIR, and TEM were used to characterize the biosynthesized nanoparticles. The jar experiment used SnCuO@FeO with different ratios of Sn to CuO (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) to study the effect of oil concentration, retention time, and temperature. The most effective performance was observed with a 1:1 ratio of Sn to CuO, achieving an 85% separation efficiency at a concentration of 5 mg/L, for a duration of 5 min, and at a temperature of 373 K. Analysis using kinetic models indicates that the adsorption process can be accurately described by both the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. This suggests that the adsorption mechanism likely involves a combination of film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. Regarding the adsorption isotherm, the Langmuir model provides a strong fit for the data, while the D-R model indicates that physical interactions primarily govern the adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic analysis reveals a ∆H value of 18.62 kJ/mol, indicating an exothermic adsorption process. This suggests that the adsorption is a favorable process, as energy is released during the process. Finally, the synthesized green SnCuO@FeO nanocomposite has potential for use in advanced applications in the oil and gas industry to help the industry meet regulatory compliance, lower operation costs, reduce environmental impact, and enhance production efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive availability of biomass generated by the common giant reed (Arundo donax L.) motivates the search for its possible industrial use for the generation of high added-value products through implementing a biorefinery approach. The literature demonstrates the potential of common cane to obtain different high-value compounds, such as levulinic acid, oligosaccharides, fermentable sugars, highly digestible fiber for animal feed, polyphenols, and natural fibers for composite materials, among others. The data shows the upward trend in Europe toward the generation of new green industries, grouped under the biorefinery concept. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on the use of Arundo to produce materials, fibers, and chemicals. Major environmental concerns related to this plant are also reviewed. Special attention has been paid to the potential use of Arundo to produce chemicals using green chemistry approaches, as a way to contribute to and advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Recommendations for future research are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment in a constructed wetland is achieved by the presence of plant species, the metabolism of microorganisms, and the enzyme activities. Three small‐scale hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSFCWs) planted with Arundo donax and one unplanted HSFCW were constructed near a water resource recovery facility at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation between soil enzymatic activities and the removal of contaminants from domestic wastewater. Enzyme activity of phosphatase, protease, urease, and cellulase increased with an increase in temperature. A strong correlation between enzyme activities and TKN and surfactant removal was observed, whereas moderate correlation was observed with phosphate in planted HSFCW during the study. The correlation between COD removal and enzyme activities was low to moderate. In unplanted HSFCW, the correlation between enzyme activities and COD removal was negative, negligible to moderate to strong in the case of TKN, low to moderate in the case of phosphate, and negligible to low in the case of surfactants. The increased removal efficiency of the planted system compared with that of the unplanted system indicated a positive impact on enzyme activities with the growth of plants and their roots. Practitioner Points: Protease, urease, and cellulase activities:Planted HSFCW exhibited higher protease, urease, and cellulase activities than unplanted, signifying enhanced breakdown.July displayed maximum enzyme activities, correlating with heightened biological breakdown in both systems.Fluctuations in enzyme activities reflected seasonal changes, influencing nutrient degradation rates.Planted HSFCW consistently showed higher enzymatic activities across protease, urease, and cellulase than unplanted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prymnesium parvum is a harmful alga found in brackish waters worldwide whose toxins can be lethal to aquatic organisms. Established field methods to control blooms of this species, however, are unavailable. Earlier studies showed that various extracts of giant reed (Arundo donax) can suppress P. parvum growth and that ellipticine, an allelochemical present in giant reed, is a potent algicide against this species. The unintended effects of giant reed products on nontarget organisms, however, are not fully understood. This study determined the effects of giant reed leachate (aqueous extract of dried chips) and ellipticine on growth of P. parvum and the green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana; survival and reproduction of the planktonic crustacean Daphnia pulex; and hatching success, larval survival, and larval swimming behavior of the teleost fish Danio rerio. Leachate made with 3 g chips L−1 was lethally toxic to P. parvum and D. pulex, stimulated C. sorokiniana growth, and impaired D. rerio behavior. Leachate at 1 g L−1 fully suppressed P. parvum growth, had moderate effects on D. pulex reproductive output, and had no effects on D. rerio. Ellipticine at 0.01 mg L−1 irreversibly inhibited P. parvum growth, acutely but reversibly inhibited C. sorokiniana growth, slightly delayed D. pulex reproduction, and had no effects on D. rerio. These observations suggest that when applied at appropriate concentrations, natural products derived from giant reed can be used as tools to specifically control P. parvum growth with minimal effects on nontarget species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Heavy metals removal from industrial wastewater of Biskra (Algeria) by Arundo donax and Phragmites australis" published in the journal Environmental Monitoring & Assessment. The correction addresses errors in the placement and labeling of figures in the article. The corrected captions for Figure 3 and Figure 4 are provided, and it is noted that Figure 5 was missing from the original publication. The correction notice is authored by Sarra Badache and Nora Seghairi and published by Springer Nature. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACTGiant reed (Arundo donax L.) is a plant species with a high growth rate and low requirements, which makes it particularly interesting for the production of different bioproducts, including natural fibers. This work assesses the use of fibers obtained from reed culms as reinforcement for a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix. Two different lignocellulosic materials were used: i) shredded culms and ii) fibers obtained by culms processing, which have not been reported yet in literature as fillers for thermoplastic materials. A good stress transfer for the fibrous composites was observed, with significant increases in mechanical properties; composites with 20% fiber provided a tensile elastic modulus of almost 1900 MPa (78% increase versus neat HDPE) and a flexural one of 1500 MPa (100% increase), with an improvement of 15% in impact strength. On the other hand, composites with 20% shredded biomass increased by 50% the tensile elastic modulus (reaching 1560 MPa) and the flexural one (up to 1500 MPa), without significant changes in impact strength. The type of filler is more than its ratio; composites containing fibers resulted in a higher performance than the ones with shredded materials due to the higher aspect ratio of fibers.

This article discusses the control options for the invasive plant species Rubus caesius (European dewberry) in riparian systems. Rubus caesius is a woody shrub native to Europe and Asia that has become naturalized in the vicinity of Ithaca, New York. The plant has been observed forming dense monocultures and spreading downstream in watersheds. The study compares the effectiveness of mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods for reducing the cover of Rubus caesius. The results show that herbicides, particularly glyphosate and triclopyr, combined with mechanical treatments, were the most effective in reducing the coverage of Rubus caesius. However, the use of herbicides may be restricted in certain areas, so alternative methods such as sequential cuttings may be considered. [Extracted from the article]

The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential of Arundo donax (giant reed) and Cynodon dactylon (grass clippings) biomasses as possible sources of fermentable sugars for microbial protein production by Candida tropicalis. Optimization of dilute acid pretreatment and detoxification parameters was carried out for selecting the best conditions for sugar release and efficient removal of inhibitory compounds. The optimum conditions for hydrolysis in both the biomasses were found to be 1.5% sulphuric acid, 1.5:10 solid to liquid ratio with 30 and 45 min duration for grass clippings and giant reed, respectively. Under these conditions, 21.85 g/L fermentable sugars including glucose and xylose were released from giant reed and 32.38 g/L from grass clippings in the dilute acid hydrolysate. Optimization of activated carbon-based detoxification revealed that 4% w/v activated charcoal concentration at pH 1.5 with 30 min orbital shaking was sufficient to achieve maximum reduction of inhibitors in giant reed hydrolysate. Whereas for grass clippings, 1 h treatment was required for significant reduction of phenolic compounds. The wild C. tropicalis was adapted for multiple generations to tolerate up to 14 g/L acetic acid in pure glucose and xylose based-medium. This adapted yeast when cultivated in concentrated hydrolysate media resulted in increase of cell biomass by 21.83 and 14.28% in giant reed and grass clippings, respectively in comparison to the wild yeast. The freeze-dried powder of C. tropicalis cells cultivated in giant reed and grass clippings hydrolysate contained 48.51% and 51.67% protein respectively. The results of this study advocate the potential of giant reed and grass clippings as efficient lignocellulosic sources for single cell protein production by C. tropicalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An open-field 3-year-long microplot experiment was set up with three micropropagated lines (SC Blossom, BFT Indiana, and STM Hajdúsági) of giant reed (Arundo donax L.). Plants were grown on a soil cover of a former sewage settling pond located in Debrecen Lovász-Zug, Hungary. Soil cover of the sewage sediment was moderately contaminated with various toxic elements (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The highest total concentration of examined toxic elements in leaves was found in the BFT Indiana line (∑326 mg/kg), while in the SC Blossom and STM Hajdúsági lines, ∑210 mg/kg and ∑182 mg/kg were measured, respectively. The highest Zn concentration (117 mg/kg) was found in the leaves of in BFT Indiana line and was 67% higher than that in SC Blossom and 95% more than in the STM Hajdúsági line. The BFT Indiana leaves showed typical signs of adaptation to heavy metal stress in the case of numerous micromorphometric characteristics. The extent of leaf mesophylls decreased, and the number of bulliform cells and phytoliths, as well as the sclerenchymatous stock, increased. The size of the vascular bundles was reduced. The size of the stomata decreased while the stomatal density increased. It can be concluded that the BFT Indiana line had the best adaptational response to heavy metal stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Arundo donax Linnaeus was utilized as the biomass and a TH/DS (Tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide/Dimethyl sulfoxide, C16H37NO/C2H6OS) system was employed to dissolve biomass cellulose. The optimal process for the preparation of Arundo donax L. biomass regenerated cellulose fiber was determined through process optimization. The physical properties and antimicrobial performance of the resulting products were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the physical indicators of biomass regenerated cellulose fiber, prepared from Arundo donax L. cellulose, met the requirements of the standard for Viscose Filament (Dry breaking strength ≥ 1.65 CN/dtex, Elongation at dry breaking 15.5–26.0%, and Dry elongation CV value ≤ 10.0%). Additionally, excellent antimicrobial properties were exhibited by the biomass regenerated cellulose fiber developed in this study, with antibacterial rates against Staphylococcus aureus and other three strain indexes meeting the Viscose Filament standards. Furthermore, high antiviral activity of 99.99% against H1N1 and H3N2 strains of influenza A virus was observed in the experimental samples, indicating a remarkable antiviral effect. Valuable references for the comprehensive utilization of Arundo donax L. biomass resources are provided by this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how invasive species respond to changes in abiotic factors and what influences their ability to colonise newly disturbed areas is necessary to predict species expansion, prioritise management efforts, and develop ecological models. We conducted a fully factorial greenhouse experiment using rhizome fragments to examine the effects of four nutrients levels, three soil moisture levels, and two light levels (with five replicates, n = 120) on the growth and resource allocation patterns of Arundo donax, a large‐statured invasive wetland species. We predicted that A. donax's performance‐related traits—traits that directly influence the functionality and fitness of an individual—such as aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), net photosynthesis, and average stem height, would be highest under high light, high soil moisture and high nutrient conditions due to the ability of aggressive invasive species to capitalise on greater resource availability. Analyses using general linear mixed‐effects models revealed significant interactions between soil moisture and light. Plants grown in saturated, high light conditions exhibited the highest values for performance‐related traits. However, contrary to predictions, nutrients did not significantly influence these traits. Multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated that nutrients did influence biomass allocation patterns, with plants grown with added nitrogen and phosphorus displaying higher AGB:BGB and stem:leaf ratios. This research highlights A. donax's unique response to nutrient addition and the plasticity of biomass allocation patterns. By understanding how invasive species respond to common abiotic factors, we can better predict their expansion and prioritise management efforts, such as focusing on areas of low overstory shading, while also providing crucial information for ecological model development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have adopted a straightforward, eco‐friendly and economically profitable pyrolysis route of tailoring quantum dot size carbon particles (CD) from the leaves of Arundo donax. The synthesized uniformly dispersed CD1 and CD2 have an average diameter of 4.5 nm and 3.5 nm respectively as determined via HRTEM. FT‐IR analysis corroborated nitric acid treatment leads to rich surface functionalization of CD2. Experimentally estimated average fluorescence (FL) lifetime of the as‐prepared CD1 and CD2 are 2.31 ns and 3.87 ns respectively. Juxtapose to other metal ions, Cd+2 ions can efficiently quench FL of CD1, while Cr+6 ions, on contrary, prominently enhanced FL of CD2. Benefitting from their FL response, a turn off sensor was built using CD1 to detect Cd+2 ions and a turn on‐off sensor by CD2 to sense Cr+6 with impressive limit of detections of 2.58 nM and 1.73 nM respectively. They exhibit superior performance compare to other documented nanoscopic materials. The FL "turn off" interaction mechanism of CD1 was attributed mainly to static quenching. While that of "turn on‐off" mechanism for CD2 was ascribed to chelation enhanced fluorescence phenomenon and a rare partial combination of inner filter effect plus dominate dynamic type of quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal structures and the hygroscopicity of bio-based boards consisting of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and hazelnut shells as bio-aggregates, and a sodium silicate solution as the adhesive, were investigated. The aim was to evaluate the influence of each material (the bio-aggregates and adhesive) and their distributions in the boards on the final performance. By carrying out X-ray computed tomography, the internal structures and the porosities of the boards were determined, allowing important considerations of their hygroscopicity. The voids' percentages were between 26% and 36% of the total volume of the composites. Both the materials and the composites demonstrated high hygroscopicity. In particular, the mixtures of the bio-aggregates and the sodium silicate allowed reaching a moisture buffering value of 7.44 g/(m2%RH) for the A. donax-based composite, 3.86 g/(m2%RH) for the hazelnut-shell-based composite, and 4.65 g/(m2%RH) for the mixture-based composite. Besides the identification of the contributions of the materials, a detailed discussion of the assessed properties was carried out to use these bio-based boards in vernacular historic construction. The results show how the aggregate type and the adhesive content affected the final behavior, demonstrating the importance of a conscious material choice. Furthermore, helpful information for the future development of these types of bio-based boards and their possible optimization was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reported the valorization of various alternative lignocellulosic feedstocks including giant reed (GR), palm fronds (PF) and esparto grass (EG) for the development of promising nitrated structurally modified cellulosic biopolymers (NNCs). The extracted nanostructured cellulose precursors and their nitrated derivatives were analyzed for their physicochemical properties, chemical structure, crystallinity and thermal stability. Experimental findings confirmed the successful formation of the desired energetic NNCs polymers with increased densities (1.698-1.711 g/cm³) and high nitrogen contents (13.10-13.26%) followed the order NNC-EG>NNC-PF>NNC-GR, which are greater than those of the commonly used nitrocellulose (1.650-1.670 g/cm³ and 12.50-12.70%). Furthermore, isoconversional integral models (TAS, it-KAS and VYA/CE) were exploited based on non-isothermal DSC data to investigate their thermal decomposition kinetics. The predicted kinetic parameters displayed that the synthesized energy-rich NNCs presented close values of Arrhenius parameters within the range of 156 ≤ Ea (kJ/mol) ≤ 163 and 14.7 ≤ Log(A(s-1) ≤ 15.6, and decomposed following diverse reaction mechanisms. Consequently, the explored lignocellulosic biomasses could be considered as valuable alternative non-woody resources for the production of advanced high-energy dense cellulosic biopolymers for potential application in the next generation of solid propellant formulations and composite explosives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation aims to explore the potential of chemical treatment to improve the acoustic and morphological performance of Arundo donax reed particles. To this end, both treated and untreated particles were fabricated into samples with varying diameters and subjected to sound absorption testing via a two-channel impedance tube. The findings revealed that the immersion of particles in a 5% sodium hydroxide solution resulted in a reduction in particle diameter by 19.2%, as well as an increase in inner surface porosity by 4.9%. Consequently, the sound absorption performance of treated particles improved by an average of 42.6% when compared to untreated particles. Notably, the impedance spectroscopy results indicated that the differences in the real and imaginary parts of the impedance can be attributed to a reduction in particle thickness and roughness of surface morphology after treatment with NaOH. Overall, these observations offer compelling evidence that chemical modification of natural fibers can lead to the development of more efficient and effective porous sound absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural and physio-chemical properties of biochar are crucial to determining biochar's quality and the adequate application. Specifically, the large porosity of biochar has been known as a favorable feature, especially for environmental remediation. In this regard, physical and chemical modifications have been used to improve biochar's porosity which requires high-energy consumption and involves chemical agents. The objective of this study was to prepare biochar with developed porosity using mild treatments. Arundo donax and olive stone were demineralized by a water-washing method. Treated and non-treated biomasses were pyrolyzed, and part of the derived samples was subjected to wet ball milling. Samples were characterized with proximate, Fourier transform infrared, particle size, and physisorption analyses. The effect of demineralization depended on the biomass type, as ash reduction only influenced Arundo donax-derived biochar, which was attributed to the difference in initial ash content that was relatively low for olive stone. The carbonization yield decreased by 46% for the Arundo donax biomass after demineralization. Moreover, demineralization expanded the surface area and total pore volume of the Arundo donax biochar. The ball milling was effective in producing micro-sized biochar particles with a mean size ranging between 30 ± 2 µm and 42 ± 2 µm and between 13 ± 1 µm and 22 ± 2 µm for Arundo donax and olive stone without and with demineralization, respectively. Ball milling increased the surface area of non-demineralized Arundo donax by 47% and demineralized Arundo donax by 124%. Additionally, ball milling increased the surface area of non-demineralized olive stone by 65% and demineralized olive stone by 62%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, the cellulose fibers were extracted from Arundo donax through a three‐step treatment. The effects of the alkaline pre‐treatment, acid hydrolysis, and soxhlet‐based extraction on the qualitative and quantitative attributes of the resultant cellulose fibers were investigated. The results of the present study signify a positive correlation between chemical treatment and cellulose content. The overall yield conversion of cellulose was recorded as 156.67%, after Soxhlet‐based purification. It was also observed that the moisture content, percentage of water absorption, rate of water absorption, and ash mass fraction gradually declined after each treatment step. The correlation between the chemical treatment with quantitative and qualitative attributes revealed a gradual increment in cellulose content, crystallinity index, and purity of cellulose fiber extracted from A. donax. The FTIR spectra emphasized that the obtained cellulose was free from impurities after Soxhlet‐based extraction. Simultaneously the DTG curve of A. donax fiber revealed a low rate of derivatization in the fibers extracted after Soxhlet treatment. The SEM and EDX analysis illustrate that the cellulose fibers were devoid of impurities as well as contamination of heavy metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Marginal land is characterized by low crop productivity and is sometimes additionally contaminated. Such marginal land however presents a large opportunity to produce non-food biomass from perennial grasses with low risks of Indirect Land Use Change (low ILUC). Miscanthus spp. and Arundo donax also known as giant reed are leading bioenergy crops due to their high biomass productivity, but yields can be limited by insufficient water supply or phytotoxic levels of heavy metals. Drought and heavy metals are the most serious abiotic stress and negatively affect crop growth and development. The current study was conducted to identify the most drought and heavy metal (Zn) tolerant hybrid among seven novel Miscanthus hybrids and seven Arundo clones. Based on the morpho-physiological and biochemical analysis, the M. sinensis × M. sacchariflorus hybrid GRC 10 and Arundo clone PC1 were the most drought and Zn stress tolerant. The findings of this study provide a foundation for further investigations of the molecular and physiological mechanisms and recommendations for the cultivation of GRC 10 hybrid line and Arundo PC1 in marginal land. High-yield potential perennial crops, such as Miscanthus spp. and Arundo donax are amongst the most promising sources of sustainable biomass for bioproducts and bioenergy. Although several studies assessed the agronomic performance of these species on diverse marginal lands, research to date on drought and zinc (Zn) resistance is scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the drought and Zn stress tolerance of seven novel Miscanthus hybrids and seven Arundo clones originating from different parts of Italy. We subjected both species to severe drought (less than 30%), and Zn stress (400 mg/kg−1 of ZnSO4) separately, after one month of growth. All plants were harvested after 28 days of stress, and the relative drought and Zn stress tolerance were determined by using a set of morpho-physio-biochemical and biomass attributes in relation to stress tolerance indices (STI). Principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and stress tolerance indices (STI) were performed for each morpho-physio-biochemical and biomass parameters and showed significant relative differences among the seven genotypes of both crops. Heatmaps of these indices showed how the different genotypes clustered into four groups. Considering PCA ranking value, Miscanthus hybrid GRC10 (8.11) and Arundo clone PC1 (11.34) had the highest-ranking value under both stresses indicating these hybrids and clones are the most tolerant to drought and Zn stress. In contrast, hybrid GRC3 (−3.33 lowest ranking value) and clone CT2 (−5.84) were found to be the most sensitive to both drought and Zn stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arundo donax and Phragmites australis were examined in 4 different periods (June and October for 2 years), heavy metal and mineral element accumulations in plants were evaluated, and water-soil-plant relationships were revealed. Element distributions, bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and translocation factors (TF) in different parts of the investigated plant species were also determined. BAFs of elements calculated by using the concentration values in underground parts and sediment samples were between 1.02 and 4.96. While the highest TF was determined as 8.07 for Zn between washed leaf and stem in A. donax, the lowest TF was determined as 0.05 for Fe between stem and underground part. Corresponding highest and lowest TFs for P. australis were 11.80 for Cu between washed leaf and stem, and 0.02 for Fe between stem and underground part, respectively. The results were supported by MANOVA statistical analyzes. Additionally, the macro-micro elements and heavy metal accumulation levels in the parts of the Orontes River ecosystem were significantly higher in the fall periods compared to the spring periods. Our research revealed that the versatile accumulation properties and high accumulation ability of A. donax for Cd, Cr, and Ni and of P. australis for Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The Orontes River passes through the regions of three different countries with high population density and developed economies. This study presents the current state of the relationship between the element types and their concentrations in the sediments in the Orontes River ecosystem and the ecophysiological parameters of the river. In this study, the focus was on the Türkiye-Hatay region of the Orontes River, the water-soil-plant relationship in this region was revealed in detail, and valuable data were compiled for researchers who will conduct research on the river ecophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To contribute to the use of bio‐based materials in the building sector, a novel bio‐based wall panel, with a high thermal performance level, is proposed in this work. The panel is based on an ancient rural technique, widely diffused in southern Italy, which makes use of Arundo donax L. canes combined with gypsum plaster to build walls and ceilings of rural buildings. The enhancement of the thermal capacity of these panels by means of the introduction in the canes of a natural wax oleogel (WO) is proposed in this paper. A specific experimental campaign aiming at the comparison of traditional and innovative panels was carried out to assess the enhanced thermal performance of the proposed solution. The maximum value of heat flow absorbed from the panel with WO was 61.08 W/m2 around a mean panel temperature of 24°C, corresponding to the melting temperature range of the WO. The panel without WO at the same temperature absorbed an incoming heat flow of 34.64 W/m2 which is about 57% of the panel with WO. The panel with WO released at a temperature of about 27.5°C, a heat flow of 43.42 W/m2. At the same temperature of about 27.5°C, the panel without WO released a heat flow of 34.38 W/m2 which is about 80% that of the panel with WO. The results highlighted that the addition of natural WO has enhanced the thermal capacity of the panel facilitating heat dissipation through the borders. These characteristics make the panel a suitable component for internal partitions of controlled temperature zones such as residential rooms, storage food areas, livestock buildings, and where it is necessary to obtain a constant environmental temperature. In particular, the null or low toxicity of the panel's materials allows for partition use, also in hygienically safe environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effects of water level changes on the growth and physiology of Arundo donax var. versicolor and to understand its adaptive mechanisms to water level fluctuations, this study was conducted. A. donax var. versicolor was selected as the experimental species, and a dual-pot method was employed to simulate both rising and falling water level conditions. The study analyzed morphological characteristics (plant height, stem diameter, leaf traits, root traits), biomass, and photosynthetic features (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a + b, carotenoids) of A. donax var. versicolor under these two water level conditions. The results revealed that (1) under the condition of rising water level, the morphological characteristics and chlorophyll content showed an overall trend of increasing initially and then decreasing with the increase of the rate. The growth rate of 0.2–0.4 cm/d groups were better, while exceeding its tolerance range led to a decrease in photosynthetic pigment content and even cell inactivation. (2) falling water level were more complex, with plant height, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area being higher in the 0.8–1 cm/d groups, but values for leaf number and root characteristics were lower. This suggests that moderate stress can promote the growth of A. donax var. versicolor, but in the later stages, it can lead to leaf yellowing, root shrinkage, and even death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to evaluate the ability of Meyerozyma guilliermondii P14 to produce bioethanol from pretreated biomass of giant reed (Arundo donax). The wild yeast was isolated from its natural habitat and identified by phylogenetic analysis. Arundo donax biomass was sequentially pretreated by acid and alkali treatments to break the recalcitrant structure. The pretreated biomass was analysed by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy to observe the structural changes in the biomass. Pretreated biomass was then enzymatically saccharified, and the resultant broth was used to produce ethanol by M. guilliermondii P14. The fermentation parameters such as pH, temperature, composition of media, and agitation rate were optimized prior to saccharified broth-based fermentations. The results of this study revealed that the dual pretreatment of biomass could make 90.56% cellulose accessible for enzymatic attack. Subsequently, saccharification of pretreated biomass with two enzyme variants resulted in conversion efficiency of 85–87%. Fermentation of saccharified broth resulted in 32.89 g/L final ethanol concentration at 72 h. This has corresponded to 0.48 g/g of ethanol yield and 0.456 g/L/h volumetric productivity. M. guilliermondii is known to utilize both pentose and hexose sugars unlike Saccharomyces cerevisiae which makes it a major player in cellulosic ethanol production. This study provides a significant evidence to the information pool of second-generation bioethanol production from unconventional glucose fermenting yeasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of micro-magnetic resonance imaging (μ-MRI) for identifying archaeological reeds found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Reed plants had various historical uses in the past, with ancient Egyptians extensively employing them for crafting a wide range of items. The distinct cross-sectional characteristics of Arundo donax (giant reed) and Phragmites australis (common reed) are observed and described via optical microscopy and μ-MRI in this study. While optical microscopy offers higher resolution, μ-MRI provides advantages for studying archaeobotanical specimens, as it eliminates the need for mechanical sectioning and potentially damaging fragile samples. The application of μ-MRI on a selected archaeological reed allowed us to identify it as Phragmites australis, showing that μ-MRI can yield clear images, maintaining the integrity of the sample. In contrast, diagnostic features appeared greatly deformed on the thin section observed via optical microscopy. Despite the limitations related to the sample size and the need for sample soaking, μ-MRI presents a valuable tool for analyzing archaeological remains in the field of cultural heritage, with the potential for broader applications. Overall, this study contributes to expanding the toolkit available to researchers studying plant remains, providing insights into reed identification and preservation in archaeological contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marginal land exploitation devoted to versatile crops, such as giant reed, is related to the degree of land marginality. Two experiments were conducted in two sites of Sardinia (Italy) to investigate the effects of management on dry matter yield and water productivity (WP). Experiment 1 compared four crop evapotranspiration restoring treatments (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and a rainfed control) over 5 years. Experiment 2 lasted 7 years and investigated zero-input supply on crop response. Experiment 1, notwithstanding well-watered conditions (Irr100), showed a higher value of biomass production during the last year monitored, but yielding only 13.5 Mg DM ha−1 and with no significant difference from Irr75. Moreover, being equal the average dry matter yield, in the Irr100, we would save 3630 m3 of irrigation water by achieving the same WP recorded in the Irr25 (25% ETc restoring). Experiment 2, being equal rainfall amount, raised WP values that picked 8.2 kg m−3 during 2018. Results indicate that in less favourable soils as the Experiment 1, well-watered conditions do not ensure better crop growth and productivity, whereas in deep soils (Experiment 2) promising productive results, as well as ecosystem services, could be obtained without any input supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "A Protein from the Aerial Part of Arundo donax and its Hypoglycemic Activity," discusses the research conducted on the protein content and amino-acid composition of Arundo donax, a perennial cereal plant used in Eastern folk medicine. The study found that the protein composition of A. donax contains 17 amino acids, including essential amino acids. The protein was also found to have a hypoglycemic effect in hyperglycemic rats, reducing blood sugar levels by up to 38.4% compared to the control group. The results suggest that the protein from A. donax could be beneficial for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides an analysis of the lipids and polysaccharides found in Arundo donax, a plant commonly used in Eastern folk medicine. The study focused on the leaves and roots of the plant, determining their fatty acid compositions and the composition of polysaccharides. The results showed that the leaves contained 2.65% lipids, while the roots contained 1.29% lipids. The polysaccharides in both the aerial parts and roots were primarily composed of pectins and hemicelluloses, with varying ratios of monosaccharide residues and degrees of esterification. The study concluded that the polysaccharides in A. donax were heteropolysaccharides and low-esterified pectins. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of the present work was to assess the leaf area duration (LAD) and the radiation use efficiency (RUE) of six warm-season perennial biomass grasses (PBGs) in a two-year field trial in the semiarid Mediterranean climate under different soil water availability. Two ecotypes of giant reed (Arundo donax L., ARCT and ARMO), one ecotype of African fodder cane (Saccharum spontaneum L. subsp. aegyptiacum (Willd.) Hack., SAC) and three hybrids of Miscanthus (the commercial M. × giganteus J.M. Greef, Deuter ex Hodk., Renvoize, M × G, and two new seed-based hybrids, GNT9 and GNT10) were compared under three levels of soil water availability: rainfed, 50% and 100% of maximum crop evapotranspiration (ETm) restoration. The determination of RUE of perennial plants is controversial and has led to contrasting results in past studies. In the present work, LAD and RUE differed among crops and irrigation regimes, being positively affected by supplemental water inputs. SAC, ARCT and ARMO showed both high LAD and RUE, which determined the high biomass yield than both the commercial M × G and the improved Miscanthus hybrids GNT9 and GNT10. RUE was particularly high and less affected by soil water availability during the mid-season, while the effect of irrigation and the differences among the genotypes were larger during the late season. Adequate biomass yield can be achieved by sub-optimal soil water availability, thus reducing the water footprint and increasing the sustainability of these biomass perennial grasses selected for the Mediterranean climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluates the potential of Arundo donax L., a perennial herbaceous that can grow in wide varieties of soils with minimal water and nutrient requirements, as a solid biofuel for the production of thermal energy. The biomass was characterized in terms of proximal, chemical, and elemental analysis using standard techniques. The combustion behaviour and thermal efficiency were evaluated by using a domestic stove through the Water Boiling Test. The gaseous emissions from the combustion of Arundo donax L. were measured with a portable device and compared with those from other conventional biomasses such as pine pellets, corn cobs, and commercial firewood. The results showed a higher heating value of 17.36 ± 0.171 MJ/kg and an elemental composition based on more than 45% carbon. The WBT revealed both, the shortest time (27.8 min) and the specific fuel consumption (1.1 kg/L), and the highest burning rate (88.8 g/min) for Arundo donax L. compared to the rest of the biomasses studied. The flue gas profile revealed CO2 emissions of 2.6%, similar to pellets and commercial firewood (1.3 and 1.9%, respectively), a percentage of CO lower than corn cobs, although somewhat unstable, and NOx emission of around 197 mg/Nm3 only higher than pine pellets. These results revealed the technical viability of Arundo donax L. as a biofuel for thermal energy production, at least at residential level, contributing to the diversification of renewable sources of bioenergy in a sustainability scenario against climate changes effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

None of our investigations have identified stress in response to the HSP70 and HO-1 proteins in metals under stress in our study, which aimed to understand the genetic basis of the metal tolerance of Arundo donax. Thus, the present work aimed to investigate the levels of expression of two important stress-related proteins, HO-1 and HSP70, in A. donax after exposure to various metals. The plants were collected from uncontaminated sites in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Their rhizomes were grown in Hoagland solution, and upon attaining suitable biomass, the plants were used to investigate the effects of metals on protein expression. The metal treatments were carried out with synthetic wastewater containing four Cr treatments (0, 34, 66, 134, and 267 mgL-1), namely, Cd, As, Pb, Cu and Ni (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mgL-1), and the plants were grown for three weeks. The treatments were applied according to a randomized block design (RBD) based on hydroponics. The selected protein expression was examined after 10 days of metal exposure. For the HSP70 and HO-1 protein studies, leaves were separated following a previously reported standard procedure. The maximum level of HO-1 and HSP70 expressions was noted at 66 mgL-1 of Cr, and then it slightly declined. Significantly, high protein expression was observed at Cd exposure concentrations of 50 to 100 mgL-1. For Cu, As and Ni, significantly high HO-1 and HSP70 expressions were noted at metal exposure concentrations of 75 to 100 mgL-1. The expression levels of these two stress-related proteins showed a linear increase with increasing metal exposure in the giant reed. It is clear from the present research that HSP70 and HO-1 proteins may contribute significantly to plant tolerance to metal stress, in addition to other possible tolerance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes a systematic method for the analysis of the attrition and residual morphology of natural fibers during the compounding process by twin-screw extrusion. There are several methods for the assessment of fiber lengths and morphology, although they are usually based on the use of non-affordable apparatus or time-consuming methods. In this research, the variation of morphological features such as the length, diameter and aspect ratio of natural fibers were analyzed by affordable optical scanning methods and open-source software. This article presents the different steps to perform image acquisition, refining and measurement in an automated way, achieving statistically representative results, with thousands of fibers analyzed per scanned sample. The use of this technique for the measurement of giant reed fibers in polyethylene (PE) and polylactide (PLA)-based composite materials has proved that there are no significant differences in the output fiber morphology of the compound, regardless of the fiber feed sizes, extruder scale, or the polymer used as matrix. The ratio of fiber introduced for the production of composites also did not significantly affect the final fiber size. The greatest reduction in size was obtained in the first kneading zone during compounding. Pelletizing or injection molding did not significantly modify the fiber size distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the microbial oil production by three selected strains, Mortierella isabellina, Cunninghamella echinulata, and Thamnidium elegans, after fermentation of an enzymatic hydrolysate from alkali pre-treated giant reed biomass, in comparison to a semi-synthetic medium, at three increasing nitrogen supplementation levels (0.14, 0.25, and 0.47 g/L). M. isabellina showed the fastest sugar consumption, the highest final cell and oil concentrations (10.9 and 5.6 g/L, respectively), as well as the highest cellular oil content, oil yield/g sugar consumed, and oil productivity (63.4%, 0.19 g/g, and 1 g/L/day, respectively) in the giant reed hydrolysate. The oil yield tended to decrease with an increasing nitrogen content in the cultures. Oleic acid was the most copious fatty acid in the oil for all the fungi. On the contrary, T. elegans exhibited the poorest performances. In particular, M. isabellina showed, respectively, the highest and lowest values of oleic and γ-linolenic acid (52.2 and 3.1%, on average). In comparison, C. echinulata and T. elegans showed much higher γ-linolenic acid content (15.3 and 21.6%, on average). Notably, the C. echinulata cultures showed by far the highest γ-linolenic acid concentration in both substrates (345 and 595 g/L in the giant reed hydrolysate and in the synthetic medium, respectively). Finally, the estimated biodiesel properties of all the oils fell within the limits of the U.S. standards, while the oil of M. isabellina only respected the tighter limits fixed by the E.U. regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on investigating the impact of environmental stresses, including drought and salinity, on the growth and development of Giant Reed (Arundo donax) under the climatic conditions of Mashhad city. The topics include the significance of drought and salinity as key environmental challenges, the effects of climate change on agriculture, and the need to understand the relationship between environmental factors.

This study developed an efficient protocol for the in vitro propagation of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) biomass, defining a complete cycle of the induction of somatic embryogenesis from immature inflorescences, followed by the maturation of somatic embryos and the subsequent multiplication of the derived shoots in liquid culture in a temporary immersion system (TIS). The best explants were found to be 30 cm long immature inflorescences, preferably collected in spring. Such an explant type was easy to decontaminate, and the spikelets isolated from it provided over 100 embryogenic callus lines. Among the callus induction media tested, gelled MS medium supplemented with 1.1 mg/L 2,4-D provided the highest percentage of responsive spikelets and the highest density of embryogenic callus. Maturation of the embryogenic callus was easily triggered on gelled MS medium devoid of plant growth regulators. The obtained shoots could be further multiplied on previously optimized gelled DKW medium supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose, 5 mg/L BA, 0.1 mg/L IBA, and 6.8 g/L plant agar. Subsequent high multiplication of the developed shoots was achieved in liquid culture in TIS using a Plantform™ bioreactor, with an immersion cycle of 12 min every 8 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioremediation of pharmaceuticals has gained large research efforts, but there is still a need to improve the performance of bioremediation systems by selecting effective organisms. In this study, we characterized the capability to remove clarithromycin (CLA) and diclofenac (DCF) by the bacterium Streptomyces rochei, and the fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trametes versicolor. The macrolide antibiotic CLA and the non-steroid anti-inflammatory DCF were selected because these are two of the most frequently detected drugs in water bodies. Growth and content of the PhCs and a DCF metabolite (MET) by the energy crop Arundo donax L. were also evaluated under hydroponic conditions. The removal rate (RR) by S. rochei increased from 24 to 40% at 10 and 100 µg CLA L−1, respectively, averaged over incubation times. At 144 h, the RR by P. chrysosporium was 84%, while by T. versicolor was 70 and 45% at 10 and 100 CLA µg L−1. The RR by S. rochei did not exceed 30% at 1 mg DCF L−1 and reached 60% at 10 mg DCF L−1, whereas approached 95% and 63% by P. chrysosporium and T. versicolor, respectively, at both doses. Root biomass and length of A. donax were strongly affected at 100 µg CLA L−1. CLA concentration in roots and shoots increased with the increase of the dose and translocation factor (TF) was about 1. DCF severely affected both shoot fresh weight and root length at the highest dose and concentration in roots and shoots increased with the increase of the dose. DCF concentrations were 16–19 times higher in roots than in shoots, and TF was about 0.1. MET was detected only in roots and its proportion over the parent compound decreased with the increase of the DCF dose. This study highlights the potential contribution of A. donax and the tested microbial inoculants for improving the effectiveness of bioremediation systems for CLA and DCF removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a corrigendum for an article titled "Leaf surfaces and neolithization - the case of Arundo donax L." published in Frontiers in Plant Science. The corrigendum addresses an error in the acknowledgments section of the original article, specifically regarding funding sources. The corrected statement provides accurate information about the funding received for the research. The authors apologize for the error and clarify that it does not affect the scientific conclusions of the article. [Extracted from the article]

A correction has been made to the original publication titled "Antidiarrheal and Cardio-Depressant Effects of Himalaiella heteromalla (D.Don) Raab-Straube: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies." The correction involves the removal of a paragraph from the Discussion section and references 33-38, as they are not related to the text. The authors state that this correction does not affect the scientific conclusions of the study. [Extracted from the article]

The internal structures and the hygroscopicity of bio-based boards consisting of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and hazelnut shells as bio-aggregates, and a sodium silicate solution as the adhesive, were investigated. The aim was to evaluate the influence of each material (the bio-aggregates and adhesive) and their distributions in the boards on the final performance. By carrying out X-ray computed tomography, the internal structures and the porosities of the boards were determined, allowing important considerations of their hygroscopicity. The voids’ percentages were between 26% and 36% of the total volume of the composites. Both the materials and the composites demonstrated high hygroscopicity. In particular, the mixtures of the bio-aggregates and the sodium silicate allowed reaching a moisture buffering value of 7.44 g/(m2%RH) for the A. donax-based composite, 3.86 g/(m2%RH) for the hazelnut-shell-based composite, and 4.65 g/(m2%RH) for the mixture-based composite. Besides the identification of the contributions of the materials, a detailed discussion of the assessed properties was carried out to use these bio-based boards in vernacular historic construction. The results show how the aggregate type and the adhesive content affected the final behavior, demonstrating the importance of a conscious material choice. Furthermore, helpful information for the future development of these types of bio-based boards and their possible optimization was provided.