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The Eupatorium plant has been well used in medication and as a decorative plant. Some studies have reported that this herb has biochemical compounds, such as sesquiterpenes, phenolics, polysaccharides, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Thus, it has pharmacological effects, including antifungal, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antinociceptive properties, that can be utilized for cosmetic purposes. However, only a few published works have summarized the active compounds and the application of Eupatorium plants as cosmetic agents. Therefore, this article aims to review the application of Eupatorium plants as a potential cosmetic agent. The active compounds of Eupatorium are contained in the whole plant, as well as the stems, leaves, roots, and aerial parts (flower, fruit, and seeds). In terms of cosmetic applications, the activities of Eupathorium are antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-melanin/melanogenesis, anti-acne, and anti-inflammatory. This review aims to contribute to a better understanding for expanding the utilization of this plant for cosmetic purposes by using these active compounds.

The efficient isolation process and understanding of lignin properties are essential to determine key features and insights for more effective lignin valorization as a renewable feedstock for the production of bio-based chemicals including wood adhesives. This study successfully used dilute acid precipitation to recover lignin from black liquor (BL) through a single-step and ethanol-fractionated-step, with a lignin recovery of ~35% and ~16%, respectively. The physical characteristics of lignin, i.e., its morphological structure, were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical properties of the isolated lignin were characterized using comprehensive analytical techniques such as chemical composition, solubility test, morphological structure, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), elucidation structure by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (Py-GCMS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The fingerprint analysis by FTIR detected the unique peaks corresponding to lignin, such as C=C and C-O in aromatic rings, but no significant differences in the fingerprint result between both lignin. The 1H and 13C NMR showed unique signals related to functional groups in lignin molecules such as methoxy, aromatic protons, aldehyde, and carboxylic acid. The lower insoluble acid content of lignin derived from fractionated-step (69.94%) than single-step (77.45%) correlated to lignin yield, total phenolic content, solubility, thermal stability, and molecular distribution. It contradicted the syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) units’ ratio where ethanol fractionation slightly increased syringyl unit content, increasing the S/G ratio. Hence, the fractionation step affected more rupture and pores on the lignin morphological surface than the ethanol-fractionated step. The interrelationships between these chemical and physicochemical as well as different isolation methods were investigated. The results obtained could enhance the wider industrial application of lignin in manufacturing wood-based composites with improved properties and lower environmental impact.

This review article aims to summarize the potential of using renewable natural resources, such as lignin and tannin, in the preparation of NIPUs for wood adhesives. Polyurethanes (PUs) are extremely versatile polymeric materials, which have been widely used in numerous applications, e.g., packaging, footwear, construction, the automotive industry, the lighting industry, insulation panels, bedding, furniture, metallurgy, sealants, coatings, foams, and wood adhesives. The isocyanate-based PUs exhibit strong adhesion properties, excellent flexibility, and durability, but they lack renewability. Therefore, this study focused on the development of non-isocyanate polyurethane lignin and tannin resins for wood adhesives. PUs are commercially synthesized using polyols and polyisocyanates. Isocyanates are toxic, costly, and not renewable; thus, a search of suitable alternatives in the synthesis of polyurethane resins is needed. The reaction with diamine compounds could result in NIPUs based on lignin and tannin. The research on bio-based components for PU synthesis confirmed that they have good characteristics as an alternative for the petroleum-based adhesives. The advantages of improved strength, low curing temperatures, shorter pressing times, and isocyanate-free properties were demonstrated by lignin- and tannin-based NIPUs. The elimination of isocyanate, associated with environmental and human health hazards, NIPU synthesis, and its properties and applications, including wood adhesives, are reported comprehensively in this paper. The future perspectives of NIPUs’ production and application were also outlined.

The utilization of pesticides often leaves residues which potentially pollute the environment. This journal issue has been encouraging some researchers to find an environmentally friendly insecticide by a cheaper wood preservative method. The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 15 (ISPM 15) [1] that is adopted in wood packaging protection in Europe is not suitable for tropical countries like Indonesia. Therefore, the treatment by Organo-Complex-based wood preservation, which consists of copper chromium combined with natural organic compounds, is proposed for effective treatment at a lower cost. The bioassay test was subjected to dry wood termite Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light. The result showed that wood materials treated by 10 ppm Organo-Complex formula gave good results which were indicated by the low consumption and the fast termination of the termites. The toxicity analysis of C-C organic compound solution is classified as grade IV (WHO, 2003) [2], or not harmful. Analysis of the residual content four weeks after the spraying treatment showed a significant reduction in the inorganic content (copper chromate complex), in the range of 35%, and in extracts of natural materials (natural extracts), above 80%.

No-choice feeding tests using ethanol, chloroform, and acetone extractives of teak (Tectona grandis) heartwood clearly showed feeding deterrent activity and toxicity to the subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus. The amount of 2-methylanthraquinone (MAQ) in teak wood extractives was not related to the feeding deterrents or toxicity, as shown by the no-choice feeding tests conducted using crude extractives containing various amounts of MAQ, MAQ alone, and fractions of crude extractives. As a native pest, the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus was more tolerant to the fractions of crude extractives than Reticulitermes speratus, and the mortality observed in C. formosanus was not due to the presence of MAQ.