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The determination of the potentiality of renewable energy resources holds significant importance, with biomass emerging as a crucial alternative for both energy and material needs. Consequently, predicting the mechanical properties of these resources has become a focal point. This study focuses on the analysis of fundamental products resulting from the pyrolysis process, specifically char, extracted from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Char, Cashew biochar, and Sugarcane biochar and examining erosion performance of polyester composites. The polyester composites subjected to erosion tests to determine their wear resistance at various impact angles. Among the studied composites, those including cashew biochar shown enhanced erosion resistance, with the least erosive wear at a 60° impact angle. The investigation aims at optimizing the erosion performance of these biomass-based composites using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. The ANN was trained to predict erosive wear behavior using input factors as biochar type, filler content, and impact angle. The model effectively found ideal conditions for decreasing wear, demonstrating the potential of Cashew biochar-filled composites for applications needing high erosion resistance. This work sheds light on the successful usage of biochar fillers in improving the durability of polyester composites, presenting a sustainable alternative for materials engineering. Article Highlights: Cashew biochar-filled composites showed the least erosive wear at a 60˚ impact angle, optimizing erosion resistance. ANN model effectively predicted erosion behaviour, identifying ideal conditions to minimize wear in composites. Biochar fillers, particularly Cashew biochar, enhance polyester composite durability, offering a sustainable material alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the production of activated carbon from agricultural waste, specifically Punica granatum peel, and its application as an eco-friendly solution for removing copper (Cu2+) ions from industrial effluents, particularly those from copper-plating industries. The Punica granatum peel was chemically activated using ortho-phosphoric acid to produce activated carbon. The activation process involved impregnation followed by thermal activation at 500 °C. The resultant activated carbon was characterized using FTIR, TGA/DTA, and adsorption tests at room temperature and pH 5, which demonstrated a Cu2+ ion retention rate exceeding 95% within the first 15 minutes. The adsorption kinetics were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, while the adsorption isotherms was examined using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The study demonstrated that the activated carbon derived from Punica granatum peel exhibits high adsorption efficiency for Cu2+ ions, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 19.62 mg/g. The adsorption process was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the nonlinear Langmuir isotherm model. The newly developed activated carbon exhibits a markedly higher adsorption efficiency compared to existing activated carbons, highlighting its innovative potential for adsorbing Cu2+ ions. Consequently, its use proves to be a cost-effective and sustainable solution for treating copper-contaminated industrial effluents. In fact, this research offers a dual benefit by providing a sustainable waste management solution for agricultural residues and an effective method for treating industrial effluents. Incorporating this activated carbon in post-copper plating rinsing water treatment ensures regulatory compliance and facilitates water reuse. This approach also supports copper recovery and reuse in new plating baths, promoting cyclic material circulation within the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction is one of the economic sectors with the greatest influence on climate change. In addition to working procedures, the primary carbon footprint is attributed to the choice of materials and the energy required for their manufacturing. The underlying idea of this study is to minimize the effects and offer new solutions to emerging problems in the quest for materials that can be deemed as natural, such as gypsum (calcium sulphate dihydrate) and rice straw (Oryza sativa). The acquisition of these materials involves a lower carbon footprint compared to the conventional materials. It is well known since ancient times that gypsum and cereal straw can be used in construction, with numerous examples still available. Cereal straw is one of the oldest construction materials, traditionally combined with earth and occasionally with certain binders, with it continuing to be employed in construction in many countries to this day. This work showcases the feasibility of producing stable prefabricated elements from straw waste with construction gypsum, addressing a significant environmental concern posed by the alternative of having to burn such materials. In this study, for the proposed bio-based material, specific tests, such as thermal conductivity, flexural and compressive strength, and fire resistance, were carried out to evaluate the principal physical and mechanical characteristics for different compositions of water, gypsum, and straw fiber samples. The results highlighted the good performance of the proposed materials in order to spread their use in the green building industry. The addition of straw fibers improved, in different ways, some important physical characteristics of these components so as to diminish environmental pollution and to obtain better material performance. The tests highlighted the different behaviors of the proposed material with respect to the different cuts of the straw and as well as the water/gypsum ratio; this is not very well understood and probably depends on the micro structure of the straw fibers. The blocks with raw straw showed a significant improvement in the breaking mechanism (1775.42 N) compared to the blocks with cut straw (712.26 N) when subjected to bending tests, and their performance in compression tests was also acceptable. Additionally, a very interesting reduction in thermal conductivity was achieved by incorporating rice straw (0.233 W/mK), and high fire exposure times were obtained, with gypsum preventing the spread of ignition in any type of fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excess phosphorus (P) in agricultural runoff can cause eutrophication in nearby waterbodies. Therefore, it is crucial to remove P from agricultural runoff before it reaches aquatic environments. This study evaluated the P adsorption potential of adsorbents prepared via co-hydrothermal carbonization of multiple agricultural wastes, including dairy manure (DM), corn stover (CS), and eggshell (ES), followed by thermal activation. The performance of the prepared adsorbents was investigated by both batch and column experiments. The activated hydrochar (AHC) with a DM/CS/ES ratio of 1:0:1 showed the highest P adsorption capacity of 209 ± 0.6 and 65.97 ± 9.04 mg/g in batch and column experiments, respectively. The P adsorption mechanism was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 > 0.8802) and the pseudo-second-order kinetics model (R2 > 0.8989). The adsorbent indicated the longest breakthrough and exhaust time of 210 and 540 min, respectively, with an adsorbent dose of 1 g and an initial concentration of 25 mg P/L. The breakthrough curve was well described by the Thomas model (R2 > 0.971). Thus, this study indicates that AHC with eggshell has high potential for use as an adsorbent for P removal from agricultural runoff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating global population and subsequent demand for agricultural products have led to a surge in agricultural waste generation, posing significant disposal challenges. Conventional disposal methods such as burning and dumping not only harm the environment but also jeopardize human health and safety. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable waste management, researchers have increasingly focused on repurposing agricultural plant waste as a valuable resource. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the potential of agricultural plant waste in wealth creation and sustainable development. It highlights the detrimental impacts of current disposal methods and emphasizes the necessity for alternative approaches. By analyzing the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of plant fibers, particularly cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, this review underscores their suitability for diverse applications. Moreover, it explores the emerging trend of utilizing pineapple leaf fiber, a sustainable and lightweight material, in structural applications, such as UAV construction. With its exceptional mechanical properties and biodegradability, pineapple leaf fiber holds promise as a viable alternative to traditional materials, contributing to a more sustainable future. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift towards embracing agricultural plant waste as a valuable asset for economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. It underscores the importance of continued research and technological advancements to unlock the full potential of agricultural waste in fostering a circular economy and driving sustainable development globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While gamma irradiation's damaging biological effects are well-established, the natural radioprotective agents from agricultural waste remain an underexplored area of significant potential. Aim of study: This study was to investigate the novel use of pomegranate peel ethanol extract (PE) as a radioprotective agent against gamma radiation damage. Methods: We pretreated Wistar rats with PE (100 mg/kg) for 14 days prior to 6 Gy gamma irradiation. We analyzed blood biochemicals, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers. These included tests of red cell membrane integrity, lipid and protein oxidation, antioxidant enzyme levels, and cytokine profiles. Results: The study showed that PE demonstrated remarkable radioprotective effects across multiple parameters. Antioxidants were significantly enhanced, as evidenced by increased glutathione peroxidase activity (87.00 ± 6.11 mg/ml in PE-treated irradiated rats compared to 26.40 ± 1.21 mg/ml in irradiated controls). Oxidative damage was markedly reduced, with MDA levels dropping from 9.59 ± 0.24 nmol/ml in irradiated controls to near-control levels in PE-treated rats. Notably, PE treatment resulted in unprecedented maintenance of red blood cell membrane integrity post-irradiation. Furthermore, PE exhibited novel modulation of inflammatory cytokines, effectively reducing pro-inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α while simultaneously boosting anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-10 levels. These multifaceted protective effects highlight PE's potential as a comprehensive radioprotective agent. Conclusion: This study presents PE as an effective new natural radioprotective agent. Its protective effect is due to its high polyphenol content, which enhances antioxidant defenses, reduces oxidative damage, and prevents inflammation. The findings open new avenues for sustainable, cost-effective radioprotection strategies and demonstrate the potential for repurposing agricultural byproducts for critical health applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, many tea seeds, the ripe seeds of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze), are discarded as agricultural waste. Therefore, the tea seed oil that could have been obtained from tea seeds has also been wasted. To fully understand the content and efficacy of the main active ingredients in tea seed oil (TSO), the chemical composition and activity characteristics of TSO in different areas of Guizhou, China were investigated. The results demonstrated that TSO had high content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and good skincare properties, such as antioxidation, anti-ultraviolet, moisturizing, whitening, and bacteriostasis. Furthermore, TSO showed a scavenging effect on reactive oxygen species in mouse fibroblasts cells (L929) and rat cardiomyocytes cells (H9C2). TSO exhibited high biocompatibility and promoted the proliferation and migration of L929. Southwest Guizhou (T4) and southern Guizhou (T6) might be used as high-quality producing areas for cosmetic oil by the weight analysis of each indicator. In summary, as the main producing area of tea in the world, this study helps to alleviate the problem of low oil self-sufficiency in China. The work offers a scientific basis for the in-depth development of TSO, especially in the field of skin care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining, particularly gold mining, is a lucrative industry. However, it poses significant environmental risks, such as releasing heavy metal elements into the soil and water. After gold mines are exhausted, whether they are small or large scale, the excavated sites often need to be repaired. This situation has led to a global concern regarding the presence of heavy metals from mining activities, which are known to be carcinogenic and harmful to living organisms. The concentration of heavy metals in these areas often surpasses safety limits, necessitating advanced treatment methods for their removal, especially lead (Pb) compounds from gold mining-impacted water. One effective treatment method is the adsorption process. This study examined POFA's inherent capacity to remove lead from water contaminated by gold mining without modification. This method was preferred due to its high efficiency and cost-effective option for removing heavy metal compounds. According to the experiment's results, the largest adsorption capacity of 0.816 mg/g was followed by the greatest removal efficiency of 91.837%. The isotherm analysis found that the Langmuir model provided an outstanding fit for the experimental data. Thus, this relationship suggested that on the surface of the POFA, a monolayer and an adsorption process suitable for physical adsorption took place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the potential of agricultural waste, specifically flax straw, as a sustainable raw material for eco-friendly packaging materials. This study investigates a three-stage delignification process involving nitric acid, alkaline treatment, and organosolvent solutions. This method effectively removes lignin from the straw, resulting in high-quality technical pulp with 67.7% α-cellulose and a significantly reduced ash content (8.5%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to characterize the treated flax straw. XRD analysis revealed changes in the cellulose structure, while TGA indicated enhanced thermal stability compared to untreated straw. Microscopic analysis of the pulp fibers shows a parallel and aligned arrangement, suggesting a high fiber content and a strong paper lattice. The particle size distribution of the ground pulp, influenced by fiber size, has implications for the packing density and mechanical properties of the final product. This study demonstrates the potential of agricultural waste as a sustainable source for packaging materials, contributing to the circular economy and waste reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, vermicomposted corn waste was applied to the organic cultivation of cherry tomato seedlings under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Brazilian semiarid region, and the effects were evaluated in the soil-plant system. Method: The vermicomposts were prepared by mixing corn waste in an organic substrate. The experiment was divided into two parts: sowing in trays and growing seedlings in pots. In both steps, the following biometric attributes were evaluated: plant size, root length, root weight, aboveground biomass, leaf weight, and leaf area. Three vermicompost concentrations were assessed: 1.5%, 3.0%, and 6.0% (m/m). As a control, a soil sample without vermicompost was also evaluated. Results: In general, plants that grew in a substrate containing vermicompost developed more when compared to the sample control (19.2-22.0 vs 15 cm). Furthermore, in general, plants cultivated with higher vermicompost concentrations presented better results in all evaluated parameters. In addition, a sample composed of a mixture of corn straw and cob showed the best results, indicating that joint management of both residues is advantageous for all assessed attributes. Conclusion: The results confirm the expectation that it is possible to apply vermicomposted corn residues in the organic cultivation of cherry tomatoes and that the strategy of carrying out germination in a tray, followed by transplantation into pots, had a positive effect on the development of seedlings. When compared to other studies, the climatic and edaphoclimatic conditions experienced in this work did not interfere with plant development, since the seedlings showed good development results in all evaluated parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The determination of the potentiality of renewable energy resources holds significant importance, with biomass emerging as a crucial alternative for both energy and material needs. Consequently, predicting the mechanical properties of these resources has become a focal point. This study focuses on the analysis of fundamental products resulting from the pyrolysis process, specifically char, extracted from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Char, Cashew biochar, and Sugarcane biochar and examining erosion performance of polyester composites. The polyester composites subjected to erosion tests to determine their wear resistance at various impact angles. Among the studied composites, those including cashew biochar shown enhanced erosion resistance, with the least erosive wear at a 60° impact angle. The investigation aims at optimizing the erosion performance of these biomass-based composites using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. The ANN was trained to predict erosive wear behavior using input factors as biochar type, filler content, and impact angle. The model effectively found ideal conditions for decreasing wear, demonstrating the potential of Cashew biochar-filled composites for applications needing high erosion resistance. This work sheds light on the successful usage of biochar fillers in improving the durability of polyester composites, presenting a sustainable alternative for materials engineering.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The livestock sector contributes to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions generated from livestock mainly originate from enteric fermentation, which is strongly influenced by feed quality. The utilization of fermented rice straw as a source of crude fiber for animal feed is one solution for providing high-quality feed. Central Java is one of the centers of cattle farming and rice production in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from fermented straw feed formula commonly practiced by cattle farmers in Central Java.METHODS: Greenhouse gas production was conducted in vitro using three formulas arranged in a completely randomized design with six replications. The three feed formula treatments were: 30 percent king grass + 35 percent rice bran+ 35 percent wheat bran (treatment one), 30 percent fermented rice straw + 35 percent rice bran + 35 percent wheat bran (treatment two), and 30 percent fermented rice straw + 70 percent concentrate (treatment three). Feed nutrient content and enteric gas production were analyzed to determine the quality of the feed formula as well as to determine feed digestibility and greenhouse gas production during the digestion process. The gas production was measured at regular intervals of 8, 16, 24, 36, and 48 hours. The methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide contents were analyzed using gas chromatography. Data on nutrient content and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were analyzed using analysis of variance, and the estimated greenhouse gas emissions were calculated using the ideal gas equation approach.FINDINGS: The quality of the feed formula influences the amountof greenhouse gases emission produced by enteric fermentation processes. The feed quality of treatment one was equivalent to that of treatment two. The treatment three feed formulation had a crude protein content approximately 3 percent higher than that of treatment one and treatment two. The digestibility of dry matter and organic matter values did not show significant differences between the treatments. The feed formula treatment two can reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions by 1.81 percent from treatment one, whereas treatment three can reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions by 27.78 percent from treatment one and by 26.4 percent from treatment two. These results indicate that feed formulas with higher crude protein content have greater potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This finding can be used to mitigate and develop strategies to improve feed quality by utilizing agricultural waste as a broader low greenhouse gas emission livestock management effortCONCLUSION: Utilization of fermented straw has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from enteric fermentation and contamination of unutilized straw waste and has the opportunity to reduce land use and greenhouse gas emissions from forage plants. Efforts to utilize fermented straw as a low greenhouse gas emission feed need to be followed by improvements in feed quality. More comprehensive studies need to be carried out on the variations in feed formulas based on differences in regional resources, the economic feasibility of utilizing fermented straw combined with various feed ingredients, and the life cycle assessment of straw utilization as a feed ingredient based on geographical, social, economic, technological, and environmental dimensions.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Total Mixed Ration (TMR) pellets derived from agricultural waste and assess their potential as feed for Rex rabbits. The research employed an experimental approach, utilizing agricultural and plantation waste to produce TMR pellets. The study was conducted in two stages: pellet production and rabbit feeding trials. Three formulations of TMR pellets were developed with varying concentrations of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB): P1 (5% EFB), P2 (10% EFB), and P3 (15% EFB). The optimal formulation was subsequently used for the feeding trials. Rabbit feed treatments included T0 (60% commercial pellet + 40% forage), T1 (40% commercial pellet + 20% TMR pellet + 40% forage), T2 (30% commercial pellet + 30% TMR pellet + 40% forage), and T3 (60% TMR pellet + 40% forage). Results from the pellet analysis indicated no significant differences in organoleptic properties among the formulations. The durability test yielded the highest value of 98.77%, while the proximate analysis of the P1 formulation showed a dry matter content of 85.67%, ash content of 10.35%, organic matter of 89.65%, crude protein of 18.65%, crude fat of 18.72%, and crude fiber of 19.18%. In the rabbit feeding trials, there were no significant differences in rabbit performance when compared to those fed with commercial pellets. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that agricultural waste can be effectively utilized as a raw material for rabbit feed pellets, offering comparable quality to commercial alternatives. This research highlights the potential of agricultural waste in reducing environmental pollution while providing an economically viable alternative for animal feed.

Abstract Background While gamma irradiation’s damaging biological effects are well-established, the natural radioprotective agents from agricultural waste remain an underexplored area of significant potential. Aim of study This study was to investigate the novel use of pomegranate peel ethanol extract (PE) as a radioprotective agent against gamma radiation damage. Methods We pretreated Wistar rats with PE (100 mg/kg) for 14 days prior to 6 Gy gamma irradiation. We analyzed blood biochemicals, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers. These included tests of red cell membrane integrity, lipid and protein oxidation, antioxidant enzyme levels, and cytokine profiles. Results The study showed that PE demonstrated remarkable radioprotective effects across multiple parameters. Antioxidants were significantly enhanced, as evidenced by increased glutathione peroxidase activity (87.00 ± 6.11 mg/ml in PE-treated irradiated rats compared to 26.40 ± 1.21 mg/ml in irradiated controls). Oxidative damage was markedly reduced, with MDA levels dropping from 9.59 ± 0.24 nmol/ml in irradiated controls to near-control levels in PE-treated rats. Notably, PE treatment resulted in unprecedented maintenance of red blood cell membrane integrity post-irradiation. Furthermore, PE exhibited novel modulation of inflammatory cytokines, effectively reducing pro-inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α while simultaneously boosting anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-10 levels. These multifaceted protective effects highlight PE’s potential as a comprehensive radioprotective agent. Conclusion This study presents PE as an effective new natural radioprotective agent. Its protective effect is due to its high polyphenol content, which enhances antioxidant defenses, reduces oxidative damage, and prevents inflammation. The findings open new avenues for sustainable, cost-effective radioprotection strategies and demonstrate the potential for repurposing agricultural byproducts for critical health applications.

Mining, particularly gold mining, is a lucrative industry. However, it poses significant environmental risks, such as releasing heavy metal elements into the soil and water. After gold mines are exhausted, whether they are small or large scale, the excavated sites often need to be repaired. This situation has led to a global concern regarding the presence of heavy metals from mining activities, which are known to be carcinogenic and harmful to living organisms. The concentration of heavy metals in these areas often surpasses safety limits, necessitating advanced treatment methods for their removal, especially lead (Pb) compounds from gold mining waste. One effective treatment method is the adsorption process. This study examined POFA's inherent capacity to remove lead from water contaminated by gold mining without modification. This method was preferred due to its high efficiency and cost-effective option for removing heavy metal compounds. According to the experiment's results, the largest adsorption capacity of 0.816 mg/g was followed by the greatest removal efficiency of 91.837%. The isotherm analysis found that the Langmuir model provided an outstanding fit for the experimental data. Thus, this relationship suggested that on the surface of the POFA, a monolayer and an adsorption process suitable for physical adsorption took place.

Abstract Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a significant food‐related risk factor, posing potential threats to human health through dietary intake and the food chain. This review comprehensively analyses the impact of MPs as a novel food safety risk factor on human health (in particular on the gastrointestinal route). Furthermore, we explore the potential mechanisms by which dietary fibers (DFs) may alleviate the health risks associated with MPs. The impact of DFs on human health is intricately linked to factors such as their size, concentration, and composition. We characterize current knowledge and highlight gaps. Although DFs may be a potential strategy to reduce the impact of MPs on organism health, more in‐depth studies are needed to determine their practical effects and application prospects. In particular, research on MPs that actively reduce intake in vivo remains relatively limited and needs to receive more attention from the scientific community.

Abstract The global shift towards using biomass for biofuels and chemicals is accelerating due to increasing environmental concerns and geopolitical strategies. This study investigates a biorefinery model using citrus-processing-waste, specifically citrus pulp, to produce high-value products for various industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, flavours, fragrances, and food packaging. In Italy, particularly Sicily region, citrus processing generates significant amounts of waste, often improperly disposed of, contributing to environmental problems. Researchers have demonstrated that citrus waste can yield commercially valuable compounds. This study specifically focuses on orange peel waste (OPW), which constitutes about half of the fruit's weight, aiming to extract pectin and limonene through a combined process. The extraction process was carried out on a laboratory scale, and its sustainability was evaluated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) with SimaPro 8.1 software and the Impact 2002 + method. The functional unit adopted for this study is 300 g of OPW, obtained after the pre-treatment phase, from which 0.14 g of limonene and 8.22 g of pectin were extracted. The LCA results revealed that pectin extraction has a significantly higher environmental impact compared to limonene extraction, primarily due to the use of ethanol as a solvent, followed by electricity consumption. To mitigate this impact, the LCA assessed alternative, more sustainable solvents, resulting in a 73.4% reduction in the environmental footprint of the pectin extraction process. These findings underscore the critical role of LCA, even at the laboratory scale, in identifying environmental hotspots and providing insights for improving and optimizing processes for potential industrial-scale applications.

A cellulose-based aerogel has been synthesized from rambutan peel to mitigate environmental pollution caused by agricultural waste, rendering it an eco-friendly material with potential applications in oil spill remediation as well as enhancing the value of this fruit. The objective of this study was to extract cellulose from rambutan peel using chlorination and alkalization processes, followed by optimizing the synthesis conditions of cellulose-based aerogels from rambutan peel through experimental designs to improve oil removal efficiency. In this research, cellulose-based aerogel material was synthesized using the sol-gel method, utilizing waste from rambutan peel as the substrate and polyvinyl alcohol as the cross-linking agent, followed by freeze-drying. A central composite design with 30 different experimental setups was employed to investigate the influence of cellulose content (1.0–2.0%), cross-linking agent (polyvinyl alcohol) content (0.1–0.3%), ultrasonic time (5–15 min), and ultrasonic power (100–300W) on the oil adsorption capacity (g/g) of cellulose-based aerogels from rambutan peel. The research findings demonstrated successful extraction of cellulose from rambutan peel through chlorination, followed by softening with 17.5% (w/v) sodium hydroxide. Response surface plots indicated that maximizing the cellulose component could lead to a maximum diesel oil adsorption capacity of up to 52.301 g/g. Cellulose-based aerogel exhibits ultra-lightweight properties (0.027±0.002 g/cm3), high porosity (97.88±0.19), hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 152.7°), and superior oil selective adsorption compared to several commercially available materials in the market, demonstrating promising potential for application in treating oil-contaminated water in real-world scenarios.

Abstract Background Discarded potato is the most abundant potato waste and represents a worldwide disposal problem to the potato industry. This agricultural waste contains valuable nutrients that could be used as substrate to obtain diverse high value-added microbial products, such as biopigments. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of discarded potato as a sole substrate source for producing blue pigments by Streptomyces lydicus PM7 through submerged fermentation. Results Initially, the traditional culture medium ISP2 was established as suitable for inoculum preparation, as it allowed high growth rates and consumption of ~ 75% reducing sugar, leading to 1.3 g L−1 dry biomass at 72 h of incubation. The formulated discarded potato broth (DPB) medium was evaluated together with five other traditional liquid culture media (potato dextrose broth, ISP2, ISP3, ISP4, and ISP5) for producing blue pigments by S. lydicus PM7. The highest blue pigment production was obtained by using DPB medium, reaching ~ 0.97 g L−1, followed by ISP5 (~ 0.36 g L−1). In terms of evaluating the concentration of discarded potato powder, the highest concentration of blue pigments was obtained with 16 g L−1, compared to concentrations of 4, 8, and 32 g L−1. In general, a notable increase in total proteins (~ 14 g L−1 in biomass; ~ 8 g L−1 in medium) and reducing sugars (~ 5 g L−1) on the fifth day of DPB fermentation was observed, at which time the production of blue pigments began. These data proved that S. lydicus PM7 is able to degrade potato wastes during submerged fermentation and to direct metabolism towards the formation of biopigments. Chromatographic analysis revealed that the main blue pigment produced by new strain in this complex medium is actinorhodin. Conclusions Discarded potato favored the production of blue pigments by S. lydicus PM7 under submerged fermentation, leading to final product concentration almost three times higher than others traditional Streptomyces culture media. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of actinorhodin by the specie S. lydicus, as well as on this pigment synthesis based on an agricultural waste as a sole nutrient source for fermentation process. The findings showed that potato waste could be a potential byproduct for replacement of commercial culture media using for this same purpose. Graphical Abstract

Adsorption using biochar is a high-efficient method for removing dyes from wastewater, and it has become a hot research topic in recent years. Biochar produced from organic wastes through pyrolysis is a promising way to combine bioenergy recovery and dye removal. In this study, durian shell (DS) was used as a feedstock for biochar and bio-oil production under different pyrolysis temperatures (400, 500, and 600 °C) for bioenergy recovery. Then, the biochar was applied as the absorbent for methylene blue (MB) removal from wastewater under batch and continuous experiments. It was found that the bio-oil production was slightly affected by temperature, while the productivity of biochar decreased from 42.05% to 30.65% with the increase in pyrolysis temperature from 400 to 600 °C. Compared with the biochar produced at 500 °C (DS-500) and 600 °C (DS-600), the biochar obtained at 400 °C (DS-400) exhibited higher MB removal efficiency and adsorption capacity under various pH conditions due to the superior microstructure. A high pH condition was beneficial for the adsorption process with DS-400. Additionally, the MB removal efficiencies increased with the increase in biochar dosage by providing more activated sites. A high MB content can promote the adsorption process, but a too high MB content negatively affects the removal efficiency due to the sorption saturation. Adsorption processes are more likely to match a pseudo-second-order model by chemical reactions. In the long-term continuous experiment, MB can be effectively removed to match the discharge standard by DS-400. This study provided a sustainable pathway for organic waste disposal and dye wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia shells are the main by-product of camellia seed processing and are usually incinerated or disposed of as agricultural waste. In this study, camellia shells were employed in the Pleurotus pulmonarius cultivation process using five distinct formulae substituting for cottonseed shells. Our results show that as the substitution rate of camellia shells increased from 0% to 35%, the protein content in P. pulmonarius significantly increased from 34.05% to 53.35%. The polysaccharide content reached a peak value of 5.62% at 30% substitution of camellia shells. The DPPH free radical scavenging rate reached its maximum of 82.70% at 20% substitution of camellia shells. Furthermore, increases in the total amino acid contents in P. pulmonarius were positively correlated with the substitution rate of camellia shells. Considering the yield characteristics, the formula of 20% camellia shell substitution tested in this study appears to be optimal for P. pulmonarius cultivation. These findings not only provide a substrate to enhance the nutritional quality of P. pulmonarius but also demonstrate a novel approach for the ecological utilization of camellia shells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global shift towards using biomass for biofuels and chemicals is accelerating due to increasing environmental concerns and geopolitical strategies. This study investigates a biorefinery model using citrus-processing-waste, specifically citrus pulp, to produce high-value products for various industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, flavours, fragrances, and food packaging. In Italy, particularly Sicily region, citrus processing generates significant amounts of waste, often improperly disposed of, contributing to environmental problems. Researchers have demonstrated that citrus waste can yield commercially valuable compounds. This study specifically focuses on orange peel waste (OPW), which constitutes about half of the fruit's weight, aiming to extract pectin and limonene through a combined process. The extraction process was carried out on a laboratory scale, and its sustainability was evaluated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) with SimaPro 8.1 software and the Impact 2002 + method. The functional unit adopted for this study is 300 g of OPW, obtained after the pre-treatment phase, from which 0.14 g of limonene and 8.22 g of pectin were extracted. The LCA results revealed that pectin extraction has a significantly higher environmental impact compared to limonene extraction, primarily due to the use of ethanol as a solvent, followed by electricity consumption. To mitigate this impact, the LCA assessed alternative, more sustainable solvents, resulting in a 73.4% reduction in the environmental footprint of the pectin extraction process. These findings underscore the critical role of LCA, even at the laboratory scale, in identifying environmental hotspots and providing insights for improving and optimizing processes for potential industrial-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was aimed at investigating the effect of edible coatings based on the combination of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and soy protein isolate (SPI) containing 0.0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% w/v of nanoencapsulated pistachio green peel extract (PGPE) on the chemical and microbiological properties of raw pistachio of Kale Ghoochi variety during 18 weeks of storage at 27 ± 1°C. Moisture content (MC), acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), total phenol content (TPC), total viable count (TVC), and total fungi count (TFC) were tested at 21‐day intervals. PGPE contains phenolic compounds (48.73 mg GAE/g) with antioxidant activity (IC50 = 10.83) which increased MC (19.51%) and TPC (75.62%) of coated samples with 3% PGPE compared with control, whereas AV (41.12%), PV (53.16%), TVC (44.64%), and TFC (35.01%) reduced (p < 0.05). The results of this research suggested that the edible coatings based on the combination of CMC and SPI containing nanoencapsulated PGPE have the ability to reduce the oil oxidation reactions and microbial growth in raw pistachio. Therefore, the concentration of 2.0% nanoencapsulated PGPE due to its better properties can be used to extend the shelf life of raw pistachio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have grown in popularity due to their low cost and the abundance of resources. However, there has been little research into the development of gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) for high voltage and capacity ZIBs. The use of agricultural waste as a polymer electrolyte (PE) is gradually increasing in order to support a circular economy. This study focuses on the utilization of cellulose derived from coffee silverskin (CS); coffee silverskin is a by-product generated during coffee roasting. We employ a reasonable approach to create the coffee silverskin cellulose (CSC)/polyacrylamide (PAM) GPE, with the goal of achieving good properties and improved battery performance. An investigation was conducted to determine the effect of CSC content in GPEs on ZIB characteristics. The cellulose derived from CS had a crystallinity index (CrI) of 64.60%. The optimal amount of cellulose added to the acrylamide monomer (AM) for the GPE of ZIB was found to be 2.5 mg (CSC/AM/salt weight ratio of 0.01/6/23). This amount resulted in the highest electrochemical stability and a cycling time of approximately 226 h. Furthermore, the PAM/Cellulose 2.5-based GPE exhibited increased Young's modulus and tensile strength compared to the pure PAM. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test revealed a diffusion resistance of 27.47 Ω and an ionic conductivity of 9.10 mS/cm at a temperature of 25 °C. Additionally, the use of cellulose in GPEs does not affect the electrochemical window. When the pure PAM-based GPE was compared to the CSC/PAM-based GPE, the biocomposites demonstrated electrochemical stability for a cycle life of over 200 cycles in the ZIB application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improper handling of waste in the agricultural sector of the economy leads to significant financial losses and harmful effects on the environment and human health. The purpose of the study is to substantiate scientific and methodological provisions and develop practical recommendations for the formation of a production waste management system in the agrarian sector of the economy based on the effective use of resources and stable and sufficient financing of the sector. In the process of research, the authors used such general scientific methods as system analysis; comparative analysis; abstract-logical; as well as tabular and graphic as a type of special methods. The paper analyzes a number of indicators regarding the amount of agricultural production waste generated, including waste of I-IV hazard classes and agricultural production waste by material categories; the danger of these wastes both for the environment due to contamination of soil, water bodies, etc., and for the population living in the given territory is substantiated. Based on the conducted research, it was determined that the main method of handling agricultural waste in Ukraine is disposal, which does not contribute to effective waste management; an assessment of the volume of investments directed to environmental protection by types of environmental protection measures and investments in environmental protection in the agrarian sector of the economy is given, and it is determined that the problems of inefficient waste management are also related to insufficient funding of both the agricultural sector and the field of ecology. Based on the generalization of the experience of European countries regarding waste management methods, methods of handling them and sources of investment in the agricultural production sector and environmental protection, directions for effective waste management are proposed: prevention of waste generation as the simplest method of management, ensuring compliance with the rules and conditions of agricultural waste management, sorting and separating waste from the agrarian sector of the economy by materials, timely disposal of agricultural waste, strengthening control and increasing the level of responsibility for violations of waste legislation, financial support for activities in the field of waste management; formation of the environmental behaviour of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the production of amylase, a crucial enzyme with wide-ranging industrial applications, using locally sourced substrates from Kachchh, Gujarat. The research employed the Bacillus licheniformis strain and substrates such as coconut, rice husk, wheat bran, paddy straw, and maize straw. The study found paddy straw to be the most promising substrate for amylase production. The research also systematically optimized various process parameters for amylase production in Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) using the One Variable at a Time (OVAT) method. These parameters included incubation period, temperature, inoculum level, additional carbon sources, starch concentrations, additional nitrogen sources, initial pH, different mineral salt ions, initial moisture level, and surfactants. The results showed that the optimal conditions for maximum amylase yield were an incubation period of 48 hours, an incubation temperature of 35°C, an inoculum level of 10%, starch as the additional carbon source, a starch concentration of 2.5%, yeast extract as the additional nitrogen source, an initial pH of 7, NaCl as the mineral salt, an initial moisture level of 75%, and Tween 80 as the surfactant. This research provides a reliable and sustainable approach to enzyme production, offering valuable insights for the optimization of the solid-state fermentation process for maximum amylase production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice husk (RH) and straw are common agricultural wastes in Asian countries, and they are potential bioresources for building materials. RH contains a large amount of SiO2, and many studies have burnt RH to ash and then used it as a silica supplement in cement and concrete. However, the combustion of RH has an additional cost and exacerbates CO2 emissions and air pollution. RH inherently has a low bulk density and porous structure; therefore, it should be possible to directly use RH as a lightweight additive in concrete. The purposes of this study were to use RH in the production of autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) and to examine the effects of RH on ALC properties. Four RHs with different particle sizes, i.e., >1.2 mm, 0.6–1.2 mm, 0.3–0.6 mm, and <0.3 mm, were used as lightweight additives, and the ALC specimens were prepared with 0–20 wt.% RHs by autoclaving at 189 °C for 12 h. The >0.3 mm RH was applicable to prepare the ALC specimens, and the decomposition effect of <0.3 mm RH was significant. Both the bulk density and the compressive strength of the ALC specimens decreased with increasing RH size. RH with a particle size larger than 1.2 mm seems more appropriate for ALC production than RH with a smaller particle size because of the lower bulk density and higher compressive strength. The Ca/Si ratio decreased with increasing RH size, which affected the formation of tobermorite and thus reduced the compressive strength of the ALC specimens. With a suitable water-to-solid (W/S) ratio, the use of RHs as lightweight additives can yield ALC specimens that meet the requirements of commercial products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to demonstrate how biochar, derived from agricultural wastes can improve soil physical and chemical properties, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to increased agricultural productivity and long-term sustainability. In this review, we analyze the effects of biochar on various soil parameters, including soil bulk density, soil porosity, microbial activity, nutrient content, cation exchange capacities, pH, water holding capacity, and infiltration rates. The results highlight the practical importance of utilizing biochar to improve soil physical and chemical properties. Additionally, the results show that biochar is a practical strategy for improving the growth and yield of crops and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It can be concluded that biochar can significantly contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security in Jordan by improving soil health, enhancing water retention, and mitigating salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Trichoderma is widely recognized for its ability to secrete lignocellulosic enzymes, establishing it as a crucial technological resource for the bioconversion of agro-industrial waste biomass via fermentation. This review explores the potential of utilizing lignocellulosic waste from diverse industries as a sustainable nutrient source for producing Trichoderma spp. and various desirable metabolites via fermentation. Significant emphasis is placed on the enzymatic activities of Trichoderma species in two critical stages of second-generation biofuel production. Firstly, in the pre-treatment stage to break down complex polysaccharides of lignocellulosic biomass, thereby enhancing production efficiency and yield, and, secondly, during the hydrolysis process to produce fermentable sugars essential for biofuel production. Additionally, this review discusses other applications of Trichoderma fermentation, such as enhancing animal feedstock nutrition and employing its spores as biocontrol agents. Ongoing research efforts are directed at optimizing fermentation protocols, identifying suitable waste substrates, and genetic manipulation of strains to enhance the economic viability of Trichoderma's biotechnological applications. This manuscript contributes to the field of circular biotechnology by offering a detailed review of recent progress on the integration of agro-industrial waste materials in Trichoderma-based bioconversion technologies, highlighting both current achievements and future research directions necessary to enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of waste biomass utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts are ongoing to utilise agricultural waste to achieve a full resource use approach. Bambara groundnut is an important crop widely grown in the sub-Saharan Africa with potential future importance because of its resilience to thrive under heightened weather uncertainty and widespread droughts that have challenged food security. After harvesting, the edible nuts are separated from the shells which are discarded as waste. Therefore, this research is aimed at characterising the chemical composition and the structural properties of Bambara groundnut shells (BGS) in view of their potential application as a biomass for different bio-products. The chemical composition of BGS was found to be 42.4% cellulose, 27.8% hemicellulose, 13% lignin and 16.8% extractives. Proximate analysis showed a high amount of volatile matter (69.1%) and low moisture (4.4%). XRD analysis confirmed crystallinity of cellulose I polymer and FTIR analysis observed functional groups of lignocellulosic compounds. Thermal stability, maximum degradation temperature and activation energy were found to be 178.5 °C, 305.7 °C and 49.4 kJ/mol, respectively. Compared to other nutshells, BGS were found to have a relatively high amount of cellulose and crystallinity that may result in biocomposites with improved mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardboard packaging is a good example of sustainable material use, yet even more sustainable solutions are available, such as replacing wood fibers with those from alternative sources like agricultural waste. In our research, we produced paperboard from fibers obtained from waste tomato stems using a pilot paper machine, and its basic, surface, and mechanical properties were then determined. Additionally, we produced corrugated cardboard from the tomato fiber-based paperboard and analyzed its performance under different environmental conditions. A comparative analysis was made with commercial corrugated cardboard to determine the differences in mechanical properties and the quality of the prints made using the flexographic printing technique. The results indicated that the properties of tomato fiber-based paperboard and corrugated cardboard are sufficient for many packaging applications. Analyses showed that the mechanical properties of both commercial and corrugated cardboard produced from tomato stems were affected by the environmental conditions, while the change in print quality was minor. Exposure to high humidity had a much greater effect than exposure to low temperature. High humidity lowered the tensile and bursting strength and resistance to compression, resulting in decreased strength and stiffness, while low temperature had a less severe effect. Nevertheless, corrugated cardboard made from tomato-based paperboard can be used for storage of fresh produce locally, as well as for transport packaging, provided the transport box is designed to address its poor stacking strength. The print quality of this cardboard is also suitable for transport packaging, and the readability of the UHF RFID tags remains satisfactory. The findings of this study have significant implications for the development of sustainable materials. The successful use of tomato stems, a waste product from agriculture, in the production of corrugated cardboard supports the circular economy by turning waste into a valuable resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural activities produce large quantities of organic byproducts and waste rich in lignocellulosic materials, which are not sufficiently utilized. In this study, alternative agricultural waste products, namely, spent mushroom substrate (SMS) from the cultivation of edible Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms and the roots of leafy vegetables from hydroponic cultivation (HRL), were evaluated for their potential to be used as substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus citrinopileatus and their effects on the quality, the nutritional value, the chemical properties (lipid, protein, carbohydrate, ash, fatty acid and carbohydrate composition) and the bioactive content (total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity) of produced mushrooms. SMS and HRL (in different ratios with and without additives) and wheat straw with additives (WS—control) were used. During incubation, the linear growth rate of the mycelium (Kr, mm/day) was measured and used for screening. Mushroom cultivation took place in bags, where several characteristics were examined: earliness (duration between the day of substrate inoculation and the day of first harvest) and biological efficiency (B.E. %, the ratio of the weight of fresh mushrooms produced per dry weight of the substrate × 100). Furthermore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the protein extract (PE) and carbohydrate extract (CE) of P. citrinopileatus after in vitro digestion (fraction less than 3kDa: PE-DP-3; digestate fraction: CE-D, respectively) on the expression of antioxidant-related genes in the THP-1 cell line. The results showed that mushrooms grown on SMS 50%-HRL 40% had the fastest growth (6.1 mm/d) and the highest protein and lipid contents (34.7% d.w.; 5.1% d.w.). The highest B.E. (73.5%), total carbohydrate (65.7%) and total phenolic compound (60.2 mg GAE/g d.w.) values were recorded on the control substrate. Antioxidant activity was observed in all extracts; the total flavonoid content was low in the samples, and the maximum total triterpene value was detected in SMS 80%-HRL 20% (9.8 mg UA/g d.w.). In all mushrooms, linoleic acid (C18:2) was the main fatty acid (above 60%), and fructose was the dominant individual saccharide. In the investigation of the regulation pathway, NFE2L2 gene expression was upregulated only in the SMS 60%-HRL 40% intervention during incubation with CE-D samples. Additionally, the transcription levels of antioxidant-related genes, SOD1, CAT, HMOX1 and GSR, were increased in the SMS 60–30% intervention. Compared to WS, the alternative substrates are observed to trigger a pathway concerning CE that may resist oxidative stress. This study supports the utilization of agricultural byproducts through sustainable and environmentally friendly practices while simultaneously producing high-value-added products such as mushrooms. Therefore, alternative substrates, particularly those containing HRL, could serve as natural sources of antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an effective technology for the sustainable management of organic agricultural waste, producing both biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. This study aims to review and evaluate different methods for obtaining valuable products from digestate, with a focus on innovative and sustainable approaches. The main objectives are to identify effective technologies for the recovery of nutrients and organic matter, assess their environmental and economic impact and outline the challenges and prospects in this area. The review covers established techniques (with a technology readiness level (TRL) of six to nine, indicating their maturity from pilot to full scale) such as struvite precipitation and ammonia stripping, which are very effective in recovering nitrogen and phosphorus from digestate and converting it into valuable biofertilizers. Struvite, for example, offers an option for slow-release fertilizers that reduces dependence on synthetic fertilizers. A comparative analysis shows that ammonia stripping can efficiently capture nitrogen and produce fertilizer without harming the environment. New methods, such as microalgae cultivation, use digestate as a nutrient source for the production of biofuels and bioplastics, contributing to renewable energy and sustainable material production. The study also examines composting and vermicomposting, where digestate is converted into nutrient-rich soil conditioners that significantly improve soil health and fertility. The production of biochar through pyrolysis is highlighted for its benefits in improving soil properties and sequestering carbon, providing a dual benefit for waste management and climate change mitigation. Membrane technologies, including ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO), are being investigated for their effectiveness in nutrient recovery, despite challenges such as membrane fouling and high operating costs. The study highlights the potential of these valorization processes to improve the sustainability and economic viability of AD systems and to align with circular economy principles. The results suggest that the continuous optimization of these technologies and the integration of recycling processes are crucial to overcome existing challenges and realize their full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lack of strategies for the utilization of harvest residues (HRs) has led to serious environmental problems due to an accumulation of these residues or their burning in the field. In this study, wheat and corn HRs were used as feedstock for the production of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by treatment with 2–8% sodium hydroxide, 10% hydrogen peroxide and further hydrolysis with 1–2 M hydrochloric acid. The changes in the FT-IR spectra and PXRD diffractograms after chemical treatment confirmed the removal of most of the lignin, hemicellulose and amorphous fraction of cellulose. A higher degree of crystallinity was observed for MCC obtained from corn HRs, which was attributed to a more efficient removal of lignin and hemicellulose by a higher sodium hydroxide concentration, which facilitates the dissolution of amorphous cellulose during acid hydrolysis. MCC obtained from HRs exhibited lower bulk density and poorer flow properties but similar or better tableting properties compared to commercial MCC (CeolusTM PH101). The lower ejection and detachment stress suggests that MCC isolated from HRs requires less lubricant compared to commercial MCC. This study showed that MCC isolated from wheat and corn HRs exhibits comparable tableting behaviour like commercial sample, further supporting this type of agricultural waste utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] Coconut chaff matrix, rice straw, wheat straw, reed straw and corn straw were used to make a new type of ecological blanket after crushing treatment, which provided new methods and ideas for the treatment of ecological environment. [Method] 12 kinds of ecological blanket configuration were designed and made, and the effect of laying ecological blanket on surface soil moisture content was analyzed. [Result] In the data processing, it was found that the ecological blanket had a very good effect on maintaining soil moisture content and inhibiting soil water evaporation. Compared with the litter under the plantation, the maximum average water holding rate of the ecological blanket was 2.07 times that of the maximum average water holding rate of the plantation. [Conclusion] The practical application scenarios and methods of ecological blanket are summarized. In the treatment of desertification and desert, T4, T5 and T12 are selected to cooperate with grass grids to prevent wind movement and cover soil on the surface. When there is no special ecological management requirements in general areas, T12 and T4 can be used to maintain soil water content. It is suggested that T1, T4 and T8 should be selected for the restoration of bare land in mountain forests. If the average rainfall is large and prone to flood areas recommended configuration T1, T4, T8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of natural rubber foam (NRF) containing gamma-synthesized chitosan (CS) powder were investigated to address the growing demand for efficient methods to treat industrial wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The CS powder was prepared by irradiating chitin (CT) powder with varying doses of gamma rays (0–100 kGy), followed by deacetylation using 40% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 100 °C for 1 h. The resulting CS powders were then mixed with natural rubber latex (NRL) at different contents (0, 3, 6, and 9 parts per hundred parts of rubber by weight; phr) and processed using Dunlop techniques to prepare the foam samples. The experimental findings indicated that the degree of deacetylation (%DD) of the CS powder increased initially with gamma doses up to 60 kGy but then decreased at 80 and 100 kGy. In addition, when the CS powder was incorporated into the NRF samples, there were increases in total surface area, density, compression set, and hardness (shore OO), with increasing gamma doses and CS contents. Furthermore, the determination of heavy metal adsorption properties for Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd showed that the developed NRF sample exhibited high adsorption capacities. For instance, their removal efficiencies reached 94.9%, 82.5%, 91.4%, and 97.0%, respectively, in NRF containing 9 phr of 60 kGy CS. Notably, all adsorption measurements were determined using 3 cm × 3 cm × 2.5 cm specimens submerged in respective metal solutions, with an initial concentration of 25 mg/L. However, the removal capacity per unit mass of the sample (mg/g) showed less dependencies on CS contents, probably due to the higher density of CS/NRF composites in comparison to pristine NRF, resulting in a smaller volume of the former being submerged in the solution, subsequently suppressing the effects from CS in the adsorption. Lastly, tests on the reusability of the developed NRF indicated that the samples could be reused for up to three cycles, with the Cu removal capacity remaining relatively high (83%) in the sample containing 9 phr of 60 kGy CS. The overall outcomes implied that the developed NRF with the addition of gamma-synthesized CS not only offered effective and eco-friendly heavy metal adsorption capacity to improve public health safety and the environment from industrial wastewater but also promoted greener and safer procedures for the synthesis/modification of similar substances through radiation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Discarded potato is the most abundant potato waste and represents a worldwide disposal problem to the potato industry. This agricultural waste contains valuable nutrients that could be used as substrate to obtain diverse high value-added microbial products, such as biopigments. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of discarded potato as a sole substrate source for producing blue pigments by Streptomyces lydicus PM7 through submerged fermentation. Results: Initially, the traditional culture medium ISP2 was established as suitable for inoculum preparation, as it allowed high growth rates and consumption of ~ 75% reducing sugar, leading to 1.3 g L−1 dry biomass at 72 h of incubation. The formulated discarded potato broth (DPB) medium was evaluated together with five other traditional liquid culture media (potato dextrose broth, ISP2, ISP3, ISP4, and ISP5) for producing blue pigments by S. lydicus PM7. The highest blue pigment production was obtained by using DPB medium, reaching ~ 0.97 g L−1, followed by ISP5 (~ 0.36 g L−1). In terms of evaluating the concentration of discarded potato powder, the highest concentration of blue pigments was obtained with 16 g L−1, compared to concentrations of 4, 8, and 32 g L−1. In general, a notable increase in total proteins (~ 14 g L−1 in biomass; ~ 8 g L−1 in medium) and reducing sugars (~ 5 g L−1) on the fifth day of DPB fermentation was observed, at which time the production of blue pigments began. These data proved that S. lydicus PM7 is able to degrade potato wastes during submerged fermentation and to direct metabolism towards the formation of biopigments. Chromatographic analysis revealed that the main blue pigment produced by new strain in this complex medium is actinorhodin. Conclusions: Discarded potato favored the production of blue pigments by S. lydicus PM7 under submerged fermentation, leading to final product concentration almost three times higher than others traditional Streptomyces culture media. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of actinorhodin by the specie S. lydicus, as well as on this pigment synthesis based on an agricultural waste as a sole nutrient source for fermentation process. The findings showed that potato waste could be a potential byproduct for replacement of commercial culture media using for this same purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste handling is one of the biggest problems across the globe. An additional challenge of mitigating climate change also arises during the burning of fossil fuel. The fossil fuel-based transportation system in India that gives rise to air pollution has a worse impact on people. To overcome these problems, a sustainability assessment framework is introduced in this study. Ethanol, a member of the biofuel family, is one of the cleanest and most sustainable forms of energy sources. The purpose of this research is to develop a sustainability assessment framework to investigate the environmental feasibility of a supply chain system that provides an end-to-end solution and how it would benefit the transportation sector. A second-generation (2G) ethanol-based supply chain is envisaged, and agro-waste such as corncobs and paddy straw are considered in this study. The assessment is carried out using a heuristic-based method, known as particle swarmoptimization (PSO) technique, within the framework of circular economy. The results show that the biomass collection in the proposed area produces 2.5 tons of CO2 per hectare area on average, which is much lower in comparison to 996.6 tons of CO2 per hectare in the Middle East, the main source of fossil fuel. In the future, this research would benefit the enterprises and government organizations that establish 2G ethanol plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terms of environmental sustainability, this study represents a significant effort to utilize agricultural waste, specifically bamboo leaves, to extract valuable materials such as high-purity SiO2NPs. The Taguchi method was used to identify optimal extraction conditions to optimize the nano-silica extraction process. Our methodology involved determining the best-applying temperature for calcination at (700, 750, 800) C°, calcination time at (2, 3, 4) hrs., and sodium hydroxide concentration at (2, 3, 4) N (NaOH). The structural properties of the obtained (SiO2NPs) were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). Analytical results revealed the extracted nano-silica powder at a burned temperature (700C°) for (4 hrs.), 4N NaOH was amorphous and had a purity (94.6 %), and the particle size of extracted (SiO2NPs) was 33-45 nm. Enhancing the value of agricultural waste, this study contributes to reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal, thereby supporting sustainable development goals and the circular economy. The findings offer new opportunities for using nano-silica in different industrial applications, maintaining an environmental balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article concerned the mixing of high-viscosity fluids using close-clearance impellers in a cylindrical tank (caustic soda and water). This investigation employed a numerical model to evaluate the performance of three distinct impeller designs at rotational speeds of 10, 20, and 30 rpm. The analysis concentrated on parameters indicative of mixing efficiency, including color dispersion, vector movement of the mixed material, temperature gradients from the tank wall to the center, and the average temperature within the agitator tank. Results indicated that the ribbon impeller operating at 30 rpm achieved the highest average temperature (53.69℃) across all measurement points within the mixing vessel compared to the other impeller configurations. This finding suggests that the ribbon impeller design is most effective in promoting optimal mixing. Additionally, the heat distribution within the tank exhibited a high degree of uniformity, which contributed to consistent vector movement of the mixed material. Furthermore, the temperature gradient, representing the average temperature variation from the tank wall to the center at each depth, was most pronounced with the ribbon impeller design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new adsorbent has been developed by modifying a low-cost and readily available waste, namely the dried orange (Citrus aurantium Linn) peel (CiR). The removal of heavy metals pollutants by binding of magnesium oxides (MgO) on the peel represents a simple, economical, and faster method. Various analysis, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy and application of mathematical models, have been performed on the modified adsorbent (dried Citrus reticulata peel + MgO; CiR-MgO matrix). The abundant free functional groups present in the biomass and metal oxides collectively exert interactive forces leading to the sorption of Zn2+ heavy metals. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-first order kinetic models are confirmed as the best fitted model of the adsorption process through chi-analysis. The rate-limiting step of intra-particle diffusion governs the adsorption process. This method is best suited for fixed-bed column application due to its fast kinetics, hydrophilic nature, and regeneration process with 0.005 M HCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is to promote the use of agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse, banana fibers, and rice husk) in the creation of handcrafted paper. This work alters the manufacturing process by utilizing various cellulose ratios derived from different agricultural residues. Craft papers have been made with the use of a fairly straightforward and environmentally benign process known as the handmade technique, which includes these raw residues in various ratios. The physico-mechanical properties are measured for synthesized sheets with an appropriate basis weight (63-80 g/m²), thickness (20-300 m), burst strength (58.9-105.2 kPa), burst index (1.03-1.67 kPa m²/g), and bulk (1.06 - 3.12 cm³/g), respectively. It is demonstrated that the used ingredients are cost-effective and eco-friendly. In addition, it is found that the quality of the handmade paper sample composition formed with a blend of 20% rice husk, 30% sugarcane bagasse, and 50% banana fiber, is relatively high. This study demonstrates that agricultural waste can provide viable alternatives for the industries that produce handmade paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are micropollutants, persist in the environment and accumulate in organisms, causing adverse effects to ecosystem. Synthetic inorganic minerals, polymers, activated carbon, ash, char, biomass powders, shells, etc. are used as adsorbents to remove the heavy metals in aqueous medium. Advancements in nanotechnology and green chemistry focus on novel materials for efficient removal of heavy metals. Among the different interesting nanomaterials, Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have recently emerged as an important nanomaterial used for environmental remediation due to their tractable pore size, distinct surface area, surface reactivity, outstanding biocompatibility, structural flexibility, stability, low toxicity, and adoptable surface modification. Due to the huge availability of biomass, SiNPs synthesis from crop residues and agro-industries waste by-products has been widely suggested. The SiNPs could be synthesized from agro-waste through calcination, sol-gel, ball milling, etc. Some of the SiNPs produced from certain agro-waste recorded a specific surface area of 5 to 653 m2 g-1 with a particle size of sub-50 nm. These SiNPs remove a wide range of heavy metals, viz., Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Zn, etc., from aqueous solutions with varied concentrations. This review briefly discusses various agro-waste sources for SiNPs green synthesis and SiNPs heavy metal adsorption.

Agricultural waste straw is produced in large quantities annually, particularly in regions with high crop yields, such as rice, wheat and corn.The resource utilization of straw plays an important role in environmental protection, resource utilization, partial replacement of fossil energy and promoting agricultural carbon neutrality. Moreover, it's well known that electrospinning technology plays a vital role in enabling the conversion of straw-derived cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose and derivatives into high-value nanofiber materials. In this perspective article, we mainly focus on the separation of components and high-value conversion of agricultural waste straw. Specifically, the separation methods of agricultural waste straw components, the spinnability of cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose and derivatives, and the fabrication of straw-derivated functional electrospinning materials were introduced in detail, and these electrospinning fiber material are widely used in the fields of carbon fibers, environmental adsorption, energy storage, and biomedical materials, which provides a new perspective and strategy reference for the comprehensive utilization of straw biomass resources.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of waste biomass is a promising alternative to produce efficient and environmentally friendly sorbents. Lowering the temperature and selecting the right biomass can provide economic, environmental and technical advantages, improving process efficiency and product yield. In this work, the properties of hydrocarbon (HC) produced from residual biomass from cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production were evaluated using HTC at a temperature of 130 °C and a reaction time of 4 h. The effect of HC was also evaluated. The effect of HC on mercury (Hg) adsorption, conductivity and pH of acidic aqueous samples (pH 3 to 4) was also evaluated. The obtained hydrocarbon was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which confirmed the presence of the main functional group's characteristic of hydrochar and the formation of porous structures. The results show that high Hg removal rates ranging from 75.5 to 89.4 % with adsorption capacities up to 174.74 μg g−1 with a short residence time (30 min) were achieved with the produced HC. Under the operating conditions established during the HTC process, the yield of HC produced with low reaction severity reached 88.5 %. The characteristics of the starting biomass and the obtained HC slightly modified the pH of the solutions and decreased the electrical conductivity. A comparative analysis was performed and showed no significant differences between the adsorbent masses used for removal. It is possible to produce HC efficient in Hg removal at very low actual concentrations (μg L−1), from cocoa production residues with HTC processes at lower temperatures than those generally employed (180 °C–250 °C) and in short reaction times. These operating conditions could become a promising alternative to address the problem of Hg water contamination without the need for energy intensive processes with technology accessible to communities and regions with limited resources.

This study optimizes biomass chemical looping processes (BCLpro), a technique for converting biomass to energy, through machine learning (ML) for sustainable energy production. The study proposes an integrated Fe2O3-based ฺBCLpro combining steam gasification for H2 production. Aspen Plus is used as the primary tool to generate extensive datasets covering 24 biomass types with 18 feature inputs in a supervised model. A methodology involving K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and CatBoost (CB) algorithms was employed to predict H2 yields in the BCLpro, utilizing 10-fold cross-validation for robust model evaluation. Findings highlight the CB algorithm's superior performance, achieving up to 98% predictive accuracy, with carbon content, reducer temperature, and Fe2O3/Al2O3 mass ratio identified as crucial features. The algorithm has been developed into a user-friendly tool, BCLH2Pro, accessible via a web server. This tool is designed to assist in reducing costs, optimizing biomass selection, and planning operational conditions to maximize H2 yield in BCLpro systems. Access to the tool can be obtained through the following link: http://bclh2pro.pythonanywhere.com/.

The current research investigates the combustion characteristics of bioslurry fuel derived from the products of agricultural waste pyrolysis. The bioslurry fuel was prepared by mixing biochar and pyrolysis oil. The combustion characteristics of a suspended single droplet of the bioslurry were analysed. The results indicate that an increase in pyrolysis temperature (400–600°C) lead to higher concentrations of fixed carbon (56–60%), increased ash content (16–18%), and higher calorific values (25–32 MJkg−1). As the pyrolysis temperature rises, the biochar surface becomes more porous, lower volatile matter content and particle size. As biochar content increases, the bioslurry’s density, viscosity, and caloric value increase but stability index decreases. Higher biochar content in the bioslurry increases the ignition delay and burnout time while reducing the burning rate. The bioslurry fuel contained 30% biochar achieved a calorific value of 28 MJkg−1 and a viscosity of 600 cP, comparative to conventional fossil fuels. HighlightsUp to 30% BC can be added to pyrolysis oil to produce SF.Pyrolysis temperature increased FC, ash, and calorific value of biochar.Biochar surface appears more porous with increasing pyrolysis temperature.Biochar content affects bioslurry combustion characteristics.

IntroductionExtracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate inter and intra-species/kingdom communication through biomolecule transfer, including proteins and small RNAs. Plant-derived EVs, a hot topic in the field, hold immense capability both as a potential biomarker to study plant physiology and as a biomaterial that can be mass-produced to be used in various industries ranging from cosmetics and food additives to biological pesticides. However, a systematic characterization of plant EVs is required to establish a foundation for further applications and studies.MethodsIn this study, EVs were enriched from hydroponically cultivated potato plants (Solanum tuberosum, cv. Laura). We isolated EVs from root exudates and the apoplastic wash of potato peels using vacuum infiltration. These EVs were then systematically characterized for their biophysical and chemical properties to compare with standard EV characteristics and to explore their roles in plant physiology.ResultsBiophysical and chemical analyses revealed morphological similarities between potato root and peel-derived EVs. The average diameter of root-derived EVs (164.6 ± 7.3 nm) was significantly larger than that of peel-derived EVs (132.2 ± 2.0 nm, p < 0.004). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) demonstrated substantial protein enrichment in purified EVs compared to crude samples, with a 42% enrichment for root EVs and 25% for peel EVs. Only 11.8% of the identified proteins were common between root and peel EVs, with just 2% of significantly enriched proteins shared. Enriched pathways in both EV proteomes were associated with responses to biotic and abiotic stress, suggesting a defensive role of EVs in plants.DiscussionWith further experimentation to elucidate the specific methods of communication, these findings increase the details known about plant EVs in terms of their physical and chemical characteristics and their potential functions, aiding in sustainable agricultural waste utilization for large-scale EV production, aligning with the concept of “valorization”.

Purpose: Soil mixtures play a key role in soil fertility and productivity. Keeping in view the importance of soil mixtures, our study aimed to find suitable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective soil substrates for better growth of aromatic plants. Method: Physico-chemical properties of substrates- banana peel (BP), groundnut shell (GS), coconut coir (CC) and rice husk (RH) were determined, further these substrates were mixed with soil to check their effect on growth and development of aromatic plants. GS was used in combination with other substrates to study its effect by observing various growth parameters and triplicate data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA. Results: Nutrients estimation in selected substrates showed high potassium in GS, CC and RH while magnesium was high in BP. BP, GS, and CC have acidic pH while RH has neutral pH. CC showed higher moisture content and water holding capacity. A significant increase in rose height (37.33 ± 1.52 cm) and flowering (9 ± 1) was observed when supplemented with burned rice husk (BRH) and BP respectively. Similarly, daisy plant height and flowering were increased when supplemented with the GS. The elaborate study in marigold plants showed significant increase in height (38.2 ± 0.09 cm), leaf width (1 ± 0.1 cm) and leaf length (6 ± 0.09 cm) using GS + BRH while flowering (18 ± 1) was enhanced when supplemented with GS + BP. Conclusion: The information emanating from this study may be valuable in selecting the appropriate soil mixtures from organic waste for sustainable plant growth. Research Highlights • Biodegradable substrates which impact on overall development of plant growth. • Soil mixtures play a key role in soil fertility and productivity. • Development of eco-friendly, and cost-effective soil substrate for better growth of aromatic/ornamental plants. • Agriculture wastes such as coconut coir, groundnut shell powder, banana peel powder and rice husk can be potential substrates for plant growth. • Selecting a suitable substrate from the agricultural wastes is the key highlight of the current research.

The present study aims at investigating the application of ultrasound assisted choline chloride (ChCl) – formic acid (FA) deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment of Barley straw. In addition, the efficiency of a wet grinding followed by high intensity ultrasound (HIUS) treatment for production of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) has been evaluated. The DES (using ChCl: FA at 1:9 M ratio) treatment at 45 kHz ultrasound frequency and 3 h of treatment duration resulted in 84.68 ± 1.02 % and 82.96 ± 0.79 % of lignin and hemicellulose solubilisation, respectively. The purification of DES treated solid residue resulted in cellulose with more than 90 % purity. Further, 10 min of wet grinding followed by 40 min of HIUS treatment resulted in more than 80 % nano-fibrillation efficiency. The produced CNF had diameters less than 100 nm in number size distribution and type I cellulose structure. This study confirmed that the developed process offers a sustainable method for producing nanocellulose from agricultural waste.