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Introduction: The ability to produce biosurfactants plays a meaningful role in the bioavailability of crude oil hydrocarbons and the bioremediation efficiency of crude oil-degrading bacteria. This study aimed to characterize the produced biosurfactants by Pseudomonas oryzihabitans during the biodegradation of crude oil hydrocarbons. Methods: The biosurfactants were isolated and then characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry (LC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) analyses. Results: The FTIR results revealed the existence of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and methoxyl groups in the isolated biosurfactants. Also, the LC-MS analysis demonstrated a main di-rhamnolipid (l-rhamnopyranosyll-rhamnopyranosyl-3- hydroxydecanoyl-3-hydroxydecanoate, Rha-Rha-C10-C10) along with a monorhamnolipid (l-rhamnopyranosyl-b-hydroxydecanoylb-hydroxydecanoate, Rha-C10-C10). In agreement with these findings, the NMR analysis confirmed the aromatic, carboxylic, methyl, sulfate moieties, and hexose sugar in the biosurfactants. The emulsion capacity of the biosurfactants decreased the surface tension of the aqueous system from 73.4 mN m-1 to around 33 mN m-1 at 200  mg  L-1 as the critical micelle concentration. The emulsification capacity of the biosurfactants in the formation of a stable microemulsion for the diesel-water system at a wide range of pH (2-12), temperature (0-80°C), and salinity (2-20  g  L-1 of NaCl) showed their potential use in oil recovery and bioremediation through the use of microbial enhancement. Discussion: This work showed the ability of Pseudomonas oryzihabitans NC392 cells to produce rhamnolipid molecules during the biodegradation process of crude oil hydrocarbons. These biosurfactants have potential in bioremediation studies as eco-friendly and biodegradable products, and their stability makes them optimal for areas with extreme conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable plastic. It was introduced to the plastics market in 1998 and since then has been widely used around the world. The main idea of this research is to perform quantum chemical calculations to study the potential toxicity of PBAT and its degradation products. We analyzed the electron transfer capacity to determine its potential toxicity. We found that biodegradable products formed with benzene rings are as good electron acceptors as PBAT and OOH•. Our results indicate that the biodegradation products are potentially as toxic as PBAT. This might explain why biodegradation products alter the photosynthetic system of plants and inhibit their growth. From this and other previous investigations, we can think that biodegradable plastics could represent a potential environmental risk. Methods: All DFT computations were performed using the Gaussian16 at M062x/6–311 + g(2d,p) level of theory without symmetry constraints. Electro-donating (ω-) and electro-accepting (ω +) powers were used as response functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Methods in Ecology & Evolution is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plastic waste presents a significant challenge due to its non-organic nature, leading to a substantial accumulation of plastic waste globally. Plastic bowls, in particular, are widely-used in daily use, making the development of multi-millet edible bowls a viable substitute for traditional plastic options. In this study, we optimized multi-millet edible bowls using major ingredients such as little, kodo, and barnyard millet flours and compared with control edible bowls made from refined flour. The optimised multi-millet edible bowls exhibited significantly lower levels of calories, fat, moisture but higher levels of dietary fibre and protein compared to the control edible bowls. Furthermore, the multi-millet edible bowls exhibited slightly thicker structures, higher hardness but with significantly reduced water absorption properties (~ twofold) and oil absorption properties (~ threefold) in comparison to control. Scanning electron microscopy images of the multi-millet edible bowls revealed the starch granule structure offering valuable insights into their composition. High-resolution mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of 3092 distinct metabolic products, comprising of 24 compounds, including primary and secondary metabolites. Additionally, preliminary soil degradation test indicated that the developed bowls were biodegradable within 42 days. In conclusion, the development of multi-millet edible bowls offers a promising, environmentally conscious alternative to traditional plastic-based bowls and biodegradability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), an emerging energy conversion technology, offers innovative pathways for energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing. To achieve superior performance, researchers commonly employ substantial quantities of original or treated polymers, resulting in high energy and precise sensing. Nevertheless, the sustainable development of TENGs faces significant challenges related to environmental compatibility, pollution hazards, and high production and disposal costs. To address this issue, numerous green materials for diverse TENGs are introduced and advanced. These materials may encompass natural resources, household waste, and recyclable materials, among others. Consequently, a review of the progress in TENGs based on green materials, which can be called green TENGs, becomes imperative to advance its sustainable development. To this end, this work comprehensively elucidates the development of green TENGs from the perspective of materials processing and treatment degree for the first time. Various green TENGs, including food waste, discarded daily‐use items, plant organs, biodegradable industrial products, and natural cellulose, are meticulously categorized. This review not only systematically synthesizes the latest research advancements in green TENGs, but also offers insight into their processing methodologies, working characteristics, and potential application scenarios. Finally, it envisions the challenges, proposed solutions, and future research directions for the development of green TENGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work examines the influence of the degradation behaviors of biotic and abiotic conditions on three types of biodegradable products: cups from PLA and from cellulose, and plates from sugarcane. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if biodegradable products can be degraded in composts that were stabilized by backyard composting. Furthermore, the impact of crucial abiotic parameters (temperature and pH) for the degradation behaviors process was investigated. The changes in the biopolymers were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. This work confirmed that abiotic and biotic conditions are important for an effective disintegration of the investigated biodegradable products. Under abiotic conditions, the degradation behaviors of PLA were observable under both tested temperature (38 and 59 °C) conditions, but only at the higher temperature was complete disintegration observed after 6 weeks of incubation in mature compost. Moreover, our research shows that some biodegradable products made from cellulose also need additional attention, especially with respect to incorporated additives, as composting could be altered and optimal conditions in composting may not be achieved. This study shows that the disintegration of biodegradable products is a comprehensive process and requires detailed evaluation during composting. The results also showed that biodegradable products can also be degraded post composting and that microplastic pollution from biodegradable polymers in soil may be removed by simple physical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As more and more consumers make eco-conscious decisions, demand for sustainable, biodegradable cosmetics is increasing, and hair care is no exception. Hair styling products are performance-driven, with customers expecting the eco-friendly product offerings to deliver equal or superior performance as their traditional synthetic counterparts. Ashland’s proprietary Styleze™ es (eco-styler) polymer line is plant-derived with an exceptional performance and sustainability profile. These polymers deliver an outstanding styling and sensorial experience, giving formulators the ability to create products for unique and personalized hair styles, that protect hair from the everyday grooming damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution caused by toxic pharmaceutical ingredients and other human hazards is a sign of danger for the biological life on earth. Considering the importance of green revolution including the green pharmaceutical industries, the scientists and environmental protection agencies recently highlighted green chemical ingredients and biodegradable products as extreme protection line for our environment. An electronic search was conducted utilizing Science Finder, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar to gather English-language articles pertaining to chemical environmental hazards and green foot printing. Our study explored that environmental risks are majorly caused by emitted chemical pharma ingredients and non-biodegradable products such as antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressants, antihypertensive, contraceptives, steroids, hormones, and polychlorinated dioxins. Although the detected amounts of these ingredients are very small, however, such minute quantities are enough to be considered toxic for human, animal, and aquatic lives. Moreover, a significant number of drugs undergo incomplete metabolism in both humans and animals, contributing to environmental hazards alongside the substantial volume of non-biodegradable industrial waste. The current review highlights the impact of pharmaceutical waste on environmental safety, health of living world, and the recent achievements in adopting green pharma as an alternative strategy. Additionally, keeping in view the potential risk of production of toxic ingredients and emission by conventional chemical methods, this review further focuses on the footprint of green (plant source) synthesized ingredients for utilization in various pharma sectors and their possible implication in environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, biodegradable active films were prepared from potato starch and polyvinyl alcohol at different proportions, mixed with acetone extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HS) and using glycerol as a plasticizer. Functional properties, antimicrobial, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Potato starch films with a proportion of polyvinyl alcohol up to 50% and HS extract had significant antioxidant capacity and antibacterial effect against most of the analyzed strains. Adding polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and HS extract improved the mechanical performance and reduced water vapor permeability of the materials. The active biobased films with HS extract presented good physicochemical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. These materials are considered as suitable for food packaging, and the active compounds in the roselle extract are a natural antibacterial option for the food area. The materials based entirely on biodegradable products are an excellent alternative when developing and marketing biobased materials, minimizing the environmental impact of food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Technical Review is the property of Wydawnictwo SIGMA-NOT and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

By focusing on the natural cellulose microfiller derived from leftover cakes in the oil mills, researchers have the opportunity to develop and investigate novel materials that can potentially revolutionize the field of lightweight structures. This research work focuses on the development of lightweight hybrid polymeric composites using a combination of novel materials derived from linseed oil cake biomass waste and unidirectional flax fibers with epoxy polymeric matrices. It also explores the potential of linseed oil cake biomass waste as a valuable source of cellulose fillers for reinforcement in polymer composites, providing an alternative to traditional synthetic fillers. In this work, the extracted cellulose was made into a composite using a polymeric matrix (epoxy resin), and its mechanical as well as acoustical characteristics were studied to determine its suitability for various applications. The primary aim was to enhance the mechanical properties and reduce the weight of the composites for potential applications in lightweight structures, including automotive components, aerospace structures, and other industries where weight reduction is crucial without compromising the mechanical performance. Evidence of cellulose crystallinity and a-cellulose was apparent, as indicated by the higher intensity peaks observed at 2 = 22.10°, corresponding to the 002 crystallographic planes. The thermogravimetric analysis showed a minimum mass loss of 4.12% occurring at 309.16°C. The sample with 7.5 wt% linseed oil cake cellulose in the flax composite exhibited the highest values for various properties, including a tensile strength of 77.62 MPa, a flexural strength of 115.62 MPa, and an impact strength of 35.5 kJ/m². For hardness and sound absorption properties, the sample with 10 wt% linseed oil cake cellulose in the flax composite exhibited the highest values (approximately 102 Sd) and a noise reduction coefficient value of 0.329. These findings suggest that combining cellulose with unidirectional flax fibers can make them suitable for various applications, such as structural components in the automotive industry, building materials, and biodegradable and eco-friendly products. Highlights • Researchers used linseed oil cake cellulose for lightweight composites. • Novel materials hybridized linseed oil cake cellulose and flax fibers. • The material is a potential alternative to synthetic fillers in polymer composites. • The material can enhance mechanical properties for automotive, aerospace use. • The material has yielded promising results in tensile, flexural, impact strength, and sound absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both developed and developing countries around the world are increasingly utilizing biodegradable products and bio-based materials. This is required to curb rampant environmental pollution caused by synthetic materials and their by-products. In this study, banana and bamboo fibers were prepared from agricultural and industrial wastes, respectively. Banana and bamboo fibers were obtained with aid of mechanical and waste extractions, respectively. Both fibers were subjected to a retting process for 24 hours, using normal warm water at a room temperature (27 ± 3 °C) to remove the impurities. Then, a comparative investigation and analysis was conducted concerning their properties and applications. The biomass level, physical, and chemical properties, structure, experimental analysis, and moisture regain behaviors of the plant materials were studied. Additionally, the antibacterial property of the samples was discussed. The biomass level was measured per hectare for banana (36.1 tons) and per plant for bamboo (65%), and the physical and chemical properties were identified via some basic testing techniques. The molecular, crystalline, and morphology structures were observed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the industrial applications were elucidated to establish the possibility of using both fibers as promising sustainable, renewable, recyclable, and eco-friendly materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the dynamics of raw silk production in the period 2011-2022 at the global level and in the top six producing countries using the official data and usual methods in such a research: fixed basis and structural indices, descriptive statistics, regression equations, coefficient of determination, correlations, absolute and relative differences, comparisons etc. The results showed that, at the global level, raw silk production accounted for 91,221 Metric tons in the year 2022 being by 30% smaller than in 2011. The top silk producing countries are China, India, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil. While in China, Thailand and Brazil production has substantially declined (- 52%, -33.5%, -23%), in India, Uzbekistan and Vietnam silk production increased by 58.6%, 116.7% and 113.4%. The share of all these six countries in the global production is 99.2%. In 2022, the highest weight belongs to China (54.8%) and India (40.1%). It is expected as silk production to raise taking into account that it is an eco and skin friendly product, and also a biodegradable product, while synthetic fibers are polluting. However, the high production cost, market price fluctuation and other restraining factors could affect small farmers dealing with sericiculture. For the developing countries, silkworm rearing and silk production sector is a profitable business which offer jobs, income, a better living standard, reducing poverty, hungry, gender discrimination, preserving biodiversity and conserving soil quality and contributing to the sustainable development in the rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition towards a global circular economy is widely acknowledged as one of the most promising solutions to counteract resource depletion and environmental deterioration. In alignment with this perspective, there has been a rise in the availability of environmentally friendly products in the consumer market. This shift towards sustainable production and consumption patterns has led to a surge in scholarly interest surrounding biodegradable studies, particularly from the consumer viewpoint, within the context of the circular economy. However, the exploration of this topic, especially concerning the consumer perspective and its role in the circular economy, remains limited in the existing literature search. With the ongoing progression towards a circular economy, there is an evident need for a deeper understanding, extracted from available literature. Utilizing a bibliometric analysis approach, this study aims to enhance comprehension of the present knowledge landscape and delineate potential future research directions linked to consumers' roles in the transition from a linear to a circular economy, as well as their intent to adopt biodegradable products. Employing boolean operators and wildcard searches, a topic exploration was conducted within the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database on August 22, 2022. The study spanned from the first publication in the field in 2017 to the current date. A total of 51 documents were retrieved for comprehensive bibliometric analysis. To visualize research productivity and bibliometric insights, Tableau and VOSviewer were employed as presentation tools. The findings unveil the involvement of 223 authors hailing from 26 countries. The top three research areas encompass Environmental Sciences Ecology (35.3%), Science Technology Other Topics (33.3%), and Engineering (29.4%). Notably, the majority of significant contributors originated from the United States. Leading the pack of core publication journals is the Journal of Cleaner Production, cited 129 times in WoS. Co-authorship and country collaboration networks indicate a minimal level of partnerships. Through keywork co-occurrence network analysis, three prominent themes were identified: process, materials, and consumers. This analysis distinctly elucidates various developmental stages as well as nascent dimensions that constitute potential focal points for future research agendas in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leather industry has long grappled with environmental challenges associated with waste disposal. One ton of wet-salted hides or skins generates approximately 650 kg of solid waste. The majority of trims and hair waste remain underutilized, with hair often discarded or used inefficiently. We initiated the creation of a retanning agent devoid of formaldehyde by utilizing discarded tannery trimmings, with the goal of promoting a circular economy approach in the leather processing industry in our sustainability efforts. Optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined, involving an alkaline (3.75% w/w NaOH) pre-treatment followed by thermal hydrolysis at 100 °C for 5 hours, effectively maximizing the use of trimmings. Similar treatments were applied to hair waste, particularly red sheep hair, yielding successful hydrolysis. Keratin hydrolysate-g-methacrylic acid (KH-g-MA) copolymers were synthesized through in situ polymerization, employing hydrolysates in a redox system. Characterization was carried out using dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. These newly developed copolymers were applied as retanning agents in the leather industry, enhancing leather qualities such as fullness, grain tightness, and color brightness. Moreover, they improved leather mechanical strength and reduced the need for post-tanning chemicals. This innovative approach not only addresses solid waste issues but also contributes to greener leather processing, thereby fostering a more sustainable environmental landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

there is a market need for more sustainable odour control technologies for air care applications. Consumers are looking for cleaning products that are effective, bio-based and biodegradable. In this article, the overview of global odour control business in industrial and home care applications and the future opportunities of odour control technologies are discussed. The article also highlights how Croda strives to meet the needs of today’s consumers demand for sustainable products, and how it’s aligned with Croda’s sustainability goal of being Climate, Land and People Positive by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbially synthesized polyhydroxyalkanoates are gaining significant attention as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic. However, the tensile strength, flexibility, and optical properties of homopolymers are often inadequate for commercial applications. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxy valerate) (PHBV) copolymer appears to be more versatile as material properties can be altered by adjusting the proportion of 3HV content during microbial production. The inclusion of volatile fatty acid precursors as co-substrate, or use of nutrient-rich organic waste, and metabolic engineering strategies have widened the scope of sustainable PHBV production. This review gives a comprehensive understanding of strategies to manipulate the quality and quantity of PHBV synthesized in microbiological processes, and formulation of blends with other complementary biopolymers for tissue engineering, drug delivery and food packaging applications. Though significant advancement has been made in the preparation of PHBV composites, tuning the monomeric composition of microbially synthesized polymer through statistical optimization approaches remains unexplored. Predictable and scalable alteration of material properties in composites using a deep-learning algorithm, and design tools can offer better opportunities for customized biodegradable products in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early fracture fixation is the critical factor in fracture healing. Common internal fracture implants are made of metallic materials, which often affects the imaging quality of CT and MRI. Most patients will choose secondary surgery to remove the internal fixation implants, which causes secondary damage to them. The development of new degradable internal fracture implants has attracted more and more attention from orthopedic surgeons and researchers. Based on these problems, we improved the various properties of medical grade polycaprolactone (PCL) by adding poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). We produced PCL/PLLA strapping bands with different mass ratios by injection molding. We compared the mechanical properties, degradation properties, cell biocompatibility, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and fracture fixation effect of these strapping bands. The results showed that the tensile strength and yield force of the strapping bands increased with the increase of the content of PLLA. The addition of PLLA could significantly improve the mechanical strength in the early stage and accelerate the degradation rate of the strapping band. PCL/PLLA (80/20) strapping band had no significant cytotoxicity toward rBMSCs and could promote osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs. The strapping band could ensure femoral fracture healing of beagles in 3 months and didn't cause damage to the surrounding tissues and main organs. This study will provide some new insights into the biodegradable products of PCL/PLLA blends for internal fixation of fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crotonaldehyde is typical inhibitory compound of wastewater discharged in the petrochemical industry. To resolve the inhibition of crotonaldehyde on microorganism, electron donors (cellose, glucose and ethanol) were dosed to accelerate the biodegradation of crotonaldehyde by semi-continuous operation experiments. The results indicated that crotonyl alcohol was the most dominant biodegradable product of crotonaldehyde, and its conversion rates dosing ethanol, glucose and cellose as electron donors (2000 mgCOD/L) were 1.84, 1.46 and 1.21 times higher than that in control test when the initial concentrations of crotonaldehyde was 500 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the ethanol as electron donor was superior to cellose and glucose in relieving the inhibition of crotonaldehyde on the processes of acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis duo to the more electron release, faster electron transfer efficiency, less electron competition. Last, the enrichment of electro-active bacteria such as Syntrophobacter , Geobacter and the bacteria associated with reverse β-oxidation pathway (RBO) such as Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12 also proved that higher electron transfer system (ETS) activity was obtained in the reactor dosed ethanol as electron donor. This study suggests that dosing electron donors is an efficient strategy to accelerate the biodegradation of crotonaldehyde, and the results could be referred to pretreat wastewater containing aldehyde pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel photocatalyst of Fe3O4@SiO2/PAEDTC@MIL-101(Fe) was prepared based on the sol–gel method, and its structure and morphology were determined by SEM mapping, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and N2 adsorption–desorption analyses. The photocatalytic activity of nanocomposite was evaluated in comparison with other particles as well as adsorption and photolysis processes. The effect of operating parameters showed that the complete degradation of penicillin G (PNG) can be provided at a photocatalyst dosage of 0.6 g/L, radiation intensity of 36 W, pH of 5, and time of 60 min. In the optimum condition, 84% TOC removal was attained and the BOD5/COD rate for the treated effluent was above 0.4, which was representative of the high biodegradability of the treated effluent compared to the raw sample. The findings of energy consumption showed that PNG can be easily and effectively treated by the photocatalytic process based on magnetic MIL-101(Fe) with electrical energy per order between 10 and 20.87 kWh/m3. Due to the excellent interaction between the MIL-101(Fe) and Fe3O4@SiO2/PAEDTC, the photocatalyst stability test showed a recyclability of the particles for 5 consecutive reaction cycles with a minimum reduction of 7%. Solution treated with photocatalyst under UV and visible light sources explained that the toxicity of the effluent after treatment is significantly reduced with the growth of Escherichia coli. Scavenging experiments showed that •OH radical and hole (h+) are the main agents in degrading PNG to CO2, H2O, and biodegradable and low-toxicity products. Finally, the findings of the diagnostic analysis and comparative experiments proved that with the interaction of Fe3O4@SiO2, NH2, and MIL-101(Fe), a lower band gap can be prepared for more absorption of photons and pollutant and also more and faster production of active radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet absorbents (UVAs) in the environment have been of increasing concern because of their potential toxicity. However, data on UVAs in the biodegradable plastics are still limited. In this work, we determined the concentrations of 13 UVAs in 6 different types of biodegradable plastic products from Beijing, China, by an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and found the total concentrations in the range of 37.21–1,138,526 ng g−1. These target UVAs, BP (benzophenone), BP-3, BP-12, UV-328, UV-234, UV-326, UV-329, UV-360 and UV-P are prevalent in the plastic bags, garbage bags, food packaging bags, plastic lunch boxes and tableware, product packing bags and mulch films, except for BP-1, UV-320, UV-327 and UV-PS. This finding showed that the total concentrations of the 13 UVAs in biodegradable mulch films (mean: 1,138,527 ng g−1) were several orders of magnitude higher than those in the other 5 categories of samples (mean: 37.21–186.9 ng g−1). And the UV-328 and BP-1 were the most important components of UVAs in the biodegradable mulch films, with the levels ranging of 726,568–1,062,687 ng g−1 and 317,470–506,178 ng g−1, respectively. As the majority of UVAs were detected in biodegradable plastics, the potential risk of UVAs exposure may exist in the environment with the large-scale use of biodegradable plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecuador is the leading exporter of bananas globally. This industry generates a large amount of organic waste since the plant is cut down for every crop, but only the fruit bunch is used. These residues can be converted into sustainable environmental products that could replace polluting materials. This investigation presents a GIS-based methodology used to estimate the biomass of the residues of banana agriculture in Ecuador and to determine how much organic waste could be used as raw materials to manufacture new biodegradable products. We estimated that more than forty million metric tons of waste are produced every nine months. Our methodology can be a low-cost quantitative complement to the survey-based estimations conducted by the Ecuadorian government to evaluate banana production. Additionally, our work presents five products that could be manufactured with organic waste, like disposable plates, bioplastics for food utensils, cardboard covers, fibers for hydraulic cement, and wallpaper. Finally, we offer a product catalog developed as a technical guide for future bio-enterprises to elaborate biodegradable products inspired by a circular economy scheme. In light of the estimated amount of banana waste generated in the country, we consider that Ecuador has the potential to develop an industry based on this raw material to generate products such as those proposed in our review, shifting the banana industry to a more sustainable, profitable process, and generating new incomes and sources of employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tries to review the methods and stages of biodiesel production from the extracted oil of algae through a transesterification reaction. Biodiesel is a clean, renewable, biodegradable, and ecofriendly fuel. Algae are considered the thirdgeneration and the most promising biodiesel feedstock because of their advantages including that microalgae have the potential to produce 25-220 times higher triglycerides than terrestrial plants and the growth rate of algae is approximately 20- 30 times faster than food-yielding crops. Algae can grow almost in all kinds of water such as fresh or waste waters and on non-arable and marginal land and engine performance and exhaust emission of microalgae biodiesel investigated. Due to the higher oil content in microalgae than macroalgae, it is a better feedstock for biodiesel production. This work studied the steps of biodiesel production from microalgae including cultivation of microalgae, harvesting, oil extraction, and especially how to create biodiesel from microalgae biomass through transesterification reaction by focusing on the kinds of catalysts that have been used for microalgal biodiesel production studied. Transesterification reactions are commonly catalyzed by acids or bases as chemical catalysts or carried out in the presence of enzyme catalysts as biocatalysts. Also, the advantages of using heterogeneous catalysts compared to homogeneous ones were investigated. Many efforts have been made to commercialize algae biodiesel but the high cost of producing algae and extracting its oil is challenging and it will still take some time before algal biofuels become a commercial reality in Iran and all the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, sustainable and biodegradable bioplastics are gaining significant attention due to resource depletion and plastic pollution. An increasing number of environmentally friendly plastics are being introduced to the market with the aim of addressing these concerns. However, many final products still contain additives or mix non-biodegradable polymers to ensure minimum performance, which often undermines their ecological footprint. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge about all stages of biodegradation and their accuracy in classifying products as biodegradable. Therefore, this review provides an overview of biodegradable polymers, elucidating the steps and mechanisms of polymer biodegradation. We also caution readers about the growing marketing practice of "greenwashing" where companies or organizations adopt green marketing strategies to label products with more environmental benefits than they have. Furthermore, we present the main standards for evaluating biodegradation, tools, and tests capable of measuring the biodegradation process. Finally, we suggest strategies and perspectives involving concepts of recycling and the circularity of polymers to make them more environmentally friendly and sustainable. After all, "throwing away" plastics should not be an option because there is no outside when there is only one planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable products are considered as an important solution in reducing the waste generated by the use of synthetic polymers. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) stands out with its success and low cost in the preparation of biodegradable products. In order to improve the low mechanical and physical properties of biodegradable polymeric products, morphology in co-continuous form was chosen as the target of our study as a promising solution. For this purpose, thermoplastic starch samples were prepared by melt processing method using starch and various plasticizers. TPS samples were examined from the perspective of morphological, rheological and thermal properties. Based on the obtained results, suitable TPS was determined that will allow obtaining the co-continuous morphology in the polymer blends to be prepared with polyethylene (PE). Polymer blends were prepared by melt processing method so that the selected TPS sample and PE were in different compositions. TPS/PE polymer blends were examined in terms of mechanical, rheological, morphological and thermal properties, and the most appropriate methods and parameters were determined for the preparation of samples with high TPS composition and co-continuous phase morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial wastewater has a considerable environmental impact on the environment. Wastewater from oil refining, which has been removed from oils, grease, detergents, and phenol, is one of the effluents which present a particular danger to the environment. In this study, we used bio-coagulants to reduce pollution by coagulation-flocculation of wastewater from oil refining. This study shows an exciting contribution to the valuation of natural resources such as cacti in Morocco. Bio-coagulant is a novel biodegradable organic flocculant extracted from prickly pear juice. The results showed that the extract's optimal dosage varies between 10 and 40 mg/L, leading to removal yields ranging from 40 to 90%. Global data, based on the use of cactus juice as a coagulant in coagulation-flocculation processes for the treatment of oil refinery wastewater, showed removal percentages between 86 and 99%, 62 and 76%, and 67 and 95% for turbidity, COD, and discoloration, respectively. Indeed, bio-flocculants are effective for treating process wastewater on a laboratory scale using a 50-L pilot with the lowest cost. However, more research is needed to explore the scaling of the laboratory scale to well-illustrate the various parameters that drive practical application on a large scale. The bio-flocculant used is a new biodegradable natural product which does not affect the environment compared to other synthetic flocculants. It is of definite interest for the treatment of waste water rich in oils and greases producing less sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Coffee by-products, especially coffee silverskin can be recognized as an valuable plant source abundant of antioxidant bioactive compounds. Further experimental investigations will need to be carried out to assess the possibility of the implementation of coffee silverskin raw material or ethanolic extracts in liquid or powdered form as an ingredient of functional food products or biodegradable materials applied in the food industry chain, what is in agreement with EU politics of circular economy concept and sustainable development. The present research focused on the extraction optimization of bioactive compounds from coffee silverskin (CS), a by-product generated in large amounts worldwide during the coffee roasting process. The effect of the different extraction conditions has been investigated by the exploitation of the response surface methodology (RSM). The antioxidant activity assays, such as ABTS and FRAP, total phenolics content (TPC), browning index (BI), and chromatographic analysis of caffeine and chlorogenic acids contents have been performed to evaluate the CS extracts characteristics. The most favorable extraction conditions on the maximum recovery of antioxidant bioactive compounds were found to be as follows: 50% aqueous solution of ethanol (v/v) in solvent solid ratio of 45 mL/g CS, during 30 min at 60 °C. The CS extract prepared in this extraction variant reached the values for ABTS, FRAP, TPC, and BI approximately 101.6 µmol Trolox/g d.m. CS, 132.3 µmol Fe (II)/g d.m. CS, 52.3 µmol GAE (gallic acid equivalent) per g d.m. CS, and 0.3, respectively. Additionally, this extract is rich in caffeine (6 mg/g d.m. CS) and chlorogenic acids (0.22 mg/g d.m. CS). In conclusion, this research demonstrates that CS could be considered as a valuable by-product of bioactive compounds with potential applications in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable metallic materials are increasingly gaining ground in medical applications. Zn-based alloys show a degradation rate between those recorded for Mg-based materials with the fastest degradation rate and Fe-based materials with the slowest degradation rate. From the perspective of medical complications, it is essential to understand the size and nature of the degradation products developed from biodegradable materials, as well as the stage at which these residues are eliminated from the body. This paper presents investigations conducted on the corrosion/degradation products of an experimental material (ZnMgY alloy in cast and homogenized state) after immersion tests in three physiological solutions (Dulbecco's, Ringer's and simulated body fluid (SBF)). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to highlight the macroscopic and microscopic aspects of corrosion products and their effects on the surface. An X-ray energy dispersive detector (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided general information about the compounds based on their non-metallic character. The pH of the electrolyte solution was recorded for 72 h during immersion. The pH variation of the solution confirmed the main reactions proposed for the corrosion of ZnMg. The agglomerations of corrosion products were on the micrometer scale, mainly oxides, hydroxides and carbonates or phosphates. The corrosion effects on the surface were homogeneously spread, with a tendency to connect and form cracks or larger corrosion zones, transforming the pitting corrosion pattern into a generalized one. It was noticed that the alloy's microstructure strongly influences the corrosion characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) polymers are emerging within biobased biodegradable plastic products. To build a circular economy, effective recycling routes should be established for these and other end-of-life bioplastics. This study presents the first steps of a potential PHA recycling route by fermenting hydrolyzed PHA-based bioplastics (Tianan ENMATTM Y1000P; PHBV (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)) into carboxylates acetate and butyrate. First, three different hydrolysis pretreatment methods under acid, base, and neutral pH conditions were tested. The highest 10% (from 158.8 g COD/L to 16.3 g COD/L) of hydrolysate yield was obtained with the alkaline pretreatment. After filtration to remove the remaining solid materials, 4 g COD/L of the hydrolyzed PHA was used as the substrate with the addition of microbial nutrients for mixed culture fermentation. Due to microbial conversion, 1.71 g/L acetate and 1.20 g/L butyrate were produced. An apparent complete bioconversion from intermediates such as 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) and/or crotonate into carboxylates was found. The overall yields of the combined processes were calculated as 0.07 g acetate/g PHA and 0.049 g butyrate/g PHA. These produced carboxylates can theoretically be used to reproduce PHA or serve many other applications as part of the so-called carboxylate platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid increase in consumption has led to the decrease and even extinction of natural resources on earth. The textile industry also has an important place in terms of consumption. The transition to more sustainable biodegradable products instead of established fossil-based materials has increased rapidly due to textile manufacturers and related industries, legal regulations, social responsibility commitments and increasing ecological awareness of customers. Developing new environmentally friendly, biodegradable material groups with new technologies or by modifying existing technologies has been the main goal of many researchers. In this context, we aimed to develop denim fabric that is effective against strong hospital bacteria by using the yarn containing biopolymer chitosan as a weft in denim production. Chitosan finds wide application in the textile industry due to its biodegradability, antibacterial activity and many more functionalities. Chitosan is used in biomedical textile applications in the textile industry, either as a wound healing, hemostatic (blood stopper), antibacterial, antifungal, either alone or modified to various derivatives or combined with other materials. In this context, instead of using chitosan as a coating material in our studies, chitosan-containing yarn was used in the production of denim fabric in order to distribute the chitosan more homogeneously and to increase the washing resistance. As a result, it was determined that the denim fabric developed by using chitosan-based yarn in weft in denim production reduces hospital bacteria (MRSA-Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) by > 99%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites are of interest for industries searching for not only bio-based but also recyclable and even biodegradable products. One of the drawbacks of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites is the poor fiber-matrix adhesion due to hydrophilic characteristics of natural fibers in contrast with hydrophobic characteristics of thermoplastic polymers. Considering the difference between hydrophilic/hydrophobic characters of fiber and matrix, various surface modification methods were incorporated to improve the compatibility. In this study, alkaline and atmospheric plasma surface treatments were investigated in terms of their effects on both mechanical performances of flax/polypropylene composites and environmental impacts. When the environmental effects of surface modifications before the composite manufacturing were compared; generated equivalent CO2 emissions were calculated as five times less in the case of atmospheric plasma treatment. Flax/polypropylene composites showed similar or even better mechanical performances when atmospheric plasma treatment was applied rather than alkaline treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents experiments on developing and characterizing biodegradable polymer composites based on polyvinyl chloride and expanded poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) (EVA) post-consumer waste. This type of waste is a thermoplastic material collected from the footwear industry, residues from the production of outer and intermediate soles and used footwear. It is used due to its shock absorption properties and low density (0.6-0.8 g/cm³). To make these products, EVA is injected into molds, a process that generates waste that cannot be reused. In this paper, a method of EVA waste recovery is presented and the possibility of developing a recycled product is investigated. Expanded EVA waste is cryogenically ground to sizes of min. 500 nm, functionalized by a mechanical process at temperature with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and mixed in the composite in various proportions (10, 20, 50%). This composite will be made into a low-density product, with low cost, recovery and reuse of waste, and last but not least, biodegradable. The methodology for making the new materials involves the following steps: sorting waste, grinding, functionalization and compounding. These operations are easy to manage and do not involve new equipment. Compounding, the most important operation, will be performed on an extruder-granulator. The experimented biodegradable composites were physico-mechanically characterized. Waste transformation (ground and functionalized) into new value-added products will lead to remarkable improvements in the life cycle of raw materials and the sustainable use of this waste, contributing to sustainability, improving eco-efficiency and economic efficiency and reducing the “pressure” of waste on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review study and explores the extraction and potential application of cellulose and nanocellulose from solid waste. Among different types of solid waste agricultural solid waste was found the most prominent for the formation of cellulose and nanocellulose. Factors affecting the properties of cellulose and nanocellulose were identified and discussed throughout the manuscript by referring reports on numerous case studies. The utilization of selected lignocellulosic biomass to produce cellulose and nanocellulose could decrease the amount of solid waste dumped on the landfills. Currently, raising awareness upon environmental issues and sustainability for the academicians, manufacturers, and policy makers to focus toward generating more biodegradable polymer products by reducing usage of nondegradable polymer products. Therefore, this study provides a review of various case studies in support of the production of cellulose and nanocellulose from solid waste, which offered the potential and possibility of commercialization of cellulose and nanocellulose products using existing conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste inefficiently recycled poses a major environmental concern attracting attention from both civil society and decision makers. Counteracting the phenomenon is an important challenge today. New possibilities are being explored to find alternatives to plastics, and one of them refers to mycelium-composite materials (MCM). Our study aimed at investigating the possibility of using wood and litter inhabiting basidiomycetes, an underexplored group of fungi that grow fast and create strong mycelial mats, to produce biodegradable materials with valuable properties, using cheap by-products as a substrate for growth. Seventy-five strains have been tested for their ability to grow on low-nutrient media and to form compact mycelial mats. Eight strains were selected further for evaluation on several raw substrates for producing in vitro myco-composites. The physico-mechanical properties of these materials, such as firmness, elasticity and impermeability, were analyzed. Abortiporus biennis RECOSOL73 was selected to obtain, at the laboratory scale, a real biodegradable product. Our results suggest that the strain used is a promising candidate with real possibilities for scalability. Finally, corroborating our results with scientific available data, discussions are being made over the feasibility of such technology, cost-effectiveness, scalability, availability of raw materials and, not least, where future studies should be directed to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable natural products are increasingly investigated for different industrial applications mostly due to wider range of disposal options with minor health, safety and environmental impacts. In the petroleum industry, research into the products of natural polymeric materials to substitute synthetic chemical products used as additives in drilling fluids is aimed at reducing the overall cost and environmental impact of drilling operations. In this study, micronized carboxymethyl starch (CMS) was investigated and compared with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as additive in water-based mud. Natural starch obtained from yam, potato tubers, and rice was modified by carboxymethylation, micronized to different particle sizes, and analyzed using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) Spectrometry. The rheological properties of the mud were determined at different micro-sizes (63µm and 75µm) and concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 grams) of the additives, and temperature ranging between 30°C to 85°C following the American Petroleum Institute recommended practice (API RP 13B-1). The major functional groups identified in the starch products are six-membered ring carbonyl group at 1735cm-1, carboxyl group at 1605cm-1 and 1650cm-1, and methyl group between 1450cm-1 to 1300cm-1. The CMS at 63µm compared favourably with CMC and had approximate average yield point/plastic viscosity ratio of 1.5 above 30 ℃. The results further showed that CMS is a suitable alternative viscosifier to CMC for water based mud and recommended for field trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]