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Biomass allocation in plants is the foundation for understanding dynamics in ecosystem carbon balance, species competition, and plant-environment interactions. However, existing work on plant allometry has mainly focused on trees, with fewer studies having developed allometric equations for grasses. Grasses with different life histories can vary in their carbon investment by prioritizing the growth of specific organs to survive, outcompete co-occurring plants, and ensure population persistence. Further, because grasses are important fuels for wildfire, the lack of grass allocation data adds uncertainty to process-based models that relate plant physiology to wildfire dynamics. To fill this gap, we conducted a greenhouse experiment with 11 common California grasses varying in photosynthetic pathway and growth form. We measured plant sizes and harvested above- and belowground biomass throughout the life cycle of annual species, while for the establishment stage of perennial grasses to quantify allometric relationships for leaf, stem, and root biomass, as well as plant height and canopy area. We used basal diameter as a reference measure of plant size. Overall, basal diameter is the best predictor for leaf and stem biomass, height, and canopy area. Including height as another predictor can improve model accuracy in predicting leaf and stem biomass and canopy area. Fine root biomass is a function of leaf biomass alone. Species vary in their allometric relationships, with most variation occurring for plant height, canopy area, and stem biomass. We further explored potential trade-offs in biomass allocation across species between leaf and fine root, leaf and stem, and allocation to reproduction. Consistent with our expectation, we found that fast-growing plants allocated a greater fraction to reproduction. Additionally, plant height and specific leaf area negatively influenced the leaf-to-stem ratio. However, contrary to our hypothesis, there were no differences in root-to-leaf ratio between perennial and annual or C4 and C3 plants. Our study provides species-specific and functional-type-specific allometry equations for both above- and belowground organs of 11 common California grass species, enabling nondestructive biomass assessment in California grasslands. These allometric relationships and trade-offs in carbon allocation across species can improve ecosystem model predictions of grassland species interactions and environmental responses through differences in morphology.

Flatbed scanners are commonly used for root analysis, but typical manual segmentation methods are time-consuming and prone to errors, especially in large-scale, multi-plant studies. Furthermore, the complex nature of root structures combined with noisy backgrounds in images complicates automated analysis. Addressing these challenges, this article introduces RhizoNet, a deep learning-based workflow to semantically segment plant root scans. Utilizing a sophisticated Residual U-Net architecture, RhizoNet enhances prediction accuracy and employs a convex hull operation for delineation of the primary root component. Its main objective is to accurately segment root biomass and monitor its growth over time. RhizoNet processes color scans of plants grown in a hydroponic system known as EcoFAB, subjected to specific nutritional treatments. The root detection model using RhizoNet demonstrates strong generalization in the validation tests of all experiments despite variable treatments. The main contributions are the standardization of root segmentation and phenotyping, systematic and accelerated analysis of thousands of images, significantly aiding in the precise assessment of root growth dynamics under varying plant conditions, and offering a path toward self-driving labs.

Geothermal springs house unicellular red algae in the class Cyanidiophyceae that dominate the microbial biomass at these sites. Little is known about host-virus interactions in these environments. We analyzed the virus community associated with red algal mats in three neighboring habitats (creek, endolithic, soil) at Lemonade Creek, Yellowstone National Park (YNP), USA. We find that despite proximity, each habitat houses a unique collection of viruses, with the giant viruses, Megaviricetes, dominant in all three. The early branching phylogenetic position of genes encoded on metagenome assembled virus genomes (vMAGs) suggests that the YNP lineages are of ancient origin and not due to multiple invasions from mesophilic habitats. The existence of genomic footprints of adaptation to thermophily in the vMAGs is consistent with this idea. The Cyanidiophyceae at geothermal sites originated ca. 1.5 Bya and are therefore relevant to understanding biotic interactions on the early Earth.

The allometric trophic network (ATN) framework for modeling population dynamics has provided numerous insights into ecosystem functioning in recent years. Herein we extend ATN modeling of the intertidal ecosystem off central Chile to include empirical data on pelagic chlorophyll-a concentration. This intertidal community requires subsidy of primary productivity to support its rich ecosystem. Previous work models this subsidy using a constant rate of phytoplankton input to the system. However, data shows pelagic subsidies exhibit highly variable, pulse-like behavior. The primary contribution of our work is incorporating this variable input into ATN modeling to simulate how this ecosystem may respond to pulses of pelagic phytoplankton. Our model results show that: (1) closely related sea snails respond differently to phytoplankton variability, which is explained by the underlying network structure of the food web; (2) increasing the rate of pelagic-intertidal mixing increases fluctuations in species biomasses that may increase the risk of local extirpation; (3) predators are the most sensitive species to phytoplankton biomass fluctuations, putting these species at greater risk of extirpation than others. Finally, our work provides a straightforward way to incorporate empirical, time-series data into the ATN framework that will expand this powerful methodology to new applications.

The development of cereal crops with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a priority for worldwide agriculture. In addition to conventional plant breeding and genetic engineering, the use of the plant microbiome offers another approach to improving crop NUE. To gain insight into the bacterial communities associated with sorghum lines that differ in NUE, a field experiment was designed comparing 24 diverse Sorghum bicolor lines under sufficient and deficient nitrogen (N). Amplicon sequencing and untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to characterize the bacterial communities and the root metabolome associated with sorghum genotypes varying in sensitivity to low N. We demonstrated that N stress and sorghum type (energy, sweet, and grain sorghum) significantly impacted the root-associated bacterial communities and root metabolite composition of sorghum. We found a positive correlation between sorghum NUE and bacterial richness and diversity in the rhizosphere. The greater alpha diversity in high NUE lines was associated with the decreased abundance of a dominant bacterial taxon, Pseudomonas. Multiple strong correlations were detected between root metabolites and rhizosphere bacterial communities in response to low N stress. This indicates that the shift in the sorghum microbiome due to low N is associated with the root metabolites of the host plant. Taken together, our findings suggest that host genetic regulation of root metabolites plays a role in defining the root-associated microbiome of sorghum genotypes differing in NUE and tolerance to low N stress.IMPORTANCEThe development of crops that are more nitrogen use-efficient (NUE) is critical for the future of the enhanced sustainability of agriculture worldwide. This objective has been pursued mainly through plant breeding and plant molecular engineering, but these approaches have had only limited success. Therefore, a different strategy that leverages soil microbes needs to be fully explored because it is known that soil microbes improve plant growth through multiple mechanisms. To design approaches that use the soil microbiome to increase NUE, it will first be essential to understand the relationship among soil microbes, root metabolites, and crop productivity. Using this approach, we demonstrated that certain key metabolites and specific microbes are associated with high and low sorghum NUE in a field study. This important information provides a new path forward for developing crop genotypes that have increased NUE through the positive contribution of soil microbes.

UNLABELLED: Growing environmental concerns and the need to adopt a circular economy have highlighted the importance of waste valorization for resource recovery. Microbial consortia-enabled biotechnologies have made significant developments in the biomanufacturing of valuable resources from waste biomass that serve as suitable alternatives to petrochemical-derived products. These microbial consortia-based processes are designed following a top-down or bottom-up engineering approach. The top-down approach is a classical method that uses environmental variables to selectively steer an existing microbial consortium to achieve a target function. While high-throughput sequencing has enabled microbial community characterization, the major challenge is to disentangle complex microbial interactions and manipulate the structure and function accordingly. The bottom-up approach uses prior knowledge of the metabolic pathway and possible interactions among consortium partners to design and engineer synthetic microbial consortia. This strategy offers some control over the composition and function of the consortium for targeted bioprocesses, but challenges remain in optimal assembly methods and long-term stability. In this review, we present the recent advancements, challenges, and opportunities for further improvement using top-down and bottom-up approaches for microbiome engineering. As the bottom-up approach is relatively a new concept for waste valorization, this review explores the assembly and design of synthetic microbial consortia, ecological engineering principles to optimize microbial consortia, and metabolic engineering approaches for efficient conversion. Integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches along with developments in metabolic modeling to predict and optimize consortia function are also highlighted. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: This review highlights the microbial consortia-driven waste valorization for biomanufacturing through top-down and bottom-up design approaches and describes strategies, tools, and unexplored opportunities to optimize the design and stability of such consortia.

Cross-ecosystem subsidies are critical to ecosystem structure and function, especially in recipient ecosystems where they are the primary source of organic matter to the food web. Subsidies are indicative of processes connecting ecosystems and can couple ecological dynamics across system boundaries. However, the degree to which such flows can induce cross-ecosystem cascades of spatial synchrony, the tendency for system fluctuations to be correlated across locations, is not well understood. Synchrony has destabilizing effects on ecosystems, adding to the importance of understanding spatiotemporal patterns of synchrony transmission. In order to understand whether and how spatial synchrony cascades across the marine-terrestrial boundary via resource subsidies, we studied the relationship between giant kelp forests on rocky nearshore reefs and sandy beach ecosystems that receive resource subsidies in the form of kelp wrack (detritus). We found that synchrony cascades from rocky reefs to sandy beaches, with spatiotemporal patterns mediated by fluctuations in live kelp biomass, wave action, and beach width. Moreover, wrack deposition synchronized local abundances of shorebirds that move among beaches seeking to forage on wrack-associated invertebrates, demonstrating that synchrony due to subsidies propagates across trophic levels in the recipient ecosystem. Synchronizing resource subsidies likely play an underappreciated role in the spatiotemporal structure, functioning, and stability of ecosystems.

Although the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has long served as a reference organism, few studies have interrogated its role as a primary producer in microbial interactions. Here, we quantitatively investigated C. reinhardtii's capacity to support a heterotrophic microbe using the established coculture system with Mesorhizobium japonicum, a vitamin B12-producing α-proteobacterium. Using stable isotope probing and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS), we tracked the flow of photosynthetic fixed carbon and consequent bacterial biomass synthesis under continuous and diurnal light with single-cell resolution. We found that more 13C fixed by the alga was taken up by bacterial cells under continuous light, invalidating the hypothesis that the alga's fermentative degradation of starch reserves during the night would boost M. japonicum heterotrophy. 15NH4 assimilation rates and changes in cell size revealed that M. japonicum cells reduced new biomass synthesis in coculture with the alga but continued to divide-a hallmark of nutrient limitation often referred to as reductive division. Despite this sign of starvation, the bacterium still synthesized vitamin B12 and supported the growth of a B12-dependent C. reinhardtii mutant. Finally, we showed that bacterial proliferation could be supported solely by the algal lysis that occurred in coculture, highlighting the role of necromass in carbon cycling. Collectively, these results reveal the scarcity of fixed carbon in this microbial trophic relationship (particularly under environmentally relevant light regimes), demonstrate B12 exchange even during bacterial starvation, and underscore the importance of quantitative approaches for assessing metabolic coupling in algal-bacterial interactions.

Understanding plant-microbe interactions requires examination of root exudation under nutrient stress using standardized and reproducible experimental systems. We grew Brachypodium distachyon hydroponically in fabricated ecosystem devices (EcoFAB 2.0) under three inorganic nitrogen forms (nitrate, ammonium, and ammonium nitrate), followed by nitrogen starvation. Analyses of exudates with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, biomass, medium pH, and nitrogen uptake showed EcoFAB 2.0's low intratreatment data variability. Furthermore, the three inorganic nitrogen forms caused differential exudation, generalized by abundant amino acids-peptides and alkaloids. Comparatively, nitrogen deficiency decreased nitrogen-containing compounds but increased shikimates-phenylpropanoids. Subsequent bioassays with two shikimates-phenylpropanoids (shikimic and p-coumaric acids) on soil bacteria or Brachypodium seedlings revealed their distinct capacity to regulate both bacterial and plant growth. Our results suggest that (i) Brachypodium alters exudation in response to nitrogen status, which can affect rhizobacterial growth, and (ii) EcoFAB 2.0 is a valuable standardized plant research tool.

Drier and hotter conditions linked with anthropogenic climate change can increase wildfire frequency and severity, influencing terrestrial and aquatic carbon cycles at broad spatial and temporal scales. The impacts of wildfire are complex and dependent on several factors that may increase terrestrial deposition and the influx of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from plants into nearby aquatic systems, resulting in the darkening of water color. We tested the effects of plant biomass quantity and its interaction with fire (burned vs. unburned plant biomass) on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and degradation (biological vs. photochemical) and DOM composition in 400 L freshwater ponds using a gradient experimental design. DOC concentration increased nonlinearly with plant biomass loading in both treatments, with overall higher concentrations (>56 mg/L) in the unburned treatment shortly after plant addition. We also observed nonlinear trends in fluorescence and UV-visible absorbance spectroscopic indices as a function of fire treatment and plant biomass, such as greater humification and specific UV absorbance at 254 nm (a proxy for aromatic DOM) over time. DOM humification occurred gradually over time with less humification in the burned treatment compared to the unburned treatment. Both burned and unburned biomass released noncolored, low molecular weight carbon compounds that were rapidly consumed by microbes. DOC decomposition exhibited a unimodal relationship with plant biomass, with microbes contributing more to DOC loss than photodegradation at intermediate biomass levels (100-300 g). Our findings demonstrate that the quantity of plant biomass leads to nonlinear responses in the dynamics and composition of DOM in experimental ponds that are altered by fire, indicating how disturbances interactively affect DOM processing and its role in aquatic environments.

Humans increasingly dominate Earth's natural freshwater ecosystems, but biomass production of modified ecosystems is rarely studied. We estimate potential fish total standing stock in USA reservoirs is 3.4 billion (B) kg, and approximate annual secondary production is 4.5 B kg y-1. We also observe varied and non-linear trends in reservoir fish biomass over time, thus previous assertions that reservoir fisheries decline over time are not universal. Reservoirs are globally relevant pools of freshwater fisheries, in part due to their immense limnetic footprint and spatial extent. This study further shows that reservoir ecosystems play major roles in food security and fisheries conservation. We encourage additional effort be expended to effectively manage reservoir environments for the good of humanity, biodiversity, and fish conservation.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) constitutes a bioelectrochemical process where bacteria uptake electrons extracellularly from a polarized electrode to incorporate them into their anabolic metabolism. However, the efficiency of current MES reactor designs can be lower than expected due to limitations regarding electron transfer and mass transport. One of the most promising bioreactor configurations to overcome these bottlenecks is the Microbial Electrochemical Fluidized Bed Reactor (ME-FBR). In this study, microbial CO2 fixation is investigated for the first time in a ME-FBR operated as a 3-phase reactor (solid-liquid-gas). An electroconductive carbon bed, acting as a working electrode, was fluidized with gas and polarized at different potentials (-0.6, -0.8 and -1 V vs. Ag/AgCl) so it could act as an electron donor (biocathode). Under these potentials, CO2 fixation and electron transfer were evaluated. Autotrophic electroactive microorganisms from anaerobic wastewater were enriched in a ME-FBR in the presence of 2-bromoethanosulfonic acid (BES) to inhibit the growth of methanogens. Cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed interaction between the microorganisms and the cathode. Furthermore, volatile fatty acids like propionate, formate and acetate were detected in the culture supernatant. Acetate production had a maximum rate of ca. 1 g L-1  day-1 . Planktonic cell biomass was produced under continuous culture at values as high as ca. 0.7 g L-1 dry weight. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of employing a fluidized electrode with gaseous substrates and electricity as the energy source for generating biomass and carboxylic acids.

Activated carbon has potential in energy storage and conversion, however, conventional methods often struggle to enhance specific surface area and control pore structure precisely, hindering its application in hydrogen storage and electrochemical fields. Therefore, this study aims to utilize pine sawdust as carbon precursor and employ "restricted activation" technology to regulate the specific surface area and pore structure of carbon materials, thereby enhancing their performance in hydrogen and electrochemical energy storage. Results demonstrate activated carbon's exceptional microporous structure and specific surface area, leading to outstanding hydrogen storage (achieving a capacity of 7.73 wt% at 77 K and 40 bar) and electrochemical properties (with the highest energy density of 12.92 Wh∙kg−1 and power density of 125 W kg−1). A comprehensive array of contrasting results has revealed that while micropores experience single-layer adsorption, the engagement of certain micropores and small mesopores in the physical adsorption process markedly boosts hydrogen storage capacity. This investigation sheds light on the relationship between material structure and storage performance, offering insights into multifunction carbon materials for high-capacity hydrogen storage and superior electrochemical performance. • Enhanced sample surface area by physical-chemical dual activation methods. • Waste gas recycling to achieve double reuse and protect the environment. • Porous carbon materials offer excellent hydrogen storage and supercapacitor. • The conversion treatment can also be applicable to other areas of biomass activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MP) are recognized as a major pollutant in terrestrial environments, prompting concerns about their effects on plant–soil dynamics. Despite evidence of MP altering soil physicochemical properties, impacts on belowground root traits and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi remain poorly explored. Existing research has mainly centred on a few model plant species, emphasizing root biomass, and often employs single polymer types and addition rates that surpass realistic scenarios. To investigate how environmentally relevant mixtures and concentrations of MPs impact plant growth, root trait expression and AM fungal colonization, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using six plant species chosen for their contrasting root life strategies; three species in the Amaryllidaceae family represented resource conservation root traits (Allium fistulosum (onion), Allium tuberosum (chive), Allium porrum (leek)), and three from the Solanaceae family, represented plants with resource acquisitive root traits (Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Solanum melongena (eggplant), Capsicum annuum (pepper)). MP treatments consisted of control (0% MP), low (0.1% w/w) and high (1% w/w) MP additions, using an environmentally relevant MP mixture of weathered polymer types and shapes. We measured above and belowground biomass, average root trait expression (specific root length (SRL), average root diameter (D) and root tissue density (RTD)), AM fungal colonization, as well as intraspecific variability across MP addition treatments. We found that responses to environmentally relevant additions of MPs were species specific and not determined by root life‐strategy. MPs increased biomass in leek, eggplant and tomato, while decreasing AM fungal colonization in tomato. MP additions had no discernible impact on average root functional trait expression across species. However, the addition of MPs resulted in altered intraspecific variability in root traits and AM fungal colonization, indicating a mechanism for plant tolerance to MPs. To address the impacts of MPs on plant functioning, research needs to focus on environmentally relevant mixtures of MPs, considering various plant species' capacities to tolerate soil contamination and the potential for tipping points under real‐world conditions. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using vacuum impregnation method, the biomass carbon cotton fiber material was modified with polymer-derived SiCN ceramics and different Ni sources to successfully prepare the composite material. The electromagnetic microwave absorption properties of the material in the range of 2–18 GHz and the catalytic effect of different nickel sources were studied. The material modified by nickel nitrate hexahydrate forms a carbon fiber coated structure, improves impedance matching, enriches heterostructures, and increases electromagnetic synergistic loss, effectively enhancing the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) reaches 4.72 GHz, the minimum reflection loss (RL min) is −47.79 dB, and the thickness is only 1.32 mm. The results of CST show that the radar cross section of CFPN-2 material is −36.86 dB m2, and it has obvious effect of optimizing impedance matching. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the environmental pollution and harm to human health caused by the use of adhesives in traditional paperboard, the development of environmentally friendly mycelium paperboard has become a hot topic. Due to the high dipole moment and hydrogen bonding between macromolecules, hyphae can form clamp shaped connection structures for nutrient reproduction and transfer, and can grow on natural agricultural waste, forming a natural biocomposite material. This study determined the combination of Ganoderma weberianum/corn straw, and designed single factor cultivation conditions such as cultivation time, straw particle size, and fructose addition to explore the effects on the mechanical properties, waterproof properties, and thermal decomposition performance of the hyphal paperboard formed by hot pressing. The optimal cultivation process was obtained through orthogonal experiments. The experimental results indicate that various factors have varying degrees of influence on the edgewise strength, flexural stiffness, and static bending strength and waterproofness of paperboard. Firstly, when the cultivation time was 30 days, the flexural stiffness reached 16.63 mN/m, which was 21.2% higher than the flexural stiffness of kraft paper (13.10 mN/m). Moreover, with the increase of cultivation time, the water absorption (24 hours) had also decreased from 3.92% to 1.27%. Secondly, previous research results have shown that the addition of fructose, glucose, and sucrose increases the biomass growth rate of strains. In this study, fructose was chosen as an exogenous nutrient, and the results showed that when a mass fraction of 5% fructose was added, the mechanical properties were the best, with a flexural stiffness of 18.87 mN/m, which was 30.5% higher than that of kraft paper (13.10 mN/m). Thirdly, the particle size of the sbstrate has a significant impact on the appearance and properties of the material. The results show that, from the appearance perspective, the mycelium paperboard made of 0.165～0.250 mm particle size has the closest appearance and feel to kraft paper. At the same time, during the testing period, it was found that the mycelium paperboard made of 0.165～0.250 mm straw was the least prone to deformation and loosening, and the molding effect was significantly improved compared to other components. In terms of mechanical properties, the edgewise strength increased by 17.4%, the static bending strength increased by 14.9%, and the flexural stiffness increased by 57.3%. The experimental results show that the degree of influence of various factors on the edgewise strength, flexural stiffness, and static bending strength of paperboard is in the order of particle size, cultivation time,fructose addition amount. When the particle size is 0.165～0.250 mm, the cultivation time is 30 days, and the fructose addition of 5.0%, the edgewise strength of the prepared paperboard is 14.36 N/mm, the static bending strength is 10.89 MPa, and the flexural stiffness is 33.09 mN/m. As the particle size decreases, the water absorption rate and water thickness expansion rate of the paperboard after 24 hours of water absorption decrease to 0.86% and 0.59%. The mycelium paperboard prepared by different single factors has the same thermal decomposition process, starting at around 150 ℃ and reaching its maximum at 350 ℃. This study provides a reference basis for the development and application of mycelium composite materials in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought poses a significant ecological threat that limits the production of crops worldwide. The objective of this study to examine the impact of soil applied biochar (BC) and peatmoss (PM) on the morpho-biochemical and quality traits of tobacco plants under drought conditions. In the present experiment work, a pot trial was conducted with two levels of drought severity (~ well-watered 75 ± 5% field capacity) and severe drought stress (~ 35 ± 5% field capacity), two levels of peatmoss (PM) @ 5% [PM+ (with peatmoss) and PM- (without peatmoss)] and three levels of rice straw biochar (BC0 = no biochar; BC1 = 150 mg kg− 1; and BC2 = 300 mg kg− 1 of soil) in tobacco plants. The results indicate that drought conditions significantly impacted the performance of tobacco plants. However, the combined approach of BC and PM significantly improved the growth, biomass, and total chlorophyll content (27.94%) and carotenoids (32.00%) of tobacco. This study further revealed that the drought conditions decreased the production of lipid peroxidation and proline accumulation. But the synergistic approach of BC and PM application increased soluble sugars (17.63 and 12.20%), soluble protein (31.16 and 15.88%), decreased the proline accumulation (13.92 and 9.03%), and MDA content (16.40 and 8.62%) under control and drought stressed conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the combined approach of BC and PM also improved the leaf potassium content (19.02%) by limiting the chloride ions (33.33%) under drought stressed conditions. Altogether, the balanced application of PM and BC has significant potential as an effective approach and sustainable method to increase the tolerance of tobacco plants subjected to drought conditions. This research uniquely highlights the combined potential of PM and BC as an eco-friendly strategy to enhance plant resilience under drought conditions, offering new insights into sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulosic biomass is the most abundantly available natural carbon-based renewable resource on Earth. Its widespread availability, combined with rising awareness, evolving policies, and changing regulations supporting sustainable practices, has propelled its role as a crucial renewable feedstock to meet the escalating demand for eco-friendly and renewable materials, chemicals, and fuels. Initially, biorefinery models using cellulosic biomass had focused on single-product platform, primarily monomeric sugars for biofuel. However, since the launch of the first pioneering cellulosic plants in 2014, these models have undergone significant revisions to adapt their biomass upgrading strategy. These changes aim to diversify the bioproduct portfolio and improve the revenue streams of cellulosic biomass biorefineries. Within this area of research and development, enzyme-based technologies can play a significant role by contributing to eco-design in producing and creating innovative bioproducts. This Feature Article highlights our strategies and recent progress in utilizing the biological diversity and inherent selectivity of enzymes to develop and continuously optimize sustainable enzyme-based technologies with distinct application approaches. We have advanced technologies for standalone platforms, which produce various forms of cellulose nanomaterials engineered with customized and enhanced properties and high yields. Additionally, we have tailored technologies for integration within a biorefinery concept. This biorefinery approach prioritizes designing tailored processes to establish bionanomaterials, such as cellulose and lignin nanoparticles, and bioactive molecules as part of a new multi-bioproduct platform for cellulosic biomass biorefineries. These innovations expand the range of bioproducts that can be produced from cellulosic biomass, transcending the conventional focus on monomeric sugars for biofuel production to include biomaterials biorefinery. This shift thereby contributes to strengthening the Bioeconomy strategy and supporting the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tidal marsh wetlands provide essential and valuable services to the wider interconnected marine and coastal environment, although the complex intertwined processes in morphological evolution remain insufficiently understood owing to synchronized data scarcity, limiting the development of numerical models and management strategies. Methods: This study investigated the hydrodynamic, biological, sediment and morphological processes on the Doulong tidal wetlands, Jiangsu, China, using a one-year field dataset that captured spatial and seasonal variations. Results and discussion: Our results indicate that biophysical interactions among multiple processes could result in some overlooked sedimentary behaviours and bio-morphological patterns in tidal marsh wetlands. Firstly, the dominance of alongshore currents caused a rapid alongshore expansion of saltmarsh patches, by which the marsh edge achieved seaward advancing, markedly different from the widely reported cross-shore expansion. Secondly, results showed that the particle size of sediment near the marsh edge coarsened when plants withered and then fined when plants grew, indicating that the seasonal variation trend of sediment grain size in saltmarshes was opposite to the trend of vegetation biomass. Thirdly, the interaction between vegetation and stranded marine debris formed banded debris zones within the saltmarsh, where debris bands could cause a biomass reduction of up to 58%, disrupting the commonlyobserved parabolic biomass-elevation relationship. Meanwhile, the seasonal variation of vegetation and hydrodynamics could alter the debris positions and hence result in the formation of multiple parallel debris bands. Overall, this study provides a synchronized dataset and elucidates specific bio-morphological relationships and processes that have thus far not been systematically documented, enhancing the comprehensive understanding of tidal marsh wetland evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of utilizing nanocellulose extracted from Selenicereus undatus (dragon fruit) and kenaf fiber to enhance the properties of vinyl ester composites. With a focus on sustainable and high-performance materials, our research aims to innovate by reinforcing composites with bioderived nanocellulose and natural fibers. We employ traditional hand layup techniques for precise assembly and abrasive water jet machining for accurate specimen preparation, merging conventional fabrication methods with advanced material science. The integration of nanocellulose and kenaf fibers is expected to significantly enhance the mechanical durability and environmental resistance of the composites, addressing both performance and sustainability concerns. Our comprehensive analysis, following ASTM standards, evaluates mechanical, wear, fatigue, creep, and dynamic mechanical properties of the developed composites. The standout composite, designated VC2, exhibits notable performance improvements, including a tensile strength of 162 MPa, flexural strength of 191 MPa, and impact energy absorption of 5.12 J, among others. Furthermore, VC3 demonstrates exceptional fatigue resistance, while VC4 shows reduced creep strain, highlighting the material's resilience under cyclic loading and prolonged stress. These findings underscore the synergistic effects of combining nanocellulose and kenaf fibers within a vinyl ester matrix, resulting in marked enhancements in both mechanical properties and durability. The successful application of these biobased reinforcements opens new avenues for sustainable composite materials across industries, from automotive to aerospace. This research not only advances our understanding of biocomposite materials but also demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating agricultural waste products into high-value engineering applications. Future studies will focus on optimizing composite formulation and exploring scalability for commercial use, further advancing the field of sustainable material science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, novel Ni2P/WO3-ZrO2 bifunctional catalysts are prepared by an isovolume impregnation method. A series of characterizations (e.g., Py-IR, TEM, and XPS) demonstrated that the introduction of WO3 resulted in the acidity of the carrier and the formation of a well-dispersed Ni2P crystalline phase. The hydrodeoxygenation and hydroisomerization properties were evaluated by single-factor experiments using stearic acid as a model compound. Under the same conditions (solvent-free and relatively mild), the product obtained with a low amount of catalyst (stearic acid:catalyst = 40:1 wt.%) has a high deoxygenation rate (> 96%). The addition of an acidic carrier also gave the catalyst excellent hydroisomerization properties, which were excellent for increasing the low-temperature fluidity of the biodiesel. In addition, the effects of catalyst dosage, H2 pressure, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the hydroisomerization of stearic acid were investigated using the response surface method. In the response surface experiments, the deoxygenation rate of all experimental products is above 98%. The increase in catalyst dosage, reaction temperature, and decrease in H2 pressure favored the increase in isoparaffin content, and the reaction time had the least effect. The isoparaffin content varied significantly in response surface experiments, with molar ratios in the product ranging from 3 to 30%. There are interactions between the independent variables and a high coefficient of determination of the regression model (R2 = 0.9729), indicating that the experimental results were in good agreement with the model predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) would gradually replace metal-based quantum dots due to their advantages of excellent photo-physical properties, low toxicity, and outstanding water solubility. In the current study, the hydrothermal synthesis method was simple, convenient, and fast, and herein was used to prepare nitrogen-doping carbon dots (N-CDs) from the combination of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves and ethylenediamine as carbon and nitrogen precursors, respectively. Furthermore, butocarboxim, a carbamate pesticide, can quench the fluorescence of proposed N-CDs. Therefore, the fluorescent signal changes of N-CDs caused by butocarboxim contributed to robust and sensitive butocarboxim sensing. Under the optimal condition, the fluorescent sensor based on the as-prepared N-CDs demonstrated a good linear response for butocarboxim detection in the range of 0.625–40.0 μg/L with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.2 μg/L. In addition, the sensor was successfully applied to butocarboxim determination in real water samples and obtained acceptable results with the recoveries ranging from 97.2 to 106.8% and the RSD less than 6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin biomass is the second largest biomass resource on Earth but under-utilized. In this study, pretreated shrimp shells were converted into value-added platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using microwave hydrothermal treatment. Under the combined pretreatment of acid decalcification at room temperature and microwave-assisted alkali deacetylation, the HMF yield could reach 1.8 wt%. The key process parameters, including the holding temperature, holding time, and pH value, were evaluated and optimised. The highest HMF yield of 6.5 wt% was obtained at 202.6°C at a holding time of 5.8 min and a pH value of 1.5. This result demonstrates the potential of synchronously treating waste and recycling it, thereby offering a highly promising valorisation strategy for chitin-biomass utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focused on the potential applications of sulfonated carbon–based heterogeneous acid catalysts for the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) fuel feedstock and the development of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for the direct biomass redox flow fuel cell (DBRFFC). LCBs are hydrolysed to yield simple sugars, which are subsequently oxidized over catalysts in the anode tank of the DBRFFC to generate electricity. Ferric chloride used as a catalyst in the DBRFFC is not efficient for glucose production from LCB, such that the power performance of the DBRFFC is affected during glucose oxidation due to low glucose yield from LCB for electron generation. Sulfonated carbon–based solid acid catalysts (SCSACs) have been established as efficient catalysts for the hydrolysis of LCB and as metal catalyst supports for the fabrication of MEA for further oxidation of glucose and its oxidation by‐products. These capabilities of SCSACs can be explored and applied to significantly improve the power output of the DBRFFC through efficient hybrid catalyst design. There is still a scarcity of literature on this subject and their combination with ferric chloride to enhance glucose yield and oxidation in DBRFFC. This gap was filled by discussing the various types of sulfonated carbon–based catalysts, highlighting their synthesis routes, and their applications in organic compound synthesis, and membrane electrode development in DBRFFC. The knowledge derived will certainly be beneficial to researchers willing to improve the performance of DBRFFC through molecular catalyst design and electrode membrane development for application in DBRFFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbes have long been recognized to substantially affect the coexistence of pairwise plant species across terrestrial ecosystems. However, projecting their impacts on the coexistence of multispecies plant systems remains a pressing challenge. To address this challenge, we conducted a greenhouse experiment with 540 seedlings of five tree species in a subtropical forest in China and evaluated microbial effects on multispecies coexistence using the structural method, which quantifies how the structure of species interactions influences the likelihood for multiple species to persist. Specifically, we grew seedlings alone or with competitors in different microbial contexts and fitted individual biomass to a population dynamic model to calculate intra‐ and interspecific interaction strength with and without soil microbes. We then used these interaction structures to calculate two metrics of multispecies coexistence, structural niche differences (which promote coexistence) and structural fitness differences (which drive exclusion), for all possible communities comprising two to five plant species. We found that soil microbes generally increased both the structural niche and fitness differences across all communities, with a much stronger effect on structural fitness differences. A further examination of functional traits between plant species pairs found that trait differences are stronger predictors of structural niche differences than of structural fitness differences, and that soil microbes have the potential to change trait‐mediated plant interactions. Our findings underscore that soil microbes strongly influence the coexistence of multispecies plant systems, and also add to the experimental evidence that the influence is more on fitness differences rather than on niche differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outstanding mechanical properties, light weight, and biodegradability of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) make them promising components of renewable and sustainable next-generation reinforced composite biomaterials and bioplastics. Manufacturing CNFs at a pilot scale requires disc-refining fibrillation of dilute cellulose fibers in aqueous pulp suspensions to shear the fibers apart into their nanodimensional forms, which is, however, an energy-intensive process. Here, we used atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to examine media that might facilitate the reduction of interactions between cellulose fibers, thereby reducing energy consumption in fibrillation. The most suitable medium found by the simulations was an aqueous solution with 0.007:0.012 wt.% NaOH:urea, and indeed this was found in pilot-scale experiments to reduce the fibrillation energy by ~21% on average relative to water alone. The NaOH:urea-mediated CNFs have similar crystallinity, morphology, and mechanical strength to those formed in water. The NaOH and urea act synergistically on CNFs to aid fibrillation but at different length scales. NaOH deprotonates hydroxyl groups leading to mesoscale electrostatic repulsion between fibrils, whereas urea forms hydrogen bonds with protonated hydroxyl groups thus disrupting interfibril hydrogen bonds. This suggests a general mechanism in which an aqueous medium that contains a strong base and a small organic molecule acting as a hydrogen-bond acceptor and/or donor may be effectively employed in materials processes where dispersion of deprotonable polymers is required. The study demonstrates how atomic-detail computer simulation can be integrated with pilot-scale experiments in the rational design of materials processes for the circular bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimolecular detection using a single electrode matrix as well as utilization of inexpensive non‐metal doped carbon from biomass is an attractive approach to developing low‐cost sensors. Herein, we report the synthesis of phosphorous‐doped carbon (PDC) from almond seed skin by a simple self‐polymerization method and utilized as a sensing matrix for Dopamine (DA) and Acetaminophen (APAP) whose redox potential is nearer. The phytic acid in the almond seed skin provides phosphorus to the carbon during high‐temperature treatment. The elemental analysis results confirm the existence of phosphorous in PDC. The sensing results illustrate that the PDC modified glassy carbon electrode (PDC/GCE) exhibits excellent performance against DA and APAP with a wide linear range (0.5 μM–10 μM). The detection limit (LOD) and sensitivity have been calculated and the value is found to be 0.130 μM, 0.047 μA μM−1 for DA and 0.335 μM, 0.021 μA μM−1 for APAP, respectively. The sensitivity of PDC/GCE in real sample conditions was measured using DA and APAP spiked human serum and plasma samples, the results indicate excellent recoveries ranging from 96.00 % to 103.10 %. These encouraging findings reveal that the PDC is an appropriate material for determining the DA and APAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nNOVELTY STATEMENTCommercial microalgae production is often interrupted by contamination, leading to short production cycles, reinoculation needs, and culture collapses, significantly increasing costs. This study focuses on investigating Recirculated Sedimentation Application (RSA) to control contamination in microalgae culture systems used for wastewater treatment. Chlorella vulgaris culture was grown in an unsterilized mixture of tertiary treatment effluent and centrate of anaerobic digestion wastewater sludge over a 90-day experimental period. 60 L raceway reactor was operated under a light intensity of 275 μM m−2.s−1 with a 16:8 h light-dark photoperiod. To evaluate the effect of RSA on biological-based problems, the experiment was conducted in three phases. The benefits of utilizing RSA were established through the following observations: effective removal of contaminants at an acceptable level without releasing the culture; extension of the biofilm formation time on the inner walls; inhibition of heterotrophic bacteria and nitrification; enhancement of the suspended solids retention capacity of the raceway tank (up to 770 mg.L−1); and improvement in ammonium removal rate to approximately 30 mg.L−1d−1. The ideal salinity level for both ammonium removal and biomass concentration in RSA should be below 0.02%. These findings demonstrate the potential of phycoremediation for sustainable wastewater treatment and contribute to environmental bioremediation strategies.This study investigates the effects of recirculated sedimentation using freshly formed and mature algae, based on settleability differences, for microalgae cultivation in open ponds with unsterilized wastewater, with the aim of maintain a stable and productive biomass community. Additionally, this study contributes to expand the current knowledge on several fronts: including removing contaminants without discharging the culture, improving biomass holding capacity of the reactor, reducing biofilm formation on reactor walls, suppressing bacterial growth in the culture media and enhancing ammonium removal rate. To the best of our knowledge, there have not been no previous studies to evaluate the effectiveness of sedimentation for these purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kojic acid (KA) has gained significant attention due to its widespread use in the food and cosmetics industries. However, concerns about its potential carcinogenic effects have heightened the need for sensitive detection methods. This study introduces a fluorescence-based optical sensor for the quantification of KA in food samples, utilizing fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from pomegranate peel via a hydrothermal method. The Stern–Volmer plot demonstrated a linear response for KA in the range of 120 to 1200 µM, with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9999 and. The sensor exhibited a detection limit of 30 ± 0.04 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 90 ± 0.14 µM. Application of the developed method to soy sauce and vinegar samples yielded accurate KA determinations, with recoveries of 103.11 ± 0.96% and 104.45 ± 2.15%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the proposed sensor for practical applications in food quality and safety assessment, offering valuable insights into the presence of KA in food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights The enhanced durability of biobased polylactide (PLA) is a critical prerequisite for it to be considered a viable alternative to petroleum‐based polymers for long‐term applications. Leveraging the performance improvements achieved through interface construction, PLA‐biomass composites have garnered considerable interest and have been widely utilized as a completely degradable material. The hydrolytic behavior of PLA biocomposites in photo‐hydrothermal environments was examined in this study in relation to the impact of biomass components and the specifically designed interface. We observed that biomass could act as an effective stabilizer in the composites, leading to a 25.6% reduction in the hydrolysis reaction rate constant. This stabilization occurs as biomass impedes the diffusion of water molecules and the extension of PLA molecular chains across various hydrothermal environments, thereby enhancing the hydrolytic resistance of PLA. The intriguing aspect is that this stabilizing effect of biomass could be moderated by an interface created through surface treatment, which facilitates enhanced transfer of active small molecules during the photolysis‐hydrolysis process. Consequently, this approach presents a novel method for producing PLA biocomposites that offers excellent hydrolytic resistance, an adjustable degradation cycle, and expected potential applications in advanced packaging and agricultural domains. Biomass significantly enhances the hydrolysis resistance of polylactide (PLA) biocomposites. This stability boosts due to the obstructive and shielding effects of biomass. Effective interface could regulate the usable life of PLA biocomposites. The role that biomass/ interfaces play also applies to PLA photodegradation. Photo‐hydrolysis mechanism is not affected by biomass or designed interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric warming refers to the difference between the increase in daytime maximum temperature and the increase in nighttime minimum temperature and has been documented in temperate regions. However, its impacts on seedling growth have been largely ignored. In this study, seedlings of a widely distributed tree species, Acer mono Maxim., were exposed to both symmetric warming (SW) and asymmetric warming scenarios (day warming [DW], night warming [NW] and diurnal asymmetric warming [DAW]). Compared to control, all warming scenarios were found to enhance belowground biomass. DW promoted the seedling growth, while NW reduced the stem biomass. DAW did not impact the total biomass relative to the control. Compared to SW, DAW advanced phenology, increased indole‐3‐acetic acid content and chlorophyll content, which enhanced total biomass and stored more NSC in the root. Future DAW would be not beneficial to the growth of A. mono seedlings by comparing with the control. This research encourages further exploration of tree growth experiments under asymmetric warming conditions, as most studies tend to underestimate the warming effects on plant growth by focusing on SW. Incorporating the responses of seedling physiology and growth to non‐uniform diurnal warming into earth system models is crucial for more accurately predicting carbon and energy balances in a warmer world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional productive systems based on native species management, a new paradigm that counters colonial worldviews, offer sustainable sources of food and materials while preserving biodiversity. Despite extensive discussions in herbaceous and agricultural systems, applying this concept to native forests in Northern Patagonia remains unclear. Multifunctional system implementation can be approached from a fractal perspective, with evaluations at the stand level being essential for understanding ecological processes across scales. Here, we exemplify research and management for multiple native species, integrating results from 10 years of field experiments on the impacts of biomass harvesting intensity (HI) on nine Nature's Contributions to People (NCPs), including habitat creation, pollination, soil formation, hazard regulation, prevention of invasions, and provision of energy, food, materials, and options. Our findings reveal that some regulating NCPs peak with null HI, while certain material and regulating NCPs maximize at the highest HI. Low to intermediate HI (30-50%) show a more balanced provision of all NCPs. Our results suggest that some biomass extraction is necessary to enhance most NCPs, emphasizing the importance of balancing material provisioning and biodiversity conservation in management schemes. We propose future directions for designing multifunctional forest systems, advocating for low-density plantation of native tree species with high wood quality within the natural forest matrix. This approach may yield higher NCPs levels over time compared to the current cattle breeding and wood extraction system, with implications beyond Patagonia, considering historical associations of such practices with colonial worldviews globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study estimates community forest tree species’ energy using allometric models. Accurate tree-level energy stock estimation is needed to evaluate community forest tree species for renewable energy development. Three commercial species in community forests utilized as temporary energy sources, Falcataria moluccana, Swietenia macrophylla, and Tectona grandis were sampled by cutting 45 trees. Those tree types were investigated as cofiring materials supplied by the community while the region develops a strategy including finding the best species for continuous wood energy stock to power Java and Bali. Methods: This study recorded data to compare with the potential determined fast-growing species established specifically for the next annual energy stock. Multiplying the biomass calorific value gave each tree component’s energy stock and adding all energy stock tree components result in an estimate for each tree. Regression analysis was used to make allometric models that use diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height as predictors. Results: The calorific value of components varied among species, with foliage having the highest (5,021.24 ± 39.37 kcal kg−1), followed by stem (4,352.8 ± 32.07 kcal kg−1) and branches (4,200.11 ± 33.54 kcal kg−1). Thus, leaves could be used for energy as trees are harvested for timber. All species stored most energy in stems (60.59 0.97%), branches (27.04 1.13%), and leaves (12.38 0.84%). Discussion: As DBH classes grew, the energy stock of stems and branches improved but foliage fell. With adjusted R²adj of 0.84–0.99 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.03–0.64, allometric models accurately assessed species energy stocks in each component and the overall tree. Tree height does not necessarily improve model accuracy; therefore, each species had a different best-fit model. Generalized allometric models for all species might estimate component and tree energy storage and our study demonstrated that allometric models could measure community forest tree species energy stocks. These should also be estimated for the next species for co-firing wood biomass when coppice harvest is applied. The above alternative species and the proposed much faster-growing species for co-firing are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo is a perennial rapid-growing plant that is given preference for renewable biosources for biofuels and bio-based chemical conversion. Bamboos are rich in cellulose and have highly recalcitrant biomass due to high lignin. Bamboo is abundantly available in Northeastern India and can be utilized as a feedstock biofuels. Here, we evaluated the pretreatment of bamboo residues Dendrocalamus strictus with different concentrations of alkali, hydrogen peroxide, and alkaline hydrogen peroxide and its influence on biomass digestibility for enhancement of sugar recovery with Celic C cellulase enzyme blend. Enzymatic hydrolysis data indicated untreated raw biomass showed a digestibility of 40% after 48 h of incubation. The biomass pretreated with alkali showed a maximum digestibility of 61% obtained from 10% loaded with 0.5% w/v NaOH. Pretreatment of the bamboo with H2O2 shows a maximum digestibility of 75% from biomass loaded with 1% w/v of H2O2. Combinational pretreatment of alkaline hydrogen peroxide showed a maximum efficiency of biomass digestibility of 83% attained from biomass loaded with 1% w/v NaOH-H2O2. Crystallinity index (CrI) analysis showed that CrI increased from 64% to 70.75% in pretreated biomass. FTIR and SEM analysis show changes in functional groups, morphology, and surface of biomass in pretreated biomass. Compositional analysis shows that 68% of lignin removal is obtained from alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment. Cellulose content increased from 52% to 65%, and hemicellulose decreased from 18.6% to 8.6%. Results indicated that the potential possibility of bamboo waste biomass as feedstock for biorefinery products and alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment methods is an efficient strategy for sugar recovery for bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the survey data of nine primitive broad-leaved Korean pine forest plots ranging from 1 to 10.4 ha in Heilongjiang Province, this study used the moving window method and GIS technology to analyze the variation characteristics of the spatial distribution pattern of forest biomass in each plot. We explored the minimum area that can reflect the structural and functional characteristics of the primitive broad-leaved Korean pine forest, and used computer simulation random sampling method to verify the accuracy of the minimum area. The results showed that: (1) Through the analysis of the spatial distribution raster map of biomass deviation in the plots at various scales of 10 − 100 m, there is a minimum area (0.64 ha) for the critical range of biomass density variation in the primitive broad-leaved Korean pine forest. This minimum area based on biomass density can indirectly reflect the comprehensive characteristics of productivity level per unit area, structure, function, and environmental quality of the primitive broad-leaved Korean pine forest community. (2) Using computer simulation random sampling, it was found that only by sampling in a specific plot larger than or equal to the minimum area can equivalent or similar results be achieved as random sampling within the plot, indicating that the minimum area determined by the moving window method is accurate. (3) The minimum area determined in this paper is an excellent indicator reflecting the complexity of community structure, which can be used for comparing changes in community structure and function before and after external disturbances, and has a good evaluation effect. This minimum area can also be used as a basis for scientific and reasonable setting of plot size in the investigation and monitoring work of broad-leaved Korean pine forests in this region, thereby achieving the goals of improving work efficiency and saving work costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum chemical methods have been intensively applied to study the pyrolytic conversion of glucose into hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural (FF). Herein, we collect the most relevant mechanistic proposals from the recent literature and organize them into a single reaction network. All the transition structures (TSs) and intermediates are characterized using highly accurate ab initio methods and the possible reaction pathways are assessed in terms of the Gibbs energies of the TSs and intermediates with respect to β‐glucopyranose, selecting a 2D ideal‐gas standard state at 773 K to represent the pyrolysis conditions. Several pathways can lead to the formation of both HMF and FF passing through rate‐determining TSs that have ΔG‡ values of ~49–50 kcal/mol. Both water‐assisted mechanisms and nonspecific environmental effects have a minor impact on the Gibbs energy profiles. We find that the HMF → FF + CH2O fragmentation has a small ΔrxnG value and an accessible ΔG‡ barrier. Our computational results, which are in consonance with the kinetic parameters derived from lumped models, the results of isotopic labeling experiments and the reported HMF/FF molecular ratios, could be useful for modeling studies including on nonequilibrium kinetic effects that may render more information about product yields and the relevance of the various pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed) is the smallest and fast-growing aquatic plant species producing protein-rich biomass with high protein nutritional value, phytoremediation capacity, and nutrient removal from wastewater. Duckweed may also be used as a new potential bioreactor for biological products, such as vaccines, antibodies, and pharmaceutical proteins. Based upon the potential importanc of L. aequinoctialis in phytoremediation and as a bioreactor the aim of this study was to (1) characterize the chemical and nutritional profiles of L. aequinoctialis biomass utilizing an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system (IMTA) and a pond, and (2) investigate the cytotoxic potential of different concentrations of organic extracts and fractions using the MTT bioassay. EDXRF and ICP-MS analyses indicated the presence of trace elements in lower amounts in relation to the biomass of L. aequinoctialis in the lagoon, emphasizing the importance of plant inclusion management to reduce bioaccumulation of these elements. Analysis of mineral profiles, fatty acids, and amino acids indicated a satisfactory nutritional composition for the use of biomass as a bioproduct. Pigment analysis showed a high concentration of carotenoids, especially astaxanthin. After standardizing the controls, the MTT cell viability test was carried out utilizing rat hepatoma cell line (HTC), which are metabolizing cells that were treated with aqueous or ethanolic extracts and the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions at different concentrations. No apparent cytotoxic potential was observed following treatments, since there was no significant reduction in cell viability. Therefore, this study provides information regarding the biomass of L. aequinoctialis derived from the IMTA system, which might support further research into the application of this species as a bioproduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that scientists are aware that the streambed consists of various substrata in size, the estimation of benthic algal biomass has been conducted based almost exclusively on cobble sampling. This disparity in samples selected for the biomass estimation occurs because frame sampling collects all substrata, encompassed by the frame, including sand and stones, and is a time‐consuming method compared to single‐stone sampling. We conducted frame versus cobble sampling to test for sample selection disparity (SSD) in the estimation of benthic algal biomass. Estimates of algal biomass based on the frame sampling (area: 0.25 m2) were compared with those based on the cobble sampling taken at the same sampling points in a diatom‐dominated stream. Benthic algal biomass estimated based on cobble sampling was larger than the biomass estimated with frame sampling. The contribution of cobbles to the algal biomass encompassed by the frame was considerably higher than smaller substrata. These results suggest that cobble sampling tends to result in an overestimate of the benthic algal biomass in natural streams. Because the frame sampling requires intensive labor and time, we here proposed a general model based on quick visual assessments for percentage cover of cobbles on the streambed to calibrate estimates obtained by cobble sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic conversion of biomass and plastic waste provides opportunities for sustainable fuel and chemical production. Heterogeneous photocatalysts, typically composed of semiconductors with distinctive redox properties in their conduction band (CB) and valence band (VB), facilitate both the oxidative and reductive valorization of organic feedstocks. This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the photorefinery of biomass and plastics from the perspective of the redox properties of photocatalysts. We explore the roles of the VB and CB in enhancing the value‐added conversion of biomass and plastics via various pathways. Our aim is to bridge the gap between photocatalytic mechanisms and renewable carbon feedstock valorization, inspiring further development in photocatalytic refinery of biomass and plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) is one of the most productive Large Marine Ecosystems worldwide. Assessing the abundance, biomass and distribution of zooplankton in the southern part of this system, off the coast of West Africa, remains challenging due to limited sampling efforts and data availability. However, zooplankton is of primary importance for pelagic ecosystem functioning. We applied an inversion method with combined analysis of acoustic and biological data for copepod discrimination using a bi-frequency (38 and 120 kHz) approach. Large copepods with equivalent spherical radii > 0.5 mm were identified using differences in the mean volume backscattering strength (MVBS). Regarding abundance measured by net sampling, copepods strongly dominated the zooplankton community and the large fraction account for 18%. This estimate correlated significantly with MVBS values that were obtained using an inverse algorithm. We confirmed the utility of using 38 kHz for large copepod detection. An epipelagic biomass of large copepod was estimated at 120–850 mg m-2 in March during upwelling season. It is worth noting that this estimation likely underestimates the true biomass due to inherent uncertainties associated with the measurement method. We recommend future investigations in the interest of using only nighttime data to improve the sampling pattern, particularly on the upper part of the water column (< 10 m) as well as on the shallow part of the continental shelf (< 20 m depth) not covered by fisheries vessel. Nevertheless, such high copepod biomass supports high fish production underlining the key role of copepod in the CCLME. Our results open the way to the analysis of the fluctuation and trend of copepod biomass, along with three decades of fisheries acoustics data available in the region. This helps to determine ecosystem changes, particularly under climate change, and to investigate the role of copepods in the southern CCLME carbon pump at the fine scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike fossil fuels, biomass has oxygen amounts exceeding 10 wt%. Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is a crucial step in upgrading biomass to higher heating value liquid fuels. Oxygen removal has many challenges due to the complex chemistry and the high reactivity leading to irreversible catalyst deactivation. In this study, the focus is on the catalytic HDO of aromatic oxygen‐containing model compounds in biomass: phenols and cresols. In the current work, literature on catalytic HDO of phenols using molecular hydrogen is reviewed, with a focus on non‐nickel‐based mono‐ and bi‐metallic catalysts, as nickel‐based catalysts were reviewed elsewhere. In addition, the catalytic HDO of m‐cresol using molecular hydrogen is examined. This review also addresses the use of hydrogen donors for the HDO of phenols and cresols. The operating conditions, catalysts, products, and yields are summarized to find the catalyst with promising activity and high selectivity toward aromatics. A critical review of the reactions that successfully led to HDO is presented and research gaps related to the HDO of phenols and cresols are highlighted. The conclusions provide potential successful catalyst combinations that can be used for HDO of phenols, cresols, and liquid aromatic hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the ever increasing need to develop more efficient and sustainable methods for removing heavy metal contaminants from aqueous systems, the following article reports on the design of highly mesoporous alginate‐derived materials (Starbon®) and their application to the adsorption of heavy metals. Using the Starbon® process to expand, dry and pyrolyse an inherently porous polysaccharide precursor, it was possible to produce mesoporous materials (BJH mesopore volumes 0.81–0.94 cm3 g−1) with large surface areas (157–297 m2 g−1) across a range of low pyrolysis temperatures (200–300 °C). The mechanisms of thermal decomposition were explored in terms of chemical and structural changes using N2‐sorption porosimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, titration, FT‐IR spectroscopy and 13C NMR spectroscopy. It was found that, as a result of intermolecular dehydration and crosslinking, sufficient chemical stability is obtained by the intermediate temperature of 250 °C, with limited improvement seen at higher temperatures. In addition, the materials retained large metal adsorption capacities (0.70–1.72 mmol g−1) as well as strong selectivity for Cu2+ ions (over Co2+ and Ni2+), as compared to commercial petrochemical‐derived cation exchange resin Amberlite™ Mac 3H. Thus, highlighting the potential of Starbon® materials as a sustainable answer to the widespread problem of heavy metal‐contaminated wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of the importance of nanostructures is mainly due to the development of nanotechnology. For further developments in materials sciences, a concept that integrates nanotechnology with material chemistry to fabricate functional materials has to be proposed. Nanoarchitectonics will carry out this task. In nanoarchitectonics, we architect functional material systems from nano-units (atoms, molecules, nanomaterials). The methodology is not specific to any particular material or application. It covers a wide range. Therefore, nanoarchitectonics can be thought of as the method for everything in materials science. As typical demonstrations for usages of nanoarchitectonics, this review paper presents our work on nanoarchitectonics for supercapacitors. We divide it into two categories with different approaches. The first is the development of carbon materials as supercapacitor electrode materials from biomass. The second category is preparing carbon materials using structures created by supramolecular assembly of fullerenes such as C60 and C70. By presenting examples using opposite starting materials, a complex natural material, and an ultimately simple molecule, we will demonstrate the versatility and breadth of possibilities of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since silicon (Si) was found to be effective in crop production recently, more information is needed about its characteristics, including how it functions as a nano fertilizer for crop performance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Si-containing nano fertilizer on cotton growth parameters and productivity in the arid region. The research conducted in open field conditions over the two consecutive growing seasons (2021 and 2022) revealed that the application of the Si-containing product significantly increased the biomass (10.6%), economic (19.4%), seed (14.3%), and lint yields (18.2%) of cotton as compared to the control group values. Likewise, the cotton biomass, economic, seed, and lint yields were increased by 11.8, 9.7, 9.5, and 9.1%, respectively, compared to the control variables after the Uzbiogumin application. Agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (aNUE), physiological nitrogen-use efficiency (pNUE), internal nitrogen-use efficiency (iNUE), and apparent nitrogen recovery efficiency (aNRE) parameters were increased by 2.4-fold, 2.1-fold, 34.6 and 57.3%, respectively, with the application of Si nanonutrition. Although the cotton treated with nano Si produced a greater yield, while Uzbiogumin application resulted in more cotton biomass. Based on the results it can be concluded that the applied nano Si product can be widely used to increase crop productivity, especially in degraded lands under arid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, distant hybridisation was successfully conducted between Brassica rapa var. rosularis Tsen et Lee ‘Huangxinwu’ (2n = 20, AA) and B. oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey ‘Big Yellow Flower Kale’ (2n = 18, CC). A total of three hybrids were obtained through artificial hybridisation and ovary culture. Forty asexual seedlings were obtained by propagation, and thirty were doubled. The identifications of morphological analysis, cytological observation, and SSR molecular analysis showed that one strain was a true hybrid. Allotetraploid hybrids exhibited generally an intermediate phenotype between their parents. The wrinkled leaf surface and leaf colour were more inclined toward the maternal parent, while its leaf thickness and size were more inclined toward the paternal parent. Furthermore, the allotetraploid hybrids showed obvious over-parent heterosis in biomass and nutritional quality characteristics, including plant weight, soluble sugar, VC, and cellulose, with corresponding contents of 882.76 g, 2.84%, 107.91 mg/100 g and 1.27%. Moreover, the soluble solids and soluble protein contents of these hybrids were 5.62% and 2.56 g/100 g, respectively, which were similar to those of the high-value parent. In general, the newly synthesised allotetraploid is an innovative germplasm of Brassica vegetables that can be used for future heterosis utilisation and nutritional quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The substantial rise in global energy demand, propelled by industrial expansion, population growth, and transportation needs, poses a formidable challenge. The concurrent urbanization places pressure on the disposal of solid municipal solid waste and the management of plastic waste. Addressing the global waste crisis requires innovative and sustainable garbage disposal solutions with an environmentally friendly approach. This review tackles the challenges of worldwide waste management, focusing on renewable and sustainable fuels and waste recycling through the exploration of co‐pyrolysis as an innovative method. It explores the characteristics and environmental impact of municipal solid waste (MSW) and plastic waste (PW), delving into pyrolysis fundamentals, processes, and challenges. The primary emphasis is on co‐pyrolysis, elucidating its integration of municipal and plastic waste, synergistic effects, and advantages. The manuscript thoroughly analyzes reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and the feasibility of co‐pyrolysis for energy recovery. It also delves into the synthesis of renewable fuels and valuable chemical intermediates, considering optimization of product distribution. Environmental and economic sustainability aspects, including impact assessment, greenhouse gas emissions, life cycle analysis, and cost analysis of co‐pyrolysis processes, are comprehensively investigated. The review underscores the economic benefits of renewable fuel and chemical materials synthesis. The conclusion addresses challenges, proposes future directions, outlines limitations, technical challenges, environmental considerations, and recommends further exploration and integration with other waste management techniques. The manuscript emphasizes the ongoing importance of research in this critical field, aiming to contribute to the development of effective solutions for the escalating global waste management crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of platform chemicals derived from biomass, in particular, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) and furfural (FUR), is of crucial importance in biorefinery. Over the past decades, metal‐supported nanostructured zeolites, in particular, metal‐supported hierarchically porous zeolites or metal‐encapsulated zeolites, have been extensively elaborated because of their multiple functionalities and superior properties, for example, shape‐selectivity, (hydro)thermal stability, tunable acidity and basicity, redox properties, improved diffusion, and intimacy of multiple active sites. In this review, the effects of such properties of metal‐supported nanostructured zeolites on the enhanced catalytic performances in furanic compound upgrading are discussed. In addition, the recent rational design of metal‐supported nanostructured zeolites is exemplified. Consequently, the ongoing challenges for further developing metal‐supported nanostructured zeolites‐based catalysts and their applications in HMF and FUR upgrading are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]