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Enzymatic degradation of biomass is preferred over chemical methods for environmental protection. However, in most cases, a chemical pretreatment is still required to help improve enzyme accessibility of the biomass. Therefore, it is necessary to develop highly efficient enzymes for those reasons and to save costs accordingly. Costs can be further reduced if the enzymes are recycled. XynR8(N58D) is an engineered and highly active xylanase originating from the rumen fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum. In this study, XynR8(N58D) was extracellularly over-expressed by Pichia pastoris. The resulting crude enzyme solution, with a purity of XynR8(N58D) of over 80%, was used to prepare the cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA) of XynR8(N58D). Specific activity of the crude enzyme solution was 11,599.39 IU/mg, and that of CLEA was 6129.42 IU/mg. The immobilization yield and the immobilization efficiency were 62.68 ± 16.20% and 84.31 ± 3.11%, respectively. The thermostability, stress tolerance, and shelf life of CLEA were significantly better than those of the free enzyme. The free enzyme and CLEA both effectively decomposed insoluble xylan and autoclaved corncob powders. Therefore, XynR8(N58D) made into CLEA not only maintained high activity, but also improved its stability and permitted its reuse or recyclability. Both forms of the enzyme can effectively degrade lignocellulosic biomass without relying on chemical pretreatment to reduce recalcitrance of the biomass structure. The application of XynR8(N58D) and its CLEA to biomass degradation can help establish an eco-friendly and more cost-effective process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pretreatment is a major step in bioethanol production as it breaks the structure of lignocellulosic biomasses, improving the enzymatic digestibility and ethanol yield during fermentation. The present study proposes pretreatments of maize cob based on glycerol and persulfate, as well as their combinations. The greatest delignification, hemicellulose removal, and cellulose enrichment were obtained in combined pretreatments. The addition of persulfate in acidified glycerol solution matches the performance of the separate strategies, presenting similar chemical composition and sugar release in enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis lignins (EHL) were easily obtained by simple filtration after saccharification, and they provided high adsorption capacity of methylene blue dye. The persulfate in the pretreatments affects the EHL increasing adsorption capacity. The unusual methodology described in this study provided a successful combination in enzymatic digestibility, and as a trigger of chemical modifications of EHL, due to the synergistic action of glycerol, water, sulfuric acid, and persulfate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study aims to valorise a plant waste, corn cobs (Zea mays) enriched with fibres (cellulose of 19.09–19.18% and hemicellulose of 34.04–60.13%), to create gel‐like sorbents. Corn cobs (CB) were dried, grounded and sieved to obtain 500, 250 and 125 μm powder size fractions. Various CB powder concentrations (10–40% w/w) were mixed with distilled water and rice bran oil for 2 min at ambient temperature to form hydrogel‐like and oleogel‐like sorbents, respectively. Visual appearance indicated that selected gels formed by 250 and 125 μm CB powders were self‐sustained right after mixing, while the largest particles (500 μm) could not fabricate gels at the CB concentrations studied. FTIR results suggested that the gelation process was primarily attributed to physical absorption rather than chemical binding. Comprehensive analyses of microstructure, physicochemical properties and rheological behaviour indicated that gelation was due to fibre–fibre interaction (125 μm) and oil/water–fibre interaction (250 μm). An increase in CB powder concentration enhanced the microstructural density and hardness of gels. Thus, 250 μm particles and higher absorbent concentrations resulted in brittle sorbents characterised by high hardness but low cohesiveness. The 250 μm particles also exhibit a superior antioxidant profile and lower oil/water loss than the 125 μm CB particles due to effective intra‐particle trapping mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the utilization of agro‐residual corn‐cob biomass, waste plastic and the combination of both for pyrolysis reaction using thermal analysis. Circular bioeconomy is assured by closing all the resource materials loops through co‐pyrolysis process. The conversion profiles of corn cob pyrolysis at various heating rates reveal a three‐stage decomposition process, and plastic waste exhibits single stage degradation. Due to the interaction between the blended materials, additional degradation peaks arise during the co‐pyrolysis of waste plastic (PET bottles) and biomass (corn cobs). The apparent activation energy fluctuates in the range of 120–260 kJ/mol with the conversion, according to Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose (KAS) kinetic methods. Notably, for co‐pyrolysis the apparent activation energy is lower (168 kJ/mol using FWO) than the individual biomass (179 kJ/mol using FWO) and plastic (175 kJ/mol using FWO), suggesting a positive synergistic effect during charring. The liquid crude and char product analysis from corn cob pyorlysis through FTIR and XRD confirms the application of the products in energy and chemical processes. The results obtained in this study can be utilized for co‐pyrolysis reactor analysis specifically using waste plastic bottles that are accumulating in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption effect of magnesium modified corncob biochar,steel slag powder and their combination on phosphorus-containing simulated wastewater was investigated. The results showed that the biochar produced by 5 g corncob powder modified by 10 mL of 1.5 mol/L MgCl2 in muffle furnace with pyrolysis temperature of 450 °C could adsorb phosphorus. The addition of steel slag powder and magnesium modified corncob biochar is composed of 14 g/L steel slag powder and 4 g/L magnesium modified corncob biochar. The adsorption effect of the combination of steel slag powder and magnesium modified corncob biochar on phosphorus was better than that of the combination of steel slag powder and magnesium modified corncob biochar, the removal rate was up to 98% and the adsorption reached equilibrium in 60 min, and the adsorption equilibrium time was shorter than that of the combination of the two materials. Combined dosage adsorption quasi-second-order adsorption kinetics model and Langmuir isothermal adsorption equation,the maximum theoretical adsorption capacity is 0. 12 mg/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To broaden pH range and improve thermal stability, reusability, storage stability, and organic solvent tolerance of natural enzymes, a magnetic material (NH2-MIL-88(Fe)) was synthesized as a new material to immobilize cellulase. The results showed that the optimal temperature and pH of cellulase immobilized on NH2-MIL-88(Fe) showed a wider range compared to free cellulase, and 74% and 83% of the initial activity could be retained after 10 cycles and storage for 49 days, respectively. Moreover, the tolerance for organic solvents was improved compared with free enzyme. The reducing sugar yields from sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and corn cob hydrolyzed with cellulase immobilized on NH2-MIL-88(Fe) were higher than observed with the free enzyme, which demonstrated the better biocatalytic performance of cellulase immobilized on NH2-MIL-88(Fe). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was aimed to optimize the extraction technology of polyphenols from corn cob. The types of natural deep eutectic solvents for extraction were determined through screening experiments. Based on the results of single-factor experiments, the water content of the NADESs, liquid-to-solid ratio, ultrasonic power, and ultrasonic temperature were set as variables, with the extraction yield of corn cob polyphenols as the response value, and the response surface method was employed to optimize the extraction process. The scavenging abilities of polyphenol extracts from the NADESs and 70% ethanol on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-trini-trophenylhydrazi-ne (DPPH) radicals and 2, 2-diazodi bis (3-ethylbenzothia-zole-6-sulfonic acid) diamine (ABTS) radicals was compared. The results showed that at a NADESs water content of 31%, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 28 mL/g, an ultrasonic power of 350 W, and an ultrasonic temperature of 61 ℃, the extraction yield of corn cob polyphenols reached the highest level of 17.49 mg/g, and the antioxidant activity of the extracted product was stronger than that of the 70% ethanol extract. The study indicates that the extraction process of polyphenols from corn cob was stable and reliable, which can provide reference for the efficient extraction of polyphenols from corn cob. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the compatibility of hydrosols from aromatic plants on the growth of T. harzianum. Design/Methodology/Approach: All hydrosols of Foeniculum vulgare, Plectranthus coleoides, Tagetes arenicola, T. coronopifolia, T. erecta, and T. lucida were evaluated in vitro on the mycelium Trichoderma harzianum. Their growth rates and inhibition percentages were recorded. T. harzianum was inoculated in 50 g of sterilized corn cob enriched with F. vulgare hydrosol (3, 5 and 7%), this mixture was incubated at 28 ± 2 °C; spore counting, and viability tests were performed on PDA medium. The Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) was used for mean comparisons. Results: All hydrosols inhibited in vitro the mycelial growth of T. harzianum at 100%, but at 5% concentration, some hydrosols promoted the growth of the fungus more than the control. The concentration of F. vulgare hydrosol influenced the production and viability of T. harzianum spores in the cob substrate. Study Limitations/Implications: This study provides information on the use of hydrosol, which are typically considered waste products. Findings/Conclusions: At low concentration, F. vulgare hydrosol can be used to enrich corn cob and promote the growth of T. harzianum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Tuban, farmers have great potential to manage corn cob waste into alternative fuels, but there is still a lack of experience and awareness of waste management. This research aims to develop an educational model that can increase the utilization of waste. The method used is Design-Based Research (DBR) with a qualitative approach, including problem identification, needs analysis, model development, and model testing through workshops. The survey results show that most farmers have not managed corn cob waste properly. The workshop succeeded in increasing farmers' knowledge about waste management and producing alternative fuel products. The educational model developed is effective in increasing farmers' awareness and skills in waste management. In conclusion, this sustainable consumption education model is effective in increasing the use of corn cob waste as an alternative fuel. For long-term success, it is necessary to pay attention to the aspects of technology, flexibility of participation, and freedom of expression in the Generation Z farming community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the effect of microbial enzyme comppsite additives on the fermentation quality of peanut vine and peanut vine mixed silage, this experiment used peanut vine as raw material to prepare peanut vine single silage (PA), peanut vine and corn cob mixed silage (PC), and peanut vine and rice husk powder mixed silage (PR). Microbial enzyme comppsite additives (including Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, cellulase, xylanase, glucanase, pectinase) were added, and a same volume of distilled water was used as the control group (CK). The fermentation quality, microbial quantity and nutritional value of different silage treatments were detected. The results showed that PC had the lowest pH value, ammonia nitrogen and ADI. contents, and the highest in vitro dry matter digestibility, but it also had certain negative effects such as increasing the counts of mould and yeast, and reducing crude protein content. The use of microbial enzyme comppsite additives significantly increased lactate production, reduced pH value and ammonia nitrogen content in silage, while reducing aNDF content and improving in vitro dry matter digestibility. And the pH value of PC decreased to 4.16 under the treatment of microbial enzyme comppsite additives. Therefore, the use of microbial enzyme comppsite additives has significant application value in improving the fermentation and nutritional quality of peanut vine silage and peanut vine mixed silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate contamination in groundwater is a global concern due to its widespread presence and consequential social, environmental, and economic ramifications. This study investigates the efficacy of biological denitrification in a humid tropical setting, utilizing corn cob in batch and column tests to assess nitrate removal under varying conditions. Batch tests demonstrated the nitrate removal efficiencies of 93.14%, 91.58%, 90.77%, and 98.74% for initial concentrations of 22.18 ± 2.82 mg/L, 27.3 mg/L, 69.1 ± 1.2 mg/L and 115.08 ± 1.88 mg/L, respectively. In the column test, the removal efficiency was 99.86%, 87.13%, and 74%, and the denitrification rate was 32.82, 53.43, and 83.53 mg NO3−-N/L d, for a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h, 16 h, and 7 h, respectively. Predominantly, nitrate removal occurred via biological denitrification, particularly favoring a 24 h HRT. The corn cob effectively removed high nitrate concentrations of up to 115 mg NO3−-N/L. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed surface characteristic changes of the carbon source pre- and post-denitrification. This research sheds light on the potential of biological denitrification using corn cob in humid tropical environments, offering a promising avenue for addressing nitrate contamination challenges in groundwater systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a major agricultural country, emitting a large amount of corn cob solid waste annually, yet its comprehensive utilization rate is relatively low. Corn cobs have a lower thermal conductivity and can be used as natural insulation materials in concrete blocks. However, due to the porous structure of corn cobs, the compressive strength of corn cob aggregate concrete is relatively low and urgently requires modification. In order to promote the scaled utilization of corn cob and use them to improve the properties of concrete blocks, this study explored the effects of three different modification techniques, such as epoxy resin modification, the modification methods of ceramide and coating, on the chemical bond and molecular structure of hydration products, microstructure of interfacial transition zone, compressive strength and thermal conductivity of corn cob aggregate concrete by infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that compared with epoxy resin modification, the modification methods of ceramide and coating not only increased the content of calcium silicate hydrate gel in the interfacial transition zone of corn cob aggregate concrete, but also reduced the thickness of interfacial transition zone, optimized its microstructure, improved the compressive strength, and reduced the thermal conductivity of concrete blocks. Among them, the effect of ceramide modification method is particularly significant. The order of characteristic peak of calcium silicate hydrate gel in the interface transition zone was the modification methods of ceramide, the modification methods of coating, epoxy resin modification. After ceramide modification, coating modification, and epoxy resin modification, the thickness of the interfacial transition zones of the corn cob aggregate concrete were no distinct interfacial transition zone, between 55～ 66 μm, and between 93～ 101 μm, respectively. Compared with concrete with original corn cob aggregate, the thermal conductivity and compressive strength of concrete with 30% ceramide method modificated corn cob aggregate decreased by 51.5% and 32.2%, respectively. When the proportion of modified corn cob aggregate did not exceed 15%, the concrete blocks met the national standards MU20～MU30 for compressive strength. To improve the overall performance of corn cob aggregate concrete blocks, it is recommended to incorporate no more than 15% of corn cob aggregate with ceramide modification method. This research provides a theoretical basis for the large-scale utilization of corn cobs in concrete blocks, and provides a reference for the further improvement of the relevant properties of concrete blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-step sequential dilute alkali/acid pretreatment process was developed to improve the breakdown of the lignocellulosic structure of corn cob. Uniform design was used to optimize the hydrolysis process and multiple regression models were developed. Alkali hydrolysis of corn cob at optimum conditions of 1.81% (w/v) NaOH concentration and 5 (w/v) solid:liquid ratio for 90 min resulted in 82.03% lignin removal. The biomass on further dilute acid pretreatment at the optimized conditions of 6% (w/v) H2SO4 and 5 w/v solid:liquid ratio for 15 min resulted in 74% xylose yield. The xylose-rich acid hydrolysate was used as a substrate to produce xylitol by Debaryomyces nepalensis NCYC 3413. It resulted in a xylitol yield of 0.467 g/g of xylose and a xylitol titer of 21.15 g/L. The changes in the physical and chemical structure of the corn cob due to the sequential alkali/acid pretreatment were analyzed by SEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the largest producer of marine aquaculture, and in terms of the output of sea water products, China has ranked first in the world for many years. In the traditional aquaculture process, residual bait and feces produce ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrite nitrogen (NO2–-N), which are toxic to aquaculture organisms. Recirculation in aquaculture systems can be performed using biological filters to purify water and convert NH4+-N and NO2–-N into nitrate nitrogen (NO3–-N) which has a lower toxicity; however, its accumulation leads to chronic adverse effects on aquaculture organisms. Heterotrophic denitrification is a highly efficient biological denitrification technique that converts NO3–-N into harmless nitrogen. Because of the low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of mariculture wastewater, additional carbon sources are required. Liquid carbon sources have the disadvantages of difficulty in controlling the dosage and the ease of the production of N2O. Solid carbon sources can effectively solve these problems. Biodegradable polymers have a high denitrification efficiency and long duration of action; but their cost is high. Agricultural-waste carbon sources have the advantages of low cost and large quantity, but they are associated with problems of slow start-up and high water color and turbidity in the early stages of operation. A mixture of polycaprolactone (PCL) and corn cob (CC) can overcome the problem of high cost and has excellent denitrification performance, so it is an excellent externally added carbon source. In this study, a denitrification system consisting of inlet tanks (180 L), peristaltic pumps, column reactors and outlet tanks (180 L) was constructed, and a composite carbon source comprising PCL mixed with CC at a mass ratio of 1:1 was used as the denitrification carbon source, and three types of influent nitrate concentrations (INC), 20 mg/L (N-20), 30 mg/L (N-30), and 40 mg/L (N-40), and three temperature conditions, 20℃ (T-20), 25℃ (T-25), and 30℃ (T-30), were set. A 90-d experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of these two factors on denitrification, including a 60-d start-up phase and a 30-d continuous phase. During this period, the inlet and outlet water samples were taken daily to determine the NO3–-N, NO2–-N, NH4+-N, and total nitrogen content using an automatic nutrient salt analyzer (QuAAtro, SEAL, Germany). The inlet and outlet water samples were taken at 61 d, 75 d, and 90 d to determine the chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In addition, the biofilm on the carbon source was sampled at 90 d for Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. The experimental results showed that INC affected denitrification by changing the C/N ratio. In the pre-startup period of the denitrification system (0~10 d), a very high INC (40 mg/L) was detrimental to the operation of the denitrification system, and the nitrate removal efficiencies (NREs) were all lower at 19.52% (N-20), 32.67% (N-30), and 25.28% (N-40). After biofilm maturation, an increase in the INC resulted in a higher denitrification rate but not a significant increase in NRE. The effluent DOC concentration tended to decrease as the INC increased. The optimal INC was 30 mg/L, and the corresponding NRE reached 99.12% in the last 30 days. No obvious accumulation of NH4+-N and NO2–-N was observed during the process, and the decrease in its DOC and DOC concentrations was also stable and rapid. Temperature also had an important effect on denitrification. In a certain interval, the increase in temperature enhanced the denitrification performance and accelerated the nitrogen removal efficiency. During the reactor startup stage, the effluent NO3–-N concentration of each reactor decreased gradually, and the nitrate removal rate increased with an increase in temperature. The NRE of reactor T-30 (70.20%) was higher than that of reactors T-25 (69.96%) and T-20 (28.63%). The effluent DOC concentration of the system at T-30 was significantly higher than that of the other two groups, and the temperatures of 20℃ and 25℃ were more suitable. The optimum temperature was 25℃ when the microbial enzyme activity was higher, and the NRE of the system reached 99.21% in the last 30 days. In contrast, the NH4+-N and NO2–-N produced were also lower, and the organic matter utilization was high. The SCFAs produced by each system had the largest proportion of acetic acid (AC) and no detectable butyric acid, and the AC/PA(propanoic acid) were all > 1, which was favorable for denitrification to proceed efficiently. The dominant phylum at different INCs was Proteobacteria, and its abundance decreased with the increasing of INC, which was 54.46%, 39.96% and 24.77% in N-20, N-30 and N-40 groups, respectively. Temperature had a significant influence on the microbial community, and the dominant phylum was Proteobacteria at T= 30℃ and 25℃, with abundances of 55.86% and 38.85%, respectively, whereas the dominant phylum was Bacteroidota (28.87%) at T = 20℃. The dominant genus in all systems was Rhodobacter. In addition, several other active phyla in the denitrification process existed in the system. The influent NO3–-N concentration of 30 mg/L and T = 25℃ were the optimal conditions for the denitrification system using CC+PCL as an additional carbon source. The combination of CC+PCL as a composite carbon source has excellent denitrification performance, which can provide a theoretical basis for the process optimization of solid phase denitrification of mariculture wastewater.

In 2021, Mexico produced approximately 24.2 million tons of white corn, generating 3.6 million tons of corn cob residue. The final disposal of corn cob poses an environmental challenge in certain regions. This study examines the technical–economic feasibility and the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of integrating a small-scale cogenerating gasifier fueled by corn cob into a nixtamalized corn flour manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). This integration enables the generation of heat and electricity from the produced synthesis gas. Moreover, the process yields residual carbon, which can be used as biochar for soil restoration and removing atmospheric CO2. This option holds significance for the corn flour agroindustry in Mexico, as, in 2021, it consumed approximately 601.9 GWh of electrical energy and 938,279 GJ of thermal energy from LP Gas in its manufacturing processes to produce 2.6 million tons of nixtamalized white corn flour. These processes contributed to a total emission of 410,232 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The findings of this study demonstrate a cumulative reduction of 51.7% in CO2 emissions, resulting in economic benefits of USD 85,401 in 2017 for a case study SME that annually produces 1039 tons of corn flour. This study reveals the integration of a gasifier–cogenerator system fueled by corn cob as an economically viable low-carbon technology in the corn flour manufacturing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reported the isolation of cellulose from corn cob by using microwave-assisted alkaline treatment and bleaching. The Central Composite Design (CCD) approach of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to study the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations (1.5-2.5M), duration of alkaline treatment (4-8 min), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations (7-9 wt%) and bleaching time (3-7 min) on the removal percent of non-cellulosic components and impurities from corn cob. The optimized conditions obtained from this study were 2.37M NaOH, 9 wt% H2O2, alkaline treatment time of 4 min, and bleaching time -- 4.20 min. The non-cellulosic part and the impurities removed under the optimized conditions in microwave-assisted alkaline treatment and bleaching amounted to 72.26 ± 0.15%. The cellulose content in the thus purified corn cob material was determined as 92.47%. The isolated corn cob cellulose was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These characterizations confirmed that the alkaline treatment and microwave-assisted bleaching under the optimized conditions achieved the optimal removal percent of the non-cellulosic components and impurities from the corn cob biomass to achieve highly purified cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the combustion of agricultural biomass rich in alkali elements in the fluidized bed. The experiments were performed with smashed corn cob in a 500 kW fluidized bed combustor which was designed for work under low bed temperatures (650–700 °C). During the experiments, the formed compounds from corn cob combustion were measured by sampling particulate matter, and mineral compositions were determined. Also, the temperature profile of the FBC was established. It was determined that the emissions of K and Na elements from the FBC increased from 4 to 7.3% and from 1.69 to 3%, respectively, changing the bed temperature from 650 to 700 °C. Though alkali emissions are reduced at a 650 °C bed temperature, CO emissions are higher by about 50% compared to the case of 700 °C. The addition of 3% of dolomite reduced the pollutant emissions and alkali emissions as well. Potassium content decreased by about 1% and 4%, respectively, at the bed temperatures of 650 °C and 700 °C. The NOx emissions were less than 300 mg/m3 and did not exceed the limit for medium plants regarding DIRECTIVE (EU) 2015/2193. During extended experiments lasting 8 h, no agglomeration of the fluidized bed was observed. Moreover, the proposed configuration of the FBC and its operational parameters prove suitable for facilitating the efficient combustion of agricultural biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial plywood industry in our country relies heavily on industrial flour as a filler for adhesives. Using abundant corn cob powder as the main raw material, corn cob powder was modified by impregnation with a sodium-based bentonite/bayberry tannin and used as filler for urea–formaldehyde resin (UF) adhesive, with NH4Cl as the curing agent and poplar veneer as the raw material to prepare plywood. The results showed that the modified corn cob powder with a particle size of 250 mesh was uniformly dispersed in the UF adhesive. When used as a filler, the modified corn cob powder effectively prevented the premature curing of the UF adhesive and significantly reduced its viscosity. Compared with flour filler, the bonding strength of the prepared plywood increased by 12.1%–19.6% while the formaldehyde emission decreased by 12.7%–27.8%. The cold pressing performance of the plywoods prepared with modified corn cob flour was comparable to the performance of plywood produced with industrial flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preliminary studies on the exploration of carbonaceous materials from agricultural waste and their use as adsorbents for antibiotic removal have shown the potential to address a new threat to human health due to antibiotic residue. Therefore, this study developed and synthesized graphene oxide from corn cob for its efficiency in removing ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. METHODS: The Hummers methods were used to synthesize graphene oxide from corn cobs. Graphene oxide was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray, and x-ray diffraction instruments. During the synthesis process, antibiotic adsorption tests were extensively conducted by exploring four variables, namely dosage of adsorbent, potential hydrogen, concentration, and contact time. FINDINGS: The result showed that graphene oxide from corn cob effectively removed 47 percent of ceftriaxone and 92.62 percent of ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, to ensure optimum use of the adsorbents, antibiotics ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin weighing 40 milligrams and 20 milligrams. This is in addition to the initial concentrations of 14 and 2 parts per million, the potential of hydrogen 4, and contact times of 50 and 40 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, adsorbents made from corn cobs are better at the removal of ciprofloxacin from water than the antibiotic ceftriaxone. The difference in molecular structure affected the percentage of antibiotic adsorption onto graphene oxide derived from corn cob. This study underscores the potential of the derived material as a promising adsorbent for efficiently removing ciprofloxacin from aquatic environments. The use of agricultural waste as advanced materials to address antibiotic residue pollution provided additional environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of mineralized sandy shredded corn cob (SCC) as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in Portland cement mortars (PM) presents an innovative opportunity for sustainable construction and organic waste reutilization. This study aims to assess the impact of SCC, with granulometric variations G1 and G2, on eight mortar formulations (PM, SCC-G1-5%, SCC-G1-10%; SCC-G2-5%, SCC-G2-10%, SCC-G2-15%, SCC-G2-20%, and SCC-G2-30%) with a consistent water-to-cement ratio of 0.55. Fresh-state properties (flowability, temperature, pH, unit weight, and setting time) and hardened-state characteristics (compressive strength at 4, 7, 14, and 28 days) were evaluated. Notably, flowability decreased by 90% for G2 designs with up to 15% SCC, unit weight decreased by up to 12% with SCC-G2-30%, setting time was delayed, and compressive strength for all SCC mortars up to 20% exceeded 21.9 MPa. In conclusion, the partial replacement of sand with a G2 particle-size distribution of SCC is feasible, with an optimal performance observed in SCC-G2-5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to investigate the effects of waste corn cob aggregate on the properties of volcanic tuff-based geopolymer mortar. Nevşehir Pozzolan, which is produced as waste during the stone-cutting process, was used as an aluminosilicate source. The effect of alkali activator type, concentration, activator ratio, and sand-to-corn cob ratio on the properties was experimentally investigated. Study results revealed that waste Nevşehir Pozzolan was a suitable aluminosilicate for the production of geopolymer mortar. The optimum activator type, concentration, and activator ratios were sodium hydroxide with sodium silicate, 10 M, and 2.0, respectively, because they ensured the highest mechanical properties. Waste corn cob aggregate could be used instead of natural sand, and geopolymer mortar with various corn cob contents can meet the performance requirements of conventional wall materials.

Corn or maize (Zea mays L.) is the most significant grain crop worldwide after wheat and rice. It is widely cultivated and consumed as food, feed, and industrial raw material, along with the emission of a large quantity of corn waste. Such abundant, renewable, and cheap wastes with unique chemical compositions can be efficiently converted into adsorbents for the elimination of dye-contaminated water. This article represents an extensive review of the use of corn/maize waste-derived adsorbents for the sequestration of dyes from aqueous media. This study addressed the utilization of corn residues, including cob, stalk, straw, husk, and silk, as precursors for adsorbents. The adsorption behaviour, mechanism, and regeneration of the studied corn adsorbent/dye systems were identified. It was observed that the most common forms of corn/maize-derived adsorbents that have been utilized for the sequestration of dyes include biosorbents, biochars, activated carbons, and composites. The highest adsorption capacity (1,682.7 mg/g) for dye (methylene blue) sequestration was obtained using a corn husk composite-based adsorbent. Important findings and future ideas are finally mentioned for the corn/maize-based materials and their application as adsorbents for dye removal. HIGHLIGHTS Use of corn adsorbents strengthens the popular waste-to-wealth management strategy.; The adsorbent groups include biosorbents, activated carbons, biochar, and composites.; Major mechanisms are electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, and hydrogen bonding.; The adsorbents can be recycled and reused several times.; The highest adsorption capacity (1,682.7 mg/g) was obtained using a corn husk-based composite.;

Corn cob (CC) is an agricultural waste that can be recycled and used to reinforce unsaturated polyester resin, which can be utilized to produce low-cost structural sections, as well as reduce the risk resulting from the disposing of these wastes by traditional methods, such as landfilling or burning. The purpose of this research is to study the grain size effect of the reinforcing material particles on the mechanical properties of the composite material represented by (hardness, impact resistance, and compressive strength). The experimental work is carried out by preparing a polymeric mixture of unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) reinforced by corn cob particles using two different grain sizes of (53) µm and (710) µm with different volumetric fractions of (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30)%. The manual molding method was used in preparing the molds as follows: The first group consists of a polymeric mixture reinforced with corn cobs with a granular size of (53) µm using the same volumetric ratios mentioned above, while the second group consists of a polymeric mixture reinforced with corn cobs with a granular size of (710) µm using the same volumetric fractions of the first group. The results suggested that the reinforcement of the matrix by these particles led to improving the mechanical properties of the composite material by increasing the reinforcement ratios.

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The present work focuses on the recovery of polyphenols from Lombard com cob to develop a new upcycled ingredient. Three different green extraction methods were evaluated using an experimental design approach: a conventional extraction (CSE-HA) and a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE-HA) using hydroalcoholic solvents, and a more innovative MAE method using natural eutectic solvents (MAE-NaDES). From mathematical modelling, three optimized extracts were obtained: CBE-1 from CSE-HA (50.3 % of ethanol, 60 °C, 89.9 min, and 32.7 mL/g solvent solid ratio - SSR), CBE-2 fom MAE-HA (62.4 % ethanol, 88 °C, 5 min, and 42.8 mL/g SSR), and CBE-3 from MAE-NaDES (20 % water content, 90 °C, 5 min, and 20 mL/g SSR). The highest polyphenolic yield, reported as total metabolites content (TMC), was obtained for CBE-2 (TMC=285345.0 ± 3737.67 milli Absorbance unit per second -mAu*s), followed by CBE-1 (TMC=242965.2 ± 3411,5 mAu*s) and CBE-3 (TMC= 108000.2 ± 4530.03 mAu*s). Despite NaDES still appeared as promising solvents, the hydroalcoholic mixtures gave the best recoveries; at the same time, innovative MAE showed to be a sustainable approach, providing high yield within few minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) hold industrial importance owing to their prebiotic, antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory potential. The fungal enzyme xylanase (Talaromyces thermophilus F1208) is known for its capacity to produce XOS by hydrolytic degradation. This study aims to achieve the maximum xylan yield through experiments by optimizing corn cob pyrolysate's parameters. The xylan in the pyrolysis solution was converted into XOS using the ultrasonic-coupled enzymolysis method and optimizing its parameters. Optimizing pyrolysis conditions employing maleic acid concentration, pyrolysis temperature, and holding time resulted in a maximum xylan yield (20.04%) at 0.2%, 180 °C, and 30 min of the three parameters, respectively. The multivariate response surface methodology (RSM) for pyrolysis statistically validated the results and suggested pyrolysis temperature and holding time to be the most crucial parameters influencing the yield. Similarly, the highest yield of XOS (21.75%) was obtained at 7.5 pH, 4-h reaction time, and 6-U/mL enzyme dosage for the enzyme hydrolysis alone by selecting these three as optimization parameters. In the case of enzyme hydrolysis coupled to ultrasonication, the maximum yield of 27% XOS was achieved at 190 °C pretreatment temperature, 30-min ultrasonication time, 55 °C ultrasonication temperature, and 0.31-W/cm2 ultrasonication frequency, which was ~25% higher than that obtained using enzymatic hydrolysis alone. Moreover, ultrasonic intervention shortened the reaction time to 12.5% of the original time. The difference in enzymatic hydrolysis of xylan components (H1–H5) after alcohol precipitation was also investigated. It was found that the H2 and H3 substrates were slow reaction xylans, which were not easy to be enzymatically hydrolyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of University of Anbar for Pure Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Copyright of Journal of University of Anbar for Pure Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

With the addition of Tween 80, potassium hydroxide pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were statistically optimized to maximize sugar yields from corn cob (CC). The results indicated that the sugar yields from CC could be influenced significantly by the potassium hydroxide concentration, temperature and time during pretreatment. The optimized pretreatment conditions were as follows: potassium hydroxide, 46 g·L−1; Tween 80, 3.0 g·L−1; solid dose, 200 g·L−1; temperature, 78 °C; and time, 50 min. After optimization, the lignin reduction and recoveries of cellulose and hemicellulose were 89.7%, 97.8% and 68.0%, respectively. In addition, sugar production could also be influenced by the biomass loading, enzyme loading and reaction time. A maximal glucose production (518.48 mg·gds−1, milligrams per gram of dry substrate) and xylose production (351.14 mg·gds−1), 97.2% cellulose conversion and 82.9% hemicellulose conversion from CC could be obtained when the biomass loading was 195 g·L−1 and the enzyme loading was 8.9 FPU·gds−1 (filter paper activity units per gram of dry substrate) and when the Tween 80 concentration was 3.0 g·L−1 at 50 °C for 30.4 h during hydrolysis. This is the first systematic study of combined Tween 80 pretreatment of CC by potassium hydroxide and hydrolysis of CC by cellulase preparation to increase sugar production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate contamination in groundwater is a global concern due to its widespread presence and consequential social, environmental, and economic ramifications. This study investigates the efficacy of biological denitrification in a humid tropical setting, utilizing corn cob in batch and column tests to assess nitrate removal under varying conditions. Batch tests demonstrated the nitrate removal efficiencies of 93.14%, 91.58%, 90.77%, and 98.74% for initial concentrations of 22.18 ± 2.82 mg/L, 27.3 mg/L, 69.1 ± 1.2 mg/L and 115.08 ± 1.88 mg/L, respectively. In the column test, the removal efficiency was 99.86%, 87.13%, and 74%, and the denitrification rate was 32.82, 53.43, and 83.53 mg NO3−-N/L d, for a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h, 16 h, and 7 h, respectively. Predominantly, nitrate removal occurred via biological denitrification, particularly favoring a 24 h HRT. The corn cob effectively removed high nitrate concentrations of up to 115 mg NO3−-N/L. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed surface characteristic changes of the carbon source pre- and post-denitrification. This research sheds light on the potential of biological denitrification using corn cob in humid tropical environments, offering a promising avenue for addressing nitrate contamination challenges in groundwater systems.

The enormous production of agricultural waste has created major problems for polluting the environment. Current efforts are focused on developing cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives for disposal of waste materials. Agricultural wastes might be utilized as biochar and activated carbon (AC) precursors due to their higher carbon contents. In the present study, the activated carbon derived from corn cob biomass has been prepared successfully by the pyrolysis method at different temperatures i.e. 600 & 800 °C using potassium hydroxide activation. The synthesized materials (AC) were characterized using different techniques like X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible Spectroscopy, FTIR and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm. The FTIR study identified the functional groups and XRD analysis revealed the structure of the prepared material. The FE-SEM images showed that activation of biochar resulted into formation of porous activated carbon with various shapes and sizes of pores. The high surface area 575 m²/g and pore volume 0.291 cm³/g of AC at 800 °C temperature were observed with BET analysis. The optical band gap determined using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy indicates that the absorption edge lies in the ultra-violet region of the optical spectra. The findings of the present study highlight the potential of utilizing agro-wastes as effective precursors for producing activated carbon with minimal expenses. This carbon variant shows promise in various applications such as water purification, metal recovery, energy devices, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the effect of treatment on the nutritive value of corncob flakes. The experimental material was corn cob flakes which were allotted to seven treatments and designated as TO, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 with four fermentation durations (0, 15, 30 and 50 days) in a completely randomized design. The diets were designated as TO (1 litre of water per 2 kg of corn cob flakes); T1 (100% potassium phosphate per litre of water, for 2 kg corn cob flakes); T2 (50% potassium phosphate + 50% of bicarbonate of soda per litre of water, for 2 kg corn cob flakes); T3 (100% of bicarbonate of soda per litre for 2 kg corn cob flakes); T4 (50% bicarbonate of soda + 50% of cellulase enzyme per litre of water, for 2 kg corn cob flakes); T5 (50% potassium phosphate + 50% of cellulase enzyme per litre of water, for 2 kg corn cob flakes) and T6 (100% of cellulase enzyme per litre for 2 kg corn cob flakes). The results for proximate composition showed significant (P<0.05) increase in DM, CP, EE and Ash as fermentation duration progressed. Conversely, significant (P<0.05) reduction occurred in the fibre fractions and phytochemical properties as fermentation progressed. It is therefore concluded that fermenting corn cob with 50% feed additives (either sodium bicarbonate or potassium phosphate) and enzyme for up to 50 days improved the proximate composition and reduced fibre fractions and phytochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientific Journal of Agricultural Sciences (SJAS) is the property of Beni Suef University 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.)

Abstract Background Prolyl endopeptidase from Aspergillus niger (AN-PEP) is a prominent serine proteinase with various potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, the availability of efficient and low-cost AN-PEP remains a challenge owing to its low yield and high fermentation cost. Results Here, AN-PEP was recombinantly expressed in Trichoderma reesei (rAN-PEP) under the control of the cbh1 promoter and its secretion signal. After 4 days of shaking flask cultivation with the model cellulose Avicel PH101 as the sole carbon source, the extracellular prolyl endopeptidase activity reached up to 16.148 U/mL, which is the highest titer reported to date and the secretion of the enzyme is faster in T. reesei than in other eukaryotic expression systems including A. niger and Komagataella phaffii. Most importantly, when cultivated on the low-cost agricultural residue corn cob, the recombinant strain was found to secret a remarkable amount of rAN-PEP (37.125 U/mL) that is twice the activity under the pure cellulose condition. Furthermore, treatment with rAN-PEP during beer brewing lowered the content of gluten below the ELISA kit detection limit (

In 2021, Mexico produced approximately 24.2 million tons of white corn, generating 3.6 million tons of corn cob residue. The final disposal of corn cob poses an environmental challenge in certain regions. This study examines the technical–economic feasibility and the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of integrating a small-scale cogenerating gasifier fueled by corn cob into a nixtamalized corn flour manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). This integration enables the generation of heat and electricity from the produced synthesis gas. Moreover, the process yields residual carbon, which can be used as biochar for soil restoration and removing atmospheric CO2. This option holds significance for the corn flour agroindustry in Mexico, as, in 2021, it consumed approximately 601.9 GWh of electrical energy and 938,279 GJ of thermal energy from LP Gas in its manufacturing processes to produce 2.6 million tons of nixtamalized white corn flour. These processes contributed to a total emission of 410,232 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The findings of this study demonstrate a cumulative reduction of 51.7% in CO2 emissions, resulting in economic benefits of USD 85,401 in 2017 for a case study SME that annually produces 1039 tons of corn flour. This study reveals the integration of a gasifier–cogenerator system fueled by corn cob as an economically viable low-carbon technology in the corn flour manufacturing industry.

This study investigates the combustion of agricultural biomass rich in alkali elements in the fluidized bed. The experiments were performed with smashed corn cob in a 500 kW fluidized bed combustor which was designed for work under low bed temperatures (650–700 °C). During the experiments, the formed compounds from corn cob combustion were measured by sampling particulate matter, and mineral compositions were determined. Also, the temperature profile of the FBC was established. It was determined that the emissions of K and Na elements from the FBC increased from 4 to 7.3% and from 1.69 to 3%, respectively, changing the bed temperature from 650 to 700 °C. Though alkali emissions are reduced at a 650 °C bed temperature, CO emissions are higher by about 50% compared to the case of 700 °C. The addition of 3% of dolomite reduced the pollutant emissions and alkali emissions as well. Potassium content decreased by about 1% and 4%, respectively, at the bed temperatures of 650 °C and 700 °C. The NOx emissions were less than 300 mg/m3 and did not exceed the limit for medium plants regarding DIRECTIVE (EU) 2015/2193. During extended experiments lasting 8 h, no agglomeration of the fluidized bed was observed. Moreover, the proposed configuration of the FBC and its operational parameters prove suitable for facilitating the efficient combustion of agricultural biomass.

The artificial plywood industry in our country relies heavily on industrial flour as a filler for adhesives. Using abundant corn cob powder as the main raw material, corn cob powder was modified by impregnation with a sodium-based bentonite/bayberry tannin and used as filler for urea–formaldehyde resin (UF) adhesive, with NH4Cl as the curing agent and poplar veneer as the raw material to prepare plywood. The results showed that the modified corn cob powder with a particle size of 250 mesh was uniformly dispersed in the UF adhesive. When used as a filler, the modified corn cob powder effectively prevented the premature curing of the UF adhesive and significantly reduced its viscosity. Compared with flour filler, the bonding strength of the prepared plywood increased by 12.1%–19.6% while the formaldehyde emission decreased by 12.7%–27.8%. The cold pressing performance of the plywoods prepared with modified corn cob flour was comparable to the performance of plywood produced with industrial flour.

This study aimed at optimizing the fuel briquettes produced from flamboyant pod (FBP), and corn cob (CC) mixed with cassava starch (SB) as a binder using custom design methodology (CDM). The compressive strength, ash yield, and emission analysis of the briquettes produced were determined. The combustion efficiency parameters as well as CO, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 of the emissions were compared to optimal fuel briquettes and charcoal fuel. The optimal combination of compressive strength and ash yield was obtained for the briquette fuel blend formulated from 30 wt.% flamboyant pod, 51 wt.% corn cob and 17 wt.% starch. While the water boiling time of the fuel increased by about 35–48% compared to charcoal fuel, the ignition time and the specific fuel consumption rate decreased by ∼34% and 16%, respectively. Furthermore, the major air pollutants were reduced from 222 to 196 ppm for CO, 3.63–2.34 ppm for NO2, and 0.21–0.09 ppm for PM 2.5. These properties of the briquette align with charcoal, thus supporting the use of flamboyant-corcob-starch (FBCS) briquettes as a supplementary source of energy to charcoal.

Copyright of Journal of Architectural Sciences & Applications (JASA) is the property of Journal of Architectural Sciences & Applications 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.)

Hydro-depolymerization is a novel method for converting agricultural waste into eco-friendly and promising products. Due to the complex structure and composition of corn cob (CC), a three-step process was developed, which involved pre-hydro-depolymerization of hemicellulose, alkaline extraction of lignin, and hydro-depolymerization of cellulose. The pre-hydro-depolymerization step was at first optimized to produce five-carbon and six-carbon sugars, achieving a maximum hemicellulose conversion rate of 78.48 ± 3.92%, and reducing a sugar yield of 59.12 ± 2.95%. Alkaline treatment achieved a maximum lignin extraction efficiency of 73.76 ± 3.68%. After hemicellulose removal and delignification, the cellulose conversion rate increased to 36.63% and further increased to 76.97% after five cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to confirm physical and chemical changes in CC residues. The integrated process of hydro-depolymerization and alkaline treatment enables the complete exploitation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and thus holds great potential for application in the agriculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of textile industries in developing countries has resulted in enormous dye waste, which remains problematic in some areas due to the lack of advanced technology. Adsorption appears as an efficient method for treating dye waste, which often relates to the use of conventional activated carbons produced from non-renewable sources such as coal. On the other hand, biomass is greatly available in developing countries and represents as a cheaper carbon source in the production of activated carbon for dye waste treatment. This research addresses the potential of corn cobs as the raw material of activated carbon, where the synthesis of corn cob-derived activated carbon consists of chemical impregnation by phosphoric acid into corn cobs followed by the pyrolysis process at varied impregnation ratios and temperatures. The experiment showed that the development of pores was enhanced by increasing the pyrolysis temperature but heating beyond 550 °C may cause the pores to collapse. Besides, the optimum impregnation ratio was found to be 4.5:1 as the adsorption kinetics ceased to improve at higher ratio. In addition, the adsorption kinetics were well represented by the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, whereas further investigation revealed that intra-particle step existed but did not control the adsorption process. Moreover, multilayer adsorption is implied by the good agreement of the adsorption data with the Freundlich isotherm.

Background: Prolyl endopeptidase from Aspergillus niger (AN-PEP) is a prominent serine proteinase with various potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, the availability of efficient and low-cost AN-PEP remains a challenge owing to its low yield and high fermentation cost. Results: Here, AN-PEP was recombinantly expressed in Trichoderma reesei (rAN-PEP) under the control of the cbh1 promoter and its secretion signal. After 4 days of shaking flask cultivation with the model cellulose Avicel PH101 as the sole carbon source, the extracellular prolyl endopeptidase activity reached up to 16.148 U/mL, which is the highest titer reported to date and the secretion of the enzyme is faster in T. reesei than in other eukaryotic expression systems including A. niger and Komagataella phaffii. Most importantly, when cultivated on the low-cost agricultural residue corn cob, the recombinant strain was found to secret a remarkable amount of rAN-PEP (37.125 U/mL) that is twice the activity under the pure cellulose condition. Furthermore, treatment with rAN-PEP during beer brewing lowered the content of gluten below the ELISA kit detection limit (< 10 mg/kg) and thereby, reduced turbidity, which would be beneficial for improving the non-biological stability of beer. Conclusion: Our research provides a promising approach for industrial production of AN-PEP and other enzymes (proteins) from renewable lignocellulosic biomass, which provides a new idea with relevant researchers for the utilization of agricultural residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The corn cob is still a significant component of the corn residue. It is estimated that maize cob accounts for 40–50 percent of total corn production. Corn cob is considered an agriculture waste (by‐product of sweet corn). This by‐product causes environmental pollution, which produces health problems. Its phytochemicals and prebiotic potential provide large benefits for humans when it is consumed. Therefore, corn cob has functional properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, anticancer and reduces the blood glucose level. Corn cob may be used as opportunistic raw material in food products and other possible applications. Current review explained the nutritional composition of corn cob and its possible health benefits. In conclusion, corn cobs have the potential for the development of value‐added products, which are gluten free and also contribute to flourish business of food development and nutraceutical manufacturing industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a carbonaceous and porous material with limited adsorption capacity, which increases by modifying its surface. Many of the biochars modified with magnetic nanoparticles reported previously were obtained in two steps: first, the biomass was pyrolyzed, and then the modification was performed. In this research, a biochar with Fe3O4 particles was obtained during the pyrolysis process. Corn cob residues were used to obtain the biochar (i.e., BCM) and the magnetic one (i.e., BCMFe). The BCMFe biochar was synthesized by a chemical coprecipitation technique prior to the pyrolysis process. The biochars obtained were characterized to determine their physicochemical, surface, and structural properties. The characterization revealed a porous surface with a 1013.52 m2/g area for BCM and 903.67 m2/g for BCMFe. The pores were uniformly distributed, as observed in SEM images. BCMFe showed Fe3O4 particles on the surface with a spherical shape and a uniform distribution. According to FTIR analysis, the functional groups formed on the surface were aliphatic and carbonyl functional groups. Ash content in the biochar was 4.0% in BCM and 8.0% in BCMFe; the difference corresponded to the presence of inorganic elements. The TGA showed that BCM lost 93.8 wt% while BCMFe was more thermally stable due to the inorganic species on the biochar surface, with a weight loss of 78.6%. Both biochars were tested as adsorbent materials for methylene blue. BCM and BCMFe obtained a maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of 23.17 mg/g and 39.66 mg/g, respectively. The obtained biochars are promising materials for the efficient removal of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]