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Biocomposite materials made of natural plant fibers are becoming a viable alternative to the use of synthetic ones such as glass fibers, thanks to many economic, ecological, and technical benefits. However, their massive use in the industry requires optimal control of their mechanical performances, which constitutes a real scientific issue to be overcome. Indeed, biocomposites suffer from an important variability in their mechanical properties because of their multiscale structure, natural growth conditions, and various processing parameters, in addition to eventual chemical treatments. Biocomposites are also highly sensitive to the surrounding environment in terms of humidity and temperature because of the hydrophilic properties of natural plant fibers. In this context, this Perspective aims to provide a critical look at the influence of the main factors that affect the mechanical properties of biocomposites in order to suggest some possible research outlooks that could contribute to optimizing the control of these mechanical properties and expanding the use of biocomposites in industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource depletion and environmental degradation have become important issues affecting the human development process. Plant fiber‐reinforced composites (PFRCs) are characterized by high natural availability, good mechanical properties, low density, recyclability, and eco‐friendliness. Expanding human applications of plant fibers is an important measure to combat resource and environmental problems. The injection molding process has the characteristics of strong product size adaptability, high molding precision, and high production efficiency. It is suitable for large‐scale production in the industry and is one of the main molding methods of PFRCs. Currently, there are still challenges and opportunities for high‐performance manufacturing of PFRCs based on the injection molding process. This article reviews the complete process of manufacturing‐service life‐remanufacturing of PFRCs based on the injection molding process. Emphasis is placed on the pretreatment technology and selection strategy of multi‐phase blended raw materials, the molding process conditions, functional applications, and simulation analysis, the aging and degradation characteristics during service, and the remanufacturing characteristics of the composites. Finally, the future research focus is summarized and prospected. The research in this paper will help promote the continuous progress of key technologies in the production process of PFRCs and help the industry to truly realize high‐performance green manufacturing in the future. Highlights: Plant fibers exhibit variability in morphology and properties.The link between the structure and performance of PFRCs is unclear.The degradability and durability of PFRCs are contradictory.The functionality and mechanical properties of PFRCs are contradictory.PFRCs have good characteristics for remanufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to study the cutting behavior of biocomposites under different controlled hygrothermal conditions. This investigation choice is motivated by the fact that natural plant fibers such as flax are characterized by their hydrophilicity which makes them able to absorb water from a humid environment. This absorption ability is intensified by increasing the conditioning temperature. The moisture diffusion process affects considerably the mechanical properties of the resulting composite, which causes many issues during the machining operations. In this paper, moisture diffusion, chip form, cutting and thrust forces, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations are considered to explore the cutting behavior of flax fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) depending on the hygrothermal conditioning time. Results reveal that moisture content in the biocomposite is significantly influenced by the conditioning temperature and the fiber orientation. Moisture content and fiber orientation affect both the curling behavior of the removed chip as well as the tool/chip interaction in terms of friction. The machinability of flax fiber-reinforced PLA biocomposites depending on hygrothermal conditioning time is then investigated using SEM analysis in addition to analytical modeling. An analysis of variance is used finally to quantify the observed results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laydown of aerodynamically stretched fibers during fiber spinning is a key feature of the non‐woven quality. The desired properties of the produced non‐woven are mostly determined by the mechanical properties of the single fiber and the homogeneity of the spunbond. While the former is studied widely, the homogeneity is mostly studied by simulations and not experimentally. Cloudiness or formation of non‐wovens is a known phenomenon that describes deviations from the ideal laydown. Thin areas have a huge impact on the mechanical properties of the spunbond; And subsequently, the investigation of the fiber laydown is of great interest. This work presents an experimental approach to optimize the fiber laydown of a pilot plant fiber spinning device consisting of two aerodynamic stretching devices (aspirators) that stretch eight single fibers each. Due to fiber accumulation on the lay‐down belt under each of the aspirators, a metal rod is placed in‐between to deflect the fibers into the center utilizing the Coanda‐effect to achieve a broad homogeneous fiber distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changing the metallic card clothing on a carding machine is costly when the spinning mills want to card different fibers from cotton to terylene or vice versa. This article proposes a newly developed cylinder card clothing compatible with cotton and terylene fibers by Nb alloying of AISI 1090 steel so that the spinning mills can change the type of fiber without changing the card clothing. Based on an idea developed from classical carding balance theory to study the adaptability of the cylinder card clothing for cotton and terylene fibers, the wall shear stress was used as the basis for compatibility analysis of carding behavior and bearing capacity with cotton and terylene fibers and as the focus of this study. Nb alloying of AISI 1090 steel showed good wear resistance in carding areas after heat treatment with high hardness above 840 Hv0.2 and extremely fine grain grade of 13.5 class, which increased about 25% compared to conventional 80 WV. The testing results in the spinning mills, including one cotton and two terylene fibers, showed good performance with this newly developed card clothing. In conclusion, the card clothing made of Nb alloying of AISI 1090 steel can handle different fibers with acceptable carding performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were isolated from cotton linter fibers and hardwood fibers through mechanical fibrillation methods. The dialdehyde cellulose nanofibrils (DACNFs) were prepared through the periodate oxidation method, and their morphological and structural properties were investigated. The characteristics of the DACNFs during the concentration process were also explored. The AFM analysis results showed that the mean diameters of wood fiber-based CNFs and cotton fiber-based CNFs were about 52.03 nm and 69.51 nm, respectively. However, the periodate oxidation treatment process obviously reduced the nanofibril size and destroyed the crystalline region of the nanofibrils. Due to the high crystallinity of cotton fibers, the cotton fiber-based DACNFs exhibited a lower aldehyde content and suspension stability compared to the wood fiber-based DACNFs. For the concentration process of the DACNF suspension, the bound water content of the concentrated cotton fiber-based DACNFs was lowered to 0.41 g/g, which indicated that the cotton fiber-based DACNFs could have good redispersibility. Both the wood fiber-based and cotton fiber-based DACNF films showed relatively good transmittance and mechanical strength. In addition, to the cotton fiber-based DACNF films had a very low swelling ratio, and the barrier water vapor and oxygen properties of the redispersed cotton fiber-based DACNF films decreased by very little. In sum, this study has demonstrated that cotton fibers could serve as an effective alternative to wood fibers for preparing CNFs, and that cotton fiber-based DACNFs have huge application prospects in the field of packaging film materials due to their stable properties during the concentration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant fiber‐supported palladium nanocatalysts (Pdx/FAL) with high catalytic activity and good stability were synthesized by one‐pot method using Na2PdCl4 as palladium source, Acer L. leaves as reducing agent, stabilizer, and carrier without adding chemical reducing agents or stabilizers. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, and so forth. During the preparation process, the extraction of organic matter from Acer L. leaves, the reduction and stabilization of Pd2+, and the loading of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were carried out simultaneously, which greatly simplified the preparation steps and reduced the cost. Oxygen‐ and nitrogen‐containing groups in the Acer L. leaf extract preferentially formed complexes with Pd2+, and then, the polyphenols reduced Pd2+ to Pd0, which ensured that PdNPs with small particle sizes were formed and embedded in porous plant fibers (extraction residue of Acer L. leaves) with oxygen‐containing groups, thereby improving the catalytic activity and stability of the catalyst. The characterization results showed that the prepared PdNPs with a face‐centered cubic structure were uniformly distributed on the support, and the average particle size was 3.08 nm. The Suzuki coupling reaction of 4‐bromonitrobenzene and phenylboronic acid by the prepared catalysts at 40°C showed that the reaction yield could reach 97.72%, and the TOF could reach 3,240.6 h−1, exhibiting high catalytic performance. The reaction of 4‐bromotoluene with phenylboronic acid gave a yield of 98.58%, which remained above 90% after seven repetitions. This article provided a simple, high‐performance, and eco‐friendly synthesis idea for nanopalladium catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant fibers have enormous potential for enhancing concrete's impact resistance due to their exceptional toughness and ductility. Nevertheless, theoretical studies on the impact properties of plant fiber-reinforced concrete (PFRC) are still relatively few. Thus, it is crucial to investigate from a theoretical standpoint how plant fibers affect concrete's impact properties. Based on the modified Griffith fracture theory, this study established the relationship between plant fiber type and strain hysteresis factor. In order to simulate the damage process of PFRC, a micro-spring system was used. Based on this, a dynamic constitutive model considering the influence of plant fibers was proposed by combining the methods of damage mechanics and fracture theory. Parameter fitting and inverse analysis were used to validate the accuracy of the proposed model. Additionally, the mechanical behavior of four types of PFRC (Jute, Flax, Ramie and Sisal Fiber Concrete) under impact loading was simulated by the finite element method (FEM) using the proposed model. The results show that the predictions of the proposed model maintain a good of fit R2 more than 0.98 with the experimental results. The parameter fitting and inversion results also show that the proposed model has a good prediction. Simulation results show that sisal fiber-reinforced concrete exhibited the best performance among the four types of PFRC under identical loading conditions, offering more significant advantages for engineering applications. Theoretical and simulation studies on the impact properties of PFRC were conducted in this paper, and the findings are believed to provide a valuable methodological basis for the engineering application of using less expensive plant fibers to enhance concrete impact properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy resin, 15.0 wt.% of 5.0 wt.% N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl]-ethylene diamine treated plant fibers (banana or coir fiber with length of 5–15 mm) and triethylene tetramine (TETA) mixed in (0.1 wt.%, 0.3 wt.% and 0.5 wt.% individual concentration) of graphite nanoplatelets (GnP) were stirred separately to form GnP filled epoxy-silanated banana fiber (ESBF) and GnP filled epoxy-silanated coir fiber (ESCF) nanocomposites, respectively. Hand layup method was used to pour these nanocomposites on the mold followed by curing for 24 h at room temperature and post-curing for 8 h at 50 °C. Not only the amino group of silane creates bonding of epoxy resin with plant fibers but also the amino group of TETA makes good interaction of GnP with the epoxy resin responsible for enriched mechanical properties. The highest tensile strength of 93 MPa, flexural strength of 318 MPa and impact strength of 224 J/m were recorded for 0.5 wt. % GnP filled ESCF nanocomposite as compared to 87 MPa, 222 MPa and 192 J/m for 0.5 wt.% GnP filled ESBF nanocomposite. The greater improvement in ESCF nanocomposites was due to lower cellulose content, higher lignin content and higher % fiber volume fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents some principles of research done on the assessment of fiber-matrix adhesion and durability in cement-based and polymer-based composites reinforced with vegetable fibers. Natural vegetable fibers are light, biodegradable and low-cost; however, their compatibility with both matrices - which are generally hydrophobic- is poor, because of their hydrophilic character. This review presents the different strategies proposed in literature to improve (1) interfacial bonding between matrix and fibers and (2) sustainability of composite materials reinforced by vegetable fibers. In order to achieve these goals, searchers investigate chemical or/and physical treatments of fibers and/or matrix modification of composites materials. The impacts of these strategies are followed in terms of mechanical properties, thermal properties, morphology and water absorption of the composite materials. Authors proposed to focus on the influence of aging on these characteristics in order to estimate durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin, a complex aromatic polymer, is considered a part of the secondary cell wall. Also, it's called a "cell adhesive" based on provides strength and rigidity to plant tissues and fibers through strong cross-linking with cell wall components. Moreover, lignin acts as a line of defense for plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. In the field of plant biotechnology, particle bombardment remains the most important technique to directly transfer DNA from source to target organ and the most widely used method to generate transgenic plants for commercial purposes. Down-regulation of Jatropha curcas's lignin-producing caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene production pathway led the transgenic plants to develop cell walls. The transgene COMT antisense is used as a selection marker pZMAS-COMT 10,907 bp plasmid (University of Illinois) to confer resistance to glufosinate herbicides under the 35S promoter. Irradiation of embryonic callus with bullet particles introduced the COMT antisense gene and reduced the amount of lignin. Transgenic green callus was used to extract DNA, RNA, and PCR & RT-PCR were performed to detect the presence of genes. A positive sharp band appeared in the green callus, indicating that the gene expression level was downregulated compared to the control. Transgenic shoots and green callus had lower lignin content compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled paper has become increasingly used as a raw material in the paper industry. However, hornification limits its application. Herein, the effect of recycling on the mechanical properties and microstructure of khasi pine pulp was systematically studied. The mechanical properties deteriorated and water retention value decreased after recycling. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that cellulose crystallinity increased and partial cocrystallization occurred on cellulose microfibrils. Through the analysis of the morphology of secondary fibers by FQA, the loss of fine fibers caused by each reuse was found. Using the filtration method to prepare the recycled paper reduced the loss of fine fibers and improved the mechanical properties, with the tensile strength of a sample prepared using a sand core filter unit for five cycles (8.37 MPa) being like that of a sample prepared using a paper machine after one cycle. The investigation of the internal structure of the paper showed that the retained fine fibers were bonded between the long fibers, promoting the bonding between the fibers. Fine fibers improve the curling and twisting of fibers to some extent, especially in the first three recycling cycles. The hornification phenomenon of recycled paper was studied from the viewpoint of the fiber components, which is important to promote the development and application prospect of recycled paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing treated plant fibers in fiber-modified asphalt could reduce reliance on nonrenewable resources, contributing to environmental sustainability. To promote the utilization of plant fibers in asphalt mixtures, this review focuses on elucidating the reaction mechanism of surface-treated plant fibers and the resulting performance benefits in the composite. A comprehensive review of reinforcement mechanisms of fibers in composites, particularly asphalt mixtures, is provided to gain a mechanistic understanding of how fibers enhance performance. The review incorporates multiple perspectives to provide a thorough understanding of the performance-enhancing effects of fibers within asphalt. Plant fibers have significant potential to improve several aspects of asphalt mix performance, including high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, moisture stability, and fatigue durability. These properties also influence the optimal loading and fiber length for different fiber types, and this review provides a comprehensive overview along with recommended values. In addition, microscopic studies play a critical role in understanding the mechanism of plant fibers in asphalt mixes. The review discusses the microscopic changes induced by fiber surface treatment and sheds light on their effects at a fundamental level. The review provides a holistic reference for the application of plant fibers in asphalt mixtures for guiding asphalt pavement engineering applications, and prospect on the research direction of plant fibers in asphalt mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stabilized rammed earth blocks have been an alternative building material around the world due to their cost efficiency, low embodied energy, and environmental footprints. However, the lower compressive strength and resistance to wearing limits their use in comparison to higher-cost alternatives. The integration of fibers in rammed earth blocks has been a promising technique for enhancing their properties. In this research, the viability of buffelgrass as a reinforcing fiber in stabilized earth blocks was determined. The buffelgrass was incorporated into the mix up to 5% by weight for samples with the increment of 1% for each mix and the durability was determined under wet and dry conditions. In addition, the influence of the buffelgrass on the compressive strength was observed and the optimum content was determined. The morphological characteristics were observed using SEM imaging of the rammed earth and fiber interaction at a fracture surface. The results showed the inclusion of buffelgrass helps the wear resistance of the earth blocks when exposed to wet-dry conditions as well as slightly improving the compressive strength of the material after dry and wet curing.

Frequent public health incidents have sounded the alarm for personal protection, and the massive consumption of petroleum-based personal protective equipment (PPE) has imposed a heavy burden on nature, making the development of efficient and environmentally friendly protective textiles imperative. Hence, with the principle of sustainability and continuous manufacture, a fully bio-based photodynamic nonwoven eco-textile was fabricated by marine renewable resource chitosan and agricultural waste silkworm excrement. Quaternized chitosan was firmly bonded to cotton fibers by the covalent cross-linking of citric acid, and silkworm excrement pigments were attached to the surface of cationic fibers by the plant dyeing method. Remarkably, photodynamic eco-textiles exhibited superior all-weather antimicrobial properties, eliminated 99.99% of MRSA within 15 min under simulated daylight conditions, killed 99% within 30 min under simulated cloudy conditions, and achieved 90% inhibition within 30 min under simulated office light conditions. Photodynamic eco-textiles featured outstanding anti-bacterial durability, maintaining more than 90% anti-bacterial efficiency after the daily simulation of light, washing, and abrasion. Moreover, photodynamic eco-textiles possessed superior wearing comfort, UV absorption (UPF > 40%), and biocompatibility. Photodynamic eco-textiles were in line with the concept of eco-friendly and sustainable development from the source to waste, especially the various post-processing solutions including soil degradation and reuse after disinfection, which were anticipated to be applied in the massive production of next-generation photodynamic textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry is an important sector which contributor to the GDP of countries worldwide. Both natural and synthetic fibers are the main raw materials for this sector. Environmental concerns, depletion of non-renewable resources, the high price of oil and limited oil reserves with consumer demand is driving research into cheap, biodegradable, sustainable, renewable, and abundantly available green materials. Ethiopia can nurture a diversity of naturally fiber-forming plants. One of the most common plants that is currently grown commercially and could be of interest for handcrafting, packaging and traditional equipment is Cyperus Dichrostachus A. Rich. This study emphases on evaluating and determining the best extraction methods to process and treat Cyperus Dichrostachus A. Rich plant to make the fiber suitable for variety of applications. Cyperus Dichrostachus A. Rich plant was treated with two conditions (normal and warm conditions) using statistically planned tests and was found that the optimal process with extraction parameters of 1.7% NaOH concentration, 6:1 MLR value, 45 °C for 90 min was obtained to a maximal yield of 59.6% fiber having an optimized tensile strength of 247.68 cN/Tex. So this experimental study was performed extract the CDA plant fiber with optimized extraction process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumen microbiota play a central role in the digestive process of ruminants. Their remarkable ability to break down complex plant fibers and proteins, converting them into essential organic compounds that provide animals with energy and nutrition. Research on rumen microbiota not only contributes to improving animal production performance and enhancing feed utilization efficiency but also holds the potential to reduce methane emissions and environmental impact. Nevertheless, studies on rumen microbiota face numerous challenges, including complexity, difficulties in cultivation, and obstacles in functional analysis. This review provides an overview of microbial species involved in the degradation of macromolecules, the fermentation processes, and methane production in the rumen, all based on cultivation methods. Additionally, the review introduces the applications, advantages, and limitations of emerging omics technologies such as metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics, in investigating the functionality of rumen microbiota. Finally, the article offers a forward-looking perspective on the new horizons and technologies in the field of rumen microbiota functional research. These emerging technologies, with continuous refinement and mutual complementation, have deepened our understanding of rumen microbiota functionality, thereby enabling effective manipulation of the rumen microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-static tensile tests are commonly used to determine the mechanical properties of fiber bundles. These tests are generally carried out at a low standard speed of 1 mm.min−1, which is recommended for elementary fibers, although other moderate and high speeds are rarely used. In this study, tensile tests were carried out on coir and sisal fiber bundles from the coastal region of Cameroon using four different speeds: 1, 2, 5, and 10 mm.min−1 to assess mechanical properties. Samples were prepared by attaching the two ends of each randomly selected fiber bundle to a paper frame to obtain a length of 30 mm. The results showed a significant effect of extension speed, indicating a decrease in tensile strength and Young's modulus, and an increase in strain at break with increasing speed. These trends were correlated with the power functions. A strong dependence between fiber bundle diameter and tensile strength was also observed. Furthermore, statistical analysis based on the Weibull distribution highlighted the dispersion of mechanical properties, demonstrating a reduction in dispersion with increasing extension speed for coir fibers. These data can be used to develop specific standards for these natural fibers and contribute to the advancement of composites based on plant fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural by-products have long hinder farmers, and subsequently, the food supply chain. Making use of their natural by-products will both reduce waste and increase industrial production. In particular, pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) can be extensively studied. Here, the curing kinetics of chemically modified PALF/epoxy resin crosslinked by an anhydride hardener was investigated by non-isothermal and isothermal methods with the differential scanning calorimetry technique. In this study, the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa methods, as well as Kamal's model, were employed to analyze the curing behavior of epoxy in non-isothermal and isothermal processes, respectively. The highest activation energies for pure epoxy and PALF/epoxy composite calculated differ when using the methods. Additionally, a decreasing trend in the activation energy values during the late stages of epoxy curing was observed. The results from Kamal's model indicate that the k1 values of the PALF/epoxy composite are only greater than those of pure epoxy at 100°C and 110°C. However, all the k2 values of PALF/epoxy are greater than those of pure epoxy. Additionally, the m value of the PALF/epoxy composite is lower than that of pure epoxy only at 100°C, while the n and m+n values of the PALF/epoxy composite are all greater than those of pure epoxy. Moreover, the results reveal that the Cure Index of the PALF/epoxy composite was larger than ΔH* and smaller than ΔT*. With PALF, it was found that the epoxy resin's curing rate was increased and the activation energy was reduced. Meanwhile, the degree of crosslinks was less than that of the virgin resin. It is speculated that the hydroxyl groups on the plant fibers and the amine groups on the coupling agent-modified fibers can promote the cross-linking reaction. However, the curing reaction of the composite is affected by steric obstacles and high viscosity resulting from the addition of PALFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation and characterization of Yucca Filifera (Asparagaceae) fibers (YFF) and their incorporation into polypropylene (PP) matrices of two molecular weights are reported. Apart from the fibers sectioning and dehydration, saponates, phenols, hemicellulose, and lignin were systematically extracted. Moisture was a primary factor in the as‐sectioned samples, and dehydration was followed by volatiles extraction, including saponates and phenols. An optimized mixture of alcohols (80% methanol/20% ethanol v/v) was used to extract the remaining volatiles (adsorbed water, phenols, and saponates). The dried fibers were then cyclically treated in an autoclave using a dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with the purpose of decreasing external lignin and hemicellulose. After extractions, the fiber product was directly incorporated into PP of two molecular weights, film/fiber (PP35) and injection molding (PP11) grades. The average crystallization temperatures from the melt increased slightly in the presence of YFF as an indication of heterogeneous nucleation. Although the crystallization degree decreased perceptibly depending on the fiber content. The apparent viscosity measurements as a function of shear rate, at low fiber concentrations (10 wt%), displayed partial compatibility between the treated YFF and PP11. In contrast, high fiber concentrations (30 wt%) in PP35 showed only a range of partial compatibility at high shear rates. Mechanical elongation and bending demonstrated an increase in the corresponding moduli as an indication of fiber reinforcement with a biodegradable additive. The higher tensile modulus was obtained at the expense of mechanical deformation. Highlights: A desert plant fiber works as reinforcement for PP composites.The fibers preparation extracts saponates, phenols, and partially lignin and hemicellulose.Fibers are heterogeneous enough for compatibility with the PP matrices.Fibers mechanically reinforced PP in proportion to their concentration.Reinforcement depends on the molecular weight of the PP matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the use of direct heterogeneous esterification method of extracted fibers from Leptadenia pyrotechnica khimp (Leptadenia pyrotechnica) and date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) using adipic and citric acids. Homogeneous esterification leads to the degradation of lignocellulosic material, making it impossible to obtain a pure ester of extracted crude fiber by this method. Methods. The esterification reaction was carried out from three samples of the plant Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Phoenix dactylifera L. leaf, and fiber) were extracted as crude fibers and used in the heterogeneous esterification process. The total esterified fibers were six esters (each sample esterified with citric and adipic acid). The study employed ordinary laboratory equipment together with Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the ester contents were in the range 21.6% to 28%. The degree of substitutions was in the range 0.38 to 0.57. Conclusion. This process was simple and effective in producing esterified extracted plants fibers with a desirable degree of substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the successful development of Agel Leaf Fiber (ALF)-Epoxy composites added with Carbon Active Powder (CAP) and printed using the Vacuum Pressure Infusion (VAPRI) method. Considering the importance of determining the mechanical properties of composites as raw materials for making fishing boats, this research aims to determine the use of Agel Leaf Fiber (ALF) in polymer matrix composites. The composite morphology was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and ImageJ software. The mechanical properties evaluated included Tensile Strength, Flexural Strength, and Hardness. The composite was prepared by incorporating CAP in varying volumes of 0 %, 10 %, and 30 % with a fixed ALF percentage of 40 %. The results showed that the addition of CAP significantly increased the tensile strength to 128.51 MPa, with 0.068 % elongation, 1787.39 MPa modulus of elasticity, and a hardness value of 75.2 HD. Furthermore, the addition of 10 % carbon exhibited a remarkable improvement in flexural strength, reaching 238.51 MPa. This improvement could be attributed to reduced porosity, resulting in enhanced bonding between ALF-CAP-Epoxy components. The flexural strength of the composite with the highest CAP content experienced a significant increase of 238.51 MPa. Thus, Agel leaf fiber has the potential to be used as a reinforcing material in the manufacture of composites and is applied in the manufacture of environmentally friendly fishing boat bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the tensile properties of plant fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (PFRCCs). An axial tensile numerical-simulation and test study of PFRCC panels with four thicknesses was performed to analyze their tensile properties, providing a relevant basis for the engineering application of PFRCC panels. The results show that the peak load of uniaxial tensile failure of PFRCC panels with thicknesses of 8 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm and 18 mm is 424.0 N, 664.8 N, 825.0 N and 986.4 N, respectively. The bearing capacity of the panels gradually increases with the increase of the thickness. The peak tensile strain is about 0.044%, 2.93 times that of the cement matrix and the tensile strength is about 2.73 MPa. It is proved that adding plant fiber can increase the toughness of the cement matrix and increasing PFRCC panel thickness can improve its tensile bearing capacity without affecting its tensile-strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impacts have been significant factors in expanding the applicability of plant fiber-reinforced composites across a variety of industries. Plant fibers have major advantages over synthetic fibers, including biodegradability, light weight, low cost, non-abrasiveness, and acceptable mechanical properties. However, the inherent plant fiber properties, such as varying fiber quality, low mechanical properties, moisture content, poor impact strengths, a lack of integration with hydrophobic polymer matrices, and a natural tendency to agglomerate, have posed challenges to the development and application of plant fiber composites. Emphasis is being placed on overcoming this limitation to improve the performance of plant fiber composites and their applications. This study reviews plant fiber-reinforced composites, focusing on strategies and breakthroughs for improving plant fiber composite performance, such as fiber modification, fabrication, properties, biopolymers, and their composites with industrial applications like automotive, construction, ballistic, textiles, and others. Furthermore, Pearson rank correlation coefficients were used in this review to assess the relationship between the chemical composition of plant fibers with their physical and mechanical properties. If researchers study the behavior of plant fibers using correlation coefficients, it will be easier to combine plant fibers with a polymer matrix to develop a new sustainable material. Through this review study, researchers will learn more about the strategic value of these materials and how well they work in different real-world situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been renewed interest in the incorporation of plant fibers in cementitious materials to substitute synthetic, steel, and polymer fibers. This interest has been mainly stimulated by the numerous inherent advantages in the use of natural fibers in composites, such as high supply and availability, cost-effectiveness, low density, and full recyclability. Despite the great interest in incorporating plant fibers in cement, the low compatibility between the fibers and cement generates several problems in the fresh and hardened states of the composite. This work aimed to enhance the mechanical behavior of a cement mortar by incorporating short flax fibers treated with a citric acid solution. This eco-friendly treatment was used to modify the flax fibers in order to improve their physicochemical compatibility with the cement matrix. The fibers were treated with a 5 wt.% citric acid solution, and the effects of the treatment were evaluated by analyzing the properties of the fibers' surfaces and resulting composite. The mechanical behavior of the fiber-reinforced composite was evaluated on the samples prepared from treated and untreated fibers and compared with that of a control mortar through three-point bending and compression tests and the determination of the toughness index. The treatment was shown to be effective in modifying the surface roughness and wettability of the fibers and resulted in a 41% decrease in their water saturation rate. The cement mixture with treated fibers showed a considerable decrease in the initial setting time delay (24%), and the flexural strength was improved by 43.5% at 7 days and 18% at 28 days compared to that of the control mortar. Despite the expected decrease in the compressive strength of the composites compared to that of the control mortar, the composites containing the treated fibers showed a better performance (13% at 7 days and 6% at 28 days) than those prepared with the raw fibers. It can be concluded that treatment of flax fibers with 5 wt.% citric acid solution shows promise as a way of improving the mechanical properties of the cement mortar and could be beneficial for the production of higher quality composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellulose-enriched tertiary cell walls present in many plant fibers have specific composition, architecture, machinery of formation, and function. To better understand the mechanisms underlying their mode of action and to reveal the peculiarities of fibers from different plant species, it is necessary to more deeply characterize the major components. Next to overwhelming cellulose, rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) is considered to be the key polymer of the tertiary cell wall; however, it has been isolated and biochemically characterized in very few plant species. Here, we add RG-I to the list from the phloem fibers of the Phaseolus vulgaris stem that was isolated and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic light scattering, and immunolabeling, both within tissue and as an isolated polymer. Additionally, fibers with tertiary cell walls from nine species of dicotyledonous plants from the orders Malphigiales, Fabales, and Rosales were labeled with RG-I-related antibodies to check the presence of the polymer and compare the in situ presentation of its backbone and side chains. The obtained results confirm that RG-I is an obligatory polymer of the tertiary cell wall. However, there are differences in the structure of this polymer from various plant sources, and these peculiarities may be taxonomically related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Houtaomuga Phase I culture represents the earliest Neolithic remains found in Northeast China heretofore, thus filling an over 10,000-year gap in early pottery distribution. Pottery decorations and manufacturing techniques from this culture are unique. The pattern application methods seen are stamping, rolling, and incising. The emergence of flat-bottomed pottery and coiling techniques serves as a prelude to the later ceramic tradition of cylindrical jars with flat bottoms. Comb-teeth decorations along with plant fiber temper indicate similarity with pottery remains in Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary researchers are directing attention towards enhancing the structural integrity of biodegradable matrices, such as polylactic acid (PLA), through the incorporation of plant fibers. The utilization of novel fibers is becoming more prevalent to achieve the specific demands of composite applications, particularly in the automotive and packaging fields. Woven fabrics are commonly favored for reinforcing composites due to their elevated specific strength and dimensional stability. In pursuit of this context, we have developed a unique woven fabric using 100% okra fiber and utilized it in the production of PLA biocomposites. This approach was made due to the unexplored potential of okra woven fabric in the field of composite manufacturing. To optimize the performance of the composites, three distinct weight proportions of okra woven fabric (OWF) were chosen, including 20%, 30%, and 40%. The obtained composites were mechanically, morphologically, and thermally characterized. The manufactured composite's maximum tensile and thermal property was attained by adding 20% OWF to the PLA. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that 20% OWF composite possessed superior fiber‐matrix adhesion, improving all properties' efficacy. The overall findings reveal that the OWF/PLA composites are promising as a green material for applications in the automotive and packaging industries. Highlights: A novel class of composite has been created using 100% okra woven fabric.The composite with 20% fabric content showed the best mechanical properties.Thermal properties of composites are also optimized using 20% fabric content.SEM confirms the strong fiber‐matrix bonding of 20% OWF/PLA composites.The composites are suitable for automotive and packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upland cotton is the fifth-largest oil crop in the world, with an average supply of nearly 20% of vegetable oil production. Cottonseed oil is also an ideal alternative raw material to be efficiently converted into biodiesel. However, the improvement in kernel oil content (KOC) of cottonseed has not received sufficient attention from researchers for a long time, due to the fact that the main product of cotton planting is fiber. Previous studies have tagged QTLs and identified individual candidate genes that regulate KOC of cottonseed. The regulatory mechanism of oil metabolism and accumulation of cottonseed are still elusive. In the current study, two high-density genetic maps (HDGMs), which were constructed based on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population consisting of 231 individuals, were used to identify KOC QTLs. A total of forty-three stable QTLs were detected via these two HDGM strategies. Bioinformatic analysis of all the genes harbored in the marker intervals of the stable QTLs revealed that a total of fifty-one genes were involved in the pathways related to lipid biosynthesis. Functional analysis via coexpression network and RNA-seq revealed that the hub genes in the co-expression network that also catalyze the key steps of fatty acid synthesis, lipid metabolism and oil body formation pathways (ACX4, LACS4, KCR1, and SQD1) could jointly orchestrate oil accumulation in cottonseed. This study will strengthen our understanding of oil metabolism and accumulation in cottonseed and contribute to KOC improvement in cottonseed in the future, enhancing the security and stability of worldwide food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review details the different approaches to replacing animal fat used in meat products with non-animal fat ingredients based on their physical forms during processing. Six different physical forms to replace the fat are categorized as 1) powder, 2) paste, 3) plant oils, 4) combinations of dietary fiber with plant oils or animal protein/skin, 5) pre-treated fat replacer, and 6) oleogel and emulsion gels. The ingredients, characteristics, processes, mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of all the fat replacers are discussed extensively. The oleogel and emulsion gel approach is found to be the most practical by retaining the solid-like properties while possessing a healthier fatty acid profile over other approaches. This approach also can solubilize both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components and also have good thermodynamic stability, thus imitating the animal fat. In addition, the cost of production is kept low while maintaining the nutritional attributes, physicochemical and sensorial properties of meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Fiber-like cells with thickened cell walls of specific structure and polymer composition that includes (1 → 4)-β-galactans develop in the outer stem cortex of several moss species gametophytes. The early land plants evolved several specialized cell types and tissues that did not exist in their aquatic ancestors. Of these, water-conducting elements and reproductive organs have received most of the research attention. The evolution of tissues specialized to fulfill a mechanical function is by far less studied despite their wide distribution in land plants. For vascular plants following a homoiohydric trajectory, the evolutionary emergence of mechanical tissues is mainly discussed starting with the fern-like plants with their hypodermal sterome or sclerified fibers that have xylan and lignin-based cell walls. However, mechanical challenges were also faced by bryophytes, which lack lignified cell-walls. To characterize mechanical tissues in the bryophyte lineage, following a poikilohydric trajectory, we used six wild moss species (Polytrichum juniperinum, Dicranum sp., Rhodobryum roseum, Eurhynchiadelphus sp., Climacium dendroides, and Hylocomium splendens) and analyzed the structure and composition of their cell walls. In all of them, the outer stem cortex of the leafy gametophytic generation had fiber-like cells with a thickened but non-lignified cell wall. Such cells have a spindle-like shape with pointed tips. The additional thick cell wall layer in those fiber-like cells is composed of sublayers with structural evidence for different cellulose microfibril orientation, and with specific polymer composition that includes (1 → 4)-β-galactans. Thus, the basic cellular characters of the cells that provide mechanical support in vascular plant taxa (elongated cell shape, location at the periphery of a primary organ, the thickened cell wall and its peculiar composition and structure) also exist in mosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study emphasize on the fabrication and testing of Grewia optiva/Basalt fiber reinforced polymer composites for use in internal applications of automobiles and aircraft. The study investigates the use of Grewia optiva fiber (local plant based fiber) with Basalt fiber, where chopped Basalt fiber (6, 9, and 12 mm) is reinforced in polyester matrix in combination with Grewia optiva fiber. Composite test specimen are fabricated and analyzed using a smart actuation system to evaluate the free vibrational behavior of the composites experimentally. The impact of various parameters including length of the fiber and its weight percentage on the free vibrational behavior of composites is determined. The percentage of individual reinforced fiber is varied (0, 4, 8, and 12 wt.%) maintaining fiber weight % constant, that is, 12 wt.% of composite. The experimental results help to identify the variations in natural frequencies of Basalt/Grewia optiva fiber based composites. B12/GO0 demonstrate the natural frequency of 67 Hz and 44.71 MPa tensile strength for 12 mm fiber reinforced composites. The finding from this experimental work provide insights into the potential applications of Basalt/Grewia optiva fiber reinforced composites for automobile and air craft industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest and thus the number of publications on the supply chains of bast fiber plants has steadily increased in recent years. A number of specific technical terms related to methods and their use for individual areas of the supply chain are often interpreted and used in very different ways. Therefore, the aim of this publication is to increase the clarity of the description of the operations and to improve the understanding of the sequence and the purpose of the process steps. This is based on a selected review of the relevant literature as well as on suggestions for their classification [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of fabric in reinforcing cement-based materials expands their applications for various types of construction elements. Additionally, employing renewable sources of plant-based fabrics contributes to reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry. However, the variability in the properties of plant fibers and fabrics necessitates prior studies to confirm their effectiveness as reinforcement materials. In this study, a new sisal fabric was produced and utilized as reinforcement in cement-based matrix composites. The sisal fibers, yarns, and fabrics produced were tested under direct tension. Five composites were manufactured by manual lamination, with reinforcement ranging from one to five layers, and were subjected to direct tension and flexural testing. The results indicate that, while the fiber shows brittle failure, the yarn and fabric exhibit a gradual loss of strength after reaching the maximum tension. All composites display strain-hardening and deflection-hardening behavior, with multiple cracking and an increase in tension and deformation before rupture. The mechanical properties exhibited improvement with an increase in the number of layers, and composites with four and five layers displayed distinct behavior, demonstrating increased stiffness after the occurrence of multiple cracking and a better mechanical performance, qualifying them for use as a construction element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess plant fibers' efficacy in reducing soil swelling in expansive conditions. Testing on clay and marl soils included incorporating incremental amounts (1%, 3%, 9%, and 18%) of Alfa, jute, and sisal fibers. Without fibers, significant soil swelling occurred, but their inclusion effectively mitigated the issue. Sisal fibers showed the highest effectiveness at 18%, followed by jute fibers, and then Alfa fibers. Combining different fiber types improved overall stability. Clay soils outperformed marl soils. Findings highlight the cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness of plant fibers as a solution against soil swelling.

Modifying plant fibers before their incorporation into the polymer matrix is a crucial factor that influences the characteristics of the resulting composites. This article reports on a study that investigated how modifying ground corn stalks impacted certain properties of a biodegradable polymer composite. The composite was made up of a mixture of polylactide and polycaprolactone in a ratio of 70:30, and the filler was modified using dopamine hydrochloride to create a thin polymer layer of polydopamine on the surface of the particles. The study evaluated the structural, mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical properties of composites that contained 30%, 40%, or 50% of the filler by weight. Additionally, the tests to determine how well the composites would compost in an industrial setting were conducted. The results of the study showed that modifying the filler particles had a positive impact on most of the properties tested, including tensile strength, flexural strength, Young's modulus, storage modulus, and impact strength. Interestingly, despite concerns about the antibacterial properties of polydopamine, the composting tests revealed that the modification of the filler particles did not have any negative effects on the industrial composting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siwalan is one of the community's agricultural crops, where this plant is often found in rural areas, and this plant is one of the crops that are managed in the small-scale agricultural business sector, the management of this agricultural business sector is classified as traditional both in terms of management methods and tools, because this business sector is an agricultural business that has been passed down from generation to generation. Palm plants are very beneficial for rural communities, because from all parts of the palm plant can almost be used. The results that can be produced from this plant are sap and palm fiber. The purpose of this research is the first to determine the factors that affect palm sugar business income, the second to determine the most dominant factors that affect palm sugar business income. This type of research is a quantitative study using multiple linear regression analysis method. The object of this research is Jadung Village, Dungkek District, Sumenep Regency with a research sample of 70 respondents. The results showed that the variables age, education, length of business, number of dependents, number of trees, and cosmopolitan level had a significant effect on palm sugar business income. Based on the results of research on socioeconomic factors that affect palm sugar business income, it shows that. Socio-economic factors that affect palm sugar business income are age, education, length of business, family dependents, number of trees and cosmopolitan level, both jointly and partially. The most dominant factor that affects palm sugar business income in Jadung Village, Dungkek District, Sumenep Regency is the Number of Trees Factor, this can be seen from the amount of the beta coefficient variable the number of trees which is 0.396 greater than the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a new method for decorticating bast fiber stalks, particularly hemp and flax, through a mastication process without damaging the fiber for use in biocomposites. Conventional automated decortication methods provide high stalk processing throughput, but they significantly damage the bast fibers and adversely affect their performance in biocomposite applications. Initial experiments with industrial hemp using a matched set of tools indicate that indexing the stalk by, at most, half a tooling period for each mastication cycle maximizes both the crushed stalk flexing action and dehurding efficiency. Further process insight was gained through simple stalk-crushing experiments (force vs. deflection) between matching teeth with no indexing, where force spikes correspond to initial collapse of the stalk cross section and initial hurd bending fracture along the stalk length. A more extensive experimental design with stiffer tooling reveals that hurding efficiency is maximized by adding spaces in the bottom die for hurd to fall through, using the smallest practical indexing distance of less than half a tooling period, and using as many teeth as possible. However, shorter indexing and more teeth also decrease the throughput rate and complicate stalk handling. Future work for optimizing and commercializing the process is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental study on the influence of alkaline environments on natural fibers of plant and mineral origin in concretes. The durability of concrete-based composite materials is influenced by the properties of the reinforcing fiber, and the serviceability of concrete is dependent on its durability. The aim of the present study is to investigate the strength, weight loss %, and surface degradation of jute, sugarcane, coconut, sisal, as well as basalt fibers through an accelerated aging method when used as reinforcements in concrete. The samples were immersed in an alkaline environment of sodium and calcium hydroxide at two different levels of pH for one week. Further, the fibers were immersed in NaOH and Ca(OH)2 solutions of 1 M, 2 M, 4 M, and 6 M concentrations for 48 h in order to investigate the gradual effect of an alkaline environment on the mechanical properties of the fiber. It was concluded that the weight loss % was greatest for jute fibers when used in concrete composite, while there was no significant effect on the basalt fiber samples. The strength of jute fiber in the concrete sample was also most severely affected by the aging process, compared to other fibers. The strength of basalt fibers in a concrete composite was least affected by the aging process. In some cases, the sisal fiber sample showed an increase in fiber tenacity after the aging process due to fibrillation, which might have increased the interfacial area. The fiber microstructure before and after the aging was evaluated through the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analyses of different fibers were carried out to investigate surface degradation. The fiber pull-out strength was found to be the greatest for basalt fiber, followed by jute and sisal. This is indicative of the excellent adhesion of such fibers with cement in a concrete composite. In these cases, the use of sisal fiber results in defibrillation and increased specific surface area. Sugarcane and coconut fibers ruptured due to their inherent weakness and provided only a small increment in the mechanical performance of the concrete. Basalt fiber-reinforced concrete offered the greatest compressive strength, followed by jute and sisal. These observations provide crucial information regarding the durability and aging of natural fiber-reinforced concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis examined the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following dietary fiber intake. Relevant articles were retrieved from a variety of databases, including Scopus, Embase, and Medline, until March 2023. Spirometry was the most frequently used method for determining the presence of COPD. Based on the search, there were a total of 213,912 participants across five separate studies. Random effects model was used to combine the data and a dose–response analysis was further conducted. Five distinct cohort studies were identified. Based on highest versus lowest analysis, there was an inverse correlation between the intake of total fiber (RR, 0.72; 95%, CI: 0.64–0.80), cereal fiber (RR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.68, 0.86), and fruit fiber (RR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.83). Although this result was not significant for vegetable fiber (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.84–1.07). Dose–response analysis revealed that daily increase of 10 g of total dietary fiber, cereal fiber, or fruit fiber reduced the risk of COPD by 26%, 21%, and 37%, respectively. The ROBINS‐E tool classified all cohort studies as having a moderate risk of bias. Total fiber, cereal fiber, and fruit fiber intake were found to have low credibility using the NutriGrade tool. Additionally, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of vegetable fiber. Larger, more comprehensive studies are required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Genome-wide introgressions were beneficial to the comprehensive mining of QTL. • The combination of CSSLs and improved k-mer genotyping showed the high efficiency for genetic effects detection. • 39 introgression segments were detected with stable favorable effects for simultaneous improvement of multiple traits in Gh. • 11 segments were comprehensive discovered for the stable simultaneous improvement of FL/FS and LP. • The plasticity of genetic effects of variations in different genetic backgrounds need to be considered in breeding. The simultaneous improvement of fiber quality and yield for cotton is strongly limited by the narrow genetic backgrounds of Gossypium hirsutum (Gh) and the negative genetic correlations among traits. An effective way to overcome the bottlenecks is to introgress the favorable alleles of Gossypium barbadense (Gb) for fiber quality into Gh with high yield. This study was to identify superior loci for the improvement of fiber quality and yield. Two sets of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) were generated by crossing Hai1 (Gb , donor-parent) with cultivar CCRI36 (Gh) and CCRI45 (Gh) as genetic backgrounds, and cultivated in 6 and 8 environments, respectively. The kmer genotyping strategy was improved and applied to the population genetic analysis of 743 genomic sequencing data. A progeny segregating population was constructed to validate genetic effects of the candidate loci. A total of 68,912 and 83,352 genome-wide introgressed kmers were identified in the CCRI36 and CCRI45 populations, respectively. Over 90 % introgressions were homologous exchanges and about 21 % were reverse insertions. In total, 291 major introgressed segments were identified with stable genetic effects, of which 66(22.98 %), 64(21.99 %), 35(12.03 %), 31(10.65 %) and 18(6.19 %) were beneficial for the improvement of fiber length (FL), strength (FS), micronaire, lint-percentage (LP) and boll-weight, respectively. Thirty-nine introgression segments were detected with stable favorable additive effects for simultaneous improvement of 2 or more traits in Gh genetic background, including 6 could increase FL/FS and LP. The pyramiding effects of 3 pleiotropic segments (A07:C45Clu-081, D06:C45Clu-218, D02:C45Clu-193) were further validated in the segregating population. The combining of genome-wide introgressions and kmer genotyping strategy showed significant advantages in exploring genetic resources. Through the genome-wide comprehensive mining, a total of 11 clusters (segments) were discovered for the stable simultaneous improvement of FL/FS and LP, which should be paid more attention in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]