Search Results (369)

The adsorptive removal of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous solution, a widely used antibiotic, was investigated using activated carbon derived from cotton textile waste. The valorization of textile waste provides a sustainable strategy that not only reduces the growing accumulation of discarded textiles but also supports a circular economy by transforming waste into efficient adsorbent materials for the removal pharmaceutical contaminants. This dual environmental and economic benefit underscores the novelty and significance of using cotton-based activated carbons in wastewater treatment. In this study, cotton textile waste was utilized as a raw material for the preparation of adsorbents via pyrolysis under nitrogen at 600 °C followed by chemical modification with H₂SO₄ solutions (1, 2, and 3 M). The sulfuric-acid modified-carbons (SMCs) were characterized by BET surface area analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM imaging. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of key operational parameters including contact time, initial TC concentration and solution pH. The results showed that the material treated with 2 M H₂SO₄ displayed the highest adsorption performance, with a specific surface area of 700 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.352 m³/g. The pH has a great influence on TC adsorption; the adsorbed amount increases with the initial TC concentration from 5 to 100 mg/L and the maximum adsorption capacity (74.02 mg/g) is obtained at pH = 3.8. The adsorption behavior was best described by Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. This study demonstrates that low-cost and abundantly available material, such as cotton textile waste, can be effectively repurposed effective adsorbents for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from aqueous media. Full article

Plants play critical roles as nature-based solutions to maintaining air quality and regulating biogeochemical cycles, yet the mechanisms underlying these complex systems remain poorly understood. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a globally present atmospheric oxidant, shows well-documented diurnal variation, but no direct link to plant transpiration has previously been reported. This study aimed to determine whether plants can produce exogenous H₂O₂ through transpiration and condensation, thereby revealing a novel pathway by which plants influence proximal and potentially global atmospheric chemistry. To investigate this, we examined a natural plant system undergoing photosynthesis and transpiration; our work was inspired by recent laboratory findings where spontaneous H₂O₂ was generated during the condensation of water vapour into microdroplets in engineered systems. Condensed water collected near leaf surfaces revealed H₂O₂ concentrations of 1–5 ppm, verified using both commercial peroxide test strips and spectrophotometric titration. Importantly, H₂O₂ production occurred only under light conditions when plants were transpiring, while controls without plants or without light showed no detectable levels. A strong distance-dependence was also observed, with minimal to no H₂O₂ detected beyond 40 cm from leaves. These findings suggest that plant-driven formation of water vapour and subsequent condensation produces measurable H₂O₂, establishing a previously unrecognized mechanism with implications for air quality improvement, atmospheric oxidation processes, and climate change modelling and mitigation. Full article

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers results in environmental issues, including loss of soil fertility, eutrophication, increased soil acidity, alterations in soil characteristics, and disrupted plant–microbe symbiosis. Here, we synthesize recent studies available from up to 2025, focusing on engineered biochar and its application in addressing issues of soil nutrient imbalance, soil pollution from inorganic and organic pollutants, soil acidification, salinity, and greenhouse gas emissions from fields. Application of engineered biochar enhanced the removal of Cr (VI), Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Eu³⁺ by 85%, 73%, 57.2%, 12.7%, 99.3%, and 99.2%, respectively, while Cu²⁺ and V⁵⁺ removal increased by 4 and 39.9 times. Adsorption capacities for Sb⁵⁺, Tl⁺, and F⁻ were 237.53, 1123, and 83.05 mg g⁻¹, respectively, and the optimal proportion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal was 57%. Herbicides such as imazapyr were reduced by 23% and 78%. Low-temperature pyrolyzed biochar showed high cation exchange capacity (CEC) resulting from improved surface functional groups. Although biochar application led to a yield increase of 43.3%, the biochar–compost mix enhanced it by 155%. The analysis demonstrates the need for future studies on the cost-effectiveness of biochar post-processing, large-scale biochar aging studies, re-application impact, and studies on biochar–compost or biochar–fertilizer mix productivity. Full article

(1) Background: Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are common among peri- and postmenopausal women, partly due to hormonal changes that disrupt the vaginal microbiota. A reduction in Lactobacillus dominance is associated with increased risk of rUTI. Although antibiotics remain the standard of care, their use contributes to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Probiotics may offer a non-antibiotic alternative; however, clinical evidence remains limited. (2) Methods: The VaMirUTI study is a prospective, monocentric, non-randomized cohort investigating the combined effect of oral probiotics and vaginal estriol on vaginal and urinary microbiota in peri- and postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs. The primary endpoints are (i) change in Lactobacillus dominance at 3 months and (ii) UTI recurrence at 12 months. A total of 100 women (70 rUTI, 30 controls) will be followed for up to 12 months. Vaginal swabs and urine samples will be collected at baseline, during UTI episodes, and at study completion. Vaginal microbiota composition will be analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. (3) Results: This protocol outlines the study design and methodology. The primary outcome is the change in vaginal Lactobacillus dominance following the intervention. Secondary outcomes include UTI recurrence rates and the identification of microbiota signatures associated with rUTI. (4) Conclusions: The VaMirUTI study will clarify the relationship between vaginal microbiota, oral probiotic supplementation, and rUTI in menopausal women, potentially informing future non-antibiotic preventive strategies. Full article

Anaerobic codigestion of organic residues is a proven strategy for enhancing methane recovery. However, the complexity of microbial interactions and variability in operational conditions make it difficult to estimate methane concentration in real time, particularly in rural contexts. This study developed a multiple linear regression model to predict methane concentration using operational data and microbial community profiles derived from 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The system involved the codigestion of cassava by-product and pig manure in a two-phase anaerobic reactor. Predictor variables were selected through a hybrid approach combining statistical correlation with microbial functional relevance. The final model, trained on 70% of the dataset, demonstrated satisfactory generalization capability on the other 30 test set, achieving a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.92 and a mean relative error (MRE) of 6.50%. Requiring only a limited set of inputs and minimal computational resources, the model offers a practical and accessible solution for estimating methane levels in decentralized systems. The integration of microbial community data represents a meaningful innovation, improving prediction by capturing biological variation not reflected in operational parameters alone. This approach can support local decision making and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 7 by promoting reliable and affordable technologies for clean energy generation in rural and resource-constrained settings. Full article

Anaerobic digestion of manures, crop residues, food waste, and sludge frequently yields biogas with elevated hydrogen sulfide concentrations, which accelerate corrosion and reduce biogas quality. Microaeration, defined as the controlled addition of oxygen at 1 to 5% of the biogas production rate, has been investigated as a low-cost desulfurization strategy. This review synthesizes studies from 2015 to 2025 spanning laboratory, pilot, and full-scale anaerobic digester systems. Continuous sludge digesters supplied with ambient air at 0.28–14 m³ h⁻¹ routinely achieved 90 to 99% H₂S removal, while a full-scale dairy manure system reported a 68% reduction at 20 m³ air d⁻¹. Pure oxygen dosing at 0.2–0.25 m³ O₂ (standard conditions) per m³ reactor volume resulted in greater than 99% removal. Reported methane yield improvements ranged from 5 to 20%, depending on substrate characteristics, operating temperature, and aeration control. Excessive oxygen, however, reduced methane yields in some cases by inhibiting methanogens or diverting carbon to CO₂. Documented benefits of microaeration include accelerated hydrolysis of lignocellulosic substrates, mitigation of sulfide inhibition, and stimulation of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria that convert sulfide to elemental sulfur or sulfate. Optimal redox conditions were generally maintained between −300 and −150 mV, though monitoring was limited by low-resolution oxygen sensors. Recent extensions of the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1), a mathematical framework developed by the International Water Association, incorporate oxygen transfer and sulfur pathways, enhancing its ability to predict gas quality and process stability under microaeration. Economic analyses estimate microaeration costs at 0.0015–0.0045 USD m⁻³ biogas, substantially lower than chemical scrubbing. Future research should focus on refining oxygen transfer models, quantifying microbial shifts under long-term operation, assessing effects on digestate quality and nitrogen emissions, and developing adaptive control strategies that enable reliable application across diverse substrates and reactor configurations. Full article

Model-based approaches provide increasingly advanced opportunities for optimizing and accelerating bioprocess development. However, to accurately capture the complexity of biotechnological processes, continuous refinement of suitable models remains essential. A crucial gap in this field has been the lack of suitable model for describing Escherichia coli growth in cultivation media containing yeast extract, while accounting for key bioprocess parameters such as biomass, substrate, acetate, and oxygen. To address this, a published mechanistic macro-kinetic model for E. coli was extended with a set of mathematical equations that describe key aspects of the uptake of yeast extract. The underlying macro-kinetic approach is based on the utilization of amino acids in E. coli, where growth is primarily influenced by two distinct classes of amino acids. Using fed-batch cultivation data from an E. coli K-12 strain supplemented with yeast extract, it was demonstrated that the proposed model extensions were essential for accurately representing the bioprocess. This approach was further validated through fitting the model on cultivation data from five different yeast extracts sourced from various manufacturers. Additionally, the model enabled reliable predictions of growth dynamics across a range of yeast extract concentrations up to 20 g L⁻¹. Further differentiation of the data into batch and fed-batch revealed that for less complex datasets, such as those obtained from a batch phase, a simplified model can be sufficient. Due to its modular structure, the developed model provides the necessary flexibility to serve as a tool for the development, optimization, and control of E. coli cultivations with and without yeast extract. Full article

Graesiella emersonii, an aeroterrestrial green microalga, exhibits high adaptability to extreme environmental conditions, making it of interest for biotechnological applications. Investigating photosynthetic performance is essential to select high-yield strains and optimize the sustainable production of biomass and bio-products. In this study, two strains (053 and 054) were cultured under atmospheric (0.04%) and elevated (2%) CO₂ conditions to analyze growth, pigment content, and photosynthesis. Strain 053 showed superior photosynthetic performance and productivity under atmospheric conditions, whereas 2% CO₂ enhanced growth in both strains, with a significant increase in photosynthetic efficiency in strain 054. The observed differences highlight strain-specific adaptations to CO₂ availability and suggest the potential of each strain depending on the cultivation environment. Full article

Rapid industrialization, along with the development of textile and other associated industries, has led to the discharge of dyes, heavy metals, and other carcinogenic and environmentally harmful substances into water bodies. The volume of wastewater containing dyes is increasing day by day. Raised levels of dyes, along with other contaminants, in wastewater are becoming a global concern, as these affect human health as well as aquatic flora and fauna. Bioremediation is one of the effective, sustainable, eco-friendly and cost-effective approaches for the treatment of wastewater containing dyes. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of bioremediation techniques used for the removal of dyes from textile wastewater. The usage of various strains, e.g., bacteria, algae, yeast, enzymes, fungi, etc., is discussed in detail. Bioremediation of dyes using bioreactors and microbial fuel cells is also explored in this study. Full article

This review of thiazolidinedione or glitazone, which have a five-membered heterocyclic ring C₃NS, shows their versatile properties in terms of pharmacological actions such as antimicrobial, antifungal, insecticidal, pesticidal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-neurotoxicity, anticonvulsant, anti-thyroidal, and anti-tubercular uses. While having a wide range of biological activities, the TZDs mainly act via binding to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) members. PPAR-γ are ligand-activated transcription factors, which are members of the nuclear hormone receptors group. Activations of PPAR-γ regulate cell proliferation and differentiation, glucose homeostasis, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory responses. This review explores the synthesis of a thiazolidinedione and its derivatives, focusing on their pharmacological profiles and antidiabetic activity. It highlights the benefits of synthesis, reaction profiles, and catalyst recovery, which may encourage further investigation into these scaffolds by researchers. Based on synthesized derivatives, some glimpses of the structure–activity relationships of some compounds have been compiled. All the synthesized derivatives have been reviewed concerning their standard drugs already available and concluded with the highly or moderately active synthesized derivatives of thiazolidinedione. The data for this review was collected by an extensive review of current scientific literature, including on the synthesis, biological evaluation, SAR, and patents (2015–25). Full article

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play a crucial role in various biological processes, including tissue development, metabolic regulation, and injury repair. Previous studies have shown that certain peptides can exhibit similar biological functions to FGFs, whether they are fragments extracted from natural FGF molecules or derived peptides designed based on the structural characteristics of FGFs and their receptor molecules. These FGF-derived peptides have shown significant application potential in fields including tissue repair and regeneration, cancer therapy, metabolic regulation, neural recovery, and biological delivery. This article reviews the sources, bioactive functions, molecular mechanisms, and application prospects of FGF-derived peptides, aiming to provide new research ideas for subsequent structural optimization, drug delivery system development, and clinical translation of these peptides. Full article

The biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer is highly dependent on the activity of a key enzyme, PHA synthase (PhaC). The halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei can accumulate large amounts of PHAs from different carbon sources under non-sterilized conditions. In this study, a PhaC enzyme from H. mediterranei was produced and subsequently partially purified by ion exchange chromatography. The protein was visualized by SDS-PAGE, with a subunit molecular mass of 56.4 kDa. The purified enzyme converts hydroxybutyryl CoA molecules into PHA, being optimally active at pH 10.0 and pH 8.0. The PhaC was thermoactive in the range of 30 °C to 70 °C, with maximum activity registered at 50 °C. The enzyme was confirmed to be haloalkaliphilic (active at pH > 7.0 and high salt concentration) and exhibit a degree of stability at 25 °C for 24 h. Full article

Cocultivation of microalgae and aerobic methanotrophs represents an emerging biotechnology platform to produce high-protein biomass, yet quantifying individual species in mixed cultures remains challenging. Here, we present a rapid, low-cost method—differential sedimentation, optical density, and fluorescence (DSOF)—to determine the abundance of coculture members. DSOF exploits differences in cell size and pigment autofluorescence between the thermoacidophilic microalga and methanotrophic species Galdieria sp. RTK37.1 and Methylacidiphilum sp. RTK17.1, respectively, to selectively sediment algal cells and estimate population contributions via OD₆₀₀ and phycocyanin fluorescence. Evaluation with model suspensions across a wide cell density range (0 ≤ [Galdieria]: ≤ 3.23 A.U., and 0 ≤ [Methylacidiphilum] ≤ 1.54 A.U.) showed strong agreement with known values, with most absolute errors < 0.1 A.U. and relative errors < 10% at moderate biomass levels. Application to live batch cocultures under microalga or methanotroph growth-suppressed conditions, and during simultaneous growth, demonstrated accurate tracking of population dynamics and revealed enhanced methanotroph growth in the presence of oxygenic microalgae. While DSOF accuracy decreases at very concentrated biomass (>2.0 A.U. for Galdieria) or under nitrogen-limiting conditions, the model provides a practical, scalable alternative to more complex, invasive or expensive techniques, enabling near real-time monitoring of microalgae–methanotroph cocultures. Full article

High-aspect-ratio rod-shaped chitins such as chitin whiskers or chitin nano- and microfibers are particularly promising for a wide range of applications, including electrorheological suspensions, lightweight reinforcement material for biocomposites, biomedical scaffolds, and food packaging. Here, we report the first mild water-based mechanical extraction protocol to isolate β-chitin microrods from the marine algal species Thalassiosira rotula while preserving their structural integrity throughout the process. The resulting microrods could be distributed into two populations based on the fultoportulae from which they are extruded. The rods exhibit typical dimensions of 12.6 ± 4.0 µm in length and 75 ± 21 nm in diameter (outer fultoportulae) or 17.5 ± 4.7 µm in length and 170 ± 39 nm in diameter (central fultoportulae), yielding high aspect ratios of ~168 and ~103 on average, respectively. Due to this environmentally friendly extraction, the high purity of the synthesized chitin, and the renewable algal source, this work introduces a sustainable route to produce pure biogenic β-chitin microrods. Full article

New technologies and equipment for medicine analysis and diagnostics have always been critical in clinical medication and pharmaceutical production. Especially in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where the chemical composition is not fully clear, cross-device analysis and identification using the same technology can sometimes even lead to misjudgments. Akebia species, capable of inducing heat clearing, diuresis, and anti-inflammatory effects, show great potential in clinical applications. However, the three commonly used species differ in pharmacological effects and therefore should not be used interchangeably. We proposed a method combining LIBS with random forest for species identification and established a modeling and verification scheme across device platforms. Spectra of three Akebia species were collected using two LIBS systems equipped with spectrometers of different resolutions. The data acquired from the low-resolution spectrometer were used for model training, while the data from the high-resolution spectrometers were used for testing. A spectral correction and feature selection (SCFS) method was proposed, in which spectral data were first corrected using a standard lamp, followed by feature selection via analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the optimal number of discriminative features. The highest classification accuracy of 80.61% was achieved when 28 features were used. Finally, a post-processing (PP) strategy was applied, where abnormal spectra in the test set were removed using density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN), resulting in a final classification accuracy of 85.50%. These results demonstrate that the proposed “SCFS-PP” framework effectively enhances the reliability of cross-instrument data utilization and expands the applicability of LIBS in the field of TCM. Full article