Search Results (1,868)

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a powerful approach for population-level monitoring of chemical exposure, health status, and disease transmission by analysing wastewater. Although chromatographic and molecular techniques remain the gold standard in WBE, their high cost, infrastructural demands, and limited suitability for decentralized and real-time monitoring motivate the development of complementary sensing technologies. In this context, optical (bio)sensors, particularly fluorescence-based platforms, have attracted increasing attention due to their high sensitivity, rapid response, and potential for on-site monitoring. This review discusses recent advances in fluorescent optical (bio)sensors for WBE, with a particular focus on carbon dots (CDs), including waste- and biomass-derived CDs produced via green synthesis as well as CDs obtained from commercial chemicals. The applicability of CD-based sensors to wastewater-relevant analytes is evaluated, highlighting current achievements, as well as existing limitations and challenges related to real-sample validation and the translation of these platforms into robust, field-deployable systems for their implementation in sustainable wastewater monitoring and public health surveillance. Full article

The bio-colonization of building materials by green algae is a widespread problem. To prevent this, it is advisable to use natural substances to avoid environmental damage. This study examined the effectiveness of four essential oils (cinnamon, thyme, oregano and hop) and four oil-based substances (trans-cinnamaldehyde, thymol, carvacrol and β-caryophyllene) in preventing bio-colonization. The effectiveness of these chemicals against three algal species (Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella mirabilis and Stichococcus sp.) and a mixture of these species was tested. The tests were carried out under laboratory conditions over a period of 14 days. The concentrations tested were in the range of 3–200 mg/L. Growth densities were assessed spectrometrically as absorbencies at a wavelength of 750 nm. Caryophyllene, thymol, oregano oil, and hop oil did not negatively affect the growth of algal biomass. The algicidal effect increased in the following order for the other chemicals: cinnamon oil and trans-cinnamon aldehyde < thyme oil and carvacrol. Their biocidal effect was influenced by their structure, particularly their molecular weight and solubility in fat (log K_ow). H. pluvialis was a less sensitive species than the smaller S. sp and Ch. mirabilis. The artificial biofilm was sensitive to thyme oil and carvacrol, similarly to natural biofilms, as was demonstrated in previously published studies. Full article

Rising industrial demand for carbon monoxide (CO) motivates the development of sustainable pathways for its production. Composting has recently emerged as a potential biogenic CO source, yet the role of biowaste moisture in CO production has remained unquantified. In this study, the moisture dependence of CO generation during composting was assessed to address this knowledge gap. Laboratory-scale biowaste composting was conducted under mesophilic conditions (45 °C) with passive aeration for the initial 14-day phase, using three initial moisture levels: 31.6% (variant M100), 21.6% (M90), and 12.6% (M80), and periodic H₂O addition in M100 and M90. Monitoring of CO, CO₂, and O₂ concentrations, complemented by scanning electron microscopy of composts, revealed a non-monotonic moisture effect on CO formation. The intermediate-moisture treatment (M90; ~41–50%) was associated with the highest CO production, reaching a maximum of 681 ppm and 18.2 mg CO∙kg wet mass⁻¹, whereas high moisture (M100; ~51–64%) with lower CO levels (max. 276 ppm, 4.4 mg CO∙kg wet mass⁻¹), matrix compaction, elevated CO₂ and lower O₂ concentrations. The driest treatment produced trace CO (<20 ppm, max. 0.4 mg CO∙kg wet mass⁻¹) and retained a rigid, porous microstructure consistent with limited biodegradation. The results showed rapid but transient CO pulses after H₂O addition, implicating moisture-driven shifts in biological activity and/or abiotic formation. These findings identify an optimal moisture window for reproducible CO generation. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive multi-objective optimization of sewage wastewater treatment using bio-based coagulants, guided by the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) and its multi-objective variant (MOGWO). Experimental coagulation data, employing Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo as natural coagulants, were modeled using multivariate regression techniques, yielding high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.95) across key water quality parameters. The optimization process targeted maximal reductions in turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) through strategic manipulation of pH and coagulant dosage. The single-objective GWO achieved significant outcomes, including a 96.68% turbidity reduction at pH 5 and 50 mg/L dosage. The MOGWO algorithm identified Pareto-optimal solutions, such as a 94.2% turbidity reduction at pH 5 and 72 mg/L dosage, and a balanced BOD reduction of 52.7% at pH 7. The predictive models indicated that optimal treatment conditions could reduce chemical usage by up to 90% compared to conventional coagulants, resulting in potential cost savings of up to 30%. Moreover, the algorithms demonstrated rapid convergence, averaging 200 iterations, highlighting their computational efficiency and robustness. These findings illustrate that integrating bio-based coagulants with advanced optimization techniques can achieve high treatment efficiency while reducing chemical inputs, thus directly supporting environmental sustainability by minimizing sludge and secondary pollution. In this situation, the wastewater treatment plant will focus on resource-recovery systems with less or no waste at the end of the treatment process. This approach aligns with circular economy principles by promoting eco-friendly, cost-effective wastewater treatment solutions suitable for resource-limited settings. The study offers a forward-looking pathway for environmentally responsible wastewater management practices that significantly reduce chemical dependency and contribute to pollution mitigation efforts. Full article

As the demand for sustainable and bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived membranes grows, polysaccharides have emerged as promising candidates. In this study, we fabricated free-standing membranes from konjac glucomannan (KGM), a neutral polysaccharide, using a simple base-induced insolubilization process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the deacetylation of KGM chains promotes extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding, creating a robust and stable three-dimensional network without the need for chemical cross-linkers. The resulting KGM free-standing membranes exhibited excellent mechanical properties, characterized by high tensile strength in the dry state and remarkable flexibility when hydrated. Furthermore, the membranes demonstrated superior chemical resistance to organic solvents such as acetone and n-hexane. Transport studies showed that the membranes possess a highly dense structure with no detectable pressure-driven pure-water permeation up to 0.25 MPa. Solute permeation experiments using eight model molecules (molecular weight = 144–14,600 Da) indicated that transport behavior is consistent with diffusion through a hydrated polymer network. The effective diffusion coefficient D_eff showed a strong correlation with molecular weight M, following the relationship D_eff ∝ M^−1.7. Furthermore, the permeation behavior remained stable across a wide pH range (2–12), and, within the investigated range of monovalent solutes, D_eff was insensitive to solute charge, indicating that mass transport is dominated by size-based diffusion rather than electrostatic interactions. These findings suggest that KGM free-standing membranes enable reliable molecular fractionation based on size-dependent diffusion within a stable, neutral matrix, offering significant potential for sustainable separation technologies and biomedical applications. Full article

Printed electronics have emerged as a versatile manufacturing platform for next-generation biosensors, enabling on-demand and low-cost fabrication of functional devices on flexible, stretchable, and unconventional substrates. One major challenge in this field lies in the sintering of printed features, as conventional high-temperature processing is incompatible with polymeric substrates and thermally sensitive biological components. Low-temperature sintering inks, typically processed below 200 °C or even at room temperature, have become a critical enabling technology for bio-integrated electronics. This review provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art and key challenges associated with low-temperature sintering inks for printed bioelectronics. We discuss inks based on metal nanoparticles, metal–organic decomposition precursors, metal oxides, chalcogenides, and hybrid material systems. The emphasis is on how ink chemistry, ligand selection, and precursor structure govern rheology, stability, and sintering behavior. In addition, key low-temperature sintering and curing strategies, including thermal, photonic, laser, plasma, microwave, and chemical sintering, are compared in terms of energy delivery, densification mechanisms, and substrate compatibility. Finally, we outline emerging directions towards low temperature and room-temperature sintering inks, and sustainable biobased ink formulations, and discuss their applications for wearable, implantable, and soft biosensing platforms. Full article

Phytoremediation is increasingly recognized as a sustainable and low-impact approach for the remediation of contaminated and marginal soils, particularly when combined with the cultivation of resilient non-food crops. Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is a multipurpose industrial oilseed crop characterized by high biomass production, strong tolerance to abiotic stresses, and a remarkable ability to accumulate and tolerate potentially toxic elements. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of castor bean in phytoremediation systems, integrating agronomic management, physiological traits, traditional and industrial uses, and sustainability perspectives. Particular attention is given to agronomic practices that enhance plant establishment and remediation efficiency on contaminated lands. Beyond its environmental role, this review highlights the long-standing traditional uses of castor oil and the growing importance of castor bean as an energy and industrial crop, supplying renewable feedstocks for biofuels, bio-based chemicals, and materials within a circular economy framework. While genetic improvement and molecular tools offer future opportunities to optimize specific traits, the current potential of castor bean relies largely on its agronomic adaptability and multifunctionality. Overall, R. communis emerges as a strategic species for integrated phytoremediation systems that couple soil restoration with renewable resource production and sustainable land management. Full article

Nanocellulose materials (CNMs), encompassing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), have emerged as a versatile and sustainable class of bio-based nanomaterials with significant promise for applications in mechanical engineering. This review systematically examines the processing of nanocellulose via mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic routes, alongside surface modification strategies that enhance performance and address scalability challenges. A principal advantage of CNMs lies in their exceptional mechanical properties, including superior strength, stiffness, and toughness, which position them as high-performance, sustainable reinforcement agents for advanced composites. Beyond mechanical reinforcement, CNMs exhibit a suite of functional properties critical for engineering design, such as thermal stability, tunable conductivity, effective gas/moisture barrier performance, and improved tribological behavior. These characteristics enable their use in diverse high-value applications, including lightweight composites, protective coatings, energy storage devices, sensors, actuators, and intelligent material systems. Furthermore, the inherent renewability, biodegradability, and recyclability of nanocellulose align closely with the principles of a circular economy and green engineering. However, the successful integration of CNMs into mainstream manufacturing requires overcoming key challenges. These include the energy intensity of certain production processes, inherent moisture sensitivity, long-term stability under operational conditions, and compatibility with established industrial techniques. Life-cycle analyses reveal important environmental trade-offs that must be navigated. Overall, nanocellulose represents a renewable, multi-functional material platform whose unique combination of mechanical performance, functional versatility, and environmental benefits is poised to drive innovation in next-generation engineering materials. Full article

Weed management, particularly in organic farming, poses a significant challenge due to high manual labor costs and the crop’s low competitive ability. Precision laser technology offers a promising non-chemical alternative. This study evaluates the field performance of a novel robotic system based on a Thulium fiber laser. The validation was conducted on commercial fields of the Westhof Bio GmbH in Friedrichsgabekoog, Germany. The Weeding Success rate of the laser weeding robot was 95% and the Detection Rate 85% for carrots for one weeding cycle. For beetroot, these values are 98% and 88%, respectively, after two weeding cycles. The field trials validate the Thulium fiber laser system as an agronomically effective and economically viable alternative for sustainable weed management. The technology demonstrates the potential to significantly reduce manual labor and reliance on herbicides in challenging crops. Full article

Distributed integrated energy systems embedding biomass combined heat and power (BCHP) have the potential to enhance energy supply reliability in rural areas and to support the low-carbon transformation. However, the sources and transmission paths of car-bon emissions remain difficult to quantify due to the multi-energy coupling and diverse conversion processes. To address these issues, this study develops a carbon flow tracking and scheduling strategy for BCHP-integrated distributed energy systems. First, a bio-chemical reaction process model for BCHP is established to enable a life cycle-based carbon emission accounting. Second, the flexible heat-to-power ratio characteristics of BCHP are considered to more accurately reflect multi-energy coupling under varying operating conditions. Third, a dual-objective optimal scheduling model is constructed by combining node carbon potential with operating costs, enabling the system to simultaneously minimize operating costs and carbon emissions. A case study of an integrated energy system in Anping County, Hebei Province, demonstrates that the proposed method reduces total carbon emissions by over 9.8%, increases renewable energy utilization by 15.2%, and lowers operating costs by 7.5%. The results reveal the carbon flow characteristics and emission reduction potential of rural distributed integrated energy systems embedding BCHP, providing methodological support and empirical evidence for refined low-carbon governance. Full article

To address the hazards posed by formaldehyde emissions from wood-based products to human health and the indoor environment, research on wood adhesives has focused on developing green and eco-friendly alternatives. However, the limited water resistance and bonding strength of bio-based or glyoxal-based adhesives have hindered their practical application. In this work, a co-condensation method was employed to prepare glyoxal-based co-condensation adhesive incorporating starch and a small amount of chitosan as synergistic reinforcing agents to enhance their cross-linking extent. Considering cost control, the starch content was varied to adjust the adhesive properties. When the molar ratio of glyoxal to urea was 2:1 and the mass ratio of starch to urea was 0.5:1, the adhesive exhibited optimal bonding strength, reaching 1.48 MPa after immersion in cold water for 24 h and 0.91 MPa after treatment in 63 °C hot water for 3 h. These values exceeded the requirements of the Chinese national standard (GB/T 9846-2015, ≥0.7 MPa). Structural analysis indicated Schiff base and aldol condensation reactions among amino groups in chitosan and urea and hydroxyl and aldehyde groups in starch and glyoxal, forming chemical covalent cross-links that contributed to improved water resistance and bonding strength of plywood samples. Furthermore, the excellent penetration ability of the adhesive could promote the formation of a uniform and dense cross-linked network under hot-pressing conditions, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the plywood. Full article

This study aims to develop and characterize novel dermatocosmetic formulations designed to hydrate the skin, improve its appearance, reduce wrinkles, and provide antioxidant, anti-ageing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with potential protection against UVA and UVB radiation. The formulations contain the following ingredients: xanthan gum (0.5%), Calendula officinalis oil (5%), Argania spinosa oil (5%), Helianthus annuus oil (5%), liposomes containing a hydroalcoholic extract of pomace from local red or white grapes (2%), an olive oil-based emulsifier (6%), vitamin E (0.5%), cetearyl alcohol (3%), propylene glycol (8%), and purified water (up to 100%). The natural ingredients used in these formulations, i.e., the red or white grape pomace extract from the aforementioned Romanian varieties, the oils of Calendula officinalis, Argania spinosa, and Helianthus annuus, xanthan gum, and the olive oil-based emulsifier (Olliva), promote the concept of ‘green cosmetics’. The use of liposomes to deliver bioactive substances from hydroalcoholic extracts allows the gradual release of active ingredients into the skin. An alternative for incorporating grape pomace extract into a cream-type matrix involves the use of liposomes. Liposomes loaded with red or white grape pomace extract were prepared using the thin-film hydration technique, followed by ultrasonication and extrusion. The obtained formulations were characterized using bio-physico-chemical analysis procedures in terms of consistency, colour, homogeneity, aroma, pH, stretch, texture, stability, and antioxidant activity/free radical scavenging capacity, as well as in vitro polyphenol release behaviour. These newly developed dermatocosmetic formulations were the subject of a patent application in Romania. Full article

Plant-based biomaterials are increasingly recognized as bio-instructive platforms capable of actively modulating immune responses rather than functioning solely as passive structural supports. In this context, the term plant-based refers to photosynthetic biomass-derived platforms, including both terrestrial plants and marine macroalgae, reflecting their shared richness in polysaccharides and secondary metabolites relevant to immune engineering and regenerative medicine. This review critically synthesizes current evidence on plant-derived polysaccharides and phytochemicals, including algal sulfated polysaccharides (fucoidan, alginate, carrageenan, and ulvan), terrestrial plant polysaccharides (e.g., Lycium barbarum and Aloe vera derivatives), polyphenols, and other secondary metabolites such as terpenoids and alkaloids, highlighting their roles as immunomodulators in biomedical contexts. Key mechanisms include macrophage polarization along an M1–M2 continuum, pattern recognition receptor engagement, redox and metabolic regulation, and crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity, with emphasis on context-dependent signaling and structural heterogeneity. Material design parameters, including molecular weight and chemical functionalization, are critical determinants of immune responses. Advanced delivery systems, such as hydrogels, nanocomposites, phytosomes, and plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), enable improved stability and spatiotemporal control. Applications in wound and musculoskeletal regeneration are discussed alongside translational challenges, including variability, reproducibility, regulatory issues, and the need for standardized characterization and immune validation. Full article

Bio-waste (i.e., peels), the by-products obtained from the processing of fruits and vegetables, represents an outstanding advance in agricultural waste valorization due to phytochemical (bioactive compounds) enrichment and the approach to a bio-circular economy and agronomic systems free of hazardous pesticides (soil remediation). These alternatives, which are environmentally friendly and sustainable, are greatly relevant to food and nutraceuticals based on bioactive compounds extracted mostly from peels. Bioactive compounds are defined as natural chemical compounds that have a positive influence on human health. They can aid in the prevention of chronic disease (cancer and degenerative, intestinal bowel and cardiovascular disease) and other types of disease. The bioactive compounds with these properties belong to the family of polyphenol compounds, which include flavonoids (i.e., flavones, flavanones, and anthocyanins), non-flavonoids (phenolic acids, stilbenes, lignin, coumarins, and tannins), and terpenes (carotenoids, lycopene, phytosterols, and monoterpenes). The extraction of these compounds from the peels of fruits and vegetables has gained increasing interest as a sustainable technology because of the use of safety solvents. Another important issue to highlight is the enormous potential of bioactive compounds, as mentioned above, in the biotechnology of these compounds, particularly in terms of the development of a delivery system targeting the site of action. Full article

CaCO₃/BiO_2−x/CdS (CCO/BO/CS) ternary composite photocatalyst was synthesized via a hydrothermal method combined with chemical precipitation, and its performance in the photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) under visible light was systematically investigated. Compared with pure BiO_2−x, CdS, and binary BiO_2−x/CdS composites, the CCO/BO/CS system exhibited significantly enhanced Cr(VI) reduction activity. Specifically, the CCO/BO/CS (0.75:1:2 wt) composite achieved a Cr(VI) reduction efficiency of 94.53% within 30 min of visible light irradiation—approximately 94.6 times and 6.1 times higher than those of BiO_2−x (1.0%) and CdS (15.52%). Photoelectrochemical and trapping experiments revealed that the enhanced performance stems from improved charge separation, accelerated interfacial electron transfer, and the promotional role of CaCO₃—likely through lattice distortion—rather than direct photocatalytic participation. This study highlights the innovation of incorporating low-cost, eco-friendly calcium carbonate into semiconductor-based photocatalysts to induce lattice distortion for enhanced charge separation, as an effective strategy for improving the reduction efficiency of Cr(VI). Full article