Search Results (7,259)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of using exhaust gases as a CO₂ source in the cultivation of Tetraselmis subcordiformis microalgae for biomass and hydrogen production. It was shown that the growth rate of T. subcordiformis biomass and its biochemical composition depended on the CO₂ source. The highest growth rate of 286 ± 15 mgVS/L-d and a final biomass concentration of 2710 ± 180 mgVS/L were achieved in the variant where exhaust gases from a coal and biomass supplementary combustion plant were the CO₂ source (V2). The highest CO₂ reduction efficiency of 90.3 ± 3.2% was achieved in the case where waste gases from biogas combustion were the CO₂ source (V1). In V2, the highest CO₂ utilization efficiency was achieved (CO₂UE = 46.7 ± 2.4%). Analyzing the biomass composition confirmed differences in total carbon content (TC) and polysaccharide fraction. The highest H₂ production efficiency and rate, which were 70.9 ± 2.7 mL/gVS and 2.27 ± 0.08 mL/gVS·h, respectively, were obtained in V2. The results obtained indicate the possibility of integrating fuel combustion processes with the cultivation of T. subcordiformis and photobiological H₂ production, which is a promising solution in the context of climate neutrality and the implementation of circular economy postulates. This approach demonstrates a sustainable strategy for linking industrial CO₂ emissions with the production of renewable biohydrogen and thus contributes to climate protection and the promotion of circular economy concepts. Full article

Grifola frondosa is a valuable medicinal and edible mushroom whose industrial cultivation and developmental mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically investigated the optimal cultivation parameters and molecular basis of fruiting body development using the white strain Gr0001+3 through integrated physiological and transcriptomic approaches. The results showed that the optimal liquid medium composition was glucose (28.5 g/L), yeast extract (11.5 g/L), and MgSO₄ (2 g/L), with a C/N ratio of 10:1. This composition achieved a mycelial biomass of 2.333 g/L via an orthogonal design. Ideal culture conditions were 100 mL/250 mL liquid volume, 10% inoculum size, and pH 4.0 in single-factor experiments. The fruiting body developmental transcriptomes were analyzed in four stages: early primordia (EP), middle primordia (MP), late primordia (LP), and mature fruiting body (FB). Principal component analysis revealed distinct transcriptional profiles, with greater similarities among later developmental stages. Differential gene expression peaked during the LP vs. FB transition. Functional enrichment (GO/KEGG) showed conserved biological processes in the MP-LP-FB transitions. Heat shock proteins (hsp_78/hsp_82) and the cAMP signaling pathway component (PKAC) were involved in fruiting body development, based on RT-qPCR. This work establishes practical cultivation parameters and offers fundamental insights into the molecular regulation of G. frondosa development, providing a comprehensive foundation for advancing the industrial production of this mushroom. Full article

Invasive non-native plant species are of ecological concern globally, as they may negatively affect biodiversity, the economy, and human health. At the same time, invasive non-native plants comprise an underutilised biomass that contains valuable natural bioactive compounds, which could find various biomedical applications and potential medicinal uses. In this paper, we aimed to systematically review the published data surrounding four selected invasive non-native plant species in a medical and therapeutic context. The search was conducted using PubMed and PRISMA guidelines, and strict criteria were employed to provide a thorough framework for the study selection process. After rigorous screening of the 53 selected articles, we were able to summarise the main findings and current knowledge regarding the valorisation opportunities for the selected plants in a medical context and to identify research gaps and highlight further research opportunities. Finally, we concluded that the selected invasive non-native plant species may provide valuable services in the biomedical field if the focus of future research is concentrated on their potential applicability in clinical settings. Furthermore, the valorisation of invasive non-native plant species may prove to be a viable strategy for controlling their spread. Full article

Plant cell wall-derived oligosaccharides, such as xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), serve as key signaling molecules regulating plant growth and immunity. The bioactivity of XOS is closely tied to their degree of polymerization (DP), yet the molecular mechanisms underlying DP-specific effects remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the transcriptional and phenotypic responses of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to foliar application of four high-purity XOS variants: xylobiose (XOSY, DP2), xylotriose (XOSB, DP3), xylotetraose (XOSD, DP4), and xylopentose (XOSW, DP5). Phenotypic analyses revealed that high-DP XOS (XOSD and XOSW) significantly enhanced aboveground biomass and root system development, with XOSD showing the most pronounced effects, including a 31.74% increase in leaf area and a 20.71% increase in aboveground biomass. Transcriptomic profiling identified extensive transcriptional reprogramming across treatments, with XOSD eliciting the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analyses indicated that XOSD and XOSW upregulated genes involved in plant hormone signaling, starch and sucrose metabolism, and cell wall biosynthesis, while downregulating photosynthesis-related genes. Notably, MapMan and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that XOSD significantly activated biotic stress-related pathways, including MAPK signaling, β-1,3-glucanase activity, and PR protein pathways. In contrast, XOSY treatment primarily upregulated genes linked to basal immunity, highlighting distinct mechanisms employed by low- and high-DP XOS. These findings demonstrate that XOS with varying DP differentially modulate growth- and immunity-related processes in lettuce. High-DP XOS, particularly XOSD, not only promote plant biomass accumulation but also enhance immune responses, highlighting their potential as biostimulants for sustainable agriculture. This study provides a molecular framework for understanding the DP-specific bioactivity of XOS and their dual role in optimizing plant growth and defense. Full article

Industrial hemp is an abundant agricultural residue with potential for sustainable fuel production. In this work, stalks of two hemp cultivars (Futura-75 and Fedora-17), considered either before or after fibre extraction (with and without fibre sheath), were processed by hydrothermal upgrading (HTU) to obtain bio-oil. A total of twelve autoclave reactions were conducted using 10 g of biomass and 2–4 g of potassium carbonate as a catalyst. The resulting bio-oils exhibited significantly reduced oxygen content (26–36%) compared to the raw feedstock (47%) and achieved higher heating values of 25.9–32.1 MJ/kg versus 17.7–17.9 MJ/kg for the untreated biomass. Fractionation analysis revealed that the main products were high-boiling (>360 °C) and diesel-range fractions, while overall yields ranged from 21.3% to 32.8%. The highest yield was obtained from Fedora-17 with the fibre sheath and 2 g of catalyst. Overall, the study highlights the potential of hemp waste as a renewable feedstock for liquid fuel production and demonstrates how fibre content and cultivar type influence both yield and product quality. Full article

Biomass gasification, a thermochemical conversion process that turns organic feedstocks like wood, agricultural residues, and solid waste into a combustible gas known as synthesis gas (syngas), is the focus of this study. In this study, Aspen Plus^® as a process simulation platform to optimize key operational parameters for the gasification of sugarcane bagasse was employed. The results are promising, with an equivalence ratio (ER) of 0.25 and a carbon conversion efficiency (XC) of 62.44% achieved, indicating the potential for the produced syngas to be compatible with injection into natural gas distribution networks. The lower heating value (LHV) of the syngas was determined to be 3.93 MJ·kg⁻¹, with an overall gasification efficiency of 49.85%. The simulation results showed strong agreement with experimental data, validating the modeling approach as a reliable predictive tool for biomass gasification systems and reducing unnecessary resource consumption. This validation instills trust and confidence in the reliability of our findings. Full article

With the rapid industrialization, excessive reliance on fossil fuels has resulted in energy crises and environmental pollution, driving the search for sustainable alternatives. Biomass-derived resources have emerged as promising candidates to replace fossil-based feedstocks. Among these, furfural (FF) serves as a key platform molecule that can be catalytically hydrogenated to various high-value chemicals, with furfuryl alcohol (FA) representing one of the most valuable products. Currently, Cr-based catalysts remain predominant for the selective hydrogenation of FF to FA. However, the severe environmental toxicity of Cr necessitates urgent development of alternative Cr-free catalytic systems. This study systematically reviews recent advances in FF hydrogenation to FA, providing an in-depth discussion of reaction mechanisms, including adsorption configurations, solvent effects, and side reactions, as well as a comprehensive analysis of structure–activity relationships, involving active metal, support, promoter, and preparation methods. Furthermore, we evaluate the application of the advanced characterization techniques for monitoring the reaction processes. Finally, we propose the future research directions: (1) designing efficient and stable non-noble metal catalysts and (2) elucidating reaction mechanisms via the combined in situ characterization and theoretical calculations. These efforts would facilitate the academic understanding and industrial implementation of the FF-to-FA conversion process. Full article

Substituting chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives represents an effective strategy for mitigating soil nitrogen (N) loss and reducing chemical fertilizer use. However, the efficacy of organic substitution in regulating soil N fertility and rice growth requires further investigation, and mechanistic studies elucidating how organic fertilizers affect soil N transformation processes and availability are still deficient. To address this, we conducted a three-year field experiment from 2021 to 2023, comparing three rice fertilization regimes: (1) chemical fertilizer as the control (CK), (2) substitution with organic fertilizer (OF), and (3) substitution with biochar-based organic fertilizer (BF). Both organic substitution treatments were applied as basal fertilizer, and the rice plants received equivalent topdressing applications. The soil N availability, gross and net N transformation rates, and soil microbial activity were analyzed, and the rice growth index and yield were determined. The results showed that organic substitution (OF and BF) significantly increased the soil total carbon content, stimulated microbial biomass growth and enhanced enzymatic activity associated with soil C and N cycling. However, the limited N input from organic substitution significantly decreased the soil gross N mineralization rate by 28.30% (OF) and 58.14% (BF), compared to chemical fertilization (CK). It also reduced the gross N nitrification rate by 38.30% (OF) and 36.17% (BF). These suppressed N transformation processes ultimately led to 11.97% (OF) and 14.72% (BF) lower soil mineral N contents. The soil N deficiency during critical early vegetative growth stages substantially constrained rice development, resulting in significant yield reductions in the OF and BF treatments compared to chemical fertilization (CK). These results indicate that complete organic substitution compromises rice yields due to insufficient N availability; therefore, we recommend integrated organic–mineral fertilization as an optimal strategy to achieve both crop productivity and environmental benefits. Full article

Grass–legume mixtures are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance soil health and forage productivity through belowground biotic interactions. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Vicia faba L. (faba bean 4060)–Avena sativa L. (oat ‘Baylor II’) mixtures on biomass, soil properties, and bacterial community dynamics. Results showed that mixtures significantly reduced the fresh weight of faba bean (6.2 kg/m²) compared to monoculture (8.8 kg/m², p < 0.001), while oat biomass increased under mixtures (3.2 kg m⁻² vs. 2.8 kg m⁻², p < 0.01). Available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) significantly decreased in the rhizosphere of both mixtures, whereas alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) significantly increased, particularly in oat. Mixtures significantly enhanced bacterial richness, evenness, and Shannon diversity in faba bean (p < 0.01) but had no significant effect on oat diversity metrics. NMDS indicated distinct shifts in bacterial community structures under mixtures. Acidobacteriota and Vicinamibacteraceae were enriched in faba bean mixtures, whereas Actinobacteriota decreased in both forages under mixtures. Source Tracker analysis suggested substantial microbial exchange between species, with over 40% of the bacterial community in mixed roots originating from the partner monoculture. Although microbial community stability tended to decline under mixtures, differences were not significant. Niche breadth was significantly expanded in faba bean mixtures. Community assembly processes remained predominantly stochastic; however, mixtures slightly shifted the balance toward deterministic processes. Structural equation model revealed that soil physicochemical properties had a significant negative effect on diversity (β = −0.371, p = 0.007), and diversity had a significant negative effect on freshweight (β = −0.770, p < 0.001), suggesting that bacterial diversity may play a mediating role in the relationship between soil properties and plant fresh weight (β = 0.285, p = 0.011). These findings demonstrate that mixture-induced changes in soil nutrient status and microbial community characteristics collaboratively mediate plant performance through altered community assembly and diversity–function relationships. Full article

Wheat bran (WB) is a very abundant residual biomass, resulting from wheat processing. Although it can be used as feed without further processing, the utilization of WB as a bioresource of high valued-added chemicals would require task-specific treatments. In this context, the present work aimed to used two newly reported deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the effective organosolv treatment of WB to achieve a high-performance polyphenol recovery. One of the DESs used was alkaline, composed of glycerol and sodium carbonate (GL-SCar), and the other one was acidic, composed of glycerol and oxalic acid (GL-OA), and the treatments carried out were evaluated based on severity. Further optimization with a response surface methodology showed that treatment with GL-SCar could afford a maximum total polyphenol yield of 24.30 ± 2.34 mg ferulic acid equivalents per g of dry WB mass, the optimal settings being t = 172 min and T = 90 °C. Likewise, the GL-OA treatment yielded 23.21 ± 3.82 mg ferulic acid equivalents per g of dry WB mass, with the corresponding optimal conditions being t = 180 min and T = 90 °C. The examination of the polyphenolic profile of the extracts obtained revealed important differences in the composition, as the extract obtained with GL-SCar treatment was dominated by ferulic acid, whereas the extract produced with GL-OA treatment was enriched in a ferulate derivative, previously identified as a ferulate pentose ester. However, both treatments were shown to liberate only part of the bound phenolics, as judged by comparison with a reference alkaline hydrolysis. The difference in composition most probably defined the antioxidant effects of the extracts, with the GL-OA extract displaying more powerful antiradical and ferric-reducing power activity, despite the significantly lower polyphenolic concentration. The evidence that emerged from this investigation pointed to both DESs as solvents with high potency in polyphenol recovery from WB, yet further improvements are required to maximize yield. Moreover, it was shown that, due to their different nature (alkaline/acidic), both DESs could be suitably tuned for delivering extracts enriched in different phytochemicals. Full article

This study investigates the combustion characteristics and ash behavior of coal–biomass co-combustion using Zhujixi coal and corn straw in a fixed-bed system. The research analyzes combustion stage division, gas release patterns, and mineral evolution of ash under varying blending ratios. Results indicate that biomass addition modifies the dynamic features of the combustion process by advancing the CO₂ release peak; extending the release of CO, CH₄, and H₂; and enhancing the completeness of char oxidation. At moderate blending levels (20–60%), oxygen utilization is significantly improved and combustion stability is strengthened. Ash fusion temperatures exhibit a consistent decline with increasing biomass proportion due to the formation of low-melting eutectic phases such as KAlSiO₄ and K, Ca-based phosphates. Mineralogical analysis further reveals that coal ash components promote the immobilization of alkali metals, thereby suppressing potassium volatilization. A blending ratio of 40% demonstrates the most favorable balance between burnout performance, oxygen efficiency, and alkali fixation, surpassing both pure coal and high-ratio biomass conditions. This optimized ratio not only improves energy conversion efficiency but also reduces slagging and corrosion risks, offering practical guidance for cleaner coal power transformation, stable boiler operation, and long-term reduction of carbon and pollutant emissions. Full article

Lubricating oil plays a critical role in protecting mechanical systems. Driven by sustainable development strategies, the development of high-performance, biocompatible green lubricants has become an urgent industry need. Biomass resources, characterized by wide distribution, renewability, and environmental friendliness, represent ideal raw materials for replacing petrochemical-based lubricants. In this study, renewable Xanthoceras sorbifolia oil was utilized as the feedstock. Branched modification was achieved via ring-opening esterification using 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) as the modifier and tetrafluoroboric acid (HBF₄) as the catalyst. This epoxidation-branching modification process was synergistically combined with Nano-C₁₄MA/MMT treatment. This approach significantly reduced high-temperature kinematic viscosity loss while maintaining excellent low-temperature flow properties, resulting in an Xanthoceras sorbifolia oil-based lubricant with outstanding viscosity–temperature performance and low-temperature fluidity. At a Nano-C₁₄MA/MMT mass ratio of 0.3 wt% of the base oil, the lubricant demonstrated superior wide-temperature performance: KV₄₀ = 424.1 mm²/s, KV₁₀₀ = 50.8 mm²/s, VI = 180.8. The SP was reduced to −43 °C, exceeding the performance requirements of V-class environmentally friendly lubricants (e.g., synthetic ester oils). Furthermore, the coefficient of friction (COF) was 0.011 and the anti-wear scar diameter (AWSD) was 0.44 mm, indicating lubrication performance significantly superior to SN-class lubricants (specifications: COF < 0.12, AWSD < 0.50 mm). Full article

Herein, biobased 1:1 lignin/polylactic acid (PLA) blends are electrospun into micro- and nanofiber mats. Lignin samples originating from softwood, hardwood, and switchgrass biomass, extracted through the Kraft, Alcell, and CELF processes, respectively, and processed into soluble and insoluble fractions, are used. Functional properties of the mats varied with lignin biomass origin, isolation method, and fraction. Mat attributes are demonstrated through analysis of spinnability, thermal and mechanical behavior, chemical structure, morphology, hydrophobicity, and antioxidant activity. Samples spun with hardwood Alcell lignin fractions were brittle and rigid with the highest Young’s modulus, lowest elongation at break, and hydrophobic contact angle > 100°. Switchgrass CELF lignin (SGL)/PLA mats showed the highest tensile strength, a low Young’s modulus, and high elongation at break, as well as good spinnability with the smallest fiber diameter from all samples. Kraft lignin/PLA demonstrated similar mechanical properties to SGL/PLA, as well as the highest antioxidant activity, measurable within 5 min. Therefore, while they did not dictate spinnability, the lignin biomass origin and pretreatment method were shown to have a significant impact on fiber properties, while the use of lignin fractions was shown to tailor functional properties of fibers for specific end use, such as in flexible, hydrophobic, or antioxidant product applications. Full article

This review examines recent advances in the extraction of valuable compounds from seaweed biomass, focusing on practical feasibility and environmental sustainability. There is a growing importance of seaweed biomass in terms of the study and acknowledgment of its untapped biotechnological potential (multiple compounds and biological activities) and in terms of economic impact. Conventional extraction techniques largely fail to address this challenge, even if optimized. This has led to the development and testing of innovative technologies as solutions for a ‘green’ and effective extraction of components from seaweed biomass and to biorefinery processes. There are large differences in outcomes between alternative processes, depending on the matrix, operational parameters, and targeted compounds and activities. Despite the positive results of some techniques, such as those based on physical mechanisms, namely Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), and on enzymatic selectivity, i.e., Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE), there is no universally effective technique and approach, thus justifying integrated approaches combining different techniques. The application of ‘green’ solvents was also assessed and proven to harbor a large potential, just as the wet route. Although technical difficulties, outcome variability, and economic viability problems are relevant, recent progress in seaweed processing paves the way for a future blue economy. Full article

The acquisition of plant ecological indicators, such as leaf area index and leaf area density values, typically relies on labor-intensive field sampling and measurements, which are often time-consuming and hinder large-scale application. As different plant ecological indicators are closely related to plants’ geometric characteristics, the development of dynamic correlation and prediction methods for relevant indicators has become an important research topic. However, existing 3D plant models are mainly used for visualization purposes, which cannot accurately reflect the plant’s growth process or geometric characteristics. This study presents a workflow for parametric 3D plant modeling and ecological indicator analysis, integrating dynamic plant modeling, indicator calculation, and microclimate simulation. With the established plant model, a method for calculating and analyzing ecological indicators, including the leaf area index, leaf area density, aboveground biomass, and aboveground carbon storage, was then proposed. A method for exporting the model-generated data into ENVI-met v.5.0 to simulate the microclimate environment was also established. Then, by taking Daijia Lake Park as an example, this study utilized site planting construction drawings and field survey data to perform parametric modeling of 21,685 on-site trees from 65 species at three different growth stages using Blender v.4.0 and The Grove plugin v.10. The generated plant model’s accuracy was then verified using the 3D IoU ratio between the models and on-site scanned point cloud data. Plant ecological indicators at various stages were then extracted and exported to ENVI-met for microclimate analysis. The workflow integrates the simulation of plant growth dynamics and their interactions with environmental factors. It can also be used for scenario-based predictions in planting design and serves as a basis for urban green space monitoring and management. Full article