Search Results (67)

In light of pressing global nutritional needs, the valorization of agri-food waste constitutes a vital strategy for enhancing human health and nutrition, while simultaneously supporting planetary health. This integrated approach is increasingly indispensable within sustainable and equitable food systems. Recently, a sustainability-driven focus has shifted attention toward the valorization of the agri-food by-products as rich sources of bioactive compounds useful in preventing or treating chronic diseases. Agri-food by-products, often regarded as waste, actually hold great potential as they are rich in bioactive components, dietary fiber, and other beneficial nutrients from which innovative food ingredients, functional foods, and even therapeutic products are developed. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current advances in recovering and applying such compounds from agri-food waste, with a particular focus on their roles in human health, sustainable packaging, and circular economy strategies. Methods: This review critically synthesizes recent scientific literature on the extraction, characterization, and utilization of bioactive molecules from agri-food by-products. After careful analysis of the PubMed and Scopus databases, only English-language articles from the last 10 years were included in the final narrative review. The analysis also encompasses applications in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and food packaging sectors. Results: Emerging technologies have enabled the efficient and eco-friendly recovery of compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and dietary fibers that demonstrate antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. These bioactive compounds support the development of functional foods and biodegradable packaging materials. Furthermore, these valorization strategies align with global health trends by promoting dietary supplements that counteract the effects of the Western diet and chronic diseases. Conclusions: Valorization of agri-food by-products offers a promising path toward sustainable development by reducing waste, enhancing public health, and driving innovation. This strategy not only minimizes waste and supports sustainability, but also promotes a more nutritious and resilient food system. Full article

The textile industry is progressively shifting towards more sustainable solutions, particularly in the field of printing technologies. This study reports the development and evaluation of water-based pigment inks formulated with bio-based pigments derived from intermediates produced via bacterial fermentation. Two pigments—indigo (blue) and quinacridone (red)—were incorporated into ink formulations and applied on cotton and polyester fabrics through valve-jet inkjet printing (ChromoJet). The physical properties of the inks were analyzed to ensure compatibility with the equipment, and printed fabrics were assessed as to their color fastness to washing, rubbing, artificial weathering, and artificial light. The results highlight the good performance of the bio-based inks, with excellent light and weathering fastness and satisfactory wash and rub resistance. The effect of different pre-treatments, including a biopolymer and a synthetic binder, was also investigated. Notably, the biopolymer pre-treatment enhanced pigment fixation on cotton, while the synthetic binder improved wash fastness on polyester. These findings support the integration of biotechnologically sourced pigments into eco-friendly textile digital printing workflows. Full article

The disposal of wastewater resulting from petroleum industries presents a major environmental challenge due to the presence of hard-to-degrade organic pollutants, such as oils and hydrocarbons, and high chemical oxygen demand (COD). In this study, an efficient and eco-friendly method was developed to treat such wastewater using a photocatalyst composed of biochar derived from pistachio shells and loaded with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The biochar-ZnO composite was prepared via a co-precipitation-assisted pyrolysis method to evaluate its efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of petroleum wastewater (PW). The synthesized material was characterized using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, to determine surface morphology, crystal structure, and functional groups present on the catalyst surface. Photocatalytic degradation experiments were conducted under UV and sunlight for 90 h of irradiation to evaluate the performance of the proposed system in removing oil and reducing COD levels. Key operational parameters, such as pH (2–10), catalyst dosage (0–0.1) g/50 mL, and oil and COD concentrations (50–500) ppm and (125–1252) ppm, were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) to obtain the maximum oil and COD removal efficiency. The oil and COD were removed from PW (90.20% and 88.80%) at 0.1 g/50 mL of PS/ZnO, a pH of 2, and 50 ppm oil concentration (125 ppm of COD concentration) under UV light. The results show that pollutant removal is slightly better when using sunlight (80.00% oil removal, 78.28% COD removal) than when using four lamps of UV light (77.50% oil removal, 75.52% COD removal) at 0.055 g/50 mL of PS/ZnO, a pH of 6.8, and 100 ppm of oil concentration (290 ppm of COD concentration). The degradation rates of the PS/ZnO supported a pseudo-first-order kinetic model with R² values of 0.9960 and 0.9922 for oil and COD. This work indicates the potential use of agricultural waste, such as pistachio shells, as a sustainable source for producing effective catalysts for industrial wastewater treatment, opening broad prospects in the field of green and nanotechnology-based environmental solutions in the development of eco-friendly and effective wastewater treatment technologies under solar light. Full article

This study explores the synthesis of photocurable non-isocyanate polyhydroxyethylurethanes (BPHUs) derived from renewable sources, designed for biomedical applications and the development towards advanced light curing processes. The following two pathways were developed: an aliphatic route using 1,4-butanediol-derived cyclic carbonates and an aromatic route with resorcinol-based carbonates. Ring-opening polymerization with dodecanediamine produced BPHU intermediates, which were methacrylated to form photoreactive derivatives (aliphatic MAs and aromatic MAs). Comprehensive characterization, including NMR, GPC, and FTIR, confirmed the successful synthesis. The UV curing of these methacrylated compounds yielded hydrogels with swelling properties. Aliphatic BPHUs achieved a gel content of 91.3% and a swelling of 1057%, demonstrating the flexibility and UV stability suitable for adaptable biomedical applications. Conversely, aromatic BPHUs displayed a gel content of 78.1% and a swelling of 3304%, indicating higher rigidity, which is advantageous for load-bearing uses. Cytotoxicity assessments adhering to the DIN EN ISO 10993-5 standard demonstrated non-cytotoxicity, with an >80% cell viability for both variants. This research underscores the potential of green chemistry in crafting biocompatible, versatile BPHUs, paving the way for eco-friendly materials in implantable medical devices. Full article

In this study, we proposed a method for detecting chips in the mouth of glass bottles using machine learning. In recent years, Japanese cosmetic glass bottles have gained attention for their advancements in manufacturing technology and eco-friendliness through the use of recycled glass, leading to an increase in the volume of glass bottle exports overseas. Although cosmetic bottles are subject to strict quality inspections from the standpoint of safety, the complicated shape of the glass bottle mouths makes automated inspections difficult, and visual inspections have been the norm. Visual inspections conducted by workers have become problematic because it has become clear that the standard of judgment differs from worker to worker and that inspection accuracy deteriorates after long hours of work. To address these issues, the development of inspection systems for glass bottles using image processing and machine learning has been actively pursued. While conventional image processing methods can detect chips in glass bottles, the target glass bottles are those without screw threads, and the light from the light source is diffusely reflected by the screw threads in the glass bottles in this study, resulting in a loss of accuracy. Additionally, machine learning-based inspection methods are generally limited to the body and bottom of the bottle, excluding the mouth from analysis. To overcome these challenges, this study proposed a method to extract only the screw thread regions from the bottle image, using a dedicated machine learning model, and perform defect detection. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, accuracy was assessed by training models using images of both the entire mouth and just the screw threads. Experimental results showed that the accuracy of the model trained using the image of the entire mouth was 98.0%, while the accuracy of the model trained using the image of the screw threads was 99.7%, indicating that the proposed method improves the accuracy by 1.7%. In a demonstration experiment using data obtained at a factory, the accuracy of the model trained using images of the entire mouth was 99.7%, whereas the accuracy of the model trained using images of screw threads was 100%, indicating that the proposed system can be used to detect chips in factories. Full article

The study aimed to investigate the thermal storage potential of oak tree bark as a natural and easily accessible material and to examine the possibility of incorporating this raw material into external prefabricated walls. The U-values of oak tree bark were compared with mineral wool (MW), which is a standardized and well-known insulating material. Oak tree bark, a residual material, is mainly used as an energy source. However, in light of actual green policies at the European Union (EU) level, raw wood and its components, e.g., bark, should be used for long-lasting products and not as an energy source. According to the Croatian Technical Regulation on the Rational Use of Energy and Thermal Insulation in Buildings, the maximum U-value for external walls in Croatia is 0.30 W/m²K. Here presented test results show that the U-values of the experimental wall compositions were 0.22 W/m²K for the wall with mineral wool (MW) and 0.29 W/m²K for the wall with oak tree bark. Despite mineral wool having a thermal conductivity (λ, W/mK) 53% lower than the experimental tree bark, walls with bark fulfill the national insulation requirements; therefore, they present an alternative and sustainable insulation option. Furthermore, the Blower door test (n50 value) of the bungalow was measured to be 3.75 h^−1, proving the potential of tree bark as an alternative eco-friendly insulation material in exterior walls. However, further investigations are necessary in order to create and optimize the panel, its thickness, density, adhesive technology, the size of bark particles, production parameters, etc., as these influence properties of the final product to be placed on the market. Full article

Cement is widely used as an efficient binding agent in concrete; however, the production of cement is the second-largest source of carbon emissions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore alternative materials with similar properties. CoRncrete, a corn-based material, shows potential as an eco-friendly substitute. Our previous study showed that oven-dried CoRncrete achieved a maximum compressive strength of 18.9 MPa, which is 37% lower than traditional concrete. Nonetheless, in light of this limitation, CoRncrete still stands as a feasible choice for internal structural applications. This study aims to enhance CoRncrete’s strength by modifying drying conditions and incorporating lightweight thermoplastic polymers as admixtures. Air-drying for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days was tested, with durations of 21 days and greater showing improved internal curing, reduced porosity, and enhanced strength (23.9 MPa). Various high-strength, low-density polymers, including carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were utilized. PVA demonstrated favorable interactions with cornstarch, also showing improved performance in water durability properties. Air-dried CoRncrete with PVA admixture had maximal water durability properties (up to 20 days) compared to the other samples. Micro-structural analysis revealed reduced porosity in air-dried and polymer-bound samples. Future investigations should extend to an in-depth study on air-drying duration for polymer-bound CoRn-crete and explore novel admixtures to further improve strength and water durability. Full article

Coal gangue (CG) is one of the most frequent solid wastes in the world, and it poses a severe hazard to both human society and natural ecosystems. In light of the progressive increase in environmental awareness and the unavoidable trend of the requirements of a sustainable development plan, how to efficiently use these vast quantities of CG has become an important subject in China. Concrete aggregate, which can not only solve environmental pollution but also compensate for the scarcity of natural gravel and sand resources, is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly way to utilize CG resources in accordance with the strategic requirements of green and sustainable development. However, how to deal with the preparation of high-quality gangue aggregate needs to be targeted research; blindly using gangue for concrete may bring some safety hazards. This requires that based on the source, distribution, storage, chemical composition, mineral composition of the gangue and the problems in the utilization process, efforts are made to open up the key routes of gangue concrete utilization, and to provide theoretical guidance for the high-value and environmentally friendly utilization of the CG. This paper summarizes the CG aggregate characteristics and its impact on concrete performance, discusses the technical means to improve the performance of CG aggregate concrete, and analyzes if the current CG aggregate in the concrete application of the problem still exists, with a view to gradually realize the CG of low-energy consumption bulk utilization. The popularization and application of CG aggregate will accelerate the solution of the environmental pollution problem it brings, and can to a certain extent alleviate the current situation in that the supply of natural sand and gravel resources is insufficient to meet the demand; the sustainable development of today’s research on CG aggregate for concrete has important environmental and economic significance. Full article

Powering wearable and portable devices, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a considerably promising technology. Low-cost production, ease of fabrication, optimal efficiency, and high output performance are always key concerns in developing energy harvesting technologies. Optimum efficiency and high output are always key concerns. This research addresses the ongoing challenge of raising efficient, flexible, and lightweight energy harvesting systems for recent wearable technologies. In this research, a triboelectric nanogenerator is proposed for harvesting the triboelectric effect. Using polyurethane (PU), a bendable TENG that is in the vertical contact separation mode was developed. UV-curable PU forms the basis of TENGs. A sponge, repurposed from landfill waste, acts by means of a spacer to maintain a consistent air gap between the tribo-layers for enhanced triboelectrification. The triboelectric nanogenerators formed a V_oc approaching 500 V and a current of ~2 µA and also showed high performance with a power density of 8.53 W/m². In addition, the triboelectric nanogenerator can light LEDs and charge capacitors, making it a self-powered energy source for portable devices, Wi-Fi, and monitoring systems. The proposed TENG provides a capable solution for sustainable, self-powered wearable electronics and has the potential for further development in energy-efficient and eco-friendly applications. Full article

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), a new class of carbon-based nanomaterials, have emerged as nano-scaled probes with photoluminescence that have an eco-friendly and bio-compatible nature. Their cost-efficient synthesis and high photoluminescence quantum yields make them indispensable due to their application in opto-electronic devices, including biosensors, bioimaging, environmental monitoring, and light sources. This review provides intrinsic properties of CQDs such as their excitation-dependent emission, biocompatibility, and quenching properties. Diverse strategies for their easy synthesis are divided into bottom-up and top-down approaches and detailed herein. In particular, we highlight their luminescence properties, including quenching mechanisms that could even be utilized for the precise and rapid detection of biomolecules. We also discuss methodologies for the mitigation of fluorescence quenching, which is pivotal for the application of CQDs in biosensors and bioimaging. Full article

The urgent global demand for sustainable green energy solutions has recognized hydrogen (H₂) as a viable green energy carrier. This study explores the efficient production of H₂ as a potential source of sustainable, environmentally friendly, high-energy-density fuel characterized by eco-friendly burning by-products. The research focuses on the photohydrolysis reaction of ammonia borane (AB), utilizing CdO-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in polyurethane (PU) nanofibers (CdO/ZnO NPs@PU NFs) as a novel photocatalyst. Three different amounts of CdO/ZnO NPs were loaded onto PU NFs. The synthesized CdO/ZnO NPs@PU NFs exhibited good photocatalytic performance under visible light, producing approximately 67 mL of H₂ from 1 mmol of AB in 15 min with the sample containing the highest loading of CdO/ZnO NPs@PU NFs. This impressive photocatalytic performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of CdO and ZnO, which enhance charge carrier separation and broaden bandgap absorption in the visible spectrum. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the reaction exhibited first-order kinetics regarding catalyst dosing and zero-order kinetics concerning AB concentration, with an activation energy (E_a) of 32.28 kJ/mol. The results position CdO/ZnO NPs@PU NFs as effective photocatalysts for H₂ photogeneration under visible light irradiation. Full article

Confronting escalating challenges in energy security and environmental sustainability has intensified interest in renewable sources for fuels and chemicals. Among the most promising alternatives, sugars derived from biomass are emerging as a cornerstone in advancing an environmentally sustainable economy. Within this framework, the development of sunlight-driven carbohydrate oxidation is of significant interest, as it enables the production of a broad spectrum of high-value, bio-sourced chemicals through eco-friendly processes. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) immobilized on inorganic supports have demonstrated considerable potential in this area, although the methodology still requires further exploration. In this study, we explored the selective oxidation of glucose into the corresponding gluconic acid salt in presence of a novel Au/Ni-Al-Zr-layered double hydroxide (LDH) photocatalyst under standardized A.M. 1.5 G light illumination. To optimize the photocatalytic conditions, an experimental plan is herein proposed, highlighting the critical influences of both catalyst loading and pH. In optimal conditions, the Au catalyst demonstrated a high efficiency, achieving 87% glucose conversion and 100% selectivity towards gluconic acid in only 90 min. By means of long-pass filters to select the incident light energy to the photocatalytic reactor, we evidenced that the charge transfer processes were occurring from the Ni-Al-Zr LDH support to the gold nanoparticles, thus opening new directions towards further photocatalyst modifications. This work underlines the potential of Au/LDH materials for sunlight-driven photocatalysis and provides a pathway for the sustainable production of high-value chemicals from renewable biomass sources. Full article

Textile dyes are considered to be one of the major sources of water pollution due to their complex chemical structures. Photocatalytic dye degradation is an eco-friendly method that uses light-activated catalysts to break down complex dye molecules in wastewater into harmless byproducts. In the present study, pure and N-doped g-C₃N₄ were synthesized using one-pot calcination. The fabrication of g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ and TC-g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ was accomplished by physical mixing. The prepared photocatalysts were used to treat the Orange-II-polluted wastewater. The structural properties, surface morphology, light-harvesting capability, and electrochemical properties were assessed using XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, BET, DRS, PL, EIS, Mott–Schottky, and transient photocurrent response (TPCR) analyses. The improved charge separation and migration properties of g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ were confirmed by the PL, EIS, and TPCR results. TEM and XPS data confirmed the formation of a g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ composite. Enhanced photocatalytic decolorization was achieved for g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ compared with pure g-C₃N₄ or TiO₂. The 1 wt% g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ composite exhibited the highest (92.1%) decolorization efficiency during 60 min of UV irradiation. Furthermore, the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant (k) of 1 wt% g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ was calculated to be 0.0213 min⁻¹, which was 2.5 times better than that obtained with bare TiO₂. Finally, for a better understanding of the g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ decolorization process, a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. Full article

Rice cultivation stands as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economy, serving as a vital source of employment for rural communities. However, the constraints of limited land availability have prompted an escalating dependence on agrochemicals, notably for pest management, thereby posing significant threats to human health and the environment. This review delves into the exploration of silica nanoparticles as a promising eco-friendly substitute for conventional pesticides in the context of Sri Lankan rice farming. It comprehensively examines various aspects, including the synthesis methods of silica nanoparticles, their encapsulation with synthetic pesticides, and an evaluation of their efficacy in pest control. Furthermore, it sheds light on the innovative utilization of agricultural waste such as rice husk and straw in the production of silica-based nanopesticides. This approach not only demonstrates a shift towards sustainable agricultural practices but also aligns with the principles of green chemistry and circular economy, offering a holistic solution to the challenges faced by the rice farming sector in Sri Lanka. Full article

This study developed a new system for removing antibiotics using UV/ZIF-67 (Co)-activated peroxymonosulfate. The presence of antibiotic organic pollutants in urban sewage presents a substantial challenge for sewage treatment technologies. Due to the persistent chemical stability of antibiotics, their low environmental concentrations, and their resistance to degradation, effectively removing residual antibiotics remains a significant issue in urban wastewater treatment. This study introduces an eco-friendly photocatalytic technology designed to enhance the removal of oxytetracycline (OTC) from municipal wastewater using a UV/ZIF-67 (Co)/PMS system. The results showed that compared with UV, UV/PMS, ZIF-67 (Co), ZIF-67 (Co)/PMS, and UV/ZIF-67 (Co) systems, the UV/ZIF-67 (Co)/PMS system had the highest OTC removal rate. When 10 mg ZIF-67 (Co) and 1 mM PMS were applied to 100 mL 30 mg/L OTC solution, the degradation efficiency reached 87.73% under 400 W ultraviolet light. Increasing the dosage of ZIF-67 (Co) and PMS can improve the removal rate of OTC, but the marginal benefit of additional dosage is reduced. The highest degradation efficiency was observed at weakly acidic pH, which may be due to potential damage to the internal structure of the catalyst and reduced performance under extreme pH conditions. The influence of chloride ions and nitrate ions on the reaction system is minimal, while bicarbonate ions exhibit a significant inhibitory effect on the removal of OTC. The UV/ZIF-67 (Co)/PMS system exhibits adaptability to various water sources, including tap water, Guitang River water, and pure water. The results of free radical identification indicate the presence of hydroxyl and sulfate groups in the UV/ZIF-67 (Co)/PMS system, both of which play important roles in the degradation of OTC. This study offers valuable insights and technical support for the green, efficient, and environmentally friendly removal of antibiotics from urban wastewater. Full article