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Article

Characterization of Lignocellulosic Byproducts from the Portuguese Forest: Valorization and Sustainable Use

1
CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic University of Viseu, Campus Politécnico, Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
2
CEF—Forest Research Centre, TERRA Associate Laboratory, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
3
4iTec Lusitânia S.A., Lugar do Pombal, Zona Industrial do Salgueiro, 3530-259 Mangualde, Portugal
4
CICECO—Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Materials 2025, 18(20), 4716; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204716 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 3 September 2025 / Revised: 7 October 2025 / Accepted: 10 October 2025 / Published: 14 October 2025

Abstract

The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability has placed biomass as a versatile and renewable resource, while the management and disposal of forest byproducts remain a significant challenge. This study explores the valorization of forest biomass residues derived from Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea, and the invasive species Acacia dealbata, with a focus on their potential application as bioadsorbents. A comprehensive physicochemical characterization was conducted for different biomass fractions (leaves, needles, and branches of varying diameters). Leaves and needles contained higher amounts of extractives (from 7.7% in acacia leaves to 18.8% in maritime pine needles) and ash (3.4 and 4.2% in acacia leaves and stone pine needles, respectively), whereas branches contained more holocellulose (from 59.6% in P. pinea small branches to 79.2% in P. pinaster large branches). ATR-FTIR and pHpzc analyses indicated compositional and surface charge differences, with higher pHpzc values in A. dealbata relative to Pinus. TG analysis showed that acacia large branches degraded at a lower temperature (320 °C) compared to Pinus species (440–450 °C). Overall, the findings highlight the suitability of these underutilized forest byproducts as bioadsorbents, contributing to the advancement of circular economy practices.
Keywords: Pines; Acacia; biomass; physical-chemical characterization; bioadsorbents; forestry residues Pines; Acacia; biomass; physical-chemical characterization; bioadsorbents; forestry residues

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MDPI and ACS Style

Macena, M.; Cruz-Lopes, L.; Grosche, L.; Santos-Vieira, I.; Esteves, B.; Pereira, H. Characterization of Lignocellulosic Byproducts from the Portuguese Forest: Valorization and Sustainable Use. Materials 2025, 18, 4716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204716

AMA Style

Macena M, Cruz-Lopes L, Grosche L, Santos-Vieira I, Esteves B, Pereira H. Characterization of Lignocellulosic Byproducts from the Portuguese Forest: Valorization and Sustainable Use. Materials. 2025; 18(20):4716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204716

Chicago/Turabian Style

Macena, Morgana, Luísa Cruz-Lopes, Lucas Grosche, Isabel Santos-Vieira, Bruno Esteves, and Helena Pereira. 2025. "Characterization of Lignocellulosic Byproducts from the Portuguese Forest: Valorization and Sustainable Use" Materials 18, no. 20: 4716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204716

APA Style

Macena, M., Cruz-Lopes, L., Grosche, L., Santos-Vieira, I., Esteves, B., & Pereira, H. (2025). Characterization of Lignocellulosic Byproducts from the Portuguese Forest: Valorization and Sustainable Use. Materials, 18(20), 4716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204716

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