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Article

Forest Logging Residue Valorization into Valuable Products According to Circular Bioeconomy

1
Laboratory of Lignin Chemistry, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Dzerbenes Street 27, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
2
Faculty of Agriculture, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, 2 Liela Str., LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
3
Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
4
Ekokompozit Ltd., Dzerbenes 27, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1418; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091418
Submission received: 30 June 2025 / Revised: 21 August 2025 / Accepted: 22 August 2025 / Published: 4 September 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Wood Science and Forest Products)

Abstract

The manuscript explores the valorization of forest logging residues, collected during forest management operations between summer 2023 and spring 2025 in mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, as a raw material for producing valuable bioactive products. These products offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Seven batches of biomass, comprising understory trees and branches from deciduous (mainly aspen, birch, and grey alder) and coniferous (mainly Scots pine) species, were collected during different seasons, crushed, and extracted using an ethanol–water solution. The yield of hydrophilic extracts containing proanthocyanidins (PACs) ranged from 18 to 25% per dry biomass. The highest PACs concentration (42% of extract dry mass) was found in small branches with a high bark content. The extracts and PACs at concentrations of 6.25‒12.50 mg mL−1 showed fungicidal activity against several pathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea Pers., Mycosphaerella sp. Johanson, Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref., and Heterobasidion parviporum Niemelä & Korhonen. Residual biomass after extraction, enriched with sea buckthorn berry pomace and a siliceous complex, was characterized and evaluated for its impact on the growth of Scots pine seedlings and selected agricultural crops. Results from forest and agricultural field trials in 2023–2025 confirmed a positive effect of the fertilizer on crop yield and quality at a low application rate (40 kg ha−1 per crop). Fertilizer increased the yield of radish, dill, potatoes, and wheat by up to 44% (highest for potatoes and dill) compared to the reference, confirming its agronomic value.
Keywords: Keywords: forest logging waste; extract; proanthocyanidins; fungicidal activity; pesticide; organo-mineral fertilizer Keywords: forest logging waste; extract; proanthocyanidins; fungicidal activity; pesticide; organo-mineral fertilizer
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MDPI and ACS Style

Janceva, S.; Svarta, A.; Nikolajeva, V.; Zaharova, N.; Rieksts, G.; Andersone, A. Forest Logging Residue Valorization into Valuable Products According to Circular Bioeconomy. Forests 2025, 16, 1418. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091418

AMA Style

Janceva S, Svarta A, Nikolajeva V, Zaharova N, Rieksts G, Andersone A. Forest Logging Residue Valorization into Valuable Products According to Circular Bioeconomy. Forests. 2025; 16(9):1418. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091418

Chicago/Turabian Style

Janceva, Sarmite, Agrita Svarta, Vizma Nikolajeva, Natalija Zaharova, Gints Rieksts, and Anna Andersone. 2025. "Forest Logging Residue Valorization into Valuable Products According to Circular Bioeconomy" Forests 16, no. 9: 1418. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091418

APA Style

Janceva, S., Svarta, A., Nikolajeva, V., Zaharova, N., Rieksts, G., & Andersone, A. (2025). Forest Logging Residue Valorization into Valuable Products According to Circular Bioeconomy. Forests, 16(9), 1418. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091418

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