Search Results (89)

A huge amount of waste is produced annually by the food processing industry which must be valorized into high-value products. Therefore, the aim of this work involves the use of such wastes for production of β-glucans from medicinal basidiomycete strains which are powerful biological response modifiers in several clinical disorders. The production of β-glucans from basidiomycete strains in submerged fermentation was monitored by using monoclonal antibodies of the IgG and IgM classes as well as by Congo red assay in the presence of several agro-industrial waste products such as milk permeate, waste coffee grounds, orange peels and rice husks. Subsequently, these β-glucans were purified by using gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. FTIR analysis of several β-glucans was carried out to investigate their structural properties. The adsorption of β-glucans on microtiter plates was dependent on the temperature as well as on the time period of immobilization for ELISA. These mAbs can be used in a competitive ELISA for detection and quantification of β-glucans from basidiomycete mushrooms. Full article

Sustainable production of high-quality chitosan from agro-industrial by-products remains a challenge in biotechnology. This study aimed to improve chitosan production from fermented rice bran and rice husk using Rhizopus oryzae in solid-state fermentation (SSF), and evaluated the physicochemical and biological properties of the resulting biopolymer. A full factorial design (2³) was applied to assess key fermentation parameters, including moisture content, substrate composition, and nitrogen supplementation. Among the tested conditions, the highest chitosan yield was at 55% moisture, 50% rice husk, and 1.8 g/L urea. The obtained chitosan was characterized for degree of deacetylation (DD) using FTIR and NMR, and molecular weight (MW) by viscometry. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and antioxidant capacity was measured via DPPH and ABTS assays. The chitosan exhibited a high DD (86.4 ± 0.6%) and a MW of 59.65 kDa, values comparable to commercial standards. It showed strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-negative strains. Antioxidant assays confirmed concentration-dependent activity, reaching 94% DPPH inhibition at 5.00 mg mL⁻¹. Overall, the results demonstrate that agro-industrial residues can be effectively transformed into high-quality, bioactive chitosan, offering a sustainable and circular alternative to conventional production routes. Full article

The worldwide population is anticipated to reach 10.12 billion by the year 2100, thereby amplifying the necessity for sustainable agricultural methodologies to secure food availability while reducing ecological consequences. Conventional synthetic pesticides, while capable of increasing crop yields by as much as 50%, present considerable hazards such as toxicity, the emergence of resistance, and environmental pollution. This review examines biopesticides, originating from microbial (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma spp.), plant, or animal sources, as environmentally sustainable alternatives which address pest control through mechanisms including antibiosis, hyperparasitism, and competition. Biopesticides provide advantages such as biodegradability, minimal toxicity to non-target organisms, and a lower likelihood of resistance development. The global market for biopesticides is projected to be valued between USD 8 and 10 billion by 2025, accounting for 3–4% of the overall pesticide sector, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12–16%. To mitigate production costs, agro-industrial byproducts such as rice husk and starch wastewater can be utilized as economical substrates in both solid-state and submerged fermentation processes, which may lead to a reduction in expenses ranging from 35% to 59%. Strategies for process intensification, such as the implementation of intensified bioreactors, continuous cultivation methods, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven monitoring systems, significantly improve the upstream stages (including strain development and fermentation), downstream processes (such as purification and drying), and formulation phases. These advancements result in enhanced productivity, reduced energy consumption, and greater product stability. Patent activity, exemplified by 2371 documents from 1982 to 2021, highlights advancements in formulations and microbial strains. The integration of circular economy principles in biopesticide production through process intensification enhances the safety, quality, and sustainability of food systems. Projections suggest that by the 2040s to 2050s, biopesticides may achieve market parity with synthetic alternatives. Obstacles encompass the alignment of regulations and the ability to scale in order to completely achieve these benefits. Full article

Agricultural and agro-industrial residues are increasingly recognized as sustainable, low-cost feedstocks for high-performance biomedical materials. This review critically examines the translational potential of polysaccharides, proteins, inorganic compounds, and phytochemical-rich extracts derived from agro-waste, highlighting their chemical features, structure–function relationships, and application-specific readiness. Polysaccharides such as nanocellulose, pectin, and chitosan emerge as the most advanced biopolymer platforms, particularly in wound healing, drug delivery, and 3D-printed scaffolds. Protein-derived materials—including collagen, gelatin, keratin, and soy protein—show strong promise in regenerative medicine, though challenges in mechanical stability and batch reproducibility remain. Inorganic phases such as hydroxyapatite and silica obtained from eggshells, rice husk ash, and marine shells demonstrate high bioactivity, with dental and bone applications approaching clinical translation. Finally, fruit-residue phytochemicals provide multifunctional antioxidant and antimicrobial enhancements to composite systems. By integrating material chemistry, processing strategies, and translational considerations, this review outlines the current state, challenges, and future perspectives for advancing agro-waste-derived biomaterials within a circular bioeconomy. Full article

Green coconut husk is an abundant and underutilized agro-industrial residue in Brazil, contributing significantly to landfill overload. This study investigates the pyrolysis of pellets derived from this biomass as a technological alternative for its valorization, focusing on the integrated characterization of the three resulting products. Pellets were subjected to pyrolysis in a fixed-bed reactor under two distinct conditions: at 400 °C to maximize biochar production, and at 600 °C to enhance gas generation. The raw material and resulting solid, liquid, and gaseous fractions were characterized using physicochemical, thermal, morphological, and chromatographic analyses. Pyrolysis at 400 °C yielded biochar with high fixed carbon content (67.03%) and elevated heating value (27.80 MJ/kg), suitable for soil amendment and carbon sequestration. At 600 °C, the non-condensable gas exhibited a higher hydrogen concentration (35.84%) and an H₂/CO ratio of 1.84, favorable for chemical synthesis applications. Notably, palletization resulted in a significant bio-oil and gas yield even under 400 °C. The bio-oil underwent chemical upgrading, which significantly increased the phenolic content and raised its heating value to 20.40 MJ/kg. Additionally, combustion tests revealed that the gas produced emitted lower levels of NOx compared to natural gas. Full article

This study provides a comparative thermochemical analysis of coconut husk, rice husk and mineral coal, assessing their potential for use in sustainable energy applications. Standardised proximate and ultimate analyses, thermogravimetric (TGA/DTG) evaluations and combustibility index measurements were performed under identical laboratory conditions to ensure consistent comparisons could be made. Coconut husk exhibited the lowest ignition temperature (320.88 °C) and the highest combustibility index (2.385). This indicates its suitability for rapid combustion and biochar production. Its low ash and sulphur content enhances its environmental performance. Rice husk demonstrated moderate thermal behaviour and a high ash yield owing to its elevated silica content, suggesting greater potential for non-energy applications, such as silica recovery and advanced materials production. Mineral coal displayed the highest carbon content and calorific value (24.38 MJ/kg), reflecting high energy density, but also a considerable sulphur content that raises environmental concerns. Unlike many studies that address these materials separately, this work provides a direct, side-by-side comparison under controlled conditions. This offers practical insights for selecting materials in energy systems. The results reinforce the potential of agro-industrial residues in cleaner energy strategies, while emphasising the need for emission control measures when using fossil fuels. Full article

Decarbonising the construction industry’s substantial ecological footprint demands credible substitutes that preserve structural performance while valorising waste. Although construction and demolition waste (CD&W) has been widely studied, the vast potential of agricultural residues (e.g., corncob, rice husk) and, crucially, their synergy remains underexplored. This study couples a systematic literature review with mathematical modelling to evaluate binary CD&W–agro-waste binders. A modified Andreasen–Andersen packing framework and pozzolanic activity indices inform multi-objective optimisation and Pareto analysis. The optimum identified is a 70:30 CD&W-to-agricultural ratio at 20% total cement replacement, predicted to retain 86.0% of OPC compressive strength versus a 79.4% average for single-waste systems (8.3% non-additive uplift). Life-cycle assessment (cradle-to-gate) shows a 20.3% carbon reduction for the synergistic blend (vs. 19.6% CD&W-only; 19.3% agro-only); when normalised by strength (kg CO₂-eq/MPa·m³), the blend delivers 6.3% better carbon efficiency than OPC (5.63 vs. 6.01), outperforming agro-only (5.79) and CD&W-only (6.61). Global diversion arithmetic indicates feasible redirection of 0.246 Gt y⁻¹ of wastes (5.7% of CD&W and 1.8% of agricultural residues) at 30% market penetration. Mechanistically, synergy arises from particle size complementarity, complementary Ca–Si reactivity generating additional C–S–H, and improved rheology at equivalent flow. Monte Carlo analysis yields a 91.2% probability of ≥40 MPa and 78.3% probability of ≥80% strength retention for the optimum; the 95% interval is 39.5–55.3 MPa. Variance-based sensitivity attributes 38.9% of output variance to the Bolomey constant and 44% to pozzolanic indices; interactions contribute 19.5%, justifying global (not local) uncertainty propagation. While promising, claims are bounded by cradle-to-gate scope and the absence of empirical durability and end-of-life evidence. The results nevertheless outline a tractable pathway to circular, lower-carbon concretes using co-processed waste. The approach directly supports circular economy goals and scalable regional deployment. Full article

This study investigated Coffee arabica husk (CAH) as a reinforcing filler to create sustainable biocomposites from agro-industrial waste. The research explored the relationship between processing, structure, and properties using two matrices: polylactic acid (LA) and a bio-based epoxy resin (BER). We found that CAH incorporation increased the elastic modulus in all composites, with the stiffening effect being more significant in BER-based systems. However, filler inclusion dramatically reduced composite toughness. Our analysis showed that melt processing significantly reduced the CAH aspect ratio, with BER causing a more pronounced reduction than LA. Conversely, LA showed a greater tendency to fill the porous voids of the CAH particles. This work demonstrates the crucial interaction of filler, matrix, and processing on a composite’s final performance. These materials have shown promises for sustainable packaging and other technical applications. Full article

During cocoa processing, approximately ten times more cacao pod husk (CPH) waste is generated than cacao beans. Due to its high lignocellulosic content, CPH is an alternative feedstock for the production of fermentable sugars and bioproducts. In this study, CPH enzymatic hydrolysates were used as a carbon source to produce Lacticaseibacillus biosurfactants. CPH was subjected to alkaline pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using the commercial enzyme cocktail Cellic Ctec2. The resulting hydrolysates were used to formulate culture media for growing Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lacticaseibacillus casei. Cell growth and the activity of extracellular and cell-bound biosurfactants were evaluated. The highest glucose concentration in the hydrolysates (11.45 g/L) was achieved using 15% (w/v) solids loading of alkaline-pretreated CPH and an enzymatic load of 20 FPU/g CPH over 3 h. The maximum emulsification index (E24) was 60%, observed with the extracellular biosurfactant from L. rhamnosus cultured in CPH-based medium without supplementation. L. casei extracellular biosurfactants were effective at inhibiting Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 biofilm formation (39–45%) in CPH-based media supplemented with peptone, yeast extract, and both nutrients. These findings highlight the potential of CPH enzymatic hydrolysates as a sustainable carbon source for biosurfactant production with emulsification and antibiofilm activity, contributing to the valorization of cocoa agro-industrial waste. Full article

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is receiving growing attention for its agro-industrial potential, particularly due to its seeds, which are the source of locust bean gum (LBG), a galactomannan-rich polysaccharide with wide applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Efficient dehusking of carob seeds is critical to maximize LBG purity and yield, yet current industrial methods pose environmental concerns and lack robust quality control tools. In this study, we demonstrate the use of Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) and Kubelka–Munk (KM) modeling as a rapid, non-destructive technique to assess dehusking efficiency. By combining spectral data from four complementary spectrometers (450–1800 nm), we identified key reflectance and absorbance features capable of distinguishing raw, industrially treated, and laboratory-dehusked seeds. Notably, our laboratory-treated seeds exhibited a considerably lower reflectance in the NIR plateau (800–1400 nm) compared to raw and industry-treated seeds, and their KM-reconstructed skin showed enhanced absorption bands at 960, 1200, and 1400 nm, consistent with more complete husk removal and improved light penetration. Principal Component Analysis revealed tighter clustering and lower variability in lab-processed seeds, indicating superior process reproducibility. These results establish DRS as a scalable, green analytical tool to support quality control and optimization in carob processing. Full article

The growing dependence on fossil fuels has raised concerns over energy security, resource depletion, and environmental impacts, driving the need for renewable alternatives. Coffee husk, a widely available agro-industrial residue, represents an underutilized feedstock for biodiesel production. In this study, biodiesel was synthesized from coffee husk oil using a two-step transesterification process to address its high free fatty acid content (21%). Physicochemical analysis showed that Coffee Husk Oil Methyl Ester (CHOME) possessed a density of 863 kg m⁻³, viscosity of 4.85 cSt, and calorific value of 33.51 MJ kg⁻¹, compared to diesel with 812 kg m⁻³, 2.3 cSt, and 42.4 MJ kg⁻¹. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of ester carbonyl and C–O functional groups characteristic of CHOME, influencing its combustion behavior. Engine tests were then conducted using B0, B10, B30, B50, and B100 blends under different loads, both with and without fuel preheating. Results showed that neat CHOME (B100) exhibited 11.8% lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE) than diesel, but preheating at 95 °C improved BTE by 5%, with preheated B10 slightly surpassing diesel by 0.5%. Preheating also reduced brake-specific fuel consumption by up to 7.75%. Emission analysis revealed that B100 achieved reductions of 6.4% CO, 8.3% HC, and 7.0% smoke opacity, while NOx increased only marginally (2.86%). Overall, fuel preheating effectively mitigated viscosity-related drawbacks, enabling coffee husk biodiesel to deliver competitive performance with lower emissions, highlighting its potential as a sustainable waste-to-energy fuel. Full article

Agro-industrial residues can improve the fermentation quality of tropical forage grass silages when used as additives, but a systematic synthesis of their effectiveness is limited. This integrative review aimed to identify the main residues used as additives in silages and assess their effects on the fermentation process. Following the PVO (population, variable of interest, and outcome) protocol, searches were conducted in the Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases, with no restrictions on language, time, or region. The guiding question was: “What are the main agro-industrial residues used as additives in the ensiling of tropical forage grasses?” Of the 1414 documents initially retrieved, 138 were selected after screening titles, abstracts, and keywords. After removing duplicates and full-text evaluation, 58 studies met the inclusion criteria. Brazil led in the number of studies (89.66%). Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) was the most studied forage (34.21%). Citrus pulp (13.79%) and coffee husk (12.07%) were the most evaluated residues. The addition of residues promoted a reduction in pH (66.07%), ammonia nitrogen (71.74%), buffer capacity (57.14%), and the concentrations of acetic (52.17%), propionic (52.63%), and butyric (55.00%) acids. Lactic acid content increased in 32.76% of studies; gas and effluent losses decreased in 69.57% and 86.36% of cases, respectively. Citrus pulp and coffee husk are the most used residues, enhancing fermentation quality. It is concluded that the use of agro-industrial residues in the ensiling of tropical forage grasses has the potential to improve fermentation quality. Full article

This study explores the valorization of walnut green husk, an agro-industrial by-product, through ultrasound-assisted extraction to obtain polyphenol-rich extracts with antioxidant properties. The extracts demonstrated non-cytotoxicity, regardless of the presence of pesticides, antibiotics, or the type of crop. Notably, organic walnut husk yielded higher total polyphenols and antioxidant activity, identifying 37 polyphenolic compounds compared to 22 in traditional crops. Chickpea protein was utilized as a wall material to encapsulate the extract, resulting in a sustainable, vegan antioxidant powder. Optimal results were achieved using 5% (w/v) chickpea protein and spray drying at 136 °C, yielding a light-colored powder with high antioxidant content and stability under low humidity (≤35%). The product shows promise as a natural, plant-based alternative to synthetic antioxidants in food systems. Further studies are needed to evaluate its functional and technological performance during food integration and storage. Full article

The disposal of agro-industrial waste is a pressing environmental issue. At the same time, due to the high silica content in specific agricultural residues, their processed products can be utilised in various industrial sectors as substitutes for commercial materials. This study investigates the key technological, physico-mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of industrial elastomeric compounds based on synthetic styrene–butadiene rubber, intended for the tread of summer passenger car tyres, when replacing the commercially used highly reinforcing silica filler (SF), Extrasil 150VD brand (white carbon black), with a carbon–silica filler (CSF). The CSF is produced by carbonising a finely ground mixture of rice production waste (rice husks and stems) in a pyrolysis furnace at 550–600 °C without oxygen. It was found that replacing 20 wt.pts. of silica filler with CSF in industrial tread formulations improves processing parameters (Mooney viscosity increases by up to 5.3%, optimal vulcanisation time by up to 9.2%), resistance to plastic deformation (by up to 7.7%), and tackiness of the rubber compounds (by 31.3–34.4%). Viscoelastic properties also improved: the loss modulus and mechanical loss tangent decreased by up to 24.0% and 14.3%, respectively; the rebound elasticity increased by up to 6.3% and fatigue resistance by up to 2.7 thousand cycles; and the internal temperature of samples decreased by 7 °C. However, a decrease in tensile strength (by 10.7–27.0%) and an increase in wear rate (up to 43.3% before and up to 22.5% after thermal ageing) were observed. Nevertheless, the overall results of this study indicate that the CSF derived from the carbonisation of rice production waste—containing both silica and carbon components—can effectively be used as a partial replacement for the commercially utilised reinforcing silica filler in the production of tread rubber for summer passenger car tyres. Full article

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) involves the growth of microorganisms on solid substrates, mimicking natural environments of many species. Due to sustainability concerns, transforming agro-industrial by-products into value-added products through SSF has been increasingly studied. Brewer’s spent grain (BSG), the main by-product of beer production, mostly consists of barley grain husks, making BSG a great support for microorganism cultivation. Although autoclaving remains the standard sterilization and pretreatment method of substrates, electric field technologies and their attendant ohmic heating (OH) have great potential as an alternative technology. In the present work, pretreatment of BSG by OH was explored in SSF with Aspergillus niger to produce commercially valuable enzymes. OH favored the solubilization of phenolic compounds, total protein, and reducing sugars significantly higher than autoclaving. SSF of treated BSG led to the production of lignocellulosic enzymes, with xylanases being the most active, reaching 540 U/g, a 1.5-fold increase in activity compared to autoclaved BSG. Protease activity was also improved 1.6-fold by OH, resulting in 49 U/g. Our findings suggest that OH treatment is an effective alternative to autoclaving and that its integration with SSF is a sustainable strategy to enhance by-product valorization through enzyme production with many industrial applications, according to circular economy guidelines. Full article