Search Results (1,568)

Photovoltaic (PV)/biomass systems offer stable/continuous power by overcoming solar-energy intermittency with biomass dispatchable energy. Considering gaps in the scientific literature, this article sets out to present information on PV/biomass installations and the eco-profiles of different feedstocks for biogas generation. To this end, this article is split into two parts. The first one outlines some key elements of the literature on PV/biomass systems, highlighting factors that determine feasibility and performance. The second one presents the eco-profiles of three feedstocks. The methodology is based on literature review and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). Regarding the first part, the results show that the majority of the prior research placed emphasis on techno-economic analysis and the design/modelling of PV/biomass systems, and there is a dearth of LCA studies on PV/biomass installations. As for the second part, the findings demonstrate that, among the feedstocks examined (manure; waste cooking oil; grass), in most categories, animal waste shows the highest environmental impacts. For instance, considering the total impact of these three feedstocks and based on Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), the results indicate that, in many categories, manure surpasses the percentage values of 40%. Grass exhibits minor percentage shares, with the exception of the “Eutrophication” (54%) and “Acidification” (33%) categories. Full article

The global use of millions of small rodents annually in medical research creates a need for environmental enrichment that is both practical and sustainable. This study investigated the use of banana pseudostem, an agricultural residue, as a potential material for a laboratory-scale rodent enrichment prototype. A life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) were conducted under a cradle-to-grave system boundary that included production, facility use, sterilization, freezer storage, transport, and infectious waste management. The prototype had a global warming potential (GWP) of 28.40 kg CO₂ eq per functional unit. The results showed that the production phase was the dominant contributor to the environmental impacts and costs. Heat pressing was identified as the main hotspot resulting from high electricity demand, while labor was the main cost contributor, as the manual production process at the laboratory scale was time-consuming. The scenario analysis revealed that modifying the press machine to press two pieces simultaneously reduced GWP by 37.54% and total life cycle cost by 29.11%. Full substitution of grid electricity with photovoltaic electricity for heat pressing reduced GWP by about 67.47%. Extending the replacement interval from 3 to 7 days showed the largest GWP reduction of 56.35%, although this option requires confirmation of animal welfare, hygiene, and structural durability. Although banana pseudostem is a renewable agricultural residue, the environmental impacts and costs of the prototype were mainly due to energy-intensive processing at the laboratory scale rather than the raw material. Further improvement in production efficiency and electricity sourcing is required to reduce impacts and increase the feasibility of the banana pseudostem enrichment prototype. Full article

Feeds rich in protein are the dominant nitrogen input in intensive aquaculture, yet only part of dietary nitrogen is retained as animal biomass; the remainder enters water and sediment through uneaten feed, feces, dissolved wastes, mucus, sloughed tissue, and branchial ammonia excretion. This review aims to integrate nutritional, physiological, microbial, and disease-related evidence into an evidence-graded framework that positions ammonia nitrogen as a reactive node linking feed, host, water, sediment, and pathogen risk. To assemble this evidence, we conducted a structured narrative search of Web of Science and PubMed for records in English or Chinese published from 2006 to July 2026, with no restriction on publication type, and classified evidence as direct, indirect, or conceptual. The strongest evidence shows that dietary protein supply, amino acid balance, digestibility, and feeding regime regulate nitrogen retention and ammonia output, while microbial ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, anammox, and assimilation determine whether reactive nitrogen is regenerated, retained, or removed. Experimental studies further show that ammonia impairs oxidative balance, mucosal barriers, immunity, and disease resistance. In contrast, evidence that pathogen infection quantitatively alters nitrogen retention, ammonia excretion, organic nitrogen release, and sedimentary ammonium regeneration remains limited and largely indirect. Accordingly, ammonia nitrogen is framed as a measurable reactive node rather than a unique source or a universally validated causal loop. Practical management should combine precision nutrition with water, biofloc, sediment, and disease surveillance, while future factorial studies and isotope tracer studies should quantify the complete nitrogen budget under pathogen challenge. Full article

As the main byproduct of edible mushroom processing, mushroom stems are often discarded due to their rough texture and poor palatability, resulting in resource waste. However, as a ruminant animal, sika deer has good fiber digestion ability, providing the possibility for the resource utilization of mushroom stems. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lentinus edodes stem powder (LESP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters, immune responses, and gut microbiota composition in sika deer fawns. A total of 120 weaned fawns (120 ± 10 days old; 35.0 ± 1.0 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, receiving a basal diet supplemented with 0% (control), 2.5% (LE1), 5% (LE2), or 7.5% (LE3) LESP for 35 days. Growth performance did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). However, apparent digestibility of ether extract and crude protein was significantly higher in the LE1 group (p < 0.05), while LE3 exhibited reduced digestibility of organic matter, ether extract, and crude protein (p < 0.05). Serum total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) levels increased with LESP inclusion, with the highest values observed in LE3 (p < 0.05). Serum glucose (GLU) decreased dose-dependently (p < 0.05). Immunoglobulin A (IgA), G (IgG), and M (IgM) concentrations were significantly elevated in LE2 and LE3 groups (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla. LE3 supplementation altered beta diversity and reduced microbial evenness. At the genus level, LE2 and LE3 increased the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Planomicrobium and Psychrobacter, while decreasing Ruminococcus and Clostridiaceae_Clostridium. In conclusion, adding 5% LESP to the diet can increase the digestibility of nutrients, enhance humoral immunity, and regulate the composition of the gut microbiota. This study promotes the transformation of mushroom stems from agricultural waste into functional feed additives, which helps reduce breeding costs, improve animal health, and provide a practical path for the coordinated and sustainable development of the edible mushroom industry and animal husbandry. Full article

This study demonstrates the rapid microwave-assisted upcycling of diverse bio-wastes—including aloe vera industrial leaf waste (av), corn cob agricultural residues (cc), and soft slaughterhouse (sh) by-products (pork liver, lung, and heart) into high-surface-area activated carbons for efficient hexavalent chromium removal via ZnCl₂-activated microwave pyrolysis. To process the challenging high-moisture animal organs, a hybrid approach combining microwave-assisted hydrothermal pre-treatment with subsequent ZnCl₂-activated microwave pyrolysis was developed to promote chemical dehydration and aromatic network development. Structural characterization by N₂ porosimetry, FT-IR, Raman, and XRD confirmed the formation of stable, amorphous porous networks, with surface development strongly dependent on both precursor type and pyrolysis temperature. The materials exhibited high specific surface areas (BET) of 1442, 1120, and 775 m²/g for cc, av, and sh, respectively, and they also demonstrated high water dispersibility. Cr(VI) adsorption data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model, while thermodynamic analysis confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) at pH 3 were 157, 112, and 71 mg/g for the activated carbons derived from cc, av, and sh, respectively. Agricultural-derived carbons exhibited superior adsorption performance, whereas all materials remained competitive, demonstrating a potential sustainable circular-economy strategy for waste valorization. Full article

Humanity faces not isolated problems but a PolyCrisis, which is a set of 26 tightly interwoven existential crises spanning ecological collapse, planetary overheating, chronic disease epidemics, institutional fragility and social breakdown. Each crisis amplifies the others through cascading feedback loops, and 16 of these crises possess independently the capacity to cause human extinction or civilizational collapse. We are not entering an emergency, but we are already in a state of emergency. Multiple planetary boundaries have been transgressed, and climate tipping points are being crossed now. Extinction rates match historical great mass extinction events, while our food systems, primarily responsible for over half these crises, simultaneously drive hunger, obesity and chronic diseases. We argue that this PolyCrisis is not the result of isolated failures, but is best understood as the predictable, systemic outcome of Planet A, the prevailing Operating System of our mainstream civilization, characterized by economics of unbounded extraction and hoarding, violence-based and profit-based food systems, short-term thinking, and unlimited growth imperatives on a finite planet. Planet B is our proposed PolySolution framework, a complete alternative Operating System grounded in empirical reality and proven solutions. It integrates animal-free food systems releasing up to 5 billion hectares for rewilding, regenerative economics measuring non-violence and biocapacity, circular economy minimizing waste, technological restraint with democratic governance, seven-generation thinking, and PolyCommunity coordination, collaboration and co-creation of the PolySolution. It calls for the immediate emergency implementation of two planetary-scale MegaSolutions: (a) “Together Around Food”, implementing universal, free access to gourmet whole-food, plant-based vegan meals worldwide, eliminating hunger and accelerating food and health systems transformation, and (b) Cool, halting planetary overheating through agricultural emissions elimination, massive rewilding for carbon sequestration, and comprehensive stabilization of the life-support systems of our planet. Full article

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a common waste management method for producing renewable energy from biogas. However, animal manures typically have low C/N ratios, which can limit biogas recovery. This study aims to optimize biogas production through the co-digestion of goat manure (GM) with high-C/N lignocellulosic rice husk (RH) and sludge as the inoculum. Characterization of the substrate and inoculum revealed a low GM C/N ratio (GM = 21.3), whereas RH has a high-C/N (RH = 107.3). The volatile solids-to-total solids (VS/TS) ratios were around 82–85% for GM and RH. Batch experiments were conducted at different organic loading rates, with an inoculum-to-substrate ratio of 2:1 (mL:g), at 36 ± 1 °C for 65 days. This study investigates optimizing biomethane recovery by using serum-bottle biomethane potential (BMP) and compares kinetic performance and yields across different GM-to-RH ratios with the characteristics of the influent and effluent. The highest BMP values (mL CH₄/g_VS) occurred at 100% GM (245.1), followed by 90% GM (233.6) and 30% GM (232.5), indicating a strong synergy between GM and RH at specific mixing ratios. Kinetic modeling using both the modified Gompertz and first-order models effectively described digestion dynamics, allowing for estimation of potential lag phases and maximum production rates. These models aligned well with experimental data across substrates, aiding process design. Overall, the results show that strategic co-digestion of GM with RH can maximize methane recovery, with defined substrate ratios and a clear understanding of the kinetics essential for scale-up and sustainable biogas production. Full article

This study explores the behavioral intersection of nutritional health and environmental literacy among pre-service teachers within the national higher education context. Utilizing the Sustainable Healthy Diet Index (SHED Index) for the first time in Croatia, this research systematically examines the dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and socio-cultural patterns of future educators (N = 164) at the University of Split. The survey instrument evaluated the core SHED domains, Healthy Eating (HE) and Sustainable Eating (SE), alongside supplementary indicators monitoring food logistics, hydration, and waste management. Descriptive analysis revealed moderately high standardized overall SHED scores (M = 62.86), aligning with the original normative distribution. Notably, students achieved significantly higher descriptive sub-scores in the HE domain (M = 24.68) than in the SE domain (M = 18.06). Although domestic food consumption and circular recycling practices were well integrated, critical biospheric behaviors—such as reducing animal protein, consuming legumes, purchasing organic food, and composting—remain limited by cultural resistance and municipal infrastructure deficits. Furthermore, an independent t-test indicated no significant differentiation across study levels, highlighting a potential institutional stagnation throughout the five-year teacher education program. Regression analysis demonstrated that sustainable dietary choices appear to be strongly anchored in personal health concerns rather than biospheric altruism, with healthy eating emerging as the single strongest explanatory factor for of sustainable behavior. These findings indicate that to cultivate authentic ecological literacy in the future teaching workforce, higher education curricula require a systemic redesign that explicitly links sustainability to personal well-being through localized, experiential learning. Full article

With the increasing use of diagnostic X-ray examinations and interventional procedures in medical institutions, the development of lead-free flexible X-ray shielding materials to reduce occupational exposure to scattered radiation has become increasingly important. Tungsten (W) is considered one of the most promising alternatives to lead (Pb) because of its high density and excellent attenuation characteristics. However, in highly filled composites, particle agglomeration and the formation of microvoids can reduce the effective density of the material, thereby limiting its shielding performance. In this study, calcined Ca–P inorganic powder derived from waste animal bone was applied as an auxiliary filler in W/PVC composite sheets to evaluate its potential for improving shielding performance through void reduction and effective density enhancement. Waste animal bone was calcined (600–1200 °C) to produce Ca–P powder. The calcined Ca–P was melt-compounded with tungsten/PVC and processed into 0.25 mm thick flexible shielding sheets. The fabricated sheets were characterized by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM), bulk density measurements, and radiation protection efficiency (RPE) evaluations under effective X-ray energies ranging from 23.6 to 52.4 keV. SEM observations revealed a reduction in microvoids and the formation of a more continuous internal structure in the sheets containing calcined Ca–P. At the W-85 composition, the bulk density increased from 12.448 to 15.241 g/cm³, accompanied by an RPE improvement of up to 4.5 percentage points at 23.6 keV. Correspondingly, shielding performance improved by up to approximately 4.5 percentage points at 23.6 keV and by approximately 1.0–3.4 percentage points at 46.5 keV. These findings suggest that calcined Ca–P functions not as a primary shielding material replacing tungsten, but rather as a density-correcting auxiliary filler that mitigates microvoid formation and enhances the effective density of highly filled W/PVC composites. These findings demonstrate that waste animal bone-derived Ca–P is a promising upcycled densification filler for improving the processability and X-ray shielding performance of lead-free flexible shielding sheets. Full article

Agricultural biomass, comprising animal manure, food processing residues, lignocellulosic agricultural by-products, and other agro-industrial wastes, is generated in large quantities worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Although these residues pose significant environmental disposal challenges, they represent abundant renewable carbon resources that can be valorized into biofuels, contributing to sustainable waste management and circular bioeconomy initiatives. Biohythane, a gaseous fuel consisting of hydrogen and methane, is primarily produced through two-stage anaerobic digestion, in which dark fermentation generates hydrogen-rich intermediates that are subsequently converted into methane during methanogenesis. The separation of these stages enables independent optimization of hydrogen and methane production, resulting in improved substrate conversion efficiency and higher energy recovery than conventional single-stage anaerobic digestion. In addition, the presence of hydrogen enhances combustion characteristics while reducing greenhouse gas and nitrogen oxide emissions. This review critically evaluates recent advances in biohythane production from agricultural biomass through a structured assessment of peer-reviewed literature retrieved from major scientific databases. The selected studies were synthesized to examine biomass feedstocks, pretreatment technologies, microbial communities, metabolic pathways, reactor configurations, and process optimization strategies influencing biohythane production. The review further discusses the advantages and limitations of different agricultural residues, identifies current technological and economic challenges, and highlights emerging research opportunities to improve process efficiency and facilitate the sustainable commercialization of biohythane as a low-carbon renewable energy source. Full article

The deterioration of SBS-modified asphalt under coupled temperature–ultraviolet (UV)–coastal humidity conditions is significantly accelerated in coastal regions because of seawater evaporation, leading to severe durability degradation of pavement materials. However, the performance evaluation laws and underlying regeneration mechanisms under such coupled environmental aging conditions remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, taking Shanghai as a representative coastal city, a temperature–UV–coastal humidity coupled aging system was established to simulate the saline and humid environment of coastal regions. Industrial animal oil and waste engine oil were selected as regeneration materials, and a multi-scale experimental approach was adopted to evaluate the performance recovery of aged asphalt. The results indicate that both regeneration materials effectively restore ductility and improve rheological behavior, while reducing viscosity but cause a measurable decrease in softening point, indicating a reduction in high-temperature stability. Industrial animal oil shows superior improvement in ductility, whereas waste engine oil exhibits stronger effects on viscosity reduction and microstructural regulation. A content of approximately 6% was recommended as a practical content to balance performance recovery and high-temperature stability under the tested coupled-aging condition. Microstructural analysis confirms that the regeneration mechanism is dominated by light component replenishment and colloidal structure reconstruction rather than chemical modification of SBS chains. Full article

Global plastic production and inadequate waste management have led to widespread environmental contamination with microplastics (MPs), now detected in food, water, and air. Their small size, diverse polymer composition, and capacity to carry chemical additives and co-pollutants facilitate intestinal uptake and raise concerns about their potential impact on gut microbiota. This review synthesizes current evidence on how MPs influence gut microbial composition and function, gut barrier integrity, and associated inflammatory and metabolic pathways. We conducted a narrative review of in vivo animal studies, in vitro simulated gut systems, and human observational studies that assessed MP exposure, gut microbiota profiles, and downstream toxicological outcomes. MPs originate from primary and secondary sources and can act as vectors for metals and organic pollutants. Following ingestion, they may cross the intestinal barrier via endocytic and persorption routes, acquire a protein corona, and be recognized by immune cells, activating TLR/NF-κB, and MAPK pathways alongside oxidative stress. In these models, MP exposure induces dysbiosis, characterized by loss of beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides) and expansion of pathobionts (e.g., Escherichia/Shigella, Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae), accompanied by altered bile acid metabolism. These microbiota and metabolic alterations are linked to increased gut permeability, intestinal inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and, in some studies, reproductive and neurobehavioral effects. Current evidence supports MPs as emerging modulators of gut microbial and intestinal homeostasis. However, heterogeneity across experimental models, reliance on high exposure doses, and lack of standardized MP characterization limit robust risk assessment. These limitations underscore the need for harmonized methodologies, longitudinal large-scale human studies, and the development of targeted mitigation strategies. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination of cereal-based pig feeds is a persistent threat to swine health and global pork safety. Pigs are uniquely susceptible to mycotoxicosis, and the principal toxins—aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), fumonisins (FUMs), and ochratoxin A (OTA)—cause impaired growth, reproductive failure, hepato- and nephrotoxicity, immunosuppression, and carry-over residues in edible tissue. Anti-mycotoxin feed additives, including mineral adsorbents, biotransforming agents, and multicomponent mycotoxin-detoxifying agents (MMDAs) combining clays, phytogenic antioxidants (curcumin, silymarin), and postbiotics (yeast cell wall, hydrolyzed yeast), constitute the primary mitigation strategy. Beyond animal health, these agents play underappreciated roles in both the circular economy (CE)—enabling safe valorization of by-product feed ingredients and reducing feed waste—and in the life cycle assessment (LCA) sustainability profile of pork production, where feed conversion ratio (FCR) drives 22–95% of greenhouse gas emissions. Field-based in vivo studies in sows and weaned piglets, integrating plasma oxidative stress biomarkers (TBARS, protein carbonyls, total antioxidant capacity) with performance and reproductive endpoints, provide the most comprehensive real-world evidence for MMDA efficacy to date. This review synthesizes mycotoxin toxicology, anti-mycotoxin agent mechanisms, clinical evidence, and the CE/LCA sustainability framework, proposing integrated mycotoxin management as a One Health imperative in modern swine production. Full article

In this work, three biochars were synthesized from a mixture of an abundant agricultural waste (date palm fronds) and an animal biomass (chicken manure) at pyrolysis temperatures of 700 °C (B-700), 800 °C (B-800), and 900 °C (B-900), respectively. These biochars were characterized and used as electrode materials in a capacitive deionization (CDI) process to remove salts from saline water. The CDI results show that the B-700 electrode displayed the highest desalination efficiency of 10.2% with 100 ppm NaCl. Further mixing the B-700 with 10% and 20% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) revealed an enhanced desalination performance. For instance, a biochar-20%CNT electrode achieved a salt adsorption capacity (SAC) of 11.32 mg/g at 200 ppm NaCl, which is 7.6 times higher than that of B-700 alone. The performance enhancement is attributed to carbon nanotubes acting as conductive channels between biochar particles, thereby improving electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of the CDI electrode. Additionally, the presence of well-known hydrophilic functional groups on CNT surfaces enhances hydrophilicity, providing a highly porous surface area. The results suggest that the CDI method with biochar–CNT electrodes offers opportunities for energy-efficient, low-cost freshwater production, with significant scaling up potential for the treatment of brackish and wastewater. Full article

Avoidable household food waste can arise at multiple stages of household food management, including storage, preparation, cooking, consumption, and post-cooking storage. It may also be associated with upstream food access and purchasing conditions. Using a purpose-designed 2017 survey of 204 rural households in Shandong, China, this study combines three-day household tracking with direct weighing of avoidable edible food waste. A food-purchase transport motorization index (TMI) is constructed from food-category-specific transport modes weighted by household consumption shares. Its association with observed food waste is examined using Tobit models, interval shape tests, and sensitivity analyses. TMI exhibits a nonlinear statistical association with total food waste: fitted waste increases at lower motorization levels and tends to decrease at higher levels, although formal interval tests do not confirm an inverted-U relationship for total waste. The nonlinear pattern is clearest for storage waste, whereas plate waste shows a positive linear association. TMI is significantly associated with waste occurrence, but its association with the amount wasted among households with positive waste is not statistically significant. Purchase frequency strengthens the association between TMI and waste occurrence, whereas dietary diversity shows no comparable moderating role. Associations are more pronounced for non-perishable and plant-based foods than for perishable or animal-based foods. These findings provide short-term micro-level evidence from a rural transport-transition setting. Full article