Search Results (23)

The excessive use of synthetic pesticides has not only resulted in increased resistance among weeds and pests, leading to significant economic loss, but has also raised serious health and environmental concerns. Chalcones and their derivatives, known for their herbicidal, fungicidal, bactericidal, and antiviral properties, are emerging as promising bio-based candidates. These naturally occurring compounds have long been recognized for their beneficial health effects and wide-range applications. However, their limited concentration in plants, along with poor solubility and bioavailability, brings challenges for their development. The aim of this study was to examine the properties of a synthetic substance, pinocembrin dihydrochalcone (3-phenyl-1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanone), including its soil dissipation and adsorption. Additionally, we evaluated its antioxidant activity through the DPPH assay and FRAP experiments. This analysis aims to provide insights into its potential classification as a low risk pesticide. Full article

Nano-emulsions of essential oils (EO) and their chemical constituents are promising raw materials for the ecological control of Tribolium castaneum. Curcuma longa L. is a plant known for the properties of its rhizome, which is used in food, health, and hygiene products. Although its leaves are considered by-products with no commercial value, they produce an essential oil rich in bioactive monoterpenoids. This study aims to evaluate the repellency of nano-emulsions containing the EO from leaves of C. longa or its three main chemical constituents against T. castaneum. The representative mixture of EO extracted in four different months showed p-cymene (26.0%), 1,8-cineole (15.1%), and terpinolene (15.5%) as major compounds. Nano-emulsions of EO (HLB 16.7), terpinolene (HLB 15.0), 1,8-cineole (HLB15.0), and p-cymene (HLB 15.0) were repellent at concentrations of 11 μg/cm² (EO, terpinolene, and p-cymene) and 1.1 μg/cm² (1,8-cineole). The EO nano-emulsion droplet size increased linearly over time, remaining below 300 nm for 35 days. The EO nano-emulsion proved to be a green alternative to synthetic pesticides, as it was safe against the bioindicator Chlorella vulgaris. Furthermore, its main constituents were able to inhibit in silico the enzyme telomerase of T. castaneum, which is an enzyme essential for life. This study provides ideas for the utilization of EO from leaves of C. longa as raw material for new environmentally friendly plant-derived nanobiopesticides. Full article

The transition to sustainability in agriculture faces significant challenges, especially to balance environmental goals with the practical demands of food production. This paper examines two different case studies that reveal the complexities of agricultural regulation. The first case focuses on the valorization of agri-food residual biomasses, highlighting the potential to transform food waste into valuable bioproducts such as bioenergy and biofertilizers. Despite the clear environmental and economic benefits, the absence of specific European regulations hinders the widespread adoption of these practices. Without clear rules for achieving “end-of-waste” status, the development and marketing of bio-based products remain restricted. The second case study examines the European Union’s unsuccessful effort to implement the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR), which aimed to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030. Although the regulation sought to align agricultural practices with the EU’s Green Deal, it triggered widespread protests from farmers concerned about the potential economic losses and decreased productivity. These two cases, one showing under-regulation and the other over-regulation, highlight the need for balanced and practical regulatory frameworks that promote sustainability without imposing unrealistic demands on stakeholders. This paper ends with recommendations to harmonize regulations across Europe, ensuring that both innovation in agricultural waste management and practical pesticide reduction strategies are implemented in a way that supports farmers and producers, minimizing economic disruptions and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Microbial melanins are a group of pigments with protective effects against harsh conditions, showing fascinating photoprotective activities, mainly due to their capability to absorb UV radiation. In bacteria, they are produced by the oxidation of L-tyrosine, generating eumelanin and pheomelanin. Meanwhile, allomelanin is produced by fungi through the decarboxylative condensation of malonyl-CoA. Moreover, melanins possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, revealing significant properties that can be used in different industries, such as cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agronomical. In agriculture, melanins have potential applications, including the development of new biological products based on this pigment for the biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria to reduce the excessive and toxic levels of agrochemicals used in fields. Furthermore, there are possibilities to develop and improve new bio-based pesticides that control pest insects through the use of melanin-producing and toxin-producing Bacillus thuringiensis or through the application of melanin to insecticidal proteins to generate a new product with improved resistance to UV radiation that can then be applied to the plants. Melanins and melanin-producing bacteria have potential applications in agriculture due to their ability to improve plant growth. Finally, the bioremediation of water and soils is possible through the application of melanins to polluted soils and water, removing synthetic dyes and toxic metals. Full article

The use of biobased substances derived from industrial and household waste as renewable raw materials for environmental applications is gaining prominence due to its sustainable and cost-effective approach to waste valorisation. Herein, we report the uptake of paraquat, a widely used pesticide, by magnetite nanoparticles coated with composted urban biowaste-derived substances (MNP-BBS). The magnetic nanoparticles were prepared using a modified co-precipitation method, and were characterized through various physicochemical techniques. They were tested as an adsorbent for paraquat removal under diverse experimental conditions, exploring the influence of pH (3–10), MNP-BBS dosages (200–1000 mg L⁻¹), ionic strength (0–0.01 M), and presence of organic matter. The kinetic study revealed that the adsorption of paraquat onto MNP-BBS follows the pseudo-second-order model, reaching the adsorption equilibrium after 2 h of contact and 90% of paraquat removal in the best condition tested (1000 mg L⁻¹). The equilibrium experimental data showed a high adsorption performance with a good fitting to the Freundlich isotherm model. Also, from Langmuir model a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.085 mmol g⁻¹ was estimated. The results indicated that electrostatic interaction between the negative functional groups of the adsorbent and the paraquat play a major role in the adsorption mechanism, although the contribution of π-π and hydrophobic interactions cannot be completely ruled out. This research underscores the potential of utilizing MNP-BBS as an effective adsorbent for the removal of paraquat, shedding light on its application in sustainable water purification processes. Full article

The evolution from conventional to modern agricultural practices, characterized by Agriculture 4.0 principles such as the application of innovative materials, smart water, and nutrition management, addresses the present-day challenges of food supply. In this context, polymer hydrogels have become a promising material for enhancing agricultural productivity due to their ability to retain and then release water, which can help alleviate the need for frequent irrigation in dryland environments. Furthermore, the controlled release of fertilizers by the hydrogels decreases chemical overdosing risks and the environmental impact associated with the use of agrochemicals. The potential of polymer hydrogels in sustainable agriculture and farming and their impact on soil quality is revealed by their ability to deliver nutritional and protective active ingredients. Thus, the impact of hydrogels on plant growth, development, and yield was discussed. The question of which hydrogels are more suitable for agriculture—natural or synthetic—is debatable, as both have their merits and drawbacks. An analysis of polymer hydrogel life cycles in terms of their initial material has shown the advantage of bio-based hydrogels, such as cellulose, lignin, starch, alginate, chitosan, and their derivatives and hybrids, aligning with sustainable practices and reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. Full article

Charcoal rot disease (CRD), caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, is a significant threat to cotton production in Israel and worldwide. The pathogen secretes toxins and degrading enzymes that disrupt the water and nutrient uptake, leading to death at the late stages of growth. While many control strategies were tested over the years to reduce CRD impact, reaching that goal remains a significant challenge. The current study aimed to establish, improve, and deepen our understanding of a new approach combining biological agents and chemical pesticides. Such intervention relies on reducing fungicides while providing stability and a head start to eco-friendly bio-protective Trichoderma species. The research design included sprouts in a growth room and commercial field plants receiving the same treatments. Under a controlled environment, comparing the bio-based coating treatments with their corresponding chemical coating partners resulted in similar outcomes in most measures. At 52 days, these practices gained up to 38% and 45% higher root and shoot weight and up to 78% decreased pathogen root infection (tracked by Real-Time PCR), compared to non-infected control plants. Yet, in the shoot weight assessment (day 29 post-sowing), the treatment with only biological seed coating outperformed (p < 0.05) all other biological-based treatments and all Azoxystrobin-based irrigation treatments. In contrast, adverse effects are observed in the chemical seed coating group, particularly in above ground plant parts, which are attributable to the addition of Azoxystrobin irrigation. In the field, the biological treatments had the same impact as the chemical intervention, increasing the cotton plants’ yield (up to 17%), improving the health (up to 27%) and reducing M. phaseolina DNA in the roots (up to 37%). When considering all treatments within each approach, a significant benefit to plant health was observed with the bio-chemo integrated management compared to using only chemical interventions. Specific integrated treatments have shown potential in reducing CRD symptoms, such as applying bio-coating and sprinkling Azoxystrobin during sowing. Aerial remote sensing based on high-resolution visible-channel (RGB), green–red vegetation index (GRVI), and thermal imaging supported the above findings and proved its value for studying CRD control management. This research validates the combined biological and chemical intervention potential to shield cotton crops from CRD. Full article

To enhance food security, food safety, and environmental health, a bio-based integrated pest management (BIPM) strategy was evaluated at two coastal locations in Lebanon as an alternative to toxic pesticide sprays in commercial high-arched plastic tunnels common in many countries. The evaluation occurred during two cucumber and pepper cropping seasons: spring and fall. At each site, two commercial tunnels were used; farmers’ conventional practices were applied in one tunnel, while the BIPM approach was followed in the second tunnel. In the farmers’ practices, a total of 14 sprays of insecticide/acaricide mixtures were applied during the spring growing season, and 6 sprays were applied during the fall. In the BIPM tunnels, hotspot releases of local strains of Amblyseius swirskii and Phytoseiulus persimilis were applied. By the end of the spring season, the number of whitefly nymphs (WFNs)/leaf and thrips/leaf in the pesticide treatment were 4.8 and 0.06, respectively, compared to 0.1 and 0.33, respectively, in the BIPM treatment. Similarly, at the end of the fall season, the WFNs reached 19.7/leaf in the pesticide control as compared to 1.2/leaf in the BIPM treatment, proving the efficacy of A. swirskii. Farmers using conventional acaricides during both cropping seasons failed to control Tetranychus urticae, the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM). However, hotspot releases of P. persimilis were successful in controlling TSSM. By the end of June, the number of TSSMs reached 7.8/leaf in the BIPM treatment compared to 53/leaf in the pesticide treatment. Likewise, in December, TSSM numbers reached 9/leaf in the BIPM treatment compared to 40/leaf in the pesticide treatment. Preliminary observations of pepper showed that both predatory mites (A. swirskii and P. persimilis) gave similar or better efficacy against the three pests. The two local predatory phytoseiid mites seem to be effective in controlling these three major pests and to be adapted to local environmental conditions. A rate of increase of 0.86 was observed for P. persimilis and 0.22 for A. swirskii, in June, when maximum temperatures were close to 40 °C. This also shows a compatibility between the two predators. In conclusion, our BIPM approach was efficient under a Mediterranean climate in arched plastic tunnels with relatively poor aeration. Full article

Promising initial results from the use of membrane-fractionated extracts of tomato leaf as crop protection agents have recently been reported. This paper provides additional evidence from larger scale experiments that identify an efficient pipeline for the separation of tomato leaf extracts to generate a fraction with significant defence elicitor activity. A UF tubular membrane 150 kDa, with an internal diameter of 5 mm, proved appropriate for initial extract clarification, whereas afterwards a UF 10 kDa and three NF membranes (200–800 Da) in sequence were evaluated for the subsequent fractionation of this tomato extract. The compositions of sugars, proteins and total biophenols were changed in these fractions with respect to the initial extract. The initial extract ratio of sugars: proteins: biophenols was 1:0.047:0.052, whereas for the retentate of the 800 Da NF membrane, which has the higher crop protection activity, this ratio was 1:0.06:0.1. In this regard, it appears that the main crop protection effect in this fraction was due to the sugars isolated. It was found that with the appropriate membrane cascade selection (UF 150 kDa, UF 10 kDa and NF 800 Da) it was possible to produce (easily and without the need of additional chemicals) a fraction that has significant activity as an elicitor of disease resistance in tomato, whereas the remaining fractions could be used for other purposes in a biorefinery. This is very promising for the wider application of the proposed approach for the relatively easy formulation of bio-based aqueous streams with bio-pesticide activities. Full article

Intense human activities have for years contributed to the pollution of the environment by many dangerous pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. There are many conventional methods used to control pollution, with practical and/or financial drawbacks. Therefore, in recent years, an innovative, easy-to-implement and inexpensive adsorption method has been developed to recover waste and clean up water from micropollutants. Firstly, this article aims to summarize the issues related to water remediation and to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the methods classically used to purify water. In particular, this review aims to provide a recent update of the bio-based adsorbents and their use. Differently from the majority of the reviews related to wastewater treatment, in this article several classes of pollutants are considered. Then, a discussion about the adsorption process and interactions involved is provided. Finally, perspectives are suggested about the future work to be done in this field. Full article

Advanced agronomic methods, urbanisation, and industrial expansion contaminate air, water and soil, globally. Agricultural and industrial activities threaten living biota, causing biodiversity loss and serious diseases. Strategies such as bioremediation and physiochemical remediation have not been effectively beneficial at treating pollutants. Metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) such as copper, zinc, silver, gold, etc., in various nanoformulations and nanocomposites are used more and more as they effectively resist the uptake of toxic compounds via plants by facilitating their immobilisation. According to studies, bio-based NP synthesis is a recent and agroecologically friendly approach for remediating environmental waste, which is effective against carcinogens, heavy metal contamination, treating marine water polluted with excessive concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen and harmful algae, and hazardous dye- and pesticide-contaminated water. Biogenic resources such as bacteria, fungi, algae and plants are extensively used for the biosynthesis of NPs, particularly metallic NPs. Strategies involving green synthesis of NPs are nontoxic and could be employed for commercial scale production. Here, the focus is on the green synthesis of NPs for reduction of hazardous wastes to help with the clean-up process. Full article

The role of engineering in our society is not to just to continue creating chemicals, but sharing the responsibility for environmentally sound appropriate design of substances for a circular economy. Concerning this contemporary strategy, waste wooden sawdust (WSD) as a biobased by-product is augmented with magnetite (Mag) nanoparticles to meet the concept of cyclic application of resources in environmentally relevant photocatalytic reactions. The physical properties of the prepared WSD:Mag material were characterized to emphasis their structure and morphology by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), then the prepared catalyst was applied in augmentation with hydrogen peroxide as a type of photocatalyst in the form of Fenton’s reaction system to oxidize Nudrin pesticide in queues media. Twinned WSD:Mag has been verified to exhibit higher performance than pristine single-phase catalysts. System parameters, i.e., pH, hydrogen peroxide, catalyst dozing, and temperature, were studied to check their effect on the reaction activity. In the present study, further promotion of photocatalytic activity of twinned WSD:Mag was obtained by optimizing the process parameters at the optimal reaction time of 30 min. The optimal results investigated via Box–Behnken design regression model based on response surface mythology (RSM) showed that the photocatalytic activity of the twinned catalyst could reach 94% at pH 2.5 and 386 and 38 m/L of H₂O₂ and WSD:Mag, respectively. The regression coefficient and probability obtained from analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to check the adequacy of the applied model, and were 92% and 0.02, respectively. Additional confirmatory tests were carried out under optimum conditions for verification and agreed with the predicted values. Experimental data analysis revealed that the reaction is well fitted with the second-order reaction model. Thermodynamic parameters highlighted the oxidation reaction is non-spontaneous at high temperature and exothermic in nature and proceeds at a low activation energy barrier (31.46 kJ/mol). Catalyst recyclability was also checked, which confirmed catalyst sustainability and high removal rates (78%) after six cycles of use. This work introduces a new concept to design a promising environmentally benign photocatalyst with high potential for applicability to environmental remediation of agricultural effluents with a view to a circular economy. Full article

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a highly promising bio-based polymer that can replace petroleum-based materials. The PLA-modified membrane has been found to effectively block soil odours in laboratory experiments, but its barrier effect at the excavated soil interfaces of actual pesticide sites requires further evaluation. This study investigates the barrier effect of the PLA-modified membrane on odours at the excavated soil interface of a pesticide-contaminated site in Guangdong Province, China. The membrane’s barrier effect on odours was comprehensively evaluated using the static chamber technique with three indicators: diffusion flux, odour concentration, and a health risk index. The results showed that the initial diffusion fluxes of six main odour substances: m- and p-xylene, o-xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, and cumene were 1.95 × 10⁰, 2.88 × 10⁻¹, 7.27 × 10⁻³, 1.49 × 10⁰, 2.97 × 10⁻³, and 3.89 × 10⁻³ mg/(m²·s) based on the contribution rate. After laying the PLA-modified membrane, the flux reduction rate of all six odour substances was generally >90%. The background odour concentration in the test area was 109.56, and the odour concentration after laying the membrane was <1.12. The initial non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk indices of the test area were 3.03 and 1.62 × 10⁻⁴, respectively. After laying the membrane, these indices were <0.05 and <3.78 × 10⁻⁷, respectively, indicating no health risk. Overall, the PLA-modified membrane had a good barrier effect on odours in the on-site application, effectively reducing the diffusion and nuisances of odours, as well as their health risks. Full article

Heavy metal pollution represents an urgent worldwide problem due to the increasing number of its sources; it derives both from industrial, e.g., mining, metallurgical, incineration, etc., and agricultural sources, e.g., pesticide and fertilizer use. Features of membrane technology are the absence of phase change or chemical additives, modularity and easy scale-up, simplicity in concept and operation, energy efficiency, and small process footprint. Therefore, if membrane technology is coupled to adsorption technology, one of the most effective treatment strategies to remove heavy metals, namely, Adsorptive Membrane Technology, many typical disadvantages of traditional processes to remove heavy metals, such as low-quality treated water, excessive toxic sludge production, which requires further treatment, can be overcome. In this review, after a broad introduction on the relevance of heavy metal removal and the methods used, a thorough analysis of adsorptive membrane technology is given in terms of strategies to immobilize the adsorbents onto/into membranes and materials used. Regarding this latter aspect, the impressive number of papers present in the literature on the topic has been categorized into five types of adsorptive membranes, i.e., bio-based, bio-inspired, inorganic, functionalized, and MMMs. Full article

Industrial hemp, as a diverse plant, can be a revolutionary crop for a better future and for upcoming generations. It is an eco-friendly and worthwhile crop that complements a sustainable growth system. Industrial hemp farming has the potential to dramatically minimize the amount of carbon impact on the environment and can be cultivated with little or no usage of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis has significantly raised health awareness among the people, fueling the growth of the hemp market at a great pace. The stalks, seeds, and leaves are converted into various construction materials, textiles, paper, food, furniture, cosmetics, healthcare products, and soon. Bioplastics, biofuels, and biopesticides are some of the innovative applications of the plant, which are subjects of research and debate at present time. It is not only a treasure for the industrial sector but also a dignified plant for sustainable farming systems. The benefits of industrial hemp cultivation will uplift the socio-economic level of the farmers globally and can even add to the GDP per capita of nations to a great extent. The future of the plant strongly depends on market demand for its bio-based products that will help the plant to establish itself as a worthy sustainable crop. Full article