Search Results (2,584)

The escalating global challenge of waste management, combined with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has intensified interest in waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies as integrated solutions for sustainable energy recovery. This review critically examines advanced WtE technologies through three interconnected dimensions: the strength of the evidence base supporting performance and environmental claims, the challenges associated with scalability and system integration, and the implications of these technologies for net-zero energy transitions. The analysis covers thermochemical, biochemical, and hybrid conversion pathways, including pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal liquefaction, and anaerobic digestion, with particular emphasis on identifying inconsistencies in the literature and clarifying key uncertainties. A persistent gap between laboratory-scale performance and commercial-scale operation is identified and characterised across conversion pathways. Its principal drivers of feedstock heterogeneity, heat transfer limitations, and operational complexity are examined. Environmental assessments are shown to be highly sensitive to system boundary definitions and carbon accounting methodologies, with lifecycle results varying substantially depending on energy substitution assumptions and biogenic carbon treatment. The integration of WtE within circular economy frameworks demonstrates that energy recovery is most effective when positioned as a complement to material recycling rather than a substitute. The roles of combined heat and power configurations, district heating, carbon capture and storage, and emerging reactor technologies in advancing net-zero contributions are assessed. Significant data gaps are identified in long-term operational performance, modelling transparency, and reporting standardisation. The review concludes that WtE technologies represent valuable components of integrated waste and energy management systems, but their long-term contribution to decarbonisation requires careful system design, sound operational strategies, and harmonised performance evaluation frameworks. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with goji berries (Lycium barbarum) on the nutritional profile, oxidative stability, and shelf life of rabbit meat. Thirty-two rabbits were assigned to two dietary treatments: a control diet (CN) and the same diet supplemented with 3% dried goji berries (GJ). Proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle were determined at dissection, whereas physical, microbiological, and biochemical parameters were evaluated during refrigerated storage (4 °C; 1, 4, and 10 days) and frozen storage (−20 °C; 60 and 120 days). Dietary supplementation significantly modified the lipid profile of the meat, reducing saturated fatty acids and increasing long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. During refrigerated storage, lipid peroxidation increased in both groups; however, meat from the GJ group showed significantly lower TBARS values after 10 days (0.22 vs. 0.33 mg MDA/kg; p < 0.001), indicating improved oxidative stability. Lower accumulation of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), reduced formation of biogenic amines, and slower growth of spoilage-related microbial populations, particularly Pseudomonas spp., were also observed in GJ samples. Overall, the GJ diet improved fatty acid composition and delayed degradative processes during storage, suggesting its potential as a functional feed ingredient to enhance rabbit meat quality and shelf life. Full article

Coffee is a very popular psychoactive beverage with a complex composition. Besides its stimulant effect due to caffeine, it contains several bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties and potent metabolic activity. Its clinical efficacy is fundamentally determined by the bioavailability and metabolic fate of its constituents. The bioactive components of coffee, such as polyphenols, melanoidins, phytosterols, biogenic amines, and carotenoids, have notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. This review aims to present the main bioactive components of coffee, their biological effects, mechanisms of action, and the influence of preparation methods and individual variability on metabolic outcomes in common chronic diseases. The data are synthesized from clinical, prospective, and interventional studies to examine how processing variables and biological metabolism influence the health-promoting potential of coffee antioxidants. Brewing methods like hot filtration optimize the extraction of these antioxidants. Individual clinical outcomes are further modulated by genetic polymorphisms and gut microbiota variability, which influence the activation of the cellular Nrf2 antioxidant defense pathway. Full article

Improving the energy performance of existing multi-apartment residential buildings is critical for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Central and Eastern Europe, where large stocks of post-war buildings with limited insulation are connected to district heating systems. This study evaluates façade insulation retrofit strategies for two representative typologies in Novi Beograd, Serbia—a high-rise tower and an elongated slab-type (‘lamella’) building—using calibrated dynamic energy models and cradle-to-use lifecycle assessment (LCA) over a 50-year service life. Models were calibrated against measured 2023–2024 heating consumption data (NMBE < 1%, CVRMSE < 15%) and normalized with Typical Meteorological Year weather for consistent scenario comparison. Retrofit scenarios applied expanded polystyrene (EPS) and cellulose insulation at 10, 12, and 15 cm thicknesses. Results show that external insulation reduces annual heating demand by approximately 19–20% compared to the uninsulated baseline (192 kWh/m²·a), with the majority of savings achieved at 10 cm and only marginal gains from additional thickness. Insulation thickness has a stronger influence on operational energy reduction than material choice, as differences between EPS and cellulose remain below 0.5%. LCA indicates 23.6–26.0% lower climate change impacts and 23.6–25.8% reduced cumulative energy demand in retrofit scenarios, with cellulose offering modest advantages due to lower embodied emissions and biogenic carbon storage. These findings support targeted envelope retrofits as an effective strategy for decarbonizing district-heated residential buildings in the region. Full article

The phytochemical variability in Cannabis sativa L. chemovars represents an underexplored factor in environmentally sustainable nanomaterial production. In this study, three distinct chemovars, (i) High-Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (89% THC), (ii) Balanced (60% Cannabidiol (CBD)), and (iii) High-CBD (89% CBD), were comparatively evaluated to determine their suitability for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Ethanolic inflorescence extracts were used to recover bioactive secondary metabolites; among them, the High-CBD extract exhibited the highest total phenolic (3.34 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoid (29.49 mg quercetine equivalent/g) contents, together with superior antioxidant capacity (53.16% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) inhibition), indicating enhanced redox potential for nanoparticle formation. The terpene profile of High-CBD showed a dominance of myrcene (21.4%), contributing to the stabilization of the system. Using the High-CBD extract, predominantly spherical nanoparticles of 5 ± 0.9 nm were synthesized and confirmed by UV–vis, EDS, and TEM. The biogenic AgNPs demonstrated significant dose-dependent antibacterial activity, with minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1.0 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 4.5 mg/mL against Escherichia coli. These findings highlight the critical role of chemovar-dependent phytochemical composition and support a phytochemistry-guided approach for developing silver nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications. Full article

Biogenic amines (BAs) are important qualitative indicators of quality, as they are produced by specific microbial strains and can therefore reflect the activity of specific spoilage organisms (SSOs). Their presence in food, including wine, provides valuable information on processing conditions, hygiene practices and storage management throughout the production chain. In wine, the accumulation of BAs—particularly histamine, tyramine and putrescine—is mainly associated with microbial activity during fermentation, especially malolactic fermentation, and may pose potential risks to consumer health. Despite the recognized toxicological relevance of BAs, current European Union (EU) regulations only establish limits for histamine in certain fish products, with no specific legal thresholds defined for wine. However, growing evidence on the interactions and adverse effects of BAs highlights the need to better address their occurrence in wine and to improve consumer awareness regarding safety and quality aspects. In addition to safety concerns, the implementation of good hygiene and manufacturing practices across the entire production process plays a crucial role in controlling BA levels in the final product. These factors, together with the intrinsic characteristics of wine, may influence consumer perception and choice, integrating aspects of health, production methods and product quality. Recent findings suggest a shift in perspective, where BAs are not only considered risk markers but also useful indicators for assessing wine quality and enhancing consumer safety. Full article

The excessive accumulation of biogenic amines (BAs) in aquatic products poses serious health risks, necessitating the development of rapid and sensitive detection methods. This study reports the synthesis of a novel fluorescent nanocomposite, carbon-dot-embedded covalent organic frameworks (CDs@COFs). Comprehensive characterization (TEM, XPS, FTIR, UV–Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy) confirmed the successful fabrication of the nanocomposites, which exhibited excellent thermal and optical stability. A significantly enhanced quantum yield of 36.22% (compared with 12.92% for pure carbon dots) was obtained. As a fluorescent probe, the composite enabled the detection of nine BAs based on a fluorescence quenching mechanism. The proposed method demonstrated good linearity (1~100 ng/mL) and low detection limits of 0.58~0.98 ng/mL. The method was successfully applied to analyze tyramine in large yellow croaker, showing accurate spike recoveries ranging from 91.93% to 101.43% and excellent reproducibility (RSD < 3%). These results highlight the great potential of the developed method as a powerful tool for the rapid screening of BAs in aquatic products. Full article

Novel carbon-storing construction materials have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in long-lived building products. In order to understand the full benefits and shortcomings of carbon-storing materials, life cycle assessments (LCAs) must be performed. However, material innovators who are looking to perform LCAs of their products during early-stage research and development (R&D) face many challenges. While these challenges have been reported in the literature, this information has been fragmented and required a more comprehensive investigation. We explored these LCA challenges by holding an in-person workshop with sixteen R&D teams who were developing carbon-storing materials and building designs. From the data collected in this workshop, we found that the R&D teams struggled with data availability, biogenic carbon, and uncertainty, which confirmed our findings from the literature. They also struggled with various other LCA topics. Since current LCA tools lack functions that would be useful for this user group, we also proposed a list of tool ideas that could address their LCA needs, which can inform future LCA tool development. Full article

This study demonstrates the feasibility of encapsulating Paracoccus yeei VKM B-3302 cells, which contain palladium nanoparticles, within an organosilicon matrix synthesized using the sol–gel method. The resulting organosilicon material is characterized by a well-developed porous structure and a high specific surface area, ensuring the formation of a catalytic system with accessible active sites. Kinetic studies of the Mizoroki–Heck reaction showed that, although encapsulating the Pd/P. yeei catalyst in an organosilicon matrix slightly decreases its initial reaction rate, it increases the selectivity of the process and reduces the leaching of the active metal during repeated use. These results suggest the potential of encapsulating microorganisms containing metal nanoparticles in organosilicon materials to create stable hybrid catalytic systems. Full article

This qualitative systematic review evaluates the potential of modular prefabricated OSB/plywood housing systems in low-technification, high-seismicity settings. These systems are promoted as low-carbon options for emerging contexts, and we assess how far the evidence supports that promise and under which conditions they can contribute to net-zero housing pathways. An adapted PRISMA 2020 workflow was applied to Scopus (TITLE-ABS, 2000–2025); 153 studies were synthesized in a table-first, coded matrix into axes for structural, digital fabrication, sustainability/circularity, and extrapolatable systems—supplemented by curated housing cases—with other EWPs used only for contrast. To address fragmentation and heterogeneity across domains, we developed a domain-based QA/QC instrument (STRUCTURAL, LCA, and FABRICATION) to judge whether studies provide minimally comparable evidence. Structural performance is relatively mature for certain patterns (calibrated FEM, cyclic tests, some 1:1 trials), whereas digital fabrication and LCA evidence remain partial: file-to-factory workflows rarely report verifiable QA/QC traceability, and most LCAs stop at A1–A3 with uneven treatment of A4, C/D, and biogenic carbon. Full convergence of adequate STRUCTURAL, LCA, and FABRICATION evidence within the same system type is rare, so both transferability to low-technification, seismic-prone settings and alignment with net-zero objectives must be characterized as conditional rather than established. The review identifies minimum multi-domain thresholds—technical robustness, whole-life LCA coverage, and verifiable QA/QC—as prerequisites for positioning modular OSB/plywood housing as a credible low-carbon pathway. These conclusions are limited by Scopus-only, English-language coverage and methodological heterogeneity, especially in the LCA. Full article

This study investigated sub-basin variability in dissolved (dBa)–excess particulate (Ba_xs) barium relationships and Ba flux patterns across the western and central Mediterranean Sea during late spring 2017 (PEACETIME cruise). The dBa concentrations increased from ~35 nmol L⁻¹ near the surface to ~70 nmol L⁻¹ at 2500 m, consistent with the relatively weak vertical dBa gradient typical of the Mediterranean. Depth profiles of dBa showed distributions consistent with Ba_xs dynamics associated with organic matter remineralization at mesopelagic depths (100–1000 m). Ba_xs exhibited basin-dependent maxima, with lower (<300 pM) depth-weighted average concentrations confined to the upper mesopelagic in the Tyrrhenian and Ionian basins and higher (up to 650 pM) and deeper concentrations (to ~1000 m) in the Algero–Provençal basin, suggesting contrasted remineralization horizon structures. A simplified steady-state 1-D approach yielded first-order mesopelagic dBa removal fluxes of ~0.3 ± 0.1 µmol m⁻² d⁻¹ in the Algero–Provençal basin to 1.7 ± 1.0 µmol m⁻² d⁻¹ in the Ionian basin, consistent with previous estimates obtained from a coupled dBa and parametric optimum multiparameter approach. Together, these paired dissolved and particulate Ba observations refined the Mediterranean Ba cycle framework and provided additional geochemical constraints for interpreting mesopelagic carbon remineralization processes. Full article

In this study, a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-supported Ag–ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized via a hydrothermal route as a polymeric photocatalyst for efficient UV-A light-driven dye degradation. The renewable CNC framework provides abundant hydroxyl functional groups for nanoparticle anchoring, enhancing dispersion and interfacial charge transfer. Structural (XRD, FTIR, TEM, PL, and XPS) and thermal (TGA and DTG) analyses confirm successful incorporation of Ag nanoparticles and retention of CNC crystallinity. The composite exhibits a reduced optical bandgap (3.02 eV) and demonstrates superior photocatalytic activity, achieving 96% methylene blue (MB) degradation within 120 min. Enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag-induced plasmonic excitation and CNC-facilitated charge migration, effectively suppressing ZnO photocorrosion. Moreover, the optimization of the parameters was conducted and found to be pH 7, a catalyst dose of 0.3 g L⁻¹, and an initial MB concentration of 10 ppm, which shows the best photocatalytic degradation reaction. The CNC/Ag–ZnO catalyst maintains 87% activity after five reuse cycles, showing good stability and reusability. The photostability of the CNC/Ag–ZnO catalyst was evaluated by ICP-MS, which measured Zn²⁺ concentration in the aqueous solution. Additionally, the degraded MB compounds were identified using GC-MS/MS analysis. This work highlights the potential of polymer-based biogenic supports for sustainable photocatalyst design and bridges polymer science with environmental remediation technology. Full article

Vibrio alginolyticus is a common pathogenic bacterium and can cause diseases in aquaculture animals. Lysine lactylation (Kla) is a novel post-translational modification (PTM) that has been confirmed to play critical roles in key biological processes. However, the modification landscape and functions of Kla in V. alginolyticus remain unclear. In this study, lactylation modification profiles of the bacterial pathogen V. alginolyticus were first systematically characterized; a total of 9308 lactylation sites on 2155 proteins were successfully identified. The lactylation of cAMP receptor protein (CRP) and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) was verified by Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and Western blot to validate the lactylome data. Bioinformatic analysis of the Kla sites revealed 32 conserved sequence motifs surrounding the modified residues. Kla proteins were mainly involved in central metabolic pathways, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and ribosome biogen regulators were found to contain Kla modification sites. To investigate crosstalk among lysine acylations in V. alginolyticus, we integrated Kla, lysine acetylation (Kac), and lysine succinylation (Ksuc) profiles and identified 337 co-modified proteins and 5 co-modified sites. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of Vibrio alginolyticus CobQ based on protein sequence alignment revealed no homology to the known delactylase CobB. Combined in vitro and in vivo functional validation identified VaCobQ as a candidate delactylase with potential NAD⁺-independent activity. This study establishes a lysine lactylation landscape in V. alginolyticus, providing a resource for exploring Kla functions in bacterial metabolism and its possible connections to virulence. Full article

Investigating the cycling characteristics of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in karst groundwater within arid and semi-arid regions is crucial for understanding its role in the global carbon cycle and its contribution to atmospheric carbon sinks. This study is centered on the Liulin Spring area of North China, based on sampling data from April 2019. We employed hydrogeochemical analysis and environmental isotopic tracing methods to (1) characterize the spatial distribution of DIC along the groundwater flow path; (2) elucidate the sources of HCO₃⁻; (3) calibrate groundwater ¹⁴C ages. Results indicate that the HCO₃⁻ concentration initially increases and then decreases along the flow path, peaking in the spring discharge zone. Conversely, δ¹³C values initially decrease and then increase, reaching a minimum in the discharge zone, exhibiting a negative correlation with the HCO₃⁻ concentration. The contribution of soil/biogenic CO₂ dissolution to HCO₃⁻ ranges from 26% to 62%, with the highest values (56–62%) observed in recharge, runoff, and discharge zones and lower values (26–49%) observed in stagnant zones; this contribution generally decreases towards the western boundary. Calibrated ¹⁴C ages are significantly reduced and align better with expected groundwater dynamics. Full article

In this study, composite silica-containing nanostructures were biosynthesized from residual rice husk through a fermentative process using Aspergillus niger at room temperature without calcination. The obtained nanostructures were initially characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to determine their optical and structural properties compared with chemically synthesized silica. The results demonstrated the successful formation of composite silica-containing amorphous nanostructures under ambient conditions without the use of calcination or mineral acids. UV–Vis analysis revealed intense absorption in the deep ultraviolet region, attributed to electronic transitions associated with Si–O–Si bonds within the amorphous silica network. FTIR analysis enabled the identification of functional groups present on the material surface, providing direct evidence of the nanostructures’ chemical composition. Additionally, FE-SEM micrographs showed that the rice husk surface after biosynthesis exhibited a rough and porous texture with a morphology consistent with the formation of composite silica-containing amorphous nanostructures, in agreement with the characteristic Si–O–Si vibrational bands observed in the FTIR spectra and the strong ultraviolet absorption detected by UV–Vis analysis. Full article