Search Results (3,342)

This study examined the effects of applying silver nanoparticles (AgNPs; 0, 5 and 10 mg L⁻¹) in a hydroponic system for seven days on growth parameters and on nutrient and phytohormone concentrations in two tomato cultivars, Vengador and Rio Grande. The results indicated that AgNPs at concentrations of 5 and 10 mg L⁻¹ did not change leaf number, stem length, or fresh/dry biomass weight. In leaves of Vengador, P and K concentrations decreased, while Mg and S increased in response to AgNPs. In stems and roots, both P and K decreased. Zn concentrations increased in leaves, Mn in stems and roots. In leaves of Rio Grande, K, Mg, S, Cu and Mn concentrations increased, while P decreased in AgNP-treated plants, as compared to the control. In stems, N, S and Mn concentrations increased, but P, K, Ca, Mg and B decreased. In roots, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn and B decreased, whereas S increased. Silver was only detected in roots of plants treated with AgNPs in both cultivars under study. In leaves of Rio Grande plants, kinetin concentrations decreased with AgNPs applications. In roots of Vengador, indole-acetic acid concentrations increased with 10 mg AgNP L⁻¹; in Rio Grande, roots exhibited an increased concentration of gibberellic acid and abscisic acid in plants exposed to 5 mg AgNP L⁻¹. The evidence retrieved from this work unveils the impact of metal-based NMs on the modulation of nutrient and phytohormone concentrations in a so important food crop such as tomato. Full article

This study benchmarks two nanocellulose (NC) production architectures: sulfuric-acid hydrolysis of pineapple peel biomass to obtain hydrolyzed nanocellulose (HNC) and microbial biosynthesis of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) by Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii in defined media. HNC and BNC were characterized by SEM, FTIR, AFM, and ζ-potential, and the routes were compared using a sustainability-focused multicriteria framework. The Visual Integration of Multicriteria Evaluation (VIME) (radar chart + weighted decision matrix) yielded a higher overall score for BNC (66) than HNC (51), driven primarily by lower downstream washing/neutralization water demand (~0.3 L vs. ~14 L per batch), fewer purification stages (~2 vs. ~5), and lower waste hazard. In contrast, HNC performed better in calendar time (~7 vs. ~18 days). AFM revealed route-dependent morphologies: BNC formed a homogeneous nanofiber network (37 ± 9 nm), while HNC formed heterogeneous lamellar fragments (70 ± 12 nm). Route-specific yields were 3.15% (w/w, dry biomass basis) for HNC and 1.065 g/L (culture-volume basis) for BNC. Although a full ISO-compliant Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) are beyond the scope of this laboratory-scale study, the defined system boundaries and reported process inventories provide an LCA/TEA-ready template for future mass- and cost-balanced comparisons. Full article

Extensive green roofs can be used to provide spaces for local agriculture in urban environments, although extreme moisture and temperature conditions typically found in these systems can often be challenging for crop production. The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale extensive green roof was utilized to determine the effects of a polyacrylamide hydrogel, pine bark mulch, and irrigation frequency on the growth and productivity of ‘Compact’ and ‘Italian Large Leaf’ basil (Ocimum basilicum), and the growth and overwintering ability of two perennial culinary herbs, sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Results indicated that weekly irrigation increased late-season basil and perennial plant vigor, basil fresh and dry weight, and overwintered perennial plant vigor and height compared to bimonthly watering. Although the use of pine bark mulch improved basil fresh weight and plant vigor compared to no mulch, mulching did not influence (p > 0.05) perennial herb growth or overwintering in an extensive green roof environment. Hydrogel applications improved basil plant height compared to none, although fresh and dry plant biomass were not influenced by hydrogel applications. In comparison, hydrogels as additions to the green roof medium did not influence either early- or late-season perennial plant vigor, although the overwintered plant vigor collected the following spring was greater in the no-hydrogel treatment. For perennial herbs, sage had greater vigor, overwinter survival, and overall suitability for extensive green roof environments compared to thyme. This research indicated the importance of perennial herb selection and consistent water supply for annual and perennial herb growth and the overwintering success of perennial herbs. Thus, supplemental water and other management strategies to provide more constant medium moisture content are important considerations for sustaining culinary herb production on extensive green roofs. Full article

This study evaluates the potential of fine-grained waste gneiss as a soil improver, with particular emphasis on its chemical and grain composition and its effects on plant growth. The experimental material consisted of mixtures of fine-grained waste gneiss with varying proportions (from 0.38% to 7.5% in the pot) supplemented with varying proportions of dolomite (from 0.14% to 0.22% in the pot). Pot experiments were conducted for 57 days under controlled conditions using selected crops. Plant response was assessed based on growth rate, green mass production, and dry mass. For most tested variants, the results demonstrated a dose-dependent enhancement in plant productivity associated with gneiss supplementation. Compared to the control, experiments containing higher proportions of fine-grained gneiss resulted in an increase in green and dry mass from 8.14% to 78.73% and by 12.5% to 96.88%, respectively. Additionally, strong positive correlations between gneiss content and yield parameters (Pearson’s r > 0.8) were observed. In contrast, the dolomite fraction mainly conceptually affected soil chemical properties, including calcium and magnesium availability and pH stabilization. Overall, the findings suggest that fine-grained waste gneiss acts as a growth-promoting soil conditioner, as evidenced by the marked improvement in plant biomass. The findings confirm the high potential of waste gneiss as a functional soil improver, supporting sustainable resource management and aligning with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

Ammonia (NH₃) is a key precursor to secondary particulate matter in Southeast Asia, yet Thailand has lacked a country-specific, policy-focused emission inventory. This study creates the first spatially gridded (12 × 12 km) and monthly resolved national NH₃ inventory for 2019, using detailed agricultural activity data, survey-based livestock management practices, and crop-specific fertilizer application profiles. Satellite-derived burned-area data were included to constrain emissions from open burning. National NH₃ emissions are estimated at 459.1 kt per year, with an overall uncertainty of ±15.3%. Agriculture accounts for 95.8% of total emissions. Livestock and manure management contribute 225.3 kt per year (49.1%), reflecting high densities of poultry, cattle, and pigs, as well as regional differences in manure handling and storage practices that enhance ammonia volatilization. Fertilizer-related emissions total 192.4 kt per year (41.9%), with seasonal peaks during primary planting cycles, in contrast to the more episodic biomass-burning emissions. Comparison with the global EDGARv8.1 inventory shows significant sectoral and temporal differences, including considerably higher livestock emissions and lower fertilizer emissions in this study, due to Thailand-specific emission factors and temporal emission allocation methods. These findings clarify the spatial and temporal drivers of NH₃ emissions in Thailand and offer actionable insights for targeted mitigation—notably improved manure management and optimized nitrogen use in regions where dry-season emissions coincide with severe PM_2.5 episodes. The THAI-NH₃ Inventory provides a strong foundation for chemical-transport modeling and evidence-based policymaking to reduce ammonia-related haze in Thailand. Full article

The transition to low-carbon energy systems requires scalable and energy-efficient routes for producing liquid biofuels that are compatible with existing fuel infrastructures. This review focuses on bio-oil production from phototrophic microorganisms, highlighting their high biomass productivity, rapid growth, and inherent capacity for carbon dioxide fixation as key advantages over conventional biofuel feedstocks. Recent progress in thermochemical conversion technologies, particularly hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and fast pyrolysis, is critically assessed with respect to their suitability for wet and dry algal biomass, respectively. HTL enables direct processing of high-moisture biomass while avoiding energy-intensive drying, whereas fast pyrolysis offers high bio-oil yields from lipid-rich feedstocks. In parallel, catalytic upgrading strategies, including hydrodeoxygenation and related hydroprocessing routes, are discussed as essential steps for improving bio-oil stability, heating value, and fuel compatibility. Beyond conversion technologies, innovative biological and biotechnological strategies, such as strain optimization, stress induction, co-cultivation, and synthetic biology approaches, are examined for their role in tailoring biomass composition and enhancing bio-oil precursors. The integration of microalgal cultivation with wastewater utilization is briefly considered as a supporting strategy to reduce production costs and improve overall sustainability. Overall, this review emphasizes that the effective coupling of advanced thermochemical conversion with targeted biological optimization represents the most promising pathway for scalable bio-oil production from phototrophic microorganisms, positioning algal bio-oil as a viable contributor to future low-carbon energy systems. Full article

Multi-product biorefineries, which transform biomass feedstocks into multiple valuable bio-based products, are pivotal for transitioning from a fossil-based economy to a sustainable circular bioeconomy. This work proposes a processing pipeline for fractionating the macrocomponents of Nannochloropsis oceanica, which can serve as a basis for multi-product microalgae biorefineries. It consists of high-pressure homogenization (1200 bar, 1 cycle) to permeabilize the cells, and sequential membrane processing (0.2 µm dia-microfiltration followed by 100 kDa ultrafiltration) and ethanolic extraction (60 mL ethanol/g dry weight, 1 h) to fractionate the disrupted biomass. This biorefinery resulted in four final fractions: (1) enriched in water-soluble proteins (39.0 ± 2.8% w/w proteins; 10.7 ± 0.8% w/w carbohydrates); (2) remaining soluble components (5.7 ± 0.4% w/w proteins; 4.3 ± 0.9% w/w carbohydrates); (3) lipid-rich extract (62.4 ± 5.8% w/w lipids); and (4) non-extracted components (11.8 ± 4.5% w/w lipids), with mass recovery yields of 23.2 ± 2.1%, 6.9 ± 1.0%, 10.6 ± 1.9%, and 60.4 ± 4.1%, respectively. The ultrafiltration protein selectivity was not optimal, despite yielding a 2.6 times more concentrated fraction. Lipid extraction yield (35–60%) and purity (56–68%) were highly affected by the water content of the microfiltration retentate. Overall, 10.0 ± 0.9% of the proteins, 9.7 ± 1.8% of the carbohydrates, and 42.4 ± 13.4% of the lipids of N. oceanica were recovered in fractions 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Full article

As demand for rare earth elements (REEs) rises and environmental concerns about the extraction of primary resources grow, biological methods for removing these elements have gained significant attention as eco-friendly alternatives. This study assessed the ability of the green macroalga Ulva lactuca to remove europium (Eu) from aqueous solutions, evaluated the cellular partition of this element and investigated the toxicological effects of Eu exposure on its biochemical performance. U. lactuca was exposed to variable concentrations of Eu (ranging from 0.5 to 50 mg/L), and the amount of Eu in both the solution and algal biomass was analyzed after 72 h. The results showed that U. lactuca successfully removed 85 to 95% of Eu at low exposure concentrations (0.5–5.0 mg/L), with removal efficiencies of 75% and 47% at 10 and 50 mg/L, respectively. Europium accumulated in algal biomass in a concentration-dependent manner, reaching up to 22 mg/g dry weight (DW) at 50 mg/L. The distribution of Eu between extracellular and intracellular fractions of U. lactuca demonstrated that at higher concentrations (5.0–50 mg/L), 93–97% of Eu remained bound to the extracellular fraction, whereas intracellular uptake accounted for approximately 20% at the lowest concentration (0.5 mg/L). Biochemical analyses showed significant modulation of antioxidant defenses. Superoxide dismutase activity increased at 10 and 50 mg/L, while catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were enhanced at lower concentrations (0.5–1.0 mg/L) and inhibited at higher exposures. Lipid peroxidation levels remained similar to controls at most concentrations, with no evidence of severe membrane damage except at the highest Eu level. Overall, the results demonstrate that U. lactuca is an efficient and resilient biological system for Eu removal, combining high sorption capacity with controlled biochemical responses. These findings highlight its potential application in environmentally sustainable remediation strategies for REE-contaminated waters, while also providing insights into Eu toxicity and cellular partitioning mechanisms in marine macroalgae. Full article

Willows (genus Salix) are versatile plants with applications in construction, medicine, and biomass fuel in North America. Advances in breeding have improved willow clones for higher yields and pest resistance, but the chemical content and distribution across different plant parts remain poorly understood. This study examined the variation in chemical elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, and ash) across six willow clones (India, Jorr, Olof, Otisco, Preble, and Tora) and three tissue types (wood, bark, twigs). We also compared freeze-drying and oven-drying methods to assess their impact on chemical content. Freeze-dried samples generally exhibited higher carbon and hydrogen concentrations than oven-dried samples, with statistically significant differences primarily observed for carbon, while nitrogen showed no overall significant difference between drying methods. Chemical composition varied among clones, although no single clone consistently dominated across all chemical parameters. In contrast, pronounced tissue-type differences were observed: bark had higher nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, chlorine, and ash contents, whereas wood exhibited relatively higher hydrogen concentrations, with twigs showing intermediate values. These findings suggest that accounting for tissue-specific chemical differences can improve the selection and utilization of willow biomass and increase the accuracy of ecological assessments, including carbon storage estimates. The findings of this study indicate that oven-drying should remain in use within the bioenergy sector, whereas freeze-drying ought to become the preferred standard for carbon-accounting protocols. Full article

Soil salinization remains a critical constraint on global land sustainability, severely limiting agricultural output and ecosystem resilience. To address this issue, a field trial was implemented to investigate the interactive benefits of vermicompost (VC) and a novel soil conditioner derived from coal gasification slag-based soil conditioner (CGSS) in mitigating saline–alkali stress. The perennial forage grass Leymus chinensis, valued for its ecological robustness and economic potential under adverse soil conditions, served as the test species. Five treatments were established: CK (unamended), T1 (CGSS alone), T2 (VC alone), T3 (CGSS:VC = 1:1), T4 (CGSS:VC = 1:2), and T5 (CGSS:VC = 2:1). Study results indicate that the combined application of CGSS and VC outperformed individual amendments, with the T4 treatment demonstrating the most effective results. Compared to CK, T4 reduced soil electrical conductivity (EC) by 12.00% and pH by 5.17% (p < 0.05), while markedly enhancing key fertility indicators—including soil organic matter and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Thus, these improvements translated into superior growth of L. chinensis, reflected in significantly greater dry biomass, expanded leaf area, and increased plant height. Additionally, the T4 treatment increased soil microbial richness (Chao1 index) by 21.5% and elevated the relative abundance of the Acidobacteria functional group by 16.9% (p < 0.05). Hence, T4 treatment (CGSS: 15,000 kg·ha⁻¹; VC: 30,000 kg·ha⁻¹) was identified as the optimal remediation strategy through a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation that integrated multiple soil and plant indicators. From an economic perspective, the T4 treatment (corresponding to a VC-CGSS application ratio of 2: 1) exhibits a lower cost compared to other similar soil conditioners and organic fertilizer combinations for saline–alkali soil remediation. This study not only offers a practical and economically viable approach for reclaiming degraded saline–alkali soils but also advances the circular utilization of coal-based solid waste. Furthermore, it deepens our understanding of how integrated soil amendments modulate the soil–microbe–plant nexus under abiotic stress. Full article

Global chestnut production has grown significantly in recent years, driven by its health benefits and growing interest in sustainable agriculture. Chestnut processing produces a solid residue consisting primarily of the fruit’s outer shell (pericarp), which is generally disposed of by on-farm combustion. However, this waste biomass shows a high potential for valorization due to its nutritional composition, particularly as a source of dietary fiber and polyphenols. In this study, the valorization potential of chestnut outer shells was evaluated through two approaches, demonstrating possible applicability at an industrial level: (1) the recovery of polyphenols using a simple and environmentally friendly extraction method, easily applicable on-farm, based on hot water as a solvent under different time–temperature combinations according to Response Surface Methodology (Central Composite Design); (2) the addition of chestnut outer shell flour during breadmaking as a source of fiber supplementation. Optimization of the extraction process using Response Surface Methodology combined with the desirability function identified optimal conditions at 102 min and 115 °C, yielding a maximum of approximately 172.30 mg of polyphenols per gram of dry outer shell. The incorporation of chestnut outer shell flour into bread formulations resulted in reduced dough workability, increased crust hardness (13.00 ± 0.87; 36.00 ± 1.00), and a darker bread color (1278.33 ± 39.27; 584.33 ± 25.90 RGB), particularly in the crumb. Full article

The aim of the experiment was to assess the effects of municipal sewage sludge, mushroom substrate, and hydrogel on the quality of energy grass species and their biomass yield. The experiment was conducted in the climatic conditions of central-eastern Poland between 2020 and 2022. Two perennial grass species were used: Miscanthus giganteus (giant miscanthus) M 19 and Panicum virgatum L. (rod millet) var. Northwind. Sewage sludge and mushroom substrate doses, each corresponding to 170 kg N·ha⁻¹, were applied in the spring of the first year. The experiment was established on microplots with four replications. Each year, biomass was harvested in January, and the yield of fresh and dry matter was determined. Then plant material was adequately prepared, and the total content of P, Ca, and Mg was measured with the ICP-OES method. The application of hydrogel resulted in a significant increase in the yield of each grass species: giant miscanthus by 11.87% and rod millet by 8.28%. Organic waste applied in combination with hydrogel increased the yield of energy plants and improved their chemical composition. Full article

Powdered fiber- and polyphenol-rich ingredients derived from pear canning residues were obtained by direct processing. Residues were subjected to acid immersion and subsequent convective drying, milling, and sieving. Drying kinetics were studied to select the best operative drying conditions (70 °C, 3 h) for both acidified (CIT) and non-acidified (C) samples. Two granulometries were also assessed (<210 and <590 μm). The resulting powders (C210, CIT210, C590, CIT590) were characterized as bioactive compounds, techno-functional fiber properties, physical and stability attributes, as well as in vitro bioaccessibility. All powders were rich in dietary fiber (52–54%) and exhibited a polyphenol content ranging from ~390 to 567 mg GAE/100 g on a dry basis for CIT and C powders, respectively. Also presented good hydration properties and low oil absorption. Sample C210 was particularly noteworthy due to its higher polyphenol level and better physical and stability properties. Acid immersion slightly reduced browning during drying and, although it caused a polyphenol loss (29%), CIT samples showed a better functional potential in terms of bioaccessibility of polyphenols (83 ± 6%) and of antioxidant capacity (58 ± 1%). By analyzing multiple properties, this study offers a comprehensive evaluation of simple and cost-effective biomass utilization strategies for the production of functional ingredients. Full article

In the current climate change context and the potential to extend exotic crops in Romania, sweet potato could become an option for extensive areas with optimum ecophysiological conditions to provide economic and ecological benefits and assure food security. This study aimed to validate the suitability, photosynthetic performance, yield productivity, and sugar content of three sweet potato cultivars, KSC, Koretta, and Hayanmi, in Central Romania. Three key phenophases were selected: the beginning of flowering (P1), 50% tuber formation/full flowering (P2), and total tuber formation/leaves and stems bleached and dry (P3), respectively. At the beginning of flowering, extreme heat and moisture stress showed a reduced effect on the sweet potato development and photosynthetic parameters. The only exception was the assimilation rate for Hayanmi, which was markedly lower, with the highest relative chlorophyll content and leaf dry biomass. Koretta registered increased values for stomatal features. A higher tuber weight was registered for Hayanmi in P2 due to slightly increased rainfall and elevated evapotranspiration. In P3, the temperatures dropped sharply, rainfall exceeded evapotranspiration, and KSC accumulated a seven times higher value for tuber weight. The total biomass was 2–3 times higher for KSC in P3. Sugar content was negatively correlated with tuber weight, and Hayanmi had 1% higher values compared with KSC and Koretta. Sweet potato showed a variety-specific response to ecophysiological conditions, and for each variety, these physiological features suggest potential advantages for different cropping scenarios. Full article

Plant-derived phytotoxins are widely investigated as sustainable alternatives to synthetic herbicides; however, a major limitation is the insufficient chemical characterization of active constituents in many promising candidate species, including Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib. In this study, the phytotoxicity of A. xylocarpa leaves and their phytotoxic compounds were investigated to evaluate their potential value as a bioherbicide. The results showed the A. xylocarpa leaf extracts suppressed the seedling growth of Lepidium sativum L., Lactuca sativa L., and Lolium multiflorum Lam. Six compounds were obtained from the A. xylocarpa leaf extracts using bio-guided fractionation and were identified as (+)-dehydrovomifoliol (1), (3R,6R,7E)-3-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-9-one (2), (+)-3-hydroxy-β-ionone (3), (S)-N-(1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropan-2-yl) benzamide (4), isololiolide (5), and (+)-lariciresinol (6). Compounds 1 to 6 significantly reduced seed germination, seedling growth, and dry biomass accumulation into different extents (p < 0.05). L. sativum roots were more susceptible to all the obtained compounds than other growth parameters, except for compound 4. Based on the doses of six compounds required for 50% growth inhibition (defined as EC₅₀ value), compound 3 (EC₅₀ values = 227.4 to 582.3 µM) and compound 5 (EC₅₀ values = 53.8 to 200.8 µM) were the most toxic against all the growth parameters of L. sativum and may be the principal active compounds of the A. xylocarpa leaf extracts. Such phytotoxic effects indicate that these six compounds could be candidates for bioherbicides. Full article