Search Results (298)

The growing concern over environmental sustainability has intensified the focus on consumers’ perceptions of eco-friendly food packaging, especially among younger generations. This study aims to investigate the attitudes, preferences, and barriers faced by Greek university students regarding sustainable food packaging, a demographic considered pivotal for driving future consumption trends. An online questionnaire assessing perceptions, preferences, and behaviours related to sustainable packaging was administered to students, with responses measured on a five-point Likert scale. Three hundred and sixty-four students took part in this survey, with the majority (60%) of them being female. Principal component analysis was employed to identify underlying factors influencing perceptions, and k-means cluster analysis revealed two consumer segments: “Innovatives”, including one hundred and ninety-eight participants (54%), who demonstrate strong environmental awareness and willingness to adopt sustainable behaviours, and “Sceptics”, including one hundred sixty-six participants (46%), who show moderate engagement and remain cautious in their choices. Convenience, affordability, and clear product communication emerged as significant factors shaping student preferences. The findings suggest that targeted educational campaigns and transparent information are essential to converting positive attitudes into consistent purchasing behaviours. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and marketers looking to design effective sustainability strategies tailored to the student population. Full article

This study explores the role of egoistic and altruistic values on green real estate purchase intention among young consumers in Canada aged between 20 and 40 years. In addition, this study examines the mediating effects of pro-environmental self-identity between social consumption motivation and green real estate purchase intention. A quantitative cross-sectional research design with an explanatory nature is employed. A total of 432 participating consumers in Canada, comprising 44% men and 48% women, with a graduate educational background accounting for 46.7%, and the ages between 24 and 35 contributing 75.2%, were part of the study, and the data collection used a survey method with a purposive sampling, followed by a respondent-driven method. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed on the scales used for the study variables. A structural equational model and path analysis were conducted to derive the results, and the relationships were positive and significant. The study results infer the factors contributing to green real estate purchase intention, including altruistic value, egoistic value, social consumption motivation, and pro-environmental self-identity, with pro-environmental self-identity mediating the relationship. This study emphasizes the relevance of consumer values in real estate purchasing decisions, urging developers and marketers to prioritize ethical ideas, sustainable practices, and building a feeling of belonging and social connectedness. Offering eco-friendly amenities and green construction methods might attract clients, but creating a secure area for social interaction is critical. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to explore the role of egoistic and altruistic values on purchase intention, mainly in the housing and real estate sector, with the target consumers being young consumers in Canada. Full article

Phytoalexins are antimicrobial compounds of diverse chemical classes whose production is triggered in plants in response to pathogen infection. This study demonstrated that spraying with a celery flavonoid-rich extract (CFRE) or a spinach flavonoid-rich extract (SFRE) enhanced the production of phytoalexins in cucumber leaves artificially infected with powdery mildew incited by Podosphaera fusca. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis revealed a noticeable increase in the content of phenolic acids, including caffeic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and syringic acid, as well as the flavonoid rutin in both non-inoculated and inoculated leaves of cucumber seedlings treated with CFRE and SFRE, compared to healthy untreated leaves used as a control. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the accumulation of phenolic acid compounds in chloroplasts and at the periphery of epidermal cells. Overall, results suggest the reduced severity of P. fusca infection following the application of CFRE and SFRE in cucumber leaves could be due, at least in part, to the production of phytoalexins of polyphenolic nature. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of systemic resistance induced by CFRE and SFRE. Moreover, they confirm these two natural flavonoid-rich products could be promising alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides for the safe and ecofriendly control of cucumber powdery mildew. Full article

The use of methane as a carbon source for producing bacterial single-cell protein (SCP) has been one of the most interesting developments in recent years. Most of these upcoming industries are using a methanotroph, Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, for SCP production using natural gas as the substrate. In the present study, we have explored the possibility of using an indigenously isolated methanotroph from a rice field in India, Methylomagnum ishizawai strain KRF4, for producing SCP from biogas [derived from cow dung]. The process was eco-friendly, required minimal instruments and chemicals, and was carried out under semi-sterile conditions in a tabletop fish tank. As the name suggests, Methylomagnum is a genus of large methanotrophs, and the strain KRF4 had elliptical to rectangular size and dimensions of ~4–5 µm × 1–2 µm. In static cultures, when biogas and air were supplied in the upper part of the growing tank, the culture grew as a thick pellicle/biofilm that could be easily scooped. The grown culture was mostly pure, from the microscopic observations where the large size of the cells, with rectangular-shaped cells and dark granules, could easily help identify any smaller contaminants. Additionally, the large cell size could be advantageous for separating biomass during downstream processing. The amino acid composition of the lyophilized biomass was analyzed using HPLC, and it was seen that the amino acid composition was comparable to commercial fish meal, soymeal, Pruteen, and the methanotroph-derived SCP-UniProtein^®. The only difference was that a slightly lower percentage of lysine, tryptophan, and methionine was observed in Methylomagnum-derived SCP. Methylomagnum ishizawai could be looked at as an alternative for SCP derived from methane or biogas due to the comparable SCP produced, on the qualitative level. Further intensive research is needed to develop a continuous, sustainable, and economical process to maximize biomass production and downstream processing. Full article

Geopolymers, as an eco-friendly alternative construction material to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), exhibit superior performance in soil stabilization. However, their inherent brittleness limits engineering applications. To address this, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers can be incorporated into a one-part geopolymer (OPG) binder to enhance ductility while promoting plastic waste recycling. However, the evaluation of ductile behavior of OPG-stabilized soil with PET fiber normally demands extensive laboratory and field experiments. Leveraging artificial intelligence, a predictive model can be developed for this purpose. In this study, data were collected from compressive and tensile tests performed on the OPG-stabilized soil with PET fiber. Four deep learning neural network models, namely ANN, BPNN, CNN, and LSTM, were then used to construct prediction models. The input parameters in the model included the fly ash (FA) dosage, dosage and length of the PET fiber, and the Curing Time. Results revealed that the LSTM model had the best performance in predicting the three ductile properties (i.e., the compressive strength index [UCS], strain energy index [CSE], and tensile strength index [TES]). The SHAP and 2D-PDP methods were further used to verify the rationality of the LSTM model. It is found that the Curing Time was the most important factor for the strength and ductile behavior. The appropriate addition of PET fiber of a certain length had a positive impact on the ductility index. Thus, for the OPG-stabilized soil, the optimal dosage and length of PET fiber were found to be 1.5% and 9 mm, respectively. Additionally, there was a synergistic effect between FA and PET on the ductility metric. This research provides theoretical support for the application of geopolymer and PET fiber in enhancing the ductility of the stabilized soil. Full article

Narcotics trafficking is a fundamental part of organized crime, posing significant and evolving challenges for forensic investigations. Addressing these challenges requires rapid, precise, and scientifically validated analytical methods for reliable identification of illicit substances. Over the past five years, forensic drug testing has advanced considerably, improving detection of traditional drugs—such as tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine-type stimulants, and lysergic acid diethylamide—as well as emerging new psychoactive substances (NPS), including synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., 5F-MDMB-PICA), cathinones (e.g., α-PVP), potent opioids (e.g., carfentanil), designer psychedelics (e.g., 25I-NBOMe), benzodiazepines (e.g., flualprazolam), and dissociatives (e.g., 3-HO-PCP). Current technologies include colorimetric assays, ambient ionization mass spectrometry, and chromatographic methods coupled with various detectors, all enhancing accuracy and precision. Vibrational spectroscopy techniques, like Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, have become essential for non-destructive identification. Additionally, new sensors with disposable electrodes and miniaturized transducers allow ultrasensitive on-site detection of drugs and metabolites. Advanced chemometric algorithms extract maximum information from complex data, enabling faster and more reliable identifications. An important emerging trend is the adoption of green analytical methods—including direct analysis, solvent-free extraction, miniaturized instruments, and eco-friendly chromatographic processes—that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of innovations over the last five years in forensic drug analysis based on the ScienceDirect database and highlights technological trends shaping the future of forensic toxicology. Full article

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, vector of dengue, is a major public health threat in the Caribbean. In Guadeloupe, where dengue outbreaks occur frequently, traditional plant-based remedies are part of the local heritage but remain poorly documented. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-mosquito potential of 38 Guadeloupean plants through an ethnobotanical survey. A semi-structured online questionnaire was conducted over five months, targeting the plant knowledge of residents. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to identify and validate relevant species. Ethnobotanical indices such as Frequency of Citation (FC), Fidelity Level (FL), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated. Out of the 38 surveyed plants, 22 were confirmed for their traditional anti-mosquito uses. The most cited species included Cymbopogon citratus (93.3%), Artocarpus altilis (25%), and Pimenta racemosa (18.3%). Comparative analysis with existing literature showed that 12 of these plants had not been previously reported for vector control. This highlights the value of ethnobotanical approaches for discovering alternative, eco-friendly vector control options and the importance of preserving traditional knowledge. The study reveals both the high potential of Guadeloupean flora and the risk of cultural erosion, supporting further research into the bioactive compounds of the most cited species. Full article

Studies underscore the significance of coir fibers as a sustainable building material. Based on these insights, this research aims to evaluate coir fiber composite panels of various thicknesses as eco-friendly sound absorbing alternatives to synthetic construction materials like rockwool and fiberglass, aligning its use with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Acoustic absorption was quantified with an impedance tube, and subsequent simulations compared the performance of coir composite panels with that of conventional materials, which constitutes an underexplored evaluation. Using 10 receiver points, the simulations reproduced the acoustic conditions of a multipurpose auditorium before and after the coir covering of parts of the rear and posterior walls. The results indicate that when coir coverings account for approximately 10% of the auditorium surface, reverberation times at 250, 500, 2000, and 4000 Hz are reduced by roughly 1 s. Furthermore, the outcomes reveal that early reflections occur more rapidly in the coir-enhanced model, while the values of the early decay time parameter decrease across all receiver points. Although the original configuration had poor speech clarity, the modified model achieved optimal values at all the measurement locations. These findings underscore the potential of coir fiber panels in enhancing acoustic performance while fostering sustainable construction practices. Full article

Microorganisms take an active part in the processes of microbiologically influenced corrosion, which is protected against by using bactericides—often toxic compounds—with inhibitory properties. There are many studies of eco-friendly “green” biocides/inhibitors, in particular those based on microbial metabolites. Indicators for the processes of microbial corrosion of steel 3 induced by the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio oryzae NUChC SRB2 under the influence of the strains Bacillus velezensis NUChC C2b and Streptomyces gardneri ChNPU F3 have not been investigated, which was the aim of this study. The agar well diffusion method (to determine the antibacterial properties of the supernatants) was used, along with the crystal violet (to determine the biomass of the biofilm on the steel) and gravimetric methods (to determine the corrosion rate). A moderate adhesiveness to steel 3 was established for D. oryzae due to its biofilm-forming ability. The presence of a supernatant on cultures of S. gardneri, B. velezensis and their mixture (2:1) did not reduce the biofilm-forming properties of D. oryzae. Compared to the control, a decrease in the corrosion rate was recorded for the variant of the mixture of the studied bacterial culture supernatants. This indicates the potential of this mixture for use in corrosion protection in environments with sulfate-reducing bacteria, which requires further research. Full article

Conventional controlled low-strength material (CLSM) is a self-consolidating cementitious material with high flowability and low strength, traditionally composed of cement, sand, and water. This study explores the sustainable utilization of off-specification fly ash (OSFA) and bottom ash (BA), classified as industrial by-products with potential environmental hazards, to develop eco-friendly geopolymer CLSM as an alternative to conventional CLSM. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used as an alkali activator to stabilize and solidify both two-part (liquid NaOH) and one-part (solid NaOH pellets) geopolymer CLSM mixtures. These mixtures were evaluated based on flowability (ASTM D6103-17) and compressive strength (<300 psi per ACI Committee 229 guidelines for excavatability). A cost analysis was also conducted. The results demonstrated that incorporating OSFA as a cement replacement increased water demand by 15% to meet flowability requirements, while BA substitution for sand led to segregation challenges requiring mixture adjustments. For two-part mixtures, higher carbon content in OSFA necessitated an increased water-to-fly ash ratio. All self-consolidating mixtures exhibited 1-day compressive strengths ranging from 5 psi (0.03 MPa) to 87 psi (0.6 MPa). One-part mixtures showed a 1% to 34% reduction in 7-day compressive strength compared to two-part mixtures, improving excavatability. Increasing the BA-to-OSFA ratio from 1:1 to 3:1 reduced water demand due to lower surface area but increased the NaOH/OSFA ratio. This study highlights the potential of geopolymer CLSM to reduce costs by up to 94% at current NaOH prices (USD 6 per cubic yard) while repurposing hazardous industrial by-products, offering a cost-efficient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible solution for CLSM production. Full article

Plant-growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) play a central role in promoting sustainable agriculture by improving plant growth and resilience. The aim of this literature review is to survey the impacts of Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. on various agricultural and horticultural plants. The information provided in this manuscript was obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies and observations gathered from numerous literature sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords used were the common and Latin names of various agricultural and horticultural species, fungal endophytes, plant-growth-promoting fungi, Trichoderma, Penicillium, microbial biostimulants, and biotic and abiotic stresses. Endophytic fungi refer to fungi that live in plant tissues throughout part of or the entire life cycle by starting a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with its host without any negative effects. They are also capable of producing compounds and a variety of bioactive components such as terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic components. Penicillium is extensively known for its production of secondary metabolites, its impact as a bioinoculant to help with crop productivity, and its effectiveness in sustainable crop production. The plant-growth-promotion effects of Trichoderma spp. are related to better absorption of mineral nutrients, enhanced morphological growth, better reproductive potential and yield, and better induction of disease resistance. Both Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. are effective, affordable, safe, and eco-friendly biocontrol agents for various plant species, and they can be considered economically important microorganisms for both agricultural and horticultural sciences. The present review article aims to present the most up-to-date results and findings regarding the practical applications of two important types of PGPF, namely Penicillium spp., and Trichoderma spp., in agricultural and horticultural species, considering the mechanisms of actions of these species of fungi. Full article

Leaves (LV), stems (STs), and inflorescences (IFs) of Pfaffia glomerata are usually discarded despite containing various bioactive compounds, especially β-ecdysone saponin. The objective was to optimize by desirability (DI) the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds (total phenolics (TPCs), antioxidant activity (AA), and total saponins) from the aerial parts (LV, ST, and IF) of P. glomerata. Ideal drying conditions were determined and the drying kinetics were evaluated. LV, STs, and IFs were dried and extracted (0.06 g/mL 80% EtOH) in a USS (6 cm × 12 mm, pulse 3/6 s) by Central Composite Design (CCD), varying sonication power (140–560 W) and time (11–139 min), with TPC, AA by DPPH, and total saponin content as responses. The DI indicated that the higher TPC, AA, and saponin levels were obtained at 136.5 min and 137.87 W (STs), and 138.6 min and 562.32 W (LV and IFs). IF extracts contained higher saponin, TPCs, and AA. Higher β-ecdysone levels (3.90 mg g⁻¹) were present in the leaves. Several phenolics were detected in area parts of P. glomerata, the most abundant being p-coumaric acid (LV) and nicotinic acid (STs and IFs). These compounds provide potential health benefits. Phytol was found in all extracts. Extracts by UAE from leaves have antibacterial potential, with demonstrated inhibitory effects against S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. Typhi, and P. aeruginosa, and presented bactericidal effects against E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. Typhi. Aerial parts of P. glomerata can be used to obtain extracts by UAE rich in bioactive compounds, providing complete utilization of the plant and sustainability to cultivation. This work represents the first report on the application of ecofriendly UAE techniques to extract bioactive compounds from the aerial parts of Brazilian ginseng. Full article

Phosphogypsum (PG) is used to prepare eco-friendly cementitious materials, representing a high-value resource utilization approach. However, there are some shortcomings, such as a long setting time and low early strength in phosphogypsum-based cementitious materials (PBCMs), which limit their engineering applications. This work aimed to improve their early performance by adding sodium aluminate. In particular, the effects on the compressive strength, setting time, and fluidity of PBCMs were investigated. Additionally, the effect of sodium aluminate on hydration was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the addition of sodium aluminate results in a significant enhancement in 3 d compressive strength and an obvious procoagulant effect on setting time in PBCMs. When the content of sodium aluminate reaches 1 wt.%, the 3 d compressive strength of PBCMs can reach 10.72 MPa. Compared with the control group (A0, without sodium aluminate), the 3 d compressive strength is improved by 587.39%, and the final setting time is shortened by 4 h 4 min. The microscopic test results show that sodium aluminate can provide sufficient aluminum components at the early stage of hydration, which could effectively enable more phosphogypsum to participate in hydration and accelerate the early part of the process of the hydration reaction. This is conducive to increasing the number of early hydration products of ettringite (AFt) and C-A-S-H gel to improve the early compressive strength and shorten the setting time. Full article

Farmer differentiation has led to significant differences in input behaviors, presenting new challenges for agricultural environmental governance. However, previous studies evaluating agricultural production systems often overlook the impact of farmer heterogeneity, and the relationship between farmer differentiation and environmental impacts remains unclear. This study takes the apple production system as a case and employs life cycle assessment (LCA) using the IMPACT2002+ model to establish environmental impact evaluation indicators for agricultural products. The environmental impacts of different types of farmers are analyzed. The findings are as follows: Overall, orchard systems under Type II part-time farmer (PTF(II)) management show the highest environmental impacts, whereas Type I part-time farmer (PTF(I)) systems exhibit the lowest, with pure farmer (PF) systems falling in between. Endpoint assessments reveal that human health is the most affected, with resource impacts being the least significant. Further analysis reveals that fertilizers are the primary environmental hotspot in the apple production system. For PFs and PTFs(I), the second-largest source of pollution in the orchard system is the purchase of storage services, whereas for PTFs(II), it is irrigation. Therefore, the government should strengthen the management of fertilizers and irrigation, and promote measures such as eco-friendly fertilizers and water-saving technologies, thereby reducing the environmental burden of production. Full article

This paper presents the redesign of a door handle as a case study in applying long-life manufacturing (LLM) principles to the furniture sector, utilizing additive manufacturing with polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable and sustainable polymer. The primary objective of this study is to explore the potential of PLA-based components to enhance sustainability, repairability, and durability in everyday furniture items. A door handle was chosen as a representative product to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. The redesign emphasizes the potential for consumers to 3D print and replace parts as needed, thereby reducing waste and extending product life-cycles. To assess the material’s performance, PLA door handles were subjected to degradation tests under UV light exposure and thermal cycles, simulating real-world conditions. The redesigned handles demonstrated a mass reduction of over 50% compared to the original target, while retaining more than 95% of their initial tensile strength after 14 days of UV-B exposure and thermal cycling between 5 °C and 50 °C. The color change remained minimal, particularly for the white-painted samples, indicating satisfactory aesthetic stability. This research contributes to the growing field of sustainable design, highlighting how additive manufacturing can transform the furniture industry by promoting a circular economy through repairable, durable, and eco-friendly solutions. Full article