Search Results (1,904)

The blue-green fungal pigment xylindein, extracted from species of the Chlorociboria genus, has a long history of use in the arts and is of growing interest to material scientists as a component in photovoltaic cells, textile dyes, and semiconductors. Although there is a plethora of fundamental research on xylindein, commercial scale-up of pigment production has not yet occurred, and the methodology for reliable batch culture growth is still evolving. To help aid in eventual commercial batch culturing and processing of xylindein, this research explored additional mechanical processing methods and solvent combinations. None of the physical processing steps (ultrasonication, centrifugation, and drying) produced significantly more xylindein than any other. However, all solvent combinations that contained benzyl alcohol extracted a visually significant amount of yellow color—a compound that was determined to be xylindein as well. Specifically, solvent combinations of dicholormethane (DCM) and benzyl alcohol (BA), methylethylketone (MEK) and BA, and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and MEK showed a significantly greater color shift toward the yellow spectrum. The results of this research, while unexpected, allow for control over the relative blue–yellow balance in xylindein pigment and for a reliable yellow pigment production from xylindein. Full article

Plant-derived bioactives offer diverse pharmacological activities, but their development is often limited by poor aqueous solubility, instability, rapid metabolism, and low tissue exposure. This review examines delivery platforms used to address these constraints, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, phytosomes, niosomes, polymeric and protein-based carriers, extracellular vesicles, and self-assembled polyphenol systems. The platforms are compared according to payload compatibility, loading and release behavior, biological barriers, manufacturing requirements, and formulation-specific safety risks. Though carriers of natural origin offer a sustainable and often less toxic alternative, their ability to induce immunogenicity, organ accumulation, and repeated-dose toxicity require product-specific assessment. The review also discusses sustainable extraction and formulation, emphasizing that green performance depends on the entire process rather than on the feedstock alone. Preclinical studies frequently report improved stability, exposure, or therapeutic activity, whereas human evidence remains limited and is concentrated in early-phase studies of curcumin and silybin formulations and a small number of plant-derived extracellular-vesicle preparations. Translation will require standardized characterization, defined critical quality attributes, scalable Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant production, batch consistency, comparative pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies, and appropriately powered clinical trials. These considerations support rational carrier selection based on the physicochemical properties of the bioactive, intended route and target, release requirements, and strength of the available evidence. Full article

As the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems accelerates, safeguarding distributed networks against pervasive security and privacy threats has become a paramount concern. Integrating robust cryptographic protocols directly onto resource-limited edge devices offers a promising line of defense. However, severe hardware constraints historically complicate practical implementation. Because finite-field arithmetic fundamentally dictates the speed and efficiency of these cryptographic primitives, optimizing underlying multiplication techniques remains critical. To address these challenges, this paper presents an innovative, highly regular bit-serial systolic architecture tailored specifically for Dickson modular multiplication in binary extension fields. This is achieved via a streamlined systolic mapping over $GF\left(2^l\right)$ using dependency graph extraction, scheduling vectors, and projection directions. With localized pathways, the structure is highly optimized for VLSI integration. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed system are thoroughly evaluated and validated through comprehensive simulation results. Based on analytical and gate-level modeling, the design significantly enhances efficiency, lowering area by at least $162.8\%$, power by at least $214.3\%$, Area–Time Product by at least $5\%$, and Time–Power Product by at least $25.6\%$. These findings confirm that the proposed architecture substantially outperforms state-of-the-art bit-serial multipliers across these key evaluation metrics. Consequently, this solution serves as an ideal cryptographic engine for tightly constrained IoT hardware and embedded nodes, reinforcing secure and energy-aware data processing. By fostering resilient infrastructure and green digital practices, the work directly supports sustainable digital transformation and robust edge computing security. Full article

Malachite green (MG), a triarylmethane dye extensively used in the textile and aquaculture industries, is a persistent aquatic contaminant with documented carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects even at trace concentrations. In the present work, a natural, low-cost Serpentine clay was surface-modified with copper oxide nanoparticles generated in situ through a green, lemon-extract-mediated reduction of copper nitrate, yielding a novel SER/CuO nanocomposite. The as-prepared adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, XRD, BET, and SEM to confirm the successful anchoring of CuO nanoparticles onto the Serpentine lattice. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that the removal of MG was governed by solution pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and initial dye concentration, with maximum uptake obtained close to neutral pH, consistent with the point of zero charge (pH_pzc = 7.6) of the composite relative to the pKa (6.9) of the dye. Equilibrium data were described comparably well by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms at 25 and 55 °C, with a maximum monolayer capacity of 279.06 mg g⁻¹ at 25 °C, while kinetic analysis showed the closest statistical agreement with the Elovich model, pointing to an energetically heterogeneous, chemisorption-assisted process supported by a three-stage intraparticle-diffusion profile. The individual and combined effects of solution pH, adsorbent dose, and contact time on removal efficiency were systematically evaluated using a one-factor-at-a-time approach. Thermodynamic estimation from the two-temperature Langmuir constants indicated a spontaneous and exothermic, and entropy-favored adsorption process. The spent adsorbent was regenerated using dilute hydrochloric acid and retained appreciable efficiency over successive cycles. Comparison to previously reported adsorbents supported the competitiveness of SER/CuO in terms of capacity, cost, and simplicity of preparation, and a techno-economic appraisal supported the feasibility of scale-up. As a waste-valorization step, both the bare SER/CuO adsorbent and its MG-loaded form were evaluated as electrode materials for the urea oxidation reaction: MG loading raised the anodic current density from 143.10 to 176.46 mA cm⁻² at 1.0 M urea, nearly doubled the electrochemically active surface area (7.34 to 14.41 cm²), and lowered the charge-transfer resistance, while sustaining a higher stable current density (111 vs. 81 mA cm⁻²) over 3600 s of continuous operation demonstrating a promising route for coupling water remediation with energy recovery. Full article

Oilseed meal, the primary by-product of oil extraction, is rich in protein, dietary fiber, and minerals, offering significant development potential. However, its application in high-value feed and food is severely restricted due to anti-nutritional factors, leading to resource waste and environmental issues. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) provides a green and efficient approach for the high-value utilization of oilseed meal. This review comprehensively discusses the entire process of strain selection, fermentation strategies, and application of active products in the SSF of oilseed meal. Regarding strain selection, Bacillus spp. degrade macromolecular proteins and inhibit microbial contamination through protease and antimicrobial peptide production. Lactobacillus spp. enhance flavor and safety by producing acids and flavor compounds. Aspergillus spp. decompose cell walls and degrade phytate using their cellulase and phytase systems. For fermentation strategies, mixed fermentation achieves functional complementarity, enzyme–fungus synergy enhances substrate conversion, segmented fermentation optimizes the microbial environment, and physical field assistance boosts enzyme activity, collectively improving fermentation efficiency and nutritional quality. In product applications, fermented oilseed meal serves as both high-quality protein feed and a source of functional peptides and active polysaccharides with antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, showing potential for functional foods and biomedicine. In conclusion, SSF technology effectively degrades anti-nutritional factors, improving the nutritional value and adding value to oilseed meal, thus representing a key strategy for resource conversion. Future efforts should prioritize high-performance strain selection, intelligent process monitoring, and green preparation of active products to promote industrial application and sustainable development. Full article

This study developed an oleic acid (OA)-functionalized, bio-derived calcium carbonate (Bio-CaCO₃) filler recovered from Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) shell waste for incorporation into a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-glycerol (Gro) matrix as a hydrophobic composite coating for reducing pesticide deposition on mandarin surfaces. Aragonite-rich Bio-CaCO₃ was extracted through a combined chemical treatment and mechanical pulverization process. The extracted Bio-CaCO₃ was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, laser diffraction, and ATR FT-IR spectroscopy. At the optimal OA concentration, surface functionalization yielded OA-functionalized Bio-CaCO₃ (OA-Bio-CaCO₃) powder beds that exhibited apparent superhydrophobicity; successful functionalization was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The resulting HPMC-Gro-OA-Bio-CaCO₃ coating dispersion (CD-OA) formed hydrophobic composite films (f-CD-OA), as demonstrated by water contact-angle measurements and surface-morphology analysis. The CD-OA coating formulation was successfully applied to mandarin surfaces by a dip-coating process. Colorimetric screening indicated that organophosphate pesticide residues on coated mandarins did not exceed hazardous levels, even at 20 times the manufacturer-recommended application rate. Quantitative LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analyses demonstrated that the optimized CD-OA coating formulation provided substantial short-term protection against acetamiprid and chlorothalonil with pesticide-deposition reductions of 89% and ≥96%, respectively, after 1 d relative to pristine mandarins. These findings advance the functional reuse of biogenic CaCO₃ and offer a simple, water-based dip-coating approach that provides temporary surface protection for citrus production and food-safety management. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil (YYEO), describing its botany, historical evolution, and global commercial significance. It systematically provides information on traditional extraction techniques such as hydrodistillation, steam distillation, and solvent extraction alongside innovative green technologies, including microwave-assisted distillation (MAD), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Conventional distillation methods are compared with greener technologies. The reviewed studies indicate that microwave-assisted processing can reduce YYEO extraction time from approximately 19 h for conventional hydrodistillation to about 40 min while improving the retention of light oxygenated compounds. In particular, light oxygenated compounds have been reported at approximately 81.23% in solvent-free microwave extracts, compared with 69.94% for hydrodistillation and 57.98% for steam distillation. It has also been reported that YYEO contains more than 50 volatile secondary metabolites, with linalool representing about 28% of the oxygenated fraction, while sesquiterpene-rich hydrocarbons can account for up to 63% of the essential oil. The reviewed studies further demonstrate insecticidal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurobiological activities, supporting the potential use of YYEO in sustainable protective materials and health-related applications. Finally, emerging frontiers in protective smart textiles, living fabrics, and sustainable closed-loop manufacturing paradigms are discussed to outline future directions for bio-based material science. Full article

Ulva prolifera detection is of great significance for marine ecological monitoring and green tide disaster prevention and control. Current single-modal detection methods have inherent limitations. Optical RGB imagery is highly vulnerable to cloud occlusion, while synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is contaminated by severe speckle noise. Furthermore, existing multimodal detection algorithms struggle to address the prominent multimodal feature heterogeneity between optical and SAR remote sensing data. To overcome these challenges, we develop a decoupled multimodal detection network (DMDNet) for fine-grained Ulva prolifera segmentation. First, a dual-branch feature extraction module with parallel alignment encoding is constructed to adapt to heterogeneous inputs of two modalities. Second, a dedicated convolutional layer unifies the dimensions of the two-modality feature streams. The processed features are subsequently passed to the encoder–decoder module, where the network exploits available features from both optical and SAR modalities for segmentation. Third, a multimodal comprehensive loss function is designed to mitigate the segmentation accuracy degradation caused by class imbalance and blurry target boundaries. In addition, a multimodal joint training strategy is adopted to train the model with optical and SAR samples simultaneously in each iteration. Equipped with a shared encoder and independent task-specific decoder heads, DMDNet accepts either a single optical image or a single SAR image as input and generates stable and reliable segmentation results. Comprehensive experiments are conducted on FIO-EP and CODC datasets, which demonstrate that DMDNet outperforms other baseline models. Full article

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is associated with widespread neurophysiological dysregulation, yet accessible and objective biomarkers for early risk identification remain limited. This preliminary study investigates electroencephalographic (EEG) frequency-domain and event-related potential features as candidate group-associated markers in AUD, with a focus on band power reduction and P300 event-related potential attenuation. Using the Begleiter EEG Database (UCI Machine Learning Repository, 1995), comprising 77 individuals with AUD and 45 healthy controls and recorded from 64 channels, we performed power spectral density estimation via Welch’s method and extracted band power across five frequency bands: delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–13 Hz), beta (13–30 Hz), and gamma (30–50 Hz). Band power was computed at the trial level and averaged across trials at the subject level. Statistical comparisons using the Mann–Whitney U test with Benjamini–Hochberg FDR correction revealed significant band power reductions in the AUD group across frontal, central, and parietal channels, with the largest effects observed in parietal delta (P3: Hedges’ $g=-0.97$, $q<0.0001$; P4: $g=-0.95$, $q<0.0001$) and central theta (C4: $g=-0.97$, $q<0.0001$). P300 amplitude was significantly attenuated at parietal sites in S2 match (target) trials (Pz: $g=-0.75$, $p=0.0002$), consistent with hypothesised dopaminergic dysregulation of attentional processing networks. A Gaussian Naive Bayes classifier using the eight analysis channels selected for classification achieved a cross-validated ROC AUC = $0.713\pm 0.088$ [$95\%$ CI: $0.526$, $0.833$] under repeated stratified cross-validation, confirmed above chance by a permutation test ($p=0.001$). The complete analytical pipeline was executed on consumer-grade hardware without GPU acceleration, in line with Green AI principles. Topographic analysis indicated a spatially consistent parietal-dominant pattern of band power reduction. These findings suggest that task-evoked EEG frequency-domain and P300 features are systematically associated with AUD group membership and may warrant further investigation as candidate markers. The cross-sectional design of this study precludes conclusions regarding early risk identification, screening utility, or causal dopaminergic mechanisms; longitudinal validation in larger cohorts is required. Full article

The global seafood industry generates substantial quantities of processing by-products such as heads, viscera, skin, bones, scales, and shells. These residues represent an underutilized resource rich in proteins, lipids, minerals, enzymes, and polysaccharides. Conventional valorization approaches such as chemical extraction, wet rendering, and enzymatic hydrolysis have been used to recover valuable compounds from seafood waste. However, conventional methods often involve high chemical consumption, long processing times, and environmental concerns. Green extraction technologies have emerged as promising alternatives, with subcritical water extraction (SWE) gaining significant attention due to its unique properties and ability to simultaneously extract and convert biomass components. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the valorization of seafood processing wastes using SWE. Particular emphasis is placed on the physicochemical properties of subcritical water, the reaction mechanisms governing the hydrolysis and transformation of proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, and the key parameters influencing extraction performance. Recent advances in the recovery of value-added products such as amino acids, bioactive peptides, protein hydrolysates, omega-3-rich oils, chitin derivatives, and mineral-rich materials are summarized. In addition, the integration of SWE with complementary technologies such as supercritical CO₂ extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization is examined as a strategy for developing integrated seafood biorefineries. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to develop and optimize a rapid, eco-friendly microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for recovering total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from garlic (Allium sativum L.), while evaluating the predictive performance of response surface methodology (RSM) versus artificial neural networks (ANNs) and assessing the in vitro gastrointestinal stability of key polyphenols. Methodology: A four-factor, three-level central composite design (CCD) was implemented to evaluate the effects of extraction time, temperature, ethanol concentration, and solvent-to-solid ratio. A second-order polynomial RSM model was benchmarked against a 4-10-2 multilayer perceptron ANN trained by backpropagation. Optimal conditions were derived using the Derringer–Suich desirability function and confirmed experimentally. Individual polyphenols were profiled via LC-MS/MS and monitored across simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion phases. Principal Results: The ANN model demonstrated superior predictive performance (R² = 0.9999 training, 0.9974 validation, 0.9939 testing) compared to the RSM model (R² = 0.9721 for TPC and 0.9925 for TFC). Experimental validation under optimal conditions—1.50 min, 55 °C, 75% ethanol, and a 29 mL/g ratio—yielded a TPC of 2.487 mg GAE/g FW and a TFC of 21.356 mg QUE/g FW. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, significant degradation occurred during the intestinal phase, resulting in low final recoveries for gallic acid (16.9%), caffeic acid (19.9%), and luteolin (22.6%). Conclusions: MAE coupled with ANN modeling provides a highly accurate, rapid, and green extraction strategy for garlic polyphenols. However, the marked degradation of target compounds during intestinal digestion highlights the necessity of encapsulation or protective delivery systems to preserve their biological functionality in food applications. Full article

Fish is a food of high nutritional value, being an important source of proteins, fat, vitamins, and essential minerals. Atlantic horse mackerel is also rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs), recognized for their benefits to cardiovascular and neurological health. However, this composition also makes it highly susceptible to lipid oxidation, reducing its shelf life. Oxidation is accelerated by high water activity and near-neutral pH, conditions common in fish and processed products such as fish burgers. This work aimed to develop fish burgers incorporated with bioactive extracts (protein hydrolysates from cod fish processing by-product—PH, or green tea extract—GTE) and study their shelf life. The PH was recovered from cod frames using subcritical water extraction, and GTE with hydro-alcoholic extraction. The fish burgers were prepared using minced fish meat incorporated with 1% (w/w) of extracts, in four formulations: (i) 1% (w/w) of PH; (ii) 1% (w/w) of GTE; (iii) a combination of both extracts at 0.5% (w/w) each; and (iv) control without extracts. Physical–chemical, antioxidant and microbiological analysis of the burgers was performed to evaluate their preservation over 6 days of refrigerated storage. Compared to the control, samples with only GTE or the combined GTE + PH presented a delay in oxidation (50% less in TBARS) and microbiological deterioration (reduction of 0.5–1.8 Log CFU/g in total psychrotropic microorganisms). No significant changes were observed in the fish burgers incorporated with only PH. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of bioactive extracts has potential in reducing oxidative degradation and improving microbiological stability in fish-based products; however, superior doses must be used. Moreover, the use of natural extracts aligns with current consumer demand for clean-label and functional foods. Full article

Buckwheat husk is the major by-product produced during buckwheat processing. However, despite its high nutritional and functional value, it remains underutilized as an ingredient in functional foods. This review summarizes current knowledge on the botanical origin, chemical composition, extraction approaches, and bioactive properties of buckwheat husk. Particular emphasis is placed on its high content of insoluble dietary fiber and phenolic compounds, especially rutin, which contribute to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Advances in conventional and green extraction techniques used to obtain buckwheat husk concentrates, including ultrasound- and microwave-assisted methods, are discussed. The techno-functional properties of buckwheat husk, such as water- and oil-holding capacity, emulsifying potential, and texture modification, are evaluated in relation to food applications. Reported uses in bakery products, pasta, dairy foods, beverages, and meat systems are critically reviewed. Safety aspects, allergenicity, and antinutritional factors are also considered. Overall, buckwheat husk is positioned as an underutilized resource with significant potential for sustainable functional food development. Full article

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) technology with high solar reflectance and high infrared emissivity has been increasingly applied in green buildings. However, current PDRC designs are either high-cost or require additional multi-step fabrication processes, and both factors hinder their broader industrial application. Here, we present a low-cost, easy-to-process, scalable and uncomplicated porous epoxy-based radiative cooling coating via a simple Pickering high-internal-phase-emulsion (HIPE) approach. The obtained porous epoxy-based coating has micro- and submicropores. These hierarchical porous microstructures enable a synergistic interaction between the filler and the porous microstructure, thus enhancing the radiative cooling performance. As a result, the obtained porous epoxy-base polymer with alumina as fillers (PEP-A) coating presents a high solar reflectance of 95.6% in the wavelength range of 0.3–2.5 μm and a high infrared emissivity of 96.3% in the wavelength range of 8–14 μm, as well as a maximum subambient cooling temperature of 3.4 °C and an average cooling power of 105.6 W·m⁻² under solar shortwave radiation of 123.01–134.67 W·m⁻². Furthermore, the PEP-A coating can be easily applied via roll-coating, blade-coating, or brush-coating, and self-cures on diverse substrates like aluminum sheets, steel plates, polypropylene sheets, bricks, and wall surfaces without any additional template-extraction process. In particular, the cost of the raw materials for the PEP-A coating is 0.2–1.3% of that of previously reported radiative cooling coatings (e.g., Poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and polydimethylsiloxane). The extraction-free nature, easy processability, self-curing ability, and low cost of the PEP-A coating make it very promising for large-scale PDRC production and applications. Full article

Pharmaceutical pollutants have emerged as a critical class of aquatic micropollutants due to their continuous release, persistence, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. Conventional wastewater treatment systems are often insufficient to achieve complete removal, necessitating the development of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as Fenton and Fenton-like systems. These processes rely on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide species, singlet oxygen, and, in some heterogeneous systems, high-valent iron-oxo intermediates, which collectively enable the degradation of structurally diverse and recalcitrant pharmaceutical compounds. Recent advances have highlighted the pivotal role of nanomaterials as catalysts in enhancing Fenton-based processes. Nanostructured catalysts, including iron-based nanoparticles (NPs), metal oxides, carbon-based materials, and bimetallic composites, offer high surface area, tunable redox properties, and improved electron transfer, leading to enhanced catalytic efficiency and mineralization rates. Importantly, the integration of green synthesis approaches using plant extracts, microorganisms, and biopolymers provides environmentally benign routes for nanomaterial fabrication while introducing functional surface groups that improve catalytic performance. Mechanistically, pharmaceutical degradation in Fenton systems involves complex pathways driven by multiple ROS species, including •OH, superoxide radicals, and singlet oxygen, leading to the formation of intermediate products and eventual mineralization. However, challenges such as NP aggregation, metal leaching, incomplete mineralization, and potential toxicity of intermediates remain critical considerations. This review critically evaluates the occurrence of pharmaceutical pollutants, the fundamentals of Fenton and Fenton-like processes, and the design and application of green-synthesized nanomaterials as efficient catalysts. It further explores degradation mechanisms, operational parameters, and sustainability considerations, highlighting future directions for scalable, environmentally responsible water treatment technologies. Full article