Search Results (821)

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a pure, crystalline biopolymer with broad applications, though large-scale production remains limited by the high cost of culture media. This study evaluated the use of artichoke bract waste as an alternative substrate for BC production by Komagataeibacter rhaeticus QK23, focusing on culture optimization and physicochemical characterization of the resulting biopolymer. Infrared spectroscopy revealed functional groups characteristic of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and inulin, along with structural sugars (glucose 24%, xylose 5.07%, arabinose 4.96%, galactose 8.81%, and mannose 1.75%). After hydrolysis with H₂SO₄, up to 11.81 g/L of reducing sugars were released and incorporated into Hestrin–Schramm medium lacking glucose. Using a central composite design, inoculum dose (10–20%) and incubation time (7–14 days) were optimized under static conditions at 30 °C. The highest yield (1.57 g/L) was obtained with 20% inoculum after 14 days. The product corresponded to type I cellulose with a crystallinity index of 81.87%, and AFM analysis revealed a surface roughness of 32.96 nm. The results demonstrate that artichoke hydrolysates are a viable and sustainable source for BC production, promoting agricultural waste valorization and cost reduction in industrial biotechnology. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest reservoir of terrestrial organic carbon and plays a pivotal role in regulating global climate dynamics. And there are some differences in SOC stocks under different forest stand types. But it is unclear whether this phenomenon is related to SOC stability, especially stable components of SOC. Therefore, coniferous (Pinus tabuliformis), broad-leaved (Quercus aliena), and mixed forests were selected to explore the distributions and chemical structures of SOC components, as well as SOC stabilization mechanisms. Higher SOC contents but lower stability were observed under Quercus aliena forests. Contents of SOC and its components were lowest under Pinus tabuliformis forests. Yet the highest relative abundances of alkyl and aromatic carbon in mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) were found at 10–40 cm soil layers, with the highest MAOC/SOC. In contrast, MAOC/SOC was highest under mixed forests at 0–10 cm layer. Total nitrogen (TN), lignin, and silt contents were identified as key drivers of SOC stability. These findings indicated that mixed forest contributes more to enhancing SOC stability in topsoil, whereas coniferous forest promotes greater stability in subsurface layers. These results suggested that the functional complementarity among forest stand types may enhance carbon sequestration and promote the sustainability of forest management. Full article

Cellulose stands out as a promising alternative to conventional polymers in food packaging due to its abundance, renewability, biodegradability and structural robustness. Despite these advantages, its natural low resistance to water and fats limits its direct application, necessitating the use of protective coatings to enhance its functionality. In this context, the use of biopolymeric coatings such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), starch, lignin, chitin and chitosan has emerged as a sustainable solution, providing effective barriers against moisture and oils. These coatings not only improve the functional performance of cellulosic substrates but also reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics, fostering compostable systems and supporting a circular economy. This review analyzes recent developments in biopolymer-coated cellulosic packaging materials, focusing on their resistance to water and fats. The aim is to assess their potential for sustainable food packaging applications. The findings highlight how these innovations contribute to global sustainability goals, such as reducing plastic waste, lowering carbon emissions, and decreasing dependence on non-renewable resources. Full article

Antimony (Sb), as a toxic heavy metal, has drawn worldwide attention, and its efficient removal from water has become increasingly urgent. In this study, an iron-modified alkaline lignin chitosan (Fe-ALCS) gel bead is prepared by the freeze-drying method to remove Sb(III) from the aqueous solution. The static adsorption experiment discusses the various environmental influences on the adsorption performance of Fe-ALCS for Sb(III) removal. The adsorption mechanism is explored by combining adsorption kinetics, isothermal adsorption, and characterization methods (such as FTIR, XRD, XPS, etc). The results show that the equilibrium adsorption capacity of Sb(III) decreases with the increase in pH and mass–volume ratio. With the increase in the initial Sb(III) concentration, Q_e showed a rapid increasing trend in the range of 50–100 mg/L and continued to rise with the extension of contact time (t), reaching the maximum value at 3540 min. Under the optimal conditions of pH = 3, m/v = 1.0 g/L, and C₀ = 20 mg/L, the removal efficiency (R_e) value is 95.07%, which is still approximately 86.8% after five adsorption–desorption cycles. The maximum adsorption capacity is 266.58 mg/g fitted by the Langmuir model. The adsorption mechanism is mainly related to the iron-based active site of Fe–O(OH), where the O–H on its surface undergoes ligand exchange with Sb(OH)₃ to form a stable Fe–O–Sb coordination structure. Additionally, C–OH, C–O, and other functional groups in ALCS also contribute to Sb adsorption. Fe-ALCS is an environmentally friendly, renewable, and convenient biomass adsorbent with good potential for wastewater treatment. Full article

Distressed fabric is a popular fashion trend that adds a distinct visual appeal to garments. Distressing involves acid washing with pumice stones containing potassium permanganate. This approach is inappropriate for knitted textiles, which can generate holes and reduce quality. This project seeks to create an Elasto Ball (EB) as an alternative to pumice stones in the acid-washing procedure of knitted materials. The Elasto Ball consists of natural rubber foam filled with silica and a silica–lignin hybrid derived from rice husks. The efficacy of the filler is enhanced during the manufacturing of Elasto Ball by employing the NXT silane coupling agent throughout the silanization process. The silanized elasto ball exhibits thermal stability up to 400 °C and a porosity of up to 5%. In garment washing assessments, the Elasto Ball can diminish the fabric’s color by 40–50% without causing damage. The findings of this study indicate that Elasto Ball can function as an efficient, eco-friendly substitute for washing balls in garment washing procedures. Full article

Fungal laccases oxidize a wide range of substrates with a diverse spectrum of subsequent non-specific free radical reactions, leading to the production of unwanted byproducts. This work describes a unique recombinant alkaliphilic laccase from Paramyrothecium roridum VKM F-3565 capable of performing specific oligomerization of phenylpropanoids (precursors of natural lignin and lignans) in a neutral environment, thus preventing the reverse reaction of depolymerization which occurs in an acidic environment. The recombinant alkaliphilic laccase from P. roridum VKM F-3565 with a specific enzyme activity of about 154.0 U/mg (in the reaction with 1 mM ABTS) was obtained using a Komagataella phaffii transformant with a yield of 20 ± 1.5 mg/L. The recombinant laccase had an increased degree of N-glycosylation (MW = 97 kDa), higher pH optimum in reaction with phenylpropanoids and a decreased temperature optimum, compared to the wild-type laccase. The enzyme exhibited great resistance to surfactants and the EDTA in the neutral conditions rather than the acidic ones, whereas its tolerance to mono- and divalent-metal ions was high at acidic conditions. This work demonstrates the important role of N-glycosylation of the alkaliphilic laccase of P. roridum VKM F-3565 in its functional activity. The presence of pH-dependent reactions makes the studied laccase attractive for the phenylpropanoid oligomerization with the production of novel oligomeric phenylpropanoid derivatives for industrial and pharmacological purposes. Full article

Exposure of the plant cell wall to biotic and abiotic stresses results in structural and chemical changes. Russian wheat aphid (RWA) infestation severely damages wheat plants, releasing cell wall-degrading enzymes that compromise cell wall integrity. This study aims to elucidate the cell wall modifications in resistant wheat cultivars during RWA infestation. Three wheat cultivars with distinct resistance phenotypes to the RWA South African biotype 2 (RWASA2) were grown in the glasshouse. At the three-leaf stage, the seedlings were infested with RWASA 2 for 14 days. The leaf samples harvested at 2, 7, and 14 days post-infestation (dpi) were used to study cell wall modifications in the RWASA 2-infested cultivars, focusing on cellulose, hemicellulose, callose, and lignin contents. The results showed that post-RWASA2 infestation, the resistant Tugela-Dn5 significantly increased the hemicellulose content by 2.8- and 1.3-folds at 2 and 14 dpi, respectively, while the Tugela and Tugela-Dn1 significantly decreased the hemicellulose content at 2, 7, and 14 dpi. Tugela-Dn5 also increased the cellulose content by 1.4-fold and 2.2-fold at 7 and 14 dpi, respectively. The acid-soluble lignin content significantly increased in the infested Tugela-Dn5 compared to uninfested at 2 and 14 dpi, while it significantly decreased in Tugela and Tugela-Dn1. Callose levels also increased in all cultivars at 2 dpi, but only the infested Tugela-Dn5 exhibited an increase in callose content compared to the uninfested at 14 dpi. The extracted contents of the increased cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in Tugela-Dn5 were corroborated by FTIR analysis, which showed broad peaks at 3300 cm⁻¹ representing the OH functional group and inter- and intra-hydrogen bonds within the increased cellulose in Tugela-Dn5. No significant reduction of lignin peaks at 1600 to 1578. 99 cm⁻¹ assigned to the phenolic groups was observed in Tugela-Dn5. These findings place cell wall modifications at the centre of the wheat’s physiological resistance response to aphid infestation, particularly the reinforcement of the cell wall that persists for 14 dpi. Full article

This study provides the first comprehensive multiscale evaluation of raw coconut fibers as biosorbents for crude oil removal, encompassing laboratory adsorption tests, mesoscale hydrodynamic simulations, and field trials in marine environments. Fibers were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, and chemical composition analysis (NREL method), confirming their lignocellulosic nature, high lignin content, and functional groups favorable for hydrocarbon adsorption. At the microscale, a 2⁵⁻¹ fractional factorial design evaluated the influence of dosage, concentration, contact time, temperature, and pH, followed by kinetic and equilibrium model fitting and regeneration tests. Dosage, concentration, and contact time were the most significant factors, while low sensitivity to salinity highlighted the material’s robustness under marine conditions. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, with an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 4.18 ± 0.19 g/g, and it was best described by the Langmuir isotherm, indicating chemisorption and monolayer formation. Mechanical regeneration by centrifugation allowed for reuse for up to five cycles without chemical reagents, aligning with circular economy principles. In mesoscale and field applications, fibers maintained structural integrity, buoyancy, and adsorption efficiency. These results provide strong technical support for the practical use of raw coconut fibers in oil spill response, offering a renewable, accessible, and cost-effective solution for scalable applications in coastal and marine environments. Full article

In the previous research that aimed to enhance the toughness and tribological properties of silicon nitride ceramics, a lignin precursor was added to the ceramic matrix, which achieved conversion through pyrolysis and sintering, resulting in a silicon nitride-based composite ceramic containing nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs). This composite material demonstrated excellent comprehensive mechanical properties and friction-wear performance. Based on the existing experimental results, the first-principles plane wave mode conservation pseudopotential method of density functional theory was adopted in this study to build a microscopic heterostructure model of Si₃N₄-based composite ceramics containing N-GQDs. Meanwhile, the surface energy of Si₃N₄ and the system energy of the N-GQDs@Si₃N₄ heterostructure were calculated. The calculation results showed that when the distance between N-GQDs and Si₃N₄ in the heterostructure was 2.3 Å, the structural energy was the smallest and the structure was the steadiest. This is consistent with the previous experimental results and further validates the coating mechanism of N-GQDs covering the Si₃N₄ column-shaped crystals. Simultaneously, based on the results of the previous experiments, the stress of the heterostructure composed of Si₃N₄ particles coated with different numbers of layers of nitrogen quantum dots was calculated to predict the optimal lignin doping amount. It was found that when the doping amount was between 1% and 2%, the best microstructure and mechanical properties were obtained. This paper provides a new method for studying the graphene quantum dot coating structure. Full article

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. is a major ornamental crop that suffers from diverse fungal, bacterial, viral, and insect pests, causing significant yield and quality losses. Between 2015 and 2025, rapid progress in molecular biology, genomics, and ecological regulation has advanced both fundamental research and applied control strategies. Multi-locus sequencing, multiplex PCR, and next-generation sequencing refined the identification of fungal and bacterial pathogens, while functional studies of WRKY, MYB, and NAC transcription factors revealed key resistance modules. Hormone-mediated signaling pathways, particularly those of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid, were shown to play central roles in host defense. Despite these advances, durable genetic resistance against bacterial pathogens and broad-spectrum defense against viruses remains limited. Novel technologies, including virus-free propagation, RNA interference, and spray-induced gene silencing, have shown promising outcomes. For insect pests, studies clarified the damage and virus-vectoring roles of aphids and thrips, and resistance traits linked to trichomes, terpenoids, and lignin have been identified. Biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp., predatory mites, and entomopathogenic fungi have also demonstrated efficacy. Future efforts should integrate molecular breeding, genome editing, RNA-based tools, and microbiome management to achieve sustainable chrysanthemum protection. Full article

Corky split vein (CSV) is a common physiological disease in citrus that can result from multiple types of stresses. Preliminary field investigation found that more severe CSV in citrus cultivated in orchards lacking both boron (B) and other photosynthesis-related nutrients, including manganese (Mn). In this study, two-year-old ‘Newhall’ navel orange seedlings were treated with control (CK), B deficiency (BD), Mn deficiency (MnD), and combined B and Mn deficiency (BD + MnD). After 31 weeks, typical CSV symptoms appeared on old leaves (OLs) and secondary new leaves (SLs) in BD, while BD + MnD symptoms were more severe. BD and BD + MnD significantly reduced B concentrations in all leaf types, but there were no significant differences between them. Except for OLs in MnD, the net photosynthetic rate (P_n) of all leaf types significantly decreased in all treatments, with BD + MnD showing significantly lower P_n values than BD. Compared with BD, BD + MnD significantly increased minimal fluorescence (F_o) of all leaves at the later stage and significantly decreased Y(II) of new leaves. BD significantly increased sucrose and starch contents in all type leaves, while the OL starch content was significantly higher in BD + MnD than that in BD. BD + MnD significantly decreased the enzyme activities of Rubisco, TK, and FBA in OLs, FBPase and NI in PLs, and Rubisco in SLs compared with BD, while the activities of NI and AI in OLs and SS in SLs were significantly increased. BD + MnD significantly enhanced lignin concentrations and the expression of key lignin synthesis genes in leaves compared with BD. In conclusion, Mn deficiency exacerbates B-deficiency-induced CSV not only by intensifying photosynthetic dysfunction and carbohydrate accumulation but also by promoting lignin biosynthesis. These findings highlight the synergistic nature of B and Mn deficiencies in impairing leaf function and structure, providing new insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying CSV development. Full article

This research is mainly intended to assess the likelihood of producing pulp and paper from the cellulosic fibers of matured Luffa cylindrica fruit. The cellulose fibers were extracted and subjected to chemical composition studies and FTIR spectroscopic analysis. The chemical composition studies revealed that these fibers contain 82.4% holocellulose, 11.2% lignin, and 0.63% ash. Functional groups that represent the presence of the biopolymers were confirmed in the FTIR analysis. These fibers were observed through a light microscope, and important fiber parameters, such as the fiber diameter, fiber lumen, and cell wall thickness, were measured. Statistical analysis showed that the fiber dimensions follow a normal distribution. Based on the observed values, the derived indices that determine the fibers’ suitability to produce paper were calculated. The evaluated derived indices showed that the fibers possess a Runkel index of 59.67%, a slenderness ratio of 61.04%, a coefficient of rigidity of 63.7%, and a flexibility coefficient of 0.19. The Luce shape factor and Solids factor of the fibers were found to be 0.42 and 157.36 × 10³ μm³, respectively. This study proved that the morphology, derived indices, and chemical composition of the fibers are in par with other fiber sources that are used for pulp and paper production. Full article

This study investigated the physicochemical properties of Camellia oleifera husks collected from three regions of Jiangxi Province (Ganzhou—GZ, Yichun—YC, and Jiujiang—JJ) and extracted tea saponins via microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MASE), aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of this agricultural by-product. The husks from YC were rich in bioactive compounds such as tea saponins (16.29 ± 0.02%), with lower cellulose (21.05 ± 1.05%) and lignin (12.48 ± 1.14%) contents and higher hemicellulose (27.40 ± 0.80%) content. The husks from JJ exhibited abundant porosity and a larger specific surface area (40–60 mesh, 4.15 ± 0.04 m²/g). Single-factor extraction experiments indicated that the microstructure and chemical composition of Camellia oleifera husks significantly affected the extraction efficiency of saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. The optimal extraction conditions for tea saponins were established using Box–Behnken response surface methodology, with the liquid-to-solid ratio identified as the most critical factor. Optimal conditions for GZ husks were a liquid-to-solid ratio of 46.75 mL/g, ethanol concentration of 35.5%, extraction time of 6 min, and microwave power of 350 W, with the extraction yield of 7.49 ± 0.01%. Optimal conditions for YC husks were a liquid-to-solid ratio of 50.55 mL/g, ethanol concentration of 40.13%, extraction time of 6 min, and microwave power of 350 W, with the extraction yield of 16.29 ± 0.02%. Optimal conditions for JJ husks were a liquid-to-solid ratio of 47.44 mL/g, ethanol concentration of 37.28%, extraction time of 6 min, and microwave power of 350 W, with the extraction yield of 9.39 ± 0.02%. The study provides important scientific evidence for understanding the structure–function relationship of Camellia oleifera husks and offers practical guidance for developing sustainable industrial processes to convert agricultural by-products into high-value bioactive compounds, thereby promoting resource recycling and economic benefits in the Camellia oleifera industry. Full article

Waste materials have emerged as attractive low-cost feedstocks for adsorbent development in environmental remediation and materials engineering. Organic wastes are particularly rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin, which provide reactive oxygenated groups such as hydroxyls and carboxyls. While inorganic wastes offer stability, lower water retention makes them promising candidates. This study explores the functionalization of waste-derived organic and inorganic matrices using two amine-based agents: 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and polyethylenimine (PEI). The materials were categorized as organic (orange peel, corn cob) or inorganic (silica gel, eggshell) and subjected to a pretreatment process involving drying, grinding, and sieving; inorganic substrates additionally underwent acid activation with citric acid. Surface modification was carried out in ethanolic (APTMS) or aqueous (PEI) media. To assess their suitability and processability as particulate sorbents, drying kinetics, physicochemical properties (FTIR, ζ-potential, pH, conductivity, Boehm titration), and flow characteristics (Carr and Hausner indices) were evaluated. The findings enable a comparative analysis of the functionalization efficiency and elucidate the relationship between substrate type (organic vs. inorganic) and its performance as a modified adsorbent. This approach advances the development of novel sorbent matrices for greenhouse gas mitigation while reinforcing circular economy principles through the valorization of low-cost, readily available waste materials. Full article

Cotton is a vital economic crop, and cotton fiber serves as the primary raw material for the textile industry. Lignin in cotton fiber is closely associated with fiber quality. Lignin is synthesized through the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway, where the cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase gene CAD6 plays a significant role. In this study, we obtained successfully transformed overexpression plants by constructing an overexpression vector and performing genetic transformation and tissue culture. To verify the function of the GhCAD6 gene in upland cotton, we analyzed the agronomic traits, fiber quality, cell wall structure, and lignin content of GhCAD6-overexpressing plants. Our results indicate that the GhCAD6 gene is predominantly expressed during the stages of fiber elongation and secondary wall synthesis. Overexpression of the GhCAD6 gene resulted in increased plant lignin content and fiber upper half mean length, boll number per plant, fiber uniformity index, strength, and lint were improved. The fiber surface was smoother, and the fiber cell wall was more compact. These findings demonstrate that the GhCAD6 gene positively regulates lignin synthesis and fiber quality formation, contributing to the enhancement of cotton fiber quality. Full article