Search Results (1,501)

Larix olgensis, a keystone timber species in Northeast China, is increasingly threatened by Neofusicoccum laricinum-induced shoot blight, a devastating disease that compromises forest health and necessitates sustainable management strategies. Here, we demonstrate that the endophytic bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JL54 elicits multifaceted defense responses in L. olgensis, enhancing resistance to pathogen infection. Greenhouse assays revealed that JL54 pretreatment reduced disease incidence by 12.5% and achieved 43.75% control efficacy while maintaining host vigor. Histochemical analyses identified JL54-induced rapid hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, extensive lignin deposition, and localized programmed cell death (PCD), indicative of a primed immune response. Transcriptomic analyses uncovered distinct temporal defense patterns: early-stage responses (0 h post-inoculation) were characterized by upregulation of cutin, suberin, and wax biosynthesis pathways, reinforcing physical barriers, whereas late-stage responses (12 h post-inoculation) were dominated by ribosome- and proteostasis-related pathways (e.g., heat shock proteins [HSPs], glutathione S-transferases [GSTs]) to mitigate cellular damage. Biochemical assays corroborated these findings, with JL54 colonization reducing membrane lipid peroxidation (27.2% decrease in malondialdehyde content) and significantly elevating the activity of key defense enzymes, including peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and GST. Phytohormone profiling implicated jasmonic acid (JA) as the central mediator of induced systemic resistance (ISR), with JL54-potentiated JA signaling preceding pathogen containment. Collectively, these results demonstrate that JL54 contributes to a coordinated defense strategy in L. olgensis, integrating structural reinforcement (cuticle/lignin), oxidative stress management, and JA-mediated immune priming. These insights advance the understanding of endophyte-conferred resistance in conifers and highlight JL54’s potential as a biocontrol agent for sustainable forestry. Full article

The energy utilization of residual woody biomass is a relevant strategy for the decentralized energy transition and local waste management in rural areas. The objective of this study was to characterize (physically, chemically, and energetically) five types of residual biomass: pine branches, huinumo (this material refers to the long, thin pine needles that, after drying and falling, form a layer on the forest floor), cherry branches and leaves, and grass waste generated in the community of San Francisco Pichátaro, Michoacán, Mexico, in order to evaluate its viability for the production of densified solid biofuels. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, including moisture content, higher heating value, proximate characterization, structural chemical analysis (using the Van Soest method), elemental CHONS analysis, ash microanalysis (by ICP-OES), and a multicriteria analysis with normalized energy and compositional indicators. The results showed that huinumo and cherry leaves were the most outstanding biomasses, presenting the highest heating values (20.7 MJ/kg) and low moisture and ash contents. Pine branches obtained the most balanced results, characterized by their equilibrium in fixed carbon and lignin, as well as their low potassium content. The multicriteria analysis showed that there is no absolute optimal biomass; however, it indicates that pine branches and huinumo are the most robust feedstocks for the production of briquettes or pellets. The results confirm the significant technical and environmental potential of local lignocellulosic residues for the production of solid biofuels and for contributing to sustainable energy solutions at the local scale. Full article

Biomass-derived sulfur-containing hard carbons are promising anode candidates for sodium-ion batteries, but cross-study optimization remains difficult because reported electrochemical performance reflects both synthesis history and incomplete or non-uniform structural characterization. Here, we assembled a focused literature-derived dataset of 101 records from 16 journal articles and compared the predictive value of three information sources: precursor descriptors, process variables, and measured structural descriptors. We further introduced domain-knowledge-guided precursor descriptors to encode interpretable aspects of precursor chemistry and architecture, including lignin-related richness, polysaccharide contribution, volatile tendency, precursor-component coupling, and post-treatment category. In controlled feature-set comparisons, the model combining precursor and process descriptors achieved an R² of 0.59, outperforming the conventional combination of process and structural descriptors (R² = 0.57) and remaining close to the full-information setting (R² ≈ 0.61). Model interpretation further showed that, when structural descriptors were removed, predictive reliance shifted toward precursor and process variables, indicating that accessible upstream descriptors retain a meaningful fraction of the formation-pathway information relevant to sodium storage. These results should be interpreted within this curated sulfur-containing literature space rather than as a universal predictor, but they demonstrate that domain-knowledge-guided precursor encoding can support low-characterization, screening-oriented prediction and experimental prioritization. Full article

Oxidative catalytic fractionation (OCF) under the lignin-first strategy has emerged as a critical technological approach for biomass refining. To address the inevitable carbohydrate degradation and lignin condensation in conventional OCF, this study designed a cobalt-doped layered double hydroxide oxide (Co-LDO) catalyst compatible with non-alkaline (without Brønsted bases) organic systems, which exhibits excellent performance in poplar biomass OCF. With a straightforward preparation process, the Co-LDO catalyst yields high-content oxidized lignin oligomers while efficiently retaining carbohydrates, providing feedstock rich in carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose) for the subsequent production of bioenergy and biomass-based chemicals. Under optimized conditions screened via systematic reaction condition investigation and metal-doped LDO catalyst evaluation, the process achieved a 94.01 wt% delignification rate, with 72.19 wt% of lignin converted into lignin oligomer oil, supported by detailed product composition and structural characterization. Meanwhile, 74.14 wt% hemicellulose and 98.23 wt% cellulose were recovered in solid residues, with structurally intact hemicellulose retention being 2.3 times higher than in traditional OCF. Mass balance calculation confirmed a total poplar refining yield of 81.58 wt%. In summary, this Co-LDO-catalyzed OCF strategy provides a high-activity non-precious metal system, effectively suppressing lignin condensation while preserving high-yield carbohydrates, realizing the efficient full-component refining of poplar biomass. Full article

Nano- and microplastic contamination poses a growing challenge to aquatic environments, driving the need for efficient and sustainable removal technologies. In this study, carbon–silica hybrid nanoparticles (CSNPs) were synthesized from rice husk-derived black liquor via controlled lignin–silica self-assembly followed by thermal carbonization, providing a waste-recycling biorefinery route for value-added material production. Structural characterizations revealed that carbonization generates a hierarchically porous carbon–silica hybrid with enhanced surface area. The CSNPs exhibited rapid and size-dependent adsorption toward nano- and microplastics (200–1000 nm), with optimal performance observed for 500 nm particles. Microscopic observations further demonstrated a size-adaptive capture mechanism, involving pore filling and surface adsorption for nanoplastics and aggregate-assisted encapsulation for larger microplastics. This study highlights CSNPs as low-cost and effective adsorbents for broad-spectrum plastic removal while offering a sustainable pathway for the high-value utilization of black liquor and rice husk biomass in water purification applications. Full article

Hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase, a key acyltransferase in the phenylpropanoid pathway and a canonical member of the BAHD acyltransferase family (BAHD), catalyzes the formation of pivotal intermediates in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as lignin, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids. These compounds serve indispensable protective functions in terrestrial plants, underpinning their adaptive responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and oxidative damage. Although the role of HCT/HQT in the core phenylpropanoid pathway has been extensively characterized, its precise functional contributions to the flavonoid biosynthetic branch—particularly with respect to substrate selectivity, kinetic regulation, and metabolic channeling—remain incompletely understood. This review systematically analyzes the structural features, spatial conformation, catalytic mechanism, and substrate promiscuity of HCT/HQT to clarify its molecular determinants of activity and specificity. Furthermore, it highlights regulatory factors influencing HCT/HQT gene expression, such as transcription factors (MYB, bHLH, WRKY), phytohormones (GA₃, Eth, MeJA, 6-BA, MT), and abiotic/biotic stressors (temperature, blue light, nitric oxide, nano-selenium). Collectively, these insights illuminate how plants dynamically fine-tune phenylpropanoid metabolism in coordination with developmental programs and environmental challenges. This work provides a foundation for further research on HCT/HQT and supports efforts to develop improved crop varieties through targeted regulation of this central metabolic node. Full article

Corn bran is a major by-product of corn starch processing. Due to its high cellulose and hemicellulose contents and relatively low lignin abundance, it represents a promising feedstock for biorefineries. However, efficiently deconstructing corn bran cell wall to maximize fermentable sugar yield while minimizing inhibitor formation remains a challenge due to the complex cross-linked structure of its lignocellulosic matrix that hinders substrate accessibility and prone to side reactions during deconstruction. This study systematically evaluated various pretreatment strategies and identified dilute sulfuric acid as the optimal method to maximize hemicellulose dissolution and total sugar recovery while maintaining low levels of refractory phenolic inhibitors (1.03 g/L, far lower than alkaline and sulfite-based pretreatment). Under optimal conditions (0.80% v/v sulfuric acid, 129 °C, and 23 min), the hemicellulose dissolution rate reached 99.58%, with a pentose yield of 0.38 g/g corn bran and hexose yield of 0.16 g/g corn bran. Subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid residue (20 FPU/g initial dry weight cellulase) further released hexose-rich sugars. The integrated process achieved a significant total reducing sugar yield of 0.79 g/g corn bran. These findings demonstrate an effective pathway for the high-value utilization of corn bran and provide a scalable process strategy applicable to other lignocellulosic agricultural wastes for sustainable bioenergy production. Full article

The global shift toward carbon-neutral energy systems has renewed interest in biorefineries as integrated platforms for the sustainable production of fuels, chemicals, and materials. In this context, lignin, the second most abundant natural polymer and the only renewable source of aromatic carbon, has gained attention as a promising feedstock for high-value applications. Despite its high energy density and chemically complex structure, lignin is primarily used as a low-value fuel through combustion, a practice that fails to capitalize on its molecular potential and offers minimal energetic and economic benefits to the industry. Unlocking its value requires a fundamental shift toward energy-efficient valorization strategies that minimize external energy input while retaining carbon in marketable products. To enable a comprehensive evaluation of this shift, this perspective introduces a three-criterion framework—operating below 250 °C and 50 bar, achieving a fossil energy ratio above one across all process steps, and retaining more than 40% of lignin carbon in recoverable products—and applies it to critically evaluate four lignin valorization pathways: catalytic depolymerization, solvent-assisted fractionation, biological and electrochemical conversion, and material-based applications. Across all pathways, system-level integration, namely, separation, solvent recycling, and catalyst generation, constantly influences the overall energy balance and represents the field’s unresolved challenge. To address these barriers, this perspective discusses several future research directions spanning advanced catalyst design, biotechnology, computational tools, and process intensification, alongside the policy and economic measures needed to enable the commercial deployment of integrating lignin valorization with existing biorefinery operations. Collectively, these insights aim to elevate lignin from an underutilized by-product to a foundational resource for circular, low-carbon bioeconomy. Full article

While L-tryptophan is a precursor of plant growth regulators, its effects on secondary metabolism, amino acid profile and cell wall organization in flax callus remain underexplored. This study aimed to optimize flax callus shaken cultures and evaluate the impact of L-tryptophan (0.1 mM and 1 mM) on structural properties of plant cell walls in tested callus using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The impact of L-tryptophan on callus proliferation and metabolism was also determined, because amino acids (among them L-tryptophan) can promote the growth of callus. The results showed that 1 mM L-tryptophan is an effective elicitor, which stimulates flax callus to accumulate larger amounts of bioactive compounds, especially carotenoids and polyphenols, than control callus cultured without L-tryptophan. A lower concentration of L-tryptophan (0.1 mM) slightly improved the level of determined secondary metabolites (except flavonoids). The effect of L-tryptophan on polymers in plant cell walls was investigated. The data confirm that the plant cell wall is a dynamic structure, capable of remodelling in response to growth conditions and external agents. L-tryptophan (0.1 and 1 mM) reduced cellulose levels and induced structural changes in cellulose compared to the untreated control. The structural analyses also suggested a decrease in lignin level and increase in pectin amounts in flax callus after tryptophan addition in comparison to control callus. The results may reflect the relationship between tryptophan and auxins (which are derived from tryptophan) and confirm the role of these metabolites in shaping the structure of the plant cell wall. In fact, an increase in tryptophan level was confirmed in flax callus in tested experimental conditions (supplementation of cultures with both doses of L-tryptophan). These findings have practical significance, because L-tryptophan is also used as a fertilizer or component of fertilizers in plant cultivation. Full article

This study evaluated thermal and thermo-alkaline post-treatment of digested cattle manure (DCM) as a strategy to increase methane recovery and improve the flexibility of biogas systems within hybrid renewable energy alternatives. A 10 L mesophilic CSTR was operated for 311 days, producing lignin-rich digestate that was subjected to a statistically designed range of post-treatment conditions varying temperature (50–90 °C), pH (8–12), and contact time (6–24 h). Biomethane potential assays and lignocellulosic fractionation were used to determine changes in solubilization, biodegradability, and methane production kinetics. Thermal treatment provided modest improvements, reaching 84 mg SCOD g⁻¹ PCOD solubilization and a 26 mL CH₄ g⁻¹ COD increase in methane yield. Thermo-alkaline treatment produced substantially higher enhancements, with the most severe condition (90 °C-pH 12–24 h) achieving 493 mg SCOD g⁻¹ PCOD solubilization, 66% removal of structural carbohydrates, and a 60.2 mL CH₄ g⁻¹ COD increase in methane yield, corresponding to a 16% rise in biodegradability and a twofold increase in methane production rate. Gompertz modeling indicated accelerated kinetics and minimal lag time. A strong linear correlation (R² = 0.90) between severity index and solubilization supported predictable scalability. These results demonstrate that thermo-alkaline hydrolysis can significantly enhance post-digestion methane recovery and strengthen the role of agricultural biogas in integrated renewable energy systems. The techno-economic analysis revealed that, despite higher operating costs for thermo-alkaline post-treatment than for the control, the main drivers are chemical costs and the price of renewable energy, and thus the application of post-treatment as a sustainable solution for animal manure treatment will likely improve as renewable energy prices increase in the future. Full article

Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization is widely used to increase rice yield, but it often leads to lodging by weakening culm strength. This study aimed to elucidate the structural and molecular mechanisms underlying nitrogen-induced changes in culm lodging resistance in rice. Field and pot experiments with two nitrogen levels were conducted using a randomized design with three biological replicates to evaluate the effects of high nitrogen application on culm mechanical properties, secondary cell wall development, and associated metabolic pathways. Mechanical measurements and microscopic analysis revealed that high nitrogen significantly reduced culm rigidity and impaired sclerenchyma development. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed on developing internodes. Differentially expressed genes and proteins were predominantly enriched in carbohydrate metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. Notably, key enzymes involved in lignin biosynthesis were consistently downregulated at the protein level under high-nitrogen conditions. In contrast, genes and proteins related to cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis exhibited transient inhibition at early stages followed by recovery or upregulation at later stages. Consistent with these findings, histochemical staining and quantitative assays demonstrated a significant reduction (14–16%) in lignin content in the fourth internode, whereas cellulose content showed no substantial change. Furthermore, lignin biosynthetic genes (OsCAD2, Os4CL3, and OsCOMT) were persistently suppressed during critical stages of secondary wall formation, while cellulose synthase genes (OsCESA4, OsCESA7, and OsCESA9) displayed more variable and less sustained expression patterns. Collectively, these results demonstrate that excessive nitrogen application weakens rice culms primarily by inhibiting lignin accumulation rather than cellulose deposition. The preferential suppression of the phenylpropanoid pathway and disruption of secondary cell wall formation provide a mechanistic basis for nitrogen-induced lodging susceptibility in rice. Full article

Lignin, a complex and heterogeneous polymer, poses significant challenges for effective thermal valorization due to its broad molecular weight distribution and structural diversity. This study systematically compares the effect of lignin’s molecular weight on product distribution under pyrolysis and Ru/C-catalyzed depolymerization conditions. Fractionated lignin samples with distinct molecular weights were subjected to identical thermal and catalytic conversion pathways. Pyrolysis results indicate that, compared with low-molecular-weight (low-MW) lignin, high-molecular-weight (high-MW) lignin more readily generates phenolic compounds, with the relative content of guaiacol increasing by nearly twofold. In contrast, products derived from low-MW lignin contain a higher abundance of unsaturated structures, such as 4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol, suggesting that side chain cleavage and rearrangement reactions are more pronounced. In contrast, Ru/C-catalyzed depolymerization exhibits a stronger molecular-weight-dependent selectivity, where low-MW lignin is more readily converted into carboxylic acids due to enhanced accessibility of terminal functional groups and reduced structural condensation. This comparative analysis demonstrates that lignin’s molecular weight plays a process-dependent role in governing product distribution, providing guidance for tailored lignin valorization strategies. Full article

This study systematically investigated the pretreatment effects of diol-based DESs (deep eutectic solvents) on Pinus massoniana Lamb. (P. massoniana). A diol-based DES system (Choline chloride (ChCl): AlCl₃: BDO) was developed to degrade and disassemble P. massoniana, thereby facilitating saccharification and achieving the utilization of high-value lignin. The DES-based pretreatment achieved a glucan recovery yield of 92.95% and a xylan yield of 71.73% at 130 °C. Meanwhile, the lignin removal yields reached 61.96% at 130 °C, and the lignin recovered from DES fractionation was also preserved well; moreover, the β-O-4′ linkage content was retained at approximately 51.63%. DES was also demonstrated to be promising for promoting cellulose saccharification, lignin fractionation and enzymatic hydrolysis. The preservation mechanism was speculated to involve the introduction of diol -OH groups at the C_α-position of the lignin β-O-4′ structure via etherification. In addition, FT-IR indicated that the main structure of cellulose in P. massoniana remained unchanged after pretreatment. The grafting of diol onto the C_α-position of the β-O-4′ linkages was confirmed by 2D-HSQC, which could inhibit lignin further condensation; ³¹P NMR revealed that the total phenolic -OH content increased significantly and was enhanced by pretreatment, which indicated that methoxy and ether bond groups were reduced. Full article

In this work, a flexible and sustainable radar-absorbing material (RAM) based on porous carbon derived from raw Kraft black liquor was developed. The porous carbon filler was synthesized through a simple, eco-friendly one-pot polymerization route, thereby avoiding lignin extraction, purification, and chemical activation steps. Macroporosity was introduced by using poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres as a hard template, yielding a lightweight carbon material with a foam-like morphology, low density, and high porosity. The carbon filler was incorporated into a silicone rubber matrix at different loadings (5–25 wt.%) to produce flexible composites. The structural, morphological, and textural properties of porous carbon were investigated by SEM, EDX, Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and mercury porosimetry. The electromagnetic properties of composites were measured in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) using a vector network analyzer. The mechanical behavior was evaluated through Young’s modulus. The results show that increasing filler content enhances dielectric losses and attenuation capability. Among all composites, the sample containing 20 wt.% of porous carbon exhibited the best electromagnetic performance, achieving a reflection loss of −42.3 dB at 10.97 GHz with a thickness of 2.43 mm, corresponding to an absorption efficiency of 99.99%. This performance is attributed to a favorable combination of impedance matching and quarter-wavelength cancellation effects. The developed sustainable, lightweight, and flexible composites demonstrate potential as low-cost RAM for aerospace and electromagnetic interference mitigation applications. Full article

Non-covalent molecular self-assembly serves as a distinctive strategy for enhancing the mechanical performance of lignin-based composite hydrogels. Nevertheless, the self-assembly process can be significantly influenced, leading to alterations in the nanostructure of the hydrogel, because of the diverse conformational reorganizations of lignin in different solvents. In this research, a solvent exchange process was employed to generate a phase-separated structure comprising hydrophobic lignin domains and hydrophilic poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) domains through the aggregation of lignin, thereby forming tough lignin/PDMA hydrogels. By adjusting the solvent composition, the hydrogels exhibit distinct nanostructural transformations that are precisely correlated with the changes in Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSPs) of the solvent mixtures. Balanced HSPs facilitates the formation of small-scale lignin domains with high-domain density, which act as crosslinking points for the establishment of a reinforced network. Remarkably, lignin/PDMA hydrogels prepared at a boundary solvation condition unexpectedly induced the formation of large and highly condensed lignin domains, which displayed a radius of gyration (Rg) of 7.7 nm and an inter-domain distance (d-spacing) of 98.1 nm within the hydrogel network. These unique nanostructural features further contribute to its superior mechanical performance, including excellent tensile strength of 3.2 MPa, Young’s modulus of 5.7 MPa, and fracture energy of 41.2 kJ m⁻², which outperforms most reported lignin hydrogels. Additionally, it offers a strong adhesion and rapid drying approach, rendering the hydrogel more suitable for applications as hydrogel coatings. Full article