Search Results (156)

A high intake of saturated fats and cholesterol from processed meats is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. This study aimed to develop a nutritionally enhanced Bologna-type sausage by partially replacing the beef content with a structured emulsion gel (EG) formulated from pine nut oil, inulin, carrageenan, and whey protein concentrate. The objective was to improve its lipid quality and functional performance while maintaining product integrity and consumer acceptability. Three sausage formulations were prepared: a control and two variants with 7% and 10% EG, which substituted for the beef content. The emulsion gel was characterized regarding its physical and thermal stability. Sausages were evaluated for their proximate composition, fatty acid profile, cholesterol content, pH, cooking yield, water-holding capacity, emulsion stability, instrumental texture, microstructure (via SEM), oxidative stability (TBARSs), and sensory attributes. Data were analyzed using a one-way and two-way ANOVA with Duncan’s test (p < 0.05). The EG’s inclusion significantly reduced the total and saturated fat and cholesterol, while increasing protein and unsaturated fatty acids. The 10% EG sample achieved a PUFA/SFA ratio of 1.00 and an over 80% reduction in atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. Functional improvements were observed in emulsion stability, cooking yield, and water retention. Textural and visual characteristics remained within acceptable sensory thresholds. SEM images showed more homogenous matrix structures in the EG samples. TBARS values increased slightly over 18 days of refrigeration but remained below rancidity thresholds. This period was considered a pilot-scale evaluation of oxidative trends. Sensory testing confirmed that product acceptability was not negatively affected. The partial substitution of beef content with pine nut oil-based emulsion gel offers a clean-label strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of Bologna-type sausages while preserving functional and sensory performance. This approach may support the development of health-conscious processed meat products aligned with consumer and regulatory demands. Full article

Growing environmental concerns have led to the search for alternative biological repellents against the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis L., Europe’s most important coniferous forest regeneration pest. A laboratory study was carried out to assess the effectiveness (damage intensity) of six combinations of a novel biological repellent, consisting of plant-based oils, beeswax, calcium carbonate, vanillin, pine bark extractives, terpentine, abrasive particles, solvent, and a viscosity agent, in comparison with commercially available repellent Norfort LDW 115. The application complexity of the repellents, their persistence on seedlings, and the extent of H. abietis damage were evaluated. The five alternative repellents had higher protection compared to the control repellent, highlighting the potential for new alternative repellents. The base (without additives) repellent provided the highest protection, indicating a redundancy of admixtures. A mixed cumulative link model, employed to estimate differences between the repellents, estimated 85% undamaged and none significantly damaged saplings in the case of the base repellent. However, the consistency and hence persistence of certain repellents on plantlets would benefit from improvements; further field studies are needed to upscale the test of the stability and efficiency of high levels in real environments under different H. abietis population pressures. Full article

The quality and authenticity of honey are of crucial importance for food safety and consumer confidence. Given the increasing interest in enriched honey and potential fraud, rapid and non-destructive analytical methods for quality assessment, such as Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), are needed. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the applicability of NIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometric methods to assess the quality change in honey from three different countries, after addition of five different aromatic plants (lavender, rosemary, oregano, sage, and white pine oil) in three different concentrations (0.5%, 0.8% and 1%). Measurements of basic physicochemical properties, color, antioxidant activity, and NIR spectra were performed for all samples (pure honey and honey with added aromatic plants). Chemometric models, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression, were applied to analyze spectral data, correlate spectra with physicochemical properties, color and antioxidant activity measurements, and develop classification and prediction models. Spectral changes in the NIR region, as expected, showed the ability to distinguish samples depending on the type and concentration of added aromatic plants. Chemometric models enabled efficient discrimination between pure and enriched honey samples, as well as assessment of the influence of different additives on antioxidant activity and color. The results highlight the potential of NIRS as a rapid, non-destructive and environmentally friendly method for quality monitoring and detection of specific additives in honey, offering technical support for quality control and food safety regulation. Full article

Essential oils are lipophilic secondary metabolites produced in various parts of aromatic plants and stored in specialized secretory structures. They play a vital role in plant defense, offering protection against microorganisms and herbivores. These oils are known for a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, analgesic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Given the increasing interest in natural alternatives to synthetic drugs, this review explored the therapeutic relevance of Pinus-derived essential oils as promising candidates in modern phytotherapy. Species of the genus Pinus have been widely investigated for their phytochemical composition and biological potential, with a focus on their medicinal and pharmaceutical applications. This review aimed to assess the biological properties of Pinus species commonly used in traditional medicine. In this paper, thorough insight into the chemical composition, as well as into the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oils obtained from the different parts of Pinus species, was given. Although recognized for their antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial strains, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the practical application of Pinus essential oils is often limited by their physicochemical instability and volatility. Therefore, this review highlighted the advances in formulation strategies, particularly encapsulation techniques, as the possible direction of future research concerning essential oils. Full article

Pine nut oil (PNO) is highly valued by consumers for its rich content of unsaturated fatty acids, which confer unique nutritional benefits. However, PNO is highly susceptible to lipid oxidation during storage and extraction. This chemical degradation compromises product quality and poses potential risks to food safety. To address this challenge, the food industry is developing antioxidant strategies, including optimizing pretreatment conditions to improve flavor and storage stability. Green extraction technologies such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) have been introduced to enhance extraction efficiency and promote environmental sustainability. Light-proof packaging, reduced oxygen environments, and temperature control have also been employed to significantly extend the shelf life of PNO. Furthermore, to maintain the nutritional integrity and safety of PNO while expanding its functional applications in the food industry, several innovative approaches have been employed. These include the incorporation of natural antioxidants, the development of Pickering emulsions, the use of microencapsulation, and the formulation of oleogels. Full article

The bio-fabrication of sustainable mycelium-based composites (MBCs) from renewable plant by-products offers a promising approach to reducing resource depletion and supporting the transition to a circular economy. In this research, MBCs were obtained by cultivating Ganoderma resinaceum GA1M on essential oils and agricultural by-products: hexane-extracted rose flowers (HERF), steam-distilled lavender straw (SDLS), wheat straw (WS), and pine sawdust (PS), used as single or mixed substrates. The basic physical and mechanical properties revealed that MBCs perform comparably to high-efficiency thermal insulating and conventional construction materials. The relatively low apparent density, ranging from 110 kg/m³ for WS-based to 250 kg/m³ for HERF-based composites, results in thermal conductivity values between 0.043 W/mK and 0.054 W/mK. Compression stress (40–180 kPa at 10% deformation) also revealed the good performance of the composites. The MBCs had high water absorption due to open porosity, necessitating further optimization to reduce hydrophilicity and meet intended use requirements. An aerobic biodegradation test using respirometry indicated ongoing microbial decomposition for all tested bio-composites. Notably, composites from mixed HERF and WS (50:50) showed the most rapid degradation, achieving over 46% of theoretical oxygen consumption for complete mineralization. The practical applications of MBCs depend on achieving a balance between biodegradability and stability. Full article

Essential oils have been utilized in the health, learning/memory, and agricultural fields, but not much is known about the biological activity of their individual components. Terpinyl acetate is a p-menthane monoterpenoid commonly found in cardamom, pine, cajeput, pine needle, and other essential oils. Using a cell culture model system, we found that terpinyl acetate is a potent and specific inhibitor of mitochondrial ATP production, suggesting it might function as a plant toxin. Remarkably, however, terpinyl acetate was not cytotoxic because cells switched to glycolysis to maintain ATP levels. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that terpinyl acetate might be employed to benefit plant survival by modulating metabolism/behavior of plant pollinators such as the honey bee. This hypothesis was tested by investigating terpinyl acetate’s effect on honey bee foraging. Free-flying honey bee flower color choice was recorded when visiting a blue-white dimorphic artificial flower patch of 36 flowers. The nectar–reward difference between flower colors was varied in a manner in which both learning and reversal learning could be measured. Terpinyl acetate ingestion disrupted reversal learning but not initial learning: this change caused bees to remain faithful to a flower color longer than was energetically optimal. Full article

Bio-oil is a potential source for the production of alternative fuels and chemicals. In this work, Ni-V bimetallic zeolite catalysts were synthesized and evaluated in in situ catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of pyrolysis volatiles of pine nut shell for upgraded bio-oil products. The pH and lower heating value (LHV) of the upgraded bio-oil products were improved by in situ catalytic HDO, while the moisture content and density of the oil decreased. The O/C ratio of the upgraded bio-oil products decreased significantly, and the oxygenated compounds in the pyrolysis volatiles were converted efficiently via deoxygenation over Ni-V zeolite catalysts. The highest HDO activity was obtained with NiV/MesoY, where the obtained bio-oil had the lowest O/C atomic ratio (0.27), a higher LHV (27.03 MJ/kg) and the highest selectivity (19.6%) towards target arenes. Owing to the more appropriate pore size distribution and better dispersion of metal active sites, NiV/MesoY enhanced the transformation of reacting intermediates, obtaining the dominant products of phenols and arenes. A higher HDO temperature improved the catalytic activity of pyrolysis volatiles to form more deoxygenated arenes. Higher Ni loading could generate more metal active sites, thus promoting the catalyst’s HDO activity for pyrolysis volatiles. This study contributes to the development of cost-efficient and eco-friendly HDO catalysts, which are required for producing high-quality biofuel products. Full article

Bacteria are the primary microorganisms responsible for nosocomial infections. This study investigates the antibacterial, biofilm-disrupting, and cytotoxic properties of essential oils and their emulsions for the treatment of nosocomial pathogens. The antibacterial activity of selected essential oils and their emulsions was evaluated against clinically relevant strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella Enteritidis. Among the tested compounds, cinnamaldehyde exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 1.31 to 2.62 mg/mL against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Other essential oils, such as cinnamon, eucalyptus, and pine, also demonstrated antibacterial effects, although their efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was comparatively limited. In biofilm assays, cinnamaldehyde effectively disrupted biofilms formed by S. aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, indicating its potential for treating biofilm-associated infections. Cytotoxicity testing revealed that while cinnamon essential oil and cinnamaldehyde exhibited cytotoxic effects at concentrations above 0.1%, other essential oils such as basil and eucalyptus were non-toxic at the tested concentrations. These findings suggest that cinnamaldehyde is a promising agent for managing nosocomial infections, combining effective antibacterial and biofilm-disrupting properties with acceptable safety for non-target cells at appropriate doses. Full article

Essential oils are mixtures of volatile compounds often found in the leaves, wood, and fruits of coniferous trees and shrubs. The composition and abundance of individual oil components vary across different plant parts. Terpenes (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes) dominate in the essential oils of many plants. They are the most abundant class of secondary metabolites, with plants containing over a hundred of them at varying concentrations. The terpene profile of certain species consists of a few dominant (abundant) components and numerous less abundant ones. It is believed that the biological activity of essential oil mostly depends on the dominant terpene components. In most of the analyzed Pinus species, the most abundant terpene compounds are α-pinene, β-pinene, δ-3-carene, β-caryophyllene, limonene/β-phellandrene, and germacrene D. In certain taxa, additional dominant compounds include α-cedrol, bornyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide, α-phellandrene, trimethylbicyclo [3.1.1]hept-2-ene, 2H-benzocyclohepten-2-one, phenylethyl butyrate, 4-epi-isocembrol, β-thujene, and thunbergol. Moreover, compounds with abundances exceeding 15% include methyl chavicol (=estragole), geranylene, myrcene, γ-muurolene, sabinene, and abieta-7,13-diene. It can be concluded that the terpene profiles of the needles of the analyzed pine taxa depend on the type of chromatographic columns, the method of obtaining essential oils, the origin of the trees (in natural habitat or artificial plantation), the age of the needles, the variety, and the season in which the needles were collected. Full article

The ability to substitute peat use in horticulture with potentially more sustainable alternatives hinges on the local availability of suitable biomass resources and whether these resources can be easily processed to achieve similar agronomic effectiveness to peat. This review estimates potential biomass availability in Ireland by reviewing production statistics and industry reports and identifying current uses and hypothetical processed biomass quantities. Annual estimates of the major biomass resources available in Ireland are 488,935 m³ of woody residues (mainly Sitka spruce pine) and 789,926 m³ of arable straws (from oats, wheat, barley, oil seed rape). The potential major processing pathways for the available biomass are mechanical (extruded, thinscrew, hammer milled, disc refined), carbonization (pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization) and composting. This review of the literature indicates that the major challenges to pyrolyzed alternatives in growth media include high alkalinity, high salinity and low water holding capacity. When biomass is processed into fibers, it requires additional processing to address nutrient immobilization (nitrogen and calcium) and the presence of phytotoxic compounds. We discuss possible solutions to these challenges in terms of agronomic management (altering fertigation, irrigation rates etc.), biomass conversion process optimization (changing conditions of processes and applying additives) and novel growth media formulations with various material inputs that complement each other. We conclude that while national alternative biomass resources are available in sufficient volumes to potentially meet growing media requirements, significant further research and demonstration are required to convert these materials to growth media acceptable to both commercial and retail sectors. Research needs to focus on transforming these materials into growth media, and how they will impact agronomic management of crops. Furthermore to this, the optimization of biomass conversion processes and novel formulations incorporating multiple types of biomass need to be the focus as we transition from peat products in professional horticulture. Full article

An emulsion gel was developed to replace animal fats in meat products while preserving desirable sensory and structural attributes. The gel was prepared by emulsifying pine nut oil and sunflower oil with whey protein concentrate (WPC) and polysaccharides (inulin and carrageenan). Process parameters, including the inulin-to-water ratio, homogenization speed, and temperature, were optimized to achieve stable gels exhibiting high water- and fat-binding capacities. Scanning electron micrographs revealed a cohesive network containing uniformly dispersed lipid droplets, with carrageenan promoting a denser matrix. Chemical assessments demonstrated a notably lower saturated fatty acid content (10.85%) and only 0.179% trans-isomers, alongside an elevated proportion (71.17%) of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This fatty acid profile suggests potential cardiovascular health benefits compared with conventional animal fats. Texture analyses showed that carrageenan increased gel strength and hardness; Experiment 4 recorded values of 15.87 N and 279.62 N, respectively. Incorporation of WPC at moderate levels (3–4%) further enhanced the yield stress, reflecting a robust protein–polysaccharide network. These findings indicate that the developed emulsion gel offers a viable alternative to animal fats in meat products, combining superior nutritional attributes with acceptable textural properties. The substantial polyunsaturated fatty acid content and minimal trans-isomers, coupled with the gel’s mechanical stability, support the feasibility of creating reduced-fat, functional formulations that align with consumer demands for healthier alternatives. Full article

The growing environmental concerns associated with petrochemical-based adhesives have driven interest in sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the use of bio-oil, derived from municipal sewage sludge (MSS) through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), as a reactive filler in polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) wood adhesives. The bio-oil, rich in hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups, was characterized using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), elemental analysis, and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). These functional groups interact with the isocyanate groups of pMDI, enabling crosslinking and enhancing adhesive performance. Various MSS bio-oil and pMDI formulations were evaluated for tensile shear strength on Southern yellow pine veneers under dry and wet conditions. The formulation with a 1:4 bio-oil to pMDI weight ratio exhibited the best performance, achieving tensile shear strengths of 1.96 MPa (dry) and 1.66 MPa (wet). Higher bio-oil content led to decreased adhesive strength, attributed to reduced crosslinking and increased moisture sensitivity. This study demonstrates the potential of MSS-derived bio-oil as a sustainable additive in pMDI adhesives, offering environmental benefits without significantly compromising adhesive performance and marking a step toward greener wood adhesive solutions. Full article

Fast pyrolysis of biomass is crucial for sustainable biofuel production, necessitating thorough characterization of feedstocks to optimize thermal conversion technologies. This study investigated the isothermal pyrolysis of bamboo and pinewood biomass in a sand-fluidized bed reactor, aiming to assess biomass suitability for commercial bio-oil production. The pyrolysis products and biomass species were characterized through proximate and ultimate analyses, along with GCMS, FTIR, SEM/EDX, and structural analysis to assess their chemical and physical properties. Results indicated that pine bio-oil possesses superior energy density, with a higher calorific value (20.38 MJ/kg) compared to bamboo (18.70 MJ/kg). Pine biomass yielded greater organic phase bio-oil (BOP) at 13 wt%, while bamboo produced 9 wt%. Energy yields were also notable, with pine exhibiting an energy yield of 15% for bio-oil organic phase (EBOP), compared to 11% for bamboo. The fibrous nature of bamboo biomass resulted in less-reacted biomass at constant reaction time due to flow resistance during pyrolysis. Pine bio-oil organic phase (P-BOP) demonstrated a higher heating value (23.90 MJ/kg) than bamboo (B-BOP). The findings suggest that while both biomass types are viable renewable energy sources, pine biomass is more favorable for commercialization due to its superior energy properties and efficiency in pyrolysis. Full article

This article used control theory to derive a non-linear exergoeconomic model for a bench-scale pyrolysis unit. A combination of an autoregressive model with an exogenous input model was involved to investigate the energy system. The economic prospects of the unit were also examined by assigning the cost to the exergy content of the energy stream. The analysis covered the detailed evaluation of the design and performance of an updraft system. Thermally processed pine waste was used as a feedstock for the reactor. The developed model fits well with the validation data extracted through the experimental findings. The exergy cost flow rate of processed pine waste was estimated to be 0.027 ¢/s⁻¹. The exergoeconomic factor was the highest for pyrolysis oil and charcoal generated as the end products of the thermal decomposition of processed pine waste. Full article