Search Results (339)

Yellow passion fruit production is frequently limited by water scarcity, necessitating biotechnological strategies to ensure seedling quality. This study investigated the synergistic effects of Bacillus aryabhattai (Auras^®) and silicon (Si) as mitigators of water deficit in Passiflora edulis seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in Catolé do Rocha, PB, Brazil, using 4 dm³ plastic bags. A randomized block design was used with a 4 × 3 + 2 factorial scheme, testing four available water contents (AWC: 50, 60, 70, and 80%) combined with three mitigation strategies (Auras, Si, and Auras + Si), plus two additional controls (50% and 100% AWC). Water deficit severely compromised growth and soil biological activity; however, mitigation treatments significantly improved physiological and biochemical responses. When applied separately, B. aryabhattai inoculation enhanced the accumulation of photoprotective pigments (carotenoids) and secondary metabolites (flavonoids and anthocyanins) under severe drought, while individual Si application provided homeostatic stability to plant biomass, maintaining dry matter production at levels comparable to moderate irrigation. The Auras + Si combination was the most effective, promoting the highest membrane stability, pigment maintenance, and vigorous growth even under 50% AWC. Furthermore, this interaction optimized soil microbial biomass and reduced the metabolic quotient by 56.7% compared to the stress control. These findings demonstrate that the combined application of B. aryabhattai and Si effectively mitigates the negative impacts of water scarcity on the initial development of passion fruit seedlings and soil microbial activity. Full article

Nowadays, bioplastics are increasingly being used as an alternative to single-use fossil-based plastics. However, a major challenge associated with bioplastics is the need for higher amounts of plastic additives to achieve material properties comparable to those of conventional plastics, which raises concerns regarding their potential ecological impact. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of mixed liquor sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to eliminate bioplastics and their associated plastic additives compared to fossil-based materials. To this end, we exposed three items under controlled laboratory conditions: pure polylactic acid (PLA) pellets, a PLA garbage bag and a conventional fossil-based polyethylene (PE) bag. The study of plastic degradation was carried out by pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC-HRMS). The results show a higher degree of degradation of biobased bags (96.8 ± 4.0%) and PLA pellets (91.3 ± 9.0%), whereas fossil-based bags of PE exhibited negligible degradation (18.3 ± 25.8%). Furthermore, leaching compounds generated during the treatment process were monitored using a suspect screening strategy by means of liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The main results showed that the concentration of several tentatively identified compounds increased after treatment because of the leaching process or because they were degradation products of other previously leached additives. The evaluation of the associated toxicity of these compounds using predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) disclosed that these compounds may pose a risk to organisms in receiving waters. Full article

Single-use plastics (SUPs) impose substantial environmental costs. Following Directive (EU) 2019/904, Austria introduced producer charges and mandatory participation in collection and recycling systems. This paper exploits a monthly aggregated and disaggregated panel of retail offer spells drawn from a price-comparison platform to estimate the extent to which compliance costs pass through to posted online prices in Austria. The treated sample comprises keyword-matched SUP products—balloons, to-go cups, wet wipes, plastic bags, food containers, tobacco-filter items, beverage bottles, and plastic wraps—observed alongside a control group of non-SUP listings over 2020–2024. A two-way fixed-effects (TWFE) specification places the average post-treatment price increase at approximately 4.1 percent. A sequential TWFE model that disaggregates the administrative reporting phase (from March 2023) from the payment-due phase (from March 2024) reveals that the larger adjustment occurs during the earlier reporting stage, with a reporting-only effect of approximately 8.1 percent and an incremental payment-phase effect of 5.6 percent. For balloons—a category subject to pronounced regulatory fee exposure—event-study estimates exceed 50 percent in the months immediately following the initial payment date and remain elevated throughout most of the post-treatment window. Taken together, these findings indicate that Austrian online retailers began adjusting prices in advance of fee-payment deadlines, a pattern consistent with anticipatory pass-through of expected compliance costs rather than a discrete response to realized payments. As the data contain price observations but not quantity data, the analysis speaks to price incidence and does not extend to consumption or environmental outcomes. Full article

The current approach to coastal oyster reef restoration currently relies on conventional plastics, raising concerns about plastic pollution. Therefore, developing biodegradable alternatives, such as nano-montmorillonite-modified polylactic acid materials (PLA), has become a priority. This study compared oyster recruitment on PLA substrates with that on four conventional plastic substrates (polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)) through field experiments, examining how PLA substrate thickness and surface roughness influence oyster recruitment. Additionally, we evaluated the responses of oyster populations and associated macroinvertebrate communities after ten months of restoration using PLA-based versus polyethylene (PE) shell-bag reefs. The results showed no significant difference in oyster recruitment between PLA and conventional plastic substrates (p > 0.05). However, increasing the thickness and surface roughness of the PLA substrates significantly enhanced the recruitment of juvenile oysters (p < 0.05). After ten months, there was no significant difference in oyster abundance between PLA and PE shell bag reefs; however, there was a significant difference in resident macroinvertebrate abundance, with abundances markedly higher on PLA reefs (1372 ± 220 ind./m² vs. 545 ± 90 ind./m²; p < 0.05). This study highlights the potential of PLA as a promising alternative to conventional plastics. However, its rapid degradation limits its applicability in high-energy environments. Furthermore, given that a comprehensive assessment of the microplastic risks associated with its degradation has not yet been conducted, large-scale application is not currently recommended. Full article

This study examines the associations among perceived policy effectiveness, emotional environmental engagement, and environmental behavior in the context of the plastic bag charge policy in Turkey. While market-based environmental policies are typically explained in terms of economic incentives, the ways in which policy perceptions and emotional processes are associated with individual behavior remain underexplored in the literature. The data were collected through a nationwide survey in Turkey (n = 515), and the proposed model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The measurement model shows good fit (CFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.04). The findings indicate that perceived policy effectiveness is positively and significantly associated with emotional environmental engagement (β = 0.56, p < 0.001). Emotional engagement is also strongly associated with environmental behavior (β = 0.62, p < 0.001). The direct association between perceived policy effectiveness and environmental behavior is weaker but remains significant (β = 0.21, p < 0.01). Bootstrap analysis (5000 resamples) indicates a significant indirect association (β = 0.35; 95% CI [0.21, 0.49]), suggesting that emotional environmental engagement represents an important explanatory dimension linking perceived policy effectiveness and environmental behavior. Given the cross-sectional and self-reported nature of the data, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than strictly causal. Nevertheless, the results suggest that the relationship between policy perceptions and environmental behavior is more consistent with a framework in which emotional processes are jointly involved, rather than a purely economic explanation. By examining perceived policy effectiveness, emotional environmental engagement, and environmental behavior within a single analytical framework, this study provides an integrated empirical account of how market-based environmental policies are associated with individual-level environmental behavior. Full article

Early frost during the R6 and R7 maturity stages of soybean (Glycine max L.) usually causes immature (green or semi-green) crops to be harvested. These immature soybean seeds have a shrunken appearance, green tone, and high chlorophyll content in the oil, leading to heavy discounts for farmers at the elevator. Previous lab-scale storage studies have shown that seed color can change under light and warm temperatures; however, light cannot be added to a commercial storage bin. Therefore, this study examined the effect of field drying and storage conditions on immature soybean color and oil quality. Soybean planted in two plots were desiccated at the R6 and R7 maturity stages and then allowed to field dry. The field-dried desiccated soybeans were conditioned to moisture contents (MCs) of 12 and 17% and stored in airtight plastic bags at respective temperatures of 4 °C and 22.5 °C for 24 weeks. Seed color, mold, and oil quality were analyzed at intervals of 0, 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks. The desiccated R6 seeds’ color “a” value significantly changed during field drying from (−9.75 to +0.19) and (−8.96 to +1.95) for Plot 1 and Plot 2, respectively. This means that the color changed from green to a golden yellow or light greenish-brown color after field drying. The chlorophyll content of the desiccated soybeans after field drying at the two maturity stages for both plots was less than 3 mg kg⁻¹ of oil and was relatively stable throughout storage. During storage, at 17% moisture content and 22.5 °C, mold counts increased significantly for R6, R7, and R8 (frozen) control soybeans between weeks 0 and 4 to 4.36 CFU g⁻¹, 5.93 CFU g⁻¹ and 6.22 CFU g⁻¹, respectively. Peroxide and free fatty acid values were within acceptable limits across all storage temperatures and moisture contents. This study suggests that favorable weather conditions for field drying after an early frost have the potential to improve the color of harvested and stored soybeans, similar to mature soybeans. Full article

Commercial production of sweet cherries is possible up to approximately 60° N latitude in Norway and is among the most economically important fruit crops in the country. The harvest is late, but yields are very high, and the fruit is intended solely for the fresh market. The objective of this study was to assess whether sweet cherry can be grown in pots and to determine fruit quality (sugar, acid, polyphenol, and mineral content) of three sweet cherry cultivars (‘Van’, ‘Lapins’, and ‘Regina’) grown in high tunnels with varying levels of fertigation (F) and the application of slow-release (SR) fertilisers. Trees were planted in 35 L plastic bags, trained as spindle trees, with a spacing of 1 × 2.5 m (4000 trees/ha). The tunnel was covered with polythene from flowering until harvest. Fruit produced in pots had low levels of sugars and acids and high levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids, while the mineral content depended on treatment and cultivar. The main sugar components (glucose and fructose), the sweetness index, phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid), flavanols (catechin, rutin, quercetin, and hyperoside), and minerals (P, K, Mg, Ca, and Na) were much higher in the F treatment. SR treatments were more effective in increasing the content of acids (shikimic, malic, and quinic) and total phenolic content (TPC). Radical scavenging activity (RSA) and total sugars showed no statistically significant differences between the treatments studied. ‘Lapins’ fruit obtained from the fertigation regimes (when Kristalon brown + Calcinit + Magnesium-sulphate were added from mid-April to 1 September and plain water for the rest of the season, up to an electric conductivity (EC) of 0.5 and 1.0) contained the highest levels of minerals (P, K, Mg, Ca). The ‘Van’ cultivar from F treatments, especially VF2 (when Kristalon brown + Calcinit + Magnesium-sulphate were added from mid-April to 1 September and plain water for the rest of the season, with EC 1.0) and VF3 (when Kristalon brown is added in July, Kristalon brown + Calcinit + Magnesium-sulphate in August, and plain water for the rest of the season) had the highest sweetness index, glucose, fructose, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and hyperoside in sweet cherry fruit. ‘Regina’ under the RSR1 (50 g Multicote and 30 g chalk lime per tree) and RSR2 regimes (100 g Multicote and 30 g chalk lime per tree) produced fruit with the highest acid components, RSA and TPC. This suggests that sweet cherry trees can be grown in pots under high tunnels, but nutrition should be adjusted for each cultivar according to its physiological responses to specific microclimate conditions. Full article

The Amazonian açaí waste is promising for producing charcoal through pyrolysis and bioenergy through combustion, but the property losses from its poor disposal in the environment remain unknown. Therefore, this work aimed to analyze how different storage conditions of the açaí waste over time, which mimic the reality throughout the Amazon, modify its bioenergetic properties. The samples were stored in a covered greenhouse for nine months in the following conditions: immersed in water, on the soil, and in open plastic bags. The biomass was analyzed by Fourier-transformed near-infrared spectroscopy, physical properties, stereomicroscopy, proximate composition, and thermogravimetry. The degraded waste showed endocarp attack and fungi proliferation. The chemical groups of primary cell wall components were concentrated, unlike water-soluble materials, raising the fixed carbon from 22% to 25% after 30 days. Consequently, higher heating values were kept (≈19 MJ/kg). However, water immersion storage sharply decreased the waste basic density from 0.81 g/cm³ to 0.56 g/cm³, dropping the energy density from 12 GJ/m³ to 8 GJ/m³. Moreover, storage raised ash content from 1.1% up to 1.9%. The storage hindered the start of the main phases of combustion and pyrolysis, which were later intensified, especially for soil-stored waste. Therefore, more stable combustion and pyrolysis require fresh waste. Besides natural drying, plastic bag storage over time kept the waste quality closer to that of the fresh waste. Full article

Packaging has the main role of protecting a product during storage, and the material selected for packaging has a crucial role in shelf-life control. In recent years, according to the recent European regulations on plastics, different materials have been proposed with the aim of reducing the use of fossil-based packaging. In the present work, the storage of tomato by-product powders dried at different temperatures (40 and 70 °C), in different types of packaging (plastic bag, bioplastic bag, edible active film, and edible active film enriched with antioxidants) was monitored for 11 months. Several analytical approaches were used to characterize the properties of the product after drying treatment. Oxidative stability was evaluated through the Oxitest reactor; bioactive compounds content, such as total phenolic and percentage of total antioxidant capacity, were assessed through spectrophotometric assays; high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis was employed for β-carotene and lycopene contents monitoring. Results showed a progressive reduction in all parameters, with slight differences in the behavior of the aliquots stored in the different materials. Samples stored in bioplastic showed a higher retention of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity at early storage stages, whereas conventional plastic and active packaging exhibited comparable or improved performance at later stages, depending on the analytical parameter considered. Full article

We developed an automated folding device for soft plastic bags to replace manual folding. The device employs a flat folding plane, combined with feeding positioning and edge-guided pre-crease. After computing the required torque for every folding step, the actuators are selected. This device increases production output and reduces labor costs. Under typical operating conditions, the production of folded bags has increased to 90 bags per hour, three times that of manual folding, while controlling the crease position deviation within 2.0 mm. With one automated folding device, instead of one laborer, the yield rate was raised to 98%, the production was 187,200 bags per year, and the annual savings were estimated as NT$240,000. Full article

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) can be a sustainable alternative to petrochemical plastics for flexible packaging, especially in rainforests and tropical regions where native starch sources such as cassava are abundant. However, one problem preventing TPS packaging from widespread use is its susceptibility to moisture. This study evaluated TPS formulations based on Amazonian cassava starch reinforced with plantain leaf fibers, beeswax, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) particles. The plastic compounds were extruded to obtain pellets and then films at 120–130 °C. The resulting films were then cut and heat-sealed to obtain flexible packaging. Different properties of the TPS packages were evaluated, such as mechanical strength, water vapor transmission (WVTR), color, infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and moisture adsorption. The results showed that the formulation with beeswax (2% w/w), plantain leaves powder (1% w/w), and LDPE powder (2% w/w) had a higher tensile strength (5.99 MPa) and moisture barrier (WVTR = 366.6 g m⁻² d⁻¹) compared to the control formulation only with plasticizers (glycerol and water) but without reinforcements (0.48 MPa and 1486.6 g m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively). Films with only beeswax (4% w/w) and plantain leaves powder (2.5% w/w) had tensile strength = 5.53 MPa and WVTR = 716.8 g m⁻² d⁻¹, with higher moisture adsorption compared to the samples with LDPE. In both cases, homogeneous and heat-sealable bags were obtained. The reinforced TPS films can be used to reduce the environmental impact generated by single-use packaging applications such as food commercialization. Full article

Pollution from solid waste results mainly from improper disposal and inadequate waste management, causing environmental degradation and risks to human health. This study characterized solid waste pollution along the left bank of the Amazon River within the urban segment of Itacoatiara, Brazil. Eleven sampling points were established across upstream, midstream and downstream sections. Solid waste was present at densities ranging from 0 to 0.65 items·m⁻², with a mean density of 0.15 ± 0.14 items·m⁻². Higher concentrations were observed in the midstream sections of the left bank (0.21 ± 0.16 items·m⁻²), and statistical analyses showed significant differences among sections. Plastics predominated among all materials (0.50 ± 0.60 items·m⁻²), and statistical analyses showed significant differences among the types of solid waste, with fragments mainly originating from bags, bottles, and fibers. Plastics were recorded in most sampling sections, with particularly high abundance in the midstream sections of the river (0.98 ± 0.80 items·m⁻²) and statistical analyses showed significant differences among sections and across material types. According to the general index and the clean coast index, sampling areas ranged from “clean” to “extremely dirty”, with midstream sections most impacted. The plastic abundance index indicated high plastic contamination, and hazardous waste was more frequent in the upstream and midstream sections. The environmental status index classified all sections as both “good” and “bad”, indicating compromised environmental quality and ecological integrity. These results show human pressure on the Amazon River banks and degraded environmental quality, supporting waste management policies, mitigation, monitoring, and environmental education to protect ecosystems and reduce risks to riverside communities. Full article

Long-term soil fertility is governed by the metabolic plasticity of microbial communities, particularly during the decomposition of crop residues. This study investigated the straw-associated functional microbial profile associated with straw decomposition under the influence of 62 years of continuous management with mineral fertilization and liming. Using the Biolog EcoPlateTM approach combined with a modified litter-bag protocol, we assessed shifts in metabolic activity patterns of functional guilds and groups. PERMANOVA results revealed that the interaction between liming and fertilization (p < 0.05) was the primary driver of divergence in functional communities, rather than the individual effect of factors. Long-term treatments induced a significant reconfiguration of the functional niche, shifting from the native, generalist microbiome to specialized communities in treated variants, with carbohydrate (CH) guilds as dominant and indicators of community performance. Moderate levels of liming (L1) stimulated metabolic activity and maintained higher functional diversity across amino acid (AA) and polymers (Px) guilds. Intensive liming (L2), in contrast, restricted the activity of most microbial functional groups and favored amine (AM) and carboxylic acid (CX) guilds. Shifts from a generalist microbiome in native soil to specialized communities in treated soils show the capacity of microorganisms to adapt efficiently under agronomic management. Full article

Plastic packaging represents a critical focus in the European Union’s transition to a circular economy owing to its resource-intensive production and substantial greenhouse gas emissions. This article examines Poland’s implementation of plastic packaging regulations within the evolving European Union regulatory framework, alongside complementary policy instruments. It employs legal-normative analysis of European Union and Polish legislation, documentary review of national strategic frameworks, and statistical assessment of packaging generation and recycling performance. Poland has introduced substantial legislative measures, including carrier-bag fees, charges on single-use plastic products, recycled-content mandates for polyethylene terephthalate bottles, and a deposit-return system launched in October 2025. Moreover, national voluntary agreements created by non-governmental organisations and industry stakeholders to improve collection and sorting have been active on the Polish market. Nevertheless, performance indicators reveal significant gaps between regulatory ambitions and operational outcomes. To diagnose these implementation gaps and prioritise the most critical interventions, the article applies a governance-oriented MoSCoW analysis. The article concludes that while the deposit-return system constitutes an essential intervention, achieving European Union circular economy objectives requires comprehensive policy integration encompassing upstream prevention, eco-design standards, extended producer responsibility mechanisms, and coherent strategic planning. An effective regulatory system, sound management practices, and improved information sharing among stakeholders are crucial for promoting eco-innovation and advancing circularity, reuse, and waste reduction. Full article

Polyester fibers are extensively used in textiles, packaging, and industrial applications due to their durability and excellent mechanical properties. However, high-crystallinity polyester fibers represent a major challenge in plastic waste management due to their resistance to biodegradation. This study evaluated the biodegradation potential of environmental Bacillus isolates, obtained from mold-contaminated black bean plastic bags, toward polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and industrial-grade polyester fibers under mesophilic conditions. Among thirteen isolates, five (Bacillus altitudinis N5, Bacillus subtilis N6, and others) exhibited measurable degradation within 30 days, with mass losses up to 5–6% and corresponding rate constants of 0.04–0.05 day⁻¹. A combination of complementary characterization techniques, including mass loss analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), together with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), and water contact angle (WCA) analysis, was employed to evaluate the biodegradation behavior of polyester fibers. Cross-analysis of mass loss, surface morphology, molecular weight reduction, and degradation products suggests a surface erosion-dominated degradation process, accompanied by ester-bond hydrolysis and preferential degradation of amorphous regions. FTIR, TGA/DSC, and WCA analyses further reflected chemical, thermal, and surface property changes induced by biodegradation rather than directly defining the degradation mechanism. The findings highlight the capacity of mesophilic Bacillus species to partially depolymerize polyester fibers under mild environmental conditions, providing strain resources and mechanistic insight for developing low-energy bioprocesses for polyester fiber waste management. Full article