Search Results (1,125)

Traditional soaking plum wine production is time-consuming and often results in high levels of bitter amygdalin and toxic cyanide, posing health risks. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken design was employed to optimize pulsed electric field (PEF) parameters, developing a novel process integrating kernel detoxification and PEF pretreatment to mitigate these hazards, enhance the characteristic aroma (benzaldehyde), and shorten the maceration cycle. The experimental results showed that the contents of bitter amygdalin and cyanide in plum kernels after detoxification and PEF pretreatment were reduced by 62.34% and 59.62%, respectively, compared with the control group, and the contents of both were further reduced with the addition of plum flesh for further soaking in the new process. In addition, the PEF pretreatment also increased the amount of benzaldehyde extracted by 4.63% compared to the control group and resulted in a 10.53% reduction in equilibration time. Moreover, compared to the previous whole-fruit maceration process, the new process resulted in a 37.5% reduction in the final plum wine production cycle. This study provides a practical solution for improving the safety and efficiency of plum wine production and supports the industrial application of PEF technology. Full article

This paper describes the implementation of a rainwater harvesting and treatment system in an informal urban community in Bogotá, using a participatory methodology based on Service Learning (SL). The project began with a territorial diagnosis and community prioritization of needs, identifying access to water and its quality as the main issue. Together with the community, a system for rainwater capture, pretreatment, storage, and filtration was designed and built, adapted to local conditions. Monitoring of physicochemical and microbiological parameters across different climatic periods showed significant improvements in the quality of treated water, meeting national standards for most indicators. Simultaneously, an educational process was carried out through workshops and hands-on activities, strengthening local capacities and promoting hygiene and water management practices. The analysis highlights the system’s adaptability to climate variability, community ownership, and the replicability of the model. It concludes that the integration of appropriate technology, community participation, and education can effectively improve access to and quality of water in vulnerable urban contexts, contributing to quality of life and sustainable development. Full article

The accelerating global demand for cobalt, driven primarily by lithium-ion batteries, has intensified the search for alternative sources of supply. Mine tailings represent a promising secondary resource, particularly in regions with extensive mining histories such as Chile. This study evaluates cobalt leaching from copper tailings using a deep eutectic solvent (DES), choline chloride–citric acid (ChCl–CA), with controlled addition of hydrogen peroxide. The tailings were subjected to pretreatments (froth flotation, chlorination, and thermal roasting) and then leached with choline chloride–citric acid-based DES or H₂SO₄. Temperature, leaching time, and solid–liquid ratio were evaluated. Results show that roasting significantly enhanced cobalt recovery when followed by citric acid or DES leaching, reaching up to 100% Co recovery. Under optimized conditions, DES-based leaching was effective and selective in a polymetallic matrix and achieved recoveries comparable to or better than acid leaching without generating toxic emissions. Although flotation and chlorination had limited effects on overall recovery, the results demonstrate the viability of integrated and cleaner technologies for valorizing tailings that contain critical metals such as cobalt. Full article

This review comprehensively examines the advancements and challenges in anaerobic digestion (AD) for biogas production, emphasising technological, microbial, and policy perspectives. It highlights the AD significant potential for valorising diverse organic substrates, including manure, food waste, and microalgae, thereby contributing to renewable energy generation and greenhouse gas mitigation. Key operational factors influencing biogas yield include substrate composition, temperature (preferably mesophilic conditions), pH (6.5–7.5), and the substrate-to-inoculum ratio (SIR), all of which significantly affect microbial activity and process stability. Co-digestion strategies and pretreatments are examined for their roles in enhancing biodegradability and methane yield, respectively. Microbial community dynamics, particularly responses to feedstock heterogeneity and operational parameters, are integral to process optimisation. Advances in metagenomics have provided insights into microbial resilience and adaptation to conditions such as high ammonium levels. This review also discusses various modelling approaches, including kinetic models and machine learning techniques, for predicting and optimising biogas production. Additionally, policy frameworks within regions such as the European Union and Brazil, along with economic incentives and regulatory hurdles, are also considered crucial for scaling up deployment. Challenges such as digestate management and high capital costs persist, underscoring the need for integrated strategies to enhance the sustainability and viability of AD-based biogas projects. Full article

The freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is a promising aquaculture species due to its strong environmental adaptability, tolerance to low temperatures, rapid growth rate, high nutritional value, high-quality texture (garlic-clove-shaped flesh), and absence of intermuscular bones. Nevertheless, processing technologies related to freshwater drum remain largely unexplored. Salting pretreatment serves as a viable strategy for enhancing the quality attributes of frozen fish products. This study investigated the effects of different sodium chloride (NaCl) pickling concentrations (0.25, 1, and 3 mol/L) on the physicochemical properties and quality attributes of frozen–thawed freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens). Results indicated that elevated NaCl concentrations (1–3 mol/L) significantly (p < 0.05) shortened the transit time through the maximum ice crystal formation zone during freezing, effectively mitigating structural damage to myofibrillar networks. As the NaCl concentration increased from 0 to 3 mol/L, the water content decreased from 71.26 ± 0.22% to 68.64 ± 0.50%, while the salt content increased from 0.31 ± 0.01% to 8.46 ± 0.12%. Pickling pretreatment markedly enhanced water-holding capacity and improved texture profiles, including hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness. Histological analysis revealed preserved myofibril integrity in high-salt-treated samples, supported by reduced fluorescence intensity of myofibrillar proteins, indicating mitigated freeze-induced denaturation. Low-field NMR confirmed salt-induced redistribution of water states, with decreased free water proportion. Our results identify that pretreatment with NaCl at concentrations ≥ 1 mol/L is an effective strategy to preserve the post-thaw quality. Due to 3 mol/L NaCl resulting in a relatively high salt content, 1 mol/L NaCl pretreatment is more suitable for maintaining the quality of freeze–thawed freshwater drums. Full article

The study is focused on the technology for surface modification of AZ31 magnesium alloy for biomedical applications, in particular in implantology. The experimental procedure consists of intentional stages that involve chemical treatment in piranha solution, plasma chemical activation of the alloy surface using Ar and O₂ as gaseous precursors, and biopolymer coatings deposition—based on polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with the addition of caffeic acid—utilizing the immersion method. In the course of the experiment, the validity of the investigated technology of surface modification of AZ31 magnesium alloy was confirmed. The pre-treatment step guaranteed obtaining a higher surface roughness, resulting in homogeneous and stable biopolymer coatings with proper adhesion to the substrate. Moreover, the corrosion studies conducted confirmed better corrosion behaviour of the modified samples in SBF corrosive medium, and no significant release of the alloy-related ions was observed. Furthermore, the biopolymer coatings ensured non-cytotoxicity towards the MG-63 cell line and promoted cell proliferation with proper morphology. Based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that the proposed technology can be treated as an interesting and promising surface-engineering strategy for implantology and biodegradable materials applications. Full article

Spirit drink, known in Central and Eastern Europe as ‘okowita’ (its official designation is ‘spirit’), is obtained by distilling fermented plant raw materials. Unlike vodka, which is produced from highly purified ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, ‘okowita’ is characterised by the preservation of the natural aromatic and flavour compounds originating from the raw material and produced during the process of alcoholic fermentation. The study aimed to assess the impact of production technology on the quality of potato spirits. The effects of the methods used for the pretreatment of raw material, starch hydrolysis and fermentation, and yeast strains were examined in relation to the fermentation efficiency and the chemical composition of the distillates. The yeast strains were the key factor determining fermentation efficiency. The SafSpirit and Pinnacle yeast strains provided the highest fermentation yields (85.0–97.7% of the theoretical), while the Ethanol Red strain provided the lowest yield (<83%). No advantage of separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) over simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was observed. A characteristic feature of potato distillates was their high isobutyl alcohol content, ranging from 557 to 1437 mg/L of 100% v/v alcohol, i.e., more than twice that of 3-methyl-1-butanol. Methanol concentrations remained below the limit specified in EU Regulation 2024/1143 (≤1000 g/hL of 100% v/v alcohol). The results are promising in terms of the potential for the production of craft potato spirit drinks. Full article

The growing global demand for clean energy and sustainability has increased interest in lignocellulosic biomass as a viable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Among the various biomass resources, sugarcane bagasse, an abundant agro-industrial by-product, has emerged as a promising feedstock to produce renewable fuels and value-added chemicals. Its high carbohydrate content offers significant potential for bioconversion. However, its complex and recalcitrant lignocellulosic matrix presents significant challenges that necessitate advanced pretreatment techniques to improve enzymatic digestibility and fermentation efficiency. This review consolidates recent developments in the valorization of sugarcane bagasse focusing on innovative pretreatment and fermentation strategies for sustainable bioethanol production. It emphasizes the synergistic benefits of integrating various pretreatment and fermentation methods to improve bioethanol yields, reduce processing costs and enhance overall process sustainability. This review further explores recent technological advancements, the impact of fermentation inhibitor, and emerging strategies to overcome these challenges through microbial strains and innovative fermentation methods. Additionally, it highlights the multi-faceted advantages of bagasse valorization, including waste minimization, renewable energy production and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. By evaluating the current state of research and outlining future perspectives, this paper serves as a comprehensive guide to advancing the valorization of sugarcane bagasse in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The novelty of this review lies in its holistic integration of technological, economic, and policy perspectives, uniquely addressing the scalability of integrated pretreatment and fermentation processes for sugarcane bagasse, and outlining practical pathways for their translation from laboratory to sustainable industrial biorefineries within the circular bioeconomy framework. Full article

Against the backdrop of global food security and circular agriculture development, edible fungi, as a high-protein food source, have both ecological and economic value in their production model using agricultural and forestry wastes. Based on the “Cycle Production of Plants, Animals, and Fungi” theory, this paper systematically reviews the research progress of alternative substrates for edible fungi. First, alternative substrates are categorized into plant-derived, animal-derived, and microbial-derived types according to their sources. The physicochemical properties, application status, and bottlenecks of each type are analyzed, such as difficult lignin degradation in plant-derived substrates, pollutant risks in animal-derived substrates, and lack of unified application standards for microbial-derived substrates. Second, the mechanisms of key influencing factors including substrate nutritional content, pH and moisture content are elaborated. Furthermore, the paper points out current industrial challenges such as regional resource heterogeneity, difficult control of pretreatment parameters, pollutant residues, and poor batch stability, and summarizes targeted optimization strategies, including regional substrate formulations, precise pretreatment technologies, nutritional regulation, and circular utilization models. Finally, future directions are prospected from four aspects: localized resource utilization, technological innovation, circular model upgrading, and standardized governance, providing theoretical support for the large-scale and sustainable development of the edible fungi industry and contributing to agricultural waste resource utilization and the achievement of “dual carbon” goals. Full article

The trade-off between reducing pesticide use and ensuring effective crop protection is a key challenge for sustainable agriculture. Stimulating the plant’s natural defense mechanisms represents a promising alternative. In this study, we evaluated the potential of pulsed light as a physical elicitor in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). This technology is based on the emission of brief but intense light flashes, covering a broad spectrum (from UV-C to infrared), capable of simultaneous activation of multiple signaling pathways. Tomato plants were treated using a standard protocol and subjected to biochemical, transcriptional, physiological, and pathological analyses. The treatment significantly increased the activity of defense-related and antioxidant enzymes, the accumulation of phenolic compounds and callose, and the expression of key immunity-related genes. Upon Botrytis cinerea inoculation, pretreated tomato plants showed enhanced defense responses and a significant reduction in disease severity, indicating a priming effect. The standard protocol did not impair photosynthesis, growth, or yield. These findings highlight pulsed light as an innovative technology for integrated crop protection. Full article

Plastic waste accumulation poses a critical environmental challenge, while the road construction industry continues to rely heavily on energy intensive, non-renewable binders. Integrating waste plastics into asphalt offers a dual solution to these issues by enhancing pavement performance and promoting circular economy principles. This review provides a comprehensive and data-driven synthesis of global research on plastic-waste-modified asphalt (PWMA), covering six major plastic types and both wet- and dry-processing technologies. Unlike prior reviews, this study employs a systematic PRISMA-based selection framework to evaluate 42 peer-reviewed experimental studies from 2000 to 2024, quantitatively comparing rheological, mechanical, and environmental outcomes. The review identifies polymer bitumen compatibility mechanisms, microstructural interactions revealed through microscopy, and the role of pre-treatment processes (glycolysis and pyrolysis) in improving dispersion and stability. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data reveal 20–35% reductions in carbon emissions and 10–12% life cycle cost savings compared to conventional and SBS-modified asphalt. The review proposes a strategic roadmap addressing performance variability, microplastic emissions, and compatibility challenges. By integrating material science, sustainability assessment, and field implementation data, this review advances a novel multidisciplinary perspective on waste plastic valorization in road infrastructure, bridging the gap between laboratory research and policy-ready, scalable applications. Full article

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) provide a green scaffold for next-generation flexible sensors. They unite abundance, mechanical robustness, biocompatibility, and an easily engineered surface. This review synthesizes advances from the past five years in low-carbon CNF manufacturing. We cover biomass pretreatment, high-solid mechanical fibrillation, and in situ functionalization. We then elucidate mechanisms that govern CNF films, aerogels, and double-network hydrogels used across humidity, temperature, strain/pressure, optical, electrochemical, and biosensing platforms. Particular attention is given to multiscale conductive networks, surface-charge regulation, and reversible dynamic crosslinking. Together, these motifs raise sensitivity, widen the linear response windows, and strengthen environmental tolerance. We interrogate bottlenecks that impede scale-up, including energy demand, batch-to-batch variability, and device-level integration. We also assess prospects for deep-eutectic-solvent recycling, roll-to-roll digital printing, and algorithm-guided structural design. Finally, we outline directions for self-healing and self-powered biomimetic architectures, fully degradable life-cycle design, and integrated “sense–store–compute” nodes. These analyses chart a credible path from laboratory discovery to industrial deployment of CNF-based sensing technologies. Full article

The concept of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) production from low-cost cellulosic raw materials is evolving across the world, as it reduces the production cost of this valuable polymer and expands its technical applications. Miscanthus × giganteus is a widely recognized energy crop with high cellulose content, but its potential as a feedstock for BNC production is underexplored. The cellulose content in the biomass of Miscanthus × giganteus from the Russian breeding stock was 54% in the present study. The Miscanthus × giganteus biomass was subjected to chemical pretreatment by four different techniques: classical alkaline delignification and three authors’ own methods using diluted nitric acid solutions at atmospheric pressure. The resultant substrates were then enzymatically hydrolyzed under identical conditions, yielding carbohydrate-based culture media on which bacterial nanocellulose biosynthesis was carried out using a SCOBY symbiotic culture. All the four chemical pretreatment methods were found to be extremely efficient because they provide a 28–31-fold increase in the biomass reactivity to enzymatic hydrolysis compared to untreated Miscanthus × giganteus. This study clearly demonstrates that it is most expedient to carry out the biomass pretreatment in a single stage using a dilute nitric acid solution in the BNC production technology from Miscanthus × giganteus. In this case, the substrate yield from the feedstock for subsequent hydrolysis was 50%, the recovery of reducing sugars from the Miscanthus × giganteus biomass reached its maximal value (65.2%), and the yield of BNC was 1.1–1.3 times higher compared to the other three methods of biomass pretreatment. Full article

Tin slags generated during cassiterite smelting in Brazil contain significant amounts of technologically important metals such as niobium, tantalum, and zirconium. Improper disposal of these materials represents both an environmental concern and the loss of a valuable secondary source of critical elements. This study aimed to characterize a Brazilian tin slag sample to evaluate its composition, morphology, and potential for metal recovery. The material was homogenized and analyzed by laser diffraction (particle size), ICP-OES (chemical composition), X-ray diffraction (mineral phases), differential scanning calorimetry (metallic tin), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (morphology). The slag exhibited a heterogeneous particle size distribution (D90 = 0.75 mm, D50 = 0.30 mm, D10 = 0.09 mm) and a complex multiphase structure composed mainly of silica, calcium silicate, and zirconia. The chemical analysis revealed 4.8 wt% Nb and 0.8 wt% Ta, along with high concentrations of Zr (11.1 wt%), confirming the material’s potential as a secondary resource. Thorium (2.7 wt%) and uranium (0.3 wt%) were also detected, indicating the presence of radioactive constituents. The detailed characterization of the slag provides essential insights into its chemical and mineralogical complexity, which directly influence the selection of suitable recovery routes. Understanding the distribution of Nb- and Ta-bearing phases within the refractory silicate–zirconia matrix is fundamental for defining pretreatment and leaching strategies. Therefore, this study establishes a necessary foundation for the design of efficient hydrometallurgical processes aimed at recovering critical metals from Brazilian tin slags. Full article

The global reliance on fossil fuels has caused severe environmental challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable and renewable energy sources. Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass has emerged as a promising alternative due to its abundance, renewability, and carbon-neutral footprint. However, its economic feasibility remains a major obstacle owing to high production costs, particularly those associated with low ethanol titers and the energy-intensive distillation process costs for low titers. High-solid loading processes (≥15% w/w or w/v) have demonstrated potential to overcome these limitations by minimizing water and solvent consumption, enhancing sugar concentrations, increasing ethanol titers, and lowering downstream processing cost. Nevertheless, high-solid loading also introduces operational bottlenecks, such as elevated viscosity, poor mixing, and limited mass and heat transfer, which hinder enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. This review critically examines emerging pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis strategies tailored for high-solid loading conditions. It also explores techniques that improve sugar yields and conversion efficiency while addressing key technical barriers, including enzyme engineering, process integration, and optimization. By evaluating these challenges and potential mitigation strategies, this review provides actionable insights to intensify lignocellulosic ethanol production and advance the development of scalable, cost-effective biorefinery platforms. Full article