Search Results (552)

Cosmetic wastewater is increasingly recognized not only as a disposal problem but also as a potential source of recoverable water and formulation-derived compounds. This review critically examines the relationship between cosmetic formulation chemistry, wastewater composition, pollutant removal mechanisms, membrane separation, fouling behaviour, and reuse-oriented treatment design. Cosmetic wastewater shows high compositional variability, with reported COD values ranging from approximately 2400 mg O₂/L to more than 100,000 mg O₂/L, depending on product type, cleaning practices, and raw material losses. Surfactants, emulsifiers, oils, polymeric thickeners, preservatives, fragrances, UV filters, dyes, and microplastics contribute differently to organic load, emulsion stability, toxicity, and treatment resistance. Conventional treatment processes reduce coarse, suspended, emulsified, and biodegradable fractions, but they are limited by low biodegradability, sludge generation, inhibitory compounds, and incomplete removal of persistent micropollutants. Advanced oxidation, adsorption, electrochemical processes, and hybrid systems can improve the transformation, phase transfer, retention, and polishing of recalcitrant compounds, with AOPs typically achieving COD removal of approximately 55–85% and hybrid systems improving overall performance by about 10–25% compared with biological treatment alone. Membrane technologies are evaluated as selective barriers enabling clarification, polishing, water reuse, and resource recovery. MBRs can remove more than 90–95% of COD and BOD₅, while NF/RO polishing may reject more than 90–95% of selected recalcitrant organics and microcontaminants. The novelty of this review lies in shifting the discussion from end-of-pipe wastewater treatment toward source-oriented recovery, integrated treatment trains, and mechanism-based selection of technologies before cosmetic wastewater becomes diluted, mixed, and difficult to reuse. Full article

Fish processing generates substantial quantities of by-products, creating important management and valorization challenges, particularly in insular regions. This study provides a first-order quantification of fishery and aquaculture wastes in the Madeira archipelago. The methodology combined a feed-based mass-balance model, targeted data collection, stakeholder analysis, and valorization assessment. Organic matter (OM) released from marine cage aquaculture was estimated at approximately 851.6 t yr⁻¹ (dry weight), while fish by-products from processing activities in factories and retail stores generated approximately 938 t yr⁻¹ (wet weight). These waste streams differ substantially in their physical characteristics and management pathways, with aquaculture producing diffuse environmental discharges and processing activities generating concentrated and potentially recoverable residues. Structured stakeholder interviews identified limited scale and insufficient raw materials, logistics and labor as the main factors affecting valorization initiatives. A comparative multi-criteria assessment further evaluated potential valorization strategies based on environmental performance and economic viability. Despite the generation of organic residues, the results suggest that effective valorization is constrained less by total waste generation than by biomass fragmentation, logistical limitations, and restricted economies of scale, emphasizing the need for integrated circular management approaches. A combined approach, integrating farm usage of decaying OM from cage systems and locally supported valorization strategies is required to transition towards a more resource-efficient production system. Full article

Fusarium fujikuroi is an industrial producer of gibberellic acid (GA₃), a phytohormone of agricultural interest. Despite the high concentration of nutrients used for its production, GA₃ yields remain low, highlighting the importance of identifying the major metabolites synthesized during GA₃ synthesis. Therefore, the principal aim of this work was to evaluate organic acid production during F. fujikuroi batch cultures by determining GA₃ production and organic acid profiles using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Significant differences in compound quantification were found; five organic acids, namely lactic, malic, citric, succinic and maleic, were detected by HPLC (in g/L: 101.09, 10.66, 2.80, 6.94 and 1.07, respectively). In addition, eight organic acids were determined by FTIR, namely lactic, butyric, pyruvic, fumaric, malic, succinic, maleic and oxalic (in g/L: 62.97, 19.19, 11.92, 7.54, 2.30, 4.36, 1.25 and 1.06 g/L, respectively). GA₃ production was also quantified, reaching nearly 5.0 g/L as determined by HPLC and UV-Vis, and FTIR yielded 2.20 g/L. This report found that the low yields obtained in GA₃ production are related to the side conversion of raw materials into organic acids as byproducts. In addition, the FTIR technique can be employed as an innovative strategy for the quantification of metabolites to provide relevant information on F. fujikuroi metabolic regulation. This enables the spread of its application as a biotechnological tool in high-value-added processes with potential for industrial-scale GA₃ production. Full article

Long-term intensive agriculture has contributed to soil compaction, carbon depletion, nutrient imbalances, and disruption of microbial ecological processes, collectively constraining multiple soil functions relevant to agricultural sustainability. Crop straw return is widely considered a potential strategy for alleviating these constraints. However, existing studies and reviews have often evaluated direct straw return, straw-derived biochar, and straw-based compost separately or through individual soil indicators, limiting understanding of how biomass transformation, amendment properties, and site conditions jointly shape soil responses. To address this gap, this review comparatively synthesizes the reported mechanisms, outcomes, limitations, and potential application contexts of these three strategies within a soil multifunctionality framework. The reviewed literature is characterized by substantial heterogeneity in soil type, climate, feedstock, amendment preparation, application rate, experimental duration, and management conditions; therefore, the direction, magnitude, and persistence of reported effects require context-specific interpretation. Direct straw return was often associated with changes in soil structure, labile-carbon availability, water retention, and microbial activity, although these responses varied with straw type, incorporation depth, moisture conditions, decomposition rate, and nitrogen availability. Biochar was frequently linked to carbon stabilization, sorption, nutrient retention, and pH buffering, but the magnitude of these effects varied with feedstock properties, pyrolysis conditions, application rate, soil characteristics, and climatic context. Compost was commonly associated with increases in nutrient availability and microbial activity, whereas its performance varied with maturity, raw-material composition, salinity and pathogen risks, and field management. These comparisons suggest that the three strategies should not be assumed to be functionally equivalent, although their effects may overlap and potential combinations may be beneficial under some conditions. Based on patterns identified across the reviewed literature, we synthesize an interpretive framework linking dominant soil constraints with amendment properties and targeted soil functions. This literature-derived framework is intended to organize context-dependent evidence and support adaptive straw-return management rather than provide a universal prescription. Future research should prioritize standardized soil multifunctionality indicators, long-term multi-site comparisons, and integrated assessments of agronomic benefits, carbon persistence, nutrient losses, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic feasibility. Full article

The American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) is widely appreciated for its high nutritional value and characteristic volatile profile, making it an important raw material for the food industry, particularly in the sector of minimally processed products. However, thermal processing may significantly alter its volatile composition, leading to aroma losses and degradation of product quality. Therefore, understanding the impact of processing conditions on aroma stability is essential for developing new post-harvest technologies that preserve the volatile profiles of processed fruit products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thermal treatment and protein matrix modification on the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of fresh-cut cranberry fruit. Samples were heated at 50, 100, and 200 °C, with and without gelatin addition as a protein-based matrix modifier. VOCs were analysed using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME–GC–MS). High-temperature treatment (200 °C) resulted in substantial changes in the volatile composition of the reference cranberry fruit and contributed to the complete loss of characteristic native terpenoids. The addition of gelatin significantly improved the retention of hydrophobic volatiles under thermal stress, maintaining D-limonene at 20.3% of the total volatile fraction, whereas this compound was absent in samples processed without the modifier. Furthermore, gelatin successfully altered the course of thermally induced reactions, reducing undesirable furfural formation from 23.95% to 7.28%. These changes indicate that protein-assisted matrix modification can effectively limit aroma degradation and preserve the volatile profile during thermal processing. The findings demonstrate the potential of this approach as a novel technological strategy for enhancing aroma stability, reducing processing-related quality losses, and supporting the development of fresh-cut cranberry products with enhanced volatile compound retention. Full article

Water kefir is a non-dairy fermented beverage widely recognised for its health benefits. The supplementation of fruits can further diversify product offerings while enhancing nutritional and functional value. In this study, karanda juice, derived from a fruit native to Thailand and known for its beneficial health properties, was used as a substrate for water kefir production, with the aim of increasing both product diversity and the value of this raw material. The study aimed to investigate changes in microbial diversity and chemical characteristics during fermentation using this specific substrate. The results demonstrated that the fermentation process is driven by a consortium of microorganisms, with Lactobacillus spp. and Saccharomyces spp. identified as the dominant genera. Formic acid was the predominant organic acid produced, while propionic, isobutyric, and butyric acids were detected in trace amounts. Notably, valeric acid, an organic acid associated with potential health benefits, was identified in karanda juice kefir (KJK). Overall, the findings highlight dynamic changes in both microbial diversity and chemical composition throughout fermentation. These results demonstrate that karanda juice is a promising substrate for water kefir production, with the resulting beverage containing diverse beneficial microorganisms and bioactive organic acids with potential functional properties. Full article

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and, due to its direct contact with the external environment, is one of the most vulnerable tissues. Traditional medical bandages and gauze exhibit limited efficacy in wound management, often neglecting the control of wound inflammation and the promotion of skin regeneration. Hydrogels, as an emerging material, possess appropriate swelling capacity, oxygen permeability, and the ability to absorb wound exudates, thereby facilitating wound healing, making them an ideal choice for functional applications in skin tissue engineering. In this study, dual-treated balsa wood (BWSM) was used as the hydrogel substrate, with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CS), and zinc gluconate (ZnG) used as the primary raw materials. The BWSM/PVA/CS/ZnG hydrogel was prepared via gamma-ray irradiation. Balsa wood treated with alkaline solutions, hydrogen peroxide solutions, and microwave treatment processing exhibited enhanced transparency, increased porosity, improved thermal stability and swelling rates, while retaining adequate mechanical strength. Gamma-ray irradiation of the BWSM/PVA/CS/ZnG hydrogel wound dressing demonstrated sustained drug release and antibacterial efficacy through release and antimicrobial tests. Animal experiments showed that the BWSM/PVA/CS/ZnG composite hydrogel promoted wound healing in mice and effectively prevented scar formation. The aforementioned results demonstrate that the PVA/CS/ZnG composite hydrogel loaded with balsa wood exhibits durable antibacterial properties and high mechanical strength and promotes wound healing, making it suitable for applications in biomedical materials such as wound dressings. Full article

Biobased wood adhesives are essential to reducing the dependence of wood-based panels on petrochemical and formaldehyde-emitting resins. This review critically synthesizes recent progress in lignin-, tannin-, starch-, furan/HMF-, organic acid-, and soy protein-based adhesive systems, with emphasis on chemical reactivity, curing mechanisms, water resistance, processability, and industrial relevance. The discussion distinguishes laboratory performance from industrial feasibility by considering specific press time, solids content, viscosity, raw material variability, emissions, cost, life-cycle performance, and compatibility with particleboard, medium-density fibreboard, plywood, and related engineered wood products. Lignin and tannins are highlighted as the most chemically compatible phenolic platforms, starch and soy systems as abundant but moisture-sensitive binders requiring targeted crosslinking, HMF and furan derivatives as promising aldehyde-type formaldehyde-free crosslinkers, and citric acid systems as attractive polyester-forming binders with pressing-temperature limitations. The review concludes that near-term adoption will most likely proceed through hybrid and partially biobased systems, whereas fully biobased adhesives require faster curing, standardized feedstocks, pilot-scale validation, and transparent techno-economic and life-cycle assessment. Full article

The study investigated and quantified the feasibility of using waste derived from shea tree fruit shells (Vitellaria paradoxa) as an organic multifunctional additive for building ceramic bodies, focusing on its influence on thermal behavior, pore formation, and mechanical performance. The scope of the research included sieve analysis, chemical analysis (WDXRF), phase composition analysis (XRD), thermal analysis coupled with evolved gas analysis (DTA–TG–EGA), and the evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained ceramic materials. The analyses demonstrated that the shea waste was characterized by a high content of organic matter, a loss in ignition of 93.84%, and a calorific value of 19.421 kJ/g. The incorporation of biomass resulted in increased porosity and reduced apparent density of the ceramic materials. The relative porosity increased from 27.00% for the reference sample to 34.98% for the sample containing 30% shea waste. Simultaneously, the compressive strength decreased from 23.67 MPa to 10.10 MPa, while the flexural strength decreased from 8.96 MPa to 4.76 MPa. Partial replacement of conventional mineral additives and, in particular, partial substitution of fossil-derived kiln fuel demand with high-calorific biomass enabled a reduction in overall CO₂ emissions associated with ceramic production. This includes both process-related emissions from raw material decomposition and fuel-related emissions generated in the tunnel kiln. In addition, a reduced contribution of carbon originating from inorganic mineral sources (including carbonates) to total emissions covered by emission trading systems (ETSs) was observed. Despite the reduction in mechanical parameters, samples containing up to 20% shea waste retained properties suitable for application in the production of ceramic building materials. Full article

The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) raises concerns about the security of critical raw material supply and the management of hazardous waste. Efficient recycling can alleviate these issues by transforming spent batteries into high-value secondary materials for the circular economy. Industrial recycling has traditionally focused on the recovery of nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), whereas lithium (Li) recovery has often been sidelined due to technical complexities and fluctuating economic incentives. To meet the European Union (EU) Batteries Regulation target of 80% lithium recovery by the end of 2031, technically effective and economically viable lithium recovery strategies are required. This study investigates the use of food-grade sucrose as an organic reductant for the targeted recovery of lithium from NMC622 and NCA battery materials. The process combines sucrose-assisted reductive roasting with selective water leaching. The effects of roasting temperature, holding time, sucrose dosage, and heating rate were systematically evaluated and optimised. Under the best conditions of 600 °C, 15 min, 15 wt% sucrose, and a heating rate of 20 °C/min, lithium leaching efficiencies of 93.2% and 87.6% were achieved for separated NMC622 cathode material and NMC622-derived black mass, respectively. The method was also applicable to NCA-based black mass, reaching 83.7% lithium recovery under the same conditions. Mechanistic analysis revealed that lithium release was strongly controlled by the extent of transition metal reduction. Cobalt was fully reduced to its metallic state under all tested conditions. However, maximum lithium recovery required nickel to be reduced to metallic Ni and manganese-containing phases to be converted to MnO. The sucrose-assisted roasting process was rapid and holding times longer than 15 min decreased lithium recovery. This decrease was caused by the formation of poorly soluble lithium-containing phases, such as LiF and Li₃PO₄. F composition analysis showed the black mass (1.06 wt%) and anode fractions (2.26 wt%) to contain significantly more F than the cathode fraction (0.46 wt%), hence leading to the 5% Li leaching efficiency difference between cathode and black mass fractions under most conditions tested. Overall, these results demonstrate that sucrose-assisted reductive roasting, followed by selective water leaching, provides a rapid and effective route for high-efficiency lithium recovery from NMC- and NCA-based battery materials. Full article

The valorization of industrial mining and organic wastes in construction materials constitutes a key strategy for reducing the environmental impact of the sector. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the sustainability of innovative Artificial Lightweight Aggregates (ALAs) manufactured from mixtures of inorganic industrial wastes—such as granite and slate cutting sludge and aggregate washing sludge—together with organic wastes, like cork dust, coffee grounds, and olive pits. The methodology included a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), considering different waste compositions and manufacturing conditions. The results show that the developed ALAs exhibit favorable environmental performance as their bulk density decreases, with an overall environmental impact lower than that of conventional lightweight aggregates made from expanded clay, achieving a reduction in the carbon footprint of up to 7%. Likewise, the comparative analysis reveals that the process stage with the greatest environmental impact is the heat energy required during the sintering stage in the rotary kiln, which in some cases accounts for more than 90% of the total impact. In summary, the results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining ALAs manufactured solely from waste with a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional expanded clay aggregates. Furthermore, the study highlights that the process stages with the highest contributions to environmental impact are the transport of raw materials and the high-temperature sintering of the ALAs in the rotary kiln. Thus, their production from waste contributes to the valorization of by-products, fostering circular economy strategies and supporting decarbonization processes within the construction sector. Full article

Conventional photodetectors and image sensors deliver high-fidelity digital outputs but face a growing data-movement bottleneck: the energy and latency cost of transferring raw pixel streams to off-chip memory and processors increasingly dominates over both sensing and computation in modern machine-vision pipelines. An emerging response is the neuromorphic photodetector, a class of optoelectronic device that converts incident light into an electrical signal while simultaneously storing, modulating, and pre-processing that signal in a manner inspired by biological synapses and retinas. Over the past decade, demonstrations have spanned at least eight material platforms—organic semiconductors, organic–carbon-nanotube hybrids, perovskite and perovskite hybrids, metal oxides (including ultra-wide-bandgap and printable variants), wide-bandgap III-nitrides and 4H-SiC, two-dimensional materials, photo-memristors, and silicon CMOS in-sensor compute architectures—and have been realised through four distinct architectural families: phototransistor synapses, photo-memristors, heterojunction in-sensor compute, and linear photovoltaic neural networks. Here, we provide a quantitative cross-platform benchmark across forty in-scope articles, identify persistent photoconductivity as a near-universal device-physical substrate underlying synaptic functionality, characterise the responsivity–speed–energy trade-off structure observed across platforms, and present a critical assessment of energy-reporting practice in the field. We further identify three best-practice exemplars from three independent material platforms that converge on operating biases of 0.01–0.1 V and energies of 0.07–0.8 fJ per event, and we propose a unified reporting framework to enable meaningful cross-platform benchmarking of next-generation neuromorphic photodetectors. Full article

Gas-assisted steam explosion (GASE) disrupts raw material structures and promotes active release, but its effects on the nutritional quality and flavor of edible fungi remain unclear. Therefore, this study assessed the influence of GASE on the nutritional quality and flavor characteristics of Pleurotus eryngii. Using the sample as the raw material, we selected the GASE process parameters through single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology and confirmation experiments. Subsequently, changes in nutrient contents and volatile/non-volatile flavor profiles were quantitatively characterized under these processing conditions. The results indicated that the selected parameters effectively disrupted the cell wall structure of the sample, resulting in a loose and porous microstructure. Consequently, the levels of protein, polysaccharides, amino acids and vitamins were significantly altered. In terms of flavor, this process modified the relative odor activity values of key aroma compounds, including volatile aldehydes and pyrazines, while also affecting the distribution of non-volatile metabolites. This led to the enrichment of flavor compounds such as nucleotides and their derivatives, and organic acids. This study confirmed that GASE technology can effectively enhance the nutritional quality and flavor characteristics of the mushroom by regulating its microstructure and metabolite composition. Full article

Bioactive components found in tobacco waste, such as nicotine, chlorogenic acid, and solanesol, have significant medical and industrial applications, and the discarding of tobacco waste leads to resource waste while also increasing environmental issues. This study aims to use waste tobacco as a raw material to systematically explore an efficient, economic sequential extraction and purification process for the three bioactive components. Through optimization experiments, factors including extraction solvent, extraction method, and type of adsorption resin were examined. A process integrating solvent extraction with macroporous adsorption resin was developed to sequentially enrich and purify nicotine, chlorogenic acid, and solanesol. In the method, the organic phase in the solvent partitioning extraction is used to obtain highly lipophilic solanesol, while the extracted aqueous layer is directly subjected to elution and separation through a downstream macroporous adsorption resin column chromatography, yielding nicotine and chlorogenic acid in sequence. By this process, nicotine, chlorogenic acid, and solanesol can be sequentially separated and enriched in different fractions with the purities in the final product, with overall recovery of 78.6%, 93.3% and 71.9% from waste tobacco extract, respectively. This approach thus provides a sustainable pathway for the high-value utilization of waste tobacco leaves, offering substantial economic and environmental benefits. Full article

The modern food industry faces increasing pressure to reduce environmental impacts, while at the same time preserving product safety, quality, nutritional value, and industrial relevance. This review synthesizes three related pillars of sustainable food processing: green extraction technologies, natural fermentation, and analytical quality validation. Green extraction methods can reduce dependence on conventional organic solvents, shorten processing time, and support the extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials and by-products of the food industry. Natural fermentation is a low-impact biotechnological approach to improve sensory quality, shelf life, nutritional value, and valorization of low-cost raw materials or residues. However, sustainability cannot be judged only through lower consumption of resources or general “green” claims. It also requires analytical confirmation of the content of bioactive compounds, oxidative stability, contaminants, authenticity, traceability, standardization, and product safety. In response to reviewers’ recommendations, the review includes a transparent literature selection protocol, a clearer distinction of challenges, research gaps, and future perspectives, as well as additional quantitative comparative tables covering extraction technologies, fermentation applications, and analytical methods. The review shows that the future of sustainable food processing depends on integrating extraction, fermentation, by-product valorization, foodomics approaches, life cycle thinking, real-time monitoring, and industrial-scale validation within the circular economy. Full article