Search Results (947)

Numerous sectors of the food processing and oleochemical industries require oils with specific physicochemical properties. Fruit processing generates substantial waste potentially containing valuable raw materials for oil extraction. The significant volumes of apples and cherries processed in Poland prompted an assessment of their seeds’ suitability as oil sources. Seed dry matter, protein, and oil content were determined. The extracted oils were analyzed for acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), oxidative stability, fatty acid composition, and sterol and tocopherol content. The predominant higher fatty acids identified in the sour cherry and sweet cherry kernel oils were linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6), with mean concentrations of 45.82% and 29.23%, respectively, and oleic acid (C18:1, n-9), accounting for 41.54% and 46.59%, respectively. Additional fatty acids detected included palmitic acid C16:0 (6.23% and 5.91%), palmitoleic acid C16:1, n-7 (0.29%), stearic acid C18:0 (1.36% and 3.11%), arachidic acid C20:0 (1.13%), α-eleostearic acid C18:3 (5.07% and 9.48%), and α-linolenic acid C18:3, n-3 (4.09%). Given the substantial proportion of the oil fraction containing numerous potentially biologically active compounds, including nutritionally valuable fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols, apple, sour cherry, and sweet cherry seeds demonstrate considerable potential as raw materials for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Full article

This study evaluated the extraction efficiency of two Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs), glycerol–urea (1:1) and citric acid–sorbitol (1:2), for recovering phenolic compounds from the different parts of the fruit (pulp, seed-containing pulp, seeds, and peel) of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia ficus-indica in comparison with 50% methanol. Phytochemical profiling was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, alongside antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assessments (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase). Glycerol–urea performed similarly to methanol in extracting phenolic compounds with notable antioxidant properties. Peel extracts contained the highest levels of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic acids (525.49 in O. robusta and 362.96 µg/g_DW in O. ficus indica). Enzyme inhibition varied across species and fruit parts, with extracts from both species inhibiting all targeted enzymes. Notably, this study provides the first evidence of tyrosinase inhibitory activity in O. robusta, which exhibited the strongest inhibition. Overall, these results emphasize the potential of cactus fruit extracts, particularly from O. robusta, for valorization, and support the use of NADESs as a sustainable and medium for extracting antioxidant compounds. Furthermore, the potential of fruit peel as waste with nutraceutical applications was demonstrated. Full article

Heavy metals are major toxic anthropogenic contaminants released into the environment mainly through wastewater discharges. Adsorption is one of the most effective and widely applied methods for their removal from aqueous systems. However, although activated carbon is commonly used, its high cost and limited regenerability motivate the search for cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives. In this study, selected natural and waste-derived materials were evaluated for Cu²⁺ removal from both model solutions and atypical textile wastewater. Coffee grounds, chestnut seeds, acorns, potato peels, eggshells, marine shells, and poultry bones were tested and compared with commercial activated carbon. Their structural and functional properties were characterised using specific surface area measurements, optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, and FTIR analyses. Two adsorption isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich) were used to analyse the experimental data for the selected adsorbents, and model parameters were determined by linear regression. Based on model solution tests, two materials showed the highest Cu²⁺ sorption potential: coarse poultry bones (97.0% at 24 h) and fine cockle shells (96.2% at 24 h). When applied to real textile wastewater, the bone-derived material achieved the highest Cu²⁺ removal efficiency (79.4%). Although this efficiency is lower than typical values obtained in laboratory solutions, it demonstrates the feasibility of waste-derived materials as low-cost adsorbents and suggests that further optimisation could further improve their performance. Full article

Punicic acid is an uncommon ω-5 conjugated fatty acid with significant biological activity, mainly found in pomegranate seed oil. Due to limited natural availability, heterologous production of punicic acid in oleaginous yeasts offers a sustainable alternative. In this study, Yarrowia lipolytica was engineered for punicic acid biosynthesis by expressing the PgFADX gene from Punica granatum and subsequently modified to evaluate the influence of distinct diacylglycerol acyltransferases on punicic acid accumulation. The effects of seven acyltransferases, originating from P. granatum or Y. lipolytica, were compared under various cultivation conditions. The PgDGAT1 enzyme demonstrated the most favorable balance between total lipid content and punicic acid accumulation. Medium containing crude glycerol as a low-cost carbon source was initially tested in flask experiments with punicic acid accumulation in yeast cells of 129 mg/L. Further optimization of crude glycerol medium and subsequent scale-up experiments confirmed the potential of crude glycerol as an effective substrate, yielding up to 147.8 mg/L of punicic acid. Overall, this work identifies key enzymatic determinants for efficient punicic acid biosynthesis and supports Y. lipolytica as a robust host for the sustainable production of conjugated fatty acids from waste substrates. Full article

This study investigates the effects of agro-waste-based capsules made from grape seeds and cherry pits on the physical, mechanical, thermal and self-healing properties of concrete. Capsule-containing mixtures were compared with a reference concrete after 28 days of water curing using both standardized and non-standardized testing methods. Capsule incorporation reduced workability by up to 91% and altered air content depending on capsule type, increasing it by 47% for grape seed capsules and decreasing it by 65% for cherry pit capsules. Fresh concrete density was reduced by 5.5% and 6.8% for grape seed and cherry pit capsules, respectively, while hardened concrete density decreased by 11% and 9%, implying lighter structures with improved seismic resistance. Compressive strength decreased by 49% for grape seed capsules and 27% for cherry pit capsules. Thermal conductivity was reduced by 32% and 22%, respectively, indicating improved energy efficiency. Concrete with grape seed capsules showed freeze–thaw performance comparable to the reference concrete after 112 cycles, whereas concrete with cherry pit capsules exhibited superior dynamic modulus behavior, suggesting continuous crack healing, despite significant mass loss due to poor capsule–matrix bonding. SEM analysis showed no significant crack reduction, while EDS revealed calcium-rich areas in grape seed capsule concrete, indicating possible crack healing. Overall, agro-waste capsule concrete shows potential for improving seismic resistance and energy efficiency, although further research is required to clarify the self-healing effect. Full article

Façades account for approximately 15–20% of a building’s embodied carbon, making them a key target for material decarbonization. While bio-composites are increasingly explored for façade insulation, cladding systems remain dominated by carbon-intensive materials such as aluminum and fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs). This paper presents findings from a study investigating the use of food-waste-derived bulk fillers in bio-composite materials for façade cladding applications. Several food-waste streams, including hazelnut and pistachio shells, date seeds, avocado and mango pits, tea leaves, and brewing waste, were processed into fine powders (<0.125 μm) and combined with a furan-based biobased thermoset resin to produce flat composite sheets. The samples were evaluated through mechanical testing (flexural strength, stiffness, and impact resistance), water absorption, freeze–thaw durability, and optical microscopy to assess microstructural characteristics before and after testing. The results reveal substantial performance differences between waste streams. In particular, hazelnut and pistachio shell fillers produced bio-composites suitable for façade cladding, achieving flexural strengths of 62.6 MPa and 53.6 MPa and impact strengths of 3.42 kJ/m² and 1.39 kJ/m², respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of food-waste-based bio-composites as low-carbon façade cladding materials and highlight future opportunities for optimization of processing, supply chains, and material design. Full article

This paper presents the potential use of sunflower seed hulls (SSH) as a sustainable filler for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biocomposites. Ground SSH were incorporated into the PHBV matrix at loadings of 15, 30, and 45 wt% via extrusion and injection molding. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated the presence of possible interactions between the filler and the matrix. Mechanical testing revealed a significant increase in stiffness, with the tensile modulus increasing from 2.6 GPa for pure PHBV to approximately 4.5 GPa for the composite containing 45 wt% SSH. However, the tensile strength decreased by approximately 10–40%, while elongation at break dropped to 1.0–1.5%, depending on the SSH dosage, respectively. The thermal analysis indicated that high filler contents suppress crystallization during cooling under laboratory conditions in Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis due to the confinement effect. The key practical advantage is the exceptional improvement in dimensional stability with a processing shrinkage reduction of approximately 80% in the thickness direction. Although water absorption increased with filler loading, biocomposites containing 15–30 wt% SSH exhibited the optimal balance of high stiffness, hardness, and dimensional accuracy. These properties make the developed material a promising option for the production of precise technical molded parts. Full article

The growing need for self-powered Internet of Things networks has raised interest in converting abundant waste into reliable energy harvesters despite long-standing material and technology challenges. As demand for environmentally friendly self-powered IoT devices continues to rise, attention toward green waste as an eco-friendly energy source has strengthened. However, its direct utilisation in high-performance energy harvesters remains a significant challenge. Driven by the growing need for renewable sources, the triboelectric nanogenerator has emerged as an innovative technology for converting mechanical energy into electricity. In this work, the design, fabrication, and characterisation of a rotating triboelectric energy harvester as a prototype device employing date seed waste as the tribopositive layer are presented. The date seeds particles, measuring 1.2 to 2 mm, were pulverised using a grinder, mixed with epoxy resin, and subsequently applied to the grating-disc structure. The coated surface was machined on a lathe to provide a smooth surface facing. The performance of the prototype was evaluated through a series of experiments to examine the effects of rotational speed, the number of grating-disc structures, the epoxy mixing process, and the prototype’s influence on the primary system, as well as to determine the optimal power output. An increase in rotational speed (RPM) enhanced power generation. Furthermore, increasing the number of gratings and pre-mixing of epoxy with the biomaterial resulted in enhanced output power. Additionally, with 10 gratings, operating at 1500 rpm, and a 24 h pre-mixing method, the harvester achieved maximum voltage and power outputs of 129 volts and 1183 μW at 7 MΩ. Full article

Remediating cadmium (Cd) contamination in aquatic and terrestrial environments has become an urgent environmental priority. Biochar has been widely employed for heavy metal removal due to its wide availability, strong adsorption capacity, and potential for recycling agricultural waste. In this study, samples of alkali–Fe-modified biochar (Fe@NaOH-SBC, Fe@NaOH-HBC, and Fe@NaOH-MBC) were prepared from agricultural wastes (ginger straw, Sichuan pepper branches, and kiwi leaves) through NaOH and FeCl₃·6H₂O modification. A comprehensive characterization confirmed that the alkali–Fe-modified biochar exhibits a higher specific surface area, richer functional groups, and successful incorporation of the iron oxides Fe₃O₄ and α-FeOOH. The fitting parameter qmax from the Langmuir model indicates that the alkali–Fe modification of carbon significantly enhanced its maximum capacity for Cd²⁺ adsorption. Furthermore, a synergistic effect was observed between iron oxide loading and alkali modification, outperforming alkali modification alone. Furthermore, a 30-day soil incubation experiment revealed that the application of alkali–Fe-modified biochar significantly increased soil pH, SOM, and CEC while reducing the available cadmium content by 13.34–33.94%. The treatment also facilitated the transformation of highly bioavailable cadmium species into more stable, less bioavailable forms, thereby mitigating their potential entry into the food chain and the associated human health risks. Moreover, short-term spinach seed germination experiments confirmed that treatments with varying additions of alkali–Fe-modified biochar mitigated the inhibition of seed physiological processes by high concentrations of available cadmium to varying degrees. Overall, this study provides a sustainable and effective strategy for utilizing agricultural waste in the remediation of cadmium-contaminated water and soil systems. Full article

The growing demand for palladium (Pd) necessitates the development of sustainable and efficient recovery methods. This work presents a green, one-step synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from winemaking waste (grape seeds) via direct pyrolysis, eliminating the need for separate, energy-intensive activation. Remarkably, the AC synthesized at the lowest temperature of 400 °C exhibited the highest Pd(II) adsorption capacity (16.20 mg/g at 50 °C), performing comparably to many literature-reported ACs that underwent complex activation processes. Characterization revealed that this optimal material possessed a favorable point of zero charge (PZC 7.78) and the lowest ash content (4.66%). Higher pyrolysis temperatures (400–800 °C) progressively increased surface basicity (PZC up to 11.00) and carboxylic group content (reaching 0.565 mmol/g at 800 °C). A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrated the significant environmental advantage of this method, showing a 74% lower total environmental impact and a 92% reduction in acidification potential compared to commercial coal-based AC. These results prove that highly effective Pd(II) recovery can be achieved through a simplified, direct pyrolysis process, offering a sustainable and practical approach for precious metal recycling from waste biomass. Full article

Incorporating microalgae into integrated biotechnologies facilitates rational resource management. Cultivation of microalgae in various types of wastewater offers a number of advantages: safe disposal of liquid waste, restoration of water resources, and the production of valuable products. This study presents a comparative analysis of the growth and biomass productivity of various algal strains in an unsterilized fish processing plant wastewater. Desmodesmus sp. EE-M8 demonstrated the most efficient growth, with a biomass yield of 2.21 ± 0.09 g L⁻¹. The average biomass yield obtained during the growth of Chlorella vulgaris SB-M4, Chlorella sp. EE-P5, Micractinium inermum EE-M2, and Tetradesmus obliquus EZ-B11 ranged from 1.42 to 1.96 g L⁻¹. Ammonium, phosphate, and sulfate ions were completely utilized from the wastewater during algal growth. In addition, the bacterial community structure of wastewater was found to change drastically toward the dominance of Alphaproteobacteria during the microalgal growth. The algal strains (in combination with bacterial partners) used to determine their biostimulant potential demonstrated a positive effect on the germination of garden cress seeds. These findings demonstrate that incorporating algae into the wastewater purification process will reduce the negative impact on the environment and produce valuable biomass for various purposes. Full article

Direct agricultural use of digestate from food waste is hindered by its high phytotoxicity, and the addition of common auxiliary materials during composting increases the project cost. In this study, mature compost (MC) was used to replace part of mushroom residue as auxiliary materials for controlled experiments at a pilot-scale horizontal double-layer mechanical composting device. The results showed that the MC addition heated up more rapidly than the control group (NC), peaking at 72 °C on day 5. The moisture content was reduced from 47.17% to 25.36%, which was lower than the final value of 28.48% in the NC. The final humic acid (HA) content in the MC group (60.88 g/kg) was higher than that in the NC (44.82 g/kg). The seed germination index (GI) for both groups exceeded 70%, meeting the national standard. The MC group achieved a final GI of 119.37%, which was significantly higher than that of the NC (81.29%). The phylum Firmicutes became the dominant group in the MC group during the thermophilic phase, demonstrating strong thermotolerance and a high capacity for degrading recalcitrant organic compounds such as cellulose. At the genus level, Bacillus demonstrated a relatively high abundance during the thermophilic phase. These findings imply that the MC addition improves the composting property, enhances the degree of humification, and shortens the composting time, providing technical support for the improvement of aerobic composting of food waste digestate, thus contributing to more sustainable waste management by promoting a circular economy and reducing reliance on external inputs. Full article

This article explores the multifaceted potential of tomato pomace (TP) as a sustainable resource for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, with a particular focus on the critical discussion surrounding peel–seed separation processes. Despite the significant volume of TP generated globally, valued molecules such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and high-quality oils remain underutilized. The separation of seeds from peels is highlighted as a critical step in the valorization of TP, as both components offer distinct physicochemical properties and bioactive constituents that significantly influence extraction efficiency and product quality. Various separation methods, including wet and dry techniques, have been innovatively developed; however, they present challenges such as resource consumption, operational complexity, and environmental concerns. The discussion advocates for a whole-pomace processing strategy that could streamline operations, enhance extraction efficiency, and create sustainable pathways for resource optimization. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of incorporating TP-derived compounds into cosmetic formulations and pharmaceutical products, which could lead to the development of new enzymes, antioxidants, and colorants that contribute to health and wellness. By championing the valorization of TP, the article advocates for a redefined perception of food waste, encouraging its utilization in sustainable practices that align with environmental goals. Full article

Food security is threatened in the semiarid region of Brazil, which is susceptible to climate change and has low-fertility soils degraded by inadequate agricultural practices. This study aimed to evaluate safflower’s adaptation to the region and the benefits to the soil and crop of applying biochar and wood vinegar (WV). Biochar, pure or WV-added (Wv-biochar), was applied to the soil at doses of 3.0, 6.0, and 9.0 t ha⁻¹. Determinations performed in three harvests of safflower were plant height, number of capitula per plant, number of seeds per capitulum, mass of 1000 seeds, seed yield, and oil content. The maximum safflower yields (1818.52 kg ha⁻¹) and oil content (45.50%), and the average values of mass of 1000 seeds (35.55 g) were consistent with results reported in literature. Evidence of better performance of the variables under the effect of Wv-biochar than of pure biochar was observed, and, in general, the curves obtained showed quadratic behavior, with maximum values at intermediate doses. The seed yield and oil content achieved indicate that safflower is a promising crop for the region, particularly when more adapted genotypes and improved management practices are employed. The most pronounced effects on safflower production and oil content were observed at doses of 5 to 6 t ha⁻¹ of Biochar and Wv-biochar, which are economical and sustainable alternatives due to their use of organic waste and the benefits they provide for soil and food security. Full article

The analysis of the physical and chemical properties of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duchesne ex Weston) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seeds recovered from pomace—food processing waste—was carried out. The weight of the one thousand seeds, their dry weight, swelling properties, and color in the CIE L*a*b* space, as well as the percentage of basic chemical components, i.e., protein, carbohydrate (including total dietary fiber, insoluble fiber, and soluble dietary fiber), fat, and ash were determined. Polyphenols content and antioxidant activity was determined. In addition, the amounts of individual phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids, as well as macro and micro-nutrients, were identified and analyzed. The potential usefulness of raspberry seeds as a rheology modifier of cosmetics and food products was estimated due to the high content of mucilage and swelling index similar to linseed and a favorable color with a high value of the b* parameter (22.1) corresponding to yellow color simultaneously with high luminescence (L* = 59.4). Oils obtained from all tested seeds are potentially useful in cosmetic preparations due to the high content of n-6 acids (50.4–71.5%), and oils from strawberry and raspberry seeds as a result of containing n-3 acids, respectively; 30.5–32.3% may be beneficial for dietary supplementation. In addition, the dietary values of the tested seeds are emphasized by the high content of dietary fiber (53.1–63.1%), antioxidant properties (the highest for blackcurrant) and the presence of phenolic compounds such as procyanidin derivatives, catechins (raspberry), quercetins and kaempferols (blackcurrant), and pelargonidin (strawberry). Full article