Search Results (84)

This study examined how different fertilisation strategies (mineral, compost, vermicompost and non-fertilised control) influence vine nutrient status, must composition and wine chemical characteristics over two consecutive seasons (2024–2025) in two semi-arid Mediterranean vineyards, one deficit-irrigated and other rainfed. Compost and vermicompost were produced from winery residues, in line with a circular management approach. Organic fertilisation improved vine nitrogen and potassium levels, particularly at veraison, with cumulative effects observed over time. Musts from fertilised vines (mineral, compost and vermicompost) exhibited higher levels of yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) and pH, as well as lower titratable acidity, compared to the control group (without fertilization). Wines obtained from these treatments exhibited higher ethanol content and modified acidity parameters, with compositional changes being more evident in the rainfed vineyard. Analysis of volatile compounds revealed that organic fertilisers, particularly vermicompost, promoted the formation of esters, higher alcohols, and terpenes linked to grape metabolism and fermentation. These results demonstrate that organic amendments derived from winery waste can serve as efficient nutrient sources, thereby enhancing the nutritional balance of vines and the composition of wines, while also promoting sustainable and circular practices in viticulture. Full article

The agricultural industry and corresponding waste materials represent a potential research area for applying circular economy strategies. This research is a life cycle assessment of the addition of different mass percentages (0.47%W, 1.52%W and 2.27%W) of biochar made from vine pruning waste to mortar mixes. The research involves two scenarios. Scenario I is an attributional approach, aligned with the Environmental Product Declaration and Carbon Footprint standards. Scenario II takes a consequential approach, including biochar removals, as well as products and materials avoided as a result of the decision to start using this additive in mortar. The key findings differ substantially. For instance, under the impact category of Potential Global Warming compared to the reference mortar (without biochar additive) (0.58 kg CO₂ eq), Scenario I yields a 56.85% increase in emissions (+2.21 kg CO₂ eq) for the 1.52%W mix. By contrast, under Scenario II, the same alternative mixture yields an environmental benefit with a 76.83% decrease in emissions (−0.45 kg CO₂ eq). This research highlights the environmental benefits of reusing agricultural waste specifically in the construction sector and provides an example of a circular economy study. Full article

The valorization of agricultural byproducts plays a critical role in advancing the circular economy. Vine cultivation produces significant amounts of biomass waste throughout the year, posing environmental challenges if left unmanaged. This study investigates the potential reuse of vine shoot waste and its derived ash as alternative components in cement-based materials. The properties of the composites containing 1% vine shoot waste or its derived ash incorporated in cement paste were comparatively assessed with those of cement paste prepared from Portland cement based on the Fourier-transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscopy images, EDX elemental maps, and solid-state ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and thermal analysis. Mechanical performance was assessed through flexural and compressive strength tests. The results confirm the potential of vine shoot waste use as a sustainable additive in cementitious materials and its contribution to reducing the environmental footprint of the cement industry. Full article

Growing consumer preference for natural products has prompted interest in the use of plant extracts as plant raw materials providing active ingredients for cosmetics. This study focuses on vine tendrils, a by-product of grape cultivation, as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. The idea of loan extraction using components borrowed from the final formulation was applied to extract valuable compounds from vine tendrils. The effectiveness of different extraction media was compared by analyzing the chemical profile of the extracts obtained using LC–MS/MS and UV–VIS techniques. The results obtained indicate the potential of extracts from grapevine tendrils as plant materials rich in bioactive substances with antioxidant properties, which supports their use in cosmetic products aimed at improving hair condition and skin protection. It is important to emphasize that grapevine tendrils are considered waste material that must be removed during vineyard maintenance. Cosmetics based on the processed extracts were prepared and evaluated. The viscosity, foaming properties, color parameters, and irritation potential of the developed cosmetics were assessed. The obtained results demonstrated the potential of the waste material as a valuable source of natural cosmetic components. Full article

The intensification of agricultural practices and the consequent dramatic decrease in soil organic matter has increased the use of organic fertilizer to recover soil fertility and plant productivity. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three amendments obtained from the recycling of urban and agri-food wastes on rhizosphere microbial community, soil, and plant nutrient status. The experiment was carried out on rhizobox-grown, 1-year-old vines of Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.), grafted onto 110 Richter (V. berlandieri × V. rupestris) planted in April 2023. Twenty-four rhizoboxes were filled with soil collected from a field trial in which three types of amendments had been applied since 2019. In detail, the complete randomized experimental design (with four replications) compared the following treatments: (1) municipal organic waste compost (ACM), (2) agri-food organic waste compost (ACF), (3) defecation gypsum (GDD), and (4) a control that received 60 kg of N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (CK). The application of the amendments increased the soil concentration of total C, total N, and pH. The application of ACM increases soil K and Zn and the concentration of N and K in plant roots. The application of all the amendments increased leaf N concentration in comparison with CK, but only ACF increased leaf P. ACM was the most effective in promoting microbial biodiversity, increasing phyla like Bacillota, Pseudomonata, and Bacteroidota, including genra like Bacillus, Neobacillus, Paenibacillus, and Pseudomonas. ACF promoted Nitrosospherota and Chitinophaga, and GDD promoted Chloroflexota and Agrobacterium. Full article

In the context of growing demand for renewable energy sources and greenhouse gas emission reductions, increasing attention is being paid to the use of agricultural waste as bioenergy feedstock. The energy potential of biomass in the form of vine stems and pomace from the Regent variety of grapes, grafted onto their own roots and various types of rootstocks (125AA, SO₄, 161-49), was assessed, where the control group consisted of ungrafted shrubs growing on their own roots, cultivated in south-eastern Poland. The analyses included the determination of technical and elementary parameters, pollutant emission indicators, and exhaust gas composition parameters. Compared to stems, pomace had a higher calorific value, higher C and H content, and lower dust emissions, while at the same time emitting more CO₂. Stems, on the other hand, showed higher ash content and higher dust emissions, which may limit their energy potential. Among the analysed substrates, pomace from 125AA achieved the highest calorific values at a low moisture content, while biomass from substrate 161-49 was distinguished by the lowest sulphur content and a favourable emission balance. Cluster analysis showed clear grouping of substrates in terms of fuel and emission parameters, indicating the possibility of optimal substrate selection for the production of bioenergy feedstock. The results confirm that the appropriate selection of rootstocks in viticulture can significantly increase the energy value of waste biomass and reduce emissions, supporting the development of local renewable energy systems. Full article

Ensiling high-moisture alfalfa with peanut vine not only avoids alfalfa nutrient loss during the wilting stage but also maximizes the use of agricultural waste peanut vine. The appropriate mixed ratio of high-moisture alfalfa and peanut vine has been studied in our previous study. However, the effect of additives on improving the nutrition and fermentation quality of the mixed silage of alfalfa and peanut vine has not been investigated. This study aimed to assess the adaptation and association of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, cellulase and tannin in the mixed silage of alfalfa and peanut vine alone or in combination on fermentation quality, chemical composition, and microbial communities. The harvested fresh alfalfa and dry peanut vine were cut into 2 cm lengths by a crop chopper and they were thoroughly mixed at a ratio of 7:3. The mixtures were treated with no addition (CK), L. plantarum (Lp, 1 × 10⁶ CFU/g fresh weight), cellulase (Ce, 5 g/kg fresh weight), tannin (Ta, 40 g/kg dry matter), and their combinations (LpCe, LpTa, CeTa, LpCeTa). After 45 days of fermentation, silage treated with Lp, Ce, and Ta had lower pH and ammonia-N (NH₃-N) content and higher concentrations of lactic acid compared with the CK group. LpCeTa-treated silage inhibited protein degradation by reducing pH value and ammonia-N concentrations during ensiling processes. The LpCeTa group increased (p < 0.05) water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content and reduced (p < 0.05) acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents in mixed silage. Furthermore, the LpCeTa group increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and decreased the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Weissella as compared with the CK group. Results of the current study indicated that the combined use of L. plantarum, cellulase, and tannin could serve as a promising strategy for the preservation of ensiling fresh alfalfa mixed with peanut vine and provide a reference for the re-utilization of by-product. Full article

Anaerobic digestion for biogas production represents a crucial approach to achieving the high-value utilization of agricultural solid waste. The adoption of multi-material co-digestion offers a viable solution to overcome the inherent constraints associated with single-substrate digestion, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency of resource utilization. This study explored a co-digestion system using dairy manure and cucumber vines as substrates, uncovering how total solids (TS) influence the methane yield and microbial community characteristics. All treatments exhibited swift methane fermentation, with daily production initially increasing before declining. Cumulative methane production increased with the increasing TS contents. These results may be linked to pH value and the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Except for the 6% TS treatment, digesters across different TS levels maintained a favorable final pH of 7.4–8.4, while VFA concentrations exhibited a downward trend as TS contents increased. The treatment with the highest TS concentration (25%) demonstrated superior performance, achieving the maximum volumetric methane yield. This yield was 1.6 to 9.1 times higher than those obtained at low (6–10%) and medium (12–18%) TS concentrations. Microbial community analysis revealed that during the peak methane production phase, Firmicutes and Methanoculleus were the predominant bacterial and archaeal phyla, respectively. The microbial community structure changed with different TS levels. This study offers valuable scientific insights for enhancing biogas production efficiency in co-digestion systems. Full article

Biochar has attracted interest in viticulture for its potential to enhance nutrient uptake and improve grapevine physiology under changing climatic conditions, particularly in Mediterranean regions. However, the widespread adoption of biochar has been limited due to economic and logistical constraints associated with its large-scale application. To address these barriers hindering the widespread adoption of biochar, this study investigates the effects of foliar-applied water suspensions of biochar at concentrations of 300 mg/L (B300), 600 mg/L (B600), and 1200 mg/L (B1200), compared to a water-only control (C), as a practical alternative application method. The research focused on Malvazija istarska (Vitis vinifera L.), an indigenous Croatian grapevine variety, conducted in an experimental vineyard in Poreč, Croatia. The key physiological parameters examined included photo-synthetic activity, leaf water potential, the elemental composition of the grapevine leaves, and grape yield. Foliar applications were administered three times during the growing season, with five replicates per treatment. The results indicated that biochar treatments had no significant impact on photosynthetic activity, suggesting that foliar application did not cause leaf shading. However, higher biochar concentrations (B600 and B1200) led to increased leaf concentrations of nitrogen (2.1–3.8%), potassium (10.1–18.4 g/kg), sulfur (2.2–2.5 g/kg), boron (65.1–83.6 mg/kg), and manganese (42.4–69.8 mg/kg) compared to B300 and C treatments. Conversely, magnesium content decreased (2.1–2.7 g/kg), likely due to potassium–magnesium antagonism. Furthermore, the B600 treatment produced the highest grape yield (2.67 kg/vine), representing up to a 37% increase compared to other treatments. These findings suggest that the foliar application of biochar can be an effective and sustainable strategy to enhance vineyard productivity. Moreover, it offers a circular economy approach by valorizing grapevine pruning waste as a biochar source. Full article

Soil management in vineyards is a crucial component of sustainable viticulture. Weed control under the row has traditionally been addressed using mechanical, physical, and chemical techniques, but herbicides pose environmental and health risks. The circular economy offers an alternative approach by converting organic waste into a resource, such as compost. This study explores the effectiveness of compost derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) not only as a mulching technique but also as a potential biological agent for weed control through allelopathic mechanisms in vineyards. Experiments were conducted both in the field and under controlled conditions. In the field, compost was applied under the vine row as mulch and incorporated into the soil. Under controlled conditions, germination tests were performed to assess weed inhibition at different compost concentrations. Field results demonstrated that compost applications, both as mulch and incorporated into the soil, significantly inhibited weed growth during the first period after application compared to the tilled control without compost. Thus, this inhibition is not limited to physical mulching; it also applies to the release of allelopathic compounds from compost. Controlled condition experiments showed strong inhibition of germination in Cichorium intybus and Foeniculum vulgare seeds, confirming the anti-germinative effects of compost, particularly on small-seeded weed species. Compost is a promising tool for sustainable vineyard management, offering fertilization and weed-suppression benefits while reducing herbicide use. Full article

Wine is a popular beverage worldwide, and its consumption continues to rise, leading to waste, particularly from vine prunings and grape pomace. The aim of this study was to create a valorization pathway utilizing these waste materials. To achieve this, proximate analysis, chemical composition, ultimate analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and other physicochemical parameters for both vine prunings and grape pomace were assessed. Based on the results, vine prunings were identified as suitable for direct combustion in energy applications, and grape pomace was found to be suitable as an antioxidant in vegetable oil. Grape pomace extract showed the following results through UV-vis spectroscopy: total phenolic content of 1688.10 mg GAE/100 g, total flavonoids of 1330.39 mg catechin/100 g, and total anthocyanins of 12.61 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/100 mg. The antioxidant capacity was measured through various assays: FRAP yielded 2179.19 mg ascorbic acid/100 g; DPPH measured 1704.41 µmol Trolox/100 g; and ABTS showed 48,271.31 µmol Trolox/100 g. The ORAC results, as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy, were 53,694.93 µmol Trolox/100 g. HPLC profiling revealed cyanidin as the main anthocyanin (26.52 mg/L) and epicatechin as the most abundant flavonoid (214.29 mg/L). Finally, the antioxidant capacity of grape pomace in sunflower oil was evaluated using OSI. It increased the oil’s stability by up to 42.5%, positioning grape pomace extracts as a source of natural antioxidants in vegetable oils. Full article

Soil degradation is caused by climate change and some agricultural practices. The use of compost from organic waste can be a sustainable solution, but poses risks to soil, crops and fruit. This article examined vineyard yield, vine and wine composition when compost from sewage sludge and urban waste was applied to two soils. One rainfed plot received 80 UFN kg/ha, while two irrigated plots received 40 and 80 UFN kg/ha. Compared to mineral fertilizer, compost increased crop yield (+60% in rainfed conditions) and above-ground biomass (+15% in rainfed conditions). Aromatic series were obtained by grouping the aroma compounds according to their aroma descriptor. In both rainfed and irrigated trials, higher values were observed in the fruity, green, waxy and floral series in wines from vines fertilized with compost compared to the control and chemical fertilization. The compounds with a higher influence in such series were ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, hexanal, phenylacetaldehyde and 2-phenylethanol. Organoleptically, wines from compost were preferred to those from mineral fertilizer, with ratings close to the control wine, particularly in aroma, flavor and overall impression. Although further studies are needed, compost fertilization appears on the one hand to improve wine quality and, on the other hand, is a suitable alternative that reduces municipal waste. Full article

Adsorption is one of the simplest and most cost-effective techniques for water decontamination. In this field, biochar has recently emerged as a promising alternative to traditional adsorbents, exhibiting a high surface area and affinity to metal ions, as well as often being waste-derived. Similarly, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) shows an excellent adsorption capacity. Having self-assembling properties, it has already been employed to obtain self-standing heavy-metal-adsorbing membranes. In this research, a novel self-standing membrane of biochar and rGO is presented. It was obtained through an eco-friendly method, consisting of the simple mechanical mixing of the two components, followed by vacuum filtration and mild drying. Vine pruning biochar (VBC) was employed in different rGO/biochar mass ratios, ranging from 1/1 to 1/9. The best compromise between membrane integrity and biochar content was achieved with a 4/6 proportion. This sample was also replicated using chestnut-shell-derived biochar. The composite rGO–biochar membranes were characterized through XRD, FTIR-ATR, TG-DTG, SEM-EDX, BET, ZP, particle dimension, and EPR analyses. Then, they were tested for metal ion adsorption with 10 mM Cu²⁺ and 100 mM Zn²⁺ aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of copper and zinc was found to be in the range of 1.51–4.03 mmol_Cu g⁻¹ and 18.16–21.99 mmol_Zn g⁻¹, respectively, at an acidic pH, room temperature, and contact time of 10 min. Interestingly, the composite rGO–biochar membranes exhibited a capture behavior between that of pure rGO and VBC. Full article

Food waste management is a critical environmental challenge, particularly when organic waste ends up in landfills. This study focuses on the Romanian household food model to understand the composition of food waste and the effectiveness of homemade composters in transforming this waste into quality compost. The findings aim to highlight composting as a viable solution for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and conserving water resources. We start from the issue of food waste in landfills and its environmental implications, and the objective is to evaluate the composition of household food waste in Romania and the efficiency of homemade composters. Two samples, namely P1 and P2, of compost were obtained at home using low-cost materials. P1 compost was obtained starting from five waste materials (potato peels, banana peels, orange peels, sawdust, and water), and P2 was prepared starting from nine waste materials (potato peels, banana peels, orange peels, apple peels, apples, cardboard, paper, dried vine leaves, and water). In order to study their potential to be used as fertilizers, various parameters were investigated: pH, aqueous extract conductivity 1:5 Humidity, Ca (mg/kg), Mg (mg/kg), Na (mg/kg), K (mg/kg), Zn (mg/kg), Mn (mg/kg), Cu (mg/kg), particle size (mm), N, C, H, C/N, C/H, N/H content. The final products can be safely used for various household needs, providing a sustainable solution for food waste management. Full article

The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of biomass presents a sustainable approach for waste management and production of value-added materials such as hydrochar, which holds promise as an adsorbent and support matrix for bacterial immobilization applied, e.g., for bioremediation processes of sites contaminated with phthalate ester plasticizers such as diethyl phthalate (DEP). In the present study, hydrochar was synthesized from vine shoots (VSs) biomass employing the following parameters during the HTC process: 260 °C for 30 min with a 1:10 (w/v) biomass-to-water ratio. The resulting vine shoots hydrochar (VSs-HC) was characterized for porosity, elemental composition, and structural properties using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy. Elemental analysis confirmed the presence of key elements in the VSs structure, elements essential for char formation during the HTC process. The VSs-HC exhibited a macroporous structure (>0.5 μm), facilitating diethyl phthalate (DEP) adsorption, bacterial adhesion, and biofilm formation. Adsorption studies showed that the VSs-HC achieved a 90% removal rate for 4 mM DEP within the first hour of contact. Furthermore, VS-HC was tested as a support matrix for a bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas spp. and Microbacterium sp.) known to degrade DEP. The immobilized bacterial consortium on VSs-HC demonstrated enhanced tolerance to DEP toxicity, degrading 76% of 8 mM DEP within 24 h, compared with 14% by planktonic cultures. This study highlights VSs-HC’s potential as a sustainable and cost-effective material for environmental bioremediation, offering enhanced bacterial cell viability, improved biofilm formation, and efficient plasticizer removal. These findings provide a pathway for mitigating environmental pollution through scalable and low-cost solutions. Full article