Search Results (2,103)

Ulomoides dermestoides (Yangchong) is a tenebrionid beetle used in traditional medicine across Asia and Latin America. While crude extracts show effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and other conditions, systematic integration of its bioactive substances, mechanisms, and translational potential is lacking. This review consolidates its chemical basis, comprising volatile benzoquinones, terpenes, and alkenes, alongside non-volatile fatty acids, proteins (antioxidant enzymes, glycoproteins), and phenolics. Pharmacological evidence indicates multi-target modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytokines, leukocyte recruitment, endothelial activation, and thromboinflammation. Recent advances include proteomic identification of antioxidant protein complexes, neuroprotection in a Parkinson’s disease model, chromosome-level genome assembly, and isolation of the UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2a (UGP2A) glycoprotein, which alleviates thrombosis partly via toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (TLR4/MyD88)-mediated endothelial anti-inflammatory effects. However, most evidence remains preclinical, relying on non-standardized crude extracts, and benzoquinone-containing fractions display potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Future research should integrate bioassay-guided isolation, structural characterization, multi-omics, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis, standardized quality markers, and rigorous safety evaluation to transform U. dermestoides from an empirical insect-derived medicinal resource into a scientifically validated source of preclinical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory candidate substances. Full article

To mitigate the environmental footprint of the aviation sector, this study proposes an integrated cascading biorefinery scheme to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) precursor bloodstock via enzymatic transesterification of coconut oil. Utilizing a synergistic binary alcohol system (ethanol-butanol) and the liquid lipase Eversa Transform 2.0, a strategic molecular reconfiguration of fatty acid esters was achieved. Optimization through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) identified critical parameters—5% catalyst loading, total binary alcohol-to-oil molar ratio of 7:1 (specifically comprised of a 2.5:4.5:1 ethanol/butanol/coconut oil matrix), and an operation temperature of 57.5 °C—yielding a 97% conversion efficiency. A sequential vacuum fractional distillation process was implemented to partition the ethyl-butyl esters into high-value streams. Notably, the light distillate fraction, characterized by a specific carbon chain distribution (C6: 27.2%, C8: 52.5%, C10: 6%, and C12: 13.6%), perfectly aligns with the molecular window of aviation kerosene. This fraction exhibits excellent cold-flow properties, viscosity, and volatility profiles, positioning it as an ideal high-performance SAF precursor blendstock to increase the renewable content of current aviation fuels. Simultaneously, the remaining C16–C18 residue serves as a high-density energy source for internal refinery processes, while C8–C14 species are recovered as high-purity chemical feedstocks. This circular model maximizes carbon atom economy and economic viability by cogenerating high added-value biochemicals alongside jet-grade blendstocks. These findings provide a scalable, enzymatic framework for the next generation of decarbonized aviation fuels. Full article

Lilac (Syringa oblata Lindl.) is an important eco-economic aromatic shrub in northern China; however, the key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for its floral aroma and their origin remain largely unexplored. In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis of volatile metabolomics and transcriptomics to elucidate the composition, dynamic changes, and potential regulatory network of VOCs across different floral organs and petal developmental stages. A total of 1440 VOCs were identified in the stamens, pistils, and petals, with petals being the primary contributors to the overall floral aroma. Analysis of different petal developmental stages revealed that the full-bloom stage (S3) is critical for VOCs emission. The floral aroma of S. oblata is primarily composed of terpenoids, alcohols, and aldehydes. By relative odor activity value (rOAV) with multivariate statistical screening, seven key VOCs with high contributions to the floral aroma were identified. Transcriptome analysis identified 69,935 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across petal developmental stages, which were predominantly enriched in metabolic pathways and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The expression patterns of these DEGs were highly consistent with the accumulation trends of VOCs, increasing at stages S2 and S3 and subsequently declining at stage S4. Integrative analysis of VOCs and gene expression further identified candidate genes significantly correlated with the key aroma volatiles. Specifically, the carotenoid pathway-related genes CYP97A3 and LYC may influence the formation of carotenoid-derived volatiles and floral aroma. Additionally, genes associated with the fatty acid-lipoxygenase pathway, transport-related genes, and transcription factors are potentially involved in the formation and regulation of aldehyde and alcohol volatiles. These findings advance our understanding of the floral aroma formation in S. oblata and provide metabolic basis, candidate gene resources and a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of aroma traits and the breeding of new cultivars. Full article

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a key energy carrier for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors, yet more than 95% of current global production remains fossil-derived. Biological hydrogen (biohydrogen) produced by dark fermentation (DF), photo-fermentation (PF), or microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) offers the dual advantage of valorizing organic wastes while delivering low-carbon H₂; however, none of these standalone technologies mobilizes more than 25–33% (DF), 40–70% (PF), or 40–60% (MEC) of feedstock organic carbon through H₂-producing oxidation pathways. Most existing reviews compare these pathways on hydrogen yield alone, a metric that conceals where the majority of feedstock carbon and electrons are actually lost and obscures the quantitative rationale for system integration. This review reframes the comparison around carbon and electron flow, explicitly tracking how much input carbon is mobilized through H₂-producing oxidation pathways, how much is retained in volatile fatty acids (VFAs), biomass, or unlinked CO₂, and what happens to the associated electrons. Stoichiometric, mechanistic, and reactor-level evidence is synthesized to show that DF channels only 25–33% of input organic carbon through H₂-yielding decarboxylation on real heterogeneous substrates, with 40–60% retained as residual VFAs and unhydrolyzed solids; PF can recover 60–80% of VFA carbon but is constrained by photon economics and nitrogenase sensitivity; and MEC achieves >85% COD removal only when coupled to an upstream acidogenic stage. Two-stage (DF–PF, DF–MEC) and three-stage (DF–PF–MEC, DF–MEC–AD) configurations are critically evaluated, with theoretical yields separated from experimentally demonstrated performance on real wastes and hidden energy inputs (pretreatment, inter-stage transfer, gas separation, and compression) explicitly accounted for. DF–MEC coupling is identified as the most near-term tractable configuration, achieving 55–70% H₂-pathway carbon mobilization and 80–92% COD removal at an electrical input of 0.9–1.5 kWh/m³ H₂, with levelized hydrogen costs of US$3–5.5/kg under favorable waste-tipping-fee conditions. Multi-stage systems push carbon recovery above 70% but carry unresolved capital, methanogenesis control, and scale-up penalties. This review closes by proposing a standardized ten-descriptor reporting framework including H₂-pathway carbon mobilization (%), cathodic hydrogen recovery (rCAT), net energy recovery (NEB), and LCA carbon intensity under both attributional and consequential boundaries, and demonstrates its backward compatibility by retrospective application to seven studies already in the literature. Research priorities tractable on a 5–10 year horizon are identified, centered on methanogen suppression at pilot scale, real-waste MEC performance, and renewable-electricity coupling. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with 5% Zanthoxylumbungeanum leaf (ZBL) on growth performance, slaughter traits, meat quality, caecal microbiota, serum metabolome, and muscle transcriptome in rabbits. A total of 108 male New Zealand rabbits (60 days old) were randomly assigned to two groups (nine replicates/group; six rabbits/replicate) and fed either a basal diet (CON) or a diet in which 5% wheat bran was replaced with 5% ZBL for four weeks. Growth and slaughter performance did not differ (p > 0.05). ZBL reduced drip loss and cooking loss, enhanced antioxidant capacity, reduced specific saturated (C16:0), and unsaturated (C18:1 n-9 cis) fatty acids in leg muscle (p < 0.05), and the nutritional significance of these fatty acid changes remains unclear. ZBL also altered the levels of several volatile and non-volatile compounds in serum and muscle. It increased caecal abundance of norank_f_Lachnospiraceae and Anaerofilum, elevated serum metabolites (oleuropein, 3-coumaric acid), and upregulated meat quality-related genes (NR3C2, PDZRN3) in leg muscle (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that the observed changes in meat quality were closely associated with alterations in gut microbiota, serum metabolome, and muscle transcriptome. These findings suggest that dietary 5% ZBL does not compromise growth performance and is associated with changes in rabbit meat quality, which is associated with coordinated alterations in the gut microbiota, serum metabolome, and muscle transcriptome. Full article

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising thermochemical process for valorizing wet biomass and organic waste streams, generating hydrochar, gas, and a liquid phase commonly referred to as HTC process liquid or the aqueous phase. Depending on feedstock type and process severity, hydrochar typically accounts for approximately 40–70 wt.% of the initial dry feedstock, the liquid phase for about 30–60 wt.% in lignocellulosic and agricultural residues, and the gas phase for about 1–10 wt.%, while highly hydrated waste streams may generate even higher liquid-phase shares. Although hydrochar has traditionally been considered the main energy product, the liquid phase may retain approximately 20–65% of the initial feedstock carbon and around 15–25% of the initial energy content. However, its high chemical oxygen demand, elevated organic carbon content, variable biodegradability, toxicity, and inhibitory compounds often lead to its classification as a wastewater stream requiring treatment. The crucial novelty of this review is its system-oriented evaluation of HTC process liquid as an energy-bearing and system-integrating stream rather than merely as a wastewater by-product or as a substrate for isolated valorization routes. Therefore, this review evaluates the role of HTC process liquid in energy systems, focusing on its formation mechanisms, chemical composition, energy potential, valorization pathways, integration strategies, and environmental implications. The reviewed evidence shows that HTC process liquid contains a complex mixture of dissolved organic compounds, including volatile fatty acids, sugars, furans, phenols, ketones, aldehydes, amino acids, ammonia, and nitrogen-containing heterocycles. These compounds may support anaerobic digestion, dark fermentation, aqueous phase reforming, electrochemical conversion, nutrient recovery, and process-water recirculation. Among these routes, anaerobic digestion is currently the most mature, although its efficiency depends strongly on HTC severity, feedstock type, inhibitor formation, and microbial adaptation. Hydrogen-oriented and electrochemical pathways offer additional opportunities but still require further validation using real HTC liquids, standardized yield reporting, and long-term stability assessment. Overall, HTC process liquid should not be regarded solely as an environmental burden, but as a chemically complex and energy-rich stream that may improve the performance of integrated HTC-based bioenergy systems. Future research should focus on standardized liquid-phase energy metrics, long-term process integration, toxicity control, and experimentally validated techno-economic and life-cycle assessments. Full article

Palm fruits are produced extensively in tropical and subtropical regions and consumed worldwide. However, over 20% of the total yield is discarded due to inferior quality, resulting in significant agricultural waste and economic loss. To mitigate this challenge and enable the safe valorization of discarded dates (DD) in animal feeding systems, this study employed solid-state fermentation (SSF) to upgrade the nutritional quality of DD and evaluated its potential as a functional feed ingredient for goats. Twenty-four male goats (6 months old; initial body weight 25.86 ± 0.25 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments: a basal diet (control), a diet containing 10% raw DD (D1), and a diet containing 10% solid-state fermented DD (D2). Inclusion of DD in the diet significantly increased average daily gain (ADG), final body weight (BW), and feed efficiency, with the highest values recorded for D2 (p < 0.05). Feeding of DD altered (p < 0.001) all measured rumen fermentation parameters, except pH, with higher levels (p < 0.05) of total volatile fatty acids, propionate, microbial crude protein, and ammonia nitrogen recorded for D1 and D2, as compared to control. Similarly, blood biochemistry revealed elevated total protein, albumin, and globulin in both supplemented groups (p < 0.05), whereas higher glucose and cholesterol levels were recorded for the D1 group (p < 0.05). Notably, systemic antioxidant status improved with the inclusion of SSF fermented DD, as evidenced by increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities, alongside reduced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05). The inclusion of DD in the diet decreased cooking and drip losses, and decreased shear force (indicating enhanced tenderness) and water-holding capacity (p < 0.05), with better values recorded for D2. Carcass protein and fat contents increased with the inclusion of DD in the diet, with higher values recorded for D2 (p < 0.05). Fatty acid analysis revealed higher (p < 0.05) contents of rumenic acid and octadecenoic acid in D2, as compared to D1 and control. The concentrations of lysine, methionine, threonine, leucine, and valine in meat were also higher in D2-fed goats (p < 0.05). In conclusion, incorporating solid-state-fermented discarded dates into goat diets represents a promising and sustainable strategy to valorize agricultural waste while concurrently improving growth performance, antioxidant status, meat quality, and selected nutrient profiles of goat meat. These preliminary findings warrant validation in larger-scale production. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable crop protection strategies has intensified interest in plant-beneficial bacteria as alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals. In this study, the soil-derived bacterium Pseudomonas putida V01 was isolated and characterized for its antifungal and plant growth-promoting potential through an integrated approach combining biological assays, untargeted metabolomics, and in vivo plant experiments. Cell-free culture filtrates exhibited strong antifungal activity against major phytopathogenic fungi, completely inhibiting the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii and significantly reducing mycelial development of Alternaria alternata and Fusarium proliferatum by 40% and 20%, respectively. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) selectively inhibited Botrytis cinerea and A. alternata by 28% and 10%, respectively, and affected sporulation of F. proliferatum. Metabolomic profiling through LC-qTOF-MS and GC-MS analyses revealed a chemically diverse metabolome, including putatively annotated diketopiperazines, cyclic peptides, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids. VOC profiling indicated ketones and alcohols as the predominant volatile classes, with 2-undecanone and 2-undecanol among the most abundant compounds detected. In vivo assays on wheat seedlings showed significant increases in shoot growth, biomass accumulation, and chlorophyll content compared with untreated controls. These findings indicate that P. putida V01 combines complementary antifungal and plant growth-promoting activities associated with a diverse repertoire of diffusible and volatile metabolites. The integrated biological and metabolomic characterization highlights its potential as a multifunctional microbial inoculant for sustainable crop production and disease management. Full article

This study investigated possibilities to increase the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge using biochar produced by pyrolysis of digested sludge (sludgechar). Experiments were conducted in continuous laboratory bioreactors operated at the same loading rate, gradually increased from 3.2 to 4.5 g/(L·d) (COD) under mesophilic conditions (40 °C). Sludgechar (SCH) was dosed into the experimental bioreactor at a rate of 0.4–1.3 g/(L·d), corresponding to 12–28% of the added COD. Biogas production in the experimental bioreactor increased by 6.9–33% compared with the control bioreactor, while the CH₄ concentration remained comparable, averaging 62.8%. The COD removal efficiency remained high in the sludgechar-supplemented bioreactor as the loading rate increased, whereas it decreased in the control bioreactor, corresponding to lower biogas production. The adsorption capacity, alkalinity, and mineral buffering properties of sludgechar prevented pH decline and the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) at higher substrate loading. The pH values were less affected by increasing organic loading in the experimental than in the control bioreactor and remained within 6.9–7.0. Continuous experiments confirmed that sludgechar can facilitate stable operation at loading rates that would otherwise cause process failure. However, the low carbon-to-inorganic ratio of sludgechar is its significant disadvantage. Full article

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated tropical crops, generating substantial by-products during industrial processing. Although rich in lignocellulosic components, phenolic compounds, lipids, and other bioactive molecules, they are often discarded or burned as low-grade fuel, causing environmental pollution and the proliferation of disease-carrying vectors. The sustainable valorization of these by-products is therefore essential to reduce environmental impact and enhance the economic value of the coconut chain. In this context, eutectic solvents (ES) have emerged as powerful potential green alternatives to conventional organic solvents for the extraction and fractionation of biomolecules. ES are formed through hydrogen-bonding interactions between hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, yielding tunable solvents with low volatility, high selectivity, and biocompatibility. Their application to coconut biomass can enable the recovery of high-value compounds such as lignin, tannins, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ES-based strategies for coconut by-product valorization, highlighting solvent compositions, main by-products explored, and target compounds extracted. Furthermore, it compares ES efficiency with traditional techniques and identifies current research gaps. Finally, the review highlights challenges and future directions for expanding ES application toward full coconut utilization, emphasizing their critical role in advancing sustainable, green chemistry. Full article

Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are crucial for communication, defense, pollination, and environmental adaptation, playing a key role in the survival and interaction of plants within ecosystems. However, as an important tree species rich in VOCs, the variation characteristics and influencing factors of VOCs on Phoebe hui W.C. Cheng ex Yen C. Yang remain unclear. In this study, we identified 106 VOCs across branches and leaves, of which 91 and 56 were detected, respectively, with 41 in both tissues. Sesquiterpenoids, olefins, fatty acids and conjugates dominated the VOC profiles of branches and leaves. Branches showed higher accumulation of sesquiterpenoids, fatty acids and conjugates, whereas leaves were enriched in olefins. The VOCs distribution and accumulation were strongly structured by environmental variation, with mean annual precipitation (MAP) and soil organic carbon (SOC) emerging as the primary drivers. Together, these findings elucidate the variation patterns and environmental determinants of VOCs in P. hui, providing a foundation for resource conservation and utilization while informing studies of VOC diversity across Phoebe species. Full article

The use of Kluyveromyces marxianus in mixed cultures for fermentation processes has become increasingly relevant. This yeast is characterized by rapid growth, thermotolerance, broad sugar utilization, and the ability to produce aroma-active compounds. In this study, we evaluated changes in the growth and volatilome of a K. marxianus strain isolated from agave fermentation under microbial competition induced by co-cultivation interactions and nutritional limitation induced by a nutrient-deficient medium. The results indicate that these stress factors are significant drivers of metabolic changes, leading to substantial increases in the concentrations of key aromatic compounds. Stress-free conditions favor cell growth and the production of stable, reproducible volatile profiles, which is advantageous for batch-to-batch consistency (as in wine or mezcal production). While microbial competition and nutritional limitation induce reduced cell growth and loss of viability, they also lead to increased aromatic diversity, particularly the synthesis of β-phenethyl acetate, ethyl octanoate, and ethyl hexanoate. These findings demonstrate a relationship between environmental stress and the development of volatile profile complexity, offering new insights into harnessing stress-induced changes in the volatilome to optimize the sensory profile of traditional fermentations. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with dried Haematococcus pluvialis biomass on egg quality in laying hens using a multilevel analytical approach. A total of 100 ISA Brown hens were divided into two groups: a control group (CTRL) fed a basal diet and an experimental group (HP) receiving the same diet supplemented with 0.075% H. pluvialis. Supplementation did not significantly affect most physical egg parameters, although yolk index and yolk height were improved in the HP group. A marked increase in yolk pigmentation was observed, with values reaching 15 on the DSM color fan compared to 8.4 in CTRL (p < 0.0001). Significant enhancements in yolk nutritional quality were detected, including increased total carotenoids and the presence of astaxanthin exclusively in the HP group. Mineral composition was also markedly affected, with significant increases in essential elements such as Fe, Mg, Zn, I, and P in both albumen and yolk. The fatty acid profile was favorably modulated, showing a reduction in saturated fatty acids and an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids, along with improved nutritional indices (AI, TI, HH). Instrumental sensory analysis revealed clear discrimination between groups based on color (E-eye), while differences in volatile profiles (E-nose) were less pronounced. However, a reduction in oviposition rate and egg mass was observed in the supplemented group. Overall, the inclusion of H. pluvialis biomass represents an effective strategy for the natural biofortification of eggs, improving their nutritional and functional value. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of free and protected acid protease on productive performance, milk composition, metabolic profile, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal environment in lactating Jersey cows. Fifteen multiparous cows (67 ± 7.5 days in milk; 27.5 ± 3.5 kg/day) were assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square (5 squares) design with 21-day periods. Treatments consisted of: control (no enzyme), free protease (4.4 g/day), and protected protease (4.4 g/day). The protected form was developed using alginate-based encapsulation to enhance enzyme stability under ruminal conditions. Protease inclusion did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield, or feed efficiency (p > 0.05). However, free protease increased lactation persistency (p = 0.05) and improved fat-corrected and energy-corrected milk yields (p ≤ 0.02), with intermediate responses observed for protected protease. Milk fat and protein contents were higher in enzyme-fed cows (p ≤ 0.05), while other compositional parameters remained unchanged. Apparent crude protein digestibility was greater in cows receiving free protease (p = 0.037), with no effects on dry matter or fiber digestibility. Protease intake increased total volatile fatty acid concentrations and major fermentation products (acetate, propionate, and butyrate; p ≤ 0.01), indicating enhanced ruminal fermentation. Blood metabolites showed increased total protein and globulin levels in cows fed free protease (p ≤ 0.05), suggesting improved protein metabolism. Microbiota analysis revealed no differences in alpha or beta diversity; however, specific microbial taxa and predicted metabolic pathways were modulated by treatments, particularly in post-ruminal compartments. In conclusion, exogenous protease, especially in free form, improved protein utilization and corrected milk production without disrupting microbial stability. These findings highlight the potential of protease as a nutritional strategy to enhance efficiency in dairy systems through targeted modulation of ruminal function and nutrient metabolism. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of monolaurin intake per finishing feedlot cattle on growth performance, metabolic status, ruminal environment, and meat fatty acid profile. Twenty-four castrated Holstein males (379 ± 8.5 kg; 12 months old) were randomly assigned to two treatments: basal diet (control) or basal diet with α-monolaurin (treated: 0.762 g/kg dry matter intake; ≈6.63 g/animal/day) for 79 days. Feed intake, body weight, and feed efficiency were recorded, and blood and ruminal samples were collected during the trial. Ruminal fermentation parameters, protozoa counts, hematological and biochemical variables, oxidative status biomarkers, ruminal microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing), and Longissimus dorsi fatty acid profile were analyzed. Monolaurin feed did not affect dry matter intake or final body weight, but increased total weight gain, average daily gain, and feed efficiency (p ≤ 0.05), indicating improved nutrient utilization. Hematological and serum biochemical variables were largely unchanged, although total leukocyte counts were lower in treated cattle. Animals receiving monolaurin showed reduced reactive oxygen species and lower superoxide dismutase activity, suggesting improved oxidative balance without changes in lipid peroxidation. During the adaptation phase (day 14), treated cattle exhibited lower acetate, propionate, valerate, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations and higher protozoa counts, but these differences disappeared by day 79, indicating ruminal adaptation. Microbiota diversity was not altered overall, although specific genera differed in relative abundance between treatments. In meat, monolaurin increased lauric, linoleic, and arachidonic acids, reduced palmitic and heptadecanoic acids, decreased total saturated fatty acids, and increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, dietary monolaurin improved feed efficiency, modulated oxidative status, induced transient ruminal microbial adjustments, and enhanced the nutritional quality of beef lipids without compromising metabolic health. Full article