Search Results (277)

Methods for the improvement of regional lignocellulosic resources (wood and agriculture waste) were studied and analyzed using blends with optimized compositions and a selective pretreatment of the blends using microwaves to enhance their thermochemical conversion and energy production efficiency. A batch-size pilot device was used to provide the thermochemical conversion of biomass blends of different compositions, analyzing the synergy of the effects of thermal and chemical interaction between the components on the yield and thermochemical conversion of volatiles, responsible for producing heat energy at various stages of flame formation. To control the thermal decomposition of the biomass, improving the flame characteristics and the produced heat, a selective pretreatment of blends using microwaves (2.45 GHz) was achieved by varying the temperature of microwave pretreatment. Assessing correlations between changes in the main characteristics of pretreated blends (elemental composition and heating value) on the produced heat and composition of products suggests that selective MW pretreatment of biomass blends activates synergistic effects of thermal and chemical interaction, enhancing the yield and combustion of volatiles with a correlating increase in produced heat energy, thus promoting the wider use of renewable biomass resources for sustainable energy production by limiting the use of fossil fuels for heat-energy production and the formation of GHG emissions. Full article

The pet food industry faces significant sustainability challenges, including reducing energy consumption, lowering emissions, and adopting circular economy practices. This study aimed to assess and propose energy efficiency measures to enhance sustainability within the sector. The research evaluated the use of unapproved food as biomass for boiler combustion. It analyzed its chemical composition, energy impact, and emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through TD-GC/MS, as well as the corrosion effects on boiler metals. An energy assessment of the production process and a combustion characterization of the waste were conducted to identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency and sustainability. The results demonstrated that the chemical composition of the waste and other biomass-related parameters were within acceptable economic and environmental ranges. A reduction of 0.015 Mg of CO₂eq per Mg of produced pet food was achieved. Regarding VOCs, their environmental impact was minimal due to the molecular structure of the compounds. Additionally, the corrosion rate caused by waste incineration was comparable to that of domestic gas in the case of cat food, with a rate of 214.74 mpy, while the dog food yielded 55.42 mpy, which is near that of other types of biomass, such as wood chips and pellets. The use of residual biomass in pet food production is a viable alternative for reducing carbon footprint, promoting a circular economy, and improving the industry’s sustainability. Full article

This review examines the potential use of alternative wood raw materials, including fast-growing plantation species, juvenile wood, non-plantation species, and recycled wood, in the production of particleboard (PB) and oriented strand board (OSB). In light of the ongoing challenges faced by the wood-based industry in securing a stable and sustainable supply of raw materials, these alternatives present several advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, greater availability, and reduced reliance on natural forest resources. Fast-growing plantation species and juvenile wood are particularly suited for lightweight applications, while non-plantation species and recycled wood contribute to sustainability goals by lowering environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency. Nonetheless, the successful integration of these materials requires overcoming certain challenges, including variability in their physical and mechanical properties, as well as the need for tailored adhesive systems and processing parameters. This review examines strategies to optimize production processes and enhance the utilization of waste materials while emphasizing the role of alternative raw materials in advancing circular economy principles. The findings highlight the importance of future research to improve material knowledge, technological solutions, and industry practices, thereby supporting the sustainable development of the wood-based materials sector. Full article

Wood, as a natural and renewable resource, plays a crucial role in industrial production and daily life. Lignin, as one of the three major components of the plant cell secondary wall, plays a key role in conferring mechanical strength and enhancing stress resistance. The caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase (COMT) family of oxygen-methyltransferases is a core regulatory node in the downstream pathway of lignin biosynthesis. Here, our report shows that caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase 2 (COMT2) exhibits high conservation across several species. Tissue expression analysis reveals that COMT2 is specifically highly expressed in the secondary xylem of Populus tomentosa stems. We demonstrated that the specific overexpression of COMT2 in fiber cells of Populus tomentosa led to a significant increase in plant height, stem diameter, internode number, and stem dry weight. Furthermore, we found that the specific overexpression of COMT2 in fiber cells promotes xylem differentiation, lignin accumulation, and the thickening of the secondary cell wall (SCW) in fiber cells. Our results indicate that key downstream lignin biosynthesis enzyme genes are upregulated in transgenic plants. Additionally, mechanical properties of stem bending resistance, puncture resistance, and compressive strength in the transgenic lines are significantly improved. Moreover, we further created the DUFpro:COMT2 transgenic lines of Populus deltoides × Populus. euramericana cv ‘Nanlin895’ to verify the functional conservation of COMT2 in closely related poplar species. The DUFpro:COMT2 Populus deltoides × Populus. euramericana cv ‘Nanlin895’ transgenic lines exhibited phenotypes similar to those observed in the P. tomentosa transgenic plants, which showed enhanced growth, increased lignin accumulation, and greater wood strength. Overall, the specific overexpression of the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase gene COMT2 in poplar stem fiber cells has enhanced the wood biomass, wood properties, and mechanical strength of poplar stems. Full article

This study explores how integrating design processes into the native timber industry of southern Chile, specifically in the Araucanía and Los Ríos regions, can improve the value chain and promote sustainability. Chile’s native wood sector is constrained by fragmented value chains, underutilised small-diameter logs and limited market confidence. These challenges jeopardise forest sustainability and rural livelihoods, underscoring the imperative to find innovative solutions to reinvigorate the sector. A market gap analysis revealed critical limitations in the current industry, including low supply, limited demand, and weak technological development, especially in producing value-added wood products. The research identified over 417,000 hectares of second-growth roble (Nothofagus obliqua)-raulí (Nothofagus alpina)-coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi) forests suitable for sustainable management. Interviews with woodworking SMEs showed that 66% already use native timber, yet 46% of the projected volume remains underutilised due to the prevalence of short and thin logs. In response to these challenges, the study developed innovative prototypes such as interior claddings and lattices made from smaller, underutilised logs. These designs were evaluated and validated for use in residential and public buildings, demonstrating their potential to meet new market demands while promoting resource efficiency. The results show that, whilst there is a clear need for better infrastructure, workforce training, and commercial planning to support product adoption, design-driven innovation offers a promising path forward enhancing the industry’s competitiveness. Demonstrating how design-led integration can transform under-used native timber into high-value products, simultaneously driving sustainable forest stewardship and local economic growth. Full article

Ochroma lagopus Swartz is a rapidly growing plant known for its lightweight wood; it is widely utilized for timber production and ecological restoration. We investigated the effects of different numbers of drought–rehydration cycles on O. lagopus seedlings cultivated at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The experiment comprised three treatments: normal watering (CK, 80–85% field capacity), one drought–rehydration cycle (D1, one rewatering), and three drought–rehydration cycles (D2, three rewaterings). We characterized the effects of these treatments on seedling growth, biomass allocation, non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, proline content, and soluble protein content. The number of drought–rehydration cycles had a significant effect on the growth characteristics and physiological and biochemical properties of leaves. As the number of drought–rehydration cycles increased, the height increased significantly (by 17.17% under D2). The leaf biomass ratio, soluble sugar content, and starch content decreased (15.05%, 15.79%, and 46.92% reductions under the D2 treatment); the stem biomass ratio and root biomass ratio increased; CAT activity increased and then decreased (it was highest at 343.67 mg·g⁻¹·min⁻¹ under D1); and the POD and SOD activities, the MDA content, the soluble protein content, and the soluble sugar/starch ratio increased significantly (395.42%, 461.82%, 74.72%, 191.07%, and 59.79% higher under D2). The plasticity of growth was much greater than that of physiological and biochemical traits. In summary, O. lagopus seedlings adapted to multiple drought–rehydration cycles by increasing the accumulation of soluble proteins (likely associated with osmotic protection), activating enzymes (POD and SOD), promoting the conversion of NSCs (increasing stored carbon consumption), and allocating more biomass to plant height growth than to diameter expansion. Under climate change scenarios with intensified drought frequency, elucidating the drought resistance mechanisms of O. lagopus is critical to silvicultural practices in tropical plantation. Full article

The aquarium trade includes a niche but significant market for ornamental wood, yet its sustainability remains largely unexamined. This study combines traditional wood anatomical methods with conservation assessments to investigate the sustainability of this overlooked sector. We investigated the botanical identity of aquarium wood products to assess mislabelling, conservation concerns, and potential environmental risks. Using macroscopic and microscopic wood anatomy techniques, we analysed wood samples from the aquarium trade to determine taxonomic identity. We also examined the origin, conservation status, and possible ecological implications of the identified taxa. We identified woods from diverse families, including Myrtaceae, Ericaceae, Fabaceae, and Ebenaceae, with some species listed as threatened. Widespread mislabelling obscures conservation status, enabling unsustainable trade. Moreover, several samples were identified as roots, raising concerns about soil disruption and habitat degradation. By linking wood anatomy and ecosystem impacts, we show that the aquarium wood trade lacks transparency, posing risks to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem stability. Our findings underscore the pressing need for effective regulatory oversight, accurate labelling, and sustainable sourcing to mitigate environmental impacts and promote responsible trade practices. Full article

The main objective of energy balance analysis is to guide farmers in making informed decisions that promote the efficient management of natural resources, optimise the use of agricultural inputs, and improve the overall economic performance of their farms. In addition, it supports the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop diversification, the use of renewable energy sources, and the recycling of agricultural by-products and residues into natural energy sources or fertilisers. This paper analyses the variation in energy efficiency between 2019 and 2022 of the main crops in Angola: maize, soybean, and rice, and the forest production of eucalyptus biomass in agroforestry farms. The research was based on the responses to interviews conducted with the managers of the farms regarding the machinery used, fuels and lubricants, labour, seeds, phytopharmaceuticals, and fertilisers. The quantities are gathered by converting data into Megajoules (MJ). The results show variations in efficiency and energy balance. In corn, efficiency fluctuated between 1.32 MJ in 2019 and 1.41 MJ in 2020, falling to 0.94 MJ in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before rising to 1.31 MJ in 2022. For soybeans, the energy balance went from a deficit of −8223.48 MJ in 2019 to a positive 11,974.62 MJ in 2022, indicating better use of resources. Rice stood out for its high efficiency, reaching 81,541.33 MJ in 2021, while wood production showed negative balances, evidencing the need for more effective strategies. This research concludes that understanding the energy balance of agricultural operations in Angola is essential not only to achieve greater sustainability and profitability but also to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems against external factors such as climate change, fluctuations in input prices, and economic crises. A comprehensive understanding of the energy balance allows farmers to assess the true cost-effectiveness of their operations, identify energy inefficiencies, and implement more effective strategies to maximise productivity while minimising environmental impacts. Full article

The Chinese government has often been suspected of excessively intervening in the market. The reform of “Streamline Administration and Delegate Power, Improve Regulation, and Optimize Services” (RSDO) is a key initiative by the Chinese government to help enterprises improve their international competitive advantage through institutional reforms. Few studies have empirically tested the effects of RSDO on enterprises’ export diversification. Using the data of 2141 wood-processing enterprises (WPEs) in China in 2014, this study applies zero-truncated negative binomial regression and the Tobit model to evaluate the effects of prefecture-level RSDO on enterprises’ export product and market diversification. The results show that the RSDO can enhance WPEs’ export product diversification without significantly impacting export market diversification. Regarding specific indicators, the reforms of “Streamline Administration and Delegate Power” and “Improve Regulation” significantly positively affect export product and market diversification. In contrast, the optimization of government services shows no significant impact. Heterogeneity tests show that the RSDO promotes export diversification in wooden products and furniture manufacturing enterprises, smaller enterprises, domestic enterprises, and those with weaker operational capabilities. The impact mechanism shows that the RSDO aids sample enterprises in enhancing export product diversification by lowering operational costs and supports export market diversification by encouraging technological innovation. Full article

The properties of wood change after heat treatment, affecting its applications. Glossiness, a key aesthetic property, is of great significance in fields like furniture. Precise prediction can optimize the process and improve product quality. Although the traditional back propagation neural network (BPNN) has been applied in the field of wood properties, it still has issues such as poor prediction accuracy. This study proposes an improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) to optimize BPNN, constructing an IWOA-BPNN model for predicting the glossiness of heat-treated wood. IWOA uses chaos theory and tent chaos mapping to accelerate convergence, combines with the sine cosine algorithm to enhance optimization, and adopts an adaptive inertia weight to balance search and exploitation. A dataset containing 216 data entries from four different wood species was collected. Through model comparison, the IWOA-BPNN model showed significant advantages. Compared with the traditional BPNN model, the mean absolute error (MAE) value decreased by 66.02%, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) value decreased by 64.21%, the root mean square error (RMSE) value decreased by 69.60%, and the R² value increased by 12.87%. This model provides an efficient method for optimizing wood heat treatment processes and promotes the development of the wood industry. Full article

Cellulose, a widely abundant natural polymer, is well recognized for its remarkable properties, such as biocompatibility, degradability, and mechanical strength. Conductive hydrogels, with their unique ability to conduct electricity, have attracted significant attention in various fields. The combination of cellulose and conductive hydrogels has led to the emergence of cellulose-based conductive hydrogels, which show great potential in flexible electronics, biomedicine, and energy storage. This review article comprehensively presents the latest progress in cellulose-based conductive hydrogels. Firstly, it provides an in-depth overview of cellulose, covering aspects like its structure, diverse sources, and classification. This emphasizes cellulose’s role as a renewable and versatile material. The development and applications of different forms of cellulose, including delignified wood, bacterial cellulose, nanocellulose, and modified cellulose, are elaborated. Subsequently, cellulose-based hydrogels are introduced, with a focus on their network structures, such as single-network, interpenetrating network, and semi-interpenetrating network. The construction of cellulose-based conductive hydrogels is then discussed in detail. This includes their conductive forms, which are classified into electronic and ionic conductive hydrogels, and key performance requirements, such as cost-effectiveness, mechanical property regulation, sensitive response to environmental stimuli, self-healing ability, stable conductivity, and multifunctionality. The applications of cellulose-based conductive hydrogels in multiple areas are also presented. In wearable sensors, they can effectively monitor human physiological signals in real time. In intelligent biomedicine, they contribute to wound healing, tissue engineering, and nerve regeneration. In flexible supercapacitors, they offer potential for green and sustainable energy storage. In gel electrolytes for conventional batteries, they help address critical issues like lithium dendrite growth. Despite the significant progress, there are still challenges to overcome. These include enhancing the multifunctionality and intelligence of cellulose-based conductive hydrogels, strengthening their connection with artificial intelligence, and achieving simple, green, and intelligent large-scale industrial production. Future research directions should center around exploring new synthesis methods, optimizing material properties, and expanding applications in emerging fields, aiming to promote the widespread commercialization of these materials. Full article

The duration, frequency, and intensity of drought events in the Mediterranean region pose increasing threats to conventional crop production. Consequently, eco-friendly and sustainable development approaches should aim to address future food production goals. Halophytes, such as Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods, represent promising cash crops for cultivation in conjunction with novel biofertilization strategies involving plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). In the present study, the physiological fitness of S. ramosissima under various drought conditions, with and without marine PGPB inoculation, was evaluated to enhance the resilience of this cash crop halophyte under water-limited conditions. Our results indicate that PGPB inoculation significantly decreased water loss under extreme drought, with non-inoculated plants showing a water content (WC) of 59%, while in inoculated plants, the decrease in WC was lower at 77%. Furthermore, PGPB inoculation significantly enhanced the photochemistry of the plant, which maintained higher active oxygen-evolving complexes and a greater ability for complete closure of reaction centers under severe and extreme drought, thus demonstrating an improved capacity for light energy utilization in photosynthesis even under water-limited conditions. Furthermore, bioaugmented plants generally exhibited improved osmoregulation through increased yet appropriate accumulation of proline, a major osmolyte, and higher relative water content in the stem compared to the corresponding non-inoculated plants. Drought stress similarly modified the fatty acid profile in both plant groups, resulting in increased membrane stability due to reduced fluidity. However, PGPB-inoculated plants demonstrated a higher capacity for mitigation of oxidative stress, primarily through enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase, which is crucial for the scavenging of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). This, along with improvements in energy use and dissipation, as evidenced by photochemistry, reveals a multi-dimensional mechanism for drought tolerance in bioaugmented plants. Metabolic changes, particularly in PGPB-inoculated plants, clearly demonstrate the potential of these bacteria to be utilized in the enhancement of drought tolerance in S. ramosissima. Moreover, these data elucidate the complex metabolic aspects regarding photochemistry, osmoregulation, and oxidative stress that should be considered when phenotyping plants for drought tolerance, given the increasing water scarcity worldwide scenario. Full article

This study aims to evaluate the growth characteristics of six Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) provenances (S1–S6) from different climatic regions in subtropical China in order to select superior provenances with strong adaptability, fast growth, and reasonable biomass allocation. These results will provide references for genetic improvement and resource utilization of Chinese fir plantations. A total of 385 trees, aged 26 to 48 years, were selected from the Chinese fir gene bank in Anhui. Wood core sampling was used to obtain tree ring width and early/latewood width data. Growth rate, fast-growth period, and biomass allocation of each provenance were analyzed using methods such as the logistic growth equation, BAI (basal area increment), latewood percentage, and biomass estimation. The fast-growth period of Chinese fir starts from the 2nd to the 4th year, with significant growth occurring around the 14th year and growth stabilizing between 30 and 50 years. Provenance S2 showed clear advantages in growth rate and biomass, while S6 was relatively weak. BAI analysis revealed that the provenances reached their growth peak around 10 years of age, with a gradual decline afterward, but S2 maintained higher growth levels for a longer period. Root-shoot ratio analysis showed that S2 had the most balanced ratio, promoting stable growth and efficient water and nutrient absorption, while S6 had a higher root-shoot ratio, indicating growth limitations. Furthermore, S2 demonstrated continuous biomass increase after 30 years, indicating excellent growth potential. This study provides quantitative analysis of the growth characteristics and adaptability of different Chinese fir provenances, offering scientific support for the construction and breeding of Chinese fir plantations, and contributing to enhancing the productivity and ecological adaptability of Chinese fir plantations for sustainable resource utilization. Full article

Lignin is a natural aromatic macromolecule present in wood and an abundant resource on Earth, yet it is hardly used. In this study, an aqueous solution plasma treatment was investigated for the catalyst-free production of valuable chemicals from lignin. To elucidate the decomposition mechanism, the aqueous solution plasma treatment was applied to the fundamental lignin aromatic model compounds—phenol, guaiacol, and syringol. The results showed that the decomposition rate followed the order syringol > guaiacol > phenol, indicating that electron-donating methoxy groups enhance reactivity. These aromatic model compounds underwent hydroxylation at the ortho and para positions, oxidative ring cleavage, and fragmentation, leading to the formation of various dicarboxylic acids, primarily oxalic acid. All these reactions were promoted by hydroxyl radicals generated from water. Ultimately, decarbonylation and decarboxylation of carboxyl groups resulted in gasification, mainly producing H₂, CO, and CO₂. These results provide fundamental insights into lignin decomposition and demonstrate that aqueous solution plasma is a promising method for producing dicarboxylic acids from lignin under mild conditions without catalysts. Full article

This study explores a circular economy approach in charcoal production, utilizing combustion gases from the process itself to optimize efficiency and quality, minimizing waste and reducing emissions. The research investigates the pre-drying of Eucalyptus sp. wood with these gases before carbonization, through an innovative system that directs gases from the carbonizing furnace to a separate drying furnace. Wood samples were dried at 120 °C and 150 °C for 15, 22.5, and 30 h before carbonization. The analysis included the gravimetric yield of charcoal, semi-carbonized wood, and fines, in addition to evaluating key charcoal properties. Results demonstrated that drying with combustion gases at 150 °C increased the charcoal yield by 7%, regardless of drying time. Furthermore, this pre-drying improved charcoal quality, raising fixed carbon content from 74.68% to over 81% and reducing volatile matter from 24.40% to below 18%. These findings highlight that the utilization of combustion gases for wood drying not only significantly enhances the efficiency and quality of charcoal production but also contributes to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative compared to conventional methods. Full article