BioResources (E-Journal)
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Effects of Milk and Cream Residual Contents in Beverage Carton Packaging Used for Recycling
No full textMilk and cream are often sold in beverage carton packaging. After use, the unconsumed liquid residues and adhering content remain in this packaging. These food residues end up in the recycling cycle, where they pose troubles in the aqueous processing. The aim of this empirical study was to quantify milk and cream residues in beverage carton packaging from recycling streams. 949 recovered cartons that had been filled with milk or cream and consumed in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic were analyzed by gravimetric measurement. For 1-liter cartons, the mean value of the residual quantity was 6.6 g residue for every liter filling quantity, with a range of 1.0 to 71.9 g/L. This corresponds to 0.66% residual quantity by mass, with an assumed density of 1.0 g/cm³. Considering a mean value for all the carton weights with residual quantity of 35.8 g for 1-liter cartons, here some cartons without closures, and 29.2 g without residual quantity, this results in a packaging material content of 81% by mass for recycling. The rest is food waste that ends up in the recycling stream. This can be a task for packaging designers to further improve easy-to-empty solutions
Effect of Drying Methods on the Particle Morphology of Microcrystalline Cellulose
No full textMicrocrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a purified partially depolymerized nonfibrous form of cellulose, a crystalline powder composed of porous particles. In this study, the drying of MCC was investigated with two different solids content MCCs by using three different drying methods: a high-velocity cyclone dryer, a spray dryer, and a fluidized bed dryer. The effects of the different drying techniques on the geometrical dimensions and morphology of the dried MCC particles and aggregates were researched. Based on the results, the dried MCC particle morphology is highly dependent on the used raw material properties as well as the liquid removal mechanism during drying. The preserving of the morphology of the raw material MCC was mostly achieved by fluidized bed drying, which facilitated MCC to dry as discrete particles with high surface area and lesser aggregation when using the MCC with 45% dry consistency as raw material. Spray drying was observed to produce small, most circular particles with the most homogenous size distributions and high velocity cyclone largest, most heterogenous and irregular shape particles and aggregates. All results have been presented as such after drying without screening
Breaking Down Biomass: How Pretreatment and Enzyme Strategy Shape Efficient Bioethanol Yields
No full textTrichoderma sp. SG2, isolated from the Black Belt soils of Alabama, USA, is a potent natural producer of β-glucosidase and a broad spectrum of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes. This study explored the saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass using crude enzymes from Trichoderma sp. SG2, various pretreatment strategies, mixed feedstock approaches to enhance sugar yield, and enzyme supplementation to reduce costs. Among the pretreatment methods tested for switchgrass, the most effective was sequential H₃PO₄–ethanol, followed by NaOH–H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄–acetone, H₂SO₄–NaOH, and single-agent treatments (H₂SO₄ alone or NaOH alone). Sugar yields were significantly improved by combining pretreated switchgrass with paper powder as a mixed feedstock. The highest glucose (15.8 g/L) and xylose (3.8 g/L) yields were achieved at 10% pretreated switchgrass after 72 h. A key finding was the significant cost reduction and enhanced saccharification efficiency achieved by supplementing SG2 crude enzyme with 50% of the recommended commercial enzyme dosage. Acid-pretreated switchgrass hydrolysis with SG2 enzyme and commercial enzyme supplementation emerged as the most effective strategy. These results highlight Trichoderma sp. SG2 as a promising candidate for developing cost-effective enzyme cocktails for lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis where 30 to 40% cost of ethanol production process is accounted for enzyme cost
γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Zeolite as Natural Treatments to Maintain the Fruit Quality, Storability, and Shelf Life in Apricot
No full textThe global trend promotes using natural and eco-friendly materials to improve fruit quality and storability. This study was carried out to examine the impact of pre-harvest spraying of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at 1.0 and 2.0 mmol/L, and post-harvest zeolite dipping (3% and 6% levels), on the quality of apricot fruits stored at 0±1 °C and 90-95% relative humidity. The results indicated that different levels of GABA and zeolite treatments significantly reduced the respiration rate, decay percentage, and fruit weight loss of stored apricots. Moreover, all experimental treatments notably slowed down the changes in fruit firmness, total soluble solid content, total sugars, total acidity, total phenols, and ascorbic acid, compared to the control. Applying GABA and zeolite evidently decreased the activities of pectin methylesterase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes. On the other hand, they increased the peroxidase activity compared to the control treatment for both seasons. Moreover, the application of zeolite and GABA at a concentration of 6% and 2 mmol/L, respectively, are recommended to enhance the storability and extend the shelf life of ‘Canino’ apricot fruits and preserve their quality. This study contributes to the Sustainable Development aims by reducing postharvest losses, food waste, and increasing marketability, as well as supporting food security by conserving resources and increasing marketing income
Fusion of Spectra and Texture in Hyperspectral Imaging for Quantification of Nutritional Content in Alfalfa-Potato Pomace
No full textRapid and accurate detection of crude protein and starch content in alfalfa-potato pomace pellets is crucial for improving their processing and enhancing nutritional quality. In this study, hyperspectral images of alfalfa-potato pomace pellets in the near-infrared (NIR) range (900 to 1700 nm) were acquired. A support vector regression (SVR) model was developed by combining various spectral preprocessing methods and effective wavelength selection techniques. Textural features from the surface of the first principal component (PC1) image sample were also extracted using the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and fused with the spectral data, significantly improving the model’s prediction accuracy. The results indicated that the SNV-GB-COR-SVR model performed best in predicting crude protein content, with an R2p of 0.907 and an RMSEP of 0.5548, while the SNV-CARS-ENT-SVR model was most effective in predicting starch content, with an R2p of 0.7915 and an RMSEP of 1.3970
Synergistic Effects of Lignocellulosic Baglog Compost and Biochar on Tomato Plant Growth
No full textIndonesian agriculture faces multifaceted challenges, particularly the need to enhance productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability to ensure high-quality food production. Soil degradation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers have contributed significantly to declining soil fertility and land degradation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar and compost derived from lignocellulosic baglog, spent substrate from Ganoderma lucidum mushroom cultivation, to improve soil quality and fertility, especially under sub-optimal soil conditions. The treatments were tested on tomato plants using different application rates. A factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed, comprising two factors with three replications. The first factor was the baglog waste compost dosage at four levels: B0 (0 g/polybag), B1 (200 g/polybag), B2 (300 g/polybag), and B3 (400 g/polybag). The second factor was the biochar dosage, also at four levels: K0 (0 g/polybag), K1 (250 g/polybag), K2 (500 g/polybag), and K3 (750 g/polybag). Key growth parameters, plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and leaf area, showed notable improvement compared to control plants grown without biochar or baglog compost. Applying both in balanced amounts is essential to promote optimal tomato plant growth
Role of Hornification of Cellulose Rich Biomass for Pellet Production
No full textHornification of cellulose-rich materials, particularly wood pulps, occurs when chemical bonds form between cellulose surfaces, along with intermolecular forces created during dewatering and drying, preventing the material from reswelling in water to its original structure. Hornification of pulps results in a reduced ability to form effective fiber networks and therefore weaker paper products. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of hornification in pelletized cellulosic biomass and materials in general to provide more information than can be obtained by measuring standard wet state properties, such as water retention. Pellets were produced from chemical pulps with different degrees of hornification, as indicated by the water retention value (WRV), and their mechanical performance was evaluated. The chemical pulps served as a model material for investigating hornification. Pulps with higher hornification produced pellets with inferior mechanical properties, which has not been shown before by such a test. This effect is attributed to increased fiber stiffness and reduced surface flexibility, which limits fiber-fiber bonding. In addition, high drying temperatures prior to pelletizing, and thus higher hornification, will increase compression energy and friction in the pelletizing process. A novel connection was observed between WRV and mechanical performance, highlighting the impact of hornification on the surface interactions of cellulose-based materials
Wood Color Variation in Anatomical Sections of Cedrus libani from Two Mediterranean Regions
No full textWood color is an important factor influencing the aesthetic and commercial value of timber products. This study aimed to clarify the natural color variation in Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) wood and its relation to anatomical structure and environmental conditions. Samples were collected from two regions in Türkiye (Kaş and Senirkent), differing in elevation and climate. Stem sections from four trees per region were analyzed by separating the pith, heartwood, and sapwood. Color properties were measured using a spectrophotometer in the CIE L*a*b* color space, resulting in 2670 data points. The results showed that sapwood exhibited the highest lightness values (L*), with averages of 65.3 in Kaş and 65.8 in Senirkent, while pith displayed the lowest lightness (59.4 in Kaş, 61.6 in Senirkent). Total color differences (ΔE) between anatomical parts frequently exceeded the perceptible threshold (ΔE > 3), reaching up to 16.7 in the pith and 14.9 in the heartwood of some samples. Moreover, Kaş samples generally exhibited greater color variability than Senirkent, with average ΔE values of 13.4 (pith), 12.6 (heartwood), and 7.0 (sapwood), compared to 9.43, 10.57, and 6.14 in Senirkent, respectively. These findings highlight the combined influence of anatomical and environmental factors on wood color and provide insights for selecting timber for aesthetic purposes and enhancing visual quality in forest management
The Efficacy of a Compost Accelerator in Straw Composting and Subsequent Agricultural Effects
No full textA comprehensive, system-level evaluation was carried out for a liquid microbial compost accelerator—inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis—on straw composting and subsequent rice production. Composting experiments demonstrated that the accelerator significantly enhanced the process by achieving a peak temperature of 63 °C and sustaining a thermophilic phase (>55 °C), which accelerated straw decomposition, as evidenced by a rapid color transition to dark black within 30 days, a reduction in shear force to 35.6% of the initial value, and an increase in the weight loss rate to 13.6% at 60 days. Field trials confirmed the agricultural benefits: the accelerator safely promoted straw degradation in situ, with extents reaching up to 61.5%, and significantly increased rice yield by up to 4.4% in a dose-dependent manner. These findings distinguish themselves by establishing a complete causal pathway from microbial inoculation through efficient composting to tangible field outcomes, thereby offering a validated technological solution for enhancing straw resource utilization and promoting sustainable agricultural productivity
Laminated Wood Material Reinforced with Bacterial Cellulose Sheets Derived from Kombucha Pellicles: Part 1 — Some Physical Properties
No full textIn this study, the usability of kombucha pellicles as a source of bacterial cellulose (BC) in the production of laminated wood was investigated to improve its physical properties. Within this scope, the kombucha culture was produced at room temperature through a fermentation process of approximately 25 days and then dried to obtain BC sheets with a thickness of approximately 1 mm. These sheets were used in the production of laminated wood material, along with wood species of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.), and Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), using urea-formaldehyde, polyurethane, and polyvinyl acetate adhesives. To evaluate the physical properties of the manufactured samples, density, thickness swelling, and water absorption tests were performed. Furthermore, the structural and thermal properties of the BC were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The findings indicated that BC is a high-performance biomaterial for lamination. The results unveiled BC's remarkable potential for developing eco-friendly materials, though certain technical challenges remain to be addressed before its full capabilities can be realized