BioResources (E-Journal)
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Modified Lignin–PVOH and Epoxy Adhesives for Engineered Wood
Lignin-based adhesives are promising eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-derived resins, but they face challenges in bonding strength and water resistance. This study presents a dual chemical modification strategy—phenolation and hydroxymethylation—to enhance the reactivity and polarity of industrial lignin. The modified lignin was blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and epoxy resin to formulate adhesives suitable for engineered wood applications. Among the tested formulations, the PVOH-lignin adhesive reached a tensile shear strength of 7.8 MPa with 85% strength retention after water immersion, while the epoxy-lignin adhesive achieved 9.5 MPa with enhanced thermal resistance. Structural characterization using FTIR and 1H-NMR confirmed the successful introduction of functional groups. To reduce energy consumption, a low-temperature and low-pressure curing process based on microwave-assisted heating and mechanical stirring was implemented, reducing energy use by 40% compared to conventional heating methods. Life cycle assessment (LCA) results indicated a 40% lower carbon footprint and 50% reduction in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions relative to petroleum-based adhesives. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using chemically modified lignin in high-performance adhesive systems for engineered wood while improving environmental sustainability
Shape Changes in Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) Lumber Induced by Spiral Grain
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) wood often has a spiral grain character, which contributes to shape instability in the resulting products. Spiral grain refers to the deviation of wood fibers from the longitudinal axis. This study identified and quantified specific shape changes caused by spiral grain in hornbeam samples. Differences between samples were analyzed with varying degrees of spiral grain and their impact on the shape stability of hornbeam lumber. Changes in the warp cup and the warp twist were monitored during three months of an air-drying process. Moisture loss was found to have a significant influence on the increase in the observed types of warps. An average rise in warp cup from 0 mm to 0.61 mm was recorded in specimens lacking spiral grain, whereas in specimens exhibiting spiral grain, it was raised from 0 mm to 0.92 mm over the same period. Warp twist was increased from a mean value of 7.2 mm in non-spiral-grain specimens to 19.6 mm in spiral-grain specimens. Moreover, the original position of the lumber pieces within the logs whether adjacent to the pith or the bark was determined to be a significant factor in the final type and size of the warp (curvature). This study highlights the critical role of spiral grain and log positioning in shaping the dimensional stability of hornbeam lumber during drying.
Study on Development of Restoration and Digital Display of Paper Artifacts
Paper artifacts are important carriers of history and culture. As they age and are affected by environmental factors, their protection and restoration become increasingly important. This paper discusses the restoration techniques for paper artifacts, including cleaning, acid removal, strengthening, and surface protection. It also considers the application of digital technologies in artifact restoration. Digital scanning, virtual restoration, and digital display provide new solutions for artifact restoration, effectively protecting artifacts from further damage, enhancing accessibility, and promoting academic research and education. Although digital display faces challenges such as technological limitations, storage, and copyright issues, with technological advancements, the restoration and display of paper artifacts will see more innovations. The protection and transmission of paper artifacts have become an important task in global cultural heritage preservation
Color and Glossiness Properties of Wood Material Surfaces Coated with Aloe Vera Doped Varnish
Surface properties of wood materials were determined before and after coating with cellulosic varnish doped with aloe vera gel. For this purpose, samples were prepared from Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana), fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana Mattf.), Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum), and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) woods in accordance with TS 53 (1981) and TS ISO 3129 (2021) principles and then coated with cellulosic varnishes doped with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% aloe vera (L.) gel according to ASTM D3023-98 (2017) principles. Color changes according to ASTM D2244-21 (2021) and surface glosses according to TS EN ISO 2813 (2014) were determined on varnished surfaces. As the percentage of aloe vera gel in the varnish increased, the red color tone, yellow color tone, total color change, glossiness perpendicular and parallel to the fibers, and difference values decreased. Aloe vera gel can be preferred as an additive in cellulosic varnish in applications where the objective is no change or minimal change in the color and glossiness values, depending on type of wood and area of use
Agro-industrial Residues: Low-cost Biomass for the Production of Bioactive Extracellular Polysaccharides by Lactobacillus plantarum in Solid State Fermentation
Agro-residues, such as apple peel, banana peel, orange peel, tapioca peel, and sweet potato peel powders, were screened for the biosynthesis of bioactive extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) in solid-state fermentation. Lactobacillus plantarum utilized sweet potato peel and improved EPS production compared with other wastes, so it was used for optimization studies. Compared with the unoptimized medium, the response surface methodology improved EPS production twofold during solid-state fermentation. In the central composite design, the experimental model was significant (p<0.01), and the selected variables (moisture, sucrose and yeast extract) significantly influenced EPS production. The maximum yield was 59.1 mg/g with 64.5% moisture content, 5.74% sucrose, and 1.39% yeast extract. In addition, the extracted EPS exhibited strong antioxidant activity, and it scavenged ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. The antibacterial activity of EPS was greatest against Staphylococcus aureus, and the corresponding zone of inhibition was18±1 mm, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa(14±1 mm).The results showed that sweet potato peels can be used as a cheap substrate for EPS production in solid-state fermentation
Understanding the Powdery Mildew Pathogen and Rapeseed Mustard Interactions: Insights into Disease Resistance and Molecular Mechanisms to Enhance the Quality and Productivity of Oilseed Brassica Crops
The quantity and quality of oilseed production in rapeseed mustard are severely affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. Among these, the biotrophic fungus Erysiphe cruciferarum causes powdery mildew (PM) infection in Indian mustard cultivars, potentially reducing yield by up to 50% across affected regions in India. Considering recent developments in molecular plant pathology and their impact on sustainable management of challenging plant pathogens, this article reviews the current scenario for resistance and its mechanism to E. cruciferarum in Brassica cultivars. It also covers the complex molecular signaling pathways for resistance that are regulated by phytohormones along with differential gene expression, and effectors proteins in Brassica spp. The recent advancements in genomics have contributed to identification of resistance/susceptibility genes as well as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in PM resistance. Furthermore, this review unfolds a comprehensive understanding of the genetic as well as genomic basis of resistance that can provide the valuable insights for breeding programs focused on developing PM-resistant rapeseed-mustard varieties. This review aims to provide the background on recent discoveries and future strategies on identification of resistance genes, aiding in the development of more resilient rapeseed-mustard crops and leading to significant improvements in crop protection and yield stability.
Effects of Different Visual Styles on Elderly Users’ Interaction Behavior in Smart Sofa Interfaces
The usability of wood-based smart furniture interfaces for elderly users remains a critical challenge in aging-in-place solutions. This study aims to explore the most effective visual presentation styles of sofa illustrations in the smart sofa mobile app interface, with the goal of reducing cognitive load and enhancing the interaction experience for elderly users. To achieve this, we evaluated the cognitive responses of elderly users to different visual presentation styles through eye-tracking experiments and correctness analysis. As the results show, the four visual presentation styles exhibited comparable attention levels but diverged in concentration patterns. A 3D modeling schematic focused on peripheral interface areas, whereas physical product schematic and planar schematic emphasized hardware components. Abstract styles increased cognitive resource allocation and prolonged information processing. Pupil diameter and time to first fix (TTFF) data indicated that the 3D schematic imposed the lowest cognitive difficulty and pressure, while physical product schematic and 3D modeling schematic provided superior real-time feedback clarity. Therefore, wood-based smart sofa interface design should address elderly users' needs by optimizing visual presentation styles, reducing cognitive load and stress, and improving attention. Future research should explore multi-channel human-computer interaction to support smart sofa adoption for aging in place
Phin: A Lute of the Isan Region of Thailand
The phin is a lute that originated in Thailand's Isan region. The strings 1, 2, and 3 for the phin is E4, A3, and E3. It was tuned to the key of G major. The strings 1, 2, and 3 running notes are E4, F4, F4#, G4, A4, B4, C5, D5, E5, F5, G5, A5, B5, C6, D6, and E6; A3, A3#, B3, C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, A4, A4#, C5, D5, E5, F5, G5, and A5; and E3, F3, F3#, G3, A3, B3, C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, A4, B4, C5, and D5, respectively. The keys F4#, B3, and F3# appear in the first octave only from strings 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In this study, the sound was analyzed with a PicoScope oscilloscope and Adobe Audition. The equation for the polynomial (i.e., the fret number versus the partial frequency) for open strings 1, 2, and 3 is ystring1 = 3.14x2 + 9.10x + 316.07, ystring2 = 2.15x2 + 5.51x + 214.55, and ystring3 = 1.51x2 + 6.53x + 146.24. The changes in frequency (the multiplication factor of the x2) increased gradually with the pitch. Strings 3 (E3), 2 (A3), and 1 (E4) showed the multiplication factor of 1.51, 2.15, and 3.14
Enhanced Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pine Wood Chips by Two-Step Pretreatment Combining Steam Explosion and Urea
Lignocellulosic biomass such as pine wood offers a renewable alternative to fossil resources but remains challenging to convert due to its recalcitrant structure. Efficient pretreatment is essential to overcome this limitation and enable enzymatic hydrolysis. This study aimed to enhance enzymatic saccharification of pine wood chips through a two-step pretreatment combining steam explosion and urea treatment. Pine wood chips were first subjected to steam explosion to degrade hemicellulose and modify lignin structure, followed by ambient-temperature urea treatment (0.5 to 2%) to disrupt hydrogen bonding and increase porosity. Comprehensive chemical, structural, and morphological analyses were conducted, including BET surface area measurements and SEM imaging. The integrated pretreatment significantly improved enzymatic digestibility, with a maximum hydrolysis yield of 82% achieved at 1% urea concentration. Key factors contributing to this enhancement included increased surface area, reduced lignin–enzyme interactions, and improved cellulose accessibility. The combined treatment outperformed either method alone in terms of glucose release. These findings demonstrate the potential of a steam explosion–urea strategy as a cost-effective and scalable approach for pine wood bioconversion within an integrated biorefinery framework
Malachite Green Adsorption by Base-treated Wood Mill Residues: Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamic Studies
The adsorption of malachite green (MG) was studied using chemically activated wood mill residues via a batch process. Maximum adsorption of 44.6 mg/g and 55.7 mg/g was obtained at optimum reaction time of 150 min and 180 min for the raw sample and the chemically treated sample, respectively. The kinetics analysis revealed that the adsorption process of MG by the raw sample is best described by a pseudo-first-order, whereas the pseudo-second-order model provided a better fit for the base-treated sample. The thermodynamic parameter of free energy confirmed the spontaneity and feasibility of the process, while positive enthalpy change (ΔH) values for both raw (17.2 kJ/mol) and treated samples (21.4 kJ/mol) affirmed that the adsorption process was endothermic. Desorption experiments demonstrated the potential for adsorbent regeneration and reusability, enhancing sustainability. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed that the base-modified wood residues effectively adsorbed MG dye, as evidenced by changes in key functional groups like O–H, N–H, C=C, and C-O. These findings contribute to the development of efficient adsorbents for environmental remediation, emphasizing the need for cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions