BioResources (E-Journal)
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Characterization of Cellulase from the Rumen Metagenome and Evaluation of its Hydrolytic Potential for Agricultural Wastes
No full textThe cellulase RuCel224, derived from the rumen metagenome, was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), with a molecular weight of ~43 kDa, as confirmed by sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. Substrate specificity assays revealed the highest activity against sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) (0.861 ± 0.011 U/mg), followed by wheat straw xylan (0.150 ± 0.050 U/mg). RuCel224 exhibited optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 35 °C, retaining over 70% activity between pH 5.0 and 7.0 and 80% activity within the temperature range of 20 to 40 °C. Thermal stability tests showed that RuCel224 retained 80% activity after 30 min at 50 °C. Metal ion analysis demonstrated that Mn²⁺ significantly enhanced RuCel224 activity by 68.5% and 83.1% at 1 mM and 5 mM concentrations, respectively. Hydrolysis efficiency on lignocellulosic substrates revealed the highest reducing sugar release from corn stalk (206.21 ± 19.11 μg/mL), followed by wheat bran (106.63 ± 20.08 μg/mL) and rapeseed straw (93.83 ± 3.57 μg/mL). Overall, RuCel224 is a highly versatile cellulase under mild conditions, demonstrating strong adaptability to agricultural residues. Its superior performance on corn stalk highlights its potential for bioethanol production and other biomass valorization processes
Comparative Analysis of Specular and Diffuse Reflection Near-Infrared Spectra in Wood Species Classification
No full textThe near-infrared (NIR) spectral reflectance characteristics of wood cross sections are commonly employed for wood species classification. Both specular and diffuse reflectance spectral curves of wood cross sections can be used. However, which one is more effective for classification and whether classification models trained on these two spectra can be used interchangeably have not yet been explored. In this study, the NIR spectral curves of wood cross sections from 64 common timber species were used to evaluate the specular and diffuse reflectance spectral profiles through five classifier models—namely, the support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), decision tree (DT), and nearest class mean (NCM) classifiers. The classification accuracies of specular and diffuse reflectance curves using SVM classifier were 88.43% and 88.02%, respectively, whereas other classifiers exhibited lower classification accuracy, with specular reflectance spectral classification accuracy consistently outperforming diffuse spectral classification. Additionally, experimental results demonstrated that correct classification rate of the testing dataset after cross-use was less than 16%, indicating that classifier models trained on these two spectra could not be used interchangeably. In conclusion, this study suggested that specular reflectance NIR spectral curves are more suitable for wood species classification
Rattan Resources, Properties, Biocomposites, and Chemical Modification: A Review
No full textRattan is a climbing palm and belongs to the family of Calameae. It once was the most important non-timber forest product, especially in the Southeast Asia countries. Despite being labelled as an old or ‘sunset’ industry by many industry players in the region, the rattan global market has grown stronger, with significant increases from only USD 23.4 million in 2008 to 385 million in 2020. The increasing global demand for rattan products will require a systematic selection of rattan species for optimum utilization for a quality product and service life extension. As a result of increased interest by fashion designers for rattan, especially from EU-27 countries, there is a need to understand the rattan properties such as anatomical, physical, mechanical, chemical, and resistance to fungi. This review paper also considers the rattan resource grown in plantations and natural forests, drawing upon the experiences of a certain main producer country. New product development for rattan is also highlighted in this review, including potential new markets. These may include conventional biocomposites, rattan-polymer composites, and specialty rattan products prepared by chemical modification.
Effects of Scots Pine Sawdust on Quality, Growth, Photosynthetic Characteristics, and Nutrient Contents of Lavandula officinalis
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sawdust on the growth, aesthetic quality, photosynthetic pigments, and nutrient uptake of Lavandula officinalis, a widely cultivated medicinal and ornamental plant in Türkiye. Eleven growth media were formulated by mixing peat and perlite with sawdust at concentrations ranging from 5% to 50% (v/v). The results demonstrated that the 25% sawdust treatment significantly enhanced plant height, crown width, fresh weight, and visual appearance. Photosynthetic pigment concentrations (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids) were also optimized at this level, while higher sawdust proportions (≥ 40%) led to notable declines. Contrary to expectations, total nitrogen content increased with sawdust levels, possibly due to nitrogen-rich tissues in the sawdust and enhanced microbial mineralization. Calcium content peaked at 25%, whereas micronutrients such as iron, copper, and zinc decreased with higher sawdust ratios. The findings suggest that Scots pine sawdust, when applied at moderate levels, can serve as a sustainable substrate component in lavender cultivation. This is the first study to systematically assess Scots pine sawdust in lavender growing media, contributing to the development of resource-efficient and environmentally friendly horticultural practices
Implications of Euphorbia peplus and Euphorbia geniculata Allelopathy on Some Plant Species and Phytopathogenic Fungi
No full textInvasive species of Euphorbia peplus and Euphorbia geniculata weeds compete with the crops and act as hosts for other pests, consequently interfering with the livestock. Therefore, a comprehensive allelopathic screening of Euphorbia spp. was implemented via aqueous extracts and decayed residues against Triticum aestivum and their associated weeds. Aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of E. peplus and E. geniculata were suppressed by the target weeds. The effects were influenced by plant types and concentrations. The Brassica nigra weeds were very susceptible, while T. aestivum was slightly sensitive. The phytotoxicity of Euphorbia spp. decayed residues correlated with the used concentrations and soil properties. Euphorbia spp. extracts were tested against Sclerotina sclerotiorum, Alternaria alternata, and Fusarium oxysporum fungi. E. peplus at 2000 µg/mL decreased fungal growth by 57.1% (S. sclerotiorum), 63.1% (A. alternata), and 63.0% (F. oxysporum), while E. geniculata at 2000 µg/mL decreased fungal growth by 73.0% (S. sclerotiorum), 64.8% (A. alternata), and 72.7% (F. oxysporum). Euphorbia spp. allelochemicals were analysed by HPLC, which indicated the differential in secondary metabolite concentrations between the two species. These substances have a positive potential as natural pesticides that are used in the management of these species
A Comparison Between Using Woody Biomass as a Heat Source or as Feedstock for Activated Carbon Production
No full textAgriculture generates a large volume of waste and contributes to environmental pollution. For instance, pruning the orchards leads to an abundant volume of woody residues. Disposing of this material improperly has adverse effects. Thus, it makes sense to convert this material into wood pellets or activated carbon (AC). This work compared these two options by producing samples of both types from the same biomass. A sample of AC was prepared in a fluidized bed reactor at an activation temperature of 580 °C and a residence time of 120 min. The life cycle assessment (LCA) technique was employed to assess the environmental impacts. Findings determined that the produced AC had a BET area and iodine number of up to 940 and 860 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, the outputs of the LCA analysis demonstrated that wood pellets compared to AC had more environmental impacts for the global warming, abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, and photochemical oxidation indicators. Generally, the results showed that between the defined methods for managing the generated woody waste, using them as a feedstock for AC production is preferable to wood pellets production. In this case, the benefits for the farmers and the environment are significantly greater
Review on Homogenization of Corrugated Materials. State-of-the-art in Modeling of Corrugated Board
No full textCorrugated materials, particularly corrugated board, form the backbone of contemporary packaging due to their light weight and high-strength properties. The application of numerical homogenization techniques to model and predict the mechanical behavior of these materials has evolved significantly, enabling refined structural design and optimization. This review examines advances in the homogenization of corrugated structures, with an emphasis on analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches as applied to corrugated board. Developments in the theoretical modeling of key mechanical properties, such as elasticity, bending, and shear stiffness, are highlighted, alongside methods for predicting structural responses under varying loading conditions. Efforts to optimize structural design through homogenization and the integration of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, are also discussed. Additionally, challenges in adapting homogenization models to account for environmental factors such as humidity and temperature, which impact mechanical properties, are analyzed. The review concludes by outlining future research directions and opportunities for bridging theoretical advances with practical applications in corrugated material design and usage
Role of Nanoparticles for Wood Protection from Decaying Microorganisms and their Enzymes: A Review Study
No full textThe growing need for sturdy lumber in many applications has made wood preservation more crucial. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been considered to improve the functionality of wood. This review article focuses on how NPs can be used to enhance the qualities of wood and wood-based products and provide them with anti-microbial protection. The ability of nano-based substances to permeate deeply into wood surfaces, which in turn causes a shift in their exterior chemistry, is the primary driver behind the nanotechnology application in lumber development. The microbial enzymes secreted by microbes is a major factor that can alter the structure of wood, especially during storage before use. This review illustrates various examples of microorganisms which secrete enzymes which impact wood structure through various mechanisms. The increased interface region created by the treatment serves as the reason for any prospective changes in the wood’s characteristics via NPs application. To a certain extent, the NPs change the original characteristics of wood, thus improving its qualities. There are challenges and limitations for using NPs in wood preservation. The potential effect of NPs on human health and the ecosystem should be considered using techniques such as life-cycle evaluations to avoid harmful consequences
Preparation of a Canola-based Polyethyleneimine-crosslinked Bioadhesive for Particleboards Production
No full textOver the past decades, consistent efforts have been dedicated to addressing the challenge of low performance of protein-based wood adhesives. This study explored the potential of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a crosslinker for improving the bonding strength of canola protein isolate (CPI) and canola meal (CM) bio-adhesive. Simultaneously, the effect of the pH value of the slurry was investigated. Three-layer particleboards were manufactured using the canola-based adhesives and subjected to testing for their internal bonding strength (IB), bending strength (BS), and modulus of elasticity (E-modulus). Results showed that, despite the low PEI ratio utilized, notable enhancements in the mechanical properties of the boards were observed. The IB values increased by 17% and 15% for CPI and CM-based adhesive formulations, respectively; while the BS exhibited rose by 13% and 9%, respectively. It was observed that an increase in pH contributed to enhanced bonding properties of the bio-based adhesive. By enhancing the denaturation of the protein and increasing the free reaction group in the protein chain, this improves the crosslinking mechanism of PEI, leading to improved mechanical properties
After Decades of Extensive Research, Is Kraft Lignin Valorization Still Up In The Air? – Obstacles, Opportunities, and Myths
No full textIn the past decades, substantial research efforts have been directed towards increasing the availability of renewable and recycled raw materials. Lignin, one of the most abundant natural polymers, constitutes a vast, renewable, and largely untapped source of aromatic structures. In addition, it is one of the most abundant renewable sources of carbon. Despite the countless research projects aimed at valorizing kraft lignin, the largest source of industrial lignin, relatively few commercial kraft lignin products have emerged. Simultaneously, lignosulfonates represent a commercially successful range of products with a steady and growing global market. This paper reviews the current outlook of technical lignin research, including common misunderstandings, and discusses various factors that have hampered the use of lignin as a renewable source of materials and chemicals