BioResources (E-Journal)
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Efficient Extracellular Production of α-Amylase in Bacillus subtilis under the Influence of Xylose-Inducible Promoter
No full textThis study focuses on the development of a xylose-inducible system to produce recombinant α-amylase from the bacterium Thermoactinomyces vulgaris 94-2A (amyTV) in the Bacillus expression system. To achieve this, a gene cassette was constructed using pWH1520 shuttle vector, containing a PxylA promoter comprising glucose box and amyTV gene. The cassette was initially cloned in Escherichia coli for replication and subsequently, introduced into the Bacillus subtilis (GSB26) for expression. To optimize the secretion of α-amylase, different concentrations of xylose were used as inducers. It was found that the maximum amylase activity was achieved when 2% xylose was used as the inducer. Furthermore, using glucose alone and in combination with xylose as inducers indicated that glucose acted as a catabolic repressor for amyTV expression. Moreover, protein was efficiently secreted and did not accumulate in the cellular fractions, even at high expression levels
Changes of Soil Organic Carbon Stabilization and Stock in Yancheng Huang-Bohai Sea Migratory Bird Habitat Coastal Marsh Wetland with a Long-term Follow-up Study
No full textIn the important coastal marsh wetland ecosystem, the soil organic carbon content is subject to multiple environmental factors in Yancheng. The research objectives were to explore the effects of sampling time, soil depth, and vegetation types on soil organic carbon content by screening the core data of related literature and analyzing with the descriptive statistics, Kendall’s consistency test, Spearman's Rank correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). The analysis showed that the effects of the factors on soil organic carbon content were significantly different. The plant growth was vigorous, resulting in relatively high soil organic carbon content (80 to 50 t/ha·yr), especially in the spring and summer seasons. In addition, the organic carbon content of the topsoil (0 to 20 cm) was significantly higher than that of the soil at depths below 20 cm, showing higher levels (20 to 50 t/ha·yr). Among different vegetation types, the carbon storage capacity of Spartina alterniflora showed superior performance compared to other vegetation (10 to 25 t/ha·yr). The results provide a scientific basis for the assessment and protection of the carbon storage function of wetlands, intending to promote the sustainable management of wetland ecosystems
Designing Wooden Lounge Chairs Using ZMET: From Deep Need Discovery to Value Hierarchy Construction
No full textTraditional furniture design methods often fall short in revealing users’ deeper psychological and emotional needs. This study innovatively introduced the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET) as an exploratory tool in the field of furniture design to bridge the cognitive gap between latent user needs and practical design. Through image collection, laddering interviews, and Kelly Repertory Grid Technique (RGT), cognitive modeling was conducted with six high-involvement users. A total of 119 concepts were identified, covering ten design attributes (e.g., “ergonomic fit,” “warm color tones”), seven emotional needs (e.g., “stress relief,” “immersive experience”), and five value hierarchies (e.g., “sense of belonging,” “self-actualization”). The resulting Hierarchical Value Map (HVM) illustrated a three-level structure of “attribute–consequence–value,” clearly mapping the psychological pathway from product features to core user values. The findings revealed that users expect more than basic functionality from wooden lounge chairs, seeking emotional resonance, lifestyle alignment, and identity expression. ZMET was shown to be effective in uncovering non-verbalized user needs and offers a theoretical and methodological framework for value-driven, user-centered furniture design
Utilizing CMC/ZnO Blends Made at Various Mixing Ratios on Paper Surfaces and Their Impact on Paper Characteristics
No full textSurface treatments of paper and paper-based compounds are one of the most effective methods for improving different specifications of paper products, such as printability, paper strength values, absorption performance, and diminished surface roughness. In this study, cellulose derivatives of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and zinc oxide (ZnO), an inorganic antibacterial material, were prepared in varying concentrations (1/1, 1/0.5, and 1/0.25) and applied to standard filter paper by the dip-coating method to examine the combined effects of these chemicals on paper properties and the performance of the investigation papers as a food packaging material. Density, dry-wet strength, Cobb values, oil-dye absorption, and air permeability of papers were investigated in addition to degradation tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, antibacterial activity, and scanning electron microscopy images. The density values of papers were determined between 0.421 and 0.468 g/cm3. Although determined by different techniques, oil absorption and dye absorption performances showed similar patterns, and the addition of ZnO into the composition caused a decrease in the absorption performances. Dry strength and Cobb values increased with the ZnO addition, and strength values increased. Wet strength values. According to all of the findings, these papers would make excellent food packaging materials, particularly for dry, low-weight products
Hyperproduction and Characterization of a Cost-Effective Manganese Peroxidase from Pleurotus ostreatus Using Response Surface Methodology under Solid State Fermentation
No full textManganese peroxidase (MnP) is a lignin-degrading enzyme required in the ligninolytic process catalyzing oxidation of Mn²⁺ to Mn³⁺. It has the ability to degrade nitroaromatic compounds, chlorophenols, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, all of which contribute to organic pollution. In this work, an indigenous strain of white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) was employed for hyperproduction of MnP using response surface methodology (RSM) under solid state fermentation through screening of local biomass. Among the parameters, 14 days incubation period, pH 4, 30 °C temperature, 8.0 g substrate concentration, 4.5 mL inoculum size, 60% moisture content, 2.87 g nitrogen supplement, and 0.082 g magnesium sulphate were found as the optimized conditions for production of manganese peroxide. Peanut shell was found as the best substrate for maximum production of enzyme (74.70 U/mL). The degradation of guaiacol as a substrate by MnP was also confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, which showed the absence of a peak of -C=O at 1636.6 cm-1 and –OH at 3331.4 cm-1 as structural components of guaiacol, after degradation by MnP. Peanut shell is easily available as agriculture residue. Therefore, hyper-produced MnP from P. ostreatus could lead to cost effective exploitation of further enzymes for industrial applications
Environmentally Friendly Composites from Agricultural Residue Biomass for Lightweight Applications in New Generation Structures: A Review
No full textThe increasing global demand for sustainable materials has spurred extensive research into biopolymer-based composites derived from agricultural residue biomass. These materials offer an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based composites, addressing environmental pollution, resource depletion, and the need for low-density materials in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, packaging, and construction. This research focused on low-density bio-based composites as sustainable options for lightweight applications in automotive, aerospace, packaging, and construction. It highlights the use of agricultural residue and discontinuous binder systems to reduce density, as well as manufacturing techniques that improve structural efficiency. It emphasizes critical composite properties such as mechanical strength, thermal behavior, water resistance, biodegradability, and lightweight characteristics. The influence of fiber content and processing parameters on overall performance is also discussed. In addition, the review highlights major challenges, including scalability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term stability and proposes future research directions focused on durability enhancement, production efficiency, and commercial viability. Overall, this work underscores the transformative potential of agricultural residue-derived bio composites in advancing sustainable, high-performance materials for lightweight and eco-conscious construction and industrial applications
Sustainable Gift Packaging Design Based on KANO-AHP-QFD
No full textAs global environmental problems become increasingly severe and consumers' environmental awareness grows, traditional gift packaging is facing heavy criticism due to its excessive luxury orientation, high material consumption, and recycling difficulties. To address these challenges, this study proposed an innovative sustainable gift-packaging design methodology driven by user requirements and integrating the KANO model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Quality Function Deployment (QFD), aiming to enhance consumers’ willingness to adopt green practices and improve overall user experience. First, the KANO model was employed to identify and classify consumers’ packaging requirements, resulting in twenty user needs categorized by attribute. Second, AHP was used to construct a judgment matrix and calculate the composite weight of each requirement, thereby establishing the prioritization of design elements. Finally, QFD translated these user requirements into concrete design parameters, which were then ranked according to their importance. The resulting sustainable gift-packaging solution not only met users’ functional and aesthetic demands but also significantly elevated their environmental awareness. This research offers a scientifically grounded and practically applicable reference for the sustainable development of the packaging industry, while pointing to future research directions and potential applications in sustainable packaging design
Enhanced Retention, Drainage, and Strength of Old Corrugated Container Pulp Using Poly(aluminum chloride), Nanofibrillated Cellulose, and Hydrophobic Colloidal Silica Particles
No full textThe performance of the poly(aluminum chloride) (PAC)-nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)-colloidal silica (SiO2) system was evaluated relative to the retention and drainage of old corrugated container (OCC) pulp. In this study, OCC pulp was refined to a freeness of 370 ± 10 mL CSF, then different amounts of NFC (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6%) and SiO2 (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9%) in combination with 1% PAC (constant for all treatments) were added. Finally, from these treatments, standard handsheets were made and their physical and mechanical properties were measured according to TAPPI standards. The results showed that the addition of SiO2 and NFC in combination with 1% of PAC each separately and independently increased the burst index, tensile index, and Concora medium test (CMT), but the ring crush test (RCT) decreased. The use of different treatments containing PAC, NFC, and SiO2 also decreased the pulp drainage time and increased their first-pass retention. Also, the use of this system resulted in less water absorption than the control treatment. The use of PAC and NFC in improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of OCC fibers can lead to higher first-pass retention, better physical and mechanical properties, while reducing the drainage time
Performance of Cunninghamia lanceolata / Uncaria Composite Particleboard: Part 2
No full textThinned Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and waste stems of Uncaria were used as raw wood materials with melamine–urea–formaldehyde as a co-condensation resin adhesive to produce particleboard. The effects of Uncaria stem incorporation on the composite’s nail-holding capacity, antibacterial activity, decay resistance, insect resistance, and fire retardancy were investigated. GC-MS analysis identified 19 bioactive compounds in Uncaria stems, including esters, terpenes, carboxylic acids, and indole alkaloids. At 50% Uncaria stem mass fraction, nail-holding strength peaked at 170.8 N/mm, a 10.3% increase over pure fir boards. Anti-mold, decay, termite resistance, and fire-retardancy tests demonstrated that Uncaria’s active components significantly mitigated fir’s inherent vulnerabilities via a dual “chemical inhibition + physical barrier” mechanism. A 50% substitution reduced mold coverage from 100% to 3%, while 75% substitution decreased white-rot fungal mass loss from 35.8% to 25.7% and linearly lowered termite-induced mass loss from 18.2% to 7.5%. Cone calorimetry revealed that 75% Uncaria-substituted composites exhibited a 4.6% reduction in peak heat release rate, a 4-second ignition delay, and increased char residue from <5% to 11%, achieving GB/T 8624 Class B1 fire-retardant rating. Uncaria waste stems thus serve as a functional filler for fir particleboard, endowing it with multi-bio-durability and flame-retardant properties. This offers theoretical and technical support for the high-value utilization of agro-forestry waste and development of green wood-based composites
Historical Records of the Cultural Use of Aromatic Wood in a 17th-Century Church in Brazil
No full textThe mapping of historical records can reveal connections between past and present in the cultural relationship between humans and nature, especially in the use of aromatic woods in religious rituals, where fragrances from wood conveyed sacred symbols and meanings. This study examined the historical use of wood in the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Graça, São Francisco do Sul, Brazil, to evaluate its symbolic meanings and cultural significance. Built in the seventeenth century, this church contains ecclesiastical furniture carved with Christian symbols, reflecting religious tradition and craftsmanship. Test samples were collected and analyzed for structural characterization and botanical identification, providing insights into the cultural value of the materials. Two native species of the Lauraceae family, both from the Atlantic Forest, were identified: Ocotea porosa (imbuia) and Ocotea odorifera (sassafras). These wood samples are aromatic, with fragrances derived from natural oils and resins. Imbuia was found in 57% of the furniture, sassafras in 42%. These noble woods were selected for organoleptic qualities and durability, highlighting a tradition of crafting “furniture of honor” in Christian practices, where material choices reflected symbolic and spiritual meaning