Research Articles

This study aimed to assess the economic efficiency of laurel harvesting (Laurus nobilis L.) in Andırın, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. To achieve this, a household survey with 51 participants involved in laurel harvesting was conducted to identify the socio-economic factors influencing laurel harvesting. Principal component analysis (PCA), Sperman’s correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression modeling were conducted to analyze the relationships between socio-economic factors and laurel harvesting. Exploratory analysis of the dataset showed that laurel is an essential income source for almost 90% of households, particularly during agricultural off-seasons. However, only about 10% of the respondents considered laurel harvesting a profitable business. Statistical analyses revealed that distance to the town-city center, daily harvest earnings, and selling location are key factors in determining profitability from laurel harvesting. The current study’s evidence strongly supported the conclusion that market asymmetries and socio-economic heterogeneity shaped the viability of non-timber forest product-based livelihoods. On the other hand, the findings directly supported the Multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Enhancing local producer autonomy in pricing and market access emerged as a crucial factor in promoting equitable and sustainable laurel utilization in rural forest economies.

Engineering properties of Turkish pine wood were evaluated to determine effects of a bio-oil thermal immersion process. Wood samples were impregnated with linseed oil, castor oil, and a mix of both oils. The investigation encompassed antilarvicidal activity, bending and compressive strength, anisotropic swelling, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Linseed and castor oils demonstrated potent antilarvicidal properties, achieving 100% and 92% mortality rates, respectively. The mixed oil exhibited 79.2% mortality. The thermal immersion treatment significantly enhanced the bending and compressive strength, and linseed oil yielded the highest improvements at 28.7% and 77.0%, respectively. Anisotropic swelling notably decreased. The linseed oil showed the greatest reduction (7.1%) and the mixed oil the least (2.7%). TGA results indicated improved thermal stability, with weight losses of 1.7%, 2.0%, and 2.2% for linseed oil, castor oil, and mixed oil, respectively. FTIR analysis revealed new peak regions ranging from 1159 to 3398 cm⁻¹ and suggested significant interactions between the bio-oils and the cell wall components, particularly for linseed oil. In conclusion, the thermal bio-oil immersion treatment effectively improved the selected properties of this wood.

This study explores the colorimetric sensing of chlorpyrifos (CP) pesticides using neem root extracts-synthesized silver nanoparticles (NRE-AgNPs). The NRE-AgNPs were synthesized via a cost-effective bio-reduction method from neem (Azadirachta indica) and evaluated for their pesticide’s  colorimetric sensing property. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of tannins (80.4 mg/mL), phenols (60.8 mg/mL), flavonoids (54.6 mg/mL), alkaloids (28.9 mg/mL), reducing sugars (59.1 mg/mL), and cardiac glycosides (47.6 mg/mL), which facilitated nanoparticle formation and stability. Scanning electron microscopy revealed nanoparticles with an average particle size of 68.3 nm, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum confirmed the presence of silver (0.14% atomic, 0.25% weight) alongside stabilizing organic compounds. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed NRE-AgNP synthesis with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 405 nm. The nanoparticles responded sensitively to the presence of the chlorpyrifos, especially at 300 to 350 nm, marking a clear deviation from their original 405 nm signature, thus confirming the viability of AgNPs as an optical sensor. This study underscores the potential of neem root-based AgNPs as a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for pesticide sensing, offering promising applications in the environmental field.

Wastepaper-derived fibers, natural starch binders, and micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) additives were preliminarily studied as key components in injection-moldable bio-composite formulations. Commercially available paper cups coated with polyethylene, corn starch, and MFC prepared in a laboratory were selected as raw materials. Since the injection molding machine is yet to be developed, handsheets were prepared as a substitute for the future injection-molded composites, and their physical properties were evaluated to assess the promising formulation candidates of recycled fibers, binder, and reinforcing agent. The optimal paper cup powder–starch ratio was 60:40, which balanced the tensile strength, elongation at break, and burst strength of the material while maintaining good processing characteristics and avoiding problems related to dewatering and adhesion to equipment during drying. The incorporation of up to 5% (by weight) MFC considerably improved the mechanical properties of the sheets by enhancing their fiber–fiber bonding. However, increasing the MFC content above 5% prolonged the dewatering time, compromising process efficiency, and making handsheet preparation impossible. These findings suggested that used paper cups, when combined with starch and MFC, could be effectively recycled into injection-molded composite materials, thereby contributing to environmental conservation and the advancement of resource circulation in manufacturing.

Recycling of residual biomass in the form of carbonaceous materials is a sustainable and economically viable management option with zero net carbon dioxide emissions. Mesoporous bamboo biochars were produced via microwave-assisted hydrothermal/soft template treatment. Then they were characterized and evaluated for their adsorption capabilities for three organics. The biochars were found to have mesoporous structures with BET surface areas of 13.0 to 288 m²/g, total pore volumes in the range of 0.017 to 0.313 cm³/g, and average pore diameters between 4.0 and 6.7 nm in size. The surface areas and pore volumes were highly related to the hydrothermal treatment conditions. The mesoporous bamboo biochars showed adsorption amounts for 2-naphthol, berberine hydrocholoride, and Congo red in the range of 35.0 to 155.7, 76.1 to 129.6, 57.9 to 114.4 mg/g, respectively, at the adsorbate concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, and their adsorption capabilities depended on both the porosity and the surface groups. The adsorption of the three organics on the selected sample was a spontaneous and exothermic process with physical adsorption as the dominant mechanism. The adsorption could achieve equilibrium within 20, 40, and 60 min for 2-naphthol, berberine hydrochloride, and Congo red, respectively. This study provides a prospective method to produce biomass-derived mesoporous carbon adsorbents for adsorptive separation of organics from water.