Volume 20 Issue 2

The bending behavior of four key timber species (Fraxinus chinensis, teak, rubberwood, and Pinus yunnanensis) was evaluated under hydrothermal-chemical treatments. Controlled experiments at varying moisture contents (20 to 60%), temperatures (100 to 140 °C), and treatment durations (4 to 8 h) revealed that bending strength and elastic modulus decreased by 18 to 32% with increased moisture and temperature, stabilizing beyond critical thresholds (40% moisture, 120 °C). Among the treatments, the compound lye (40% ammonia + 5% ethylenediamine with surfactants) outperformed ammonia and water treatments, achieving the highest bending deformation height-to-radius ratio of 0.102. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed selective lignin degradation and reduced inter-fiber friction. These findings suggest that this method offers a promising, cost-effective approach for improving the structural integrity of curved wood components.

Diverse metabolites of plants exhibit various biological activities. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was applied at various temperatures (40, 60, and 80 ºC) to extract Duranta erecta fruits. Maximum yield of extract (0.456 g) was obtained at 60 ºC; besides, at this temperature the release of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, methyl gallate, rutin, naringenin, rosmarinic acid, daidzein, quercetin, and kaempferol were promoted in high concentrations of 3510, 277, 326, 571, 7460, 1060, 31000, 7770, and 103 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, S. aureus, S. typhi, B. subtilis, E. coli, and C. albicans, were inhibited with highest inhibition zones such as 28±0.1, 27±0.2, 30±0.1, 25±0.1, and 30±0.2 mm, respectively at 60 ºC than that at other temperatures of the SFE. Low quantities of minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations of the extract were recorded at 60 ºC. Ultrastructural changes were observed in the exposed B. subtilis to D. erecta fruits extract at 60 and 80 ºC including irregular, and rupture of cell wall. Antioxidant potential of D. erecta fruits extract via DPPH was recorded with promising IC₅₀ value of 9.66 µg/mL. Moreover, FRAP antioxidant activity was confirmed with 355 equivalent (AAE) µg/mg at 60 ºC. The fruits extract from D. erecta at 60 ºC of SFE conditions reflected excellent wound healing property.

This study was conducted to address the urgent need for identifying drought-tolerant varieties of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scotch pine) in response to the increasing impact of global climate change on forest ecosystems. The aim was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses of Scotch pine provenances grown in the Lakes Region of Türkiye in terms of photosynthetic gas exchange and selected stress-related chemical traits. Samples from different origins were analyzed to assess parameters such as adaptation to drought stress, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis rate. The data, obtained from long-term provenance trials established in 2000 in Aydoğmuş (Isparta) and Kemer (Burdur), revealed how these traits vary depending on origin and site conditions. Among the provenances, Çatacık, Akyazı, and Mesudiye displayed higher photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance, and transpiration. Additionally, the accumulation of proline and hydrogen peroxide appeared to play a key role in drought adaptation, with Çatacık and Akyazı showing better performance under arid conditions. The findings provide valuable insights for selecting appropriate Scotch pine provenances for afforestation in arid and semiarid environments and contribute to the development of climate-resilient forest management strategies.

The effect of Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun (CKC) was evaluated in Pilocarpine (P350, 350 mg/kg)-induced epilepsy in mice. The behavioral patterns of experimental mice were investigated by the number of convulsed animals, survivors, after P350-induced convulsions, latency to 1^st convulsion, and latency to death. The administration of CNC extended both the latency to the first convulsion and the time to death in a dose-dependent manner. The role of receptors in the anti-convulsive action of CNC was investigated using a combination of atropine (cholinergic receptor antagonist), memantine (NMDA-type glutamate receptors blocker), and diazepam (GABA agonist). The CNC increased latency to the 1^st convulsion and to death in diazepam combination while there was no significant alteration in other two combination, suggesting that CNC anticonvulsive action is mediated through the GABA receptor. The CNC increased the striatal concentration of dopamine (DA) and DOPAC in the brain, suggesting that it prevents convulsion in animals by inhibiting DA metabolism. The CNC improved the antioxidant status of brain as evidenced by decrease in level of TABARS, carbonyl protein, and nitric oxide, whereas the levels of sulfhydryl protein, SOD, and CAT were increased. Thus, the anti-epileptic potential of Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun is accomplished by modulating GABAergic and DAergic transmission.

Five-layer cross-laminated timber (CLT) beams made from 17-mm thick lumber pieces were produced using wood from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Uludağ fir (Abies bornmüelleriana Mattf.), and oak (Quercus petraea L.). The outer layers consisted of Scots pine and oak, while the intermediate layers included Scots pine and fir wood. During the layer formation phase in the side-by-side joining press and in the CLT beam formation phase with layers stacked at 90°, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and polyurethane (PUR) adhesives were used. After conditioning the CLT beams at 20 °C and 65% relative humidity, their dry density values and results from a four-point bending test perpendicular to the adhesive line, including max load, displacement at max load, stiffness, max displacement, and energy dissipation capacity, were evaluated and compared with those obtained using ABAQUS finite element software. The results revealed that timber species, adhesive type, and perforation significantly influenced the mechanical behavior of CLT beams, with oak-based specimens generally outperforming fir and pine in load-bearing capacity. The findings contribute valuable insights into the optimization of CLT beam design for structural applications.

This study proposes an innovative product design to enhance the safety of indoor furniture. Currently, furniture presents safety concerns due to various factors such as improper placement, excessive loads, and environmental influences. The most prominent of these safety issues is furniture tip-over. Therefore, product designs aimed at preventing tip-over have been developed to ensure safety in indoor environments and avert potential accidents. In the initial phase of the study, the factors contributing to tip-over in a standard cabinet were investigated: the height of force application, leg diameter, leg length, leg’s position on the bottom panel, and the furniture’s load status. In the second phase, designs to prevent tip-over were developed. Following prototype production stages, the developed product was mounted on the cabinet, and experiments incorporating product variables and other variations were conducted. The results indicate that the effectiveness of the developed tip-over prevention product varies depending on usage, with its impact on preventing tip-over ranging between 17.5% and 54.3%. These findings suggest that the designed product can significantly enhance indoor safety and offers a potential alternative solution for preventing furniture tip-over.

Methods for surface moisturization and control of internal moisture movement have been developed to minimize moisture gradients and reduce drying defects, such as cracks, in large cross-sectional timbers used for restoring palaces, temples, and cultural heritage buildings. Cross-sectional sealing and steaming pre-treatments were applied before kiln drying to regulate the internal moisture transfer. Real-time weight changes were monitored using a load cell to track the average moisture content, and hygrometers were used to estimate the moisture content at various positions within the wood. The experimental results demonstrated that the cross-sectional coating with lateral moisturization effectively reduced drying defects, thereby contributing to the preservation of wooden cultural heritage sites and enhancing the sustainability of timber resources. The total drying duration was 835.4 h (approximately 35 d), confirming that surface moisturization is critical in minimizing defects during drying.

The impact of UV-B (Ultraviolet-B) radiation is reviewed relative to the biosynthesis and regulation of secondary metabolites (SMs) in medicinal plants. Plants sense UV-B radiation through the photoreceptor UVR8, which is present as a dimer in the absence of UV-B and monomerizes upon UV-B exposure, interacting with proteins to regulate gene expression. In medicinal plants, UVR8-mediated signaling can regulate the activity of key enzymes, thereby affecting accumulation of secondary metabolites. For instance, in Arabidopsis thaliana, UVR8-mediated signaling regulates the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes. UV-B radiation influences the yield of SMs in medicinal plants, impacting the biosynthesis of phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids, though the effects vary under different UV-B conditions. Furthermore, UV-B radiation induces gene regulation in secondary metabolism, with most genes being upregulated. UV-B interacts with other stress factors, e.g. chromium, UV-A, water availability, and temperature, which affect the accumulation of secondary metabolites. However, these mechanisms are complex and require further investigation. Current research exhibits limitations, including uneven study coverage, a lack of standardized methodologies, and insufficient exploration of interactions between UV-B and other factors. Future studies should expand the research scope, adopt multifactorial approaches, and investigate molecular mechanisms, thereby advancing agricultural practices and the development of medicinal plants.

Environmental pollution and resource waste resulting from the disposal of agricultural biomass waste have become a global issue. Consequently, the pursuit of sustainable strategies for recycling such waste biomass and achieving its efficient and high-value conversion has emerged as a critical challenge that presents for both the global academic and industrial communities. This work provides a comprehensive overview of the current advancements in recycling and conversion of agricultural biomass waste into a variety of bio-based materials, with a particular focus on the biochar, nanocellulose, and bio-based plastics. Potential applications of these bio-based materials in agriculture and beyond with high added-value, such as cosmetics and biomedicine, are discussed with representative cases study. This review also highlights the challenges and future prospects in converting agricultural residues into various bio-based materials. It is hoped that this review will contribute to the understanding and promotion of recycling and reutilization of agricultural biomass waste, offering promising solutions for sustainable development of agricultural production.

It is hard to decarbonize a passenger jet. The aviation industry contributes to approximately 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the need for decarbonization to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) derived from conventional biomass, i.e., agricultural residues, forestry by-products, and organic waste, present a scalable solution. Conventional biomass has the potential to produce 60 to 80 billion liters of SAF annually, meeting up to 20% of current jet fuel demand. Lifecycle assessments indicate GHG emission reductions of 70 to 85% compared to fossil fuels. Advanced conversion technologies such as gasification and fermentation have achieved efficiencies exceeding 65%, demonstrating commercial viability. Case studies highlight significant CO₂ reductions of 50 to 70% per flight using SAFs. Despite its promise, biomass-based SAFs are costlier, ranging from USD 1.10 to USD 2.40 per liter. However, policy instruments such as the U.S. SAF Grand Challenge and the EU’s RED II are accelerating adoption. Beyond environmental benefits, SAFs support socio-economic development, potentially creating 1.2 million green jobs globally while addressing waste management challenges. To realize this potential, challenges in technology, economics, and policy need to be addressed. Coordinated efforts in policy, research, and investment are essential to scale SAF deployment, enabling the aviation sector to significantly reduce lifecycle emissions and achieve its net-zero ambitions.