Volume 20 Issue 2

Over the current decade, drugs based on natural sources have attracted much consideration. Quinoa seeds extract (QSE) was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry which reflected the presence of 23 compounds. QSE exhibited anticancer effect against prostate  (PC-3) and ovarian (SKOV3) cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ 65.21 ± 0.24 µg/mL and 81.45 ± 0.79 µg/mL, respectively. Apoptosis of cancer cells was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. Oxidative markers including catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase decreased in specimens treated by QSE, while malondialdehyde increased in treated cancer cells. Growth of different yeasts was inhibited by QSE with different inhibition zones of 12±0.33, 13±1.5, and 21±0.5 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 250, 125, and 31.2 µg/mL using Candida glubruim, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy reflected ultrastructure changes in treated C. tropicalis by QSE, including cell wall rupture, collapse of cytoplasm, and shrinking of cytoplasmic membrane. It was concluded that QSE could suppress the proliferation of SKOV3 cells in vitro and induce their apoptosis. Moreover, the inhibition of tested yeasts might be mediated by ultrastructural changes.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is an essential species for biodiversity and ecosystem services in Türkiye, yet it is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change, especially in climatically marginal areas such as Central Anatolia. This study used MaxEnt modeling along with CHELSA V2.1 climate projections to evaluate the current and future distribution of Scots pine under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1 2.6, SSP3 7.0, SSP5 8.5) projected for the year 2100. The key climatic factors influencing habitat suitability include precipitation seasonality (Bio15) and temperature seasonality (Bio7). The results show that while 34% of Central Anatolia is currently suitable for Scots pine, habitat suitability could decline by 91% under SSP5 8.5, leaving only 4% of the region viable for the species by 2100. This significant reduction highlights the uncertain future of Scots pine populations in the area. Unlike previous research, this study provides a high-resolution analysis that incorporates fine-scale environmental and topographical variables, emphasizing the importance of mid-altitude refugia as potential climate shelters. Aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG15), this study underscores the need to incorporate climate projections into forest management practices. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of climate-induced range shifts and inform adaptive conservation strategies for other vulnerable tree species in semiarid regions.

Wood has been used as the primary material for musical instruments for a long time. The density and elastic modulus of wood are known to be important factors in determining its acoustic properties of stringed instruments. The objective of this study was to show that fungal decay processes can be applied to improve the acoustic quality of the woods. The effects of biological modification of two woods, alder and soft maple, which were treated with wood rot fungi, were evaluated in terms of density (r), dynamic modulus of elasticity along the wood grain (E_L), acoustic constant (A), and acoustic conversion efficiency (ACE). Incubation of two woods in eight species of wood rot fungi was carried out for 4 weeks. Among the fungi, Trametes versicolor and Ceriporia lacerata significantly increases the A (33.0% and 21.0%, respectively) and ACE (50.4% and 37.6%, respectively) values of alder woods. These two strains also increased the A (51.4% and 29.1%, respectively) and ACE (42.4% and 35.3%, respectively) values of soft maple. This study showed that fungal treatment significantly altered the density and elastic modulus of wood, which ultimately influenced the factor A value and the ACE value, both of which determine sound quality.

Increasing global problems and stricter regulation of industrial waste management necessitate a more detailed examination of waste materials. In addition, because of problems such as surface cracking and discoloration of surface-treated materials during use, increasing varnish durability is a popular topic today. In this study, to increase the surface treatment performance, different proportions (2.5%, 5%) of waste marble powder were added into varnishes (water-based and polyurethane varnish) and their effect on surface treatment was evaluated in terms of gloss and oscillatory hardness test. The highest gloss and oscillatory hardness was found in specimens where the marble powder was at a 2.5% level. As the proportion of marble powder in the mixture increased, it had a matting effect. Oscillatory hardness was found to be higher in polyurethane varnish in the radial section. Among the wood species, beech wood exhibited the highest hardness value with polyurethane varnish.

Biomass pellet fuel is one of the alternative renewable energy sources, which has an important place in the fuel market. This article analyses the spontaneous ignition temperature and flash point temperature, which are the most important characteristics for fire risk prediction, especially in the storage. The Norway spruce pellet and experimental pellet with digestate sawdust were tested according to ISO 871: 2010. The novelty of this research is the application of the Setchin Furnace test. The spontaneous ignition temperature for the Norway spruce pellet and the experimental pellet were established as 420 and 450 °C, respectively. The flash point temperature for the Norway spruce pellet was 330 °C and for the experimental pellet 320 °C. The activation energy was higher for the Norway spruce pellet (65.4 KJ.mol^-1) for spontaneous ignition temperature and for the experimental pellet (42.1 KJ.mol^-1) for flash point temperature.

Green synthesis in producing zinc oxide nanoparticles is well known for its ecofriendly nature and acceptable cost. This study determined the effect of pH 6 to 8 on the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using brown algae on oil palm empty fruit bunch pulp (OPEFB) and paper substrates. Ten samples including blank samples were prepared. Brown algae extract was prepared followed by preparation of pulp and paper from commercial OPEFB sheets. The brown algae were set at 3 pH levels, 6 (blank sample), 7 and 8. The PU samples underwent handsheet making based on TAPPI Standard T205, while the PA samples were air-dried prior to testing. All samples were analyzed via FESEM, EDX, and XRD, which confirmed that zinc oxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized on pulp and paper surfaces. It was shown that higher pH levels enhanced the synthesis performance of zinc oxide nanoparticles, and 70 °C was the optimal temperature. The nanoparticles size obtained in this study were 0.27 to 0.54 nm and 0.51 to 1.05 nm for green-synthesized PU and PA samples respectively. Green synthesis was observed to operate better on pulp fiber surfaces rather than paper surfaces.

The production of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has expanded recently in the US. Limited agronomic knowledge and supply chain issues, however, stemming from a long-standing cultivation ban, pose a barrier to continued market expansion of hemp, which leads to the import of most hemp products. This review examines the most recent cultivation methods, fertilizer and nutrient requirements, soil management practices, environmental parameters, and post-harvest processing methods, particularly in the context of environmental benefits such as soil phytoremediation and CO₂ sequestration. Details of the valorization of hemp biomass into sustainable products, such as fibers, papers, packaging, textiles, biocomposites, biofuels, biochar, and bioplastics, along with current limitations and scope for improvements, are explored. Finally, an overall summary of the life cycle and techno-economic analysis aimed at optimizing their environmental performance and economic feasibility are discussed with a focus on intersection with the growing circular economy paradigm.

Synthetic-based furniture varnish (colorless and glossy) was applied in two coats using a brush to the following wood types: lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.), black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold), kotibé (Nesogordonia papaverifera), iroko (Milicia excelsa Welw. C.C. Berg), and loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.). The color parameters [b*, h^o, L*, a*, and C*, ∆a*, ∆L*, ∆C*, ∆H*, ∆b*, and ∆E*] of the varnished and unvarnished surfaces were compared. The analysis of variance results for all color parameters revealed significant effects for wood type, varnish application, and their interaction. When the ∆E* values derived from color formulas were sorted from the lowest to the highest, they were ordered as follows: lemon, black pine, kotibé, loquat, and iroko. After varnish application, decreases in L* values were observed across all wood types, while increases in b* and C* values were detected. In black pine wood, the a* and h^o values increased. Additionally, for iroko, loquat, and kotibé woods, there was an increase in the a* parameter, while h^o values decreased for these wood types. Overall, the varnish application resulted in color changes in the wood materials.

This study explored methods for integrating intangible cultural heritage (ICH) elements into modern furniture design, using Qianci as an example. Through symbolic semantics analysis, the cultural external layers of form, color, craftsmanship, and composition and the cultural internal layers of symbolic meaning, ideology, religious beliefs, and moral ethics of Qianci symbols were interpreted, extracting core design elements suitable for modern furniture design. Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a hierarchical model was established to integrate intangible cultural heritage symbols with furniture design, quantitatively analyzing the importance of key elements in the design process. The results indicate that cultural symbolism, form design, cultural element integration, decorative patterns, cultural heritage value, and environmental friendliness are key indicators in furniture design. Accordingly, two thematic furniture design proposals were developed and evaluated, confirming the innovative potential and application value of Qianci symbols in modern furniture design. This study provides new perspectives and practical examples for the revitalization of intangible cultural heritage elements and the diversification of furniture design.

Expansion of the anode coating layer during lithium-ion battery charging and discharging is of significant concern because it can delaminate or break the coating layer, thus critically affecting battery lifespan and the efficiency, especially in silicon-based electrodes. Therefore, control of expansion and improvement of the mechanical properties of the anode layer are essential. Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) exhibits excellent network-forming and mechanical properties and have been extensively researched in terms of high-value applications. This study aims to enhance the rheological and mechanical properties of conventional anode layers by using TEMPO-oxidized NFC (TNFC) as the binder. Anode coating processability was investigated through rheological properties, and the interaction mechanisms between TNFC and electrode graphite were explored. Performance changes were examined using tensile and peel tests to assess adhesion between the electrode and copper foil. The tensile properties of an anode with TNFC improved dramatically. The use of TNFC alone as binder reduced the electrode abrasion resistance to copper foil, but this can be countered by combining TNFC with a traditional SBR binder. This study thus highlights the potential of TNFC as novel renewable binders for anodes.