Volume 20 Issue 3

China’s abundant low-rank coal faces challenges in utilization due to high moisture content and low calorific value. Microbial biodegradation has emerged as a promising method to improve coal quality. This study investigates the coal-degrading capabilities of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain, designated as strain N7 in this study. Experimental results demonstrated that strain N7 significantly degraded lignite. On Luria-Bertani solid medium, the strain formed clear coal solubilization zones, indicating its biodegradation potential. Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy revealed humic-like substances, suggesting humic acid formation through oxidative depolymerization. Enzyme assays identified lignin peroxidase (LiP) and lipase as key contributors, with LiP showing particularly high activity. Scanning electron microscopy showed dense bacterial colonization on coal surfaces, implying efficient biodegradation through direct interaction. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated an increase in free hydroxyl groups in degraded coal, supporting structural breakdown. Degradation products analysis revealed 32% phenolic compounds and 55% long-chain alkanes, providing chemical evidence of lignite decomposition. These results highlight strain N7 as an effective microorganism for lignite biodegradation, offering insights for optimizing microbial coal bioconversion.

Butterfly pea flower (BPF) powder, which is rich in bioactive compounds, was evaluated for the impact of various drying methods on its solubility, physical properties, and chemical composition. Four drying methods were used: thermal drying at 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, and natural sun drying. The powders were assessed for solubility time, hygroscopicity, density, flowability, and chemical stability using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Solubility times ranged from 148 to 162 s, with no significant differences. The 70 °C dried sample (Sample C) had the fastest dissolution rate and highest hygroscopicity. Total phenolic and anthocyanin contents increased with temperature, peaking in sun-dried samples (Sample D). Density measurements showed Sample C had the highest bulk density and optimal flowability, while Sample D had superior water holding capacity. The SEM analysis revealed morphological differences, with Sample A showing a smooth surface and Sample C exhibiting significant particle disintegration. The XRD analysis showed that Sample C had the highest crystallinity. The FTIR analysis confirmed the stability of key functional groups, with sun-dried samples retaining phenolic compounds. These findings suggest drying methods can optimize BPF powder’s properties, enhancing its bioactivity for health applications.

The world’s population has exceeded eight billion, which will necessitate a tripling of food production in the next three decades to meet basic human needs. The world is now on the verge of a new “Green Revolution”. New agrobioorganic technology represents one of the ways to address famine and malnutrition by enabling sustainable food production. Additionally, it is a means of increasing both the quantity and quality of agricultural products while reducing the negative environmental impact of chemicalization, leading to significant economic, ecological, and social benefits. The elements evaluated in the study are also heavy metals and are harmful to human health. This study investigated the impact of the biostimulant “bioragi” (produced in Georgia) on sugar beet plants. The accumulation of trace metals in plant organs was studied dynamically. Observations were made on the growth, development, and sucrose content of sugar beet mass. The trace metals studied included Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pt, Au, Pb, and Th. Results indicate that the biostimulant bioragi reduced the absorption of trace metals by at least 18% compared to the control plants. Additionally, the mass and sucrose contents of sugar beet plants treated with bioragi increased compared to the control plants.

Biomass is widely distributed, inexpensive, and easily obtainable. As a transportable and storable organic carbon source, biomass has significant advantages in terms of sustainability, environmental friendliness, resource richness, and versatility. The utilization of biomass resources instead of traditional non-renewable energy is advantageous for addressing issues related to energy, the environment, and product diversity. The conversion of biomass into energy chemicals serves as an effective complement to current energy products. In addition to their role as a protective agent, lubricants play a crucial role in machinery operation. This paper provides a comprehensive review of various plant-based lubricant-based oil synthesis technologies with promising applications, such as olefin metathesis, cross-lactone, plant sugar fermentation, and C-C coupling. It also covers modification techniques including additive, chemical, and biological modifications. Technical process of each synthesis and modification method is summarized, as well as the physical and chemical properties of the obtained lubricating oil products. This technology also overcomes limitations of traditional vegetable oil modification methods. A thorough analysis is provided on the performance and process economics of plant-based lubricant base oil synthesis technology to guide industrial development in this area. Additionally, it includes an analysis of future trends in plant-based lubricant synthesis technology.

Green husk is a byproduct of the walnut (Juglans regia L.) and could be a potential source of phytochemicals with important bioactivities. The extracts of J. regia L. green husk collected from the Tuyserkan region of Hamedan province were evaluated for their phytochemical profile and antioxidant activities. The chemical composition of crude extracts was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). LC-MS analysis of green husk aqueous methanolic extract detected several compounds including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and hydrolyzable tannins. GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extracts revealed the presence of 1,2-dimethylbenzene (3.4%), methyl 14-methylpentadecanoate (2.82%), and methyl stearate (2.7%) as major compounds. The major components identified in the GC-MS analysis of non-polar hexane extract were (23S)-ethylcholest-5-en-3-β-ol (32.2%), δ-tocopherol (16.8%), lupeol (11.8%), and octadecane (5.7%). The antioxidant activity of the crude extracts was evaluated by DPPH assay, which showed aqueous methanol extract to be a more effective antioxidant agent (22.7%) compared to the hexane extract (14%) at the concentration of 1000 ppm. The findings suggest that methanolic extracts of walnut green husks from the Tuyserkan region are rich in bioactive compounds and exhibit more potent antioxidant activity than hexane extracts, demonstrating their potential use in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Wood color is an important factor influencing the aesthetic and commercial value of timber products. This study aimed to clarify the natural color variation in Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) wood and its relation to anatomical structure and environmental conditions. Samples were collected from two regions in Türkiye (Kaş and Senirkent), differing in elevation and climate. Stem sections from four trees per region were analyzed by separating the pith, heartwood, and sapwood. Color properties were measured using a spectrophotometer in the CIE L*a*b* color space, resulting in 2670 data points. The results showed that sapwood exhibited the highest lightness values (L*), with averages of 65.3 in Kaş and 65.8 in Senirkent, while pith displayed the lowest lightness (59.4 in Kaş, 61.6 in Senirkent). Total color differences (ΔE) between anatomical parts frequently exceeded the perceptible threshold (ΔE > 3), reaching up to 16.7 in the pith and 14.9 in the heartwood of some samples. Moreover, Kaş samples generally exhibited greater color variability than Senirkent, with average ΔE values of 13.4 (pith), 12.6 (heartwood), and 7.0 (sapwood), compared to 9.43, 10.57, and 6.14 in Senirkent, respectively. These findings highlight the combined influence of anatomical and environmental factors on wood color and provide insights for selecting timber for aesthetic purposes and enhancing visual quality in forest management.

Lignocellulosic biomass such as pine wood offers a renewable alternative to fossil resources but remains challenging to convert due to its recalcitrant structure. Efficient pretreatment is essential to overcome this limitation and enable enzymatic hydrolysis. This study aimed to enhance enzymatic saccharification of pine wood chips through a two-step pretreatment combining steam explosion and urea treatment. Pine wood chips were first subjected to steam explosion to degrade hemicellulose and modify lignin structure, followed by ambient-temperature urea treatment (0.5 to 2%) to disrupt hydrogen bonding and increase porosity. Comprehensive chemical, structural, and morphological analyses were conducted, including BET surface area measurements and SEM imaging. The integrated pretreatment significantly improved enzymatic digestibility, with a maximum hydrolysis yield of 82% achieved at 1% urea concentration. Key factors contributing to this enhancement included increased surface area, reduced lignin–enzyme interactions, and improved cellulose accessibility. The combined treatment outperformed either method alone in terms of glucose release. These findings demonstrate the potential of a steam explosion–urea strategy as a cost-effective and scalable approach for pine wood bioconversion within an integrated biorefinery framework.

Effects of different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were studied relative to the rooting success, morphological development, and biomass characteristics of hardwood cuttings of Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Poiret) Spach collected from Düzce, Türkiye. Using a factorial design involving two cutting thickness classes and six IBA concentrations, the rooting percentage, number of roots per rooted cutting, shoot length, shoot diameter, number of shoots, fresh and dry shoot weight, and fresh and dry root weights were analyzed. The interaction between IBA concentration and cutting thickness played an important role in the vegetative propagation of Pterocarya fraxinifolia cuttings, especially in terms of rooting success, morphological characteristics, and biomass development.  In particular, 1000 ppm and 2000 ppm IBA treatments yielded the most balanced and effective results in terms of rooting, shoot and root development, and biomass production. Although the 8000-ppm dose increased shoot biomass, it suppressed root development, indicating a potential phytotoxic effect at high concentrations. Principal component analysis also supported these findings and showed that 1000 ppm and 2000 ppm IBA doses provided homogeneous and healthy development. The results obtained emphasize that the optimal IBA dose should be carefully selected for the sustainable vegetative propagation; especially applications in the range of 1000 to 2000 ppm can provide important contributions to the propagation and conservation of the species.

The office furniture industry plays a pivotal role in shaping modern work environments, reflecting broader trends in industrial development and the diffusion of innovation. However, it faces significant imbalances globally – particularly in developing countries – such as fragmented competition, limited intelligent manufacturing capabilities, and weak brand recognition. Taking China as a representative case, this study employed a mixed-methods approach combining bibliometric analysis, industry interviews, and SWOT analysis to explore the current status, key challenges, and future directions of the office furniture sector. The results show that while China has become a global manufacturing hub with mature supply chains and cost advantages, it still lags in brand influence, design innovation, and environmental sustainability. The evolving demands for ergonomic, modular, and smart furniture—driven by the rise of remote work and flexible spaces—present new opportunities for transformation. This study proposes development strategies for emerging markets focused on technological adoption, green manufacturing, and digital sales models. Findings offer valuable insights not only for the restructuring of China’s office furniture sector but also for guiding industrial upgrading in other developing economies.

Gum arabic (GA), a natural plant-derived polysaccharide renowned for its adhesive properties, is widely utilized across various industries, particularly in papermaking. This study systematically investigated the retention and drainage performance of pulp when treated with cationic guar gum (CGG) and GA individually and further explored the development of a biomass-based dual-polymer retention and drainage aid system. The CGG-GA system outperformed single-component additives by initially forming larger flocs with CGG, which were subsequently stabilized by GA, leading to enhanced retention and drainage efficiency. Additionally, the dual-polymer system reduces the cationic demand of white water, highlighting a synergistic interaction between CGG and GA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a more uniform floc distribution in the dual-polymer system, while physical property tests confirm improved tensile strength in handsheets. This study presents a sustainable and effective alternative to conventional retention and drainage aids, offering both environmental benefits and enhanced paper quality.