Volume 20 Issue 4

Agricultural waste is a growing global concern, with about 30% of food that is currently wasted in Brazil. Melon (Cucumis melo), which is widely cultivated in semi-arid regions, generates significant residues, including seeds, peels, and pulp, that are often discarded improperly, causing environmental impacts. These by-products have a rich lignocellulosic composition, making them promising raw materials for biofuels, bioplastics, and other valuable renewable compounds. Importantly, their use does not compete with the food supply, aligning with circular economic principles. This study evaluated the potential of seeds from five melon varieties as lignocellulosic biomass. The seeds underwent pretreatment by drying under controlled conditions and grinding to produce a homogeneous powder for analysis. Moisture, ash, and lignocellulosic components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) were assessed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test to identify significant differences among varieties. The caipira and cantaloupe varieties exhibited notably high holocellulose and lignin contents. Elevated holocellulose levels enhance the structural integrity of sustainable materials, while lignin contributes antimicrobial properties and serves as a precursor for high-value compounds such as resins, antioxidants, and bio-based polymers.

Camellia oleifera shell was pyrolysed at 300 to 750 °C to investigate biochar and bio-oil yields under different conditions, and the relationships between pyrolysis temperature and the product yields were established. The thermal decomposition behavior, biochar characteristics, and bio-oil composition were analyzed. The fixed carbon content of C. oleifera shell reached 22.2%, exceeding common biomass materials. Biochar yield decreased from 57.9% to 31.7% as temperature increased from 300 °C to 750 °C, while bio-oil yield increased from 14.4% to 37.1%. The established temperature-dependent yield models demonstrated excellent predictive capability (R²=0.99). Final carbonization levels under heating rates of 5, 10, and 15 °C/min were 35.4%, 29.4%, and 27.2%, respectively. Biochar pore volume increased with pyrolysis temperature, while specific surface area and average pore diameter exhibited an initial rise followed by decline. Specific surface area increased as temperature rose, with predominant pore diameters distributed between 10 and 30 nm. Bio-oil composition analysis revealed acids as predominant components (40.9% to 49.9%), followed by phenols (20.2% to 27.3%), aldehydes (9.2% to 10.2%), ketones (8.4% to 11.8%), esters (3.4% to 3.6%), and alcohols (0.41% to 1.07%). This study provides guidance for optimizing pyrolysis conditions to obtain target products.

Natural borneol, a valuable monoterpenoid, is primarily derived from Cinnamomum camphora chvar. borneol. This unique Chinese tree was studied using the high-borneol cultivar ‘Ganlong 2’ and common camphor trees as material. Multi-location trials over three years confirmed that ‘Ganlong 2’ stably exhibits high borneol content, high essential oil yield, and low camphor content, presenting an ideal system for biosynthesis research. Transcriptomic analysis identified key differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and KEGG enrichment outlined the (+)-borneol biosynthesis pathway. Critical genes, including CcBPPS, CcNUDX1, and CcDXS1, were highlighted, with the MEP pathway confirmed as the primary biosynthetic route. These findings advance the understanding of monoterpenoid biosynthesis regulation and provide a theoretical and genetic basis for improving natural borneol production via synthetic biology and breeding high-quality varieties.

The growing demand for sustainable materials is driving interest in cellulose fibres as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional insulation and cushioning materials, including expanded polystyrene (EPS), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and mineral wool, which pose environmental challenges. Foam forming has been extensively studied as a method for producing lightweight structures from cellulose fibres, but air-laying—a common nonwoven method—has been less explored. This study examines how wood fibre type and fibrillation level affect the structure, insulation, and strength of foam-formed and air-laid materials. A novel binding method is introduced for air-laying, involving post-laying water spraying to enhance bonding. Foam-formed materials had an average pore size of 300 to 600 μm with a wide distribution, including millimetre-scale pores; while air-laid materials had a smaller, more uniform pore size of 100 to 150 μm. Mechanical refining increased the pore size in foam-forming. Thermal conductivity decreased with decreasing fibre length, pore size, and increasing tortuosity of the fibre phase. The highest compression stress was achieved with refined chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), and the best recovery with unrefined bleached softwood kraft  pulp (BSKP) and mixtures of acacia and BSKP. The findings suggest that mixing short hardwood fibres with longer softwood fibres in foam-forming could enhance performance in thermal insulation applications.

The 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.

As an important component of public spaces, urban furniture meets the daily needs and cultural expressions of residents. It also significantly influences the aesthetic and practical value of urban environments. The research used an integrated approach of affinity diagram method (KJ method), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to conduct a systematic qualitative and quantitative analysis of urban seating design, assessing the importance of function, form, materials and regional features. By analyzing the integration of urban furniture design with regional features, this paper offers a multidimensional perspective for modern design. Based on the survey results, integration of regional cultural symbols and recreating historical scenes are key requirements that guided the parametric design of Harbin Westred Square’s seating furniture. It highlights the importance and potential of parametric design in innovating urban furniture and conveying the spirit of urban culture.

The impact of UV-C radiation (25.0 mJ/cm², 253 nm) on grape seed oil was studied relative to varying exposure times (0, 30, and 60 min) to assess structural and biological changes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis identified major chemical constituents such as n-hexadecenoic acid, oleic acid, and 2,6-bis(3,4-methylene dioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxa bicyclo (3.3.0) octane, with trace amounts of other compounds that notably increasing after 60 min of exposure. Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans increased progressively with exposure time, with the 60-min treated oil showing the strongest inhibitory zones, comparable to standard drugs. However, no significant effects were observed against Penicillium glabrum and only weak inhibition toward Salmonella typhi (10±0.4 mm). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were markedly reduced after UV-C treatment, highlighting enhanced antimicrobial potency. Furthermore, applying 75% of the MIC from 60-min treated oil markedly elevated its anti-hemolytic activity. Extended UV-C exposure also enhanced anti-inflammatory and anti-Alzheimer effects, suggesting improved therapeutic potential. Overall, results indicated that controlled UV-C irradiation substantially modifies the chemical profile and boosts the biological activities of grape seed oil. Further investigation is required to optimize exposure duration and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

A comprehensive, system-level evaluation was carried out for a liquid microbial compost accelerator—inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis—on straw composting and subsequent rice production. Composting experiments demonstrated that the accelerator significantly enhanced the process by achieving a peak temperature of 63 °C and sustaining a thermophilic phase (>55 °C), which accelerated straw decomposition, as evidenced by a rapid color transition to dark black within 30 days, a reduction in shear force to 35.6% of the initial value, and an increase in the weight loss rate to 13.6% at 60 days. Field trials confirmed the agricultural benefits: the accelerator safely promoted straw degradation in situ, with extents reaching up to 61.5%, and significantly increased rice yield by up to 4.4% in a dose-dependent manner. These findings distinguish themselves by establishing a complete causal pathway from microbial inoculation through efficient composting to tangible field outcomes, thereby offering a validated technological solution for enhancing straw resource utilization and promoting sustainable agricultural productivity.

A total of five pectin-rich banana peels, including those of two Musa paradisiaca cultivars (nendran and kadali) and three Musa acuminata varieties (matti, palayankodan, and robusta), were used for pectinase production by Aspergillus flavus via solid-state fermentation (SSF). Comparative analysis revealed highest pectin content in the palayankodan peel (18.09 ± 0.29%). The palayankodan peel variety presented 135 ± 2.2 U/gds pectinase activity in SSF using A. flavus, whereas robusta peels presented 108 ± 1.9 U/gds pectinase activity in SSF. A one-factor-at-a-time experiment was performed, and the variables moisture, pH, and fermentation period affected enzyme production. A central composite design was used to optimize pectinase production in SSF via three prominent variables (moisture content, pH, and fermentation period). The experimental result was statistically significant (p<0.01), and twofold enzyme production was achieved. The crude pectinase was extracted from the fermented medium and used as a clarifying agent. The pectinase-treated orange juice presented a decreased turbidity compared to the untreated control. The amount of total sugar and total suspended solids was reduced, whereas the total pH increased. Therefore, the A. flavus strain can be utilized for large-scale production of pectinase, which could meet the growing industry demands.

Iron oxide (FeONP) and copper oxide (CuONP) nanoparticles were synthesized using the leaf extract of Conocarpus lancifolius. Their activity against two phytopathogenic fungi, Alternaria solani and Fusarium solani, was investigated. The colonies’ diameter and morphological changes in the fungal hyphae and conidia treated with nanoparticles were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CuONPs showed oval particles with a wide particle size distribution of ~57 nm in length and ~28 nm in width. FeONPs showed elliptical disks with a wider particle size distribution of 32 to 39 nm in length and 5 to 14 nm in width. Both types of nanoparticles exhibited significant antifungal activity against A. solani and F. solani. CuONPs inhibited A. solani growth by 88.9% to 91.1% in terms of the fungal colony diameter after 12 days of incubation. They completely inhibited the growth of F. solani. In contrast, FeONPs reduced the growth of A. solani from 68.9% to 73.3%. The SEM images suggest that CuONPs and FeONPs damaged and distorted the fungus structure, consequently limiting and inhibiting fungal growth. Therefore, the green synthesized nanoparticles could be used as antifungal candidates to protect plants against phytopathogenic fungi.