Volume 21 Issue 3

This study presents an integrated method combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) to distinguish genuine and artificial wood grains. The approach is based on acquiring nine-dimensional gloss data measured under varying angles and texture orientations, along with two surface roughness parameters: the arithmetic mean height (S_a) and maximum peak height (S_z). The dataset was divided into training and testing sets with a ratio of 7:3 after standardized. PCA was applied to the training set to extract the top k principal components. Then, these components served as input features for training an SVM classifier, whose discriminative performance was evaluated on the test set. Experimental results indicated that the proposed method achieved an accuracy of 96.76%, an F1-score of 0.9761, and a Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.9285, substantially outperforming comparative models including standalone SVM, Logistic Regression (LR), Partial Least Squares (PLS), and Principal Component Regression (PCR). The method demonstrated high efficiency and robustness in distinguishing wood grain types, suggesting strong potential in practical engineering applications such as quality control and material authentication.

This work examines the uptake of Eosin Yellow (EY), an anionic dye, from aqueous solution using native maize (Zea mays) husk (MH) as a biosorbent. The biomass was characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing a mesoporous structure and the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and aromatic functional groups. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to assess the effects of contact time, pH, initial dye concentration, and adsorbent dosage. Maximum removal efficiency of 90.3% was attained at 1.5 g adsorbent dosage, pH 2, and 60-min contact time. The Langmuir isotherm best described the equilibrium data (R² = 0.957), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 44.5 mg g⁻¹. Kinetic data were adequately described by multiple empirical models, suggesting complex uptake behavior; however, no single rate-controlling mechanism was definitively established. Information from thermodynamic constants (ΔG° < 0, ΔH° = 21.0 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS° = 9.25 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) signify that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, with features consistent with physisorption. Regeneration investigations revealed that the adsorbent retained appreciable performance over multiple cycles. These results revealed that maize husk is a promising biosorbent for dye removal under controlled laboratory conditions, although further studies are required to assess its performance in complex wastewater systems and at larger scales.

Seaweeds are natural resources with antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The major objective of this study was to detect the antibacterial and antioxidant potential and bactericidal activity of chicken fillets during storage. The ethanol extract of Gracilaria gracilis had the maximum antibacterial activity, with zones of inhibition of 19 ± 2 mm and18 ± 2 mm against Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 and Salmonella enterica ATCC 13311, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the G. gracilis extract ranged from 25 ± 1.25 to 75 ± 5 µg/mL, and this extract was effective against B. cereus. The polyphenol and flavonoid contents were greatest (0.29 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g DW and 37.2 ± 1.8 mg QE/g, respectively) in the G. gracilis extract. G. gracilis extract exhibited a maximum DPPH scavenging potential of 58.4 ± 2.4% inhibition. The chicken fillets were experimentally inoculated with S. enterica and B. cereus and treated with equal proportions of all three seaweeds (G. gracilis, G. latifolium, and H. dilatata extracts) at various concentrations (0 to 8%). The findings revealed that seaweed extracts had antibactericidal effects on chicken fillets stored at 4 °C, reduced the growth of S. enterica and B. cereus, and improved the sensory properties of chicken fillets.

Woody plants represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds for medicine. In this study, Carpinus cordata wood was extracted with different solvents. The extracts were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), and thermal desorption – gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). The results revealed a diverse array of compounds, including aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters. These chemical constituents demonstrate significant potential as feedstocks for bio-oils and novel biomaterials in industrial and agricultural sectors. Furthermore, specific bioactive molecules with potential anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-HIV properties were identified, underlining their promise for pharmaceutical and biomedical agents. Live/dead staining results of ethanol extracts of C. cordata wood exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K-562, indicating the presence of potent anti-cancer constituents. Overall, the multifaceted potential of C. cordata wood was shown to be a source of both bioactive extracts for medicine and valuable chemicals through thermochemical conversion.

This study aimed to establish quantitative relationships between the average uncut chip thickness and the colour change of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) during face milling. A comprehensive analysis of colour change was conducted based on measurements of chromaticity parameters, lightness, total colour difference, and hue angle variation. It was concluded that the average uncut chip thickness was a key factor in determining the surface’s visual quality. It was found that an increase in average uncut chip thickness (0.13 to 0.38 mm) correlated with a decrease in total colour difference and an increase in lightness, bringing the machined surface’s colour closer to the original wood. This effect was attributed to the minimisation of local thermal effects through optimizing the cutting process. This avoids thermally sensitive chemical reactions that cause colour changes. Results from various statistical analyses showed significant differences in total colour differences across average uncut chip thicknesses of 0.13, 0.25, and 0.38 mm.

Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) were effectively produced through a green synthesis utilizing Morus alba leaf extract as stabilizing and capping agent. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical techniques. The successful formation of NiO NPs showed a distinct absorbance peak at 338 nm, while other results suggested the role of plant-derived compounds in stabilizing the nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy displayed mainly spherical particles with an average diameter of 35.4 nm, whereas SEM-EDX confirmed their structural features and elemental compositions. The biological activities of the prepared NiO NPs were comprehensively investigated. The anticancer potential exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against PC-3 prostate cancer cells and WI-38 normal cells, with greater selectivity toward cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 238 µg/mL for PC-3 and 402 µg/mL for WI-38). The lipase inhibition test indicated a moderate inhibitory effect of NiO NPs in comparison with Orlistat. In addition, the antidiabetic activity was assessed and the nanoparticles showed moderate inhibitory effects relative to acarbose. Moreover, the assays of antioxidant activity demonstrated a dose-dependent radical scavenging ability, although lower than that of ascorbic acid. Overall, these findings suggest that Morus alba-derived NiO NPs hold promise for biomedical applications; however, further optimization studies are still necessary to enhance their efficacy.

Heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils poses persistent risks to crop safety and food-chain exposure. Although biochar is widely proposed—and increasingly applied—as a remediation amendment, field performance remains highly variable across soil constraints, metal speciation, and biochar designs. This review addresses this uncertainty by translating immobilization pathways (sorption/ complexation, precipitation, and redox-mediated stabilization) into a decision-oriented “mechanism–lever–endpoint” framework, thus linking mechanistic hypotheses to controllable engineering strategies such as feedstock selection, pyrolysis windows, and mineral/composite design. Beyond established plant–microbe interactions, there is a critical assessment of under-synthesized biochar–soil fauna pathways, with a focus on earthworms, and a reconciliation of conflicting evidence by highlighting boundary conditions that shift biological responses. Agronomic trade-offs and environmental risks are considered, associated with biochar production and application, emphasizing failure modes relevant to long-term soil health and remediation reliability. To support decision-grade deployment under heterogeneous evidence, a bias-aware AI-assisted workflow is outlined, which stresses standardized reporting, interpretability, and leakage-safe validation. Overall, the review integrates engineering options with biological synergies into a practical roadmap for more predictable and site-specific remediation in agricultural soils.

Heavy metal accumulation in food produced in polluted areas can reach high levels, posing a health risk. In this study, the variation in Sb, Se, and Tl concentrations was determined on a species and organ basis in tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and corn grown near an industrial area in Düzce, one of Europe’s most polluted cities. The concentrations of these elements in the soil were also determined, and the bioconcentration factor and translocation factor in the organs of the plants were calculated, thus attempting to determine the risks in terms of food safety. The study found that the concentrations of these elements in the soil were quite high, while their translocation and accumulation in the above-ground parts of plants, especially fruit organs, were at lower levels compared to other organs. Nevertheless, their concentrations in fruit organs were still quite high. In many countries, limit values for Sb, Se, and Tl in vegetables have not been established. This is considered a major deficiency. However, the values obtained in this study are well above the limit values permitted by countries such as China and Italy. This poses a significant risk to human health.

Biocomposites are environmentally friendly and biodegradable materials produced from renewable resources or agricultural residue. In this study, biocomposite boards were produced using tea fiber residue and hazelnut shell. These boards were designed to degrade naturally and mix into the soil within 2 years, depending on climatic conditions, without causing environmental pollution. Test sheets were produced from the raw materials using urea-formaldehyde glue as a binder, and diammonium phosphate fertilizer was used to regulate the decomposition time and nutrient contribution. A total of 32 groups of boards were produced with different raw material ratios. The boards were 6 and 10 mm thick, and bending and tensile strength tests were performed to determine their mechanical performance. The highest bending strength was measured at 3.96 N/mm² in the 10 mm thick board containing 89% tea fiber residue, 5% diammonium phosphate, and 6% adhesive. The lowest bending strength was obtained in the board containing 41% walnut shell, 41% tea fiber residue, 15% phosphate, and 3% glue, with a value of 0.58 N/mm². In tensile tests, the highest value obtained was 0.48 N/mm² in a board containing 84% tea fiber residue, 10% phosphate, and 6% adhesive; while the lowest value was 0.06 N/mm² in a board containing 44.5% walnut shell, 44.5% tea fiber, 5% diammonium phosphate, and 10% adhesive.

The volatile profiles of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) cultivated on logs of Liquidambar formosana, Cinnamomum burmannii, Quercus glauca, and Q. variabilis were analyzed using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Distinct headspace volatile compositions were observed among log species and HS-SPME extraction temperatures. For fresh mushrooms analyzed at 25 °C, samples grown on L. formosana and Q. variabilis contained abundant linalool, whereas those cultivated on C. burmannii and Q. glauca were dominated by C8 alcohols such as 3-octanol. When fresh mushrooms were analyzed at 100 °C, the profiles shifted toward long-chain fatty acids, including n-hexadecanoic acid and linoleic acid. Dried mushrooms were analyzed only under 100 °C HS-SPME condition and exhibited similar patterns across all log species, with linoleic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid as the predominant components. These findings suggest that log species and HS-SPME extraction temperature are associated with distinct headspace volatile profiles, possibly through differences in substrate-derived chemical environments, temperature-dependent volatilization, and compound transformation, thereby shaping the potential aroma characteristics of log-cultivated shiitake mushrooms.