Volume 21 Issue 4

Published findings are reviewed related to the recovery and recycling, as well as the biodegradability, of single-use food packaging materials that include waterborne barrier coating layers. Such layers can replace petroleum-based plastics, such as polyethylene, which tend to build up in the environment and contribute to microplastics issues. Barrier layers, of either type, can block the transport of oxygen, water vapor, liquid water, grease, contaminants, and flavors in and out of such packaging systems.  Key concerns include whether such layers can be readily dispersed in water, thereby allowing the packaging material to be used again in subsequent generations of recycled paper products. The process efficiency, including the yield of recovered materials, is also of concern. Because single-use food packaging products, in most regions, are not yet routinely routed to paper recycling, this review also considers findings related to biodegradability and compostability of waterborne barrier layers. Based on the reported findings, there are numerous waterborne formulations that can meet practical needs in terms of biodegradability and repulpability, leading to relatively high yields in paper recycling operations. Chemical components of future waterborne coating formulations need to be considered on a case-by-case basis regarding their contributions to toxicity, compostability, general biodegradability, and circular systems of recovery and reuse.

Bamboo (subfamily Bambusoideae, Poaceae) represents one of the most taxonomically complex and evolutionarily dynamic lineages within grasses due to irregular flowering cycles, extensive morphological plasticity, frequent hybridization, and widespread polyploidy. These characteristics have historically complicated species delimitation and phylogenetic reconstruction. This review synthesizes recent advances in integrative bamboo systematics, emphasizing the roles of phylogenomics, molecular cytogenetics, DNA barcoding, multi-locus sequencing, and computational morphological analytics in resolving bamboo diversity and evolutionary relationships. Genome-wide sequencing approaches have enabled the detection of hybridization events and reticulate evolutionary histories that were previously difficult to resolve using morphology or single-locus markers. These advances have improved phylogenetic resolution, particularly among closely related bamboo taxa. Nevertheless, incongruence between nuclear and plastid datasets, incomplete lineage sorting, and polyploid genome complexity continue to constrain full phylogenetic resolution. Integrative systematic approaches provide an essential framework for improving taxonomic stability, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management within Bambusoideae.

During the production of fuel ethanol, biogas, and organic fertilizer from whole grains, mycotoxins in the feedstock raise complex issues regarding product safely. In fuel ethanol production, processes such as grinding, liquefaction, and fermentation can cause structural transformations or reductions in the levels of certain toxins (such as zearalenone and vomitoxin); however, degradation products may remain in the distillers’ grains protein feed, affecting the safety of the byproduct. During the biogas fermentation stage, anaerobic microbial communities can further degrade some toxins through enzymatic reactions and metabolic processes. The degradation efficiency is significantly influenced by feedstock characteristics, process parameters, and toxin types, and small amounts of toxins or their transformation products may still remain in the digested liquid. In the subsequent organic fertilizer production process, the high-temperature phase of composting helps reduce residual toxins, and the synergistic action of aerobic microorganisms enhances degradation. However, certain mycotoxins may not be completely degraded or may generate unknown metabolites, posing potential ecological and health risks after application to farmland. Elucidating the degradation mechanisms, transformation pathways, and product safety of mycotoxins during multi-stage sequential treatment is important for ensuring pollution control across the entire industrial chain and the safe utilization of resource-recycled products.

The sape is a traditional stringed instrument of the indigenous communities of Borneo that has evolved from its ritual origins into a symbol of cultural identity and contemporary relevance. This review examines more than 25 academic works across ethnomusicology, acoustic and engineering studies, soundboard quality and machine learning, music education, and health-related research. Existing studies address topics ranging from tonal behaviour and material assessment to cultural heritage, pedagogy, and therapeutic applications. While the literature demonstrates growing interdisciplinary interest, significant gaps remain, particularly in indigenous participation, documentation of traditional repertoires, and integration across research domains. This review highlights the need for culturally grounded and community-engaged approaches to support the continued transmission and sustainability of the sape.

Biomass gasification for synthetic natural gas (SNG) production has emerged as a promising pathway for renewable energy utilization and the low-carbon energy transition. This review comprehensively summarizes the key technologies involved in Bio-SNG conversion, focusing on feedstock pretreatment, gasification, syngas conditioning, and methanation. The influences of typical pretreatment methods, including torrefaction and hydrothermal carbonization, on feedstock reactivity and tar formation are critically analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of different gasifier configurations and gasifying agents in regulating syngas quality are compared in detail. The article systematically elaborates the research progress in tar, sulfur, and chlorine impurity removal, water-gas shift (WGS) reaction and H₂ addition through Power-to-Gas (PtG) for H₂/CO ratio adjustment, Ni-based methanation catalysts, and heat-transfer-intensified reactors. Moreover, the inherent limitations and potential improvement strategies of current technologies are discussed, including instability in gasification performance caused by feedstock variability, catalyst deactivation from multiple impurities, coking and sintering during methanation, and thermal management challenges associated with highly exothermic reactions. Finally, Bio-SNG technology is transitioning from individual process optimization toward integrated and synergistic full-process development, which is expected to facilitate the large-scale commercial deployment of this technology.

Dissolving-grade pulp (DGP) is a high-purity cellulose feedstock used in the manufacture of regenerated cellulose fibers and cellulose derivatives. Global DGP production is concentrated in regions with established forest-based industries and relies primarily on virgin lignocellulosic resources, including cotton linters, hardwoods, softwoods, and bamboo. These raw materials are typically processed through acid sulfite or prehydrolysis kraft pulping to achieve alpha-cellulose contents above 90%. Compared with virgin feedstocks, recycled fibers exhibit greater variability in morphology and chemical composition, including shorter fiber lengths, lower cellulose quality, and higher levels of residual lignin, ash, inks, fillers, coatings, and other papermaking additives. Consequently, major waste paper streams, such as old corrugated container (OCC), old newspaper (ONP), old magazine (OMG), sorted office paper (SOP), and mixed paper (MP), present distinct challenges for meeting DGP quality specifications. Producing DGP from these secondary fiber resources requires the application of key pulp and paper processing technologies, including repulping, screening, advanced washing and deinking, delignification and bleaching, selective hemicellulose removal through alkaline and enzyme-assisted treatments, and cellulose reactivity enhancement. This review evaluates the technical feasibility of producing DGP from waste paper and highlights both the challenges and opportunities associated with valorizing recycled fibers as a sustainable source of high-purity cellulose.

Interior wood coatings are routinely viewed at close range and encountered by homeowners and employees, making their appearance, durability, and potential effects on indoor health especially important. Many of the wood surfaces in indoor spaces are protected by clear coats, thereby revealing the wood grain patterns. This article reviews published information about interior wood coatings, with emphasis on appearance, health aspects, and protection of the wood. The stability of the color of indoor wood, especially with unpigmented coatings, can be affected by aging, by ultraviolet light coming through windows, and by unintentional spills. Limited ventilation of some interior environments provides a motivation to decrease reliance on volatile organic components of wood coatings, especially during their application. The literature reveals research progress in topics ranging from color and gloss, to durability, and to the minimization of adverse environmental impacts when coatings are used on wood surfaces that are exposed within houses and commercial buildings.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing technical education and manufacturing, but the implications for wood science education as well as its impact on the Malaysian wood products industry remain insufficiently mapped. This scoping review synthesized evidence from 31 peer-reviewed articles, government documents, and industry reports using the PRISMA approach, to examine three linked issues: the application of AI and Industry 4.0 technologies in wood-related production; the resulting changes in workforce competencies; and the implications for wood science and technology education in Malaysia. The review which assumed a policy-oriented theme indicated a persistent mismatch between the digital capabilities expected in technology-enabled wood manufacturing and the competencies represented in current education and training provision. At the same time, the evidence does not support an assumption that AI adoption is uniformly beneficial: implementation is constrained by SME resources, data quality, cybersecurity, workforce readiness, and the intrinsic variability of wood as a biological material. The review therefore recommends evidence-informed curriculum renewal, stronger industry-academia collaboration, targeted reskilling, and policy coordination, while emphasizing that these recommendations should be validated through stakeholder engagement and future empirical research.

A comprehensive review of the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the characterization of lignocellulosic biomass, a promising feedstock for chemical and fuel production, is presented. The diverse array of lignocellulosic materials, both naturally occurring and chemically or mechanically processed, and the various NMR techniques employed to elucidate their structural and chemical properties are explored. The review delves into the theoretical foundations of NMR and extends to detailed discussions on its use in analyzing whole biomass structures, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, lignin-carbohydrate complexes, and biomass derivatives such as platform chemicals, pyrolysis products, and digested substances. Additionally, it covers the application of NMR in monitoring reaction rates and studying biomass transformation processes in situ. Finally, the workflow of an NMR experiment and a model experiment of an unknown biomass sample are detailed to aid biomass researchers. This work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of NMR research in biomass characterization and to inspire innovative approaches to address the complex chemical and structural challenges in this vital field of research.