Chinese Medicine Residues Research Articles

Hydrothermal carbonization of woody waste: Changes in the physicochemical properties and the structural evolution mechanisms of hydrochar during this process

The Chinese medicine residue (CMR) is composed of wet woody waste, including licorice and ephedra, so using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to recover renewable energy from the CMR is a suitable treatment method. An in-depth analysis of the physicochemical properties and structural evolution mechanism of hydrochars is helpful in fundamentally promoting the energy utilization of traditional Chinese medicine waste residue. Therefore, this study analyzed the physicochemical properties and morphological structure of hydrochar produced under varying HTC conditions using multiple testing methods. The evolution of the hydrochar's structural characteristics can be categorized into three stages: component decomposition, structural rearrangement, and carbonization. During the component decomposition and carbonization stages, numerous nanoscale micropores form within the hydrochar. These micropores' specific surface area and pore volume can reach up to 113.420 m2/g and 0.01913 cm3/g, respectively. The highest fractal dimension values for D1 and D2 are 2.6354 and 2.5565, while the maximum values for the microcrystalline stacking height (Lc) and the average number of crystalline layers (Nave) are 0.3354 and 1.9968, respectively. Consequently, the hydrochar produced during these stages exhibits a rougher pore surface and a more complex structure, making it more suitable for adsorbing heavy metals from soil and sequestering CO2. During the structural rearrangement stage, the hydrochar exhibits higher contents of fixed carbon (FC), MgO, P2O5, and a higher C/N atomic ratio, with maximum values of 38.51%, 0.99%, 1.12%, and 28.49, respectively. Thus, the hydrochar produced during this stage is more suitable for soil remediation and nutrient recovery.

Mesoporous activated carbon derived from Chinese herbal medicine residues for hemoperfusion removal of uremia toxins from progressive chronic kidney diseases patients

Hemoperfusion is one of the most important therapies for progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is effective at removing toxins from the blood. Increasing the efficiency of adsorbents applied in hemoperfusion is crucial. In the present study, shell of areca nut, one of the most common waste Chinese herb medicine residue with a porous structure was carbonized and activated at different temperatures to obtain two kinds of porous materials. The biocompatibility of the as-prepared porous materials was estimated via a hemolytic test, and the removal efficiency of the materials toward toxins was tested via an adsorption experiment in solution and blood samples from CKD patients, simulated hemoperfusion and in vivo hemoperfusion. After 4 h of adsorption, free and protein-bound toxins in solution were efficiently removed by the prepared porous materials, and the removal efficiency was better than that of commonly used hemoperfutor adsorbents. Most of the tested toxins can be removed from CKD blood samples and simulated hemoperfusion samples. Blood uremic toxins from CKD mice were also efficiently and safely removed after in vivo hemoperfusion using the as-prepared adsorbent. This work highlights promising adsorbents for hemoperfusion that could increase the therapeutic efficacy in patients with progressive CKD.

Dietary Isatidis Root Residue Improves Diarrhea and Intestinal Function in Weaned Piglets.

Weaning stress can trigger diarrhea, cause intestinal damage, and disrupt the intestinal flora of piglets, ultimately resulting in retarded growth or even the death of the animals. Traditional Chinese medicine residues encompass numerous bioactive compounds and essential nutrients; however, their efficient utilization remains a challenge. Consequently, our study sought to explore the impact of traditional Chinese medicine residues, specifically Isatidis Root residue (IRR), on the growth performance, intestinal function, and occurrence of weaning diarrhea in newly weaned piglets. Forty healthy, castrated Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire males, weaned at 21 days old and exhibiting similar body conditions, were randomly allocated into five groups, with eight piglets in each group. The results indicated that the dietary inclusion of IRR at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 4.0% notably decreased the incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Serum LDL-C and globulin (GLB) contents were reduced in response to dietary IRR concentrations (0.5% to 4.0%), while serum albumin (ALB) and albumin/globulin (A/G) contents were enhanced (p < 0.05). Dietary 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% IRR resulted in significant increases in villus height (VH) and villus height/crypt depth (V/C) ratios in the jejunum, V/C ratios in the ileum, and the number of villi goblet cells both in the jejunum and ileum. IRR also led to a significant decrease in the crypt depth (CD) of the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of IL-6 in the jejunum was significantly increased in IRR-fed piglets (0.5% to 4.0%) (p < 0.05). IRR demonstrated inhibitory effects on harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal microbiome, including Campylobacter, Actinobacillus minor, and Ralstonia pickettii, indicating its broad-spectrum bacteriostatic properties. In conclusion, dietary IRR alleviated diarrhea in weaned piglets and improved gut function and microbial compositions.

Hydrothermal carbonization of Chinese medicine residue from licorice: Effects of pore and chemical structures on chromium migration

The Chinese medicine residue (CMR) is composed of wet substances, so using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to recover renewable energy from the residue is a suitable treatment method. Chromium (Cr), a kind of heavy metal element, is enriched in hydrochar and severely restricts its effective utilization. An in-depth analysis of the migration path and mechanism of Cr in hydrochar is helpful in promoting energy utilization for CMR. Here, licorice, a significant Chinese medicine, was selected as the example to analyze the evolutions of its pore and chemical structures and their effects on the migration mechanism of Cr during the HTC process. The products obtained under various HTC conditions were analyzed using nitrogen adsorption, FTIR, and 13C NMR. The results show that, considering reaction time and relevant reactions as the primary factors during the HTC process, the migration pathway of Cr in hydrochar undergoes two stages, and they are the accompanying migration stage and the recovery aggregation stage. Active adsorption sites for Cr may exist within the pore structure of hydrochar. In the HTC process, hydrolysis, decarboxylation, and decarbonylation reactions are the direct drivers of Cr migration, while aromatization is the underlying cause of Cr recovery and aggregation. It is hypothesized that Cr catalyzes the acetylene cyclotrimerization reaction, thereby promoting the formation of aromatic structures in hydrochar and integrating into the hydrochar carbon skeleton.

Parametric studies on energy utilization of the Chinese medicine residues: Preparation and properties of densified pellet

The depletion of fossil fuels has fueled an increased interest in biomass resources usage for heat and electricity generation. As an important biomass resource, Chinese medicine residues have great potential in substituting fossil fuels. However, that is basically limited by its poor properties, including low bulk density, high moisture content, and inhomogeneous structure. Herein, a safe and sustainable strategy was reported to prepare a high-quality densified pellet derived from Chinese medicine residues to address these worries. In this process, mixed and simple size materials were densified under various moisture content and pressure using a laboratory electronic tablet press machine equipped a single pellet mold. Results showed that higher pressure, ideal moisture content (∼6.5 %), and mixed particle size could densify better quality pellets. These findings pave the way for the safely and efficient resource utilization of Chinese medicine residues, as well as providing theoretical guidance and technical support for the household heating.

Inhibition of porcine origin Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide and immune escape by BY3 compounded traditional Chinese medicine residue fermentation broth

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a gram-negative conditionally pathogenic bacterium that causes disease primarily in immunocompromised individuals. Recently, highly virulent K. pneumoniae strains have caused severe disease in healthy individuals, posing significant challenges to global infection control. Capsular polysaccharide (CPS), a major virulence determinant of K. pneumoniae, protects the bacteria from being killed by the host immune system, suggesting an urgent need for the development of drugs to prevent or treat K. pneumoniae infections. In this study, BY3 compounded traditional Chinese medicine residue (TCMR) was carried out using Lactobacillus rhamnosus as a fermentation strain, and BY3 compounded TCMR fermentation broth (BY3 fermentation broth) was obtained. The transcription of K. pneumoniae CPS-related biosynthesis genes after treatment with BY3 fermentation broth was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of BY3 fermentation broth on K. pneumoniae serum killing, macrophage phagocytosis, complement deposition and human β-defensin transcription were investigated. The therapeutic effect of BY3 fermentation broth on K. pneumoniae-infected mice was also observed, and the major active components of BY3 fermentation broth were analysed via LC‒MS analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. The results showed that BY3 fermentation broth inhibited K. pneumoniae CPS production and downregulated transcription of CPS-related biosynthesis genes, which weakened bacterial resistance to serum killing and phagocytosis, while promoting bacterial surface complement C3 deposition and human β-defensin expression. BY3 fermentation broth demonstrated safety and therapeutic effects in vivo and in vitro, restoring body weight and visceral indices, significantly reducing the organ bacterial load and serum cytokine levels, and alleviating pathological organ damage in mice. In addition, three natural compounds—oleanolic acid, quercetin, and palmitoleic acid—were identified as the major active components in the BY3 fermentation broth. Therefore, BY3 fermentation broth may be a promising strategy for the prevention or treatment of K. pneumoniae infections.

Selective hydrolysis of traditional Chinese medicine residue into reducing sugars catalysed by sulfonated carbon catalyst and application of hydrolysate

The conversion of waste into high-value products has long been a focus point of research in green and sustainable chemistry. In this study, a novel value-adding strategy was devised to not only facilitate the resource utilization of biomass waste like Chinese medicine residue (CMR) and pomelo peel but also contribute to the advancement of microalgae cultivation. Sulfonated biochar PP-700-S was synthesized from pomelo peel waste, and its morphology and structural characteristics were analyzed. An effective method for the hydrolysis of CMR using PP-700-S as a catalyst in the aqueous phase was then explored, with a thorough investigation of the process and key influencing factors. Under the reaction conditions of 130 °C, 24 h, 20 mL H2O, CMR: PP-700-S = 1: 1, a 51.87 % yield of reducing sugars was directly obtained from the CMR, with PP-700-S exhibiting the selectivity of glucose production. Subsequently, the hydrolysate (HL-CMR) was utilized as a growth medium for microalgae, revealing that the presence of HL-CMR enhanced the nutrient balance in the medium, creating a more conducive environment for microalgae growth. Overall, this study presents a sustainable and efficient pathway for the utilization of lignocellulosic waste, facilitating the conversion of waste into higher-value products and contributing to the development of a green and sustainable science.

N self-doping hierarchical porous biochar from Chinese medicine residues for efficient removal of malachite green: Critical contribution of N doping to π-π electron donor-donor interactions

N self-doping hierarchical porous biochars are prepared from three kinds of Chinese medicine residues (Lophatherum Gracile (LG), Licorice Radix (LR) and Radix Isatidis (RI)) using KHCO3 as a foaming agent. Among them, LGC shows the best adsorption performance with a maximum adsorption capacity of 3791.5 mg g−1 at 298 K for malachite green (MG). Significant differences of the biochar adsorption behavior are found and the main reason are attributed to differences in sp2 conjugated carbon (ID/IG = 1.46–1.50) and heteroatomic nitrogen (pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N and graphitic-N) doping. The quasi-secondary kinetic and Langmuir isothermal models are more suitable for describing the adsorption process of biochar towards MG. Further characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the good adsorption of MG by biochar increased with increasing specific surface area (SSA) and pyrrolic-N content. Pore filling effect and π-π electron donor-acceptor (EDA) interactions have been demonstrated to be the predominant driving force of adsorption. Among them, pyridinic-N and graphitic-N further enhance the adsorption performance through the π-π stacking and π-π EDA interactions between MG and biochar, respectively. Pyrrolic-N and other surface functional groups (-COOH, -OH) promote the hydrogen bonding effect. In addition, the good recycling efficiency (close to 70 % after four cycles), excellent multifunctionality and low fabrication cost (13.01 US$ kg−1) of the LGC reveal the potential for practical applications. In addition, all biochar has a wide range of pH suitability (pH = 2.0–10.0). This study provides new ideas for the rapid removal of MG using biochar. In addition, the effects of N self-doping and microscopic N species on the adsorption of biochar provide theoretical guidance for enhancing the adsorption of other macromolecular dyes.

Optimization of ethylene thiourea, cyanide, and heavy metals removal and gas production enhancement in organosulfur pesticide wastewater using ferromagnetic biochar in anaerobic membrane bioreactor

Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) and biochar technologies have rarely been used in pesticide wastewater treatment, their performance and feasibility need further confirmation. This study compared a novel AnMBR (R2) with ferromagnetic biochar derived from traditional Chinese medicine residues to a conventional AnMBR (R1) without ferromagnetic biochar, focusing on degradation of organosulfur pesticide wastewater characterized by high toxicity and COD content and observing biogas production under various temperatures and hydraulic retention times (HRTs). The relationship between wastewater toxicity (COD, ethylene thiourea (ETU), cyanide, total manganese (TMn) and total zinc (TZn)) and biogas production was also explored. The optimal parameters were determined, with R1 and R2 having the same effect. Compared to R1, ETU removal in R2 increased from 40.7 % to 61.0 % (10 °C), from 64.6 % to 71.6 % (15 °C), from 76.9 % to 87.0 % (25 °C), and from 86.4 % to 92.4 % (35 °C). Similarly, the HRT was 48 h at 15 °C in R2 and at 25 °C in R1, both achieving a comparable COD removal of approximately 75.2 %. Cyanide removal in R2 was 2.4–9.6 % higher than in R1 across various temperatures. In addition, compared to R1, effluent concentrations of TMn in R2 were reduced by 378.8 ± 96.2 mg/L at 25 °C with the HRT of 18 h. The TZn average enhancements removal in R2 were higher than those in R1 by 6.6 % (10 °C), 10.0 % (15 °C), 3.8 % (25 °C), and 4.1 % (35 °C). Importantly, biogas production in R2 increased by 5.3–15.9 % at 25 °C. There was a significant negative correlation between biogas production and the concentrations of ETU and cyanide. This highlighted the dual benefit of R2 in enhancing pollutant degradation and biogas energy recovery, providing basic data for energy-efficient and low-carbon operations in pesticide wastewater treatment.

Sequential bio-treatment of ammonia-rich wastewater from Chinese medicine residue utilization: Regulation of dissolved oxygen

To effectively treat actual ammonia-rich Chinese medicine residue (CMR) resource utilization wastewater, we optimized an anaerobic-microaerobic two-stage expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) and moving bed sequencing batch reactor (MBSBR) combined process. By controlling dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, impressive removal efficiencies were achieved. Microaeration, contrasting with anaerobic conditions, bolstered dehydrogenase activity, enhanced electron transfer, and enriched the functional microorganism community. The increased relative abundance of Synergistetes and Proteobacteria facilitated hydrolytic acidification and fostered nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Furthermore, we examined the impact of DO concentration in MBSBR on pollutant removal and microbial metabolic activity, pinpointing 2.5 mg/L as the optimal DO concentration for superior removal performance and energy conservation.

A Novel Protein Sourced from Chinese Medicine Residue for Golden Pompano Feed: Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli Residue (ECGGR)

Fishmeal is an important protein source in aquafeed. However, due to the limited natural resources, fishmeal is in short supply, resulting in a price surge for fishmeal. Here, we reported a kind of Chinese medicine residue, endothelium corneum gigeriae galli residue (ECGGR), as a fishmeal substitute in the diets of Trachinotus ovatus. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated, substituting fishmeal at 0%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 18.75%, 25%, and 31.25%. There was no significant difference in the growth performance when the fishmeal substitution level was no more than 25%. The smallest FCR was obtained at the 18.75% substitution level. Furthermore, substituting ECGGR for fishmeal had no effect on whole-body and muscle proximate compositions, except when the replacement level exceeded 25%, which led to a decrease in whole-body moisture and an increase in whole-body crude protein. The contents of Gly, Cys, Ile, Tyr, Pro, and EAAs/TAAs were altered as the substitution level varied. However, dietary replacement of fishmeal with ECGGR did not degrade muscle protein quality, according to a nutritional evaluation of muscle essential amino acid composition. In terms of hepatic antioxidant capacity, neither the overall antioxidant status nor the expression of genes in the Nrf2-ARE pathway was altered by dietary ECGGR. Moreover, the expressions of p65, TNF-α, and IL-8 in the intestine were upregulated at the 31.25% substitution level. Also, more goblet cells were observed in the intestine at substitution levels of 25% and 31.25%. In conclusion, ECGGR can substitute for fishmeal at the optimal level of 18.75% without adversely affecting the growth performance, protein quality, or hepatic and intestinal health of golden pompano.

Selective Microcrystalline Cellulose Extraction from Chinese Medicine Residues via Direct PMS Oxidation

The valorization of Chinese medicine residues (CMRs) into high-value-added products, such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), has garnered significant interest in the current post-pandemic era, particularly in regions where Chinese medicine (CM) is widely utilized (i.e., Southeast Asia). In this study, we propose a facile and economical protocol for selectively extracting MCC from CMRs via one-step direct peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidation without the need for intricate steps. Importantly, our proposed protocol has been verified to be versatile and can be applied to various solid waste sources rich in cellulose, with an average extraction rate of 75%. Analysis using the Fukui index revealed that the β-O-4 bond, the aromatic ring in lignin, specific O sites in hemicellulose, and the amorphous region of cellulose are more susceptible to electrophilic attack by PMS than to reactions involving HO•, SO4•−, or 1O2. Leveraging this distinct mechanism, the extracted MCC demonstrated ultrahigh purity (∼95%) and crystallinity (∼85.36%). Overall, our work involves transforming solid waste into high-value products through the provision of a technical solution, with the potential for onsite application. This represents a significant advancement to the valorization of CMRs, particularly in providing theoretical guidance for accelerating the recycling of waste materials.

Effect of Cucumber Continuous Monocropping on Traditional Chinese Medicine Residue through Analysis of Physicochemical Characteristics and Microbial Diversity

The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) residue as a crop culture substrate has unique advantages in alleviating the obstacles associated with continuous monocropping, such as increasing production, improving quality and alleviating pests and diseases. However, the effect of TCM residue application on substrates in continuous monocropping practices has not been determined. In this study, the cucumber variety “Jinyou No. 10” was used as the material, and fermented TCM residue, vermiculite and perlite were used as organic substrates (3:1:1). The cucumbers were cultivated on substrates for different durations of continuous monocropping, which were the first cropping cycle (A1), second cropping cycle (A2), third cropping cycle (A3) and fourth cropping cycle (A4). The control (A0) was the substrate sample without any crop planted in it. After the cucumbers were harvested, substrate samples (areas around the cucumber roots) were collected. The physiochemical properties of the cultivated substrates were determined, and the microbial community structures were analyzed through 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing. The physiochemical indices of the substrates with different durations of continuous monocropping (A1–A4) were significantly different than those of the control (A0) substrate. Moreover, the continuous cropping of cucumber had greater effects on fungal communities than on bacterial communities. Bacterial community structure analysis revealed a greater proportion of important bacterial taxa (Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Nitrospirae) in the continuous monocropping substrates than in the A0 substrate. For the fungal community, Ascomycota accounted for the largest percentage of the fungal community in all the samples. The diversity of the microbial community was found to be influenced primarily by electrical conductivity, organic matter content, pH and total potassium content according to the correlation analysis of physicochemical properties and relative abundance of the microbial community. Our study would provide a basis for addressing persistent challenges in continuous cropping and for obtaining the utmost benefit from using TCM organic residue waste.

Hydrothermal carbonization of Chinese medicine residues: Formation of humic acids and combustion performance of extracted hydrochar

Aiming at the sustainable management of high-moisture Chinese medicine residues (CMR), an alternative way integrating hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), humic acids (HAs) extraction and combustion of remained hydrochar has been proposed in this study. Effect of HTC temperature, HTC duration, and feedwater pH on the mass yield and properties of HAs was examined. The associated formation mechanism of HAs during HTC was proposed. The combustion performance of remained hydrochar after HAs extraction was evaluated. Results show that the positive correlation between hydrochar yield and HAs yield is observed. According to three-dimensional excitation emission matrix (3D EEM) fluorescence intensity, the best quality of HAs is achieved with a yield of 8.17 % at feedwater pH of 13 and HTC temperature of 200 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses show abundant aromatic and aliphatic structure as well as oxygenated functional groups in HAs, which is like commercial HAs (HA-C). Besides, in terms of comprehensive combustion index (CCI), HTC can improve the combustion performance of CMR, while it becomes a bit worse after HAs extraction. Higher weighted mean apparent activation energy (Em) of hydrochar indicating its highly thermal stability. HAs extraction reduces Em and CCI of remained hydrochar. However, it can be regarded a potential renewable energy. This work confirms a more sustainable alternative way for CMR comprehensive utilization in near future.

Effects of organic fertilizer from traditional Chinese medicine residues on growth and soil microbial community of Salvia miltiorrhiza by metagenomic technique

Soil microbiome is a key evaluation index of soil health. Previous studies have shown that organic fertilizer from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)residues can improve the yield and quality of cultivated traditional Chinese medicinal materials. However, there are few reports on the effects of organic fertilizer from TCM residues on soil microbiome. Therefore, on the basis of evaluating the effects of organic fertilizer from TCM residues on the yield and quality of cultivated Salvia miltiorrhiza, the metagenomic sequencing technique was used to study the effects of organic fertilizer from TCM residues on rhizosphere microbiome community and function of cultivated S. miltiorrhiza. The results showed that:(1) the application of organic fertilizer from TCM residues promoted the growth of S. miltiorrhiza and the accumulation of active components, and the above-ground and underground dry weight and fresh weight of S. miltiorrhiza increased by 371.4%, 288.3%, 313.4%, and 151.9%. The increases of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B were 887.0% and 183.0%.(2)The application of organic fertilizer from TCM residues significantly changed the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community structures, and the microbial community composition was significantly different.(3)The relative abundance of soil-beneficial bacteria, such as Nitrosospira multiformis, Bacillus subtilis, Lysobacter enzymogenes, and Trichoderma was significantly increased by the application of organic fertilizer from TCM residues.(4)KEGG function prediction analysis showed that metabolism-related microorganisms were more easily enriched in the soil environment after organic fertilizer application. The abundance of functional genes related to nitrification and denitrification could also be increased after the application of organic fertilizer from TCM residues. The results of this study provide guidance for the future application of organic fertilizer from TCM residues in the cultivation of traditio-nal Chinese medicinal materials and enrich the content of green cultivation technology of traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

Adsorption Characteristics of Ball Milling-Modified Chinese Medicine Residue Biochar Toward Quercetin.

Using traditional Chinese medicine residues as raw materials, different biochars (BC) were prepared through oxygen-limited pyrolysis at 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C, and BC was ball-milled to produce ball-milled biochar (BMC). Using these adsorbents to adsorb the allelopathic autotoxic substance quercetin. The physical and chemical properties of various biochars derived from traditional Chinese medicine residues were characterized using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-N2 surface areas (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy (Raman). The study investigated the effects of the initial pH value, different humic acid concentrations, and multiple adsorption-desorption experiments on the removal of quercetin from the solution. The article discusses the adsorption mechanism of quercetin in solution by biochar from a traditional Chinese medicine residue, based on the results of adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm fitting. The findings indicate that increasing the pyrolysis temperature reduces the oxygen-containing functional groups of BC, enhances the aromaticity, and stabilizes the carbon structure. The pore structure of BMC becomes more complex after ball milling, which increases the number of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface. Among the samples tested, BMC700 exhibits the best adsorption performance, with an adsorption capacity of 293.3 mg·g-1 at 318 K. The adsorption process of quercetin by BMC700 follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. The process is primarily a form of multimolecular layer adsorption. Its mechanism involves the pore-filling effect, hydrogen-bonding interaction, electrostatic interaction, and π-π coexistence, as well as the yoke effect. Additionally, they are highly recyclable and show promise in addressing continuous cropping issues.

Biochar derived from traditional Chinese medicine residues: An efficient adsorbent for heavy metal Pb(II)

Biochar (BC) is widely used in the remediation of soil and wastewater polluted by heavy metals, but there are few reports on the characteristics of biochar derived via pyrolysis from different traditional Chinese medicine residues (TCMRs). In this study, biochars were prepared by slow pyrolysis of five common Chinese medicine residues, namely, Salvia miltiorrhiza (DNS), Ligusticum striatum (CX), Angelica sinensis (DG), Codonopsis pilosula (DGS), and Astragalus membranaceus (HQ). The biochars were systematically investigated by determining their physicochemical properties and using common characterization techniques. The Spearman correlation matrix between factors was used to examine relationships between properties of different biochars. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption characteristics of biochar on Pb(II) and the mechanisms involved. The results showed that the physicochemical properties and adsorption performance of biochar were related to the type of its pharmaceutical residue. Biochar produced from materials with higher lignin content showed a better adsorption of the heavy metal Pb(II). All biochars were alkaline, with yields ranging from 29.30 to 38.65 %, and the main structure comprised of mesopores and macropores. The FT-IR and Boehm experiments revealed that the various TCMR biochars contained comparable functional groups, but their content varied. XRD and TEM results show that all biochar is amorphous with a crystalline structure, with the surface dominated by cellulose crystals and graphitic carbon. The O/C ratio (<0.2) and H/C ratio (<0.6) of biochars suggested that it had a desirable half-life. The TGA results confirmed its stability in the environment. The results of mineral experiments confirm the enrichment of the mineral content of biochar during biomass pyrolysis.The biochars' adsorption kinetics followed pseudo-second-order models (R2 > 0.99), and their isotherms were consistent with the Langmuir model (R2 > 0.99), indicating a monolayer chemisorption process. The biochar samples exhibited varying adsorption capacities for Pb(II), with the highest capacity observed for BDNS (36.42 mg/g). The adsorption mechanism mainly involved precipitation, complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups, and ion exchange. This study indicates that biochars from herbal residues exhibit promising potential for adsorbing heavy metal Pb(II), suggesting biochar production as a viable method for recycling herbal residues.

Traditional Chinese medicine residue enzymatic hydrolysates for production of polyhydroxyalkanoate by newly isolated Bacillus altitudinis

Traditional Chinese medicine residue (TCMR) was utilized as an inexpensive carbon source for the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) using the newly isolated Bacillus altitudinis HBU-SI7. The results showed that Yu Ping Feng TCMR could be directly hydrolysed by cellulase to obtain a high proportion of glucose (99 % of total sugar) without pretreatment, achieving an enzymatic hydrolysis rate of up to 89.2 %. B. altitudinis could grow and produce PHB when using enzymatically hydrolysed TCMR in a 5-L fermenter. After 20 h of fermentation, the maximum concentration of PHB was 11.2 g/L, and the highest cell dry weight (CDW) was 15.4 g/L, with 72.7 % of the PHB fraction in CDW. Moreover, this strain could utilize enzymatic hydrolysates from various herbal formulas to produce high levels of PHB. This novel approach aims to accumulate PHB from TCMR hydrolysates, offering an effective and environmentally friendly method to reduce production costs and achieve mass production.

The Simulated Experimental Design and Study of the Synergistic Treatment of Chicken Manure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Residues on Earthworm Growth and Soil Quality

Annelids conspicuously exert influence upon soil physicochemical attributes through their alimen-tary, burrowing, and excretion endeavors, thereby imparting ramifications upon soil erosion phenomena. Nev-ertheless, comprehension of the particular repercussions stemming from annelid activities vis-à-is soil erosion remains circumscribed. The primary objective of this investigation was to scrutinize the synergistic ramifica-tions of gallinaceous fecal matter and remnants of traditional Chinese medicinal substances on annelid prolif-eration and soil characteristics within a simulated experiment. In order to gauge the impact of annelid activities upon soil hydric distribution, runoff velocity, and soil erosion, a laboratory-simulated precipitation experiment was executed across three incline gradients (5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees), featuring a uniform pre-cipitation intensity of 80 mm/h and a 60-minute precipitation duration post-runoff initiation. Findings evinced that annelids significantly heightened soil hydric infiltration and retention. In tanks inhabited by annelids, the increments in soil hydric retention were 93%, 51%, and 70% more elevated than those in control plots at incline gradients of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees, respectively. Comparatively, earthworm activities led to a 70% reduction in runoff rate at a 5-degree slope, a 13% reduction at 10 degrees, and a 39% reduction at 15 degrees. However, soil erosion rates increased by 42% and 46% at slope gradients of 10 degrees and 15 degrees, respectively. Earthworms, through their feeding and burrowing activities, not only enhanced soil water infil-tration but also mitigated surface runoff while contributing to increased soil erosion. This research proffers invaluable perspicacity regarding the influence of subterranean fauna on the vicissitudes of soil erosion pro-cesses, furnishing empirical evidence amenable for assimilation into extant soil erosion simulation paradigms or as a substratum for the construction of nascent models.

Simultaneous removal of triadimefon and dinotefuran by a new biochar-based magnesium oxide composite in water: Performances and mechanism

In recent years, the ecological security has been seriously threatened by the residues of pesticides in the environment. In this study, a new biochar-based magnesium oxide composite (MTBC) was successfully prepared using Traditional Chinese Medicine residues and MgCl2 solution, and then applied for the removal of triadimefon (TDF) and/or dinotefuran (DIN) in water. Batch experiments results indicated that 86.42 and 87.86 % of TDF and DIN removals could be obtained by MTBC within 120 min, respectively. The TDF adsorption process was proved to be well fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic, Elovich, liquid film diffusion, Intra-particle diffusion and Langmuir isothermal models. The TDF adsorption by MTBC was a spontaneous endothermic reaction, and chemical adsorption process was dominant. The inhibitory of the coexisting anions on TDF removal followed the order of SO42−＜Cl−＜HPO43−＜HCO3–. Both TDF and DIN could be simultaneously removed by MTBC at the certain concentrations levels. The possible removal mechanism for the adsorption of TDF and DIN by MTBC was proposed, both TDF and DIN were rapidly distributed and adsorbed on MTBC surface, then diffused into the interior pores structure and were finally adsorbed on MTBC through various reaction processes. The TDF removal process might be involved with hydrogen bonding, π-π interaction, pore filling and electrostatic interaction, while DIN removal might be involved with hydrogen bonding, pore filling and electrostatic interaction. These findings suggested that biochar-based magnesium oxide composite was an effective adsorbent for the remediation of agricultural effluents containing TDF and DIN.