Synergistic coupling of microalgae and corn cob residue biochar for enhanced lipid production and heavy metal removal from waste leachate and corn cob hydrolysate

Sustainable green extraction of bioactive compounds from açaí seeds and purple corn cobs using agitation and ultrasound-assisted

A novel machine learning approach for predicting the compressive strength of high-strength concrete containing gum Arabic and corn cob ash

The conversion of agricultural residues into biomass briquettes presents a sustainable alternative for energy generation, addressing waste management challenges, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and mitigating carbon emissions. This study analyzes the influence of material mesh granularity and corn cob-to-coconut shell residue blend composition on the energy content and quality metrics of extruded briquettes. The primary objective is to investigate the effects of formulation parameters on energy yield (calorific value), structural durability (shatter index), and ash content. Employing an experimental approach combined with statistical analysis (Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Friedman test), the impacts of varying mesh sizes and compositional mass ratios were systematically evaluated. The results showed that calorific values ranged between 4,739–5,143 cal/g, ash content varied from 14.95–23.62%, and the shatter index from 0.04–1.33%. The optimal performance was obtained at 50 mesh with 70% corn cob charcoal and 30% coconut shell residue, yielding the highest calorific value (5,143 cal/g), the lowest ash content (16.66%), and excellent durability (shatter index 0.04%). Statistical analysis (ANOVA and Friedman test) confirmed that both particle size and blending ratio significantly affected all quality metrics (p 0.05). These findings provide actionable insights for enhancing energy content and overall quality of extrusion-derived briquettes from agricultural residues. The research underscores the essential role of precise material selection and parameter control in developing efficient and sustainable solid biomass fuels.

Industrial batik wastewater contains total chromium, a heavy metal that can pollute aquatic environments. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a fixed-bed adsorption reactor in reducing total chromium concentrations in batik wastewater using coconut shell, corn cob, and zeolite adsorbents. The batik wastewater was obtained from Jemursari, Surabaya, with an initial total chromium concentration of 2.349-2.374 mg/L and a pH of 8. The bioadsorbents were prepared through carbonization at 500–600 °C, followed by chemical activation using 3 M H?PO?. The adsorption process was conducted continuously in a 5 L laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor, with sampling times at 10, 40, 70, and 100 minutes. The results showed that total chromium removal efficiency increased significantly within the first 40 minutes for all adsorbents. The highest removal efficiency was achieved using zeolite at 87.8%, followed by coconut shell at 81.9% and corn cob at 73.1%. The superior performance of zeolite was attributed to its ion-exchange mechanism and physical properties, which are well-suited to continuous-flow systems. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 6: Clean Water and SanitationSDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 14 : Life Below Water

The increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective enzyme production has driven research toward microbial fermentation using agro-residues as substrates. This study investigated dumpsite soils as reservoirs of α-amylase–producing fungi and evaluated corn cob and orange mesocarp as potential agro-residues for enzyme production. Fungi were isolated from soil samples (SA, SB, SC), enumerated, and identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Proximate analysis of corn cob and orange mesocarp was carried out to determine their nutritional composition, while fermentation parameters including time, inoculum size, pH, carbon ratio, and nitrogen concentration were optimized to enhance α-amylase yield. The results showed that fungal counts ranged from 3.3 × 10⁴ to 4.2 × 10⁴ CFU/g across the soils, with sample SB recording the highest load. The isolates included Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Fusarium, and Penicillium species, with isolate SB2 exhibiting the highest α-amylase activity (26 mm clearance zone), while SB3 produced the least (5 mm). Proximate composition revealed that corn cob contained higher carbohydrate content (75.87%) compared to orange mesocarp (68.79%), whereas orange mesocarp exhibited higher ash, lipid, and protein contents. Fermentation studies showed that α-amylase yield increased with time, peaking at 48 h (51.2 U/ml) before declining. Optimum production parameters were obtained at pH 7.0 (47.6 U/ml) and a 3.0 mL inoculum size (53.3 U/ml), while supplementation with a 2:2% corn cob:orange mesocarp mixture supported maximum enzyme production (61.3 U/ml). Further optimization with 0.50% nitrogen supplementation resulted in the highest α-amylase yield of 68.3 U/ml. It is concluded that dumpsite soils harbor metabolically diverse fungi, and that low-cost agro-residues such as corn cob and orange mesocarp can be effectively utilized for α-amylase production under optimized fermentation conditions.

The Philippines, which is rich in natural resources, has significant biomass potential. Among the country’s renewable energy sources, biomass is currently the slowest-growing in terms of power generation. Various types of biomass resources with full or partial use in Laguna Province include bagasse, sweet sorghum, coconut, rice husk, corn cobs, and municipal solid waste. Additionally, the adoption and implementation of HRESs (hybrid renewable energy systems) are mainly achieved through large-scale projects. This paper intentionally showcases highly optimized hybrid configurations for off-grid microgrids to promote rural electrification in Laguna, with a focus on various technoeconomic parameters, specifically the minimization of net present costs and the levelized cost of electricity across all simulations. Each off-grid scenario was compared with scenarios featuring hybrid renewable energy systems incorporating a biomass generator. Laguna, one of the few provinces in the Philippines with all forms of renewable energy systems present, each with high renewable energy potential and renewable fraction values, was selected as the primary study site in this paper. After optimizing and analyzing technoeconomic parameters such as the net present cost and the levelized cost of electricity, a hybrid biomass-solar-wind energy system is proposed to power off-grid areas in Laguna, thereby supporting rural electrification and decarbonization goals. Scenario simulations and comparisons using hybrid optimization demonstrate that adding battery backup systems improves both economic and environmental performance. This paper highlights two key benefits of including a biomass generator: (1) a 17.0% reduction in long-term carbon emissions for the entire system and (2) approximately 9.4% savings in operation and maintenance costs after seven years. The optimization results support the goal of providing Laguna with power through off-grid, decentralized, community-based hybrid renewable energy systems.

Bioplastics or biopolymers are being developed as an alternative to tackle the problem of polymer waste, which causes pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Cellulose derived from corn cobs can be a biopolymer alternative to synthetic polymers. Cellulose derived from corn cobs can replace conventional petroleum-based polymers as an alternative plastic material. Incorporating ZnO into the biopolymer matrix is projected to result in favourable characteristics and allow for a wider range of applications. This study aims to investigate the changes in the characteristics of bioplastics derived from corn cob waste and starch upon the incorporation of ZnO, with a special emphasis on mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. FTIR analysis shows that the incorporation of ZnO exhibited no impact on the structure of the bioplastic. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the ZnO microparticles' morphology is irregular and rough. The average size of ZnO particles incorporated into the biopolymer matrix was 0.623 μm. Mechanical tests showed a positive correlation between the amount of ZnO and the tensile strength of bioplastics. The assessment of the electrical conductivity of the Bioplastic/ZnO composite indicates a notable enhancement with the inclusion of ZnO. Electrical conductivity shows a progressive increase from 2.13x10 -15 S/m to 3.23x10 -12 S/m, 7.42x10 -11 S/m, and 2.03x10 -10 S/m with the incorporation of ZnO as much as 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 g, respectively. Generally, incorporating ZnO into bioplastics can enhance their tensile strength and electrical conductivity.

Species of the genus Schizophyllum have been used in morphogenesis research and in the production of polysaccharides and enzymes. In this study, the growth and enzymatic activity (laccases, amylases, cellulases, pectinases, and xylanases) of two strains of Schizophyllum commune and one strain of Schizophyllum radiatum were evaluated on different agro-industrial substrates (cedar sawdust, jacaranda sawdust, pine sawdust, peanut shell, coconut fiber, corn stubble, and corn cobs). Growth rate, mycelial characteristics, and enzymatic activity were assessed in Petri dishes. All strains grew on the seven substrates, with higher mycelial density on peanut shells, corn stubble, and corn cobs. The highest enzymatic activity was observed on corn stubble and peanut shell, followed by jacaranda sawdust for amylase, pectinase, and xylanase. Schizophyllum radiatum showed greater mycelial extension but lower enzymatic activity than S. commune strains. Substrates with lower lignin content (peanut shells, corn stubble, and corn cobs) enhanced growth and enzymatic activity in all strains, indicating that these agro-industrial residues are suitable substrates for obtaining enzyme cocktails from Schizophyllum species.

Transformation of agro-industrial products into value-added products, such as prebiotic oligosaccharides, is a key element of the emerging bioeconomy. Here, we characterized a new GH30_8 glucuronoxylanase from Bacillus pumilus (BpXyn30_8A) for its potential in producing xylooligosaccharides (XOS). BpXyn30_8A showed tolerance to ethanol and NaCl and released both linear and branched XOS containing MeGlcA at the penultimate nonreducing end residue. Its X-ray structure, determined at 2.16 Å resolution, revealed high similarity to other glucuronoxylanases. Furthermore, BpXyn30_8A achieved higher xylan conversion yields from corn cob and Eucalyptus sawdust than Ruminococcus champanellensisRcXyn30A. Finally, fermentation assays showed that Bifidobacterium adolescentis metabolized neutral XOS to acetate and lactate, whereas acidic XOS were poorly utilized. These results highlight the potential of BpXyn30_8A as a valuable enzyme for the green transformation of plant biomass into prebiotic oligosaccharides with promising applications in human and animal nutrition, health, and biotechnology.

Fabrication of multifunctional PVA mulch films reinforced by hydrothermally treated corncob lignocellulose for facilitating crop growth.

Hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge and corn cobs to produce solid recovered fuel: Parametric synergistic analysis through deep machine learning, economic feasibility and contribution in circular economy

Succinic acid pretreatment of corn cob for production of xylooligosaccharides and biomass pellets

Application feasibility of corn cob hydrolyzed residues in blast furnace injection: Physicochemical, combustion behaviors and kinetics

Biocomposites have wide potential in eco-friendly packaging, agriculture, and biomedical applications such as scaffolds and drug delivery. This study uses poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as a biocompatible, flexible matrix and microcellulose from corn cobs as a renewable, abundant, and low-cost filler. The PCL–microcellulose combination is expected to improve mechanical properties while adding value to agricultural waste. To enhance compatibility between matrix and filler, short-chain synthetic PCL (PCLacac) was added at 0%, 2.5%, 7.5%, and 10%. Serving as a compatibilizer, PCLacac promotes interaction with cellulose hydroxyl groups. The prepared biocomposites were molded according to ASTM D638 standards and characterized. Tensile results showed that the addition of 2.5% PCLacac gave the highest increase in tensile strength. FTIR analysis confirmed hydrogen bonding between PCL carbonyl and cellulose hydroxyl groups, indicated by absorption band shifts. Thus, optimal PCLacac addition (2.5%) enhances mechanical performance and transforms low-value corn cob waste into high-value biocomposites.

The increasing demand for sustainable, antibacterial, and eco-friendly food packaging materials has intensified research into biodegradable biopolymers with enhanced functional properties. In this study, gelatin–chitosan-based nanofibers were fabricated via electro-blowing and reinforced with cellulose microcrystals (CMC) extracted from corn cobs via acid hydrolysis. The formulation (12% gelatin and 3% chitosan) and electro-blowing parameters were optimized based on previous literature and preliminary trials to ensure uniform fiber morphology. CMC was incorporated at concentrations of 1, 3, and 5% (w/w), and the resulting nanofibers were characterized using FE-SEM, ATR-FTIR, XRD, TGA, and air permeability tests. SEM analysis revealed smooth, bead-free fibers with average diameters ranging from 642.19 ± 40.36 nm (control) to 760.05 ± 32.64 nm (3% CMC), confirming the impact of filler loading. XRD results demonstrated an increase in crystallinity from 21.3% in the control to 27.8% with 5% CMC. At the same time, TGA indicated enhanced thermal stability at low CMC concentrations, with a maximum decomposition temperature of 326 °C for 1% CMC compared to 315 °C in the control. However, higher loadings (5% CMC) led to slight thermal deterioration, likely due to disruptions in polymer chains. These results confirm that corncob-derived CMC can be successfully integrated into gelatin–chitosan nanofibers to improve structural and thermal properties, positioning them as promising candidates for active food packaging. Future studies will focus on mechanical and antibacterial performance to further validate their practical application.

Novel Corn Cob Waste Compost Distinctly Improves the Chemical Properties of Rhizosphere Soil, and Morpho-Physiology of Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) Roots

A new green heterogeneous solid catalyst from corn cob agricultural residue for biodiesel production

Crude oil has great economic value, but not much have been said or done about oil spill impact to the environment. Its exploration has resulted in serious environmental pollution, ranging from air, water and soil. Oil spill throughpollution has introduced harmful or poisonous substance into the environment, causing adverse effects on living organisms and ecosystem. It is on record that global oil spill is about 400,000 (metric tonnes) taking place per year through various avenues. This problem of immediate need for effective oil spill remediation necessitated this study whereby corn cob, an agro-waste, biodegradable, can be deployed as sorbents for oil spill remediation and as substitutes for synthetic sorbents. The reason isthat inadequate method of immediate remediation for an oil spill has not been explored and most developed sorbents are not meeting up with the required efficacy of oil spill removal. The important contribution of this research to existing knowledge is that agro-waste possess greatadsorbing capabilities and pose no environmental hazard to the environment and can be converted or modified as adsorbent for oil spill clean-up, converting waste to wealth. Similarly, it substantiated the fact that corn cob has well documented capacity for oil sorption and the lack of dimensional stability due to associated hydroxyl functionality was corrected by modification. The adsorbent was subjected to sample preparation by washing, sun dried and crushed to a specific size. It was then oven dried at 350 o C and allowed to cool and subjected to FTIR analysis. It was subjected to modification by a reaction with acetic anhydride with sulpuric acid as catalyst. The modified adsorbent was subjected to crude oil recovery efficiency test. Sample characterization results showed moisture content of 1.600%, ash content of 3.860% and hausner ratio of 1.236. IR result indicated absence of spectra bands at 1740 -1745 cm-1and 1020 -1040 cm-1. The result of the oil removal efficiency was subjected to kinetic models.The high value of R2(0.985 for the pseudo second order, PSO and 0.9703 for the intra particle diffusion, IPD) obtained in the adsorption kinetics justifies the potency of corn cob as a sorbent in oil spill remediation. This work is also an indispensable reference and an essential reading for everyone concerned with oil spill cleanup in mangroves and wetlands, providing strategies for the conversion of agricultural wastes to effective oil spill sorbents.

Performance of GGBFS-Blended UHPC with Corn Cob Ash as Sand Replacement: A Mechanical Perspective