High Cellulose Content Research Articles

Mechanism and Kinetics of Water Absorption of Plantain Fibre Reinforced Bio-Composites

Mechanical characteristics, dimensional stability, and bonding strength are all impacted by water sorption in polymer filler materials. The diffusion coefficient (D) of water through polymer composite, should be determined to understand the impact of the deterioration on service life and micro-leakage. In this study, the kinetics and properties of water absorption by short-term immersion in room-temperature plantain fibre reinforced epoxy bio-composites (PFRC), were studied. 5, 10, 20, and 30 percent, plantain fiber (PF) volume fractions of bio-composite specimens were made. Due to the high cellulose content of natural fibers (NF), the percentage of moisture absorption grew as the PF volume fraction increased. The mechanism and kinetics of PFRC's water absorption were found to follow the Fickian diffusion mode and had the propensity to behave in the Fickian mode.

Production of activated carbon from agave residues and its synergistic application in a hybrid adsorption-AOPs system for effective removal of sulfamethazine from aqueous solutions

Tequila production in Mexico generates large quantities of agave bagasse (AB), a waste that could be used more efficiently. AB has a high cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin content, which allows its use as a precursor for synthesizing carbonaceous materials. In the present work, the synthesis of activated carbon impregnated with Fe2+ (AG-Fe-II) and Fe3+ (AG-Fe-III) was carried out and evaluated in a hybrid adsorption-AOP (advanced oxidation process) methodology for sulfamethazine removal (SMT). The materials were characterized before and after the process to determine their morphological, textural, and physicochemical properties. Subsequently, the effect of the main operational variables (pH, initial SMT concentration, mass, and activator dosage) on the hybrid adsorption-degradation process was studied. The Fenton-like reaction was selected as the AOP for the degradation step, and potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) was used as an activating agent. The main iron crystallographic phases in AG-Fe-II were FeS, with a uniform distribution of iron particles over the material's surface. The main crystallographic phase for AG-Fe-III was Fe3O4. The hybrid process achieved 61% and 78% removal efficiency using AG-Fe-II and AG-Fe-III samples, respectively. The pH and initial SMT concentration were the most critical factors for removing SMT from an aqueous phase. Finally, the material was successfully tested in repeated adsorption-degradation cycles.

Carboxylmethyl cellulose produced from wood sawdust for improving properties of sodium alginate hydrogel in dye adsorption

Cellulose-based materials have shown immense potential for diverse applications because of their attractive properties such as excellent mechanical properties, rich hydroxyl groups for modification, and natural properties with recyclability, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness. This study aimed to optimize cellulose extraction from wood sawdust using deep eutectic solution (DES) treatments for the preparation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and to evaluate the application of CMC in sodium alginate (SA) microgel for dye adsorption. Cellulose extractions were optimized in reduced chemical treatment conditions with high cellulose contents (88.19 %), and selectively increased lignin removal (87.23 %). The analyses by SEM, XRD, and FT-IR revealed that carboxymethylation has successfully transformed cellulose into CMC to facilitate the significantly improved water solubility and swelling ability. The TGA curve of CMC showed a higher thermal stability (residual weight of 52 % at 300 °C) compared to unmodified cellulose due to the decomposition of the amorphous regions during the carboxymethylation. The combined biodegradable SA and water-soluble CMC composite microgels were successfully fabricated via cross-linking with calcium chloride using a microfluidic approach. The incorporation of CMC into SA microgel had enhanced mechanical properties, adsorption capacities of 160.87 and 141.48 mg/g, and adsorption–desorption efficiencies of 96.84 % and 95.41 % for crystal violet and trypan blue respectively after five cycles. The adsorption processes of both dyes can be described by Sips adsorption isotherms and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, verifying the chemical interaction-assisted process. This simple green CMC/SA adsorbent has the potential to significantly enhance the adsorption capacity of dye removal from wastewater.

Mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with Areca catechu fibers containing silicon carbide

The physical and chemical attributes of Areca catechu fiber (ACF) were explored. ACF is attractive because of its high cellulose content at 63.2 wt%. The mechanical properties were evaluated for Areca catechu fiber-reinforced epoxy composites, in which silicon carbide (SiC) was used as filler. The studied properties included water absorption, flexural strength, impact strength, tensile strength, and hardness properties. The tensile and flexural properties improved when the filler content increased from 40 to 50 wt%, but further increment in the filler content reduced the strength values. The addition of SiC adversely affected the bending and flexural properties of the composites at 40 and 50 wt% filler content, but it positively affected the properties at 60 wt% filler content. The hardness of the composites increased with the addition of 10% silicon carbide. From the results of this study, it is recommended that the ratio of silicon carbide in the composite should not exceed 10 wt% due to agglomeration. The composites containing 10 wt% SiC can be used for outdoor applications such as decking, railing, garden fencing, cladding, and siding applications.

Catalytic Supercritical Water Gasification of Canola Straw with Promoted and Supported Nickel-Based Catalysts.

Lignocellulosic biomass such as canola straw is produced as low-value residue from the canola processing industry. Its high cellulose and hemicellulose content makes it a suitable candidate for the production of hydrogen via supercritical water gasification. However, supercritical water gasification of lignocellulosic biomass such as canola straw suffers from low hydrogen yield, hydrogen selectivity, and conversion efficiencies. Cost-effective and sustainable catalysts with high catalytic activity for supercritical water gasification are increasingly becoming a focal point of interest. In this research study, novel wet-impregnated nickel-based catalysts supported on carbon-negative hydrochar obtained from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL-HC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC-HC) of canola straw, along with other nickel-supported catalysts such as Ni/Al2O3, Ni/ZrO2, Ni/CNT, and Ni/AC, were synthesized for gasification of canola straw on previously optimized reaction conditions of 500 °C, 60 min, 10 wt%, and 23-25 MPa. The order of hydrogen yield for the six supports was (10.5 mmol/g) Ni/ZrO2 > (9.9 mmol/g) Ni/Al2O3 > (9.1 mmol/g) Ni/HTL-HC > (8.8 mmol/g) Ni/HTC-HC > (7.7 mmol/g) Ni/AC > (6.8 mmol/g) Ni/CNT, compared to 8.1 mmol/g for the non-catalytic run. The most suitable Ni/ZrO2 catalyst was further modified using promotors such as K, Zn, and Ce, and the performance of the promoted Ni/ZrO2 catalysts was evaluated. Ni-Ce/ZrO2 showed the highest hydrogen yield of 12.9 mmol/g, followed by 12.0 mmol/g for Ni-Zn/ZrO2 and 11.6 mmol/g for Ni-K/ZrO2. The most suitable Ni-Ce/ZrO2 catalysts also demonstrated high stability over their repeated use. The superior performance of the Ni-Ce/ZrO2 was due to its high nickel dispersion, resilience to sintering, high thermal stability, and oxygen storage capabilities to minimize coke deposition.

Effect of lignocellulosic biomass components on the extracellular electron transfer of biochar-based microbe-electrode in microbial electrochemical systems

Biomass-derived carbon-based electrodes with good biocompatibility, sustainability, and low cost are competitive in microbial electrochemical systems. Unfortunately, biomass composition is complex, and biochar performance is dependent on the kind of biomass, making quantitative function control difficult. Three-dimensional (3D) lignocellulosic carbon-based electrodes were generated in this study by varying the ratios of three natural biopolymers (cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose). The biopolymer contents significantly impacted the material's physicochemical and electrochemical properties. Only the proper ratio of these natural polymers can ensure the 3D structure's integrity and mechanical strength after carbonization. The greater the cellulose content and the lower the hemicellulose (xylan) content, the lower the ohmic and charge transfer resistance. The maximum power density (Pmax) of the microbial fuel cells equipped with the biopolymer-based anode ranged between 4.5 and 4.8 W m−2, setting a new record for biocarbon electrodes. The highest Pmax was observed when the cellulose, lignin, and xylan ratios were 1:3:2 (4.80 ± 0.04 W m−2). The Pmax correlates with cellulose content more than lignin and xylan and with material capacitance more than with other parameters. High cellulose content facilitates electron transfer but reduces the capacitance of carbon-based electrodes. The material's electron transfer resistance and capacitance contribute to the opposite of the Pmax. So, the interaction with multiple properties influences the electrode performance. This research revealed the effects of natural biopolymer compositions on electrode performance, which was helpful for quantitatively modifying functional carbon-based materials.

Potentiality of Pressmud Application in Soil for Palm Oil Plantation Productivity

The agricultural sector in Malaysia is predominantly comprised of the oil palm and sugar refinery industries. Approximately 50% of the materials generated during palm oil and sugar production would result in organic waste that contains a high content of lignin and cellulose. Waste generated from the sugarcane industry can be used as a resource of another, bringing economic and environmental benefits. This study aims to provide useful insights into using sugarcane waste to enhance the sustainability of the agriculture industry in Malaysia, specifically palm oil plantations. It can also enhance the green knowledge in soil technology for a sustainable agriculture industry in this country. Based on the physico-chemical characteristics examined in this study, pressmud evidently emerges as a promising material with significant potential to serve as an admixture medium in soil for palm oil plantations, leading to a reduction in the application of chemical fertilizer. This waste material displayed a coarse texture, compared to the less coarse texture of the laterite soil. Its texture and surface of the object exhibited irregularities and were covered with pores. Incorporating pressmud into the soil has improved its capability to adsorb nutrients by facilitating the cation exchange process. The efficacy of the laterite soil-press mud mixture as a soil amendment in palm oil plantations can be determined through its Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), a key indicator of its ability to improve soil performance and enhance production.

Production of derivatives from wheat straw as reinforcement material for paper produced from secondary fibers

Nowadays, a high percentage (> 50%) of the paper produced in Europe uses recovered paper (secondary fibers) as raw material. In order to improve the mechanical properties of the paper produced, different kinds of additives are usually incorporated into the paper. Emerging renewable materials based on agricultural or forest residues, such as cellulose nanomaterials, have recently proved good capacities as reinforcing agents for different applications. In this work, pulp from wheat straw with a content of cellulose nanomaterial has been produced and tested as a mechanical reinforcing agent for paper production. A soda semi-chemical process was applied for the delignification of straw, to produce pulp with high cellulose content. Posteriorly, pulps with cellulose nanofibers were obtained in a high-pressure homogenizer, applying three different pretreatments to the cellulose pulp (acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis and thermal treatment with glycerol) in order to facilitate the obtention of cellulose nanomaterial. Handsheets of paper were prepared from two sources of secondary fiber (fluting paper and old corrugated containers), adding different percentages of wheat straw derivatives (0, 3.5, 5 and 7%). The fibers' morphology and the papers' mechanical properties were investigated. Noticeable improvement rates (up to 25%) were observed for some mechanical properties of paper containing nanocellulose produced after the enzymatic and acid pretreatments. The quality of the secondary fibers source also affected the improvement rates achieved, with higher percentage changes for the lower-quality recycled paper.

Paper-Mill Wastes for Bioethanol Production in Relation to Circular Economy Concepts: A Review

This review explores circular economy principles in regard to ethanol production from paper-mill sludge. Environmental sustainability and renewability over fossil fuels make second generation ethanol an attractive energy source in a rapidly growing population and consumption world. Paper sludge (PS), a by-product of the pulp and paper (P&P) industry, can no longer be recycled for paper production and is mainly disposed of in landfills. Therefore, it poses a major environmental challenge. However, it has shown potential as a valuable raw material for ethanol production, along with other pulp and paper products, due to its abundant availability and high cellulosic content. This waste-to-energy (WtE) technology for ethanol production is proposed as an alternative, aligning with circular economy concepts to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste. This review underlines the circular economy aspects of bioethanol production within paper mill sludge management systems. Circular economy principles applied to ethanol production from PS offer a promising avenue for sustainable biofuel development that not only addresses waste management challenges but also enhances the overall environmental performance of biofuel production. Furthermore, economic benefits are described, highlighting the potential for job creation and community development.

Lignin and Cellulose Contents in Chinese Red Pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) Plantations Varied in Stand Structure, Soil Property, and Regional Climate

The reserve of litter is expected to be reduced on the forest floors of pine plantations dually for the prevention of high risks of forest fires and with a more practical probability of reuse. Lignin and cellulose are the two key constitutive components in litter residues that account for the highest proportion of carbon but are the last to be fully decomposed. The existing trials started examining the mechanisms behind decomposing these two components in response to the combined driving forces of microclimatic factors, forest structure, and stand properties. However, the results were mostly limited to a local-scale ecosystem, and the evidence was reported to be highly scattered across varied conditions globally. Awareness about the combined effects of the driving forces behind the lignin and cellulose contents in the litter of plantations on a large scale is still scarce. In this study, a total of 60 Pinus tabuliformis Carr. plantations (40-year-old) were investigated for their litter quality, regional meteorological factors, soil properties, and stand structure in a provincial area across Liaoning, northeast China. High lignin (40%–43%) and cellulose contents (15%–20%) were found to be located mainly in stands around the biggest city of Shenyang. Rainfall was a key factor that determined the decomposition, but neither the forest structure nor soil nutrient content generated direct effects on the two litter components. The combined factors of low soil pH (~5.8) and high rainfall (~3.0 mm per day) together mainly accounted for the promotion of natural litter decomposition.

Effect of different forms of nanocellulose on the stability of pork myofibrillar proteins' emulsion system

SummaryMyofibrillar proteins (MP) and two forms of nanocellulose (cellulose nanofibers [CNFs] and cellulose nanocrystals [CNCs]) were used to prepare oil‐in‐water emulsion. The effect of CNFs and CNCs on the properties of pork MP‐lard emulsion was studied by analysing the emulsion index, microstructure, oil droplet size, zeta potential and rheological behaviour of emulsion. The results showed that both CNFs and CNCs improved MP‐lard emulsion stability. At the same nanofiber concentration, the creaming index of CNFs stabilised emulsion was lower than that of CNCs stabilised emulsion, especially at the concentration of 0.5%, emulsion prepared with CNFs has no phenomenon of creaming index, while emulsion prepared with CNCs still has creaming index phenomenon. At the same nanofiber concentration, the oil droplet distribution of CNFs stabilised emulsion was more uniform, especially at low concentrations (≤0.5%). At higher cellulose concentration (≥0.75%), the particle size of CNFs stabilised emulsion was larger than that of CNCs stabilised emulsion. CNFs stabilised emulsion had a higher zeta potential and modulus than that of CNCs stabilised emulsion and the emulsion formed by CNFs was more viscoelastic.

Intrinsic electrical conductivity of monolithic biochar

While biochar is an effective and viable tool for alleviating climate change, monolithic biochar is emerging as a functional material for applications that enhance sustainability, such as renewable energy storage and low-cost, high-efficiency water purification. Its performance depends on its physical and chemical characteristics, including electrical conductivity. Monolithic biochar's bulk conductivity is expected to rely on the porosity and conductivity of its carbon matrix - intrinsic conductivity – a fundamental property that has not been systematically studied. The work discerns intrinsic conductivity and its dependence on biomass species and carbonization temperature. We carbonized four hardwoods, three softwoods, and bamboo following an ultra-slow pyrolysis procedure and characterized biochar's chemical and structural properties. We modified the two-probe method and measured bulk conductivity along the axial direction. The bulk conductivity and density followed the linear and the Reynolds-Hough relationships, allowing the determination of intrinsic conductivity. The intrinsic conductivity increased with pyrolysis temperatures and became independent of wood species at 1500 °C.According to the linear model, the highest value of wood biochar produced at 1500 °C was 14,600 S/m. Bamboo biochar had a higher intrinsic conductivity (21,000 S/m), attributed to bamboo's high cellulose content and large graphite nanocrystal size in its biochar. Moreover, the modified two-probe method minimized measurement uncertainty and enabled the quantification of natural variation in biochar conductivity, which was less than 10% for the same wood species. These findings will help strengthen monolithic biochar's potential as a low-cost, high-performance functional material.

Valorization of lignocellulosic platform products based on biorefinery schemes through sequential pretreatments

AbstractPretreatments have been identified as the core of lignocellulosic biorefinery design due to biomass fractionation and the influence on subsequent reaction and downstream processes. However, most pretreatments are described as single-step, maximizing the valorization of a side stream. Therefore, sequential pretreatments could better describe the integral valorization of lignocellulosic biomass to obtain platform products that can be further used for value-added products. This work experimentally analyzed the sequential pretreatments for the fractionation of rice husks to obtain individual lignocellulosic fractions. It was demonstrated that the dilute acid-wet air oxidation (DA-WAO) sequence is suitable for biorefinery designs since it is possible to solubilize up to 80% of hemicellulose during the first stage and subsequently fractionate almost 90% of lignin after the second stage, obtaining a pretreated solid with high cellulose content. The isolated lignocellulosic fractions were used as platform products to obtain furfural, levulinic acid, and phenolic compounds. As a main result, yields and conversions were improved when valorizing the cellulose platform based on sequential pretreatment. In contrast, valorizing the black liquor after a combination scheme decreased aldehyde yields such as vanillin and syringaldehyde by 4.8–11.9%. The findings indicate that from the biorefinery approach, sequential pretreatments improve the yield of platform products. Despite the decrease of phenolic compounds, levulinic acid and furfural production is significantly enhanced.

Tropical Fruit Waste Management: Developing Pectin-based Biopolymer from Durian Rind (Durio zibethinus)

Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a popular native tropical fruit and is largely produced in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, 1.71 million metric tons of durian were produced in 2022. However, this high production may lead to organic waste issues due to the large amount of durian rind generation. About 60 – 75% of the durian is the rind, which is mostly discarded, hard to be decomposed, and not utilized optimally. Meanwhile, the durian rind poses as a potential reservoir containing high concentrations of cellulose and pectin. Therefore, this research aimed to (1) extract pectin content from durian rind and (2) synthesize and characterize pectin-based biopolymer films. First, the pectin was extracted from dried durian rind powder using acid extraction and alcoholic precipitation methods. Then, biopolymer synthesis was done by mixing formulations of pectin, chitosan, ethylene glycol, and glycerol solutions to form thin films. About 0.13 – 0.71 g of pectin (0.46% of the pectin yield) was extracted per 100 g of dried durian rind powder. The FTIR spectroscopy results of the extracted pectin confirmed the presence of the O - H groups at 3327.83 cm-1, which indicated the pyranose ring, the main characteristic of pectin. Pectin-based biopolymer films were produced with thickness, transparency, and tensile strength of 0.01 – 0.07 mm, 7.40 - 40.50, and 1.26 – 2.69 MPa, respectively. The findings of the soil burial degradation test for biodegradability showed that the biopolymer experienced weight loss of up to 62% in 14 days. Considering the potential utilization of the durian rind for developing biopolymers as value-added bioproducts from agricultural biomass, tropical fruit waste management should be done properly in the future. This also can be offered as one of the alternative solutions for plastic substitution with proper development in the future.

Composição e potenciais estratégias de utilização dos subprodutos da agroindústria brasileira de pupunha

ABSTRACT Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) is a native tree from Brazil widely used for obtaining palm heart. Due to the increasing interest in palm heart, plantations are expanding to the Brazilian South and Southeast regions. Peach palm processing generates high amounts of solid wastes, which are inadequately disposed of and have no consolidated use. Proposing potential utilizations for the valorization of these lignocellulosic matrices requires knowing their chemical composition. This work aimed to determine the chemical composition (at mineral, nutritional, and macromolecular levels) of the three by-products (internal sheath, external sheath, and basal portion) generated during the processing of the peach palm, to characterize their semi-volatile compounds, and to compare them to the edible palm heart. The by-products represent 83.6% (w/w) of the biomass in the peach palm processing and have a high dietary fiber content (59.2 - 68.1%). Internal sheath and basal portion showed high protein content (8.40 - 11.8%) according to Brazilian legislation and several bioactive compounds such as myo-inositol and organic acids (succinic, gallic, and linoleic acids), indicating their nutraceutical properties and potential to be used as food additives or ingredients in food formulation. Besides, the external sheath had high cellulose content (39.6%) that could be extracted and applied in material science. All by-products have compounds of interest to the industry and a high potential to be employed in the development of products with higher added value.

Efeito do reforço combinado de fibra de celulose-microcelulose cristalina no comportamento reológico e na cinética de hidratação de compósitos cimentícios

Abstract The influence of the combined addition of cellulose fibers (FC) and microcrystalline celluloses (MCC) on the fresh properties and hydration kinetics of cementitious composites was investigated. For this purpose, sixteen different formulations of FC-MCC celluloses in the cement matrix were analyzed, in which various cellulose fibers were 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% and microcrystalline cellulose in 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% about the cement mass. The cementitious composites with the addition of FC-MCC celluloses were characterized in terms of rheological behavior, which was determined through the Squeeze flow method, fluidity through the mini-slump test, and hydration kinetics determined through the temporal evolution of the temperature of the mixtures. The initial hydration tests showed that the maximum addition of MCC (0.8%) used in this work reduced the maximum temperature of the cementitious composites, as well as the combination of FCs with MCC 0.8. Cellulose fibers took a longer time to reach the maximum temperature. The combined contents of FC 1.0-MCC 0.4 and FC 0.5-MCC 0.6 promoted an increase in the maximum temperature, which could indicate a dispersive effect of the cellulose particles with the cementitious system. The results of the compression flow showed that the studied samples presented a flow with very low loads and extended for a large part of the curve. Te increase in the amount of cellulose fiber alters the main phenomena related to flow: with a high cellulose content (FC 1.5%) there is an increase in friction between the particles, leading to the conclusion that the amount of cellulose fibers in the cementitious system influences on the rheological behavior and the occurrence of phase separation.

Transforming Polycotton Textile Waste into New Bicomponent Fibers: An Investigative Study

This study aimed to develop an innovative recycling method for end‐of‐life polycotton textiles, eliminating the need for component separation. The use of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][Ac]) as an ionic liquid solvent facilitated the dissolution of cotton, enabling the creation of a spinning dope containing cellulose and polyester fibers. Successful spinning of bicomponent fibers ensued, followed by comprehensive fiber evaluation. The dissolution of cotton was achieved with [EMIM][Ac], and spinning trials were conducted to devise a suitable method for regenerated cellulose. Tensile tests on the produced cellulosic fibers clearly demonstrated an increase in tensile strength with higher cellulose concentration. The introduction of polyester fibers to the spinning dope, comprising [EMIM][Ac] and cotton, posed challenges to the entire spinning process. Tensile tests on the resulting bicomponent fibers revealed a decrease in tensile strength compared to pure regenerated cellulose fibers. This reduction was attributed to increased voids and irregular polyester fiber distribution, corroborated by microscopy images and a wicking test. It was concluded that the quantity and length of polyester fibers significantly influenced the tensile strength of the bicomponent fibers, with lower concentrations and shorter fibers resulting in higher strength.

Composts of diverse green wastes improve the soil biological quality, but do not alleviate drought impact on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth

AbstractIntense soil cultivation and climate change have detrimental effects on soils. Solutions are needed to improve the biological quality and water holding capacity of agricultural soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effect of compost application and drought stress on a soil/plant system in order to determine the improvement of soil quality and plant growth and the alleviation of drought stress. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown under greenhouse conditions in a sandy soil with sufficient mineral fertilizer application to test the effect of five compost types (three made from municipal garden and park wastes with differing nutrient contents, one from municipal household waste, and one from farm plant residues) applied at 30 Mg ha−1 dry weight, with which we compared soil quality and plant growth to soil without compost application. Treatment pots were irrigated or subjected to drought conditions during the last 14 days of lettuce growth. Assays of potential N mineralization during 28 days, dehydrogenase and β‐glucosidase activities, and a phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis were performed to assess effects on soil biological quality. Gas exchange, leaf relative water content, biomass, nitrogen accumulation, and root tip growth of lettuce were measured to investigate compost and drought stress effects on lettuce physiology. All composts improved indices of soil biological quality significantly, except for fungal abundance, relative to soil without compost. The greatest increase was obtained from farm compost, which significantly increased potential nitrogen (N) mineralization and soil enzyme activities of β‐glucosidase and dehydrogenase by factors of 4, 2, and 43, respectively. Furthermore, soil with farm compost generally showed a higher abundance of soil microbial organisms compared with soil without compost, which could be related to its high cellulose and hemicellulose contents. The lowest abundance of microbial organisms was generally found in soil with garden and park waste compost with a medium nutrient content, which could be related to its low organic matter content. The beneficial effect of compost on soil biological quality did not lead to improved lettuce growth, which suggests that soil biological quality (ameliorated by compost application) is not important for a fast‐growing crop, such as lettuce, that is sufficiently fertilized. Drought stress reduced aboveground lettuce biomass, root tip growth, and the abundance of most soil microbial groups significantly, but compost in soil did not alleviate these negative effects. In conclusion, the farm compost made from grass–clover, straw, and vegetable residues is superior to garden and park waste and household waste composts in terms of beneficial effects on soil biological quality. Compost clearly improved soil biological quality, but did not influence lettuce's response to drought stress. The knowledge gained in this study is useful for producing tailor‐made compost with desired effects of improved soil biological quality.

A comprehensive study on an integrated approach for water hyacinth management to conserve natural water resources in India

The rapid growth of the free-floating invasive weed Water Hyacinth (WH) has caused an environmental and social menace in most water bodies. Its large mat formation not only affects the underlying aquatic species by blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen, but it also interferes with commercial activities such as fishing and transportation. Public health is also affected as it provides shelter for disease-causing mosquitoes. Additionally, it is a bio-indicator of water bodies polluted with heavy metals. Removing and managing this weed is crucial for conserving natural water resources. Various manual, mechanical, chemical, and biological methods have been tried and tested to eradicate this plant. However, each method has its limitations, and the reoccurrence of this weed in a short time calls for an innovative approach to finding sustainable solutions. Recent studies focus on utilizing this weed for commercial purposes rather than eradicating it. The high cellulose and hemicellulose content in the plant make it an excellent source for renewable fuel production. It also finds application in industries that prepare animal food, compost, and bio-fertilizers due to the high nutrient content. Many states in India are utilizing the WH plant to produce eco-friendly and creative products, thus helping in local employment generation. This study's research contribution is evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of weed removal methods, the potential of WH plants in phytoremediation and biofuel production, case studies of successful alternate uses of WH plants, and possible action plans for economically and ecologically sustainable plant management to conserve water resources in India. The specific outcome of the study is that water hyacinth management is not the responsibility of a single body or entity, but rather the responsibility of different stakeholders and their combined efforts to combat this issue at a national level.

Pembuatan dan Karakterisasi Kertas Kemasan Berbasis Ampas Kunyit dan Jahe Merah dengan Variasi Konsentrasi Natrium Hidroksida

The production of herbal beverages such as ginger, turmeric, and other spices generates waste that is commonly discarded. The cellulose content in red ginger is about 60-80%, and in turmeric, it is 50%. The high cellulose content makes red ginger and turmeric waste suitable for use as raw materials for paper production. The objective of this research is to determine the optimum conditions for making paper based on red ginger and turmeric waste. The pulp formation process was carried out using the Semi-Mechanical Method, which involves the addition of chemical solutions and grinding, on a mixture of turmeric and red ginger waste (60:40) with variations of NaOH concentration at 8%, 10%, and 13% (w/v). The papermaking process began with refining and drying the waste, cooking the pulp, adding water and kaolin filler, and then printing. Characterization included antibacterial testing, tensile strength, and grammage. Based on the pulp characterization results at the optimum NaOH concentration of 8%, the moisture content was 8.89%, cellulose content was 49.28%, and lignin content was 9.28%. These parameters comply with the national standard (SNI) for packaging paper. The paper characterization results showed a tensile index of 2.12 Nm/gram, an antibacterial inhibition zone of 5 mm, and a grammage of 13 g/m2. This research indicates that the NaOH concentration influences the moisture, cellulose, and lignin content. Furthermore, based on the characterization results, paper made from turmeric and ginger waste has the potential to be used as antimicrobial packaging paper.