Lignocellulosic Residues Research Articles

Rigid Plastic‐Free Fibreboards Made from “Hairy” Cellulose Fibres and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

Empty fruit bunch (EFB), an abundant lignocellulosic residue from the palm oil milling process, are typically discarded on open land or used as mulch. In this work, a simple method that mimics a papermaking process, was developed to upcycle EFB into higher value fibreboard without the need for any polymeric binders. The cellulose network from pulp fibres was utilised to hold the otherwise loose EFB fibres together to produce a rigid EFB fibreboard. Mechanical refinement was performed using a re‐circulating colloid mill to improve the binding performance of the cellulose fibres producing hairy cellulose fibres. EFB fibreboard containing 30 wt.% of 30 min refined hairy cellulose fibres possessed flexural modulus of ~2.9 GPa and strength of ~22 MPa, comparable to commercial particleboard (PB) and medium density fibreboard (MDF). A lifecycle analysis (LCA) model was used to compare the environmental impact of the EFB fibreboard and MDF production. The results show that the EFB fibreboard possessed a lower environmental impact on global warming potential and the end‐point impact categories compared to MDF. This work unveils new opportunities to convert palm oil waste into all‐lignocellulosic fibreboard, moving away from traditional practices which align with a circular bioeconomy.

Dark septate endophytes improved the performance of Isatis indigotica by enhancing the degradation of lignocellulosic residues

To evaluate the lignocellulose degradation ability of dark septate endophytes (DSE) and the utilization efficiency of agricultural waste in medicinal plant cultivation, in this study, 44 DSE strains (isolated from various plots and plants) were inoculated on the medium with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, xylan, and citrus pectin as the single carbon source or with additional guaiacol, and found that both DSE strains can selectively degrade different lignocellulose component (mainly cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin), while the specificity of fungal genus was the main factor affecting the lignocellulosic degradation ability. Further, corn straw and licorice residue, were used as lignocellulosic residues (LR) in solid state fermentation to demonstrate the cellulase production ability of DSE. Among them, the activities of filter paper cellulase, carboxymethyl cellulase, and β-glucosidase of Paraphoma chlamydocopiosa were the highest at 0.721-2.055, 1.435-3.102, and 1.245-2.976 U/g, respectively, and followed by Paraboeremia selaginellae at 0.347-1.644, 1.386-2.864, and 1.068-2.878 U/g, respectively. In addition, P. chlamydocopiosa and P. selaginellae exhibited the Isatis indigotica growth promotion which could increase the shoot, root, and total biomass by 56.3%, 93%, and 58.4% and 58.4%, 139.8%, 64.9% respectively. Further the two-factor pot experiment investigated the synergetic effects of the two DSE strains plus LR on I. indigotica. Two strains improved the LR utilization efficiency by mobilizing soil C-hydrolytic enzyme activities. These results highlight potential DSE applications in medicinal plant cultivation under LR return.

The Heteropolyacid-Catalyzed Conversion of Biomass Saccharides into High-Added-Value Products and Biofuels

The industrial processes used to produce paper and cellulose generate many lignocellulosic residues. These residues are usually burned to produce heat to supply the energy demands of other processes, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and resulting in a high environmental impact. Instead of burning these lignocellulosic residues, they can be converted into saccharides, which are feedstock for high-value products and biofuels. Keggin heteropolyacids are efficient catalysts for obtaining saccharides from cellulose and hemicellulose and converting them into bioproducts or biofuel. Furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, levulinic acid, and alkyl levulinates are important platform molecules obtained from saccharides and raw materials in the biorefinery processes used to produce fine chemicals and biofuels. This review discusses the significant progress achieved in the development of the processes based on heteropolyacid-catalyzed reactions to convert biomass and their residues into furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, levulinic acid, and alkyl levulinates in homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction conditions. The different modifications that can be performed to a Keggin HPA structure, such as the replacement of the central atom (P or Si) with B or Al, the doping of the heteropolyanion with metal cations, and a proton exchange with metal or organic cations, as well as their impact on the catalytic activity of HPAs, are detailed and discussed herein.

Functional properties and toxicological analysis of nanocellulose-based aerogels loaded with polyphenols from Hyeronima macrocarpa berries

In this study, the nutraceutical properties of ethanolic extract of Hyeronima macrocarpa fruits, immobilized on nanocellulose-based aerogels (NCAG) synthesized from the seeds were studied. Specifically, bioactives with antioxidant properties of the pulp were determined, NCAG and homologs of acetate (NCAG-A) and sulfate (NCAG-S) were obtained, and characterized from the seed, the aerogels loaded with antioxidants were studied to determine the anti-radical activity, digestion patterns, protein oxidation inhibition, and toxicological properties. The berries presented a high anthocyanin content of 1317.4 mg C3G/100 g FW and ORAC value ​​of 12,732 µmol Trolox/100 g FW, which make an important source of antioxidants. The seeds presented cellulose content of 61.4 % with a NC yield of 38.4 %. NCAG and their surface homologs were successfully synthesized and characterized by FTIR, DLS, and TEM finding the characteristic bands of the main functional groups, NC presented particle sizes ranging from 64 to 141 nm, BET analysis showed surface areas of 71.1, 102.3, and 183.5 m2/g for NCAG-A, NCAG, and NCAG-S, respectively, and pore sizes of 36–38 nm called mesopores. NCAG presented the highest capacity to trap reactive oxygen species (106.8 mg catechin Eq./g., 86.5 % OH• trapped, respectively). All samples showed the capacity to delay the oxidation of a protein system in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values ​​of 70 mg/L (NCAG), 176.3 mg/L (NCAG-A), and 255.6 mg/L (NCAG-S). In vitro digestion showed that NCAG-S was more efficient in delivering anthocyanins under gastric conditions (bioaccessibility of 59.3 %), and NCAG under duodenal conditions (bioaccessibility of 88.2 %). The differences found in samples for the different functional assays can be explained by the various types of interactions generated between the antioxidant molecules and aerogels, in the various media where the analyses are carried out. The results indicate nanocellulose-based aerogels, synthesized from lignocellulosic residues of H. macrocarpa seeds, proved to be porous matrices capable of carrying bioactive substances, and presented interesting properties for the delivery and conservation of antioxidant molecules such as anthocyanins and other polyphenols, achieving an in vitro protective effect against the oxidation of biomolecules.

Enhancing green polyethylene composites with filler heat treatment: Pecan nutshells and Pinus sawdust impact

The aim of the present study was to produce sustainable composites using green low-density polyethylene (LDPE) reinforced with heat-treated lignocellulosic residues. The transformation processes were employed to enhance the chemical compatibility of lignocellulosic wastes with the polymer matrices of the composite materials. Sawdust from pine wood (PW) and milled pecan nutshells (NS) were subjected to a thermal treatment at 180°C for 2 h. These heat-treated residues were then homogenized with the polymer matrix and molded through hot compression. The resulting wood polymer composites (WPCs) were subjected to various characterization tests, including density, mechanical properties, infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability, hygroscopic behavior, and morphology. Comparing the composites, the inclusion of heat-treated fillers led to reductions in water absorption and thickness swelling, especially for the NS. Furthermore, the composites didn’t exhibit increased flexural strength and/or tensile strength after the bio-components treatment. The insertion of thermally treated lignocelluloses also resulted in slight decreases in equilibrium moisture content and apparent contact angles.

Prediction of Syngas Composition During Gasification of Lignocellulosic Waste Mixtures

Avoiding global dependence on fossil oils and improving the environmental impact of energy production are factors that drive research into renewable energies. Considering lignocellulosic biomass residues as a raw material for gasification, a thermochemical process that converts lignocellulosic resources into synthesis gas (H2, CO, CH4, and CO2) is an alternative under study due to its low costs, high efficiency, and wide variety of applications. Fortunately, there are still areas for its improvement and technological development. For example, this can be achieved by gasification. Distinct types of lignocellulosic biomass, such as sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, pine sawdust, or corn cob, differ in their physical, chemical, and morphological properties, which can affect the characteristics of the gasification process. This work uses the generalized stoichiometry and mass and atomic balances in the gasification reactor to predict the composition of syngas produced via the gasification of both individual substrates and mixtures. The results provide useful information for the design and operation of gasification reactors with an operating region between 2.0 bar and 4.5 bar and between 1023.15 K and 1223.15 K, particularly with regard to understanding the effects of distinct types of biomasses in terms of their humidity and molecular weight on the operation and performance of the process. One important conclusion reached after simulating the addition of more vapor is that the (H2/CO) ratio cannot be increased indefinitely: it is limited by the thermodynamic equilibrium reached by the system.

Enhancing biogas production from hemp biomass residue through hydrothermal pretreatment and co-digestion with cow manure: Insights into methane yield, microbial communities, and metabolic pathways

This study investigates the enhancement of biogas production from hemp biomass residue (HBR) through hydrothermal pretreatment and co-digestion with cow manure (CM). Hydrothermal pretreatment at 200 °C for 15 min significantly improved the methane yield from 311.5 to 434.3 mL-CH4/g-VSadded (p ≤ 0.05) from HBR at 10% total solids (TS) loading, a 39% increase. Co-digestion with CM at an optimum ratio of 80:20 further increased the methane yield (738.7 mL-CH4/g-VSadded), representing a 70% improvement over pretreated HBR alone and a 137% increase compared to untreated HBR. Microbial community analysis revealed the dominance of Methanosaeta, comprising 83–93% of archaeal genera across samples. Gene expression analysis showed acetoclastic methanogenesis as the dominant pathway, accounting for 80% of methanogenesis sequences. Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis and CO2 reduction with H2 pathways contributed 10% each. The optimized process achieved a biodegradation efficiency of 94% for hydrothermally pretreated HBR, compared to 68% for untreated HBR. Mass balance analysis demonstrated that combining hydrothermal pretreatment with anaerobic digestion increased biogas yield from 79% for untreated HBR to 86% for pre-treated HBR (PHBR) co-digested with CM. Integrating hydrothermal pretreatment and co-digestion enhances biogas production from lignocellulosic agricultural residues, contributing to sustainable waste management and renewable energy production.

Reappraisal of different agro-industrial waste for the optimization of cellulase production from Aspergillus niger ITV02 in a liquid medium using a Box-Benkhen design.

High-value metabolites, such as enzymes and biofuels, can be produced from various agro-industrial waste containing high percentages of cellulose and hemicellulose. Aspergillus niger ITV02 demonstrates high potential in cellulases production, the key enzyme for converting lignocellulosic materials into fermentable sugars to produce second-generation bioethanol (bioethanol 2G). This study evaluated five lignocellulosic residues of agricultural importance: sugarcane bagasse (SCB), sorghum bagasse (SB), corn stubble (CS), barley straw (BS) and rice husk (RH) as substrates for cellulase production. The temperature, pH and stirring conditions were optimized using a Box-Behnken design to identify the most suitable conditions for cellulase production while minimizing nitrogen concentrations. The results indicate that the best way of propagation A. niger ITV02 is through the use of spores as an inoculant, in conjunction with the use of materials with a high cellulose/lignin ratio, such as CS and SB for the generation of cellulases. These conditions promote the expression of cellulases towards β-glucosidase production, unlike materials with lower cellulose/lignin ratios like BS and RH, which exhibited lower cellulase activity. The optimal conditions for cellulase production by A. niger ITV02 were determined to be 33 °C, pH 5.3, and 200rpm, resulting in a 1.7-fold increase in Exoglucanase (FPase activity) (from 0.127 to 0.215 U/mL). These findings demonstrate the potential to enhance FPase activity by utilizing substrates with high cellulose/lignin content and implementing optimal operational conditions without the need to raise the nitrogen content of the basal medium, thus mitigating the economic impact of cellulase production.

Can hydrogen be generated by UV- photodegradation of biomass residues in water media?

The photoinduced processes can be promising routes for hydrogen generation. This study explores hydrogen production through the non-catalyzed photodegradation of various biomass materials, a process that remains largely understudied compared to the catalyzed ones, i.e., photoreforming. Using as precursor almond shell (AS), a lignocellulosic biomass residue, various solid and liquid materials obtained from it were tested as substrates. These materials were obtained through different pretreatment methods including grinding, milling, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), and compared with milled cellulose (MC). Photodegradation tests, conducted in aqueous media under UV light, revealed that hydrogen production strongly depends on the structural and compositional features of the substrates. Among the solid samples, ground almond shell (GAS) and milled cellulose (MC) showed promising hydrogen yields. However, the liquid residue from the HTC process using diluted phosphoric acid (HMAS-L2), which is rich in simple organic acids, stood out, delivering the highest hydrogen production across all the substrates, and reaching an impressive value of 105 μmol of H2 in 5 h of reaction. Attention was also given to the production of other gases, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, as a result of the photodegradation. CO2 production occurred for all the substrates. PMAS (the pyrolyzed milled almond shell) and, specifically, HMAS-L2 generated detectable amounts of CH4 (5 and 22 μmol, respectively).The H2/CO2 ratios reached 0.66 for MC and 0.44 for HMAS-L2, highlighting the interest in evaluating the non-catalyzed biomass photodegradation as a preliminary step for future photoreforming studies. These findings enhance our understanding of biomass-based hydrogen generation and open new avenues for exploring non-catalyzed photoinduced processes.

Biocatalytic Production of Solketal Esters from Used Oil Utilizing Treated Macauba Epicarp Particles as Lipase Immobilization Support: A Dual Valorization of Wastes for Sustainable Chemistry

This study describes the production of solketal esters from used soybean cooking oil (USCO) via enzymatic hydroesterification. This process consists of the complete hydrolysis of USCO into free fatty acids (FFAs) catalyzed by crude lipase extract from Candida rugosa (CRL). The resulting FFAs were recovered and utilized as the raw material for an esterification reaction with solketal, which was achieved via an open reaction. For this purpose, lipase Eversa® Transform 2.0 (ET2.0) was immobilized via physical adsorption on treated epicarp particles from Acrocomia aculeata (macauba), a lignocellulosic residue. A protein loading of 25.2 ± 1.3 mg g−1 with a support and immobilization yield of 64.8 ± 2.5% was achieved using an initial protein loading of 40 mg g−1 of support. The influence of certain parameters on the esterification reaction was evaluated using a central composite rotatable design (CCRD). Under optimal conditions, a FFAs conversion of 72.5 ± 0.8% was obtained after 150 min of reaction at 46 °C using a biocatalyst concentration of 20% wt. and a FFAs–solketal molar ratio of 1:1.6. The biocatalyst retained 70% of its original activity after ten esterification batches. This paper shows the conversion of two agro-industrial waste into valuable materials (enzyme immobilization support and solketal esters).

Efficiently Catalyzing Xylose to Furfural by Synthesizing Solid Acid Catalysts from Lignocellulosic Residues

AbstractThe utilization of biomass as a carbon source for the synthesis of renewable solid acid catalysts (SA) has emerged as a prominent research direction in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Based on the challenges associated with reusing residues from lignocellulosic biorefining, the biomass‐based SA (BCSA) were prepared using poplar sawdust (PS), hydrothermally pretreated PS (PPS), and the residue of PPS's enzymatic hydrolysis (ER). The characterization revealed that all three types of BCSA were loaded with catalytic groups, and the BCSA synthesized using ER rich in lignin components exhibited a highly efficient catalytic structure. Furthermore, the catalysis of a 20 g/L xylose solution with BCSA‐ER as SA also achieved the highest furfural yield (89.3%) and furfural selectivity (90.3%). The findings of this study suggested that lignin holds significant potential as a carbon carrier for SA, thereby offering a viable solution for utilizing by‐products from lignocellulosic biorefining.

Comparison of adsorption potential of methylene blue and 17β-stradiol on biochar, activated biochar and catalytic biochar from lignocellulosic waste

This work compares the adsorption capacity of methylene blue (MB) and 17β-stradiol (17β-S) onto biochar (B), activated biochar (AB) and catalytic biochar (CB), obtained through pyrolysis of residual lignin of the second-generation (2G) ethanol production process from a sugarcane industry. K2CO3 was used as activating agent and catalyst. Biochars were characterized by the techniques of point of zero charge, nitrogen adsorption and desorption, SEM and FTIR. Kinetic, isothermal and thermodynamic adsorption studies were carried out. Biochars behaved according to the pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model, with similar removal percentages of MB using AB and CB. In contrast, AB showed significantly higher removal percentages of 17β-S than CB. The Sips model agreed to isothermal adsorption data of 17β-S onto all biochars. For MB adsorption, Freundlich model agreed to data using B and AB, and Langmuir model was more suitable for CB. The process was viable, spontaneous, endothermic and showed increase in entropy, except for 17β-S adsorption onto CB. Consequently, the activated and catalytic pyrolysis processes increased the adsorptive potential of biochar derived from 2G lignocellulosic residue. Finally, CB and AB obtained significant removal percentage values of MB (85.8–99.3 %) and 17β-S (37.6–76.7 %), where CB is favorable due to its simpler preparation steps.

LCA analysis on the management of typical lignocellulosic agricultural wastes: Case studies and comparison in Greece and China

Significant quantities of lignocellulosic agricultural residues are produced worldwide, and their management is quite problematic. In Greece and in general in the Mediterranean, large quantities of prunings are produced, especially from olive trees. The common practice of managing these residues is by burning them in the fields. On the other hand, in China, but also globally, huge amounts of residues are produced from cotton cultivation and efforts are being made to avoid the residues' usual burning in the fields. Beyond the development and refinement of energy and material utilization technologies for this waste, as well as the necessary economic analyses, very important for the scientific community is the study of the environmental impacts concerning the conventional management practices versus alternative ones that involve the wastes’ utilization.In this work and through the analysis of case studies in Greece and China for the management of the aforementioned typical lignocellulosic agricultural residues, comparative life cycle assessments of open-field burning practices versus energy production practices through gasification or pyrolysis are attempted. The results proved to be interesting and both cases agree with each other qualitatively despite the use of different tools and the application in different countries and agricultural residues. The comparative results highlight the need for immediate adoption of sustainable practices against the highly damaging conventional ones.

Scalable mesoporous biochars from bagasse waste for Cu (II) removal: Process optimisation, kinetics and techno-economic analysis

As the world faces the brink of climatological disaster, it is crucial to utilize all available resources to facilitate environmental remediation, especially by accommodating waste streams. Lignocellulosic waste residues can be transformed into mesoporous biochar structures with substantial pore capacity. While biochars are considered a method of carbon dioxide removal (CDR), they are in fact an environmental double-edged sword that can be used to extract metal ions from water bodies. Biochars possess high chemical affinities through chemisorption pathways that are tuneable to specific pH conditions. This work demonstrates how biochars can be enhanced to maximise their surface area and porosity for the removal of Cu (II) in solution. It was found that bagasse derived mesoporous biochars operate preferentially at high pH (basic conditions), with the 1.18 mKOH/mSCB material reaching 97.85% Cu (II) removal in 5 min. This result is in stark contrast with the majority of biochar adsorbents that are only effective at low pH (acidic conditions). As a result, the biochars produced in this work can be directly applied to ancestral landfill sites and carbonate-rich mine waters which are highly basic by nature, preventing further metal infiltration and reverse sullied water supplies. Furthermore, to assess the value in the use of biochars produced and applied in this way, a techno-economic assessment was carried out to determine the true cost of biochar synthesis, with possible routes for revenue post-Cu being removed from the biochar.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production for food packaging from biomass derived carbohydrates by cupriavidus necator DSM 545

The extensive utilization of conventional plastics has resulted in a concerning surge in waste. A potential solution lies in biodegradable polymers mostly derived from renewable sources. Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 is a microorganism capable, under stress conditions, of intracellularly accumulating Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a bio-polyester. This study aimed to identify optimal conditions to maximize the intracellular accumulation of PHB and its global production using natural media obtained by processing lignocellulosic residues of cardoon, a low-cost feedstock. An intracellular PHB accumulation was observed in all of the tested media, indicating a metabolic stress induced by the lack of macronutrients. Increasing C/N ratios led to a significant decrease in cellular biomass and PHB production. Furthermore C. necator DSM 545 was incapable of consuming more than 25 g/L of supplied monosaccharides. Surprisingly, in the samples supplied with 60 % of the pentose-rich liquid fraction, complete consumption of xylose was observed. This result was also confirmed by subsequent tests using Medium 1 growth media containing xylose as the sole carbon source. Using a diluted medium with a C/N ratio of 5, a PHB production of 5.84 g/L and intracellular PHB accumulation of 77 % w/w were respectively achieved. Finally, comparative shelf-life tests conducted against conventional pre-packaging materials in PP suggested that PHB films performed similarly in preserve ready-to-eat products.

Advanced Vermicomposting Modality: Microbial Acceleration to Improve Micronutrient Profile of Agricultural Residue Derived Compost

Advancing circular economies and self-reliant agricultural systems will critically depend on innovative strategies to optimize resource utilization and agro-waste recycling for the sustainability of food production. The present study is focused on the potential of vermitechnology with diverse substrate compositions in bioconverting lignocellulosic agricultural residues into nutrient-rich amendments. Trials of vermicomposting were carried out exploiting Eudrilus eugeniae and a fungal decomposer consortium, Pusa Decomposer. Treatments included T1: Gliricidia sepium leaves (GL), T2: Banana pseudostem (BP), T3: Rice straw (RS), T4: Rice husk (RH), T5 (RS + BP – 8:1 w/w), T6 (RH + BP - 8:1 w/w), T7 (RH + RS + BP – 4:4:1 w/w) and T8 (RH + RS + BP + GL – 4:4:0.5:0.5 w/w) with 3 replications in CRD. T2 expressed peak Mn, Zn and Cu values at 418.40 mg kg-1, 247.50 mg kg-1 and 55.12 mg kg-1, respectively. T3 reported summit Fe and B at 8669.50 mg kg-1 and 37.00 mg kg-1, respectively. It was found that the combination of RS and BP reported excellent nutrient solubilization and enhanced EC, which ratiocinates the role of substrate mix in determining vermicompost quality. These findings emphasize the importance of substrate selection and microbial augmentation with fungal decomposer consortia such as Pusa decomposer, which optimize the vermicomposting process for nutrient recovery and improved soil health.

Activated carbons from Brazilian lignocellulosic residues from baru and jurubeba as adsorbents for removal of diethyl phthalate in aqueous phase

New insights were achieved for the removal of plasticizer in the aqueous phase, through adsorption by H3PO4 and H2SO4 activated carbons. The preparation was made from Brazilian lignocellulosic residues from of the baru shell (Dipteryx alata) and the jurubeba fruit (Solanum paniculatum). Such residues were characterized by biochemical, elemental, thermogravimetric, Fourier Transform Infrared analyses. Subsequently, the influence of the biomass/acidity ratio (1/2; 1/3) was analyzed by applying adsorption kinetics for a diethyl phthalate concentration of 0.2 g L‐1, isotherms, and modeling. Chemical activation was carried out at 80 ºC 30 min‐1, drying at 110 ºC 15 h‐1 and carbonization under N2 flow at 800 ºC 60 min‐1 at a heating rate of 20 ºC min‐1. Precursors and ACs were characterized by nitrogen isotherm at 77 K, TGA-DTG, FT-IR, pHPZC. The reaction mechanisms, applicability of ACs were analyzed. ACs' yields varied: 31.7–50.4% (baru); 30–41.7% (jurubeba). The ACs exhibited a range of textural properties from: specific surface area (SBET): 2–269 m² g‐1, micropore volume (W0): 0.10–0.56 cm3 g‐1, micropore width (L0): 9.3–17.6 Å. Results revealed high thermal resistance, amorphous structure, mesoporous surfaces for baru ACs, microporous surfaces for jurubeba ACs, both predominantly acidic: pHPZC 1.8–3.9. This acidity facilitated non-electrostatic interactions during the adsorption.

A novel luciferase-based reporter tool to monitor the dynamics of carbon catabolite repression in filamentous fungi.

Filamentous fungi with their diverse inventory of carbohydrate-active enzymes promise a holistic usage of lignocellulosic residues. A major challenge for application is the inherent repression of enzyme production by carbon catabolite repression (CCR). In the presence of preferred carbon sources, the transcription factor CreA/CRE-1 binds to specific but conserved motifs in promoters of genes involved in sugar metabolism, but the status of CCR is notoriously difficult to quantify. To allow for a real-time evaluation of CreA/CRE-1-mediated CCR at the transcriptional level, we developed a luciferase-based construct, representing a dynamic, highly responsive reporter system that is inhibited by monosaccharides in a quantitative fashion. Using this tool, CreA/CRE-1-dependent CCR triggered by several monosaccharides could be measured in Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus nidulans over the course of hours, demonstrating distinct and dynamic regulatory processes. Furthermore, we used the reporter to visualize the direct impacts of multiple CreA truncations on CCR induction. Our reporter thus offers a widely applicable quantitative approach to evaluate CreA/CRE-1-mediated CCR across diverse fungal species and will help to elucidate the multifaceted effects of CCR on fungal physiology for both basic research and industrial strain engineering endeavours.

Adduct of Pesticide and Lignocellulosic Waste via Cleavable Silaketal Linkages for Agricultural Double Reduction.

The abuse of hazardous agrochemicals leads to excessive toxic agricultural emissions, posing a tremendous threat to the natural surroundings and human well-being. In practice, the amount of pesticides in protecting crops is often far less than that lost into the environment through evaporation and leaching. Minimizing the use of pesticides as well as improving their use efficiency has been included in the policy of "agricultural double reduction," besides replacing the chemical fertilizer with straw returning. Here, we establish a strategy for controlling pesticide release from the lignocellulosic waste based on the stimulus-responsive cleavage of silaketal linkages. Noting that the cleavage of the silaketal linkages relies heavily on the substituent groups on silicon atoms, this pesticide-releasing system has the advantages of predictable service life and less environmental pollution in a desired time window. Instead of lengthy laboratory synthesis, outdoor instant synthesis can be conveniently realized with the help of a photothermal heating apparatus. After utilization, both silaketal linkages and lignocellulosic residuals are eco-friendly and can be a source of nutrients for soil. Referring to agricultural double reduction, this type of pesticide formulation is coined as a competitive approach to minimize pesticide pollution along with straw returning.

Synthesis and characterization of hierarchically porous carbon anodes from furfural biorefinery residues for sustainable lithium-ion batteries

This study aims to valorize abundant lignocellulosic residues from furfural biorefineries into hierarchically porous carbon anodes for sustainable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Simultaneously, it addresses the growing demand for high-performance anode materials by leveraging renewable waste feedstocks. Sugarcane bagasse waste residues obtained after furfural extraction were used as the precursor. The furfural-derived bagasse residue (FDBR) underwent pyrolysis at 700 °C to produce a carbon-rich char, which was further activated using KOH and steam at 900 °C for 15–60 minutes to enhance porosity development. Comprehensive physicochemical characterizations, including proximate analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and TGA/DTG, and Raman spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the properties of the synthesized activated carbons. The results demonstrated the successful generation of high surface area (405.8 m2/g) activated carbons with a hierarchical pore structure comprising micropores and mesopores. SEM and EDX analyses revealed a uniform, porous morphology enriched with 10.41 % at oxygen-containing functional groups. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of hydroxyls, carbonyls, and carboxylic acid groups, beneficial for pseudocapacitive charge storage. The Raman analysis revealed a highly disordered and amorphous carbon structure with a significant concentration of defects, as evidenced by a high-intensity ratio (ID/IG ≈ 1.2–1.4) of the disordered carbon band to the graphitic band. The activated carbons exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 1055 mAh/g in lithium half-cells, significantly exceeding the theoretical limit of commercial graphite anodes (372 mAh/g). This superior capacity was attributed to the high surface area, hierarchical porosity, and pseudocapacitive contributions from the oxygen functionalities. However, rapid capacity fading from 1055 to ∼250 mAh/g was observed over 100 cycles at a C/2 rate. The capacity retention stabilized at ∼88 % after 47 cycles, indicating irreversible capacity losses. These limitations were ascribed to the disordered amorphous structure, instability of the solid-electrolyte interphase, lithium trapping by oxygen groups, and structural changes during cycling. Optimizing activation conditions, incorporating conductive additives/coatings, exploring alternative binders, and surface functionalization are proposed to improve long-term cycling stability. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of upcycling furfural biorefinery waste into sustainable LIB anodes while highlighting challenges and potential solutions for enhancing their electrochemical performance.