Pine Bark Research Articles

Coating of Hemp Fibres with Hydrophobic Compounds Extracted from Pine Bark

Applying coatings of paraffins and other synthetic waxes is a common approach to impart hydrophobic properties to fibres and thus control their surface characteristics. Replacing these fossil-based products with alternatives derived from renewable resources can contribute to humankind’s transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. This study presents the coating of hemp fibres with waxes extracted from pine bark as an exemplar application. Two bio-based emulsifiers were used to prepare wax emulsions suitable for a dry blending process. The coatings on the fibres were characterised, quantified, and visualised using a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Confocal fluorescence microscopy was an excellent tool to investigate the spatial distribution of the pine bark waxes on the fibre surfaces. While successful deposition was demonstrated for all tested formulations, coating homogeneity varied for different emulsifiers. Compounding the hemp fibres with a bio-based polyester resulted in the substantial improvement of the mechanical behaviour. However, the presence of a wax coating on the fibres did not lead to a significant change in mechanical properties compared to the controls with uncoated fibres. Optimising the composite chemistry or adjusting the processing conditions might improve the compatibility of the hemp fibres with the matrix material, resulting in enhanced mechanical performance.

Resource pulses drive spatio‐temporal dynamics of non‐native bark beetles and wood borers

Abstract Clear‐fell harvesting of non‐native plantation forests in the southern hemisphere creates large amounts of woody debris that is used for breeding by non‐native bark beetles and wood borers. Limited competition and a shortage of natural enemies allow some invasive pine bark beetles and wood borers to become highly abundant and cause phytosanitary issues. Replicated transects (550–750 m long) of funnel traps baited with alpha‐pinene and ethanol spanning even‐aged Pinus radiata stands were established in New Zealand's largest plantation forest and monitored from pre‐harvest until up to 5 years post‐harvesting to test the effects of harvesting residue resource pulses on the spatio‐temporal population dynamics of Hylurgus ligniperda, Hylastes ater and Arhopalus ferus. Generalised additive mixed model analyses of trap captures of >687,000 H. ligniperda, >7600 H. ater and >5000 A. ferus individuals showed greatly elevated populations for the first 2–3 years post‐harvest. Subsequently, populations returned to very low levels once the resource pulse was exhausted. Spatial patterns of captures reflecting beetle dispersal from breeding material showed a curvilinear decline along the breeding resource gradient by up to 95% from the interior of a recently harvested stand into an adjacent, previously harvested stand with exploited resources. Synthesis and applications. The results show that forest management characterised by ongoing harvesting of neighbouring stands facilitates the build‐up of large populations of bark beetles and wood borers of phytosanitary concern. This is due to recurrent resource pulses caused by the supply of substantial amounts of breeding material from tree felling. Our findings can inform forest planning aimed at avoiding such harvesting patterns, by assisting with the development and implementation of strategies for the management of beetle populations across the landscape. Most beetles dispersed <400 m beyond the source stand edge, although some beetles are likely to have dispersed further. Keeping a distance of 1–2 km between recently felled stands and those scheduled for felling would be expected to reduce rapid population growth. This knowledge can also be used to reduce seedling attack, minimise infestation of logs, and ultimately, mitigate pathway and biosecurity risks, with important implications for forest product exports and quarantine measures.

Application of coniferous bark as sorbent material for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – A case study in Sweden

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic contaminants commonly found in drainage water from waste management facilities. Within the European Union, these facilities either treat the water locally or transfer it to wastewater treatment plants to reduce harmful emissions. However, PFAS are a broad class of compounds with varying physicochemical properties, leading to different removal efficiencies for adsorbents. Activated carbon and ion exchange resins are effective but costly, and they can become saturated with other contaminants. Therefore, this study aims to explore inexpensive, abundant alternatives for reducing PFAS concentrations in the environment. In Sweden, bark is a by-product of forestry activities, primarily used as fuel in heat and power plants. This study evaluates the ability of pine and spruce bark to remove PFAS from contaminated drainage water. Initial laboratory experiments employed liquid-to-solid ratios of 10 and 20 to assess the performance of both materials. Results indicated that pine bark exhibited better removal efficiencies, particularly when a layered column with pine bark followed by spruce bark was utilized. The overall removal efficiencies for short-chain PFAS (perfluorinated carbons: PFCA C3–C6 and PFSA C4–C5) and long-chain PFAS (PFCA > C7 and PFSA > C6) were below 20%, except for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which showed reductions of 40%–80%. The pH of the treated water decreased from 7 to 4 (pine bark) and 5 (spruce bark) after treatment. In a larger-scale trial, a combination of 50% pine bark and 50% spruce bark was tested, achieving similar reductions for PFOS. Although the removal efficiencies were insufficient for exclusive treatment, these materials may be useful in specific applications targeting long-chain PFAS or in conjunction with other treatment methods.

Remediation of hexavalent chromium in water and soil by pristine and chemically modified pine barks: Effects and mechanisms

Chemical modification can greatly improve the adsorption performance of materials. In this study, pristine pine bark (PB) was modified by phosphoric acid (PA-PB), dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB-PB) and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-PB) to test their influence on remediating hexavalent chromium [Cr(Ⅵ)] contamination in water and soil systems. Under the optimal experimental conditions in solution, the reduction/adsorption capacities and removal rates of Cr(Ⅵ) follow the order of CTAB-PB > PA-PB > DTAB-PB > PB, with CTAB-PB showing the highest capacity of 88.1 mg g−1. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that adsorption coupled with reduction were the responsible mechanisms for Cr(Ⅵ) removal by pristine and modified PB, and modification with CTAB greatly improved Cr(Ⅵ) removal, especially the reduction of Cr(Ⅵ). When CTAB-PB and PB were applied in soil for a 30-day microcosm experiment, more than 93 % of Cr(Ⅵ) was converted into Cr(Ⅲ) at four different addition levels (2, 5, 10, and 15 wt%) with CTAB-PB exhibiting a faster immobilization rate than PB. In conclusion, CTAB-PB showed better performance than PB and is a promising material for the remediation of Cr(Ⅵ) contamination in water and soil.

Production of high-calorific hybrid biofuel pellets from urban plastic waste and agro-industrial by-products

Advances in waste-to-energy technology and sustainable fuel production drive significant changes in the energy industry. These innovative solutions not only address waste management challenges but also contribute to broadening the energy source matrix and reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels. This study evaluates the incorporation of polyethylene and polypropylene urban plastic waste in various agro-industrial by-product blends, which combine beet pulp, radiata pine, and eucalyptus bark wastes. The generation of the hybrid biofuel from agro-industrial waste and domestic solid waste in pellet form is investigated to determine the optimal blends in terms of durability, ash generation and calorific value. Both urban plastics incorporated in the mixtures not only significantly increase the calorific energy value but also promote the binding of the solid biofuel components. The polypropylene-based urban plastic pellet exhibited superior binding capacity and lower ash generation, even in complex hydroxyl functional groups. It also displayed suitable properties for solid biofuels, such as low fine content, high durability, and dimensional stability. The highest resulting calorific value of 22.6 MJ/kg was determined for the mass ratio of the blend with 99% durability, 0.23% fines content, and 5.1% combustion ash generation. This new hybrid biofuel is presented as a sustainable option and a significant contribution in the field of waste-to-energy technology and renewable energy production. The production cost of the hybrid biofuel is competitive with wood-based biofuels, with only a 6.25% increase observed for pellets made from 50% wood and 20% beet pulp compared to traditional 100% wood pellets. However, significant cost reductions were achieved through specific configurations, resulting in savings of 14.8%. The novel hybrid biofuel requires only 9.2 MJ/kg to produce 22.6 MJ/kg, demonstrating significant energy impact and viability as a sustainable energy source in waste-to-energy technology and renewable energy production.

Конструкционные плиты из гидродинамически активированной коры сосны (Pinus sylvestris) без связующих веществ

Bark is a large-tonnage waste in a number of wood processing technologies requiring efficient use. One of the promising areas of bark use is the production of boards without synthetic binders. Research has been conducted on the production of structural boards from Pinus sylvestris bark without a binder. The method is based on preliminary hydrodynamic activation of bark. The initial bark undergoes primary crushing in a hammer mill. After that, it is mixed with water at a concentration of 6 %. Then the resulting mass is activated in a rotary pulsation disperser, a carpet is formed from it, cold pressing is carried out, and then hot pressing. As a criterion for assessing the degree of mass activation, water-retaining capacity is adopted. The dependencies have been determined between the duration of treatment and water-retaining capacity, as well as the strength of the boards and water-retaining capacity. The latter made it possible to obtain the optimal value of the water-retaining capacity equal to 290 %. A multifactorial experiment has been conducted to develop the optimal hot pressing mode. As a result, the optimal mode for pressing the boards has been determined: temperature – 190 °C; specific process duration – 2.8 min/mm; pressing pressure – 4.4 MPa. The properties of the boards produced in this mode are: density – 980 kg/m 3 ; bending strength – 24 MPa; swelling during soaking for 24 hours – 5 %; water absorption – 9 %. After soaking and subsequent drying to a moisture content of 5 %, the boards retain 75 % of their before soaking. In this case, the geometric dimensions return to the original ones. The resulting boards can be used as a sheet finishing and structural material, in house-building (as a base for floor and roofing materials), in furniture production, especially in severe temperature and humidity conditions. The conducted research shows the possibility of producing board materials with high performance properties from pine bark without binders.

Comparative metagenomic study unveils new insights on bacterial communities in two pine-feeding Ips beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

Climate change has recently boosted the severity and frequency of pine bark beetle attacks. The bacterial community associated with these beetles acts as "hidden players," enhancing their ability to infest and thrive on defense-rich pine trees. There is limited understanding of the environmental acquisition of these hidden players and their life stage-specific association with different pine-feeding bark beetles. There is inadequate knowledge on novel bacterial introduction to pine trees after the beetle infestation. Hence, we conducted the first comparative bacterial metabarcoding study revealing the bacterial communities in the pine trees before and after beetle feeding and in different life stages of two dominant pine-feeding bark beetles, namely Ips sexdentatus and Ips acuminatus. We also evaluated the bacterial association between wild and lab-bred beetles to measure the deviation due to inhabiting a controlled environment. Significant differences in bacterial amplicon sequence variance (ASVs) abundance existed among different life stages within and between the pine beetles. However, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Pseudoxanthomonas, Taibaiella, and Acinetobacter served as core bacteria. Interestingly, I. sexdentatus larvae correspond to significantly higher bacterial diversity and community richness and evenness compared to other developmental stages, while I. acuminatus adults displayed higher bacterial richness with no significant variation in the diversity and evenness between the life stages. Both wild and lab-bred I. sexdentatus beetles showed a prevalence of the bacterial family Pseudomonadaceae. In addition, wild I. sexdentatus showed dominance of Yersiniaceae, whereas Erwiniaceae was abundant in lab-bred beetles. Alternatively, Acidobacteriaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, and Microbacteriaceae were highly abundant bacterial families in lab-bred, whereas Chitinophagaceae and Microbacteriaceae were highly abundant in wild I. accuminatus. We validated the relative abundances of selected bacterial taxa estimated by metagenomic sequencing with quantitative PCR. Our study sheds new insights into bacterial associations in pine beetles under the influence of various drivers such as environment, host, and life stages. We documented that lab-breeding considerably influences beetle bacterial community assembly. Furthermore, beetle feeding alters bacteriome at the microhabitat level. Nevertheless, our study revisited pine-feeding bark beetle symbiosis under the influence of different drivers and revealed intriguing insight into bacterial community assembly, facilitating future functional studies.

Examining a New Laboratory Method for Packing Soilless Substrate to Ensure Consistent, Appropriate Bulk Density When Measuring Static Physical Properties

Bulk density (Db) and subsequent physical properties are determined by the substrate and packing method. Packing method is the way one fills and compresses a substrate within a given volume. Bulk density produced in the laboratory may not align with “expected” published ranges due to variations in packing. Additionally, it is unknown if ranges identified as “typical” using a small volume sample ring reflect Db occurring in larger production size containers packed using commercial potting practices. Therefore, our objectives were to 1) emulate nursery practices and document the Db associated with a potted 2.8-L (#1) container, 2) develop and test the new “shim and compression” method to determine if it consistently packs sample rings to a Db commensurate with that of a 2.8-L nursery container, and 3) demonstrate how static physical properties are affected by the new “shim and compression” sample ring packing method compared with the traditional bench top tap method. When emulating nursery potting practices with 100% pine bark, coir, and peat, and blends of each, Db ranged from 0.08 g⋅cm−3 (coconut coir) to 0.17 g⋅cm−3 (pine bark). We used an espresso tamp and shims to pack the aforementioned substrates in sample rings. The Db achieved using a range in number of presses and discs was largely dependent on the substrate, but the desired Db was consistently achieved for each substrate. There was no effect of disc number on Db (P = 1.000) for any substrate. There was no effect of tamp number (P ≥ 0.0602) for all substrates except peat-amended, for which five tamps yielded a greater Db than one tamp (P = 0.0324). In an experiment in which a different technician who was accustomed to the conventional benchtop tap packing method performed both methods, method influenced Db (P < 0.0001), and the conventional method more closely attained the target Db. To our knowledge, this is the only report of Db observed in commercial container production facilities (i.e., “native”).

Investigations on adsorptive removal of PVC microplastics from aqueous solutions using Pinus roxburghii-derived biochar.

This study investigates the adsorption mechanisms of pine bark biochar (BC) and modified pine bark biochar (MBC) in the removal of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics from aqueous solutions, with a significant focus on resource recovery from pine residues which is one of the key Himalayan Forest byproducts. The research findings highlighted the optimal adsorption capacity of biochar at 131.5mg/g achieved after 6h of contact time, with a pH of 10 and a PVC microplastic concentration of 200mg/L. The primary mechanisms of PVC microplastic adsorption involved ion exchange and physical adsorption, driven by forces such as Vander-Waals, London forces, and electrostatic forces. Thermodynamic analysis showed the exothermic nature of the PVC and BC/MBC interaction, with spontaneous adsorption occurring within the temperature range of 10 to 40°C. Isotherm and kinetic models fit well with Temkin model and PSO kinetics, as indicated by R2 values exceeding 0.9. Particularly, MBC exhibited superior removal efficiency and adsorption capacity compared to its precursor, reaching an optimum adsorption capacity of 156.08mg/g with a removal efficiency of 78%, surpassing the performance of BC. This research contributes valuable insights into potential applications of BC for PVC removal and underscores the effectiveness of MBC in achieving enhanced adsorption outcomes.

The importance of application of medicinal plants and natural products in poultry health management

Application of herbs and natural medicines have shown to have no negative side effects, with high effectiveness to improve productivity. Usage of medicinal plants can increase gut function, improve hepatic function, inhibition of prooxidant enzymes, enhance antioxidant content, improve shelf life, enhance sensorial value, better nutritive value, improve both health and consumers preference, enhance calcium and other minerals, increase vitamin B and folate, and enhance immunity. The most important medicinal plants with antiparasitic activities are green tea, guar bean, pine bark, grape seed, barberry root bark, Rangoon creeper, olive tree, and wormwood. Some other important medicinal plants in poultry industry are black pepper, nettle, shrubby sophora, Aleppo oak, garlic, red cedar, ginger, mint, tobacco, turmeric, aloe vera, etc. The application of herbal medicines can be considered as an important alternative to treating parasitic infections. In organic broiler production with application of medicinal plants, decreasing hormones, growth promoters and antibiotics should be considered as well as paying more attention to selection of appropriate organic feed management with considering higher production. This article aims to survey on the importance of application of natural products and medicinal plants in poultry industry by considering secondary metabolites such as triterpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids due to their anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and astringent properties.

EVALUATION OF PROPERTIES OF WOOD PLASTIC COMPOSITES MADE FROM SEVEN TYPES OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC FIBERS

This article aims to investigate the characteristics of wood plastic composites (WPC) prepared from polyethylene (PE) reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers derived from the xylem and bark of Masson pine, fir, cypress, as well as from Moso bamboo. The surface polarity and elemental composition of fibers were determined through contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The lignocellulosic fiber/PE composites were manufactured through hot-pressing technique, and their water absorption, mechanical properties, and mildew resistance were evaluated. The results revealed that the surface free energy of xylem fibers was higher than that of bark fibers among the three conifer species. XPS analysis showed that the O/C ratio of bark was consistently lower than that of xylem fiber. Among the three conifers, the Masson pine bark had the lowest O/C ratio (22.25%), while its xylem fibers had the highest ratio of 41.64%. WPC made with bark fibers had better water resistance. Additionally, the composites reinforced with xylem fibers showed superior static bending strength, impact strength, and mildew-resistant properties as compared to the composites reinforced with bark fibers. WPC made from bamboo fibers exhibited the best water resistance, with a water absorption rate and thickness swelling rate of 1.83% and 1.42%, respectively. They also had the highest static bending strength, elastic modulus, and impact strength, at 41.31 MPa, 3.82 GPa, and 10.24 kJ/m2, respectively. The WPC made from fir xylem fibers showed the most effective mildew resistance, with the smallest damage (0.50).

Highly efficient degradation of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate removal by bio-trickling filter reactors with various fillers

This study investigates the purification performance of bio-trickling filters (BTFs) using different media to treat ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate in kitchen waste malodorous gases. The media compared included a custom composite medium, pine bark, hollow polyhedral spheres, and ceramic particles. Over 25 days, the composite medium outperformed the traditional media, achieving removal rates of 90.13 % for ethanol, 63.89 % for acetaldehyde, and 82.56 % for ethyl acetate during the biofilm initiation phase, with the others below 60 %. Even under low empty bed residence time and high inlet concentrations, the maximum elimination capacity for ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate was 8.34–14.70 g/m3·h, 9.55–15.06 g/m3·h, and 6.18–10.45 g/m3·h. Kinetic analysis showed the Michaelis-Menten model fit well, indicating enhanced removal potential. High-throughput of 16S rDNA sequencing identified dominant microorganisms like Enterobacteriaceae (13.89 %), Stenotrophomonas (29.23 %), and Acinetobacter (4.09 %) in the composite medium, which thrived even at high pollutant concentrations. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated differences in the microbial composition of the custom composite medium compared to traditional media under varying inlet concentrations and loads. This study provides technical support for the treatment of complex malodorous gas mixtures.

Editorial: Pine bark extract: nutrition and metabolism

Editorial: Pine bark extract: nutrition and metabolism

Assessing the effects of allelopathic properties of organic mulches on liverwort control in container-grown ornamentals

Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) is a problematic weed in ornamental crop production. The major limitation of liverwort control is lack of herbicide options inside greenhouses and their potential to cause injury. The current research was undertaken to study the effectiveness of allelopathic properties of six different organic mulches including rice hull (RH), cocoa hull (CH), pine bark (PB), maple leaf (ML), shredded cypress (SC), and red hardwood (HW) for liverwort control. Mulch extracts were prepared and used to impregnate agar media at an increasing dose at 1X (2 mL mulch extract), 2X (4 mL), 3X (6 mL), and 4X (8 mL) rates, in a randomized complete block design. Ten liverwort gemmae were transferred to each petri dish and they were maintained inside a growth chamber. The number of gemmae germinating in each petri dish after 1 week and gemmae surviving at the end of 2 weeks was recorded. In greenhouse study, mulch extracts were applied to containers filled with substrate for assessing liverwort control. The mulch extracts or no extract (control) were applied to the containers uniformly at 1X (15 mL), 2X (30 mL), 3X (45 mL) or 4X (60 mL) rates, in a randomized complete block design. The percentage of substrate surface covered by liverwort thalli was visually estimated bi-weekly for 10 weeks. Fresh biomass of the thalli and gemmae cup counts in each pot were also recorded. After 1 week in the growth chamber, ML followed by SC, PB and RH extracts showed maximum suppression of liverwort gemmae germination. At 2 weeks, ML applied at either of the rates provided complete inhibition of liverwort growth. In greenhouse, all the mulch extracts were able to provide complete liverwort control for the first two weeks. All the mulches and rates of applications were significantly different from the control after 6, 8, and 10 weeks. PB and HW mulches showed excellent liverwort control and minimum fresh biomass of liverwort after 10 weeks as compared to other mulches. The allelopathic potential of the organic mulches can be a promising option for biopesticidal control of liverwort and a component of integrated liverwort management.

Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water using magnetic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-modified pine bark

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gained global attention in recent years due to their adverse effect on environment and human health. In this study, a novel and cost-effective sorbent was developed utilizing forestry by-product pine bark and tested for the removal of PFAS compounds from both synthetic solutions and contaminated groundwater. The synthesis of the adsorbent included two steps: 1) loading of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) onto the pine bark and followed by 2) a simple coating of magnetite nanoparticles. The developed sorbent (MC-PB) exhibited 100 % perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) removal from synthetic solution (10 µg/L PFOA and PFOS) and enabled quick magnetic separation. A rapid removal of PFOA (> 80 %) by MC-PB was observed within 10 min from synthetic PFOA solution and the adsorption equilibrium was reached within 4 h, achieving > 90 % removal of PFOA (dosage 2 g/L, PFOA 10 mg/L, initial pH 4.2). The PFOA adsorption kinetics fitted well to an optimized pseudo-order model (R2=0.929). Intra-particle diffusion and Boyd models suggested that the adsorption process was not governed by pore diffusion. The maximum PFOA adsorption capacity was found to be 69 mg/g and the adsorption isotherm was best described by the Dual Mode Model (R2=0.950). The MC-PB demonstrated > 90 % PFOA and PFOS removal from contaminated groundwater. Furthermore, both short- and long-chain perfluorosulfonic acids and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate were efficiently removed resulting in 83.9 % removal towards total PFAS (2 g/L dosage).

Efficacy and safety of an oral complementary medicine combination in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: Protocol for the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled ATLAS trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of an oral complementary medicine combination formulation relative to placebo, on changes in pain intensity from baseline to week 12, in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). DesignA placebo-controlled, double-blind, two-arm, superiority, phase II, Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) (ACTRN12623000380695). We will recruit 82 participants (∼41 per arm), aged ≥40 years, with a clinical diagnosis of symptomatic knee OA and radiographic change on x-ray (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade ≥2). Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either a complementary medicine formulation containing a daily dose of Boswellia serrata extract (Boswellin® Super, 250 ​mg/day), pine bark extract (Fenoprolic™ 70 Organic 100 ​mg/day), curcumin (500 ​mg/day), piperine (5 ​mg/day), and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM, 1500 ​mg/day), or placebo, for 12-weeks. The primary endpoint will be change from baseline in average knee pain intensity at 12-weeks (visual analogue scale). Secondary endpoints will include change in knee pain from baseline to 12-weeks in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), global assessment of disease activity, global rating of change, and health-related quality of life (AQoL-8D). Ethics and disseminationThis protocol has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (#2021/877). Dissemination will occur through lay summaries, infographics, conference abstracts, oral presentations, theses, and scientific publications. ConclusionThis RCT will provide credible evidence about the efficacy and safety of this complementary medicine combination and inform updates to international clinical practice standards on the use of complementary medicines in the management of symptomatic knee OA.

Forestry- and agriculture-derived materials as potential bacterial supplements in immunomodulatory urban greening

Decreased exposure to environmental microbes among urbanites is generally thought to contribute to the high incidence of several immune-mediated diseases. Urban landscaping materials that provide microbiological diversity and contain health-associated microbes, such as proteobacterial and mycobacterial taxa, could modulate the risk of the immune-mediated diseases. The aim of the current study was to develop soils that contain health-associated microbiota and are suitable for urban landscaping. Therefore, the potential of forestry- and agriculture-derived supplements in urban greening was investigated. Commercially available, peat-based lawn soil (standard substrate) was enriched with boreal forestry side streams (conifer needles, cones, pine bark, alnus leaves, moss debris, reed and manure), moss or side-stream based products (biochar, composted agricultural waste). The microbial communities of the standard and enriched substrates were followed in two year-long studies in which sod and grass were grown outdoors and indoors. Moss, conifer needles and reed retainded and increased the relative abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria and its classes, while Alnus litter and conifer needles supported the relative abundance of Mycobacterium. Temporal shifts in the relative abundance and richness of previously health-associated bacteria were evident. The method of enriching lawn soil with side streams appears to elicit desired shifts in health-associated microbial taxa. The results indicate that several agricultural and forestry side streams are suitable for shaping health-associated microbiota in commercially available soil. Further studies to explore the potential of side streams in immunomodulatory urban greening are recommended.

Enhancing pediatric attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment: exploring the gut microbiota effects of French maritime pine bark extract and methylphenidate intervention.

The pathogenesis of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is thought to be multifactorial, with a potential role for the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and brain development and function. Since the "golden-standard" medication therapy with methylphenidate (MPH) is linked to multiple adverse effects, there is a need for alternative treatment options such as dietary polyphenols. These secondary plant metabolites exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but much less is known about their impact on the gut microbiota. Since polyphenols are believed to modulate gut microbial composition, interventions might be advantageous in ADHD therapy. Therefore, intervention studies with polyphenols in ADHD therapy investigating the gut microbial composition are highly relevant. Besides the primary research questions addressed previously, this study explored a potential prebiotic effect of the polyphenol-rich French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (PBE) compared to MPH and a placebo in pediatric ADHD patients by studying their impact on the gut microbiota via amplicon sequencing of the full length 16S rRNA gene ribosomal subunit (V1-V9). One interesting finding was the high relative abundance of Bifidobacteria among all patients in our study cohort. Moreover, our study has identified that treatment (placebo, MPH and PBE) explains 3.94% of the variation in distribution of microbial taxa (adjusted p-value of 0.011). Our small sample size (placebo: n = 10; PBE: n = 13 and MPH: n = 14) did not allow to observe clear prebiotic effects in the patients treated with PBE. Notwithstanding this limitation, subtle changes were noticeable and some limited compositional changes could be observed. doi: 10.1186/S13063-017-1879-6.

Non-composted and blended agro-industrial by-products an as alternative soilless substrate affect potted zonal geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) and murva (Murraya paniculata) production

Due to their hiking prices and import restrictions, peat moss and coco coir are not readily available in many developing countries including Pakistan. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternative soilless substrates having low cost and comparable physico-chemical properties with peat moss and coco coir for local and global market. For this purpose, indigenous agro-industrial by-products, viz., sesame straw, date palm coir, sugarcane pressmud, sugar beet waste and pine bark were collected, cleaned, crushed (where needed) and blended for physico-chemical analyses. Zonal geranium ‘Pinto White’ and murva (Murraya paniculata Kaneh.) were used to evaluate the efficacy of various combinations of substrates on plant growth and production. Three experiments were conducted with six treatments of each experiment replicated three times. Blending of sesame straw with sugarcane pressmud and pine bark (4:4:2 by volume) yielded best results and marketable plants were produced with tallest height (35.8 cm), canopy diameter (20.8 cm), leaf area (29.2 cm2), leaf total chlorophyll contents (62.1 SPAD) and flowers per plant (5.0 No.) along with shortest production time (103 days). Same results were recorded when murva plants were grown in 4:4:2 blending of sesame straw, sugarcane pressmud and pine bark. Zonal geranium and murva plants did not perform well when sesame straw was blended with date palm coir and sugar beet waste. Blending of sesame straw with sugarcane pressmud and pine bark had low pH (7.0), electrical conductivity (1.37 mS cm-1), bulk density (0.29 g cm-3) while high water retention (34.7 %) as compared to other blended substrates. However, shrinkage of substrates in containers was highest (7.7 %) when sesame straw was blended with sugarcane pressmud and pine bark in 5:3:2 followed by 4:4:2. pH value of all blended substrates decreased at termination except when sesame straw, sugarcane pressmud and pine bark were blended in 4:4:2 and 5:2:3, which was increased from 7.0 to 7.1. Electrical conductivity of all blended substrates was decreased at termination of the experiments. It can be concluded that blending of sesame straw, sugarcane pressmud and pine bark in 4:4:2 (v/v/v) significantly improved physico-chemical characteristics of substrates as well as plant growth and production attributes of zonal geranium and murva. Therefore, this indigenous soilless substrate, which is cheaper and readily available to nurserymen can be used as alternative of peat moss and coco coir for containerized plant production.

Discarded substrates from soilless hydroponic horticulture as potential amendments for metal-contaminated soils

Soil contamination with metals is a major threat for the environment and public health since most metals are toxic to humans and to non-human biota, even at low concentrations. Thus, new sustainable remediation approaches are currently needed to immobilize metals in soils to decrease their mobility and bioavailability. In this work, we explore the application of discarded substrates from hydroponic cultivation, namely coconut shell and a mixture of coconut shell and pine bark, for immobilization of metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Hg, Sb and As) in a naturally contaminated soil from a mining region in Portugal. The immobilization capacity of substrates (added to the soil at 5% mass ratio) was assessed both individually and also combined with other traditional agriculture soil additives (limestone and gypsum, at 2% mass ratio) and nanoparticles of zero-valent iron (nZVI) at 1–3% mass ratio. The overall results obtained after a 30-d incubation showed that the discarded substrates are a viable, economic, and environmental-friendly solution for metal remediation in soils, with the capacity of immobilization ranging from 20 to 91% for the metals and metalloids studied. Furthermore, they showed the capacity to reduce the soil toxicity (EC50 ∼ 6000 mg/L) to non-toxic levels (EC50 > 10000 mg/L) to the bacteria Aliivrio fischeri.