Pistachio Shell Research Articles

Bioproduction of xylitol by Candida tropicalis 13803 from pistachio shell hydrolysate obtained through MW-HPCO2 system

Objective: Biotechnological xylitol production from secondary agricultural residues is a promising approach for a sustainable and environmental purpose. Lignocellulosic biomass is a significant feedstock for biofuel and biochemical production. Its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, renewability, and environmental friendliness make it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels and other conventional sources of energy and chemicals. Materials and methods: In this study, the conversion of xylan to xylose in a pistachio shell was provided with a novel technology of a microwave-assisted high-pressure CO2/H2O system. Xylose rich pistachio shell hydrolysate was utilized by Candida tropicalis ATCC 13803 for xylitol production. Different concentrations of xylose (50, 100, and 150 g/L) were employed for xylitol production in shake-flask. Results and conclusion: HMF and furfural were completely removed from xylose-rich hydrolysate by activated charcoal. The improvement in yeast performance was limited with increasing xylose concentration. The highest xylitol produced by C. tropicalis from pistachio shell hydrolysate (65.15 g/L) and the maximum yield of xylitol 0.66 g/g with 100 g/L xylose were obtained in shake-flask whereas xylitol produced at 50 g/L and 150 g/L xylose were 0.65 and 0.37 g/g, respectively. Volumetric productivity at 100 g/L of xylose was 1.28 times and 1.84 times higher compared to xylose concentrations of 50 g/L and 150 g/L, respectively. Xylitol production performance (71.73 g/L) of detoxified pistachio shell hydrolysate at 100 g/L of xylose was almost identical to pure xylose. However, the yeast was not able to consume xylose at 150 g/L resulting in no xylitol production.

Valorization of food processing waste: Utilization of pistachio shell as a renewable papermaking filler for paperboard

Valorization of non-edible parts of food is an important method of reducing food processing waste. This study presents a potential application of nutshell wastes as a renewable and organic papermaking filler in paperboard packaging. Five pistachio shells particle (PSP) samples with different particle size distributions were prepared and their performance as a papermaking filler was examined relative to a conventional ground calcium carbonate (GCC) mineral filler. PSP fillers dispersed well in aqueous suspensions and showed better retention in handsheets compared to that of GCC, due to the improved retention by the larger particle sizes of PSPs. When PSP fillers had smaller particles than the pore sizes in the paper fiber network and their particle size distribution were narrow, they showed comparable mechanical properties in handsheets compared to that of GCC. Future research is suggested for successful applications of this organic and renewable filler in papermaking.

Comparison of different treatment methods which are used for phenol removal: A mini review

ABSTRACT This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various adsorption methods developed over time for phenol removal. Phenolic substances pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. If not properly controlled and treated before discharge, industrial effluents contaminated with phenol can cause detrimental effects on surface and groundwater resources. In comparison with advanced treatments such as ozonation, UV therapy, and the Fenton process, which are associated with higher energy costs, conventional physicochemical treatment methods like adsorption, chemical treatment, membrane filtration, and distillation offer superior removal efficiencies. Pistachio nut shell ash, Moringa peregrina tree shell ash, agricultural fibres, red mud, low-cost clay, olive mill waste, natural zeolites, rubber seed coat, peat, fly ash, and bentonite are just a few examples of the adsorbents and adsorption processes that have been used in literature to remove phenol and its derivatives. For instance, biosorption has been shown to be a successful technique with room for further study in this area regarding regeneration and cost–effectiveness. As a result, numerous researchers in the field of phenolic treatment have emphasized the effectiveness of physicochemical processes over time. Furthermore, additional investigation is required to determine the practical application of inexpensive adsorbents on commercial basis.

Valorization of various nut residues grown in Turkiye: Antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic activities.

The utilization of plant-based residues has been extensively employed for the control of diverse illnesses, owing to their safety and minimal adverse effects. In the current study, it was aimed for the characterization of the bioactive, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic activities of fresh pistachio shell skin (FPSS), green walnut husk and walnut membrane (GWH), almond outer shell and inner brown skin (ASIS), as well as peanut husk and inner skin (PHIS) to be used as industrial food processing by-products. The results showed that the samples exhibited different extraction yields, with GWH having the highest percentage at 15.18%, followed by FPSS at 12.81%, ASIS at 10.29%, and PHIS at 7.80%. FPSS had the highest total phenolic content (16.28 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) as well as the best antioxidant capabilities for DPPH (8.96 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g), FRAP (11.46 mg TE/g), and ABTS (22.38 mg TE/g) assays. FPSS was followed by PHIS, ASIS, and GWH, respectively. Moreover, the extracts exhibited relatively low activity against acetylcholinesterase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase compared to standard acarbose or galantamine. Furthermore, the extracts may have the potential to induce cytotoxic effects, varying from moderate to mild, on both cancerous (IC50 = 454.55-617.28 μg/mL) and healthy cells (IC50 = 438.60-490.20 μg/mL). The results of this research showed that shell residues of nut hold promise for a variety of industrial applications spanning the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.

Thermogravimetric pyrolysis investigation of pistachio shell for its potential of thermal properties, kinetics and thermodynamics

In order to design and optimize thermochemical systems for the production of bioenergy understanding the energy capacity of the pistachio shell and its kinetics of degradation is crucial. The Thermogravimetric analysis at different heating rates of biomass was studied along with thermodynamic study, primary characterizations like the composition of biomass, heating value and a reaction mechanism-assisted kinetic model. Nitrogen gas flow rate is used for thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), which is performed at 10, 15, 20 and 30 ℃/min different heating rates from room temperature to 900 ℃. The output also shows that maximal degradation took place between 180 and 430 °C. The various iso-conversional models, such as Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Starink and Friedman, are used to calculate kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, which give the average value of activation energy as 172.29, 170.47, 169.79, and 193.25 kJ/mol. The average values of Gibbs free energy for the FWO, KAS, Starink and Friedman techniques were found to be 176.49, 1176.54, 176.29, and 175.78 kJ/mol, respectively.Graphical

Mechanical, rheological, thermal and morphological properties of pistachio shell powder reinforced / linear low-density polyethylene/polyolefin elastomer biocomposites

In the present study, 20 wt% ENGAGE (a polyolefin elastomer) is melt blended with 80 wt% linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) followed by composite preparation with pistachio shell powder (PSP) in various compositions (40 wt% to 70 wt%). The effect of variation of PSP content on mechanical properties is studied. The processability of composites is improved because of the unique processability of ENGAGE. Consequently, filler-containing capability of the LLDPE/ENGAGE (LE82) blend is also enhanced considerably due to extra space generated by amorphous ENGAGE. Again, blending of 20 wt% ENGAGE with 80 wt% LLDPE is helpful for maintaining mechanical properties of LLDPE/ENGAGE/PSP composite in useful range. The rheological study confirms that complex viscosity (η), storage modulus (G’) and loss modulus (G”) remain almost unchanged with the incorporation of a high quantity of PSP into the LE82 blend system for all the composites in the entire frequency range. From the rheological study, it is seen that the thermoplastic nature of the composites is maintained. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show the structural integrity of LE82 blend-based composites revealing the thermal stability of the organic filler and consequently the composites. SEM also shows uniform dispersion of PSP into the LLDPE/ENGAGE blend matrix. Such biocomposite with 70 wt% biodegradable component and reliable mechanical properties is attractive for wide spread applications.

159 Concentrations of energy in pistachio shell powder fed to gestating sows and lactating sows

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME) in pistachio shell powder are not different from those in soybean hulls when fed to gestating sows. The second hypothesis was that the ATTD of GE and DE in pistachio shell powder are not different from those in soybean hulls when fed to lactating sows. In Exp. 1, gestating sows (n = 24) were housed in metabolism crates and were fed a corn-based control diet or two diets that included corn and 20% pistachio shell powder or 20% soybean hulls. Sows were fed the experimental diets for 13 d with feces and urine being quantitatively collected for 4 d, after a 6 d of adaptation. Concentrations of DE and ME were calculated. In Exp. 2, lactating sows (n = 24) were housed in farrowing crates and fed a diet based on corn and soybean meal (SBM) or two diets that contained corn, SBM and 20% of either pistachio shell powder or soybean hulls. All diets contained corn and SBM at a ratio of 2.87:1.00 and 0.40% TiO2 as the digestibility marker. Lactating sows were allowed ad libitum access to the experimental diets and feces were collected for 6 d after a 7 d of adaptation to the diets. The DE in each diet and in pistachio shell powder and soybean hulls was calculated. Each experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design and each experiment used two blocks of 12 sows, with 4 sows per diet in each block. The statistical model in both experiments included diet or ingredient as the fixed effect and block and replicate within block as the random effects. Results from Exp. 1 indicated that the ATTD of GE and DE and ME on an as-fed basis as well as on a dry matter basis were less (P < 0.05) in pistachio shell powder compared with corn and soybean hulls and DE and ME in soybean hulls were less (P < 0.05) than in corn (Table 1). Results from Exp. 2 indicated that the ATTD of GE and DE in pistachio shell powder were less (P < 0.05) than in soybean hulls. In conclusion, pistachio shell powder has a high concentration of fiber and energy digestibility and concentrations of energy in pistachio shell powder were, therefore, less than in soybean hulls when fed to gestating or lactating sows, but gestating sows appear to be better at digesting pistachio shell powder than lactating sows. This is likely due to the restricted feed intake of gestating sows that allows more time for nutrient and energy digestion and absorption in the intestinal tract compared with lactating sows.

Comparative Evaluation of Gypsum-Based Plasters with Pistachio Shells for Eco-Sustainable Building

Agri-food waste represents a serious problem that can be overcome by converting it into added-value material for the production of plasters for green building; in fact, it can be used as a reinforcement additive in the building material industry. In this study, the performance of gypsum-based plasters with pistachio shell additives was evaluated. Before being used as additives for gypsum-based plasters, pistachio shells were ground at three different grain sizes in order to verify how grain size influences the performance of the material. Tests were then carried out on all the produced mortars to evaluate their chemical and physical characteristics, and interesting results regarding the mechanical resistance of some of the produced materials were obtained. The results showed that the addition of pistachio shells improved mechanical performance in all cases and that the best mechanical performance and water absorption by capillarity were achieved with the 0.5–2 mm pistachio grain size, while the best thermal conductivity was achieved with the 2–4 mm grain size. Summarizing, the best results were obtained with a pistachio shell granulometry of 0.5–2 mm, sand, and a water/gypsum ratio of 0.86–0.74.

Vibration assessment of dual core sandwich beam with a biomimetic lamellar honeycomb core and MWCNT reinforced facesheets

The usage of sandwich structures has been increasing in the field of defense, transportation, and aerospace applications due to the many advantages like, thickness to mass ratio, high bending stiffness, and strength. In this present work, the vibration assessment of the dual-core sandwich beam with biomimetic core and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced composite face layers has been performed. The lamellar honeycomb (LHC) core is a biomimetic design developed here from the pistachio shell structure and manufactured by 3D printing process. The mechanical characteristics of biomimetic core are measured using an alternative dynamic technique and impulse excitation test was used to assess the material properties of MWCNT composite laminates. Using finite element software, a numerical model is created for a composite dual-core sandwich beam containing MWCNTs and a biomimetic core. The developed numerical model is validated with experimental and available literature results in terms of natural frequencies and it shows good agreements. Additionally, parametric studies are performed to investigate the natural frequencies of MWCNT composite dual-core sandwich beam with biomimetic cores for ply orientation angles, aspect ratio, and support conditions. The MWCNT reinforcement in the facesheets and LHC core enhances the structural performance and stiffness of the laminated composite dual-core sandwich beam. This research will provide the valuable insights to engineers and scientists for the construction of large capacity ships and race boat structures.

Development and characterization of gelatin-based biodegradable films incorporated with pistachio shell hemicellulose

This study aimed to incorporate pistachio shell hemicellulose into a film of gelatin and glycerol for the production of biodegradable films. The gelatin and glycerol are chosen because of their functional properties, which make it extensively used in food industry. The film composition was defined after a statistical optimization by central composite face-centered design and response surface methodology. The hemicellulose/gelatin ratio of 35.93% and the glycerol ratio of 18.02% were the optimum conditions to obtain lower film water solubility, higher tensile strength, and elongation at break values. The physical, structural, mechanical, and barrier properties of the developed hemicellulose-gelatin film were analyzed and compared with those of the gelatin film. Tensile strength and film water solubility values were reduced significantly with hemicellulose incorporation from 20.41 to 16.64 MPa and 49.57 to 39.21%, respectively, while EB was enhanced by 4.34 times. In addition, hemicellulose incorporation enhanced the water vapor permeability and the film degradation in the soil. The films were also examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The novelty of this study is to use pistcahio shell hemicellulose in the production of an edible film for the first time.

Co-Gasification of Pistachio Shells with Wood Pellets in a Semi-Industrial Hybrid Cross/Updraft Reactor for Producer Gas and Biochar Production

The possibilities of pistachio shell biochar production on laboratory-scale gasification and pyrolysis devices have been described by several previous studies. Nevertheless, the broader results of the pistachio shell co-gasification process on pilot-scale units have not yet been properly investigated or reported, especially regarding the detailed description of the biochar acquired during the routine operation. The biochar was analysed using several analytical techniques, such as ultimate and proximate analysis (62%wt of C), acid–base properties analysis (pH 9.52), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (the presence of –OH bonds and identification of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin), Raman spectroscopy (no determination of Id/Ig ratio due to high fluorescence), and nitrogen physisorption (specific surface 50.895 m2·g−1). X-ray fluorescence analysis exhibited the composition of the main compounds in the biochar ash (32.5%wt of Cl and 40.02%wt of Na2O). From the energy generation point of view, the lower heating value of the producer gas achieved 6.53 MJ·m−3 during the co-gasification. The relatively high lower heating value of the producer gas was mainly due to the significant volume fractions of CO (6.5%vol.), CH4 (14.2%vol.), and H2 (4.8 %vol.), while hot gas efficiency accomplished 89.6%.

A novel and sustainable composite of L@PSAC for superior removal of pharmaceuticals from different water matrices: Production, characterization, and application

This study endeavors to develop cost-effective environmentally friendly technology for removing harmful residual pharmaceuticals from water and wastewater by utilizing the effective adsorption of pistachio shell (PS) biochar and the degradation potency of laccase immobilized on the biochar (L@PSAC). The carbonatization and activation of the shells were optimized regarding temperature, time, and NH4NO3/PS ratio. This step yielded an optimum PS biochar (PSAC) with the highest porosity and surface area treated at 700 °C for 3 h using an NH4NO3/PS ratio of 3% wt. The immobilization of laccase onto PSAC (L@PSAC) was at its best level at pH 5, 60 U/g, and 30 °C. The optimum L@PSAC maintained a high level of enzyme activity over two months. Almost a complete removal (>99%) of diclofenac, carbamazepine, and ciprofloxacin in Milli-Q (MQ) water and wastewater was achieved. Adsorption was responsible for >80% of the removal and the rest was facilitated by laccase degradation. L@PSAC maintained effective removal of pharmaceuticals of ≥60% for up to six treatment cycles underscoring the promising application of this material for wastewater treatment. These results indicate that activated carbon derived from the pistachio shell could potentially be utilized as a carrier and adsorbent to efficiently remove pharmaceutical compounds. This enzymatic physical elimination approach has the potential to be used on a large-scale.

Recycling of natural and waste materials as supports for green silver nanoparticles as efficient catalysts in photodegradation of organic pollutants

The use of a sustainable technology to synthesize green silver nanoparticles (AgNP) from renewable resources is very appealing. Here, a green protocol for the production AgNP/composites is introduced, via in situ reduction of Ag+ ions on sustainable materials (clays and waste materials) using eucalyptus leaves extract (ELE) as a reducing and stabilizing agent, without the addition of any harmful or expensive organic solvent, surfactant or dangerous compounds. The synthesized AgNP/composites were evaluated as photocatalysts to degrade Indigo Carmine (IC) dye as a model pollutant under visible light. Kaolin and pistachio shells showed to be promising supports for green AgNP, with decolorization efficiency of 85.3(±1.8)% and 48.3(±4.1)%, respectively, after 120 min of irradiation. The best catalytic results were obtained with kaolin as support and so the influence of different synthesis parameters of AgNP/kaolin nanocomposite was evaluated. The catalytic results indicated that increasing the amount of AgNO3 and ELE in the nanocomposites, increased their photocatalytic performance. Nanocomposites synthesized at room temperature showed smaller amount of AgNP and higher decolorization efficiency, compared to those biosynthesized at 50 °C. The evaluation of active species responsible for the photodegradation of IC showed that O2•- and H+ radicals are species involved in the reaction. The AgNP/kaolin showed also to be efficient to degrade both atrazine and sulfamethoxazole after 120 min of irradiation.

An approach for the valorization of bio-waste pistachio shells (Pistacia vera L.): Dyeing of cellulose-based fabrics

The waste management subject is a very important issue today and in the future. Therefore, lots of scholars are endeavoring to investigate the valorization of wastes from different sources, such as paper, metal, glass, and vegetables. In this study, the pistachio soft and hard shells, as an industrial waste material, were used as natural dye sources. For this purpose, waste were collected from Gaziantep province in the south of Türkiye. Then, the soft and hard pistachio shells that had been dried in the shadow were investigated in terms of FTIR analysis and then used as a dyestuff source in the dyeing of cotton fabrics with the help of bio-mordants and metal mordants. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of the soft and hard shell of pistachio was assessed through the DPPH and FRAP assay methods, and the antibacterial activities were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for selected dyed samples. A spectrophotometer was used to determine the CIE L*a*b* color values and (K/S) of cotton fabrics that had been dyed. The results exhibited that the tested wastes could be useful for the coloration of the cotton fabrics, and depending on the used natural dye source, mordanting agent, and mordanting method, the colors were found to have changed, but in general, light brown-ecru-brown colors were observed in the dyed samples. Meanwhile, the fastness of the samples was examined, and the sources were found to exhibit limited light fastness values but good or perfect washing, rubbing, and perspiration fastness. In conclusion, the evaluated conditions were found to be useful for the coloration of cotton, and even more importantly, the pistachio soft and hard shells were observed to reveal great potential for use in textile dye houses as a natural dye source.

Synthesis, characterization and degradation studies of eco-friendly composites from thermoset resins with pistachio shell waste

Synthesis, characterization and degradation studies of eco-friendly composites from thermoset resins with pistachio shell waste

Pistachio Waste-Derived Activated Carbon Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage: Supercapacitor Applications

This study explores the potential of utilizing pistachio waste which is of low-cost and eco-friendly precursor for the synthesis of activated carbon for supercapacitor applications. Pistachio shells, a common agricultural waste product, were subjected to a controlled pyrolysis process followed by the activation to produce activated carbon materials. The resulting activated carbon was characterized by using various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical testing. The electrochemical performance of the pistachio waste-derived activated carbon was evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) measurements. The pistachio waste-derived activated carbon exhibits excellent capacitive behaviour, with a high specific capacitance and good cycling stability. The use of agricultural waste-derived activated carbon not only addresses the environmental concerns but also contributes to the development of green energy storage solutions.

Unusual hard palate swelling in an infant: A case of impacted pistachio shell

Children are prone to foreign body aspiration. Impaction of foreign bodies in the hard palate is a rare phenomenon. We present a case report where the infant’s palatal swelling was mistaken for a tumor or cyst and was planned for excision and later turned out to be an impacted pistachio shell. We emphasize considering the foreign body as a differential diagnosis in children who present with unusual hard palate mass.

Comparison of the usage of nut shell, walnut shell, and pistachio shell as a reinforcement particle on the mechanical and wear performance of polypropylene

AbstractIn this study, the usability of nutshell, pistachio, and walnut shell wastes as reinforcement materials in industrial applications and their comparisons with each other was examined. For this purpose, composite samples with a polypropylene (PP) matrix were produced and their mechanical and tribological characterizations were performed. As a result of the tensile tests, both the tensile strength and elastic modulus values of all composite specimens are higher than those of pure PP. On the other hand, the value of elongation at break is lower. The sliding wear resistance increases with increasing reinforcement with walnut and pistachio shell reinforcement, whereas the positive effect becomes negative when the nutshell reinforcement is over 3 wt%. All three types of reinforcement positively affected the scratch resistance. Pistachio shell reinforcement gives the best result. It has been determined that the relative cutting volume value of the samples increases with the reinforcement rate and the wear behavior changes from ductile to brittle. In light of these results, it has been seen that nut, pistachio, and walnut shells could be used as reinforcement materials in industrial applications instead of being waste or fuel.

A Sustainable Bio-Filler for Epoxy Composites: Use of Pistachio Shell Powder

The use of natural materials has become a crucial concern for humanity due to the limited quantity of petroleum-based products and their harmful impact on nature. The use of natural materials is inevitable for a greener and more sustainable world. Transforming agricultural industrial waste into a high-value product or a source of fuel can significantly benefit our country's economy and environment. Pistachio shell is one of the agro-industrial wastes and is abundant in our country. Our country can benefit economically and environmentally by utilizing and repurposing discarded shells, whether as fuel or as a valuable commodity. In this study, the shells of pistachios grown in Şanlıurfa were crushed in a stone mortar and reduced to certain sizes and turned into powder. Later, this powder was used as a bio-filler material for epoxy resin. Powders were used at 1% and 2% additive ratios and homogeneous mixing was carried out using both magnetic and ultrasonic mixers. The mechanical properties of the obtained biofilled epoxies were investigated and their microstructures were analyzed. Tensile test, bending test and hardness test were performed as mechanical tests and densities were measured. An improvement of 8% and 15% was detected in the maximum tensile and bending strength, respectively. The hardness and density values also increased by 8% and 1.7%, respectively. As a result of the microstructure analysis, no air bubbles were formed in the samples and no agglomeration occurred. Obtained results revealed that pistachio shell grown in Şanlıurfa can be used as bio-filler material.

The Conversion of Pistachio and Walnut Shell Waste into Valuable Components with Subcritical Water

Pistachio and walnut shells accumulate in large quantities as waste during food processing and represent a promising lignocellulosic biomass for the extraction of valuable components. Subcritical water technology was used as an environmentally friendly technique to study the extraction of active ingredients and other valuable degradation products from walnut and pistachio waste. Subcritical water extraction (SWE) was carried out under different process conditions (temperature (150–300 °C) and short reaction times (15–60 min)) and compared with conventional extraction using different organic solvents (acetone, 50% acetone and ethanol). The extracts obtained from pistachio and walnut shell waste are rich in various bioactive and valuable components. The highest contents of total phenols (127.08 mg GA/g extract at 300 °C for 15 min, from walnut shells), total flavonoids (10.18 mg QU/g extract at 200 °C for 60 min, from pistachio shells), total carbohydrates (602.14 mg TCH/g extract at 200 °C for 60 min, from walnut shells) and antioxidant activity (91% at 300 °C, for 60 min, from pistachio shells) were determined when the extracts were obtained via subcritical water. High contents of total phenols (up to 86.17 mg GA/g extract) were also determined in the conventional extracts obtained with ethanol. Using the HPLC method, sugars and their valuable derivatives were determined in the extracts, with glucose, fructose, furfurals (5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and furfural) and levulinic acid being the most abundant in the extracts obtained by subcritical water. The results show that subcritical water technology enables better exploitation of biowaste materials than conventional extraction methods with organic solvents, as it provides a higher yields of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and thus extracts with high antioxidant activity, while at the same time producing degradation products that are valuable secondary raw materials.