Pyroligneous Acids Research Articles

Physicochemical characterization, chemical composition and antioxidant activities of pyroligneous acids from cocktails of wood and agricultural residues from Ivory Coast

Physical, chemical characterization and antioxidant activities were assessed on six pyroligneous acids from four wood cocktails (WCV1, WCV2, WCV3, WCV4) and two types of agricultural residues (PA1, PA2) from Ivory Coast. Physical and chemical parameters of pyroligneous extracts were determined using a density meter, refractometer, pH meter, colorimetric titration, drying and sensory test. WCV2 alone simultaneously met all the standards set by the Japanese Pyroligneous Liquor Association, with a distinct smoky odour, a clear light-brown color, a pH of around 3, a density in the 1.010–1.020 g/mL range, and an ignition residue content of less than 0.2 %. In addition, WCV3, blackish in colour, had the highest Brix value (9) with a lower moisture content than the others (89.92 %), thus reflecting a high soluble tar content. Furthermore, all pyroligneous liquids had a high moisture content (89.92–99.08 %) and a low total acid content (0.90–2.10 %) compared with the literature. However, the results of GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of major compounds such as acetic acid, propionic acid, phenol, guaiacol and 3-methylphenol in the organic phase of pyroligneous extracts. FTIR analysis identified alkaloids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the aqueous phase of pyroligneous extracts. The presence of these compounds was confirmed by a phytochemical screening test. Finally, antioxidant activities with DPPH and ABTS methods showed that WCV2 had the best antioxidant properties due to its high guaiacol and syringol content. On the other hand, WCV3 showed a good antioxidant efficacy only by the DPPH method, probably due to its high flavonoid content.

EXTRATOS PIROLENHOSOS DE CASCA DE COCO, ACÁCIA NEGRA E EUCALIPTO: CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICO-QUÍMICA E AVALIAÇÃO IN VITRO COMO POTENCIAIS INIBIDORES DA UREASE

PYROLIGNEOUS ACIDS OF COCONUT SHELL, BLACK WATTLE AND EUCALYPTUS: PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION AS POTENTIAL UREASE INHIBITORS. The increase in food production to meet the demand of the world’s growing population is largely conditioned by the efficiency of agricultural fertilizers. The development of relatively low-cost urease inhibitors and more environmentally friendly ones is a challenge for agriculture, especially because urea is the most used nitrogen fertilizer globally. The pyroligneous acid (PA), a by-product of wood charcoal production, stimulates plant growth, increases crop productivity, improves microbial metabolism, and induces plant tolerance to (a)biotic stresses. This work investigated the in vitro urease inhibitory potential of tree PAs of distinct plant biomass origin and production process. Coconut (Cocus nucifera) shell PA showed the highest urease inhibitory activity, followed by black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) PA and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urograndis, a hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla). The same sequence was observed for the content of phenols and humic substances (humic acids + fulvic acids). This fact probably justifies the greater inhibitory activity, since both humic substances and some phenols normally present in PA, such as hydroquinone, have already been reported in the literature as urease inhibitors. The results are promising in terms of urease inhibition by PA samples, especially due to its low cost, biodegradability, non-toxicity, high solubility in water, and beneficial effects on plant development.

Hormetic Effect of Pyroligneous Acids on Conjugative Transfer of Plasmid-mediated Multi-antibiotic Resistance Genes within Bacterial Genus.

Spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by conjugation poses great challenges to public health. Application of pyroligneous acids (PA) as soil amendments has been evidenced as a practical strategy to remediate pollution of ARGs in soils. However, little is known about PA effects on horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs by conjugation. This study investigated the effects of a woody waste-derived PA prepared at 450°C and its three distillation components (F1, F2, and F3) at different temperatures (98, 130, and 220°C) on conjugative transfer of plasmid RP4 within Escherichia coli. PA at relatively high amount (40-100 μL) in a 30-mL mating system inhibited conjugation by 74-85%, following an order of PA > F3 ≈ F2 ≈ F1, proving the hypothesis that PA amendments may mitigate soil ARG pollution by inhibiting HGT. The bacteriostasis caused by antibacterial components of PA, including acids, phenols, and alcohols, as well as its acidity (pH 2.81) contributed to the inhibited conjugation. However, a relatively low amount (10-20 μL) of PA in the same mating system enhanced ARG transfer by 26-47%, following an order of PA > F3 ≈ F2 > F1. The opposite effect at low amount is mainly attributed to the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species production, enhanced cell membrane permeability, increased extracellular polymeric substance contents, and reduced cell surface charge. Our findings highlight the hormesis (low-amount promotion and high-amount inhibition) of PA amendments on ARG conjugation and provide evidence for selecting an appropriate amount of PA amendment to control the dissemination of soil ARGs. Moreover, the promoted conjugation also triggers questions regarding the potential risks of soil amendments (e.g., PA) in the spread of ARGs via HGT.

Pyroligneous acids from biomass charcoal by-product as a potential non-selective bioherbicide for organic farming: its chemical components, greenhouse phytotoxicity and field efficacy.

Effective and environmentally friendly herbicides are urgently needed to meet consumer demand for organic products. To evaluate the weed control effect of four pyroligneous acid (PAs) mixtures, the byproducts of bamboo/wood/straw vinegar, two herbicide discovery tests were done: (1) the greenhouse tests by using four indicative plants: wheat (Triticum sativa), radish (Raphanus sativus), cucumber (Cucumus sativus), and Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv; (2) Field trials with four weeds: E. crusgalli, Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb, and Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Greenhouse tests showed that the efficacy of PAs and acetic acid (AA) to control four test plants increased with the increasing of PAs concentration. The inhibition rates of four tested PAs (FBV (0.6-9.2% AA + (0.3-5.0% tar), HWV (0.2-1.8% AA + 0.3-4.3% tar), ASV (0.5-8.7% AA + 0.4-7.0% tar), and CWV (0.7-5.3% AA + 0.5-7.5% tar) gave inhibition rates of 56 ± 4-97 ± 2%, 21 ± 2-90 ± 6%, 29 ± 3-98 ± 5%, and 44 ± 6-86 ± 2%, respectively, and the field effects of PAs against four weeds were enhanced with the increasing of concentrations and time after spraying (1 to 14days). Their control effects against E. crusgalli, E. indica, A. philoxeroides, and C. canadensis were 4 ± 1-93 ± 4%, 7 ± 3-90 ± 3%, 32 ± 2-95 ± 3%, and 31 ± 5-96 ± 4%, respectively. The mixed effect of the four PAs was higher than the same dose of AA. These results will help to determine the potential of PAs to be developed as non-selective herbicides to control weeds in organic farming.

Production and Potential Application of Pyroligneous Acids from Rubberwood and Oil Palm Trunk as Wood Preservatives through Vacuum-Pressure Impregnation Treatment.

The development of low-environmental-impact technologies for the elimination of biological damage is one of the vital goals of the wood protection industry. The possibility of utilizing pyroligneous acid as a wood preservative can be a great solution to extend the application of the currently fast-growing timber species, which has lower natural durability against biological damage. In this study, the effectiveness of pyroligneous acid as a wood preservative was evaluated by impregnating rubberwood with pyroligneous acid using vacuum-pressure treatment, and the treated woods were exposed to mould fungi, wood-decay fungi and termite attacks under laboratory conditions. Pyroligneous acids produced from rubberwood (RWPA) and oil palm trunk (OPTPA) at different pyrolysis temperatures were evaluated. To fully understand the effectiveness of pyroligneous acids as wood preservatives, different concentrations of pyroligneous acids were impregnated into rubberwood. Concentrations of 50% RWPA and 30% OPTPA were sufficient against mould and decay fungi on rubberwood. Rubberwood impregnated with pyroligneous acid acted as a slow-acting toxic bait to cause a high termite mortality rate due to toxic feeding and does not serve as a good repellent to prevent termites from feeding on the wood. In general, OPTPA has better biological durability compared to RWPA.

Characterization of the pyroligneous acids generated from the pyrolysis of four types mulberry branches

The pyroligneous acids (PA) were sequently obtained through a polygeneration process from the mulberry branches of diploid, triploid and tetraploid. The results showed that the antibacterial ability of PA from triploid mulberry was stronger than that from diploid and tetraploid mulberry. It can be found that the content of phenols in PA of triploid mulberry (34.9%) was slightly higher than that in diploid (32.4%) and tetraploid mulberry (33.1%). The physicochemical properties of PA had proven to be varied in different ploidy mulberry branches, and they still are bogged down by content of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Among them, the PA prepared from triploid exhibited competitive unit production costs as compared to the price of diploid and tetraploid. The combining of laboratory-scale experimental outcomes and economic analysis demonstrated practical feasibility of the PA generated from triploid mulberry, which implied a promising solution for high value-added and prospective industrial application of mulberry branches.

Pyroligneous Acids of Differently Pretreated Hybrid Aspen Biomass: Herbicide and Fungicide Performance.

The pyroligneous acids (PAs) of woody biomass produced by torrefaction have pesticidal properties. Thus, PAs are potential alternatives to synthetic plant protection chemicals. Although woody biomass is a renewable feedstock, its use must be efficient. The efficiency of biomass utilization can be improved by applying a cascading use principle. This study is novel because we evaluate for the first time the pesticidal potential of PAs derived from the bark of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × Populus tremuloides Michx.) and examine simultaneously how the production of the PAs can be interlinked with the cascade processing of hybrid aspen biomass. Hybrid aspen bark contains valuable extractives that can be separated before the hemicellulose is thermochemically converted into plant protection chemicals. We developed a cascade processing scheme, where these extractives were first extracted from the bark with hot water (HWE) or with hot water and alkaline alcohol (HWE+AAE) prior to their conversion into PAs by torrefaction. The herbicidal performance of PAs was tested using Brassica rapa as the test species, and the fungicidal performance was proven using Fusarium culmorum. The pesticidal activities were compared to those of the PAs of debarked wood and of commercial pesticides. According to the results, extractives can be separated from the bark without overtly diminishing the weed and fungal growth inhibitor performance of the produced PAs. The HWE of the bark before its conversion into PAs appeared to have an enhancing effect on the herbicidal activity. In contrast, HWE+AAE lowered the growth inhibition performance of PAs against both the weeds and fungi. This study shows that hybrid aspen is a viable feedstock for the production of herbicidal and fungicidal active chemicals, and it is possible to utilize biomass according to the cascading use principle.

PREPARATION, CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF PYROLIGNEOUS ACIDS FROM SALIX PSAMMOPHILA BRANCHES

In order to improve the additional values of Salix psammophilabio-waste, pyroligneous acids (PAs) from Salix psammophila branches were extracted by thepyrolysis process at two temperature ranges: 90-380°C and 380-550°C. The chemical constituents and antimicrobial activities of PAs were investigated in detail. The GC-MS results showed that 34 compounds were identified from the two kinds of PAs. The main components were organic acids and ketones for PA at 90-380°C, while they were organic acids and phenols for PA at 380-550°C. The total content ofacids and phenols was as high as 67.96% for PA at 380-550°C, which contributed to the strong antimicrobial activity. Two PAs both showed good antimicrobial activities for five pathogenic fungi and two pathogenic bacteria, especially against Verticillium dahlia.Compared with the antimicrobial activity of PA at 90-380°C, PA at 380-550°C showed greater antifungal activity but against Fusarium oxysporum.

Synthesis of an environmentally friendly binding material using pyrolysis by-products and modified starch binder for slow-release fertilizers

Biochar-based slow-release fertilizers (BSRFs) are vital for the development of eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture. Considerable attention has been given to enhancing the efficiency of fertilizers (EEFs) by appropriate modification or binding to reduce nutrient waste and improve the slow-release effect on the growth of plants. In this study, sustained binding materials were presented for BSRF synthesis, including pyroligneous acids (PA), bio-oil (BO), and modified starch binder (MSB). The results show that the release ratio of phosphorus from PA + BO+MSB was 4.7%, 15.2%, and 21.2% slower than that of PA, BO, and MSB alone, respectively. The BSRFs were characterized by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, XPS, and EDS, and the release kinetic outcome revealed that PA + BO+MSB contributed to the formation of a satisfactory structure in the BSRFs. The MSB viscosity significantly influences the slow-release performance and accumulation of N, P, and K nutrients. Moreover, economic assessments showed that PA + BO+MSB exhibited the lowest cost.

Hormesis Effect of Pyroligneous Acids on Conjugative Transfer of Plasmid-Mediated Multi-Antibiotic Resistance Genes within Bacterial Genus

Hormesis Effect of Pyroligneous Acids on Conjugative Transfer of Plasmid-Mediated Multi-Antibiotic Resistance Genes within Bacterial Genus

Preparation and analysis of pyroligneous liquor, charcoal and gas from lacquer wood by carbonization method based on a biorefinery process

A biomass pyrolysis polygeneration process, which comprehensively utilizes the pyrolysis products to maximize economic and environmental benefits, refers to the thermochemical conversion of biomass. The pyrolysis of lacquer wood at 300–550 °C with an increment of 50 °C was conducted in this study. Results showed that the yield of charcoal rapidly decreased from 37.94 to 26.39%, and the specific surface area (SBET) of charcoals changed from 2.38 to 214.04 m2/g with the temperature increasing from 300 to 550 °C. The specific surface area of the optimal charcoal reached the maximum value (229.43 m2/g) at 500 °C. It was also found that the main compounds of the pyroligneous acids (PA) were phenols, ketones, alkyls, acids, and alcohols, respectively. The phenol and derivatives accounted for almost half of the total content. Besides, the PA collected from 400 °C showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against brown rot fungi (43 mm), which mainly ascribed to the highest content of ketones. Furthermore, the calorific value of the gas was reached the maximum (10.16 MJ/m3) at 550 °C. With comprehensiveness, the efficient method used in this research possess good feasibility to produce charcoal, pyroligneous liquor, and gas, which is beneficial for high-valued of lacquer wood.

The effect of pyrolysis temperature on the characteristics of biochar, pyroligneous acids, and gas prepared from cotton stalk through a polygeneration process

The biochar (BC), pyroligneous acid (PA), and gas were collected from cotton stalks based on a polygeneration process, and this study was systematically focused to develop and process biochar and its byproducts obtained with various pyrolysis temperatures (300, 350, 400, 450, 500, and 550 °C). The results showed that the yield of biochar decreased from 46.71 % to 30.26 % as the pyrolysis temperature was increased from 300 to 550 °C, and this was accompanied by an increase in carbon content from 71.32–78.02%. Heatmap analysis on the correlation among pyrolysis temperature of biochar and elements illustrated that the content of C, H, and O were highly correlated with pyrolysis temperature of biochar. The ketones, phenols, alcohols, acids, and alkyl phenyl ethers were the major chemical constituents. The maximum total content of amino acids reached 647.1 mg/kg when the pyroligneous acids were collected at 450 °C. Moreover, the volume fractions of gas (CO and CH4) content increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature, leading to an increase in the gas heating value. Overall, the outcomes presented above indicated that the polygeneration system would be environmentally benign and effective in producing biochar, pyroligneous acids, and gas, which provides economic benefits and suggests a potential industrial application for cotton stalk.

Pyroligneous acid from Mimosa tenuiflora and Eucalyptus urograndis as an antimicrobial in dairy goats.

To evaluate the applicability of the Mimosa tenuiflora and Eucalyptus urograndis pyroligneous acids (PAs) as alternative antiseptics in dairy goats. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro using bacteria, as well as in vivo using goats, and the influence of PAs on the physicochemical parameters of fresh milk were examined. The cytotoxicity of PAs was evaluated in terms of morphology, cell viability and metabolic activity of goat tegumentary cells. The PA of M. tenuiflora had results similar to those of 2% iodine. For the in vitro tests, strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used with the well technique, demonstrating inhibition halos greater than 9mm. In the in vivo test, 15 animals were used per phase of the experiment, and the plate counting technique showed that there was antiseptic action of both extracts, with emphasis on the M. tenuiflora PA. Physicochemical analysis of the milk showed that neither PAs interfered with its physical-chemical parameters. The PA of M. tenuiflora presented potential as an alternative antiseptic in dairy goats. This study demonstrates the use of PA as an antimicrobial agent in animals.

The effects of pyrolysis temperature and storage time on the compositions and properties of the pyroligneous acids generated from cotton stalk based on a polygeneration process

Pyrolysis temperature and subsequent preservation time have a significantly influence on the chemical components and properties of pyroligneous acids. In this study, the pyroligneous acids were successively generated by a polygeneration process from the cotton stalk (CS). The pyrolysis process was systematically investigated by using a laboratory-scale pyrolysis retort under different pyrolysis temperatures (300, 350, 400, 450, 500, and 550 °C). Pyroligneous acids of one month storage and six months storage were analyzed and compared in the chemical composition and properties. Results showed that the total amino acid content of pyroligneous acid stored for six months was significantly lower than that in one-month storage. The pyroligneous acid of six months storage showed better inhabitation of some bacteria activities than that of one month. This phenomenon was associated with the increment of phenol and ketone compounds. The data also presented indicated that the pyroligneous acids obtained from 450 °C pyrolysis temperature via six months storage were more appropriate for an antimicrobial and pesticidal agent. The preliminary screening of pyrolysis temperature and storage time could provide a promising practical basis for the economic benefit and performance of pyrolysis products from cotton stalk.

Physical properties evolution in carbon foams as function of synthesizing temperature

Carbon foams obtained with Pyroligneous acids from a carbon precursor, such as guadua (angustifolia kunth), were obtained by the blow foaming method at different carbonization temperatures. Physical properties of carbon foams obtained from pyroligneous acids from guadua (angustifolia kunth) were analyzed as a function of the synthesization temperature due to that the carbon foams were obtained by the blow foaming method at different carbonization temperatures. To analyze the temperature’s influence on the crystallographic properties, chemical composition, microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties, the carbon foams were characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were analyzed by stress-strain tests which are associated with maximum stress. The current work demonstrates the evolution of mechanical properties of the carbon foams, showing greater linear region modulus Es of around 45.8%, Beam module, yield stress (σe) (elastic limit) and fracture stress (σpl) (plastic limit) by the foam obtained at 700 °C. Moreover, the adsorption tests of methylene blue were also performed with the foams which were analyzed with the Uv–vis visible ultraviolet spectroscopy technique. The current work demonstrates the ability of the carbon foams to absorb and filter the methylene blue dissolved in water evidenced by adsorption tests. Taking into account the above, the results of this research opens the possibility of obtaining carbon foams that can be applied in water filters.

Mechanical properties evolution in carbon foams obtained from Guadua angustifolia

Mechanical properties of carbon foams obtained from pyroligneous acids from Guadua (angustifolia Kunth) were analyzed as a function of the synthesization temperature due to that the carbon foams were obtained by the blow foaming method at different carbonization temperatures. To analyze the temperature's influence on the crystallographic properties, chemical composition, microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties, the carbon foams were characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were analyzed by stress-strain tests which are associated with maximum stress. With XRD and EDX analysis the structural characteristics of the carbon foams were determined, and it was also observed that the carbon percentage increased as the carbonization temperature also increased. The current work demonstrates the evolution of mechanical properties of the carbon foams, showing greater linear region modulus Es of around 45.8%, Beam module, yield stress (σe) (elastic limit) and fracture stress (σpl) (plastic limit) by the foam obtained at 700 °C. Taking into account the above, the results of this research open the possibility of obtaining carbon foams where the requirement of mechanical properties is necessary.

Influence of high-dose continuous applications of pyroligneous acids on soil health assessed based on pH, moisture content and three hydrolases.

Pyroligneous acids can be used in herbicides, but the dosage used often more than 1000kgha-1. Five treatments including the application of bamboo, wood, straw vinegar, acetic acid and sulphuric acid at high dosages sprayed once every 6days, for a total of 3 times. We then continuously monitored the changes in soil pH, moisture content and the activities of three soil hydrolase enzymes involving in urease, protease and sucrase. We found that after 1~3days of spraying with all 5 kinds of acid, the soil pH was not immediately reduced, but from 3days after application onward it was reduced by a maximum of 1.54~1.75, which showed that the soil had some buffering capacity. Over time, the pH began to return to the water control pH value, which showed that the soil also had good restorative capacity. After the second and third times of spraying, the pH change measured showed no cumulative effect, which demonstrated that the soil had adaptive capacity. We accidentally found that bamboo vinegar could improve the soil pH by a maximum of 0.65~1.02, while the other four acids reduced its pH. Bamboo vinegar was found to contain the 6 compounds while wood and straw vinegar contained none of these compounds. These compounds may be a new potential reagent(s) for improving the pH. Three soil sample processing methods tested for determining pH, including the moist soil test, oven-dry soil test and air-dried soil test, all produced extremely and significantly different pH values. Five acids were unable to significantly improve the water holding capacity of the soil; they had adverse effects on the activity of the urease enzymes while beneficial effects on the protease and sucrase enzymes. Therefore, pyroligneous acid and acetic acid have no effects on soil health as herbicides.

Physicochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activities of pyroligneous acid prepared from brushwood biomass waste of Mangosteen, Durian, Rambutan, and Langsat

Physicochemical characteristics and in vitro antioxidant activities of four pyroligneous acids carbonized from the wastes of wood species including Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.), Durian (Durio zibethinus L.), Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.), and Langsat (Lansium domesticum Serr.) were assessed. Appearing as transparent liquors with pH 3.9–4.2, the pyroligneous acid samples under test possessed acetic acid (23.22–25.46%) as the dominant component. The total soluble tar, total acid, and water content were 0.15 − 0.28 wt%, 99–192 mg KOH/g and 84.5–93.5 wt%, respectively. Phenolic compounds namely: 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (6.88–9.69%), phenol (2.97–5.88%), 4-methylsyringol (3.10–3.56%), guaiacol (2.36–3.55%), and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (1.08–1.28%) were found. All had in vitro antioxidant activities especially mangosteen pyroligneous acid, which showed activity roughly similar to BHT (P > 0.05) against anti-lipid peroxidation. Nitric oxide scavenging capacities of all pyroligneous acids were significantly higher than BHT (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that pyroligneous acids from the four types of branch waste could be used as sources of beneficial natural antioxidants, possibly as food or feed additives to protect against lipid peroxidation, and potentially also in veterinary medicine in anti-inflammatory products.

Antiviral Activity of Phenolic Derivatives in Pyroligneous Acid from Hardwood, Softwood, and Bamboo

Pyroligneous acids (PA) from hardwood, softwood, and bamboo significantly disinfected encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). Twenty-five kinds of phenolic derivatives in the PAs were identified and quantified. The total amounts of phenolic compounds in bamboo PA is higher than those in the PAs from softwood and hardwood. Phenol, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, and 2-methoxy-4-ethylphenol are the most abundant compounds in the PAs examined. The activities of all the phenolic compounds against the encephalomyocarditis virus were assessed. The number of phenolic hydroxyl groups significantly affects the antiviral activity, and catechol and its derivatives exhibit higher viral inhibition effects than other phenolic derivatives. In addition, substituents affect the antiviral activity of the compounds. Phenolic compounds with a methyl group show higher activities than with a methoxyl group (e.g., 2-methylphenol > 2-methoxyphenol). Moreover, the relative position of functional groups also plays a key role...

Pyroligneous Acids Enhance Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils Using Mustard

ABSTRACTHeavy metal (HM) pollution has long been a problem in crop production. However, soils contaminated at low concentration such as areas for food production may have a high risk of biomagnification and food chain contamination. Different methods were used for remediating these polluted environments, but pyroligneous acids (PAs) such as wood vinegar (WV) application are rarely studied. Thus, the effects of WV on metal availability in soils and on the growth of mustard were evaluated by measuring chlorophyll content, biomass, nutrient and metal uptake. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were computed to determine suitable phytoremediation practices. Overall results revealed favorable growth of mustard due to the direct source of nutrients provided by WV. WV decreased the metal concentration in soil and inhibited uptake through phytostabilization. Organic substances associated with WV are naturally endowed with adsorption sites available for chelation, rendering metals less bioavailable. As a result, HM-contaminated soils can now be utilized for food production.