Industrial Raw Materials Research Articles

PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH ORGANIK SEBAGAI ENERGI ALTERNATIF MENGGUNAKAN REAKTOR GASIFIKASI DOWNDRAFT

Organic waste from coconut shells, corn cobs, candlenut shells, and lamtoro wood is often found in the Gorontalo region. The gasification of organic waste has the potential to reduce organic waste and produce gas for various applications, including heating, power generation, and industrial raw materials. The research aims to determine the gas composition of the downdraft gasification process from organic waste from coconut shells, candlenut shells, corn cobs, and lamtoro wood, to determine the rate of fuel consumption, and to determine the calorific value. The method used is an experimental method. Test results using a downdraft gasifier reactor with 5 kg of fuel. The average H2 value obtained from the test results for coconut shells was 12.46%, candlenut shells 13.01%, corn cobs 9.3%, and lamtoro wood 15.95%, the highest H2 value from several of these samples was obtained from lamtoro wood with the highest percentage was 15.95%, the average O2 value obtained was coconut shell 8.86%, candlenut shell 6.37%, corn cob 2.61%, lamtoro wood 5.22%, the average CH4 value was shell coconut 7.88%, candlenut shell 4.05%, corn cob 8.03%, lamtoro wood 7.32%, average CO value for coconut shell 0.56%, candlenut shell 0.05%, corn cob 10 .71%, lamtoro wood 0.05% while the average N2 value obtained was 70.21% coconut shell, 76.49% candlenut shell, 69.25% corn cob, and 71.44% lamtoro wood. The findings compare four organic wastes as alternative energy using a downdraft gasification reactor. The conclusion from this research is that the best gas composition is from corncob organic waste with H₂, CH₄, and CO of 28.05%, the longest burning rate on corncob samples is 23.11 grams/minute and the highest calorific value test is on lamtoro wood samples with results reaching 4,340 cal/gram.

Progress and prospects in the molecular basic research on important traits in sorghum

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a significant crop serving food, energy, feed, and industrial raw materials, featuring extensive growth adaptability and diverse utility values. Despite the achievements in sorghum breeding in the last decades, conventional breeding methods still confront challenges such as lengthy breeding cycles, low efficiency, and complex genetic backgrounds. With the rapid advancement of molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics, molecular breeding has carved new pathways for enhancing sorghum yield and quality. This article reviews the molecular basic research progress in the key agronomic and adaptive traits of sorghum, including grain yield, grain quality, flowering time, plant height, tillering, stress resistance, and male sterility, and discusses future research priorities, offering novel insights and approaches for sorghum breeding.

Physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic alterations in Castor (Ricinus communis L.) under polyethylene glycol-induced oxidative stress

BackgroundCastor is an important industrial raw material. Drought-induced oxidative stress leads to slow growth and decreased yields in castor. However, the mechanisms of drought-induced oxidative stress in castor remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, physiological, biochemical, and RNA-seq analyses were conducted on the roots of castor plants under PEG-6000 stress for 3 d and 7 d followed by 4 d of hydration.ResultsThe photosynthetic rate of castor leaves was inhibited under PEG-6000 stress for 3 and 7 d. Biochemical analysis of castor roots stressed for 3 d and 7 d, and rehydrated for 4 d revealed that the activities of APX and CAT were highest after only 3 d of stress, whereas the activities of POD, GR, and SOD peaked after 7 d of stress. RNA-seq analysis revealed 2926, 1507, and 111 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the roots of castor plants under PEG-6000 stress for 3 d and 7 d and after 4 d of rehydration, respectively. GO analysis of the DEGs indicated significant enrichment in antioxidant activity. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed significantly enriched metabolic pathways, including glutathione metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. WGCNA identified the core genes PP2C39 and GA2ox4 in the navajowhite1 module, which was upregulated under PEG-6000 stress. On the basis of these results, we propose a model for the response to drought-induced oxidative stress in castor.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable antioxidant gene resources, deepening our understanding of antioxidant regulation and paving the way for further molecular breeding of castor plants.

Natural durability of Eucalyptus species harvested as electricity transmission poles in two different ecological zones of Ghana

This study assessed the possibility and feasibility of using two Eucalyptus species for electricity transmission poles in Ghana as a means of minimizing the import of transmission poles in the country. Eucalyptus species are grown in private and government-owned plantations in Ghana due to its growing demand for use as power line transmission poles. The species are seldom used by the furniture industry. The demand from the pole treatment industry for raw materials exceeds the domestic supply of teak, which is commonly used as transmission poles, resulting in the importation of pine poles to cover the deficit, hence the need for this study. The natural durability of Eucalyptus alba and Eucalyptus robusta in the Coastal Savanna Zone (CSZ) and Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest Zone (MSDFZ) was tested using white rot fungus (Coriolopsis polyzona) under an accelerated laboratory test. The results indicated significant variations in the mass lossess be-tween trees in the two vegetation zones. The sapwood and outer heartwood of the E. alba tree species of CSZ recorded the highest mass losses of 41.21 % and 20.79 %, respectively, compared to the E. robusta trees felled from MSDFZ that recorded mass losses of 32.3 % and 5.42 %, respectively. Also, the outer heart- wood and inner heartwood of the E. robusta MSDFZ felled trees were highly resistant (5.42 % and 6.99 %). CSZ wood species were less naturally resistant to C. polyzona attack than those harvested from MSDFZ, which appeared to be less susceptible and more naturally resistant to decay by C. polyzona. Both species are feasible for use as transmission line poles; however, trees from both ecological zones would need chemical preservatives to improve their service life, especially for outdoor applications.

THE BENEFITS OF MUSA PARADISIACA L. (SABA BANANA) AS A SUNNAH–BASED HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ALTERNATIVE

One of the plants that can be used as the main ingredient of medicine is the banana plant. Basically, the saba banana plant is not only to fulfill daily needs, but can be used as an alternative sunnah-style treatment for physical and spiritual health. Every part of the banana can be used as a source of traditional medicine with easy processing to be practiced daily. Almost all parts of saba banana, starting from the fruit, skin, heart, stem, to the leaves, have different properties such as traditional medicine and industrial raw materials. That way, saba banana can be used as evidence of how blessed Allah SWT's creation has a variety of benefits for humans. Utilizing saba banana as a sunnah-based health improvement alternative is an environmentally friendly step. In addition, saba bananas are also easy to find and affordable and can be consumed every day and are also recommended by scholars as in HR. Tirmidzi.

Growth rate dalam sektor barang baku dan primer di Bursa Efek Indonesia: Mana lebih baik?

The Sustainable Growth Rate is the maximum growth rate of a company so that it can grow without running out of funds from funding activities such as increasing shareholder capital ownership and drawing loans from creditors. This study measured, tested, and analyzed factors affecting sustainable growth. Some of the factors used in this study are leverage, profitability, and total asset turnover. This study uses objects from raw material sector companies and primary sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for 2018 - 2022, during which data collection was carried out using the purposive sampling method. The form of research used is associative research, a method that examines the relationship between variables, with a quantitative approach. The research data is based on secondary data, namely the company's annual financial report, which is available and has been audited by an independent auditor. Data processing uses multiple linear regression. The study results show that Leverage (DER) and Profitability (ROA) positively affect sustainable growth, providing practical insights for financial analysts and professionals in the raw material and primary sector industries. Total asset turnover (TATO) does not affect the sustainable growth rate. This study also shows that raw material sector companies have a higher sustainable growth rate than primary sector companies.

A naphthimide based fluorescent probe for the detection of thiophenols and its application in actual water and food

Thiophenol (PhSH) and its derivatives are widely employed as common industrial raw materials, while they also pose high toxicity for animals and aquatic organisms. Herein, a novel fluorescent probe P1 was constructed, based on photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism, using naphthimide as the fluorophore and 7-nitrobenzoxadiazole as the recognizing group. Probe P1 exhibited an “Off-On” fluorescence recognition response to PhSH by nucleophilic substitution reaction. The probe displayed advantageous properties for the recognition of PhSH, including a chromogenic response, high selectivity, fast response (< 90 s), and a large Stokes shift (150 nm). In addition, probe P1 exhibited a good linear response to PhSH within the range of 0-9 μM, and the limit of detection (LOD) is 21 nM. Furthermore, probe P1 has been successfully applied for the efficient and rapid PhSH detection in environmental water and actual food samples.

The influence of myrcene on anionic copolymerization of 1,3-pentadiene and styrene

C5-dienes including 1,3-pentadiene (PD) and isoprene (IP) as by-products of naphtha cracking are important industrial raw materials for the production of thermoplastic elastomers, synthetic rubber and resins. The research on living anionic polymerization (LAP) of myrcene (MY) is also of great significance for the development of new bio-based materials and products. Focusing on the optimal utilization of C5 resources and the high-value utilization of biomass resources and the realization of green chemical production, this article reports the synthesizing of a novel terpolymer by LAP of PD, styrene (ST) and the biomass monomer MY. The discovery of the alternating sequence structure of ST and PD inspires us to further explore the development of copolymers containing this unique sequence structure. The special long branched side chain of MY and its low glass transition temperature are also conducive to the synthesis of new integrated rubbers. The 1H NMR tracking analysis indicates that the polymerization pattern changes from alternating sequence to gradient block sequence with the increase of MY content. Combined with FTIR analysis, the PD monomeric units are mainly trans-1,4 structure and MY monomeric units are predominant cis-1,4 structure. Considering the extremely high polymerization activity of MY compared to ST and PD, the copolymerization rate is significantly dependent on the concentration of the PD monomer. Despite this, due to the interactions between ST and PD ([ST¦PD] intermediate), ST still tends to form alternating segments with PD. The ternary copolymerization can be viewed as a “binary gradient copolymerization” of [ST¦PD] and MY (rMY > r[ST¦PD]).

Synergistic removal of malachite green and Cr(Ⅵ) using ethylenediamine disuccinic acid functionalized silica gel

As common industrial raw materials, malachite green (MG) and Cr(Ⅵ) generally coexist in waste liquids discharged from the paper printing, leather, and textile industries, causing serious harm to humans and the environment. Therefore, developing an effective method for the synergistic removal of MG and Cr(Ⅵ) from aquatic environments is of great research value. In this work, the non-homogeneous Fenton-like catalysts, namely, EDDS-Silica and EDDS-Co2+-Silica were successfully prepared using ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) and silica gel (Silica) as raw materials, and a non-homogeneous Fenton-like catalytic method was developed for the efficient and synergistic removal of MG and Cr(Ⅵ) from wastewater. EDDS-Silica and EDDS-Co2+-Silica were analyzed using Fourier infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine their structural composition and elemental contents. The catalytic degradation and removal effects of these materials in an MG single-waste system were also investigated. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of both materials can overcome the limitation of the conventional Fenton reaction, which is its applicability to acidic environments only. Moreover, EDDS-Co2+-Silica showed better degradation effects on MG than EDDS-Silica. Quantitative calculations based on density functional theory were used to predict the optimal coordination forms between Co2+and EDDS-Silica as well as the MG structure. The lowest unoccupied and highest occupied molecular orbitals of the catalysts were then used to predict the active sites on which MG tends to capture or release electrons during the degradation reaction. The optimal conditions for the synergistic removal of MG and Cr(Ⅵ) from a binary system using EDDS-Co2+-Silica were further investigated under different influencing factors. The results showed that EDDS-Co2+-Silica still had excellent catalytic effect on the degradation rate of MG in the range of pH 3-7, and the optimal conditions were as follows: solution pH, 7; degradation time, 1 h; temperature, 25 ℃; H2O2 concentration, 20 mmol/L; and the initial mass concentration of Cr(Ⅵ), 25 mg/L. Under the above conditions, the degradation rate was increased from 87.25% to 96.67% compared with that in the MG monosystem. Obvious enhancements in degradation effect and efficiency confirmed that the incorporation of EDDS-Co2+-Silica was favorable for the synergistic removal of MG and Cr(Ⅵ) in the binary system. Strongly oxidizing Cr(Ⅵ) can participate in the Fenton reaction, thus promoting MG degradation over a wide pH range. Thus, a positive synergistic effect exists between MG and Cr(Ⅵ). Considering that a large number of metal ions remained in the solution after the degradation reaction, EDDS-Silica was added to the degradation solution, and adsorption experiments were performed for 4 h at 30 ℃to adsorb and remove Cr and Fe via the strong chelating property of EDDS. The total residual mass concentrations of Cr and Fe were 4.96 and 1.02 mg/L, respectively, which meet national emission standards. These findings indicate that EDDS-Silica has good effects on the removal of residual metal ions after the nonhomogeneous Fenton reaction. As heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts, the aminopolycarboxylic acid-modified materials proposed in this study can simultaneously promote the Fenton reaction and remove residual metal ions, thereby effectively removing MG and Cr(Ⅵ) from the binary system while ensuring that the content of residual metal ions in the system meets environmental emission standards. This study has broad application prospects in dye degradation and heavy-metal-ion wastewater treatment, and provides a reference value and theoretical basis for the development of other similar ligand-modified materials.

ЖАМБЫЛ ОБЛЫСЫНДАҒЫ ӨНЕРКӘСІПТІК ДАМУДЫҢ ҚАЗІРГІ ЖАҒДАЙЫ ЖӘНЕ НЕГІЗГІ ТЕНДЕНЦИЯЛАРЫ

The industrial sector of the economy is a leading factor in the development of state potential in general, especially taking into account the modernization of the technological component, the formation and integrated application of a competitive business segment. Raw materials industries and government investments continue to be the engines of the economy. The problem is that projects in the manufacturing industry face insufficient conditions for investment due to lack of access to long and inexpensive credit resources. As a result, this sector of the economy is less attractive to investors compared to other sectors of the country's economic complex. Therefore, the key factor of sustainable and high-quality industrial development at the regional level is the introduction of modern methods of influencing the competitive environment, the use of technological and innovative mechanisms in the industrial sector of the Zhambyl region. The article reflects the analysis of the development of industries in the Zhambyl region, and considers the prospects for the development of the industrial complex.

Innovations to overcome the current waste problem caused by single-use plastics in the pursuit of a circular economy

Plastic production continues to increase each year, yet only 9% are successfully recycled. This has impacted natural habitats and ecosystems, due to an uncontrolled amount of waste. The food industry is a major contributor to plastic waste. To counter this problem, the demand for environmentally sustainable alternatives, i.e. bio-based plastics, in the pursuit of a circular economy is increasing. As such, this problem is interconnected and at the resource nexus of particularly, food, material, waste, and ecosystem. This systematic review provides an overview of different innovations regarding materials and additives for bio-based plastics for packaging in the food industry. The paper argues that a majority of materials for bio-based plastics originate from the food industry’s value chain and utilizing these resources is essential to reduce waste and to create more value, essentially addressing the problem with a focus on the resource nexus. Moreover, the importance of developing biodegradable and recyclable plastics to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste is also highlighted, especially in the context of single-use food packaging. These findings and conclusions cumulated into a framework to differentiate the various materials and classify them regarding their biodegradability properties, origin (plant- or animal-based industry by-products and raw materials) and end-of-life scenarios. This contributes to the academic literature and practice by categorizing different kinds of materials, which might be labelled environmentally sustainable, particularly biodegradable, but which might not always be the case and critically discussing implications of this.

Pengelolaan Cold Storage 1.000 Ton Di Muara Baru Jakarta: Perspektif Ekonomi Kelembagaan Baru

Fish cold storage was built by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in various regions as one of the implementations of the National Fish Logistics System policy, which aims to maintain the availability of fish for industrial raw materials and domestic consumption. The cold storage of 1,000 tons was established to become a role model for the government's buffer stock facility in the Jakarta area. However, its implementation is still experiencing obstacles because its use is not optimal and has not attracted the interest of fisheries players in the broader scope. The research objective is to examine the institutional system implemented in managing cold storage of 1,000 tons from a business perspective. The research uses a case study method in government cold storages located in Muara Baru, North Jakarta. The institutional analysis of cold storage management was analyzed descriptively and qualitatively using the New Institutional Economic Theory approach. The research results show that the institution of cold storage of 1,000 tons still needs to improve its management. The aspects that contribute most to the lack of business performance in cold storage are property rights and, flexibility and adaptability. The implications that can be given are institutional improvements through 1) developing business models that are more tailored to user needs, 2) establishing bodies or institutions that are more authoritative in public services, 3) aligning incentives and building cooperation with a wider range of users, 4) implementation of standard procedures balanced with commitment to compliance from stakeholders and strong controls, 5) increased speed and flexibility of services and 6) competitive pricing.

Assessing Drought Impacts on Gross Primary Productivity of Rubber Plantations Using Flux Observations and Remote Sensing in China and Thailand

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.) plantations are vital agricultural ecosystems in tropical regions. These plantations provide key industrial raw materials and sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide, playing a vital role in the global carbon cycle. Climate change has intensified droughts in Southeast Asia, negatively affecting rubber plantation growth. Limited in situ observations and short monitoring periods hinder accurate assessment of drought impacts on the gross primary productivity (GPP) of rubber plantations. This study used GPP data from flux observations at four rubber plantation sites in China and Thailand, along with solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), near-infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) indices, to develop a robust GPP estimation model. The model reconstructed eight-day interval GPP data from 2001 to 2020 for the four sites. Finally, the study analyzed the seasonal drought impacts on GPP in these four regions. The results indicate that the GPP prediction model developed using SIF, EVI, NDVI, NIRv, and PAR has high accuracy and robustness. The model’s predictions have a relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 0.22 compared to flux-observed GPP, with smaller errors in annual GPP predictions than the MOD17A3HGF model, thereby better reflecting the interannual variability in the GPP of rubber plantations. Drought significantly affects rubber plantation GPP, with impacts varying by region and season. In China and northern Thailand (NR site), short-term (3 months) and long-term (12 months) droughts during cool and warm dry seasons cause GPP declines of 4% to 29%. Other influencing factors may alleviate or offset GPP reductions caused by drought. During the rainy season across all four regions and the cool dry season with adequate rainfall in southern Thailand (SR site), mild droughts have negligible effects on GPP and may even slightly increase GPP values due to enhanced PAR. Overall, the study shows that drought significantly impacts rubber the GPP of rubber plantations, with effects varying by region and season. When assessing drought’s impact on rubber plantation GPP or carbon sequestration, it is essential to consider differences in drought thresholds within the climatic context.

Genome-Wide Identification of Rubber Tree SCAMP Genes and Functional Characterization of HbSCAMP3.

Natural rubber produced by the rubber tree is a vital industrial raw material globally. Seven SCAMP gene family members were identified in the rubber tree, and the phylogenetic tree classified HbSCAMPs into three subfamilies. Significant differences were observed among HbSCAMPs in terms of gene length, number of exons, and composition of conserved motifs. The expansion of HbSCAMPs in the rubber tree genome is associated with segmental duplications. The high expression of HbSCAMP1-6 in petioles and HbSCAMP7 in stem tips, along with their distinct responses to drought, salt, and wound stresses, indicates their crucial roles in substance transport and stress adaptation. Transgenic poplar experiments demonstrated that overexpression of HbSCAMP3 significantly promotes plant height growth, with localization in the tobacco plasma membrane, suggesting its involvement in regulating plant growth through membrane transport processes. These findings enhance the understanding of HbSCAMPs in rubber trees and provide new insights into how plants finely tune gene family members to adapt to environmental changes.

Virus-Free Sweet Potato Industry: Development Status and Production Suggestions

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is an important food, feed, and industrial raw material and new energy crop. Its rich nutritional value and health effects are increasingly being recognized by consumers, and the demand is increasing. However, due to the continuous cultivation of sweet potato over many years, the degeneration of seedlings and the accumulation of viral diseases are important factors affecting the yield and quality of sweet potatoes. This article provides an overview and analysis of the types and hazards of sweet potato virus diseases, the advantages of virus-free sweet potatoes, the scale of virus-free sweet potato cultivation, sweet potato stem tip virus-free production technology, its development status, and the existing problems. Combined with the development of the sweet potato industry across China, relevant development suggestions are proposed to provide a reference for promoting the healthy, stable, sustainable, high-quality, and efficient development of the sweet potato industry.

Detecting the local characteristics from the iron ore import competition intensity among nations: A network-based resource allocation process method

Iron ore is an important industrial raw material, and its production and consumption have a significant impact on the world economy. As resource demand increases, competition among iron ore importing countries has intensified. To investigate the global iron ore competition landscape through the competition intensity among importing countries and to study the iron ore competition groups and key competition modes from a local perspective, this paper constructs the iron ore import competition intensity network (IOCIN) by employing the network decreasing-mode and resource allocation process (RAP). The empirical results are as follows. First, competition intensity is unevenly distributed. The unevenness of competition intensity eases slightly, and the IOCINs become tighter over time. Second, the composition of the community is unstable, and the competition groups show geographic dispersion. Third, unidirectional competition with an overwhelming advantage on one side is a common relationship in the global iron ore market. At the same time, a relatively stable bilateral competition pattern has promoted the evolution of the global iron ore competitive landscape. The value of this study includes not only the improvement of the method but also practical strategic recommendations for rational competition and resource allocation optimization among countries.

Снижение числа несчастных случаев и аварий при управлении поездом в автоматическом режиме

Railroad transport is the main element of economic development of Russian regions; it ensures reliable communication between industrial enterprises and raw material supply bases in Russia. Transportation of enterprise employees and freights is an integral part of the successful functioning of any industrial company. Ensuring safe conditions of train traffic is a matter of high priority for all participants in the transportation process. The article provides external and internal parameters affecting the safety of rolling stock. The impact of external factors, such as weather conditions, optical visibility, illumination, and air transparency on the operation of technical vision systems when driving a train in automatic mode have been analyzed. Taking the impact of these factors into account is necessary to limit the speed of rolling stock in the sectors of low visibility and sharp reduction of visibility range of obstacles, which is crucial to ensure safe train movement when calculating the braking curve. Such a dependence requires the introduction of correcting coefficients into algorithms of the train movement model and considering the correction when calibrating and configuring computers and devices of the technical vision system. In order to determine the internal parameters of rolling stock, an algorithm for the calculation of the coordinates of a technical object has been proposed. For a moving object, the coordinates are calculated on the orthodromic trajectory using the existing dependence between the current longitude and latitude of the object and the speed projections measurements of the rolling stock on the axis of the geographic coordinate system. The proposed options to determine the rolling stock parameters improve the quality and accuracy of determining speed and coordinates and reduce computing and hardware costs aboard a locomotive, which, in turn, affects the time of decision-making to ensure optimal control of rolling stock and prevention of accidents and emergencies.

Identification of the effect of ripening conditions on the yield of rose hips and their processed products

Wild rose hip fruit, pulp, beverage, nectar, as well as technological methods and tools are taken as the object of research. Rose hips have a, bright red color and a rich chemical composition, which makes it a very important raw material for industry. However, insufficient research slows down this work and makes the use of raw materials inefficient. With this in mind, the aim was to study the mechanical and technological characteristics of the femur, which are considered important for industrial processing. The reflection of ripening conditions on the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of rose hips, as well as the influence of processing methods, especially hot processing, on the quality of the product has been established. Research has shown that the percentage of fruit cultivation in the Dashkasan region was the lowest, and the highest in the Gadabay region, and the Goygol region took an intermediate position. The Latin hardness of fruits grown in Dashkasan region was 6.41 N. Gadabay region with 5.56 N and Goygol region with 5.47 N. This indicator plays an important role in the storage and processing of fruits. As a result of the treatment, the amount of dry matter in fruit, pulp and beverage increased slightly, titratable acids, ascorbic acid and pH decreased. An increase in total phenolic compounds was observed during the initial heat treatment of the raw material and was noted to be much lower in the pulp and beverage. Hot treatment had a reducing effect on the amount of ascorbic acid, which is considered one of the main components of indicators in the thigh. The obtained results can be used in individual family farms and in the food industry

Pan-genome and phylogenomic analyses highlight Hevea species delineation and rubber trait evolution

The para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is the world’s sole commercial source of natural rubber, a vital industrial raw material. However, the narrow genetic diversity of this crop poses challenges for rubber breeding. Here, we generate high-quality de novo genome assemblies for three H. brasiliensis cultivars, two H. brasiliensis wild accessions, and three other Hevea species (H. nitida, H. pauciflora, and H. benthamiana). Through analyzing genomes of 94 Hevea accessions, we identify five distinct lineages that do not align with their previous species delineations. We discover multiple accessions with hybrid origins between these lineages, indicating incomplete reproductive isolation between them. Only two out of four wild lineages have been introduced to commercial rubber cultivars. Furthermore, we reveal that the rubber production traits emerged following the development of a large REF/SRPP gene cluster and its functional specialization in rubber-producing laticifers within this genus. These findings would enhance rubber breeding and benefit research communities.

Research on the separation mechanism of copper telluride slag by sulfurization method based on ab initio molecular dynamics simulation

Copper telluride slag is an industrial raw material for tellurium production. A sustainable short process technology involves recovering tellurium from copper telluride slag through sulfurization vacuum distillation. The main principle of the sulfurization stage is that copper telluride slag (Cu2Te) replaces tellurium by adding sulfur, achieving chemical separation. However, the microscopic pathway of the Cu2Te + S reaction is still unclear. This study constructs a model based on the phase and chemical composition of copper telluride slag. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to investigate the sulfurization process of Cu2Te at different reaction times (Ps) and analyze the stability of the intermediate product (CuTe) as well as its interaction with sulfur. Experimental analysis of XRD and XPS of sulfurized products under different conditions validates the simulation results. The sulfurization pathway of copper telluride slag is elucidated as Cu2Te → CuTe → Te, with CuTe as an intermediate product reacting with sulfur and being unstable. This research clarifies the sulfurization micro-mechanism of copper telluride slag, providing guidance for improving sulfurization efficiency.