Sustainable Tool Research Articles

Cluster formation as a sustainable rural development tool in Ukraine

The difficult situation in Ukraine in general and in the agricultural sector in particular, caused by the war: destruction of settlements with infrastructure, property damage to business entities, impossibility of conducting economic activity in the temporarily occupied territories and territories where active hostilities are taking place, relocation of business, massive displacement of the population to more peaceful regions – necessitates a rethinking of pre-war approaches to the development of rural areas. This study focuses on one of the most promising tools – clusters. Since proper legal regulation is crucial for the effective development of clustering processes, the purpose of the study is to analyse the state of legal support for clustering in rural areas, considering the requirements of smart specialisation, to identify the main problems and to develop proposals for their solution. This goal was achieved through the use of several methods of scientific knowledge: dialectical (philosophical), analysis, formal legal, hermeneutical, abstract logical, and historical and legal. As a result, the author formulates a definition of the concept of “cluster”, which enshrines its features (voluntary association of entities with the status of entrepreneurs, sectoral or intersectoral nature). The purpose of the cluster activity is substantiated: creation of products and/or provision of services, promotion of sustainable development of rural areas. It is established that clusters combining agricultural production with other, in particular non-agricultural, activities are promising for rural areas. The necessity to consider the provisions of smart specialisation of regions in the formation of clusters is proved. Proposals have been developed regarding the formation of the legal framework for the formation and functioning of clusters by supplementing the normative acts of economic legislation with provisions on the form of organisation of cluster formations; defining clustering as a promising task in the national and agrariansectoral strategic planning documents; basic directions of state support for the creation and functioning of clusters in the field of agriculture/in rural areas. The results obtained are of theoretical importance for the development of the science of agrarian and commercial law. The conclusions of the work are also of practical value since they can be considered in the content of the improved legislation on clusters and smart specialisation of regions

Sustainable by design: An organizational design tool for sustainable business model innovation

When firms want to meet ambitious sustainability targets, they often fail to deliver on more radical innovation at the level of the business model. They often struggle to design and successfully implement new, sustainable business models in practice. While sustainability tools might help bridge the design-implementation gap in business, they often lack a grounding in both theory and practice. In this study, we build on empirical research that recognises the importance of dynamic capabilities to develop sustainable business models, and the barriers and drivers that might exist at the organizational level. We investigate the following research question: How can firms address organizational design issues in order to develop the dynamic capabilities necessary for sustainable business model innovation? The research method consists of four stages derived from the iterative, user-involved method of design science research: 1) identifying the problem and defining objectives for a solution; 2) design and development; 3) demonstration; and 4) evaluation. The work results in the “Sustainable By Design” tool which was used in a workshop setting with two large multinational companies seen as sustainability leaders in their sectors: DSM and IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). The work makes two contributions. First, we contribute the Sustainable By Design tool which practitioners can use to evaluate their current organizational design, identify barriers and drivers for sustainable business model innovation, and develop strategic interventions to engage in organizational transformation. Second, we elucidate the theoretical connections between organizational design, dynamic capabilities, and sustainable business model innovation, and suggest directions for future research.

The efficacy of biodiversity and ecosystem assessment approaches for informing a regenerative approach to built development.

The built environment, even at its "greenest," inevitably entails changing ecosystem structure and function. Multiple sustainable development tools and approaches are available to reduce environmental harm from built development. However, the reality that society exists within fully integrated socioecological systems, wholly interdependent on supporting ecosystems, is not yet adequately represented in regulation or supporting tools. Regenerative development seeks to address this interdependence in part by improving the health of supporting socioecological systems through the development process. We demonstrate the relevance of a series of approaches-Local Nature-Related Planning Policy (LNRPP), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), the Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool (EBN Tool), Nature Assessment Tool for Urban and Rural Environments (NATURE Tool), and Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services+ (RAWES+)-for their ability to meet their stated aims and objectives and how these relate to wider regenerative themes. A comparative analysis of the five approaches is done by applying them to a practical case study site, resulting in policy- and practice-relevant learning and recommendations. The research reveals current gaps in methodology, which can lead to adverse outcomes for sustainability. This is particularly clear for the spatial and temporal scales across which each approach operates. In addition, this research discusses the inherent limitations of taking a reductionist approach to examining complex systems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:248-262. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Ініціативи міжнародних організацій для розвитку інструментів сталого фінансування

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation have created many difficulties for doing business in Ukraine. However, despite the existing challenges, representatives of domestic business continue to adhere to the standards of sustainable development. In turn, financial institutions, as well as the financial regulator, continue to stimulate mechanisms and develop trends in sustainable financing. Thus, the National Bank presented the Policy on the development of sustainable financing for the period until 2025. The development of the policy was carried out in the framework of cooperation with the International Finance Corporation, whose experts emphasized the need to develop a roadmap for sustainable financing, which will allow combining the capabilities of the private and public sectors in order to strengthen the practices of sustainable financing with the support of the state. Accordingly, the implementation of sustainable development initiatives in the financial sphere requires state support, and also involves the application of the experience of international organizations and the study of successful international practices of sustainable financing. Problem Statement. Assessment of the role of international organizations in the development of tools for sustainable financing at the level of national economies. The purpose is to substantiate the essential characteristics of sustainable financing tools, evaluate successful practices of strengthening sustainable financing within the framework of initiatives of international and European organizations with the aim of applying them in the process of building a domestic sustainable financing policy and strategy, forming and applying roadmaps for financing sustainable development priorities based on innovative tools. Methods. General scientific and special methods were used, in particular: scientific abstraction and epistemological (content) analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction, analogies and systematization, system-structural analysis, expert evaluation method, index method and grouping method. Results. The article examines the modern characteristics of sustainable financing and its evolution, the typology of sustainable financing. The basics of the spread of sustainable financing practices in Europe, as well as the essential characteristics of sustainable financing instruments (social and green bonds, social and green loans, sustainable development bonds and loans) are considered. An assessment of the volume and distribution of sustainable development financing instruments at the international level was made. At the international level, in connection with the diversification of the priority areas of attracting financial resources by the World Bank Group, there was a need to create separate organizations aimed at financing the priorities of sustainable development. In particular, one of such separate institutions is the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Accordingly, the article emphasizes the inclusive business model of IFC. In turn, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was created based on the combined efforts of a number of countries around the world, the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The article focuses on the strategic areas of activity and products of the EBRD. A guide to the application of international experience of sustainable financing in Ukraine was considered. Conclusions. Thus, the study of the initiatives of international organizations in the development of sustainable financing tools makes it possible to draw a conclusion about the role of the interaction of the state, business and international organizations in order to accumulate efforts to strengthen sustainable financing through the use of innovative tools, the creation of appropriate policies and the development of sustainable development roadmaps. In Ukraine, the policy of sustainable financing is based on the cooperation of the NBU and the IFC and is implemented through a road map, which is of an applied nature and is intended to monitor the business activity of the NBU in terms of the formation of predictable and stable regulatory foundations with the aim of spreading sustainable financing in the country with specific time norms and taking into account the need to ensure the consistency and adaptability of the banking system and non-bank financial institutions to changes.

Multicriteria Analysis in Apiculture: A Sustainable Tool for Rural Development in Communities and Conservation Areas of Northwest Peru

Apiculture plays a vital role in maintaining a genetically diverse ecosystem and is an economic activity that contributes to the development of rural communities, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of beekeepers. However, despite the presence of over forty thousand beekeepers in Peru, there is currently no cartographic information available on optimal areas for the development of apiculture. Our study focused on assessing the suitability of land for apiculture development in rural and indigenous communities within the Amazonas Department in northwest Peru. We integrated biophysical and socioeconomic criteria using the Multiple Criteria Evaluation (MCE) technique, in conjunction with state-of-the-art geoinformation and earth observation techniques, to model and validate land suitability for supporting apiculture. It was identified that suitability is influenced by biophysical criteria (65%) and socioeconomic criteria (35%), resulting in highly suitable areas covering 315.6 km2 within the territory of peasant communities, 128.4 km2 within native communities, and an additional 41.4 km2 within conserved areas. Furthermore, to validate our results, we combined the use of high-resolution satellite imagery and visits to artisanal producers. This research provides valuable insights for spatiotemporal land use planning, emphasizing apicultural activity as a driver of rural development and biodiversity conservation. Consequently, this study contributes as a management tool to promote apicultural activities as support for rural development and in local-level decision making.

The interplay of sustainability, corporate green accounting and firm financial performance: a meta-analytical investigation

PurposeThis study uses a meta-analysis approach to analyse the impact of applying corporate green accounting practices as vital sustainable development tools on firm performance. This study aims to examine the moderating effects of country-specific variables and characteristics on the association between corporate green accounting and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThree databases were used for a meta-analysis of 68 independent studies involving 19,625 subjects conducted over 25 years from 1996 to 2020.FindingsThe results show that corporate green accounting positively affects firm performance, but country-specific variables do not moderate this association. The positive association between corporate green accounting and firm performance was enhanced when it was measured in terms of environmental costs. Subgroup analyses revealed that study characteristics are significant source of heterogeneity in the corporate green accounting indicators-firm performance association.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that firms should strategise to integrate environmental costs into their respective financial accounting frameworks, which would help managers justify the contribution of their firms towards environmental protection.Social implicationsAccessing accurate and timely information on corporate environmental functioning can assist national policymakers in framing appropriate legislation on environmental protection and sustainable development.Originality/valueAlthough meta-analysis has been used previously in accounting research (Guthrie and Murthy, 2009; Alcouffe et al., 2019), to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to use a meta-analytical technique to examine the impact of corporate green accounting on firm performance.

From data to decisions: Empowering brownfield redevelopment with a novel decision support system

This research evaluates a novel decision support system (DSS) for planning brownfield redevelopment. The DSS is implemented within a web-based geographical information system that contains the spatial data informing three modules comprising land use suitability, economic viability, and ground risk. Using multi-criteria decision analysis, an evaluation was conducted on 31,942 ha of post-industrial land and around Liverpool, UK. The representativeness and credibility of the DSS outputs were evaluated through user trials with fifteen land-use planning and development stakeholders from the Liverpool City Region Comined Authority. The DSS was used to explore land use planning scenarios and it could be used to support decision making. Our research reveals that the DSS has the potential to positively inform the identification of brownfield redevelopment opportunities by offering a reliable, carefully curated, and user-driven digital evidence base. This expedites the traditionally manual process of conducting assessments of land suitability and viability. This research has important implications for assessing the impact of current and future planning policy and the potential for the use of digital tools for land use planning and sustainability in the UK and globally.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) and innovation in the construction sector: Systematic Literature Review

Purpose – To analyze the evolution of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and innovation in the civil construction industry, focusing on innovative and sustainable practices, as well as ways of measuring the level of construction companies in these themes. Design/methodology/approach – A Systematic Literature Review approach was used. The Web of Science and Elsevier Scopus Databases, from 2017 to 2022, were used for data collection, based on a set of keywords and Boolean operators ("sustainable development" & "framework" & "measurement" & "environment”). Using the Zotero Software, 488 papers were classified and organized according to the publication date, main content, proposals for sustainable and innovative tools and techniques. The papers were analyzed in the VOSviewer Software. Findings – There is an Asian predominance in the volume of publications and networks of strong connections in clusters by countries. The authors tend to look for papers from the same region as a reference, going against the concept of globalization of ESG and innovation themes and the condition of replicability of practices. Among the exemplified practices, there are replicable models and initiatives, as well as incipient innovative construction materials and methods in search of consolidation. Originality/value – Amid the current and growing discussion about innovation and ESG in organizations, it is noted that the civil construction sector still lacks better performances in these themes. This paper aims to contribute to the advancement of the discussion in the sector, bringing together works found in recent literature.

Supressão de acasalamentos e redução de danos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) no algodoeiro

The control of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has been limited by the rapid development of resistance to insecticides and Bt toxins. The fall armyworm has become increasingly present in cotton fields, becoming a major problem for growers. Therefore, the demand for new and more sustainable tools for managing this pest has increased in recent years. Ideally, the new tool should be compatible with other available control tactics, such as the use of Bt plants, and it should be implemented following IPM principles. In this study, we tested the efficacy of a liquid pheromone formulation for the Fall armyworm control in Bt and conventional cotton varieties in the Brazilian Midwest. Our results showed that the capture of insects in traps has been reduced by 85% in areas treated with pheromone compared to control suggesting high levels of mating suppression. Pheromone treatment also resulted in 70% less damage to cotton reproductive structures when compared to areas not treated with the pheromone in conventional cotton. Moreover, applying pheromone provided an additional benefit to Bt cotton, resulting in 85% damage reduction. Our results show the effectiveness and feasibility of mating disruption with pheromone as an important management tactic for Lepidopterans in cotton. However, no significant differences were found in yield in the conditions tested. These results represent a potential key step toward developing more sustainable tools for pest management in Brazil.

Analyzing the Emergence of Social Media as a Sustainable Tool for Learning English in the Post-Pandemic Era

The study aims to investigate Saudi ESL learners' attitudes toward utilizing social media as a sustainable tool of learning and their experience of learning and teaching with social media integration in ESL classrooms. In addition, it seeks to understand if the learners differ in their attitudes toward social media due to the differences in their demographic profiles. Using a simple random sampling method, 288 students were selected from the total population comprising different levels of the graduate program at Business College, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. Data were collected through a questionnaire and quantitative analysis was applied. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were employed to address the research questions. The study demonstrated that Saudi ESL learners differ in their perspectives on social media based on their parents' profession but not based on the gender and education of parents. The study suggests that promoting social media and its integration in ESL classrooms can play a vital role in academic empowerment, enhancement of language proficiency, and self-regulated learning of Saudi ESL learners who are eager to enter the ever-expanding job market in the kingdom.

How should rural development be chosen? The mechanism narration of rural regional function: A case study of Gansu Province, China

Several major changes in China's land policy, economic system, and development strategy have contributed to the continuous transformation of rural patterns and urban-rural relations. The deepening of urban-rural interaction has led to an increasing complexity of rural territorial functions, and the importance of territorial multifunctional mechanisms in the dynamic process of rural development in China has been highlighted. However, the current choice of a rural development model lacks comprehensive thinking that combines the functional mechanisms of rural areas with the elements of the development environment. In this paper, we define and identify the functions of rural areas in Gansu Province, China, and analyze and construct a rural development model by analyzing the interaction between the mechanisms of rural regional functions and the “rural revitalization” strategy. We find that under the control of “rural revitalization,” a sustainable development tool, the countryside is constantly developing into a multifunctional complex, and its development mode should be dynamically adjusted according to functional changes. Finally, we summarize the general evolutionary cycle of the multifunctional system of rural regions and attempt to extrapolate the dynamic developmental village type classification process of “rural revitalization” from the perspective of rural regional functions in China.

Efficient integration of electrocoagulation treatment with the spray-pyrolyzed activated carbon coating on stainless steel electrodes for textile effluent-bath reuse with ease.

In this study, the electrocoagulation (EC) treatment was used to minimize and separate pollutants from textile industrial wastewater (TIWW), including high colour, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), and total dissolved solids (TDS). To enhance the EC treatment efficiency, a novel strategy has been followed in the study that involves thin-film coating on 316 stainless steel (SS) electrodes with banana peel-derived activated carbon (BPAC) by dip coating, spin coating, or spray coating. Among the different types of coating, thickness and contact angle measurements have elucidated that the spray coating of BPAC on SS electrode is the best tool with minimum thickness and contact angle. In this study, a bare SS electrode was used as the anode and a thin-film spray-coated BPAC on the SS electrode was used as the cathode. Moreover, optimization plays a key role in EC treatment process, where operating conditions such as a current density of 10 mA/cm2 , contact time of 15 min, and a pH of 7 were fixed. As a result, the findings indicate comparatively high colour removal of 98%, COD removal of 91%, TOC removal of 89.6%, and TDS removal of 68 % are achieved with ease. Accordingly, in comparison to plain SS electrodes or dip or spin-coated BPAC on SS electrodes, spray-coated BPAC on SS electrodes in EC treatment outperforms in removing high colour, TOC, COD, and TDS. Overall, the study highlights the potential of EC treatment integrated with adsorption procedures for TIWW treatment. Particularly, the use of thin-film spray-coated BPAC on SS electrodes in the EC treatment process led to an effective and sustainable tool for treating and reuse of TIWW. It is due to its low operation and maintenance cost and studied in a short interval of time. Finally, the ultimate goal was firmly achieved in pilot scale studies by the safe discharge into the environment or reuse of treated textile wastewater. Thus, it is a promising alternative with an environmentally friendly footprint that could be easily implemented in any textile industry premises.

A blend of selected botanicals maintains intestinal epithelial integrity and reduces susceptibility to Escherichia coli F4 infection by modulating acute and chronic inflammation in vitro.

In the pig production cycle, the most delicate phase is weaning, a sudden and early change that requires a quick adaptation, at the cost of developing inflammation and oxidation, especially at the intestinal level. In this period, pathogens like enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) contribute to the establishment of diarrhea, with long-lasting detrimental effects. Botanicals and their single bioactive components represent sustainable well-recognized tools in animal nutrition thanks to their wide-ranging beneficial functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro mechanism of action of a blend of botanicals (BOT), composed of thymol, grapeseed extract, and capsicum oleoresin, in supporting intestinal cell health during inflammatory challenges and ETEC infections. To reach this, we performed inflammatory and ETEC challenges on Caco-2 cells treated with BOT, measuring epithelial integrity, cellular oxidative stress, bacterial translocation and adhesion, gene expression levels, and examining tight junction distribution. BOT protected enterocytes against acute inflammation: while the challenge reduced epithelial tightness by 40%, BOT significantly limited its drop to 30%, also allowing faster recovery rates. In the case of chronic inflammation, BOT systematically improved by an average of 25% the integrity of challenged cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, when cells were infected with ETEC, BOT maintained epithelial integrity at the same level as an effective antibiotic and significantly reduced bacterial translocation by 1 log average. The mode of action of BOT was strictly related to the modulation of the inflammatory response, protecting tight junctions' expression and structure. In addition, BOT influenced ETEC adhesion to intestinal cells (-4%, p < 0.05), also thanks to the reduction of enterocytes' susceptibility to pathogens. Finally, BOT effectively scavenged reactive oxygen species generated by inflammatory and H2O2 challenges, thus alleviating oxidative stress by 40% compared to challenge (p < 0.05). These results support the employment of BOT in piglets at weaning to help manage bacterial infections and relieve transient or prolonged stressful states thanks to the modulation of host-pathogen interaction and the fine-tuning activity on the inflammatory tone.

SPOT: A Strategic Life-Cycle-Assessment-Based Methodology and Tool for Cosmetic Product Eco-Design

The cosmetics industry is facing growing pressure to offer more sustainable products, which can be tackled by applying eco-design. This article aims to present the Sustainable Product Optimization Tool (SPOT) methodology developed by L’Oréal to eco-design its cosmetic products and the strategies adopted for its implementation while presenting the challenges encountered along the way. The SPOT methodology is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a finished product and its subsystems (formula, packaging, manufacturing and distribution). Several environmental indicators are assessed, normalized and weighted based on the planetary boundaries concept, and then aggregated into a single footprint. A product sustainability index (a single rating, easy to interpret) is then obtained by merging the environmental product rating derived from the single environmental footprint with the social rating (not covered here). The use of the SPOT method is shown by two case studies. The implementation of SPOT, based on specific strategic and managerial measures (corporate and brand targets, Key Performance Indicators, and financial incentives) is discussed. These measures have enabled L’Oréal to have 97% of their products stated as eco-designed in 2022. SPOT shows how eco-design can be implemented on a large scale without compromising scientific robustness. Eco-design tools must strike the right balance between the complexity of the LCA and the ease of interpretation of the results, and have a robust implementation plan to ensure a successful eco-design strategy.

Multi-objective optimization model for sustainable production planning in textile MSMEs

Textile MSMEs are characterized by their high influence on the economy of the countries, both for their contribution to the gross domestic product as well as for the generation of employment, in recent years the complexity of their operations, instability and lack of balance between economic, environmental and social factors, axes of sustainable development, stand out. It is necessary to implement approaches such as sustainable manufacturing and production planning, which seeks the creation of products with minimal environmental impact, safe for workers, and economically robust. In this context, this study aims to develop a multi-objective optimization model that enhances sustainable production planning in textile MSMEs. The methodology is based on two phases, the first one focused on the acquisition of information and the second one dedicated to the mathematical formulation of the model, where three objective functions focused on economic, environmental and social factors are proposed. The model is validated with real data from a textile MSME in Ecuador and different production alternatives are generated by proposing the implementation and use of photovoltaic energy as well as a greater use of personal protective equipment. One of the relevant conclusions of the study is the contribution to the textile industry with a sustainable decision support tool, where different scenarios for production planning and their respective economic, environmental and social consequences are shown.

Plant-Growth-Promoting Bioagents: A Sustainable Tool for Improving the Soil Health, Enhancing the Growth and Antioxidative Defense System of Tobacco

Plant-Growth-Promoting Bioagents: A Sustainable Tool for Improving the Soil Health, Enhancing the Growth and Antioxidative Defense System of Tobacco

Recent Advances in Phytoremediation of Hazardous Substances using Plants: A Tool for Soil Reclamation and Sustainability

Phytoremediation techniques have emerged as a promising approach for soil reclamation and remediation of contaminated sites. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the different phytoremediation techniques used for soil reclamation and their effectiveness in removing contaminants from soil. The aim is to evaluate the current state of knowledge and to highlight potential avenues for future research in this field. The review begins with a discussion of the principles underlying phytoremediation, emphasizing the ability of plants to accumulate, tolerate, and detoxify contaminants through various mechanisms such as phytoaccumulation, rhizo-degradation, and rhizo-filtration. Different plant species and their suitability for phytoremediation are reviewed, considering factors such as metal tolerance, biomass production, and pollutant uptake efficiency. In addition, the role of soil amendments and their impact on improving phytoremediation efficiency is critically evaluated. Commonly used amendments, including chelating agents, organic matter, and pH adjusters, are reviewed with emphasis on their ability to increase metal bioavailability and plant uptake. The review also addresses challenges associated with phytoremediation, such as plant growth limitations, long-term sustainability, and potential risks associated with the release of pollutants into the atmosphere during biomass disposal. Strategies to mitigate these challenges, including plant breeding and genetic engineering, are discussed.

Human-microbes symbiosis in health and disease, on earth and beyond planetary boundaries

Humans are microbial, ecosystems and symbioses. The relationship that humans have with their microbiomes is an essential element to maintaining health and wellbeing. Recent changes in lifestyles may have fostered an alteration of this symbiosis, which is frequently associated with chronic disorders. Here, we will review the state of the art on the central role of human-microbes symbiosis in health and disease, highlighting the innovations expected from the emerging knowledge on host-microbes symbiosis, for diagnosis, preventive nutrition, and a medicine of the ‘microbial human’. Since microbiome science also impacts several sustainable development goals of the Planetary Boundaries Initiative, we will also explore how microbiome science could help to provide sustainability tools and strategies aligned with the life support systems sought by the Micro-Ecological Life Support Systems Alternative (MELiSSA) Project lead by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Efficient malachite green biodegradation by Pseudomonas plecoglossicide MG2: process optimization, application in bioreactors, and degradation pathway

Microbial degradation of synthetic dyes is considered a promising green dye detoxification, cost-effective and eco-friendly approach. A detailed study on the decolorization and degradation of malachite green dye (MG) using a newly isolated Pseudomonas plecoglossicide MG2 was carried out. Optimization of MG biodegradation by the tested organism was investigated by using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer and the resultant degraded products were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and FTIR. Also, the cytotoxicity of MG degraded products was studied on a human normal retina cell line. The optimum conditions for the significant maximum decolorization of MG dye (90–93%) by the tested organism were pH 6–7, inoculum size 4–6%, and incubation temperature 30–35 °C, under static and aerobic conditions. The performance of Pseudomonas plecoglossicide MG2 grown culture in the bioreactors using simulated wastewater was assessed. MG degradation (99% at 100 and 150 mg MG/l at an optimal pH) and COD removal (95.95%) by using Pseudomonas plecoglossicide MG2 culture were the best in the tested culture bioreactor in comparison with that in activated sludge or tested culture-activated sludge bioreactors.The FTIR spectrum of the biodegraded MG displayed significant spectral changes, especially in the fingerprint region 1500–500 as well as disappearance of some peaks and appearance of new peaks. Twelve degradation intermediates were identified by LC–MS. They were desmalachite green, didesmalachite green, tetradesmalachite green, 4-(diphenylmethyl)aniline, malachite green carbinol, bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methanone, [4-(dimethylamino)phenyl][4-(methyl-amino)phenyl]methanone, bis[4-(methylamino)phenyl]methanone, (4-amino- phenyl)[4-(methylamino)phenyl]methanone, bis(4-amino phenyl)methanone, (4-amino phenyl)methanone, and 4-(dimathylamino)benzaldehyde. According to LC–MS and FTIR data, two pathways for MG degradation by using Pseudomonas plecoglossicide MG2 were proposed. MG showed cytotoxicity to human normal retina cell line with LC50 of 28.9 µg/ml and LC90 at 79.7 µg/ml. On the other hand, MG bio-degraded products showed no toxicity to the tested cell line. Finally, this study proved that Pseudomonas plecoglossicide MG2 could be used as an efficient, renewable, eco-friendly, sustainable and cost-effective biotechnology tool for the treatment of dye wastewater effluent.

Use of decomposition products of Pontederia crassipes Mart., Solms (water yacinth) for inhibition of cyanobacteria growth: A full-scale study

Eutrophication exacerbates the growth of primary producers that may reduce water quality, such as macrophytes and cyanobacteria. The floating macrophyte Pontederia crassipes and the cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis raciborskii occur worldwide in eutrophic environments, but data on the inhibition of R. raciborskii by floating macrophytes are scarce. We aimed to test the inhibitory activity of P. crassipes on cyanobacterial growth, especially R. raciborskii. First, we tested the effect of live P. crassipes exudates and decomposing macrophyte extracts on a R. raciborskii strain under culture conditions. Cyanobacterial growth was not affected by the exudate from the live macrophyte. In contrast, exposure to decaying macrophyte extracts containing 4.0 and 6.0 mg L−1 total phenols completely inhibited cyanobacterial growth after five days and decreased photosynthetic activity. Mass spectrometry FT-IRC analysis led to the identification of some molecules in P. crassipes extracts, but no association with the inhibitory effect of the was identified. We then tested the inhibitory effect of P. crassipes in mesocosms containing a natural cyanobacterial bloom. The slow release of chemicals from the dry biomass over 12 days decreased chlorophyll concentrations. Finally, in a field experiment, we applied tons of P. crassipes dry biomass to large areas (900 m3) of a reservoir to test the release of chemicals into the water during one month. At the final time, the phenol concentration in the backwater region was close to the inhibitory value found for cyanobacterial growth and an inverse correlation was observed between chlorophyll and phenol concentrations. Thus, under natural conditions, the release of phenolic compounds and other allelochemicals from the decomposing material of macrophyte mats inhibits cyanobacterial growth. Macrophyte biomass, which is usually considered waste, might be used to mitigate cyanobacterial blooms and may be a promising new and sustainable biotechnological tool to improve water quality.