Industrial Utilization Research Articles

Valorization of Fish Processing by-Products: Biological and Functional Properties of Bioactive Peptides

Abstract Purpose of Review This review explores the potential of fish by-products as a source of bioactive peptides for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Focusing on their diverse bioactive and functional properties, it offers insights into their industrial utilization, contributing to a better understanding of their applications. Recent Findings Fish processing by-products, including wastewater and solid residues, serve as valuable sources of bioactive peptides exhibiting a remarkable range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihypertensive properties. These peptides exhibit a wide range of functional properties, such as solubility, water holding, fat binding, foaming, and emulsifying capacities. Moreover, they show significant potential for various industrial applications. Summary Bioactive peptides derived from fish by-products are attracting interest in multiple industries due to their diverse biological activities and functional properties. These peptides have emerged as a valuable and largely untapped resource, as they can be extracted from underutilized, or waste materials generated during fish processing operations. Graphical Abstract

Digital twin for decision support system of industrial utility management

Manufacturing and industrial operations rely heavily on energy that is generated mostly from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which harm the environment and contribute to climate change. Thus, renewable energy is being integrated into industrial processes to lessen environmental effects and reduce fossil fuel usage. However, the renewable source performance process can be greatly affected by disturbances and constraints, such as ambient air temperature and relative humidity, minimum utility consumption, and the total energy required, making effective control difficult. This study proposes a digital twin built with machine learning regression techniques for load demand forecasting as a decision-support system for industrial utility management. From the results, the ensemble tree (ET) model produced the highest accuracy, based on validation and test dataset root mean squared error values of 23.164 and 27.558, respectively, and R2 values of 0.96 and 0.95, respectively. The digital twin and load demand forecasting approaches effectively created an efficient operating schedule for industrial utility management. The ET model had a total error of 23.86%, substantially lower than the average load demand's total error of 65.29%. Therefore, the ET model with weather conditions in four scenarios could be recommended to optimize energy utilization when creating the operating schedule.

A Review of the Efficient and Thermal Utilization of Biomass Waste

As a new type of energy that can meet the requirements of carbon neutrality, biomass has received wide attention in recent years, and its rational and efficient thermal utilization can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establish an energy-saving, low-carbon energy system to promote sustainable development. In this paper, the current utilization and research status of plant-based biomass waste is comprehensively summarized from four aspects, namely component properties, industrial thermal utilization means, experiments and theoretical calculations. In addition, this paper summarizes the research progress in several aspects, such as microscopic experimental studies, macroscopic pyrolysis characterization, and multiscale theoretical model construction of biomass waste. However, due to the diversity and heterogeneity of biomass, there are still some challenges to extending the laboratory research results to large-scale industrial production, for which we also provide an outlook on future technological innovations and development directions in this research area.

Evaluation of the potential power generation resources in SAARC region for sustainable energy trade

AbstractThis article presents a comprehensive review on the contemporary condition of electrical energy in the SAARC countries with particular focus on conventional as well as renewable resources. The region lies at the center of the Asia with a dense population where demand and supply gap has always been a challenging factor for the governments. In addition, the region has observed enormous industrial growth during past two and half decades whose sustainability is totally dependent upon the continuous supply of energy. A bulk of valuable literature has been published in recent years that addresses the challenges, infrastructure improvements margins and several schemes to mitigate the energy deficiency in the region but most of it focuses upon either generation or transmission. This article covers this gap and presents to‐the‐point data that can be used for future forecasting, cross‐border trade possibilities and indigenous energy generation for remote and islanded regions within and across the SAARC mainland. A detailed review on electrical power generation potential by exploiting the renewable energy resources (RERs), generation capacity, installed capacity, energy short fall and transmission and distribution (T&D) losses is presented for each SAARC country and the results are presented in forms of tables and graphs. It can be inferred from the data presented in this paper that the energy crisis of the SAARC region can be overcome by mutual trade among the land‐connected countries by transporting the electrical energy, generated through RERs, across the borders. The paper concludes that the region has enormous potential for renewable energy available in form of hydal, solar, wind and biomass that, if maturely harnessed, can only not fulfil the local demands of the region but also be exported to establish the framework of cross‐border energy trade in future for sustainability of industrial and domestic utilization.

Unveiling the Intricacies of Microbial Pigments as Sustainable Alternatives to Synthetic Colorants: Recent Trends and Advancements

Bio-pigments are the colored primary and secondary metabolites released by microbes under stress conditions and are crucial for adaptation. Bio-pigments are being widely accepted for industrial utilization due to their natural form, organic source, and biodegradability. Also, the ease of cultivation, scalability and cost-effectiveness in terms of pigment extraction is bringing bio-pigments into the limelight. Chemical dyes are carcinogenic and pose a serious threat to human lives, which is another issue that environmentalists must address. However, bacterial pigments are safe to employ; therefore, the food, pharmaceutical, textile, and cosmetics sectors may all benefit from their applications. The therapeutic nature of bacterial pigments is revealed because of their antimicrobial, anticancer, cytotoxic, and remarkable antioxidant properties. Bio-pigments also have multifaceted properties and thus can be an attractive source for the next generation to live a sustainable life. The present review discusses the importance of bacterial pigments over synthetic dyes and their therapeutic and industrial potential. Extensive literature has been reviewed on the biomedical application of bacterial pigments, and further opportunities and future challenges have been discussed.

Engineering the Future: Robotics in the Automotive Industry Explained

The study provides an overview of the potential applications of industrial robots in the automobile sector, which is now the market's most significant client. An overview of the use of robots in global industry is provided in the first section of the article, which also discusses the state of industrial robot utilization. The most popular uses of robots, particularly in the automotive sector, are covered later, along with developments and outlooks for the field's future. The essay concluded with a specific project overview regarding robotized screw tightening on the car seat production line, which served as a model task from actual industrial practice.The many uses of robots in the automobile industry are examined in this review, including material handling, welding, painting, assembly line automation, and quality control. It emphasizes how collaborative robots (cobots) enhance human-robot interaction and how advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence maximize robotic performance. Keywords: Industrial robot; robotics in automotive; production of passenger cars; transport and production; automated assembly line

Sustainable biomass derived natural surfactant of soybean seeds in fly ash industrial waste utilization for carbon storage: Evaluation of environmental impact

The rising carbon emissions challenge global environmental sustainability and climate stability. This study aims to advance climate change mitigation by integrating fly ash and natural surfactant into CO2 sequestration strategies. Fly ash, a by-product of industrial processes, presents an opportunity for innovative reuse. By combining fly ash with a natural surfactant extracted from soybean seeds, both industrial waste management and greenhouse gas reduction can be addressed. The surfactant was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface tension, and electrical conductivity measurements, confirming saponin presence with a critical micelle concentration of 0.3 wt%. Pressure decay studies revealed that a (5 wt% fly ash + NS) demonstrated the highest CO2 absorption, supported by microscopic analysis. Further research on optimizing reaction conditions and kinetics of mineralization could enhance this method’s efficiency and scalability for broader application.

Tomato Waste as a Sustainable Source of Antioxidants and Pectins: Processing, Pretreatment and Extraction Challenges

Tomato processing waste (TPW), a byproduct of the tomato processing industry, is generated in significant quantities globally, presenting a challenge for sustainable waste management. While traditionally used as animal feed or fertilizer, TPW is increasingly recognized for its potential as a valuable raw material due to its high content of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, polyphenols and pectin. These compounds have significant health benefits and are in growing demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Despite this potential, the broader industrial utilization of TPW remains limited. This review explores the influence of various processing, pretreatment and extraction methods on the concentration and stability of the bioactive compounds found in TPW. By analyzing the effects of these methodologies, we provide insights into optimizing processes for maximum recovery and sustainable utilization of TPW. Additionally, we address the major challenges in scaling up these processes for industrial application, including the assessment of their ecological footprint through life cycle analysis (LCA). This comprehensive approach aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial implementation, facilitating the valorization of TPW in line with circular economy principles.

TiO2 Catalysts Co-Modified with Bi, F, SnO2, and SiO2 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B Under Simulated Sunlight

The organic pollutants discharged from industrial wastewater have caused serious harm to human health. The efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants under sunlight shows promise for industrial applications and energy utilization. In this study, a modified TiO2 photocatalyst doped with bismuth (Bi) and fluorine (F) and composited with SnO2 and SiO2 was prepared, and its performance for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight was evaluated. Through the optimization of the doping levels of Bi and F, as well as the ratio of SnO2 and SiO2 to TiO2, the optimal catalyst reached degradation efficiency of 100% for RhB within 20 min under simulated sunlight, with a first-order reaction rate constant of 0.291 min−1. This value was 15, 41, 6.5, and 3.3 times higher than those of TiO2/SnO2, Bi/TiO2, Bi-TiO2/SnO2, and F/Bi-TiO2/SnO2, respectively. The active species detection showed that h+ was the most crucial active species in the process. The role of Bi and F addition and SnO2-SiO2 compositing was investigated by characterization. Bi formed a chemical bonding with TiO2 by doping into TiO2. The absorbance intensity in the UV and visible light regions was improved by SnO2 and F modification. Composite with SiO2 led to a larger surface area that allowed for more RhB adsorption sites. These beneficial modifications greatly enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst.

Changes in Nutritional and Techno-Functional Properties of Whole Grain Maize Flours Induced by Dry-Heat Treatment.

The present study was carried out to demonstrate the effects of dry heat treatment (DHT) at different temperatures (100, 125, 135, 150, and 165 °C) on the nutritional and techno-functional properties of white, blue, and yellow whole grain maize flour. Results showed that DHT increased the insoluble dietary fiber and free phenolic compounds of the investigated maize flours, while the bound phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and pasting properties decreased with the rising of the applied temperature. The application of DHT caused the most notable changes regarding the amount of dietary fiber. Content of NDF (neutral detergent fiber) ranged from 11.48% to 44.35%, 14.19% to 37.84%, and 15.15% to 45.86% in white, yellow, and blue maize samples, respectively. Furthermore, at the highest temperature applied in the DHT (165 °C) the content of soluble free phenolic compounds in yellow and blue maize flour samples was 1.2- and 1.4-fold higher compared to control flour samples. DHT significantly improved the functionality of maize flour in terms of water absorption capacity, water solubility, and digestibility, thus it can be effectively used to make up for the poor functionality of raw maize flour. This study shows that DHT at moderate temperatures (125-135 °C), could be a viable solution for the pre-processing of maize flour to enhance the potential for its utilization in the food industry.

A Gastronomic Approach to Industrial Aquaculture Waste Utilization

Aquaculture, while offering significant contributions to global food security, generates substantial amounts of industrial waste, posing environmental and economic challenges. However, this waste also presents untapped potential for innovation in gastronomy. This paper explores the emerging trend of utilizing aquaculture industrial wastes in culinary practices, aiming to reduce waste, promote sustainability, and create novel gastronomic experiences. Through a review of literature and case studies, we examine various methods for repurposing aquaculture waste, including upcycling into new food products, incorporation into culinary dishes, and extraction of valuable components. Additionally, we highlight successful initiatives that have integrated aquaculture waste into gastronomy, emphasizing the benefits of waste reduction, sustainable food practices, and culinary innovation. Challenges such as food safety, taste, and consumer acceptance are acknowledged, with strategies proposed for addressing these issues. Finally, we discuss future directions for research and development in this field, identifying opportunities for collaboration between the aquaculture industry and the gastronomy sector. By exploring the utilization of aquaculture industrial wastes in gastronomy, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of sustainable food practices and culinary creativity in the context of aquaculture waste management.

Aeschynite Group Minerals Are a Potential Recovery Target for Niobium Resources at the Giant Bayan Obo Nb–REE–Fe Deposit in China

With the development of the steel industry, China’s demand for niobium is increasing. However, domestic niobium resources are not yet stably supplied and are heavily dependent on imports from abroad (nearly 100%). It is urgent to develop domestic niobium resources. The Bayan Obo deposit is the largest rare earth element deposit in the world and contains a huge amount of niobium resources. However, the niobium resource has not been exploited due to the fine-grained size and heterogeneous and scattered occurrences of Nb minerals. To promote the utilization of niobium resources in the Bayan Obo deposit, we focused on the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of six types of ores and mineral processing samples from the Bayan Obo deposit, using optical microscopes, EPMA, TIMA, and LA–ICP–MS. Our results show that: (1) the niobium mineral compositions are complex, with the main Nb minerals including aeschynite group minerals, columbite–(Fe), fluorcalciopyrochlore, Nb–bearing rutile, baotite, fergusonite–(Y), fersmite, and a small amount of samarskite–(Y). Aeschynite group minerals, columbite–(Fe), and fluorcalciopyrochlore are the main niobium-carrying minerals and should be the primary focus of industrial recycling and utilization. Based on mineralogical and geochemical investigation, the size of the aeschynite group minerals is large enough for mineral processing. Aeschynite group minerals are thus a significant potential recovery target for niobium, as well as for medium–heavy REE resources. The Nb–rich aegirine-type ores with aeschynite group mineral megacrysts are suggested to be the most significant niobium resource for mineral processing and prospecting. Combined with geological features, mining, and mineral processing, niobium beneficiation efforts of aeschynite group minerals are crucial for making breakthroughs in the utilization of niobium resources at the Bayan Obo.

Synergizing autothermal reforming hydrogen production and carbon dioxide electrolysis: Enhancing the competitiveness of blue hydrogen in sustainable energy systems

With the global energy paradigm shifting towards renewable and sustainable systems, hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a promising energy carrier. In this transition, blue hydrogen is often considered a bridge solution to green hydrogen due to its economic vulnerability to carbon costs and environmental regulations related to life-cycle emissions. To expand the role of blue hydrogen, it is essential to enhance hydrogen yield, reduce production costs, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions during the production phase. This study proposes an integrated process for blue hydrogen production and CO2 electrolysis to enhance the competitiveness of blue hydrogen in sustainable energy systems. The focus of this study was to integrate autothermal reforming hydrogen production with solid oxide CO2 electrolysis and to determine the optimal configuration and operating conditions of the integrated process. The proposed process demonstrated superior performance in terms of energy efficiency, production cost, and environmental impact compared with conventional blue hydrogen production. Furthermore, considering the intermittency of renewable electricity and the uncertainties in CO2 electrolysis technology, the industrial feasibility of the proposed process was validated. The integration of autothermal reforming blue hydrogen production and CO2 electrolysis has four clear advantages: (i) the costly air separation and carbon capture units, which pose significant financial burdens in autothermal reforming blue hydrogen production, can be eliminated; (ii) the downstream separation, which is indispensable in a standalone CO2 electrolysis system, can be removed; (iii) utilization pathways for captured CO2 from blue hydrogen production have been proposed; and (iv) guidelines have been provided for the industrial utilization of CO2 electrolysis.

Biochemical composition of three Opuntia species O. humifusa, O. phaeacantha, O. engelmannii var. lidheimeri. Prospects of their utilization

Relevance. Opuntia distinguished by high adaptability is widespread in many countries of the world. Tolerance to water deficiency and high biological activity provide prospects of its cultivation for food and pharmaceutical industry. In Russia Opuntia is grown in the Crimea, Caucasus, Donbass, Astrakhan region and even in the Central Russia. Evaluation of the Opuntia cultivation efficiency in the Crimea for various utilization supposes the importance of its biochemical characteristics which variability greatly depends on the place of habitat. Materials and Methods. Total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were determined using titration methods, polyphenol content –using spectrophotometric method, monosaccharide and total sugar concentrations were assessed via reaction with ferricyanide, mucilage levels were determined gravimetrically.Results. Investigation of cladode, inflorescence and fruit biochemical parameters of three Opuntia species: O. humifusa, O. phaeacantha, O. engelmannii, – gathered at the Southern and South-Eastern part of the Crimean peninsular revealed wide variability of fruit mucilage (4.3-16.56% d.w.), sugar and total antioxidant activity. Polyphenol content decreased according to: inflorescence (18.4-21.0) > fruit (11.7-18) > cladodes (10.2-20.0). Fruit monosaccharide content reached (6.2-31) % while in cladodes these values were in the range of 8.1-16.0%. Total sugar content was equal to 32.6-95% in fruit and 15.5-29.7% in cladodes. Concentration of selenium as a natural antioxidant was higher in the cladodes (102-176 µg/kg d.w.) than in fruit (46.8-72 µg/kg d.w.). The highest levels of the total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were registered in O. engelmannii while the highest sugar, mucilage and taste index were typical for O. humifusa. Nevertheless, O. humifusa was characterized by the lowest fruit mass (6.0-6.3 g) contrary to O. engelmannii (36-40 g). The results suppose prospects of fruit, cladode and inflorescence utilization in food industry, cosmetics and pharmacology with the preference to O. humifusa.

Multidimensional Exploration of Wood Extractives: A Review of Compositional Analysis, Decay Resistance, Light Stability, and Staining Applications

Extractives, which naturally evolve as fundamental defense mechanisms in wood against environmental stresses, hold an essential place in the field of wood conservation science. Despite their low content in woody substrates, extractives are chemically complex and can be extracted accurately by solvents with different polarities, covering key components such as aliphatic, terpenoid, and phenolic compounds. The application of solvent extraction allows for the effective recovery of these extracts from forestry waste, thereby creating new opportunities for their reuse in wood modification and enhancing the economic value and potential applications of forestry waste. In the wood industry, extractives not only act as efficient preservatives and photo-stabilizers, significantly improving the decay resistance and photodegradation resistance of wood, but also serve as ideal dyes for fast-growing wood due to their abundant natural colors, which lend the product a distinct aesthetic appeal. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the origin and distribution characteristics of wood extractives and to examine the impact of solvent selection on extraction efficiency. At the same time, the mechanism of extractives in enhancing wood decay resistance and slowing down photodegradation is deeply analyzed. In addition, specific examples are presented to illustrate their wide utilization in the wood industry. This is intended to provide references for research and practice in related fields.

Growth and metabolism regulation of cinnamic acid and its derivatives to Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa

Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa's industrial utility is closely associated with the concentration of high-value products. This study focuses on the effects of cinnamic acid (CA) and its derivatives, which known as secondary metabolites in higher plants and effective plant growth regulators, on the growth and metabolic profiles of A. pyrenoidosa. It was discovered that CA and its derivatives significantly enhance the biomass of A. pyrenoidosa under conditions of 10 mg/L over 48 h or 100 mg/L over 120 h. Cells treated with 10 mg/L CA exhibited lower oxidative stress and maintained robust metabolic activity. Metabolic pathways, including those for carbohydrates, lipids, small peptides, and cofactors, were stimulated, leading to the accumulation of a wide array of bio-products, notably high-value products such as α-linolenic acid, cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide plus hydrogen (NADH), glutathione, and vitamins B2/B3. This study demonstrates that CA and its derivatives are good nutritional enhancers for cultivating A. pyrenoidosa, highlighting their potential for broad application in biotechnological industries.

Two-dimensional hierarchically porous C3N4 for photocatalysis: perspective and challenges

Owing to its unique structure, porosity and photoresponse properties, two-dimensional hierarchically porous (2D-HP) C3N4 has attracted wide attention in environmental remediation and sustainable energy evolution fields. Up to today, 2D-HP C3N4 has been developed as an efficient photocatalyst for various environmental/energy photocatalytic applications. Its advantages in promoting light harvesting, reactant diffusion and transportation, surface molecule activation and photoinduced carrier separation have been verified. In this perspective, we highlighted the advantages of 2D-HP C3N4 in various photocatalytic reactions such as water splitting and H2O2 production. The relevant mechanism was simultaneously discussed. Moreover, the prospects and obstacles for the industrial utilization of 2D-HP C3N4-based photocatalysts are outlined and summarized. Finally, we envision available approaches for the deployment of 2D-HP C3N4-based materials to promote its practical application.

Genetic Diversity and Functional Potential of Streptomyces spp. Isolated from Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, India.

Streptomyces is a diverse genus, well known for producing a wide array of metabolites that have significant industrial utilization. The present study investigates the genetic and functional diversity of Streptomyces spp. isolated from the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR), India, an unexplored site. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis revealed 96 isolates belonging to 40 different species indicating a substantial phylogenetic diversity. The strains were clustered into two groups: a major cluster with 94 strains and a small cluster with two strains. BOX- PCR analyses revealed an incredible genetic diversity existing among the strains of Streptomyces spp. in PBR. The analyses revealed the intra-species diversity and inter-species closeness within the genus Streptomyces in the study area. Qualitative screening for enzyme production has shown that 53, 42, 41, 11, and 54 strains tested positive for CMCase, xylanase, amylase, pectinase, and β-glucosidase, respectively. Additionally, 54 strains tested positive for PHB production. The strains were assayed quantitatively for the production of CMCase, xylanase, amylase, and pectinase. Streptomyces sp. MP9-2, Streptomyces sp. MP10-11, Streptomyces sp. MP10-18, and Streptomyces sp. MP10-6 recorded maximum CMCase (0.604 U/mL), xylanase (0.553 U/mL), amylase (1.714 U/mL), and pectinase (13.15 U/mL) activities, respectively. Furthermore, several strains demonstrated plant growth-promoting traits, viz. zinc and phosphate solubilization and production of ammonia, HCN (hydrogen cyanide), and IAA (Indole acetic acid), and nitrogen fixation. Fifty strains showed antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici with inhibitions ranging from 7.5 to 47.5%. Current findings underscore the ecological and biotechnological significance of Streptomyces spp. in the unexplored habitat of PBR.

Renaissance of Chlorine Evolution Reaction: Emerging Theory and Catalytic Materials

Chlorine (Cl2) is one of the most important commodity chemicals that has found widespread utility in chemical industry. Most Cl2 is currently produced via the chlorine evolution reaction (CER) at the anode of chlor–alkali electrolyzers, for which precious group‐metal‐based mixed metal oxides (MMOs) have been used for more than half a century. However, MMOs suffer from the use of platinum‐group metals, which are costly and scarce, and the selectivity issue arises from the parasitic oxygen evolution reaction. Over the last decade, the field of CER catalysis has seen dramatic advances in both the theory and discovery of new catalysts. Theoretical approaches have enabled a fundamental understanding of CER mechanisms and provided catalyst design principles. The exploration of new materials has led to the discovery of CER catalysts other than MMOs, including non‐PGM‐based oxides, atomically dispersed single‐site catalysts, and organic molecules, with some of which following novel reaction pathways. This minireview provides an overview of the recent advances in CER electrocatalyst research and suggests future directions for this revitalized field.

Renaissance of Chlorine Evolution Reaction: Emerging Theory and Catalytic Materials.

Chlorine (Cl2) is one of the most important commodity chemicals that has found widespread utility in chemical industry. Most Cl2 is currently produced via the chlorine evolution reaction (CER) at the anode of chlor-alkali electrolyzers, for which precious group-metal-based mixed metal oxides (MMOs) have been used for more than half a century. However, MMOs suffer from the use of platinum-group metals, which are costly and scarce, and the selectivity issue arises from the parasitic oxygen evolution reaction. Over the last decade, the field of CER catalysis has seen dramatic advances in both the theory and discovery of new catalysts. Theoretical approaches have enabled a fundamental understanding of CER mechanisms and provided catalyst design principles. The exploration of new materials has led to the discovery of CER catalysts other than MMOs, including non-PGM-based oxides, atomically dispersed single-site catalysts, and organic molecules, with some of which following novel reaction pathways. This minireview provides an overview of the recent advances in CER electrocatalyst research and suggests future directions for this revitalized field.