BioResources publishes research articles, review articles, and editorials on topics related to the science of cellulosic substances and their uses in such fields as composites, paper, engineered wood, bioenergy, etc. To help speed up the process, authors use a template. The journal staff pre-edit the English in each article before the peer-review process starts. Why you should publish with BioResources: Research published open-access & authors retaining copy rights Low publication fee, with comprehensive editing service included Efficient peer-review process & open access platform Impact factor 1.747 (Clarivate), ~ 600 published articles per year Efficient peer-review process; articles published fast after acceptance Ranked #2 in Wood Sci. & Technol. (Google Scholar—https://bit.ly/33GVdOZ) Authors retain copy rights University-based journal; excess funds only support student scholarships Technical Editor: Martin A. Hubbe, Professor, North Carolina State University, hubbe@ncsu.edu Managing Editor: Lucian A. Lucia, Professor, North Carolina State University, lucia-bioresources@ncsu.edu The main publication website of BioResources is as follows: https://bioresources.cnr.ncsu.edu/ The "Open Journal Systems" website that you are viewing now is primarily intended for: (a) submission of articles after careful preparation, following the Author instructions and using a template; (b) management of the peer-reviewing process; and (c) distribution of journal content to participating database services.
NC State University, Dept. of Forest Biomaterials
Aging Effects on Paper Dispersibility – A Review
The aging of paper significantly impacts fiber-water interactions, leading to a decline in dispersibility over time. This deterioration is particularly critical for water-dispersible paper and packaging applications designed to dissolve easily after use, as well as for recycling processes, where reduced dispersibility increases energy consumption and reject content. The aging process is notably faster and more pronounced in unbleached fibers compared to bleached fibers, indicating that lignin plays a crucial role in this phenomenon. A decrease in dispersibility is closely linked to reductions in water retention value (WRV) and increases in paper wet strength, driven by natural aging mechanisms such as hornification, auto-crosslinking, extractives self-sizing, and cellulose recrystallization. These processes reduce fiber swelling capacity and hinder paper disintegration in water. To mitigate the decline in dispersibility due to aging, minimizing moisture cycling and avoiding high temperatures are promising. Also reduction of refining energy and wet-end starch dosage in papermaking are ways to better preserve repulpability. Understanding these aging mechanisms is essential for optimizing paper formulations and ensuring long-term performance in both functional and recyclable paper products.
Copyright (c) 2025 Andrea Christine Pfennich, Herfried Lammer, Ulrich Hirn
A Review on Lignin Valorization for Sustainable Resource Recovery: Current Microbial and Enzymatic Methods and the Roles of Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents
Lignin, as the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer on earth, holds immense potential as a feedstock for value-added products. However, its recalcitrant and heterogeneous structure presents significant challenges to efficient valorization. While microbial and enzymatic bioconversion offers a sustainable and specific route for lignin depolymerization, industrial implementation is often hindered by limitations such as low enzymatic efficiency, poor operational stability, and restricted substrate accessibility. This review systematically summarizes the current state of lignin bioconversion, focusing on the capabilities of various fungi and bacteria and the ligninolytic enzymes they produce, notably laccases and peroxidases. A key emphasis is placed on the emerging roles of “green” solvents, specifically ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs), in overcoming these limitations. These solvents not only enhance lignin solubility but also can activate and stabilize ligninolytic enzymes, thereby enabling more efficient depolymerization reactions. This review examines the mechanisms, advantages, and current challenges of integrating ILs and DESs into biomass lignin upgrading strategies. Finally, it discusses future research directions and potential application prospects.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lian Chen, Hongtao Shi, Lifen Li, Liping Yu, Yanyang Tian, Yuhuan Tian
Indigenous Woods of the Carving Zoomorphic Art in the Southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Trees constitute an inseparable part of artistic expression in many human cultures. The zoomorphic woodcarving art of the Guarani Mbya Indigenous People—an ethnic group that once densely occupied much of South America—embodies the synergy between bioeconomy, technology, art, and ancestral knowledge of trees and their woods. It reflects the millennial sociocultural relationship between humans, their territory, and sustainable management practices aimed at preserving both ancestral culture and biodiversity. This editorial highlights the connection between wood properties and Indigenous carving art within the context of the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil, aiming to demonstrate ancestral knowledge of the forest and its species.
Copyright (c) 2025 Francys Alves Paulino, Joao Carlos Ferreira de Melo Júnior
Consumer Perception and Behavior for Sustainable Market Success
The bioeconomy is one of the most significant economic sectors in the global economy, and numerous biobased products and services have been developed in recent years. Most assessments in the field of biobased products focus on process development, technologies, and sustainability assessment. In addition to the most common focus, one of the key areas is the understanding of consumer trends, which are a critical factor in biobased products. These trends are driven by psychological, economic, social, and cultural factors, and their assessment must be developed considering factors like gender, age, income, regional culture, and labeling. Developing effective strategies to introduce biobased products into the market is essential for advancing sustainable development and must be given due emphasis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nicolás Martín Clauser, Maria Cristina Area
Wildfire Management: Canada’s Carbon Opportunity and a Lesson for All
Canada’s recent wildfires have released well over half a gigaton of carbon dioxide in a single season, which on par with the annual emissions of Japan or Germany. Removing this volume through engineered carbon capture would cost more than one trillion dollars, yet only a fraction of that is spent on wildfire suppression and sustainable mitigation. Proactive forest management, which includes thinning, harvesting, and putting fuel wood to productive use, offers a far more cost-effective path, reducing fire intensity while creating low-carbon products and rural jobs. Redirecting even a small share of carbon-offset spending toward such projects could fund lasting prevention. For both Canada and elsewhere, investing in prevention is sound climate policy and an economic imperative.
Copyright (c) 2025 Alexander A. Koukoulas, Jack Lonsdale, Benjamin Kuttner
Closing the Loop: Recycling PLA Waste from 3D Printing into Value-Added Filament at NC State University
The rapid growth of 3D printing in university makerspaces has created a new but often overlooked waste stream: discarded polylactic acid (PLA) filament from failed prints, support structures, and design errors. Although PLA is a bio-based and recyclable thermoplastic, most of this material currently ends up in landfills. This paper outlines a pilot project at NC State University to close this loop by collecting, processing, and re-extruding PLA waste into new 3D printing filaments. The system, developed through collaboration between the D.H. Hill Makerspace and Hodges Lab, employs a straightforward four-step process—collection, sorting, grinding, and extrusion—thereby achieving over 90% material efficiency. Besides demonstrating technical feasibility, the project emphasizes how campus-scale circular systems can reduce waste, lower costs, and serve as educational models for sustainable manufacturing. This initiative provides a replicable framework for universities and small-scale fabrication facilities seeking to incorporate circular economy principles into their operations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Catherine Kirch, Daniel Saloni
Pulp & Paper Manufacturing: The Best Kept Secret on the Global Sustainability Stage
When the public is asked to name the most globally sustainable industries, they typically respond with solar, wind, geothermal, or EVs. Yet, who would ever imagine the pulp & paper industry, which is often caricatured as a relic, is in fact one of the largest and most secretly sustainable manufacturing sectors. Its entire infrastructure and operations are built on replenishable forests and powered by renewable energy streams to produce recyclable, biodegradable products. The pulp & paper industry has a story that deserves retelling in the age of sustainability metrics and ESG frameworks. Our editorial embarks on a short simple journey to reframe pulp & paper not as a legacy industry, but as a model for sustainable manufacturing by using a clear, quantifiable system to demonstrate its global environmental impact.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ben Thorp, Daniel Saloni, Lucian Lucia
Navigating the Lignocellulosic Frontier: Accelerating Sustainable Bioresource Solutions
Lignocellulosic biomass provides a sustainable substitute for fossil resources in energy, materials, and products. This editorial highlights important developments in biotechnological and bioprocessing methods while analyzing the present pace and trajectory of lignocellulosic valorization. Despite encouraging developments, there are still many obstacles to widespread adoption, such as sociopolitical acceptance, economic viability, and technical complexity. To overcome these obstacles and to hasten the necessary shift to a genuinely sustainable bioeconomy, there is a vital need for integrated biorefinery approaches, sophisticated feedstock engineering, and encouraging policy frameworks. This editorial emphasizes how urgent it is to work together in order to fully utilize lignocellulosic resources.
Humins: Still-unknown Antagonists in Polysaccharides Valorisation
Among the primary objectives of modern biorefineries is the production of furfural, hydroxymethyl furfural, and their derivatives, which are key compounds for the synthesis of widely used fine chemicals, including plastics and other everyday materials. However, the industrial development of these processes is hindered by the formation of unwanted by-products, most notably humins. Humins are highly cross-linked macromolecules of complex nature with limited technological applications. This editorial offers a brief overview of the “humin issue”, discussing the challenges posed by these materials from an analytical perspective. Despite considerable efforts towards their characterization, the structure of these materials remains largely unresolved, representing an ongoing challenge for green chemistry and the optimization of biorefinery processes.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nicolo Pajer, Claudia Crestini
Opportunities and Challenges of Biomass-based Electromagnetic Shielding Materials
Biomass with its abundance, renewability, and processability has been extensively studied and utilized for developing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials as an alternative to non-renewable metal-based EMI shielding materials. This editorial briefly discusses biomass and EMI materials, emphasizing the natural advantages of biomass for EMI shielding materials and current limitations. Finally, future research directions and challenges are predicted, providing insights to promote the development of biomass-based EMI shielding materials.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jinlong Zhang, Shiyu Fu
Block Shear Bonding Performance of Laran Glued Laminated Timber under Simulated Environmental Conditions
The block shear bonding performance was studied for glued laminated timber (glulam) manufactured from laran, a Malaysian plantation hardwood, under four treatment conditions designed to simulate service environments. Forty block shear specimens were tested to determine shear strength and wood failure percentage (WFP). The conditions comprised (a) dry (control, equilibrium laboratory climate), (b) water-soak (immersion in 20 ± 3 °C water for 24 h), (c) boiling Immersion (100 °C for 6 h followed by cooling), and (d) boil–dry–boil cycle (repeated hot–wet and drying exposure). Each specimen (50 × 50 × 50 mm³) was loaded in shear using a universal testing machine. Results revealed a progressive reduction in both shear strength and WFP with increasing treatment severity. Dry samples exhibited the highest bonding performance, while specimens subjected to the Boil–Dry–Boil Cycle showed the greatest deterioration. These findings demonstrate the sensitivity of laran glulam to moisture and thermal cycling, provide baseline data for adhesive bond durability across service classes, and offer valuable insights for improving treatment strategies, product design, and the long-term structural reliability of glulam in tropical construction contexts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Wei Chen Lum, Norshariza Mohamad Bhkari, Anis Azmi, Mohd Shafee Harun, Amni Humaira Mohd Ali Bahari
Performance Evaluation of Medium Density Fiberboard for Structural Use: Influence of Melamine Content, Resin Content, and Density
The feasibility of improving medium-density fiberboard (MDF) for structural applications was addressed by improving its mechanical and dimensional properties through modifications in resin formulation and board density. Melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin was used as the adhesive, with three melamine substitution levels (25%, 27%, and 30%), resin contents ranging from 18% to 26% (based on oven-dry fiber weight), and target densities of 790, 820, and 850 kg/m³. The MDF bonded with MUF containing 30% melamine showed higher modulus of rupture (MOR) and water resistance indicated by lower thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) than those with 25% melamine. Increasing the resin content improved MOR and significantly reduced TS, with optimal performance at 26% resin content. Higher density positively affected mechanical properties and dimensional stability. The MDF with a density of 851 kg/m³ showed the best results in both MOR and WA, confirming its suitability for structural applications. The optimal formulation of 30% melamine content, 26% resin content, 1% hardener, 1% wax, and a density of 851 kg/m³ met the performance criteria for structural MDF. Notably, under these optimal conditions, the formaldehyde emission was 0.48 mg/L, satisfying stringent environmental standards.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bora Jeong, Min Lee, Sang-Min Lee
Creating wood joints usually requires glue or staples. These items are detrimental for the end-of-life of wood products, decreasing their potential recyclability, reusability, and biodegradability. Ultrasonic welding is a processing method to assemble thermoplastic polymers, allowing the creation of joints without adhesive. Wood is composed of amorphous lignins and hemicelluloses that could, under the right conditions of heat and pressure, act as a glue to bind wood pieces together. Thus, the scope of this proof-of-concept study is to investigate the use of ultrasonic welding to assemble veneer wood for packaging applications. Wood pieces were assembled using an ultrasonic welder while screening a large range of materials and processing conditions. Mechanical performances were assessed by measuring the shear strength of wood joints. Results showed that veneer wood can be assembled using ultrasonic welding, leading to a higher resistance than stapled joints. However, the procedure is highly sensitive to wood properties, as the acoustic energy tends to be easily focused by its internal structure. It decreases the reproducibility of the welding procedure and increases the dispersion of joint properties. Achieving a better energy focus is nonetheless possible using appropriate conditions. Overall results are encouraging for further industrial development.
Copyright (c) 2025 Clément Turpin, Tugdual Le Nir, Sandra Tapin-Lingua, Guillaume Legrand, Marie Caron, Quentin Charlier
Effects of Returning Organic Fertilizer and Biochar to Soil on Surface Electrochemical Properties and Nutrients
The soil application of organic materials, such as biochar and organic fertilizers, serves as an important approach to maintaining soil nutrient cycling and enhancing soil quality. Here the effects of biochar and organic fertilizer application were comparatively analyzed relative to soil organic matter, NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) content, and soil surface electrochemical properties. The primary factors influencing soil surface electrochemical properties were identified. It was found that application of two organic materials could increase the contents of total nutrients and available nutrients. Among all indicators, nitrate nitrogen showed the most significant increase, with T1 and T2 increasing by 34.2% and 75.7% compared to CK, respectively. The two organic materials enhanced soil surface charge quantity, specific surface area, and surface charge density. SOC and HS contents were identified as the top two influencing factors for changes in soil surface electrochemical properties. The explanation index of SOC reached 70.1% and 39.4% for T1 and T2, while those of HS were 20.3% and 31.2%, respectively. These efforts elucidated the impacts of the return of organic fertilizer and biochar to the field on soil surface electrochemical properties, which could provide data support for enhancing arable land quality and fostering healthy soil development.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jie Cao, Haoli Qu, Ruirong Li, Pengjun Wang, Mingjiang Chen
Preparation and Properties of Waste Polypropylene/ Bamboo Fiber Composite
With the continuous increase of waste PP plastics, how to recycle and reuse waste PP has become particularly important. In this study, waste PP and bamboo fiber (BF) were used as raw materials. The effects of bamboo fiber mesh size, bamboo fiber content, and hot-pressing process parameters (temperature, pressure, and time) on the physical and mechanical properties of waste PP/BF composites were systematically optimized through single-factor and orthogonal experiments. Composites prepared with 60 to 80 mesh bamboo fiber at 55% to 65% content exhibited the best physical and mechanical properties. The critical factors affecting the elastic modulus and bending strength were bamboo fiber content and hot-pressing temperature, while bamboo fiber content, hot-pressing temperature, and time had the greatest influence on the 72 h water absorption. The optimized process parameters were bamboo fiber content of 55%, hot-pressing temperature of 200 °C, hot-pressing pressure of 0.9 MPa, and hot-pressing time of 17.5 min. Under these conditions, the composite met the requirements of GB/T 29500 (2013) standard. Further research is needed to optimize performance for outdoor applications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Miaoyun Wang, Chenyang Li, Binqing Sun, Lili Yu, Hui Li, Zhifeng Ma, Songting He, Hao Lyu
The Impact of Product Perceived Value on Green Furniture Purchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Customer Value
Although consumer interest in green furniture is growing, existing research has seldom examined the underlying psychological mechanisms driving such behavior. To address this gap, data from a survey of 915 Mainland Chinese consumers were analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) to assess how multidimensional customer value—encompassing economic, functional, relational, and emotional dimensions—mediates the effect of perceived green value on purchase intention. The results reveal that emotional value is the strongest mediating pathway linking perceived green value to purchase intention. It also enhances consumers’ perceptions of economic, functional, and relational value. This underscores the central role of emotional engagement in motivating green furniture purchases. Theoretically, this study enriches customer value theory by demonstrating how emotional value bridges product perceptions and purchase intention in the durable green consumption context. Practically, the findings suggest that green furniture firms can strengthen purchase intention by embedding emotional resonance into product design and marketing, alongside communicating economic, functional, and relational benefits.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tao Shi, Shulan Yu, Lu Zhang, DongLin Li
Preparation of Citrullus colocynthis Seed Extract and Assessment of Cyto-toxicity, Anti-microbial, Anti-inflammatory, and Analgesic Activities
One of the most common health issues that affect individuals is pain, which can manifest in a variety of ways. Opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed for pain relief; however, their prolonged use can result in substantial adverse effects on various bodily systems. As a result, it is important to identify alternative medications that are both more effective and secure. The health benefits of Citrullus colocynthis herb, rich in beneficial elements, are well documented. The effects of an aqueous seed extract of C. colocynthis were examined in this study. The B16F10 melanoma cell line was employed to evaluate the extract’s cytotoxicity. The authors implemented antimicrobial investigations employing four bacterial strains. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were assessed using Swiss albino mice and Wistar albino rats, respectively. The cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that the C. colocynthis extract did not manifest any significant cytotoxic effects on the B16F10 melanoma cell line. The extract exhibited efficacious activity against the Gram-positive bacteria that were the subject of antimicrobial investigations. Pain inhibition effects exceeded 70%, with the analgesic activity. Consequently, the C. colocynthis extract exhibits potential as an analgesic and antimicrobial agent, necessitating additional research and development work.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zihan Zhu, Huan Meng , Jie Zhang
Effects of Treatments on the Structure of Camellia oleifera Cake Protein and the Properties of Adhesives
Although the preparation of wood adhesives from protein in oilcake has significant advantages in terms of environmental protection and cost control, it still faces many challenges that need to be addressed in practical applications. This study used Camellia oleifera cake protein extracted from C. oleifera seeds as raw material to prepare adhesives through thermal, alkaline, acidic, and enzymatic treatments, which were then applied in the production of plywood. The results showed that thermal treatment increased the viscosity of the protein adhesive and improved the bonding strength to 1.12 MPa. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated partial transformation of the secondary structure of protein molecules, while differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed an increase in curing temperature. Alkaline treatment slightly reduced the viscosity but achieved a bonding strength of 1.14 MPa, disrupting some of the crystalline structures of the protein and lowering the curing temperature. Acidic treatment greatly reduced the viscosity but resulted in the highest bonding strength of 1.36 MPa, partially hydrolyzing peptide bonds and reducing both the curing temperature and crystallinity. Enzymatic treatment decreased the viscosity of the protein adhesive but lowered the bonding strength to 0.82 MPa, with extensive hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Different treatment methods altered the rheological properties and bonding properties of the adhesives by affecting the molecular structure, aggregation state, and chemical reactivity of C. oleifera protein.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jiankun Liang, Feiyan Gong, Longxu Wu, Yuanyuan Dong, Xue Deng, Linjing Lan, Xin He, Haiyuan Yang, Yu He, Yuqi Yang, Hui Yang, Zhigang Wu
Improving Physical Properties and Printability of Fruit Packaging Kraft Liner with Mineral and Nanographene Coatings
Biological nanomaterials such as nanographene and fluorite have garnered the attention for the production of diverse products, particularly food packaging, owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The objective of this study was to prepare a coated paperboard sheet utilizing nanomaterials and mineral compounds to enhance the physical characteristics and printability of the brown kraft liner paper. In this investigation, a 120 g/m2 brown kraft liner was employed, in conjunction with varying quantities of nanographene, zein protein, and fluorite, combined with internal resin for the coating process. The physical properties were examined. The samples were treated in standard conditions of 20 °C and 65% relative humidity. The results revealed that the coating led to an increase in yellowness, opacity, glossiness, optical density, and resistance to air permeation compared to the control sample. Notably, the air resistance of the graphene-coated sample was about 5350 seconds. The roughness increased by 9.7 µm with the use of fluorite. Furthermore, a noticeable increase in opacity and glossiness was observed in the coated samples. The adhesion of the coated layer and flexo ink was also excellent, so that it remained intact on the paper surface.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jafar Ebrahimpour Kasmani, Ahmad Samariha, Mohammadreza Amiri Margavi
In-vitro and In-vivo Antiarthritic Activity of the Ethanol Extracts of Leaves of Astragalus glycyphyllos in CFA-induced Arthritis in Rats
The effectiveness of the ethanolic extract of A. glycyphyllos leaves was evaluated for treating arthritis. This was done by examining its ability to protect chondrocytes (cartilage cells) from inflammation caused by IL-1β stimulation, as well as its ability to alleviate arthritis generated by CFA in rats. Rats in the CFA control group exhibited increased paw inflammation on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Inflammation was greatly reduced when treated with A. glycyphyllos extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. There was a positive correlation between the extract dosage and the rats’ body weight. The extract alleviated inflammatory and arthritic symptoms in animals with CFA, leading to an improvement in the arthritic index. Animals afflicted with arthritis exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and a decrease in their ability to move. The administration of the extract significantly improved the locomotor score and strongly suppressed the activation of inflammatory markers. The extract effectively reduced the production of NO, PGE2, MMP1, and MMP13 in IL-1β-stimulated PRCs, with the extent of reduction depending on the dosage. This investigation showcased the therapeutic properties of the A. glycyphyllos extract in treating arthritis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lingli Gu, Rong Su, Shiyun Yin, Yuanjie Zhou, Lili Chen, Weichao Liu, Weitian Yan, Xianna Yang, Jianmei Yin, Jiangyun Peng, Wei Jian Zhou
Seismic Analysis of Wood-Stone Structures with Three Degree of Freedom Systems
Wood and stone have different damping ratios. The seismic analysis of wood-stone structures is important. The vertical wood-stone structure is regarded as a three degree of freedom system. Based on Caughey damping model of substructures, the whole damping matrix was constructed. Then combined with Newmark-β method, a numerical method was proposed to calculate dynamic responses of wood-stone structures. Numerical results showed that the seismic performance of wood-stone structures was stronger than that of stone structures, and it was weaker than that of wood structures. During the process of earthquake action, the middle wood substructure can obviously improve seismic performance of the wood-stone structure. The bottom structure has greater stiffness, but weaker seismic performance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gangzhu Sun, Guosen Zhou, Panxu Sun
Exploration of Visual Appeal and Local Cultural Identity in Wooden Packaging Design
As the coffee market continues to expand and new consumption patterns emerge, a brand’s cultural philosophy has become central to market differentiation. Consequently, innovative coffee packaging designs that integrate regional culture have drawn attention among designers and consumers. This study designed and evaluated wooden packaging prototypes. First, a repository was compiled of representative Yunnan cultural elements and four design schemes were developed. Next, 10 experts in the field of packaging design were invited. A multi-criteria evaluation framework was constructed, and the FAHP and CRITIC computed composite weights were determined for each index. Subsequently, TOPSIS was used to rank the scheme. An eye-tracking experiment was conducted with 44 test subjects to assess differences in visual attraction across schemes. Results showed that the FAHP–CRITIC–TOPSIS pipeline reliably identified the top-ranked scheme, and eye-tracking metrics corroborated its superior visual salience. The integrated approach combines subjective and objective evidence, rendering the weighting process more defensible and linking quantitative rankings with observed viewing behavior.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shiyu Zhang , Jiang Rui
Comparative Evaluation of Supercritical CO2 and Methanol Extraction of Ruta graveolens Polyphenolic Compounds: In-vitro Characterization of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials
Plant-derived extracts remain a vital source of bioactive molecules with potential medicinal applications. Ruta graveolens, a phenolic-rich medicinal herb, is recognized for its diverse antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was carried out using carbon dioxide (CO₂) as fluid. This was compared to Soxhlet extraction (SE) with methanol to obtain Ruta graveolens extracts rich in bioactive compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed notable differences in the phenolic profiles of Ruta graveolens extracts depending on the extraction method. SFE yielded higher concentrations of gallic acid (1380 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (522 µg/g), catechin (595 µg/g), and rosmarinic acid (218 µg/g), while SE contained more kaempferol (242 µg/g) and catechin (921 µg/g). The IC₅₀ assessments were 6.59 µg/g for SFE and 1.63 µg/g for methanol, indicating potent anti-inflammatory potentials for both extracts. Based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, SFE and SE of R. graveolens extracts showed concentration-dependent activity. The IC₅₀ values were 5.81 µg/mL (SFE) and 7.86 µg/mL (SE). SFE showed larger inhibition zones than SE (24 ± 0.2 vs 20 ± 0.3 mm for B. subtilis; 17 ± 0.3 vs 11 ± 0.6 mm for P. aeruginosa) and stronger effects on K. pneumoniae and C. albicans.
The Mechanical Performance of a Liao Dynasty Five-Step Outer Eave Column-Head Dougong Bracket: A Numerical Investigation
The Dougong bracket is a critical seismic-resistant element in traditional Chinese timber structures, yet its complex mechanical behavior requires further investigation. This study numerically evaluated the static structural performance of a Liao Dynasty ‘Five-Step Outer Eave Column-Head Dougong Bracket’ from the Dule Temple Gate using finite element analysis. An orthotropic constitutive model calibrated with Pinus sylvestris test data and the Hill yield criterion were implemented in ANSYS. Simulations under vertical monotonic and horizontal low-cycle reversed loads assessed strength, deformation, and energy dissipation. Key findings include a maximum vertical load-bearing capacity of 344 kN, with stress concentrations up to 27.4 MPa at the Huagong-Ludou interface. Horizontal loading revealed symmetrical hysteresis loops, peak loads of 999 kN (Y-axis) and 522 kN (X-axis), ductility coefficients of 2.45 to 3.63, and equivalent viscous damping values of 0.097 to 0.122. The vertical response exhibited tri-linear stiffness degradation, while horizontal behavior followed multi-linear restoring force models. These results validate FEA as an efficient tool for assessing Dougong brackets, supporting the conservation and understanding of historical timber structures.
Copyright (c) 2025 Chang Chen, Yuanhe Li, Dongnan Han, Hongfa Kang, Jibin Wang, Lijun Liu, Lei Pang, Wenyu Cao
Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activities, and Toxicity of the Leaf Essential Oils Obtained from Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla Cultivated in Malaysia
This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial properties, mosquito larvicidal effects, and brine shrimp toxicity of essential oils obtained using hydrodistillation from the fresh and dried leaves of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla at two age groups. Leaves from trees aged 17 to 31 months old yielded more essential oils than those aged 40 to 50 months. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis revealed that 1,8-cineol (13.1% to 26.7%) and α-terpinyl acetate (18.3% to 26.1%) were the dominant components across all essential oils. All tested essential oils inhibited Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts, and the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum, but failed to exhibit activity against most of the tested Gram-negative bacteria and Aspergillus fumigatus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.16 to 2.50 mg/mL for bacteria and 0.04 to 1.25 mg/mL for fungi, highlighting the greater antifungal efficacy of the essential oils. All tested essential oil samples were also active against third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, with median lethal concentrations of 52.3 to 134 µg/mL after 24 h, lower than that of against Artemia franciscana nauplii (209 and 222 µg/mL). Therefore, Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla essential oils are potential larvicidal agents for mosquito control with low toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Copyright (c) 2025 See Cheng Yip, Lai Yee Ho, Nam Weng Sit
The Effect of Students’ Academic Motivation on Their Self-Perceived Digital and Sustainability Competencies in Wood Science and Technology Education
The wood and furniture sector faces challenges in adopting digital and sustainability practices, mainly due to a lack of competencies for effective implementation. While current educational reforms in Slovenia emphasize the development of digital and sustainability competencies at all levels of wood science and technology education, the role of motivation, one of the key drivers of learning, in shaping these competencies has not been sufficiently explored. This study investigated how academic motivation affects students, self-perceived digital and sustainability competencies. A survey was conducted among 433 final-year students in wood science and technology education programs, including secondary vocational and technical, short-cycle higher vocational, and higher education institutions. The Academic Motivation Scale was used along with instruments derived from established European digital and sustainability competence frameworks. Structural equation modeling revealed that students’ academic motivation positively predicted their self-perceived generic digital, generic sustainability, and professional digital and sustainability competencies, and explained between 22 and 29% of the variance. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were not shown to be distinct dimensions, but formed a unidimensional construct, suggesting that both internal interests and external incentives jointly support the perception of these competencies. Students’ academic motivation is a decisive factor for their self-perceived digital and sustainability competencies in wood science and technology education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Luka Goropečnik, Jože Kropivšek, Nina Kristl, Danijela Makovec Radovan
Effect of Alkali Concentration on the Nanofibrillation Efficiency of Cellulose by Mechanical Grinding
Efficient production of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from wood pulp remains a challenge for industrial applications, requiring optimized pretreatment and processing strategies. In this study, hardwood kraft pulp (Hw-BKP) was pretreated with NaOH solutions (5 to 20 wt%) and subsequently processed using a large-scale wet grinder. The effects of pretreatment concentration and grinding on nanofibrillation efficiency were evaluated through compositional, structural, and optical analyses. Alkali pretreatment promoted hemicellulose removal and crystalline transforma-tion, while mechanical grinding facilitated progressive microfibrillation. Notably, pretreatment at concentrations above 15 wt% significantly enhanced nanofibrillation efficiency, highlighting the importance of crystalline transformation in addition to hemicellulose removal. These findings provide practical insights for optimizing CNF production processes and advancing their industrial-scale commercialization.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jiwook Yang, Kyojung Hwang, Jaejung Lee, Sang-Jin Chun, Jimin Lee, Jaegyoung Gwon
Identifying Core User Requirements for Urban Square Seats: An Integrated UJM, Fuzzy Kano Model, and SEM Approach
The current design of seats in urban squares struggles to meet the diverse social, rest, and aesthetic needs of users, highlighting the systematic lack of humanized design in public facilities. This paper took Chengdu Tianfu Square and Mianyang Fucheng Wanda Plaza as the research objects. Through the User Journey Map (UJM), 23 user requirements were sorted out. The Fuzzy Kano Model was used to screen and classify the attributes of the requirement set, obtaining eight must-be requirements, seven one-dimensional requirements, and six attractive requirements. On this basis, the Structural Equation Model (SEM) was introduced to identify 11 core user requirements. The seat design scheme of Chengdu Tianfu Square was output based on 11 core requirements. The scheme was verified by using the Likert five-level scale and the System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 72.38, indicating good usability and higher satisfaction compared to existing benchmarks. This study verified that the UJM-Fuzzy KANO Model-SEM integrated model can effectively help the designers of urban square seats identify the core requirements in the fuzzy and complex user requirements. The approach can quickly clarify the design direction and improve the user satisfaction of urban square seats.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zhihui Pang, Ming Chen, Jianhua Lyu
Effects of Yellow Pigment Content on the Properties of Bamboo Flour/High-Density Polyethylene Composites
Effects of iron oxide yellow pigment content were investigated relative to the properties of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) based on bamboo flour and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Samples with pigment contents of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were prepared, and the structure–property relationships were systematically examined. The incorporation of pigment significantly enhanced surface hydrophobicity, with the static water contact angle increasing from 79.41° to 109.15°. This was attributed to the inherent hydrophobicity of the pigment and its physical shielding of wood fibers, thereby reducing surface energy and limiting the exposure of hydrophilic groups. The composite with 5% pigment exhibited the optimum mechanical performance, whereas higher pigment loading (≥10%) resulted in reduced mechanical properties, with flexural strength decreasing by up to 14.8%. SEM analysis revealed that excessive pigment led to agglomeration, causing interfacial defects and stress concentration. The 10% pigment formulation showed a relatively uniform and well-bonded interface, while the 15% sample contained noticeable fiber exposure and voids. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that the pigment primarily served as a physical filler without introducing new chemical functionalities. In conclusion, an appropriate amount of pigment (5%) can effectively improve the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of bamboo flour/HDPE composites.
Copyright (c) 2025 Guoyan Duan, Min Wang, Xingxing Yang, Wei Wang, Weifen Zhang
The Effect of OCC Fibers Surface Modification and Polyvinyl Alcohol on the Properties of Test Liner Paper
One of the most important properties of paper is its mechanical strength. Recycled paper industry has different challenges related to fiber strength in old corrugated container (OCC). This study investigated of the efficacy of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as reinforcing agent when OCC fibers are modified with oxidative treatment by using hydrogen peroxide. The surface oxidation introduces carboxyl groups on the cellulosic chains of the OCC fibers, and PVA has significant effect on the reaction between fibers and carboxyl groups. Results showed that PVA-treated samples, especially the oxidized samples of the OCC fibers, exhibited significant improvement in tensile and burst strength compared to untreated samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the oxidative modification of OCC fibers leads to a decrease in porosity and an increase in the connection between fibers, and this process also leads to an increase in the adhesion of PVA and an improvement of its bonding. In addition, the treated samples showed higher resistance to fat permeation, which is a key characteristic for industrial packaging applications. This approach indicated the synergistic benefit of combining of the PVA and oxidized OCC fibers to boost the formation and barrier properties of the recycled papers. This method also presented an effective and eco-friendly solution to improve the recycled papers’ quality.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mehran Parastar , Noureddin Nazarnezhad, Qasim Asadpour
Preparation and Papermaking Properties of Dry-Cut Powder from Chemically Crosslinked BEKP
Chemical crosslinking of cellulosic fibers increases their brittleness, making them more susceptible to dry powdering. In this study, bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) sheets were crosslinked with glyoxal (GO) and citric acid (CA) and subsequently dry cut into powders using a Wiley cutting mill. Key variables in the powder preparation were dosages of GO and CA, as well as their respective catalysts, aluminum sulphate (alum) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP). The average fiber length of the GO and CA crosslinked pulps was reduced, at most down to 0.12 and 0.17 mm by the dry cutting, using a 0.5 mm perforated screen in the final dry-cutting stage. The powders exhibited reduced water retention, lower sedimentation volume in water, and, when dry, showed increased tapped and bulk densities. When mixed with refined BEKP, the powders enhanced dewatering during handsheet formation and improved the resulting sheets’ bulk, light scattering, and opacity, while reducing tensile strength. These findings suggest that chemically crosslinked pulp powders have potential as a bulking and dewatering aid in papermaking. Furthermore, due to their low water absorbency and presumable low abrasiveness, the powder may have potential applications beyond papermaking, such as filler of plastics, glues, and coating materials.
Copyright (c) 2025 Antti Korpela, Jaakko Asikainen
Maize Grain Forced-Convection Mechanical Drying Process Optimization: A Case of Concession Depot of Company X in Zimbabwe
Grain drying is a process that succeeds harvesting and is performed to sustainably maintain the properties of grain during the storage period. Elevated moisture content in grains shortens their shelf life, as it promotes bacterial growth. In this present research, the maize grain mechanical drying process parameters; drying air temperature (30 ºC, 60 ºC, and 110 ºC), airflow rate (1.2 m/s, 1.5 m/s and 1.8 m/s), and drying time (30 min, 120 min, and 180 min); were investigated and optimized as regards their effect on the on the dried grain quality and moisture reduction process to minimize the desiccating energy consumption. A full factorial design of experiment was planned, and optimization was carried out utilizing statistical tools, including analysis of variance and the main effects plot signal-to-noise ratio. Results revealed that the evaluated dehydration process parameters, air temperature, and air flow rate, significantly influenced the drying dynamics, whilst the time parameter displayed minimal impact on the process. The optimum drying process parameters were established to be 30 ºC drying temperature, 1.5 m/s airflow rate, and 120 min drying process run time. The percentage error margin between the predicted and confirmation experimental run results at the optimum parameter setting condition was less than 15%.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nicholas Tayisepi, Samson Mhlanga, Alois Zana, Nashmi H. Alrasheedi, Borhen Louhichi, Santosh Kumar Sahu
Hardwood-derived Cellulose Nanofibrils and Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose via Fenton Pretreatment: Issues of Fiber Fragmentation and Coating Performance
A novel cellulose nano material was prepared through a controlled Fenton oxidation process utilizing hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions. The reaction parameters enabled ferrous-catalyzed oxidation, which combined with mechanical treatment resulted in an effective fibrillation of cellulose fibers. Optical microscopy images provided a visual comparison of fiber morphology between untreated hardwood pulp and Fenton-treated samples, clearly illustrating the fibrillation effect. The samples were evaluated for fiber drainage behavior, and conclusions about accessibility and the extent of fibrillation were made. Measurements of the surface charge of the samples revealed an increase in negative charges originating from added carboxyl groups, which is essential for the dispersing and stabilization of cellulose nano fibrils and micro-fibrillated cellulose (CNF/MFC). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the introduction of the carboxyl groups due to the Fenton treatment. The CNF/MFC material was used as paper coatings, without adding additional materials. The coated samples underwent analyses of permeability and roughness, revealing possibilities for enhancements in barrier properties and hydrophobicity. The results emphasize the ability of Fenton oxidation in generating high-quality small scale cellulosic materials with customized functionalities, underscoring their potential application in advanced coating technologies and sustainable material innovation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Morassa Raouf, Björn Sjöstrand, Agne Swerin
Structural Optimization of Corn Circulating Ventilator for Grain Storage Silo Based on CFD
This study optimized the ventilation structure of a fan-driven corn circulating grain storage bin. By combining computational fluid dynamics, orthogonal experiments, and response surface optimization experiments, the internal airflow field of the corn circulating ventilation of grain storage bin was simulated and the structural parameters were optimized using Fluent simulation. The optimization function of the Design-expert 13 software was utilized to determine the optimal parameter combination as follows: the diameter of the circulating inlet was 20 mm, the number of circulation layers is 13, the diameter of the bottom ventilation opening was 6 mm, and the number of ventilation openings was 7. Using the evaluation index of relative standard deviation CV, the wind speed uniformity of the storage area before and after optimization was compared. After optimization, the relative standard deviation CV of the internal flow field of the grain storage bin increased by 24.1% compared to the initial ventilation structure of the bin. This study provides important data for the optimization of the ventilation structure of corn grain storage.
Copyright (c) 2025 Siyu Chen, Xi Wang, Xiaoyang Zhang, Chunshan Liu
Wooden Jewelry Design Guided by Sustainability Assessment: Integrating Natural and Cultural Elements
As consumer preferences increasingly emphasize emotional connection and cultural identity, jewelry design has placed greater focus on cultural symbolism and expressive qualities. This study sought to advance wooden jewelry design within a sustainability assessment framework, using natural and cultural element symbols as the core foundation, and to construct a systematic research process from element extraction to design verification through interdisciplinary approaches. First, natural and cultural element symbols were systematically classified, and users’ Kansei vocabulary related to wooden jewelry was collected and structured via the Affinity Diagram Method to identify emotional requirements. The Priority Ranking Method was then applied to quantify these requirements, followed by the use of Quality Function Deployment to map Kansei vocabulary to element symbols, enabling the selection of core elements and the development of three design proposals. An evaluation model was subsequently established using the Entropy Weight Method, while Grey Relational Analysis was employed to determine the optimal design, which was further validated through user testing. These findings demonstrate that this framework effectively translates natural and cultural elements into a design language for sustainable wooden jewelry, offering methodological insights into integrating traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design practice.
Hybrid Bio-Composites Reinforced with Kenaf and Snake Grass Fibers and Neem Gum: Synergistic Effects and Role of Fiber Aspect Ratio
The influence of neem gum powder (NGP) was evaluated relative to the mechanical, physical, and morphological properties of hybrid epoxy composites reinforced with varying ratios of kenaf and snake grass fibers. Six composite samples (KS1 to KS6) were fabricated with a constant epoxy content of 60 wt%. KS1 to KS5 incorporated 10 wt% NGP, while KS6 served as the control sample without gum. The results revealed a substantial improvement in mechanical performance with the inclusion of gum. The KS4 composite, containing 20% kenaf and 10% snake grass fiber, exhibited the highest tensile strength (59 MPa), flexural strength (82 MPa), inter-laminar shear strength (11.8 MPa), hardness (85.5 Shore D), and impact strength (5.23 J), along with the lowest water absorption (27%). In contrast, KS6 showed significantly lower values in all these properties, confirming the reinforcing effect of NGP. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of fractured surfaces revealed enhanced fiber-matrix adhesion in gum-containing composites, with fewer voids, reduced fiber pull-out, and minimal crack propagation, validating the mechanical test results. These findings demonstrated that the synergistic effect of hybrid fibers and gum significantly improved overall performance, making these composites promising for structural and eco-friendly applications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nashmi H. Alrasheedi, Palanisamy Sivasubramanian , Manickaraj Karuppusamy, Barun Haldar, Thresh Kumar Durairaj
Effects of Biostimulants on Alleviating Drought Stress in Isparta Rose
Drought stress is one of the major abiotic factors limiting the growth and productivity of Rosa damascena. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different biostimulant applications on the antioxidant defense system and biochemical responses of R. damascena under varying irrigation levels. Plants were grown under three irrigation regimes (100%, 50%, and 25% of field capacity (FC)) for 28 days, and treatments included vermicompost extract (V), Bacillus OSU-142 (B), and an algal extract (A) collected from Eğirdir Lake. Antioxidant enzyme activities, oxidative stress markers (MDA, H₂O₂), and proline content were measured weekly. Results showed that decreasing irrigation levels induced significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activities, MDA, H₂O₂, and proline content, indicating oxidative and osmotic stress responses. Under well-watered conditions (100% FC), biostimulant applications had limited effects on these parameters. However, under moderate (50% FC) and severe drought stress (25% FC), biostimulant treatments effectively reduced MDA, H₂O₂, and proline accumulation, and led to lower antioxidant enzyme activities compared to controls. Bacillus OSU-142 and vermicompost were particularly effective treatments in mitigating oxidative damage and maintaining cellular homeostasis under severe water deficit. These findings show that biostimulants reduce ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation while modulating antioxidant defense in R. damascena.
A Data-Driven Multi-Criteria Evaluation Framework for the Design Optimization of Children’s Furniture
To enhance the scientific rigor and user alignment of children’s furniture design, this study proposes a data-driven multi-criteria evaluation framework for design optimization. Focusing on wooden seating products for children, online product reviews were collected and preprocessed using Python and the Jieba word segmentation tool to extract authentic user needs. An evaluation index system was established by filtering indicators through expert focus group discussions and the coefficient of variation method. During the weighting phase, subjective weights were derived using an improved Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), while objective weights were calculated via the CRITIC method. A game-theoretic approach was employed to integrate both into a composite weight vector. Finally, the TOPSIS–RSR model was applied to rank and classify the performance levels of four wooden children's seating designs. Based on the results, specific design guidance strategies were proposed. The proposed framework effectively captures user requirements, balances subjective and objective information, and provides a clear decision-making pathway for selecting optimal design solutions. The study not only advances theoretical research but also offers practical guidance for design, with strong potential for extension to other furniture categories and resource-driven product design domains.
Copyright (c) 2025 Wumin Ouyang, Yong Han, Hemin Du, Shuhui Yu, Yuyu He
Lactic Acid Production from Green Microalgal Biomass Hydrolysates via Dilute Acid Pretreatment and Fermentation
This study explored the feasibility of using green microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) as a renewable feedstock for bio-based lactic acid production. Microalgal biomass was subjected to dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis under various conditions to optimize fermentable sugar recovery. The optimal hydrolysis condition consisted of 2% sulfuric acid, heating at 121 °C for 20 min, and a 10% solid-to-liquid ratio. This treatment yielded 12.1 g/L glucose and 2.1 g/L xylose. The hydrolysate was then used as the sole carbon source for fermentation by Lactobacillus casei, which completely consumed the sugars and produced 10.7 g/L lactic acid within 24 h. The overall sugar-to-lactic acid conversion efficiency reached 98% without any observable inhibition, and the product consisted exclusively of L-lactic acid with no detectable D-isomer. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of microalgal hydrolysis and confirm the potential for integrating cultivation, pretreatment, and fermentation into a sustainable, carbon-neutral biorefinery process.
Copyright (c) 2025 Wei-Lin Tu, Jung-Mei Huang, Chung-Mao Ou
Characterization of a Novel Glycosyl Hydrolase Family 12 Endoglucanase from Talaromyces pinophilus Y117
Endoglucanase plays a vital role in lignocellulose degradation, yet the functional diversity of glycosyl hydrolase 12 (GH12) endoglucanases remains underexplored. In this study, TpCel12a, a novel GH12 endoglucanase from Talaromyces pinophilus Y117 was identified and characterized. It exhibited optimal activity at pH 4.0 and 40 °C with a preference for xyloglucan. Size exclusion chromatography revealed a monomeric state of TpCel12a. Despite classification into the promiscuous subfamily I, TpCel12a showed strict specificity for xyloglucan and carboxymethyl cellulose, yielding XXXG-type oligosaccharides and glucose/cellobiose, respectively. A loop 3 insertion mutant, designated as TpCel12a(+TQA), enhanced substrate affinity (5-fold lower Km) but reduced activity, suggesting a trade-off between binding and catalysis. Surprisingly, TpCel12a inhibited the hydrolytic efficiency of native T. pinophilus crude cellulase on corn cob powder, coinciding with its undetectable secretion under microcrystalline cellulose induction. This study highlights TpCel12a’s unique biochemical properties and its unexpected antagonistic role in native cellulase systems, offering insights for engineering fungal enzyme cocktails.
Copyright (c) 2025 Peng Li, Cheng Zhang, Junhui Nie, Dawei Xiong, Shuaiwen Zhang, Siyuan Yue, Jing Zeng, Lin Yuan
Analysis of Mineral Nutrients in Biochar Derived from Plants in Mining Areas
Phytoremediation is a critical technique for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils in coal gangue zones of mining areas. However, resource valorization of plant residues after heavy metal remediation poses considerable challenges. Converting these residues into biochar via thermochemical routes yields a material enriched with mineral nutrients (e.g., Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu), conferring potential as a soil amendment. This study focused on remediation plants in coal gangue-affected mining regions, selecting Artemisia annua (a typical restoration plant) to prepare biochar through pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for quantitative analysis of mineral nutrients, providing a scientific basis for resource valorization of heavy metal-laden biomass residues from mining area remediation plants. The results indicated that, except for slight Mg fluctuation in hydrothermally carbonized biochar relative to the raw material, mineral nutrient concentrations (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) in biochar prepared under other conditions were significantly enhanced (1.53 to 3.14 times via pyrolysis and 1.36 to 2.78 times via HTC). Furthermore, mineral nutrient concentrations under certain conditions complied with the Chinese agricultural industry standard for biochar (NY/T 4159-2022).
Copyright (c) 2025 Bing Wang, Mengke Cui, Jianghao Wang, Bo Liu, Shuai Wang, Yonggang Li, Xiaoqing Jia, Xuan Zhang, Zhiyu Gu, Kenji Ogino, Yuxian Hu
Bio-Based Aerogels from Potato Residues for Glycine Storage and Controlled Release
Biobased aerogels derived from starch offer a promising pathway for developing sustainable biomaterials. This study examines the use of starch extracted from potato peels to develop aerogels intended for glycine storage and controlled release. The reaction of starch with glutaraldehyde, used as a crosslinker, was demonstrated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, revealing the formation of hemiacetal bonds. Crosslinking enhanced thermal stability of the aerogels, as shown by thermogravimetric analysis, and improved their resistance to disintegration upon hydration. Glycine, an essential amino acid with agricultural and industrial applications, was loaded into the aerogels, and the release kinetics were evaluated under controlled conditions. Moreover, glycine acts as a neutralizing agent for residual glutaraldehyde, ensuring the suitability of the aerogel for applications where glutaraldehyde toxicity could be a concern. Structural characterization through scanning electron microscopy confirmed the porous architecture of the aerogels and revealed the presence of glycine crystals within the pores. These findings underscore the potential of crosslinked starch aerogels as eco-friendly carriers for bioactive molecules, paving the way for their application in agriculture and other fields.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mariel Alejandra Zevallos Luna, Damase P. Khasa, Véronic Landry
The Taishōgoto: A Japanese Stringed Musical Instrument of Nagoya
A taishōgoto is a Japanese instrument that combines a guitar and an autoharp with the scale buttons positioned in a piano-like pattern. Its unique design, which combines a strung zither body with a keyboard mechanism akin to a typewriter, makes it relatively easy to achieve precise pitch while generating a rich, bright timbre full of overtones. For open string, the gradient of the partials frequency versus the partials indicates the value of 100.95 (i.e., G2) is half the fundamental frequency i.e.,195 Hz (i.e. G3). For harmonicity (fn/f0) versus the partials number, the gradient of ~0.5 shows that the partials consist of the harmonic and in-harmonics partials. For fret 3, the gradient of the partials frequency versus the partials is 229.46 (i.e., A3#), equivalent to the fundamental frequency (f0) of 232 Hz (A3#). The taishogoto regardless finds practical applications in spite of these limitations. It has been evolved into a variety of genres, such as jazz, world, and folk music, and it continues to be of interest to experimental composers who are experimenting with its unique tonal characteristics. The taishogoto thus has a special place between usefulness and artistry, history and modernity, and innovation and limitation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aaliyawani Ezzerin Sinin, Sinin Hamdan, Ezra Alfandy M Duin, Khairul Anwar Mohamad Said, Ahmad Faudzi Musib
Identification of Organic Compounds in Wood and Bark of Persian Oak Having Different Levels of Crown Dieback Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
The influence of environmental factors on variations in organic compound content of sapwood and inner bark of mature Persian oaks were investigated in the Zagros forests, western Iran. Trees with four levels of defoliation were selected: healthy, light, moderate, and severely defoliated. First, wood and bark flours were prepared based on standard TAPPI test methods. The extractives of the tissues were obtained using Soxhlet and acetone solvents. Subsequently, the extractives compounds were derivatized using a silane-based compound and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Six dominant compounds were detected in the wood and bark of healthy oaks, with 1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose (levoglucosan) and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (phthalic acid) being the most abundant components. In trees with light defoliation, five dominant compounds were identified, among which phthalic acid and salicylic acid were the most abundant components. In trees with moderate dieback, 6-aza-5,7,12,14-tetrathiapentacene (heteropentacene) and salicylic acid were found in the greatest quantities, while in trees with severe dieback, salicylic acid and phthalic acid were the dominant components in the wood and bark of Persian oak trees. Salicylic acid and gibberellin A3 were common components in all bark and wood samples, while other compounds differed between different classes of dieback.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hamid R. Naji, Ayoub Azimi, Ramin Vaysi, Afsaneh Tongo, Forough Soheili
Modification of Poplar Wood with Different Resins: A Sustainable Solution for the Furniture Industry
Poplar wood (Populus deltoides), a fast-growing and abundant species, holds promise for sustainable material use, but its low density, poor dimensional stability, and weak strength restrict high-value applications. This study examined property enhancement through resin impregnation with phenol-formaldehyde (PF), melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) at 5%, 10%, and 15% concentrations. Modified specimens were tested for weight percent gain, bulking, water absorption, dimensional swelling, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity (MOE), impact strength, and surface hardness, as well as machinability and carving performance using expert evaluation and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) surface quality. Given the laboratory-scale dimensions of the specimens, the resins achieved satisfactory penetration, as also reflected in the WPG values. The 15% PF treatment produced the greatest improvements, yielding a WPG of 26.3%, MOE above 10,000 MPa, and reduced surface roughness to 2.90 µm. Compared with untreated samples, PF-modified wood showed superior dimensional stability, machining resistance, and carving clarity, approaching the properties of hardwoods such as walnut and beech. MUF led to moderate benefits, whereas PEG mainly caused bulk increase without significant strength or moisture resistance improvements. Overall, PF impregnation effectively upgraded poplar wood, indicating its potential as a cost-effective alternative for decorative and structural applications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zahra Faraji Delavar, Peyman Ahmadi
Thin-Layer Drying Models and Artificial Neural Network for Wood Fiber in a Near-Infrared Dryer
The purpose of this study was to fit and compare semi-empirical thin-layer drying models and an artificial neural network (ANN) model to describe the drying kinetics of wood fiber in a near-infrared (NIR) dryer. The drying kinetics of wood fiber were evaluated using 18 semi-empirical models at three temperatures (105, 120, and 135 °C), utilizing a halogen moisture analyzer. The ANN model was designed with temperature and time as input factors and moisture content as the output variable. The findings revealed that the drying process was mainly controlled by a diffusion mechanism, and all the process occurred in two falling drying rate periods. The fitness of drying curves on semi-theoretical models based on statistical parameters, including RMSE, SSE, and R2 showed that there was not much difference between equations with a maximum of two constant parameters and equations with more than two constant parameters. Therefore, using a simple model can help to reduce the time of the analysis and is beneficial to avoid using complex drying models. Also, the results showed that at higher drying temperatures (120 to 135 °C), both ANN and the best-performing semi-empirical models (Page and Henderson–Pabis) produced comparable accuracy, whereas at lower temperature (105 °C), ANN performed better due to its flexibility.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Arabi, Mohammad Dahmardeh Ghalehno