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Despite being extensively studied as a white-rot fungus, there have been no efforts to explore and cultivate the high-yielding wild Trametes versicolor strains in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was initiated to assess the growth performance of T. versicolor on various growth media. Accordingly, ten substrates (S1–S10) were formulated by a combination of agro-industrial by-products that mainly constituted sugarcane wastes and animal manures. The effect of substrates on yields, biological efficiencies, and nutritional compositions was examined. The mushroom developed a white mycelium on the growth media. T. versicolor cultivated on the S5 blend, comprising 80% sugarcane bagasse, 12% horse manure, and 8% poultry manure, exhibited the most substantial fruiting body yield (158.33 g/500 g bag) and the highest biological efficiency (31.5%), with an optimal C:N ratio of 31:1. It has shown good mycelial growth, short colonization, and short pinhead formation time compared to other substrates. S7, lacking nitrogen supplementation, yielded low biological efficiency and fruiting bodies at 11.50% and 57.67%, respectively. The crude protein, fiber, low fat, and carbohydrate content ranged from 7.46 to 14.65%, 12.89 to 18.38%, 0.42 to 0.53%, and 48.75 to 66.75%, respectively. Notably, the highest nutritional values, excluding carbohydrates, were obtained from S5, while the sugarcane bagasse had the highest carbohydrate content among substrates. Consequently, S5 emerged as a suitable medium for cultivating wild T. versicolor mushrooms, particularly in regions abundant in poultry, horse manures, and sugarcane bagasse. Therefore, S5 represents an optimal substrate for T. versicolor cultivation, offering improved productivity and nutritional quality at reduced costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene-based nanomaterials have been proved to be robust sorbents for efficient removal of environmental contaminants including arsenic (As). Biobased graphene oxide (bGO-P) derived from sugarcane bagasse via pyrolysis, GO-C via chemical exfoliation, and magnetite nanoparticles (FeNPs) via green approach using Azadirachta indica leaf extract were synthesized and characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer (UV-vis.), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mean particle size and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Compared to cellulose and hemicellulose, the lignin fraction was less in the precursor material. The GOC, bGO-P and FeNPs displayed maximum absorption at 230, 236, and 374 nm, respectively. FTIR spectrum showed different functional groups (C-OH, C-O-C, COOH and O-H) modifying the surfaces of synthesized materials. Graphene based nanomaterials showed clustered dense flakes of GO-C and thin transparent flakes of bGO-P. Elemental composition by EDX analysis of GO-C (71.26% C and 27.36% O), bGO-P (74.54% C and 24.61% O) and FeNPs (55.61% Fe, 4.1% C and 35.72% O) confirmed the presence of carbon, oxygen, and iron in synthesized nanomaterials. Sorption study was conducted with soil amended with different doses of synthesized nanomaterials (10, 50 and 250 mg) and exposed to 100, 300 and 500 ppm of As. Arsenic concentrations were estimated by colorimetry and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). GO-C, bGO-P, and FeNPs showed substantial As removal efficiency i.e., 81 to 99.3%, 65 to 98.8% and 73.1–89.9%, respectively. Green synthesis of bGO-P and magnetite nanoparticles removed substantial amounts of As compared to GO-C and can be effectively deployed for As removal or immobilization. Higher and medium sorbent doses (250 and 50 mg) exhibited greater As removal and data was best fitted for Freundlich isotherm evidencing favorable sorption. Nevertheless, at low sorbent doses, data was best fitted for both models. Newly synthesized nanomaterials emerged as promising materials for As removal strategy for soil nano-remediation and can be effectively deployed in As contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 90 days experimental trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of urea treated sugarcane bagasse on the growth, gut microflora and digestive enzymes of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Fish were fed to 3% wet body weight per day with experimental diets having 0% (CTRL), 0.7% (T1), 1.4% (T2) and 2.1% (T3) urea, with each group having two replicate tanks. Fish fed on 2.1% urea treated sugarcane bagasse (T3) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher growth as compared to T2, T1 and CTRL. The feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate were also significantly higher in T3 fish group, followed by the T2, T1 and CTRL groups. Proximate analysis of fish showed that the level of crude protein was higher significantly in T2 fish than other groups and crude fat level was significantly higher in T1 fish, followed the T2, CTRL and T3 fish groups. The percentage level of dry matter was significantly higher in T3 fish and ash percentage was significantly higher in T2 fish relative to T3, T1 and CTRL groups. Amylase and Lipase concentration was significantly higher in T2 fish compared with T3, T1 and CTRL groups. Protease concentration was significantly higher in T3 fish, followed by the T1, T2 and CTRL fish groups. Lastly, the presence of Lactobacillus fermentum was confirmed in the T1, T2 and T3 fish groups. Overall, the results showed that urea treated sugarcane bagasse can be used as a feed ingredient for C. idella and has no adverse effect on the nutritional value of fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane bagesse was utilised as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of metal ions. The study was done at a temperature of 35°C, and the maximum adsorption capacities for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions were 3.02 and 2.90 mg/g, respectively, for sugarcane bagasse. These results were determined using the following optimum conditions: initial metal ion concentration of 100 mg/dm3, adsorbent weight of 0.5 g, time of 30 min and pH of 6. The adsorption of the metal ions by the adsorbents decreased with an increase in the initial concentration of the metal ions in an aqueous solution. The rate of adsorption also increased with temperature. The adsorption showed a good fit to the Langmuir model compared to the Freundlich adsorption model. The Langmuir dimensionless constant (RL) for the adsorption of Pb(II) ion and Cd(II) ion ranged from 0.081 to 0.123 and 0.115 to 0.172, respectively, which confirms favourable adsorption. The adsorption process showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetics was a better fit than the pseudo-first-order kinetics. The result of this work showed a low-cost and efficient potential of sugarcane bagasse to be employed as a good adsorbent for metal ion removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research involves the blending of readily accessible waste materials, namely diaper cellulose (DC) and sugarcane bagasse (SB), for a comprehensive thermodynamic and kinetic analysis during co-pyrolysis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has been conducted to undertake a co-pyrolysis investigation across different ratios of DC and SB. The analysis covered a temperature sequence of 20°C–800°C with varying heat flow rates of 10°C/min, 20°C/min, and 30°C/min. For activation energy determination, the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) methods were employed. The average activation energy, calculated using the OFW and KAS methods, was found to have values in the range of 209.46 and 226.109 kJ/mol for DC, 139.08 and 157.41 kJ/mol for 50DC-50SB, and 102.19 and 109.758 kJ/mol for SB, respectively. The activation energy data of the mixtures were shown to be decreasing from the pristine DC. Notably, the mixture exhibited a lower activation energy, indicating a positive synergistic effect resulting from co-pyrolysis. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG for the mixture were also evaluated. The Gibbs free energy (ΔG) across samples varied between 288.71 and 123.05 kJ/mol for pure DC, DC-SB mixtures, and pure SB, demonstrating a notable influence on co-pyrolysis. The observed decrease in energy levels in the mixture suggests that the combination of sugarcane bagasse with diaper cellulose results in a reduced energy demand. Practical Applications: The activation energy, determined through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), delivers valuable insights into the thermal decomposition behavior of materials. The TGA data help in illustrating the thermal constancy of materials, allowing researchers to assess the suitability of substances for specific applications. In industries such as pharmaceuticals, polymers, and chemicals, TGA with activation energy determination can be employed for quality control purposes. The calculated thermodynamic data are crucial in designing and optimizing pyrolysis and gasification processes. They aid in predicting the rate of thermal decomposition, optimizing reaction conditions, and improving the efficiency of these processes for bioenergy production or waste treatment. TGA with activation energy analysis is extensively used in the polymer industry. It assists in understanding the degradation kinetics of polymers, enabling the development of heat-resistant materials for specific applications. Also, these values are essential in catalyst design for chemical reactions. They guide the selection and optimization of catalysts for various processes, ensuring efficient and economical chemical transformations. Determining the activation energy of fuels provides critical information for combustion processes. This is useful in optimizing combustion conditions for energy production, as well as in assessing the stability and safety of fuel storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local agro-industrial wastes-based particleboards and fiberboards in Egypt are manufactured mainly from sugarcane-bagasse and flax shives. These panels are used in decorations and interior claddings. This paper aimed to broaden their market to be utilized in local low-cost and simple building envelope retrofitting packages instead of conventional packages that depend on imported expanded polystyrene and wet-rendered gypsum boards. Thermal conductivities of various existing sugarcane-bagasse and flax-shives-based panels were measured to be used in developing multilayered interior claddings with adequate thermal insulating performance to increase the thermal mass of a validated non-insulated case-study residential building as recommended by the Egyptian Code for Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings. Models retrofitted using the developed cladding assemblies were simulated using Design Builder to determine their achieved annual energy savings and predict their profitability. Thermal conductivities of sugarcane-bagasse and flax-shives-based particleboards were lower than wood-based cladding panels, with the range of 0.05-0.1166 W/mK. Moreover, the thermal conductivities of sugarcane-bagasse fiberboard had the range of 0.0926-01,111 W/mK which is significantly lower than wood-based fiberboards. Simulation results showed that both models retrofitted, sugarcane bagasse-based and flax shives-based, achieved better energy savings, 5.07% and 5.04%, than the conventionally retrofitted model, 3.73%. Furthermore, the flax-shives-based model showed higher profitability, with positive income achieved in the 15th year, than a conventionally retrofitted model, achieved in the 20th year, and the sugarcane-bagasse-based model, achieved in the 19th year. Thus, it was recommended that although flax-shives-based wall claddings were usually 14-20% thicker than sugarcane-bagasse-based claddings, they provided similarly high annual energy savings with lower initial costs and higher profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on sustainable resource recycling, we utilize physical and chemical activation to modify sugarcane bagasse into activated carbon materials with a porous structure. The activated carbon modified with KOH-KNO3 exhibits a high specific surface area and excellent specific capacitance, and the fabricated composite electrode demonstrates superior electrical conductivity of 57mS/cm. Subsequently, a supercapacitor containing an electrode, gel electrolyte, and separator is assembled in a sandwich structure. It achieves a specific capacitance of 262.4 F/g, an energy density of 17.9 Wh/kg, and a power density of 2021 W/kg at a scanning rate of 0.02 V/s. Furthermore, the supercapacitor demonstrates excellent cycle stability since it can maintain 98.38% of its initial capacitance after 20,000 cycles of charge and discharge under a constant current. In addition, the KOH-KNO3-modified activated carbon composite electrode exhibited superior electrochemical performance after we compared it to other carbon electrode supercapacitors derived from agricultural wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste, a persistent and escalating issue, and the high costs of installing electric power, particularly in remote areas, have become pressing concerns for governments. This research proposes a novel method for generating electric power from sugarcane bagasse waste and reducing plastic waste. The key to this method is the use of the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus in microbial fuel cells. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) demonstrated their effectiveness by generating peaks of electric current (4.325 ± 0.261 mA) and voltage (0.427 ± 0.031 V) on day twenty-six, with a pH of 5.539 ± 0.278. The peak electrical conductivity of the substrate was 130.574 ± 4.981 mS/cm. The MFCs were able to reduce the chemical oxygen demand by 83%, showing a maximum power density of 86.316 ± 4.724 mW/cm2 and an internal resistance of 37.384 ± 62.522 Ω. The infrared spectra of the plastic samples showed a decrease in the peaks 2850–2920, 1470, and 720 cm−1, which are more characteristic of plastic, demonstrating the action of the Pleurotus ostreatus fungus on the plastic samples. Also, the micrographs taken by SEM showed the reduction in the thickness of the plastic film by 54.06 µm and the formation of microstructures on the surface, such as pores and raised layers of the sample used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The increased fresh-water demand due to the population growth will cause the pressure on water resources to increase in the future causing the water supply through saline and unconventional water to become a serious issue, especially in areas facing water scarcity. As reuse of the agricultural wastewater reduces the pressure on water resources and improves environmental conditions, and some field wastewater is rich in sodium, this research has studied the sodium removability by sugarcane bagasse sorbents. agriculture is the greatest water consumer in the world where saline water not only reduces the products but also destroys the soil structure and damages the environment. Wastewater desalination and its reuse is a relatively new approach in the water industry that solves saline-water problems through various methods, but it is uneconomical due to high equipment costs and energy consumption, especially in agriculture where water consumption and costs are much higher. Therefore, inexpensive primary saline-water modification methods can reduce desalination costs. To remove pollutants, various studies have used different adsorbents such as biochar, activated carbon, zeolite, and resin among which biochar can effectively remove pollutants from aquatic environments because it is an effective, inexpensive, polar, high-porosity adsorbent. Materials and Methods To produce biochar, this study utilized sugarcane bagasse as the primary biomass. The process involved several steps: 1. Washing and drying: the bagasse was washed multiple times with both ordinary and distilled water, then air-dried to eliminate residual salts. 2. Crushing and drying: it was crushed using an industrial mill and then placed in an oven at 60°C for 24 h to remove excess moisture. 3. Grinding: the dried bagasse was further ground using a small mill. 4. Sieving: the ground bagasse was passed through 60 and 100 mesh sieves in two stages to ensure uniformity. 5. Storage: the processed bagasse was stored in closed containers. The biomass was then converted to biochar using a heat-programmable electric furnace, with the temperature increased at a rate of 5°C.min-1 for even heat distribution. The bagasse was placed in a steel reactor, and nitrogen gas was injected at a constant flow rate to prevent oxidation. The biomass was maintained at 600°C for 2 h, after which the furnace was turned off, and the temperature was gradually reduced to room temperature while continuing the nitrogen gas flow. Each batch consisted of 20 g of biomass, yielding approximately five grams of biochar, resulting in a production efficiency of about 25%. Nano biochar (N-BC) was produced using a planetary ball mill with ceramic cups and bullets, maintaining a bullet-to-biochar weight ratio of 15:1. Results and Discussion In all treatments, increasing the initial sodium concentration enhances removability, with activated nano biochar showing higher removability under similar conditions compared to non-nano adsorbent. The greatest difference between the two is 179.5% in the treatment with 200 W microwave power for an initial sodium concentration of two g/l. Magnetic-activated nano biochar's removability is 18.8% less than that of activated biochar. The highest reductions are 40.3% and 68% for initial concentrations of four g/l and two g/l in activated non-nano adsorbent, while the lowest are 24.9% and 46.9% for similar concentrations in activated nano adsorbent. This indicates that sodium removability by activated nano adsorbent is less affected by reductions in initial sodium concentration, performing better at low sodium concentrations than the other two adsorbents. The highest reductions are 25.5% and 15.5% at 200W and 700 W powers for activated non-nano adsorbent, and the lowest are 12.9% and 5.8% at similar powers for activated nano adsorbent. This shows that activated nano adsorbent is less affected by non-optimal microwave power. The highest cavities that removed 99.9% of methylene blue were at 900W and 20 minutes. Average correlation coefficients are 0.994 and 0.886 for Langmuir and Freundlich models, respectively, with the former being more consistent with the measured data. The nf parameter is greater than one for all three adsorbents, indicating that the sodium adsorption process is mostly physical. According to the results, Langmuir and Freundlich linear models better match the real values, with the Langmuir model providing more accurate estimates than the Freundlich model. Conclusion Wastewater desalination and its reuse is a relatively new approach in the water industry that solves saline-water problems through various methods, but it is uneconomical due to high equipment costs and energy consumption, especially in agriculture where water consumption and costs are much higher. Irrigation water salinity is a very serious problem in different parts of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The present research showed that increasing the initial sodium concentration enhanced sodium removal, with activated nano biochar. In addition, magnetizing nano-adsorbents reduced sodium removal. The highest sodium removal for all three adsorbents (activated non-nano, activated nano, and magnetically activated nano) in the 200 and 400 W treatments was observed at an activator-to-biochar ratio of three. The average correlation coefficients for the Langmuir and Freundlich models were 0.994 and 0.886, respectively, indicating that the Langmuir isothermal model better matched the measured data than the Freundlich model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most abundant bioenergy raw material in nature, cellulose can be converted into sugar by hydrolysis, which can be further degraded to produce downstream chemicals, such as polyols. Hydrolysis technology is one of the key steps in the development and utilization of cellulosic biomass resources. In this study, the ionic liquid (IL)-catalyzed hydrolysis of sugarcane cellulose into reducing sugar was studied. Firstly, the hydrolysis of sugarcane cellulose in different ionic liquids (including benzothiazolomethane sulfonate, [HBth][CH3SO3] and 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate, [C3SO3Hmim]HSO4) in heterogeneous and homogeneous systems to produce reducing sugar was studied. In a homogeneous system, the catalytic effect of an ionic liquid on sugarcane cellulose was explored. The pretreatment, IL dosage (0.1~1.0 g), reaction temperature (100~180 °C), addition of water (0~500 μL), and time (1~6 h) were all discovered as key conditions for hydrolysis. The acidity of an acidic ionic liquid is a key factor affecting the hydrolysis of sugarcane cellulose; meanwhile, effective pretreatment and water are also important. As a comparison, the catalytic effect of [C3SO3Hmim]HSO4 in heterogeneous systems (the maximum yield of 5.98% for total reducing sugars, TRS) was not as good as that of [HBth][CH3SO3] in homogeneous systems (33.97%). A higher temperature does not necessarily lead to an increased TRS yield, but it will make the maximum TRS appear earlier. At last, 732 cationic ion exchange resin was used to investigate the separation of reducing sugar and ionic liquid, and the recovery of ionic liquid was investigated by an adsorption–desorption experiment. The ionic liquid can be well separated from TRS in the [HBth][CH3SO3] and reused at least five times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of present work is to evaluate pyrolysis characteristics of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its blends with sugarcane bagasse (SB) contents of 10 and 20 mass % for the purpose of exploring the effect of SB on pyrolysis of PMMA. Non-isothermal pyrolysis determinations of three PMMA samples were performed thermogravimetrically and the initial pyrolysis temperatures of two PMMA blends are significantly lower than that of pure PMMA while the main pyrolysis shifts to higher temperature range. Using model-free isoconversional methods, pyrolysis activation energies calculated are varying within 71.7 ~ 154.0, 107.8 ~ 192.0 and 121.3 ~ 171.0 kJ·mol−1 for PMMA and its 10 or 20 mass % SB blends, respectively. The added SB turns to increase the activation energy of PMMA and thus make pyrolysis of PMMA become more arduous to accomplish. With the model-fitting method, the order-based F2/3, F3 and F3 chemical reaction models are found to be the most appropriate pyrolysis mechanisms for PMMA and its 10 or 20 mass % SB blends, respectively. Accordingly, their pre-exponential factor values are estimated to separately span in the range of 3.23 × 104 ~ 1.76 × 1011, 3.52 × 108 ~ 7.63 × 1016 and 1.55 × 1010 ~ 1.13 × 1015 min−1. The findings acquired from present work can provide necessary information for performing potential pyrolysis designs of PMMA and its biomass blended wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the increasing global demand for sustainable energy alternatives, this research explores the efficient conversion of sugarcane bagasse to bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) processes with modified Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 catalysts (ZSM-5). The study systematically investigates the impact of feedstock quantity, reaction temperature, duration, and catalyst loading on bio-oil yield and quality. Optimisation experiments revealed that a feedstock amount of 10 grammes, an HTL temperature of 340 °C for 60 min and a ZSM-5 catalyst loading of 3 grammes resulted in the highest bio-oil yield. Furthermore, the introduction of Ni and Fe metals to ZSM-5 exhibited enhanced catalytic activity without compromising the structure of the zeolites. Comprehensive characterisation of modified catalysts using SEM-EDS, XRD, TGA, TEM, and FTIR provided insight into their structural and chemical properties. The successful incorporation of Ni and Fe into ZSM-5 was confirmed, highlighting promising applications in hydrothermal liquefaction. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of bio-oils demonstrated the effectiveness of the 2% Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst, highlighting a significant increase in hydrocarbon content. FTIR analysis of the produced bio-oils indicated a reduction in functional groups and intensified aromatic peaks, suggesting a shift in chemical composition favouring aromatic hydrocarbons. This study provides valuable information on HTL optimisation, catalyst modification, and bio-oil characterisation, advancing the understanding of sustainable biofuel production. The findings underscore the catalytic prowess of modified ZSM-5, particularly with iron incorporation, in promoting the formation of valuable hydrocarbons during hydrothermal liquefaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solid waste treatment is crucial for enhancing environmental sustainability, promoting economic growth, and improving public health. Following our previous organic solid waste upgrading technique, a further two-step pilot-scale run, using sugarcane bagasse as the feedstock, has been successfully conducted with long-term stability. Firstly, the sugarcane bagasse was treated under mild conditions (400 °C and 1 bar of CH4), and this catalytic Methanolysis treatment resulted in a bio-oil with a yield of 60.5 wt.%. Following that, it was subjected to a catalytic Methano-Refining process (400 °C and 50 bar of CH4) to achieve high-quality renewable fuel with a liquid yield of 95.0 wt.%. Additionally, this renewable fuel can be regarded as an ideal diesel component with a high cetane number, high heating values, a low freezing point, low density and viscosity, and low oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur contents. The successful pilot-scale catalytic upgrading of sugarcane bagasse further verified the effectiveness of this methane-assisted organic solid waste upgrading technique and confirmed the high flexibility of this innovative technology for processing a wide spectrum of agricultural and forestry residues. This study will shed light on the further valorization of organic solid waste and other carbonaceous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The examination of fungal secretomes has garnered attention for its potential to unveil the repertoire of secreted proteins, notably CAZymes (Carbohydrate-Active enzymes), across various microorganisms. This study presents findings on categorizing the secretome profile of CAZymes by their function and family, derived from the filamentous fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum LMBC 172. The cultivation was performed through submerged fermentation with three distinct carbon sources: sugarcane bagasse, tamarind seeds, and a control simulating hemicellulose containing 0.5% beechwood xylan plus 0.5% oat spelt xylan. The secretome analysis revealed 206 distinct CAZymes. Each carbon source showed particularities and differences. Of these, 89 proteins were produced simultaneously with all the carbon sources; specifically, 41 proteins using only the hemicellulose simulation, 29 proteins when sugarcane bagasse was used as a carbon source, and only 3 when tamarind seeds were used. However, in this last condition, there was a high intensity of xyloglucanase GH74 production, thus reaffirming the richness of xyloglucan in the constitution of these seeds. When evaluating the proteins found in two conditions, 18 proteins were shown between the simulation of hemicellulose and sugarcane bagasse, 11 proteins between the simulation of hemicellulose and tamarind seeds, and 15 proteins between sugarcane bagasse and tamarind seeds. Among the proteins found, there are representatives of different families such as glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) that cleave cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, or other components; carbohydrate esterases (CEs); polysaccharide lyases (PLs); carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs); and auxiliary activity enzymes (AAs). These results demonstrate the importance of analyzing CAZymes secreted by microorganisms under different culture conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sugarcane bagasse (SCB) is the most abundant residue of the sugar and alcohol industry and its use is predominantly in these same industries as a source of energy through burning. This work aims to diversify the proposals for the use of this residue; thus, the use of SCB in the alumina-supported nickel catalysts synthesis was investigated. Two routes were researched using SCB: one, the SCB was used in the alumina (catalytic support) synthesis to obtain the dimensionally predetermined materials and another to get powder materials. The materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 physisorption at 77 K, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The presence of SCB in the synthesis of powder materials facilitated the incorporation of nickel particles into the crystalline lattice of the support, decreasing active nickel content for catalytic. On the other hand, the pre-dimensioned catalytic materials exhibited higher crystallinity, lower nickel oxide reduction temperature and greater disposal of active nickel, resulting in higher production of ordered carbon (carbon nanotubes) and H2 COx-free under milder conditions in the methane decomposition reaction at 500 °C for 30 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sugarcane bagasse (SB), one of the more unconventional feedstuffs, is a processed agricultural and industrial by product. Our results show that SB contains higher levels of crude fiber (42.1%) and neutral detergent fiber (81.3%) than soybean hulls, and it also exhibited the highest volumetric expansion when soaked in water (50 g expanding to 389.8 mL) compared to the other six materials we tested (vegetable scraps, soybean hulls, wheat bran, rice bran meal, rice bran, and corn DDGS). Meanwhile, previous studies have reported that SB is worth being developed and utilized as a pig feedstuff, which could effectively alleviate the shortage of feed resources in the swine industry. In the present study, we explored the effects of SB on the reproductive performance, constipation, and gut microbiota of gestational sows. Our results showed that dietary supplementation of 5% SB can be used as an equivalent substitute for soybean hulls to improve the reproductive performance of sows without affecting their gut microbiota. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of using sugarcane bagasse (SB) as a substitute for soybean hulls and wheat bran in the diet of pregnant sows on their reproductive performance and gut microbiota. A total of seventy-two primiparous sows were randomly divided into four treatment groups, with eighteen replicates of one sow each. The sows were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0% (CON), 5%, 10%, and 15% SB to replace soybean hulls from day 57 of gestation until the day of the end of the gestation period. The results showed that SB contains higher levels of crude fiber (42.1%) and neutral detergent fiber (81.3%) than soybean hulls, and it also exhibited the highest volumetric expansion when soaked in water (50 g expanding to 389.8 mL) compared to the other six materials we tested (vegetable scraps, soybean hulls, wheat bran, rice bran meal, rice bran, and corn DDGS). Compared with the CON, 5% SB significantly increased the litter birth weight of piglets. Meanwhile, 10% and 15% SB significantly increased the rates of constipation and reduced the contents of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid in feces. Furthermore, 10% and 15% SB significantly disturbed gut microbial diversity with increasing Streptococcus and decreasing Prevotellaceae_NK3B31-group and Christensenellaceae_R-7-group genera in feces. Interestingly, Streptococcus had a significant negative correlation with isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and fecal score, while Prevotellaceae_NK3B31-group and Christensenellaceae_R-7-group had a positive correlation with them. In conclusion, our study indicates that 5% SB can be used as an equivalent substitute for soybean hulls to improve the reproductive performance of sows without affecting their gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the use of enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain cellulose nanofibers composed of purified cellulose from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs) was addressed. First, the cellulose was purified by applying hydrothermal treatments conducted at various temperatures (180 and 200 °C) and times (10, 20 and 30 min) and then 2% (m/v) sodium chlorite treatment. Then, enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted for 24, 48 or 72 h using cellulase from Trichoderma reesei at 50 °C and pH = 5.0 to isolate the cellulose nanofibers. The composition, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability and zeta potential characteristics were evaluated for each cellulosic material. The crystallinity index increased significantly after hydrothermal pretreatment and bleaching from 42.6% to 87.3% and from 42.5% to 86.1% for SCB and OPEFB, respectively. In addition, the obtained pulps showed better thermal stability than residues when used as feedstock. Enzymatic hydrolysis was effective at extracting cellulose nanofibers, as long as the reaction time was controlled to less than 48 h, to avoid compromising the crystallinity and thermal stability of the isolated nanostructures. The enzymatic pathway is a promising alternative to the use of acid catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar and coffee industries produce considerable amounts of sugarcane bagasse and spent coffee grounds as waste products, these products having very limited value—plant fertilizer for the former and livestock feed or energy source for the latter-. Their valorization potential as construction materials in the built environment is being investigated. In this work, a higher value use of these two agri-wastes is presented through the elaboration and characterization of an environmentally friendly composite material (Starch-bonded sugarcane Bagasse spent Coffee Composite SBCC) for building applications, based on starch-bonded spent coffee grounds reinforced with sugarcane bagasse fibers. The advantages of fiber reinforcement are evaluated by comparison with a previously studied composition solely based on starch and coffee grounds. Samples are characterized in terms of absolute and bulk density, sound absorption coefficient, compressive strength, as well as hygrothermal properties. Fiber incorporation led to a relatively lighter material than the non-reinforced ones, with a bulk density of 321 kg.m−3 while presenting increased mechanical properties, withstanding maximum compression stress of 2.8 MPa, and presenting Young's modulus of 3.15 MPa. Both thermal conductivity (0.088 W.m−1.K−1) and diffusivity showed a good thermal insulation capacity (0.2 m2.s−1) of the bagasse-reinforced composite. The potential of this new non-structural composite as an acoustic insulator is also assessed, results show that the addition of bagasse did not affect sound absorption compared to the previously studied composites without fibers. In light of the experimental characterization, this new composite would be suitable for use as a non-structural material in building applications. Statement of Novelty: The novelty lies in the association of these two types of co-products (Sugarcane bagasse and Spend Coffee grounds) which can be found on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylanase is commonly thought to effectively cooperate with cellulase to promote the bioconversion of lignocellulose. In this study, a novel xylanase, SipoEnXyn10A (Xyn10A), previously identified from Streptomyces ipomoeae, was employed to investigate its synergetic effects on sugarcane bagasse (SCB) transformation. It was shown that the relative increase in reducing sugars reached up to 65%, with enhanced yields of glucose and xylose by 78% and 50%, respectively, in the case of the replacement of cellulase with an equivalent amount of Xyn10A at an enzyme loading of 12.5%. The highest degrees of synergy (DS) for glucose and xylose could reach 2.57 and 1.84. Moreover, the hydrolysis rate increased evidently, and the reaction time to reach the same yield of glucose and xylose was shortened by 72 h and 96 h, respectively. This study on synergistic mechanisms demonstrated that the addition of Xyn10A could cause the destruction of substrates' morphology and the dissolution of lignin components but could not change the accessibility and crystallinity of substrate cellulose. The joint effect of cellulase and xylanase during the hydrolysis process was thought to result in a synergistic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic biomass is a crucial renewable energy source for producing biofuels and valuable compounds, making it an attractive alternative to fossil resources. In this study, an environmentally friendly method was developed for cellulose fractionation from sugarcane bagasse using deep eutectic solvents (DESs), focusing on achieving high cellulose purity and specific physicochemical properties. The effects of different parameters were investigated by comparing four DESs: choline chloride–lactic acid (ChCl-LA), choline chloride–glycerol (ChCl-G), choline chloride–urea (ChCl-U), and choline chloride–polyalcohol (ChCl-P), under various reaction temperatures and times. The fractionation process was conducted under standard conditions at a temperature of 100 °C for 120 min with a 1:1 molar ratio. The results indicated that all DESs produced comparable cellulose recovery, ranging from 91.83% to 97.07%. A relatively high cellulose recovery was observed in the presence of ChCl-LA, at 95.47%. In addition, ChCl-LA demonstrated the highest efficiency in removing hemicellulose and lignin, at 95.36% and 93.38%, respectively, and high recovery yields of 70.45% for hemicellulose, and 70.66% for the lignin fraction. The fractionation conditions were further optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), achieving a ChCl-LA ratio of 1:2 v/v at 120 °C for 120 min. This resulted in impressive yields: 97.86% cellulose recovery, 96.50% hemicellulose removal, 74.40% hemicellulose recovery, 77.3% lignin recovery, and 71.5% lignin yield from sugarcane bagasse. These results closely match the predicted values, emphasizing the effectiveness of the process and its potential for economic application in lignocellulosic biorefinery operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pretreatment is crucial for effective enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulose such as sugarcane bagasse (SCB). In the present study, SCB was pretreated with five kinds of heterogeneous Fenton‐like systems (HFSs), respectively, in which α‐FeOOH, α‐Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and FeS2 worked as four traditional heterogeneous Fenton‐like catalysts (HFCs), while FeVO4 worked as a novel HFC. The enzymatic reducing sugar conversion rate was then compared among SCB after different heterogeneous Fenton‐like pretreatments (HFPs), and the optimal HFS and pretreatment conditions were determined. The mechanism underlying the difference in saccharification efficiency was elucidated by analyzing the composition and morphology of SCB. Moreover, the ion dissolution characteristics, variation of pH and Eh values, H2O2 and hydroxyl radical (·OH) concentration of FeVO4 and α‐Fe2O3 HFSs were compared. The results revealed that the sugar conversion rate of SCB pretreated with FeVO4 HFS reached up to 58.25%, which was obviously higher than that under other HFPs. In addition, the surface morphology and composition of the pretreated SCB with FeVO4 HFS were more conducive to enzymatic saccharification. Compared with α‐Fe2O3, FeVO4 could utilize H2O2 more efficiently, since the dissolved Fe3+ and V5+ can both react with H2O2 to produce more ·OH, resulting in a higher hemicellulose and lignin removal rate and a higher enzymatic sugar conversion rate. It can be concluded that FeVO4 HFP is a promising approach for lignocellulose pretreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive potential of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae is influenced by the sugarcane bagasse, cow dung, and elephant dung as dietary supplements. The aim of the present work is to determine the earthworm reproduction through the following reproductive parameters, viz., hatching of cocoons, sperm count, and fatty acid profile in seminal vesicle of sperm cells analyzed for the first time. Thus, the gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS) technique is used to identify the bioactive fatty acids present in the sperm cells of earthworm, and there is a lack of information on its fatty acid profile. Interestingly in all the experimental treatments, the presence of essential saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, viz., palmitic acid, linoleic acid, octadecanoic acid methyl ester, oleic acid, and cholesterol compounds, was recorded. The results revealed that the earthworm feed in T3 (50% sugarcane bagasse + 25% cow dung + 25% elephant dung) showed maximum hatching of cocoon, sperm count, and also the presence of higher percentage of cholestanoid (60.84%) and fatty aldehyde (14.57%) compounds, and it indicates higher quality of suitable substrate for earthworm reproduction. In the T2 treatment (50% sugarcane bagasse + 50% elephant dung), observed maximum percentage of fatty alcohol (5.4%) and fatty acid methyl ester (12.88%) compounds due to these dietary fatty acids, which enhanced the sperm production and also have a good impact on earthworm reproduction. Polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids 23.39% are found in T1 treatment (50% sugarcane bagasse + 50% cow dung), and due to the presence of cow dung, it undergoes higher degree of saturation in the absorbed fatty acids. Different fatty acid compositions observed in seminal vesicle of treated earthworms and its combined mixture of both ruminant and monogastric animal dung were metabolized in the earthworm system and stored as fatty acids in the earthworm sperm cells due to the various substrates as a food source. Hence, based on the present finding, we found that the reproductive rate was higher in T3 treatment, followed by T2 and T1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted during 2023 at Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of RBEE, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, CCSHAU, Hisar, Haryana, India. Compositional changes in sugarcane bagasse subjected to varying concentrations of sodium hydroxide (0.3% to 1.2%), revealing significant increases in glucan content (from 37.13% to 53.81%) alongside decreases in xylan, acidinsoluble lignin, acid-soluble lignin, ash, and other extractives. These changes were validated using microscopic technique SEM, confirming the efficacy of the pretreatment process. The utilization of a customized cellulase cocktail derived from Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride holds significant promise in enhancing the saccharification from alkali-pretreated sugarcane bagasse. This study investigates the synergistic effects of cellulase enzymes produced by these fungi on the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. The enzymatic hydrolysis process is optimized by varying enzyme dosages, reaction conditions, and incubation times to maximize the release of fermentable sugars. Results indicate a substantial improvement in saccharification efficiency with the customized cellulase cocktail, highlighting its potential for sustainable biofuel production. The pretreated sugarcane bagasse, when saccharified with Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride individually, released 254.43 mg g-1 and 325.53 mg g-1 of reducing sugars, respectively, after 40 h of incubation. In contrast, the combined enzymatic cocktail achieved a substantial increase in glucose yields (345.12 mg g-1) at 40 h, showcasing the synergistic effect of the combined enzymatic activity. This research contributes to advancing bioconversion technologies for utilizing lignocellulosic biomass resources efficiently and economically, thus addressing key challenges in sustainable energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is a well-known clean energy carrier with a high energetic yield. Its versatility allows it to be produced in diverse ways, including biologically. Specifically, dark fermentation takes advantage of organic wastes, such as agro-industrial residues, to obtain hydrogen. One of these harmful wastes that is poorly discharged into streams is sugarcane bagasse pentose liquor (SBPL). The present study aimed to investigate hydrogen generation from SBPL fermentation in batch reactors by applying different food/microorganism (2–10 F/M) and carbon/nitrogen (10–200 C/N) ratios under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Biohydrogen was produced in all pentose liquor experiments along with other soluble microbial products (SMPs): volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (at least 1.38 g L−1 and 1.84 g L−1 by the average of C/N and F/M conditions, respectively) and alcohols (at least 0.67 g L−1 and 0.325 g L−1 by the average of C/N and F/M conditions, respectively). Thermophilic pentose liquor reactors (t-PLRs) showed the highest H2 production (H2 maximum: 1.9 ± 0.06 L in 100 C/N) and hydrogen yield (HY) (1.9 ± 0.54 moles of H2 moles of substrate−1 in 2 F/M) when compared to mesophilic ones (m-PLRs). The main VFA produced was acetate (>0.85 g L−1, considering the average of both nutritional conditions), especially through the butyrate pathway, which was the most common metabolic route of experimental essays. Considering the level of acid dilution used in the pretreatment of bagasse (H2SO4 (1%), 1.1 atm, 120 °C, 60 min), it is unlikely that toxic compounds such as furan derivatives, phenol-like substances (neither was measured), and acetate (<1.0 g L−1) hinder the H2 production in the pentose liquor reactors (PLRs). Sugarcane bagasse pentose liquor fermentation may become a suitable gateway to convert a highly polluting waste into a renewable feedstock through valuable hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-energy systems with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) will be essential if countries are to meet the gas emission reduction targets established in the 2015 Paris Agreement. This study seeks to carry out a thermodynamic optimization and analysis of a BECCS technology for a typical Brazilian cogeneration plant. To maximize generated net electrical energy (MWe) and carbon dioxide CO2 capture (Mt/year), this study evaluated six cogeneration systems integrated with a chemical absorption process using MEA. A key performance indicator (gCO2/kWh) was also evaluated. The set of optimal solutions shows that the single regenerator configuration (REG1) resulted in more CO2 capture (51.9% of all CO2 emissions generated by the plant), penalized by 14.9% in the electrical plant's efficiency. On the other hand, the reheated configuration with three regenerators (Reheat3) was less power-penalized (7.41%) but had a lower CO2 capture rate (36.3%). Results showed that if the CO2 capture rates would be higher than 51.9%, the cogeneration system would reach a higher specific emission (gCO2/kWh) than the cogeneration base plant without a carbon capture system, which implies that low capture rates (<51%) in the CCS system guarantee an overall net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in sugarcane plants for power and ethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batik is a widely recognized form of clothing in Indonesian society. The batik-making process uses synthetic dyes, which can pollute the environment. This study aims to modify biochar derived from sugarcane bagasse using iron (Fe) synthesis. Biochar was produced through pyrolysis, while iron was sourced from beach sand in Glagah, Yogyakarta. The research involved four stages: (1) production of biochar from sugarcane bagasse, (2) modification of biochar with iron through beach sand synthesis, (3) application of iron-modified biochar (IMB) to methylene blue (MB), and (4) analysis of biochar characteristics. The results show that iron-modified biochar (IMB) affects biochar properties. IMB falls into the micropore category with a micropore surface area of 71.1%. The optimum wavelength was 571 nm with an adsorption level of 0.155. The application of IMB to batik wastewater demonstrated that adding 6% Fe and soaking for 180 minutes achieved the highest reduction in batik wastewater at approximately 69% with an R squared value (R²) of 0.975. Degradation of batik dye with 6% Fe using the Heterogeneous Fenton method resulted in yellow color degradation of 16%, fast green 3%, methylene orange 4%, red 3%, and methylene blue 23%. These findings highlight the potential of using sugarcane bagasse as a renewable resource for producing adsorbents that contribute to effective batik wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination with traces of pharmaceutical compounds, such as ciprofloxacin, has prompted interest in their removal via low-cost, efficient biomass-based adsorption. In this study, classical models, a mechanistic model, and a neural network model were evaluated for predicting ciprofloxacin breakthrough curves in both laboratory- and pilot scales. For the laboratory-scale (d = 2.2 cm, Co = 5 mg/L, Q = 7 mL/min, T = 18 °C) and pilot-scale (D = 4.4 cm, Co = 5 mg/L, Q = 28 mL/min, T = 18 °C) setups, the experimental adsorption capacities were 2.19 and 2.53 mg/g, respectively. The mechanistic model reproduced the breakthrough data with high accuracy on both scales (R2 > 0.4 and X2 < 0.15), and its fit was higher than conventional analytical models, namely the Clark, Modified Dose–Response, and Bohart-Adams models. The neural network model showed the highest level of agreement between predicted and experimental data with values of R2 = 0.993, X2 = 0.0032 (pilot-scale) and R2 = 0.986, X2 = 0.0022 (laboratory-scale). This study demonstrates that machine learning algorithms exhibit great potential for predicting the liquid adsorption of emerging pollutants in fixed bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of industrial process in line with the circular economy and the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) is the foundation for sustainable economic development. Alternatives that make feasible the transformation of residues in added value products are promising and contribute to the repositioning of the industry towards sustainability, due to financial leverage obtained from lesser operational costs when compared with conventional processes, therefore increasing the company competitivity. In this study, it is presented a promising and innovative technology for the recycling of agro-industrial residues, the sugarcane bagasse and the high-pressure water boiler effluent, in the development of a low-cost adsorbent (HC-T) using the hydrothermal carbonization processes and its application in the adsorption of herbicide Diuron and Methylene Blue dye from synthetic contaminated water. The hydrothermal carbonization was performed in a Teflon contained inside a sealed stainless-steel reactor self-pressurized at 200°C, biomass-to-effluent (m/v) ratio of 1:3 and 24 h. The synthesized material (HC) was activated in an oven at 450°C for 10 min, thus being named adsorbent (HC-T) and characterized by textural, structural and spectroscopic analyses. The low-cost adsorbent HC-T presented an 11-time-fold increase in surface area and ∼40% increase in total pore volume in comparison with the HC material. The kinetic and isotherm adsorption experiment results highlighted that the HC-T was effective as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of herbicide Diuron and Methylene Blue dye from synthetic contaminated waters, with an adsorption capacity of 35.07 (63.25% removal) and 307.09 mg g−1 (36,47% removal), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of high-value commodities from sugarcane bagasse and harvest residues could be integrated into existing sugarcane mills to create sugarcane biorefineries. Three distinctly different domains of operating conditions were optimised for autocatalyzed steam pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of these lignocelluloses, to provide sugars according to biorefinery priorities, i.e. (i) maximum digestibility of the solids for glucose only, (ii) maximum hemicellulose recovery in the prehydrolysate for xylose only, or (iii) maximum combined sugar yield (CSY; glucose plus xylose). Bagasse pretreatment showed isolated optima for each response at (i) 215 °C, 15 min; (ii) 202.2 °C, 5 min; and (iii) 215 °C, 5 min. For the harvest residues, the three domains of optimum conditions overlapped within temperatures of 198 and 200 °C, and times of 8 and 12°min, allowing for a single pretreatment condition that meets all three criteria. The practicality and robustness of the preferred pretreatment conditions were demonstrated with a mixed stream of both feedstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, jackfruit peel (JP) was blended into sugarcane bagasse (SB) powder during co-hydrothermal carbonization (Co-HTC) to improve the physicochemical properties of JP/SB@4:1 hydrochar for the removal of methylene blue (MB), malachite green (MG), and crystal violet (CV) dyes from aqueous solutions. JP/SB@4:1 was systematically characterized. Spectroscopic, morphological, and elemental analyses confirmed successful binding of MB, CV, and MG dyes with JP/SB@4:1 surface. Influence of various parameters such as contact time, pH, initial dyes concentration, and temperature on the adsorption process was studied. The optimized magnitudes for these parameters were found to be 480 min of contact time; pH 6.6 for MB, 7.6 for MG, and 8.3 for CV; and 328K of temperature. Non-linear kinetic and isotherm models were applied to the experimental data. Results revealed the fitting of pseudo-second-order (PSO) and Langmuir isotherm (LIM) models to experimental data, while the maximum monolayer adsorption capacities (qm) of JP/SB@4:1 toward MB, CV, and MG were 326.79, 300.87, and 922.29 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of dyes on JP/SB@4:1 was ascribed to electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π/n-π interactions. Thermodynamics evaluation showed the feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic adsorption of the dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) is an attractive biodegradable plastic alternative to petroleum-based plastic. However, the cost of microbial-based bioplastic production mainly lies in the cultivation medium. In this study, we screened the isolates capable of synthesizing P(3HB) using sugarcane bagasse (SCB) waste as a carbon source from 79 Bacillus isolates that had previously shown P(3HB) production using a commercial medium. The results revealed that isolate S356, identified as Bacillus cereus using 16S rDNA and gyrB gene analysis, had the highest P(3HB) accumulation. The highest P(3HB) yield (5.16 g/L, 85.3% of dry cell weight) was achieved by cultivating B. cereus S356 in an optimal medium with 1.5% total reducing sugar with SCB hydrolysate as the carbon source and 0.25% yeast extract as the nitrogen source. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the accumulation of approximately 3–5 P(3HB) granules in each B. cereus S356 cell. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the polymer extracted from B. cereus S356 was P(3HB). Notably, during cultivation for P(3HB) plastic production, B. cereus S356 also secreted bacteriocin, which had high antibacterial activity against the same species (Bacillus cereus). Overall, this work demonstrated the possibility of co-producing eco-friendly biodegradable plastic P(3HB) and bacteriocin from renewable resources using the potential of B. cereus S356. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To boost the enzymatic hydrolysis of CuCl2-catalyzed organosolv pretreated sugarcane bagasse, the single and composite additives were introduced to decrease the negative influence of residual lignin. By adding the optimal loadings of composite additives (e.g., 30 mg Tween 80, 40 mg tea saponin, 40 mg bovine serum albumin (BSA), and 0.8 mg xylanase based on per g substrate), the highest glucose yield reached 96.5% after hydrolysis for 48 h. Furthermore, the composite additives were introduced to high-solids enzymatic hydrolysis, and the partial supplement of the pretreated substrate and enzyme increased the highest glucose concentration to 194.3 g/L (including 10.8 g/L oligomer glucose), accounting for 88.8% of total fermentable sugars (218.9 g/L). This fed-batch mode along with the composite additives provided a beneficial approach for high-solids enzymatic hydrolysis, the high proportion of glucose was also convenient for commercial bioethanol production using industrial bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Β-Carotene is a red–orange pigment that serves as a precursor to important pharmaceutical molecules like vitamin A and retinol, making it highly significant in the industrial sector. Consequently, there is an ongoing quest for more sustainable production methods. In this study, glucose and xylose, two primary sugars derived from sugarcane bagasse (SCB), were utilized as substrates for β-carotene production by Rhodotorula glutinis CCT-2186. To achieve this, SCB underwent pretreatment using NaOH, involved different concentrations of total solids (TS) (10%, 15%, and 20%) to remove lignin. Each sample was enzymatically hydrolyzed using two substrate loadings (5% and 10%). The pretreated SCB with 10%, 15%, and 20% TS exhibited glucose hydrolysis yields (%wt) of 93.10%, 91.88%, and 90.77%, respectively. The resulting hydrolysate was employed for β-carotene production under batch fermentation. After 72 h of fermentation, the SCB hydrolysate yielded a β-carotene concentration of 118.56 ± 3.01 mg/L. These findings showcase the robustness of R. glutinis as a biocatalyst for converting SCB into β-carotene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal of industrial effluents containing cadmium and copper ions is a significant environmental concern. This study aims to address this issue by evaluating the adsorption capacity of adsorbents derived from residual biomass from second-generation ethanol production. The objective is to effectively remove cadmium and copper ions from aqueous solutions. The biochar utilized in the study was characterized as microporous and exhibited characteristic bands associated with carboxyls and hydroxyls. The pHPZC (point of zero charge) was determined to be 8.0. The kinetic study revealed that the PSO (pseudo-second-order) model provided the best fit, indicating that the adsorption rate depends on the amount of solute adsorbed onto the adsorbent's surface. In the equilibrium study, it was observed that adsorption occurred in a monolayer, as evidenced by the superior fit of the Langmuir model. Furthermore, the equilibrium experimental data for the bicomponent system was more accurately represented by the empirical models of Extended Freundlich and Modified Redlich-Peterson. These findings demonstrate the potential of biochar derived from the residue of second-generation ethanol production, a novel application, in effectively removing cadmium and copper ions from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impregnation of potassium can enhance thermal decomposition and thermal reactions of biomass. In this study, the addition of potassium to biomass using potassium carbonate (K2CO3) was investigated to better understand the effects of solution concentration and impregnation time on the pretreatment process of as-received (macro-scale) sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The morphology and thermal degradation of SCB were characterized by FTIR, XRD, and TGA. Following that, the optimal condition was determined by using response surface methodology (RSM). As a result, K2CO3 significantly disorders the cellulose structure and the thermal decomposition temperature of impregnated SCB which is lower than the untreated bagasse in the difference of 25–57 °C. In addition, K2CO3 has a significant impact on char formation, which results in increased char yield. In summary, the RSM results suggest that the appropriate condition for K2CO3 pretreatment is at the solution concentration of 0.25 M and impregnation time of 60 min, resulting in the lowest crystallinity index (59.88%) with an acceptable value of activation energy (77.98 kJ/mol). Furthermore, it is recommended that K2CO3 pretreatment condition is required to apply for SCB before undergoing the torrefaction process, which could practically improve the torrefaction of SCB for a biomass power plant application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemicellulose-derived sugars, especially xylose and xylooligosaccharide (XOS), obtained from lignocellulosic biomass can promote further applications in alternative chemical, food, and health care industries. In this study, a hemicellulose-rich hydrolysate was extracted by the hydrothermal pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse at 175 °C. The two-step combination process of activated carbon and macroporous adsorption resin demonstrated a high efficiency of removal in terms of total byproducts (hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, lactic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, levulinic acid, and succinic acid) and phenolic content with 70.9% and 92.0%, respectively. This synergistic process achieved a higher purity of total sugar (89.7%) than the single detoxification processes with activated carbon and macroporous resin (83.6% and 84.3%, respectively). Moreover, detoxification by activated carbon achieved the removal of the total byproducts in the range of 47.1 to 63.9%, particularly the removal of hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural under the condition from 5 to 10% (w/v) activated carbon loading and temperature at 4–70 °C for 4 h. Using macroporous adsorption resin affected the removal of the total phenolic content in the range of 68.3 to 98.4% with high loss of XOS sugar under conditions from 2 to 20% (w/v) resin loading at 25 °C for 1 h. This work provides a simple process for the detoxification of hemicellulose-rich hydrolysates by adsorbent materials from hydrothermal sugarcane bagasse processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the continuous aqueous pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) through twin-screw extrusion for a new integrated full valorization, where the solid residue (extrudate) was used for the production of bio-based materials by thermocompression and the filtrate for the production of high-value-added molecules. Two configurations, with and without a filtration module, were tested and the influence of the SCB composition and structure on the properties of the materials were determined. The impact of the liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio was studied (0.65-6.00) in relation to the material properties and the biomolecule extraction yield in the filtrate (with the filtration configuration). An L/S ratio of at least 1.25 was required to obtain a liquid filtrate, and increasing the L/S ratio to 2 increased the extraction yield to 11.5 g/kg of the inlet SCB. The extrudate obtained without filtration yielded materials with properties equivalent to those obtained with filtration for L/S ratios of at least 1.25. Since the molecule extraction process was limited, a configuration without filtration would make it possible to reduce water consumption in the process while obtaining high material properties. Under the filtration configuration, an L/S ratio of 2 was the best tradeoff between water consumption, extraction yield, and the material properties, which included 1485 kg/m3 density, 6.2 GPa flexural modulus, 51.2 MPa flexural strength, and a water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) of 37% and 44%, respectively, after 24 h of water immersion. The aqueous pretreatment by twin-screw extrusion allowed for the overall valorization of SCB, resulting in materials with significantly improved properties compared to those obtained with raw SCB due to fiber deconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The seafood processing industries are tremendously increasing in numbers which eventually discharge a large quantity of wastewater with a high range of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), directly into the aquatic environment. A high level of BOD and COD in wastewater pertains to a higher level of pollution which must be reduced to prevent hazardous impacts on ecosystems. The main objective of the research aimed to develop cost‐effective biochar and to remove BOD and COD from processing wastewater using two natural biomasses: water hyacinth and sugarcane bagasse. RESULTS: NaOH‐treated and non‐treated biochar for both water hyacinth as well as sugarcane bagasse were prepared through the process of pyrolysis carried out at 600 °C with three different residence times of 30, 45 and 60 min. The wastewater was initially analyzed for BOD and COD levels. The results showed that among all the groups of biochars, the water hyacinth NaOH‐treated biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 60 min exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of reduction in BOD (86.6 ± 0.03%) and COD (94.3 ± 0.05%) at a residence time of 60 min in D2 (0.5 g (250 mL)−1). The maximum removal efficiency was observed for water hyacinth NaOH‐treated biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 60 min. CONCLUSION: The removal efficiencies of organic load revealed that the treated biochars exhibited a better reduction of nutrients. The biochar efficiencies when compared with those of activated carbon exhibited a higher removal level. The present research can be used to reduce BOD and COD levels in wastewater treatments. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal co-liquefaction (co-HTL) is a process involving two sources of biomasses aiming at bio-crude production. Since there is a lack of studies performed with sugarcane bagasse and residual soybean oil, this study investigated different conditions for the co-HTL of these biomasses, with and without the presence of ethanol as a co-solvent to maximize the bio-crude yield. All co-HTL reactions were carried out in a 300 mL Parr® reactor at temperatures ranging from 200 to 300 °C. After the reaction, a vacuum filtration was performed to separate the bio-char, later washed with ethanol to extract heavy bio-crude, while the liquid-phase was mixed with dichloromethane to recover light bio-crude. Bio-crude yields of around 95 wt.% were obtained at 300 °C using ethanol and water as solvents. The highest bio-char yield (16.6 wt.%) was achieved when using only sugarcane bagasse as the substrate, without the presence of soybean oil. Bio-crude samples obtained at higher temperatures (280 °C and 300 °C) using ethanol as a hydrogen donor presented higher contents of both free fatty acids and fatty acid ethyl esters. This work presents a promising process to produce high-quality bio-crude using an abundant feedstock (sugarcane bagasse) in the presence of a lipid source which could cause environmental problems if poorly handled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylan is the most abundant constituent of hemicellulose fraction of lignocellulosic biomass. Short xylooligosaccharides (XOS), obtained via xylan hydrolysis, have well-known prebiotic and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for human and animal health. In this study, two alternative pretreatment strategies (alkali and hydrothermal) and three different enzymes were applied for enzymatic XOS production from sugarcane bagasse. The enzymatic hydrolysis was performed with nine different combinations of recombinant endo-xylanases from GH11 and GH10 families and GH11 xylobiohydrolase. Hydrothermal pretreatment followed by optimized enzymatic hydrolysis yielded up to 96 ± 1 mg of XOS per gram of initial biomass, whereas enzymatic hydrolysis of alkali-pretreated sugarcane bagasse rendered around 47.6 ± 0.2 mg/g. For both alkali and hydrothermal routes, the maximum yields of short-length XOS were obtained using the GH10 xylanase alone. Furthermore, differences in XOS profiles obtained by controlled mixtures of the enzymes have been evaluated. For both routes, the best yields of short-length XOS were obtained using the GH10 xylanase alone, which is consistent with the notion that sugarcane xylan substitutions partially hinder GH11 xylanase activity. The results presented here show that a green and cost-effective hydrothermal pretreatment path for xylooligosaccharides production, rendered considerably better XOS yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the potential of producing eco-bricks from alternative raw materials, namely sugarcane bagasse and shells. The use of sugarcane bagasse and shells as basic materials for brick production promises an innovative solution to reduce environmental impact and utilize agricultural waste that is often overlooked. The research methodology involves stages of raw material collection, brick development processes, and analysis of the physical properties and strength of the resulting products. The process of making eco-bricks from sugarcane bagasse and shells will be evaluated based on structural strength and other physical properties. The results of this study show new insights into the development of environmentally friendly and quality brick production technology. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the economic aspects of sugarcane bagasse production could serve as a foundation to motivate industry players to adopt sustainable construction methods in their production activities. Therefore, this research has the potential to make a positive contribution to agricultural waste management and the development of a more robust sustainable construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibacterial characteristics of graphene oxide (GO-SB) nano-sheets generated by charring sugarcane bagasse (SB) are described in this study. The antibacterial capability of GO-SB was improved when it was grafted with ethyl cellulose (EC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form GO-SB/EC/PVA hydrogels. Characterization of GO-SB nanosheets and GO-SB/EC/PVA hydrogels was accomplished by using FTIR, SEM, XRD, and thermal studies. The antimicrobial activity was carried out against Gram positive bacteria [Micrococcus leutus & Staphylococcus aureus], Gram negative bacteria [Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa] and pathogenic fungal yeast [Candida albicans] applying the disc diffusion method. The disc diffusion method results showed that the improved GO-SB/EC/PVA exhibited a reasonable level of antimicrobial capability against Micrococcus leutus, demonstrating that the antimicrobial improvement of GO-SB was more effective in the GO-SB/EC/PVA hydrogels by increasing the inhibition zone of Gram-positive bacteria, Micrococcus leutus from (13.0 to 16.0 mm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas emitted from combustion of hydrocarbon-based fuels which is estimated to cause a rise in the global temperatures by about 2.5 K by twenty-first century. Various liquid and solid sorbent-based technologies have been developed to capture the CO2 from combustion gases. However, these sorbents could not enjoy the commercial success due to their corrosive and toxic characteristics together with the poor energy efficiency and economics associated with the developed technologies. In this context, a biodegradable and nontoxic natural sugarcane bagasse cellulose-based aerogel with low density (15–112 kg/m3), high porosity (92.5–99.0%), and enhanced specific surface area (254.7–321.4 m2/g) characteristics has been synthesized through robust two simple steps, viz. sol–gel preparation and the lyophilization. The in situ amine grafting is observed to enhance the CO2 capturing ability of the aerogel and its hydrophobic character with a water contact angle of 143.6°. Furthermore, the CO2 adsorption and desorption studies revealed a sorption capacity of about 0.4 mmol/g at NTP for the synthesized aerogel. Nevertheless, the flexibility, high compressive strength (12.5 MPa) together with the low thermal conductivity (0.028–0.049 W/mK) of the synthesized amine-grafted sugarcane bagasse aerogel multiplies its application as an effective CO2 adsorbent and thermal insulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of hemicellulosic hydrolysates is one of the main bottlenecks of the biotechnological production of xylitol, as inhibitors released/generated during plant cell wall deconstruction impair xylitol production. Yeast adaptation can be applied to overcome this issue through the development of tolerant strains, improving microbial performance. Herein, we evaluated Candida tropicalis FTI20037 pre-cultivation in original, concentrated, and concentrated/detoxified sugarcane bagasse and straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate (SBSHH) to reduce hydrolysate's toxicity during concentrated/detoxified SBSHH fermentations. Regarding glucose uptake, there were no differences between the evaluated conditions. In turn, lignocellulosic inhibitors negatively affected xylose uptake. The evaluated adaptive strategies did not improve xylose uptake at SBSHH fermentations. Xylitol production was also impaired by lignocellulosic inhibitors. However, pre-cultivation in concentrated/detoxified SBSHH increased xylitol yield and xylose-to-xylitol bioconversion efficiency by 13.3%, xylitol volumetric productivity by 7.1%, and xylitol specific production rate by 9.7%. A 21.5% reduction in glycerol production was also observed in this condition, indicating an increased tolerance to lignocellulosic inhibitors. Arabinose assimilation started slowly in all fermentations. Increased arabinose uptake rates were observed after xylose depletion, suggesting the existence of a carbon catabolite repression tendency between xylose and arabinose. Pre-cultivation in concentrated/detoxified SBSHH reduced this repression tendency, increasing arabinose consumption. Regarding lignocellulosic inhibitors, 5-HMF degradation was increased by pre-cultivation. No differences were observed for acetic acid and phenolic compounds consumption. The combination of SBSHH detoxification and C. tropicalis pre-cultivation was effective to improve xylitol production possibly due to the development of a more tolerant phenotype against SBSHH toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism underlying the production of fungal lignocellulolytic enzymes from lignocellulosic biomass remains unclear; therefore, it is imperative to investigate the interactions of microorganisms, culture components, and enzyme production. In this research, four native fungi isolated from agave bagasse: Aspergillus fumigatus (BC-1IB and BDJ-1S), Neurospora sitophila (BDJ-1I), and Rhizopus oryzae (BC-3IDA), were used to evaluate their interaction with lignocellulosic biomass as carbon source (agave or sugarcane bagasse) and pH (6.4 and 7.9) during the production of enzymatic extracts by solid-state fermentation with a packed-bed bioreactor. The evaluated enzymatic activities were pectinolytic, cellulolytic, and xylanolytic. The results demonstrate that the interaction between fungal strain, biomass, and pH during solid-state fermentation has a relevant effect on the final catalytic properties of the resulting enzymatic extract. The interaction between BDJ-1I and agave bagasse results in a pectinase extract that preserves above 99% of its activity at 70 °C for 5 h. Notably, the interaction between N. sitophila BDJ-1I with agave bagasse at pH 6.4 results in extracts with higher pectinase (96.8 IU/gdw), cellulase (39.3 IU/gdw), and xylanase (26.6 IU/gdw) activities suitable for hydrolyzing agro-industrial residues like wheat straw (30.2%), sugarcane (17.4%), and agave bagasse (28.4%). These findings highlight reusing agave and sugarcane bagasse residues for biotransformation into lignocellulosic enzyme cocktails with naturally present fungi strains toward the sustainable zero-waste management of agave and sugarcane bagasse biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the separation of lignin from a mild alkaline sugarcane bagasse extract was studied, and the impacts of different parameters on the filtration performance were evaluated. The tested parameters included transmembrane pressure (0.5–3.0 bar), shear rates (2831–22,696 s−1), temperature (20 and 40 °C), membrane molecular weight cut-off (5 and 10 kDa), and membrane material (polyethersulfone and polysulfone). During the filtration process, the permeate flux and all the main components of the extract were analyzed, including lignins (acid insoluble lignin and acid soluble lignin), sugars (xylose, arabinose, glucose, and galactose), total phenolic compounds, and phenolic acids (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, vanillin, and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde). It was proved that the tested conditions had a great impact on the permeate flux and molecule retention rate. Increasing the temperature from 20 to 40 °C resulted in a much higher permeate flux for the 5 kDa PES membrane, and the impact of shear rate was greater at 40 °C for this membrane. Although the 5 kDa PES membrane could retain slightly more large molecules, i.e., acid-insoluble lignin and xylose, the 10 kDa membrane afforded greater phenolic acid removal capacity, leading to higher purity. For the 10 kDa PS membrane, the polarization layer began to form at TMP below 0.5 bar. This membrane had a lower retention rate for all molecules than the 10 kDa PES membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane has primarily been used for sugar and ethanol production. It creates large quantities of residual lignocellulosic biomass such as sugarcane bagasse, leaves, tops, and vinasse. Biomass is a sustainable prospect for biorefineries aiming to optimize production processes. We detail recent research developments in recycling sugarcane, including energy generation and pyrolysis to obtain biofuels, for example. To produce biochar, the energy cost of operating at high temperatures and large-scale production remain as obstacles. The energy generation prospects can be enhanced by pellet production; however, it requires an improvement in quality control for long-term storage or long-distance transportation. In civil construction, the materials still need to prove their long-term efficiency and reliability. Related to adsorbent materials, the use of sugarcane bagasse has the advantage of being low-cost and environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, the extraction, functionalization, and modification of cellulose fibers, to improve their adsorption properties or even mode of operation, still challenges. The synthesis of nanostructures is still lacking high yields and the ability to scale up. Finally, controlling dispersion and orientation and avoiding fiber agglomeration could improve the mechanical response of composites using sugarcane bagasse. The different possibilities for using sugarcane and its residues reinforce the importance of this material for the industry and the global economy. Thus, the present work addresses current challenges and perspectives of different industrial processes involving sugarcane aiming to support future research on waste-derived subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its unique physicochemical properties, Pullulan is an exopolysaccharide with many applications in the food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries. Aiming to reduce its production cost, an interesting alternative is to consider other possibilities of raw materials, including the production of this biopolymer in a lignocellulosic biorefinery concept. Xylose is the main sugar of hemicellulosic hydrolysates obtained from different biomasses, and it is a sugar still not extensively exploited regarding its potential for pullulan production. This study aimed to evaluate the production of pullulan from sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate by cultivating Aureobasidium pullulans ATCC 42023 in a bubble column reactor. The hemicellulosic hydrolysate was obtained through dilute acid treatment carried out in a stirred tank reactor before being detoxified to remove microbial growth inhibitors. The maximum concentration of 28.62 ± 1.43 g/L of pullulan was obtained after 120 h of fermentation in a bubble column reactor in batch mode. Analysis of spectroscopic properties through FTIR of the obtained pullulan revealed α-(1→6)-linked maltosyl units, similar to those of commercial samples of the biopolymer. XRD analysis showed that the prepared pullulan is amorphous, and a homogeneous morphology with a smooth surface of the pullulan was observed in SEM analysis. This study showed the potential of the production of pullulan from sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate in a bubble column bioreactor, an alternative strategy for the industrial production of this biopolymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose contains a large number of hydroxyl groups that can be used to modify its surface due to its structure. Owing to its appealing features, such as high strength, great stiffness, and high surface area, nanocellulose is currently gaining popularity in research and industry. The extraction of nanocellulose from the leftover bagasse fiber from sugarcane production by alkaline and acid treatment was successful in this study, with a production yield of 55.6%. The FTIR and XPS results demonstrated a difference in the functional and chemical composition of untreated sugarcane bagasse and extracted nanocellulose. SEM imaging was used to examined the size of the nanocellulose with ImageJ software v1.8.0. TGA, DTG, and XRD analyses were also performed to demonstrate the successful extraction of nanocellulose in terms of its morphology, thermal stability, and crystal structure before and after extraction. The anti-S. aureus activity of the extracted nanocellulose was discovered by using an OD600 test and a colony counting method, and an inhibitory rate of 53.12% was achieved. According to the results, nanocellulose produced from residual sugarcane bagasse could be employed as an antibacterial agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]