Search

Introduction: The drilling industry is one of the main sectors of the oil industry, and oil drilling is one of the most specialized industrial activities. Large-scale production of sugarcane bagasse in Khuzestan Province creates an environmental opportunity to utilize this agricultural byproduct in different sections as a valuable byproduct. This study aimed to investigate the ability of the raw form of bagasse and its transformed structure in heavy metal fixation in drilling mud and to investigate the efficiency of crude bagasse, processed bagasse, and biochar adsorbents in removing heavy metals from the drilling mud residues of Ahvaz oil field. Methods: Sampling of drilling mud waste from Mishan Geological Formation (MGF) and Aghajari Geological Formation (AGF) was done on a vibrating sieve. The treatments examined in this research include the contact time in six levels (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min), amount of the adsorbent in three levels (0.1, 0.5, and 1 g), adsorbent type in three levels (crude bagasse, processed bagasse, and biochar), and the formation type in two levels (Aghajari and Mishan). After chemical digestion, the samples were placed in contact with crude bagasse, processed bagasse, and biochar according to the designed conditions. Then, the removal percentages of Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb were calculated. Means were compared using Duncan's test at the 1% level. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the biochar adsorbent is the most efficient compared to other adsorbents. The maximum removal percentages of heavy metals Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb by crude bagasse are 72.53%, 68.89%, 79.49%, 76.88%, 49.42%, and 85%, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the maximum removal percentages of heavy metals Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb by crude bagasse are 81/72%, 83/89%, 86/67%, 83/44%, 64/41%, and 90.72%, respectively. The maximum efficiency of biochar for adsorbing heavy metals Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb is 90.70%, 91.84%, 88.89%, 88.75%, 78.59%, and 97.75%, respectively. The maximum amount of heavy metals adsorbed by all adsorbents was 1 gr/L, and the adsorption efficiency increased by increasing the amount of the adsorbent from 0.2 to 1 gr/L. In examining the effect of contact time, the maximum removal percentage of heavy metals barium and cadmium was obtained in 120 min, nickel and lead in 90 min, and vanadium and iron in 60 min. After the above contact times, there was no increase in the maximum percentage of metal removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of using bagasse ash (BA) and metakaolin (MK) together as substitutes for cement in self-compacting concrete (SCC), together with the addition of glass fiber (GF), on the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete. Eighteen SCC mixes were created, each containing different proportions of BA (0%, 10%, 15%, and 20%), MK (0%, 10%, 15%, and 20%), and BA and MK collectively (10% + 5% and 10% + 10%) as cement replacements with and without 0.1% GF. Using the results of the slump flow, T500 slump flow, V-funnel, and L-box tests, the performance of fresh SCC was determined. Furthermore, this study evaluated the strength, durability, and microstructural properties of the SCC samples. The SCC mix blended with 10% BA and 5% MK revealed better flowability as the slump flow increased from 692 mm to 715 mm. A strong linear correlation was discovered between the slump flow values (mm) and V-funnel duration (sec) and blocking ratio (H2 /H1 ) with R² = 0.8876 and R² = 0.8467, respectively. Of all test mixes, the SCC mix blended with 10% BA, 5% MK, and 0.1% GF (SCC1B10M5) demonstrated the highest degree of strength. At 56 days, the 10% BA, 5% MK, and 0.1 GF mix had 12.8%, 25.7%, and 22.2% higher compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths than the control mix, respectively. SCC, combined with BA, MK, and GF, outperformed the control mix. After immersion in a 3% H2SO4 solution, the SCC mix having 10% BA, 5% MK, and 0.1% GF experienced a minimum reduction in weight loss and ultrasonic pulse velocity of 1.01% and 3.1%, respectively. Additionally, there was a decrease of 29.4% in the percentage of charges passed. The ideal composition was achieved by incorporating 10% BA, 5% MK, and 0.1% GF into the SCC mixture, resulting in a dense structure without any visible pores or cracks during the microstructural analysis. [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]

This research proposes an efficient alternative for dehydrating cassava bagasse to address the inherent challenges in the handling, transportation, storage, and preservation of this agro–industrial residue generated in cassava starch production plants. This residue is characterized by high moisture retention, considerable volume, and hydrophilic nature, complicating conventional drying methods. This study evaluates the impact of emerging ultrasound (US) and pulsed electric field (PEF) technologies prior to convective drying to enhance the dehydration efficiency of cassava bagasse, aiming at its valorization and contributing to the sustainability of the cassava starch industry. The findings reveal that pretreatment with ultrasound (US) and pulsed electric fields (PEF) significantly reduces the drying time of cassava bagasse compared to convective drying alone. With probe ultrasound at 26 kHz for 30 min, the drying time is reduced by 72% (3.83 h vs. 14.0 h); with bath ultrasound at 37 kHz for 30 min, it is reduced by 56.0% (6.16 h vs. 14.0 h); and with PEF at 7.5 kV/cm for 30 min, it is reduced by 52.4% (6.66 h vs. 14.0 h). These emerging technologies increased the effective diffusivity and modified the molecular structure of the bagasse, thereby improving mass transfer and drying process efficiency. These results are particularly useful for developing more efficient and sustainable strategies for drying agricultural by-products, with direct implications for the post-industrial treatment of agro–industrial residues with high water content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gap-graded aggregate combined with asphalt rubber presents a high-performance alternative for roads with heavy traffic loads, offering advantages over conventional mixtures in terms of permanent deformation (rutting), fatigue life, and texture. In this study, the conventional filler in the well-established mixture was substituted with sugarcane bagasse bottom ash (SCBA) at a proportion of 5% of the total mineral aggregates. The objective was to enhance the mechanical performance of the asphalt coating while ensuring proper disposal of this waste material. Compared to conventional filler, SCBA is less dense, has smaller dimensions, and exhibits greater roughness, thereby affecting the volumetric parameters of the Marshall mix design. Consequently, the volume of voids in mineral aggregates and voids filled with asphalt increased while maintaining the same volume of air voids (5.3%). Consequently, there was a notable increase in Marshall Stability (40%) and Indirect Tensile Test (22%) mechanical parameters. Following laboratory analysis, the modified mixtures were applied as asphalt coating on a high-traffic highway (BR-158). Field specimens revealed an 18% increase in the Resilience Modulus (4088 MPa; 3478 MPa). Additionally, its Flow Number exhibited a 73% increase (16,707; 9681), and its permanent deformation rate was 28% lower within 10,000 cycles in the dynamic creep test. This was further supported by an 11% reduction in permanent deformation rate in the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device (HWTD) within 20,000 cycles (3.2 mm; 3.6 mm). In conclusion, the partial replacement of conventional filler with sugarcane bagasse ash within the established granulometric range has demonstrated technical feasibility both in laboratory and field settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high consumption of packaging has led to a massive production of waste, especially in the form of nonbiodegradable polymers that are difficult to recycle. Microbial cellulose is considered a biodegradable, low-cost, useful, ecologically correct polymer that may be joined with other biomaterials to obtain novel characteristics and can, therefore, be used as a raw material to produce packaging. Bagasse, a waste rich in plant cellulose, can be reprocessed and used to produce and reinforce other materials. Based on these concepts, the aim of the current research was to design sustainable packaging material composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB), employing an innovative shredding and reconstitution method able to avoid biomass waste. This method enabled creating a uniform structure with a 0.10-cm constant thickness, classified as having high grammage. The developed materials, particularly the 0.7 BC/0.3 SCB [70% (w/w) BC plus 30% (w/w) SCB] composite, had considerable tensile strength (up to 46.22 MPa), which was nearly thrice that of SCB alone (17.43 MPa). Additionally, the sorption index of the 0.7 BC/0.3 SCB composite (235.85 ± 31.29 s) was approximately 300-times higher than that of SCB (0.78 ± 0.09 s). The packaging material was also submitted to other analytical tests to determine its physical and chemical characteristics, which indicated that it has excellent flexibility and can be folded 100 times without tearing. Its surface was explored via scanning electron microscopy, which revealed the presence of fibers measuring 83.18 nm in diameter (BC). Greater adherence after the reconstitution process and even a uniform distribution of SCB fibers in the BC matrix were observed, resulting in greater tear resistance than SCB in its pure form. The results demonstrated that the composite formed by BC and SCB is promising as a raw material for sustainable packaging, due to its resistance and uniformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is emerging as an attractive large-scale polymer due to its superior properties. The dominant static culture for BC fermentation by bacteria or microbial consortium results in low productivity. Agitated culture, as an industrially projected technique, has been widely investigated but exclusively for cellulose-producing bacterial strains. Addressing this concern and evaluating the potential of residues as feedstock, this study highlights the utilization of microbial consortium BA2 and seven agro-industrial wastes including cocoa husks, sugarcane bagasse and others. Remarkably, rice bran (RB) appears as a promising substrate, achieving 2.14 g/L (dry basis) and outperforming the traditional HS medium, evident from a 15-day fermentation. A complex interplay between oxygen availability, glucose consumption and BC yield was revealed; while orbital and magnetic stirring with forced air ventilation (AFV) showed low BC yields and early biomass saturation, 4.07 g/L (dry basis) was targeted by magnetic stirring at 100 rpm from the start using only headspace air. However, beyond controlled operating conditions, mechanical agitation and favorable cellulose adhesion to metal in the stirred tank bioreactor negatively affect BC yield. This pattern uncovers the need for a further approach to the design of bioreactors when the microbial consortium is considered. [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]

The increase in styrofoam waste can cause environmental pollution, therefore efforts are required to reduce the use of styrofoam. One of them is by replacing it with biofoam made from agricultural industry waste such as bagasse because if this garbage is not used, it may cause environmental issues. Bagasse has a potential to be utilized as biofoam. This research aims to extract cellulose from bagasse through delignification and bleaching processes, as well as synthesize and characterize biofoam using cellulose from bagasse with the addition of chitosan variations of 2, 3.5, 5, and 6.5 g. The stages of this research are the extraction of cellulose from bagasse waste with FTIR and XRD analysis, making biofoam and biofoam characterization tests. The results of cellulose extraction from bagasse are O-H, C-H and C-O functional groups that indicate the presence of cellulose. In XRD analysis, the cellulose sample has a crystallinity index of 70.74%. Biofoam based on sugarcane bagasse cellulose with the addition of 2 g chitosan has the best characterization, which has a density of 1.23 g/mL, with a water absorption value of 46.03% at 24 hours immersion and biodegradability of 20.68% for 28 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the efficacy of a cost‐effective, functionalized adsorbent derived from bagasse fly ash (FA) for the removal of the surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) from aqueous solutions. The raw bagasse FA underwent a modification process involving reflux with TiO2 in NaOH at 100°C for 24 h, resulting in a modified fly ash (MFA). Comparative analyses of the sorbents were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X‐ray diffraction (pXRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The surface area of the original FA was found to be 10.795 m2 g−1, which increased to 30.597 m2 g−1 postmodification. Similarly, the crystallinity of FA was initially 49.36% and enhanced to 79.70% after the modification process. The adsorption process of SDBS onto both FA and MFA were found to follow pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. Moreover, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm was the most fitting model, as evidenced by the R2 values at 298 K for SDBS‐FA (0.99) and SDBS‐MFA (0.99), both of which are remarkably close to unity. The dimensionless separation factor (RL) was determined to be less than one, indicating favorable adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities predicted by the Langmuir model are 156.00 mg/g for FA and a notably higher 231.48 mg/g for MFA. Thermodynamic analysis revealed a positive change in enthalpy (ΔHo) for SDBS‐FA and SDBS‐MFA of 54.50 and 124.48 KJ mol−1, respectively, suggesting endothermic adsorption. Additionally, the Gibbs free energy (ΔGo) was negative for both SDBS‐FA and SDBS‐MFA, suggesting that the adsorption of SDBS is spontaneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achieving climate neutrality is a goal that calls for action in all sectors. The requirements for improving waste management and reducing carbon emissions from the energy sector present an opportunity for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to introduce sustainable waste treatment practices. A common biotechnological approach for waste valorization is the production of sugars from lignocellulosic waste biomass via biological hydrolysis. WWTPs produce waste streams such as sewage sludge and screenings which have not yet been fully explored as feedstocks for sugar production yet are promising because of their carbohydrate content and the lack of lignin structures. This study aims to explore the enzymatic hydrolysis of various waste streams originating from WWTPs by using a laboratory-made and a commercial cellulolytic enzyme cocktail for the production of sugars. Additionally, the impact of lipid and protein recovery from sewage sludge prior to the hydrolysis was assessed. Results: Treatment with a laboratory-made enzyme cocktail produced by Irpex lacteus (IL) produced 31.2 mg sugar per g dry wastewater screenings. A commercial enzyme formulation released 101 mg sugar per g dry screenings, corresponding to 90% degree of saccharification. There was an increase in sugar levels for all sewage substrates during the hydrolysis with IL enzyme. Lipid and protein recovery from primary and secondary sludge prior to the hydrolysis with IL enzyme was not advantageous in terms of sugar production. Conclusions: The laboratory-made fungal IL enzyme showed its versatility and possible application beyond the typical lignocellulosic biomass. Wastewater screenings are well suited for valorization through sugar production by enzymatic hydrolysis. Saccharification of screenings represents a viable strategy to divert this waste stream from landfill and achieve the waste treatment and renewable energy targets set by the European Union. The investigation of lipid and protein recovery from sewage sludge showed the challenges of integrating resource recovery and saccharification processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, clothing has been produced and disposed of in large quantities. It is also known that each process, from the procurement of raw materials to production, transportation, sales, laundry, and disposal, has a significant environmental impact. According to the Global Fashion Agenda, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the fashion industry account for 4% of the global total. Therefore, apparel makers are shifting from a linear economy to a circular economy. For example, the Japanese start-up Curelabo Co., Ltd. (Okinawa, Japan) developed jeans (bagasse washi jeans) made from bagasse, which is a residual material derived from sugarcane after the extraction of cane juice. Furthermore, the use of improved dyeing reduces boiler fuel consumption and eliminates the need for detergents and acid. For disposal, the used jeans and their production waste are processed into biochar for carbon sequestration. In this study, we attempted to calculate GHG emissions using life cycle assessment (LCA) for the circular economy model developed by Curelabo Co., Ltd. GHG emissions from the production of bagasse washi jeans were 1.09 × 101 kg-CO2e. Dyeing, bleaching, and fabric finishing, known as the wet processes, were found to contribute a large proportion of GHG emissions due to their high energy consumption. Furthermore, the entire lifecycle of GHG emissions from bagasse washi jeans, including transport, sales, laundry, and disposal, were 1.53 × 101 kg-CO2e. First, the use of bagasse washi yarn for the weft reduced by 2.99 × 10−1 kg-CO2e compared with the use of conventional 100% bleached cotton yarn. Second, compared with conventional dyeing, GHG emissions from the improved dyeing process were reduced by 2.78 kg-CO2e. Third, the disposal of the used jeans and their production waste into biochar reduced GHG emissions by 9.01 × 10−1 kg-CO2e. Additionally, GHG emissions can be reduced by re-inputting waste in the paper-making process and by using liquefied natural gas as boiler fuel in the dyeing process. [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 biochemical pathway for propionic acid (PA) production is an interesting alternative that can include the utilization of biomass as feedstock. This study evaluated the utilization of Agave bagasse (AB), a lignocellulosic residue, to produce PA by Propionibacterium acidipropinici in batch systems (125 mL‐hermetic bottles and 1000 mL‐bioreactor). The process included a steam explosion pretreatment at 142°C for 15 min and enzymatic hydrolysis, where solid loading (2.75% and 5% in pretreatment and 2.5%, 3.75%, and 5% in enzymatic hydrolysis) was evaluated. Furthermore, the enzymatic concentrations of 18.3 filter paper unit (FPU)/gAB (1×) of Cellic® CTec2 and 1.5× and 3× were tested. The yields of total carbohydrates (TC) obtained at the two solid loadings tested in the pretreatment were statistically similar, but the 3x enzymatic concentration enhanced the yields of TC, glucose, and xylose (0.23 ± 0.01, 0.15 ± 0.01 and 0.03 ± 0.01 g/gAB, respectively). The hydrolysates obtained under these conditions were evaluated as carbon sources for PA production, obtaining a productivity of 0.069 ± 0.006 g/L h and a yield product/substrate of 0.44 gPA/gTC. The control of pH in the culture reduced the fermentation time in the bioreactor by 52% compared with the hermetic bottles without pH control. The potential of hydrolysates as carbon sources for PA production was evidenced, as approximately 50% of the initial carbon was converted to this product. The observed yield product/substrate was similar to those reported from hydrolysates of diverse biomass types, pretreatments, or enzymatic cocktails and the same or related microorganisms. However, the system studied has advantages, such as not requiring the addition of chemical or detoxification stage, and lower temperature and time compared to other pretreatments. [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]

The demand for new products derived from agro-industrial residues has increased recently. Furthermore, vinasse, a wastewater from ethanol production, needs treatment to be reused in the sugarcane industry, reducing industrial water consumption. This study performed vinasse filtration with charcoal from industrial sugarcane residues and used filtered molasses dilution in ethanolic fermentation. There were five treatments in randomized blocks with three repetitions. The treatments included deionized water and natural vinasse as positive and negative controls, respectively, and filtered vinasse from charcoal made from bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, and straw. Hence, fermentation for ethanol production was performed. Compared with natural vinasse, filtered vinasse with all types of charcoal showed lower soluble solids, total residual reducing sugars, higher ethanol concentrations, and greater fermentative efficiency. Filtered vinasse from bagasse and straw charcoals had efficiencies of 81.14% and 77.98%, respectively, in terms of ethanol production, which are close to those of deionized water (81.49%). In a hypothetical industry, vinasse charcoal filtration and charcoal regeneration should prevent 84.12% of water consumption from environmental resources. This process is feasible because it uses a product of sugarcane residue to treat wastewater and reduce industrial water consumption and vinasse disposal. HIGHLIGHTS Charcoal from sugar mill residues can be used for vinasse filtration.; The filtered vinasse should be used in molasses dilution.; Filtered vinasse has a fermentation efficiency close to deionized water in molasses dilution.; Using bagasse and straw charcoal for vinasse filtration in industry is feasible.; Charcoal regeneration is possible, and it may increase porosity.;

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]

In many countries with wastewater irrigation and intensive use of fertilizers (minerals and organics), heavy metal deposition by crops is regarded as a major environmental concern. A study was conducted to determine the impact of mineral fertilizers, cow manure, poultry manure, leaf litter, and sugarcane bagasse on soil's trace Pb content and edible parts of vegetables. It also evaluated the risk of lead (Pb) contamination in water, soil, and food crops. Six vegetables (Daucus carota, Brassica oleracea, Pisum sativum, Solanum tuberosum, Raphanus sativus, and Spinacia oleracea) were grown in the field under twelve treatments with different nutrient and water inputs. The lead concentrations in soil, vegetables for all treatments and water samples ranged from 1.038–10.478, 0.09346–9.0639 mg/kg and 0.036–0.26448 mg/L, The concentration of lead in soil treated with wastewater in treatment (T6) and vegetable samples was significantly higher, exceeding the WHO's permitted limit. Mineral and organic fertilizers combined with wastewater treatment reduced lead (Pb) concentrations in vegetables compared to wastewater application without organic fertilizers. Health risk indexes for all treatments except wastewater treatment (T6) were less than one. Pb concentrations in mineral fertilizers, cow manure, poultry manure, leaf litter, and sugarcane bagasse treated were determined to pose no possible risk to consumers. [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]

Thailand is one of the major agricultural production countries in the world. Therefore, large amounts of agricultural waste are generated as by-products of the agroindustry. The wastes are usually discarded or burnt, resulting in environmental pollution. The main goal of this research was to evaluate the use of agricultural waste for mushroom cultivation. A total of 15 mushroom isolates were recovered from mother spawns and basidiocarps. They were screened for their cellulolytic enzyme activity on Czapek agar using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the sole carbon source. Two isolates of the oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus pulmonarius PP6 and Pleurotus ostreatus PO3, produced the best enzyme activities. To observe the mycelial growth on agricultural waste, the two oyster mushroom candidates were cultured in jars containing five different types of agricultural waste: corn husk, rice straw, coconut meal, coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse, and the jars were incubated at 25°C for six weeks. The results show that both isolates grew best on coconut meal, producing very densely packed mycelia. Meanwhile, corn husk and rice straw were also good sources for oyster mushroom cultivation. This study shows that these three substrates have the potential to be utilized in mushroom cultivation on a commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have focused on deriving environmentally benign materials from biomass waste and converting them into value-added materials. In this study, cellulosic crystals derived from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) are augmented with magnetite (M) nanoparticles. Following the co-precipitation route, the composite was prepared, and then the mixture was subjected to a green microwave solvent-less technique. Various mass ratios of SCB:M (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, and 1:2) were prepared and efficiently utilized as photocatalysts. To look at the structural and morphological properties of the prepared samples, X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental analysis were used to describe the composite fibers. SCB:M augmented with H2O2 as a Fenton reaction was used to eliminate Reactive blue 19 (RB19) from polluted water and was compared with pristine SCB and M. Additionally, the response surface methodology (RSM) statistically located and assessed the optimized parameters. The optimal operating conditions were recorded at pH 2.0 and 3:1 SCB: M with 40 mg/L and 100 mg/L of hydrogen peroxide. However, the temperature increase inhibits the oxidation reaction. The kinetic modeling fit showed the reaction following the second-order kinetic model with an energy barrier of 98.66 kJ/mol. The results show that such photocatalyst behavior is a promising candidate for treating textile effluent in practical applications. [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]

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]

A highly efficient low-cost adsorbent was prepared using raw and chemically modified cellulose isolated from sugarcane bagasse for decontamination of Cr(VI) from wastewater. First, cellulose pulp was isolated from sugarcane bagasse by subjecting it to acid hydrolysis, alkaline hydrolysis and bleaching with sodium chlorate (NaClO3). Then, the bleached cellulose pulp was chemically modified with acrylonitrile monomer in the presence Fenton's reagent (Fe+2/H2O2) to carry out grafting of acrylonitrile onto cellulose by atom transfer radical polymerization. The developed adsorbent (acrylonitrile grafted cellulose) was analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Both raw cellulose and acrylonitrile grafted cellulose were used for chromium removal from wastewater. The effects of metal ion concentration, pH, adsorbent dose and time were studied, and their values were optimized. The optimum conditions for the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto raw and chemically modified cellulose were: metal ion concentration: 50 ppm, adsorbent dose: 1 g, pH: 6, and time: 60 min. The maximum efficiencies of 73% and 94% and adsorption capacities of 125.95 mg/g and 267.93 mg/g were achieved for raw and acrylonitrile grafted cellulose, respectively. High removal efficiency was achieved, owing to high surface area of 79.92 m2/g and functional active binding cites on grafted cellulose. Isotherm and kinetics studies show that the experimental data were fully fitted by the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo first-order model. The adsorbent (acrylonitrile grafted cellulose) was regenerated using three different types of regenerating reagents and reused thirty times, and there was negligible decrease (19%) in removal efficiency after using it for 30 times. Hence, it is anticipated that acrylonitrile could be utilized as potential candidate material for commercial scale Cr(VI) removal from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the potential for producing second-generation (2G) ethanol from sweet potato peels, beet peels, and sugarcane bagasse without hydrolysis. The process involved direct fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for different time intervals (36, 48, 72, and 168 hours). The raw materials were mixed with water and heated up to 105°C for 30 minutes. The fermentation process was carried out in sealed PET bottles kept at 25 °C, using 10 g of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 200 g of biomass (at a mass ratio of 1:20). Measurements of °BRIX and pH were taken at each fermentation interval. After fermentation, the mixture was filtered and distilled to obtain bioethanol. The study found that sweet potato and beet peel biomasses showed significant potential. Regular monitoring of pH, sugar content, alcohol content, and bioethanol percentage was conducted. The mixture was heated to the boiling point of ethanol (78.37 °C) after distillation. The maximum bioethanol weight percentage (wt%) achieved was 18.58% (36 hours), 17.56% (48 hours), and 16.73% (72 hours) for beet peel, sugarcane bagasse juice, and sweet potato peel, respectively. This study highlights the promising prospects of using lignocellulosic biomasses for 2G ethanol production, which contributes to sustainable biofuel processes and paves the way for clean and renewable energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinasse and bagasse are residues from the production of mezcal, an alcoholic beverage. Treating these wastes is very important to avoid the contamination of water bodies and soils by their discharge into the environment. One of the processes to treat this type of waste is anaerobic digestion. In this study, mesophilic anaerobic digestions were carried out with different organic loads and a retention time of 30 days, where bagasse was thermally pretreated to decrease cellulose crystallization and reduce lignin content, which is highly resistant to chemical, biological, and enzymatic degradation, constituting a barrier for cellulose utilization during the process such as enzymatic hydrolysis and subsequent fermentation. The process carried out with a lower bagasse proportion of 5% resulted in a more significant reduction of COD, SSV, and a methane percentage of 70%, 49%, and 63%, respectively, while maintaining a pH between 6 and 7.5 and an alkalinity of 2,000 mg/L. These results indicate that the process was not inhibited when the content of bagasse was low, reaching the methanogenesis stage in the anaerobic digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mezcal is a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage made through the fermentation of agave cenizo (Agave durangensis), for which an annual demand of 1,200,000 tons is estimated in Mexico, generating approximately 480,000 tons of bagasse waste per year. This poses an environmental problem. The recovery of fermentable reducing carbohydrates from the bagasse to obtain ethanol is an innovative option. In this research, three types of hydrolysis (acidic, enzymatic, and acid-enzymatic) were developed on the residual bagasse from mezcal production, aiming for the highest possible concentration of reducing sugars. Acid hydrolysis was carried out with HCl at three different pH values and three different times, yielding a maximum concentration of 13.03 g/L. In enzymatic hydrolysis, cellulase enzymes were used with three different bagasse-enzyme ratios, keeping time and temperature constant, showing a maximum concentration of reducing carbohydrates of 8.46 g/L. Acid-enzymatic hydrolysis used the acid hydrolysis with lower carbohydrate production (2.2 g/L), and three different enzyme concentrations were added while maintaining constant temperature and time, resulting in a concentration of 4.8 g/L. Finally, the highest concentration of reducing carbohydrates was fermented for 7 days using baker's yeast, and after distillation, 96% v/v ethanol was obtained. The results of this research suggest that agave bagasse hydrolysis could be considered an alternative for obtaining a usable energy vector on an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of surface modification on the properties of bagasse fibers and asphalt binders/mixtures was investigated. Bagasse fibers were modified by single, binary, and ternary methods with hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chlorite, respectively. The physical and chemical properties of bagasse fibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and an adsorption test, respectively. The rheological properties of asphalt binders with bagasse fibers or lignin fibers were analyzed by the dynamic shear rheometer test and bending beam rheometer test. In addition, the performance of asphalt mixtures with bagasse fibers or lignin fibers were evaluated by a wheel rutting test, bending test at a low temperature, and water stability test, respectively. In conclusion, the hydrophilic functional groups on the fiber surface were partially eliminated by modification, facilitating the degradation of different fiber components. Furthermore, the degree of fibrillation was improved, and more interfaces with asphalt components were formed, thus enhancing the high-temperature deformation resistance of asphalt binders, but slightly impairing its low-temperature performance. Among all modification methods, the ternary composite modification exerted important influences on fiber structure, oil absorption, and rheological properties of asphalt binders, significantly enhancing the performance of asphalt mixtures. Combined with surface modification methods, bagasse fibers would be promising reinforced pavement materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB), an agro-industrial byproduct generated by a sugar mill, holds a substantial carbohydrate content of around 70 wt.%, comprising cellulose and hemicellulose. Saccharification plays a pivotal role in the conversion of SCB into second-generation (2G)-ethanol and valuable compounds, which is significantly aided by thermochemical pretreatments. In this study, SCB underwent diluted sulfuric acid pretreatment (2% H2SO4, 80 rpm, 200 °C, 20 min), resulting in the removal of 77.3% of the xylan. The hemicellulosic hydrolysate was analyzed to identify the sugars and degraded products acting as microbial inhibitors. The acid hydrolysate showed a xylose yield of 68.0% (16.4 g/L) and a yield of 3.8 g/L of acetic acid. Afterward, the hemicellulosic hydrolysate was concentrated 2.37 times to obtain a xylose-rich stream (39.87 g/L). The sequential detoxification, employing calcium oxide and activated carbon, removed the inhibitory compounds, including acetic acid, while preserving the xylose at 38.10 g/L. The enzymatic saccharification of cellulignin at 5% and 10% of the total solids (TSs) yielded comparable reducing sugar (RS) yields of 47.3% (15.2 g/L) and 47.4% (30.4 g/L), respectively, after 96 h, employing a 10 FPU/g enzyme loading of Cellic® CTec3 (Novozymes Inc. Parana, Brazil). In summary, these findings outline an integrated green chemistry approach aimed at addressing the key challenges associated with pretreatment, concentration, detoxification, and enzymatic hydrolysis to produce fermentable sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in concrete has significant environmental and sustainability concerns. Notably, in the production of OPC, large volumes of greenhouse gases are produced, which contribute to global warming, and large amounts of natural raw materials are used, which can lead to the depletion of nonrenewable resources with time. In addition, OPC production is highly energy-intensive. To mitigate these concerns, it has become common practice to reduce the amount of OPC used in concrete production by partially replacing OPC with a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Most of the SCMs used have pozzolanic properties and react with free lime in OPC to provide more cementitious material, which increases the long-term strength of concrete and also densifies the pore structure, resulting in improved durability in harsh environments. This study explored the effect of OPC on the resistance to sulfuric acid attack and drying shrinkage when OPC is partially replaced by processed bagasse ash (PBA) at dosages of up to 50%, together with 5% silica fume. Both materials are pozzolanic and are expected to react with free lime in OPC concrete to increase the strength and densify the concrete; however, with increased PBA dosage, the cement is diluted, and a reduction in strength can be expected. This study explores the benefits that can be realized, focusing primarily on sulfuric acid resistance and the reduction of drying shrinkage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cellulase is considered a group member of the hydrolytic enzymes, responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis of cellulose and has various industrial applications. Agricultural wastes are used as an inexpensive source for several utilizable products throughout the world. So, searching for cellulase enzymes from fungal strains capable of utilizing agricultural wastes to increase productivity, reduce costs and overcome waste accumulation in the environment is very important to evaluate its potency as a bio-additive to detergent agents. Results: In the current study, the previously identified fungal strain Aspergillus terreus MN901491 was screened and selected for cellulase production. Medium parameters were optimized using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and multi-factorial (Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken) design methods. OFAT showed the ability of the fungal strain to utilize agricultural wastes (corn cob and rice straw) as a substrate. Also, yeast extract was the best nitrogen source for enhancing cellulase productivity. The most significant variables were determined by Plackett-Burman Design (PBD) and their concentrations were optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). Among eleven independent variables screened by PBD, malt extract, (NH4)2SO4, and KCl were the most significant ones followed by rice straw which affected cellulase production positively. The ANOVA results particularly the R2-value of PBD (0.9879) and BBD (0.9883) confirmed the model efficiency and provided a good interpretation of the experiments. PBD and BBD improved cellulase productivity by 6.1-fold greater than that obtained from OFAT. Medium optimization using OFAT and statistical models increased cellulase production from A. terreus MN901491 by 9.3-fold compared to the non-optimized medium. Moreover, the efficiency of cellulase activity on cotton fabrics as a bio-additive detergent was evaluated and estimated using whiteness and scanning electron microscope (SEM) that affirmed its potential effect and remarkable detergent ability to improve whiteness by 200% in comparison with non-washed fabric and by 190% in comparison with fabric washed by water. Conclusion: The presented work was stabilized as a multi-efficiency in which wastes were used to produce cellulase enzyme from the fungal strain, Aspergillus terreus MN901491 as a bio-additive to detergent applications that involved ecofriendly and green processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous accumulation of waste, particularly from industries, often ends up in landfills. However, this waste can be transformed into a valuable resource through innovative methods. This process not only reduces environmental pollution but also generates additional useful products. This study aims to screen novel high-efficiency cellulose-degrading bacteria from cow dung, forest soil, brewery waste, and agro-industrial waste in the Debre Berhan area for the treatment of cellulose-rich agricultural waste. The serial dilution and pour plate method was used to screen for cellulolytic bacteria and further characterized using morphological and biochemical methods. From eleven isolates cow dung 1 (CD1), cow dung 6 (CD6) and cow dung (CD3) which produced the largest cellulolytic index (3.1, 2.9 and 2.87) were selected. Samples from forest soil, and spent grain didn't form a zone of clearance, and effluent treatment and industrial waste (IW9) shows the smallest cellulolytic index. Three potential isolates were then tested for cellulolytic activity, with cow dung 1 (CD1) displaying promising cellulase activity. These bacterial isolates were then identified as Bacillus species, which were isolated from cow dung 1 (CD1) with maximum cellulase production. Cow dung waste is a rich source of cellulase-producing bacteria, which can be valuable and innovative enzymes for converting lignocellulosic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, numerous researchers, scientists, and industrialists are drawn towards utilizing natural fillers rather than synthetic ones because of their environmentally-friendly characteristics, lower density per unit volume and favorable mechanical attributes. Several studies have demonstrated that using organic filler in polyester matrix composites, instead of disposing of them in landfills, has various advantages. The current study focuses on the investigation of the mechanical characteristics of composite material made from a combination of bagasse, eggshell, and e-glass fibers exhibit characteristics such as strength under tension, strength under bending, resistance to indentation, and mass per unit volume. Different weight percentages of eggshell/bagasse were used to make the material using the hand lay-up technique (3wt%, 6wt%, 9wt%, and 12wt%), with 19wt% of glass fiber mixed in the resin. The use of inorganic fillers like calcium carbonate, a non-renewable mineral that may be expensive and environmentally hazardous to extract and process, is being reduced in favor of organic fillers like eggshell and bagasse, which are inexpensive and readily available. Specimens were generated by interposing fiber waste amidst chopped strand glass fiber mats, with variations in the bagasse, eggshell and polyester content, while keeping the amount of E-glass fiber constant. Afterward, the specimens were trimmed to the appropriate dimensions and subjected to analysis with a universal apparatus. The research showed that enhancing the quantity of bagasse/ eggshell fiber within the hybrid composite resulted in an enhancement of its mechanical characteristics. The best reinforcement effect was observed in a hybrid composite with 6% bagasse/eggshell fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to address pavement cracking caused by the high swell-shrink behavior of expansive soils, resulting from fluctuations in moisture content and high clay content, by using an eco-friendly nontraditional additive: sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) based geopolymer. The study involved a dry mixture of soil and SCBA, mixed with a liquid alkaline activator consisting of a fixed 70∶30 weight ratio of 1 M sodium metasilicate and 10M sodium hydroxide. By varying the SCBA content from 5% to 30% by weight of dry soil and keeping the amount of liquid alkaline activator constant, the volume change behavior of the expansive soil was observed. The swelling and compressibility characteristics of treated samples were tested using an oedometer test, while the shrinkage and plasticity characteristics were observed through consistency limit tests after 1, 3, 7, and 14 days of curing. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope tests were utilized for chemical composition and microstructural analysis. The results showed a substantial decrease in the swelling pressure, shrinkage limit, compressibility index, and plasticity index of treated samples by 100%, 100%, 90%, and 100%, respectively. The study revealed that the aluminosilicates in SCBA react with the alkaline solution to form cementitious gels, which bind the soil particles and encapsulate them, thereby stabilizing the expansive soil for volume change. These findings have significant implications for the advancement of knowledge in soil stabilization based on geopolymers, presenting an alternative solution for stabilizing pavement subgrade. Roads are crucial infrastructure that require a stable foundation. Expansive soils can pose a significant challenge in road construction, leading to road damage and increased maintenance costs due to its swelling and shrinkage behavior when moisture is added or removed (i.e., in the rainy or dry season especially). Also, the foundation of structures is critical in ensuring the safety and stability of buildings. Expansive soils can lead to cracks or structural failures. This behavior can be controlled by adding some stabilizing material. One such material used in this study is SCBA-based geopolymer. It can provide a cost-effective solution to stabilize expansive soils and enhance the road's durability by stabilizing its volume change behavior, enhancing its strength and the overall stability of the structure. The use of SCBA geopolymer has practical applications in a range of geotechnical applications such as road construction, airport runways, industrial parks, parking lots, and sports fields. By using this solution, we can improve the stability and durability of construction projects, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management and disposal of agro-wastes are the major environmental problems nowa-days and presence of substantial quantity of silica in agro-wastes made them possible to convert waste into valuable fertilizer materials. The present study aimed to extract silica from various agro-wastes such as paddy straw (PS), sugarcane bagasse (SB), maize cobs (MC) and coconut husk (CH) by exposing to various calcination temperatures (500°C, 600°C and 700°C) and characterized through XRF, FESEM-EDAX, TEM, FT-IR, XR-D and other basic properties. The recovery of silica from paddy straw calcined at 700°C was higher than that of other temperatures and sources tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Worldwide more than 7 billion tons of lignocellulosic biomass will be produced by 2025. In Colombia, these residues are mainly disposed of in rivers and open fields, and only 10% is reused and recycled. Non-centrifugal sugarcane bagasse (SCB) is a residue obtained after sugarcane juice extraction during the manufacturing process of panela and is mostly used as fuel for boilers at sugar mills. Wheat bran (WB) is the main waste from wheat flour production. Nonetheless, the chemical composition of these by-products makes them suitable for use as substrates for hemicellulolytic enzyme production from fungi. Here, a whole process for production in a solid-state fermentation system, recovery, and ultrafiltration process for concentration of xylanases by Penicillium sp. Pn004 is presented. The higher productivity (26.7 ± 1.59 U gds-1 day-1) was reached on the fifth day of fermentation with an enzyme activity of 130.0 ± 7.95 U gds-1. The batch ultrafiltration process allowed increasing the xylanase activity up to 19-fold in the retentate, from 66.47 U mL-1 to 1486.83 U mL-1, without reaching a steady state flux through the membrane. Finally, the enzymatic extract achieved a 43% release of sugar from kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus), showing its potential to be used as an additive for silage or for enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic materials for sugar production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava processing to obtain starch generates large amounts of solid waste and effluents that can become environmental liabilities. The aim of this study was to profile the cassava industries in Paraná, Brazil, regarding the use of natural resources and waste generated, as well as the environmental management strategies adopted, to identify opportunities that result in Cleaner Production (CP). A questionnaire was applied in 18 industries, and the bagasse generated in seven of them had its physical-chemical composition determined. The amount of bagasse generated ranged from 200 to 1000 kg ton-1 of processed roots, that was generally intended for animal feed; but it has potential for other applications due to its starch content (57.7 g 100 g-1) and dietary fibers (35.3 g 100 g-1). There was significant water consumption (1.50 to 19.20 m³ ton-1 of roots) resulting in high effluent generation (1.25 to 11.52 m³ ton-1 of roots), which entails costs for treatment. All the industries have biodigesters, a covered lagoon system, one of the main CP mechanisms, as it enables firewood replacement that generates greenhouse gas emissions and waste from boilers; and there is production of energy and biofertilizers. Of the industries, ~30% stood out in terms of efficiency in water consumption, generation of solid and liquid waste, with cost reduction in effluent treatment. The transfer of technologies between industries is important to promote the sustainability of the production chain, with the adoption of CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic pretreatment is an important stage in biomass utilization, which usually requires high input. In this study, a low-cost method using combined ensiling and NaOH was developed for lignocellulosic pretreatment. Sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) was ensiled for 21 days and then treated with diluted NaOH (0%, 1%, and 2%) for fermentation. The results showed that the application of Lactobacillus plantarum (L) reduced fermentation losses of the silages, mainly low water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and ammonia nitrogen loss. Meanwhile, the application of Lactobacillus plantarum and ensiling enzyme (LE) promoted lignocellulosic degradation, as evidenced by low neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin (ADL), and hemicellulosic (HC) contents. The dominant bacterial genera were Lactobacillus, uncultured_bacterium_f_Enterobacteriaceae, and Pantoea after silage, which corresponded to the higher lactic acid and acetic contents and lower pH. The reducing sugar yields of SSB increased after combined pretreatment of silage and NaOH and were further enhanced by the 2% NaOH application, as evidenced by the high reducing sugar yield and microstructure damage, especially in the L-2% NaOH group and the LE-2% NaOH group, in which the reducing sugar yields were 87.99 and 94.45%, respectively, compared with those of the no additive control (CK)-0 NaOH group. Therefore, this study provides an effective method for SSB pretreatment to enhance biomass conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeic acid (CA) is a phenolic acid compound widely used in pharmaceutical and food applications. However, the efficient synthesis of CA is usually limited by the resources of individual microbial platforms. Here, a cross-kingdom microbial consortium was developed to synthesize CA from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate using Escherichia coli and Candida glycerinogenes as chassis. In the upstream E. coli module, shikimate accumulation was improved by intensifying the shikimate synthesis pathway and blocking shikimate metabolism to provide precursors for the downstream CA synthesis module. In the downstream C. glycerinogenes module, conversion of p-coumaric acid to CA was improved by increasing the supply of the cytoplasmic cofactor FAD(H2). Further, overexpression of ABC transporter-related genes promoted efflux of CA and enhanced strain resistance to CA, significantly increasing CA titer from 103.8 mg/L to 346.5 mg/L. Subsequently, optimization of the inoculation ratio of strains SA-Ec4 and CACg27 in this cross-kingdom microbial consortium resulted in an increase in CA titer to 871.9 mg/L, which was 151.6% higher compared to the monoculture strain CA-Cg27. Ultimately, 2311.6 and 1943.2 mg/L of CA were obtained by optimization of the co-culture system in a 5 L bioreactor using mixed sugar and sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, respectively, with 17.2-fold and 14.6-fold enhancement compared to the starting strain. The cross-kingdom microbial consortium developed in this study provides a reference for the production of other aromatic compounds from inexpensive raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) bagasse (SCB) is one of the most widely produced lignocellulosic biomasses and has great potential to be recycled for sustainable food production as ruminant animal feed. However, due to severe lignification, i.e., lignin-(hemi)-cellulose complexes, ruminants can only ferment a minor fraction of the polysaccharides trapped in such recalcitrant lignocellulosic biomasses. This study was therefore designed to systematically evaluate the improvement in nutritional value, the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and the rate and extent of in vitro total gas (IVGP) and methane (CH4) production during the 72 h in vitro ruminal fermentation of SCB, bioprocessed with Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus djamor, Calocybe indica and Pleurotus ostreatus under solid-state fermentation (SSF) for 0, 21 and 56 days. The contents of neutral detergent fiber, lignin, hemicellulose and CH4 production (% of IVGP) decreased (p < 0.05), whereas crude protein (CP), IVDMD and total IVGP increased (p < 0.05) after the treatment of SCB for 21 and 56 days with all white-rot fungi (WRF) species. The greatest (p < 0.05) improvement in CP (104.1%), IVDMD (38.8%) and IVGP (49.24%) and the greatest (p < 0.05) reduction in lignin (49.3%) and CH4 (23.2%) fractions in total IVGP were recorded for SCB treated with C. indica for 56 days. Notably, C. indica degraded more than (p < 0.05) lignin and caused greater (p < 0.05) improvement in IVDMD than those recorded for other WRF species after 56 days. The increase in IVGP was strongly associated with lignin degradation (R2 = 0.72) and a decrease in the lignin-to-cellulose ratio (R2 = 0.95) during the bioprocessing of SCB. Our results demonstrated that treatment of SCB with (selective) lignin-degrading WRF can improve the nutritional value and digestibility of SCB, and C. indica presents excellent prospects for the rapid, selective and more extensive degradation of lignin and, as such, for the improvement in nutritional value and digestibility of SCB for ruminant nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass holds significant promise for environmentally friendly biofuel production, offering an alternative to fossil fuels. This study focused on the isolation and characterization of two novel delignifying bacteria, GIET1 and GIET2, to enhance cellulose accessibility by lignin degradation. Molecular characterization confirmed their genetic identities, providing valuable microbial resources for biofuel production. Our results revealed distinct preferences for temperature, pH, and incubation period for the two bacteria. Bacillus haynesii exhibited optimal performance under moderate conditions and shorter incubation period, making it suitable for rice straw and sugarcane bagasse pretreatment. In contrast, Paenibacillus alvei thrived at higher temperatures and slightly alkaline pH, requiring a longer incubation period ideal for corn stalk pretreatment. These strain-specific requirements highlight the importance of tailoring pretreatment conditions to specific feedstocks. Structural, chemical, and morphological analyses demonstrated that microbial pretreatment reduced the amorphous lignin, increasing cellulose crystallinity and accessibility. These findings underscore the potential of microbial pretreatment to enhance biofuel production by modifying the lignocellulosic biomass. Such environmentally friendly bioconversion processes offer sustainable and cleaner energy solutions. Further research to optimize these methods for scalability and broader application is necessary in the pursuit for more efficient and greener biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of platform chemicals and hydrochar is of great interest because they reduce dependence on fossil resources and contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing carbon emissions. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biomass particle size and biomass-to-water ratio in a hydrothermal conversion system for the generation of value-added products obtained from sugarcane bagasse. Biomass characterization was performed using proximal, elemental, and structural analysis; hydrothermal carbonization was carried out at 220 and 260 °C for one hour; and conversion was monitored using pH, conductivity, and IR spectroscopy. Platform chemicals were quantified using HPLC-IR. Hydrochars were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Optimizing biomass particle size and water ratio is crucial for maximizing the yield of platform chemicals and hydrochar. The study's outcomes revealed that specific combinations, such as a biomass-to-water ratio of 1:50 and a particle size of 212 μm at 220 °C, resulted in a substantial 31.07% yield of platform chemicals on a dry basis. This highlights the critical role these parameters play in influencing the production efficiency of valuable chemicals. Furthermore, variations in biomass particle size and water ratio also affect the characteristics of hydrochar. For instance, utilizing a biomass-to-water ratio of 1:50 and a larger particle size of 600 μm at 260 °C led to the production of hydrochar with higher carbon content and increased porosity. These findings underscore how adjustments in these factors can impact not only chemical yields, but also the properties and quality of the resulting hydrochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage of cellulosic fibers as fillers for thermoplastics has generated great interest due to their numerous advantages and benefits compared to conventional fibers. This article examines a comparative study on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE)/cellulose (sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and softwood (SW)) blend composites prepared through melt compounding. The morphology of the obtained PP/PE/SCB and PP/PE/SW blend composites was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed reduced crystallinity of the PP/PE blend after fiber interaction. Thermal results showed that the PP/PE/SW blend was more thermally stable compared to the PP/PE/SCB blend. Additionally, the onset temperature of main degradation decreased with th e incorporation of extracted celluloses. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that the introduction of SCB or SW raw fiber and extracted celluloses did not significantly change the melting and crystallization behavior of the PP/PE blend. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that the storage modulus of the PP/PE/SCB raw and PP/PE/SW raw materials were lower than their corresponding cellulose blend composites across the temperature range studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Briquetted biomass, like sugarcane bagasse, a by-product of sugar mills, is a renewable energy source. This study aimed at the production and characterization of bagasse briquettes. The production of briquettes was carried out with different blending ratios (5, 10, and 15%) and average particle sizes (0.75, 2.775, and 4.8 mm) with various binders of cow dung, waste paper, and admixture (molasses and wastepaper). The bagasse underwent drying, size reduction, sieving, binder addition, and densification using a manual press during the briquetting process. Characterization of the physical and combustion parameters of briquettes, such as density, shatter resistance, proximate, and calorific value, followed the American Society for Testing and Materials procedures. The result shows that the maximum density of briquettes was 0.804 g/cm3, while shatter resistance varied from 83.051 to 94.975% (4.8mm, 5% cow dung and 0.75mm, 5% admixture binders respectively). ANOVA analysis showed that the factors and their interactions had a significant influence (p value < 0.05) on the physical properties. The optimum parameters of briquettes achieved were 14.953% admixture binder, 0.776 mm particle size, 0.805 g/cm3 density, and 95.811% shatter resistance. Bagasse briquettes with a 5% cow dung binder achieved a high calorific value of 39927.05 kcal/kg. The ultimate analysis revealed a composition of 47.49% carbon (C), 5.133% hydrogen (H), 1.557% nitrogen (N), 0.374% sulfur (S), and 45.446% oxygen (O). Therefore, bagasse has a high calorific value and can be used for briquetting to replace fossil fuel and firewood in different applications. In addition, due to its availability, utilizing as fuel source has economic advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe drilling industry is one of the main sectors of the oil industry, and oil drilling is one of the most specialized industrial activities. Large-scale production of sugarcane bagasse in Khuzestan Province creates an environmental opportunity to utilize this agricultural byproduct in different sections as a valuable byproduct. This study aimed to investigate the ability of the raw form of bagasse and its transformed structure in heavy metal fixation in drilling mud and to investigate the efficiency of crude bagasse, processed bagasse, and biochar adsorbents in removing heavy metals from the drilling mud residues of Ahvaz oil field.MethodsSampling of drilling mud waste from Mishan Geological Formation (MGF) and Aghajari Geological Formation (AGF) was done on a vibrating sieve. The treatments examined in this research include the contact time in six levels (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min), amount of the adsorbent in three levels (0.1, 0.5, and 1 g), adsorbent type in three levels (crude bagasse, processed bagasse, and biochar), and the formation type in two levels (Aghajari and Mishan). After chemical digestion, the samples were placed in contact with crude bagasse, processed bagasse, and biochar according to the designed conditions. Then, the removal percentages of Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb were calculated. Means were compared using Duncan’s test at the 1% level.Results and Discussion The results showed that the biochar adsorbent is the most efficient compared to other adsorbents. The maximum removal percentages of heavy metals Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb by crude bagasse are 72.53%, 68.89%, 79.49%, 76.88%, 49.42%, and 85%, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the maximum removal percentages of heavy metals Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb by crude bagasse are 81/72%, 83/89%, 86/67%, 83/44%, 64/41%, and 90.72%, respectively. The maximum efficiency of biochar for adsorbing heavy metals Ba, Ni, V, Cd, Fe, and Pb is 90.70%, 91.84%, 88.89%, 88.75%, 78.59%, and 97.75%, respectively. The maximum amount of heavy metals adsorbed by all adsorbents was 1 gr/L, and the adsorption efficiency increased by increasing the amount of the adsorbent from 0.2 to 1 gr/L. In examining the effect of contact time, the maximum removal percentage of heavy metals barium and cadmium was obtained in 120 min, nickel and lead in 90 min, and vanadium and iron in 60 min. After the above contact times, there was no increase in the maximum percentage of metal removal.

This study investigated the compression molding of hybrid composite materials using waste concrete powder (WCP) and bagasse fiber (BF) as a novel reuse procedure for waste concrete. The matrix of the composite material was applied to powder-type polyethylene (PE) to facilitate the compression molding of the gas vent. The WCP was obtained by milling siliceous waste concrete using a pot mill procedure. The main constituent of the WCP was quartz. The flexural strength and modulus of the hybrid composite material, in which BF was added to mix the powder with PE and WCP, increased with increasing BF content and exhibited a maximum value at a BF content of 30 wt. %. Next, to improve the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite material, we attempted to improve the adhesiveness between PE and BF by increasing the molding temperature. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composite material with a BF content of 40 wt. % exhibited the highest values at a molding temperature of 413 K. Furthermore, by increasing the WCP content in the hybrid composite material with a BF content of 40 wt. %, the flexural strength exhibited the maximum value at a WCP content of 20 wt. %. Therefore, it was revealed that the composite material using PE powder and WCP could be strengthened by adding BF.

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of citric acid treatment on the particleboard properties obtained by mixing three types of lignocellulosic sources. The board was produced by mixing garden tree branches, bagasse and palm leaves in different mass portions (90:5:5, 70:15:15, 50:25:25). Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin was used at two levels as 10 % surface layer and 8 % middle layer, and 8 % surface layer and 6 % middle layer based on the raw materials. Citric acid was used at three levels of 0, 10, and 20 % by weight. The physical and mechanical properties of particleboards are measured according to the European Standard EN. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to distinguish the effect of citric acid treatment on the particles. The results showed that, when the amount of citric acid increased, the water absorption of panels decreased, and the mechanical properties improved. As garden tree branch content in the particleboard increased, so did the total resistance. According to the results of this study, the particleboards containing 70 % garden tree branches, 0 % citric acid, and 8 % UF resin, as well as those of 50 % garden tree branches, 0 % citric acid, and 10 % UF resin can be used for type P1 boards (bending strength of 10 MPa and 0.24 MPa internal bonding). In comparison, the boards containing 90 % garden tree branches, 10 % citric acid and 10 % UF resin were proposed for type P2 boards (bending strength of 11 MPa, modulus of elasticity of 1600 MPa and internal bonding of 0.35 MPa).

Abstract Briquetted biomass, like sugarcane bagasse, a by-product of sugar mills, is a renewable energy source. This study aimed at the production and characterization of bagasse briquettes. The production of briquettes was carried out with different blending ratios (5, 10, and 15%) and average particle sizes (0.75, 2.775, and 4.8 mm) with various binders of cow dung, waste paper, and admixture (molasses and wastepaper). The bagasse underwent drying, size reduction, sieving, binder addition, and densification using a manual press during the briquetting process. Characterization of the physical and combustion parameters of briquettes, such as density, shatter resistance, proximate, and calorific value, followed the American Society for Testing and Materials procedures. The result shows that the maximum density of briquettes was 0.804 g/cm3, while shatter resistance varied from 83.051 to 94.975% (4.8mm, 5% cow dung and 0.75mm, 5% admixture binders respectively). ANOVA analysis showed that the factors and their interactions had a significant influence (p value

Byproducts from the sugarcane manufacturing process, specifically sugarcane molasses (SM) and sugarcane bagasse (SB), can be used as alternative raw materials for sorbitol production via the biological fermentation process. This study investigated the production of sorbitol from SM and sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (SBH) using a thermally adapted Zymomonas mobilis ZM AD41. Various combinations of SM and SBH on sorbitol production using batch fermentation process were tested. The results revealed that SM alone (FM1) or a mixture of SM and SBH at a ratio of 3:1 (FM2) based on the sugar mass in the raw material proved to be the best condition for sorbitol production by ZM AD41 at 37 °C. Further optimization conditions for sorbitol production revealed that a sugar concentration of 200 g/L and a CaCl2 concentration of 5.0 g/L yielded the highest sorbitol content. The maximum sorbitol concentrations produced by ZM AD41 in the fermentation medium containing SM (FM1) or a mixture of SM and SBH (FM2) were 31.23 and 30.45 g/L, respectively, comparable to those reported in the literature using sucrose or a mixture of sucrose and maltose as feedstock. These results suggested that SBH could be used as an alternative feedstock to supplement or blend with SM for sustainable sorbitol production. In addition, the fermentation conditions established in this study could also be applied to large-scale sorbitol production. Moreover, the thermally adapted Z. mobilis ZM AD41 is also a promising sorbitol-producing bacterium for large-scale production at a relatively high fermentation temperature using agricultural byproducts, specifically SM and SB, as feedstock, which could reduce the operating cost due to minimizing the energy required for the cooling system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several industrial uses for carbon black (CB), an extremely fine powdered form of elemental carbon that is made up of coalesced particle aggregates and almost spherical colloidal particles. Most carbon black is produced from petroleum-derived feedstock, so there is a need to find an alternative method to produce CB, which relies on renewable resources such as algae and agricultural waste. A process involving hydrolysis, carbonization, and pyrolysis of green algae and sugarcane bagasse was developed, as the optimal hydrolysis conditions (16N sulfuric acid, 70 °C, 1 h, 1:30 g/ml GA or SC to sulfuric acid ratio), a hydrolysis ratio of 62% for SC and 85% for GA were achieved. The acidic solution was carbonized using a water bath, and the solid carbon was then further pyrolyzed at 900 °C. The obtained carbon black has a high carbon content of about 90% which is confirmed by EDX, XRD, and XPS analysis. By comparison carbon black from sugar cane bagasse (CBB) and carbon black from green algae Ulva lactuca (CBG) with commercial carbon black (CCB) it showed the same morphology which was confirmed by SEM analysis. The BET data, showed the high specific surface area of prepared CB, which was 605 (m2/g) for CBB and 424 (m2/g) for CBG compared with commercial carbon black (CBB) was 50 (m2/g), also the mean pore diameter of CBB, CBG and CCB indicated that CBB and CBG were rich in micropores, but CCB was rich in mesoporous according to IUPAC classification. This study might have created a technique that can be used to make carbon black from different kinds of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]