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The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) approach is widely used in sample pretreatment in agricultural products, food, environment, etc. And nano-materials are widely used in QuEChERS method due to its small size and large specific surface area. In this review, we examine the typical applications of several commonly used nano-materials in improved QuEChERS method. These materials include multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and their derivatives, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), graphene oxide (GO), lipid and protein adsorbent (LPAS), cucurbituril (CBs), and carbon nano-cages (CNCs), and so on. The strengths and weaknesses of each nano-material are presented, as well as the challenging aspects that need to be addressed in future research. By comparing the applications and the current technology development, this review suggests utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to screen suitable combinations of purification agents and performing virtual simulation experiments to verify the reliability of this methodology. By doing so, we aim to accelerate the development of new products and decrease the cost of innovation. It also recommends designing smarter pretreatment instruments to enhance the convenience and automation of the sample pretreatment process and reduce the margin for human error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of wood‐plastic composites (WPCs) with high filling fibers and excellent physical properties remained a great challenge. This study used Camellia oleifera shell (COS, agroforestry product waste) as raw material, and prepared 60 wt% COS/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) WPCs using profile extrusion method through pretreating fibers including hot water, hot steam, alkali, acid, extraction, and fine fiber screening. After pretreatments, the relative contents of cellulose and lignin increased, the relative contents of hemicellulose and extract decreased significantly, and the length‐diameter ratio was improved. The flexural strength, tensile strength and impact strength of hot water and steam heat treated composites reached 31.4, 17.1 MPa and 6.9 kJ/m2, 31.8, 16.8 MPa and 6.7 kJ/m2, respectively. Compared with untreated 28.8, 14.7 MPa and 5.5 kJ/m2, the advantages were more obvious. Alkali treatment and acid treatment improved the thermal stability and residue rate of the material. Extraction treatment and alkali treatment significantly reduced the processing torque force, which was conducive to processing, while acid treatment was the opposite. The highest water absorption and thickness expansion rate were 13.75% and 3.60% respectively at 7 days after alkali treatment, which were considerably higher than 5.60% and 0.78% without treatment, while other pretreatments improved the dimensional stability of the material. Highlights: High filling Camellia oleifera shell waste/HDPE composites were prepared.Physical and chemical pretreatments improved interfacial adhesion of the composites.Heat treatments significantly improved mechanical performance of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical Application Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are the waste byproducts of coffee brewing. While SCG can be valorized to produce functional biopolymers due to their valuable structural components, the lignocellulosic structure of SCG is resistant to degradation because of the tightly bound lignin. Therefore, a pretreatment step is required before pulping with peracetic acid (PAA), an eco‐friendlier alternative to traditional pulping methods, to facilitate the extraction of these desired cellulosic materials. Formic acid:acetic acid:deionized water (FA:AA:W = 30:50:20) or 60% (v/v) ethanol pretreatments were applied to SCG to compare the characteristics of the resulting cellulosic materials after PAA pulping. Lignocellulose analysis showed that the lignin content (7.06%) of ethanol pretreated SCG was significantly lower (p < 0.05), and the cellulose content (29.52%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the untreated SCG (15.50% and 11.50%, respectively), indicating that an adequate amount of lignin was removed to obtain the cellulosic materials after the pretreatment process. Morphological and structural changes in the lignin and hemicellulose were observed in all the pretreated SCG, which further confirmed that these components were degraded with pretreatments and pulping. Ethanol pretreated SCG showed the most optimal results based on the greatest lignin decrease seen from its lignocellulose composition, appearance, and structure. This study exemplified a conversion process to extract cellulosic materials from SCG more efficiently to utilize for cellulose‐based products and verify its potential to be valorized as a waste byproduct.Coffee companies can provide the spent coffee grounds (SCG) they produce to develop cellulose‐based materials to make biodegradable packaging products rather than throwing them out or burning them. Using SCG for producing cellulose‐based materials can help promote sustainability and reduce food waste worldwide. SCG can be utilized as an alternative source based on their abundance and desired biopolymeric properties, providing innovative solutions to industries and increasing consumer awareness of this cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy security is a critical global challenge in the transition to sustainable development. Anaerobic digestion (AD) offers a promising renewable energy solution that mitigates environmental impacts. Algae, as biomass feedstock, have shown significant potential for bioenergy production; however, their complex chemical composition poses challenges to the efficiency of the AD process. To address these limitations, various pretreatment methods have been applied to enhance biogas production. In this study, we performed a comprehensive meta‐analysis to evaluate the effects of different pretreatments on methane (CH₄) yields from both microalgae and macroalgae. Our results demonstrate that biological, physical, and combined chemical–physical pretreatments significantly improve CH₄ production in microalgae, with increases of up to 141%, 125%, and 151%, respectively. For macroalgae, physical pretreatments were the most effective, leading to a 129% increase in CH₄ yield. We also estimate that utilizing just 10% of the global algal biomass production (3.6 Mt) could generate over 5.5 TWh y−1 of energy. This potential could be doubled with the application of appropriate pretreatment strategies. These findings highlight the role of algae in advancing renewable energy production and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on optimizing AD processes for cleaner energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three emerging non-thermal pretreatment methods, including cold plasma, ultrasound, and ozone water, were utilized to pretreat garlic slices before drying process. The garlic slices were then dried by hot air drying at 60 °C. The study investigated the drying kinetics, color, rehydration ratio (RR), allicin content (AC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and microstructure of the garlic slices. The results showed that ultrasound and ozone water pretreatment can significantly enhance drying kinetics. In comparison to untreated samples, garlic slices pretreated with ultrasound for 20 min exhibited a 55.96% increase in moisture effective diffusivity (Deff). Garlic pretreated with ultrasound exhibited the best rehydration properties, yet it retained the lowest levels of allicin content and antioxidant activity. Encouragingly, samples treated with ozone water demonstrated the best nutritional quality properties, with approximately 7.85% higher AC, 25.90% higher TPC, and 12.31% higher antioxidant activity compared to untreated samples. The study also emphasizes notable alterations in the microstructure of garlic resulting from various pretreatments. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing garlic drying processes using emerging non-thermal pretreatment techniques, showcasing their potential for industrial applications and quality enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, fresh wolfberry in the current season was used as the experimental material, and a radio frequency (RF)-hot air combined segmented drying process was adopted for berry preservation. Ultrasonic treatment, hot water blanching, sucrose infiltration, ultrasonic and blanching, ultrasonic and infiltration, and NaOH and NaCl solution impregnation were used for pre-treatment of combined drying. Taking natural drying and conventional Na2CO3 dewaxing treatment as the control group, the effects of different pretreatment methods on drying characteristics, quality, and microstructure of wolfberry during combined drying were investigated. The drying time after ultrasonic and blanching pretreatment was the shortest (13.5 h), which effectively retained total flavonoids (1.79 mg/g) and enhanced their antioxidant activity (I = 60.78%). NaCl impregnation treatment significantly increased the total phenol content (8.77 mg/g), whereas the retention rate of soluble sugar (0.73 g/g), ascorbic acid (3.96 mg/100 g), betaine (2.72%), and other nutrients increased significantly after ultrasonic and infiltration treatment, with improved color, rehydration rate and microstructure over other treatment methods. The Weibull distribution function can accurately describe the RF-hot air combined drying process of wolfberry after different pretreatment, and simulated results were consistent with the results of the combined drying characteristic curve of wolfberry. The aim of this study was to explore suitable pretreatment methods to improve the drying rate and ensure the quality of dried products of wolfberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting a suitable pretreatment process for pharmaceutical wastewater that is difficult to treat biochemically so that it can enter the subsequent biochemical treatment. In this study, pharmaceutical wastewater consisting of 45 g/L sodium bisulfate, 9 g/L 3-hydroxyacetophenone (3-HAP), and 36.75 g/L sulfuric acids,which is a kind of typical pharmaceutical wastewater, was used for the pretreatment case study, and the process was screened by technology. A salting-out crystallization+Fenton system(SC-F) was developed for the treatment of this wastewater. The salting-out agent is formed by the pH adjustment process without additional additions and the salting-out crystallization effect is significant for the precipitation of 3-HAP from the wastewater. Subsequently, the optimal operating conditions for SC-F were derived from experiments as H2O2 of 0.4692 mol/L, n(H2O2):n(Fe2+)=30:1, pH=3. Under optimal conditions, the reaction time of 2 h achieved a COD removal rate of 90% and a BOD/COD value of 0.56, confirming the effectiveness of the technology in treating this wastewater. Additionally, it was discovered that the Fenton treatment was not significantly impacted by the inorganic components of the effluent. Analysis of effluent properties and possible effects on subsequent treatment by LC-MS and toxicity analysis. The results show that the biodegradability are enhanced by the pretreatment technology. However, the effluent still suffers from high acidity and high salt content, and this study proposes a solution to this problem. Furthermore, research on the treatment of 3-HAP wastewater has not been reported and this study provides a new case study in the field of wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the drive to reduce carbon emissions, the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has surged, with Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) emerging as the preferred power source due to their environmental benefits and technical advantages. LIBs contain a significant proportion (12%—20%) of graphite, crucial for their anode's electrode active material, sourced primarily through mining and synthesis. However, concerns arise as a few countries, notably China, Turkey, and Brazil, control over 78% of the world's natural graphite reserves, highlighting potential supply chain risks. In addition to that, synthesizing graphite is expensive, and with the ever-increasing demand for EVs, the prices are expected to increase even further. Recycling graphite from waste LIBs extracted from EVs and electronic devices could potentially be a secondary source of graphite. This recycled graphite source can mitigate supply chain risk, preserve natural resources, lower prices, and decrease environmental pollution. This comprehensive review examines various pretreatment techniques and methodologies for recycling graphite from waste LIBs. It also provides a comparative discussion on the purity and recovery of graphite, its challenges, and prospects in LIB recycling technologies. This review serves as a valuable guide for researchers seeking sustainable practices and recycling methodologies in the EV industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing volume of textile waste in landfills and incineration poses severe environmental challenges. Waste valorisation of textile waste via anaerobic digestion (AD) is preferable, as it offers economic and environmental benefits, but it is hindered by textile complexity, necessitating effective pretreatment technologies to improve biogas production. This study aims to evaluate various pretreatment technologies for biogas production from textile fibres via AD. A weighted‐scoring analysis (WSA) assessed pretreatment methods based on technical, economic, environmental and operational criteria. Hydrothermal pretreatment emerged as the most technically effective method, scoring 140 owing to its substantial methane enhancement. Economically, shredding was the most viable option, scoring 125, as a consequence of low capital and O&M cost. Environmentally, hydrothermal and deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatments were top performers with 100 points owing to low environmental impact and positive heat reactions. In a case study conducted in the Auckland region, the potential environmental impact (PEI) obtained from hydrothermal and DES were 169 and 92 per year, respectively, resulting in minimal environmental impact. Operationally, ultrasonic and biological pretreatments scored highest owing to their ease of operation, and minimal health and safety requirements. Overall, hydrothermal pretreatment achieved the highest WSA score of 340, reflecting its balanced performance across all criteria. Hydrothermal pretreatment is the most promising technology for enhancing biogas production from textile waste. Its technical efficiency, economic feasibility and environmental benefits regarding the WSA score make it suitable for upscaling and providing a viable solution for managing textile waste in the AD plant. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for industrial production of nano-scaled WC powders has been proposed. In this work, WO 2.9 is subject to pre-reduction, followed by jet-milling treatment. The precursor is then mixed with carbon black by ball milling, and directly reduced-carbonized to nano-scaled WC powders. The WC powders prepared at different carbonization temperatures were made into alloys and micro drills, revealing the influence of powder properties on the microstructure and properties of the alloys through comparative analysis. The results indicate that when WO 2.9 powder is reduced at 700 °C for 1h and then jet-milled at a rotational speed of the grading wheel of 3500 rpm, the aggregates in the powder can be effectively broken, and the precursor powders with fine particle size and near-single phase can be obtained. In this way, the equipment exhibits relatively high productivity. By comparing the microstructure and properties of the alloy prepared from raw materials at different carbonization temperatures, it can be seen that if the carbonization temperature is too high, the average particle size of the powder increases and agglomeration appears in the microstructure. An increase in the average particle size of the powder will lead to an increase in the average grain size of the prepared alloys, thereby reducing the hardness and the wear resistance during service. In addition, the agglomerated particles in the powders can easily lead to abnormal WC grain growth in the microstructure of the prepared alloys, which reduces the bending strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely known that most of the world's energy is produced from non-renewable energy sources such as crude oil and coal. Hydrogen is an ideal fuel candidate with a high energy content and clean combustion product. Biohydrogen is an environmentally friendly, renewable biofuel with high energy density, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels in the future. At the same time, despite the large number of articles on the intensification of both dark fermentation and anaerobic bioconversion in general, the operating costs of the proposed intensification methods are not well covered in the literature. The goal of the work was to estimate the conversion coefficient of thermal and electrical energy spent on the functioning of the process of dark fermentation of various organic wastes into the energy of produced hydrogen. A block diagram of the energy flows of the dark fermentation system and the structure of the energy consumption of the system were developed. The obtained literature and experimental data suggest that the conversion coefficient of energy into biohydrogen in the process of dark fermentation is less than 1, so to obtain 1 kWh of hydrogen it is necessary to expend more than 1 kWh of energy. At the same time, the use of a vortex layer apparatus for dark fermentation of the food waste model made it possible to increase the energy output of the process by more than 7 times, thereby bringing the values of the conversion coefficients of thermal and electrical energy closer to 1. Despite the fact that the energy efficiency of most known methods for producing hydrogen is higher than the energy efficiency of dark fermentation, it is worth noting that the raw material for producing hydrogen in the dark fermentation process is organic waste, and not high-energy fuel (natural gas, methane, coal) or water in the case of electrolysis. In addition, the use of a vortex layer apparatus for pre-treatment of the dark fermentation substrate made it possible to achieve electricity conversion coefficient values 40% higher than with water electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-harvest pre-cooling of water bamboo shoots (WBS) [Zizania latifolia] can effectively delay its quality deterioration. Six types of pre-cooling treatments were used to pre-cooling post-harvest WBS, including cold slightly acidic electrolytic water pre-cooling (CSAEW), cold water pre-cooling (CWPC), vacuum pre-cooling (VPC), strong wind pre-cooling (SWPC), refrigerator pre-cooling (RPC), and fluid ice pre-cooling (FIPC). The effects of different pre-cooling treatments on the quality of refrigerated WBS were investigated. The results showed that the FIPC treatment was harmful to the storage quality of WBS, while the other five pre-cooling treatments could extend the shelf life of WBS to some extent. These pre-cooling treatments can inhibit the respiration of WBS, slow down its weight loss and lignification process, and maintain its relatively high levels of nutrient content and antioxidant activity. The CSAEW treatment outperformed other treatments in terms of bactericidal action and microbiological content control for WBS during storage. The protective effect of CSAEW treatment on the storage quality of WBS was relatively the best, and extended the shelf life of WBS by 12 days compared to the control group. This study indicated that the CSAEW pre-cooling treatment offers a new choice for pre-cooling root vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the sintering phenomenon that easily occurs during the direct combustion of molded fuel made from fungus bran (FB). To investigate the key factors influencing sintering, experiments are designed and conducted using a muffle furnace and a high-temperature drop furnace. The experimental results show that the combustion temperature is the primary factor triggering the sintering phenomenon. To effectively mitigate this issue, this study proposes two improvement strategies: water washing pretreatment and the use of additives. The analysis shows that water washing pretreatment effectively removes K and Mg elements, with the removal rates increasing as the washing temperature and time increase. Specifically, the removal rate of K ranges from 37.68% to 55.91%, and that of Mg ranges from 33.16% to 58.52%. Water washing pretreatment also reduces the degree of sintering; at 1400 °C, the TSF (tendency to slag formation) of the fuel increases by 25–40% after pretreatment, with a greater increases observed at higher washing temperatures and longer durations. Kaolin, used as an additive, significantly raises the ash melting point of FB and alleviates sintering, while P2O5 exacerbates it. Increasing the proportion of kaolin does not significantly enhance the TSF of high-temperature ash, but raising the P2O5 content from 5% to 10% lowers the TSF by 10–20% at the corresponding temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose is a robust material with a broad spectrum of potential applications. Manufacturing nanocellulose has garnered greater interest recently and is currently the European economy's second-highest priority. It is possible to extract from plants' biomass using various methods, which are divided broadly into various categories. The kind of biomass, the desired qualities of the nanocellulose, and the production size all have a role in selecting the pretreatment and extraction process. Several pretreatment and extraction techniques for nanocellulose from plant biomass are covered in this review, along with the variables that affect method selection. Developing scalable, effective production processes for nanocellulose is crucial for commercializing technologies. The current processes to create nanocellulose are still somewhat inefficient, and industrial scale-up is challenging. Future studies are likely to focus on efficient, scalable techniques for reducing down cell walls from plants and lower-cost nanocellulose synthesis using clean energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPLs) and nanoplastics (NPLs) are smaller particles derived from larger plastic material, polymerization, or refuse. In context to environmental health, they are separated into the industrially-created "primary" category or the degradation derivative "secondary" category where the particles exhibit different physiochemical characteristics that attenuate their toxicities. However, some particle types are more well documented in terms of their fate in the environment and potential toxicological effects (secondary) versus their industrial fabrication and chemical characterization (primary). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR/µ-FTIR), Raman/µ-Raman, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-NMR), Curie Point-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (CP-gc-MS), Induced Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Field Flow Fractionation-Multiple Angle Light Scattering (FFF-MALS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TGA), Differential Mobility Particle [Sizing] (DMPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microspectroscopy (STXM) are reviewed as part of a suite of characterization methods for physiochemical ascertainment and distinguishment. In addition, Optical-Photothermal Infrared Microspectroscopy (O-PTIR), Z-Stack Confocal Microscopy, Mueller Matrix Polarimetry, and Digital Holography (DH) are touched upon as a suite of cutting-edge modes of characterization. Organizations, like the water treatment or waste management industry, and those in groups that bring awareness to this issue, which are in direct contact with the hydrosphere, can utilize these techniques in order to sense and remediate this plastic polymer pollution. The primary goal of this review paper is to highlight the extent of plastic pollution in the environment as well as introduce its effect on the biodiversity of the planet while underscoring current characterization techniques in this field of research. The secondary goal involves illustrating current and theoretical avenues in which future research needs to address and optimize MPL/NPL remediation, utilizing nanotechnology, before this sleeping giant of a problem awakens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates bioethanol production from switchgrass, focusing on enhancement of efficiency through various pretreatment methods and comparing two bioethanol production processes: simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). Physical, chemical, and biological pretreatment processes are applied to enhance the breakdown of switchgrass's lignocellulosic structure. Effects of pretreatments, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation on ethanol yield are discussed in detail. The comparative analysis reveals that SSF yields higher ethanol outputs within shorter times by integrating hydrolysis and fermentation into a single process. In contrast, SHF offers more control by separating these stages. The comparative analysis highlights that SSF achieves higher ethanol yields more efficiently, although it might restrict SHF's operational flexibility. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current pretreatments, hydrolysis methods, and fermentation processes in bioethanol production from switchgrass, offering insights into their scalability, economic viability, and potential environmental benefits. The findings are expected to contribute to the ongoing discussions and developments in renewable bioenergy solutions, supporting advancing more sustainable and efficient bioethanol production techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wool is a kind of natural protein fiber with excellent characteristics such as fullness of hand and excellent warmth retention. Its products belong to high-grade textiles and are favored by consumers at home and abroad. However due to the unique scale layer structure on the surface of wool fibers products thereof are prone to felting during processing washing and use which seriously affects the wearability of the fabric. Therefore the problem of shrink-proofing has always been one of the key research issues in the field of wool spinning. At present most of the shrink-proof wool products on the market are obtained by chlorination. The chlorination method has low cost and good shrink-proof effect but the process of this method will produce adsorbable organic halide AOX which brings serious environmental pollution problems. Protease anti-shrinkage treatment is an ecological anti-shrinkage processing technology that has been mainly studied at present. It has the advantages of mild and safe reaction conditions and easy degradation of waste liquid. However most of the enzymatic shrink-proofing uses proteases from microorganisms and animals. These proteases enter the fiber through the gap of wool scales during the shrink-proof finishing process and hydrolyze the CMC layer and the cortex layer at the same time so that the internal cortex structure of the wool fiber is rapidly disintegrated resulting in a significant reduction in fiber strength. The bromelain is a thiol protease derived from plants and its effect on wool tends to be 'hydrolysis mode' . Its hydrolysis object is mainly keratin of wool scale layer which will not lead to 'rotten core' phenomenon. Therefore it has little damage to the mechanical properties of wool. To solve the problem of heavy pollution of chlorination method and great damage of wool fibers caused by animal protease the anti-felting finishing of wool fabrics was carried out by the combination of bromelain and pretreatment. The pretreatment used a self-made pretreatment agent A which is a sulfinate. It can decompose hyposulfite with strong reducibility in hot alkali solution to destroy the disulfide bond of the fiber so as to achieve the purpose of loosening the protein chain segment for subsequent bromelain treatment. In this study the optimum treatment temperature and time of pretreatment agent A were first investigated and then the effect of the mass fraction of pretreatment agent A on the antishrinkage effect of the fabric in the pretreatment-bromelain two-bath finishing was investigated. Finally scanning electron microscopy SEM surface energy spectrum EDS and other test methods were used to analyze the action mode of pretreatment agent A and bromelain on wool fibers and the performance changed before and after fabric treatment. The results show that bromelain can effectively improve the anti-felting performance of wool fabrics on the basis of pretreatment. The finished fabric has a felting rate of 5. 29% which meets the Woolmark Company's machine-washable standard felting rate < 6% and the strength loss rate is only 4. 10% . In addition it has good wettability and dyeing properties. A series of characterization test results prove that bromelain has a good degradation effect on wool scale layer but it only has a weak hydrolysis effect on the fiber interior so as to reduce the felting rate of wool fabrics and control the strength loss rate at a small level. In this study the self-made pretreatment agent A and bromelain were combined to treat wool fabrics in two baths. The pretreatment agent A and bromelain complemented each other and the anti-felting finishing with low strength loss rate was realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods of the pretreatment of reeds (grinding, hydrothermal treatment, treatment with acid or alkali solutions, organosolv, deep eutectic solvents) and their effect on the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase and hemicellulase complexes have been studied. Substrates with the highest reactivity were obtained by exposing the reeds to a weakly alkaline deep eutectic solvent (DES) and an alkali solution. The depth of enzymatic hydrolysis of these pretreated substrates was 63 and 59%, and the degree of conversion of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) into monosaccharides taking into account the yield of the substrate at the preprocessing stage was 60 and 34%, respectively. After pretreatment of the reeds with acid DES, water steam, water, or a water/organic solution of sulfuric acid, the depth of enzymatic hydrolysis was 45, 25, 20, and 11% and the degree of polysaccharide conversion was 26, 18, 13, and 10%, respectively. The industrial enzyme preparation Agrocell Plus with a predominant content of cellobiohydrolases and endoglucanases was most effective in hydrolyzing the dust fraction of the reed, as was the reed pretreated with a solution of sulfuric acid or DES (acidic or alkaline). The industrial enzyme preparation Agroxil Plus, containing endoxylanase and cellobiohydrolases, was more effective in hydrolyzing the reed after hydrothermal pretreatment or alkali solution. The results of the hydrolysis of the reed pretreated with acidic or weakly alkaline DES under the action of individual (homogeneous) cellulases indicate that in both cases the key enzyme was cellobiohydrolase 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most crucial factors in determining the consumer acceptability of processed or non-processed food products is their textural characteristics. Textural properties of food items can be created during processing by different techniques, one of which is drying. Drying which is one of the most widely used preservation methods of food products can extend their shelf life and generate unique sensory characteristics. The complicated process of drying is characterized by massive deformations while simultaneously transferring heat and moisture. Texture parameters of the dried food products vary depending on the type of dried food product (fruit and vegetables, grain and cereals, meat and marine), including the final volume, porosity, crust formation, and bulk density. Thus, this review focused on the examination of the textural characteristics of dried food items, the impact of the drying process, and the applied method on textural parameters. This study has also investigated the importance of pretreatment methods in improving the textural properties and quality of dried products. Furthermore, this review also considers the importance of modeling for texture prediction, discussing the different modeling approaches and their principles and applications. Recent applied nondestructive methods for textural analysis have been discussed in terms of application and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass resources are abundant and have huge production capacity. Reasonably and efficiently converting biomass can not only alleviate the depletion of fossil resources but also protect the environment and promote the green and sustainable development of human society. Microwave is one of the currently highly regarded process intensification technologies. This paper reviews the research progress of microwave technology in biomass pyrolysis, biomass pretreatment, and biomass conversion, and analyzes its technical characteristics. Finally, it summarizes and prospects the application of microwave in the field of biomass conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry residues (FR) and medicinal-aromatic plant waste (MAPW) are considered potential resources for energy recovery. In this context, we explore the bioethanol production potential of three microbial strains Aspergillus niger, Zymomonas mobilis, and Trichoderma longibrachiatum using this lignocellulosic hydrolysate as a substrate. The blend of FR and MAPW was pretreated by different methods like acid sulfuric (AS), steam explosion (SE), and enzymatic (E). The ethanol yield was measured by gas chromatography (GC). Zymomonas mobilis demonstrated the highest ethanol yield of 5.95% on untreated substrate. Conversely, Aspergillus niger exhibited peak performance with an ethanol yield of 10.78% following AS, SE and E combined pretreatment. Trichoderma longibrachiatum, yielded ethanol ranging from 1.27% to 2.47%. Furthermore, the use of immobilized d' Aspergillus niger strains revealed a small decrease in ethanol yield from 11.34% in the first cycle to only 5.02% in the sixth cycle. In conclusion, Aspergillus niger emerges as a promising candidate due to its dual functionality in pretreatment and ethanol fermentation, offering pathways for advancing sustainable biofuel technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on determining the optimum external operating parameters of algal cell lysis for extraction of bio-oil from Chlorella biomass. Response surface methodology has been applied to a regression analysis model for optimizing solvent ratios, i.e., ethyl acetate to ethanol (E.A.:E) ratio for maximum extraction of bio-oil and aqueous deep eutectic solvent to biomass (aDES:biomass) ratio for algal pretreatment for the enhanced yield of bio-oil. Optimized process conditions were 15 min of homogenization combined with ultrasonication (hybrid method). The aDES:biomass ratio of 8.25 caused the highest cell disruption efficiency to liberate bio-oil from encapsulated cells. The solvent ethyl acetate to ethanol ratio (E.A.:E) was optimum at 0.8 for maximum extraction of bio-oil, and studies indicated a maximum bio-oil yield of 94.0% using this hybrid pretreatment process combined with ultrasonication and homogenization. The GC–MS characterization technique was used to analyze the bio-oil, which showed it consisted of 67.93% Di-ethyl phthalate (DEP) and 32.07% esters compounds (C12–C40 hydrocarbons range). The produced DEP from Chlorella biomass using this sustainable green approach is very promising. The estimated cost was around Rs 49 per gm (equivalent to Rs 664.56 for 13.58 gm), which indicates the potential for a cost-effective method to produce pure DEP from Chlorella biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea waste powder (TWP) is one of the potential biomass waste to recover valuable chemicals and materials. The prime objective of this work is to investigate the role of acid pretreatment on TWP. Diluted acids (HCl, H3PO4, CH3COOH, and H2SO4) were used to soak the TWP to understand the role of acids on bond cleavage and chemicals formation. One gram of TWP was soaked in 100 mL of diluted acids for 24 h. The soaked samples were further subjected to a hot air oven (temperature: 80 °C, duration: 6 h), orbital shaking (shaking speed: 80–100 rpm, duration: 6 h), and microwave irradiation (microwave power: 100 W, duration: 10 min) to understand the synergistic effects of acids and mode of exposure. The pretreated solid samples and liquid samples were analyzed using FTIR to understand the presence of functional groups. The mass loss of TWP after treatment significantly varied with the type of acid and exposure mode used. In the orbital shaker, the mass loss was varied in the following order: H2SO4 (36%) > CH3COOH (32%) > H3PO4 (22%) > HCl (15%). In hot air oven, high mass loss was observed compared to orbital shaking [HCl (48%) > CH3COOH (37%) > H2SO4 (35%) > H3PO4 (33%)]. The mass loss in microwave irradiation is lower (19 to 25%) with all acids compared to orbital shaking. In the solid samples, O–H stretching, C–H stretching, C=O stretching, C=C stretching, –C–O–, and –C–OH– functional groups were noticed. Similarly, C=O and C=C peaks and C–O and –C–OH peaks were noticed in liquid samples. Interestingly, microwave irradiation showed promising results in 10 min of pretreatment, whereas orbital shaking and hot air oven pretreatments require 6 h to achieve the same result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pretreatment is compulsory to obtain the greatest possible biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass. Among the many different pretreatment methods, enzymatic and ultrasonic pretreatments are attracting attention as environmentally friendly methods. In this framework, this study aims to optimize enzymatic and ultrasonic pretreatment to achieve high methane production by anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass consisting of agricultural residues. The optimization studies selected independent variables such as cellulase and β-glycosidase doses for enzymatic pretreatment and ultrasound power, reaction time, and solid content for ultrasonic pretreatment. The optimum conditions for enzymatic pretreatment were determined as 32.68FPU/gTS cellulase and 14.56 IU/gTS β-glucosidase concentrations to achieve a 60.15% increase in methane production. On the other hand, an 80.04% increase in methane production was obtained in the ultrasonic pretreatment under optimum conditions determined as 20 W ultrasound power, 60-min reaction time, and 5.46% solids content. The decrease in methane production by increasing the cellulose concentration in enzymatic pretreatment and by increasing the ultrasound power in ultrasonic pretreatment shows the importance of process optimization to achieve methane production. The theoretical energy productions were calculated and then compared with other pretreatment methods and the theoretical direct combustion energy. Since 90% energy recovery with ultrasonic pretreatment compared to direct combustion of lignocellulosic biomass was achieved, it is recommended to determine the effects of ultrasound in the pretreatment of other lignocellulosic biomass types. Thus, it will be possible to obtain energy from lignocellulosic waste in a much more environmentally friendly way compared to direct combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a systematic study has been performed to optimize the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass (wheat bran (WB)) to maximize fermentable sugar content by using an effective combination of high-pressure and deep eutectic solvents (DES). First, DES type and molar ratios were compared to determine the most suitable condition for the pretreatment at high-pressure reactor (HPR). This was performed with a two-stage pretreatment. WB samples were mixed with choline chloride (ChCl):glycerol and ChCl:acetic acid at different molar ratios (1:2, 1:4, and 1:6) and treated at 80 °C for 24 h in a water bath (conventional DES treatment). Then, DES-applied biomass was mixed with 1.99% (v/v) sulphuric acid solution at 121 °C in an autoclave for 1 min. ChCl:glycerol (1:2 molar ratio) and ChCl:acetic acid (1:2 molar ratio) provided the highest fermentable sugar concentrations (FSCs), 72.54 and 69.77 g/L, respectively. Therefore, the experiments in the high-pressure reactor (HPR) were continued with the aforementioned DES types. The effects of temperature (T, 100–150 °C), time (t, 20–40 min) and liquid-to-solid ratio (LSR, 4–10 w/w) on the FSCs in the HPR were examined using Box–Behnken Design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). FSC and total phenolic substance concentration (TPC) were selected as dependent variables. In addition, the levels of sugars (glucose, xylose, fructose, sucrose, maltose and arabinose) and furans (furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)) in the samples were also measured after the pretreatment. Based on the results, the optimal pretreatment conditions were found as 130 °C, 27 min and 4 w/w liquid-to-solid ratio with ChCl: glycerol (1:2). Under optimal conditions, FSC and TPC were 75.43 g/L and 0.41 g GA/L. The results showed that DES pretreatment in the HPR is a promising technology that can be successfully implemented for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass resulting in high sugar yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy production from lignocellulose materials is a significant interest of modern research because it can assist in reducing the global challenges of climate preservation and energy demand. Lignocellulose materials are recalcitrant and are not easy to digest during anaerobic digestion, and this necessitated their pretreatment before anaerobic digestion for effective and efficient use of the feedstock. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of oxidative, nanoparticle additive, and combined pretreatment on the microstructural arrangement and biomethane yield of Xyris capensis, an economical feedstock that is readily available. Xyris capensis was pretreated with the oxidizing agent at varying conditions of H2O2: H2SO4 using 100: 0%, 95: 5%, 85: 15%, and 75: 25%. The effects of the pretreatment on the microstructure, crystallinity, and functional groups of the substrate were investigated. Pretreated and untreated substrates were digested as mono pretreatment and in combination with 20 mg/L Fe3O4 (< 50 nm) nanoparticles at mesophilic temperature to study the influence of pretreatment on biomethane yield. Results from structural analyses showed that the pretreatment conditions have a varying degree of effect on the microstructural arrangement. The optimum biomethane yield of 212.18 mL CH4/gVSadded, representing 48% improvement, was recorded for a single pretreatment. For the combined pretreatment method, the highest biomethane yield of 278.59 mL CH4/gVSadded, which represents a 95% increase, was observed. Therefore, combined oxidative pretreatment and Fe3O4 nanoparticle additive could be a promising approach to debase the recalcitrant properties of lignocellulose feedstock microstructure to enhance the biomethane yield. This technique can improve energy recovery from lignocellulose materials, assist in decarbonization of the environment, and can be examined on a commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a novel process for production of additive-free wood composites by ionic liquid treatment of wood powder involving extraction of lignin followed by precipitation onto particle surfaces, and hot pressing to form a cellulose-reinforced lignin biocomposite. Physicochemical properties of lignin-coated wood powders, as well as their degree of fusion upon hot pressing, were evaluated with the aim of optimising ionic liquid treatment and hot-pressing conditions. Optimal conditions to achieve complete fusion while minimising process energy demand were determined using response surface methodology, and mechanisms of process parameter effects investigated using gas pycnometry, electron microscopy, image analysis, thermogravimetry, and calorimetry. These novel materials, derived solely from waste with only reusable reagents, represent a sustainable alternative to existing engineered wood products, which rely on petrochemical additives that release toxic volatile compounds, offering a means to reduce environmental and health hazards associated with production and use of composites from wood waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic hydrolysis contributes to obtaining fermentable sugars using pretreated lignocellulose materials for bioethanol generation. Unfortunately, the pretreatment of lignocellulose causes low substrate enzymatic hydrolysis, which is due to the structure changes of lignin to produce main phenolic by-products and non-productive cellulase adsorption. It is reported that modified lignin enhances the speed of enzymatic hydrolysis through single means to decrease the negative effects of fermentation inhibitors or non-productive cellulase adsorption. However, a suitable modified lignin should be selected to simultaneously reduce the fermentation inhibitors concentration and non-productive cellulase adsorption for saving resources and maximizing the enzymatic hydrolysis productivity. Meanwhile, the adsorption micro-mechanisms of modified lignin with fermentation inhibitors and cellulase remain elusive. In this review, different pretreatment effects toward lignin structure, and their impacts on subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis are analyzed. The main modification methods for lignin are presented. Density functional theory is used to screen suitable modification methods for the simultaneous reduction of fermentation inhibitors and non-productive cellulase adsorption. Lignin-fermentation inhibitors and lignin-cellulase interaction mechanisms are discussed using different advanced analysis techniques. This article addresses the gap in previous reviews concerning the application of modified lignin in the enhancement of bioethanol production. For the first time, based on existing studies, this work posits the hypothesis of applying theoretical simulations to screen efficient modified lignin-based adsorbents, in order to achieve a dual optimization of the detoxification and saccharification processes. We aim to improve the integrated lignocellulose transformation procedure for the effective generation of cleaner bioethanol. [Display omitted] • Effects of pretreatment in lignin structure and enzymatic hydrolysis are analyzed. • Lignin modification is the promising enhancement process to bioethanol production. • DFT calculation contributes to screening the suitable lignin modification methods. • Advanced methods to study inhibitors-lignin-cellulase interactions are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the efficient conversion of castor oil to sebacic acid utilizing iron oxide (Fe2O3) loaded on activated carbons as catalysts. Through a combination of saponification, acidification, and catalytic cracking, sebacic acid was produced with a notable yield improvement. The process involved using liquid paraffin as a thinning agent, overcoming the limitations of traditional toxic agents. The catalysts were prepared via adsorption-precipitation-calcination methods, with ultrasonication pretreatment to enhance iron adsorption on activated carbons. The chemical composition, structure, and morphology properties were investigated by different characterizations; such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG). Systematic investigations into the adsorption capacity, catalytic activity, and operational parameters like temperature, reaction time, and catalyst recycling were conducted. The optimized method achieved a sebacic acid yield of 83.4%, significantly higher than traditional methods (60.2%), with improved safety and environmental impact. The study provides valuable insights into sustainable and efficient sebacic acid production which is crucial for industrial applications in processing of castor oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coated SS316L is a potential alternative to the graphite bipolar plates (BPPs) used in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) owing to their low manufacturing cost and machinability. Due to their susceptibility to corrosion and passivation, which increases PEMFC ohmic resistance, protective and conductive coatings on SS316L have been developed. However, coating adhesion is one of the challenges in the harsh acidic environment of PEMFCs, affecting the performance and durability of BPPs. This study compares mechanical polishing and the frequently adopted chemical etchants for SS316L: Adler's, V2A, and Carpenter's etchant with different etching durations and their impact on the wettability, adhesion, and corrosion resistance of a Nb-coated SS316L substrate. Contact angle measurements and laser microscopy revealed that all etching treatments increased the hydrophobicity and surface roughness of SS316L substrates. Ex situ potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization tests and interfacial contact resistance analysis revealed high corrosion resistance, interfacial conductivity, and adhesion of the Nb-coated SS316L substrate pretreated with V2A (7 min) and Adler's (3 min) etchant. Increased hydrophobicity (contact angle = 101°) and surface roughness (Ra = 74 nm) achieved using V2A etchant led to the lowest corrosion rate (3.3 µA.cm−2) and interfacial resistance (15.4 mΩ.cm2). This study established pretreatment with V2A etchant (a solution of HNO3, HCl, and DI water (1:9:23 mole ratio)) as a promising approach for improving the longevity, electrochemical stability, and efficiency of the coated SS316L BPPs for PEMFC application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Acidification and fermentation preserved a high BSFL-rearing performance. • Acidification and fermentation contribute to the all-year provision of feedstock. • Acidification led to a higher bioconversion rate compared to fermentation. • The nutrient-rich feedstock did not benefit from inoculating lactic acid bacteria. Maintaining a consistent supply of feedstock for efficient bioconversion of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) presents challenges due to the fluctuating availability of biowastes and agri-food products. To address the challenge of consistent feedstock supply for BSFL, this study investigated the influence of three preservation methods: wild fermentation, inoculated fermentation, and acidification on agri-food by-products applied over three storage durations (1, 7, and 14 days), evaluating their impact on BSFL bioconversion, and feedstock nutrient and microbiota composition. The preserved feedstocks were characterized for gross nutrient, sugar, fermentation metabolite, and bacterial community analyses. All feedstock preservation methods and storage durations had a high bioconversion rate (21–25 % dry mass) and wet larval mass (170–196 mg). Notably, 7-and-14-day acidified feedstock had a significantly higher bioconversion rate compared to fermented feedstock. Acidification preserved feedstock nutrients best with only a 10 % difference compared to initial nutrient values. Fermentation produced typical lactic acid fermentation metabolites with reducing sugar contents; however, adding a lactic acid bacterial inoculum (7 log 10 CFU kg feedstock−1) had no benefit, presumably due to the high nutrient content and existing richness in lactic acid bacteria. Preservations had little influence on Enterobacteriaceae (6.2–7.5 log 10 CFU g−1) in freshly harvested larvae. Future research should assess the acidification and fermentation of different BSFL feedstocks and investigate the roles of feedstock pH, organic acids, and fermentation metabolites in more detail. Therefore, this study advances toward reliable and efficient insect-based nutrient recovery from agri-food by-products within the food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Efficient pretreatment of wheat straw (WS) under mild conditions facilitates its further enzymatic hydrolysis and conversion. Three pretreatment processes with mild conditions including formic acid pretreatment (FAP), sodium chlorite pretreatment (SCP), and alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) pretreatment were investigated in this study. The chemical components of WS before and after pretreatment were compared, and the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The lignin removal by FAP, SCP, and AHP pretreatment was 55.79%, 99.33%, and 94.97%, and the enzymatic hydrolysis yields (EHY) were 68.03%, 75.52%, and 90.76%, respectively. The results showed that AHP pretreatment had a better performance on enzyme accessibility thus improving the EHY. Meanwhile, lignin can be separated from the AHP pretreatment liquid, which helps to improve the economics of the process. The effects of enzymes and additives on enzymatic hydrolysis were further optimized by response surface methodology. Under the conditions of 20.37 FPU/g cellulase, 32.14 IU/g xylanases, and 19.15 mg/g Tween 80, the experimental result showed that the maximum EHY was 94.15%, which was close to the predicted EHY (96.19%). The experiments on fed-batch mode after AHP pretreatment with high-solid loadings (20% w/v) were conducted, and the EHY reached 86.05%. These results contributed to improving the economic feasibility of WS pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acidic deep eutectic solvent pretreatment holds great promise for the fractionation of lignocellulose. The influences of lignin presence form and surface structure of pretreated residue on enzymatic hydrolysis are rarely studied. In the present work, choline chloride/oxalic acid (ChCl/OA) was developed to pretreat moso bamboo for promoting its enzymatic hydrolysis, and the effects of residue changes on enzymatic hydrolysis were also explored. Results showed that the removal of hemicelluloses (76.24%) and lignin (60.68%) was remarkable after ChCl/OA pretreatment at mild conditions (at 90 °C for 3 h). After enzymatic hydrolysis, the glucose yield was improved from 17.78% (raw) to 60.39% (the residue obtained from pretreatment at 90 °C for 3 h). However, the excessive removal of lignin (73.43%) did not facilitate the enzymatic hydrolysis of residue obtained from ChCl/OA pretreatment at 100°C for 3 h. The results of surface morphology, surface physiochemistry, and dye adsorption of ChCl/OA pretreatment residues confirmed that the enzymatic hydrolysis was affected by the surface lignin, hydrophobic interaction, and accessibility, among which the hydrophobicity causing the enzyme non-productive adsorption may be the dominant factor leading to the decrease of glucose yield. Finally, the enzyme non-productive adsorption could be effectively overcome by adding bovine serum protein during enzymatic hydrolysis, and its glucose yield could be improved to 2.3-fold for the residue obtained from pretreatment at 110 °C for 3 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the giant reed (Arundo donax L.) was used as a substrate for bioethanol production. To study and optimize the effect of bioethanol production parameters, including sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration (3–9, w/w%), temperature (60–180 °C), and pretreatment duration (30–120 min), on bioethanol concentration, and theoretical bioethanol yield, response surface methodology (RSM) based on the Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used. Alkaline pretreatment with NaOH was done on the substrate and all the samples were subjected to an enzymatic degradation experiment under conditions of loading 30 FPU cellulase/g dry biomass and then converted to bioethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. The results showed significant effects of the variables on bioethanol production, except for the effects of temperature on theoretical bioethanol yield. The optimal conditions for producing bioethanol under alkaline pretreatment conditions are a NaOH concentration of 3.0%, a temperature of 60 °C, and a pretreatment duration of 30 min which identified the optimal conditions of bioethanol concentration (3.19 g/L), and theoretical bioethanol yield (25.62%). These results contribute to supporting the potential of giant reed biomass as a suitable raw material for bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pretreatment and saccharification of dewaxed bagasse (DWB) has been investigated under various reaction conditions ranging 2000 to 3200 psi, at 70 ± 1 °C in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCC). This has been in attempt to transform the DWB into fermentable sugar and bioethanol in high yields. The effect of SCC mediated pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis on structural and morphological alterations in DWB has been ascertained through diverse analytical methods. The sugar has been released through cellulase (40 FPU/mL) mediated enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated DWB in sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.7) within 1 h at SCC 2800 psi, 70 ± 1 °C. The released sugar was subsequently fermented in the presence of yeast (Saccharomyces crevices, 135 CFU) at 28 ± 1 °C over 72 h to afford the bioethanol. The SCC mediated process conducted in acetic acid:water media (1:1) at 2800 psi, 70 ± 1 °C over 6 h has afforded the pretreated DWB with maximum yield towards the production of fermentable sugar and bioethanol. The production of fermentable sugar and bioethanol has been electrochemically estimated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) over glassy carbon electrode in KOH (0.1 M). The electrochemical methods were found selective and in close agreement for estimation of the yields (%) of fermentable sugars and bioethanol. The yield (%) of fermentable sugar estimated from CV and SWV were 80.10 ± 5.34 and 79.00 ± 5.09 respectively. Whereas the yield (%) of bioethanol estimated from CV and SWV were 81.30 ± 2.78% and 78.6 ± 1.25% respectively. Present investigation delivers a SCC mediated green and sustainable method of pretreatment of DWB to afford the enhanced saccharification, to produce bioethanol in high yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo is a perennial rapid-growing plant that is given preference for renewable biosources for biofuels and bio-based chemical conversion. Bamboos are rich in cellulose and have highly recalcitrant biomass due to high lignin. Bamboo is abundantly available in Northeastern India and can be utilized as a feedstock biofuels. Here, we evaluated the pretreatment of bamboo residues Dendrocalamus strictus with different concentrations of alkali, hydrogen peroxide, and alkaline hydrogen peroxide and its influence on biomass digestibility for enhancement of sugar recovery with Celic C cellulase enzyme blend. Enzymatic hydrolysis data indicated untreated raw biomass showed a digestibility of 40% after 48 h of incubation. The biomass pretreated with alkali showed a maximum digestibility of 61% obtained from 10% loaded with 0.5% w/v NaOH. Pretreatment of the bamboo with H2O2 shows a maximum digestibility of 75% from biomass loaded with 1% w/v of H2O2. Combinational pretreatment of alkaline hydrogen peroxide showed a maximum efficiency of biomass digestibility of 83% attained from biomass loaded with 1% w/v NaOH-H2O2. Crystallinity index (CrI) analysis showed that CrI increased from 64% to 70.75% in pretreated biomass. FTIR and SEM analysis show changes in functional groups, morphology, and surface of biomass in pretreated biomass. Compositional analysis shows that 68% of lignin removal is obtained from alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment. Cellulose content increased from 52% to 65%, and hemicellulose decreased from 18.6% to 8.6%. Results indicated that the potential possibility of bamboo waste biomass as feedstock for biorefinery products and alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment methods is an efficient strategy for sugar recovery for bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) is becoming an increasingly essential analytical technique in many fields, such as food, environmental, biochemical, pharmaceutical, and clinical chemistry. The testing matrices, such as plasma and serum, cannot usually be sent directly to the LC–MS/MS system because of the large number of unrelated substances in addition to target analytes in samples, such as cells, tissues, and proteins. Protein precipitation (PPT) is the most utilized pretreatment method in clinical analysis because of its ease of use; its performance always involves the separation of the liquid phase from the solid phase, in which the most commonly used manipulation is centrifugation. However, there is an upper limit of throughput for centrifugation, and the cost and difficulty of integrating centrifugation into automatic equipment are usually high. To solve the drawbacks of the current PPT method, we developed a cartridge structure that can omit the centrifugation step in PPT, which, in turn, can facilitate the incorporation of the PPT method into an automatic clinical pretreatment procedure for LC–MS/MS. We used vitamin D analysis as a representative application in our endeavor to develop a centrifugation‐free PPT method that can be easily applied to a new automatic clinical pretreatment procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the energy potential of switchgrass (SG) was analyzed to find promising directions for producing bioenergy from this biomass. The first direction is determining the thermal energy of bioethanol extracted from SG biomass after its pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis (saccharification), and fermentation of the resulting glucose. It was established that after a two-stage pretreatment of 1 ton of SG with dilute solutions of nitric acid and alkali, the largest amount of bioethanol can be extracted with an energy potential of 4.9 GJ. It is also shown that by the utilization of solid and liquid waste, the production cost of bioethanol can be reduced. On the other hand, the direct combustion of 1 ton of the initial SG biomass used as a solid biofuel provides an increased amount of thermal energy of 18.3 GJ, which is 3.7 times higher than the energy potential of the resulting bioethanol extracted from 1 ton of this biomass. Thus, if the ultimate goal is to obtain the maximum energy amount, then another direction for obtaining bioenergy from biomass should be implemented, namely, direct combustion, preferably after pelletizing. Studies have shown that fuel characteristics of SG pellets such as the gross thermal energy and density of thermal energy are lower than those of wood pellets, but they can be improved if the SG biomass is densified into pellets together with binders made from polymer waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of mushrooms is increasing at a rapid pace due to advanced production technologies and higher consumption throughout the world. The consumption of edible mushrooms has increased throughout the world due to its high nutritive value, texture and flavor. Mushroom cultivation in India is emerging as secondary agricultural based land independent enterprises with huge local and export market potential. The post harvest life of mushrooms is very limited due to high moisture content and water activity, microbial, enzymatic activity and biochemical reactions. Storage of fresh mushrooms is a major problem in Indian conditions due to the lack of a cold chain system in India. Preservation of mushroom is very essential for reducing post harvest loss and extending shelf life whilst maintaining nutritional and organoleptic qualities for consumer's acceptance and availability of products during off-season. Dehydration is the most popular and important technique to increase the shelf life of mushrooms by reducing moisture content up to a level at which undesirable charges are prevented. The drying techniques which have the great potential for the production of quality dried mushrooms and powders are solar drying, tray drying, vacuum drying, microwave-vacuum drying, freeze drying and heat pump drying. Pretreatment before drying seems to be an effective method of preservation of mushrooms with minimum changes in nutritional and sensory quality to increase consumer's acceptability and market potential of dehydrated mushrooms. This review gives the information on pretreatments, dehydration and quality of dehydrate mushrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, microwave radiation has been successfully used to support the chemical hydrolysis of organic substrates in the laboratory. There is a lack of studies on large-scale plants that would provide the basis for a reliable evaluation of this technology. The aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of using microwave radiation to support the acidic and alkaline thermohydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass prior to anaerobic digestion on a semi-industrial scale. Regardless of the pretreatment options, similar concentrations of dissolved organic compounds were observed, ranging from 99.0 ± 2.5 g/L to 115.0 ± 3.0 in the case of COD and from 33.9 ± 0.92 g/L to 38.2 ± 1.41 g/L for TOC. However, these values were more than twice as high as the values for the substrate without pretreatment. The degree of solubilisation was similar and ranged between 20 and 28% for both monitored indicators. The highest anaerobic digestion effects, ranging from 99 to 102 LCH4/kgFM, were achieved using a combined process consisting of 20 min of microwave heating, 0.10–0.20 g HCl/gTS dose, and alkaline thermohydrolysis. For the control sample, the value was only 78 LCH4/kgFM; for the other variants, it was between 79 and 94 LCH4/kgFM. The highest net energy gain of 3.51 kWh was achieved in the combined alkaline thermohydrolysis with NaOH doses between 0.10 and 0.20 g/gTS. The use of a prototype at the 5th technology readiness level made it possible to demonstrate that the strong technological effects of the thermohydrolysis process, as demonstrated in laboratory tests to date, do not allow for positive energy balance in most cases. This fact considerably limits the practical application of this type of solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sustainable low-cost activated carbon substitute was produced based on pretreated lignocellulosic biomass, especially spruce sawdust. A harmful liquid waste, desalination brine, was used for the treatment of a solid wood industry waste, spruce sawdust. This approach is in the circular economy theory and aims at the decarbonization of the economy. Pretreated sawdust was tested as an adsorbent appropriate for the removal of a commonly used pollutant, methylene blue, from industrial wastewater. The adsorption capacity of the pretreated material was found to have increased four times compared to the untreated one in the case that the Freundlich equation was fitted to the isotherms' data, i.e., the one with the best fit to the isotherm's experimental data of the three isotherm models used herein. The treatment experimental conditions with desalination brine that gave maximum adsorption capacity correspond to a 1.97 combined severity factor in logarithmic form value. Moreover, a kinetic experiment was carried out with regard to the methylene blue adsorption process. The desalination brine-pretreated sawdust adsorption capacity increased approximately two times compared to the untreated one, in the case when the second-order kinetic equation was used, which had the best fit of the kinetic data of the three kinetic models used herein. In this case, the pretreatment experimental conditions that gave maximum adsorption capacity correspond to −1.049 combined severity factor in logarithmic form. Industrial scale applications can be based on the kinetic data findings, i.e., spruce sawdust optimal pretreatment conditions at 200 °C, for 25 min, with brine solution containing 98.12 g L−1 NaCl, as they are related to a much shorter adsorption period compared to the isotherm data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Areca nut husk (ANH) holds promise as a viable biomass source for xylose production. Xylose is a precursor for various biochemicals. However, the recalcitrant nature of ANH makes saccharification more complex. To address this, lime and acid pretreatments were carried out to enhance the susceptibility of biomass to saccharification. Before this, a compositional analysis was conducted to determine the initial constituents of the feedstock. Saccharification was conducted under the following conditions: 2% (wV−1) substrate loading, 100 rpm agitation, and 30 °C hydrolysis temperature for 12 h hydrolysis time at pH 4.5 to 5.0. However, parameters like xylanase enzyme loading were varied to enhance the saccharification of the ANH. The results demonstrated that acid‐treated husk (ATH), lime‐treated husk (LTH), and raw husk (RH) achieved the highest yield (gg−1) of reducing sugar, approximately 90, 83, and 15%, respectively, at an enzyme loading of 15.0 IUg−1. Various analytical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to examine structural changes in the native, pretreated, and saccharified residues of ANH. The analysis revealed that a significant amount of partial crystalline and amorphous cellulose in the ANH biomass was hydrolyzed during the saccharification process. However, saccharification also led to the removal of amorphous substances, disruption of the crystalline structure, and conversion of crystalline regions into amorphous domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfonylurea herbicides (SUHs) are widely used in agriculture because of their low dosage, low cost, and high selectivity. However, due to improper use and lack of effective management, their residues pose a threat to the human health through environment and food pollution. Therefore, there is a need for simple, quick, economical, and effective methods to analyze SUHs in plant-derived foods, crops, and environmental samples. The present article presents a comprehensive review of the pretreatment and analytical technologies used for SUHs in various sample matrices, focusing on the developments since 2010. The main pretreatment methods include liquid–liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction, QuEChERS, and different microextraction methods, whereas analytical methods mainly include liquid chromatography coupled with different detectors, capillary electrophoresis, among others. In addition, the present study also compared the advantages and disadvantages of the methods and the future development is prospected. Highlight: Progress in pretreatment and analytical methods of sulfonylurea herbicides are summarized. Pros and cons of the pretreatment and determination methods have been given. Novel materials in solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction are depicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins (ANCs), a kind of natural pigments, are widely present in food substrates. Evidence has shown that ANCs can promote health in terms of anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammation. However, the oxidative stability of ANCs limits accurate quantitation and analysis. Therefore, faster, more accurate, and highly sensitive extraction and determination methods are necessary for understanding the role of ANCs in medicine and food. This review presents an updated overview of pretreatment and detection techniques for ANCs in various food substrates since 2015. Liquid-liquid extraction and various green solvent extraction methods, such as accelerated solvents extraction, deep eutectic solvents extraction, ionic liquids extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction, are commonly used pretreatment methods for extraction and purification of ANCs. Liquid chromatography coupled with different detectors (tandem mass spectrometry and UV detectors) and spectrophotometry methods are some of the determination methods for ANC. This study has updated, compared, and discussed different pretreatment and analysis methods. Moreover, the advanced methods and development prospects in this field are comprehensively summarized, which can provide references for further utilization of ANCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the Si3N4 powder prepared is not pure enough. Therefore, this work introduces a novel method of preparing high‐purity α‐Si3N4 powder. Si3N4 powder with high α phase content was prepared via a unique two‐stage temperature‐rise (TSTR) process, using KCl and metal Co as dual catalysts through low‐temperature pretreatment for silicon powder and subsequent high‐temperature nitriding reaction. Molten KCl insulates silicon particles in three contact modes during low‐temperature pretreatment, promoting complete and uniform nitriding and absorbing the heat released during the reaction. In addition, Co forms a Co–Si liquid phase, causing the reaction to transition into a gas–liquid–solid reaction with lower potential energy, thereby reducing the reaction temperature. Through the synergistic effect of the two catalysts and optimized unique TSTR process, Si3N4 powder can be obtained at 1250°C, boasting a remarkably high α phase content of 99.1%, distinguished by its layered, needle‐like, and spherical structures. The detailed experiments first provide a comprehensive explanation of the growth mechanism of α‐Si3N4. This innovative method for preparing Si3N4 powder offers a new approach to the facile production of high‐purity phase ceramic powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pretreatment is one of the bottlenecks in the cost and energy-efficient biomass valorization. Deep eutectic solvents are potential candidates for being used to address these challenges. In this work, the deep eutectic solvent composed of choline chloride, and acetic acid was studied for its use in wheat straw fractionation. The pretreated biomass was assessed concerning the lignin and glucan content. Under optimized time and temperature conditions, defined using Doehlert matrix chemometric tool, of 3 h 47 min and 139.6 °C, the processed wheat straw contained as much as 42.5 ± 0.42 wt.% and 38.59 ± 1.26 wt.% of glucan and lignin contents, respectively. The need for biomass washing after the pretreatment with deep eutectic solvents and before the enzymatic hydrolysis step was also evaluated. The obtained enzymatic hydrolysis results, i.e., glucan to glucose yield of 27.13 ± 0.25 vs. 25.73 ± 0.08 for washed or unwashed biomass correspondingly, are equally good substrates. Fractal kinetic analysis of the data showed similar values of k and h for both glucose and xylose reactions between washed and unwashed biomass. This confirmed that biomass washing is an unnecessary step, which in turn opens room for biomass processing intensification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield of green energy from solid-state anaerobic co-digestion (SSAD) has recently been enhanced by incorporating innovative pretreatment methods and nanoparticles. However, the environmental consequences of employing new processes have not been fully examined. In this study, the environmental impacts of three high-methane-yielding scenarios including SSAD of corn stover blended with dairy manure (DM) denoted as (SYM1), calcium hydroxide-pretreated corn stover (CpCS) blended with DM (SYM2), and the CpCS blended with DM and nanoparticles (SYM3) were assessed and compared the baselines of solid-state and semi-solid-state anaerobic digestion using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The approach investigated the best management practices that would result in high methane yield and low environmental impact. Results of the life cycle assessment indicate the inclusion of calcium hydroxide and nanoparticle has minimal negative environmental impact. There was an environmental gain in GWP when corn stover was co-digestion with DM (SYM1) relative to DM mono-digestions (baselines) and the carbon footprint of SYM1 was less by more than 85% compared to SYM2 and SYM3. However, the large volume of untreated corn stover harnessed for SYM1 scenario resulted in over 75% fossil fuel depletion compared to the other scenarios. The surplus methane from the SYM3 (at least twofold of other scenarios and baselines) in conjunction with being the least with the environmental implication makes the scenario the most attractive option for on-farm practice capable of harnessing the growing organic waste volume. These outcomes can guide trade-off between pretreatment and nanoparticle application to reduce solid-state anaerobic digestion's negative environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports process development for the extraction of silica from paddy straw pretreated with green solvent and its characterization. Paddy straw pretreated with ethyl lactate resulted in a maximum reduction of total solids (11.78%), volatile solids (1.66%), cellulose (4.38%), hemicellulose (28.00%) and lignin (9.64%), while the increase in ash and silica content by 7.18 and 37.30%, respectively. Silica was extracted from 1% pretreated paddy straw using base dissolution and acid precipitation methods and was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using three parameters, viz. slurry concentration, and NaOH and HCl normalities to improve the silica yield. Maximum silica yield of 1.57 g per 2.5 g paddy straw ash (PSA) with 62.8% recovery was achieved under the optimized conditions of 2.50% slurry concentration, 0.55 N NaOH and 1.50 N HCl. Physico-chemical characterization by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the purity of extracted silica particles by IR peak patterns. Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed an agglomerate form of 50–200 nm amorphous silica. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy of residual ash inferred its potential as fertilizer in the fields. Hence, green solvent pretreated silica extraction from paddy straw improved the commercial value of underutilized paddy straw and reduced environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzymatic degumming of ramie has advantages such as energy conservation, environmental protection, and mild operating conditions, but there is a disadvantage of high residual gum raw in fine dried hemp. This article starts from the perspective of strengthening chelator pretreatment and alkaline oxygen post-treatment, and evaluates the improvement of ramie enzymatic degumming effect using residual gum ate, blue light whiteness, bundle fiber strength, softness, and wettability as evaluation indicators. The results show that under optimized conditions of chelator pretreatment (chelator 5 g/L, 90 °C initiation for 1 h, bath ratio 1:15) and alkaline oxygen post-treatment (sodium hydroxide 4 g/L, TF-122H stabilizer 3 g/L, sodium silicate 2 g/L, dicyandiamide 1 g/L, 30% hydrogen peroxide 2 mL/L, 98 °C insulation for 2 h, bath ratio 1:15), the residual gum rate of ramie fiber can be reduced to 4.29%, whiteness can reach 63.20%, and bundle fiber strength can reach 3.55 cN/dtex. Compared with the traditional chemical degumming process, the new process produces a similar blue light whiteness for fine and dry hemp, while the strength, softness, and wettability of the bundle fibers are significantly higher than those of the traditional process, but the residual glue rate is slightly higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]