Production of non-activated biochar based on Biden pilosa and its application in removing methylene blue from aqueous solutions

Enhancing tomato shelf life using isolated cellulose fibers from Asian Palmyra palm coated with garlic oil

In this study, garlic-oil-combined cellulose fibers were prepared by using Borassus flabellifer (Asian Palmyra palm) to enhance the post-harvest shelf life of tomatoes. The physicochemical properties of the prepared cellulose fibers were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The B. flabellifer cellulose fibers combined with garlic oil (BCF/GO) coatings exhibited significant antifungal properties against Aspergillus flavus. In addition, the BCF/GO coating resulted in a notable extension in the shelf life of tomatoes regarding parameters such as weight loss, firmness, pH, ascorbic acid content, lycopene level, moisture content, and titratable acidity after 25 days of storage at 25-29 °C with 85 % relative humidity. The synergistic combination of BCF and GO presents a natural and sustainable solution for extending the shelf life of tomatoes with the potential to significantly reduce post-harvest losses in the food industry.

Synthesis of magnetic MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Co, Zn, Fe) supported on porous carbons derived from Bidens pilosa weed and their adsorptive comparison of toxic dyes

Bidens pilosa is classified as an invasive plant and has become a problematic weed to many agricultural crops. This species strongly germinates, grows and reproduces and competing for nutrients with local plants. To lessen the influence of Bidens pilosa, therefore, converting this harmful species into carbon materials as adsorbents in harm-to-wealth and valorization strategies is required. Here, we synthesized a series of magnetic composites based on MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Co, Zn, Fe) supported on porous carbon (MFOAC) derived from Bidens pilosa by a facile hydrothermal method. The Bidens pilosa carbon was initially activated by condensed H3PO4 to increase the surface chemistry. We observed that porous carbon loaded NiFe2O4 (NFOAC) reached the highest surface area (795.7 m2 g-1), followed by CoFe2O4/AC (449.1 m2 g-1), Fe3O4/AC (426.1 m2 g-1), ZnFe2O4/AC (409.5 m2 g-1). Morphological results showed nanoparticles were well-dispersed on the surface of carbon. RhB, MO, and MR dyes were used as adsorbate to test the adsorption by MFOAC. Effect of time (0-360 min), concentration (5-50 mg L-1), dosage (0.05-0.2 g L-1), and pH (3-9) on dyes adsorption onto MFOAC was investigated. It was found that NFOAC obtained the highest maximum adsorption capacity against dyes, RhB (107.96 mg g-1) < MO (148.05 mg g-1) < MR (153.1 mg g-1). Several mechanisms such as H bonding, π-π stacking, cation-π interaction, and electrostatic interaction were suggested. With sufficient stability and capacity, NFOAC can be used as potential adsorbent for real water treatment systems.