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Rodrigues DDS, Schmitt PO, Cordeiro LA, Rodrigues MBB, Ribeiro ACR, Bosenbecker MW, Silva SKS, Carreno NL, Gatto DA, da Silva SHF, Cholant CM, Missio AL. Sustainable Films Derived from Eucalyptus spp. Bark: Improving Properties Through Chemical and Physical Pretreatments. Polymers (Basel) 2025; 17:105. [PMID: 39795508 PMCID: PMC11722894 DOI: 10.3390/polym17010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2024] [Revised: 12/27/2024] [Accepted: 12/29/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2025] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the sustainable use of Eucalyptus spp. bark through different chemical (hydrothermal, acid, alkaline, and bleaching) and physical (milling) pretreatments in the production of sustainable films. Valorization of agro-industrial residues and the demand for sustainable materials pose challenges for environmentally responsible solutions. Eucalyptus spp. bark, rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, is a promising source for creating sustainable materials like films. In this study, the use of chemical and physical treatments aims to optimize biomass extraction and improve the chemical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of the films. The films showed an excellent light barrier capacity, with a transmittance below 1%. Crystallinity indices varied with the pretreatment: 8.15% for hydrothermal, 7.01% for alkaline, 7.63% for acid, and 10.80% for bleaching. The highest crystallinity value was obtained through bleaching, by removing amorphous components like lignin and hemicellulose. The alkaline pretreatment yielded stronger films (maximum stress of 8.8 MPa, Young's modulus of 331.3 MPa) owing to the retained lignin and the hemicellulose reinforcing the material. This study contributes to the field of sustainable development by converting residues into valuable materials and by advancing the circular economy. The films' specific properties make them suitable for applications like sustainable packaging, addressing environmental and industrial challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patricia O. Schmitt
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Lincoln Audrew Cordeiro
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Marlon B. B. Rodrigues
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Ana Carolina R. Ribeiro
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Mariane W. Bosenbecker
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Sarah Kalli S. Silva
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Neftali L. Carreno
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Darci A. Gatto
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Silvia H. F. da Silva
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - Camila M. Cholant
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
| | - André Luiz Missio
- Center of Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil;
- Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil; (P.O.S.); (L.A.C.); (M.B.B.R.); (A.C.R.R.); (M.W.B.); (S.K.S.S.); (N.L.C.); (D.A.G.); (S.H.F.d.S.); (C.M.C.)
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Modzelewska A, Jackowski M, Boutikos P, Lech M, Grabowski M, Krochmalny K, Martínez MG, Aragón-Briceño C, Arora A, Luo H, Fiori L, Xiong Q, Arshad MY, Trusek A, Pawlak-Kruczek H, Niedzwiecki L. Sustainable production of biohydrogen: Feedstock, pretreatment methods, production processes, and environmental impact. FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY 2024; 266:108158. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2024.108158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2025]
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Chelly M, Chelly S, Ferlazzo A, Neri G, Bouaziz-Ketata H. Lavandula multifida as a novel eco-friendly fluorescent-blue material for mercury ions sensing in seawater at femto-molar concentration. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141409. [PMID: 38346515 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
In this paper, we present a novel fluorescent material based on the herbal tea of Lavandula multifida (Lm). The fluorescence properties of Lm aqueous extract were analyzed under various excitation wavelengths in the range of 290-450 nm. The Lm herbal infusion was found to be highly fluorescent, with an emission maximum at 450 nm under excitation at 390 nm. Consequently, it was exploited to develop a fluorescence method for detecting metal ions. Results obtained upon the addition of Hg2+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Bi3+, Mn2+, Fe3+ and Co2+ ions showed that the fluorescence intensity of the Lm aqueous extract decreased strongly with the presence of mercury ions. A solid-state fluorescent sensor, based on Lm embedded into a Nafion membrane and deposited on a transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet, has also been developed for the effective detection of Hg2+ ions. The Lm-Nafion-PET sensor exhibited good stability, high repeatability, and reproducibility. Furthermore, the Lm-Nafion/PET sensor demonstrated remarkable sensitivity to Hg2+ in sea water, with a limit of detection of 0.25 fM. To our knowledge, this is the first study which reports Lavandula multifida plant for making a novel eco-friendly fluorescent solid-state sensor for the detection of mercury ions at femto-molar concentrations in seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meryam Chelly
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, I-98166, Messina, Italy; Laboratory of Toxicology-Microbiology Environmental and Health, LR17ES06, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Sabrine Chelly
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, I-98166, Messina, Italy; Laboratory of Toxicology-Microbiology Environmental and Health, LR17ES06, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Angelo Ferlazzo
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, I-98166, Messina, Italy; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Neri
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, I-98166, Messina, Italy.
| | - Hanen Bouaziz-Ketata
- Laboratory of Toxicology-Microbiology Environmental and Health, LR17ES06, Sfax, Tunisia.
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Kanchanatip E, Prasertsung N, Thasnas N, Grisdanurak N, Wantala K. Valorization of cannabis waste via hydrothermal carbonization: solid fuel production and characterization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:90318-90327. [PMID: 36370310 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24123-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) was employed to convert cannabis waste into valuable solid fuel (hydrochar) under different operating conditions, including reaction temperature (170-230 °C), biomass-water ratio (1:10-1:20), and residence time of 60 min. The produced hydrochar was examined for their fuel properties including calorific value (HHV), proximate and ultimate analysis, thermal stability and combustion behavior, etc. The results revealed higher HTC temperature led to a higher degree of carbonization, which is beneficial for increasing carbon content and HHV of the hydrochar. The HHV of the hydrochar improved significantly up to 24.65 MJ/kg after the HTC compared to 17.50 MJ/kg for cannabis waste. The energy yield of hydrochar from the HTC process was in a range of 70.41-82.23%. The optimal HTC condition was observed at 230 °C and a biomass-water ratio of 1:10, producing high-quality hydrochar with 24.24 MJ/kg HHV and 72.28% energy yield. The hydrochar had similar fuel characteristics to lignite coal with significantly lower ash content. Additionally, recirculation of liquid effluent showed a positive influence on the HHV of hydrochar besides minimizing the release of wastewater from the HTC process. The study revealed that HTC is a promising technique for valorization of cannabis waste into high-value solid fuel, which can be potentially an alternative to coal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekkachai Kanchanatip
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermprakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand
| | - Nattakarn Prasertsung
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermprakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand
| | - Natakorn Thasnas
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermprakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand
| | - Nurak Grisdanurak
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Faculty of Engineering, Center of Excellence in Environmental Catalysis and Adsorption, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Kitirote Wantala
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.
- Faculty of Engineering, Research Center for Environmental and Hazardous Substance Management (EHSM), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.
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Spagnuolo D, Bressi V, Chiofalo MT, Morabito M, Espro C, Genovese G, Iannazzo D, Trifilò P. Using the Aqueous Phase Produced from Hydrothermal Carbonization Process of Brown Seaweed to Improve the Growth of Phaseolus vulgaris. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2745. [PMID: 37514359 PMCID: PMC10383230 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Seaweeds are considered a biomass for third-generation biofuel, and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a valuable process for efficiently disposing of the excess of macroalgae biomass for conversion into multiple value-added products. However, the HTC process produces a liquid phase to be disposed of. The present study aims to investigate the effects of seed-priming treatment with three HTC-discarded liquid phases (namely AHL180, AHL240, and AHL300), obtained from different experimental procedures, on seed germination and plant growth and productivity of Phaseolus vulgaris L. To disentangle the osmotic effects from the use of AHL, isotonic solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 have also been tested. Seed germination was not affected by AHL seed-priming treatment. In contrast, PEG-treated samples showed significantly lower seed germination success. AHL-treated samples showed changes in plant biomass: higher shoot biomass was recorded especially in AHL180 samples. Conversely, AHL240 and AHL300 samples showed higher root biomass. The higher plant biomass values recorded in AHL-treated samples were the consequence of higher values of photosynthesis rate and water use efficiency, which, in turn, were related to higher stomatal density. Recorded data strongly support the hypothesis of the AHL solution reuse in agriculture in the framework of resource management and circular green economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Spagnuolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Viviana Bressi
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada di Dio, Vill. S. Agata, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Chiofalo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marina Morabito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Claudia Espro
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada di Dio, Vill. S. Agata, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Genovese
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Iannazzo
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada di Dio, Vill. S. Agata, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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Bressi V, Chiarotto I, Ferlazzo A, Celesti C, Michenzi C, Len T, Iannazzo D, Neri G, Espro C. Voltammetric Sensor Based on Waste‐Derived Carbon Nanodots for Enhanced Detection of Nitrobenzene. ChemElectroChem 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202300004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Bressi
- Department of Engineering University of Messina Contrada di Dio–Vill. S. Agata I-98166 Messina Italy
- Department of Organic Chemistry University of Córdoba Campus de Rabanales, Marie Curie (C-3), Ctra Nnal IV−A Km 396 Cordoba Spain
| | - Isabella Chiarotto
- Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering (SBAI) Sapienza University of Rome Via Castro Laurenziano, 7 00161 Rome Italy
| | - Angelo Ferlazzo
- Department of Engineering University of Messina Contrada di Dio–Vill. S. Agata I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Consuelo Celesti
- Department of Engineering University of Messina Contrada di Dio–Vill. S. Agata I-98166 Messina Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Messina Via Consolare Valeria 98125 Messina Italy
| | - Cinzia Michenzi
- Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering (SBAI) Sapienza University of Rome Via Castro Laurenziano, 7 00161 Rome Italy
| | - Thomas Len
- Department of Organic Chemistry University of Córdoba Campus de Rabanales, Marie Curie (C-3), Ctra Nnal IV−A Km 396 Cordoba Spain
| | - Daniela Iannazzo
- Department of Engineering University of Messina Contrada di Dio–Vill. S. Agata I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Giovanni Neri
- Department of Engineering University of Messina Contrada di Dio–Vill. S. Agata I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Claudia Espro
- Department of Engineering University of Messina Contrada di Dio–Vill. S. Agata I-98166 Messina Italy
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Ferlazzo A, Bressi V, Espro C, Iannazzo D, Piperopoulos E, Neri G. Electrochemical determination of nitrites and sulfites by using waste-derived nanobiochar. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.117071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Iannazzo D, Celesti C, Espro C, Ferlazzo A, Giofrè SV, Scuderi M, Scalese S, Gabriele B, Mancuso R, Ziccarelli I, Visalli G, Di Pietro A. Orange-Peel-Derived Nanobiochar for Targeted Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102249. [PMID: 36297682 PMCID: PMC9607014 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-targeted drug delivery systems (DDS) based on carbon nanostructures have shown great promise in cancer therapy due to their ability to selectively recognize specific receptors overexpressed in cancer cells. In this paper, we have explored a green route to synthesize nanobiochar (NBC) endowed with graphene structure from the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of orange peels and evaluated the suitability of this nanomaterial as a nanoplatform for cancer therapy. In order to compare the cancer-targeting ability of different widely used targeting ligands (TL), we have conjugated NBC with biotin, riboflavin, folic acid and hyaluronic acid and have tested, in vitro, their biocompatibility and uptake ability towards a human alveolar cancer cell line (A549 cells). The nanosystems which showed the best biological performances-namely, the biotin- and riboflavin- conjugated systems-have been loaded with the poorly water-soluble drug DHF (5,5-dimethyl-6a-phenyl-3-(trimethylsilyl)-6,6a-dihydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-2(5H)-one) and tested for their anticancer activity. The in vitro biological tests demonstrated the ability of both systems to internalize the drug in A549 cells. In particular, the biotin-functionalized NBC caused cell death percentages to more than double with respect to the drug alone. The reported results also highlight the positive effect of the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups, present on the NBC surface, to improve the water dispersion stability of the DDS and thus make the approach of using this nanomaterial as nanocarrier for poorly water-soluble drugs effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Iannazzo
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.I.); (C.C.)
| | - Consuelo Celesti
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.I.); (C.C.)
| | - Claudia Espro
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Angelo Ferlazzo
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore V. Giofrè
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Mario Scuderi
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, National Research Council (CNR-IMM), Ottava Strada n.5, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Scalese
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, National Research Council (CNR-IMM), Ottava Strada n.5, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Bartolo Gabriele
- Laboratory of Industrial and Synthetic Organic Chemistry (LISOC), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci 12/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Raffaella Mancuso
- Laboratory of Industrial and Synthetic Organic Chemistry (LISOC), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci 12/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Ida Ziccarelli
- Laboratory of Industrial and Synthetic Organic Chemistry (LISOC), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci 12/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Visalli
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University Hospital of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98100 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University Hospital of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98100 Messina, Italy
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Special Issue on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Applications. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12157440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Materials play a very important role in the technological development of a society, greatly impacting people’s daily lives [...]
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An Innovative, Green Cascade Protocol for Grape Stalk Valorization with Process Intensification Technologies. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12157417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Valorization of agri-food residues to produce bio-based platform chemicals will enhance the transition to the bio-economy era. To this end, a sustainable process has been developed for the overall valorization of grape stalks (GS) according to a circular approach, starting from the lignin fraction to further deal with the cellulose-rich residue. This non-conventional protocol fully adheres to green chemistry principles, exploiting the so-called enabling technologies—mainly ultrasound and microwaves—for energy-saving innovative processes. Firstly, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE, 40 kHz, 200 W) demonstrated to be an excellent technique for GS delignification combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs). Delignification enables isolation of the pertinent lignin framework and the potential to obtain a polyphenol-rich liquid fraction, focusing on the valorization of GS as source of bioactive compounds (BACs). Among the NaDESs employed, the combination of choline chloride (ChCl) and levulinic acid (LevA) (ChLevA) presented noteworthy results, enabling a delignification higher than 70%. LevA is one of the top-value biobased platform chemicals. In this work, a flash microwave (MW)-assisted process was subsequently applied to the cellulose-rich fraction remained after delignification, yielding 85% LevA. The regeneration of this starting compound to produce ChLevA can lead to a further biomass delignification cycle, thus developing a new cascade protocol for a full valorization of GS.
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Hydrothermal Treatment of Residual Forest Wood (Softwood) and Digestate from Anaerobic Digestion—Influence of Temperature and Holding Time on the Characteristics of the Solid and Liquid Products. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15103738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal treatment (HTT) offers the potential to upgrade low-value biomass such as digestate (DG) or forest residue (FR) by producing solids and liquids for material use or energetic utilization. In this study, microwave-assisted HTT experiments with DG and FR as feedstocks were executed at different temperatures (130, 150, 170 °C) and with different holding times (30, 60, 90 min) to determine the influences on product properties (ash and elemental concentrations, calorific values and chemical compounds). In general, DG and FR reacted differently to HTT. For the DG solids, for instance, the ash concentration was reduced to 8.68%DM at 130 °C (initially 27.67%DM), and the higher heating value increased from 16.55 MJ/kgDM to 20.82 MJ/kgDM at 170 °C, while the FR solids were affected only marginally. Elements with importance for emissions in combustion were leached out in both HTT solids. The DG and FR liquids contained different chemical compounds, and the temperature or holding time affected their formation. Depending on the designated application of HTT, less severe conditions can deliver better results. It was demonstrated that different low-temperature HTT conditions already induce strong changes in the product qualities of DG and FR. Optimized interactions between process parameters (temperature, holding time and feedstock) might lead to better cost–benefit effects in HTT.
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