In this study, cross-bonded self-binding and bone glue-bonded particleboards were manufactured from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse with different pre-treatments of particles. Six types of panels were manufactured from bagasse particles with and without bone glue. The physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the panels were examined according to the standards. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were performed to investigate the changes in the chemical bonds and thermal stability of the fabricated composites, respectively. It was found that cross-bonded bagasse self-binding (TC) and bone glue-bonded (T3) panels fabricated from non-boiled bagasse particles showed higher physical and mechanical properties compared to the other types of panels. Non-boiled bagasse particles with bone glue panels showed the highest mechanical properties, i.e., modulus of rupture (MOR = 26.22 MPa), modulus of elasticity (MOE = 4302 MPa), tensile strength = 8.35 MPa, and hardness = 1.72 MPa. TC and T3 panels also showed higher thermal stability compared to the other types of panels. A new peak at 3331-3334 cm-1 for the N-H stretching vibration in the FTIR analysis represents the presence of bone glue in the cross-bonded particleboards. Thus, this research advances the production of formaldehyde-free bagasse particleboard, introducing the cross-bonding technique and sustainable bone glue.

Sustainable materials are becoming increasingly important due to environmental concerns and the energy crisis. Non-wood resources such as bamboo are being explored as alternatives to wood-based materials to reduce deforestation. However, the chemical properties of these resources determine their usability. This study analyzed the chemical composition and solubility of Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, a type of bamboo. The effects of age and height position (top, middle, and bottom) on the chemical composition and solubility were also considered. The study followed the standards of TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry) to analyze holocellulose, lignin, and extractive content, and water (hot and cold) and caustic soda (1% NaOH) solubility. The results showed that the chemical composition, i.e., holocellulose, lignin, and extractive, increased while solubility, i.e., cold water, hot water, and NaOH, decreased with the ageing of B. bambos. The average holocellulose, lignin, and extractive contents of three-year-old B. bambos were 70.49%, 27.55%, and 4.54%, respectively. These values were within the range of previous studies, indicating that B. bambos has potential applications in various purposes. © 2024 The Authors

Indonesia as the world’s largest palm oil producer produces large amounts of waste during palm oil processing, one of which is oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB). OPEFB can be converted into biochemicals, bioethanol, and lignin. This study aims to produce bioethanol from OPEFB using response surface method (RSM) analysis with the addition of the bleaching process and Cellic® Ctec2 and Cellic® Ctec3 enzymes used in the saccharification process. In addition, lignin was isolated from black liquor in the pretreatment process with the CO2 bubbling method. Bioethanol production begins with pulp production by the alkaline (NaOH) steam explosion of OPEFB followed by bleaching. Subsequently, enzymatic saccharification with three parameters: enzyme concentration, solid loading, and temperature, was carried out. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used in the fermentation to produce ethanol. Meanwhile, the lignin isolation was carried out by injecting CO2 gas 2 L/min into the black liquor solution with variations in time. The results showed that the bleaching processes significantly increased cellulose content and reduced lignin content in OPEFB, with pulp yields reaching 91% and 89% for the first and second stages of bleaching, respectively, demonstrating high efficiency in preparing materials for sugar recovery. Optimal conditions were achieved using RSM analysis at an enzyme concentration of 30 FPU, solid loading of 20% (w/v), and temperature of 50 °C with a sugar content of 12.63% and ethanol of 2.14%. The implication of the bleaching process showed a lower concentration of 1.2% ethanol when compared to only unbleached pulp which produced 2.42% ethanol. In addition, the use of Cellic® Ctec3 enzyme produced higher sugar and ethanol content with 14.04% sugar and 4.42% ethanol compared to Cellic® Ctec2. On the other hand, the largest lignin isolation result was obtained at a processing time of 2 h with a yield of 1.16% and purity of 96.94%. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) .

Lignin’s antibacterial properties have become increasingly relevant due to the rise of microbial infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance. Lignin is capable of interacting electrostatically with bacteria and contains polyphenols that cause damage to their cell walls. These features make lignin a desirable material to exhibit antibacterial behavior. Therefore, lignin in antibacterial applications offers a novel approach to address the growing need for sustainable and effective antibacterial materials. Recent research has explored the incorporation of lignin in various biomedical applications, such as wound dressings, implants, and drug delivery systems, highlighting their potential as a sustainable alternative to synthetic antibacterial agents. Furthermore, the development of lignin -based nanomaterials with enhanced antimicrobial activity is an active area of research that holds great promise for the future. In this review, we have provided a summary of how lignin can be incorporated into different forms, such as composite and non -composite synthesis of antibacterial agents and their performances. The challenges and future considerations are also discussed in this review article.

The transition to a bioeconomy is attracting the use of wood powders for developing bio-based chemicals, fuels, and products to replace fossil-based products. Wood powder-based products depend on the properties and quality of wood powders. Despite many studies on their morphological and physical properties, studies on micromorphology and extractive micro-distribution are scarce. Here we investigated the effect of milling type and wood quality in terms of moisture content on microstructural changes and native extractive distribution in wood powders. The findings showed that non-dried and dried multi-blade shaft mill (MBSM) powders had smooth surfaces and less undamaged cellulosic fibre walls, and extractives were located in the cell lumen. Non-dried and dried hammer mill powders had a rough surface and fibres with structural deformations in their cell walls (e.g. dislocations). Extractives were redistributed on the particle surface as well as dispersed in the cell lumen for both types of hammer mill powders. In a word, the powders obtained from MBSM technology are more native in structure. The findings of the study can have implications for downstream processes. 

Exploring sustainable energy and chemical sources based on biomass has increased global interest. This study was focused on produce second-generation bioethanol using a new pretreatment process. The effectiveness of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pretreatment on oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) for lignin removal, reducing sugar, and bioethanol production at low temperature and pressure was investigated using batch and continuous processes. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the NaOH concentration and solid to liquor ratio (SL) at a maximum temperature of 100 degrees C and atmospheric pressure. The mathematical formula derived from RSM was based on 11 runs of the batch treatment. In the batch treatment process, 2 M NaOH, the temperature of 80 degrees C, and SL ratio of 8 have resulted in lignin removal of 38.7%, reducing sugars of 8.3%, and bioethanol concentration of 4.1%. The validation of formula has been calculated from calculation and experiment values. Moreover, at the same retention time, continuous pretreatment showed a reducing sugar content of 5.9% and a bioethanol concentration by 2.5%. The results show that the continuous process can be employed in effective bioethanol production from OPEFB.

The investigation of bio-liquid fuels as a sustainable fuel has garnered significant attention. However, because of high production cost, other co-products need to be investigated. The pretreatment process of second-generation (2G) bioethanol produces black liquor that contains lignin. In this paper, we report a direct bubbling and a two-step acidification process for lignin isolation from black liquor of the pilot scale bioethanol production and its utilization as lead adsorber. This research investigated how Pb (II) ions adsorbed onto new modified lignin recovered from black liquor called dimethylamine-soda lignin. Alkaline pretreatment at 150 °C and 5 kg/cm3 by using a 450 L reactor was used to extract the lignin from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunches (OPEFB). The acidic precipitation was achieved by adding 3% HCl until the pH reached 2, and the air bubbling was done at a rate of 2 L/min. By applying dimethylamine-acetone-formaldehyde to soda lignin in the Mannich reaction, lignin derivative was produced. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller methods were used to characterize all types of lignin. The analyses confirmed the formation of dimethylamine-lignin, as indicated by a 19-fold increase in the total nitrogen content in the modified lignin. Pb (II) adsorption was verified by pseudo-first-order and second-order reactions. Dimethylamine-soda lignin had the adsorption capability for lignin extracted from acid and the air bubbling technique, 6.0 and 6.8 mg/g, respectively. The outcomes demonstrate that the eco-friendly aminated lignin can effectively lower Pb (II) in the solution, making it a suitable adsorbent for removing lead from aqueous media. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.) 

During stemwood harvesting, substantial volumes of logging residues are produced as a side stream. Nevertheless, industrially feasible processing methods supporting their use for other than energy generation purposes are scarce. Thus, the present study focuses on biorefinery processing, employing response surface methodology to optimize the pressurized extraction of industrially assorted needle-rich spruce logging residues with four solvents. Eighteen experimental points, including eight center point replicates, were used to optimize the extraction temperature (40–135 °C) and time (10–70 min). The extraction optimization for water, water with Na₂CO₃ + NaHSO₃ addition, and aqueous ethanol was performed using yield, total dissolved solids (TDS), antioxidant activity (FRAP, ORAC), antibacterial properties (E. coli, S. aureus), total phenolic content (TPC), condensed tannin content, and degree of polymerization. For limonene, evaluated responses were yield, TDS, antioxidant activity (CUPRAC, DPPH), and TPC. Desirability surfaces were created using the responses showing a coefficient of determination (R²) > 0.7, statistical significance (p ≀ 0.05), precision > 4, and statistically insignificant lack-of-fit (p > 0.1). The optimal extraction conditions were 125 °C and 68 min for aqueous ethanol, 120 °C and 10 min for water, 111 °C and 49 min for water with Na₂CO₃ + NaHSO₃ addition, and 134 °C and 41 min for limonene. The outcomes contribute insights to industrial logging residue utilization for value-added purposes.

Bamboo is a renewable bioresource with extensive applications, from construction to textiles, and is essential for bioenergy and eco-friendly practices. Despite its potential use in biorefineries, the utilization of abundant species like Dendrocalamus giganteus is hindered by a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding its chemical composition at various growth stages. In this study, we addressed this gap by quantifying the holocellulose, lignin and extractive contents of D. giganteus from the tropical forests of Bangladesh. We examined the composition across different ages and heights, assessing the solubility of holocellulose, lignin and extractive contents, with a view to enhance the use of D. giganteus in biorefinery industries. We analyzed chemical composition and assessed the solubility using both hot and cold water, as well as conducting 1 % NaOH (caustic soda) solubility tests following the TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry) standards. The holocellulose, lignin, and extractive content increased with the increase age of the bamboo. These components also increased with increasing height, regardless of age. The solubility in water and NaOH, on the other hand, decreased with the increasing age and height positions. The top of 4-year-old bamboo exhibited the highest levels of holocellulose (70.2 %), lignin (29.7 %), and extractive components (6.9 %), but the lowest solubilities in hot water (6.18 %), cold water (3.58 %) and caustic soda (22.48 %). These findings suggest that D. giganteus has potential applications in specific industries, such as pulp and paper, nanocellulose, bioethanol, biochemicals and bio-based composites.

Corrosion protection is one of the utmost aims for the reduction of maintenance costs with higher production for the industry. The conventional toxic chromate-based coating is an environmental concern, which has led researchers to develop an organic-based coating with higher anticorrosive performance. The incorporation of nanocomposite increases the adhesion capability of the coating to the metal surface leading to protecting the metal from corrosion. Nanocomposites have novel mechanical and electrochemical properties. The type of nanocomposites depends on the type of nanostructured filler. The performance of nanocomposite coating depends on the types of nanoparticles and additives, the concentration of the dispersed particles, and the mixing processes. In this chapter, nanocellulose-based nanocomposites, their synthesis, and performance against corrosion protection have been discussed. The potential of these nanocomposites as corrosion inhibitors has been pointed out as well.