The demand for low-toxicity wood protectants is accelerating the search for plant-derived alternatives. Terpenoids from desert-adapted shrubs combine antimicrobial, insecticidal, hydrophobic, and photoprotective functions yet remain underused in wood protection. This review brings together the chemistry, bioactivity, and application potential of guayule (Parthenium argentatum), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), physic nut (Jatropha curcas), spurges (Euphorbia spp.), and gum rockrose (Cistus ladanifer). Key terpenoids are classified by structure and mechanisms of action are mapped against decay fungi and termites. Delivery platforms, including solvent-free resin-oil blends, micro/nanoencapsulation, and biopolymer matrices, were evaluated with emphasis on persistence, UV stability, and substrate compatibility. A solvent-free valorization example using guayule resin illustrates circular-bioeconomy integration. Environmental and regulatory considerations, commercial readiness, and research gaps (standardized field trials, fractionation for consistency, genotype/agronomy improvements) are highlighted. Desert-shrub terpenoids emerge as multifunctional, eco-friendly agents for durable wood protection and pest management, offering a scalable pathway toward circular bioresource innovation.

The high-intensity noise generated during high-speed milling of wood-plastic composites, due to the material properties of anisotropy and non-uniformity, seriously affects the working environment and operator comfort. The influence of axial depth of cut, radial depth of cut, cutting speed, and feed per revolution on the sound pressure level of milling noise in wood-plastic composites was analyzed through single-factor milling experiments. Furthermore, a principal component variance analysis was conducted using multi-level factorial milling experiments to investigate the interaction effects of milling parameters on milling noise variation. The results showed that, for a fixed milling length, the significance of milling parameters on milling noise sound pressure level decreased in the order of cutting speed, axial depth of cut, radial depth of cut, and feed per revolution. A smaller axial depth of cut was suggested to control noise emission while ensuring machining efficiency. With a constant axial depth of cut, lower feed per revolution and radial depth of cut helped achieve reduced noise levels. This study provides a theoretical basis for addressing the challenge of high-intensity noise generated during high-speed milling of wood-plastic composites.

To address the issue of bending deformation in panel furniture shelves under prolonged loading, this study developed a 3D-printed shelf reinforcer using polyamide 6 (PA6) filament via fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology. Initially, the bending performance of PA6 models was analysed under varying process parameters (infill structure, infill thickness, and extrusion flow rate) using the three-point bending method. Subsequently, the reinforcer was custom designed and 3D-printed according to the target shelf’s actual dimensions. Experimental results indicated that, among the three infill structures, the honeycomb infill structure exhibited the best bending performance, followed by the grid infill structure, and the line infill structure performed the worst. As infill thickness and extrusion flow rate increased, the bending performance of PA6 models progressively improved. The shelf reinforcer, 3D-printed with a honeycomb infill structure, 1.2 mm infill thickness, and 12 mm³/s extrusion flow rate, exhibited superior surface quality and achieved a tight fit with the shelf. This reinforcer effectively enhanced the shelf’s bending performance and load-bearing capacity, extending the furniture’s service life and providing practical reference for the rapid development of similar household items.

Effects of a boron-phenol-based flame retardant were evaluated relative to the combustion performance and mechanical properties of structural plywood manufactured from two domestic softwood species: larch (Larix kaempferi) and Korean pine (Pinus densiflora). The flame retardant was applied using a standardized vacuum-pressure impregnation process, and the retention level, combustion resistance, and structural integrity of the treated specimens were determined. The results showed that the treated specimens met the Korean standard (KS F 3113) requirements for bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and water-resistant tensile-shear strength. Larch plywood exhibited modest changes in combustion and mechanical performance, whereas Korean pine showed significant improvements in flame retardancy, including longer ignition time, lower peak heat release rate, and reduced char length and area owing to the higher flame-retardant retention achieved with Korean pine. Furthermore, flame retardant impregnation did not affect adhesive bonding in either species. This study demonstrates that boron–phenol-based flame retardants can effectively enhance fire resistance in structural plywood without compromising its mechanical performance, thus supporting their applicability in manufacturing flame-retardant wood-based construction materials.

This preliminary study investigated the fabrication of C/SiO₂ ceramics using kraft pulp fibers (KF) and phosphorylated kraft pulp fibers (PKF) impregnated with a ceramic precursor via a sol-gel route. The rheological behavior coupled to infrared spectroscopy of the ceramic precursor was examined to optimize the drying process of the impregnated preforms. Thermo-gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the thermal behavior and micro-structure of the ceramics. The PKF exhibited a superior thermal stability, and enhanced fiber/ceramic interactions compared to untreated KF. The impact of the fiber functionalization and of the pre-pyrolysis of PKF on fiber/ceramic interactions was also explored. The in-situ formation of carbon fibers during heat treatment from PKF appears to be a more effective approach for developing future environmentally sustainable ceramic matrix composites (CMCs).

Severe complications arise from fungal infections by Candida species. The antifungal properties of single and mixed essential oils (EOs) of Corymbia citriodora, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Lavandula stricta, as well as five pure components, against Candida species were explored. A total of 43 clinical Candida species were clinically isolated and identified as test subjects. The combination of L. stricta and R. officinalis oils mixture showed the highest activity, displayed from the inhibitory zones of 19.4 mm against Candida tropicalis (18K). The highest activity of citronellol with linalool mixtures was 19.4 mm in C. albicans (551). The highest activity of the combination of C. citriodora oil with camphor, linalool, and α-pinene mixture against C. parapsilosis (20K) was 21.9 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of C. citriodora oil combined with citronellol, linalool, and α-pinene against clinically isolated C. parapsilosis (20K), C. albicans (551), and C. tropicalis (18K) were 0.06, 0.24, and 0.98 μg/mL, respectively. Also, mixing these oils inhibited germ-tube formation in C. albicans as compared with the individual oil at the same concentration. The results emphasize the synergistic capabilities of mixtures as antifungal agents, presenting a promising path for creating new therapies from natural sources against Candida-based infections.

Biochar-based aerobic denitrifying functional bacteria (BADB) have the advantages of excellent biochar adsorption performance and high nitrogen removal efficiency. In this study, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system was employed to explore the impacts of various stress conditions on the pollutant removal efficiency and metabolic pathways of BADB. Additionally, the adaptation mechanisms and response patterns of functional bacteria under different stress conditions were revealed. The structure of the microbial community was analyzed through high-throughput sequencing. The research results indicated that aerobic denitrification bacteria had good growth and nitrate removal performance under various conditions. Aeration rate exhibited positive relationship with denitrification efficiency, and the effect was enhanced when the ion concentration increased. Carbon source type significantly influenced the denitrification efficiency of functional bacteria, among which sodium acetate showed the best effect. Within the appropriate C/N ratio range, greater amounts of carbon led to higher denitrification efficacies of functional bacteria. Sequencing results revealed the key role of Brachymonas in organic degradation and denitrification process, with a percentage of 13.9% in the system. This study can provide a reference for the optimization and utilization of biochar-based aerobic denitrification technology, which is of great significance for improving the quality of water environment.

The pH-mediated regulation of the glyoxal-dipeptide reaction pathway was systematically investigated via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) spectroscopy. The resulting mechanistic insights were then applied to optimize Camellia oleifera protein-based adhesive performance. Under alkaline conditions, glyoxal undergoes an intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction, where one aldehyde group is reduced to an alcohol hydroxyl group, and the other aldehyde group is oxidized to a carboxyl group, resulting in the salt form of glycolic acid (HOCH₂COO–). Glycolic acid enables extensive cross-linking via bifunctional, cooperative condensation with peptide amino and amide groups. A critical pH threshold of 11 was established for this process. In contrast, under acidic conditions, intramolecular cyclization of glyoxal to cyclic ether structures was observed. Simultaneously, the dipeptide’s aliphatic amino groups were protonated and inactivated, leaving only weakly nucleophilic amide groups available for reaction, which led to a significant reduction in overall efficiency. When applied to these adhesives, bond strength was shown to exhibit a distinct pH dependency. In the glyoxal-only system, a bond strength of 0.76 MPa was attained at pH 11, corresponding to a ~65% increase relative to acidic conditions. For the melamine-glyoxal modification, this value was further optimized to 0.95 MPa at pH 13, a result ascribed to the synergistic cross-linking effect of the triazine ring.

Cacalia firma is known for its unique fragrance, and its young shoots are traditionally used as culinary herbs and for their active constituents. The leaves of C. firma and the residual material remaining after enzymatic treatment exhibit both nutritional and therapeutic potentials. Despite this, the application of enzyme-treated C. firma leaf residues in functional food development has received limited attention. According to existing research, these residues are abundant in health-promoting compounds, such as antioxidants and polyphenols. Moreover, preliminary in vitro studies have suggested their potential to alleviate gut microbiota-modulatory problems. Expanding studies in this field could support the future use of enzyme-treated C. firma residues as valuable components in functional food formulations. This study aims to detail the bioactive profiles and nutraceutical potential of various enzyme-treated C. firma leaf residues and assess their applicability in health-oriented food products.

The development of soybean meal (SM)-based adhesives with water resistance, heat tolerance, and magnetic-adsorbent functions is critical for expanding their applications as wood adhesives in hot and humid kitchen environments. A key goal is to enable magnetic storage systems such as knife holders and detachable shelves through localized adhesive application. However, the monofunctionality of existing bio-based adhesives limits their practical potential. In this study, micron-sized carbonyl iron powder (CIP) and nanoscale ferrosoferric oxide (Fe₃O₄) were introduced to confer multifunctionality to SM adhesives. Results indicated that the micron-scale dispersion of CIP markedly enhanced the heat resistance and wet-heat stability of SM adhesives through physical barrier effects, while optimizing magnetic attraction efficiency. In contrast, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles achieved rapid magnetic response at low additive levels due to their high saturation magnetization, though nano-aggregation caused a sharp viscosity increase. Scenario-based validation confirmed that CIP-modified adhesives exhibit excellent structural stability in hot and humid kitchen environments, and they could withstand steam exposure, and retain magnetic adsorption properties.