This study demonstrated the conversion of a harmful weed into value-added product, biochar. Pyrolysis of water hyacinth biomass was carried out in a semi-automated charcolator at 500 ºC (yield 36.7% ± 1.2%) and applied into the soil at three different concentrations (low, medium, and high). The biochar presented alkaline pH (8.4±0.04), moderate cation exchange capacity (1.83±0.04 meq/100g) and moderate electrical conductivity (2709±44.73 μS/cm). Fourier-transform infrared spectra indicated diverse types of functional groups (phenols, alcohols, unsaturated carbon compounds, and aromatic compounds) in Eichhornia crassipes biochar (ECB). Scanning electron microscopy and element dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the high porosity (2.5 µm to 7.8 µm) and abundance of micro and macronutrients on biochar surface. Thermogravimetric analysis of ECB showed high thermal stability. Ameliorated soil edaphic parameters improved plant growth conditions. ECB added at medium concentration, remarkably increased shoot length and germination, and those of ECB added at high concentration recorded the highest chlorophyll content (60.5 SPAD). The experimental results showed favorable prospects for sustainable waste biomass recycling to produce valuable biochar, enhance soil health, and increase productivity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a rigid biopolymer, while poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a flexible biodegradable polymer. To comprehensively enhance the mechanical properties of PLA/PBAT composites, sunflower straw cellulose nanofibers (SSCNFs) were isolated from sunflower straw (SS) via TEMPO oxidation treatments and used as reinforcement. Using a PLA/PBAT blend (60:40 by mass) as the matrix, SSCNFs-reinforced PLA/PBAT composites were prepared using a co-precipitation and hot-pressing method. The morphology and structure of the SSCNFs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nanoparticle size and zeta potential analysis. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were tested. The tensile and flexural properties of the composites were improved with increasing SSCNFs content. When the SSCNF content was 16 wt%, the composites reached a tensile strength of 20.06 ± 0.61 MPa (an 11.69% enhancement), a tensile modulus of 732.57 ± 42.72 MPa (a 56.64% enhancement), a flexural strength of 31.76 ± 0.54 MPa (a 20.21% enhancement), and a flexural modulus of 2030.42 ± 36.37 MPa (a 77.50% enhancement). Although thermal stability and water absorption were slightly decreased, UV shielding capacity and hydrophobicity were enhanced. The prepared composites exhibited well-balanced overall performance and potential for replacing traditional commercial polymers.

Prepared orange peel biochar (OPB) was evaluated as a low-cost adsorbent for removing Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The OPB was examined using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis to identify surface morphology, functional groups, thermal stability, and surface porosity responsible for adsorption, respectively. The biochar showed typical lignocellulosic decomposition behavior and exhibited a microporous surface whose hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxylate, and phenolic groups allowed effective Pb²⁺ uptake. Batch studies revealed maximum Pb2+ at a pH 5, adsorbent dosage of 0.7 g, contact time of 80 min, adsorbate concentration of 150 mg/L, and temperature of 50 °C. The Langmuir isotherm revealed adsorption maximum capacity of the adsorbent to be 73.5 mg/g, while thermodynamics analysis showed that Pb(II) uptake was endothermic. These results demonstrate that orange-peel biochar can be an effective, environmentally friendly, and renewable adsorbent for lead ions in wastewater treatment.

Thymol, a natural phenolic compound with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and high antioxidant capacity, faces limitations in food preservation due to its volatility. This study developed a thymol-loaded Pickering emulsion stabilized by zein/pectin (ZP) composite colloidal particles. The effects of thymol concentration (0.5 to 2.5 wt%) on encapsulation efficiency, colloidal stability, and functional properties were investigated. The resultant functionalized paper was evaluated for cherry tomato preservation. Optimal performance was achieved at 2 wt% thymol, yielding a high encapsulation efficiency of 91.4% and superior stability. The paper demonstrated robust antimicrobial efficacy, sustained release, and a 98.2% DPPH radical scavenging efficacy. In storage trials, it significantly outperformed controls by better maintaining firmness, mitigating weight loss, and reducing the spoilage rate to 7.3% after 15 days, while most effectively preserving soluble solids content. This work demonstrates the ZP particle-stabilized, thymol-loaded Pickering emulsion-based paper as a highly effective strategy for postharvest preservation.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites were developed using unmodified kraft lignin and lignosulfonate at varying mass ratios to evaluate their effects on mechanical, thermal, and environmental performance. At low filler content, lignin enhanced LDPE crystallinity and stiffness due to improved dispersion and interfacial interaction. However, higher lignin loadings led to particle agglomeration and reduced thermal stability between 100 and 400 °C. Tensile strength increased with lignin content, though no notable difference was observed between LL7.5 and LL10, which was likely due to aggregation. All composites exhibited a consistent melting point at 107 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that lignin degraded between 200 and 400 °C, while LDPE decomposed at 400 to 500 °C. Melt Flow Rate (MFR) declined with increasing filler content, from 4.92 g/10 min (LL0) to 3.53 g/10 min (LL10). FTIR analysis before and after 30 days of sunlight exposure showed no significant chemical changes, suggesting good environmental stability. These results demonstrated that unmodified lignin-based fillers can enhance the stiffness and environmental resilience of LDPE composites, although thermal stability may be compromised at higher loadings. The study offers insights into the balance between biofiller content and composite performance, supporting the development of sustainable materials for industrial use.

The feasibility was explored for synergistic addition of coal slime and silica calcium slag for saline-alkali soil improvement. A pot method was used to evaluate the effects on physicochemical properties of saline-alkali soil and wheat growth. The results demonstrated that the density and bulk density of saline-alkali soil were reduced with the synergistic additions, but the water content and the contents of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil were increased. The emergence and growth height of wheat seedlings was found to be effectively improved. In terms of the emergence, no matter what proportion of M-G (coal slime: silica calcium slag ratio) was used, the emergence of wheat was greater than 70% when the addition amount was at 20%. In terms of seedling length, when the aggregate addition reached 35%, the high coal slime content (M-G 3:1) did not play a greater role in fostering the development of wheat. Therefore, with M-G 1:1, 35% addition of the soil can meet the growth needs of wheat in the early stage. In summary, the synergistic addition of coal slime and silica calcium slag has a promising application in the field of saline-alkali soil improvement.

Analytical and simulation models were used to investigate the formation mechanism and enhancement pathways of green supply chain resilience (GSCR) in customized home furnishing enterprises. A mixed-methods research approach was employed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection. For the qualitative component, anchored in resilience theory and the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, a resilience indicator system was developed that integrates both capability and risk factors, proposing 21 mechanistic hypotheses. For the quantitative component, 179 targeted questionnaires were collected, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied using SmartPLS software for factor analysis and hypothesis testing. This was followed by a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of the case enterprise’s resilience level. Furthermore, a system dynamics model was constructed to simulate resilience development trends under four distinct scenarios. The results indicate that factors such as environmental compliance monitoring maturity and production disruption risks due to adverse events exert the most significant influence on the GSCR of customized home furnishing enterprises.

Effects of microhabitat were studied relative to the growth and fruit yield of Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry) populations in a Mediterranean ecosystem. Two contrasting natural habitats were compared: rocky slopes and streamside environments in southwestern Türkiye. A total of 60 mature trees (30 per habitat) were sampled during the 2025 growing season. Tree height, basal diameter, diameter at breast height (DBH), crown diameter, age, fruit number, and total fruit weight were measured to assess growth and yield responses.The results revealed pronounced habitat-related differences in reproductive performance. Trees growing in rocky habitats produced approximately 60% more fruits and 85% higher total fruit yield compared with those in streamside habitats. Analysis of variance indicated that habitat effects were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for most growth and yield traits, except for tree height and crown diameter. Correlation analyses demonstrated strong positive relationships between growth parameters and fruit yield, with basal diameter emerging as the most reliable predictor of reproductive output. Rocky habitats appeared to provide more favorable conditions for fruit production, likely due to improved drainage, enhanced light availability, and reduced interspecific competition. The study provides valuable insights for the sustainable management, conservation, and potential cultivation of C. mas.

Consistent heat sealing is a critical aspect of paper cup manufacturing, ensuring both liquid tightness and a visually appealing finish. Given the high production volumes in the disposable cup industry, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining good seal quality is critical to minimize waste and resource use. A mechanical testing device for quantifying the side seal strength of finished cups was developed to replace the subjective hand-peel method. Unlike laboratory testing with pre-sealed samples, the proposed test method accounts for stresses imposed on the seal area during the converting process. The device allowed for the objective comparison of cup side seals produced from two different materials sealed using two different technologies: ultrasonic and hot air. The experiments yielded largely consistent results and offered insights into material-specific behaviors in the cup manufacturing process, which involves shorter heating, cooling, and forming cycles than those in other coated paperboard conversion processes. In addition, ultrasonic sealing was shown to have an advantage in sealing consistency over hot-air sealing. The developed test method showed potential as a repeatable evaluation tool for side seal strength in finished paper cups, facilitating quality control across high-speed production lines.

This study was conducted to examine how sustainability-oriented (“green”) claims influence consumer responses to bio-based paper and packaging products in digital marketplaces. A total of 611 verified consumer reviews were analyzed, including 230 from Amazon and 381 from Trendyol, covering the period between 2020 and 2025. Through digital content and sentiment analysis, the relationship between eco-communication and perceived value, satisfaction, and trust was explored. A cross-platform analytical pipeline was developed to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Daily review frequencies were aggregated into seven-day rolling averages so that temporal patterns such as enthusiasm bursts and stabilization trends could be identified. It was observed that consumer sentiment was predominantly positive but asymmetrically distributed. Explicit “green” claims such as biodegradable, recyclable, and eco-friendly were found to stimulate higher engagement while also inducing greater polarization, resulting in a characteristic J-shaped rating distribution. Broader variance in Amazon reviews was attributed to the platform’s diverse cultural composition, whereas Trendyol reviews exhibited faster stabilization, indicating stronger normative coherence and trust in localized sustainability messages. Overall, these findings suggest that sustainability has shifted from an optional feature to a baseline expectation in digital consumption. “Green” attributes are now perceived as authenticity and reliability cues that merge ethical commitment with functional quality.