2025, Vol. 10, No. 1
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2025, 10(1): 4-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.11.001
Abstract:
Lignin is a natural resource used for energy production and a widely applied basis in the chemical industry. Physiological and wood anatomical evidence now suggests that the degree of lignin deposition in plant cell walls is constrained by low temperature and enhanced by increased temperature. Placing these findings in an industrial setting implies planning lignin supply in the forecasted global warming scenario.
Lignin is a natural resource used for energy production and a widely applied basis in the chemical industry. Physiological and wood anatomical evidence now suggests that the degree of lignin deposition in plant cell walls is constrained by low temperature and enhanced by increased temperature. Placing these findings in an industrial setting implies planning lignin supply in the forecasted global warming scenario.
2025, 10(1): 7-13.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.11.002
Abstract:
Papermaking, a cornerstone of human civilization and one of China's Four Great Inventions, exemplifies the enduring legacy of ancient ingenuity in shaping modern materials science. Originating from the groundbreaking work of Lun Cai and his team, the papermaking process involves the meticulous disassembly, refinement, and reassembly of natural fibers into cohesive sheets: a process that, while refined, has remained fundamentally unchanged for nearly 2 000 years. This work explores the pivotal role of papermaking in contemporary society within the broader context of materials science, highlighting its fundamental principles and the remarkable versatility of its scalable process. Papermaking, once central to the dissemination of knowledge worldwide, has now evolved into a key player in the sustainable production of environmentally friendly products, touching every aspect of modern life. The principles underlying papermaking have inspired the development of novel materials, with techniques such as vacuum filtration paving the way for innovations like nanopapers based on a diverse group of building blcoks. Looking ahead, the field presents significant opportunities in sustainable sourcing, the creation of eco-friendly packaging, and the development of advanced materials with applications in healthcare and beyond. The enduring relevance of papermaking lies in its adaptability, versatility, and boundless potential for future innovation.
Papermaking, a cornerstone of human civilization and one of China's Four Great Inventions, exemplifies the enduring legacy of ancient ingenuity in shaping modern materials science. Originating from the groundbreaking work of Lun Cai and his team, the papermaking process involves the meticulous disassembly, refinement, and reassembly of natural fibers into cohesive sheets: a process that, while refined, has remained fundamentally unchanged for nearly 2 000 years. This work explores the pivotal role of papermaking in contemporary society within the broader context of materials science, highlighting its fundamental principles and the remarkable versatility of its scalable process. Papermaking, once central to the dissemination of knowledge worldwide, has now evolved into a key player in the sustainable production of environmentally friendly products, touching every aspect of modern life. The principles underlying papermaking have inspired the development of novel materials, with techniques such as vacuum filtration paving the way for innovations like nanopapers based on a diverse group of building blcoks. Looking ahead, the field presents significant opportunities in sustainable sourcing, the creation of eco-friendly packaging, and the development of advanced materials with applications in healthcare and beyond. The enduring relevance of papermaking lies in its adaptability, versatility, and boundless potential for future innovation.
2025, 10(1): 14-31.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.12.001
Abstract:
The rapid advancement of biomedical polymers has raised significant concerns about the disposal of medical polymer waste. Sustainable biomass materials derived from renewable sources in nature have emerged as promising alternatives to petroleum-based polymers for medical applications and tissue engineering due to their abundance, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness. In tissue engineering, interconnected macropores within biomaterials are crucial as they provide space and interfaces for cells, enhancing permeability for nutrient and waste transport. In this review, we summarize recent developments in the use of biomass materials to engineer macroporous tissue engineering scaffolds. We highlight key techniques, such as microparticles assembly, leaching template, and bioprinting that can create macropores within scaffolds composed of biomass materials and their composites. In addition, we investigate the applications of the macroporous scaffolds in wound healing, with a focus on cell behaviors within macroporous constructs and their role in treating chronic wounds. We envision that the combination of the bicontinuous macropores and biomass-based materials can create an ideal cellular environment and provide a powerful platform for wound healing and tissue regeneration.
The rapid advancement of biomedical polymers has raised significant concerns about the disposal of medical polymer waste. Sustainable biomass materials derived from renewable sources in nature have emerged as promising alternatives to petroleum-based polymers for medical applications and tissue engineering due to their abundance, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness. In tissue engineering, interconnected macropores within biomaterials are crucial as they provide space and interfaces for cells, enhancing permeability for nutrient and waste transport. In this review, we summarize recent developments in the use of biomass materials to engineer macroporous tissue engineering scaffolds. We highlight key techniques, such as microparticles assembly, leaching template, and bioprinting that can create macropores within scaffolds composed of biomass materials and their composites. In addition, we investigate the applications of the macroporous scaffolds in wound healing, with a focus on cell behaviors within macroporous constructs and their role in treating chronic wounds. We envision that the combination of the bicontinuous macropores and biomass-based materials can create an ideal cellular environment and provide a powerful platform for wound healing and tissue regeneration.
2025, 10(1): 32-50.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.12.004
Abstract:
A comprehensive kinetic model called anaerobic digestion bacteria algae (ADBA) was developed to describe and predict the complex algae-bacterial system in anaerobic digestion (AD) wastewater under mixotrophic growth conditions. The model was calibrated and validated using the experimental growth data from cultivating the algae (Chlorella vulgaris CA1) with its indigenous bacteria in Blue Green 11 (BG-11) media and different combinations of sterilized, diluted, and raw AD effluent. Key parameters were obtained, including the distinct maximum growth rate of algae on CO2 (μa,CO2, 1.23 per day) and organic carbon (μa,OC, 3.30 per day), the maximum growth rate of bacteria (μb, 1.20 per day), along with two noble parameters, i.e., the algae-bacteria interaction exponent (n, 0.03) and the growth inhibition coefficient (ae = 30 000 mg/L per AU) due to effluent turbidity. The model showed a good fit with an average R2 = 0.90 in all cases adjusted with 25 kinetic parameters. This was the first model capable of predicting algal and bacterial growth in AD effluent with their competitive interactions, assuming shifting growth modes of algae on organic and inorganic carbon under light. It could also predict the removal rate of substrate and nutrients from effluent, light inhibition due to biomass shading and effluent turbidity, mass transfer rate of O2 and CO2 from gas phase to liquid phase, and pH-driven equilibrium between dissolved inorganic carbon components (CO2, HCO3-, and CO32-). Algal growth in the strongly buffered AD effluent resulted in odor removal, turbidity reduction, and the removal of ~80% of total ammonium-nitrogen and 90% of organic carbon. In addition to process parameter prediction, this study offered a practical solution to wastewater treatment, air pollution, and nutrient recycling, ensuring a holistic and practical approach to ecological balance.
A comprehensive kinetic model called anaerobic digestion bacteria algae (ADBA) was developed to describe and predict the complex algae-bacterial system in anaerobic digestion (AD) wastewater under mixotrophic growth conditions. The model was calibrated and validated using the experimental growth data from cultivating the algae (Chlorella vulgaris CA1) with its indigenous bacteria in Blue Green 11 (BG-11) media and different combinations of sterilized, diluted, and raw AD effluent. Key parameters were obtained, including the distinct maximum growth rate of algae on CO2 (μa,CO2, 1.23 per day) and organic carbon (μa,OC, 3.30 per day), the maximum growth rate of bacteria (μb, 1.20 per day), along with two noble parameters, i.e., the algae-bacteria interaction exponent (n, 0.03) and the growth inhibition coefficient (ae = 30 000 mg/L per AU) due to effluent turbidity. The model showed a good fit with an average R2 = 0.90 in all cases adjusted with 25 kinetic parameters. This was the first model capable of predicting algal and bacterial growth in AD effluent with their competitive interactions, assuming shifting growth modes of algae on organic and inorganic carbon under light. It could also predict the removal rate of substrate and nutrients from effluent, light inhibition due to biomass shading and effluent turbidity, mass transfer rate of O2 and CO2 from gas phase to liquid phase, and pH-driven equilibrium between dissolved inorganic carbon components (CO2, HCO3-, and CO32-). Algal growth in the strongly buffered AD effluent resulted in odor removal, turbidity reduction, and the removal of ~80% of total ammonium-nitrogen and 90% of organic carbon. In addition to process parameter prediction, this study offered a practical solution to wastewater treatment, air pollution, and nutrient recycling, ensuring a holistic and practical approach to ecological balance.
2025, 10(1): 51-61.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.10.003
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of torrefaction on forest residue (FR) and its subsequent application as a bulk-loading filler in polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Torrefaction enhanced the chemical properties of FR, improving its compatibility with PLA, and the crystallinity increased from 24.9% to 42.5%. The process also improved the hydrophobicity of PLA/biomass composites, as demonstrated by the water contact angle of 76.1°, closely matching that of neat PLA (76.4°). With the introduction of 20% modified biomass properties after torrefaction treatment, the tensile strength of PLA/biomass composite increased from 58.7 to 62.3 MPa. Additionally, the addition of torrefied forest residue (TFR) accelerated biodegradation by increasing the onset of degradation and inhibiting crystallization. After 90 d, the biodegradability of PLA/biomass composites reached 94.9%, which had a 6.9% increase compared to the neat PLA (88.8%). Overall, this study highlights the potential of torrefaction in enhancing both the physical properties and biodegradability of PLA-based composites, contributing to a more sustainable approach to reducing plastic pollution.
This study investigated the effects of torrefaction on forest residue (FR) and its subsequent application as a bulk-loading filler in polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Torrefaction enhanced the chemical properties of FR, improving its compatibility with PLA, and the crystallinity increased from 24.9% to 42.5%. The process also improved the hydrophobicity of PLA/biomass composites, as demonstrated by the water contact angle of 76.1°, closely matching that of neat PLA (76.4°). With the introduction of 20% modified biomass properties after torrefaction treatment, the tensile strength of PLA/biomass composite increased from 58.7 to 62.3 MPa. Additionally, the addition of torrefied forest residue (TFR) accelerated biodegradation by increasing the onset of degradation and inhibiting crystallization. After 90 d, the biodegradability of PLA/biomass composites reached 94.9%, which had a 6.9% increase compared to the neat PLA (88.8%). Overall, this study highlights the potential of torrefaction in enhancing both the physical properties and biodegradability of PLA-based composites, contributing to a more sustainable approach to reducing plastic pollution.
2025, 10(1): 62-76.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.10.002
Abstract:
The favorable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of lignin have been shown to promote wound healing. However, the accumulation of lignin in high concentrations in the body brings about varying degrees of biotoxicity. Herein, a controlled/sustained release polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/sulfonated lignin hydrogel (PVA-CS-L) integrated mechanical strengthening and bioactivities of lignin was developed. The lignin-induced non-covalent bond network (van der Waals force, hydrogen and electrostatic interactions) promoted energy dissipation when the hydrogel was subjected to stretching and compression. This endowed the PVA-CS-L hydrogel with improved tensile (~36 kPa) and compressive strength (~900 kPa), as well as compressive toughness (~9.0 MJ/m3), which were superior to the polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan hydrogel (PVA-CS) (31 kPa, 680 kPa, and 7.5 MJ/m3, respectively). The construction of electrostatic interaction could not only slow down the sudden release of lignin but also make the hydrogel exhibit a good pH-sensitive behavior of controlled-release lignin. Also, the developed hydrogel had good biocompatibility and the released lignin had reactive oxygen species scavenging as well as inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, preliminary evaluation of drug delivery reveals that the presence of lignin enabled the hydrogel to exhibit longer-lasting controlled/sustained epigallocatechin gallate release properties. Such lignin-based controlled/sustained release hydrogel that integrates the molecular structure and biological difunctional features of lignin gives new insight into cost-effective, easy-to-operate manufacturing of load-bearing and bioactive materials.
The favorable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of lignin have been shown to promote wound healing. However, the accumulation of lignin in high concentrations in the body brings about varying degrees of biotoxicity. Herein, a controlled/sustained release polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/sulfonated lignin hydrogel (PVA-CS-L) integrated mechanical strengthening and bioactivities of lignin was developed. The lignin-induced non-covalent bond network (van der Waals force, hydrogen and electrostatic interactions) promoted energy dissipation when the hydrogel was subjected to stretching and compression. This endowed the PVA-CS-L hydrogel with improved tensile (~36 kPa) and compressive strength (~900 kPa), as well as compressive toughness (~9.0 MJ/m3), which were superior to the polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan hydrogel (PVA-CS) (31 kPa, 680 kPa, and 7.5 MJ/m3, respectively). The construction of electrostatic interaction could not only slow down the sudden release of lignin but also make the hydrogel exhibit a good pH-sensitive behavior of controlled-release lignin. Also, the developed hydrogel had good biocompatibility and the released lignin had reactive oxygen species scavenging as well as inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, preliminary evaluation of drug delivery reveals that the presence of lignin enabled the hydrogel to exhibit longer-lasting controlled/sustained epigallocatechin gallate release properties. Such lignin-based controlled/sustained release hydrogel that integrates the molecular structure and biological difunctional features of lignin gives new insight into cost-effective, easy-to-operate manufacturing of load-bearing and bioactive materials.
2025, 10(1): 77-91.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.11.003
Abstract:
Composite aerogel based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa) and chitosan (CS), i.e., CS/CMCNa, was prepared through a sol-gel method. Then, CS/CMCNa was used for simulating the adsorption of metal ions (Cr3+, Al3+ and Zr4+) produced by the tanning industry. The adsorption process is consistent with the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model and pseudo-second order kinetics. The maximum fitted adsorption capacities of Cr3+, Al3+, and Zr4+ could reach 250.0, 111.1, and 100.0 mg/g, respectively. After metal ion adsorption, the obtained composite materials (CS/CMCNa-Cr3+, CS/CMCNa-Al3+, and CS/CMCNa-Zr4+) were used as re-tanning agents in the re-tanning process to leather. The re-tanning agent could increase the shrinkage temperature of leather by up to 5 ℃. Compared with the traditional method, the method utilized in this study achieved the integration of mental ions-containing wastewater treatment and waste adsorbent/adsorbates recycling.
Composite aerogel based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa) and chitosan (CS), i.e., CS/CMCNa, was prepared through a sol-gel method. Then, CS/CMCNa was used for simulating the adsorption of metal ions (Cr3+, Al3+ and Zr4+) produced by the tanning industry. The adsorption process is consistent with the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model and pseudo-second order kinetics. The maximum fitted adsorption capacities of Cr3+, Al3+, and Zr4+ could reach 250.0, 111.1, and 100.0 mg/g, respectively. After metal ion adsorption, the obtained composite materials (CS/CMCNa-Cr3+, CS/CMCNa-Al3+, and CS/CMCNa-Zr4+) were used as re-tanning agents in the re-tanning process to leather. The re-tanning agent could increase the shrinkage temperature of leather by up to 5 ℃. Compared with the traditional method, the method utilized in this study achieved the integration of mental ions-containing wastewater treatment and waste adsorbent/adsorbates recycling.
2025, 10(1): 92-110.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.12.002
Abstract:
Based on 6 403 research articles in the Web of Science database from 2000 to 2023, information visualization technology is employed to analyze the literature year distribution, keyword co-occurrence and research hot spots, author cooperation network, institutional and national cooperation network, published journals, and co-cited literature in the middle of hydrothermal pretreatment. Our results show that the number of applied research publications related to hydrothermal pretreatment has increased every year in the past two decades. Among these publications, China (36.5%) is the most active country in the world, followed by the United States (14.6%) and Japan (8.2%), with increasing global cooperation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences ranks first among the institutions in the light of total publication output (245 articles, accounting for 3.82%). Among 955 journals, Bioresource Technology is cited the most frequently. The study is centered on the enhancement and potential evolution of lignocellulosic biomass raw materials via hydrothermal pretreatment for subsequent bioenergy transformation. Concurrently, the domain of hydrothermal pretreatment has progressively become more cross-disciplinary, intertwining with the sectors of microbial populations and genomes.
Based on 6 403 research articles in the Web of Science database from 2000 to 2023, information visualization technology is employed to analyze the literature year distribution, keyword co-occurrence and research hot spots, author cooperation network, institutional and national cooperation network, published journals, and co-cited literature in the middle of hydrothermal pretreatment. Our results show that the number of applied research publications related to hydrothermal pretreatment has increased every year in the past two decades. Among these publications, China (36.5%) is the most active country in the world, followed by the United States (14.6%) and Japan (8.2%), with increasing global cooperation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences ranks first among the institutions in the light of total publication output (245 articles, accounting for 3.82%). Among 955 journals, Bioresource Technology is cited the most frequently. The study is centered on the enhancement and potential evolution of lignocellulosic biomass raw materials via hydrothermal pretreatment for subsequent bioenergy transformation. Concurrently, the domain of hydrothermal pretreatment has progressively become more cross-disciplinary, intertwining with the sectors of microbial populations and genomes.
2025, 10(1): 111-122.
doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2024.11.005
Abstract:
Furan fatty acids produced by plants and bacteria, and present in some edible resources, have attracted significant scientific attention for their health benefits. They include 10,13-epoxy-11-methyl-octadecan-10,12-dienoic acid, which has been identified in the lipid fraction of latex from two Hevea brasiliensis genotypes commonly known as the source of natural rubber. Those two genotypes, namely RRIM501 and PB235, are from Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) and Prang Besar, Malaysia (PB), respectively. This research aimed to undertake the first ever investigation into the existence of this potential high value-added co-product in the lipid fraction of 48 Hevea brasiliensis genotypes, seeking to study the widest possible clonal variability. The results showed furan fatty acid exists in all lipid fractions of their latices. Its content varied significantly, ranging from 0.01% to 0.71% (w/w in latex), the highest concentrations were found in genotypes from the Institut de Recherche sur le Caoutchouc (IRCA) in Côte d'Ivoire, Prang Besar (PB) in Malaysia, and Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam (RRIV) in Vietnam breeding programs. A positive correlation with total fatty acid content was observed when its content exceeded 0.10%, suggesting an additive rather than a substitutive role with the other fatty acids present. Interestingly, linoleic and palmitoleic acids strongly correlated with the furan fatty acid concentration, indicating a possible biosynthetic pathway linkage. In terms of yield per tapping PB235, RRIV4, RRIV2, IRCA41, IRCA18, PB324, IRCA814, IRCA323, and IRCA109 genotypes showed the highest production potential, with yields range of 1 367-2 446 mg furan fatty acid per tree per tapping. Notably, the biochemical markers of natural rubber productivity (sucrose, inorganic phosphorus, thiols, and total solid content) showed no direct involvement in furan fatty acid biosynthesis during latex regeneration between tappings. Based on knowledge of the parentage of the studied clones, a trait heritability study was conducted and genotype PB5/51 was identified as a very worthwhile genitor for improving furan fatty acid contents in a breeding population.
Furan fatty acids produced by plants and bacteria, and present in some edible resources, have attracted significant scientific attention for their health benefits. They include 10,13-epoxy-11-methyl-octadecan-10,12-dienoic acid, which has been identified in the lipid fraction of latex from two Hevea brasiliensis genotypes commonly known as the source of natural rubber. Those two genotypes, namely RRIM501 and PB235, are from Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) and Prang Besar, Malaysia (PB), respectively. This research aimed to undertake the first ever investigation into the existence of this potential high value-added co-product in the lipid fraction of 48 Hevea brasiliensis genotypes, seeking to study the widest possible clonal variability. The results showed furan fatty acid exists in all lipid fractions of their latices. Its content varied significantly, ranging from 0.01% to 0.71% (w/w in latex), the highest concentrations were found in genotypes from the Institut de Recherche sur le Caoutchouc (IRCA) in Côte d'Ivoire, Prang Besar (PB) in Malaysia, and Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam (RRIV) in Vietnam breeding programs. A positive correlation with total fatty acid content was observed when its content exceeded 0.10%, suggesting an additive rather than a substitutive role with the other fatty acids present. Interestingly, linoleic and palmitoleic acids strongly correlated with the furan fatty acid concentration, indicating a possible biosynthetic pathway linkage. In terms of yield per tapping PB235, RRIV4, RRIV2, IRCA41, IRCA18, PB324, IRCA814, IRCA323, and IRCA109 genotypes showed the highest production potential, with yields range of 1 367-2 446 mg furan fatty acid per tree per tapping. Notably, the biochemical markers of natural rubber productivity (sucrose, inorganic phosphorus, thiols, and total solid content) showed no direct involvement in furan fatty acid biosynthesis during latex regeneration between tappings. Based on knowledge of the parentage of the studied clones, a trait heritability study was conducted and genotype PB5/51 was identified as a very worthwhile genitor for improving furan fatty acid contents in a breeding population.
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