Research Keyword: cellulose

Applications of Natural Polymers in the Grapevine Industry: Plant Protection and Value-Added Utilization of Waste

Grapevines face significant challenges from drought, extreme temperatures, and fungal diseases. Natural polymers like chitosan, alginate, and cellulose can create protective coatings on grapes that help them retain water, resist pests, and stay healthy. Additionally, waste from grape processing can be recycled into valuable compounds and encapsulated in these polymers for use as plant strengtheners or in food and pharmaceuticals, creating a more sustainable wine industry.

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Living Kombucha Electronics with Proteinoids

Scientists created a new material by combining Kombucha cellulose with synthetic proteinoids (protein-like structures made from amino acids) to produce living electronics that can sense and process information. This hybrid material exhibits unusual electrical properties, including the ability to perform logic operations like computer circuits. The proportions of each component can be adjusted to customize the electrical behavior, opening possibilities for wearable technology and brain-inspired computing devices.

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Textile residue-based mycelium biocomposites from Pleurotus ostreatus

Researchers successfully grew oyster mushroom mycelium on textile waste to create eco-friendly biocomposites that could replace plastic packaging. The fungus naturally binds textile fibers together, creating lightweight materials with useful structural properties. This approach transforms textile waste into sustainable products while addressing plastic pollution, offering a promising solution for converting unwanted clothing and fabric scraps into useful materials.

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Combined effect of olive pruning residues and spent coffee grounds on Pleurotus ostreatus production, composition, and nutritional value

This study examined growing oyster mushrooms on different substrate mixtures combining wheat straw with recycled coffee grounds and olive plant waste. The researchers found that mushrooms grown on substrates with lower amounts of these waste materials produced comparable yields to standard straw while offering better nutritional profiles, including higher protein and lower fat content. The findings suggest that using these recycled agricultural wastes could benefit mushroom farming in regions where wheat straw is difficult to obtain, though lead contamination from coffee grounds was a concern requiring better cleaning procedures.

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