circular economy – Page 2

Microbes’ role in environmental pollution and remediation: a bioeconomy focus approach

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Microbes like bacteria and fungi can break down pollutants and transform harmful waste into useful products through biological processes called bioremediation. By employing these naturally occurring or genetically modified microorganisms, we can clean up contaminated soil and water while producing valuable products like proteins and biofuels. This approach offers an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable solution to waste management that reduces pollution while creating a circular bioeconomy.

Temporal characterization of biocycles of mycelium-bound composites made from bamboo and Pleurotus ostreatus for indoor usage

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Scientists created a sustainable building material by growing oyster mushroom fungus on bamboo fibers. The material was strong enough for packaging and could be composted after use to enrich soil, completing a full cycle in about 7 months. By adding a natural beeswax coating, the material lasted longer while remaining completely biodegradable. This proof-of-concept demonstrates how fungal materials could replace synthetic plastics in a circular economy.

Grape Pomace: A Review of Its Bioactive Phenolic Compounds, Health Benefits, and Applications

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Grape pomace is the leftover material from making wine, typically discarded as waste. This review shows that grape pomace is actually packed with beneficial plant compounds called phenolics that have powerful health effects. These compounds can fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, help control blood sugar, and protect heart health, making grape pomace waste valuable for creating new health products in food, cosmetics, and medicine.

Nutrients and Nutraceuticals from Vitis vinifera L. Pomace: Biological Activities, Valorization, and Potential Applications

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Wine production generates millions of tons of grape pomace (the leftover skins, seeds, and stems) annually, which has traditionally been discarded as waste. This review shows that grape pomace is actually rich in valuable nutrients and compounds like polyphenols and fiber that provide significant health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and disease-fighting properties. By using grape pomace in functional foods, supplements, and cosmetics, the wine industry can reduce waste while creating sustainable products that promote human health.

Harnessing carbon potential of lignocellulosic biomass: advances in pretreatments, applications, and the transformative role of machine learning in biorefineries

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This comprehensive review examines how agricultural and forestry waste containing lignocellulose can be transformed into valuable products like biofuels, packaging materials, and medical supplies. The paper covers various treatment methods to break down the tough plant material structure and highlights how artificial intelligence can improve these processes. By utilizing this abundant waste resource efficiently, we can reduce environmental pollution, generate renewable energy, and create useful products while supporting a circular economy approach.

Valorization of Mushroom Residues for Functional Food Packaging

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Mushrooms produce large amounts of waste during growth and processing, but these leftovers contain valuable compounds that can protect food and extend shelf life. Scientists are developing ways to extract these beneficial compounds and add them to eco-friendly packaging films, creating materials that fight bacteria and oxidation naturally. This approach transforms mushroom waste into useful products while reducing environmental pollution, making food packaging safer and more sustainable for consumers.

Mycelium-Based Composites for Interior Architecture: Digital Fabrication of Acoustic Ceiling Components

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Researchers developed acoustic ceiling tiles made from mycelium, the root-like part of mushrooms, grown in 3D-printed molds. These sustainable tiles reduce noise in interior spaces while using agricultural waste and requiring minimal energy to produce. The study shows that mycelium-based materials can effectively absorb sound similar to conventional acoustic panels while being completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Maize Cultivation in Sun Mushroom Post-Harvest Areas: Yield, Soil Chemical Properties, and Economic Viability

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This research shows that farmers can grow maize right after harvesting sun mushrooms, using the leftover mushroom material as natural fertilizer. This approach reduces the need for expensive chemical fertilizers while maintaining good crop yields. The system is particularly beneficial for small-scale farmers in Brazil, as it allows them to grow food year-round on the same land while saving money on fertilizer costs.

Microbial Consortium–Mediated Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate in Orthodontic Aligners: A Comprehensive Review

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This review examines how microorganisms can break down plastic used in clear orthodontic aligners (PET plastic). Clear aligners are popular because they are invisible and comfortable, but patients need new ones every 1-2 weeks, creating significant plastic waste. Scientists have discovered bacteria and fungi that produce special enzymes capable of degrading this plastic into harmless components, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods like landfilling and incineration.

Biomass carbon mining to develop nature-inspired materials for a circular economy

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This paper explains how we can turn waste biomass from agriculture and industry into valuable materials to replace petroleum-based products. By using computational methods and artificial intelligence, researchers can design more efficient processes to convert plant and animal waste into bioplastics, chemicals, and building materials. Over 100 companies are already successfully doing this, creating products from waste coffee grounds, seaweed, agricultural residue, and other biomass sources.

Research Topic: circular economy