Lignin is one of the three major components of the cell wall of lignocellulosic biomaterials. It is the second-most abundant polymer in nature. It is a complex and heterogeneous polymer found in the cell walls of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin’s predominant composition, which is rich in carbon and aromatic structures, enhances its value by enabling the development of high-value chemicals and bio-based materials. As one of the most affluent natural renewable sources of aromatic structures and the world’s second-largest renewable source of carbon, lignin possesses a thermal value comparable to that of carbon. Its aromatic constituents exhibit unique chemical properties and significant bioactive effects, making lignin a crucial material in various advanced applications. Different chemical fractionation methods have been designed to overcome the obstacles to extracting the lignin biopolymer from lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin fractionation is a process that involves separating lignin from other components of biomass feedstock, such as cellulose and hemicellulose. This process is commonly used in the paper and pulp industry to obtain valuable lignin derivatives that can be used in various applications, including, among others, biofuels, chemicals, and biomaterials. In the brief overview described in this proceedings paper, we provide a comprehensive chemical overview of the current processes for extracting technical lignin from wood and lignocellulosic biomass, critically evaluating the advantages and limitations of each method.

This study focuses on synthesizing a new series of isoxazolinyl-1,2,3-triazolyl-[1,4]-benzoxazin-3-one derivatives 5a–5o. The synthesis method involves a double 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction following a “click chemistry” approach, starting from the respective [1,4]-benzoxazin-3-ones. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of these newly synthesized compounds through in silico methods. This synthesis approach allows for the combination of three heterocyclic components: [1,4]-benzoxazin-3-one, 1,2,3-triazole, and isoxazoline, known for their diverse biological activities. The synthesis procedure involved a two-step process. Firstly, a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction was performed involving the propargylic moiety linked to the [1,4]-benzoxazin-3-one and the allylic azide. Secondly, a second cycloaddition reaction was conducted using the product from the first step, containing the allylic part and an oxime. The synthesized compounds were thoroughly characterized using spectroscopic methods, including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT-135, and IR. This molecular docking method revealed a promising antidiabetic potential of the synthesized compounds, particularly against two key diabetes-related enzymes: pancreatic α-amylase, with the two synthetic molecules 5a and 5o showing the highest affinity values of 9.2 and 9.1 kcal/mol, respectively, and intestinal α-glucosidase, with the two synthetic molecules 5n and 5e showing the highest affinity values of −9.9 and −9.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Indeed, the synthesized compounds have shown significant potential as antidiabetic agents, as indicated by molecular docking studies against the enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Additionally, ADME analyses have revealed that all the synthetic compounds examined in our study demonstrate high intestinal absorption, meet Lipinski’s criteria, and fall within the required range for oral bioavailability, indicating their potential suitability for oral drug development.

Cellulose, the most abundant natural biopolymer, has garnered significant attention for hydrogel development due to its exceptional properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, and mechanical strength. These attributes make cellulose an environmentally friendly and safe material for biomedical engineering applications. Crosslinking is a critical step in hydrogel synthesis, enabling the formation of a 3D network that enhances structural and functional properties. Various crosslinking methods have been employed to tailor cellulose-based hydrogels for specific applications, such as tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and 3D bioprinting. This paper provides a concise overview of the formulation techniques and biomedical applications of cellulose-based hydrogels. By synthesizing recent advances from the literature, we highlight the unique advantages of cellulose-based hydrogels over other biomaterials and discuss their potential as a sustainable and innovative platform in biomedical engineering.

This study investigates the preparation of a sustainable activated carbon derived from olive mill solid waste (AC-OMS) and its application for reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) from dairy wastewater (DWW). The precursor was activated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD, and pHPZC analysis. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the removal of COD from DWW, examining factors such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial COD concentration, and temperature. The results demonstrated that AC-OMS exhibits a high affinity for COD, achieving equilibrium within 180 min with a maximum capacity of 4,500 mg/g. Adsorption performance was influenced by acidic pH conditions favored electrostatic interactions with anionic organics, while higher doses of AC-OMS increased COD reduction up to the optimal level. Kinetic modeling indicated that the pseudo-second-order model best described the process, suggesting site-controlled chemisorption coupled with intraparticle diffusion. Isotherm analysis revealed a transition from Langmuir-type monolayer adsorption at low temperature to the Freundlich and Temkin models at higher temperatures, highlighting the coexistence of homogeneous and heterogeneous sorption mechanisms. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the exothermic and spontaneous nature of the process, while regeneration tests showed that AC-OMS retained over 68% efficiency after five cycles.

Benzimidazole derivatives are widely used as a drug. In this work, we valorized the electrochemical activities of our new Benzimidazole-derived compound, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-nitro-1H-benzimidazole (OS1), as a green inhibitor that can be used in environmental applications, which gives rise to a tautomeric equilibrium (A and B), applied to mild steel in a 1 M HCl solution. The inhibitory effect of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-nitro-1H-benzimidazole (OS1) on carbon steel (CS) corrosion in 1 M HCl was evaluated with DFT studies. The value ΔN = 0.019 for A and 0.057 is positive and less than 3.6, indicating that the molecule functions as an electron donor towards the iron substrate, creating a shielding layer that prevents corrosion. DFT results identified the nucleophilic that C(4,6,24) N(12) O(15) and Cl(27) in A and C(4,5,6,32) O(14,15) and Cl(26) in B and electrophilic C(6) N(12) and O(15) in A and O(14,15) in B attack sites. Notably, these findings established that Tautomer A is the most stable.