Iron-based nanostructures mediated by plant aqueous extract were synthesized. The nanostructures were subjected to ultraviolet radiation to degrade a difficult-to-degrade compound. Various characterization techniques were performed to analyze the morphology of the nanomaterial, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as crystallinity by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The chemical composition was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and structural characteristics by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the nanoparticles exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 80% degradation of the pollutant. The study concludes that iron nanoparticles synthesized with plant aqueous extract are promising for the degradation of recalcitrant compounds, combining good efficiency with a cost-effective synthesis approach.

Cyanobacteria represent a significant problem for water treatment systems due to their ability to form blooms, release harmful toxins, and decrease the efficiency of water treatment processes. This study investigated the efficacy of a natural coagulant and its combination with a chemical coagulant to remove cyanobacteria from water. The combination with natural coagulants reduces residual aluminum concentrations in the sludge and treated water and lowers process costs. A dosage of 20 mg L^–1 of Moringa oleifera was identified as the most effective for the removal of turbidity (≈82%), color (67–76%), and cell density (88–97%). The proportion of 75% Moringa oleifera and 25% polyaluminum chloride was the optimal condition for cell removal (95%) and resulted in a low residual aluminum concentration in the treated water (0.030 mg L^–1). The seasonal variation of cyanobacteria in the C/F/DAF treatment showed that 50% Microcystis aeruginosa and 50% Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii achieved the most effective removal of turbidity (94%) and cell density (≈99%). The color removal for this cell proportion was 80%. Based on the results, treatment efficiency was not affected by cell density or cell morphology. The analysis of dissolved organic carbon and total dissolved carbon showed no variation for most of the samples after C/F/DAF treatment. This study demonstrated the efficiency of combining coagulants, highlighting the potential of Moringa oleifera as a sustainable water treatment alternative.

The demand for sustainable, low-cost bioprocesses has encouraged the development of alternative enzyme production strategies. This study investigated the purification and characterization of a crude enzymatic extract (CEE) rich in α-amylase from Coprinus comatus, using wheat milling by-products as substrate. The CEE was obtained by submerged culture, followed by biomass removal, centrifugation, and ultrafiltration to yield a partially purified enzyme (PE). CEE and PE were evaluated for chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activity, toxicity (Artemia salina assay), and enzymatic performance. Toxicity assays confirmed that CEE was non-toxic. Antioxidant activity reached 213.34 µmol TE·gDE⁻¹ (DPPH assay), with a total phenolic content of 8.01 mg GAE·gDE⁻¹. No antibacterial activity was detected. CEE hydrolyzed 96.31% of starch in 180 min, releasing 10.85 g·L⁻¹ glucose, while PE achieved 98% hydrolysis and released 14.5 g·L⁻¹. Optimal α-amylase activity occurred at 50 °C and pH 5.5 (CEE) or 5.0 (PE). Calcium ions improved the enzymatic activity and thermal stability. CEE retained over 60% activity after 721 days under refrigeration (4 °C) or freezing (0 °C). Although lyophilization enhanced enzyme concentration, it increased production costs. SDS-PAGE revealed bands of ~67 kDa (α-amylase) and ~35 kDa (glucoamylase). These findings support the use of CEE as a sustainable, low-cost biocatalyst for industrial use.

The increasing concern regarding the environmental impact of conventional plastics has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives. This study investigated the development and characterization of biocomposites produced from glue flour (GF), a wheat milling by-product, and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) using injection molding. GF/PBS ratios of 100/0 (PBS0), 80/20 (PBS20), 70/30 (PBS30), and 60/40 (PBS40) (w/w) were evaluated in terms of physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The results showed that increasing the PBS content significantly enhanced tensile strength from 1.36 MPa (PBS0) to 12.23 MPa (PBS40) and Young’s modulus from 0.12 MPa to 1.54 MPa. Water solubility decreased from 37.03% (PBS0) to 16.08% (PBS40), and linear shrinkage was reduced from 5.5% (PBS0) to around 2.0% (PBS40). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed improved homogeneity and reduced granule visibility with higher PBS concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra indicated intensified interactions between starch, proteins, and PBS as its content in the formulation increased. Thermal analysis revealed that biocomposites containing PBS exhibited well-defined melting (Tm ~115 °C) and crystallization (Tc ~80 °C) temperatures, indicating more consistent thermal behavior than the PBS-free sample. These findings suggest that GF/PBS biocomposites have strong potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, offering viable applications across various industrial sectors.