Modified natural rosins were evaluated as binders in the production of thermoplastic road marking paints (TRMPs). Pine rosin (GR), wood rosin (WR), and tall oil rosin (TOR) were used. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-ToF-MS), and gel permeation chromatography-high pressure liquid chromatography (GPC-HPLC) were performed on natural and modified rosins. Acid number (mg KOH/g) ASTM D 465 – 05 and softening point, (°C) ASTM E 28 – 99 standard tests were applied to the samples. For the optimum synthesis condition, the pentaerythritol/rosin mol/mol ratio is 1/1, with the levels of Irganox 1425/rosin w/w, 0.5%, and TBM-6/rosin w/w, 1.0%. Gel permeation chromatography-high pressure analysis revealed that the esterification reaction yield was over 90% for each of the three natural rosins. Moreover, chromaticity coordinates (x,y), gloss factor (β), softening point (°C), and UVB aging test were applied to TRMPs. Modified natural rosins showed better results in the production of TRMPs. This is an important development and crucial step for sustainable TRMP production.

Depending on the feedstock type and the pyrolysis conditions, biochars exhibit different physical, chemical, and structural properties, which highly influence their performance in various applications. This study presents a comprehensive characterization of biochar materials derived from the waste wood of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) after low-temperature pyrolysis at 270 °C, followed by chemical activation using zinc chloride. The resulting materials were thoroughly analyzed in terms of their chemical composition (FTIR), thermal behavior (TGA/DTG), structural morphology (SEM and XRD), elemental analysis, and particle size distribution. The successful modification of raw biomass into carbon-rich structures of increased aromaticity and thermal stability was confirmed. Particle size analysis revealed that the activated carbon of Fagus sylvatica (FSAC) exhibited a monomodal distribution, indicating high homogeneity, whereas Pinus sylvestris-activated carbon showed a distinct bimodal distribution. This heterogeneity was supported by elemental analysis, revealing a higher inorganic content in pine-activated carbon, likely contributing to its dimensional instability during activation. These findings suggest that the uniform morphology of beech-activated carbon may be advantageous in filtration and adsorption applications, while pine-activated carbon’s heterogeneous structure could be beneficial for multifunctional systems requiring variable pore architectures. Overall, this study underscored the potential of chemically activated biochar from lignocellulosic residues for customized applications in environmental and material science domains.

The aim of the study was to determine and compare the fatty acids contents of Laurel berries (Laurus nobilis L.) grown in Trabzon, Bartın, Samsun and Abkhazia. Fleshy parts of laurel berries and seeds were analyzed separately to reveal yields of fixed oils. Three altitude ranges were determined for the study and samples were collected from the ranges that can be found from these elevations. These were (0-100m, 100-300m and 300-600m). Fleshy parts of laurel berries and seeds were analyzed separately to reveal yields of fixed oils. Automatic extraction technique was used for getting fixed oil and GC-FID device was used for characterization and comparison of berry oil. The results showed that the fixed oil yield of fleshy parts of berries ranged between 28.37% and 42.08%. The highest amount of fixed oil yield in fleshy part was obtained in Bartın (0-100 m). The fixed oil in of seeds ranged between 16.26% and 22.81%. The highest amount of fixed oil yield in seeds was obtained in Bartın (100-300 m). According to GC-FID results, oleic acid (27.06 % - 48.93%) was the most abundant fatty acid, lauric acid (0.49% -1.35 %) was the least abundant fatty acid in the fleshy parts of bay fruits. In seeds, lauric acid was the most common fatty acid (32.37%-44.49%) and arachidic acid (0.87%-1.17%) was the least fatty acid. According to results, it is thus deduced that, the amount and content of fixed is affected by cultivation area, altitude variation and the parts of laurel berry

Aim of study: The objective of this research is to uncover the bioactive characteristics of ethanol extracts and essential oils from 15 different tree barks (Thuja plicata, Sequoia sempervirens, Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus nigra, Platanus orientalis, Fagus orientalis, Populus tremula, Castanea sativa, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus pinaster, Picea orientalis, Populus nigra, Cryptomeria japonica, Abies nordmanniana, Quercus robur). Material and method: In this study, the bioactive properties of 15 different tree barks were investigated. Ethanol extracts were analyzed for their polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the essential oils were evaluated for their anti-quorum sensing capabilities. Main results: Several barks demonstrated high potential as sources of polyphenolic compounds, tannins, and antioxidant activity, indicating their potential as bioactive resources for the forestry and pharmaceutical industries. Research highlights: The ethanol extracts of Eucalyptus globulus, Castanea sativa, and Quercus robur barks showed remarkable results regarding total polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. Essential oils from the barks of Populus nigra, Populus tremula, and Platanus orientalis exhibited positive anti-quorum sensing activity. Moreover, both Quercus robur and Eucalyptus globulus displayed high bioactive potential.