Two norcembranoidal diterpenes, 5-episinuleptolide acetate (1) and scabrolide D (2), were isolated from a Formosan octocoral identified as Sinularia sp. The structures of norcembranoids 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the spectral data with those of known analogues and 1 was proven to be a new natural product. Norcembranoid 1 was found to exhibit cytotoxicity toward a panel of tumor cells.

Livestock wastewater is an important source of nitrogen pollution, but it also represents a potential feedstock for nitrogen recovery. In this study, longan wood-derived biochar was used as an immobilization carrier in a bio-ammonification system developed with aerobic and facultative ammonifying bacteria isolated from swine wastewater. The system was designed to enhance microbial retention and promote the conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonium concentration (NH₄⁺-N) under oxygenated conditions. Among the tested strains, Lysinibacillus sp. (strain 4-1) showed the highest ammonification activity, reaching an NH₄⁺-N concentration of 340 mg/L in NB medium within 5 days. In sterilized swine wastewater, the biochar-immobilized strain 4-1 achieved 47.17% organic nitrogen removal. The results suggest that coupling microbial ammonification with biochar immobilization may provide a low-carbon approach for nitrogen recovery from livestock wastewater and facilitate decentralized bio-ammonia production.

Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between the roots of vascular plants and fungi that facilitate the uptake of water and nutrients by host plants. However, current arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) cultivation methods including sand culture, root organ culture, and aeroponics are complex and time-consuming. Moreover, these methods produce low spore yields hindering large-scale production and sustainable application of MF in agriculture. This study systematically evaluated the effects of biochar amendment on the propagation of AMF spores in sandy soils, focusing on how different biochar application rates influence AMF spore density and related soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that increasing biochar concentration led to higher soil pH and EC, suggesting enhanced microbial activity and dynamic adjustments in soil chemical conditions. A typical biphasic response was observed. At low biochar concentrations (approximately 1–1.8%), soil porosity, organic carbon content, and trace element availability were improved, thereby promoting AMF spore formation and hyphal growth. However, concentrations exceeding 2.5% induced physicochemical stress that inhibited fungal propagation. Polynomial regression analysis (R² = 0.996) confirmed a strong correlation between biochar concentration and AMF spore density, clearly capturing a promotion–plateau–inhibition pattern. In addition, SEM imaging revealed that AMF hyphae adhered to the porous surface of biochar, forming stable hyphal networks that enhance nutrient transport and contribute to rhizosphere microenvironmental stability.