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Modified kraft lignin as sustainable consolidants for waterlogged archaeological wood
Abstract This study evaluates lightened kraft lignin: modified via acetylation and encapsulation, as a sustainable consolidant for waterlogged archaeological pine ( Pinus sp.) from the Biskupin site (Poland). Lignin was acetylated with acetic anhydride/pyridine and, in a separate route, converted into colloidal capsules by tetrahydrofuran/water self‑assembly; both modifications were characterized and then applied to waterlogged archaeological wood by 2‑week immersion. Effectiveness was assessed by Fourier‑transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), colourimetry, linear dimensional change (LDC), anti‑shrink efficiency (ASE), and water‑uptake tests. Acetylated lignin penetrated more deeply and reduced water uptake (from > 240% to ~ 96%) with moderate improvements in dimensional stability; encapsulated lignin showed limited penetration but lowered shrinkage (tangential: from 6.78 to 4.21%; radial: from 3.36% to 2.37%) through a surface‑barrier effect and was better in preserving the natural colour. These results indicate that modified kraft lignin, particularly the encapsulated formulation, can complement or partially replace petroleum‑based consolidants and motivate further optimization of capsule size/distribution to enhance mechanical performance and treatment uniformity.
Valorization of Forest Biomass Through Pyrolysis: A Study on the Energy Potential of Wood Tars
Forest biomass is a renewable source of environmentally friendly material—wood. However, wood processing generates large amounts of by-products, including branches. These byproducts are often used as firewood; however, they can be used much more effectively. In this study, the pyrolysis of two woods, namely birch and pine, was proposed. The liquid products of pyrolysis were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, and the heating value of these products was evaluated. In order to find the optimal pyrolysis temperature from the point of view of the calorific value of the product, the process was carried out at four temperatures: 450, 500, 550, and 600 °C. The liquid product yielded three fractions, from which two were analyzed, namely the dense tar fraction and light liquid fraction. FTIR analysis results clearly demonstrated that samples from different fractions differ from one another, yet the results within the same fraction are remarkably similar. The tar fraction was characterized with a higher gross calorific value between 42 to 50 MJ/kg, while the liquid fraction gross calorific value was between 29 and 39 MJ/kg; in general, pine wood yielded products with higher calorific values. The pyrolysis of small wood industry by-products is an interesting method of utilization, yielding not only a liquid product with good calorific properties, but also a solid product, namely biochar, which may be used in carbon storage or used as a soil amendment.
The Influence of Drying Sewage Sludge with the Addition of Walnut Shells on Changes in the Parameters and Chemical Composition of the Mixture
Comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of conifer cones collected from Polish forests
Effect of the Addition of Extractives on The Reduction Of Vocs Emissions from Lacquers in the liquid state
Network for forest by-products charcoal, resin, tar, potash (COST Action EU-PoTaRCh)
The COST EU-PoTaRCh Action establishes a network focused on the past, present, and future significance, production, and use of major forest by-products in Europe and beyond. The Action centers around forest by-products—primarily potash, tar, resin, and charcoal (PoTaRCh), along with plant extracts—which have been produced and utilized for over 100,000 years due to their unique chemical, biological, and therapeutic properties. The primary goal of the Action is to demonstrate the importance of these products for the socio-economic development of European countries and beyond, as well as their impact on biodiversity and the natural environment. The Action's objectives are organized into five Working Groups (WGs), each aligned with specific areas of interest: heritage, chemical characterization, archaeology, environmental history, and future perspectives of PoTaRCh materials. A key aspect of the Action is its support for stakeholders outside the scientific community who possess knowledge of PoTaRCh products through their use in industries such as production, education, and the promotion of forests' natural and cultural heritage. In doing so, the Action brings together stakeholders with diverse activity profiles, including museums, state forests, the forestry industry, associations dedicated to preserving traditions, and the tourism sector. The EU-PoTaRCh Action adheres to the three key principles of COST’s inclusiveness policy: participation of inclusiveness target countries, gender balance, and the involvement of young researchers, including in leadership positions.
APTES-Modified Nanocellulose as the Formaldehyde Scavenger for UF Adhesive-Bonded Particleboard and Strawboard
This work examines the possibility of applying non-modified nanocellulose and nanocellulose functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a formaldehyde scavenger for commonly used urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive. The effect of silanization was determined with the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), and elemental analysis. Moreover, the ability of cellulosic nanoparticles to absorb the formaldehyde from an aqueous solution was investigated. After homogenization, cured UF adhesives were examined with the use of FTIR, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and the perforator method to determine the content of formaldehyde. Manufactured boards made of rape straw particles and wood particles were tested in terms of their physico-mechanical properties and formaldehyde emission. Studies have shown that the applied method of silanization was effective. Furthermore, in the case of non-modified nanocellulose, no sign of formaldehyde scavenging ability was found. However, the functionalization of cellulosic nanoparticles with APTES containing an amino group led to the significant reduction of formaldehyde content in both the aqueous solution and the UF adhesive. The mechanical properties of both strawboards and particleboards were improved due to the nanocellulose reinforcement; however, no effect of silanization was found. Nevertheless, functionalization with APTES contributed to a decrease in formaldehyde emission from boards, which was not found in the case of the introduction of non-modified cellulosic nanoparticles.
Suggestions for resin research under the COST Action EU-PoTaRCh
Forest management and planning is not an easy task due to, often, some intermittence in the incomes obtained by the landowners. In fact, namely in timber production, the producers must wait years to get revenues from the investments carried out on the lands they use. These frameworks become forest activities, in some circumstances, not attractive for the investors and, consequently, for adjusted management. The forest by-products appear as an opportunity to increase the profitability of the forest lands and motivate the land owners for more effective planning. This is crucial, namely in countries where forest fires, for example, are real problems for economic activity, populations and the environment. In this context, this study, developed within the scope of the COST Action PoTaRCh, intends to bring more insights and suggestions for the scientific research about resin. For that, a search was performed in the Scopus database (article title, abstract, keywords), on 02 November 2024, for the following topics: “natural resin” or “plant resin”. In this search, 4127 documents were obtained and assessed through bibliometric analysis. The findings identified reveal relevant gaps and trends in the literature that could be interesting outputs, particularly to support future research related to the different dimensions of resin worldwide.
Comparison of the properties of birch bark tar obtained by the double-clay pot method and the laboratory method
Conversion of Carbohydrates in Lignocellulosic Biomass after Chemical Pretreatment
The aim of the study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative changes taking place in biomass components actively participating in methane fermentation, i.e., in carbohydrates, as a result of chemical pretreatment. Analyses were conducted on agricultural waste (corn stover, also called corn straw, and corncobs) as materials most commonly used in methane fermentation, as well as poplar wood, a material relatively rarely used in biogas production. Pretreatment with the aim of increasing efficiency of methane fermentation was carried out with the use of acid and alkaline solutions of different concentrations. The effect of pretreatment on carbohydrates was analyzed based on the quantitative and qualitative changes in this component. Due to the structural heterogeneity of carbohydrates, their varied reactivity and fermentability were determined in terms of holocellulose, cellulose, and pentosans. The chemical structure of cellulose was also analyzed. It is shown in this study that chemical pretreatment causes transformations of carbohydrate components, which differ quantitatively and qualitatively in the compared raw materials. It was found that the alkaline treatment caused smaller changes in the percentage shares of the carbohydrate biomass components as compared to the acid treatment. Moreover, it was observed that the compared materials differ in terms of quantitative changes in their chemical composition depending on the composition of the raw material prior to pretreatment. In the case of corn waste subjected to the action of 1 and 3% NaOH, the share of pentosans in the biomass increased. It was established that this is a change with a positive effect on fermentation efficiency. The action of acids and alkalis on the biomass led to similar structural changes in cellulose, which are adverse for the fermentation process.
Ab initio assessment of interaction between nucleotide base pairs and anthocyanins of Prunus serotina Errh
Phenolics and cyanogenic glycosides in the ethanolic extract of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. fruits
Substrate-driven differential sensitivity of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria to pine and birch liquid pyrolysis products
Properties of paper coated with Prunus serotina (Ehrh.) extract formulation
AbstractBarrier properties are very important in food packaging; the better the properties, the longer the product can stay fresh in the packaging, which prolongs the shelf life of the product. One way of improving barrier properties is to modifying the existing coatings with the addition of metal oxides, nanoparticles, or natural extracts. The aim of the study was to compare the barrier properties between paper coated with starch and paper coated with starch and black cherry extract mix.Prunus serotinaextracts were prepared by ultrasonic extraction in 60°C water. The extracts were then filtrated and evaporated to obtain a constant mass. The reference coatings were prepared by dissolving starch in hot water to obtain a solution of 30%. The experimental coatings were prepared by substituting 10% starch for black cherry extract. Coatings were applied on the paper by laboratory coater in two thicknesses: c.a. 7 and 15 g/m2. The papers were characterised by grammage, coating weight, porosity, and roughness. Barrier properties were tested by following methods: Cobb-Unger, KIT, water vapour transmission rate, and heptane vapour transmission rate. Papers coated with formulations including extract had better barrier properties against oils and waxes, better results in KIT, Cobb-Unger, and heptane vapour transmission rate tests. The results of the water vapour transmission rate test as well as porosity and roughness were the same for papers coated with and without extract addition, they were influenced by the thickness of the coating, not the extract addition. The addition of black cherry extract influenced the barrier properties of the coated paper, and the extract improved the properties against oils and waxes.