This research aims to develop an edible film as an alternative to petroleum-based packaging using coconut protein extracted from defatted coconut meal (DCM). Two types of matrix: coconut protein (CP) and corn starch (CS) 3%; two levels of pH: 8.5 and 9.5; two concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG): 2.5% and 0% and a constant volume of glycerol (10 ml of 20%) were used for film preparation using the casting method. The results showed that the extracted CP recovery is 23.99 ± 0.87% and it has 78.43% of protein content. CP films with 2.5% PEG showed a significantly (p < 0.05) high moisture content (49.20 ± 0.43%), and swelling index (483.96 ± 13.79%) at 8.5 pH, while significantly high solubility (76. 0 ± 1.4%) and thickness (0.33 ± 0.01 mm) at 9.5 pH. The CS film (pH 8.5 and 0% PEG) showed a significantly higher percentage of light transmission at 200 to 800 nm. The CP films showed higher degradability compared to CS films. A low concentration (10%) of glycerol significantly (p < 0.05) reduced rehydration (48.06 ± 4.47%) and the water uptake ratio (83.03 ± 7.93%) while increasing opacity (0.41 ± 0.079 mm-1) and lightness (38.31 ± 0.38). The study confirmed that the coconut protein (3%) with 10% glycerol at 8.5 pH can effectively form edible film for the food industry.
Phytoplasmas associated with virescence symptoms in the coastal plant Scaevola taccada were detected and characterized. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination confirmed the presence of phytoplasmas in the phloem tissue of symptomatic S. taccada leaves. Pairwise sequence alignment revealed that among all reference strains of known phytoplasma species, the nearly full 16S rRNA gene sequence of the phytoplasma under study shares the highest sequence identity (99.80 %) with that of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiaticum' reference strain o7C (GenBank accession number NZ_JALQCV010000018.1). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, tuf and SAP11 genes, the phytoplasma confirmed the closer evolutionary relationship to 'Ca. P. australasiaticum'. This is the first report that S. taccada was infected by a 'Ca. P. australasiaticum' strain.
Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated chronic wounds highlight the need for natural wound-care materials with broad antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant properties. In this study, eight plant essential oils (EOs) were initially screened for antimicrobial activity, leading to the selection of Piper nigrum and Juniperus rigida for incorporation into carboxymethyl cellulose-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel films (EO-CMC-PVA), potentially multifunctional, infection-controlling wound dressings. Antimicrobial activity of eight EOs against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans was assessed. P. nigrum and J. rigida were further evaluated for antibiofilm and antioxidant effects. EO–CMC–PVA films were fabricated, characterized, and evaluated for functional and release properties. Among the EOs screened, P. nigrum and J. rigida exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity. P. nigrum showed significantly lower MICs (0.125–0.25
Climate change is steadily eroding agricultural productivity through soil degradation, water and salinity stress, and declining nutrient-use efficiency, while the heavy reliance on conventional mineral fertilizers contributes to greenhouse-gas emissions, nutrient losses, and, in some contexts, reduced soil biological activity. Biochar from lignocellulosic agro-residues can convert low-value waste into a carbon-rich material that has been reported to carry and slowly release mineral and organic nutrients, aligning with the goals of organo-mineral fertilization. This study evaluated the feasibility of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk, a major underutilized by-product of the coconut industry-as a feedstock for such an amendment by optimizing two production variables: pyrolysis temperature and feedstock cut size. A laboratory experiment combined four cut sizes (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and chips) with five temperatures (275 °C, 325 °C, 375 °C, 425 °C, and 475 °C) in a completely randomized design (60 samples), followed by a field-scale trial using a double-chamber pyrolyzer comparing compacted versus loosely packed loading densities. Conversion efficiency and proximate composition (moisture, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon) were determined and analyzed by two-way factorial ANOVA to test the temperature × cut-size interaction, followed by one-way ANOVA to characterize the main effects once the interaction proved non-significant. Conversion efficiency ranged from 36.6% to 68.3% and declined with increasing temperature, whereas volatile matter decreased, and both ash (3.6%–12.3%) and fixed carbon (0.27%–5.54%) increased significantly with temperature (p < 0.05); fixed carbon is an operationally defined proximate fraction and was not corroborated by elemental (H/C, O/C) ratios, aromaticity or stability indices, or mineralization assays. The 1/4 cut size offered the best balance of yield, carbonization, and operability and was selected for field trials, where compacted loading achieved a significantly higher conversion efficiency (46.95%) than loose packing (40.90%; p = 0.03). A resource-utilization analysis over a 60-year plantation lifespan indicated that biochar amendment could reduce husk demand by approximately 94% relative to direct mulching and 81% relative to husk burial. Moderate pyrolysis (325 °C–375 °C) with a 1/4 cut size produced a carbon-rich biochar with potential use as a component or carrier of an organo-mineral soil amendment, suggesting a practical route to valorize coconut husk waste for resilient tropical cropping systems. Agronomic performance, nutrient release, and carbon persistence were not assessed in the present study.
This chapter focuses on nano-enabled nutrient delivery systems as emerging opportunities in agricultural technology that can address some of the current issues of nutrient use in agriculture. Different forms of nanomaterials such as nanofertilizers, nanosensors, nanopesticides, nanoemulsions, and nanoclays are described about their uses and how they work. The chapter focuses on the mode of utilization of nano-nutrient by the plant through root absorption, foliar absorption, and cellular uptake pathway of nano-particles. These systems show better uptake of the nutrients compared with the basic fertilizers hence reducing pollution while increasing the yields of crops. Case studies shows how nano-enabled systems are a better solution than traditional ones. This chapter lays out the opportunities of nano-enabled nutrient delivery systems in agriculture sector, but also the need to further investigate the valorization of these systems.
