The growing accumulation of Pinus roxburghii needles in the Indian Himalayan region presents both a significant fire hazard and an underutilized biomass resource. This study investigates the conversion of pine needles into bio-oil and biochar through bench-scale pyrolysis, with process optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). In contrast to previous studies largely limited to laboratory-scale investigations, this work demonstrates the scale-up potential of pine needle pyrolysis and provides data relevant to its practical deployment. Product characterization confirmed the successful conversion of pine needles into value-added products, with biochar exhibiting enhanced carbon-rich properties and bio-oil containing diverse organic compounds. The findings not only validate RSM as a robust optimization tool for scale-up but also highlight the potential of pine needle pyrolysis products for renewable energy, carbon sequestration and environmental applications. By converting a fire-prone forest residue into valuable bioenergy products, this study contributes to sustainable biomass valorization and forest fire risk mitigation.
The transition toward a global circular bioeconomy needs a multi-dimensional approach that integrates technical knowledge and innovation with effective science communication and robust policymaking. This manuscript examines the interconnected journey of biotechnological solutions for environmental sustainability, moving from fundamental research to real-world applications. Drawing on insights from European Commission Bioeconomy strategy and Biotech Act(s), the article explores how specialized knowledge, ranging from waste valorisation in industrial biotechnology to synthetic biology applied to microbial cell factories, can be translated into actionable policy frameworks. Key emphasis is placed on the role of science communication in distilling complex biotechnological concepts into accessible and relatable narratives for a diverse audience from policymakers to the general public. By identifying current challenges in the research-to-policy pipeline and outlining current research directions, this manuscript provides a roadmap for leveraging biotechnology to foster a more sustainable bio-based world.
Insects constitute the largest and most diverse group of animals on earth, occupying nearly every habitat and playing fundamental roles in natural and agricultural ecosystems. The ability to decode their complex biology is therefore critical for both conserving beneficial species and controlling harmful insect pests. However, alterations in environmental conditions due to climate change, pollution, habitat degradation, and pesticide exposure are significantly affecting insect populations worldwide. Transcriptomics has emerged as a powerful approach providing a comprehensive understanding of gene activity and expression. The field has progressed from early exploration of RNA molecules to advanced analysis of gene expression, enabling precise insights into molecular mechanisms that regulate insect development, reproduction, adaptation, and various behaviours. By profiling specific tissues, organs, sex, and species, the RNA transcript with altered expression can be identified and targeted. Beyond fundamental biology, transcriptomics has also proven valuable in assessing the molecular responses of insects towards environmental abiotic stresses including temperature fluctuations, drought, and chemicals. The review provides insights into transcriptome studies that showed how various regulatory networks are associated with stress tolerance, detoxification, defence, behaviour, and environmental adaptations in insects. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics offers more potentiality and can be used to analyse the gene expression and heterogeneity at the level of individual cells. The integration of transcriptomics with other techniques like RNAi, CRISPR Cas 9, proteomics, and metabolomics will significantly enhance the functional studies of genes that elucidates the complex regulatory networks in insects. The current review discusses all these techniques that offer a new advancement in the field of entomology and can potentially transform traditional pest management practices into a more targeted, eco-friendly, and effective way at the molecular and behavioural level.
The textile industry reliance on synthetic colors has had a significant impact on our health and the environment. Microorganisms produce a whole spectrum of colored molecules, biopigments, which can be used as a promising source of natural and sustainable textile colorants. Biopigments can be extracted and applied as direct substitutes for synthetic dyes. Nevertheless, the approach of greatest innovative and environmental relevance is textile dyeing with live microbial cultures, where fermentation and textile dyeing are simultaneous. Being a biological process driven by microbial metabolism, dyeing with live cultures operates under mild conditions, eliminating the need for high energy input, hazardous chemicals, heavy metal mordants, and excessive water consumption. As such, it offers considerable environmental and economic advantages. The integration of microbial systems into textile dyeing holds significant potential for reducing the environmental burden of the textile industry, advancing its transition toward a more sustainable and circular production model. This article provides an overview of microbial textile coloration, covering both the scientific landscape, and the current commercial development as sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes.
Iron (Fe) solubilization and reduction are essential for bacterial survival, growth, and virulence. Additionally, these two processes significantly impact bacterial community dynamics and the bioreduction of toxic metals (TMs). To ensure a comprehensive and balanced overview of iron solubilization and bacterial bioremediation of TMs, we self-assessed our literature search according to the criteria outlined in Item 3 (Description of the Literature Search) of the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) checklist. From data synthesis, we describe iron solubilization and the active transport mechanisms used by bacteria to scavenge ferric iron (Fe3+), as well as the internalization of ferric iron through specialized receptors. Our findings highlight that the internalization and reduction of ferric iron to ferrous iron (Fe2+) are pivotal for the biosynthesis of cofactors required for metabolic and enzymatic activities in bacteria. In soil environments, iron species influence iron solubilization and thus act as major drivers of microbial abundance, interspecies interactions, and community structure. However, contamination by TMs further disrupts these homeostatic processes, triggering metabolic stress and iron starvation responses. This review evaluates how iron solubilization and reduction, coupled with innate bacterial resistance, facilitate the remediation of TMs. Also, we report that iron plaque, organic amendments, manganese oxides, and nano-zerovalent iron (nZVI or Fe0) are important strategies that enhance bacterial-mediated reduction of TMs. In summary, bacterial iron solubilization and reduction are not only central and critical mechanisms in microbial ecology but also promising when incorporated into advanced strategies for the sustainable remediation of TM-contaminated soils.
