Rising demand for green energy storage has compelled the research toward high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials from biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs). In this study, tea processing waste (TPW) was transformed to CQDs using Machine Learning (ML)-optimized solvothermal carbonization (STC) process. ML regression with sixteen algorithms evaluated, among which CatBoost was superior with R2 = 0.791 ± 0.214 and RMSE = 1.693. Feature analysis identified solvent type as the dominant factor (88.8%), followed by temperature (9.5%). The optimal conditions for STC process were 180 °C, 3 h and Biomass to Solvent Ratio (BSR) of 1:35 with DMF as solvent. The predicted CQD yield was 21.59%, which was experimentally validated and the yield was found to be 19.61 ± 0.59%. As a result of characterization, the CQDs have quasi-spherical structure (2–8 nm) with well-ordered graphitic domains (d-spacing 0.325 nm). Also, they are abundant in oxygen and nitrogen surface functional groups and high surface area of 512 m2/g due to hierarchical porous texture and mesopores at 2.3 nm. Electrochemical testing under 1 M Na₂SO₄ three electrode system showed that ML optimized CQDs delivered maximum capacitance of 175 Fg‐1 at 2 mV/s, with cycling stability of 87% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles, outperforming the worst conditions (Ethanol, 180 °C, 3.03 h, BSR- 1:30). This demonstrates the critical role of ML-guided optimisation of STC approach in enhancing both yield and electrochemical performance.

The current investigation delves into the process of the optimization of hydrogen production via catalytic steam gasification within a fixed-bed downdraft gasifier. This study optimized hydrogen-rich syngas production from biomass by using catalytic steam gasification in a fixed-bed reactor. Response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design was employed to model the effects of the steam-to-biomass ratio (1-3), nanocatalyst loading (5-15 wt%), and airflow rate (20-40 L min-1) on syngas yield and hydrogen content. The derived quadratic model was highly significant, with optimization identifying an airflow rate of 30 L min-1, steam-to-biomass ratio of 3.0, and nanocatalyst loading of 5 wt% as the ideal conditions. Experimental validation under these parameters confirmed the excellent predictive capability of the model, yielding 1.69 m3 kg-1 of syngas with a high hydrogen content of 65.9% along with carbon monoxide of 13.2%, carbon dioxide of 8.6%, and methane of 1.3%. This represented a substantial enhancement over conventional air gasification, which produced only 1.52 m3 kg-1 syngas with 16.2% H2. The optimized catalytic steam-gasification process achieved a cold gas efficiency of 82.5% and a hydrogen yield of 108.8 g kg-1 of biomass, driven by the synergistic effect of steam and the nanocatalyst in promoting tar cracking and reforming reactions. The resulting syngas had a heating value of 11.49 MJ Nm-3. These results demonstrate that the response-surface-methodology-guided optimization of nanocatalytic steam gasification is a highly effective strategy for producing a high-quality, hydrogen-rich syngas, marking a significant improvement in process efficiency for sustainable energy applications. The production of hydrogen-rich syngas production from biomass by using catalytic steam gasification in a fixed-bed reactor is optimized using response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design to model the effects of the steam-to-biomass ratio, nanocatalyst loading, and airflow rate.

Moisture stress is one of the major factors affecting crop productivity and food security. Although several management practices are available, eco-friendly microbial approaches provide sustainable solutions through mechanisms such as nutrient solubilization, phytohormone production, biofilm formation, osmolyte accumulation and metabolite production. Among plant growth-promoting microbes, yeasts remain less explored for their role in drought tolerance. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of yeast in mitigating moisture stress and promoting rice growth. Fifty isolates were obtained from soil samples, of which 18 isolates survived up to 30

Syngas is one of the carbon-neutral biofuels derived from biomass through gasification that can replace fossil fuel usage. Plasma gasification performs better than conventional gasification in terms of syngas yield, quality, and the efficient cracking of heavy tar compounds. In this study, the performance evaluation of a direct current plasma torch-based gasifier (28 kW·h capacity) was tested using steam as a gasifying agent. The agro residues, viz., sunflower stalk, cashew nutshell, date palm husk, wheat straw, and tamarind pod, were chosen as feedstocks for plasma gasification. The temperature and flame length were selected as dependent variables to determine the gasification reaction, as temperature governs reaction kinetics and flame length indicates plasma heat distribution. The optimized plasma gasification conditions had three steam input ports in the plasma torch with 350 A and 20 V power inputs at a steam pressure of 150 kPa. Results revealed that the plasma gasifier showed higher efficiency (38.67

Pongamia pinnata has gained global attention as a non-edible oilseed tree for biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel production due to its ability to grow on marginal lands, fix atmospheric nitrogen, and produce oil-rich seeds. However, large-scale commercialization remains limited by high variability and unpredictability in seed and oil yields, resulting in productivity far below projected expectations. Low and inconsistent yields lead to an unreliable feedstock supply, adversely affect the biofuel industry, and reduce investor confidence in large-scale Pongamia plantations. Achieving predictable and economically viable yields is therefore essential for scaling and policy support. This review critically examines the biological, environmental, and management factors that constrain Pongamia productivity and evaluates their implications for economic viability. The evidence indicates that the primary limitation of low and unstable seed yield is caused by reproductive inefficiency, pollinator limitation, alternate bearing behavior, and strong genotype & times; environment & times; management interactions. The review synthesizes current knowledge on reproductive biology, stress responses, plantation management, postharvest handling, genetic improvement, and supply chain development to propose an integrated framework for yield stabilization. Pongamia must be developed as a managed perennial cropping system based on elite genotypes, clonal propagation, pollination management, and optimized orchard practices. This review identifies priority research directions and proposes a roadmap for commercialization and productivity stabilization. Achieving consistent and economically viable yields is therefore the key requirement for the successful commercialization and sustainability of Pongamia-based biofuel systems.

Food waste valorization into bio-based chemicals is an eco-friendly strategy to address environmental pollution and reduce reliance on fossil-based resources. This study explores the feasibility of bioconversion of cake waste into succinic acid (SA) and lactic acid (LA), through enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation. The compositional analysis revealed that, on a dry weight basis cake waste contains 572.0 mg g-1 carbohydrates, 495.0 mg g-1 starch, and 69.3 mg g-1 protein, making it a nutritionally rich substrate for fermentation and then it was hydrolyzed using alpha-amylase, glucoamylase, and protease to release fermentable sugars and amino nitrogen. Enzymatic hydrolysis yielded 41.50 g L-1 glucose and 4.56 g L-1 free amino nitrogen. The enzymatic hydrolysate was subsequently fermented using Escherichia coli and Bacillus coagulans for SA and LA production, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify organic acid concentrations. Process optimization was performed using Box Behnken Design under response surface methodology (RSM), with three independent variables, namely, temperature, pH, and incubation time. The highest succinic acid yield (0.2194 g g-1 cake waste) was obtained at a temperature of 40 degrees C, pH of 7.5, and an incubation time of 144 h, while the maximum lactic acid yield (0.3178 g g-1 cake waste) was recorded at a temperature of 47 degrees C, pH of 5.6, and an incubation time of 94 h. Results demonstrate that cake waste can serve as a promising low-cost substrate for sustainable production of succinic and lactic acids, highlighting its potential for efficient food waste valorization through microbial bioprocessing.

The increasing negative environmental impact of petroplastics has directed significant attention towards bioplastics (BPs) as a sustainable alternative. Bioplastics (BPs) offer a sustainable alternative to petroplastics, including biodegradability, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and lower reliance on fossil fuels. Despite these benefits, BPs face challenges such as high production costs, limited scalability, and end-of-life management complexities. This review examines the current status, classification, synthesis techniques, material properties, applications, policy frameworks, and environmental impact of BPs. BPs are mainly used in packaging, replacing about 30% of petroplastic films, 20-40% of agricultural mulch films, and 15-25% of single-use consumer goods (15-25% single-use cutlery and bags). The key properties include PLA tensile strength (50-70 MPa), PHA elongation (>200%), PHA thermal stability (up to 60 degrees C), 1.7 kg CO2-eq/kg (50-70% lower GHS emissions) and biodegradation of industrial composting (45-90days). Nanoparticle incorporation has enhanced resistance, reduced gas permeability by 75%, and improved mechanical performance. BPs demonstrated up to 70% lower carbon footprint and 30-40% reduced water and energy use. Also, the industrial composting conditions enable significant biodegradation of the BPs within 45-90 days. Global policy initiatives such as the EU's Circular Economy Strategy and the USA's Bio Preferred Program are vital to promoting BP adoption on a large scale with a market growth of 10-15% CAGR through 2030. Targeted research on microbial engineering in BP, material property optimisation, large-scale production and strong policy frameworks. Among BPs, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA) stand out for future applications in biomedical devices, durable packaging, automotive applications, and rigid consumer products.

India’s rapidly growing automobile industry has intensified the need for sustainable fuel alternatives to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study examines the potential of second-generation biorefineries as a comprehensive solution for efficient biomass valorization in India. With a projected bioethanol demand of 10,160 million liters by 2025 for India’s 20% ethanol blending target, there is an urgent need to develop sustainable production pathways. The biorefinery approach enables simultaneous production of multiple valuable products, including bioethanol, biochemicals, and bioproducts, from the same feedstock, thereby enhancing economic viability through additional revenue streams while minimizing waste. This paper systematically analyzes available biomass resources across India, evaluates integrated conversion technologies (biochemical, thermochemical, and synergistic approaches), and examines current policy frameworks supporting biorefinery implementation. Our findings reveal that second-generation biorefineries can significantly contribute to reducing GHG emissions by up to 2.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 while creating rural employment opportunities and strengthening energy security. However, challenges in supply chain logistics, technological optimization, and policy harmonization continue to hinder large-scale commercialization. The paper concludes by proposing strategic interventions to overcome these barriers and accelerate the transition toward a sustainable circular bioeconomy in India.

This study aimed to develop a pilot-scale bioreactor for ethanol production from syngas produced from biomass gasification and evaluate its performance. Gasification of characterized feedstock, namely Casuarina wood and coconut shell, is performed in a 2 kg hr-1 downdraft gasifier and the produced gas is cooled in a heat exchanger and scrubbed in a scrubbing bed to produce syngas free of moisture, tar and particulates. The syngas are fermented to produce biofuels in a 5 L capacity bioreactor with Clostridium acetobutylicum strains. The percentage yield of acetone, butanol and ethanol was verified with the standard concentration and found to be 12%, 5% and 7% from casuarina wood and 13%, 7% and 6% from coconut shell respectively. The syngas components viz., carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H), are fermented to produce acetone, butanol and ethanol along with larger proportions of acids. These acids can be converted into bio-alcohol if the fermentation period or gas-liquid transfer is enhanced. The pretreatment of feedstock is not required in syngas fermentation as it is a major process in conventional bio-alcohol production methods. This pays a way to superior technology in terms of cost and time.

The growing demand for sustainable materials in green flexible electronics calls for alternatives to petroleum-derived polymers, which are non-biodegradable, resource-intensive, and environmentally harmful. This study presents the fabrication of bio-composite films using water hyacinth derived cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), blended with polyethylene oxide (PEO) and reinforced by functional nanofillers such as barium titanate (BTO), silver nanowires (SNP), and carbon nanotubes (CNT). The nanocomposite films (NCF) were produced by solution casting and systematically characterized for morphological, dielectric, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed well-dispersed CNF (-30 nm diameter) uniformly embedded within a CNF/PEO matrix and nanofillers (0.5–2%). Dielectric testing showed that BTO significantly enhanced permittivity (>200), making it promising for capacitor and antenna applications, although dielectric loss increased at higher nanofiller loadings. SNP-reinforced NCF exhibited moderate permittivity (50–90) but higher dielectric loss (0.15–0.32), supporting multifunctional applications requiring both dielectric and conductivity. CNT reinforced with NCF provided a balanced performance, with stable permittivity, relative low dielectric loss (< 0.015) and superior mechanical flexibility. Mechanical testing confirmed that BTO increased stiffness and tensile strength (1.5–2%), SNP enhanced strength but reduced ductility up to 1.5%, and CNT offered reinforcement at 1.5% with preserved elongation (up to 6%). FTIR spectra indicated strong interfacial interactions between nanofillers and CNF-PEO matrix. Thermal analysis revealed that CNT disrupted the crystalline structure of the matrix, lowering melting and crystallization temperatures, whereas BTO and SNP had negligible thermal effects. This study demonstrates a sustainable pathway to valorize an invasive species into a biodegradable, high-performance NCF for sustainable electronics, signifying a pathway toward flexible antenna, sensors, and energy storage materials.

India's agricultural sector faces mounting challenges due to climate change coupled with population growth. Impact of climate change is highly pronounced in rice-wheat cropping system, which, being the staple food of the country will jeopardize its long-term food security. While agriculture is vulnerable to climate change, it also contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with carbon dioxide (CO2) from pre and post agricultural activities projected to reach 207 Mega tons (Mt) by 2030 and 231 Mt by 2035. Ensuring food security while simultaneously reducing the GHG emission is the greatest challenge of this century and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a promising solution. Still, significant knowledge gaps persist regarding its implementation and effectiveness. This paper presents a critical assessment of CSA in India, analyzing current challenges, opportunities and providing strategic directions for key stakeholders, using the PRISMA 2020 criteria for a systematic review. The findings reveal that lack of expertise, insufficient policy frameworks, limited technology access, inadequate funding, low awareness and absence of site-specific practices are the major challenges. A comprehensive strategy encompassing awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, financial and technical assistance (including subsidies, carbon credits by industries, access to credit, index-based insurance), inclusive participation of stakeholders and gender-sensitive policies is proposed for effective adoption of CSA. The study concludes that coordinated efforts spanning from global to local domains are crucial for promoting CSA practices among farmers, enabling India to enhance agricultural resilience, ensure food security and progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Assessment on energy consumption pattern and energy analysis is carried out to identify and implement energy conservation measures in agriculture to reduce the cost of cultivation. Embodied energy of agricultural inputs and outputs is studied using energy coefficients. Considering the modernization in all the processes and systems, the necessity on revaluation of energy coefficients is understood for on-target and precise energy analysis in agriculture. Hence, the energy coefficients followed for the past few decades were appraised through appropriate calculations considering the amelioration of production and related processes. The rederived energy coefficients were evaluated through energy analysis in sugarcane cultivation. A preliminary and detailed energy audit on energy consumption in sugarcane cultivation was carried out in Orathur village, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. Various operational energy consumptions (land development, land preparation, planting, fertilizer application, irrigation, weeding, earthing-up, detrashing, harvesting, and transportation) and source-wise energy consumption (human power, fertilizer, mechanical energy, electrical energy, and fuel) were calculated by existing and rederived energy coefficients. From the energy audit, it is observed that irrigation was the most energy-consuming agricultural operation with 55 to 67

The shift towards sustainable agriculture is vital for addressing pressing global issues, including food security, environmental harm and resource depletion. Materials derived from biomass present an innovative pathway to sustainability by leveraging renewable, biodegradable and cost-effective resources to boost agricultural output while reducing ecological impact. This review examines the wide-ranging potential of biomass-based materials, emphasising their roles in enhancing soil health, increasing crop yields and promoting integrated waste management. It also highlights recent progress in developing biochar, biopolymers and fertilisers, showcasing their roles in improving nutrient recycling, supporting carbon sequestration and decreasing reliance on synthetic agricultural inputs. Furthermore, the paper explores the contributions of advanced technologies such as pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion in maximising the efficient use of biomass. The review addresses obstacles like scalability, cost considerations and environmental challenges while offering policy recommendations and identifying key areas for future research. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis underscores the significant impact of biomass-derived materials in driving sustainable agricultural practices and advancing a circular economy.

Biomass gasification is an effective process for converting organic wastes into syngas. Syngas is a biofuel that possesses several potential applications in the energy sector. However, the major bottleneck for the commercialization of this technology is tar production in biomass gasification, which affects gasifier performance and syngas yield/quality. Tar can be destructed by adopting in situ or ex situ modes of utilizing catalysts in biomass gasification. The added advantage of tar reduction is enhanced syngas energy content. Despite their advantages, catalysts face challenges such as high costs, declining performance over time, and difficulties in regeneration and recycling. Deactivation can also occur due to poisoning, fouling, and carbon buildup. While some natural materials have been tested as alternative materials, the financial sustainability and affordability of catalysts remain crucial for large-scale syngas production. This paper offers an overview of tar reduction strategies and the role of various catalysts in the gasification process and future perspectives on catalyst development for biomass gasification.

Efficient removal of pollutants from sewage is essential for maintaining the sustainability of the ecosystem, which means that effective biological methods must be explored. Compared to traditional physical and chemical methods, bioremediation is an attractive alternative method because of its low-cost, maintains ecological balance and helps rebuild the polluted environment. In particular, the sustainable bioremediation technology based on sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is considered to be one of the best treatment schemes to alleviate environmental pollution. The present paper provides a brief summary of the approach used to remove pollutants using sulphate-reducing bacteria, an obligate anaerobic bacterium. SRB are recognized for their capacity to convert sulphate into hydrogen sulfide, which facilitates the precipitation of heavy metals, degradation of organic pollutants and forms a large number of metal sulfides. The analysis delves into the biological processes utilized by SRB, the ideal conditions for their effectiveness and the potential advantages and obstacles associated with integrating SRB into wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, it confronts challenges such as odor control, hydrogen sulfide mitigation and microbial survival. By examining of current studies and technological progress, this analysis underscores the potential of SRB as a sustainable and effective remedy for enhancing wastewater treatment and mitigating environmental contamination.