Recovery of keratin from feather meal: a new route to valorize an agro-industrial co-product.

The valorization of agro-industrial by-products/co-products represents a sustainable pathway to produce high-value biomaterials. Feather meal is an agro-industrial co-product derived from clean and undecomposed poultry feathers processed under high heat and pressure that offers an economically viable and scalable alternative for keratin extraction compared to native feathers. This study explores the recovery of keratin from feather meal through an optimized alkaline hydrolysis process, achieving a yield of 20 wt.

Effect of niobium addition over Ni/MCM-41 catalysts for dry reforming of biogas.

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of niobium addition on nickel-based catalysts and their performance in dry reforming reactions to produce syngas (H and CO). Different quantities of NbO (5, 10, and 20% w/w) were used to prepare the catalysts, while a fixed content of Ni was applied (20%). The catalysts were supported on MCM-41.

Production and Characterization of Electrospun Chitosan, Nanochitosan and Hyaluronic Acid Membranes for Skin Wound Healing.

The development of new wound dressings made from biomaterials, which offer a better cost-benefit ratio and accelerate the healing process, is increasing nowadays. Various biopolymers can be electrospun to form functional membranes for wound healing. Therefore, in this study, chitosan and nanochitosan membranes with or without hyaluronic acid were prepared using the electrospinning technique, characterized and evaluated in the healing of skin wounds in rats.

Valorization of feather waste in Brazil: structure, methods of extraction, and applications of feather keratin.

This systematic review presents the potential of using feather waste as a β-keratin source, including the Brazilian scenario in the generation of this byproduct. The structure and properties of α- and β-keratin, the methods commonly reported to extract keratin from poultry feathers, and applications of feather keratin-based materials are also covered in this review. The literature search for poultry production data in Brazil was conducted for the last 2 years, for the period 2021-2022.

Eco-Friendly Polysaccharide-Based Synthesis of Nanostructured MgO: Application in the Removal of Cu in Wastewater.

The present study described three synthesis routes using different natural polysaccharides as low-cost non-toxic fuels and complexing agents for obtaining MgO. Cassava starch, leaves (mainly acemannan) gel, and citric pectin powder were mixed with magnesium nitrate salt and calcined at 750 °C for 2 h. The samples were named according to the polysaccharide: cassava starch (MgO-St), citrus pectin (MgO-CP), and (MgO-Av).

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with extract and its protection against microbial decay of strawberries during storage.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be produced through an easy and safe process called green synthesis and have been considered an efficient antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles green synthesized with (aveloz) can be a promising technique for preserving stored strawberries. The objective of this work was to perform a green synthesis of AgNPs with aveloz extract (Av) and evaluate its effect on the physiology and preservation of stored strawberries.

Two-Stage anaerobic digestion in agroindustrial waste treatment: A review.

The anaerobic digestion is a process widely recognized as an interesting alternative for the treatment and stabilization of residual organic substrates. However, several technical limitations were observed based on the characteristics of the organic matter submitted to the process, such as the presence of high concentrations of soluble sugars or fats. The technology of anaerobic digestion in multiple stages is described as a viable option in the control of variables, optimizing the environmental conditions of the main microorganisms involved in the process, assuring high solid removal and methane production, besides allowing a higher energy yield through the generation of molecular fuel hydrogen.

Valorization of poultry slaughterhouse sludge oil: a strategy to reduce Brazil's dependency on soybean oil in the biodiesel industry.

During the poultry industrialization process the so-called sludge oil, a residual chicken fat, is recovered in the wastewater treatment plant and its use presents potential as raw material for biodiesel production. Thus, the aim of the study was to prepare blends of sludge oil with soybean oil to obtain fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) through the homogeneous alkaline transesterification reaction. To perform this study, a simple pre-treatment process - heating and subsequent filtration - was used, allowing sludge oil to be mixed with soybean oil to compose blends, without the need to use more sophisticated pre-treatment processes.

Alternative methods for the pilot-scale production and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles.

This work describes the production/characterization of low molar mass chitosan nanoparticles derived from waste shrimp shells (SSC), as well as from a commercial chitosan (CC). The production of low molar mass nanochitosan employed thermal shock, alternating between 100 °C and ambient temperature, followed by grinding the dry material (SSC and CC) in a ball mill, producing around 500 g of nanochitosan per batch. A highlight of the methodology employed is that it enables nanochitosan to be obtained even from a low quality commercial raw material.

Catalytic efficiency of the eggshell calcined and enriched with glycerin in the synthesis of biodiesel from frying residual oil.

Currently, there are several studies using calcium oxide, calcium alkoxide, and calcium hydroxide for biodiesel production. However, there is still a lack of studies highlighting the use of calcium diglyceroxide (calcium oxide enriched with glycerin in the presence of methanol) as a catalyst in the transesterification process. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the catalytic efficiency and reutilization of the eggshell calcined and enriched with glycerin and methanol (ECEG), in the synthesis of methylic esters from frying residual oil.

High performance on the moisture reduction in waste oils by a bentonite-based adsorption process.

In this work, the reduction of the moisture content from waste oils by a bentonite-based adsorption process was investigated as an alternative for reuse in energy production. Waste cooking oil (WCO) and waste poultry fat (WPF) were characterised (moisture and viscosity, values of acidity, saponification, and peroxide), as well as bentonite clay adsorbent. The response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to define the best moisture adsorption condition by bentonite-based adsorbent regarding a full factorial experimental design (FFED).

Poultry slaughterhouse anaerobic ponds as a source of inoculum for biohydrogen production.

Several waste sources have been studied as substrate sources for the production of biogas rich in hydrogen and for the isolation of bacteria capable of fermenting several substrates for the same purpose. Nonetheless, to simplify the process and minimize production costs, it is important to seek alternatives both for the use of microbial consortia using crude waste and for the use of substrates also in their crude form, without the need for purification. The aim of this study was to use only waste as inoculum and substrate for the biological production of hydrogen.

Evaluation of the effect of different treatment methods on sugarcane vinasse remediation.

Sugarcane vinasse is a by-product obtained during ethanol production in sugar-ethanol plants. For each 1 L of ethanol produced approximately 11 L of vinasse are generated. As this residue is obtained in high amounts, it is used as fertilizer in sugarcane crops.

Evaluation of different adsorbents for acidity reduction in residual oils.

This work aims to evaluate the adsorption potential of bentonite and sugarcane bagasse clay for the reduction of free fatty acids in cooking oil through batch technique, experimental planning with different operating conditions (temperature, adsorbent mass and agitation). After were carried out kinetic studies and thermodynamic studies. Thus, both adsorbents were characterized by nitrogen dispersion, scanning electron microscopy with coupled energy dispersion spectroscopy.

Adsorption of aquaculture pollutants using a sustainable biopolymer.

Intensive aquaculture needs to adopt techniques that are able to contribute towards sustainability. Closed systems that employ water recirculation can combine intensive production with environmental sustainability, since there is no exchange of water or discharge of effluents into the environment. In order to achieve this, effective filtration systems are required to ensure that the water quality is satisfactory for the cultivation of aquatic organisms.

Use of rice husk in waste cooking oil pretreatment.

Since industrial wastes are increasing, the development of studies to find ways for their use is urgent. Waste cooking oil is an important source for the production of biodiesel, one of the main biofuels in Brazil. However, during cooking, the oil undergoes conditions that change its properties and decrease its quality, such as its acidity value.

Environmental, economic and social impact of aviation biofuel production in Brazil.

The Brazilian aviation industry is currently developing biofuel technologies that can maintain the operational and energy demands of the sector, while reducing the dependence on fossil fuels (mainly kerosene) and greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of the current research was to identify the major environmental, economic and social impacts arising from the production of aviation biofuels in Brazil. Despite the great potential of these fuels, there is a significant need for improved routes of production and specifically for lower production costs of these materials.