Sequential extraction of fucoidan, laminarin, mannitol, alginate and protein from brown macroalgae Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus.

The study involves development of a green biorefinery process for obtaining fucoidan, laminarin, mannitol, alginate and protein from dry and fresh Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum using hydrochloric acid and a green extraction solvent. After the extraction of fucoidan which was the targeted biomolecule, an extract and by-product (residual biomass) were obtained. The extract was passed through an ultrafiltration membrane, where fucoidan was obtained in the ultrafiltration retentate while ultrafiltration permeate was analysed for laminarin and mannitol.

Fabrication and Evaluation of Filtration Membranes from Industrial Polymer Waste.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymers are known for their diverse range of industrial applications and are considered important raw materials for membrane manufacturing. In view of circularity and resource efficiency, the present work mainly deals with the reusability of waste polymer 'gels' produced during the manufacturing of PVDF membranes. Herein, solidified PVDF gels were first prepared from polymer solutions as model waste gels, which were then subsequently used to prepare membranes via the phase inversion process.

Comparison Study of an Optimized Ultrasound-Based Method versus an Optimized Conventional Method for Agar Extraction, and Protein Co-Extraction, from .

Agar is a hydrocolloid found in red seaweeds, which has been of industrial interest over the last century due to its multiple applications in the food, cosmetic, and medical fields. This polysaccharide, extracted by boiling for several hours, is released from the cell wall of red seaweeds. However, the environmental impact coming from the long processing time and the energy required to reach the targeted processing temperature needs to be reduced.

Biodegradation of Poly (Butylene Succinate) (PBS)/Stearate Modified Magnesium-Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxide Composites under Marine Conditions Prepared via Melt Compounding.

In the present work, polybutylene succinate (PBS)/stearate modified magnesium-aluminium layered double hydroxide (St-Mg-Al LDH) composites were prepared via melt processing and the effect of different loadings of St-Mg-Al LDH on the degradation behaviour of PBS under marine conditions was investigated. The morphological, mechanical and thermal characteristics of the composites were studied using different characterisation techniques. Optical imaging and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the incorporation of St-Mg-Al LDH accelerates the degradation of PBS along with the activity of microorganisms adhered to the composite films.

Improved Surface Functional and Photocatalytic Properties of Hybrid ZnO-MoS-Deposited Membrane for Photocatalysis-Assisted Dye Filtration.

The synergistic mechanism of photocatalytic-assisted dye degradation has been demonstrated using a hybrid ZnO-MoS-deposited photocatalytic membrane (PCM). Few layers of MoS sheets were produced using the facile and efficient surfactant-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation method. In this process, hydrophilic moieties of an anionic surfactant were adsorbed on the surface of MoS, which aided exfoliation and promoted a stable dispersion due to the higher negative zeta potential of the exfoliated MoS sheets.

Biodegradable Plastic Blends Create New Possibilities for End-of-Life Management of Plastics but They Are Not a Panacea for Plastic Pollution.

Plastic waste pollution is a global environmental problem which could be addressed by biodegradable plastics. The latter are blended together to achieve commercially functional properties, but the environmental fate of these blends is unknown. We have tested neat polymers, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyoctanoate, poly(butylene succinate), thermoplastic starch, polycaprolactone (PCL), and blends thereof for biodegradation across seven managed and unmanaged environments.