Characterization of Biochar and Syngas Obtained from Pellets of Grape Vine and Sun Flower Husk Using A Pyrolysis System

AbstractBiochar produced from pellet obtained from grapevine (GV) and sunflower husk (SFH) at different temperature (400 and 500°C) were studied by pyrolysis batch reactor. Chemical and physical evolution of biomass under pyrolysis conditions was determined and products characterization was evaluated, including main organic components in gaseous stream. The Biochar is a “porous carbonaceous solid” produced by thermochemical conversion of organic materials in an oxygen depleted atmosphere, which has physiochemical properties suitable for the safe and long-term storage of carbon in the environment and, potentially, soil improvement. Results have shown a decrease in yield as an increase in temperature. The objective of this work is to improve the acknowledgment for the alternative use of the biochar gained from agro-forestry biomass residuals grapevine and sunflower husks by means of modern chemical and physical characterization tools

The Essentials of Marine Biotechnology

Coastal countries have traditionally relied on the existing marine resources (e.g., fishing, food, transport, recreation, and tourism) as well as tried to support new economic endeavors (ocean energy, desalination for water supply, and seabed mining). Modern societies and lifestyle resulted in an increased demand for dietary diversity, better health and well-being, new biomedicines, natural cosmeceuticals, environmental conservation, and sustainable energy sources. These societal needs stimulated the interest of researchers on the diverse and underexplored marine environments as promising and sustainable sources of biomolecules and biomass, and they are addressed by the emerging field of marine (blue) biotechnology. Blue biotechnology provides opportunities for a wide range of initiatives of commercial interest for the pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, food, feed, agricultural, and related industries. This article synthesizes the essence, opportunities, responsibilities, and challenges encountered in marine biotechnology and outlines the attainment and valorization of directly derived or bio-inspired products from marine organisms. First, the concept of bioeconomy is introduced. Then, the diversity of marine bioresources including an overview of the most prominent marine organisms and their potential for biotechnological uses are described. This is followed by introducing methodologies for exploration of these resources and the main use case scenarios in energy, food and feed, agronomy, bioremediation and climate change, cosmeceuticals, bio-inspired materials, healthcare, and well-being sectors. The key aspects in the fields of legislation and funding are provided, with the emphasis on the importance of communication and stakeholder engagement at all levels of biotechnology development. Finally, vital overarching concepts, such as the quadruple helix and Responsible Research and Innovation principle are highlighted as important to follow within the marine biotechnology field. The authors of this review are collaborating under the European Commission-funded Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action Ocean4Biotech – European transdisciplinary networking platform for marine biotechnology and focus the study on the European state of affairs. © Copyright © 2021 Rotter, Barbier, Bertoni, Bones, Cancela, Carlsson, Carvalho, Cegłowska, Chirivella-Martorell, Conk Dalay, Cueto, Dailianis, Deniz, Díaz-Marrero, Drakulovic, Dubnika, Edwards, Einarsson, Erdoǧan, Eroldoǧan, Ezra, Fazi, FitzGerald, Gargan, Gaudêncio, Gligora Udovič, Ivošević DeNardis, Jónsdóttir, Kataržytė, Klun, Kotta, Ktari, Ljubešić, Lukić Bilela, Mandalakis, Massa-Gallucci, Matijošytė, Mazur-Marzec, Mehiri, Nielsen, Novoveská, Overlingė, Perale, Ramasamy, Rebours, Reinsch, Reyes, Rinkevich, Robbens, Röttinger, Rudovica, Sabotič, Safarik, Talve, Tasdemir, Theodotou Schneider, Thomas, Toruńska-Sitarz, Varese and Vasquez