Development and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Bacterial Cellulose Composite for Environmentally Friendly Film

This research aimed to develop and characterize polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/bacterial cellulose (BC) composite for environmentally friendly films. BC was produced from a high-performance strain of Komagataeibacter intermedius BE073 isolated from a bio-extract sample. The film was prepared by varying the ratio between PVA and BC content, and treatments consisted of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40. The characterization of PVA/BC film in terms of mechanical properties, film structure, water and oxygen resistances, thermal stability, and biodegradation were investigated. Results revealed that PVA/BC film had properties superior to that of pure PVA film, and it has a high biodegradation rate. The mechanical properties changed little with the addition of BC, but the tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased with the addition of BC. Water absorption and moisture content were also reduced. However, adding BC improved oxygen transmission rates and thermal stability properties. Most importantly, the addition of BC helped the film to degrade. The higher the amount added, the higher the natural decomposition rate

Evaluation of Pesticide and Heavy Metal Contamination on Soil Properties and Microbiota in Thailand’s Mountainous Region

The article aims to investigate the state of soil elements in upland agriculture and the state of pesticide contamination in the environment of differing highland agricultural areas in Thailand. The number of heavy metals present was Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd, dominant pesticide contamination in the carbamate group is methomyl (0.11 mg/kg), and the organochlorine group is triazophos (0.02 mg/kg). Pesticide contamination was found to positively and significantly correlate with the soil’s total N and Fe content (p < 0.01). In the soil microbes, the dominant genera of Aquabacterium were found at the highland agriculture site H1, Massilia at H2, and Sphingomonas at H3

Evaluation of Pesticide and Heavy Metal Contamination on Soil Properties and Microbiota in Thailand's Mountainous Region

The article aims to investigate the state of soil elements in upland agriculture and the state of pesticide contamination in the environment of differing highland agricultural areas in Thailand. The number of heavy metals present was Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd, dominant pesticide contamination in the carbamate group is methomyl (0.11 mg/kg), and the organochlorine group is triazophos (0.02 mg/kg). Pesticide contamination was found to positively and significantly correlate with the soil's total N and Fe content (p < 0.01). In the soil microbes, the dominant genera of Aquabacterium were found at the highland agriculture site H1, Massilia at H2, and Sphingomonas at H3