Unveiling the Structural Characteristics of Lignin and Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes in Fibers and Parenchyma Cells of Moso Bamboo during Different Growing Years.

Understanding and recognizing the structural characteristics of lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) and lignin in different growth stages and tissue types of bamboo will facilitate industrial processes and practical applications of bamboo biomass. Herein, the LCC and lignin samples were sequentially isolated from fibers and parenchyma cells of bamboo with different growth ages. The diverse yields of sequential fractions not only reflect the different biomass recalcitrance between bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells but also uncover the structural heterogeneity of these tissues at different growth stages. The molecular structures and structural inhomogeneities of the isolated lignin and LCC samples were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that the structural features of lignin and LCC linkages in parenchyma cells were abundant in ß-O-4 linkages but less with carbon-carbon linkages, suggesting that lignin and cross-linked LCC in parenchyma cells are simple in nature and easily to be tamed and tractable in the current biorefinery. Parallelly, the different ball-milled samples were directly characterized by high-resolution (800 M) solution-state 2D-HSQC NMR to analyze the whole lignocellulosic material. Overall, the scheme presented in this study will provide a comprehensive understanding of lignin and LCC linkages in fibers and parenchyma cells of bamboo and enable the utilization of bamboo biomass.

Unraveling the Impacts of Germination on the Volatile and Fatty Acid Profile of Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) Seeds.

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) is a promising perennial grain explored for mainstream food applications. This study investigated the effects of different germination temperatures (10, 15, and 20 °C) and durations (2, 4, and 6 days) on IWG's volatile and fatty acid (FA) profiles. A method using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was optimized through response surface design to extract the volatile compounds, achieving ideal extraction conditions at 60 °C for 55 min. Multiple headspace extraction (MHE) was used for volatile compound quantification. Fifty-eight compounds were identified and quantified in IWG flour, mainly alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, terpenes, esters, organic acids, and ketones. The main FAs found were linoleic acid (C18:2), oleic acid (C18:1), palmitic acid (C16:0), and linolenic acid (C18:3). Principal component analysis showed a direct correlation between volatile oxidation products and FA composition. Germination at 15 °C for 6 days led to a reduced presence of aldehydes and alcohols such as nonanal and 1-pentanol. Therefore, optimized germination was successful in reducing the presence of potential off-odor compounds. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of germination on IWG flour, showing a way for its broader use in food applications.

Plant-based hydrolysates as building blocks for cellular agriculture.

Cellular agriculture, an emerging technology, aims to produce animal-based products such as meat through scalable tissue culture methods. Traditional techniques rely on chemically undefined media using fetal bovine serum (FBS) or chemically defined media utilizing specific growth factors. To be a viable alternative to conventional meat production, cellular agriculture requires cost-effective materials with established supply chains for growth media. Here, we investigate hydrolysates from Kikuyu grass, Alfalfa grass, and cattle rearing pellets. We identified conditions that promote C2C12 myoblast cell growth in media containing 0.1% and 0% serum. These effects are more pronounced in combination with existing growth promoters such as insulin, transferrin, and selenium. Overall, the rearing pellet hydrolysates were most effective in promoting growth particularly when in combination with the growth promoters. Our findings suggest that leveraging these materials, along with known growth factors, can facilitate the development of improved, scalable, and commercially viable media for cellular agriculture.

Dielectric barrier discharge low-temperature plasma modification of bamboo charcoal for supercapacitor applications.

Biochar is commonly utilized as an electrode material in supercapacitors. However, the conventional carbonization process often results in macromolecular compounds, which obstruct the porous structure of carbon materials, thereby reducing their capacitance. Dielectric barrier discharge low-temperature plasma (DLTP) is a technology that transforms gases into highly excited states, utilizing high-energy particles for enhanced energy applications. This study investigated the effects of DLTP on the electrochemical performance of bamboo charcoal (BC), utilizing bamboo shavings (BS) as the carbon source. The results indicated that the specific capacitance of BC varied under different atmospheric conditions, input voltages, and treatment durations, thereby achieving a maximum increase of 144 F/g. Furthermore, when combined with KOH activation, DLTP modification further enhanced the specific capacitance of BC to 237 F/g. The DLTP treatment enhanced the specific surface area and the types of functional groups in BC, thereby leading to a significant enhancement of its electrochemical properties.

In vivo absorption, in vitro simulated digestion, and fecal fermentation properties of Imperata cylindrica polysaccharides and their effects on gut microbiota.

Recently we have investigated polysaccharide from Imperata cylindrica (ICP) for its physicochemical structure and biological activities. However, the digestion characteristics have yet to be understood. This study investigated the digestion and metabolism characteristics of ICP through in vivo fluorescence tracking, in vitro simulated digestion, fecal fermentation experiments, and microbial sequencing. The results showed that ICP significant distribution in the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. ICP underwent slight degradation during simulated gastric and intestinal digestion. During fecal fermentation, the utilization degree of ICP and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) increased. ICP promoted the increase of beneficial microbial abundance. To understand the impact of ICP on the integrity and health of intestinal tissues, molecular docking was employed to preliminarily predict the interaction between ICP and key proteins. The results revealed that ICP could recognize and bind to key proteins through high-affinity targeting binding sites.

Green Extraction of Reed Lignin: The Effect of the Deep Eutectic Solvent Composition on the UV-Shielding and Antioxidant Properties of Lignin.

Lignin, the second most abundant natural polymer, is a by-product of the biorefinery and pulp and paper industries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the properties and estimate the prospects of using lignin as a by-product of the pretreatment of common reed straw (Phragmites australis) with deep eutectic solvents (DESs) of various compositions: choline chloride/oxalic acid (ChCl/OA), choline chloride/lactic acid (ChCl/LA), and choline chloride/monoethanol amine (ChCl/EA). The lignin samples, hereinafter referred to as Lig-OA, Lig-LA, and Lig-EA, were obtained as by-products after optimizing the conditions of reed straw pretreatment with DESs in order to improve the efficiency of subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. The lignin was studied using gel penetration chromatography, UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy; its antioxidant activity was assessed, and the UV-shielding properties of lignin/polyvinyl alcohol composite films were estimated. The DES composition had a significant impact on the structure and properties of the extracted lignin. The lignin's ability to scavenge ABTS+• and DPPH• radicals, as well as the efficiency of UV radiation shielding, decreased as follows: Lig-OA > Lig-LA > Lig-EA. The PVA/Lig-OA and PVA/Lig-LA films with a lignin content of 4% of the weight of PVA block UV radiation in the UVA range by 96% and 87%, respectively, and completely block UV radiation in the UVB range.

A Novel AHAS-Inhibiting Herbicide Candidate for Controlling Leptochloa chinensis: A Devastating Weedy Grass in Rice Fields.

Given the prevalence of the malignant weed Chinese Sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees) in rice fields, the development of novel herbicides against this weed has aroused wide interest. Here, we report a novel diphenyl ether-pyrimidine hybrid, DEP-5, serving as a systematic pre/postemergence herbicide candidate for broad-spectrum weed control in rice fields, specifically for L. chinensis. Notably, DEP-5 exhibits over 80% herbicidal activity against the resistant biotypes even at 37.5 g a.i./ha under greenhouse conditions and has complete control of L. chinensis at 150 g a.i./ha in the rice fields. We uncover that DEP-5 acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 39.4 µM. We propose that DEP-5 binds to AHAS in two hydrophobic-driven binding modes that differ from commercial AHAS inhibitors. Overall, these findings demonstrate that DEP-5 has great potential to be developed into a herbicide for L. chinensis control and inspire fresh concepts for novel AHAS-inhibiting herbicide design.

Processing natural bamboo into white bamboo through photocatalyzed lignin oxidation.

Scalable and highly efficient bamboo whitening remains a great challenge. Herein, an effective bamboo whitening strategy is proposed based on photocatalyzed oxidation, which involves H2O2 infiltration and UV illumination. The as-prepared white bamboo well maintains the nature structure of natural bamboo and demonstrates high whiteness and superior mechanical properties. The absorbance value is significantly decreased to 3.5 and the transmittance is increased to 0.04 % in UV-visible wavelength range due to the removal of light-absorbing chromospheres of lignin, resulting in a high whiteness when the UV illumination time is 8 h. In addition, the white bamboo displays a high tensile strength of 30 MPa and a high flexural strength of 36 MPa due to the well-preserved lignin units (lignin preservation is about 89 %). XRD patterns and analysis show that photocatalyzed oxidation has no effect on the crystal parameters of cellulose. Compared with the traditional bamboo whitening technology, our photocatalyzed oxidation strategy demonstrates significant advantage including chemical and time conservation, high efficiency, environment friendliness, and mechanical robustness. This highly efficient and environmentally friendly photocatalyzed oxidation strategy for the fabrication of white bamboo may pave the way of bamboo-based energy-efficient structural materials for engineering application.

Tropical grass digestibility assessed by the mobile bag and in vitro methods in horses.

This study aimed to compare the digestibility of tropical grasses by horses by the in vivo method using mobile nylon bags with the in vitro digestibility method using horse feces as a source of inoculum. Five horses were used in a 2 × 5 factorial design with randomized blocks featuring two methods (in vivo and in vitro) and five grasses: Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.), sixweeks threeawn grass (Aristida adsencionis, Linn), Alexandergrass (Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc.), capim-de-raiz (Chloris orthonoton, Doell), and Sabi grass (Urochloa mosambicensis). No difference (P>0.05) was found between the in vivo and in vitro methods regarding nutrient digestibility of Sabi grass and sixweeks threeawn. Tifton 85 was the only grass that showed differences (P<0.05) between the two methods concerning the apparent digestibility of all nutrients. Alexandergrass, Tifton 85, and capim-de-raiz exhibited the best digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and organic matter by the mobile bag method compared to the in vitro method. Tifton 85 and capim-de-raiz had higher crude protein digestibility by the mobile bag method than by the in vitro method. The mean retention time of the mobile bags in the digestive tract of the horses was 43.69 h. The bags with samples of sixweeks threeawn and Sabi grass had shorter retention times than capim-de-raiz and Alexandergrass (P<0.0001). It is concluded that, for sixweeks threeawn and Sabi grass, digestibility in horses can be assessed using the in vitro method in place of the mobile nylon bag method.

Structural elucidation of lignin, hemicelluloses and LCC from both bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells.

Biomass recalcitrance, a key challenge in biomass utilization, is closely linked to the architectural composition and cross-linkages of molecules within cell walls. With three bamboo species investigated, this study aims to elucidate the inherent molecular-scale structural differences between bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells through a systematic chemical extraction and structural characterization of isolated hemicelluloses, lignin, and lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC). We observed that parenchyma cells exhibit superior alkaline extractability compared to fibers. Additionally, we identified the hemicelluloses in parenchyma cells as L-arabino-4-O-methyl-D-glucurono-D-xylan, displaying a highly branched structure, while that in fibers is L-arabino-D-xylan. Furthermore, the parenchyma cell lignin exhibited a higher syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) ratio and ß-O-4 linkage content compared to fibers, whereas fibers contain more carbon­carbon linkages including ß-ß, ß-5, and ß-1. This notable structural difference suggests a denser and more stable lignin in bamboo fibers. Importantly, we found that LCC in parenchyma cells predominantly comprises γ-ester linkages, which exhibit an alkaline-unstable nature. In contrast, fibers predominantly contain phenyl glycoside linkages, characterized by their alkaline-stable nature. These findings were observed for all the tested bamboo species, indicating the conclusions should be also valid for other bamboo species, suggesting the competitiveness of bamboo parenchyma cells as a valuable biofuel feedstock.

Two Cytochrome P450s, CYP709B1 and CYP704C1, Play Essential Roles in Metabolism-Based Multiple Herbicide Resistance in American Sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud.) Fernald).

This study confirmed a field population of American sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud.) Fernald) that developed simultaneously high levels of resistance (resistance index >10) to three divergent modes of action herbicides: fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, mesosulfuron-methyl, and isoproturon. The resistance phenotype observed in this population was not attributed to target-site alterations; rather, the resistant plants exhibited a significant increase in the activity of cytochrome P450s (P450s) and enhanced metabolism rates for all three herbicides. RNA sequencing revealed significant upregulation of two P450s, CYP709B1 and CYP704C1, in the resistant plants both before and after herbicide treatments. Molecular docking predicted that the homology models of these P450s should exhibit a binding affinity for a range of herbicides. The heterologous expression of the identified P450s in yeast cells indicated improved growth in the presence of all three of the aforementioned herbicides. Collectively, the increased expression of CYP709B1 and CYP704C1 likely contributed to the P450s-mediated enhanced metabolism, thereby conferring multiple herbicide resistance in B. syzigachne.

[Differences and drivers of leaf stable carbon and nitrogen isotope in herbs under different vegetation types on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau]. / é’è—é«˜åŽŸä¸œç¼˜ä¸åŒæ¤è¢«ç±»åž‹ä¸‹è‰æœ¬æ¤ç‰©å¶ç‰‡ç¢³æ°®ç¨³å®šåŒä½ç´ å·®å¼‚åŠå ¶é©±åŠ¨å› ç´ .

The natural abundance of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in leaves can provide comprehensive information on the physiological and ecological processes of plants and has been widely used in ecological research. However, recent studies on leaf δ13C and δ15N have focused mainly on woody species, few studies have been conducted on herbs in different vegetation types, and their differences and driving factors are still unclear. In this study, we focused on the herbs in subalpine coniferous forests, alpine shrublands, and alpine mea-dows on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and investigated the differences in leaf δ13C and δ15N of herbs and the driving factors. The results showed that there were significant differences in leaf δ13C and δ15N values of herbs among different vegetation types, with the highest δ13C and δ15N values in alpine meadows, followed by alpine shrublands, and the lowest in subalpine coniferous forests. Using variation partitioning analysis, we revealed that differences in leaf δ13C and δ15N of herbs among various vegetation types were driven by both leaf functional traits and climate factors, with the contribution of leaf functional traits being relatively higher than that of climate factors. Hierarchical partitioning results indicated that mean annual temperature (MAT), chlorophyll content index, leaf nitrogen content per unit area (Narea), and leaf mass per area were the main drivers of leaf δ13C variations of herbs across different vegetation types, while the relative importance of Narea and MAT for variation in leaf δ15N of herbs was much higher than those other variables. There was a strong coupling relationship between leaf δ13C and δ15N as indicated by the result of the ordinary least squares regression. Our findings could provide new insights into understanding the key drivers of leaf δ13C and δ15N variations in herbs across different vegetation types.

Characterization and isolation method of Gigantochloa scortechinii (Buluh Semantan) cellulose nanocrystals.

This study explored the impact of sodium hydroxide and benzoylation treatment on the production of cellulose nanocrystals from Semantan bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii). Bamboo cellulose nanocrystals (BCNs) were obtained via acid hydrolysis, with the effectiveness of an isolation method and chemical treatments demonstrated in removing non-cellulosic constituents. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a crystalline cellulose II structure for benzoylated BCN (B) and a crystalline cellulose I structure for NaOH-treated BCN (S), with BCN (S) exhibiting a higher crystallinity index (80.55 %) compared to BCN (B) (67.87 %). The yield of BCN (B) (23.68 ± 1.10 %) was higher than BCN (S) (20.65 ± 2.21 %). Transmission electron microscopy images showed a mean diameter of 7.95 ± 2.79 nm for BCN (S) and 9.22 ± 3.38 nm for BCN (B). Thermogravimetric analysis indicated lower thermal stability for BCN (B) compared to BCN (S), with charcoal residues at 600 °C of 31.06 % and 22 %, respectively. Zeta potential values were -41.60 ± 1.97 mV for BCN (S) and -21.80 ± 2.54 mV for BCN (B). Gigantochloa scortechinii holds significant potential for sustainable and eco-friendly applications in the construction, furniture, and renewable energy industries. These findings highlight the versatility and potential of BCNs derived from Gigantochloa scortechinii for various applications.

Efficient adsorption of short-chain perfluoroalkyl substances by pristine and Fe/Cu-loaded reed straw biochars.

As the substitutes of legacy long-chain per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), short-chain PFASs have been widely detected in the environment. Compared to long-chain PFASs, short-chain PFASs have smaller molecules and are more hydrophilic. Therefore, they are more likely to experience long-distance transport and pose lasting environmental impacts. In this study, Fe-doped (R-Fe) and Cu-doped biochars (R-Cu) were prepared using reed straw biochar (R). The results showed that the PFBA and PFPeA sorption capacities of R-Fe were 25.81 and 43.59 mg g-1, 1.65 and 1.55 times higher than those of R, respectively. The PFBA and PFPeA sorption capacities of R-Cu were 19.34 and 33.69 mg g-1, 1.24 and 1.20 times higher than those of R, respectively. In addition, R, R-Fe, and R-Cu exhibited higher PFBA and PFPeA sorption capacities than the biochars previously reported. The excellent PFAS sorption performances of the biochars were attributed to the highly porous structure of R, which provided rich adsorption sites. Ion-pair sorption, pore filling, electrostatic interaction between the Fe/Cu and cationic groups on biochar and the anionic groups of PFASs, and hydrophobic interaction between the hydrophobic surface of biochar and the fluorinated tails of PFASs were the underlying sorption mechanisms. The biochars presented high removal rates (>86 %) of multiple PFASs (∑PFAS: 350 µg L-1) from synthetic wastewaters, including legacy and emerging PFASs of different chain lengths and with different functional groups. The biochars reported in this study are promising candidate adsorbents for treating waters contaminated with short-chain PFASs.

Isolation and characterization of feruloylated oligosaccharides from Phyllostachys acuta and in vitro antioxidant activity.

Feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) generated by decomposing plant hemicellulose, offer a wide range of potential applications in both the food and biomedical areas. As a graminaceous plant, bamboo is rich in hemicellulose. However, the structural composition and activity studies of FOs from it were rarely reported. In this study, FOs from Phyllostachys acuta (pFOs) obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis were isolated by AmberliteXAD-2 and C18 SPE columns. Then, pFOs were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS after labeled by 3-Amino-9-ethyl-carbazole (AEC), and the chemical antioxidant activity of pFOs and effects of pFOs on H2O2-induced oxidative damage were investigated. Finally, 14 of pFOs isomers were distinguished and identified, of which 10 did not contain hexoses and 4 did, and the three most abundant pFO structures were 12 (Iso 7, F1A1X2H2-AEC, 29.04 %), 11 (Iso 6, F1A1X1H2-AEC, 17.96 %), and 4 (Iso 3-1, F1A1X3-AEC, 15.57 %). The results of antioxidant studies showed that pFOs possessed certain reducing power, scavenging DPPH radicals, scavenging superoxide anion radicals, and scavenging hydroxyl radicals. Among them, the ability to clear DPPH radicals was particularly significant. pFOs significantly reduced the viability of RAW264.7 cells after H2O2 induction, whereas pFOs had a significant protective effect (p < 0.001). pFOs increased the viability of T-AOC and SOD enzymes in oxidatively damaged cells, as well as had a significant inhibition effect on ROS elevation (p < 0.001). This study lays the foundation for the structural analysis and antioxidant activity evaluation of bamboo-derived feruloyl oligosaccharides for their application in food and pharmaceutical fields.

Characterisation of aroma compounds, sensory characteristics, and bioactive components of a new type of huangjiu fermented with Chinese wild rice (Zizania latifolia).

Chinese wild rice (CWR) is a nutritious and healthy whole grain, worth developing. To develop and use its value, a new type of huangjiu was brewed with CWR, and the flavour characteristics, sensory quality, functional and bioactive components were evaluated. CWR (67 flavour substances) and glutinous rice (GR)-CWR huangjiu (62 flavour substances) had a better flavour than GR huangjiu (54 flavour substances), and the overall style of GR-CWR huangjiu was more skewed towards GR. The fruity, honey, caramel-like, herb and smoky aroma attributes of CWR huangjiu were higher than those of GR huangjiu (P < 0.05), while only the alcoholic was weaker (P < 0.05) due to the lower alcohol content. The huangjiu brewed using CWR had a better taste than that brewed using only GR. Furthermore, CWR huangjiu had the highest content of total dietary fiber (732.0 ± 15.2 mg/100 g), followed by GR-CWR (307.0 ± 8.5 mg/100 g), and GR (127.0 ± 2.3 mg/100 g). CWR huangjiu also had the highest total phenolic compounds (3.32 ± 0.05 mg/100 g/%vol) and total saponins (2.46 ± 0.03 mg/100 g/%vol) contents, followed by GR-CWR and GR. This study provides guidance for exploring further possibilities for CWR in the future.

Extraction of homogeneous lignin oligomers by ozonation of Miscanthus giganteus and vine shoots in a pilot scale reactor.

Lignin, a complex phenolic polymer crucial for plant structure, is mostly used as fuel but it can be harnessed for environmentally friendly applications. This article explores ozonation as a green method for lignin extraction from lignocellulosic biomass, aiming to uncover the benefits of the extracted lignin. A pilot-scale ozonation reactor was employed to extract lignin from Miscanthus giganteus (a grass variety) and vine shoots (a woody biomass). The study examined the lignin extraction and modification of the fractions and identified the generation of phenolic and organic acids. About 48 % of lignin was successfully extracted from both biomass types. Phenolic monomers were produced, vine shoots yielding fewer monomers than Miscanthus giganteus. Ozonation generated homogeneous lignin oligomers, although their molecular weight decreased during ozonation, with vine shoot oligomers exhibiting greater resistance to ozone. Extracted fractions were stable at 200 °C, despite the low molecular weight, outlining the potential of these phenolic fractions.

Integrating Physiological Features and Proteomic Analyses Provides New Insights in Blue/Red Light-Treated Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis).

Bamboo is one of the most important nontimber forestry products in the world. Light is not only the most critical source of energy for plant photosynthesis but also involved in regulating the biological processes of plants. However, there are few reports on how blue/red light affects Moso bamboo. This study investigated the growth status and physiological responses of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) to blue/red light treatments. The growth status of the bamboo plants was evaluated, revealing that both blue- and red-light treatments promoted plant height and overall growth. Gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, and enzyme activity were measured to assess the photosystem response of Moso bamboo to light treatments. Additionally, the blue light treatment led to a higher chlorophyll content and enzyme activities compared to the red light treatment. A tandem mass tag quantitative proteomics approach identified significant changes in protein abundance under different light conditions with specific response proteins associated with distinct pathways, such as photosynthesis and starch metabolism. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the physiological and proteomic responses of Moso bamboo to blue/red light treatments, highlighting their potential impact on growth and development.

Sustainable high-strength and dimensionally stable composites through in situ regulation and reconstitution of bamboo-derived lignin and hemicellulose contents.

The development of modern construction and transportation industries demands increasingly high requirements for thin, lightweight, high-strength, and highly tough composite materials, such as metal carbides and concrete. Bamboo is a green, low-carbon, fast-growing, renewable, and biodegradable material with high strength and toughness. However, the density of its inner layer is low due to the functional gradient (the volume fraction of vascular bundles decreases from the outer layer to the inner layer), resulting in low performance, high compressibility, and significant amounts of bamboo waste. We utilized chemical and mechanical treatments of bamboo's low-density, low-strength inner layers to create lightweight, ultra-thin, high-strength, and high-toughness composites. The treatment included the partial removal of lignin and hemicellulose to alter the chemical components, followed by mechanical drying and hot pressing. The treated bamboo had 100.8 % higher tensile strength (150.35 MPa), 47.7 % higher flexural strength (97.67 MPa), and 132.0 % higher water resistance and was approximately 68.9 % thinner than the natural bamboo. The excellent physical and mechanical properties of the treated bamboo are attributed to the contraction of parenchyma cells during delignification, the interlocking due to the collapse of parenchyma cells during mechanical drying, and an increase in the density of hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecular chains during hot pressing. Our research provides a new strategy for obtaining sustainable, ultra-thin, lightweight, high-strength, and high-toughness composite materials from bamboo for construction and transportation applications.

Efficient extraction of lignin from moso bamboo by microwave-assisted ternary deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis.

Applications of deep eutectic solvent (DES) systems to separate lignocellulosic components are of interest to develop environmentally friendly processes and achieve efficient utilization of biomass. To enhance the performance of a binary neutral DES (glycerol:guanidine hydrochloride), various Lewis acids (e.g., AlCl3·6H2O, FeCl3·6H2O, etc.) were introduced to synthesize a series of ternary DES systems; these were coupled with microwave heating and applied to moso bamboo. Among the ternary DES systems evaluated, the FeCl3-based DES effectively removed lignin (81.17%) and xylan (85.42%), significantly improving enzymatic digestibility of the residual glucan and xylan (90.15% and 99.51%, respectively). Furthermore, 50.74% of the lignin, with high purity and a well-preserved structure, was recovered. A recyclability experiment showed that the pretreatment performance of the FeCl3-based DES was still basically maintained after five cycles. Overall, the microwave-assisted ternary DES pretreatment approach proposed in this study appears to be a promising option for sustainable biorefinery operations.