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Tan SM, Ho LN, Wong YS, Azner Abidin CZ, Ong SA. Towards environmentally-friendly solutions for real textile-dyeing wastewater with energy recovery: Effluent recirculation and Rubia plant-derived purpurin electron mediator in microbial fuel cell. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 367:121905. [PMID: 39067334 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Escalating global water pollution exacerbated by textile-dyeing wastewater (TDW) poses significant environmental and health concerns due to the insufficient treatment methods being utilized. Thus, it is imperative to implement more effective treatment solutions to address such issues. In this research, different environmentally-friendly strategies involving effluent recirculation (ER) and Rubia cordifolia plant-derived purpurin electron mediator (EM) were introduced to enhance the treatment of real TDW and bioelectricity generation performance of an anti-gravity flow microbial fuel cell (AGF-MFC). The results revealed that optimum performance was achieved with a combination of hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 48 h with a recirculation ratio of 1, where the reduction efficiency of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3-), sulphate (SO42-), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), colour and turbidity were 82.17 %, 82.15 %, 85.10 %, 80.52 %, 75.91 %, 59.52 %, 71.02 % and 93.10 %, respectively. In terms of bioelectricity generation performance, AGF-MFC showed a maximum output voltage and power density of 404.72 mV and 65.16 mW/m2, respectively. Moreover, the results also signified that higher treatment performance of TDW was obtained with natural purpurin from Rubia cordifolia plant than synthetic purpurin as EM. The reduced reactivity of highly stable synthetic purpurin EM for mediating the electron transfer was a contributing factor to the outperformance of plant-derived purpurin. Additionally, detailed electron-mediating mechanisms of purpurin were proposed to unravel the underlying electron transfer pathway involved in AGF-MFC. This research offers insight into the development of more sustainable solutions for managing TDW, and consequently reducing environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sing-Mei Tan
- Water Research and Environmental Sustainability Growth, Centre of Excellence (WAREG), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Li-Ngee Ho
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Yee-Shian Wong
- Water Research and Environmental Sustainability Growth, Centre of Excellence (WAREG), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Che Zulzikrami Azner Abidin
- Water Research and Environmental Sustainability Growth, Centre of Excellence (WAREG), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Soon-An Ong
- Water Research and Environmental Sustainability Growth, Centre of Excellence (WAREG), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia.
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Fedeli R, Celletti S, Loppi S. Wood Distillate Promotes the Tolerance of Lettuce in Extreme Salt Stress Conditions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1335. [PMID: 38794405 PMCID: PMC11124871 DOI: 10.3390/plants13101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Soil salinization is an adverse phenomenon in agriculture that severely affects crop growth and yield. The use of natural products, such as wood distillate (WD, derived from the pyrolysis of woody biomass), could be a sustainable approach to enhance the tolerance of plants cultivated in the saline soils. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of WD, a foliar sprayed at 0.2% (v/v), in lettuce plants subjected to grow under both moderate and high soil sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations (ranging from 0 to 300 mM). The changes in the physiological and biochemical responses of these plants to the varying salt stress conditions allowed the identification of a maximum tolerance threshold (100 mM NaCl), specific to lettuce. Beyond this threshold, levels related to plant defense antioxidant power (antiradical activity) were lowered, while those indicative of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage) were raised, causing significant losses in leaf fresh biomass. On the other hand, WD significantly improved plant growth, enabling plants to survive high salt conditions >200 mM NaCl. Collectively, these observations highlight that treatments with WD could be of paramount importance in coping with current environmental challenges to have better yields under soil conditions of high salt concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Fedeli
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Silvia Celletti
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Stefano Loppi
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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Fedeli R, Cruz C, Loppi S, Munzi S. Hormetic Effect of Wood Distillate on Hydroponically Grown Lettuce. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:447. [PMID: 38337980 PMCID: PMC10856926 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The addition of biostimulants to nutrient solutions of hydroponically grown crops to speed up plant growth and improve plant yield and quality has been attracting more and more attention. This study investigated the effects of wood distillate (WD) addition to hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants. Two concentrations of WD, 0.2% and 0.5%, were added to the nutrient solution, and biometric (i.e., leaf fresh weight, root fresh weight, root length and root surface area), photosynthetic (i.e., chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid content) and biochemical (i.e., electrolyte leakage, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and total antioxidant power content) parameters were evaluated. The effects of WD were hormetic, as the 0.2% concentration stimulated biometric and biochemical parameters, while the 0.5% concentration inhibited plant growth. Based on these results, it can be suggested that the addition of 0.2% WD to the nutrient solution has a stimulating effect on the growth of lettuce plants, and could be a successful strategy to boost the yield of crops grown hydroponically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Fedeli
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Cristina Cruz
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Stefano Loppi
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvana Munzi
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.C.); (S.M.)
- Centro Interuniversitário de Historia das Ciências e da Tecnologia Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
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Azarnejad N, Celletti S, Ghorbani M, Fedeli R, Loppi S. Dose-Dependent Effects of a Corn Starch-Based Bioplastic on Basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.): Implications for Growth, Biochemical Parameters, and Nutrient Content. TOXICS 2024; 12:80. [PMID: 38251035 PMCID: PMC10818275 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, prompting the exploration of sustainable alternatives such as bioplastics (BPs). In agriculture, BPs have gained relevance as mulching films. This study investigated the effect of the presence in the soil of different concentrations (0-3%, w/w) of a corn starch-based bioplastic on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The results showed that increasing bioplastic concentration reduced shoot fresh biomass production. Biochemical analyses revealed changes in the shoot in soluble protein content, biomarkers of oxidative and osmotic stress (malondialdehyde and proline, respectively), anti-radical activity, and antioxidant compounds (phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid), which are indicative of plant adaptive mechanisms in response to stress caused by the presence of the different concentrations of bioplastic in the soil. Macro- and micronutrient analysis showed imbalances in nutrient uptake, with a decreased content of potassium, phosphorus, and manganese, and an increased content of magnesium, iron, and copper in the shoot at high BP concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Azarnejad
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Silvia Celletti
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BioAgry Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Majid Ghorbani
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Riccardo Fedeli
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BioAgry Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BioAgry Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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