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Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant renewable resource on earth and currently most of this biomass is considered a low-value waste. Specifically, lignin is an underrated bioresource that is mostly burned for energy production and few value-added products have been created. Since the agro-food industry produces large amounts of wastes that can be potential sources of high-quality lignin, scientific efforts should be directed to this industry. Thus, this review provides a systematic overview of the trends and evolution of research on agro-food system-derived lignin (from 2010 to 2020), including the extraction of lignin from various agro-food sources and emergent applications of lignin in the agro-food chain. Crops with the highest average production/year (n = 26) were selected as potential lignin sources. The extraction process efficiency (yield) and lignin purity were used as indicators of the raw material potential. Overall, it is notable that research interest on agro-food lignin has increased exponentially over the years, both as source (567%) and application (128%). Wheat, sugarcane, and maize are the most studied sources and are the ones that render the highest lignin yields. As for the extraction methods used, alkaline and organosolv methods are the most employed (∼50%). The main reported applications are related to lignin incorporation in polymers (∼55%) and as antioxidant (∼24%). Studies on agro-food system-derived lignin is of most importance since there are numerous possible sources that are yet to be fully valorized and many promising applications that need to be further developed.

Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant renewable resource on earth and currently most of this biomass is considered a low-value waste. Specifically, lignin is an underrated bioresource that is mostly burned for energy production and few value-added products have been created. Since the agro-food industry produces large amounts of wastes that can be potential sources of high-quality lignin, scientific efforts should be directed to this industry. Thus, this review provides a systematic overview of the trends and evolution of research on agro-food system-derived lignin (from 2010 to 2020), including the extraction of lignin from various agro-food sources and emergent applications of lignin in the agro-food chain. Crops with the highest average production/year (n = 26) were selected as potential lignin sources. The extraction process efficiency (yield) and lignin purity were used as indicators of the raw material potential. Overall, it is notable that research interest on agro-food lignin has increased exponentially over the years, both as source (567%) and application (128%). Wheat, sugarcane, and maize are the most studied sources and are the ones that render the highest lignin yields. As for the extraction methods used, alkaline and organosolv methods are the most employed (∼50%). The main reported applications are related to lignin incorporation in polymers (∼55%) and as antioxidant (∼24%). Studies on agro-food system-derived lignin is of most importance since there are numerous possible sources that are yet to be fully valorized and many promising applications that need to be further developed.

AbstractReactive forms of oxygen can damage DNA (among other molecules), thus triggering, e.g., atherogenesis and carcinogenesis. However, such dietary antioxidants as lutein and β‐carotene can effectively inactivate them; these compounds were found to high levels in a novel strain (M2‐1) of the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus. The independent and combined effects of pH and temperature on its rates of growth and production of antioxidants were experimentally assessed, via a full factorial experimental design; the effects of each parameter independently, and of their interactions were accordingly quantified by ANOVA. Our results indicated that temperature plays a more important role on the maximum specific growth rate than pH; in terms of antioxidant content, pH and, to a lesser extent, temperature also have relevant effects. Consequently, the highest rate of biomass specific growth (0.294 ± 0.013 day−1) and biomass productivity (0.837 ± 0.054 mg L−1 day−1) were associated with relatively low pH (6) and relatively high temperature (30°C). Conversely, the antioxidant production rate increased with pH; hence, the highest productivity (0.638 mg L−1 day−1) was attained at pH 8 and 30°C. At the best operating conditions for antioxidant content, the levels of lutein and β‐carotene were 203.57 ± 1.41 and 18.20 ± 0.33 mg mL−1, respectively; the maximum production of either one occurred at the early exponential phase. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011

AbstractReactive forms of oxygen can damage DNA (among other molecules), thus triggering, e.g., atherogenesis and carcinogenesis. However, such dietary antioxidants as lutein and β‐carotene can effectively inactivate them; these compounds were found to high levels in a novel strain (M2‐1) of the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus. The independent and combined effects of pH and temperature on its rates of growth and production of antioxidants were experimentally assessed, via a full factorial experimental design; the effects of each parameter independently, and of their interactions were accordingly quantified by ANOVA. Our results indicated that temperature plays a more important role on the maximum specific growth rate than pH; in terms of antioxidant content, pH and, to a lesser extent, temperature also have relevant effects. Consequently, the highest rate of biomass specific growth (0.294 ± 0.013 day−1) and biomass productivity (0.837 ± 0.054 mg L−1 day−1) were associated with relatively low pH (6) and relatively high temperature (30°C). Conversely, the antioxidant production rate increased with pH; hence, the highest productivity (0.638 mg L−1 day−1) was attained at pH 8 and 30°C. At the best operating conditions for antioxidant content, the levels of lutein and β‐carotene were 203.57 ± 1.41 and 18.20 ± 0.33 mg mL−1, respectively; the maximum production of either one occurred at the early exponential phase. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011

Climate change issues have been considered some of the most complex and messy situations which the decision sciences face. In the last decade many countries have carried out studies related to climate change mitigation. The relevance of the outcomes of such studies depends on how well technical analysis, the priorities of the decision makers and technical/political feasibility are integrated. This paper focuses on a framework suggested by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to study the costs and impacts of national policies for abating greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. It illustrates how the quest for the inclusion of MCDA assessment in national greenhouse abatement costing studies can, without departing from the established analysis framework, be a pretext to provide a process which enhances stakeholder participation, validation, and ownership of the planning process. Such a process was used in a national study in Peru.

Climate change issues have been considered some of the most complex and messy situations which the decision sciences face. In the last decade many countries have carried out studies related to climate change mitigation. The relevance of the outcomes of such studies depends on how well technical analysis, the priorities of the decision makers and technical/political feasibility are integrated. This paper focuses on a framework suggested by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to study the costs and impacts of national policies for abating greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. It illustrates how the quest for the inclusion of MCDA assessment in national greenhouse abatement costing studies can, without departing from the established analysis framework, be a pretext to provide a process which enhances stakeholder participation, validation, and ownership of the planning process. Such a process was used in a national study in Peru.

PurposeSecond-hand clothing (SHC) has kindled a growing interest among researchers and practitioners. However, despite all the benefits that this market presents, consumer adherence still has considerable room for improvement. Several studies have explored the main motivations that lead consumers to buy second-hand clothes (SHCs), but few have focused on the factors that prevent consumers from adopting this consumption behavior. Hence, this study aims to identify barriers through the differences in the perception of experienced and inexperienced consumers in SHC purchases.Design/methodology/approachData collected through an online questionnaire from 127 cases were analyzed using means comparison and binomial logistic regression.FindingsThe findings of this study revealed that having previous experience in purchasing SHCs influences consumers' perception of the barriers. The results also indicate that social embarrassment is the factor that most negatively influences the purchase of SHCs, as well as the consumers' lack of knowledge regarding the available channels.Originality/valueConsidering the importance of the SHC market and its potential, this study reveals what motivates and at the same time prevents consumers from acquiring SHCs. Original findings regarding the importance of channel familiarity and social embarrassment assist companies in defining their marketing strategies and enhancing the consumer experience in the purchase of SHCs.