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Agronomy
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Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications
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Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 February 2025 | Viewed by 20745

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj

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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan
Interests: nanoscience and nanotechnology; nanodiagnostics and nanotherapeutics; sensors; food/environmental/agricultural waste valorization; food and environmental toxins—analysis and treatment; food and environmental analytical chemistry; novel and green extraction/pretreatment techniques; chromatography—method development; pharmacokinetics and bioavailability; adsorption science and technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kandi Sridhar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Technology, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education (Deemed to be University), Coimbatore 641021, India
Interests: agri-food waste utilization; characterization and application of plant proteins; food processing; quality and functionality of the foods; extraction of bioactive compounds; functional foods; food product development; and micro/nanoencapsulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Minaxi Sharma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratoire de Chimie verte et Produits Biobases, Haute Ecole Provinciale de Hainaut - Condorcet, Département AgroBioscience et Chimie, 11 Rue de la Sucrerie, 7800 Ath, Belgium
Interests: nanoencapsulation; functional and nutraceutical foods; essential oils; food waste valorization; microbial biotechnology; plant bioactives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural waste refers to the waste generated during agricultural practices, including chemicals, crop straw, livestock manure, food processing waste, nonedible plant material, and toxic agricultural waste. Over the years, a rapid intensification in agricultural production due to the increasing global population has unsurprisingly resulted in an increase in agricultural waste, thereby causing extreme environmental problems. Therefore, the management and utilization of agricultural waste are considered to be eco-friendly and sustainable approaches to preserving its carbon footprint. For this, green nanotechnology has played a significant role in increasing the importance of agricultural waste by reutilization into a valuable product. In the past few years, agrowaste was effectively used for the preparation of novel nanomaterials and contributed to agrowaste management. For example, a great deal of agrowaste-based novel nanostructures (AWNs), such as carbon nanomaterials and metal or metal-oxide nanoparticles were effectively synthesized using agrowaste materials such as fruit and vegetable peels, crop straws, wheat bran, etc. However, controlling the morphology and properties of AWNs for an intended application still remains a challenge in the field of nanotechnology. Thus, in-depth studies are necessary for the successful exploitation of agrowaste for the green synthesis of AWNs, with tailored morphologies for wider applications in environmental remediation and food and biomedical fields.

The scope of this Special Issue includes recent research innovations and developments in the synthesis and characterization of AWNs along with their applications in environmental remediation, agriculture, and food and biomedical fields. This Special Issue is looking for original research articles and reviews that focus on but are not limited to the following topics:

  • Agrowaste-based novel nanostructures (AWNs)—synthesis and characterization;
  • Lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignocellulose, and zeolite-based AWNs;
  • AWNs—carbon nanomaterials: magnetic activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene/graphene oxide, fullerenes, quantum dots, etc.;
  • AWNs—metal or metal-oxide nanoparticles: gold, silver, silica, zinc, nickel, palladium, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, etc.;
  • AWNs applications in environmental remediation (soil and wastewater treatment);
  • AWNs applications in food and agriculture;
  • AWNs applications in antioxidant and antimicrobial agents/carriers;
  • AWNs applications in biomedical applications;
  • AWNs applications in diagnostics and therapeutics. 

Dr. Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj
Dr. Kandi Sridhar
Dr. Minaxi Sharma
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agrowaste
  • nanomaterials
  • nanocomposites
  • environmental monitoring/remediation
  • sensors
  • catalysts
  • food application
  • biomedical application
  • diagnostics and therapeutics

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 965 KiB  
Article
Nano-Organic Coatings Improve Early Vigor of Brassica napus L. Seeds in Water Deficit
by Farkhondeh Abrahimi, Mansour Taghvaei and Andrea Mastinu
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020390 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2023
Abstract
Low emergence and vigor of canola seeds are common problems encountered by canola growers. Seed coating is a good way to solve this problem. The objective of this study was to find the best combination of nano-organic to be used as a coating [...] Read more.
Low emergence and vigor of canola seeds are common problems encountered by canola growers. Seed coating is a good way to solve this problem. The objective of this study was to find the best combination of nano-organic to be used as a coating for seeds for strengthening the absorption of water and emergence seed of low vigor canola. The treatments in the first experiment included six levels of organic coatings: 20% vermicompost with 80% bentonite, 30% vermicompost with 70% bentonite, 40% vermicompost with 60% bentonite, 40% residues of canola with 60% bentonite, 30% residues of canola with 70% bentonite, and 20% resides of canola with 80% bentonite. The results indicated that 20% residues of canola and 20% vermicompost had the highest moisture under the saturation conditions and kept moisture for a longer time. Subsequently, the factors of the second experiment included three levels of water stress (100, 75, and 50% field capacity (FC)), three levels of seed coating (control, vermicompost, and canola residues), and three levels of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (0, 0.5, and 1 mM). The results showed that nano-organic coating improved emergence percentage and seedling traits while increasing superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities and decreasing electrolyte leakage. The highest ratios for emergence percentage (74.67), seedling vigor index (264.58), and leaf area (418) were obtained at the highest level of nano-titanium (1 mM). The highest rates of superoxide dismutase (53.44), peroxidase (30.68), catalase (5.35), chlorophyll content (51.05), and lowest electrolyte leakage (42.39) were observed in the highest level of nano-titanium (1 mM). Based on the results, we suggest the use of rapeseed residues with nano titanium oxide for rapeseed coating. The use of nanoparticles in current seed coatings is useful for reducing stresses in the germination and emergence stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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13 pages, 4489 KiB  
Article
Detoxification of Toxic Organic Dye by Heteroatom-Doped Fluorescent Carbon Dots Prepared by Green Hydrothermal Method Using Garcinia mangostana Extract
by Velusamy Arul, Kothalam Radhakrishnan, Natarajan Sampathkumar, Jothi Vinoth Kumar, Natarajan Abirami and Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj
Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010205 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2060
Abstract
In this work, nitrogen- and oxygen-doped fluorescent carbon dots (NOFCDs) were prepared using a simple green hydrothermal carbonization technique. Aqueous ammonia and the plant extract of Garcinia mangostana were used as a source of nitrogen and carbon, respectively. The prepared NOFCDs were examined [...] Read more.
In this work, nitrogen- and oxygen-doped fluorescent carbon dots (NOFCDs) were prepared using a simple green hydrothermal carbonization technique. Aqueous ammonia and the plant extract of Garcinia mangostana were used as a source of nitrogen and carbon, respectively. The prepared NOFCDs were examined using a variety of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques for physicochemical characterization. Fluorescence and UV–visible spectroscopy measurements were used to analyze the NOFCDs’ excitation-dependent fluorescent emission and absorption nature. It is observed that fluorescence intensity was excited at 320 nm and the strongest emission peak absorbed at 405 nm. The HRTEM imaging revealed NOFCDs to be spherical in shape with particle size at 3.58 nm. Moreover, the amorphous nature of NOFCDs was verified by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and SAED pattern techniques. Through FTIR, XPS, and EDS investigations, the doping of nitrogen and oxygen over the surface of the NOFCDs was evaluated and validated. The presence of carboxylic, amine, hydroxyl, and carbonyl functional groups on NOFCDs’ surface was shown by XPS and FTIR investigations. By using NaBH4, the obtained NOFCDs were demonstrated to possess excellent catalytic activity in the detoxification of methylene blue. Overall, this study revealed that the NOFCDs synthesized from green sources could be a promising material for catalytic and environmental remediation applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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20 pages, 2057 KiB  
Article
Fabrication and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles-Based Biocomposite Films Prepared Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Taro Mucilage, and Black Cumin Seed Oil for Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities
by Abonti Biswas, Tanvir Ahmed, Md Rahmatuzzaman Rana, Md Mozammel Hoque, Md Farid Ahmed, Minaxi Sharma, Kandi Sridhar, Rowshon Ara and Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj
Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010147 - 2 Jan 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3817
Abstract
Food packaging is often made from plastic, which is usually obtained from non-renewable resources. The development of new technologies, like biocomposite films, has been driven in response to environmental concerns as well as consumer demands for eco-friendly, high-quality products derived from nature. Biocomposite [...] Read more.
Food packaging is often made from plastic, which is usually obtained from non-renewable resources. The development of new technologies, like biocomposite films, has been driven in response to environmental concerns as well as consumer demands for eco-friendly, high-quality products derived from nature. Biocomposite films were prepared by incorporating taro mucilage, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), ZnO, glycerol, and black cumin seed (BCS) oil. The SEM results showed that the biocomposite films containing taro mucilage (TM), ZnO, and BCS oil had noticeably smoother surfaces. The FTIR analysis indicated the existence of a -OH group, N-H bond, alkaline group, C-C, C=N, C-H, C-O-H, and C-O-C bond formation, confirming the interaction of CMC, glycerol, BCS oil, ZnO nanoparticles, and TM. The results of TGA and DSC analysis suggest that incorporating ZnO nanoparticles, BCS oil, and TM into the CMC polymer matrix increased thermal stability. The addition of TM significantly increased water uptake capacity, antioxidative property, tensile strength, and elongation at break, with significantly decreased whiteness index and water solubility. The film inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as foodborne pathogens. The results suggest that the films can be potentially used as environment-friendly antioxidative and antimicrobial packaging films with additional research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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19 pages, 2140 KiB  
Article
Studies on the Removal of Phenol and Nitrophenols from Water by Activated Carbon Developed from Demineralized Kraft Lignin
by Monika Chaudhary, Suhas, Sarita Kushwaha, Shubham Chaudhary, Inderjeet Tyagi, Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj, Joanna Goscianska and Minaxi Sharma
Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2564; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102564 - 19 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1929
Abstract
The present investigation deals with the importance of interaction and position of the nitro group in the adsorptive removal of 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and phenol by demineralized kraft lignin activated carbon (DKLAAC). The adsorption of phenol and NPs on DKLAAC was found [...] Read more.
The present investigation deals with the importance of interaction and position of the nitro group in the adsorptive removal of 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and phenol by demineralized kraft lignin activated carbon (DKLAAC). The adsorption of phenol and NPs on DKLAAC was found to follow the order 2-NP > 4-NP > phenol. In this study, both solubility and donor–acceptor complex mechanism played an important role besides the porosity and surface area of the materials. Accordingly, the NP possessing the least solubility would noticeably exhibit a higher affinity to be adsorbed at the solid–liquid interface. Thus the highly hydrophobic 2-NP was adsorbed to a greater extent followed by 4-NP and phenol. Moreover, the adsorption capacity as affected by contact time, initial phenol concentration, pH, and temperature was also investigated. The experimental adsorption capacity by DKLAAC was 2.09, 2.34, and 2.20 mmol·g−1 for phenol, 2-NP, and 4-NP at 25 °C, respectively, with the maximum amount being adsorbed within 40 min. The experimental data obtained for the removal of phenol and NPs were adequately fitted by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic models. Additionally, the temperature study revealed the adsorption process to be endothermic and spontaneous with high affinity between DKLAAC and phenols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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14 pages, 2446 KiB  
Article
Adsorptive Analysis of Azo Dyes on Activated Carbon Prepared from Phyllanthus emblica Fruit Stone Sequentially via Hydrothermal Treatment
by Suhas, Sarita Kushwaha, Inderjeet Tyagi, Jahangeer Ahmed, Shubham Chaudhary, Monika Chaudhary, Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj, Joanna Goscianska, Rama Rao Karri and Kandi Sridhar
Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092134 - 8 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1781
Abstract
The present work aims to provide insight into the role of the functional group in the adsorption of azo dyes namely, ethyl orange (EO), methyl orange (MO), and metanil yellow (MY), on the activated carbon (surface area 569 m2·g−1) [...] Read more.
The present work aims to provide insight into the role of the functional group in the adsorption of azo dyes namely, ethyl orange (EO), methyl orange (MO), and metanil yellow (MY), on the activated carbon (surface area 569 m2·g−1) prepared from Phyllanthus emblica fruit stone by low-pressure hydrothermal treatment (AC-HTPEFS). More specifically, this study would facilitate a better understanding of the involvement of different amino substituents (-CH3, -C2H5, phenyl group) on the adsorption of azo dye molecules. The experimental adsorption isotherms of the azo dyes quantified with different adsorbents and temperatures (25–45 °C) were utilized to know the effect of functional groups on dye adsorption. Additionally, the equilibrium data were analyzed by applying isotherm models (Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin) in order to elucidate the best-fit isotherm model and adsorption capacity, with the Langmuir model fitting the isotherms best as shown by the higher correlation coefficients obtained (0.984–0.994). The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacities of EO, MO, and MY obtained at 25 °C were found to be 0.202, 0.187, and 0.158 mmol·g−1, respectively, which was attributed to the hydrophobicity and geometry of dye molecules. Moreover, adsorption kinetics conformed well with the pseudo-second-order model. The negative ΔG°, positive ΔH,° and positive ΔS° indicated the adsorption process to be favorable, endothermic, and increased randomness at the solid–liquid interface. Our findings indicate that the porous activated carbon from hydrothermally treated Phyllanthus emblica fruit stone exhibited a promising potential for the removal of azo dyes with rapid kinetics and high adsorption capacity. The present study could thus pave a way for future utilization of activated carbons produced via hydrothermal treatment techniques for wastewater applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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Review

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36 pages, 4348 KiB  
Review
Biogeneration of Valuable Nanomaterials from Agro-Wastes: A Comprehensive Review
by Pinku Chandra Nath, Amiya Ojha, Shubhankar Debnath, Minaxi Sharma, Kandi Sridhar, Prakash Kumar Nayak and Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020561 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6973
Abstract
The exponential growth of agricultural output is a result of the increasing world population. Agro-wastes are now acknowledged as an alternative material for the manufacture of renewable, inexpensive, and sustainable bio-composite-based products. Huge amounts of agricultural produce are often lost owing to a [...] Read more.
The exponential growth of agricultural output is a result of the increasing world population. Agro-wastes are now acknowledged as an alternative material for the manufacture of renewable, inexpensive, and sustainable bio-composite-based products. Huge amounts of agricultural produce are often lost owing to a lack of processing facilities or storage space. Agriculture wastes contain a significant concentration of carbohydrates as well as various multifunctional groups and organic substances, such as polymeric proteins. Interestingly, nanotechnology provides better potential to transform agricultural wastes easily into valuable and cost-effective products, removing the need to utilize noxious chemicals, which can create a variety of health and environmental difficulties. Recently, there has been an increase in interest in eco-friendly nanomaterial (NM) production techniques that utilize extracts generated from agricultural waste. Such nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively studied for numerous uses, including antibacterial agents, water purification, the breakdown of industrial colours, and many others. Consequently, the purpose of this review is to investigate the different sources, characteristics, and nano-management of agro-waste; valuable NMs derived from agro-waste; and their possible applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Waste Derived Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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