Biostimulants are substances which promote plant metabolism and are able to increase yields of various crops. However, their efficiency at field can be affected by climatic conditions. A novel mathematical model based on diffusion transport mechanism is proposed to predict the biostimulant uptake at different climatic conditions. The main input model parameter is experimentally measured effective diffusion coefficient of the biostimulant. The model is applied to a biostimulant prepared from leather waste by enzymatic hydrolysis. Simulations show that climatic conditions have significant impact on biostimulant penetration and should not be neglected in biostimulant application and further research. The suggested model is able to explain observed differences between laboratory and field biostimulant investigations, as well as draw recommendations for protein biostimulant application. The model also shows that the theoretical tools of chemical engineering can be used for optimization of biostimulant performance.

Endeavours leading to the study of glycerol oxidation result from the imperative necessity for wise utilization of surplus glycerine generated as by-product from biodiesel manufacture. The oxidation of glycerol is one of the most promising reactions as it leads to the generation of valuable glycerol derivatives that find broad application in pharmaceutical, polymer, and food industries. This review highlights the processing alternatives for glycerol by means of biocatalyst-mediated, heterogeneous, homogeneous, and electrochemical oxidation. The current state of the art is evaluated and recommendations for further research and future directions are included.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract