The objective of this study was to utilize agro-lignocellulosic wastes for growing oyster mushroom which become problematic for disposal. Pleurotus ostreatus was cultivated on five agro-industrial wastes: rice straw (RS), wheat straw (WS), corncobs (CC), saw dust and rice husk @ 3:1 (SR) and sugarcane bagasse (SB). Approximately 500 g sized polypropylene bags (20.32 × 30.48 cm) were used for each substrate. The SR significantly improved the number of fruiting body (27.80), size of the fruiting body (5.39 g), yield (115.13 g/packet), ash and shortened the days for stimulation to primordial initiation and harvest (9.2 days). The maximum percentage of visual mycelium growth with the least time (15.0 days) to complete the mycelium running was found in SB, whereas the highest biological efficiency value (56.5) was calculated in SR. The topmost value of total sugar (33.20%) and ash (10.87 g/100 g) were recorded in WS, whereas the utmost amount of protein (6.87 mg/100 g) and total polyphenolics (196.88 mg GAE/100 g) were detected from SB and SR, respectively. Overall SR gave the highest amount of the fruiting body with the topmost polyphenols and ash, moderate protein and total sugar, and secured maximum biological efficiency too. The results demonstrate that saw dust with rice husk could be used as an easy alternative substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation.

Wastewater containing heavy metals (HMs) beyond permissible limit has to be decontaminated by an appropriate treatment method. Numerous conventional methods have been applied for heavy metal decontamination including chemical precipitation, ion exchange, electrolysis and membrane applications, etc. Most conventional methods are less efficient for the decontamination of metals due to the resistance and persistence of HMs in wastewater. Even so, the conventional methods have their limitations; adsorption using low-cost hybrid bioadsorbents has been explored as an environmentally friendly method for the removal of metal ions from wastewater. This review has been summarized the sources and effects of different heavy metals in the water/wastewater. The possible treatment methods also highlighted their advantages and limitations. Factors affecting the biosorption process such as bioadsorbent dosage, solution pH, contact time, initial concentration, temperature, and ionic potentials attracting to metal ions have been evaluated by the published researches. Moreover, the possible mechanisms of metal biosorption were discussed in light of previous studies. According to this review, hybrid bioadsorbents are outstanding materials due to their exciting physicochemical properties and other characteristics including eco-friendly nature, low cost, nontoxic, high adsorption capacity, and reusability. This review could be considered as a precious pathway for exploring more low-cost, environmentally friendly hybrid adsorbents for metal decontamination from wastewater, eventually, the review will contribute to environmental remediation and purification applications of biomaterials.

Besides the lack of studies regarding applying elevated CO2 (eCO2) as a strategy to improve the chemical composition of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) seeds, studies on its interaction with seed developmental stages and origin are very limited. The seed yield, chemical composition, and biological activity of 6 aniseed accessions (Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and Morocco) were investigated during three developmental stages (immature, premature, and mature) under control and elevated CO2 conditions. Mature seeds from all aniseed accessions had significantly higher (p < 0.05) dry weight (DW) percentages than premature and immature seeds. The highest DW percentages were recorded in Egypt and Morocco accessions. Seed maturation increased nutrients and antioxidant metabolites in most eCO2-treated accessions. In contrast, essential oils were decreased by seed maturation, while eCO2 reversed this effect. Essential oil-related precursors (e.g., phenylalanine) and enzyme activities (3-Deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (DAHPS) and O–methyltransferase) decreased with seed maturity. However, high CO2 reduced this impact and further induced the other essential oil-related precursors (shikimic and cinnamic acids). Consequently, eCO2 provoked changes in the antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activities of aniseeds, particularly at mature stages. Overall, eCO2 application, as an efficient way to improve aniseed growth, essential oil metabolism, and chemical composition, was affected by seed maturation and origin. Future studies of eCO2-treated aniseeds as a nutraceutical and pharmaceutical product are suggested.

Red Sea coastal development has rapidly accelerated in recent decades that has led to a rise in the anthropogenic heavy metal levels in sediments. A total of 80 surficial sediment samples were collected from the shallow waters along the eastern Red Sea coast near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These samples were collected from three locations, designated as North, Middle and South of Jeddah, to assess the concentrations of six heavy metals: chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). The results showed that the concentrations (mg/kg) of these metals in the studied sediments follow this order: Pb (77.34 ± 150.59) > Mn (36.52 ± 37.72) > Zn (18.02 ± 23.94) > Cr (9.56 ± 5.81) > Cu (9.18 ± 13.67) > Ni (3.68 ± 4.54). The majority of the polluted sediments were recorded in the Middle and South locations. Pollution and enrichment indices such as Geo-accumulation indices (Igeo), Enrichment Factors (Ef), Contamination Factors (Cf), Pollution Load Indices (PLI), Potential Ecological Risk Indices (PERI) and Potential Toxicity Response Indices (RI) were calculated from the measured metals to establish baselines for the region and assess specific metal enrichments by location along the Jeddah coastline. The Igeo values showed that 30% of the Southern location stations are considered moderately to highly polluted. The Ef for all the studied sediments followed this order: Pb (extremely severe enrichment) > Zn > Cu > Cd > Cr (severe enrichment) > Ni (moderate enrichment).

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