One of the latest trends in sustainable agriculture is the use of beneficial microorganisms to stimulate plant growth and biologically control phytopathogens. Bacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive soil bacterium, is recognized for its valuable properties in various biotechnological and agricultural applications. This study presents, for the first time, the successful encapsulation of B. subtilis within electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) fibers, which are dip-coated with cellulose derivatives. In that way, the obtained fibrous biohybrid materials actively ensure the viability of the encapsulated biocontrol agent during storage and promote its normal growth when exposed to moisture. Aqueous solutions of the cellulose derivatives-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, were used to dip-coat the electrospun PHB fibers. The study examined the effects of the type and molecular weight of these cellulose derivatives on film formation, mechanical properties, bacterial encapsulation, and growth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to observe the morphology of the biohybrid materials and the encapsulated B. subtilis. Additionally, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the surface chemical composition of the biohybrid materials and verified the successful coating of PHB fibers. Mechanical testing revealed that the coating enhanced the mechanical properties of the fibrous materials and depends on the molecular weight of the used cellulose derivatives. Viability tests demonstrated that the encapsulated B. subtilis exhibited normal growth from the prepared materials. These findings suggest that the developed fibrous biohybrid materials hold significant promise as biocontrol formulations for plant protection and growth promotion in sustainable agriculture.

Agricultural waste presents a significant environmental challenge due to improper disposal and management practices, contributing to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and pollution of water and air resources. To address these issues, there is a growing emphasis on the valorization of agricultural waste. Cellulose, a major component of agricultural waste, offers promising opportunities for resource utilization due to its unique properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and renewability. Thus, this review explored various types of agricultural waste, their chemical composition, and pretreatment methods for cellulose extraction. It also highlights the significance of rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, and other agricultural residues as cellulose-rich resources. Among the various membrane fabrication techniques, phase inversion is highly effective for creating porous membranes with controlled thickness and uniformity, while electrospinning produces nanofibrous membranes with high surface area and exceptional mechanical properties. The review further explores the separation of pollutants including using cellulose membranes, demonstrating their potential in environmental remediation. Hence, by valorizing agricultural residues into functional materials, this approach addresses the challenge of agricultural waste management and contributes to the development of innovative solutions for pollution control and water treatment.

Functional membranes that are both robust and porous with selective wettability find widespread application in oil/water separation processes. This study used polyacrylonitrile (PAN), surfactant-modified cellulose nanocrystals (H-CNC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the raw materials to prepare a nanofibrous membrane (HCNC/PPAN) with a strong loess-beam-like structure using the electrospinning and sacrificing template strategy. Surfactant adsorption enabled stable dispersion of H-CNC within the polymer matrix. The tensile strength and Young's modulus were 7.46 +/- 0.36 MPa and 150.66 +/- 33.12 MPa, respectively, which represent an increase by 3.15 times and 1.89 times when compared to the corresponding values of the PAN membrane. The H-CNC/PPAN membrane obtained a good pore size distribution after removing PVP by water etching, as a result of the formation of furrows and micro-meso-pores. Moreover, the etching process effectively improved the mechanical properties of the membranes. Based on the presence of hydroxyl and amide groups on the membrane surface, the membrane displayed pre-wetting induced underwater superoleophobicity and underoil superhydrophobicity. Driven by gravity, an ultra-high permeation flux of 7210.51 L & sdot;m � 2 & sdot;h- 1 and a separation efficiency of over 98.93% were achieved. Thanks to its excellent oil repellency and good resistance to acid, alkali and salt, the HCNC/PAN membrane is highly sustainable and has broad potential applications in the field of oil/water separation.

This article addresses the entire life cycle of the all-green fibrous materials based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) containing a natural biocompatible additive Hemin (Hmi): from preparation, service life, and the end of life upon in-soil biodegradation. Fibrous PHB/Hmi materials with a highly developed surface and interconnected porosity were prepared by electrospinning (ES) from Hmi-containing feed solutions. Structural organization of the PHB/Hmi materials (porosity, uniform structure, diameter of fibers, surface area, distribution of Hmi within the PHB matrix, phase composition, etc.) is shown to be governed by the ES conditions: the presence of even minor amounts of Hmi in the PHB/Hmi (below 5 wt %) serves as a powerful tool for the control over their structure, performance, and biodegradation. Service characteristics of the PHB/Hmi materials (wettability, prolonged release of Hmi, antibacterial activity, breathability, and mechanical properties) were studied by different physicochemical methods (scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle measurements, antibacterial tests, etc.). The effect of the structural organization of the PHB/Hmi materials on their in-soil biodegradation at the end of life was analyzed, and key factors providing efficient biodegradation of the PHB/Hmi materials at all stages (from adaptation to mineralization) are highlighted (high surface area and porosity, thin fibers, release of Hmi, etc.). The proposed approach allows for target-oriented preparation and structural design of the functional PHB/Hmi nonwovens when their structural supramolecular organization with a highly developed surface area controls both their service properties as efficient antibacterial materials and in-soil biodegradation upon the end of life.