Display omitted
•Cotton gin trash catalyst is effective in the dehydration of fructose to HMF.•Cotton gin trash catalyst consists of 3 aromatic layers, –COOH and –SO3H groups.•The reusability of ...cotton gin trash derived catalyst is >5 times.•Fructose was transformed via a carbaldehyde intermediate prior to dehydration.•Adsorption mechanism of catalyst goes by liquid film and intra-particle diffusions.
Biomass-derived carbon catalysts have been extensively studied for the dehydration of sugars to platform chemical 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), which can be used to produce valuable chemicals and fuels. However, only limited studies have been conducted to determine their carbon molecular structures and how these influence the conversion process. Here, we prepare a chlorosulfonated carbon catalyst derived from cotton gin trash (CGT) at 400 °C for the dehydration of fructose to produce 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) in the ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (BMIMCl). The highly efficient chlorosulfonated carbon catalyst consisting of 3 aromatic layers of furanic, phenolic rings and aliphatic–aromatic carbon structures with –COOH, phenolic OH, -SO3-, and -SO3H functional groups were found to have a similar performance as the commercial catalyst, Amberlyst-15. The carbon material was reused 5 times without loss of catalytic activity. The formation of the sugar intermediate, 3,4-dihydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-carbaldehyde may be related to –COOH and phenolic OH groups forming hydrogen bonds with fructose, and the adsorption of fructose onto the graphitized sp2 internal carbon regions where interactions with the defects in the carbon material occur.
SUMMARY
Xyloglucan, an important hemicellulose, plays a crucial role in maintaining cell wall structure and cell elongation. However, the effects of xyloglucan on cotton fiber development are not ...well understood. GhMUR3 encodes a xyloglucan galactosyltransferase that is essential for xyloglucan synthesis and is highly expressed during fiber elongation. In this study, we report that GhMUR3 participates in cotton fiber development under the regulation of GhMYB30. Overexpression GhMUR3 affects the fiber elongation and cell wall thickening. Transcriptome showed that the expression of genes involved in secondary cell wall synthesis was prematurely activated in OE‐MUR3 lines. In addition, GhMYB30 was identified as a key regulator of GhMUR3 by Y1H, Dual‐Luc, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) assays. GhMYB30 directly bound the GhMUR3 promoter and activated GhMUR3 expression. Furthermore, DAP‐seq of GhMYB30 was performed to identify its target genes in the whole genome. The results showed that many target genes were associated with fiber development, including cell wall synthesis‐related genes, BR‐related genes, reactive oxygen species pathway genes, and VLCFA synthesis genes. It was demonstrated that GhMYB30 may regulate fiber development through multiple pathways. Additionally, GhMYB46 was confirmed to be a target gene of GhMYB30 by EMSA, and GhMYB46 was significantly increased in GhMYB30‐silenced lines, indicating that GhMYB30 inhibited GhMYB46 expression. Overall, these results revealed that GhMUR3 under the regulation of GhMYB30 and plays an essential role in cotton fiber elongation and secondary wall thickening. Additionally, GhMYB30 plays an important role in the regulation of fiber development and regulates fiber secondary wall synthesis by inhibiting the expression of GhMYB46.
Significance Statement
In this study, GhMUR3 was identified and cloned in Gossypium hirsutum, confirming that it affects fiber elongation and secondary wall thickening and plays an important role in fiber development. In addition, GhMYB30 was screened as an upstream transcription factor to directly regulate GhMUR3 expression. Combined with the results of DAP‐seq, the possibility of GhMYB30 affecting fiber development through multiple pathways was expounded. This study will provide a new research direction for improving the quality of cotton fiber.
Cotton gin trash (CGT), an agro-industrial waste material produced during the ginning operation of cotton fibre, is a sustainable source of material to fabricate biodegradable polymer. Earlier ...research conducted on the preparation of polymer from different fractions of cotton trash such as linters, burrs and seed hulls cannot be pursued, as physical separation of these individual parts is quite difficult and impractical; the linters entangling all fractions. In our current study, we have used the whole cotton gin trash to fabricate films using formic acid (FA) with different CGT/FA weight ratios (0.5/99.5, 1/99, 3/97, 5/95 and 7/93) in a one-step process. Further, we investigated the structural changes, crystallinity, thermal property, tensile characteristics, wettability and biodegradability of the CGT films. The crystallinity of the films increased with increasing proportion of formic acid. The films were thermally stable up to 200 °C without any glass transition point. The tensile strength of the films was comparable to commercial low density polyethylene. The films produced in this study were found to be biodegradable. Therefore, the overall results have well exposed the CGT as a potential sustainable source for material production.
Display omitted
•Fabrication of biodegradable film from whole cotton gin trash, as a biomass waste.•Crystallinity of the film enhanced with the higher proportion of formic acid in fabrication process.•Fabricated film showed comparable tensile strength to commercial low density polyethylene.
This article presents the findings concerning the preparation and properties of cotton woven fabrics with a conductive network made of multiwall carbon nanotubes deposited on the fiber surface by the ...padding method. The next stage of treatment consisted of imparting superhydrophobic properties to the fabrics in solution with methyltrichlorosilane (MTCS) in a waterless medium. The tests performed show that the state of surface and water content in cotton fibers exerts a significant influence on the hydrophobic properties of the analyzed samples. In order to explain the differences in hydrophobic properties, the morphology of the cotton fabric surface was examined using samples with various water contents. The formation mechanism of MTCS coatings on cotton fabric has been proposed.
Modernization and the global fashion market demand continuous improvements in upland cotton cultivars (
L.) to meet these improved fiber characteristics (fiber length, fiber strength, micronaire) ...requirements. Researchers have centered their efforts on improved fiber quality; however, the efforts are not immediately supporting the textile sector. The daily mean and temperature amplitude fluctuation affect cotton yield and fiber characteristics. This study analyzed four newly developed cotton varieties in two cotton regions for fiber characteristics' variations. It was observed that cotton fiber quality characteristics (fiber length, uniformity, strength, and micronaire) are impacted in diverse ways. Fiber quality is mainly affected by the genotype and environmental conditions, e.g., weather conditions, irrigation management, fertilization, and cultural practices. The Khanewal region had shown better fiber characteristics than the Multan region, whereas cotton variety CIM-785 had better fiber characteristics in both regions.
Since bacterial infections seriously threaten human's health, considerable attention is devoted to the design of nanoscale antibacterial materials. Among them, metal nanoparticles cannot meet the ...requirements of durable antibacterial effects and are harmful to biological environments. In this study, environmentally friendly nanogels with durable antibacterial and antiadhesion properties are prepared by copolymerization of styrene, polycaprolactone‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride methacrylate. The resultant nanogels possess regular spherical morphologies with the size of about 200 nm. The nanogels exhibit a strong ability to kill bacteria and the mechanism is different from that of conventional antibacterial agent loaded nanoparticles. In addition, anti‐infection experiments explored by a wound model confirm the nanogels have the capability to prevent infection. Furthermore, the nanogels grafted on the surface of cotton fibers display good thermal stability, which is essential for finishing of fabrics. The cotton fabrics finished with nanogels can prevent the adhesion of bacteria by enhancing the hydrophobicity and the bacteriostatic rate. The antibacterial fabrics against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are still more than 86% active after 50 times of mechanical washing. The biocompatible nanogels are unleachable from the antibacterial fabrics which demonstrate that they are ideal candidates for durable and environmental‐friendly nanoscaled antimicrobial materials.
In this study, environmentally friendly nanogels with durable antibacterial and antiadhesion properties are prepared by copolymerization of guanidine groups based monomers. The resultant inherent guanidine spherical nanogels can kill bacteria effectively and have the capability to prevent infection. Furthermore, the nanogels grafted on cotton fibers display good thermal stability. The cotton fabrics finished with nanogels can prevent the adhesion of bacteria permanently.
• Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) proteins are involved in transcriptional networks controlling a number of biological processes in plants. However, little information is known on the roles of bHLH ...proteins in cotton fibre development so far.
• Here, we show that a cotton bHLH protein (GhFP1) positively regulates fibre elongation. GhFP1 transgenic cotton and Arabidopsis plants were generated to study how GhFP1 regulates fibre cell elongation.
• Fibre length of the transgenic cotton overexpressing GhFP1 was significantly longer than that of wild-type, whereas suppression of GhFP1 expression hindered fibre elongation. Furthermore, overexpression of GhFP1 in Arabidopsis promoted trichome development. Expression of the brassinosteroid (BR)-related genes was markedly upregulated in fibres of GhFP1 overexpression cotton, but downregulated in GhFP1-silenced fibres. BR content in the transgenic fibres was significantly altered, relative to that in wild-type. Moreover, GhFP1 protein could directly bind to the promoters of GhDWF4 and GhCPD to activate expression of these BR-related genes.
• Therefore, our data suggest that GhFP1 as a positive regulator participates in controlling fibre elongation by activating BR biosynthesis and signalling. Additionally, homodimerisation of GhFP1 may be essential for its function, and interaction between GhFP1 and other cotton bHLH proteins may interfere with its DNA-binding activity.
Cotton gin trash (CGT), a lignocellulosic waste generated during cotton fibre processing, has recently received significant attention for production of composite bio-plastics. However, earlier ...studies were limited to either with biodegradable polymers, through small-scale solution-casting method, or using industrially adaptable extrusion route, but with non-biodegradable polymers. In this study, a scale-up production of completely biodegradable CGT composite plastic film with adjustable biodegradation rate is proposed. First using a twin screw extruder, the prepared CGT powder was combined with polycaprolactone (PCL) to form pellets, and then using the compressing moulding, the pellets were transformed into bio-plastic composite films. Hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as a plasticiser in the mixture and its impact on the biodegradation rate was analysed. The morphology of CGT bio-plastic composite films showed even distribution of CGT powder within the PCL matrix. The CGT incorporation improved the UV resistance, thermal stability, and Young's modulus of PCL material. Further, the flexibility and mixing properties of the composites were improved by PEG. Overall, this study demonstrated a sustainable production method of CGT bio-plastic films using the whole CGT and without any waste residue produced, where the degradation of the produced composite films can be adjusted to minimise the environmental impact.
Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles coated on textile fabrics have showed remarkable antibacterial characteristics, suggesting that they could be utilized to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 and ...reduce outbreaks. Textile materials, such as medical cloths and cleaning workers, could help to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Corona Virus in health institutions. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) coated cotton/starched cotton, as well as their functionalized CuO–Ag nanocomposites and Cu(II)-curcumin complex, were synthesized in this study. CuO-NPs are less likely to leach when starched cotton materials are used instead of unstarched cotton. The none-toxic biocompatible starch material has improved the adhesion properties of the cotton fibers and enhanced its durability towards CuO-NPs. Deposition of CuO has improved by 39.5% after 3 wt% starch was used and its antimicrobial activity of CuO-coated cotton has increased by 50% for E. coli and by 23% for S. aureus. The functionalization of CuO-coated cotton with curcumin or Ag nanoparticles has enhanced the antimicrobial performance of the fabric because of the synergistic behavior of CuO, Ag, and curcumin. The results have showed excellent antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.
•CuO-NPs are coated in/onto the surface of cotton/starched cotton substrates via ultrasonic irradiation method.•The used of starch as none toxic material for coating cotton fibers is to improve the stability and enhance their durability.•The antimicrobial activity of CuO-NPs/starched cotton showed a remarkable enhancement than that of CuO-NPs/cotton.•The CuO–Ag and Cu(II)-curcumin complex/cotton showed much higher antimicrobial activity than CuO-NPs/cotton.
PDF
