The development of biodegradable and recyclable food packaging materials derived from biomass is a promising solution to mitigate resource depletion and minimize ecological contamination. In this study, lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were effectively produced from bamboo powder using an eco-friendly recyclable acid hydrotrope (RAH) strategy. A sustainable CA/LNPs nanocomposite film was then designed by incorporating these LNPs into a casein (CA) matrix. The LNPs served as nucleation templates, inducing ordered hydrogen bonding and close packing of the CA chains. The addition of 5 wt% LNPs significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the film, with tensile strength enhanced to 21.42 MPa (219.7 % improvement) and elastic modulus rising to 354.88 MPa (220.3 % enhancement) compared to pure CA film. Notably, the resultant CA/LNPs nanocomposite film exhibited recyclable recasting characteristics, maintaining a reasonable mechanical strength even after three recasting cycles. The incorporation of LNPs also decreased the water solubility of the pure CA film from 31.65 % to 24.81 % indicating some interactions are taking place, while endowing the film with superior UV-blocking ability, achieving nearly complete absorption in the 200-400 nm range. Moreover, the inherent properties of LNPs imparted improved antibacterial and antioxidant activities to the CA/LNPs nanocomposite film. Owing to its comprehensive properties, the CA/LNPs nanocomposite film effectively extended the storage life of strawberries. A soil burial degradation test confirmed over 100 % mass loss within 45 days, highlighting excellent degradability of the films. Therefore, the simple extraction of LNPs and the easily recovery of p-TsOH provide significant promise and feasibility for extending the developed methodologies in this work to rapidly promote the produced films in fields such as degradable and packaging materials.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil threatens global food production and human health. This study investigated zinc (Zn) addition as a potential strategy to mitigate Cd stress using two barley genotypes, Dong-17 (Cd-sensitive) and WSBZ (Cd-tolerant). Hydroponically grown seedlings were treated with different Cd (0, 1.0, 10 mu M) and Zn (0, 5, 50 mu M) levels. Results showed that Zn addition effectively alleviated Cd induced growth inhibition, improving SPAD values, photosynthetic parameters, fluorescence efficiency (Fv/Fm), and biomass. Zn reduced Cd contents in roots and shoots, inhibited Cd translocation, and ameliorated Cd induced ultrastructural damage to organelles. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns between genotypes, with WSBZ showing enhanced expression of metal transporters, antioxidant defense, and stress signaling genes. Significantly, cell wall related pathways were upregulated in WSBZ, particularly lignin biosynthesis genes (PAL, C4H, 4CL, COMT, CAD/SAD), suggesting cell wall reinforcement as a key Cd tolerance mechanism. Zn induced upregulation of ZIP family transporters and downregulation of Cd transporters (HvHMA) aligned with reduced Cd accumulation. These findings provide comprehensive insights into molecular mechanisms of Zn mediated alleviation of Cd toxicity in barley, supporting improved agronomic practices for Cd contaminated soils.

Lignin fiber is a type of green reinforcing material that can effectively enhance the physical and mechanical properties of sandy soil when mixed into it. In this study, the changes in the dynamic elastic modulus and damping ratio of lignin-fiber-reinforced sandy soil were investigated through vibratory triaxial tests at different lignin fiber content (FC), perimeter pressures and consolidation ratios. The research results showed that FC has a stronger effect on the dynamic elastic modulus and damping ratio at the same cyclic dynamic stress ratio (CSR); with the increase in FC, the dynamic elastic modulus and damping ratio increase and then decrease, showing a pattern of change of the law. Moreover, perimeter pressure has a positive effect on the dynamic elastic modulus, which can be increased by 81.22-130.60 %, while the effect on the damping ratio is slight. The increase in consolidation ratio increases the dynamic elastic modulus by 10.89-30.86 % and the damping ratio by 38.24-100.44 %. Based on the Shen Zhujiang dynamic model, a modified model considering the effect of lignin fiber content FC was established, and the modified model was experimentally verified to have a broader application scope with a maximum error of 5.36 %. This study provides a theoretical basis for the dynamic analysis and engineering applications of lignin-fiber-reinforced sandy soil.

Developing environmentally sustainable biodegradable multifunctional bio-composite films is an effective strategy for ensuring food chain security. This study initially prepared inclusion complexes (HP-(3-CD@EGCG) of Hydroxypropyl-(3-cyclodextrin (HP-(3-CD) and EGCG to ameliorate the stability of EGCG. Then HP-(3-CD@EGCG and different ratios of lignin were incorporated into gelatin solution through cross-linking polymerization to prepare an antioxidant, antibacterial and biodegradable composite film (HP-(3-CD@EGCG/Lignin/Gelatin). The results illustrated that HP-(3-CD crosslinked with EGCG and the encapsulation rate of EGCG reached 82.26%, and lignin increased the comprehensive characteristics of the gelatin-based composite films. The hydrophobicity of the composite films increased with increasing lignin concentration, reaching a water contact angle of 117.33 degrees; Furthermore, the mechanical characteristics and UV-light/water/oxygen barrier capacity also increased significantly. The composite films showed excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which also verified in the preservation of tomatoes and oranges, extending the shelf life of the fruit. It is worth mentioning that lignin has no effect on the biodegradability of the composite film, and the degradation rate in the soil reached 80% on the 10th day. In summary, biodegradable multifunctional environmentally friendly composite films based on gelatin and loaded with lignin and HP-(3-CD@EGCG inclusion complexes are anticipated to be applied in fruit and vegetable preservation.

Lignin can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of loess, showing promising application prospects. For many geotechnical conditions, such as subgrade, fatigue caused by traffic vibration and softening due to rain infiltration are the main damage factors. However, the dynamic response of lignin-modified loess under combined water-load action remains unclear. To address this, studies on the dynamic characteristics and microscopic enhanced mechanisms of lignin-modified loess under combined water-load action were conducted by considering the effects of traffic vibration, water content, confining pressure, and compactness. The dynamic triaxial test results showed that the optimal lignin content is 1.5 %, consistent with the results based on the static test. The dynamic strength and maximum dynamic shear modulus increased by 60.05 %, and 12.39 %, respectively. The results indicate that lignin can effectively enhance the loess's resistance to combined water-load erosion. Additionally, as the amplitude increases, the deterioration rate of dynamic properties of the modified loess under combined water-load action significantly slows down. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis based on variance indicates that water and lignin content have the most significant effect on dynamic properties, followed by compactness and confining pressure. An empirical mechanical model for dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio under multi-factor influence was also established. Finally, combined with microscopic test analysis, the filling and bridging of lignin can effectively reduce the promoting infiltration and promoting cracking effects caused by water-load combined action, thereby enhancing its dynamic characteristics. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for road design and maintenance in loess regions.

Soil treatment with natural materials is an effective method to improve the mechanical properties of the original soil for recycling engineering construction. This research aims to evaluate the synergistic effects of lignin fiber and cement on sandy clayey silt stabilization. A factorial experimental design was employed, testing five lignin fiber contents (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) and three cement contents (0%, 2%, and 4%) across four curing periods (1, 7, 14, and 30 days). Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted in triplicate for each combination (total *n* = 180 samples), and failure surfaces were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Results indicate a critical lignin fiber threshold of 4%, beyond which UCS decreased by 15-20% due to increased void ratios. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, *p* < 0.05) confirmed significant interactions between lignin fiber, cement content, and curing time. For instance, 4% lignin fiber and 4% cement yielded a 139% UCS increase after 30-day curing compared to untreated soil. SEM-EDX revealed that lignin fiber networks enhance ductility by bridging soil particles, while cement hydration reduced particle detachment. These findings provide a quantitative framework for optimizing lignin fiber-cement stabilization in sustainable geotechnical applications.

To address the issues of significant deformation and susceptibility to liquefaction of silt under traffic loads, while also promoting the reuse of waste lignin, lignin was used to reinforce silt. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different lignin contents and curing periods on the compressive strength of the soil. Additionally, the study analyzed the cumulative plastic deformation and excess pore-water pressure under various conditions. Using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy, the microstructural characteristics of silt before and after lignin modification were qualitatively and quantitatively described. The experimental results indicate that lignin can significantly enhance the compressive strength of soil, and the optimal effect was observed at an 8% lignin content. At a curing age of 28 days, the strength of the treated soil was 2.65 times that of the untreated soil. The treated soil exhibited greater shear strength than the untreated soil. The addition of lignin significantly reduced the cumulative plastic deformation and excess pore-water pressure of the soil, mitigating various risks in the subgrade, such as insufficient bearing capacity and liquefaction. Lignin binds soil particles and undergoes a cementation reaction without the formation of new minerals. The cementitious material fills the voids in the soil, gradually transforming large pores into medium and small pores. Combined with the particle pores and cracks analysis system, quantitative analysis indicates that as the lignin content increased, the soil porosity gradually decreased, reaching a maximum soil compactness at an 8% admixture. The research findings can provide theoretical references for the engineering application of lignin.

In recent years, copper pollution has gradually become one of the major problems of soil environmental pollution. Lignin plays an important role in plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. CCoAOMT is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis process. In this study, the CCoAOMT gene family members of Platycodon grandiflorus were identified by bioinformatics methods, and their basic characteristics and potential functions were analyzed. The results showed that five members of the PgCCoAOMT gene family were identified in P. grandiflorus, with protein lengths ranging from 246 to 635 amino acids, and were evenly distributed on four chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PgCCoAOMT gene family was divided into two subclades, namely Clade1a, Clade1b, Clade1c, Clade1d, and Clade2. The cis-regulatory element analysis of the promoter revealed that the PgCCoAOMT members contained a large number of cis-regulatory elements responsive to stress, and conjecture PgCCoAOMT2, PgCCoAOMT4, and PgCCoAOMT5 were involved in the lignin synthesis. The qRT-PCR results showed that, within 5 days of copper stress treatment, except for the PgCCoAOMT4 gene, the other genes exhibited different expression levels. Furthermore, the expression levels of all five PgCCoAOMT genes increased significantly at 7 days of treatment. With the increase in the number of days of treatment, the content of lignin in the seedings of P. grandiflorus showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing under copper stress. In general, in the copper stress treatment of 1-3 days, the transcriptional inhibition of PgCCoAOMT1 and PgCCoAOMT3 and the increase in lignin content contradicted each other, suggesting that there was post-translational activation or alternative metabolic pathways compensation. Meanwhile, in the 7-day treatment, the coordinated up-regulation of the genes was accompanied by the failure of lignin synthesis, which pointed to the core bottleneck of metabolic precursors depletion and enzyme activity inactivation caused by root damage. Research objective: This study reveals the expression level of the PgCCoAOMT gene in the seedings of P. grandiflorus under copper stress, providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of P. grandiflorus response to copper stress and for subsequent improvement of root resistance in P. grandiflorus.

To evaluate the engineering performance against water resistance of lignin-modified soil, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests and direct shear tests were conducted on silty sand modified with varying lignin contents (2%, 5%, 8%, 12%, and 15%) following wet-dry cycles. The results demonstrate that 8% lignin-modified soil has the highest UCS and shear strength. The addition of lignin to soil enhances its wet-dry durability, with soil modified by 8% lignin exhibiting the highest durability. The structural properties of lignin-modified soil subjected to wet-dry cycles can be quantified using a combined structural stability index and structural variability index. A model relevant to the structural properties was proposed to predict the shear strength of lignin-modified soil following wet-dry cycles. Notably, the addition of lignin to silty sand does not result in the formation of new minerals, indicating that lignin addition is an environmentally-friendly soil treatment.

Soil salinization poses a significant challenge for rice farming, affecting approximately 20% of irrigated land worldwide. It leads to osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative damage, severely hindering growth and yield. This study investigates the potential of lignin-containing cellulose nanofiber (LCNF)-selenium nanoparticle (SeNPs) hybrids to enhance salt tolerance in rice, focusing on two rice genotypes with contrasting responses to salt stress. LCNF-SeNP hybrids were synthesized using a microwave-assisted green synthesis method and characterized through FTIR, X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, and TGA. The effects of LCNF/SeNPs on seed germination, physiological responses, and gene expression were evaluated under varying levels of NaCl-induced salt stress. Results indicated that LCNF/SeNPs significantly enhanced the salt tolerance of the salt-sensitive genotype IR29, as evidenced by increased germination rates, reduced salt injury scores, and higher chlorophyll content. For the salt-tolerant genotype TCCP, LCNF/SeNPs improved shoot lengths and maintained elevated chlorophyll levels under salt stress. Furthermore, LCNF/SeNPs improved ion homeostasis in both genotypes by reducing the Na+/K+ ratio, which is crucial for maintaining cellular function under salt stress. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of key salt stress-responsive genes, suggesting enhanced stress tolerance due to the application of LCNF/SeNPs in both genotypes. This study underscores the potential of LCNF/SeNPs as a sustainable strategy for improving crop performance in saline environments.