In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Essential Oil and β-Bisabolol Derived from Cotton Gin Trash

Natural α-bisabolol has been widely used in cosmetics and is sourced mainly from the stems of Candeia trees that have become endangered due to over exploitation. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of cotton gin trash (CGT) essential oil and the major terpenoid (β-bisabolol) purified from the oil were investigated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages as well as the 3t3 and HS27 fibroblast cell lines. Nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) were measured using Greiss reagent, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cytokine bead array (CBA)-flow cytometry. Non-toxic concentrations of CGT oil and β-bisabolol (1.6–50.0 µg/mL) significantly inhibited the production of the inflammatory mediators in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition by β-bisabolol was 55.5% for NO, 62.3% for PGE2, and 45.3% for TNF-α production in RAW cells. β-Bisabolol induced a level of inhibition similar to an equal concentration of α-bisabolol (50.0 µg/mL), a known anti-inflammatory agent. These results suggest β-bisabolol exerts similar in vitro effects to known topical anti-inflammatory agents and could therefore be exploited for cosmetic and therapeutic uses. This is the first study to report the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of β-bisabolol in CGT essential oil.

The Effects of Using Pretreated Cotton Gin Trash on the Production of Biogas from Anaerobic Co-Digestion with Cow Manure and Sludge

Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) has been practiced for decades to convert waste into value-added energy products, especially biogas. This study aimed to assess the potential of biogenic methane (CH4) production from the co-digestion of pretreated cotton gin trash (CGT), cow manure, and sludge. CGT contains high cellulosic content, making it a reliable feedstock for biogenic methane production. To further improve the biogas quantity and quality, the CGT was subjected to physical pretreatments, i.e., hot water (HW), ultra-sonication (US), and a combination of both (HW+US). After 91 days of AcoD, 79–110 L of biogas was produced by the treatments. Among the treatments, HW+US-pretreated CGT presented maximum biogas production capacity, at 110 L. Besides, this treatment showed the high-quality biogenic CH4 content, 52.4% of the total biogas volume, with an improved conversion rate of 0.37 L/g of volatile suspended solids consumed. In addition, this study discussed the structural changes in feedstock due to pretreatments and correlated them with the corresponding biogenic methane production. The study reports the potential of pretreated CGT conversion to CH4. It will impact the circular economy by contributing to on-farm energy requirements and reducing the financial expenditures incurred in this regard.

Investigation of working bodies of cotton cleaning machine

The article included information on how to improve the working bodies of the machine for cleaning raw cotton, including large waste mixtures waste disposal sites. Based on the analysis of the design of cotton ginning machines and working bodies, a new effective design scheme of cotton gin from large contaminants was developed. The recommended multi-faceted columns are characterized by good cleaning of cotton waste and maintenance of fiber quality.

Valorization of Cotton Gin Trash through Thermal and Biological Conversion for Soil Application

Cotton gin trash, the by-product of the cotton ginning industry which is produced in large quantities every year, can be utilized as feedstock for deriving high quality organic materials such as biochar, compost and co-composted derivates for improvement of soils’ key physical, chemical and biological properties. This is the first report in which cotton gin trash was both thermally and biologically converted at the same time into biochar (BC), compost (C) and co-compost (Coc), and their effects on soil properties and on plant performance were examined. In order to find the optimum rate, the products were used as soil amendments in a greenhouse experiment at 2.5 t ha−1, 5 t ha−1and 10 t ha−1 rates. All of the amendments contributed in improving the soil properties and provided agronomic benefits to plants, however plants (radish var. Cherry belle) showed significantly (p < 0.05) better growth attributes and almost a 315% increase in biomass yield observed when co-composted biochar (10 t ha−1) was applied to the soil, thus suggesting its role in compensating fertilizer application. Amendments (2.5 and 5.0 t ha−1) considerably increased plant growth parameters; however, differences between 5 and 10 t ha−1 amendments were not so significant. As a result, replenishing soil with Coc (5 t ha−1) on a regular basis can promote plant growth and improve soil qualities over time.

Evaluation of particle board production from cotton gin waste and urea-formaldehyde resin

The objective of this study was the evaluation of feasibility of producing particleboard for general use using cotton gin waste generated in Argentina and urea formaldehyde resin. The chemical composition and size distribution of particles of the ginning residue as well as mechanical and physical properties of the particleboards obtained were investigated. Density and flexural strength of particleboards produced with varying levels of urea-formaldehyde resin between 8.3 and 19.3% (solid to solid ratio) were evaluated. The effect of incorporating jute reinforcement on the mechanical properties of these boards was also analyzed. Particle boards with densities between 530 and 700 kg/m3 and variable flexural strength between 0.30 and 5.85 MPa were obtained, allowing the minimum levels required for low-density boards to be reached.

Optimizing anaerobic co-digestion of goat manure and cotton gin trash using biochemical methane potential (BMP) test and mathematical modeling

Anaerobic co-digestion is widely adopted to enhance process efficacy by balancing the C/N ratio of the feedstock while converting organic wastes to biomethane. Goat manure (GM) and cotton gin trash (CGT) were anaerobically co-digested in triplicate batch bioreactors. The process was optimized and evaluated utilizing mathematical equations. The liquid fraction of the digestate was analyzed for nitrate and phosphate. The co-digestions with 10 and 20% CGT having the C/N ratios of 17.7 and 19.8 yielded the highest and statistically similar 261.4 ± 4.8 and 262.6 ± 4.2 mL/gvs biomethane, respectively. The biodegradability (BD) of GM and CGT was 94.5 ± 2.7 and 37.6 ± 0.8%, respectively. The BD decreased proportionally with an increase in CGT percentage. The co-digestion having 10% CGT yielded 80–90% of biomethane in 26–39 d. The modified Gompertz model-predicted and experimental biomethane values were similar. The highest synergistic effect index of 15.6 ± 4.7% was observed in GM/CGT; 30:70 co-digestion. The concentration of nitrate and phosphate was lower in the liquid fraction of digestate than the feedstocks, indicating that these nutrients stay in the solid fraction. The results provide important insights in agro-waste management, further studies determining the effects of effluent application on plants need to be conducted.

Calculation wear model and assessment of the durability of saw blades for primary cotton processing machines

A calculation model of wear is obtained and a comparative assessment of the efficiency of saw blades of cotton processing machines after shot peening with microbeads of the lateral surfaces of the saw blade teeth is given. Keywords: saw blade, wear, durability, cotton gin, hardening, shot peening, raw cotton, endurance [email protected]

Availability and Management of Cotton Byproducts in North Carolina: A State Survey

Whole cottonseed and cotton gin byproduct, also known as gin trash or cotton burrs, are known to be economical feed ingredients for beef cattle diets. There are several sources of information available to producers regarding the feeding of cotton byproducts; however, there is little information on the local supply chain and availability of these products. The objective was to survey cotton gins in North Carolina to determine how whole cottonseed and cotton gin byproduct are marketed. The 19-question survey was developed using Qualtrics survey software and emailed to all cotton gins in the state. Those who failed to respond to the weblink were contacted by phone. This resulted in a 73.5% response rate (n = 25 responses). Data were analyzed using the reporting feature of Qualtrics. On average, 7,716 metric tons of cottonseed and 1,523 metric tons of gin byproduct are produced per gin during a typical season. All respondents reported that the majority of their whole cottonseed is marketed out-of-state as livestock feed. All respondents reported that they either already sell or would consider selling cottonseed locally as cattle feed. In contrast, 78% of respondents reported that the majority of their gin byproduct stays in the state, with 40% being sold as cattle feed and the remaining 60% either being stockpiled and allowed to decompose on-site or used as compost. Of the respondents, 95% already sell gin byproduct locally as cattle feed or would consider doing so. The majority of respondents (92%) answered that they would like to be added to a directory to be distributed to cattle producers. This survey demonstrates that North Carolina cotton gins have cotton byproducts available and that they are interested in selling these locally to cattle producers.