Bio-clay: Antioxidant-rich and stable for body mud scrubs.

Clay is naturally occurring and poses a low risk. It is distinguished by mineral composition and ability to adsorb plant colorants and phytochemicals effectively. This study aimed to enhance the stability of bio-clay by preparing body mud scrubs through a solid-state reaction, combining volcanic clay with herbal plants, including Bougainvillea spp., Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb., and Curcuma longa L. (bio-clay). The characterization of purification clay revealed strong stability within its mineral composition. The optimum condition for sampling was 4 °C, which reserved the total phenolic content (TPC), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. A high Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC; mg TEAC/g sample) and low half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) indicated excellent antioxidant activity. Over a storage period of 28 d, the Bougainvillea spp., Curcuma longa L., purified clay + Bougainvillea spp., and purified clay + Curcuma longa L. samples retained their stability. Their TPC, % scavenging, TEAC, and IC50 showed dominant antioxidant activity, stable active phenolic compounds, and the maintenance of extensive amounts. This compound is widely applied as a unique cosmetic ingredient.

Characterization of charcoal briquettes produced from blending rice straw and banana peel.

Blending rice straw and banana peel to form briquettes pronounced their properties. The addition of banana peel resulted in high physical and combustion properties. Different briquette samples were procured by blending varying the loads of rice straw and banana peel at the ratios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70 20:80, 10:90, and 0:100, respectively, using cassava starch as the binder. The properties of the sample briquettes were investigated, and it was noted that the physical properties of briquettes produced using rice straw and banana peel at the ratios of 30:70, 20:80, and 10:90 had high bulk density of 610-660 kg/m3 and compressed density of 768-831 kg/m3. The combustion properties of low moisture and ash content were approximately 9.7%-10.6% and 16.5%-18.2%, respectively; volatile matter was 39.7%-44.0%; fixed carbon was 28.9%-32.4%; and high heating value was 20.98-21.26 MJ/kg. Residual waste from Community Enterprise of Crispy Banana Chips was used for the production of more effective briquettes and as a natural alternative fuel to expand the global eco-friendly charcoal briquette market.