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    Nanotechnology Advances in Composting
    (Springer, Cham, 2026) Faria Fatima, Deepti Srivastava, Abdul Mazeed, P. Smriti Rao
    Nanotechnology is now developing and growing more quickly across a variety of industries. Nanoparticles (NPs) enter the composts in various ways as a result of this development. First, NPs may inadvertently enter composts through surface runoff, buried solid waste, waste discharge, or direct dumping into waste (food, medicine, consumer goods, and personal care items). Second, a novel strategy created to speed up waste breakdown and act as a nutrient for plants is the deliberate mediation of NPs in the composting process. Nanotoxicity may result from the presence of NPs in the composts. On the other hand, their existence may also be advantageous in situations like soil reclamation, degradation, etc. On the other hand, all living things, including microbes, benefit from metal nanoparticles (NPs) in a number of biological activities, including transcription, oxidative stress responses, respiration, precursor biosynthesis, and DNA replication. NPs perform admirably in a variety of domains, and it is worthwhile to investigate their function in the composting process. As a result, this chapter contributes to the comprehension of NPs’ function in the composting process and the extent to which their presence can be advantageous. The importance of NPs in the composting process, the performance of microbial bioprocesses during nanocomposting, the fundamental life cycle assessment (LCA) of NP-mediated composting, and the mechanism of action of NPs in the soil matrix are all reviewed in this chapter. Additionally, this chapter clarifies the concept of nanozymes and emphasizes their biocatalytic characteristics, which will be useful for researching composting in the future.
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    Transforming Ecological Burden into Economic Opportunities: Biochemical Conversion of Parthenium hysterophorus Waste into Bio-Fertilizers and Valuable Byproducts
    (Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, 2026) Aliya Firdaus, Snober S. Mir, Uzma Afaq
    Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus also known as congress grass is an invasive plant with a rapid rate of development that causes serious problems for agricultural and ecological systems around the world. Despite the problems it causes, this weed’s biomass is a great unexplored opportunity for biochemical potential into useful goods. Recent studies suggest the potential avenues for converting this biomass into valuable products through biochemical processes. Multiple methods, including composting, vermicomposting, anaerobic digestion, and enzymatic breakdown, can be used to convert weeds into bio- fertilizers, biofuels, and other biochemicals. The weed’s biomass was converted into compost and biochar by utilizing microbial and enzymatic activities, which are rich in nutrients and can be used to improve soil quality. The composting has shown encouraging effects in terms of nutrient stabilization and pathogen reduction, leading to the development of a highly efficient bio-fertilizer. Vermicomposting, aided by certain types of earthworms, improves the nutrient composition and makes it easier to incorporate into the soil. In addition, the application of cellulase and xylanase enzymes facilitates the conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose present in the weed into sugars that may be readily fermented. These sugars are subsequently utilized in the manufacturing of bioethanol. These biochemical processes not only reduce the environmental effects of P. hysterophorus but also support sustainable agricultural methods by producing affordable, high-quality bio-fertilizers and generating extra income from by-products such as bioethanol. This chapter aims to provide insights and knowledge of effective management of P. hysterophorus waste, transforming an ecological burden into an economic opportunity.