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The cashew tree or Anacardium occidentale, a tropical tree native from Brazil, was introduced to Asia and Africa by European explorers in the sixteenth century. The world production of cashew nuts reached 4.89 million tons in 2016, with Vietnam being the largest producer of nuts. The cashew market is expected to remain strong due to high production growth in some areas, such as West Africa. Cashew production is potentially an important value for small farmers in emerging countries and there is an immense potential for cashew by-product exploitation that can add value to cashew agribusiness. The present work carries out a technological prospection in databases of patents and scientific papers mapping the applications of cashew nuts and cashew apple. It was possible to identify 2376 patent applications and 586 scientific publications on cashew nuts and cashew apple together. After the analysis of patents and scientific papers, it was possible to note that the cashew tree is a tree of multiple uses that can contribute in several industry sectors. Thus, the present study mapped the potentiality of applications of the various parts of the cashew, which allows adding value to the cashew agribusiness.

Activated carbons prepared from cashew nut shells by chemical activation with phosphoric acid were tested for the removal of acetaminophen. It was found that an increase in carbonization temperature resulted in increased pore volume and decreased amount of surface functional groups. Potentiometric titration analysis indicated that the majority of surface groups on carbons are acidic. Detailed surface characterization by FT-IR, XPS, and thermal analyses indicated the involvement of surface functional groups in the removal of acetaminophen either via hydrogen bonding or by acid hydrolysis. The carbon obtained at 600 °C, which contains high amount of carboxylic groups and high pore volume, exhibited the highest adsorption capacity. For this carbon, the removal of acetaminophen took place mostly via acid hydrolysis with the formation of p-aminophenol and acetic acid adsorbed on the surface. Carbon obtained at 400 °C was found to have the highest density of acidic functional groups, which resulted in dimerization reactions and pore blockage. No direct correlation was observed between the adsorption capacities of carbons and their textural or surface characteristics. This suggests the complexity of acetaminophen removal by the cashew nut shell-derived activated carbons, governed by their surface chemistry and supported by high surface area accessible via micro/mesopores.

Obesity, a major risk factor for various metabolic diseases, often results in dysfunctional white adipose tissue and altered adipogenesis leading to ectopic fat accumulation, inflammation, and insulin resistance. On the other hand, cashew ( Anacardium occidentale L.) nut worldwide consumption and production is increasing steadily, which augments the mass of byproducts to be discarded. Indeed, cashew apples and cashew shells have shown potent effects to lower adiposity weight in human and animal models. However, the direct effect on adipocyte differentiation still remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the biological effect of cashew nut or kernel (CK), dried cashew apple (DA), and cashew shell (SH) ethanolic extracts on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. SH showed strong inhibition on adipocyte differentiation by downregulating transcription factors, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1. DA also inhibited the transcription factors accompanied by reduced lipid accumulation, while proteins for de novo lipogenesis were unchanged. Finally, CK did not alter any markers in adipocyte differentiation, however, interestingly adiponectin level was significantly increased. Concisely, our findings showed that CK ameliorates adiponectin production without interfering adipogenesis, while DA lowers lipid accumulation and SH suppresses adipogenesis.

Staphylococcus aureus causes severe infections and among all methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) remains a great challenge in spite of decade research of antibacterial compounds. Even though some synthetic antibiotics have been developed, they are not effective against MRSA, and hence, there is a search for natural, alternative and plant-based antibacterial compound. In this connection, catechin isolated from cashew nut shell was investigated for its antibacterial potential against MRSA. Catechin exhibited zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in a range of 15.1–19.5 mm and 78.1–156.2 μg/ml, respectively, against ATCC and clinical isolates of MRSA. Among all clinical isolates, clinical isolate-3 exhibited highest sensitivity to catechin. Catechin has arrested the growth of MRSA strains and also caused toxicity by membrane disruption which was illustrated by AO/EB fluorescence staining. Increased nucleic acid leakage (1.58–28.6-fold) and protein leakage (1.40–23.50-fold) was noticed in MRSA due to catechin treatment when compared to methicillin. Bacteria treated with catechin at its MIC showed 1.52-, 1.87- and 1.74-fold increase of ROS production in methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), MRSA and clinical isolate-3 strains, respectively, as compared to control. Superoxide dismutase (5.31–9.63 U/mg protein) and catalase (1573–3930 U/mg protein) were significantly decreased as compared to control in catechin-treated S. aureus. Thus, catechin exhibited antibacterial activity through oxidative stress by increased production of ROS and decreased antioxidant enzymes. Altogether results suggest that catechin is a promising lead compound with antibacterial potential against MRSA.Key points• Catechin was isolated and identified as active compound in cashew nut shell.• Catechin exhibited antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of MRSA.• Bacterial cell wall damage was caused by catechin in MRSA strains.• Catechin increased the oxidative stress in MRSA by intracellular ROS production.

Cashew is a tropical tree native to South America. Cashew was introduced in Asia and Africa by European explorers in the sixteenth century. The world production of cashew raw nuts reached 4.27 million tons in 2011. Vietnam is the top producer of raw nuts, and India is the first processor and exporter of processed nuts. The cashew market is expected to remain strong due to the high growth of production in some areas such as West Africa. For instance, a 40 % production increase has been observed in Nigeria over the last 5 years. There is also an increasing exploitation of high-value by-products, particularly those made of cashew nut shell liquid. Cashew production is potentially a major value for smallholder farmers from emerging countries. Despite the relevance of cashew production on the international markets and the potential for boosting rural development and reducing poverty, a complete review on cashew is missing. Therefore, we review here the cashew production chain. Our main conclusions are as follows: (1) several management practices, processing methods, and uses of products and by-products are published; (2) however, there is still a lack of knowledge due to a scattered research framework lacking integrated research programs; (3) smallholder farmers face major constraints limiting the development of cashew sector locally, ranging from difficult access to good planting material and training to lack of investment for innovating processing facilities; (4) among them, women, that account for up to 95 % of the workforce in the sector, receive lower wages and are subject to worse working conditions.

In the present study, fully bio-based photocurable trifunctional benzoxazines derived from resveratrol were designed and characterized for multi-dimensional applications. The molecular structure was confirmed using ATR-FTIR and 1H-NMR spectral techniques. The curing temperature and thermal stability were thoroughly studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) respectively. Notably, in DSC analysis RE-dda exhibited the lowest curing temperature of 191 °C among the synthesised benzoxazines. All the synthesised polybenzoxazines exhibited good thermal stability and start degrading after 263°C. Under UV irradiation, intriguing photoisomerization phenomena was observed in the case of RE-ffa and RE-lee based benzoxazines. The photoluminescence behavior of the UV irradiated benzoxazines was studied using fluorescence spectroscopy and RE-oda displayed a Stokes shift value of 318. Further benzoxazines were reinforced with cashew nut shell cake ash (CNSA) with a view to attain a low value of dielectric constant and to enhance the thermal stability of the composites. An incorporation of 10 wt% CNSA contributes to a reduction in the value of dielectric constant to 1.66, accompanied with a minimal value of dielectric loss of 0.0017. Furthermore, the hydrophobic behavior of the polybenzoxazines, composites and poly(RE-ole) coated cotton fabric was evaluated using water contact angle measurement. Poly(RE-ole) exhibited an impressive water contact angle value of 146°. Moreover, poly(RE-ole) coated cotton fabric displayed enhanced value of water contact angle close to superhydrophobic value of 151°. Data obtained from different studies infer the developed benzoxazines can be considered for water repellent and microelectronics insulation applications.

This study aims to produce a biodegradable active packaging film that is pH sensitive, and has a good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. To do this, a novel phenolic extract was interfacially assembled onto a cellulose film, resulting in a film with a pH-triggered release mechanism of the active polyphenol agent. First, an aqueous extraction of cashew nut testa (CTE) was performed and subsequently, the CTE was characterized. The disc diffusion assay showed that CTE exhibited antimicrobial activity towards the food pathogens Escherichia coli (6 mm) and Staphylcoccus aureus (12 mm). CTE was also cytotoxic against cancer HepG2 and HEK293 cells, reducing the viability to 52% and 47%, respectively. It was incorporated into a cellulose-based packaging film, prepared from the by-product, sugarcane bagasse (SC) through interfacial assembly. The incorporation of CTE resulted in a film with good antimicrobial activity, excellent antioxidant content (91%), and has extremely high thermal stability (290 °C). FTIR indicated the formation of hydrogen bond between the SC cellulose-based film and CTE. The hydrogen bonds formed between the cellulose film and CTE became the driving force behind the pH-triggered release mechanism. It was found that the active agent, tannic acid, could be controllably released from the film, depending on the pH of the environment. Our strategy to produce a cellulose-based film impregnated with a phenolic extract, using interfacial assembly, resulted in an active packaging film with pH-triggered release mechanism. This film could be useful to extend the shelf life of perishable food items.

Cashew nuts are rich in dietary fibers, monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, flavonoids, catechins, amino acids, and minerals that offer benefits for health. However, the knowledge of its effect on gut health is lacking. In this way, cashew nut soluble extract (CNSE) was assessed in vivo via intra-amniotic administration in intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) morphology, functionality, and gut microbiota. Four groups were evaluated: (1) no injection (control); (2) H2O injection (control); (3) 10 mg/mL CNSE (1%); and (4) 50 mg/mL CNSE (5%). Results related to CNSE on duodenal morphological parameters showed higher Paneth cell numbers, goblet cell (GC) diameter in crypt and villi, depth crypt, mixed GC per villi, and villi surface area. Further, it decreased GC number and acid and neutral GC. In the gut microbiota, treatment with CNSE showed a lower abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and E. coli. Further, in intestinal functionality, CNSE upregulated aminopeptidase (AP) gene expression at 5% compared to 1% CNSE. In conclusion, CNSE had beneficial effects on gut health by improving duodenal BBM functionality, as it upregulated AP gene expression, and by modifying morphological parameters ameliorating digestive and absorptive capacity. For intestinal microbiota, higher concentrations of CNSE or long-term intervention may be necessary.

Arboviruses transmitted by mosquito vectors, mainly of the genera Aedes , Anopheles and Culex , are among the main concern for global public health. The rapid spread of these arboviruses causes an increase in government spending, socioeconomic losses and an overload on health systems. Mosquitoes’ population control remains the main method to combat the arboviruses spread. This control has been carried out mainly using synthetic pesticides. However, in addition to the possibility of inducing mosquitoes’ resistance, synthetic pesticides have harmful effects on both human health and the environment. Thus, the development of eco-friendly products from natural sources, based on agro-industrial by-products, constitutes a viable alternative for the vector mosquitoes’ control in immature stages, still in breeding sites. Among the alternatives available, we can highlight the by-products derived from the cashew nut, Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae), which has been shown to be a promising alternative due to its ovicidal, larvicidal and insecticidal activities. Considering the efficiency demonstrated both by the by-products of the cashew nut production chain, its constituents, and derived products, the objective of this review is to describe the state-of-the art regarding its use in vector control and to propose future perspectives for the development of products that can be marketed. Graphical Abstract

Solvent extraction has been ubiquitously used to recover valuable metals from wastes such as spent batteries and electrical boards. With increasing demands for energy transition, there is a critical need to improve the recycling rate of critical metals, including copper. Therefore, the sustainability of reagents is critical for the overall sustainability of the process. Yet, the recycling process relies on functional organic compounds based on the hydroxyoxime group. To date, hydroxyoxime extractants have been produced from petrol-based chemical feedstocks. Recently, natural-based cardanol has been used to produce an alternative hydroxyoxime. The natural-based oxime has been employed to recover valuable metals (Ga, Ni, Co) via a liquid/liquid extraction process. The natural compound has a distinctive structure with 15 carbons in the alkyl tail. In contrast, petrol-based hydroxyoximes have only 12 or fewer carbons. However, the molecular advantages of this natural-based compound over the current petrol-based ones remain unclear. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was employed to investigate the effect of extractant hydrocarbon chains on the extraction of copper ions. Two hydroxyoxime extractants with 12 and 15 carbons in the alkyl chain were found to have similar interactions with Cu2+ ions. Yet, a slight molecular binding increase was observed when the carbon chain was increased. In addition, lengthening the carbon chain made the extracting stage easier and the stripping stage harder. The binding would result in a lower pH in the extraction step and a lower pH in the stripping step. The insights from this molecular study would help design the extraction circuit using natural-based hydroxyoxime extractants. A successful application of cashew-based cardanol will improve the environmental benefits of the recycling process. With cashew-producing regions in developing countries, the application also improves these regions’ social and economic sustainability.