M. Shynkarchuk

Background. Determining the effect of combined metal action on the anaerobic microbial association during the fermentation process and methane production. Objective. To investigate the effect of the simultaneous interaction of heavy metal ions (Zn–Fe, Zn–Cu, Zn–Cr, Fe–Cu, Fe–Cr, Cu–Cr) on the process of biogas production and methane formation in it. Methods. A laboratory study performed under conditions approximating industrial biogas production, involving the application of heavy-metal-ion salts and the measurement of the quantitative and qualitative composition of the final product. Results. The combined effect of two heavy-metal ions on biogas production by an anaerobic microbial association is specific: the synergy of certain metal ions may stimulate the biosynthesis of biomethane while simultaneously inhibit-ing biogas production. In particular, Fe (20 mg/dm³) – Cu (40 mg/dm³) and Fe (20 mg/dm³) – Cr (10 mg/dm³) exhibit a slight positive effect on biogas yield compared to the control, whereas the interaction of these metal ions with Zn (5 mg/dm³) reduces the biogas yield but improves its qualitative composition — the methane content increases. Conclusions. The combined effect of two heavy-metal ions generally reduces biogas production compared to the con-trol; however, it stimulates the production of a higher methane content in the biogas. Compared with the effect of a sin-gle heavy metal, the combined exposure does not have a positive impact on biogas production, which is attributed to the elevated concentrations of metal ions used in the experiment.

The paper describes a laboratory study of growing wheat and corn plants using the liquid and solid fractions of the digestate of an operating biogas plant. Different concentrations of digestate fractions on plant growth were studied and optimal concentrations were determined, at which wheat and corn showed the highest growth rates. It has been shown that using solid digestate can improve wheat growth by 7%, and using liquid or solid fractions to grow corn can improve biomass growth by 10%. Editorial note (2026): This abstract was prepared for reference purposes using artificial intelligence technology, based on the original publication, without the involvement of the author(s).

The paper deals with the waste disposal problem of the alcohol industry caused by the widespread use of alcohol as biofuels. In the technology for the production of alcohol from cereal crops, a distillery spent wash (DSW) is formed (per 1 dm3 of alcohol – 10–20 dm3 DSW), which refers to highly concentrated wastewater, the COD value reaches 40 g O2/dm3. Since the existing physical and chemical methods of its processing are not cost-effective, the researchers develop the processing technologies for its utilization, for example, an anaerobic digestion. Apart from the purification of highly concentrated wastewater, the advantage of this method is the production of biogas and highquality fertilizer. The problems of biotechnology for biogas production from the distillery spent wash are its high acidity–pH 3.7–5.0 (the optimum pH value for the methanogenesis process is 6.8–7.4) and low nitrogen content, the lack of which inhibits the development of the association of microorganisms. In order to solve these problems, additional raw materials of various origins (chemical compounds, spent anaerobic sludge, waste from livestock farms, etc.) are used. The purpose of this work is to determine the appropriate ratio of the fermentable mixture components: cosubstrate, distillery spent wash and wastewater of the plant for co-fermentation to produce an energy carrier (biogas) and effective wastewater treatment of the distillery. In order to ensure the optimal pH for methanogenesis, poultry manure has been used as a co-substrate. The co-fermentation process of DSW with manure has been carried out at dry matter ratios of 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, 1:7 respectively. It is found that when the concentration of manure in the mixture is insufficient (DSW/manure – 1:1, 1:3), the pH value decreases during fermentation which negatively affects methane formation; when the concentration of manure in the mixture is increased (DSW/manure – 1:5, 1:7), the process is characterized by a high yield of biogas and methane content. The maximum output of biogas with a methane concentration of 70 ± 2% is observed at the ratio of components on a dry matter “wastewater: DSW: manure” – 0,2:1:7 respectively. The COD reduction reaches a 70% when using co-fermentation with the combination of components “wastewater: DSW: manure” (0,3:1:5) respectively.

The influence of the initial inoculum dose on anaerobic digestion of poultry manure with cellulose-containing cosubstrates was investigated. Inoculum doses of 20, 40 and 60% on a dry organic matter basis were compared with an uninoculated control. During the first week, the highest biogas production was observed at 60%, whereas the 20 and 40% treatments produced similar results. By the middle of the second week, gas production intensity in the 60% treatment had decreased to the level of the other inoculated samples. Biogas production without inoculum began on day twelve. The findings describe the role of inoculum dose in the start-up of anaerobic fermentation. Editorial note (2026): This abstract was prepared for reference purposes using artificial intelligence technology, based on the original publication, without the involvement of the author(s).

Dendrobium linguella orchids were genetically transformed with a construct containing the bar gene and the cytochrome P450scc cyp11A1 gene to obtain plants with improved productivity and herbicide resistance. The bar gene served as a bialaphos resistance marker. Following 8–10 months of selection, 17 transformed plants were obtained and analyzed molecularly. PCR using two primer pairs for each gene confirmed integration of bar and cyp11A1 into the genome of all regenerated clones. The study reports production of Dendrobium linguella plants carrying both transgenes. Editorial note (2026): This abstract was prepared for reference purposes using artificial intelligence technology, based on the original publication, without the involvement of the author(s).

Rehabilitation of military personnel who participated in the anti-terrorist operation is considered in relation to quality of life and sustainable development. The programme aims to support rapid psychological and moral recovery and return to social life. Outpatient and inpatient care is organised through 26 secondary-level and six tertiary-level facilities in Zhytomyr Region. A rehabilitation medical record was developed to simplify patient registration. Psychological wellbeing is identified as a priority for improving healthcare. Editorial note (2026): This abstract was prepared for reference purposes using artificial intelligence technology, based on the original publication, without the involvement of the author(s).

Ukrainian and Finnish experience in implementing sustainable development is compared. Finland’s national commission, its 2006 strategy, public and private sector involvement, and cooperation with UN organisations are described. Environmental indices and strategic planning horizons are compared. The need for integrated indicators connecting environmental conditions with socioeconomic progress is emphasised for Ukraine. The Finnish approach is presented as a process of social learning and environmental responsibility. Editorial note (2026): This abstract was prepared for reference purposes using artificial intelligence technology, based on the original publication, without the involvement of the author(s).