Quang Chi Bui

The increasing volume of agricultural wastes presents both an environmental burden and a potential resource for circular economy applications. Green extraction technologies offer a viable route to recover valuable bioactive compounds from these residues while reducing reliance on hazardous solvents and energy-intensive processes. This review examines recent developments in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) coupled with Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), with particular focus on their combined contributions to efficiency, selectivity, and process sustainability. The mechanistic roles of cavitation-driven cell disruption and dielectric heating are discussed in relation to mass transfer enhancement and solvent–matrix interactions. Optimization strategies, including Taguchi designs, response surface methodology, artificial neural networks, and multi-response desirability models, are evaluated for their effectiveness in refining extraction conditions. Greenness assessment tools such as Analytical Greenness (AGREE), Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), and the Analytical Eco-Scale are also reviewed to highlight inconsistencies in current sustainability evaluations and to identify opportunities for more comprehensive benchmarking. By integrating solvent innovation, process intensification, and environmental metrics, this review situates NADES-based UAE/MAE as emerging platforms for the valorization of agricultural wastes within a sustainable circular economy framework. Key research gaps and future directions are identified, including the need for standardized greenness metrics, improved understanding of synergistic mechanisms, and assessment of solvent recyclability for future scale-up.

Integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) technology greatly enhances nitrogen removal effectiveness and treatment capacity in municipal wastewater treatment plants, addressing the issue of limited land availability. Hence, this method is appropriate for treating household wastewater from office buildings. The research was conducted at the wastewater treatment plant in an office building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Experiments were conducted to ascertain the most favorable working conditions, including hydraulic retention time (HRT), alkalinity dosage, and dissolved oxygen (DO). According to the study, the IFAS system had the highest nitrogen removal effectiveness when operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7 h, an alkalinity dose of 7.14 mgCaCO₃/mgN-NH₄⁺, and a dissolved oxygen (DO) value of 6 mg/L. The nitrification efficiency ranges from 89.2% to 98.8%. The N-NO₃⁻ concentration post-treatment is within the range of 27–45 mgN-NO₃⁻/L, which is lower than the allowable discharge limit of 60 mg/L as per Vietnam’s wastewater discharge requirements. The research findings have enhanced the efficiency of the office building management process, thereby promoting the sustainable growth of society.

Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) technology greatly enhances nitrogen removal effectiveness and treatment capacity in municipal wastewater treatment plants, addressing the issue of limited land availability. Hence, this method is appropriate for treating household wastewater from office buildings. The research was conducted at the wastewater treatment plant in an office building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Experiments were conducted to ascertain the most favorable working conditions, including Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), alkalinity dosage, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). According to the study, the IFAS system had the highest nitrogen removal effectiveness when operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7 hours, an alkalinity dose of 7.14 mgCaCO3/mgN-NH4+, and a dissolved oxygen (DO) value of 6 mg/L. The nitrification efficiency ranges from 89.2% to 98.8%. The nitrate concentration post-treatment is within the range of 27 – 45 mg/L, which is lower than the allowable discharge limit of 60 mg/L as per Vietnam's wastewater discharge requirements. The research findings have enhanced the efficiency of the office building management process, thereby promoting the sustainable growth of society.

The application of fixed activated sludge with an attached growth process (FASAG) with optimal operating conditions (hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7 h, dissolved oxygen (DO) of 6 mg/L, and alkalinity dosage of 7.14 mgCaCO₃/mgN-NH₄⁺) treats wastewater generated from office buildings to meet discharge requirements (as per the regulation in the nation where the study was conducted) with typical parameters such as pH of 6.87–7.56, chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 32–64 mg/L, suspended solids (SS) of 8–11 mg/L, N-NH₄⁺ of 1–7 mg/L, and denitrification efficiency reaches 53%. In addition, the FASAG is an outstanding integration that makes both economic and environmental sense when applied in local wastewater treatment systems. In particular, this process combines aerobic and anoxic processes in a creation tank. This explains why this approach can save investment and operating costs, energy, and land funds. In office building regions, where land area is frequently limited, saving land funds presents numerous options to enhance the density of green cover. Furthermore, as a new aspect, investing in reusing wastewater after treatment to irrigate plants or flush toilets in office buildings contributes to a decrease in the quantity of wastewater released into the environment, saving water resources and supporting sustainable development.