Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (606 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Total mass of all the organisms of a given type and/or in a given area. (From Concise Dictionary of Biology, 1990) It includes the yield of vegetative mass produced from any given crop.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Biomasses.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Ecosystem
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 53,079 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Biomass” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 17,990 of them (33.9%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 25,099 records.
Reviews account for 4,018 records (7.6%) and meta-analyses for 297. Randomized controlled trials number 33 (0.1%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 10,119 |
| 2010-2019 | 25,099 |
| 2020 onward | 17,990 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 4,018 | 7.6% |
| Meta-analyses | 297 | 0.6% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 33 | 0.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Biomass"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in public health and nutrition
Population and nutrition studies mostly observe what people eat, breathe or are exposed to and then look for links with health, which shows association and not proof of cause. Self-reported diet is imprecise, people who eat or live differently also differ in other ways, and effects measured across a population may not apply to one person. Check the study design, how exposure was measured, what else was accounted for and the size of the effect, not only whether it was statistically significant.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microbial consortia for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 17 | cc by PMID 40691146 · DOI · PMC12280090 |
| Sustainable Biomass-Derived Single-Atom Catalysts for Fenton-Like Catalysis | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 9 | cc by PMID 40631589 · DOI · PMC12410915 |
| Nanocellulose Extraction from Biomass Waste: Unlocking Sustainable Pathways for Biomedical Applications | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 9 | cc by PMID 40035542 · DOI · PMC12067182 |
| NMR of Fully and Partially 13C-Enriched Biomass Enhances Pendent Group Structural Characterization | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42335209 · DOI · PMC13347702 |
Microbial consortia for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- There is currently significant interest in employing microbial communities for converting lignocellulosic feedstock into chemicals, fuels, and other products of use to humans.
- Closing excerpt
- Together with improved methods of process monitoring and creative process design, newly developed biosynthetic tools may represent key facilitators for commercial realization of consortia-based lignocellulose conversion processes.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (100 words)
There is currently significant interest in employing microbial communities for converting lignocellulosic feedstock into chemicals, fuels, and other products of use to humans. Both naturally occurring microbial communities, which can be prohibitively complex, and synthetic consortia, which are simple though can be unstable and unpredictable, have been employed to that end. Recent work has focused on developing tools for enabling wider application of microbial consortia in both lignocellulose valorization and bioprocesses in general. Together with improved methods of process monitoring and creative process design, newly developed biosynthetic tools may represent key facilitators for commercial realization of consortia-based lignocellulose conversion processes.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40691146 · DOI · PMC12280090
Sustainable Biomass-Derived Single-Atom Catalysts for Fenton-Like Catalysis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Single-atom catalysis has generated significant interest in catalysis, particularly for environmental remediation.
- Closing excerpt
- It is anticipated that this review would inform the development of biomass-derived SACs and their application in environmental remediation by guiding the selection of synthesis methods and addressing the key areas for improvement highlighted in future research.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (188 words)
Single-atom catalysis has generated significant interest in catalysis, particularly for environmental remediation. Pursuing desired single atom catalysts (SACs) for practical application hinges on the simplicity of synthesis methods, the choice of precursor materials, cost-effectiveness, and catalytic performance. Consequently, natural resources like biomass have been harnessed to prepare SACs, driving continuous efforts to establish controlled and scalable synthesis techniques. This comprehensive review encompasses a broad exploration of diverse synthesis methods employed for crafting SACs derived from biomass, intended for environmental catalysis by Fenton-like reactions, employing peroxymonosulphate (PMS), peroxydisulphate (PDS), or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidants. It highlights how these innovations can stimulate advancements in catalyst design, shaping the landscape of sustainable and efficient micropollutant remediation. In addition, the review summarizes the links between single-atom sites on biomass-derived SACs and catalytic mechanisms, imparting insights into the origins of catalytic activity. Finally, this review proposes the prevailing challenges and prospects in this field. It is anticipated that this review would inform the development of biomass-derived SACs and their application in environmental remediation by guiding the selection of synthesis methods and addressing the key areas for improvement highlighted in future research.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40631589 · DOI · PMC12410915
Nanocellulose Extraction from Biomass Waste: Unlocking Sustainable Pathways for Biomedical Applications [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The escalating global waste crisis necessitates innovative solutions.
- Closing excerpt
- This study advances sustainable materials science, aligning resource conservation with circular economy principles to address biomedical sector needs.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (157 words)
The escalating global waste crisis necessitates innovative solutions. This study investigates the sustainable production of nanocellulose from biomass waste and its biomedical applications. Cellulose-rich materials-including wood, textiles, agricultural residues, and food by-products-were systematically processed using alkaline, acid, and oxidative pretreatments to enhance fiber accessibility. Mechanical techniques, such as grinding and homogenization, combined with chemical methods like acid hydrolysis and 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidation, were employed to successfully isolate nanocellulose. Post-treatment modifications, including surface coating and cross-linking, further tailored its properties for specific applications. The results demonstrated nanocellulose's biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functional versatility. In wound healing, it enhanced moisture management and exhibited antimicrobial properties. Its high surface area facilitated efficient drug loading and controlled release in drug delivery applications. Nanocellulose bioinks supported cell proliferation in 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering. Additional applications in biosensors and personal care products were also identified. This study advances sustainable materials science, aligning resource conservation with circular economy principles to address biomedical sector needs.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40035542 · DOI · PMC12067182
NMR of Fully and Partially 13C-Enriched Biomass Enhances Pendent Group Structural Characterization [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Traditional solution-state NMR experiments may either fail or yield unsatisfactory results when employing fully-13C-labeled biomass due to complications arising from 13C-13C coupling.
- Closing excerpt
- Various pendent groups (tricin units, cis- and trans-p-coumarates, and p-hydroxybenzoates) that adorn lignins, and the cis- and trans-ferulates on arabinoxylan polysaccharides, are exquisitely revealed in spectra from isolated lignins or whole-cell-wall materials from maize, sorghum, and poplar.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (161 words)
Traditional solution-state NMR experiments may either fail or yield unsatisfactory results when employing fully-13C-labeled biomass due to complications arising from 13C-13C coupling. Constant-time analogs of HSQC experiments mitigate such issues and deliver enhanced sensitivity. A rarely reported CT-HSQC-TOCSY experiment allows the proton coupling network to deliver much of the same value as the parent experiment on unlabeled or 10-15%-13C-labeled biomass polymers but with enhanced sensitivity. In the absence of a viable HMBC analog for long-range correlations, a relayed C-C experiment, i.e., via directly bonded 13C-labeled networks, enables the reliable assignment of coupled carbons, with the added advantage of correlating the more elusive quaternaries. A C-C-FLOPSY experiment takes advantage of fully-13C-labeled materials for mapping extensive carbon networks in the complex polymer mixtures inherent in biomass. Various pendent groups (tricin units, cis- and trans-p-coumarates, and p-hydroxybenzoates) that adorn lignins, and the cis- and trans-ferulates on arabinoxylan polysaccharides, are exquisitely revealed in spectra from isolated lignins or whole-cell-wall materials from maize, sorghum, and poplar.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42335209 · DOI · PMC13347702
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Biomass allocation to leaves, stems and roots: meta-analyses of interspecific variation and environmental control [5]
- Research article Contamination in Low Microbial Biomass Microbiome Studies: Issues and Recommendations [6]
- Research article Nitrogen additions and microbial biomass: a meta-analysis of ecosystem studies [7]
- Research article The global soil community and its influence on biogeochemistry [8]
- Research article The ecological importance of intraspecific variation [9]
- Research article Pervasive shifts in forest dynamics in a changing world [10]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Pharmaceutical Applications of Biomass Polymers: Review of Current Research and Perspectives
Cornelia Bejenaru, Antonia Radu, Adina-Elena Segneanu et al. · Polymers 2024 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Troiano DT, Studer MH. Microbial consortia for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals. . 2025. PMID 40691146 · DOI · PMC12280090
- Ncube S, Tian Z, Lin J, Zhang H, Wang S, Tian W. Sustainable Biomass-Derived Single-Atom Catalysts for Fenton-Like Catalysis. . 2025. PMID 40631589 · DOI · PMC12410915
- Ghamari M, Suvish, Hwang See C, Yu H, Anitha T, Balamurugan VT, et al.. Nanocellulose Extraction from Biomass Waste: Unlocking Sustainable Pathways for Biomedical Applications. . 2025. PMID 40035542 · DOI · PMC12067182
- Ralph J, Lippens G, Tonelli M, Fry CG, Anklin C, Lu F, et al.. NMR of Fully and Partially 13C-Enriched Biomass Enhances Pendent Group Structural Characterization. . 2026. PMID 42335209 · DOI · PMC13347702
- Poorter H, Niklas KJ, Reich PB, Oleksyn J, Poot P, Mommer L. Biomass allocation to leaves, stems and roots: meta-analyses of interspecific variation and environmental control. New Phytol. 2012. PMID 22085245 · DOI
- Eisenhofer R, Minich JJ, Marotz C, Cooper A, Knight R, Weyrich LS. Contamination in Low Microbial Biomass Microbiome Studies: Issues and Recommendations. Trends Microbiol. 2019. PMID 30497919 · DOI
- Treseder KK. Nitrogen additions and microbial biomass: a meta-analysis of ecosystem studies. Ecol Lett. 2008. PMID 18673384 · DOI
- Crowther TW, van den Hoogen J, Wan J, Mayes MA, Keiser AD, Mo L, et al.. The global soil community and its influence on biogeochemistry. Science. 2019. PMID 31439761 · DOI
- Des Roches S, Post DM, Turley NE, Bailey JK, Hendry AP, Kinnison MT, et al.. The ecological importance of intraspecific variation. Nat Ecol Evol. 2018. PMID 29203921 · DOI
- McDowell NG, Allen CD, Anderson-Teixeira K, Aukema BH, Bond-Lamberty B, Chini L, et al.. Pervasive shifts in forest dynamics in a changing world. Science. 2020. PMID 32467364 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.