Optimization of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation for the production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreated Antigonum leptopus (Linn) leaves to ethanol was optimized using cellulase from Trichoderma reesei QM-9414 (Celluclast from Novo) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae NRRL-Y-132 cells. Response surface methodology (RSM) and a three-level four-variable design were employed to evaluate the effects of SSF process variables such as cellulase concentration (20-100 FPU/g of substrate), substrate concentration (5-15% w/v), incubation time (24-72 h), and temperature (35-45 degrees C) on ethanol production efficiency. Cellulase and substrate concentrations were found to be the most significant variables. The optimum conditions arrived at are as follows: cellulase = 100 FPU/g of substrate, substrate = 15% (w/v), incubation time = 57.2 h, and temperature = 38.5 degrees C. At these conditions, the predicted ethanol yield was 3.02% (w/v) and the actual experimental value was 3.0% (w/v).     

Antifeedant and growth inhibitory effects of some neo-clerodane diterpenoids isolated from Clerodendron species (Verbenaceae) on Earias vitella and Spodoptera litura

Antifeedant and growth inhibitory effects of various neo-clerodane diterpenoids having a furofuran moiety, isolated from Clerodendron spp., were studied using Earias vitella and Spodoptera litura. The compounds clerodendrin B, 3-epicaryoptin, 15-hydroxyepicaryoptin, and clerodin were effective antifeedants at 10 microg/cm(3) (30 microg/g) of diet against E. vitella and at 10 microg/cm(2) of leaf against S. litura. All of the tested compounds, namely, clerodendrin B, 3-epicaryoptin, clerodendrin C, 15-hydroxyepicaryoptin, clerodendrin B acetate, and clerodin, showed good insect growth inhibitory activity even at lower concentrations.     

Clay mineral distribution in two toposequences of tropical soils of India

The clay fractions of the soils of two toposequences derived from gneissic rocks (Peninsular gneiss) in southern India consist chiefly of kaolinite and amorphous ferrialuminosilicates (AFAS). The cation exchange capacity of the amorphous constituents, ranging between 21.4 and 107.6 mequiv./100 g, has been explained on the basis of a structural model. Considerable amounts of smectite were present in the clays of soils on the toeslopes. Two hypothetical pathways for the formation of the clay minerals are proposed.     

Non-arrowing and broad-leaved mutants in Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.)

Summary Non-arrowing and broad-leaved mutants of Rhodes grass have been isolated following gamma irradiation. The green forage yield in non-arrowing and broad-leaved types were respectively 67 and 171 percent more than the control. Crude protein, nitrogen and calcium fractions nearly doubled in the non-arrowing type and remained approxymately the same in the broad-leaved type over controls.     

The probable genome donors to Arachis hypogaea L. based on arachin seed storage protein

Summary Interrelationships among six diploid species (A. chacoense, A. villosulicarpa, A. batizocoi, A. correntina, A. duranensis and A. cardenasii), tetraploid wild groundnut A. monticola and four accessions of A. hypogaea were studied by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of total seed proteins and arachin immunoprecipitates. Arachin in A. monticola and A. hypogaea cv. Trombay Groundnut 9 (TG-9) was composed of four acidic subunits (47.5 kd, 45.1 kd, 42.6 kd and 41.2 kd) and one major basic subunit (21.4 kd). The arachin subunit pattern in cv. Spanish Improved (SP) and TG-1 was almost similar to the pattern observed in A. monticola with the exception that the SP lacked the 41.2 kd and TG-1 lacked the 42.6 kd acidic subunits of A. monticola. Seed extracts of all diploid species studied reacted with the anti-arachin antibodies raised against SP arachin. The electrophoretic analysis of immunoprecipitates of diploid species showed a range of acidic subunits from 46.2 kd to 41.2 kd and one or two basic subunits of 21.4 kd and 20.2 kd. None of the diploid species showed the 47.5 kd subunit found in A. monticola or A. hypogaea. Of the diploid species, A. duranensis and A. cardenasii demonstrated two acidic subunits of 45.1 kd and 41.2 kd and a basic subunit of 21.4 kd as found in A. monticola. Likewise A. batizocoi showed two acidic subunits of 45.1 kd and 42.6 kd and the basic subunit of 21.4 kd as was observed in A. monticola. Based on electrophoretic data, our research supports the earlier conclusion that the probable genome donors to A. monticola are A. batizocoi and A. duranensis or A. cardenasii.     

Effect of blue-green algae on aggregate stability and rice yield under different irrigation and nitrogen levels

The application of blue-green algae improved the aggregation status of rice field soils under different levels of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer (urea) and increased the grain yield of rice significantly.     

Influence of earthworm culture on fertilization potential and biological activities of vermicomposts prepared from different plant wastes

The present investigation was aimed to analyze influence of earthworm culture on nutritive status, microbial population, and enzymatic activities of composts prepared by utilizing different plant wastes. Vermicomposts were prepared from different types of leaves litter of horticulture and forest plant species by modified vermicomposting process at a farm unit. Initial thermophilic decomposition of waste load using cow‐dung slurry was done in the separate beds. The culture of Eisenia fetida was used for vermicomposting in specially designed vermibeds at the farm unit. The physico‐chemical characteristics, enzyme activities (oxido‐reductases and hydrolases), and microbial population (bacteria, fungi, free‐living nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, actinomycetes, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria and fungi) of vermicomposts were found significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of control (without earthworm inoculum). The study quantified significant contributions of earthworm culture to physico‐chemical, enzymatic, and microbiological properties of vermicompost and confirmed superior fertilization potential of vermicompost for organic farming. The agronomic utility of vermicompost was assessed on yellow mustard plant in a pot experiment. Pot soil was amended with different ratios (5%, 10%, 20%) of vermicompost and normal compost (without earthworm inoculum). Effects of these amendments on the growth of Brassica comprestis L. were studied. The significant differences (p < 0.05) in the growth of plant were observed among vermicompost‐, compost‐amended soil, and control. Vermicompost increased the root and shoot lengths, numbers of branches and leaves per plant, fresh and dry weights per plant, numbers of pods and flowers, and biochemical properties of plant leaf significantly, especially in 20% amendment. These results proved better fertilization potential of vermicompost over non‐earthworm‐inoculated compost.     

Electrokinetic Remediation of Pentachlorophenol Contaminated Clay Soil

This paper presents a bench-scale experimental study performed to investigate the remediation of low permeable soil contaminated with pentachlorophenol (PCP) using the electrokinetic technique. A total of six electrokinetic tests were performed using kaolin soil spiked with 100 mg/kg of PCP. The first three tests were performed with an applied voltage gradient of 1 VDC/cm, where each test employed one of the three different flushing solutions: deionized water, electrolyte, or buffered electrolyte. The other three tests were performed using the same electrolyte solution, but each employed voltage gradient of 2 VDC/cm under constant and periodic application modes and constant voltage gradient with electrode liquid recirculation. The results of this study showed that PCP can be degraded in an electrokinetic system due to the direct electrochemical reduction process at the electrodes. The degradation of PCP ranged from 52% to about 78% depending on the conditions present. As the applied voltage gradient across the PCP-contaminated soil increased, the electroosmotic flow and PCP migration toward the cathode increased, resulting in higher PCP degradation by the direct reduction process. In the tests with electrolyte flushing solution, PCP degradation was about 58% and 65% under the applied voltage gradients of 1 and 2 VDC/cm, respectively. The mode of application of voltage potential across the PCP-contaminated soil showed noticeable effect on the system pH and electroosmotic flow and hence the PCP degradation. The highest PCP degradation (i.e., 78%) was in the test with constant 2 VDC/cm voltage gradient and recirculation application. Overall, this study demonstrated that electrokinetic technology has the potential to remediate PCP-contaminated clay soils by the direct reductive process. The electroosmatic flow as well as degree of PCP degradation during electrokinetics depend on the applied potential gradient and properties of the aqueous phase such as pH, ionic strength, and presence of carbonates.