This study aimed to find out the feasibility of coir pith as a raw material for particleboard production. Considering particle size, an attempt was taken to produce resin bonded coir pith particleboard and binder-less coir pith particleboard as well. The physical and mechanical properties of the board were examined. The particleboard made from medium size particle showed the best performance in aspect of properties. The particleboards made with 16% Melamine Urea Formaldehyde (MUF) had better product quality than binder-less coir pith board. The MOR, MOE, TS and IB were respectively 24.65, 2398, 22.55 and 1.52 N/mm2. Coir pith board may be a sustainable, cheap and durable building and packaging materials and timber substitute.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 51(3), 239-245, 2016

Experiments were conducted to determine optimal salinity, temperature, nutrient level and CO 2 supply required for achieving maximal growth in culture of two commercially important microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana L.M. Lubián and Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodoresco. Four different salinities, temperatures and nutrient levels (NaNO 3) and two different CO 2 levels were employed. The results indicate that maximum cell density was obtained in N. gaditana with cultures in 25 ppt salinity, 25°C temperature, 150 g/lit nutrient level and 0.5 scfm CO 2 supply. In the case of D. salina the highest cell density was with 150 ppt salinity, 30°C temperature, 150 g/lit nutrient level and 2 scfm CO 2 supply. Second set of experiments with a combination of optimal parameters resulted in significant increase in cell density with both algae compared to routine culture conditions.