Wheat bran is a major byproduct of the wheat industry and a rich source of cellulosic and hemicellulosic compounds. We developed a facile and reproducible method to generate functional nanomaterials from wheat bran derived polysaccharide, Arabinoxylan (AX). We first established that AX derived from wheat bran was chemically equivalent to commercially available AX extracted from wheat flour. Through facile chemical modification, positive and negatively charged domains were introduced along AX backbone, which in turn induced local electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions promoting the formation of nanoparticulate structures. The extracted, chemically modified AX was characterized using FTIR, 1 H NMR, and elemental analysis. We observed that, while both anionic and cationic AX self-assemble into stable, spherical nanoparticles with a low polydispersity index, the unmodified AX did not exhibit such self-organizational properties. To form functionally active nanomaterials, we further complexed negatively charged CRISPR-Cas9 DNA with cationic AX. Through gel electrophoretic studies, we identified that, at a feed ratio of DNA to AX of 1:15, AX is capable of forming polyplexes with DNA in the form of nanoparticles with an average hydrodynamic diameter of ∼100 nm and surface charge of −1.40 ± 0.91 mV. We envision that chemically modified AX, originally sourced from agricultural waste materials and not from food products, can be used as functional nanomaterials for gene delivery in the agrochemical sector thus catalyzing the circular approach of sustainability.
BackgroundEnteric methane (CH4) accounts for about 70% of total CH4 emissions from the ruminant animals. Researchers are exploring ways to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions from ruminants. Recently, nano zinc oxide (nZnO) has shown potential in reducing CH4 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production from the liquid manure under anaerobic storage conditions. Four different levels of nZnO and two types of feed were mixed with rumen fluid to investigate the efficacy of nZnO in mitigating gaseous production.MethodsAll experiments with four replicates were conducted in batches in 250 mL glass bottles paired with the ANKOMRF wireless gas production monitoring system. Gas production was monitored continuously for 72 h at a constant temperature of 39 ± 1 °C in a water bath. Headspace gas samples were collected using gas-tight syringes from the Tedlar bags connected to the glass bottles and analyzed for greenhouse gases (CH4 and carbon dioxide-CO2) and H2S concentrations. CH4 and CO2 gas concentrations were analyzed using an SRI-8610 Gas Chromatograph and H2S concentrations were measured using a Jerome 631X meter. At the same time, substrate (i.e. mixed rumen fluid+ NP treatment+ feed composite) samples were collected from the glass bottles at the beginning and at the end of an experiment for bacterial counts, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) analysis.ResultsCompared to the control treatment the H2S and GHGs concentration reduction after 72 h of the tested nZnO levels varied between 4.89 to 53.65%. Additionally, 0.47 to 22.21% microbial population reduction was observed from the applied nZnO treatments. Application of nZnO at a rate of 1000 μg g− 1 have exhibited the highest amount of concentration reductions for all three gases and microbial population.ConclusionResults suggest that both 500 and 1000 μg g− 1 nZnO application levels have the potential to reduce GHG and H2S concentrations.
Every year millions of tons of agricultural wastes are generated in the country. The percentage of Plastic waste is also increasing in the Municipal Solid Waste management system. These Biomasses or Agricultural wastes can be used as energy source directly. The problem is the energy efficiency and environmental pollution. Meanwhile waste plastics are recycled and a major portion of it goes to land filling. As plastics possess high fuel value, these can be combined with biomasses to prepare solid briquette. This current study looks to develop a good composition of Briquette which comprises of conventional Biomasses and Plastic waste. The total work is carried out in three segments; (i) Preparing a Lab grade Thermal Piston Press for Plastic-Biomass Briquette Manufacturing, (ii) Sample preparation with various proportion of Biomass and Waste Plastic, and (iii) Characterization of the prepared sample. From the study it is seen that the fuel value of Biomass Briquette increases with mixing of plastics, which minimizes water absorption and friability, increases storage capacity and strength. The characterization of Plastic-Biomass Briquette shows that with the addition of 10% waste plastic the calorific increases 40% by margin and doubles the compressive strength.
Abstract:Commercial and Synthesized titanium di oxide (TiO 2 ) prepared by conventional sol-gel method, are modified to degrade industrial dyes. Modification is done on bare TiO 2 and TiO 2 doped with various doping agents (activated charcoal/silicon dioxide/zinc oxide), followed by thermal treatments. The role of thermal treatments and doping effects on the efficiency of TiO 2 photocatalysts are highlighted and evaluated by decoloration of Methylene Blue in aqueous solution under UV and Visible light irradiation for both systems. The results revealed that increase in calcination temperature up to optimum level enhances the photocatalytic activities of the samples and doping narrows the band gap and makes the samples visible light responsive. This study also showed that activated charcoal (AC) doped TiO 2 photocatalyst is a promising one under Visible light and is thus used to degrade other dyes such as Crystal Violet and Rhodamine B. The obtained experimental data are used to study four different kinetic models: Zero order, Pseudo first order, Parabolic diffusion and Modified Freundlich model. The best fit of the experimental data are obtained by Pseudo first order and Modified Freundlich models.
Abstract. Biomass-derived biochars have shown potential for improving soil properties as a whole that are conducive to plant growth with reduced environmental pollution. Four types of biomass, namely, corn stover (CS), dried distillers’ grains and solubles (DDGS), dairy manure (DM), and beef feedlot manure (BFM), were transformed to biochar through pyrolysis at 400°C with 1, 2, or 3 h residence time. The biochars were characterized by proximate analysis (volatile matter (VM), ash, and fixed carbon (FC)), ultimate analysis (total carbon (TC), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O)), and thermogravimetric analysis (pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and bulk density (BD)). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDXS), and Fourier transform infrared radiation (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to categorize pore size, functional groups, and mineralogical properties related to potential use in environmental remediation. The highest heating value (HV) was measured with CS (28 to 29 MJ kg-1), and the lowest HV was measured with BFM (~5 MJ kg-1). The greatest organic carbon (OC) content was obtained with CS (68%), followed by DDGS (63%), DM (44%), and BFM (15.4%) biochars. The SEM images showed the macrocellular morphology of the original shape of the biomass particles, which consisted mainly of aggregate microspheres 2 to 10 µm in size. The surface functional groups of all four biochars were dominated by hydroxyl, methyl, methylene, aromatic carbonyl/carboxylic, and alkene groups. The CS and DDGS biochars showed higher TC (76%), FC (61%), OC (67%), water holding capacity, and mineral contents and outperformed the DM and BFM biochars as the best soil amendments. Keywords: Beef feedlot manure, Corn stover, Dairy manure, Dried distillers’ grains and solubles.
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