Sulphuric acid leaching of low/medium grade managanese ores using a novel nitrogeneous reductant-NH3NH2HSO4

Low and medium grade land as well sea based manganese ores were used for manganese extraction in H2SO4 - NH3NH2HSO4 (hydrazine sulphate) medium For land based Mn ores, only Mn recovery is important but for sea nodules which contain substantial amounts Co, Ni, and Cu, their recovery is equally important. In the present studies four samples used were: Indian ocean manganese nodules, medium and low grade Mn ores of Gujarat, and low grade Mn ore of Orissa, India. The Mn content of these ores varied from 15 to 39%. The objective of this work is to establish a reductant which can be used for leaching Mn from all types of ores. The optimum conditions established for nodules by varying parameters such as time, temperature, pulp density, H2SO4 and NH3NH2HSO4 concentrations were: pulp density 10%, time 0.5h, temperature 110ºC, NH3NH2HSO4 3.25 g/10g, H2SO4 2.0% (v/v) for 96.9% Mn, 85.25% Cu, 92.58% Ni and 76.5% Co extractions. More than 92% Mn could be leached from different types of ores by varying amount of reductant and acid concentration at 35ºC. Depending on Mn content 1.0 to 1.2 times stochiometric amount of reductant and 1.5 to 1.8 times sulphuric acid were required for >92% Mn extraction

Polymer thin film with in situ synthesized silver nanoparticles as a potent reusable bactericide

Silver nanoparticles are well-established antibacterial agents. However, an effective design and formulation that ensures: (i) ease of synthesis and fabrication, (ii) amenability to deployment over large surfaces of variable shape, (iii) high efficacy and (iv) multiple reuses with the possibility of periodic monitoring, is yet to emerge. A nanocomposite thin film of poly(vinyl alcohol) with silver nanoparticles generated within, through a soft-chemical in situ synthesis, is shown to be a good candidate to fulfil most of the above requirements. Efficient antibacterial activity, multiple reuses and facile monitoring of the film through spectroscopy and microscopy are demonstrated. Preliminary studies demonstrate the effective bactericidal action of the thin film coating on stirring rods

Prospective chemisorption of fluoride utilizing coastal molluscan (Crassostrea Sp.) shell from phosphatic fertilizer pond wastewater, Paradeep, Odisha

496-502The present study explores the utilization of very acidic (pH 1.46) and high fluoride (F-) containing (9290 ppm) phosphatic fertilizer industry (Paradeep, Odisha, India) pond wastewater (PW) generated from phosphogypsum (PG) stacks by using Crassostrea Sp. molluscan shell (MS) as an adsorbent. F- chemisorption batch experiments on molluscan shells (MS) powder (212 - 500 micron) varying 6 different MS (Solid-S) to PW (Liquid-L) i.e. S/L ratios (1: 8 to 1: 30), time (0.08 to 48 hours) and fluoride concentration (4645 – 8361 ppm) as diluted PW. Chemisorption of F- peaked with 1: 20 S/L ratio at 24 hrs and its concentration in the supernatant reduced by 99.9 %. XRF, FTIR and XRD analysis of MS and its chemisorbed residues confirmes the role of relatively high calcium containing MS (72 % CaO) towards formation of Fluorapatite (FA) [Ca5(PO4)3F]. Desorption experiments of FA residue for 24 hrs, highlights the stability of F- chemisorption process on MS, which is confirmed by presence of FA in desorbed residue through XRD analysis. The research findings establish prospects of F- recovery from PW through chemisorption process utilizing selected MS

Biomass Mediated Conversion of Acidic Phosphogypsum into Alkaline Material through Thermal Treatments

924-928The application of phosphogypsum waste is limited to alkaline soil primarily due to its highly acidic pH. Its application can be widen for the acidic soil by converting phosphogypsum into alkaline material. In this context, conversion of acidic phosphogypsum into alkaline material by mixing banana peduncle biomass in powder form in different proportions followed by thermal pyrolysis treatments (300–700°C) were investigated. Acidic phosphogypsum pH (3.2) increased without biomass mixing to 6.3, 6.6 and 7.4 at 300, 500 and 700°C, whereas phosphogypusm-biomass-mixtures elevated pH to relatively higher values 6.7–7.2, 8.2–9.6 and 10.1–10.4 respectively. Alkaline pyrolysed material also contained carbon (25.8%), potassium (10%), and sulfur (12%) and their toxic flouride concentration was lesser (0.39%) than raw phosphogypsum (0.44%). The XRD analysis revealed formation of water soluble anhydrite, arcanite, potassium calcium sulfate and calcite mineral phases. These results established and highlights about process of conversion of phosphatic fertiliser industry acidic phosphogypsum waste to nutrient rich alkaline material by utilising banana peduncle biomass through thermal treatment. The reseach findings has implication towards phosphogypsum industrial waste management, value addition and potential for its alternative use in acidic soils

Biomass Mediated Conversion of Acidic Phosphogypsum into Alkaline Material through Thermal Treatments

The application of phosphogypsum waste is limited to alkaline soil primarily due to its highly acidic pH. Its application can be widen for the acidic soil by converting phosphogypsum into alkaline material. In this context, conversion of acidic phosphogypsum into alkaline material by mixing banana peduncle biomass in powder form in different proportions followed by thermal pyrolysis treatments (300–700°C) were investigated. Acidic phosphogypsum pH (3.2) increased without biomass mixing to 6.3, 6.6 and 7.4 at 300, 500 and 700°C, whereas phosphogypusm-biomass-mixtures elevated pH to relatively higher values 6.7–7.2, 8.2–9.6 and 10.1–10.4 respectively. Alkaline pyrolysed material also contained carbon (25.8%), potassium (10%), and sulfur (12%) and their toxic flouride concentration was lesser (0.39%) than raw phosphogypsum (0.44%). The XRD analysis revealed formation of water soluble anhydrite, arcanite, potassium calcium sulfate and calcite mineral phases. These results established and highlights about process of conversion of phosphatic fertiliser industry acidic phosphogypsum waste to nutrient rich alkaline material by utilising banana peduncle biomass through thermal treatment. The reseach findings has implication towards phosphogypsum industrial waste management, value addition and potential for its alternative use in acidic soils

Ssr-based molecular profiling of selected donors of wide compatibility, elongated uppermost internode, stigma exsertion and submergence tolerance traits and parental lines of commercial rice (o. Sativa l.) Hybrids

Molecular breeding plays an important role in sustainable agriculture development. Hybrid rice technology aims to increase the yield potential of rice beyond the level of inbred high-yielding varieties (HYVs) by exploiting the phenomenon of hybrid vigour or heterosis. Improvement of hybrid rice parental line is necessary to meet the food security problem. Parental polymorphism was carried with 215 SSR markers between five recurrents and ten donors. During the foreground selection, both reported markers (S5-Indel and BF-S5) were validated for wide compatibility, 2 out of 14 (ART5 and SC3) validates for submergence tolerance, one out of two (RM5) validate for stigma exsertion, whereas 2 of 3 markers (RM5970, RM3476) validated for elongated uppermost internode traits between recurrents and donors. For background selection, maximum polymorphic markers (112) between IR58025eB i.e improved maintainer line with elongated uppermost internode and Oryza meridionalis and minimum polymorphic markers (42) between IR79156B and IR91-1591-3 were found. Marker-assisted backcrossing accelerate, the transfer of gene of interest in desirable genetic background. Genotypes IR58025B and IR58025eB emerged as genetically most similar with a value of 97%. The genotypes IR64 Sub1 and Oryza meridionalis were found most divergent showing 33% genetic similarity. Dissimilarity coefficient of the generated information obtained on genetic relatedness would be supportive in further rice breeding program

Phosphate solubilizers enhance NPK fertilizer use efficiency in rice and legume cultivation

It has been reported that phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are the most promising bacteria among the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR); which may be used as biofertilizers for plant growth and nutrient use efficiency. Moreover, these soil micro-organisms play a significant role in regulating the dynamics of organic matter decomposition and the availability of plant nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and other nutrients. Through this study, the management of nutrient use efficiency by the application of PSB was targeted in order to make the applied nutrients more available to the plants in the rice (Oryza sativa) and yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata) cultivation. Results have shown that the treatments with PSB alone or in the form of consortia of compatible strains with or without the external application of chemical NPK gave more germination index (G. I.) from 2.5 to 5 in rice and 2.7 to 4.8 in bean seeds. They also showed a higher growth in both shoot and root length and a higher biomass as compared to the control. This gives us an idea about the potentiality of these PSB strains and their application in rice and yardlong bean cultivation to get a better harvest index. Their use will also possibly reduce the nutrient runoff or leaching and increase in the use efficiency of the applied fertilizers. Thus, we can conclude that the NPK uptake and management can be improved by the use of PSB in rice and yardlong bean cultivation, and their application may be much more beneficial in the agricultural field

Rice biofortification: breeding and genomic approaches for genetic enhancement of grain zinc and iron contents

Rice is a highly consumed staple cereal cultivated predominantly in Asian countries, which share 90% of global rice production. Rice is a primary calorie provider for more than 3.5 billion people across the world. Preference and consumption of polished rice have increased manifold, which resulted in the loss of inherent nutrition. The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies (Zn and Fe) are major human health challenges in the 21st century. Biofortification of staples is a sustainable approach to alleviating malnutrition. Globally, significant progress has been made in rice for enhancing grain Zn, Fe, and protein. To date, 37 biofortified Fe, Zn, Protein and Provitamin A rich rice varieties are available for commercial cultivation (16 from India and 21 from the rest of the world; Fe > 10 mg/kg, Zn > 24 mg/kg, protein > 10% in polished rice as India target while Zn > 28 mg/kg in polished rice as international target). However, understanding the micronutrient genetics, mechanisms of uptake, translocation, and bioavailability are the prime areas that need to be strengthened. The successful development of these lines through integrated-genomic technologies can accelerate deployment and scaling in future breeding programs to address the key challenges of malnutrition and hidden hunger

Influence of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (efavirenz and nevirapine) on the pharmacodynamic activity of gliclazide in animal models

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Type 2 diabetes may occur as a result of HIV infection and/or its treatment. Gliclazide is a widely used drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Efavirenz and nevirapine are widely used non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection. The role of Efavirenz and nevirapine on the pharmacodynamic activity of gliclazide is not currently known. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of oral administration of efavirenz and nevirapine on blood glucose and investigate their effect on the activity of gliclazide in rats (normal and diabetic) and rabbits to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the combination.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Studies in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats were conducted with oral doses of 2 mg/kg bd. wt. of gliclazide, 54 mg/kg bd. wt. of efavirenz or 18 mg/kg bd. wt. of nevirapine and their combination with adequate washout periods in between treatments. Studies in normal rabbits were conducted with 5.6 mg/1.5 kg bd. wt. of gliclazide, 42 mg/1.5 kg bd. wt. of efavirenz or 14 mg/1.5 kg bd. wt. of nevirapine and their combination given orally. Blood samples were collected at regular time intervals in rats from retro orbital puncture and by marginal ear vein puncture in rabbits. All the blood samples were analysed for blood glucose by GOD/POD method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Efavirenz and nevirapine alone have no significant effect on the blood glucose level in rats and rabbits. Gliclazide produced hypoglycaemic/antidiabetic activity in normal and diabetic rats with peak activity at 2 h and 8 h and hypoglycaemic activity in normal rabbits at 3 h. In combination, efavirenz reduced the effect of gliclazide in rats and rabbits, and the reduction was more significant with the single dose administration of efavirenz than multiple dose administration. In combination, nevirapine has no effect on the activity of gliclazide in rats and rabbits.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Thus, it can be concluded that the combination of efavirenz and gliclazide may need dose adjustment and care should be taken when the combination is prescribed for their clinical benefit in diabetic patients. The combination of nevirapine and gliclazide was safe. However, further studies are warranted.</p