Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar "Khalasah" via somatic embryogenesis

In present investigation, an efficient Agrobacterium- mediated genetic transformation was successfully carried out for a well known date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar “Khalasah” using matured somatic embryos. Somatic embryogenesis was initiated from offshoot’s shoot tips of date palm cultivar. For genetic transformation, morphologically advanced matured somatic embryos developed on MS medium fortified with TDZ (1.0 mg/l) were co-cultured with A. tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 harboring binary vector pBI 121, containing uidA (GUS) and npt II genes and incubated for 4 days and later it was (somatic embryos) inoculated on germinating and plantlet conversion MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.75 mg/l) + kanamycin (100 mg/l). Prolific shoots developed from putatively transformed matured embryos showed 47.5 % transformation efficiency. A large number of transgenic plants were obtained and later established in black hard plastic bags. A strong GUS activity was detected in the putatively transformed plant leaves by histochemical assay and, the integration of uidA (GUS) and npt II genes into transgenic plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern hybridization analysis. The established transformation protocol allows effective and quick regeneration via somatic embryogenesis, and it would be highly valuable for existing date palm orchards and improving their productivity

In Vitro Clonal Propagation of a Fast Growing Legume Tree-Acacia mangium Willd. Employing Cotyledonary Node Explants

An efficient protocol for in vitro clonal propagation of A. mangium was developed using seedling derived explants. Out of three different explants tested for shoot proliferation, cotyledonary node showed best performance than leaf node and shoot tip explants. MS (Murashige and Skoogs) medium was found best for shoot proliferation and cotyledonary nodes were subsequently cultured on MS medium supplemented with BA and Kn alone or in combination with NAA, IBA and GA3 at different concentrations. Maximum number of shoots was formed on MS medium containing 4.0 ?M BA. For adventitious rooting, in vitro proliferated shoots were transferred to full strength MS medium fortified with IBA and NAA singly at different concentrations (0-8.0 ?M). Best rooting responses were observed in the medium containing 8.0 ?M IBA. Plantlets having well developed root system were transferred to soil and successfully acclimatized with 65% survival rate under ex vitro condition

Performance Analysis of TiO2-Modified Co/MgAl2O4 Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane in a Fixed Bed Reactor for Syngas (H2, CO) Production

Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 was investigated in a fixed bed reactor for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) process. Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 was prepared by modified co-precipitation, followed by the hydrothermal method. The active metal Co was loaded via the wetness impregnation method. The prepared catalyst was characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, and FTIR. The performance of Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 for the DRM process was investigated in a reactor with a temperature of 750 °C, a feed ratio (CO2/CH4) of 1, a catalyst loading of 0.5 g, and a feed flow rate of 20 mL min−1. The effect of support interaction with metal and the composite were studied for catalytic activity, the composite showing significantly improved results. Moreover, among the tested Co loadings, 5 wt% Co over the TiO2–MgAl2O4 composite shows the best catalytic performance. The 5%Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 improved the CH4 and CO2 conversion by up to 70% and 80%, respectively, while the selectivity of H2 and CO improved to 43% and 46.5%, respectively. The achieved H2/CO ratio of 0.9 was due to the excess amount of CO produced because of the higher conversion rate of CO2 and the surface carbon reaction with oxygen species. Furthermore, in a time on stream (TOS) test, the catalyst exhibited 75 h of stability with significant catalytic activity. Catalyst potential lies in catalyst stability and performance results, thus encouraging the further investigation and use of the catalyst for the long-run DRM process

Performance analysis of TiO2-modified Co/MgAl2O4 catalyst for dry reforming of methane in a fixed bed reactor for syngas (H2, CO) production

Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 was investigated in a fixed bed reactor for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) process. Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 was prepared by modified co-precipitation, followed by the hydrothermal method. The active metal Co was loaded via the wetness impregnation method. The prepared catalyst was characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, and FTIR. The performance of Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 for the DRM process was investigated in a reactor with a temperature of 750 °C, a feed ratio (CO2/CH4) of 1, a catalyst loading of 0.5 g, and a feed flow rate of 20 mL min−1. The effect of support interaction with metal and the composite were studied for catalytic activity, the composite showing significantly improved results. Moreover, among the tested Co loadings, 5 wt% Co over the TiO2–MgAl2O4 composite shows the best catalytic performance. The 5%Co/TiO2–MgAl2O4 improved the CH4 and CO2 conversion by up to 70% and 80%, respectively, while the selectivity of H2 and CO improved to 43% and 46.5%, respectively. The achieved H2/CO ratio of 0.9 was due to the excess amount of CO produced because of the higher conversion rate of CO2 and the surface carbon reaction with oxygen species. Furthermore, in a time on stream (TOS) test, the catalyst exhibited 75 h of stability with significant catalytic activity. Catalyst potential lies in catalyst stability and performance results, thus encouraging the further investigation and use of the catalyst for the long-run DRM process