Proximate composition and energetic value of selected marine fish and shellfish from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the proximate composition and energetic value of selected marine fish and shellfish from the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This study has included 20 species of fish (10 pelagic fish and 10 demersal fish) and 4 species of shellfish. For pelagic fish, Longtail shad (terubuk) was found to contain significantly lower moisture (59.31+0.00%), but significantly higher fat content (23.15+0.00%) compared to other fish species. For demersal fish, moisture and ash contents ranged between 74-82%, and 0.9-2.1%, respectively. Long-tailed butterfly ray contained the highest protein (22.22+1.24%) compared to other fish studied. The highest fat content of demersal fish was in Moonfish at 6.89+2.76%. For shellfish, prawn contained the highest protein (19.12+1.44%). The fat content of shellfish ranged between 1-2%. Oyster contained significantly higher carbohydrate at 6.45+0.00%, compared to other shellfish. Longtail shad contained the highest energetic value of 13.34 kJ g-1 of all samples. These values are useful references for consumers in order to choose fish and shellfish based on their nutritional contents

Hydrogen-rich syngas fermentation for bioethanol production using Sacharomyces cerevisiea

Bioethanol is an eco-friendly biofuel due to its merit that makes it a top-tier fuel. The present study emphasized on bioethanol production from hydrogen-rich syngas through fermentation using Sacharomyces cerevisiea. Syngas fermentation was performed in a tar free fermenter using a syngas mixture of 13.05% H2, 22.92% CO, 7.9% CO2, and 1.13% CH4, by volume. In the fermentation process, effects of various parameters including syngas impurity, temperature, pH, colony forming unit, total organic carbon and syngas composition were investigated. The yield of bioethanol was identified by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry analysis and further, it was confirmed by Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H) analysis. From GC-MS results, it is revealed that the concentration of bioethanol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae was 30.56 mmol from 1 L of syngas. Thus, hydrogen-rich syngas is suited for bioethanol production through syngas fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This research may contribute to affordable and environment-friendly bioethanol-based energy to decrease the dependency on fossil fuels. © 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LL

Preparation of Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) Modified Titanium Dioxide Nanotube (TNTs) as Visible Light Effective Catalyst for the Conversion of CO2 to CH4

In this study, a modified visible light active photocatalyst has been prepared where titanium dioxide nanotube (TNTs) was coupled with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) through a facile synthesis process. The photoactivity of the RGO-TNTs has been evaluated by converting CO2 to CH4 under visible light irradiation. In order to justify the photo-effectivity of the catalysts, physical and optical characterization were performed through FESEM, EDX, UV-Vis absorption spectra and PL spectra. The morphological analysis shows homogeneous RGO distribution on the TiO2 nanotube whereas elemental compositional analysis revealed the presence of all elements in the prepared catalyst. Visible light enhancement activity of the prepared catalyst after the incorporation of RGO was exposed by UV-Vis analysis due to its enhanced light absorption properties. Improved electron-hole separation rate was investigated for the RGO incorporated TNTs through PL analysis. The fruitful incorporation of the RGO with TNTs further affirmed by the increased photocatalytic activity by converting CO2 to CH4 that acquired enhanced CH4 production (9.27%) which is 1.81 times higher than the CH4 production rate obtained through TNTs (5.12%). Thus, this study induces a simple synthesis procedure to modify TNTs as a visible light active photocatalyst with the integration of RGO. Moreover, RGO-TNTs enhanced visible light activity were evaluated through the conversion of CO2 to CH4

Mineral contents of selected marine fish and shellfish from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

The study was conducted to determine the mineral contents of 20 species of marine fish and 4 species of shellfish from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.Overall, the contents of micro minerals in all samples were below the permissible limits; except for oyster; with copper slightly higher than the limit set by FAO/WHO (1984), but below the limit set by Malaysian Food Regulations (1985); and zinc content higher than the limit set by Malaysian Food Regulations (1985), but below the limit set by FAO/WHO (1984). Meanwhile for macro minerals, most samples contained comparable sodium contents, significantly lower of potassium contents, higher calcium contents, and extremely higher of magnesium contents compared to the common ranges reported in the literatures. All samples were good sources of micro and macro minerals and could provide multi-health benefits if consumed in recommended amounts

Pt-tnts for conversion of carbon dioxide to methane

To synthesize TNTs and Pt-TNTs for conversion of CO2 to CH4 under visible light spectrum. To characterize the physical properties and optical properties of synthesized photocatalyst. To evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency between Pt-TNTs and TNTs through the degradation of carbon dioxide

Influence of Anodizing Parameters on the Morphological Characteristics of TNTAs

TiO2nanotubes arrays (TNTAs) were synthesized using the anodization method in ethylene glycol (EG)-based electrolyte with different percentages of ammonium fluoride (0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 wt.%) and water content (2.5, 5, and 7.5% vol%). All the samples were ultrasonically cleaned in acetone, ethanol, and deionized water, then dried in air and kept in an etching solution for a while before anodization. The two-step anodization was carried out, followed by thermal treatment at 450°C for the crystallization. The nanotube samples were characterized using FE-SEM analysis. The FE-SEM results showed that the largest tube diameter was 87.74±1.89 nm of the TNTAs prepared in the EG electrolyte with a composition of 7.5% water content and 0.5% ammonium fluoride. The longest tube length analyzed was around 5.3 μm of the TNTAs prepared in the ethylene glycol electrolyte with the composition of 2.5% water content and 0.4% ammonium fluoride percentage, exhibiting a highly ordered, compact honeycomb structure and thick single-walled structure

Integrated technique to produce sustainable bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass

This study focuses on the utilization of mostly available renewable energy resources, such as lignocellulosic biomass, to generate syngas and bioethanol through a hybrid gasification and syngas fermentation process. The lignocellulosic biomass was characterized using TGA, XRD, FESEM with EDX analysis, and gasifying parameters were optimized using Aspen Plus®. In the first stage of this integrated process, hydrogen-containing syngas was generated, and the final product was bioethanol. The forest waste-based syngas produces higher bioethanol than EFB and coconut shell in the presence of biocatalyst. Therefore, bioethanol will be a sustainable biofuel that will satisfy the world's future energy demands

Soluble Pozzolanic materials from coal bottom ash as cement replacement material

Nowadays, intensive research in production of highly reactive pozzolanic materials from industrial waste to replace cement is crucial. This action expected to increase industrial waste recycling rate and at the same time reduce extraction of non-renewable resources of limestone. Unique characteristics of coal bottom ash as one of the industrial based pozzolan gained less popularity because of its low reactivity and heavy metal leaching due to conventional method used for disposal. Therefore, an alternative approach was deliberated in this research to utilize coal bottom ash into soluble form and enhance the quality of bottom ash as pozzolanic material. Coal bottom ash after the acid washing with optimum parameter was then undergoes solution-gelification process with various alkali based solution for 2 hours soaking durations. The conversion of coal bottom ash into soluble silica in this study demonstrates good pozzolanic performance in a state of siliceous gel pozzolan compared to the raw ones. 5% of cement replacement by soluble silica from CBA shows good strength development from early and later age. The physical dispersion effect is the cumulative effect of enhancement cement hydration due to the availability of increased the nucleation sites on soluble silica particles

Development of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) membrane from waste plastic: Towards waste to wealth for water treatment

Plastic, a non-biodegradable material has always been a concern to the environment and people. This single-use item generates waste to landfills and it persists for centuries once disposed. The urge of transforming such material into a highly valuable product has sought attention from many researchers. This study emphasizes on a nanotechnological approach to synthesize vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a substrate template using commercially available plastic bags as carbon precursor. CNTs are grown inside a hexagonally arranged nanoporous anodic alumina membranes (NAAMs). CNTs are liberated by wet chemical etching to dissolve the alumina matrix. The resulting CNTs are used as adsorption media filters for water treatment purpose. The high adsorption affinity towards heavy metals, organic matters and microbes, ability to antifouling and self-cleaning function have made CNTs a better choice over others. This article briefly discusses the catalyst-free synthesis, growth mechanism, characterization and functionalization of CNTs for water treatment application