A low-cost adsorbent (wheat plant ash) prepared from agricultural waste for removal of paraquat from aqueous solutions

A low-cost adsorbent (wheat plant ash) has been prepared using a common agricultural waste (wheat straw) and its physicochemical characteristics, including chemical, physical, mineralogical, and morphological, and adsorption efficacy are investigated. WPA is characterized by SEM (scanning electron microscopy), CHNS(ultimate analysis) analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Tellersurface area technique, and Fourier transform infrared method. The BET surface area of wheat plant ash was found to be 37 m2/g. To evaluate its adsorption capacity, paraquat is chosen as the adsorbate. Batch adsorption is performed by varying adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and contact time. Experimental data are fitted to both kinetic and isotherm models. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models are applied to experimental data, which indicated that the latter model had the best fit. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models are then applied to the equilibrium data. The adsorption capacity of WPA for paraquat removal, determined using the Langmuir isotherm, is found to be approximately 241.3 mg/m2 at 303 K

Preface : Fruit and Vegetable Waste Utilization and Sustainability

Fruits and vegetables are an important source of nutrition and a key element of a healthy balanced diet. Several organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO), and Food Health England suggest consuming more than 400 g of fruits and vegetables per day (roughly five portions per day) to improve overall health and reduce the risk of certain cardiovascular diseases and cancer; subsequently, consumption and production of fruits and vegetables are on the rise. The increased consumption/production of fruits and vegetables has resulted in huge quantities of waste (approximately 42% of the total food waste) such as pomace, seeds, stones, rind, skins, pods, and peels. This results in a huge environmental burden in relation to increased carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming. Therefore, in the current situation valorization of agri-food industries wastes is important to address many economic, environmental, and social challenges associated with waste disposal. It would also help in promoting the circular economy aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly with SDG 2 “End hunger” and SDG 12 “Sustainable Production and Consumption”

A low-cost adsorbent (wheat plant ash) prepared from agricultural waste for removal of paraquat from aqueous solutions

26-34A low-cost adsorbent (wheat plant ash) has been prepared using a common agricultural waste (wheat straw) and its physicochemical characteristics, including chemical, physical, mineralogical, and morphological, and adsorption efficacy are investigated. WPA is characterized by SEM (scanning electron microscopy), CHNS(ultimate analysis) analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Tellersurface area technique, and Fourier transform infrared method. The BET surface area of wheat plant ash was found to be 37 m2/g. To evaluate its adsorption capacity, paraquat is chosen as the adsorbate. Batch adsorption is performed by varying adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and contact time. Experimental data are fitted to both kinetic and isotherm models. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models are applied to experimental data, which indicated that the latter model had the best fit. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models are then applied to the equilibrium data. The adsorption capacity of WPA for paraquat removal, determined using the Langmuir isotherm, is found to be approximately 241.3 mg/m2 at 303 K

Fruit peel waste: characterization and its potential uses

Globally, India is the leading producer of fruits. Fruits after consumption leave a peel which is a nuisance to the environment as a solid waste. In this article, commonly available large volume-fruit peels (FP) (viz. banana, orange, citrus, lemon and jackfruit) were investigated for surface, physical and chemical characteristic with a view to propose their valorization in detail. Each FP was characterized by proximate and ultimate analysis, porosity, particle density, bulk density, point of zero charge (pHpac), surface pH, surface charges, water absorption capacity, BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and TGA/derivative of thermogravimetric. The BET surface area of FP is very less, between 0.60 and 1.2 m2/g. The pHpac and surface pH values of orange peel (OP), citrus peel (CP), lemon peel (LP) and jackfruit peels (JFP) are in the range of 3-4. The pHpac value and surface pH of banana peel (BP) is closer to 7. The order of surface acidity is OP > LP > CP > JFP > BP. From TG curves it is clear that FPs are stable below 150°C. The results will be useful for rational design, when FP is used as a substrate for bioactive compounds, phenolic antioxidants, organic acids, enzymes, biofertilizer, production of energy and as absorbents

Groundnut plant ash: Characterisation and adsorption efficacy study for removal of paraquat dichloride

35-42For the first time combustion residue of agricultural waste i.e. groundnut plant is characterized in detail and explored as an adsorbent for removal of chlorinated herbicide, paraquat. The study investigates the chemical, physical, mineralogical, and morphological characteristics of GPA (Groundnut Plant Ash) adsorbent produced using groundnut plant. GPA has been characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the functional groups, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to examine the surface morphology of the carbon. Batch adsorption is performed by varying adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time. Result shows that the kinetic models mainly the pseudo-second order and Elovich model had the best fit. The equilibrium data are analyzed using different isotherm models. The adsorption capacity of GPA for paraquat removal is found 265.71 mg/m2  which is the highest reported value

Groundnut plant ash: Characterisation and adsorption efficacy study for removal of paraquat dichloride

For the first time combustion residue of agricultural waste i.e. groundnut plant is characterized in detail and explored as an adsorbent for removal of chlorinated herbicide, paraquat. The study investigates the chemical, physical, mineralogical, and morphological characteristics of GPA (Groundnut Plant Ash) adsorbent produced using groundnut plant. GPA has been characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the functional groups, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to examine the surface morphology of the carbon. Batch adsorption is performed by varying adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time. Result shows that the kinetic models mainly the pseudo-second order and Elovich model had the best fit. The equilibrium data are analyzed using different isotherm models. The adsorption capacity of GPA for paraquat removal is found 265.71 mg/m2 which is the highest reported value

Rice Husk Ash for Fast Removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid from Aqueous Solution

Rice husk ash (RHA) is a rich source of micronutrients and improves yield, and is spread on agriculture lands as a farming practice. For the first time, RHA has been evaluated as an adsorbent for pesticide removal from aqueous solutions. RHA was characterized extensively by X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, BET surface area, CO 2 , H 2 O, N 2 and SO 2 (CHNS) analysis. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a commonly used pesticide, was chosen as a representative adsorbate for studying the effects of various parameters in batch adsorption. Compared with granulated activated carbon, RHA gave 10,000 times higher rate constant. Thus, RHA adsorbs 2,4-D instantly and stops its further transport through soil. On the basis of adsorption capacity, RHA dosage per hectare of land is recommended for different crops and fruits. Thus, RHA serves dual purposes: (a) as a source of micronutrients and (b) as an effective adsorbent for fast removal of pesticide, in addition to inhibiting groundwater leaching

Ultrasound-assisted removal of brilliant green from aqueous solution using banana and jackfruit peels

The potential use of banana (BP) and jackfruit peel (JFP) as eco-friendly and low-cost adsorbents for removal of brilliant green (BG) dye from waste water in the presence of ultrasonic field has been studied. Batch process has been used for adsorption kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies. Results show that the amount of BG adsorbed and the rate of adsorption increased in presence of ultrasonic field. The adsorption of BG onto BP and JFP is fast (equilibrium time for the adsorption is about 25 min) and follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm shows the best fit for the adsorption of BG onto BP, where as both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms show best fit for the adsorption of BG onto JFP (R2=0.99). The maximum adsorption capacities calculated using the Langmuir isotherm are 21.74 and 31.25 mg/g at 313 K for BP and JFP, respectively. The ΔG values are negative at all operating temperatures, confirming that the adsorption of BG is spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable. The positive value of ΔS suggests the increased randomness at the adsorbate–adsorbent interface. Overall, our study suggests that BP and JFP can be used as an ecofriendly and low-cost agro-material for removal of BG dye from aqueous solution

Preparation and testing of perfume as described in<i style=""> Brhatsamhita</i>

275-277Brhatsamhita of Varaha-Mihira (5-6th century AD) describes the materials and methods of perfumes in chapter Gandhayukti. This chapter explains Gandhārnava (perfume ocean), wherein it provides a matrix of 4×4, i.e. total 16 ingredients, choosing any 4 of them along any row, column or diagonal and permuted variously at will and that in one, 2, 3 or 4 parts provide 1,820 different compositions of perfumes. Though the chapter gives the details of raw materials, but it has not given the process of preparation and purification. In the study, an attempt was made to prepare perfumes using 8 of 16 ingredients with different permutations. Paper presents a primary study to explore the possibility and feasibility of perfume preparation as described in Brhatsamhita

Ultrasound-assisted removal of brilliant green from aqueous solution using banana and jackfruit peels

324-335The potential use of banana (BP) and jackfruit peel (JFP) as eco-friendly and low-cost adsorbents for removal of brilliant green (BG) dye from waste water in the presence of ultrasonic field has been studied. Batch process has been used for adsorption kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies. Results show that the amount of BG adsorbed and the rate of adsorption increased in presence of ultrasonic field. The adsorption of BG onto BP and JFP is fast (equilibrium time for the adsorption is about 25 min) and follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm shows the best fit for the adsorption of BG onto BP, where as both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms show best fit for the adsorption of BG onto JFP (R2=0.99). The maximum adsorption capacities calculated using the Langmuir isotherm are 21.74 and 31.25 mg/g at 313 K for BP and JFP, respectively. The ΔG values are negative at all operating temperatures, confirming that the adsorption of BG is spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable. The positive value of ΔS suggests the increased randomness at the adsorbate–adsorbent interface. Overall, our study suggests that BP and JFP can be used as an ecofriendly and low-cost agro-material for removal of BG dye from aqueous solutions