Characterization of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)/ Sisal Fiber/Clay bio-composites Prepared by Casting Technique

Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBV) biocomposites containing of sisal fibers and clay particles were prepared by solution casting technique. Silane (Bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfide) treatment has been used to modify surface of sisal fiber and enhance the properties of related PHBV composites. The mechanical and thermal properties of the PHBV composites were determined in uniaxial tensile, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The dispersion of the sisal fiber and clay in the PHBV was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All PHBV based composites were subject to water absorption. It was found that the tensile and storage modulus of PHBV/5 wt.% sisal composites was improved by maximum 7 % and 10 % respectively. Treated silane of sisal fiber at 5 wt.% was found to enhance tensile modulus by 12 % as compared to the neat PHBV. In corporation of 3 wt.% clay in PHBV matrix increased the tensile and storage modulus by 8 % and 16 % respectively, compared to the neat PHBV. Note that this feature was also confirmed by SEM. Moreover, water uptake and the diffusion coefficient of the PHBV composites systems studied was also calculated

Drought-ready plant resilience : Harnessing nano-biotechnology techniques for swift screening and selection of organic crop varieties

Drought, an ever-looming threat to agriculture, is of paramount concern in organic crop production. The traditional methodologies employed for screening and selecting drought-resistant crops are characterized by their laborious and time-intensive nature. However, the integration of molecular techniques has wrought a revolutionary transformation, expediting the identification and precise selection of crop varieties resilient to drought stress. This review explores the intricate relationship between molecular technologies and the imperative to streamline the screening and selection process for drought-resistant crops in organic agriculture. The advantages of these molecular methodologies are delved into, revealing the potential to accelerate the breeding of crops capable of withstanding the challenges posed by water scarcity. However, this exploration is full of challenges. From scalability issues to cost-effectiveness, ethical implications, and environmental impact, a comprehensive examination is crucial for a nuanced understanding of integrating these technologies into the organic crop production landscape. Moreover, this review extends beyond the present, casting a discerning eye toward the prospects of molecular techniques in pursuing sustainable agriculture. The potential for refinement, overcoming challenges, and synergies with other emerging technologies is crucially considered as a resilient and environmentally conscious agricultural future is envisioned. In essence, this exploration serves as a comprehensive guide, shedding light on the transformative power of molecular techniques in navigating the intricate path towards drought-resistant crop varieties, thereby fostering sustainable practices in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate

Anti-Gnawing, Thermo-Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride: Effect of Capsicum Oleoresin and Denatonium Benzoate

Anti-rodent polymer composites were prepared using non-toxic substances denatonium benzoate (DB) and capsicum oleroresin (CO) mixed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. DB is mixed in zinc stearate (ZnSt) called DB/ZnSt, and CO, providing burning sensation, is impregnated in mesoporous silica named SiCO. There are three sets of sample: Blank, composites Set I and Set II. Set I consists of DB/ZnSt at concentration of 1.96 wt% and SiCO at concentration of 12.16 wt%, 14.47 wt%, 18.75 wt% and 23.53 wt%. Set II comprises SiCO at the same amount of Set I. The anti-rodent composites studied are anti-gnawing, surface morphology, thermo-mechanical and rheological properties. Anti-rodent testing is analyzed by one-way blocked analysis of variance (ANOVA) and compared with Tukey test with a 95% level of significance, presenting good anti-gnawing efficiency. The best rat-proof sample is II.4, consisting of SiCO 23.53 wt%, which presents percentage of weight loss from gnawing at 1.68% compared to weight loss of neat PVC at 59.74%. The addition of SiCO at concentration ranging from 12.16 to 23.53 wt% reduces tensile strength around 25–50%, elongation at break strength around 2–23%, shear storage modulus (G′) around 30%, shear loss modulus (G″) shear viscosity (η) and glass transition (Tg) around 43% compared to Blank. The increase in SiCO concentration slightly improves the thermal stability of PVC composites around 3%, but the addition of DB/ZnSt at 1.96 wt% slightly reduces those properties