Experimental Simulation of a Cross-flow Rice Dryer

After harvest, rough rice is dried, then dehulled and typically milled before consumption. A broad objective of the “rice drying process”, which comprises drying and tempering, is to maximize the yield of “whole, intact milled kernels”, quantified by the “head rice yield” (HRY). Since rough rice is commonly dried using cross-flow (CF) dryers in the United States of America, the aim of this research was to assess the effect of drying and tempering treatments on milling yields when rice was dried in an experimentally-simulated CF drying column. First, because airflow rate was found to be the least-studied “drying variable”, its effect on drying air conditions and rice moisture content profiles was assessed. Additionally, the impact of airflow rate on the material state behavior of rice kernels was considered as a means to explain head rice yield reductions (HRYRs). Second, the effect of tempering approach following CF drying on milling yields was investigated. For the same rice and drying conditions, tempering approach significantly affected HRYs, especially HRYs of samples that were located near the heated-air plenum during CF drying. Third, drying treatments were selected based on the glass transition temperature of rice kernels and applied in the drying column. When kernels did not undergo material state transitions during drying, there was negligible HRYR, regardless if samples had been tempered or not. But, when kernels underwent material state transitions during drying, significant HRYRs occurred, and HRYRs of tempered samples were significantly less than those of non-tempered samples

Holistic process development to mitigate proteolysis of a subunit rotavirus vaccine candidate produced in Pichia pastoris by means of an acid pH pulse during fed-batch fermentation.

To meet the challenges of global health, vaccine design and development must be reconsidered to achieve cost of goods as low as 15¢ per dose. A new recombinant protein-based rotavirus vaccine candidate derived from non-replicative viral subunits fused to a P2 tetanus toxoid CD4(+) T cell epitope is currently under clinical development. We have sought to simplify the existing manufacturing process to meet these aims. To this end, we have taken a holistic process development approach to reduce process complexity and costs while producing a product with the required characteristics. We have changed expression system from Escherichia coli to Pichia pastoris, to produce a secreted product, thereby reducing the number of purification steps. However, the presence of proteases poses challenges to product quality. To understand the effect of fermentation parameters on product quality small-scale fermentations were carried out. Media pH and fermentation duration had the greatest impact on the proportion of full-length product. A novel acidic pH pulse strategy was used to minimize proteolysis, and this combined with an early harvest time significantly increased the proportion of full-length material (60-75%). An improved downstream process using a combination of CIEX and AIEX to further reduce proteases, resulted in maintaining product quality (95% yield)

Molecular engineering improves antigen quality and enables integrated manufacturing of a trivalent subunit vaccine candidate for rotavirus

Background Vaccines comprising recombinant subunit proteins are well-suited to low-cost and high-volume production for global use. The design of manufacturing processes to produce subunit vaccines depends, however, on the inherent biophysical traits presented by an individual antigen of interest. New candidate antigens typically require developing custom processes for each one and may require unique steps to ensure sufficient yields without product-related variants. Results We describe a holistic approach for the molecular design of recombinant protein antigens—considering both their manufacturability and antigenicity—informed by bioinformatic analyses such as RNA-seq, ribosome profiling, and sequence-based prediction tools. We demonstrate this approach by engineering the product sequences of a trivalent non-replicating rotavirus vaccine (NRRV) candidate to improve titers and mitigate product variants caused by N-terminal truncation, hypermannosylation, and aggregation. The three engineered NRRV antigens retained their original antigenicity and immunogenicity, while their improved manufacturability enabled concomitant production and purification of all three serotypes in a single, end-to-end perfusion-based process using the biotechnical yeast Komagataella phaffii. Conclusions This study demonstrates that molecular engineering of subunit antigens using advanced genomic methods can facilitate their manufacturing in continuous production. Such capabilities have potential to lower the cost and volumetric requirements in manufacturing vaccines based on recombinant protein subunits

Carbon storage in coal mine spoil by dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

Terrestrial carbon storage in the form of biomass and soil organic carbon stock is one of the important tools to combat climate change. Carbon sequestration by trees on coal mine spoil is of significance in view of the huge quantities of carbon emission associated with energy extraction from coal. Dalbergia sissoo is one of the timber yielding trees normally used for reclamation of mine spoil. Biomass and soil organic carbon stocks under D. sissoo growing on different aged (2 to 16 years) coal mine spoils were evaluated. Tree height, diameter at breast height, and biomass weight of D. sissooincreased with age of reclamation. Biomass carbon stock of 16 years old D. sissoo in reclaimed mine spoil amounts to 50.8 t/ha, which is about 80% of a similar stand in forest ecosystem. In line with biomass C stock, soil organic carbon stock also increased with time (1.19 t/ha in 2 years to 9.82 t/ha in 16 years). Biomass carbon stock increased exponentially with time, whereas soil organic carbon stock increased linearly. A sharp increase in biomass C stock was observed after 10 years of reclamation. Chemical analysis and pyrolysis data showed that D. sissoo leaf litter and other plant parts could significantly contribute to soil carbon stock. Establishment of D. sissoo on the mine spoils augmented the soil carbon stock and ameliorated physical, chemical and biological parameters of the mine spoil. These improvements in the soil quality parameters could further enhance the biomass productivity. Principal component analysis revealed that soil organic C, microbial biomass carbon and available nutrients are key factors influencing the overall quality of the mine spoil and biomass carbon stock. Thus, while reclaiming mine spoils, management practices could be focused to improve soil organic C and nutrients

Rhizosphere soil indicators for carbon sequestration in a reclaimed coal mine spoil

Re-vegetation of mine spoil enhances carbon storage in both above-ground plant biomass and mine soil. The current study was conducted at the coalmine overburden dumps of Jharia Coalfield (India), with the aim to evaluate the effect of different tree species on the rhizosphere soil properties and to identify key rhizosphere soil indicators that influence tree biomass and carbon density. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from five tree species (Acacia auriculiformis, Albizia lebbeck, Cassia siamea, Delonix regia, and Dalbergia sissoo) of the same age. An area without ground vegetation was selected as a non-rhizosphere soil. The carbon density was higher for D. sissoo and A. auriculiformis (39.6–43.7 kg C/tree) and lowest for A. lebbeck (20.7 kg C/tree). Except for C. siamea (4.38%), the total C (TC) content was lower in the rhizosphere than the non-rhizosphere soil. About 50% reduction in TC was observed for A. auriculiformis andA. lebbeck and 75% for D. sissoo. Labile C and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were significantly higher in the rhizosphere than the non-rhizosphere soil. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity was higher in all the rhizosphere soils with the maximum activity under C. siamea (88.48 μg/TPF/g/24 h) and D. sissoo (71.95 μg/TPF/g/24 h). Three types of carbon accumulation indices (CAI) were calculated: CAI-1, based on TC and labile C; CAI-2, TC, and MBC; and CAI-3, TC, labile C, and MBC. CAIs depending on rhizosphere effect were generally higher for D. sissoo and C. siamea. Principal component analysis showed that the tree carbon density is closely associated with CAI-3, CAI-2, carbon lability index (CLI), available N, and MBC. Thus, an integrated rhizosphere carbon accumulation index (CAI-3, based on rhizosphere effects) and N could be considered as indicators for carbon sequestration in reclaimed mine spoils

Transcriptional regulation of mouse PXR gene: an interplay of transregulatory factors.

Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) is an important ligand-activated nuclear receptor functioning as a 'master regulator' of expression of phase I, phase II drug metabolizing enzymes, and members of the drug transporters. PXR is primarily expressed in hepatic tissues and to lesser extent in other non-hepatic tissues both in human and in mice. Although its expression profile is well studied but little is known about the regulatory mechanisms that govern PXR gene expression in these cells. In the present study, we have cloned and characterized over 5 kb (-4963 to +54) region lying upstream of mouse PXR transcription start site. Promoter-reporter assays revealed that the proximal promoter region of up to 1 kb is sufficient to support the expression of PXR in the mouse liver cell lines. It was evident that the 500 bp proximal promoter region contains active binding sites for Ets, Tcf, Ikarose and nuclear factor families of transcription factors. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that the minimal region of 134 bp PXR promoter was able to bind Ets-1 and β-catenin proteins. This result was further confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. In summary, the present study identified a promoter region of mouse PXR gene and the transregulatory factors responsible for PXR promoter activity. The results presented herein are expected to provide important cues to gain further insight into the regulatory mechanisms of PXR function

Soil quality index for evaluation of reclaimed coal mine spoil

Success in the remediation of mine spoil depends largely on the selection of appropriate tree species. The impacts of remediation on mine soil quality cannot be sufficiently assessed by individual soil properties. However, combination of soil properties into an integrated soil quality index provides a more holistic status of reclamation potentials of tree species. Remediation potentials of four tree species (Acacia auriculiformis, Cassia siamea, Dalbergia sissoo, and Leucaena leucocephala) were studied on reclaimed coal mine overburden dumps of Jharia coalfield, Dhanbad, India. Soil samples were collected under the canopies of the tree species. Comparative studies on the properties of soils in the reclaimed and the reference sites showed improvements in soil quality parameters of the reclaimed site: coarse fraction (− 20.4%), bulk density (− 12.8%), water holding capacity (+ 0.92%), pH (+ 25.4%), EC (+ 2.9%), cation exchange capacity (+ 46.6%), organic carbon (+ 91.5%), N (+ 60.6%), P (+ 113%), K (+ 19.9%), Ca (+ 49.6%), Mg (+ 12.2%), Na (+ 19.6%), S (+ 46.7%), total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (− 71.4%), dehydrogenase activity (+ 197%), and microbial biomass carbon (+ 115%). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify key mine soil quality indicators to develop a soil quality index (SQI). Selected indicators include: coarse fraction, pH, EC, soil organic carbon, P, Ca, S, and dehydrogenase activity. The indicator values were converted into a unitless score (0–1.00) and integrated into SQI. The calculated SQI was significantly (P < 0.001) correlated with tree biomass and canopy cover. Reclaimed site has 52–93% higher SQI compared to the reference site. Higher SQI values were obtained for sites reclaimed with D. sissoo (+ 93.1%) and C.siamea (+ 86.4%)

Biochar washing to improve the fuel quality of agro-industrial waste biomass

Low energy density and low ash melting temperatures of agro-industrial waste biomass are bottlenecks for their sustainable use in combustion utilities. Torrefaction at low temperature (350 °C for 30 min) for energy density enhancement followed by very simple aqua-washing technique to remove soluble mineral matters from biochar (BC) samples have been employed in this research work to investigate possible improvement of combustion performance of tobacco stalk (TS), sugarcane bagasse (SB), and poultry litter (PL) biomasses (BM). Though the energy density of the BC was significantly higher than their respective BM, the propensity for slagging was also higher, particularly in TS-BC and PL-BC. On char washing, ash content as well as the slagging and fouling tendencies were estimated to be decreased. Energy densification ratio (as compared to biomass) as well as GCV were further increased in washed biochar (WBC). As per the DSC-TGA investigations, combustion reactivity of BC was improved by washing. The significant advantages of BC washing were observed in TS-BC and PL-BC due to the removal of a large amount of soluble materials from respective BCs. As the water extracted material from SB-BC is insignificant, unwashed SB-BC having sufficiently high GCV (20.6 MJ/kg), energy densification ratio (1.5), carbon content (66.7%) can be directly used without washing. Water washing of BC is highly beneficial for TS and PL in respect of combustion performance and a valuable potassium-rich fertilizer material was obtained on evaporation of the leachate depicting unique value-addition of entire process

Impact of the Combined Application of Biochar and Compost on Mine Soil Quality and Growth of Lady’s Finger (Abelmoschusesculentus)

Amelioration of mine soil is challenging because of the lack of biologically active organic matter. The study was aimed to recycle yard waste into compost and biochar and to use them to reclaim mine soil. Biochar prepared at 350 °C showed the highest stable organic matter yield index and was used for the experiments. Lady's finger was grown on mine soil amended with biochar (1%-5%), compost (2%-10%), and biochar-compost mixtures (2%-10%). Mine soil pH increased in all treatments. Mine soil dehydrogenase activity (42%-224%), microbial biomass carbon (4%-257%), and hydrolase activity (3%-230%) increased by combined application of biochar and compost. Lady's finger plant height, biomass, and fruit yield were superior in biochar-compost mixtures compared to biochar and compost alone treatment. Thus the use of compost along with biochar could be recommended for reclamation of mine soil