Composition and Role of Lignin in Biochemicals

The term lignin is derived from lignum, which means plant wood. Plant wood are mainly composed of extractives, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. The lignin is a cross-linked polymer, made of three phenylpropanoid precursors, p-coumaryl, synapyl, and conniferyl alcohols. It is the most abundant polymer in plant world and act mechanically as a natural glue to bind hemicellulose and cellulose. Lignin is amorphous, soluble in alkali, condenses with phenol and has high melting temperature. The function of lignin is to protect the carbohydrates of the biomass from degradation, thus provide stability. The chapter includes information on types of lignin, structure, isolation, degradation, and transformation in to market value chemicals. The application of lignin and lignin base monomers for synthesis of plastic, hydrogels, adhesives, chemicals, fuels and other value added materials at industrial scale

Production, optimization, and physicochemical characterization of biodiesel from seed oil of indigenously grown Jatropha curcas

With the growing demand for vegetable oils, alternative non-edible feedstocks like Jatropha curcas seed oil have gained interest for biodiesel production. The study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the physicochemical properties and biodiesel production potential of locally produced J. curcas seeds in Pakistan. Two different approaches were applied: a chemical synthesis approach involving acidic pretreatment and alkaline transesterification, and a biosynthetic approach using a lipase-producing strain of the Bacillus subtilis Q5 strain. The microbial biosynthesized biodiesel was further optimized using the Plackett–Burman design. The physicochemical properties of the J. curcas methyl esters were analyzed to assess their suitability as biodiesel fuel. Initially, the raw oil had a high free fatty acid content of 13.11%, which was significantly reduced to 1.2% using sulfuric acid pretreatment, keeping the oil to methanol molar ratio to be 1:12. Afterward, alkaline transesterification of purified acid-pretreated seed oil resulted in 96% biodiesel yield at an oil to methanol molar ratio of 1:6, agitation of 600 revolutions per minute (RPM), temperature 60°C, and time 2 h. Moreover, alkaline transesterification yielded ∼98% biodiesel at the following optimized conditions: oil to methanol molar ratio 1:6, KOH 1%, time 90 min, and temperature 60°C. Similarly, the Bacillus subtilis Q5 strain yielded ∼98% biodiesel at the following optimized conditions: oil: methanol ratio of 1:9, agitation 150 RPM, inoculum size 10%, temperature 37°C, and n-hexane 10%. The fuel properties of J. curcas seed biodiesel are closely related to standard values specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D6751–20a), indicating its potential as a viable biodiesel fuel source

Age-induced aortic modifications are accompanied by alterations in the antioxidant defense system in female rats

IntroductionAging leads to significant structural and functional changes in blood vessels, which disrupt their normal function and impact cardiovascular health. Current research is actively exploring the NRF2 antioxidative pathway, recognizing its role in protecting cells by preserving their antioxidant defenses against damage. However, there has been limited exploration into the role of the NRF2 pathway in vascular aging. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether age-related changes in the aorta are associated with variations in the baseline levels of antioxidant enzymes, with a particular emphasis on how the NRF2 pathway operates in the aortic wall.MethodsA group of healthy aging female SD rats was compared with their younger counterparts. Various assessments were conducted, including measuring blood pressure, analyzing serum lipid profiles, examining aortic tissue, and assessing the expression of antioxidant enzymes.ResultsThe results revealed significant differences in both blood pressure and serum lipid levels between the aged and younger rats. The examination of the aorta in older rats showed structural alterations, increased apoptosis, and the accumulation of fatty deposits. In the older rats, levels of SOD-1 (superoxide dismutase) and GSS (glutathione synthetase) were lower, whereas NRF2, KEAP-1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1), and HO-1 (Heme oxygenase 1) were higher.DiscussionThis study advances our understanding of how aging affects the antioxidant system in blood vessels, particularly in relation to the regulation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway in the aorta. These findings suggest that targeting the NRF2/HO-1 pathway could present anovel therapeutic approach for addressing age-related vascular issues

Application of chitosan‐based chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) hull polysaccharides edible coating on cherry tomatoes preservation

Abstract Bio‐active food coating having natural antioxidants has attained great attention these days. Polysaccharides extracted from bacteria, fungi, and plants are considered rich in antioxidant biomolecules. Chickpea hull which is a food waste material contains a substantial quantity of antioxidants and bioactive compounds. In this study, chitosan (CS)‐based chickpea hull polysaccharides (CHPS) edible coating of cherry tomatoes was successfully fabricated. Cherry tomatoes were characterized in terms of physico‐chemical characteristics and shelf life. In comparison to the control, it was discovered that the CS‐incorporated CHPS coatings were successful at lowering the respiratory activity, total soluble solids, total polyphenols, firmness, weight loss, lycopene content, and vitamin C as well as improving the fruit's overall acceptability. The dose dependence of each of these effects was noticed. Conclusively, using CS‐incorporated CHPS coatings could preserve the shelf life of cherry tomatoes. A useful and different approach to enhance the postharvest quality of cherry tomatoes is to utilize CS‐CHPS composite coatings

Eco-friendly textile desizing with indigenously produced amylase from Bacillus cereus AS2

Abstract Starch is added to the fabric surface to secure weaving process. During finishing these sized particles are removed from the fabric and prepared it for printing and dyeing. Chemicals de-sizing agents damage fabric surfaces and reduce the quality of the product. An alternative to these conventional desizing agents is the use of biological molecules i.e. enzymes. The current study compares traditional de-sizing to bio-based de-sizing methods, as well as the optimization of fabric desizing settings using crude amylase. Amylase-producing Bacillus cereus AS2 was isolated from indigenous soil samples. The maximal fermentative de-sizing capability was discovered at 72 h, with no fabric surface degradation. Chemical desizing showed that the fabric lost all sizing agents to TEGEWA scale 9 within 1 h in presence of 5N HCl. Optimal studies for desizing showed that 1000 IU/ml of amylase resulted in maximum de-sizing within 15 h at 60 °C and 0.5% Triton-X. Water absorbance and weight loss, both parameters were used to check the desizing efficacy and it was found that de-sizing to same scale was occurred in the case of enzyme as well as commercially desized fabric. Enzyme desized cloth was found to be free of any starch particles in SEM micrographs, identical to industrially de-sized fabric, ensuring bioprocess efficacy