Novel Slow Release Nanocomposite Fertilizers

Nanotechnology deals with atom-by-atom manipulation and the strategies and products developed are quite precise. Despite the fact that the nanotechnology is noticeably exploited in the subject of energy, environment and health, the research is agricultural sciences had just scratched the surface. However, the potentials of nanotechnology in agricultural sciences had been reviewed. Among the applications, nanofertilizers technology is very revolutionary and known to exhibit economic advantage if the products advanced are economically feasible and socially sustainable. These nano fertilizers are pronounced to reduce nutrient loss due to leaching, emissions, and long-term incorporation by soil microorganisms

Nanosafety

The nanomaterials resembling nanotubes, nanospheres, nanofertilizer, nanoherbicide, nanoinsecticide, and nanosheets have the physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Still, the nanoparticles have very minute dimensions, enormous area and high reactivity they need the potential ability to penetrate in living cells quite rapidly. The petite size nanoparticles contain lofty surface area may cause higher reactivity with nearby particles. It is broadly predictable that there is a critical need for more information and facts about the implications of manufactured nanomaterials on personal fitness and surroundings. Concerns about potential risks to health that may arise during the making, management, use, and discarding of these nanomaterials have been spoken over the past few years. Consequently, strong research action is being undertaken in various institutions, and industries across the world to appraise their toxicity and spread of nanoparticle

Novel synthesis of carbon dots from coconut wastes and its potential as water disinfectant

This paper presents a facile and effective method for the large-scale production of carbon dots (CDs) from diverse coconut wastes (fronds, husk and shell). On comparing two different methods, namely (i) hydrothermal carbonization and (ii) novel sequential synthesis processes (pyrolysis followed by sonication), the latter procedure recorded a higher recovery of CDs (14.0%) over the hydrothermal method (2.33%). Doping agents such as urea, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) were chosen at varying concentrations to synthesize surface-modified CDs (SMCDs) for enhanced antibacterial properties. Among these SMCDs, urea-doped CDs (1:1) @ 1000 ppm registered significantly higher cytotoxicity (20.6%) against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Subsequently, to assess the applicability of CDs as a disinfectant in water purification systems, two products, namely (i) CD-infused chitosan beads and (ii) pelletized CDs, were developed to ensure the immobilization of CDs. Studies with lab-scale prototypes have revealed that CDs infused chitosan beads reduced the colonies of E. coli from 5.41 × 102 CFU/mL (control group) to 2.16 × 102 CFU/mL, in comparison with pelletized CDs that decreased to 3.30 × 102 CFU/mL. The biosafety of CDs was assessed against Eisenia fetida for 21 days, and the observations revealed no mortality, even at 2000 ppm. Overall, this research demonstrated that a waste biomass can be effectively transformed into a novel water disinfectant. Furthermore, this scientific endeavor opens up research avenues to evolve advanced water purifiers using low-cost and eco-friendly nanomaterials

Nano food packing to enhance shelf life of perishables

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, is undertaking nanotechnology research to develop packaging to extend shelf-life of mango fruits. With the University of Guelph, Canada, the Industrial Technology Institute, Sri Lanka and Myrada NGO, technology will be disseminated at the grassroots level. The value addition to food and packaging industries will include longer shelf life, safer packaging, better traceability of products and healthier food

Affordable natural product reduces fruit losses, increases incomes : project profile

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Un produit naturel abordable réduit les pertes de fruits et augmente les revenus : profil de projetThis work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Patents are pending for an innovative technique that uses nanotechnology to extend and optimize the use of hexanal to keep fruits fresh and firm longer. This project brief outlines next steps for a team of 35 men and women researchers, working with academic and industry leaders, to develop nine easy-to-use commercial products, including hexanal sprays and dips for pre- and post-harvest use. Government agencies, farmers, grower federations, and packaging companies from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean are stepping up efforts to commercialize this technology and expand its use for a variety of fruits

Produit naturel abordable réduit les pertes de fruits et augmente les revenus : profil de projet

Version anglaise dans la bibliothèque: Affordable natural product reduces fruit losses, increases incomes : project profileCe travail a été réalisé grâce à une subvention du Centre de recherches pour le développement international (CRDI) et du soutien financier du gouvernement du Canada, par l’intermédiaire d’Affaires mondiales Canada (AMC)Des chercheurs de l'Inde, du Sri Lanka et du Canada ont prouvé qu'un produit végétal naturel et abordable prolonge les récoltes et la durée de conservation et la qualité des mangues. Maintenant, les organismes gouvernementaux, les agriculteurs, les fédérations de producteurs et les entreprises d'emballage d'Asie, d'Afrique et des Caraïbes redoublent d'efforts pour commercialiser cette technologie et accroître son utilisation pour une variété de fruits

Enhanced Preservation of Fruits in South Asia : final technical report (March 1, 2012 - September 30, 2014)

Post-harvest loss of fruits is almost 40%. If proper packaging materials are designed and fabricated, the losses can be prevented and availability can be improved. In Sri Lanka, 2 local patents have been filed for ‘Processing technology of papers or boards from banana fibers for sorption and slow releasing applications’ and ‘Hexanal impregnated fiber polymer composite board and ITI wax modified with antimicrobial agents’. Prototypes for hexanal delivery systems and hexanal fortified bio-wax and banana waste based cardboard dividers, and are being developed and tested. Detailed assessment on biosaftey has been carried out with results of this work provided

Gender dynamics in mango production system in India

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Rural women in India are rarely consulted in development projects that may increase men’s production and income, but add to their own workloads. Women’s on-farm household and productive labor is significant but underrecognized and under-valued. Women farmers have no rights to farmlands, though most farm production is carried out by them. This paper addresses women’s decision making regarding mango production. Study findings suggest that redressing the gender gap in decision making, and improving management skills of women through training would reduce post harvest losses, impacting farm productivity and increasing income and household food security

Effect of nanoemulsion of hexanal on honey bees (Hymenoptera; Apidae)

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)The study was carried out to assess the toxicity of nanoemulsion of hexanal formulation on common honey bee species visiting mango orchards. Nano emulsion of hexanal at varying concentrations was tested using a dry film method. All the tested nanoemulsion of hexanal formulation and standard check pure hexanal, were less toxic to honey bees. Findings indicate these plant product derivatives are safe for worker honey bee populations. Hexanal is a plant-derived compound used to inhibit the phospholipase D enzyme in the skin of fruit and it is associated with the extension of shelf life of fruit

CIFSRF final technical report : Enhanced Preservation of Fruits Using Nanotechnology (CIFSRF Phase 2)

Annexes catalogued separatelyAcknowledgement: This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), www.idrc.ca, and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Foreign Affairs Canada (GAC), www.international.gc.ca.This paper provides a synthesis of very positive results and milestones from various trials of hexanal on a variety of tropical fruit crops in five countries. Based on trial discoveries, a spray formulation with hexanal as the key ingredient (called Enhanced Freshness Formulation or EFF) was developed and safely tested on many fruit crops as a pre-harvest spray as well as a postharvest dip treatment. In mango and banana cultivation, hexanal use positively affected the entire value chain. It is a naturally occurring enzyme and safely extends the shelf life of fruit, with potentially huge impact on postharvest losses