Feasibility of sputum testing for detection of COVID-19

For the prevention of COVID-19 spread, early and accurate detection is important. Specimens are collected through respiratory mucosal surfaces with nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, from infected patients are highly complex. Sputum testing could preferably be a more convenient technique for the detection of COVID-19 as being noninvasive method, which could easily be collected by having a patient cough deeply to produce and expel phlegm which could be in compliance to patient in comparison to Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS). Consequently, broader testing than the current methods of nasal or throat swabs will significantly increase the number of people screening, leading to more effective control of the spread of COVID-19. Nonetheless, a comparison of the saliva-based assay with current swab test is needed to understand what and how we can benefit from this newly developed assay. Therefore, in this review article, we aimed to summarize the feasibility of sputum testing in relation to Covid-19. Any implementation of clinical sampling for diagnosis should take into considerations of the sensitivity of assays, risks to healthcare professionals, and global shortage of equipment

A COMPARISON BETWEEN BIOSORPTION AND BIOACCUMULATION OF FLUORIDE FROM WASTE WATER.

 Objective: The comparison between the properties of two removal methods viz. adsorptive removal (biosorption) and simultaneous adsorption and bioaccumulation (SAB) of fluoride from waste water was investigated.Methods: In the present study, bioaccumulation study was done on Sweet Lemon peel. Acinetobacter baumannii (Mtcc no-11451) is a water living microorganism which survives in waste water. Microorganism (Acinetobacter baumannii (Mtcc no-11451)) immobilized on the surface of Sweet Lemon peel. The size of microorganism is greater than the pore size of adsorbent. Active sites of the adsorbent are blocked due to immobilization of microorganism on the surface of adsorbent. Different optimizing parameters are studied during the experiments like adsorbent dose, pH, initial concentration and contact time for bio bioaccumulation process.Results: It was observed that adsorption and bioaccumulation process execute simultaneously but mainly bioaccumulation is responsible for removal of fluoride. The removal efficiency of fluoride sees a drastic increase from 59.59 % to 99.49 % in optimum conditions. It is to be noted that simple adsorption process removal efficiency was 95.795 % at optimum time (60 min), pH 4.0 and dose 10 g/l. Adsorption isotherm parameters are well fitted for Freundlich whereas simple adsorption follow Langmuir isotherm model.Conclusion: The removal of fluoride occurred due to the accumulation by bacteria. Kinetic result revealed that bioaccumulation is a slower process. Bioaccumulation process increase the removal efficiency but it is very time consuming and costly as compare to the simple adsorption process

COMPARING FLUORIDE REMOVAL KINETICS OF ADSORPTION PROCESS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY BIOSORBENTS

ABSTRACTObjective: In this study, we observed the defluoridation capacity of groundnut shell and Citrus limetta (commonly known as sweet lime) and aims atcomparison of their defluoridation capacity.Methods: Batch experiments were carried out for this investigation. To find out the best operating conditions for maximum fluoride removal, wevaried the contact time by keeping others parameters to be constant and observed their effects on defluoridation capacity. In this study to followadsorption process, we used various kinetic models, namely, Elovich equation, Weber and Morris intra-particle diffusion model, Bangham's porediffusion model, and the pseudo first and second order equations. We also calculated and discussed the effects of various kinetic parameters such ascorrelation coefficients, equilibrium adsorption capacities and rate constant.Results: The hand-in-hand relationship between intra-particle diffusion model and Elovich equation indicates a major role of pore diffusion processin adsorption mechanism. Furthermore, the rate kinetics is best described by pseudo second order model for both the biosorbents.Conclusion: From the performed experiments, it was found that Citrus limetta peel has more defluoridation capacity in comparison of groundnutshell in all manners.Keywords: Adsorption kinetics, Adsorption, Biosorbent, Ground nut shell, Citrus limetta peel

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KANPUR CITY, INDIA, A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

The purpose of this research is to define the existing state of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Kanpur city to identify the main obstacles its efficiency and the prospects for improvisation of the solid waste management system in the city. The usual approach to problem solving is to survey previous work done in this subject area of solid waste management. Various studies say that 95% of MSW is disposed of unscientifically in open dumps and landfills, creating problems to public health and the environment. The amounts of waste generation have been increasing in India with increasing urbanization. Since higher education campuses about 90% are such as autonomous cities, they can act as a model for solid waste management (SWM) and enhance sustainable development. SWM is the controlled generation, storage, transport, processing, and disposal of solid waste considering public health, conservation, economics, and environmental conditions. Many developing countries such as India are lacking behind in SWM from the developed countries which are using advanced technologies along with efficient management. This paper will analyze the issues related to SWM Kanpur streets for becoming zero waste streets. Lack of awareness and improper collection, exposed transportation, inefficient processing, and disorganized disposal of solid waste are the major reasons for it. Some techniques would reduce the amount of waste diverted to landfills and the problems arising on streets due to solid waste, thus leading to zero waste streets. This paper identifies a need to implement a robust SWM at the Kanpur city in India

REMOVAL OF FLUORIDE USING NEEM LEAVES BATCH REACTOR: KINETICS AND EQUILIBRIUM STUDIES

 Objective: The aim of this paper is to study the fluoride removal efficiency of the neem leaves low-cost biosorbent for defluoridation of sewage wastewater.Methods: For finding the best operating condition for maximum removal of fluoride, batchwise experiments were performed at different contact times and keeping other parameters to be constant such as pH, initial fluoride concentration, and adsorbent dose. Various kinetic models such as intraparticle diffusion model, Bangham's model, and Elovich model had been investigated for determining the suitable adsorption mechanism. The rate of adsorption of fluoride on neem leaves has been determined by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order rate models.Results: The adsorption kinetics rate and mechanism was best described by the pseudo-second-order model and Bangham's model, respectively. The optimum pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and contact time were found to be 7, 20 mg/L, 10 g/L, and 40 min, respectively, for which there was maximum fluoride removal.Conclusion: The result obtained from the experiments show that the neem leaves have been proved to be a low-cost biosorbent for the defluoridation of the sewage wastewater and have high fluoride removal efficiency

FLOURIDE REMOVAL FROM SEWAGE WATER USING CITRUS LIMETTA PEEL AS BIOSORBENT

Objective: The aim of this paper is to study the fluoride removal efficiency of the citrus limetta peel as low-cost biosorbent for defluoridation of sewage waste water.Methods: For finding the best operating condition for maximum removal of fluoride, batch wise experiments were performed at different contact times and keeping other parameters to be constant such as pH, initial fluoride concentration, and adsorbent dose. Various kinetic models such as intraparticle diffusion model, Bangham's model, Elovich model had been investigated for determining the suitable adsorption mechanism. The rate of adsorption of fluoride on citrus limetta peel has been determined by pseudo first-order and pseudo second order rate models. SEM analysis has been used for describing the surface morphology of the peel. The surface characterization of the citrus limetta peel has been investigated by using the FTIR and EDAX analysis.Results: The adsorption kinetics rate and the mechanism were best described by the pseudo-second order model and Bangham's model, respectively. The optimum pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time were found to be 7, 20 mg/l, 10 g/l and 40 min. respectively for which there was maximum fluoride removal.Conclusion: The result obtained from the experiments show that the citrus limetta peel has proved to be a low-cost biosorbent for the defluoridation of the sewage waste water and has high fluoride removal efficiency.Keywords: Batchwise Biosorption Experiment, Bangham's Model, Langmuir Isotherm, SEM analysis, FTIR analysi

BIOSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS BY ACCLIMATED MICROBIAL SPECIES, ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII

Objective: The biosorption of the heavy metal species was achieved using the microbial biomass of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from soil and sludge and further used as bioremediating agent in situ.Material and method: The isolated Acinetobacter baumannii was allowed to grow in synthetic media amended with heavy metal solution. The waste samples, both solid and liquid were collected and chemical parameters was checked viz. pH, temperature, BOD, COD, TDS, chloride and calcium. The heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn were determined in liquid waste and industrial wastewater, while metals viz. Cr, Co, Mn, Ni and Zn were measured in the leachate form. Result and discussion: The bioremediation of waste was carried out by the biosorption process in a batch process by using the micro-organism, Acinetobacter baumannii. Conclusion: It was found that Acinetobacter baumannii reduced Ni by 56% and Cr by 68%., which leads to the conclusion that microbes can tolerate against the heavy metals due to several resistance and catabolic potentials

ADSORPTION OF FLUORIDE FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER IN FIXED BED COLUMN USING JAVA PLUM (SYZYGIUM CUMINI)

ABSTRACTObjective: The quality of drinking water is important for public safety and quality of life. Thus, providing every person on earth safe drinking waterseems to be the biggest challenge in front of mankind. For this purpose, here we have investigated the fluoride removal capacity of java plum.Methods: In this study, removal of fluoride from industrial wastewater using fixed-bed reactor adsorption techniques by java plum seed (Syzygiumcumini) was investigated. Fixed-bed column experiments were carried out for different bed depths, influent fluoride concentrations, and various flowrates. The Thomas model and bed depth service time model were applied to the experimental results. Both model predictions verify the experimentaldata for all the process parameters studied, indicating that the models were suitable for java plum (S. cumini) seeds (Biosorbent) fix-bed columndesign.Results: The empty bed residence time (EBRT) model optimizes the EBRT, and the Thomas model showed that the adsorption capacity is stronglydependent on the flow rate, initial fluoride concentration, and bed depth and is greater under conditions of a lower concentration of fluoride, lowerflow rate, and higher bed depth.Conclusion: The experimental results were encouraging and indicate that java plum (S. cumini) seed is a feasible option to use as a biosorbent toremove fluoride in a fixed bed adsorption process.Keywords: Adsorption, Column experiment, Thomas model, Empty bed residence time, Java plum

TREATMENT OF FLUORIDE BEARING CONTAMINATED WATER USING SIMULTANEOUS ADSORPTION AND BIODEGRADATION IN A LABORATORY SCALE UP: FLOW BIO-COLUMN REACTOR BY JAVA PLUM SEED

ABSTRACTObjective: Here, we aimed for the treatment of fluoride bearing contaminated water using simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation in a biocolumnreactor by using java plum seed.Methods: We immobilized Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria on the java plum seed in the bio-column reactor. The water used contained a sample offluoride with concentration of 20 mg/L. The bed depth service time design model and empty bed residence time were used to analyze the performance thebio-column. We examined and observed closely the effect of different operating parameters such as flow rate of bed depth and initial concentration on thissimplified bio-column reactor design model. Desorption experiment was conducted to evaluate the possibilities of regeneration and to reutilize of media.Results: We observed that the bio-column reactor is capable to reduce the concentration of the pollutants in the effluent water below their permissiblelimit. Reduction in DO along the bed height of the reactor was also observed, which supports the aerobic nature of the bacteria.Conclusion: The experimental results were encouraging and indicate that java plum (Syzygium cumini) seed is a feasible option to use as a biosorbentto remove fluoride in the bio-column reactor.Keywords: Bio-reactor, Simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation, Flow rate, Acinetobacter baumannii MTCC 11451, Physicochemical adsorption,Bed depth service time, Empty bed residence time

NEEM BIODIESEL: AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL

Objective: Fossil fuels are a major source of energy in today’s world but due to the limited availability of fossil fuels and its harmful emissions, it is now very important to shift our focus toward other sources of energy. Biofuels can help us meet this energy requirement. This study is aimed at producing neem biodiesel from neem oil by “transesterification process” using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and studying its various fuel properties. Methods: First, extraction was done to produce neem oil from its seeds. Free fatty acid content was reduced and transesterification reaction was carried out at temperature of around 55–65°C in the presence of alkali catalyst, NaOH to produce neem biodiesel. Properties of biodiesel produced such as viscosity and flash point were then determined using redwood viscometer, Abel-Pensky apparatus, and their respective methods for other properties. Results: Produced neem biodiesel showed higher pour point than that of conventional diesel. Viscosity of neem oil was much higher than standards and was greatly reduced when converted to biodiesel using transesterification and biodiesel showed kinematic viscosity of 5.2 cSt at 35°C. Conclusion: Neem biodiesel produced has many fuel properties close to that of conventional diesel. Furthermore, the biodegradable, non-toxic nature of biodiesel is another reason for considering it as an alternative fuel. As we cannot directly use neem oil in diesel engine due to its high viscosity, so it is needed to convert it into biodiesel so that its properties become comparable to the conventional diesel