Cu and Zn tolerance and responses of the Biochemical and Physiochemical system of Wheat

The concentrations of heavy metals such as Zinc and copper in the environment are currently increasing, due mainly to human activities. Zinc and copper are essential elements for several biochemical processes in plants. Any of these metals, at high concentrations in soil, can cause severe damage to physiological and biochemical activities of plants. Plant growth, pigment concentration, biochemical parameters, uptake of heavy metals were investigated in 30-days old wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in response to Cu and Zn stress. The plant exhibited a decline in growth, chlorophyll content, protein and DNA, RNA content carbohydrate, but proline, total phenol and H2O2 content increased at high concentration of Cu and Zn

A comparison of conventional and novel phytonutrient extraction techniques from various sources and their potential applications

The phytonutrient extract helps in the development and manufacturing of nutraceuticals and food additives. Some of these secondary metabolites, such as polyphenol, anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, terpenoids, and others, are extracted from plants. These phytonutrients provide many health benefits like prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, atherosclerosis, certain cancers, and diabetes. Traditional extraction methods such as Soxhlet, maceration, decoction, percolation and infusions are still used, but significant improvements can be made by using novel or greener extraction methods, including accelerated solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and enzyme-assisted extraction. Once extracted, these phytonutrients can be utilised in the cosmetic, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical, or food industries, with the later focusing on improving food quality. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various techniques used in the extraction and isolation of phytonutrients. Additionally, this article describes the advantages, disadvantages, practical examples, and a comparative study of these processes

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Not AvailableRice–wheat rotation is the most important cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and is responsible for the food security of the region. The effect of different integrated nutrient management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and its fractions, SOC sequestration potential as well as the sustainability of the rice–wheat system were evaluated in long term experiments at different agroclimatic zones of IGP. Application of NPK either through inorganic fertilizers or through combination of inorganic fertilizer and organics such as farm yard manure (FYM) or crop residue or green manure improved the SOC, particulate organic carbon (POC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) concentration and their sequestration rate. Application of 50% NPK + 50% N through FYM in rice and 100% NPK in wheat, sequestered 0.39, 0.50, 0.51 and 0.62 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 over control (no N–P–K fertilizers or organics), respectively at Ludhiana, Kanpur, Sabour and Kalyani using the mass of SOC in the control treatment as reference point. Soil carbon sequestration with response to application of fertilizer partially substituted (50% on N basis) with organics were higher in Kalyani and Sabour lying in humid climate than Ludhiana and Kanpur lying in semiarid climate. The rice yield recorded a significant declining trend in Ludhiana and Kanpur where as the yield trend was stable at Sabour and Kalyani under unfertilized control. The system productivity in N–P–K fertilized plots and NPK along with organics showed either an increasing trend or remained stable at all locations during last two and half decades of the experiment.Not Availabl

Bio-oil and biochar production from Ageratum conyzoides using triple-stage hydrothermal liquefaction and utilization of biochar in removal of multiple heavy metals from water

Production of low-cost biomass and its utilization for producing cost effective and eco-friendly bioenergy as well as for removing heavy metals from water can be explored as an approach to meet the sustainable development goals. In light of the above-mentioned study, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of Billy goat weed (BGW; Ageratum conyzoides) was carried out to produce bio-oil. In addition, the residual biochar from the HTL process was activated to obtain Act-BC and was further modified to produce MnO2-loaded biochar (Act-BC@MnO2-25%). The HTL of BGW was done at three different temperatures, i.e., 250 °C, 350 °C and 450 °C in a high-pressure batch reactor to maximize the bio-oil yield. Also, two different HTL methods i.e., single-stage HTL and triple-stage HTL of BGW were compared and discussed in detail. The bio-oil obtained via the triple-stage HTL was rich in carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. It also showed a higher heating value (HHV) and bio-oil yield (46%) than the single-stage. The residual biochar obtained at 450 °C (Act-BC) and MnO2 modified (Act-BC@MnO2-25%) were then tested to adsorb multiple heavy metal (i.e., Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II)) from water. The kinetics data obtained from the adsorption experiment with Act-BC@MnO2-25% were well fitted to PSO kinetics model. The isotherm data were well aligned with the Langmuir model; the adsorption capacity of Act-BC@MnO2-25% was estimated to be 198.70 ± 11.40 mg g−1, 93.70 ± 6.60 mg g−1, 78.90 ± 7.20 mg g−1 and 30.50 ± 2.10 mg g−1 for Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II), respectively. Furthermore, Act-BC@MnO2-25% remained active for metal ions absorption even after six consecutive uses. The result obtained from this study clearly demonstrates that the triple-stage HTL of BGW is a promising technology to achieve both remediation of metal-contaminated water and production of bioenergy

Development of yeast and microalgae consortium biofilm growth system for biofuel production

Background: The current study aimed to develop a laboratory-scale biofilm photobioreactor system for biofuel production. Scope & Approach: During the investigation, Jute was discovered to be the best, cheap, hairy, open-pored supporting material for biofilm formation. Microalgae & yeast consortium was used in this study for biofilm formation. Conclusion: The study identified microalgae and yeast consortium as a promising choice and ideal partners for biofilm formation with the highest biomass yield (47.63 ± 0.93 g/m2 ), biomass productivity (4.39 ± 0.29 to 7.77 ± 0.05 g/m2 /day) and lipid content (36%) over 28 days cultivation period, resulting in a more sustainable and environmentally benign fuel that could become a reality in the near future

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