Biodegradation of textile dye effluent through Indigenous bacteria

The textile industry is considered as one of the major generators of toxic chemical wastewater in India. Dyes released by the textile industries pose a threat to environmental safety. Dye decolorization through biological means has gained momentum as these are cheap and can be applied to a wide range of dyes. The present study concentrates in the isolation, identification of indigenous bacteria namely D1, D2, D3 and D4 from textile dye effluent collected from the local textile dyeing shop located at Gurahakuan, Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, India, and evaluation of their ability to decolorize dyes sample. The isolated bacteria were identified through morphological and biochemical characteristics. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of isolated bacteria showed that all the bacteria appeared rod-shaped with size ranging from 1.33 to 2.84 µm. The physico-chemical analysis of dye effluent indicated the bluish-black color of the effluent having pH of about 8. The Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) value of the raw sample was estimated to be 470 mg/l and 800 mg/l, respectively, for dye effluent sample. The value of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) was estimated to be 1760 mg/l and 560 mg/l, respectively, in our dye effluent sample. The study aims to isolate and optimize four bacterial isolates having the ability to degrade and decolorize azo dyes produced in the final dying effluent. The optimization results revealed that all the bacteria showed maximum growth at pH 8, temperature 35°C and declines further. All the isolated bacterial species showed significant potential for dye decolorization and degradation at varying wavelengths such as 420, 480, 506, 520, 620 and 668 nm but maximum removal of color (about 88%) was obtained at 668 nm after 48h by bacterial isolate D3. Thus, these selected native bacteria can be employed as a vital biological tool for developing decentralized wastewater treatment systems for decolorization of dye effluents through biosorption or biodegradation which is a cost-effective process

Phycoremediation of Dairy Wastewater by Microalgae for elimination of organic pollution load

The present study aims to demonstrate the potential of microalgae Chlorococcum humicola for treatment of dairy industry effluent and reduction of its pollution load with the cultivation of microalgae in the same effluent. Dairy industry wastewater supplies the required nutrients for the growth of C. humicola and its growth was comparatively higher in 50 % dairy industry effluent as compare to Bold basal growth medium. Optimization of growth parameters of algae showed that growth of C. humicola was favoured by alkaline pH and optimum growth was observed at pH 8, whereas acidic pH does not favour the growth of selected algae. The exponential growth phase of C. humicola was achieved between 3-7 days, at 20˚C temperature, a further increase in temperature decreases the algal growth. The results for the effect of different concentration of dairy wastewater (0, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %) on biochemical content (protein, chlorophyll a, carbohydrate) of C. humicola revealed that 50 % wastewater concentration was more efficient for enhancement of biochemical content of microalgae as compare to control. The result further showed considerable reduction in the organic pollution load of dairy wastewater as biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduced to 72 and 78 % respectively, after 15 days of treatment with C. humicola. The results also showed a reduction in the nutrient concentration of dairy wastewater such as nitrate, phosphate and sulphate by 92, 43, 62 % respectively, after 10 days of treatment and 96, 67 and 78 % respectively, after 15 days of microalgal treatment as compared to control (without microalgae). These findings suggested that dairy industry wastewater was a good nutrient supplement and can be directly used for mass cultivation of C. humicola without requiring additional nutrient supplements and also the microalgae C. humicola has a great potential for the treatment of dairy industry wastewate

Antibiotic evaluation of odontogenic microbiological spectrum of orofacial infection

The present study aimed towards the development of active delivery system for management of hypertension. The Orodispersible tablets (ODTs) containing Telmisartan was developed in order to accomplish enhanced solubility leading to better bioavailability profile. Different ratios, of Telmisartan and PEG 6000 i.e. 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5 were selected for the formulation of ODT system. A batch process was adopted for the preparation of solid dispersion with each combination of drug and polymer and the finally compressed as tablets by direct compression technique. For the preformulation perspective materials were scrutinized on the basis of solubility profile, drug content, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The drug polymer ratio 1:4 was selected for further compression process. The prepared batches of ODTs were characterized for micromeritic study, thickness, hardness, weight variation, wetting time, disintegration time, drug content and in vitro drug release profile. The evaluation data for all batches was satisfactory out of them formulation TF3 containing 6% kyron T-314 showed the best results with a value of 29.3 sec and 24.1 sec for wetting and disintegration, respectively. This formulation showed superior drug release of 99.93% over a period of 30 minutes. Keywords: Telmisartan, PEG 6000, Angioten receptor-II antagonist, Solid dispersion, Kyron T-31

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Combustion of hydrogen-methane-air mixtures in a generic triple swirl burner: numerical studies

Ever-increasing energy demand, limited non-renewable resources, requirement for increased operational flexibility, and the need for reduction of pollutant emissions are the critical factors that drive the development of next generation fuel flexible gas turbine combustors. The use of hydrogen and hydrogen-rich fuels such as syngas helps in achieving decarbonisation. However, high temperatures and flame speeds associated with hydrogen might increase the NOx emissions. Humidified combustion presents a promising approach for NOx control. Humidification inhibits the formation of NOx and also allows for operating on hydrogen and hydrogen-rich fuels. The challenge in the implementation of this technology is the combustor (burner) design, which must provide a stable combustion process at high hydrogen content and ultra-wet conditions. In the present work, we investigate the flow field and combustion characteristics of a generic triple swirl burner running on humidified and hydrogen enriched methane-air mixtures. The investigated burner consists of three co-axial co-rotating swirling passages: outer radial swirler stage, and two inner concentric axial swirler stages. Reynold’s Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation approach has been utilized here for flow description within the burner and inside the combustor. We present the flow fields from isothermal and lean pre-mixed methane-air reactive simulations based on the characterization of velocity profiles, streamwise shear layers, temperature fields and NOx emissions. Subsequently, we investigate the effect of combustion on flow fields, and flame stabilization for hydrogen enriched methane-air mixtures as a function of hydrogen content. We also investigate the effect of humidified combustion on methane-hydrogen blends and present comparison of temperature estimations and NOx emissions

Flow dynamics in a triple swirl burner

One of the most important milestones in gas turbine burner technology was the incorporation of swirling flows for flame stabilization. The objective of present work is the design and development of a generic fuel flexible multiple swirl burner with enhanced flashback resistance and low emissions. The burner design will allow operation in premixed and non-premixed modes with liquid and gaseous fuels. The investigated burner consists of 3 annular co-rotating swirlers: an outer radial swirler stage and two concentric axial swirler stages. Insights from the first isothermal and reactive numerical simulations for premixed methane–air combustion are being presented here. Results based on the characterization of the flow fields, temperature distribution, streamwise and azimuthal shear layer dynamics, and turbulence characteristics are presented. The velocity profiles obtained from isothermal numerical simulations are also validated by experimental results. Flame stabilization and flashback propensity are discussed with respect to the features of vortex breakdown, specifically the central recirculation zone (CRZ)

Exploring the cost-effectiveness of high versus low perioperative fraction of inspired oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infections among abdominal surgery patients in three low- and middle-income countries

Background: This study assessed the potential cost-effectiveness of high (80-100%) vs low (21-35%) fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) at preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Methods: Decision-analytic models were constructed using best available evidence sourced from unbundled data of an ongoing pilot trial assessing the effectiveness of high FiO2, published literature, and a cost survey in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Effectiveness was measured as percentage of SSIs at 30 days after surgery, a healthcare perspective was adopted, and costs were reported in US dollars ($). Results: High FiO2 may be cost-effective (cheaper and effective). In Nigeria, the average cost for high FiO2 was$216 compared with 222 for low FiO2 leading to a -6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -13 to -1) difference in costs. In India, the average cost for high FiO2 was $184 compared with$195 for low FiO2 leading to a -$11 (95$15 to -$6) difference in costs. In South Africa, the average cost for high FiO2 was$1164 compared with 1257 for low FiO2 leading to a -93 (95% CI: -132 to -65) difference in costs. The high FiO2 arm had few SSIs, 7.33% compared with 8.38% for low FiO2, leading to a -1.05 (95% CI: -1.14 to -0.90) percentage point reduction in SSIs. Conclusion: High FiO2 could be cost-effective at preventing SSIs in the three countries but further data from large clinical trials are required to confirm this