Determination of geographical origin of Mustard oil based on multi-elemental fingerprinting using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and chemometric analysis

In the present study samples of mustard were collected from 10 different provinces of India. The method is developed by using 20 different elements (Na, Mg, Al, P, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ar, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cs, and Pb) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The elemental data obtained from the ICP-MS were subjected to chemometric analysis for the classification of each sample. In this study, we have used Principal component analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), in order to group the samples according to their elemental composition. HCA showed five clusters corresponding to the geographical origin of the mustard. Finally from Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models were developed which provided 100% accuracy. The elements Mg, P, Ca, Fe, Cr, Cu & Se were found be useful and were the most discriminating elements. Hence, this study provides potential elemental marker for identification of the geographical origin of the mustard in various geographical regions

Investigation of dual-ion beam sputter-instigated plasmon generation in TCOs: a case study of GZO

The use of the high free-electron concentration in heavily doped semiconductor enables the realization of plasmons. We report a novel approach to generate plasmons in Ga:ZnO (GZO) thin films in the wide spectral range of ∼1.87–10.04 eV. In the grown GZO thin films, dual-ion beam sputtering (DIBS) instigated plasmon is observed because of the formation of different metallic nanoclusters are reported. Moreover, formation of the nanoclusters and generation of plasmons are verified by field emission scanning electron microscope, electron energy loss spectra obtained by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis. Moreover, the calculation of valence bulk, valence surface, and particle plasmon resonance energies are performed, and indexing of each plasmon peaks with corresponding plasmon energy peak of the different nanoclusters is carried out. Further, the use of DIBS-instigated plasmon-enhanced GZO can be a novel mean to improve the performance of photovoltaic, photodetector, and sensing devices

Recent advances in bioethanol production from lignocelluloses: a comprehensive review with a focus on enzyme engineering and designer biocatalysts

Many countries have their biofuel policy programs in place as part of their overall strategy to achieve sustainable development. Among biofuels, bioethanol as a promising alternative to gasoline is of substantial interest. However, there is limited availability of a sufficient quantity of bioethanol to meet demands due to bottlenecks in the present technologies to convert non-edible feedstocks, including lignocelluloses. This review article presents and critically discusses the recent advances in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass, with a focus on the use of green solvents, including ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, followed by enzymatic saccharification using auxiliary proteins for the efficient saccharification of pretreated biomass. Different techniques used in strain improvement strategies to develop hyper-producing deregulated lignocellulolytic strains are also compared and discussed. The advanced techniques employed for fermentation of mixed sugars contained in lignocellulosic hydrolysates for maximizing bioethanol production are summarized with an emphasis on pathway and transporters engineering for xylose assimilation. Further, the integration of different steps is suggested and discussed for efficient biomass utilization and improved ethanol yields and productivity

Investigation of dual-ion beam sputter-instigated plasmon generation in TCOs: a case study of GZO

The use of the high free-electron concentration in heavily doped semiconductor enables the realization of plasmons. We report a novel approach to generate plasmons in Ga:ZnO (GZO) thin films in the wide spectral range of ∼1.87–10.04 eV. In the grown GZO thin films, dual-ion beam sputtering (DIBS) instigated plasmon is observed because of the formation of different metallic nanoclusters are reported. Moreover, formation of the nanoclusters and generation of plasmons are verified by field emission scanning electron microscope, electron energy loss spectra obtained by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis. Moreover, the calculation of valence bulk, valence surface, and particle plasmon resonance energies are performed, and indexing of each plasmon peaks with corresponding plasmon energy peak of the different nanoclusters is carried out. Further, the use of DIBS-instigated plasmon-enhanced GZO can be a novel mean to improve the performance of photovoltaic, photodetector, and sensing devices