Biodiesel stands out as a clean energy fuel that offers leading-edge solutions to environmental challenges triggered by traditional fuels. Heterogeneous catalyzed transesterification in the presence of alcohol has emerged as the most optimal approach for the sustainable production of biodiesel from natural resources, considering diverse synthesis methods. Building on this insight, a novel magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) supported potassium silicate was developed as a catalyst named MGO@K2SiO3. The prepared catalyst was characterized via a range of analytical tools such as XRD, FT-IR, Raman, BET, XPS, FESEM, EDS, HRTEM, and VSM to determine the crystallinity, functional groups, elements, and textural properties of the catalyst. Based on the optimization study, the maximum biodiesel yield was attained as 96.52 +/- 1.85 % in 12 +/- 2 min at 9:1 methanol to oil molar ratio (MOMR), 9 wt% catalyst dosage, and 65 degrees C reaction temperature. The activation energy (Ea) of MGO@K2SiO3 catalyzed transesterification was estimated as 46.27 kJ mol(-1) suggesting its endergonic nature. Further, the catalyst was recovered by an external magnet and reused till the 5th reaction cycle. The MGO@K2SiO3 catalyst delivers a safe and efficient approach to clean fuel production.
Dye pollution of water is one of the greatest environmental issues which need to be addressed effectively. The current research is aimed at enhancing the adsorption of malachite green dye (MG) on a novel g-C3N4/ZnFeAlLTH (LTH -layered triple hydroxide) composite to improve the adsorption capacity. Powder XRD, FTIR, BET, and FESEM were used to characterize the modified materials. The BET surface area of the g-C3N4/ZnFeAl-LTH composite was found to be 61.658 m2/g, providing abundant active sites for adsorption. A number of parameters were optimized to increase the adsorption capacity of g-C3N4/ZnFeAl-LTH composite. Under the optimal conditions, such as contact time of 180 min, an MG concentration of 120 mg/L, a dosage of 1.6 g/L, and at ambient temperature (33 degrees C), the g-C3N4/ZnFeAl-LTH composite showed significantly higher MG removal efficiency of 96.29 +/- 0.41 % when compared to pristine g-C3N4 which yielded 73.67 + 0.53 %. The pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.999) was the best kinetic model that explained the adsorption kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model best described the equilibrium data with a maximum adsorption capacity of 156 mg/g. Significantly, the composite demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining high removal efficiency over three consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles.
The increasing release of synthetic dyes from textile industries poses a significant environmental concern, highlighting the need for effective and eco-friendly remediation approaches. In this work, a ternary composite consisting of sugarcane juice (SJ), zinc oxide and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4/SJ/ZnO) was prepared through a green synthesis route, with both ZnO and g-C3N4/SJ synthesized using sugarcane juice as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. This sustainable approach minimizes the use of toxic reagents while enhancing material stability, adsorption capacity, and photocatalytic activity. The structural and morphological characteristics were examined using FTIR, XRD, UV-DRS, BET, HRTEM, and FESEM-EDS techniques. Although the composite showed a decrease in surface area relative to pristine g-C3N4, it demonstrated enhanced efficacy due to synergistic interactions between its constituents. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm best described the equilibrium data, suggesting a physisorption mechanism. Batch adsorption tests showed a dye uptake capacity (qmax) of up to 1000 mg/g. According to thermodynamic parameters, the adsorption was both endothermic and spontaneous, while kinetic investigations used a pseudo-second-order model. Photocatalytic evaluation revealed 93.31 % dye degradation under visible-light irradiation. In parallel, reusability tests demonstrated stable adsorption performance across three consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. These findings demonstrate that the g-C3N4/SJ/ZnO composite offers a promising green-engineered platform for the sustainable treatment of dyecontaminated wastewater.
Background and aims: Bhut Jolokia cultivation is constrained by collar rot and fungal diseases, and the role of PGPR in enhancing nitrogen uptake remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of Bacillus megaterium JPR68 on plant growth, oxidative stress regulation, and metabolism, and examined PR gene expression and nitrogen assimilation under Rhizoctonia solani stress, along with its impact on yield and soil health. Methods The study combined in vitro and in vivo (pot and field) experiments to assess BmJPR68 in Bhut Jolokia. In vitro assays evaluated seed dormancy, germination, and vigor, while greenhouse and field trials measured growth and yield. ROS localization, antioxidant enzymes, PR gene expression, and nitrogen assimilation were analyzed under pathogen stress. Fruit bioactives, capsaicinoids, fatty acids, nutrient content, total NPK uptake, and soil nutrients were quantified. Results Bacillus megaterium JPR68 (BmJPR68) associated with enhanced nitrogen assimilation in Bhut Jolokia by modulating internal signaling and transport systems, improving plant architecture and fruit yield. Treated plants showed upregulation of NR, NiR, NRT1.1, NRT1.2, NRT2.1, NRT2.2 , and GSH genes. GC-MS identified thirteen fatty metabolites, while improved nitrogen assimilation and collar rot resistance contributed to higher productivity. Conclusions The findings indicate that pre-treatment of Bhut Jolokia plants with BmJPR68 significantly enhances chili yield and capsaicin accumulation. Field trials validated these results, demonstrating improved plant growth, higher yield attributes, and elevated soil macro- and micronutrients. This study provides an effective and sustainable strategy for managing collar rot disease without relying on chemical fertilizers, while maintaining productivity through optimized plant architecture.
