In this research, Bauhinia monandra seed and pod were investigated for the first time as a source for bioenergy production.Proximate analysis revealed that the biomass seed contains high volatile matter of 88.96 % and pod 92.64 %, the low ash content of 3.16 % for the seed and 0.89 % for the pod, with fixed carbon of 1.87 % for seed and 0.71 % for the pod.The ultimate analysis showed carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen are 41.45 %, 1.79 % and 6.28 % for the seed, while the pod had 42.25 %, 1.77 %, and 6.21 % respectively.Higher Heating Value ranges from 14.26 -14.69 MJ/kg were obtained for the biomass using three mathematical formulas.The Pyrolysis behavior of the biomass revealed four degradation peaks attributed to the removal of water molecules and the degradation of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin respectively.The kinetic parameters (activation energy (Ea) and frequency factor (A) determined from TG/DTG data revealed a relatively high Ea (35.5 -41.56 KJ/mol).The structural composition of the seed indicated 43.50 %, cellulose, 20.00 % hemicellulose, 19.50 % lignin, and 16.00 % extractive material, and pod had 37.50 % cellulose, 33.50 %
In the present age, researchers are having a growing interest in developing enabling technology for the biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs).In present work, we have attempted synchronizing nanotechnology and biotechnology by synthesizing crystalline nanostructured copper particles using a biogenic reducing agent viz.Citrus Limon leaves.Optimization of the process parameters, viz.temperature of the synthesis process, pH of the metal salt solution and amount of the reducing agent used, was done using statistical tool namely response surface methodology and ANOVA.The size distribution and crystallographic study of the synthesized NPs were done using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, laser diffraction method, transmission electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray.The NPs deposited lemon leaves were used for dye effluent treatment and the decolorization efficiency was measured.The innovative solution for ecological issues like effluent treatment using an environmentally benign synthesis of novel substrates containing nanoparticles was reported.
India being an agricultural country has great potential to utilize fiber derived from agricultural waste.Pigeon pea stalk (PS) is an agricultural waste.The pre-treatments of PS fibers enhance their compatibility with polymer in the area of polymer composites.This work deals with three different types of pre-treatments of PS fiber.The treatments were studied with the help of SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA and XPS.The PS fibers have undergone laccase enzyme treatment, alkaline treatment with sodium hydroxide and potassium permanganate treatment.The results confirmed the reduction of lignin and hemicellulose after the chemical modification of fibers.The increase in % crystallinity and thermal stability in treated fibers has been observed.The morphological evaluation showed the increase in surface area and roughness of the fiber surface which is useful for efficient bonding with the polymer matrix.
In present work a simple, direct and rapid method developed based on proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the quantitative determination of dehydroabietic acid in gum rosin and disproportionated rosins and validated. This method can also be applied to the determination of other acids of gum rosins like abietic acid, pimaric acid isopimaric acid, palustric acid, neo abietic acid, levopimaric acid, tetrahydro abietic acid, dihydro abietic acid. Dehydroabietic acid has been estimated using aromatic proton while vinyl propton was used for estimation of other acids in gum rosins. Analysis of rosin acid methyl ester derivative in disproportionated rosins was also carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy to identify peak of dehydro abeitic acid along with abeitic acid based on their mass fragmentation pattern and quantified using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. Good correlation was observed between the results of gas chromatography with flame ionization detector with newly developed nuclear magnetic resonance method.
