Canthaxanthin is an orange-coloured carotenoid pigment produced by several microorganisms and is known for its anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, canthaxanthin production via chemical routes poses significant health and environmental concerns. In this study, a sustainable process was developed for canthaxanthin production using acid-treated rice straw (ATRS) residue as a substrate. Encapsulation was performed using different wall materials to enable controlled release of canthaxanthin. The highest canthaxanthin yield (135 mg L-1) was achieved from Dietzia kunjamensis after optimization using response surface methodology. Furthermore, ultrasonication enhanced pigment extraction in ethanol by 16.67%, followed by purification using column chromatography. The purified canthaxanthin exhibited an antioxidant activity of 47% in the DPPH assay and showed stability at pH above 2. Among the encapsulating agents tested, polyvinylpyrrolidone showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (75%). Encapsulated canthaxanthin was characterized using FTIR, SEM, and XRD analyses. The Higuchi model provided the best fit for release kinetics from the cyclodextrin-pectin blend matrix (R2 = 0.97). Flowability of the encapsulated powder was evaluated using Carr index, Hausner ratio, and bulk density measurements. Overall, the produced canthaxanthin demonstrates strong potential as a bioactive colorant for applications in the food and nutraceutical sectors.

Microbial pigments, which are made from bacteria, fungi, and algae, are becoming more and more popular in the functional food industry due to their vibrant colour and several health advantages. In addition to enhancing the nutritional value and visual appeal of food, these pigments include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that, when consumed, support increased immune function and gut health. In addition to improving the food's appearance and visual appeal, using these microbial pigments would also increase its nutritional value. Their poor stability and limited water solubility present a significant challenge to the use of microbial pigments in the food sector. The varieties of pigments, their production methods, health benefits, and particular techniques like biotechnology and nanotechnology that can be used to stabilize pigments like carotenoids, anthocyanins, and betalains derived from different microorganisms are focused under present review. The pigments production mathematical models were explored to standardize its yield. Furthermore, the application of microbial pigments in the functional food and nutraceutical industries aligns with the growing demand for natural food colour alternatives. These pigments hold significant potential for the functional food sector and contribute to the promotion of public health.

Algae is a viable and growing bioresource in the food, nutraceutical, pharma and biofuel sectors because of its high value bioactive compounds (such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and pigments). In India, algae are used in the edible and functional food ingredients. Complex downstream processing (DSP), high production cost and sensory attributes (odour and taste) are main challenges in algae commercialization. The focus of this review is on cutting-edge environmentally friendly and sustainable techniques for extracting bioactive chemicals from algae biomass, such as microwave, ultrasonication, enzymatic, and supercritical fluid extraction. Various physical, chemical, and biological deodorization techniques are addressed to satisfy customer preferences while reducing sensory difficulties. This review also covers as to how fortifying algal components can improve the nutritional profile of edible goods. Additionally, it also explored Indian algal status in food, dealing with Indian guidelines, local algae biodiversity and cultivation, policies and public- private partnership initiatives for commercialization of algae and algae derived products. To promote the algae in Indian expanding food market, this review attempts to bridge the gap between algae potential and its practical implementation in food, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical industries.

Corn protein meal (corn gluten meal) is a byproduct of the cornstarch industry, and it has low solubility and low bioavailability.

The growing global demand for renewable energy has intensified research into sustainable biofuel production technologies. Agricultural waste, including lignocellulosic biomass such as rice husk, wheat straw, and corn stover, presents an abundant and low-cost feedstock for biofuel generation. However, inefficient conversion processes and the lack of cost-effective catalysts remain significant barriers. This paper presents an analytical review and proposes a novel approach utilizing sustainable polymer-based catalysts to enhance biofuel production efficiency. Polymer-based catalysts, including functionalized biopolymers and synthetic polymer composites, offer advantages such as tunable surface chemistry, recyclability, and environmental compatibility. The study critically reviews recent advancements in catalyst design, focusing on polymer-supported acid/base catalysts, nanocomposite polymers, and bio-derived polymer catalysts. Identified research gaps include poor catalyst stability, limited scalability, and suboptimal conversion efficiency. To address these challenges, a hybrid polymer nanocatalyst system integrated with AI-based process optimization is proposed. The methodology includes catalyst synthesis using biodegradable polymers, process modeling, and optimization through machine learning algorithms. Mathematical models describing reaction kinetics and mass transfer are incorporated. Results demonstrate improved biofuel yield (up to 30% increase), reduced reaction time, and enhanced catalyst recyclability compared to conventional catalysts. The findings highlight the potential of sustainable polymer catalysts in achieving scalable and eco-friendly biofuel production. This research contributes to advancing green chemistry principles and supports the transition toward circular bioeconomy systems.

The present study assessed the efficacy of kinnow peel pectin-acetic acid extraction using microwave heating at 110 °C, pH 2.2 for 10 min with a 1:2 ratio supernatant to ethanol for higher yield. The kinnow peel was freeze dried and grinded to fine powder for pectin extraction. The microwave extracted (ME) kinnow pectin showed 833 mg equivalent weight, 7.44 % methoxyl content, 66.67 % degree of esterification, 63.15 % galacturonic acid content and evinced higher purity than commercial citrus pectin. ME kinnow pectin exhibited shear thinning behaviour while higher apparent viscosity (Pa. s) at 20 % concentration. The ME kinnow pectin showed characteristic functional groups and a less crystalline structure as deduced from FT-IR, SEM and XRD respectively, and a higher thermal decomposition analysed from TGA. Further, life cycle assessment (LCA) predicted that the ethanol and acetic acid were major contributors toward climate change in this study. ME kinnow pectin has the potential to be used as a commercial pectin in various food applications.

Prodigiosin-producing isolate Serratia marcescens , with sustainable media produced 1.9 times more prodigiosin, encapsulation increased its water solubility and whole process for prodigiosin production is cost-effective.

Microbial lipase is looking for better attention with the fast growth of enzyme proficiency and other benefits like easy, cost-effective, and reliable manufacturing. Immobilized enzymes can be used repetitively and are incapable to catalyze the reactions in the system continuously. Hydrophobic supports are utilized to immobilize enzymes when the ionic strength is low. This approach allows for the immobilization, purification, stability, and hyperactivation of lipases in a single step. The diffusion of the substrate is more advantageous on hydrophobic supports than on hydrophilic supports in the carrier. These approaches are critical to the immobilization performance of the enzyme. For enzyme immobilization, synthesis provides a higher pH value as well as greater heat stability. Using a mixture of immobilization methods, the binding force between enzymes and the support rises, reducing enzyme leakage. Lipase adsorption produces interfacial activation when it is immobilized on hydrophobic support. As a result, in the immobilization process, this procedure is primarily used for a variety of industrial applications. Microbial sources, immobilization techniques, and industrial applications in the fields of food, flavor, detergent, paper and pulp, pharmaceuticals, biodiesel, derivatives of esters and amino groups, agrochemicals, biosensor applications, cosmetics, perfumery, and bioremediation are all discussed in this review.

Present study highlights the in vitro facile approach of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis using cell free extract of two green algae Chlorococcum humicola and Chlorella vulgaris, which offers an ecofriendly, economical and sustainable way of biosynthesis of nanoparticle. The colour change from light green to darkest brown within 24 h, and the surface plasma resonance (SPR) peak at 435 and 437 nm for C. vulgaris and C. humicola, respectively, confirms the creation of AgNPs. Transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) pictures depicted that the average particle size of C. vulgaris and C. humicola synthesized AgNPs were 12.83 and 10.69 nm, respectively. The AgNPs were well scattered, highly stable, and spherical with a tendency of agglomerations. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis of particles confirmed the purity and polydispersed character of AgNPs. The biomolecules involved in silver reduction were identified by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which illustrated that proteins and peptides act as capping agents for the formation of AgNPs. Furthermore, the biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited high microbicidal activity against disease causing bacteria viz. Escherichia coli MTCC1687, Salmonella typhi MTCC3231, Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC4032 and fungus viz. Fusarium solani MTCC6773, Fusarium moniliforme MTCC6576, Penicillium sp. MTCC6489. Use of such a microalgal system for the formation of metal nanomaterials provides a simple, cost-effective alternative model over other methods and the biosynthesized nanoparticles can be used for a number of biotechnological applications.

The study was carried out in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state during 2021-22. The findings depicted that on the basis of their membership period in Bhumigadi Mahila Krushak Farmer Producer Organization (BMKFPO); the 37.28 per cent increase (Rs. 11653/-) was recorded for the member of BMKFPO since last four years whereas 36.81 per cent (Rs. 11456/-), 32.97 per cent (Rs. 10203/-) and 31.62 per cent (Rs. 9420/-) increase in income were recorded for the member of FPO since last three years, two years and one year respectively. The significance level of differences in income of respondents before and after joining the BMKFPO, Bastanar; P value were recorded as 0 (p=0, p=<0.05) for income generating activities and overall annual income and 0.002 (p=0.002, p=<0.05) for the non-FPO activity (wages) and found highly significant. It is inferred that the FPO module had assisted respondents in raising their income from various income generating activities and in their overall income.

Abstract Microalgae utilize light energy for photosynthesis; however, variations in light intensities can have antagonistic and synergistic effects on its growth and cell constituents. In the present experimental study, photodynamic effects of light intensity on the growth, cell constituents, photochemistry of PS II, and lipid accumulation were studied in wild-type (WT) and DCMU-tolerant mutant strains of S. vacuolatus. Microalgal algal cells (WT and DCMU-tolerant mutant) were exposed to light intensities ranging from 10 to 100 µmol m− 2 s− 1 and cultured in a BG-11 nutrient growth medium. Overall results showed higher light intensity tolerance in the mutant strain (60 µmol m− 2 s− 1) than the WT (40 µmol m− 2 s− 1). The photosynthetic parameters derived from chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics (OJIP), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and Light curve (rETR) revealed better photosynthetic performance by the mutant strain than the WT under the high light stress. Thus, it was inferred that, unlike the WT, a better photosynthetic efficiency coupled with an improved photo-protection mechanism in the mutant strain at higher light intensities might be contributing to an enhanced level of cell constituent and lipid accumulation in the mutant strain.

In the present investigation, the growth pattern, cellular modification, oxidative stress markers, and defense responses in Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus vacuolatus were analyzed after treatment with municipal wastewater (25%-100%). The main aim was to compare the Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus vacuolatus on account of remediation efficiency, lipid production and defense responses under different concentrations of wastewater. The results revealed that the nutrients (93.28%) and heavy metal (92.08%) removal was highest at 25% of wastewater concentration while maximum specific growth rate (0.0708 day(-1)), total chlorophyll (0.118 mg g(-1) fw), and carbohydrate content (24.06 mg L-1 fw) was observed with Scenedesmus vacuolatus at 50% concentration of wastewater. Additionally, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed 100% concentration of wastewater enhanced lipid accumulation in than Chlorella vulgaris. The lesser accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species and hydrogen peroxide while increment in antioxidants activity (1.87-15.63 folds) may be responsible for imparting tolerance to Scenedesmus vacuolatus against different concentrations of municipal wastewater. Overall, the study revealed that 50% and 100% wastewater concentration was suitable for excellent growth and lipid accumulation in respectively. Thus, due to high nutrients reutilization potential, metal removal rate, growth profile, lipid production, and anti-oxidative responses, racuolatus seems more effective and tolerant than Chlorella vulgaris. There-fore, exploiting Scenedesr may be the successful step towards sustainable management of wastewater and lipid production. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are hazardous chemicals, which are commonly introduced into the environment by several anthropogenic activities. The unplanned discharge of chemicals has led to widespread contamination and accumulation in diverse organisms in the ecosystem. Several persistent pollutants are also lacking the regulatory standards due to the dearth of knowledge about their impacts on the environment. Techniques used for their remediation involves huge capital investment and are also inefficient in the removal of POPs from the contaminated ecosystem. Microalgae have shown potential to eliminate POPs from the environment by employing several mechanisms. Among the various mechanisms, biodegradation is one of the most effective mechanisms for the complete removal of POPs from the environment. Thus, using the microalgae to remove POPs not only conserves resource but also provides viable alternative for effective remediation of wastewater and contaminated environment.

Both biologically and economically, microalgae are vital for the proper functioning of the biosphere. Globally the scientific community is trying to tap the massive microalgae resource, which is able to grow in all ecological niches. Huge biodiversity and variable composition of microalgae can enhance the production of variable compounds and increase their availability commercially. Microalgae are the viable feedstock for the production of bioactive compounds that can revolutionize the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Natural compounds like carotenoids, phytosterols, polysaccharides, fatty acids, and phenolic and volatile compounds from microalgal biomass can be specially incorporated to produce functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Bioactive compounds from microalgae are of immense importance for the development of industrially important products. Metabolites from microalgae improve health and stimulate defense system in humans and have spurred intense research on microalgal biomass about their use in pharmaceutical and food industry. In this chapter, we will focus on bioactive compounds produced by several microalgal species and their role in improving the health of human being, which is degrading with increasing living standards and population explosion.

ABSTRACT In the present work, the arsenate [As(V)] adsorption by loam and sandy loam soil was carried out as a function of initial As(V) concentration, pH, contact time, and adsorbent dose to ensure As adsorption and its mobilization in the soil of arsenic-affected areas. The As(V) adsorption with varying time and initial As(V) concentrations were analyzed using the linear and nonlinear forms of the adsorption isotherms and kinetic models. Based on the comparison of R2 values and calculated qe values, the linear pseudo-second order and non-linear pseudo-first order and second-order kinetics showed better applicability of S1 (loam) than S2 (sandy loam) soil samples for arsenate adsorption. The loam soil (S1) also exhibited maximum adsorption capacity and low As(V) mobility due to the presence of soil organic matter and low phosphorus content. The FTIR results showed that soil surface functional groups (─COOH, O─H and Fe─O group) were predominantly involved in As(V) binding via surface complexation or coordination. Results derived from equilibrium adsorption isotherms showed that the data fitted well to both the linear and non-linear Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The monolayer surface adsorption (qmax) in S1 sample (29.41 µg/g) was better than that in the S2 soil (27.39 µg/g), indicating strong surface affinity of S1 toward As(V) than S2 soil sample. This observation was also supported by the separation factor (RL values). Results on thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG°) showed spontaneous and endothermic nature of adsorption. The activation energy (Ea) calculated for the surface binding of As(V) onto S1 (4.56 kJ mol–1) and S2 soil (7.15 kJ mol–1) indicated that the surface binding of As(V) by both the soils was an energetically favorable physico-chemisorption. The results on adsorption characteristics of both soil samples indicated that adsorption efficiency and retention ability of loam soil (S1) was better than sandy loam (S2) soil.

In real polluted soils a wide variety of recalcitrant pollutants with several chemical white-rot fungi such as Pleurotus ostreatus, Irpex lacteus, Trametes versicolor, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Lentinus edodes, Coriolus versicolor, Cyathus stercoreus, Heterobasidion annosum, and Ceriporiopsis subvermispora degrade the cell wall components simultaneously and have PCB-degrading capabilities. Hydroxylated and methoxylated PCBs, chlorobenzoates, and chlorobenzyl alcohols were observed as transformation products that specify that the fungal species have capabilities to oxidize and decay the aromatic moiety of PCBs in lands. Some white-rot fungi such as Phlebia brevispora, Bjerkandera adusta, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Phanerochaete magnolia, and Dichomitus squalens have already demonstrated their prospective for the elimination of PCBs. Lignin peroxidase (LiP, EC 1.11.1.14), manganese peroxidase (MnP, EC 1.11.1.13), and laccase (Lac, EC 1.10.3.2) enzymes possessed by WRF are involved in the oxidation of a wide range of organopollutants.