Agro Residues Research Articles

A β-mannanase from Paenibacillus sp.: Optimization of production and its possible prebiotic potential.

A thermotolerant bacterium Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus with an ability to produce extracellular β-mannanase was isolated from a soil sample. Bacterium produced 45U/mL β-mannanase at 50°C. The culture conditions for high-level production of β-mannanase were optimized. Optimized MS medium [wheat bran 2% (w/v), ammonium sulfate 0.3% (w/v), yeast extract, and peptone (0.025% each) pH 6.5] was inoculated with 2% of 16H old culture. The culture was incubated at 50°C for 48H resulting in 24-folds higher β-mannanase production (1,100±50U/mL). Optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity of the crude enzyme was 6.0 and 60°C, respectively. The enzyme demonstrated 65% relative enzyme activity at 37°C. The hydrolytic activity of the crude enzymatic preparation was assessed on various agro residues. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis showed that the enzyme activity to saccharify heteromannans resulted in production of a mixture of manno-oligosaccharides (MOS) and enzyme exhibited classic endo-activity. To evaluate the possible prebiotic potential of the MOS thus obtained, initial screening for their ability to support the growth of probiotics was carried out by the pure culture method. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus sp. responded positively to the addition of enzymatically derived oligosaccharides and their numbers increased significantly.

SUPPLEMENTATION OF FRUIT PROCESSING WASTE FOR ENDOXYLANASE PRODUCTION BY TRICHODERMA KOENINGI ISOLATE AND ITS OPTIMIZATION USING CENTRAL COMPOSITE DESIGN: APPLICATION OF PRODUCED ENDOXYLANASE IN MANGO JUICE CLARIFICATION

The aim of this study was to optimize the supplementation of custard apple, pomegranate peel along with KH2PO4, (NH4)2SO4 and MgSO4 for maximum endoxylanase production by Trichoderma koeningi isolate on pretreated corn cobs using CCD. Predicted endoxylanase yield was highest (3242.43 U/g) with the actual yield of (3107.58U/g) from 2% NaOH pretreated corn cobs. The model predicted R2 value of 0.9147% indicating that it was appropriate to predict the levels of variables to achieve maximum endoxylanase yield. The produced endoxylanase clarified mango juice of Baneshan and Totapuri varieties at 40°C and 56 h. The endoxylanase treatment enhanced the clarity of Baneshan juice by 51.7% with a release of 121.1 mg/ml of reducing sugars at an optimized enzyme dose of 9.6 U that led to maximum flow rate of 8 ml/min. In the case of Totapuri juice, there was 43.4% increase in clarity and release of 102.6 mg/ml reducing sugars at an optimized enzyme dose of 12.8 U that lead to a maximum juice flow rate of 6 ml/min. The HPLC analysis showed that the hydrolysed products of mango juice were xylose and xylo-oligosacharides. An optimized xylanase production was achieved from low cost agro residues, which results in the reduction of enzyme cost.

Propriedades mecânicas de compósitos de poliestireno reforçado com celulose de bagaço de cana

The EPS (expanded polystyrene) is a polymer resulting from the polymerization of styrene in water and is greatly used in package manufacturing. Because of that, the entire world produced a large quantity of these residues. Meanwhile, another important agro residue is the sugarcane bagasse, because of the massive sugar and ethanol production in Brazil. Thereby, this work will propose an application of these residues, combining its properties in a single product, a composite. The pulping process in a strongly alkaline medium (NaOH) extracted the cellulosic fibers from sugarcane bagasse, resulting in cellulose fibers with residual lignin. Fibers (10 and 20% by weight) and PS were mixed by extrusion in a single-screw extruder, followed by double-screw, and then injection molding. The natural fiber composites was evaluated by tensile, flexural and hardness mechanical properties. The surface of fractured composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As a result, the addition of 20 % wt of fibers to polystyrene improves the flexural, tensile and hardness properties in respect to recycled PS. This result indicates best stress transference of fibers to matrix due to the interface interaction promoted by residual lignin, which actuates as coupling agent.

Production of surfactin from rice mill polishing residue by submerged fermentation using Bacillus subtilis MTCC 2423

Rice mill polishing residue (RMPR), an abundant and cheap agro residue, was used as substrate for microbial growth of Bacillus subtilis MTCC 2423 by submerged fermentation process to produce surfactin. Nutrients present in the residue were sufficient to sustain the growth of the microorganism. Multi stage foam fractionation followed by acid precipitation was used to concentrate and recover the product. Recoverable yield of surfactin was 4.17g/kg residue. Product recovered in the foamate accounted for 69% of the total yield. The residual broth containing ∼30% surfactin exhibited biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand values of 23 and 69mg/L respectively. The microbial growth data was correlated using three parameter sigmoid models. Surfactin synthesized had a predominance of molecular weight 1076Da. Foam separation of copper using surfactin resulted in a maximum removal of 72.5%.

English

The current study evaluated lipase production by Aspergillus candidus URM 5611 through solid state fermentation (SSF) by using almond bran licuri as a new substrate. The microorganism produced high levels of the enzyme (395.105 U gds-1), thus surpassing those previously reported in the literature. The variable moisture content, the inductor concentration, temperature and pH were analyzed. The best production conditions were initial moisture content of 75%, 0% of inductor, at 25°C, pH 5.5, in 10.0 g of substrate. The variables initial moisture and inductor contents showed significant effects on lipase production by increasing enzyme activity in about 200% when compared with the initial screening (197.44 U gds-1). Optimum lipase activity was obtained at pH 2.5 at an optimum temperature of 65°C. The lipase was stable from pH 2.5 to 9.0 and at temperatures between 30 to 65°C. Results from the study are promising for the economic use and value addition from these important agro residues, which are abundantly available in Brazil. This is the first report on lipase production by A. candidus URM 5611 reaching a much higher yield of enzyme under SSF with almond bran licuri used as substrate.   Key words: Aspergillus candidus URM 5611, solid state fermentation (SSF), licuri waste, lipase characterization.

Integrated Briquetting Plant: Study for Maichew Particle Board FactoryIntegrated Briquetting Plant: Study for Maichew Particle Board Factory

Biomass briquetting is a process which converts agro residue and saw dust materials with low bulk density into a uniform size and more convenient households or industrial fuel product. The major advantages offered by biomass densification are related to handling improvement and increasing calorific value per unit volume. In general this process offers energy generation opportunity from any biomass residue. Maichew Particle Board Factory generates a huge amount of dust particles from its different lines which recovered using different cyclones. But this recovered waste doesn’t use as a fuel for boiler or dryer and also not yet convert to any valuable product. It is simply disposed to the environment. Therefore, the objective of the project was to study an integrated briquetting plant for Maichew Particle Board Factory which converts the waste dust particle in to valuable product. This case study involved the overall energy review of Ethiopia and briquetting process in detail. According to the selection of appropriate technology which converts the eucalyptus dust to high quality briquette fuel screw press extruder with a pre heater and heated die coils has been chosen. In addition the amount of energy required to convert the dust particle to briquettes is also evaluated. Based on the results of this study, the economic evaluation of the integrated briquetting plant for Maichew Particle Board is feasible besides to its socio environmental benefits. It is an investment which can recover its capital with almost two years.

RECOVERY OF ASPERGILLUS ENDO-GLUCANASE PRODUCED ON SOLID SUBSTRATE: A DOE BASED APPROACH

The endo-glucanase (E.C. 3.2.1.4) was produced by Aspergillus terreus adopting solid state fermentation (SSF) using agro residues as main substrate. To recover the enzyme from the fermented mass, different extraction liquids were tried and 10% aqueous solution of glycerol was found to be superior. When the selected extractant was applied at different ratio to the fermented solid mass, maximum enzyme was recovered at 1:5 (w/v) ratio. The other process parameters (time, temperature and mixing speed) effects on the enzyme recovery were subsequently studied by response surface methodology (RSM). Box-Bhenken Design of experiment (BBDOE) was exploited for the analysis of interactive effects of the independent variables. The optimization was done following the numerical approach focusing reduction in utility cost without compromising the endo-glucanse activity. Based on the predicted solution the validation experiments were carried out and finally 32 IU/g of endo-glucanase was recovered at room temperature, at a mixing speed of 100 rpm in 2.65 h which was very close to the predicted response. The optimization evidenced more than two times betterment in enzyme recovery than the un-optimized state. The model developed was found to be robust for process analysis. Repetitive extraction had revealed that maximum endo-glucanase recovery was required of two cycles of extraction at optimized conditions.

Study of fluidized bed combustion power plant using agri residues

This paper presents comprehensive study of few parameters of agro residue based fluidized bed combustion power plant. The comprehensive study has been conducted on seven and half Megawatt agro residue based commercial fluidized bed combustion power plant situated at Gulabewala, Muktsar, Punjab, India. This is a unique plant as requirement for fuel for this plant has been met through collection of agro residues from nearby villages. This study is divided into three parts. In the first part of this study analysis of different types of fuels used locally, plant data and operational experience of this plant is presented. In the second part of this study heat transfer and CFD model is presented. Heat transfer and CFD model is validated by extensive measurement campaign at the plant. It is found that heat transfer coefficient in splash zone is higher than bed and freeboard. In the third part reasons of low productivity (power generation) during certain months of year has been found. To find out the reasons of low productivity, different samples of ash and fuels has been tested and the results are presented.

INVESTIGATION ON THE PRODUCTION OF L-GLUTAMINASE FROM PSEUDOMONAS STUTZERI STRAIN UNDER SOLID STATE FERMENTATION USING VARIOUS AGRO RESIDUES

Solid state fermentation was carried out for the production of L-glutaminase by Pseudomonas stutzeri PIMS6 using different agro residues including green gram husk, Bengal gram husk, cattle feed, wheat bran and groundnut oil cake as solid substrates. L-glutaminase has received significant attention in recent years owing to its potential applications in medicine as an anticancer agent, as an efficient anti-retroviral agent and as a biosensor. In food industries it is used as a flavor and aroma enhancing agent. The maximum yield (55.24 U/gds) of L-glutaminase by Pseudomomonas stutzeri PIMS6 was obtained using cattle feed at 75% initial moisture content, initial pH 8.0, supplemented with glucose (1.0%), ammonium sulphate (1.0%),  inoculated with 5% of inoculum and incubated at 37°C for 96 h. Both physico-chemical and nutritional parameters played a significant role in the production of the enzyme L-glutaminase.Keywords: L-glutaminase, Pseudomonas stutzeri PIMS6, Cattle feed, Solid state fermentation.

Agro-residues implication in decentralized CHP production through a thermochemical conversion system with SOFC

The present study is focusing on the CHP generation by agro biomass thermochemical derived gases and liquids, as feedstock for hydrogen-rich gas production and consecutively, power generation by using fuel cells mainly of the SOFC type. Objectives encompass analysis, integration of processes and synergies along with estimation of selected agro residues physicochemical characteristics, suitability and implication in decentralized CHP systems of thermochemical conversion in conjunction with SOFC. Estimation of the conjugated system energy efficiency by using data from olive kernel steam gasification is also reported. The integration of agro biomass gasification with SOFC offers the potential of highly efficient and renewable power generation. From the perspective of the integrated process, power density and fuel characteristics determine the overall efficiency of SOFCs.

Utilization of Agro Residue Corncob for Production of Acetone-Butanol Using Clostridium acetobutylicum and Process Optimization through RSM

Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation is an important industrial process for acetone and butanol production. In early 1950 due to the rise of cheaper petrochemical synthesis and increased cost of fermentation raw materials, these are predominately produced through chemical synthesis which relies on crude oil supply. With the growing concerns of environmental issues, depleting fossil resources and increasing crude oil price, interest has returned to fermentative production, not only as a chemical but also as an alternative biofuel. To overcome the limitations of conventional ABE fermentation such as low titer and high substrate cost emphases areas under research are utilization of renewable and low-cost feedstocks, development of novel fermentation processes, alternative product recovery technologies and metabolic engineering of solvent-producing microorganisms. In the present study the rotatable central composite design and response surface technique that was employed for optimization work in many studies is successfully used. The optimum conditions for acetone production of corncob were found as temperature 36.71°C, pH 4.16 and sugar (g/l) 99.94, butanol production of corncob were found as temperature 35.44°C, pH 4.79 and sugar (g/l) 91.96.

Biochemical characterization of xylanase produced from Streptomyces sp. CS624 using an agro residue substrate

An extracellular and cellulase-free xylanase (EX624) was produced by Streptomyces sp. CS624 using an agricultural residue (wheat bran) as a growth substrate. EX624 was purified from culture supernatant using ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The SDS-PAGE and the zymogram analysis of the purified xylanase indicated molecular mass of 40kDa. Biochemical characterization of the purified EX624 revealed its highest activity at a temperature of 60°C and pH 6.0. The xylanase was adequately stable in the pH range 4.5–10.0 and at temperatures ≤50°C. EX624 displayed enhanced activity in the presence of several metal ions including Fe2+, Co2+ and Ca2+. HPLC results showed that EX624 was not only able to hydrolyze commercially available pure beechwood xylan to xylose, xylobiose and xylotriose, but also abundantly available lignocellulosic agricultural residues in nature such as wheat bran to xylooligosaccharides.

Oil bearing seasonal crops in India: energy and phytoremediation potential

Purpose – A variety of biomass plantations are being raised for energy production. This case study is on energy production potential of seasonal oil bearing crops in India. These crops have the advantage of producing oil (liquid fuel) as well as biomass as agro residue (solid fuel). The purpose of the study is to estimate total energy yields of oil bearing crops and compare with other types of energy plantations. Also oil bearing crops bioaccumulate metals and thus phytoremediate soil. This provides scope for waste water irrigation. Design/methodology/approach – Relevant published papers on energy production by raising oil bearing crops have been analyzed. The effect of waste water irrigation and agronomic practices on increasing productivity is given special attention. Findings – It is shown that the seasonal oil bearing crops such as castor have a high potential to generate energy and this is comparable to energy produced by many perennial grasses. The energy yields of castor under irrigated condition was 196×103 MJ/ha and this is comparable to the reed canary grass which yields 195×103 MJ/ha. Some of the oil bearing crops are also super accumulators of certain toxic metals. Research limitations/implications – In this study, only all the accessible papers on the topic could be analyzed. Practical implications – This case study indicates that raising oil bearing crops such as castor using waste water has many advantages which include high energy yields, utilization of waste water for productive purpose and phytoremediation of soil. Originality/value – The comparison made between various types of energy crops for their energy generation is an original contribution. Findings of economic and environmental benefits by waste water irrigation are also of value.

Impact of biofuel utilization in engine fuel: an ecofriendly product

Biofuel initiative has been backed by government policies in the quest for energy security through partially replacing the limited fossil fuels and reducing threat to the environment from exhaust emissions and global warming. The main fuel found to be an increasingly important alternative to petroleum is bio-fuel. It is biodegradable, and produces significantly less air pollution than fossil fuel. In a large excess Biofuels (Bioethanol, Biodisel) are produced by agroresidues and from algal biomass. Agro residues are the main source of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic materials composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin, are the world's most widely available low-cost renewable resources to be considered for ethanol production. Sugarcane bagasse, rice hulls, wheat straw, rape straw, wheat bran, barley straw and cassava stalks are agricultural and agro-industrial residues that could be considered for bioconversion. Bioethanol is an attractive, sustainable energy source to fuel transportation, which is prepared by these agro residues in different steps. Pretreatment is the first step to degrade the biomass component. There are different types of methods of pretreatment one of which dilute acid pretreatment. After pretreatment enzymatic hydrolysis is used to ferment pre-treated biomass either by using simultaneous saccharification or by further acid treatment. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process is favoured for producing ethanol from the major fraction of lignocellulosic biomass, cellulose, because of its low cost potential. An attempt has been made in this paper to use alternative fuel in four stroke Gasoline engine. As a gaseous fuel, gains from LPG have already been established in terms of low emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon. Ethanol is one of the fuel additive has some advantages such as better antiknock characteristics and the reduction of CO and HC emissions. It can be considered as renewable energy under the environmental consideration. The purpose of this study is to investigate experimentally and compare the engine performance and pollutant emission of a SI engine using ethanol-gasoline blended fuel and pure gasoline. The results showed that when ethanol is added, the heating value of the blended fuel decreases, while the octane number of the blended fuel increases. The results of the engine test indicated that when ethanol-gasoline blended fuel is used, the engine power and specific fuel consumption of the engine slightly increase; CO emission decreases dramatically as a result of the leaning effect caused by the ethanol addition; HC emission decreases in some engine working conditions; and CO 2 emission increases because of the improved combustion.

Evaluation of Crop Residue Potential for Power Generation for Indian State Punjab

The problem of disposal of agro residue in the beneficial way along with the problem of agro residue pollution is very serious problem of Indian state Punjab, so to address the problem along with the alternative methods of its disposal has been considered in this research paper. It has been investigated that around 14462.85 Thousand Ton year -1 is generated from various crops and it is further investigated that 917.57 MW power can be generated through crop residue. Categorisation of crop residue has been done to further investigate the problem practically. It is found that in districts Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Ludhiana, Firozpur, Faridkot, Shri Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib has energy potential approximately 59.55 MW, 40.96 MW, 41.26 MW, 34.99 MW, 50 MW, 25.36 MW, 53.93 MW, 20.44 MW, 13.43 MW, 85.50 MW, 85.58 MW, 31.72 MW, 39.55 MW, 42.43 MW, 42.58 MW, 30.74 MW, 90.37 MW, 35.36 MW, 67.54 MW and 26.28 MW respectively. Agricultural residues are spatially scattered in Punjab. The spatial distribution and associated costs on collection and transportation of this resource are the critical factor in planning the biomass based power plants. In this paper geographical information system is used to evaluate the feasibility of setting up biomass based power plants and optimizing their location. The Ultimate and Proximate analysis of crop residue has been done. In the present study, a downdraft biomass gasifier is used to carry out the gasification experiments with the cotton stalks as biomass fuel. Approximately 80% of diesel has been saved in the dual fuel mode of the gasification system.

Effect on Environment by Burning Different Agricultural Waste

Many of the developing countries produce huge quantities of agro residues but they are used inefficiently causing extensive pollution to the environment. The major residues are rice husk, coffee husk, coir pith, jute sticks, bagasse, groundnut shells, mustard stalks and cotton stalks. The objective was to analyze the burning characteristic of paddy straw briquettes, cotton plant waste, corn sticks, saw dust briquette, wood and paddy straw, these were burnt and combustibles percentage, CO (ppm) and NO (ppm) were noted by multi gas analyzer. By analyzing the flue gases coming out during burning of these fuels, then plotting the graph of different parameters like combustibles, CO and NO which were obtained during burning of fuels with respect to time. Also the ash content left after burning was recorded. On combining all these parameters briquettes proves out to be clean source of energy, briquettes burn slowly giving out a constant amount of heat and less amount of combustibles as compared to other agricultural residue.

A Box–Behnken design approach for the production of xylanase by Aspergillus candidus under solid state fermentation and its application in saccharification of agro residues and Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Xylanase production by indigenous Aspergillus candidus using wheat bran as a substrate under solid state fermentation was studied. Inorganic nitrogen source ammonium nitrate was found best among all the nitrogen sources tested. Physical parameters like time of incubation, temperature and moisture content were optimized using Box–Behnken design and under optimized condition maximum xylanase activity found 770U/gds. Low amount of CMCase (77U/gds) and FPase (26.12U/gds) were produced concomitantly with xylanase. The crude xylanase preparation was used for saccharification of aqueous ammonia treated of various lignocellulosic materials like corn cob, wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse and Parthenium weed. Corn cob produced maximum sugar yield and further response surface method was employed to optimized saccharification yield. Under optimized condition maximum reducing sugar yield were found to be 438.47mg/g which was found significantly high considering earlier studies available in the literature.

Enhancing Gallic Acid Content in Green Tea Extract by Using Novel Cell-Associated Tannase of B acillus massiliensis

Gallic acid content in green tea extract was enhanced by using a novel cell-associated tannase of Bacillus massiliensis. Biomass that contains tannase was used for this study. The activity of the cell-associated tannase was stable during 1 week of storage in the refrigerator. Response surface methodology was applied based on central composite design to determine the effects of three independent variables (pH, temperature and incubation time) and their mutual interactions. A total of 16 experiments were conducted; and a statistical model was developed, which predicted 475.74 mg/L gallic acid production at pH 6.2, 36C and incubation period of 16.71 h. The subsequent verification experiments confirmed the validity of the model. Under optimal conditions, 84.7% of the total hydrolyzable tannins were converted to gallic acid and glucose. This naturally immobilized tannase was stable enough to be used for up to 12 runs. Practical Applications The current study shows that naturally immobilized tannase of Bacillus massiliensis can be used instead of artificially immobilized tannase. Such naturally immobilized tannase has many advantages as it avoids expensive and laborious isolation, purification and immobilization. Ease of separation of cell-associated enzyme from the reaction mixture and absence of any detectable extracellular tannase activity after enzymatic treatment are some of the encouraging facts. Stability during storage up to 7 days, 85% tannic acid hydrolyzing efficiency, activity at pH 3.5–8.0 and operational stability for 12 runs are some of the interesting features of this naturally immobilized enzyme. However, its application for tea treatment will be limited until Bacillus massiliensis gets “Generally Recognized As Safe” status. It can be employed, however, for production of gallic acid from agro residues and production of propyl gallate.

Highly thermo–halo–alkali-stable β-1,4-endoxylanase from a novel polyextremophilic strain of Bacillus halodurans

A novel bacterial isolate, capable of producing extracellular highly thermostable, halo-alkali-stable and cellulase-free xylanase, was isolated from soil and identified as Bacillus halodurans TSPV1 by polyphasic approach. The Plackett-Burman design identified wheat bran, lactose, tryptone and NaCl as the factors that significantly affect xylanase production, and thus, these were optimized by response surface methodology. The data analysis suggested that optimum levels of wheat bran (15-20gL(-1)), lactose (1.0-1.5gL(-1)), tryptone (2-2.5gL(-1)) and NaCl (7.0-8.0gL(-1)) support 6.75-fold higher xylanase production than that in the un-optimized medium. The xylanase is optimally active at 90°C and pH 10, and stable for 4h at 90°C (T 1/2 60h) over a broad range of NaCl concentrations (0-29%). This is the first report on the isolation of polyextremophilic B. halodurans strain that produces thermo-halo-alkali-stable xylanase in submerged fermentation. This enzyme efficiently saccharifies agro residues like wheat bran and corncobs. Fifty-six percent of hemicellulose of wheat bran could be hydrolyzed by xylanase (100Ug(-1)substrate) along with cellulase (22UFPase and 50UCMCaseg(-1)). The xylanase, being thermo-alkali stable and cellulase free, can find applications in pre-bleaching of paper pulps and hydrolysis of xylan in agricultural residues.

Biotechnological Potential of Agro Residues for Economical Production of Thermoalkali-Stable Pectinase by Bacillus pumilus dcsr1 by Solid-State Fermentation and Its Efficacy in the Treatment of Ramie Fibres

The production of a thermostable and highly alkaline pectinase by Bacillus pumilus dcsr1 was optimized in solid-state fermentation (SSF) and the impact of various treatments (chemical, enzymatic, and in combination) on the quality of ramie fibres was investigated. Maximum enzyme titer (348.0 ± 11.8 Ug−1 DBB) in SSF was attained, when a mixture of agro-residues (sesame oilseed cake, wheat bran, and citrus pectin, 1 : 1 : 0.01) was moistened with mineral salt solution (a w 0.92, pH 9.0) at a substrate-to-moistening agent ratio of 1 : 2.5 and inoculated with 25% of 24 h old inoculum, in 144 h at 40°C. Parametric optimization in SSF resulted in 1.7-fold enhancement in the enzyme production as compared to that recorded in unoptimized conditions. A 14.2-fold higher enzyme production was attained in SSF as compared to that in submerged fermentation (SmF). The treatment with the enzyme significantly improved tensile strength and Young's modulus, reduction in brittleness, redness and yellowness, and increase in the strength and brightness of ramie fibres.