Plant Ash Research Articles

Advancing bamboo fiber reinforcement: A novel approach using eco-friendly plant ash alkali treatment.

This study aimed to enhance the engineering performance of bamboo fibers for use in composite materials by employing a sustainable plant ash alkali treatment. The primary objective was to improve the tensile strength, crystallinity, and thermal stability of bamboo fibers, which are known for their high specific strength, low density, and biodegradability but suffer from poor compatibility with hydrophobic matrices. The study involved treating bamboo fibers with varying concentrations of plant ash solutions (5 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % by mass fraction) and comparing the results with those from conventional NaOH treatment. The results showed that plant ash treatment at a 20 % concentration significantly improved tensile strength by 14.16 % compared to untreated fibers, increased the crystallinity index to 75.57 %, and enhanced thermal stability, retaining more residual mass at high temperatures than NaOH-treated fibers. These improvements are attributed to the reduction in fiber polarity and better preservation of fiber structure. The findings suggest that plant ash, as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to NaOH, can significantly enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of bamboo fibers, making them suitable for use in environmentally sustainable composite materials in construction, and other industries.

Nutritional Composition of Forage Available to the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat.

Access to adequate nutrition supports an animal's chance of survival and reproduction; thus, it is particularly important for threatened species. The nutritional quality of forage available to the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii; NHW) has not been assessed for two decades. The NHW Recovery Action Plan 2022 highlighted a need to investigate the effects of invasive buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) on the species' diet - reassessing the relative nutritional quality of highly abundant buffel grass will assist this investigation. This study assessed the nutritional composition of NHW food items, including buffel grass. Comparisons of the nutritional composition were made between two geographically distanced sites (both eucalyptus woodland and savannah with highly abundant buffel grass), seasons and plant genera. The nitrogen, gross energy, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, ash and mineral content of plants and their relationship to scats, as faecal nitrogen is a good predictor of palatability of grass and nutritional status, were assessed. The nutritional content of plants varied significantly between sites, seasons and genera. Total forage nutritional quality was greatest during spring 2020 at Epping Forest National Park, during summer 2020/21 and autumn 2021 at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and poorest during winter at both sites. Buffel grass may be a nutritionally valuable food item of the NHW during winter at both sites. There was no significant relationship between the N and gross energy in forage and scats. The findings of this study will inform management if there is a need to reduce invasive buffel grass, based on enhanced knowledge of the NHW nutritional requirements, by determining whether the species has access to suitable dietary items and meeting their nutritional requirements, particularly when forage quality is poorest or promotion of nutritionally valuable forage items is required. The study will also inform management of nutritional requirements at future translocation sites for the NHW.

Incorporating geranium plant waste into ultra-high performance concrete prepared with crumb rubber as fine aggregate in the presence of polypropylene fibers

Abstract This research examines the efficiency of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) when utilizing geranium plant (GP) ash, which is subjected to different curing temperatures ranging from 300 to 900°C for 3 h of burning time. The GP ash is used as a replacement for cement in varying amounts (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt%). Crumb rubber powder is utilized as a substitute for fine aggregate. Polypropylene fibers have been used to improve concrete performance. The performance of UHPC is evaluated by assessing its mechanical qualities, such as flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and compressive strength. The sorptivity test is also evaluated as a component of it. Scanning electron microscopy is used to analyze UHPC after exposure to temperatures as high as 900°C. The findings demonstrated a notable enhancement in the mechanical characteristics of all mixtures. The most favorable mixtures were achieved with proportions of 50, 40, 40, and 20% for mixtures including GP waste incinerated at temperatures ranging from 300 to 900°C. Furthermore, the optimal outcome is achieved when 40% substitution is performed at a temperature of 700°C, resulting in notable enhancements of 14% in compressive strength, 30% in flexural strength, and 17% splitting tensile strength, respectively. At a high temperature of 700°C, the decrease in strength increased to approximately 37–40% as a result of the initial removal of carbon dioxide from calcite at temperatures ranging from 600 to 900°C and reached 56% at 900°C. Great resistance to sorptivity, as well as a dense and compact microstructure with a high content of calcium and silicon, was obtained.

Characterisation and Hydrochloric Acid Leaching of Rare Earth Elements in Discard Coal and Coal Fly Ash

Rare earth elements (REEs) have been identified as valuable and critical raw materials, vital for numerous technologies and applications. With the increasing demand for and supply gap in REEs, many research studies have focused on alternative sources of REEs. This study involved an elemental and mineralogical characterisation of discarded coal from a coal plant and coal fly ash (CFA) from a power station in South Africa for REE presence. XRD results revealed that the discard coal sample consisted mainly of kaolinite, pyrite, siderite, quartz, calcite, gypsum, and muscovite, whereas CFA contained abundant glassy amorphous phases, alumina silicates, quartz, gypsum, calcite, and minute levels of muscovite and hematite. SEM-EDAX showed REE-carrying grains containing phosphorus in both discard coal and CFA samples. This was followed by investigating the leaching potential of REEs using hydrochloric acid from discard coal and CFA. This research’s potential impact is possibly providing a new and sustainable source of REEs. For that purpose, multiple batch leaching tests were performed to investigate the effects of temperature and acid concentration on the leaching efficiencies of REEs from discard coal and CFA. The experimental results indicated that temperature strongly influences REE leaching efficiency, while acid concentration has a lesser impact. This study identifies the best leaching conditions for the total REE recovery as 1 M HCl and 80 °C for discard coal and CFA.

Was bone used in the glaze of the ancient Qiong kilns for the production of tang dynasty opaque glaze celadon?

Being an important source of primary celadon in ancient China, the Qiong kiln is one of the few kilns that can skillfully produce opaque glaze celadon, which is of great significance in the history of Chinese ceramics. In this study, the chemical composition, microstructure, and crystalline phase of sixteen pieces of opaque glaze celadon excavated from the site of Qiong kiln Shifangtang dated at the Tang Dynasty were investigated by using ultra depth of field microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy spectrometry, and micro confocal Raman spectrometry. The findings indicate that Fe is the predominant coloring element in the ceramic glaze, and Cu is sometimes a secondary coloring element. During porcelain firing, washed plant ash was used to increase the phosphorus content of the glaze, while some wares incorporated animal ashes as a flux to improve glaze emulsification.

Skin rash related to the use of wood ash in wound healing, about a case

Abstarct Introduction: The ash of wood plants is part of the ancestral remedies because of its physical and chemical properties. It has detergent, fertilizing, and antiseptic properties, which justifies its many uses. Case report: We report the case of a woman aged 50 years who presented with a generalized rash all over the body with painful macules a burning sensation and a fever. Symptoms appeared after taking wood ash from plants, for three days. The reason for use was the healing of Zona's wound that she contracted and treated before admission. The patient’s general condition was preserved, and the drug treatment allowed a quick healing. Conclusion: Wood ash from plants with a high potassium hydroxyl content may be an irritant and partly explain the reaction observed. Traditional treatments should be used with great care to avoid adverse effects.

The Effects of Acid-Modified Biochar and Biomass Power Plant Ash on the Physiochemical Properties and Bacterial Community Structure of Sandy Alkaline Soils in the Ancient Region of the Yellow River

The application of biochar can effectively enhance soil organic matter (SOM) and improve soil structure. Biomass power plant ash (BPPA) is also rich in essential nutrients for plants, with similar carbon content. Considering production cost and agricultural waste recycling, it is beneficial to apply BPPA to improve soil fertility and quality. However, it remains unclear whether its ameliorative effects surpass those of biochar in alkaline soils. In the study, we set up seven pot experiments of faba beans in sandy alkaline soils from the ancient region of the Yellow River, including the controls (CK), different amounts of acid-modified BPPA (A1, A2, A3), and the same amounts of acid-modified biochar (B1, B2, B3), to compare their effects on soil physiochemical properties and bacterial community structure. The results indicate that the application of both biochar and BPPA can improve soil physiochemical properties. At the same dosage, the biochar application outperformed BPPA treatment in terms of soil physical properties such as bulk density (BD), maximum water-holding capacity (FC), and soil capillary porosity (SP2). Conversely, BPPA treatment displayed advantages in chemical properties such as readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROOC), total nitrogen (TN), alkaline nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and electrical conductivity (EC). All the treatments enhanced the richness and diversity of bacterial communities, increasing the relative abundance of eutrophic groups such as Bacteroidota and Firmicutes while decreasing that of oligotrophic groups like Actinobacteriota. BPPA also increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, while the opposite was observed for biochar. Correlation analysis showed that the environmental factors such as soil pH, EC, TN, AK, SOM, and SP2 emerged as primary factors influencing the bacterial community structure of alkaline soils, significantly affecting their diversity and abundance. Among them, SP2 and SOM were the dominant physical and chemical factors, respectively. Overall, the application of both acid-modified BPPA and biochar can enhance the physiochemical properties of sandy alkaline soils, while the application of BPPA is superior for improving soil nutrient content and enhancing bacterial community structure. The study explores the potential mechanisms through which the application of acid-modified BPPA affects soil characteristics and microbial features, providing new insight into developing optimizing fertilization strategies for enhancing soil quality in the ancient region of the Yellow River.

Assessment of Activated Charcoal and Phosphorus for Promoting Maize Production

The most continuous farming practice is the yearly addition of phosphorus fertilizers to soils in arid and semi-arid regions that all suffer from shortages of phosphorus availability. A vital approach is rationalizing applied fertilizers and trying to benefit from their reservoir in yearly-fertilized old soils using an activated charcoal-fertilizer mixture. Thus, a field experiment was conducted at a private farm in Mushtuhur, Toukh, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt. This trial was set up to study the effect of phosphorus (P) fertilizer sources (phosphoric acid Ph.A and super phosphate S.Ph), the P application rates (P0=control, P1=50%, P2=75% and P3=100% of P requirements), activated charcoal (A.Ch) rates (A.Ch0=control, A.Ch1=1, A.Ch2=3 and A.Ch3=5 g/hole, corresponding to 41, 124, and 207 kg ha-1, respectively) and the interaction between them on promoting maize growth, production and its nutrient status. Generally, adding phosphorus improved plant height (m), dry grains (t ha-1), and ash yield (t ha-1) without a significant difference between all P rates. Phosphoric acid affects most studied parameters, mainly the biological, ear, and ash yield (t ha-1); it was the best compared with superphosphate. Adding the 1st rate of A.Ch improved the studied growth and yield parameters significantly compared with the control. Slight enhancement was induced by the 2nd A.Ch dose, and there was no significant difference between the 3rd and 4th rates in most studied parameters. The heighest value of grain yield resulted from the third interaction between A. Ch3 x P0, followed by A. Ch2 x P0, and the next is Ph.A x A. Ch2 x P1 without significant difference among them. These results shed light on the fact that there is no need to add P fertilizers yearly, as described by the recommendations of the Ministry of Agriculture. Different materials can move the fixed P in old clayey soil, such as A.Ch.

SOME SEA GLASS PEBBLES FROM SÃO MIGUEL AZORES, PORTUGAL: PHYSICAL FEATURES, CHEMISTRY AND POTENTIAL RAW MATERIALS

Three Sea Glass pebbles collected on the shoreline of the island of São Miguel Azores, in Portugal, called white, blue and black, were analyzed by mesoscopic means, and by XRD, XRF (handheld), and SEM-EDS. They are rounded, matte, and translucent, with a hardness of around 6 and low density. They are all amorphous to XRD. All three have the same proportion in Si (SiO2) and Al, while they differ in most of the other chemical components. White and blue are sodium-potassium-barium, and black are sodium-calcium. Blue has Co as its pigment, while black has Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides. It is likely that quartz sand, quartz containing Al and Ti, was added at least in part as plant ash (Na, K, Mg, S, Cl). However, Ba may have had calcined barite as its raw material, which appears sporadically in microaggregates. Therefore, the Azores SG could be classified as possible genuine sea glass.

Analysis of technologies of disposal and use fibrous paper skopje

The article examines the current state and trends in the development of waste management technologies in the pulp and paper industry, with the aim of analyzing the reasons that hinder, and sometimes make impossible, the effective utilization of fibrous waste paper to obtain environmentally safe materials and raw products. The production of paper products is one of the most capital-intensive and energy-intensive industries, second only to the metallurgical and chemical industries, with a correspondingly large amount of waste and a negative impact on the environment. The technological processes of scum formation as a result of waste paper recycling and paper production wastewater treatment are considered and analyzed. Skopje is the final waste of the pulp and paper industry, which is formed at various stages of the paper and cardboard manufacturing process, therefore it is deposited in landfills. Multiton volumes of skopje require significant areas for its storage. Despite the low IV hazard class, this leads to serious environmental problems, as the leachate from the skopje landfill pollutes surface and ground water. Technologies of possible disposal and reuse of skopje, known in domestic and foreign literature, are described and analyzed. The technology of reusing scoop is determined by its relatively environmentally safe physicochemical composition. The indicated fibrous, mineral, extractive constituents and lignin determine the possibility of reusing skopje, mainly for the construction industry. The perspective of the complex use of multi-tonnage waste – slag, sludge, ash and slag of thermal power plants as plasticizers, fillers, binders and binding components in the production of building structural and heat-insulating materials is named. Technologies for using scapula as a filler in the production of building materials require a high content of inorganic compounds and a minimum amount of organic compounds. A high content of fibrous particles and a low content of mineral substances is necessary when using scapula in the production of composite wood composite materials. The specified technological limitations ensure only small amounts of skopje use in the production of building materials. The effectiveness of using skopje as an additive to the asphalt mixture for road construction and production of fuel materials is determined by the economic costs of transportation and dewatering. It is noted that the high humidity, ash content and low calorific value of scum are the main reason for the lack of effective technologies for its utilization. The solution to the problem is the use of low-energy technologies through the direct use of osprey as a component of the soil mixture for biological reclamation of man-made landscapes. The article substantiates an environmentally safe and socially favourable option for using a soil substrate based on osprey. It is emphasised that the humidity and organic viscosity of the plant origin of osprey form the agrotechnical properties of soil substrates of prolonged action, which ensure optimal technological efficiency of phytomelioration of degraded lands. The reclaimed areas will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the soil, prevent wind and water erosion, and ensure the environmental safety of natural and man-made ecosystems.

Effect of Mixed Application of Biomass Power Plant Ash and Sodium Sulphide on Cd Accumulation in Rice

Effect of Mixed Application of Biomass Power Plant Ash and Sodium Sulphide on Cd Accumulation in Rice

Economic feasibility and direct greenhouse gas emissions from different phosphorus recovery methods in Swedish wastewater treatment plants

Phosphorus (P) is a finite, non-renewable resource that is a critical component of fertilizers; therefore, recovering P from municipal wastewater can provide an alternative sustainable source of this nutrient. This work analyses economic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions of P recovery in Swedish municipal wastewater treatment plants. The study examines different scenarios, including P recovery technologies in individual plants and hubs, and considers various P-rich streams (supernatant, sludge, and ash) in plants, different plant sizes, and multiple sludge management strategies such as land application, incineration, and hydrochar production, under current market conditions. The goal is to identify and offer solutions tailored to local conditions, addressing both technical opportunities and strategies to reduce costs.The results show varying recovery rates: 5 % from supernatant, 36–65 % from sludge, and 17 % from sludge ash relative to total P in wastewater. Despite technical feasibility, P recovery costs are not covered at current market prices of P, indicating a lack of financial incentive, especially for smaller treatment plants. The least expensive recovery method costs about 7 k€/t P for ash, compared to 30–187 k€/t P for supernatant, however with the latter coming with the co-benefit of mitigated greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions from studied plants range from 84 to 123 kt CO2 eq (CO2 equivalent) for supernatant, 94–141 kt CO2 eq for sludge, and 75–102 kt CO2 eq for ash among different P recovery methods. Comparatively, P recovery methods from supernatant showed the lowest emissions, while the lower emissions range for ash is due to the consideration of fewer plants. Developing hub networks and converting sludge into products like hydrochar are crucial for attracting investments, enhancing P recovery, and leveraging economies of scale. Results highlight the urgency for localized strategies and proactive policy interventions to reconcile economic and environmental objectives in P recycling. Furthermore, P recovery from wastewater treatment plants, although more resource-intensive than mineral fertilizer, promotes circularity in the food chain and mitigates the risk of eutrophication.

Soda-lime glass trade across the Eurasian Steppe during the 4th to 5th century CE: Evidence from a Xianbei cemetery in Inner Mongolia

A batch of glass beads, including silver-in-glass beads and monochrome beads from the Chenwugou cemetery in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, China was analysed using optical microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (LA-ICP-AES), and Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Based on their compositions, the silver-in plant ash glass samples are chemically very homogenous and possibly from Iran/Central Asia, if they were not made locally in China. The four monochrome beads are all individually different, with three plant-ash glasses and one natron glass bead thought to be from the southeastern Mediterranean. The silver-in-glass beads were made from a drawn glass tube as the inner layer, with a silver foil on its surface. They were then covered by another glass layer richer in iron oxide, before being cut into beads in a mould.

Engineering characteristics of ultra-high performance concrete containing basil plant ash

One of the most present types of concrete in buildings is ultra-high-performance concrete. In contrast, large quantities of cement are consumed to achieve the required strength. To minimize the quantity of cement utilized in manufacturing ultra-high-performance concrete, this research aims to look at the usage of a unique agricultural waste as an alternative to cement. This study focuses on using agricultural waste as a partial cement alternative to reduce the amount of cement used in the production of ultra-high-performance concrete. This study employed basil plant ash as a partial substitution for ordinary Portland cement at 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %, and 25 % by mass. basil plant ash was heat-treated at temperatures of 300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C, 900 °C. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and sorptivity coefficient of ultra-high-performance concrete were investigated using 21 different mixes. In addition, microstructure characteristics as assessed using X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that treating basil plant ash at 700 °C contributed to achieving the best mechanical properties when it was utilized as a partial substitution for 20 % of the weight of ordinary Portland cement. The compressive strength and splitting tensile strength were enhanced by 15.07 % and 20.39 %, respectively, compared with the control mix at 28 days. The thermo-gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope analyses are consistent with the obtained mechanical and durability characteristics. The outcomes of this investigation help shed light on the use of basil plant ash as a partial substitution at a level of 20 % of the weight of cement to produce ultra-high-performance concrete with high performance and lower cost.

Technology of extraction of fuel mass from ash and slag waste in Ukraine

Purpose. Development of a technological scheme for the processing of ash and slag waste from coal-fired thermal power plants. The methods. The ash and slag dumps of thermal power plants are made up of the main components - slag, ash and unburned coal particles, drawing up an appropriate scheme for the extraction of coal particles allows the development of an effective scheme for the processing of ash and slag outputs of thermal power plants. The slag is separated from the fly ash by classification on a screen. Next, the method of extracting fuel mass from fly ash is used - the flotation method, based on the selective fixation of coal particles on the surface of air bubbles in the flotation chamber, with subsequent extraction of coal particles into a foam product. The mineral part of the ash cleaned from the fuel mass is ready for use in the road construction industry. Findings. A technological scheme for the processing of ash and slag waste of coal-fired thermal power plants has been developed, which makes it possible to obtain slag, high-quality coal concentrate, and the mineral part of ash. The originality. For the first time, a mathematical model was developed for forecasting indicators of enrichment of ash and slag waste of coal-fired thermal power plants by the flotation method. To predict beneficiation indicators, it is necessary to use three disclosure values: the initial ash content of the coal fraction (Aпd), the number of coal grains (PРЗ), the number of rock grains (PНЗ), provided that the separation characteristics of the beneficiation equipment are experimentally determined in advance. On the basis of the developed mathematical model of forecasting indicators of ash slag waste enrichment, an appropriate flotation scheme for effective extraction of fuel mass was drawn up, which made it possible to develop a technological scheme for processing ash slag waste of coal-fired thermal power plants. Practical implementation. The developed technological scheme for the processing of ash and slag waste makes it possible to obtain slag with a yield of 3.11% suitable for filling industrial roads, coal concentrate with a yield of 25.75% with an ash content of 21.80% can be used as a secondary fuel for thermal power plants or as a raw material for production solid fuel briquettes, as well as the mineral part of ash with a yield of 71.14% with an ash content of 98.10%, which can be used in the road construction industry.

Farmer perceptions, knowledge, and management of fall armyworm in maize production in Uganda.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), fall armyworm (FAW), a polyphagous Noctuid pest, was first reported in Uganda in 2016. Farmers were trained to identify and manage the pest, but there was a lack of information on farmer knowledge, perceptions and practices deployed to control it. Therefore, we conducted a survey to assess maize farmers' knowledge, perceptions and management of the pest during the invasion. We interviewed 1,289 maize farmers from 10 maize-growing agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of Uganda using well-structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using R version 4.2.3. The respondents faced many constraints, including pests, drought, poor soils and labor constraints. Among the pests, FAW was ranked by most (85%) of the respondents as the number one pest problem in maize, and some farmers reported having noticed it way back in 2014. By 2018, more than 90% of the farmers had seen or heard about FAW, and about 80% saw FAW in their fields. The most common FAW symptoms reported by maize farmers were windowing, near tunnel damage, and holes on the cobs. The developmental stages of FAW identified by farmers included eggs (10%), young larvae (78.7%), mature larvae (73.5%) and adult moths (6.7%). Insecticides were the major control tactic, although some farmers used plant extracts, hand-picking, sand, and ash. Farmers sourced information on FAW from various sources, including fellow farmers, radio/TV, extension agents, input dealers, print media, research and NGO extension. There is a need to package clear and uniform information for the farmers and to develop and promote a sustainable solution for FAW management, including harnessing biological control and cultural practices.

Interspecific Differences in the Effects of Calcium and Phosphorus Coprecipitation Induced by Submerged Plants on the Water-to-Phosphorus Cycle

The effects of submerged plant-induced calcium and phosphorus coprecipitation on the phosphorus cycle in aquatic environments and interspecific differences are still unclear. Herein, we selected Ceratophyllum demersum L. and Potamogeton crispus L. to construct a sediment–water-submerged plant system. We examined how phosphorus concentrations in the water, sediment, and plant ash changed over time with different phosphorus and calcium treatments and explored the effects of photosynthesis-induced calcium and phosphorus coprecipitation on water’s phosphorus cycle and variations between different submerged plant species. The main results were as follows: (1) The phosphorus reduction in the P. crispus system was less than that in the C. demersum system. (2) P. crispus had higher total ash phosphorus (TAP) values than C. demersum. (3) The sediment total phosphorus (STP) and its fractions with P. crispus were most affected by phosphorus concentration while those with C. demersum were most affected by time. Overall, the two submerged species exhibited different calcium and phosphorus coprecipitation levels and had distinct effects on the water-to-phosphorus cycle. When submerged plants are introduced to reduce and stabilize the phosphorus levels, plant interspecific differences in their induced calcium and phosphorus coprecipitation on water and phosphorus cycling must be fully assessed.

Metabolomic and morphologic surveillance reveals the impact of lactic acid-treated barley on in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Lactic acid (LA) treatment of cereals is known to improve ruminant performance. However, changes in cereal nutrient levels and variations in rumen fermentation remain unclear. This study was designed to compare the effects of 5% LA treatment on the trophic and morphological characteristics of barley and to discover the differences in rumen fermentation characteristics and metabolomes between LA-treated and untreated barley. Compared with those of untreated barley (BA), the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash and water-soluble carbohydrate contents of barley plants treated with 5% LA for 48 h (BALA) decreased, but the resistant starch (RS) and non-fiber carbohydrate contents increased. Moreover, the amount of proteinaceous matrix in BA decreased in response to LA treatment. During in vitro fermentation, BALA had a greater pH but lower dry matter disappearance and ammonia, methane, and short-chain fatty acid levels than BA. The differential metabolites between BA and BALA were clustered into metabolic pathways such as purine metabolism, lysine degradation, and linoleic acid metabolism. Observable differences in ultrastructure between BALA and BA were noted during fermentation. Lactic treatment altered barley nutrient content, including DM, CP, RS, ash, water-soluble carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates, and affected barley ultrastructure. These variations led to significant and incubation time-dependent changes in the in vitro fermentation characteristics and metabolome.

A Pharmaceutical and Analytical Study on Palasha Kshara

Kshara is an important dose type stated in Ayurveda that is made from plant ash. Kshara has some similar qualities, such as an alkaline nature, water solubility, and a pale colour. Kshara has an advantage over all surgical and parasurgical measures since it can be used on skinny, frail individuals who are afraid of surgery. In classical writings, many herbs like as Apamarga, Snuhi, and Kadali Palasha are utilised to create Kshara, either individually or combined. The therapeutic usage of Kshara of different plants differs from one another, hence analytical research of each Kshara is required. Aims & Objectives The current study involves the preparation and analysis of Palasha (Butea monosperma) Kshara in order to better understand its properties. Material and Methods: Kshara preparation consists of several steps. In this study, Palasha Kshara is prepared using the general process described in the Sharangadhara Samhita. The prepared Kshara is submitted to several physicochemical evaluations, and the results are concluded. Results: The Palasha Kshara has physical features such as pale colour, strong odour, and softness to the touch. Chemically, it contains potassium, phosphorus, and sulphur, as well as trace amounts of other elements. The current study describes the methods and findings of Palasha Kshara's medicinal and analytical studies.

Optimizing Red Soil-Based Geopolymer Bricks: A Sustainable Approach towards Environmentally Friendly Construction Materials

In the whole world, construction activities are happening rapidly as a result of the population increase and also due to the lifestyle of people in the 20th century, intensifying the pressure on resources needed for construction. It also causes bad effects on the environment, such as the carbon footprint associated with cement production and the waste management of emission waste like fly ash in thermal power plants. Counteracting and stabilizing the adverse environmental consequences, this study adopts an experimental approach to utilize thermal power plant waste Class C Fly ash (pozzolanic), locally available red soil, and stone dust, along with geopolymer precursors, to manufacture bricks, which are the most demanding material for infill masonry work. The mechanical, durability, and microstructural characterization of the bricks were studied for various mix proportions, along with various concentrations of geopolymer precursors, cured at elevated temperatures and ambient curing. An optimum methodology was obtained to develop a red soil-based geopolymer brick.