Sal Seed Research Articles

Efficacy of Fumigants for Control of Sal Seed and Seedling Borer <i>Pammene theristis</i> Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Sal ( Shorea robusta Gaertn.) is one of the most important timber species of Indian sub-continent. Along with timber, Sal seeds are of great commercial importance. The quality of seed production and seed viability are affected by insect infestation on tree stands and during storage which causes considerable economic loss. Pammene theristis Meyrick is the most destructive pest, which bores both the seeds and seedlings of Sal. Fumigation is an effective management method of suffocating or poisoning the seed borers within the seed and thus controlling the infestation. A laboratory study was carried out in Insectary, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The results revealed that the most effective fumigant against the seed borer P. theristis was found to be EDB + CCl 4 at 0.2 ml/kg dose for 48 hours. It was followed by EDB (at 0.2 ml/kg), PDCB (at 0.2 ml/kg) and CS 2 (at 0.2 ml/kg) at 48 hours duration each.

Investigation of Different Piston Bowl Geometries and Sal Seed Oil Methyl Ester on Diesel Combustion Characteristics: A Numerical Approach

Investigation of Different Piston Bowl Geometries and Sal Seed Oil Methyl Ester on Diesel Combustion Characteristics: A Numerical Approach

Evaluation of Fuel Properties of Sal (Shorea robusta) Seed and Its Oil from Their Physico-chemical Characteristics and Thermal Analysis

ABSTRACT In search of alternative and eco-friendly sources of fuel, biofuel received enormous attention over the world. Although Bangladesh is a land of biomass and natural resources, an intensive study of the potential use of these resources for biofuel production has not yet been reported. Shorea robusta, commonly known as ‘Sal tree’, is the major plant of Sal forest which covers about 10% of the total forest land of Bangladesh. In this study, fuel properties of the seeds obtained from Sal tree were assessed from its proximate and ultimate analysis. Oil from Sal seed was extracted via solvent extraction process using n-hexane as solvent. The oil content in the seed was found 15.39% (when the coat and kernel of the seeds extracted together) and 20.16% (when only Kernel of the seeds was extracted), respectively. GC-FID analysis of the oil detected the presence of stearic acid (49.38%), oleic acid (34.69%), arachidic acid (8.56%), and palmitic acid (7.35%). The elemental composition of the oil was found C = 75.9%, H = 13.5%, N = 3.6%, S = 0.06%. Different physico-chemical parameters e.g., acid value, iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value, refractive index, and viscosity of the oil were also determined. The higher heating value of the Sal seed and its oil were found 17.99 MJ/kg and 41.61 MJ/kg, respectively. The pyrolysis and the combustion characteristics of the seed and extracted oil were evaluated via Thermogravimetric Analysis. The Sal seed and its oil would be a promising feedstock for commercial biodiesel, pyro-oil, and soap production in Bangladesh.

Sal biodiesel production using Indian abundant forest feedstock

The objectives of present work are exploration and develop an indigenous fuel from abundant forest of India. India has 10 million hectors Sal (Shorea Robusta) forest which produced 180 million kg non-edible seeds annually. Since Sal seeds may be an option to fulfil the biodiesel mission of India due to its low acid value. So in the current research, single stage base catalyst transesterification was employed for biodiesel production. The work was focused on optimization of major characteristics such as cetane number, viscosity, calorific value and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) using response surface methodology (RSM). The significant process parameters of transesterification reaction such as methanol to oil molar ratio (3–15:1), KOH catalyst concentration (2.5–15 g/kg), reaction time (30–120 min) and reaction temperature (50–70 °C) were exploited to optimize the above properties and synchronize with production yield. After the optimization results, confirmation trails has been conducted and yield was achieved 98.94%. At the same time physicochemical properties were obtained such as cetane number 61.91, viscosity 4.97 cSt, calorific value 39.61 MJ/kg and CFPP 0.024 °C. Results were validated through the confirmation trails and all properties of Sal biodiesel are well within ASTM limits. So Sal seed is the needed source of biodiesel in India.

Innovation-Driven Business Case of Hanuman Vitamin

The proverbial saying – “to have mango at the coronel’s price” - fits exactly true in case of Hanuman Vitamin Foods Ltd., Khamgaon, a Public company established in the year 1966 which produced oil cake from the stone of the mango. This uniquely innovated venture went on to add production of Sal Seed oil, Kokum oil, Dhupa Seed oil, Illepe Nuts (from Indonesia) oil and Shea Nuts (from West African countries) oil through ultra modern plants/process manufacturing De Oiled Cake (DOC) and Cocoa Butter Equivalence (CBE) and exported them to Japan, Italy, Switzerland and all European countries except US. The company became number one Indian manufacturer and exporter of these products and grew in scale and expanded by setting up a new plant at Raipur in the State of Chattisgarh. However, in 2002 – 2003, Hanuman Vitamin Foods Ltd. had to apply to the then Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) – now National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) - for being declared as sick unit and for obtaining government assistance under insolvency and bankruptcy code for its revival. And it finally stopped production in the year 2008 after which the financer banks took the possession of the company through Asset Management Company. The steep rise and fall of Hanuman Vitamin unfolds a host of significant management lessons in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Influence of Moisture Content and Compression Axis on Physico-mechanical Properties of Shorea robusta Seeds

Shorea robusta (Sal) is mainly harvested and processed for its seed oil, which has diverse application in commercial food and non-food based industries. Before extraction of its oil, seeds undergo into various post-harvest unit operations. Physical and mechanical properties play an important role in the handling and other processing activity. In this study influence of moisture content and compression axis of sal seed on physico-mechanical properties were studied and their application are highlighted. The experiments were conducted at five different moisture levels of 6.38, 10.49, 13.63, 17.64, and 21.95% (d.b) at two different orientations. The first orientation is on major axis (LEN) of the seed, and the other orientation is on intermediate or minor axis (WID), which is right angle to the major axis. It was observed that 68% of sal seeds were of medium size group at initial moisture content of 10.49% (d.b). The mean length and width of sal seed was found to be 26.7 mm and 12.8 mm, respectively. It was found that values of hardness, deformation at hardness, deformation at hardness percentage and energy for rupture were higher in minor axis (WID) as compared to the major axis (LEN). The results provide necessary data that may be useful to engineers, scientists, industries in the design of a suitable post-harvest processing machine.

Pyrolysis kinetics of Sal (Shorea robusta) seeds

Thermal kinetics of Sal seeds during pyrolysis process was investigated as feedstocks for chemical, material, and bioenergy industries. The physicochemical properties of the seeds were examined. Results showed that Sal seed can be characterized as high calorific values, low ash, and high volatile content biomass to suit pyrolysis applications. Kinetic analysis for thermal degradation of this biomass was given particular attention. Two major degradation zones were identified with T max at about 321 and 405 °C, and activation energy was evaluated using various methods. Model-free pyrolysis kinetic approach was verified to be appropriate and indicated that unprocessed Sal seed biomass can directly become potential renewable feedstock of energy, chemicals, and biochar.

Fabrication, performance evaluation and optimization of Sal (shorea robusta) seed decorticator

AbstractSal (Shorea robusta) seed is a nontimber forest product, mainly processed for its oil. This oil is used in various food and nonfood industries. Prior to extraction of oil, sal seeds are manually broken to obtain sal kernel. This traditional manual de‐shelling process is very tedious, time consuming and unhygienic. Hence, in this research, a sal seed decorticator was designed, fabricated and its performance was evaluated. The performance parameters of the machine were tested with varying moisture content from 10.49% to 21.95% (d.b) and different concave clearance varying from 10 mm to 19 mm. The decorticating efficiency, machine efficiency, and kernel percentage were found to have a maximum value of 99.15 0.04%, 93.62 0.87%, and 62.71 1.73%, respectively at 13.63% (d.b) moisture content and 13 mm concave clearance. Results were fitted in response surface methodology to optimize the parameters and to find the level of significance between the independent and dependent variables.Practical applicationsA sal seed decorticator was developed based on physical and mechanical properties of sal seed. The developed machine is designed to run by manpower (manually operated) which can be suitable for hilly and forest region. This decorticator can be used to decorticate sal seeds to get sal kernels. At a seed moisture content of 13.63% (d.b.), the decorticator yields 62.71% of kernels (machine efficiency of 93.62%). These kernels are processed for extraction of oil. This machine is very useful for rural people, farmers and small‐scale industries for post‐harvest processing of sal seeds.

Empowerment to Village Enterpreneurship Through Tikhur Processing Techniques

Entrepreneurship of Bastar mainly depends on minor and major produces of forest little extending it with agro-produces which often go to market directly. Some products are having market demand that would be marketed fastly without going any primary and secondary processing which could be fetched higher income to farmers. Tikhur, Imali (Tamarind), Mahua (Madhkua indica), Mango(Mangifera indica) and Sal Seed (Shorea Robusta), etc. are very popular in marketing mandis and give very popular attraction to market chain activation. Tribal Sub Plan, ICAR (EP&HS) Project involving members of self help group (SHGs) they were trained in the field of Tikhur processing and marketing. SHGs was formed six villages of Mahlai, Gumiyapal, Kurandi, Bodanpal, Sakargaon and Tirathgarh. And get trained on promotion of Tikhur business in 2014–15. The group had president of self help group along Secretary runs the processing of Tikhur. It was done by members by following method involved. The group first collected the Tikhur from forest of raw Tikhur tubers. Then cutting and cleaning in next processing. After getting Tikhur powder. The present demand of clean and quality Tikhur powder made inclusion of packing. The cost of machine and utensils of Rs.50,000/-which had been funded by project Tribal Sub Plan, ICAR (EP&HS) for nine SHGs to purchase grinding machine and utensils for processing and they sold the Tikhur after primary processing at 61,060 distributed equally among the members.

Protein metabolism during natural ageing in desiccating recalcitrant seeds of Shorea robusta

Seeds of Shorea robusta (sal) are recalcitrant owing to its high desiccation sensitivity. Germinability in sal seed was lost rapidly from 100 to 0 % within 8 days. Protein oxidation examined separately in axis and cotyledon of ageing sal seeds by monitoring the levels of carbonyls, hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adducts with protein, Amadori and Maillard reaction products. Changes in protease and proteasome activity were also estimated. The levels of all the modified proteins and activities of protease and proteasome were similar in axis and cotyledons. The amounts of carbonyls (5.5 fold in axis and 3.9 fold in cotyledons) and hydroperoxides (13.5 fold in axis and 12 fold in cotyledons) increased significantly as the seeds became non-viable. Similarly, the levels of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adducts promoted as the storage period advanced and reached tenfold both in the axis and cotyledons in non-viable seeds. The ageing also promoted levels of reducing sugar along with rapid enhancement in the levels of Amadori and Maillard reaction products, respectively, by 4.4 and 1.8 fold in 5 days sal seeds. Substantial promotion in protease activity both in the axis (sevenfold) and cotyledons (tenfold) of absolutely aged seeds was discernible. The activity of proteasome exhibited steady decline from 0.767 to 0.170 nmol min−1 g−1 DM in axis and 0.20–0.086 nmol min−1 g−1 DM in cotyledons of ageing sal seeds. Changes in the ROS and protein catabolism/oxidation have been discussed to establish loss of germinability in desiccating recalcitrant sal seeds.

Coefficient of Volume Expansion and Thermoacoustic Parameters in Two Natural Oils

AbstractThe Sharma constant S0, the isochoric temperature coefficient of volume expansivity, the isochoric temperature coefficient of internal pressure, the reduced compressibility, the reduced volume and a few other acoustic parameters are evaluated for two Natural Oils namely Mango Kernel fat and Sal Seed fat using only the coefficient of volume expansion. The Sharma constant which was shown by Sharma to be a constant in a number of non‐mesomorphic systems is bound to be a constant in the two oils/fats, studied by the authors with the same character of constant value both in the isotropic and nematic phases with anomalous behaviour and pre‐transitional effects at and in the immediate vicinity of the phase transition temperature. These results are also in conformity with our Ultrasonic results published elsewhere (MURTHY et al.).

Tannins in sal seed ( Shorea robusta) and sal seed meal limit their utilization as livestock feeds

The availability of sal seed meal (SSM), a by-product of the sal seed fat industry in India, is of the order of 5 million tons per annum. Based on results of numerous feeding trials, recommendations have been made for its extensive utilization as an ingredient of concentrate feeds for cattle, pigs and poultry. The dry matter of sal seeds contains 10–16% fat, 6–9% crude protein and 7–12% tannins. Fat extraction lowers the ether extract content of SSM to 4–8%. The nitrogen-free extract content of the meal, though comparable to that of maize grain, includes a high proportion of tannins and lignin. As a protein-low material it has no value as a protein supplement, and the presence of tannins adversely affects the utilization of other feed proteins. Attempts to remove tannins from SSM are neither effective nor practicable. Critical evaluation of the results of feeding experiments shows that the available energy in the meal, represented by total digestible nutrients, is comparable to that in poor quality roughages. The invariable absence of a negative control in the experimental designs has led to incongruous interpretation of results, which mask the harmful effects of SSM as a feed ingredient. It is concluded that in the interest of welfare of the livestock industry, the use of SSM in livestock rations should be discontinued.

Detoxification of Sal Seed (Shorea robusta) Meal

AbstractThe removal of tannin from sal meal with a minimum loss of other meal components e.g. protein and starch, was tried with a number of solvent systems. The effects of different variables e. g. temperature, time of extraction and pretreatment involving steaming and cooking at different pressures and for different time intervals were investigated. It was found that cooking at 10 psig. for 30 minutes followed by extraction with 90% ethanol effectively removed tannin from sal meal by about 87%. The solid matter loss to the extent of 10% was due to starch.