Sugarcane Press Mud Research Articles

Effect of Organic Manure and Zinc Fertilization on Zinc Transformation and Biofortification of Crops in Vertisols of Central India

The studies are described to indicate biofortification of micronutrients into seed and their various fractions availability into soil. The primary application of biofortification is to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in developing country populations. Soil samples were analyzed for the DTPA (pH 7.3), extractable micronutrients were extracted by 0.005 M DTPA, 0.01 M CaCl2 and 0.1 M triethanol amine and determined on atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The total zinc was determined with hydrofluoric and perchloric acid by AAS. The objectives of experiment were to examine the effect of Zn biofortification and transformation under various organic and zinc fertilization for realizing maximum use efficiency in Vertisols. Among organic manures, sugarcane press mud recorded more yield, higher Zn concentration, fractions, uptake and their use efficiency than other. Application of Zinc @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest water soluble Zn, exchangeable Zn, complexed Zn, organic bond zinc, occluded Zn and residual zinc in rice and chickpea, respectively. Various fractions of zinc positively correlated with each other. However, Organic and zinc fertilization in rice offers a practical and useful approach to improve bioavailable Zn in rice and chickpea.

Effect of liquid hot water pre-treatment on sugarcane press mud methane yield

Sugarcane press mud was pretreated by liquid hot water (LHW) at different temperatures (140–210°C) and pre-treatment times (5–20min) in order to assess the effects on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) solubilisation, inhibitors formation and methane yield. The experimental results showed that a high degree of biomass solubilisation was possible using LHW. Higher methane yields were obtained at lower severities (log(Ro)=2.17–2.77) with (i) mild temperatures (140–150°C) and long contact times (12.5min, 20min) or (ii) mild temperatures (175°C) with short contact time (2min). The highest increase in methane yield (up to 63%) compared to the untreated press mud was found at 150°C for 20min. At temperatures of 200°C and 210°C, low methane efficiency was attributed to the possible formation of refractory compounds through the Maillard reaction.

Recyclation of Peeled & Unpeeled Sugarcane Pressmud for Production of Itaconic Acid by Solid State Fermentation Using Aspergillus Terreus RC4

Recyclation of Peeled & Unpeeled Sugarcane Pressmud for Production of Itaconic Acid by Solid State Fermentation Using Aspergillus Terreus RC4

Physico-chemical Profile and Microbial Diversity During Bioconversion of Sugarcane Press Mud Using Bacterial Suspension

This study was aimed at investigating the physico-chemical and microbial diversity for rapid composting of sugarcane press mud (PM) leading to organic manure. Five bacterial strains (Cellulomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp., Salmonella sp.) were tested under in vivo conditions for bioconversion of PM using pile method. Results revealed that combined inoculation of bacterial consortia was found to be the best decomposer of PM resulting reduction of organic carbon content (26.75%), C:N ratio (12.44%). In parallel, it increased the nitrogen (2.34%), phosphorous (1.15%) and potassium (1.37%) content along with the population of microorganisms i.e. bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. However, the population of tested bacteria was gradually depleted after completion of PM decomposition together with pathogenic bacteria and fungi due to full conversion of carbon component into other minerals, i.e. N, P, K etc. Taken together, these findings certainly pinpoints the effective role of bacterial suspension for composting sugarcane press mud which the eventually be used as organic manure.

ANFIS approach to the working of a compost-heat extractor

Composting is an organic sludge management option in which volatile solids are converted to carbon dioxide and water. As the sugar cane press mud undergoes aerobic composting, the bed heats-up to a temperature in the range of 50–70°C, releasing thermal energy and the heat liberated was extracted using a heat pipe. A neural network approach is applied to analyse the data obtained from the microbially heated press mud compost-bed. This paper discusses, the design, implementation and performance of the proposed neural network and Artificial Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for the above process.

Stimulation of extracellular invertase production from spent yeast when sugarcane pressmud used as substrate through solid state fermentation

Efforts were made to utilize the waste/by-product of two agro-process industries namely pressmud from sugar processing industries and spent yeast from distilleries manufacturing ethanol from cane molasses, for the production of microbial invertase. Our experimentation indicated that these two sources could be ideally utilized for the production of invertase through solid substrate fermentation (SSF). SSF with spent yeast had given highest specific activity of 430 U/mg in 72 h of fermentation. Inoculum percentage of yeast cells on pressmud was optimized as 50% (w/w) with a combination inoculum of spent yeast and fresh cultured yeast at a ratio of 7:3. Crude enzyme was characterized for optimum pH and temperature and maximum activity was recorded at pH 5.0 and at a temperature of 40°C. Impacts of metal ions and detergents on invertase action were studied in which Mn2+, Fe3+, Al3+ and detergents had enhanced the activity of the enzyme whereas Cu2+ and Zn2+ inhibited the enzyme activity. Purification of 9.8 folds was obtained by using three phase partition method.

Energy Recovery from Sugarcane Press Mud

Energy Recovery from Sugarcane Press Mud

Optimization of Cellulase Enzyme Production from Sugarcane Pressmud Using Oyster Mushroom - Pleurotus Sajor-Caju by Solid State Fermentation

Cellulose is often a major component of different waste streams from various agriculture and sugarcane industries. Bioconversion of cellulosic components into fermentable sugars has currently been accomplished with the help of the microbial enzyme, cellulase (Endo-β-1, 4-glucanase, Exo-β-1, 4-glucanase and β-glucosidase). In this study, Pleurotus sajor-caju was tested for cellulase production by solid state fermentation (SSF) using sugarcane pressmud as substrate. Production rate of enzyme were optimized with different parameters like pretreatment of substrate with NaOH, HCl, H 2 O 2 and NaOH + H 2 O 2 (1-5%) solutions, thickness of the substrate (0.4-2.0 cm), incubation times (1-16 days), optimum pH (2.0-8.0) and temperature (15 ÌŠC-40 ÌŠC). The highest activities of Endo-β-1, 4-glucanase, Exo-β-1, 4-glucanase and β-glucosidase were obtained as follows: 13.94, 8.84 and 12.29 Units (μmole of glucose released/min/g substrate), respectively, for the pretreatment of pressmud with 2% (H 2 O 2 +NaOH); 18.37, 12.09 and 16.47 Units (μmole of glucose released/min/g substrate), respectively, when the thickness of the substrate was 0.8 cm (10 g); 15.51, 11.09 and 13.99 Units (μmole of glucose released/min/g substrate), respectively, on 10 th day of incubation; 17.65, 13.49 and 14.62 Units (μmole of glucose released/min/g substrate), respectively, at 5 pH and 18.98, 13.63 and 18.54 Units (μmole of glucose released/min/g substrate), respectively, at 25 ÌŠC. The optimum culture conditions for the production of cellulases by Pleurotus sajor-caju were 10 days of incubation time at 25 ÌŠC and pH 5.0 when presmud was pretreated with H 2 O 2 +NaOH (2%) and the thickness of the substrate was 0.8 cm (10 g) under solid state fermentation.

Effect of organic amendments on uptake of selenium and biochemical grain composition of wheat and rape grown on seleniferous soils in northwestern India

AbstractCrops grown in seleniferous soil may accumulate selenium (Se) to levels considered highly toxic for animal and human consumption. Furthermore, higher Se content in plant tissues leads to considerable deterioration in product quality. Application of organic amendments plays an important role in improving soil physical, chemical, and biological conditions and influencing nutrient availability. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic amendments, namely poultry manure (PM), sugar cane press mud (SCPM), and farmyard manure (FYM), on Se uptake and grain quality of wheat and oilseed rape grown on a seleniferous soil in Punjab, India. Selenium accumulation by wheat and oilseed rape grains decreased significantly (75%–95%) with the application of PM and SCPM, while FYM application resulted in a significant decrease (23%) only in case of wheat grains. The amount of Se associated with seed proteins varied in proportion to its uptake under different treatments. Quality of wheat grains improved considerably with respect to total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, starch, lipids, and sulfur concentrations only after application of SCPM and PM. Treating a Se‐contaminated soil with organic amendments significantly increased the oil concentration and changed the proportion of various fatty acids in rape grains. It is concluded that applying organic amendments to Se‐contaminated soils can alleviate the deleterious effects of Se and restore the nutritional quality of grains.

Windrow composting of sugarcane and coffee byproducts

Compost produced from lignocellulosic agricultural residues is found to be suitable for maintaining soil properties and health. Results of experimental trials of large scale windrow composting of sugarcane press mud, cane bagasse and coffee pulp mixtures are presented and discussed. Filter press mud and bagasse mixtures were transformed into composted products in 120 days, of which 80 days were of active material machine turning in the windrows. However, the mixtures containing coffee pulp were active for a much longer time period as the Solvita® readings showed. Bagasse was an important component of the mixture as it provided an adequate structure in the heap. The compost product containing 50 % coffee pulp at the start caused adverse effects on black bean seed germination and decreased the growth of black beans and tomato when mixed with soil above 2.5 and 5 %, respectively. These effects were not observed with the products containing sugarcane press mud and bagasse only.

Sustainable Management of Dryland Alfisols (Red Soils) in South India

A community based cooperative research project was implemented on farmers' fields on some dryland Alfisols in Tamil Nadu, India, to demonstrate and validate improved dry-farming technologies, such as: 1) soil and water conservation and water harvesting; 2) cropping systems, including intercropping and double cropping; 3) recycling of processed agricultural wastes and byproducts; and 4) low-cost drip irrigation. Disc plowing to 30 cm depth during summer and contour bunding enhanced soil moisture storage in the profile, and facilitated harvesting of runoff water into a community pond. Under the bimodal rainfall pattern in the region, among the medium- and long-duration varieties of pigeon pea, short-duration varieties of blackgram and greengram evaluated, long-duration variety of pigeon pea was the most suited to this region. The pigeon pea variety ‘VBN2’, blackgram variety ‘VBN3’, and greengram variety ‘VBN2’ produced the maximum grain yields. Increasing the land equivalent ratio (LER) by intercropping of pigeon pea with pulses and oilseeds enhanced agronomic productivity. Pigeon pea + groundnut was the best intercropping system. Pigeon pea + lablab and pigeon pea + groundnut intercropping system produced the highest yields. In years with normal rainfall, green manuring with sunnhemp and raising a pulse crop, horsegram, increased soil fertility. Application of compost enriched with rock phosphate (produced by using locally available crop residues of cotton, pigeon pea, sugarcane, and raw pressmud) significantly enhanced the yield of pigeon pea, groundnut, onion, and okra in these degraded Alfisols with high phosphate fixation capacity. Tied ridging and mulching with groundnut residues produced the maximum yield of cowpea even in seasons with below normal rainfall. Tied ridging produced the highest net returns from pigeon pea + greengram intercropping system. A low-cost, zero-energy drip-irrigation system produced the highest yield of 23.2 Mg/ha of tomato, with a saving in water of 73.8% compared with the control. Introduction of arid horticulture with amla, sapota, and mango, and water management through pitcher-pot irrigation and mulching with coconut husk as a means of diversification of land use management, provided employment during the off-season and enhanced household income.

Mass production ofbeauveria bassiana isolated from sugarcane root borer,emmalocera depresella swinhoe

Among the various concentrations of sugarcane molasses tested, three to six per cent molasses was found to be highly suitable for the radial growth, biomass production and spore production ofBeauveria bassiana. Different concentrations of spent wash, a waste product from sugar factories, tested for the growth and spore production ofB. bassiana did not support any fungal growth. Among the grains and tubers tested, mycelial dry weight of the fungus was maximum in rice (0.67 x 1010 g/100 ml) followed by sorghum (0.64 x 1010 g/100 ml), whereas spore production ofB. bassiana was significantly higher in chopped carrots (2.08 x 1010 spores/100 g), tapioca (1.74 x 1010 spores/100 g) and potato (1.67 x 1010 spores/100 g) compared to PDA medium (1.45 x 1010 spores /100 ml). Among the agricultural byproducts tested, spore production was found to be high on sugarcane press mud (1.85 x 1010 spores/100 g). Among the oil cakes tested, spore production ofB. bassiana was maximum on gingelly cake (5.35 x 1010 spores/100 g) followed by cotton seed cake (4.31 x 1010 spores/100 g) and neem cake (3.80 x 1010 spores/100 g).

In vitro production of entomopathogenic fungipaecilomyces farinosus (hotmskiold) andpaecilomyces lilacinus (Thom.) samson using byproducts of sugar industry and other agro-industrial byproducts and wastes

Mass production of entomopathogenic fungi,Paecilomyces farinosus (Hotmskiold) andPaecilomyces lilacinus (Thom.) Samson on sugarcane molasses, spent wash and other agro-industrial wastes was evaluated. The suitability of the medium was assessed based on specific parameters like radial growth, biomass production and spore production. Among the concentrations of molasses tested,P. farinosus recorded significantly greater diameter of growth circle (5.03 cm) on 4% molasses medium followed by 6% and 5% medium. However, mean biomass production (1.72 mg/100ml) and spore production (9.80 x 1010 spores/100 ml) were significantly higher on 6% molasses compared to 4% molasses broth and standard Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB). In the case ofP. lilacinus, 6% molasses medium supported significantly less mycelial growth ofP. lilacinus when compared to PDB medium whereas the biomass production (1.77 mg/100 ml) and spore production (7.02 x 1010 spores/100 ml) were significantly high on 6% molasses. In spent wash broth, spore production ofP. lilacinus was observed only at 10% and 20% and it is evident that spent wash at higher concentrations (ie.more than 20%concentration) was not suitable for multiplication. Among the oil cakes,P. lilacinus produced significantly more number of spores (63.07 x 1010 spores /30 g) on cotton seed cake followed by groundnut and coconut cake whereasP. farinosus produced a maximum of 18.9 x 1010 spores/30 g on groundnut cake followed by cotton seed and coconut cake. Sugarcane pressmud, an agricultural waste supported the growth as well as significantly greater spore production of bothP. farinosus andP. lilacinus (10.48 x 1010 spores and 8.44 x 1010 spores, respectively).

A novel fed-batch digestion system for biomethanation of plant biomasses

Plant biomasses, which in the absence of adequate pretreatment pose serious operational problems in biogas production using conventional domestic flow-through digesters, can be successfully digested in a novel fedbatch digestion system that produces a steady rate of biogas. Basically, the system is a batch digestion operated with a regular input of a calculated amount of feed based on first order decay kinetics in order to maintain a regular biogas production rate. For nearly three years the system was tested in a laboratory-scale fed-batch digester (10 l) using dried water hyacinth as feed providing the desired biogas production rate. A field-scale domestic digester of masonry construction with a working volume of 10 m 3 was designed and tested for about 9 months by feeding a mixture of dried water hyacinth or banana stem along with sugarcane press mud, yielding an average biogas production of 90–100% of the expected rate calculated on the basis of the feed rate.

Sugar-cane pressmud as a novel and inexpensive substrate for production of lactic acid in a solid-state fermentation system

Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei CFTRI 2022 produced a higher concentration of lactic acid (5.27 g/100 g dry sugar-cane pressmud) in a solid-state fermentation (SSF) system as compared to L. helveticus CFTRI 2026 and Streptococcus thermophilus CFTRI 2034. The lactic acid production by L. casei subsp. casei CFTRI 2022 was found to be significantly influenced by the initial moisture content, initial pH and initial sugar concentration of the medium. Studies on four inert materials to reduce the initial sugar concentration in the medium showed the high potential of microcrystalline cellulose whereas the use of diatomaceous earth, acid-washed river sand and washed pith bagasse posed problems. The data indicate the potential of lactic acid production from sugar-cane pressmud in an SSF system.

Sugar-cane pressmud as a novel and inexpensive substrate for production of lactic acid in a solid-state fermentation system

Sugar-cane pressmud as a novel and inexpensive substrate for production of lactic acid in a solid-state fermentation system

Pressmud: A potential carrier for Rhizobium and Azotobacter

Summary Factors affecting the proliferation and survival of two strains of rhizobia and one strain of Azotobacter (Rhizobium japonicum, SB-16; Rhizobium sp., M-10; Azotobacter chroococcum, A-41) in sugarcane pressmud were examined. While pressmud as such was not a perfect carrier for Rhizobium nor Azotobacter, possibilities of amending it with various additives for its enhanced effectiveness were evaluated. The survival of test-organisms was studied under different storage temperatures. The nodulation efficiency of various carrier base inoculants, stored under different temperatures, was evaluated in a pot trial in Glycine max var. Bragg and Vigna radiata var. PS-16. The maximum number of rhizobia on seed and nodules per plant were obtained when inoculants were prepared from pressmud plus charcoal (75: 25) and stored at 32 °C.