Tamarind Nut Research Articles

Characterization of tamarind biomass to substantiate the feasibility towards alternative fuel

Sustainable energy resources development from every possible route is the utmost priority in today’s modern scenario around the globe. This situation reaches highly alarming rate after the pandemic situation due to the shortcomings on ease transportation viability among all the countries. Therefore, the present work aims at developing a sustainable biofuel from Tamarind seed biomass samples and to evaluate its suitability for various power generation applications. The proposed work consists of three samples: tamarind shell (TAN1), tamarind nut with peel (TAN2) and tamarind nut without peel (TAN3) undergoing physicochemical and thermal analyses to analyse their feasibility as a biofuel. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) concluded high oxygenated compounds mainly alcohols, esters and carboxylic acids were determined at higher wave numbers. Ultimate and proximate analyses gave high amounts of carbon, volatile matter and low nitrogen and ash content. Thermogravimetric (TG) analyses showed the maximum mass loss in the temperature range of 150 °C–400 °C and confirm the presence of volatile compounds. It was mainly due to the degradation of hemicellulose. Calorimetry test gave high heating value (HHV) results and those compared with the empirical values calculated using the ultimate analysis equation. TAN3 is selected as a promising feedstock for pyrolysis and the characterization results signify the presence of organic compounds and infer high energetic value and bio refining potential. The bio oil obtained was characterized and analysed using GC–MS, FTIR, and H NMR to assess the bio oil potential as alternative fuel and presented in this paper.

Characterization, Thermal and Antimicrobial Properties of Hybrid Cellulose Nanocomposite Films with in-Situ Generated Copper Nanoparticles in Tamarindus indica Nut Powder

Hybrid cellulose nanocomposite films (HCNFs) were fabricated using cellulose from cotton linters as the matrix, and varying loadings (5 to 25wt.%) of modified tamarind nut power (TNP) with in situ generated copper nanoparticles as the reinforcing fillers. These hybrid composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and antibacterial tests. The inclusion of modified tamarind nut powder improved the crystallinity of the hybrid nanocomposites by 13%. From the FTIR analysis, it could be ascertained that there was no notable change in the chemical composition of the matrix with the amendment of the filler. Further, the shift in peak intensity with increasing concentration of the filler shows the formation of hydrogen bond between the filler and the matrix. The TGA analysis revealed that the degradation temperature of hybrid nanocomposites increased until HCNFs with 15wt.% modified tamarind nut powder. The hybrid nanocomposites exhibited better antibacterial properties against all the pathogens used in the study. These hybrid nanocomposites were found to have superior antibacterial activity, thermal resistance, and improvement in crystallinity. Thus, these bio-based materials can be used to replace the existing packaging materials in the food packaging and help to reduce the impact of conventional plastics on the environment.

Preparation and characterization of tamarind nut powder with in situ generated copper nanoparticles using one-step hydrothermal method

Tamarind nut powder (TNP) from kitchen waste of tamarind nuts was modified with in situ generated copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using hydrothermal method. The modified TNP had spherical CuNPs with an average size of 84 nm. The thermal stability of the modified TNP was lower than that of the TNP due to the catalytic activity of the in situ generated CuNPs in lowering the thermal stability. Further, it exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both the Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and hence can be used as low-cost filler to prepare antibacterial hybrid polymer nanocomposites for packaging and medical applications.

Development and analysis of cellulose nanocomposite films with in situ generated silver nanoparticles using tamarind nut powder as a reducing agent

Cellulose/Tamarind nut powder (TNP)/Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ generation of AgNPs using regeneration method, followed by solution casting method. In this, TNP was used as a reducing agent. These nanocomposites were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD and SEM and studied their mechanical properties and antibacterial activity for medical and packing applications. The FT-IR spectral studies revealed the involvement of functional groups – Polyphenols, Flavonoids and –OH in the process of reducing the metal salts into metal nanoparticles. These nanocomposites showed good antibacterial activity against five bacteria. Improved mechanical properties with good antibacterial activities make these composites suitable for medical, food and packaging applications.

Biodegradable poly(propylene) carbonate using in-situ generated CuNPs coated Tamarindus indica filler for biomedical applications

The aim of this study was to develop the eco-friendly nanocomposite films using poly(propylene) carbonate (PPC) as matrix and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) modified tamarind nut powder (TNP) as a new reinforcement. Initially, PPC/10 wt.% TNP composites were fabricated using simple casting technique. Consequently, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were in–situ generated in the PPC/TNP composite films using different concentrations of copper sulfate source solutions varying from 1 mM to 250 mM at room temperature. The bio-hybrid nanocomposites were characterised for their morphological, structural, thermal, tensile and antibacterial properties. The properties of the hybrid nanocomposites were so encouraging that, with the inclusion of CuNPs, the crystallinity, thermal stability and the tensile properties were enhanced. The composites also demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E.coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacterium. Based on the improved properties of the bio-hybrid nanocomposites, they can be considered for biomedical and food packaging applications.

Preparation and Properties of Cellulose/Tamarind Nut Powder Green Composites

ABSTRACTUsing biopolymer cellulose as the matrix and tamarind nut powder (TNP) obtained from agricultural waste of tamarind nuts as the filler, the green composites were made. Cellulose was dissolved in environmental friendly solvent of aq. 8 wt. % Lithium hydroxide and 15 wt. % urea which was precooled to −12 ° C. To the cellulose solutions, TNP was added in 5 wt. % to 25 wt. % of cellulose separately. Each solution was evenly spread on glass plates and the wet composites were prepared by regeneration method using ethyl alcohol coagulation bath. The wet films were dried in air at room temperature. The dried composite films were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and also tested for their tensile properties. The tensile strength and the % elongation at break of the composites were higher than those of the matrix and increased with TNP content. While the matrix had a tensile strength of 111.8 MPa, the cellulose/TNP composite loaded with 25 wt.% TNP possessed a tensile strength of 125.4 MPa (12% increase). Though the thermal stability of the composites was lower than cellulose matrix, all the composites were stable up to a temperature of 350 °C.

Development and analysis of biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate)/tamarind nut powder composite films

ABSTRACTUsing biodegradable polypropylene carbonate as the matrix and the tamarind nut powder (TNP) in 5–25 wt% as the filler, the biocomposites were prepared. The biocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The distribution of the TNP in the biocomposites was examined by polarized optical microscope. The tensile strength of the biocomposite films was higher than that of the matrix and increased with filler content whereas a reverse trend was observed in % elongation at break. These films with increased tensile strength can be considered for packaging applications.

Performance evaluation of low cost adsorbents in reduction of COD in sugar industrial effluent

Studies on reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in effluent from sugar industry have been carried out by employing different absorbents optimizing various parameters, such as initial concentration of adsorbate, pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time. Experimental studies were carried out in batches using metakaolin, tamarind nut carbon and dates nut carbon as adsorbents by keeping initial adsorbent dosage at 1 g l −1, agitation time over a range of 30–240 min, adsorbent dosage at 100–800 mg l −1 by varying the pH range from 4 to 10. Characterization of there adsorbents were done using techniques such as Fourier transforms infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental adsorption data fitted well to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The isotherms of the adsorbents indicate appreciable adsorption capacity. Higher COD removal was observed at neutral pH conditions. Studies reveal that maximum reduction efficiency of COD takes place using metakaolin as an absorbent at a dosage of 500 mg l −1 in a contact time of 180 min at pH 7 and it could be used as an efficient absorbent for treating sugar industrial effluent.

Prediction of Mass Transfer Coefficients in a Packed Bed using Tamarind Nut Shell Activated Carbon to Remove Phenol

Phenol is a refractive pollutant that is generated from almost all the types of industries. Removal of phenol can be achieved economically by using a cost effective technique like adsorption on to activated carbon. The present paper reports on the preparation and characterization of activated carbon from tamarind nutshell, an agricultural waste byproduct, and its use in a packed bed for the removal of phenol. The breakthrough curves for column sorption of phenol from aqueous solutions to TNSAC have been measured at various flow rates and different particle sizes at 28 °C. The results obtained showed that the sorption of phenol is dependent on both the flow rate and the particle size of the adsorbent, and that the breakpoint time and phenol removal yield decrease with increasing flow rate and particle size. The overall mass transfer coefficient is calculated from the experimental data and compared with the values obtained from the correlation. Experimental values are in excellent agreement with the predicted values from the correlation.

Use of TNSAC in phosphate adsorption studies and relationships. Isotherm relationships and utility in the field

The studies related to the phosphate removal potential of a laboratory scale produced adsorbent, the tamarind nut shell activated carbon (TNSAC), have been partly reported in two papers by us which described the production of the various TNSAC forms, and the effects of the process variables (unrinsed and rinsed TNSAC forms and the impregnation ratio) and of the operational variables (adsorbent particle size, initial adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time duration) on the performance evaluation of the TNSAC in adsorbing phosphates. The performance predictive models were also presented. This paper discusses the adsorption isotherm relationships and models. The applicability of the system to real field situations, and the reuse possibility and removal of the phosphate loaded adsorbent particles, have also been brought out in this paper. The isotherm plots show higher phosphate adsorptive capacity for greater equilibrium concentration values. The highest adsorptive capacity results at an impregnation ratio of 1.0 for both forms of the TNSAC and at all adsorbent doses. The adsorptive capacity is higher for the unrinsed TNSAC in comparison to the rinsed TNSAC, corresponding to the same equilibrium concentration. The rinsed TNSAC yields an isotherm model similar to the Freudlich isotherm. The unrinsed TNSAC does not yield any conventional isotherm forms, yet they have been modelled. Generalized models for predicting the adsorptive capacity have been evolved, and such models also incorporate the impregnation ratio, and the term for the adsorbent particle size. The models have indicated high correlation coefficients. When present in wastewaters, the adsorption of phosphates on the TNSAC is seen to reduce due to the preferential adsorption of other pollutants present in the wastewaters. The spent and phosphate loaded TNSAC particles are seen to be removable. Physical adsorption is seen to be the predominantly likely mechanism of phosphate adsorption on the TNSAC, which suggests the reuse possibility of the TNSAC.

Use of TNSAC in phosphate adsorption studies and relationships. Effects of adsorption operating variables and related relationships

The phosphate removal potential of a low cost and abundantly available material, tamarind nut shell activated carbon (TNSAC) was investigated. A previous paper of ours has described the laboratory scale production of this material and the effects of the process variables (unrinsed and rinsed forms of the TNSAC and the impregnation ratio) on its performance in adsorbing phosphates. This paper discusses the effects of operating variables (adsorbent particles size, initial adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time duration) on the phosphate adsorption by the TNSAC. Phosphate removal is seen to increase with increasing adsorbent doses, decreasing adsorbent particle size and increasing ratios of initial phosphate concentration to adsorbent dose. The unrinsed TNSAC provides higher phosphate removal in comparison to the rinsed TNSAC. The maximum difference in the effectiveness of the unrinsed and rinsed TNSAC is seen to occur at an adsorbent dose of 2 g l −1 under the test conditions. The lowest equilibrium phosphate concentration is attained at an impregnation ratio of 1.0. Models for predicting phosphate removal have been evolved. These models also incorporate operational variables such as the adsorbent particle size, initial adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time etc., and manifest high values of the correlation coefficients.

Use of TNSAC in phosphate adsorption studies and relationships. Literature, experimental methodology, justification and effects of process variables

There is a need for developing low cost, easily and abundantly available, yet efficient, adsorbents for the removal of phosphates during the tertiary treatment of wastewaters. The tamarind nut shell activated carbon (TNSAC) prepared on a laboratory scale has been used to evaluate its performance for phosphate adsorption. This paper describes the laboratory production of this adsorbent material in its various forms, and discusses the effects of the TNSAC process variables (the unrinsed and rinsed forms of the TNSAC and the impregnation ratio) on its performance in adsorbing phosphate. The material has been shown to be a good alternative adsorbent. As much as 95% phosphate removal by the unrinsed TNSAC is possible in about 30 min under the test conditions. The phosphate adsorbing capacity is about two times higher for the unrinsed TNSAC in comparison to the rinsed TNSAC. The adsorption rates, however, transit to extremely low rates towards the end when equilibrium conditions could be attained in about 2 h contact time. The phosphate removal mechanics are adsorption and precipitation/ion exchange when unrinsed TNSAC is used, and adsorption alone for the rinsed TNSAC. The maximum phosphate removal is found to take place at an impregnation ratio of 1.0 for both forms of the TNSAC.