Maize stalk has been identified as a potential biomass for bio-ethanol production and has always been handled as a single biomass, though it is a heterogeneous mix of pith and rind fractions. Physical and chemical assays were conducted on each biomass fractions and compared to the single biomass for suitability for ethanol production. Moisture content and specific gravity including percentage composition of the fractions in the biomass were determined. Fibre characterisation was achieved using equal volumes of glacial acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide whilst chemical analyses which included compositional and ultimate analyses were determined using various standard procedures for each tests. The results of specific gravity obtained showed that the whole maize stalk has a specific gravity of 0.38, with pith and rind having values of 0.17 and 0.85, respectively. Fibre morphology is similar for both pith and rind fractions, and photomicrograph showed significantly less fibres in pith than the rind. Compositional analysis revealed the presence of 36.7% and 46.4% cellulose, 26.3% and 18.2% hemicellulose and 18.1% and 21.2% lignin for pith and rind fractions, respectively. The higher cellulose content of the maize stalk rind makes it a preferred fraction for biosynthesis.
The study attempts quantitative assessment of the use value of traditionally used woody species in a representative mid-Himalayan watershed of west Himalaya. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the fringe villages of altitudinally diverse forested area of the watershed covering different age group respondents. A total of 34 woody species (27 trees and 7 shrubs) belonging to 25 families were identified as useful in the watershed, and their availability varied considerably across the altitudes. The relative frequency citation and use value for each identified species were analysed. Further, vegetation surveys were conducted in nearby forests to assess the availability of identified useful species. Outcomes of this study can be used to develop an effective augmentation plan for the community forests within the watershed and other Himalayan forests.
Applications of lime (CaCO3) and elemental sulphur (S0–S) may be important to obtain high yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in an acidic soil. Thus, the overall goal of the present study was to assess the impact of lime and S application on sesame yield under acidic soils in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Sesame was grown in an alley cropping system, which integrated trees with grain crops. The impacts on sesame yields were assessed for different rates of lime (0, 100, 250 and 350 kg/ha) and S (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha). The field experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications of 16 treatment combinations. Application of lime at 250 kg/ha produced the best results in terms of the sesame yield (286.1 kg/ha) and improvements in soil chemical properties. Liming at 250 kg/ha increased available nutrients reserves (NPKS: 206, 21.9, 26.9, 16.2 kg/ha, respectively), soil pH (4.95), electrical conductivity (0.039 dS/m) and organic carbon (0.32%) over those in plots without liming (control). Similarly, significant effects of S application were observed in terms of the sesame yield (282.8 kg/ha) and improvements in soil chemical properties, e.g. available nutrient reserves of NPKS (205.6, 21.5, 262.8, 16.0 kg/ha, respectively), soil pH (4.35), electrical conductivity (0.036 dS/m) and organic carbon (0.314%) over those under control, while the minimum soil pH (4.35) was recorded with the application of 45 kg S than that under control (4.89). The interaction effects were significant between the lime and S levels on seed (361 kg/ha), stalk (426 kg/ha) and biological yield (887 kg/ha) for the application of 350 kg lime and 45 kg S/ha. Considering S as an important component of oil and lime for neutralizing soil acidity, their conjoint application is beneficial for farmers to sustain crop productivity in acidic soil of Eastern India.
Enzymatic transesterification is known as the most favourable and suitable method for biodiesel synthesis from vegetable oil or animal fat. Deactivation of enzyme during biodiesel synthesis remains a large barrier. Stepwise addition of alcohol and removal of glycerol (continuous or stepwise) have been adopted for minimizing the inhibition. In this article, a mathematical model is derived and inhibition of enzyme has been studied in biodiesel synthesis from Jatropha curcas oil. Sensitivity analysis of the model parameters has also been carried out to determine the most sensitive parameters which have a major role in the system functioning. Simulation results provide the validity of the proposed model. It has been shown that the proposed method minimizes the deactivation and enables enzyme reuse.