Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering Journal
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COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO AND CUCUMBER UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS
Get PDFOrganic fertilizers are derived mainly from animal matter, human excreta or crop residues, while chemical fertilizers are defined as any inorganic material of wholly or partially synthetic origin, that is added to the soil to sustain plant growth. This study was designed to compare between a commercial organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizers and their effects on growth and yield of tomato and cucumber under greenhouse conditions . The experiment was conducted in the cropping season of 2016/2017 at the University of Gezira. The experiment consist of four treatments viz. control , inorganic fertilizers, organic fertilizers (commercial organic fertilizer, Elkhaseeb ,of only cow manure) and a combination between organic and inorganic fertilizers. The soil of the experimental site is a riverain silt loam soil .The experiment for the two vegetable crops was arranged in a split plot design with three replications, and two factors, commercial organic fertilizer (OM) and chemical fertilizers (MN) which include nitrogen in the form of urea and phosphorus in the form of triple superphosphate. Foliar fertilization of micronutrients with Ca and B, was used for all treatments. Commercial organic fertilizer: OM was added at the rate of 15 tons /ha and nitrogen was added as urea at 86 kg/ha (2N) . Phosphorus was applied as triple superphosphate at 43 kg P2O5/ha (1P). Tomato seedlings of cultivar Termis were transplanted on the ninth of February,2017 whereas cucumber seeds, variety Leader were planted on the first of February,2017.The results showed that the effect of combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic fertilizers is significantly higher than application of either fertilizer alone. The combination resulted in 417.65 kg /ha of tomatoes and 823.53 kg / ha of cucumber. Application of the commercial organic fertilizer alone gave 261.4kg / ha in tomatoes, while in cucumber it gave732.03 kg /ha. Inorganic fertilizers alone gave 256.84 kg/ha in tomatoes and 447.7kg/ha in cucumber. This lead to a recommendation that application of combined fertilizers (organic+ inorganic) is the best practice for tomato and cucumber under greenhouse conditions, than any of the two fertilizers alone.  
MODULATION OF THERMAL PROPERTIES OF BOVINE COLLAGEN SCAFFOLD USING VARIATION OF FABRICATION TEMPLATE
Get PDFTissue engineering and regenerative medicine are evolving towards utilising biomaterial or scaffold to regenerate tissue or organ. Scaffold plays a crucial role in the tissue or organ regeneration thus a study for the characterisation for the collagen scaffold need to be carried out. In this study, purified collagen was extracted from bovine tendon legs then the scaffold was fabricated using freeze drying method. The collagen scaffold was dehydrothermally treated and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. From DSC analysis, the glass transition temperature, Tg for the sample in small pan with dimension 8.5cm×8.5cm×4cm is 60?C and 145?C for both without and with 1.0% glutaraldehyde crosslink respectively. The glass transition temperature for small pan is high which means that it is strong and rigid. Strong and rigid scaffold is needed in order to withstand the harsh condition within human body for the case of intestinal regeneration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are other techniques that can be used to further characterise collagen scaffold for its surface morphology also for its functional groups
OCCURRENCE AND DIVERSITY OF INDIGENOUS MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN DIFFERENT SUDAN SOILS USING SORGHUM [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] AS A HOST PLANT
Get PDFThe mutual relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plants is ancient. However, there are some environmental factors, which affect the occurrence and diversity of this relationship. This study was conducted to investigate the indigenous AMF occurrence and diversity indices at six sites (two sites from Gezira, two from Sennar and one from each of Gedarif and North Kordofan States) which represent four geographical locations in the Sudan in 2016. Three rhizosphere samples from sorghum were taken from each site to estimate soil physical and chemical properties, total spores density, invalid spores percentage and root colonization to evaluate their roles in AMF occurrence and diversity. Results showed that the average total spores density ranged from 418 /100g soil at Gedaref to 1781 /100g soil at North Kordofan. The highest invalid spores percentage was found at Gedaref (21.5%) and the lowest at North Kordofan (12.5%). Root colonization percentage ranged from (11.3%) at Gedaref to (32.1%) at North Kordofan. There was a highly positive correlation between root colonization percentage and total spores density, invalid spores and sand percentage. A highly negative correlation existed between root colonization percentage on one hand and CEC, clay percentage and soil pH on the other hand. Twelve genera and 26 species were morphologically identified and two species were not identified. Rhizophagus, Glomus, Claroideogloms, Funneliformis, Acaulospora, Scutellospora and Entrophospora were dominant genera at all sites. However, Septoglomus and Ambispora were normally distributed genera and Gigaspora, Scelerocystes and Dentiscutata were rare genera. Diversity index detected a normal diversity and richness except for Gedarif having a lower diversity index, and the situation was reversed for North Kordofan, having a higher diversity index. It could be concluded that AMF occurrence and diversity were affected by soil chemical and physical properties. It is recommended to add AMF inoculums to heavy clay soils to increase spore density
REPURPOSING NATURAL PRODUCTS AGAINST PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE VIA IN SILICO APPROACH FOR ANTIMALARIAL DRUG DEVELOPMENT
Get PDFMalaria cases have increased globally, which is due to the emergence of zoonotic malaria parasites that infect human, along with the existence of artemisinin-resistant parasites. Hence, there is an urgent need to find new therapeutics to counter these issues. As a vital enzyme in the glycolytic pathway that serves as the parasite's primary energy source during its intraerythrocytic stage in human, lactate dehydrogenase from Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk-LDH) can be a potential drug target. This project aims to screen for existing natural products that have progressed to preclinical or advanced drug development phases against Pk-LDH via ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) and to evaluate the potentials of these bioactives as repurposed drugs by binding energy estimation through structure-based virtual screening (SBVS). The LBVS method, which was conducted via LiSiCA and ChemMine, are based on shape-based molecular similarity calculations to screen for analogues of the query molecules, which are lactate and pyruvate. Subsequently, PyRx simulation software were utilised for docking studies with the aid of PyMOL and PLIP software. This study discovered that Compound 7, ?-hydroxyisovaleric acid, and Compound 2, alpha-ketoisovalerate are structurally similar to compounds that directly involved in the metabolic pathways of P. knowlesi, lactate and pyruvate, with a similarity score of 0.75. Both compounds also formed strong interactions with Pk-LDH, resulting in strong binding affinities of -4.6 kcal mol–1 and -4.3 kcal mol–1, respectively. These findings open possibilities for using natural products in drug repurposing as anti-malarial agents
HALALAN TOYYIBAN FLANKED BY RELIGION, REGULATION AND GLOBALIZATION: HALAL GLOBALIZATION
No full textABSTRACT: Nowadays food production and nutrition are among the biggest challenges. Globalization has drawn attention to inequalities in access to food and issues of food quality. It has also increased awareness about the importance of healthy and sustainable production of safe and wholesome nutrition. The Islamic term ‘Halal’ means ‘fit’ or ‘proper’ and signifies foods conforming to Muslim dietary law. Halalan Toyyiban products are subject to elaborate Islamic law, rules that have warranted the new products globalization regulations. Kosher stands as mandatory for Jew's dietary law almost the same as halal for Muslims. The growing importance of food quality and safety standards in international markets is influencing the production and marketing conditions of farmers worldwide. This article shows how halal regulation works in the traditional and new biotechnology used in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and medicinal products. The existing studies on halal production of foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and regulation have emerged mostly from within business studies and the food sciences, the broader institutional picture and the personal relationships between certifiers and businesses that frame these procedures are not yet fully understood in some places or for some products. However, based on empirical research and interaction with traditional and modern biotech companies, food producers, slaughterhouses, and governmental organisations and authorities, in Malaysia, one may be able to provide and guarantee that when Malaysian governmentality warrants a product as ‘halal’ and thereby helps to format standardise the market
ENHANCED HYBRID SYSTEM OF MEC-AD THROUGH MODIFIED ELECTRODES WITH MULTI-WALL CARBON NANOTUBES
No full text The hybrid system of microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and anaerobic digester (AD) has been a promising approach for sustainable energy production and waste treatment. The integration of MEC and into the AD digester offers multiple advantages over conventional AD systems. The study was conducted on the modification of carbon felt (CF) anode, and stainless-steel mesh (SSTM) cathode with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), to facilitate the biomethane production and upgrade within the hybrid system. The microbial attachment to the electrodes was analyzed, the substrate concentration, current density, and biogas composition and volume were monitored. The SEM imaging of the electrodes showed that the microbes followed a different growth behaviour in modified and unmodified electrodes. In addition, MWCNT modified SSTM showed a potential hydrogenotrophic growth selectivity, unlike unmodified SSTM, which had a more syntrophic microbial community. Stainless steel mesh-modified cathode showed the highest biogas and methane production with a value of 14.4 ml CH4/g glucose. In addition, the carbon-felt modified electrodes showed a maximum substrate degradation value of 93% and a current density of 4.5 mA/m2
INTERESTERIFICATION OF CRUDE PALM OIL BY THERMOMYCES LANUGINOSA: A MINI REVIEW
Get PDFThis paper reviews the interesterification of crude palm oil by Thermomyces lanuginosa. Interesterification also has several advantages such as producing the highest biodiesel production yield and the reaction for the synthesis of biodiesel is based on the use of methyl acetate instead of the more commonly used alcohol. However, this method also has its disadvantages such as operations at very high pressures (20–40 MPa), high temperatures (350–400 °C) and higher production costs. The performance of Lipozyme TL-IM for transesterification reaction was greatly improved by the ultrasound-assisted approach with a higher yield of biodiesel and a significant reduction of time of reaction from 24 to 4 h
Evaluation of Phytochemical Variation, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of Three Sudanese Traditional Medicinal Plants
Get PDFHerbal medicine has a long history of being for treating various ailments ranging in severity. Traditional medicine is widely used on a regular basis by Sudanese. This research aims to determine the phytochemical constituents and evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts from three Sudanese traditional medicinal plants (khella, marula and black mustard). The phytochemicals of the oils were determined by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis showed that the predominant constituents in the black mustard were 2,4-Decadienal (31.72%), 2-Pyrrolidinone 1-methyl (19.41),phenol (9.43%), Limonene (6.8%), Benzoic acid (2.12%), 2-(1-phenylethyl)- (1.78%), and Eugenol (0.96%). The identified fatty acids were Oleic acid (1.86%) and Palmatic acid (1.34%). The major aromatic components found in the marula extract were Phenol,2,2'-methylenebis[6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl(29.96%),Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)(1.94%).The major fatty acid present was Linoleic acid (18.51%). The most abundant components found in the khella seed oil were ?-Farnesene (11.8%), Ammidin (5.44%), Methoxsalen (3.62%), Stearic acid (2.81%), Palmitic acid (2.81%), Decanoic acid, propyl ester (1.10%) and Oleic acid (0.81%). To assess the antioxidant activity of the three aqueous extracts, the radical scavenging activity (RSA %) for khella seed extract varied between 21.15 and75.44for all concentrations (125, 250, 500, 1000 µg/ml). At a concentration of 1000 µg/ml, black mustard extract scavenged 46.65% of DPPH radicals, whereas that of 500, 250 and 125µg/ml caused 28.31%, 20.68%, and 19.38% RSA, respectively. The aqueous extract of marula bark had the highest RSA% for all concentrations (98.67% 97.06%, 95.76%, and 80.84%, respectively) compared to the aqueous seed extract for khella and mustard. Antimicrobial activities of different solvents extract of the three medicinal plants studied against three selected microorganisms (E. coli, S. aureusand C. albicans). Ethanolic extract of marula and khella showed the most potent activity against S.aureusand C. albicans. Aqueous and chloroform extracts were failed to inhibit growth for the three strains. The MIC concentrations ranged from 0.37mg/ml to 0.75 mg/ml for both bacteria and fungi
STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF MICROALGAE – BACTERIA GROWTH CONDITIONS IN SYNTHETIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Get PDFMicroalgae has been widely used for wastewater treatment as wastewater contains nutrients that are essential for microalgal growth. In addition, the co-culture system of microalgae-bacteria was reported to be able to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment compared to microalgae alone. Bacteria help microalgae break down the complex nutrients present in wastewater into simpler compounds, which will be easily assimilated by microalgae. However, to achieve high nutrients (ammonium and phosphorus) and COD removals in wastewater treatment, the optimum growth conditions of both microbes need to be investigated. The objective of this study is to investigate how the selected factors affect the removal of nutrients and COD at particular ranges through One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) method. We have successfully evaluated the effects of three significant growth conditions, namely the initial concentrations of microalgae, initial concentrations of bacteria, and inoculation time of bacteria on the removal of nutrients and COD in synthetic wastewater. The highest nutrients and COD removal were achieved when the initial concentration of microalgae and bacteria was at 0.77 g/L and 104 CFU/mL, respectively, and the optimum time to inoculate bacteria was at day 1.52. Moreover, models for all three factors were validated and verified using ANOVA, with percentage error of predicted values and experimental values was less than 10%. Hence, these conditions can be used as the basis for further optimization process in order to improve the wastewater treatment by microalgae-bacteria co-culture system
EFFECT OF FIXED FILAMENTOUS MEDIA ON BIOLOGICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT
No full textAdequate treatment of wastewater is important for the protection of the environment. In many countries, the existing conventional biological wastewater treatment systems are unable to meet the required standards. Therefore, the present research focused on the improvement of aerobic wastewater treatment plants by adding readily available cheap media. Plastic filamentous media was used due to its non-biodegradable property. The media length was 5 meters, but it was rolled into a spiral shape. The average removal of TDS and COD, without the media, was about 35% and 70%. After the media has been added, the removal efficiency improved to 55% and 95%. The experimental results demonstrated that the use of media is capable of improving the quality of effluents in wastewater treatment towards a better quality of effluent to be discharged to nature