• Carbon letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2007

Carbon materials of various morphologies were synthesized by pyrolysis of Soap-nut seeds (Sapindus mukorossi), Jack Fruit seeds (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Date-seeds (Phoenix dactylifera), Neem seeds (Azadirachta indica), Tea leaves (Ehretia microphylla), Bamboo stem (Bambusa bambus) and Coconut fiber (Cocos nucifera), without using any catalyst. Carbon materials thus formed were characterized by SEM XRD and Raman. Carbon thus synthesized varied in size (in ${\mu}m$) but all showed highly porous morphology. These carbon materials were utilized as the anode in Lithium secondary battery. Amongst the various precursors, carbon fibers obtained from Soap-nut seeds (Sapindus mukorossi) and Bamboo stem (Bambusa bambus), even after $100^{th}$ cycles, showed the highest capacity of 130.29 mAh/g and 92.74 mAh/g respectively. Morphology, surface areas and porosity of carbon materials obtained from these precursors were analyzed to provide interpretation for their capacity to intercalate lithium. From the Raman studies it is concluded that graphitic nature of carbon materials assist in the intercalation of lithium. Size of cavity (or pore size of channels type structure) present in carbon materials were found to facilitate the intercalation of lithium.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.277-291
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• 2013

The transport and recovery of Levafix brilliant red E-4BA and Levafix brilliant red E-6BA were investigated using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber based supported liquid membrane containing tetra butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) in coconut oil as a carrier. The influencing parameters studied are: pH of the feed solution, concentration of dye in the feed solution, extractant concentration, and various kind of stripping agent, rate of stirring, time of transport, reusability of membrane and stability of membrane. Increase in TBAB concentration inside the membrane enhances the flux with its maximum value at $1.553{\times}10^{-4}$ M TBAB. Further increase in the concentration of TBAB leads to decreased rate of transport due to increase in viscosity of membrane liquid. The optimum conditions for dye transport are: pH of feed ($7{\pm}0.1$), $1.553{\times}10^{-4}$ M extractant concentration, 350 rpm for stirring, $4.9{\times}10^{-1}$ M potassium hydrogen phthalate as a stripping solution, the time of transport 6 h. It was noticed that flux values were increased with increasing dye concentration in the feed phase. Applying this study to textile wastewater, dyes were transported up to 98% in 6 h. This recovery technique is rewarding to environment and economic.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1385-1392
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• 2009

This work evaluates the effect of different amino acids on production of Cyclosporin (CyA) production in solid-state fermentation that was previously optimized for different fermentation parameters by one factor at-a-time for the maximum production of CyA by Tolypocladium inflatum MTCC557. Based on the Plackett-Burman design, glycerol, ammonium sulfate, $FeCl_3$, and inoculum size were selected for further optimization by response surface methodology (RSM). After identifying effective nutrients, RSM was used to develop mathematical model equations, study responses, and establish the optimum concentrations of the key nutrients for higher CyA production. It was observed that supplementation of medium containing (% w/w) glycerol, 1.53; ammonium sulfate, 0.95; $FeCl_3$, 0.18; and inoculum size 6.4 ml/5g yielded a maximum of 7,106 mg/kg as compared with 6,480 mg CyA/kg substrate using one factor at-a-time. In the second step, the effect of amino acids on the production of CyA was studied. Addition of $_L$-valine and $_L$-leucine in combination after 20 h of fermentation resulted in maximum production of 8,166 mg/kg.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.341-350
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• 2019

Streptomyces padanus PMS-702 strain produces a polyene macrolide antibiotic fungichromin and displays antagonistic activities against many phytopathogenic fungi. In the present study, experimental formulations were assessed to improve the production of fungichromin, the efficacy of PMS-702 on the suppression of sporangial germination, and the reduction of cucumber downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis. PMS-702 strain cultured in a soybean meal-glucose (SMG) medium led to low levels of fungichromin accumulation and sporangial germination suppression. Increasing medium compositions and adding plant oils (noticeably coconut oil) in SMG significantly increased fungichromin production from 68 to $1,999.6{\mu}g/ml$. Microscopic examination reveals that the resultant suspensions significantly reduced sporangial germination and caused cytoplasmic aggregation. Greenhouse trials reveal that the application of PMS-702 cultural suspensions reduced downy mildew severity considerably. The addition of Tween 80 into the synthetic medium while culturing PMS-702 further increased the suppressive efficacy of downy mildew severity, particularly when applied at 24 h before inoculation or co-applied with inoculum. Fungichromin at $50{\mu}g/ml$ induced phytotoxicity showing minor necrosis surrounded with light yellowish halos on cucumber leaves. The concentration that leads to 90% inhibition (IC90) of sporangial germination was estimated to be around $10{\mu}g/ml$. The results provide a strong possibility of using the S. padanus PMS-702 strain as a biocontrol agent to control other plant pathogens.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2023

The successful restoration program requires a comprehensive understanding of variables influencing seedling efficiency. Below-ground is hypothesized to have a major impact on seedling performance of species when planted in agriculture, and degraded areas with different types of mulching. This study investigated on Sg. Terla Forest Reserve in Cameron Highlands Pahang, Malaysia. In this study randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used. The excavation method was applied to study the root system development, above, and below ground biomass distributions under different types of mulching: coconut mulching (CM), oil palm mulching (OM), plastic mulching (PM) and control (CK). The root diameter, main root length, lateral root length, root coiling, and root direction toward to sun were recorded. The results in this study indicate that mulching had significant effect on root diameter, main root length, and root distributions among treatments while for lateral root length, root: shoot ratio, dry biomass distributions, and above and below ground biomass did not showed significant effect among treatments. The highest values for root diameter, lateral root length, main root length, root distributions, dry biomass distributions and above and below ground biomass were showed in CM treatments. However 75% of root coiling was observed in seedlings between treatments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2017

Biocatalytic modification of natural resources can be used to generate novel compounds with specific properties, such as higher viscosity and reactivity. The production of hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs), originally found in low quantities in plants, is a good example of the biocatalytic modification of natural vegetable oils. HFAs show high potential for application in a wide range of industrial products, including resins, waxes, nylons, plastics, lubricants, cosmetics, and additives in coatings and paintings. In a recent study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PR3 was used to produce 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (DOD) from oleic acid. This present study focused primarily on the utilization of three natural nut oils obtained from the Philippines -pili nut oil (PNO), palm oil (PO), and virgin coconut oil (VCO)- to produce DOD by P. aeruginosa strain PR3. Strain PR3 produced DOD from PNO and PO only, with PNO being the more efficient substrate. An optimization study to achieve the maximum DOD yield from PNO revealed the optimal incubation time and medium pH to be 48 h and 8.0, respectively. Among the carbon sources tested, fructose was the most efficiently used, with a maximum DOD production of 130 mg/50 mL culture. Urea was the optimal nitrogen source, with a maximum product yield of 165 mg/50 mL culture. The results from this study demonstrated that PNO could be used as an efficient substrate for DOD production by microbial bioconversion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1143-1150
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate in vitro methane production of feed ingredients and relationship between the content of crude nutrients and methane production. Feed ingredients (total 26) were grouped as grains (5 ingredients), brans and hulls (8), oil seed meals (9) roughages (3), and animal by-product (1) from their nutrient composition and their methane production protential were measured by in vitro gas test. Among the groups, the in vitro methane productions for both 6 and 24 h incubation were highest in grains, followed by brans and hulls, oil meals and roughages, animal byproducts. Within the group of grains, methane production from wheat flour was the highest, followed by wheat, corn, tapioca, and then oat. Within the brans and hulls, soybean hull showed the highest methane production and cotton seed hull, the lowest. Methane production from oil meals was lower compared with grains and brans and hulls, and in decreasing order production from canola meal was followed by soybean meal, coconut meal, and corn germ meal (p<0.01). Three ingredients were selected and the interactions among feed ingredients were evaluated for methane production. Correlation coefficient between measured and estimated values of the combinations were 0.91. Methane production from each feed ingredient was decreased with increasing amount of crude fiber (CF), protein (CP) and ether extract (EE), whereas positive relationship was noted with the concentrations of N-free extract (NFE). The multiple regression equation (n=134) for methane production and nutrient concentrations was as follows. Methane production (ml/0.2 g DM)=(0.032${\times}$CP)-(0.057${\times}$EE)-(0.012${\times}$CF)+(0.124${\times}$NFE) (p<0.01; $R^2$=0.929). Positive relationship was noted for CP and NFE and negative relationship for CF and EE. It seems possible to predict methane production potential from nutritional composition of the ingredients for their effective application on formulating less methane emitting rations.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2015

Purpose: Borage oil (BO) and safflower oil (SO) are efficacious in reversing epidermal hyperproliferation, which is caused by the disruption of epidermal barrier. In this study, we compared the antiproliferative effect of dietary BO and SO. Altered metabolism of ceramide (Cer), the major lipid of epidermal barrier, was further determined by measurement of epidermal levels of individual Cer, glucosylceramide (GlcCer), and sphingomyelin (SM) species, and protein expression of Cer metabolizing enzymes. Methods: Epidermal hyperproliferation was induced in guinea pigs by a hydrogenated coconut diet (HCO) for 8 weeks. Subsequently, animals were fed diets of either BO (group HCO + BO) or SO (group HCO + SO) for 2 weeks. As controls, animals were fed BO (group BO) or HCO (group HCO) diets for 10 weeks. Results: Epidermal hyperproliferation was reversed in groups HCO + BO (67.6% of group HCO) and HCO + SO (84.5% of group HCO). Epidermal levels of Cer1/2, GlcCer-A/B, and ${\beta}$-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), an enzyme of GlcCer hydrolysis for Cer generation, were higher in group HCO + BO than in group HCO, and increased to levels similar to those of group BO. In addition, epidermal levels of SM1, serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), and acidic sphingomyelinase (aSMase), enzymes of de novo Cer synthesis and SM hydrolysis for Cer generation, but not of Cer3-7, were higher in group HCO + BO than in group HCO. Despite an increase of SPT and aSMase in group HCO + SO to levels higher than in group HCO, epidermal levels of Cer1-7, GlcCer-A/B, and GCase were similar in these two groups. Notably, acidic ceramidase, an enzyme of Cer degradation, was highly expressed in group HCO + SO. Epidermal levels of GlcCer-C/D and SM-2/3 did not differ among groups. Conclusion: Dietary BO was more prominent for reversing epidermal hyperproliferation by enhancing Cer metabolism with increased levels of Cer1/2, GlcCer-A/B, and SM1 species, and of GCase proteins.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.807-813
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• 2016

Two experiments were conducted assessing the effects of presence or absence of rumen protozoa and dietary nitrate addition on rumen fermentation characteristics and in vitro methane production in Brahman heifers. The first experiment assessed changes in rumen fermentation pattern and in vitro methane production post-refaunation and the second experiment investigated whether addition of nitrate to the incubation would give rise to methane mitigation additional to that contributed by defaunation. Ten Brahman heifers were progressively adapted to a diet containing 4.5% coconut oil distillate for 18 d and then all heifers were defaunated using sodium 1-(2-sulfonatooxyethoxy) dodecane (Empicol). After 15 d, the heifers were given a second dose of Empicol. Fifteen days after the second dosing, all heifers were allocated to defaunated or refaunated groups by stratified randomisation, and the experiment commenced (d 0). On d 0, an oral dose of rumen fluid collected from unrelated faunated cattle was used to inoculate 5 heifers and form a refaunated group so that the effects of re-establishment of protozoa on fermentation characteristics could be investigated. Samples of rumen fluid collected from each animal using oesophageal intubation before feeding on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 were incubated for in vitro methane production. On d 35, 2% nitrate (as $NaNO_3$) was included in in vitro incubations to test for additivity of nitrate and absence of protozoa effects on fermentation and methane production. It was concluded that increasing protozoal numbers were associated with increased methane production in refaunated heifers 7, 14, and 21 d after refaunation. Methane production rate was significantly higher from refaunated heifers than from defaunated heifers 35 d after refaunation. Concentration and proportions of major volatile fatty acids, however, were not affected by protozoal treatments. There is scope for further reducing methane output through combining defaunation and dietary nitrate as the addition of nitrate in the defaunated heifers resulted in 86% reduction in methane production in vitro.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1452-1456
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• 2009

Fucoxanthin has been concentrated efficiently using supercritical carbon dioxide. First, fucoxanthin was extracted from Ecklonia cava using solvents. Three solvents, such as medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), medium chain fatty acid ethyl ester, and fatty acid from coconut oil were tested, and MCFA was selected as a suitable solvent to extract fucoxanthin from Ecklonia cava. The concentration was conducted at various pressures and temperatures. In order to concentrate fucoxanthin from extracts, MCFA was eliminated from the extract using supercritical carbon dioxide, and fucoxanthin was concentrated successfully in residue. Optimal conditions for concentrating the fucoxanthin from fucoxanthin extract were $40^{\circ}C$ at 9.7 MPa, $45^{\circ}C$ at 11.0 MPa, and $50^{\circ}C$ at 12.4 MPa, respectively. The density of carbon dioxide affected the concentration of fucoxanthin from fucoxanthin extract. In this optimal conditions, the density for concentrating the fucoxanthin was 600 g/L.