• Carbon letters
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.105-112
• /
• 2014

Wastewater from textile industries is a major cause of water pollution in most developing countries. In order to address the issues of water pollution and high cost for treatment processes, the use of an inexpensive and environmentally benign adsorbents has been studied. The objective was to find a better alternative to the conventional methods. Lemon grass waste (ash) collected from a lemon grass stream distillation subunit in Bhutan was tested for dye removal from aqueous solutions. The study investigated the removal of methylene blue using the following operational parameters: initial concentration (100-600 mg/L), contact time, adsorbent dose (0.1-0.55 gm/100 mL), and pH (3-10). It was found that the percentage removal of dye increased with a decrease of the initial concentration and increased contact time and dose of adsorbent. The basic pH solution of dye showed better adsorption capacity as compared to the acidic dye solution. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were fitted to the data well. Data fitted better to Lagergren pseudo 2nd order kinetics than a 1st order kinetic model. Surface morphology was also examined via scanning electron microscopy. An elemental analysis was also carried out and the chemical composition and functional groups were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The obtained results indicate that lemon grass ash could be employed as a low cost alternative to commercial activated carbon in wastewater treatment for the removal of dyes.

• Advances in Computational Design
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.195-207
• /
• 2020

The present study focuses on the application of artificial neural network (ANN) and Multiple linear Regression (MLR) analysis for developing a model to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and split tensile strength (STS) of the fiber reinforced clay stabilized with grass ash, fly ash and lime. Unconfined compressive strength and Split tensile strength are the nonlinear functions and becomes difficult for developing a predicting model. Artificial neural networks are the efficient tools for predicting models possessing non linearity and are used in the present study along with regression analysis for predicting both UCS and STS. The data required for the model was obtained by systematic experiments performed on only Kaolin clay, clay mixed with varying percentages of fly ash, grass ash, polypropylene fibers and lime as between 10-20%, 1-4%, 0-1.5% and 0-8% respectively. Further, the optimum values of the various stabilizing materials were determined from the experiments. The effect of stabilization is observed by performing compaction tests, split tensile tests and unconfined compression tests. ANN models are trained using the inputs and targets obtained from the experiments. Performance of ANN and Regression analysis is checked with statistical error of correlation coefficient (R) and both the methods predict the UCS and STS values quite well; but it is observed that ANN can predict both the values of UCS as well as STS simultaneously whereas MLR predicts the values separately. It is also observed that only STS values can be predicted efficiently by MLR.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.516-521
• /
• 2002

The objective of this study was to compare two varieties of Napier grass (Bana Napier grass vs French Cameroon Napier grass) and to determine whether feed intake, digestibility, average daily gain (ADG) and milk yield of lactating Friesian cows from fresh cut Bana Napier grass was greater than from French Cameroon Napier grass, using a completely randomized design. Results show that Bana Napier grass had similar percent dry matter (DM), ash and gross energy (GE) to French Cameroon. Bana grass had higher percent crude protein (CP) and lower fiber fractions, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and lignin compared to French Cameroon. Overall the forage quality was marginally higher in Bana Napier grass compared to French Cameroon. The DM and NDF intake expressed as a percentage of body weight (BW) were similar in both Napier grass types. Both grasses had similar digestible DM and energy. Bana had higher digestible CP but lower digestible ADF and NDF than French Cameroon. Bana Napier was not different from French Cameroon when fed as a sole diet to lactating cows in terms of low DM intake, milk yield and a loss of BW and condition. To improve the efficient utilization of both Napier grass varieties, a supplement capable of supplying 1085-1227 g CP/d and 17.0-18.0 Mcal ME/d is required for cows to support moderate gains 0.22 kg/d and 15 kg 4% fat corrected milk/d.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.366-377
• /
• 2013

We examined the nutritive value of common grass species in the semi-arid rangelands of Borana in southern Ethiopia using local experience based herbage preference (LEBHP) perception and laboratory techniques. Local pastoralists in the study area were asked to identify common grass species and rank them according to the species' preferences and palatability to cattle. The pastoralists listed a total of 15 common grass species which were then sampled during the main rain and cold dry seasons and analyzed for crude protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and ash content to verify pastoralists' claim regarding the quality of individual species. The relative feed value (RFV) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were also calculated using NDF and ADF contents. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine possible relationships between laboratory results and pastoralists' experience on grass quality. Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Digitaria milanjiana, Eragrostis papposa and Panicum maximum were the top five species based on LEBHP perception. There were indications of inconsistency in terms of LEBHP perception among the different pastoral communities. The chemical composition of all grass species showed significant (p<0.05) variation between sites, seasons and species. The results showed that the CP values for the Borana rangelands were in the range of 8.7% in the main rain season to 5.1% for the cold dry season. The fiber constituents were relatively low in the main rain season compared to the cold dry season. Overall, Digitaria milanjiana had the highest CP (16.5%) content, while the least was recorded with Heteropogon contortus (10.8) and Aristida adoensis (9.8%) during the main rain season. It seems that the spatial variability of landscapes within the wider geographical regions, soil properties and texture, and land-use patterns probably contributed to site differences in species quality. Generally, the RFV of individual grass species was significantly (p<0.05) varied between and within sites. The ranking of species by pastoralists according to their preferences by cattle was highly correlated with the chemical composition of laboratory results of individual grass species with 'r' values for CP (0.94), ash (0.95), NDF (-0.98), ADF (-0.93) and ADL (-0.93). We suggest the complimentary use of LEBHP and laboratory techniques in evaluating the nutritive quality of rangeland forage species for sustainable animal production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.10
• /
• pp.1389-1393
• /
• 2001

A study was carried out to investigate the nutritive value and utilization of three grass species, batiki grass (lschaemum aristatum var. indicum), guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and signal grass (Bracharia decumbens) by growing goats. Eighteen growing crossbred goats $(Anglo-Nubian{\times}Fiji\;local)$ of between 9-11 months of age and pre-trial average live weight of $9.50{\pm}1.60kg$ were divided on the basis of weight to three treatment groups in a completely randomized design. The grasses constituted the diets and they were harvested fresh and chopped into pieces before they were offered to the goats. Chemical composition of the grasses, DMI, body weight gain (BWG) and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients were measured. The grasses had similar DM content. The CP content of the grasses was in the range of 8.3-11.2%. Crude fiber (CF) content was between 30.9-35.2%. Ether extract (EE) was low with a range of 1.2-1.8%. Nitrogen free extract (NFE) was similar (40.9%) for batiki and guinea grasses, while signal grass had more NFE content (51.1%). The grasses are good sources of minerals (ash). OM content was higher in signal grass while guinea and batiki grasses had similar OM content. The goats on signal grass had higher DMI than those on batiki and guinea grasses (p<0.05). The goats on batiki grass had lower average BWG (p<0.05) than those on guinea and signal grasses. Nutrients digestibility were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the goats on signal grass compared to those on guinea and batiki grasses. The goats on guinea grass were better (p<0.05) in the digestibility of CP, OM, NFE and ME than those on batiki grass. However, goats on batiki were significantly better (p<0.05) in digestibility of CF than those on guinea grass. Signal and guinea grasses had more DCP than batiki grass. DE was lower in batiki grass (p<0.05) than in guinea and signal grasses. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between batiki and guinea grasses in TON. Data obtained in this experiment demonstrated that signal grass is better than guinea and signal in the nutrition of growing goats in the tropical environment of Samoa. It had the highest nutritive value, better apparent digestibility coefficients which have better growth rate and feed efficiency. In ranking, signal grass was better than guinea and batiki grasses, while guinea grass was better than batiki in nutritive value in the parameters measured. For future pasture establishment in Samoa, signal grass is recommended for consideration because of its higher nutritive value as a replacement for batiki, the most predominant grass.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.165-170
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different surface soil management practices on soil microflora in volcanic ash soils of citrus orchard. Soil samples were collected from citrus orchards of clean cultivation, grass sod, and grass mulch system in May and September 1997. Soil chemical properties, populations of various microorganisms, enzyme activities, microbial biomass C were analyzed. Average soil pH were 4.7, and average nitrogen and organic matter contents were 6 and $140.2g\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. Aerobic bacteria were distributed at $26,2-47.3{\times}10^6cfu\;g^{-1}$ level. Among the aerobic bacteria Pseudomonas spp., Rhizobium spp., and thermophilic Bacillus spp. were dominant in most of the investigated orchard soils. Density of actinomycetes were low at $1.8-84.6{\times}10^5cfu\;g^{-1}$ level. Fungi were distributed at $26.4-182.1{\times}10^5cfu\;g^{-1}$ level and the density was higher in grass mulch and sward sites. In september, phosphomonoesterase activity was high at $239.6{\mu}g\;PNP\;g\;soil^{-1}\;h^{-1}$ in clean cultivated citrus orchards. Soil cellulase activity were higher at $602.6{\mu}g\;GE\;g\;soil^{-1}$\;24\;h^{-1}$ in grass sward cultivation than any other soil management practices. Soil microbial biomass C was higher in grass mulch cultivated orchards.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.685-691
• /
• 1998

In the first of two experiments, chemical composition (Ash, CP and CF contents), nutritive value (in vitro organic matter disappearance "lVOMD" and energy content "ME") and nitrogen retention of chopped date fronds (CDF) as affected by chemical treatment (CT) and storage duration (SD) were investigated. The experimental design was a completely randomized block, arranged in a $3{\times}4$ factorial, with 3 (CT) and 4 (SD) as the main factors using 2 replications / treatment. Three chemical treatments, were used : Control (With zero or no chemical treatment); treatment with 4% urea solution (w /w) and treatment with 4% urea + Date syrup extract (DS). The 4 (SD) were: Control (immediately after opening - without any storage or zero time storage); one month storage period; two months storage period and three months storage period. Both (CT) and (SD) had significant effects (p < 0.05) on CP and ash contents of the CDF, however there were no significant effects (p > 0.05) due to (CT) and (SD) on CF and nutritive value. High retention value (> 80%) for nitrogen was reported for the treated CDF, immediately after opening the incubated material (zero SD). However, nitrogen retention decreased with increasing (SD) to 67% after one month (SD) but tended to stay at a fairly constant level of 67% until 3 months of storage. In experiment 2, the feeding value of treated CDF was evaluated in comparison to Rhodes grass hay, using growing goats and sheep. A $4{\times}2$ factorial design was used (Four roughage sources were used : Rhodes grass hay, untreated CDF, urea-treated CDF and CDF treated with urea + DS with sheep and goats as two animal species, using three animals / treatment). Untreated CDF had a similar feeding value to Rhodes grass hay. However treatment of CDF with urea alone or with urea + DS depressed animal performance of both goats and sheep, apparently due to depression of feed intake (appetite). Feeding untreated CDF decreased feeding cost by 29% and cost/kg gain by 23%. CDF showed a good potential as a cheap local roughage and emergency feed for ruminants in the Sultanate.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.191-200
• /
• 1999

The objective of this study was to improve the recycling rate of coal ash fly, industrial waste. This study was conducted to analyze the physico-chemical properties of \"CellCaSi\" and clarify the effects on the growth of Kentucky bluegrass(Poa pratensis L.) and creeping bentgrass(Agrostis paulstris Huds \"Penncross\") and the chemical properties of soil, which was cellular calcium silicate reproduced by coal ash fly. A field assay was carried out in Young-Pyong Golf Course. The results were as follows. 1. The main chemical composition of CellCaSi was $SiO_2$(45~55%) and CaO(25~35), which was 70~90% of total weight. CellCaSi showed pH 8~9. Bulk density of CellCaSi was 0.35~0.45g/㎤. Water content of CellCaSi was 52.5~67.5%. 2. In the applied plots, leaf width, grass density per $1\textrm{cm}^2$, rhizome number and length per plant, and root number per plant of Kentucky bluegrass(Poa pratensis L.) and creeping bentgrass(Agrostis paulstris Huds \"Penncross\") showed increasing tendency compared with the control. The application of CellCaSi increased the growth of turfgrasses. Their visual quality on hardness, grass shoot density per $1\textrm{cm}^2$ and root growth was very good. And, their visual quality on rhizome growth was good. 3. After the application of CellCaSi, pH, CEC, Ex-cation of the applied soil showed increasing tendency with the little range, $SiO_2$content increasing tendency considerably, and organic matter content decreasing tendency compared with the control.ncy compared with the control.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 1989

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of frequency of defoliation on the ensiling characteristics and nutritive value of Guineaecotype 'A' (Panicum maximum Jacq) grass. Guinea grass harvested at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-week cutting intervals was chopped (2 cm) and ensiled alone or with the addition of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) meal (w/w-fresh weight basis), for periods of 6, 7 or 8 weeks in 2-litre laboratory silos. Dry matter, water soluble carbohydrates, lactic acid, pH, ash, nitrogen and digestibility in vitro were measured in representative samples of preensiled and ensiled material. Dry matter content of silages prepared from herbage harvested at 2 and 3 weeks intervals was lower (P<0.05) compared to longer defoliation intervals. The pH of silage prepared from herbage over 8 weeks old were higher (P<0.05) than those harvested below 8 weeks. The water soluble carbohydrate content of silage prepared from 3-weekly defoliated herbage was higher (P<0.05) than those prepared from longer periods. Lengthened growth period decreased (P<0.001) the crude protein content of the ensiled material, whereas the addition of coconut meal resulted in marginal increases. In vitro organic matter digestibility of the silages decreased (P<0.05) with the increase in forage maturity.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.407-412
• /
• 2012

Wild grass is edible, and it grows in the mountains or field areas. Wild grass has diverse biological effects, such as antiobesity, anti-cancer, antioxidant activities and immune stimulation. Currently, many studies are aimed at enhancing the efficacy of medicinal foods on biological activity using a bioconversion technology, including the fermentation process. In this study, the quality characteristics and antioxidative activity of the fermented wild grass was investigated. The antioxidant activity of fermented wild grass was assessed by various radical scavenging assays using DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), FRAP(ferric ion reducing antioxidant power), reducing power, and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)). Moisture contents of the fermented wild grass is $49.6{\pm}0.06%$. Contents of crude ash, crude protein, and crude fat were $0.65{\pm}0.01$, $0.65{\pm}0.04$, and $3.3{\pm}0.59%$, respectively. Moreover, fermented wild grass showed that the hunter's color values were 80.36(lightnees), 11.47(redness), and 44.53(yellowness), respectively. Total phenolic contents of the fermented wild grass was $1,185{\pm}159{\mu}g$ GAE(gallic acid equivalent)/g. The antioxidative activities of the fermented wild grass were significantly increased in a dose dependent manner. In addition, fermented wild grass did not show any cytotoxicity up to 500 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. However, the anti-adipogenic effect of the fermented wild grass extract was barely detectable. This antioxidant potential is partly due to the phenolic compounds that are present in the fermented wild grass extracts.