B. Priya

Comparison of response surface methodology and artificial neural network approach towards efficient ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production from muskmelon oil

The present study is to evaluate and compare the prediction and simulating efficiencies of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) based models on fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) yield achieved from muskmelon oil (MMO) under ultrasonication by two step in situ process. In first in situ process, free fatty acid content of MMO was reduced from 6.43% to 0.91% using H2SO4 as acid catalyst and organic phase in the first step was subjected to second reaction by adding KOH in methanol as basic catalyst. The influence of process variables (methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time) on conversion of FAME (second step) was investigated by central composite rotatable design (CCRD) of RSM and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network with the topology of 4-7-1. Both (RSM and ANN) were statistically compared by the coefficient of determination, root mean square error and absolute average deviation, based on the validation data set. The coefficient of determination (R(2)) calculated from the validation data for RSM and ANN models were 0.869 and 0.991 respectively. While both models showed good predictions in this study. But, the ANN model was more precise compared to the RSM model and it showed that, ANN is to be a powerful tool for modeling and optimizing FAME production.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of pectin from sisal waste.

In this study, an efficient ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of pectin from sisal waste was investigated and optimized. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a three-level four-factor Box-Behnken response surface design (BBD) was employed to optimize the extraction conditions (ultrasonic power, extraction temperature, extraction time and solid-liquid ratio). Analysis of variance showed that the contribution of a quadratic model was significant for the pectin extraction yield. The experimental yield (29.32%) was obtained under the optimal condition (ultrasonic power of 61 W, temperature of 50°C, time of 26 min and SL ratio of 1:28 g/ml) was well agreement with predicted values. Therefore, ultrasound-assisted extraction could be used as an alternative method to extract pectin from sisal waste with the advantages of lower extraction temperatures, shorter extraction time and reduced energy consumption.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of polysaccharide from Nephelium lappaceum L. fruit peel

In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction technology was employed to investigate and optimize the crude polysaccharide extraction from Nephelium lappaceum L. fruit peel using three levels, four factors (LS ratio, ultrasonic power, extraction temperature and extraction time) Box-Behnken response surface design. The results showed that highest polysaccharide yield of 8.31% was obtained with an LS ratio of 32:1 ml:g, ultrasonic power of 110 W, extraction temperature of 53°C and extraction time of 41 min. The experimental yield of polysaccharide (8.29±0.03%) at optimal condition was well agreed with the predicted value. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used for the identification of functional groups present in the extracted polysaccharide. The results suggest that ultrasound-assisted extraction could be a good alternative for the extraction of polysaccharide from N. lappaceum L. fruit peel at industrial level.

Ultrasound assisted extraction of pectin from waste Artocarpus heterophyllus fruit peel.

Four factors three level face centered central composite response surface design was employed in this study to investigate and optimize the effect of process variables (liquid-solid (LS) ratio (10:1-20:1ml/g), pH (1-2), sonication time (15-30min) and extraction temperature (50-70°C)) on the maximum extraction yield of pectin from waste Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) peel by ultrasound assisted extraction method. Numerical optimization method was adapted in this study and the following optimal condition was obtained as follows: Liquid-solid ratio of 15:1ml/g, pH of 1.6, sonication time of 24min and temperature of 60°C. The optimal condition was validated through experiments and the observed value was interrelated with predicted value.

Natural Pigments Extraction from Basella rubra L. Fruits by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Combined with Box-Behnken Response Surface Design

In this study, natural pigments from Basella rubra L. were extracted by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique using three levels, four factors (extraction temperature, ultrasonic power, extraction time and solid-liquid (SL) ratio) Box-Behnken response surface design. The optimal condition was found to be: extraction temperature of 54°C, ultrasonic power of 94 W, extraction time of 32 min and SL ratio of 1:17 g/mL respectively. Under this optimal condition, the experimental yield of (betacyanin of 1.42 ± 0.001 and betaxanthin of 5.35 ± 0.13 mg/g) pigments were well correlated with predicted values (betacyanin was 1.43 mg/g and betaxanthin was 5.37 mg/g).

Ultrasound assisted citric acid mediated pectin extraction from industrial waste of Musa balbisiana

The objectives of the present work are to extract pectin from industrial waste of Musa balbisiana by ultrasound assisted citric acid mediated extraction method and optimization was done through central composite statistical experimental design under response surface methodology. The outcomes of this study exhibited that, process variables (ultrasound power, pH and extraction time) had considerable influence on the pectin extraction. Second order mathematical equation was constructed to predict the data through regression analysis. The optimal extraction process condition was ultrasound power of 323w, pH of 3.2, extraction time of 27min and SL (solid-liquid) ratio of 1:15g/ml. The mean experimental yield of pectin (8.99±0.018%) was fine accord among predicted yield of pectin (9.02%).

Modeling of polysaccharide extraction from Gossypium arboreum L. seed using central composite rotatable design.

The present study investigates the effect of independent variables such as extraction temperature (35-55 °C), time (1-5h) and solid-liquid ratio (1:5-1:25 g/ml) over the extraction yield of polysaccharide from Gossypium arboreum L. seeds was investigated and optimized. Aqueous extraction method was opted for the extraction of polysaccharide. Central composite response surface design was utilized for developing the experimental design. A second order polynomial mathematical model was developed from the obtained results. From the results, Significance of process variables over the extraction process can be clearly depicted. At the extraction temperature of 45 °C, extraction time of 3h and solid-liquid ratio of 1:15 g/ml maximum yield of polysaccharide (8.67%) from Gossypium arboreum L. seed was obtained. Characteristics of the extracted polysaccharide are analyzed through physico-chemical property analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

Cationic Dyes Sequestration from Aqueous Phase Using Biosurfactant Based Reverse Micelles

Several conventional methods are employed to remove cationic dyes from waste water. A novel technique based on liquid/liquid extraction using reverse micelles is proposed whereby recovery of solvent and reuse of dye is possible. Single component batch experimental studies were carried out using two dyes, namely Basic red 9 (BR9) and basic violet 3 (BV3). Glycolipids produced naturally using Pseudozyma antarctica from soybean oil medium were used as surfactant. Extraction efficiency of single component system of each dye was investigated by using amyl alcohol as solvent and sulphuric acid as carrier. The process parameters such as dye concentration, sulphuric acid concentration and surfactant concentration on the extraction efficiency were optimized using Box-Behnken design. The optimum conditions were calculated by using Derringer’s desirably.

Studies on Drying Characteristics of Rhizomes of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc)

In this study drying characteristics of ginger (raw as well as soaked in water) was investigated by microwave drying method using five different power levels. The drying characteristics of ginger such as moisture ratio (MR), drying rate (DR), effective moisture diffusivity (EMD), energy consumption (EC) and drying efficiency (DE) were studied for ginger samples (soaked and unsoaked). The value of MR reduces quickly and then gradually decreases with augment in drying time. The drying rate increased simultaneously increase in power. Effective moisture diffusivity values increases with increase in MW power levels. The energy consumption is low at lower power level but drying efficiency was higher at high power level. Modified page model was found to be in regression with the experimental data prevailed in this study.