Faizan Ullah

Optimization Of Protocol For Biodiesel Production Of Linseed (Linum Usitatissimum L.) Oil

Attempts were made to optimize variables affecting the yield of linseed oil biodiesel in a base catalyzed transesterification reaction. The variables studied were reaction temperature (40-70oC), catalyst (NaOH) concentration (0.1-1.5%) and reaction time (30-180 min). The conversion of linseed oil into methyl esters was confirmed through analytical methods like 1H NMR, gas chromatography (GC) and refractometer. The maximum biodiesel yield (97±1.045% w/w) was obtained at 0.5% catalyst concentration, 65oC temperature, 180 min reaction time and 6:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil. 1H NMR confirmed the practically obtained % conversion of triglycerides into methyl esters which was further evidenced by refractometer analyses. The refractive index of biodiesel samples was lower than pure linseed oil. GC analysis confirmed the presence of linolenic acid (C18:3) as the dominant fatty acid (68 wt. %) followed by oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and stearic acid (C18:0) respectively. The physical properties of linseed oil biodiesel like specific gravity (0.90 g/cm3) and flash point (177oC) were higher than American Society for Testing and Materials standards (ASTM 6751) for biodiesel. However, kinematic viscosity (3.752 mm2/s) was in the range of ASTM standards.

Effect of plant growth regulators on oil yield and biodiesel production of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.).

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of plant growth regulators viz., kinetin, chlorocholine chloride (CCC) and salicylic acid (SA) on achene yield and oil quality of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cv. Thori pertaining to biodiesel production. The growth regulators were applied at 10-5M as foliar spray during flowering (140 days after sowing). Kinetin was highly effective in increasing achene yield, 100 achene weight and oil refractive index. Maximum achene oil content was found in CCC treatment. Kinetin and CCC significantly decreased oil acid value, free fatty acid content (% oleic acid) and specific gravity but increased oil pH. Kinetin was highly effective in increasing oleic acid (C18:1) but decreased the content of linoleic acid (C18:2). Oil extracted from achenes of CCC and Kinetin treated plants exhibited maximum (92%) conversion into methyl esters.

Sustainable Measures for Biodiesel Production

The insecurity, non-sustainability, and pollution problems associated with petroleum-based fuels have stimulated recent interest in exploring alternative and renewable energy resources, such as biodiesel. However, the major resources of biodiesel are limited to oilseed crops, which have direct utilization in food materials. Moreover, the current climate change scenarios would greatly affect the yield and quality of oil seed plants with a significant decrease in biodiesel production. Many workers are exploring the sustainable production of biodiesel. The current review describes the sustainable approaches (biochemical and physiological) toward improving the potential and quality of feedstock resources for biodiesel production.

Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Water Sources of District Nowshehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Toxoplasmosis is spread through contamination of water sources and results in morbidity globally. In the current study 300 water samples were processed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Toxoplasma gondii. The overall prevalence in different water sources was 6.6% (17/300). Among different water sources the highest prevalence was recorded in drain water at 7% (7/100), followed by tube well water at 7.5% (3/40) and open well water at 5% (5/100) ,and the lowest was recorded in tap water at 3.33% (2/60). The highest prevalence was recorded in summer. Evidence indicates that cleaning and filtration need to be adopted to avoid the health hazards of waterborne zoonotic parasites.

The Role of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Oil Yield and Biodiesel Production of Canola (Brassica napus L.)

The aim of the present investigation was to compare the effects of chemical fertilizers and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria viz. Azospirillum and Azotobacter on seed yield, oil content, and oil quality of canola (Brassica napus L.) var. Pakola pertaining to biodiesel production. Azospirillum and Azotobacter were applied as broth culture prior to sowing, while chemical fertilizers viz. urea and Diamonium phosphate were applied @ 185 Kg/hec and 160 Kg/hec, respectively. The first dose of chemical fertilizers was applied at the time of sowing, while another three doses were applied at 40 day intervals. Chemical fertilizers significantly increased number of branches plant−1, number of siliqua branch−1, number of seeds siliqua−1, and total seed yield. However, significant increase in 1,000 seed weight was observed in Azospirillum treatment. Maximum increase in seed oil content was recorded in Azotobacter treatment. Chemical fertilizers and Azospirillum significantly increased seed protein content and decreased oil acid value and free fatty acid (%FFAs) content as compared to the control. Significantly lower glucosinolate and moisture content were recorded in Azotobacter treatment. Significantly higher oleic acid (C18:1) content was observed in Azospirillum treatment. Maximum alpha linolenic acid (C18:3) content was found in Azotobacter treatment. Azospirillum significantly decreased the erucic acid (cis-13-docosenoic acid, C22:1) content. The oil extracted from seeds of chemical fertilizers and Azospirillum-treated plants exhibited maximum (93 and 92%, respectively) conversion to methyl esters as a result of transesterification reaction.

The Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Yellow Sarson (Brassica campestris L.) Oil

The aim of the present investigation was to optimize protocol for conversion of yellow sarson (Brassica campestris L.) subsp. Oleifera oil to biodiesel. The maximum yield of biodiesel was obtained at 75°C in the presence of 1% NaOH (w/w oil) and methanol/oil molar ratio of 9:1. The quality parameters of biodiesel, such as specific gravity, color, kinematic viscosity, flash, cloud, and pour point, were in accordance with the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) D 6751.

Bioinoculants: A sustainable approach to maximize the yield of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata L.) under low input of chemical fertilizers.

This study aimed to find out the effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; Azospirillum brasilense and Azotobacter vinelandii) either alone or in combination with different doses of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers on growth, seed yield, and oil quality of Brassica carinata (L.) cv. Peela Raya. PGPR were applied as seed inoculation at 10(6) cells/mL(-1) so that the number of bacterial cells per seed was 2.6 × 10(5) cells/seed. The chemical fertilizers, namely, urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) were applied in different doses (full dose (urea 160 kg ha(-1) + DAP 180 kg ha(-1)), half dose (urea 80 kg ha(-1) + DAP 90 kg ha(-1)), and quarter dose (urea 40 kg ha(-1) + DAP 45 kg ha(-1)). The chemical fertilizers at full and half dose significantly increased the chlorophyll, carotenoids, and protein content of leaves and the seed yield (in kilogram per hectare) but had no effect on the oil content of seed. The erucic acid (C22:1) content present in the seed was increased. Azospirillum performed better than Azotobacter and its effect was at par with full dose of chemical fertilizers (CFF) for pigments and protein content of leaves when inoculated in the presence of half dose of chemical fertilizers (SPH). The seed yield and seed size were greater. Supplementing Azospirillum with SPH assisted Azospirillum to augment the growth and yield, reduced the erucic acid (C22:1) and glucosinolates contents, and increased the unsaturation in seed oil. It is inferred that A. brasilense could be applied as an efficient bioinoculant for enhancing the growth, seed yield, and oil quality of Ethiopian mustard at low fertilizer costs and sustainable ways.

Comparative impact of genetically modified and non modified maize (Zea mays L.) on succeeding crop and associated weed

This research work documents the comparative impact of genetically modified (GM) (insect resistance) and non modified maize (Zea mays L.) on growth and germination of succeeding crop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and associated weed (Avena fatua L.). The aqueous extracts of both the GM and non-GM maize exhibited higher phenolic content than that of methanolic extracts. Germination percentage and germination index of wheat was significantly decreased by GM methanolic extract (10%) as well as that of non-GM maize at 3% aqueous extract. Similarly germination percentage of weed (Avena fatua L.) was significantly reduced by application of 3% and 5% methanolic GM extracts. All extracts of GM maize showed non-significant effect on the number of roots, root length and shoot length per plant but 5% and 10% methanolic extracts of non-GM maize significantly increased the number of roots per plant of wheat seedling. Similarly, 10% methanolic extract of GM maize significantly increased the number of roots per plant of weed seedling. Methanolic extracts of GM and non-GM maize (3% and 5%) significantly decreased the protease activity in wheat as compared to untreated control.

The Role of Climatic Factors in Biodiesel Production of Sesame

Agricultural products are strongly affected by variations in climatic conditions. The cultivation of oilseed crops is expanding under different climatic zones. Vegetable oils are also important sources of biofuel. It is renewable and does not contribute to raising the net level of CO2 in the atmosphere. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the impact of climatic factors on seed oil content and oil quality of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotype TS-3 with the perspectives of biodiesel production. The seed samples were collected from field grown plants in three regions of Pakistan differing in temperature and moisture regimes viz. district Bannu, district Kohat (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa), and district Attock (Punjab), respectively. The mean day and night temperatures and average rainfall varied in the three regions during vegetative and reproductive phases of sesame. The average day temperature was higher in Attock. Minimum day temperature during the reproductive phase was observed in Kohat, while minimum night temperature during grain filling and maturation was recorded in Attock. Maximum seed oil content was exhibited by seed samples collected from Kohat exhibiting 3 and 4°C lower day temperature than Attock and Bannu, respectively, during the reproductive stage. Significantly higher oil specific gravity was detected in seed samples collected from Bannu. The lower acid value was recorded for seed samples of Kohat. A significantly higher iodine number was found in the oil of seed samples collected from Attock. The palmitic acid (C16:0) and linoleic acid (C18:2) content did not vary significantly in seed samples of the three regions. Maximum oleic acid (C18:1) content was exhibited by seed samples collected from Kohat. Significantly higher biodiesel yield was obtained from the oil of seed samples collected from Kohat and Bannu, respectively. It can be inferred that climatic conditions significantly affect the oil yield and quality of sesame and that agroclimatic conditions of Kohat and Bannu are suitable for cultivation of sesame for biodiesel production.