G. C. Joshi

Exploration of upstream and downstream process for microwave assisted sustainable biodiesel production from microalgae Chlorella vulgaris

The present study explores the integrated approach for the sustainable production of biodiesel from Chlorella vulgaris microalgae. The microalgae were cultivated in 10m(2) open raceway pond at semi-continuous mode with optimum volumetric and areal production of 28.105kg/L/y and 71.51t/h/y, respectively. Alum was used as flocculent for harvesting the microalgae and optimized at different pH. Lipid was extracted using chloroform: methanol (2:1) and having 12.39% of FFA. Effect of various reaction conditions such as effect of catalyst, methanol:lipid ratio, reaction temperature and time on biodiesel yields were studied under microwave irradiation; and 84.01% of biodiesel yield was obtained under optimized reaction conditions. A comparison was also made between the biodiesel productions under conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The synthesized biodiesel was characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FTIR and GC; however, fuel properties of biodiesel were also studied using specified test methods as per ASTM and EN standards.

Microwave enhanced alcoholysis of non-edible (algal, jatropha and pongamia) oils using chemically activated egg shell derived CaO as heterogeneous catalyst.

Microwave enhanced fast and efficient alcoholysis (methanolysis and ethanolysis) of non-edible oils (algal, jatropha and pongamia) is achieved using chemically activated waste egg shell derived CaO (i.e. CaO(cesp)) as heterogeneous catalyst. CaO(cesp) was extracted from waste chicken egg shell and further activated chemically by supporting transition metal oxide. The maximum conversion was achieved using 3wt% catalysts under 700W microwave irradiation and 10:1 alcohol/oil ratio in 6min. Alcoholysis using ZnO activated CaO(cesp) catalyst has shown higher reaction yields in comparison to other modified catalysts. Methanolysis has shown better biodiesel conversion in comparison to ethanolysis. The catalyst has shown longer lifetime and sustained activity after being used for four cycles. Due to more saturated fatty acid content; algal biodiesel has shown improved fuel properties in comparison to other biodiesels.

Phytosociological features and threat categorization of A. heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle and A. ferox Wall. ex Ser. in Kumaun Himalaya

Alpine and subalpine regions of Kumaun Himalaya were surveyed qualitatively and quantitatively for the population study to determine the status of Aconitum ferox and A. heterophyllum. Low population density across the surveyed populations and restricted distribution to specific pockets indicates poor availability of the species in the study area. Illegal and over exploitation of these species pose threat to their existence. The present study clarifies the population structure of identified aconite species in Kumaun Himalaya. Observations reveal that on the basis of six attributes (that is habitat preference, distribution range, population size, use pattern, extraction trend, native and endemic species) used to assign threat categories, both the Aconitum species are endangered.

Population studies, habitat assessment and threat categorization of Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) Allioni in Kumaun Himalaya

Natural populations ofxa0Polygonatum verticillatumxa0in Kumaun Himalaya were surveyed for population studies, habitat assessment and threat status. This research revealsxa0density of individuals and area occupiedxa0were low as compared to other species of the region, indicating habitat loss and heavyxa0exploitation. Status was determined on a site-to-site basisfor the entire Kumaun region. Based on species occurrence in selected areas,xa0the species were identified as critically endangered toxa0endangered in different areas. Frequency ofxa0P. verticillatumxa0ranged between 50 and 80% at different population sites. Distribution of the species was between 50 and 80% indicating contiguous distributional range at most of the sites and random distributional range at Mukteshwer and Gagar. Density ofxa0P. verticillatumwas highest (4.40xa0plant m-2) in way to Kafani and lowest (2.60xa0plant m-2) in Bhaman gupha.Total basal cover (TBC) was also found highest (0.91 cm2xa0m-2) inxa0way to Kafanixa0and lowest (0.35 cm2xa0m-2) inxa0Bhaman gupha.xa0Important value index (IVI) was found highest (51.68) in Munsyari and lowest (28.84) in Khati. Concentration of dominance (Cd) for the region showed a slight variation, with a range between 0.30 and 0.10.xa0This may be attributed to the narrow range of distribution, habitat restriction and dominance of some species. n n xa0 n n Key words:xa0Population, habitat, threat,xa0Polygonatum verticillatum.

Chemical composition of Microstylis wallichii Lindl. from Western Himalaya

Microstylis wallichiixa0Lindl. is a Rasayana and belongs to the “Astverga”.xa0It is an important medicine traditionally known since Vedic period but study on its phytoconstituents is very limited. Metal content and volatile constituentsxa0in M. wallichiixa0(family Orchidaceae) collected from Uttarakhand were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and GC and GC-MS respectively. Chemical analysis revealed that wildxa0M. wallichiixa0contained 6.48 ppm Cu, 43.00 ppm Zn, 35.00 ppm Mn, 331.00 ppm Fe, 21600.00 ppm K, 9000.00 ppm Ca, 2800.00 ppm Mg, 198.00 ppm Al, 26.70 ppm Ba, 55.60 ppm B, 0.30 ppm Mo, 156.00 ppm Cl.xa0 Fatty acids analysis revealed the presence of the following constituents-linoleic acid (18:2ω6) 61.20% (w/w), α-linolenic acid 18.10% (w/w), oleic acid 12.00 % (w/w), palmitic acid (16:0) 6.00% (w/w), stearic acid (18:0) 2.10% (w/w), γ-linolenic acid (18:3ω6) 2.20% (w/w), eicosanoic acid (20:0) 0.81 % (w/w), eicosenoic acid (20:1) 0.42% (w/w) and eicosadienoic acid (20:2) 0.04% (w/w). Cultivatedxa0M. wallichiixa0contained 7.18 ppm Cu, 49.50 ppm Zn, 37.00 ppm Mn, 352.45 ppm Fe, 23000.00 ppm K, 13000.00 ppm Ca, 5300.00 ppm Mg, 217.50 ppm Al, 37.50 ppm Ba, 59.70 ppm B, 0.27 ppm Mo, 148.00 ppm Cl. Analysis of fatty acids reported following constitutents of cultivatedxa0M. wallichii -xa0linoleic acid (18:2ω6) 65.23% (w/w), α-linolenic acid 15.50% (w/w), oleic acid 14.87 % (w/w), palmitic acid (16:0) 5.90% (w/w), stearic acid (18:0) 2.50% (w/w), γ-linolenic acid (18:3ω6) 1.87% (w/w), eicosanoic acid (20:0) 0.69 % (w/w), eicosenoic acid (20:1) 0.52% (w/w) and eicosadienoic acid (20:2) 0.07% (w/w). Other chemical constituents which were isolated fromxa0wild and cultivatedxa0M. wallichiixa0were vitamins α–tocopherol and γ-tocopherol 12.00-9.80 ppm and 695.00-786.7 ppm respectively while terpenoids 18.00-20.50%. It has an acid value of 1.20-1.39 and saponification value of 103.00-110.50. n n xa0 n n Key words:xa0Microstylis wallichii; metal content; volatile constituents; GC-MS

Successive variation in phytosociological aspects and threat categorization of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. in Kumaun Himalaya of Uttarakhand

The present work is a part of a three years extensive study to observe the annual changes in phyto-sociological characters of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Family- Scrophulariaceae) in high altitudinal regions of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand. The work was undertaken with the objective of observing the annual variation in relative values of frequency, density, abundance and importance value Index (IVI) of the plant species suffering from threats and categorized as critically endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). n n xa0 n n Key words: Phyto-sociology, Scrophulariaceae, population, Kumaun, assessment.

Ex situ conservation of Hedychium spicatum Buch.- Ham. using different types of nursery beds

Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. belongs to family Zingiberaceae. It is known for its many medicinal uses. Due to great market potential of the plant, it is harvested in uncontrolled way causing the decline of the herb from its natural habitat. Presently, its status in nature is not good. Thus, there is need of its in situ as well as ex situ conservation and propagation. The present study was conducted on different trials with different organic fertilizers and types of nursery beds to develop a need based agrotechnique for mass scale cultivation of the plant in the climatic condition of Ranikhet, Uttarakhand.

DOCUMENTING AND REVITALIZING LOCAL HEALTH TRADITIONS WITH NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

Deepika Bhatt. The uses of medicinal plants in traditional healthcare practices and its importance in providing clues to new areas of research and in biodiversity conservation is now well recognized. This study aimed to look into the diversity of plant resources that are used by tribal people for curing various ailments. Questionnaire surveys, participatory observations and field visits were elicit information on the uses of various plants.

ACHYRANTHES ASPERA L.: MULTIPLE THERAPEUTIC USES AMONG VARIOUS TRIBES OF KUMAUN, UTTARAKHAND.

Deepika Bhatt. Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) has long been used in different systems of medicine in the treatment of various ailments, found as a weed throughout India. Though almost all of its parts are used in traditional systems of medicines, leaves, roots and shoots are the most important parts which are used medicinally. The review reveals that wide numbers of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plant which possesses activities like antiperiodic, diuretic, purgative, laxative, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic and various other important medicinal properties. The present article gives an account of various local health traditions along with their formulation and validation, related with this plant species among the tribals of the Kumaun region.