Majid Hussain

An ethnobotanical survey of indigenous medicinal plants in Wana district south Waziristan agency, Pakistan.

ETHNOMEDICINAL RELEVANCEnMedicinal plants are treasure of any region for ailment treatment. The present research work was focused to document the indigenous knowledge of unexplored area of Wana, South Waziristan Agency, Pakistan. This was the very first study, to explore the potential ethno-medicinal plants of study area.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnData was collected by opting people participation involving interviews, group meetings, semi structured discussions and filling of questionnaires.nnnRESULTS AND DISCUSSIONnA total 50 wild medicinal plants belonging to 30 families were collected. Medicinal plants used against the stomach disorders were 10% followed by the cold/cough (8%), hepatitis (7%), diuretic (7%), sedative/narcotic (7%), tonic (6%), asthma (5%), cardiac problems (4%), jaundice (4%) and so on. Among plant parts used for indigenous medicines, leaves were (24%) followed by the fruit (15%), root (12%), seed (11%), whole plant (9%), arial parts (8%), flower (6%), rhizome, bark and stem (4%), bulbs (2%) and pods (1%). Xanthium strumarium reported the highest use value i.e. 0.95.nnnCONCLUSIONnPeople of Wana still rely on indigenous plants for their basic healthcare needs. Harvesting of roots and whole plants is a big threat to conservation of medicinal plants diversity.

Status of heavy metal residues in fish species of Pakistan.

In this review, we evaluate and summarize the available data that addresses the levels of HM that exist in aquatic species, mainly fish, of Pakistan. Data on this topic were collected from the literature of the last two decades (1990-2012). Results revealed that the highest number (>50%) of studies addressing HM-contaminated fish have occurred in the Punjab province, followed by the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Our review disclosed that the HM concentrations in Pakistani fish species varied considerably with location. Generally, the level of HM residues detected in fish species had the following descending order: Fe>Zn>Pb>Cd>Hg>Ni>Cu>Ag>Cr>Mn>As. Fish samples collected from the Kabul River near the Nowshera district, Stretch of Ravi River, Indus River near Mainwali district, and Arabian Sea at Karachi revealed extremely high HM concentrations (range: 0.34-8,381.30 jlg/g), compared to other fresh water bodies, such as the Llyold Barrage, Guddu Barrage, Jinnah Barrage, and Chashma Barrage (0.01-2.13 jlg/g). As a reference point, we also reviewed selected data on HM fish residues that exist in countries that neighbor Pakistan. With the exception of fish collected in India, the majority of fish analyzed for HM residues in neighboring countries displayed lower residues than did fish from Pakistan. We concluded from reviewing the available published data that the most probable sources for the HM contaminants found in Pakistani water and fish were release of domestic sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents. We strongly recommend that action be taken to better control the discharges of unregulated waste that enters the Pakistani aquatic environment, with the intent to mitigate any continuing future damage to the aquatic ecosystem. We also recommend intensifying research programs that address the toxicity of HM to the aquatic environment, so that a better understanding of metal effects on fish can be achieved that will lead to a sustainable ecological harmony in Pakistan.

Greenhouse gas emissions from production chain of a cigarette manufacturing industry in Pakistan.

This study quantified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) production using a life cycle approach. The PTC production chain comprises of two phases: agricultural activities (Phase I) and industrial activities (Phase II). Data related to agricultural and industrial activities of PTC production chain were collected through questionnaire survey from tobacco growers and records from PTC manufacturing units. The results showed that total GHG emissions from PTC production chain were 44,965, 42,875, and 43,839 tCO2e respectively in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Among the agricultural activities, firewood burning for tobacco curing accounted for about 3117, 3565, and 3264 tCO2e, fertilizer application accounted for 754, 3251, and 4761 tCO2e in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Among the industrial activities, fossil fuels consumption in stationary sources accounted for 15,582, 12,733, and 13,203 tCO2e, fossil fuels used in mobile sources contributed to 2693, 3038, and 3260 tCO2e, and purchased electricity consumed resulted in 15,177, 13,556, and 11,380 tCO2e in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. The GHG emissions related to the transportation of raw materials and processed tobacco amounted to 6800, 6301, and 7317 respectively in 2009, 2010, and 2011. GHG emissions from energy use in the industrial activities constituted the largest emissions (i.e., over 80%) of GHG emissions as PTC relies on fossil fuels and fossil fuel based electrical power in industrial processes. The total emissions of carbon footprint (CFP) from PTC production were 0.647 tCO2e per million cigarettes produced in 2009, 0.675 tCO2e per million cigarettes in 2010 and 0.59 tCO2e per million cigarettes in 2011. Potential strategies for GHG emissions reductions for PTC production chain include energy efficiency, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in non-mobile sources, adoption of renewable fuels including solar energy, energy from crop residues, and promotion of organic fertilizers.

Carbon footprint as an environmental sustainability indicator for the particleboard produced in Pakistan

&NA; This study quantified the carbon footprint of particleboard production in Pakistan using a cradle‐to‐gate life cycle assessment approach. The system boundary comprised raw materials acquisition, transport, particleboard manufacture and finished product distribution. Primary data were collected through surveys and meetings with particleboard manufacturers. Secondary data were taken from the literature. Greenhouse gas emissions from off‐site industrial operations of the particleboard industry represented 52% of the total emissions from the production of 1.0 m3 of particleboard in Pakistan. The on‐site industrial operations cause direct greenhouse gas emissions and accounted for 48% of the total emissions. These operations included energy consumption in stationary sources, the company‐owned vehicle fleet, and the distribution and marketing of the finished product. The use of natural gas combustion in the stationary and mobile sources, raw material transport and urea‐formaldehyde resin production chain accounted for the highest emissions from the particleboard production chain in Pakistan. The identification of the major hotspots in the particleboard production chain can assist the wood panel industry to improve their environmental profile. More efforts are needed to investigate the urea‐formaldehyde resin production chain and substitution of roundwood with wood and agri‐residues to assess the potential improvements. In addition, renewable energy sources should be encouraged to avoid greenhouse gas emissions by substituting fossil energy. This study also provides a benchmark for future research work to formulate comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions reduction plans, because no previous research work is available on the carbon footprint of particleboard production in Pakistan. HighlightsWe conducted the first carbon footprint assessment of particleboard produced in Pakistan.System boundary comprised raw materials acquisition, particleboard manufacture and distribution.Off‐site industrial operations were accounted for highest emissions (52%) followed by on‐site operations (48%).Natural gas, materials transport and UF resin use accounted for highest emissions.Identified potential strategies for GHG emissions reductions from PB production in Pakistan.

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the tautomeric and conformational properties of (5-phenyl-tetrazol-2-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester.

The tautomeric and conformational properties of a new tetrazole derivative are studied in a combined approach that includes the analysis of the experimental vibrational data together with theoretical calculation methods, especially in terms of natural bond orbital (NBO) population analysis. Moreover, the molecular and crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallized as the 2-tautomeric form, monoclinic space group P21/c with Z=4, a=10.0630(14), b=8.2879(11), c=12.8375(18) Å, β=105.546(3)°, V=1031.5(2) Å(3). The tetrazole and phenyl rings are coplanar with the acetate group oriented perpendicular to the plane. The NBO analysis showed that delocalizing interactions of the lpp(N2) lone pair orbital contributes to a strong resonance interactions with both adjacent π(∗)(N3N4) and π(∗)(N1C5) antibonding orbitals of the tetrazole group.

Structure guided or structure guiding? Mixed carbon/hydrogen bonding in a bis-Schiff base of N-allyl isatin

A supramolecular motif listed as ‘carbon bonded’ or ‘hydrogen bonded’ may have the character of both. We highlight the hybrid character of the non-covalent interaction in a bis-Schiff base of N-allyl isatin by theoretical studies, the solid state structure of which is mainly driven by a non-covalent carbon/hydrogen bonded self-complementary dimeric {⋯C–N–CO/H–C–N–CO}2 synthon.

Environmental profile analysis of particleboard production: a study in a Pakistani technological condition

PurposeParticleboard is a composite panel comprising small pieces of wood bonded by adhesives. The particleboard industry is growing in Pakistan, but there is little information on the environmental impacts associated with this product. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a life cycle assessment of particleboard manufactured in Pakistan and to provide suggestions to improve its environmental profile. The study covers energy use and associated environmental impacts of raw materials and processes during particleboard manufacture in the year 2015–2016.MethodsThe study uses a cradle-to-gate (distribution center) life cycle assessment approach. The reference unit for this study was 1.0xa0m3 of finished, uncoated particleboard. Primary data from the particleboard mill surveys were combined with secondary database information and modeled using CML 2000 v.2.05 methodology and a cumulative exergy demand indicator present in the SimaPro v.8.3 software.Results and discussionThe results reveal that urea formaldehyde resin, transportation of raw materials, and finished product distribution had the highest contribution to all the environmental impact categories evaluated. Heavy fuel oil and natural gas consumption was responsible for abiotic depletion, photochemical oxidation, ozone layer depletion, and marine aquatic ecotoxicity impacts. The rotary dryer and hot press were the most important sectors in terms of emissions from the manufacturing process. The total cumulative exergy demand required for manufacturing of 1.0xa0m3 particleboard was 15,632xa0MJ-eq, with most of the energy usage associated with non-renewable, fossil fuel sources. A sensitivity analysis was conducted for a reduction in the quantity of urea formaldehyde resin consumed and freight transport distances.ConclusionsThe results indicated that reducing the urea formaldehyde resin use and freight distances could greatly decrease environmental impacts. Most of the surveyed mills did not have emissions control systems, and most of the mills exceed the limits set by the National Environmental Quality Standards of Pakistan. Environmental impact improvements might be attained by reducing quantity of urea formaldehyde resin and transportation freight distances and by installing pollution control devices.