Mohammed Nasim

Biofuel Potential of Plants Transformed Genetically with NAC Family Genes

NAC genes contribute to enhance survivability of plants under conditions of environmental stress and in secondary growth of the plants, thereby building biomass. Thus, genetic transformation of plants using NAC genes provides a possibility to tailor biofuel plants. Over-expression studies have indicated that NAC family genes can provide tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stresses, either by physiological or biochemical changes at the cellular level, or by affecting visible morphological and anatomical changes, for example, by development of lateral roots in a number of plants. Over-expression of these genes also work as triggers for development of secondary cell walls. In our laboratory, we have observed a NAC gene from Lepidium latifolium contributing to both enhanced biomass as well as cold stress tolerance of model plants tobacco. Thus, we have reviewed all the developments of genetic engineering using NAC genes which could enhance the traits required for biofuel plants, either by enhancing the stress tolerance or by enhancing the biomass of the plants.

Combining Ability Analysis for Yield, Quality, Earliness, and Yield-Attributing Traits in Tomato

ABSTRACT Development of hybrids and varieties for better yield and quality traits requires identification of good specific and general combiners. Combining ability studies provide reliable information for selection of parents for hybrid combination by revealing the nature and magnitude of gene actions involved in expression of quantitative traits. Ten diverse parental lines of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) from the Canadian gene bank were crossed with four testers in a Line × Tester mating design. All 40 F1 hybrids, along with their parents, were evaluated. Analysis of variance for combining ability indicated variation for all traits under study due to lines. Crosses for all traits indicated availability of sufficient diversity to choose the best crosses for yield, quality, and yield-attributing traits. Variation due to testers occurred for days to first fruit set, average fruit weight, and average fruit diameter. Among lines and testers, EC95 (line) and ‘CLN 2264F’ (tester) exhibited desirable general combining ability effects for yield and quality and yield-attributing traits. Cross-combinations EC93 × ‘CLN 2264F’ and EC95 × ‘CO3’ exhibited higher specific combining ability for yield and yield-attributing traits; crosses EC86 × ‘CO3’, EC89 × ‘CLN 2264H’, and EC95 × ‘Punjab Chhuhara’ were good for quality attributing traits and crosses EC86 × ‘CO3’, EC88 × ‘Punjab Chhuhara’, EC89 × ‘Punjab Chhuhara’, EC93 × ‘CLN 2264H’, and EC94 × ‘CO3’ were good for earliness, indicating that these crosses may be further tested for commercial utilization.

Omics Approaches in Biofuel Technologies: Toward Cost Effective, Eco-Friendly, and Renewable Energy

Abstract The fossil fuels, besides being polluting energy sources, are depleting at faster rate with the economic development. Therefore, development of an alternate renewable and clean energy source has gained serious attention worldwide. According to the feedstock and technology used, the biofuel technologies have been categorized as the first-, second-, third-, and fourth-generation biofuels. The traditional first-generation biofuels were derived from vegetable oil and other crops. However, they have serious economic and environmental constraints attached besides putting up competition to agri-food production. In contrast, second- and third-generation biofuels derived from biomass and algae, respectively, are far more energy efficient and sustainable at the ecological and societal level. Furthermore, omics approaches are being used for developing the fourth-generation biofuels from engineered organisms and are believed to be a potential renewable, cost effective, and cleaner energy source to meet the global energy demand. This chapter describes the recent technological developments for making the biofuel production economically competitive and environment friendly.

Assessment of Fuel Qualities of Methyl Esters from Camelina sativa Seed Oil for Biofuel Applications

In the recent time, Camelina sativa has attracted research interest as feedstock for biofuels. The fatty acid methyl esters from C. sativa oil was prepared and characterised as per the test methods mentioned in EN 14214: 2008, ASTM D 6751–08 and IS 15607: 2005 specifications. The methyl ester content more than 96.5% was achieved in two-step alkali transesterification, and the percentage of monoglyceride, diglyceride and triglyceride were within the specified limit. The iodine value is 148 g I2/100 g which is quite above the desired value as per the European specification; likewise, the linolenic acid methyl ester content is quite high. The cetane number was calculated theoretically which is less than the required value. The oxidation stability is poor, whereas the addition of synthetic antioxidant that is pyrogallol at 100 ppm attains the induction period of 8.1 h. The rest fuel parameters are in good agreement with EN 14214: 2008 norm. Except cetane number, the other properties are in agreement with the IS 15607: 2005 specification. In case of American specification, the cetane number is specified to be minimum 47, whereas the theoretical cetane number for Camelina methyl ester is slightly lower. Cetane enhancer may be used for the fuel to qualify the American and Indian specifications.