Pogaku Ravindra

Production of biodiesel using immobilized lipase--a critical review.

Increase in volume of biodiesel production in the world scenario proves that biodiesel is accepted as an alternative to conventional fuel. Production of biodiesel using alkaline catalyst has been commercially implemented due to its high conversion and low production time. For the product and process development of biodiesel, enzymatic transesterification has been suggested to produce a high purity product with an economic, environment friendly process at mild reaction conditions. The enzyme cost being the main hurdle can be overcome by immobilization. Immobilized enzyme, which has been successfully used in various fields over the soluble counterpart, could be employed in biodiesel production with the aim of reducing the production cost by reusing the enzyme. This review attempts to provide an updated compilation of the studies reported on biodiesel production by using lipase immobilized through various techniques and the parameters, which affect their functionality.

Prediction models for shape and size of ca-alginate macrobeads produced through extrusion-dripping method

The aim of this work was to develop prediction models for shape and size of ca-alginate macrobeads produced through extrusion-dripping method. The relationship between the process variables on the shape and size of the alginate drops before and after gelation was established with the aid of image analysis. The results show that a critical Ohnersorge number (Oh)>0.24 was required to form spherical beads. The shape transition of ca-alginate beads could be typically distinguished into three phases along the collecting distance and it was affected by the combined influence of the solution properties, the collecting distance and the drop size. Mathematical equations and a master shape diagram were developed to reveal a clear operating region and the overall process limits within which spherical ca-alginate beads could be formed. In terms of bead size, the overall size correction factor (K) which accounted for the liquid loss factor (k(LF)) and the shrinkage factor (k(SF)), varied between 0.73 and 0.85 under the experimental conditions. The size prediction model correlated well with the experimental data. The approach and the outcome could be used as a model to develop prediction tools for similar bead production systems.

Biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas: a critical review

The fuel crisis and environmental concerns, mainly due to global warming, have led researchers to consider the importance of biofuels such as biodiesel. Vegetable oils, which are too viscous to be used directly in engines, are converted into their corresponding methyl or ethyl esters by a process called transesterification. With the recent debates on “food versus fuel,” non-edible oils, such as Jatropha curcas, are emerging as one of the main contenders for biodiesel production. Much research is still needed to explore and realize the full potential of a green fuel from J. curcas. Upcoming projects and plantations of Jatropha in countries such as India, Malaysia, and Indonesia suggest a promising future for this plant as a potential biodiesel feedstock. Many of the drawbacks associated with chemical catalysts can be overcome by using lipases for enzymatic transesterification. The high cost of lipases can be overcome, to a certain extent, by immobilization techniques. This article reviews the importance of the J. curcas plant and describes existing research conducted on Jatropha biodiesel production. The article highlights areas where further research is required and relevance of designing an immobilized lipase for biodiesel production is discussed.

A CRITICAL REVIEW: SURFACE AND INTERFACIAL TENSION MEASUREMENT BY THE DROP WEIGHT METHOD

The drop weight method has been used as a standard method for surface and interfacial tension measurement. However, lack of appropriate guidelines in using this method has resulted in errors. The specific objective of this critical review is to present the experimental setup, the limitations on the correction factors, and the principle of the drop weight method. Mathematical models of correction factors were evaluated by using a proposed error analysis. The use of the proposed Lee-Chan-Pogaku model and HG-Equation 2 for correction factor determination is suggested. However, further investigations would be required to justify the validity of the correction factors at low r/V 1/3 range and their use for viscous fluids. The physics of drop detachment is complicated; more investigations would be required to form a rigid theory of this method.

Comparison of alginate and pectin based beads for production of poultry probiotic cells

A comparative study on the stability and potential of alginate and pectin based beads for production of poultry probiotic cells using MRS medium in repeated batch fermentation was conducted. The bead cores, made of three types of materials, i.e., ca-alginate, ca-pectinate and ca-alginate/pectinate, were compared. The effect of single and double layer coatings using chitosan and core material, respectively, on the bead stability and cell production were also studied. The pectin based beads were found to be more stable than that of the alginate beads and their stability was further improved by coating with chitosan. The cell concentration in pectin based beads was comparable to that in the alginate beads. On the other hand, pectin based beads gave significantly lower cell concentration in the growth medium for the initial fermentation cycles when compared to the alginate beads. In conclusion, pectin was found to be potential encapsulation material for probiotic cell production owing to its stability and favourable microenvironment for cell growth.

Surface tension of viscous biopolymer solutions measured using the du Nouy ring method and the drop weight methods

The discrepancy of the existing literature data on the surface tension values of biopolymer solutions could be affected by the measurement technique. The aim of the study was to compare the surface tension values of biopolymer solutions, measured using the du Nouy ring method and the drop weight methods (Harkins–Brown correction factors method and the LCP coefficient method). Four biopolymers were chosen (sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan gum and pectin) and the surface tensions of the solutions were measured as a function of biopolymer concentration. The surface tension was found to increase with biopolymer concentration when measured using the du Nouy ring method. On the other hand, the drop weight methods gave an opposite trend. The results verified the discrepancy of the existing literature data. The error may be caused by the correction factors calculation and the solution viscosity when the du Nouy ring method was used. The LCP coefficient method which is independent of correction factors and liquid properties is proposed for measurement of the surface tension of viscous biopolymer solutions.

Design an immobilized lipase enzyme for biodiesel production

In this study, an eco-friendly immobilized lipase was designed for biodiesel production process. Lipase enzyme was encapsulated in κ-carrageenan by coextrusion technique. The various parameters, such as catalytic activity, stability, reusability, shape, and size of the encapsulated lipase, were studied to design an immobilized lipase for biodiesel production. Transesterification of palm oil with methanol was used for biodiesel production. At the optimum conditions, the results were found to be quite promising, converting the raw material near to 100% biodiesel production. This attempt was found to be very effective and eco-friendly with the environmentally benign novel technique.

A standard quantitative method to measure acid tolerance of probiotic cells

AbstractThe aim of this work was to develop a standard quantitative method to measure the acid tolerance of probiotic cells when exposed to a simulated gastric fluid. Three model strains of different cell concentrations were exposed to a standard simulated gastric fluid of fixed volume. The fluid pH ranged from pH 1.5 to 2.5. In general, the death kinetics followed an exponential trend. The overall death constant, kd, for all strains was found to be in a power relationship with the pH value and the initial cell concentration, and it can be expressed as

Effect of temperature and salt concentration on rheological behavior of whey protein isolate-starch mixed dispersions.

{k_{\text{d}}}{\text{ = }}{k_{\text{AII}}}\left( {{\text{p}}{{\text{H}}^{ - {\text{9}}.0}}{N_0}^{ - 0.{\text{19}}}} \right)