S.N. Naik

Supercritical CO2 fractionation of bio-oil produced from wheat-hemlock biomass.

The biomass i.e. wheat-hemlock used in this study was first characterized for its composition. The physical and chemical characterization of biomass was estimated using proximate analysis, calorific value, crystallinity, devolatilization behaviour, ultimate analysis, ICP-MS of ash, FT-IR, XRD, CHNS, and HPLC analysis. For commercial purpose the same biomass was used for conversion to bio-oil by fast pyrolysis process. Therefore, in order to investigate its composition, the bio-oil was also characterized using proximate analysis, calorific value, whereas the chemical composition of the bio-oil was estimated using CHNS, (1)H NMR, GC-FID and GC/MS. The bio-oil obtained from wheat-hemlock biomass was supplied by Advanced Biorefinery Co. and after the analysis, its composition has been determined. It contains a mixture of hydrocarbons, pyranoids, furanoids, benzenoids and fatty acids/alcohols with 45% of water, which forms azeotrope with organic polar compounds. The supercritical CO(2) (SC-CO(2)) is an advanced method for selective extraction of valuable chemicals from bio-oil without solvent residue. The organic fraction of the bio-oil was isolated by SC-CO(2). It was observed that SC-CO(2) fractions collected at 10 and 25 MPa pressure were enriched with furanoids, pyranoids and bezenoids. Similarly the bio-oil was also fractionated by conventional column chromatographic method and the yields and chemical compositions were compared with fractionated bio-oil obtained using SC-CO(2).

Bamboo shoots: a novel source of nutrition and medicine.

Bamboos, a group of large woody grasses belonging to the family Poaceae and subfamily Bambusoideae, are much talked about for their contribution to the environment. However, the food potential of Bamboo shoot per se remains unexploited. Literature on the nutritional and medicinal potential of bamboo shoots is scarce. This paper therefore provides insight on bamboo shoot as a food resource. Various edible species and exotic food products (fermented shoots, pickle, etc.) and recipes of bamboo shoots (bamboo beer, bamboo cookies) are consumed worldwide. Change in nutritional composition of different species of bamboo shoots with processing has also been reviewed. Bamboo shoots possess high protein, moderate fiber, and less fat content. They are also endowed for having essential amino acids, selenium, a potent antioxidant, and potassium, a healthy heart mineral. Occurrence of taxiphyllin, a cyanogenic glycoside in raw shoots, and its side effect on human health calls for the demand to innovate processing ways using scientific input to eliminate the toxic compound without disturbing the nutrient reserve. Lastly, the paper also reviews the utilization of medicinal properties acquired by bamboo shoot. Using the traditional knowledge, pharmaceutical preparations of bamboo shoots like bamboo salt, bamboo vinegar, bamboo extracts for diabetes and cholesterol control, etc. are now gaining importance. Further investigation is required by the researchers to make novel nutraceutical products and benefit the society.

Double-blinded randomized controlled trial for immunomodulatory effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract on healthy volunteers.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) is considered as a sacred herb and traditionally it is believed that consumption of Tulsi leaf on empty stomach increases immunity. Experimental studies have shown that alcoholic extract of Tulsi modulates immunity. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was designed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of ethanolic extract of Tulsi leaves through a double-blinded randomized controlled cross-over trial on healthy volunteers. Three hundred milligrams capsules of ethanolic extracts of leaves of Tulsi or placebo were administered to 24 healthy volunteers on empty stomach and the results of 22 subjects who completed the study were analyzed. The primary objective was to study the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines (interferon-γ and interleukin-4) during both pre and post intervention period in blood culture supernatants following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and phytohaemagglutinin. Other immunological parameters such as T-helper and T-cytotoxic cells, B-cells and NK-cells also were analyzed using Flowcytometry. RESULTS Statistically significant increase in the levels of IFN-γ (p=0.039), IL-4 (p=0.001) and percentages of T-helper cells (p=0.001) and NK-cells (p=0.017) were observed after 4 weeks in the Tulsi extract intervention group in contrast to the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS These observations clearly ascertain the immunomodulatory role of Tulsi leaves extract on healthy volunteers.

Physical Properties of Canadian Grown Flaxseed in Relation to Its Processing

The average flaxseed length, width, thickness and 1000 seed mass were 4.64 mm, 2.37 mm, 1.0 mm and 5.77 g, respectively. The average surface area was 15.49 mm2 while the sphericity and aspect ratio were 0.48 and 51.04%, respectively. The average bulk density was 652.16 kg/m3 while the true density was 784.36 kg/m3, and the corresponding porosity was 16.83%. The angle of repose for flaxseed was 24.40 while the terminal velocity was 2.9 m/s. The results showed that the mean value of static coefficient friction was least in case of plastic sheet while it is highest for rubber sheet.

Experimental assessment of toxic phytochemicals in Jatropha curcas: oil, cake, bio-diesel and glycerol.

BACKGROUND Jatropha curcas seed is a rich source of oil; however, it can not be utilised for nutritional purposes due to presence of toxic and anti-nutritive compounds. The main objective of the present study was to quantify the toxic phytochemicals present in Indian J. curcas (oil, cake, bio-diesel and glycerol). RESULTS The amount of phorbol esters is greater in solvent extracted oil (2.8 g kg⁻¹) than in expeller oil (2.1 g kg⁻¹). Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of the purified compound from an active extract of oil confirmed the presence of phorbol esters. Similarly, the phorbol esters content is greater in solvent extracted cake (1.1 g kg⁻¹) than in cake after being expelled (0.8 g kg⁻¹). The phytate and trypsin inhibitory activity of the cake was found to be 98 g kg⁻¹ and 8347 TIU g⁻¹ of cake, respectively. Identification of curcin was achieved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the concentration of curcin was 0.95 g L⁻¹ of crude concentrate obtained from cake. CONCLUSION Higher amounts of phorbol esters are present in oil than cake but bio-diesel and glycerol are free of phorbol esters. The other anti-nutritional components such as trypsin inhibitors, phytates and curcin are present in cake, so the cake should be detoxified before being used for animal feed.

Bamboo Shoot Preservation for Enhancing its Business Potential and Local Economy: A Review

Bamboo shoot as food has been used in traditional ways by the tribal community the world over. For enhancing its business potential, research on various aspects of bamboo shoot as food is being carried out in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Asian countries and several products are available in the market. Bamboo shoots are used as a delicacy in human food, are a good source of dietary fiber, low in fat and calories. The research studies included in this review paper focus on post-harvest preservation of bamboo shoot. In view of the seasonal availability of bamboo shoot, the post-harvest preservation system for handling cynogenic toxicity in raw shoot while keeping nutrients intact and enhancement of shelf life of the value added products assume great significance for the business potential of this natural product. A yardstick of assessing the “Shelf life-Quality Matrix” developed in this review paper would give a new perspective of quality control in case of preservation of bamboo shoot. Also, knowledge gaps identified in this paper would give impetus to new academic and R&D activities, in turn generating an innovative job profile in the food industry as well as rural entrepreneurship.

Composition of Absolutes of Jasminum sambac L. Flowers Fractionated with Liquid CO2 and Methanol and Comparison with Liquid CO2 Extract

Abstract Absolutes obtained by fractionation of the pentane extract (concrete) of flowers of Jasminum sambac L. with cold methanol or liquid CO2 were compared. Direct extraction of flowers with liquid CO2 gave a relatively fat-free and superior product in 0.44% yield. It was found that the CO2 method of fractionation of pentane extract is a practical process providing an organoleptically superior product, though the product is not totally free from waxy substances. (E,E)-α-Farnesene and (Z)-3-hexenyl benzoate, along with compounds like indole, methyl anthranilate and methyl jasmonate, responsible for high diffusivity of the jasmine fragrance, have been obtained with improved recoveries in the CO2 fractionated concrete.

Composition of Essential Oils of Tagetes patula L. Growing in Northern India

Abstract The chemical compositions of the essential oils of Tagetes patula leaf, capitula and total above ground herb collected from Farrukhnagar (28°N, 76°E), Haryana, India were subjected to analysis by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents of the oils were limonene (6.2–13.6%), (Z)-(3-ocimene (0.3–8.3%), dihydrotagetone (4.5–8.1%), terpinolene (0–11.2%), p-cymen-8-ol (3.4–11.0%), piperitone (6.1–11.9%), piperitenone (2.7–8.1%), β-caryophyllene (2.3–8.0%) and trans-sesquisabinene hydrate (2.0–12.5%).

Exploring Microalgae Consortia for Biomass Production: A Synthetic Ecological Engineering Approach Towards Sustainable Production of Biofuel Feedstock

In this chapter, modern approaches of synthetic micro-algal ecology have been focused to reach the industrial scale reality of biofuel feedstock production. Diversity of micro-algal species, screening for novel inherent traits, common nutrient requirements and growth complementarities, selection of a robust species for consortia development, physiology of monocultures, role of stoichiometric growth modeling in channelizing the metabolic flux for the cumulative production of high quality biomass from synthetic microalgal consortia, and scale up of the process for desirable production of high quality biomass are briefly described. To get the reality that how the changes in the community structure can make changes in the cumulative physiology and production of primary metabolites of biofuel interest has been explained in detail.

Oil bearing seasonal crops in India: energy and phytoremediation potential

Purpose: A variety of biomass plantations are being raised for energy production. This case study is on energy production potential of seasonal oil bearing crops in India. These crops have the advantage of producing oil (liquid fuel) as well as biomass as agro residue (solid fuel). The purpose of the study is to estimate total energy yields of oil bearing crops and compare with other types of energy plantations. Also oil bearing crops bioaccumulate metals and thus phytoremediate soil. This provides scope for waste water irrigation. Design/methodology/approach: Relevant published papers on energy production by raising oil bearing crops have been analyzed. The effect of waste water irrigation and agronomic practices on increasing productivity is given special attention. Findings: It is shown that the seasonal oil bearing crops such as castor have a high potential to generate energy and this is comparable to energy produced by many perennial grasses. The energy yields of castor under irrigated condition was 196×103 MJ/ha and this is comparable to the reed canary grass which yields 195×103 MJ/ha. Some of the oil bearing crops are also super accumulators of certain toxic metals. Research limitations/implications: In this study, only all the accessible papers on the topic could be analyzed. Practical implications: This case study indicates that raising oil bearing crops such as castor using waste water has many advantages which include high energy yields, utilization of waste water for productive purpose and phytoremediation of soil. Originality/value: The comparison made between various types of energy crops for their energy generation is an original contribution. Findings of economic and environmental benefits by waste water irrigation are also of value.