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Open Access
Microwave and chemical assisted pretreatment of rice straw for bioethanol production
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Jaspreet Kaur; Taggar, Monica Sachdeva
The present study was carried out to develop a process for bioethanol production using microwave chemical pretreatment of rice straw. The comparative studies on different pre-treatment methods of rice straw viz. microwave acid and microwave alkali (at 480 W for 10 min), acid autoclave (for 30 and 90 min) and alkali autoclave (for 30 and 90 min), revealed that acid autoclave pre-treatment (90 min) recorded significantly lowest mean hemicellulose content of 7.53 per cent and microwave alkali pre-treatment (480 W-10 min) recorded significantly lowest mean lignin content of 4.36 per cent. Significantly highest mean cellulose content of 44.56 per cent was recorded in acid autoclave pre-treatment for 90 min. Based on these studies, a two step pre-treatment process involving acid autoclave pre-treatment, followed by microwave alkali pre-treatment for the removal of hemicellulose and lignin, respectively was selected for further studies. The reaction conditions were optimized by using Response Surface Methodology. The optimized conditions for acid autoclave pre-treatment were observed to be 1.90 per cent acid concentration; 51.85 min time and 17.51 soild:liquid ratio. The maximum release of reducing sugars i.e., 16.94 g per 100 g straw and minimum release of furfurals i.e., 0.93 g per 100 g straw was observed under these conditions. The optimized conditions for microwave alkali pre-treatment were observed to be 3.75 per cent alkali concentration; 9.16 min time and 475W microwave power. The lignin content of 2.96 per cent was observed in treated straw under these conditions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed extensive damage of silicified waxy surface and the disruption of the cell wall structure of rice straw after two step pre-treatment process. The cellulase from A. niger was used for enzymatic saccharification of pre-treated rice straw and the reducing sugar content was recorded to be maximum (63.66%) at 72 h after incubation. The maximum ethanol content of 1.16 g and 0.48 g was produced by the fermentation of hydrolysate obtained from enzymatically saccharified and acid autoclave pre-treated rice straw at 120 h after incubation, respectively. A two-step pre-treatment process was thus, an efficient pre-treatment method for bioethanol production.
Open Access
Post harvest processing of Pleurotus florida (Mont.) singer into mushroom soup powder
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Jaspreet Kaur; Sodhi, H.S.
Oyster mushroom is the third largest cultivated mushroom in the market. Pleurotus species are popular and widely cultivated in the world. Pleurotus spp. altogether make up 27% of globally produced cultivated mushrooms. Cultivation of Pleurotus florida is easy and low cost production technology. They can degrade and colonize large variety of lignocellulosic wastes. They can grow within temperature range of 20C to 30C. Pleurotus florida was grown on wheat straw, wheat+paddy straw (1:1) and paddy straw substrate. Maximum yield of (60.12 kg/q dry straw) was observed on wheat straw substrate. Similarly maximum fruit bodies (6870 per/q dry straw) were observed in the bags filled with wheat straw. The average weight of fruit bodies in all the cases ranged between (7.79-8.06gm/f.b‘s). The spawn run was completed between 21±3-25±2 days and pin heads appeared between 25±2-33±3 days with the first harvest made between 28±3-39±2 days. P. florida mushroom could be kept for 2-4 days at ambient temperature and could be stored for 12 days at refrigerator temperature in polyethylene, polypropylene and paper bags. It was observed that mushroom drying increased the shelf life of mushrooms upto three months. Among the three drying temperatures (45C, 55C and 65C), 45C was found best as it resulted in good colour, texture and rehydration ratio. The carbohydrate, protein, fat, fibre and ash of dried mushrooms was ranged between 41.59-42.85%, 27.40-29.54%, 4.21-4.32%, 23.01-23.38%, 8.81-9.03%. Being highly perishable in nature, the fresh Pleurotus mushrooms need to be processed to extend the offseason availability. Mushroom soup powder was one such option for improved shelf life of the mushrooms. Three set of mushroom soup powders; without flavour, lemon flavour, mint flavour were prepared and scored by ten judges on ten hedonic point scale for colour, texture, appearance, aroma, taste and overall acceptability upto six months of storage. Mushroom soup powder without flavour was the most acceptable giving an overall acceptability between 9.20-9.25 followed by mint flavour and lemon flavour soup powder. The moisture content ranged between 5.00- 5.11%. Protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre and ash ranged between 17.3019.42%, 71.03-77.01%, 2.21-3.12%, 3.42-4.01%, 0.89-1.20%. There was no significant effect of storage on the nutrients of soup powder upto six months at room temperature.
Restricted
Impact of non sustainable factors on soil microflora in rice (Oryzae sativa L.) crop.
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2014) Jaspreet Kaur; Gosal, S. K.
A field experiment was carried out to study the impact of non sustainable factors (green manure and plant density) on soil microbial biomass, soil enzyme activities and NPK of soil in order to achieve environment-friendly agriculture and promote the sustainable development of rice (Oryzae sativa L.) crop. Maximum bacterial population (159 × 108cfu/g of soil), methanotrophic population (176 × 104 cfu/g of soil), actinomycetes population (52.5 × 104cfu/g of soil) and alkaline phosphatase activity (21.9 mg/g of soil/hr) was observed in the treatment having green manure (15t/ha) + 44 plants/m2+ recommended NPK whereas diazotrophic population (57.61 × 105cfu/g of soil), fungal population (25 × 103cfu/g of soil), dehydrogenase activity (50.0 µg TPF/g of soil/hr) and urease activity (855 µg/ g of soil/hr) was observed maximum in treatment with green manure (15t/ha)+33plants/m2+ recommended NPK. Biochemical characterization of 18 different methanotrophic bacteria isolated from rice crop revealed that all isolates were positive for citrate production; negative for indole and VP test whereas most of them were positive for methyl red and negative for H2S production. Maximum soil nitrogen (206.9 Kg/ha) was observed in treatment having green manure (15t/ha) + 33plants/m2+ recommended NPK whereas soil potassium (212.0 Kg/ha) and phosphorus (35.8 Kg/ha) were observed maximum in treatment having green manure (15t/ha) + 44 plants/m2+ recommended NPK. Increased plant height (103.8cm) and yield attributes like effective tiller (386/m2), number of spikelet (18), filled grain panicle-1 (136), thousand grain weight (22.4g), straw yield (86.65 Q/ha) and grain yield (73.25 Q/ha) were observed in same treatment. Significantly positive effects of green manure were observed on microbial biomass, enzyme activity, NPK content and on yield of rice. The results indicated that increase in plant density did not show negative effect on soil fertility and crop yield. So, application of green manure and increasing plant density effectively increase yield and sustainability of rice cropping system.
Open Access
Prevaling designing practices of apparel industries of Ludhiana
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2014) Jaspreet Kaur; Bains, Sandeep
The present study titled “prevaling designing practices of apparel industry of Ludhiana” was conducted in Ludhiana city. For data collection 30 apparel industries from Ludhiana district were selected using snow ball technique. Survey was conducted to meet the specific objective of the study. Results of the study revealed that from the total sample (56.60%) of the industries use both manual and CAD (computer aided designing) systems for designing. About (23.30%) of the industries provide the facility of personal computer and (13.30%) of the industries given individual room to every designer. Various reasons for using manual system were lack of skilled labour (42.00%) and cost effectiveness (40.00%). Most of the industries (58.30%) carry out the market survey once in a year. Majority (67.80%) of the industries use Corel draw for designing purpose. Rapid generation of new style (wms 2.98) and fast modification (wms 3.24) were the main reason for using CAD software. The average time taken for garment designing in manual system was 3-4 hour, whereas in CAD system of designing the time taken was 1-2 hour. From the total sample (46.60%) of the industries prefer designing women garment. Most of the industries (48.00%) prefer Vogue and (24.00%) prefer Femina magazines and websites like WGSN (60.00%), Promo style (40.00%) and fiber2fashion (36.00%) as a source of forecasting. Majority (46.60%) of the industries use forecast because of better acceptability of the garment and (26.60%) of the industries use it as it helped to reduce risks. Consumer demand (wms 7.01) and fashion forecast (wms 6.92) are the main factors kept in mind while designing. Season (wms 5.78) and cost (wms 4.21) were the main factors affecting the designing process. The major problems faced by industries are higher cost of softwares (wms 4.14) and non availability of skilled designers (wms 3.45). Nearly (46.60%) of the industries suggested that the new technology should be made available at low price and more training center was reported by (30.00%) of the industries.