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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level. Genesis of AAU - The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati. Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.

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20211
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Subject: Textile and Apparel Designing × Author: Bora, Debangana Priya ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ENZYMATIC EXTRACTION AND PROCESSING OF NON-CONVENTIONAL FIBER FROM BETEL NUT (ARECA CATECHU)
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Bora, Debangana Priya; Kalita, Binita B.
    The search for efficient and green oxidation technologies has increased to replace the conventional non-biological methods. In the present investigation an efforts have been made to treat the areca husk fiber with cellulose enzyme as a suitable and eco-friendly alternative to chemical processing for achieving desired softness in areca husk fiber. Enzymes treatment removed the protruding hairs on the surface, enhances the water absorbency and also makes the fiber more soften. Among the different existing enzymes, cellulase have been using intensively in textile industry due to their advantageous property. Cellulase enzymes have become an efficient tool for finishing. Moreover, this enzyme can be used to modify the surface properties of the fiber. Utilization of agro waste material is an important means to conserve the environment from dumping large quantity in to bare lands and it also helps in new innovative product development from low cost materials. In the present study, well matured areca nut husk were collected in large quantities and the fiber was extracted by water retting method. Extracted fibers were treated with two cellulase enzymes (acid cellulase and cellulase).The physical, chemical and mechanical properties of treated and untreated areca nut husk fiber were studied. The fiber shows good cellulase and hemicelluloses content and little amount of ash and wax content. The surface morphology is examined with the help of SEM at various magnifications. Fiber is found to be shorter in length and has good strength properties. Moisture and density of the fiber is also analyzed. After that both the enzyme treated and raw areca nut husk fiber processed for composite board preparation. The prepared composite boards were tested for various performance properties. It was found that after the enzyme treatment, physical properties such as moisture regain, fiber diameter, water absorbency, wicking height etc and mechanical properties viz., elongation, density and surface characteristics were improved as compared to untreated fiber. Moreover, enzyme treated fiber reinforced composite board also provide higher physical and mechanical property as compared to untreated fiber reinforced composite board. This can be concluded from the study that the prepared composite board made of areca husk fibers is suitable for interior use as well as furnishing products and sports equipment.