Harnessing the Phytase Production Potential of Soil-Borne Fungi from Wastewater Irrigated Fields Based on Eco-Cultural Optimization under Shake Flask Method

Indigenous fungi present in agricultural soils could have synchronized their inherent potentials to the local climatic conditions. Therefore, the fungi resident in the untreated wastewater irrigated agricultural field might develop their potential for producing various enzymes to handle the induced full organic load from domestic wastewater and toxic chemicals from the textile industry. Around 53 various fungal isolates were grown and separated from the soil samples from these sites through soil dilution, soil-culture plate, and soil-culture plate methods. All the purified fungi were subjected to a phosphatase production test, and only 13 fungal strains were selected as phosphatase producers. Among them, only five fungi identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium purourogenum, and Mucor rouxii based on morphological similarities, showing higher phosphate solubilizing indices, were utilized for eco-cultural fine-tuning to harness their full production potential under shake flask (SF) method. Among various media, orchestral tuning, 200 µM sodium phytate as substrate with 1.5 mL of inoculum size of the fungi, pH 7, temperature 30 °C, glucose, and ammonium nitrate as carbon and nitrogen additive with seven days of incubation were found to be the most appropriate cultural conditions to harness the phytase production potential of the selected fungi. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus showed initial phytase activity (5.2 Units/mL, 4.8 Units/mL) and phytase specific activity (2.85, 2.65 Units/mL per mg protein) during screening to be enhanced up to 17 ± 0.033 (Units/mL), 16 ± 0.033 (Units/mL) and (13 ± 0.012), 10 ± 0.066 (Units/mL per mg protein), respectively, with the above-mentioned conditions. The phytase enzyme produced from these fungi were found to be almost stable for a wide range of pH (4–8); temperature (20–60 °C); insensitive to Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, and EDTA, Ni2+, and Ba2+ inhibitors but highly sensitive to Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ ions, and Co2+, Cr3+, Al3+, Fe2+ and Ag1+ inhibitors. It was suggested that both phytase-producing strains of A. niger and A. flavus or their crude phytase enzymes might be good candidates for application in soils to release phosphates from phytate and a possible valuable substitute of phosphate fertilizers.

Yoghurt Production Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Leguminous Seeds and Effects of Encapsulated Lactic Acid Bacteria on Bacterial Viability and Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Yoghurt

This study aims to determine the yoghurt production potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from legumes seeds (lentils, beans, cowpea, and broad beans) and examine the effects of alginate capsules of selected starter cultures with high yoghurt production potential on the physicochemical properties, sensory properties of yoghurt, and bacterial viability during storage time at 4°C. The exopolysaccharide (EPS), proteolytic activity, and acidification properties of eight different isolates were determined, and sixteen different yoghurt combinations prepared. The samples showed similar physicochemical (pH, titratable acidity, dry matter, and whey separation), bacterial count, and sensory results in comparison with the commercial yoghurt used as a control sample. The acidity and pH of the yoghurt samples were significantly affected by the storage time. Total solids of yoghurt samples generally tend to decrease and syneresis of yoghurt samples also differed for each starter culture combination during the storage time. The total count of lactic acid bacteria during the storage time was higher than 107 CFU/g. The sensory analysis results of bacterial combinations are significantly different ( p < 0.05 ). Results indicated that isolated starter cultures have potential as commercial starters to improve the quality of yoghurt. Selected starter cultures with yoghurt production potential were encapsulated. Lactic acid bacteria with encapsulation efficiency of 86,3 ± 0,2 and 82,26 ± 0,79 were selected for yoghurt production. The physicochemical properties of the yoghurt with free and encapsulated starter culture were significantly different during the storage time. The reduction (∼0,5 log cfu/g) in the numbers of free and encapsulated starter cultures is over during the storage time ( p < 0.05 ). The acceptability of yoghurt containing encapsulated bacteria was lower than the yoghurt containing free bacteria by the panelists. Consequently, it was determined that alginate capsules increased bacterial viability, but the sensory properties of yoghurt were affected adversely. The LAB isolated form legumes can be introduced to the national microbial collection.

Technical Efficiency of Cooperative and Non-Cooperative Dairies in Poland: Toward the First Link of the Supply Chain

Several studies conducted in various countries have addressed the technical efficiency of dairies. However, there is a paucity of research on the technical efficiency of dairies in Poland, particularly in relation to their legal form (i.e., cooperatives vs. non-cooperatives). The existing literature also does not provide insights into the technical efficiency of these entities with respect to different regions’ milk production capacity. Therefore, this paper aims to: (1) evaluate and compare the technical efficiency of cooperative and non-cooperative dairies in Poland, and (2) examine dairies’ technical efficiency due to spatial disparities in milk production potential. We use data envelopment analysis (DEA) to investigate the technical efficiency of 108 dairies in Poland for the year 2019. The milk production capacity of provinces is examined by applying the zero unitarization method. The results show that when assuming constant returns to scale (CRS), dairy cooperatives are less technically efficient than non-cooperatives, whereas when assuming variable returns to scale (VRS), these differences are not statistically significant. For inefficient dairies, we observe the greatest potential for improvement in labor costs and depreciation. Both cooperatives and non-cooperatives operate mostly under decreasing returns to scale. Thus, the potential for enhancing the technical efficiency of dairies through the consolidation process seems to be exploited. Our findings reveal that the technical efficiency of dairies in Poland is not differentiated by regional milk production potential.

Potential of Kazakhstan’s grain export trade

ABSTRACT: Kazakhstan is located in the hinterland of Central Asia. Its virtuous geographical advantages and huge grain production potential make it one of the most important grain exporters in the world. The research on the problem of the grain trade in Kazakhstan is of great significance for food security. This study measured its international competitiveness using the International Market Share Index, the Revealed Comparative Advantage Index, Trade competitiveness index and calculated the international competitiveness and analyzed the influencing factors of grain export by constructing an extended gravity model and measured its export potential. Results showed that Kazakhstan has a low share of the international grain market; however, wheat, barley, and buckwheat have strong export advantages; the level of economic development and economic distance has significantly promoted the scale of grain exports. While geographical distance, the difference in GDP per capita, and the fact whether trading partner countries have joined the Eurasian Economic Union have caused obstacles to grain exports. Kazakhstan’s export potential to 6 countries including Russia, Kyrgyzstan and China shows an upward” trend, its export potential to 6 countries including Tajikistan and Ukraine showing a “stable” trend, and its export to 9 countries included Poland and Germany. The potential showed a “declining” trend.

Sustaining Momentum in an Integrated Field Model Utilizing an Efficient Project Management Approach - Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Solutions from a Supergiant Field Implementation

Integrated model projects underscore an organizations ability to fully enhance efficiency and unlock production potential. This paper provides a change management framework for key knowledge areas of an IAM implementation, in a giant onshore field to ensure these projects maintain an organizational and operational continuity toward improving production surveillance and optimization. Benefits of linking subsurface performance to surface facilities delivered use cases possible through a well-defined organizational structure and vendor management techniques post deployment. Leveraging project implementation guidelines, working sessions for project sustainability captured all activities required to assure project continuity with maximum utilization. Processes for construction, calibration and network updates were outlined in the organizations new RACI and supported by well-defined quick reference user guides. Decision workflows for validation of pressure and rate data underpinned the value creation through the IAM. Knowledge sharing sessions were linked to a competency development plan for performance audits as IAM activities became routed in routine work. A guided on-site support with vendor as well as the establishment of a support portal ensured time-bound issue resolutions. A large IAM project implementation, involving stakeholders from multiple disciplines and teams, offers unique challenges such as resource-allocation, schedule-optimization, communication-mechanism-identification, change-management, project-document-configuration management, and vendor-management. The innovative user-reference-guide optimized time and enhanced efficiency of the engineers by more than 30%. Standardized process aligned to integrated reservoir management principles reduced the extent of variability in analyses, underscoring continuity of work. Improved data and model quality enhanced the unit's ability to support production evaluations in field operations. In the areas of cost-optimization and process improvements, the project has generated more than 10 value-cases. The project management approach discussed here facilitated the tasks of the newly formed production optimization team. Standardized engineering processes and well-defined tasks support major business objectives, such as well-health optimization, process-standardization, and talent-development. Clearly defined roles and accountabilities assisted the smooth transition and change-management, adopting a new way of working. For example, technical rate determination through the IAM is standardized. Support utilities established for the project are easily accessed with a version-control system for all engineers. In conclusion, the Production Optimization team's core ability to unlock hidden production potential has significantly improved. Integrated asset models are driving the decision-making process for field development and operation teams. This paper summarizes the lesson learnt over three years and provides a concept-skeleton that can be successfully replicated for other projects.

Effect of Different Nutrient Management Practices on Productivity and Profitability of Double Zero Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in Rabi season 2021 with a view to compare the production potential under different nutrient management practices and also to find out the economic viability of this cultivar for soil quality. The experiment was analysed in Randomised block design (RBD) and the treatments comprised of Control (T1), 100% N (T2), 100% NP (T3), 100% NPK (T4), 125%NPK (T5), 100% NPK+ S@40kg ha-1 (T6), 100%NPK+ Zn@5kg ha-1 (T7), 100%NPK + B@1kg ha-1 (T8), 75% NPK+ VC@ 2t ha-1 (T9), 75%NPK+FYM@ 6t ha-1 (T10), 75%NPK + VC@ 2t ha-1+ Azotobacter (T11) and 75%. NPK + FYM@6t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T12). Results revealed that treatment T11 and T12 exhibited significant influence on yield attributes and yields of mustard as compared to the application of 100% NPK alone. The maximum gross return was obtained in T12 followed by T11. The highest net return was obtained in T5 followed by T12, T6 and T11, whereas, minimum gross return and net return was obtained in T1.T11 recorded higher gross return and net return but the B:C ratio was lower due to higher cost of vermicompost. Higher values of B: C ratio (4.23) was obtained in T6 and T5 respectively. The current study reveals that T11 and T12 exhibited significant beneficial for yield, yield attributes and profitability of mustard.