Bioethanol production from Jatropha seed cake via dilute acid hydrolysis and fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The interest in using Jatropha curcas L. as a feedstock for the production of bio-diesel is rapidly growing. Available literatures holds [promise for the simultaneous wasteland reclamation capability and oil yields of the plant hence fueling the Jatropha bio-ethanol hopes. This research investigated the bioconversion of cellulose from press cakes of Jatropha oil seeds, which is a byproduct from a biodiesel plant, into ethanol by using the methods of acid pretreatment, hydrolysis and fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The process includes the pretreatment method of the finely ground cellulosic solid oilseed cake with dilute sulphuric acid and heating the mixture at a high temperature to break the crystalline structure of the lignocellulose to facilitate the hydrolysis of cellulosic component by dilute acids. About 63.33% ethanol was recovered as confirmed by the infra-red spectroscopy and the investigated physicochemical parameters show that the produced bioethanol holds promise for its use as a possible candidate for replacement for petroleum diesel.

Mutual Aid Practices in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region: Mechanisms and Effects

Mutual aid was a mechanism that emerged under the condition of insufficient factors of production in traditional Chinese society; it aimed to improve the productivity of factors by applying the principle of “deduct from the more-than-sufficient and add to the insufficient.” Mutual aid worked to improve the productivity of factors chiefly because it could lead to high efficiency through the full and economical utilization of factors of production that were given and limited. Unlike the input of modern capital that could result in immediate gain in productivity, mutual aid only led to indirect and passive improvements in productivity. Increased social interaction through mutual aid could further boost laborers’ morale and willingness to compete with one another, thus adding to improved productivity. Finally, mutual aid reduced the time spent on and the consumption of factors of production, thus permitting more farmers to engage in wasteland reclamation, sharpening of farming skills, and construction of water-control projects, which also contributed to agricultural growth.

Fly Ash Properties and Their Applications as a Soil Ameliorant

Fly ash is one of the major global pollutants which is produced in millions of tons every year. The high content of heavy metals in fly ash categorizes them as hazardous materials. The presence of ferrous, alumina, and silica along with numerous macro- and micro-nutrients make them a suitable candidate for applications in agriculture, forestry, wasteland reclamation, soil stabilizer, etc. Fly ash has positive effects on the plant growth and crop yield. A numerous literature has reported the applications of fly ash as pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides. It has both alkaline and acidic pH which helps in maintaining the pH of the infertile soil. All these applications are cited with the previous work carried out by the investigators.

Wasteland reclamation strategy for household timber security of tribes in Jharkhand, India

The study sought to examine the timber dependency on forests and evolve wasteland reclamation strategy to eliminate the forest dependency in Bundu block of Ranchi District in Jharkhand, India. Multi-stage random sampling technique was applied to select 164 tribal households from 9 sample villages. Data were collected using structured interviews and non-participant observations which were analyzed using descriptive statistics viz., frequency, percentage, mean and range. Results revealed that forests contributed maximum timber (136.36 m3 annum-1) followed by traditional agroforestry (69.09 m3 annum-1), community forestry (41.33 m3 annum-1) and homestead forestry (35.71 m3 annum-1). Timber extracted is mostly consumed in housing (124.66 m3 annum-1) followed by agricultural implements (82.71 m3 annum-1), furniture (35.25 m3 annum-1), carts/ carriages (17.60 m3 annum-1), fencing (10.23 m3 annum-1), cattle shed/ store house (9.10 m3 annum-1) and others (2.94 m3 annum-1). Forests were exposed to timber pressure of 136.36 m3 annum-1 (48.27%) posing ample deforestation and degradation. The strategy consisted of timber and bamboo plantations is designed which would secure 1065.60 m3 annum-1 of timber, 0.455 lakh annum-1 of bamboo culms, 568.26 tons annum-1 of bamboo leaf and agricultural products. The strategy would yield income of Rs. 34210.78 household-1 annum-1 and employment of 67.15 person-days household-1 annum-1. Financial viability of proposed interventions has been worked out by meticulous economic calculations of Net Present Value, Benefit Cost Ratio and Internal Rate of Return. The execution of strategy would eliminate the current unsustainable timber extraction, safeguard the future timber predicament and ensure environmental security.