Dyeing of Agro-Waste Castor Fibres with Eclipta Prostrata Dye

Fiber extracted from castor plant is a bast fiber like hemp, jute, flax and kenaf. Based on the chemical constitutes; physical and chemical properties of these eco-friendly fibers extracted from agro waste are used in making different materials like union fabrics and reinforcement materials. In the present study, castor fiber was dyed with Eclipta prostrata plant extract and evaluated for colorfastness and color strength properties. The colorfastness properties of castor fiber dyed with pre, simultaneous and post-mordanting methods using four mordants aluminum potassium sulfate (commonly called alum) (KAI(SO4)2 .12H2O),stannous Chloride (SnCl2), copper sulfate (CuSO4) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) were tested. The colorfastness to light, wash, crock and perspiration was found to be good for CuSO4 and FeSO4 dyed fibers. Color strength properties for the samples were also assessed and found to be good.

Autohydrolysis pretreatment of castor plant pruning residues to enhance enzymatic digestibility and bioethanol production

Castor plant is used commonly for oil extraction and biodiesel synthesis. However, the residues during pruning are not being used effectively. These residues have the potential to be used as feedstock to produce bioethanol and other by-products. The present work assessed the eco-friendly autohydrolysis pretreatment of castor plant pruning residues at different severity factors (R0), applying a range of temperatures from 100 °C to 200 °C. The hydrolysis of pretreated solids was carried out using a commercial cellulases complex at different solid and enzyme loadings. The enzymatic hydrolysate with a higher glucose concentration was further subjected to fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 4126. The results showed an efficient xylan hydrolysis (77.5%) and a preservation of glucan up to 83% in the solids pretreated at an R0 of 5.78. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated solids at an R0 of 5.78 showed a glucose release of 2.9-fold higher than non-pretreated material. In the hydrolysate fermentation, a maximum ethanol production of 50.5 g/L was achieved (equivalent to 6.4% v/v), corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 98% and a biomass-to-ethanol conversion yield of 93.0 g of ethanol per kilogram of feedstock.

PATOGENISITAS Achaea janata GRANULOSIS VIRUS (AjGV) TERHADAP ULAT PEMAKAN DAUN TANAMAN JARAK KEPYAR

<p>ABSTRAK<br />Achaea janata L. adalah hama penting tanaman jarak kepyar<br />(Ricinus communis) yang hingga kini pengendaliannya masih<br />menggunakan insektisida kimia secara intensif. Selain tidak efisien,<br />insektisida kimia juga menimbulkan pencemaran lingkungan. Untuk<br />mengatasi masalah tersebut, maka perlu cara pengendalian alternatif yang<br />selain efektif dan efisien, juga ramah lingkungan, seperti virus yang<br />diisolasi dari ulat A. janata (A. janata Granulosis Virus/AjGV). Penelitian<br />patogenisitas AjGV pada A. janata dilakukan di Laboratorium Patologi<br />Serangga Balai Penelitian Tanaman Pemanis dan Serat (Balittas) mulai<br />Januari - Desember 2012. Perlakuan terdiri atas enam konsentrasi AjGV,<br />yaitu 10 3 , 10 4 , 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 , 10 8 occlusion bodies (OB), dan satu kontrol.<br />Perlakuan disusun dalam Rancangan Acak Kelompok dengan empat kali<br />ulangan. Ulat A. janata yang digunakan adalah instar II, III, IV, dan V<br />masing-masing 90 ekor/perlakuan. Parameter yang diamati adalah<br />mortalitas dan bobot ulat, konsentrasi untuk membunuh 50% ulat (LC 50 ),<br />dan waktu untuk membunuh 50% ulat (LT 50 ). Hasil penelitian<br />menunjukkan bahwa AjGV patogenik terhadap A. janata, terutama ulat<br />instar II dan III dengan mortalitas berturut-turut 90 dan 86,7%. LC 50 AjGV<br />pada ulat instar II dan III masing-masing mencapai 1,0 x 10 3 dan 1,2 x 10 3<br />OB/ml, dengan LT 50 kedua instar sekitar 3,4-4,2 hari. Pengaruh infeksi<br />AjGV pada ulat A. janata efektif menurunkan bobot ulat hidup 57,9 dan<br />57,4% masing-masing pada ulat instar II dan III. Hasil penelitian ini<br />mengindikasikan bahwa sasaran yang tepat untuk pengendalian ulat A.<br />janata dengan AjGV di lapangan adalah pada saat instar II dan III.<br />Kata kunci: Achaea janata L, patogenisitas, instar, mortalitas</p><p>ABSTRACT<br />Achaea janata L. is an important insect pest of castor plant (Ricinus<br />communis L.) that was intensively controlled by chemical insecticide<br />caused inefficiency and an environmental polution. To solve the problems<br />it needs an effective, efficient and environmental friendly of alternative<br />control, especially using Granulosis Virus isolated from A. janata larvae<br />(AjGV). Study on pathogenicity of A. janata virus isolate against castor<br />leaf-eater, A. janata L. was conducted at Insect Pathology Laboratory of<br />Indonesia Sweetener and Fibre Crops Research Institute in Malang from<br />January to December 2012. The objective of study is to test the<br />pathogenicity of AjGV against A. janata larvae. Treatment consists of six<br />concentrations of AjGV, viz. 10 3 , 10 4 , 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 , 10 8 OBs/ml and one<br />control. Four instars of larvae, e.g. second, third, fourth, and fifth were<br />used in this study. Each treatments was arranged in Randomized Block<br />Design with four replications. Parameter recorded were mortality and<br />weight of larvae, LC 50 , and LT 50 . Result showed that AjGV was pathogenic<br />to A. janata larvae, mainly on second and third instar in resulting of 90%<br />and 86.7% of mortality, respectively. The LC 50 of AjGV on the second and<br />third instar was 1.0 x 10 3 and 1.2 x 10 3 OB/ml, respectively and the LT 50<br />was 3.4 and 4.2 days, respectively. Infection of A. janata virus reduced<br />the weight of both instar up to 57.9% and 57.4%, respectively. This result<br />indicated that the second and third was the suitable instars of A. janata<br />larvae for better control of AjGV in field.<br />Key word: Achaea janata L, pathogenicity, instar, mortality</p>

Allelopathic Potential of Castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) Aqueous Extracts on Germination on Selected Crop Species.

Weeds in agricultural system are becoming problem nowadays in which it reduces yield of many crops. Synthetic herbicides are usually used to control weed growth. Meanwhile, using herbicides creates hazardous impacts on agricultural products and also increases environmental pollution. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the allelopahatic potential of Castor plant (fresh leaves, dry leaves, seeds) aqueous extracts on germination rate, germination value indices and root growth on selected crop species. The inhibitory effects of allelochemicals might be used against weeds as a controlling tool for decreasing weed emergence in field conditions. The study consists of 4 treatments replicated 5 times within 7 days. Germination rate, germination value indices and root length were collected in the 7th day of the experiment. Data gathered were analyzed using one way ANOVA and tukey HSD for comparison. Based on the results, it shows that fresh leaves and seed aqueous extract had an allopathic effect on the seed germination and germination value of Zea mays L. and Solanum lycopersicum. In terms of root length inhibition, all treatments had an inhibition effect on the selected crop species. The result showed great potential for the natural herbicide from the determined parts of identified plant