Zootherapeutic uses of animals excreta: the case of elephant dung and urine use in Sayaboury province, Laos

Background Despite a widespread aversion towards faeces and urine, animal excreta are used in traditional medicine in many countries since centuries, but records are scattered and few therapeutic uses have been accurately documented while in the current context of emerging zoonoses such records may be of major interest. Methodology In this study, we investigated the therapeutic uses that mahouts in Xayaboury province, Lao PDR make of elephant urine and faeces as well as of the brood chamber that beetles (Heliocopris dominus) fashion from elephant dung. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mahouts on elephant diet, health problems and responses to disease, andwhether they use elephant products. Data were supplemented by interviews with traditional healers. Results Seven respondents reported the use of elephant urine in ethnoveterinary care for elephants and in human medicine in case of diabetes and otitis. 25 respondents reported therapeutic use of elephant faeces (EF) and elephant dung beetle brood chambers. The major indications are gastrointestinal and skin problems. Macerations or decoctions are drunk or used externally as a lotion. The mahouts attribute the therapeutic effectiveness of EFs to their content which includes the remains of many species from the elephant diet which they consider to be medicinal. Discussion The indications of these uses are consistent with pharmacological and clinical studies highlighting the properties of different animals’ urine and faeces and their curative potential tested in vivo. The acknowledgement by the mahouts of medicinal properties of elephant faecal bolus contrasts with the rare justifications of animal material use recorded in zootherapeutic studies, which falls within the symbolic domain. However, numerous studies highlight the preponderant role of the microbiota in physiological processes, raising the hypothesis of a curative action of EF, by rebalancing the user’s microbiota. Conclusion The therapeutic uses of EF preparations despite their possible curative properties are a potential source of zoonotic transmission from elephants to humans. In the current context of globalisation of trade which favours the emergence of zoonoses and in relation with the issue of One Health, it becomes crucial to further document the zootherapeutic practices to prevent emerging diseases. As elephants and local related ethnoethological knowledge are threatened, documenting them is urgent to contribute to their preservation.

Adsorption of Methylene Blue by Low-Cost Biochar Derived from Elephant Dung

Elephant dung biochar (ED350) prepared by controlled heating at 350 ºC was used to adsorb methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution. The effects of adsorption time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial MB concentration were examined. Kinetic, isotherm, and thermo-dynamic models were then further analyzed to determine the adsorption. The results show that ED350 was found to be efficient within 180 min. The optimum pH of MB adsorption was 11. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to be the most suitable fit for the adsorption equilibrium data, with ED350 having a homogeneous surface. The calculated equilibrium parameter (RL) values were greater than zero and less than one, indicating a favorable adsorption process and that ED350 was an efficient adsorbent for MB removal. The kinetics of MB adsorption onto ED350 obeys the pseudo-second-order model. The results of thermo-dynamic data consideration reveal that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. This finding suggests that ED350 may prove to be an efficient low-cost adsorbent of MB from wastewater.

Mechanical Properties for Elephant Dung and its Utilization as a Raw Material Composites Sheet: A Study

Elephant dung is an excellent source of cellulosic fiber that is a basic requirement for paper making. But they contributed to very small percentage production of elephant dung. So, researchers are trying to find a new area of utilization of elephant dung fiber pulp as in reinforcement’s polymer composite. In this experiment element dung fiber pulp in the natural fiber component chemically treated with alkaline and soda AQ solution in this study, it has been aimed to use elephant dung fiber pulp in composite material and to study mechanical properties of the produced material. The produced composite samples were then characterized using tensile test, Izod impact test, thickness test. The fracture surface of the polymer composite sample was also inspected with the help of SEM. The content of elephant dung fiber pulp is varied (35%, 45%, 55%) weight percentage whereas the epoxy resin is varied (50%, 40%, 30%) percentage is kept constant 15% in hardener. The entire sample has been tested in a universal testing machine as per ASTM standard for tensile strength and impact strength. It is observed that composite with 35% fiber pulp is having the highest tensile strength of 4mm 6.445 Mpa and 8mm 11.80 Mpa. The impact strength of composite with 35% fiber pulp washes highest than 45% to 55% dung fiber pulp. This produces composite sheet will be used for the surfboards, sporting goods, building panel this not only reduces the cost but also save from environmental pollution.

Pengaruh Penambahan EM-4 Terhadap Kualitas Pupuk Kompos Kotoran Gajah

ABSTRAK Kotoran gajah kaya akan selulosa dan lignin. Kotoran gajah memiliki warna yang bervariasi mulai dari kehijauan hingga kehitaman, tergantung dari makanan yang dikonsumsi (Mathew and Mary 2015). Sementara ini kotoran gajah belum banyak dimanfaatkan Maka dari itu kotoran gajah belum dimanfaatkan secara maksimal. kotoran gajah belum banyak dimanfaatkan secara maksimal. Pengomposan menjadi salah satu pilihan untuk menjadikan kotoran gajah lebih bermanfaat. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan bioaktivator EM-4 terhadap suhu, pH, kadar air, ratio C/N, bahan organik yang dihasilkan dan untuk menentukan konsentrasi larutan bioaktivator EM-4 yang menghasilkan kualitas kompos yang terbaik dari kotoran gajah dan sesuai dengan Standar Nasional Indonesia (SNI) 19-7030-2004). Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL). Perlakuan dengan menggunakan 50 kg kotoran gajah untuk satu perlakuan dan masing masing konsentrasi EM-4 0 ml (kontrol), 50 ml, 100 ml dan 150 ml. Keempat perlakuan tersebut dilakukan pengulangan sebanyak 2 kali sehingga didapatkan 8 unit percobaan. Parameter pengamatan meliputi suhu kompos, pH, Kadar Air, Bahan Organik, Karbon, Nitrogen,C/N ratio. Hasil pengomposan kotoran gajah dengan larutan EM-4 selama 2 bulan, maka dapat dilihat penambahan larutan EM-4 berpengaruh terhadap suhu, kadar air, ratio C/N dan bahan organik sedangkan pH tidak menunjukkan pengaruh yang signifikan. Pada perlakuan penambahan 150 ml EM-4 pada 50 kg kotoran gajah, suhu mencapai termofilik pada hari ke 28 yaitu 46,1 ?C, ratio C/N 19,63 dan bahan organik 35%. Semua perlakuan memenuhi SNI 19-7030-2004. ABSTRACT Elephant dung is rich in cellulose and lignin. Elephant dung has a color that varies from greenish to blackish, depending on the food consumed (Mathew & Mary, 2015). Meanwhile, elephant dung has not been used much. Therefore, elephant dung has not been fully utilized. elephant dung has not been fully utilized. Composting is an option to make elephant dung more useful. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of EM-4 bioactivator on temperature, pH, moisture content, C / N ratio, organic matter produced and to determine the concentration of the EM-4 bioactivator solution which produces the best quality compost from elephant dung and in accordance with Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 19-7030-2004). This study used a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatment used 50 kg of elephant dung for one treatment and each concentration of EM-4 0 ml (control), 50 ml, 100 ml and 150 ml. The four treatments were repeated 2 times in order to obtain 8 experimental units. Observation parameters include compost temperature, pH, moisture content, organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, C / N ratio. The results of composting elephant dung with EM-4 solution for 2 months, it can be seen that the addition of EM-4 solution has an effect on temperature, water content, C / N ratio and organic matter while pH does not show a significant effect. In the treatment of adding 150 ml of EM-4 to 50 kg of elephant manure, the temperature reached thermophilic on day 28, namely 46.1 ?C, C / N ratio 19.63 and 35% organic matter. All treatments comply with SNI 19-7030-2004.

Elephant tourism conservation and the need for a new strategy: Thai stakeholder attitudes.

This chapter presents the results of interviews with people involved in the elephant camp business in Thailand regarding how elephant camps can be better managed and what makes for success. Interview questions included: How have elephant camp managers responded to the changes in animal welfare perceptions? How have managers responded to travel agencies and tourists opposed to using elephants for tourism entertainment activity? Are these animal welfare rules effective? How do they organize elephant tours in a sustainable way? How are mahouts recruited and trained? Finally, what are their thoughts on elephant tourism innovations such as coffee beans collected from elephant dung and elephant volunteer tourism?

Plastic ingestion in Asian elephants in the forested landscapes of Uttarakhand, India

Impacts of plastic pollution, recognized as a driver of change in the global environment, have been under reported in terrestrial fauna. In this study, we looked at presence of plastic in the diet of Asian elephant and other megaherbivores in the forest habitats of Haridwar and Lansdowne, Uttarakhand state, India. We collected dung and pellet samples from forest edges and forest interiors and quantified plastic particles and other anthropogenic waste present. Each anthropogenic waste item was measured, weighed and sub-categorized into the type of plastic or other categories. Thirty-two percent of the elephant dung samples showed presence of plastic and other waste. Plastic particles comprised of 85% of the waste recovered from the dung with 100% occurrence in elephant dung samples (mean mean 47.08, SE 12.85 particles per sample). We found twice as many plastic particles (mean 85.27, SE 33.7 per 100g of dung samples) in forest samples as compared to forest edge samples (mean 35.34, SE 11.14 plastic particles/100g of dung samples). Other non-biodegradable anthropogenic waste recovered from elephant dung (glass, metal, rubber bands, clay pottery and tile pieces) was found to be much higher for forest samples (mean 34.79, SE 28.41 items/100g sample) as compared to forest edge samples (mean 9.44, SE 1.91 items/100g). This study is the first systematic documentation of occurrence of non-biodegradable waste in the diet of Asian elephants. Dominance of plastic compared to other non-biodegradable material in elephant dung samples highlights its widespread use and poor waste segregation practices. We recommend developing a comprehensive solid waste management strategy to mitigate the threat of plastic pollution around these critical elephant habitats.

Comparison of the Antioxidant Activities and Volatile Compounds of Coffee Beans Obtained Using Digestive Bio-Processing (Elephant Dung Coffee) and Commonly Known Processing Methods

There are different types of coffee processing methods. The wet (WP) and dry processing (DP) methods are widely practiced in different parts of coffee-growing countries. There is also a digestive bioprocessing method in which the most expensive coffee is produced. The elephant dung coffee is produced using the digestive bioprocessing method. In the present experiment, the antioxidant activity and volatile compounds of coffee that have been processed using different methods were compared. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total tannin content (TTC) of green coffee beans from all treatments were higher as compared to roasted coffee beans. Regarding the green coffee beans, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of elephant dung coffee beans was higher as compared to that of the DP and WP coffee beans. The green coffee beans had higher DPPH activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value compared to the roasted coffee beans. The green beans of elephant dung coffee had a high TPC than the beans obtained by WP and DP methods. TFC in elephant dung coffee in both green and roasted condition was improved in contrast to the beans processed using dry and wet methods. The elephant dung coffee had an increased TTC in comparison to the DP and WP coffee (green beans). About 37 volatile compounds of acids, alcohols, aldehydes, amide, esters, ethers, furans, furanones, ketones, phenols, pyrazines, pyridines, Heterocyclic N, and pyrroles functional classes have been found. Some of the most abundant volatile compounds detected in all treatments of coffee were 2-furanmethanol, acetic acid, 2-methylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, pyridine, and 5-methylfurfural. Few volatile compounds have been detected only in elephant dung coffee. The principal component analysis (PCAs) was performed using the percentage of relative peak areas of the volatile compound classes and individual volatile compounds. This study will provide a better understanding of the impacts of processing methods on the antioxidants and volatile compounds of coffee.

Assessment of Efficiency of Eco-Friendly Organic Mosquito Repellent Developed using Elephant Dung

Mosquitoes transmit a range of infectious agents that affects human health. Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and other mosquito-borne diseases infect countless individuals and account for thousands of deaths annually, causing a large burden to public health and on the economic process of developing countries. At present, concerning 40% of the world’s populations mainly in India live in areas where the chance of dengue fever transmission is most. High rate of reproduction and lack of effective vaccines against several mosquito-borne pathogens makes us extremely addicted to the utilization of insecticides to manage the mosquito populations so as to prevent illness due to transmission. Mosquito repellents mainly consist of pyrethroids that lead to hyper excitation of nervous systems and its prolong usage results in corneal damage, liver damage and asthma. Hence, need for the development of the most effective organic herbal insect repellent must be taken into account due to the toxicity issues, together with the increased incidence of resistance to insects. In this perspective, the present study aimed to develop an eco-friendly mosquito repellent as an alternative for chemical repellent using elephant dung and other natural resources and to assess the efficiency of the organic repellant compared to commercial repellent. Elephant dung has being employed for fuel supply, biofertilizer and paper production. Natural ingredients like Nerium flowers, Tulsi, Neem leaves, Lemon grass oil and Natural loban were used in combination with the elephant dung to reinforce the potency of the mosquito repellent. Smoke toxicity of organic mosquito repellent was evaluated. Emission test for commercial and developed repellent was also compared and it is evident that there is 57% reduction in the carbon-di-oxide emission from developed repellent than commercial repellent and there are no traces of emission of carbon monoxide from the developed repellent. Also, cage test proves that the developed mosquito repellent is highly efficient against mosquitoes and hence can be more effectively used for control of mosquitoes.