Biomass Valorization: Sustainable Methods for the Production of Hemicellulolytic Catalysts from Thermoanaerobacterium thermostercoris strain BUFF

Processing and selection of fruits and vegetables generate high quantities of wastes that represent an economic and environmental issue for the agroindustry sector. According to the so-called “biorefinery” approach, this biomass can be exploited for the recovery of value-added molecules. In this study, the residues of industrial processing of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum variety “Hybrid Rome”), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and carrot (Daucus carota) were used as sole carbon sources to support cheap and sustainable microbial growth as well as the production of secondary metabolites (hydrogen and ethanol) by Thermoanaerobacterium thermostercoris strain BUFF, a thermophilic anaerobic microorganism isolated from buffalo-dung compost. Moreover, the use of hemicellulolytic enzymes of T. thermostercoris was assayed in the bioconversion reaction of the polymer fraction extracted from the rhizome of giant reed (Arundo donax) and of the leaves and stems of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), dedicated non-food crops employed in energy supply.

Indigenous maize seed storage using buffalo dung ash practiced by smallholder farmers in Kisar Island

Kisar island is a small island located on the tip of Timor island. Corn is the main agricultural crop, and livestock husbandry also plays an important role in the livelihood of the farmers as a source of income, provide mainly manure for maintaining soil fertility. and in the local culture as a 'bride price' and for the exchange of goods. Considering periodical seasonal hazards, during eight months dry season people suffer from a serious shortage of water. Failure of the harvest is not an unusual phenomenon on the small, dry, eroded coral island. Seasonal pest invasion on maize cultivation threaten their seed security and food security. The objective of this review is to describe the validity of farmers’ indigenous knowledge (IK) of using buffalo dung as a preservative agent in maize storage and its relevancy in the contemporary living of farmers in the island. A phenomenological study was held in June to August 2018. The results showed that applying buffalo dung ash makes the maize dry faster, cleans and kills maize weevil and preserves the grain, It was concluded that the knowledge and practice is scientifically valid and benefited community in the past but has less relevancy to the contemporary living of the farmers in the island.

Eco-Friendly and Community Sustainable Textile Fabric Dyeing Methods From Thai Buffalo Manure: From Pasture to Fashion Designer

The research objective was to study local traditional wisdom of the art of producing fabric dye from fresh buffalo manure (FBM). Data were collected from rural weaving community cooperative (co-op) members and experts in Thailand’s northeastern Mekong River province of Nakhon Phanom. The study’s Method 1 added buffalo dung water, salt, and a mordant together, which was brought to a boil for 30 minutes. Method 2 added buffalo dung water and salt, which was brought to a boil for 10 minutes, after which a mordant agent was added, then boiled for an additional 30 minutes. There were five different formulas for each method using a different mordant. Results revealed that Method 1 had the best dyeing solution and produced a consistent, commercially usable, washable fabric with three-tone coloring and long-lasting yarn. Method 1 also used a hot dyeing technique in which cotton yarn and FBM were disinfected in a boiling vat while natural odor-reducing additives were added. Moreover, Method 1 consisted of either (1) FBM, salt, and lye, (2) FBM, salt, and muddy water, or (3) only salt added to FBM. These three solutions yielded a material in which testing by the Thailand Textile Institute (THTI) using ISO standards was determined to have a moderate degree of lightfastness, as well as an excellent resistance to color fading after washing. The study is important as it adds a wealth of knowledge to the literature concerning eco-friendly eco-fashion, sustainable products, and economically viable traditional handicraft textile production techniques.

​Vermiwash Prepared from Different Combination of Organic Sources to Improve Growth and Yield of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] for Organic Agriculture

Background: Black gram (Vigna mungo) is one of the most important pulse crops grown throughout the country. It is hardy crop and fixes nitrogen in soil. Organic black gram fetch higher price in market i.e., Rs. 175 whereas other receive Rs. 120. Vermiwash, is one among the organic manures which has high potential to increase the crop growth and yield. Thus, present study aims to evaluate the influence of vermiwash prepared from different combination of organic sources on growth and yield of black gram. Methods: The field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2018 at Organic Farming Unit, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, with nine treatments [T1= vermiwash from 100% cow dung, T2= vermiwash from 100% buffalo dung, T3= vermiwash from 50% cow dung + 25% dry farm waste + 25% green farm waste, T4= vermiwash from 50% buffalo dung + 25% dry farm waste + 25% green farm waste, T5= vermiwash from 90% green waste incubated with 10% cow dung, T6= vermiwash from 90% green waste incubated with 10% buffalo dung, T7= vermiwash from 90% dry waste incubated with 10% cow dung, T8= vermiwash from 90% dry waste incubated with 10% buffalo dung and T9= water spray (control)] and were replicated thrice in Randomize Block Design. Result: The result of experiment revealed that the application of vermiwash from 100% cow dung significant influence towards growth parameters and yield attributes thus achieved maximum seed yield, haulm yield and B:C ratio (2.3). On the basis of field performance, it may be concluded that the treatment T1(top dressing in two equal split application at the rate of 10% at initiation of flowering and 15 days after 1st spray) may be recommended as a better organic package of blackgram.

Briquetting of Dry Sugarcane Leaves by Using Press Mud, Cow Dung, and Buffalo Dung as Binders

The world’s population is increasing rapidly. This means that energy consumption and demand for energy are also increasing at the same rate. It is estimated that energy will need to be provided to 9 to 10 billion people by 2040. India is a leading consumer of energy in the world. In particular, it consumes a large amount of oil and natural gas to fulfil its energy demand. Due to uncertainty in the supply of oil and natural gas and their prices as well as environmental pollution, there is a need to shift towards other energy sources. Biomass is one of the first energy sources with specific properties and abundant availability. Today, 10% to 14% of the world’s energy supply is provided by biomass sources. Using agricultural waste (biomass) to make briquettes to generate power can be an alternative solution to the problems related to their disposal and pollution. The present work investigates the optimum ratio of dry sugarcane leaves to binders and optimum load and selects the best binder (cow dung, buffalo dung, and press mud) for making high-quality briquettes. The physical parameters and proximate analysis of the dry sugarcane leaf briquettes with the cow dung, buffalo dung, and press mud binders are investigated. The dry sugarcane leaf briquettes with the cow dung binder have the highest gross calorific value, net calorific value, split tensile strength, tumbling resistance, shatter resistance, and energy density ratio (16262.31 kJ/kg, 15362.1 kJ/kg, 7.164 kN/m2, 87.84%, 12.75%, and 0.9296, respectively). The estimated results show that cow dung is a better binder for making high-quality dry sugarcane leaf briquettes than the buffalo dung and press mud binders.