Membrane-processed honey samples for pollen characterization with health benefits

Generation of bio-energy after optimization and controlling fluctuations using various sludge activated microbial fuel cell

An aerobic microbial fuel cell (MFC) was designed to produce bio-electricity using cow manure-pretreated slurry (CM) and sewage sludge (SS). A comparative study of parametric effects on power generation for various parameters like feed ratio of wastes, pH of anode media, and electrode depth was conducted. This experiment aimed to identify the most important system parameters and optimize them to develop a suitable controller for a stable output. Power production reached its maximum at an electrode depth of 7 cm, a pH of 6, and a feed ratio of 2:1 in the CM + SS system before applying the controller. Response surface methodology (RSM) was practiced to explore the relationships between various parameters and the response using MINITAB software. The regression equation of the most productive system deduced from the RSM result has an R2 value of 85.3%. The results show that an ON/OFF controller works satisfactorily in this study. The highest energy-generating setup has a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 45%. The morphology and content of the used wastes indicate that they can be recycled in other applications.

Palyno-taxonomic approach through light and scanning electron microscopy for the identification of herbaceous Asteraceae species from Sikaram Mountain Pak-Afghan border

Due to the diverse and rich taxa, Asteraceae needs to explore from the untouched area. In this study, the pollen study was intended to assess the taxonomic value for Asteraceous taxa growing on the Sikaram Mountain Pak-Afghan border. Both microscopic techniques (LM and SEM) play a significant role in the identification and classification of herbaceous species of Asteraceae for their taxonomic and systematic implication. Pollen was observed and measured for the 15 species of Asteraceae. For investigated taxa 15 pollen characters with size, shape, polar view, pollen type, aperture orientation, and exine sculpturing in the eurypalynous pollen. Consequently, the pollen grains are usually Tricolporate, triangular to circular in polar view, while, the shape of pollen varies from subulate, oblate, and prolate along with prolate to spheroidal whereas, sculpturing also varies from Scabrate to micro reticulate, echino-perforate, Scabrate to echinate, echinate to granulate and echinate were observed. Similarly, among the quantitative data minimum values of polar and equatorial were 15.8 ± 0.74 μm in Filago pyramidata and 17.85 ± 0.39 μm in Heteropappus altaicus was measured respectively, while; the length of the spine with the least value of 2.45 ± 0.31 μm in Hertia intermedia and highest with 7.55 ± 0.31 μm was observed in Cirsium wallichii. The Exine thickness is a minimum of 1.70 ± 0.35 μm in Launaea nudicaulis and a maximum of 5.65 ± 3.59 μm in Cirssium vulgare. In addition, the highest pollen fertility (87%) in Centaurea iberica while the highest pollen sterility (32%) was recorded in Cirsium verutum. Furthermore, clustering via UPGMA, PCA, and PCoA analysis was performed for the separation of closely related taxa. It is concluded from this research work that palynological study has a crucial role in taxonomic, pure, and applied sciences. This study can be further authenticated and improved by a Phylogenetic study based on chloroplast DNA analysis & whole genome sequencing. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Pollen ultrastructure among 15 Asteraceous taxa. Micromorphological attributes measured via LM and SEM. Exine sculpture elements patterns provide accurate identification. Taxonomic keys were developed for its systematics implications.

Curve fitting model of Polycarbonate Al2O3-nanoparticle membranes for removing emerging contaminants from wastewater: Effect of temperature and nanoparticles

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of the phase separation procedure in order to synthesize ultrafiltration polycarbonate containing aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) to remove emerging contaminants from wastewater at varying temperatures and nanoparticle contents. In the membrane structure, Al₂O₃-NPs are loaded at rates of 0≤φ≤1% volume. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the fabricated membrane containing Al₂O₃-NPs. Nevertheless, volume fractions ranged from 0 to 1% during the experiment, which was conducted between 15 and 55 °C. An analysis of the ultrafiltration results was conducted by using a curve-fitting model to determine the interaction between these parameters and the effect of all independent factors on the emerging containment removal. Shear stress and shear rate for this nanofluid are nonlinear at different temperatures and volume fractions. Viscosity decreases with increasing temperature at a specific volume fraction. In order to remove emerging contaminants, a decrease in viscosity at a relative level fluctuates, resulting in more porosity in the membrane. NPs become more viscous with an increasing volume fraction at any given temperature on the membrane. For example, a maximum relative viscosity increases of 34.97% is observed for a 1% volume fraction at 55 °C. A novel model is then used to measure the viscosity of nanofluid. This indicates that the results and experimental data are in very close agreement, as the maximum deviation is 2.6%.