Efficacy of plant oils against grain discolouration of rice under in vitro condition

Grain discolouration is an important constraint in reducing productivity of rice. Curvularia lunata and Exserohilum rostratum are two important pathogens responsible for it. An in vitro study was undertaken to test the efficacy of different plant oils against these pathogens. It revealed from the experiment using poison food technique that all the plant oils recorded a significant inhibition over control. Among the different concentration (1, 2 and 3%) of plant oils such as Eucalyptus, Neem Pungam, Coconut and Mahua oil were tested. The result revealed that eucalyptus oil (3%) recorded the complete mycelial inhibition of C. lunata (100 %) and E. rostratum (78%) followed by pungam oil (58.8 % of C. lunata), (52% of E. rostratum) and least mycelial growth were recorded by coconut oil (3%). Our findings suggest that the plant oils may be valuable as potential antifungal properties against grain discolouration of rice.

Performance and emission characteristics of dual fuel engine using biodiesels

The introduction of the strict emissions norms is diverting the research for the development of new technologies which leads to the reduction of engine exhaust emissions. The usage of biodiesel in CI engine can enhance air quality index and protects the environment. Biodiesel can do an increment in the life of CI engines because it is clean-burning and a stable fuel when compared to diesel. Moreover, biogas has the potential to decrease both nitrogen oxides and smoke emissions simultaneously. Operating the engine in dual-fuel mode can provide lower emissions and a proper substitute for diesel. In this research, a modified CI Engine with single cylinder is used. Biogas is used as primary fuel and diesel, Mahua oil-diesel blend and Fish oil-diesel blend are used as secondary fuel. The effect of various secondary fuel blends on performance and emission characteristics in dual fuel engine are compared. In light of the performance and emission qualities it is reasoned that, utilization of the dual fuel mode in engine signifies the durability and lessens the harmful emissions from the engine with the exception of hydrocarbon and CO emissions. The excessive viscosity of fish oil and mahua oil prompts inconvenience in siphoning and spray attributes. The incompetent mixing of raw fish oil and raw mahua oil with diesel and biogas including air leads to incomplete combustion.

Development of High-Performance Air Purifier using Human Hair and Vetiver (Chrysopogan Zizanioides) as Filter Media

Purpose-The global crisis of extreme air pollution is encountered nowadays due to the burning of fossil fuel, vehicular emission, modern sophistication and industrialization. These result infusions of high levels of Smoke, Particulate Matter (PM), Total volatile organic compounds (VOC), Hydrocarbons (HCHO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), Sulfur Oxides (SOX), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and other air pollutants into the atmosphere.Findings- Therefore, the development of a cost-saving air purifier is extremely essential with naturally occurring resources that are readily available throughout all the places at some point in time.A compact, flexible, modular and low-cost air purifier has designed employing a combination of porous plug and two filter media developed from natural resources.Methodology-The air purification unit is horizontal shaped and made with a simple PVC pipe. The first filter media was developed by mixing human hair with low-cost vegetable Mahua oil and the second one by wetting Vetiver (Chrysopogan zizanioides) with water. A mixture of human hair with Mahua oil can absorb the suspended particulate matter of size above 2.5 µm, and wet Vetiver shows the enormous capability of absorption of gases like NOx, SOx and Hydrocarbons and adsorption of particle size even less than 2.5 µm like PM1. Moreover, due to the pleasant smell, wet Vetiver can produce fresh air.Value-The cleaning and disposals of such naturally derived products are easy because of complete biodegradability and no negative impact on the environment. To restrict the filter media movement, porous plugs are coupled at the inlets and outlets of pipeline and filters. Due to the Joule-Thomson effect, the air coming out of the porous plug becomes 50oC cooler than the input air. The pollutant removal efficiency of indoor was found to be more than 60% were in the outdoor residential areas, it was more than 75%, and in the heavily crowded regions, it evaluated to be more than 65%. Amidst the alarming air pollution scenario throughout the world, such an invented device should be welcome due to the excellent performance as reflected in the production of pollutant-free fresh air at reduced temperature.