Appraising the availability of biomass residues in India and their bioenergy potential.

Biomass produced from agriculture at present provides most energy services in developing nations. In India, enormous quantities of biomass are produced for conversion into valuable energy. Bioenergy production from agricultural leftovers, animal manure, and municipal waste has the potential to meet of the rising need sustainable energy. It is a practical and sustainable option since the energy produced from the above mentioned sources can minimise the use of fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and alleviate the effects of climate change. In addition, it can boost marginal and small farmers in terms of income and job opportunities. Evaluating agricultural leftovers, animal manure, and municipal waste as bioenergy resources can provide a method of tapping renewable energy opportunities. It is possible to minimise constraints for using agricultural leftovers, animal manure, and municipal waste, support investment decisions, and maximise the utilisation of biomass resources available. This study is intended to establish the amount of energy demand in India that can be met by using crop residues, animal manure, logging residues, and municipal waste. The annual energy potential of these biomass waste was quantified and assessed in the study. It has been determined that the technical bioenergy potential of these biomass resources is 1.29 × 103 PJ in 2.31 × 104 Mm3 of biogas and 7.79 × 102 PJ in 3.49 × 104 Ml of cellulosic ethanol. However, the country must overcome techno-economic barriers to handle the projects likely to be initiated soon.

Potential of oleaginous yeast Trichosporon sp., for conversion of sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate into biodiesel.

This study reports production of microbial oil from a yeast strain Trichosporon sp., (RW) isolated from decayed wood. Preliminary analysis based on fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy of Nile red stained yeast cells showed accumulation of lipid globules. The potential of the yeast to produce lipids was evaluated on glucose, glycerol and acid hydrolysate of sugarcane bagasse, where Trichosporon sp. (RW) was found to accumulate 21.45 (59.6%), 18.41 (56%) and 10.25g/l (40.5%) of the lipids after 120h of fermentation at 30°C. FAME analysis of lipids by GC-FID and NMR revealed oleic acid (18:1) as the major constituent, corresponding to 50.05, 46.48 and 54.66% of the accumulated lipids in glucose, glycerol and hydrolysate grown cultures, respectively. Other accumulated lipids included palmitic (16:0), linoleic (18:2) and stearic acids (18:0) in that order. The cetane number of the lipids ranged from 52.39 to 59.57 indicating suitability for biodiesel production.

Effect of deep litter housing and fermented feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality of crossbred Hampshire pigs.

AIM: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of deep litter housing and fermented feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality of crossbred Hampshire pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight weaned crossbred Hampshire piglets of 2 months age (24 males and 24 females) were selected for the experiment. The piglets were randomly assigned into 4 homogenous experimental groups with 6 males and 6 females each: E1; reared on a conventional housing and fed with a fermented diet, E2; reared on a deep litter housing system and fed with a fermented diet, E3; reared on a deep litter housing system and fed with a conventional diet and C; reared on a conventional housing system and fed with a conventional diet. The study was continued up to 32 weeks of age and at the end of this period, 6 animals (3 males and 3 females) from each experimental group were slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality characteristics. RESULTS: Pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage were significantly (p<0.01) affected by feeding fermented diet and deep litter housing while carcass traits, i.e., carcass length, backfat thickness, and loin eye area were not affected. The edible offal; liver and heart weight (p<0.05) differed significantly while kidney weight showed no difference. The inedible offal; head weight (p<0.01) and lung weight revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) while spleen and stomach weight showed no difference among the experimental groups. The wholesale cuts and meat: bone ratio of pigs also differed significantly among the groups. Morphometry of small and large intestine also showed a significant difference. Chemical composition of pork viz., moisture and total ash content was influenced by the treatment, while crude protein and ether extract content were not affected. Mineral composition of pork also showed no significant difference. Color characteristics of Longissimus dorsi muscle showed a significant difference in L* and a* value while parameter b* was not affected. The tenderness of meat showed significant difference among the groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Crossbred Hampshire pigs being reared on fermented feed and deep litter housing could produce highlygraded carcass and improvement in meat quality.

Tetralogy of fallot and cor-triatriatum a rare association: a case report.

A 24 yrs young housewife with Tetralogy of fallot (TOF) associated with cor-triatriatum was referred to our institution for investigation of cardiac murmur. The laboratory examination confirmed the diagnosis TOF and cor-triatritum. The patient was advised for total corrective surgery and referred to cardiac-surgical department. Here we report the case.

Atypical presentation of bilateral phrenic nerve palsy and its unusual recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Bilateral phrenic nerve paralysis after coronary artery bypass surgery in a 47-year-old female patient is reported. This became evident on the 5th post-extubation day and mimicked acute coronary syndrome and led to difficulty in diagnosis. The patient required re-intubation and mechanical ventilation for only 6 days. The diagnosis of clinical and radiological abnormalities suggestive of bilateral phrenic nerve dysfunction was assisted by fluoroscopy, measurement of needle electromyography, and phrenic nerve motor conduction studies. The patient was followed up postoperatively for 14 weeks with complete regression of the neuropathy one month after surgery. An awareness of this complication should lead to improved care and successful postoperative management of patients.

Atrial septal aneurysm associated with Wolf Parkinson White (WPW) syndrome: a case report.

An atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is a well-recognized cardiac abnormality of uncertain clinical relevance and also associated with different cardiac and non-cardiac abnormality. ASA may be complicated by arrhythmias, thrombus formation and cardiogenic embolism. Here we report a case of ASA associated with accessory bypass tract with Wolf Parkinson While (WPW)-pattern ECG first time known to us.