Depolymerization of lignin: Recent progress towards value-added chemicals and biohydrogen production.

The need for alternative sources of energy became increasingly urgent as demand for energy and the use of fossil fuels both soared. When processed into aromatic compounds, lignin can be utilized as an alternative to fossil fuels, however, lignin's complex structure and recalcitrance make depolymerization impractical. This article presented an overview of the most recent advances in lignin conversion, including process technology, catalyst advancement, and case study-based end products. In addition to the three established methods (thermochemical, biochemical, and catalytic depolymerization), a lignin-first strategy was presented. Depolymerizing different forms of lignin into smaller phenolic molecules has been suggested using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for oxidation or reduction. Limitations and future prospects of lignin depolymerization have been discussed which suggests that solar-driven catalytic depolymerization through photocatalysts including quantum dots offers a unique pathway to obtain the highly catalytic conversion of lignin.

Enhancing biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass of Paulownia waste by charge facilitation in Zn doped SnO2 nanocatalysts.

The goal of this research was to study the role of excess charges in regulating biohydrogen production from Paulownia. The excess charges were generated through charge compensation in SnO2 nanocatalysts by Zn doping. The maximum hydrogen yield of 335 mL was observed at 8%Zn doping with a concentration of 150 mg/L, 47% higher as compared to standard sample. It was observed that the hydrogen production rate increased with Zn doping and the highest value (77 mL/h) was observed for 8%Zn at 24 h. The decrease in the total amount of byproducts (2.52 g/L from 4.28 g/L) at 8% Zn indicates an increase in bacterial metabolism. The lowest value of oxidation-reduction potential (-525 mV) at 24 h for 8%Zn confirms that Zn doping provides excessive electrons to the fermentative medium which helps the bacteria to transfer electrons faster during the redox reaction, hence, enhancing the enzymatic process and eventually hydrogen production.

Genetic Variability, Genotype × Environment Interaction, Correlation, and GGE Biplot Analysis for Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration and Other Agronomic Traits in RIL Population of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench).

The low grain iron and zinc densities are well documented problems in food crops, affecting crop nutritional quality especially in cereals. Sorghum is a major source of energy and micronutrients for majority of population in Africa and central India. Understanding genetic variation, genotype × environment interaction and association between these traits is critical for development of improved cultivars with high iron and zinc. A total of 336 sorghum RILs (Recombinant Inbred Lines) were evaluated for grain iron and zinc concentration along with other agronomic traits for 2 years at three locations. The results showed that large variability exists in RIL population for both micronutrients (Iron = 10.8 to 76.4 mg kg-1 and Zinc = 10.2 to 58.7 mg kg-1, across environments) and agronomic traits. Genotype × environment interaction for both micronutrients (iron and zinc) was highly significant. GGE biplots comparison for grain iron and zinc showed greater variation across environments. The results also showed that G × E was substantial for grain iron and zinc, hence wider testing needed for taking care of G × E interaction to breed micronutrient rich sorghum lines. Iron and zinc concentration showed high significant positive correlation (across environment = 0.79; p < 0.01) indicating possibility of simultaneous effective selection for both the traits. The RIL population showed good variability and high heritabilities (>0.60, in individual environments) for Fe and Zn and other traits studied indicating its suitability to map QTL for iron and zinc.

Identification of QTLs and possible candidate genes conferring sheath blight resistance in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Sheath blight, caused by the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kühn, is one of the most devastating diseases in rice. Breeders have always faced challenges in acquiring reliable and absolute resistance to this disease in existing rice germplasm. In this context, 40 rice germplasm including eight wild, four landraces, twenty- six cultivated and two advanced breeding lines were screened utilizing the colonized bits of typha. Except Tetep and ARC10531 which expressed moderate level of resistance to the disease, none could be found to be authentically resistant. In order to map the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) governing the sheath blight resistance, two mapping populations (F2 and BC1F2) were developed from the cross BPT-5204/ARC10531. Utilizing composite interval mapping analysis, 9 QTLs mapped to five different chromosomes were identified with phenotypic variance ranging from 8.40 to 21.76%. Two SSR markers namely RM336 and RM205 were found to be closely associated with the major QTLs qshb7.3 and qshb9.2 respectively and were attested as well in BC1F2 population by bulk segregant analysis approach. A hypothetical ß 1-3 glucanase with other 31 candidate genes were identified in silico utilizing rice database RAP-DB within the identified QTL region qshb9.2. A detailed insight into these candidate genes will facilitate at molecular level the intricate nature of sheath blight, a step forward towards functional genomics.

Antibiotic resistance pattern among gram-negative bacteria isolated from raw milk in Multan.

The use of raw milk in Pakistan has led to the antibiotics resistance. This investigation has showed incidence and antibiotic resistance among Coliform and Klebsiella to nalidixic acid, urixin and little to chloramphenicol. Enterobacter was sensitive to nalidixic acid, tetracycline and showed little resistance to chloramphenicol. E. coli were very sensitive to nalidixic acid, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, urixin, amoxil and with no resistance to ceftriaxone.