Synthesis and performance of a cathode catalyst derived from Bauhinia accuminata seed pods in single and stacked microbial fuel cell.

The cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cell (MFC) plays a crucial role in scaling up. Activity of biomass-derived activated carbon catalysts with appropriate precursor selection in a natural clay membrane-based MFC of 250 mL was studied. The performance of scaled up MFC of 1.5 L capacity with two different configurations was monitored. Rod-shaped particles with slit-type pores and amorphous graphitic nature with a surface area of 800.37 m2/g was synthesized. The intrinsic doping of heteroatoms N and P in the catalyst was with atomic weight percentages of 4.5 and 3.5, respectively and the deconvolution of N1 spectra confirmed pyridinic N and graphitic N content of 17.3% and 34.1% validating its suitability as a cathode catalyst. Electrochemical characterization of the catalyst coated SS mesh electrode confirmed that a loading of 5 mg/cm2 rendered higher catalytic activity compared to bare SS mesh. The maximum power density in catalyst modified cell was 0.91 W/m3 compared to 0.02 W/m3 as obtained in a plain stainless steel electrode cell at a COD removal efficiency of 93.3%. Series, parallel, and parallel-series combinations of 6 cells showed a maximum voltage of 4.15 V when connected in series and a maximum power density of 1.54 W/m3 when connected in parallel. System with multielectrode assembly achieved better power and current density (0.84 W/m3 and 1.97 A/m3) than the mixed parallel series circuitry (0.7 W/m3 and 0.57 A/m3). These performance results confirm that the catalyst is effective in both stacked and hydraulically connected system.

Microplastics in mangroves and coral reef ecosystems: a review.

Microplastic pollution has recently been identified as a major issue for the health of ecosystems. Microplastics have typically sizes of less than 5 mm and occur in various forms, such as pellets, fibres, fragments, films, and granules. Mangroves and coral reefs are sensitive and restricted ecosystems that provide free ecological services such as coastal protection, maintaining natural cycles, hotspots of biodiversity and economically valuable goods. However, urbanization and industrial activities have started contaminating even these preserved ecosystems. Here we review sources, occurrence, and toxicity of microplastics in the trophic levels of mangrove and coral reef ecosystems. We present detection methods, such as microscopic identification and spectroscopy. We discuss mitigating measures that prevent the entry of microplastics into the marine environment.

Can human overcome viral hijack-? Comprehensive review on COVID-19 in the view of diagnosis and mitigation across countries.

The novel COVID-19, a pandemic disease, is showing an alarming spread and severity throughout the world. Globally, the community transmission of this disease is affecting people in large clusters and so it is necessary to mitigate and control them in order to minimise the social and economic consequences. This review emphasize on the origin of the coronoviral epidemics, discussion on the structural and functional basis of SARS-CoV-2, epidemiology, pathognomonic symptoms, fatality, available rapid diagnostic methods and proposed possible treatment methods for the treatment of COVID-19. The diagnostic markers with respect to genetic material of the virus based on PCR, CRISPR & APTAMER and with respect to proteins based on Antigens were discussed which provides new arena for the development. In control of a pandemic situation the policy adoption and implementation by the governments plays a major role and the policy implementation in different countries are discussed which establishes the effectiveness of the policies framed by the governments. The effectiveness of ethnic traditional medicines of various countries such as India and China in Immunity enhancement, along with their utilisation is also discussed. This review provides an insights towards the COVID-19 which helps in continuous investigation on different dimensions which could help us to understand the mysteries behind the havoc created by this invisible creature.

Advances in upstream and downstream strategies of pectinase bioprocessing: A review.

This review aims to highlight the bioprocessing strategies behind one of the most commercially produced enzymes in the biotechnological market, pectinase. Significant steps in the upstream processing of this enzyme include its source, the selection of the substrate, the reaction conditions and the overall reactor design, all of which will be discussed in great detail. Past literature which has contributed to the viability of this design will be highlighted with the intention of generating a comparative review that accounts not only for the contributions of previous research but also for what needs to be done in the future to further increase the productivity of this vital industrial process. There is an incredibly wide net of application based research and industry which currently depends on the bioprocessing of pectinase, these will thereby benefit greatly from the concepts of process intensification and optimisation which are at the forefront of this review and will likely be inspired by the outlined steps that need to be taken to further improve this process.

Fractional factorial design modelling on degradation of Direct Red 81 dye by advanced oxidation process - ozonation: reaction kinetics.

In the present work, the degradation of Direct Red 81 by ozonation was studied. The interactive effects of the influencing factors (dye concentration = 500-2,000 mg/L; time = 10-30 min; pH = 7.0-11.0) on degradation efficiency was critically examined through experimental design optimization by central composite design under the response surface methodology. The high correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.976 & adjusted R2 = 0.958) obtained by analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated close fit between the experimental and the predicted values. Optimized conditions under specified cost-driven restraints were obtained for the highest desirability (i.e. degradation of 1,210.59 mg/L dye) at pH = 11.0, initial dye concentration = 2,000 mg/L and ozone exposure time of 27.16 min. The degradation of Direct Red 81 was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and UV-Vis spectrometry.