Co-pyrolysis of petroleum coke and banana leaves biomass: Kinetics, reaction mechanism, and thermodynamic analysis.

Insights into thermal degradation behaviour, kinetics, reaction mechanism, possible synergism, and thermodynamic analysis of co-pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials are crucial for efficient design of co-pyrolysis reactor systems. Present study deals with comprehensive kinetics and thermodynamic investigation of co-pyrolysis of petroleum coke (PC) and banana leaves biomass (BLB) for realizing the co-pyrolysis potential. Thermogravimetric non-isothermal studies have been performed at 10, 20, and 30 °C/min heating rates. Synergistic effect between PC and BLB was determined by Devolatilization index (Di) and mass loss method. Kinetic parameters were estimated using seven model-free methods. Standard activation energy for PC + BLB blend from FWO, KAS, Starink, and Vyazovkin methods was ≈165 kJ/mol and that from Friedman and Vyazovkin advanced isoconversional methods was ≈171 kJ/mol. The frequency factor calculated for the blend from Kissinger method was found to be in the range of 106-1016s-1. Devolatilization index (Di) showed synergistic effect of blending. The data pertaining to co-pyrolysis was found to fit well with R2 (second order) and D3 (three dimensional) from Z(α) master plot. Thermodynamic parameters, viz. ΔH ≈ 163 kJ/mol and ΔG ≈ 151 kJ/mol were calculated to determine the feasibility and reactivity of the co-pyrolysis process. The results are expected to be useful in the design of petcoke and banana leaves biomass co-pyrolysis systems.

Separation and determination of microRNAs by high-speed capillary sieving electrophoresis.

In this work, high-speed capillary sieving electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection was applied to simultaneously determine three microRNAs. A developed manual sample introduction device for the high-speed capillary electrophoresis system was applied to perform sample injection. Strategies, including field-amplified sample injection and electrokinetic injection, were studied to improve the detection sensitivity. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection for DNA-159 could be lowered to 5.10 × 10-12  mol/L. In order to achieve enough separation resolution, two DNA probes were designed to have extra sequences that acted as the drag tails. Under the optimized conditions, the three DNA probes and the complexes of microRNA-156, microRNA-159, and microRNA-166 could be completely separated within 3.2 min in background electrolyte (pH 8.7) containing 2.0% m/m polyvinyl pyrrolidone and 0.4% m/m hydroxyethyl cellulose. The limits of detection for the three microRNAs were 0.051, 0.11, and 0.25 nmol/L, respectively. Then the method was applied to analyze the microRNAs spiked in the samples extracted from banana leaves. The recoveries ranged from 114.3 to 121.1% (n = 3). The results showed that the method developed in this work was an effective means for microRNA assay.

Adding value to banana farming: Antibody production in post-harvest leaves.

Banana, a globally popular fruit, is widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions. After fruit harvest, remaining banana plant materials are low-value byproducts, mostly composted or used as fibre or for food packaging. As an aim to potentially increase farmer income, this study explored underutilised banana biomass as a novel plant tissue for production of a high-value product. Protein scFvTG130 used in this study, is an anti-toxoplasma single chain variable fragment antibody that can be used in diagnostics and neutralising the Toxoplasma gondii pathogen. Using detached banana leaves, we investigated the factors influencing the efficacy of a transient expression system using reporter genes and recombinant protein, scFvTG130. Transient expression was optimal at 2 days after detached banana leaves were vacuum infiltrated at 0.08 MPa vacuum pressure for a duration of 3 min with 0.01% (v/v) Tween20 using Agrobacterium strain GV3101 harbouring disarmed virus-based vector pIR-GFPscFvTG130. The highest concentration of anti-toxoplasma scFvTG130 antibody obtained using detached banana leaves was 22.8 µg/g fresh leaf tissue. This first study using detached banana leaf tissue for the transient expression of a recombinant protein, successfully demonstrated anti-toxoplasma scFvTG130 antibody expression, supporting the potential application for other related proteins using an underutilised detached banana leaf tissue.

Advances in the Production of Sustainable Bacterial Nanocellulose from Banana Leaves.

Interest in bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has grown due to its purity, mechanical properties, and biological compatibility. To address the need for alternative carbon sources in the industrial production of BNC, this study focuses on banana leaves, discarded during harvesting, as a valuable source. Banana midrib juice, rich in nutrients and reducing sugars, is identified as a potential carbon source. An optimal culture medium was designed using a simplex-centroid mixing design and evaluated in a 10 L bioreactor. Techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the structural, thermal, and morphological properties of BNC. Banana midrib juice exhibited specific properties, such as pH (5.64), reducing sugars (15.97 g/L), Trolox (45.07 µM), °Brix (4.00), and antioxidant activity (71% DPPH). The model achieved a 99.97% R-adjusted yield of 6.82 g BNC/L. Physicochemical analyses revealed distinctive attributes associated with BNC. This approach optimizes BNC production and emphasizes the banana midrib as a circular solution for BNC production, promoting sustainability in banana farming and contributing to the sustainable development goals.

Performance matching of common pesticides in banana plantations on the surface of banana leaves at different growth stages.

BACKGROUND: The effective deposition of pesticide droplets on a target leaf surface is critical for decreasing pesticide application rates. The wettability between the target leaf surface and the pesticide spray liquid should be investigated in depth, with the aim of enhancing the adhesion of pesticide solutions. The wetting and deposition behavior of pesticides on target leaves depends on the properties of the liquid and the physical and chemical properties of the leaves. The physical and chemical properties of leaves vary with growth stage. This study aims to investigate the wetting behavior of banana leaf surfaces at different stages. RESULTS: The microstructures and chemical compositions of banana leaf surfaces at different stages were studied using modern methods. The surface structure of banana leaves exhibited a wide variety of characteristics at different growth stages, and the chemical composition changed marginally. The surface free energy (SFE) and polar and non-polar components of banana leaves at different growth stages were measured by examining the contact angles (CA) of different test solutions on the surface of banana leaves. Previous research has suggested that changes in the CA and SFE correlate with changes in leaf surface wettability. In general, the new upper leaves of banana trees are composed of polar components and exhibit hydrophobicity. Non-polar components become dominant as the leaf grows. The back surface of banana leaves was non-polar at all growth stages, with a trend that was opposite to that of the front surface. The critical surface tension of the banana leaf surface at different growth stages ranged from 7.83 to 24.22 mN m-1 , thus falling into the category of a low-energy surface. CONCLUSION: The surface roughness and chemical characteristics of banana leaves affected the wettability of the leaf surface. Differences in the free energy and the polar and non-polar components of the leaf surface at were seen at different growth stages. This study provides a favorable reference for the rational control of pesticide spraying parameters and the enhancement of wetting and adhesion of the solution on banana leaf surfaces. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of water-resistant paper using chitosan and plant-based wax extracted from banana leaves.

On being exposed to water, cellulose paper swells and its mechanical properties become weak. In this study, natural wax with an average particle size of 12.3 µm extracted from banana leaves was mixed with chitosan to prepare coatings applied on paper surfaces. Chitosan efficiently dispersed banana leaf-extracted wax on paper surfaces. The mixed chitosan and wax coatings considerably influenced paper properties, including yellowness, whiteness, thickness, wettability, water absorption, oil sorption, and mechanical properties. The coating induced hydrophobicity in the paper, resulting in a significant increase in the water contact angle from 65.1 ± 7.7° (uncoated paper) to 123.2 ± 2.1°, and a decrease in water absorption by ⁓64 % to 52.6 ± 1.9 %. The coated paper demonstrated an oil sorption capacity of 212.2 ± 2.8 %, which was ⁓43 % greater than that of the uncoated paper (148.2 ± 5.5 %), and the tensile strength of the coated paper improved under wet conditions compared to the uncoated paper. Additionally, a separation of oil in water was observed for the chitosan/wax coated paper. Based on these promising results, the paper coated with chitosan and wax could be used for direct-contact packaging applications.

Four Propiconazole Stereoisomers: Stereoselective Bioactivity, Separation via Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and Dissipation in Banana Leaves.

In this study, we evaluated the stereoselective bioactivity of four propiconazole stereoisomers against the causal agents of the banana leaf spot disease (Curvularia lunata and Colletotrichum musae). We also evaluated the stereoselective degradation of the stereoisomers in banana leaves under field test conditions. The Superchiral S-OX column successfully separated the four propiconazole stereoisomers. X-ray single-crystal diffraction confirmed that the absolute configuration of the cis-stereoisomer-(+)-A of propiconazole was (2R,4S)-propiconazole and that of the cis-stereoisomer-(-)-A of propiconazole was (2S,4R)-propiconazole. In vitro antibacterial results revealed that (2R,4S)-(+)-propiconazole had the highest activity against the two target plant fungi. In this study, a new and efficient high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of the four stereoisomeric residues of propiconazole in banana leaves. The mean recoveries of the method for the stereoisomers were 76.3-103% with relative standard deviations of 1.25-11.4%. The four propiconazole stereoisomers had a detection limit of 0.002-0.006 mg/kg and a limit of quantification of 0.02-0.03 mg/kg in banana leaves. Propiconazole-(-)-B and propiconazole-(-)-A degraded slightly faster than their corresponding enantiomers propiconazole-(+)-B and propiconazole-(+)-A in banana leaves collected from three typical banana production areas.

A unique, inexpensive, and abundantly available adsorbent: composite of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and banana leaves powder (BLP).

The purpose of this study is to investigate the development of a new and inexpensive adsorbent by immobilization synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto banana leaves powder (BLP), and the prepared composite (BLP)/(AgNPs) was used as an adsorbent for Zn(II), Pb(II), and Fe(III) ion removal from aqueous solutions under the influence of various reaction conditions. (BLP)/(AgNPs) demonstrated remarkable sensitivity toward Zn (II), Pb (II), and Fe (III) ions; metal ions eliminations increased with increasing contact time, agitation speed, adsorbent dose, and temperature, yielding adequate selectivity and ideal removal efficiency of 79%, 88%, and 91% for Zn (II), Pb (II), and Fe (III) ions, respectively, at pH = 5 for Zn(II) and pH = 6 for Pb(II), and Fe(III). The equilibrium contact time for elimination of Zn (II), Pb (II), and Fe (III) ions was reaches at 40 min. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin equations were used to test the obtained experimental data. Langmuir isotherm model was found to be more accurate in representing the data of Zn(II), Pb(II), and Fe(III) ions adsorption onto (BLP)/(AgNPs), with a regression coefficient (R2 = 0.999) and maximum adsorption capacities of 190, 244, and 228 mg/g for Zn(II), Pb(II), and Fe(III) ions, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters proved that adsorption of metal ions is spontaneous, feasible, and endothermic, whereas Kinetic studies revealed that the process was best described by a pseudo second order kinetics.

Evaluation of Banana Leaves (Musa paradisiaca) as an Alternative Wound Dressing Material Compared to Conventional Petroleum Jelly Gauze Dressing in Contused, Lacerated and Sutured Wounds Over the Head, Neck and Face Region.

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of banana leaf dressing in patients with contused, lacerated and sutured wounds over the head, neck and face region with respect to pain during dressing change, patient comfort, status of wound bed during dressing change and handling characteristics in comparison with petroleum jelly gauze dressing. Methods and materials Sixty patients were included, out of which 30 patients were used as controls with petroleum jelly gauze dressings and 30 patients as study participants with banana leaf dressings. Pain on dressing change, handling characteristics of dressing material, patient comfort and status of wound bed on every dressing change were assessed. Results Properties of both banana leaves and petroleum jelly gauze dressings were parallel in all aspects, except pain on dressing change which was less with banana leaf dressings and had statistically significant value (p>0.001). Conclusions Banana leaves (Musa paradisiaca) can become an alternative choice of wound dressing material in contused, lacerated and sutured wounds over the head, neck and face region as they proved to cause less pain and trauma during dressing change and have other advantages such as cost and availability, comfort and ease of handling the dressing by health professionals.

Preparation of Hierarchical Porous Activated Carbon from Banana Leaves for High-performance Supercapacitor: Effect of Type of Electrolytes on Performance.

We demonstrate a facile efficient way to fabricate activated carbon nanosheets (ACNSs) consisting of hierarchical porous carbon materials. Simply heating banana leaves with K2 CO3 produce ACNSs having a unique combination of macro-, meso- and micropores with a high specific surface area of ∼1459 m2 g-1 . The effects of different electrolytes on the electrochemical supercapacitor performance and stability of the ACNSs are tested using a two-electrode system. The specific capacitance (Csp ) values are 55, 114, and 190 F g-1 in aqueous 0.5 M sodium sulfate, organic 1 M tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile, and pure ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6 ]) electrolytes, respectively. The ACNSs also shows the largest potential window of 3.0 V, the highest specific energy (59 Wh kg-1 ) and specific power (750 W kg-1 ) in [BMIM][PF6 ]. A mini-prototype device is prepared to demonstrate the practicality of the ACNSs.

Two-stage banana leaves wastes utilization towards mushroom growth and biogas production.

Banana leaves wastes (BL) were subjected to fungal treatment using Pleurotus ostreatus to produce edible mushrooms and biogas in the anaerobic digestion process. Effects of fungal treatment on mushrooms production, lignin degradation, trace elements compositions and biogas yield during the anaerobic digestion process were evaluated. Treatment with P.ostreatus for 36 d resulted in the production of 181 ± 19 g of edible mushrooms per 2 kg of BL with biological efficiency of 37 ± 4%. Lignin concentration in fungal treated BL decreased by 10% indicating an improvement on its digestibility. Important trace elements (Fe, Mn, Mo, Co and Ni) necessary for the improvement of the anaerobic digestion process were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05) during the fungal treatment process. The biogas yield for the fungal treated BL was 282 mL g-1 VS-1 of which this study suggests that could be improved through trace element supplementation during the anaerobic digestion process.

Evaluation of Polyethylene Surgical Drape as an Alternative Wound Dressing Material, Compared to Banana Leaf (Musa paradisiaca) Dressing in Facial Abrasions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Facial abrasions, the most common squeal of trauma, have been treated widely by moist occlusive dressings. This novel study aims to evaluate polyethylene surgical drape dressing (PESG) as an alternative to autoclaved banana leaf (Musa paradisiaca) dressing in facial abrasions. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty patients who reported to our emergency department, having abrasions over head, neck and face region secondary to trauma, were included. Thirty patients were given PESG, and 30 were given banana leaf dressings. Dressings were changed daily for 7 days. Pain on dressing change, status of wound bed on every dressing change, handling characteristics of each dressing material and comfort to the patient were assessed. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that the properties of PESG dressings are parallel to banana leaf dressing in all aspects except pain on dressing change. PESG caused no pain during dressing change which was statistically significant (p < 0.011). CONCLUSION: Facial abrasions can be effectively treated by PESG dressing. It is easily available in any hospital setting, has an ideal surface, i.e. impervious and smooth. It also maintains a moist condition, is completely painless and inexpensive. Hence, it can become a new standard for treating facial abrasions especially to poor patients in developing countries.

Pyrolysis of banana leaves biomass: Physico-chemical characterization, thermal decomposition behavior, kinetic and thermodynamic analyses.

In the present work, non-isothermal thermogravimetric experiments were conducted at three heating rates, viz. 10, 20, and 30 °C/min to study the thermal degradation of banana leaves biomass, where the key objective was to determine the kinetic triplet (activation energy, pre-exponential variable, and reaction model) and thermodynamic parameters. The kinetic study was carried out using five model-free isoconversional methods, viz. Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Starink, Friedman, and Kissinger. Results showed that average activation energy ranges between 70.75 and 92.12 kJ/mol for the studied isoconversional model-free methods. The average activation energy obtained by KAS (79.36 kJ/mol) was found to be in the proximity of that obtained by FWO (84.02 kJ/mol). Pre-exponential factor obtained from Kissinger method was found to vary from 107 to 1033 s-1. Master plot showed that data fits well with second order reaction model till 0.2 conversion and then follows third order reaction model from 0.2 to 0.5 conversion.

Attractiveness of host banana leaf materials to the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus in Ghana for development of field management strategies.

BACKGROUND: The banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus, has been frequently cited as the most challenging constraint to banana and plantain production, particularly in small-scale (smallholder) farming. For the development of a new, low-cost weevil management technology based on attractive host plant material, we previously identified (2R,5S)-theaspirane as the active component of attractive senesced banana leaves. In this new study, we used behavioural (olfactometer) bioassays with adult weevils to compare the attractiveness of four different developmental stages of banana leaves, i.e. unfolding (pale green), matured green (deep green), matured yellowing and senesced, to determine which leaf developmental stage would be most appropriate for use in weevil management. We also investigated the attractiveness of senesced leaf extracts prepared using different solvents to determine which solvent would be most appropriate for local production of leaf extracts. Coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAG) was then used with adult weevils to confirm the presence of (2R,5S)-theaspirane in attractive leaf extracts. RESULTS: Of the leaf materials tested, only the odour of senesced leaf material was significantly attractive to adult weevils (P < 0.005). Furthermore, an extract of senesced material prepared using palm wine alcohol was significantly attractive (P < 0.05). Using coupled GC-EAG with weevil antennae, (2R,5S)-theaspirane was identified as a minor component with strong EAG activity within the palm wine alcohol extract. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that palm wine alcohol extracts of senesced banana leaf material could be used to lure adult C. sordidus to traps in the field, as part of an ethnobotanical-based approach for C. sordidus management on smallholder farms. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Molecular Identification of Endophytic Fungi from Banana Leaves (Musa spp.).

Endophytic fungi are part of microbial community found in various types of plant tissues including the leave, and display a range of symbiotic interactions with the plant host. In this study, endophytic fungi isolated from banana leaves were identified using ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer region) sequences of which 10 genera comprising 17 species were molecularly identified. Endophytic fungal species identified were Nigrospora oryzae, Nigrospora sphaerica, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum siamense, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium chlamydosporum, Phoma sorghina, Pestalotiopsis oxyanthi, Pestalotiopsis theae, Pestalotiopsis eugeniae, Penicillium steckii, Penicillium purpurogenum, Bipolaris papendorfii, Bipolaris sp., Lasidiodiplodia theobromae, Cochliobolus intermedius dan Aspergillus niger. The present study showed that several endophytic fungal genera/species are common plant pathogen and there is a possibility that these endophytes can become pathogenic. Some of the fungal endophyte might be mutualist or saprophyte.

Absorption and metabolism of formaldehyde in solutions by detached banana leaves.

Detached banana leaves are one of the by-products of banana production. In this study, the absorption and metabolism of formaldehyde (HCHO) in solutions by detached banana leaves was investigated under submergence conditions. The results showed that banana leaves could effectively absorb HCHO in the treatment solutions, and the relationship between HCHO absorption and treatment time appeared to fit a radical root function model. (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis was used to investigate the ability of detached banana leaves to metabolise H(13)CHO, and the results indicated that the H(13)CHO absorbed from the treatment solutions was converted into non-toxic compounds. High amounts of [U-(13)C]glucose, [U-(13)C]fructose, [3-(13)C]serine and [3-(13)C]citrate were produced as a result of H(13)CHO metabolism in banana leaves, and the production of a small amount of [2,4-(13)C]citrate and [2,3-(13)C]alanine was also observed. These results suggest that detached banana leaves can metabolise H(13)CHO and convert it to non-toxic compounds. The metabolic pathways that produce these intermediates in detached banana leaves are postulated based on our (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance data.