Visva Bharati Barua

This study evaluated the influence of four thermal pretreatment techniques—autoclaving, hot-air oven treatment, hot-water immersion, and microwave irradiation—on Parthenium hysterophorus biomass to improve its biodegradability and biogas generation potential under batch anaerobic digestion. Among the investigated methods, hot-air oven pretreatment at 110 °C for 90 min exhibited the most significant enhancement in biomass solubilization, as indicated by a 51.5% rise in soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) and an increase in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) compared with the untreated control. These compositional improvements facilitated faster hydrolysis and led to a 25.73% higher cumulative methane yield in biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays. Structural analysis revealed pronounced alterations in the lignocellulosic matrix, with reductions in hemicellulose and partial delignification improving substrate accessibility. Complementary characterisation using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the disruption of crystalline cellulose regions and modification of functional groups, supporting the observed biochemical improvements. Collectively, the results demonstrate that hot-air oven pretreatment is a practical and energy-efficient approach for enhancing the digestibility of P. hysterophorus biomass, promoting its utilisation as a sustainable feedstock for renewable biogas production and environmental management of this invasive weed.

This study evaluated the influence of four thermal pretreatment techniques—autoclaving, hot air oven treatment, hot water immersion, and microwave irradiation—on Parthenium hysterophorus biomass to improve its biodegradability and biogas generation potential under batch anaerobic digestion. Among the investigated methods, hot air oven pretreatment at 110 °C for 90 minutes exhibited the most significant enhancement in biomass solubilization, as indicated by a 51.5% rise in soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) and an increase in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) compared with the untreated control. These compositional improvements facilitated faster hydrolysis and led to a 25.73% higher cumulative methane yield in biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays. Structural analysis revealed pronounced alterations in the lignocellulosic matrix, with reductions in hemicellulose and partial delignification improving substrate accessibility. Complementary characterization using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the disruption of crystalline cellulose regions and modification of functional groups, supporting the observed biochemical improvements. Collectively, the results demonstrate that hot air oven pretreatment is a practical and energy-efficient approach for enhancing the digestibility of P. hysterophorus biomass, promoting its utilization as a sustainable feedstock for renewable biogas production and environmental management of this invasive weed.

Microplastics (MPs) have become a critical pollutant, accumulating in aquatic ecosystems and posing significant environmental and human health risks. Approximately 5.25 trillion plastic particles float in global oceans, releasing up to 23,600 metric tonnes of dissolved organic carbon annually, which disrupts microbial dynamics. MPs arise from the breakdown of larger plastics, degraded by photodegradation, thermal degradation, and biological processes, which are influenced by polymer type and environmental factors. As carriers, MPs absorb and transport contaminants such as heavy metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across trophic levels, thereby increasing toxicity within food webs. Key aquatic organisms, including microalgae, molluscs, and fish, experience cellular toxicity, oxidative stress, and disruptions in essential functions due to MP ingestion or adhesion, raising concerns about their bioaccumulation in humans through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The complex surface chemistry of MPs enhances their pollutant adsorption, a process modulated by environmental pH, salinity, and contamination levels, while aging and structural attributes further impact their bioavailability and toxicity. This review consolidates knowledge on MPs’ occurrence, transformation, pollutant interactions, and methodologies for sampling and analysis, emphasizing advancements in spectroscopy and imaging techniques to improve MP detection in aquatic environments. These insights underscore the pressing need for standardized analytical protocols and comprehensive toxicological research to fully understand MPs’ effects on ecosystems and human health, informing future mitigation strategies and policy development. Graphical

Microalgae are unicellular photosynthetic eukaryotes that can treat wastewater and provide us with biofuel. Microalgae cultivation utilizing wastewater is a promising approach for synchronous wastewater treatment and biofuel production. However, previous studies suggest that high microalgae biomass production reduces lipid production and vice versa. For cost-effective biofuel production from microalgae, synchronous lipid and biomass enhancement utilizing wastewater is necessary. Therefore, this study brings forth a comprehensive review of synchronous microalgal lipid and biomass enhancement strategies for biofuel production and wastewater treatment. The review emphasizes the appropriate synergy of the microalgae species, culture media, and synchronous lipid and biomass enhancement conditions as a sustainable, efficient solution.

To identify and monitor SARS-CoV-2 variant evolution, UNC Charlotte has introduced a surveillance sequencing program for the campus and surrounding county area. We have generated a step by step protocol which has been optimized from the ”High Throughput Nanopore Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Genomes from Patient Samples” (Pater et al 2021, https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.09.430478) protocol for preparing SARS-CoV 2 viral genome libraries for next generation sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore PromethION instrument. The protocol is designed to work in a 96-well format throughout. It is intended to produce sufficient sequence for genome assembly to meet standards required by GISAID and NCBI for SARS-CoV-2 sequence submission. The protocol has been modified to achieve maximum yield and includes modifications to address isolate sequencing failures arising from low viral titer in some clinical samples (Cq values below 30). The protocol provides detailed guidelines and steps for working with high Cq value clinical samples, as well as a protocol variation for working in half-reaction volumes throughout to reduce sequencing costs.