Archita Sharma

Bio: Archita Sharma is an academic researcher from University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Biofuel & Agriculture. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 14 publications receiving 152 citations. Previous affiliations of Archita Sharma include Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Recent advances in the applications of nano-agrochemicals for sustainable agricultural development

Abstract: Modern agricultural practices have triggered the process of agricultural pollution. This process can cause the degradation of eco-systems, land, and environment owing to the modern-day by-products of agriculture. The substantial use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and, contaminated water for irrigation cause further damage to agriculture. The current scenario of the agriculture and food sector has therefore become unsustainable. Nanotechnology has provided innovative and resourceful frontiers to the agriculture sector by contributing practical applications in conventional agricultural ways and practices. There is a large possibility that agri-nanotechnology can have a significant impact on the sustainable agriculture and crop growth. Recent research has shown the potential of nanotechnology in improving the agriculture sector by enhancing the efficiency of agricultural inputs and providing solutions to agricultural problems for improving food productivity and security. The prospective use of nanoscale agrochemicals such as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors, and nanoformulations in agriculture has transformed traditional agro-practices, making them more sustainable and efficient. However, the application of these nano-products in real field situations raises concern about nanomaterial safety, exposure levels, and toxicological repercussions to the environment and human health. The present review gives an insight into recent advancements in nanotechnology-based agrochemicals that have revolutionized the agriculture sector. Further, the implementation barriers related to the nanomaterial use in agriculture, their commercialization potential, and the need for policy regulations to assess possible nano-agricultural risks are also discussed.

Agrochemical loaded biocompatible chitosan nanoparticles for insect pest management

Abstract: Pesticides are being used extensively all over the world to increase agricultural output. However, their use may have radical effects on humans and the environment. Thus, there is a dire need to develop new technologies so as to restrict the use of pesticides/agrochemicals to lower concentrations. In this regard, nanotechnology may provide promising solutions to the problems in the field of agriculture and food science. In the present study, we have synthesized chitosan and agrochemical loaded (spinosad and permethrin) chitosan nanoparticles and characterized them using XRD, FT-IR, UV–Vis, DLS/Zeta potential, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM. Chitosan is a skilled and resourceful polymer that has been used in the field of agriculture as nanoparticles. Chitosan nanoparticles are biodegradable in nature, non-toxic carriers for nucleotides and drugs, biocompatibility and have excellent adsorption abilities. After synthesis, the toxicity of chitosan and agrochemical loaded chitosan nanoparticles was checked on Drosophila melanogaster (model organism) at several concentrations (10, 50, 100 μg/mL) of nanoparticles. Assays such as survivability assay, climbing assay, and the larval crawling assay were performed to monitor and observe the toxicity of chitosan and agrochemical loaded chitosan nanoparticles and the results were compared with free agrochemicals. Results showed the agrochemical loaded chitosan nanoformulations to be more effective with a lasting residual effect as compared to the free agrochemicals. Thus, in conclusion, these nanoformulations may be used for insect pest management.

Hydrogen production from biomass using dark fermentation

Abstract: Hydrogen applicability in the power, chemical and petrochemical industries is constantly growing. Efficient methods of hydrogen generation from renewable sources, including waste products, are currently being developed, even though hydrogen is mainly produced through steam reforming or thermal cracking of natural gas or petroleum fractions. In paper alternative methods of hydrogen production with a particular emphasis on dark fermentation are discussed. The review compiles essential information on strains of bacteria used in the production of hydrogen from waste products in the agroindustry and from lignocellulosic biomass. The effect of such parameters as kind of raw material, method of processing, temperature, pH, substrate concentration, partial pressure of hydrogen, hydraulic retention time, method of inoculum preparation and the type and operating parameters of a reactor on the yield of dark fermentation is discussed. The review aims at presentation of current state of knowledge on the dark fermentation process utilizing waste materials as substrates. The results of investigations with emphasis on the most important issues regarding operating parameters of dark fermentation are also included.

Review: Biofuel production from plant and algal biomass

Abstract: Abstract Biofuels are the promising alternative to exhaustible, environmentally unsafe fossil fuels. Algal biomass is attractive raw for biofuel production. Its cultivation does not compete for cropland with agricultural growing of food crop for biofuel and does not require complex treatment methods in comparison with lignocellulose-enriched biomass. Many microalgae are mixotrophs, so they can be used as energy source and as sewage purifier simultaneously. One of the main steps for algal biofuel fabrication is the cultivation of biomass. Photobioreactors and open-air systems are used for this purpose. The formers allow the careful cultivation control, but the latter ones are cheaper and simpler. Biomass conversion processes may be divided to the thermochemical, chemical, biochemical methods and direct combustion. For biodiesel production, triglyceride-enriched biomass undergoes transetherification. For bioalcohol production, biomass is subjected to fermentation. There are three methods of biohydrogen production in the microalgal cells: direct biophotolysis, indirect biophotolysis, fermentation.