Nitrogen-doped carbon materials represent a significant part in the field of energy conversion and storage technologies such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells and supercapacitors. The achievement of these materials by sustainable N- and C-containing natural resources using various methods, such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal and ionothermal carbonization is presented. The application of these novel materials as nonprecious catalysts and catalyst supports for low temperature fuel cells is discussed.

Nitrogen-doped carbons by sustainable N- and C-containing natural resources as nonprecious catalysts and catalyst supports for low temperature fuel cells

Limited P availability in several agricultural areas is one of the key challenges facing current agriculture. Exploiting P-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) has been an emerging bio-solution for a higher rhizosphere P-availability, meanwhile the above- and below-ground interactions that PSB would trigger remain unclear over plant growing stages. We hypothesized that PSB effects on plant growth may be greater on root traits that positively links with aboveground physiology more than the commonly believed rhizosphere P bio-solubilization. In this study, five contrasting PSB (Pseudomonas spp.) isolates (low "PSB1", moderate "PSB2 and PSB4" and high "PSB3 and PSB5" P-solubilizing capacity "PSC") were used to investigate above- and below-ground responses in wheat fertilized with rock P (RP) under controlled conditions. Our findings show that all PSB isolates increased wheat root traits, particularly PSB5 which increased root biomass and PSB3 that had greater effect on root diameter in 7-, 15- and 42-day old plants. The length, surface and volume of roots significantly increased along with higher rhizosphere available P in 15- and 42-day old plants inoculated with PSB4 and PSB2. Shoot biomass significantly increased with both PSB2 and PSB5. Root and shoot physiology significantly improved with PSB1 (lowest PSC) and PSB4 (moderate PSC), notably shoot total P (78.38%) and root phosphatase activity (390%). Moreover, nutrients acquisition and chlorophyll content increased in inoculated plants and was stimulated (PSB2, PSB4) more than rhizosphere P-solubilization, which was also revealed by the significant above- and below-ground inter-correlations, mainly chlorophyll and both total (R = 0.75, p = 0.001**) and intracellular (R = 0.7, p = 0.000114*) P contents. These findings demonstrate the necessity to timely monitor the plant-rhizosphere continuum responses, which may be a relevant approach to accurately evaluate PSB through considering below- and above-ground relationships; thus enabling unbiased interpretations prior to field applications.

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Phosphate Solubilizing Rhizobacteria Could Have a Stronger Influence on Wheat Root Traits and Aboveground Physiology Than Rhizosphere P Solubilization

Value-added products from dairy waste using edible fungi

Background: Since available arable land is limited and nitrogen fertilizers pollute the environment, cropping systems ought to be developed that do not rely on them. Here we investigate the rapidly growing, N2 -fixing Azolla/Nostoc symbiosis for its potential productivity and chemical composition to determine its potential as protein feed. Results: In a small production system, cultures of Azolla pinnata and Azolla filiculoides were continuously harvested for over 100 days, yielding an average productivity of 90.0-97.2 kg dry weight (DW) ha-1  d-1 . Under ambient CO2 levels, N2 fixation by the fern's cyanobacterial symbionts accounted for all nitrogen in the biomass. Proteins made up 176-208 g kg-1 DW (4.9 × total nitrogen), depending on species and CO2 treatment, and contained more essential amino acids than protein from soybean. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (800 ppm) significantly boosted biomass production by 36-47%, without decreasing protein content. Choice of species and CO2 concentrations further affected the biomass content of lipids (79-100 g kg-1 DW) and (poly)phenols (21-69 g kg-1 DW). Conclusions: By continuous harvesting, high protein yields can be obtained from Azolla cultures, without the need for nitrogen fertilization. High levels of (poly)phenols likely contribute to limitations in the inclusion rate of Azolla in animal diets and need further investigation. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO2 concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) biochemical properties and seed components affected by potassium fertilization under drought conditions.

The amount of protein in most foods is usually determined by multiplying its Kjeldahl nitrogen content by a factor of 6.25. The reliability of this method in quantitating plant proteins was investigated. Ten lesser known plant leaf samples of nutritional significance among certain populations in Nigeria were used for this study. Protein contents of the plant samples were determined via the kjeldahl method using the conventional nitrogen to protein (N:P) conversion factor 6.25 (i.e. total nitrogen × 6.25) and by summation of amino acid residues (considered more accurate and taken here as the actual protein content). From data of total amino acid and total nitrogen, specific N:P conversion factors were calculated for each sample. The N:P factors ranged from 3.24 to 5.39, with an overall average of 4.64. Protein contents were also calculated using this new factor. Comparison of the calculated protein contents showed that the traditional conversion factor of 6.25 overestimated the actual protein content of the samples. The degree of overestimation ranged from 16%-93%. Protein contents calculated with our adjusted factor (4.64) gave results that are in good agreement with the actual protein content. Our results indicate that calculation of protein content by N × 6.25 is highly unsuitable for plant samples.

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J.A. Ndahi

Papers

Determination Of Plant Proteins Via The Kjeldahl Method And Amino Acid Analysis: A Comparative Study.