Showing papers by "Umer Rashid published in 2010"

Jatropha curcas seed oil as a viable source for biodiesel.

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to explore the utility of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) seed oil for biodiesel production. The preliminarily evaluated Jatropha oil was transmethylated under optimized set of reaction conditions: methanol/oil molar ratio (6:1), sodium methoxide catalyst concentration (1.00%), temperature (65°C) and mixing intensity (600 rpm) providing 94.00% yield of Jatropha oil methyl esters (JOMEs)/biodiesel. The gas chromatographic (GC) analysis showed that JOMEs mainly comprised of six fatty acids: linoleic (49.75%), stearic (16.80%), oleic (13.00%), palmitic (12.15%), arachidic (5.01%) and gadoleic (2.00%) acids. 1 H-NMR spectrum of JOMEs was also recorded. The thermal stability of the JOMEs produced was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The fuel properties of the biodiesel produced were found to be within the standards specifications of ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214.

Primary callus induction, somatic embryogenesis and regeneration studies in selected elite wheat varieties from pakistan

Abstract: In the present study, effects of varying concentrations of growth regulators including 2, 4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and Kin (kinetin) was investigated for primary callus induction, embryogenic callus formation and regeneration of two elite wheat varieties viz., Sahar and GA-02. Mature seeds were used as explants for primary callus induction. Different concentrations of 2, 4-D were investigated to study its effect on callus induction and callus growth frequency (CGF). Compact, whitish, healthy and fluffy calli were induced in Sahar and GA-02 in MS medium supplemented with 5 mg/l and 4 mg/l 2, 4-D respectively. The calli produced were subjected to somatic embryogenesis and regeneration studies. For this purpose, MS Medium was supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators like IAA and BAP. Maximum embryogenic callus formation was observed in MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IAA in combination with 1.5 mg/l BAP and it resulted in 73.51% and 62.33% embryogenic callus formation in Sahar and GA-02 respectively. These optimum concentrations of IAA and BAP were further experimented with different concentrations of Kin for efficient regeneration and it was observed that 1 mg/l Kin was optimum for this purpose. Such studies help in understanding the response of wheat to tissue culture conditions and ultimately promise in improving yield by employing various biotechnological techniques.

Enhanced regeneration in explants of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) with the treatment of coconut water.

Abstract: A standardized protocol was developed to enhance the in vitro regeneration efficiency of five varieties of tomato from hypocotyls and leaf disc with the involvement of coconut water. Different concentrations of IAA and kinetin were used alone and in combination with 12% of coconut water. Significant differences for regeneration, time taken to regenerate and number of leaf primordial were observed for different treatments, type of explant, use of coconut water and also among varieties. Higher regeneration was obtained in Avinash followed by Roma and Rio Grande. Maximum regeneration 95.75% was obtained with 0.5 mgL -1 of IAA, 1.5 mgL -1 Kinetin along with 12% coconut water in Avinash and hypocotyl was proved to be better for regeneration than leaf discs. The inclusion of coconut water in the media significantly reduced the number of days taken for callus induction leading to regeneration, as compared to media without coconut water. Significant increase in number of shoot primordial was observed in hypocotyls as well as in leaf disc derived calli with the addition of coconut water. Plants obtained were transferred to the glass house in small pots of compost and higher frequency of survival was observed from plantlets obtained with the addition of coconut water.