Plant biomass are woody and non-wood materials (e.g., oil palm, bamboo, rattan, bagasse, and kenaf) and are abundant and renewable resource. Unfortunately, the heavy reliance on this resource is a threat to forest ecosystems and a recipe for accelerated land resource degradation. Due to the increasing scarcity of wood resources, many rural communities have shifted to utilization of crop residues for many different applications. The non-wood biomass is readily available, environmental friendly, and technologically suitable, and therefore, an excellent raw material for the future. The non-wood materials like bamboo, rattan, oil palm, and bagasse have superior properties and durability, which can be further prolonged by the modifi cation treatment. The modifi cation treatments increase the performance of the non-wood and could make it suitable for applications in many fi elds ranging from construction industry to automotive industry. This chapter deals with the properties improvement techniques of the selected non-wood biomasses and evaluates its applications for various purposes. The new developments dealing with the improvement of non-wood properties have also been presented in the chapter. The performance of non-wood biomass materials has been compared to the wood-based materials. Recent studies pertaining to the above topics have also been cited. Finally, the advanced applications of the improved non-wood biomasses have been highlighted.

Biomass and bioenergy

Identification of lipolytic enzymes isolated from bacteria indigenous to Eucalyptus wood species for application in the pulping industry

In the pulp and paper industry, during the manufacturing process, the agglomeration of pitch particles (composed of triglycerides, fatty acids, and esters) leads to the formation of black pitch deposits in the pulp and on machinery, which impacts on the process and pulp quality Traditional methods of pitch prevention and treatment are no longer feasible due to environmental impact and cost Consequently, there is a need for more efficient and environmentally friendly approaches The application of lipolytic enzymes, such as lipases and esterases, could be the sustainable solution to this problem Therefore, an understanding of their structure, mechanism, and sources are essential In this report, we review the microbial sources for the different groups of lipolytic enzymes, the differences between lipases and esterases, and their potential applications in the pulping industry

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Classification of lipolytic enzymes and their biotechnological applications in the pulping industry.

Background and Objectives: Thermophilic bacteria are less studied but important group of microorganisms due to their ability to produce industrial enzymes. Materials and Methods: In this study, thermophilic bacteria were isolated from hot spring of Tarabalo, India. A bacterium that could tolerate high temperatures was characterized by morphology, biochemistry and sequencing of its 16S rRNA gene. The isolate was screened for protease and amylase activity. Phylogenetic affiliations and G+C content of the isolate was studied. Results: The bacterium with the ability to tolerate high temperatures was identified as Bacillus sp. both by morphology, biochemistry and sequencing of its 16S rRNA gene. BLAST search analysis of the sequence showed maximum identity with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (99% similarity). Strain exhibited considerable protease activity. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolate revealed close affiliation with thermophilic Bacillus species. The G+C content was found to be 54.7%. Conclusion: The study confirmed that the isolated Bacillus sp. to be a true thermophile and could be a source of thermostable protease which can be exploited for pharmaceutical and industrials applications.

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Isolation and characterization of a thermophilic Bacillus sp. with protease activity isolated from hot spring of Tarabalo, Odisha, India

Proteases are important industrial biocatalysts that constitute the largest group of enzymes acting as proteinases, peptidases, and amidases with a broad range of industrial applications. In this review, particular attention has been given to comprehensively scrutinize the proteases. After the succinct introduction, classification of proteases as exopeptidases (amino and carboxy proteases) and endopeptidases (serine, aspartic, cysteine, and metalloproteases), sources of alkaline, acidic and neutral protease like animal, plant and microbial sources along with the multi-industrial applications have been dissertated. Now a day’s, mostly proteases, which are present in the market, are produced from microbial sources because of the fast production rate and the limited requirement of cultivation. In addition to this, a critique on the applications of proteases in food, detergent, leather, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, silk degumming, silver recovery, chemical industry, and wastewater treatment industries is also concisely addressed. Finally, protein engineering and immobilization strategies to improve the catalytic properties of protease are thoroughly vetted. The quest for novel sources of protease enzyme has been encouraged to fulfill their ever-increasing demands for industrial exploitation.

Protease—A Versatile and Ecofriendly Biocatalyst with Multi-Industrial Applications: An Updated Review

Presently, biodiesel is considered as an effective alternate fuel owing to its high sustainability and robustness. This paper concentrates on the biodiesel production from waste beef tallow rendered from subcutaneous and intramuscular wastes discarded from leather tanneries and slaughterhouses. The maximum fat content was estimated to be 92.5% and 3.05%, whereas maximum rendering efficiency was determined to be 92% and 75% for subcutaneous and intramuscular wastes, respectively. The rendered waste tallow was converted into biodiesel using ethanol as a solvent and l-valine amido ethyl methyl imidazolium bromide ([l-Vaemim]Br) as a novel ionic liquid catalyst. The most optimised reaction parameters are as follows: molar ratio of 1:7.5, catalyst concentration of 20 wt% of tallow, reaction temperature of 75 °C and reaction time of 160 min. Properties of the produced biodiesel have been tested in accordance with ASTM Standards, where the results were found to be within the permissible range. The engine characteristics of biodiesel exhibited increased heat release rate and maximum cylinder pressure, reduced emission levels than compared to ordinary diesel; in addition, its performance characteristics were similar to diesel, thereby making it a suitable replacement for existing fossil fuel.

Production, optimisation and engine characteristics of beef tallow biodiesel rendered from leather fleshing and slaughterhouse wastes

Protease enzyme from Bacillus RV.B2.90 was purified, fractionated and tested for various applications. This enzyme could degrade the natural proteins like coagulated egg and blood clot. Blood and natural pigment stain (carrot, beetroot, green leaves, coffee and tea) were removed by this enzyme easily. It exhibited good compatibility with the commercial detergents such as Surf Excel, Tide, Ujala, Ariel and Rin. The keratinolytic activity of the enzyme was evidenced by the complete degradation of  feathers. X-ray films treated with the enzyme showed release of protein from the gelatin coating, a pre requisite for recovery of silver. Also showed better stability with surfactants and solvents, which will be advantageous as detergent formulations containing chelating agents like EDTA and in peptide synthesis. The partially purified enzyme showed direct hydrolysis of various natural proteins (BSA, casein and azocasein) applied to clean glass slides followed by denaturation by boiling. Bacillus RV.B2.90 immobilization with 3% alginate showed maximum production (2002 U/ml). In continuous production, the beads were stable over 24 hrs X 9 cycles. RV.B2.90 protease highly thermostable and alkalophilic with a variety of activities, has great potential for application in a wide range of industry.

Screening of alkalophilic thermophilic protease isolated from Bacillus RV.B2.90 for Industrial applications

A laboratory study was carried out on anaerobic digestion of vegetable wastes (brinjal, cabbage, carrot, ladies finger) & flowers (jasmine, sunset flower, Roselle, African wattle, Nile tulip flower, silk tree mimosa.) in a 1L capacity of anaerobic digestor using cow dung as an inoculums. The digester was operated in the ratio of 1:1 of substrate to inoculums at RT. The substrate concentrations are varied such as 5%,7%,10% was used and amount of gas produced was analyzed using digital pressure gauge. The Results obtained showed that flowers had given higher yield of biogas than vegetable wastes and the digestion period was less. The average biogas production potential of withered flowers was observed as 16.69g/kg in 4.5days, where in case of vegetable wastes it was 9.089g/kgS in 6 days. The study showed that flowers which are available in abundant in India is thrown away after 1 (or) 2 days use causing nuisance to the environment. It is seen it is a very good feed stock for biogas production. Generation of biogas from flowers upholds the concept of waste to wealth in enhancing sustainability of development. Future research work is mainly focused on the characterization of Bio-gas using sophisticated instruments.

Production of bio-gas from flowers and vegetable wastes using anaerobic digestion

A new bacterial isolate belonging to Genus Bacillus coded as GPA4 was analyzed for protease activity. The strain GPA4 had the ability to produce extracellular protease. Nutrient media supplemented with 0.1% of casein showed maximum production of protease of 305 U/ml during the stationary phase. Maximum growth of the organism was observed at pH 7 but alkaline pH favored protease production. An increased level of 390 U/ml of enzyme was produced at pH 8. At 30oC under mild shaking conditions 100 rpm it produced 399.4 U/ml of enzyme compared to static and shaking incubation at 37o C. Among different metals, addition of Zn 2+ induced more enzyme production. Addition of carbon source in the form of glucose and nitrogen source as soy bean meal increased protease production to 451.4 U/ ml and 465 U/ml respectively.

Regular Article Optimization and cultural characterization of alkalophilic protease producing Bacillus sp. GPA4

A new bacterial isolate belonging to Genus Bacillus coded as GPA4 was analyzed for protease activity. The strain GPA4 had the ability to produce extracellular protease. Nutrient media supplemented with 0.1% of casein showed maximum production of protease of 305 U/ml during the  stationary phase. Maximum growth of the organism was observed at pH 7 but alkaline pH favored protease production. An increased level of 390  U/ml of enzyme was produced at pH 8. At 30oC under mild shaking conditions 100 rpm it  produced 399.4 U/ml of enzyme compared to static and shaking incubation at 37o C. Among different metals, addition of Zn2+ induced more enzyme  production. Addition of carbon source in the form of glucose and nitrogen source as soy bean meal increased protease production to 451.4 U/ ml and 465 U/ml respectively.

Vijayalakshmi S

Papers

Production, optimisation and engine characteristics of beef tallow biodiesel rendered from leather fleshing and slaughterhouse wastes

Screening of alkalophilic thermophilic protease isolated from Bacillus RV.B2.90 for Industrial applications

Production of bio-gas from flowers and vegetable wastes using anaerobic digestion

Regular Article Optimization and cultural characterization of alkalophilic protease producing Bacillus sp. GPA4

Optimization and cultural characterization of alkalophilic protease producing Bacillus sp. GPA4