Biofuels obtained from first-generation (1G) sugars-starch streams have been proven unsustainable as their constant consumption is not only significantly costly for commercial scale production systems, but it could potentially lead to problems associated with extortionate food items for human usage. In this regard, biofuels’ production in alkali-thermophilic environs from second-generation (2G) bio-waste would not only be markedly feasible, but these extreme conditions might be able to sustain aseptic fermentations without spending much for sterilization. Present investigation deals with the valuation of ethanologenic potential of locally isolated moderate alkali-thermophilic fermentative bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis KU886221 employing sugarcane cane bagasse (SCB) as substrate. A standard 2-factor central composite response surface design was used to estimate the optimized cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymatic hydrolysis of SCB into maximum fermentable sugars. After elucidation of optimized levels of fermentation factors affecting ethanol fermentation using Taguchi OA L27 (3^13) experimental design, free cell batch culture was carried out in bench-scale stirred-tank bioreactor for ethanol fermentation. Succeeding fermentation modifications included subsequent substrate addition, immobilized cells fibrous-bed bioreactor (FBB) incorporation to the basic setup, and performance of in situ gas stripping for attaining improved ethanol yield. Highest ethanol yield of 1.1406 mol ethanol/mol of equivalent sugars consumed was obtained when gas stripping was performed during fed-batch fermentation involving FBB under aseptic conditions. Despite the fact that under non-aseptic conditions, 30.5% lesser ethanol was formed, still, reduced yield might be considered influential as it saved the cost of sterilization for ethanol production. Effectual utilization of low-priced abundantly available lignocellulosic waste sugarcane bagasse under non-aseptic moderate alkali-thermophilic fermentation conditions as directed in this study has appeared very promising for large-scale cost-effective bioethanol generation processes.

Cirrhinus mrigala is an important edible fish with a significant aquaculture contribution in Southeast Asian countries. The current study aims to enhance our understanding of the developmental biology of Cirrhinus mrigala, which is crucial for implementing sustainable fish farming practices. To induce spermiation and ovulation in Cirrhinus mrigala brooders, the synthetic hormone Ovaprim^® (GnRH + dopamine inhibitor) was administrated as a single injection dose of 0.2 mL/kg to males and 0.4 mL/kg to females. After induction, the fish spawned, and the eggs produced were fertilized artificially and cell division commenced successfully. The characteristics of each larval developmental stage were closely observed and recorded using a time-lapse imaging technique. The fertilized eggs were spherical, demersal, and non-adhesive throughout their incubation period. The spawned eggs ranged in diameter from 2.1 mm to 2.13 mm and possessed circular yolk sacs. The gastrula stage initiated approximately 4 h after fertilization, with 25% of the yolk sphere covered by blastoderm, reaching 75% coverage at the end of the gastrula stage, approximately 6 h post fertilization. Organogenesis was marked by the formation of notochord and the visibility of rudimentary organs such as the heart, eyes, and gills, followed by tail movement, which was observed at the time of hatching. Compared to other cyprinid fishes, C. mrigala exhibited distinct features at certain stages of embryonic development. Blood circulation was observed to start at the onset of hatching. The lengths of the newly hatched larvae ranged from 2.9 to 3.2 mm, smaller than other reports on induced breeding in carps. The findings of the present study provide a detailed reference for the embryonic development of C. mrigala, which will assist its future research endeavors and large-scale seed production for sustainable aquaculture.

Today, global focus of research is to explore the solution of energy crisis and environmental pollution. Like other agricultural countries, bulk quantities of watermelon peels (WMP) are disposed-off in environment as waste in Pakistan and appropriate management of this waste is the need of hour to save environment from pollution. The work emphasizes the role of ethanologenic yeasts to utilize significant sugars present in WMP for low-cost bioethanol fermentation. Dilute hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of WMP was carried out on optimized conditions employing RSM (response surface methodology) following central composite design (CCD). This experimental design is based on optimization of ethanologenesis involving some key independent parameters such as WMP hydrolysate and synthetic media ratio (X1), incubation temperature (X2) and incubation temperature (X3) for maximal ethanol yield exploiting standard (Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7) as well as experimental (Metchnikowia cibodasensisY34) yeasts. The results revealed that maximal ethanol yields obtained from S. cerevisiae K7 was 0.36±0.02 g/g of reducing sugars whereas M. cibodasensisY34, yielded 0.40±0.01 g ethanol/g of reducing sugars. The yeast isolate M. cibodasensisY34 appeared as promising ethanologen and embodies prospective potential for fermentative valorization of WMP-to-bioethanol.

The world’s growing energy demands, driven by transportation, heating, and industrial processes, continue to drive up prices of oil and natural gas. However, the global depletion of non-renewable e...