Ethanol fermentation of sugarcane molasses by Zymomonas mobilis MTCC 92 immobilized in Luffa cylindrica L. sponge discs and Ca-alginate matrices

Bio-ethanol production from cane molasses (diluted to 15 % sugar w/v) was studied using the bacterium, Zymomonas mobilis MTCC 92 entrapped in luffa (Luffa cylindrica L.) sponge discs and Ca-alginate gel beads as the immobilizing matrices. At the end of 96 h fermentation, the final ethanol concentrations were 58.7 ± 0.09 and 59.1 ± 0.08 g/l molasses with luffa and Ca-alginate entrapped Z. mobilis cells, respectively exhibiting 83.25 ± 0.03 and 84.6 ± 0.02 % sugar conversion. There was no statistical significant difference (Fischer's LSD) in sugar utilization (t = 0.254, p <0.801) and ethanol production (t =-0.663, p <0.513) between the two immobilization matrices used. Further, the immobilized cells in both the matrices were physiologically active for three more cycles of operation with less than 15 % decrease in ethanol yield in the 4th cycle, which was due to some leakage of cells. In conclusion, luffa sponge was found to be equally good as Ca-alginate as a carrier material for bacterial (Z. mobilis. cell immobilization for ethanol production. Further, it has added advantages such as it is cheap, non-corrosive and has no environmental hazard.

Chemical and biological studies of Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. Seeds growing in Egypt

The crude expressed oil of Luffa aegyptiaca Mill seeds [18% w/w] [family Cucurbitaceae] was subjected to physical and chemical investigations. GC/MS analysis of the expressed oil revealed that it is built up mostly of linoleic [51.14%], palmitic [21.06%] and oleic [19.30%] acids beside lesser amounts of stearic [7.57%] myristic [0.70%] and eicosanic [0.23%] acids. Vitamin E was determined in the expressed oil by HPLC analysis and found to be 0.015%. In addition a mixture of free fatty acids; palmitic [58.89%] and stearic [41.11%] acids were isolated from the petroleum ether percolate. Identification of constituents was done through GLC analysis and comparing the relative retention time of peaks with those of authentic materials. The expressed oil showed significant anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and moderate progesterone like effects. The oil also exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities