Guar gum based hydrogel as controlled micronutrient delivery system: Mechanism and kinetics of boron release for agricultural applications.

A boron loaded super-absorbent hydrogel (BLSAH) was developed through in situ incorporation of boron (B) in a guar gum-based hydrogel and characterized with FTIR, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and swelling studies, showing maximum absorption up to 356 g/g. The release pattern of B from the BLSAH and its kinetics was studied in water as well as soil. The B release pattern of the BLSAH was also compared with the commercial B fertilizer, boronated single super phosphate (bSSP). The BLSAH, following the Fickian mechanism, released 38% B, as compared with 51% of the bSSP, during the incubation period of 30 days in soil. The half-life period for the BLSAH (96.25 days) in soil was almost triple that of the bSSP's half-life (33.32 days), which is indicative of the slow and controlled release of B from the BLSAH. Thus, owing to its sustained nutrient release ability, the synthesized BLSAH exhibited wide potential for applications in agriculture sector.

Design and development of guar gum based novel, superabsorbent and moisture retaining hydrogels for agricultural applications.

The novel hydrogels were synthesized by grafting guar gum with acrylic acid and cross-linking with ethylene glycol di methacrylic acid (EGDMA). The synthesis of hydrogel was confirmed by characterization through 13C NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM micrography, thermo-gravimetric analysis and water absorption studies under different solutions. Synthesized hydrogel (GG-AA-EGDMA) was confirmed to be biodegradable with half-life period of 77 days through soil burial biodegradation studies. The effects of hydrogel treatment on soil were evaluated by studying various physico-chemical properties of soil like bulk density, porosity, water absorption and retention capacity etc. The hydrogel which could absorb up to 800 ml water per gram, after addition to soil, improved its porosity, moisture absorption and retention capacity significantly. Water holding capacity of water increased up to 54% of its original and porosity also increased up to 9% of its original. The synthesized hydrogel revealed tremendous potential as soil conditioning material for agricultural applications.

Borax cross-linked guar gum hydrogels as potential adsorbents for water purification.

With the aim to explore new adsorbents for water purification, guar gum based hydrogels were synthesized by cross-linking with borax at different percentage. The cross-linking was confirmed through characterization by FTIR spectroscopy, SEM morphology, thermal studies and water absorption capacity. To examine the adsorption/absorption performance of different grades of hydrogels, their flocculation efficiency was studied in kaolin suspension at different pH by standard jar test procedure. The flocculation efficiency of the test materials was compared with the commercially used coagulant, alum and also residues of Al and K left in the treated water were comparatively studied. The synthesized hydrogels were also tested for their efficiency of removing Aniline Blue dye by UV-vis spectrophotometer study. The best grade hydrogel outperformed alum, at extremely low concentration and also showed dye removing efficiency up to 94%. The single step synthesized green products thus exhibited great potential as water purifying agents.

Guar gum as a promising starting material for diverse applications: A review.

Guar gum is the powdered endosperm of the seeds of the Cyamopsis tetragonolobus which is a leguminous crop. The endosperm contains a complex polysaccharide called galactomannan, which is a polymer of d-galactose and d-mannose. This hydroxyl group rich polymer when added to water forms hydrogen bonding imparting significant viscosity and thickening to the solution. Due to its thickening, emulsifying, binding and gelling properties, quick solubility in cold water, wide pH stability, film forming ability and biodegradability, it finds applications in large number of industries. In last few decades a lot of research has been done on guar gum to fit it into particular application, as such or by its structural modifications. This review gives an overview of the nature, chemistry and properties of guar gum and discusses recent developments in its modifications and applications in major industries like hydraulic fracturing, explosives, food, agriculture, textile, paper, cosmetics, bioremediation, drug delivery, medical and pharmaceuticals. This article would help researchers engaged in biopolymer area and other end-users who want to begin research in natural polysaccharides.

Cationic inulin: a plant based natural biopolymer for algal biomass harvesting.

The synthesis of cationic inulin (CI) and its application in algal biomass harvesting have been investigated. (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC) was used as the etherifying reagent to introduce quaternary amine groups onto the backbone of the biopolymer. The resulting cationized adduct was characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as intrinsic viscosity measurement, elemental analysis (C, H, N and O), FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The algal flocculation efficacy of the synthesized product was studied through standard jar test procedure. High removal efficiency of 88.61% within 15 min was achieved at the optimal flocculant dosage (60 mg/L), for fresh water green algae, viz., Botryococcus sp.

A novel polymeric flocculant based on polyacrylamide grafted inulin: aqueous microwave assisted synthesis.

Polyacrylamide grafted inulin (In-g-PAM) was synthesized via aqueous microwave assisted method (using ceric ammonium nitrate in synergism with microwave in aqueous medium). The intended grafting of the PAM chains on polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through standard physicochemical characterization techniques, namely intrinsic viscosity measurement, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N and O), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Flocculation efficacy of various grades of synthesized grafted product was studied in coal fines suspension, in relation to inulin (parent polysaccharide). This was done utilizing jar test and settling test procedure, towards possible application as a flocculant for coal washery effluents.

Carboxymethyl inulin: a novel flocculant for wastewater treatment.

Carboxymethyl inulin (CMI) has been synthesized by incorporation of carboxymethyl groups in the inulin framework; by reacting inulin with sodium salt of monochloro acetic acid (SMCA) in presence of sodium hydroxide. The resulting carboxymethylated product, with different degrees of substitution, has been confirmed through various physicochemical characterization techniques, such as intrinsic viscosity measurement, elemental analysis (C, H, N and O), FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Flocculation efficacy of various grades of CMI, have been studied in kaolin suspension and then in municipal wastewater, in relation to inulin (parent polysaccharide). This has been done utilizing jar-test procedure towards possible application as a flocculant for waste water treatment.

Synthesis and applications of poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) grafted agar: a microwave based approach.

Synthesis of graft copolymers under the influence of microwave radiation alone is a rapid, efficient, clean, cheap, convenient, energy-saving and green method. Grafting of poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) on agar backbone was carried out under the influence of microwave radiation. The synthesis is optimized in terms of percentage grafting and intrinsic viscosity, by varying the microwave irradiation time and monomer (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) concentration. The synthesized graft copolymers have been characterized by intrinsic viscosity measurement, FTIR spectroscopy, UV-spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, & S), thermal studies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Flocculation efficacy of the synthesized graft copolymers was studied in 0.25% kaolin and 1% coal fine suspension, through 'jar test' procedure. Further, flocculation efficacy of the best grade, coagulant (alum) and agar were studied for possible application in remediation of metals from river water.

Polyacrylamide grafted Agar: synthesis and applications of conventional and microwave assisted technique.

Polyacrylamide grafted Agar (Ag-g-PAM) has been successfully synthesized by conventional method and microwave assisted method. The former method employs ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as the free radical initiator while the latter uses the combination of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) and microwave irradiation. The synthesized graft copolymers have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, O and S), FTIR spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity measurement and scanning electron micrograph (SEM); taking agar as a reference. Flocculation efficacy of synthesized graft copolymers was studied in kaolin suspension and in waste water through 'Jar test' procedure. In the present investigation, we have observed that polyacrylamide grafted agar synthesized by microwave assisted technique shows superior properties than conventional technique. These properties are reported in terms of intrinsic viscosity, flocculation efficacy and pollutant load reduction of waste water.

Hydrogeochemical processes controlling the high fluoride concentration in groundwater: a case study at the Boden block area, Orissa, India.

The present investigation reports the assessment of hydrochemical/geochemical processes controlling the concentration of fluoride in groundwater of a village in India (Boden block, Orissa). Boden block is one of the severely affected fluoride-contaminated areas in the state of Orissa (India). The sampling and subsequent analysis of water samples of the study area was carried out following standard prescribed methods. The results of the analysis indicate that 36.60% groundwater F(-) concentration exceeds the limit prescribed by the World Health Organization for drinking water. The rock interaction with groundwater containing high concentration of HCO(3)(-) and Na(+) at a higher pH value of the medium could be one of the important reasons for the release of F(-) from the aquatic matrix into groundwater. Geochemical classification of groundwater based on Chadha rectangular diagram shows that most of the groundwater samples having fluoride concentration more than 1.5 mg L(-1) belongs to the Na-K-HCO(3) type. The saturation index values evaluated for the groundwater of the study area indicated that it is oversaturated with respect to calcite, whereas the same is undersaturated with respect to fluorite content. The deficiency of calcium ion concentration in the groundwater from calcite precipitation favors fluorite dissolution leading to excess of fluoride concentration. The risk index was calculated as a function of fluoride level in drinking water and morbidity of fluorosis categorizes high risk for villages of Amera and Karlakote panchayat of Boden block.

Microwave assisted synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted gum ghatti and its application as flocculant.

Polyacrylamide chains (PAM) were grafted onto the backbone of gum ghatti by microwave assisted method. The grafting of the PAM chains on the polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H & N) and SEM morphology study. The intrinsic viscosity of gum ghatti appreciably improved on grafting of PAM chains, thus resulting grafted product with potential application as superior viscosifier. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied initially in kaolin suspension and then in municipal wastewater through 'Jar test' procedure, toward possible application as flocculant for wastewater treatment.

Microwave assisted synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted starch (St-g-PAM) and its applicability as flocculant for water treatment.

Polyacrylamide grafted starch (St-g-PAM) was made by a novel method of synthesis, involving combination of microwave radiation and a chemical free radical initiator (ceric ammonium nitrate) to initiate grafting reaction. This method (microwave assisted synthesis) is quick, highly reliable, reproducible and yields high quality product as compared to the conventional method (which uses a chemical free radical initiator alone to initiate the grafting reaction).The St-g-PAM grades synthesized were characterized by various physicochemical techniques. Further, its application as flocculant for wastewater treatment was investigated.

Microwave initiated synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted guar gum (GG-g-PAM)-Characterizations and application as matrix for controlled release of 5-amino salicylic acid.

This paper details the study of applicability of microwave initiated synthesized polyacrylamide grafted guar gum (GG-g-PAM) as matrix for controlled release of 5-amino salicylic acid (a drug used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis). In vitro release of this drug from various grades of GG-g-PAM has been studied by USP dissolution method (paddle type). The effect of percentage grafting on the rate of drug release has been investigated. The power of the microwave oven and other factors being kept constant, the percentage grafting in turn is dependent on the net time of exposure to microwave irradiation; thus a correlation can be drawn between net time of irradiation and rate of drug release (from the matrix). This holds the promise of a tailor-made matrix, with the rate of drug release being precisely programmed at the molecular level. Further, the drug release study was carried out in different pH medium, to investigate the possibility of pH triggered release for colon targeted drug delivery (where the pH is alkaline).

Water quality assessment of Majhiaon block of Garwa district in Jharkhand with special focus on fluoride analysis.

Fluoride in groundwater is known to contaminate the water sources globally. Jharkhand, one of the states in the eastern part of India, is known to have excessive fluoride content in groundwater sources. The present work involves assessment of water quality with special reference to fluoride in Majhiaon block of Garwa district in Jharkhand. Iron, nitrate and arsenic were also tested for the water samples collected from site. Eight hundred forty samples were tested for fluoride on site using colourimetry method, and one tenth of the samples were brought to laboratory for iron, nitrate, arsenic and fluoride analysis. Results show that 402 samples were having fluoride above permissible limit. Iron and nitrate were found to be beyond permissible limits in 302 and 286 water samples, respectively. More than 50% of samples collected from school had fluoride levels above permissible limits. Arsenic was well within the limits. However, few samples shown were excessive of iron and nitrate.

Extraction of metal ions using chemically modified silica gel covalently bonded with 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone-salicylaldehyde Schiff bases.

Two new chelating materials (Si-DDE-o-HB, and Si-DDS-o-HB) were synthesized by modifying the activated silica gel phase with Schiff bases of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether (DDE)/4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) and o-hydroxybenzaldehyde (o-HB). The synthesized materials were characterized by FTIR and BET surface area measurement techniques. The extraction of metal ions such as Zn2+, Mn2+ and Cr3+ by the chelating material Si-DDE-o-HB was found to be higher than that by Si-DDS-o-HB. The order of metal sorption was found to be Zn2+ > Mn2+ > Cr3+. The correlation coefficients for Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were compared for the sorption of Zn2+ onto the chelating material. The loading and elution of the metal ion solution was examined at optimum pH 7.5 and 0.5 cm3 min-1 flow rate of the solution using a column technique. The preconcentration factor for the elution of Zn2+ using dilute HNO3 was found to be 66.2 with a breakthrough volume of 15 cm3. The data obtained for the preconcentration of Zn2+ by the column technique suggested that the material Si-DDE-o-HB can find industrial applications.