Synergistic effect by Sorghum bicolor L., citric acid, biochar, and vermiwash amendment for the remediation of a mine-contaminated soil.

Phytoremediation is an in situ remediation and eco-friendly technique employing accumulator plant species to remove trace elements (TEs) from contaminated sites. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that both natural and synthetic amendments can enhance trace elements (TEs) phytoremediation from polluted soils through bioenergy crops. This work assessed the synergistic impact of two tested biochar (BC) from data palm (B1) and Prosopis (B2) (1.5%/ kg), citric acid (CA, 1.5 mmol/kg) and vermiwash (VW, 20 ml/kg) to enhance the remediation of tested TEs (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Fe) from Mahad AD'Dahab mine-contaminated soil by sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). The BC and CA amendments alone and combined with VW significantly augmented the proliferation and survival of sorghum grown in mine-contaminated soil. Considering the individual and combined applications of VW and BC, the influence on plant growth followed this order: K < VW < B2 < B1 < B1 + VW < B2 + VW < CA < CA + VW. Applying tested BC/CA and VW significantly increased chlorophyll compared to unamended soil. The outcomes revealed a substantial elevation in TE absorption in both shoot and root (p ≤ 0.05) with all tested treatments compared to the untreated soil (K). The combined application of CA and VW resulted in the most significant TE uptake of TEs at both the root and the shoot. Furthermore, adding CA or VW as a foliar spray enhanced the bioaccumulation factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) of studied metals. The combined addition of CA and foliar spraying of VW was more effective than the sole addition of CA or VW. Such increase reached 20.0%, 15.6%, 19.4%, 14.3%, 14.0%, and 25.6% of TF, and 13.7%, 11.9%, 8.3%, 20.9%, 20.5%,18.7%, and 19.8% of BCE for Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively. This study highlights the efficiency of combining CA/BC with VW as a more viable option for remediating mine-contaminated soil than individual amendments. However, future research should prioritize long-term field trials to assess the efficiency of using citric acid and vermiwash for restoring contaminated mining soils.

Effects of Particle Size on Mechanical Properties and Forming Accuracy of Prosopis chilensis Powder/Polyethersulfone Composites Produced via Selective Laser Sintering.

Wood-plastic composites are becoming increasingly recognized for their sustainability and their potential for use in various production processes. Nevertheless, enhancing their mechanical strength continues to be a difficult challenge. The objective of this research was to improve the mechanical strength of wood-plastic composite components manufactured through selective laser sintering (SLS). This was achieved by integrating a sustainable composite material, Prosopis chilensis (PCP), with polyethersulfone (PES) to form a composite referred to as PCPC. This study showcased the effect of various PCP particle sizes on mechanical strengths, dimensional accuracies (DAs), and surface roughness of PCPC parts manufactured using AFS-360 SLS. Single-layer sintering was employed to assess PCPC powder's formability with varying PCP particle sizes, and various tests were conducted to understand the materials' thermal properties and analyze particle dispersion and microstructure. The results demonstrated that PCP particle sizes ≤ 0.125 mm significantly enhanced the mechanical strength, forming quality, and DA compared to other particle sizes and pure PES. Key findings for PCPC parts with PCP ≤ 0.125 mm included a bending strength of 10.78 MPa, a tensile strength of 4.94 MPa, an impact strength of 0.91 kJ/m2, and a density of 1.003 g/cm3. Post-processing further improved these parameters, confirming that optimizing PCP particle size is crucial for enhancing the mechanical properties and overall quality of PCPC parts produced via SLS.

Prosopis africana exerts neuroprotective activity against quaternary metal mixture-induced memory impairment mediated by oxido-inflammatory response via Nrf2 pathway.

The beneficial effects of Prosopis africana (PA) on human health have been demonstrated; however, its protective effects against heavy metals (HM) are not yet understood. This study evaluated the potential neuroprotective effects of PA in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. To accomplish this, we divided 35 albino Sprague Dawley rats into five groups. Group I did not receive either heavy metal mixture (HMM) or PA. Group II received a HMM of PbCl2 (20 mg/kg), CdCl2 (1.61 mg/kg), HgCl2 (0.40 mg/kg), and NaAsO3 (10 mg/kg) orally for a period of two months. Groups III, IV, and V received HMM along with PA at doses of 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg, respectively. PA caused decreased levels of HM accumulation in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum and improved performance in the Barnes maze and rotarod tests. PA significantly reduced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. PA increased concentrations of SOD, CAT, GSH, and Hmox-1 and decreased the activities of AChE and Nrf2. In addition, levels of MDA and NO decreased in groups III, IV, and V, along with an increase in the number of live neurons. In conclusion, PA demonstrates a complex neuroprotective effect with the potential to alleviate various aspects of HM-induced neurotoxicity.

Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Remote Sensing to Detect Prosopis juliflora Invasion: Environmental Drivers and Community Insights in Rangelands of Kenya.

The remarkable adaptability and rapid proliferation of Prosopis juliflora have led to its invasive status in the rangelands of Kenya, detrimentally impacting native vegetation and biodiversity. Exacerbated by human activities such as overgrazing, deforestation, and land degradation, these conditions make the spread and management of this species a critical ecological concern. This study assesses the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing in monitoring the invasion of Prosopis juliflora in Baringo County, Kenya. We investigated the environmental drivers, including weather conditions, land cover, and biophysical attributes, that influence its distinction from native vegetation. By analyzing data on the presence and absence of Prosopis juliflora, coupled with datasets on weather, land cover, and elevation, we identified key factors facilitating its detection. Our findings highlight the Decision Tree/Random Forest classifier as the most effective, achieving a 95% accuracy rate in instance classification. Key variables such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for February, precipitation, land cover type, and elevation were significant in the accurate identification of Prosopis juliflora. Community insights reveal varied perspectives on the impact of Prosopis juliflora, with differing views based on professional experiences with the species. Integrating these technological advancements with local knowledge, this research contributes to developing sustainable management practices tailored to the unique ecological and social challenges posed by this invasive species. Our results highlight the contribution of advanced technologies for environmental management and conservation within rangeland ecosystems.

Cd2+ removal efficiency of activated carbon from Prosopis juliflora: Optimization of preparation parameters by the Box-Behnken Design of Response Surface Methodology.

The study focuses on the preparation of activated carbon from Prosopis juliflora (PJAC) wood by pyrolysis and chemical activation. The objective is to assess its effectiveness as an adsorbent for synthesizing a composite adsorbent coating (CAC) for Cadmium (Cd2+) removal from aqueous solution. The effect of preparation factors related to Cd2+ removal efficiency was assessed. The Design of Experiments (DoE) for the adsorption of Cd2+ on the PJAC were done using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) of the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) (Design Expert software version 11). The influence of impregnation ratio (IR), carbonization time (t), and carbonization temperature (T) on the Cd (II) percent (%) removal was evaluated. The response surface graphs in 3D were also generated for the response variable, and the higher R2 coefficient values were fitted into the polynomial quadric model. The results indicated that all the variable preparation factors were significant in the Cd2+ removal by PJAC with carbonization temperature being the most significant. At the optimum conditions i.e. impregnation ratio (1.8), carbonization temperature (595 °C) and carbonization time (174 min), the model predicted a 99.9 % Cd2+ removal efficiency while the adsorption experiment obtained a 96.7 % removal efficiency, respectively. Later, the morphological and chemical properties of the PJAC prepared with optimal parameters were analyzed using different characterization techniques including SBET, SEM-EDX, pHPZC, FTIR and XRD. The SEM images revealed a rough and porous morphological surface with an SBET of 600.4 m2/g and a near neutral pHPZC of 6.92. The XRD pattern indicated the crystalline nature of the prepared adsorbent. The pre and post adsorption FTIR spectrum of the PJAC demonstrated a distinct difference with the latter showing a reduction in peak intensity and height. These results underpin the potential of utilizing invasive plants like Prosopis Juliflora as adsorbents for heavy metal removal.

Influence of bioaugmented fungi on tolerance, growth and phytoremediation ability of Prosopis juliflora Sw. DC in heavy metal-polluted landfill soil.

The research aimed to determine the influence of endophytic fungi on tolerance, growth and phytoremediation ability of Prosopis juliflora in heavy metal-polluted landfill soil. A consortium of 13 fungal isolates as well as Prosopis juliflora Sw. DC was used to decontaminate heavy metal-polluted landfill soil. Enhanced plant growth (biomass and root and shoot lengths) and production of carotenoids, chlorophyll and amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-leucine that are known to enhance growth were found in the treated P. juliflora. Better accumulations of heavy metals were observed in fungi-treated P. juliflora over the untreated one. An upregulated activity of peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase was recorded in fungi-treated P. juliflora. Additionally, other metabolites, such as glutathione, 3,5,7,2',5'-pentahydroxyflavone, 5,2'-dihydroxyflavone and 5,7,2',3'-tetrahydroxyflavone, and small peptides, which include Lys Gln Ile, Ser Arg Ala, Asp Arg Gly, Arg Ser Ser, His His Arg, Arg Thr Glu, Thr Arg Asp and Ser Pro Arg, were also detected. These provide defence supports to P. juliflora against toxic metals. Inoculating the plant with the fungi improved its growth, metal accumulation as well as tolerance against heavy metal toxicity. Such a combination can be used as an effective strategy for the bioremediation of metal-polluted soil.

Attenuation of cannabis withdrawal symptoms by Prosopis farcta extract, its luteolin and melatonin in mice: Involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dopamine.

The aim of this study was the identification of luteolin in Prosopis farcta extract (PFE) and melatonin to evaluate its effect on THC withdrawal syndrome in mice. Luteolin was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPCL). Signs of toxicity of mice in PFE and luteolin were monitored for LD50 calculation. The behavioral symptoms of THC withdrawal (stereotypies, ambulation, and inactivity time) induced by the rimonabant challenge were illustrated in THC-dependent mice receiving PFE, luteolin, and melatonin. The expression of mature BDNF (mBDNF) was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The dopamine concentrations were measured using HPLC. PFE and luteolin LD50 were 650 and 220 mg/kg, respectively. PFE (300 mg/kg), all doses of luteolin, and melatonin increased significantly the mBDNF expression and decreased the dopamine concentration. The findings suggest that PFE, luteolin, and melatonin are mighty in reducing the signs of THC withdrawal. It seems these effects were due to a decrease in dopamine concentration level and an increase in mBDNF protein expression in mice brains.

Incorporation of Prosopis cineraria Extract Improved the Mechanical, Barrier and Antioxidant Properties but Not the Antibacterial Activity of Tigertooth croaker Fish Scale Gelatin Film.

Scale gelatin films derived from croaker fish and infused with Prosopis (Prosopis cineraria) extract (PE) at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.7% were produced. A control film, void of extract, was employed for comparative purposes. The thickness of each film was found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The results show that the highest solubility (78.57 ± 3.57%) was found for the glycerol film, and the least permeability was found for the water vapor (0.74 ± 0.09 ×10-10g s-1m-1Pa-1); however, the water vapor permeability (WVP) and water solubility (WS) of the films that contained PE were considerably lower than those of the control film (p < 0.05). In contrast to the control film, those infused with 0.7% PE exhibited exceptional UV-barrier properties (>99%) and favorable thermal characteristics. The highest and lowest antioxidant activities were found for the 7% Prosopis cineraria extract (56.96 ± 2.6%) and the glycerol film (40.66 ± 2.46%), respectively. No antibacterial activity was observed in these films. Microscopic pictures showed that all three films had a uniform and plain surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) analysis revealed distinct amide bands and protein-polyphenol interactions within the films that contained the extract.

Plant-soil feedback and plant invasion: effect of soil conditioning on native and invasive Prosopis species using the plant functional trait approach.

Introduction: Invasive species have been identified as a major threat to native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide due to their superiority in spread and growth. Such superiority is explained by the invasional meltdown phenomena, which suggests that invasive species facilitate the establishment of more invasive species rather than native species by modifying the plant-soil feedback (PSF). Methods: We conducted a two-phase plant-soil feedback experiment using the native Prosopis cineraria and the invasive Prosopis juliflora in Oman. Firstly, we conditioned the soil by planting seedlings of native species, invasive species, native and invasive species "mixed", and unconditioned soil served as a control. Secondly, we tested the feedback of these four conditioned soil on the two species separately by measuring the productivity (total biomass) and the performance in the form of plant functional traits (plant height, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen content (Nmass), leaf carbon content (Cmass) and specific root length (SRL) of native and invasive species as well as the nutrient availability in soil (soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN)). Results and discussion: We found that the native species produced more biomass, best performance, and higher SOC and STN when grown in soil conditioned by native species, additionally, it gave lower biomass, reduced performance, and lower SOC and STN when grown in the soil conditioned by invasive and mixed species. These results suggest negative PSF for native species and positive PSF for invasive species in the soil conditioned by invasive species, which can be considered as red flag concerning the restoration of P. cineraria as an important native species in Oman, as such positive PSF of the invasive species P. juliflora will inhibit the regeneration of P. cineraria.

Quantifying shrub-shrub competition in drylands using aerial imagery and a novel landscape competition index.

The Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research Site (JRN-LTER, or JRN) is a semiarid grassland-shrubland in southern New Mexico, USA. The role of intraspecific competition in constraining shrub growth and establishment at the JRN and in arid systems, in general, is an important question in dryland studies. Using information on shrub distributions and growth habits at the JRN, we present a novel landscape-scale (c. 1 ha) metric (the 'competition index', CI), which quantifies the potential intensity of competitive interactions. We map and compare the intensity of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa, Torr.) competition spatially and temporally across the JRN-LTER, investigating associations of CI with shrub distribution, density, and soil types. The CI metric shows strong correlation with values of percent cover. Mapping CI across the Jornada Basin shows that high-intensity intraspecific competition is not prevalent, with few locations where intense competition is likely to be limiting further honey mesquite expansion. Comparison of CI among physiographic provinces shows differences in average CI values associated with geomorphology, topography, and soil type, suggesting that edaphic conditions may impose important constraints on honey mesquite and growth. However, declining and negative growth rates with increasing CI suggest that intraspecific competition constrains growth rates when CI increases above c. 0.5.

Enhancement of biosorption capability of imidazolium-based ionic liquid-treated Prosopis juliflora for the removal of malachite green from wastewater.

Due to its toxicity effect, treating toxic pollutants discharged from textile effluent is challenging for living beings. In the present study, the comparative biosorption potential of imidazolium-based ionic liquid-treated Prosopis juliflora (ILPJS) and untreated P. juliflora (PJS) was investigated for the removal of toxic pollutant, malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution. The textural, surface morphology, and functional analysis of ILPJS and PJS were examined using BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) analysis, SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) analysis, and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis. Textural property (BET surface area) and surface morphology containing irregular heterogeneous surface for ILPJS were significantly improved than PJS, thereby facilitating significant biosorption of MG. Based on the conventional optimization studies, the essential biosorption parameters for the removal of MG using ILPJS were found to be: initial pH (9.0), contact time (30 min), and biosorbent dosage (0.2 g). The maximum biosorption capacity of PJS and ILPJS were obtained to be 6.91 and 13.64 mg/g at 40 °C, respectively. The spontaneous and endothermic biosorption of MG was confirmed by thermodynamic analysis. The regeneration study indicated the greater reusability of ILPJS and PJS for MG removal till the fifth cycle. Based on the previous literature, this is the first report comparing the removal of toxic pollutant MG using ILPJS and PJS.

Prosopis juliflora is an invasive weed that causes a severe challenge to ecological diversity and rural livelihoods due to the continuous consumption of water throughout the year, leading to the depletion of groundwater reserves. To control its invasion and growth, weed has been applied as biosorbents to remove toxic pollutant, malachite green (MG). This is the first report comparing the pretreatment of P. juliflora using imidazolium-based ionic liquid (ILPJS) with raw P. juliflora (PJS) for the biosorption of MG. The biosorption capacity of ILPJS for MG removal was 1.97 times higher than PJS. The enhancement in biosorption capacity might be the possibility of better textural and surface morphology of chemically treated P. juliflora. Thermodynamic studies revealed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the biosorption of MG on PJS. With the invasion of this weed over thousands of hectares of land in India, PJS is the ideal biosorbent for removing toxic chemical pollutants and preserving the groundwater level.

Cationic and anionic detergent buffers in sequence yield high-quality genomic DNA from diverse plant species.

Because of the heterogeneity among seedlings of outbreeding species, the use of seedling tissues as a source of DNA is unsuitable for the genomic characterization of elite germplasms. High-quality DNA, free of RNA, proteins, polysaccharides, secondary metabolites, and shearing, is mandatory for downstream molecular biology applications, especially for next-generation genome sequencing and pangenome analysis aiming to capture the complete genetic diversity within a species. The study aimed to accomplish an efficient protocol for the extraction of high-quality DNA suitable for diverse plant species/tissues. We describe a reliable, and consistent protocol suitable for the extraction of DNA from 42 difficult-to-extract plant species belonging to 33 angiosperm (monocot and dicot) families, including tissues such as seeds, roots, endosperm, and flower/fruit tissues. The protocol was first optimized for the outbreeding recalcitrant trees viz., Prosopis cineraria, Conocarpus erectus, and Phoenix dactylifera, which are rich in proteins, polysaccharides, and secondary metabolites, and the quality of the extracted DNA was confirmed by downstream applications. Nine procedures were attempted to extract high-quality, impurities-free DNA from these three plant species. Extraction of the ethanol-precipitated DNA from cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) buffer, i.e., the extraction using a cationic (CTAB) detergent followed by an anionic (SDS) detergent was the key for high yield and high purity (1.75-1.85 against A260/280 and an A260/230 ratio of >2) DNA. A vice versa extraction procedure, i.e., SDS buffer followed by CTAB buffer, and also CTAB buffer followed by CTAB, did not yield good-quality DNA. PCR (using different primers) and restriction endonuclease digestion of the DNA extracted from these three plants validated the protocol. The accomplishment of the genome of P. cineraria using the DNA extracted using the modified protocol confirmed its applicability to genomic studies. The optimized protocol successful in extracting high-quality DNA from diverse plant species/tissues extends its applicability and is useful for accomplishing genome sequences of elite germplasm of recalcitrant plant species with quality reads.

Genetic diversity of the chemical composition and pod production of Prosopis juliflora trees grown in Saudi Arabia.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate pod and chemical component traits and the genetic diversity of Prosopis juliflora genotypes at two locations. The selected locations were in the middle (Qassim region) and western (Jeddah region) areas, representing two agro-climatic zones of Saudi Arabia. The measured pod characteristics included production, weight, length, filling period, and chemical composition. A wide range of variations in pod yield and chemical traits were observed in the different agro-climatic regions. The results revealed that the mean values ranged from 9.5 kg tree-1 (Jeddah) to 14.2 kg tree-1 (Qassim) for pod yield, 3.1 g pod-1 (Qassim) to 3.7 g pod-1 (Jeddah) for pod weight, and 14.8 cm (Qassim) to 16.6 cm (Jiddah) for pod length. The results of genetic diversity indicated that Prosopis genotypes in each location were distributed in three different clusters in the two regions at 60 Euclidean distances. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the two components (PC1 and PC2) explained 25.03 % and 20.03 % of the overall variance, respectively, which is over 45 % of the variability. The heatmap revealed that genotypes Q20, Q21, and Q24 at the Qassim location and genotypes J1, J6, and J7 at the Jiddah location exhibited positive and significant correlations with pod yield. It can be concluded that superior Prosopis genotypes (Q20, Q21, Q24, J1, J6, and J7) were identified with good traits (pod yield, pod-filling period, and protein %) in each location and may be used in the future for the selection of elite genotypes.

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.induces apoptotic-like programmed cell death in Leishmania donovani via over production of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and ATP depletion.

Background: Leishmaniasis is endemic in more than 60 countries with a large number of mortality cases. The current chemotherapy approaches employed for managing the leishmaniasis is associated with severe side effects. Therefore there is a need to develop effective, safe, and cost affordable antileishmanial drug candidates. Purpose of the study: This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antileishmanial activity of a Prosopis juliflora leaves extract (PJLME) towards the Leishmania donovani parasites. Material and methods: PJLME was evaluated for its cytotoxicity against the L. donovani parasites and the mouse macrophage cells. Further, various in vitro experiments like ROS assay, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, annexin v assay, cell cycle assay, and caspase 3/7 assay were performed to understand the mechanism of cell death. Phytochemical profiling of P. juliflorawas performed by utilizing HPTLC and GC-MS analysis. Results: PJLME demonstrated antileishmanial activity at a remarkably lower concentration of IC50 6.5 µg/mL. Of note, interestingly PJLME IC50 concentration has not demonstrated cytotoxicity against the mouse macrophage cell line. Performed experiments confirmed ROS inducing potential of PJLME which adversely affected the mitochondrial membrane potential and caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and thereby ATP levels. PJLME also arrested the cell cycle and induced apoptotic-like cell death in PJLME treated L. donovani promastigotes. Conclusion: The results clearly established the significance of Prosopis juliflora as an effective and safe natural resource for managing visceral leishmaniasis. The findings can be used as a baseline reference for developing novel leads/formulations for effective management of visceral leishmaniasis.

Potential distribution of selected invasive alien plants under current and future climate change scenarios in South Africa.

Invasive alien plants are one of the main causes for the decline of native biodiversity worldwide. Hence, it is crucial to understand the dynamics of invasive plants in the context of a changing climate. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the potential distribution of two major invasive alien plants, Prosopis spp and Acacia mearnsii, under current and future climate change scenarios across South Africa. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was used with species occurrence data and bioclimatic variables. The Species occurrence data was obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), while the bioclimatic variables were downloaded from the WorldClim database. The model evaluation metrics for training and test samples were the area under curve (AUC) of 0.76 and 0.77 for Prosopis spp, and 0.91 and 0.89 for A. mearnsii, respectively. It showed that MaxEnt performed well in mapping the distribution of both species. Model results indicated that the near-current potential distribution of Prosopis spp and A. mearnsii in South Africa is significant (93.8% and 9.7% of the total land area, respectively). With the projected climate, Prosopis spp showed an inconsistent result across the General Circulation Models (GCMs), projection times and climate change scenarios. However, with respect to the current potential distribution, the geographical ranges of A. mearnsii will significantly contract (by about 75%) due to climate change. Therefore, it is imperative that policy makers, environmental managers and other stakeholders implement integrated management and control strategies to restrict the distribution of Prosopis spp.

Microbacterium plantarum sp. nov. and Microbacterium thalli sp. nov., two endophytic metal-resistant bacteria isolated from Sphaeralcea angustifolia (Cav.) G. Don and Prosopis laevigata (Humb. et Bonpl. ex Willd) M.C. Johnston.

Four Gram-positive, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-negative, rod-shaped, motile endophytic bacterial strains, designated NM3R9T, NE1TT3, NE2TL11 and NE2HP2T, were isolated from the inner tissues (leaf and stem) of Sphaeralcea angustifolia and roots of Prosopis laevigata. They were characterized using a polyphasic approach, which revealed that they represent two novel Microbacterium species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the species closest to NE2HP2T was Microbacterium arborescens DSM 20754T (99.6 %) and that closest to NM3R9T, NE2TL11 and NE2TT3 was Microbacterium oleivorans NBRC 103075T (97.4 %). The whole-genome average nucleotide identity value between strain NM3R9T and Microbacterium imperiale DSM 20530T was 90.91 %, and that between strain NE2HP2T and M. arborecens DSM 20754T was 91.03 %. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization showed values of less than 70 % with the type strains of related species. The polar lipids present in both strains included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipids and unidentified lipids, whereas the major fatty acids included anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. Whole-cell sugars included mannose, rhamnose and galactose. Strains NM3R9T and NE2HP2T showed physiological characteristics different from those present in closely related Microbacterium species. According to the taxonomic analysis, both strains belong to two novel species. The name Microbacterium plantarum sp. nov. is proposed for strain NE2HP2T (=LMG 30875T=CCBAU 101117T) and Microbacterium thalli sp. nov. for strains NM3R9T (=LMG 30873T=CCBAU 101116T), NE1TT3 (=CCBAU 101114) and NE2TL11 (=CCBAU 101115).

Selective Laser Sintering Parameter Optimization of Prosopis Chilensis/Polyethersulfone Composite Fabricated by AFS-360 SLS.

The current available selective laser sintering (SLS) materials are often high in cost and limited in variety; the mechanical properties of wood-composite SLS parts are low quality, which restricts the development of SLS technology. This article aims to optimize the SLS processing parameters to enhance the mechanical properties of the Prosopis chilensis powder (PCP)/polyethersulfone (PES) composite (PCPC) part fabricated via SLS. The PCP and PES powder were proposed as the feedstock of the PCPC powder bed for SLS. First, the thermal decomposition and glass transition temperatures (Tg) of PCP and PES powder were estimated to reduce the produced PCPC parts from warping and deformation during SLS. An orthogonal experimental methodology with five factors and four levels was used to optimize the SLS parameters for the PCPC SLS test. The scanning speed, preheating temperature, and laser power are selected as the main affecting factors on this study. The influence of these factors on dimension accuracies, bending and tensile strengths, and surface roughness quality of the produced PCPC parts was studied. The PCPC particle distribution and microstructure were inspected via scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the synthesis weighted scoring methods were utilized to determine the optimal SLS processing parameters of the produced PCPC parts. The combined results of tests showed that the optimal SLS parameters were as follows: the scanning speed is 1.8 m/s, preheating temperature is 80°C, and the laser power is 12 W. Thus, the quality of PCPC SLS parts was significantly enhanced when the optimal parameters were utilized in the SLS process. This article provided the main reference values of SLS parameters of the PCPC. To further enhance the surface roughness quality and mechanical strengths, the postprocessing infiltration with wax was introduced; after wax infiltration, the surface roughness and mechanical strengths were significantly improved.

DNA-free high-quality RNA extraction from 39 difficult-to-extract plant species (representing seasonal tissues and tissue types) of 32 families, and its validation for downstream molecular applications.

BACKGROUND: High-purity RNA serves as the basic requirement for downstream molecular analysis of plant species, especially the differential expression of genes to various biotic and abiotic stimuli. But, the extraction of high-quality RNA is usually difficult from plants rich in polysaccharides and polyphenols, and their presence usually interferes with the downstream applications. The aim of the study is to optimize the extraction of high-quality RNA from diverse plant species/tissues useful for downstream molecular applications. RESULTS: Extraction of RNA using commercially available RNA extraction kits and routine hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) methods did not yield good quality DNA-free RNA from Prosopis cineraria, Conocarpus erectus, and Phoenix dactylifera. A reliable protocol for the extraction of high-quality RNA from mature leaves of these difficult-to-extract trees was optimized after screening nine different methods. The DNase I-, and proteinase K treatment-free modified method, consisting of extraction with CTAB method followed by TRIzol, yielded high-quality DNA-free RNA with an A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios > 2.0. Extraction of RNA from Conocarpus, the most difficult one, was successful by avoiding the heat incubation of ground tissue in a buffer at 65 oC. Pre-warming of the buffer for 5-10 min was sufficient to extract good-quality RNA. RNA integrity number of the extracted RNA samples ranged between 7 and 9.1, and the gel electrophoresis displayed intact bands of 28S and 18S RNA. A cDNA library constructed from the RNA of P. cineraria was used for the downstream applications. Real-time qPCR analysis using the cDNA from P. cineraria RNA confirmed the quality. The extraction of good quality RNA from samples of the desert-growing P. cineraria (> 20-years-old) collected in alternate months of the year 2021 (January to December covering winter, spring, autumn, and the very dry and hot summer) proved the efficacy of the protocol. The protocol's broad applicability was further validated by extracting good-quality RNA from 36 difficult-to-extract plant species, including tissues such as roots, flowers, floral organs, fruits, and seeds. CONCLUSIONS: The modified DNase I and Proteinase K treatment-free protocol enables to extract DNA-free, high-quality, intact RNA from a total of 39 difficult-to-extract plant species belonging to 32 angiosperm families is useful to extract good-quality RNA from dicots and monocots irrespective of tissue types and growing seasons.

Production, optimization, and characterization of Ethiopian variant Prosopis juliflora based biodiesel.

Considering the need for biodiesel production from non-edible oil sources and taking into account the fact that Prosopis Juliflora (JF) is identified as a highly invasive species in Ethiopia, this research focuses on biodiesel production from a possible and promising alternative feedstock. The objective of this study is to analyze Ethiopian variant Juliflora based biodiesel (JFB) production through transesterification, carry out optimization by exploring the effects of various process parameters and characterization of functional groups (with GC-MS,FT-IR and NMR) including rheological behavior, not yet been reported earlier. As per ASTM protocol testing, the methyl ester of Juliflora has been found to have the following main fuel properties: kinematic viscosity (mm2/s) 3.395, cetane number 52.9, acid number (mgkoh/g) 0.28, density (gm/ml) 0.880, calorific value (MJ/kg) 44.4, methyl ester content (%) 99.8, and flashpoint (°C) 128, copper strip corrosion value 1a,%FFA (free fatty acid) 0.14. When compared with those of diesel, the viscosity, density, and flash point of JFB are seen to be higher than those of diesel, although it has a similar calorific value but more importantly higher than most of the other biodiesels. Based on an assessment using response surface methodology, methanol concentration together with catalyst loading, temperature, and reaction time are determined to be the most important influencing process parameters. The best molar ratio for methanolysis was observed to be 6:1 with a catalyst concentration of 0.5 wt% at 55 °C for 60 min for biodiesel yield at 65%. The JFB maximum yield of 130 ml at 70 min and the minimum yield of 40 ml at 10 min demonstrate that as mixing time increases, JFB yield tend to increase up to a certain time limit. The maximum raw oil yield rom crushed seed with hexane solvent was observed to be 480 ml within 3 days from 2.5 kg of crushed seed. The Fourier transform infrared analysis (FT-IR) revealed the presence of all desired functional groups necessary for biodiesel on OH radicals at wave numbers of 3314.40 cm-1, Aliphatic methyl C-H at 2942.48 cm- 1 with a functional group (CH-3-,-CH2-), and methylene C-H at 2832.59 cm-1. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) study confirmed the higher ester content present in the JFB with a higher unsaturation level of 68.81%. The fatty acid, oleic acid has a lower saturation level of 4.5%, while palmitic acid has a lower threshold level of 2.08%. The Rheometer test showed that shear stress and viscosity reduced with increasing temperature within the range of biodiesel requirements, and the Newtonian behavior was confirmed. The JFB has a fairly high viscosity and shear rate at low temperatures. The 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) study established that JFB has a necessary ingredient; and aliphatic resonances occur in the chemical shift region of 1.5-3.0 ppm. Significant regions indicate protons bound to heteroaromatics, aldehydes, as shown by 13C NMR spectrum. The findings from the FT-IR, GC-MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR are in agreement thus validating the presence of numerous functional groups in JFB as such. Since JFB possesses the requisite biodiesel fuel attributes, Prosopis Juliflora need to be pursued as a promising biodiesel feedstock in Ethiopia for alleviating the burden of imported fuels while also addressing difficulties with emissions released by the combustion of fossil fuels.

Gasoil removal from aqueous solution using magnetic metal-organic framework adsorbent based on the cellulosic fibrous of Prosopis farcta plant.

Recently, the leakage of Gasoil and other petroleum substances into the seas, surface water, and wastewater has become a global problem; therefore, providing a solution to remove these pollutants seems vital. In the current research, we investigated the removal of floating Gasoil from aqueous solutions. First, the magnetic metal-organic framework was prepared as a new adsorbent based on the cellulosic fibrous of the Prosopis farcta plant (magnetic- cellulose@MIL-53(Fe) carbon aerogel). Using design of experiment, the effect of parameters pH, Gasoil concentration, and adsorbent weight on Gasoil removal were investigated. The adsorbent prepared under optimal parameters can remove 100% floating Gasoil from the aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity of the magnetic- cellulose@MIL-53 (Fe) carbon aerogel is 7.48 g.g-1, which is almost 100 times more than other Fe-based adsorbents. The study of the effect of time showed that the adsorption of Gasoil by the adsorbent is not dependent on time. Gasoil adsorption on magnetic- cellulose@MIL-53(Fe) carbon aerogel follows the Freundlich isotherm with a correlation coefficient of 0.9933. Thermodynamic factors Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes have been calculated. Accordingly, magnetic- cellulose @MIL-53(Fe) carbon aerogel has rapid separation and high stability, and it could be used as a good adsorbent to remove Gasoil from an aqueous solution. With good cycling stability of 86% retention of the initial adsorption value after ten adsorption/desorption cycles.