Uroosa Ejaz

Title : Halophytic plants: An alternative source for biodiesel production

Abstract:

Biofuel derived from halophytic biomass is getting attention owing to the concerns of energy versus food crisis. The disadvantages associated with edible bioenergy resources necessitate the need to explore new feedstocks for sustainable biofuel production. It becomes imperative because of depletion of reserves and ever so increasing prices of oil, gas, and coal. Additionally, the halophytes wouldn’t threaten the food supply of the world, as they don’t contend with conventional crops. It can also reduce the relative cost of crop cultivation for the process of bioenergy and biofuel production. Like any other plant material, lignocellulose biomass from halophytes contains lignin along with fermentable and hydrolyzable components. Thus, to remove lignin and to reduce the crystallinity of cellulose, pretreatment methods are essentially required for effective biomass saccharification with reduced operational costs. In this study, biomass from locally available abundant halophytes (Panicum antidotale, Phragmites karka, Halopyrum mucronatum, and Desmostachya bipinnata) was screened for saccharification by an enzyme cocktail composed of cellulase, xylanase, and pectinase from thermophilic bacteria. Two types of pretreatments, i.e., with dilute acid and freeze-thaw, were independently applied to the halophytic biomass. Saccharification of acid-pretreated P. karka biomass yielded maximum reducing sugars as compared to other plants. Thus, the factors (temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and enzyme units) affecting its saccharification were optimized using central composite design. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed significant structural changes after pretreatment and saccharification. Therefore, halophytes growing in saline, arid, and semi-arid regions can be promising alternative sources for bioenergy production.

Audience Takeaway:

• Use of halophytic plants as a potential source for Biodiesel production.
• Saccharification of halophytic plants by using enzyme cocktail obtained from thermophilic bacteria.
• Statistical optimization of saccharification process by using central composite design.

Biography:

Uroosa Ejaz is a highly motivated researcher with a MPhil in Microbiology and over 06 years of research experience. She has published 18 research articles in well reputed International Journals and also wrote 05 book chapters sponsored by Springer and Elsevier. She has work experience from Agha Khan University and Hospital, Patel Hospital, Bahria University and University of Karachi. She also worked as a research assistant in HEC funded NRPU project. Currently, she is serving as a Lecturer at SZABIST and she is also a PhD scholar in University of Karachi, Pakistan.