The need for exploring nonfood low-cost sustainable sources for biodiesel production is ever increasing. Commercial and industrial algae cultivation has numerous uses in biodiesel production. This study explores S. elongata as a new algal feedstock for the production of biodiesel that does not compete with food production. The major fatty acids identified in S. elongata oil were oleic (30.5%), lauric (29.9%), myristic (17.0%), and palmitic (14.2%) acids. Transesterification to FAME was conducted using basic (KOH), acidic (HCl), and Zeolitic catalysts for assessment. The yields with acidic (54.6%) and zeolitic (72.7%) catalysts were unremarkable during initial screening. The highest biodiesel yield (99.9%) was achieved using KOH, which was obtained with the optimum reaction conditions of 1.0% catalyst, 60 °C, 4 h, and an oil-to-methanol volume ratio of 1:4. The resulting S. elongata oil methyl esters exhibited densities, CNs, and IVs, that were within the ranges specified in the American (ASTM D6751) and European (EN 14214) biodiesel standards, where applicable. In addition, the high SVs and the moderately high CPs and PPs were attributed to the presence of large quantities of short-chain and saturated FAME, respectively. Overall, the composition and properties of FAME prepared from S. elongaae oil indicate that S. elongata is suitable as an alternative algal feedstock for the production of biodiesel.

The present study was undertaken with aims to produced catalyst loaded on low-cost clay supports and to utilize plum waste seed oil for the production of biodiesel. For this purpose, Bentonite-potassium ferricyanide, White pocha-potassium ferricyanide, Granite-potassium ferricyanide, Sindh clay-potassium ferricyanide, and Kolten-potassium ferricyanide composites were prepared. The maximum biodiesel yield was recorded for Bentonite-potassium ferricyanide composite. This composite was subjected to calcination process to produce Calcinized bentonite -potassium ferricyanide composite and a further improvement in biodiesel amount was recorded. The fuel quality parameters of all biodiesel samples were found in the recorded range. Gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the presence of oleic and linoleic acids in the plum seed oil. The characterization of composite was done using FTIR, SEM and EDX. Two infrared bands are observed in the spectrum from 1650-1630 cm-1 indicates that the composite materials contained highly hydrogen bonded water. The presence of surface hydroxyls groups can also be confirmed from FTIR data. SEM image clearly show the presence of nano-rods on the surface of Granite-potassium ferricyanide and Kolten-potassium ferricyanide composites. Another interesting observation that can be recorded from SEM images is the changes in surface characteristic of Bentonite-potassium ferricyanide composite after calcination. Calcinized bentonite-potassium ferricyanide composite found to contain more nano rod like structures at its surface as compared to Bentonite-potassium ferricyanide composite which contained spherical particles. EDX data of Bentonite-potassium ferricyanide composite and Calcinized bentonite-potassium ferricyanide composite show that after calcination carbon and oxygen was reduced. The other lost volatile compounds after calcination were of Na, Mg, Al, Si, and S.

The present study was undertaken with aims to produced catalyst loaded on low-cost clay supports and to utilize plum waste seed oil for the production of biodiesel. For this purpose, Bentonite–potassium ferricyanide, White pocha-potassium ferricyanide, Granite-potassium ferricyanide, Sindh clay-potassium ferricyanide, and Kolten-potassium ferricyanide composites were prepared. Transesterification of plum oil under the different conditions of reactions like catalysts concentrations (0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 g), temperature (50, 60, 70 and 80 °C), reaction time (2, 4 and 6 h) and oil to methanol ratio (1:10) was conducted. The maximum biodiesel yield was recorded for Bentonite–potassium ferricyanide composite. This composite was subjected to calcination process to produce Calcinized bentonite–potassium ferricyanide composite and a further improvement in biodiesel amount was recorded. The fuel quality parameters of all biodiesel samples were in standard range. Gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the presence of oleic and linoleic acids in the plum seed oil. The characterization of composite was done using FTIR, SEM and EDX. Two infrared bands are observed in the spectrum from 1650 to 1630 cm−1 indicates that the composite materials contained highly hydrogen bonded water. The presence of surface hydroxyls groups can also be confirmed from FTIR data. SEM image clearly show the presence of nano-rods on the surface of Granite-potassium ferricyanide and Kolten-potassium ferricyanide composites. Another interesting observation that can be recorded from SEM images is the changes in surface characteristic of Bentonite–potassium ferricyanide composite after calcination (at 750 °C, 1 atm for 4 h). Calcinized bentonite–potassium ferricyanide composite found to contain more nano rod like structures at its surface as compared to Bentonite–potassium ferricyanide composite which contained spherical particles. EDX data of Bentonite–potassium ferricyanide composite and Calcinized bentonite–potassium ferricyanide composite show that after calcination carbon and oxygen was reduced. The other lost volatile compounds after calcination were of Na, Mg, Al, Si, and S. The XRD spectrum of pure bentonite showed the average crystal size of 24.46 nm and calcinized bentonite of 25.59 nm. The average crystal size of bentonite and potassium ferricyanide composite and its calcinized form was around 33.76 nm and 41.05 nm, respectively.

People of modern age are very health and diet conscious. Various plants have been used as source of nutrition by human beings. Cereals have been one of them. But due to health problems (Celiac disease, WDEIA and baker’s asthma) and allergens present in cereals such as by wheat gluten, people are looking for alternative diet. Population is increasing day by day and to provide them a healthy nutritious diet free of allergens is uphill task. Researchers are looking to exploit various alternative plant sources. Recent findings suggest that pseudo cereals are best alternative to wheat. Buckwheat, Amaranth and Quinoa (pseudo cereals) were underutilized crops. Now, people are gaining more interest in Pseudo cereals for their excellent nutrition profile and gluten free products. They contain essential amino acids, carbohydrates, dietary fibers, minerals, vitamins and other important biological compounds in their nutrition profile. Important biological compounds present in pseudo cereals like phenolics impart beneficial health impacts on human beings. Keeping in view the extra ordinary benefits of consuming pseudo cereals, they must be grown at commercial level. It will make sure availability of diet full of nutrition and free from health risks.