No abstract

Paper is one of the basic needs of modern life. With the consumption of paper likely to grow to 320 million MT by the year 2001, the the worldwide pulp and paper industry is gradually realizing that there is a shortage of the traditional raw material of cellulosic fiber. Bagasse--a byproduct of the sugar industry, presents a potential source of fiber for the paper industry without further compromising the environmental concern. It is cheap, perennially replenishible, presently does not have an alternative economically attractive value added usage, and has adequate chemical and mechanical properties for paper making. However, for it to be available to the paper industry throughout the year, it needs to be stored and preserved for a period of 6 to 8 months. With inherent problems associated with bagasse morphology, intricacies reflected as a result of its physicochemical characteristics, army of microbial infestants, cost-effective quality expectations of the paper industry, and the ecofriendly approach demanded by the society/pollution control boards/environmentalists, there does not seem to be any viable alternative except to use biotechnology approaches for bagasse preservation. It envisages the preservation of maximally depithed bagasse in the piles/heaps, using one-time fine misting of a preservative formulation comprised of biodegradable and nondegradable chemicals inhibiting the microbial population at selected enzyme levels. Its efficacy is improved by open, dry, windy, and moderate sunlit sites for storage. The method is simple, sustainable, and superior to the prevalent methods that are cost, capital, and energy intensive, non-eco-friendly and have adverse cost:benefit ratios. The biotechnology approach has an inherent scope for further optimization, automation, and economization.

Conversion of sawdust, a major waste generated by the timber industry, to an agricultural supplement was explored. Beds made with a mixture of Eucalyptus sawdust and soil reduced the chlorophyll content and the growth rate of wheat seedlings. However, following treatment with Volvariella volvaceae and urea, the sawdust in growth beds enhanced both the chlorophyll content and growth of wheat seedlings. Application of treated sawdust to soil increased the biomass of both bulb and foliage of onion. This represents a small beginning in the conversion of an industrial solid waste into a soil conditioner for enhancing agricultural productivity.

Minimally processed guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruits cv. Lalit were compared with whole guava fruits for different quality attributes and shelf life during storage at 10 and 15°C. Whole and minimally processed guavas were analyzed for parameters, like total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, lycopenecontent, polygalacturonase activity and microbial load over a period of 15 days (d). Minimally processed fruits stored at 10°C showed relatively higher concentrations of ascorbic acid, polyphenols and lycopene, compared to whole guava fruits. Sensory evaluation results revealed that minimally processed fruits scored better than the whole guava fruits throughout the storage period, irrespective of the storage conditions. Bacterial load was low in both minimallyprocessed and whole guava fruits stored at 10°C, compared to fruits stored at 15°C. Hence, it can be concluded from this study that minimally processed guava retained quality attributes and bioactive compounds, compared to whole guava fruits during storage at 10°C. Thus, minimally processed guava fruits can serve as suitable alternative to whole guava fruits for consumers’ convenience as well as acceptance.