The current study stresses on the reuse of waste lignocellulose biomass (rice husk and sugarcane bagasse) for the synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and further conversion of this CMC into a biodegradable film. Addition of commercial starch was done to form biodegradable film due to its capacity to form a continuous matrix. Plasticizers such as Glycerol and citric acid were used to provide flexibility and strength to the film. Biopolymer film obtained from sugarcane bagasse CMC showed maximum tensile strength and elongation in comparison to the film synthesized from commercial CMC and CMC obtained from rice husk. It has been observed that an increase in sodium glycolate/NaCl content in CMC imposed an adverse effect on tensile strength. Opacity, moisture content, and solubility of the film increased with a rise in the degree of substitution of CMC. Therefore, CMC obtained from sugarcane bagasse was better candidate in preparing biopolymer/biocomposite film.

The study was carried out to evaluate the toxicity in gill tissue of edible fish Catla catla using FTIR spectra. Fourier selfdeconvolution obtained by curve fitting was applied in the lipid (3000-2800 cm −1 ), carbohydrates (1000-1100 cm −1 ) and in the amide region (1700-1600 cm −1 ). These spectral changes were used as biochemical parameters to assess the degree of toxicity. A disorder in lipid changes was measured by frequency shift and intensity changes in the CH 2 asymmetric stretching band. This change in the fatty acid composition in fish could be used as biomarkers of toxic effect. Decreases in lactic acid (6-16%) clarify the lipid peroxidation which is the primary mechanism of toxicity. The deconvolution in the amide region shows peaks at 1621 cm −1 , 1637 cm −1 due to β sheet; 1652 cm −1 and 1667 cm −1 due to α helix and 1683 cm −1 due to antiparallel β sheet. The results show a decrease by (3-7%) in α helix and increase by (13-40%) in β sheet structure. This shows β sheet formation of protein secondary structure due to toxicity. PCA plots indicate protein and lipids have strong positive loadings. The study shows the spectral variation is considered as an ideal biomarker with a high degree of accuracy of test organism to examine the toxicity of pollutants.

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