sarah kainat

World energy consumption is increasing annually due to use of high energy consuming products and industrial revolution. World is facing dilemma of energy shortage, which signifies the need to shift from traditional energy generating procedures to modern cost effective and durable energy generating resources. Biofuels presents an excellent alternative to traditional energy resources by its use an environment friendly fuel. The present study aims to generate bioethanol using different lignocellulosic substances i.e. sugarcane bagasse, leaves of neem plants and different grasses respectively collected from local sources. Fermentation was carried out using different bacterial isolates also obtained from local environment. Each substrate was subjected to pretreatment by 5% and 2% sulphuric acid and stream heat treatment before initializing bioethanol production. pH and reducing sugar content of each sample was determined. Bacterial isolates were isolated from agricultural sites. Bacillus...

Grapevine leaf roll disease has vast impact on productivity, growth and vigor of grapevine plant. This disease has alone caused more economic losses globally than any other known diseases of grapevines. It is responsible for damaging wine, grape juice, and table grape cultivars, as well as rootstocks. GLD is a complex disease, eleven viruses are associated with GLD (each named Grapevine leaf roll-associated virus followed by a number) which belongs to family Closteroviridae. Out of eleven GLD associated viruses Grapevine leaf roll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) has major role in spreading GLD disease in grapevines. It belongs to genus Ampelovirus of Closteroviridae family. It is transmitted by grafting, vegetative propagation and insects like Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and soft scales (Coccidae). It is difficult to identify disease related viruses since most affected plants have mixed infection. It becomes further challenging when dissimilar viruses can cause similar symptoms. Low vir...

The present work was carried out to improve the quality and shelflife of local date fruit variety of Pakistan “Aseel” by using different gamma irradiation doses and to examine influence of irradiation treatment on total microbial load for a period of 30 days storage time at refrigerated temperature (4C). “Aseel” dates were collected from local market (Mandi) of Lahore. These samples were irradiated with Gamma radiation doses of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 kGy, respectively at PARAS (Pakistan Radiation Services). Dates exposed to 3.5 kGy had highest reduction in bacterial count i.e. upto 77.7% on nutrient agar whereas fungal load was reduced upto 89.3% on PDA. Dates were found to be contaminated with aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast and molds. The microbial levels gradually decreased with increasing storage time and dose. Different fungal species were detected in irradiated sample but found in the acceptable range 10 2 -10 3 C.F.U /g. E.coli was only detected in control and 1.5 kGy irradiate...