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Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant carbon source available on earth. Cellulase enzyme plays a pivotal role in the conversion of lignocellulose into fermentable sugars. The success of biofuel production from lignocellulose highly depends on the enzymatic hydrolysis. Application of cellulase in the biorefinery process increases the cost of production. Hence strategies are needed to reduce the cost by decreasing the enzyme loading. One among them is the addition of nonionic surfactants during enzyme hydrolysis. Nonionic surfactants carry no charge, relatively nontoxic, and environment friendly. Recently surfactants are gaining importance in biorefinery process as an additive to enhance the saccharification process of lignocellulosic biomass to avoid the nonproductive adsorption of the cellulase to the biomass and increase the enzyme activity and stability. This chapter will address the role, function, and theories of the nonionic surfactants in improving enzymatic hydrolysis and/or reducing the enzyme loading with optimum conversion and yield. It will also discuss the recent research and findings in this area.

Background: Nanoparticles (NP) have been shown to have various useful applications. They are generally synthesized using chemical processes involving hazardous chemicals. Therefore, green synthesis of NPs using natural products can be an environmentally friendly alternative. Objectives: In this study, green synthesis of silver NPs (AgNPs) using pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract (PE) and its application in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye were examined. Methods: PE-mediated AgNP synthesis was studied using different analytical methods, including ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy (surface plasmon resonance or SPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Photocatalysis of MB dye was studied in the presence of synthesized NPs. Results: The color changes, UV-VIS spectra (SPR at around 442 nm within less than five minutes), XRD peaks (2θ: 38.18, 44.31, 64.61, and 77.50), FE-SEM-EDX data, and FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of AgNPs. PE-mediated AgNPs showed a high zeta potential (-68.93 mv), with an average particle size of 57.7 - 142.4 nm. The phytoconstituents of PE could act as both reductants and stabilizers. Photocatalytic degradation of MB dye was spectrophotometrically monitored using PE-mediated AgNPs as catalysts under sunlight irradiation. The absorbance of MB (2.557) was observed at 660 nm, which was reduced to almost 55 - 60% within one hour and degraded to almost 89% by 48 - 72 hours. Conclusions: AgNPs were rapidly synthesized within five minutes using pomegranate PE, which could degrade almost 89% of MB dye within 48 - 72 hours under sunlight irradiation; this finding indicates the potential of this natural product, although further exploration is needed.

Medicago sativa Linn growing in Omani desert were chemically characterised using flame photometry, inductively coupled plasma, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. HPLC analyses were performed to determine the phenolics and flavonoids present in M. sativa. The major compounds detected in M. sativa leaves were protchaechenic acid (3.22%), hydroxyl benzoic acid (1.05%), β-Phenyl caffate (0.97%) and kaempherol (0.89%). Pterostilbene, a cholesterol-lowering compound, was detected in M. sativa.

Carbohydrate rich food cooked at high temperature can lead to the formation of acrylamide. The aim of this investigation is to analyze the proteomics of mice liver in response to acrylamide intoxication since the liver is the major site of acrylamide detoxification and metabolism. The liver protein pattern from sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) treated mice with acrylamide in drinking water for 9 weeks did not show variations from the control. However, analysis by 2-D gel of liver proteins from mice treated with 0.5 µg acrylamide/kg for 9 weeks showed variations in protein expression. At least 10 protein spots were significantly affected (T > 2) by the acrylamide treatment. The affected proteins were identified using MALDI TOF/TOF and mass searches through Mascot. These proteins were up-regulated or down-regulated depending on their physiological function. Probably the proteins are involved in detoxification of acrylamide or cell protection. The data from this study shows that proteomics is a valuable tool for assessing acrylamide toxicity in the affected tissues.