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In the present investigation, feasibility of dairy waste water (DWW) and distillery spent wash (DSW) effluents in increasing the growth and yield of two species of oyster mushroom, Pleurotus flabellatus (PF 1832) and P. sajor- caju (PS 1610) on abundantly available agro-waste, bagasse, was evaluated. Three different levels of treatments were applied for each effluent. The effects of amendments on the result were observed in terms of yield, biological efficiency (BE) and substrate dry-matter loss. BE was found to be the highest (66.63 ± 1.0 %) for P. sajor- caju grown on bagasse amended with 10 % DWW and lowest for Pleurotus controls. While P. sajor- caju performed better on bagasse amended with DWW, P. flabellatus was more suited to grow on DSW amended bagasse. Degradation of complex molecules was in accordance with substrate dry-matter loss and the respective yields. The biochemical analysis of mushroom fruit bodies showed them to be a rich source of protein (maximum 36.40 %) and sugars (maximum 41.58 %). The study thus proved to be beneficial for effective management of the waste by employing higher order fungi as well as obtaining nutrient-rich delicacy for the mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the landfills in developing countries do not have any liner at the base, or a drainage layer or a proper top cover, which results in the potential problem of groundwater/surface water contamination due to the leachate. Hence, to decide whether the leachate is to be collected and treated, or may be allowed to discharge into the adjoining soil or public sewer or surface waterbody, it is essential to have an estimate of the amount of leachate and, more importantly, the composition and strength of the leachate and variation of leachate contaminants with time as the landfill site develops. In this paper, the experimental work carried out at one of the landfills in New Delhi, India, to ascertain the composition of leachate, and its effect on the groundwater in the existing situation is presented. The variation in the leachate composition with the age of deposition of solid waste has been studied. The study indicates that the leachate composition varies considerably with the age of deposition of the waste. It may be worthwhile to use different methods for the treatment of leachate from different parts of the landfill, if collected separately. It has also been concluded that since leachate contains high concentrations of organic and inorganic constituents, including heavy metals, liners must be used at the landfills. The presence of bore wells at landfill sites to draw groundwater threatens to contaminate the groundwater, and immediate remediation steps should be taken at all landfill sites that have groundwater bore wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study characterizes municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MIBA) from three incineration plants in Delhi with an intent to serve the dual objectives: a) assessing the disposal/reuse options for Delhi MIBA, b) evaluating variability in results across the countries (including India) and assessing if is significant enough to influence the fate of MIBA of varied origin. A review on leaching studies of MIBA (50 research papers) was conducted which aided in achieving both the objectives. Delhi MIBA samples were analysed for chemical composition. The two commonly adopted leaching tests i.e., TCLP and EN 12457-2, were conducted and the results were checked against regulatory threshold levels (RTLs) to achieve the first objective. Leaching concentration of the contaminants was compared with the compiled literature and RTLs to accomplish the second objective. The compendium of literature most importantly revealed the physicochemical parameters which are pivotal in determining the fate of MIBA but have been missing from many studies. Ten such parameters were identified: Cr, Cu, Mo, Sb, Cl - ,SO 4 2- , Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn and are referred as contaminants of concern (CoCs). Delhi MIBA was found suitable for disposal to non-hazardous waste landfills and unsuitable for unrestricted reuse. CoCs identified in Delhi MIBA were identical to those observed in literature (except Cd, Pb and Zn). The variability in leaching concentration of CoCs, observed from comparative assessment of results, spanned nearly 2 to 3 log 10 magnitudes for Cu, Cr, Pb, Sb and Zn while 1 to 2 log 10 magnitudes for Mo, Cl - andSO 4 2- ., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Anthocyanins are polyphenol compounds that render various hues of pink, red, purple, and blue in flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Anthocyanins also play significant roles in plant propagation, ecophysiology, and plant defense mechanisms. Structurally, anthocyanins are anthocyanidins modified by sugars and acyl acids. Anthocyanin colors are susceptible to pH, light, temperatures, and metal ions. The stability of anthocyanins is controlled by various factors, including inter and intramolecular complexations. Chromatographic and spectrometric methods have been extensively used for the extraction, isolation, and identification of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins play a major role in the pharmaceutical; nutraceutical; and food coloring, flavoring, and preserving industries. Research in these areas has not satisfied the urge for natural and sustainable colors and supplemental products. The lability of anthocyanins under various formulated conditions is the primary reason for this delay. New gene editing technologies to modify anthocyanin structures in vivo and the structural modification of anthocyanin via semi-synthetic methods offer new opportunities in this area. This review focusses on the biogenetics of anthocyanins; their colors, structural modifications, and stability; their various applications in human health and welfare; and advances in the field.

Though the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is not completely elucidated, it is generally accepted that the aggregation of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) protein fibrils plays a major role in the disease's onset and progression. Various phytoceutical compounds have been shown to attenuate Aβ toxicity and disrupt its aggregation, including various types of polyphenolic compounds. These polyphenolic compounds have also been found to demonstrate potent antioxidant activity, which may contribute to their anti-amyloidogenic properties. This study compares three plants, traditionally used for numerous medicinal purposes in Asian countries, including: Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Camellia sinensis (Green Tea), and Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broomweed). Antioxidant effects of the crude, polyphenol rich phytoceutical extracts from these plants were analyzed using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The ability of these extracts to prevent Aβ fibril formation was then carried out in order to establish a relationship between antioxidant activity and Aβ aggregation. A positive correlation between antioxidant efficacy and prevention of Aβ aggregation was demonstrated, indicating that antioxidant activity may play some role in preventing Aβ aggregation.