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This study aimed at the synthesis and characterization of briquette from Pinus patula saw dust using different binders. The effects of particle size and type of binder on the fuel qualities of the briquette were investigated. The bulk density of biomass causes handling, storage, and transportation problems that limit its large application. Densification of biomass into briquettes can solve these problems. The experimental results indicate that briquette produced from waste paper, fruit waste, cow dung, and starch flour binders has higher calorific value, higher fixed carbon, and lower ash content. Whereas, molasses and wood ash binders decreased the calorific value and fixed carbon and increased the ash content of the briquette. As a result, a maximum calorific value of 6596 cal/g, fixed carbon content of 62.6%, and ash content of 3.66% are obtained using waste paper. The calorific value of 6232 cal/g, fixed carbon of 48.74%, and ash content of 3.33% was obtained using fruit waste while the calorific value of 6194 cal/g, fixed carbon content of 59.94 %, and ash content of 5.35% was observed when cow dung is used. When starch flour is used, a calorific value of 6170 cal/g, fixed carbon content of 54.63%, and ash content of 2.63 was obtained. Therefore, waste paper, fruit waste, cow dung, and starch flour are promising binders that improve the fuel qualities of biomass briquettes.

Ziziphus mauritiana is used as food and medicine. It is very nutritive and contains high amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. To choose an appropriate technique for fruit preservation, this study evaluated the effect of temperature and time on the nutritional and anti-nutritional qualities of Ziziphus mauritiana fruit harvested from Kobo Woreda in North-Eastern Ethiopia. This study assessed the impact of preservation parameters on the nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of Ziziphus mauritiana fruit, such as storage temperature and preservation day (time). Ziziphus mauritiana fruit was also analyzed to evaluate storage temperature and preservation day on its nutritional and antinutritional composition and found moisture content (5.25–10.99%), ash content (4.74–10.70%), crude fiber (3.81–17.88), fat (0.49–2.16), nitrogen content (1.01–1.8%), protein content (6.33–11.27), phytate content (67.27–659.33 mg/100 g m), and tannin content (3842.46–16577.80 mg/100 g m). The findings revealed that both individual and interaction effects were highly significant differences (p-value, 0.0001) in each nutritional and antinutritional content of the fruit. The results of this study showed that it was possible to store Ziziphus mauritiana fruit using plastic bags (High-Density Polyethylene Bags), and further deep-freezing the fruit had the best effect on preserving it in its fresh state (without damage) for up to 45 days.