A Study on Cold Plasma for Food Preservation

Cold plasma is an electrically energized matter composed of highly reactive species which includes molecules of charged and gas with minute particle in the form of negative and positive ions, photons electrons, free radicals at room temperature. It is an emerging technology in non-thermal food preservation in the application of sterilization. An increase in the plasma-based treatment for food is employed to inactivate the food borne pathogens seen in the recent years. The present study recollects the activity of the plasma agents on the microbe population, surface decontamination of the raw produce in the food processing and future novelty in food technology.

PENGGUNAAN ASAM HUMIK DALAM KULTUR TRAPPING CENDAWAN MIKORIZA ARBUSKULA DARI EKOSISTEM DENGAN SALINITAS TINGGI

It has been reported that humic acid can increase plant growth and benefecial soil microbe population. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to study the effect of humic acid on growth of host plant and sporulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under salt stress in trap pot culture. Trap cultures were maintenance at various salinity levels as according to field salinity. Half of the pots received 2.5% humic acid and control treatment received no humic acid. Result of research indicate that humic acid can increase growth of host plant and mycorrhizae sporulation at all salinity levels. Acaulospora is highest its spore production followed by of Glomus and Gigaspora .

EFEK PENGGUNAAN PUPUK ORGANIK DAN INOKULAN MIKROBATERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN JATI SUPER (Tectona grandis L.f.) PADA LAHAN BEKAS TAILING POND PENAMBANGAN EMAS DI CIKOTOK

Experiment using organic fertilizer and microbial community to support the growth of Tectona grandis L.f in the cyanide contaminated-soil has been conducted in gold tailing pond Cikotok. Microbes used in this experiment were mixed of cyanide degradingbacteria,Nitrogen fixing-bacteria, and Phosphat solubilizing-bacteria. The results show that the microbes given in the Tectona grandis L.f plantation was significantly supporting the growth of the plants and reduced cyanide from the contaminated soil, but did not influence the microbe population of the soil.Key word: Phytoremediation, Cyanide, Tectona grandis L.f.

Ability of arbuscular mycorrhiza to promote growth of maize plant and enzymatic activity of an alluvial soil

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of selected species of mycorrhizae for root colonization and phosphorus uptake by maize in an alluvial soil. Of all the species of mycorrhizae taken under consideration, Glomus mosseae was found to perform better in terms of root colonization, number of spores, grain yield and phosphorus uptake. The maximum plant height (28.5 cm), shoot dry weight (19.45 g plant-1) and root dry weight (4.77 g plant-1) was also found with the application of G. mosseae. Its application significantly increased the root dry weight by 99.58 and 72.82% over application of G. intraradices and control respectively, and was at par with the application of G. coronatum and Gigaspora decipiens. Application of G. decipiens reported the highest bacterial (39.11 cfu g-1 soil) and fungal count (30.68 cfu g-1 soil) that was found to be at par with application of G. mosseae. Application of G. mosseae significantly increased the actinomycetes population by 44.71 and 55.97% over application of a local mycorrhizal strain and control. Maximum dehydrogenase activity (56.00 g-1 TPF g-1 24 h-1) and acid phosphatase activity (0.299 mg PNP g-1 h-1) and was also observed with application of G. mosseae, which in turn resulted in higher yield which was 27.28%, 28.52%, 9.35 and 11.7% more than G. intraradices, G. coronatum, G. decipiens and the local species respectively. G. mosseae inoculation proved to be effective in modifying the soil microbe population and community structure and also in enhancing the soil enzymatic activities and phosphorus uptake of the crop.

Decay Kinetics of Toluene Phytoremediation Stimulation

Begonia maculata, Ardisia crenata, and Ardisia japonica plants exposed to 3.5 ppm toluene in air for 12 h displayed a pronounced stimulation (358%, 318%, and 252%, respectively) in subsequent toluene removal potential. The duration of the stimulation effect, monitored over 3 weeks, was short-lived decaying to prestimulation levels within 1 to 7 days depending on species. Elevated phytoremediation rate was dependent on the continued presence of toluene. The rapid rate of increase in phytoremediation and subsequent decay points toward a response mediated by changes in gene expression by the plant, microorganisms within the media, or both rather than an alteration in microbe population. A better understanding of the stimulation response may facilitate the use of plants for indoor air remediation in homes and offices.