Agronomic Practices and Macronutrients Status of Different Age Groups of Smallholder Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Plantations in Dibombari Sub-Division, Cameroon

Oil palm is cultivated by agro-industries and smallholders for vegetable oil production. Good farm management practices with balanced soil and plant macronutrients are needed to attain optimum yields. Smallholder oil palm farmers of Dibombari Sub-Division, Cameroon, suffer from low on farm yields which could emanate from the agronomic practices implemented, which also has an influence on the soil and plant macronutrient status. This study provides information on the agronomic practices, soil and plant macronutrients status in smallholder oil palm fields. Structured questionnaires were administered to 200 farmers to collect data on their agronomic practices, using a stratified random sampling design. Soil and plants were sampled from plantations of different age groups (control, >0 - 4 years, >4 - 8 years and >8 - 15 years’ plantations) in four locations of the Sub-Division (i.e. Dibombari-central, Bonamateke, Bomono and Nkapa) using a randomized complete block design. Data collected, was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 65% of farmers planted Tenera variety, with majority of them below the standards for weeding (81%), fertilizer use (100%), pruning (62%), pest/disease control (90.5%) and harvesting (96%) practices. Soil macronutrients were low across the different plantations except P which was optimal at >0 - 4 years and >4 - 8 years’ plantations but low at >8 - 15 years’ plantation. Similarly, for plant macronutrients, N and P were optimal across the different plantations, while K and Mg were optimal at >0 - 4 years’ plantation but low at >4 - 8 years and >8 - 15 years’ plantations. Thus, agronomic practices and macronutrient status of soil and plants were below standards in smallholder oil palm plantations of Dibombari, leading to low yields of fresh fruit bunches.

Effects of vegetable oil residue after soil extraction on physical-chemical properties of sandy soil and plant growth

Vegetable oil has the ability to extract polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)from contaminated sandy soil for a remediation purpose,with some of the oil remaining in the soil.Although most of the PAHs were removed,the risk of residue oil in the soil was not known.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the vegetable oil residue on higher plant growth and sandy soil properties after soil extraction for a better understanding of the soil remediation.Addition of sunflower oil and column ex...

Efficacies of four plant essential oils as larvicide, pupicide and oviposition deterrent agents against dengue fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti Linn.(Diptera: Culicidae)

Objective:To evaluate larvicidal,pupicidal and oviposition deterrent activities of four plant essential oils from Alpinia galanga(L.)Willd rhizome,Anethum graveolens L.(An.graveolens)fruit,Foeniculum vulgare Mill.fruit,and Pimpinella anisum L.fruit against Aedes aegypti(Ae.aegypti).Methods:Four essential oils at 1%,5%and 10%concentrations were assessed for insecticidal activity against larvae and pupae of Ae.aegypti,following the procedure of a dipping method assay.Oviposition deterrent activity of four essential oils was evaluated on gravid female of Ae.aegypti by a dual-choice oviposition bioassay.Results:The results revealed that An.graveolens oil provided the strongest larvicidal activity against Ae.aegypti among four tested plant essential oils with the highest mortality rate of 100%and LC_(50)value of-0.3%.From the pupicidal experiment,An.graveolens also showed the highest toxicity against Ae.aegypti pupae with the highest mortality rate of 100%at 72 h and LC_(50)value of2.9%.In addition,10%An.graveolens had an oviposition deterrent effect against Ae.aegypti with effective repellency of 100%and an oviposition activity index of-1.0.Conclusions:An.graveolens oil has a good potential as a larvicidal,pupicidal and oviposition deterrent agent for controlling Ae.aegypti.

Comparative effects of plant oils and trans-fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke in rats

Since plant oils are believed to be better than animal fats for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, the effects of various plant oils and trans-fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke were investigated. Sprague- Dawley rats were fed a diet containing the oils or trans-fat, and then body weights, blood lipids, and effects on brain infarction and physical dysfunction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） were analyzed. All the oils and trans-fat, except perilla oil, significantly increased body fats and body weight gain. Sesame oil and trans-fat specifically increased blood cholesterols and triglycerides, respectively, while perilla oil decreased both cholesterols and triglycerides. Perilla oil not only attenuated cerebral infarction, but also restored locomotor activity and rota-rod performances of MCAO rats. It is suggested that perilla oil among oils and fats could be the first choice to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and ischemic stroke.

Effects of Plant Oil Mixture on Production Performance,Carcass and Beef Quality in Beef Cattle

[Objective] To study the effects of plant oil mixture on production performance, carcass and beef quality in beef cattle. [Method] Single-factor randomized blocks design was used. Sixteen healthy Yanbian yellow bulls having close body weight were selected and randomly divided into four groups, four cattle per group. Been oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil were mixed respectively at a volume ratio of 11：5：4. The oil blend was added to the daily diets of beef cattle respectively at a proportion of 4%, 5% and 6%. The effects of the plant oil mixture on production performance, carcass and beef quality were investigated. [ Result.] Compared with the control cattle, the experimental cattle had significantly lower feed intake （P 〈 0.05）, non-significantly higher efficiency of feed utilization, and significantly lower digestibility of crude fiber and calcium （P 〈 0.05）. With the increasing level of plant oil, the digestibility of dry matter showed a decreasing trend. The digestibility of dry matter was significantly lower in the cattle fed on the plant oil mixture at a level of 6% than in the control （ P 〈 0.05）. The plant oil mixture had no effect on the digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, crude ash, nitrogen-free extract and phosphorus. With the increasing level of plant oil, the serum content of high-density lipoprotein showed an increasing trend. The serum content of high-density lipoprotein was significantly higher in the cattle fed on the plant oil mixture at a level of 6% than in the control （ P 〈 0.05）. With the increasing level of plant oil, the content of total cholesterol showed an increasing trend, whereas the content of low-density lipoprotein showed a decreasing trend. Moreover, other indicators did not change significantly. The experimental cattle had larger eye muscle area and better beef quality than the control group. The content of crude protein and ether extract in beef increased with the increasing level of plant oil. [ Conclusion] The plant oil mixture added to the daily feed decreases intake and digestibility of crude fiber and calcium but has no remarkable effect on production performance of beef cattle. The addition also increases eye muscle area and improves beef quality, thereby improving quality of carcass and beef. The proportion of the plant oil mixture should be added at a proportion lower than 5%.

Blend of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Synthesized By Lipase Positive Bacteria From Plant Oils

A total of 5 biochemically characterized lipase positive bacterial strains were screened for Polyhydroxyalkanoates(PHA)production by Nile blue staining and confirmation was done by Sudan Black B.PHA production ability for all strains was optimized followed by time profiling calculation and comparison via using glucose and two plant oils i.e.,canola and mustard oil.Quantitative analysis showed that glucose can serve as a carbon source for maximum biomass(2.5 g/L CDW for strain 5)and PHA production(70.3%for strain 2).PHA produced by strain 2 was further analyzed for its chemical composition and type via Fourier Transform Infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy.It revealed homopolymer(PHB)and copolymer(PHB-co-PHV)production of PHA(peaks at 1743 cm-1 and 2861 cm-1,respectively)with both canola and mustard oil unlike glucose which produced only homopolymer one i.e.,PHB(peaks at 1110 cm-1,1411 cm-1 and 1650 cm-1).Crystallinity of FT-IR analyzed PHA was calculated using mathematical formulas which showed decrease from glucose to canola to mustard oil.This study revealed that plant oils can serve as better carbon source to produce better quality(ductile and copolymer)PHA.Moreover,16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that strain 1,strain 2,strain 3,strain 4 and strain 5 are Stenotrophomonas sp.N3,Exiguobacterium sp.N4,Exiguobacterium sp.Ch3,Cellulosimicrobium sp.A8 and Klebsiella sp.LFSM2,respectively.

Preparation and Characterization of Multiester Derivative from Plant Oil as Base Stock for Biolubricants

As an alternative to petroleum-based lubricants, which are harmful to the environment in excessive amounts, a biodegradable multiester derivative(OFANE) was obtained from plant oil through a chemical modification process with four steps as follows: hydrolysis, esterification, epoxidation, and ring-opening reaction. The physical and chemical properties of OFANE, such as viscosity, acid value, pour point, evaporation loss, and oxidation induction time were measured. Results showed that OFANE had good low-temperature fluidity, thermal-oxidative stability, and tribological properties. The tribological properties of OFANE with dimeric acid additive were evaluated. The final biodegradation experiment indicated that OFANE had excellent biodegradability. The prepared OFANE showed great potential as substitute for petroleum-based lubricating base oils.

Larvicidal, pupicidal and oviposition deterrent activities of essential oils from Umbelliferae plants against house fly Musca domestica

To evaluate the toxicity against house fly Musca domestica L.(M. domestica)-larvicidal, pupicidal, and oviposition deterrent activities of essential oils(EOs) from five plants: Anethum graveolens L.(A. graveolens), Centratherum anthelminticum L.(C. anthelminticum), Foeniculum vulgare Mill.(F. vulgare), Pimpinella anisum L.(P. anisum), and Trachyspermum ammi L.(T. ammi) Sprague. Methods: Dipping, topical and dual-choice assays were performed by using each EO at three concentrations(1%, 5% and 10%) as well as cypermethrin(positive control) and ethyl alcohol(negative control) in order to determine their larvicidal, pupicidal and oviposition deterrent activities against M. domestica mortality rate and morphogenic abnormality of larvae and pupae were recorded after 3 and 10 days of incubation. Oviposition deterrent activity was recorded for 5 consecutive days from the beginning of the assay. Results: All EOs at the highest concentration(10%) were highly effective in oviposition deterrent with 100% effective repellency and an oviposition activity index of-1.00. Ten percent of F. vulgare oil exhibited the highest efficacy against the larvae with 89.6% mortality rate at 3 days and an LC50 value of 5.4%. Ten percent of A. graveolens and T. ammi oils showed the highest efficacy against the pupae with 100% mortality and an LC50 value ranging from 1.81%-2.24%. Conclusions: These results indicate that F. vulgare, A. graveolens and T. ammi EOs are effective larvicidal, pupicidal and oviposition deterrent agents against house fly M. domestica.

Application of bacteria-plant association in bio-degradation of diesel oil pollutants in soil

The bacteria and plants were associated to remove diesel oil pollutants from soil.Three efficiently degrading bacteria(named strains Q10,Q14 and Q18,respectively) were isolated.Two plants(alfalfa and Indian mustard) were selected to form the association.Biodegradation of diesel oil pollutants in soil was accelerated by bacteria-plants association.The main results are summarized as follows.The plants-bacteria association was more effective in biodegradation of diesel oil pollutants in soil than in respective experiments carried out with plants or bacteria alone.Strain Q18-Indian mustard association resulted in the maximum diesel oil reduction(69.18%).The activities of catalase and polyphenol oxidase in soil were enhanced and microbial populations in soil,especially in rhizosphere,were also stimulated in the treatment of bacteria-plant association.Overall,the soil conditions might be improved by alfalfa or Indian mustard to benefit the growth of bacteria,which resulted in degradation of diesel oil pollutants more effective by the bacteria-plant association.The bacteria-plants association may be a better approach to the removal of diesel oil pollutants from soil.

Implications of crude oil pollution on natural regeneration of plant species in an oil-producing community in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The study evaluated the impact of crude oil pollution on natu- ral regeneration of plant species in a major oil-producing community in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Three sites--unpolluted site （US）, polluted and untreated site （PUS）, and polluted and treated site （PTS）-- were purposively chosen for the study. The seedling emergence method was used to evaluate soil seed banks in the various sites at two depths, 0 to 10 cm and 10 to 20 cm. Woody-plant species richness, abundance, and diversity were higher in the US seed bank than in the PUS and PTS seed banks. The highest number of non-woody plants was observed in the US, followed by the PTS, and then the PUS. Both species richness and diversity of non-woody plants were highest at the US, followed by the PUS, and lowest in the PTS. Woody species in the US seed bank were 87.5% and 80% dissimilar with those of the PUS and PTS at 0-10 cm and 10--20 cm respectively. No variation was observed between woody species in the PUS and PTS seed banks. Non-woody species at 0-10 em US seed bank were 73.08% dissimilar with those of PUS at the two soil depths and 81.48/88.46% dissimilar with those of the 0-10/10-20 cm of the PTS respectively. At 10-20 cm, non-woody species of theUS were 69.66% dissimilar with those from each of the two soil depths in PUS; and 73.91/81.82% dissimilar with those of 0-10/10-20 cm of the PTS respectively. Non-woody species variation between the PUS and PTS was higher at 10-20 cm than 0-10 cm. The poor seed bank attributes at the polluted sites demonstrates that crude oil pollution negatively af- fected the natural regeneration potential of the native flora because soil seed banks serve as the building blocks for plant succession. Thorough remediation and enrichment planting are recommended to support the recovery process of vegetation in the polluted areas.

How to Adjust XPCC's Planting Structure of Grain,Cotton,Oil and Sugar?

XPCC has long shouldered the mission of exploitation of virgin land in border area,but the special geographic distribution leads to regional segmentation and administrative division in the planting structure of grain,cotton,oil and sugar for XPCC. Since 1980,XPCC's total planting area of grain,cotton,oil and sugar has increased steadily year by year. The yield levels show a unimodal trend; the total yield of cotton has been showing a geometric growth trend; the total yield of oil crops and sugar beet shows a fluctuating growth trend,but the total yield of grain crops shows a bimodal growth trend. XPCC's grain crops are mainly in the farms of Division 4 in Ili Valley and Division 6 in Changji;cotton production in South and North Xinjiang is basically the same,and the yield in South Xinjiang is slightly higher than in North Xinjiang,but cotton can not be planted in most farms of Division 9 and Division 10; oil crops are grown mainly in cold regions; sugar beet is mainly in the farms of Division 2,Division 4,Division 7 and Division 9. Some factors are limiting XPCC's farming development such as unreasonable agricultural structure,quite different regional production levels and great grain crop yield fluctuations. Therefore,it is recommended to optimize regional distribution,increase efforts to promote new technologies,and strengthen brand building to help XPCC to give play to the agricultural resource advantages.

Catalytic Cracking Characteristics of Plant Oil for Producing Light Olefins and Light Aromatics

Catalyst containing shape selective zeolite is used to investigate the catalytic cracking characteristics of palm oil and three types of hydrocarbon VGOs on a fixed fluidized bed(FFB) unit. The advantage of producing light olefins and light aromatics by catalytic cracking of plant oil is discussed. Results indicate that the hydrocarbyl group of the plant oil molecule is quite readily crackable; the C_6—C_8 aromatics yield is well above and the light olefins yield is about the same with the hydrocarbon feeds, while the yields of low value products are lower; the hydrocarbyl group of the plant oil molecule has strong tendency of aromatization, and can enter the zeolite pores to selectively form C_6—C_8 aromatics; during catalytic cracking of plant oil and fatty acids, a portion of the oxygen is removed in the form of water through hydrogen transfer reaction, while olefins are prevented from being saturated, which can ensure proper yields of both low-carbon olefins and light aromatics.

Biodiesel from Plant Resources—Sustainable Solution to Ever Increasing Fuel Oil Demands

The demand for fuel oil is ever increasing with the advance of the modern world, whereas worldwide reserves of fossil oils are diminishing at an alarming rate. However, there exist large stockpiles of vegetable oil feedstocks that could be exploited to produce fuel oil, called biodiesel with the aid of biotechnology. Initially, the biodiesel produced from vegetable oil did not attract much attention because of its high cost. However, the recent increase in petroleum prices and the uncertainties of petroleum availability led to the renewal of interest in biodiesel production from such sustainable resources (i.e., vegetable oil feedstocks). This research focuses on the production of biodiesel from plant resources, and further investigates the influences of key process parameters, such as the molar ratio of methanol to oil, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, reaction period and stirring speed on the biodiesel yield. This investigation is to determine the optimum process parameters for maximum biodiesel yield. The biodiesel was produced from three vegetable oil feedstocks, namely palm, soybean and sunflower oil via a transesterification process. It was observed that all the process parameters significantly influenced the biodiesel yield. The maximum biodiesel yields for palm, sunflower and soybean oil feedstocks were found to be 87.5%, 83.6% and 80.2%, respectively at optimum condition. The results suggest that through proper optimization of the process parameters the biodiesel yields could be maximized. In conclusion, the production of biodiesel from plant resources would be regarded as a sustainable solution to the ever increasing demand of fuel oils.

Genetic Manipulation of Non-Classic Oilseed Plants for Enhancement of Their Potential as a Biofactory for Triacylglycerol Production

到2030年,全球植物油需求量预计将翻番。然而目前的植物油生产平台,包括油棕和温带油籽却难以满足如此的增幅。因此,探索新型植物油来源对弥补未来的植物油的短缺变得越来越重要。植物油的主要形式是三酰甘油(TAG),最近通过基因工程在植物营养组织中生产TAG引起了人们极大的兴趣。多学科的"组学"研究也愈发提高了我们对植物脂质生物化学和代谢的理解。鉴于此,生物化学途径鉴定及对脂肪酸生物合成、脂质组装和转换关键的基因的注释已得到有效更新。近年来,通过对TAG生物合成涉及的关键基因和调节因子的遗传操作,高生物量植物营养组织和油籽中TAG的积累得到了前所未有的迅速发展。本文总结了目前从单基因操作到旨在增加高生物量植物组织中TAG积累的多基因叠加基因工程策略,讨论了可能有助于进一步缓解食用油和生物柴油潜在短缺的植物油生产的新方向和建议。

Uptake of Organic Contaminants by Plants from Oil Sands Fine Tailings

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the performance of different plant species growing in different kinds of oil sands fine tailings,and to estimate the uptake of organic contaminants by plants from the oil sands fine tailings.In general,total hydrocarbon in the plant could be ranked(beginning with the highest)as:unweathered plant 4 tailings (UWT),Freeze Thawtailings(FT),weathered plant 4 tailings(WT),and consolidated tailings(CT) for the willow,poplar and cattails.For grass,CT amended with tailings sand and muskeg had the highest hydrocarbon level in the field treatment,however,other three kinds of tailings(FT,WT and UWT) had lower but similar to each other hydrocarbon levels.

Variability in Content and Chemical Constituents of Essential Oil of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Obtained from Aerial Plant Parts

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) project that is being conducted at the National Oilseed Processing Research Institute (NOPRI) aims at exploiting the genetic diversity and associated phenotypic variation in the investigated basil germplasm and evaluating key factors such as variety, plant ontogeny and plant parts that affect yield, chemical constituents, aroma and flavor of essential oils. This paper discussed the variability inessential oils content and chemical constituents of the aerial plant parts of the basil. An open-air pot experiment was carried out using three accessions provided by Agricultural Research Corporation-Genetic Resources Unit, Sudan. The essential oils were hydro distilled from the aerial parts, flowers, leaves, stems, using Clevenger apparatus. The chemical constituents of the essential oils were determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). As the hydro distillation yielded no oil from the stem, we present only the results for leaves and flowers. The results revealed that the essential oil content varied with a range of 0.29% to 0.33% for flowers and 0.32% to 0.48% for leaves. As usual, the content of essential oils was higher in leaves than in flowers. The Silate-Egyptian accession had the lowest essential oil content obtained from leaves and flowers. However, South Darfur accession from Sudan had the highest oil content but did not significantly differ from Kennana accession. Several oil components were identified based upon comparison of their mass spectral data with those of reference compounds published in literature or stored in a computer library. The combined GC-MS analysis showed that methyl eugenol was the major constituent of the essential oil of Kennana accession. While the major constituent of essential oil of South-Darfur and Silate-Egyptian accessions were germacrene and linalool, respectively.

Atmospheric Dry Deposition in the Proximity of Oil-Fired Power Plants at Mexican Pacific Coast

Dry deposition samples were collected in a weekly basis during 2010 in a site located at the Mexican Pacific Coast: Manzanillo, Colima. Samples were collected with an automatic wet/dry deposition sampler using nylon filters as surrogate surfaces. Samples were extracted with deionized water and analyzed for pH, conductivity, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4-, NO3-, SO42- and Cl-. Nitrate and sulfate were the most abundant ions, contributing with 53% to the total ionic mass;and their levels exceeded the hemispheric background concentrations proposed for marine remote sites. The influence of the power plants burning combustoleo located upwind the sampling site was completely evident. From meteorological analysis, it could be observed that the sampling site was all time under the influence of power plants as a result of the effect of breezes. However, in spite of the high levels of NO3- and SO42- found in the samples collected, pH value average was almost neutral, with 28% of samples slightly acid. Potassium was the most abundant cation and from the quantification of the neutralization effect of the main alkaline components, the prevalence role of K+ was completely evident, suggesting the influence of the mining complex Pe?a Colorada located upwind the sampling site, where amyl xanthate potassium is used as collector in tailing dams. Dry deposition fluxes were estimated for all ions measured. Nitrogen dry deposition at Manzanillo is already in the upper extreme of the threshold value reported for sensible ecosystems. On the other hand, sulfur deposition exceeded slightly the critical load value reported for some ecosystems in Europe. Even at this moment, nitrogen and sulfur deposition is not a problem, it is necessary to take steps to avoid that total deposition of these elements exceeds critical loads, considering that results reported in this study not include the wet deposition fluxes.

Plant Extracts and Essential Oils at Concentrations Acceptable to a Sensory Panel Inactivate Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in Ground Pork

A potential method to inhibit pathogenic bacterial growth in meat is through the introduction of plant-derived antimicrobials. Because these antimicrobials may also adversely affect the sensory characteristics of the meat, the objectives of this study were 1) to define the appropriate concentrations of olive extract, apple extract, oregano oil, and cinnamon oil added to ground pork that are acceptable to a sensory panel, and 2) to determine their antimicrobial activities against Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in inoculated ground pork. Plant extracts were evaluated against two initial inoculum levels (6 and 4 log CFU/g of pork) of Salmonella. Sensory tests showed that acceptable concentrations of oregano and cinnamon oils were 0.5% and of olive and apple extracts were 3%, respectively. Ground pork samples were inoculated with Salmonella, treated with antimicrobials at various concentrations (0.1% - 0.5% cinnamon and oregano essential oils and 3% - 5% olive and apple extracts), and stored at 4°C for 7 days. Survivors were enumerated at days 0, 3, 5, and 7. Cinnamon oil at 0.5% and olive extract at 3% induced a 1.0 and a 0.9 log CFU/g (from 6-log CFU/g initial inoculum) reduction, respectively, at day 7. At 3%, olive extract showed a 1.06 log CFU/g maximum reduction of Salmonella from a 4-log CFU/g initial inoculum. Pork samples containing oregano oil and apple extract did not show a significant reduction compared to the control without the antimicrobials. The results indicate that cinnamon oil and olive extract can potentially be applied at consumer-acceptable concentrations against low levels of S. Typhimurium DT104 in ground pork.

Plasticizing Effect of Camellia oleifera Seed-Oil-Based Plasticizer on PVC Material Modification

In this study,as the plasticizer,Camellia oleifera seed-oil-based cyclohexyl ester(COSOCE)was prepared by the reaction of cyclohexene oxide and refined C.oleifera seed oil(RCOSO)obtained by acidification hydrolysis after saponification.In addition,the structure of the target product was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy,and Raman spectroscopy.COSOCE was used as plasticizer-modified polyvinyl chloride(PVC)membranes.The structure of the COSOCE-modified PVC membranes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The properties of the COSOCE-modified PVC membrane were characterized by contact angle measurements,universal testing machine,thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).The results revealed that(1)The COSOCE-modified PVC membranes exhibit a good microscopic morphology.Combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS)and contact angle measurement results,the COSOCE-modified PVC membranes are confirmed to be a hydrophilic material.(2)The modified PVC membrane with 60%COSOCE exhibited the best mechanical properties.The tensile strength reached 23.56±2.94 MPa.(3)COSOCE-modified PVC material exhibited better thermal stability,with a loss rate of less than 75%at the end of the first decomposition stage.Compared with that of the dioctyl-phthalate(DOP)-modified PVC membrane,the initial decomposition temperature of PVC was increased by 1.17°C–8.17°C,and the residual rate was increased by 0.67%–5.75%.The carbon–carbon double bond in the COSOCE molecular structure can remove the free radicals generated during the degradation of PVC material and slow down the decomposition rate of PVC.In addition,the double bond can be cross-linked partially with the PVC molecular chain containing the conjugated polyene structure,thereby increasing the movement resistance of the PVC molecular chain segment.Hence,COSOCE can replace DOP as a PVC plasticizer.

Termiticidal and Biochemical Activity of Combinatorial Essential Oil Ingredients of Tagetes erecta on Indian White Termite Odontotermes obesus

In present investigation, various bio-molecular parameters i.e. glycogen, protein, amino acid, DNA, RNA and lipid, were determined for evaluation of anti-termite efficacy of Tagetes erecta essential oil based combinatorial formulations against Indian white termite Odontotermes obesus. For this purpose, 40% and 80% of 24 hrs of LD50 values of various formulations were provided for treatment of termite workers. Observations were taken at 4 hrs time interval up to 16 hrs to know inhibitory activity of these combinatorial mixtures on termite species Odontotermes obesus. Significant (p > 0.05) alterations were observed in the level above mentioned bio-molecules when termites were treated with different combinatorial essential oils ingredients of Citrus maxima. Combinatorial mixtures of Tagetes erecta essential oils have shown synergistic activity against termites. This study will provide an overall sustainable way to termite control in crop field, gardens and houses. It also suggests use of essential oils as better alternative of synthetic termiticides as these are safer for environmental and human health.