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P. L. Soni , Rameshwar Dayal , Vineet Kumar

Abstract

Over exploitation of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) is threatening forest ecosystems in India. Harvesting NWFPs from threatened and endangered species has led to search of new alternatives. Thus there is an urgent need to find abundantly available and new substitutes as well as to develop simple and suitable technologies for sustainable utilization of NWFPs to save environment. This paper describes some of the eco-friendly technologies/processes developed by Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun in recent years from abundantly available forest/agro biomass. The new technologies will go a long way in saving the fragile ecosystem of the country.

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R. P. S. Katwal , P. L. Soni

Abstract

Both transport and industry depend heavily on diesel, which is produced from crude oil. However, reserves of crude oil are rapidly diminishing and the reliability and security of oil supplies has been of global concern. Depleting reserves of fossil fuel and increasing effect of environment pollution from these fuels demand eco.friendly alternatives. Biofuels (plant based fuel) can supplement or replace fossil fuels as they are renewable and environmentally safe. The most common type of biofuels that are being developed and used at present are bioethanol and biodiesel. After examining economic and operational aspects of blending of ethanol in petrol in terms oflogistic, marketing and distribution, Government of India decided to promote the use of 5% ethanol blend gasoline as a motor fuel in the country. To meet the energy needs of the country, annual consumption of petro diesel in 2000-2001 was about 38% of the total petroleum products. In view of economic, environmental and health benefits associated with use ofbiodiesel, planners have decided to develop biofuel programme in the country and targets are fixed to replace 5% and 10% of petro diesel by biodiesel by the year 2010 and 2015, respectively. Economics of production of biodiesel is a determining factor in making biofuel programme successful. The fatty oil derived from Jatropha curcas (Ratanjyot) and Pongamia pinnata (Karanj) are the excellent feed stock for biodiesel production. The paper presents on overview of biodiesel production using these species in Indian context and socio-economic development likely to occur.

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R. P. S. Katwal , P. L. Soni

Abstract

Industrial development in India has occurred mostly to meet increasing urban consumer needs and to support the vital agriculture sector. The traditional home based enterprises have also been simultaneously experiencing steady growth. Cottage industries have slowly changed to rural cottage or semi-urban micro-enterprises with limited assistance from government. Agarbathi making is one such industry. It has responded well to increased demand for its products both in rural and urban areas, mainly because of the continued availability of cheap labour force dominated by women and children. Agarbathi industry uses forest based raw materials like bamboo, wood, ischolar_mains, barks, jigat, leaves, flowers, seeds, gums, resins and secondary derived materials like charcoal, aromatic chemicals etc. Demand for Agarbathi stick is continuously increasing both in domestic and export sector. According to one estimate international incense stick market is valued at US $ 1 billion per annum. Therefore, the demand of the raw material is likely to increase manifold in near future and lot of pressure will be on depleting forest resources. New strategy ought to be evolved to meet the challenge.

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P. L. Soni , H. W. Sharma

Abstract

Katha manufacturing in India is an important forest based chemical industry which enables economical upliftment of both rural and urban people. Uncaria gambier Roxb. is cultivated in Malaysian countries for the production of gambier used for tanning leather. Gambier is very much similar to Cutch or dark catechu obtained from A.catechu. Gambier maintains its importance as a masticatory in South East Asia and less as a tanning material. There are no adverse reports available against the use of gambier for human consumption. Process for the preparation of Katha from U. gambier extract having more catechins and yield with less, insolubles and heavy metals than A. catechu is reported. Product was evaluated for oral and oral mucosa toxicity and found non-toxic. Physico-chemical characteristic of gambier Katha is better than Khair Katha.

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P. L. Soni , Sanjay Naithani , P. K. Gupta , Amit Bhatt , Ritu Khullar

Abstract

Utilization of Lantana camara can be an effective method for managing the weed. It is of potential economic value as it contains appreciable quantity of cellulosic fibres, have excellent strength properties, but till date not been exploited commercially. Owing to the presence of fibres, L. camara has potential to be utilized for making value added products such as α- cellulose and its derivatives, hand made paper, wood composites (which are good substitute of solid wood depending upon the end use) and furniture. Preliminary studies conducted have shown that Lantana camara contains ∼66 % holocellulose and ∼27% lignin. The average fibre length is 912μ with fibre diameter ∼22μ. α-Cellulose was isolated from L. camara with product yield ∼40%, brightness ∼80% at ∼95% purity having negligible ash content. α-Cellulose isolated from L. camara was derivatized to prepare water soluble carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) having DS of 1.22, viscosity 600 cps (1% solution) and 7500 cps (2% solution).

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P. L. Soni

Abstract

Gum exudates are important food additives besides being used in medicines, textiles, adhesives etc. Commercial applications of the gum depend upon its overall molecular structure and its properties. Exudate gums are facing stiff challenge from the modified starch or fermentation products. Food safety regulations have contributed to their restricted use in food industry. Six important Indian gums which have a place in the market are discussed and described in this paper.

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P. L. Soni , S. S. Bisen

Abstract

Naturally exuded gums are in use in different food preparations. Gums are natural polymers of monosugars. SEM studies of nine monosaccharides, three disaccharides and two gum polysaccharides were undertaken to determine their morphology. Monosaccharides and disaccharides exhibited their distinct crystalline morphology. Naturally exuded Acacia catechu gum and Prosopis juliflora seed polysaccharides also indicated characteristic morphology.

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P. L. Soni , T. S. S. Dikshith , R. B. Raizada

Abstract

Acute toxicity of Su-babul gum was determined by the oral as well as intraperitoneal administration to male and female rats and mice. The oral administraion dose at the level of 4 and 8g/kg body weight could not trigger any signs of toxicity or death. Injecting the gum (upto 1000 mg/kg) intraperitonealy in mice, indicated that it is non toxic and is devoid of any significant pharmacological activity. One can envisage no toxicity problem due to this material.

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P. L. Soni , Anuradha Agarwal , K. S. Ayyar

Abstract

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P. L. Soni , Attar Singh , A. K. Rai

Abstract

Leucaena leucocephala is uselul not only due to its food, fodder and fuel value but also due to the gum exuded by it as a result of gummosis which was found to be comparable with guar gum as Wet-end additive in paper making. Subabul seeds which are abundantly available have no commercial utilization till todate. Studies conducted in this laboratory has shown that seed is a rich source of gum. The gum is found to be readily soluble in waler and tested as an additive in paper making.

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P. L. Soni , Attar Singh , N. P. Dobhal

Abstract

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P. C. Gangwar ¹, P. L. Soni ¹, S. N. Mehta ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Animal Sciences, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

The various physiological responses such as respiration and body temperature are increased during hot summer months and milk production decreases and becomes irregular.

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P. L. Soni ¹, P. C. Gangwar ¹, C. S. Bahga ¹, R. K. Srivastava ², D. P. Dhingra ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Animal Sciences, IN
2 Department of Processing and Agricultural Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, IN

Abstract

The economic advantage to the farmer from dairy farming is mainly dependent on a constant and regular milk yield. Generally the milk production is greatly depressed during summer. Fat content of milk is of economic importance as milk in the country is marketed on the basis of fat percentage.

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