Neeraj K. Aggarwal - Böcker

This book discusses the production of bioethanol from water hyacinth, a potential source of lignocellulosic biomass. Biofuels, as an alternative to fossil fuels, not only ensure energy security but also mitigate air pollution and reduce greenhouse emissions. Biofuels can be produced from sugar- and starch-rich food crops (first-generation biofuel) or lignocellulosic biomass (second-generation biofuel). However, the overexploitation of conventional lignocellulosic sources such as agro-industrial residues, dedicated herbaceous, hardwoods and softwoods and forest residues may lead to problems in terms of land management and biodiversity conservation. Non-conventional sources include industrial cellulosic waste, municipal solid waste and weeds. Of these, weeds are an attractive lignocellulosic source due to their prevalence and easy availability. Eichhornia crassipes, commonly known as water hyacinth, is one of the world’s most invasive weeds due to its rapidproliferation rate, efficient survival strategies in extreme conditions, and it has a significant impact on the environment, ecological communities, human health and socioeconomic development. Strategies including physical removal, chemical methods and biological control agents have proven inefficient in completely eradicating Eichhornia crassipes. On the other hand, water hyacinth has a low lignin and high holocellulose content and is a rich source of lignocellulosic biomass, and has therefore been exploited as a raw material for the production of biofuel, biogas, animal and fish feed, compost and other valuable products. Further, being an aquatic plant, it does not compete with food crops for land resources. The bioethanol-generating capacity of water hyacinth is comparable to that of agricultural waste, making it a potential raw material for biofuel production.

The book provides a perspective on the chemistry, sources and production of bioethanol highlighting the recent developments in the field. Through this book readers will learn basic and advanced bioethanol production technologies under one roof, including resource management and environmental and economic impacts.

The book provides a perspective on the chemistry, sources and production of bioethanol highlighting the recent developments in the field. Through this book readers will learn basic and advanced bioethanol production technologies under one roof, including resource management and environmental and economic impacts.

The book discusses the basics of aptamers and the advent of aptamer-based technology in recent times. The book covers the diverse applications of aptamers, such as in detection of animal and plant pathogens, disease diagnosis and therapeutics, environmental contamination detection etc. Besides these applications, the book also describes the use of these synthetic or modified DNA, as drug delivery vehicles.The different chapters describe how the binding capacity and specificity of aptamers can be exploited in various ways. The book also discusses how these attributes of aptamers can outdo the antibody technology in biomedical and diagnostic solutions. This crisp and concise book gives the readers an insight into the most recent biotechnological applications of aptamers. ​