bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Characterization of NPK Nutrient Loaded Electrospun Cellulose Acetate Nanofiber Mat to be used as a Slow-release Fertilizer
Authors: Fernando W.A.M.B.  , Munaweera I.  , Kottegoda N.  
Published: February 2024

A major unsolved issue with chemical fertilizers is the low nutrient use efficiency. It has been reported that an excessive amount of up to 70% of the nitrogen applied to plants with traditional fertilizers is lost to the surrounding. Hence, the drastic pollution effects of chemical fertilizer usage. Slow-release fertilizers aim to reduce such losses via slow and sustained release of nutrients to the plant. In this study, we report the successful fabrication and characterization of a novel and biodegradable cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun nanofiber (NF) mat loaded with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plant nutrients of urea, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANPs) and MOP respectively to be used as a slow-release fertilizer (SRF). It was envisaged that the unique properties of the electrospun NFs could overcome the shortcomings of traditional slow-release fertilizers (SRFs). The fabrication of the NFs was done with 8.5% w/v CA polymer dissolved in a 6 mL solvent system of acetone to dimethylformamide in a 2:1 volume ratio along with the addition of the aforementioned nutrients at 10% of the polymer weight. Electrospinning parameters were set after parameter optimization. The high-voltage supply was set at 16 kV, the spinneret to collector distance was 13cm and the flow rate was 1.5 ml/h. The solutions were electrospun only when the relative humidity was approximately between 65 to 70%. The HANPs incorporated were synthesized by the wet chemical precipitation method. The successful synthesis of the HANPs was confirmed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The successful loading of the nutrients onto the electrospun NF mat was evident from FTIR, Raman and EDX analysis. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy images of the nutrient loaded NFs depicted a reduced average diameter with respect to those of the neat NF mat. The total nitrogen percentage of the nutrient loaded NF mat was determined to be 2.60% from Kjeldahl analysis. The initial nutrient release studies in water depicted a biphasic release model for orthophosphate and potassium nutrients while only a burst release profile was observed for nitrogen. It can be concluded that the electrospun NF mats display a potential application with regards to SRFs. However, several modifications to the NF mat fabrication such as the usage of coaxial electrospinning will have to be made in order to better optimize the nutrient loading and enhance its slow-release properties.
Keywords: Electrospinning, Nanofiber mat, Slow-release, Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles
Bio-efficacy and Persistence of Inert Dust Formulations as Stored-grain Protectants against Sitophilus oryzae (L.)
Authors: Ganhewa H.T.  , Perera A.G.W.U.  
Published: February 2024

Inert dust formulations of natural origin act as promising alternatives in controlling storage infestations caused by deleterious coleopteran insect pests. In that context, laboratory studies were conducted in order to evaluate the insecticidal activity, progeny inhibition and persistence of three commercially available dust formulations, namely, diatomaceous earth, zeolite and cloisite 20A against Sitophilus oryzae adults, a major coleopteran pest of stored grains, throughout 90 days of storage period. Adulticidal and persistence bioassays were conducted to evaluate the toxicity of binary combinations of inert dusts using their sub-lethal doses towards the test insect for 60 days of storage period. Further, ultrastructural architecture of the test insect pest species was examined via Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) to study the uptake/penetration pattern of inert dust particles through the cuticular layers of target insect pest. All inert dust formulations exhibited very efficacious toxic and progeny inhibition activities and extraordinary mortality percentages irrespective of the inert dust used at the end of initial 30 day-long storage period. Thereafter, mortality percentages gradually declined with the progress of the storage time period, declining in the order of, diatomaceous earth>zeolite>cloisite 20A. All the dust formulations successfully inhibited the progeny production and the lowest average progeny production was recorded at the end of initial storage period. Progeny inhibition decreased with the progress of storage time. Binary combinations of inert dust formulations exhibited additive and antagonistic effects against S. oryzae and similarly, the mortality percentages gradually decreased with the prolongation of the storage period. The FE-SEM and EDX micrographs clearly indicated the presence of dust particles and the distribution of their constituting elements on the cuticular layer of the exposed insect pests with the appearances of abrasions and scratches that may have led to dehydration and eventual death of S. oryzae. Thus, findings of the present study suggest that, naturally-derived diatomaceous earth, zeolite and cloisite 20A can be used as eco-friendly means as stored grain protectants against S. oryzae populations successfully in the storage grain systems.
Keywords: Sitophilus oryzae, Diatomaceous earth, Cloisite 20A, Zeolite
Potassium Solubilizers, Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp. Promote Growth in Tomato
Authors: Kumari M.D.H.M.  , Athukorala A.D.S.N.P.  , Vishwajith H.K.I.S.  , Rajapakse R.M.G.  
Published: February 2024

Potassium (K) is the third most significant plant macronutrient that plays a crucial role in growth and development of plants. K is abundant in soil, but 90-98% of K exists as insoluble minerals and only 1-2% becomes available to the plants. Certain microbes, K solubilizing microbes (KSMs), can solubilize unavailable forms of K and making it available to plants. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the growth promotion ability of two previously (2019) isolated KSMs, Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp in-vitro and under greenhouse conditions using feldspar as the K source. Khandeparkar‘s selection ratio calculated based on K solubilizing assay on Alexandrov medium showed that Aspergillus (1.72+0.16) has a higher and faster K solubilization ability than Trichoderma (1.0+0.16). Effect of KSMs was assayed in a Tomato seed germination assay carried out in Petri plates with KSMs treated and non-treated soils. Both Aspergillus (58%) and Trichoderma (72%) showed enhanced percentage germination of tomato seeds under in vitro conditions compared to that of controls (Aspergillus sp.: 24%, 14%, 22.7%, 51.3%, 39.3%, Trichoderma sp.: 22%, 12%, 13%, 59%, 51%) which was statistically significant (Aspergillus, P=0.026; Trichoderma, P=0.003) at 0.05 confidence level. Seedling length (P=0.102, P=0.028) and root length (P=0.453, P=0.002) of tomato were enhanced when raised in non-autoclaved natural soil than autoclaved natural soil inoculated with Aspergillus and Trichoderma respectively. The greenhouse experiment was carried out with same experimental set up as an in vitro assay. No significant difference was observed in shoot length, number of leaves and length of leaves of tomato plants planted in soil treated with Aspergillus (P=0.093, P=0.906, P=0.260) and Trichoderma (P=0.334, P=0.239, P=0.243) respectively in comparison to controls during the vegetative stage (2 months after sawing). However, flowering was started four days early in plants planted in non-autoclaved soil treated with Aspergillus sp. suggesting that the impact of Aspergillus sp. starts to become visible in the reproductive stage. The results suggest that K solubilizing ability of Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp. seem to show a positive effect on germination ability of tomato, however, only Aspergillus sp. seems to have a positive effect on the later stages of plant growth where K is mainly needed for flower and fruit development. Therefore, Aspergillus sp. can be a potential candidate to be used in up scaling the natural K fertilizers such as feldspar after intensive future experimentation.
Keywords: Plant Growth Promoting Microbes (PGPMs), Growth promotion, K deficiency
Effect of Water Sources on the Growth Performance and Chlorophyll Content of Azolla pinnata R.Br.
Authors: Amarasinghe S.R.  , Rajapaksha R.A.N.D.  , Rathnayake N.R.R.W.S.  
Published: February 2024

Azolla pinnata R.Br. is an aquatic fern that grows on the surface of water bodies. The unique quality of A. pinnata is its symbiotic relationship with a prokaryotic cyanobacterium (Anabaena azollae), which confers a high rate of nitrogen fixation. It is important to find the growing conditions of Azolla in different water sources for its optimum biomass production for different usages such as biofertilizers, animal feeds, water purification and biofuel production. This preliminary study was conducted to investigate the effect of water sources on the growth performance (shoot biomass, root biomass, root length), and the chlorophyll content of Azolla. Presence of Anabaena in Azolla fronds was monitored by light microscope and number of filaments were counted per leaflet. The experiment utilized three types of water sources (tap water as control (T1), lake water (T2) and cattle manure mixed tap water (T3), in plastic buckets with 40 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height. Each treatment was triplicated in a completely randomized design and total biomass was collected weekly. Data were statistically analyzed using Minitab 17. The highest biomass of Azolla was obtained in T3 from the first week until 8th week and it was higher from T1 and T2. The highest chlorophyll content was obtained in T3 (6.4 SPAD value) showed a significant difference from T1 and T2 (p<0.05). The dry weight of roots and root length in T1 showed a significant difference from T2 and T3 (p<0.05). The highest root length was observed as 5 cm in T1 indicating that roots may be in search of nutrients and the lowest root length was observed as 0.8 cm in T3 with high nutrient concentrations in water. The highest number of Anabaena was observed in the leaflet of Azolla fronds in T3 which in turn increase N content in Azolla plants. It reveals that application of cattle manure in tap water significantly affects the plant biomass and the chlorophyll content of Azolla. Further studies are needed to conduct in large scale growing facilities with different nutrient concentrations of water sources to find sustainable and optimum growing conditions for Azolla and the nutrient concentrations of the plants.
Keywords: Azolla, Chlorophyll, Growth performance, Water sources
Evaluation of the Quality of the Groundwater used for Domestic Purposes in the Anuradhapura District of the Dry Zone and the Efficacy of Laterite Soil-based Household Water Filters as Adsorbents
Authors: Dissanayake N.U.S.  , Jayawardana D.T.  , Buddhima A.V.P.S.  , Mapatuna M.H.L  , Gunathilake B.M.  , Hisho R.  
Published: February 2024

High concentrations of hardness, Ca, Mg, NO3-, PO43-, F- and, heavy metals in the groundwater being consumed in Sri Lanka's North Central province are becoming a serious health concern. The current study examined the groundwater quality in the Anuradhapura district as well as the effectiveness of groundwater purification by a laterite soil-based water purification device for Domestic Purposes. Chemical parameters (hardness, Ca, Mg, NO3-, PO43-, F-, Cr, Cd and Pb) were analyzed in randomly collected 35 number of well water samples during the dry season to assess the quality. The range of hardness was (21-1730) mg/l, with an average hardness of 471 mg/l. Anuradhapura had high levels of Ca and Mg, with average concentrations of 122 mg/l, ranges of (5- 429 mg/l) and 40 mg/L (2-160 mg/l), respectively. Phosphate levels ranged from (0.02-0.83 mg/l), with an average of 0.08 mg/l. Whereas nitrate concentrations ranged from (0.05-6.5) mg/l with an average of 0.59 mg/l and, fluoride levels ranged from (1.8-4.0 mg/l), with 2.3 mg/l being the average. Heavy metal concentrations that were below the WHO and Sri Lankan Standard limits had no discernible effect. The laterite soil-based water purification cylinder removed the hardness, Ca, Mg, NO3-, PO43- and, F- by adsorption. It was removed the hardness at an average rate of 89.7%, Ca at 89.32%, Mg at 86.87%, P at 100%, NO3- at 92.6% and F- at 81.6%. The outcomes showed that, well water in Anuradhapura region needs to be treated beforehand so it can be consumed. The laterite soil-based water filter performed well in terms of removing high hardness, Ca, Mg, P, NO3-, and F-.
Keywords: Groundwater quality, Laterite, Adsorption, Removal efficiency
Phytochemical Analysis of Some Selected Indigenous Plants in Eastern Region of Sri Lanka used for Minimizing Insect Damage on Stored Grains during Storage
Authors: Karunakaran S.  , Niranjana R.F.  
Published: February 2024

Grains are precious food in developing countries but are tragically susceptible to attack by several stored insects. Thus, grain productions often fall below demand. As the resistance of pests against synthetic chemical pesticides and residues in foods increased, consumers‘ awareness turned toward food and environmental safety. The studies conducted in Sri Lanka revealed that the botanical pesticides are being used to minimize these problems and have the potential to battle against pests on stored grains during storage. Further the reference in Sri Lanka evidenced that the botanical pesticides are readily available, inexpensive, easily biodegradable and low toxic to non-target organisms. With this concept the present study has been undertaken to analyze the secondary metabolites, known as phytochemicals that possess antioxidant or anti insecticidal properties, which are much safe, eco-friendly and can combat with the man-made chemicals in controlling the storage pests. The study was carried out to find the presence of phytochemicals namely, alkaloid, flavonoid, phenol, tannin, steroids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoid, saponine and reducing sugars in an aqueous extract of some selected indigenous plants, which are available in Eastern Region of Sri Lanka namely; Capsicum annuum (Chilli), Citrus aurantiifolia (Lime) Piper nigrum (Pepper), Azadiracta indica (Neem), Moringa oleifera (Moringa) Eucalyptus globules (Eucalyptus), Justicia adhatoda (Adhathodai) Annona reticulate (Annona), Cymbopogan citratus (Lemon grass) Vitex trifolia (Nochchi), Ocimum tenuiflorium (Thulsi), Lantenna camera(Nayunni), Eichhornia crassipes (Water hayasinth), Tagetes erecta (Marigold) piper longum (Thipilli) and Achyranthes aspera (Nayuruvi), that have pesticidal properties. The leaves of selected crops were dried at room temperature for a period of one week and grounded in to fine powder to take 10 g of powder from each to prepare 200 ml of water extract using electro thermal soxhlet for 36 hours and analyses qualitatively by the standard scientific procedures. The results showed that the water extract of Neem, Moringa and Thulsi contained all the above tested phytochemicals. The flavonoid was observed in all tested crops except Thipilil, which contained only phenol and tannin. Further Pepper, Eucalyptus, Lemon grass, Annona, and Chilli did not show alkaloids where Annona had only flavonoid, phenol and tannin. Nochchi showed all the phytochemicals except cardiac glycosides and terpenoid. The study confirmed the strength of tested crops in utilizing them in the pest management programme at storage because of the presence of one or more groups of the major insecticidal components like, alkaloids and flavonoids. The study also exposes the way for further studies related to the impact of individual plant insecticidal components against storage pests.
Keywords: Aalkaloids, Aqueous, Extract, Grains and phytochemical
Awareness of the General Public within the District of Gampaha, Regarding the Biomedical Waste Disposed by Clinical Laboratories and its Consequences
Authors: Perera B.O.L.  , Peiris P.C.  , Jayathilake J.M.N.J.  
Published: February 2024

The Waste management is a primary concern in a clinical laboratory for overall laboratory safety as biomedical wastes generated in medical laboratories are hazardous for humans and the environment. This study aimed to assess the awareness regarding biomedical waste and its consequences among the public in the Gampaha district and to observe the correlation between the level of education with this extent. 150 people between the ages of 18 and 55 years were considered for inclusion criteria, while current, retired, and minor healthcare workers were excluded. The convenience sampling method was used when selecting the target population, and data was collected through online surveys (google forms) with close-ended questionnaires. The age groups have been divided into four major categories: (18-25), (25-35), (35-45) and (45-55). SPSS software was used to analyze and evaluate the results. The results showed that people aged 18-25 years and 45-55 years have a low awareness of biomedical waste and its consequences, whereas people aged 25-35 years have good awareness. Individuals between the ages of 35 and 45 had the highest level of awareness. The responses obtained revealed that the highest level of awareness regarding the biomedical wastes disposed of by clinical laboratories and its consequences was given by 90% of the 35-45 age group, 60% of the 25-35 age group, 58% of the 45-55 age group, and 52% of the 18- 25 age group. Except for a few exceptions, many participants in the 35-45 age groups were educated as most of them had completed their studies at least up to advanced level. Having a doctorate was the highest education level observed in the sample. According to the findings, the analyzed P value was 0.026, with a correlation coefficient of 0.6631 indicating that the results are statistically significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a clear correlation between the levels of education and age regarding the awareness of biomedical waste. Therefore, strengthening the waste management systems and educating the public regarding biomedical waste would be recommended.
Keywords: Biomedical wastes, Awareness, Level of Education, General Public, Gampaha District
Effectiveness of an Awareness Program on Lunch Sheets Pollution: A Case study at Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Authors: Gunathilake T.M.S.U.  , Tharindu G.A.N.  , Udayangi J.I.  , Weerasena O.V.D.C.J.  , Wanigasinghe S.P.A.  , Thennakoon H.G.  , Senarath M.V.R.P.D.  , Thilakarathne K.A.V.  , Bandara A.B.A.L.  , Seneviratne W.S.M.S.  , Sandaruwan G.L.H.  
Published: February 2024

The research was based on irregular disposal practices among the FAS students and giving knowledge about alternatives instead of non-degradable lunch sheets. Among all years of students, including from 1st year to 4th year, 62 students were randomly selected from different combinations and data was collected by sharing a Google form. The collected data was based on the type of lunch sheets used (biodegradable/non-biodegradable); the way of discarding the used lunch sheets; knowledge of the decomposition period of non-biodegradable lunch sheets; awareness of alternatives and lunch sheets ban in Sri Lanka; knowledge of environmental and health impact; and their interest in biodegradable lunch sheets. A poster was shared with information on the environmental and health impacts of non-degradable lunch sheets and the alternatives that can be used to reduce the usage of lunch sheets. After the awareness program, the resurvey was conducted by sharing the Google form among the 62 students who had joined the survey to identify how their behavior had changed. Among 62 students, 93.2% of students used separate bins as a disposal method early and after the awareness program, it was upgraded to 96.7%. At the same time, 11.9% of students disposed of their lunch packaging by burning it, and it was reduced to 3.3%. Before the awareness program, only 27.1% of students knew the decomposing period (10-20 years). After the awareness program, 95% of students selected the correct answer. In the beginning, only 52.5% of students knew about the ban on non-degradable lunch sheets in Sri Lanka. According to the results of resurvey, their awareness about banning lunch sheets increased to 95%. In addition, the students were more knowledgeable than before about the impacts of lunch sheets on the environment and animals after the awareness program. As a result of the resurvey, the awareness of reusable food packaging has improved by up to 98.3%. Furthermore, results showed that 91.7% of students preferred to buy biodegradable packaging materials that are five times more expensive than currently used non-degradable lunch sheets. However, reducing the production cost of biodegradable packaging materials requires further research and investigations. In conclusion, after this study, students were made aware of lunch sheet pollution, environmental impact, and alternatives for lunch sheets. Further investigation into this research will be carried out based on other faculties belonging to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Keywords: Lunch sheet, Pollution, Non-degradable, Environmental effects
Analysis of Wastewater Quality after the Reopening of the Faculty of Technology,
Authors: Gunathilake H.M.A.V.  , Perera W.P.S.N.  , Malkanthi W.P.M.  
Published: February 2024

Wastewater is a complex matrix consists of varied pollutants namely particulate matter, microorganisms, dissolved solids, biogeochemical species at significant concentrations. Wastewater treatment brings down the concentration of pollutants to permissible levels. The Technology faculty has approximately 1,600 students and approximately 110 academic and non-academic staff members. We have observed that wastewater from the washroom systems, canteens and water used for cleaning activities are directed to the wastewater treatment plant. The study was conducted to determine the quality of generated and treated wastewater when the faculty functions in full capacity. Upon the treatment of wastewater, these are pumped for the garden water supply of the faculty. In this research, parameters like water pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), conductivity, total suspended solids (TSS) and temporary hardness of water were analyzed for both influent and effluent. The treatment efficiencies COD, DO, TSS and turbidity were recorded 53%, 41%, 96% and 93% respectively after the wastewater is passed through equalization anaerobic tanks, aeration tank, clarifier, chlorination tank, sand filter and carbon filters. The occurrence of an efficient treatment of wastewater can be concluded and it is recommended to be used for general water usage at the faculty gardening activities.
Keywords: COD, Dissolved Oxygen, Wastewater treatment