Protein feed and bioplastic from farm biogas.

Protein feed and bioplastic from farm biogas. A new solution has been developed for converting even small sources of methane-rich biogas into raw materials for animal feed or bioplastic on farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. This emission-reducing solution is based on the ability of methanotrophic bacteria to grow on methane in gas fermentors. Methane-rich biogas is generated on farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants in anaerobic digestion of biological material. Until now, the processing of such gas into biomethane has only been viable on large biogas-producing sites; small biogas sources such as farms have remained largely unexploited. Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT), has developed a solution for converting even small sources of methane-rich biogas into raw materials for animal feed or bioplastic on farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. This emission-reducing solution is based on the ability of methanotrophic bacteria to grow on methane in gas fermentors. Methane-rich biogas is generated on farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants in anaerobic digestion of biological material. Until now, the processing of such gas into biomethane has only been viable on large biogas-producing sites; small biogas sources such as farms have remained largely unexploited. The method developed by VTT would reduce emissions, increase the use of biogas and improve protein self-sufficiency. It is based on the ability of methanotrophic bacteria to grow in aerobic conditions in gas fermentors, using methane as the source for carbon and energy. The process is as follows: The methane gas generated by anaerobic digestion is fed into a gas fermentor. A growth medium containing the methanotrophic bacteria circulates through the pipes of the gas fermentor, creating a single-cell protein biomass with a protein content of around 60%. The cell mass is filtered, pasteurised and dried. The methanotrophic bacteria and (depending on the growth conditions) cell mass may also contain polyhydroxybutyrate plastic (PHB) -- a natural substance in the cells that enables them to store conserve energy. For example, PHB can be used as a raw material for biodegradable packaging material, instead of oil-based and non-biodegradable plastics such as polypropylene (PP). The cell mass may contain 50% half of the PHB, in which case the protein content is around 30%. Extraction is used to separate the PHB and protein fractions from the dried cell mass.

Ammonia-rich bird waste cools the atmosphere.

Ammonia-rich bird waste cools the atmosphere.It turns out bird feces helps cool the Arctic. That’s according to new research by atmospheric scientists, who are working to better understand key components of Arctic climate systems. New research from Colorado State University atmospheric scientists, who are working to better understand key components of Arctic climate systems.Publishing in Nature Communications and featured by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science Jeff Pierce and graduate student Jack Kodros present evidence linking ammonia emissions from summertime Arctic seabird-colony excrement, called guano, to newly formed atmospheric aerosol particles. These particles can in turn influence Arctic cloud properties and their effects on climate. Clouds play a key role in modulating Arctic temperature; thus, understanding factors that influence clouds is essential, Pierce says. Central to the development of clouds is the availability of cloud condensation nuclei -- small atmospheric particles around which water can condense. Using a combination of observations and computer modeling, Pierce, Kodros and co-authors at Dalhousie University, University of Toronto, and Environment and Climate Change Canada determined that migratory-seabird colonies have a definitive influence on atmospheric particles and clouds in the pristine summertime Arctic. They report the presence of summertime bursts of atmospheric particles linked to ammonia emissions from seabird-colony guano. These particles can spread throughout the Arctic, fostering cloud-droplet formation, and in turn reflect sunlight back to space for a net cooling effect. This newly identified and fascinating ecological-atmospheric connection highlights the interconnectedness of the many components of Earth's climate system. MORE

Turning sugar waste into light, and job opportunities.

How to turn sugar waste into light, and job opportunities.An alternate use for sugarcane waste has been proposed by a research team in India. Sugar is falling out of favor around the world, sugarcane residue is becoming a useful commodity. From Britain to Mexico, countries are considering sugar taxes to reduce consumption and curb the global obesity epidemic. In 2014, about 600 million people, roughly double the population of the United States, were obese. Addressing the problem earlier this year, the World Health Organization pointed the finger at high sugar consumption, in particular through sugar-sweetened beverages. At the same time, sugar industry associations and sugarcane growers warn for huge job losses if countries discourage their citizens from consuming sugar. In South Africa, for example, the industry warns that a mooted sugar tax will cut at least 60,000 jobs. Indian researchers have found a new use for sugarcane pulp, as a source of highly fluorescent carbon quantum dots, in a study published in Applied Surface Science. This alternate use of sugarcane waste, or bagasse, could not only reduce the amount of agricultural waste contaminating the environment but also offers a new revenue stream for farmers. The scientists developed a simple, low-cost and efficient method for green synthesis of fluorescent carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse. These dots are tiny carbon nanoparticles, which are about four nanometers across. For an idea of scale, 110 billion of these dots, more than the number of stars in the Milky Way, would fit on the head of a pin. They emit light and are non-toxic, carbon quantum dots can serve as biosensors, in light-emitting diodes and even to deliver drugs around the human body. For example, researchers have injected liquids containing carbon quantum dots into a living body to image it from the inside. This research demonstrates a new method of producing these versatile nanoparticles. To begin with, the Indian team cut the sugarcane bagasse into small pieces and sun-dried it for six days. After burning the dry bagasse, they chemically oxidized and exfoliated it. While this approach produces a useful substance, it also removes agricultural waste from the environment. More than 90 countries produce sugarcane, and by extension, sugarcane waste. Huge quantities of agricultural residues -- rice husks, sugarcane bagasse and coconut husks -- are produced annually around the world, and these are vastly underutilized. Continue

AGRIBUSINESS: Benefits of powdered eggs and how to use it.

Egg powder is your delicious choice when you need to prepare an egg recipe fast .The powder contains all the nutrients eggs offer plus one extra factor,its handy. This is how to use the powder You can serve with any food you desire.

 Why should you use egg powder:
 1) Ease of use.

 2) Handy

 3)Convenience

 4) Affordable

 5) Readily available.

 Eggs are very nutritious and vital for growth and development.Eggs contain essential nutrients and vitamins that propels growth and increase in intelligent quotient(I.Q),which is why its essential for growing children.

Eggs can be referred to as a power-food because of its immense benefits and its also called a power pill. Eggs contains 77 calories,6 grams of protein and 5 grams of healthy fat.Eggs are rich in omega-3-fatty acid, vit A,B2,B12,B5,B6,E,D and K.

It also contains folate,calcium zinc,phosphorus and selenium.Eggs also contain all the essential amino acids in the right ratio so that our bodies are equipped to utilize them. The egg yolk contains lutein and zeaxanthin which reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration in the aged. Choline is also vital component of egg and its used to build cell membrane ,with the major role of producing signal molecules in the brain.

Eggs are essential for brain health because of the role of choline. Eggs can be referred to as a magic pill because of the nutrients it contains,but also because of the magic of presentation and various uses.Eggs are useful in the pharmaceutical industry,beauty industry, creative arts and food and beverage industry.

 Eggs can be presented in powdered form to extend the shelve-life,make it handy and easy to store. Eggs can be powdered as whole eggs,thats the egg white and yolk together. Eggs can also be separated into egg white and egg yolk and powdered separately.

The advantage of this is that different industries use the yolk and egg white separately as a raw material for their products,thus this separation will reduce cost and prevent waste Powdered whole eggs are handy and cost effective.

The powdered eggs can be packed easily without the risk of cracks and transported long distances.The whole powdered eggs gives same nutritious value as shelled eggs but more volume than the shelled eggs.

 The powdered whole eggs can be prepared with water or milk depending on taste and can be used for various dishes. HOW TO USE THE EGG POWDER.

 1) Pour the sachet in a clean bowl,the number of sachet will
depend on the number of people to eat it.

 2) Add water /milk to the powder,depending on preference and dish.

 3) Mix until fluffy and fry. 4) Serve as desired. A 10g sachet can serve 2 adult  but a 10g sachet will serve 3 children.

If you leave it to stand for a minute after mixing before you fry, it will serve more people.

 The egg powder is economical as well as easy to prepare and cheap. Call for yours today @ 50 naira/10g sachet.

Your dog is watching you very carefully and remembers what you do.

Your dog is watching you very carefully and remembers what you do. Humans have episodic memory, and that’s pretty easy to prove, because we can use our words to describe the past events we recall. Demonstrating that animals have it is much more difficult. But now researchers in Hungary say they’ve found evidence that dogs have episodic-like memory (they added the “like” because they acknowledge they cannot get inside a dog’s head to absolutely confirm this), specifically when it comes to remembering. When it comes to having a short memory and getting easily distracted, dogs often get a bad rap. A study out Wednesday suggests their recall ability may be deeper than previously thought. In fact, they appear to be able to remember what people did in the recent past, said the report in Current Biology.This kind of recall is known as episodic memory -- the ability to mentally travel back in time and remember details about an event. It has been shown to exist in humans and primates, but never in dogs until now. "It is not possible to simply ask them, 'Do you remember what happened this morning?'" said lead researcher Claudia Fugazza. So she adapted a training technique she pioneered called "Do As I Do" for the study, which allows dogs to answer with their behavior. According to the method, dogs are trained to imitate human behavior. A person may stand on a chair, leap in the air, or tap an umbrella. continue

Melbourne 'thunderstorm asthma' kills two.

Melbourne 'thunderstorm asthma' kills two. Two people have died in Melbourne, Australia, from a rare phenomenon known as "thunderstorm asthma", after a storm hit the city late on Monday local time. Paramedics and hospitals were stretched to their limits as thousands phoned to report breathing problems. The trigger was an extreme level of rye grass pollen in the air, whipped up by strong winds. Ambulance Victoria took more than 1,870 calls ,the figure is more than six times the daily average, and at least 30 people are in intensive care. The massive call volume affected waiting times and forced 60 reserve ambulances, police and fire-fighters to respond to medical emergencies.About 200 calls were directly linked to asthma, but 600 more reported respiratory issues. One of those killed by the freak weather event was named by her family as 20-year-old Hope Carnevali. Local media said the young woman had suffered a horrific asthma attack, and lay on her lawn for more than 30 minutes waiting for an ambulance to arrive, while her family desperately performed CPR. continue

Holistic approach to pet care.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria — so-called superbugs — is a global problem with both short- and long-term implications for human and animal health. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest threats to human health in all communities. In time, even simple infections, usually easily treated, may not respond to antibiotics.

 Animal health providers, farming industries and even pet owners have an important role to play in reducing the overuse of antibiotics. 

The Australian Veterinary Association provides guidelines to reduce their use. These include avoiding use for infections not shown to be caused by bacteria; for example, some urinary tract problems, pancreatic disease, many gut problems and viral respiratory diseases. Antibiotics should be used only after test results identify bacterial infection and, ideally, narrow-spectrum antibiotics are chosen on the basis of sensitivity testing. 

Treatment should be carried out only for the time required to eliminate infection. Unfortunately, in practice, the time and money required for such tests isn’t always easy to find in an environment where there’s emotional pressure to heal animals quickly and cheaply. A holistic approach to animal health and wellness provides alternatives to antibiotic use. These are some steps animal owners and carers can take to reduce antibiotic use : 1) Avoid use of antibiotics where not required. Bacterial infection does not play a part in some common illnesses in veterinary medicine but antibiotics may be prescribed anyway. 2) Use alternatives where safe and effective. It’s always best to consult your vet, or holistic vet, before using them. 

Natural treatments may cause side-effects in some individual dogs or cats. Never use essential oils in or on cats. 3) If antibiotics are prescribed for your pet, make sure you complete the entire course. If you have trouble giving the medications or you think they may cause side-effects, your vet or support staff can give you suggestions.

 Resistant infections can be passed on from pet to owner so always wash your hands, especially before eating. 4) Practice good hygiene: wash your hands. No need to use antibacterial washes; soap and warm water are sufficient. Make sure you wash all surfaces of your hands, including the web between your fingers. (Follow with vitamin E cream if washing dries out your hands).

 As an alternative to antibacterial cleaners around the house, use hot water, vinegar and bicarb of soda. This will reduce the emergence of resistant bacteria and also reduce toxins your pet is exposed to.

 5) Use probiotics after courses of antibiotics to replenish good bacteria and support gut health and immunity. 6) Preventative healthcare for your pet will reduce infections and the need for antibiotics. This includes judicious use (but not overuse) of vaccines, flea, mite and worm control and regular health checks (annually for younger pets; biannually for older pets) for early detection of health problems. 

Dental disease is one of the commonest health issues in pets, resulting in gingivitis, periodontal disease and the need for antibiotics and dental surgical procedures. Make sure your pet has a dental check every six months. continue