ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

analyzed for the selection of best substrate for
growth. Different carbon source like propionate,
octanoic and decanoic acid were used as sole
source of carbon in the nutrient deficient media to
check for PHA production. A combination of glucose
and propionate was found to be the best substrate, in
which most of the selected isolates showed good
growth.
Bioconversion of solid waste and Biomethanation
Fisheries College and Research Institute,
Thoothikkudi in Tamil Nadu performed
Vermicomposting of seafood processing waste. The
seafood processing wastes, bulking agents and
inoculum cow dung slurry or microbes
Trichoderma/Azotobactor were mixed
homogeneously in different ratios. Composting
methods were employed for 21-25 days. Compost
was then subjected to vermicomposting by using
exotic earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae for 25 days
which led to odourless, nitrogen rich biocompost. A
biocompost yard is under construction.
Self mixing Anaerobic Reactor Technology (SMART)
has been developed and patented by IICT,
Hyderabad and ANGRAU, Hyderabad for High Rate
Biomethanation from poultry litter. The process
consists of feed preparation system, two number of
Self Mixing Anaerobic Reactor (SMAR) in series with
solid liquid separation system. The study revealed
that approximately 60% of volatile solids in the litter
3
could be removed yielding 0.33m CH 4/(kg
VS
reduced) of methane at 20 days of residence time.
This design is efficient as it has low residence time
and methane produced could be used for brooding
within the farm saving LPG and dried bio-manure
could be sold as fertilizer.
Bioremediation
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur has identified the
most tolerant plant species for the development of
Ecotechnology for distillary waste treatment. 9
terrestrial (7 glycophytes and 4 halophytes) and 5
marshy species were studied in spent wash in
DBT Annual Report 2006-07
126
different seasons under two types of irrigation
practices at field capacity viz. surface and subsurface.
Plant growth was quantified in terms of
Schematic Flow diagram of high rage Bioemthanation of poultry litter
based on smart
Hight rate Biomethanation of Poultry litter : bench scale studies
conducted at IICT
biomass, chlorophyll and proline contents. Important
findings are:
Marshy species :
It has been observed that Phargmites is the most
tolerant species followed by Arundo and Typha ,
whereas Scirpus species were the least tolerant.
During the study period, identification of
economically important species such as henna
(Lawsonia in cosmetics), Acacia (for fodder and