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HD Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Receives Patent for a Novel Synergistic Rodent Repellent Liquid Formulation CR Distributed by Contify.com

WC 299 words

PD 14 February 2012

SN Indian Patent News

SC ATPATN

LA English

LP New Delhi, Feb. 14 -- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research received patent for a novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation on Nov. 14, 2008. The patent number issued by the Indian Patent Office is 225145.

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research had filed patent application number 338/DEL/2002 for a novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation on March 27, 2002. The inventor of the patent is Krishnoji Rao Muktha Bai.

TD The International classification number is A01N65/00.

According to the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, "The present invention relates to a novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation. The formulation is based on plant materials and non-lethal chemical compounds. The main utility of the formulation is to protect the food materials stored in gunny or jute sacs when treated/sprayed to prevent or reduce the rodent (rats & mice) attack. A novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation comprises: Pongamia oil ranging from 20-50 weight %, Citronella oil 1-3 weight %, Methyl anthranilate 12-14 weight %. Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 38-65 weight %."

About the Applicant

Page 1 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) established in 1942, is an autonomous body and Research and Development (R&D) organization, with 39 laboratories and 50 field stations or extension centers spread across the nation. Although CSIR is mainly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, it operates as an autonomous body registered under the Registration of Societies Act of 1860. The research and development activities of CSIR includes various fields such as aerospace engineering, Structural engineering, ocean sciences, molecular biology, metallurgy, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environment.

Images, graphs or charts, if any, have been removed

CO clfdqp : Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

AN Document ATPATN0020120214e82e000b7

PD 14 February 2012

SN Journal of India

SC JOUIND

PG 75

LA English

LP 2012 FEB 14 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "Commercial oil-yielding seeds (castor, coconut, neem, peanut, pongamia, rubber and sesame) were collected from different places in the state of Tamil Nadu (India) from which 1279 endophytic fungi were isolated. The oil-bearing seeds exhibited rich fungal diversity," scientists writing in the World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology report.

TD "High Shannon-Index H' was observed with pongamia seeds (2.847) while a low Index occurred for coconut kernel-associated mycoflora (1.018). Maximum Colonization Frequency (%) was observed for Lasiodiplodia theobromae (176). Dominance Index (expressed in terms of the Simpson's Index D) was high (0.581) for coconut kernel-associated fungi, and low for pongamia seed-borne fungi. Species Richness (Chao) of the fungal isolates was high (47.09) in the case of neem seeds, and low (16.6) for peanut seeds. All 1279 fungal isolates were screened for lipolytic activity employing a zymogram method using Tween-20 in agar. Forty isolates showed strong lipolytic activity, and were morphologically identified as belonging to 19 taxa (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chalaropsis, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Drechslera, Fusarium, Lasiodiplodia, Mucor, Penicillium, Pestalotiopsis, Phoma, Phomopsis, Phyllosticta, Rhizopus, Sclerotinia, Stachybotrys and Trichoderma). These isolates also exhibited amylolytic, proteolytic and cellulolytic activities," wrote B. Venkatesagowda and colleagues, Lakehead University.

The researchers concluded: "Five fungal isolates (Aspergillus niger, Chalaropsis thielavioides, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Phoma glomerata) exhibited highest lipase activities, and the best producer was Lasiodiplodia theobromae (108 U/mL), which was characterized by genomic sequence analysis of the ITS region of 18S rDNA."

Page 3 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. Venkatesagowda and colleagues published their study in World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology (Diversity of plant oil seed-associated fungi isolated from seven oil-bearing seeds and their potential for the production of lipolytic enzymes. World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology, 2012;28(1):71-80).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting B. Venkatesagowda, Lakehead Univ, Biorefining Res Initiat, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada.

The publisher of the World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology can be contacted at: Springer, 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA.

NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

RE cana : Canada | namz : North America

AN Document JOUIND0020120210e82e0001w

WC 304 words

PD 10 February 2012

SN Coolum Weekly

SC APNCOW

ED Main

PG 7

LA English

LP COUNCIL candidate Jen Mazoudier said her Division 9 opponent Taylor Bunnag was “scaremongering to gain attention and cheap publicity” by intimating residential development on local canelands was imminent.

“The SEQ regional plan and the existing town plan clearly state that there will not be development on canelands and that there will not be high rise in Coolum,” Ms Mazoudier said.

TD “The only way the canelands can be developed is if the State Government overrides the council town plan and the SEQ Regional Plan. They both clearly state that canelands are protected from urban development.

“I would oppose any further development on floodplains. It is sheer folly to even contemplate using flood-prone land for urban development.”

Ms Mazoudier said it was important a better use for degraded canelands was found.

“These include alternate renewable cropping, such as bamboo, hemp and blue quandong or crops such as pongamia pinnata, which can be made into diesel,” she said.

“This would not only support the agricultural sector but would also create local jobs in the processing of the raw materials.”

The emergence of developer-backed candidates is one issue the two candidates agree on.

Ms Mazoudier said council divisions were being stacked with candidates representing the development industry, which she accused of land banking.

“The developer industry must answer the question of why they are sitting on over 6700 lots already approved by council,” she said.

“These lots are waiting to be released to the market to be built on.

“I believe they are waiting for the market to improve, so they can make more profit.”

Ms Mazoudier said she was an advocate of responsible, balanced development.

“We need development that supports job creation but also protects our environment,” she said.

IN i5010021 : Land Development/Subdivision | iindstrls : Industrials | i501 : Building Construction | iconst : Construction | icre : Construction/Real Estate NS gcat : Political/General News

RE austr : Australia | apacz : Asia Pacific | ausnz : Australia/Oceania

IPD Arts - Culture - Entertainment | Human interest | Traditional Family

PUB APN Newspapers Pty Ltd

AN Document APNCOW0020120208e82a000b7

BY Bamniya B.R.; Kapoor C.S.; Kapasya V.; Kapoor K.

CR Department of Environmental Sciences, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University; Department of Botany, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University WC 204 words

PD 1 February 2012

SN Ei EnCompass: Environment

SC APEN

LA English

LP Air pollution tolerance of the plant Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, as well as, its effect on metabolic activities of the plant was studied with reference to concentration of air pollutants on comparative basis in selected sites around Udaipur city in polluted and unpolluted areas.

The tree species being very common in and around Udaipur city of Rajasthan, India as roadside plant.

TD The quality of air in terms of RSPM, SPM, SO(sub)2 and NO(sub)2 on respective sites along with biochemical parameters of the leaves, i.e., chlorophyll content, total carbohydrate, total protein, dustcapturing capacity, leaf size and enzyme activity were assessed in experimental sites.

The data obtained were further subjected to ANOVA, which gave significant values.

Our studies confirm that industries are the prominent sources of the elevated level of air pollutants that affect flora and health of local population. (c) Springer-Verlag 2011.

Diagram, 6 tables, and spectra

AN Document APEN000020120529e8210008t

PD 27 January 2012

SN Health & Medicine Week

SC HAMW

PG 866

LA English

LP 2012 JAN 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to the authors of recent research published in the journal Natural Product Communications, "The aim of this study was to reveal the pyridine metabolism in leaves of two mangrove legumes, Derris indica (=Millettia pinnata or Pongamia pinnata) and Caesalpinia crista. Radioactivity from [carbonyl-C-14]nicotinamide supplied exogenously to young leaf disks was recovered in nicotinic acid, nicotinic acid mononucleotide, NAD, NADP, nicotinamide mononucleotide and trigonelline."

"These mangrove species, especially D. indica, have strong ability to convert nicotinamide to trigonelline, but not to nicotinic acid glucoside. The endogenous trigonelline content in leaves of D. indica was more than 830 mu g/g dry weight. This value is 5-12 times greater than that in leaves of Glycine max," wrote Y.L. Yin and colleagues, Yokohama National University.

TD The researchers concluded: "There was little short-term effect of 250 and 500 mM NaCl (equivalent to ca. 50% and 100% sea water) on nicotinamide metabolism."

Yin and colleagues published their study in Natural Product Communications (Pyridine Metabolism and Trigonelline Synthesis in Leaves of the Mangrove Legume trees Derris indica (Millettia pinnata) and Caesalpinia crista. Natural Product Communications, 2011;6(12):1835- 1838).

For additional information, contact Y.L. Yin, Yokohama National University, Fac Environm & Informat Sci, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2408501, Japan.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Natural Product Communications is: Natural Products Inc, 7963 Anderson Park Ln, Westerville, OH 43081, USA.

IN i323 : Textile Machinery Manufacturing | iindstrls : Industrials | i32 : Machinery/Industrial Goods NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

RE jap : Japan | kanag : Kanagawa | apacz : Asia Pacific | asiaz : Asia | easiaz : Eastern Asia

PUB NewsRx.com

AN Document HAMW000020120120e81r000qq

HD Australian energy tree may carry biofuel bounty for US growers

BY Logan Hawkes

WC 869 words

PD 25 January 2012

SN Western Farm Press

SC WFRP

ED Western Farm Press

LA English

LP As global petroleum resources decline and the cost of imported oil escalates, agriculture producers around the world have been researching and testing food and non-food biofuels as an alternative to meet the growing demand for energy.

Biodiesel is experiencing a historic surge worldwide and a rapid expansion in production capacity is being observed not only in developed countries such as Germany, Italy, France, and the United States but also in developing countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Indonesia. Interest in and expansion of renewable fuel production has been fostered by mandates and financial incentives offered by governments, like the Obama Administration’s Renewable Fuels Standard requiring the production of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022.

TD The push for biofuels got its big start with President Bush's plan for biofuels from crops in 2007, and ethanol is now big business. By 2009 just over 25 percent of U.S. grain crops was being used to create ethanol for cars. But while the idea of crops-for-fuel is not new, research and experience is slowing interest in ethanol produced from corn, sorghum, sugarcane, and other traditional food and non-food crops as more attention is being focused on oilseed as a better, lower-cost alternative that uses less land traditionally dedicated to food crops.

Recognizing the need to limit acres for biofuel and a desire to lower the cost of biofuel production and increase yields, potential growers have been taking at look at alternative oilseed crops including sunflower, canola, flax, soybean, castor and camelina. In India and

Page 11 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. Australia, a legume, Pongamiapinnata, a tree that produces seeds containing 30 to 40 percent oil, is becoming a popular oilseed choice for biofuel production and has captured the attention of U.S. growers.

Adaptability

Tom Schenk, a farm land broker by trade and now business development director for a Bioenergy firm, was so impressed with the “energy tree” that he has been involved in establishing test groves across Texas to determine the tree’s adaptability to the Texas environment.

“While we are in the early stages of our research and development in Texas, we are most pleased with results. Pongamia is tolerant to saline and alkaline soils, it can withstand harsh climates and marginal land and is one of the few nitrogen-fixing trees producing seeds containing 30 to 40 percent oil,” he says.

Schenk has been instrumental in helping to establish a grove of some 30,000 trees near San Isidro, Texas, west of Zapata and north of Edinburg in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. In addition, groves of pongamia have been planted near El Campo. He says industry interest in Texas has been sparked as well as evidenced by Formosa Plastics leasing land to test plant the trees.

“This is a hearty tree with a 30-foot tap root. It can tolerate extreme temperatures and harsh sunlight, and the seed that it develops can be harvested with a nut shaker, and a peanut sheller and soybean crusher do a good job preparing the seed for biofuel application,” he says.

The seed cake from production can be used as a high nitrogen fertilizer and when blended with soybean is a high protein animal feed.

“Since this legume fixes nitrogen in soil, we discovered early on that grasses beneath the trees last year were lush and green, and cows from an adjacent pasture had broken through a fence and were grazing on it at a time when almost all forage had been grazed out or destroyed from the drought, so we’re talking about an energy crop that can offer added benefit to growers,” he said.

Since pongamia fixes nitrogen in the soil, Schenk says growers could intercrop with faster growing grasses before the canopy eventually restricts sunlight exposure.

Pongamia seed oil as a biofuel has physical properties very similar to conventional diesel.

Page 12 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. Emission properties, however, are cleaner for biofuel than for conventional diesel. It has no polyaromatic compounds and features reduced toxic smoke and soot emissions. In addition, the same oil is used as fuel for cooking and the oil is also used as a lubricant, water-paint binder, pesticide, and in soap making and tanning industries in other countries.

In India, where the tree is extensively used as an energy crop, dried leaves are used as an insect repellent in stored grains. The press cake, when applied to the soil, has pesticidal value, particularly against nematodes.

“Looking at the current policy for promotion of biofuels, pongamia seems to be more promising than other feedstock and we’re hopeful our trial will demonstrate its adaptation to large scale production in Texas,” Schenk adds.

As with any other tree crop, pongamia requires 4 to 5 years before the tree is mature enough to be commercially harvested. However, it is also a fast growing tree and tree life can extend far beyond 50 years.

“The advantages are many and the results are promising,” Schenk says.

Schenk is affiliated with Terviva Bioenergy as director of business development, a bioenergy firm promoting the product nationwide as an alternative energy crop. More information is available at http://terviva.com/index.php.

IN i010013202 : Oilseed (except Soybean) Farming | i0 : Agriculture/Forestry | i01001 : Agriculture | i0100132 : Oilseed/Grain Farming NS c21 : Output/Production | ccat : Corporate/Industrial News

RE usa : United States | namz : North America

PUB Penton Business Media

AN Document WFRP000020120125e81p00005

HD Australian tree offers Texas growers biofuel alternative

BY Logan Hawkes

WC 866 words

PD 23 January 2012

SN Southwest Farm Press

SC SWFP

ED Southwest Farm Press

LA English

Page 14 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. Australia, a legume, Pongamiapinnata, a tree that produces seeds containing 30 to 40 percent oil, is becoming a popular oilseed choice for biofuel production and has captured the attention of U.S. growers.

Adaptability

The seed cake from production can be used as a high nitrogen fertilizer and when blended with soybean is a high protein animal feed.

Since pongamia fixes nitrogen in the soil, Schenk says growers could intercrop with faster growing grasses before the canopy eventually restricts sunlight exposure.

Pongamia seed oil as a biofuel has physical properties very similar to conventional diesel. Emission properties, however, are cleaner for biofuel than for conventional diesel. It has no polyaromatic compounds and features reduced toxic smoke and soot emissions. In addition, the same oil is used as fuel for cooking and the oil is also used as a lubricant, water-paint binder, pesticide, and in soap making and tanning industries in other countries.

“The advantages are many and the results are promising,” Schenk says.

IN i010013202 : Oilseed (except Soybean) Farming | i0 : Agriculture/Forestry | i01001 : Agriculture | i0100132 : Oilseed/Grain Farming NS c21 : Output/Production | ccat : Corporate/Industrial News

RE usa : United States | namz : North America

PUB Penton Business Media

AN Document SWFP000020120123e81n00004

HD Solar innovation brews at Mareeba

BY Tony Stickley [email protected]

WC 442 words

PD 14 January 2012

SN The Cairns Post

SC CAIRPO

ED 1

PG 22

LA English

LP "We wanted to turn to green power and going with solar, because Mareeba has 300 sunny days a year, seemed like the best option" - Nat Jaques

A welcome sign on the way into Mareeba boasts that the town enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year - but now one local business has made a big investment to capture all that free energy.

TD Last month Jaques Coffee Plantation installed 273 solar panels with another 40 due to come on stream shortly, making it arguably the biggest solar farm in north Queensland.

Rob Jaques, 28, who manages the coffee farm with his 31-year-old brother, Jason, says that the 500kW they produce would be enough to power 25 houses.

The Jaques use the panels to supply all the power needs of the farm, including irrigation for the 85,000 trees that produce 120-170 tonnes of coffee a year.

"We wanted to turn to green power and going with solar - because Mareeba has 300 sunny days a year - seemed like the best option,'' Mr Jaques said.

"It is one of the things we are doing to help the environment as well as negating our energy bills, especially with carbon tax coming in.''

He was coy about what the panels cost to install or how much it was saving in power costs.

However, they were already pumping electricity back into the grid.

"We are powering the whole place on solar power," he said.

But the Jaques' green credentials also extend into biofuels and planting trees as carbon sinks.

Rob's mother Linda, who grew coffee in Tanzania with her husband Nat Jaques before they emigrated to Australia, said they had also planted 2000 pongamia pinata bio-diesel trees that didn't need watering or fertilising.

"After four years it produces a seed which is squeezed mechanically and then filtered straight into a tractor or generators,'' Mrs Jaques said.

The trees each produce up to 40 litres of bio-diesel a year.

The Jaques have also planted 8000 African mahogany trees to offset carbon and also for their highly prized timber.

"It is for the next generation that we are doing it,'' Mrs Jaques said.

In addition, they have planted another 2000 sandalwood trees for their sought after oil.

"We are trying to do our bit for Australia and for the environment,'' Mrs Jaques said.

Going solar

Mareeba is believed to have 300 sunny days a year

Jaques Coffee Plantation has 273 solar panels with another 40 due to come

The 500kW they produce would be enough to power about 25 houses.

NS gcat : Political/General News

RE austr : Australia | apacz : Asia Pacific | ausnz : Australia/Oceania

AN Document CAIRPO0020120113e81e0000y

HD Students’ bio-diesel project drives down emission level

WC 286 words

PD 5 January 2012

SN Deccan Chronicle

SC DECCLE

LA English

LP Blending bio-diesel with regular diesel is catching up among the general public, especially among vehicle drivers and industrialists. A test conducted by four citys students shows that such blending will bring down emission levels drastically. Four students of the automobile engineering department of Acharya Polytechnic, Soldevenahalli of the city, conducted this test. They blended 80% diesel with 20% bio-diesel. The blended diesel was used to operate a four stroke single cylinder diesel engine manufactured by Ape, with the bio diesel prepared by pongamia seeds and supplied by the Gandhi Krishi Vignyan Kendra (GKVK).

TD According to the students, this experiment showed that the use of bio-diesel can decrease emission levels drastically. Under the project, bio-diesel was tested in proportion with regular diesel as well as for a different engine rmp. The fuel not only served the engine well, but also showed best result in decreased toxicants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide (NOx), sulphur and phospherus. Rathish A.P, Rahul Roy, Rajnish Kumar, Ravi Sharma, Sidharth Sharma and Md. Imtiaz were part of the students’ team.

According to Mr. Chennegowda, head of the department of automobile engineering, Acharya Polytechnic, nowhere in the world has bio-diesel been made 100% useable. “We have used an Ape engine for the test and except for minor adjustment like F.P.I, no changes have been made in the engine while carrying out the experiment,” he said. According to Mr. Rathish, “Bio-diesel is 11% oxygen by weight and contains no sulphur. It takes black smoke from rear and makes the exhaust smell of popcorn! It increases lubricacy by 30%,” he added.

Thursday, January 5, 2012 - 00:21

PUB Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited

AN Document DECCLE0020120104e8150006u

WC 342 words

PD 30 December 2011

SN Chemicals & Chemistry

SC CHEMEC

PG 211

LA English

LP 2011 DEC 30 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to the authors of a study from Madhya Pradesh, India, "MESHRAM PB & HOMKAR U. 2011. Effects of sowing date and biopesticide on density of white grub Holotrichia serrata in a teak nursery."

TD "White grub Holotrichia serrata is the most destructive pest in teak nurseries in Madhya Pradesh, India. The grubs feed on roots of seedlings and cause severe damage to the entire root system. Field trials were conducted in teak nursery at Kanchangaon, Madhya Pradesh, India. The effects of different dates of sowing of teak seeds and efficacy of biopesticides, viz. neem (Azadirachta indica), mahua ( Madhuca indica), karanj (Pongamia pinnata) and jatropa (Jatropha curcas) were studied on white grubs in teak nursery. Significant difference existed between the population of grubs and per cent of damaged seedlings. Damage was minimum at sowing date 11 March 2007, followed by 7 April. The maximum number of healthy seedlings was obtained in the seedlings sown in March followed by April. Neem at 5 kg per bed (size 10 x 1 m), followed by jatropha cake was found to be statistically significant over untreated control, minimising seedling damage due to white grub," wrote P.B. Meshram and colleagues, Research Institute.

The researchers concluded: "In the integrated pest management against white grub, early sowing of teak seeds and application of biopesticide cakes are recommended instead of toxic pesticides in teak nurseries."

Meshram and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Tropical Forest Science (Effects Of Sowing Date And Biopesticide On Density Of White Grub Holotrichia Serrata In A Teak Nursery. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 2011;23(4):358-362).

For more information, contact P.B. Meshram, State Forest Res Inst, Jabalpur 482008,

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Tropical Forest Science is: Forest Research Inst Malaysia, Publication Unit, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur 52109, Malaysia.

IN i25 : Chemicals | i02 : Forestry/Logging | i0 : Agriculture/Forestry

NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

AN Document CHEMEC0020111223e7cu00070

WC 283 words

PD 27 December 2011

SN Life Science Weekly

SC LFSW

LA English

LP 2011 DEC 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- "RAPDs were quite efficient in bringing out the diversity at DNA level among non-edible legumes viz., Acacia nilotica, Adenanthera pavonina, Prosopis juliflora, Pithecolobium dulce, Clitoria ternatea and Pongamia pinnata. The RAPD primer index reveals the information content of the RAPD primer per se," scientists in Coimbatore, India report.

"Of the 82 primers tested, OPE 8, OPI 6, OPL 2, OPL 16, OPI 18, OPI 13, OPI 14, OPP 1, OPE 20 and OPI 4 with comparatively higher primer index were more informative and can be used for further DNA finger printing and population studies in tree legumes. CTAB protocol was found to be superior in isolating genomic DNA of good quality. The 260/280 ratios varied between 1.70 and 2.09," wrote S.M. Gomez and colleagues, Center of Plant Research.

TD The researchers concluded: "Though the genomic DNA isolated by potassium acetate method was found to be intact in 0.8% agarose gel, the yield was significantly lower than the modified CTAB method."

Gomez and colleagues published their study in Pakistan Journal of Botany (Potential Rapd Markers For Population Studies In Tree Legumes. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2011;43(4):1879-1883).

For additional information, contact S.M. Gomez, Tamil Nadu Agr Univ, Center Plant Mol Biol, Dept. of Plant Mol Biol & Biotechnol, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.

The publisher's contact information for the Pakistan Journal of Botany is: Pakistan Botanical Soc, Dept Of Botany Univ Karachi, 32 Karachi, Pakistan.

This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

AN Document LFSW000020111223e7cr0026r

WC 432 words

PD 27 December 2011

SN Life Science Weekly

SC LFSW

LA English

LP 2011 DEC 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to the authors of recent research from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, "Gutwala Artificial Forest Plantation is important due to conservation viewpoint because many endangered species have been planted therein. A survey was conducted to assess the species diversity and ordination as influenced by different plantation types of both native and exotic nature."

TD "In the plantation, 58 tree species have been planted, most of these species being exotic. The impact of the Gutwala plantations on ground vegetation of native flora was quite prominent, where some species had resulted in complete elimination of ground flora. This effect may be mainly due to dense canopy cover, resulting into poor sunlight penetration. In addition, some other factors like allelopathic effect of the planted species on ground vegetation as well as a large amount of leaf shedding of the planted species, make harder ground flora to germinate or grow. Mixed type of Eucalyptus plantation supported mainly grass species like Cynodon dactylon and Dichanthium annulatum. Meliaceae (Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach and Cedrela toona) restricted the germination and growth of several ground cover species. Papilionaceae (Butea frondosa, Dalbergia sissoo, Pongamia pinnata and D. latifolia) had a single dominant grass species C. dactylon. Mimosaceae (Acacia nilotica, A. modesta and A. sanegal) plantation had a relatively thin ground cover as compared to that in other plantations. In Caesalpiniaceae (Cassia fistula and Bauhinia purpurea) plantation, C. dactylon was the major component of ground vegetation along with two other grasses D. annulatum and Cenchrus pennisetiformis. Dendrocalamus giganteus had slowly decaying and enormously shedding scaly and foliar leaves, which seemed to have inhibited the germination and growth of ground cover species. On the whole, Cynodon dactylon was the most dominant among ground flora, which was followed by Cenchrus pennisetiformis and Dichanthium annulatum," wrote M. Hameed and colleagues, King Saud University.

The researchers concluded: "Among dicots, Conyza boneriensis, Coronopus didymus,

Hameed and colleagues published their study in Pakistan Journal of Botany (Influence Of Plantation Type On Ground Flora Composition And Diversity In Gatwala Artificial Forest Plantation. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2011;43(4):1867-1872).

For additional information, contact M. Hameed, King Saud Univ, Dept. of Bot & Microbiol, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Publisher contact information for the Pakistan Journal of Botany is: Pakistan Botanical Soc, Dept Of Botany Univ Karachi, 32 Karachi, Pakistan.

PUB NewsRx.com

AN Document LFSW000020111223e7cr00136

WC 1,427 words

PD 23 December 2011

ET 07:00 GMT

SN Regulatory News Service

SC RNS

LA English

LP TIDMLEG

RNS Number : 5502U

TD Legendary Investments PLC

23 December 2011

LEGENDARY INVESTMENTS PLC ("Legendary" or the "Company")

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

BOARD'S STATEMENT

During the first half of this year, Legendary has been executing its strategy: proactively assisting its investee companies to build value as well as sourcing and making new investments.

In the first month of the half, Legendary negotiated an intellectual property licence and service agreement for the supply of elite Pongamia scions and grafts to Bosques Energeticos EBE S.A. de C.V. This agreement made available to Bosques materials required to develop a Pongamia mother garden in Mexico (Legendary will receive a royalty fee on the sales of elite Pongamia material thereby produced).

Page 28 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. Following this agreement, Legendary invested in Bosques obtaining a 15.4% stake. Since then, and as recently announced (30 September 2011), Legendary has assisted Bosques in sourcing, shipping and successfully rooting elite Pongamia scions with an 86% success rate in its mother garden. This is believed to be the first reported instance of elite Pongamia scions successfully transported from India and rooted in Mexico for commercial use.

In May 2011, Legendary negotiated a 42.5% stake in Raw Games Limited (since renamed Undrawn Reality Limited). Legendary assisted the management in putting together a milestone plan, the first milestone of which, the development of a publisher demonstration, was completed in July 2011, enabling the principals of Undrawn Reality to earn back 2% of the equity of the business. Legendary is currently assisting Undrawn Reality to develop a business plan and in discussions with international games publishers.

Legendary also made two investments in pre-IPO situations: an investment in Terra Energy Limited in May 2011, a company established to exploit unconventional oil and gas resources, and MedGold Resources Limited, in July 2011, a gold and precious metal discovery and development company.

In total, the above investments amounted to GBP108,000.

Marriott Harrison were appointed as the company's legal advisers, and Legendary's articles were reviewed and new articles adopted at the AGM held on 30 September 2011.

As a result of the increased activity, in the first half of the year administrative costs rose to GBP82,000 (GBP52,000). The largest element of the rise was due to professional fees, some of which were one-off. There were also costs associated with making investments and assisting investee companies. Offset against the increase was a significant reduction in directors' fees from GBP15,500 to zero.

Overall, net loss for the first half of the year was GBP82,000 (2010: GBP3,000 net profit).

Legendary ended the period with GBP110,000 of investments and GBP86,000 cash (categorised in the balance sheet as debtors due within one year as the cash is held in the client account of Legendary's accountants).

Post 30 September 2011, Legendary changed its nominated adviser to Grant Thornton and broker to Simple Investments. In December, Legendary raised GBP615,000 by way of an equity placing.

The last 18 months have been transformational for Legendary. Legendary now has a strong

Page 29 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. Board, enhanced by the appointments of Rajesh Rai in December 2010 and Thomas Reuner in March 2011; it has made a number of investments; its proactive approach has assisted its investee companies in making progress; and it has further strengthened its balance sheet. The Board looks forward to continuing to build Legendary.

The Board

23 December 2011

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

for the six months ended 30(th) September 2011

6m ended 6m ended Year ended 30/09/11 30/09/10 31/03/11 (GBP'000) Unaudited Unaudited Audited

Net (loss) on investments 0 (10) (10)

Net administrative expenses before share option charge and exceptional items (82) (52) (108) Share option charge 0 0 (62) Exceptional cancellation of loan 0 88 88 ------Net administrative expenses (82) 36 (82)

Operating (loss)/profit (82) 26 (92)

Finance charge 0 (23) (21)

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before tax (82) 3 (113)

Taxation 0 0 0

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities after tax (82) 3 (113)

(Loss) per share (basic and fully diluted) - pence (0.01) 0.00 (0.02) ------

BALANCE SHEET

as at 30(th) September 2011

(GBP'000s) As at As at As at 30/09/2011 30/09/2010 31/03/2011 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Fixed Assets Investments 33 0 0

Current assets Current asset investments 77 0 0 Debtors due within one year * 86 4 242 Cash at bank and in hand 0 3 0 ------163 7 242 Creditors Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (72) (34) (35) Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (30) (30) (30)

Net assets/(liabilities) 94 (57) 177 ------

Capital and reserves Called up share capital 960 695 960 Share premium account 8,309 8,338 8,309 Share based payment reserve 137 23 137 Profit and loss - deficit (9,311) (9,113)

Equity shareholders' funds/(deficit) 94 (57) 177 ------

Debtors due within one year of GBP86,000 represents the cash balance held in the client account of the Company's accountants as at 30 September 2011. The balance is payable on demand. Due to their short term nature, carrying value approximates to fair value.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

for the six months ended 30(th) September 2011

6m ended 6m ended Year ended 30/09/2011 30/09/2010 31/03/2011 (GBP'000) Unaudited Unaudited Audited

Net cash outflow from operating activities 108 (27) (304)

Payments to acquire investments (108) 0 0

Net cash outflow before financing (108) (27) (304)

Financing Issue of new ordinary shares 0 0 285 Increase in debt 0 30 30 Expenses paid in connection with share issue 0 0 (11) ------0 30 0

Increase in cash in the period / year 0 3 0 ------

Notes to the Interim Results

1. Accounting Policies

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards under the historical cost accounting rules, modified by the revaluation of investments.

2. Basis of Preparation of Half Yearly Financial Information

These unaudited interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 September 2011 have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Standards. The financial information in this interim announcement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

The comparative financial information for the year ended 31 March 2011 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts of Legendary Investments Plc for the year ended 31 March 2011 have been reported on by the Company's auditor and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The current and comparative periods to September have been prepared using accounting policies and practices consistent with those adopted in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011 and are also consistent with those which will be adopted in the 31 March 2012 financial statements. [ 23-12-11 0700GMT ]

The Company is not required to prepare financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standards as it is not a parent company. The directors are of the opinion that the adoption of International Accounting Standards would have no material impact on the reported results and will therefore continue to apply UK Generally Accepted Accounting Standards, but will reconsider the position should the Company's activities lead to a material difference between the accounting bases.

3. Earnings Per Share

The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit/ (loss) for the period divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 960,167,198 (2010: 695,167,198).

4. Half Yearly Report

The half yearly report, including the financial information contained herein, is the responsibility of, and was approved by the directors on 22 December 2011. The continuing obligations of the AIM Rules for Companies require that the accounting policies and presentation

Page 33 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. applied to the half yearly figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.

Copies of this report are available on the Company's website, www.legendaryinvestments.co.uk.

Contact: Legendary InvestmentsZafar Karim / Rajesh Plc Rai / Thomas Reuner 020 8201 3536 Grant Thornton Corporate Colin Aaronson/ Melanie Finance Frean 020 7383 5100 Nick Emerson/ Andrew Simple Investments Thacker 01483 413500

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR VLLFLFLFZFBD [ 23-12-11 0700GMT ]

CO lgendi : Legendary Investments PLC

IN i81502 : Trusts/Funds/Financial Vehicles | iinv : Investing/Securities

PUB The London Stock Exchange

AN Document RNS0000020111223e7cn00018

HD Renewable energy

WC 305 words

PD 21 December 2011

SN Caboolture News

SC APNCAN

ED Main

PG 13

LA English

LP John [email protected]

John Hammond

TD Journalist

[email protected]

CABOOLTURE could be at the forefront of saving Australia from future fuel shortages if Elimbah farmer George Muirhead's experimental crop of biofuel plants is successful.

The farm's preliminary results have been so encouraging Mr Muirhead invited member for Longman Wyatt Roy and shadow minister for climate action and the environment Greg Hunt on a familiarisation tour to discuss its potential for commercialisation.

Mr Roy said the research undertaken could provide a renewable energy of the future.

“Investing in research and encouraging innovation for alternative and renewable energy sources is vital to our economy as it inevitably faces the challenges post the current mining boom,” he said.

For the last five years Mr Muirhead has been growing a 45-hectare trial crop of native Pongamia Pinnata trees on his property in conjunction with the University of Queensland.

He explained to MPs Roy and Hunt the pongamia legume and its shell can be used as a high protein, high starch foodstock meal for cattle after the oil had been extracted for biofuel.

The university's Centre for Legume Research, headed by Professor Peter Gresshoff, has helped Mr Muirhead establish the premium strand of the pongamia tree which produces the highest oil yield per harvest.

“It's a drought-resistant Australian native which is unsuitable for human consumption so it's less subject to price fluctuations,” Mr Muirhead said.

“The trees have a productive life of 100 years and produce animal food and fuel at the same time.

Mr Hunt said it was a very impressive project with enormous potential for generating renewable energy and a sustainable industry. For more information, go to www.bioenergyresearch.com.au

CO tuoqa : The University of Queensland

NS gcat : Political/General News

RE austr : Australia | apacz : Asia Pacific | ausnz : Australia/Oceania

PUB APN Newspapers Pty Ltd

AN Document APNCAN0020111220e7cl000dy

PD 5 December 2011

SN Diabetes Week

SC DBWK

PG 38

LA English

LP 2011 DEC 5 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle is decreased in type 2 diabetes due to impaired translocation of insulin-sensitive glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) from intracellular pool to plasma membrane. Augmenting glucose uptake into this tissue may help in management of type 2 diabetes," investigators in Uttar Pradesh, India report.

TD "Here, the effects of an identified antihyperglycemic molecule, karanjin, isolated from the fruits of Pongamia pinnata were investigated on glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle cells. Treatment of L6-GLUT4myc myotubes with karanjin caused a substantial increase in the glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation to the cell surface, in a concentration-dependent fashion, without changing the total amount of GLUT4 protein and GLUT4 mRNA. This effect was associated with increased activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Cycloheximide treatment inhibited the effect of karanjin on GLUT4 translocation suggesting the requirement of de novo synthesis of protein. Karanjin-induced GLUT4 translocation was further enhanced with insulin and the effect is completely protected in the presence of wortmannin. Moreover, karanjin did not affect the phosphorylation of AKT (Ser-473) and did not alter the expression of the key molecules of insulin signaling cascade," wrote N. Jaiswal and colleagues, Central Drug Research Institute.

The researchers concluded: "We conclude that karanjin-induced increase in glucose uptake in L6 myotubes is the result of an increased translocation of GLUT4 to plasma membrane associated with activation of AMPK pathway, in a PI-3-K/AKT-independent manner."

Jaiswal and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Pharmacology (Karanjin from Pongamia pinnata induces GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle cells in a

For additional information, contact N. Jaiswal, Cent. Drug Research Institute, Division Med & Processing Chemical, Council Science & Ind Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The publisher of the European Journal of Pharmacology can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Bv, PO Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands.

CO ctdgrq : Central Drug Research Institute

NS gdias : Diabetes | gcat : Political/General News | ghea : Health | gmed : Medical Conditions

AN Document DBWK000020111202e7c500016

WC 287 words

PD 29 November 2011

ET 07:00 GMT

SN Regulatory News Service

SC RNS

LA English

LP TIDMLEG

RNS Number : 9283S

TD Legendary Investments PLC

29 November 2011

Legendary Investments Plc

("Legendary" or the "Company")

ROOTING OF ELITE PONGAMIA SCIONS IN MEXICO

Legendary is pleased to announce the successful shipment and rooting of elite Pongamia scions ("scions") taken from mother trees in India and planted in Mexico by its investee company Bosques Energeticos EBE S.A. de C.V. ("BE EBE").

Pursuant to the Intellectual Property Licence and Service Agreement between Legendary and BE EBE of April 2011, Legendary sourced scion material from India, provided relevant agricultural expertise and managed the shipment of the scions from India to Mexico.

1000 units of scion material were shipped in November 2011 of which 86% have rooted. Generally, results of 50% or more are considered successful. This pilot is expected to be the

Page 39 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. precursor to transport and plant, in larger volumes, scion material. The scion material will be used to start what is believed to be the first elite Pongamia mother garden in Mexico and will assist BE EBE in its programme to plant out and cultivate large areas of bio diesel producing plantations. Generally, each scion can be expected to produce from five to ten scions within eighteen months.

This is believed to be the first reported instance of elite Pongamia scions successfully transported from India and rooted in Mexico for commercial use.

Contact: Legendary Investments Rajesh Rai / Thomas Plc Reuner 020 8201 3536 Grant Thornton Corporate Colin Aaronson/ Melanie Finance Frean 020 7383 5100 Nick Emerson/ Andrew Simple Investments Thacker 01483 413500

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

MSCDKFDQCBDDQDB [ 29-11-11 0700GMT ]

CO lgendi : Legendary Investments PLC

IN i81502 : Trusts/Funds/Financial Vehicles | iinv : Investing/Securities

NS ccat : Corporate/Industrial News | npress : Press Release | ncat : Content Types

PUB The London Stock Exchange

AN Document RNS0000020111129e7bt0001s

SE Mysore

HD Planting seeds for alternative fuel

BY C V Raghavendra Rao

WC 242 words

PD 25 November 2011

SN The Times of India

SC TOI

LA English

LP SHIMOGA: In its bid to find alterative source of energy other than burning fossil fuel, Jawaharlal Nehru National College of Engineering here has made a breakthrough in producing bio-diesel using locally available seeds. The bio-fuel development board encouraged the college to set up a plant and granted Rs 10.5 lakh.

The college built a plant and used Pongamia (honge seeds) as the basic raw material to extract the oil.

TD The production and test was successful. They found that the fuel is eco-friendly, increases the life of engine, and reduces sulphur and carbon dioxide emission.

The fuel is used to run six buses and other four-wheelers. Prof K L Sreepathi, of the mechanical department and the brain behind the project, says that besides pongamia, neem and jatropa seeds too can be used.

"We are experimenting on new types of oil seeds like karaveera and suabul to extract oil," he added. He said 42 litres of bio-diesel can be produced from 200 kilo seeds and net cost of production of 42 litres will be Rs 1,762. Sreepathi said that the bio-diesel is available for public use and students are propagating its benefits and importance to public and farmers.

Vishwanath, an agricultural expert, said farmers benefit from the sale of seeds, use cake

For Reprint Rights: timescontent.com

NS gcat : Political/General News

AN Document TOI0000020111128e7bp001v0

WC 323 words

PD 25 November 2011

SN Chemicals & Chemistry

SC CHEMEC

PG 428

LA English

LP 2011 NOV 25 - (VerticalNews.com) -- Scientists discuss in "Tree legumes as feedstock for sustainable biofuel production: Opportunities and challenges" new findings in Science. According to the authors of recent research from Brisbane, Australia, "Concerns about future fossil fuel supplies and the environmental effects of their consumption have prompted the search for alternative sources of liquid fuels, specifically biofuels. However, it is important that the sources of such biofuel have minimal impact on global food supplies, land use, and commodity prices."

TD "Many legume trees can be grown on so-called marginal land with beneficial effects to the environment through their symbiotic interaction with 'Rhizobia' and the associated process of root nodule development and biological nitrogen fixation. Once established legume trees can live for many years and some produce an annual yield of oil-rich seeds. For example, the tropical and sub-tropical legume tree Pongamia pinnata produces large seeds (~1.5-2g) that contain about 40% oil, the quality and composition of which is regarded as highly desirable for sustainable biofuel production," wrote B. Biswas and colleagues, Australian Research Council.

The researchers concluded: "Here we consider the benefits of legume trees as future energy crops, particularly in relation to their impact on nitrogen inputs and the net energy balance for biofuel production, and also ways in which these as yet fully domesticated species may be further improved for optimal use as biofuel feedstock."

Biswas and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Plant Physiology (Tree legumes as feedstock for sustainable biofuel production: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Plant Physiology, 2011;168(16):1877-84).

Page 43 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. For additional information, contact B. Biswas, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research, The University of Queensland St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.

CO tuoqa : The University of Queensland | ausrc : Australian Research Council

NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

AN Document CHEMEC0020111118e7bp000eq

PD 24 November 2011

SN Australian Government News

SC HTAUGN

LA English

LP BRISBANE, Queensland, Nov. 24 -- The Hon. Tim Mulherin, Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies, has issued the following media statement:

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin said Queensland's status as an emerging bio hub will be on display today at the national Bioenergy Australia conference on the Sunshine Coast.

TD Mr Mulherin said Queensland was the ideal host for the forum, given the government's continuing commitment to developing biotechnology industries and ensuring the state's clean energy future.

"By 2020, Queensland aims to be recognised as a leader in the production of bio-based industrial products and technologies in the Asia-Pacific region," Mr Mulherin said.

"We also anticipate the sector will contribute up to $1 billion to our clean and sustainable economy.

"Bio-based products are playing a pivotal role in transitioning a global fossil fuel dependent economy to cleaner, greener alternatives," he said.

Bioenergy Australia's 2011 conference 'Towards 2020: Growing our sustainable future' opens today on the Sunshine Coast aimed at galvanising the bioenergy community to work together and support the development of low carbon solutions.

Stephen Schuck, Manager of Bioenergy Australia said, "The technology which supports the production of bioenergy is proven and capable of producing energy now, with greater advancements under development."

"Greater understanding and investment into bioenergy is vital in ensuring Australia's low carbon future."

Mr Mulherin said Queensland is well placed to capitalise on this worldwide trend and the Bligh Government has already invested in a number of bioenergy projects.

"We have bioenergy plants generating electricity from wood waste, sugar cane waste and even macadamia nut shells," he said.

"We are also investing $9 million to support Mackay Sugar in increasing their electricity generation from sugar cane waste, which will help supply 30 per cent of the Mackay district's electricity.

"We've provided $3.1 million to establish the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant, which I opened with the Premier last year.

"$1 million has been allocated to James Cook University and MBD Energy for a groundbreaking trial that uses algae to soak up carbon emissions from the Tarong Power Station, which also produces a range of valuable co-products such as biodiesel, animal stockfeeds and bio-plastics.

"$2 million has also been provided in innovation funding to the University of Queensland's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) to research the production of aviation biofuels from a variety of feedstocks, including sugarcane juice and bagasse, oilseed trees such as Pongamia, and algae.

"Like the Bioenergy Australia 2011 conference, Queensland is ready for business in the bio- based sector.

"The industry is working to make the most of Queensland's abundant renewable energy resources - including solar, geothermal, biomass, wind and hydroelectricity.

"These resources will play a key role in meeting the energy demands of Queensland's growing population, creating a new green jobs-based industry, and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Mr Mulherin said an important achievement is that Queensland's renewable energy capacity had jumped 54 per cent since 2008, from 745 megawatts to 1,147 megawatts.

Page 46 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. "That equates to almost eight percent of Queensland's total generation capacity and almost 10 per cent of Australia's total renewable energy capacity," Mr Mulherin added.

"That means we are on track to achieve our own target of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020."

CT For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at [email protected] CO tuoqa : The University of Queensland

PUB HT Media Limited

AN Document HTAUGN0020111125e7bo0000d

SE Insight

HD Plant power for the planes of tomorrow

BY MICHAEL LUND

WC 629 words

PD 19 November 2011

SN The Courier-Mail

SC COUMAI

ED 1 - First with the news

PG 51

LA English

LP The search is on for a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for the aviation industry

'Airlines are watching what's coming through ... (they're) interested in getting a reliable and cheap source of fuel for their business'

TD RESEARCHERS in Queensland have welcomed news that Qantas next year is looking to power its first commercial flight using sustainable fuel.

``We want the flight to be an inspiration, a preview of a sustainable future for Australian aviation,'' the airline's boss Alan Joyce said at an Australian Airports Association meeting in Brisbane this week.

The University of Queensland is involved in research to create sustainable biofuel for the aviation industry from a number of organic sources. Sugar cane, algae and oilseed from pongamia plants are all being studied as potential sources for mass production of aviation fuel.

Researcher Dr Robert Speight is part of a team that is also looking at the economic viability of

While land and ocean-based transportation can look to renewable electrical and hydrogen sources of energy, he says the aviation industry is still reliant on liquid fuel to power aircraft engines.

``They need a fuel to burn, essentially, and so the airlines are watching what's coming through and at the end of the day they're interested in getting a reliable and cheap source of fuel for their business,'' Speight says.

``I think the sustainability and green aspect are important to them because of public perception, the fact that the airline industry contributes quite a lot to greenhouse gas emissions.''

About a third of the world's $16 trillion global trade is transported by air and in Australia and New Zealand the industry directly employs about 52,000 people and supports a further 580,000 in tourism, a report by the CSIRO said earlier this year.

But aviation is also responsible for 5 per cent of global fuel use and 2 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, so there is pressure to reduce that impact. Hence the need to look for cleaner fuels.

Speight says biofuels do burn cleaner than fossil fuels, although they both still produce potentially damaging carbon dioxide.

That forms part of the economic modelling he is working on to examine how ``green'' biofuel can be.

Biofuel is also controversial because of its reliance on agricultural production for the source material and that can compete with production of vital food supplies. That's another part of the modelling the UQ team is studying.

It's all part of the Queensland Sustainable Jet Fuel Initiative, also involving the UQ-based Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and James Cook University, the US and Queensland governments and industry partners Boeing, Virgin Australia, Mackay Sugar Limited, Amyris, IOR Energy and GE.

Once any results are known, the aim is to publish all the details online so they are available for anyone to look at, from the aviation industry to any concerned groups.

``They want to be a business around for hundreds of years to come, not until the oil runs out, so they see biofuel as a way of extending their product,'' Speight says.

``There is a lot of debate about biofuels. There are a lot of arguments about which biofuels are good, are they sustainable, are they taking food away and things like that.

``Part of the idea is to bring some clarity to the debate where we can say we have these models, this is the data they are drawn on so you can make your own conclusion from what we're doing.''

CO tuoqa : The University of Queensland

PUB News Ltd.

AN Document COUMAI0020111118e7bj00020

WC 333 words

PD 15 November 2011

SN Life Science Weekly

SC LFSW

LA English

LP 2011 NOV 15 - (NewsRx.com) -- "The methanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata L Pierre (locally called as karanja) seed materials, an underutilized food legume collected from India was analyzed for antioxidant and type II diabetes related enzyme inhibition properties. The methanolic extract of raw seeds contained total free phenolic content of 14.85 +/- 0.32 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract DM," researchers in Stuttgart, Germany report.

TD "Encouraging levels of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 1179 mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of beta-carotene degradation (41.13%) and radical scavenging activity against DPPH (54.64%) and superoxide (54.53%) were exhibited by the raw sample. Further, it also recorded 77.92% of alpha-amylase and 86.50% of alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics under in vitro starch digestion bioassay. Sprouting + oil-frying caused a apparent increase on the total free phenolic content and also significant improvement on the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of P. pinnata seeds, while soaking + cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects," wrote V. Vadivel and colleagues, University of Hohenheim.

The researchers concluded: "Moreover, inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzyme activities was declined to 24.24 and 45.14%, respectively during sprouting + oil-frying treatment, which are more desirable for the dietary management of type II diabetic patients."

Vadivel and colleagues published their study in Process Biochemistry (Contribution of phenolic compounds to the antioxidant potential and type II diabetes related enzyme inhibition properties of Pongamia pinnata L. Pierre seeds. Process Biochemistry, 2011;46(10):1973- 1980).

For additional information, contact V. Vadivel, University of Hohenheim, Institute Biology Chemical & Nutrition, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany.

Publisher contact information for the journal Process Biochemistry is: Elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England.

IN i25 : Chemicals

NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

AN Document LFSW000020111111e7bf002fp

SE Times City

HD Taking ideals and ideas TO THE CLASSROOM

BY Prajwal Hegde | TNN

WC 800 words

PD 14 November 2011

SN The Times of India - Bangalore Edition

SC TOIBAN

LA English

LP AN AGENT OF CHANGE: This 'Global Shaper' Inspires And Trains Youth in Social Entrepreneurship

Bangalore: Cargos paired with a hoody and sneakers, perfect for a late afternoon's stroll in the windswept downtown area.

TD At first glance, Yashveer Singh, stocky construction, but light in step, comes across as your average yuppie, a creature of the time he was born in.

However, the 25-year-old BITS, Pilani alumnus, who grew up in rural Rajasthan, is a throwback on old values and modules, ideating and innovating in a bid to correct a lopsided social landscape.

Yashveer, who borrowed a line from the Mahatma to make his point,'Be the change you want to see,' is orchestrating a change in youth culture in urban India by tapping into the social consciousness of the young, reaching out to the student community, taking ideals and ideas to the classroom.

Fittingly, the city-based innovator was recently named a 'Global Shaper' by the World Economic Forum in recognition of his achievements in the field of social entrepreneurship.

As head of the student council in BITS, he mobilized groups to work in villages in tandem with the local communities, including his own dusty, dry hamlet of Bangothari in Rajasthan's Junjunu district.

Yashveer believes that while the young are aware of the shrinking numbers and dissipating opportunities in rural sections, they are clueless on how to counter the problem and restore the balance.

While working with student factions, he deduced that the absence of mentoring and a system that provided formal training was what was holding Gen Y back.

On completing his studies - MSc Economics - Yashveer moved to Bangalore, where he first worked with Janaagraha, a robust institution for citizenship and democracy.

A year after he completed his studies, he floated the National Social Entrepreneurship Forum, a non-profit organisation that seeks to influence the student fraternity in India both in curriculum and in practice by inspiring, training and mentoring students, pointing them towards social innovation and entrepreneurship.

The forum, with pan-India chapters, has emerged as a premier youth platform for social innovations.

He said that NSEF was looking to create solutions and build a system around a problem, fostering ecosystems where social change catalysts are created and supported.

Yashveer said,"NSEF has undertaken social entrepreneurial activities in 30 educational institutions across the country - Mount Carmel College in Bangalore to IIMs and IITs.''

While India reportedly has the highest number of social entrepreneurs in the world social innovation, entrepreneurship is poorly represented in course curriculums here.

The result of which is the drain of human resources from India's rural pockets, particularly the young, who are only too happy to abandon the tough and sometimes unrewarding life in

Curriculum aside, very few colleges have societies dedicated to the cause of promoting social entrepreneurship on campus.

Yashveer said,'' NSEF is looking to bridge the gap between problem and solution through initiatives that include setting up of centres of excellence at top institutes across the country, providing mentorship and creating opportunities for internship by connecting students with social enterprises.''

Yashveer lists with pride some of the achievements of NSEF students, who have gone on to establish successful social enterprises in rural sectors, changing the way people in villages live.

Ankit Kumar, having only recently completed his studies, has taken to converting the wastelands of the farming community in the Kothwara village of Gaya, Bihar.

He has planted, under the banner of his company Green Leaf Energy, over a lakh of Pongamia (bio-diesel yielding plants).

Kumar's work has arrested migration, alleviated poverty and improved the community's living standards.

Sandeep Mehto, also NSEF fellow, started Bharat Calling, which has significantly reduced the dropout rate of college students across 60 villages in the country.

Mehto worked at linking high school facilities in villages with graduate and post-graduate programmes, empowering thousands of underprivileged students.

Yashveer said one of the goals of the forum is to increase its student base by featuring in at least 100 universities in next three years.

The larger the playing field the greater is the NSEF's chances of netting youth who are willing to address socio-economic problems rather than take the money-spinning corporate route.

It is a move Yashveer hopes will see young India return to her roots, creating a space and place that is socially vibrant and economically viable.

NS guni : University/College | gcat : Political/General News | gedu : Education

AN Document TOIBAN0020111114e7be00007

SE Bangalore

HD Taking ideals and ideas to the classroom

BY Prajwal Hegde

WC 825 words

PD 14 November 2011

SN The Times of India

SC TOI

LA English

LP BANGALORE: Cargos paired with a hoody and sneakers, perfect for a late afternoon's stroll in the windswept downtown area. At first glance, Yashveer Singh, stocky construction, but light in step, comes across as your average yuppie, a creature of the time he was born in.

However, the 25-year-old BITS, Pilani alumnus, who grew up in rural Rajasthan, is a throwback on the old values and modules, ideating and innovating in a bid to correct a lopsided social landscape.

TD Yashveer, who borrowed a line from the Mahatma to make his point, 'Be the change you want to see,' is orchestrating a change in youth culture in urban India by tapping into the social consciousness of the young, reaching out to the student community, taking ideals and ideas to the classroom. Fittingly, the Bangalore-based innovator was recently named a 'Global Shaper' by the World Economic Forum in recognition of his achievements in the field of social entrepreneurship.

Even during his student days, Yashveer was focused on the problems and issues that rural communities in India faced. As head of the student council in BITS, he mobilized groups to work in villages in tandem with the local communities, including his own dusty, dry hamlet of Bangothari in Rajasthan's Junjunu district. Yashveer believes that while the young are aware of the shrinking numbers and dissipating opportunities in rural sections, they are clueless on how to counter the problem and restore the balance. While working with student factions, he

On completing his studies -MSc Economics -Yashveer moved to Bangalore, where he first worked with Janaagraha, a robust institution for citizenship and democracy. A year after he completed his studies, he floated the National Social Entrepreneurship Forum, a non-profit organisation that seeks to influence the student fraternity in India both in curriculum and in practice by inspiring, training and mentoring students, pointing them towards social innovation and entrepreneurship. The forum, with pan-India chapters, has emerged as a premier youth platform for social innovations.

Yashveer, animated conversationalist, who founded the NSEF in 2009, explained that his organization sought to identify socio-economic problems in key areas like 'clean air, environment sustainability, technology and vocational training'. He said that NSEF was looking to create solutions and build a system around a problem, fostering ecosystems where social change catalysts are created and supported.

Yashveer said, "NSEF has undertaken social entrepreneurial activities in 30 educational institutions across the country -Mount Carmel College in Bangalore to IIMs and IITs."

While India reportedly has the highest number of social entrepreneurs in the world social innovation, entrepreneurship is poorly represented in course curriculums here. The result of which is the drain of human resources from India's rural pockets, particularly the young, who are only too happy to abandon the tough and sometimes unrewarding life in villages for big- money dreams that cities flaunt.

Curriculum aside, very few colleges have societies dedicated to the cause of promoting social entrepreneurship on campus. Yashveer said, "NSEF is looking to bridge the gap between problem and solution through initiatives that include setting up of centres of excellence at top institutes across the country, providing mentorship and creating opportunities for internship by connecting students with social enterprises."

Yashveer lists with pride some of the achievements of NSEF students, who have gone on to establish successful social enterprises in rural sectors, changing the way people in villages live.

Ankit Kumar, having only recently completed his studies, has taken to converting the wastelands of the farming community in the Kothwara village of Gaya, Bihar. He has planted, under the banner of his company Green Leaf Energy, over a lakh of Pongamia (bio-diesel yielding plants). Kumar's work has arrested migration, alleviated poverty and improved the

Page 58 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. community's living standards. Sandeep Mehto, also NSEF fellow, started Bharat Calling, which has significantly reduced the dropout rate of college students across 60 villages in the country. Mehto worked at linking high school facilities in villages with graduate and post- graduate programmes, empowering thousands of underprivileged students.

Yashveer said one of the goals of the forum is to increase its student base by featuring in at least 100 universities in next three years. The larger the playing field the greater is the NSEF's chances of netting youth who are willing to address socio-economic problems rather than take the money-spinning corporate route. It is a move Yashveer hopes will see young India return to her roots, creating a space and place that is socially vibrant and economically viable.

Since social innovation and entrepreneurship are not on the academic list of most institutions, we're looking to reach out to the youth in an informal fashion while following the traditional structures of the system.''

For Reprint Rights: timescontent.com

NS guni : University/College | gcat : Political/General News | gedu : Education

AN Document TOI0000020111114e7be000gd

HD Biofuel policy needs a revamp

CR Distributed by Contify.com

WC 1,467 words

PD 9 November 2011

SN Energy Next

SC ATENEX

LA English

LP The president of Biodiesel Association of India Sandeep Chaturvedi has an experience of 15 years in managing medium-size business with key responsibility in sales and marketing, research and development, and ensuring statutory and legal compliance. He speaks to Ritu Gupta on what the sector holds for India

Q.What is the current status of India's biodiesel market? Why should India use biodiesel?

TD Next to gold, biodiesel is considered to be the most sought-after commodity by many countries, including India. The indicative blending target of biodiesel with diesel given by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is 20 per cent by 2017. This 20 per cent blending leaves the players with an overall target production of 16 million metric tonnes of biodiesel. Unfortunately, the industry is still at a nascent stage, and the production of biodiesel from non-edible tree borne oilseeds (TBOs) in India is almost negligible. Also, the global trade of biodiesel is not much and as far as India is concerned, exports are not allowed unless the domestic demand is self-sufficient. Biodiesel producers in India are provided no room to trade or market their produce and are mandated to sell biodiesel only to the oil marketing companies.

The use of biodiesel is crucial for India, as it is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic and renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression- ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Simple to use, it is biodegradable and non-toxic. Also, it is better for the environment since it is made from renewable resources and

Page 60 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. Furthermore, it is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the India from renewable resources such as jatropha, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our economy.

Q. What is the role of Biodiesel Association of India?

Biodiesel Association of India (BDAI) is a non-profit national association representing the biofuels sector, more specifically the biodiesel industry. It is the coordinating body for marketing, research and development of biofuels in India, especially biodiesel. Additionally, it endeavours to ensure that the goals of sustainable agricultural growth, rural development, energy security and equal opportunity for the masses with overall environmental protection are met.

BDAI is developing into a comprehensive industry association, which coordinates and interacts with a broad range of cooperators including industry players, government officials, and academicians. Its members comprise farmers/cultivators societies, national feedstock and feedstock processor organisations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and distributors and technology providers.

Q. Where does biodiesel figure in India's future?

For India, energy security is the most serious strategic concern, which affects our economic policies and at the same time, drives our diplomatic initiatives. Considering this and also the concerns related to climate changes, it is crucial for India to explore alternate sources of fuel. The development of biodiesel as a partial substitute of diesel will help India in generating the most needed additional rural employment alongside energy security and environment protection. However, developing biodiesel on a commercial scale is easier said than done. The value chain has inbuilt complexities of scarce land usage, organising large-scale logistics for plantation, upkeep and harvesting and harnessing coordination between diverse departments and bodies like NGOs, self-help groups and panchayats.

Q. Is there enough demand for biodiesel in India? Is it possible for consumers to use it at an individual level (apart from the blending)? What is the most important factor that would motivate Indians to switch to renewable fuels?

India consumes about 60 million tonnes of diesel. But, it is just a speck. Considering this, the demand for biodiesel is high, but we need to work on the supply side, for which we need to have retail stations and that is exactly what we should be working on. Primarily, diesel in India is used for transport, out of which railways is the largest consumer. However, their demand is

Page 61 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. coming down because they are going in for electrification. The second largest consumer is the industrial sector. They have two segments, one being the large space owners like mines, the second being power production units. However, it's the transport segment that we are concentrating on, for biodiesel.

Q. What about the food-for-fuel debate where biodiesel/ biofuels are concerned?

It is not right and facts and figures are not represented accurately. Food prices are not growing because of biodiesel, they are growing due to energy costs. Power is erratic, fertiliser prices have gone up, and transportation is expensive because of high crude prices.

Q. Are the government policies friendly for the market to develop? What is your opinion about the national biofuels policy? What about the subsidies that are being offered to this sector?

The biofuel policy is a failure, and is the main reason why the market is not functioning well. The policy needs to be revamped. Also, India's drive to ramp up biofuels use within a decade, offers hope to a struggling biodiesel sector, but without a clear roadmap, commercial production will still be a distant dream. A simple target is no substitute for a detailed policy framework. We have, at least a couple of years to go before we can produce biodiesel in a commercial way - that too if we have a clear mandate right now in the policy.

While the use of ethanol has been introduced successfully in India, the use of biodiesel has not taken off and many Indian companies have shelved plans to invest in related projects. Ministers too have differed over subsidies for biodiesel, obstructing progress on a new policy for the sector. For biodiesel's promise to be fulfilled, the government needs to spell out a pricing mechanism for the alternative fuel which would be profitable for producers, as well as allocate land. The government's price of biodiesel is about the same as the cost price, therefore, why should anyone produce biodiesel for a refinery if he/she is booking a loss?

There is an urgent need for initiating a proper road map for the implementation of guidelines mentioned in the biofuel policy. A lofty blending target without a proper road map and mismatch in procurement pricing for biofuel are not good signs. If the government is keen on promoting biofuels, it should speed up the process of setting up committees to address the issues faced by biofuel industries. The purchase price of biodiesel fixed by the Indian government is so low that no one is able to supply biodiesel at that price. On the other hand, there will be some price parity when manufacturers are allowed to sell biodiesel directly in the local market to the bulk consumer. But, according to the notification issued by the petroleum ministry, direct marketing of biodiesel is not allowed.

Q. What are the major challenges faced by the industry?

Prominent measures are needed for the development of the sector. Also, major effort is needed to strengthen the research and development of biodiesel crops. The other crucial element is the realistic pricing of biodiesel, which is the major challenge faced by players of the industry since they intend to achieve costeffectiveness. Apart from these, other pertinent ones are formulation of a procurement policy for biodiesel crops like jatropha and giving a full- fledged industry status for the sector to make it completely organised. It is time the government takes necessary steps to strengthen the biofuel industry.

Q. What more needs to be done for developing the potential of the market?

Biofuels have to be seen as a crucial and strategic component of a robust and secure economy and diversified energy policy. I feel a few sub-committees should be constituted for detailed working out of economics, policy changes and propagation strategy for jatropha, pongamia and safflower feedstock generation. The quality work done by such groups will help in providing the benchmark framework for members and other players to emulate.

Also, an awareness needs to be created among policy makers and public at large about the multiple relative benefits of biodiesel over fossil diesel. Other steps which should be adopted are: prevail upon MNRE for proposing a concrete actionable biodiesel development proposition, take up with respective ministries for the release of certified energy-crop seeds and agri-practices to improve bankability of plantation projects and take up with state governments and forest departments for formation of viable clusters (command areas) of wasteland potential areas and assign them to corporates for developing biodiesel sustainable units.

Images, graphs or charts, if any, have been removed

IN ibioful : Biofuels | i1 : Energy | ialtful : Alternative Fuels

NS ccat : Corporate/Industrial News

AN Document ATENEX0020111110e7b900034

PD 8 November 2011

SN China Weekly News

SC CHWKNW

PG 487

LA English

LP 2011 NOV 8 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to the authors of a study from Uttar Pradesh, India, "In order to reconstruct the palaeoclimate, a number of fossil wood pieces were collected and investigated from two new fossil localities situated in the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam. They belong to the Tipam Group considered to be of Middle- Late Miocene in age and show affinities with Gluta (Anacardiaceae), Bischofia (Euphorbiaceae), Bauhinia, Cynometra, Copaifera-Detarium-Sindora, Millettia-Pongamia, and Afzelia-Intsia (Fabaceae)."

"The flora also records a new species of Bauhinia named Bauhinia miocenica sp. nov. The assemblage indicates a warm and humid climate in the region during the deposition of the sediments," wrote R.C. Mehrotra and colleagues.

TD The researchers concluded: "The occurrence of some southeast Asian elements in the fossil flora indicates that an exchange of floral elements took place between India and southeast Asia during the Miocene."

Mehrotra and colleagues published the results of their research in the Journal of Earth System Science (Study of fossil wood from the Middle-Late Miocene sediments of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, India and its palaeoecological and palaeophytogeographical implications. Journal of Earth System Science, 2011;120(4):681- 701).

For additional information, contact R.C. Mehrotra, Birbal Sahni Institute Paleobot, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Page 64 of 661 © 2014 Factiva, Inc. All rights reserved. The publisher of the Journal of Earth System Science can be contacted at: Indian Acad Sciences, C V Raman Avenue, Sadashivanagar, P B #8005, Bangalore 560 080, India.

AN Document CHWKNW0020111104e7b8000ea

SE HT Chandigarh

HD Students produce 'biodiesel' in lab

WC 217 words

PD 6 November 2011

SN Hindustan Times

SC HNTM

LA English

LP NAWANSHAHR, Nov. 6 -- Seventh semester mechanical engineering students at the KC College of Engineering and Information Technology claim to have developed biodiesel from linseed oil.

At a cost of Rs 120-130 per litre, the fuel may be expensive now, but commercial production would certainly bring down prices considerably, says the professor that headed the research team.

TD A seminar was organised in the college on Saturday on the production and performance evaluation of biodiesel thus produced. Vice-chairman Hitash Gandhi and CEO HS Bhandal. Principal Dr NL Hiregoudar told HT that the bio-diesel was developed under the guidance of mechanical engineering department head Gaurav Dwivedi and deputy head of department Geetash Goga.

Dwivedi claimed that the tests showed that the efficiency of biodiesel was comparable to that of pure diesel and that the biodiesel also resulted in lower smoke emissions. The biodiesel can also be manufactured from various sources of oils like Jatropha, Pongamia.

Dwivedi added biodiesel was an important commercial fuel in Europe. More R&D in the country would help project it as a good fuel.Published by HT Syndication with permission from HT Chandigarh.

AN Document HNTM000020111106e7b6001gv

PD 4 November 2011

SN Energy Weekly News

SC ENRGWK

PG 246

LA English

LP 2011 NOV 4 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "The methyl esters of vegetable oils, known as biodiesel are increasingly becoming popular because of their low environmental impact and potential as a green alternative fuel for diesel engine, and that they would not require significant modification of existing engine hardware. Methyl ester of Pongamia oil (PME) is derived through transesterification process," investigators in Andhra Pradesh, India report.

TD "Experimental investigations have been carried out to examine properties, performance and emissions of different blends (B00, B20, B40, B60, B80 and B100) of PME comparison to diesel. A computer assisted single cylinder constant speed water cooled four stroke direct diesel engine (5 HP), which is commonly used in the agricultural sector for driving the pumps and small electrical generators is selected for the experimental investigation. The performance, emissions and combustion characteristics are analysed. The combustion parameters considered for this analysis are cylinder pressure and rate of heat release. The brake thermal efficiency is slightly reduced and hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and smoke emissions in the exhaust are reduced when fuelled with methyl esters compared to diesel. But the NOx emissions are high when fuelled with methyl esters compared to diesel," wrote T.H. Prasad and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "[Received: December 11, 2009; Accepted: March 21, 2010]."

Prasad and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Oil Gas and Coal Technology (Combustion, performance and emission analysis of diesel engine fuelled with methyl esters of Pongamia oil. International Journal of Oil Gas and Coal Technology, 2010;3(4):374-384).

The publisher of the International Journal of Oil Gas and Coal Technology can be contacted at: Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, World Trade Center Bldg, 29 Route De Pre-Bois, Case Postale 896, Ch-1215 Geneva, Switzerland.

IN i1 : Energy

NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

AN Document ENRGWK0020111028e7b400078

WC 265 words

PD 1 November 2011

SN Life Science Weekly

SC LFSW

LA English

LP 2011 NOV 1 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to the authors of a study from New Delhi, India, "The non-edible oil seeds of Jatropha curcas (physic nut) and Pongamia pinnata (karanja) contain some toxic components (phorbol esters in J. curcas and karanjin in P. pinnata), which may be used as bio-pesticides. In this study, the active components of J. curcas and P. pinnata oil were extracted and their efficacy against the termites Odontotermes obesus (Rambur), was tested."

"The phorbol ester fraction of J. curcas and karanjin of P. pinnata oil were found to be effective against termites. A mortality rate of 100% was achieved in 6 h with karanjin and in 12 h with phorbol ester fraction," wrote M. Verma and colleagues, Indian Institute of Technology.

TD The researchers concluded: "The LC50 levels of karanjin and phorbol esters fractions were 0.038 and 0.071 g ml(-1), respectively, after 24 h at a 95% (0.05) confidence limit."

Verma and colleagues published their study in International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation (Efficacy of karanjin and phorbol ester fraction against termites (Odontotermes obesus). International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2011;65(6):877-882).

For more information, contact M. Verma, Indian Institute Technology Delhi, Center Rural Development & Technology, New Delhi 110016, India.

Publisher contact information for the journal International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation is: Elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England.

CO iaitdh : Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

IN i25 : Chemicals

NS gsci : Science/Technology | gcat : Political/General News

AN Document LFSW000020111028e7b100181

HD Need to push the biofuel sector in India

CR Distributed by Contify.com

WC 373 words

PD 29 October 2011

SN Energy Next

SC ATENEX

LA English

LP Oct. 29, 2011: The use of biomass for energy production is widespread throughout the world and has been so for ages. Economic, environmental and energy security concerns arising from reliance on fossil fuels are forcing countries across the world to shift to alternatives- biuofuels. India, which is on its way to emerge as the world's third largest economy by 2025, is battling with power crisis and carbon emission and a lot depends on how the biofuel market evolves in the country. There is potential for biofuels to leverage indigenous sources of inputs, potentially increasing income and opportunities in the country, especially the rural areas.

TD Indian biofuel industry is in its nascent stages and there is need to stress upon the sustainability factor. In order to establish biofuel as a substitute for fossil fuel, the customers need to be sensitized, as there is lack of branding of clean fuel- especially biofuels. Supporting a future bioenergy sector will likely require policy, community and local interest, technological breakthroughs, and cost-effective feedstock production. The Indian government needs to find a way to show that it is serious about the biofuel industry and that it is ready to support small and large farmers' investments.

However, the main challenge will be in acquiring economical feedstock, as feedstock cost contributes to almost 85 per cent of the final fuel price for most processes and is critical to the economic viability of future generations of biofuels.

Jatropha and Pongamia might have a very important role to play in meeting the nation's need for liquid fuels in the future but they also present substantial risks and challenges that need to be addressed before huge amount of time and money invested in scaling them up.

The industry insiders also feel that there is need to create a conducive environment for the private developers- as there is not much accessibility and the private developers have to face a number of problems in getting clearances from various Govt. organizations. There are also demands for the biofuel sector to be declared a preferred sector for finance and customized crop loans for farmers.

Images, graphs or charts, if any, have been removed

AN Document ATENEX0020111029e7at00001

HD ANALYSIS-Promising biodiesel crop needs time to prove itself

WC 821 words

PD 27 October 2011

ET 13:48 GMT

SN Reuters News

SC LBA

LA English

LP * Attractive due to higher oil yield than palm, jatropha

* Doubts linger as not proven yet on commercial scale

TD * Some say may be best suited to small farmers

By Nina Chestney

LONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Several new companies are betting on the little-known pongamia pinnata tree as a biodiesel feedstock that does not hurt food production, but a decade or more of research and development is still needed to determine its value as a commercial crop.

Pongamia pinnata, also known as millettia pinnata, is native to Australia, India and parts of southeast Asia. Its oil has so far been used in medicines, lubricants and oil lamps.

Pongamia is attractive because, after six years of cultivation, its oil yield is estimated to rise to around 23 tonnes per hectare per year -- almost double yields of 12 tonnes from jatropha, another tree that is a biodiesel feed crop, and 11 tonnes from palm oil.

It has attracted attention as pressure mounts to find sustainable alternative fuels to help meet countries' renewable energy targets and cut greenhouse gas emissions, without interfering with agricultural production.

But prior experience with jatropha shows that what looks like a promising crop may prove disappointing.

"Unless something has been commercially proven, I would not like to say that this is going to be a success," said Hema Thakur, industry manager for chemicals, materials and foods at research consultancy Frost & Sullivan.

"I would say pongamia stands a better chance than jatropha, but certain thresholds in terms of yield, production, plantation and commercial conversion to biodiesel would have to be met," she added.

The medium-sized evergreen pongamia can grow on marginal arid or semi-arid land and is a nitrogen-fixing tree, which means that it helps fertilise the soil.

"The tree and oil composition look basically promising. However, it may take a long time to a large-scale, truly sustainable biofuel production," said Birger Kerckow, secretariat at the European Biofuels Technology Platform.

A few years ago, jatropha was hailed by investors and scientists as a biofuel alternative to fossil fuels that would not further impoverish developing countries by diverting resources away from food production.

Its high oil yield and ability to grow on marginal land were attractive, but its commercial promise was overstated. Some farmers found that it needed fertiliser to thrive and that its harvesting and processing proved energy-intensive.

POTENTIAL?

Researchers at Australia's Queensland University said pongamia is a strong candidate to contribute significant amounts of biofuel feedstock.

Another study funded by the Indian government last year said pongamia has "immense potential" for use as biodiesel but that more research is needed on improving optimal oil yields.

Some companies are betting on its commercial potential.

Tree Oils India Ltd has bought uncultivated land in India for pongamia and jatropha plantations, while several Australian firms are investing in pongamia plantations.

"Companies are looking more positively at pongamia, but the challenge is to get the required yield, to get the plant to grow and understand its productivity over a number of years," Thakur said.

"Another problem is its maturity, which is about five to seven years, compared to jatropha, which is four to five years."

Gibraltar-based clean technology fund manager Mareeba Oil claims it can produce pongamia crops for biodiesel in three to four years, however.

Mareeba launched a fund last month to raise up to 10 million pounds to plant pongamia trees in Australia.

Its partner Burman Bioenergy has developed methods to cultivate oil from pongamia faster than from jatropha or palm.

"There is a four-year lead-in before we see crops at commercial scale, but that shouldn't put us off. There is clear demand for a new product which provides good returns and helps us all," fund director William Redford said.

"Now there is no market as such for millettia (pongamia), but within 18 months there will be lots of plantations established," he said.

Mareeba has identified an area in north Queensland previously used for tobacco farming for its first plantation. Each tree should produce at least 60 kilograms of oil a year, and there should be over 1,850 trees per hectare, he said.

Some experts say pongamia may be better suited to small-scale production on marginal land, which may put less potential strain on land usage than plantation farming.

India has recognised the potential for small-holders to grow the tree on marginal land and has encouraged them to plant around 25 million trees since 2003 and has bought the seed pods for processing into biodiesel.

"Maybe it has potential. We looked at jatropha but backed away as we couldn't work out how it would work at scale. Similarly, this is best suited to a small holder environment as a cash crop," said Philip New, head of BP Biofuels .

(editing by Jane Baird)

RF PONGAMIA/BIODIESEL (ANALYSIS)

IN ibioful : Biofuels | i1 : Energy | ialtful : Alternative Fuels

NS c21 : Output/Production | genv : Environmental News | nanl : Analysis | ccat : Corporate/Industrial News | gcat : Political/General News | ncat : Content Types RE devgcoz : Emerging Market Countries | india : India | uk : United Kingdom | asiaz : Asia | bric : BRIC Countries | dvpcoz : Developing Economies | eecz : European Union Countries | eurz : Europe | indsubz : Indian Subcontinent | sasiaz : Southern Asia | weurz : Western Europe IPC FUND | FOTB | INV | ENV | ANV | BIODSL | BIOF | RNW | FARM | AGRI | OILI | ENR | NCYC | FOBE | CMPNY | ENER | OILG | GEN | NSS | COM | NRG | CPX | LANGEN | ABN | E | RBN | ELE | UKI | G | O | OIL | SNI | AFN | AUF | C | GRO | MTL | SOF PUB Reuters Limited

AN Document LBA0000020111027e7ar001c4

HD ANALYSIS-Promising biodiesel crop needs time to prove itself

WC 821 words

PD 27 October 2011

ET 14:23 GMT