In this study, the chemical composition of each agrowaste sample was analysed for cellulose, lignin, ash, and moisture content. Three agrowaste samples—corn husk, pineapple crown, and plantain stalk—were sun-dried and chipped for easier digestion. The effect of the catalyst, H₂SO₄, was assessed by pulping 10g of each sample with 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% H₂SO₄. At the end of the experiment, three types of paper were produced from the different agrowaste samples; each of them demonstrates good brightness. The mechanical properties of the pulp were measured, yielding the following results: for corn husks (grammage: 356.25 g/m², thickness: 0.35 mm, tensile strength: 25.675 kN/m², tear index: 2.88 Nm²/g, modulus of elasticity: 151.03 kN/m², and elongation at break: 3.4mm), for pineapple crown (grammage: 231.25 g/m², thickness: 0.13 mm, tensile strength: 21.05 kN/m², tear index: 3.64 Nm²/g, modulus of elasticity: 155.93 kN/m², elongation at break: 2.2 mm), and for plantain stalk (grammage: 325.25 g/m², thickness: 0.07 mm, tensile strength: 23.625 kN/m², tear index: 2.91 Nm²/g, modulus of elasticity: 393.75 kN/m², and elongation at break: 1.20 mm). In summary, agrowastes present a feasible alternative to wood for papermaking. The Acetosolv pulping method yields a higher amount of pulp while minimizing environmental impact.

Background: Abundant uses of chemical fertilizers have adversely affected the soil. The large production of livestock dung is recorded in India annually. The presence of abundant agrowastes and animal dung causes serious problems to animals as well as to human beings, due to the improper management of these wastes. Due to the presence of different physicochemical parameters, these agrowastes and animal dung as food source influence not only the earthworm population but also affect their growth and reproduction during vermicomposting. The effect of agrowastes (wheat straw, banana pills) and bran (barley, rice, and gram bran) with cow and goat dung as tertiary combinations (1:1:1) on the growth and reproduction of E. fetida was investigated.Results: The significant (P<0.05) highest cocoon production was 5.92±0.01/worm/2 weeks observed in CWRr. The reproduction rate as the number of hatchling emerged per cocoon was also significantly the highest (P<0.05) in CWBr as 1.9±0.03. The maximum biomass gained was up to 898.67±2.04 mg/worm, and significant growth rate was 7.32±0.02 mg/worm/day in CWGr combination. There was a significant decrease in pH, C/N ratio, TOC, and EC while there was a significant increase in TKN, TK, TAP, and TCa in different tertiary combinations of final vermicompost when compared to the initial feed mixture.Conclusion: The tertiary combinations of dung and bran with agrowastes used were effective and efficient culture media for the large-scale production of E. fetida, which will be important for the production of vermicompost.

Background: Agrowastes like Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) pod husk can be used to prepare bioactive peptides with various bio-functionalities. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate antioxidant and angiotensin converting enzyme I (ACE) inhibitory peptides contained in Theobroma cacao (cocoa) pod husks – an agro-waste. Methods: Protein isolated from cocoa pod husk was enzymatically digested with alcalase, pepsin, and trypsin. ACE inhibition, kinetics of ACE inhibition, and antioxidant properties of the cocoa pod husks hydrolysates were evaluated in vitro. Results: Trypsin and alcalase hydrolysates displayed higher peptide yields (63. 1% and 61. 2%) than pepsin hydrolysate (61. 2%). However, no significant difference (P>0. 05) was observed in the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the three proteases on cocoa pod husk protein. Methionine, lysine, and cysteine were the amino acid residues presented in cocoa pod husk hydrolysates. A concentration-dependent ACE inhibition by cocoa pod husk hydrolysates was observed. The highest ACE inhibitions of 84. 4%, 81. 5%, and 73. 5% were obtained at 2. 0 mg/mL of pepsin, trypsin, and alcalase hydrolysates, respectively, with the minimum IC50 value of 0. 36 mg/mL obtained for trypsin hydrolysate. An uncompetitive and mixed-type inhibition was obtained from double reciprocal plots of alcalase and pepsin as well as trypsin cocoa pod husk protein hydrolysates. The Ki values of ACE inhibition for pepsin, trypsin, and alcalase hydrolysates were 3. 05, 2. 19, and 3. 57 mg/mL, respectively. A concentration-dependent increase in the scavenging of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide radicals as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power were recorded for the cocoa pod husk hydrolysates. Conclusion: Trypsin and alcalase cocoa pod husk protein hydrolysates could be an effective source of a natural ACE inhibitor and antioxidant.