Research

Doctoral Thesis (October 2020- June 2025)

Title: Biohydrogen production using starchy wastes by Clostridium sp.

Research Motivation:

My research motivation centers on the dual challenge of waste management and energy production through biohydrogen production from waste biomass. This approach not only addresses the pressing issue of waste disposal but also contributes to clean energy generation. By utilizing waste biomass for biohydrogen production, we can reduce environmental hazards, lower carbon emissions, and promote sustainability. This approach aligns with global goals for a greener future and, in the context of India, takes significant steps toward self-reliance in energy production while combating climate change.

Image Credits: TOI

Major Objectives:

Analysis of efficient pre-treatment/ valorization methods of starchy biomass for biohydrogen production.

Isolation and characterization of bacterial strains for secretion of amylolytic enzymes for hydrolysis of recalcitrant starchy wastes.

Development of One-Pot consolidated bioprocess involving co-cultures for biohydrogen production by Clostridium sp. and isolated strain by utilizing starchy wastes.

Publications and Conferences:

Jain, A., et.al., “Towards Circular Economy: Optimisation of co-culture fermenttaion for biohydrogen production from flour mill waste”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting 2024, San Diego USA, 25-31 October 2024. Awarded the ANRF International Travel Support for presenting in the Conference.
Jain, Akanksha, Eeshita Das, Venkata Giridhar Poosarla, and Gobinath Rajagopalan. "Biohydrogen Production Technologies: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives." Production Technologies for Gaseous and Solid Biofuels (2022): 115-168., Scrivener-John Wiley & Sons Publishing
Bhattacharyya, Aniket, Akanksha Jain, and Gobinath Rajagopalan. "Biobutanol production from food crops.” In Advances and Developments in Biobutanol Production," pp. 245-260. Woodhead Publishing, (2023)
Jain, A., et.al., “Biohydrogen production from food waste by a synergistic step-wise coculture fermentation using Amylolytic Bacillus sp. and hydrogenic Clostridium sp.”, Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioresources and Bioeconomy (BSBB), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, 7-11 December 2022. Awarded for the best flash talk and poster presentation.
Jain, A., et.al., “Optimisation of whole cell immobilisation conditions for Bacillus sp. IBT108, for stable, enhanced, and cost effective amylase production”, Challenges in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering for Sustainable Development (CBSD), Annamalai University, Chidambaram, 23-24 March 2022.

Presented my work at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting 2024, held at San Diego USA, 25-31 October 2024

Farewell lunch for dissertation scholars (2023-2024 batch), 29 May 2024

Presented my work at the International Conference on New Horizons in Biotechnology (NHBT), CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Trivandrum, Kerela 26-29 November 2023

Received the best flash presentation and poster award at International Conference on Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioresources and Bioeconomy 2022.

[In frame (L-R): Prof. K. Mohanty, Prof. Latha Rangan, Me, Prof. Samir Khanal, Prof. Ashok Pandey]

Presented my work at the International Conference on Biotechnology for Bioresources and Bioeconomy (BSBB-22) held at IIT Guwahati, 7-11 December 2022.

Participated in the A FASynt-Bioenergy workshop at International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (IGCEB), New Delhi, June 09-15, 2022

Christmas Celebrations with fellow doctoral researchers from Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology (FLSB), South Asian University, New Delhi, December 21, 2021

Hanging out with my M.Sc. Mentees Vranda (center) and Prerna (right) after laboratory lunch, Akbar Bhawan, New Delhi, October 26, 2021

Masters' Thesis (July 2019- March 2020)

Title: Bioprocess development for biohydrogen production by Clostridial fermentation using crude glycerol

Worldwide, approximately 4 billion gallons of glycerol is being produced per year from biodiesel industries, inevitably. Thus, instead of using edible sugars such as glucose or sucrose, crude glycerol can be used as feedstock for fermentation to produce bioacids, biosolvents, and value-added chemicals. The objective of this project was to develop a bioprocess for biohydrogen production from crude glycerol by anaerobic clostridial fermentation and optimization of the process parameters by OVAT approach followed by media components by using RSM CCD using Design Expert.

Publications and Conferences:

Jain, A., et.al., “Bioprocess development for enhancement in biohydrogen production from Clostridium beijerinckii G117 by co-fermentation of crude glycerol and rice bran hydrolysates”, International Conference on New Horizons in Biotechnology (NHBT), CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Trivandrum, Kerela 26-29 November 2023
Khalil, Md Ebrahim, Akanksha Jain, Eeshita Das, Kun Lin Yang, and Gobinath Rajagopalan. "A robust and efficient bioprocess of hydrogen production from crude glycerol by Clostridium beijerinckii G117." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2022).
Khalil, Md Ebrahim, Akanksha Jain, Eeshita Das, Kun Lin Yang, and Gobinath Rajagopalan. "A remarkable enhancement in hydrogen production from Clostridium beijerinckii G117 by the co-fermentation of crude glycerol and rice bran hydrolysates." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2023)
Jain, A., et.al., “Biohydrogen production from Clostridium using crude glycerol as substrate”, 5th International Conference on Bioenergy Environment and Sustainable technologies, Thiruvannamalai, 29-30 January 2021. Awarded with best paper.
Jain, A., et.al., “Anaerobic Clostridial fermentation of glycerol for biohydrogen production”, Poster Presentation, Biozest Competition, New Delhi, November 2019. Awarded for the best poster presentation.

Won the poster presentation competition in Biozest - the annual festival of FLSB (with Eeshita Das), South Asian University, New Delhi, November 8, 2019.

Awarded for Sci-Hunt and Coli-streaking competitions by Dr. Ananda Mustafiz (Associate Professor, FLSB) during Biozest, South Asian University, New Delhi, December 6, 2018.

Group Photo with M.Sc. Biotechnology Class of 2020 (my batchmates), Mezzanine Hall at SAU, New Delhi, April 27, 2019.

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