Scientific Insights Periodical Newsletter Published by TRC -April 2019 - Issue 22 Domestic Waste: Turning an Environmental Problem into Opportunity 10 Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s Pomegranates Investigated P6 Extracting Wax from Palm Fronds P19 More than 300 Publications for Omani Researcher P8
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Domestic Waste: Turning an Environmental Problem into
Opportunity 10
P6
P19
P8
Household waste is too precious to be wasted
As cities expand and populations rise, so does the amount of waste that is produced.
A report issued by the World Bank (2018) points out that the rapid expansion of towns and cities, population growth and economic development will contribute to an increase of %70 of waste during the next 30 years, rising to 3.40 billion tons annually, which is more than twice of population growth by 2050. The same report showed that in 2016 the world produced 242 million tons of plastic wastes is equal to 24 trillion 500ml plastic bottles.
Most waste goes to landfills or is burned. Burning waste is the world’s largest source of dioxins, which is one of the most toxic chemicals known to science, which is why effective waste management is a vital process to protect the environment and the health and safety of the population.
16
Design and Lay-Out: Suad AL-Mahrezi
Editor: Hafidh Al Maskari
Editorial Board: Ahmed Al Aamri Mohammed Al Balushi
The views in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of TRC
The online version is accessible through TRC website and e-mail. 22305306 \ 342
3
4
6
8
10
16
17
18
19
20
22
In this Edition Editorial
General Supervision: HH Sayyid / Taimur bin Asad Al Said
The main sources of waste are domestic, commercial, industrial, municipal, and agricultural. The waste disposal sector offers hope towards the environmental sustainability and potential to generate strong income for the economy. Many countries have created modern methods for waste disposal by transitioning from landfilling and burning waste to establishing strategic projects that are built on scientific foundations for recycling; reducing the quantity of waste, protecting natural resources, preserving the environment, and creating new jobs and Oman must strive onward in this direction. A recent statistic on Oman’s household waste, conducted by Oman Holding Company for Environment Services (SAOC), shows that the rate of household waste production in Oman amounted to 1.5 million tons in 2012 and it is expected to increase to 1.89 million tons by 2030, by a rate of 1.2kg per person per day. The increased numbers of waste threaten people’s lives and health. Our waste problem is not going away by itself. We need to find new ways to solve the increasing waste-problem, and in this issue of Scientific Insights, we explore this turning this environmental issue into an economic resource by implementations of scientific approaches and methods.
5News ReportsNews Reports 4
TRC Board Approves New Strategic Research Programs and the New Organizational Structure
In its first meeting of 2019, TRC Board approved the Strategic Research Program for Food Safety and Quality, and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Strategic Research Program. During the same meeting, the Board also approved the new organizational structure of the Council, which aims to improve employees’ efficiency at TRC.
TRC Signs Agreements for Establishing Technology Transfer Offices at CAS-Sohar and Al Musanna College of Technology
In January 2019, The Research Council signed two agreements with the College of Applied Sciences-Sohar and Al Musanna College of Technology for establishing two Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) at their campuses. The TTOs are expected to maximize the benefits gained from the research and innovations of the academic, industrial and government institutions, in addition to providing an enabling environment for development. Thirteen higher education institutions signed the National Technology Transfer Network (NTTN) Joining Agreements.
Food Safety and Quality Document Reviewed by International Experts and
Local Stakeholders A number of international experts and local stakeholders reviewed the final draft of the Food Safety and Quality Document. The workshop, organized by The Research Council (TRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, aimed at assuring that the draft’s set objectives correspond with the vision of the Strategic Research Program for Food Safety and Quality, and the latest international trends. The Strategic Research Program for Food Safety and Quality will help set evidence-based policies from the perspective of food security, conservation of natural resources, and production and regulation of safe toxic-free food.
Oman GII LAB 2019: Step Forward Towards Oman Vision 2040
The Global Innovation Index (GII) has become one of the key role-players in shaping how Oman will look in 2040. Taking the Sultanate’s performance on the recent GII’s into consideration in drafting the preliminary vision document of Oman Vision 2040 is a major step in the right direction. The next step is the Oman Global Innovation Index (GII) LAB 2019, organized by The Research Council (TRC), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The GII LAB 2019 aims to establish effective relations and integrated links between the national innovation eco-system entities, and develop and promote the innovation infrastructure in the Sultanate, develop the Omani human capital, diversify the Sultanate’s sources of income, and innovatively confront the current national challenges.
Seminar on the Project of Omani Figures Involved in Trade and Industry
The Research Council, represented by the Omani Cultural Heritage Strategic Research Program, in collaboration with Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, has organized a seminar for introducing the Project of Omani Figures Involved in Trade and Industry. A number of local stakeholders and international representatives from the UNESCO Office in Doha attended the seminar.
Research Study Highlights the Abundance of Antioxidants
in Al- Jabal Al-Akhdar`s Pomegranates
6 Dialogue with a Researcher 7 Dialogue with a Researcher
Research Findings: “We have noticed that Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranates have a large volume of antioxidants, similar to fruits imported from abroad and offered in the local markets, which affirms the high quality of local pomegranates. Concerning the canned pomegranate juice, there is a noticeable variation in the level of antioxidant concentration from one brand to another. In some samples, the concentration was lower by around tenfold, while in others the level was as high as the levels found in fresh juice. Comparing the volume of antioxidants in fresh juice made from local pomegranates to that in other countries; depending on published scientific reports, we found that there is hardly any difference. This confirms that the antioxidants in locally-marketed pomegranate juice is the same as in the juice marketed in other countries.
Developing the Research Project: This project can be developed to include detecting antioxidants in other foods, such as honey and olive oil. Furthermore, the idea itself can be implemented for detecting materials other than antioxidants, such as pesticides and their concentration levels.
Research Project Achievements: The project was awarded the National Research Award 2018, under the Cultural, Basic and Social Sciences sector (under the Young Researches Category). Furthermore, the research has been published in one of the esteemed publications related to chemical sensing devices field.
Research Team: The research team comprised of Prof. Haider bin Ahmad Al-Lawati, College of Science, SQU and Prof. Fakhrudin Sulaiman, College of Science, SQU.
The Research Idea: The idea behind this research is to utilize the chemical reactions of bioluminescence in estimating the volume of antioxidants in Pomegranate (Punica granatum). Baqia states that the Chemiluminescence is produced and activated in labs by using special chemicals. “We used this technique to calculate the volume of antioxidants in some foods, such as pomegranate juice. When the reaction between the antioxidants in the juice and these chemicals is activated, ‘emitted light’ is released that is directly proportional to the concentration of antioxidants; when the concentration goes higher, the light becomes stronger and brighter”.
Research Phases: The research team prepared manganese planktons which activate bioluminescence to estimate the volume of antioxidants in different samples of fresh and canned pomegranate juices to specify the level of quality of fruits offered in the local markets, including Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranates. By observing the intensity of the light emitted the team was able to accurately calculate the volume of the antioxidants concentration. “These experiments were carried out with the use of a microelectromechanical systems chip (lab-on- chip), that pumps microfluidics of specific chemicals and dilute pomegranate juice into these systems to create a chemical reaction in a Nano-volume single drop.” Highlighting the significance of this study, she said, “It’s the first time that manganese planktons of Nano volume have been used in the lab-on-chip to activate a chemical reaction inside a Nano-volume drop of liquid. The outcomes of the study bring emphasis to the importance of the antioxidant’s role in strengthening the immune system, especially with rapid changes in human diets and the spread of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer”.
If you have ever been to the beach at night, you may have noticed that the sand shines brightly. The source of this light is tiny algae stuck within the grains. This light is emitted through a chemical reaction, known as ‘chemiluminescence’, and is used by some species of fish, mosquitos and butterflies to commuinicate and for self defence. In order to utilize ‘chemiluminescence’ in estimating the amounts of antioxidants in pomegranate juice, The Research Council (TRC) funded a scientific project, led by Baqia Ali Al Mughairy, a PhD student at the Chemistry Department of the College of Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University. Baqia’s project emphasized the abundance of antioxidants in Al- Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranate.
8 8 Researcher’s Biography 9 Researcher’s Biography
300 publications
He has more thanSupervised more than
In this issue of Scientific Insights, we take a look at the research of Professor Saif Nasser Al-Bahry, the Director of the Oil and Gas Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University, Dean of the College of Science of Sultan Qaboos University, and the Head of Biology Department. Professor Saif has more than three hundred journal publications, conference participations and technical reports, along with a lifetime of other significant achievements.
Education: • 1989, USA: MSc in Microbiology and Molecular
Biology, (Antibiotic Resistance of Salmonella Species Isolated in Oman).
• 1994, USA: PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Biology, (Adherence of Salmonella Typhimurium to Murine Peritoneal Macrophages is Mediated by Lipopolysaccharide and Complement Receptors).
Research Interests: Interested in environment and biotechnology areas, which include the following:
. 1 Food and water safety . 2 Spread of antibiotic-resistant-bacteria to
e n v i ro n m e n t . 3 Heavy metals pollution . 4 Microbial genomics and bioenergy . 5 Crude oil recovery, and bioremediation and crude
oil souring and mitigation
projects supervising. . 2 A member of undergraduate and graduate
curriculum committees . 3 Introduced many courses of applied nature at
undergraduate and graduate levels
offered in the Gulf region initiated in 1997.
• Contributed in establishing MSc programs in 2000,
and PhD programs in 2006 at the Department of
Biology, Sultan Qaboos University.
modern teaching approaches.
Applied Research Unit (CAARU) at Sultan
Qaboos University.
Undergraduate Environmental Science
Qaboos University.
biotechnology and microbial enhanced oil recovery
in Oman (MEOR).
biopolymers were identified from Omani microbial
isolates.
• Bacillus strains of specific interest to heavy oil have
been isolated in the labs. The strains have been
found to bio-transform heavy oil into light oil.
• The bio-surfactants has potential of transporting
heavy oil in pipes.
identification of Sulfur Reducing Bacteria (SRB)
which cause souring of crude oil.
Scientific Publications: Some of Professor Saif’s 300 plus publications of journals and technical reports are rated by the BioMedNet, USA, as top 10 in the world within the field of microbes.
Significant Scientific Outcomes for Oman
• Isolation and characterization of microbial
enhanced oil recovery aerobic/anaerobic bacteria.
• The microbial compounds have potential industrial
applications for Oman. These compounds include
bio-pigments, bioplastic, biopolymers and bio-
surfactants and cellulose enzymes.
and infect marine and wild life in Oman,
and that sewage effluent is contaminating
the environment with heavy metals.
• Studied the structure of turtle eggshells
during the process of microbial
penetration, and discovered a new
membrane .
in microbes and plants.
have been identified by metagenomics
techniques.
and plant debris in Costa Rica. There are
only five described species, two from
North America, and two from Europe and
one from Oman.
Cover Story 11
Domestic waste has become an environmental priority due to the hazardous impact of rubbish on our health and the environment, if not disposed properly. Recently, awareness of home waste management as a critical issue has become wide-spread all over the Sultanate; with the rise of local and international specialized conferences and events, whereby experts and researchers from the public and private sectors, NGOs, civil organizations and societies, and voluntary teams, take part to propose and draft long-term strategic plans.
In this issue of Scientific Insights, we explore how the Sultanate plans to turn this environmental problem into an economic resource by highlighting the latest advancements of scientific research in waste recycling and how to turn our daily waste into an economic industry that creates new jobs, and builds an integrated and comprehensive re-cycling system, committed to international standards, and implements ethical practices.
Dr. Mohab bin Ali Al Hinai, Head of Environmental Center of Excellence (ECE) at Oman Environmental Services Holding Co. SAOC (be`ah) says that the concepts and terms of waste disposal and its environmental, social and economic feasibility occupy public opinion considerably. And because the responsibilities have been divided over many governmental offices in the past, the Royal Decree no 46/2009 regulated waste disposal under a specific establishment that is proposed to be concerned with developing solid waste disposal and optimizing the available resources. Furthermore, many initiatives have been inaugurated to support the infra structure in Oman and prepare the required services for operating the municipal waste sector, which is considered a critical sector in any country. These initiatives resulted in many assignments for determining the form and type of waste be`ah is concerned with. There is the solid municipal waste, including home garbage which is identified as wastes resulted from the normal domestic activities; such as food wastes, wrecked furniture, discarded clothing, paper, cardboard and cans; in addition to the industrial, commercial and service establishments waste resulted from damaged solid materials which are disposed usually in unorganized ways. It can be said that, today, countries are built on a number of infrastructural pillars, with the most important one being competent facilities for waste disposal, which has increased annually all over the world in general, including the Sultanate.
Home waste disposal and recycling is a main concern for many countries all over the world, with the increase of daily waste and the lack of the correct and ethical mechanisms for disposal resulting in pollution, the spread of diseases and other dangerous epidemics to the planet. Dr. Salim bin Humood Al Rawahi, Chairman of Origo Integrated Projects LLC believes that within the last few decades, municipal and home waste has increased in the Sultanate to more than 3 tons annually, according to initial studies. This constitutes significant environmental risks and threatens the health of all living creatures. Dumping wastes results in critical environmental problems as organic waste decomposes in landfills, releasing dangerous amounts of methane emissions, which cause damage to the climate. Furthermore, the liquids formed due to the solubility of waste in soil result in the pollution of groundwater.
Home Waste Concept
Cover StoryCover Story 1312
Growing Household Waste According to Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi, Executive Director of Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Center, the most significant causes for the increase in daily waste are:
. 1 Population growth and urbanization: when population grows, the waste resulted from the increased human activities grows with it.
. 2 The development of the standard of living, this causes human consumption of food to increase; as not all purchased foods are consumed, so considerable quantities turn into waste.
. 3 Economic development: the increase of food production has resulted in the similar increase of the production of non-reusable plastic and such as, plates, cutlery, and paper cups.
Dr. Nadiya further highlights that the world produces around 2.1 billion tonnes of wastes annually (UNEP 2009) and this amount will increase to more than 2.2 billion by 2025; which amounts to an individual increase of 1.2 kg per day to 1.42kg.
Dr. Mohab adds that “the rate of household waste in Oman amounted to 1.5 million tons in 2012 and it’s expected to increase to 1.89 million tons by 2030, by a rate of 1.2kg per person per day”. we need to look into these numbers in order to sustain our resources and build an economy that depends on recycling the waste into reusable materials and items. According to Dr. Mohab, food waste represents 27 % of total domestic waste which is about OMR 57 million annually (2018). This is attributed to many causes including the lack of awareness of the right methods for storing food and the appropriate quantity to be purchased for the members of the family, in addition to not knowing how to recycle discarded food waste.
27 % of total domestic
waste in 2018
Commenting on the situation in Oman, Dr. Salim Al-Rawahi attributed the social and economic developments of recent years as a direct contributor to the increase of people’s requirements and needs, and therefore the increase of the diversity and quantity of daily waste production. Some countries adopted many methods for waste disposal; some of these methods were successful, while others were not. Recently, some countries followed positive methods in waste disposal that insure environment conservation, public health and benefiting from the wastes.
of waste produced by
each individual per day
1.2%
Research and Development in the Waste Sector Research and development plays a vital role in improving the environmental performance of many sectors; especially in the energy sector, through the mitigation of the effects of climate on the environment, which is the most significant pillar of sustainable development. In this regard, waste is seen as a potential economic resource that can be used as a raw material in many commercial endeavors, such as the production of sustainable power in the form of bio- fuel, gas and hydrogen, by using the varied techniques designed for transforming waste into power. Commenting on this point, Dr. Mohab Al Hinai says that there are a number of studies investigating the use of the organic materials as a source of producing bio-gas through the bio-decomposition of these materials in the absence of oxygen. The biogas is produced from the waste of agriculture and fertilizers, municipal waste, sewage and food waste. ‘be`ah’ tries to reduce the waste quantity as much as possible with a circular economy, which is interested in the rehabilitation and recycling of products and materials. This direction will contribute to reducing the pressure on the environment, enhancing the sustainability of raw materials and increase growth, development and diversification of resources.
Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi – “ Scientific research can contribute significantly to optimizing household waste through many methods, such as waste dumping and organic fertilizer production, which can be carried out at houses or schools. The best example for producing organic fertilizers from household waste is by dumping vegetable, fruit and tree waste, into a lined-nylon landfill. Sugary substances should be added before dumping in order for the waste to turn into organic fertilizer over time. The second method of waste treatment is through the production of methane in factories. Household waste is burnt in thermal ovens, raising the temperature to 1000 C to heat the water inside special pipes, creating the steam that powers a generator. This process can be used in Oman for desalination.
Dr. Mohab bin Ali Al Hinai, Head of Environmental Center of Excellence (ECE) at Oman Environmental
Services Holding Co. SAOC (be`ah)
Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi, Executive Director of Oman Animal and Plant Genetic
Resources Center
TRC Support to Research Projects Addressing Waste
As of now, there have been 5 TRC-funded research…
Opportunity 10
P6
P19
P8
Household waste is too precious to be wasted
As cities expand and populations rise, so does the amount of waste that is produced.
A report issued by the World Bank (2018) points out that the rapid expansion of towns and cities, population growth and economic development will contribute to an increase of %70 of waste during the next 30 years, rising to 3.40 billion tons annually, which is more than twice of population growth by 2050. The same report showed that in 2016 the world produced 242 million tons of plastic wastes is equal to 24 trillion 500ml plastic bottles.
Most waste goes to landfills or is burned. Burning waste is the world’s largest source of dioxins, which is one of the most toxic chemicals known to science, which is why effective waste management is a vital process to protect the environment and the health and safety of the population.
16
Design and Lay-Out: Suad AL-Mahrezi
Editor: Hafidh Al Maskari
Editorial Board: Ahmed Al Aamri Mohammed Al Balushi
The views in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of TRC
The online version is accessible through TRC website and e-mail. 22305306 \ 342
3
4
6
8
10
16
17
18
19
20
22
In this Edition Editorial
General Supervision: HH Sayyid / Taimur bin Asad Al Said
The main sources of waste are domestic, commercial, industrial, municipal, and agricultural. The waste disposal sector offers hope towards the environmental sustainability and potential to generate strong income for the economy. Many countries have created modern methods for waste disposal by transitioning from landfilling and burning waste to establishing strategic projects that are built on scientific foundations for recycling; reducing the quantity of waste, protecting natural resources, preserving the environment, and creating new jobs and Oman must strive onward in this direction. A recent statistic on Oman’s household waste, conducted by Oman Holding Company for Environment Services (SAOC), shows that the rate of household waste production in Oman amounted to 1.5 million tons in 2012 and it is expected to increase to 1.89 million tons by 2030, by a rate of 1.2kg per person per day. The increased numbers of waste threaten people’s lives and health. Our waste problem is not going away by itself. We need to find new ways to solve the increasing waste-problem, and in this issue of Scientific Insights, we explore this turning this environmental issue into an economic resource by implementations of scientific approaches and methods.
5News ReportsNews Reports 4
TRC Board Approves New Strategic Research Programs and the New Organizational Structure
In its first meeting of 2019, TRC Board approved the Strategic Research Program for Food Safety and Quality, and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Strategic Research Program. During the same meeting, the Board also approved the new organizational structure of the Council, which aims to improve employees’ efficiency at TRC.
TRC Signs Agreements for Establishing Technology Transfer Offices at CAS-Sohar and Al Musanna College of Technology
In January 2019, The Research Council signed two agreements with the College of Applied Sciences-Sohar and Al Musanna College of Technology for establishing two Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) at their campuses. The TTOs are expected to maximize the benefits gained from the research and innovations of the academic, industrial and government institutions, in addition to providing an enabling environment for development. Thirteen higher education institutions signed the National Technology Transfer Network (NTTN) Joining Agreements.
Food Safety and Quality Document Reviewed by International Experts and
Local Stakeholders A number of international experts and local stakeholders reviewed the final draft of the Food Safety and Quality Document. The workshop, organized by The Research Council (TRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, aimed at assuring that the draft’s set objectives correspond with the vision of the Strategic Research Program for Food Safety and Quality, and the latest international trends. The Strategic Research Program for Food Safety and Quality will help set evidence-based policies from the perspective of food security, conservation of natural resources, and production and regulation of safe toxic-free food.
Oman GII LAB 2019: Step Forward Towards Oman Vision 2040
The Global Innovation Index (GII) has become one of the key role-players in shaping how Oman will look in 2040. Taking the Sultanate’s performance on the recent GII’s into consideration in drafting the preliminary vision document of Oman Vision 2040 is a major step in the right direction. The next step is the Oman Global Innovation Index (GII) LAB 2019, organized by The Research Council (TRC), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The GII LAB 2019 aims to establish effective relations and integrated links between the national innovation eco-system entities, and develop and promote the innovation infrastructure in the Sultanate, develop the Omani human capital, diversify the Sultanate’s sources of income, and innovatively confront the current national challenges.
Seminar on the Project of Omani Figures Involved in Trade and Industry
The Research Council, represented by the Omani Cultural Heritage Strategic Research Program, in collaboration with Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, has organized a seminar for introducing the Project of Omani Figures Involved in Trade and Industry. A number of local stakeholders and international representatives from the UNESCO Office in Doha attended the seminar.
Research Study Highlights the Abundance of Antioxidants
in Al- Jabal Al-Akhdar`s Pomegranates
6 Dialogue with a Researcher 7 Dialogue with a Researcher
Research Findings: “We have noticed that Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranates have a large volume of antioxidants, similar to fruits imported from abroad and offered in the local markets, which affirms the high quality of local pomegranates. Concerning the canned pomegranate juice, there is a noticeable variation in the level of antioxidant concentration from one brand to another. In some samples, the concentration was lower by around tenfold, while in others the level was as high as the levels found in fresh juice. Comparing the volume of antioxidants in fresh juice made from local pomegranates to that in other countries; depending on published scientific reports, we found that there is hardly any difference. This confirms that the antioxidants in locally-marketed pomegranate juice is the same as in the juice marketed in other countries.
Developing the Research Project: This project can be developed to include detecting antioxidants in other foods, such as honey and olive oil. Furthermore, the idea itself can be implemented for detecting materials other than antioxidants, such as pesticides and their concentration levels.
Research Project Achievements: The project was awarded the National Research Award 2018, under the Cultural, Basic and Social Sciences sector (under the Young Researches Category). Furthermore, the research has been published in one of the esteemed publications related to chemical sensing devices field.
Research Team: The research team comprised of Prof. Haider bin Ahmad Al-Lawati, College of Science, SQU and Prof. Fakhrudin Sulaiman, College of Science, SQU.
The Research Idea: The idea behind this research is to utilize the chemical reactions of bioluminescence in estimating the volume of antioxidants in Pomegranate (Punica granatum). Baqia states that the Chemiluminescence is produced and activated in labs by using special chemicals. “We used this technique to calculate the volume of antioxidants in some foods, such as pomegranate juice. When the reaction between the antioxidants in the juice and these chemicals is activated, ‘emitted light’ is released that is directly proportional to the concentration of antioxidants; when the concentration goes higher, the light becomes stronger and brighter”.
Research Phases: The research team prepared manganese planktons which activate bioluminescence to estimate the volume of antioxidants in different samples of fresh and canned pomegranate juices to specify the level of quality of fruits offered in the local markets, including Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranates. By observing the intensity of the light emitted the team was able to accurately calculate the volume of the antioxidants concentration. “These experiments were carried out with the use of a microelectromechanical systems chip (lab-on- chip), that pumps microfluidics of specific chemicals and dilute pomegranate juice into these systems to create a chemical reaction in a Nano-volume single drop.” Highlighting the significance of this study, she said, “It’s the first time that manganese planktons of Nano volume have been used in the lab-on-chip to activate a chemical reaction inside a Nano-volume drop of liquid. The outcomes of the study bring emphasis to the importance of the antioxidant’s role in strengthening the immune system, especially with rapid changes in human diets and the spread of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer”.
If you have ever been to the beach at night, you may have noticed that the sand shines brightly. The source of this light is tiny algae stuck within the grains. This light is emitted through a chemical reaction, known as ‘chemiluminescence’, and is used by some species of fish, mosquitos and butterflies to commuinicate and for self defence. In order to utilize ‘chemiluminescence’ in estimating the amounts of antioxidants in pomegranate juice, The Research Council (TRC) funded a scientific project, led by Baqia Ali Al Mughairy, a PhD student at the Chemistry Department of the College of Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University. Baqia’s project emphasized the abundance of antioxidants in Al- Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranate.
8 8 Researcher’s Biography 9 Researcher’s Biography
300 publications
He has more thanSupervised more than
In this issue of Scientific Insights, we take a look at the research of Professor Saif Nasser Al-Bahry, the Director of the Oil and Gas Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University, Dean of the College of Science of Sultan Qaboos University, and the Head of Biology Department. Professor Saif has more than three hundred journal publications, conference participations and technical reports, along with a lifetime of other significant achievements.
Education: • 1989, USA: MSc in Microbiology and Molecular
Biology, (Antibiotic Resistance of Salmonella Species Isolated in Oman).
• 1994, USA: PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Biology, (Adherence of Salmonella Typhimurium to Murine Peritoneal Macrophages is Mediated by Lipopolysaccharide and Complement Receptors).
Research Interests: Interested in environment and biotechnology areas, which include the following:
. 1 Food and water safety . 2 Spread of antibiotic-resistant-bacteria to
e n v i ro n m e n t . 3 Heavy metals pollution . 4 Microbial genomics and bioenergy . 5 Crude oil recovery, and bioremediation and crude
oil souring and mitigation
projects supervising. . 2 A member of undergraduate and graduate
curriculum committees . 3 Introduced many courses of applied nature at
undergraduate and graduate levels
offered in the Gulf region initiated in 1997.
• Contributed in establishing MSc programs in 2000,
and PhD programs in 2006 at the Department of
Biology, Sultan Qaboos University.
modern teaching approaches.
Applied Research Unit (CAARU) at Sultan
Qaboos University.
Undergraduate Environmental Science
Qaboos University.
biotechnology and microbial enhanced oil recovery
in Oman (MEOR).
biopolymers were identified from Omani microbial
isolates.
• Bacillus strains of specific interest to heavy oil have
been isolated in the labs. The strains have been
found to bio-transform heavy oil into light oil.
• The bio-surfactants has potential of transporting
heavy oil in pipes.
identification of Sulfur Reducing Bacteria (SRB)
which cause souring of crude oil.
Scientific Publications: Some of Professor Saif’s 300 plus publications of journals and technical reports are rated by the BioMedNet, USA, as top 10 in the world within the field of microbes.
Significant Scientific Outcomes for Oman
• Isolation and characterization of microbial
enhanced oil recovery aerobic/anaerobic bacteria.
• The microbial compounds have potential industrial
applications for Oman. These compounds include
bio-pigments, bioplastic, biopolymers and bio-
surfactants and cellulose enzymes.
and infect marine and wild life in Oman,
and that sewage effluent is contaminating
the environment with heavy metals.
• Studied the structure of turtle eggshells
during the process of microbial
penetration, and discovered a new
membrane .
in microbes and plants.
have been identified by metagenomics
techniques.
and plant debris in Costa Rica. There are
only five described species, two from
North America, and two from Europe and
one from Oman.
Cover Story 11
Domestic waste has become an environmental priority due to the hazardous impact of rubbish on our health and the environment, if not disposed properly. Recently, awareness of home waste management as a critical issue has become wide-spread all over the Sultanate; with the rise of local and international specialized conferences and events, whereby experts and researchers from the public and private sectors, NGOs, civil organizations and societies, and voluntary teams, take part to propose and draft long-term strategic plans.
In this issue of Scientific Insights, we explore how the Sultanate plans to turn this environmental problem into an economic resource by highlighting the latest advancements of scientific research in waste recycling and how to turn our daily waste into an economic industry that creates new jobs, and builds an integrated and comprehensive re-cycling system, committed to international standards, and implements ethical practices.
Dr. Mohab bin Ali Al Hinai, Head of Environmental Center of Excellence (ECE) at Oman Environmental Services Holding Co. SAOC (be`ah) says that the concepts and terms of waste disposal and its environmental, social and economic feasibility occupy public opinion considerably. And because the responsibilities have been divided over many governmental offices in the past, the Royal Decree no 46/2009 regulated waste disposal under a specific establishment that is proposed to be concerned with developing solid waste disposal and optimizing the available resources. Furthermore, many initiatives have been inaugurated to support the infra structure in Oman and prepare the required services for operating the municipal waste sector, which is considered a critical sector in any country. These initiatives resulted in many assignments for determining the form and type of waste be`ah is concerned with. There is the solid municipal waste, including home garbage which is identified as wastes resulted from the normal domestic activities; such as food wastes, wrecked furniture, discarded clothing, paper, cardboard and cans; in addition to the industrial, commercial and service establishments waste resulted from damaged solid materials which are disposed usually in unorganized ways. It can be said that, today, countries are built on a number of infrastructural pillars, with the most important one being competent facilities for waste disposal, which has increased annually all over the world in general, including the Sultanate.
Home waste disposal and recycling is a main concern for many countries all over the world, with the increase of daily waste and the lack of the correct and ethical mechanisms for disposal resulting in pollution, the spread of diseases and other dangerous epidemics to the planet. Dr. Salim bin Humood Al Rawahi, Chairman of Origo Integrated Projects LLC believes that within the last few decades, municipal and home waste has increased in the Sultanate to more than 3 tons annually, according to initial studies. This constitutes significant environmental risks and threatens the health of all living creatures. Dumping wastes results in critical environmental problems as organic waste decomposes in landfills, releasing dangerous amounts of methane emissions, which cause damage to the climate. Furthermore, the liquids formed due to the solubility of waste in soil result in the pollution of groundwater.
Home Waste Concept
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Growing Household Waste According to Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi, Executive Director of Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Center, the most significant causes for the increase in daily waste are:
. 1 Population growth and urbanization: when population grows, the waste resulted from the increased human activities grows with it.
. 2 The development of the standard of living, this causes human consumption of food to increase; as not all purchased foods are consumed, so considerable quantities turn into waste.
. 3 Economic development: the increase of food production has resulted in the similar increase of the production of non-reusable plastic and such as, plates, cutlery, and paper cups.
Dr. Nadiya further highlights that the world produces around 2.1 billion tonnes of wastes annually (UNEP 2009) and this amount will increase to more than 2.2 billion by 2025; which amounts to an individual increase of 1.2 kg per day to 1.42kg.
Dr. Mohab adds that “the rate of household waste in Oman amounted to 1.5 million tons in 2012 and it’s expected to increase to 1.89 million tons by 2030, by a rate of 1.2kg per person per day”. we need to look into these numbers in order to sustain our resources and build an economy that depends on recycling the waste into reusable materials and items. According to Dr. Mohab, food waste represents 27 % of total domestic waste which is about OMR 57 million annually (2018). This is attributed to many causes including the lack of awareness of the right methods for storing food and the appropriate quantity to be purchased for the members of the family, in addition to not knowing how to recycle discarded food waste.
27 % of total domestic
waste in 2018
Commenting on the situation in Oman, Dr. Salim Al-Rawahi attributed the social and economic developments of recent years as a direct contributor to the increase of people’s requirements and needs, and therefore the increase of the diversity and quantity of daily waste production. Some countries adopted many methods for waste disposal; some of these methods were successful, while others were not. Recently, some countries followed positive methods in waste disposal that insure environment conservation, public health and benefiting from the wastes.
of waste produced by
each individual per day
1.2%
Research and Development in the Waste Sector Research and development plays a vital role in improving the environmental performance of many sectors; especially in the energy sector, through the mitigation of the effects of climate on the environment, which is the most significant pillar of sustainable development. In this regard, waste is seen as a potential economic resource that can be used as a raw material in many commercial endeavors, such as the production of sustainable power in the form of bio- fuel, gas and hydrogen, by using the varied techniques designed for transforming waste into power. Commenting on this point, Dr. Mohab Al Hinai says that there are a number of studies investigating the use of the organic materials as a source of producing bio-gas through the bio-decomposition of these materials in the absence of oxygen. The biogas is produced from the waste of agriculture and fertilizers, municipal waste, sewage and food waste. ‘be`ah’ tries to reduce the waste quantity as much as possible with a circular economy, which is interested in the rehabilitation and recycling of products and materials. This direction will contribute to reducing the pressure on the environment, enhancing the sustainability of raw materials and increase growth, development and diversification of resources.
Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi – “ Scientific research can contribute significantly to optimizing household waste through many methods, such as waste dumping and organic fertilizer production, which can be carried out at houses or schools. The best example for producing organic fertilizers from household waste is by dumping vegetable, fruit and tree waste, into a lined-nylon landfill. Sugary substances should be added before dumping in order for the waste to turn into organic fertilizer over time. The second method of waste treatment is through the production of methane in factories. Household waste is burnt in thermal ovens, raising the temperature to 1000 C to heat the water inside special pipes, creating the steam that powers a generator. This process can be used in Oman for desalination.
Dr. Mohab bin Ali Al Hinai, Head of Environmental Center of Excellence (ECE) at Oman Environmental
Services Holding Co. SAOC (be`ah)
Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi, Executive Director of Oman Animal and Plant Genetic
Resources Center
TRC Support to Research Projects Addressing Waste
As of now, there have been 5 TRC-funded research…
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