Manikprabhu Nanasaheb Dhanorkar

@siu.edu.in

Professor and Head, Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management
Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Manikprabhu Nanasaheb Dhanorkar


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https://researchid.co/manikprabhudhanorkar

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Multidisciplinary, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Waste Management and Disposal, Pollution
22

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Expanding the frontiers of nanobiochar and biochar nanocomposites as versatile biomaterials for sustainable development
    Pooja Singh, Abhijeet Pathy, Sharoni Sharma, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, M. Anne Naeth, Scott X. Chang
    Biochar, 2026
    Mounting global crisis including environmental degradation, resource depletion, and health threats, necessitates the exploration of various transformative, novel, and multifunctional materials with practical applications. Nanobiochar, a nanoscale biochar produced through pyrolysis and post-pyrolysis modifications, has emerged as a versatile and sustainable carbon-based nanomaterial with numerous applications. Biochar nanocomposites, engineered hybrid materials developed from biochar and nanomaterials, have further amplified the applications of biochar. Although the environmental applications of nanobiochar and biochar nanocomposites have been extensively studied, their potential applications in other critical sectors are less explored and not well understood. This review explores the potential applications of nanobiochar and biochar nanocomposites in the medical, energy, construction, polymer, and agriculture sectors. The unique properties of nanobiochar and biochar nanocomposites make them a promising candidate for healthcare applications, aligned with the One Health approach. In times of resource depletion and climate change, such composite materials show promise as a valuable resource for alternative energy storage solutions, sustainable construction, and climate-smart agriculture. However, further research is needed on the biocompatibility and extended ecotoxicity of these hybrid materials. The integration of nanobiochar and biochar nanocomposites in various domains and broadening their scope of application into underexplored sectors will address knowledge gaps and expand the use of emerging technologies for a sustainable and low-carbon future. This review underscores the need for more interdisciplinary research to fully leverage the potential of these composite resources and facilitate the transition to a more resilient and resource-efficient future. Graphical Abstract
  • Lemnaceae as a poultry feed supplement: a review on the nutritional and economic potential for long term feed sustainability
    Aakarsh Salian, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Satish Tongaonkar, Dibyendu Dey, Sarwar Ali, Piruthiviraj Kumar, Pooja Singh
    Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 2026
    Soybean is a conventional and widely used protein source in the poultry feed. Fluctuating soybean prices linked to changing climatic and agroeconomic condition brings in multiple sustainability and food security concerns in the poultry feed sector. Additionally, competition for agricultural land, coupled to rising feed costs has put economic strain on the consumers. There is a need to promote alternative low-cost protein sources to bring in circularity in production systems, reduce environmental footprints, and improve long-term resilience of the poultry feed sector in the face of climate change. This work explores duckweed as a promising and economical alternative to soybean for use in the poultry feed sector and evaluates the limitations in their widespread use. Rich protein (around 35%–40%), high lysine content and diverse nutritional profile of duckweed confirm its suitability as an attractive component in the poultry feed, particularly relevant in the era of climate change and feed security crisis. Large scale production is however limited by processing and storage concerns that need to be further addressed to increase the economic viability of duckweeds. Production systems based on recycled wastewater makes the process sustainable. Reduction in antinutritive factors by enzymes or microbial fermentation will further enhance the acceptability of these plants as feed components. This study highlights opportunities to reduce the dependency on climate-sensitive soybean while promoting a circular bioeconomy approach in the poultry feed sector. Use of duckweed offers a promising approach to ensure a climate resilient and sustainable poultry sector, with potential to enhance food security.
  • Biosurfactant and siderophore producing endophytic fungi from duckweed
    P. Singh, K.K. Yadav, A. Pramanic, M. Dhanorkar
    Journal of Environmental Biology, 2026
    Aim: Fungal endophytes are vital for climate resilience and adaptability of host plant. Although terrestrial plant associated endophytes are well studied, aquatic endophytic fungal diversity is still under explored. The aim of this paper was to isolate the fungal endophytes from floating aquatic plants and assess their ecological significance. Methodology: Endophytic fungi from two different duckweed species, Lemna and Spirodela, were isolated and identified. Functional attributes, including production of ammonia, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and siderophores and phosphate solubilization were estimated. Results: Two endophytic fungi, Aspergillus costaricensis and Collariella pachypodioides (Chaetomium pachypodioides), were isolated from Lemna sp. and Spirodela sp. Aspergillus costaricensis, reported for the first time as an endophyte in the aquatic plant Lemna, was able to solubilize phosphate and produce ammonia and siderophore. Both the strains were biosurfactant producers, an attribute not previously documented for aquatic plant endophytes. Interpretation: Both the fungal isolates appeared to play an active role in nutrient recycling in the host environment. Duckweed plants are vital for the functioning of wetland ecosystems. Unexplored fungal species may have unique biochemical pathways critical for degrading pollutants or enhancing nutrient availability in wetlands, attributes that will be useful for establishing nature based solutions and productive aquatic farming systems. Key words: Aspergillus, Biosurfactant, Duckweed, Endophytes, Wetlands
  • Antibiotic mitigation of aqueous systems using untapped potential of unsorted garden waste-derived biochar: performance evaluation and mechanistic insights
    Neenu P. Raju, Meenakshi Verma, Pooja Singh, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar
    Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2026
  • Fate and transformation of pharmaceutical residues: environment and human health implications
    Om Prakash, Yogesh Patil, Prakash Rao, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Pooja Singh, Ruchika Kaul Ghanekar, Ankita Chopra, Afshan Ahmad, Al Sana Ahmed, Kshiteeja Dushing
    Environmental Pollutants and Bioavailability, 2026
    Pharmaceutical residues (PRs) are increasingly detected in water, soil, and plants due to incomplete removal during wastewater treatment and environmental persistence. Concentrations ranging from ng L−1 to µg L−1 raise concerns regarding ecological process disruption and alarming antimicrobial resistance. Their fate is governed by physicochemical properties that influence their mobility, transformation, and bioaccumulation. The current review critically synthesises recent findings on PR occurrence, analytical detection, and phytoremediation mechanisms, emphasising plants as both remediation tools and potential transmission pathways in the food chain. Significant knowledge gaps include monitoring transformation products, field-scale validation and climate-driven variability, underscoring the need for an integrated eco-pharmacovigilance framework.
  • The interplay between antimicrobial resistance genes and emerging contaminants in wastewater treatment plants: Key players in One Health
    Neenu P. Raju, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Pooja Singh
    Annals of Microbiology, 2025
    Background Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognised as significant reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and are key sources and sinks of multiple emerging contaminants (ECs). The diverse ECs in WWTPs can exert selective pressure on microbial communities, driving the development of AMR and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). This association raises critical ‘One Health’ concerns regarding the role of WWTPs. Understanding the complex interplay between ECs and AMR in these environments is crucial to addressing this global health challenge. Main body This study investigates the occurrence and fate of ECs in WWTPs, the factors influencing AMR development, and the distribution of prominent ARGs within WWTPs. Our findings reveal that sulfonamide and tetracycline resistance genes (sul and tet) are the most abundant ARGs in WWTPs. Fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and sulfonamides are the most prevalent antibiotic classes detected in final effluents. The interaction of these antibiotics with other environmental contaminants, such as microplastics and heavy metals, within WWTPs, contributes to ARG proliferation through mechanisms including co-resistance, cross-resistance, and co-selection. This highlights the evolving role of WWTPs from simple waste conduits to hotspots of AMR, necessitating the use of active surveillance mechanisms. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Next-generation sequencing (NGS) have emerged as sensitive and effective tools for ARG detection, warranting their inclusion in surveillance strategies. Conclusion This review provides a knowledge-driven approach to identify key factors in antimicrobial surveillance related to ECs, ultimately informing targeted interventions to minimise their detrimental effects and develop effective strategies to protect global public health.
  • Numerical simulation and experimental study of suspended particulate matter removal for efficient water recovery and reuse in solid–liquid separation
    Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Ishan Mishra, Rohan Sawant, Kamal Sharma, Chandrakant Sonawane, Md Irfanual Haque Siddiqui, Intesaaf Ashraf, Ghanshyam G. Tejani
    Scientific Reports, 2025
    In the present study, an empirical investigation was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrocyclone in separation processes, followed by its implementation within a biogas plant setting. The laboratory phase employed sawdust as a surrogate material to facilitate hydrocyclone testing, while biogas slurry served as the practical material for subsequent experimentation within the biogas plant. The separation efficiency was approximately 50% for particles in the 50-200-micron range. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using the Fluent module embedded within ANSYS, employing the Renormalization Group (RNG) k - ε turbulence model to numerically solve the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations, thereby facilitating precise predictions of swirl-induced phenomena. However, a notable disparity between the numerical results and experimental data was observed. Further refinement and calibration of the numerical model are required to align it more closely with the acquired experimental insights. In conclusion, the study suggests that approximately 40% of wastewater can be reclaimed and reused using the evaluated method. The overall study demonstrates the potential of the hydrocyclone to improve the efficiency of separation processes within a biogas plant setting.
  • Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Water Quality of Major Rivers in Pune: A Case Study
    Pooja Singh, Javid Gani Dar, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Arundhati Warke
    International Journal of Mathematical Engineering and Management Sciences, 2025
    Accurate statistical analysis of the complex and extensive water quality data is crucial to assess the severity of pollution and determine the contribution of each parameter to the overall water quality of aquatic bodies at various locations. This paper describes precise multivariate statistical analysis of the water quality parameters, assessed for rivers Mula and Mutha traversing Pune city, Maharashtra state, India. It examines long-term trends in water quality, and variations before and after the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data from the Maharashtra Stata Pollution Control Board was analysed for eight locations and revealed that Khadakwasla dam had the cleanest water, with a mean highest Dissolved oxygen (DO) of 6.2 mg/l in 2022. At the same time, the Deccan Bridge in the heart of the city was the most polluted stretch of the river, with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 12.23 mg/l and mean faecal coliform load of 25.67 MPN/100 ml in 2022. Principal component 1 (PC1) in 2018 (before COVID-19) and both PC1 and PC2 in 2022 (after COVID-19) covered comparatively maximum variance. High correlations were observed between DO and pH and between chemical oxygen demand (COD) and BOD. Seasonal assessment of water quality at multiple locations can reveal a clear picture of the state of Pune’s rivers. This work is important to provide baseline data on the significance of statistical water quality monitoring, and aid in devising suitable interventions to maintain water quality and public health system in the rapidly expanding Pune city.
  • Spatial and seasonal variations in abundance, distribution characteristics, and sources of microplastics in surface water of Mula river in Pune, India
    Meenakshi Verma, Pooja Singh, Vishal Pradhan, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar
    Environmental Pollution, 2025
  • Electrochemical in-situ probing of heterocatalytic green reduction of 4-nitroaniline by novel non-noble CuO/Co3O4 nanocomposites
    Damini Javalekar, Abha Mahajan, Sharoni Sharma, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Rupali Nagar
    Advances in Natural Sciences Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2024
    Nobel metals are commonly used catalysts in reactions due to their excellent catalytic activities. Transition metals, too, possess good catalytic activity due to the availability of vacant d-orbitals that provide avenues for electron exchange during reactions. In this work, the performance of CuO/Co3O4 (CCO) catalyst is evaluated. The catalyst is prepared by a facile coprecipitation method. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, HRTEM, Ultraviolet spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to study the material properties. XRD analysis confirms the formation of CCO heterostructure with supporting evidence from FTIR, HRTEM and XPS. The catalyst shows optical bandgap contributions of CuO and Co3O4 at 1.6 eV and 2.4 eV, respectively. The SEM analysis shows the presence of agglomerates with a mean length of 111 ± 3 nm. The prepared catalyst is employed for the 4-nitroaniline reduction using sodium borohydride. The kinetics of the reduction reaction were studied, and an apparent rate constant of 0.323 min−1 was estimated. The catalyst shows a turnover frequency of 1.44 min−1 and 100% recyclability up to 5 cycles that are competitive with noble metal and rare-earth-based catalysts. The fast reduction of 4-NA is attributed to the novel p-p type isojunction formed by the heterostructure of CCO. Additionally, extensive electrochemical analysis has been used as an in situ probe to monitor the reduction reaction. Accordingly, the study shows the different intermediary reduction species formed in the process of reduction, adding evidence to the proposed mechanism.
  • Exploring the abundance of microplastics in Indian landfill leachate: An analytical study
    Meenakshi Verma, Pooja Singh, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar
    Journal of Environmental Management, 2024
  • Remediation of emerging pollutants using biochar derived from aquatic biomass for sustainable waste and pollution management: a review
    Meenakshi Verma, Pooja Singh, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar
    Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 2024
  • Advances in the co-production of biosurfactant and other biomolecules: statistical approaches for process optimization
    Vaibhav Kadam, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Shruti Patil, Pooja Singh
    Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2024
  • Sustainability in residue management: a review with special reference to Indian agriculture
    Meenakshi Verma, Pooja Singh, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar
    Paddy and Water Environment, 2024
  • Valorization of aquatic plant biomass resource to fortified biochar and paper pulp: A strategic approach towards closed-loop technologies, circular economy, and sustainability
    Pooja Singh, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Shreyansh Sharma
    Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2024
  • Agriculturally important functioning of beneficial microorganisms for healthy ecosystem maintenance
    Pooja Singh, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Yogesh Patil, Vinay Rale
    Potential of Microbes for A Circular Economy, 2024
  • Anaerobic growth and drug susceptibility of versatile fungal pathogen Scedosporium apiospermum
    Krishna K. Yadav, Yogesh Nimonkar, Stefan J. Green, Sahabram Dewala, Manikprabhu N. Dhanorkar, Rohit Sharma, Vinay R. Rale, Om Prakash
    Iscience, 2023
  • Aquatic plant biomass-derived porous carbon: biomaterials for sustainable waste management and climate change mitigation
    P. Singh, S. Sharma, M. Dhanorkar
    International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2023
  • Endophytic microbiota of floating aquatic plants: recent developments and environmental prospects
    Asmita Pramanic, Shreyansh Sharma, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Om Prakash, Pooja Singh
    World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2023
  • Microbial Population Dynamics in Lemnaceae (Duckweed)-Based Wastewater Treatment System
    Pooja Singh, Kunal Jani, Shreyansh Sharma, Vinay Rale, Yogesh Souche, Sumit Prakash, Prasanna Jogdeo, Yogesh Patil, Manikprabhu N. Dhanorkar
    Current Microbiology, 2023
  • Numerical simulation of hydro-cyclone separator used for separation of highly dense suspended particulate matter
    Chandrakant R. Sonawane, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Ishan Mishra, Akshaykumar Kirdat, Siddhant Bhatwadekar, Rohan Sawant, Anand Pandey
    Materials Today Proceedings, 2022
  • Life cycle assessment of anaerobic digestion systems: Current knowledge, improvement methods and future research directions
    Gahana Gopal, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Sharad Kale, Yogesh B. Patil
    Management of Environmental Quality an International Journal, 2020