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Records with Subject: Biosystems
Showing records 257 to 281 of 1206. [First] Page: 1 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Last
The Follow-up Photobioreactor Illumination System for the Cultivation of Photosynthetic Microorganisms
Beata Brzychczyk, Tomasz Hebda, Jakub Fitas, Jan Giełżecki
March 23, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: algae, cylindrical LED light coat, photobioreactor, photosynthetic microorganisms, tracking lighting
The article presents the basic conceptual assumptions of a photobioreactor with a complementary lighting system. The cylindrical bioreactor has three independent, interconnected, and fully controlled lighting systems. A characteristic feature is the combination of the lighting system with the measurement of photosynthetically active PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) and the optical density of the culture medium. The entire lighting system is based on RGBW (“red, green, blue, white”) LED and RBG (“red, green, blue”) LEDs. The pilot study was conducted on a simplified prototype of a photobioreactor designed for the distribution and optimization of light in algae cultures designed for energy purposes. The study was carried out on microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris BA0002a from the collection of marine algae cultures.
One-Step or Two-Step Acid/Alkaline Pretreatments to Improve Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Sugar Recovery from Arundo Donax L.
Shangyuan Tang, Yushen Cao, Chunming Xu, Yue Wu, Lingci Li, Peng Ye, Ying Luo, Yifan Gao, Yonghong Liao, Qiong Yan, Xiyu Cheng
March 22, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: Arundo donax L., dilute alkaline pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, ferric chloride pretreatment, two-step process
Energy crops are not easily converted by microorganisms because of their recalcitrance. This necessitates a pretreatment to improve their biodigestibility. The effects of different pretreatments, as well as their combination on the enzymatic digestibility of Arundo donax L. were systematically investigated to evaluate its potential for bioconversion. Dilute alkaline pretreatment (ALP) using 1.2% NaOH at 120 °C for 30 min resulted in the highest reducing sugar yield in the enzymatic hydrolysis process because of its strong delignification and morphological modification, while ferric chloride pretreatment (FP) was effective in removing hemicellulose and recovering soluble sugars in the pretreatment stage. Furthermore, an efficient two-step ferric chloride-alkaline pretreatment (FALP) was successfully developed. In the first FP step, easily degradable cellulosic components, especially hemicellulose, were dissolved and then effectively recovered as soluble sugars. Subsequently, the FP samp... [more]
Single Cell Oil Production Using Eucalyptus urograndis Hemicellulose Hydrolysate as a Carbon Source
Helberth Júnnior Santos Lopes, Nemailla Bonturi, Everson Alves Miranda
March 22, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: acetic acid, Eucalyptus urograndis, hemicellulose, hydrolysate, Rhodotorula toruloides, single cell oil
Microbial oil is a potential substitute for vegetable oils in the biodiesel industry. Efforts to obtain cheap carbon sources for the cultivation of lipid-producing microorganisms comprise an active research area. This work aimed to extract the hemicellulose fraction from Eucalyptus uograndis and to use its hydrolysate as a carbon source for Rhodotorula toruloides (an oleaginous yeast) cultivation for microbial oil production. Hemicellulose hydrothermal extractions were performed at different temperatures, times, and ratios of solid to liquid (S/L). Temperature and time showed a stronger effect on the solubilization of hemicellulose. Hemicellulose extraction at 155 °C, 195 min, and an S/L ratio of 1/2 resulted in a hydrolysate with a xylose content of 37.0 g/l. R. toruloides cultivation in this hydrolysate showed that initial pH had a strong influence on cell growth. At an initial pH of 6.2, cells grew to 6.0 g/l of biomass with a lipid content of 50%. Therefore, we believe that E. urog... [more]
Toward Optimization of Wood Industry Wastewater Treatment in Microbial Fuel Cells—Mixed Wastewaters Approach
Monika Kloch, Renata Toczyłowska-Mamińska
March 22, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: microbial fuel cell, wastewater treatment, wood industry wastewater
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) has the potential to become a promising sustainable technology of wastewater treatment. Usually, the investigations on MFCs are aimed at maximized power production in the system. In this article, we focused on the optimization of wood industry wastewater treatment in MFC, in combination with municipal wastewater as a source of microorganisms. We investigated the influence of different external resistance (2000 Ω, 1000 Ω, 500 Ω, and 100 Ω) on power density and wastewater treatment efficiency (chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal) in 1-month MFC operation time. We found that the highest COD removal was for MFCs under R = 1000 Ω after 22 days of MFC operation, while the highest current density was obtained for the lowest applied resistance. The results imply that wastewater treatment parameters such as resistance and time of MFC operation should be a subject of optimization for each specific type of wastewater used, in order to maximize either wastewater treatmen... [more]
Real-Time Monitoring of Micro-Electricity Generation Through the Voltage Across a Storage Capacitor Charged by a Simple Microbial Fuel Cell Reactor with Fast Fourier Transform
Jung-Chieh Su, Szu-Ching Tang, Po-Jui Su, Jung-Jeng Su
March 21, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: anaerobic digestion, capacitor, Fast Fourier transform, microbial fuel cell, piggery wastewater
The pattern of micro-electricity production of simple two-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFC) was monitored in this study. Piggery wastewater and anaerobic sludge served as fuel and inocula for the MFC, respectively. The output power, including voltage and current generation, of triplicate MFCs was measured using an on-line monitoring system. The maximum voltage obtained among the triplicates was 0.663 V. We also found that removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the piggery wastewater was 94.99 and 98.63%, respectively. Moreover, analytical results of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) demonstrated that the output current comprised alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) components, ranging from mA to μA.
Microbial Profile of the Leachate from Mexico City’s Bordo Poniente Composting Plant: An Inoculum to Digest Organic Waste
Aixa Kari Gállego Bravo, Daniel Alejandro Salcedo Serrano, Gloria López Jiménez, Khemlal Nirmalkar, Selvasankar Murugesan, Jaime García-Mena, María Eugenia Gutiérrez Castillo, Luis Raúl Tovar Gálvez
March 21, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: high throughput DNA sequencing, leachate, methanogens, microbial diversity, organic fraction of municipal solid waste, thermophilic anaerobic digestion
In recent years, municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become a complex problem worldwide. Similarly, Mexico City is facing such a situation for the management and treatment of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Therefore, in this work, we investigated whether leachate from the composting plant, Bordo Poniente, located in Mexico City can be used as an inoculum for the treatment of OFMSW using thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) with a hydraulic retention time of 30 days. We analyzed the physicochemical properties of the leachate and performed a biochemical methane potential test. Archaeal and bacterial diversity was also identified using high throughput DNA sequencing of 16S rDNA libraries. Methane yield was 0.29 m3 CH4/kg VSadded in the positive control and 0.16 m3 CH4/kg VSadded in the treatment group. The phylum, Bacteroidetes, and genus, Methanosarcina, prevailed in the leachate. However, in thermophilic conditions, the microbial communities changed, and the... [more]
Evaluation of Marine Synechococcus for an Algal Biorefinery in Arid Regions
Tomasz Bochenski, Tanmay Chaturvedi, Mette Hedegaard Thomsen, Jens Ejbye Schmidt
March 21, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: biorefinery, cell disruption, microalgae
Implementing microalgae biorefinery in arid environments requires utilization of strains that can grow at high temperatures (above 28 °C) and salinity levels (above 30 ppt). In this study, we investigate the newly isolated seawater strain, Synechococcus, native to the United Arab Emirates, and evaluate its value as a perspective organism for cultivation (for fuel and bio-products) in regions with freshwater scarcity. The strain displayed tolerance to a wide range of temperature (22−37 °C) and salinity (20−41 ppt), with maximum biomass concentration of 0.72 g L−1 and a maximum growth rate of 82 mg L−1 d−1 at 25 °C and 33 ppt salinity. Lipids accumulation reached up to 26% of dry weight in nitrogen-depleted conditions (with 1.8 mM of nitrates addition to the media), whereas protein content exceeded 50% dry weight. In this study, harvesting is investigated using three chemical agents: Ferric chloride, sodium hydroxide, and chitosan. Cell disruption is analyzed for four distinct treatments... [more]
Power Generation by Halophilic Bacteria and Assessment of the Effect of Salinity on Performance of a Denitrifying Microbial Fuel Cell
Ankisha Vijay, Prakash C. Ghosh, Suparna Mukherji
March 20, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: charge transfer resistance, denitrification, halophiles, microbial fuel cell, salinity
Saline wastewater pollution is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. The present study focused on the development of a dual-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) treating saline wastewater at the anode. Halophilic exo-electrogenic bacteria enriched from seawater (Arabian Sea, Mumbai, India) were used in the anodic chamber of the MFC. Denitrification using denitrifying bacteria was employed in the cathodic chamber. The maximum power density was significantly increased from 96.77 mW/m2 to 162.09 mW/m2 with a rise in NaCl concentration from 20 to 40 g/L. Nitrate removal in the cathode chamber increased from 80 ± 3% to 89 ± 3.2% with increase in salt concentration from 20 g/L to 40 g/L and concomitantly COD removal in the anode chamber increased from 76 ± 3.8% to 83 ± 4%. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis revealed higher electrochemical activity at 40 g/L salt concentration. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis exhibited that charge transfer and solution resistances we... [more]
Direct Study of CO2 Capture Efficiency during Microalgae Arthrospira platensis Cultivation at High CO2 Concentrations
Elizaveta A. Chunzhuk, Anatoly V. Grigorenko, Nadezhda I. Chernova, Sofya V. Kiseleva, Kirill G. Ryndin, Oleg S. Popel, Sergey Ya Malaniy, Olga V. Slavkina, Fabio de Farias Neves, Lijian Leng, Vinod Kumar, Mikhail S. Vlaskin
March 20, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: Arthrospira platensis, Carbon Dioxide Capture, direct study, high CO2 concentrations, microalgae cultivation, photobioreactor, Spirulina platensis
Direct study of CO2 capture efficiency during microalgae Arthrospira platensis cultivation at high CO2 concentrations was carried out. Microalgae were grown in a 90 L photobioreactor on Zarrouk’s medium prepared with distilled water. Three 15-day experiments were carried out with different initial CO2 concentrations: 1, 5, and 9 vol.%. During the experiments, both the change in the optical density of the microalgae suspension and the direct change in the CO2 concentration in the chamber were measured. The maximum decrease in CO2 concentration due to the growth of microalgae was 0.10 vol.% (CO2)/day in the experiment with an initial CO2 concentration of 5 vol.%. Growth rate of biomass density was 79.4, 76.3, and 48.4 (mg/L)/day at 1, 5, and 9 vol.% CO2 concentrations, respectively. During the experiment with initial CO2 concentrations of 1 and 5 vol.%., pH of the culture medium was increased, but pH was decreased from 9.2 to 8.8 at 9 vol.%. In general, good viability (high quality of bi... [more]
Evaluating the Potential of Multi-Anodes in Constructed Wetlands Coupled with Microbial Fuel Cells for Treating Wastewater and Bioelectricity Generation under High Organic Loads
Prashansa Tamta, Neetu Rani, Yamini Mittal, Asheesh Kumar Yadav
March 20, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: bioelectricity generation, COD removal, multiple anode electrodes, wastewater treatment
Multiple anodes can significantly enhance the treatment potential of constructed wetlands coupled with a microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) system, which has not yet been explored. Thus, the present study evaluates the potential of multi-anodes and single cathode-based CW-MFC at significantly higher organic loading rates for treatment performance and bioelectricity generation. For this purpose, two identical but different materials, i.e., graphite granules (GG) and granular activated charcoal (GAC), were used to set up multiple anodes and single cathode-based CW-MFCs. The graphite granules (GG)-based system is named CW-MFC (GG), and the granular activated charcoal (GAC) based system is named as CW-MFC (GAC). These systems were evaluated for chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH4+-N removal efficiency, and electrical output at relatively higher organic loading rates of 890.11 g COD/m3-d and 1781.32 g COD/m3-d. At an OLR of 890.11 g COD/m3-d, the treatment efficiency was found to be 24.8% more in C... [more]
Effect of Static and Dynamic Stretching on Corneal Fibroblast Cell
Zhi-Xuan Dai, Po-Jen Shih, Jia-Yush Yen, I-Jong Wang
March 20, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: continuous stretching, cyclic stretching, finite element analysis (FEA), human keratocytes, stress distribution
A strain gradient was created by punching a hole in the center of a stretched elastic polydimethylsiloxane membrane to determine the effect of different strains on cultured human keratocytes (HK). In this study, two stretching methods were used: continuous stretching and cyclic stretching. Continuous stretching is relatively static, while acyclic stretching is relatively dynamic. These methods, respectively, represented the effects of high intraocular pressure and rubbing of the eyes on corneal cells. Image processing codes were developed to observe the effects of stress concentration, shear stress, continuous stretching, and cyclic stretching on HKs. The results demonstrate that stretching and shear stress are not conducive to the proliferation of corneal cells and instead cause cell death. A 10% strain had greater inhibitory effects than a 3% strain on cell proliferation. Cell survival rates for continuous stretching (static) were higher than those for cyclic stretching (dynamic). Th... [more]
Evaluation of Porcine and Aspergillus oryzae α-Amylases as Possible Model for the Human Enzyme
Mauro Marengo, Davide Pezzilli, Eleonora Gianquinto, Alex Fissore, Simonetta Oliaro-Bosso, Barbara Sgorbini, Francesca Spyrakis, Salvatore Adinolfi
March 20, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: Aspergillus oryzae α-amylase, human α-amylase, porcine α-amylase, α-amylases
α-amylases are ubiquitous enzymes belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase (GH13) family, whose members share a high degree of sequence identity, even between distant organisms. To understand the determinants of catalytic activity of α-amylases throughout evolution, and to investigate the use of homologous enzymes as a model for the human one, we compared human salivary α-amylase, Aspergillus oryzae α-amylase and pancreatic porcine α-amylase, using a combination of in vitro and in silico approaches. Enzyme sequences were aligned, and structures superposed, whereas kinetics were spectroscopically studied by using commercial synthetic substrates. These three enzymes show strikingly different activities, specifically mediated by different ions, despite relevant structural homology. Our study confirms that the function of α-amylases throughout evolution has considerably diverged, although key structural determinants, such as the catalytic triad and the calcium-binding pocket, have been retained... [more]
Biodegradation Kinetics of Phenol and 4-Chlorophenol in the Presence of Sodium Salicylate in Batch and Chemostat Systems
Yen-Hui Lin, Bing-Han Ho
March 20, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: binary substrates, biodegradation, cell growth, kinetic model, Pseudomonas putida, ternary substrates
The biodegradation of phenol, sodium salicylate (SA), and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) by Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) was evaluated by batch and chemostat experiments in single and binary substrate systems. The Haldane kinetics model for cell growth was chosen to describe the batch kinetic behavior to determine kinetic parameters in the single or binary substrates system. In the single phenol and SA system, the kinetic constants of μm,P = 0.423 h−1, μm,A = 0.247 h−1, KS,P = 48.1 mg/L, KS,A = 71.7 mg/L, KI,P = 272.5 mg/L, and KI,A = 3178.2 mg/L were evaluated. Experimental results indicate that SA was degraded more rapidly by P. putida cells compared to phenol because SA has a much larger KI value than phenol, which makes the cells less sensitive to substrate inhibition even though the μ value is larger compared to μm,A. The ratio of inhibition of phenol degradation due to the presence of SA (IA) to the inhibition of SA degradation due to the presence of phenol (IA) is 2.3, indicating that... [more]
Paracetamol-Induced Hypothermia in Rodents: A Review on Pharmacodynamics
Laurențiu Coman, Horia Păunescu, Cristina Isabel Viorica Ghiță, Radu Ciprian Țincu, Sorina Vasile, Delia Cinteza, Ion Fulga, Oana Andreia Coman
March 20, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: hypothermia, mechanism of action, paracetamol, rodents
Paracetamol can induce hypothermia in humans and rodents. The study’s aim is to review the mechanisms of paracetamol-induced hypothermia in rodents or the results issued from in vitro studies on the same species’ tissues (in doses that do not produce hepatic impairment) using the latest developments published in scientific journals over the last 15 years. Available human studies are also analysed. An extensive search in PubMed databases exploring the hypothermic response to paracetamol was conducted. 4669 articles about paracetamol’s effects on body temperature in mice or rats were found. After applying additional filters, 20 articles were selected for review, with 9 of them presented in tabular forms. The analysis of these articles found that the hypothermic effect of paracetamol is due to the inhibition of a cyclooxygenase-1 variant, is potentiated by endothelin receptor antagonists, and can be mediated through GABAA receptors and possibly through transient receptor potential cation... [more]
Application of Industrial Wastewater and Sewage Sludge for Biohydrogen Production
Monika Šabić Runjavec, Marija Vuković Domanovac, Ante Jukić
March 17, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: biohydrogen, Fermentation, hydrogen production potential, industrial wastewater, low-cost substrate, microorganisms, waste activated sludge, waste stream
Recent technological developments have led to a significant increase in energy consumption in daily life. The search for alternative means of energy production has become an important task for applied sciences and modern technology. Hydrogen technology has great potential as a source of clean energy. The production of green hydrogen is a desirable and beneficial way to contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector. In response to the demand for environmentally friendly and economically feasible approaches, biohydrogen production from waste materials has recently attracted interest. Waste materials from industrial or municipal production can be used as low-cost substrates for biohydrogen production through microbial degradation. Green energy needs could be met through a form of sustainable development that moves hand in hand with the harnessing of the microbial potential of waste biomass. Reuse of waste materials leads to pollution reductions and energy recycling. The aim of th... [more]
Anaerobic Co-Digestion: A Way to Potentiate the Synergistic Effect of Multiple Substrates and Microbial Diversity
Mariana Ferdeș, Gigel Paraschiv, Mariana Ionescu, Mirela Nicoleta Dincă, Georgiana Moiceanu, Bianca Ștefania Zăbavă
March 17, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: co-digestion, digestate, microbial communities, perspectives, pretreatment, substrates
In this paper, the latest research in the field of anaerobic co-digestion related to the advantages of using different mixtures of substrates on the performance of the process and increasing its efficiency is reviewed. The main aspects presented in this review refer to the study of the most commonly used types of substrates, highlighting their characteristics, the diversity of microbial communities involved in the production of biogas, the applied pretreatments, and the possibility of obtaining an improved digestate as a secondary product. The main types of substrates used in anaerobic co-digestion are food waste, sewage sludge, animal manure, lignocellulosic biomass, algae, fats, oils, and greases. The data from the studied works demonstrated that the anaerobic co-digestion process improves the carbon/nitrogen ratio and nutrient balance, increases the process stability, and diminishes the concentration of toxic inhibitors. At the same time, the use of appropriate mixtures of substrate... [more]
Hydrocarbon Toxicity towards Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens in Oily Waste Streams
Bruno P. Morais, Valdo Martins, Gilberto Martins, Ana Rita Castro, Maria Madalena Alves, Maria Alcina Pereira, Ana J. Cavaleiro
March 10, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: anaerobic digestion, hexadecane, hydrocarbons, methanogens, toxicity
Hydrocarbon-containing wastes and wastewaters are produced worldwide by the activities of the oil and gas industry. Anaerobic digestion has the potential to treat these waste streams, while recovering part of its energy potential as biogas. However, hydrocarbons are toxic compounds that may inhibit the microbial processes, and particularly the methanogens. In this work, the toxicity of hexadecane (0−30 mM) towards pure cultures of hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanobacterium formicicum and Methanospirillum hungatei) was assessed. Significantly lower (p < 0.05) methane production rates were only verified in the incubations with more than 15 mM hexadecane and represented up to 52% and 27% inhibition for M. formicicum and M. hungatei, respectively. The results obtained point out that 50% inhibition of the methanogenic activity would likely occur at hexadecane concentrations between 5−15 mM and >30 mM for M. formicicum and M. hungatei, respectively, suggesting that toxic effects from ali... [more]
COVID-19 Lessons for Climate Change and Sustainable Health
Siddharth Srivastava, Fahad Khokhar, Archana Madhav, Billy Pembroke, Vignesh Shetty, Ankur Mutreja
March 9, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: anthropocene, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, COVID-19, emerging infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, one health
The drivers underpinning the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and climate change attest to the fact that we are now living in the Anthropocene Epoch, with human activities significantly impacting and altering the global ecosystem. Here, we explore the historical context of zoonoses, the effect of anthropogenic climate change and interrelated drivers on the emergence of, and response to emerging infectious diseases. We call attention to an urgent need for inculcating a One Health research agenda that acknowledges the primary interconnection between animals, humans, pathogens, and their collective milieus to foster long term resilience across all systems within our shared planetary environment.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Activated Sludge Process in the Elimination Both ATB-Resistant and ATB-Susceptible E. coli Strains
Iwona Beata Paśmionka, Karol Bulski, Piotr Herbut, Elżbieta Boligłowa, Frederico Márcio C. Vieira, Gabriela Bonassa, Marina Celant De Prá, Marcelo Bortoli
March 9, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: activated sludge, antibiotic resistance, antibiotics, Escherichia coli, fecal indicators, removal performance, Wastewater, wastewater treatment plant
Water reuse is now becoming a global necessity. However, one of the drawbacks in releasing wastewater into the environment is some persistent pollutants that are not completely removed in wastewater treatment plant. Residual bacteria and antibiotics in the inflowing wastewater can contribute to the antibiotic resistance spread in the aquatic environment. This study determined the effectiveness of activated sludge process for fecal coliform bacteria elimination, and also the Escherichia coli resistance to antimicrobial agents as erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and metronidazole in treated wastewater. The research was carried out using the membrane filtration technique, and the susceptibility of isolates to antimicrobial agents was tested by the disc diffusion method. The concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli differed significantly depending on the seasonal period in which it was carried out. Despite up to 99% r... [more]
Benefits of Corn-Cob Biochar to the Microbial and Enzymatic Activity of Soybean Plants Grown in Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metals
Samir A. Haddad, Joanna Lemanowicz
March 9, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: corncob biochar, enzymatic activity, heavy metals, nodules, soil health
Synchronous effects of biochar on heavy metals stress, microbial activity and nodulation process in the soil are rarely addressed. This work studied the effects, under greenhouse conditions, of selected heavy metals Cd2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+ on soybean plants grown in two different soils amended with biochar, and studied their effect on the microbial and enzymatic activity. As a result of the interference between heavy metals and biochar, biochar overcame heavy metal problems and maintained a microbial population of major groups (bacteria−fungi). There was an increase in the degree of resistance (RS) of the major microbial groups to heavy metals when biochar was added to the soil under study. Numbers of bacterial nodules significantly increased, particularly by using the higher rate of biochar compared to the control, either by adding biochar alone or by mixing it with the selected heavy metals. The arginase activity was increased by 25.5% and 37.1% in clay and sandy soil, respectively, comp... [more]
Anaerobic Digestion of Blood from Slaughtered Livestock: A Review
Tasnia Hassan Nazifa, Noori M. Cata Saady, Carlos Bazan, Sohrab Zendehboudi, Adnan Aftab, Talib M. Albayati
March 9, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: anaerobic digestion, biogas, blood, livestock blood, protein, slaughterhouse waste
Blood from livestock slaughtering imposes a high organic pollution load and risks. If it is discharged untreated to sewer systems, it increases the organic pollution load on wastewater treatment plants by 35−50%. This paper reviews blood anaerobic digestion. It analyzes the quantities, composition, methane potential reported, microbiology, biochemical pathways of blood protein degradation, environmental and health issues, and strategies suggested to manage them during livestock blood anaerobic digestion. Although challenging, anaerobic digestion of blood as a mono-substrate is possible if the culture-reactor system is controlled based on a complete characterization and understanding of the microbial community and its metabolic activities. Co-digestion of blood and other feedstock proceeds well if the mixtures are well designed. Generally, the specific methane yield from digesting blood alone ranges between zero and 0.45 m3 kg−1 protein, whereas for co-digesting blood and other substrat... [more]
From Clothing Rations to Fast Fashion: Utilising Regenerated Protein Fibres to Alleviate Pressures on Mass Production
Marie Stenton, Veronika Kapsali, Richard S. Blackburn, Joseph A. Houghton
March 9, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: circular economy, consumption, man-made fibres, quality, regenerated fibres, regenerated protein fibres, speedcycles, textile history, textiles, waste
Sustainable methods of practice within the fashion and textile industry (FTI) often strive to employ a circular economy that aims to eliminate waste through the continual use of resources. Complex problems such as waste, consumption, and overproduction are heavily intertwined; the main aim of this paper is to report on research focused on re-examining the potential of food waste streams as a commercially viable and circular source of raw materials for the FTI. Herein, regenerated protein fibres (RPFs) from food production waste streams rich in protein have been chosen as the main topic of focus. RPFs have a rich and relevant history from a local manufacturing perspective during wartime and post-war clothing rationing (1941−1949) in the UK. RPFs were used to meet civilian needs for wool-based textiles as part of a wider series of ‘make do and mend’ strategies designed to manage the consumption of new textile products. However, RPFs demonstrated inferior quality in terms of durability wh... [more]
Past, Present and Near Future: An Overview of Closed, Running and Planned Biomethanation Facilities in Europe
Máté Zavarkó, Attila R. Imre, Gábor Pörzse, Zoltán Csedő
March 9, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: biomethanation, competitiveness, decarbonization, Hungary, hydrogen utilization, power-to-methane
The power-to-methane technology is promising for long-term, high-capacity energy storage. Currently, there are two different industrial-scale methanation methods: the chemical one (based on the Sabatier reaction) and the biological one (using microorganisms for the conversion). The second method can be used not only to methanize the mixture of pure hydrogen and carbon dioxide but also to methanize the hydrogen and carbon dioxide content of low-quality gases, such as biogas or deponia gas, enriching them to natural gas quality; therefore, the applicability of biomethanation is very wide. In this paper, we present an overview of the existing and planned industrial-scale biomethanation facilities in Europe, as well as review the facilities closed in recent years after successful operation in the light of the scientific and socioeconomic context. To outline key directions for further developments, this paper interconnects biomethanation projects with the competitiveness of the energy secto... [more]
Chemical Methods for Hydrolyzing Dairy Manure Fiber: A Concise Review
Noori M. Cata Saady, Fatemeh Rezaeitavabe, Juan Enrique Ruiz Espinoza
March 9, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: acid and alkaline hydrolysis, chemical hydrolysis, dairy manure, fiber, lignocellulose
This paper reviews the chemical hydrolysis processes of dairy manure fiber to make its sugar accessible to microorganisms during anaerobic digestion and identifies obstacles and opportunities. Researchers, so far, investigated acid, alkali, sulfite, and advanced oxidation processes (such as hydrogen peroxide assisted by microwave/ultrasound irradiation, conventional boiling, and wet oxidation), or their combinations. Generally, dilute acid (3−10%) is less effective than concentrated acid (12.5−75%), which decrystallizes the cellulose. Excessive alkaline may produce difficult-to-degrade oxycellulose. Therefore, multi-step acid hydrolysis (without alkaline) is preferred. Such processes yielded 84% and 80% manure-to-glucose and -xylose conversion, respectively. Acid pretreatment increases lignin concentration in the treated manure and hinders subsequent enzymatic processes but is compatible with fungal cellulolytic enzymes which favor low pH. Manure high alkalinity affects dilute acid pre... [more]
Single-Cell Oils from Oleaginous Microorganisms as Green Bio-Lubricants: Studies on Their Tribological Performance
Alok Patel, Liwen Mu, Yijun Shi, Ulrika Rova, Paul Christakopoulos, Leonidas Matsakas
March 8, 2023 (v1)
Subject: Biosystems
Keywords: biolubricants, microalgae, microbial oil, thraustochytrids, tribology, yeast
Biolubricants refer to eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic lubricants. Their applications are still limited compared to mineral oils; however, their sustainable credentials are making them increasingly attractive. Vegetable oils are frequently used for this purpose. However, vegetable oils have issues of low lipid productivity, dependence on climatic conditions, and need for agricultural land. Microbial oils represent a more sustainable alternative. To ensure their widespread applicability, the suitability of microbial oils from a physicochemical point of view needs to be determined first. In this study, oils obtained from various oleagenic microbes—such as microalgae, thraustochytrids, and yeasts—were characterized in terms of their fatty acid profile, viscosity, friction coefficient, wear, and thermal stability. Oleaginous microalgal strains (Auxenochlorella protothecoides and Chlorella sorokiniana), thraustochytrids strains (Aurantiochytrium limacinum SR21 and Aurantiochytriu... [more]
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