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Bioresource Technology
Aarhus University, Tjele: Evaluation of near
infraredspectroscopy and software sensor methods fordetermination
of total alkalinity in anaerobic digestersResearch findings,
‘Evaluation of near infrared spectroscopy and soft-ware sensor
methods for determination of total alkalinity in anaer-obic
digesters,’ are discussed in a new report. “In this study two
ap-proaches to predict the total alkalinity (expressed as mg
L(-1)HCO(3)(-)) of an anaerobic digester are examined: firstly,
software sensorsbased on multiple linear regression algorithms
using data from pH,redox potential and electrical conductivity and
secondly, near infraredreflectance spectroscopy (NIRS),”
investigators in Denmark report.
“Of the software sensors, the model using data from all
threeprobes but a smaller dataset using total alkalinity values
below 6000mg L(-1)HCO(3)(-) produced the best calibration model
(R(2)=0.76and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 969
mg L(-1)HCO(3)(-)). When validated with new data, the NIRS method
pro-duced the best model (R(2)=0.87 RMSEp=1230 mg
L(-1)HCO(3)(-)).The NIRS sensor correlated better with new data
(R(2)=0.54),” wroteA.J. Ward and colleagues, University of Aarhus,
Faculty of Agricul-tural.
The researchers concluded: “This study has developed new
andimproved algorithms for monitoring total alkalinity within
anaero-bic digestion systems which will facilitate real-time
optimisation ofmethane production.”
Ward and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Evaluation of near infrared spectroscopy and software
sensormethods for determination of total alkalinity in anaerobic
digesters.Bioresource Technology, 2011;102(5):4083-90).
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
For additional information, contact A.J. Ward, University
ofAarhus, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural
Sci-ence, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark. (2011 MAR 17)
Aarhus University, Tjele: Real time monitoring of abiogas
digester with gas chromatography, near-infraredspectroscopy, and
membrane-inlet mass spectrometryNew research, ‘Real time monitoring
of a biogas digester with gaschromatography, near-infrared
spectroscopy, and membrane-inletmass spectrometry,’ is the subject
of a report. “Four methods of mon-itoring the anaerobic digestion
process were studied at pilot scale.The methods employed were Micro
Gas Chromatography (-GC) andMembrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS)
for measurements in thegas phase, Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)
and pH in the liquidphase,” researchers in Denmark report.
“Micro Gas Chromatography accurately measured H(2), CH(4),H(2)S,
N(2) and O(2) in the headspace whereas the MIMS accuratelymeasured
CH(4), CO(2), H(2)S, reduced organic sulfur compounds andp-cresol,
also in the headspace. In the liquid phase, NIRS was foundto be
suitable for estimating the concentrations of acetate,
propionateand total volatile fatty acids (VFA) but the error of
prediction wastoo large for accurate quantification,” wrote A.J.
Ward and colleagues,Aarhus University, Faculty of Agricultural
Sciences.
The researchers concluded: “Both the -GC and NIRS were
lowmaintenance methods whereas the MIMS required frequent
cleaningand background measurements.”
Ward and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Real time monitoring of a biogas digester with gas
chromatogra-phy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and membrane-inlet
mass spectrom-etry. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(5):4098-103).
For additional information, contact A.J. Ward, Faculty of
Agricul-tural Sciences, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering, Aarhus
University,Blichers Alle 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark. (2011 MAR
15)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
AC College of Technology, Chennai: Two-step biodieselproduction
from Calophyllum inophyllum oil -optimization of modified ß-zeolite
catalyzedpre-treatmentCurrent study results from the report,
‘Two-step biodiesel productionfrom Calophyllum inophyllum oil:
optimization of modified ß-zeolitecatalyzed pre-treatment,’ have
been published. “In this study, a two-step process was developed to
produce biodiesel from Calophyllum ino-phyllum oil. Pre-treatment
with phosphoric acid modified ß-zeolite inacid catalyzed
esterification process preceded by transesterificationwhich was
done using conventional alkali catalyst potassium hydrox-ide
(KOH),” scientists in Chennai, India report.
“The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship
be-tween the reaction temperatures, reaction time and methanol to
oilmolar ratio in the pre-treatment step. Central Composite
Design(CCD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were utilized
todetermine the best operating condition for the pre-treatment
step,”wrote V. SathyaSelvabala and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “Biodiesel produced by this
processwas tested for its fuel properties.”
SathyaSelvabala and colleagues published their study in
Biore-source Technology (Two-step biodiesel production from
Calophylluminophyllum oil: optimization of modified ß-zeolite
catalyzed pre-treatment. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(2):1066-72).
For additional information, contact V. SathyaSelvabala, AC
Col-lege of Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Chennai
600025,India. (2011 FEB 1)
Aix-Marseille University: Comparison between UVspectroscopy and
nirs to assess humification processduring sewage sludge and green
wastes co-compostingNew research, ‘Comparison between UV
spectroscopy and nirs to as-sess humification process during sewage
sludge and green wastes co-composting,’ is the subject of a report.
According to recent researchpublished in the journal Bioresource
Technology, “The humification oforganic matter during composting
was studied by the quantificationand monitoring of the evolution of
humic substances (Humic Acid-HAand Fulvic Acid-FA) by UV spectra
deconvolution (UVSD) and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy
(NIRS) methods. The final aim ofthis work was to compare UVSD to
NIRS method, already applied onthe same compost samples in previous
studies.”
“Finally, UVSD predictions were good for HA and HA/FA (r(2)
of0.828 and 0.531) but very bad for FA (r(2) of 0.092). In
contrary, all
3
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
NIRS correlations were accurate and significant with r(2) of
0.817,0.806 and 0.864 for HA, FA and HA/FA ratio respectively. From
theseresults, HA/FA ratio being a well-used index of compost
maturity,UVSD and NIRS represent two invaluable tools for the
monitoringof the composting process,” wrote R. Albrecht and
colleagues, Aix-Marseille University.
The researchers concluded: “However, we can note that NIRS
pre-dictions were more accurate than UVSD calibrations.”
Albrecht and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Comparison between UV spectroscopy and nirs to
assesshumification process during sewage sludge and green wastes
co-composting. Bioresource Technology, 2011;102(6):4495-500).
For additional information, contact R. Albrecht, Aix-Marseille
Uni-versite, Institut Mediterraneen d’Ecologie et de Paleoecologie,
UMRCNRS IRD, Ecologie Microbienne et Biotechnologies, Faculte des
Sci-ences et Techniques de Saint-Jerome, Case 452, 13397
MarseilleCedex 20, France.. (2011 MAR 29)
Annamalai University: Bio-kinetic analysis on treatmentof
textile dye wastewater using anaerobic batch reactorInvestigators
publish new data in the report ‘Bio-kinetic analysis ontreatment of
textile dye wastewater using anaerobic batch reactor.’“An anaerobic
digestion technique was applied to textile dye wastew-ater aiming
at the colour and COD removal. Pet bottles of 5 L capac-ity were
used as reactor which contains methanogenic sludge of half aliter
capacity which was used for the treatment of combined
synthetictextile dye and starch wastewater at different mixing
ratios of 20:80,30:70, 40:60, 50:50 and 60:40 with initial COD
concentrations as 3520,3440, 3360, 3264 and 3144 mg L(-1),
respectively,” scientists writingin the journal Bioresource
Technology report.
“The reactor was maintained at room temperature (30±3°C)
withinitial pH of 7. The maximum COD and colour removal were81.0%
and 87.3% at an optimum mixing ratio of 30:70 of textile dyeand
starch wastewaters. Both Monod’s and Haldane’s models wereadopted
in this study. The kinetic constants of cell growth under
Hal-dane’s model were satisfactory when compared to Monod’s
model,”wrote G. Gnanapragasam and colleagues, Annamalai University,
De-partment of Civil Engineering.
The researchers concluded: “The kinetic constants obtained
byHaldane’s model were found to be in the range of
max=0.037-0.146h(-1), Ks=651.04-1372.88 mg L(-1) and
Ki=5681.81-18727.59 mg L(-1).”
Gnanapragasam and colleagues published their study in
Biore-source Technology (Bio-kinetic analysis on treatment of
textile dye
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
wastewater using anaerobic batch reactor. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(2):627-32).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting
G.Gnanapragasam, Annamalai University, Dept. of Civil
Engineering,Annamalainagar 608 002, India. (2011 FEB 1)
Arizona State University, Tempe: A kinetic evaluation
ofanaerobic treatment of swine wastewater at twotemperatures in a
temperate climate zoneInvestigators publish new data in the report
‘A kinetic evaluationof anaerobic treatment of swine wastewater at
two temperatures ina temperate climate zone.’ “A static granular
bed reactor (SGBR)was used to treat swine wastewater at 24 and
16°C. At 24°C, the or-ganic loading rate (OLR) was 0.7-5.4 kg
COD/m(3)day and the averagechemical oxygen demand (COD) removal
efficiency was 88.5%, respec-tively,” scientists in the United
States report.
“Meanwhile, at 16°C, the OLR was 1.6-4.0 kg COD/m(3)day and
theaverage COD removal efficiency was 68.0%, respectively. The
SGBRacted as a bioreactor as well as a biofilter. After
backwashing, therecovery of COD removal was not a function of an
OLR but recoverytime, while that of TSS removal was not a function
of either recoverytime or the OLR. The maximum substrate
utilization rate (k(max))ratio was 1.89 between 24 and 16°C, and
the half velocity constant(K(s)) ratio was 1.22, and the maximum
specific growth rate ((max))ratio was 4.71,” wrote S.J. Lim and
colleagues, Arizona State Univer-sity.
The researchers concluded: “In addition, the
temperature-activitycoefficient in this study was determined to be
1.09.”
Lim and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (A kinetic evaluation of anaerobic treatment of swine
wastewaterat two temperatures in a temperate climate zone.
Bioresource Tech-nology, 2011;102(4):3724-9).
For additional information, contact S.J. Lim, Environmental
andSustainable Engineering, Dept. of Civil, Arizona State
University,Tempe, AZ 85287 USA. (2011 FEB 22)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Asian Institute of Technology, Pathum Thani:Comparison of some
new pretreatment methods forsecond generation bioethanol production
from wheatstraw and water hyacinthCurrent study results from the
report, ‘Comparison of some new pre-treatment methods for second
generation bioethanol production fromwheat straw and water
hyacinth,’ have been published. According torecent research
published in the journal Bioresource Technology, “Pre-treatment of
lignocellulosic residues like water hyacinth (WH) andwheat straw
(WS) using crude glycerol (CG) and ionic liquids (IL) pre-treatment
was evaluated and compared with conventional dilute
acidpretreatment (DAT) in terms of enzymatic hydrolysis yield and
fer-mentation yield of pretreated samples. In the case of WS,
1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate pretreatment was found to be
the bestmethod.”
“The hydrolysis yields of glucose and total reducing sugars
were2.1 and 3.3 times respectively higher by IL pretreatment than
DAT,while it was 1.4 and 1.9 times respectively higher with CG
pretreat-ment. For WH sample, CG pretreatment was as effective as
DAT andmore effective than IL pretreatment regarding hydrolysis
yield. Thefermentation inhibition was not noticeable with both
types of pretreat-ment methods and feedstocks. Besides, CG
pretreatment was foundas effective as pure glycerol pretreatment
for both feedstocks,” wroteY.N. Guragain and colleagues, Asian
Institute of Technology.
The researchers concluded: “This opens up an attractive
economicroute for the utilization of CG.”
Guragain and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Comparison of some new pretreatment methods
for sec-ond generation bioethanol production from wheat straw and
water hy-acinth. Bioresource Technology, 2011;102(6):4416-24).
For additional information, contact Y.N. Guragain, Asian
Instituteof Technology, 58 Moo 9, Km 42, Paholyothin Highway, Klong
Luang,Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.. (2011 MAR 29)
Autonomous University, Bellaterra: Evolution of organicmatter in
a full-scale composting plant for the treatmentof sewage sludge and
biowaste by respiration techniquesand pyrolysis-GC/MSFresh data on
Bioresource Technology are presented in the report‘Evolution of
organic matter in a full-scale composting plant for thetreatment of
sewage sludge and biowaste by respiration techniquesand
pyrolysis-GC/MS.’ According to recent research from Bellaterra,
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Spain, “A full-scale composting plant treating in two parallel
linessewage sludge and the source-selected organic fraction of
municipalsolid waste (OFMSW or biowaste) has been completely
monitored.Chemical routine analysis proved not to be suitable for
an adequateplant monitoring in terms of stabilization and
characterization of theprocess and final compost properties.”
“However, the dynamic respiration index demonstrated to be
themost feasible tool to determine the progression of the
degradation andstabilization of organic matter for both sewage
sludge and OFMSWlines. Both lines exhibited an important degree of
stabilizationof organic matter using rapid and cumulative
respiration indices.Pyrolysis-GC/MS was applied to the most
important inputs, outputs,and intermediate points of the plant. It
proved to be a powerful tool forthe qualitative characterization of
molecular composition of organicmatter present in solid samples,”
wrote M. Pognani and colleagues,Autonomous University.
The researchers concluded: “A full characterization of the
samplesconsidered is also presented.”
Pognani and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Evolution of organic matter in a full-scale
compost-ing plant for the treatment of sewage sludge and biowaste
by res-piration techniques and pyrolysis-GC/MS. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(6):4536-43).
For additional information, contact M. Pognani, Composting
Re-search Group, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Universitat
Autonomade Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193-Barcelona, Spain.. (2011
MAR 29)
Autonomous University, Cerdanyola: Respirometricscreening of
several types of manure and mixturesintended for compostingFresh
data on Bioresource Technology are presented in the
report‘Respirometric screening of several types of manure and
mixtures in-tended for composting.’ “The viability of mixtures from
manure andagricultural wastes as composting sources were
systematically stud-ied using a physicochemical and biological
characterization. The com-bination of different parameters such as
C:N ratio, free air space (FAS)and moisture content can help in the
formulation of the mixtures,” sci-entists in Barcelona, Spain
report.
“Nevertheless, the composting process may be challenging,
partic-ularly at industrial scales. The results of this study
suggest that ifthe respirometric potential is known, it is possible
to predict the be-haviour of a full scale composting process.
Respiration indices canbe used as a tool for determining the
suitability of composting as ap-plied to manure and complementary
wastes. Accordingly, manure and
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
agricultural wastes with a high potential for composting and
someproposed mixtures have been characterized in terms of
respirationactivity. Specifically, the potential of samples to be
composted hasbeen determined by means of the oxygen uptake rate
(OUR) and thedynamic respirometric index (DRI). During this study,
four of thesemixtures were composted at full scale in a system
consisting of a con-fined pile with forced aeration. The biological
activity was monitoredby means of the oxygen uptake rate inside the
material (OURinsitu).This new parameter represents the real
activity of the process,” wroteR. Barrena and colleagues,
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, De-partment of Chemical
Engineering.
The researchers concluded: “The comparison between the
poten-tial respirometric activities at laboratory scale with the in
situ respiro-metric activity observed at full scale may be a useful
tool in the designand optimization of composting systems for manure
and other organicagricultural wastes.”
Barrena and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Respirometric screening of several types of
manureand mixtures intended for composting. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(2):1367-77).
For additional information, contact R. Barrena, Composting
Re-search Group, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Escola
d’Enginyeria,Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra,
Cerdanyola, 08193Barcelona, Spain. (2011 FEB 1)
AV Zhirmunsky Institute of Marine Biology,
Vladivostok:Laboratory experiment to determine the potential of
twomacroalgae from the Russian Far-East as biofilters forintegrated
multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)A new study, ‘Laboratory experiment
to determine the potential oftwo macroalgae from the Russian
Far-East as biofilters for inte-grated multi-trophic aquaculture
(IMTA),’ is now available. “Two lo-cal macroalgal species (Undaria
pinnatifida and Gracilaria vermiculo-phylla) were tested in
laboratory experiments to determine their nu-trient uptake
potential and their physiological response to waste wa-ter
effluents from a mariculture project on bivalve mollusks
(mussels).No negative effects on the growth and photosynthesis
rates of the al-gae were detected,” investigators in Russia
report.
“High nutrient uptake rates and high nutrient removal
efficiencywere measured in both tested species. We propose that U.
pinnati-fida be introduced into IMTA systems during the cold-water
season toremove nutrients from cultured animals,” wrote A.V.
Skriptsova andcolleagues, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Marine Biology.
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
The researchers concluded: “The culture of this species can be
al-ternated with that of G. vermiculophylla during warm-water
seasonin order to provide a longer biofiltration period.”
Skriptsova and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Laboratory experiment to determine the
potential oftwo macroalgae from the Russian Far-East as biofilters
for inte-grated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(3):3149-54).
For additional information, contact A.V. Skriptsova, AV
Zhirmun-sky Institute of Marine Biology, Far-Eastern Branch of the
RussianAcademy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia. (2011 FEB 8)
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi: Substrate inhibitionduring
bio-filtration of TCE using diazotrophic bacterialcommunityCurrent
study results from the report, ‘Substrate inhibition
duringbio-filtration of TCE using diazotrophic bacterial
community,’ havebeen published. According to recent research
published in the journalBioresource Technology, “The kinetics of
biodegradation of TCE in thebiofilter packed with wood charcoal and
inoculated with diazotrophicbacterial community had been
investigated. Use of Michaelis-Mententype model showed that
substrate inhibition was present in the sys-tem.”
“The kinetic model proposed by Edwards (1970) was used to
cal-culate kinetic parameters-maximum elimination capacity
(EC(max)),substrate constant (K(s)), and inhibition constant
(K(I)). The modelfitted well with the experimental data and the
EC(max) was found tobe in the range of 10.8-6.1 g/m(3) h. The K(s)
values depended uponsubstrate concentration and ranged from 0.024
to 0.043 g/m(3) indi-cating the high affinity of diazotrophs for
TCE,” wrote A.K. Shuklaand colleagues, Banaras Hindu University,
Department of Botany.
The researchers concluded: “The K(I) values were low and
nearlyconstant (0.011-0.015 g/m(3)) indicating a moderate substrate
inhibi-tion.”
Shukla and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Substrate inhibition during bio-filtration
of TCE us-ing diazotrophic bacterial community. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(3):3561-3).
For additional information, contact A.K. Shukla, Banaras
HinduUniversity, Dept. of Botany, Varanasi, India. (2011 FEB 8)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Bangor University: Dissolved organic matter (DOM) inmicroalgal
photobioreactors - a potential loss in solarenergy conversion?A
report, ‘Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in microalgal
photobiore-actors: a potential loss in solar energy conversion,’ is
newly publisheddata in Bioresource Technology. “Microalgae are
considered to be a po-tential alternative to terrestrial crops for
bio-energy production due totheir relatively high productivity per
unit area of land. In this workwe examined the amount of dissolved
organic matter exuded by algalcells cultured in photobioreactors,
to examine whether a significantfraction of the photoassimilated
biomass could potentially be lost fromthe harvestable biomass,”
investigators in Menai Bridge, the UnitedKingdom report.
“We found that the mean maximum amount of dissolved
organiccarbon (DOC) released measured 6.4% and 17.3% of the total
organiccarbon in cultures of Chlorellavulgaris and Dunaliella
tertiolecta, re-spectively. This DOM in turn supported a
significant growth of bacte-rial biomass, representing a further
loss of the algal assimilated car-bon. The release of these levels
of DOC indicates that a significantfraction of the
photosynthetically fixed organic matter could be lostinto the
surrounding water, suggesting that the actual biomass yieldper
hectare for industrial purposes could be somewhat less than
ex-pected,” wrote C.J. Hulatt and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “A simple and inexpensive optical
tech-nique, based on chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM)
mea-surements, to monitor such losses in commercial PBRs is
discussed.”
Hulatt and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in microalgal
photobioreac-tors: a potential loss in solar energy conversion?
Bioresource Technol-ogy, 2010;101(22):8690-7).
For additional information, contact C.J. Hulatt, School of
OceanSciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University,
MenaiBridge, Anglesey, UK. (2011 JAN 18)
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan: Bio-diesel productiondirectly
from the microalgae biomass of Nannochloropsisby microwave and
ultrasound radiationResearchers detail in ‘Bio-diesel production
directly from the microal-gae biomass of Nannochloropsis by
microwave and ultrasound radia-tion,’ new data in Bioresource
Technology. According to a study fromIsrael, “This work offers an
optimized method for the direct conversionof harvested
Nannochloropsis algae into bio-diesel using two noveltechniques.
The first is a unique bio-technology-based environmental
10
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
system utilizing flue gas from coal burning power stations for
microal-gae cultivation.”
“This method reduces considerably the cost of algae
production.The second technique is the direct transesterification
(a one-stagemethod) of the Nannochloropsis biomass to bio-diesel
production us-ing microwave and ultrasound radiation with the aid
of a SrO cata-lyst. These two techniques were tested and compared
to identify themost effective bio-diesel production method,” wrote
M. Koberg and col-leagues, Bar Ilan University, Center for Advanced
Materials and Nan-otechnology.
The researchers concluded: “Based on our results, it is
concludedthat the microwave oven method appears to be the most
simple andefficient method for the one-stage direct
transesterification of the as-harvested Nannochloropsis algae.”
Koberg and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Bio-diesel production directly from the microalgae
biomass ofNannochloropsis by microwave and ultrasound radiation.
BioresourceTechnology, 2011;102(5):4265-9).
For more information, contact M. Koberg, Bar-Ilan
University,Dept. of Chemistry and Kanbar Laboratory for
Nanomaterials, Cen-ter for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology,
Ramat-Gan 52900,Israel. (2011 MAR 15)
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan: Optimization ofbio-diesel
production from soybean and wastes of cookedoil - combining
dielectric microwave irradiation and a SrOcatalystInvestigators
publish new data in the report ‘Optimization of bio-diesel
production from soybean and wastes of cooked oil:
combiningdielectric microwave irradiation and a SrO catalyst.’
“This work offersan optimized method in the transesterification of
pristine (soybean)oil and cooked oil to bio-diesel, based on
microwave dielectric irradi-ation as a driving force for the
transesterification reaction and SrOas a catalyst. This combination
has demonstrated excellent catalyticactivity and stability,”
researchers in Israel report.
“The transesterification was carried out with and without
stirring.According to 1H NMR spectroscopy and TLC results, this
combinationaccelerates the reaction (to less than 60 s),
maintaining a very highconversion (99%) and high efficiency. The
catalytic activity of SrOunder atmospheric pressure in the presence
of air and under the ar-gon atmosphere is demonstrated. The optimum
conversion of cookedoil (99.8%) is achieved under MW irradiation of
1100 W output with
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
magnetic stirring after only 10 s,” wrote M. Koberg and
colleagues, BarIlan University, Center for Advanced Materials and
Nanotechnology.
The researchers concluded: “The optimum method decreases thecost
of bio-diesel production and has the potential for industrial
ap-plication in the transesterification of cooked oil to
bio-diesel.”
Koberg and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Optimization of bio-diesel production from soybean and
wastesof cooked oil: combining dielectric microwave irradiation and
a SrOcatalyst. Bioresource Technology, 2011;102(2):1073-8).
For additional information, contact M. Koberg, Bar-Ilan
Univer-sity, Dept. of Chemistry and Kanbar Laboratory for
Nanomaterialsat the Bar-Ilan University Center for Advanced
Materials and Nan-otechnology, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel. (2011 FEB
1)
Beijing Forestry University: Structural comparison andenhanced
enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulosicpreparation from Populus
tomentosa Carr., by differentcellulose-soluble solvent systemsNew
investigation results, ‘Structural comparison and enhanced
enzy-matic hydrolysis of the cellulosic preparation from Populus
tomentosaCarr., by different cellulose-soluble solvent systems,’
are detailed in astudy published in Bioresource Technology. “This
study aims to es-tablish an efficient pretreatment process using
cellulose-dissolutionsolvents to enhance the enzymatic
saccharification. LiOH/urea,LiCl/DMAc, concentrated phosphoric
acid, ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride; [BMIM]Cl)
and N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) were selected as the
cellulose dissolution agents,”scientists in Beijing, People’s
Republic of China report.
“Except the cellulosic sample regenerated from LiCl/DMAc
system,all the other treated samples exhibited lower cellulose
crystallinityand degree of polymerization (DP), and consequently,
exhibited a sig-nificant enhancement on enzymatic hydrolysis
kinetic. Ionic liquidpretreatment offered unique advantages in the
hydrolysis rate in thefirst 10h, probably due to the extensively
structural transformationof cellulose from the crystalline to the
amorphous region,” wrote K.Wang and colleagues, Beijing Forestry
University.
The researchers concluded: “Meanwhile, the regenerated
cellulosefrom concentrated phosphoric acid almost completely
consisted of cel-lulose II, and achieved the highest
saccharification yield.”
Wang and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Structural comparison and enhanced enzymatic
hydrolysisof the cellulosic preparation from Populus tomentosa
Carr., by dif-ferent cellulose-soluble solvent systems. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(6):4524-9).
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
For more information, contact K. Wang, Institute of
BiomassChemistry and Technology, Beijing Forestry University,
Beijing100083, People’s Taiwan.. (2011 MAR 28)
Beijing University of Chemical Technology: The effects offour
different pretreatments on enzymatic hydrolysis ofsweet sorghum
bagasseInvestigators publish new data in the report ‘The effects of
fourdifferent pretreatments on enzymatic hydrolysis of sweet
sorghumbagasse.’ According to recent research published in the
journal Biore-source Technology, “Four pretreatment processes
including ionic liq-uids, steam explosion, lime, and dilute acid
were used for enzymatichydrolysis of sweet sorghum bagasse.
Compared with the other threepretreatment approaches,
steam-explosion pretreatment showed thegreatest improvement on
enzymatic hydrolysis of the bagasse.”
“The maximum conversion of cellulose and the concentrationof
glucose obtained from enzymatic hydrolysis of steam
explosionbagasse reached 70% and 25 g/L, respectively, which were
both 2.5times higher than those of the control (27% and 11 g/L).
The resultsbased on the analysis of SEM photos, FTIR, XRD and NMR
detectionsuggested that both the reduction of crystallite size of
cellulose andcellulose degradation from the Ia and Iß to the Fibril
surface celluloseand amorphous cellulose were critical for
enzymatic hydrolysis,” wroteJ. Zhang and colleagues, Beijing
University of Chemical Technology.
The researchers concluded: “These pretreatments disrupted
thecrystal structure of cellulose and increased the available
surface area,which made the cellulose better accessible for
enzymatic hydrolysis.”
Zhang and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (The effects of four different pretreatments on
enzymatichydrolysis of sweet sorghum bagasse. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(6):4585-9).
For additional information, contact J. Zhang, Beijing Key
Labo-ratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology,
BeijingUniversity of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People’s
Taiwan..(2011 MAR 29)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Beijing University of Technology: Biological sludgereduction and
enhanced nutrient removal in a pilot-scalesystem with 2-step sludge
alkaline fermentation and A2OprocessScientists discuss in
‘Biological sludge reduction and enhanced nutri-ent removal in a
pilot-scale system with 2-step sludge alkaline fermen-tation and
A2O process’ new findings in Bioresource Technology. “Toenhance
nutrient removal performance and reduce disposal amountof waste
activated sludge (WAS), a pilot-scale continuous system con-sisting
of a 2-step sludge alkaline fermentation process and an
A(2)Oreactor was proposed. The feasibility of WAS reducing and
resourcingby alkaline fermentation was investigated,” scientists
writing in thejournal Bioresource Technology report.
“Volatile fatty acids (VFA) yield was higher under alkaline
con-dition than that under acidic condition. Through 2-step
alkaline fer-mentation, substantial VFA was accumulated, and then
elutriated outcontinuously from an up-flow column by domestic
wastewater. The re-sults showed that 38.2% of sludge was
hydrolyzed, 19.7% was finallyacidified into VFA, and as high as
42.1% of WAS was reduced. More-over, after introducing the
fermentation liquids with higher propor-tion of acetic acid and
propionic acid into the A(2)O reactor, the totalnitrogen and
phosphorus removal efficiencies reached to 80.1% and90.0%,
respectively,” wrote Y. Gao and colleagues, Beijing Universityof
Technology.
The researchers concluded: “Sludge reduction and enhanced
nu-trient removal could be achieved simultaneously in the proposed
sys-tem.”
Gao and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Biological sludge reduction and enhanced nutrient
removal in apilot-scale system with 2-step sludge alkaline
fermentation and A2Oprocess. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(5):4091-7).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting Y. Gao,
Bei-jing University of Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for
WaterQuality Science and Water Environmental Recovery
Engineering,Beijing 100124, China. (2011 MAR 15)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
BioEnergy Science Center, Oak Ridge: Mathematicalmodeling of
hydrolysate diffusion and utilization incellulolytic biofilms of
the extreme thermophileCaldicellulosiruptor obsidiansisNew
research, ‘Mathematical modeling of hydrolysate diffusion
andutilization in cellulolytic biofilms of the extreme thermophile
Caldicel-lulosiruptor obsidiansis,’ is the subject of a report.
According to re-cent research published in the journal Bioresource
Technology, “In thisstudy, a hydrolysate diffusion and utilization
model was developedto examine factors influencing cellulolytic
biofilm morphology. Modelsimulations using Caldicellulosiruptor
obsidiansis revealed that thecellulolytic biofilm needs to generate
more hydrolysate than it con-sumes to establish a higher than bulk
solution intra-biofilm substrateconcentration to support its
growth.”
“This produces a hydrolysate surplus that diffuses through
thethin biofilm structure into the bulk solution, which gives rise
to auniform growth rate and hence the homogeneous morphology of
thecellulolytic biofilm. Model predictions were tested against
experimen-tal data from a cellulose-fermenting bioreactor and the
results wereconsistent with the model prediction and indicated that
only a smallfraction (10-12%) of the soluble hydrolysis products
are utilized by thebiofilm,” wrote Z.W. Wang and colleagues, Oak
Ridge National Labo-ratory, Biosciences Division.
The researchers concluded: “The factors determining the
rate-limiting step of cellulolytic biofilm growth are also analyzed
and dis-cussed.”
Wang and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Mathematical modeling of hydrolysate diffusion and
utilizationin cellulolytic biofilms of the extreme thermophile
Caldicellulosirup-tor obsidiansis. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(3):3155-62).
For additional information, contact Z.W. Wang, BioEnergy
ScienceCenter, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
OakRidge, TN 37831 USA. (2011 FEB 8)
Brigham Young University, Provo: Method for evaluatinganaerobic
digester performanceResearch findings, ‘Method for evaluating
anaerobic digester perfor-mance,’ are discussed in a new report.
“The degradation rate andefficiency of digestion processes is
typically measured by introducinga substrate or pollutant into a
digester and then monitoring the efflu-ents for the pollutant or
substrate, a costly and slow process. A new
15
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
method for rapid measurement of the rates and efficiencies of
anaero-bic degradation of pollutants and lignocellulose substrates
from vari-ous pretreatments is described,” scientists in the United
States report.
“The method uses micro-reactors (10-30mL) containing a
mixedculture of anaerobic bacteria obtained from a working
anaerobic di-gester. The rate of degradation of pollutants and
metabolic heatrate are measured in parallel sets of micro-reactors.
Measurementof metabolic rate and pollutant degradation
simultaneously is an ef-fective means of rapidly examining
pollutant degradation on a micro-scale,” wrote T. Cline and
colleagues, Brigham Young University.
The researchers concluded: “Calorimetric measurements alone
al-low rapid, relative evaluation of various substrate pretreatment
meth-ods.”
Cline and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Method for evaluating anaerobic digester performance.
Biore-source Technology, 2010;101(22):8623-6).
For more information, contact T. Cline, Brigham Young
University,Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Provo, UT
84602-5700 USA.(2011 JAN 18)
Cemagref, Rennes: Combined anaerobic and activatedsludge
anoxic/oxic treatment for piggery wastewaterCurrent study results
from the report, ‘Combined anaerobic and acti-vated sludge
anoxic/oxic treatment for piggery wastewater,’ have beenpublished.
According to a study from Rennes, France, “A process com-bining
anaerobic digestion and anoxic/oxic treatment was developed totreat
pig slurry in-order-to partially convert organic matter (OM) intoa
valuable energy and simultaneously to comply with the
environmen-tal constraints as regards to nitrogen removal. However,
OM contentof digested pig slurry is insufficient to allow a further
complete deni-trification of the mineral nitrogen content.”
“Hence, four different configurations were designed and
evaluatedto manage the OM requirements and achieve denitrification.
Partialnitrification (PN) of ammonium to nitrite was also applied
by reg-ulating oxygen inflow time. Thus, the combined process could
re-move 38-52% of CODt, 79-88% of CODs, 66-75% of TN and 98-99%of
NH(4)(+)N concentrations depending on the slurry
characteristics.Anaerobic digestion was able to produce 5.9 Nm(3)
of CH(4)/m(slurryadded)(3). PN allowed a reduction in the oxygen
and OM require-ments respectively for nitrification and
denitrification,” wrote R. Ra-jagopal and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “Thus, this process trims-down the
en-ergy costs at the farm scale.”
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Rajagopal and colleagues published the results of their
researchin Bioresource Technology (Combined anaerobic and activated
sludgeanoxic/oxic treatment for piggery wastewater. Bioresource
Technol-ogy, 2011;102(3):2185-92).
For additional information, contact R. Rajagopal, Cemagref,
URGERE, Rennes, France. (2011 FEB 8)
Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai: Novelapproach
towards recovery of glycosaminoglycans fromtannery
wastewaterCurrent study results from the report, ‘Novel approach
towards recov-ery of glycosaminoglycans from tannery wastewater,’
have been pub-lished. According to recent research from Adyar,
India, “Poly ethyleneglycol (PEG)-poly acrylic acid (PAA) based
aqueous two-phase system(ATPS) was selected as a practical model to
recover glycosaminogly-cans (GAGs) from tannery wastewater. The
influence of PEG molec-ular weight, tie line length (TLL), pH,
temperature and NaCl concen-tration on the partition coefficient of
glycosaminoglycans from tannerywastewater was studied.”
“Partition coefficient of glycosaminoglycan decreases on
increaseof PEG molecular weight, NaCl concentration and
temperature,whereas it increases with increase of pH. In the
PEG-rich phase, in-creased partitioning of GAGs was observed with
increase in TLL. Thepartitioning of GAGs was better in PEG 4000 at
pH 8.0, 20 °C with ayield of 91.50%,” wrote J.R. Rao and
colleagues, Council of Scientificand Industrial Research.
The researchers concluded: “This study demonstrates the
poten-tial application of ATPS processes for the recovery of GAGs
from com-plex biological suspensions.”
Rao and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Novel approach towards recovery of glycosaminoglycans
from tan-nery wastewater. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(2):872-8).
For additional information, contact J.R. Rao, Chemical
Labora-tory, Central Leather Research Institute, Council of
Scientific and In-dustrial Research, Adyar, Chennai 600 020, India.
(2011 FEB 1)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
China Agricultural University, Beijing: Rapid estimationof
nutrients in chicken manure during plant-fieldcomposting using
physicochemical propertiesFresh data on Bioresource Technology are
presented in the report‘Rapid estimation of nutrients in chicken
manure during plant-fieldcomposting using physicochemical
properties.’ According to a studyfrom Beijing, People’s Republic of
China, “Regression equations whichrelate livestock and poultry
manure nutrient content to its sev-eral physicochemical properties
have been reported by previous re-searchers. This study explores
the feasibility and efficiency to deter-mine the nutrients (TN; TP;
TK; Cu and Zn) in chicken manure duringcomposting using
physicochemical properties (pH, EC and DM), andcompares the
performances of regression equations in this study withthose in the
literature.”
“The results show that DM is the best predictor to construct
thesingle linear regressions for all the nutrients (R2=0.84, p
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
more practical and valuable,” scientists writing in the journal
Biore-source Technology report.
“Different from most oxidoreductases, diketoreductase
displayedan excellent tolerance to certain organic solvents without
any changeson the catalytic properties. After optimizing reaction
conditions, anaqueous-hexane (1:1) biphasic system was established
for the prepa-ration of 3R,5S-dihydroxy product by
diketoreductase,” wrote X. Wuand colleagues, China Pharmaceutical
University.
The researchers concluded: “This system was further scaled upto
0.5 l at a substrate concentration of 105 g/l (378 mM), and
the3R,5S-hydroxy product was obtained with a yield of 83.5% and
excel-lent stereoselectivity (de >99.5%, ee >99.5%).”
Wu and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technology(Preparation of ethyl
3R,5S-6-(benzyloxy)-3,5-dihydroxy-hexanoate byrecombinant
diketoreductase in a biphasic system. Bioresource Tech-nology,
2011;102(3):3649-52).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting X. Wu,
Lab-oratory of Chemical Biology, School of Life Science and
Technology,China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu
Province, PRChina. (2011 FEB 7)
Chonbuk National University, Jeonbuk: Preparation ofPEI-coated
bacterial biosorbent in water solution -optimization of
manufacturing conditions using responsesurface methodologyResearch
findings, ‘Preparation of PEI-coated bacterial biosorbent inwater
solution: optimization of manufacturing conditions using re-sponse
surface methodology,’ are discussed in a new report. “The aimof
this study is to optimize preparation method of
polyethyleneimine(PEI)-coated bacterial biosorbent in water as
reaction media using fer-mentation waste biomass of Corynebacterium
glutamicum as a rawmaterial. The fermentation waste biomass of C.
glutamicum and Re-active Red 4 were used as model raw bacterium and
pollutant,” scien-tists writing in the journal Bioresource
Technology report.
“Major factors affecting the performance of PEI-coated
biosorbentwere the amounts of polymer (PEI) and cross-linker
glutaraldehyde(GA). These factors were optimized through response
surface method-ology (RSM) with two-level-two-factor (2(2)) full
factorial central com-posite design. As a result, the optimum
conditions were found to be4.29 g of PEI and 0.15 mL of GA, with 10
g of the biomass, where thesorption capacity was enhanced 4.52-fold
compared to that of the rawbiomass,” wrote J. Mao and colleagues,
Chonbuk National University.
The researchers concluded: “Therefore, this simple,
cost-effective,and water-based method could be a useful
modification tool for the
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
development of a high performance biosorbent for removing
anionicpollutants.”
Mao and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Preparation of PEI-coated bacterial biosorbent in
water solu-tion: optimization of manufacturing conditions using
response surfacemethodology. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(2):1462-7).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting J.
Mao,Chonbuk National University, Dept. of Bioprocess Engineering,
Jeon-buk 561-756, Republic of Korea. (2011 JAN 31)
Chonbuk National University, Jeonbuk: Recovery ofzero-valent
gold from cyanide solution by a combinedmethod of biosorption and
incinerationData detailed in ‘Recovery of zero-valent gold from
cyanide solutionby a combined method of biosorption and
incineration’ have been pre-sented. “A new combined way of
biosorption and incineration is pre-sented for the recovery of gold
from gold-cyanide solutions. Decar-boxylated biosorbent (DCB) was
prepared by removing interfering car-boxyl groups from the surface
of inactive Corynebacterium glutam-icum,” scientists in South Korea
report.
“The recovery of gold from the exhausted biosorbents was
per-formed using elution or incineration. The maximum gold(I)
uptakeswere obtained as 50.19 and 86.16mg/g for the raw biomass and
DCB,respectively. The biosorption performance of DCB indicated that
in-terfering carboxyl groups were successfully removed. The
recoveryefficiency of ionic gold through elution and purity of
metallic gold bymeans of incineration were over 93% and as high as
61.89%, respec-tively. The result of XPS analysis indicated that
the gold(I) was able tobe reduced into zero-valent gold during
incineration,” wrote I.S. Kwakand colleagues, Chonbuk National
University.
The researchers concluded: “It was noted that the combinedmethod
of biosorption and incineration could be effective for
concen-tration and recovery of gold from the cyanide
solutions.”
Kwak and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Recovery of zero-valent gold from cyanide solution by
a com-bined method of biosorption and incineration. Bioresource
Technology,2010;101(22):8587-92).
For additional information, contact I.S. Kwak, Chonbuk
NationalUniversity, Dept. of Bioprocess Engineering and Development
of NewParadigm for BIN Fusion Technology, WCU Project, Jeonbuk,
SouthKorea. (2011 JAN 17)
20
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Cornell University, Ithaca: Assessment of
commercialhemicellulases for saccharification of alkaline
pretreatedperennial biomassA report, ‘Assessment of commercial
hemicellulases for saccharifi-cation of alkaline pretreated
perennial biomass,’ is newly publisheddata in Bioresource
Technology. According to a study from the UnitedStates, “The
objective of this research was to measure the effects ofdifferent
cellulase and hemicellulase mixtures on fermentable sugarproduction
from two different perennial biomasses–switchgrass and alow-impact,
high-diversity prairie biomass mixture (LIHD). Each wassubjected to
NaOH pretreatment, followed by hydrolysis with a com-mercial
cellulase and ß-glucosidase mixture [CB] supplemented witheither of
two hemicellulases.”
“For both biomasses, there was little gain in sugar yield when
usingCB alone beyond 20-25 mg/g TS; further gain in yield was
possible onlythrough hemicellulase supplementation. An equation
that modeledCB and hemicellulase effects as occurring independently
fit the datareasonably well, except at the lowest of cellulase
loadings with hemi-cellulase, where synergistic interactions were
evident,” wrote D.L.Sills and colleagues, Cornell University.
The researchers concluded: “Examination of the marginal
effec-tiveness of enzyme loadings (incremental grams sugar per
incremen-tal mg enzyme) over a broad range of loadings suggests
that there is noneed to customize enzymatic hydrolysis for
NaOH-pretreated switch-grass and LIHD.”
Sills and colleagues published the results of their research in
Biore-source Technology (Assessment of commercial hemicellulases
for sac-charification of alkaline pretreated perennial biomass.
BioresourceTechnology, 2011;102(2):1389-98).
For additional information, contact D.L. Sills, School of Civil
andEnvironmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
14853USA. (2011 FEB 1)
Cornell University, Ithaca: Cathodes as electron donorsfor
microbial metabolism - Which extracellular electrontransfer
mechanisms are involved?“This review illuminates extracellular
electron transfer mechanismsthat may be involved in microbial
bioelectrochemical systems with bio-cathodes. Microbially-catalyzed
cathodes are evolving for new biopro-cessing applications for
waste(water) treatment, carbon dioxide fixa-tion, chemical product
formation, or bioremediation,” scientists writ-ing in the journal
Bioresource Technology report.
21
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
“Extracellular electron transfer processes in biological
anodes,were the electrode serves as electron acceptor, have been
widely stud-ied. However, for biological cathodes the question
remains: what arethe biochemical mechanisms for the extracellular
electron transferfrom a cathode (electron donor) to a
microorganism? This questionwas approached by not only analysing
the literature on biocathodes,but also by investigating known
extracellular microbial oxidation re-actions in environmental
processes. Here, it is predicted that in directelectron transfer
reactions, c-type cytochromes often together with hy-drogenases
play a critical role and that, in mediated electron
transferreactions, natural redox mediators, such as PQQ will be
involved inthe bioelectrochemical reaction. These mechanisms are
very similarto processes at the bioanode, but the components
operate at differentredox potentials,” wrote M. Rosenbaum and
colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “The biocatalyzed cathode
reactions,thereby, are not necessarily energy conserving for the
microorganism.”
Rosenbaum and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Cathodes as electron donors for microbial
metabolism:Which extracellular electron transfer mechanisms are
involved?Bioresource Technology, 2011;102(1 Sp. Iss.):324-333).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting L.T.
An-genent, Cornell University, Dept. of Biology & Environmental
En-gineering, 214 Riley Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
The publisher of the journal Bioresource Technology can be
con-tacted at: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford
Lane,Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England. (2011 MAR 15)
Dalian University of Technology: Effects of an electricfield and
zero valent iron on anaerobic treatment of azodye wastewater and
microbial community structuresInvestigators publish new data in the
report ‘Effects of an electric fieldand zero valent iron on
anaerobic treatment of azo dye wastewater andmicrobial community
structures.’ According to recent research pub-lished in the journal
Bioresource Technology, “A zero valent iron (ZVI)bed with a pair of
electrodes was packed in an anaerobic reactor aim-ing at enhancing
treatment of azo dye wastewater. The experimentswere carried out in
three reactors operated in parallel: an electricfield enhanced
ZVI-anaerobic reactor (R1), a ZVI-anaerobic reactor(R2) and a
common anaerobic reactor (R3).”
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
“R1 presented the highest performance in removal of COD
andcolor. Raising voltage in R1 further improved its performance.
Scan-ning electron microscopy images displayed that the structure
of gran-ular sludge from R1 was intact after being fed with the
high dye con-centration, while that of R3 was broken. Fluorescence
in situ hy-bridization analysis indicated that the abundance of
methanogens inR1 was significantly greater than that in the other
two reactors,” wroteY. Liu and colleagues, Dalian University of
Technology.
The researchers concluded: “Denaturing gradient gel
elec-trophoresis showed that the coupling of electric field and ZVI
in-creased the diversity of microbial community and especially
enhancedbacterial strains responsible for decolorization.”
Liu and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technology(Effects of an electric field and zero valent iron on
anaerobic treatmentof azo dye wastewater and microbial community
structures. Biore-source Technology, 2011;102(3):2578-84).
For additional information, contact Y. Liu, Dalian University
ofTechnology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and
Environmen-tal Engineering (Dalian University of Technology),
Ministry of Educa-tion, School of Environmental Science and
Technology, Dalian, China.(2011 FEB 7)
Dalian University of Technology: Electron transfermechanisms,
new applications, and performance ofbiocathode microbial fuel
cells“Broad application of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) requires low
cost andhigh operational sustainability. Microbial-cathode MFCs, or
cathodesusing only bacterial catalysts (biocathodes), can satisfy
these demandsand have gained considerable attention in recent
years,” researchersin People’s Republic of China report.
“Achievements with biocathodes over the past 3-4 years have
beenparticularly impressive not only with respect to the biological
aspectsbut also the system-wide considerations related to electrode
materi-als and solution chemistry. The versatility of biocathodes
enables usto use not only oxygen but also contaminants as possible
electron ac-ceptors, allowing nutrient removal and bioremediation
in conjunctionwith electricity generation. Moreover, biocathodes
create opportuni-ties to convert electrical current into
microbially generated reducedproducts. While many new experimental
results with biocathodeshave been reported, we are still in the
infancy of their engineeringdevelopment,” wrote L.P. Huang and
colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “This review highlights the
opportuni-ties, limits, and challenges of biocathodes.”
23
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Huang and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Electron transfer mechanisms, new applications, and
per-formance of biocathode microbial fuel cells. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(1 Sp. Iss.):316-323).
For additional information, contact L.P. Huang, Dalian
Univer-sity of Technology, Key Laboratory Ind Ecology &
Environmental En-gineering, Minist Education MOE, School
Environmental Science &Technology, Dalian 116024, People’s
Republic of China.
Publisher contact information for the journal Bioresource
Technol-ogy is: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford
Lane, Kidling-ton, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England. (2011 MAR 18)
Data on Bioresource Technology Discussed by Z. Fu
andColleaguesResearch findings, ‘Textiles wastewater treatment
using anoxic filterbed and biological wriggle bed-ozone biological
aerated filter,’ are dis-cussed in a new report. “In this study,
the performance of the anoxicfilter bed and biological wriggle
bed-ozone biological aerated filter(AFB-BWB-O(3)-BAF) process
treating real textile dyeing wastewa-ter was investigated. After
more than 2 month process operation, theaverage effluent COD
concentration of the AFB, BWB, O(3)-BAF were704.8 mg/L, 294.6 mg/L
and 128.8 mg/L, with HRT being 8.1-7.7h, 9.2hand 5.45 h,
respectively,” investigators in People’s Republic of
Chinareport.
“Results showed that the effluent COD concentration of the
AFBdecreased with new carriers added and the average removal COD
effi-ciency was 20.2%. During operation conditions, HRT of the BWB
andO(3)-BAF was increased, resulting in a decrease in the effluent
CODconcentration. However, on increasing the HRT, the COD
reductioncapability expressed by the unit carrier COD removal
loading of theBWB reactor increased, while that of the O(3)-BAF
reactor decreased,”wrote Z. Fu and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “This study is a beneficial attempt
toutilize the AFB-BWB-O(3)-BAF combine process for textile
wastewa-ter treatment.”
Fu and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technology(Textiles wastewater treatment using anoxic filter bed
and biologicalwriggle bed-ozone biological aerated filter.
Bioresource Technology,2011;102(4):3748-53).
For additional information, contact Z. Fu, Guangdong Esquel
Tex-tile Co., Ltd, 528500 FoShan, Guangdong Province, PR China.
(2011FEB 22)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Data on Bioresource Technology Published by S.F. Bodiniand
ColleaguesResearch findings, ‘Rhizosphere dynamics during
phytoremediationof olive mill wastewater,’ are discussed in a new
report. Accordingto a study from Terni, Italy, “The potential of
phytoremediation asa treatment option for olive mill wastewater
(OMW) was tested onfive perennial tree species. Cupressus
sempervirens and Quercus ilexproved tolerant to six-month OMW
treatment followed by six-monthwater irrigation, whereas Salix sp.
and Laurus nobilis and, later, Pi-nus mugo suffered from phytotoxic
effects.”
“Test plants were compared to controls after treatment and
irriga-tion, by monitoring biochemical and microbiological
variations in therhizosphere soil. OMW-treated soils were exposed
to 50-fold higherphenols concentrations, which, irrespective of
whether the respectiveplants were OMW-resistant or susceptible,
were reduced by more than90% by the end of the irrigation cycle,
owing to significantly increasedlaccase, peroxidase and
ß-glucosidase activities, recovery/acquisitionof bacterial
culturability and transitory development of specializedfungal
communities sharing the presence of Geotrichum candidum,”wrote S.F.
Bodini and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “Of all results, the identification
ofPenicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium aurantiogriseum as
dom-inant rhizosphere fungi was distinctive of OMW-tolerant
species.”
Bodini and colleagues published the results of their researchin
Bioresource Technology (Rhizosphere dynamics during
phytore-mediation of olive mill wastewater. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(6):4383-9).
For additional information, contact S.F. Bodini, Dept. of
Envi-ronmental Biotechnologies, ISRIM Scarl, Strada di Pentima 4,
05100Terni, Italy.. (2011 MAR 29)
Data on Bioresource Technology Published by T.L. daSilva and
ColleaguesResearch findings, ‘Monitoring Rhodotorula glutinis CCMI
145 phys-iological response and oil production growing on xylose
and glucoseusing multi-parameter flow cytometry,’ are discussed in
a new report.“Flow cytometry was used to monitor the lipid content,
viability andintrinsic light scatter properties of Rhodotorula
glutinis CCMI 145cells growing on batch cultures using xylose and
glucose as carbonsources. The highest lipid content was observed
for cells grown onglucose, at the end of the exponential phase
(17.8% w/w),” scientistsin Lisboa, Portugal report.
25
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
“The proportion of cells stained with PI attaining 77% at the
endof the glucose growth. Cells growing on xylose produced a
maximumlipid content of 10.6% (w/w), at the stationary phase. An
increase inthe proportion of cells stained with PI was observed,
reaching 29% atthe end of xylose growth,” wrote Silva T.L. da and
colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “Changes in the side and forward
lightscatter detected during the yeast batch cultures supported
that R. glu-tinis cells grown on glucose experienced harsher
conditions, resultingin a high level of cytoplasmic membrane
damage, which did not occurwhen R. glutinis cells grew on
xylose.”
da and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Monitoring Rhodotorula glutinis CCMI 145 physiological
re-sponse and oil production growing on xylose and glucose using
multi-parameter flow cytometry. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(3):2998-3006).
For more information, contact T.L. da Silva, Laboratorio
Nacionalde Energia e Geologia (LNEG), Unidade de Bioenergia,
Estrada doPaco do Lumiar, Lisboa, Portugal. (2011 FEB 8)
Data on Bioresource Technology Reported by E.E. Kaluand
Co-ResearchersResearchers detail in ‘Continuous-flow biodiesel
production using slit-channel reactors,’ new data in Bioresource
Technology. “Slit-channelreactors are reactors whose active surface
areas are orders of mag-nitude higher than those of micro-reactors
but have low fabricationcosts relative to micro-reactors. We
successfully produced biodieselwith different degrees of conversion
using homogeneous catalyst inthe slit-channel reactor,” scientists
in Tallahassee, United States re-port.
“The reactor performance shows that percent conversion of
soy-bean oil to biodiesel increases with channel depth, as
expected, dueto more efficient mixing. Shallow slit-channels
require short averageresidence times for complete product
conversion. Present results showthat the slit-channel reactor
provides an improved performance overtraditional batch reactors
using homogeneous sodium alkoxide cata-lyst. It is aimed to couple
the reactors with solid catalysts in convert-ing soybean oil to
biodiesel and implementation method is suggested,”wrote E.E. Kalu
and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “The cost advantages resulting
fromthe ease of fabrication of slit-channel reactors over
micro-reactors andhow these factors relate to the oil conversion
efficiency to biodiesel arebriefly noted and discussed.”
26
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Kalu and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Continuous-flow biodiesel production using
slit-channel reactors.Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(6):4456-61).
For more information, contact E.E. Kalu, FAMU-FSU COE, Chem-ical
& Biomedical Eng Department, Tallahassee, FL 32310,
UnitedStates.. (2011 APR 1)
DaYeh University, Changhua: Xenobiotic substratereduces yield of
activated sludge in a continuous flowsystemData detailed in
‘Xenobiotic substrate reduces yield of activatedsludge in a
continuous flow system’ have been presented. “Thebiomass yield of a
continuous flow activated sludge system variedwhen the system
treated influent containing different compositions ofbiogenic and
xenobiotic substrates. Both the biogenic substrate and atest
xenobiotic 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were degradedat
steady-state activated sludge operations,” scientists writing in
thejournal Bioresource Technology report.
“The true yields, determined from steady-state activated
sludgetreatment performances, were at the maximum and the
minimumwhen the activated sludge treated the influent of sole
biogenic sub-strate and sole 2,4-D, respectively. The minimum yield
was 56% ofthe maximum. Yield reduction between the maximum and the
min-imum was proportional to the concentration of 2,4-D in the
influ-ent. This trend of yield reduction suited a model that
describes themetabolic uncoupling effect of 2,4-D on the sludge’s
degradation ofthe substrates,” wrote N.M. Chong and colleagues,
DaYeh University,Department of Environmental Engineering.
The researchers concluded: “The model function variable was
de-fined as the ratio of 2,4-D to biogenic COD concentrations in
the in-fluent.”
Chong and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Xenobiotic substrate reduces yield of activated sludge
in a con-tinuous flow system. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(5):4069-75).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting N.M.
Chong,DaYeh University, Dept. of Environmental Engineering, No 168,
Uni-versity Rd., Dacun, Changhua 51591, Taiwan, Taiwan. (2011
MAR15)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Department of Biological Research, Kolkata: Mechanisticstudies
on the binding of Acid Yellow 99 on coir pithScientists discuss in
‘Mechanistic studies on the binding of Acid Yellow99 on coir pith’
new findings in Bioresource Technology. According torecent research
published in the journal Bioresource Technology, “Theinteraction of
Acid Yellow 99 (AY 99) with coir pith has been investi-gated in
aqueous medium to understand the mechanism of adsorptionand explore
the potentiality of this biomass towards controlling pol-lution
resulting from textile dyes. The obtained results establish thatone
gram of coir pith can adsorb 442.13 mg of AY 99.”
“The adsorption process is found to be a function of pH of the
solu-tion, the optimum pH value being 2.0. The process follows
Langmuir-Freundlich dual isotherm model. Scanning electron
microscopic anal-ysis demonstrates that on dye adsorption the
biomass develops unevenand irregular surface. X-ray diffraction
study indicates incorporationof the dye into the micropores and
macropores of the adsorbent andthereby enhancing its degree of
crystallinity,” wrote M.M. Khan andcolleagues, Indian Association
for the Cultivation of Science, Depart-ment of Biological
Chemistry.
The researchers concluded: “The results of Fourier transform
in-frared (FTIR) spectroscopy and chemical modification of the
functionalgroups establish that binding of AY 99 on coir pith
occurs throughelectrostatic and complexation reaction.”
Khan and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Mechanistic studies on the binding of Acid Yellow 99
on coir pith.Bioresource Technology, 2011;102(3):2394-9).
For additional information, contact M.M. Khan, Indian
Associa-tion for the Cultivation of Science, Dept. of Biological
Chemistry,Kolkata, India. (2011 FEB 8)
Department of Chemistry, Graz: Biological pretreatmentof
cellulose - enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis rate
usingcellulose-binding domains from cellulasesNew research,
‘Biological pretreatment of cellulose: enhancing en-zymatic
hydrolysis rate using cellulose-binding domains from cellu-lases,’
is the subject of a report. According to a study from Graz,Austria,
“In this study, cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) of cellulasesfrom
Trichoderma reesei were used in a pretreatment step and werefound
to effectively reduce the crystallinity of cellulose (both
Aviceland fibrous cellulose). This, in turn, led to higher glucose
concentra-tions (up to 25% increase) in subsequent hydrolysis of
cellulose usinga mixture of cellulases and without the need for any
intermediate pu-rification step.”
28
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
“CBDs were shown to be active in a range of temperatures (up
to50°C), while cellulase hydrolytic activity was greatly reduced
after in-cubation at 50°C. This was explained by retention of full
binding ca-pacity after incubation at 50°C for 15 h,” wrote M. Hall
and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “Our findings suggest that CBDs maybe
a valuable tool in pretreating cellulose and eventually afford
fasterenzymatic conversion of cellulose to glucose, thus
contributing to moreaffordable processes in the production of
biofuels.”
Hall and colleagues published the results of their research in
Biore-source Technology (Biological pretreatment of cellulose:
enhancingenzymatic hydrolysis rate using cellulose-binding domains
from cel-lulases. Bioresource Technology, 2011;102(3):2910-5).
For additional information, contact M. Hall, Organic and
Bioor-ganic Chemistry, Dept. of Chemistry, Heinrichstrabe 28, 8010
Graz,Austria. (2011 FEB 8)
Department of Soil Research, Espinardo: qRT-PCRquantification of
the biological control agent Trichodermaharzianum in peat and
compost-based growing mediaA report, ‘qRT-PCR quantification of the
biological control agent Tri-choderma harzianum in peat and
compost-based growing media,’ isnewly published data in Bioresource
Technology. According to astudy from Espinardo, Spain, “To ensure
proper use of Trichodermaharzianum in agriculture, accurate data
must be obtained in pop-ulation monitoring. The effectiveness of
qRT-PCR to quantify T.harzianum in different growing media was
compared to the commonlyused techniques of colony counting and
qPCR.”
“Results showed that plate counting and qPCR offered similar
T.harzianum quantification patterns of an initial rapid increase in
fun-gal population that decreased over time. However, data from
qRT-PCR showed a population curve of active T. harzianum with a
delayedonset of initial growth which then increased throughout the
experi-ment. Results demonstrated that T. harzianum can
successfully growin these media and that qRT-PCR can offer a more
distinct represen-tation of active T. harzianum populations,” wrote
R. Beaulieu and col-leagues.
The researchers concluded: “Additionally, compost amended withT.
harzianum exhibited a lower Fusarium oxysporum infection rate(67%)
and lower percentage of fresh weight loss (11%) in comparisonto
amended peat (90% infection rate, 23% fresh weight loss).”
Beaulieu and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (qRT-PCR quantification of the biological control agent
Tricho-derma harzianum in peat and compost-based growing media.
Biore-source Technology, 2011;102(3):2793-8).
29
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
For more information, contact R. Beaulieu, Centro de Edafologiay
Biologia Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Dept. of Soil
WaterConservation and Organic Waste Management, Espinardo,
Murcia,Spain. (2011 FEB 8)
Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir: Destruction of some moreand less
hydrophobic PAHs and their toxicities in apetrochemical industry
wastewater with sonication inTurkeyFresh data on Bioresource
Technology are presented in the report ‘De-struction of some more
and less hydrophobic PAHs and their toxicitiesin a petrochemical
industry wastewater with sonication in Turkey.’According to a study
from Buca, Turkey, “The effects of increasing son-ication time
(60-150min), NaCl (2-18g/l), S(2)O(8)(2-) (2-10mg/l) and1-butanol
(200-600mg/l) concentrations on the destructions of sevenpolycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and acute toxicity in a petro-chemical
industry wastewater in Izmir (Turkey) were investigated.The yields
in more hydrophobic PAHs (DahA and BghiP) were as highas in less
hydrophobic PAHs (CHR, PHE, PY, BbF and ANT) at 60degrees C after
150min sonication.”
“The removals in all PAHs increased from 72-78% to 97-99% as
theNaCl administration was increased from 1.5 to 12g/l. The
degradationefficiency of seven PAHs was enhanced by 36% with 6mg/l
S(2)O(8)(2-)after 150min,” wrote D.T. Sponza and colleagues, Dokuz
Eylul Univer-sity, Department of Environmental Engineering.
The researchers concluded: “OH(*) is the major process for
com-plete sonodegradation of less hydrophobic PAHs while pyrolysis
is themajor process for complete degradation of more hydrophobic
PAHs.”
Sponza and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Destruction of some more and less hydrophobic PAHs
andtheir toxicities in a petrochemical industry wastewater with
sonica-tion in Turkey. Bioresource Technology,
2010;101(22):8639-48).
For more information, contact D.T. Sponza, Dokuz Eylul
Univer-sity, Dept. of Environmental Engineering, Tinaztepe Campus,
Buca,Izmir, Turkey. (2011 JAN 18)
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Donghua University, Shanghai: Preparation andcharacterization of
activated carbon produced from ricestraw by (NH4)2HPO4
activationCurrent study results from the report, ‘Preparation and
characteri-zation of activated carbon produced from rice straw by
(NH4)2HPO4activation,’ have been published. According to a study
from Shanghai,People’s Republic of China, “Effects of different
pretreatment proto-cols in (NH(4))(2)HPO(4) activation of rice
straw on porous activatedcarbon evolution were evaluated. The pore
structure, morphology andsurface chemistry of obtained activated
carbons were investigated bynitrogen adsorption, scanning electron
microscopy and Fourier trans-form infrared spectroscopy.”
“It was found that pretreatment combining impregnation
with(NH(4))(2)HPO(4) and preoxidation could significantly affect
thephysicochemical properties of prepared activated carbons.
Theapparent surface area and total pore volume as high as 1154m2/g
and 0.670 cm(3)/g were obtained respectively, whencombined process
of impregnation followed by preoxidation at 200°Cand activation at
700°C was carried out. Meanwhile, the activatedcarbon yield and
maximum methylene blue adsorption capacity up to41.14% and 129.5
mg/g were achieved, respectively,” wrote P. Gao andcolleagues,
Donghua University.
The researchers concluded: “The results exhibited
that(NH(4))(2)HPO(4) could be an effective activating agent for
pro-ducing activated carbons from rice straw.”
Gao and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technol-ogy (Preparation and characterization of activated carbon
producedfrom rice straw by (NH4)2HPO4 activation. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(3):3645-8).
For more information, contact P. Gao, College of Environmen-tal
Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620,China.
(2011 FEB 8)
DS College, Aligarh: Enhancement of wood wastedecomposition by
microbial inoculation prior tovermicompostingCurrent study results
from the report, ‘Enhancement of wood wastedecomposition by
microbial inoculation prior to vermicomposting,’have been
published. “To investigate the feasibility of microbial
pre-decomposition of timber wastes to quality production of
vermicom-post with higher agronomic value, timber wastes were
inoculatedwith different combinations of the fungi Phanerochete
chrysosporium,Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger and the
bacteria Azotobacter
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
chroococcum (MTCC 3853) and Bacillus cereus (MTCC 4079) and
in-cubated at 28-30 °C in a mechanical composter. The inoculation
en-hanced the degradation of timber wastes, increased total
nitrogen andimproved the quality and enhanced production of
vermicompost gen-erated with the native earthworm Drawida willsi
Michelsen,” investi-gators in India report.
“Total nitrogen increased from 0.16% to 1.52% and total
organiccarbon (TOC) decreased from 42% to 13%. Out of 10 microbial
combi-nations tested for pre-decomposition, the combination of P.
chrysospo-rium+T. reesei was found best in terms of
ligno-cellulosic decomposi-tion, and P. chrysosporium+A. niger+B.
cereus with respect of castoutput,” wrote R. Kumar and
colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “The study shows that microbial
pre-decomposition of timber wastes to produce quality vermicompost
is afeasible technology.”
Kumar and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Enhancement of wood waste decomposition by
micro-bial inoculation prior to vermicomposting. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(2):1475-80).
For additional information, contact R. Kumar, Vermiculture
Re-search Station, Dept. of Zoology, DS College, Dr. BRA
University,Aligarh 202001, UP, India. (2011 FEB 1)
Durban University of Technology: Bioprospecting forhyper-lipid
producing microalgal strains for sustainablebiofuel
production“Global petroleum reserves are shrinking at a fast pace,
increas-ing the demand for alternate fuels. Microalgae have the
ability togrow rapidly, and synthesize and accumulate large amounts
(approx-imately 20-50% of dry weight) of neutral lipid stored in
cytosolic lipidbodies,” scientists in Durban, South Africa
report.
“A successful and economically viable algae based biofuel
indus-try mainly depends on the selection of appropriate algal
strains.The main focus of bioprospecting for microalgae is to
identify uniquehigh lipid producing microalgae from different
habitats. Indigenousspecies of microalgae with high lipid yields
are especially valuable inthe biofuel industry. Isolation,
purification and identification of natu-ral microalgal assemblages
using conventional techniques is generallytime consuming. However,
the recent use of micromanipulation as arapid isolating tool allows
for a higher screening throughput. The ap-propriate media and
growth conditions are also important for success-ful microalgal
proliferation. Environmental parameters recorded atthe sampling
site are necessary to optimize in vitro growth. Identifica-tion of
species generally requires a combination of morphological and
32
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
genetic characterization. The selected microalgal strains are
grown inupscale systems such as raceway ponds or photobireactors
for biomassand lipid production. This paper reviews the recent
methodologiesadopted for site selection, sampling, strain selection
and identifica-tion, optimization of cultural conditions for
superior lipid yield for bio-fuel production,” wrote T. Mutanda and
colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “Energy generation routes of
microal-gal lipids and biomass are discussed in detail.”
Mutanda and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Bioprospecting for hyper-lipid producing microalgal
strains forsustainable biofuel production. Bioresource Technology,
2011;102(1Sp. Iss.):57-70).
For more information, contact F. Bux, Durban University
Tech-nology, Institute Water & Wastewater Technology, ZA-4001
Durban,South Africa.
Publisher contact information for the journal Bioresource
Technol-ogy is: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford
Lane, Kidling-ton, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England. (2011 MAR 18)
Durban University of Technology: PAM fluorometry as atool to
assess microalgal nutrient stress and monitorcellular neutral
lipidsNew investigation results, ‘PAM fluorometry as a tool to
assess mi-croalgal nutrient stress and monitor cellular neutral
lipids,’ are de-tailed in a study published in Bioresource
Technology. According torecent research published in the journal
Bioresource Technology, “Thisstudy investigated the use of Pulse
Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluo-rometry to measure nutrient induced
physiological stress and subse-quent synthesis of cellular neutral
lipids. A freshwater Chlorella sp.was subjected to complete
nutrient stress (distilled H2 O) and selec-tive nutrient stress in
modified BG-11 media (BG-11-N, BG-11-P andBG-11-Fe).”
“Physiological stress was recorded using parameters, rETR,Fv/Fm,
Ek, a and NPQ. Induced stress became evident when theseparameters
were significantly altered, suggesting the onset of neutrallipid
synthesis. Complete nutrient stress induced the highest yieldof
cellular neutral lipids (˜49%) compared to absence of selected
nu-trients (˜30%). Physiological stress was recorded by a
significant de-crease in rETR (75%), Fv/Fm (36%), and Ek (60%) and
an increase inNPQ (83%),” wrote S. White and colleagues, University
of Technology.
The researchers concluded: “Optimization of neutral lipids
oc-curred by initially maximizing the biomass and subsequently
subject-ing the harvested biomass to complete nutrient stress.”
33
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
White and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (PAM fluorometry as a tool to assess microalgal
nutrientstress and monitor cellular neutral lipids. Bioresource
Technology,2011;102(2):1675-82).
For additional information, contact S. White, Durban
Universityof Technology, Institute of Water and Wastewater
Research, PO Box1334, Durban 4000, South Africa. (2011 FEB 1)
Ehime University, Matsuyama: Accumulation of Indiumand other
heavy metals by Eleocharis acicularis - anoption for
phytoremediation and phytominingNew investigation results,
‘Accumulation of Indium and other heavymetals by Eleocharis
acicularis: an option for phytoremediation andphytomining,’ are
detailed in a study published in Bioresource Tech-nology. According
to recent research published in the journal Biore-source
Technology, “Eleocharis acicularis was exposed to different
con-centrations of In, Ag, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn in the laboratory to
assessits capability in accumulating these metals.”
“After 15 days, 477 mg/kg dry wt. of In was accumulated by
theroots; concentrations of Ag, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn in the shoots
were326, 1120, 575, 195, and 213 mg/kg dry wt., respectively,”
wrote N.T.Ha and colleagues, Ehime University.
The researchers concluded: “The results indicate that E.
acicularishas the ability to accumulate these metals from water,
making it agood candidate species for phytoremediation and
phytomining.”
Ha and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Technology(Accumulation of Indium and other heavy metals by
Eleocharis acic-ularis: an option for phytoremediation and
phytomining. BioresourceTechnology, 2011;102(3):2228-34).
For additional information, contact N.T. Ha, Graduate Schoolof
Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan.(2011
FEB 8)
34
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Eskisehir Osmangazi University: Pyrolysis of grapebagasse -
effect of pyrolysis conditions on the productyields and
characterization of the liquid productCurrent study results from
the report, ‘Pyrolysis of grape bagasse:effect of pyrolysis
conditions on the product yields and characteri-zation of the
liquid product,’ have been published. According to re-cent research
published in the journal Bioresource Technology, “Inthis study,
pyrolysis of grape bagasse was investigated with the aimto study
the product distribution and their chemical compositionsand to
identify optimum process conditions for maximizing the bio-oil
yield. Particular investigated process variables were
temperature(350-600°C), heating rate (10-50°C/min) and nitrogen gas
flow rate(50-200 cm(3)/min).”
“The maximum oil yield of 27.60% was obtained at the final
pyrol-ysis temperature of 550°C, sweeping gas flow rate of 100
cm(3)/minand heating rate of 50°C/min in a fixed-bed reactor. The
elementalanalysis and heating value of the bio-oils were
determined, and thenthe chemical composition of the bio-oil was
investigated using chro-matographic and spectroscopic techniques
such as column chromatog-raphy, (1)H NMR and FTIR. The fuel
properties of the bio-oil suchas flash point, viscosity and density
were also determined,” wrote I.Demiral and colleagues, Eskisehir
Osmangazi University.
The researchers concluded: “The bio-oils obtained from
grapebagasse were presented as an environmentally friendly
feedstock can-didate for bio-fuels.”
Demiral and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Pyrolysis of grape bagasse: effect of pyrolysis
conditions on theproduct yields and characterization of the liquid
product. BioresourceTechnology, 2011;102(4):3946-51).
For additional information, contact I. Demiral, Faculty of
Engi-neering and Architecture, Dept. of Chemical Engineering,
EskisehirOsmangazi University, Meselik Campus, 26480 Eskisehir,
Turkey.(2011 FEB 22)
Federal University, Recife: Kinetics and bioreactor studiesof
immobilized invertase on polyurethane rigid adhesivefoamNew
investigation results, ‘Kinetics and bioreactor studies of
immo-bilized invertase on polyurethane rigid adhesive foam,’ are
detailedin a study published in Bioresource Technology. “A new
support,polyurethane rigid adhesive foam (PRAF), which can be used
to coverinternal surface of metallic tubes, was used to immobilize
invertasefor application in an enzymatic bioreactor. The kinetic
parameters
35
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
were: Km–46.5±1.9 mM (PRAF-invertase) and 61.2±0.1 mM (free
en-zyme) and Vmax 42.0±4.3 U/mg protein/min (PRAF-invertase)
and445.3±24.0 U/mg protein/min (free invertase),” researchers in
Recife,Brazil report.
“The PRAF-invertase derivative maintained 50.1% of initial
activ-ity (69.17 U/g support) for 8 months (4°C) and was not
observed mi-crobial contamination. The bioreactor showed the best
production ofinverted sugar syrup using up-flow rate (0.48 L/h)
with average con-version of 10.64±1.5% h(-1) at feeding rate (D) of
104 h(-1). The opera-tional inactivation rate constant (kopi) and
half-life were 1.92 x 10(-4)min(-1) and 60 h (continue use),” wrote
P.G. Cadena and colleagues,Universidade Federal de Pernambuco.
The researchers concluded: “The PRAF spray support
lookspromising as a new alternative to produce immobilized
derivatives onreactor surfaces.”
Cadena and colleagues published their study in
BioresourceTechnology (Kinetics and bioreactor studies of
immobilized inver-tase on polyurethane rigid adhesive foam.
Bioresource Technology,2011;102(2):513-8).
For additional information, contact P.G. Cadena,
UniversidadeFederal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Laboratorio de
Imunopatologia KeizoAsami (LIKA), Av Prof Moraes Rego, s, n,
50780-901 Recife, Pernam-buco, Brazil. (2011 FEB 1)
Federal University, Sao Carlos: Performance evaluationand
phylogenetic characterization of anaerobic fluidizedbed reactors
using ground tire and pet as supportmaterials for biohydrogen
productionFresh data on Bioresource Technology are presented in the
report‘Performance evaluation and phylogenetic characterization of
anaero-bic fluidized bed reactors using ground tire and pet as
support ma-terials for biohydrogen production.’ “This study
evaluated two dif-ferent support materials (ground tire and
polyethylene terephthalate[PET]) for biohydrogen production in an
anaerobic fluidized bed re-actor (AFBR) treating synthetic
wastewater containing glucose (4000mg L(-1)). The AFBR, which
contained either ground tire (R1) or PET(R2) as support materials,
were inoculated with thermally pretreatedanaerobic sludge and
operated at a temperature of 30°C,” researchersin Brazil
report.
“The AFBR were operated with a range of hydraulic retentiontimes
(HRT) between 1 and 8h. The reactor R1 operating with a HRTof 2h
showed better performance than reactor R2, reaching a max-imum
hydrogen yield of 2.25 mol H(2)mol(-1) glucose with 1.3mg of
36
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CHAPTER 1 BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
biomass (as the total volatile solids) attached to each gram of
groundtire,” wrote A.R. Barros and colleagues, Federal University,
Depart-ment of Chemical Engineering.
The researchers concluded: “Subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequenc-ing
and phylogenetic analysis of particle samples revealed that
reac-tor R1 favored the presence of hydrogen-producing bacteria
such asClostridium, Bacillus, and Enterobacter.”
Barros and colleagues published their study in Bioresource
Tech-nology (Performance evaluation and phylogenetic
characterization ofanaerobic fluidized bed reactors using ground
tire and pet as sup-port materials for biohydrogen production.
Bioresource Technology,2011;102(4):3840-7).
For additional information, contact A.R. Barros, Federal
Univer-sity of Sao Carlos, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Rod
WashingtonLuis km 235, CEP 13565-905 Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil. (2011
FEB 21)
Findings from I. Bruch and Co-Authors Provide NewInsights into
Bioresource TechnologyResearchers detail in ‘Improving the
treatment efficiency of con-structed wetlands with
zeolite-containing filter sands,’ new data inBioresource
Technology. “In this study the physical and chemicalproperties of
three different lava sands used in constructed wetlandsfor
municipal wastewater treatment were investigated. The aim wasto
identify those properties and mechanisms that render lava sandsas
highly efficient filter media which could substitute
conventional,fluviatile sands,” scientists in Germany report.
“It was shown that although lava sands per se may be suitable
fil-ter materials, the presence of zeolite minerals within the lava
sandsenhances the purification efficiency tremendously. Zeolites
not onlyincrease the sorption capacity, but even more important,
they are ableto absorb water in large amounts, which in turn leads
to strongerswelling. The latter reduces hydrological conductivity
considerably,resulting in a longer contact time to eliminate
pollutants,” wrote I.Bruch and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: “A simple mineralogical survey of
filtermaterials for the presence of zeolites may render many
installationsof constructed wetlands successful.”
Bruch and colleagues publishe