MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Bioresource Technology' source. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:10:48 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558986&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189073%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yeh KL, Chang JS Abstract The growth and lipid productivity of an isolated microalga Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 were investigated under different media and cultivation conditions, including phototrophic growth (NaHCO(3) or CO(2), with light), heterotrophic growth (glucose, without light), photoheterotrophic growth (glucose, with light) and mixotrophic growth (glucose and CO(2), with light). C. vulgaris ESP-31 preferred to grow under phototrophic (CO(2)), photoheterotrophic and mixotrophic conditions on nitrogen-rich medium (i.e., Basal medium and Modified Bristol's medium), reaching a biomass concentration of 2-5g/l. The growth on nitrogen-limiting MBL medium resulted in higher lipid accumulation (20-53%) but slower growth rate. Higher lipid content (40-53%) and higher lipi... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558986 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:26:49 +0100 5558986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558985&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189074%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhu HY, Fu YQ, Jiang R, Yao J, Xiao L, Zeng GM Abstract Novel magnetic chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel beads (m-CS/PVA HBs) were prepared by an instantaneous gelation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results of characterization indicated that m-CS/PVA HBs have been prepared successfully without damaging the crystal structure of Fe(3)O(4) and their saturation magnetization were about 21.96emug(-1). The adsorption capacity of Congo Red on the m-CS/PVA HBs was 470.1mgg(-1). The adsorption was well described by pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir equation. Positive value of enthalpy change (ΔH(∘)) (13.32kJmol(-1)) showed that the adsorption was endothermic and physical ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558985 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:26:40 +0100 5558985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558984&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189075%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou XJ, Guo WQ, Yang SS, Ren NQ Abstract This research set up an ultrasonic-assisted ozone oxidation process (UAOOP) to decolorize the triphenylmethane dyes wastewater. Five factors - temperature, initial pH, reaction time, ultrasonic power (low frequency 20kHz), and ozone concentration - were investigated. Response surface methodology was used to find out the major factors influencing color removal rate and the interactions between these factors, and optimized the operating parameters as well. Under the experimental conditions: reaction temperature 39.81°C, initial pH 5.29, ultrasonic power 60W and ozone concentration 0.17g/L, the highest color removals were achieved with 10min reaction time and the initial concentration of the MG solution was 1000mg/L. The optimal resu... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558984 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:26:30 +0100 5558984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558983&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189078%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Su Y, Mennerich A, Urban B Abstract An algal-bacterial culture, composed of wastewater-born algae and activated sludge, was cultivated to treat domestic wastewater and accumulate biomass simultaneously. The influence of algae and sludge inoculation ratios on the treatment efficiency and the settleability of the accumulated biomass were investigated. There was no significant effect of the inoculation ratios on the chemical oxygen demand removal. Comparatively, the nutrients removal and related mechanism were varied with different inoculation ratios. The highest nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies were observed with 5:1 (algae/sludge) culture (91.0±7.0% and 93.5±2.5%, respectively) within 10days, which was 5-40% higher and 2-4days faster than those with other inoc... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558983 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:26:20 +0100 5558983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558982&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189079%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the maximum ratio of greasy sludge to incorporate with waste activated sludge was investigated in batch and CSTR experiments. In batch experiments, inhibition occurred with a greasy sludge ratio of more than 20-30% of the feed COD. In CSTR experiments, the optimal greasy sludge ratio was 60% of the feed COD and inhibition occurred above a ratio of 80%. Hence, batch experiments can predict the CSTR yield when the degradation phenomenon are additive but cannot be used to determine the maximum ratio to be used in a CSTR configuration. Additionally, when the ratio of greasy sludge increased from 0% to 60% of the feed COD, CSTR methane production increased by more than 60%. When the greasy sludge ratio increased from 60% to 90% of the feed COD, the reactor yield decreased by 75%.... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558982 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:26:10 +0100 5558982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558981&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22196071%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang J, Geng A, Yao C, Lu Y, Li Q Abstract This paper describes the production of xylitol from d-xylose and horticultural waste hemicellulosic hydrolysate by a new strain of Candida athensensis SB18. Strain SB18 completely consumed 250 and 300gL(-1)d-xylose and successful converted it to xylitol in the respective yield of 0.83 and 0.87gg(-1), resulting in 207.8 and 256.5gL(-1) of xylitol, respectively. The respective volumetric productivity were 1.15 and 0.97gL(-1)h(-1). Approximately 100.1gL(-1) of xylitol was obtained from the bioconversion of detoxified horticultural waste hemicellulosic hydrolysate using strain SB18. The yield and productivity were 0.81gg(-1) xylose and 0.98gL(-1)h(-1), respectively. Strain C. athensensis SB18 was able to completely utilize glucose, m... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558981 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:25:59 +0100 5558981 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558980&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22196072%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xin B, Xia Y, Zhang Y, Aslam H, Liu C, Chen S Abstract In the present paper, a feasible method was developed to grow fungal pellets in an air lift column reactor inoculated with mycelium fragments for improving separation effect of biomass from solution and reducing clogging effect of biomass; bioaccumulation of dye by the growing fungal pellets in the case of mycelium fragments inoculation was investigated. The results showed that inoculation with the mycelium fragments without any pre-treatment did not witness the formation of pellets; only pre-treated fragments using maize as both nucleus and carbon source for 72h incubation guaranteed the formation of pellets in the air lift column reactor. Nearly 100% of dye removal was obtained by bioaccumulation of the growing pelle... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558980 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:25:49 +0100 5558980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558979&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22196073%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lü F, Hao L, Zhu M, Shao L, He P Abstract With the goal of starting-up the methanogenesis of easily biodegradable waste with minimum inoculum, the present work evaluated different inoculum-to-substrate ratios (r(I/S)) in completely mixed systems and in the systems with spatial separation of inoculum and waste. It was found difficult to initiate methanogenesis in the completely mixed systems, even at high r(I/S) 1.105 on a volatile solid basis. Fermentation efficiencies were independent of r(I/S). In the spatial-separation systems with a low total r(I/S) 0.053, the ultimate methane yield (35°C, 1atm) reached 445mL/g-VS added for the inoculum-waste initially completely separated system. The yields decreased to 285, 181, and 34mL/g-VS added, respectively, for partially sepa... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558979 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:25:39 +0100 5558979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558978&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22196074%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miura T, Lee SH, Inoue S, Endo T Abstract Dilute-alkali-catalyzed hydrothermal treatment (HT) was conducted to improve the enzymatic degradability of sugarcane bagasse. Wet-disk milling (DM) was also performed after HT. Sodium carbonate with 0-6% concentration on dry weight basis of bagasse was used as the alkali catalyst. A content of more than 4% of the alkali catalyst was necessary for producing a higher amount of glucose than that produced after HT without an alkali catalyst. HT with 6% of the alkali catalyst, which decreased the pH to the neutral region, retained more xylan and less lignin than HT without an alkali. Subsequent DM improved the enzymatic degradability further and increased the specific surface area. For a substrate concentration of 10%, the amounts of g... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558978 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:25:29 +0100 5558978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558946&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209405%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Theegala CS, Midgett JS Abstract A bench scale hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) system was tested using dairy manure to explore biooil production and waste treatment potential. Carbon monoxide was used as the process gas and sodium carbonate (Na(2)CO(3)) as catalyst. At a 350°C process temperature, the HTL unit produced 3.45g (±0.21) of acetone soluble oil fractions (ASF), with an average Higher Heating Value of 32.16 (±0.23)MJkg(-1). A maximum ASF yield of 4.8g was produced at a process temperature of 350°C and 1g of catalyst. The best ASF yield corresponded to 67.6% of energy contained in the raw manure. GC-MS analysis of ASF indicated that the highest quantities of phenolic compounds were formed when 1g catalyst was used. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction in the... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558946 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558937&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209442%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zheng MM, Lu Y, Dong L, Guo PM, Deng QC, Li WL, Feng YQ, Huang FH Abstract In this work, mixed-mode silica particles functionalized with octyl and sulfonic acid groups was conveniently prepared by co-bonding a mixture of n-octyltriethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane and then oxidized with hydrogen peroxide. Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) was immobilized on the mixed-mode silica particles via hydrophobic and strong cation-exchange interaction. The resulting immobilized CRL increased remarkably its stability at high temperature in comparison to free CRL. The immobilized CRL was used as biocatalysts for enzymatic esterification of phytosterols with free fatty acids (FFAs) to produce phytosterol esters. The phytosterols linolenate esterification degree of 95.3% was o... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558937 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558935&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209445%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hadibarata T, Kristanti RA Abstract Armillaria sp. F022, a white-rot fungus isolated from a tropical rain forest in Samarinda, Indonesia, was used to biodegrade benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Transformation of BaP, a 5-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), by Armillaria sp. F022, which uses BaP as a source of carbon and energy, was investigated. However, biodegradation of BaP has been limited because of its bioavailability and toxicity. Five cosubstrates were selected as cometabolic carbon and energy sources. The results showed that Armillaria sp. F022 used BaP with and without cosubstrates. A 2.5-fold increase in degradation efficiency was achieved after addition of glucose. Meanwhile, the use of glucose as a cosubstrate could significantly stimulate laccase production compa... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558935 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558943&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209436%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Suganya T, Renganathan S Abstract In this present investigation, kinetic studies on oil extraction were performed in marine macroalgae Ulva lactuca. The algal biomass was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier Transform-Infra Red Spectroscopy. Six different pre-treatment methods were carried out to evaluate the best method for maximum oil extraction. Optimization of extraction parameters were performed and high oil yield was obtained at 5% moisture content, 0.12mm particle size, 500rpm stirrer speed, 55°C temperature, 140min time and solvent-to-solid ratio as 6:1 with 1% diethyl-ether and 10% methylene chloride in n-hexane solvent mixture. After optimization, 10.88% (g/g) of oil extraction yield was achieved from 30g of algal biomass. The rate constant ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558943 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558945&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209406%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhu H, Zhang L, Wen X, Huang X Abstract The feasibility of applying forward osmosis (FO) to the simultaneous thickening, digestion, and dewatering of waste activated sludge was investigated. After 19days of operation, the total reduction efficiencies of the simultaneous sludge thickening and digestion system in terms of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) were approximately 63.7% and 80%, respectively, and the MLVSS/MLSS ratio continuously decreased from 80.8% to 67.2%. The MLSS concentration reached 39g/L from an initial amount of 7g/L, indicating a good thickening efficiency. In using FO for sludge dewatering, two major factors were verified, namely, initial sludge depth and draw solution (DS) concentration. A sludge de... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558945 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558944&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209435%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu H, Li Q, Li ZM, Ye Q Abstract A 5-L bioreactor equipped with a self-induction agitator was applied to a two-stage culture of Escherichia coli NZN111 for succinic acid production in a mineral salts medium. CO(2) was cycled inside this reactor and a sufficient CO(2) transfer rate was maintained with the elimination of CO(2) wasted by ventilation. In the anaerobic stage, much less supplemental CO(2) was required at pH6.3 compared to that at pH7.0, and the succinate yield increased. The performances of succinate production were little changed when compared to a process with CO(2) sparging indicating that use of the self-inducing agitator reduced CO(2) waste. The succinate production process was further coupled with ethanol fermentation by using the CO(2) produced from ethan... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558944 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558938&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209441%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Du H, Lin J, Zuercher C Abstract Mass production of microalgae generally requires the injection of CO(2) into open ponds or photo-bioreactors. The present study compares the CO(2) injection efficiency into seawater of a porous stone air diffuser and a venturi. CO(2) was injected at flow rates of 400, 700 and 1000standard mL/min and 4, 7 and 10standard L/min into a small and a large pond, respectively until the pH decreased from 7.8 to 6.8. No significant differences in CO(2) injection efficiency between the three CO(2) flow rates (p>0.05) were observed; however, CO(2) injection efficiency with venturi was about 100% (p<0.05) higher than that of the air diffuser. Therefore, it is possible to both reduce the cost and increase the effectiveness of CO(2) dissolution in s... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558938 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558941&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209438%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tokumoto H, Tanaka M Abstract A novel bioprocessing system was developed and tested that involved anaerobic fermentation to degrade high-loading glycerol by a fermentation promoter, and which could be used for the production of important resources. In the absence of a promoter, there was no anaerobic digestion when glycerol (4.0-6.0%, v/v) was added to the reactor. By contrast, glycerol was readily decomposed when sewage sludge, acting as a fermentation promoter, was added to the anaerobic reactor. Fermentation resulted in the generation of hydrogen, 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) and various organic acids. In 7days, glycerol decomposition reached 88%; hydrogen production was 3.1mg/kg-glycerol (0.0004g/day/L), and 1,3-PDO yield reached 0.35kg/kg-glycerol (0.05g/day/L). Further ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558941 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558939&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209440%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lai Z, Ma X, Tang Y, Lin H, Chen Y Abstract The combustion of paper, fruit waste and plant residue mixtures representing the lignocellulosic materials of municipal solid waste (MSW) in different atmospheres (80N(2)/20O(2),70N(2)/30O(2),60N(2)/40O(2),50N(2)/50O(2),80CO(2)/20O(2),70CO(2)/30O(2),60CO(2)/40O(2),50CO(2)/50O(2)) was analyzed thermogravimetrically. Replacement of 80% N(2) by 80% CO(2) resulted in a slightly later ignition, a lower maximum weight loss rate and a change in reactions occurring above 600°C; however, as the oxygen concentration increased from 20% to 50% in CO(2)/O(2) atmosphere, the ignition temperature decreased from 318.5 to 310.8°C and the maximum weight loss rate increased from 20.82% to 23.57%/min. An oxygen content of 30% in the CO(2)/O(2) atm... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558939 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558952&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209133%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lackner S, Horn H Abstract A single stage nitritation-anammox SBR was operated for 300days to investigate the impact of cycle operation strategies on process performance and the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) as process monitoring parameter. Different combinations of feeding (interval, continuous, one-time) and aeration (interval, continuous) strategies were tested revealing that interval feeding and interval aeration was the most suitable case in terms of process performance (ammonium removal, nitrate production and pH stability) and use of the ORP value as indicator parameter. Further investigations into the use of the ORP value showed clear correlations of the ORP slope with the air flow rate and the maximum ORP peak with the ammonium loading under varying operatio... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558952 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558951&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209135%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated the formation and evolution of biofilm on a fixed cylindrical structure wrapped in geotextile, in a multi-zone wastewater treatment system called BioCAST. The organic, nitrogen and phosphorus loading rates of (OLR) 0.95-1.86gCOD/(m(3)d), (NLR) 0.02-0.08kgN/(m(3)d), and (PLR) 0.014-0.02kgP/(m(3)d), were applied. The results demonstrated high removal efficiencies of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, reaching 98.9%, 98.3% and 94.1%, respectively, after 250d of operation. The biofilm biomass showed a fast formation (reaching 54.2g/L) and maximum phosphorus content of about 7% (dry basis). Biofilm demonstrated the ability to remove phosphorus, and its characteristics correlated with nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates. The geotextile material with filamentous structure ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558951 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558949&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209137%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rokhina EV, Lahtinen M, Makarova K, Jegatheesan V, Virkutyte J Abstract The nitric acid-functionalized commercial carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were comprehensively studied by instrumental (XRD, BET, SEM, TGA) and theoretical (DFT calculations) methods. The detailed surface study revealed the variation in the characteristics of functionalized CNFs, such as a decreased (up to 34%) surface area and impacted structural, electronic and chemical properties. The effects of functional groups were studied by comparison with pristine nanofibers. The results showed that the C-C bond lengths of the modified CNFs varied significantly. Chemical functionalization altered the frontier orbitals of the pristine material, and therefore altered the nature of their interactions with other substanc... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558949 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558947&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209404%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examines the heating value and combustion efficiency of organic sludge derived fuel, spent activated carbon derived fuel, and derived fuel from a mixture of organic sludge and spent activated carbon. Spent activated carbon was sampled from an air pollution control device of an incinerator and characterized by XRD, XRF, TG/DTA, and SEM. The spent activated carbon was washed with deionized water and solvent (1N sulfuric acid) and then processed by the organic sludge derived fuel manufacturing process. After washing, the salt (chloride) and sulfide content could be reduced to 99% and 97%, respectively; in addition the carbon content and heating value were increased. Different ratios of spent activated carbon have been applied to the organic sludge derived fuel to reduce the NO(x) e... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558947 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558942&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209437%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cığgın AS, Insel G, Majone M, Orhon D Abstract The study investigated the effect of feeding regime and sludge age on acetate utilization. Parallel sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated at steady-state with pulse and continuous feeding of acetate at sludge ages of 8 and 2days. Acetate was always partially converted to poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). The adopted model remained equally applicable to oxygen uptake rate and PHB profiles reflecting different feeding regimes and culture history. Sludge age was significant on the rate parameters of storage and direct growth (k(STO), μ(H1)), while the feeding regime affected half saturation coefficients (K(STO), K(S1)). Changing the sludge age from 8days to 2days reduced the k(STO) value from 8.0day(-1) to 6.5day(-1) an... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558942 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558964&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22204887%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xin B, Jiang W, Aslam H, Zhang K, Liu C, Wang R, Wang Y Abstract In this work, bioleaching was used to extract valuable Zn and Mn from spent Zn-Mn batteries. The results showed that 96% of Zn extraction was achieved within 24h regardless of energy source types and bioleaching bacteria species. However, initial pH had a remarkable influence on Zn release, extraction dose sharply decreased from 2200 to 500mg/l when the initial pH value increased from 1.5 to 3.0 or higher. In contrast to Zn, all the tested factors evidently affected Mn extraction; the maximum released dose of 3020mg/l was obtained under the optimum conditions. The acidic dissolution by biogenic H(2)SO(4) by the non-contact mechanism was responsible for Zn extraction, while Mn extraction was owed to both conta... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558964 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558962&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22204889%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu JX, Yue QY, Gao BY, Ma ZH, Zhang PD Abstract The monosodium glutamate (MSG) wastewater as a medium was treated by Lipomyces starkeyi to produce microbial lipid in the study. The effect of related factors (initial glucose concentration, inoculation concentration, initial culture pH, and cultivation time) on biomass, lipid production and lipid content was discussed, respectively. According to the experiments, the optimal fermentation conditions were determined: addition of 80g/L glucose, 10% inoculation concentration, initial pH about 5.0, incubation time 96h. Under this condition, the biomass production reached up to 4.61g/L, lipid production and lipid content was 1.14g/L and 24.73%, respectively. Simultaneously, protein and COD removal rate was 78.60% and 74.96%, respe... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558962 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558959&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206915%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ghosh D, Sobro IF, Hallenbeck PC Abstract Photofermentation by the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris has been used to convert the crude glycerol fraction from biodiesel production to hydrogen as a means of converting this large resource to useful energy. In the present study response surface methodology was applied to investigate the interactive effects among several important process parameters; light intensity, and the concentrations of crude glycerol and glutamate, on the stoichiometric conversion of crude glycerol to hydrogen. Under optimal conditions, a light intensity of 175W/m(2), 30mM glycerol, and 4.5mM glutamate, 6.69mol hydrogen/mole of crude glycerol were obtained, a yield 96% of theoretical. Determination of nitrogenase activity and expressio... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558959 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558958&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206917%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Baserba MG, Angelidaki I, Karakashev D Abstract In the present study, the microbial diversity in anaerobic reactors, continuously exposed to oleate, added to a manure reactor influent, was investigated. Relative changes in archaeal community were less remarkable in comparison to changes in bacterial community indicating that dominant archaeal composition remained relatively stable. Majority of the analyzed bacterial amplicons were phylogenetically affiliated with uncultured bacteria belonging to Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Thermotogae phyla. Bacterial community changes in response to oleate addition resulted in a less diverse bacterial consortium related to functional specialization of the species towards oleate degradation. For the archaeal domain, the s... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558958 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558950&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209136%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, three technologies (ammonia fiber expansion or AFEX™ pretreatment, fast pyrolysis, and leaf protein processing) were assessed for profitability. Pyrolysis was slightly profitable under the base conditions, leaf protein processing was highly unprofitable, and AFEX was profitable if biomass drying was not required. This model can be adapted to multiple feedstocks and end uses, including both economic and environmental modeling. PMID: 22209136 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558950 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558948&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209403%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: García-Cubero MT, Palacín LG, González-Benito G, Bolado S, Lucas S, Coca M Abstract The chemical pretreatment with ozone of rye and wheat straws was carried out in a fixed bed reactor. The effect of ozone pretreatment time on lignin removal was determined. Glucose and xylose concentrations in the hydrolysates were also measured after the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis step. Acid insoluble lignin reacts with ozone within the first 90min reaction. Insoluble lignin reduction was about 50%. The higher hydrolysis yields were obtained after 120min ozonation: the glucose yield ranged from 40% to 50% for rye straw and from 34% to 39% for wheat straw, whereas xylose yields were about 30%, independently of the cereal straw. The glucose yields corresponding to the untreated raw s... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558948 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558961&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206913%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the influence of organic loading rate (OLR) on the performance of a membrane bio-reactor (MBR) was investigated. The MBR was operated with 6 different OLRs between 0.5 and 3.0kgCOD/m(3)d. The hydrodynamic parameters of the MBR were kept constant. The hydraulic retention time and sludge retention time were kept at 8h and 40d respectively. From the experimental investigation, it was found that the removal efficiency of DOC, COD and NH(4)-N decreased when OLRs were increased from 0.5 to 3.0kgCOD/m(3)d. Higher OLRs of 2.75-3.0kgCOD/m(3)d resulted in a higher transmembrane pressure development. The fractionation of organic matters showed more hydrophilic substances with higher OLRs. A detailed organic matter characterization of membrane foulant, soluble microbial product and extr... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558961 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558960&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206914%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the application of ozonation together with biological treatment was investigated. In particular, the effectiveness of biological degradation followed by or integrated with ozonation for treating the effluents produced by three environmentally relevant activities (i.e., leather and textile processing and municipal waste landfilling) are compared in the present paper. The results show that biological treatment followed by ozonation does not guarantee depurative levels sufficient for discharge for landfill leachates and tannery wastewater. On the contrary, thanks to the synergy between biological degradation and ozonation, integrated treatment significantly improves the process performance for all the investigated wastewaters, thus allowing the discharge limits to be met. P... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558960 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558956&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206921%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Riedlberger P, Weuster-Botz D Abstract Many factors strongly influence the enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass to fermentable sugars (feedstock composition, pretreatment, enzymes and enzyme loading). In order to optimize the reaction conditions for the hydrolysis of biomass, an accurate high-throughput bioprocess development tool is mandatory, which enables a parallelization and an easy scale-up. New S-shaped impellers were developed for magnetically inductive driven stirred-tank bioreactors at a 10mL-scale. An efficient and reproducible homogenization was shown at 20% w/w solids loading of microcrystalline cellulose and at, 4-10% with wheat straw in 48 parallel operated stirred-tank bioreactors. The scale-up was successfully validated for the enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat str... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558956 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558955&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209129%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cheng KY, Ho G, Cord-Ruwisch R Abstract A membraneless bioelectrochemical system - rotatable bio-electrochemical contactor (RBEC) consists of an array of rotatable electrode disks was developed to convert the chemical energy from wastewater organics (acetate) directly into electricity. Each rotatable electrode disk had an upper-air exposing and a lower-water submerging halves. Intermittent rotation (180°) enabled each halve to alternately serve as anode and cathode. Removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was increased by 15% (from 0.79 to 0.91kgCODm(-3)d(-1)) by allowing electron flow from the lower to the upper disk halves. Coupling with a potentiostat could alleviate cathodic limitation and increased COD removal to 1.32kgCODm(-3)day(-1) (HRT 5h). About 40% of the COD r... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558955 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558953&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209132%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang YF, Gao BY, Yue QY, Wang Y, Yang ZL Abstract A cationic organic flocculant epichlorohydrin-dimethylamine (EPI-DMA) was employed for the treatment of acid and direct dye. The study aims at investigating the flocculation performance of EPI-DMA for the model dye, and corresponding floc aggregation properties, which were determined by jar test and photometric dispersion analysis, respectively. The interactions between cationic flocculant and anionic dye were investigated through spectra analysis. The results showed that EPI-DMA effectively decolorized the tested acid and direct dye. The viscosity and cationicity of EPI-DMA had different influence on the removal of different dye. Chemical interaction was observed between quaternary ammonium of EPI-DMA and sulfonic group of... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558953 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558940&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209439%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu P, Gao H, Sun J, Ma T, Liu Y, Wang F Abstract Biosorptive dehydration of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) using a specially formulated compound starch-based adsorbent was investigated. The net retention time and separation factor of TBA and water were obtained using inverse gas chromatography (IGC), which demonstrated the feasibility of this biosorptive separation process, with low temperature propitious to the process. Through orthogonal experimental design, the optimum adsorption condition was determined from different bed depths, bed temperatures and kettle temperatures. Thermal regeneration experiments showed no change in biosorption capacity after five biosorption/regeneration cycles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and mercury porosimetry were used to ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558940 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558963&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22204888%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hossain MA, Ngo HH, Guo WS, Nguyen TV Abstract Palm oil fruit shells were evaluated as a new bioadsorbent to eliminate toxic copper from water and wastewater. Without any chemical treatment, palm oil fruit shells were washed, dried and grounded into powder (<75μm) for use in the experiments. Characterization showed mesopore based bioadsorbent was prepared from palm oil fruit shells. The results indicate that the highest Cu removal efficiency was found in an aqueous solution with pH of 6.5. The equilibrium sorption capacity of copper was significantly high (between 28 and 60mg/g) at room temperature. Nonlinear regression analyses for isotherm models revealed that three-parameter isotherms had a better fit to the experimental data (R(2)>0.994) than that of two-paramet... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558963 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558977&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197072%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hedrich S, Johnson DB Abstract A novel modular bioremediation system which facilitates the selective removal of soluble iron from extremely acidic (pH ∼2) metal-rich wastewaters by ferrous iron oxidation and selective precipitation of the ferric iron produced is described. In the first of the three modules, rapid ferrous iron oxidation was mediated by the recently-characterized iron-oxidizing autotrophic acidophile, "Ferrovum myxofaciens", which grew as long "streamers" within the reactor. Over 90% of the iron present in influent test liquors containing 280mg/L iron was oxidized at a dilution rate of 0.41h(-1), in a proton-consuming reaction. The ferric iron-rich solutions produced were pumped into a second reactor where controlled addition of sodium hydroxide caused the... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558977 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558975&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197075%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Umdu ES, Seker E Abstract The activities of single step sol-gel made calcium oxide on alumina catalysts were studied as a function of CaO loading, methanol/oil molar ratio and the amount of the catalyst in the transesterification of sunflower oil at 50°C. Also, the turnover frequency (TOF) of the catalysts was calculated to better understand the relationship between the basicity/basic strength and the catalytic activity. From volcano curve (TOF vs. basic strength), it was found that under 50°C and methanol/oil molar ratio of 9, 60% CaO/Al(2)O(3) had the highest turnover frequency, 0.028s(-1), whereas 85% CaO/Al(2)O(3) showed the highest biodiesel yield, ∼96.6%, but TOF obtained on it was 0.012s(-1). It seemed that 60% CaO catalyst had the proper basic strength to obtai... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558975 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558974&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197331%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hommes G, Gasser CA, Howald CB, Goers R, Schlosser D, Shahgaldian P, Corvini PF Abstract Immobilization is a fundamental method to improve both enzyme activity and stability. In the present work, the process previously described for immobilizing laccase - an enzyme oxidizing phenolic compounds - onto fumed silica was optimized, in order to efficiently produce industrially relevant amounts of a nanobiocatalyst for biological micropollutant elimination, whilst saving 80% of surface modification agent (3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane) and 90% of cross-linker (glutaraldehyde). Minimized losses during preparation and favorable effects of immobilization yielded conjugates with drastically increased enzymatic activity (164% of invested activity). Long-term stability and activity r... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558974 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558973&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197332%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to optimize continuous acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation using a two stage chemostat system integrated with liquid-liquid extraction of solvents produced in the first stage. This minimized end product inhibition by butanol and subsequently enhanced glucose utilization and solvent production in continuous cultures of Clostridium acetobutylicum B 5313. During continuous two-stage ABE fermentation, sugarcane bagasse was used as the cell holding material for the both stages and liquid-liquid extraction was performed using an oleyl alcohol and decanol mixture. An overall solvent production of 25.32g/L (acetone 5.93g/L, butanol 16.90g/L and ethanol 2.48g/L) was observed as compared to 15.98g/L in the single stage chemostat with highest solvent productivit... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558973 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558972&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197334%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fernández-Lucas J, Fresco-Taboada A, de la Mata I, Arroyo M Abstract The effect of several water-miscible cosolvents on activity and stability of soluble and immobilized 2'-deoxyribosyltransferase from Lactobacillus reuteri on Sepabeads® has been studied in order to establish optimal conditions for enzymatic synthesis of nucleosides using purine bases with low solubility in aqueous buffer. As a rule of thumb, there was a general reduction of soluble enzyme activity when cosolvent content was gradually increased in reaction medium. In contrast, immobilized enzyme activity was enhanced 1.2-1.4-fold at 20% of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, diethylene glycol, and acetone; and at 10% and 30% acetonitrile. Likewise, highest increased activity (1.8-fold) was also obtained in pr... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558972 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558969&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197337%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fernandez ME, Nunell GV, Bonelli PR, Cukierman AL Abstract A simple alkaline pre-treatment of Cupressus sempervirens cone chips was performed to improve their biosorption capacity towards methylene blue and rhodamine B from aqueous solutions, in batch and continuous modes. Biosorption kinetics were determined from single and binary dyes solutions, and properly described by the pseudo-second-order rate model. Experimental single-dye equilibrium isotherms fitted the Langmuir-Freundlich model, with maximum biosorption capacities of 0.68mmol/g for methylene blue and 0.50mmol/g for rhodamine B. Single-dye dynamic biosorption showed that breakthrough time for methylene blue biosorption was almost four times longer than for rhodamine B and that the alkaline modification of the ch... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558969 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558967&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197339%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nguyen TT, Ngo HH, Guo W, Listowski A, Li JX Abstract The membrane bioreactor system (MBR) with pre-treatment of sponge tray bioreactor (STB) was evaluated at different operating conditions for treating primary treated sewage (PTS). The result indicated the successful removal of DOC with the efficiency of higher than 95%. The highest nutrient removal efficiency of 83.6% (NH(4)-N) and 75.5% (PO(4)-P) was observed at sludge concentration of 330mg/L. Specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) of activated sludge in MBR kept increasing up to 6mgO(2)/gVSSh during stage IV. The sludge volume index (SVI) of less than 100mL/g during the operation indicated the good settling property of the sludge. At highest sludge concentration of 5g/L, trans-membrane pressure (TMP) was increasing dramat... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558967 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558966&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22200557%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ye Z, Hatfield KM, Eric Berson R Abstract Deactivation extents of cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase, and a total cellulase mixture (Spezyme CP) were studied independently as functions of incubating time and mixing intensity. It was found that the decrease in total cellulase activity was more strongly related to deactivation of cellobiohydrolase 1 (CBH1) than endoglucanase. The mass-averaged shear in orbiting flasks at 50, 150, and 250rpm was quantified by computational fluid dynamics and was two-orders smaller than shear in typical stirred tanks. Endoglucanase activity did not change significantly with mixing speed, but CBH1 and total cellulase activities were 10-25% higher at 250rpm compared to the lower speeds after a 24-h incubation. Total deactivation due to mechanical ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558966 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558957&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206919%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Monclús H, Buttiglieri G, Ferrero G, Rodriguez-Roda I, Comas J Abstract In start-up periods low MLSS concentration may lead to fouling phenomena and uncommon frequency of chemical cleanings using membrane bioreactors. A knowledge-based control module for the optimisation of start-up procedures in membrane bioreactors is presented and validated in this paper. The main objective of the control module is to accelerate the growth of MLSS and the achievement of the design flux while minimising the fouling phenomenon during start-up periods. The module was validated in a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor with the University of Cape Town configuration and submerged flat sheet microfiltration membranes. The knowledge of the control system was represented as a decision tree before b... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558957 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558954&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209130%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ho SH, Chen CY, Chang JS Abstract Engineering strategies were applied to improve the CO(2) fixation rate and carbohydrate/lipid production of a Scenedesmus obliquus CNW-N isolate. The light intensity that promotes cell growth, carbohydrate/lipid productivity, and CO(2) fixation efficiency was identified. Nitrogen starvation was also employed to trigger the accumulation of lipid and carbohydrate. The highest productivity of biomass, lipid, and carbohydrate was 840.57mgL(-1)d(-1), 140.35mgL(-1)d(-1). The highest lipid and carbohydrate content was 22.4% (5-day N-starvation) and 46.65% (1-day N-starvation), respectively. The optimal CO(2) consumption rate was 1420.6mgL(-1)d(-1). This performance is better than that reported in most other studies. Under nitrogen starvation, the... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558954 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558970&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197336%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kumar S, Khare SK Abstract Maltooligosaccharides especially maltotriose and maltotetraose producing amylases are highly desirable for application in bread making and other food industries. A maltotriose and maltotetraose producing amylase from moderately halophilic Marinobacter sp. EMB8 is described. Under optimized culture conditions, 48.0IU/mL amylase was obtained. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by ultrafiltration, DEAE cellulose and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography with 52% yield and 76-fold purification. It was a monomeric protein of 72kDa. The amylase had many novel features viz. stability up to 20% NaCl, 80°C temperature, pH 6.0-11.0 and in wide range of organic solvents at high concentrations. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzed starch into maltooligosacch... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558970 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558936&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209444%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim HT, Lee S, Kim KH, Choi IG Abstract A sugar platform equipped with acetic acid, multiple agarases and neoagarobiose hydrolase (NABH) converted recalcitrant agar polysaccharide into monosugars, which was evaluated by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). The sugar platform was divided into chemical liquefaction and enzymatic saccharification. The chemical liquefaction was carried out in mild conditions (using a dilute acetic acid at 80°C for 1-6h) to avoid the production of fermentation inhibitors and hence the highest degree of liquefaction of 95.6% (w/w) was obtained. We mimicked the natural agarolytic pathway using three microbial agarases (Aga16B, Aga50D and DagA) and NABH, and the enzyme system converted 79.1% of agarose to monosugars. The chemical... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558936 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558976&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197074%26dopt%3DAbstract This study confirms that the control of appropriate SRT for sludge MAD should take both reactor performance and pathogen removal into account. PMID: 22197074 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558976 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558971&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197335%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mahmoud ME, Yakout AA, Abdel-Aal H, Osman MM Abstract Novel biosorbent systems were designed, investigated and implemented for bioaccumulation of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. These are based on the combination of SiO(2)-nanoparticles (N-Si) with Penicillium funiculosum fungus (Pen) for the formation of (N-Si-Pen) as well as heat inactivated Penicillium funiculosum (Pen). The SiO(2)-nanoparticles were also investigated as a solid sorbent phase. Surface characterization and immobilization were examined and confirmed by using FT-IR and SEM analysis. A batch equilibrium technique was used to follow-up the adsorption processes of lead under the effect of pH, contact time, sorbent dosage and initial metal concentration. The maximum capacity values were 1200.0 and 1266.7μmolg(... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558971 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558968&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197338%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gosselink RJ, Teunissen W, van Dam JE, de Jong E, Gellerstedt G, Scott EL, Sanders JP Abstract Valorisation of lignin plays a key role in further development of lignocellulosic biorefinery processes the production of biofuels and bio-based materials. In the present study, organosolv hardwood and wheat straw lignins were converted in a supercritical fluid consisting of carbon dioxide/acetone/water (300-370°C, 100bar) to a phenolic oil consisting of oligomeric fragments and monomeric aromatic compounds with a total yield of 10-12% based on lignin. These yields are similar to the state-of-the-art technologies such as base-catalysed thermal processes applied for lignin depolymerisation. Addition of formic acid increases the yield of monomeric aromatic species by stabilizing a... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558968 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5558965&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22201545%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Qu Y, Huang C, Zhang J, Chen B Abstract The dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) with room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) is a way of producing liquid fuels from renewable resources, but separation of products and IL is energy intensive. In this work, a heteropolyacid salt of an IL-forming cation functionalized with a propanesulfonate group, 1-(3-sulfonicacid)propyl-3-methyl imidazolium phosphotungstate ([MIMPS](3)PW(12)O(40)), was used as a catalyst-rather than as a solvent-in the conversion of fructose to 5-HMF. The maximum yield of 5-HMF was 99.1% at 120°C after 2h using sec-butanol as solvent, and the catalyst was separated from the reaction mixture by a simple process at the end of the reaction and reused six times without loss of activity. ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5558965 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5558965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530533&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178497%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen CY, Chang HW, Kao PC, Pan JL, Chang JS Abstract An efficient CO(2)-fixing indigenous microalga Scenedesmus obliquus CNW-N was used as the biosorbent to remove cadmium from aqueous solution. The microalga was grown with continuous feeding of 2.5% CO(2), achieving a maximum CO(2) consumption rate of 495mg/l/d and a biomass production of 2.56g/l. Cadmium (Cd) biosorption by S. obliquus CNW-N was optimal at pH6.0 and 30°C. For an initial cadmium concentration of 50mg/l, the biosorption capacity tended to decrease with an increase in biosorbent, while the cadmium removal efficiency was nearly 100% when the biosorbent loading was higher than 0.6g. The biosorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order adsorption model. The adsorption equilibrium obeys Langmuir isotherm ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530533 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530539&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178489%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hong J Abstract Uncertainty information is essential for the proper use of life cycle assessment and environmental assessments in decision making. To investigate the uncertainties of biodiesel and determine the level of confidence in the assertion that biodiesel is more environmentally friendly than diesel, an explicit analytical approach based on the Taylor series expansion for lognormal distribution was applied in the present study. A biodiesel case study demonstrates the probability that biodiesel has a lower global warming and non-renewable energy score than diesel, that is 92.3% and 93.1%, respectively. The results indicate the level of confidence in the assertion that biodiesel is more environmentally friendly than diesel based on the global warming and non-renewable... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530539 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530538&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178490%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zaraî Jaouadi N, Jaouadi B, Aghajari N, Bejar S Abstract The sapB gene encoding for Bacillus pumilus CBS protease (SAPB) and the triple mutated sapB-L31I/T33S/N99Y gene were cloned and overexpressed in the protease-deficient Bacillus subtilis DB430 using an Escherichia coli-Bacillus shuttle vector pBSMuL2. The 34,625.13 and 34,675.11-Da enzymes were purified from the culture supernatant of B. subtilis expressing the wild-type and mutated genes, respectively. The purified proteases showed the same N-terminal sequences and biochemical properties of those expressed in E. coli. Further investigations demonstrated that, compared to wild-type and other proteases, SAPB-L31I/T33S/N99Y had the highest catalytic efficiency and the best degree of hydrolysis. The mutant enzyme was al... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530538 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530531&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22182472%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang LP, Shen QR, Yu GH, Ran W, Xu YC Abstract Detailed knowledge of the molecular events during composting is important in improving the efficiency of this process. By combining two-dimensional Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) correlation spectroscopy and multiple fluorescent labeling, it was possible to study the degradation of biopolymers during rapeseed meal and wheat bran composting. Two-dimensional FTIR correlation spectroscopy provided structural information and was used to deconvolute overlapping bands found in the compost FTIR spectra. The degradation of biopolymers in rapeseed meal and wheat bran composts followed the sequence: cellulose, heteropolysaccharides, and proteins. Fluorescent labeling suggested that cellulose formed an intact network-like structure an... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530531 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530530&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22182473%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vandamme D, Foubert I, Fraeye I, Meesschaert B, Muylaert K Abstract Microalgae hold great potential as a feedstock for biofuels or bulk protein or treatment of wastewater or flue gas. Realising these applications will require the development of a cost-efficient harvesting technology. Here, we explore the potential of flocculation induced by high pH for harvesting Chlorella vulgaris. Our results demonstrate that flocculation can be induced by increasing medium pH to 11. Although both calcium and magnesium precipitated when pH was increased, only magnesium (⩾0.15mM) proved to be essential to induce flocculation. The costs of four different bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and sodium carbonate) were calculated and evaluate... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530530 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530536&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178492%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang Y, Wan J, Ma Y, Huang M Abstract Recycled fiber hydrolysis was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of reducing sugar accumulation for biofuel products during hydrolysis in subcritical water. The hydrolysis conversion of recycled fiber was reaching to approximate 90% within 3min at 280-320°C, while the glucose decomposed simultaneously within 0.5min. The FTIR wave variation and the crystalline index of hydrolysis residue indicated that the intermolecular, intramolecular hydrogen bond and the crystalline was a constraint for recycled fiber hydrolysis. The kinetics analysis demonstrated the cylindrical shape model is proper at low temperature for recycled fiber hydrolysis, while sphere shape model is suitable at high temperature. The apparent activation energies of re... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530536 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530543&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22172656%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pognani M, Barrena R, Font X, Sánchez A Abstract To assess the effect of freezing on the indigenous biological activity of an organic waste, five types of organic wastes (raw sludge [RS], municipal solid waste [MSW], partially processed municipal solid waste [MSWpp], digested sludge [DS] and composted organic fraction of municipal solid waste [OFMSWc]) were frozen and stored during different times to identify if the interruption of the native biological activity was recovered. Respiration indices (DRI(24h) and AT(4)) were used to determine the biological activity expressed as oxygen consumption. ANOVA analysis was used to compare the results. Respiration indices of RS, DS, MSWpp and OFMSWc were not affected by freezing storage during 1year. Contrarily, respiration indices... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530543 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530542&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22176975%26dopt%3DAbstract The objectives of this study are: (1) to determine the effect of pH, initial concentration of Fe(2+) and H(2)O(2) dosage on the removal efficiency of MEA by fluidized-bed Fenton process and Fenton process, (2) to determine the optimal conditions for the degradation of ethanolamine from TFT-LCD wastewater by fluidized-bed Fenton process. In the design of experiment, the Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the operating conditions. A removal efficiency of 98.9% for 5mM MEA was achieved after 2h under optimal conditions of pH3, [Fe(2+)]=5mM and [H(2)O(2)]=60mM. PMID: 22176975 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530542 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530541&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22177736%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ho SH, Lu WB, Chang JS Abstract Statistical experimental design and bioreactor strategies were applied to enhance CO(2) fixation ability of microalga Scenedesmus obliquus CNW-N. Four operating parameters strongly influencing microalgal CO(2) fixation efficiency (namely, CO(2) concentration, CO(2) flow rate, magnesium concentration, and light intensity) were optimized with response surface methodology. The optimal range of parameters achieving the best overall performance of specific growth rate and CO(2) fixation rate was determined with overlay counter plot techniques. Optimal ranges of CO(2) concentration, CO(2) flow rate, magnesium concentration and light intensity were 2.0-2.5%, 0.3-0.5vvm, 1.7-2.7mM and 180-250μmolm(-2)s(-1), respectively, achieving a specific growth... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530541 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530540&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178487%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Costa AS, Romão LP, Araújo BR, Lucas SC, Maciel ST, Wisniewski A, Alexandre MR Abstract This work investigates the potentials of peat and angico hardwood sawdust to remove BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and isomers of xylene) from the produced water discharged into aquatic systems during petroleum extraction. Peat and angico sawdust samples were pyrolyzed at 500°C, and found to contain n-alkenes, n-alkanes and pentacyclic triterpenes (peat), and 4-methoxyphenol, 1,4-dimethoxyphenol and 1,3,4-trimethoxyphenol (angico sawdust). In batch experiments, the removal capacities using peat were 32.4%, 50.0%, 63.0%, 67.8%, and 61.8% for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylenes and o-xylene, respectively. This compared with removal capacities using angico sawdust of 20.2... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530540 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530537&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178491%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kośmider A, Białas W, Kubiak P, Drożdżyńska A, Czaczyk K Abstract A two-step statistical experimental design was employed to optimize the medium for vitamin B(12) production from crude glycerol by Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii. In the first step, using Plackett-Burman design, five of 13 tested medium components (calcium pantothenate, NaH(2)PO(4)·2H(2)O, casein hydrolysate, glycerol and FeSO(4)·7H(2)O) were identified as factors having significant influence on vitamin production. In the second step, a central composite design was used to optimize levels of medium components selected in the first step. Valid statistical models describing the influence of significant factors on vitamin B(12) production were established for each optimization phase. The... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530537 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530535&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178493%26dopt%3DAbstract This study integrated desalination with wastewater treatment and electricity production in a microbial desalination cell (MDC) by utilizing the mutual benefits among the above functions. When using wastewater as the sole substrate, the power output from the MDC (8.01W/m(3)) was four times higher than a control MFC without desalination function. In addition, the MDC removed 66% of the salts and improved COD removal by 52% and Coulombic efficiency by 131%. Desalination in MDCs improved wastewater characteristics by increasing the conductivity by 2.5 times and stabilizing anolyte pH, which therefore reduced system resistance and maintained microbial activity. Microbial community analysis revealed a more diverse anode microbial structure in the MDC than in the MFC. The results demonstrated tha... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530535 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530534&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178494%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Durruty I, Bonanni PS, González JF, Busalmen JP Abstract Wastewaters from potato-processing industries have been traditionally treated by a sequence of steps that include the production of methane as the anaerobic one. This work explores the feasibility of replacing or supplementing methanogenesis with the emerging technology of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Electricity producing biofilms have been enriched from a real anaerobic sludge, and the conversion of potato-processing wastewater into electricity has been studied. When tested as a single treatment step, MFCs were able to process the wastewater with high COD removal but with low energetic conversion efficiency. On the other hand, as a complimentary step for methanogenesis, they improved conversion efficiency and sign... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530534 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530532&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22182471%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chan GF, Rashid NA, Chua LS, Ab Llah N, Nasiri R, Ikubar MR Abstract A novel bacterial consortium, NAR-2 which consists of Citrobacter freundii A1, Enterococcus casseliflavus C1 and Enterobacter cloacae L17 was investigated for biodegradation of Amaranth azo dye under sequential microaerophilic-aerobic condition. The NAR-2 bacterial consortium with E. casseliflavus C1 as the dominant strain enhanced the decolorization process resulting in reduction of Amaranth in 30min. Further aerobic biodegradation, which was dominated by C. freundii A1 and E. cloacae L17, allowed biotransformation of azo reduction intermediates and mineralization via metabolic pathways including benzoyl-CoA, protocatechuate, salicylate, gentisate, catechol and cinnamic acid. The presence of autoxidation... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530532 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5417633&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22078315%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wyman CE PMID: 22078315 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5417633 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:30:14 +0100 5417633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378438&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21993325%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abu-Dahrieh J, Orozco A, Groom E, Rooney D Abstract Herein batch and continuous mesophilic anaerobic digestion of grass silage liquor was studied. The continuous process was carried out in Armfield digesters with an OLR ranging from 0.851 to 1.77kgCODm(-3)day(-1). The effect of recirculation of effluent from the digester was investigated using different OLRs of grass silage liquor feed. These results showed that as the OLR increased, the methane yield decreased for the reactor with no recycle and increased for the reactor with recycle. However, the COD removal for both digesters was nearly the same at the same OLR. Overall these studies show that grass silage liquor can produce a high quality methane steam between 70% and 80% and achieve methane yields of 0.385m(3)kg(-1)CO... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378438 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:37:03 +0100 5378438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378437&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21993326%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Encinar JM, Sánchez N, Martínez G, García L Abstract The aim of this work was to obtain biodiesel from animal fats, an inedible feedstock. Three different types of fats were used to produce biodiesel; their main characteristic was high free fatty acid content. Animal fats were transesterified with acid catalyst and basic catalyst with and without pre-esterification. Biodiesel of 89.0wt.% ester content was obtained by acid-transesterification (9wt.%H(2)SO(4), 6:1 methanol:fats molar ratio, 60°C, 48h). Pre-esterification conditions were studied for different fats and acid catalysts: 0.5wt.%H(2)SO(4) or 1.0wt.%p-TsOH, 6:1 methanol:fats molar ratio, 65°C and 4h made it possible to obtain fats with acid value less than 0.5% FFA. Pre-treatment was effective for fats with di... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378437 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:36:53 +0100 5378437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378436&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21993327%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to compare the ability of 23 genotypes of Ricinus communis in mobilizing and uptake of Cd and DDTs (p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDE) in the co-contaminated soil. The plant genotypes varied largely in the uptake and accumulation of DDTs and Cd, with mean concentrations of 0.37, 0.43 and 70.51 for DDTs, and 1.22, 2.27 and 37.63mgkg(-1)dw for Cd in leaf, stem and root, respectively. The total uptake of DDTs and Cd varied from 83.1 to 267.8 and 66.0 to 155.1μg per pot, respectively. These results indicate that R. communis has great potential for removing DDTs and Cd from contaminated soils attributed to its fast growth, high biomass, strong absorption and accumulation for both DDTs and Cd. PMID: 21993327 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bioresource ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378436 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:36:42 +0100 5378436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378435&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21993328%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cerqueira VS, Hollenbach EB, Maboni F, Vainstein MH, Camargo FA, Peralba Mdo C, Bento FM Abstract The biodegradation capacity of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons of petrochemical oily sludge in liquid medium by a bacterial consortium and five pure bacterial cultures was analyzed. Three bacteria isolated from petrochemical oily sludge, identified as Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus cibi, and two bacteria isolated from a soil contaminated by petrochemical waste, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus demonstrated efficiency in oily sludge degradation when cultivated during 40days. The bacterial consortium demonstrated an excellent oily sludge degradation capacity, reducing 90.7% of the aliphatic fraction and 51.8% of the ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378435 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:36:32 +0100 5378435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378434&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21993329%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, microwave treatment is analyzed as a way to accelerate the hydrolysis in anaerobic digestion of municipal wastewater sludge. The influence of the absorbed energy, power and athermal microwave effect on organic matter solubilization and biogas production has been studied. In addition, a novel method that considers the absorbed energy in the microwave system is proposed, in order to obtain comparable experimental results. The absorbed energy is calculated from an energy balance. The highest solubilization was achieved using 0.54kJ/ml at 1000W, where an increment of 7.1% was observed in methane production, compared to the untreated sample. Using a higher energy value (0.83kJ/ml), methane production further increased (to 15.4%), but solubilization decreased. No power influence w... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378434 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:36:22 +0100 5378434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378433&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21993330%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tang LR, Huang B, Ou W, Chen XR, Chen YD Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by hydrolysis with cation exchange resin (NKC-9) or 64% sulfuric acid. The cation exchange resin hydrolysis parameters were optimized by using the Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. An optimum yield (50.04%) was achieved at a ratio of resin to MCC (w/w) of 10, a temperature of 48°C and a reaction time of 189min. Electron microscopy (EM) showed that the diameter of CNCs was about 10-40nm, and the length was 100-400nm. Regular short rod-like CNCs were obtained by sulfuric acid hydrolysis, while long and thin crystals of cellulose were obtained with the cation exchange resin. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that, compared with MC... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378433 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:36:12 +0100 5378433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378432&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21996478%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Velasco-Velasco J, Parkinson R, Kuri V Abstract The effect of C:N ratio, temperature and water content on ammonia volatilization during two-phase composting of sheep manure was evaluated. The aerobic phase was conducted under field conditions. This was followed by Phase II, vermicomposting, conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions of water content (70% and 80%) and temperature (15 and 22°C). The addition of extra straw lead to a 10% reduction in NH(3) volatilization compared to sheep manure composted without extra straw. Temperature and water content significantly effected ammonia volatilization at 0day in Phase II, with a water content of 70% and temperature of 22°C leading to greater losses of ammonia. Nitrogen loss by ammonia volatilization during vermi... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378432 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:36:03 +0100 5378432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378430&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21996480%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Velvizhi G, Venkata Mohan S Abstract Biocatalyst behavior was comparatively evaluated under diverse microenvironments viz., self-induced electrogenic (bioelectrochemical treatment, BET) and anaerobic treatment (AnT) microenvironments, with real-field pharmaceutical wastewater. Relatively higher treatment efficiency was observed with BET (COD removal, 78.70%) over AnT (32%) along with the power output. Voltammetric profiles of AnT showed persistent reduction behavior, while BET depicted simultaneous redox behavior. BET operation documented significantly higher bio-electrocatalytic activity (k(app,) 245.22s(-1)) than AnT (k(app,) 7.35s(-1)). The electron accepting conditions due to the presence of electrode in the BET might contributed to higher electrogenesis leading to enh... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378430 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:35:42 +0100 5378430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378429&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21996481%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zainuddin Z, Wan Daud WR, Pauline O, Shafie A Abstract In the organosolv pulping of the oil palm fronds, the influence of the operational variables of the pulping reactor (viz. cooking temperature and time, ethanol and NaOH concentration) on the properties of the resulting pulp (yield and kappa number) and paper sheets (tensile index and tear index) was investigated using a wavelet neural network model. The experimental results with error less than 0.0965 (in terms of MSE) were produced, and were then compared with those obtained from the response surface methodology. Performance assessment indicated that the neural network model possessed superior predictive ability than the polynomial model, since a very close agreement between the experimental and the predicted values w... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378429 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:35:32 +0100 5378429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378428&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21996482%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, physico-chemical modifications and community dynamics and functional role of the resident microbiota during composting of humid husk from a two-phase extraction system (TPOMW) were investigated. High mineralization and humification of carbon, low loss of nitrogen and complete degradation of polyphenols led to the waste biotransformation into a high-quality compost. Viable cell counts and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiling of the 16S rRNA genes showed that the thermophilic phase was characterized by the strongest variations of cell number, the highest biodiversity and the most variable community profiles. The isolation of tannin-degrading bacteria (e.g. Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Kocuria palustris, Tetrathiobacter kashmirensis and Rhodococcus rhodochrous... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378428 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:35:22 +0100 5378428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378427&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22000965%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sindhu R, Kuttiraja M, Binod P, Janu KU, Sukumaran RK, Pandey A Abstract The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of using sugarcane tops as feedstock for the production of bioethanol. The process involved the pretreatment using acid followed by enzymatic saccharification using cellulases and the process was optimized for various parameters such as biomass loading, enzyme loading, surfactant concentration and incubation time using Box-Behnken design. Under optimum hydrolysis conditions, 0.685g/g of reducing sugar was produced per gram of pretreated biomass. The fermentation of the hydrolyzate using Saccharomyces cerevisae produced 11.365g/L of bioethanol with an efficiency of about 50%. This is the first report on utilization of sugarcane tops for bioethanol produ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378427 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:35:12 +0100 5378427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378431&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21996479%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pathak H, Patel S, Rathod M, Chauhan K Abstract Reactive azo dyes are considered as one of the most detrimental pollutants from industrial effluents and therefore their biodegradation is receiving constant scientific consideration. A bacterial isolate VS-MH2, originating from dye contaminated sites of Gujarat, India, was exploited for its ability to degrade a synthetic dye mixture (SDM) (comprising of four azo reactive dyes) under static conditions. The identification of the isolate by 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed it to be Comamonas sp. The biodegradation of the SDM was analyzed by UV-vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and GC-MS analysis. The isolate showed high metabolic activity towards SDM and degraded it completely (100mgL(-1)) within 30h at pH 7 and 35°C. Simulat... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378431 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5378431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275466&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21890341%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chau CM, Liu KJ, Lin CH Abstract The effects of important reaction parameters on the enhancement of sialic acid derivative lipophilic properties through the lipase-catalyzed esterification of N-acetyl neuraminic acid methyl ester are investigated in this study. It is found that the lipase Novozym 435 from Candida antarctica is particularly useful in the preparation of sialic acid methyl ester monononanoate (SAMEMN). The optimum temperature for the SAMEMN synthesis reaction using Novozym 435 is 60°C, and nonanoic anhydride is found to be the best substrate among all acyl donors. The Novozym 435-catalyzed esterification of N-acetyl neuraminic acid methyl ester gave a maximum yield of 87.7% after 6h in acetonitrile at 60°C. Because the novel method developed is simple, yet ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275466 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:34:10 +0100 5275466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275465&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21890342%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bajwa PK, Phaenark C, Grant N, Zhang X, Paice M, Martin VJ, Trevors JT, Lee H Abstract Two genome-shuffled Scheffersomyces stipitis strains, GS301 and GS302, exhibiting improved tolerance to hardwood spent sulphite liquor, were tested for growth and fermentation performance on three wood hydrolysates: (a) steam-pretreated enzymatically hydrolyzed poplar hydrolysate from Mascoma Canada, (b) steam pretreated poplar hydrolysate from University of British Columbia Forest Products Biotechnology Laboratory, and (c) mixed hardwoods pre-hydrolysate from FPInnovations (FPI). In the FPI hydrolysate, the wild type (WT) died off within 25h, while GS301 and GS302 survived beyond 100h. In fermentation tests, GS301 and GS302 completely utilized glucose and xylose in each hydrolysate and ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275465 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:34:01 +0100 5275465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275464&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21890345%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Torà JA, Lafuente J, Baeza JA, Carrera J Abstract The starvation process of a high-rate partial nitrification system during 30days and its controlled recovery were studied in an activated sludge pilot plant. Four ammonium-starved reactors under anoxic, aerobic and two different alternating aerobic/anoxic conditions were evaluated. The highest and the lowest decay rates of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were obtained under full aerobic (0.24d(-1)) and full anoxic (0.11d(-1)) conditions, respectively. The evolution of biomass activity correlated well with the AOB quantification using FISH technique. AOB fractions lower than 1% were measured in the four reactors after 23days of starvation. The recovery of the system was achieved in only 5days using a nitrogen loading rate ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275464 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:52 +0100 5275464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275463&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21890347%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigates the use of combined ultraviolet (UV)/Ag-TiO(2)+ozone (O(3)) processes for treating ballast water using Amphidinium sp. as an indicator microorganism. Sufficient Amphidinium sp. cells in ballast waters can be inactivated using O(3) alone, UV irradiation alone (with or without an Ag-TiO(2) coating), and combined treatments. For the low inactivation ratio (<40%) regime, the effects of ozonation and photocatalysis were observed to be cumulative. The combined UV/Ag-TiO(2)+O(3) treatment produced excess hydroxyl radicals and total residual oxidants (TROs), and readily damaged cell membranes to release intracellular substances. The comparison tests revealed that the combined treatments synergistically inactivate Escherichia coli in ballast waters. However, the combined ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275463 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:43 +0100 5275463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275462&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21890349%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Long JJ, Fu YJ, Zu YG, Li J, Wang W, Gu CB, Luo M Abstract An aqueous enzymatic process assisted by ultrasound extraction (AEP-UE) was applied to the extraction of oil from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). The highest oil recovery of 68.1% was obtained when ground flaxseed was incubated with 130U/g of cellulase, pectinase, and hemicellulase for 12h, at 45°C and pH 5.0. The IC(50) values of oil obtained by AEP-UE and organic solvent extraction (OSE), as measured by DPPH scavenging activity essay, were 2.27mg/mL and 3.31mg/mL. The AEP-UE-derived oil had a 1.5% higher content of unsaturated fatty acids than the OSE-derived oil. AEP-UE is therefore a promising environmentally friendly method for large-scale preparation of flaxseed oil. PMID: 21890349 [PubMed - as suppli... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275462 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:34 +0100 5275462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275461&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21890352%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Asada C, Asakawa A, Sasaki C, Nakamura Y Abstract Spent Shiitake mushroom medium was subjected to steam explosion followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using Meicelase and Saccahromyces cerevisiae AM12. Water extraction of the medium exposed to steam at 20atm for 5min enhanced the saccharification rate by about 20% compared to steam-exploded medium before water extraction and resulted in the production of 23.8g/l ethanol from a substrate concentration of 100g/l. This corresponded to 87.6% of the theoretical ethanol yield, i.e., 15.9g ethanol was obtained from 100g of spent Shiitake mushroom medium. Spent Shiitake mushroom medium subjected to steam explosion and then water extraction appears to be a candidate for efficient bioconversion to ethanol... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275461 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:24 +0100 5275461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275460&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21890353%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lim JW, Seng CE, Lim PE, Ng SL, Ahmad Sujari AN Abstract The performance of moving bed sequencing batch reactors (MBSBRs) added with 8 % (v/v) of polyurethane (PU) foam cubes as carrier media in nitrogen removal was investigated in treating low COD/N wastewater. The results indicate that MBSBR with 8-mL cubes achieved the highest total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency of 37% during the aeration period, followed by 31%, 24% and 19 % for MBSBRs with 27-, 64- and 125-mL cubes, respectively. The increased TN removal in MBSBRs was mainly due to simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) process which was verified by batch studies. The relatively lower TN removal in MBSBR with larger PU foam cubes was attributed to the observation that larger PU foam cubes were not ful... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275460 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:15 +0100 5275460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275459&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21893411%26dopt%3DAbstract This study indicated that RSM is a useful approach for optimizing operational conditions for butanol production, and demonstrated that tropical maize, with high yield of biomass and stalk sugars, is a promising biofuel crop. PMID: 21893411 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275459 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:06 +0100 5275459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275458&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21893412%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Huang B, Chi G, Chen X, Shi Y Abstract The performance of acetic acid-supported pH-heterogenized heterotrophic denitrification (HD) facilitated with ferrous sulfide-based autotrophic denitrification (AD) was investigated in upflow activated carbon-packed column reactors for reliable removal of highly elevated nitrate (42mgNO(3)-Nl(-1)) in drinking water. The use of acetic acid as substrate provided sufficient internal carbon dioxide to completely eliminate the need of external pH adjustment for HD, but simultaneously created vertically heterogenized pH varying from 4.8 to 7.8 in the HD reactor. After 5-week acclimation, the HD reactor developed a moderate nitrate removal capacity with about one third of nitrate removal occurring in the acidic zone (pH 4.8-6.2). To increase... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275458 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:32:57 +0100 5275458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275457&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21900006%26dopt%3DAbstract This study shows it can be used as a feedstock in both ethanol fermentation and anaerobic digestion for methane production. The study optimised several parameters in the fermentation of L. digitata and investigated the suitability of the macroalgae through the year using samples harvested every month. For both methane and ethanol production, minimum yields were seen in material harvested in March when the carbohydrates laminarin and mannitol were lowest. July material contained the highest combined laminarin and mannitol content and maximum yields of 167mL ethanol and 0.219m(3) kg(-1)L. digitata. PMID: 21900006 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275457 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:32:48 +0100 5275457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275456&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21903380%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yan R, Yang F, Wu Y, Hu Z, Nath B, Yang L, Fang Y Abstract The purpose of this study was to remove cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) from non-point source wastewater by a hybrid bioreactor consisting of two different processes (anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic and photoautotrophic). The results showed that the bioreactor could concurrently culture heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms, and removed Cd and Hg from the wastewater successfully. The average removal efficiencies were 79% and 66%, respectively for Cd and Hg. The relationship between Cd removal rate and biofilm mass was observed to be significant (p<0.05) during different seasons. The Hg removal was mainly due to the bioaccumulation in macrophytes via a photoautotrophic process. Due to the increase of the bacterial ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275456 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:32:38 +0100 5275456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275455&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21903381%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Canam T, Town JR, Tsang A, McAllister TA, Dumonceaux TJ Abstract The use of Trametes versicolor as a biological pretreatment for canola straw was explored in the context of biofuel production. Specifically, the effects on the straw of a wild-type strain (52J) and a cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH)-deficient strain (m4D) were investigated. The xylose and glucose contents of the straw treated with 52J were significantly reduced, while only the xylose content was reduced with m4D treatment. Lignin extractability was greatly improved with fungal treatments compared to untreated straw. Saccharification of the residue of the m4D-treated straw led to a significant increase in proportional glucose yield, which was partially attributed to the lack of cellulose catabolism by m4D. Over... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275455 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:32:29 +0100 5275455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275454&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21903383%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yuan S, Chen XL, Li WF, Liu HF, Wang FC Abstract Rapid pyrolysis of two types of aquatic biomass (blue-green algae and water hyacinth), and their blends with two coals (bituminous and anthracite) was carried out in a high-frequency furnace. Nitrogen conversions during rapid pyrolysis of the two biomass and the interactions between the biomass and coals on nitrogen conversions were investigated. Results show that little nitrogen retained in char after the biomass pyrolysis, and NH(3) yields were higher than HCN. During co-pyrolysis of biomass and coal, interactions between biomass and coal decreased char-N yields and increased volatile-N yields, but the total yields of NH(3)+HCN in volatile-N were decreased in which HCN formations were decreased consistently, while NH(3) fo... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275454 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:32:19 +0100 5275454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275453&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21903386%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tan Y, Lin J Abstract This investigation examined the effects of nitrogen-phosphate combined deficiency on the biomass yield, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) production and composition from Scenedesmus rubescens-like microalga. A 15-day indoor culture was performed as a 3×3 factorial design (NaNO(3) levels: 3, 10 and 20mM; KH(2)PO(4) levels: 20, 50 and 150μM). The algae grown under medium nitrogen concentration (10mM) and high phosphate concentration (150μM) reached the highest biomass (1223.5±152.5mg/L). Both nitrogen and phosphate had a significant influence on the FAME yield (P<0.05 and P<0.0001, respectively). The FAME yield from algae grown under low nitrogen (3mM) and phosphate concentration (20μM) increased throughout the experiment and the highest FAME y... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275453 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:32:10 +0100 5275453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275452&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21906933%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the effect that the limited oxygen supply provoked on the "anaerobic" degradation of cellulose was evaluated in batch-tests. The microaerobic assays showed to reach a similar maximum production of methane than the anaerobic ones after 19d and a similar hydrolytic activity (considering a first order rate constant); however, the microaerobic assays presented a shorter lag-phase time than the anaerobic test resulting in faster production of methane during the first steps of the degradation; specifically, the maximum methane production found in the anaerobic test in 19d was found in the microaerobic test before the day 15. PMID: 21906933 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275452 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:32:00 +0100 5275452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275451&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21906935%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang SS, Guo WQ, Zhou XJ, Meng ZH, Liu B, Ren NQ Abstract Batch tests were employed to estimate the optimal conditions for excess sludge reduction under an alternating aerobic/oxygen-limited environment using response surface methodology. Three key operating parameters, initial mixed liquor suspended solids (initial MLSS), HRT (hydraulic retention time) and reaction temperature (T), were selected, and their interrelationships studied by the Box-Behnken design. The experimental data and ANOVA analysis showed that the coefficient of determination (R(2)) was 0.9956 and the adjR(2) was 0.9912, which demonstrates that the modified model was significant. The optimum conditions were predicted to give a maximal ΔMLSS yield of 226mg/L at an initial MLSS of 10,021±50mg/L, an HRT o... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275451 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:31:50 +0100 5275451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275450&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21906936%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Long J, Guo B, Teng J, Yu Y, Wang L, Li X Abstract Liquefaction is a process for the production of biofuel or value-added biochemicals from non-food biomass. SO(3)H-, COOH-functionalized and HSO(4)-paired imidazolium ionic liquids were shown to be efficient catalysts for bagasse liquefaction in hot compressed water. Using SO(3)H-functionalized ionic liquid, 96.1% of bagasse was liquefied and 50.6% was selectively converted to low-boiling biochemicals at 543K. The degree of liquefaction and selectivity for low-boiling products increased and the average molecular weight of the tetrahydrofuran soluble products decreased with increasing acidic strength of ionic liquids. Analysis of products and comparative characterization of raw materials and residues suggested that both cata... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275450 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:31:39 +0100 5275450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275449&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21906937%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Novo LP, Gurgel LV, Marabezi K, Curvelo AA Abstract This paper describes the organosolv delignification of depithed bagasse using glycerol-water mixtures without a catalyst. The experiments were performed using two separate experimental designs. In the first experiment, two temperatures (150 and 190°C), two time periods (60 and 240min) and two glycerol contents (20% and 80%, v/v) were used. In the second experiment, which was a central composite design, the glycerol content was maintained at 80%, and a range of temperatures (141.7-198.3°C) and time (23-277min) was used. The best result, obtained with a glycerol content of 80%, a reaction time of 150min and a temperature of 198.3°C, produced pulps with 54.4% pulp yield, 7.75% residual lignin, 81.4% delignification and 13... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275449 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:31:29 +0100 5275449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275448&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21906940%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou N, Zhang Y, Wu X, Gong X, Wang Q Abstract When Chlorella biomass was hydrolyzed in the presence of 2% HCl and 2.5% MgCl(2), a sugar concentration of nearly 12%, and a sugar recovery of about 83% was obtained. Fermentation experiments demonstrated that glucose in the Chlorella biomass hydrolysates was converted into ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a yield of 0.47gg(-1), which is 91% of the theoretical yield. This chemical hydrolysis approach is thus a novel route for the hydrolysis of biomass to generate fermentable sugars. PMID: 21906940 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275448 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:31:19 +0100 5275448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275447&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907571%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the promotion effect of ammonia on the biodegradation of polylactide (PLA) under hyperthermophilic (80°C) and thermophilic (55°C) anaerobic condition. The results showed that PLA was transformed to lactic acid under hyperthermophilic conditions, but that the transformation ratio was negligible under thermophilic conditions. The hydrolysis process can be markedly increased with ammonia addition and microorganism activity. The maximum transformation ratios of the two kinds of PLA used in this study were 65.2% and 51.8%, respectively, with ammonia addition of 4gN/L over 3days treatment of anaerobic sludge. After the hyperthermophilic pretreatment, the hydrolysis products were converted to methane by methanogens under the thermophilic and anaerobic... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275447 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:31:09 +0100 5275447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275446&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907572%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sun K, Keiluweit M, Kleber M, Pan Z, Xing B Abstract Biochars produced at different heat treatment temperatures (HTT) are molecularly distinct and thus expected to show variable sorbent characteristics. We investigated the difference in sorption behavior of norflurazon (NORO) and fluridone (FLUN) to biochars from wood and grass feedstocks produced at different HTT. Amorphous biochars (HTT=400°C) exhibited the highest sorption parameter (K(OC)) for the two herbicides, emphasizing the importance of amorphous structural arrangement of aromatic moieties in these chars. Negative correlation between biochar aromaticity and isotherm nonlinearity (n) suggests that the n values were related mainly to total aromatic C content, not to that in the individual phases. Sorption of FLUN ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275446 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:30:59 +0100 5275446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275445&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907575%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shen J, Fatehi P, Soleimani P, Ni Y Abstract Dissolved lignocelluloses from the pre-hydrolysis liquor (PHL) of kraft-based dissolving pulp production process were recovered by adsorption to lime mud produced in the causticizing plant of the kraft process. The adsorption of lignocelluloses was a fast process, and could be completed within one hour. The addition of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) significantly increased the amounts of adsorbed lignin and hemicelluloses, which more than doubled at the PDADMAC dosage of 0.1% (based on the weight of PHL). The measured heating values of the adsorbed lignocelluloses indicate that adsorption of lignocelluloses to lime mud may result in the energy saving of the lime kiln. The process proposed in this study could also... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275445 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:30:49 +0100 5275445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275444&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907577%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang F, Chen JJ, Ren WZ, Nie GX, Ming H, Tang SK, Li WJ Abstract The endoglucanase gene, thcel9A, from Thermobifida halotolerans YIM 90462(T) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL 21(DE). The 2895-bp full-length gene encodes a 964-residue polypeptide (Thcel9A) containing a catalytic domain belonging to glycosyl hydrolases (GH) family 9. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Thcel9A is closely related to Cel9A of Thermobifidafusca YX. Thcel9A was purified from the culture supernatant by Ni(2+)-affinity chromatography and the purified enzyme exhibited optimal activity at 55°C and pH 8.0. Substrate specificity assays showed that it not only had CMCase activity, but also hydrolase activity on microcrystalline cellulose and filter paper. These properties suggested th... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275444 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:30:39 +0100 5275444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275443&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21908184%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xu L, Tschirner U Abstract Saccharification is one of the most critical steps in producing lignocellulose-based bio-ethanol through consolidated bioprocessing (CBP). However, extreme pH and ethanol concentration are commonly considered as potential inhibitors for the application of Clostridium sp. in CBP. The fermentations of several saccharides derived from lignocellulosics were investigated with a co-culture consisting of Clostridium themocellum and Clostridium thermolacticum. Alkali environments proved to be more favorable for ethanol production. Fermentation inhibition was observed at high ethanol concentrations and extreme pH. However, low levels of initial ethanol addition resulted in an unexpected stimulatory impact on the final ethanol productions for all cultures ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275443 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:30:29 +0100 5275443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275442&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21908185%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou JM, Ge XY, Zhang WG Abstract Catabolic repression in the synthesis of inducible enzymes by glucose, fructose, and intermediates of the glycolytic cycle has been observed in many microorganisms. In order to enhance the polygalacturonase (PG) production of Aspergillus niger GJ-2, Saccharomyces cerevisiae J-1 was inoculated to the medium at 12h of culture, which resulted in a significant improvement of PG production. It was also found that maximum PG activity of 512.7U/ml was obtained at 37°C in the mixed culture, which was nearly twofold higher than that of the culture without the inoculation of S. cerevisiae J-1. PMID: 21908185 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275442 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:30:18 +0100 5275442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275441&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21908187%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ali SH, Al-Rashed O, Azeez FA, Merchant SQ Abstract Butyl acetate holds great potential as a sustainable biofuel additive. Heterogeneously catalyzed transesterification of biobutanol and bioethylacetate can produce butyl acetate. This route is eco-friendly and offers several advantages over the commonly used Fischer Esterification. The Amberlite IR 120- and Amberlyst 15-catalyzed transesterification is studied in a batch reactor over a range of catalyst loading (6-12wt.%), alcohol to ester feed ratio (1:3 to 3:1), and temperature (303.15-333.15K). A butanol mole fraction of 0.2 in the feed is found to be optimum. Amberlite IR 120 promotes faster kinetics under these conditions. The transesterifications studied are slightly exothermic. The moles of solvent sorbed per gram o... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275441 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:30:07 +0100 5275441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275440&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21908188%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chojnacka A, Błaszczyk MK, Szczęsny P, Nowak K, Sumińska M, Tomczyk-Żak K, Zielenkiewicz U, Sikora A Abstract A system for biohydrogen production was developed based on long-term continuous cultures grown on sugar beet molasses in packed bed reactors. In two separate cultures, consortia of fermentative bacteria developed as biofilms on granitic stones. In one of the cultures, a granular sludge was also formed. Metagenomic analysis of the microbial communities by 454-pyrosequencing of amplified 16S rDNA fragments revealed that the overall biodiversity of the hydrogen-producing cultures was quite small. The stone biofilm from the culture without granular sludge was dominated by Clostridiaceae and heterolactic fermentation bacteria, mainly Leuconostocaeae. Representatives... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275440 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:29:57 +0100 5275440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275439&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21908189%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bayramoglu G, Filiz Senkal B, Yilmaz M, Yakup Arica M Abstract Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-ethylen glycol dimethacrylate), p(HEMA-EGDMA), beads were prepared by suspension polymerization, and were decorated with fibrous poly(glycidyl methacrylate), p(GMA), via surface initiated-atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The functional epoxy groups of the beads were used for covalent immobilization of papain. The average amount of immobilized enzyme was 18.7mg/g beads. The immobilized enzyme was characterized by temperature, pH, operational and storage stability experiments. The maximum velocity of the free and immobilized enzymes (V(max)) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) values were determined as 10.7 and 8.3U/mg proteins and 274 and 465μM, respectively. The i... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275439 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:29:47 +0100 5275439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275438&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21911288%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang J, Wu P, Hao B, Yu Z Abstract A strain YZN-001 was isolated from swine manure effluent and was identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri. It can utilise not only nitrate and nitrite, but also ammonium. The strain had the capability to fully remove as much as 275.08mg L(-1) NO(3)(-)-N and 171.40mgL(-1) NO(2)(-)-N under aerobic conditions. Furthermore, At 30°C, the utilization of ammonium is approximately 95% by 18h with a similar level removed by 72h and 2 weeks at 10 and 4°C, respectively. Triplicate sets of tightly sealed serum bottles were used to test the heterotrophic nitrifying ability of P. stutzeri YZN-001. The results showing that 39% of removed NH(4)(+)-N was completely oxidised to nitrogen gas by 18h. Indicating that the strain has heterotrophic nitrification an... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275438 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:29:37 +0100 5275438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275437&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21917448%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to assess the delivery cost of different combinations of multiple forms of lignocellulosic feedstocks including agricultural and woody biomass. Three types of biomass i.e., wheat straw, corn stover and forest biomass were considered in different forms such as loose biomass, bales/bundles, chopped/chipped and pellets. It was found that the delivery cost of a combination of woody and agricultural biomass feedstocks is lower than that for a single type of biomass. The delivery of agricultural residues as bales and woody biomass as chips is an economically attractive option with optimal combination of 30% bales and 70% wood chips to a biorefinery of capacity 5000 dry tonnes per day. The anticipated traffic congestions resulting from biomass supply to a large fac... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275437 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:29:27 +0100 5275437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275427&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945205%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fang S, Li J, Liu L, Du G, Chen J Abstract This work aims to achieve the overproduction of alkaline polygalacturonate lyase (PGL) with recombinant Escherichia coli by a two-stage glycerol feeding approach. First, the PGL coding gene from Bacillus subtilis WSHB04-02 was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) under the strong inducible T7 promoter of the pET20b (+) vector. And then the influence of media composition, induction temperature, and inducer isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) concentration on cell growth and PGL production was investigated. Finally, a two-stage glycerol feeding strategy was proposed and applied in a 3-L fermenter, where cultivation was conducted at a controlled specific growth rate (μ(set)=0.2) during pre-induction phase, followed by a constan... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275427 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275422&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945660%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang Y, Tsukahara K, Yang R, Zhang Z, Sawayama S Abstract A dual irradiation process involving aerobic thermophilic irradiation pretreatment (ATIP) and intermittent irradiation anaerobic digestion was developed to improve the digestion of waste-activated sludge. First, the effect of ATIP on further anaerobic digestion of activated sludge in batch mode was investigated. When exposed to ATIP for 24h, the digestion reactor gave the highest methane yield, removed the most dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and showed the most effective reduction of VS compared to other irradiation times. This process was further enhanced by using an anaerobic fluidised-bed reactor packed with carbon felt in semi-continuous mode for digesting the pretreated activated sludge under intermittent irrad... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275422 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275418&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21955877%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sukkasem C, Laehlah S, Hniman A, O'thong S, Boonsawang P, Rarngnarong A, Nisoa M, Kirdtongmee P Abstract A biodiesel wastewater treatment technology was investigated for neutral alkalinity and COD removal by microbial fuel cell. An upflow bio-filter circuit (UBFC), a kind of biocatalyst MFC was renovated and reinvented. The developed system was combined with a pre-fermented (PF) and an influent adjusted (IA) procedure. The optimal conditions were operated with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 30.0g COD/L-day, hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1.04day, maintained at pH level 6.5-7.5 and aerated at 2.0L/min. An external resistance of circuit was set at 10kΩ. The purposed process could improve the quality of the raw wastewater and obtained high efficiency of COD removal of ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275418 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275417&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21955879%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pessani NK, Atiyeh HK, Wilkins MR, Bellmer DD, Banat IM Abstract Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) was subjected to hydrothermolysis pretreatment and then used to study the effect of enzyme loading and temperature in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with the thermotolerant yeast strain Kluyveromyces marxianus IMB3 at 8% solid loading. Various loadings of Accellerase 1500 between 0.1 and 1.1mLg(-1) glucan were tested in SSF at 45°C (activity of enzyme was 82.2FPUmL(-1)). The optimum enzyme loading was 0.7mLg(-1) glucan based on the six different enzyme loadings tested. SSFs were performed at 37, 41 and 45°C with an enzyme loading of 0.7mLg(-1) glucan. The highest ethanol concentration of 22.5gL(-1) was obtained after 168h with SSF at 45°C, which was eq... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275417 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275416&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21955880%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kang L, Cai M, Yu C, Zhang Y, Zhou X Abstract Effects of different pulse fed-batch methods on production of the anti-cancer compound 1403C by marine mangrove endophytic fungus Halorosellinia sp. (No. 1403) in a 5-L bioreactor were investigated. Since high glucose concentrations improved mycelial growth but inhibited 1403C production, the cultures were pulse fed with glucose solutions to keep the residual glucose lower than 4g/L but higher than 0.5g/L during rapid growth phase (0-50h). In this way, a maximum dry biomass, 1403C production and yield coefficient (Y(1403C/X)) of up to 4.5g/L, 2.64g/L and 0.59g/g dry cell weight, respectively were achieved. These values are 22.7%, 98.0% and 61.4%, respectively higher than those obtained with batch cultures. This strategy is valu... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275416 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275413&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21958524%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was reported on a novel process for fatty acid ethyl esters preparation by transesterification and esterification from renewable low-cost feedstock camellia oil soapstocks and friendly acyl acceptor diethyl carbonate. The main components of product were 83.9% ethyl oleate, 8.9% ethyl palmitate, 4.7% ethyl linoleate and 2.1% ethyl stearate, which could be used as eco-friendly renewable resources or additives of industrial solvent and fossil fuel. The effects of molar ratio of diethyl carbonate to soapstocks oil, lipases, organic solvent, reaction temperature and time were investigated, and process conditions were optimized. The yield was up to 98.4% in solvent-free system with molar ratio of diethyl carbonate to soapstocks oil 3:1 and 5% Novozym 435 (based on the weight of soapst... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275413 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275411&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21958526%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen WH, Xu YY, Hwang WS, Wang JB Abstract A combination of a twin-screw extrusion and an acid-catalyzed hot water extraction process performed at a bench-scale was used to prepare high monomeric xylose hydrolysate for cellulosic production. The influences of the screw speed (30-150rpm), barrel temperature (80-160°C) and corresponding specific mechanical energy of the extruder on the structural properties of the pretreated rice straw, sugar concentration and conversion were investigated. The optimal condition for the extrusion step was determined to be 40rpm with 3% H(2)SO(4) at 120°C; the optimal condition for the extraction step was determined to be 130°C for 20min. After the pretreatment at the optimal condition, 83.7% of the xylan was converted to monomeric xylose, ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275411 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275434&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944285%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, pyrolysis of groundnut de-oiled cake was investigated with an aim of studying the physical and chemical characteristics of the bio-fuel produced and to determine its feasibility as a commercial fuel. Thermal pyrolysis of groundnut de-oiled cake was done in a semi-batch reactor at a temperature range of 200-500°C and at a heating rate of 20°C/min. The chemical analysis of the bio-fuel showed the presence of functional groups such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, nitriles, nitro compounds and aromatics rings. The physical properties of the bio-fuel obtained were close to that of diesel and petrol. PMID: 21944285 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275434 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275431&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945163%26dopt%3DAbstract This study assessed the utilization of viscosity and zeta potential as a novel method to evaluate suspendibility of formulation of Sinorhizobium meliloti grown in starch industry wastewater for use as bio-inoculants. For this objective, sorbitol was used as a suspending agent at concentrations of 0 to 10% w/v. Model, based on multiple linear regression (with pH as dependant variable, and zeta potential, average particle size and sorbitol concentration as independent variables) demonstrated an important relation which was significant (p<0.001, R(2)=0.98). Sigmoid regression revealed a significant relation between zeta potential and suspendibility with p value=0.007 and R-squared=0.86, and between viscosity and suspendibility (p value<0.0001 and R squared=0.9823). Thus, these direct co... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275431 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275430&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945165%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: He G, Gu Y, He S, Schröder U, Chen S, Hou H Abstract A series of fiber electrodes with fiber diameters ranging from about 10 to 0.1μm were tested as anodes in microbial fuel cells to study the effect of fiber diameter on the behavior of biofilm and anodic performance of fiber electrodes. A simple method of biofilm fixation and dehydration was developed for biofilm morphology characterization. Results showed that the current density of fiber anodes increased until the fiber diameter approached 1μm which was about the length of the dominant microorganisms in biofilm. The highest current density was 3.08mAcm(-2), which was obtained from fiber anode with high porosity of over 99% and fiber diameter of 0.87μm. It was believed that the high current density was attributed to ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275430 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275429&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945166%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sankaranarayanan TM, Banu M, Pandurangan A, Sivasanker S Abstract Mixtures of sunflower oil and a straight run gas oil in the diesel fuel range were hydroprocessed over sulfided NiO(3%)-MoO(3)(12%)-γ-Al(2)O(3) incorporating 0, 15 or 30wt.% zeolite beta (BEA). The studies were carried out at 320-350°C; 30-60bars, and weight hourly space velocities (WHSV), 1-4h(-1). Catalyst containing 30% BEA achieved nearly 100 % conversion of the vegetable oil into hydrocarbons at 330°C, 60 bars and a WHSV of 2h(-1) compared to 95.5% by the Ni-Mo-γ-alumina catalyst without BEA. Hydroprocessing with blends containing oleic acid revealed that the catalysts were able to transform the acid into hydrocarbons. An analysis of the ratios of the n-C(18) and n-C(17) paraffins formed from the ve... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275429 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275428&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945204%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández DE, Rodríguez-León JA, de Carvalho JC, Sturm W, Soccol CR Abstract Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is defined as the growth of microbes without a free-flowing aqueous phase. The feasibility of using a citrus peel for producing pectinase and xylanase via the SSF process by Aspergillus niger F3 was evaluated in a 2kg bioreactor. Different aeration conditions were tested to optimize the pectinase and xylanase production. The best air flow intensity was 1VkgM (volumetric air flow per kilogram of medium), which allowed a sufficient amount of O(2) for the microorganism growth producing 265U/g and 65U/g pectinases and xylanases, respectively. A mathematical model was applied to determine the different kinetic parameters related to SSF. The specific growth r... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275428 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275426&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945206%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rani R, Ghosh S Abstract Present study introduces linseed oil cake as a novel substrate for phytase production by Rhizopus oryzae. Statistical approach was employed to optimize various medium components under solid state fermentation (SSF). An overall 8.41-fold increase in phytase production was achieved at the optimum concentrations (w/w, mannitol, 2.05%; ammonium sulfate, 2.84% and phosphate, 0.38%). Further enhancement by 59% was observed due to a novel strain improvement approach. Purified phytase (∼34kDa) showed optimal temperature of 45°C, dual pH optima at 1.5 and 5.5 and possesses high catalytic efficiency (2.38×10(6)M(-1)s(-1)). Characterization study demonstrates the phytase as highly thermostable and resistant to proteolysis, heavy metal ions, etc. Furthermo... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275426 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275425&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945207%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Troiani C, Eusebi AL, Battistoni P Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a biological process applied in the sludge line and based on the alternation of oxic and anoxic phases, to minimize the waste sludge production. After some tests in pilot scale, the process was applied in a real municipal wastewater treatment plant of 35,000PE trying out one setting of working experimental conditions. A rate of the recycle flow was conditioned in a treatment basin, maintaining an HRT of 10days. The control device operated for the 50% of time in the ORP range between -400 and -200mV, and for the 50% in the ORP range between -200 and +50mV. The mass balance defined an actual observed growth yield equal to 0.09kgTVSkgCOD(r)(-1), and the heterotrophic yield valu... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275425 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275424&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945208%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu Z, Qin J, Gao C, Hua D, Ma C, Li L, Wang Y, Xu P Abstract Production of highly pure (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediol ((2S,3S)-2,3-BD) and (3S)-acetoin ((3S)-AC) in high concentrations is desirable but difficult to achieve. In the present study, glucose was first transformed to a mixture of (2S,3S)-2,3-BD and meso-2,3-BD by resting cells of Klebsiella pneumoniae CICC 10011, followed by biocatalytic resolution of the mixture by resting cells of Bacillus subtilis 168. meso-2,3-BD was transformed to (3S)-AC, leaving (2S,3S)-2,3-BD in the reaction medium. Using this approach, 12.5gl(-1) (2S,3S)-2,3-BD and 56.7gl(-1) (3S)-AC were produced. Stereoisomeric purity of (2S,3S)-2,3-BD and enantiomeric excess of (3S)-AC was 96.9 and 96.2%, respectively. PMID: 21945208 [PubMed - as suppli... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275424 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275421&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945661%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sawangkeaw R, Teeravitud S, Bunyakiat K, Ngamprasertsith S Abstract Biofuel production from palm oil with supercritical methanol (SCM) and supercritical ethanol (SCE) at 400°C and 15MPa were evaluated. At the optimal alcohol to oil molar ratios of 12:1 and 18:1 for the SCM and SCE processes, respectively, the biofuel samples were synthesized in a 1.2-L reactor and the resulting biofuel was analyzed for the key properties including those for the diesel and biodiesel standard specifications. Biofuel samples derived from both the SCM and SCE processes could be used as an alternative fuel after slight improvement in their acid value and free glycerol content. The remarkable advantages of this novel process were: the additional fuel yield of approximately of 5% and 10% for SCM... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275421 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275419&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21955876%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Enayatizamir N, Tabandeh F, Rodríguez-Couto S, Yakhchali B, Alikhani HA, Mohammadi L Abstract The in vivo biodegradation of the diazo dye Reactive Black 5 (RB5) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilised on cubes of nylon sponge and on sunflower-seed shells (SS) in laboratory-scale bioreactors was investigated. The SS cultivation led to the best results with a decolouration percentage of 90.3% in 72h for an initial RB5 concentration of 100mg/L. It was found that the addition of 0.4mM veratryl alcohol (VA) into the medium considerably increased the decolouration rate in SS cultivation. However, the addition of VA had no effect in the nylon cultivation. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed that RB5 was transformed into one metabolite after 24h. UV-vis spectroscopy and F... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275419 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275414&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21958523%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lim SJ, Fox P Abstract An anaerobic/aerobic filter (AF/BAF) system was developed treating dairy wastewater. The influent was blended with recirculated effluent to allow for pre-denitrification in the AF followed by nitrification in the BAF. The recirculation ratio ranged 100-300%. The average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was 79.8-86.8% in the AF and the average total nitrogen removal efficiency was 50.5-80.8% in the AF/BAF system. Steady-state mass balances on the AF were used to analyze removal kinetics in the AF. The kinetic model values for effluent COD in the AF were overestimated as compared with experimental data. The integrated suspended and attached biomass growth rates in the AF were estimated. The specific growth rate of the integrated biomass ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275414 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275412&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21958525%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was undertaken to compare the chemical properties and yields of pineapple leaf residue (PLR) char produced by field burning (CF) with that produced by a partial combustion of air-dried PLR at 340°C for 3h in a furnace (CL). Higher total C, lignin content, and yield from CL as well as the presence of aromatic compounds in the Fourier Transform Infrared spectra of the char produced from CL suggest that the CL process was better in sequestering C than was the CF process. Although the C/N ratio of char produced from CL was low indicating a high N content of the char, the C in the char produced from CL was dominated by lignin suggesting that the decomposition of char produced from CL would be slow. To sequester C by char application, the PLR should be combusted in a controlled proce... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275412 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275470&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21937223%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li J, Luan Z, Yu L, Ji Z Abstract A combined Fenton-UASB (2 phase)-SBR system was employed to treat acrylic fiber manufacturing wastewater. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal and effluent Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) to COD were 65.5% and 0.529%, respectively, with the optimal Fenton conditions: ferrous was 300mg/L; hydrogen peroxide was 500mg/L; pH was 3.0; reaction time was 2.0h. In two-phase UASB reactor, mesophilic operation (35±0.5°C) was performed with hydraulic retention time (HRT) varied between 28 and 40h. The results showed that with the HRT not less than 38h, COD and sulfate removal were 65% and 75%, respectively. The greatest sizes of granule formed in the sulfate-reducing and methane-producing phases were 5 and 2mm, respectively. Sulfate-reducing ba... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275470 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275469&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21940162%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tao HC, Zhang LJ, Gao ZY, Wu WM Abstract A pilot-scale, membrane-free, bioelectrochemical system (BES) reactor (16L in volume) installed by five cathodes with different distance to anode was tested for the removal of copper. CuSO(4) solution was used as catholyte and anaerobic microorganisms grew as anodic biocatalyst. In the reactor, Cu(II) was reduced and recovered as solid-state copper deposits on cathodes accompanied with power production. When 600 and 2000mg of Cu(2+) were added into the cathode chamber, removal efficiency of 92% over 480h and 48% over 672h period with electric quantities of 2724C and 8703C, and cathodic efficiencies of 61.92% and 45.60% were achieved, respectively. The reduction reaction rate depended on the initial average Cu(2+) concentration. The ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275469 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275468&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21940164%26dopt%3DAbstract This study quantitatively evaluates the potential ecological risk and pollution degrees of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr and Ni) in LR versus SS. The leaching rates (R(1)) of heavy metals in LR were much lower than those in SS, revealing that the mobility/leachability of heavy metals was well suppressed after liquefaction. Geo-accumulation index (I(geo)) indicated that the liquefaction process significantly weakened the contamination degrees of heavy metals. Potential ecological risk index (RI) demonstrated that overall risks caused by heavy metals were obviously lowered from 1093.56 (very high risk) in SS to 4.72 and 1.51 (low risk) in LR1 and LR2, respectively. According to the risk assessment code (RAC), each tested heavy metal had no or low risk to the environments after liquefactio... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275468 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275436&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944282%26dopt%3DAbstract This study focused on the use of spinel manganese-cobalt (Mn-Co) oxide, prepared by a solid state reaction, as a cathode catalyst to replace platinum in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) applications. Spinel Mn-Co oxides, with an Mn/Co atomic ratios of 0.5, 1, and 2, were prepared and examined in an air cathode MFCs which was fed with a molasses-laden synthetic wastewater and operated in batch mode. Among the three Mn-Co oxide cathodes and after 300h of operation, the Mn-Co oxide catalyst with Mn/Co atomic ratio of 2 (MnCo-2) exhibited the highest power generation 113mW/m(2) at cell potential of 279mV, which were lower than those for the Pt catalyst (148mW/m(2) and 325mV, respectively). This study indicated that using spinel Mn-Co oxide to replace platinum as a cathodic catalyst enhances power g... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275436 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275432&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945162%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Irani ZA, Mehrnia MR, Yazdian F, Soheily M, Mohebali G, Rasekh B Abstract For the first time, growing cells of Gordonia alkanivorans RIPI90A were used for biodesulfurization (BDS) of diesel. This process was carried out in an internal airlift bioreactor. BDS parameters (oil/water phase ratio and initial sulfur concentration) were optimized in flasks using response surface methodology. Predicted results were found to be in good agreement with experimental results. Initial sulfur concentration had a remarkable effect on BDS process. Maximum removal of sulfur (21mg/l) can be achieved at oil/water phase ratio of 25% (v/v) and initial sulfur concentration of 28mg/l. Moreover, effect of superficial gas velocity (U(g)) and working volume (v) on volumetric gas liquid mass transfer... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275432 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275415&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21955881%26dopt%3DAbstract This study demonstrated that it was possible to culture C. zofingiensis under outdoor conditions for producing biodiesel feedstock. PMID: 21955881 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275415 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275467&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21940165%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hazrati H, Shayegan J Abstract Most of 200 Activated Sludge Plant in Iran are overloaded and as a result, their efficiency is low. In this work, a pilot plant is manufactured and put into operation in one of the wastewater treatment plants in the west of Tehran. Instead of conventional activated sludge, a membrane bioreactor and an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor used as a pretreatment unit in this pilot. For the sake of data accuracy and precision, an enriched municipal wastewater was opted as an influent to the pilot. Based on the attained result, the optimum retention time in this system was 4h, and the overall COD removal efficiency was 98%. As a whole, the application of this retrofit would increase the plant's capacity by a factor of 5 and reducing the excess... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275467 Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275420&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945662%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xu X, Liu G, Zhu L Abstract A novel anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic (AOA) process is proposed to realize denitrifying phosphorous removal in this study, and the characteristic of the AOA process is transferring part of the anaerobic mixed liquor to the post-anoxic zone for providing the carbon source needed for denitrification. The AOA process was operated for 3months, and the average removal efficiencies of NH(4)(+)-N, TN and PO(4)(3-)-P were 93.0±3.1%, 70.3±2.9% and 87.3±11.8%, respectively. A mass balance analysis indicated that 0.49±0.02gVSS(-1)d(-1) of PO(4)(3-)-P and 0.23±0.04gVSS(-1)d(-1) of NO(3)(-)-N were simultaneously removed in the anoxic zone, and it is speculated that denitrifying phosphorous removal occurred in the AOA process. Furthermore, 0.24±0.06gVSS(-1)d... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275420 Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275435&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944284%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gao QT, Wong YS, Tam NF Abstract The removal and biodegradation of nonylphenol (NP) by alginate-immobilized cells of Chlorella vulgaris were compared with their respective free cultures. The effects of four cell densities of 10(4) per algal bead were investigated, as were the four algal bead concentrations, with regard to the removal and biodegradation of NP. Although immobilization significantly decreased the growth rate and NP's biodegradation efficiency of C. vulgaris, NP removal over a short period was enhanced. The NP removal mechanism by immobilized cells was similar to that by free cells, including adsorption onto alginate matrix and algal cells, absorption within cells and cellular biodegradation. The optimal cell density and bead concentration for the removal and ... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275435 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275433&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945160%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mellinger-Silva C, Simas-Tosin FF, Schiavini DN, Werner MF, Baggio CH, Pereira IT, da Silva LM, Gorin PA, Iacomini M Abstract After industrial processing, one-third of sugarcane culms is converted into residual bagasse. The xylan-rich hemicellulose components of the bagasse were extracted with hot aqueous alkali (AX-CRUDE). Approximately 82% of the extracted hemicelluloses was precipitated with ethanol (AX-PET). Both AX-CRUDE and AX-PET contained an arabinoxylan as confirmed by (13)C NMR and methylation analysis. Fraction AX-PET was fed to female Wistar rats with ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Oral administrations of 30, 100, and 300mg/kg reduced the gastric lesion area by over 50%, and replenished ethanol-induced depletion of glutathione. The polysaccharide also increas... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275433 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5275423&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945210%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu Z, Liu J, Zhang S, Xing XH, Su Z Abstract A wall-jet microbial fuel cell (MFC) was developed for the monitoring of anaerobic digestion (AD). This biofilm based MFC biosensor had a character of being portable, short hydraulic retention time (HRT) for sample flow through and convenient for continuous operation. The MFC was installed in the recirculation loop of an upflow anaerobic fixed-bed (UAFB) reactor in bench-scale where pH of the fermentation broth and biogas flow were monitored in real time. External disturbances to the AD were added on purpose by changing feedstock concentration, as well as process configuration. MFC signals had good correlations with online measurements (i.e. pH, gas flow rate) and offline analysis (i.e. COD) over 6-month operation. These result... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5275423 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5275423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174151&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21855787%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chang JS, Guwy AJ, Lee DJ PMID: 21855787 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bioresource Technology) Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174151 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:28:14 +0100 5174151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140722&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21831633%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xiong M, Chen G, Barford J Abstract A K270R mutation of xylose reductase (XR) was constructed by site-direct mutagenesis. Fermentation results of the F106X and F106KR strains, which carried wild type XR and K270R respectively, were compared using different substrate concentrations (from 55 to 220g/L). After 72h, F106X produced less ethanol than xylitol, while F106KR produced ethanol at a constant yield of 0.36g/g for all xylose concentrations. The xylose consumption rate and ethanol productivity increased with increasing xylose concentrations in F106KR strain. In particular, F106KR produced 77.6g/L ethanol from 220g/L xylose and converted 100g/L glucose and 100g/L xylose into 89.0g/L ethanol in 72h, but the corresponding values of F106X strain are 7.5 and 65.8g/L. The etha... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140722 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140707&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843933%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gao WJ, Leung KT, Qin WS, Liao BQ Abstract Effects of temperature and temperature shock on the performance and microbial community structure of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) treating thermomechanical pulping pressate were studied for 416days. The results showed that the SAnMBR system were highly resilient to temperature variations in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The residual COD in treated effluent was slightly higher at 55°C than that at 37 and 45°C. There were no significant changes in biogas production rate and biogas composition. However, temperature shocks resulted in an increase in biogas production temporarily. The SAnMBR could tolerate the 5 and 10°C temperature shocks at 37°C and the temperature variations from 37 to 45°... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140707 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140706&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843934%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jiménez E, Giménez JB, Ruano MV, Ferrer J, Serralta J Abstract The effect of pH and nitrite concentration on the activity of the nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) in an activated sludge reactor has been determined by means of laboratory batch experiments based on respirometric techniques. The bacterial activity was measured at different pH and at different total nitrite concentrations (TNO(2)). The experimental results showed that the nitrite oxidation rate (NOR) depends on the TNO(2) concentration independently of the free nitrous acid (FNA) concentration, so FNA cannot be considered as the real substrate for NOB. NOB were strongly affected by low pH values (no activity was detected at pH 6.5) but no inhibition was observed at high pH values (activity was nearly the same... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140706 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140709&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21840709%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JY, Shin EJ, Eom IY, Won K, Kim YH, Choi D, Choi IG, Choi JW Abstract 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][CH(3)COO]) was used for the extraction of lignin from poplar wood (Populus albaglandulosa), which was called to ionic liquid lignin (ILL) and structural features of ILL were compared with the corresponding milled wood lignin (MWL). Yields of ILL and MWL were 5.8±0.3% and 4.4±0.4%, respectively. The maximum decomposition rate (V(M)) and temperature (T(M)) corresponding to V(M) were 0.25%/°C and 308.2°C for ILL and 0.30%/°C and 381.3°C for MWL. The amounts of functional groups (OMe and phenolic OH) appeared to be similar for both lignins; approximately 15.5% and 6.7% for ILL and 14.4% and 6.3% for MWL. However, the weight average molecular weight (M(w))... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140709 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140730&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21824764%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Huang L, Gan L, Zhao Q, Logan BE, Lu H, Chen G Abstract Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was more rapidly degraded in acetate and glucose-fed microbial fuel cells (MFCs) than in open circuit controls, with removal rates of 0.12±0.01mg/Lh (14.8±1.0mg/g-VSS-h) in acetate-fed, and 0.08±0.01mg/Lh (6.9±0.8mg/g-VSS-h) in glucose-fed MFCs, at an initial PCP concentration of 15mg/L. A PCP of 15mg/L had no effect on power generation from acetate but power production was decreased with glucose. Coulombic balances indicate the predominant product was electricity (16.1±0.3%) in PCP-acetate MFCs, and lactate (19.8±3.3%) in PCP-glucose MFCs. Current generation accelerated the removal of PCP and co-substrates, as well as the degradation products in both PCP-acetate and PCP-glucose reactors.... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140730 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140713&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21840213%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xie S, Frost JP, Lawlor PG, Wu G, Zhan X Abstract Dried grass silage (GS) was pre-treated at different NaOH loading rates (1%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% by volatile solids (VS) mass in grass silage) and temperatures (20°C, 60°C, 100°C and 150°C) to determine effects on its bio-degradability in terms of the hydrolysis yield and degradation of ligno-cellulosic materials for biogas production. At 100°C and the four NaOH loadings, up to 45% of the total COD was solubilised and up to 65.6%, 36.1% and 21.2% of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose were removed, respectively; biological methane production potentials obtained were 359.5, 401.8, 449.5 and 452.5ml CH(4)/g VS added, respectively, being improved by 10-38.9% in comparison with untreated GS. VS removals following anaerobic d... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140713 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140712&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21840214%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: González Z, Rosal A, Requejo A, Rodríguez A Abstract The aim of this work was to chemically characterize orange tree prunings and use it in pulping and combustion processes. Soda-anthraquinone pulping of the main fraction of orange pruning (stems with a diameter >0.5cm) was simulated with polynomial and neurofuzzy models, that predicted pulp properties as a function of operating variables (155-185°C, 40-90min, soda concentration, 10-16%) with errors less than 20%. The heating values (16,870kJ/kg), the flame temperature (1150-2150°C) and dew point temperature of fuel gas (47-53°C) for the residual fraction from orange pruning (stems diameter <0.5cm and leaves) was determined and compared with other non-wood lignocellulosic materials. As a consequence the price of... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140712 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140708&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843932%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zeng G, Zhang J, Chen Y, Yu Z, Yu M, Li H, Liu Z, Chen M, Lu L, Hu C Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the relative contribution of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) to nitrification during agricultural waste composting. The AOA and AOB amoA gene abundance and composition were determined by quantitative PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), respectively. The results showed that the archaeal amoA gene was abundant throughout the composting process, while the bacterial amoA gene abundance decreased to undetectable level during the thermophilic and cooling stages. DGGE showed more diverse archaeal amoA gene composition when the potential ammonia oxidation (PAO) rate reached peak values. A significant positive relationship was obs... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140708 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140732&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21820897%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen T, Wu C, Liu R Abstract Steam reforming of two kinds of bio-oil from rice husks fast pyrolysis was conducted for hydrogen production at three temperatures (650, 750 and 850°C) with Ni-based catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor. The gas composition and organic compounds in liquid condensate were detected by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. In addition, the carbon deposition was also investigated. The results showed that the mole fraction range of hydrogen was within 55.8-61.3% at all temperatures and more hydrogen was produced at the higher temperature. The highest H(2) efficiency of bio-oil steam reforming was 45.33% when extra water was added. The bio-oil with lower content of chemical compounds has a higher H(2) eff... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140732 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140724&cid=s_34563_70_f&fid=34563&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21831630%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang W, Yan L, Cui Z, Gao Y, Wang Y, Jing R Abstract A microbial consortium, designated WCS-6, was established by successive subcultivation in the presence of rice straw under static conditions. The degradation efficiencies of WSC-6 for 0.5g filter paper, cotton and rice straw after 3days of cultivation were 99.0±0.7%, 76.9±1.5% and 81.3±0.8%, respectively as determined by gravimetrical methods. Nine bacterial isolates were obtained from WCS-6 plated under aerobic conditions, and sequencing of their 16S rDNA indicated that these bacteria were related to Bacillus thermoamylovorans BTa, Paenibacillus barengoltzii SAFN-016, Proteobacterium S072, Pseudoxanthomonas taiwanensis CB-226, Rhizobiaceae str. M100, Bacillus sp. E53-10, Beta proteobacterium HMD444, Petrobacter succi... Bioresource Technology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140724 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140724