Utilization of a waste glycerol fraction using and reusing immobilized Gluconobacter oxydans ATCC 621 cell extract

Background: Depletion of petroleum resources has enforced the search for alternative sources of renewable energy. Introduction of biofuels into the market was expected to become a solution to this disadvantageous situation. Attempts to cover fuel demand have, however, caused another severe problem­the waste glycerol generated during biodiesel production at a concentration of approximately 10% w/w. This, in turn, prompted a global search for effective methods of valorization of the waste fraction of glycerol. Results: Utilization of the waste fraction at 48 h with an initial glycerol concentration of 30 g·L-1 and proceeding with 62% efficiency enabled the production of 9 g·L-1 dihydroxyacetone at 50% substrate consumption. The re-use of the immobilized biocatalyst resulted in a similar concentration of dihydroxyacetone (8.7 g·L-1) in two-fold shorter time, with an efficiency of 85% and lower substrate consumption (35%). Conclusions: The method proposed in this work is based on the conversion of waste glycerol to dihydroxyacetone in a reaction catalyzed by immobilized Gluconobacter oxydans cell extract with glycerol dehydrogenase activity, and it could be an effective way to convert waste glycerol into a valuable product.

Efecto de la melaza de caña tratada con ácido sulfúrico en la producción de celulosa por Gluconacetobacter xylinus IFO 13693 / Effect of molasses cane treated with sulfuric acid in the production of cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus IFO 13693 / Efeito do melaço de cana tratada com ácido sulfúrico na produção de celulose por Gluconacetobacter xylinus IFO 13693

En este estudio se evaluó el efecto de la melaza tratada con ácido sulfúrico (MZA-TR) y de las condiciones del cultivo (estático) sobre la síntesis de celulosa por Gluconacetobacter xylinus IFO 13693, para ello, se usó un reactor con 0,2 litros de medio de cultivo, con concentraciones iniciales de 13,3 % y 26,6 % de MZA-TR en el medio de cultivo a pH 5,6. El volumen del inóculo fue del 10 % del volumen total del medio; el proceso se realizó a temperatura ambiente (30 °C), con tiempos de incubación de 3, 7, 14, 21 y 28 días. Además, se evaluaron distintos parámetros fisicoquímicos y mecánicos de la celulosa. El grosor de la película de celulosa presentó un máximo de 2,5 cm, siendo el mejor resultado obtenido, en comparación con anteriores reportes en la literatura. También se encontró que al usar MZA-TR en el medio de cultivo hay un incremento considerable de la producción de celulosa en estático a los 28 días de incubación. Finalmente, se observó que el consumo de glucosa y de fructosa disminuye durante la síntesis de celulosa bacteriana (CB); durante los 3 primeros días de incubación se observó el máximo descenso, lo que permite correlacionar la producción de CB con el consumo de medio. La concentración de 13,3 %, presenta los mejores resultados en los parámetros de velocidad de crecimiento microbiano, cantidad y calidad de la celulosa producida.

This study assessed the effect of molasses treated with sulfuric acid (MZA-TR) and the condition of the crop (static) on the synthesis of cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus IFO 13693, using a reactor with 0,2 liters of growing medium, with initial concentrations of 13,3 % and 26,6 % of molasses treated (MZA-TR) in the culture medium at pH 5,6. The volume of the inoculum was 10 per cent of the total volume of the environment; the process was carried out at ambient temperature (30 °C), with times of incubation of 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Also, different physico-chemical and mechanical parameters of the pulp were evaluated. The thickness of the cellulose film presented a maximum of 2.5 cm, being the best result obtained, in comparison to previous reports in the literature. Furthermore, it was found that using MZA-TR in the middle considerably increased the production of cellulose in static at 28 days of incubation. Finally, it was observed that the consumption of glucose and fructose decreased during the synthesis of Bacterial Cellulose (BC); during the first 3 days of incubation it was noted the maximum decline, which allows to correlate the production of CB with the consumption of media. The concentration of 13.3 %, presents the best results in the speed parameters of microbial growth, the quantity and quality of cellulose produced.

Neste estudo foi avaliado o efeito do melaço tratado com ácido sulfúrico (MZA-TR) e das condições da cultura (estática) sobre a síntese de celulose pelo Gluconacetobacter xylinus IFO 13693. Para isso, foi utilizado um reator com 0,2 litros de meio de cultura, com concentrações iniciais de 13,3 e 26,6% de MZA-TR, e pH igual a 5,6. O volume de inoculo foi de 10% do volume total do meio, e o processo foi realizado a temperatura ambiente (30°C), com tempos de 3, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias. Além disso, foram avaliados os distintos parâmetros físico-químicos e mecânicos da celulose. A espessura máxima que apresentou o filme de celulose foi de 2,5 cm, sendo o melhor resultado obtido, ao comparar com os reportados anteriormente na literatura. Verificou-se também que ao usar MZA-TR no meio de cultura houve um aumento considerável na produção de celulose no meio estático aos 28 dias de incubação. Finalmente foi observado que o consumo de glicose e frutose diminuiu durante a síntese de celulose bacteriana (CB). Durante os três primeiros dias de incubação verificou-se a diminuição máxima, o que permite correlacionar a produção de CB com o consumo do meio. A concentração de 13,3% apresentou os melhores resultados nos parâmetros da velocidade de crescimento microbiano, quantidade e qualidade da celulose produzida.

Influence of invasive plant Coreopsis grandiflora on functional diversity of soil microbial communities.

Biological invasions are increasingly attracting the ecologists’ attention. Invasive plants threaten the natural ecosystems not only by competing with the native plants, but also by altering the structure and function of soil microbial communities belowground. In this study, we studied the effects of the invasive plant Coreopsis grandiflora (C. grandiflora) on the functional diversity of soil microbial communities in Laoshan mountain in the province of Shandong, North of China. We sampled soil from plots that were invaded or not invaded by C. grandiflora. The functional diversity of microbial communities in the sampled soils was assessed by the Biolog procedure test. By the ANOVA analysis of average well color development (AWCD), Shannon index (H’ ), Shannon evenness (E), principle components analysis of the level physiological profiles (CLPP) and correlation analysis between the studied parameters, we found that the invasive species C. grandiflora enhanced the functional diversity of soil microbial communities where the habitat was invaded by the C. grandiflora. The study indicated that the successful invasive plants have profound effects on the function of soil microbial communities.