PHB Production by Bacillus megaterium LSRB 0103 Using Cornstarch and Urea.

Polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) are biopolymers that are good green alternative for synthetic carbon-based polymers, and are also one of the most researched members of the Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) family. In this study, a gram-positive bacterial strain Bacillus megaterium LSRB 0103 was isolated from Pallikaranai Marshland, Chennai, India. Primary screening using Sudan Black dye revealed the presence of intracellular PHB granules. Minimal Davis Media (MDM) which was used or PHB production gave a yield of 0.7107 g/L. Subsequently, using response surface methodology (RSM), a central composite design (CCD) model was designed for media optimization having cornstarch, urea, and pH as independent variables. The findings of the CCD model were fitted into a second-order polynomial equation. The RSM model predicted the maximum PHB yield of 0.93 g/L, at these independent variable levels, cornstarch, 5 g/L; urea, 2.1 g/L; and pH 7.0; while the experimental PHB yield was 0.94 g/L, with a percentage error of 1.1%. This study is the first-time report of production of PHB by Bacillus megaterium using cornstarch and urea as substrate.

An odyssey from laboratory to field ? - Portable tNGS system for TB diagnosis in programmatic setting.

In spite of the elaborate diagnostic modalities available in India, there are certain shortcomings which will affect patient management. In order to address the gaps, NTEP offers scope for whole genome sequencing at few of its reference laboratories. Next generation sequencing comprising of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and targeted next generation sequencing (tNGS) are upcoming fields in TB diagnosis In a programmatic setting, tNGS offers great promise for smear positive or NAAT positive samples to be used with a Minion platform in a field setting beyond just the National reference laboratories. Once materialised, the tNGS would offer personalised patient management as well as help in public health by identification of outbreaks, transmission chain monitoring and drug resistance surveillance.

A full-scale study of mixing and foaming in egg-shaped anaerobic digesters.

Seasonal foaming in full-scale egg-shaped digesters (ESD) at the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant was investigated over a two-year period. The causes and contributors of anaerobic digestion (AD) foaming, namely, Gordonia amarae filaments and mixing effects were evaluated in these ESDs. The seasonal presence of high levels of G. amarae as a primary cause and excessive induced mixing as an important contributor of AD foaming has been established. The induced mixing frequency in the ESDs was gradually reduced and eventually shut off in a series of controlled experimental phases. Total solids and temperature profiles indicated that reducing mixing frequency did not significantly impact digester performance or disrupt the homogeneity of digester contents, although it did reduce the occurrence of foam in the digesters. Excessive induced mixing, a contributor to foaming, increased foam events at G. amarae thresholds above 10(6)intersections/mg VSS in the mixed liquor.

Mechanisms of foam formation in anaerobic digesters.

An anaerobic digester (AD) is the most essential step to generate energy in the form of biogas from waste. AD foaming is widespread and leads to deterioration of the AD process and operation. In extreme conditions, AD foaming poses a significant safety risk and considerable economic impacts. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the fundamentals of AD foaming to develop effective strategies that can help minimize the foaming impacts. Several aspects of AD foaming have attracted considerable research attention, however, the focused has been mainly on site specific causes and prevention. Here, the available three-phase foam literature is reviewed with an emphasis on the fundamental aspects of bubble formation in AD: similarities between AD foams and other "desirable" foams, surface rheology, physico-chemical aspects of carbon dioxide (CO2) in digesters, dynamics of the gas-phase, pH, alkalinity and certain relationships between these factors are discussed. All of the abovementioned fundamental aspects seem to be involved in AD foam formation. However, the detailed relationship between these uncontrolled and controlled factors, foam formation and its implications for process and operation of AD is still inconclusive.

Anaerobic digester foaming in full-scale cylindrical digesters--effects of organic loading rate, feed characteristics, and mixing.

Cylindrical anaerobic digesters (AD) were investigated to determine the causes and contributors of AD foaming due to the following: organic loading rate (OLR) and mixing effects, waste activated sludge (WAS) storage effects and foam suppression mixing at the surface of AD, and the effects of primary sludge (PS) solids fraction in the feed sludge. No foaming was observed over the duration of the study, indicating absence of a primary foaming cause even though the suspected contributors to AD foaming were present. Total solids and temperature profiles showed that reducing mixing frequency did not significantly impact digester performance or the homogeneity of the digester contents. The results showed that high organic loading rates, reduced mixing, and feed sludge storage by themselves do not cause foaming in most ADs when the primary foaming cause is absent. Reduced mixing and surface sludge sprays are practical strategies to control AD foaming.

Extraction of pentachlorophenol from soils using environmentally benign lactic acid solutions.

Soil contamination with pentachlorophenol (PCP) is widespread across the globe. Soil washing/extraction is a common technique to remove this compound. Several soil washing/extraction solutions have been used but a majority of them have the problem of persistence in the environment due to their low biodegradability. Our aim was to investigate mixed solutions of lactic acid and water as potential alternatives to surfactant solutions or organic solvent systems used for the removal of PCP from three soils: montmorillonite, a natural sediment (with organic matter), and the same sediment without organic matter (ignited sediment). This study included the optimization of the concentration of lactic acid in water for maximum extraction efficiency and the determination of linear desorption constants for removal of PCP from the three soils with lactic acid. The effect of soil/sediment organic matter on the extraction efficiency was also studied. Initial experiments showed that 24h was the optimum extraction time. High extraction efficiencies were obtained for montmorillonite (40-80%) and ignited sediment ( approximately 90%). The natural sediment exhibited low PCP extraction due to presence of organic matter, while high desorption coefficient values ( approximately 23 L/kg) were obtained for the ignited sediment. For all soils, a decrease in extraction was observed at higher concentrations of lactic acid. The specific surface area of soil/sediment was also found to be an important factor affecting the extraction of PCP.