Saccharification of water hyacinth biomass by a combination of steam explosion with enzymatic technologies for bioethanol production.

In the present work, bioethanol was produced by sugar fermentation obtained from water hyacinth using a novelty hybrid method composed of steam explosion and enzymatic hydrolysis, using hydrolytic enzymes produced by solid-state fermentation and water hyacinth as substrate. The highest activity, 42 U for xylanase and 2 U for cellulase per gram of dry matter, respectively, was obtained. Steam explosion pretreatment was performed at 190 â„ƒ for 1, 5, and 10 min, using water hyacinth sampled from the Maria Lizamba Lagoon, the Arroyo Hondo and the Amapa River. The highest amounts of reducing sugars of water hyacinth were obtained form the samples from the lagoon (5.4 g/50 g of dry matter) after 10 min of treatment. Steamed biomass was hydrolysed using the enzymes obtained by solid-state fermentation, obtained reducing sugars (maximum 15.5 g/L); the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis was 0.51 g of reducing sugars per gram of water hyacinth. Finally, reducing sugars were fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for conversion to ethanol, with the highest ethanol concentration (7.13 g/L) and an ethanol yield of 0.23 g/g of dry matter.

Effect of stirring on growth and cellulolytic enzymes production by Trichoderma harzianum in a novel bench-scale solid-state fermentation bioreactor.

A novel bench-scale stirred bioreactor for solid-state fermentation was used to determine the effect of the stirring rate on growth and enzymes production by Trichoderma harzianum PBLA. Lab-scale static tubular bioreactors were first used to assess the effect of bioreactor diameter on heat accumulation, growth, and production of cellulases and xylanases. The increased diameters (1.8-4.2 cm) led to increases in temperature up to 36 °C (at a rate of 1.08 °C/cm), which negatively affected the growth and enzyme production. Afterward, in the bench-scale bioreactor operated at rates up to 3.0 rpm, maximum xylanases production (107 ±â€¯0.3 U/g dm) was attained at rates of 0.5 and 1.0 rpm, reaching a maximum of 34 ±â€¯0.3 °C. Cellulases production was reduced (up to 79%) due to stirring. Therefore, the production of xylanases by T. harzianum can be performed in this cross-flow stirred SSF bioreactor at rates up to 1.0 rpm, avoiding heat accumulation and damage on metabolic activity.

Rapid mineralisation of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste.

The effect of pH, C/N ratio, addition of a microbial consortium (MC) and temperature upon mineralisation of Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) was studied; mineralisation was measured through the CO2 production rate and total CO2 formation. Through this process up to 432.9mg of CO2g(-1) initial dry matter (IDM) after 2days of treatment was obtained. It was found that under a slightly acidic pH (5-6) and C/N of 30, the mineralisation process was accelerated. Moreover, temperature (27-50°C) had no effect on the total CO2 produced. The highest CO2 production rate (5.28d(-1)) was observed at 27°C, C/N ratio of 30 and 8% of microbial consortium; it is at least 3.52 times higher than that reported (1.5d(-1)). The highest release of reducing sugars was determined at 50°C, possibly due to an increase in hydrolytic enzymes. Results suggest the potential use of rapid mineralisation of OFMSW for further friendly environmental processes.

A comparative study of Taxol production in liquid and solid-state fermentation with Nigrospora sp. a fungus isolated from Taxus globosa.

AIMS: To determine in liquid (LF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) the effect of medium concentration on growth and Taxol produced by Nigrospora sp., a fungus isolated from the Mexican yew. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nigrospora sp. was grown at different concentrations of the base culture medium M1D, i.e. two (2×), four (4×), six (6×) and eight times (8×) the base concentration. The titres of Taxol determined by competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassay increased with increasing medium concentration in LF and SSF but were higher in SSF in every medium concentration. The Taxol produced in SSF and LF with 8× medium was 221 and 142 ng l(-1) . The SSF gave also higher biomass, growth and sugar utilization than LF in every medium. The growth and sugar consumption were modelled by the logistic and the Pirt models, respectively. However, the Luedeking-Piret model was unsuitable for Taxol. CONCLUSIONS: The SSF surpassed LF in terms of Taxol, growth and sugar utilization; thus, it has significant advantages over LF. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report on Taxol production by SSF and the first contribution to evaluate the influence of the medium on Taxol production in LF and SSF.

Estudio del efecto de la relacióncarbono: nitrógeno, el tipo de inóculoy la adición de extracto de levaduraen la producción de ácido jasmónicocon Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat: cepa RC1 / Studies on the effects of carbon: nitrogen ratio, inoculum type and yeast extract addition on jasmonic acid production by Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat: strain RC1

El ácido jasmónico es un regulador del crecimiento de las plantas producidopor algas, microorganismos y plantas superiores, que participa en laactivación de mecanismos de defensa contra patógenos y ante la presenciade heridas en las plantas. En este trabajo se estudió la influencia de larelación carbono:nitrógeno (rC/N: 17, 35 y 70), el tipo de inóculo (esporas omicelio) y la adición de extracto de levadura al medio de cultivo en laproducción de ácido jasmónico por Botryodiplodia theobromae. Los estudiosrevelaron que la producción de ácido jasmónico es estimulada a una rC/N 17.La productividad del ácido jasmónico fue mayor para la inoculación conmicelio y la adición de extracto de levadura al medio de cultivo en 1,7 y 1,3veces, respectivamente(AU)

Jasmonic acid is a native plant growth regulator produced by algae,microorganisms and higher plants. This regulator is involved in the activationof defence mechanisms against pathogens and wounding in plants. Studies concerning the effects of carbon: nitrogen ratio (C/Nr: 17, 35 and 70), type of inoculum (spores or mycelium) and the yeast extract addition in the media on jasmonic acid production by Botryodiplodia theobromae were evaluated. Jasmonic acid production was stimulated at the carbon: nitrogen ratio of 17. jasmonic acid productivity was higher in the media inoculated with mycelium and in the media with yeast extract 1,7 and 1,3 times, respectively(AU)

Improvement of the hydrocarbon phytoremediation rate by Cyperus laxus Lam. inoculated with a microbial consortium in a model system.

Hydrocarbon phytoremediation by Cyperus laxus Lam. growing on perlite and inoculated with hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms was evaluated. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were extracted from weathered soil (60.7 g of TPH kg(-1) of dry soil) and spiked on perlite at initial concentration of 5 g of TPH kg(-1) of dry perlite. Phenological characteristics, total microbial viable counts, hydrocarbon degraders and residual hydrocarbons were determined through 180 days of culture. Phenological characteristics of inoculated plants were improved as compared with non-inoculated plants: root biomass was 1.6 times greater, flowering time was reduced (13%), and the number of inflorescences was 1.5 times higher. The rhizospheric bacterial and fungi counts were higher for planted treatments (inoculated and not inoculated) than for unplanted pots. The maximum phytoremediation rate (0.51 mg of TPH g(-1) of dry plant d(-1)) for inoculated plants was reached at 60 days of culture, and was two times higher than for non-inoculated plants (55% TPH removal). Similar hydrocarbon phytoremediation extent values for inoculated (90%) and non-inoculated (85%) plants were obtained at 180 days of culture. The present study demonstrated that mutual benefits between C. laxus and inoculated hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms are improved during phytoremediation. It is pertinent to note that this is the first report of hydrocarbon phytoremediation by Cyperus laxus Lam., a native plant growing in highly contaminated swamps.

Biodegradation of hexadecane in liquid and solid-state fermentations by Aspergillus niger.

The biodegradation and mineralisation of hexadecane (HXD) by Aspergillus niger were studied in SmF and Solid-state fermentation (SSF). HXD concentrations ranging from 45 to 180 g/l (SSF) and from 20 to 80 g/l (SmF) were tested. HXD consumption was three times higher and fungal growth was up to 30 times faster in SSF than in SmF. The maximum HXD consumption in SmF was 62% (18% mineralised) and in SSF 100% (52% mineralised) for initial HXD concentrations of 20 and 45 g/l, respectively. The respiratory quotient in SmF increased (from 0.85 to 1.08) with increase in HXD concentration, while it was independent (approximately 0.68) of the initial HXD concentration in SSF. These results showed that the consumption rate and biodegradation efficiency for HXD were higher in SSF than in SmF.

Biodegradation of Maya crude oil fractions by bacterial strains and a defined mixed culture isolated from Cyperus laxus rhizosphere soil in a contaminated site.

Ten bacterial strains were isolated by enrichment culture, using as carbon sources either aliphatics or an aromatic-polar mixture. Oxygen uptake rate was used as a criterion to determine culture transfer timing at each enrichment stage. Biodegradation of aliphatics (10,000 mg L(-1)) and an aromatic-polar mixture (5000 mg L(-1), 2:1) was evaluated for each of the bacterial strains and for a defined culture made up with a standardized mixture of the isolated strains. Degradation of total hydrocarbons (10,000 mg L(-1)) was also determined for the defined mixed culture. Five bacterial strains were able to degrade more than 50% of the aliphatic fraction. The most extensive biodegradation (74%) was obtained with strain Bs 9A, while strains Ps 2AP and UAM 10AP were able to degrade up to 15% of the aromatic-polar mixture. The defined mixed culture degraded 47% of the aliphatics and 6% of the aromatic-polar mixture. The defined mixed culture was able to degrade about 40% of the aliphatic fraction and 26% of the aromatic fraction when grown in the presence of total hydrocarbons, while these microorganisms did not consume the polar hydrocarbons fraction. The proposed strategy that combines enrichment culture together with oxygen uptake rate allowed the isolation of bacterial strains that are able to degrade specific hydrocarbons fractions at high consumption rates.

Production of tannase by Aspergillus niger Aa-20 in submerged and solid-state fermentation: influence of glucose and tannic acid.

Tannase production by Aspergillus niger Aa-20 was studied in submerged (SmF) and solid-state (SSF) fermentation systems with different tannic acid and glucose concentrations. Tannase activity and productivity were at least 2.5 times higher in SSF than in SmF. Addition of high tannic acid concentrations increased total tannase activity in SSF, while in SmF it was decreased. In SmF, total tannase activity increased from 0.57 to 1.03 IU/mL, when the initial glucose concentration increased from 6.25 to 25 g/L, but a strong catabolite repression of tannase synthesis was observed in SmF when an initial glucose concentration of 50 g/L was used. In SSF, maximal values of total tannase activity decreased from 7.79 to 2.51 IU when the initial glucose concentration was increased from 6.25 to 200 g/L. Kinetic results on tannase production indicate that low tannase activity titers in SmF could be associated to an enzyme degradation process which is not present in SSF. Tannase titers produced by A. niger Aa-20 are fermentation system-dependent, favoring SSF over SmF.

Toluene biofiltration by the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum TB1.

The performance of biofilters inoculated with the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum was evaluated. This fungus was isolated from a biofilter which operated with toluene for more than 6 months. The experiments were performed in a 2.9 L reactor packed with vermiculite or with vermiculite-granular activated carbon as packing material. The initial moisture content of the support and the inlet concentration of toluene were 70% and 6 g/m3, respectively. As the pressure drop increased from 5-40 mm H2O a strong initial growth was observed. Stable operation was maintained for 20 days with a moisture content of 55% and a biomass of 33 mg biomass/g dry support. These conditions were achieved with intermittent addition of culture medium, which permitted a stable elimination capacity (EC) of 100 g/m3(reactor)h without clogging. Pressure drop across the bed and CO2 production were related to toluene elimination. Measurement of toluene, at different levels of the biofilter, showed that the system attained higher local EC (200 g/m3(r)h) at the reactor outlet. These conditions were related to local humidity conditions. When the mineral medium was added periodically before the EC decreases, EC of approximately 258 g/m3(r)h were maintained with removal efficiencies of 98%. Under these conditions the average moisture content was 60% and 41 mg biomass/g dry support was produced. No sporulation was observed. Evaluation of bacterial content and activities showed that the toluene elimination was only due to S. apiospermum catabolism.

Oscillations of exopolymeric composition and sludge volume index in nitrifying flocs.

Protein, carbohydrate, and lipid composition of the exopolymer fraction of a nitrifying sludge in steady-state culture was analyzed after dissociation with 50 mM EDTA and dialysis of the nonfilamentous flocs. Steady-state culture was established when the nitrification rate was constant. The nitrification efficiency at that regime was 93%, also constant. In steady state the concentration of exopolymer protein in the nitrifying sludge floc oscillated from 5 (lowest) to 45 (highest) mg/L with a consistent oscillating pattern having a duration period of 10 d each. Carbohydrate and lipid content in the flocs showed no significant variations (30 and 36 mg/L, respectively). Only 20% of the extracellular polysaccharides had molecular weights higher than 10 kDa, suggesting that the floc aggregation depended on smaller fractions of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates. The oscillations in the concentration of exopolymeric protein coincided with parallel variations in the sludge volumetric index (SVI) value (12.2+/-2.1 mL/g). Analysis of the polymeric substances of the floc and suspended solids corroborated by statistical analysis indicated that the variations in the SVI of the nitrifying nonfilamentous flocs were mainly related to the changes in the exopolymeric protein content.

Production of pectinases by Aspergillus niger in solid state fermentation at high initial glucose concentrations.

Exopectinase (exo-p) and endopectinase (endo-p) production by Aspergillus niger CH4 in solid state culture was studied at initial glucose concentrations of 100, 250, 350 and 450 g/l. The highest activity of exo-p (35 U/g) was produced at 72 and 120 h in the medium containing 100 and 250 g glucose/l, respectively. The maximum endo-p activity (9 U/g) was produced at 72 h in the medium with 250 g glucose/l. The reduction in pectinase production at 350 and 450 g/l initial glucose concentration was due neither to repression of the synthesis of the enzyme nor to the glucose consumption rate of the strain but due to a drastic drop in pH of the medium.

Production and properties of three pectinolytic activities produced by Aspergillus niger in submerged and solid-state fermentation.

Three extracellular pectinases were produced by Aspergillus niger CH4 by submerged and solid-state fermentation, and their physicochemical and kinetic properties were studied. The highest productivities of endo- and exo-pectinase and pectin lyase were obtained with solid-state fermentation. The kinetic and physicochemical properties of these enzymes were influenced by the type of culture method used. All activities were very different in terms of pH and temperature optima, stability at different pH and temperature values and affinity for the substrate (Km values). In solid-state fermentation, all pectinase activities were more stable at extreme pH and temperature values but the Km values of endo-pectinase and pectin lyase were higher with respect to those activities obtained by the submerged-culture technique. The pectin lyase activity obtained by the submerged-culture technique showed substrate inhibition but the enzyme obtained by solid-state fermentation did not. Electrophoresis, using sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel with enzymatic extracts obtained for both culture methods, showed the same number of protein bands but some differences were found in their electrophoretic position. The results obtained in this work suggest that the culture method (submerged or solid-state) may be responsible for inducing changes in some of the pectinolytic enzymes produced by A. niger.

Symmetric branching model for the kinetics of mycelial growth.

A mathematical model, linking microscopic to macroscopic parameters of the kinetics of mycelial growth is presented. The model consists of two parts: (a) a microscopic description, based on the assumption that growth of a mycelium can be represented approximately by the growth of a symmetric binary tree, where the branching level (microscopic state variable) is logarithmically related to the number of tips and segments; and (b) a macroscopic description which makes use of the microscopic description in order to define the parameters related to the evolution of biomass (macroscopic state variable) as a function of time. The latter uses a distribution of arrested tips in a population of mycelia, in order to estimate the fraction of non-growing biomass in terms of a power law function with coefficient, n, of the biomass concentration. The microscopic description explains the fact that the germ tube specific growth rate of Aspergillus nidulans measured in a growth chamber, is about the double the specific growth rate of this organism, when measured in shake flasks. It predicts that the length of the hyphal growth unit of the mycelium of Geotrichum candidum would be approximately the double the germ tube length measured at the time just before the first branching event. It also allows the derivation of useful expressions for predicting macroscopic parameters, such as the maximal specific growth rate, the initial amount of biomass, and the amount of biomass before the branching process starts. Those estimates are done in terms of microscopic quantities, i.e., the amount of germinated spores, the diameters of the spores and hyphae, the average rate of tip extension, and the average internodal segment length. Estimation of coefficient n by fitting the macroscopic description to a growth curve of A. niger gives an indication on the degree of skewness of the distribution of arrested mycelia. Estimated macroscopic parameters are in relative good agreement with measured average segment length.

Kinetics of batch fermentations for ethanol production with Zymomonas mobilis growing on Jerusalem Artichoke juice.

A flocculent strain of Zymomonas mobilis was used for ethanol production from Jerusalem Artichoke juice containing 113-245 g/L sugar in batch fermentation. The kinetic and yields parameters are calculated using a new method based on polynomial equations for the variation of biomass, ethanol, and sugar concentrations with time. The results show that. Z. mobilis can convert rapidly and efficiently Jerusalem Artichoke juice to ethanol. When a sugar concentration of 248 gL was used, 100 g/L ethanol was formed with an ethanol yield based on sugar utilized of 0.47 g/g (92% of theoretical LP).