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Abstract: Bioremediation of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI) by Botrytis aclada fres and Chrysonilia sitophila was studied. The organisms were isolated from decaying onion bulb and apple fruit respectively, purified in Potato Dextrose Agar, and grown for 144 hours in solutions of potassium dichromate of concentrations ranging from 5-20 mg/l at 400C. Effective reduction of Cr(VI) was observed at 5-20 mg/l compared to 25 mg/l dichromate treatments in both organisms. The results showed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in biomass concentration in the two fungi used with increasing concentration of the dichromate treatment (5-25 mg/l). Significant increase (P < 0.05) in residual glucose concentration was also observed in the culture media with increase in concentration of the dichromate treatment. However, at 20 mg/l dichromate treatment, Cr(IV) concentration, 1.36 ± 0.02 and 1.71 ± 0.03 (P < 0.05) were revealed in the culture media of B. aclada fres and C. sitophila respectively. Also, 0.71 ± 0.03 and 0.94 ± 0.03 Cr(IV) concentration (P < 0.05) were observed in the fungal mycelia at 20 mg/l dichromate treatment in B. aclada fres and C. sitophila respectively. After 144 hours of growth, Cr(VI) reduction of 89.65% in B. aclada fres and 86.75% in C. sitophila at 20 mg/l dichromate treatment were revealed. This investigation suggests that the two fungi adopted a process of reduction to tolerate the toxicity of hexavalent chromium. The results indicate the potentials of the fungi in bioremediation particularly in the treatment of waste water containing hexavalent chromium.. Keywords: Chromium contamination, Cr(VI) reduction, detoxification, waste water treatment, Botrytis aclada fres, Chrysonilia sitophila.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Based on a dynamic (i.e. time-dependent) one-dimensional approach, this work applied lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to computationally model biospecific affinity chromatography (BAC). With governing equations expressed in lattice-based dimensionless form, LBM was implemented in D1Q2 lattice by assigning particle distribution functions to adsorbate concentration in both fluid and solid phases. The LBM simulator was firstly tested in view of a classic BAC work on lysozyme and the streaming step relating to adsorbate concentration in the solid-phase was suppressed from the LBM code with no loss of functionality. Expected behaviour of breakthrough curves was numerically reproduced and the influence of lattice-based dimensionless parameters was examined. The LBM simulator was next applied so as to assess lattice-based dimensionless parameters regarding an experimental BAC work on lipase. Keywords: Biospecific affinity chromatography, phenomenological modelling, numerical simulation, lattice Boltzmann method.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: The polysaccharides chitin and chitosan are made up of monomer units of the amino sugars D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The ratio of these two monomers dictates whether the polysaccharide is considered chitin or chitosan. Both polymers have unique properties and have uses in several diverse applications. In nature, chitin and chitosan primarily play a structural role. When purified from their producing organism, these polymers exhibit useful structural, chemical and biological properties. Chitin and chitosan have been used in several applications including biomedicine, food additives, cosmetics, and more. The charged chitosan polymer is especially effective in biomedical applications, as it has been demonstrated to possess antimicrobial properties. This review explores the properties of chitin and chitosan and how these biopolymers are used in a variety of healthcare and other applications. Keywords: Chitin, chitosan, medical device, biomaterial, N-acetyl glucosamine, seafood waste. |
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Abstract: Concentrated organic waste is a major societal problem. It is a disease vector, a source of groundwater contamination, as well as a source of greenhouse gases. Managed Ecosystem Fermentation (MEF) is a technology that converts this societal problem into an economic resource for the community. MEF is a fermentation process that uses over 3,000 species of microbes simultaneously to produce multiple high-value products used in industry and agriculture. The products include fertilizer, high-protein animal feed, volatile fatty acids, longer chain fatty acids, amino acids, enzymes, etc. The values of these products range from $50 to over $16,000 per ton. MEF is an adaptive system that processes non-homogeneous, non-sterile organic waste/s under non-sterile conditions. It converts the waste into industrial products in 24 hours using a microbial system that has worked for millions of years. It is the only known technology that can convert cellulose into protein. Society benefits from converting what is now a cause of disease, groundwater contamination and greenhouse gases into valuable products. Keywords: Managed Ecosystem Fermentation, enzyme, economic resource, MEF, rumen.Download Full Article |
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