His-tagged lactate oxidase production for industrial applications using fed-batch fermentation.

L-lactate oxidase (LOX) is a biotechnologically important enzyme used in biosensors and colorimetric kits to detect lactate, a key biomarker in clinical diagnostics, sports medicine and the food industry. In this work, we produced a recombinant His-tagged Aerococcus viridans LOX (rLOX) in Escherichia coli and carried out its functional characterization for industrial applications. Our rLOX was evaluated in a colorimetric kit for human diagnostics and in an amperometric biosensor to measure the lactic acid in food products.

Design and performance evaluation of a photocatalytic reactor for indoor air disinfection.

Since COVID-19 pandemic, indoor air quality control has become a priority, and the development of air purification devices effective for disinfecting airborne viruses and bacteria is of outmost relevance. In this work, a photocatalytic device for the removal of airborne microorganisms is presented. It is an annular reactor filled with TiO-coated glass rings and irradiated internally and externally by UV-A lamps.

Photocatalytic inactivation of bioaerosols in a fixed-bed reactor with TiO-coated glass rings.

The photocatalytic inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores in air was evaluated employing a fixed-bed reactor with TiO2-coated glass rings, under artificial UV-A radiation. Calculations of the radiation effectively absorbed inside the reactor were carried out by Monte Carlo simulations. The photocatalytic inactivation was assessed by analyzing the viability of the microorganisms retained by the coated glass rings inside the reactor at different irradiation periods.

Kinetic modeling of the photocatalytic degradation of clofibric acid in a slurry reactor.

A kinetic study of the photocatalytic degradation of the pharmaceutical clofibric acid is presented. Experiments were carried out under UV radiation employing titanium dioxide in water suspension. The main reaction intermediates were identified and quantified.