Publications by authors named "Alba Blanquez"

The development of biological strategies to obtain new high-added value biopolymers from lignocellulosic biomass is a current challenge for scientific community. This study evaluates the biodegradability and ecotoxicity of new formulated oleogels obtained from fermented agricultural residues with , previously reported to show improved rheological and tribological characteristics compared to commercial mineral lubricants. Both new oleogels exhibited higher biodegradation rates than the commercial grease.

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The replacement of mineral oils and non-renewable gelling agents is an imperative requirement for the lubricant industry in the near future. In this framework, cellulose pulp and castor oil are proposed as sustainable substitutes for these components. Biological treatment has been explored and evaluated to enhance the dispersing and thickening properties of cellulose pulp in oil media.

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Currently, there is increasing interest in assessing the potential of bacterial laccases for industrial and environmental applications especially in harsh conditions. The environmental impact of the textile industry requires novel and effective technologies to mitigate the presence of dyes in wastewaters before discharging into the environment. Dyes usually remain stable in the presence of a variety of chemicals, light and are recalcitrant to microbial degradation.

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The role of laccase SilA produced by Streptomyces ipomoeae CECT 3341 in lignocellulose degradation was investigated. A comparison of the properties and activities of a laccase-negative mutant strain (SilA-) with that of the wild-type was studied in terms of their ability to degrade lignin from grass lignocellulose. The yields of solubilized lignin (acid precipitable polymeric lignin, APPL) obtained from wheat straw by both strains in Solid State Fermentation (SSF) conditions demonstrated the importance of SilA laccase in lignin degradation with the wild-type showing 5-fold more APPL produced compared with the mutant strain (SilA-).

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This study evaluates the potential of a bacterial laccase from Streptomyces ipomoeae (SilA) for delignification and detoxification of steam-exploded wheat straw, in comparison with a commercial fungal laccase from Trametes villosa. When alkali extraction followed by SilA laccase treatment was applied to the water insoluble solids fraction, a slight reduction in lignin content was detected, and after a saccharification step, an increase in both glucose and xylose production (16 and 6%, respectively) was observed. These effects were not produced with T.

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The presence of fluoroquinolone based antimicrobials in natural waters represents a significant emerging environmental problem. In this study the suitability of a novel alkaline bacterial laccase, SilA, from Streptomyces ipomoeae to degrade two key antimicrobials, Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin under alkaline conditions in the presence of natural mediators was assessed. Results showed that only the selected SilA-acetosyringone system was able to degrade more than 90% of both fluoroquinolones.

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