Production and concentration of keratinases and application of fermentation residual in removing hexavalent chromium.

The production of keratinases was evaluated in submerged fermentation with Aspergillus niger and by pigs' swine hair in a batch bioreactor. Experimental planning was performed to assess the interaction between different variables. The enzyme extract produced was characterized at various pH and temperatures and subjected to enzyme concentration using a biphasic aqueous system and salt/solvent precipitation techniques.

Trichoderma koningiopsis fermentation in airlift bioreactor for bioherbicide production.

During scaling of fermentations, choosing a bioreactor is fundamental to ensure the product's quality. This study aims to produce bioherbicides using Trichoderma koningiopsis fermentation, evaluating process parameters in an Airlift bioreactor. As a response, we quantified the production of enzymes involved in the bioherbicide activity (amylase, cellulase, laccase, lipase, and peroxidase).

Fungus-based bioherbicides on circular economy.

This review aimed to show that bioherbicides are possible in organic agriculture as natural compounds from fungi and metabolites produced by them. It is discussed that new formulations must be developed to improve field stability and enable the commercialization of microbial herbicides. Due to these bottlenecks, it is crucial to advance the bioprocesses behind the formulation and fermentation of bio-based herbicides, scaling up, strategies for field application, and the potential of bioherbicides in the global market.

A review of hybrid enzymatic-chemical treatment for wastewater containing antiepileptic drugs.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide and requires treatment with antiepileptic drugs for many years or for life. This fact leads to the need for constant production and use of these compounds, placing them among the four pharmaceutical classes most found in wastewater. Even at low concentrations, antiepileptics pose risks to human and environmental health and are considered organic contaminants of emerging concern.

The bioherbicidal potential of isolated fungi cultivated in microalgal biomass.

This study evaluated the bioherbicidal potential of wild fungi grown on microalgal biomass from the digestate treatment of biogas production. Four fungal isolates were used and the extracts were evaluated for the activity of different enzymes and characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The bioherbicidal activity was assessed by application on Cucumis sativus, and the leaf damage was visually estimated.

Challenges and opportunities for third-generation ethanol production: A critical review.

In recent decades, third-generation (3G) biofuels have become a more attractive method of fuel production, as algae cultivation does not infringe on resources needed for food production. Additionally, algae can adapt to different environments, has high photosynthetic efficiency (CO fixation), and has a high potential for carbohydrate accumulation. The prevalence of algae worldwide demonstrates its ability to adapt to different environments and climates, proving its biodiversity and versatility.

Nitrous oxide emission in altered nitrogen cycle and implications for climate change.

Natural processes and human activities play a crucial role in changing the nitrogen cycle and increasing nitrous oxide (NO) emissions, which are accelerating at an unprecedented rate. NO has serious global warming potential (GWP), about 310 times higher than that of carbon dioxide. The food production, transportation, and energy required to sustain a world population of seven billion have required dramatic increases in the consumption of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers and fossil fuels, leading to increased NO in air and water.

Seawater-based biorefineries: A strategy to reduce the water footprint in the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass.

Biorefineries are an essential step towards implementing a circular economy in the long term. They are based on renewable raw materials and must be designed holistically, recovering building blocks from being converted into several products. Lignocellulosic biomass is considered a critical pillar for a biologically based economy and a high value-added feedstock.

Hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for hemicellulose recovery.

The hemicellulosic fraction recovery is of interest for integrated processes in biorefineries, considering the possibility of high economic value products produced from their structural compounds of this polysaccharide. However, to perform an efficient recovery, it is necessary to use biomass fractionation techniques, and hydrothermal pretreatment is highlighted as a valuable technique in the hemicellulose recovery by applying high temperatures and pressure, causing dissolution of the structure. Considering the possibility of this pretreatment technique for current approaches to hemicellulose recovery, this article aimed to explore the relevance of hydrothermal pretreatment techniques (sub and supercritical water) as a strategy for recovering the hemicellulosic fraction from lignocellulosic biomass.

One-step procedure for peroxidase concentration, dye separation, and color removal by aqueous two-phase system.

The aim of our study is to develop a one-step procedure to remove and degrade dyes from wastewater using a low-cost and efficient system based on aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), a well-known technique used to concentrate and recover enzymes. We investigated the catalytic proprieties of rice bran peroxidase (RBP) and found that this homemade enzyme can remain bound to its substrate for up to 5 days in controlled environments, without denaturing and while maintaining stable oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and pH. This biomolecule showed affinity for the ATPS technique prepared with polyethylene glycol and salt, which improved the relative activity up to 170%.

Extremophile Microbial Communities and Enzymes for Bioenergetic Application Based on Multi-Omics Tools.

Genomic and proteomic advances in extremophile microorganism studies are increasingly demonstrating their ability to produce a variety of enzymes capable of converting biomass into bioenergy. Such microorganisms are found in environments with nutritional restrictions, anaerobic environments, high salinity, varying pH conditions and extreme natural environments such as hydrothermal vents, soda lakes, and Antarctic sediments. As extremophile microorganisms and their enzymes are found in widely disparate locations, they generate new possibilities and opportunities to explore biotechnological prospecting, including biofuels (biogas, hydrogen and ethanol) with an aim toward using multi-omics tools that shed light on biotechnological breakthroughs.

A review on alternative bioprocesses for removal of emerging contaminants.

Emerging contaminants (ECs) include endocrine-disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals (lipid regulators, antibiotics, diuretics, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, stimulant drugs, antiseptics, analgesic, beta blockers), detergents, disinfectants, and personal care products. The residues from these compounds have become a concerning because of their bioactive presence on environmental matrices, especially water bodies. The development of technologies, aiming the secure and efficient removal of these compounds from the environment or event to remove them before they achieve the environment, is necessary.

Pre-treatment Strategies for Value Addition in Poultry Litter.

We studied different pre-treatments of poultry litter aiming to add economic value to this residue. Strategies were applied to extract ammonium nitrogen with the aim of allowing its further use as fertilizer, and to promote the hydrolysis and solubilization of lignocellulosic components with the aim of facilitating its subsequent conversion to biogas. Ammonia extraction was performed by solubilization in water in a one-step process and by successive extraction steps (3 times 60 min).

and sp. as Keratinase Producers Using Swine Hair From Agroindustrial Residues.

Technological processes mediated by microorganisms and enzymes are promising alternatives for treatment of recalcitrant residues. Keratinases hydrolyze keratin, the primary component of some wastes generated in many industrial activities. The present study was designed to evaluate strategies for obtaining keratinases produced by fungi using submerged fermentation and two residues as substrates, chicken feathers and swine hair.

Advanced oxidation processes applied for color removal of textile effluent using a home-made peroxidase from rice bran.

Enzymes are becoming tools in industrial processes because of several advantages, including activity in mild environmental conditions, and high specificity. Peroxidase, for one, stably oxidizes several substrates. The present study aimed to develop advanced oxidation processes (AOP), using non-commercial rice bran peroxidase to remove color and toxicity of synthetic textile wastewater.

Removal of chromium from wastewater by swine hair residues applied as a putative biofilter.

Swine production chain generates residues with potential application in environmental processes. This study aimed at the use of swine hair as a potential biofilter for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) removal from wastewater of tannery industry. The hair was pretreated using HO in alkaline medium, and statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the hair degradation, as well the Cr(VI) removal by the potential pretreated biofilter.

Cellulolytic enzyme production from agricultural residues for biofuel purpose on circular economy approach.

This study evaluated the production of cellulolytic enzymes from different agricultural residues. The crude enzyme extract produced was characterized and applied for saccharification of some agricultural residues. Maximum cellulolytic activities were obtained using soybean hulls.

Efficient and low-cost alternative of lipase concentration aiming at the application in the treatment of waste cooking oils.

In this study, we evaluated the concentration of lipases from Aspergillus niger using efficient and low-cost methods aiming at application in the treatment of waste cooking oils. The change in ionic strength of the medium by the addition of salt and precipitation with ethanol increased the specific activity from 2.90 to 28.