Exploring the diversity and functional profile of microbial communities of Brazilian soils with high salinity and oil contamination.

Environmental pollution associated with the petroleum industry is a major problem worldwide. Microbial degradation is extremely important whether in the extractive process or in bioremediation of contaminants. Assessing the local microbiota and its potential for degradation is crucial for implementing effective bioremediation strategies.

Comparison of calcium carbonate production by bacterial isolates from recycled aggregates.

The new technology of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been applied in construction materials as a strategy to enhance their properties. In pursuit of solutions that are more localized and tailored to the study's target, this work focused on isolating and selecting bacteria capable of producing CaCO for posterior application in concrete aggregates. First, eleven bacterial isolates were obtained from aggregates and identified as genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Exiguobacterium, and Micrococcus.

Investigation of carbon steel corrosion by oilfield nitrate- and sulfate-reducing prokaryotes consortia in a hypersaline environment.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) behavior of the AISI 1020 carbon steel caused by consortia of nitrate-reducing prokaryotes (NRP) and sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP) was investigated separately in hypersaline seawater conditions. Microbiological analysis, surface images, characterization of corrosion products, weight loss, and electrochemical measurements were employed to monitor the corrosion process for 10 days at 40 °C. Compared to abiotic corrosion (control), the extent of corrosion was more aggravated in the conditions with microbial consortia.

Açaí ( Mart.) Seed Extracts from Different Varieties: A Source of Proanthocyanidins and Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibition Activity.

Mart. (Arecaceae) is an endogenous palm tree from the Amazon region. Its seeds correspond to 85% of the fruit's weight, a primary solid residue generated from pulp production, the accumulation of which represents a potential source of pollution and environmental problems.

Use of plant materials for the bioremediation of soil from an industrial site.

Bioremediation is one of the existing techniques applied for treating oil-contaminated soil, which can be improved by the incorporation of low-cost nutritional materials. This study aimed to assess the addition of two low-cost plant residues, sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and leaf litter (LL) of the forest leguminous plant (sabiá), either separately or combined, to a contaminated soil from a petroleum refinery area, analyzed after 90 days of treatment. Individually, both amounts of SCB (20 and 40 g kg) favored the growth of total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi, while LL at 20 g kg better stimulated the hydrocarbon-degrading microorganism's activity in the soil.

Recovery of lanthanides from hydrocarbon cracking spent catalyst through chemical and biotechnological strategies.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the rare earth elements (REEs) recovery from fluid catalytic cracking spent catalyst (FCC-SC) by chemical and biochemical strategies while also examining a route for the valorization of biodiesel-derived glycerin (RG), which is presently unprofitable to refine. Recovery tests for REEs were performed with no pretreatment of the FCC-SC. A chemical leaching investigation was carried out using HCl, HNO, NaOH, CaCl and citric acid aqueous solutions (1 mol L, at 30, 50, 60 or 70 ± 1 °C).

Biosurfactant-assisted phytoremediation of multi-contaminated industrial soil using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

This study evaluated the use of commercial rhamnolipid biosurfactant supplementation in the phytoremediation of a soil via sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivation. The soil, obtained from an industrial area, was co-contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.

Brewery Waste Reuse for Protease Production by Lactic Acid Fermentation.

This study evaluated the use of three solid brewery wastes: brewer's spent grain, hot trub and residual brewer's yeast, as alternative media for the cultivation of lactic acid bacteria to evaluate their potential for proteolytic enzyme production. Initially, a mixture experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of each residue, as well as different mixtures (with the protein content set at 4%) in the enzyme production. At predetermined intervals, the solid and liquid fractions were separated and the extracellular proteolytic activity was determined.

Generation, characterization and reuse of solid wastes from a biodiesel production plant.

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize industrial solid wastes generated by a biodiesel production plant in Brazil, as well as to present strategies for the management of these materials. This plant produces every year around 100,000tons of biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fats. The methodology of the study included technical visits, interviews with the operational and environmental management staff as well as analysis of documents, reports and computerized data systems.

Production of Bacillus sphaericus entomopathogenic biomass using brewery residues.

The use of brewery residues--yeast and trub--has been evaluated aiming to minimize the costs of the industrial production of Bacillus sphaericus-based bioinsecticide. Both brewery residues promoted growth and sporulation of the three B. sphaericus strains that were isolated from Brazilian soils (S1, S2, and S20).

Production of Bacillus sphaericus entomopathogenic biomass using brewery residues.

The use of brewery residues--yeast and trub--has been evaluated aiming to minimize the costs of the industrial production of Bacillus sphaericus-based bioinsecticide. Both brewery residues promoted growth and sporulation of the three B. sphaericus strains that were isolated from Brazilian soils (S1, S2, and S20).

Effect of process parameters on production of a biopolymer by Rhizobium sp.

The production of biopolymers by a Rhizobium strain was studied under batch and bioreactor conditions. The best viscosity levels were obtained under low mannitol concentrations as well as low agitation and aeration conditions. Infrared spectra indicated the presence of chemical groups characteristic of microbially produced biopolymers, including C = O and O-acetyl groups.

Lipopeptide surfactant production by Bacillus subtilis grown on low-cost raw materials.

The production of biosurfactant by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 was investigated using commercial sugar, sugarcane juice and cane molasses, sugarcane juice alcohol stillage, glycerol, mannitol, and soybean oil. Commercial sugar generated the minimum values of surface tension, with the best results (28.7 mN/m, (relative critical micelle concentration [CMC-1] of 78.