Column-based removal of high concentration microplastics in synthetic wastewater using granular activated carbon.

Microplastic (MP) is an emerging contaminant of concern due to its abundance in the environment. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) can be considered as one of the main sources of microplastics in freshwater due to its inefficiency in the complete removal of small MPs. In this study, a column-based MP removal which could serve as a tertiary treatment in WWTPs is evaluated using granular activated carbon (GAC) as adsorbent/filter media, eliminating clogging problems commonly caused by powder form activated carbon (PAC).

Chemical and biological combined treatment for sugarcane vinasse: selection of parameters and performance studies.

Sugarcane vinasse has been reported as a high strength industrial wastewater that could cause severe environmental pollution due to its complex and bio-refractory compounds. Thus, the combined coagulation and sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) system was employed for the sugarcane vinasse treatment. This study aims to determine the recommended conditions of various parameters under coagulation and SBBR and investigate the effectiveness of combined processes.

Microplastics in facial cleanser: extraction, identification, potential toxicity, and continuous-flow removal using agricultural waste-based biochar.

Microplastic (MP) is an emerging contaminant of concern due to its ubiquitous quantity in the environment, small size, and potential toxicity due to strong affinity towards other contaminants. In this work, MP particles (5-300 μm) were extracted from a commercial facial cleanser and determined to be irregular polyethylene (PE) microbeads based on characterization with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The potential of extracted MP acting as toxic pollutants' vector was analyzed via adsorption of methylene blue and methyl orange dye where significant dye uptake was observed.

Microplastics and nanoplastics: Recent literature studies and patents on their removal from aqueous environment.

The presence of microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) in the environment poses significant hazards towards microorganisms, humans, animals and plants. This paper is focused on recent literature studies and patents discussing the removal process of these plastic pollutants. Microplastics and nanoplastics can be quantified by counting, weighing, absorbance and turbidity and can be further analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and Raman tweezers.

MicroRNA of N-region from SARS-CoV-2: Potential sensing components for biosensor development.

An oligonucleotide DNA probe has been developed for the application in the DNA electrochemical biosensor for the early diagnosis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Here, the virus microRNA from the N-gene of severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was used for the first time as a specific target for detecting the virus and became a framework for developing the complementary DNA probe. The sequence analysis of the virus microRNA was carried out using bioinformatics tools including basic local alignment search tools, multiple sequence alignment from CLUSTLW, microRNA database (miRbase), microRNA target database, and gene analysis.

Constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell for azo dyes degradation and energy recovery: Influence of molecular structure, kinetics, mechanisms and degradation pathways.

Complete degradation of azo dye has always been a challenge due to the refractory nature of azo dye. An innovative hybrid system, constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) was developed for simultaneous azo dye remediation and energy recovery. This study investigated the effect of circuit connection and the influence of azo dye molecular structures on the degradation rate of azo dye and bioelectricity generation.

Encapsulation of Strain G4 within Bovine Gelatin-Genipin-Sodium Alginate Combinations: Optimisation Approach Using Face Central Composition Design-Response Surface Methodology (FCCD-RSM).

Bovine gelatin is a biopolymer which has good potential to be used in encapsulating matrices for probiotic candidate strain G4 (G4) because of its amphoteric nature characteristic. Beads were prepared by the extrusion method using genipin and sodium alginate as a cross-linking agent. The optimisation of bovine gelatin-genipin-sodium alginate combinations was carried out using face central composition design (FCCD) to investigate G4 beads' strength, before and after exposed to simulated gastric (SGF), intestinal fluids (SIF), and encapsulation yield.

Up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell for azo dye, saline, nitrate remediation and bioelectricity generation: From waste to energy approach.

This study explored the influence of azo dye concentration, salinity (with and without aeration) and nitrate concentration on bioelectricity generation and treatment performance in the up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (UFCW-MFC) system. The decolourisation efficiencies were up to 91% for 500 mg/L of Acid Red 18 (AR18). However, the power density declined with the increment in azo dye concentration.

Role of macrophyte and effect of supplementary aeration in up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery.

This study investigates the role of plant (Elodea nuttallii) and effect of supplementary aeration on wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation in an up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (UFCW-MFC). Aeration rates were varied from 1900 to 0mL/min and a control reactor was operated without supplementary aeration. 600mL/min was the optimum aeration flow rate to achieve highest energy recovery as the oxygen was sufficient to use as terminal electron acceptor for electrical current generation.

Keratinase production and biodegradation of polluted secondary chicken feather wastes by a newly isolated multi heavy metal tolerant bacterium-Alcaligenes sp. AQ05-001.

Biodegradation of agricultural wastes, generated annually from poultry farms and slaughterhouses, can solve the pollution problem and at the same time yield valuable degradation products. But these wastes also constitute environmental nuisance, especially in Malaysia where their illegal disposal on heavy metal contaminated soils poses a serious biodegradation issue as feather tends to accumulate heavy metals from the surrounding environment. Further, continuous use of feather wastes as cheap biosorbent material for the removal of heavy metals from effluents has contributed to the rising amount of polluted feathers, which has necessitated the search for heavy metal-tolerant feather degrading strains.

Comprehensive review on phytotechnology: Heavy metals removal by diverse aquatic plants species from wastewater.

Environmental pollution specifically water pollution is alarming both in the developed and developing countries. Heavy metal contamination of water resources is a critical issue which adversely affects humans, plants and animals. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective remediation technology which able to treat heavy metal polluted sites.

Synergistic effect of up-flow constructed wetland and microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery.

This study demonstrated a successful operation of up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (UFCW-MFC) in wastewater treatment and energy recovery. The goals of this study were to investigate the effect of circuit connection, organic loading rates, and electrode spacing on the performance of wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. The average influent of COD, NO3(-) and NH4(+) were 624 mg/L, 142 mg/L, 40 mg/L, respectively and their removal efficiencies (1 day HRT) were 99%, 46%, and 96%, respectively.

The efficient role of aquatic plant (water hyacinth) in treating domestic wastewater in continuous system.

In this study, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was used to treat domestic wastewater. Ten organic and inorganic parameters were monitored in three weeks for water purification. The six chemical, biological and physical parameters included Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and pH were compared with the Interim National Water Quality Standards, Malaysia River classification (INWQS) and Water Quality Index (WQI).

A proposed aerobic granules size development scheme for aerobic granulation process.

Aerobic granulation is increasingly used in wastewater treatment due to its unique physical properties and microbial functionalities. Granule size defines the physical properties of granules based on biomass accumulation. This study aims to determine the profile of size development under two physicochemical conditions.

Optimization of milk-based medium for efficient cultivation of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 using face-centered central composite-response surface methodology.

This study was undertaken to optimize skim milk and yeast extract concentration as a cultivation medium for optimal Bifidobacteria pseudocatenulatum G4 (G4) biomass and β -galactosidase production as well as lactose and free amino nitrogen (FAN) balance after cultivation period. Optimization process in this study involved four steps: screening for significant factors using 2(3) full factorial design, steepest ascent, optimization using FCCD-RSM, and verification. From screening steps, skim milk and yeast extract showed significant influence on the biomass production and, based on the steepest ascent step, middle points of skim milk (6% wt/vol) and yeast extract (1.