The Potential of Digested Sludge-Assimilating Microflora for Biogas Production from Food Processing Wastes.

Food processing wastes (FPWs) are residues generated in food manufacturing, and their composition varies depending on the type of food product being manufactured. Therefore, selecting and acclimatizing seed microflora during the initiation of biogas production is crucial for optimal outcomes. The present study examined the biogas production capabilities of digested sludge-assimilating and biogas-yielding soil (DABYS) and enteric (DABYE) microflorae when used as seed cultures for biogas production from FPWs.

Microalga-bacteria Community with High Level Carbon Dioxide Acclimation and Nitrogen-fixing Ability.

Microalgal conversion of high-level CO in industrial flue gas to value-added products is attractive technology for mitigating global warming. However, reduction of microalgal production costs for medium ingredients, particularly nitrogen salts, is essential. The use of atmospheric nitrogen as a nitrogen source for microalgal cultivation will dramatically reduce its production costs.

Nitrogen-assisted lipid production by biofilms of aerial microalga Coccomyxa subellipsoidea KGU-D001 in the aerial phase.

The aerial microalga (Coccomyxa subellipsoidea KGU-D001) was photoautotrophically cultured under aerial phase conditions, and the influence of the nitrogen source on lipid production was investigated. Coccomyxa biofilms were introduced onto cotton wool using pure water (i.e.

Isolation and Characterization of Basidiomycetous Yeasts Capable of Producing Phytase under Oligotrophic Conditions.

Phytic acid is an organic phosphorus source naturally produced by plants as phosphorus stock and can be an alternative to rock phosphate, which is a dwindling resource globally. However, phytic acid is insoluble, owing to its binding to divalent metals and is, thus, not readily bioavailable for plants and monogastric livestock. Therefore, the enzyme phytase is indispensable for hydrolyzing phytic acid to liberate free phosphates for nutritional availability, making the screening of novel phytase-producing microbes an attractive research focus to agriculture and animal feed industries.

Production of polyglutamic acid-like mucilage protein by Peribacillus simplex strain 8h.

Polyglutamic acid (PGA), a protein in the mucilage of PGA-producing Bacillus spp., has expected applications in medical and biotechnological industries. Although the Bacillaceae family contains over 100 genera, research on bacterial PGA has exclusively focused on the genus Bacillus, especially B.

Microflora communities which can convert digested sludge to biogas.

In the present study, we developed several microflora communities that utilize digested sludge (DS), the recalcitrant waste product of anaerobic digestion, as a substrate for biogas production with the aim of their future application to DS recycling. Strict enrichment with DS as the sole nutrient source was introduced to culture microbes from soil and herbivore dung samples; microflora communities promoting stable levels of biogas production were obtained. The average methane and hydrogen yield from soil-derived microflora were 4.

Effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on lipid production of the aerial microalga Coccomyxa sp. KGU-D001 under liquid- and aerial-phase conditions.

Algal biofuels are a promising alternative to fossil fuels, but their widespread use is hindered by problems with mass production. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with specific light wavelengths could be used as an energy source for algal growth and lipid synthesis. In this study, the effects of light source on the biomass and lipid production of the aerial microalga Coccomyxa sp.

Atom Probe Tomography Interlaboratory Study on Clustering Analysis in Experimental Data Using the Maximum Separation Distance Approach.

We summarize the findings from an interlaboratory study conducted between ten international research groups and investigate the use of the commonly used maximum separation distance and local concentration thresholding methods for solute clustering quantification. The study objectives are: to bring clarity to the range of applicability of the methods; identify existing and/or needed modifications; and interpretation of past published data. Participants collected experimental data from a proton-irradiated 304 stainless steel and analyzed Cu-rich and Ni-Si rich clusters.

Biochemical characteristics of cellulose and a green alga degradation by Gilvimarinus japonicas 12-2, and its application potential for seaweed saccharification.

Cellulose is one of the major constituents of seaweeds, but reports of mechanisms in microbial seaweed degradation in marine environment are limited, in contrast to the multitude of reports for lignocellulose degradation in terrestrial environment. We studied the biochemical characteristics for marine cellulolytic bacterium Gilvimarinus japonicas 12-2 in seaweed degradation. The bacterial strain was found to degrade green and red algae, but not brown algae.

Gilvimarinus japonicus sp. nov., a cellulolytic and agarolytic marine bacterium isolated from coastal debris.

A cellulolytic and agarolytic bacterial strain, designated 12-2T, was isolated from a piece of cotton rope fragment washed ashore on a beach and was studied phenotypically, genotypically and phylogenetically. Analyses of 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences and DNA base composition suggested that the strain is a member of the genus Gilvimarinus. However, levels of 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequence similarity between it and the type strains of Gilvimarinus species were no higher than 97.

Possible practical utility of an enzyme cocktail produced by sludge-degrading microbes for methane and hydrogen production from digested sludge.

Digested sludge (DS) is a major waste product of anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge and is resistant to biodegradation. In this study, we examined suitability of the hydrolases produced by DS-degrading fungal strains (DS-hydrolases) for methane and hydrogen fermentation from DS. Although the strains are mesophilic, DS-hydrolases showed strong chitinase and keratinase activity at ∼50°C.

Streptomyces abietis sp. nov., a cellulolytic bacterium isolated from soil of a pine forest.

Cellulolytic bacteria A191(T), A192 and A193 isolated from the soil of Sakhalin fir forest in Hokkaido, Japan were studied phenotypically, genotypically and phylogenetically. Analysis of their 16S rRNA gene and gyrB sequences and DNA base composition suggested that these isolates were conspecific and members of the genus Streptomyces. However, levels of 16S rRNA gene and gyrB sequence similarity between the isolates and the type strains of their closest relatives in the genus Streptomyces were no higher than 97.

Isolation and characterization of aerobic microorganisms with cellulolytic activity in the gut of endogeic earthworms.

The ability of earthworms to decompose lignocellulose involves the assistance of microorganisms in their digestive system. While many studies have revealed a diverse microbiota in the earthworm gut, including aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, it remains unclear which of these species contribute to lignocellulose digestion. In this study, aerobic microorganisms with cellulolytic activity isolated from the gut of two endogeic earthworms, Amynthas heteropoda (Megascolecidae) and Eisenia fetida (Lumbricidae) were isolated by solid culture of gut homogenates using filter paper as a carbon source.

Cellulolytic microbes in the Yanbaru, a subtropical rainforest with an endemic biota on Okinawa Island, Japan.

Cellulolytic microbes in the soil of the Yanbaru, a subtropical forest with an endemic biota, on Okinawa Island, were isolated and characterized in a search for novel microbial strains with biotechnological potential. Soil samples of the Yanbaru were suspended in sterilized water, inoculated on mineral salt agar overlaid with a filter paper as carbon source, and cultivated aerobically at 30 °C. After 2 weeks of cultivation, emerging colonies were isolated and subjected to phylogenetic and enzyme analyses.

Development of a simple cultivation method for isolating hitherto-uncultured cellulase-producing microbes.

Although enrichment culture is typically employed to isolate cellulolytic microbes, this approach tends to favor fast-growing species and discriminates against all others. Therefore, efforts to prevent the overgrowth of fast-growing species are necessary to isolate novel cellulase-producing strains. In this study, we developed a simple culture method for isolating hitherto-uncultured microbes that possess cellulase activity, particularly exocellulase.

Penicillium strains as dominant degraders in soil for coffee residue, a biological waste unsuitable for fertilization.

Aims: Coffee residue is an agricultural waste which inhibits the growth of several crops. Therefore coffee residue-degrading microbes in soil were screened, isolated and characterized.

Methods And Results: Forty isolates were obtained after enrichment culture of soil samples.

Crystal structure of the complex of porcine pancreatic elastase with TEI-8362.

The crystal structure of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) complexed with a new benzoxazinone inhibitor, TEI-8362, of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) was determined at 1.8 A resolution. The hydroxyl oxygen of Ser195 opened the benzoxazinone by nucleophilic attack and formed a covalent bond with the carbonyl carbon.

Potential of a new biotreatment: Sphingomonas cloacae S-3T degrades nonylphenol in industrial wastewater.

Sphingomonas cloacae S-3(T), a nonylphenol (NP)-degrading bacterium, was evaluated for its utility in the remediation of NP-contaminated wastewater. In flask-scale experiments, S-3(T) cells immobilized on porous polypropylene carriers (beads) efficiently degraded NP to concentrations routinely measured in aquatic environments [a few parts per billion (ppb), or micrograms per liter). Therefore, we constructed and evaluated a laboratory-scale wastewater treatment system with a 3-l carrier-filled column.

Novosphingobium tardaugens sp. nov., an oestradiol-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge of a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo.

An oestradiol-degrading bacterium isolated at a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo was studied phenotypically, genotypically and phylogenetically. Analysis of its 16S rDNA sequence, DNA base composition, whole-cell fatty acid profile and isoprenoid quinone composition, as well as the presence of sphingoglycolipid, revealed that the isolate is a member of the genus Novosphingobium. However, the sequence similarity of its 16S rDNA to those of known Novosphingobium species was no higher than 97%, implying that the isolate is distinctive.

Degradation of 17beta-estradiol by a gram-negative bacterium isolated from activated sludge in a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo, Japan.

A 17beta-estradiol (E2)-degrading bacterium was isolated from activated sludge in a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo, Japan. The isolate was suggested to be a new Novosphingobium species. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance analyses of the metabolites of E2 degradation suggested that no toxic products accumulated in the culture medium.