On the performance of Sargassum-derived calcium alginate ion exchange resins for Pb adsorption: batch and packed bed applications.

Driven by climate change and human activity, Sargassum blooming rates have intensified, producing copious amount of the invasive, pelagic seaweed across the Caribbean and Latin America. Battery recycling and lead-smelter wastes have heavily polluted the environment and resulted in acute lead poisoning in children through widespread heavy metal contamination particular in East Trinidad. Our study details a comprehensive investigation into the use of Sargassum (S.

Alginate extraction from Sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean region: Optimization using response surface methodology.

Sargassum valorization has become increasingly important as the Caribbean region continues to struggle with the massive growth of the seaweed and its damaging effects. Sodium alginate extraction is one method where the seaweed biomass can be utilized to produce a useful biopolymer. However, current processing generally giving low yields of inferior quality, making it unattractive for commercialization.

Datasets on the optimization of alginate extraction from biomass using response surface methodology.

This article presents data associated with the extraction of sodium alginate from waste seaweed in the Caribbean utilizing an optimization approach using Response Surface Methodology [1]. A Box-Behnken (BBD) Response Surface Methodology using Design Expert 10.0.

Life Cycle Inventory and Assessment Datasets on the Operational Sustainability of the Ammonia Process.

This article presents data affiliated with life cycle inventories, environmental impact and operational sustainability used in, the influence of raw material availability and utility power consumption on the sustainability of the ammonia process [1]. Scenario specific operating conditions were used to simulate the ammonia process based on unique constraints occurring within the Trinidad and Tobago energy sector. The data was collected using AspenⓇ Plus simulations and validated against plant operating data.

Current applications of Colloidal Liquid Aphrons: Predispersed solvent extraction, enzyme immobilization and drug delivery.

Colloidal Liquid Aphrons (CLAs) are micron sized discrete spherical solvent droplets formed by the dispersion of polyaphrons into a bulk aqueous phase at a low phase volume ratio where they can be kept homogenously suspended with only minimal agitation. CLAs have high stability due to the presence of a surfactant 'shell' surrounding the solvent core, and possess large surface areas per unit volume for mass transfer due to their small size. Therefore, CLAs are well suited for applications in pre-dispersed solvent extraction (PSE), enzyme immobilization, and have the potential to be used as a drug delivery system.

Alginate as a support ligand for enhanced colloidal liquid aphron immobilization of proteins and drug delivery.

Research within the field of colloidal liquid aphrons (CLAs) for enzyme immobilization has often used ionic surfactants for the retention of enzymes. Although these charged interactions allow for enhanced immobilization, they can often lead to denaturation of enzyme activity, and even release of the protein. Sodium alginate has been used in drug delivery applications due to its low toxicity and charged interactions that allow for encapsulation.

Multistage extraction and purification of waste Sargassum natans to produce sodium alginate: An optimization approach.

Sargassum in the Caribbean region has affected the livelihood of several coastal communities due to the influx of large quantities of the seaweed in recent times. This article seeks to explore how waste Sargassum natans can be utilized to produce sodium alginate. The novelty in this research lies in the optimization process, whereby multistage extraction and precipitation were investigated over commonly used single stage processing, in an effort to maximize both yield and purity.

Refractive index matching to develop transparent polyaphrons: Characterization of immobilized proteins.

Refractive index matching was used to create optically transparent polyaphrons to enable proteins adsorbed to the aphron surface to be characterized. Due to the significant light scattering created by polyaphrons, refractive index matching allowed for representative circular dichroism (CD) spectra and acceptable structural characterization. The method utilized n-hexane as the solvent phase, a mixture of glycerol and phosphate buffer (30% [w/v]) as the aqueous phase, and the non-ionic surfactants, Laureth-4 and Kolliphor P-188.

Immobilization of enzymes using non-ionic colloidal liquid aphrons (CLAs): Activity kinetics, conformation, and energetics.

This study seeks to examine the ability of non-ionic/non-polar Colloidial Liquid Aphrons (CLAs) to preserve enzyme functionality upon immobilization and release. CLAs consisting of micron-sized oil droplets surrounded by a thin aqueous layer stabilized by a mixture of surfactants, were formulated by direct addition (pre-manufacture addition) using 1% Tween 80/mineral oil and 1% Tween 20 and the enzymes lipase, aprotinin and α-chymotrypsin. The results of activity assays for both lipase and α-chymotrypsin showed that kinetic activity increased upon immobilization by factors of 7 and 5.

Immobilization of enzymes using non-ionic colloidal liquid aphrons (CLAs): Surface and enzyme effects.

The use of non-ionic colloidal liquid aphrons (CLAs) as a support for enzyme immobilisation was investigated. Formulation required the mixing of an aqueous-surfactant solution with a relatively non-polar solvent-surfactant solution, forming a solvent droplet surrounded by a thin stabilised aqueous film (soapy shell). Studies utilising anionic surfactants have showed increased retention, however, very little have been understood about the forces governing immobilisation.