Co-production of lipases and biosurfactants by in solid-state fermentation.

Unlabelled: The production of biosurfactants and lipases through solid-state fermentation (SSF) processes remains relatively unexplored, especially in bacterial applications. The use of solid matrices, eliminating the need for precipitation and recovery processes, holds significant potential for facilitating bioremediation. This study aimed to simultaneously produce biocompounds via SSF using and employ the fermented substrate for remediating soil contaminated with 20% biodiesel.

Techniques and mechanisms of bacteria immobilization on biochar for further environmental and agricultural applications.

Bacteria immobilization on biochar is a promising approach to achieve high concentration and stability of microbial cells for several applications. The present review addressed the techniques utilized for bacteria immobilization on biochar, discussing the mechanisms involved in this process, as well as the further utilization in bioremediation and agriculture. This article presents three immobilization techniques, which vary according to their procedures and conditions, including cell growth, adsorption, and adaptation.

Biochar-immobilized Bacillus spp. for heavy metals bioremediation: A review on immobilization techniques, bioremediation mechanisms and effects on soil.

Heavy metals contamination present risks to ecosystems and human health. Bioremediation is a technology that has been applied to minimize the levels of heavy metals contamination. However, the efficiency of this process varies according to several biotic and abiotic aspects, especially in environments with high concentrations of heavy metals.

Fruit residues as biomass for bioethanol production using enzymatic hydrolysis as pretreatment.

The commercialization of fruits in markets generates a large amount of waste because they are perishable and have a short shelf life, so, they are discarded. This study aimed to provide a noble end to discarded fruits that have fermentable sugars. Banana, apple, mango and papaya residues were collected from supermarkets and underwent an enzymatic hydrolysis process.

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.

Rhodococcus: A promising genus of actinomycetes for the bioremediation of organic and inorganic contaminants.

Rhodococcus is a genus of actinomycetes that has been explored by the scientific community for different purposes, especially for bioremediation uses. However, the mechanisms governing Rhodococcus-mediated bioremediation processes are far from being fully elucidated. In this sense, this work aimed to compile the recent advances in the use of Rhodococcus for the bioremediation of organic and inorganic contaminants present in different environmental compartments.

Use of soil actinomycetes for pharmaceutical, food, agricultural, and environmental purposes.

In this article, we reviewed the international scientific production of the last years on actinomycetes isolated from soil aiming to report recent advances in using these microorganisms for different applications. The most promising genera, isolation conditions and procedures, pH, temperature, and NaCl tolerance of these bacteria were reported. Based on the content analysis of the articles, most studies have focused on the isolation and taxonomic description of new species of actinomycetes.

Fruit extract of red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) prevents and reverses stress-induced impairments in the cholinergic and antioxidant systems of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The addition of fruit to the diet is very important, and we can use nutraceutical and functional foods for this supplement. A little-known fruit is a red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) that has been widely reported to have a high antioxidant potential. In this study, we analyzed the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacity of microencapsulated pitaya extract on the behavior, antioxidant, and nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Improving the Bioremediation and in situ Production of Biocompounds of a Biodiesel-Contaminated Soil.

We aimed to produce simultaneously biosurfactants and lipases in solid state fermentation (SSF) using Aspergillus niger, followed by the use of the fermented media on the bioremediation of oily contaminated soil, in order to valuate agro industrial residuals and reduce the contamination. The biocompounds were produced using wheat bran and corncob (80:20), 5% of soybean oil and 0.5% of sugar cane molasses in SSF for 4 d, producing 4.

Bacterial biosurfactant increases ex situ biodiesel bioremediation in clayey soil.

The contamination of soils by oily compounds has several environmental impacts, which can be reversed through bioremediation, using biosurfactants as auxiliaries in the biodegradation process. In this study, we aimed to perform ex situ bioremediation of biodiesel-contaminated soil using biosurfactants produced by Bacillus methylotrophicus. A crude biosurfactant was produced in a whey-based culture medium supplemented with nutrients and was later added to biodiesel-contaminated clayey soil.

Current advances in microalgae-based bioremediation and other technologies for emerging contaminants treatment.

Emerging contaminants (EC) have been detected in effluents and drinking water in concentrations that can harm to a variety of organisms. Therefore, several technologies are developed to treat these compounds, either for their complete removal or degradation in less toxic by-products. Some technologies applied to the treatment of EC, such as adsorption, advanced oxidative processes, membrane separation processes, and bioremediation through microalgal metabolism, were identified by thematic maps.

Harvesting of Spirulina platensis using an eco-friendly fungal bioflocculant produced from agro-industrial by-products.

This study aimed to produce fungal biomass from agro-industrial by-products for later use as a bioflocculant in the Spirulina harvesting. The production of fungal biomass from Aspergillus niger was carried out in submerged fermentation, using media composed of wheat bran and/or potato peel. Fungal biomass was used as a bioflocculant in Spirulina cultures carried out in closed 5 L reactors and 180 L open raceway pond operated in batch and semi-continuous processes, respectively.

Co-immobilization of amylases in porous crosslinked gelatin matrices by different reticulations approaches.

The aim of this study was to carry out the co-immobilization of α-amylase and glucoamylase in crosslinked gelatin porous supports. For this, two methods of co-immobilization were proposed based on the crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (Ggta) or CaCl in presence of alginate (Gcal). The supports characterization revealed a porous microstructure with good interaction between its components according to the FTIR analysis and thermal properties.

Effects of homemade biosurfactant from Bacillus methylotrophicus on bioremediation efficiency of a clay soil contaminated with diesel oil.

Despite constant progress in the understanding of the mechanisms related to the effects of biosurfactants in the bioremediation processes of oily residues, the possibility of antagonist effects on microbial growth and the production in situ of these compounds must be elucidated. The aims of this work were a) to evaluate the effects of the addition of a homemade biosurfactant of Bacillus methylotrophicus on the microbial count in soil in order to determine the possibility of inhibitory effects, and b) to accomplish biostimulation using media prepared with whey and bioaugmentation with B. methylotrophicus, analyzing the effects on the bioremediation of diesel oil and evidencing the in situ production of biosurfactants through effects on surface tension.

Effects of harvesting Spirulina platensis biomass using coagulants and electrocoagulation-flotation on enzymatic hydrolysis.

This study aimed to assess the harvesting of Spirulina platensis using coagulants and electrocoagulation-flotation (ECF) and to evaluate its influence on enzymatic hydrolysis. Using nine chemical coagulants, we obtained a biomass harvesting efficiency of up to 99.5%.

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of Spirulina sp. and corn starch for the production of bioethanol and obtaining biopeptides with high antioxidant activity.

The aim was to produce bioethanol by the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 biomass and corn starch, increasing the process scale and obtaining biopeptides from bioethanol residue. Different temperatures of SSF and biomass/starch concentrations were tested, and the best conditions were chosen to scale-up the bioethanol production.

Development of functional pasta with microencapsulated Spirulina: technological and sensorial effects.

Background: Spirulina microalgae have been added to food; however, there have been few reports on the methods used to protect the antioxidant potential against process conditions, and the effects on the sensory characteristics of products need to be better described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on the technological properties, sensory profile, and acceptability of the pasta with free or microencapsulated Spirulina biomass added. Pasta formulations included: free Spirulina (FSP), microencapsulated Spirulina (MSP), and empty microspheres (EMP), which were compared with the control pasta (CP).

Bioethanol from Spirulina platensis biomass and the use of residuals to produce biomethane: An energy efficient approach.

This study aimed to produce bioethanol using Spirulina platensis biomass and the use of saccharification and fermentation wastes of bioethanol production to produce biomethane. The potential for energy generation in each technological route was quantified. Both, the enzymatic hydrolysis of the microalgae polysaccharides and the fermentation process, presented efficiencies above 80%.

Chromium (VI) biosorption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae subjected to chemical and thermal treatments.

The potential of chemically and thermally treated Saccharomyces cerevisiae as biosorbents for chromium (VI) was investigated in this work. The presence of this toxic metal in industrial effluents is harmful to the environment, so, it is important to develop environmental friendly methods for Cr(VI) removal from these effluents. Biosorption using microorganisms such as S.

Saccharification of Spirulina platensis biomass using free and immobilized amylolytic enzymes.

We aimed to use physical methods of microalgal biomass rupture to study saccharification strategies using free and immobilized amylolytic enzymes. The biomass of Spirulina platensis, which consists of 50-60% carbohydrates, was exposed to physical cell rupture treatments, with better results obtained using freeze/thaw cycles following by gelatinization. In saccharification tests, it was possible to hydrolyze Spirulina biomass with hydrolysis efficiencies above 99% and 83%, respectively, using 1% (v/v) of free enzymes or 1% (m/v) of amylolytic enzymes immobilized together.

Protein and carbohydrate extraction from S. platensis biomass by ultrasound and mechanical agitation.

Spirulina platensis is considered an alternative and excellent source of protein [46-63% dry basis (DB)], having protein levels comparable to meat and soybeans. Thus, it can be considered an adequate ingredient to supply the necessity of this compound in the food industry. Its carbohydrates (8-14% DB) may also be a useful food ingredient or a potential source of bioenergy.

Biosurfactants during in situ bioremediation: factors that influence the production and challenges in evalution.

Research on the influence of biosurfactants on the efficiency of in situ bioremediation of contaminated soil is continuously growing. Despite the constant progress in understanding the mechanisms involved in the effects of biosurfactants, there are still many factors that are not sufficiently elucidated. There is a lack of research on autochthonous or exogenous microbial metabolism when biostimulation or bioaugmentation is carried out to produce biosurfactants at contaminated sites.

Spirulina platensis biomass composition is influenced by the light availability and harvest phase in raceway ponds.

The behavior of cyanobacteria and its potential use for biofuel production in scale-up conditions is a topic of growing importance. The aim of our work is to study the effects of illumination, stirring, and different growth phases on the cultivation of the cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis in 10 L raceways. The cultivations were carried out in a greenhouse under measured, but not controlled, illumination and in agitated raceways with stirring speeds varying from 0.

Biostimulation and rainfall infiltration: influence on retention of biodiesel in residual clayey soil.

Unlabelled: This study investigates the retention of biodiesel in residual clayey soil during biostimulation by nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) under conditions of rainfall infiltration. Several column tests were conducted in a laboratory under different void ratios (1.14, 1.

Successive membrane separation processes simplify concentration of lipases produced by Aspergillus niger by solid-state fermentation.

In this study, we developed a simplified method for producing, separating, and concentrating lipases derived from solid-state fermentation of agro-industrial residues by filamentous fungi. First, we used Aspergillus niger to produce lipases with hydrolytic activity. We analyzed the separation and concentration of enzymes using membrane separation processes.