Guanidinium Organic Salts as Phase-Change Materials for Renewable Energy Storage.

A dearth of inexpensive means of energy storage is constraining the expansion of intermittent renewable energy sources such as sun and wind. Thermal energy storage technology utilizing phase-change materials (PCMs) is a promising solution, enabling storage of large quantities of thermal energy at a relatively low cost. Guanidinium mesylate, which melts at 208 °C with latent heat of fusion of ΔH =190 J g is a promising PCM candidate for these applications.

Optimized production of extracellular alkaline protease from with natural by-products in a batch stirred tank bioreactor.

Proteolytic enzymes are one of the significant commercially manufactured enzymes. The manufacture of extracellular alkaline protease by MTCC5152 was explored using several agricultural by-products as substrates viz., cottonseed meal, wheat bran, skimmed milk and soya flour in submerged fermentation, were found to be efficient for enzyme production and commercially significant.

Biokinetics of fed-batch production of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) using microbial co-culture.

A novel fed-batch strategy based on carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio in a microbial co-culture production medium broth was carried out in a biocalorimeter for improved production of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). Shake flask study suggested that the C/N ratio of 10 increased the yield of PHB by 2.8 times.

Pyrazolium Phase-Change Materials for Solar-Thermal Energy Storage.

Thermal energy storage technology utilizing phase-change materials (PCMs) can be a promising solution for the intermittency of renewable energy sources. This work describes a novel family of PCMs based on the pyrazolium cation, that operate in the 100-200 °C temperature range, offering safe, inexpensive capacity and low supercooling. Thermal stability and extensive cycling tests of the most promising PCM candidate, pyrazolium mesylate (T =168±1 °C, ΔH =160 J g ±5 %, ΔH =495 MJ m ±5 %) show potential for its use in thermal storage applications.

Metabolic heat coherent growth of (HV) for enhanced production of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in a Bio Reaction Calorimeter (BioRC).

The optimum condition at which the halophilic salt-tolerant bacterium (MTCC 3712) produces the maximum amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was investigated experimentally using response surface methodology based on the central composite design (CCD). Hyper-saline medium containing 1.5% w/v NaCl enriched nutrient medium with 1.

Biodegradation of tannery dye effluent using Fenton's reagent and bacterial consortium: A biocalorimetric investigation.

The impact caused by dye effluent discharge on the environment is well known. The study explores a hybrid method of combining Fenton oxidation with biological treatment by a defined bacterial consortium for the biodegradation of an effluent containing toxic azo dye (acid blue 113). In actual treatment process, the fluctuation in toxic load and presence of other dyeing chemical inhibits the activity of the bacterial consortium.

Effect of aeration and agitation on yeast inulinase production: a biocalorimetric investigation.

Air flow rate and agitation speed for inulinase production by Kluyveromyces marxianus were optimized based on metabolic heat release profiles. Shear stress and oxygen transfer (ka) values were compared to assess the effects of aeration and agitation. At agitation rates of ≤ 100 rpm, the oxygen mass transfer rates were small and eventually led to less inulinase production, but at agitation rates > 150 rpm, loss of biomass resulted in less inulinase activity.

Metabolic pathway and role of individual species in the bacterial consortium for biodegradation of azo dye: A biocalorimetric investigation.

In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the functional role and metabolic behaviour of the monoculture (Staphylococcus lentus (SL), Bacillus flexus (BF) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)) in the bacterial biocenosis for biotransformation of an azo dye. The power-time profile obtained from consortia depicted three distinct peaks, which correlated well with the individual bacterial growth (PA > SL > BF), indicating the synergistic relation and division of labour in the biocenosis. The heat release pattern was used to identify the sequential behaviour of microbial consortia in real time.

Modeling of exo-inulinase biosynthesis by Kluyveromyces marxianus in fed-batch mode: correlating production kinetics and metabolic heat fluxes.

A metabolic heat-based model was used for estimating the growth of Kluyveromyces marxianus, and the modified Luedeking-Piret kinetic model was used for describing the inulinase production kinetics. For the first time, a relationship was developed to relate inulinase production kinetics directly to metabolic heat generated, which corroborated well with the experimental data (with R values of above 0.9).

Production of Poly (3-Hydroxybutyric Acid) by Ralstonia eutropha in a Biocalorimeter and its Thermokinetic Studies.

Bioplastic production from microbial sources is an emerging area which provides opportunities even to convert the wastes into bioplastics. Poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid), commonly called as PHB, is a bioplastic, which is stored as intracellular cytoplasmic inclusions in microorganisms. The objectives of this study are to calorimetrically monitor the PHB production and evaluate the thermokinetic data in a bioreaction calorimeter (BioRC1e).

Metabolism and biotransformation of azo dye by bacterial consortium studied in a bioreaction calorimeter.

Effluents from leather and textile industries are difficult for treatment owing to its recalcitrant nature. Since the volume of effluent generated are high, a robust and active microbial consortia is required for effective treatment. The focus in the present study is the calorimetric traceability of the metabolic behaviors of mixed microbial consortia, while it grows and degrades recalcitrant substance such as an azo dye acid blue 113.

Biological real-time reaction calorimeter studies for the production of penicillin G acylase from Bacillus badius.

Penicillin G acylase (PGA) is a commercially important enzyme that cleaves penicillin G to 6-amino penicillanic acid (6-APA) and phenyl acetic acid (PAA). The strain Bacillus badius has been identified as potential producer of PGA. A detailed calorimetric investigation on PGA production was carried out to enable generation of thermokinetic data possible for commercial application.

Synthesis and characterization of curcumin loaded polymer/lipid based nanoparticles and evaluation of their antitumor effects on MCF-7 cells.

Background: Hybrid materials are synthesized using hydrophilic polymer and lipids which ensure their long term systemic circulation through intravenous administration and enhance loading of hydrophobic drugs. The purpose of this study is to prepare, characterize and evaluate the in vitro efficacy of curcumin loaded poly-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/stearic acid nanoparticles in MCF-7.

Methods: C-PSA-NPs, prepared using the emulsification-solvent evaporation method were characterized by dynamic laser scattering, SEM, AFM, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction, and TGA.

Curcumin loaded poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanoparticles from gelled ionic liquid--in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-cancer activity in SKOV-3 cells.

The main focus of this study is to encapsulate hydrophobic drug curcumin in hydrophilic polymeric core such as poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [PHEMA] nanoparticles from gelled ionic liquid (IL) to improve its efficacy. We have achieved 26.4% drug loading in a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer.

Strategies for enhancing the production of penicillin G acylase from Bacillus badius: influence of phenyl acetic acid dosage.

Bacillus badius isolated from soil has been identified as potential producer of penicillin G acylase (PGA). In the present study, batch experiments performed at optimized inoculum size, temperature, pH, and agitation yielded a maximum PGA of 9.5 U/ml in shake flask.

The metabolic advantage of choline lactate in growth media: an experimental analysis with Staphylococcus lentus.

The metabolic effectiveness of choline lactate in the growth media was investigated relative to conventional carbon source for growing Staphylococcus lentus, a bacterial strain commonly used in bioremediation of industrial effluents and xenobiotic detoxification. Bacterial growth thermodynamics was determined by biocalorimetry. (13)C NMR and FTIR spectroscopic analyses traced the consumption of choline lactate at specific time intervals of bacterial growth.

Bioenergetics and pathway of acid blue 113 degradation by Staphylococcus lentus.

Bioreaction calorimetric studies of degradation of the dye acid blue 113 by Staphylococcus lentus are reported for the first time. The heat released during the dye degradation process can be successfully measured using reaction calorimeter. Power time and oxygen uptake rate (OUR) profile followed each other suggesting that heat profiles could monitor the progress of the dye degradation in biocalorimetry.

Bioenergetics for the growth of Staphylococcus lentus in biocompatible choline salts.

Choline-based biocompatible salts were used as "nutrients" for the growth of Staphylococcus lentus bacteria. Increase in the growth rate of bacteria was observed, compared to conventional carbon sources. In the case of the ionic liquid, choline lactate, the increase was pronounced.

Choline-based ionic liquids-enhanced biodegradation of azo dyes.

Industrial wastewaters such as tannery and textile processing effluents are often characterized by a high content of dissolved organic dyes, resulting in large values of chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD and BOD) in the aquatic systems into which they are discharged. Such wastewater streams are of rapidly growing concern as a major environmental issue in developing countries. Hence there is a need to mitigate this challenge by effective approaches to degrade dye-contaminated wastewater.

Impact of aeration and agitation on metabolic heat and protease secretion of Aspergillus tamarii in a real-time biological reaction calorimeter.

The effects of aeration and agitation on metabolic heat, alkaline protease production and morphology for Aspergillus tamarii MTCC5152 are reported in this manuscript. Measurement of metabolic heat has been attempted by the continuous and dynamic heat balance method in a biological real-time reaction calorimeter. At lower agitation intensities, growth-related processes were dominating.

Energetics of growth of Aspergillus tamarii in a biological real-time reaction calorimeter.

Fungal cultivation in a biological real-time reaction calorimeter (BioRTCal) is arduous due to the heterogeneous nature of the system and difficulty in optimizing the process variables. The aim of this investigation is to monitor the growth of fungi Aspergillus tamarii MTCC 5152 in a calorimeter. Experiments carried out with a spore concentration of 10(5) spores/mL indicate that the growth based on biomass and heat generation profiles was comparable to those obtained hitherto.

Optimization studies on production of a salt-tolerant protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BC1 and its application on tannery saline wastewater treatment.

Treatment and safe disposal of tannery saline wastewater, a primary effluent stream that is generated by soaking salt-laden hides and skin is one of the major problems faced by the leather manufacturing industries. Conventional treatment methods like solar evaporation ponds and land composting are not eco-friendly as they deteriorate the ground water quality. Though, this waste stream is comprised of high concentration of dissolved proteins the presence of high salinity (1-6 % NaCl by wt) makes it non-biodegradable.

Biological treatment of tannery wastewater by using salt-tolerant bacterial strains.

Background: High salinity (1-10% w/v) of tannery wastewater makes it difficult to be treated by conventional biological treatment. Salt tolerant microbes can adapt to these saline conditions and degrade the organics in saline wastewater.

Results: Four salt tolerant bacterial strains isolated from marine and tannery saline wastewater samples were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus flexus, Exiguobacterium homiense and Staphylococcus aureus.

Biocalorimetric studies of the metabolic activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa aerobically grown in a glucose-limited complex growth medium.

Biocalorimetric experiments were performed to investigate the aerobic growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from tannery saline wastewater. Growth factors (pH, Inoculum size, carbon source, temperature, aeration rate, and agitation rate) were optimized in shaker and calorimeter based on the growth of P. aeruginosa and heat generation rates.