Impact of pulsed electric fields and mechanical compressions on the permeability and structure of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells.

Current research findings clearly reveal the role of the microalga's cell wall as a key obstacle to an efficient and optimal compound extraction. Such extraction process is therefore closely related to the microalga species used. Effects of electrical or mechanical constraints on C.

Optimization of a raceway pond system for wastewater treatment: a review.

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms with potential for biofuel production, CO mitigation and wastewater treatment; indeed they have the capacity to assimilate pollutants in wastewaters. Light supply and distribution among the microalgae culture is one of the major challenges of photo-bioreactor design, with many studies focusing on microalgae culture systems such as raceway ponds (RWP), widely used and cost-effective systems for algal biomass production. This review focuses on possible improvements of the RWP design in order to achieve optimal microalgal growth conditions and high biomass productivities, to minimize energy consumption and to lower the capital costs of the pond.

Structural changes of cells during lipid enrichment and after solvent exposure.

Data are related to Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) observations of lipid-enriched cells under different conditions. Firstly, the impact of stress conditions (nitrogen starvation) on the cell wall structure is assessed. Secondly is described the effect of solvents, in the context of lipid extraction, on the microalga's cell, particularly its lipid droplets, in the perspective of understanding the mechanisms behind solvent extraction of lipids.

Understanding the mechanisms of lipid extraction from microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii after electrical field solicitations and mechanical stress within a microfluidic device.

One way envisioned to overcome part of the issues biodiesel production encounters today is to develop a simple, economically viable and eco-friendly process for the extraction of lipids from microalgae. This study investigates the lipid extraction efficiency from the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as well as the underlying mechanisms. We propose a new methodology combining a pulsed electric field (PEF) application and mechanical stresses as a pretreatment to improve lipid extraction with solvents.

Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of biofilms development and dispersal: BIAM (Biofilm Intensity and Architecture Measurement), a new tool for studying biofilms as a function of their architecture and fluorescence intensity.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is one of the most relevant technologies for studying biofilms in situ. Several tools have been developed to investigate and quantify the architecture of biofilms. However, an approach to quantify correctly the evolution of intensity of a fluorescent signal as a function of the structural parameters of a biofilm is still lacking.

Nitrogen and phosphate removal from wastewater with a mixed microalgae and bacteria culture.

Microalgae are able to convert nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from wastewater into biomass and bio-products, thus improving the sustainability of wastewater treatment. In High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP), biomass productivity and water treatment efficiency are highly dependent on environmental parameters such as temperature, light intensity and photoperiod. The influence of temperature and photoperiod on biomass productivity and the removal of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus from municipal wastewater by a native microalgae-bacteria consortium was assessed in batch cultures in view of the development of an HRAP at a larger scale.

Purification of organic acids by chromatography with strong anionic resins: Investigation of uptake mechanisms.

Bio-based organic acids are promising renewable carbon sources for the chemical industry. However energy-consuming purification processes are used, like distillation or crystallization, to reach high purities required in some applications. That is why preparative chromatography was studied as an alternative separation technique.

Magnesium Uptake by the Green Microalga Chlorella vulgaris in Batch Cultures.

The accumulation (internal and superficial distribution) of magnesium ions (Mg(2+)) by the green freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) was investigated under autotrophic culture in a stirred photobioreactor. The concentrations of the three forms of Mg(2+) (dissolved, extracellular, and intracellular) were determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy during the course of C.

Modeling the continuous lactic acid production process from wheat flour.

A kinetic model of the simultaneous saccharification, protein hydrolysis, and fermentation (SSPHF) process for lactic acid production from wheat flour has been developed. The model describes the bacterial growth, substrate consumption, lactic acid production, and maltose hydrolysis. The model was fitted and validated with data from SSPHF experiments obtained under different dilution rates.

Nonlinear predictive control for maximization of CO₂ bio-fixation by microalgae in a photobioreactor.

In the framework of environment preservation, microalgae biotechnology appears as a promising alternative for CO₂ mitigation. Advanced control strategies can be further developed to maximize biomass productivity, by maintaining these microorganisms in bioreactors at optimal operating conditions. This article proposes the implementation of Nonlinear Predictive Control combined with an on-line estimation of the biomass concentration, using dissolved carbon dioxide concentration measurements.

Detoxifying emulsion for overdosed aspirin intoxication.

Aspirin overdose could lead to intoxication, with the clinical manifestations of vomit, pulmonary edema and severe dyspnea. Stomach washing, emetics and activated charcoal are the common treatments with a limited efficiency for the intoxication. In this study, an active emulsion for aspirin intoxication was prepared with the detoxifying efficiency of 100% in less than 15 min, with the conditions of dodecane used as the oil phase, 8% Abil EM90 as the surfactant and 0.