Biosurfactants, amphiphilic compounds that reduce interfacial tension in oil-aqueous mixtures, are used in the petroleum, pharmaceutical, food, and agriculture industries. Fermentative production of biosurfactants requires expensive sugar or lipid substrates. Lignocellulosic biomass is a relatively cheap and abundant agricultural residue that can be used as an alternative substrate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGut microbiome plays an important role in determining the effectiveness of cancer therapy. The composition of the microbiome is crucial to maintain good digestive health in the host, and to prevent and treat colorectal cancers. Most cancer therapies employ oxidative stress, which disturbs the redox status of the cell, and consequently affect growth, reductive biosynthesis and cell death.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhoton up-conversion, a process whereby lower energy radiations are converted to higher energy levels via the use of appropriate phosphor systems, was employed as a novel strategy for improving microalgal growth and lipid productivity. Photon up-conversion enables the utilization of regions of the solar spectrum, beyond the typical photosynthetically active radiation, that are usually wasted or are damaging to the algae. The effects of up-conversion of red light by two distinct sets of up-conversion phosphors were studied in the model microalgae Chlorella vulgaris.
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