Capillary electrophoresis method for the analysis of organic acids and amino acids in the presence of strongly alternating concentrations of aqueous lactic acid.

During the production of bio-based bulk chemicals, such as lactic acid (LA), organic impurities have to be removed to produce a ready-to-market product. A capillary electrophoresis method for the simultaneous detection of LA and organic impurities in less than 10 min was developed. LA and organic impurities were detected using a direct UV detection method with micellar background electrolyte, which consisted of borate and sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Investigation of spiral-wound membrane modules for the cross-flow nanofiltration of fermentation broth obtained from a pilot plant fermentation reactor for the continuous production of lactic acid.

Background: The separation performance of seven polymer membranes for the nanofiltration of sodium lactate in fermentation broth was investigated. Each module was introduced into the test stand, and the system curve was obtained by recording the permeate flow velocity at different pump head levels. Performance benchmarks were good permeate quality, as determined by high permeate flow velocity, high sodium lactic concentration, low ion impurity concentration, and low organic impurity concentration.

Detection of Multiple Resistances, Biofilm Formation and Conjugative Transfer of Bacillus cereus from Contaminated Soils.

The purpose of this study was to detect microbial resistances to a set of antibiotics/pesticides (multi-resistance) within pesticide and antibiotic-contaminated alluvial soils and to identify the corresponding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). To assess whether identified multi-resistant isolates are able to construct biofilms, several biofilm formation and conjugation experiments were conducted. Out of 35 isolates, six strains were used for filter mating experiments.

Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Milkers and Dairy Farm Characteristics in Sweden and Germany.

International studies have shown that musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and disorders (MSD) are common among dairy farm milkers. Although dairy production is diverse, it has so far not been possible to explain the high risk by production parameters. Two national studies carried out under similar conditions were the incentive to merge the data and increase the sample size.

Monitoring the apple polyphenol oxidase-modulated adduct formation of phenolic and amino compounds.

Minimally processed fruit products such as smoothies are increasingly coming into demand. However, they are often combined with dairy ingredients. In this combination, phenolic compounds, polyphenoloxidases, and amino compounds could interact.

Flow cytometric evaluation of physico-chemical impact on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Since heat sensitivity of fruits and vegetables limits the application of thermal inactivation processes, new emerging inactivation technologies have to be established to fulfill the requirements of food safety without affecting the produce quality. The efficiency of inactivation treatments has to be ensured and monitored. Monitoring of inactivation effects is commonly performed using traditional cultivation methods which have the disadvantage of the time span needed to obtain results.

Genotoxicity assessments of alluvial soil irrigated with wastewater from a pesticide manufacturing industry.

In this study, organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and heavy metals were analyzed from wastewater- and groundwater- irrigated soils (control samples) by gas chromatography (GC) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of high concentration of pesticides in soil irrigated with wastewater (WWS). These concentrations were far above the maximum residue permissible limits indicating that alluvial soils have high binding capacity of OCP.

Effects of different biochars and digestate on N2O fluxes under field conditions.

Field studies that have investigated the effects of char materials on the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) are still scarce. Therefore, we conducted a field trial with bio- and hydrochars and measured N2O emissions for one whole year. It was hypothesised that the incorporation of chars reduces the emissions of N2O.

Assessment of mutagenic potential of pyrolysis biochars by Ames Salmonella/mammalian-microsomal mutagenicity test.

Biochar is of raising interest in sustainable biomass utilization concepts. Particularly biochar derived from pyrolysis attaches important agricultural capacities mandatory for an improved carbon sequestration, soil fertility and amelioration, respectively. In fact, large scale field trials and commercial business with biochar materials have already been started but still only few are known about the mutagenic potential of biochars produced.

In situ investigation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spore germination and inactivation mechanisms under moderate high pressure.

Bacterial spores are a major concern for food safety due to their high resistance to conventional preservation hurdles. Innovative hurdles can trigger bacterial spore germination or inactivate them. In this work, Geobacillus stearothermophilus spore high pressure (HP) germination and inactivation mechanisms were investigated by in situ infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and fluorometry.

Chemical and morphological changes in hydrochars derived from microcrystalline cellulose and investigated by chromatographic, spectroscopic and adsorption techniques.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) can be used for converting the biomass into a carbon-rich material, whose application as a fuel requires higher heating value, whereas soil amendment needs stable carbon. This work was focused on the characterization of hydrochars derived from microcrystalline cellulose. The chars were investigated using elemental analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller technique, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman, Fourier transform infrared, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Anaerobic digestion of wheat straw--performance of continuous solid-state digestion.

In this study the upflow anaerobic solid-state (UASS) reactor was operated at various conditions to optimize the process parameters for anaerobically digesting wheat straw in a continuous process. Additionally, particle size effects have been studied in the operation at 55 and 60°C. Moreover, the incremental effect of the organic loading rate (OLR) to the system was examined from 2.

The effects of working height and manipulated weights on subjective strain, body posture and muscular activity of milking parlor operatives--laboratory study.

The incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among milking parlor operatives has increased while milking parlors were getting bigger. At the same time parlor design was improved regarding the physical load as well as body postures. In contrast to former studies on workload in parlor milking this project was designed and performed as an experimental study in a laboratory setting including 6 female subjects.

Effects of different storage conditions on quality related porphyrin fluorescence signatures of pork slices.

This study evaluated the potential of fluorescence as an indicator of pork quality by determining the effects of various conditions on fluorescence signatures (excitation at 420 nm, emission at 550-750 nm). Storage of porcine musculus longissimus dorsi in PE bags led to a clear increase in porphyrin fluorescence intensity after approx. 10 d post mortem.

Fluorimetric detection of protoporphyrins as an indicator for quality monitoring of fresh intact pork meat.

In fresh meat production fast and non-destructive quality monitoring along the distribution chain is a key aspect to guaranteeing high quality and safe products for consumption. The applicability of fluorescence spectroscopy using protoporphyrins as indicators for meat ageing was investigated. Porcine musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) was stored in slices over 20 days at 5 and 12°C and measured every day with an excitation of 420nm and an emission range of 550-750nm.

Utilization of renewables for lactic acid fermentation.

Originally, lactic acid was produced from pure substrates like glucose. Increasingly, however, agricultural feedstocks such as grains and green biomass are also being used as raw materials for the biotechnological production of lactic acid. A high-productivity lactic acid bacterium strain was selected, process parameters were optimized for the batch fermentation on a laboratory scale, and its performance at cultivation on a barley hydrolysate medium together with different supplements was examined.