Influence of inoculum density and aeration volume on biomass and bioactive compound production in bulb-type bubble bioreactor cultures of Eleutherococcus koreanum Nakai

This study deals with the effects of initial inoculum density and aeration volume on biomass and bioactive compound production in adventitious roots of Eleutherococcus koreanum Nakai in bulb-type bubble bioreactors (3-L capacity). While the fresh and dry weights of the roots increased with increasing inoculum density, the highest percentage dry weight and accumulation of total target compounds (eleutheroside B and E, chlorogenic acid, total phenolics, and flavonoids) were noted at an inoculum density of 5.0 g L⁻¹. Poor aeration volume (0.05 vvm) stunted root growth, and high aeration volume (0.4 vvm) caused physiological disorders. Moreover, an inoculum density of 5.0 g L⁻¹ and an aeration volume of 0.1 vvm resulted in the highest concentration of total target compounds and least root death. Such optimization of culture conditions will be beneficial for the large-scale production of E. koreanum biomass and bioactive compounds.     

Vermicomposting--An effective tool for the management of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus

This study reports the results of vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida of Parthenium hysterophorus mixed with cow dung in different ratios (25%, 50% and 75%) in a 18 weeks experiment. In all the treatments, a decrease in pH, OC_total and C:N ratio, but increase in EC, N_total, P_aval, Ca_total, K_total and heavy metals was recorded. The cocoons production and growth rate (biomass gain worm⁻¹ day⁻¹) were maximum in 100% cow dung. The results indicated that parthenium can be a raw material for vermicomposting if mix with cow dung in appropriate quantity.     

Accumulation of lead by free and immobilized cyanobacteria with special reference to accumulation factor and recovery

Lead accumulation by free and immobilized cyanobacteria, Lyngbya majuscula and Spirulina subsalsa was studied. Exponentially growing biomass was exposed to 1-20 mg L⁻¹ of Pb(II) solution at pH 6, 7 and 8 for time periods ranging from 10 min to 48 h. L. majuscula accumulated 10 times more Pb (13.5 mg g⁻¹) than S. subsalsa (1.32 mg g⁻¹) at pH 6 within 3 h of exposure to 20 mg L⁻¹ Pb(II) solution and 76% of the Pb could be recovered using 0.1 M EDTA. This chelator (2 μM) did not influence Pb accumulation whereas 100 μM citrate increased that of S. subsalsa 6- to 8-fold. L. majuscula filaments enmeshed in a glass wool packed in a column removed 95.8% of the Pb from a 5 mg L⁻¹ Pb solution compared to free and dead biomass which removed 64 and 33.6% Pb respectively. A 92.5% recovery of accumulated Pb from the immobilized biomass suggests that repeated absorption-desorption is possible.     

Effects of eutrophic water flooding on nitrate concentrations in mine wastes

Salt marshes near urban, industrial and mining areas are often affected both by heavy metals and by eutrophic water. The aim of this study was to assess and evaluate the main processes involved in the decrease of nitrate concentration in pore water of mine wastes flooded with eutrophic water, considering the presence or absence of plant rhizhosphere. Basic (pH ∼ 7.8) carbonated loam mine wastes and free-carbonated acidic (pH ∼ 6.2) sandy-loam mine wastes were collected from polluted coastal salt marshes of SE Spain which regularly receive nutrient-enriched water. The wastes were put in pots and flooded for 15 weeks with eutrophic water (dissolved organic carbon ∼26 mg L⁻¹, PO₄³⁻ ∼23 mg L⁻¹, NO₃⁻ ∼180 mg L⁻¹). Three treatments were assayed for each type of waste: pots with Sarcocornia fruticosa, pots with Phragmites australis and unvegetated pots. Soluble organic carbon, nitrate, soluble Cd, Pb and Zn, pH and Eh were monitored. But the 2nd day of flooding, nitrate concentrations had decreased between 70% and 90% (equivalent to 1.01-1.12 g N-NO₃⁻ m⁻² day⁻¹) with respect to the content in the water used for flooding, except in unvegetated pots with acidic wastes. Denitrification was the main mechanism associated with the removal of nitrate. The role of vegetation in improving the rhizospheric environment was relevant in the acidic wastes because higher sand content, lower pH and higher soluble metal concentrations might strongly hinder microbial activity Hence, revegetation of salt marshes polluted by acidic sandy mining wastes might improve the capacity of this type of environment to act as a green filter against excessive nitrate contents flowing through them.     

Oxalate production at different initial Pb²+ concentrations and the influence of oxalate during solid-state fermentation of straw with Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The production of oxalate at different initial Pb²⁺ concentrations during solid-state fermentation of straw with Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated. It was found that the maximal peak value of oxalate concentration (22.84 mM) was detected at the initial Pb²⁺ concentration of 200 mg kg⁻¹ dry straw, while the minimum (15.89 mM) at the concentration of 600 mg Pb²⁺ kg⁻¹ dry straw, and at moderate concentration of Pb²⁺ the capability of oxalic acid secretion was enhanced. In addition, it was also found that more oxalic acid accumulation went together with better Pb²⁺ passivation effect and higher manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity. The present findings will improve the understandings of the interactions of heavy metals with white-rot fungi and the role of oxalate in lignin degradation system, which could provide useful references for more efficient treatment of Pb-contaminated lignocellulosic waste.     

Temporary drought can selectively suppress Schoenoplectus mucronatus in rice

Outdoor pot experiments were conducted in California to quantify differences in rice and Schoenoplectus mucronatus susceptibility to drought and to identify morphological and physiological traits that would favor rice over S. mucronatus under drought. Plants were grown in flooded soil for approximately 5 weeks, and then subjected to different drought periods after which pots were re-flooded. Chlorophyll fluorescence assays revealed that rice and S. mucronatus Fv/Fm first became <0.8 after leaf water potential (Ψ_leaf) had decreased to approximately −4 MPa and −2 MPa, respectively. Thus, by suffering less photosynthetic damage from drought, rice had better recovery after re-flooding than S. mucronatus. When drought reduced Ψ_leaf to −3 MPa, S. mucronatus re-growth was nearly suppressed but that of rice was unaffected. Rice plants depleted soil moisture 1.6 faster than S. mucronatus due to larger and deeper roots and a high water-spending strategy (when Ψ_leaf decreased from approximately −0.5 MPa to −2.5 MPa, ¹³δ increased from −27.8 to −27.4 and from −28.1 to −26.0 for rice and S. mucronatus, respectively). Rice under interspecific competition sustained its Ψ_leaf by extracting more water from greater depths, while causing severe moisture stress and photosynthetic damage to S. mucronatus. Thus temporary drought enhanced rice competitiveness over S. mucronatus, supporting the concept of using brief drought as a tool for S. mucronatus suppression in rice. The Ψ_leaf developed by the end of the drought period predicted rice yields (R² = 0.77, P < 0.0001) and the capacity of S. mucronatus to recover from drought upon irrigation resumption (R² = 0.62, P < 0.001). Brief (8-10 d) drought imposed on 5-week-old rice did not significantly depress late-season rice biomass growth or grain yields, while S. mucronatus never fully recovered from drought. Rice yields were only reduced after Ψ_leaf reached values below approximately −2.5 MPa. Longer drought (∼20 d) delayed maturity and reduced rice yields by approximately 60-80%. The dry-down approach could help suppress weeds similar to S. mucronatus in organic rice where premium prices can compensate for lower grain yield.     

Tolerance and remedial function of rooted submersed macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis to phenanthrene in freshwater sediments

Tolerance and remedial function of submersed macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis to phenanthrene in freshwater sediments were investigated by manipulating initial phenanthrene concentrations in sediments from 8 to 80 mg kg⁻¹ dry sediment. The biomass growth of V. spiralis on phenanthrene-spiked sediments was not adversely affected until initial phenanthrene concentrations in sediments increased to 80 mg kg⁻¹ dry sediment. V. spiralis might evolve adaptive mechanisms to toxic contaminants in sediment, and then could change the growth patterns in order to decrease the toxicity on its growth. The removal efficiencies of phenanthrene from the planted sediments were 18% higher than those from the sediments without plant even under an initial phenanthrene concentration of 80 mg kg⁻¹ dry sediments. The enhanced removal of phenanthrene in sediments by the plant might be achieved mainly by the synergism between plant roots and microbes in the rhizosphere.     

Metal biosorption by two cyanobacterial mats in relation to pH, biomass concentration, pretreatment and reuse

The pH-dependent metal sorption by Oscillatoria- and Phormidium-dominated mats was effectively expressed by the Hill function. The estimated Hill functions can fruitfully predict the amount of metal sorbed at a particular initial pH. Pretreatment of biomass with 0.1 mmol L⁻¹ HCl was more effective than pretreatment with CaCl₂, HNO₃, NaOH, and SDS in enhancing metal sorption ability of the biomass. Desorption of metal ions in the presence of 100 mmol L⁻¹ HCl from metal-loaded mat biomass was completed within 1 h. After six cycles of metal sorption/desorption, sorption decreased by 6-15%. Only 6% and 11% of the biomass derived from the Oscillatoria sp.- and Phormidium sp.-dominated mats was lost during the cycling. The cyanobacterial mats seem to have better potential than several biomass types for use in metal sorption from wastewaters as they are ubiquitous, self-immobilized, and have good reusability.     

Solubilisation of Phosphate and Micronutrients by Trichoderma harzianum and Its Relationship with the Promotion of Tomato Plant Growth

Trichoderma harzianum strain SQR-T037 is a biocontrol agent that has been shown to enhance the uptake of nutrients (macro- and microelements) by plants in fields. The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of SQR-T037 to P and microelement (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) nutrition in tomato plants grown in soil and in hydroponic conditions. Inoculation with SQR-T037 significantly improved the biomass and nutrient uptake of tomato seedlings grown in a nutrient-limiting soil. So we investigated the capability of SQR-T037 to solubilise sparingly soluble minerals in vitro via four known mechanisms: acidification by organic acids, chelation by siderophores, redox by ferric reductase and hydrolysis by phytase. SQR-T037 was able to solubilise phytate, Fe₂O₃, CuO, and metallic Zn but not Ca₃(PO₄)₂ or MnO₂. Organic acids, including lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and succinic acid, were detected by HPLC and LC/MS in two Trichoderma cultures. Additionally, we inoculated tomato seedlings with SQR-T037 using a hydroponic system with specific nutrient deficiencies (i.e., nutrient solutions deficient in P, Fe, Cu or Zn and supplemented with their corresponding solid minerals) to better study the effects of Trichoderma inoculation on plant growth and nutrition. Inoculated seedlings grown in Cu-deficient hydroponic conditions exhibited increases in dry plant biomass (92%) and Cu uptake (42%) relative to control plants. However, we did not observe a significant effect on seedling biomass in plants grown in the Fe- and Zn-deficient hydroponic conditions; by contrast, the biomass decreased by 82% in the P-deficient hydroponic condition. Thus, we demonstrated that Trichoderma SQR-T037 competed for P (phytate) and Zn with tomato seedlings by suppressing root development, releasing phytase and/or chelating minerals. The results of this study suggest that the induction of increased or suppressed plant growth occurs through the direct effect of T. harzianum on root development, in combination with indirect mechanisms, such as mineral solubilisation (including solubilisation via acidification, redox, chelation and hydrolysis).     

Optimization of growth media for obtaining high-cell density cultures of halophilic archaea (family Halobacteriaceae) by response surface methodology

Optimization of media components for the growth and biomass production of Halobacterium salinarum VKMM 013 was carried out using response surface methodology. A second order quadratic model was estimated and media components were determined based on quadratic regression equation generated by model. These were 6.35 g L⁻¹ of KCl, 9.70 g L⁻¹ of MgSO₄, 13.38 g L⁻¹ of gelatin and 12.00 g L⁻¹ of soluble starch in nutrient broth supplemented with artificial seawater with 20% (w/v) of NaCl. In these optimal conditions, the obtained cell concentration of 0.746 g L⁻¹ dry weight was in agreement with the predicted cell concentration. The optimized media significantly shortened the time required for cell culture to reach the stationary phase while providing a nearly 2.4-fold increase in biomass production. Furthermore, in cell cultures of three other halophilic archaea the use of optimized media enhanced growth rate and provided high-cell density.     

Production of earthworm Allolobophora parva (Eisen) in cattle dung

Vermicomposting potential of Allolobophora parva is well proven in recent experiments but little is known about its growth and reproduction performance. Efforts were made in this study to assess the biological productivity of A. parva in cattle waste solids under laboratory conditions. The growth and reproduction performance of A. parva was monitored up to its termination state in experimental beddings. A. parva was weighed weekly and cocoons produced during the interval were also counted. The maximum individual biomass and maximum growth rate (wt. mg worm⁻¹ week⁻¹) was 190.9 ± 0.07 mg (after 13 weeks) and 2.66 (after 12th week), respectively. A. parva showed the maximum values of cocoon number (within a week) and reproduction rate: 26 ± 1.12 and 0.74 ± 0.05 cocoon worm⁻¹ week⁻¹, respectively, during the 8th week of vermiculture. Cocoon production in earthworms was terminated after the 17th week of culture. Data suggested that A. parva may acts as a potential candidate to convert negligible organic waste resources into worm biomass for sustainable environmental management.     

Influence of carbon source and inoculum type on anaerobic biomass adhesion on polyurethane foam in reactors fed with acid mine drainage

This paper analyzes the influence of carbon source and inoculum origin on the dynamics of biomass adhesion to an inert support in anaerobic reactors fed with acid mine drainage. Formic acid, lactic acid and ethanol were used as carbon sources. Two different inocula were evaluated: one taken from an UASB reactor and other from the sediment of a uranium mine. The values of average colonization rates and the maximum biomass concentration (C_max) were inversely proportional to the number of carbon atoms in each substrate. The highest C_max value (0.35 g TVS g⁻¹ foam) was observed with formic acid and anaerobic sludge as inoculum. Maximum colonization rates (v_max) were strongly influenced by the type of inoculum when ethanol and lactic acid were used. For both carbon sources, the use of mine sediment as inoculum resulted in a v_max of 0.013 g TVS g⁻¹ foam day⁻¹, whereas 0.024 g TVS g⁻¹ foam day⁻¹ was achieved with anaerobic sludge.     

Enhanced ethanol production by fermentation of rice straw hydrolysate without detoxification using a newly adapted strain of Pichia stipitis

An enhanced inhibitor-tolerant strain of Pichia stipitis was successfully developed through adaptation to acid-treated rice straw hydrolysate. The ethanol production obtained by fermentation of NaOH-neutralized hydrolysate without detoxification using the adapted P. stipitis was comparable to fermentation of overliming-detoxified hydrolysate. The ethanol yield using the adapted P. stipitis with both types of hydrolysate at pH 5.0 achieved 0.45 g_p g_s⁻¹, which is equivalent to 87% of the maximum possible ethanol conversion. Furthermore, the newly adapted P. stipitis demonstrated significantly enhanced tolerance to sulfate and furfural despite the fact that both inhibitors had not been removed from the hydrolysate by NaOH neutralization. Finally, the ethanol conversion could be maintained at 60% and above when the neutralized hydrolysate contained 3.0% sulfate and 1.3 g L⁻¹ furfural.     

Alkaline pre-treatment of oilseed rape straw for bioethanol production: evaluation of glucose yield and pre-treatment energy consumption

The objective of the research was to investigate the effect of biomass loading, alkali (NaOH) concentration and pre-treatment time on the yield of glucose obtained following alkaline pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of oilseed rape (OSR) straw. A maximum glucose yield of (440.6 ± 14.9) g glucose kg⁻¹ biomass was obtained when OSR straw was pre-treated at a biomass loading of 50 g kg⁻¹ and an alkali concentration of 0.63 mol dm⁻³ NaOH for 30 min. The energy efficiency of glucose extraction (0.39 kg glucose MJ⁻¹ consumed) was highest when OSR straw was pre-treated at a biomass loading of 50 g kg⁻¹ and an alkali concentration of 0.63 or 0.75 mol dm⁻³ for 30 min. The study demonstrated alkaline pre-treatment of OSR straw is superior to acid pre-treatment in terms of glucose yield and energy efficiency.     

Continuous culture of the microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum on biodiesel-derived crude glycerol for producing docosahexaenoic acid

Crude glycerol is a major byproduct of the biodiesel industry; previous research has proved the feasibility of producing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n − 3) through fermentation of the algae Schizochytrium limacinum on crude glycerol. The objective of this work is to investigate the cell growth kinetics, substrate utilization efficiency, and DHA production of the algae through a continuous culture. Steady-state biomass yield, biomass productivity, growth yield on glycerol, specific glycerol consumption rate, and fatty acid composition were investigated within the range of dilution rate (D) from 0.2 to 0.6 day⁻¹, and the range of feed crude glycerol concentration (S₀) from 15 to 120 g/L. The maximum specific growth rate was determined as 0.692 day⁻¹. The cells had a true growth yield of 0.283 g/g but with a relatively high maintenance coefficient (0.2216 day⁻¹). The highest biomass productivity of 3.88 g/L-day was obtained at D = 0.3 day⁻¹ and S₀ = 60 g/L, while the highest DHA productivity (0.52 g/L-day) was obtained at D = 0.3 day⁻¹ and S₀ = 90 g/L due to the higher DHA content at S₀ = 90 g/L. The biomass and DHA productivity of the continuous culture was comparable to those of batch culture, while lower than the fed-batch culture, mainly because of the lower DHA content obtained by the continuous culture. Overall, the results show that continuous culture is a powerful tool to investigate the cell growth kinetics and physiological behaviors of the algae growing on biodiesel-derived crude glycerol.     

Decomposition of Phragmites australis rhizome in a shallow lake

Decomposition of Phragmites australis (Cav. Trin ex Steudel) rhizome was studied at Lake Fert?/Neusiedler See using the litter bag technique. Samples were analysed for rhizome dry mass, fibre (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) and nutrient content (C, N, P and S), litter-associated fungal biomass, potential microbial respiration (electron transport activity: ETS) and cellulolitic bacteria. The mass loss of decomposing rhizome was rapid in the initial period and only 13.6% of the dry mass remained at the end of the experiment during 953 days. Substantial quantities of C, N, S and P were lost during 99 days; only 18% C, 19% N, 14% S and 6.4% of the P remained after 953 days. Hemicellulose degraded more rapidly than the other fibres whilst the lignin had the slowest rate of decomposition. Bacteria were found to be the primary colonizers of plant detritus, which was followed by fungal growth. An antagonistic relationship was observed between bacteria and fungi. Fungal biomass as determined by ergosterol concentrations ranged between 4.1 and 420 μg g⁻¹ and peaked every year in September. The number of cellulolitic bacteria varied from 0 to 22 MPN g⁻¹ with higher values in summer. The ETS-activity ranged between 0.1 and 1.6 mg O₂ g⁻¹ h⁻¹. The changes in ETS-activity varied almost in parallel with the in situ temperature of the lake water.     

Bioethanol fermentation of concentrated rice straw hydrolysate using co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia stipitis

Rice straw is one of the abundant lignocellulosic feed stocks in the world and has been selected for producing ethanol at an economically feasible manner. It contains a mixture of sugars (hexoses and pentoses).Biphasic acid hydrolysis was carried out with sulphuric acid using rice straw. After acid hydrolysis, the sugars, furans and phenolics were estimated. The initial concentration of sugar was found to be 16.8 g L⁻¹. However to increase the ethanol yield, the initial sugar concentration of the hydrolysate was concentrated to 31 g L⁻¹ by vacuum distillation. The concentration of sugars, phenols and furans was checked and later detoxified by over liming to use for ethanol fermentation. Ethanol concentration was found to be 12 g L⁻¹, with a yield, volumetric ethanol productivity and fermentation efficiency of 0.33 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹, 0.4 g g⁻¹ and 95%, respectively by co-culture of OVB 11 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and Pichia stipitis NCIM 3498.     

Evaluation of selenite bioremoval from liquid culture by Enterococcus species

The genus Enterococcus belong to the genera of bacteria that produce lactic acid and can confer health benefits to living organisms. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals. Thirty-six Enterococcus species isolated from dairy products were screened for Se(IV) sorption capacity for use as a probiotics in animal nutrition. Several isolates grew luxuriantly and significantly removed Se(IV) from Se(IV) amended medium. Two isolates, LAB 14 and LAB 18, identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Enterococcus faecalis (98% nucleotide sequence similarity) and Enterococcus faecium (97% nucleotide sequence similarity), respectively, were selected for further studies. The two isolates grew optimally and removed selenium at initial pH 7.0. Optimum removal of Se(IV) from the medium was recorded at 25 °C. Time course studies showed that after 8 h of incubation LAB 14 and LAB 18 cultures displayed the highest biomass production and Se(IV) bioremoval and most selenite in culture depleted in 24 h. At initial concentrations of 10 mg L⁻¹ and 60 mg L⁻¹, E. faecium (LAB 18) removed 9.91 mg L⁻¹ and 59.70 mg L⁻¹, respectively after 24 h. Similar Se(IV) bioremoval capacity was recorded with E. faecalis (LAB 14). Substantial amount of Se was detected in biomass of E. faecium (0.4599 mg g⁻¹ of dry weight) and E. faecalis (0.4759 mg g⁻¹ of dry weight). The significant uptake and transformation of Se(IV) by the Enterococcus species observed in this study suggest that they can be used to deliver dietary Se through feed augmentation with Se(IV)-enriched Enterococcus biomass.     

Cultivation of microalgae for oil production with a cultivation strategy of urea limitation

The microalgae, Chlorella sp., were cultivated in various culture modes to assess biomass and lipid productivity in this study. In the batch mode, the biomass concentrations and lipid content of Chlorella sp. cultivated in a medium containing 0.025–0.200 g L⁻¹ urea were 0.464–2.027 g L⁻¹ and 0.661–0.326 g g⁻¹, respectively. The maximum lipid productivity of 0.124 g d⁻¹ L⁻¹ occurred in a medium containing 0.100 g L⁻¹ urea. In the fed-batch cultivation, the highest lipid content was obtained by feeding 0.025 g L⁻¹ of urea during the stationary phase, but the lipid productivity was not significantly increased. However, a semi-continuous process was carried out by harvesting the culture and renewing urea at 0.025 g L⁻¹ each time when the cultivation achieved the early stationary phase. The maximum lipid productivity of 0.139 g d⁻¹ L⁻¹ in the semi-continuous culture was highest in comparison with those in the batch and fed-batch cultivations.     

Optimization of microwave-assisted FeCl3 pretreatment conditions of rice straw and utilization of Trichoderma viride and Bacillus pumilus for production of reducing sugars

In this study, Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize microwave-assisted FeCl₃ pretreatment conditions of rice straw with respect to FeCl₃ concentration, microwave intensity, irradiation time and substrate concentration. When rice straw was pretreated at the optimal conditions of FeCl₃ concentration, 0.14 mol/L; microwave intensity, 160 °C; irradiation time, 19 min; substrate concentration, 109 g/L; and inoculated with Trichoderma viride and Bacillus pumilus, the production of reducing sugars was 6.62 g/L. This yield was 2.9 times higher than that obtained with untreated rice straw. The microorganisms degraded 37.8% of pretreated rice straw after 72 h. The structural characteristic analyses suggest that microwave-assisted FeCl₃ pretreatment damaged the silicified waxy surface of rice straw, disrupted almost all the ether linkages between lignin and carbohydrates, and removed lignin.