Film analysis of activated sludge microbial discs by the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis

A biofilm model with substrate inhibition is proposed for the activated sludge growing discs of rotating biological contactor (RBC); this model is different from the steady-state biofilm model based on the Monod assumption. Both deep and shallow types of biofilms are examined and discussed. The biofilm models based on both Monod and substrate inhibition (Haldane) assumptions are compared. In addition, the relationships between substrate utilization rate, biofilm thickness, and liquid phase substrate concentration are discussed. The influence order of the factors that affect the biofilm thickness is studied and discussed by combining the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis. In this work, a Taguchi orthogonal table is used to construct the series that is needed for grey relational analysis to determine the influence priority of the four parameters S _B , kX _f , K _s, and K _i .     

Model for the growth of aerobic microorganisms under oxygen limiting conditions

A simple dynamic model is proposed which will allow fermenters to be run at throughputs which fully utilize the mass transfer capabilities of the fermenters while not decreasing the yield from the substrate. The model is compared with one previously proposed, which was originally formulated for double substrate limitation when both substrates were supplied in the feed. Computer solutions of the model are given which show the effects of the parameters used. Experimental results from growing Candida utilis on a high concentration of glucose were found to be similar to those predicted by the model.     

A cybernetic model to predict the effect of freely available nitrogen substrate on rifamycin B production in complex media

It is well-known that secondary metabolite production is repressed by excess nitrogen substrate available in the fermentation media. Although the nitrogen catabolite repression has been known, quantitative process models have not been reported to represent this phenomenon in complex medium. In this paper, we present a cybernetic model for rifamycin B production via Amycolatopsis mediterranei S699 in complex medium, which is typically used in industry. Nitrogen substrate is assumed to be present in two forms in the medium; available nitrogen (S _ANS) such as free amino acids and unavailable nitrogen (S _UNS) such as peptides and proteins. The model assumes that an inducible enzyme catalyzes the conversion of S _UNS to S _ANS. Although S _ANS is required for growth and product formation, high concentrations were found to inhibit rifamycin production. To experimentally validate the model, five different organic nitrogen sources were used that differ in the ratio of S _ANS/S _UNS. The model successfully predicts higher rifamycin B productivity for nitrogen sources that contain lower initial S _ANS. The higher productivity is attributed to the sustained availability of S _ANS at low concentration via conversion of S _UNS to S _ANS, thereby minimizing the effects of nitrogen catabolite repression on rifamycin production. The model can have applications in model-based optimization of substrate feeding recipe and in monitoring and control of fed batch processes.     

Evaluation of steady-state-biofilm kinetics

Laboratory-scale biofilm reactors were used to evaluate a model of the kinetics of steady-state biofilm and the concept that there is a minimum concentration, S_min, below which no steady-state activity can occur. With acetate as the ratelimiting substrate, the steady-state concept of S_min was verified for naturally grown biofilms. Substrate removal and biofilm thickness declined rapidly as the substrate concentration approached S_min, which was 0.66 mg/liter for acetate. Using independently derived kinetic parameters, the model of steady-state-biofilm kinetics successfully predicted substrate utilization and biofilm thickness without the need for fitting factors. The results imply that organic materials may persist in water and wastewater, in part, because they are too low in concentration to supply sufficient energy to sustain the microorganisms.     

A conceptual model of the polyamine binding site of N1-acetylpolyamine oxidase developed from a study of polyamine derivatives

We used various polyamine derivatives to study the substrate binding site of N ¹-acetylpolyamine oxidase (PAO) that was partially purified from rat liver. The substrate activities of acetylpolyamines indicated the presence of two anionic centers corresponding to the 1,3-diaminopropane (1,3-DAP) structure and a hydrophobic region in addition to the cleavage site of the acetamidopropyl group. Based on the results of the inhibitory activities of 1,3-DAP derivatives, we developed a conceptual model of the polyamine binding site of PAO. We used this model to identify a potent competitive inhibitor, N ¹,N ⁷-dihexyl-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane, and to develop an affinity column, 1,16-diamino4,13-diazahexadecane–linked Sepharose, which was useful for the purification of PAO.     

Mathematical description of bikaverin production in a fluidized bed bioreactor

Summary  Growth of Gibberella fujikuroi in submerged cultures occurs as micelles or filamentous hyphae dispersed in fluid and pellets or stable, spherical agglomerations. Gibberella fujikuroi growth, substrate consumption and bikaverin production kinetics obtained from submerged batch fermentation were fitted to three different sigmoid models: two and three-parameter Gompertz models and one Logistic model. Growth fitting was used to compare between models and select the best one by means of an F test. The best model for describing growth was the two-parameter Gompertz model and was used for glucose consumption and bikaverin production fitting. Data from eight different schemes of fermentations were analysed and parameter estimation was carried out by means of minimization of residual sum of squares. Some characteristic values obtained with the two-parameter Gompertz model fit are: μ=0.028 h⁻¹, Y_x/s=0.1089 g substrate/g biomass, α =0.1384 g product/g biomass.     

Evaluation of Various Unstructured Kinetic Models for the Production of Protease by Bacillus sphaericus MTTC511

Bacillus sphaericus MTCC511 was used for the production of protease in submerged batch fermentation. Maximum protease activity of 1010 U/L was obtained during a fermentation period of 24 h under optimized conditions of 30 °C in a medium with an initial pH of 7 and at a shaking rate of 120 rpm. The maximum biomass obtained in the batch fermentation was 2.55 g/L after 16 h. Various unstructured models were analyzed to simulate the experimental values of microbial growth, protease activity and substrate concentration. The unstructured models, i.e. the Monod model for microbial growth, the Monod incorporated Luedeking‐Piret model for the production of protease and the Monod‐incorporated modified Luedeking‐Piret model for the utilization of substrate were capable of predicting the fermentation profile with high coefficient of determination (R²) values of 0.9967, 0.9402 and 0.9729, respectively. The results indicated that the unstructured models were able to describe the fermentation kinetics more effectively.     

Application of Oligonucleoside Methylphosphonates in the Studies on Phosphodiester Hydrolysis by Serratia Endonuclease

Abstract

The endonuclease from Serratia marcescens is a non-specific enzyme that cleaves single and double stranded RNA and DNA. It accepts a phosphorylated pentanucleotide as a minimal substrate which is cleaved in the presence of Mg²⁺ at the second phosphodiester linkage. The present study is aimed at understanding the role of electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions in phosphodiester hydrolysis. Towards this objective, six pentadeoxyadenylates with single stereoregular methylphosphonate substitution within this minimal substrate (2a-4b) were synthesized following a protocol described here. These modified oligonucleotides were used as substrates for the Serratia nuclease. The enzyme interaction studies revealed that the enzyme failed to hydrolyze any of the methylphosphonate analogues suggesting the importance of negative charge and/or hydrogen bond acceptors in binding and cleavage of its substrate. Based on these results and available site-directed mutagenesis as well as structural data, a model for nucleic acid binding by Serratia nuclease is proposed.     

Kinetics of acetophenone reduction to (R)-1-phenylethanol by a whole-cell Pichia capsulata biocatalyst

(R)-1-phenylethanol is an important substance in fragrance and flavor industry. In this work, the reduction of acetophenone to (R)-1-phenylethanol in an aqueous medium was examined using Pichia capsulata as a whole-cell biocatalyst. Progress curve and initial rate measurements were used to obtain kinetic data. The experiments were carried out at pH 5, temperature of 25?°C, and in the presence of glucose to maintain in vivo regeneration of NADH. A model of the reversible reaction kinetics considering the substrate inhibition of the forward reaction was developed. Five kinetic parameters of this model were determined by a simultaneous fit of a reaction rate dependence on substrate concentration and 18 substrate and product concentration progress curves with very good accuracy. Equilibrium constant of the reaction and equilibrium conversion of acetophenone to (R)-1-phenylethanol were 13.7 and 93%, respectively.     

饲用微生物的分离鉴定及其对杏鲍菇菌糠发酵的效果

【目的】菌糠的营养素含量齐全,但纤维素含量过高是阻碍其饲料化利用的主要因素。故本研究筛选适合于发酵杏鲍菇菌糠的微生物菌株,以改善其饲用品质。【方法】首先,本研究采用纤维素-刚果红、苯胺蓝和MRS-Ca (De Man, Rogosa, Sharpe-Ca)筛选培养基,结合纤维素、木质素酶活力及抑菌活性的测定,从EM (effective microorganisms)原液发酵的杏鲍菇菌糠中分离筛选具有较强纤维素、木质素降解能力及抑菌能力的细菌/真菌。通过细菌16S rRNA和真菌18S rDNA基因序列分析确定菌株所属种属。其次,将筛选出的菌株菌液等体积混合制成复合菌剂用于固态发酵杏鲍菇菌糠。测定不同发酵时长菌糠营养成分含量以确定最佳发酵时间,并与相同工艺条件下EM原液发酵的杏鲍菇菌糠进行饲用品质比较。【结果】筛选并鉴定得到纤维素酶活性较高的特基拉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus tequilensis)菌株P11、发酵毕赤酵母(Pichia fermentans)菌株R8和马克斯克鲁维应变酵母(Kluyveromyces marxianus)菌株MU5;木质素酶活性较高的解淀粉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp.plantarum)菌株MU7;抑菌活性较高的类肠膜魏斯氏菌(Weissella paramesenteroides)菌株R4和乳酸片球菌(Pediococcus acidilactici)菌株R9。使用以上菌株复合发酵杏鲍菇菌糠7 d后,各项指标达到稳定。与EM原液发酵的杏鲍菇菌糠相比,复合菌剂发酵杏鲍菇菌糠的NDF和ADF分别显著降低了19.6%和21.44%(P0.05);CP (crude protein)、CA (crude ash)和EE (ether extract)含量分别显著提高了10.44%、5.26%和123.53%(P0.05)。【结论】本研究筛选得到的芽孢杆菌、酵母菌和乳酸菌优势菌株复合后用于发酵杏鲍菇菌糠可以很好地改善其饲用品质,效果优于生产中常用市售EM原液。     

The effect of lignin model compound structure on the rate of oxidation catalyzed by two different fungal laccases

Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are multicopper oxidases able to oxidize various substrates, such as phenolic subunits of lignin. The substrate range can be widened to non-phenolic units by the use of mediators. Since discovery of the laccase-mediator system, direct reactions of lignin and laccase without mediated electron-transfer have gained much less attention. The objective of this study was to investigate lignin as a substrate for fungal laccases by using lignin model compounds. These model compounds contained guaiacylic and syringylic moieties and also compounds of guaiacylic origin at a higher oxidation level. Some of these compounds are commercially available, but most of them were synthesized. The oxidation reaction rates of the lignin model compounds were studied by monitoring consumption of the co-substrate oxygen, in reactions catalyzed by laccases from two different fungi; Melanocarpus albomyces and Trametes hirsuta, possessing different molecular and catalytic properties. These reaction rate studies were compared to physicochemical properties of the lignin model compounds: relative redox potentials determined using cyclic voltammetry and pK_a-values. Docking of syringylic and biphenylic compounds to the active sites of both laccases was performed and the resulting model complex structures were used to further interpret the reaction rate results. Reaction rates of laccases are mainly affected by the ability of a lignin model compound to be oxidized and the pK_a-value of the substrate seems to be less important. As a consequence, syringylic compounds are oxidized with the highest rates and compounds at a higher oxidation level and redox-potential, such as vanillin, are oxidized at a much lower rate. Both guaiacylic and syringylic type compounds fit well in the active sites of both laccases. Only for a biphenylic compound, steric clashes were observed, and they are likely to have an effect on the reaction rate. When the oxidation rates on the selected model compounds with the two different laccases were compared, the redox-potential difference between laccases T1 copper and the lignin model compound (ΔE) was not the only property that determined the oxidation rate. In the case of lignin model substrates, also the selectivity of a specific laccase, reflected in the k_cat/K_m value, plays an important role.     

Fermentation parameters of Peptostreptococcus productus on gaseous substrates (CO,H2/CO2)

Intrinsic growth and substrate uptake parameters were obtained for Peptostreptococcus productus, strain U-1, using carbon monoxide as the limiting substrate. A modified Monod model with substrate inhibition was used for modeling. In addition, a product yield of 0.25 mol acetate/mol CO and a cell yield of 0.034 g cells/g CO were obtained. While CO was found to be the primary substrate, P. productus is able to produce acetate from CO₂ and H₂, although this substrate could not sustain growth. Yeast extract was found to also be a growth substrate. A yield of 0.017 g cell/g yeast extract and a product yield of 0.14 g acetate/g yeast extract were obtained. In the presence of acetate, the maximum specific CO uptake rate was increased by 40% compared to the maximum without acetate present. Cell replication was inhibited at acetate concentrations of 30 g/l. Methionine was found to be an essential nutrient for growth and CO uptake by P. productus. A minimum amount of a complex medium such as yeast extract (0.01%) is, however, required.     

Control of the degree of hydrolysis of a protein modification with immobilized protease by the pH-drop method

A mathematical model, DH = 1/k(10^?2ΔpH ? 1), between the pH-drop (ΔpH) and degree of hydrolysis (DH) of an enzymatic modification of casein was developed to assess the DH in a packed-bed column reactor by directly monitoring the pH value of the modified protein system. It was demonstrated that the linear DH range and the k value of the equation were dependent on the reactor type and the specificity of the proteolytic enzymes immobilized on chitin used in the present study, but no effect of the substrate casein concentration on the linear DH range was observed. Since DH and ΔpH values of the modified casein correlated with the flow rate in a packed-bed column reactor, it was suggested that the DH value, in a considerably wide range of casein modification with a certain immobilized protease in a column reactor, could be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the substrate and monitored by a pH-meter. This relationship might be used as a basis for scale-up and long-term operation of enzymatic modification of proteins by immobilized protease in a column reactor.     

Evaluation of the behavioural response of the flies Megaselia halterata and Lycoriella castanescens to different mushroom cultivation materials

A static‐air olfactometer was used to investigate the behavioural responses of adult female phorid [Megaselia halterata (Wood) (Diptera: Phoridae)] and sciarid [Lycoriella castanescens (Lengersdorf) (Diptera: Sciaridae)] flies to the commercial white mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach, grown on a standard pasteurised composted substrate. The attraction of the flies was measured in relation to four test materials: composted substrate spawned with A. bisporus mycelium for 4 days and 14 days, uncolonised composted substrate, and A. bisporus sporophores. The experiment was done according to a 4 × 4 × 4 Latin cube design, and the results were analysed using a generalised linear model. It was found that both the occasion on which a bioassay was run and the position of the olfactometer within a 4 × 4 array could affect the proportion of the fly population responding to a test material. Megalesia halterata preferred spawned compost to unspawned compost, and the level of response to compost spawned for 14 days was greater than to compost spawned for 4 days. In contrast, L. castanescens were attracted equally to all of the materials tested. Overall, L. castanescens showed a greater level of activity than M. halterata, and was more likely to enter the pitfall traps in the olfactometer. For both M. halterata and L. castanescens, the type of test material affected the numbers of adult flies of the F₁ generation that emerged from it following oviposition. The highest numbers of emerging M. halterata were obtained from a composted substrate spawned for 4 days, and none emerged from the unspawned compost. Emergence of L. castanescens was highest from the uncolonised composted substrate, and there was a negative relationship between emergence and the amount of mycelium in the composted substrate. The results are consistent with the use of volatiles in the detection of oviposition sites by both species; however, further studies of the materials will be necessary to determine precisely which oviposition cues the insects use.     

A possible mechanism of metabolic regulation in Gibberella fujikuroi using a mixed carbon source of glucose and corn oil inferred from analysis of the kinetics data obtained in a stirrer tank bioreactor

A nonstructured model was used to study the dynamics of gibberellic acid production in a stirred tank bioreactor. Experimental data were obtained from submerged batch cultures of Gibberella fujikuroi (CDBB H‐984) grown in varying ratios of glucose‐corn oil as the carbon source. The nitrogen depletion effect was included in mathematical model by considering the specific kinetic constants as a linear function of the normalized nitrogen consumption rate. The kinetics of biomass growth and consumption of phosphate and nitrogen were based on the logistic model. The traditional first‐order kinetic model was used to describe the specific consumption of glucose and corn oil. The nitrogen effect was solely included in the phosphate and corn oil consumption and biomass growth. The model fit was satisfactory, revealing the dependence of the kinetics with respect to the nitrogen assimilation rate. Through simulations, it was possible to make diagrams of specific growth rate and specific rate of substrate consumptions, which was a powerful tool for understanding the metabolic interactions that occurred during the various stages of fermentation process. This kinetic analysis provided the proposal of a possible mechanism of regulation on growth, substrate consumptions, and production of gibberellic acid (GA₃) in G. fujikuroi. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1169–1180, 2013     

Model of steady-state-biofilm kinetics

A steady-state biofilm is defined as one that has neither net growth nor decay over time. The model, developed for steady-state-biofilm kinetics with a single substrate, couples the flux of substrate into a biofilm to the mass (or thickness) of biofilm that would exist at steady-state for a given bulk substrate concentration. Based on kinetic and energetic constraints, this model predicts for a single substrate that a steady-state bulk concentration, S_min, exists below which a steady-state biofilm cannot exist. Thus, in the absence of adsorption of bacteria from the bulk water and for substrate concentration below S_min, substrate flux and biofilm thickness are zero. Equations are provided for calculating the steady-state substrate flux and biofilm thickness for S greater than S_min. An example is provided to demonstrate the use of the steadystate model.     

Absorbed substrate fermentation for pectinase production with Aspergillus niger

Summary A 130 litre packed-bed bioreactor was used for pectinase production with Aspergillus niger using absorbed substrate fermentation techniques. Pectinolytic enzyme activity and relative CO₂ production were used as indicators of metabolic activity. Absorbed substrate fermentation is an efficient process for pectinase production and is also an interesting model because the culture medium, water, nutrients and specific inducers, can be designed at the desired concentrations.     

Application of statistical design for the optimization of microbial community of synthetic domestic wastewater

A fractional factorial design (FFD) and a response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize the inoculum composition of six strains for treatment of synthetic domestic wastewater. The model predicted the highest overall specific substrate utilization rate (q) of 6.88 g TOC/(d-gVSS). The value is in accordance with the actual maximum q, and is 1.5 and 1.97 times greater than those without optimization for 4 and 6 strains respectively. Additionally, the shortest time to reach stationary phase (3.5 h) and highest maximum total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency (92%) were also achieved under the optimum condition. The results indicated that the FFD and RSM are powerful screening and optimizing tools for the microbial community. The experimental approaches enhance the overall specific rate of substrate utilization as well as other biodegradation parameters.     

Kinetic model for biotransformation of digitoxin in plant cell suspension culture ofDigitalis lanata

Batch suspension cultures ofDigitalis lanata plant cell were performed to investigate the biotransformation of digitoxin.Digitalis lanata K3OHD plant cells were used to biotransform digitoxin into deacetyllanatoside C. A kinetic model was proposed to describe cell growth, substrate consumption, depletion of digitoxin, formation and depletion of digoxin and purpureaglycoside A, and formation of deacetyllanatoside C. The digoxin and purpureaglycoside A are intermediates of deacetyllanatoside C formation from digitoxin. Interactions between extracellular and intracellular compounds were considered. The proposed model could accurately predict cell growth, substrate consumption and product synthesis. And it can provide a useful framework for quantitative analysis of biotransformation in a plant cell culture system.     

Activation of the 20S Proteasome of Xenopus Oocytes by Cardiolipin: Blockage of the Activation of Trypsin-like Activity by the Substrate

The effects of an activator, cardiolipin, on the three peptidase activities of the 20S proteasome of Xenopus oocytes were examined. The trypsin-like activity was activated when the enzyme was treated with cardiolipin before the addition of the substrate, but there was no appreciable activation when cardiolipin was added concomitantly with the substrate. On the other hand, the chymotrypsin-like peptidase and peptidylglutamylpeptide hydrolase (PGPH) were activated regardless of the sequence of addition. When very low concentrations of the substrate (e.g. 0.1-0.5 μM; about 1/100 of the K _m) were used, cardiolipin strongly activated trypsin-like peptidase by the simultaneous addition but not after substrate addition. These results suggest that the trypsin-type substrate produces a conformational change in the enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner which makes the activator sites inaccessible to cardiolipin.