Pre-treatment of hospital wastewater by coagulation–flocculation and flotation

Coagulation–flocculation and flotation processes were evaluated for the pre-treatment of hospital wastewater, including the removal of 13 pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). Coagulation–flocculation assays were performed in a Jar-Test device and in a continuous pilot-scale plant. Raw hospital wastewater as well as the effluent from the continuous coagulation plant were treated in a flotation cell. Removal of total suspended solids (TSS) during pre-treatment was very effective, reaching an average removal efficiency of 92% in the combined coagulation–flotation process. Musk fragrances were eliminated to a high degree during batch coagulation–flocculation (tonalide: 83.4 ± 14.3%; galaxolide: 79.2 ± 9.9%; celestolide: 77.7 ± 16.8%), presumably due to their strong lipophilic character which promotes the interaction of these compounds with the lipid fraction of solids. For diclofenac (DCF), naproxen (NPX) and ibuprofen (IBP) maximum removals of 46%, 42% and 23%, respectively, were obtained, while the rest of PPCPs were not affected by the physico-chemical treatment. Flotation of raw wastewater led to slightly worse results compared to coagulation–flocculation, although the combined action of both improved the overall efficiency of the process. The proposed pre-treatment strategy for hospital wastewater is useful for assimilating its conventional physico-chemical characteristics to that of municipal wastewater as well as for reducing the load of some PPCPs into the sewer system.     

Analysis of bacterial communities on aging flue-cured tobacco leaves by 16S rDNA PCR–DGGE technology

Many microorganisms, growing on aging flue-cured tobacco leaves, play a part in its fermentation process. These microflora were identified and described by culture-dependent methods earlier. In this study we report the identity of the microflora growing on the tobacco leaf surface by employing culture-independent methods. We have amplified microbial 16S rDNA sequences directly from the leaf surface and used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to identify bacterial community on the tobacco leaves. Our culture-independent methods for the study of microbial community on tobacco leaves showed that microbial community structures on leaves of variety Zhongyan 100, NC89 and Zhongyan 101 were similar between 0 and 6 months aging, and between 9 and 12 months aging, while the similarity is low between 0 and 6, and between 9 and 12 months aging, respectively. There were certain similarities of bacterial communities (similarity up to 63%) among the three tobacco varieties for 0 to 6 months aging. Five dominant 16S rDNA DGGE bands A, B, C, D and E were isolated, cloned, and sequenced. They were most similar to two cultured microbial species Bacteriovorax sp. EPC3, Bacillus megaterium, and three uncultured microbial species, respectively.     

Preliminary screening of Houttuynia cordata for biological potential and chemical components using TLC and GC–MS analysis

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - The objective of the study is to ascertain the biological potential and to identify the bioactive compounds of the four crude extract hexane,...     

Characterization and comparative analysis of toxin–antitoxin systems in Acetobacter pasteurianus

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology - Bacterial toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems play important roles in diverse cellular regulatory processes. Here, we characterize three...     

Streptavidin–biotin technology: improvements and innovations in chemical and biological applications

Streptavidin and its homologs (together referred to as streptavidin) are widely used in molecular science owing to their highly selective and stable interaction with biotin. Other factors also contribute to the popularity of the streptavidin–biotin system, including the stability of the protein and various chemical and enzymatic biotinylation methods available for use with different experimental designs. The technology has enjoyed a renaissance of a sort in recent years, as new streptavidin variants are engineered to complement native proteins and novel methods of introducing selective biotinylation are developed for in vitro and in vivo applications. There have been notable developments in the areas of catalysis, cell biology, and proteomics in addition to continued applications in the more established areas of detection, labeling and drug delivery. This review summarizes recent advances in streptavidin engineering and new applications based on the streptavidin–biotin interaction.     

Application of physical–chemical and biological–chemical methods for heavy metals removal from acid mine drainage

Acid mine drainage (AMD) represents a serious environmental problem related to sulfide minerals and coal mining. High content of toxic metals and high acidity in AMD adversely affects surface water, groundwater and soil. The abandoned mine of the Smolník deposit in Slovakia is a typical example in this respect. The quality of AMD needs to be monitored and suitable treatment methods need to be developed.The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the technical feasibility of heavy metals removal from AMD using physical–chemical and biological–chemical methods. The base of the physical–chemical method was electrowinning. The principle of the biological–chemical method was the selective sequential precipitation (SSP) of metals with the application of hydrogen sulfide produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria and sodium hydroxide solution. Both the electrowinning and SSP processes decrease the content of heavy metals in AMD. The pre-treatment of AMD by chemical iron–aluminum precipitation (in the case of electrowinning tests) and chemical iron precipitation (in the case of SSP tests) improved the selectivity of the processes. A further aim of the work was the improvement of the SSP.During the electrochemical experiments, 99% Zn removal – under metallic form – and 94% Mn removal – under MnO₂ form – both with a high degree of purity, were achieved. The SSP process reached the selective precipitation of chosen metals with 99% efficiency – Fe, Al and Mn in the form of metal hydroxides, Cu and Zn as metal sulfides. The results achieved may be used for designing a process appropriate for the selective recovery of metals from the AMD discharged from the Smolník deposit.     

On the reliability of quantitation of biological effect in drug–interceptor–DNA systems

Relative insensitivity of theoretical estimation of biological effect in drug–interceptor–DNA systems is found with respect to variation of parameters of quasiphysiological conditions. The “inertness” of the biological response, in part, justifies the use of parameters of intermolecular interaction, derived from independent physicochemical experiments, in estimation of relative biological effect in the theory of interceptor/protector action.     

Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of stable isotopes of cysteine and glutathione in biological samples

A gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) procedure for the determination of stable isotope labelled glutathione has been applied to animal and human samples. The method, based on preparation of the N,S-ethoxycarbonyl methyl ester derivative of the intact peptide, is rapid and requires little or minor tissue treatment. The same method was applied to cysteine. The method was found to be reliable in terms of within-day and between-day precision, accuracy and linearity. The procedure was applied in humans and animals to determine in vivo the glutathione fractional synthesis rate using labelled cysteine infusion. The glutathione fractional synthesis rate was found to be 22.5%/day in blood from a healthy volunteer and 337±29%/day in rat liver.     

General analysis of competitive binding in drug–interceptor–DNA systems

A general model of competitive binding in drug–interceptor–DNA systems has been developed in order to quantify both the interceptor and protector mechanisms. The model involves full parameterization of the basic equations governing the mutual competition between drugs binding to DNA and incorporates as partial cases various similar models existing in the literature. The generality of the model results from strict accounting of the statistical effects of the binding of the drug and interceptor with DNA according to the McGhee-von Hippel formalism, and to the strict treatment of hetero-association between the drug and interceptor, which includes formation of all possible types of self- and hetero-complexes in solution. Indirect experimental evidence is provided for the importance of the protector mechanism in drug–caffeine–DNA systems, which is sometimes ignored in the literature because of the small magnitude of the CAF-DNA binding constant.     

Molecular analysis of 16S–23S spacer regions ofAcetobacter species

16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) similarities were determined in 8 Acetobacter and 1 Gluconacetobacter strains. ITS-PCR amplification of the 16S-23S spacers showed 2 products of similar size in 7 strains; only 1 product of similar size was found in the 2 remaining strains. Analysis of the PCR products using restriction endonucleases HaeIII, HpaII and AluI revealed 3 different restriction groups of A. pasteurianus for AluI and HaeIII, and 4 restriction groups for HpaII. ITS nucleotide sequences of all studied strains exhibited a 52-98% similarity.     

Nitrification and degradation of halogenated hydrocarbons—a tenuous balance for ammonia-oxidizing bacteria

The process of nitrification has the potential for the in situ bioremediation of halogenated compounds provided a number of challenges can be overcome. In nitrification, the microbial process where ammonia is oxidized to nitrate, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are key players and are capable of carrying out the biodegradation of recalcitrant halogenated compounds. Through industrial uses, halogenated compounds often find their way into wastewater, contaminating the environment and bodies of water that supply drinking water. In the reclamation of wastewater, halogenated compounds can be degraded by AOB but can also be detrimental to the process of nitrification. This minireview considers the ability of AOB to carry out cometabolism of halogenated compounds and the consequent inhibition of nitrification. Possible cometabolism monitoring methods that were derived from current information about AOB genomes are also discussed. AOB expression microarrays have detected mRNA of genes that are expressed at higher levels during stress and are deemed “sentinel” genes. Promoters of selected “sentinel” genes have been cloned and used to drive the expression of gene-reporter constructs. The latter are being tested as early warning biosensors of cometabolism-induced damage in Nitrosomonas europaea with promising results. These and other biosensors may help to preserve the tenuous balance that exists when nitrification occurs in waste streams containing alternative AOB substrates such as halogenated hydrocarbons.     

Toward enhanced performance of integrated photo-bioelectrochemical systems: Taxa and functions in bacteria–algae communities

An integrated photo-bioelectrochemical (IPB) system uses microalgae in the cathode of a microbial fuel cell to achieve higher electricity generation and nutrient removal from wastewater. Using multivariate analysis and surveys of IPB studies, this paper identifies key algal and bacterial taxa and discusses their functions critical for IPB performance. Unicellular algae with high photosynthetic oxygen production and biofilm formation can enhance IPB energy production. Diverse bacterial taxa achieve nitrogen transformations and can improve total nitrogen removal. Understanding bacteria–algae interactions via quorum sensing in the IPB cathode may potentially aid in boosting system performance. Future advances in development of IPBs for wastewater treatment will benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration in analysis of microbial community functions.     

Phylogenetic Relationships of Xylella fastidiosa Strains Based on 16S–23S rDNA Sequences

In spite of the lack of resolution of Xylella fastidiosa phylogenetic relationships, parsimony analysis of the 16S–23S rDNA sequence from a wide range of hosts has been evaluated in this research. In order to establish an easier method for sequencing the spacer region completely, a new primer pair was designed. The sequences obtained revealed a higher level of variation than that found in 16S gene sequences, with similarity values ranging from 0.80 to 1.00. The cladogram constructed allowed the clustering of two major clades. From these results it has been possible to recognize the monophyletic grouping of some strains belonging to the same host, possibly representing only one infection process. However, for other hosts there is paraphyletic and polyphyletic grouping. This methodology followed from promising results regarding strain–host clustering. With the parsimony approach, hypothetical genealogical relationship among Xylella strains may be inferred.     

OLAND生物脱氮系统中硝化菌群16S rDNA的DGGE分析

为了考察生物脱氮系统中硝化菌群（氨氧化菌和亚硝酸氧化菌）的种群多样性及硝化菌群随溶解氧降低的种群变化规律,并建立一套行之有效的用于自养生物脱氮系统中功能微生物菌群的快速分子检测技术,采用DGGE（变性梯度凝胶电泳）分子检测技术对硝化菌群的16SrDNA的特异性PCR扩增产物进行了分析,结果表明：OLAND生物脱氮系统中氨氧化菌和亚硝酸氧化菌随溶解氧的降低表现出了不同的种群变化规律,氨氧化菌种群多样性受溶解氧的影响非常大,而非亚硝酸氧化菌的种群多样性比较单一,且不受溶解氧的影响。结合FISH（全细胞荧光原位杂交）分析结果表明,在OLAND限氧稳定运行后期,亚硝化单胞菌属（Nitrosomonas）是主要的氨氧化菌,占OLAND限氧亚硝化阶段反应器中总细菌数的72.5%左右。     

Combined biological–chemical procedure for the mineralization of TNT

Contamination of ground and surface water with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its biological and chemical transformation products are a persisting problem at former TNT production sites. We have investigated the photochemical degradation of TNT and its aminodinitro-(ADNT) and diaminonitrotoluene (DANT) metabolites using OH-radical generating systems like Fenton and hydrogen peroxide irradiated with UV, in order to compare the degradation and mineralization rate of ADNT- and DANT-isomers with TNT itself. As a result, we find that the aminoderivatives were mineralized much faster than TNT. Consequently, as ADNTs and DANTs are the known dead-end products of biological TNT degradations, we have combined our photochemical procedure with a preceding biological treatment of TNT by a mixed culture from sludge of a sewage plant. This consecutive degradation procedure, however, shows a reduced mineralization rate of the ADNTa and DANTs in the biologically derived supernatant as compared to the pure substances, suggesting that during the biological TNT treatment by sludge competing substrates are released into the solution, and that a more defined biological procedure would be necessary in order to achieve an effective, ecologically and economically acceptable mineralization of TNT from aqueous systems.     

Organization and variation analysis of 5S rDNA in different ploidy-level hybrids of red crucian carp × topmouth culter

Through distant crossing, diploid, triploid and tetraploid hybrids of red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var., RCC♀, Cyprininae, 2n = 100) × topmouth culter (Erythroculter ilishaeformis Bleeker, TC♂, Cultrinae, 2n = 48) were successfully produced. Diploid hybrids possessed 74 chromosomes with one set from RCC and one set from TC; triploid hybrids harbored 124 chromosomes with two sets from RCC and one set from TC; tetraploid hybrids had 148 chromosomes with two sets from RCC and two sets from TC. The 5S rDNA of the three different ploidy-level hybrids and their parents were sequenced and analyzed. There were three monomeric 5S rDNA classes (designated class I: 203 bp; class II: 340 bp; and class III: 477 bp) in RCC and two monomeric 5S rDNA classes (designated class IV: 188 bp, and class V: 286 bp) in TC. In the hybrid offspring, diploid hybrids inherited three 5S rDNA classes from their female parent (RCC) and only class IV from their male parent (TC). Triploid hybrids inherited class II and class III from their female parent (RCC) and class IV from their male parent (TC). Tetraploid hybrids gained class II and class III from their female parent (RCC), and generated a new 5S rDNA sequence (designated class I-N). The specific paternal 5S rDNA sequence of class V was not found in the hybrid offspring. Sequence analysis of 5S rDNA revealed the influence of hybridization and polyploidization on the organization and variation of 5S rDNA in fish. This is the first report on the coexistence in vertebrates of viable diploid, triploid and tetraploid hybrids produced by crossing parents with different chromosome numbers, and these new hybrids are novel specimens for studying the genomic variation in the first generation of interspecific hybrids, which has significance for evolution and fish genetics.