Influence of membrane fouling reducers (MFRs) on filterability of disperse mixed liquor of jet loop bioreactors

The effects of membrane fouling reducers (MFRs) (the cationic polyelectrolyte (CPE) and FeCI₃) on membrane fouling were studied in a lab-scale jet loop submerged membrane bioreactor (JL-SMBR) system. The optimum dosages of MFRs (CPE dosage = 20 mg g⁻¹MLSS, FeCI₃ dosage = 14 mg g⁻¹MLSS) were continuously fed to JL-SMBR system. The soluble and bound EPS concentrations as well as MLSS concentration in the mixed liquor of JL-SMBR were not changed substantially by the addition of MFRs. However, significant differences were observed in particle size and relative hydrophobicity. Filtration tests were performed by using different membrane types (polycarbonate (PC) and nitrocellulose mixed ester (ME)) and various pore sizes (0.45-0.22-0.1 μm). The steady state fluxes (J_ss) of membranes increased at all membranes after MFRs addition to JL-SMBR. The filtration results showed that MFRs addition was an effective approach in terms of improvement in filtration performance for both membrane types.     

The Influence of Antimicrobial Peptides and Mucolytics on the Integrity of Biofilms Consisting of Bacteria and Yeasts as Affecting Voice Prosthetic Air Flow Resistances

The integrity of biofilms on voice prostheses used to rehabilitate speech in laryngectomized patients causes unwanted increases in airflow resistance, impeding speech. Biofilm integrity is ensured by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). This study aimed to determine whether synthetic salivary peptides or mucolytics, including N-acetylcysteine and ascorbic acid, influence the integrity of voice prosthetic biofilms. Biofilms were grown on voice prostheses in an artificial throat model and exposed to synthetic salivary peptides, mucolytics and two different antiseptics (chlorhexidine and Triclosan). Synthetic salivary peptides did not reduce the air flow resistance of voice prostheses after biofilm formation. Although both chlorhexidine and Triclosan reduced microbial numbers on the prostheses, only the Triclosan-containing positive control reduced the air flow resistance. Unlike ascorbic acid, the mucolytic N-acetylcysteine removed most EPS from the biofilms and induced a decrease in air flow resistance.     

Spectroscopic properties of dissolved humic substances - a reflection of land use history in a fen area

The elemental composition and spectroscopic properties of dissolved fulvic acids isolated from different sampling media (topsoil, ground and surface water) of a natural fen area (high portion of organic soils) were examined to reveal the effects of land use history. These effects need to be known if dissolved humic substances are to be a major factor in identifying the impact of present and future changes in land use. Dissolved fulvic acids (topsoil, groundwater) from highly degraded peatlands (due to a long-term agricultural use) exhibit lower C/N ratios, higher absorption in the UV spectra, and higher absorption at 1,620 cm^–1 in the FTIR spectra compared with fulvic acids from relatively intact peatlands. These properties illustrate that long-term agricultural use with high inputs results in increased aromatic structures and a further humification of dissolved fulvic acids due to very strong peat decomposition compared with relatively intact peatlands. Synchronous fluorescence spectra also indicate the higher level of aromatic structures within fulvic acids isolated from sites with long-term agricultural use (high peat decomposition) compared with a land use history resulting in a lower peat decomposition. The different sources of fulvic acids in surface water (precipitation, runoff, interflow, groundwater) are the main reason for these effects not being detected in fulvic acids isolated from surface water. Short-term changes in land use characterized by a transition from crop farming to an unimproved grassland were found not to affect the spectroscopic properties of dissolved fulvic acids. A humification index deduced from the synchronous fluorescence spectra is proposed. We have strong evidence that dissolved humic substances indicate changes in the environmental conditions (both anthropogenic and natural) of wetlands with a high proportion of organic soils.     

Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing: fidelity in bioremediation technology

Increased contamination of the environment with toxic pollutants has paved the way for efficient strategies which can be implemented for environmental restoration. The major problem with conventional methods used for cleaning of pollutants is inefficiency and high economic costs. Bioremediation is a growing technology having advanced potential of cleaning pollutants. Biofilm formed by various micro-organisms potentially provide a suitable microenvironment for efficient bioremediation processes. High cell density and stress resistance properties of the biofilm environment provide opportunities for efficient metabolism of number of hydrophobic and toxic compounds. Bacterial biofilm formation is often regulated by quorum sensing (QS) which is a population density-based cell–cell communication process via signaling molecules. Numerous signaling molecules such as acyl homoserine lactones, peptides, autoinducer-2, diffusion signaling factors, and α-hydroxyketones have been studied in bacteria. Genetic alteration of QS machinery can be useful to modulate vital characters valuable for environmental applications such as biofilm formation, biosurfactant production, exopolysaccharide synthesis, horizontal gene transfer, catabolic gene expression, motility, and chemotaxis. These qualities are imperative for bacteria during degradation or detoxification of any pollutant. QS signals can be used for the fabrication of engineered biofilms with enhanced degradation kinetics. This review discusses the connection between QS and biofilm formation by bacteria in relation to bioremediation technology.     

Influence of solids retention time on membrane fouling: characterization of extracellular polymeric substances and soluble microbial products

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of solids retention time (SRT) on membrane fouling and the characteristics of biomacromolecules. Four identical laboratory-scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were operated with SRTs for 10, 20, 40 and 80 days. The results indicated that membrane fouling occurred faster and more readily under short SRTs. Fouling resistance was the primary source of filtration resistance. The modified fouling index (MFI) results suggested that the more ready fouling at short SRTs could be attributed to higher concentrations of soluble microbial products (SMP). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that the SRT had a weak influence on the functional groups of the total extracellular polymeric substances (TEPS) and SMP. However, the MBR under a short SRT had more low-molecular-weight (MW) compounds (<1 kDa) and fewer high-MW compounds (>100 kDa). Aromatic protein and tryptophan protein-like substances were the dominant groups in the TEPS and SMP, respectively.     

C/N驱动优势细菌菌群变化影响堆肥碳氮损失和腐殖质合成

为了探明C/N如何驱动堆肥过程中优势细菌菌群的变化而影响碳氮损失和腐殖质合成,设置3个C/N处理(20∶1、25∶1和30∶1),以羊粪和玉米秸秆为原料进行堆肥试验。结果表明: 与20∶1处理相比,30∶1和25∶1处理堆肥的碳、氮损失分别降低了33.5%、18.9%和23.6%、10.8%。优势细菌菌群、碳氮损失及有机碳组分的冗余分析表明,高C/N提高了堆肥中固氮细菌的种类和丰度,降低了反硝化细菌的种类和丰度,减少了堆肥过程中的碳氮损失;高C/N促进了木质纤维素类降解菌的生长繁殖,促进了富里酸和胡敏素降解而合成更多胡敏酸,提高了堆肥腐殖化程度。可见,C/N可通过影响堆肥中关键优势细菌菌群而影响堆肥过程和堆肥质量,调节堆肥原料C/N可以调控堆肥中碳氮损失和腐殖质的合成,从而提高堆肥质量并减少堆肥的二次环境污染。     

植物生长物质在胚培养法挽救陈年小麦种质中的作用

以陈年小麦离体胚为外植体,MS培养基为基本培养基,附加5种植物生长物质2,4-D、NAA、KT、6-BA、GA3进行单因子和正交试验,研究植物生长物质在陈年小麦离体胚萌发中的作用。单因子试验结果表明：单独使用6-BA 1．0mg／L、GA3 2．5mg/L均能在一定程度上促进陈年小麦离体胚出芽和生根,出芽率分别为70．0％和77．5％,比对照分别提高了21．7％和29．2％;生根率分别为63．3％和72．2％,比对照分别提高了21．3％和30．2％。正交试验结果显示GA3对陈年小麦离体胚的萌发影响显著,最佳植物生长物质组合为2,4-D2．0mg／L NAA 1．1mg／L 6-BA0．5mg/L GA3 4．0mg/L,出芽率为82．5％,生根率为60．0％,比对照分别提高了32．5％和17．5％。     

Study on lipid peroxidation potential in different tissues induced by ascorbate-Fe2+: Possible factors involved in their differential susceptibility

Susceptibility of four major rat tissues to oxidative damage in terms of lipid peroxidation induced by in vitro by ascorbate-Fe²⁺ in homogenates and mitochondria has been examined. Lipid peroxidation, as assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated dienes was maximum in brain followed by liver, kidney and heart. However, the time course of lipid peroxidation showed different patterns in tissues examined. The higher susceptibilities of brain and liver can be explained by substrate availability and to a lesser extent the level of antioxidants. The differences observed in the tissues studied may reflect their susceptibility to degenerative diseases and xenobiotic toxicity which are considered as a result of oxidative damage to membranes.     

采前壳寡糖处理对杏果实黑斑病的抗性诱导

以新疆赛买提杏为试验材料,分别在果实坐果期、膨大期、转色期及采收前48h,采用分子量为5 000、浓度为0.05%的壳寡糖(GOS)溶液对杏果实进行喷施处理,以喷施清水为对照(CK);采收后的杏果实在机械损伤接种链格孢菌后置于4℃、相对湿度90%~95%的条件下贮藏,定期统计接种链格孢菌杏果实的病斑直径和发病率,测定抗病相关酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β-1,3-葡聚糖酶(GLU)和几丁质酶(CHT)的活性及木质素、富含羟脯氨酸糖蛋白(HRGP)的含量,探讨采前壳寡糖处理对杏果实黑斑病的抗性诱导及其生理机制。结果显示,贮藏结束时,采前壳寡糖处理的果实发病率与病斑直径分别比对照显著降低了16.37%和17.57%。随着贮藏期间的延长,壳寡糖处理杏果实PAL、GLU、CHT的活性和木质素、HRGP的含量均表现出先上升后下降的变化趋势,且始终显著高于同期对照,并分别在接种后第21、28、21、28和14天达到峰值,峰值比同期对照分别显著提高12.17%、78.22%、31.41%、34.81%和77.44%。研究表明,采前壳寡糖处理能通过诱导提高杏果实病程相关蛋白及细胞壁HRGP和木质素的含量来增强杏果实对黑斑病的抗性。     

酶降解烟叶中细胞壁物质

烟叶中以细胞壁物质存在的碳水化合物在燃吸时产生不良影响,在一定条件下向烟叶中施加一定量的纤维素酶和果胶酶,使部分细胞壁物质降解为水溶性糖,烟质得到改善,纤维素酶和果胶酶最佳用量均为每克烟叶30u酶量（活力）,最佳作用条件为;烟叶水分25%,作用温度50℃,作用时间4h,且在真空条件下可使细胞壁物质降解更有效,可降解烟叶中细胞壁物质10%左右,烟叶的评吸质量得到明显改善。