Alternative Production Methods Research Articles

Design and thermal-hydraulic analysis of multi-target system with 100 MeV proton linear accelerator for the production of 67Cu and 68Ge radioisotopes

Radioisotopes are widely used in the fields of medicine, science, and industry. The growing demand for medical radioisotopes has driven research on alternative production methods. In particular, both isotopes of 67Cu and 68Ge play vital roles in the medical environment in many countries to be used in the radio-immunotherapy and the positron emission tomography imaging, respectively. This study designed a multi-target system consisting of two Zn and one Ga2O3 plates to enable simultaneous production of the medical radioisotopes 67Cu and 68Ge using 100 MeV proton beams. To understand the thermal effect on the multi-targets, we examined the distribution of energy absorbed in each solid plate target when exposed to an accelerated proton beam through the thermal-fluid analysis based on ANSYS simulation. For confirming thermal stability for two Zn targets and one Ga2O3 target, the modified water flow path inside the multi-target system was designed effectively with the controlled distribution of multiple sub-holes between main inlet and the following four channels. It was confirmed that the newly designed multi-target system of Zn and Ga2O3 solid plates shows higher thermal stability than the case of uniform distribution of water inlet, which means it could be exposed to a higher current beam of 7.57% to decrease the processing time.

Assessing Environmental Impact: Organosolv Extraction of Cellulose Pulp from Wood Waste

In the upcoming years, the paper industry is expected rely on containerboard for packaging, with approximately 80% of it being made from recycled fibers by 2020. Creating a new supply chain for fibers could help mitigate possible shortages. In this context, wood waste emerges as a valuable resource with the potential to serve as a plentiful and cost-effective reservoir for generating new materials, as cellulose fibers. This study presents an assessment of the environmental impact associated with the organosolv extraction of cellulose pulp from wood waste based on a previous in lab study conducted by the authors. The increasing demand for sustainable materials has prompted exploration into alternative methods for cellulose pulp production, with a focus on minimizing environmental footprint. Organosolv extraction, a promising technique, involves the use of organic solvents and acid catalysts to break down lignocellulosic biomass, resulting in high-quality cellulose pulp production. To evaluate the environmental implications of this process, a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was adopted. The LCA framework considers all stages of the organosolv extraction process, from wood waste collection to cellulose pulp manufacture, using a gate-to-gate approach. The functional unit for assessment is set as one ton of cellulose pulp. The dataset utilized for the LCA comprises primary data obtained from laboratory experiments, complemented by secondary data sourced from literature and the Ecoinvent life cycle inventory database. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the influence of key parameters on the environmental performance of the organosolv extraction process, with a focus on variations in energy consumption to identify potential areas for optimization and improvement. In summary, this study emphasizes the environmental aspects of utilizing organosolv extraction for cellulose pulp production from wood waste. Further research is warranted to explore energy consumption during the organosolv process for obtaining more precise data and optimizing the process. This could be achieved through pilot-scale experiments or utilizing process simulation software.

Conciliation or a confrontation of agricultural visions? A characterisation of the networks and key actors for sustainable agrifood transformations in the Bauges

CONTEXTIn French mountain territories, origin-linked quality schemes have been widely used to address competition from more productive regions, but such schemes have tended to specialise a territory's agriculture around specific products. Today, these territories are marked by the arrival of “left-returned” and new residents, who develop alternative production methods and grassroot initiatives based on agroecological principles and food production relocation. The different groups within the territories hold different visions of what should be agriculture and may confront each other. Sustainable agrifood transformations need to account for the diversity of visions among the variety of actors to enrich transition pathways. OBJECTIVEThe aim of this article is to analyse relationships among a diversity of agrifood actors who have different visions of agriculture in a territory in order to characterise the structure of their relationships and the key actors. More specifically, it seeks, first, to analyse whether actors sharing the same characteristics interact more or not, and whether individual attributes stimulate or constrain relations among the diverse range of actors; and second, to characterise the key actors (i.e. prestigious and brokers) and their roles. METHODSThe study was conducted in a French alpine territory specialising in extensive dairy cattle breeding to produce protected designation of origin (PDO) cheese. We use mixed methods, combining a social network analysis (regression models, and homophily and centrality indicators) with semi-structured interviews to analyse the discussion network of the diverse actors involved in agriculture and food in the Bauges (including farmers, elected officials, processors, distributors, members of civil society, and employees of agricultural and local development institutions). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe analysis showed that there is no homophily within the actor typologies, and that relations were concentrated within the territory. Some actors were more important for developing ties, especially the employees of agricultural and local development institutions, who were more solicitated by others. However, the results revealed homophily among non-native actors, although they are driving force in the development of ties, demonstrating both their ability to forge links and relational barriers with natives. After that, the most influential broker actor was the park employee in charge of agriculture, who holds a pluralist vision and has a central role in gathering different actors together and bringing them into dialogue. The most prestigious actors were the park employee, a civil society actor, and four farmers. These actors all fulfil three main functions: to guide practices and visions within their group as key actors often hold a clear-cut vision, to bind heterogeneous groups together (although this does not prevent tensions and conflict with these actors), and to link institutional levels, often by virtue of being heads of networks and municipal councillors. However, the methodology did not allow the integration of more isolated actors, especially dairy cattle breeders, who should be included more deeply in further research. SIGNIFICANCETo better understand the dynamics of sustainable agrifood transformations, the relational approach enables analysis of the patterns of relationships between multiple actors with different agricultural visions, and to characterise the key actors and their roles. From the perspective of accompanying agrifood transformations, it is helpful to understand the relational structures between the actors in order to avoid the possible conflicts that could arise in such research. Moreover, it is useful to identify and mobilise key actors in order to facilitate researchers' entry into a territory and increase participation.

An Eclectic Review on Dicarboxylic Acid Production Through Yeast Cell Factories and Its Industrial Prominence.

Dicarboxylic acid (DCA) is a multifaceted chemical intermediate, recoursed to produce many industrially important products such as adhesives, plasticizers, lubricants, polymers, etc. To bypass the shortcomings of the chemical methods of synthesis of DCA and to reduce fossil fuel footprints, bio-based synthesis is gaining attention. In pursuit of an eco-friendly sustainable alternative method of DCA production, microbial cell factories, and renewable organic resources are gaining popularity. Among the plethora of microbial communities, yeast is being favored industrially compared to bacterial fermentation due to its hyperosmotic and low pH tolerance and flexibility for gene manipulations. By application of rapidly evolving genetic manipulation techniques, the bio-based DCA production could be made more precise and economical. To bridge the gap between supply and demand of DCA, many strategies are employed to improve the fermentation. This review briefly outlines the advancements in DCA production using yeast cell factories with the exemplification of strain improvement strategies.

Evaluation of Neuroprotective effect of Bioactive compounds of Mucuna monosperma in PD lines of Drosophila melanogaster

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD. Ongoing research is focused on discovering new plant sources and developing alternative methods of production to meet the increasing demand for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Ethnopharmacognosy plays a vital role in bridging traditional knowledge with modern science, and the screening of natural compounds from edible plants is a valuable approach to discovering new therapeutic agents. Hence, the exploration of plants and their bioactive compounds for drug development is an ongoing and promising field. This paper embodies results on neuroprotective property of Mucuna monosperma (MM), two major bioactive compounds namely l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and Ursolic acid were identified and isolated by Prep-HPLC and Column chromatography respectively. Further, quantified the isolated compounds by HPLC. The antioxidant property of crude, L-Dopa and Ursolic acid were scrutinized and verified through DPPH and Nitric oxide scavenging assay. To evaluate the neuroprotective property and anti-ageing effect of bioactive compounds, negative geotaxis, courtship behavior and longevity studies were made in Transgenic PD line of Drosophila melanogaster against oxidative stress status. Result reveals that the climbing ability, courtship behaviors and longevity were significantly increased in PD lines (Elva/SNCA-A30P) under stress conditions. Further it was noticed that synergetic effects of Ursolic acid along with L-Dopa showed excellent result.

Self-pigmenting textiles grown from cellulose-producing bacteria with engineered tyrosinase expression.

Environmental concerns are driving interest in postpetroleum synthetic textiles produced from microbial and fungal sources. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising sustainable leather alternative, on account of its material properties, low infrastructure needs and biodegradability. However, for alternative textiles like BC to be fully sustainable, alternative ways to dye textiles need to be developed alongside alternative production methods. To address this, we genetically engineer Komagataeibacter rhaeticus to create a bacterial strain that grows self-pigmenting BC. Melanin biosynthesis in the bacteria from recombinant tyrosinase expression achieves dark black coloration robust to material use. Melanated BC production can be scaled up for the construction of prototype fashion products, and we illustrate the potential of combining engineered self-pigmentation with tools from synthetic biology, through the optogenetic patterning of gene expression in cellulose-producing bacteria. With this study, we demonstrate that combining genetic engineering with current and future methods of textile biofabrication has the potential to create a new class of textiles.

3D-printing allows for fluid-controlled linear actuators with unconventional shapes

BackgroundPneumatic actuators are widely used in applications like (medical) robots, or prostheses. Pneumatic actuators require a complex manufacturing process and are produced in standardized dimensions to reduce costs. Over the last decade 3D-printing has emerged as a cost-effective and efficient production method in medical applications. 3D-printing can also function as a cost-efficient alternative production method for pneumatic actuators. ObjectiveThe goal of this research is to study the possibility of creating a pneumatic linear actuator with 3D-printing. Furthermore, the aim is to use the advantage of 3D-printing to create pneumatic actuators with non-circular cross-sections. MethodologyTo evaluate the performance of a 3D-printed pneumatic actuator, a test setup was designed and built to measure the leakage and sliding friction force. Furthermore, two pneumatic actuators with a non-conventional cross-sectional shape were designed and their performance was tested and compared with a 3D-printed cylindrical pneumatic actuator, since these tests only ran once, the results are more a guideline. During the manufacturing of the cylinders, no post-processing techniques were used. ResultsThe functioning of a 3D-printed circular pneumatic actuator was proven with low static leakage rates of 2.5%, low dynamic leakage rates of approximately 1%, and a maximum friction force of ▪. Furthermore, the results show that it is possible to print functioning pneumatic cylinders with a non-cylindrical concave cross-section. The non-conventional cylinders were tested up to ▪ with maximum dynamic leakage of ▪. ConclusionThis study demonstrates a method to create functional pneumatic linear actuators with 3D-printing. It was possible to create 3D-printed actuators with a conventional shape, e.g. circular and unconventional shapes e.g. stadium/oval shape and a kidney shape. The leak rates for conventional and unconventional shapes were in the same range. This opens up the world for more design freedom in pneumatic actuators.

Biosynthesis of melatonin from l-tryptophan by an engineered microbial cell factory

BackgroundThe demand for melatonin is increasing due to its health-promoting bioactivities such as antioxidant and sleep benefits. Although melatonin is present in various organisms, its low content and high extraction cost make it unsustainable. Biosynthesis is a promising alternative method for melatonin production. However, the ectopic production of melatonin in microorganisms is very difficult due to the low or insoluble expression of melatonin synthesis genes. Hence, we aim to explore the biosynthesis of melatonin using Escherichia coli as a cell factory and ways to simultaneously coordinated express genes from different melatonin synthesis pathways.ResultsIn this study, the mXcP4H gene from Xanthomonas campestris, as well as the HsAADC, HsAANAT and HIOMT genes from human melatonin synthesis pathway were optimized and introduced into E. coli via a multi-monocistronic vector. The obtained strain BL7992 successfully synthesized 1.13 mg/L melatonin by utilizing L-tryptophan (l-Trp) as a substrate in a shake flask. It was determined that the rate-limiting enzyme for melatonin synthesis is the arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, which is encoded by the HsAANAT gene. Targeted metabolomics analysis of l-Trp revealed that the majority of l-Trp flowed to the indole pathway in BL7992, and knockout of the tnaA gene may be beneficial for increasing melatonin production.ConclusionsA metabolic engineering approach was adopted and melatonin was successfully synthesized from low-cost l-Trp in E. coli. This study provides a rapid and economical strategy for the synthesis of melatonin.

From Waste to Value: Recent Insights into Producing Vanillin from Lignin.

Vanillin, one of the most widely used and appreciated flavoring agents worldwide, is the main constituent of vanilla bean extract, obtained from the seed pods of various members belonging to the Orchidaceae family. Due to the great demand in the food confectionery industry, as well as in the perfume industry, medicine, and more, the majority of vanillin used today is produced synthetically, and only less than one percent of the world's vanilla flavoring market comes directly from the traditional natural sources. The increasing global demand for vanillin requires alternative and overall sustainable new production methods, and the recovery from biobased polymers, like lignin, is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical synthesis. The present review provides firstly an overview of the different types of vanillin, followed by a description of the main differences between natural and synthetic vanillin, their preparation, the market of interest, and the authentication issues and the related analytical techniques. Then, the review explores the real potentialities of lignin for vanillin production, presenting firstly the well-assessed classical methods and moving towards the most recent promising approaches through chemical, biotechnological and photocatalytic methodologies, together with the challenges and the principal issues associated with each technique.

Status of the 226Ra nuclear data library and its impact on the production amount of 225Ac via the 226Ra (n,2n) reaction

ABSTRACT 225Ac is a promising alpha emitter for targeted alpha therapy. However, the current capability of 225Ac supply is limited to approximately 63 GBq/y, primarily relying on the natural source of 229Th stocked at a few institutes. Therefore, alternative 225Ac production methods are highly desired. The research and development of 225Ac and its parent nuclide production methods using accelerators and reactors to target 226Ra and 232Th are actively pursued worldwide. Hence, the authors focused on the 226Ra(n,2n)225Ra method using fast neutron spectra as an application of the experimental fast reactor Joyo. This study investigated the status of nuclear data libraries for 226Ra, an essential target for 225Ac production, and evaluated the impact of different nuclear data libraries on the amount of 225Ac produced. Consequently, cross-sections with covariance data were stored in TENDL-2021, JEFF-3.3, and EAF-2010 but not in ENDF or JENDL, the major nuclear data libraries. Furthermore, no consistency occurred among the respective nuclear data, and the 225Ra production amount varied.

Alternative methods of production and consumption as tools for solving global problems of modern society and implementing the principles of sustainable development

At the end of the 60s of the 20th century, a transformation of human civilization took place, which entered a qualitatively new state. During this period, the term “global problems” appeared in the scientific literature. In the context of scientific and technological progress, the load on the environment in terms of greater anthropogenic impact is increasing, thereby creating an objective need to find new ways to prevent environmental disaster. At the end of the 20th century, a direction in economics called the “green economy” was formed, designed to reduce the negative impact on the environment and solve the global problems of today’s realities through the use of green technologies. In this direction, both legislative (tax regulation in the field of anthropogenic impact) and the introduction of alternative energy sources, as well as the preservation of existing national natural resources, are applied. With the advent of the “green economy” concept, many new elements of regulating the economy and the harmful effects of human industrial activity on nature have been introduced into world practice. One such element is the cross-border carbon tax, which is being introduced by the European Union. This tax is an additional charge on the import of goods with a large carbon footprint into the European Union. It is unprofitable for the economies of many countries that import raw materials and supplies to the countries of the European Union, but it is necessary, since global warming, which is a consequence of human industrial activity, can lead to disastrous consequences in the future. The purpose of the work is to identify the main problems of human and social development and find ways to solve them, determine the impact of the new tax on the state of the environment.

Production of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride from fluorosilicic acid: a review.

Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF), a critical raw material for industries such as aluminum, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum, has traditionally been sourced from fluorite-a non-renewable mineral. The unsustainable reliance on fluorite has catalyzed the search for alternative AHF production methods. A promising substitute is fluorosilicic acid (FSA), a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry previously deemed waste. Transforming fluorosilicic acid into AHF not only yields a valuable resource but also addresses the environmental and economic challenges associated with waste management. The innovative practice of producing AHF from fluorosilicic acid signals a shift towards sustainable chemical production by capitalizing on waste, potentially diminishing reliance on fluorite and reducing the industry's environmental impact. This review thoroughly dissects the AHF synthesis process from fluorosilicic acid. Despite the acknowledged importance of fluorinated compounds in numerous industrial applications, research on their synthesis from fluorosilicic acid is limited and fragmented. This review seeks to amalgamate this scattered information by closely scrutinizing diverse industrial processing methods. Additionally, it explores the current and future landscape, economic feasibility, and strategies to navigate the obstacles inherent in synthesizing AHF from fluorosilicic acid. It also assesses the environmental impact of these methods, thereby contributing to the dialogue in this emerging field. The primary aim of this manuscript is to foster further research and promote the industrial uptake of this sustainable process. Highlighting the challenges and proposing potential improvements, the review supports the responsible reuse of waste and advocates for advancements in industrial practices.

Biophysical characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein's N-terminal domain.

The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is the main surface antigen of the Plasmodium sporozoite (SPZ) and forms the basis of the currently only licensed anti-malarial vaccine (RTS,S/AS01). CSP uniformly coats the SPZ and plays a pivotal role in its immunobiology, in both the insect and the vertebrate hosts. Although CSP's N-terminal domain (CSPN ) has been reported to play an important role in multiple CSP functions, a thorough biophysical and structural characterization of CSPN is currently lacking. Here, we present an alternative method for the recombinant production and purification of CSPN from Plasmodium falciparum (PfCSPN ), which provides pure, high-quality protein preparations with high yields. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining in-solution experimental methods and in silico analyses, we provide strong evidence that PfCSPN is an intrinsically disordered region displaying some degree of compaction.

Bubble and Dissolved Gas Distribution in Flow through Membraneless Water Electrolysis

Membraneless water electrolysis devices offer an alternative method for hydrogen production without the use of a membrane separator used in traditional alkaline (porous diaphragm) or PEM water electrolysis (polymer electrolyte membrane). This could offer lower capital cost devices (only requiring two electrodes and a cell body) with simple and scalable manufacturing. It could also result in lower operating costs if highly conductive liquid electrolytes are used. Membraneless devices come in a variety of forms including parallel plate, diverging flow through and buoyancy driven devices to name a few. However, the key concept between them is using fluid forces in the bulk electrolyte (controlled by device or porous electrode structure) to remove bubbles from the electrode surfaces and attempt to reduce cross-over of dissolved hydrogen and oxygen, as well as their two-phase flow [1]. Since there is no separator or membrane to restrict transport between the anode and cathode the fluid convection with laminar flows must be used to guide the products to the separate outlets with minimal cross-over and to minimise bubble accumulation on the electrode surfaces. Bubbles on the electrodes increase the activation overpotential by reducing the active electrochemical surface area and decrease the effective conductivity of the flowing electrolyte by inducing tortuous pathways in the electrode gap. In this study, we look at the single-phase and two-phase flow response of flow through membraneless electrolyser by coupling secondary current distribution (which includes the effects of ionic and activation overpotentials) with the volume of fluid method in OpenFOAM. The effects of increasing the length of the device and the electrolyte flow rate on the product cross-over and the dynamic potential of the devices are evaluated to give guidelines for process scale up from 1 to 10 cm. Furthermore, the effect of device porous electrode microstructure on the current density distribution and bubble accumulation is evaluated using custom microstructure reconstruction algorithms built into PMG 1.6 [2]. It was found that there is a balance in flow rate required for uniform flow over the electrodes which depends on the device length and the porous electrode properties. Ordered, graded or unstructured electrodes have different electrochemical performance, and this study highlights some electrode designs that could improve if future manufacturing efforts are increased. Depending on the current density distribution, dissolved gas accumulation and the wettability conditions of the porous electrodes, bubbles may emerge in the electrode gap.Figure 1 - Effect of the hydrogen and oxygen bubble accumulation (yellow) on the ionic current density distribution in a flow through membraneless water electrolyser

Effect of Electrode–Normal Magnetic Field on the Motion of Hydrogen Bubbles

In comparison to alternative methods for hydrogen production, water electrolysis stands out as the optimal means for obtaining ultra-pure hydrogen. However, its widespread adoption is significantly hampered by its low energy efficiency. It has been established that the introduction of an external magnetic field can mitigate energy consumption, consequently enhancing electrolysis efficiency. While much of the research has revealed that an electrode–parallel magnetic field plays a crucial role in enhancing the bubble detachment process, there has been limited exploration of the effect of electrode–normal magnetic fields. In this work, we compare the water electrolysis efficiency of a circular electrode subjected to electrode–normal magnetic field resulting in a magnet edge effect and electrode edge effect by varying the sizes of the magnet and electrode. The findings indicate that a rotational flow caused by the Lorentz force facilitates the detachment of the hydrogen from the electrode surface. However, the rotation direction of hydrogen gas bubbles generated by the magnet edge effect is opposite to that of electrode edge effect. Furthermore, the magnet edge effect has more significant influence on the hydrogen bubbles’ locomotion than the electrode edge effect. With an electrode gap of 30 mm, employing the magnet edge effect generated by a single magnet leads to an average of 4.9% increase in current density. On the other hand, the multiple magnet effects created by multiple small magnets under the electrode can further result in an average 6.6% increase in current density. Nevertheless, at an electrode spacing of 50 mm, neither the magnet edge effect nor the electrode edge effect demonstrates a notable enhancement in conductivity. In reality, the electrode edge effect even leads to a reduction in conductivity.

Examination of Muskellunge overwinter survival and growth in an earthen extensive culture pond

AbstractObjectiveTrack cohort survival, individual growth, and PIT tag retention, as well as relative growth rate, from fall to the following spring for age‐0 Muskellunge Esox masquinongy held in an extensive culture pond.MethodsA total of 806 age‐0 Muskellunge were provided a 12‐mm PIT tag in October 2021 and placed into a 0.1‐ha pond. Individual total length (mm) was recorded for each fish. When the pond was drained in March 2022, an assessment of survival and PIT tag retention was calculated for the cohort, as well as assessment of mean individual growth and relative growth rate.ResultMuskellunge experienced high survival (91.9%) but low individual mean growth (21.7 ± 0.2 mm [mean ± SE]). The mean length of surviving Muskellunge (267.8 ± 0.9 mm) was significantly greater than nonsurviving Muskellunge (251.4 ± 3.1 mm). However, smaller surviving Muskellunge did exhibit slightly improved growth compared to individuals that were initially longer.ConclusionThe results provide an expectation for overwinter survival and growth in an extensive culture pond. This can assist managers in developing expectations on the numbers and length of Muskellunge that will be available to stock the following spring, which has largely been unreported previously.

PSIV-11 Effects of Sprouted Barley on Weights, Ribeye Area, Backfat in Growing Steers

Abstract As the climate of our world continues to change, alterations to traditional farming methods are necessary to adapt to the environment and available resources. Changes in weather and costs of feed, coupled with decreased availability of feed and labor necessitate alternative methods for livestock feed production. One alternative to traditional farming is the production of sprouted grains in controlled environment, vertical farming units. However, little research has been completed on how including these feeds in the ration of beef cattle impacts production. This research examined the effects of including sprouted barley in growing rations of steers relative to body weight gain, ribeye area (REA) and ribeye fat thickness (REFT). A group of 60 commercial Angus steer calves (328.24 ± 6.48 kg) were initially stratified by body weight into one of four different treatment groups (n = 15/group). The control group were fed a typical ration for the region and the three treatment groups were fed a ration that included barley sprouts at 5%, 10%, or 20% (DM). Steers were fed their treatment diets for 60 days and body weight and ultrasound images for REA and REFT were collected on days 0, 30, and 60. All data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with day as a repeated measure to determine the main effect of treatment. Over time, REA, REFT, and body weight each increased (P < 0.05) in each treatment group. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in body weight or REFT due to treatment. REA tended (P = 0.09) to increase in steers receiving 20% sprouted barley compared with controlled steers, but no other differences (P > 0.10) were found in REA in other treatment groups. These data demonstrate that including sprouted barley in the ration at the levels analyzed has no negative effect on animal growth performance. Additional research needs to be conducted to determine whether there is an impact on other production parameters, such as economic viability.

Green crimes: the impact of genetically modified organisms on promoting food security in Kenya

Kenya’s food insecurity hinders progress towards sustainable development. While the Kenyan Constitution guarantees every person the right to adequate food of acceptable quality, it also prohibits environmental and health endangerment. Whether and how to invest in genetically modified organism (GMO) technology as an alternative food production method is important. In this context, scientists should not be denied the opportunity of harmonising the tension between environmental safety and food security while upholding sustainable development. Scientifically, GMO crops are sustainable, notwithstanding the African Union’s rigid social and political setting. However, each state’s role in providing sufficient resources and law enforcement personnel is crucial. A GMO regulatory system addresses environmental safety and human health, explicitly adopting thedevelopmental risk notion. Kenya’s 2012 cabinet ban on GMO foods derived from the Séralini Report which erroneously claimed that GM maize causes cancer in rodents. The health ministry established a Task Force to review the country’s readiness regarding GMO safety and adoption. Despite having been completed in 2014, its Report remains secret. In 2015, the High Courtdismissed as premature demands for public participation on whether to unban GMOs. In 2022, President Ruto lifted the ban. Arguably, while permitting GMO experimentation, it is prudent to prescribe criminal sanctions. Beyond anthropocentric notions, green criminology provides a framework to analyse both illegal and legal environmental harms, and for appraising Kenya’s evolving GMO policy. The Constitution provides a right to sustainable use and also establishes enforcement mechanisms to compel cessation and restoration. Yet without punitive consequences, GMO regulations may not deter offenders from environmental contamination.

Appetite or Distaste for Cell-Based Seafood? An Examination of Japanese Consumer Attitudes

Conventional seafood production contributes to some of the most alarming global problems we face at present, such as the destabilization of aquatic ecosystems, human health risks, and serious concerns for the welfare of trillions of aquatic animals each year. The increasing global appetite for seafood necessitates the development of alternative production methods that meet consumer demand, while circumventing the aforementioned problems. Among such alternatives, cell-based seafood is a promising approach. For its production, cells are taken from live aquatic animals and are cultivated in growth media, thus making the rearing, catching, and slaughtering of a great number of animals redundant. In recent years, this alternative production method has transitioned from aspiration to reality, and several cell-based seafood start-ups are preparing to launch their products. Market success, however, has been reckoned to largely depend on consumer attitudes. So far, there has been little research exploring this within Asia, and none in Japan, which has one of the highest seafood consumption footprints per capita globally. The present study explores cell-based seafood-related knowledge, attitudes and behavioral intentions of Japanese consumers (n = 110) via a questionnaire-based, quantitative analysis. Although findings suggest low awareness of the concept of cell-based seafood, attitudes and intentions were positive overall, with about 70% of participants expressing an interest in tasting, and 60% expressing a general willingness to buy cell-based seafood. Younger age was significantly associated with more positive attitudes, while prior knowledge of cell-based seafood was strongly linked to willingness to pay a premium for cell-based products. While highlighting the need for information campaigns to educate Japanese consumers about cell-based seafood, this study’s findings suggest the Japanese market to be moderately ready for the launch of such products.

Cyanobacteria Mediated CO2 Segregation: A Promising Alternative Method for Sustainable Bioremediation and Biomass Production

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the CO2 absorbent (NaOH) affected Spirulina sp. medium culture to verify growth rate, CO2 fixation ability and biomass production from S. platensis using the Zarrouk medium.
 Methodology: Cyanobacterium Spirulina sp. was cultured with Zarrouk’s medium at 30±2°C, pH 9 which was obtained from the Applied Botany Section of BCSIR. Besides, to prevent precipitation, the medium without the carbon source was autoclaved for 30 min at 121°C and then the carbon source and NaOH were added. Furthermore, every 6-day intervals, the biomass c content, pH, and alkalinity were measured. The samples were obtained for the same analyses when the biomass concentration reached the blend concentration (0.5 g L-1).
 Results: The first concentration was used 0.5 g/L. 47g/L (1.64 mmol/L) of absorbent. The mean increase of 2.45% for biomass generated by the assay using control (2.09 ± 0.11 g) when compared to the NaOH (2.04 ± 0.25 g) was due to the larger number of growth cycles. Besides, a larger number of growth cycles 35.4% for CO2 fixation rate increase compared to the control. The final protein (28.2 ± 4.5 % ww-1) and carbohydrate (19 ± 2.5 % ww-1) content in the biomass cultivated using NaOH was lower than normally found in the control assay (43.4 ± 2.9 % ww-1) and (11.5 ±1.2 % ww-1).
 Conclusion: Recent advances in CO2 fixation and biomass production utilizing microalgae were compiled and analyzed, with an emphasis on how adding the CO2 absorbent affected the growth kinetics and biomass composition of Spirulina sp. When compared to the chemical absorbent assay, the control assay's high growth and CO2-fixation rates provide several advantages.