Nitrogenous Substances Research Articles

Coupling FeMgAl-LDH and sludge biofilm for simultaneous and effective removal of nitrate and ammonium in water

The existence of redundant nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) in water caused negative impacts on the ecosystem's stability while the simultaneous removal of these nitrogenous substances has become a challenging task. The intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) system has shown great potential in the efficient removal of aquatic pollutants. In this study, the FeMgAl layered double hydroxide (FeMgAl-LDH) capable of removing NO3− and NH4+ concurrently through adsorption and photocatalysis was successfully synthesized based on the hydrothermal method. The characterization of the material has verified its lamellar structure and the inclusion of metal oxide phases. Then, the ICPB system was constructed by coupling FeMgAl-LDH and biofilm from activated sludge onto a polyurethane carrier. After 12-hour water treatment, the ICPB system could realize 54.45 % and 42.57 % of the NO3− and NH4+ removal rates at a pH of 7 and dissolved oxygen (DO) of 2 mg/L, which was superior to the single photocatalysis and biological treatment. The removal performances of the ICPB system under different pH and DO levels were assayed. Meanwhile, microbial activities, community variation, and relational genes were studied to analyze the microbial mechanisms. The microorganisms in the ICPB system possessed high activity to form extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), nitrogen transformation, and electron transfer. In all, this study constructed a new ICPB system and revealed its mechanism to simultaneously remove the NO3− and NH4+ from the water.

Ammonia and Nematode Ascaroside Are Synergistic in Trap Formation in Arthrobotrys oligospora.

Nematode-trapping (NT) fungi are natural predators of the soil living nematodes. Diverse external signals mediate the generation of predatory devices of NT fungi. Among these, broad ascarosides and nitrogenous ammonia are highly efficient inducers for trap structure initiation. However, the overlay effect of ammonia and ascaroside on the trap morphogenesis remains unclear. This study demonstrated that the combination of nitrogenous substances with nematode-derived ascarosides led to higher trap production compared to the single inducing cues; notably, ammonia and Ascr#18 had the most synergistic effect on the trap in A. oligospora. Further, the deletion of ammonia transceptor Amt43 blocked trap formation against ammonia addition in A. oligospora but not for the ascaroside Ascr#18 induction. Moreover, ammonia addition could promote plasma endocytosis in the process of trap formation. In contrast, ascaroside addition would facilitate the stability of intracellular organization away from endocytosis. Therefore, there is a synergistic effect on trap induction from different nitrogenous and ascaroside signals.

Stunning methods before slaughter induce oxidation changes of large yellow croaker during cold storage: the role of mitochondria and underlying mechanisms.

Improper stunning methods before slaughter could cause fish to deteriorate more quickly during cold storage. However, it is unclear how stunning methods affect the mitochondrial structure and the role of mitochondria in oxidation in muscle-based food. This study explored the potential mechanism of oxidation induced by different stunning methods (hit on the head, T1 ; gill cut, T2 ; immersion in ice/water slurry, T3 ; CO2 asphyxiated, T4 ; 40% CO2 + 30% N2 + 30% O2 , T5 ) in large yellow croaker during cold storage. The results showed that T4 samples had the minimum stress response and the mitochondrial membrane potential and permeability were less damaged. Besides, the mitochondrial functional structure and peroxisome of T4 samples were less damaged compared with other samples, which was reflected in higher total superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. In terms of oxidation indices, the T4 samples showed higher pH values and iron myoglobin contents and lower total volatile basic nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances after 168 h cold storage, indicating that the T4 samples significantly maintained oxidative stability of large yellow croaker. The CO2 asphyxiation had the least oxidative damage to large yellow croaker during cold storage, possibly because it had the least effect on mitochondrial structure, reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzyme activity. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Sous Vide Cooking of Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis): Safety and Quality Assessment.

This study involves an investigation of the effects of various cooking temperatures, freeze-thaw processes, and food preservatives on the quality and shelf-life of sous vide Mediterranean mussels. Cooking temperatures of 80 °C or above significantly improved the microbiological quality, with bacterial counts remaining within the acceptability range for human consumption even after 21 days of refrigerated storage. Fast freezing followed by slow thawing preserved the highest moisture content, potentially improving texture. Sensory analysis revealed that refrigerated sous vide mussels maintained a comparable taste to freshly cooked samples. Frozen samples reheated via microwaving exhibited more intense flavour than pan-reheated or fresh mussels. Food additives, including citric acid, potassium benzoate, and potassium sorbate, alone or in combination with grape seed oil, significantly reduced total volatile basic nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances during 28 days of storage, indicating decreased spoilage and lipid oxidation. Mussels with a combination of these additives registered a nitrogen content as low as 22 mg of N/100g after 28 days, well below the limit of acceptability (<35 mg of N/100g). Food additives also inhibited bacterial growth, with mesophilic bacteria count below 3.35 Log CFU/g after 28 days, compared with 5.37 Log CFU/g in control samples. This study provides valuable insights for developing optimal cooking and preservation methods for sous vide cooked seafood, underscoring the need for further research on optimal cooking and freeze-thaw protocols for various seafood types.

Selected potential pharmaceutical and medical benefits of phenolic compounds: Recent advances

Objective: Phenolic compounds are essential for defense reactions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-proliferative activity, and anti-aging activity. Coming from the class of phytomedicine, they are widespread in the plant kingdom and are commonly taken as substances in the daily diet. They are mainly found in various types of edible plants, especially fruits, vegetables, and tea. Phenolic compounds have been investigated for their effects on human health due to their beneficial effects against oxidative stress activities. The proposed main mechanism of this protective effect against harmful oxidation processes is related to the radical scavenging activity of the phenolic compounds due to reactive oxygen and nitrogen substances. The review uses up-to-date data via manual screening of the titles and abstracts of retrieved articles using string pharmaceutical and medical benefits of phenolic compounds as keywords to obtain publications from the electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar using the publish or perish tool. However, priority has been given to the scientific papers, reports, and literature issued within the past 5 years.Several types of research have been conducted on phenolic compounds due to their potential pharmacological activities. Dietary intake of phenolic compounds is also associated with reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, mainly caused by oxidative stress and behavioral risk factors such as alcohol abuse, tobacco use, a high-fat diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. They are effective in fighting against various types of diseases.Conclusion: This review article highlights the currently available information and knowledge on the potential pharmaceutical and health benefits of phenolic compounds.Keywords: Phenolic compounds, flavanoids, Heart disease, Antioxidant, Cancer, Diabetes mellitus

Effect of lactic acid bacteria on the structure and potential function of the microbial community of Nongxiangxing Daqu.

The microbial community structure of the saccharifying starter, Nongxiangxing Daqu(Daqu), is a crucial factor in determining Baijiu's quality. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), are the dominant microorganisms in the Daqu. The present study investigated the effects of LAB on the microbial community structure and its contribution to microbial community function during the fermentation of Daqu. The effect of LAB on the structure and function of the microbial community of Daqu was investigated using high-throughput sequencing technology combined with multivariate statistical analysis. LAB showed a significant stage-specific evolution pattern during Daqu fermentation. The LEfSe analysis and the random forest learning algorithm identified LAB as vital differential microorganisms during Daqu fermentation. The correlation co-occurrence network showed aggregation of LAB and Daqu microorganisms, indicating LAB's significant position in influencing the microbial community structure, and suggests that LAB showed negative correlations with Bacillus, Saccharopolyspora, and Thermoactinomyces but positive correlations with Issatchenkia, Candida, Acetobacter, and Gluconobacter. The predicted genes of LAB enriched 20 functional pathways during Daqu fermentation, including Biosynthesis of amino acids, Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, Valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis and Starch and sucrose metabolism, which suggested that LAB had the functions of polysaccharide metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis. LAB are important in determining the composition and function of Daqu microorganisms, and LAB are closely related to the production of nitrogenous flavor substances in Daqu. The study provides a foundation for further exploring the function of LAB and the regulation of Daqu quality.

Cultivation of Microalgae Spirulina platensis Biomass Using Palm Oil Mill Effluent for Phycocyanin Productivity and Future Biomass Refinery Attributes

Palm oil mill effluent is a type of wastewater which contains a high concentration of organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and different supplement substances. These substances support and enhance the growth of microalgae. Cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis is a blue-green microalga with two phycobiliproteins as its primary constituents. Phycocyanin is a natural blue colourant used in biomedicines, cosmetics, diagnostics, treatments, and environmental protection. Chlorophyll pigment plays a significant role in photosynthesis where the photosynthetic process uses atmospheric carbon to produce starch and lipid which can eventually be converted into desirable products such as biodiesel. Therefore, in this study, Spirulina platensis was cultivated in different concentrations of diluted POME (10-50%, v / v ) at 26 ± 1 °C room temperature, 90 μmol photon m-2 s-1, and aerated for 24 h continuously. The growth of Spirulina platensis was monitored through optical density at 680 nm for 15 days. The highest biomass yield obtained in the control medium and 30% POME medium were 1.27 ± 0.02 and 1.16 ± 0.01 g/L, respectively. The highest phycocyanin yield obtained from the biomass harvested from 30% nutrient media was 175.12 ± 22.32 mg and followed by 163.55 ± 20.15 mg from control media with purified phycocyanin of 87.11 ± 5.20 mg and 85.31 ± 4.33 mg, respectively. The peak properties of phycocyanin such as the amide group at 1655.17 cm-1 (C=O stretching), FT-IR analysis revealed well-formed Spirulina platensis with all characteristic peaks and distinct fingerprints of phycocyanin. The ultrasound method produces the highest lipid yield ( 28.6 ± 0.7 %) which consists of stearic (38.45%), palmitoleic ( 25.72 ± 0.02 ), and palmitic ( 17.71 ± 0.04 ) fatty acid methyl esters. The FAME produced from the extracted lipid has the potential to be used in biodiesel applications. Since POME contains the essential nutrients which can support the growth of Spirulina platensis in the optimum environment for biomass and lipid productivity, it revealed the potential for biodiesel production.

Soil chemical attributes under west indian cherry fertigated with nitrogen and humic substances

The use of humic substances (HS) in the soil can increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers and contribute to the increment in soil organic matter and plant nutrient availability. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate, in two production cycles, the effect of applying HS and different nitrogen (N) doses on the chemical attributes and organic matter fractions of a soil cultivated with West Indian cherry in the Brazilian semiarid region. The experiment was set up in split plots, arranged in strips with four replicates. The absence or presence of HS using KS100 as the source was tested in the plots, and N fertilization (50; 75; 100; 125 and 150% of the recommended dose), using urea, was tested in the subplots. Soil pH, H+Al, Al3+, and Na+, K+, P, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ contents were determined, and cation exchange capacity and bases saturation (V %) in the 0-0.2 and 0.2-0.4 m layers were calculated. Analyses of stocks of total organic carbon and carbon (C) of the humic acid, fulvic acid and humin fractions, and humic substances were performed. It was possible to observe that, in the second production cycle of West Indian cherry, the soils showed higher contents of nutrients available to plants. Increase in N availability did not enable a clear trend in the behavior of chemical attributes and organic C stocks in the soil. Under the studied conditions, KS100 application allowed a reduction in the C stocks of the HS of the soil.

Effect of Marinating Temperature of Atlantic Herring on Meat Ripening, Peptide Fractions Proportion, and Antioxidant Activity of Meat and Brine

The temperature has a significant effect on cathepsin activity, but the effect of temperature on the ripening of marinades, and the formation of protein hydrolysis products, is less studied than other technological factors. The results of this study showed that herring marinated at 2 °C showed a higher mass yield, but lower non-protein nitrogen (NPN), peptides, and free amino acid fraction content, than after marinating at 7 and 12 °C. The higher temperature increased the free amino acid content the most, and decreased the hardness, as measured via sensory assessment, of the marinated meat. This was confirmed by the hardness measurement in the texture profile analysis. The highest activity of cathepsins D and B in the meat was found at 7 °C, while cathepsin L was found at 2 °C. Increasing the temperature by 10 °C increased the diffusion/loss of nitrogenous substances from the meat to the brine by 36%. The meat and brine showed high antioxidant activity, which depended on the marinating temperature, and originated mainly from the 5–10 or &lt;5 kDa fraction. The meat had a higher ABTS (2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) activity than the brine, opposite to the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) activity, while the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) capacity was similar for meat and brine. The fractionation of the meat and brine extracts increased the antioxidant potential of FRAP and ABTS only for the brine. The most hydrophobic peptides were released during marinating at 7 °C. The meat and brine were dominated by 2–4 kDa peptides, followed by 4–6 and 0.5–2 kDa. The higher temperature favored a higher proportion of &lt;4 kDa than &gt;4 kDa peptides in the brine.

RETRACTED: Effects of magnesite on nitrogen conversion and bacterial community during pig manure composting

The objective of this research was to elucidate the effect of varying proportions of magnesite (MS) addition – 0% (T1), 2.5% (T2), 5% (T3), 7.5% (T4), and 10% (T5) - on nitrogen transformation and bacterial community dynamics during pig manure composting. In comparison to T1 (control), MS treatments amplified the abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Halanaerobiaeota, bolstered the metabolic functionality of associated microorganisms, and enhanced the nitrogenous substance metabolic pathway. A complementary effect in core bacillus species played a key role in nitrogen preservation. Compared to T1, 10% MS demonstrated the most substantial influence on composting because Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen increased by 58.31% and NH3 emission decreased by 41.52%. In conclusion, 10% MS appears to be optimal for pig manure composting, as it can augment microbial abundance and mitigate nitrogen loss. This study offers a more ecologically sound and economically viable method for curtailing nitrogen loss during composting.

New approaches to increasing the nutritional value of bread products based on the use of non-traditional cereals and biologically active substances with detoxifying properties

A practical solution to the problem of increasing the nutritional value of bread is the use of high-protein soy seeds and pumpkin processing product - pectin, the potential of which is to improve the quality of bread, intensify the technological process, enhance the detoxification properties of finished products, including easily fermentable sugars, nitrogenous and mineral substances, vitamins, dietary fiber. The possibility of using whole-ground soy flour in the production of poly-strain starter culture is shown, which contributes to the improvement of the vital activity of lactic acid bacteria. The introduction of poly-strain soy sourdough and 0.5% by weight of dry pumpkin pectin flour into the bread intensifies the dough making process due to easily fermentable sugars, improves the quality of the finished bread, provides it with an increased content of protein, dietary fiber, nitrogenous and mineral substances, vitamins, giving bread detoxifying properties and increasing its freshness.

Taurine content of insects used as feed

Taurine (2-aminoethane sulfonic acid) is an important bioactive compound which certain living organisms cannot synthesise metabolically, thus requiring its dietary supplementation for normal physiological processes. As recent research has shown insects to be a suitable high-quality feed source this study analysed taurine content in ten commercially available insect species (Alphitobius diaperinus,Acheta domesticus,Blaberus craniifer,Blatta lateralis,Gryllus assimilis,Hermetia illucens,Musca domestica,Periplaneta americana,Schistocerca gregaria, andTenebrio molitor) by an electrophoretic method. Levels of total nitrogen substances (Kjeldahl method) and chitin (spectrophotometric method after hydrolysis to glucosamine) present in the insect samples were also determined. Amongst the samples,G. assimilis contained the highest levels of taurine (121.0±10.2 mg/100 g fresh weight; 436±34 mg/100 g dry matter). On the contrary, the lowest taurine level was detected inS. gregaria (5.4±0.6 mg/100 g fresh weight; 15±2 mg/100 g dry matter). Taurine levels were determined for the whole insect and calculated per protein content. There was no significant correlation between the taurine content and the insect order or developmental stage of insects. Though it has been proved that insect species are variable sources of taurine, the most taurine-rich insect species are comparable with conventionally used feeding ingredients such as fishmeal, animal muscles and visceral tissue.

Circularity indicators and added value to traditional LCA impact categories: example of pig production

PurposeThe purpose of using circularity indicators is to show the effect of changes from linear to more circular systems. This paper contributes to highlighting the importance of methodological aspects of circularity indicators in the agricultural sector when using a life cycle thinking approach. Selected circularity indicators have been explored and compared with LCA impact categories by using them to evaluate the circularity of a livestock system.MethodsCircularity indicators were tested on a theoretical pig production system where several circularity strategies and associated mitigation actions were applied. The strategies and mitigation actions were as follows: anaerobic digestion of manure (closing resource loops), anaerobic digestion of bread waste (closing resource loops), precision fertilization (narrowing resource loops), use of cover crops in feed production (regenerating resource flows), and use of bread waste as feed (slowing resource loops). The functional unit was 1 kg pork as carcass weight, and the treatment of 1.1 kg bread waste for all impact categories and indicators. For each mitigation action, relevant circularity indicators were tested. Based on this, the functionality and suitability of these indicators were discussed.Results and discussionFour of the circularity indicators were based on nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) substances: N recycling index, partial N balance, consumption of fossil-P fertilizers, and emissions to water bodies (P). Even if the indicators do not capture the impact of emissions of N and P as the eutrophication impact categories, they provide a useful indication of the circularity of a system. The other three circularity indicators tested were as follows: renewable energy production, soil organic carbon, and land use ratio. The renewable energy production indicator is easy to understand and communicate and provides unique information. Soil organic carbon presents a potential for soil carbon sequestration. Land use ratio is based on the same data as land occupation but provides an assessment of whether feed production competes for the suitable area for food production by including production of human-digestible protein.ConclusionsCircularity indicators provide valuable information about the circularity of an agricultural product system. The circularity indicators and LCA impact categories can be used either separately or together, or to complement each other. The choice of indicators depends on the questions raised, i.e., goals and scope, and it is therefore important to have a number of circular indicators to choose from in order to achieve a comprehensive assessment.

Biochemical Assessments of Thyroid Profile and Renal Function Test in Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: CKD is a clinical syndrome which occurs due to irreversible loss of renal function leading to metabolic, endocrine, excretory and synthetic function resulting in accumulation of non – protein nitrogenous substances which leads to metabolic derangements and ends up with distinct clinical manifestations. Aim: To study thyroid function abnormalities in patients with chronic kidney disease. To correlate the thyroid function abnormalities with severity of renal failure. To differentiate primary hypothyroidism from thyroid dysfunction due to chronic kidney disease. Methodology: After selection of patients, fulfilling the above criteria, about 5 ml of blood sample is collected in non-heparinised serum bottle and sent for thyroid profile test. Components of thyroid profile included in our study and Quantitative determination of T3, T4 and TSH is done by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Result: In our study out of 50 patients, 33 patients had low serum T3 levels . 4 patients among low serum T3 value, they also had low T4 and high TSH suggesting primary hypothyroidism. So excluding 4 patients of hypothyroidism 29 patients had low T3 syndrome in our study. Low T4 levels in our study, out of which 4 patients had low T3 and high TSH suggesting primary hypothyroidism. Conclusion: In my study population, 50 CKD patients who were on conservative management were studied. Among them 66% of the patients had low T3 values. The change in the serum levels of T3 and T4 in patients with CKD can be considered as being protective, promoting conservation of protein. There is increase in incidence of hypothyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Catalytic mechanism of N-containing biochar on volatile-biochar interaction for the same origin pyrolysis

Nitrogen, as a common element, is widely present in biomass. The effects of nitrogenous substances on the same origin pyrolysis of biomass and the consequences of N-containing biochar on the catalytic process of volatiles are important for further analyzing the pyrolysis mechanism of biomass. In this research, N-containing biochar was prepared under different conditions, and the interaction between N-containing biochar and biomass pyrolysis volatiles at 400–700 °C was studied. The results show that N-containing biochar can simultaneously participate in reactions as adsorbents, catalysts, and reactants. Its catalytic effect is obviously different for various N configurations. Pyridinic N and pyrrolic N can promote the cracking of lignin into methoxy phenol compounds and promote the further cracking of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Graphitic N and oxidized N can promote the further decomposition of phenol and the conversion of D-xylose into small-molecule ketones. In addition, oxidized N can also inhibit the cracking of lignin to produce guaiacol. In the long-term interaction, the highly active pyridinic N tends to convert to a more stable graphitic N.

Evaluation of the main pollutants present in Brazilian landfill leachates using ecotoxicity assays

The present study investigated the acute toxic effects caused by the main pollutants found in landfill leachates: total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), alkalinity, and humic substances (HS) for the test organisms Vibrio fischeri, Danio rerio, Daphnia similis, and Artemia sp. The leachates were obtained from two Brazilian landfills with different ages and operating modes. Air stripping and membrane filtration treatability experiments were performed to remove pollutants from the leachate. The results showed high toxicity of the raw leachate from both landfills for the studied organisms. In the individual treatments, air stripping achieved TAN and alkalinity removal efficiencies > 99%, and the membrane filtration treatment achieved HS removal efficiencies > 98%. Compared to the individual treatments, the combination of treatments resulted in the most significant reductions in leachate toxicity from both landfills for all test organisms studied. The principal component analysis showed a strong correlation between COD or HS parameters and the toxicity of V. fischeri and strong correlations between TAN and the toxicity of D. rerio, D. similis, and Artemia sp. Finally, this study highlights the application of a treatment route to remove acute toxicity from complex effluents, such as landfill leachate, to avoid potential environmental hazards to the aquatic ecosystem.

Lessons from A Degradation of Planted Kandelia obovata Mangrove Forest in the Pearl River Estuary, China

Kandelia obovata (S., L.) Druce and Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. are two dominant mangrove species in the subtropical coastlines of the Pearl River Estuary, China. The main aim of this study was to investigate the specific causes of K. obovata mortality versus S. caseolaris vitality on the west coast of Bao’an, Shenzhen, China and to propose sustainable management strategies for mangrove protection and future ecological planting restoration. Results showed that although both mangroves possessed simple and unstable community structures, S. caseolaris had a more tenacious vitality than the native species K. obovata, indicating that the former possesses stronger adaptability under adversity conditions. Moreover, the salinity of the seawater collection point 5 from the K. obovata plot was found to be lower than that of seawater collection point 1–3 from the S. caseolaris sample plots, indicating that no hydrologic connectivity existed in the K. obovata plots. In addition, the location of the drain outlet (seawater collection point 8) might be another potential risk factor for the dead of near K. obovata forests, implying that they were badly affected by poor oxygen and serious inorganic pollution, such as ammonium nitrogen, total phosphorus, and other inorganic substances. Depending on local circumstances, we should consider strengthening infrastructure construction to activate hydrological connectivity, reinforcing the stability of man-made mangrove communities, and controlling the pollution sources for sustainable mangrove protection and management on the western coast of Bao’an, Shenzhen, China.

Integrated resource recovery from aerobic granular sludge plants

The study evaluated the combined phosphorus, nitrogen, methane, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) recovery from aerobic granular sludge (AGS) wastewater treatment plants. About 30% of sludge organics are recovered as EPS and 25–30% as methane (≈260 ml methane/g VS) by integrating alkaline anaerobic digestion (AD). It was shown that 20% of excess sludge total phosphorus (TP) ends in the EPS. Further, 20–30% ends in an acidic liquid waste stream (≈600 mg PO4-P/L), and 15% in the AD centrate (≈800 mg PO4-P/L) as ortho-phosphates in both streams and is recoverable via chemical precipitation. 30% of sludge total nitrogen (TN) is recovered as organic nitrogen in the EPS. Ammonium recovery from the alkaline high-temperature liquid stream is attractive, but it is not feasible for existing large-scale technologies because of low ammonium concentration. However, ammonium concentration in the AD centrate was calculated to be 2600 mg NH4-N/L and ≈20% of TN, making it feasible for recovery. The methodology used in this study consisted of three main steps. The first step was to develop a laboratory protocol mimicking demonstration-scale EPS extraction conditions. The second step was to establish mass balances over the EPS extraction process on laboratory and demonstration scales within a full-scale AGS WWTP. Finally, the feasibility of resource recovery was evaluated based on concentrations, loads, and integration of existing technologies for resource recovery.

Development of Candida autochthonous starter for cigar fermentation via dissecting the microbiome.

The main goal of tobacco fermentation technology is to minimize the alkaloid content while improving flavor substance content. This study revealed the microbial community structure and their metabolic functions during cigar leaf fermentation by high-throughput sequencing and correlation analysis, and evaluated the fermentation performance of functional microbes based on in vitro isolation and bioaugmentation fermentation. The relative abundance of Staphylococcus and Aspergillus increased first but then decreased during the fermentation, and would occupy the dominant position of bacterial and fungal communities, respectively, on the 21st day. Correlation analysis predicted that Aspergillus, Staphylococcus and Filobasidium could contribute to the formation of saccharide compounds, Bacillus might have degradation effects on nitrogenous substances. In particular, Candida, as a co-occurring taxa and biomarker in the later stage of fermentation, could not only degrade nitrogenous substrates and synthesize flavor substances, but also contribute to maintaining the stability of microbial community. Moreover, based on in vitro isolation and bioaugmentation inoculation, it was found that Candida parapsilosis and Candida metapsilosis could significantly reduce the alkaloids content and increase the content of flavor components in tobacco leaves. This study found and validated the critical role of Candida in the fermentation of cigar tobacco leaves through high-throughput sequencing and bioaugmentation inoculation, which would help guide the development of microbial starters and directional regulation of cigar tobacco quality.

A pilot study on the dual membrane process of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to treat algae-laden raw water compared to O3-BAC

AbstractIn this study, a dual membrane process that combines seven-hole ultrafiltration and nanofiltration was designed and compared to O3-biological activated carbon (O3-BAC) for high-quality drinking water production. The pollutant removal, membrane fouling, long-term operational characteristics, and technical economy were systematically investigated using raw water from Tai Lake, which has a high algae content. The results elucidate that the dual membrane process has superb decontamination. This method has much better removal of turbidity, CODMn, UV254, and algae than O3-BAC. Its removal of ammonia nitrogen and fluorescent substances is slightly lower than that of O3-BAC, but the effluent still satisfies the drinking water standard. The dual membrane process is also much more capable of dealing with high algae-laden raw water. Compared to O3-BAC, the cost of the dual membrane process is 46.4% higher per ton without consuming chemicals, so it is more environmentally friendly. In summary, the dual membrane process offers a promising and effective technology to treat high algae-laden water with the advantages of high stability, reliable effluent, and zero emissions.