Simultaneous Hydrolysis Research Articles

Insight into simultaneous urea hydrolysis and total nitrogen removal in textile printing wastewater: Focus on the impact of sodium sulfate salinity

The textile printing industry discharges large volumes of effluent containing high concentrations of urea and nitrogenous compounds. Anoxic-oxic (AO) treatment is a promising method for treating printing wastewater. However, the effect of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) salinity on the urea hydrolysis and nitrogen removal simultaneously in the AO process has received little attention. In this study, five batch reactors were used to treat synthetic printing wastewater with high urea and nitrogen concentrations. A strategy was applied to increase the Na2SO4 concentration from 0 to 19 g/L in the anoxic stage of each reactor. The effect of Na2SO4 on urea hydrolysis, total nitrogen removal and COD removal, sludge characteristics, and bacterial community structure were investigated. The findings showed that urea hydrolysis increased with increasing Na2SO4 concentration. The main mechanism of urea removal was intracellular hydrolysis, with a urea removal efficiency (URE%) of approximately 98% in all batch reactors. In addition, under the stress of Na2SO4, the total nitrogen and COD removal performances were partially inhibited. The most significant removal performances after AO treatment were observed at 0 g/L Na2SO4, with nitrogen and COD removal efficiencies of 88% and 95%, respectively. When Na2SO4 concentration reached 19 g/L, the sludge settling performance and compactness were enhanced. The extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) components in the sludge were dependent on their ability of removing organics. Bacterial community diversity analysis revealed that the enrichment of the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Gemmatimonadota phyla in the anoxic stages of batch reactors was related to intracellular urea hydrolysis. Bacteriodota and Chloroflexi were responsible for total nitrogen removal in all anoxic and oxic stages. This research will develop the understanding of Na2SO4 salinity impact on simultaneous urea hydrolysis and nitrogen removal during AO treatment process.

Lupine protein enzymatic hydrolysates obtained in a simultaneous extraction-hydrolysis process as foaming agents

In most experimental protocols described in the literature, a plant seed protein extraction and its enzymatic hydrolysis are separated. A simultaneous extraction and hydrolysis process was proposed as a much simpler and less energy-demanding alternative. The enzymatic lupine protein hydrolysates obtained in the simultaneous process were tested for their ability to produce and maintain foams, showing that the proposed process simplification did not compromise foaming properties of the hydrolysates. Two animal-sourced (trypsin and pancreatin) and one plant-sourced proteolytic enzyme (papain) were employed at variable specific enzymatic activity, ranging from 60 nkat/g protein (for pancreatin) to 189 μkat/g protein (for papain) and temperatures (37 °C, 50 °C and 65 °C, respectively). The enzymatic hydrolysis improved foaming properties of the extracts, both in the subsequent (when the extraction and the hydrolysis were performed in separated steps) and simultaneous (when the extraction and hydrolysis were taking place simultaneously) modes: foam capacity (FC) increased from ∼100 % to ∼270 % (for papain) with >50 % initial foam volume retained after 10 min. The obtained hydrolysates could be employed to provide a foaming activity of cosmetic, pharmaceutical or food products; when using the plant-sourced papain - also of the fully vegan ones.

Synthesis of polysubstituted pyrazoles and their biological applications

Novel library of pyrazole derivatives (6a–k) from substituted 4-dioxaborolanyl-1H-pyrazole and halo benzaldehyde through simultaneous Suzuki reaction, nucleophilic addition, and hydrolysis under moderate reaction conditions. The desired compounds 6a–k have been formed in good to high yield. All the compound structures were characterized by analytical and spectral (1H NMR,13C NMR and MS) studies. Furthermore, the evaluation of biological activity of synthesized molecules.

Differences and Mechanism of Waxy Corn Starch and Normal Corn Starch in the Preparation of Recrystallized Resistant Starch (RS3).

This study prepared resistant starch (RS) from waxy corn starch and normal corn starch and analyzed the effects of its molecular and microstructural characteristics on RS content. The RS content of waxy corn resistant starch (RS-WCS) was highest at 57.8%, whereas that of normal corn resistant starch (RS-NCS) was 41.46%. The short-chain amylose contents of RS-WCS and RS-NCS were 47.08% and 37.24%, respectively, proportional to their RS content. Additionally, RS content positively correlated with crystallinity, short-range order degree, and degree of polymerization (DP), exceeding 25. Electron microscopic images, before and after enzymolysis, revealed that RS-WCS was hydrolyzed from the surface to the center by pancreatic α-amylase, while RS-NCS underwent simultaneous hydrolysis at the surface and center. These results indicate that the higher RS content in RS-WCS, compared to RS-NCS, is attributable to the synergistic effects of molecular structure and microstructure.

β-galactosidase immobilization on ceramic ultrafiltration membrane for simultaneous lactose hydrolysis and protein separation

Protein and lactose of cheese whey can be separated using ultrafiltration membranes and lactose can be hydrolyzed by β-galactosidase. This study investigated the integration of ultrafiltration and enzymatic hydrolysis for simultaneous protein concentration and lactose hydrolysis. β-galactosidase was immobilized on ceramic membrane via surface activation with gelatin and subsequent enzyme cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Membrane geometries, buffer types, gelatin and enzyme concentrations were optimized. The optimal results yielded a 63 % enzyme immobilization efficiency and a 93 % lactose hydrolysis rate by using disc membrane, sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.8), sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5), 0.1 g/L gelatin concentration, and 5.0 g/L enzyme concentration. The optimized enzymatic membrane was evaluated with synthetic and real whey. In synthetic whey, 85 % lactose hydrolysis and 89 % protein rejection were achieved. While in real whey, 72 % lactose hydrolysis and 83 % protein recovery were obtained. This approach offers a single-step, efficient, and scalable method for whey valorization with potential for industrial applications.

Simultaneous Extraction and Hydrolysis of Pumpkin Oilseed Cake Proteins Using Active Culture of Proteolytic Bacillus subtilis

Simultaneous Extraction and Hydrolysis of Pumpkin Oilseed Cake Proteins Using Active Culture of Proteolytic Bacillus subtilis

Optimization of Clostridium beijerinckii semi-solid fermentation of rape straw to produce butyric acid by genome analysis

Butyric acid is a volatile saturated monocarboxylic acid, which is widely used in the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, energy, and animal feed industries. This study focuses on producing butyric acid from pre-treated rape straw using simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis semi-solid fermentation (SEHSF). Clostridium beijerinckii BRM001 screened from pit mud of Chinese nongxiangxing baijiu was used. The genome of C. beijerinckii BRM001 was sequenced and annotated. Using rape straw as the sole carbon source, fermentation optimization was carried out based on the genomic analysis of BRM001. The optimized butyric acid yield was as high as 13.86 ± 0.77 g/L, which was 2.1 times higher than that of the initial screening. Furthermore, under optimal conditions, non-sterile SEHSF was carried out, and the yield of butyric acid was 13.42 ± 0.83 g/L in a 2.5-L fermentor. This study provides a new approach for butyric acid production which eliminates the need for detoxification of straw hydrolysate and makes full use of the value of fermentation waste residue without secondary pollution, making the whole process greener and more economical, which has a certain industrial potential.Graphical

Mass Spectrometry-Based Pipeline for Identifying RNA Modifications Involved in a Functional Process: Application to Cancer Cell Adaptation.

Cancer onset and progression are known to be regulated by genetic and epigenetic events, including RNA modifications (a.k.a. epitranscriptomics). So far, more than 150 chemical modifications have been described in all RNA subtypes, including messenger, ribosomal, and transfer RNAs. RNA modifications and their regulators are known to be implicated in all steps of post-transcriptional regulation. The dysregulation of this complex yet delicate balance can contribute to disease evolution, particularly in the context of carcinogenesis, where cells are subjected to various stresses. We sought to discover RNA modifications involved in cancer cell adaptation to inhospitable environments, a peculiar feature of cancer stem cells (CSCs). We were particularly interested in the RNA marks that help the adaptation of cancer cells to suspension culture, which is often used as a surrogate to evaluate the tumorigenic potential. For this purpose, we designed an experimental pipeline consisting of four steps: (1) cell culture in different growth conditions to favor CSC survival; (2) simultaneous RNA subtype (mRNA, rRNA, tRNA) enrichment and RNA hydrolysis; (3) the multiplex analysis of nucleosides by LC-MS/MS followed by statistical/bioinformatic analysis; and (4) the functional validation of identified RNA marks. This study demonstrates that the RNA modification landscape evolves along with the cancer cell phenotype under growth constraints. Remarkably, we discovered a short epitranscriptomic signature, conserved across colorectal cancer cell lines and associated with enrichment in CSCs. Functional tests confirmed the importance of selected marks in the process of adaptation to suspension culture, confirming the validity of our approach and opening up interesting prospects in the field.

Robust underwater superoleophobic coatings based on zwitterionic P(CBMAE‐co‐TMSPMA)/SiO2 with anti‐adhesive behavior

AbstractThis study focuses on the surface modification of substrates using a poly(N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)‐N‐[2′‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyl]‐ammonium chloride‐co‐3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate) P(CBMAE‐co‐TMSPMA) and ethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). By covalently bonding the Si‐OH pendant of the copolymer with hydroxyl residues on the material's surface, a stable polymer coating is formed. The properties of P(CBMAE‐co‐TMSPMA) coatings were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and contact angle (CA) meter. The addition of TEOS allows for the regulation of surface roughness. With the increase of TEOS content, the contact angle of underwater oil first increased and then decreased. The water contact angles were 8°, the underwater superoleophobic contact angle reached 168°, and the number of adherent platelets and Escherichia coli were significantly reduced to 7.5% and 5% on the surface of the coating, respectively. After undergoing simultaneous hydrolysis, the superoleophobic contact angle of P(CBMAE‐co‐TMSPMA)/SiO2 coating further increased to 174°. These interesting and robust properties make them promising candidates for biomedical applications.Highlights The underwater superoleophobic coating (contact angles of 174°). The P(CBMAE‐co‐TMSPMA)/SiO2 coating with excellent resistance to oil adhesion. Solve the hydroxyl residue problem. The coating resistance to E. coli and platelet adhesion.

Perspectives and Progress in Bioethanol Processing and Social Economic Impacts

The liquid biofuel bioethanol is widely produced worldwide via fermenting sugars extracted from a variety of raw materials, including lignocellulose biomass, one of the world’s most abundant renewable resources. Due to its recalcitrant character, lignocellulose is usually pretreated by mechanical, chemical, and biological methods to maximize sugar recovery. Pretreated lignocellulose biomass undergoes a fermentation process performed sequentially or simultaneously to saccharification. The different fermentation strategies (e.g., separate or simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation or co-fermentation) and conditions (e.g., inoculum type load, agitation, temperature, and pH) affect ethanol yield. Genetic modification of the inoculum has been focused recently to improve ethanol tolerance and as well as to use different sugars to enhance the performance of the microorganisms involved in fermentation. Nonetheless, these improvements result in a substantial increase in costs and have certain environmental costs. This review offers an overview of advancements in bioethanol production, with a primary focus on lignocellulosic feedstock, while also considering other feedstocks. Furthermore, it provides insights into the economic, social, and environmental impacts associated with bioethanol production.

Bioconversion of spray corn husks into L-lactic acid with liquid hot water pretreatment

Agricultural by-products like rice husk, bran, and spray corn husks, often utilized as feed, are considered less desirable. This study aims to enhance the utilization rate of these materials by subjecting then to liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatment, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis to produce fermentable sugars. We investigated the production of L-lactic acid using two methods: simultaneous saccharification fermentation (SSF) and separate hydrolysis fermentation (SHF), following varying intensities of LHW pretreatment. The results showed that the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency was achieved from spray corn husks under the pretreatment conditions of 155 °C and 15 min. SHF was generally more effective than SSF. The glucose L-lactic acid conversion rate in SHF using spray corn husks can reach more than 90 %. Overall, this work proposed a novel, environmental-friendly strategy for efficient and for L- lactic acid production from spray corn husks.

Enzyme-powered waste valorization: Simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation of kitchen waste for biofertilizer production

The study introduces a systematic process aimed at the production of a biofertilizer formulation utilizing kitchen waste as the primary bioresource. This process effectively tackles challenges associated with the management of municipal solid waste and the economical synthesis of environmentally sustainable biofertilizers. The employed approach, known as simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation, incorporates a highly efficient in-house developed multi-enzyme preparation derived from Aspergillus niger P-19 along with a consortium of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, namely Klebsiella pneumoniae KMB-407, Micrococcus luteus AS-17, and Azotobacter chroococcum AZ-1. The outcome is the creation of a stable liquid biofertilizer formulation with a viable count of 1.78 × 1015 CFU/mL. Upon applying this biofertilizer formulation to Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato) plants, significant improvements were observed in both plant productivity and soil quality. Additionally, positive effects were noted in terms of enhanced flowering and fruiting of the treated plants compared to the control group.

Incorporation of Yogurt Acid Whey in Low-Lactose Yogurt Ice Cream.

Yogurt acid whey (YAW), a by-product of strained yogurt production, is a strong environmental pollutant because of its high organic load. Hence, efforts are made for its utilization to minimize its disposal in the environment. This study deals with the incorporation of YAW in yogurt ice cream (YIC) by partial replacement of yogurt with simultaneous lactose hydrolysis (LH) of the formulated YIC mix. Six YIC mix formulations were made, two without YAW (non-LH- and LH-control samples, A and AH), two with 12.5% YAW (samples B and BH), and two with 18.75% YAW (samples C and CH). The results showed that the partial replacement of yogurt with YAW decreased significantly (p < 0.05) the total solids of B, BH, C, and CH products (31.72 ± 0.14%, 31.92 ± 0.21%, 30.94 ± 0.14%, and 31.27 ± 0.10%, respectively) compared to the total solids of control products A and AH (33.30 ± 0.36% and 33.74 ± 0.06%, respectively). In contrast, the overruns increased (51.50 ± 2.36%, 58.26 ± 0.09%, 56.86 ± 1.92%, and 65.52 ± 1.30% for the B, BH, C, and CH products, respectively) compared to control samples (42.02 ± 2.62% and 49.53 ± 2.12% for A and AH, respectively). LH significantly decreased the freezing point and the viscosity of the YIC mixes but increased the overruns of the products as shown previously. YAW significantly decreased the hardness of the B and C products (56.30 ± 2.11 N and 43.43 ± 3.91 N, respectively) compared to control A (81.14 ± 9.34 N), and LH decreased it even more, leading to a rather soft scoop YIC. AH, BH, and CH YICs exhibited better melting properties despite the lack of fat destabilization in all samples. After 60 days of storage, counts of yogurt starter microorganisms were still >107 cfu/g and DPPH radical scavenging activity had increased in all products. In the sensory evaluation test, lactose-hydrolyzed samples AH, BH, and CH had less intense sandiness and, as expected, more intense sweetness. In conclusion, in the framework of the circular economy, it is possible for the YAW to be used as a resource material at a ratio of 12.5% to produce a YIC product without leaving behind any new waste.

Enhancing catalytic hydrolysis activity of ZnNiAl hydrotalcite-like compounds-derived oxides using rare earth metals

Efficient catalysts are highly desirable for the simultaneous removal of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbonyl sulfide (COS) to meet the increasingly stringent emission standards and achieve cleaner production. In this study, ZnNiAl hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTLCs)-derived oxides doped with a series of rare earth metals, such as cerium (Ce), gadolinium (Gd), and yttrium (Y), were synthesized and used for the simultaneous hydrolysis of HCN and COS. The results demonstrated that the chemical state and electronic structure of ZiNiAl were changed by Ce doping because of the incorporation of Ce into the nickel oxide (NiO) network. Thus, abundant active species for the adsorption and dissociation of HCN and COS, including chemically adsorbed oxygen and strong basic sites, were produced by Ce doping. Meanwhile, the well-developed mesoporous structure provided accessibility to the active sites. As a result, Ce doping significantly enhanced the catalytic performance of ZnNiAl. Furthermore, the mechanisms of HCN and COS hydrolysis over Ce-ZnNiAl and their deactivation were proposed. This study provides a novel route for efficiently eliminating HCN and COS in diverse industrial processes.

Unraveling the sulfur poisoning mechanism of N-doping KAl2O3 catalyst in simultaneous hydrolysis of COS and CS2 via experimental and theoretical study

The short lifetime and poor resistance to poisoning of hydrolysis catalysts restricted their application in the desulfurization of blast furnace gas. N doping was applied to enhance the low-temperature hydrolytic activity and stability of the catalysts, and the poisoning mechanisms of COS and CS2 were explored by a series of characterizations and DFT theoretical calculations. The results revealed that the N-modified catalyst could maintain 100 % COS conversion and more than 40 % CS2 conversion after 120 h reaction. The characterization results certified that reduced surface area, weakened surface basicity, and weakened COS and CS2 adsorption capacity were the main causes of catalyst poisoning. The deposited sulfur species on the catalyst were mainly monomeric sulfur and sulfate (Al2(SO4)3). The incorporation of N significantly reduced the production of Al2(SO4)3 and enhanced the protection of the Al active site by K, which in turn enhanced the resistance to poisoning. DFT theoretical calculations exhibited that the oxidation products of COS were mainly COSO2- and CO2SO-, while CS2 was easily converted to COS first and then further be oxidized. The addition of N made the oxidation intermediate species more difficult to generate, while the oxidation product SO2 was easier to desorb, which explained the improved catalyst resistance to poisoning.

Utilization of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Biomass with Different Salt Contents for Bioethanol and Biocomposite Production

Soil salinity is one of the particularly important environmental factors, which limits the growth and development of plants, reduces the amount of crops and causes serious economic damage. The study found that Festuca arundinacea can be successfully used for the management and bioremediation of saline habitats, and it is characterized by a very well-developed root system and an average high biomass production of approx. 14.8 Mg∙ha−1, which can be used for industrial applications. Tall fescue biomass from soils with different levels of salinity was used to obtain bioethanol using 1.5% NaOH pretreatment and for the process of simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation (SSF). It was found that the content of Na+ ions in the tall fescue biomass had no significant effect on the amount of ethanol obtained (the average 19.32 g∙100 g−1 of raw material). F. arundinacea biomass was also used as a natural filler to obtain green composites using a biodegradable polylactide (PLA) matrix. It has been shown that tall fescue biomass with the lowest sodium content in biomass (approx. 2.5 mg∙g−1) from an area with high saline (above 6 g NaCl∙L−1) has the smallest effect on reducing the tensile and flexural strength of composites. Moreover, the highest value of bioethanol concentration (21.2 g∙100 g−1 of raw material) for this biomass sample was obtained.

Hydrothermal processes and simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis in the production of modified cassava starches with porous-surfaces

The amylolytic action of α-amylase and amyloglucosidase has been directly implemented in native cassava starches for the formation of cassava microporous granules with unsatisfactory results, however, its incidence in hydrothermally treated granules has never been evaluated. The effect of hydrothermal processes and simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis on the physicochemical, morphological and structural properties of native cassava starch was evaluated. Native cassava starch presented a rigid, smooth surface, and was exempt from porosities, whereas hydrothermal processes altered the semicrystalline order and increasing the size and number of pores and increasing the size (4.11 ± 0.09 nm) and volume of pores (0.82 ± 0.00 cm3/g × 10−3). The hydrothermal action followed by enzymatic processes with α-amylase and amyloglucosidase, augmented the processes of internal degradation (endo-erosion) and pore widening (exo-erosion), improving the hydrophilic properties compared to the hydrothermal treatment. Likewise, the hydrothermally process followed by enzymatic hydrolysis for 24 h (HPS + EMS-24) increased the degradation of the amorphous lamellae, consistent with a significant decrease in amylose content. This same dual treatment increased the pore size at 17.68 ± 0.13 nm relative to the native counterpart; therefore, they are considered an effective method in the development of modified cassava starches with porous surfaces.

The use of tailor‐made acidic deep eutectic solvents for preparation of quercetin‐enriched extracts from onion solid wastes

AbstractThe current examination dealt with the development of a methodology to produce quercetin, a multifunctional bio‐flavonoid, by designing task‐specific, highly acidic deep eutectic solvents, based on glycerol and natural organic acids. The purpose was to achieve a simultaneous hydrolysis of spiraeoside, the major quercetin glycoconjugate occurring in onion solid wastes, and quercetin extraction. After an initial performance screening, the combination of glycerol/oxalic acid was identified as the highest‐performing system, and further investigation showed that the most efficacious molar ratio was glycerol/oxalic acid 3:1. Further study of hydrolysis/extractions conditions suggested 30 min, at 130°C, to be the best operating conditions, giving the highest yield of 19.65 mg quercetin per grams of dry mass. The extract obtained under these conditions displayed significantly enhanced antiradical activity, compared to control extracts prepared with water or aqueous ethanol. On the other hand, results on the ferric‐reducing power were rather contradictory. It is proposed that such a methodology may be implemented to valorize onion solid wastes, for the production of extracts significantly enriched in quercetin, with increased antiradical properties.

Characterization of a Model Bioreactive Membrane for the Simultaneous Separation and Hydrolysis of Lipopolysaccharides

The design of functionalized selective layers to develop novel membranes is essential to provide potential solutions that meet the continuously growing demand of providing safe water. Herein, we present the interfacial response of an enzymatic thin-film composite (E-TFC) membrane displaying dual functionality and fabricated as a proof-of-concept for both efficient lipopolysaccharide (LPS) separation and ester bond hydrolysis. The enzymatic membrane model was constructed by employing lipase b from Candida antarctica (CALB) covalently coupled via chemically activated bisepoxide groups onto the surface of the di-block copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) layer. Our results show a complete rejection of size-excluded LPS molecules when using the fabricated E-TFC membrane in a forward osmosis (FO) application. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme was able to retain 97% of its enzymatic activity when using 4-nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA) and up to 74% to liberate free fatty acids from LPS molecules within the feed side of the FO system. This work provides fundamental insights into new emerging functional biomaterials that find applications in hybrid catalytic filtration processes that also selectively remove LPS molecules from water sources.

An economic and eco-friendly method for the recovery of ellagic acid from waste pomegranate peel via thermal hydrolysis assisted extraction and liquid-liquid extraction

In the present study, a low-cost and environmentally-friendly method for the recovery of ellagic acid (EA) from waste pomegranate peel (WPP) was developed. Thermal hydrolysis assisted extraction (THAE) method was designed to efficiently prepare EA at low economic and environmental costs by the simultaneous extraction and hydrolysis of EA and its derivatives using NaH2PO4 solution as extraction solvent, which could be reused at least 5 times after simple post-treatments. Ethyl acetate was chosen as liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) solvent to directly recover EA from THAE extract and regenerate NaH2PO4 solution. After a series of optimization of operation parameters, the recovery rates of EA in the THAE and LLE processes reached ∼94% and 96%, respectively. As all of the solvents used above belong to cheap, eco-friendly, and edible solvents, this proposed method provides a good way to get safe and inexpensive EA-rich extract (with a purity of ∼89%), which could be used as natural ingredient in food, cosmetic, and medicinal industries, as well as starting materials for the preparation of pure EA.