Bioconversion of biowaste by black soldier fly larvae ( Hermetia illucens L.) for dried larvae production: A life cycle assessment and environmental impact analysis.

Background: Hermetia illucens L. have gained popularity in recent years as an environmentally friendly response to both the present and potential future food/feed crisis. The larvae of H. illucens L., or black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), is an alternative solution to tackle the issue of organic waste bioconversion. However, understanding the environmental loads associated with biowaste bioconversion using BSFL to produce dried BSFL is a pivotal point to keep the environment sustainable. This study reported a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the biowaste bioconversion process of BSFL and determined the environment impact analysis to make recommendations for modifications to lessen environmental consequences. Methods: The methodology used is life cycle assessment (LCA), which includes: (a) system boundary determination (gate-to-gate), starting from biowaste production, biowaste bioconversion, prepupae and BSFL frass production. The system boundary of the dried BSFL production is designed for both the processing and production of one cycle of BSFL; (b) life cycle inventory activities carried out at PT Biomagg Sinergi Internasional, Depok, West Java, Indonesia; (c) conducting life cycle impact assessment on five environmental impact categories namely global warming potential (GWP), acidification (AC), terrestrial eutrophication (TE), fossil fuel depletion (FFE), eco-toxicity (ET); and (d) interpretation of the assessment result. The LCA is conducted using openLCA 1.11 software and TRACI 2.1 impact assessment method. Results: The impact values of GWP, AC, TE, FFE, and ET, per 100 kg of BSFL dried production was 6.687 kg CO 2 eq; 0.029 kg SO 2-eq; 0.092 kg N-eq; 16.732 MJ surplus; 121.231 CTUe. Production of prepupa had the highest hotspots in these emissions, followed dried BSFL production. Conclusions: Efforts to reduce environmental impacts that can be done are by implementing an integrated rearing system using substrate from a single type of known substrate for BSFL and using alternative drying methods for BSFL dried production.

Retrofitting of concrete for rigid pavement using bacterial: A meta-analysis.

Cracking in tension causes damage to regular concrete. When the surface of the concrete cracks, liquids can enter and damage the structure. Remediating concrete in rigid pavements is time-consuming, costly, and challenging. Concrete cracking can be reduced using sustainable solutions, such as concrete bacteria. Using concrete bacteria is an innovative method for continuously retrofitting concrete, improving its durability, and reducing maintenance costs. Several studies have explored the possibilities of a wide range of bacteria and demonstrated concrete retrofitting. However, in these extensive studies of sustainable solutions, the role of concrete bacteria in retrofitting concrete for rigid pavement has not been clarified. This meta-analysis aims to compare and contrast the performance of various microorganisms in concrete restoration, considering the bacteria concentration, total concrete components, and water/cement ratio. Data from 371 articles were entered into the initial database and 37 articles into the final database for meta-analysis. Low concentrations (10 CFU/mL) of Bacillus subtilis increased the compressive strength after 28 days at 46.8 MPa, and the optimum concentration of Bacillus subtilis was 105 CFU/mL, resulting in an optimum compressive strength of 58.2 MPa after 28 days, an optimum water/cement ratio of 0.3, and the optimum total ingredients (cement, fine and coarse aggregates) ranging from 2000 to 2400 kg/m3. This meta-analysis study supports a new approach to selecting concrete bacteria and developing sustainable advances in concrete technology.

Kinetic Study of Copyrolysis of the Green Microalgae Botryococcus braunii and Victorian Brown Coal by Thermogravimetric Analysis.

The copyrolysis of the green microalgae Botryococcus braunii and Victorian brown coal was studied by thermogravimetric analysis using the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), and Friedman methods. This research aims to study the synergistic effect of mixing B. braunii and Victorian brown coal in pyrolysis reactions on the kinetic parameter using thermogravimetric analysis. Copyrolysis was carried out at four heating rates, 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C/min. The copyrolysis reaction of B. braunii and Victorian brown coal occurred from 155.79 to 545.27 °C; this temperature range was lower than that for the pyrolysis of only B. braunii under the same conditions. However, mixing the two samples increased the thermal decomposition temperature for each conversion value (α), as well as the average activation energy, due to the presence of compounds that require high temperatures to undergo pyrolysis in the Victorian brown coal. The average activation energies of the copyrolysis reaction of B. braunii and Victorian brown coal determined using the KAS, FWO, and Friedman methods were 195.20 ± 17.40, 195.60 ± 17.70, and 225.93 ± 32.39 kJ/mol, respectively.

Large-scale screening of natural genetic resource in the hydrocarbon-producing microalga Botrycoccus braunii identified novel fast-growing strains.

Algal biofuel research aims to make a renewable, carbon-neutral biofuel by using oil-producing microalgae. The freshwater microalga Botryococcus braunii has received much attention due to its ability to accumulate large amounts of petroleum-like hydrocarbons but suffers from slow growth. We performed a large-scale screening of fast-growing strains with 180 strains isolated from 22 ponds located in a wide geographic range from the tropics to cool-temperate. A fast-growing strain, Showa, which recorded the highest productivities of algal hydrocarbons to date, was used as a benchmark. The initial screening was performed by monitoring optical densities in glass tubes and identified 9 wild strains with faster or equivalent growth rates to Showa. The biomass-based assessments showed that biomass and hydrocarbon productivities of these strains were 12-37% and 11-88% higher than that of Showa, respectively. One strain, OIT-678 established a new record of the fastest growth rate in the race B strains with a doubling time of 1.2 days. The OIT-678 had 36% higher biomass productivity, 34% higher hydrocarbon productivity, and 20% higher biomass density than Showa at the same cultivation conditions, suggesting the potential of the new strain to break the record for the highest productivities of hydrocarbons.

Detection of the oil-producing microalga Botryococcus braunii in natural freshwater environments by targeting the hydrocarbon biosynthesis gene SSL-3.

The green microalga Botryococcus braunii produces hydrocarbon oils at 25-75% of its dry weight and is a promising source of biofuel feedstock. Few studies have examined this species' ecology in natural habitats, and few wild genetic resources have been collected due to difficulties caused by its low abundance in nature. This study aimed to develop a real-time PCR assay for specific detection and quantification of this alga in natural environments and to quantify spatiotemporal variations of wild B. braunii populations in a tropical pond. We designed PCR primers toward the hydrocarbon biosynthesis gene SSL-3 and examined amplification specificity and PCR efficiency with 70 wild strains newly isolated from various environments. The results demonstrated that this PCR assay specifically amplified B. braunii DNA, especially that of B-race strains, and can be widely used to detect wild B. braunii strains in temperate and tropical habitats. Field-testing in a tropical pond suggested a diurnal change in the abundance of B. braunii in surface water and found B. braunii not only in surface water, but also at 1-1.5 m deep and in bottom sediments. This method can contribute to efficient genetic resource exploitations and may also help elucidate the unknown ecology of B. braunii.

Simultaneous Administration of Boesenbergia pandurata Extract and Vaccination to Stimulate Immune Response in Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use of adjuvants or immunostimulants is often necessary to increase vaccine efficacy, in this study we evaluated the improvement of the immune response in tilapia treated by either oral and immersion administration with vaccine and Boesenbergia pandurata extract (BPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The initial concentration of BPE and the cell density of vaccine were 900 mg L-1 and 104 CFU mL-1 for oral administration while 106 CFU mL-1 for immersion, respectively. The extract and vaccine were mixed homogeneously in a ratio of 1:1. Further, the mixture was supplemented to feed at 1 mL g-1 feed. Tilapia with average initial body weight of 15 g were fed containing vaccine and BPE 3 times a day. The other group of fish was immersed with vaccine and BPE for 20 min. After 7th (d7), 14th (d14) and21th (d21) days of treatment, a challenge test was conducted by intramuscularly injection of 0.1 mL of Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens mixture (1:1) at a density of 105 CFU mL-1. Antibody levels, total white blood cell (WBC) and phagocytic activity (PA) were evaluated to determine the immune improvement of the fish. Furthermore, relative percent survival (RPS) and the survival rate (SR) were evaluated at week 2 and 4 after challenge test. RESULT: Results indicated that the all parameters of tilapia immune system were increased (p<0.05) after 2-4 weeks of both administration methods. Meanwhile, the efficacy of the vaccine has increased by combining BPE treatment using immersion method better than oral method. The RPS of vaccination plus extract by immersion was 83-100% and by oral administration was 83-87%. CONCLUSION: The present results implied that B. pandurata extract boost the efficacy of the Pseudomonas sp. vaccine by increasing the immune system and diseases resistance in tilapia.

Antimicrobial activity of Terminalia catappa brown leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of various concentration of Terminalia catappa brown leaves extract which can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The crushed-brown leaves of Terminalia catappa was extracted using 95% ethanol, filtered, and evaporated. The dried T. catappa extract was used to identify phytochemical content qualitatively. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also measured quantitatively from dried extract. The dried extracts were also dissolved in sterile aquadest and serial dilutions were prepared to final concentration of 30, 60 and 90%. A disc diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of various concentrations of ethanol extract of brown leaves of T. catappa. Inhibition zone diameter was measured to determine antibacterial activity. Gentamycin sulfate and distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Dried ethanolic extract of brown T. catappa leaves contained flavonoid, quinon, phenolic, triterpenoid, and tannin. A total of 208.722 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract of total phenolic and 35.7671 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract of total flavonoid were also found in the dried extract. The inhibition zone diameters of ethanolic extracts ranged from 1.73 to 9.06 mm ( S. aureus) and from 1.83 to 6.5 mm ( P. aeruginosa). The higher concentration of extract, the wider the inhibition zone diameters for both bacteria. P. aeruginosa was more resistant to high concentrations of extract (90%) than S. aureus. Ethanolic extracts of the brown leaves of T. catappa had different antibacterial effects against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The higher the concentration of extract, the wider the inhibition zone diameter for both bacteria. P. aeruginosa was more resistant to high concentrations of ethanolic extracts of the brown leaves of T. catappa.

Effect of various organic acid supplementation diets on Clarias gariepinus BURCHELL, 1822: Evaluation of growth, survival and feed utilization.

Background: The purpose of the current study was to determine the growth status, survival and feed utilization of catfish ( Clarias gariepinus BURCHELL, 1822) fed various organic acid supplementations. Methods: In total, 1600 fish were randomly distributed into 20 tanks and fed different types of diet: A, control diet without organic acid supplementation; B, control diet supplemented with 0.05% formic, acetic, and propionic acid; C, control diet supplemented with 0.1% formic, acetic, and propionic acid; D, control diet supplemented with 0.05% butyric acid; E, control diet supplemented with 0.01% butyric acid. The control diet was a commercial diet, containing 35% crude protein, 8.58% crude fat, and 2.75% fibre. All fish were fed using a satiation method, three times per day for 56 days. At the end of the trial, growth, survival and feed utilization were determined. Water quality parameters during the trial were also measured once a week. Results: Fish fed diet type D had the significantly lowest ( P<0.05) final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR) of all diets. Similar FW, WG, and SGR were found for fish fed diets A-C and E. Meanwhile, the feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency, and survival rate of fish were not affected by any types of diet. The water quality parameters were not significantly different between tanks and weeks: dissolved oxygen 6.79-6.81 mg L -1, pH 7.11-7.19, water temperature 28.97-29.32°C, nitrite (NO 2) content 0.48- 0.50 mg L -1, and ammonia (NH 3) content 0.064-0.066 mg L -1. Conclusion: The supplementation of 0.05% butyric acid in the diet of C. gariepinus for 56 days reduced the growth performance of the fish. However, supplementation of an organic acid in the diet of C. gariepinus had no impact on feed utilization, survival, and water quality parameters.

Influence of different stocking density on the growth, feed efficiency, and survival of Majalaya common carp ( Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758).

Background: Stocking density is key to successful Majalaya common carp ( Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758) culture which is a valuable fish culture in Indonesia.  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the growth statues, feed utilization, and survival rate of Majalaya common carp (reared with different stocking density. Methods: In total, 1400 fish were randomly distributed into four replicates of four different groups of stocking density: 50, 75, 100, and 125 fish m -3. All fish were fed using a satiation method, three times per day with commercial diet for 12 weeks. At the end of the trial week, growth, feed utilization, and survival were determined. Water quality measures, such as dissolved oxygen (mg L -1), temperature (°C), pH, NH 3 (mg L -1), and NO 2 (mg L -1) were also measured once a week during the trial. Results: Similar weight gain and SGR were found in Majalaya common carp reared at stocking densities of 50 to 100 fish m 3. However, 125 fish m -3 density may reduce weight gain and SGR. The average weekly and daily weight gain of Majalaya common carp significantly increased when reared from 50 to 100 fish m -3 and remained constant at 125 fish m -3 density. Meanwhile, feed conversion ratio and survival of Majalaya common carp were not affected by any stocking density. Conclusions: A stocking density of 100 fish m -3 exhibited significantly higher growth of Majalaya common carp in hapa net ponds among the treatment. Temperature ranges of 29.20-33.38°C, pH 7.47-8.22, DO 4.76-7.55 (mg L -1), NH 3 0-0.5 mg L -1, and NO 2 0-1 mg L -1 were found to provide optimum condition to the fish.

Borneo herbal plant extracts as a natural medication for prophylaxis and treatment of Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens infection in tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus).

Background: The combination of some plant extracts to prevent and treat bacterial infections is gaining momentum, because of effectiveness against certain bacteria. This study aims to describe the antibacterial and immunostimulant abilities of Boesenbergia pandurata (BP), Solanum ferox (SF) and Zingiber Zerumbet (ZZ) plant extracts to treat and prevent Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens infection on Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus). Methods: Tilapia (initial weight 15±2 g) were injected intramuscularly (0.1 ml/fish) with a combination of A. hydrophila and P. fluorescens at a density of 1×10 5 CFU ml -1 of each bacteria. Treatment trials were performed at day 7 post-injection with each combined extract, while the prevention trial was performed by including the combined extract into the commercial diet for six and seven days prior to injection. Various extract combinations were 60 mg SF extract/kg feed with 40 mg ZZ/kg feed (SF60/ZZ40), SF50/ZZ50, BP90/SF10, and BP50/SF50. Haemato-immunological parameters were performed for four weeks. Results: In prevention trials, tilapia fed SF50/ZZ50 showed a significant increase of white and red blood cells. Similarly, significantly increased haematocrit was found in tilapia fed SF50/ZZ50 in the treatment trial but not in the prevention trial. In both trials, haemoglobin of tilapia was not affected by any combined extracts but decreased the number of bacteria. Phagocytic index, respiratory burst, lysozyme activity and survival rate of fish fed combined extracts were found significantly higher than controls. The amount of pathogenic bacteria in fish fed combined extracts was lower than the control at week 4 ( P<0.05). In both trials The percentage of survival rate and relative percent survival of tilapia fed SF 50/ZZ 50, showed the optimum results compared to the other combinations. Conclusions: The combined extract in feed, especially SF50/ZZ50 has a positive effect on the tilapia's innate immune system of tilapia to treat and prevent bacterial infections.

Dietary organic selenium improves growth, survival and resistance to Vibrio mimicus in cultured marron, Cherax cainii (Austin, 2002).

To determine the effects of dietary organic selenium (OS) supplementation on the growth performance and immune competence of marron, Cherax cainii (Austin, 2002), a group of marron were fed 0.2 g kg(-1) of Sel-Plex(®) supplemented basal diet and then compared with another group (control) of marron fed basal diet without any supplementation. After 90 days of feeding, final weight, average weekly gains (AWG), relative gain rate (RGR), specific growth rate (SGR), survival, total and differential haemocyte counts (THC and DHC), were compared between the two groups. Surviving marron from each group were then divided into three sub-groups (three tanks per sub-group with seven marron per tank); (1) first sub-group was injected with 20 µL of 3.24 × 10(6) cfu Vibrio mimicus; (2) the second sub-group was injected with 20 µL normal saline and (3) the third sub-group was not subjected to injection and became the control group. THC, DHC, neutral red retention time (NRRT) and Vibrio ranks of post-injected marron were evaluated for 96 h, at every 24-h interval. The results showed that after 90 days of feeding, final weight, AWG, RGR, SGR, survival, THC, proportion of hyaline cells of OS-fed marron were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control group, whereas proportion of granular and semigranular cells were not affected by dietary OS. After challenging with V. mimicus, survival rate of marron without dietary OS significantly decreased (P < 0.05) as compared to the control group of marron. THC of marron in all sub-groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) after the challenge. However, THC and granular cells of sub-groups fed OS were higher than other sub-groups. Vibrio ranks and NRRT of marron fed OS were significantly lower and slower, respectively, than marron fed without OS. These findings demonstrated the benefits of OS inclusion in the marron diet in terms of growth, health and disease resistance.