ZnO recovered from spent alkaline batteries as antimicrobial additive for waterborne paints.

Biocides are employed to prevent biodeterioration in waterborne paints. In the present study, we used zinc oxide nanoparticles (obtained from spent alkaline batteries) as biocide for indoor waterborne paint at 1.5% of the total solid content in paint. Two different zinc oxides synthesized from spent alkaline batteries, which showed photocatalyst activity, were employed as an antimicrobial agents. After leaching the anode of alkaline batteries, zinc was precipitated from the leachate liquor by introducing oxalic acid (O-ZnO) or sodium carbonate (C-ZnO). The antimicrobial properties of the prepared oxides were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria), Chaetomium globosum, and Aspergillus fumigatus (fungi) using agar well diffusion method. C-ZnO inhibited the growth of all the strains studied and presented enhanced activity than O-ZnO. The better performance as antimicrobial agent of C-ZnO compared to O-ZnO was attributed to its lower crystallite size, higher amount of oxygen monovacancies, and to its lower band gap energy. The oxide with the best performance in antimicrobial activity, C-ZnO, was employed for the formulation of waterborne acrylic paints. It was observed that 1.5% C-ZnO improved the antifungal properties and antibacterial properties compared to the control sample.

Biotransformation of cladribine by a nanostabilized extremophilic biocatalyst.

Cladribine (2-chloro-2'-deoxy-ß-d-adenosine) is a 2'-deoxyadenosine analogue, approved by the FDA for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia and more recently has been proved for therapeutic against many autoimmune diseases as multiple sclerosis. The biosynthesis of this compound using Thermomonospora alba CECT 3324 as biocatalyst is herein reported. This thermophilic microorganism was successfully entrapped in polyacrylamide gel supplemented with nanoclays such as bentonite. The immobilized biocatalyst (T. alba-Ac-Bent 1.00 %), was able to biosynthesize cladribine with a conversion of 89 % in 1 h of reaction and retains its activity for more than 270 reuses without significantly activity loss, showing better operational stability and mechanical properties than the natural matrix. A microscale assay using the developed system, could allow the production of at least 181 mg of cladribine in successive bioprocesses.

Exposure and risk analysis to particulate matter, metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon at different workplaces in Argentina.

In order to estimate air quality at work environments from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we determined both the concentration of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as the heavy metals in the composition of the particulate matter. Three SMEs located in the city of La Plata, Argentina, were selected: an electromechanical repair and car painting center (ERCP), a sewing work room (SWR), and a chemical analysis laboratory (CAL). The results evidenced high levels of PM exceeding the limits allowed by the USEPA and the presence of benzo(k)fluoranthene in all the analyzed sites and benzo(a)pyrene in the most contaminated site (ERCP). Regarding metals, the presence of Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Mn, mainly in the fraction of PM2.5, in the same workplace was found. As far as risk assessment at all the workplaces surveyed is concerned, risk values for contracting cancer throughout life for exposed workers (LCR) did not comply with the parameters either of USEPA or of WHO (World Health Organization).

Recovery of manganese oxides from spent alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries. An application as catalysts for VOCs elimination.

Manganese, in the form of oxide, was recovered from spent alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries employing a biohydrometallurgy process, using a pilot plant consisting in: an air-lift bioreactor (containing an acid-reducing medium produced by an Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans bacteria immobilized on elemental sulfur); a leaching reactor (were battery powder is mixed with the acid-reducing medium) and a recovery reactor. Two different manganese oxides were recovered from the leachate liquor: one of them by electrolysis (EMO) and the other by a chemical precipitation with KMnO4 solution (CMO). The non-leached solid residue was also studied (RMO). The solids were compared with a MnOx synthesized in our laboratory. The characterization by XRD, FTIR and XPS reveal the presence of Mn2O3 in the EMO and the CMO samples, together with some Mn(4+) cations. In the solid not extracted by acidic leaching (RMO) the main phase detected was Mn3O4. The catalytic performance of the oxides was studied in the complete oxidation of ethanol and heptane. Complete conversion of ethanol occurs at 200°C, while heptane requires more than 400°C. The CMO has the highest oxide selectivity to CO2. The results show that manganese oxides obtained using spent alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries as raw materials, have an interesting performance as catalysts for elimination of VOCs.

Biosynthesis of anti-HCV compounds using thermophilic microorganisms.

This work describes the application of thermophilic microorganisms for obtaining 6-halogenated purine nucleosides. Biosynthesis of 6-chloropurine-2'-deoxyriboside and 6-chloropurine riboside was achieved by Geobacillus stearothermophilus CECT 43 with a conversion of 90% and 68%, respectively. Furthermore, the selected microorganism was satisfactorily stabilized by immobilization in an agarose matrix. This biocatalyst can be reused at least 70 times without significant loss of activity, obtaining 379mg/L of 6-chloropurine-2'-deoxyriboside. The obtained compounds can be used as antiviral agents.