An integrated anaerobic digestion and microbial electrolysis system for the enhancement of methane production from organic waste: Fundamentals, innovative design and scale-up deliberation.

In the foreseeable future, renewable energy generation from electromethanogenesis to be more cost-effective energy. Electromethanogenesis system is a recent and efficient CO2 to methane technology to upgrade biogas to 100% methane for power generation. And this can be attained through by integrating anaerobic digestion with microbial electrolysis system. Microbial electrolysis system can able to support carbon reduction on cathode and oxidation on anode by CO2 capture thereby provides more CH4 production from an integrated anaerobic digestion system. Scale-up the recent advance technique of microbial electrolysis system in the anaerobic digestion process for 100% methane production for power generation is need of the hour. The overall objective of this review is to facilitate the recent technology of microbial electrolysis system in the anaerobic digestion process. At first, the function of electromethanogenesis system and innovative integrated design method are outlined. Secondly, different external parameters such as applied voltage, operating temperature, pH etc are examined for the significance on process optimization. Eventually, electrode selections, electrode spacing, surface chemistry and surface area are critically reviewed for the scale-up considerations of integration process.

Electrooxidation of coragen-contaminated wastewater using graphite electrodes and sorbent nano-hydroxyapatite.

The degradation of coragen (C18H14N5O2BrCl2) was tested by the electrooxidation process using graphite electrodes. Further, the advantage of nano-hydroxyapatite (n-Hap), as a cost-effective nano sorbent, in the removal of bromide from coragen was examined. Three different variables such as initial pH, electrolysis time and the current density were used to analyse the effects of the electrolytic process on the degradation of coragen. During electrolysis, under various stages, the parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), chloride and bromide were analysed. The maximum COD, chloride and bromide removal efficiency of 96%, 50% and 99%, respectively, at pH 5, the maximum current density of 7.5 mA cm-2 and 120 min electrolysis time were achieved. Based on the final output of this study, it can be concluded that the electrolysis process can effectively reduce COD, chloride and bromide from coragen in an aqueous medium. Further, the degradation efficiency of the coragen was confirmed through different analyses such as UV spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromotography-mass spectrometry analyses.

Development of a sustainable route for the production of high-fructose syrup from the polyfructan inulin.

The authors used mesoporous silica microspheres as a support for the immobilization of inulinase from Aspergillus brasiliensis MTCC 1344 by the process of cross-linking. Under optimized operating conditions of pH 6.0, particle/enzyme ratio of 2.0:1.0 and glutaraldehyde concentration of 7 mM, a maximum immobilization yield of 90.7% was obtained after a cross-linking time of 12.25 h. Subsequently, the cross-linked inulinase was utilized for the hydrolysis of 5% inulin, and a maximum fructose concentration of 31.7 g/L was achieved under the optimum conditions of pH 6.0 and temperature 60°C in 3 h. Furthermore, on performing reusability studies during inulin hydrolysis, it was observed that the immobilized inulinase could be reused up to 10 subsequent cycles of hydrolysis, thus providing a facile and commercially attractive process of high-fructose syrup production.

High Catalytic Activity of Fluorophore-Labeled Y-Shaped DNAzyme/3D MOF-MoS2NBs as a Versatile Biosensing Platform for the Simultaneous Detection of Hg2+, Ni2+, and Ag+ Ions.

In this study, we have designed a three-fluorophore-labeled Y-shaped DNAzyme with a high catalytic cleavage activity and a three-dimensional (3D) MOF-MoS2NB (metal-organic framework fused with molybdenum disulfide nanobox), which was synthesized as an efficient quencher of the fluorescent biosensor. The synthesized porous 3D MOF-MoS2NBs and Y-shaped DNAzyme exhibited a good analytical response toward the simultaneous multiple detections of Hg2+, Ni2+, and Ag+ ions over the other coexisting metal ions. More specifically, the three kinds of enzyme aptamer and substrate aptamer (SA) were hybridized and annealed to form the Y-shaped DNAzyme structure and labeled with three different fluorophores such as FAM, TAMRA, and ROX over the 3'-end of SA. When the targets were induced, the DNAzyme was triggered to cleave the fluorophore-labeled SAs. Then, the cleaved SAs (FAM-SA, TAMRA-SA, and ROX-SA) were adsorbed on the 3D MOF-MoS2NB surface to quench the fluorescence signal due to a noncovalent interaction (van der Waals and π-π stacking interaction), which transmuted the fluorescence on-state to off-state. As a result, the fluorescence assay confiscated the high selectivity and sensitivity for the target analytes of Hg2+, Ni2+, and Ag+ ions achieved for the detection limits of 0.11 nM, 7.8 µM, and 0.25 nM, respectively. Accordingly, the sensitivity of the developed sensor was explored with a better lower detection limit than the previously reported biosensors. The utility of the designed Y-shaped DNAzyme may find a broad field of application in real water sample analysis with interfering contaminants.

Application of Artificial Neural Network as a nonhazardous alternative on kinetic analysis and modeling for green synthesis of cobalt nanocatalyst from Ocimum tenuiflorum.

The present paper is dedicated to analyze non-hazardous kinetic behaviour and modelling of green synthesized cobalt nanocatalyst (CoNCs), using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). In order to supplement the trace metal in other applications, CoNCs were rapidly synthesized with a Cobalt sulphate solution at room temperature between 30 and 35 ºC at pH 7.2 under less reaction time. The Levenberg - Marquardt algorithm (LM) is used to investigate the experimental values by applying ANN. The results of variance using logistic ANN model depicts that the maximum nanoparticles were synthesized at its optimized stipulation of 0.5 h stirring time, 25 mL volume of extract and 20 mL volume of cobalt sulphate. The developed ANN model proved to be an efficient size determining tool in the biosynthesis of cobalt nanocatalyst. Experimental behavior using potentiometric analysis confirms that the linearity in CoNCs formation and size coincides (5-38 nm)with the predicted values of the ANN model. Techno economic analysis proved that, green synthesis reduced 30-40% in raw material cost and 60% in energy consumption.

Amino-functionalised mesoporous silica microspheres for immobilisation of Candida antarctica lipase B - application towards greener production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid.

In the present study, amino-functionalised mesoporous silica microspheres were utilised as support for the covalent immobilisation of Candida antarctica lipase B (CaLB) for the subsequent production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). Under the optimised operating conditions of pH 6.5, particle/enzyme ratio of 1.25:1.0 and glutaraldehyde concentration of 4 mM, a maximum CaLB immobilisation yield of 82.4% on silica microspheres was obtained in 12.25 h. The immobilised CaLB was used for the synthesis of alkyl esters, which were utilised along with hydrogen peroxide for FDCA synthesis. The biocatalytic conversion of 30 mM DFF dictated a 77-79% FDCA in 48 h at 30°C; where the turnover number and turnover frequency of immobilised CaLB were 6220.73 mol mol-1 and 129.59 h-1, respectively, for ethyl acetate, against 6297.65 mol mol-1 and 131.2 h-1, respectively, for ethyl butyrate. Upon examining the operational stability, the immobilised CaLB exhibited high stability till five cycles of FDCA production.

Experimental investigation of biodiesel production from Madhuca longifolia seed through in situ transesterification and its kinetics and thermodynamic studies.

The present investigation aims to develop simultaneous extraction and conversion of inedible Madhuca longifolia seed oil into biodiesel by one-step acid-catalyzed in situ transesterification/reactive extraction process. Six different types of pretreatment were used to assess maximum yield of biodiesel. The maximum yield of 96% biodiesel was acquired with ultrasonic pretreatment at 1% moisture content, 0.61 mm seed grain size, 55 °C temperature, 400 rpm stirring speed, 15 wt% catalyst (H2SO4) concentration, and with 1:35 seed oil to methanol ratio in a time period of 180 min. This reaction kinetics precedes first order also the finest value of rate constant and activation energy were calculated as 0.003 min-1 and 14.840 kJ mol-1. The thermodynamic energy properties ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS are computed as 96457.172 J/mol, 12121.812 J/mol K, and - 257.12 J/mol K correspondingly. The enumerated outcome illustrates a heat absorb non-spontaneous/endergonic and endothermal reaction. The result of proposed work unveils ultrasonic pretreatment escalates the biodiesel efficiency and reactive extraction exemplifies the clean, cost-effective single-step approach for production of biodiesel from non-edible sources.

Feasibility of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: lab-scale to pilot-scale analysis.

In the last few decades, consciousness of fossil fuel resources and increased environmental concerns have given the need for emergence of alternative fuel. Biodiesel is one of the potential renewable energies produced from edible and non-edible biomass which could be a potential alternative for petrol-derived diesel. In this work, initially the process of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil using potassium hydroxide as catalyst and the process parameters were studied in laboratory. The maximum biodiesel yield of 97% was attained at 75 °C with 1 wt% catalyst concentration and oil-methanol molar ratio of 1:06 at 350 rpm and 90 min. Also, these process conditions were used for biodiesel production in the pilot plant and obtained 97% yield. Overall, mass balance for the pilot plant was studied to analyze the product yield loss. The fatty acid methyl ester formation in the plant was confirmed by characterization with FTIR and 1H NMR. Further, the quality of biodiesel produced was compared for its physiochemical properties with the ASTM standards.

Immobilization of ssDNA on a metal-organic framework derived magnetic porous carbon (MPC) composite as a fluorescent sensing platform for the detection of arsenate ions.

In this work, we fabricated a metal-organic framework derived magnetic porous carbon (MPC) composite using a one-pot solid state template method. The formation of the synthesized composite was confirmed with various spectroscopic techniques, and it was proved that the composite can effectively quench the fluorescence of ssDNA. This property was utilized in the specific and efficient recognition of harmful arsenate ions. FAM-labelled single strand DNA (FAM-ssDNA) was adsorbed on the surface of the MPC composite and immobilized viaπ-π stacking interactions, which resulted in the fluorescence emission being quenched. A fluorescence quenching efficiency of 96% was achieved, due to the huge surface area of the MPC composite. Upon the addition of As(v) ions into our sensing system, the fluorescence emission dramatically increased, due to the strong affinity for As(v) of the surface of the MPC composite. Consequently, the adsorbed FAM-ssDNA was spontaneously displaced from the surface of the MPC composite, and so the fluorescence intensity was regained. Based on this mechanism, the fabricated biosensor exhibited a highly sensitive fluorescence response to As(v) in the range from 0 to 15 nM, with a detection limit as low as 630 pM. Furthermore, the sensing system is suitable for diverse biological and environmental samples.

Production of thermostable multiple enzymes from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KUB29.

A strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KUB29 was identified by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing (Genbank: MF772779.1). Production of thermostable protease, amylase and lipase were done by the isolated strain. The produced enzymes were partially purified by ammonium precipitation followed by dialysis process. Protease and lipase enzymes are effectively used in bio-oil extraction from proteinaceous sample followed by transesterification to produce methyl ester. Amylase enzyme is widely used in food and laundry industry. The produced enzymes are active at thermophilic condition of 55 °C. Use of these enzymes in biofuel production process will make the process cleaner and greener.

Bioconversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Fermentable Sugars by Immobilized Magnetic Cellulolytic Enzyme Cocktails.

Enzyme cocktails of reusable, highly stable cellulolytic enzymes play an inevitable role in bioconversion of biomass to biofuels economically. Cellulase, xylanase and ß-1,3-glucanase bound silica-amine functionalized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (ISN-CLEAs) were prepared and used as the biocatalyst for the depolymerization of cellulosic biomass into monomeric sugar in the present study. The Fe3O4-NPs and Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2-NPs and ISN-CLEAs had an average hydrodynamic size of 82.2, 86.4, and 976.9 nm, respectively, which was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). About 97% of protein binding was achieved with 135 mM glutaraldehyde at 10 h of cross-linking time and successful binding was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The ISN-CLEAs exhibited the highest thermal stability of 95% at 50 °C for 2 h and retained extended storage stability of 97% compared to 60% of its free counterpart. Besides, cross-linking allowed ISN-CLEAs reuse for at least eight consecutive cycles retaining over 70% of its initial activity. ISN-CLEAs exhibited approximately 15% increase in carbohydrate digestibility on sugar cane bagasse and eucalyptus pulp than the free enzyme.

Biodegradation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R using isolated bacterial culture (Staphylococcus sp. K2204).

Staphylococcus sp. K2204, a bacterial isolate, was employed in this work to decolorize Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), which belongs to the anthraquinone class of textile dye. Staphylococcus sp. K2204 biodegraded 100 mg/L RBBR at 37°C under static condition with the help of extracellular laccase and peroxidases. The products of RBBR degradation were characterized using analytical tools including mass spectral technique. The phytotoxicity tests evaluated the toxicity of RBBR and the products of biodegradation. The research outlined here is the first attempt to utilize Staphylococcus sp. K2204 for remediating the wastewater containing anthraquinone textile dye.

Review on nanoadsorbents: a solution for heavy metal removal from wastewater.

Elimination of heavy metals from contaminated streams is of prime concern due to their ability to cause toxic chaos with the metabolism of flora and fauna alike. Use of advanced nano-engineered technologies such as the innovative combination of surface chemistry, chemical engineering fundamentals and nanotechnology opens up particularly attractive horizons towards treatment of heavy metal contaminated water resources. The obtained product of surface engineered nanoadsorbent produced has successfully proven to show rapid adsorption rate and superior sorption efficiency towards the removal of a wide range of defiant heavy metal contaminants in wastewater. The use of these materials in water treatment results in markedly improved performance features like large surface area, good volumetric potential, extra shelf-lifetime, less mechanical stress, stability under operational conditions with excellent sorption behaviour, no secondary pollution, strong chelating capabilities and they are easy to recover and reuse. This review intends to serve as a one-stop-reference by bringing together all the recent research works on nanoparticles synthesis and its advantages as adsorbents in the treatment of heavy metal polluted wastewater that have so far been undertaken, thereby providing researchers with a deep insight and bridging the gap between past, present and future of the elegant nanosorbents.

Two-step biodiesel production from Calophyllum inophyllum oil: optimization of modified ß-zeolite catalyzed pre-treatment.

In this study, a two-step process was developed to produce biodiesel from Calophyllum inophyllum oil. Pre-treatment with phosphoric acid modified ß-zeolite in acid catalyzed esterification process preceded by transesterification which was done using conventional alkali catalyst potassium hydroxide (KOH). The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the reaction temperatures, reaction time and methanol to oil molar ratio in the pre-treatment step. Central Composite Design (CCD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were utilized to determine the best operating condition for the pre-treatment step. Biodiesel produced by this process was tested for its fuel properties.

Removal of free fatty acid in Azadirachta indica (Neem) seed oil using phosphoric acid modified mordenite for biodiesel production.

In this study free fatty acids present in Azadirachta indica (Neem) oil were esterified with our synthesized phosphoric acid modified catalyst. During the esterification, the acid value was reduced from 24.4 to 1.8 mg KOH/g oil. Synthesized catalyst was characterized by NH(3) TPD, XRD, SEM, FTIR and TGA analysis. During phosphoric acid modification hydrophobic character and weak acid sites of the mordenite were increased, which lead to better esterification when compared to H-mordenite. A kinetic study demonstrates that the esterification reaction followed pseudo-first order kinetics. Thermodynamic studies were also done based on the Arrhenius model.