Article
Microbiology
Amalia Piro, Dante Matteo Nistico, Daniela Oliva, Francesco Antonio Faga, Silvia Mazzuca
Summary: This study found that Spirulina spp. has the ability to tolerate organophosphate herbicide glyphosate. Although glyphosate treatment negatively affected the biomass and photosynthetic pigments of Spirulina, it induced resistance in the surviving population with increased accumulation of specific proteins.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Francesco Martelli, Martina Cirlini, Camilla Lazzi, Erasmo Neviani, Valentina Bernini
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of lactic acid fermentation on the aromatic profile of Arthrospira platensis biomass, showing that the biomass was suitable for solid-state fermentation and the process was useful for off-flavor reduction. The fermentation significantly influenced the concentration of compounds responsible for specific aromatic notes, and heat treatment of the matrix led to an improved aroma after fermentation. Fermentation with lactic acid bacteria can be an interesting tool to obtain cyanobacterial biomasses with more pleasant sensory properties for potential use in food formulations.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chiaki Narabe, Saki Kamiyama, Mizuki Saito, Phoompong Boonsaen, Anchalee Khongpradit, Suriya Sawanon, Yutaka Suzuki, Satoshi Koike, Yasuo Kobayashi
Summary: The addition of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) to feces from Thai native ruminants can suppress methane emission by shifting short chain fatty acid profiles towards propionate production. While the mitigation of methane was more apparent from Day 0 to Day 30, it continued for almost 150 days. Additionally, changes in bacterial and archaeal community were observed in feces from both ruminants with CNSL addition.
ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei Chen, Yi-Hsiang Chen, Ya-Chun Liao, Xin-Wen Huang, Ting-Jang Lu, Shin-Ru Shih
Summary: This study found that hot water extracts from spirulina have antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and identified the mechanism of action. The polysaccharide-enriched high-molecular weight fraction (SHD1) showed potent antiviral activity against RSV. SHD1 disrupted RSV internalization and inhibited RSV attachment, preventing the virus from entering the host cell. SHD1 can be considered as a potential candidate for the development of novel drugs against RSV infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Siyu Yi, Xiumin Zhang, Xuezong Chen, Juwang Zhou, Cheng Gao, Zhiyuan Ma, Rong Wang, Zhiliang Tan, Min Wang
Summary: The study found that increasing the ratio of grain starch to straw fiber alters rumen fermentation pathway and reduces the production of methane and hydrogen gas. It also affects the concentration of volatile fatty acids and microbial protein synthesis. In conclusion, increasing the ratio of grain starch to straw fiber alters rumen fermentation pathway and reduces the efficiency of methane and hydrogen gas production.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Cunshan Zhou, Clinton E. Okonkwo, Adejumoke A. Inyinbor, Abu ElGasim A. Yagoub, Abiola F. Olaniran
Summary: Traditional food processing techniques are no longer sufficient to meet the increasing demand for high quality food. Infrared (IR) and ultrasound (US) technologies have emerged as promising alternatives to improve processing efficiency, nutrient retention, product quality, and shelf life.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Peiqi Cui, Shaojie Wang, Haijia Su
Summary: Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified Aspergillus tubingensis mycelial pellets-based anaerobic granular sludge (Fe3O4@AT-AGS) was developed to improve the catalytic efficiency and stability of hydrogen-producing bacteria (HPB). The Fe3O4@AT-AGS protected flora and increased flora diversity and stability. The porous structure promoted the transfer from lactate-producing bacteria (LPB) to HPB. The Fe3O4@AT-AGS significantly enhanced the abundance, dehydrogenase activity, and stability of HPB.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zahra Akbarbaglu, Ali Ayaseh, Babak Ghanbarzadeh, Khashayar Sarabandi, Mohammad Saeed Kharazmi, Seid Mahdi Jafari
Summary: The present study aimed to use ultrasound-pretreatment for the enzymatic hydrolysis of Arthrospira proteins as well as evaluating the properties, composition, and structure of the produced peptides. The results showed that the enzymolysis of sonicated-proteins resulted in higher levels of hydrolysis, hydrophobic and antioxidant amino acids, and showed inhibition of bacteria growth. The structural properties and stability of the proteins were affected by enzymolysis and ultrasound treatment.
PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yazhuo Cao, Jian Lu, Guolin Cai
Summary: The yeast culture of soybean meal (SBM-YC), produced by yeast fermentation and protease hydrolysis, reduces anti-nutritional factors, increases protein and essential amino acid content, and accumulates beneficial organic acids and nucleosides, resulting in improved antioxidant capacity.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Siyu Yi, Xiumin Zhang, Jianjun Zhang, Zhiyuan Ma, Rong Wang, Duanqin Wu, Zhongshan Wei, Zhiliang Tan, Baocai Zhang, Min Wang
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that the BC15 gene mutation resulted in changes in the cell wall composition of rice straw, reducing the content of cellulose, NDF, and ADF, and increasing the content of water-soluble carbohydrates, NDS, and monosaccharides. Additionally, this mutation caused faster degradation and higher volatile fatty acid production in the early stage of rumen fermentation, while decreasing methane production. Furthermore, the mutation also altered the microbial population, with an increase in certain microorganisms and a decrease in others.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kyouko Yamada, Keiichiro Iwamae, Yutaka Suzuki, Satoshi Koike, Yasuo Kobayashi
Summary: We conducted an in vitro study to evaluate the methane-suppressing ability of 11 commercially available organic acids and analyzed the rumen microbiota to understand their mode of action. Nine acids showed methane-suppressing activity. We further examined maleic anhydride, itaconate, citrate, and fumarate, which exhibited the highest activity. These acids were effective in reducing methane regardless of the substrate composition. Maleic anhydride and itaconate decreased gas and short-chain fatty acid production, while maleic anhydride, fumarate, and itaconate increased propionate, butyrate, and lactate production, respectively. These findings suggest that maleic anhydride, itaconate, and citrate may reduce methane production by stimulating the acrylate pathway.
ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Fernando Sebastian Lopez-Anido
Summary: Domesticated Cucurbita, particularly the C. maxima species, has a wide range of diversity in color, shape, and fruit dimensions. Its economic and cultural significance are linked to the consumption and use for decoration. The domestication of Cucurbita in South America around 9000-7000 years BP shows a selection towards specific traits based on similarity, with different cultivar-groups identified.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jie Bu, Yu-Tao Wang, Mao-Cheng Deng, Ming-Jun Zhu
Summary: The study optimized the main factors of peroxyformic acid pretreatment in sugarcane bagasse, significantly removing lignin and achieving complete saccharification. This led to a substantial increase in hydrogen production and microbial abundance, highlighting the effectiveness of the pretreatment method.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Livia Lown, Joshua E. Vernaz, Sarrah M. Dunham-Cheatham, Mae S. Gustin, Sage R. Hiibel
Summary: As the global population grows, the increasing demand for protein cannot be met with current production methods without expanding land use or intensification. Cultivating microalgae, a high protein source, using wastewater instead of freshwater could enhance sustainability. However, there are concerns about contamination in wastewater, such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), and arsenic (As). This study examined the potential health hazards of using contaminated wastewater for microalgae cultivation.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marcin Herkowiak, Barbara Laska-Zieja, Andrzej Myczko, Edyta Wrzesinska-Jedrusiak
Summary: The article discusses the technology of doping hydrogen into the fermenter to increase methane production and energy, pointing out the possibility of using excess electricity to produce hydrogen and the potential use of a mixture of hydrogen and biogas for combustion. It also mentions that the volumetric addition of hydrogen reduces the heat of combustion of the mixture and identifies potential issues arising from hydrogen doping during the methane fermentation process.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiang Liao, Chihe Sun, Ao Xia, Qian Fu, Yun Huang, Xun Zhu, Dong Feng
Summary: The study found that acidic conditions can increase the concentration of 5-HMF during hydrothermal treatment, but hydrothermal by-products have negative impacts on hydrogen fermentation stability, resulting in wide fluctuations in hydrogen production rates. Adding sulfuric acid for treatment may lead to fierce competition among sulfate reducing bacteria, which in turn affects methane fermentation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weida Zeng, Yun Huang, Ao Xia, Qiang Liao, Keming Chen, Xun Zhu, Xianqing Zhu
Summary: By preparing a thermoresponsive surface, the adhesion ability of microalgae cells to the surface can be enhanced, facilitating microalgae biofilm cultivation while not hindering the harvesting process. At higher temperatures, cells are more likely to attach to the surface leading to increased cell coverage rate, while at lower temperatures cells separate more easily and adhesion density decreases.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Xiaobo Guo, Huize Chen, Xianqing Zhu, Ao Xia, Qiang Liao, Yun Huang, Xun Zhu
Summary: This study investigated the thermodynamic characteristics of syntrophic methanogenesis induced by different conductive materials, revealing that conductive materials significantly affect the Gibbs free energy changes of propionate oxidation and electrotrophic methanogenesis, thereby promoting methane production in anaerobic digestion.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weida Zeng, Peirong Li, Yun Huang, Ao Xia, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: This study explored the essential principle of microalgal cell adhesion onto solid substrates from the perspective of the interaction energy between microalgal cells and solid substrates. The influence of surface properties between microalgal cells and solid substrates on interaction energies was discussed. The results showed that surface properties, including surface potential and surface free energy components, significantly affect the adhesion tendency of microalgal cells on different solid substrates.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ao Xia, Huize Chen, Yun Huang, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: This forum article focuses on the formation and differences between biofilms and planktonic cells. It examines how intercellular mechanical interactions and physiological behaviors influence the morphology of biofilms and explores their characteristics through mathematical models.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ao Xia, Dong Feng, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Zhengxin Wang, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: This study investigated the effect of sustainable conductive material supplementation on the anaerobic digestion of furfural wastewater, and explored the potential mechanism of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) in furfural degradation as the sole substrate.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaobo Guo, Ao Xia, Wuyuan Zhang, Feng Li, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: Fatty acid photodecarboxylase of Chlorella variabilis NC64A (CvFAP) is a novel photoenzyme that shows potential in waste lipid treatment and sustainable aviation fuel production. However, CvFAP is susceptible to blue light. In this study, it was found that an anaerobic environment significantly improved the photostability of CvFAP. Decarboxylation of palmitic acid by CvFAP under anaerobic conditions resulted in a 44.7% increase in pentadecane yield compared to aerobic conditions. The residual activity of CvFAP after blue-light preillumination in an anaerobic environment was 80.4%, 258.7 times higher than that in an aerobic environment. The accumulation of superoxide radical and singlet oxygen in CvFAP under aerobic conditions led to its poor photostability. The anaerobic environment helped mitigate the production of these reactive species, thus improving the photostability of CvFAP.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yun Huang, Weida Zeng, Peirong Li, Ao Xia, Qiang Liao, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu
Summary: This study developed a nondependent and environmentally friendly thermoresponsive coating with temperature-switchable performance. The coating could enhance cell adhesion at the optimum growth temperature of microalgae and achieve efficient cell detachment at lower temperatures.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Feng Li, Ao Xia, Xiaobo Guo, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: In this study, CvFAP was immobilized in magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles for easy recovery. The interaction between Ni2+ and histidine of CvFAP was clarified by detecting the shift of Ni 2p in electron binding energy. The coordination of NiFe2O4 and CvFAP resulted in an efficient affinity binding with a capacity of 98 mg/g carrier. Hydrocarbon fuel concentration of 3.7 mM was obtained by NiFe2O4@CvFAP-induced photoenzymatic decarboxylation. The high stability of CvFAP in terms of residual enzyme activity of 79.7% at pH 9.0 and that of 68% at organic solvent ratio of 60% was observed.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nurul Syahirah Mat Aron, Kit Wayne Chew, Zengling Ma, Yang Tao, Malinee Sriariyanun, Inn Shi Tan, Cuong Nguyen Manh, Ao Xia, Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan, Pau Loke Show
Summary: The increase in global temperature requires action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the transportation sector, which contributes up to 25% of total emissions. Biofuels have emerged as a potential sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, the production of biofuels raises concerns about food security. This study focuses on the extraction of lipids from microalgae using a liquid biphasic flotation system combined with a sugaring-out method, demonstrating high extraction efficiency and the potential of sugar solution as a cell disruption agent.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jingmiao Zhang, Shuai Wu, Ao Xia, Dong Feng, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology is an effective method for biogas production and livestock waste treatment. This study investigated the impact of oxytetracycline (OTC) on the AD process and found that OTC significantly inhibited methane production, with methane yields decreasing by 58.6% and 73.3% in mesophilic and thermophilic ADs respectively at an initial OTC concentration of 400 mg/L. OTC can be degraded by the AD process with a removal efficiency above 90% at lower concentrations. Higher OTC concentrations resulted in lower bio-methane yield, energy conversion efficiency, and contaminant removal in both mesophilic and thermophilic ADs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Feng Li, Ao Xia, Xiaobo Guo, Wuyuan Zhang, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: Fatty acid photodecarboxylase (CvFAP) found in Chlorella variabilis NC64A can efficiently catalyze the conversion of C16-C18 fatty acids into shortened hydrocarbons under visible light. In this study, a cascade system integrating lipase hydrolysis and CvFAP decarboxylation was demonstrated for the efficient production of hydrocarbon fuels from waste oils, achieving a high production rate of 18.4 mM/h and an optimal conversion of 61.2% with a residence time of 50 min.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ao Xia, Xiaobo Guo, Yingxin Chai, Wuyuan Zhang, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: It was documented that green light was able to enhance the photostability of fatty acid photodecarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis (CvFAP). Compared to blue light, green light increased the yield of pentadecane by 27.6% and improved the residual activity of CvFAP by 5.9-fold after preillumination. Kinetics and thermodynamics studies showed that blue light facilitated a high activity of CvFAP.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yun Huang, Weida Zeng, Peirong Li, Qiang Liao, Ao Xia, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu
Summary: This study developed a temperature-responsive coating that enhances cell adhesion of microalgae at their optimum growth temperature and enables efficient cell detachment at lower temperatures. The coating showed excellent temperature-switchable performance and significantly increased cell adhesion density and detachment efficiency compared to conventional coatings.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ao Xia, Kai Lin, Tong Zhu, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Kaiyong Cai, Zidong Wei, Qiang Liao
Summary: Inspired by termite digestion, this study proposed a two-stage microreactor system loaded with enzymes for efficient hydrolysis of wheat straw. The results showed that the continuous action of cellulase and xylanase in this system significantly improved the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass and increased glucose production.
