Article
Engineering, Environmental
Teklit Gebregiorgis Ambaye, Alif Chebbi, Francesca Formicola, Asia Rosatelli, Shiv Prasad, Franco Hernan Gomez, Silvia Sbaffoni, Andrea Franzetti, Mentore Vaccari
Summary: The study found that adding external stimulants can enhance the degradation of PHs in soil using bioslurry enhancement as a promising approach to pilot scale.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bernard Chukwuemeka Ekeoma, Leonard Nnamdi Ekeoma, Mohammad Yusuf, Abdurrashid Haruna, Chigozie Kosisochukwu Ikeogu, Zulkifli Merican Aljunid Merican, Hesam Kamyab, Cham Q. Pham, Dai-Viet N. Vo, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan
Summary: The issue of environmental pollution has been worsened by new contaminants whose morphology is not fully understood. Bioremediation involving plants, microbes, or enzymes has emerged as a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to mitigate the pollution effects of these emerging contaminants. However, enzyme-mediated bioremediation faces challenges such as temperature, pH, storage stability, and recycling difficulty. Immobilization of enzymes has been successfully applied to address these challenges, but it comes with additional costs and limitations. This review provides state-of-the-art information on bioremediation using enzymes, including the sustainability of bio-catalysts, ecotoxicological evaluation, enzyme groups used, and challenges to large-scale implementation.
JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Valer Micle, Ioana Monica Sur
Summary: The study conducted a 12-week experiment on soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, showing that aeration for 8 hours per day and the addition of Pseudomonas and Bacillus can efficiently decontaminate the soil, achieving an 83% depollution efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tjasa Cencic Predikaka, Tinkara Mastnak, Marta Svoljsak Jerman, Matjaz Finsgar
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assess the bioremediation potential of an on-site landfarming unit for contaminated soil after a diesel fuel leakage. The study evaluated the effects of different climates on hydrocarbon bioremediation and the effect of different plant species on microbial population. The results showed that remediation was more effective in a temperate continental climate and plant-assisted bioremediation can diminish toxic effects of diesel-polluted soil.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
A. Saravanan, P. Senthil Kumar, Dai-Viet N. Vo, S. Jeevanantham, S. Karishma, P. R. Yaashikaa
Summary: Industrialization and human activities pose serious threats to the environment, with toxic pollutants harming living beings in ecosystems. Bioremediation, using enzymes to convert pollutants into non-toxic forms, is an efficient method for environmental restoration.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Vartika Srivastava, Mehak Puri, Tanmay Srivastava, P. V. Nidheesh, M. Suresh Kumar
Summary: This review focuses on the soil washing procedures applied for remediation of HCH contaminated soil, discussing various factors affecting the efficiency of pollutant separation. Environmental and reactor design factors for HCH degradation in bioreactor systems are also discussed. The advantages, environmental feasibility, and challenges of this combined technology are envisioned.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Ibrahim, Ali Noman, Jianying Shang, Abid Mahmood, Muhammad Mubashir, Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Kuan Shiong Khoo, Hui Suan Ng, Pau Loke Show
Summary: This research investigated the use of goethite-modified biochar (GMBC) in immobilizing arsenic in paddy soil and reducing its accumulation in rice grains. The results showed that GMBC supplementation significantly improved rice plant biomass and reduced arsenic content in rice grains. The application of GMBC also enhanced soil enzyme activity, bacterial abundance, and decreased arsenic mobility in the soil.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Felipe Mejia-Otalvaro, Andres Merino-Restrepo, Angelina Hormaza-Anaguano
Summary: Synthetic dye bioremediation is important due to their toxicity and large quantities discharged into water bodies. Ligninolytic enzyme treatment, particularly laccase, has been shown to be cost-effective and achieve high decolorization levels. Immobilization of concentrated laccase extract can improve stability but may decrease dye decolorization efficiency.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jianxiong Chen, Zitao Guo, Yu Xin, Zhenghua Gu, Liang Zhang, Xuan Guo
Summary: Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) have been widely used in agriculture for their high insecticidal efficiency and pose a significant threat as chemical warfare agents. Excessive and unreasonable use of OPs has caused great harm to the environment and food chain. This review focuses on the properties, structure, and catalytic mechanism of various OP-degrading enzymes, as well as methods for improving their expression level, catalytic performance, and stability. The immobilization and latest applications of OP-degrading enzymes are also discussed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maja Radziemska, Mariusz Z. Gusiatin, Agnieszka Cydzik-Kwiatkowska, Grzegorz Majewski, Aurelia Blazejczyk, Martin Brtnicky
Summary: The progress of engineering technologies greatly affects the development of methods for improving areas contaminated with heavy metals. This study evaluated the effectiveness of aided phytostabilization in immobilizing heavy metals in soils under variable temperatures using freezing-thawing cycles. Diatomite amendment and Lolium perenne L. were used, and the distribution of heavy metals in different soil fractions, as well as their accumulation in plants and soil microbial composition, were investigated. The results showed that diatomite amendment increased above-ground biomass yield and stability of heavy metals in phytostabilized soils. Freezing-thawing cycles also had a positive impact on the stability of certain heavy metals. The study also revealed changes in soil microbial composition due to freezing-thawing cycles.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Beni Lew, Maria Musia Monosov, Sandrine Betito, Nadine Vizel, Abid Ali Khan, Eyal Kurzbaum, Lilach Iasur Kruh, Ofir Menashe
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a new biotreatment process using a small bioreactor platform for denitrification. The results showed that the biotreatment system achieved high removal efficiency and stability in both ex situ and in situ configurations, and it had the potential advantages of low cost and no secondary environmental contamination.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guobing Wang, Qingquan Zhang, Wenchao Du, Renzhang Lin, Jiahua Li, Fuxun Ai, Ying Yin, Rong Ji, Xiaorong Wang, Hongyan Guo
Summary: In-situ immobilization is an effective strategy for remediating soil polluted with heavy metals. A ten-year experiment showed that lime, silicon fertilizer, and fused calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer can reduce Cd uptake by Artemisia selengensis by increasing soil pH and decreasing acid-extractable Cd content. These stable and ecologically safe amendments provide a long-term solution for mitigating food product contamination risk in heavy-metal-polluted soil.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yixuan Liu, Weisi Li, Yanlu Qiao, Fangying Yu, Bowen Wang, Jianliang Xue, Mianmian Wang, Qing Jiang, Zhibin Zhou
Summary: This paper discusses the rarely mentioned topic of continuous bioreactors for petroleum degradation and the influence of indigenous bacteria living in seawater on their performance. The study designed a bioreactor with immobilized petroleum-degrading bacteria beads and found that the degradation rate remained above 50% for 27 days but decreased over time. Interestingly, the size of the immobilized bacteria beads decreased significantly during the remediation process, which was closely related to the reduced degradation efficiency. Therefore, this research is important for further study and improvement of bioreactors in the practical context of oil-spill accident recovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marta Graziano, Francisco Jose Martin-Peinado, Laura Delgado-Moreno
Summary: This study evaluates the use of biochar from plant pruning as an amendment for immobilizing metal(loid)s in contaminated soil and reducing phytotoxicity. The results show that biochar increases soil pH, reduces soluble and bioavailable forms of Zn and Cu, and decreases phytotoxicity, promoting seed germination and biomass. The potential of biochar for bioremediation under field conditions is suggested.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pooja Sharma, Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, Sang-Hyoun Kim, Surendra Pratap Singh, Preeti Chaturvedi, Sunita Varjani
Summary: This review summarises recent studies on in-situ microbial remediation of heavy metals from industrial wastewater, highlighting the intense changes in microbial diversity induced by heavy metals, as well as the success factors and assessment approaches for evaluating the efficacy of in-situ bioremediation technologies.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sandra Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Thelmo A. Lu-Chau, Xinyi Chen, Gemma Eibes, Antonio Pizzi, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira
Summary: Bio-based adhesives provide a sustainable alternative to formaldehyde-based adhesives. The low reactivity of lignin for the synthesis of bio-based adhesives is a major challenge. The use of laccases to demethylate organosolv lignin showed promising results, and optimal conditions were determined by the use of surfactants and mediators. Factors such as pH, temperature, and aeration also affected the enzymatic demethylation of lignin.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Julio J. Conde, Sandra Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Xinyi Chen, Thelmo A. Lu-Chau, Gemma Eibes, Antonio Pizzi, Maria Teresa Moreira
Summary: Electrochemical oxidation of lignin is considered as a clean and reliable method to obtain valuable products from lignin. This study explores the possibility of using lignin residues from electrochemical treatments in the biorefinery context. The results show that hydroxylation of lignin by electrochemical oxidation leads to promising modifications for the formulation of bioadhesives. The electrochemically modified lignin successfully prepared NIPU bioadhesives with satisfactory mechanical properties for use in particleboard panels, providing a more environmentally friendly approach for lignin modification in the wood industry.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ana Arias, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira
Summary: The Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations provide a roadmap for achieving a sustainable society through a circular economy. The approach of biorefineries for processing renewable resources, such as olive pruning and eucalyptus residues, to obtain high-value bioactive compounds has been evaluated in this study. The results demonstrate the technological feasibility of utilizing waste fractions as a source of fermentable sugars and the potential for producing not only antimicrobial compounds but also lactic acid and energy. This research highlights the importance of rethinking the valorization of lignocellulosic waste beyond energy recovery for sustainable and circular outcomes.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cristina Cambeses-Franco, Sara Gonzalez-Garcia, Mar Calvo-Malvar, Alfonso J. Benitez-Estevez, Rosaura Leis, Juan Sanchez-Castro, Francisco Gude, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira
Summary: This research investigates the sustainability of 60 Galician recipes by analyzing their carbon footprint, energy return on investment ratio, and cost. The results indicate that the recipes can be classified into three groups based on the amount of animal-based products, with higher animal product content leading to increased costs and carbon footprint, but lower energy return on investment ratio. Conversely, plant-based recipes tend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve cost competitiveness and energy efficiency indicators.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos Botana, Emilio Fernandez, Gumersindo Feijoo
Summary: Carbon footprint has become crucial for developing strategies to tackle climate change. CEDEX has prepared a guide with a common methodology for calculating the carbon footprint of Spanish ports, which was tested in the Port of Vigo. The study found that the main carbon footprint loads in ports come from loading/unloading operations, and implementing this methodology can achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ander Castro-Fernandez, Anton Taboada-Santos, Sabela Balboa, Juan M. Lema
Summary: The study compared the potential to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA) from sewage sludge, both raw and thermally pre-treated. In batch mode, raw sludge obtained the highest maximum VFA yield at pH 8, while pre-treated sludge achieved a lower value. Continuous reactor operation showed that thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment (THP) did not significantly influence VFA yields. Microbial community analysis revealed that the phylum Fumicutes was predominant in both reactors and the enzymatic profiles involved in VFA production were similar regardless of the substrate fed.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julio J. Conde, Santiago Abelleira, Sofia Estevez, Jorge Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira
Summary: Advanced oxidation processes, such as Fenton reaction-based processes, using nanocatalysts, offer a promising alternative for removing persistent pollutants in wastewater. This study evaluates the environmental and economic performance of different heterogeneous Fenton-based processes using magnetic nanoparticles. The results show that these alternatives have different reaction conditions and degradation kinetics, impacting their treatment capability.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Javier Bravo-Venegas, Ines Prado-Acebo, Beatriz Gullon, Thelmo A. Lu-Chau, Gemma Eibes
Summary: Apple pomace (AP), a lignocellulosic residue, can be used to produce butanol by acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. The prevention of acid crash occurrence in C. beijerinckii CECT 508 cultures was optimized by adjusting pH, CaCO3 concentration, and culture temperature. The optimal conditions of pH 7, 6.8 g/L CaCO3, and 30 degrees C resulted in a butanol production of 10.75 g/L. Additionally, the comparison between the supernatant of AP hydrolysate and the full hydrolysate indicated the possibility of eliminating the centrifugation step and achieving a zero-waste approach.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jan Struckmann Poulsen, Alba Trueba-Santiso, Juan M. Lema, Simon Gregersen Echers, Reinhard Wimmer, Jeppe Lund Nielsen
Summary: In this study, the biodegradability of PBAT monomers in thermophilic conditions was investigated using anaerobic digester sludge. 13C-labelled monomers and proteogenomics were used to track labelled carbon and identify the microorganisms involved in the process. Bacteroides, Ichthyobacterium, and Methanosarcina were found to be directly involved in the metabolization of at least one monomer.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Alexandra Del-Castillo-Llamosas, Gemma Eibes, Pedro Ferreira-Santos, Alba Perez-Perez, Pablo G. Del-Rio, Beatriz Gullon
Summary: This study demonstrates the valorization of avocado seed through microwave-assisted autohydrolysis in a green biorefinery concept. The optimal conditions for antioxidant phenolics/flavonoids and glucose + glucooligosaccharides in the resulting liquor were achieved at a temperature of 220 degrees C. The recovery of bioactive compounds and polysaccharides was achieved through extraction with ethyl acetate. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid phase and phenolic-free liquor produced glucose, reaching high yields.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sandra Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Alba Trueba-Santiso, Thelmo A. Lu-Chau, Maria Teresa Moreira, Gemma Eibes
Summary: This study focuses on the production of UPO by Agrocybe aegerita using by-products from bioethanol synthesis. Solid-state and submerged fermentations were compared, and the highest titers of UPO and laccase were achieved in submerged fermentation using vinasse as the nutrient source. Optimized UPO production of 331 U/L was obtained in 50% vinasse with a 14-day inoculum. These conditions were scaled-up to a 4 L reactor, resulting in a UPO activity of 265 U/L. Proteomic analysis revealed the expression of laccase, dye-decolorizing peroxidases, lectins, and proteins involved in reactive oxygen species production and control, in addition to UPO. Interestingly, the metabolism of complex sugars and nitrogen sources showed different activities at the beginning and end of submerged fermentation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cristina Cambeses-Franco, Humberto Jose Urdaneta, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira, Sara Gonzalez-Garcia
Summary: The home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes in dietary patterns and lifestyle, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. It is important for people to be aware of the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and dietary pattern.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ana Arias, Carlos E. Costa, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira, Lucilia Domingues
Summary: This research proposes a process for producing resveratrol from whey and eucalyptus residues, demonstrating its potential in terms of economics and environment. Future research should focus on increasing throughput and reducing energy requirements.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daniel Granadero, Aida Garcia-Munoz, Renate Adam, Francisco Omil, Gumersindo Feijoo
Summary: This study conducted a Life Cycle Assessment and eco-efficiency analysis for a paint shop to compare the environmental sustainability of recuperative thermal oxidizers and regenerative thermal oxidizers. The results show that the installation of recuperative oxidizers is the most environmentally sustainable option, although it is more expensive.
CLEANER ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
