Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Bartnik
Summary: Pure methoxyfuranocoumarins were successfully isolated from fruits of Peucedanum tauricum MB. using counter-current chromatography. The optimized biphasic solvent system and validated HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS method were used for the isolation, identification, and quantification of the compounds. The obtained high purity of the plant metabolites makes them suitable for pharmacological or biological studies.
Article
Microbiology
Laila Naher, Siti Noor Fatin, Md Abdul Halim Sheikh, Lateef Adebola Azeez, Shaiquzzaman Siddiquee, Norhafizah Md Zain, Sarker Mohammad Rezaul Karim
Summary: Fungi play important roles in various sectors, with the isolation of potential fungal species being crucial for their utilization. This study isolated filamentous fungi from soil and weed leaves and evaluated their cellulase enzyme production capabilities. Results showed that Trichoderma reesei produced a significantly higher amount of cellulase compared to Aspergillus awamori.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Michal Bochynek, Pawel Hodurek, Marcin Lukaszewicz, Agnieszka Lewinska
Summary: Separating amphiphilic compounds from complex matrix is challenging. In this study, surfactin was used as a model to find the proper separation conditions and parameters to solve the emulsification problem in countercurrent partition chromatography. A single dual-mode method was designed to remove impurities and achieve a purity of over 80% for surfactin, while the double dual-mode method allowed for the isolation of individual surfactin homologues for further biological research.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sergio M. Vilas-Boas, Isabella W. Cordova, Kiki A. Kurnia, Heloisa H. S. Almeida, Priscilla S. Gaschi, Joao A. P. Coutinho, Simao P. Pinho, Olga Ferreira
Summary: Countercurrent and centrifugal partition chromatography are techniques for separating compounds from natural extracts, with the selection of the biphasic solvent system being a key design parameter. COSMO-RS and NRTL-SAC models were used to estimate partition coefficients of phenolic compounds in different solvent systems, with the NRTL-SAC model showing higher reliability.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Prabhpreet Kaur, Monica Sachdeva Taggar, Anu Kalia
Summary: In this study, cellulase produced from Aspergillus fumigatus was immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles using glutaraldehyde as a cross linker, exhibiting good binding efficiency and activity. The immobilized cellulase showed high efficiency and reusability in hydrolyzing rice straw, indicating promising potential for industrial production of fermentable sugars and ethanol.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michele Michelin, Eduardo Ximenes, Maria de Lourdes T. M. Polizeli, Michael R. Ladisch
Summary: There are limited studies on the characterization of sugarcane straw for production of fermentable sugars through enzyme hydrolysis. Pretreatment of straw with liquid hot water at 180 degrees C for 50 min solubilizes hemicellulose, preserves glucan, and generates soluble phenolic compounds in the resulting liquid. Hydrothermally treated sugarcane straw has the potential to provide a valuable source of fermentable sugars for biofuel production when enzyme inhibitors are removed after pretreatment.
ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tim Hammerschick, Walter Vetter
Summary: Centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) and countercurrent chromatography (CCC) are two preparative techniques used for the isolation and purification of natural products. This study successfully combined the advantages of both techniques by directly linking CPC and CCC, and demonstrated the effectiveness of the hybrid system.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alvaro Silva Lima, Bruno Sales de Oliveira, Selesa Vanessa Shabudin, Mafalda Almeida, Mara Guadalupe Freire, Katharina Bica
Summary: This work aimed to integrate the extraction and purification of anthocyanins from grape pomace using ATPS and scaled-up CPC, with protic ionic liquids as the common solvent. Different operational conditions led to varied purification factors, with ATPS and CPC achieving significant purification of anthocyanins. The choice of optimal operational conditions depends on the specific application of anthocyanins.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mafalda R. Almeida, Filipe Ferreira, Pedro Domingues, Joao A. P. Coutinho, Mara G. Freire
Summary: This study successfully developed a method to purify IgY from egg yolk, combining water-soluble protein fraction and aqueous biphasic systems, followed by centrifugal partition chromatography for purification. The operating conditions of CPC were optimized to obtain IgY with high purity.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Morteza Maleki, Shohreh Ariaeenejad, Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
Summary: This study identified two cellulase enzymes with ionic liquid tolerance, which exhibited higher activity and improved stability in the presence of ionic liquids. These enzymes could enhance the saccharification rate of biomass in a one-pot wash-free method, making them attractive candidates for industrial applications.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Daniela Barcenas-Perez, Antonin Strizek, Pavel Hrouzek, Jiri Kopecky, Marta Barradas, Arantzazu Sierra-Ramirez, Pablo J. Fernandez-Marcos, Jose Cheel
Summary: This study developed a multiple sequential injection HPCCC method to isolate fucoxanthin from Phaeodactylum tricornutum with high purity and recovery. The isolated fucoxanthin retained its biological activity and may provide a useful model for producing fucoxanthin from diatom biomass. Environmental risk and general process evaluation factors were used to assess the developed separation method and compare it with existing methods.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anne Pajot, Sebastien Chollet, Elodie Nicolau, Luc Marchal
Summary: This study aims to optimize the recovery and purity of fucoxanthin from Tisochrysis lutea using the CPC technique. CPC provides fast and room temperature extraction without degradation. By optimizing the solvent composition and operating conditions, nine fractions with 100% purity and 92% recovery yield were obtained.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Anu, Anil Kumar, Davender Singh, Vinod Kumar, Bijender Singh
Summary: The optimization of cellulase production and saccharification of rice straw by Myceliophthora thermophila BJTLRMDU3 in solid state fermentation was studied. Sequential use of Plackett-Burman and response surface methodology resulted in a significant increase in cellulase production. The saccharification of ammonia-pretreated rice straw was higher compared to untreated biomass. The addition of xylanase further enhanced the saccharification of pretreated rice straw, resulting in the liberation of reducing sugars.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Mozhgan Dehghan Nayeri, Hasan Nikkhah, Hamid Zilouei, Mehdi Bazarganipour
Summary: The immobilization performance of two cellulase species, Aspergillus niger and Cellic CTec2, on graphene oxide coated with magnetic nanoparticles was compared in this study. The immobilized cellulase showed optimum activity at pH 5 and 50 degrees C. The cellulase immobilized on NiFe2O4-GO showed better reusability and produced more fermentable sugars in repeated hydrolysis.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bruna P. Soares, Joao H. P. M. Santos, Margarida Martins, Mafalda R. Almeida, Nathalia Santos, Mara G. Freire, Valeria C. Santos-Ebinuma, Joao A. P. Coutinho, Jorge F. B. Pereira, Sonia P. M. Ventura
Summary: This study investigated the continuous purification of EGFP using ABS, with an initial screening conducted by changing the electrolyte content in the ABS to find the optimal conditions. The results showed a high purification rate (89.93%) and recovery yield (82.3%), indicating the potential of FCPC for the continuous purification of EGFP.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jing Wang, Kalavathy Rajan, Aparna Annamraju, Stephen C. Chmely, Sai Venkatesh Pingali, Danielle Julie Carrier, Nicole Labbe
Summary: The study proposes a two-step biomass fractionation strategy for separating cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin with higher efficiency and purity. The process significantly improved enzymatic saccharification, resulting in a higher lignin yield compared to single-stage treatments. Structural characterization showed that the isolated lignin maintained minimal modifications and had unique functionality, highlighting the benefits of this process for lignin fractionation.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Weiqi Huang, Mang Wu, Kalavathy Rajan, Zhongkai Wang, Liang Zhou
Summary: A lignin-based triblock copolymer with improved mechanical properties and UV radiation absorption was successfully synthesized in this study. It has potential for industrial-scale manufacturing for self-healing and anti-UV coating applications, utilizing commercially available organosolv lignin directly without purification. The proposed synthetic strategy may inspire the development of renewable biomass-based polymers with similar functions.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
J. M. Choi, E. Camfield, A. Bowman, K. Rajan, N. Labbe, K. D. Gwinn, B. H. Ownley, N. Moustaid-Moussa, D. H. D'Souza
Summary: The study found that an antimicrobial extract derived from switchgrass can effectively reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium contamination. Different treatments had varying effects on different bacteria, with potential for further improvement through combined approaches.
Article
Microbiology
Kalavathy Rajan, Doris H. D'Souza, Keonhee Kim, Joseph Moon Choi, Thomas Elder, Danielle Julie Carrier, Nicole Labbe
Summary: Using hot water pre-extraction to fractionate hemicellulose-rich fractions from different biomass sources, this study found that the chemical composition of these fractions, containing various oligosaccharides, can regulate the probiotic activity of microorganisms.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Felipe Antonio Fernandes Antunes, Kalavathy Rajan, Angele Djioleu, Thiago Moura Rocha, Larissa Pereira Brumano, Yasmin Cristhine de Souza Melo, Julio Cesar dos Santos, Carlos A. Rosa, Danielle Julie Carrier, Silvio Silverio da Silva
Summary: The production of second-generation ethanol using switchgrass as feedstock involves sequential dilute acid and alkaline pretreatment and fermentation by different yeast strains for hemicellulose and cellulose-derived sugar streams. The wild Scheffersomyces parashehatae strain showed lower ethanol yield and volumetric productivity compared to the control Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain for the C6 sugar stream but provided a higher overall yield by combining hemicellulose and cellulose-derived sugars. This two-stage pretreatment and fermentation process offers a pathway for maximizing switchgrass carbohydrate utilization in 2G ethanol production.
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Jordan T. Sutton, Kalavathy Rajan, David P. Harper, Stephen C. Chmely
Summary: Chemical modification techniques can reduce UV absorption by lignin, leading to improved stiffness and strength in resins when modified lignins are used. However, the thermal stability decreases. Studying these techniques is important for the development of lignin for UV-curing applications and commercial use.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jaya Shankar Tumuluru, Kalavathy Rajan, Choo Hamilton, Conner Pope, Timothy G. Rials, Jessica McCord, Nicole Labbe, Nicolas O. Andre
Summary: This study evaluated the pelleting characteristics of southern yellow pine (SYP), switchgrass (SG), and their blends for thermochemical conversion processes. It found that increasing the pine content slightly affected the bulk density but increased the calorific value and decreased the ash content. Lower moisture content and higher length-to-diameter ratio in the pellet die improved pellet durability and bulk density. The study also demonstrated the feasibility of high-moisture pelleting and the monitoring of pellet quality using near infrared spectroscopy.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Gurshagan Kandhola, Angele Djioleu, Kalavathy Rajan, Joseph Batta-Mpouma, Nicole Labbe, Joshua Sakon, Benjamin A. Babst, Anindya Ghosh, Danielle Julie Carrier, Jin-Woo Kim
Summary: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are renewable and biocompatible nanomaterials with unique properties. The production and properties of CNCs from different wood species were investigated. The results showed that the type of wood species had an impact on the yield, purity, and properties of CNCs. This study provides insights into optimizing CNC production and usage for different applications.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Emily Camfield, Alex Bowman, Joseph Choi, Kimberly Gwinn, Nicole Labbe, Kalavathy Rajan, Bonnie Ownley, Naima Moustaid-Moussa, Doris Helen D'Souza
Summary: The antimicrobial potential of switchgrass extractives was evaluated on lettuce leaves, and the study demonstrated that switchgrass extractives can effectively reduce the population of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium on lettuce.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kalavathy Rajan, Keonhee Kim, Thomas J. Elder, Amit K. Naskar, Nicole Labbe
Summary: In this study, the properties of lignocellulosic films were successfully tuned through a combination of hot water pretreatment and ionic liquid dissolution, resulting in enhanced water repellency and mechanical strength.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aparna Annamraju, Kalavathy Rajan, Xiaobing Zuo, Brian K. Long, Sai Venkatesh Pingali, Thomas J. Elder, Nicole Labbe
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ILs and cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The results show that acetate ions have stronger binding interactions with cellulose and lignin compared to formate ions, and therefore have a greater potential for fractionating these polymers.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhongjin Zhou, Kalavathy Rajan, Tim Young, Nicole Labbe, Siqun Wang
Summary: Mechanical approach, ultrafine friction grinding (UFG), is used to produce green lignin micro-and nano-particles (LMNPs) with controlled size and micromorphology, without organic solvents. Results show that low temperature (0℃) favors size reduction of LMNPs, while high temperature (70℃) does not further decrease particle size. Varying the grinding temperature can customize the micromorphology of LMNPs. This eco-friendly method presents a viable approach for lignin valorization.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ji Youn Yoo, Daniel Mcskimming, Kalavathy Rajan, Anujit Sarkar, Nicole Labbe, Maureen Groer, Usha Menon
Summary: This pilot study explored the potential association between occupational factors, changes in gut microbiota, and adverse health outcomes in firefighters. The results showed that firefighters had lower intestinal bacterial diversity and a higher presence of pathogenic bacteria. Unique gut bacterial taxa were also observed in firefighters with high PTSD scores. These findings suggest occupational factors and changes in gut microbiota may impact firefighters' health.
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kalavathy Rajan, Thomas Elder, Nourredine Abdoulmoumine, Danielle Julie Carrier, Nicole Labbe
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nihal Kanbargi, Monojoy Goswami, Liam Collins, Logan T. Kearney, Christopher C. Bowland, Keonhee Kim, Kalavathy Rajan, Nicole Labbe, Amit K. Naskar
Summary: This research introduces a method for synthesizing a high-strength renewable phenolic composition with linear large deformation strain while maintaining thermal processability. Small molecule carboxylic acid derivatives are used as esterifying crosslinkers in a scalable, solvent-free process to mix lignin and acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers. The resulting inverse thermoplastic vulcanizates show significant improvements in strength and modulus compared to a simple lignin-rubber blend, with tunable nanoscale morphology and enhanced processability.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
