Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bianca Trama-Freitas, Fernanda Franco, Rui C. Martins, Licinio M. Gando-Ferreira, Maria Emilia Quinta-Ferreira, Rosa Maria Quinta-Ferreira, Devaney R. do Carmo
Summary: The study focuses on investigating the effect of Ni2+ on neuronal autofluorescence, and utilizes a bioinorganic nanostructured hybrid material with heavy metal removal potential: yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae modified with Silsesquioxane for adsorption experiments. The results show that in the presence of a certain concentration of Ni2+, irreversible autofluorescence changes occur. The hybrid material exhibits a maximum sorption capacity of 64.6 mg/g, with a removal rate of 77.7% for the initial Ni2+ solution under specific conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pawel Staron, Jaroslaw Chwastowski
Summary: This study focused on obtaining a raphia-microorganism composite for lead ion removal from water solutions. The biocomposite showed higher removal capacity than raphia fibers alone, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 94.8 mg/g. Modeling indicated that the Temkin isotherm model best described the lead ion sorption, while kinetic studies supported the chemical nature of the sorption process.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Narda Fajardo Vidal, Jorge Wong Davila
Summary: The present study investigated the levels of heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the water bodies of the Regional Conservation Area (RCA) Wetlands of Ventanilla in Peru. Yeast strains tolerant to high concentrations of Pb were isolated and evaluated for their Pb removal potential. The native yeast strain Candida guilliermondii showed the best performance in Pb sorption compared to a reference standard yeast strain.
Article
Biophysics
Anqi Sun, Wen-Xiong Wang
Summary: This study developed a biosensor based on Ade(-) yeast for precise detection and quantification of labile Zn(II) species in complex media. The biosensor showed a lower detection limit and higher simplicity compared to a chemosensor, and demonstrated high tolerance to salinity, pH variation, and other metals.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Anqi Sun, Wen-Xiong Wang
Summary: In this study, a novel technique was developed to quantify the concentration of ultra-small silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and monitor their cellular dissolution using yeast cells as a biosensing system.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Inga Zinicovscaia, Nikita Yushin, Dmitrii Grozdov, Konstantin Vergel, Pavel Nekhoroshkov, Elena Rodlovskaya
Summary: The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass was utilized for efficient removal of rhenium and accompanying elements from various systems. The biosorption process showed high removal efficiencies for rhenium, molybdenum, and copper ions under different experimental conditions, validating yeast biomass as a promising biosorbent for metal removal.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pawel Staron, Juliusz Kuciakowski, Jaroslaw Chwastowski
Summary: The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of a biocomposite material, consisting of raffia fibers, Lindnera jadinii yeast and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, for removing cadmium ions from water. The biocomposite was characterized using various analytical techniques. The study examined the effect of different factors on the sorption of cadmium ions, and selected appropriate equilibrium and kinetic models. The results showed that the biocomposite exhibited high adsorption capacity for cadmium ions and could be effectively regenerated for multiple cycles, making it a promising material for environmental remediation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Anindita Mitra, Soumya Chatterjee, Sampriti Kataki, Rajesh P. Rastogi, Dharmendra K. Gupta
Summary: Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that is widespread in soil, air, and water, causing serious health and environmental issues. Microbes in lead-contaminated areas have evolved unique defense mechanisms to thrive in this environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
N. Nivetha, B. Srivarshine, B. Sowmya, Mangaiyarkarasi Rajendiran, Panchamoorthy Saravanan, R. Rajeshkannan, M. Rajasimman, Thi Hong Trang Pham, VenkatKumar Shanmugam, Elena-Niculina Dragoi
Summary: Pollution of heavy metals is a risky contamination that should be managed for public health concerns. Bioremediation is a bio-mechanism where organic entities reuse and transform wastes into a less harmful substance. This review discusses the sources, toxicity, effects, and bioremediation methods of five heavy metals: lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium, and manganese. The concentrations here are on biosorption methods, microbial utilization, algae, and fungi in bioremediation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vishnu V. Priyan, Nitesh Kumar, Selvaraju Narayanasamy
Summary: In this study, Lead (Pb) and Congo Red (CR) were successfully removed from water using Iron oxide/Activated Carbon (Fe3O4/AC) nanocomposite. The ferromagnetic behavior of the nanocomposite facilitated the separation process. The optimized experimental conditions resulted in high adsorption capacity. Toxicological assessment using Danio rerio and seeds revealed significant harmful effects of the pollutants on these organisms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Masao Kishida, Kosuke Kakita
Summary: This study found that brewing yeast has the ability to absorb dysprosium, making it a promising solution for rare earth metal recovery. Two strains, Alt-OF2 and Alt-OF5, were found to have superior absorption capabilities compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with a Dy absorption rate more than twice as high.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Konrad Matyja, Aleksandra Wasiela, Wojciech Dobicki, Przemyslaw Pokorny, Anna Trusek
Summary: This study investigated the toxicity of five metals on microorganism activity and growth in activated sludge, finding that patterns in the evolution of toxic effects caused by these metals were similar at the beginning of exposure but differences emerged with longer exposure times. Changes in model parameters indicated the influence of metal ions on the mass and energy balance of living cells.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Liang, Liangshen Zhao, Liangzhi Qiao, Kaifeng Du
Summary: A novel cooperative strategy was identified to fabricate a high-surface-area Lys-CNFs membrane with excellent performance for effectively adsorbing Pb(II) ions. The membrane exhibited high adsorption capacity, rapid kinetic equilibrium, and good reusability even after multiple cycles.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Fanny Machado Jofre, Andres Felipe Hernandez-Perez, Julio Cesar dos Santos, Maria das Gracas de Almeida Felipe
Summary: The study proposed a new approach for detoxifying hemicellulosic hydrolysates using residual dry yeast biomass, and found that detoxified products showed good performance in xylitol production.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Da-Wei Chen, Hui-Jia Li, YinYin Liu, Li-Na Ma, Jun-Hua Pu, JunXian Lu, Xiu-Jun Tang, Yu-Shi Gao
Summary: The screened Cd-tolerant LAB strain has a protective effect on chickens against sub-chronic cadmium poisoning, promoting growth performance and alleviating organ injuries caused by cadmium, as well as helping eliminate cadmium accumulation in the body.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bianca Miguel De Souza-Chaves, Morgana Bosio, Marcia Dezotti, Maria Emilia Quinta-Ferreira, Rosa M. Quinta-Ferreira, Enrico Mendes Saggioro
Summary: The study found that the electrochemical oxidation process can effectively remove pharmaceutical residues from water bodies, but the removal efficiency is significantly lower in municipal and industrial wastewater. Additionally, residual compounds may have adverse effects on neuronal activity over time.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Devaney Ribeiro do Carmo, Denys Ribeiro de Oliveira
Summary: The present study demonstrates the rapid synthesis of CeHCF solid nanoparticles using different water/formamide ratios as solvent. The CeHCF nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques including FTIR, XRD, SEM, zeta potential and CV. Modified electrodes exhibited a well-defined redox pair and CeHCF-1 (100:0) showed sensitivity towards L-dopamine with a linear signal response and good sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF THE CHINESE CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Andreia F. Santos, Paula Alvarenga, Licinio M. Gando-Ferreira, Margarida J. Quina
Summary: Water resources face global pressure, leading to scarcity and degradation of freshwater quality. European directives suggest that increasing the reuse of treated wastewater, reducing impacts on water bodies, and promoting water recycling can relieve pressure on water resources in urban areas. Besides addressing water supply challenges, wastewater treatment systems demonstrate environmental stewardship and innovative practices. The use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation is gaining interest, especially in drought-prone Europe, and it may restore nutrients to natural biogeochemical cycles. This review emphasizes the importance of water reuse, current legislation, and existing technologies in wastewater treatment systems for producing reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafaela P. Rodrigues, Ana M. Sousa, Licinio M. Gando-Ferreira, Margarida J. Quina
Summary: The optimization of phenolic compounds extraction from grape pomace using solvents was studied. Ethanol and acetone were found to be the best solvents for extraction. The main extraction parameters were optimized using a central composite design. The optimized conditions for ethanol extraction were 60°C temperature, 1.5 hours extraction time, and 25 mL/gdryGP liquid-solid ratio. For acetone extraction, the optimal conditions were 50°C temperature, 1.5 hours extraction time, and 25 mL/gdryGP liquid-solid ratio. The yields of phenolic compounds were increased by three-stage extraction.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jonathan S. Cardoso, Zhi Lin, Paulo Brito, Licinio M. Gando-Ferreira
Summary: This article discusses the use of zeolites as fillers in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separation. The difficulties in achieving high selectivity and low defects in the zeolite/polymer interface are well-documented. Researchers have found that functionalizing the zeolite surface with silane groups, amine groups, or ionic liquids improves the gas permeability and separation efficiency. This study focuses on a specific case of MMMs using SAPO-34 and compares surface modifications, proposing new membrane modifications and treatments.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Joao R. F. Santos, Rafaela P. Rodrigues, Margarida J. Quina, Licinio M. Gando-Ferreira
Summary: Value-Added Compounds (VACs) in winery wastewater (WW) have potential for integration into existing processes or products. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis and literature review to explore the trends and strategies for recovery of VACs from WW. Membrane processes were identified as a promising technology, and the importance of circular economy and biorefinery in knowledge transfer was highlighted.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Ines Roque, Joao Gomes, Igor Reva, Artur J. M. Valente, Nuno E. E. Simoes, Paula V. V. Morais, Luisa Duraes, Rui C. C. Martins
Summary: Ensuring drinking water quality is crucial for public health, especially in the context of increasing industrialization. Disinfection is a key process, but it leads to the formation of unwanted disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that negatively impact human health. Stricter regulations and techniques for DBP removal have been developed, but further research is needed to monitor and control these contaminants in water distribution systems.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andreia D. Santos, Diana Goncalves, Rui C. Martins, Marta Gmurek, Anabela Nogueira, Sergio Castro-Silva, Luis M. Castro, Rosa Quinta-Ferreira
Summary: The increasing demand for fresh water requires industries to reduce the need for it, especially in the winemaking industry, which has a significant impact on water resources due to high water consumption and wastewater production. The sun-driven photooxidation process is widely used for wastewater treatment, and this study employed four photosensitizers to remove pollutants from wastewater for water reuse. Among the photosensitizers used, ZnPcS4 showed better removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds (TPH). The study also evaluated the effect of pH and concentration on ZnPcS4, finding that alkaline solutions improved the removal efficiency but also caused bleaching of the photosensitizer.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eryk Fernandes, Pawel Mazierski, Tomasz Klimczuk, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Rui C. Martins, Joao Gomes
Summary: Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) catalysts were synthesized using melamine, urea, and thiourea as precursors, and their influence on photocatalytic performance was investigated. Urea-based catalyst (UCN) showed the best results under all radiation sources, followed by thiourea and melamine. UCN achieved higher degradation of parabens under UVA compared to visible light, while natural sunlight had the highest removals using UCN. UVA lamps consumed 45% less energy and costs. Photocatalytic ozonation using UCN and MCN showed superior performance and complete removal under 12 minutes.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sofia A. Vaz, Sara M. Badenes, Helena M. Pinheiro, Rui C. Martins
Summary: The conventional wastewater treatment process is being improved to reduce pollutant content in effluent. Microalgae cultivation on wastewater shows promise in both water purification and nutrient recovery. Further directing algal biomass to anaerobic co-digestion with wastewater sludge improves biogas yield and energy recovery. However, more data on the distribution of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are needed for future studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manorma Sharma, Patricia Alves, Licinio M. Gando-Ferreira
Summary: This study investigated the recovery of lignin from black liquor using nanofiltration. The highest lignin rejection rate was observed at a pressure of 12 bar. Furthermore, an economic evaluation showed that although the cost of nanofiltration membranes is relatively high, the process of recovering lignin and hemicellulose is economically feasible.
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. S. Bandarra, H. Passos, T. Vidal, R. C. Martins, M. J. Quina, J. L. Pereira, J. Rombke
Summary: This work aims at improving the efficiency of a biotest battery for the assessment of waste ecotoxicity. The results show the importance of testing different species and suggest shortening the test duration for daphnids and earthworms. The use of miniaturized tests and alternative testing kits to overcome methodological difficulties is also recommended. Testing waste with natural pH and using the Extended Limit Test design with the LID-approach is found to be useful for waste testing.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariana Silva, Ines Oliveira-Inocencio, Rui C. Martins, Rosa Quinta-Ferreira, Marta Gmurek, Anabela Nogueira, Sergio Castro-Silva
Summary: In this study, the optimization of heterogeneous photosensitized oxidation treatment of winery effluents using chitosan carriers immobilized with Zn(II) Phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid was investigated. The effects of initial pH, aeration flow rate, photocatalyst load, and photosensitizer concentration on the treatment process were studied. The best reductions in COD and phenolic content (TPh) were achieved after 30 min of treatment in natural sunlight at an initial pH of 4.0 and an aeration flow rate of 2.8 L/min, with COD reduction of 45% and TPh reduction of 73%. The possibility of reusing the photocatalysts was also evaluated, and it was found that acidic pH allowed for their reuse without leaching of the photosensitizer.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eva Domingues, Joao Lincho, Maria J. Fernandes, Joao Gomes, Rui C. Martins
Summary: Untreated swine wastewater can have serious consequences on water quality, but physical-chemical processes can effectively improve its quality. This study evaluated the performance of four low-cost materials and found that some of them showed promising results in removing COD. Additionally, the combination of adsorption and Fenton's process yielded interesting outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Joao Gomes, Carla Bernardo, Fatima Jesus, Joana Luisa Pereira, Rui C. Martins
Summary: This study assessed the degradation of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) using ozonation. The results showed that PPCPs can be degraded individually within a short time, but the degradation rate is slower when they are in a mixture. Additionally, the presence of more PPCPs in the mixture increased energy consumption and economic costs associated with the treatment.
