Article
Environmental Sciences
E. Ortega-Martinez, R. Chamy, D. Jeison
Summary: Thermal hydrolysis as a pre-treatment can enhance hydrolysis rate before anaerobic digestion, but inhibitory compounds and increased liquid fraction colour may be potential drawbacks. This study found that different temperatures led to different outcomes, with a decrease in biogas production rate at 120 degrees C and generation of recalcitrant material at 165 degrees C, causing a decrease in methane potential and COD degradation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
D. Fernandez-Polanco, E. Aagesen, M. Fdz-Polanco, S. I. Perez-Elvira
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is commonly used for sludge treatment in WWTPs, with thermal hydrolysis being favored for its economic advantages. The decision to adopt TH technology varies based on local regulations and pricing, with different objectives leading to different optimal configurations. Pre-, inter- and post-treatments of TH process offer distinct advantages and drawbacks, with site-specific conditions being key in determining the best location within the WWTP.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liang Zhang, Xianzhe Gong, Li Wang, Kun Guo, Shenbin Cao, Yan Zhou
Summary: The study demonstrates that THP pre-treated sludge significantly reduced microbial diversity, shaped a more intense microbial community structure, and fostered more pronounced microbial interactions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Changmin Lee, Munsol Ju, Jongkeun Lee, Seunghwan Kim, Jae Young Kim
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the chronic effects and recovery from inhibition in the anaerobic digestion of swine manure containing chlortetracycline. Two reactors were operated for 900 days, with one reactor spiked with CTC. Methane generation and organic removal did not recover within 300 days after CTC exposure was stopped, due to reduced bacterial diversity and shift in microbial species under long-term antibiotic pressure. Continuous exposure to CTC should be avoided for sustainable management of AD plants treating swine manure.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinping Xiang, Weiping Xiong, Zhaohui Yang, Rui Xu, Yanru Zhang, Mengru Wu, Yuhang Ye, Haihao Peng, Jing Tong, Dongbo Wang
Summary: This study revealed the combined effects of polyamide and ofloxacin on anaerobic digestion. Partial adsorption of ofloxacin by polyamide effectively mitigated its inhibitory effect at low concentrations. However, high concentrations of ofloxacin stimulated the release of humic acid, reducing methane production and altering the predominant methanogenesis pathway.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucas Vassalle, Fabiana Passos, Alcino Trindade Rosa-Machado, Camila Moreira, Mariana Reis, Matheus Pascoal de Freitas, Ivet Ferrer, Cesar Rossas Mota
Summary: The study evaluated the performance of solar thermal pre-treatment of microalgal biomass to enhance methane yield during anaerobic co-digestion. Results showed a significant increase in organic matter solubilisation and methane yield with solar pre-treatment, as well as ensuring a positive energy balance in the system.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariana Moreira de Oliveira, Paul Moretti, Carina Malinowsky, Remy Bayard, Pierre Buffiere, Armando Borges de Castilhos Junior, Joacio de Araujo Morais Junior, Gilson Barbosa Athayde Junior, Remy Gourdon
Summary: Pre-treatments are necessary to prepare biowaste for anaerobic digestion, by removing undesirable materials and extracting readily biodegradable organic fractions. This study investigated two wet mechanical pre-treatment methods on urban household biowaste and observed that increasing the liquid to solid ratio improved the proportion of extracted biodegradable organic matter and biomethane potentials.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Pengfei Li, Di Liu, Zhanjiang Pei, Lixin Zhao, Fengmei Shi, Zonglu Yao, Wenzhe Li, Yong Sun, Su Wang, Qiuyue Yu, Lei Chen, Jie Liu
Summary: This study successfully modified the ADM1 model to simulate anaerobic digestion processes of various lignocellulosic substrates, revealing the significant inhibitory effect of lignin on cellulose hydrolysis. The study introduced the lignin inhibition index (LII) as a quantifiable measure for the inhibitory strength of lignins.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Victor R. Moreira, Thais Girardi Carpanez, Natalie C. Magalha, Yan F. X. Ladeira, Lisete C. Lange, Miriam C. S. Amaral
Summary: Vinasse, a residue from the distillation of fermented juice for ethanol production, can be used as a feedstock for biomethane production by reducing sulfate concentrations and increasing organic matter concentration through the use of ultrafiltration membranes. Digestion experiments showed that the ultrafiltration concentrate had the highest biomethane production rate, while the ultrafiltration permeate had the lowest biomethane production rate.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jonghwa Lee, Heewon Jang, Seongseung Kang, Kyungmi Kim, Jungyu Park
Summary: Lab-scale experiments showed that shockwave pre-treatment significantly improved the dewatering and drying efficiencies of algae, increased solubilization rate and methane production, and reduced microcystin concentration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alejandra Castillo, Eduardo Ortega-Martinez, Jhosane Pages-Diaz, Silvio Montalvo, Cesar Huilinir
Summary: This article investigates the effects of micro-aerobic pre-treatment and thermal pre-treatment on methane production, organic matter removal, and energy consumption of waste-activated sludge (WAS). The results show that the digester fed with micro-aerobically pre-treated sludge performs better due to the solubilization of particulate organic matter. However, micro-aerobic pre-treatment requires more energy compared to thermal pre-treatment, although the energy demand can be reduced by pre-thickening the sludge. Further studies are needed to verify the advantages of methane production and solid reduction.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Mohamed Ali Wahab, Katharina Kebelmann, Bernhard Schartel, Gareth Griffiths
Summary: This study explored anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation as green pre-treatments for seaweed biomass prior to pyrolysis. The biological pre-treatments significantly affected the composition and structure of the seaweeds, leading to changes in thermal degradation and volatile profiles during pyrolysis, with potential for generating biooil similar to petroleum-based composition.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alicja Machnicka, Klaudiusz Grubel
Summary: The aim of this research was to explore the application of waste activated sludge (WAS) pretreatment processes in anaerobic digestion. The results showed significant reductions in pathogenic bacteria, coliphages, and parasite eggs using hydrodynamic disintegration and freezing/thawing disintegration methods. The hybrid disintegration method achieved the best results.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuai Wang, Zhi-Yi Hu, Zi-Qian Geng, Ye-Chao Tian, Wen-Xiang Ji, Wen-Tao Li, Kun Dai, Raymond Jianxiong Zeng, Fang Zhang
Summary: The study identified refractory organics, referred to as melanoidins products (MPs), released from waste activated sludge (WAS) during thermal-alkaline pretreatment, which had high molecular weight and inhibited microbes. These MPs delayed the production of volatile fatty acids, reduced methane yield, and had a negative impact on anaerobic digestion after thermal-alkaline pretreatment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yidi Wang, Yongya Wang, Zhe Zhang, Yusan Turap, Yongkang Wang, Iwei Wang, Zhentong Wang, Wei Wang
Summary: The process combining hydrothermal treatment, pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion is efficient in treating antibiotic fermentation residues. It improves biodegradability and dewaterability of the residues, removes antibiotic resistance genes effectively, and promotes resource recycling.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Fulvia Tambone, Luca Trombino, Anna Masseroli, Massimo Zilio, Tommy Pepe Sciarria, Daniele Daffonchio, Sara Borin, Ramona Marasco, Ameur Cherif, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: A study conducted in Neffatia, Tunisia, on a soil classified as Arenosol revealed that factors such as organic matter mineralization, salt accumulation, and low rainfall affect soil characteristics. The presence of roots also influenced particle size distributions, indicating the interaction between tamarisk shrubs and the environment in forming phytogenic dunes. Chemical and spectroscopic analyses further showed that tamarisk plant residues contribute to soil organic matter accumulation and characteristics, with stable organic matter closely resembling plant components and being resistant to degradation.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Su, Marta Dell'Orto, Barbara Scaglia, Giuliana D'Imporzano, Alessia Bani, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: This paper demonstrated the growth ability of twelve algae-microbial consortia when a pig slurry-derived wastewater was used as growth substrate. The nutrient recovery, biochemical composition, fatty acid and amino acid profiles of these consortia were evaluated and compared. The study found three consortia with the best growth rates, high carbohydrates and lipid contents, and low protein and essential amino acid contents, making them potential candidates for further applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Frazzini, Elena Scaglia, Matteo Dell'Anno, Serena Reggi, Sara Panseri, Carlotta Giromini, Davide Lanzoni, Carlo Angelo Sgoifo Rossi, Luciana Rossi
Summary: This study evaluated the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of different algae and cyanobacteria and found that Ascophyllum nodosum had the strongest antioxidant properties. The extracts of these species showed growth inhibition activity against porcine O138 E. coli. Furthermore, a combination of Ascophyllum nodosum and Lithotamnium calcareum enhanced their bioactivity, making them a promising alternative to antibiotics.
Article
Biology
Valerio M. Sora, Sara Panseri, Maria Nobile, Federica Di Cesare, Gabriele Meroni, Luca M. Chiesa, Alfonso Zecconi
Summary: Mastitis is a major disease in dairy cows that affects milk quality and quantity, and increases the risk of antimicrobial residues in milk. This study aimed to estimate the risks to human health related to milk production in dairy herds in Lombardy using a One Health approach. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of contagious pathogens, but they were not associated with an increased risk of antimicrobial residues.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Giacomo Mosconi, Federica Di Cesare, Francesco Arioli, Maria Nobile, Doriana E. A. Tedesco, Luca M. Chiesa, Sara Panseri
Summary: This study analyzed the presence of POPs in commonly consumed fish species in Italy and found that the concentrations of these pollutants did not exceed maximum limits or safe values, indicating low health risks for consumers.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Nobile, Luigi Danesi, Radmila Pavlovic, Giacomo Mosconi, Federica Di Cesare, Francesco Arioli, Roberto Villa, Luca Maria Chiesa, Sara Panseri
Summary: Chlorates and perchlorates are endocrine disruptors and emerging environmental contaminants found in various foods. This study assessed the presence of these substances in raw bovine milk samples from Lombardy, Italy. The results showed that most samples contained chlorates and perchlorates, but there was no risk for Italian consumers.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gabriella Papa, Mirko Cucina, Khadija Echchouki, Patrizia De Nisi, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: Bioplastics are crucial for waste management and circular economy, and can be recovered and reused through anaerobic digestion. This study compared the characteristics and degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) and starch-based (SB) materials during anaerobic digestion and soil incubation.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Elisa Clagnan, Marta Dell'Orto, Karolfna Sterbova, Tomas Grivalsky, Joao Artur Camara Manoel, Jiri Masojidek, Giuliana D'Imporzanoa, Francisco Gabriel Acien-Fernandez, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: The performance and composition of eight microalgal communities cultivated in two different thin-layer photobioreactor designs were investigated. The study found that Chlorella vulgaris showed robustness in both designs, while reactor type and inoculum brought variability. Eukaryotic microalgae led to a more stable community, while RWs showed higher variability and did not favor eukaryotic microalgae. The reactor design also had an effect on the nitrogen cycle.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Axel Herrera, Giuliana D'Imporzano, Elisa Clagnan, Ambrogio Pigoli, Elena Bonadei, Erik Meers, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: Using membrane technology to treat manure can reduce its volume and produce a nutrient-rich concentrate, allowing the recovery of 46% of total nitrogen and 43% of total phosphorus. Compared to synthetic mineral fertilizers, this process has lower environmental impacts in 12 categories studied. The study also suggests precautions to further reduce environmental impacts and reduce energy consumption.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Nobile, Giacomo Mosconi, Luca Maria Chiesa, Sara Panseri, Luigi Danesi, Ermelinda Falletta, Francesco Arioli
Summary: Fish is important in an Italian diet, but can accumulate contaminants such as PFASs and PTEs. This study investigated the presence of these contaminants in salted and canned anchovies collected from different fishing areas in Italy over 10 months. The results showed that the risk for consumers was generally low, except for one sample with concerns about nickel toxicity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
C. Andreola, J. Gonzalez-Camejo, F. Tambone, A. L. Eusebi, F. Adani, F. Fatone
Summary: Biorefineries aim to maximize resource recovery from organic wastes, including mollusc and seafood leftovers. This study evaluated different scenarios of biorefineries fed by mollusc and fish wastes to determine the most profitable approach. The results showed that fish waste-based biorefineries had the highest revenue and shortest payback period, while including mollusc waste increased total income. The profitability of biorefineries depended on the selling price of protein hydrolysates, but also incurred high operating costs, emphasizing the importance of producing high-quality hydrolysates in an economic and sustainable way.
Review
Agronomy
Michela Landoni, Greta Bertagnon, Martina Ghidoli, Elena Cassani, Fabrizio Adani, Roberto Pilu
Summary: Castor bean originated in East Africa and has spread to various regions of the world. The high lipid content in castor beans is used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Castor oil is mainly composed of ricinoleic acid and other fatty acids, making it safe for use in cosmetics and industry.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Nobile, Francesco Arioli, Dalia Curci, Claudia Ancillotti, Giulia Scanavini, Luca Maria Chiesa, Sara Panseri
Summary: This study analyzed the presence of PFASs in eggs produced in a PFASs-contaminated area in Northern Italy. The highest concentrations of PFASs were found in eggs from Veneto and Emilia Romagna, but were still well below the maximum limit set by the European Union. Therefore, egg consumption does not pose a risk to Italian consumers.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Elisa Clagnan, Mirko Cucina, Raveena Vilas Sajgule, Patrizia De Nisi, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: This paper reports a novel study on the microbial acclimatization for anaerobic degradation and conversion of bioplastics into biogas. The results showed that microbial acclimatization can enhance the biogas production from starch-based and polyactic-acid bioplastics. This study highlights the importance of microbial acclimatization for the circularity of bioplastics.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Min Su, Marta Dell'Orto, Barbara Scaglia, Giuliana D'Imporzano, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: This paper compared the growth ability and nutrient uptake ability of algae-microbial consortia (ACs) under mixotrophic and photoautotrophic cultivation modes. The results showed that mixotrophic cultivation had higher growth rates and nitrogen uptake, as well as significant phosphorus and organic carbon removal rates. The composition of amino acids and fatty acids in ACs did not change with different cultivation modes, but the mixotrophic mode increased the content of essential amino acids, providing potential for AC_5 and AC_4 to be used as local protein feed supplements.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shaofeng Zhou, Wenwen An, Cuifen Gan, Meiying Xu
Summary: Bacteria generate and release extracellular reactive oxygen species (eROS), which significantly contribute to the natural ROS pool and play a crucial role in metabolic interactions of bacteria with their environment. Understanding the behavior of eROS-generating bacteria and its environmental implications is of great importance in the cycling of biogeochemical elements, transformation of organic matter, and regulation of antibiotic resistance genes.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ji-Dong Gu, Tim Ford, Bryce Mitton, Ralph Mitchell
Summary: Plastics and microplastics are widely present and accumulating in the environment, leading to increasing public attention. In addition to packaging plastics, materials from industries such as electronics, space and aviation are also accumulating, but receiving less attention. The production of degradable and biodegradable plastics is seen as a way to reduce environmental impacts, but enhancing the non-degradability of functional polymers is also a feasible option. Microbial colonization and deterioration pose significant challenges to these materials.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Justyna Bohacz, Michal Mozejko
Summary: This study evaluated the keratinolytic activity of 37 strains of Trichophyton ajelloi and found that pigmented strains isolated from loamy soil were more efficient in degrading native feather keratin, while non-pigmented strains isolated from chernozem showed better abilities. The keratinolytic activity increased over time, as evidenced by the increase in extracellular keratinase activity and release of soluble proteins and peptides. Protease activity peaked in the first 7 days and again on day 28 of culture. The release of ammonium and sulfate ions, associated with an increase in pH, reached its maximum on day 21. Three pigment-producing strains were among the most active in releasing large amounts of ammonium and sulfate ions. The biodegradation of feather waste by Trichophyton ajelloi strains can be used to produce fertilizers suitable for plants with high sulfur requirements.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joseph M. Suflita, Brenda J. Little
Summary: This article reviews the major achievements of the International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation Society (IBBS) on its 50th anniversary and provides recommendations for addressing new challenges and developments based on personal experiences.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhenyan Lin, Tuo Jin, Xin Xu, Xiao Yin, Dan Zhang, Mengjiao Geng, Chunyu Pang, Gongwen Luo, Lizhi Xiong, Jianwei Peng, Jiangchi Fei
Summary: The incomplete recycle of residual mulch film (RMF) in recent years has led to an increase in plastic fragments in soil, posing a serious threat to the soil ecological environment. In this study, seven potential plastic-degrading microorganisms were screened and identified from film-mulched vegetable fields. The degradation ability experiments showed that both single strains and mixed strains demonstrated varying levels of degradation of RMF.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tiina Belt, Michael Altgen, Muhammad Awais, Martin Nopens, Lauri Rautkari
Summary: This study investigated the degradation of heat-treated wood by brown rot fungi and found that the decay increased the hygroscopicity of wood in the decaying state. Furthermore, it was observed that heat-treated samples were more susceptible to fungal decay compared to untreated samples, which may be related to the increase in moisture content.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marta Cicardi, Davide Bernasconi, Luca Martire, Linda Pastero, Giulia Caneva, Sergio E. Favero-Longo
Summary: This study investigated the phenomenon of Centimetric circular areas Uncolonized by Microbial Biofilms (CUMBs) on natural and heritage stone surfaces. The analysis revealed a compatibility in distribution and size between CUMBs and lichen thalli, suggesting a lichen origin for some CUMBs. Microscopic analysis also showed similar modifications in marble layers beneath CUMBs and lichens, indicating a possible alteration of stone properties by lichens.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
