Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tiago P. Silva, Susana M. Paixao, Joao Tavares, Catia Gil, Cristiana A. Torres, Filomena Freitas, Luis Alves
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B as a producer of biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers (BS/BE), and performed initial characterization of the compounds produced. The results demonstrated that strain 1B was capable of synthesizing BS/BE compounds in various hydrophobic phases, without the need for a hydrophobic inducer. The produced compounds exhibited excellent surfactant and emulsifying properties, outperforming many commercial alternatives.
Review
Microbiology
Mainu Kalita, Mahananda Chutia, Dhruva Kumar Jha, Gangavarapu Subrahmanyam
Summary: Biodesulfurization (BDS) is a selective method for removing sulfur compounds from crude oil using desulfurizing microbes. Gordonia species of actinomycetes have been widely used in petroleum refining technology for BDS, and can desulfurize different types of organic sulfur compounds. However, factors such as enzyme specificity, availability of cofactors, and toxicity of pollutants limit the desulfurization rate of microbial biocatalysts, requiring further research.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tiago P. P. Silva, Susana M. M. Paixao, Luis Alves
Summary: Biodesulfurization is a biotechnological process that uses microorganisms as biocatalysts to remove sulfur from fuels without affecting their hydrocarbon structure. The inhibition of biodesulfurization activity by easily metabolized sulfur compounds, such as sulfates, is a bottleneck hindering its large-scale application. This study demonstrates that biocatalysts with biodesulfurization activity can be produced using sulfate as the only sulfur source, without the need for inducers or genetic manipulation, by adjusting the sulfur : carbon ratio in continuous culture. This novel procedure has been successfully applied to different desulfurizing microorganisms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olawumi Oluwafolakemi Sadare, Michael Olawale Daramola
Summary: Biodesulfurization (BDS) was used to degrade dibenzothiophene (DBT) in diesel using two Pseudomonas sp. bacteria. The desulfurization pathways of DBT were determined by gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results showed promising potential for decreasing the sulfur content of South African diesel oil.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah van Dinteren, Jocelijn Meijerink, Renger Witkamp, Bo van Ieperen, Jean-Paul Vincken, Carla Araya-Cloutier
Summary: This study analyzed the composition, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity of prenylated phenolic extracts from different species of liquorice. The results showed that the extracts contained potent antimicrobial compounds that could inhibit the growth of various bacteria.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Loredana Marcolongo, Francesco La Cara, Giovanni del Monaco, Susana M. Paixao, Luis Alves, Isabel Paula Marques, Elena Ionata
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tiago P. Silva, Luis Alves, Susana M. Paixao
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2020)
Article
Biophysics
Joao Tavares, Luis Alves, Tiago P. Silva, Susana M. Paixao
Summary: This study developed a rapid and simple analytical method to quantify the emulsifying activity of a product produced by the actinomycete Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B (BS/BE), which involves forming a stable emulsion when mixed with n-heptane. Validation through testing synthetic surfactants and dishwashing detergents demonstrated the accuracy and reproducibility of this new analytical approach, making it a promising tool for screening and monitoring studies on BS/BE production.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tiago P. Silva, Susana M. Paixao, Joao Tavares, Catia Gil, Cristiana A. Torres, Filomena Freitas, Luis Alves
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B as a producer of biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers (BS/BE), and performed initial characterization of the compounds produced. The results demonstrated that strain 1B was capable of synthesizing BS/BE compounds in various hydrophobic phases, without the need for a hydrophobic inducer. The produced compounds exhibited excellent surfactant and emulsifying properties, outperforming many commercial alternatives.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Mariana Abreu, Luis Silva, Belina Ribeiro, Alice Ferreira, Luis Alves, Susana M. Paixao, Luisa Gouveia, Patricia Moura, Florbela Carvalheiro, Luis C. Duarte, Ana Luisa Fernando, Alberto Reis, Francisco Girio
Summary: Energy crops are dedicated cultures that can produce biofuels, electricity, and heat. They are tolerant to contaminated lands, alleviating land pollution and reducing land-use conflicts. Further study and investment in energy crops are necessary to link them with biorefineries.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joao Tavares, Tiago P. Silva, Susana M. Paixao, Luis Alves
Summary: Microalgae cultivation is used to convert CO2 emissions into fuels, food, and chemicals, increasing the sustainability of carbon emitting processes. Continuous operation of microalgae systems is required to sequester emissions, and bench-scale photobioreactors are necessary for optimizing culture parameters. This study developed a continuous bench-scale photobioreactor that operated as an autotrophic chemostat, successfully sequestering biogenic CO2 and achieving high biomass productivity.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tiago P. P. Silva, Susana M. M. Paixao, Luis Alves
Summary: Biodesulfurization is a biotechnological process that uses microorganisms as biocatalysts to remove sulfur from fuels without affecting their hydrocarbon structure. The inhibition of biodesulfurization activity by easily metabolized sulfur compounds, such as sulfates, is a bottleneck hindering its large-scale application. This study demonstrates that biocatalysts with biodesulfurization activity can be produced using sulfate as the only sulfur source, without the need for inducers or genetic manipulation, by adjusting the sulfur : carbon ratio in continuous culture. This novel procedure has been successfully applied to different desulfurizing microorganisms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marta Pacheco, Susana M. Paixao, Tiago P. Silva, Luis Alves