Article
Environmental Sciences
Javier Gonzalez-Martin, Sara Cantera, Raquel Lebrero, Raul Munoz
Summary: A latex-based biocoating was optimized for VOC removal using activated sludge dominated by Patescibacteria. Different components in the mixture affected the removal efficiency differently, with toluene and pinene showing higher removal rates. High water content was beneficial for biocoating performance, while VOC mass-transfer was the main limiting factor for the latex-based biocoating.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Blanca Araya, Camilo Diaz, Jessica San Martin, Alberto Vergara-Fernandez, German Aroca, Felipe Scott
Summary: Alkylpyrazines are volatile compounds that give pleasant aromas to baked and roasted foods, but they can also be a nuisance during food processing. This study found that the filamentous fungus Fusarium solani can effectively degrade 2,5-methylpyrazine (DMP) as a carbon and energy source. High-throughput DNA sequencing showed that Fusarium solani was the dominant member in the biofilter community, indicating its pivotal role in pollutant abatement.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mang'era Samwel Mnyoro, Renalda N. Munubi, Lars-Flemming Pedersen, Sebastian W. Chenyambuga
Summary: This study compared the performance of different biofilter media and found that coconut shells can be used as a sustainable alternative to plastic in recirculating aquaculture systems. Further studies are recommended to compare coconut shells with other biofilter media and assess their effects on water quality parameters and durability.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amie C. McElroy, Matthew E. Ogles, Michael R. Hyman, Detlef R. U. Knappe
Summary: A gravity-fed, cometabolic biofiltration system was developed to degrade 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. Results showed that trace levels of 1,4-dioxane can be sustained degraded in biofilters using n-butane as primary substrate, and filter media properties and EBCT affect the efficiency of biofiltration.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Geoffrey Peterson, Timothy Jones, Diana Rispoli, Shokouh Haddadi, Vadoud Niri
Summary: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are significant indoor air pollutants that can be effectively reduced using plants. This study compares the efficacy of different indoor plants in simultaneously removing multiple hazardous VOCs. The concentrations of each compound were monitored over time, and the efficiency of removal per leaf area for all compounds by each plant was determined and reported.
Article
Polymer Science
Chunxu Zhao, Xiaohan Chen, Xian Chen
Summary: In this study, thermoplastic silicone rubber was prepared by dynamically vulcanizing different relative proportions of methyl vinyl silicone rubber, styrene ethylene butene styrene block copolymer, and styrene butadiene styrene block copolymer. The compatibility and distribution of the different phases in the material were characterized, and a new method for quantitatively measuring the interface layer size was developed. It was also found that the addition of a silane coupling agent improved the mechanical properties of the material.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Milena Marycz, Yadira Rodriguez, Jacek Gebicki, Raul Munoz
Summary: This study systematically compared the potential of a conventional fungal biofilter (BF) and a fungal biotrickling filter (BTF) for the abatement of a mixture of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), confirming the ability of Candida subhashii to degrade n-hexane, trichloroethylene, toluene, and alpha-pinene.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Luis R. Lopez de Leon, Kelsey E. Deaton, Marc A. Deshusses
Summary: A mathematical model of a capillary microbioreactor treating VOC vapors was developed and experimentally validated. The model accurately described or predicted VOC vapor removal and mineralization to CO2 under different operating conditions. Parametric sensitivity analysis showed that the system performance was limited by kinetics rather than by mass transfer. Overall, the model and approach described in this work help understand the performance and limits of microbioreactors and serve as important tools for process optimization.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Suess, Alex De Visscher
Summary: Different steady states in a toluene biodegrading biofilter were explored experimentally and numerically. Results showed that a gradual increase of the toluene inlet concentration leads to a consistently low exit concentration, with a drastic increase indicating an alteration in steady state. A model that includes nitrogen and biomass dynamics accurately reproduced the experimental relationship between inlet and outlet concentration. The importance of the study lies in understanding the behavior and dynamics of a toluene biodegrading biofilter.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yue Zhang, Claire C. Wayner, Shanshan Wu, Xitong Liu, William P. Ball, Sarah P. Preheim
Summary: The study indicates that interactions between naturally occurring bacterial biofilms and filter media surfaces play a significant role in colloidal removal, with adhesive energies between biofilms and colloids being a key predictor of colloidal retention. More research is needed to investigate the impact of biofilm microbial community composition on colloid removal in porous media to enhance biofilter design and operation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jiri Hendrych, Adela Buzkova Arvajova, Pavel Spacek
Summary: Biofiltration is a widely used air treatment technique, where the packing material plays a crucial role in the performance of biotrickling filters. An innovative composite packing material was proposed and tested, showing good water holding capacity and resistance to bed compaction.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emmanuelle Schue, Dillon R. L. Rickertsen, Angie B. Korpusik, Alafate Adili, Daniel Seidel, Brent S. Sumerlin
Summary: We developed a straightforward approach to synthesizing alternating styrene-propylene and styrene-ethylene copolymers by combining radical polymerizations and powerful post-polymerization modification reactions. This method demonstrates wide applicability for functional polymer synthesis.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Roberto Ramos, Sebastian Gallardo
Summary: The study evaluated the nutrient biofiltration capacity and growth of red and green macroalgae using effluents from Seriola lalandi culture, showing that red algae had better removal efficiency and biomass growth potential.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA MARINA Y OCEANOGRAFIA
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Eduard-Marius Lungulescu, Traian Zaharescu
Summary: This study discusses the irradiation consequences on SIS/PCL blends, focusing on oxidation initiation. Three characterization methods are used: chemiluminescence, differential scanning calorimetry, and FTIR spectroscopy. The inhibition protection of PCL on the faster oxidation of SIS is related to the activation energies and kinetic parameters of degradation during accelerated damaging of blended polymers.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Xu, Zheng Zhou, Nigel J. D. Graham, Mengjie Liu, Wenzheng Yu
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential advantages of applying a bench-scale gravity-driven up-flow slow biofilter (GUSB) as a pre-treatment for ultrafiltration to reduce membrane fouling by efficiently removing organic carbon and biopolymers, thereby improving membrane performance and effluent quality.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
R. Jimenez-Robles, C. Gabaldon, V Martinez-Soria, M. Izquierdo
Summary: The combination mode of using vacuum and nitrogen as sweep gas in a microporous polypropylene membrane contactor showed higher efficiency for the recovery of dissolved methane from water compared to using vacuum or sweep gas separately. To maximize energy output, operation under specific G/L ratios and vacuum conditions is needed.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iker Jauregibeitia, Kevin Portune, Sonia Gaztambide, Itxaso Rica, Itziar Tueros, Olaia Velasco, Gema Grau, Alicia Martin, Luis Castano, Anna Vita Larocca, Federica Di Nolfo, Carla Ferreri, Sara Arranz
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the fatty acid profile of red blood cell membranes in children and adults with obesity, finding differences in omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids between the two groups. The results suggest that lipidomic differences can potentially inform specific nutritional recommendations for different age groups based on fat intake.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
M. Capilla, P. San-Valero, M. Izquierdo, J. M. Penya-roja, C. Gabaldon
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of initial glucose concentrations and pH control strategies on biobutanol production and glucose consumption. The results showed that different pH control conditions had a significant impact on butanol production under different initial glucose concentrations.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Keisy Torres, Francisco Javier Alvarez-Hornos, Carmen Gabaldon, Paula Marzal
Summary: This study investigated microbial granule formation in two chitosan-assisted reactors operating under different hydrodynamic regimes, showing stable treatment of solvent-containing wastewater with high COD removal efficiency. The use of a memory dose of chitosan helped maintain high quality of microbial granules during the process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Iker Jauregibeitia, Kevin Portune, Itxaso Rica, Itziar Tueros, Olaia Velasco, Gema Grau, Luis Castano, Federica Di Nolfo, Carla Ferreri, Sara Arranz
Summary: Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is described as having a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) without typical metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Biomarkers of inflammation, particularly red blood cell fatty acids, have been suggested as suitable candidates for identifying MHO. An observational study on children found that those in the MHO cluster had similar FA levels to children with normal weight, with lower arachidonic acid levels and higher omega-3 FA levels.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
A. Valles, M. Capilla, F. J. Alvarez-Hornos, M. Garcia-Puchol, P. San-Valero, C. Gabaldon
Summary: The research found that optimizing NaOH pretreatment conditions can effectively increase the efficiency and yield of producing biobutanol from rice straw. The optimal conditions of 5% solid loading and 0.75% NaOH led to a biomass utilization rate of 77.6 g kg RS-1.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Alejo Valles, Javier Alvarez-Hornos, Miguel Capilla, Pau San-Valero, Carmen Gabaldon
Summary: This study demonstrated that fed-batch SSFR can enhance butanol production efficiency from alkaline-pretreated rice straw, with increased productivity and efficient enzyme utilization. Although additional nutrients were required, the approach showed promise for improving biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jesus Sot, Aritz B. Garcia-Arribas, Beatriz Abad, Sara Arranz, Kevin Portune, Fernando Andrade, Alicia Martin-Nieto, Olaia Velasco, Eunate Arana, Itziar Tueros, Carla Ferreri, Sonia Gaztambide, Felix M. Goni, Luis Castano, Alicia Alonso
Summary: This study explores the physical properties of red blood cell membranes in obese adults, revealing increased fluidity in the membrane interface related to changes in lipid composition. Lipidomic data demonstrate an increase in the cholesterol/phospholipid mole ratio and a decrease in sphingomyelin contents in obese membranes. Omega-3 fatty acids are less prevalent in obese patient RBCs, while omega-6 fatty acids are increased.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
R. Jimenez-Robles, C. Gabaldon, J. D. Badia, M. Izquierdo, V Martinez-Soria
Summary: This study investigates the performance of commercial polymer membranes in recovering dissolved methane from water using a flat sheet membrane module degassing contactor. The results show that the mass transfer resistance mainly occurs in the liquid phase. Microscopy and contact angle measurements are used to monitor the structural and surface stability of the membranes during operation. This combination of techniques proves to be versatile and useful in tracking the changes in membrane properties.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Helena Poy, Estela Lladosa, Carmen Gabaldon, Sonia Loras
Summary: This study investigated the pretreatment of rice straw using the ionic liquid [Emim][OAc] to increase the enzymatic hydrolysis yield. The optimal conditions for pretreatment were found to be 120°C, 5 hours, and 5% solid loading, resulting in significant delignification and reduction of crystallinity index. The use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the more disordered and accessible structure of the rice straw after pretreatment with [Emim][OAc].
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Miguel Capilla, Alejo Valles, Pau San-Valero, Francisco Javier Alvarez-Hornos, Carmen Gabaldon
Summary: This study developed a novel fermentation strategy to improve xylose conversion in biofuel production from lignocellulosic wastes. By controlling pH(min)>4.8 and using a co-culture of Clostridium acetobutylicum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sugar consumption and solvent production were significantly enhanced.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Helena Poy, Alejo Valles, Estela Lladosa, Carmen Gabaldon, Sonia Loras
Summary: This study evaluated the use of protic ionic liquids (PILs) based on acetate and hydrogen sulfate anions for biomass pretreatment and investigated the potential of PIL reuse. The results showed that under certain conditions, these PILs could significantly enhance the yields of glucose and xylose from rice straw. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the feasibility of PIL reuse for multiple cycles without compromising the effectiveness of biomass pretreatment.
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Maria Hernaiz-Perez, Javier Alvarez-Hornos, Jose David Badia, Juan Bautista Gimenez, Angel Robles, Victoria Ruano, Pau San-Valero
Summary: This paper describes the planning of a CAD laboratory for training chemical engineers in graphic expression, organized into four projects with a project-based learning approach. The use of flipped classroom and contextualized learning motivated students and promoted meaningful learning, focusing on replicating 2D and 3D plans of industrial equipment and diagrams. The results showed a significant increase in students' perception of their graphic expression skills.
EDUCATION FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Miguel Capilla, Carlos Silvestre, Alejo Valles, Francisco Javier Alvarez-Hornos, Pau San-Valero, Carmen Gabaldon
Summary: The study showed that pH regulation can influence monosaccharide composition in batch and continuous fermentation processes, impacting butanol production and productivity.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
