Conversion of ammonia to dinitrogen in wastewater by Nitrosomonas europaea

Because Nitrosomonas europaea contains ammonia-oxidizing enzyme, nitrite reductase, and nitrous oxide reductase, the conversion of ammonia to dinitrogen was tried with different reaction conditions. In aerobic reaction conditions, ammonium was converted to nitrite (NO ₂ ⁻ ), while under oxygen-limiting or oxygen-free conditions, NO ₂ ⁻ -N formed from ammonia oxidation by N. europaea was reduced to N₂O and dinitrogen with 22% conversion. During denitrification, optimal pH for the production of N₂O and dinitrogen was found to be 7.0–8.0. Dinitrogen was not produced in acidic pH<7.0. A low partial oxygen pressure as well as oxygen-free conditions are favorable for high production of dinitrogen.     

Preparation of Biocomposite Microfibers Ready for Processing into Biologically Active Textile Fabrics for Bioremediation

Biocomposites, i.e., materials consisting of metabolically active microorganisms embedded in a synthetic extracellular matrix, may find applications as highly specific catalysts in bioproduction and bioremediation. 3D constructs based on fibrous biocomposites, so‐called “artificial biofilms,” are of particular interest in this context. The inability to produce biocomposite fibers of sufficient mechanical strength for processing into bioactive fabrics has so far hindered progress in the area. Herein a method is proposed for the direct wet spinning of microfibers suitable for weaving and knitting. Metabolically active bacteria (either Shewanella oneidensis or Nitrobacter winogradskyi (N. winogradskyi)) are embedded in these fibers, using poly(vinyl alcohol) as matrix. The produced microfibers have a partially crystalline structure and are stable in water without further treatment, such as coating. In a first application, their potential for nitrite removal (N. winogradskyi) is demonstrated, a typical challenge in potable water treatment.     

A method based on electrodeposition of reduced graphene oxide on glassy carbon electrode for sensitive detection of theophylline

Graphene nanosheets were directly electrodeposited onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) from the electrolyte solution containing graphene oxide (GO); the resulting electrode (ED-GO/GCE) was characterized with scanning electron microscopy. A simple and rapid electrochemical method was developed for the determination of theophylline (TP), based on the excellent properties of ED-GO film. The result indicated that ED-GO film-modified GCE exhibited efficient electrocatalytic oxidation for TP with relatively high sensitivity and stability. The electrochemical behavior of TP at ED-GO/GCE was investigated in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the oxidation peak current was proportional to the TP concentration in the range of 8.0?×?10^?7 to 6.0?×?10^?5 mol?L^?1 with the detection limit of 1.0?×?10^?7 mol?L^?1 (S/N?=?3). The proposed method was successfully applied to green tea samples with satisfactory results.     

The electrochemistry of uric acid at a gold electrode modified with L-cysteine, and its application to sensing uric urine

The electrochemistry of uric acid at a gold electrode modified with a self-assembled film of L-cysteine was studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Compared to the bare gold electrode, uric acid showed better electrochemical response in that the anodic peak current is stronger and the peak potential is negatively shifted by about 100 mV. The effects of experimental conditions on the oxidation of uric acid were tested and a calibration plot was established. The differential pulse response to uric acid is linear in the concentration range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to ~?1.0?×?10^?4 mol?L^?1 (r?=?0.9995) and from 1.0?×?10^?4 to ~?5.0?×?10^?4 mol?L^?1 (r?=?0.9990), the detection limit being 1.0?×?10^?7 mol?L^?1 (at S/N?=?3). The high sensitivity and good selectivity of the electrode was demonstrated by its practical application to the determination of uric acid in urine samples.

Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite in Meat and Water Samples Using a Mesoporous Carbon Ceramic SiO2/C Electrode Modified with In Situ Generated Manganese(II) Phthalocyanine

Mesoporous carbon ceramic SiO₂/50 wt % C (S_BET=170 m² g^?1), where C is graphite, were prepared by the sol‐gel method. The materials were characterized using N₂ sorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity measurements. The matrix was used as support for the in situ immobilization of Mn(II) phthalocyanine (MnPc) on their surface. XPS was used to determine the Mn/Si atomic ratios of the MnPc‐modified materials. Pressed disk electrodes were prepared with the MnPc‐modified matrix, and tested as an electrochemical sensor for nitrite oxidation. The linear response range, sensitivity, detection limit and quantification limit were 0.79–15.74 µmol L^?1, 17.31 µA L µmol^?1, 0.02 µmol L^?1 and 0.79 µmol L^?1, respectively, obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The repeatability of the proposed sensor, evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation was 1.7 % for 10 measurements of a solution of 12.63 µmol L^?1 nitrite. The sensor employed to determine nitrite in sausage meat, river and lake water samples showed to be a promising tool for this purpose.     

Hemoglobin co-immobilized with silver–silver oxide nanoparticles on a bare silver electrode for hydrogen peroxide electroanalysis

Hemoglobin (Hb) and silver–silver oxide (Ag–Ag₂O) nanoparticles were co-immobilized on a bare silver electrode surface by cyclic voltammetry, and were characterized by UV–vis reflection spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The immobilized Hb was shown to maintain its biological activity well. Direct electron transfer between Hb and the resulting electrode was achieved without the aid of any electron mediator. The reduction currents to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at co-immobilized electrodes showed a linear relationship with H₂O₂ concentration over a concentration range from 6.0?×?10^?6 to 5.0?×?10^?2 mol L^?1, and a detection limit of 2.0?×?10^?6 mol L^?1 (S/N?=?3).     

Continuous sorption of synthetic dyes on dried biomass of microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa

The sorption of thioflavine T (TT) and malachite green (MG) cationic synthetic dyes on dried biomass of green microalga (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) immobilised in polyurethane foam under continuous column systems conditions using spectrophotometric methods of detection was investigated. Data characterising the sorption of TT and MG on microalgal biomass immobilised in polyurethane foam in a column system from single (C ₀ = 25 μmol dm^?3) or binary equimolar (C ₀ = 25 μmol dm^?3) dye solutions in the form of breakthrough curves were well described by the Thomas (R ² = 0.994–0.912), Yoon-Nelson (R ² = 0.994–0.911), and Clark (R ² = 0.993–0.911) models. Useful parameters characterising the sorption column system were obtained from these mathematical models. The Thomas model, in particular, provided the Q _max (maximal sorption capacity in μmol g^?1) parameter for characterisation of biosorbent and also for evaluation of competitive effects in the TT and MG dyes sorption. For the purposes of biomass regeneration, a one-step desorption of the dyes studied from the microalgal biomass in batch and continuous column systems was performed. Efficiency of TT desorption from microalgal biomass increased in the order: deionised H₂O (50.7 %), 99.5 vol. % 1,4-dioxane (67 %), 20 mmol dm^?3 NiCl₂ (83 %), 96 vol. % ethanol (85 %), 0.1 mol dm^?3 HCl (89 %), 1 mol dm^?3 acetic acid (89 %). In the case of MG, the desorption efficiency increased in the order: deionised H₂O (13 %), 20 mmol dm^?3 NiCl₂ (50 %), 0.1 mol dm^?3 HCl (91 %), 99.5 vol. % 1,4-dioxane (94 %), 1 mol dm^?3 acetic acid (99 %), 96 vol. % ethanol (> 99 %). The presence of carboxyl, phosphoryl, amino, and hydroxyl groups, the important functional groups for sorption of cationic xenobiotics, was also confirmed on the algae biomass surface by potentiometric titration and ProtoFit modelling software. The data obtained showed that the dried immobilised algae biomass could be used as a sorbent for removing toxic xenobiotics from liquid wastewaters or contaminated waters and also presenting the possibilities of mathematical modelling of sorption processes in continuous column systems in order to obtain important parameters for use in practice.     

Poly(2-amino-5-(4-pyridinyl)-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole) film modified electrode for the simultaneous determinations of dopamine, uric acid and nitrite

Poly(2-amino-5-(4-pyridinyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole) (PAPT) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and used for the simultaneous determinations of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA) and nitrite (NO₂ ^?) in 0.1 mol?L^?1 phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 5.0) by using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The results showed that the PAPT modified GCE (PAPT/GCE) not only exhibited electrocatalytic activities towards the oxidation of DA, UA and NO₂ ^? but also could resolve the overlapped voltammetric signals of DA, UA and NO₂ ^? at bare GCE into three strong and well-defined oxidation peaks with enhanced current responses. The peak potential separations are 130 mV for DA–UA and 380 mV for UA–NO₂ ^? using DPV, which are large enough for the simultaneous determinations of DA, UA and NO₂ ^?. Under the optimal conditions, the anodic peak currents were correspondent linearly to the concentrations of DA, UA and NO₂ ^? in the ranges of 0.95–380 μmol?L^?1, 2.0–1,000 μmol?L^?1 and 2.0–1,200 μmol?L^?1 for DA, UA and NO₂ ^?, respectively. The correlation coefficients were 0.9989, 0.9970 and 0.9968, and the detection limits were 0.2, 0.35 and 0.6 μmol?L^?1 for DA, UA and NO₂ ^?, respectively. In 0.1 mol?L^?1 PBS pH 5.0, the PAPT film exhibited good electrochemical activity, showing a surface-controlled electrode process with the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k _s) of 25.9 s^?1 and the charge–transfer coefficient (α) of 0.49, and thus displayed the features of an electrocatalyst. Due to its high sensitivity, good selectivity and stability, the modified electrode had been successfully applied to the determination of analytes in serum and urine samples.     

Biotechnological Utilization of Biodiesel-Derived Glycerol for the Production of Ribonucleotides and Microbial Biomass

Ten yeast strains were evaluated concerning their capabilities to assimilate biodiesel-derived glycerol in batch cultivation. The influence of glycerol concentration, temperature, pH and yeast extract concentration on biomass production was studied for the yeast selected. Further, the effect of agitation on glycerol utilization by the yeast Hansenula anomala was also studied. The yeast H. anomala CCT 2648 showed the highest biomass yield (0.30?g?g^?1) and productivity (0.19?g?L^?1?h^?1). Citric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid and ethanol were found as the main metabolites produced. The increase of yeast extract concentration from 1 to 3?g?L^?1 resulted in high biomass production. The highest biomass concentration (21?g?L^?1), yield (0.45?g?g^?1) and productivity (0.31?g?L^?1?h^?1), as well as ribonucleotide production (13.13?mg?g^?1), were observed at 700?rpm and 0.5?vvm. These results demonstrated that glycerol from biodiesel production process showed to be a feasible substrate for producing biomass and ribonucleotides by yeast species.     

Development and application of the tartrazine voltammetric sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers

A modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared as an electrochemical voltammetric sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer film for tartrazine (TT) detection. The sensitive film was prepared by copolymerization of tartrazine and acrylamide on the carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode. The performance of the imprinted sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in detail. Under the optimum conditions, two dynamic linear ranges of 8?×?10^?8 to 1?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1 and 1?×?10^?6 to 1?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 were obtained, with a detection limit of 2.74?×?10^?8?mol?L^?1(S/N?=?3). This sensor was used successfully for tartrazine determination in beverages.     

Human Saliva-Based Quantitative Monitoring of Clarithromycin by Flow Injection Chemiluminescence Analysis: A Pharmacokinetic Study

Human saliva quantitative monitoring of clarithromycin (CLA) by chemiluminescence (CL) with flow injection analysis was proposed for the first time, which was based on the quenching effect of CLA on luminol–bovine serum albumin (BSA) CL system with a linear range from 7.5?×?10^?4 to 2.0 ng/ml. This proposed approach, offering a maximum sample throughput of 100 h^?1, was successfully applied to the quantitative monitoring of CLA levels in human saliva during 24 h after a single oral dose of 250 mg intake, with recoveries of 95.2～109.0 % and relative standard deviations lower than 6.5 % (N?=?7). Results showed that CLA reached maximum concentration of 2.28?±?0.02 μg/ml at approximately 3 h, and the total elimination ratio was 99.6 % in 24 h. The pharmacokinetic parameters including absorption rate constant (0.058?±?0.006 h^?1), elimination rate constant (0.149?±?0.009 h^?1) and elimination half-life time (4.66?±?0.08 h) were obtained. A comparison of human saliva and urine monitoring was also given. The mechanism study of BSA–CLA interaction revealed the binding of CLA to BSA is an entropy driven and spontaneous process through hydrophobic interaction, with binding constant K _BSA–CLA of 4.78?×?10⁶ l/mol and the number of binding sites n of 0.82 by flow injection–chemiluminescence model. Molecular docking analysis further showed CLA might be in subdomain IIA of BSA, with K _BSA–CLA of 6.82?×?10⁵ l/mol and ΔG of ?33.28 kJ/mol.     

Optimization of a sensitive method for the “switch-on” determination of mercury(II) in waters using Rhodamine B capped gold nanoparticles as a fluorescence sensor

Monodisperse and “naked” gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were modified with thioglycolic acid (TGA). The fluorescence of rhodamine B (RB) is quenched completely by the gold NPs surface with negative charge mainly as a result of fluorescence resonance energy transition (FRET) and collision. The quenching mechanism can be described by a Langmuir isotherm, which was systematically investigated by steady-state fluorescence spectrometry and absorption spectrometry. Hg(II) ion disrupts the GNPs–RB pair, producing a large “switch-on” fluorescence. A low background, highly sensitive and reproducible fluorescence assay for Hg(II) is presented. Under the optimum conditions, the restoration fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of Hg(II). The calibration graphs are linear over the range of 1.0?×?10^?9 to 3.1?×?10^?8 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 4.0?×?10^?10 mol L^?1. The relative standard deviation was 1.2% for a 5.0?×?10^?9 mol L^?1 Hg(II) solution (N?=?6). This method was applied to the analysis of Hg(II) in environmental water samples, and the results were consistent with those of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).     

A Cobalt Film Electrode for Nitrite Determination in Natural Water

In this study a cobalt film electrodeposited on a copper disk (Ø=3.1 mm) was tested as electrode to measure nitrite ions in raw water. This electrode was able to determine the nitrite ions concentration in nondeaerated synthetic media and in natural water. The electrode reached a detection limit of 0.2 μmol L^?1 and has a linear concentration range of 0.4 to 2 μmol L^?1 NO₂^?. The influence of several ions such as NO₃^?, Cl^?, SO₄^2?, Mg²⁺, HCO₃^? and NH₄⁺ was also tested. The electrode was used to determine the concentration of nitrite ions in a real sample.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrochemical biosensing of glucose oxidase based on CdSe@CdS quantum dots and MWNT-modified electrode

The direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOx) was achieved based on the immobilization of CdSe@CdS quantum dots on glassy carbon electrode by multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)-chitosan (Chit) film. The immobilized GOx displayed a pair of well-defined and reversible redox peaks with a formal potential (E ^θ’) of ?0.459 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in 0.1 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. The apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (k _s) of GOx confined in MWNTs-Chit/CdSe@CdS membrane were evaluated as 1.56 s^?1 according to Laviron's equation. The surface concentration (Γ*) of the electroactive GOx in the MWNTs-Chit film was estimated to be (6.52?±?0.01)?×?10^?11?mol?cm^?2. Meanwhile, the catalytic ability of GOx toward the oxidation of glucose was studied. Its apparent Michaelis–Menten constant for glucose was 0.46?±?0.01 mM, showing a good affinity. The linear range for glucose determination was from 1.6?×?10^?4 to 5.6?×?10^?3?M with a relatively high sensitivity of 31.13?±?0.02 μA?mM^?1?cm^?2 and a detection limit of 2.5?×?10^?5?M (S/N=3).     

Pulse radiolysis studies of intermolecular charge transfers involving tryptophan and three-electron-bonded intermediates derived from methionine

The oxidation processes of the radiation-generated, three-electron-bonded intermediates AcMet₂ [S??S]⁺ and AcMet [S??Br] were investigated by pulse radiolysis via their reactions with tryptophan (TrpH). These intermediates were derived from N-acetyl-methionine amide (N-AcMetNH₂) and N-acetyl-methionine methyl ester (N-AcMetOMe). The bimolecular rate constant k of the reaction between each intermediate and l-tryptophan (TrpH) was measured. For N-AcMetNH₂, k for the reaction of AcMet₂ [S??S]⁺ with TrpH were 3.4?×?10⁸ and 2.2?×?10⁸?dm³?mol^?1?s^?1 at pH?=?1 and 4.5, respectively. For N-AcMetOMe, k for the reaction of AcMet₂ [S??S]⁺ with TrpH were 4.0?×?10⁸ and 2.8?×?10⁸?dm³?mol^?1?s^?1 at pH 1 and 4.5, respectively. The rate constants for the intermolecular transformation of Met [S??Br] into TrpH⁺ or Trp were also estimated. For N-AcMetNH₂, k for the reaction of AcMet₂ [S??Br] with TrpH were 2.6?×?10⁸ and 3.3?×?10⁸?dm³?mol^?1?s^?1 at pH 1 and 4.5, respectively. Related mechanisms were discussed.     

Electrochemical determination of norepinephrine on the membrane of silver nanoparticles doped poly-glycine eliminating the interference of ascorbic acid

The silver nanoparticles doped poly-glycine composite membrane was prepared by cyclic voltammetry on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The morphology and electrochemical properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry, respectively, and in detail, the electrochemical behaviors of the norepinephrine (NE) on this membrane were studied. The results showed that the membrane had good catalytic properties for the oxidative–reductive reaction of NE. NE had a couple of sensitive oxidative-reductive current peaks. The reductive peak currents were linearly with its concentration in the range of 1.90?×?10^?7 to 7.00?×?10^?6 and 7.00?×?10^?6 to 1.00?×?10^?4?mol l^?1, and the linear regressive equations were i _pc (A)?=?3.73?×?10^?6?+?0.70C (mol l^?1), i _pc (A)?=?9.83?×?10^?5?+?0.12C (mol l^?1), respectively, with the relate coefficient (r) of 0.9926 and 0.9944. The detection limit was 1.2?×?10^?7?mol l^?1 (S/N?=?3), which could be used to determine the content of NE and at the same time, eliminate the interference of the ascorbic acid (AA). The proposed method had high sensitivity, good selectivity and stability.     

Amperometric nitrite biosensor based on a gold electrode modified with cytochrome c on Nafion and Cu-Mg-Al layered double hydroxides

An amperometric biosensor for nitrite was prepared by immobilizing cytochrome c (Cyt c) on a gold electrode that was modified with Nafion and a Cu-Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (Cu-LDH). The Cu-LDH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The UV-visible spectrum suggests that Cyt c retains its native conformation in the modified film. The direct electrochemical investigation indicated that the composite film represents a good platform for the immobilization of Cyt c as well as an excellent promoter for the electron transfer between Cyt c and the gold electrode. Moreover, the biosensor showed a remarkable bioelectrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of nitrite with a linear range from 0.75 to 123 μM. The detection limit is 2?×?10^?7 M (S/N?=?3). The biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of nitrite in food samples.     

Influence of Free Ammonia on Completely Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal over Nitrite (CANON) Process

Free ammonia (FA) plays a significant role in the stable, long-term, completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) system operation. The influence of FA on the CANON process in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor was explored. Under controlled FA concentrations of 5.0?mg L^?1 to 10.0?mg L^?1, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) was inhibited and achieved partial nitrification, which was important for a successful and quick start-up of the CANON process from activated sludge. However, NOB was acclimated to the condition after the process start-up. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) activities were unaffected when FA concentration was increased from 10?mg L^?1 to 17?mg L^?1, but NOB was completely inhibited only for a short time. The AOB and AnAOB activities were inhibited and the CANON system was deteriorated when FA concentration reached 30?mg L^?1 to 32.5?mg L^?1 at pH?8.5, whereas NOB activity was unaffected. Correlation analysis showed that FA concentration higher than 20?mg L^?1 resulted in the deterioration of the system.     

Determination of Nitrite in Aqueous Solutions using the Linear Sweep Voltammetry Technique

ABSTRACT

An electrochemical method using linear sweep voltammetry techniques was developed to determine nitrite ion in aqueous solution in the presence of nitrate. Nitrite solutions exhibited a well-defined oxidation wave at +1.0V vs SCE at vitreous carbon, while no oxidation process was observed for nitrate solutions. The pH of the nitrite solutions varied from 2.37 to 5.60 and no change was observed in the Ep values, except for the pH 5.60 solution, where little change was verified. The potential also did not vary with change in the nitrite concentration in the 5.0 x 10^?5 to 7.0 x 10^?4 mol L^?1 range. Very good straight lines for plots of current versus nitrite concentration in the 7.0 x 10^?5 to 7.0 x 10^?4 mol L^?1 range were obtained; the correlation coefficient was never worse than 0.990. The nitrite determination was also performed in the presence of 1.0 x 10^?3 mol L^?1 of NO₃ ^? ions. The addition of NO₃ ^? did not change significantly the current values even when it was added in one hundred times molar excess.