Novel regulation of aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus by piperonal

The present study investigated its inhibitory role in aflatoxin (AF) biosynthesis. Treating only AFB1- and B2-producing Aspergillus flavus with piperonal completely inhibited AFB1 production with high sclerotial formation, resulting in 20-fold higher AFG2 production. On the other hand, benzodioxole and eugenol suppressed AFB1 production without AFG formation, while methyleugenol showed potent inhibition of AFB1 production with slight production of AFG1. These results indicate that natural products may change aflatoxin biosynthesis, and highlight a novel regulation of AFG2 production by piperonal. It is the first report for chemical regulation on AFG2 production in non-AFG producing-aspergilli.     

Regulation of lithospermic acid B and shikonin production in Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures

Cell suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon produced a large amount of lithospermic acid B, a caffeic acid tetramer, as well as shikonin derivatives (each ca. 10% of dry wt.) when cultured in shikonin production medium M-9. Various culture factors for increasing the production of lithospermic acid B were investigated. Lithospermic acid B production was inhibited by 2, 4-D or NH4+, whereas it was stimulated by Cu2+. These regulatory patterns were similar to those for the production of shikonin derivatives in these cell cultures, suggestive of close relations and similar metabolic regulation between the production of these compounds. Cultivation under light illumination, however, showed that these metabolisms were independently regulated. In particular, blue light showed a stimulatory effect on lithospermic acid B production, while shikonin production was strongly inhibited, indicative of an effective condition for lithospermic acid B production.     

Mixotrophic Cultivation of Microalgae for Biodiesel Production: Status and Prospects

Biodiesel from microalgae provides a promising alternative for biofuel production. Microalgae can be produced under three major cultivation modes, namely photoautotrophic cultivation, heterotrophic cultivation, and mixotrophic cultivation. Potentials and practices of biodiesel production from microalgae have been demonstrated mostly focusing on photoautotrophic cultivation; mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae for biodiesel production has rarely been reviewed. This paper summarizes the mechanisms and virtues of mixotrophic microalgae cultivation through comparison with other major cultivation modes. Influencing factors of microalgal biodiesel production under mixotrophic cultivation are presented, development of combining microalgal biodiesel production with wastewater treatment is especially reviewed, and bottlenecks and strategies for future commercial production are also identified.     

Improved Cellulase Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma reesei </Emphasis>RUT C30 under SSF Through Process Optimization

The major constraint in the enzymatic saccharification of biomass for ethanol production is the cost of cellulase enzymes. Production cost of cellulases may be brought down by multifaceted approaches which includes the use of cheap lignocellulosic substrates for fermentation production of the enzyme, and the use of cost efficient fermentation strategies like solid state fermentation (SSF). The current study investigated the production of cellulase by Trichoderma reesei RUT C30 on wheat bran under SSF. Process parameters important in cellulase production were identified by a Plackett and Burman design and the parameters with significant effects on enzyme production were optimized for maximal yield using a central composite rotary design (CCD). Higher initial moisture content of the medium had a negative effect on production whereas incubation temperature influenced cellulase production positively in the tested range. Optimization of the levels of incubation temperature and initial moisture content of the medium resulted in a 6.2 fold increase in production from 0.605 to 3.8 U/gds of cellulase. The optimal combination of moisture and temperature was found to be 37.56% and 30 °C, respectively, for maximal cellulase production by the fungus on wheat bran.     

The effect of substrate concentration on biohydrogen production by using kinetic models

The effect of substrate concentration ranging from 0 to 300 g/L on fermentative hydrogen production by mixed cultures was investigated in batch tests using glucose as substrate. The experimental results showed that, at 35℃ and initial pH 7.0, during the fermentative hydrogen production, the hydrogen production potential and hydrogen production rate increased with increasing substrate concentration from 0 to 25 g/L. The maximal hydrogen production potential of 426.8 mL and maximal hydrogen pro-duction rate of 15.1 mL/h were obtained at the substrate concentration of 25 g/L. The maximal hydrogen yield and the maximal substrate degradation efficiency were respectively 384.3 mL/g glucose and 97.6%, at the substrate concentration of 2 g/L. The modified Logistic model could be used to describe the progress of cumulative hydrogen production in this study successfully. The Han-Levenspiel model could be used to describe the effect of substrate concentration on fermentative hydrogen production rate.     

Near-infrared analytical control of pharmaceuticals. A single calibration model from mixed phase to coated tablets.

A new method for analysis of the active compound in a commercial pharmaceutical formulation in different steps of the production cycle, based on near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, is proposed. The analysis includes three different steps of the production cycle: granules ready for compression (mixed phase), cores (intermediate) and coated tablets (final product). Satisfactory predictive results for production samples, independently of its origin in the production cycle, require calibration with laboratory-made samples covering the concentration range involved in the manufacturing process, and also production samples from various production batches and different steps, which introduce the variation sources inherent in such a process. A global and sole model was found to determine the active compound during the production cycle, with errors of prediction less than 1.8% in all cases. Tablets can be individually analysed with high accuracy and precision, so a content uniformity analysis may be performed.     

Evaluation of mitochondrial function by measuring the heat production in state 3 and state 4 respiration

Using a microcalorimetric method, we have measured the heat production in states 3 and 4 respiration of a mitochondrial preparation from rat heart ventricle. Adenosine triphosphate production in state 3 respiration was also determined for the same preparation after heat production was measured. In Tris-buffered solution with pyruvate and malate used as substrates, the total heat production in states 3 and 4 respiration for a 10-min reaction period were about 709 and 207 mJ/mg of mitochondrial protein, respectively. 2,4-Dinitrophenol, an uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, increased the heat production in both states 3 and 4 respiration. On the other hand, antimycin A1, an inhibitor of the electron transport system, decreased the heat production in both states. When ventricle mitochondrial dysfunction was induced by the in vivo administration of a high dose of isoproterenol, heat production was increased in state 4 respiration. These results indicate that the calorimetric method can be used to evaluate the mitochondrial function.     

Potential of Biocellulose Nanofibers Production from Agricultural Renewable Resources: Preliminary Study

In the present preliminary study, we report results for the biocellulose nanofibres production by Gluconacetobacter xylinus. Production was examined by utilizing different feedstocks of single sugars and sugar mixtures with compositions similar to the acid hydrolyzates of different agriculture residues. Profiles for cell proliferation, sugar consumption, and the subsequent pH changes were thoroughly analyzed. Highest biocellulose production of 5.65 g/L was achieved in fructose medium with total sugar consumption of 95.57%. Moreover, the highest production using sugar mixtures was 5.2 g/L, which was achieved in feedstock with composition identical to the acid hydrolyzate of wheat straws. This represented the highest biocellulose yield of 17.72 g/g sugars compared with 14.77 g/g fructose. The lowest production of 1.1 and 1.75 g/L were obtained in xylose and glucose media, respectively, while sucrose and arabinose media achieved relatively higher production of 4.7 and 4.1 g/L, respectively. Deviation in pH of the fermentation broths from the optimum value of 4–5 generally had marked effect on biocellulose production with single sugars in feedstock. However, the final pH values recorded in the different sugar mixtures were ～3.3–3.4, which had lower effect on production hindrance. Analyzing profiles for sugars' concentrations and cell growth showed that large amount of the metabolized sugars were mainly utilized for bacterial cell growth and maintenance, rather than biocellulose production. This was clearly observed with single sugars of low production, while sugar consumption was rather utilized for biocellulose production with sugar mixtures. Results reported in this study demonstrate that agriculture residues might be used as potential feedstocks for the biocellulose nanofibres production. Not only this represents a renewable source of feedstock, but also might lead to major improvements in production if proper supplements and control were utilized in the fermentation process.     

Effect of Biodiesel-derived Raw Glycerol on 1,3-Propanediol Production by Different Microorganisms

The microbial production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) from raw glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, is economically and environmentally advantageous. Although direct use of raw glycerol without any pretreatment is desirable, previous studies have reported that this could cause inhibition of microbial growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of raw glycerol type, different microorganisms, and pretreatment of raw glycerol on the production of 1,3-PD. Raw glycerol from waste vegetable-oil-based biodiesel production generally caused more inhibition of 1,3-PD production and microbial growth compared to raw glycerol from soybean-oil-based biodiesel production. In addition, two raw glycerol types produced from two biodiesel manufacturers using waste vegetable oil exhibited different 1,3-PD production behavior, partially due to different amounts of methanol included in the raw glycerol from the two biodiesel manufacturers. Klebsiella strains were generally resistant to all types of raw glycerol while the growth of Clostridium strains was variably inhibited depending on the type of raw glycerol. The 1,3-PD production of the Clostridium strains using acid-pretreated raw glycerol was significantly enhanced compared to that with raw glycerol, demonstrating the feasibility of using raw glycerol for 1,3-PD production by various microorganisms.     

Utilization of methyloleate in production of microbial lipase

In this article, we report the development and optimization of an industrial culture medium for the production of extracellular lipase in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Until now olive oil in combination with glucose was used as the carbon source and inducer for the production of lipase. Our results demonstrate that methyloleate, a cheap hydrophobic compound, could efficiently substitute olive oil as the inducer and carbon source for lipase production. A new process of lipase production was developed yielding a twofold increase in the level of production compared with the levels in previous reports.     

A microfluidic bioreactor for increased active retrovirus output

Retroviruses are one of the most commonly used vectors in ongoing gene therapy clinical trials. To evaluate and advance virus production on the microscale platform, we have created a novel microfluidic bioreactor for continuous retrovirus production. We investigated the growth kinetics of a retroviral packaging cell line in microfluidic bioreactors for several compartment sizes, and packaging cells perfused in the microdevices showed similar growth kinetics to those cultured in conventional static conditions. To evaluate the efficiency of retrovirus production, virus titers from the microdevices were compared to those obtained from static tissue culture. When retrovirus production and collection were maintained at 37 degrees C, virus production levels were comparable for the microdevices and static tissue culture conditions. However, immediate cold storage downstream of the packaging cells in the microdevices resulted in 1.4- to 3.7-fold greater active virus production levels with the microdevices compared to the conventional static conditions over a 5 day period. Lastly, the use of microfluidics for virus production provides a continuous supply of virus supernatant for immediate infection of target cells or for preservation and storage. Such devices will be valuable for the optimization of production and evaluation of retroviruses and other viral vectors for gene therapy applications.     

Generation of Hydrogen from Photolysis of Organic Acids by Photosynthetic Bacteria

Photodccomposition of ten kinds of organic acids by Rhodopseudomonas palustris for producing hydrogen has been investigated,By using acctate as hydrogen donor,dynamics of hydrogen production and cell growth has been determined;the influences of acetate concentration,temperature,light intensity and the effects of the ineraction among metal ions (Fe^3 ,Ni^ ),acctate and glutamatc in aqueous solution on hydrogen production have been examined for optimizing the conditions of H2 generation .The results show that H2 production is partially correlated with cell growth ;Ni^2 inhibits hydrogen production,but enhances cell growth; Fe^3 promotes hydrogen production evidcntly,The highest rate of H2 production is 22.1 mL L^-1h^-1 under the conditions of 35-37℃,6000-8000lx,30 mmolL^-1 of acetate, 9mmolL^-1 of glutamate, and 50μmolL^-1 of Fe^3 .     

Production of citric acid using immobilized conidia of Aspergillus niger

Conidia of Aspergillus niger were immobilized in calcium alginate gel for the production of citric acid. First, the type of the preactivation medium, together with the preactivation period, was investigated. It was found that A. niger requires a 2-d preactivation period at a 0.05 g/L NH₄NO₃ concentration. Second, preactivated cells were used to determine the effects of nitrogen concentration and the flow rate of oxygen and air on the production of citric acid. Maximum citric acid production was attained with medium containing 0.01 g/L of NH₄NO₃. The rate of citric acid production in the nitrogenous medium was 33% higher when oxygen was used instead of air during the production phase. This corresponds to an increase of 85% when compared to production when neither oxygen nor air was fed into the system. In the nonnitrogenous medium citric acid concentration remained similar regardless of the use of air or oxygen. However, in the nonnitrogenous production medium, citric acid production was not influenced considerably when oxygen was used instead of air. The advantage of using immobilized cells is that production is achieved easily in the continuous system. Therefore, citric acid production was also tested using a packed-bed bioreactor, and an increase in productivity by a factor of 22 was achieved compared to the batch system.     

高分子材料与工程专业生产实习环节的教学改革与实践

本文结合高分子材料与工程专业教学实践,分析了生产实习教学实际情况及存在的问题,对生产实习课程进行改革,提出了校外实习与校内实习协同进行的新生产实习模式,重点建设校内生产实习内容体系,切实解决校外实习内容更新慢,缺乏前沿成型技术这一问题。校内实习基地的建设结合了制度保障体系、教师队伍和信息化平台建设等进行了深入实践,学生参与生产实习的热情提高明显,各项创新创业大赛、考研和就业情况表明,本专业学生具有较好的工程实践和创新能力,改革实施效果明显。     

Media Preparation Using Tuna-Processing Wastes for Improved Lipase Production by Shrimp Gut Isolate Staphylococcus epidermidis CMST Pi 2

Extracellular lipase production by Staphylococcus epidermidis CMST Pi 2 isolated from the intestine of shrimp Penaeus indicus has been investigated in shake-flask experiment using different preparations of tuna-processing waste such as raw fish meat, defatted fish meat, alkali hydrolysate, and acid hydrolysate as nitrogen source. Among the tested tuna preparations, defatted fish meat supported the maximum lipase production, and 2.5% concentration of the same was found to be optimum for maximizing the lipase production. The effect of carbon sources on lipase production revealed that glucose aided the higher lipase production than any other tested carbon source and a concentration of 2% glucose registered as optimum to enhance the lipase production. The halotolerancy of S. epidermidis CMST Pi 2 for lipase production indicated that 4% of sodium chloride was optimum to yield maximum lipase. Among the surfactants tested, lipase production was high in Tween 20 added medium when compared to other surfactants, and its optimum concentration recorded was 0.8%. Partial characterization of crude enzyme revealed that pH 7 and 55 °C temperature were optimum for maximum lipase activity.     

基于“两制四化”人才培养模式的本科生生产实习的改革实践

结合浙江工业大学本科生生产实习的现状,首先论述了目前本科生生产实习存在的问题,并以浙江工业大学材料科学与工程学院为试点,提出了以"两制四化"人才培养模式为多元化内容的生产实习实践形式。改革与实践的具体内容涉及:在以书院制为构建框架、以"导师制"为举措,建立与专业特色相契合的生产实习基地的基础上,以小班化的单位、根据个性化的生产实习要求,结合复合化与国际化的改革思路,建立的新型生产实习模式以及学生管理模式和评分模式的改革。经过3年的探索和实践表明,本科生生产实习改革的实施,取得了很好的效果。     

生物柴油及1,3-丙二醇联产工艺产业化进展

生物柴油作为可再生的清洁能源,已在美国、欧盟等多个国家和地区推行使用。在生物柴油的生产过程中,最高可得到约10%的副产物甘油,副产物甘油的去向将成为生物柴油大规模产业化发展所面临的严峻问题。1,3-丙二醇是一种重要的化工原料,作为合成新型聚酯PTT的原料,1,3-丙二醇已引起人们的广泛关注。以生物柴油副产物甘油为原料耦合生产1,3-丙二醇,不仅解决了生物柴油副产物甘油的出路问题,同时降低了1,3-丙二醇的生产成本。本文详细介绍了生物柴油及1,3-丙二醇生产技术及联产工艺的研究进展,并对其应用前景进行了展望。     

Biofuels from microalgae biomass: A review of conversion processes and procedures

Achieving the EU 2030 vision of a 15% minimum amount of biofuels utilized in the road transportation require more research on biofuel production from biomass feedstock. To this end, this review study examines the use of green, deep eutectic solvents and direct transesterification approaches for biomass conversion to biofuels. Next, biogas production from anaerobic co-digestion of microalgae biomass is presented. Lastly, the effect of operating conditions, as well as advantages and limitations of several biomass conversion techniques are outlined. Of note, this study presents promising microalgae conversion processes which could be progressed are the use of bio-based solvents and supercritical fluids for biodiesel production, hydrothermal liquefaction for biogas production, microwave-induced pyrolysis for syngas production, and ultrasound/microwave enhanced extraction for bio-oil production. These are based on the possibility of high yield and process economics. We have also enumerated knowledge gaps needed to propel future studies.     

中微量元素肥料的生产与应用研究进展

阐述了中微量元素肥料在农业生产中所发挥的重要作用,分析了我国中微量元素肥料的现状及发展前景,概述了中微量元素肥料生产的原料来源及工艺技术,对发展我国中微量元素肥料的生产和应用提出了合理建议。     

Pt/TiO2光诱导催化重整乙醇制氢

对无氧条件下Pt/TiO2光诱导催化重整乙醇制氢进行了系统的研究，结果表明，乙醇的光催化重整制氢反应受催化剂表面化学状态，反应体系的pH值，浓度的影响较大，而受反应体系温度的影响较小，在运动XRD，XPS，HNMR等技术手段对催化剂和反应产物进行表征，分析的基础上，提出了无氧条件下乙醇光催化重整制氢可能的反应机理。