Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Biosynthesis from Whey Lactose

Summary: The potential of three different microbial wild type strains as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) producers from whey lactose is compared. Homopolyester and co-polyester biosynthesis was investigated by the archaeon Haloferax mediterranei and the eubacterial strains Pseudomonas hydrogenovora and Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava. H. mediterranei accumulated 50 wt.-% of poly-3-(hydroxybutyrate-co-6%-hydroxyvalerate) in cell dry mass from hydrolyzed whey without addition of 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) precursors (specific productivity q_p: 2.9 mg/g h). Using P. hydrogenovora, the final percentage of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) amounted to 12 wt.-% (q_p: 0.03 g/g h); co-feeding of valeric acid resulted in the production of 12 wt.-%. P-3(HB-co-21%-HV) (q_p: 0.02 g/g h). With H. pseudoflava, it was possible to reach 40 wt.-% P-3 (HB-co-5%-HV) on not-hydrolyzed whey lactose plus valeric acid as 3HV precursor (q_p: 9.1 mg/g h); on hydrolyzed whey lactose without addition of valeric acid, the strain produced 30 wt.-% of PHB (q_p: 0.16 g/g h). The characterization of the isolated biopolyesters completes the study.     

Biosynthesis of High Quality Polyhydroxyalkanoate Co- and Terpolyesters for Potential Medical Application by the Archaeon Haloferax mediterranei

Summary : Haloferax mediterranei was investigated for the production of two different high-performance polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). A copolyester containing 6 mol-% 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) was produced from whey sugars as sole carbon source. The maximum specific growth rate (µ_max.) and the maximum specific PHA production rate (q_{p max.}) were determined with 0.10 1/h and 0.15 1/h, respectively. The cells contained 72.8 wt.-% of P-(3HB-co-6%-3HV) which featured low melting points between 150 and 160 °C and narrow molecular mass distribution (polydispersity PDI = 1.5). Further, a PHA terpolyester with an increased 3HV fraction as well as 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) building blocks was accumulated by feeding of whey sugars plus 3HV - and 4HB precursors. Kinetic analysis of the process reveals a µ_max. of 0.14 1/h and a q_{p max.} of 0.23 1/h, respectively. The final percentage of P-(3HB-co-21.8%-3HV-co-5.1%-4HB) in biomass amounted to 87.5 wt.-%. Also this material showed a narrow molecular mass distribution (PDI = 1.5) and a high difference between the two melting endotherms of the material (between 140 and 150 °C) and the onset of decomposition at 236 °C. The accomplished work provides viable strategies to obtain different high-quality PHAs which might be potential candidates for application in the medical and pharmaceutical field.     

Biohydrogen Production from Cheese Whey Wastewater in a Two-Step Anaerobic Process

Cheese whey-based biohydrogen production was seen in batch experiments via dark fermentation by free and immobilized Enterobacter aerogenes MTCC 2822 followed by photofermentation of VFAs (mainly acetic and butyric acid) in the spent medium by Rhodopseudomonas BHU 01 strain. E. aerogenes free cells grown on cheese whey diluted to 10 g lactose/L, had maximum lactose consumption (～79%), high production of acetic acid (1,900 mg/L), butyric acid (537.2 mg/L) and H(2) yield (2.04 mol/mol lactose; rate,1.09 mmol/L/h). The immobilized cells improved lactose consumption (84%), production of acetic acid (2,100 mg/L), butyric acid (718 mg/L) and also H(2) yield (3.50 mol/mol lactose; rate, 1.91 mmol/L/h). E. aerogenes spent medium (10 g lactose/L) when subjected to photofermentation by free Rhodopseudomonas BHU 01 cells, the H(2) yield reached 1.63 mol/mol acetic acid (rate, 0.49 mmol/L/h). By contrast, immobilized Rhodopseudomonas cells improved H(2) yield to 2.69 mol/mol acetic acid (rate, 1.87 mmol/L/h). The cumulative H(2) yield for free and immobilized bacterial cells was 3.40 and 5.88 mol/mol lactose, respectively. Bacterial cells entrapped in alginate, had a sluggish start of H(2) production but outperformed the free cells subsequently. Also, the concomitant COD reduction for free cells (29.5%) could be raised to 36.08% by immobilized cells. The data suggest that two-step fermentative H(2) production from cheese whey involving immobilized bacterial cells, offers greater substrate to- hydrogen conversion efficiency, and the effective removal of organic load from the wastewater in the long-term.     

Composite nano-titanium oxide-chitosan artificial skin exhibits strong wound-healing effect-an approach with anti-inflammatory and bactericidal kinetics

A composite nano-TiO2-chitosan with collagen artificial skin (NTCAS) showed promising characteristics of moderate water absorptivity (110 wt.-%), fine thickness (0.34 mm), low density (0.33 mg x mm(-3)), moderate biodegradability (<3.0%), and favorable time-dependent biodegradability (0.0521 mg x mL(-1) x h(-1) on Day 0; 0.0006 mg x mL(-1) x h(-1)on Day 3 post covering). More importantly, it showed uniquely potent bactericidal (sterilization) property with relatively large values of pseudo first-order kinetic coefficients (0.1736-0.0360 min(-1)) for TiO2 contents ranging from 2.63 x 10(-5) to 2.11 x 10(-4) mg x cm(-2). In wounded subjects, NTCAS showed a steady level of TNF-alpha, while the IL-6 level reached a peak on Day 7, although significantly lower than in the control and Duoderm groups. In the animal model, NTCAS showed better and faster recovery than the other groups, which can be attributed to the unique bactericidal effect of nano-TiO2 and immune-enhancing effect of chitosan. NTCAS is a promising artificial skin substitute and is superior to any other market product currently in use.     

Galacto-oligosaccharides Synthesis from Lactose and Whey by β-Galactosidase Immobilized in PVA

The synthesis of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) by ??-galactosidase immobilized in both polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) lenses and sol?Cgel carriers was studied and compared with the performance of the free enzyme. PVA-immobilized ??-galactosidase retained 95?% of the initial activity after seven repeated uses and retained 51?% of the initial activity after 3?months of storage, while sol?Cgel-immobilized ??-galactosidase only retained 39?% of the initial activity under storage. Lactose conversion takes place at a higher rate in the PVA-immobilized ??-galactosidase, while the lowest rate of lactose conversion was noticed with immobilized ??-galactosidase in sol?Cgel. Continuous production of GOS from either lactose or whey, with PVA-immobilized ??-galactosidase, was performed in a packed-bed reactor. A maximum GOS production of 30?% of total sugars was attained for a 40-% lactose feed solution with a feed rate of 10.8?ml/h, at pH 4.5 and 40?°C, corresponding to a productivity of 117?g/l?h. The maximum GOS productivity of 344?g/l?h was obtained at a flow rate of 28.7?ml/h. 3-OS and 4-OS were the major types of GOS formed. Conversion of whey in continuous mode resulted in GOS production of 15?% of total sugars and formation of 45?% 3-OS, 40?% 4-OS, and 15?% 5-OS.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] micelles for drug delivery

Amphiphilic block copolymers based on HPMA and ε-CL were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of ε-CL followed by RAFT polymerization of HPMA. A copolymer composed of 34 kDa PHPMA and 8.5 kDa PCL associated into micelles with CMC of 5.4 μg · mL(-1) . A novel retinoid, 3-Cl-AHPC-OMe, was incorporated into micelles with 25 wt.-% loading by dialysis method. The effective diameter of drug loading micelles was 117 nm. Incubation of micelles in PBS at 37 °C indicated 86 wt.-% of the drug was released after 96 h. Cytotoxicity studies performed with C4-2 prostate cancer cells showed the IC(50) dose was 1.96 μM after 72 h of incubation, whereas the micelles without drug showed no cytotoxicity.     

Utilization of cheese whey lactose by kluyveromyces fragilis for energy and growth under continuous fermentation

A heat balance was performed on a 25 L jacketed continuous stirred tank reactor used for the production of single cell protein from cheese whey usingKluyveromyces fragilis under three levels of retention time (12, 18, and 24 h), two levels of air flow rate (1 and 3 VVM), and three levels of mixing speed (200, 400, and 600 RPM) to determine the heat of reaction and the portions of lactose used for energy and growth as well as to assess the need for the cooling system. The yeast population size, oxygen concentration, and lactose concentration in the reactor as well as the portions of lactose used for energy and growth were all affected by the hydraulic retention time, mixing speed, and air flow rate. About 8-14% of lactose was utilized for energy and 86-92% was utilized for growth. The highest cell number was obtained at the 12 h retention time, 3 VVM air flow rate, and 600 RPM mixing speed. Under these conditions, the lactose removal efficiency was 95.6% and the yeast yield was 0.78 g cell/g lactose removed.     

New evidences of glass transitions and microstructures of soy protein plasticized with glycerol

Soy protein isolate (SPI) and glycerol were mixed under mild (L series) and severe (H series) mixing conditions, respectively, and then were compression-molded at 140 degrees C and 20 MPa to prepare the sheets (SL and SH series). The glass transition behaviors and microstructures of the soy protein plasticized with glycerol were investigated carefully by using differential scanning calorimetry and small-angle X-ray scattering. The results revealed that there were two glass transitions in the SPI/glycerol systems. When the glycerol contents ranged from 25 to 40 wt.-%, all of the SL- and SH-series sheets showed two glass transition temperatures (T(g1) and T(g2)) corresponding to glycerol-rich and protein-rich domains, respectively. The T(g1) values of the sheets decreased from -28.5 to -65.2 degrees C with an increase of glycerol content from 25 to 50 wt.-%, whereas the T(g2) values were almost invariable at about 44 degrees C. The results from wide-angle X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering indicated that both protein-rich and glycerol-rich domains existed as amorphous morphologies, and the radii of gyration (R(g)) of the protein-rich domains were around 60 nm, a result suggesting the existence of stable protein domains. The results above suggest that protein-rich domains were composed of the compact chains of protein with relatively low compatibility to glycerol and glycerol-rich domains consisted of relative loose chains that possessed good compatibility with glycerol. The significant microphase separation occurred in the SPI sheets containing more than 25 wt.-% glycerol, with a rapid decrease of the tensile strength and Young's modulus. [illustration in text].     

Enhanced Production of High-Quality Biomass, δ-Aminolevulinic Acid,Bilipigments, and Antioxidant Capacity of a Food Alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nostochopsis lobatus</Emphasis>

The growing interest in natural food has raised the global demand for nutraceuticals. We studied enhanced production of biomass, delta-aminolevulinic acid (delta-ALA), bili pigments and antioxidant capacity of a food alga Nostochopsis lobatus in a full-factorial (three level) design with supplemental Zn, glutamine, and Zn + glutamine in batch culture. Production of biomass, pigments, and antioxidant capacity all were higher under immobilized cell cultures in comparison to free cell cultures. Maximum biomass (2,390 mg dry wt l(-1)), delta-ALA (2.715 microg mg(-1) dry wt h(-1)), phycocyanin (98.50 mg g(-1) dry wt), phycoerythrin (158.0 mg g(-1) dry wt), and antioxidant capacity (140.50 mumoles ascorbic acid equivalent capacity g(-1) fresh wt) were recorded when Zn and glutamine were supplemented together in the growth medium at pH 7.8. These effects were found to be significantly related to the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS(max): 490.2 nmoles mg protein(-1) min(-1)), glutamate synthase (GOGAT(max): 27.0 nmoles mg protein(-1) min(-1)), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH(max): 159.9 nmoles mg protein(-1) min(-1)). This study shows that N. lobatus could be a promising bioresource for the production of nutritionally rich biomass, delta-ALA, bili pigments, and antioxidants. Use of immobilized cells in batch culture supplemented with Zn and glutamine could be an effective approach for scaling up production for commercial use.     

Further investigation of the effect of framework catenation on hydrogen uptake in metal-organic frameworks

Hydrogen-sorption studies have been carried out for the catenation isomer pairs of PCN-6 and PCN-6' (both have the formula of Cu(3)(TATB)(2), where TATB represents 4,4',4'-s-triazine-2,4,6-triyl-tribenzoate with a formula of C(24)H(12)N(3)O(6)). Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) studies reveal that the initial sites occupied by adsorbed H(2) are the open Cu centers of the paddlewheel units with comparable interaction energies in the two isomers. At high H(2) loadings, where the H(2) molecules adsorb mainly on or around the organic linkers, the interaction is found to be substantially stronger in catenated PCN-6 than in noncatenated PCN-6', leading to much higher H(2) uptake in the isomer with catenation. Hydrogen sorption measurements at pressures up to 50 bar demonstrate that framework catenation can be favorable for the enhancement of hydrogen adsorption. For example, the excess hydrogen uptake of PCN-6 is 72 mg/g (6.7 wt %) at 77 K/50 bar or 9.3 mg/g (0.92 wt %) at 298 K/50 bar, respectively, and that for PCN-6' is 42 mg/g (4.0 wt %) at 77 K/50 bar or 4.0 mg/g (0.40 wt %) at 298 K/50 bar. Importantly, PCN-6 exhibits a total hydrogen uptake of 95 mg/g (8.7 wt %) (corresponding to a total volumetric value of 53.0 g/L, estimated based on crystallographic density) at 77 K/50 bar and 15 mg/g (1.5 wt %) at 298 K/50 bar. Significantly, the expected usable capacity of PCN-6 is as high as 75 mg/g (or 41.9 g/L) at 77 K, if a recharging pressure of 1.5 bar is assumed.     

The quest for a stable silyne, RSi ≡ CR′. The effect of bulky substituents [1]

The two major fundamental obstacles which so far have prevented theisolation of stable silynes, RSiCR (1), are: (a)the existence of more stable isomers, e.g., RRC=Si: (2) and(b) their extremely facile (exothermic) dimerication. The steric andelectronic effects of various substituents R and R (R = alkoxy,alkyl, aryl and silyl; R = alkyl and aryl groups) on the stability ofRSiCR relative to the isomeric RRC=Si:(E(1-2)), and on the energy of dimerization tothe corresponding 1,3-disilacyclobutadienes (E(D)), werestudied computationally using density functional theory (DFT) and theONIOM method. The goal was to find a combination of substituents thatwill make RSiCR more stable than RRC=Si: and whichwill also prevent its dimerization. For R = R = H,E(1-2)) = 40.7 kcal/mol (i.e., 2 islower in energy than 1), and E(D) = –104.0kcal/mol. 1, R = OH, R = m-Tbt 2,6-bis[bis(silyl)methyl]phenyl, is by 11.1 kcal/mol morestable than the isomeric silylidene 2. However, thedimerization of 1, R = OH, R = m-Tbt remains highlyexothermic (by 101 kcal/mol). 1, R = R = m-Tbt and1, R = (t-Bu)₃Si, R = m-Tbt, are by 5.8 and 2.0kcal/mol, respectively, less stable than the corresponding 2.However, the dimerization of 1, R = (t-Bu)₃Si, = m-Tbt is exothermic by only 12 kcal/mol. For1, R = (t-Bu)₃Si, and R = Tbt 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl, the corresponding1,3-disilacyclobutadiene dimer 3, dissociates spontaneously.Thus, (t-Bu₃Si)SiCTbt is predicted to be kineticallystable towards both, isomerization to (t-Bu₃Si)TbtC=Si: anddimerization to 3, making it a viable synthetic target. Thereported energies were calculated atB3LYP/6-31G^**//B3LYP/3-21G^*; good agreement is found betweenthe DFT and the ONIOM results.     

Utilization of Cheese Whey Using Synergistic Immobilization of β-Galactosidase and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> Cells in Dual Matrices

Whey is a byproduct of the dairy industry, which has prospects of using as a source for production of various valuable compounds. The lactose present in whey is considered as an environmental pollutant and its utilization for enzyme and fuel production, may be effective for whey bioremediation. The dairy yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus have the ability to utilize lactose sharply as the major carbon source for the production of the enzyme. Five strains were tested for the production of the β-galactosidase using whey. The maximum β-galactosidase activity of 1.74 IU/mg dry weight was achieved in whey using K. marxianus MTCC 1389. The biocatalyst was further immobilized on chitosan macroparticles and exhibited excellent functional activity at 35 °C. Almost 89 % lactose hydrolysis was attained for concentrated whey (100 g/L) and retained 89 % catalytic activity after 15 cycles of reuse. Finally, β-galactosidase was immobilized on chitosan and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on calcium alginate, and both were used together for the production of ethanol from concentrated whey. Maximal ethanol titer of 28.9 g/L was achieved during fermentation at 35 °C. The conclusions generated by employing two different matrices will be beneficial for the future modeling using engineered S. cerevisiae in scale-up studies.     

Analogues for the molybdenum center of sulfite oxidase: oxomolybdenum(V) complexes with three thiolate sulfur donor atoms

cis,trans-(L-N2S2)Mo(V)O(SR) [L-N2S2H2 = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(mercaptophenyl)ethylenediamine; R = CH2Ph, CH2CH3, and p-C6H4-Y (Y = CF3, Cl, Br, F, H, CH3, CH2CH3, and OCH3)] are the first structurally characterized mononuclear Mo compounds with three thiolate donors, as occurs at the Mo active site in sulfite oxidase. X-ray crystal structures of the cis,trans-(L-N2S2)Mo(V)O(SR) compounds, where R = CH2Ph, CH2CH3, p-C6H4-OCH3, and p-C6H4-CF3, show a similar coordination geometry about the Mo atom with all three sulfur thiolate donors in the equatorial plane. This coordination geometry places two adjacent S ppi orbitals parallel to the Mo=O bond, analogous to the orientation in the ene-dithiolate ligand in sulfite oxidase; the third S ppi orbital lies in the equatorial plane. Charge-transfer transitions from the S p to the Mo d orbitals occur at approximately 28,000 cm(-1) (epsilon: 4,400-6,900 L mol(-1)] cm(-1)) and 15,500 cm(-1) (epsilon: 3,200-4,900 L mol(-1) cm(-1)). The EPR parameters are nearly identical for all the cis,trans-(L-N2S2)Mo(V)O(SR) compounds (g1 approximately 2.022, g2 approximately 1.963, g3 approximately 1.956, Al approximately 58.4 x 10(-4) cm(-1), A2 approximately 23.7 x 10(-4) cm(-1), A3 approximately 22.3 x 10(-4) cm(-1)) and are typical of an oxo-Mo(V) center coordinated by multiple thiolate donors. The g and A tensors are related by a 24 degrees rotation about the coincident g2 and A2 tensor elements, reflecting the approximate Cs coordination symmetry. These EPR parameters more closely mimic those of the low pH form of sulfite oxidase and the "very rapid" species of xanthine oxidase than previous model compounds with two or four thiolate donors. The cis,trans-(L-N2S2)Mo(V)O(SR) compounds undergo a quasi-reversible, one-electron reduction and an irreversible oxidation that show a linear dependence upon the Hammett parameter, sigmap, of the Y group. The cis,trans-(L-N2S2)Mo(V)O(SR) compounds provide a well-defined platform for the systematic investigation of the electronic structures of the Mo(V)OS3 centers and their implications for molybdoenzymes.     

Production of lactic acid from cheese whey by batch and repeated batch cultures of Lactobacillus sp. RKY2

The fermentative production of lactic acid from cheese whey and corn steep liquor (CSL) as cheap raw materials was investigated by using Lactobacillus sp. RKY2 in order to develop a cost-effective fermentation medium. Lactic acid yields based on consumed lactose were obtained at more than 0.98 g/g from the medium containing whey lactose. Lactic acid productivities and yields obtained from whey lactose medium were slightly higher than those obtained from pure lactose medium. The lactic acid productivity gradually decreased with increase in substrate concentration owing to substrate and product inhibitions. The fermentation efficiencies were improved by the addition of more CSL to the medium. Moreover, through the cell-recycle repeated batch fermentation, lactic acid productivity was maximized to 6.34 g/L/h, which was 6.2 times higher than that of the batch fermentation.     

Enhanced β-Galactosidase Production from Whey Powder by a Mutant of the Psychrotolerant Yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Guehomyces pullulans</Emphasis> 17<Emphasis Type="Italic">–</Emphasis>1 for Hydrolysis of Lactose

In order to isolate β-galactosidase overproducers of the psychrotolerant yeast Guehomyces pullulans 17–1, its cells were mutated by using nitrosoguanidine (NTG). One mutant (NTG-133) with enhanced β-galactosidase production was obtained. The mutant grown in the production medium with 30.0 g/l lactose and 2.0 g/l glucose could produce more β-galactosidase than the same mutant grown in the production medium with only 30.0 g/l lactose while β-galactosidase production by its wild type was sensitive to the presence of glucose in the medium. It was found that 40.0 g/l of the whey powder was the most suitable for β-galactosidase production by the mutant. After optimization of the medium and cultivation conditions, the mutant could produce 29.2 U/ml of total β-galactosidase activity within 132 h at the flask level while the mutant could produce 48.1 U/ml of total β-galactosidase activity within 144 h in 2-l fermentor. Over 77.1% of lactose in the whey powder (5.0% w/v) was hydrolyzed in the presence of the β-galactosidase activity of 280 U/g of lactose within 9 h while over 77.0% of lactose in the whey was hydrolyzed in the presence of β-galactosidase activity of 280 U/g of lactose within 6 h. This was the first time to show that the β-galactosidase produced by the psychrotolerant yeast could be used for hydrolysis of lactose in the whey powder and whey.     

Production of lactic acid from cheese whey by batch and repeated batch cultures of Lactobacillus sp. RKY2

The fermentative production of lactic acid from cheese whey and corn steep liquor (CSL) as cheap raw materials was investigated by using Lactobacillus sp. RKY2 in order to develop a cost-effective fermentation medium. Lactic acid yields based on consumed lactose were obtained at more than 0.98 g/g from the medium containing whey lactose. Lactic acid productivities and yields obtained from whey lactose medium were slightly higher than those obtained from pure lactose medium. The lactic acid productivity gradually decreased with increase in substrate concentration owing to substrate and product inhibitions. The fermentation efficiencies were improved by the addition of more CSL to the medium. Moreover, through the cell-recycle repeated batch fermentation, lactic acid productivity was maximized to 6.34 g/L/h, which was 6.2 times higher than that of the batch fermentation.     

Simultaneous anion and cation exchange chromatography of whey proteins using a customizable mixed matrix membrane

Membrane chromatography can overcome some of the limitations of packed bed column chromatography but preparation of adsorptive membranes usually involves complex and harsh chemical modifications. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) require only the physical incorporation of an ion exchange resin into the membrane polymer solution prior to membrane casting. An advantage of MMMs not previously exploited is that resins with differing adsorptive functionalities can be conveniently embedded within a single membrane at any desired ratio. This presents the opportunity to customize an adsorptive membrane to suit the expected protein profile of a raw feed stream e.g. bovine whey or serum. In this work, a novel mixed mode interaction MMM customized to extract all major proteins from bovine whey was synthesized in a single membrane by incorporating 42.5 wt% Lewatit MP500 anionic resin and 7.5 wt% SP Sepharose cationic resin into an ethylene vinyl alcohol base polymer casting solution. The mixed mode MMM developed was able to bind both basic and acidic proteins simultaneously from whey, with binding capacities of 7.16±2.24 mg α-lactalbumin g(-1) membrane, 11.40±0.73 mg lactoferrin (LF)g(-1) membrane, 59.21±9.90 mg β-lactoglobulin g(-1) membrane and 6.79±1.11 mg immunoglobulin Gg(-1) membrane (85 mg total protein g(-1) membrane) during batch fractionation of LF-spiked whey. A 1000 m(2) spiral-wound membrane module (200 L membrane volume, 1m(3) module volume) is predicted to be able to produce approximately 25 kg total whey protein per h.     

Bacterial production of PHA from lactose and cheese whey permeate

Due to the large availability of agro-industry wastes containing potentially exploitable substrates, such as whey from dairy industry, a study on the bacterial conversion of lactose and whey permeate to poly(β-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) was undertaken. A first approach was carried out on culture collection strains. Among a number of strains tested, Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava DSM 1034 and Sinorhizobium meliloti 41 were found to grow on lactose and produce PHA. These findings suggested to investigate among a wider range of microorganisms by directly isolating new strains from soil. A number of soil bacteria were first isolated on a minimal medium containing lactose as unique carbon source and PHA-accumulating traits were then investigated. Three isolates, identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis as Sinorhizobium sp., Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus sp., were selected for their efficient growth and PHA production using lactose as carbon source. The same strains were also tested for their ability to accumulate PHA by direct fermentation of whey and whey permeate. Our results suggest that production of the polymer from cheese whey or whey permeate may be possible, although further research is needed to determine whether these microorganisms have the potential for commercial production of such biodegradable polymers.     

Synthesis, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry of copper(II) complexes with N,N'-bis(3,5-di-t-butylsalicylideneimine)polymethylenediamine ligands

Bulky salen CuL(x) derived from aliphatic polymethylene diamines, H(2)N-(CH(2))(x)-NH(2), where n = 2-6, and 3,5-di-t-butylsalicylaldehyde (H(2)L(x)) and some corresponding tetrahydrosalan complexes (CuL(x)') have been synthesized and characterized by their IR, UV-vis absorption and EPR spectra, by magnetic moments and by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile (for H(2)L(x)) and DMF (for CuL(x)). Complexes CuL(x) and CuL(x)' are magnetically normal (mu(exp) = 1.83-1.91 mu(B)). EPR spectra CuL(x) characterized by the axial g and A(Cu) tensors with g parallel > g perpendicular and without (14)N-shf resolution in CHCl(3)/toluene at 300 and 150K. The CV studies on acetonitrile solutions of H(2)L(x) revealed a well-defined quasi-reversible redox wave at E(1/2) = 0.95-1.15 V versus Ag/AgCl but CV of the CuL(x) complexes in DMF exhibit weak pronounced irreversible oxidation waves at E(pa)(1) = 0.51 - 098 V and E(pa)(2) = 1.16 - 1.33 V attributable to metal centered Cu(II/III) and ligand centered CuL(x)/CuL(x)*+ couples, respectively. A poorly defined wave was observed for the quasi-reversible reduction Cu(II)/Cu(I) at potentials less than -1.0 V.     

Characterization of Rh-Cr mixed-oxide nanoparticles dispersed on (Ga(1-x)Zn(x))(N(1-x)Ox) as a cocatalyst for visible-light-driven overall water splitting

The structure of Rh-Cr mixed-oxide (Rh(2)(-)(y)Cr(y)O(3)) nanoparticles dispersed on (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) is characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy. The Rh(2)(-)(y)Cr(y)O(3) nanoparticle is an efficient cocatalyst for photocatalytic overall water splitting on the (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) solid solution and is loaded onto the catalyst by impregnation from an aqueous solution containing Na(3)RhCl(6).2H(2)O and Cr(NO(3))(3).9H(2)O followed by calcination in air. Impregnation of the (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) with 1 wt % Rh and 1.5 wt % Cr followed by calcination at 623 K for 1 h provides the highest photocatalytic activity. Structural analyses reveal that the activity of this photocatalyst is strongly dependent on the generation of trivalent Rh-Cr mixed-oxide nanoparticles with optimal composition and distribution.