Optimization of the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process using thermotolerant yeasts

Different treatments to improve the thermotolerance of fermenting yeasts for simultaneous ethanol saccharification and fermentation process of cellulosic materials have been examined. Yeasts of the generaSaccharomyces andKluyveromyces were tested for growth and fermentation at progressively higher temperatures in the range of 42–47°C. The best results were obtained withK. marxianus LG, which was then submitted to different treatments in order to achieve thermotolerant clones. A total of 35 new clones were obtained that dramatically improved the SSF of 10% Solka-floc substrate at 45°C when compared to the original strain, some with ethanol concentrations as high as 33 g/L.     

Thermotolerant yeast for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose to ethanol

Ten promising microbial strains were screened for glucose fermentation over the temperature range of 37–47°C, and five temperature-tolerant yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae SERI strain (D₅A),S. uvarum, andCandida generaacidothermophilium, brassicae, andlusitaniae), were chosen for SSF evaluation on Sigmacell-50 cellulose with Genencor 150 L cellulase enzyme.Brettanomyces clausenii (Y-1414) was included for comparison to previous studies both by itself and in mixed culture withS. cerevisiae (D₅A). Good conversion rates were achieved at temperatures as high as 43°C withC. brassicae andS. uvarum; mixed cultures of either of these yeasts with the thermotolerant cellobiose fermenting yeastC. lusitaniae achieved higher rates and yields than any of the three yeasts alone. However, the mixed culture ofB. clausenii andS. cerevisiae at 37°C achieved as high conversion rates and higher yields than any of the other yeasts tested.     

Conformation of perfluoroalkyl radicals in the solid phase

An equilibrium conformation of the perfluoroalkyl ∼CF₂·CF₂ radical at 77 K in matrices of polytetrafluoroethylene andn-perfluoroalkanes was studied. Upon cooling from 300 to 77 K at temperatures below 200 K, the ESR spectrum of this radical changes, and the well-resolved hyperfine structure appears. The hyperfine splitting constants on nuclei of two nonequivalent F_β atoms were determined: 2.2 and 1.1 mT, respectively. TheA _∥ andA _⊥ values for the F_α atoms are 22.5 and 3.3 mT, respectively. The conformational angle between the axis of the orbital of an unpaired electron and projection of the C_β−C_γ bond is 5.6°. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 331–334, February, 1999.     

Thermodynamische Untersuchungen ann-Alkan/n-Alkin-Systemen

Heats of mixing (H ^E)ofn-octane with 1,2,3,4-isomers ofn-octyne,n-heptane withn-1-heptyne andn-nonane withn-1-nonyne at temperatures from 298.15 to 318.15 K were measured with aCalvet-type microcalorimeter. The results are presented in tables and correlated with theRedlich-Kister equation.

     

Production of cellulolytic enzymes by coculturing ofAspergillus ellipticus andAspergillus fumigatus grown on bagasse under solid state fermentation

Production of cellulolytic enzymes on bagasse under solid state fermentation by coculture ofAspergillus ellipticus andAspergillus fumigatus was studied. Cocultivation ofA. ellipticus andA. fumigatus showed improved hydrolytic and Β-glucosidase activities as compared to the occasions when they were used separately. Various pretreatment methods were used to make cellulose accessible to enzymatic attack. Best results were obtained through pretreatment with 2% (w/v) calcium hydroxide. Maximum enzyme production was obtained after 8 d of fermentation process.     

Longitudinal volume viscosity of 1,4 cis polybutadiene

Volume flow of 1,4 cis polybutadiene (1,4 cis PB) of ¯M _n =311.900,T _g =156 K, andT _m =266 K, has been measured.Elastic modulus of the elastic wave, longitudinal volume viscosity, initial longitudinal volume viscosity, and retardation times are described at compression rates of ca. 1.0 to 200.0×10^–5 s^–1, and at temperatures of 293 K to 373 K, and pressures up to 150 MPa.Longitudinal volume viscosity decreases with increasing compression rate, and with decreasing volume deformation, the behavior being in all cases a typical non-equilibrium one. Longitudinal volume viscosity decreases with increasing temperature (except at 293 K), the volume flow activation energy being of about 18.2 KJ/mol.     

Surface tensions and surface heats of mixing of mixtures containing bromobenzene at 293.15 and 303.15 K

Surface tensions of mixtures of bromobenzene with cyclohexane, benzene,o-, m-, andp-xylene have been determined by the capillary rise method at 293.15 and 303.15 K. The data have been used to check the various theories of surface tension of liquid mixtures. The surface heats of mixing have been computed at 293.15 K as a function of composition.

---

Oberflächenspannungen und Oberflächen-Mischungswärmen von Mischungen mit Brombenzol als eine Komponente, bei 293,15 und 303,15 K

Zusammenfassung Die Oberflächenspannungen von Mischungen von Brombenzol mit Cyclohexan, Benzol undo-, m- undp-Xylol wurden mit der Kapillarmethode bei 293,15 und 303,15 K bestimmt. Die Daten wurden zur Überprüfung verschiedener Theorien der Oberflächenspannung herangezogen. Die Oberflächen-Mischungswärmen wurden für 293,15 K berechnet.

     

The use of steamed hemicellulose as substrate in microbial conversions

The suitability of acid- and enzymatically hydrolyzed birch hemicellulose as biotechnical raw material was studied usingCluconobacter oxydans, Fusarium oxysporum, andCandida utilis for production of xylonic acid, ethanol, and SCP, respectively. The fermentabilities of both hydrolyzates were rather similar and inhibition was evident in all cases at xylose concentrations of 257–30 g/L and higher. Potential identified fermentation inhibitors were the lignin-derived compounds sinapyl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, vanillin, and syringaldehyde and the sugar degradation products furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural.     

N(nPr)4[B5O6(OH)4][B(OH)3]2 and N(nBu)4[B5O6(OH)4][B(OH)3]2: Clathrates with a diamondoid arrangement of hydrogen-bonded pentaborate anions

Single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of N(nPr)₄[B₅O₆(OH)₄][B(OH)₃]₂,1, and N(nBu)₄ [B₅O₆(OH)₄][B(OH)₃]₂,2, reveal that these materials are novel clathrates, the isotypic host structures of which are three-dimensional assemblies of hydrogen-bonded [B₅O₆(OH)₄]^– ionsand B(OH)₃ molecules. The assembly of only the pentaborate anions is a distorted (i.e., along [102] elongated) fourconnected diamond-related network. The N(nPr) ₄ ⁺ and N(nBu) ₄ ⁺ ions are trapped within the complex three-dimensional channel systems of the host frameworks. Both1 and2 crystallize monoclinically with space groupP2₁/c andZ=4. The cell constants are:1:a=13.592(5),b=12.082(2),c=17.355(6) Å, =106.60(2)° (298K);2:a=13.874(3),b=12.585(1),c=17.588(4) Å, =107.04(1)° (238 K). The results obtained by both¹¹B and¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy are discussed. Thermogravimetric studies under a flowing inert-gas atmosphere suggest that water, stemming from polycondensation of the hydrous borate species, is released from the clathrates at ca. 443 K (1) and 398 K (2) before the decomposition of the organic cations starts at ca. 603 K (1) and 603 K (2).Author for correspondence. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as supplementary publication No. SUP 82172 (82 pages).     

Excess volumes of 1,2-dichloroethane with acetone,chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,4-dioxane,and tetrahydrofuran at 293.15 K

Excess volumes of mixtures of 1,2-dichloroethane with acetone, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,4-dioxane, and tetrahydrofuran have been measured at 293.15 K. The data have been analysed in the light of the cell model theory andFlory's theory.

---

Überschuß-Volumina von 1,2-Dichlorethan mit Aceton, Chloroform, Tetrachlorkohlenstoff, 1,4-Dioxan und Tetrahydrofuran bei 239,15 K

Zusammenfassung Es wurden Überschuß-Volumina von Mischungen von 1,2-Dichlorethan mit Aceton, Chloroform, Tetrachlorkohlenstoff, 1,4-Dioxan und Tetrahydrofuran bei 239,15 K gemessen. Die Daten wurden im Licht der Zellenmodell-Theorie und der Theorie nachFlory analysiert.

     

Effect of hydration andpH on the thermal stability of proteinase K

The effect of hydration andpH on the thermal stability of proteinase K was studied in the temperature range 310–450 K by differential scanning calorimetry. The dependences of the denaturation temperatureT _d, the specific enthalpy of denaturation H _d and the maximum of excess apparent specific heat capacityC _ex ^max upon the degree of hydrationh and thepH of the buffers used are presented. The relation betweenT _d andh is of the Flory-Garrett's type. By means of Ooi's model, the two components of the denaturation enthalpy arising from hydration and conformational change, respectively, were estimated. The fact that the specific denaturation enthalpy of proteinase K is very low may be attributed to its very low enthalpy of conformational change per heavy atom.Dedicated to Prof. Menachem Steinberg on the occasion of his 65th birthdayThis major project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Development of xylose-fermenting yeasts for ethanol production at high acetic acid concentrations

Mutants resistant to comparatively high levels of acetic acid were isolated from the xylose-fermenting yeastsCandida shehatae andPichia stipitis by adapting these cultures to increasing concentrations of acetic acid grown in shake-flask cultures. These mutants were tested for their ability to ferment xylose in presence of high acetic acid concentrations, in acid hydrolysates of wood, and in hardwood spent sulfite liquor, and compared with their wild-type counterparts and between themselves. TheP. stipitis mutant exhibited faster fermentation times, better tolerance to acid hydrolysates, and tolerance to lower pH.     

Yeast adaptation on softwood prehydrolysate

Several strains and genera of yeast, includingSaccharomyces cerevisiae D₅A,Pachysolen tannophilus, S. cerevisiae K-l,Brettanomyces custersii, Candida shehatae, andCandida acidothermophilum, are screened for growth on dilute acid-pretreated softwood prehydrolysate. Selected softwood species found in forest underbrush of the western United States, which contain predominantly hexosan hemicellulose, were studied. This phase of the work emphasized debarked Douglas fir. The two best initial isolates were gradually selected for improved growth by adaptation to increasing prehydrolysate concentrations in batch culture, with due consideration of nutrient requirements. Microaerophilic conditions were evaluated to encourage tolerance of pretreatment hydrolysate, as well as ethanol product. Adaptation and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) results are used to illustrate improved performance with an adapted strain, compared to the wild type.     

Positive effects of cement kiln exhausts on legume crops under simulation study

Soil application of cement kiln exhausts (electrostatic precipitator dust) at both lower and higher concentrations did not inhibit growth, nodule formation, and productivity inCajanus cajan, vigna radiata, andVigna mungo. In fact, growth was promoted, possibly because of the dust containing most of the elements, such as N, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, K, Zn, P, S, and Cu, which are needed for plant growth and root nodulation. Foliar application of the dust did not affect chlorophylls and carotenoids. The rate of photosynthesis as measured by CO2 uptake and stomatal diffusive resistance of all legumes were not affected. There was a biomagnification of Mg and K in leaves and seeds. Addition of the ESP dust did not affect either the soil or nodule rhizobial population. It is evident that the dust did not act as a phytotoxicant but as an elixir of plant life.     

Effect of temperature of liquid sulphur on kinetics of transformation of chains in its amorphous modification

The rate of transformation of the chains in amorphous sulphur was examined by calorimetry at 298 K. The amorphous samples were remelted at the temperatureT _f in the range from 458 to 573 K. Increase ofT _f decreased the transformation rate. The results satisfy the equationX=1-exp[-(kt)^z] (X=transformation degree,t=time, andk andz=constants). A one-stage transformation was observed for samples remelted atT _f473 K. ForT _f 523 K, transformation in two stages was observed.The effects ofT _f on the kinetics of nucleation and the growth of the nuclei are discussed.     

Synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical behaviour of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes derived from acetylacetone and p -anisidine and their antimicrobial activity

Neutral tetradentate N₂O₂ type complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) have been synthesised using the Schiff base formed by the condensation of acetylacetone andp-anisidine. Microanalysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, IR, UV-Vis,¹ H NMR, CV and EPR studies have been carried out to determine the structure of the complexes. From the data, it is found that all the complexes possess square-planar geometry. The EPR spectrum of the copper complex in DMSO at 300 K and 77 K was recorded and its salient features are reported. All the title complexes were screened for antimicrobial activity by the well diffusion technique using DMSO as solvent. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were calculated at 37°C for a period of 24 h. It has been found that all the complexes are antimicrobially active and show higher activity than the free ligand.     

Free radical copolymerization of 1-vinyl naphthalene with styrene,methyl methacrylate,and acrylonitrile

Investigations on free radical copolymerization of 1-vinyl naphthalene (1-VNph, monomerM ₂) with styrene (St), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylonitrile (AN) (monomersm ₁) in bulk at 60°C with AIBN as initiator are presented. Relative reactivity ratios were calculated by the Kelen-Tüdös method yielding:r _st=0.70 ±0.23 andr _1–VNph=2.02 ±0.40 for system St/1-VNph;r _MMA=0.32 ±0.10 andr _1–VNph=0.57 ±0.07 for system MMA/1-VNph andr _AN=0.11 ±0.03 andr _1–VNph=0.45 ±0.09 for system AN/1-VNph.Q, e values for 1-VNph according to Alfrey, Price scheme were calculated toQ _1–VNph=1.02,e ₁–VNph=–0.62.     

Guest-guest interaction and phase transitions in the natural zeolite laumontite

The zeolite water arrangement in laumontite Ca_3.85Na_0.23K_0.06Al_7.96Si_16.03O₄₈·nH₂O (n=16–18) and leonhardite (n=12–14.4) has been studied from¹H and²⁷Al-NMR data at temperatures of 200–390 K. Close agreement is found between NMR data obtained for samplesn=12 andn=18 and previous X-ray and neutron diffraction data. The H₂O arrangement in the powder sample withn=14.4 and in a laumontite single crystal is represented by a combination of the H₂O arrangements in samples withn=12 andn=18 with increased orientational H₂O disordering. Concentration-type phase transitions are found in the single crystal and then=16 andn=18 samples at 226 and 230 K, and orientational-type phase transitions are found in the sample withn=14.4 at 230 K, and in the sample withn=18 at 293 K. The smooth transformations into an orientationally disordered glassy state arrangement of H₂O in the zeolite channels is found in smaples withn=14.4, 16, and 18 at 300–330 and 305–315 K.     

Hyperfine structure constants and isotope shift of the levels of the configuration 4f 6 5d 6s 2 in Eu I

The hyperfine structure (hfs) and the isotope shift (IS) of transitions between metastable levels of the configuration 4f ⁷ 5d 6s and levels of the configuration 4f ⁶ 5d 6s ² of¹⁵¹Eu and¹⁵³Eu were studied by means of the high resolution laser-atomic-beam technique. New data for the hfs in¹⁵¹Eu and¹⁵³Eu were obtained as well as new and more accurate for the IS between¹⁵¹Eu and¹⁵³Eu. The measured hfs constantsA andB of the 4f ⁶ 5d 6s ² configuration allow to perform a parametric analysis using the Sandars and Beck theory. The value of the Sternheimer correction is also disscused.     

Structures and energies of seleno derivatives of biuret.Ab Initio comparative studies of diselenobiuret, selenobiuret, and selenothiobiuret

Ab initio studies (LCAO-MO method) on conformers of three seleno derivatives of the biuret molecules diselenobiuret [I], selenobiuret [II], and selenothiobiuret [III] were carried out at the Hartree-Fock (HF) and MP2 levels. The molecular geometries of these species were fully optimized at the HF level and characterized by analysis of the harmonic vibrational frequencies using a split-valence triple-zeta basis set augmented by a set ofd polarization functions on heavy atoms andp polarization functions on hydrogen atoms [TZP(d, p)]. The total energies of the HF-optimized structures were calculated at the MP2 (frozen core) level using a larger TZP (2df, 2pd) basis set. The potential energy searches revealed a total of 11 minimum-energy conformers (assigned astrans-trans, trans-cis, cis-trans, andcis-cis) and seven transition-state species for the title molecules. The two predicted conformers for diselenobiuret (Ia=trans-trans andIc=cis-cis) are characterized byC ₂ and the third byC _s symmetry. For selenothiobiuret two forms (IIIa=trans-trans andIIId=cis-cis) possessC ₁ and two (IIIb=trans-cis andIIIc=cis-trans) possessC _s symmetries, respectively. For selenobiuret, four formsIIa=trans-trans (C₁),IIb=trans-cis (C _s),IIc=cis-trans (C ₁), andIId=cis-cis (C₁), were obtained as a result of gradient optimization. Comparison of the relative energies for the considered species indicated that thecis-trans forms are the most stable conformations for all three systems at both the HF and MP2 levels of theory.