Prospecting Agro-waste Cocktail: Supplementation for Cellulase Production by a Newly Isolated Thermophilic <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. licheniformis</Emphasis> 2D55

Bacteria isolated from thermophilic environment that can produce cellulase as well as utilise agro-waste biomass have a high potential for developing thermostable cellulase required in the biofuel industry. The cost for cellulase represents a significant challenge in converting lignocellulose to fermentable sugars for biofuel production. Among three potential bacteria examined, Bacillus licheniformis 2D55 (accession no. KT799651) was found to produce the highest cellulolytic activity (CMCase 0.33 U/mL and FPase 0.09 U/mL) at 18–24 h fermentation when grown on microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a carbon source in shake flask at 50 °C. Cellulase production process was further conducted on the untreated and NaOH pretreated rice straw (RS), rice husk (RH), sugarcane bagasse (BAG) and empty fruit bunch (EFB). Untreated BAG produced the highest FPase (0.160 U/mL), while the highest CMCase (0.150 U/mL) was supported on the pretreated RH. The mixture of untreated BAG and pretreated RH as agro-waste cocktail has remarkably improved CMCase (3.7- and 1.4-fold) and FPase (2.5- and 11.5-fold) compared to the untreated BAG and pretreated RH, respectively. The mechanism of cellulase production explored through SEM analysis and the location of cellulase enzymes of the isolate was also presented. Agro-waste cocktail supplementation provides an alternative method for an efficient production of cellulase.     

Non-linear mechanical behaviour and bio-composite modelling of oil palm mesocarp fibres

Understanding the non-linear mechanical behaviour of oil palm mesocarp fibres (OPMF) is important for bio-composite application. The mechanical characterisation of this fibre is challenging due to the microstructure of the fibres consisting of silica bodies on the surface and cellular structures within the cross section. In this work, we proposed a constitutive material model for OPMF by including a stress-softening function into the large strain viscoelastic model. The model shows agreement with loading–unloading and stress relaxation tensile tests. The model was then used for micro-scale finite element modelling of the fibre–silica body–matrix (resin) interface to simulate sliding of a bio-composite material. A multi-particles model was also developed to check the effect of the constitutive model towards the mechanics of a bio-composite system. Modelling results suggested that under the micro-scale level (~50 μm), silica body plays a major role in improving the mechanical behaviour of the bio-composite system. On the other hand, under the macro-scale level (~0.18 mm), a single fibre model is sufficient to simulate a bio-composite multi-fibres material.     

A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in food and feed using monolithic column and positive confirmation by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

The development of a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography fluorescence method for the determination of the mycotoxins fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) by using silica-based monolithic column is described. The samples were first extracted using acetonitrile:water (50:50, v/v) and purified by using a C(18) solid phase extraction-based clean-up column. Then, pre-column derivatization for the analyte using ortho-phthaldialdehyde in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol was carried out. The developed method involved optimization of mobile phase composition using methanol and phosphate buffer, injection volume, temperature and flow rate. The liquid chromatographic separation was performed using a reversed phase Chromolith(?) RP-18e column (100 mm × 4.6 mm) at 30 °C and eluted with a mobile phase of a mixture of methanol and phosphate buffer pH 3.35 (78:22, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1). The fumonisins separation was achieved in about 4 min, compared to approximately 20 min by using a C(18) particle-packed column. The fluorescence excitation and emission were at 335 nm and 440 nm, respectively. The limits of detections were 0.01-0.04 μg g(-1) fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2), respectively. Good recoveries were found for spiked samples (0.1, 0.5, 1.5 μg g(-1) fumonisins B(1) and B(2)), ranging from 84.0 to 106.0% for fumonisin B(1) and from 81.0 to 103.0% for fumonisin B(2). Fifty-three samples were analyzed including 39 food and feeds and 14 inoculated corn and rice. Results show that 12.8% of the food and feed samples were contaminated with fumonisin B(1) (range, 0.01-0.51 μg g(-1)) and fumonisin B(2) (0.05 μg g(-1)). The total fumonisins in these samples however, do not exceed the legal limits established by the European Union of 0.8 μg g(-1). Of the 14 inoculated samples, 57.1% contained fumonisin B(1) (0.16-41.0 μg g(-1)) and fumonisin B(2) (range, 0.22-50.0 μg g(-1)). Positive confirmation of selected samples was carried out using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, using triple quadrupole analyzer and operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode.     

Layering Optimization of the SrFe0.9Ti0.1O3−δ–Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 Composite Cathode

Cathode thickness plays a major role in establishing an active area for an oxygen reduction reaction in energy converter devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, we prepared SrFe_0.9Ti_0.1O_3−δ–Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 composite cathodes with different layers (1×, 3×, 5×, 7×, and 9× layer). The microstructural and electrochemical performance of each cell was then explored through scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS analysis showed that the area-specific resistance (ASR) decreased from 0.65 Ωcm² to 0.12 Ωcm² with the increase in the number of layers from a 1× to a 7×. However, the ASR started to slightly increase at the 9× layer to 2.95 Ωcm² due to a higher loss of electrode polarization resulting from insufficient gas diffusion and transport. Therefore, increasing the number of cathode layers could increase the performance of the cathode by enlarging the active area for the reaction up to the threshold point.     

PHASE BEHAVIOR OF BRANCHED TAIL ETHOXYLATED CARBOXYLATE SURFACTANT/ELECTROLYTE/ALKANE SYSTEMS.

This paper describes the effect of pH on phase behavior of branched tail EO carboxylate surfactants in electrolyte/ alkane microemulsion system3 which are of possible pertinence to enhanced oil recovery. The pH of the aqueous surfactant solutions was found to have a considerable effect on the salinity requirement for middle phase microemulsion formation. At 70 and 60°C alcohol-free optimal three phase microemulsion systems are formed with all alkanes studied over the entire pH range of 6-12. At lower temperatures and. higher pH values, liquid crystals were found to form in systems which contained lower molecular weight alkanes.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Potassium Hydro(benzoyl)(phthalyl)borate and Its Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), and Copper(II) Complexes

A new organoborate ligand, hydro(benzoyl)(phthalyl)borate has been synthesized as its potassium salt (KL) and treatment of KL with one equivalent of MCl2•6H2O gave complexes ML(H2O)x•Cl [x＝2, M＝Co(II), Ni(II); x＝1, M＝Cu(II)]. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H NMR, ESI MS, UV-Vis techniques, conductivity and magnetic data measurements. Spectroscopic results suggest a square planar geometry in the Cu(II) complex, while the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes possess an octahedral geometry. Antibacterial activities (in vitro) of the ligand and its metal complexes were studied against two Gram positive (B. subtillis and B. magterium) and two Gram negative bacteria (E. Coli and S. boydi) at a single concentration (75 μg/mL) by using the Disc diffusion method. Antifungal activities (in vitro) were also checked for the compounds by using the same method against Candida albicans 10261, Penicillium sp. and Asperjillius niger., at a single concentration (50 μg/mL). The results showed that all the metal complexes, specially the nickel(II) complex, have higher antibacterial and antifungal activities than the corresponding potassium salt.     

Micro-solid phase extraction of ochratoxin A, and its determination in urine using capillary electrophoresis

We describe a simple, environmentally friendly and selective technique for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in urine. It involves (a) the use of a molecularly imprinted polymer as a sorbent in micro-solid-phase extraction in which the sorbent is contained in a propylene membrane envelope, and (b) separation and detection by capillary electrophoresis (CE). Under optimized conditions, response is linear in the range between 50 and 300 ng mL^?1 (with a correlation coefficient of 0.9989), relative standard deviations range from 4 to 8 %, the detection limit for OTA in urine is 11.2 ng mL^?1 (with a quantification limits of 32.5 ng mL^?1) which is lower than those of previously reported methods for solid-phase extraction combined with CE. The recoveries of OTA from urine spiked at levels of 50, 150 and 300 ng mL^?1 ranged from 93 to 97 %.

Enhanced electrochemical performance of LSCF cathode through selection of optimum fabrication parameters

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of three key fabrication parameters (thickness, solid content, and sintering temperature) on the...     

Linked Bis(μ-Phosphido) and Related Ligands for Metallic Clusters. 2. Reaction of 1,2,3-Triphenyl-1,2,3-Triphosphaindane with Nonacarbonyldiiron

Abstract

The reaction of 1,2,3-triphenyl-1,2,3-triphosphaindane with nonacarbonyldiiron in benzene at 80 °C gives rise to a mixture of at least eight components, five of which have been isolated and characterized. Three of these are P₃Fe₃ species, of which two have been unambiguously identified by single crystal x-ray crystallography.