Jovana Grahovac’s Post

Excited to announce the publication of my first paper this year, entitled "Propionate Production and Degradation in Biological Wastewater Treatment: A Mini Review on the Role of Additives in Anaerobic Digestion", in Desalination/Desalination and Water Treatment Journals. In this review paper, we explore how thermodynamic constraints, microbial competitions, and metabolic inhibition impact propionate production and consumption in anaerobic wastewater treatment. Our review systematically examines various additives and their effects on propionate pathways, offering insights into optimizing biomethane production and volatile fatty acid recovery. This work fills a significant gap in the literature, enabling researchers to choose the best additives to enhance anaerobic digestion performance. As the biochemist of this international project, I developed invaluable skills, including comprehensive literature review, critical analysis, thematic organization, and maintaining a balanced perspective. This experience has significantly enhanced my research capabilities and connected me with a network of brilliant researchers around the world. I am grateful to my incredible team and everyone who supported this journey! You may access our paper through the following link, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss our work further: https://lnkd.in/d7GN7DRu #Anaerobic_Microbiology #Biochemistry #Propionate #Additive #Biotechnology

“𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁”: Researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) have achieved a significant breakthrough that could lead to better — and greener — agricultural chemicals and everyday products. Using a process that combines natural enzymes and light, the team from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed an eco-friendly way to precisely mix fluorine, an important additive, into chemicals called olefins — hydrocarbons used in a vast array of products, from detergents to fuels to medicines. This groundbreaking method offers an efficient new strategy for creating high-value chemicals with potential applications in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, renewable fuels, and more. The study, published in Science, was led by CABBI Conversion Theme Leader Zhao Huimin, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE), Biosystems Design Theme Leader at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB), and Director of the NSF Molecule Maker Lab Institute at Illinois; and lead author Maolin Li, a Postdoctoral Research Associate with CABBI, ChBE, and IGB. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dzPydNdi Yujie Yuan, Wesley Harrison

Fresh new paper published in Small!! 👏 👏 We introduced a novel plant-based microcarrier and rapid encapsulation approach for enhancing the delivery, stability, and biocidal efficacy of phage-based biopesticide. This approach has strong potential for use in field conditions 🖼 , addressing the limitations of current biopesticide formulations. Congratulations to Shanshan Liu for being the first author and leading such a comprehensive study. #bacteriophage #biopesticide #biomaterials #organicfarming

Our research paper, "Optimization, Production, Purification of Laccase Enzyme from Bacillus sp," has been published in the prestigious Journal of New Developments in Chemistry! 📝 This groundbreaking study delves into the production of laccase enzymes from Bacillus sp, highlighting their crucial role in environmental sustainability. Laccase enzymes are pivotal in processes like bioremediation, biodegradation, and decolorization of pollutants, offering promising solutions for a cleaner planet. 🌱 Utilizing agro waste, specifically rice bran, as a substrate, our research team embarked on a journey to optimize production parameters such as pH, temperature, and inducers. Through meticulous experimentation, we achieved mass-scale production of laccase enzymes, paving the way for their application in various industries, including pharmaceuticals. 🔍 Our study underwent rigorous scrutiny and analysis, including microbial screening and physiochemical characterization. Techniques such as Gel Filtration Chromatography, Dialysis, and Ammonium Sulfate Precipitation were employed for purification, ensuring the quality and efficacy of the enzyme product. Curious to learn more about our groundbreaking research? Dive into the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dB9_f76A 📚 Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our quest for innovative solutions in chemistry! #Science #Chemistry #Research #EnvironmentalSustainability

Rice University, in collaboration with Guangdong University of Technology, has developed an innovative method to treat high-salinity organic wastewater using dialysis, a technique traditionally used in medicine. #wastewater #engineering

I am thrilled to share that recently, I published the article: Development of a Non-Covalent Molecularly Imprinted Polymer via Precipitation Method for the Selective Separation of D-Xylose From Sugarcane Residues!🎉 This work was developed during my master’s studies and reflects months of dedication, learning, and collaboration. The research focuses on the development of biomimetic polymers for the selective separation of D-xylose, aiming to valorize sugarcane residues. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my co-authors, Ademar Wong, Weida Rodrigues Silva, and Profa. Dra. Maria del Pilar Taboada-Sotomayor, for their invaluable contributions, guidance, and support throughout this journey. If you’re interested in this field or have questions about the research, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to connect and exchange ideas!🌱🔬 #Research #ScientificPublication #Sustainability #Polymers #Chemistry #BiomassValorization #AcademicJourney"

Do you hold a #Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, or related fields and are looking for a new challenge to support #sustainability? Then take note of this opportunity! The Centre of Biological Engineering is accepting applications for a Research #Grant within the project "#ESSEntial – Establishing sustainable #bioproduction of #lactones from metabolic engineering of industrial cell factory systems: Ashbya gossypii." This initiative aims to revolutionise the #food and #cosmetic industries by making them more environmentally friendly and economically competitive. This transformation will be achieved by redirecting the #genetic code of the fungus #Ashbya gossypii to sustainably and efficiently convert sugars into lactones. Applications are open until 11 November. Find all the details here: www.lkme.pt/zFsJG

Congratulations to THI CAM TIEN NGUYEN on successfully passing her PhD confirmation at the School of Chemical Engineering UQ! 🎉 PHAs offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, but high costs and quality control issues hinder their commercialisation. Using halophilic (salt-loving) bacteria to produce PHAs shows promise, as they can grow in high saline conditions, providing sterile environments without toxic chemicals. This method also allows PHA extraction using fresh water, reducing energy costs. However, extreme salinity and oxygen limitations pose challenges. Research into optimising oxygen levels and nitrate addition is crucial for scalable PHA production under non-sterile conditions.   Supported by her supervisors Adrian Oehmen, Steven Pratt, Lisa Bai, and Ian Levett, and with expert reviews from Bronwyn Laycock and Akhila Shon, Tien is embarking on an exciting research journey. Her project, “Novel halophilic biotechnology for PHA production from sugar,” explores how Queensland's sugar and the microorganism Haloferax mediterranei can optimise the commercial production of biodegradable PHAs under non-sterile conditions, addressing oxygen limitations and competition from other halophiles.   We are excited to see the innovative findings and contributions she will bring to sustainable and economically viable PHA production using salt-loving bacteria. 🌱📚   Well done, Tien! We can’t wait to see what you discover! #PhD #SustainablePlastics #Biodegradable #polyhydroxyalkanoate #HalophilicBacteria #Research #Innovation #QueenslandSugar #bioplastics #sustainability

I am happy to announce that my new paper from my Master’s dissertation titled "𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐛𝐚 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐩 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: 𝐚 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲" has been published in the Catalysts MDPI journal. The study shows the enzymatic production of solketal esters from used soybean cooking oil (USCO) following a two-step process (hydroesterification). This process first comprises a hydrolysis of USCO into free fatty acids (FFAs) catalyzed by a lipase extract from 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘢 𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘰𝘴𝘢 (CRL). The resulting FFAs were used as raw materials for the enzymatic production of esters via direct esterification with solketal in a solvent-free system. For such a purpose, a low-cost lipase (Eversa® Transform 2.0 – ET 2.0) was immobilized by interfacial activation on pre-treated epicarp particles from 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘢 (macauba), a lignocellulosic biomass waste, which was used as the heterogeneous biocatalyst for this esterification reaction. The esterification reaction was optimized by a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) achieving a FFAs conversion of 72.5 ± 0.8% after 150 min of reaction at 46 °C using a biocatalyst concentration of 20% wt. and FFAs:solketal molar ratio of 1:1.6. Additionally, the biocatalyst retained 70% of its original activity after ten esterification batches. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Adriano Mendes, for his guidance and unwavering belief in this project. Access this article via - https://lnkd.in/dGkZfRUQ #lipase #valorization #sustainablechemistry #agroindustrialwastes #lignocellulosic #Biotechnology

Significant progress has been achieved in improving the permeability and selectivity of organic micropollutants through reverse osmosis by using in-situ modification with acrylic polymers. Two innovative and cost-effective acrylic polymers were applied to modify reverse osmosis membranes, enhancing the selectivity for 1H-benzotriazole. Check out these and more findings in our recent scientific paper by Mei An, Leo Gutierrez, Arnout D'Haese, Lianshuai Tan, Chuanlong Ma, Karen Leus, Anton Nikiforov, Nathalie de Geyter, Rino Morent and Emile Cornelissen (KWR Water Research Institute, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering UGent and CAPTURE)  funded by the China Scholarship Council (File No. 202006300017). #membranes #reverseosmosis #watertreatment