Rachel P.’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

One of the main research topics of the Research group for bioprocess intensification from Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, is development of novel valorization routes for different types of agro-industrial waste/effluents using beneficial microorganisms, thus defining bioprocess solutions for production of wide spectra of microbial value-added products. Our newest study was published in collaboration with colleagues from Department of Food Preservation Enginnering with expertise in development of novel technological processes for fruit and vegetable processing, as well as with research group From Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, proficient in profiling, recovery and development of application routes for bioactive compounds. If you were interested to find out more on possibilites to recover polyphenols or produce microbial plant biostimulants using strawberry juice production wastewater, the study could be found using the following link: https://lnkd.in/dp94saSG This research was funded by the Provinicial Secretariate for Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in the framework of the project “Development of industrial symbiosis in the AP Vojvodina through valorization of fruit processingby-products using green technologies”. Ivana Danilov Vanja Vlajkov, PhD Tatjana Dujković Zdravko Šumić Aleksandra Tepić Horecki Anita Milić Nemanja Živanović Natasa Simin Marija Lesjak

Am thrilled to share with you that have successfully defended final year seminar on the topic "RECENT ADVANCES ON BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS OF MICROBIAL ENZYMES" . The paper review unveil several developments in biotechnological applications of microbial enzymes in various sectors, exploiting their efficiency, specificity, and eco-friendly nature. These enzymes, generated from microbes including bacteria, fungi, and yeast, have varied applications across industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and biofuels. Genetic manipulation techniques have enhanced yields, while fermentation procedures have optimized production. The studies focus on isolating enzymes from harsh environments and the production process encompasses selection, improvement, fermentation, harvesting, purification, formulation, and quality control procedures. Microbial enzymes drive activities including food processing, trash management, and biofuel creatio and also they represent sustainable, efficient solutions with broad industrial applicability. Special thanks to my supervisor Dr Adelere Isiaka for his support and encouragement and to my scholar Oluwaseyi Akinpelu for his guidance. #Finalyearbrethren #DepartmentOfMicrobiology #FederalUniversityofTechnologyMinna

I invite everyone who is interested, to join me for giving some insights into our work on industrial biocatalysis at Enzymicals.

💡 Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) from Microalgae ✅ EPS are natural polymers of high molecular weight secreted by microorganisms into their environment. ✅ These compounds are found in the matrix of other microbial biofilms such as microalgal biofilms. ✅ Microalgal EPS has similar components to the bacterial one; it is made up of proteins, phospholipids, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, humic substances, uronic acids, and some functional groups, such as phosphoric, carboxylic, hydroxyl and amino groups. ✅ Several factors contribute to the composition of EPS including species, substrate type, nutrient availability, temperature, pH and light intensity. ✅ They play crucial roles in the survival and growth of microalgae. ✅ Their biodegradability, low toxicity, and diverse functionalities make them attractive for a wide range of applications: 🌟 Biotechnological applications: EPS from microalgae can be used as biofertilizers, biostimulants... 🌟 Environmental benefits: EPS from microalgae play key roles in environmental processes such as biofilm formation, nutrient cycling, and pollutant remediation. They can also improve soil structure and water retention, making them valuable for sustainable agriculture. 🌟 The potential of EPS from microalgae extends to various industries, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. These compounds are being explored for their role in drug delivery systems, wound healing, and as natural thickeners in food products. #Microalgae #EPS #Biotechnology #Sustainability #EnvironmentalScience Figure : Physiology of microalgal biofilm: a review on prediction of adhesion on substrates.

🔔 Welcome to read one of our papers published "£Alginate-Based #Bio-Composites and Their Potential Applications" by Dr. Maziar Ramezani et al. 🔗 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫: https://brnw.ch/21wNMre ✔️ The application of alginate #fibers in several areas such as cosmetics, #sensors, #drug delivery, #tissue engineering, and water treatment are investigated. #MDPI #openaccess #learning #research #publishing #openscience

Check out the Top read/cited articles in the last 30 days on Natural Product Communications: 💡 Synthesis and Characterization of the Diastereomers of HHC and H4CBD Westley Cruces and colleagues - 225 reads; 17 citations https://lnkd.in/e6ED3x8u 💡 Multifunctional Analysis of Banana Leaves Extracts for Dyeing Properties of Pima Cotton Fabric Using Different Mordants - 381 reads; 4 citations https://lnkd.in/epsAkMxn 💡 Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum americanum: A Systematic Literature Review on Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Properties Shuma Fayera et al - 294 reads https://lnkd.in/euANgpZ4 💡 A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Calendula officinalis Linn - 167 reads; 1 citation https://lnkd.in/eM3WDPs7 💡 Exploring (Un)Covered Potentials of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Essential Oil and Hydrolate: From Chemical Characterization to Biological Activities Olja Šovljanski et al - 63 reads https://lnkd.in/eX-pFEGm

Biocatalysts, often referred to as enzymes or biological catalysts, are proteins or molecules derived from living organisms that expedite chemical reactions. They possess the remarkable ability to facilitate various chemical transformations with exceptional specificity and efficiency. For instance, enzymes like amylase play a crucial role in breaking down starch into sugars during digestion, while lipase catalyzes the breakdown of fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Additionally, bacteria are utilized in fermentation processes to produce valuable compounds such as ethanol or lactic acid. The advantages of employing biocatalysts in industrial and scientific applications are significant. Firstly, they are environmentally friendly, as they are derived from renewable resources and operate under mild reaction conditions, minimizing waste and energy consumption. Moreover, biocatalysts exhibit high selectivity, allowing for precise control over reaction outcomes, thus reducing the formation of unwanted byproducts. Their renewable nature also contributes to cost-effectiveness, making them economically viable alternatives to traditional chemical catalysts. However, it's essential to acknowledge the limitations of biocatalysts. They are often sensitive to environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, and substrate concentration, which can affect their activity and stability. Additionally, biocatalysts may have a limited range of substrates they can effectively act upon, restricting their applicability in certain reactions. Product inhibition, where the accumulation of reaction products inhibits enzyme activity, is another challenge associated with biocatalysts. Moreover, enzymes are susceptible to denaturation under extreme conditions, leading to loss of activity and efficacy over time. Despite these challenges, ongoing research and advancements in biocatalyst engineering hold promise for addressing limitations and expanding their applications in various industries, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient pathway for decarbonization and engineering solutions in daily life. Reference: Peter K. Robinson, (2015), Enzymes: principles and biotechnological applications, https://lnkd.in/gNs-p_GR Sujata S. Patil, Virendra K. Rathod, (2021), Intensification of extraction of biomolecules using three-phase partitioning, https://lnkd.in/gggWPVWA. This sharing is in conjunction with the assignment for Biocatalyst subject, instructed by Dr. -Ing. Amizon Azizan. #biocatalyst #biocatalysis #bioprocess #chemicalengineering #decarbonization #engineering #sustainability

【Microbial Diversity and Key Metabolic Pathways in Lignite-Promoted Anaerobic Fermentation with Residual Sludge】 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gtcNcjDr (Authored by Yawei Zhang, et al., from Henan Polytechnic University (China), etc.) Anaerobic digestion, a widely used sludge resourcing technology, utilizes anaerobic microorganisms to convert complex organic matter into energy sources such as volatile fatty acids and methane. In recent years, the co-fermentation of different substrates has become a hot research topic in anaerobic fermentation. This study conducts three sets of experiments with different ratios of residual sludge co-anaerobic fermentation with lignite to analyze the stages of degradation and transformation of methane, and analyzes the bacterial colony structure, metabolic pathways, and interactions between residual sludge and lignite in anaerobic methanogenic fermentation with different mass ratios using macrogenomics sequencing. 

Incredible publication by MSc Daniele Saluti, analyzing the technical and economic feasibility of producing lipase enzymes from agro-industrial waste. New technologies, using new, cheaper substrates or even waste, can often seem impressive. But without a broader analysis considering how other process costs are altered as a new technology is introduced, uncertainties end up blocking its implementation. Preliminary technical-economic analyses in scientific papers like this one are increasingly a must.