Displaying publications 181 - 200 of 502 in total

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  1. Biorefineries of carbon dioxide: From carbon capture and storage (CCS) to bioenergies production
    Cheah WY, Ling TC, Juan JC, Lee DJ, Chang JS, Show PL
    Bioresour Technol, 2016 Sep;215:346-56.
    PMID: 27090405 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.04.019
    Greenhouse gas emissions have several adverse environmental effects, like pollution and climate change. Currently applied carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods are not cost effective and have not been proven safe for long term sequestration. Another attractive approach is CO2 valorization, whereby CO2 can be captured in the form of biomass via photosynthesis and is subsequently converted into various form of bioenergy. This article summarizes the current carbon sequestration and utilization technologies, while emphasizing the value of bioconversion of CO2. In particular, CO2 sequestration by terrestrial plants, microalgae and other microorganisms are discussed. Prospects and challenges for CO2 conversion are addressed. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive knowledge and updated information on the current advances in biological CO2 sequestration and valorization, which are essential if this approach is to achieve environmental sustainability and economic feasibility.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  2. Towards an eco-friendly deconstruction of agro-industrial biomass and preparation of renewable cellulose nanomaterials: A review
    Teo HL, Wahab RA
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 Oct 15;161:1414-1430.
    PMID: 32791266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.076
    There is an array of methodologies to prepare nanocellulose (NC) and its fibrillated form (CNF) with enhanced physicochemical characteristics. However, acids, bases or organosolv treatments on biomass are far from green, and seriously threaten the environment. Current approach to produce NC/CNF from biomass should be revised and embrace the concept of sustainability and green chemistry. Although hydrothermal process, high-pressure homogenization, ball milling technique, deep eutectic solvent treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis etc., are the current techniques for producing NC, the route designs remain imperfect. Herein, this review highlights the latest methodologies in the pre-processing and isolating of NC/CNF from lignocellulose biomass, by largely focusing on related papers published in the past two years till date. This article also explores the latest advancements in environmentally friendly NC extraction techniques that cooperatively use ball milling and enzymatic hydrolytic routes as an eco-efficient way to produce NC/CNF, alongside the potential applications of the nano-sized celluloses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  3. Fulltext Optimal reduction of chemical oxygen demand and NH3-N from landfill leachate using a strongly resistant novel Bacillus salmalaya strain
    Dadrasnia A, Azirun MS, Ismail SB
    BMC Biotechnol, 2017 Nov 28;17(1):85.
    PMID: 29179747 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-017-0395-9
    BACKGROUND: When the unavoidable waste generation is considered as damaging to our environment, it becomes crucial to develop a sustainable technology to remediate the pollutant source towards an environmental protection and safety. The development of a bioengineering technology for highly efficient pollutant removal is this regard. Given the high ammonia nitrogen content and chemical oxygen demand of landfill leachate, Bacillus salmalaya strain 139SI, a novel resident strain microbe that can survive in high ammonia nitrogen concentrations, was investigated for the bioremoval of ammonia nitrogen from landfill leachate. The treatability of landfill leachate was evaluated under different treatment parameters, such as temperature, inoculum dosage, and pH.

    RESULTS: Results demonstrated that bioaugmentation with the novel strain can potentially improve the biodegradability of landfill leachate. B. salmalaya strain 139SI showed high potential to enhance biological treatment given its maximum NH3-N and COD removal efficiencies. The response surface plot pattern indicated that within 11 days and under optimum conditions (10% v/v inoculant, pH 6, and 35 °C), B. salmalaya strain139SI removed 78% of ammonia nitrogen. At the end of the study, biological and chemical oxygen demands remarkably decreased by 88% and 91.4%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that ammonia ions covered the cell surface of B. salmalaya strain139SI.

    CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, novel resistant Bacillus salmalaya strain139SI significantly reduces the chemical oxygen demand and NH3-N content of landfill leachate. Leachate treatment by B. salmalaya strain 139SI within 11 days.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  4. Development of sustainable dye adsorption system using nutraceutical industrial fennel seed spent-studies using Congo red dye
    Taqui SN, Yahya R, Hassan A, Nayak N, Syed AA
    Int J Phytoremediation, 2017 Jul 03;19(7):686-694.
    PMID: 28121459 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2017.1284746
    Fennel seed spent (FSS)-an inexpensive nutraceutical industrial spent has been used as an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous media. Results show that the conditions for maximum adsorption would be pH 2-4 and 30°C were ideal for maximum adsorption. Based on regression fitting of the data, it was determined that the Sips isotherm (R2 = 0.994, χ2 = 0.5) adequately described the mechanism of adsorption, suggesting that the adsorption occurs homogeneously with favorable interaction between layers with favorable interaction between layers. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption is favorable (negative values for ΔG°) and endothermic (ΔH° = 12-20 kJ mol-1) for initial dye concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ppm. The low ΔH° value indicates that the adsorption is a physical process involving weak chemical interactions like hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. The kinetics revealed that the adsorption process showed pseudo-second-order tendencies with the equal influence of intraparticle as well as film diffusion. The scanning electron microscopy images of FSS show a highly fibrous matrix with a hierarchical porous structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the spent confirmed the presence of cellulosic and lignocellulosic matter, giving it both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. The investigations indicate that FSS is a cost-effective and efficient biosorbent for the remediation of toxic CR dye.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  5. Optimizing of pharmaceutical active compounds biodegradability in secondary effluents by β-lactamase from Bacillus subtilis using central composite design
    Al-Gheethi A, Noman E, Radin Mohamed RMS, Ismail N, Bin Abdullah AH, Mohd Kassim AH
    J Hazard Mater, 2019 03 05;365:883-894.
    PMID: 30497042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.068
    Biodegradation of pharmaceuticals active compounds (PACs) in secondary effluents by using B. subtilis 2012WTNC as a function of β-lactamase was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) designed by central composite design (CCD). Four factors including initial concentration of bacteria (1-6 log10 CFU mL-1), incubation period (1-14 days), incubation temperature (20-40 °C) and initial concentration of PACs (1-5 mg L-1) were investigated. The optimal operating factors for biodegradation process determined using response surface methodology (RSM) was recorded with 5.57 log10 CFU mL-1 of B. subtilis, for 10.38 days, at 36.62 °C and with 4.14 mg L-1 of (cephalexin/amoxicillin) with R2 coefficient of 0.99. The biodegradation was 83.81 and 93.94% respectively. The relationship among the independent variables was significant (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  6. Effect of cogon grass fibre on the thermal, mechanical and biodegradation properties of thermoplastic cassava starch biocomposite
    Jumaidin R, Khiruddin MAA, Asyul Sutan Saidi Z, Salit MS, Ilyas RA
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 Mar 01;146:746-755.
    PMID: 31730973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.11.011
    Thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) is a promising alternative material to replace the non-biodegradable petroleum based polymer due to its good environmental-friendly aspect i.e. abundant, sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable in nature. However, TPCS have some limitation such as poor mechanical properties. Therefore, in the present study, cogon grass fibre (CGF) were incorporated into TPCS using compression molding. Then the fundamental properties of CFG/TPCS biopolymer composites were carried out in order to evaluate their potential as a biodegradable reinforcement. From the study it was found that, the incorporation of CFG has improved the tensile and flexural properties of the TPCS composites, while the impact strength and elongation were reduced. The thermal properties of the biocomposite were reduced as the cogon grass fibres increase from 0 to 5%. In term of morphological, SEM shows good fibre adhesion between CGF and TPCS. Soil burial test shows that incorporation of CGF into TPCS has slow down the biodegradation process of the composites. Thus, CGF/TPCS biopolymer composites can be classified as composites with great potential as environmental-friendly material that biodegradable and renewable.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  7. Plant-assisted remediation of hydrocarbons in water and soil: Application, mechanisms, challenges and opportunities
    Abdullah SRS, Al-Baldawi IA, Almansoory AF, Purwanti IF, Al-Sbani NH, Sharuddin SSN
    Chemosphere, 2020 May;247:125932.
    PMID: 32069719 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125932
    Due to the increasing importance of diesel and petroleum for industrial development during the last century, petrochemical effluents have significantly contributed to the pollution of aquatic and soil environments. The contamination generated by petroleum hydrocarbons can endanger not only humans but also the environment. Phytoremediation or plant-assisted remediation can be considered one of the best technologies to manage petroleum product-contaminated water and soil. The main advantages of this method are that it is environmentally-friendly, potentially cost-effective and does not require specialised equipment. The scope of this review includes a description of hydrocarbon pollutants from petrochemical industries, their toxicity impacts and methods of treatment and degradation. The major emphasis is on phytodegradation (phytotransformation) and rhizodegradation since these mechanisms are the most favourable alternatives for soil and water reclamation of hydrocarbons using tropical plants. In addressing these issues, this review also covers challenges to retrieve the environment (soil and water) from petroleum contaminations through phytoremediation, and its opportunities to remove or reduce the negative environmental impacts of petroleum contaminations and restore damaged ecosystems with sustainable ways to keep healthy life for the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  8. Benzo(a)pyrene degradation and microbial community responses in composted soil
    Zhu F, Storey S, Ashaari MM, Clipson N, Doyle E
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Feb;24(6):5404-5414.
    PMID: 28025788 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-8251-3
    Benzo(a)pyrene degradation was compared in soil that was either composted, incubated at a constant temperature of 22 °C, or incubated under a temperature regime typical of a composting process. After 84 days, significantly more (61%) benzo(a)pyrene was removed from composted soil compared to soils incubated at a constant temperature (29%) or at composting temperatures (46%). Molecular fingerprinting approaches indicated that in composted soils, bacterial community changes were driven by both temperature and organic amendment, while fungal community changes were primarily driven by temperature. Next-generation sequencing data revealed that the bacterial community in composted soil was dominated by Actinobacteria (order Actinomycetales), Firmicutes (class Bacilli), and Proteobacteria (classes Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria), regardless of whether benzo(a)pyrene was present or not. The relative abundance of unclassified Actinomycetales (Actinobacteria) was significantly higher in composted soil when degradation was occurring, indicating a potential role for these organisms in benzo(a)pyrene metabolism. This study provides baseline data for employing straw-based composting strategies for the removal of high molecular weight PAHs from soil and contributes to the knowledge of how microbial communities respond to incubation conditions and pollutant degradation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  9. Fullerene C60 for enhancing phytoremediation of urea plant wastewater by timber plants
    Yavari S, Malakahmad A, Sapari NB, Yavari S
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2018 Apr;25(12):11351-11363.
    PMID: 29417482 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1345-3
    Phytoremediation has been applied as a promising and cost-effective technique for removing nutrient pollutants from wastewater. In this study, the effect of fullerene C60 was assessed on enhancing the phytoremediation efficiency of teak plants over a period of 1 month. Teak plants were supplied with fullerene C60 (0, 25, or 50 mg L-1) and fed daily with two types of urea plant wastewater (with and without adding optimum ratio of phosphorus and potassium). The required volume of wastewater by the teak plants, nitrogen removal percentage, plant growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, leaf surface area, and dry biomass), and nutrient content was recorded throughout the study. The results showed that addition of 25 mg L-1 fullerene C60 to urea plant wastewater could increase water uptake and nitrogen recovery of the teak plants. Plant growth and nutrient contents of teak plants were also increased in the presence of 25 mg L-1 fullerene C60. However, addition of 50 mg L-1 fullerene C60 to the wastewater decreased the values for water uptake and nitrogen recovery. The findings indicated that addition of proper amount of fullerene C60 to the teak-based remediation system can increase the efficiency of the plants for nitrogen removal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  10. Dye removal of AR27 with enhanced degradation and power generation in a microbial fuel cell using bioanode of treated clinoptilolite-modified graphite felt
    Kardi SN, Ibrahim N, Darzi GN, Rashid NAA, Villaseñor J
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Aug;24(23):19444-19457.
    PMID: 28580546 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9204-1
    This work studied the performance of a laboratory-scale microbial fuel cell (MFC) using a bioanode that consisted of treated clinoptilolite fine powder coated onto graphite felt (TC-MGF). The results were compared with another similar MFC that used a bare graphite felt (BGF) bioanode. The anode surfaces provided active sites for the adhesion of the bacterial consortium (NAR-2) and the biodegradation of mono azo dye C.I. Acid Red 27. As a result, bioelectricity was generated in both MFCs. A 98% decolourisation rate was achieved using the TC-MGF bioanode under a fed-batch operation mode. Maximum power densities for BGF and TC-MGF bioanodes were 458.8 ± 5.0 and 940.3 ± 4.2 mW m-2, respectively. GC-MS analyses showed that the dye was readily degraded in the presence of the TC-MGF bioanode. The MFC using the TC-MGF bioanode showed a stable biofilm with no biomass leached out for more than 300 h operation. In general, MFC performance was substantially improved by the fabricated TC-MGF bioanode. It was also found that the TC-MGF bioanode with the stable biofilm presented the nature of exopolysaccharide (EPS) structure, which is suitable for the biodegradation of the azo dye. In fact, the EPS facilitated the shuttling of electrons to the bioanode for the generation of bioelectricity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  11. Mycoremediation--a prospective environmental friendly technique of bioseparation and dewatering of domestic wastewater sludge
    Molla AH, Fakhru'l-Razi A
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2012 Jun;19(5):1612-9.
    PMID: 22134862 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0676-0
    INTRODUCTION: Environmental safe and friendly management and disposal of wastewater sludge is a problem of every treatment plant throughout the world. Bioseparation and dewaterability of raw domestic wastewater sludge were evaluated for proper management and disposal by mycoremediation, i.e., using prior grown 2% (v/v) spore suspension of filamentous fungal (Mucor hiemalis Wehmer) broth inoculation, which were grown in 2% (w/v) solution of malt extract and wheat flour for 48-60 h in orbital shaker.

    DISCUSSION: Within 2-3 days of treatment application, encouraging results were achieved in total dry solids (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), specific resistance to filtration (SRF), and pH due to fungal treatment in recognition of bioseparation and dewaterability of wastewater sludge compared to control. The significant reduction of TDS was remarked at fungal biomass (FB) in wheat flour (WF) treatment. The removal of TSS, turbidity, COD, and SRF were observed 96.0%, 99.4%, 92.6%, and 97.6%, respectively, in supernatant at 5 days by FB in WF. The SRF measuring the dewaterability was decreased with maximum (0.26 × 10(-12) mg/kg) equivalent to 95.5% at 2 days in FB in WF also. FB in WF broth is a potential, environmental friendly, comparatively low-cost biological technique which might play the significant role for bioremediation and bioseparation of domestic wastewater sludge. The present technique may bring a dynamic change in treatment of wastewater in future.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  12. Fulltext Kinetics of molybdenum reduction to molybdenum blue by Bacillus sp. strain A.rzi
    Othman AR, Bakar NA, Halmi MI, Johari WL, Ahmad SA, Jirangon H, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:371058.
    PMID: 24369531 DOI: 10.1155/2013/371058
    Molybdenum is very toxic to agricultural animals. Mo-reducing bacterium can be used to immobilize soluble molybdenum to insoluble forms, reducing its toxicity in the process. In this work the isolation of a novel molybdate-reducing Gram positive bacterium tentatively identified as Bacillus sp. strain A.rzi from a metal-contaminated soil is reported. The cellular reduction of molybdate to molybdenum blue occurred optimally at 4 mM phosphate, using 1% (w/v) glucose, 50 mM molybdate, between 28 and 30 °C and at pH 7.3. The spectrum of the Mo-blue product showed a maximum peak at 865 nm and a shoulder at 700 nm. Inhibitors of bacterial electron transport system (ETS) such as rotenone, sodium azide, antimycin A, and potassium cyanide could not inhibit the molybdenum-reducing activity. At 0.1 mM, mercury, copper, cadmium, arsenic, lead, chromium, cobalt, and zinc showed strong inhibition on molybdate reduction by crude enzyme. The best model that fitted the experimental data well was Luong followed by Haldane and Monod. The calculated value for Luong's constants p max, K(s), S(m), and n was 5.88 μmole Mo-blue hr(-1), 70.36 mM, 108.22 mM, and 0.74, respectively. The characteristics of this bacterium make it an ideal tool for bioremediation of molybdenum pollution.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  13. Aspergillus niger as an efficient biological agent for separator sludge remediation: two-level factorial design for optimal fermentation
    Thegarathah P, Jewaratnam J, Simarani K, Elgharbawy AAM
    PeerJ, 2024;12:e17151.
    PMID: 39026538 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17151
    BACKGROUND: The booming palm oil industry is in line with the growing population worldwide and surge in demand. This leads to a massive generation of palm oil mill effluent (POME). POME is composed of sterilizer condensate (SC), separator sludge (SS), and hydro-cyclone wastewater (HCW). Comparatively, SS exhibits the highest organic content, resulting in various environmental impacts. However, past studies mainly focused on treating the final effluent. Therefore, this pioneering research investigated the optimization of pollutant removal in SS via different aspects of bioremediation, including experimental conditions, treatment efficiencies, mechanisms, and degradation pathways.

    METHODS: A two-level factorial design was employed to optimize the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity using Aspergillus niger. Bioremediation of SS was performed through submerged fermentation (SmF) under several independent variables, including temperature (20-40 °C), agitation speed (100-200 RPM), fermentation duration (72-240 h), and initial sample concentration (20-100%). The characteristics of the treated SS were then compared to that of raw sludge.

    RESULTS: Optimal COD and turbidity removal were achieved at 37 °C 100 RPM, 156 h, and 100% sludge. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant effect of selective individual and interacting variables (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  14. Blended Nephelium lappaceum and Durio zibethinus wastes for activated carbon production via microwave-ZnCl2 activation: optimization for methylene blue dye removal
    Jawad AH, Hapiz A, Wu R, Abdulhameed AS, ALOthman ZA
    Int J Phytoremediation, 2024;26(10):1655-1666.
    PMID: 38711172 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2024.2344178
    Herein, this work targets to employ the blended fruit wastes including rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) peel and durian (Durio zibethinus) seed as a promising precursor to produce activated carbon (RPDSAC). The generation of RPDSAC was accomplished through a rapid and practical procedure (microwave-ZnCl2 activation). To evaluate the adsorptive capabilities of RPDSAC, its efficacy in eliminating methylene blue (MB), a simulated cationic dye, was measured. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was utilized to optimize the crucial adsorption parameters, namely A: RPDSAC dose (0.02-01 g/100 mL), B: pH (4-10), and C: time (2-6 min). The BBD design determined that the highest level of MB removal (79.4%) was achieved with the condition dosage of RPDSAC at 0.1 g/100 mL, contact time (6 min), and pH (10). The adsorption isotherm data is consistent with the Freundlich concept, and the pseudo-second-order versions adequately describe the kinetic data. The monolayer adsorption capacity (qmax) of RPDSAC reached 120.4 mg/g at 25 °C. Various adsorption mechanisms are involved in the adsorption of MB dye onto the surface of RPDSAC, including π-π stacking, H-bonding, pore filling, and electrostatic forces. This study exhibits the potential of the RPDSAC as an adsorbent for removal of toxic cationic dye (MB) from contaminated wastewater.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  15. Promoting role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and biochar on nitrogen retention and degradation of PBAT plastics during composting
    Wang L, Qi Y, Cao L, Song L, Hu R, Li Q, et al.
    Environ Pollut, 2024 Dec 15;363(Pt 2):125228.
    PMID: 39486677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125228
    Since the increasing number of polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)-based plastics entering the environment, the search for sustainable treatment methods has become a primary focus of contemporary research. Composting offers a novel approach for managing biodegradable plastics. However, a significant challenge in the composting process is how to control nitrogen loss and enhance plastic degradation. In this context, the effect of various additives on nitrogen retention, PBAT plastics degradation, and microbial community dynamics during composting was investigated. The findings revealed that the addition of nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter vinelandii and biochar (AzBC) significantly improved nitrogen retention and accelerated PBAT rupture within 40 days of composting. Specifically, the PBAT degradation rate in the AzBC group reached 29.6%, which increased by 12.14% (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental*
  16. Assessment of the factors contributing to the variations in microcystins biodegradability of the biofilms on a practical biological treatment facility
    Li J, Shimizu K, Akasako H, Lu Z, Akiyama S, Goto M, et al.
    Bioresour Technol, 2015 Jan;175:463-72.
    PMID: 25459856 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.10.047
    This study revealed the biotic and abiotic parameters driving the variations in microcystins (MCs) biodegradability of a practical biological treatment facility (BTF). Results showed that similar trends of seasonal variation were seen for microcystin-LR (MCLR) biodegradability of biofilms on the BTF and indigenous MCLR-degrader population, where both peaks co-occurred in October, following the peaks of natural MCLR concentration and water temperature observed in August. The lag period might be required for accumulation of MCLR-degraders and MCLR-degrading enzyme activity. The MCLR-degrader population was correlated to temperature, MCLR and chlorophyll-a concentration in water where the biofilms submerged, indicating that these abiotic and biotic parameters exerted direct and/or indirect influences on seasonal variation in MCLR-biodegradability. In comparison, no effect of other co-existing MCs on biodegradation of one MC was observed. However, proliferation of MC-degraders along biodegradation processes positively responded to total amount of MCs, suggesting that multiple MCs contributed additively to MC-degrader proliferation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  17. Fulltext Potential use of halophytes to remediate saline soils
    Hasanuzzaman M, Nahar K, Alam MM, Bhowmik PC, Hossain MA, Rahman MM, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:589341.
    PMID: 25110683 DOI: 10.1155/2014/589341
    Salinity is one of the rising problems causing tremendous yield losses in many regions of the world especially in arid and semiarid regions. To maximize crop productivity, these areas should be brought under utilization where there are options for removing salinity or using the salt-tolerant crops. Use of salt-tolerant crops does not remove the salt and hence halophytes that have capacity to accumulate and exclude the salt can be an effective way. Methods for salt removal include agronomic practices or phytoremediation. The first is cost- and labor-intensive and needs some developmental strategies for implication; on the contrary, the phytoremediation by halophyte is more suitable as it can be executed very easily without those problems. Several halophyte species including grasses, shrubs, and trees can remove the salt from different kinds of salt-affected problematic soils through salt excluding, excreting, or accumulating by their morphological, anatomical, physiological adaptation in their organelle level and cellular level. Exploiting halophytes for reducing salinity can be good sources for meeting the basic needs of people in salt-affected areas as well. This review focuses on the special adaptive features of halophytic plants under saline condition and the possible ways to utilize these plants to remediate salinity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  18. Fulltext Biodegradation of palm kernel cake by cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic bacterial cultures through solid state fermentation
    Alshelmani MI, Loh TC, Foo HL, Lau WH, Sazili AQ
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:729852.
    PMID: 25019097 DOI: 10.1155/2014/729852
    Four cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic bacterial cultures were purchased from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Culture (DSMZ) and the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Two experiments were conducted; the objective of the first experiment was to determine the optimum time period required for solid state fermentation (SSF) of palm kernel cake (PKC), whereas the objective of the second experiment was to investigate the effect of combinations of these cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic bacteria on the nutritive quality of the PKC. In the first experiment, the SSF was lasted for 12 days with inoculum size of 10% (v/w) on different PKC to moisture ratios. In the second experiment, fifteen combinations were created among the four microbes with one untreated PKC as a control. The SSF lasted for 9 days, and the samples were autoclaved, dried, and analyzed for proximate analysis. Results showed that bacterial cultures produced high enzymes activities at the 4th day of SSF, whereas their abilities to produce enzymes tended to be decreased to reach zero at the 8th day of SSF. Findings in the second experiment showed that hemicellulose and cellulose was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased, whereas the amount of reducing sugars were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the fermented PKC (FPKC) compared with untreated PKC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  19. Treatment of agro based industrial wastewater in sequencing batch reactor: performance evaluation and growth kinetics of aerobic biomass
    Lim JX, Vadivelu VM
    J Environ Manage, 2014 Dec 15;146:217-225.
    PMID: 25173730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.07.023
    A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with a working volume of 8 L and an exchange ratio of 25% was used to enrich biomass for the treatment of the anaerobically treated low pH palm oil mill effluent (POME). The influent concentration was stepwise increased from 5000 ± 500 mg COD/L to 11,500 ± 500 mg COD/L. The performance of the reactor was monitored at different organic loading rates (OLRs). It was found that approximately 90% of the COD content of the POME wastewater was successfully removed regardless of the OLR applied to the SBR. Cycle studies of the SBR show that the oxygen uptake by the biomass while there is no COD reduction may be due to the oxidation of the storage product by the biomass. Further, the growth kinetic parameters of the biomass were determined in batch experiments using respirometer. The maximum specific growth rate (μmax) was estimated to be 1.143 day(-1) while the half saturation constant (Ks) with respect to COD was determined to be 0.429 g COD/L. The decay coefficient (bD) and biomass yield (Y) were found to be 0.131 day(-1) and 0.272 mg biomass/mg COD consumed, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  20. Fulltext Physical, chemical, and biological methods for the removal of arsenic compounds
    Lim KT, Shukor MY, Wasoh H
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:503784.
    PMID: 24696853 DOI: 10.1155/2014/503784
    Arsenic is a toxic metalloid which is widely distributed in nature. It is normally present as arsenate under oxic conditions while arsenite is predominant under reducing condition. The major discharges of arsenic in the environment are mainly due to natural sources such as aquifers and anthropogenic sources. It is known that arsenite salts are more toxic than arsenate as it binds with vicinal thiols in pyruvate dehydrogenase while arsenate inhibits the oxidative phosphorylation process. The common mechanisms for arsenic detoxification are uptaken by phosphate transporters, aquaglyceroporins, and active extrusion system and reduced by arsenate reductases via dissimilatory reduction mechanism. Some species of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms use arsenic oxyanions for their regeneration of energy. Certain species of microorganisms are able to use arsenate as their nutrient in respiratory process. Detoxification operons are a common form of arsenic resistance in microorganisms. Hence, the use of bioremediation could be an effective and economic way to reduce this pollutant from the environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
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