Production of a halotolerant lipase from Halomonas sp. strain C2SS100: Optimization by response-surface methodology and application in detergent formulations

The aim of this work was to optimize the production of a new lipase by a halotolerant bacterial strain Halomonas sp. C2SS100, by means of the response-surface methodology (RSM). The process parameters having the most significant effect on lipase production were identified using the Plackett–Burman screening design-of-experiments. Then, Box–Behnken design was applied to optimize lipase activity and the quadratic regression model of the lipase production was built. Indeed, the lipase yield was increased, and the value obtained experimentally (39 ± 2 U/ml) was very close to the rate predicted by the model (40.3 U/ml). Likewise, optimization of parameters by RSM resulted in 2.78-fold increase in lipase activity. These findings provide the first report on lipase production and optimization by a halotolerant bacterial strain belonging to Halomonas genus. Afterward, the biochemical properties of the produced lipase were studied for apply in oil stains removal. The crude lipase showed a maximum activity at 60°C and at pH ranging from 7 to 10. It displayed an important stability at high temperature, pH, and NaCl. Interestingly, this bacterial lipase exhibited a prominent stability toward some commercial solid and liquid detergents after 30 min of incubation at 50°C. The capability of the crude lipase to eliminate stain was ascertained on polycotton fabric pieces stained with lubricating oil. Whether with the addition of hot water alone or of a commercially available detergent, lipase is able to considerably boost the elimination of oil stains. The actual findings highlight the capacity of Halomonas sp. lipase for energy-efficient biocatalytic application.     

Influence of Different Additives on the Interaction of Quinolone Antibiotic Drug with Surfactant: Conductivity and Cloud Point Measurement Study

Conductometric and cloud point (CP) measurement studies have been performed to investigate the interaction of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and Triton® X-100 (TX-100) with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CFH) in different solvents over the temperature range of 295.15–315.15 K. CFH is used for the treatment of various bacterial infections. The observed critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of TTAB were found to be reduced in the presence of electrolytes (Na₂SO₄/Na₃PO₄), and this reduction proceeds with the elevation of salt concentration. The order of the CMC of TTAB follows the trend: > >. The observed CMC values of TTAB were found to increase with increasing temperature and decrease with increasing concentration of CFH in aqueous medium. The values of Gibbs free energy of micellization () for the TTAB/TTAB + CFH mixture were found to be negative, implying spontaneous micellization. The estimated CP of TX-100 decreases with increasing concentration of TX-100 in aqueous medium. The CP values first decrease with increasing concentration of CFH and then increase at higher concentration of CFH almost in all cases investigated. The values of free energy of clouding were found to be positive in all cases studied implying that phase separation of TX-100 was nonspontaneous. The other thermodynamic parameters associated with the micellization of TTAB and the phase separation of TX-100 were estimated and explained.     

催化剂WXP-100在棉针织物低温练漂中的应用

为解决纯棉针织物练漂温度高、能耗大等问题,研究自制低温练漂催化剂WXP-100对纯棉针织物练漂一浴前处理效果的影响。优化的低温练漂工艺条件为:催化剂WXP-100质量浓度为2 g/L,氢氧化钠质量浓度为2 g/L,多功能精练剂L质量浓度为6 g/L,30%双氧水体积分数为12 mL/L,70℃处理60 min。研究发现,催化剂WXP-100能够有效促进棉针织物练漂,70℃低温练漂织物的吸水性达到传统高温练漂效果,而且织物的顶破强力保留率高,纤维损伤明显减小,白度略低于传统练漂织物。     

Indian black rice: A brewing raw material with novel functionality

Indian black rice (Chakhao Poireiton) is a pigmented variety, rich in anthocyanins and other phytonutrients. With growing interest in the use of local raw materials in brewing, it was of interest to develop protocols for malting and brewing with Chakhao Poireiton to see whether the antioxidant capacity of anthocyanins could be delivered into finished beer. Protocols for brewing with 100% malted rice were developed and the performance of Indian black rice compared with that of an Italian white rice cultivar suited to brewing. The apparent fermentabilities of rice worts were 69.5% (black) and 67.3% (white), yielding beers of 3.28 and 3.19% ABV respectively. Black rice worts were deficient in free amino nitrogen (83.5 mg/L relative to 137 mg/L for white rice) and would need nitrogen supplementation to avoid issues with fermentation, e.g. elevated diacetyl. Black rice beer had an orange-red hue as a result of extraction of anthocyanin pigments (2.84 mg/L). The oxidative stability of 100% rice beers was measured using electron spin resonance spectroscopy and both samples were found to be unusually stable. Interestingly, when rice beers were blended with a control barley malt derived lager in varying proportions (10, 25, 50%), the oxidative stability was improved, relative to the control lager, particularly so in the case of black rice beer, which contained an antioxidant capacity over and above that of the white rice beer. Future studies are required to determine whether the noted oxidative stability of 100% rice malt beers results in a more flavour-stable beer. © 2019 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Optimizing 100%‐renewable grids through shifting residential water‐heater load

A low‐carbon electricity supply for Australia was simulated, and the installed capacity of the electrical grid was optimized by shifting the electricity demand of residential electric water heaters (EWHs). The load‐shifting potential of Australia was estimated for each hour of the simulation period using a nationwide aggregate EWH load model on a 90 × 110 raster grid. The electricity demand of water heaters was shifted from periods of low renewable resource and high demand to periods of high renewable resource and low demand, enabling us to effectively reduce the installed capacity requirements of a 100%‐renewable electricity grid. It was found that by shifting the EWH load by just 1 hour, the electricity demand of Australia could be met using purely renewable electricity at an installed capacity of 145 GW with a capacity factor of 30%, an electricity spillage of 20%, and a generation cost of 15.2 ¢/kWh. A breakdown of the primary energy sources used in our scenario is as follows: 43% wind, 29% concentrated solar thermal power, and 20% utility photovoltaic. Sensitivity analysis suggested that further reduction in installed capacity is possible by increasing the load‐shifting duration as well as the volume and insulation level of the EWH tank.     

Use of micellar extraction and cloud point preconcentration for valorization of saponins from sisal (Agave sisalana) waste

Sisal (Agave sisalana) is the main hard fiber produced worldwide, with an estimated generation of 400 thousands t in 2011. From its leaves, only the hard fibers, which represent 3–5% of their weight, are removed. The remaining 95–97% is referred to as sisal waste and contains steroidal saponins that can be potentially used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals formulations, as well as for soil bioremediation. The present work aimed at to evaluate strategies for the extraction and concentration of saponins from sisal waste, focused on the use of clean solvents, such as water and ethanol. For this purpose, it was firstly performed a central composite rotatable design for the optimization of the extraction conditions followed by a comparison of this strategy with other methods (Soxhlet, ultrasound-assisted extraction and micellar extraction). Cloud point preconcentration was then tested, using several types and concentrations of salts. The use of orbital shaker extraction (200 rpm) with an ethanolic solution (30%, v/v) at 50 °C, a mass/volume ratio sisal/solvent of 0.17 (g/mL) for 4 h allowed a recovery of 38.6% of the saponins. When a micellar extraction strategy using 7.5% (v/v) of Triton X-100, under the above-mentioned conditions was performed, saponins recovery raised to 98.4%. In a subsequent step, the addition of 20% (m/v) sodium carbonate led to a preconcentration factor of 20.3. The best adsorbent for Triton removal from the preconcentrated solution was Amberlite FPX-66. The process strategy proposed in the present study showed to be efficient for saponins extraction and preconcentration from a low-cost, highly available agricultural waste.     

精制母液中回收PT酸的方法

通过研究仪化PTA装置精制废水处理过程,分析处理工艺,回收中间产物PT酸,以达到降本增效和节能减排的目的。具体工艺是对精制废水进行逐级冷却后,采用过滤和萃取分级工艺处理回收物料,降低装置消耗和COD排放。     

淬火温度对电弧微铸锻AerMet100钢组织与性能的影响

采用OM、XRD、SEM、TEM和力学性能试验方法,研究了在885～1150℃范围内不同淬火温度对电弧微铸锻增材制造AerMet100超高强度钢组织及力学性能的影响规律。结果表明,电弧微铸锻AerMet100钢原始态组织主要由板条马氏体和奥氏体组成,呈现出快速凝固的组织特征;随着淬火温度的升高,试验钢的凝固组织逐渐消失,当温度超过1050℃时基本上完全消除;断裂韧度随着淬火温度的升高表现出升高的趋势;抗拉强度和屈服强度随着淬火温度的升高没有明显变化;冲击吸收能量随着淬火温度的升高呈现先升高后下降的趋势,在淬火温度为1050℃时达到峰值。在试验温度范围内,1050℃左右淬火可获得优异的强韧性匹配,此时试验钢的断裂韧度为82.9 MPa·m^1/2,抗拉强度为2010 MPa,冲击吸收能量为50 J。     

交流干扰下不同组织X100钢在格尔木土壤模拟溶液中的腐蚀行为

目的 使用不同组织X100钢模拟焊接接头,探究在格尔木土壤模拟环境下,交流干扰对X100管线钢焊接接头腐蚀行为的影响规律。方法 采用动电位极化曲线、恒电位极化曲线、浸泡实验及表面分析技术,对X100管线钢焊接接头的腐蚀行为进行系统研究。结果 动电位极化曲线表明,随着交流电流密度的增加,不同组织X100钢腐蚀电流密度呈增加的趋势,阴极由耗氧反应控制转变为由析氢反应主导。在交流干扰下,腐蚀速率V退火>V热轧>V正火,恒电位极化测试中,退火组织受到交流干扰的影响更为明显。不同组织X100钢腐蚀形态以局部腐蚀为主,且有不同程度的点蚀发生。退火组织的腐蚀坑数量多,尺寸大而深,点蚀多分布在珠光体与铁素体的晶界处,少数分布在珠光体内部;正火组织点蚀数量最少,尺寸最小;热轧组织中粒状贝氏体较多且呈弥散分布,有较多的小点蚀分布在粒状贝氏体聚集的区域。结论 不同组织X100管线钢因微观结构不同而导致其耐蚀性有所差异。交流干扰下,由于珠光体与铁素体组织形成的微电偶腐蚀较为严重,从而导致退火组织的耐腐蚀性最差;正火组织中M/A岛呈针状分布,粒状贝氏体相对较少,耐腐蚀性最好;热轧组织的耐蚀性居于退火组织与正火组织两者之间。