Biohydrogen by Rhodobacter sphaeroides during photo-fermentation: Mixed vs. sole carbon sources enhance bacterial growth and H2 production

Mixed carbon sources fermentation by bacteria is a promising approach for biohydrogen (H₂) production biotechnology. In the present study, growth and Н₂ production by purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides MDC6521 during mixed carbon sources (succinate + acetate, succinate + malate, and malate + acetate) photo-fermentation was investigated. The growth rate of bacteria in mixed carbon sources containing medium was of ∼0.33 h⁻¹ which was considerably higher (1.3–1.7-fold) compared with sole carbon substrate containing one. Moreover, the H₂ production during photo-fermentation of succinate and acetate mixture was of ∼6.5 mmol H₂ g⁻¹ (dry weight of biomass) and significantly more (∼2–3-fold) than that with appropriate sole sources and higher (1.5-fold) than that with succinate and malate mixture. Probably, supplementation of the mixed carbon sources into bacterial culture alters the mode of metabolism, resulting in enhanced H₂ production, thus they can be preferable compared to the sole carbon source. The changed F_OF₁-ATPase activity of membrane vesicles suggested its important role in the increase of Н₂ production efficiency. The results showed that mixed carbon sources provide more H₂ than the sole carbon substrates and succinate with acetate mixture is better than succinate with malate.     

Graphitized carbon nanocages/palladium nanoparticles: Sustainable preparation and electrocatalytic performances towards ethanol oxidation reaction

Graphitized carbon (GC) nanocages have been successfully prepared via a sustainable carbon powder buried-type Ni catalysis-growth technology from Tween-80 molecule precursor. The GC nanocages are used as support for the further construction of GC/Pd electrocatalyst towards ethanol oxidation reaction. The material structures and surface morphologies are studied by XRD, SEM and TEM techniques. The electrochemical properties are investigated by CV, LSV, EIS and CP techniques. The results showed that GC nanocages have good graphited structure and plentiful opening gaps, and the Pd nanoparticles were evenly distributed on the inner and outer surfaces of GC nanocages. The GC/Pd electrocatalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance towards ethanol oxidation. The positive scanning peak current density of GC/Pd electrode is up to 1612 A/g Pd in 1.0 mol/L NaOH +1.0 mol/L ethanol electrolyte, which is much higher than those (500–1100 A/g Pd) of traditional Pd electrodes supported with carbon nanotubes or graphene nanosheets.     

Macaroon-like FeCo2O4 modified activated carbon anode for enhancing power generation in direct glucose fuel cell

Macaroon-like FeCo₂O₄ nanomaterial was prepared and used as electrocatalyst in direct glucose alkaline fuel cell (DGAFC), which exhibited high catalytic activity towards glucose oxidation reaction. Maximum power density of 35.91 W m⁻² was achieved in the DGAFC equipped with a FeCo₂O₄ modified activated carbon (AC) anode, which was almost 151% higher than the control. Physical and electrochemical characterizations were performed to provide further understanding of the origin of its high activity. Our results show that the introduction of FeCo₂O₄ into the AC anode remarkably increase the exchange current density and reduce the charge transfer resistance. It is supposed that there is a synergistic effect between Fe (III) and Co (III), which accelerates electron transfer from glucose to external circuits. This study will promote the development of cost effective and environmentally benign catalysts for electrochemical energy applications.     

Improvement in energy recovery from Chlorella sp. biomass by integrated dark-photo biohydrogen production and dark fermentation-anaerobic digestion processes

Chlorella sp. biomass was used as the sole substrate for the production of hydrogen and methane through integrated dark fermentation (DF) and photo-fermentation (PF), and DF and anaerobic digestion (AD) processes. Prior to use in fermentations, the biomass was pretreated by acid-hydrothermal method, which yielded a maximum reducing sugar yield of 162.9 ± 4.2 mg g-biomass⁻¹. The use of the microalgal hydrolysate to produce hydrogen by DF gave a hydrogen yield (HY) of 47.2 ± 1.1 mL g-volatile-solids⁻¹ (VS). The subsequent use of the hydrogenic effluent in PF gave a HY of 125.0 ± 1.5 mL g-VS⁻¹, while AD of the hydrogenic effluent gave a methane yield of 152.8 ± 1.3 mL g-VS⁻¹. The total energy yield attained by the use of DF alone, the integrated DF-PF, and DF-AD processes were 0.51, 1.86 and 5.98 kJ g-VS⁻¹, respectively. These results indicate that the integrated DF-AD process was effective in recovering energy from Chlorella sp. biomass. However, an energy balance analysis indicated that the process was not energetically feasible due to the high energy demand for the acid-hydrothermal pretreatment.     

Controlled self-release of ClO2 as an encapsulated antimicrobial agent for smart packaging

Facilitating the use of ClO₂ gas in retail applications can improve the shelf life of produce and overcome the application limits of this gas. Moreover, the controlled release of ClO₂ gas is desirable for preventing unwanted reactions. A novel controlled self-release material for ClO₂ was developed, focusing on its applicability, convenience, and sustainability. Porous halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were employed to encapsulate NaClO₂ via an evacuation method. The HNT–NaClO₂ was covered with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol to control the release behavior. Material characterizations confirm the success of the encapsulation and covering processes. Additionally, morphologies were observed to determine the inner and outer structures of the samples. Furthermore, the ClO₂ release rates and applicability of the samples in packaging were investigated, indicating that sufficient gas in the packaging headspace can prolong the shelf life of cherry tomatoes. Therefore, this material can serve as an effective antimicrobial agent for packaging and agriculture products.Industrial relevanceThe retail application of ClO₂ is limited, owing to its equipment requirements for on-set production (ClO₂ generator), its safety (ClO₂ is explosive at concentrations exceeding 10%), and its burst-release challenges. Therefore, the developed material with controlled release feature can be applied to various packaging purposes, in which minimal equipment and consumer safety are required.     

Analysis of chemical compounds and toxicological evaluation of Forsythia suspensa leaves tea

To determine the compositions of Forsythia suspensa leaves tea (FSLT) and its safety, the chemical compounds were analysed with some methods, and the toxicity was evaluated in Kunming mice and Wistar rats. The results showed that FSLT contained rich flavonoid, lignans, triperpene acids, amino acids, and mineral elements. In the acute toxicity study, none of the mice died, and no obvious poisoning symptoms were observed after 14 days in mice at the dose of 15 mg/g·body weight (bw) FSLT; in the sub-chronic toxicity, no abnormal or dead rat was found at the dose of 1, 3, and 10 mg/g·bw during 90 days feeding administration; there was no significant difference in bw and food consumption; no significant differences were found in each hematology and serum biochemistry parameter and organ/body weight ratio comparing with the control experimental group. The results revealed that the FSLT has low or no toxicity via oral administration. Therefore, FSLT is very suitable and safe to be used as a new resource food.     

Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide and nisin on the inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) and nisin on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. Changes in morphology, interior structure, and membrane permeability were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. Synergetic effects were found, especially in S. aureus. HPCD alone or with nisin led to morphological and intracellular alterations in both bacteria, but nisin alone led to these damages only in S. aureus. A positive correlation between membrane damage and inactivation was found, but ratios of inactivation were higher, probably because of viable but non-culturable state. Mechanisms were proposed for synergism: for E. coli, outer membrane was damaged first by HPCD, and then HPCD and nisin jointly acted on and destroyed the cytoplasmic membrane, leading to further intracellular damage by HPCD; for S. aureus, HPCD and nisin acted on the cytoplasmic membrane together leading to cell death.Industrial RelevanceEscherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are two common microorganisms, which exist widely in the environment and easily contaminate food such as vegetables and dairy products, respectively. Considering heat treatment may destroy some heat-sensitive quality of the products, this study evaluated synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) combined with the bacteriocin nisin. The investigations provided evidence for potentially combined application of HPCD and nisin to help keep food safe in the industry.     

Influences of vanillin and licorice root extract supplementations on the decimal reduction times of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in mildly heated young coconut liquid endosperm

This study determined the influences of supplementing different combinations of vanillin (0–500 ppm) and licorice root extract (LRE, 0–420 ppm) on the mild heat (55 °C) decimal reduction times (D₅₅-values) of a cocktail of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in young coconut liquid endosperm. The maximum level of supplementation per additive tested was previously established not to result in the lowering of general consumer acceptability of the liquid endosperm. The D₅₅-values ranged from 15.08 to 31.40 min. The influences of both additives on the D₅₅-value fitted significantly into a 2-factor, interaction model with only the joint effect of the additives having significant effect on D₅₅. The combined efficacies of the additives were most significant at concentrations above 250 ppm vanillin and 210 ppm LRE. The results obtained may be used in the establishment of mild heat pasteurization processes for supplemented young coconut liquid endosperm, for better control of quality and safety.     

Facial synthesis of dandelion-like g-C3N4/Ag with high performance of photocatalytic hydrogen production

Nowadays, energy shortage is one of the major problems in the world. Photocatalytic hydrogen production is a new type of energy technology with good application prospect. As a new type of photocatalytic semiconductor material, g-C₃N₄ has attracted much attention as a photocatalyst. By ultrasonic treatment of a mixed solution of g-C₃N₄ and bovine serum albumin, followed by adding a certain amount of silver nitrate solution and then directly hydrothermal treatment, a special dandelion-like g-C₃N₄/Ag (D-g-C₃N₄/Ag) was prepared. The scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, fluorescence and physicochemical adsorption methods were used to characterize the morphology and structure of D-g-C₃N₄/Ag. In addition, the photocatalytic H₂ production of D-g-C₃N₄/Ag with different Ag loadings or in different sacrificial agents and different pH conditions were investigated. The results indicated that when triethanolamine was used as sacrificial agent, photocatalytic hydrogen efficiency was the best, and the rate of photocatalytic hydrogen production reached 862 μmol g⁻¹ h^{− 1} as the Ag loading was 4%.     

Quercetagetin loaded in soy protein isolate–κ-carrageenan complex: Fabrication mechanism and protective effect

In the present study, the potential of soy protein isolate (SPI)–κ-carrageenan (κ-CG) complex as a protective carrier for quercetagetin was investigated at different pH values (pH 2.3 and 6.5). The particle size of the ternary aggregates was slightly increased at pH 2.3, yet dramatically decreased at pH 6.5 with increasing quercetagetin concentration. Moreover, the negative ζ-potential of the ternary aggregates was increased significantly (p < 0.05) at pH 6.5. The addition of quercetagetin to the SPI–κ-CG complex could highly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of SPI. Circular dichroism spectra further suggested that the bound quercetagetin could induce the rise of β-sheet and β-turn contents at the cost of α-helix and unordered coil fractions of SPI. In addition, quercetagetin could increase the viscoelasticity of the ternary aggregates at both pH. Furthermore, the SPI–κ-CG complex was found to be superior to single SPI or κ-CG in terms of improving light stability and radical scavenging ability of quercetagetin.