Biodegradability Study of the Biosurfactant Contained in a Crude Extract from Corn Steep Water

Over the last few years, the global biosurfactant market has raised due to the increasing awareness among consumers, for the use of biological or bio-based products. Because of their composition, it can be speculated that these are more biocompatible and more biodegradable than their chemical homologous. However, at the moment, no studies exist in the literature about the biodegradability of biosurfactants. In this work, a biosurfactant contained in a crude extract, obtained from a corn wet-milling industry stream that ferments spontaneously in the presence of lactic acid bacteria, was subjected to a biodegradation study, without addition of external microbial biomass, under different conditions of temperature (5–45 °C), biodegradation time (15–55 days), and pH (5–7). For that, a Box–Behnken factorial design was applied, which allowed to predict the percentage of biodegradation for the biosurfactant contained in the crude extract, between the range of the independent variables selected in the study, obtaining biodegradation values between 3 and 80%. The percentage of biodegradation for the biosurfactant was calculated based on the increase in the surface tension of samples of the crude extract. Furthermore, it was also possible to predict the variation in t_1/2 for the biosurfactant (time to achieve the 50% of biodegradation) under different conditions.     

Ozonation Impact on Degradation and Toxicity of Non-Ionic Surfactants

Aqueous solutions of five selected non-ionic surfactants: Triton (i-octylphenolethoxylates), Tergitol (2,6,8-trimethyl-4-nonanoloxethylates), Symperonic (n-nonylphenol-oxethylates) and Brij (fatty alcohol ethoxylates) were investigated in this study. Using the bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri the toxicity of the surfactants solutions were determined. An attempt was made to relate rather low biodegradability of nonionic surfactant solutions measured by the BOD₅/COD ratio (ranging from 1 to 17%) to their toxicity. The ozonation process was carried out in a 1.5 dm³ stirred cell reactor equipped with two ozone detectors. The following parameters were analyzed: pH, COD, BOD₅, DOC, TOC, polarography as well as UV spectrum. The positive effect of ozonation, represented by decay of UV absorption, was visible in almost complete destruction of the surfactants, with exception of Triton X-705 (only 65% degradation after absorption of 2000 mgO₃/dm³). The most striking results were obtained in toxicity tests for ozonated solutions of the non-ionic surfactants – an increase of the bacterial growth inhibition (1.5 to 4 times increase in toxicity due to ozonation). The obtained results were discussed taking into account the literature and our own experimental data on mechanisms of ozonation and biodegradation of non-ionic surfactants of the Triton-type and similar chemical structures.     

Foaming and chain extension of completely biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) using DPT as blowing agent

Completely biodegradable foams of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) derived from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide were fabricated using N, N′-dinitroso pentamethylene tetramine (DPT) as chemical blowing agent, and urea as the activator to lower the decomposition temperature of DPT. Thermal decomposition behavior and gas evolution behavior of the DPT composite with various urea to DPT ratios were investigated to optimize the composition of the blowing agent. The formulation of blowing agent mixture and foaming condition, the foam morphologies, the molecular weight change, as well as the mechanical properties of produced PPC foams were studied extensively. The experimental results demonstrated that the greatest blowing ratio of 14.8 can be afforded in case 12 phr blowing agent was used at 170 °C for 30 min. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermal analysis revealed that DPT acted as both chain-extension agent and blowing agent for PPC matrix. The molecular weight of PPC subjected to foaming increased by 76%. The foamed PPC exhibited superior mechanical properties and can be used as packaging material for many practical applications.     

Toxicity and Biodegradability Behavior of Xenobiotic Chemicals Before and After Ozonation: A Case Study with Commercial Textile Tannins

Ozonation of a natural tannin (NT; COD_o?=?1195 mg/L; TOC_o?=?342 mg/L; BOD_5,o?=?86 mg/L) and a synthetic tannin ST; COD_o?=?465 mg/L; TOC_o?=?55 mg/L; BOD_5,o?=?6 mg/L) being frequently applied in the polyamide dyeing process was investigated. Synthetic wastewater samples containing these tannins individually were prepared and subjected to ozonation at varying ozone doses (625– 1250 mgO₃/L wastewater), at pH?=?3.5 (the application pH of tannins) and pH?=?7.0 at an ozone dose of 1125 mgO₃/L wastewater. The collective environmental parameters COD, TOC, BOD₅, UV₂₅₄ and UV₂₈₀ (UV absorbance at 254 nm and 280 nm, representing aromatic and unsaturated moieties, respectively) were followed during ozonation. Changes in the biodegradability of the tannins were evaluated in terms of BOD₅ measurements conducted before and after ozonation. In addition, activated sludge inhibition tests employing heterotrophic biomass were run to elucidate the inhibitory effect of raw and ozonated textile tannins towards activated sludge biomass. Partial oxidation (45% COD removal at an ozone dose of 750 mg O₃/L wastewater and pH?=?3.5) of ST was sufficient to achieve elimination of its inhibitory effect towards heterotrophic biomass and acceptable biodegradability improvement, whereas the inhibitory effect and biodegradability of NT could not be reduced via ozonation under the same reaction conditions.     

Formulation and performance evaluation of a novel coconut oil–based metalworking fluid

Metalworking fluid (MWF) supplies a film of lubricant to abate friction, acts as a cooling media to rebate induced heat, and prevents metal pick-ups by flushing away the chips. Hence a liquid used as a cutting fluid reduces wear on the tool, reduces the energy consumption, and produces a better surface quality on the work piece. This paper describes the formulation of a novel water-soluble MWF and its performance evaluation during straight turning and end milling experiments carried out with AISI 304 stainless steel, mild steel, and cast iron as work piece materials. The MWF was prepared by mixing water with white coconut oil as the base oil and food-grade additives as surfactants. Viscosity, pH value, and biodegradability were measured and compared with a commercially available non-vegetable oil–based MWF. The surface roughness and tool surface temperature were measured throughout the machining experiments, and better performances were observed with the coconut oil–based MWF. Tool tip geometry and flank wear for straight turning machining operation were identified by observing scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.     

Fate of Triton X-100 Applications on Water and Soil Environments: A Review

Triton X-100 applications as surfactant raises concern on water and soil environment due to its non-biodegradability and inhibition effect. This paper aims at reviewing Triton X-100 biodegradability and inhibition literature. It shows Triton X-100 is biodegradable by aerobic and anaerobic municipal wastewater sludge and Vibrio cyclitrophicus-sp-Nov organism. Adsorption and biodegradation are mechanisms of Triton removal. Triton inhibits anaerobic sludge organisms and some single aerobic organisms. Inhibition mechanisms are substrate shortage, physiological membrane-damaging and/or alteration in organism cell membrane. Thus Triton X-100 fate in the environment and its sustainable application can be controlled via proper selection of organism type, Triton concentration, and substrate.     

Impact of xylan structure and lignin–xylan association on methane production from C5-sugars

Xylan biopolymers are the dominant hemicelluloses present in agricultural plant materials which have potential use in various biotechnological processes including methane production. Hence, the effect of lignin content and the structural features of xylan on anaerobic digestion were studied by using synthetic assemblies consisting of xylans and lignin models (dehydrogenation polymers). The ramification by arabinose and uronic acid was shown to be a key factor in low methane potential (BMP) from xylans and xylan–lignin assemblies. Indeed, BMP increased when xylose content was increased, and decreased when arabinose and uronic acid contents were increased. Lignin content and molecular weight were found to be the most influential parameters on the anaerobic digestion rate. Digestion rate decreased when the lignin content and molecular mass increased.     

Multistage treatment system for raw leachate from sanitary landfill combining biological nitrification–denitrification/solar photo-Fenton/biological processes,at a scale close to industrial – Biodegradability enhancement and evolution profile of trace pollutants

A multistage treatment system, at a scale close to the industrial, was designed for the treatment of a mature raw landfill leachate, including: a) an activated sludge biological oxidation (ASBO), under aerobic and anoxic conditions; b) a solar photo-Fenton process, enhancing the bio-treated leachate biodegradability, with and without sludge removal after acidification; and c) a final polishing step, with further ASBO.     

Performance Evaluation and Biodegradation Study of Polyvinyl Chloride Films with Castor Oil-based Plasticizer

In the present study, a renewable resource-based plasticizer was synthesized by the lipase-catalyzed esterification reaction of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and castor oil fatty acid (COFA). The resultant ester (FA-COFA ester) was used as secondary plasticizers to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films. The PVC films were formulated using the combination of a conventional plasticizer di-butyl phthalate (DBP) and FA-COFA ester as a secondary plasticizer at different concentrations. Films were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical performance, and migration stability. A biodegradability study of the PVC films showed increased degradability with increasing concentration of the FA-COFA ester in the PVC film. The study showed that ester of FA and COFA could be a substitute of DBP by as much as 80% of the total plasticizer with improved elongation and tensile properties, and such a kind of sustainable resource-based PVC blend films could be used as a good packaging material with biodegradable property.     

三氯氧磷交联淀粉生物降解过程中形貌和结晶结构的变化

利用扫描电子显微技术和多功能偏光显微技术系统研究三氯氧磷交联淀粉在生物降解过程中的颗粒形貌和结晶结构变化情况.结果表明：随着交联度的增大,颗粒被微生物破坏的程度变小.经三氯氧磷高交联后的木薯淀粉在微生物降解过程中颗粒的偏光十字变化不明显,表明一定程度的三氯氧磷交联会抑制微生物对淀粉颗粒的作用.