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In recent years, many researchers have focused on microalgae as a potential source of lipids for various purposes. To improve the lipid yield, different biomass pretreatments have been investigated. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of an ultrasound and deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment on lipid yield from green microalgae Chlorella sp. The chosen DESs were choline chloride:urea (ChCl:U), choline chloride:glycerol (ChCl:G) and choline chloride:acetic acid (ChCl:Aa), all in the mole ratio of 1:2. Lipids were extracted from the pretreated and untreated biomasses by Bligh and Dyer’s method. The results showed that the lipid yields for the untreated and ultrasound-pretreated biomass were 39 and 48%, respectively. The pretreatments with ChCl:U, ChCl:G and ChCl:Aa resulted in lipid yields of 51, 46 and 40%, respectively. Therefore, the use of efficient and environmentally friendly DESs for the microalgae biomass pretreatment resulted in a higher lipid yield.

The biodiesel production has gained increasing attention of the researches in recent years. Current commercial biodiesel production involves transesterification of oil derived from oil crops. Since this production is no more sustainable, the use of microalgae represents a good alternative. Microalgae have high growth rate, high oil content and can be cultured in the environment which are not suitable for agriculture. Additionally, microalgae cultivation improves the reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Selection of microalgae for oil production must take into consider certain criteria which include growth rate, oil content, fatty acids profile and ease of separation. In order to analyze the possibility of the use of microalgae for the production of oil, isolation of freshwater microalgae was performed. The isolation was done by the use of traditional techniques from freshwaters near Leskovac. A total number of 6 microalgae strains were isolated and identified as the representatives of the genera Chlorococcum (1 isolate), Chlorella (1 isolate), Scenedesmus (1 isolate) and Desmodesmus (3 isolates). Isolates of microalgae were screened for the growth rate, biomass and oil productivity and oil content. The highest content of biomass was 1.5 g/l and it was observed in the strains Chlorococcum sp. and Desmodesmus sp. 1. The highest value of specific growth rate was calculated during the growth of microalgae Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp. and Desmodesmus sp.1, while the lowest value was observed for Chlorococcum sp. Oil productivity was the highest for Chlorella sp. and Desmodesmus sp.1 (0,4 g/l) and the lowest for Desmodesmus sp.2, Desmodesmus sp.3 and Chlorococcum sp. (0,2 g/l). The oil content was in the range from 15.8% (Chlorococcum sp.) to 33% (Chlorella sp). Since the microalgae isolates Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. had the highest oil productivity, high growth rate and high oil content, these strains are the most suitable for further investigation in order to improve the oil yield and analyse the possibility of the use in the production of biodiesel.

The increased production of biodiesel as an alternative fuel involves the simultaneous growth in production of crude glycerol as its main by-product. Therefore, the feasibility and sustainability of biodiesel production requires the effective utilization of crude glycerol. This review describes various uses of crude glycerol as a potential green solvent for chemical reactions, a starting raw material for chemical and biochemical conversions into value-added chemicals, a substrate or co-substrate in microbial fermentations for synthesis of valuable chemicals and production of biogas and biohydrogen as well as a feedstuff for animal feed. A special attention is paid to various uses of crude glycerol in biodiesel production. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 45001]

The effect of isatin derivatives as a nitrogen source on antibiotic (Hexaene H-85 and Azalomycine B) production by Streptomyces hygroscopicus CH-7 was studied. Isatin-3-hydrazone, 5-chloroisatin-3-hydrazone, isatin-3-tosylhydrazone, 5-chloroisatin-3-tosylhydrazone, isatin-3-(4`-hidroxy)benzoilhydrazone and 5-chloroisatin-3-(4`-hidroxy)benzoilhydrazone were synthesized in a crude glycerol, obtained during the biodiesel production from edible sunflower oil. The highest concentration of Hexaene H-85 is achieved with 5-chloroisatin-3-hydrazone (197 mg/cm3) in medium, while isatin-3-hydrazone has a greatest impact on Azalomycine B production (72 μg/cm3). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 45001]

A media consisting of isatin-Schiff bases and its inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrine was developed to maximize the production of antibiotics Hexaene H-85 and Azalomycine β by Streptomyces hygroscopicus CH-7. The media with β-cyclodextrine inclusion complex of isatin-3-thiosemicarbazone resulted in the maximum antibiotics concentration of 493 µg/cm3 for Hexaene H-85 and 191 µg/cm3 for Azalomycine B. The production of Hexaene H-85 and Azalomycine is higher when β-cyclodextrine complex is added as a nitrogen source, comparing to pure isatin-Schiff base. The maximum concentration of hexaene H-85 in medium with inclusion complex of isatin-Schiff base is 1.4-2.3 times higher than the basal medium. The maximum production of Azalomycine is 2.1-3.4 times higher in media with inclusion complex of Schiff base. During the fermentation process, the nutrient media with β-cyclodextrine inclusion complexes with isatin-Schiff bases affect the strain morphology, since it is in the form of compact pellets, which are formed from short and long, branched filaments [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 45001]

In recent years, more attention has been paid to the use of third generation feedstocs for the production of biodiesel. One of the most promising sources of oil for biodiesel production are microalgae. They are unicellular or colonial photosynthetic organisms, with permanently increasing industrial application in the production of not only chemicals and nutritional supplements but also biodiesel. Biodiesel productivity per hectare of cultivation area can be up to 100 times higher for microalgae than for oil crops. Also, microalgae can grow in a variety of environments that are often unsuitable for agricultural purposes. Microalgae oil content varies in different species and can reach up to 77% of dry biomass, while the oil productivity by the phototrophic cultivation of microalgae is up to 122 mg/l/d. Variations of the growth conditions and the implementation of the genetic engineering can induce the changes in the composition and productivity of microalgal oil. Biodiesel from microalgae can be produced in two ways: by transesterification of oil extracted from biomass or by direct transesterification of algal biomass (so called in situ transesterification). This paper reviews the curent status of microalgae used for the production of biodiesel including their isolation, cultivation, harvesting and conversion to biodiesel. Because of high oil productivity, microalgae will play a significant role in future biodiesel production. The advantages of using microalgae as a source for biofuel production are increased efficiency and reduced cost of production. Also, microalgae do not require a lot of space for growing and do not have a negative impact on the global food and water supplies. Disadvantages of using microalgae are more difficult separation of biomass and the need for further research to develop standardized methods for microalgae cultivation and biodiesel production. Currently, microalgae are not yet sustainable option for the commercial production of biodiesel. First of all, the price of biodiesel from microalgae is still higher than the price of diesel due to high production costs. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 45001]

The treatment of spent oil-in-water emulsion (SOWE) from a non-ferrous metal-processing plant by using aluminum sulfate and hydrated lime was studied to determine the purification efficiency, to optimize the operating conditions and to scale up the treatment process. The purification efficiency was estimated by comparing the compositions of the SOWE and the processed wastewater. The treatment efficiency does not depend on the type of mineral oil and filter aid. The optimum doses of aluminum sulfate and hydrated lime must be experimentally determined for each batch of SOWEs, but the results obtained at laboratory level are applicable at pilot level. The processed wastewater and the filter cake from the process can be safely disposed into public sewage systems and at municipal waste landfills, respectively. The purification efficiency was higher than 98% with respect to total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand and oil and grease, and was comparable to the known treatment processes based on coagulation/flocculation followed by sedimentation.

In order to follow the composition and changes in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population of rye flour sourdough that was continuously propagated by a repeated inoculation, sixty-two strains of LAB were isolated and characterized. The LAB were the only bacteria detected, both at the end of the second propagation step and in the stage of mature sourdough (after two weeks of continuous daily refreshment). The stable ecological system in rye sourdough could be established from the second propagation step onward. The predominant genera of LAB during the development of sourdough were lactobacilli, which were grouped in eight clusters. Heterofermentative lactobacilli were in majority in both propagation step two and a mature sourdough participating 56% and 70% of total bacterial count, respectively. The identification based on a phenotypic characterization that was carried out by using a set of 36 tests, showed that the lactobacilli contained in the two sourdough steps did not clearly belong to any known species of the genus Lactobacillus. In addition, the structure of the bacterial population were monitored by two statistical techniques (Hierachical Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis), being applied to phenotypical characteristics of the isolates.

The kinetic model of pyrite particle dissolution by the action of bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in a shaken Erlenmeyer flask was presented. The model agreed well with the experimental data for the extracted iron and the number of cells in the liquid phase. The specific growth rate of the adsorbed cells was evaluated (μA = 1,6 d-1) by fitting the experimental data to the model curve. Also, the relevance of the two proposed mechanisms for the bacterial dissolution of sulphide (direct and indirect) was discussed, indicating that the indirect one was dominant. The adsorption process of A. ferrooxidans to the pyrite surface was well correlated by a Langmuir type isotherm.

The baking of sourdough breads represents one of the oldest biotechnological processes. Despite traditionality, sourdough bread has great potential because of its benefits. Sourdough is a mixture of flour and water that is dominated by a complex microflora composed of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria that are crucial in the preparation of bread dough. Lactic acid bacteria cause acidification by producing lactic acid that increases the shelf life of bread by preventing the growth of undesirable microorganisms and affects the nutritional value of bread by increasing the availability of minerals. In addition to these advantages, the use of sourdough fermentation also improves dough machinability, breadcrumb structure and the characteristic flavour of bread. Lactic acid bacteria in sourdough fermentation are well known representing both homofermentative and heterofermentative bacteria. They may originate from selected natural contaminants in the flour or from a starter culture containing one or more known species of lactic acid bacteria. Sourdough can be cultivated in bakeries or obtained from commercial suppliers. However, many bakeries in Europe still use spontaneously fermented sourdoughs, which have been kept metabolically active for decades by the addition of flour and water at regular intervals. The impact of lactic acid bacteria on sourdough fermentation and their influence on dough and bread quality was discussed on the basis of research and literature data.

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Copyright of Chemical Industry / Hemijska Industrija is the property of Association of Chemical Engineers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)