Laura Borea, Benny Marie B. Ensano, Shadi W. Hasan et al.

The Science of The Total Environment • 2019

Pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) have been detected at significant concentrations in various natural and artificial aquatic environments. In this study, electro membrane bioreactor (eMBR) technology was used to treat simulated municipal wastewater containing widely-used pharmaceuticals namely amoxicillin (AMX), diclofenac (DCF) and carbamazepine (CBZ). The effects of varying current density on the removal of PhACs (AMX, DCF and CBZ) and conventional pollutants (chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), humic substances, ammonia nitrogen (NH 4 -N), nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 -N) and orthophosphate (PO 4 -P) species) were examined. High COD and DOC removal efficiencies (~100%) were obtained in all the experimental runs regardless of applied current density. In contrast, enhanced removal efficiencies for AMX, DCF and CBZ were achieved at high current densities. Membrane fouling rate in eMBR with respect to conventional MBR was reduced by 24, 44 and 45% at current densities of 0.3, 0.5 and 1.15 mA/cm 2 , respectively. The mechanism for pharmaceutical removal in this study proceeded by: (1) charge neutralization between negatively-charged pharmaceutical compounds and positive electro-generated aluminium coagulants to form larger particles and (2) size exclusion by membrane filtration.

Joana Castellar, Antonina Torrens, Gianluigi Buttiglieri et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2022

Decentralized water reuse in cities is a prominent alternative to mainstream top-down models for urban water treatment, which are based on centralized, linear dynamics of resource management. In this sense, Nature-based Solutions (“green” technologies) coupled with advanced technologies (“grey” technologies) constitute a promising approach for fomenting onsite water treatment and reuse in cities, while also providing multiple co-benefits. This article puts forward a conceptual advancement by providing a better understanding of coupled “green-grey”/“grey-green” technologies (CGGT). To do this, we critically discuss the main reasons for pairing these technologies instead of using them separately, as well as their treatment performance and constraints regarding data reporting issues. Moreover, the article discloses the most common treatment configurations, water quality parameters being evaluated, potential reuse schemes, costs, and energy requirements. A systematic selection and analysis of scientific articles was carried out to this end. Of 395 pre-selected articles, only 17 addressed coupled (green-grey/grey-green) technologies in the treatment of urban wastewaters for further reuse or safe discharge onsite. Despite the relatively low number of articles, 80% were published in the past five years, showing the increased interest in this novel topic. The selected articles were analysed and here we present the resulting comprehensive Excel database (343 datasets) containing detailed information about the design, operation, and performance of such systems. Green-grey technologies were found to be predominant, the configuration constructed wetlands followed by advanced oxidation process and electrochemical process being the most studied. Grey technologies are normally applied at a second stage to remove pathogens in compliance with reuse standards (normally when green technologies alone cannot deliver the standards). Meanwhile, green technologies are commonly used at a second stage to break down slowly biodegradable substances that have not been completely removed by grey technologies (normally as a polishing step following grey technology). The design parameters for combining these technologies have not yet been fully optimized, since they were mainly designed as sole technologies and forcibly put together as a coupled treatment. Hence, further studies should focus on variables and parameters influencing the functioning of coupled technologies as a whole. Finally, due to the novelty and relevance of the topic, transparency and consistency in data reporting is essential to support the optimization and competitiveness of coupled green-grey/grey-green technologies against existing decentralized/centralized approaches.

Yamini Jangir, Sarah French, Lily Momper et al.

Frontiers in Microbiology • 2016

Continental subsurface environments can present significant energetic challenges to the resident microorganisms. While these environments are geologically diverse, potentially allowing energy harvesting by microorganisms that catalyze redox reactions, many of the abundant electron donors and acceptors are insoluble and therefore not directly bioavailable. Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is a metabolic strategy that microorganisms can deploy to meet the challenges of interacting with redox-active surfaces. Though mechanistically characterized in a few metal-reducing bacteria, the role, extent, and diversity of EET in subsurface ecosystems remains unclear. Since this process can be mimicked on electrode surfaces, it opens the door to electrochemical techniques to enrich for and quantify the activities of environmental microorganisms in situ. Here, we report the electrochemical enrichment of microorganisms from a deep fractured-rock aquifer in Death Valley, CA, USA. In experiments performed in mesocosms containing a synthetic medium based on aquifer chemistry, four working electrodes (WEs) were poised at different redox potentials (272, 373, 472, 572 mV vs. SHE) to serve as electron acceptors, resulting in anodic currents coupled to the oxidation of acetate during enrichment. The anodes were dominated by Betaproteobacteria from the families Comamonadaceae and Rhodocyclaceae. A representative of each dominant family was subsequently isolated from electrode-associated biomass. The EET abilities of the isolated Delftia strain (designated WE1-13) and Azonexus strain (designated WE2-4) were confirmed in electrochemical reactors using WEs poised at 522 mV vs. SHE. The rise in anodic current upon inoculation was correlated with a modest increase in total protein content. Both genera have been previously observed in mixed communities of microbial fuel cell enrichments, but this is the first direct measurement of their electrochemical activity. While alternate metabolisms (e.g., nitrate reduction) by these organisms were previously known, our observations suggest that additional 'hidden' interactions with external electron acceptors are also possible. Electrochemical approaches are well positioned to dissect such extracellular interactions that may be prevalent in the subsurface.

Francisco Thálysson Tavares Cavalcante, Antônio Luthierre Gama Cavalcante, Isamayra Germano de Sousa et al.

Catalysts • 2021

The market for industrial enzymes has witnessed constant growth, which is currently around 7% a year, projected to reach $10.5 billion in 2024. Lipases are hydrolase enzymes naturally responsible for triglyceride hydrolysis. They are the most expansively used industrial biocatalysts, with wide application in a broad range of industries. However, these biocatalytic processes are usually limited by the low stability of the enzyme, the half-life time, and the processes required to solve these problems are complex and lack application feasibility at the industrial scale. Emerging technologies create new materials for enzyme carriers and sophisticate the well-known immobilization principles to produce more robust, eco-friendlier, and cheaper biocatalysts. Therefore, this review discusses the trending studies and industrial applications of the materials and protocols for lipase immobilization, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, it summarizes the current challenges and potential alternatives for lipases at the industrial level.

Amin Mojiri, Reza Andasht Kazeroon, Ali Gholami

Water • 2019

One of the most important types of emerging micropollutants is the pharmaceutical micropollutant. Pharmaceutical micropollutants are usually identified in several environmental compartments, so the removal of pharmaceutical micropollutants is a global concern. This study aimed to remove diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBP), and naproxen (NPX) from the aqueous solution via cross-linked magnetic chitosan/activated biochar (CMCAB). Two independent factors—pH (4–8) and a concentration of emerging micropollutants (0.5–3 mg/L)—were monitored in this study. Adsorbent dosage (g/L) and adsorption time (h) were fixed at 1.6 and 1.5, respectively, based on the results of preliminary experiments. At a pH of 6.0 and an initial micropollutant (MP) concentration of 2.5 mg/L, 2.41 mg/L (96.4%) of DCF, 2.47 mg/L (98.8%) of IBP, and 2.38 mg/L (95.2%) of NPX were removed. Optimization was done by an artificial neural network (ANN), which proved to be reasonable at optimizing emerging micropollutant elimination by CMCAB as indicated by the high R2 values and reasonable mean square errors (MSE). Adsorption isotherm studies indicated that both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were able to explain micropollutant adsorption by CMCAB. Finally, desorption tests proved that cross-linked magnetic chitosan/activated biochar might be employed for at least eight adsorption-desorption cycles.

Teshale Adane, Amare Tiruneh Adugna, Esayas Alemayehu

Journal of Chemistry • 2021

Dyes and other chemicals laden wastewater is a main environmental concern for increasing the textile industries in many parts of the world. Textile industries consume different kinds of manmade dyes or other chemicals and release huge extents of highly polluted water into the environment. This excessive dye laden wastewater has great impacts on photosynthetic activity in aquatic plants and animals, for example, fish. It may also affect human health due to the presence of components like heavy metals and chlorine in manmade dyes. Thus, wastewater effluent from textile industries must be treated before discharge into the water body. Treatment technologies observed in this review paper include biological treatment methods (fungi, algae, bacteria, and microbial fuel cells), chemical treatment methods (photocatalytic oxidation, ozone, and Fenton’s process), and physicochemical treatment methods (adsorption, ion exchange, coagulation, and filtration). This review also includes the hybrid treatment methods and their cost per m3 of treated wastewater analysis. There are alternative wastewater treatments systems at different steps of effluent generated from the textile operational unit recommend in this review work.

Matthew Scarborough, Griffin Lynch, Mitch Dickson et al.

Biotechnology for Biofuels • 2018

The analysis predicts that production of MCFAs, ethanol, and electricity could reduce the minimum ethanol selling price from $2.15 to $1.76 gal -1 ($2.68 gal -1 gasoline equivalents) when compared to a lignocellulosic biorefinery that produces only ethanol and electricity.

Vı́ctor de Lorenzo, Kristala L. J. Prather, Guo‐Qiang Chen et al.

EMBO Reports • 2018

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals present a challenge for biotechnology to develop new environmentally‐friendly and sustainable products and production processes.\n\n

Jinglei Tian, Xiaoying Shen, Yonggang Liu et al.

Biochemical Engineering Journal • 2025

Andrea Karlović, Anita Jurić, Nevena Ćorić et al.

Fermentation • 2020

Beer production includes the formation of different by-products such as wastewater, spent grains, spent hops, and yeast. In addition to these well-known by-products, it is necessary to mention germ/rootlets, which also remain after the malting process. Given that a huge amount of beer is produced annually worldwide, by-products are available in large quantities throughout the year. Spent grains, spent hops, and spent yeasts are high-energy raw materials that possess a great potential for application in the branch of biotechnology, and the food industry, but these by-products are commonly used as livestock feed, disposed of in the fields, or incinerated. Breweries by-products can be utilized for microalgae production, biofuel production, extraction of proteins, polyphenolic, antioxidative substances, etc. This paper aims to address each of these by-products with an emphasis on their possible application in biotechnology and other industries.

Sonia Guerra-Rodríguez, Paula Oulego, Encarnación Rodríguez et al.

Water • 2020

The advancement of science has facilitated increase in the human lifespan, reflected in economic and population growth, which unfortunately leads to increased exploitation of resources. This situation entails not only depletion of resources, but also increases environmental pollution, mainly due to atmospheric emissions, wastewater effluents, and solid wastes. In this scenario, it is compulsory to adopt a paradigm change, as far as the consumption of resources by the population is concerned, to achieve a circular economy. The recovery and reuse of resources are key points, leading to a decrease in the consumption of raw materials, waste reduction, and improvement of energy efficiency. This is the reason why the concept of the circular economy can be applied in any industrial activity, including the wastewater treatment sector. With this in view, this review manuscript focuses on demonstrating the challenges and opportunities in applying a circular economy in the water sector. For example, reclamation and reuse of wastewater to increase water resources, by paying particular attention to the risks for human health, recovery of nutrients, or highly added-value products (e.g., metals and biomolecules among others), valorisation of sewage sludge, and/or recovery of energy. Being aware of this situation, in the European, Union 18 out of 27 countries are already reusing reclaimed wastewater at some level. Moreover, many wastewater treatment plants have reached energy self-sufficiency, producing up to 150% of their energy requirements. Unfortunately, many of the opportunities presented in this work are far from becoming a reality. Still, the first step is always to become aware of the problem and work on optimizing the solution to make it possible.

Dina Aboelela, M.A. Soliman, Ibrahim Ashour

SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología • 2020

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a group of microbial electrochemical cells (bioreactors) that are used to generate energy from organic waste found in wastewater. MFCs represent a promising method of waste disposal and production of electricity. Scaling up the use of MFCs requires extensive analysis and detailed grasp of the required processes. The current work aimed to study a model of an MFC, and find the optimum parameters needed for maximum energy production. The process was simulated and validated on continuous-flow MFCs with a Columbic efficiency of 162% and 35% COD removal. Sensitivity analysis of the model was performed. The studied model was found to be valid for both batch-cycle and continuous-flow MFCs. Parameters with less influence on MFCs were eliminated in order to obtain a simplified model of MFC performance. The new simplified model was then validated. Finally, optimization of operating external resistance was conducted to maximize energy generation.

Zongyao Zhou, Xiang Li, Dong Guo et al.

Nature Communications • 2020

Pore size uniformity is one of the most critical parameters in determining membrane separation performance. Recently, a novel type of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) has shown uniform pore size and high porosity. However, their brittle nature has prevented them from preparing robust membranes. Inspired by the skin-core architecture of spider silk that offers both high strength and high ductility, herein we report an electropolymerization process to prepare a CMP membrane from a rigid carbazole monomer, 2,2',7,7'-tetra(carbazol-9-yl)-9,9'-spirobifluorene, inside a robust carbon nanotube scaffold. The obtained membranes showed superior mechanical strength and ductility, high surface area, and uniform pore size of approximately 1 nm. The superfast solvent transport and excellent molecular sieving well surpass the performance of most reported polymer membranes. Our method makes it possible to use rigid CMPs membranes in pressure-driven membrane processes, providing potential applications for this important category of polymer materials.

Pınar Karagöz, Roslyn M. Bill, Melek Özkan

Renewable Energy • 2019

I. Katharina Stoll, Ν. Boukis, Jörg Sauer

Chemie Ingenieur Technik • 2019

Abstract One approach of Power‐to‐X is the coupling of the energy and chemical sector, using electrolysis for syngas generation and microbial gas conversion for the production of biochemicals. On the verge of commercialization, known challenges of gas fermentation technology are poor mass transfer of syngas, low cell concentration and productivity. These problems can be addressed by an intelligent reactor design. Thus, this article provides an overview on the current state of the art for reactor technology in syngas fermentation and discusses possible concepts with regard to an application at industrial scale.

Johannes Dornhof, Jochen Kieninger, Harshini Muralidharan et al.

Lab on a Chip • 2021

An organ-on-chip platform equipped with microsensors for long-term microfluidic cultivation and metabolic monitoring (O 2 , Glu, Lac) of 3D tumour organoid cultures grown from patient-derived single cancer stem cells.

Muhammad Ahmad, Sitong Liu, Nasir Mahmood et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2017

Hesham Azizgolshani, Jonathan Coppeta, Else M. Vedula et al.

Lab on a Chip • 2021

Drug development suffers from a lack of predictive and human-relevant in vitro models. Organ-on-chip (OOC) technology provides advanced culture capabilities to generate physiologically appropriate, human-based tissue in vitro, therefore providing a route to a predictive in vitro model. However, OOC technologies are often created at the expense of throughput, industry-standard form factors, and compatibility with state-of-the-art data collection tools. Here we present an OOC platform with advanced culture capabilities supporting a variety of human tissue models including liver, vascular, gastrointestinal, and kidney. The platform has 96 devices per industry standard plate and compatibility with contemporary high-throughput data collection tools. Specifically, we demonstrate programmable flow control over two physiologically relevant flow regimes: perfusion flow that enhances hepatic tissue function and high-shear stress flow that aligns endothelial monolayers. In addition, we integrate electrical sensors, demonstrating quantification of barrier function of primary gut colon tissue in real-time. We utilize optical access to the tissues to directly quantify renal active transport and oxygen consumption via integrated oxygen sensors. Finally, we leverage the compatibility and throughput of the platform to screen all 96 devices using high content screening (HCS) and evaluate gene expression using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). By combining these capabilities in one platform, physiologically-relevant tissues can be generated and measured, accelerating optimization of an in vitro model, and ultimately increasing predictive accuracy of in vitro drug screening.

Ana M. Cañete-Rodríguez, Inés M. Santos‐Dueñas, Jorge E. Jiménez‐Hornero et al.

Process Biochemistry • 2016

Israel Gonçalves Sales da Silva, F. C. G. Almeida, Nathália Maria Padilha da Rocha e Silva et al.

Energies • 2020

Petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals and agricultural pesticides have mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic and teratogenic effects and cause drastic changes in soil physicochemical and microbiological characteristics, thereby representing a serious danger to health and environment. Therefore, soil pollution urgently requires the application of a series of physicochemical and biological techniques and treatments to minimize the extent of damage. Among them, bioremediation has been shown to be an alternative that can offer an economically viable way to restore polluted areas. Due to the difficulty in choosing the best bioremediation technique for each type of pollutant and the paucity of literature on soil bioremediation enhanced by the use of specific additives, we reviewed the main in situ and ex situ methods, their current properties and applications. The first section discusses the characteristics of each class of pollutants in detail, while the second section presents current bioremediation technologies and their main uses, followed by a comparative analysis showing their respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we address the application of surfactants and biosurfactants as well as the main trends in the bioremediation of contaminated soils.

Nadeem Tahir, Hina Ramzan, Faiqa Nadeem et al.

Biochar • 2026

Abstract Photofermentative biohydrogen production (PFHP) is a promising route for sustainable biohydrogen production, but its efficiency is constrained by inefficient intra/extracellular electron transfer (IET/EET). Biochar (BC) provides unique characteristics to enhance IET/EET in biochemical systems; however, non-conductive polymer groups hinder its charge transfer efficiency. The present study proposes the engineering of the microbial-electrochemical interface through dual metal (Co and Fe) functionalization of BC to improve charge transfer within the fermentative medium, thus leading to an increase in hydrogen production. SEM, BET, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that Co-Fe/BC functionalization results in 22.83% higher porosity and surface area compared to pristine biochar (PBC) and single metal functionalization, suggesting increased electrons from surface defects like oxygen vacancies (OVs). The optimal loading concentration (20 mg/L) of Co-Fe/BC enhanced the biohydrogen production rate and yield by 101.61% and 103.11%, respectively, exceeding the control group (CG). Electrochemical studies showed that the lowest interfacial charge transfer resistance (1.74 Ω, 1.22 mA redox current) in Co-Fe/BC increases charge transfer capabilities by 106.77% compared to PBC (4.66 Ω, 0.59 mA redox current) thus serving as an electron shuttle to increase redox sites through flavin and c-cytochrome. IET/EET enhancement in a bioreactor loaded with Co-Fe/BC regulates butyric acid to acetic acid metabolism, as revealed by microbial community analysis, where Clostridium was 86.72% more prevalent than CG (79.77%). This work demonstrates that Co-Fe functionalized BC not only bridges electron transfer bottlenecks but also provides a conductive interface for sustained microbial-electrochemical interactions, offering a scalable strategy for optimizing renewable biohydrogen production. Graphical Abstract

Weiqiang Zhang, Mingfang ZHOU, Xinyu Tian et al.

Green Carbon • 2025

Increased global carbon emissions have heightened the urgency to address climate change, necessitating innovative strategies for carbon sequestration. Biological carbon fixation has emerged as a promising strategy owing to its environmental compatibility and economic potential. An extensive analysis of recent advancements in biological carbon fixation technologies is reviewed herein, focusing on optimization strategies for natural, artificial, and coupled carbon fixation pathways. integration of biological systems with electrochemical and photochemical methods to enhance carbon capture efficiency has been highlighted. Despite substantial progress, challenges remain in upscaling these technologies for industrial applications. Moreover, the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for optimizing enzyme engineering, metabolic pathway design, and bioreactor systems for industrial-scale carbon fixation was explored. The future of biological carbon fixation can be driven by overcoming these bottlenecks using innovative hybrid systems, advanced enzyme engineering, and AI-driven optimization. Such advances will enable biological carbon fixation to play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change and fostering a circular, green economy.

Hee-Jeong Choi

Environmental Engineering Research • 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomass production and dairy wastewater treatment using Chlorella vulgaris. The results indicated that the maximum percentages of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus removed were 85.61%, 80.62%, 29.10%, 85.47%, and 65.96%, respectively, in dairy effluent at 10 d. A maximum of 1.23 g/L dry biomass was obtained in 7 d. The biomass productivity was strongly influenced by the nutrient reduction in the dairy effluent. The biodiesel produced by the C. vulgaris in the dairy effluent was in good agreement with the American Society of Testing and Materials-D6751 and European Standards 14214 standards. Therefore, using dairy effluent for microalgal cultures could be a useful and practical strategy for an advanced, environmentally friendly treatment process.

Leonard D. Tijing, John Ryan C. Dizon, Idris Ibrahim et al.

Applied Materials Today • 2019

Priyanka Prabhakar, Raj Kumar Sen, Neeraj Dwivedi et al.

Frontiers in Nanotechnology • 2021

3D printing is a smart additive manufacturing technique that allows the engineering of biomedical devices that are usually difficult to design using conventional methodologies such as machining or molding. Nowadays, 3D-printed microfluidics has gained enormous attention due to their various advantages including fast production, cost-effectiveness, and accurate designing of a range of products even geometrically complex devices. In this review, we focused on the recent significant findings in the field of 3D-printed microfluidic devices for biomedical applications. 3D printers are used as fabrication tools for a broad variety of systems for a range of applications like diagnostic microfluidic chips to detect different analytes, for example, glucose, lactate, and glutamate and the biomarkers related to different clinically relevant diseases, for example, malaria, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. 3D printers can print various materials (inorganic and polymers) with varying density, strength, and chemical properties that provide users with a broad variety of strategic options. In this article, we have discussed potential 3D printing techniques for the fabrication of microfluidic devices that are suitable for biomedical applications. Emerging diagnostic technologies using 3D printing as a method for integrating living cells or biomaterials into 3D printing are also reviewed.

Ahmed I. Osman, Ahmed M. Elgarahy, Abdelazeem S. Eltaweil et al.

Environmental Chemistry Letters • 2023

Abstract The energy crisis and environmental pollution have recently fostered research on efficient methods such as environmental catalysis to produce biofuel and to clean water. Environmental catalysis refers to green catalysts used to breakdown pollutants or produce chemicals without generating undesirable by-products. For example, catalysts derived from waste or inexpensive materials are promising for the circular economy. Here we review environmental photocatalysis, biocatalysis, and electrocatalysis, with focus on catalyst synthesis, structure, and applications. Common catalysts include biomass-derived materials, metal–organic frameworks, non-noble metals nanoparticles, nanocomposites and enzymes. Structure characterization is done by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy. We found that water pollutants can be degraded with an efficiency ranging from 71.7 to 100%, notably by heterogeneous Fenton catalysis. Photocatalysis produced dihydrogen (H 2 ) with generation rate higher than 100 μmol h −1 . Dihydrogen yields ranged from 27 to 88% by methane cracking. Biodiesel production reached 48.6 to 99%.

Vaibhav Srivastava, Abhijit Sarkar, Sonu Singh et al.

Frontiers in Environmental Science • 2017

Following the modern-day urbanization and industrialization, heavy metal contamination has become a prime concern for today’s society. Starting from the agricultural soil in our food basket these heavy metals and metalloids, like - Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, Hg,Pb and others, showing significant toxic impacts. The intensification of agricultural land-use and changes in farming practices along with technological advancement has led to heavy metal pollution in soil. Metals/ metalloids concentrations in the soil are increasing at alarming rate due to modern day agricultural practices as these could not be degraded and affect plant growth, food safety and soil microflora. The biological and geological reorganization of heavy metal depends chiefly on green plants and their metabolism. Metal toxicity has direct effects and importance to flora that forms the integral component of ecosystem. Altered biochemical, physiological and metabolic processes are found in plants growing in regions of high metal pollution. However, metals like Cu, Mn, Co, Zn and Cr are required in trace amounts by plants for their metabolic activities. The present review aims to catalogue major published works related to heavy metal contamination in modern day agriculture, and draw a possible road map towards future research in this domain.

Yinfeng Xia, Ming Zhang, Daniel C.W. Tsang et al.

Applied Biological Chemistry • 2020

Abstract Eutrophication of natural water is a universal problem. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from agricultural runoff are the main sources of nutrient input, provided that emissions from industrial point sources (IPS) are under control. Therefore, it is of great environmental importance to reduce pollution associated with agricultural runoff as a means of regulating eutrophication levels in natural water. Numerous methods proposed for treating agricultural runoff can be classified into three categories: source control, process control, and end treatment. In this review, major technologies for N and P control from agricultural runoff are summarized along with discussion of newly proposed technologies such as biochar biomimetics and microbial catalyst. Because agricultural runoff (from farmlands to receiving waters) is a complicated pollution process, it is difficult to regulate the nutrients discharged via such process. This review will thus offer a comprehensive understanding on the overall process of agricultural runoff and eutrophication to help establish control strategies against highly complicated agricultural non-point sources.

Tazien Rashid, Farooq Sher, Abu Hazafa et al.

Journal of environmental chemical engineering • 2020

Maryam Amouamouha, Gagik Badalians Gholikandi, T. W. Walker

SSRN Electronic Journal • 2022

Hanaa M. Abuzeid, C. Julien, Likun Zhu et al.

Crystals • 2023

Green synthesis offers a superior alternative to traditional methods for producing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. This approach is not only benign and safe but also cost-effective, scalable, and straightforward, operating under ambient conditions. Notable metals and metal oxide nanoparticles, such as manganese oxides, iron oxides, silver, and gold, have been produced using various bio-reductants derived from plant extracts. These biological agents not only expedite the reduction process but also stabilize the nanoparticles, serving dual roles as reducing and capping agents. This review presents the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) obtained from biogenic wastes and plant extracts. The green-synthesized nanostructured MnO2 nanoparticles are evaluated as a potential photocatalyst for water treatment and as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. The green-derived iron oxide nanoparticles are examined as promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic agents. Additionally, this review discusses the green synthesis of precious metal nanoparticles, specifically silver (Ag NPs) and gold (Au NPs), highlighting their potential medical applications in areas like antiviral treatments and cancer therapy.

Hui Lü, Hongbo Wang, Changfei Gao et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal • 2024

Xuefei Yang, Víctor López Grimau, Mercedes Vilaseca et al.

Water • 2020

In this study, three different biological methods—a conventional activated sludge (CAS) system, membrane bioreactor (MBR), and moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR)—were investigated to treat textile wastewater from a local industry. The results showed that technically, MBR was the most efficient technology, of which the chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and color removal efficiency were 91%, 99.4%, and 80%, respectively, with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1.3 days. MBBR, on the other hand, had a similar COD removal performance compared with CAS (82% vs. 83%) with halved HRT (1 day vs. 2 days) and 73% of TSS removed, while CAS had 66%. Economically, MBBR was a more attractive option for an industrial-scale plant since it saved 68.4% of the capital expenditures (CAPEX) and had the same operational expenditures (OPEX) as MBR. The MBBR system also had lower environmental impacts compared with CAS and MBR processes in the life cycle assessment (LCA) study, since it reduced the consumption of electricity and decolorizing agent with respect to CAS. According to the results of economic and LCA analyses, the water treated by the MBBR system was reused to make new dyeings because water reuse in the textile industry, which is a large water consumer, could achieve environmental and economic benefits. The quality of new dyed fabrics was within the acceptable limits of the textile industry.

Van-Anh Thai, Van Dien Dang, Nguyễn Thị Thủy et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2023

Water pollution caused by antibiotics is perceived with deep concern nowadays. It can be hardly removed by traditional wastewater treatment plants. Fluoroquinolones (FQs), a kind of antibiotics, have been considered emerging contaminants that have brought severe threats to biota and human health. The role of removal technique becomes more important with the increase in the concentration of these contaminants in water streams. Therefore, research into the use of advanced approaches for the removal of FQs is a challenge to the scientific community. Although advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been studied enormously, the reaction mechanisms and conditions as well as parameters affecting the removal process have not been deeply investigated. For example, pH, materials dosage, and contaminant concentration have a significant influence on the removal process of FQs. This review systematically summarizes and discusses the effects, fate, mechanisms, and influencing parameters in the degradation process of FQs of the most recent innovative methods including adsorption, electrochemical oxidation, Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation by transitional metal-based composites, photocatalysis, and biological processes. Thus, this review also addresses the combination potentials of AOPs for the degradation of antibiotics in water matrices.

Patrick M. Misun, Jörg Rothe, Yannick R. F. Schmid et al.

Microsystems & Nanoengineering • 2016

Microfluidics is becoming a technology of growing interest for building microphysiological systems with integrated read-out functionalities. Here we present the integration of enzyme-based multi-analyte biosensors into a multi-tissue culture platform for 'body-on-a-chip' applications. The microfluidic platform is based on the technology of hanging-drop networks, which is designed for the formation, cultivation, and analysis of fluidically interconnected organotypic spherical three-dimensional (3D) microtissues of multiple cell types. The sensor modules were designed as small glass plug-ins featuring four platinum working electrodes, a platinum counter electrode, and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. They were placed directly into the ceiling substrate from which the hanging drops that host the spheroid cultures are suspended. The electrodes were functionalized with oxidase enzymes to enable continuous monitoring of lactate and glucose through amperometry. The biosensors featured high sensitivities of 322±41 nA mM -1 mm -2 for glucose and 443±37 nA mM -1 mm -2 for lactate; the corresponding limits of detection were below 10 μM. The proposed technology enabled tissue-size-dependent, real-time detection of lactate secretion from single human colon cancer microtissues cultured in the hanging drops. Furthermore, glucose consumption and lactate secretion were monitored in parallel, and the impact of different culture conditions on the metabolism of cancer microtissues was recorded in real-time.

Benny Marie B. Ensano, Laura Borea, Vincenzo Naddeo et al.

Water • 2017

The continuous release of emerging contaminants (ECs) in the aquatic environment, as a result of the inadequate removal by conventional treatment methods, has prompted research to explore viable solutions to this rising global problem. One promising alternative is the use of electrochemical processes since they represent a simple and highly efficient technology with less footprint. In this paper, the feasibility of treating ECs (i.e., pharmaceuticals) using an intermittent electrocoagulation process, a known electrochemical technology, has been investigated. Diclofenac (DCF), carbamazepine (CBZ) and amoxicillin (AMX) were chosen as being representative of highly consumed drugs that are frequently detected in our water resources and were added in synthetic municipal wastewater. The removal efficiencies of both individual and combined pharmaceuticals were determined under different experimental conditions: hydraulic retention time (HRT) (6, 19 and 38 h), initial concentration (0.01, 4 and 10 mg/L) and intermittent application (5 min ON/20 min OFF) of current density (0.5, 1.15 and 1.8 mA/cm2). Results have shown that these parameters have significant effects on pharmaceutical degradation. Maximum removals (DCF = 90%, CBZ = 70% and AMX = 77%) were obtained at a current density of 0.5 mA/cm2, an initial concentration of 10 mg/L and HRT of 38 h.

Onur Bas, Elena M. De‐Juan‐Pardo, Christoph Meinert et al.

Biofabrication • 2017

Articular cartilage from a material science point of view is a soft network composite that plays a critical role in load-bearing joints during dynamic loading. Its composite structure, consisting of a collagen fiber network and a hydrated proteoglycan matrix, gives rise to the complex mechanical properties of the tissue including viscoelasticity and stress relaxation. Melt electrospinning writing allows the design and fabrication of medical grade polycaprolactone (mPCL) fibrous networks for the reinforcement of soft hydrogel matrices for cartilage tissue engineering. However, these fiber-reinforced constructs underperformed under dynamic and prolonged loading conditions, suggesting that more targeted design approaches and material selection are required to fully exploit the potential of fibers as reinforcing agents for cartilage tissue engineering. In the present study, we emulated the proteoglycan matrix of articular cartilage by using highly negatively charged star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol)/heparin hydrogel (sPEG/Hep) as the soft matrix. These soft hydrogels combined with mPCL melt electrospun fibrous networks exhibited mechanical anisotropy, nonlinearity, viscoelasticity and morphology analogous to those of their native counterpart, and provided a suitable microenvironment for in vitro human chondrocyte culture and neocartilage formation. In addition, a numerical model using the p-version of the finite element method (p-FEM) was developed in order to gain further insights into the deformation mechanisms of the constructs in silico, as well as to predict compressive moduli. To our knowledge, this is the first study presenting cartilage tissue-engineered constructs that capture the overall transient, equilibrium and dynamic biomechanical properties of human articular cartilage.

Bang Junho, Sang Yup Lee

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences • 2018

Gaseous one-carbon (C1) compounds or formic acid (FA) converted from CO 2 can be an attractive raw material for bio-based chemicals. Here, we report the development of Escherichia coli strains assimilating FA and CO 2 through the reconstructed tetrahydrofolate (THF) cycle and reverse glycine cleavage (gcv) pathway. The Methylobacterium extorquens formate-THF ligase, methenyl-THF cyclohydrolase, and methylene-THF dehydrogenase genes were expressed to allow FA assimilation. The gcv reaction was reversed by knocking out the repressor gene ( gcvR ) and overexpressing the gcvTHP genes. This engineered strain synthesized 96% and 86% of proteinogenic glycine and serine, respectively, from FA and CO 2 in a glucose-containing medium. Native serine deaminase converted serine to pyruvate, showing 4.5% of pyruvate-forming flux comes from FA and CO 2 The pyruvate-forming flux from FA and CO 2 could be increased to 14.9% by knocking out gcvR , pflB , and serA , chromosomally expressing gcvTHP under trc , and overexpressing the reconstructed THF cycle, gcvTHP , and lpd genes in one vector. To reduce glucose usage required for energy and redox generation, the Candida boidinii formate dehydrogenase (Fdh) gene was expressed. The resulting strain showed specific glucose, FA, and CO 2 consumption rates of 370.2, 145.6, and 14.9 mg⋅g dry cell weight (DCW) -1 ⋅h -1 , respectively. The C1 assimilation pathway consumed 21.3 wt% of FA. Furthermore, cells sustained slight growth using only FA and CO 2 after glucose depletion, suggesting that combined use of the C1 assimilation pathway and C. boidinii Fdh will be useful for eventually developing a strain capable of utilizing FA and CO 2 without an additional carbon source such as glucose.

Carina L. Gargalo, Isuru A. Udugama, Katrin Pontius et al.

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology • 2020

The biomanufacturing industry has now the opportunity to upgrade its production processes to be in harmony with the latest industrial revolution. Technology creates capabilities that enable smart manufacturing while still complying with unfolding regulations. However, many biomanufacturing companies, especially in the biopharma sector, still have a long way to go to fully benefit from smart manufacturing as they first need to transition their current operations to an information-driven future. One of the most significant obstacles towards the implementation of smart biomanufacturing is the collection of large sets of relevant data. Therefore, in this work, we both summarize the advances that have been made to date with regards to the monitoring and control of bioprocesses, and highlight some of the key technologies that have the potential to contribute to gathering big data. Empowering the current biomanufacturing industry to transition to Industry 4.0 operations allows for improved productivity through information-driven automation, not only by developing infrastructure, but also by introducing more advanced monitoring and control strategies.

Baogang Zhang, Yutong Cheng, Jiaxin Shi et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal • 2019