S. Mythili

Bio: S. Mythili is an academic researcher from VIT University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Synthetic biology & Clostridium acetobutylicum. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 13 citations.

Genetic Engineering In BioButanol Production And Tolerance

Abstract: The growing need to address current energy and environmental problems has sparked an interest in developing improved biological methods to produce liquid fuels from renewable sources. Higher-chain alcohols possess chemical properties that are more similar to gasoline. Ethanol and butanol are two products which are used as biofuel. Butanol production was more concerned than ethanol because of its high octane number. Unfortunately, these alcohols are not produced efficiently in natural microorganisms, and thus economical production in industrial volumes remains a challenge. The synthetic biology, however, offers additional tools to engineer synthetic pathways in user-friendly hosts to help increase titers and productivity of bio-butanol. Knock out and over-expression of genes is the major approaches towards genetic manipulation and metabolic engineering of microbes. Yet there are TargeTron Technology, Antisense RNA and CRISPR technology has a vital role in genome manipulation of C.acetobutylicum. This review concentrates on the recent developments for efficient production of butanol and butanol tolerance by various genetically engineered microbes.

Mini review on nanoimmobilization of lipase and cellulase for biofuel production

Abstract: Nanomaterials have been used in various applications such as sensors, biofuel cells and biodiesel production. Various nanomaterials provide a high surface area-to-volume ratio and can be fabricated with enzymes as sensors for assay and in electrodes for electricity generation in biofuel cells. The methods of nanomaterial synthesis, analytical techniques for loading of enzymes, and fabrication of enzymes with nanomaterial along with the effect of enzyme immobilization on its activity have been discussed. In this mini-review article we concentrate on the current trends leading to various effects on immobilization of enzymes with nanomaterial. We focus mainly on enzymes used in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic agro-waste to produce bioalcohols by a fermentation process and enzymes used in transesterification reactions for biodiesel production. The current status of nanomaterial as an integral part of sustainable enzymatic biofuel production is discussed.

Recent advances and applications of bacterial cellulose in biomedicine

Abstract: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extracellular polymer produced by Komagateibacter xylinus, which has been shown to possess a multitude of properties, which makes it innately useful as a next-generation biopolymer. The structure of BC is comprised of glucose monomer units polymerised by cellulose synthase in β-1-4 glucan chains which form uniaxially orientated BC fibril bundles which measure 3–8 nm in diameter. BC is chemically identical to vegetal cellulose. However, when BC is compared with other natural or synthetic analogues, it shows a much higher performance in biomedical applications, potable treatment, nano-filters and functional applications. The main reason for this superiority is due to the high level of chemical purity, nano-fibrillar matrix and crystallinity. Upon using BC as a carrier or scaffold with other materials, unique and novel characteristics can be observed, which are all relatable to the features of BC. These properties, which include high tensile strength, high water holding capabilities and microfibrillar matrices, coupled with the overall physicochemical assets of bacterial cellulose makes it an ideal candidate for further scientific research into biopolymer development. This review thoroughly explores several areas in which BC is being investigated, ranging from biomedical applications to electronic applications, with a focus on the use as a next-generation wound dressing. The purpose of this review is to consolidate and discuss the most recent advancements in the applications of bacterial cellulose, primarily in biomedicine, but also in biotechnology.

Recent progress on biodiesel production from municipal sewage sludge

Abstract: Treatments for and methods of disposing of municipal sewage sludge have a limited ability to produce high-value products. The number of studies on using sludge for energy recovery—including those that use sludge lipids to produce biodiesel—has increased considerably. This study reviews and compares methods for all steps in the process of producing biodiesel from municipal wastewater sludge, including sludge pretreatment and lipid extraction methods, catalyst selection, and byproduct generation, and its economics analysis. Sludge drying by heat maybe the most efficient method but cost a lot, and drying by vacuum and chemicals are expected for future advancement. In the lipid extraction, organic solvents are costly and unfavorable to the environment. Therefore, alternative extractant that are more efficient, and environmentally friendly are of potential use but still need price reduction. In terms of catalysts, H2SO4 is an efficient and cheap catalyst in practical use but consumes a lot in operation. Solid acid catalysts are promising alternatives because of cost saving and environmental benign. Some new catalysts such as ionic liquid and enzymes are just promising in the much further future. The byproducts of different biodiesel production processes have been classified and been made downstream and environmental risk analysis. The optimization and greenness of catalysts and byproducts promote the commercialization of sewage sludge for biodiesel production. In addition, biodiesel refining by membrane technique is promising.