Advances in Biochemical Engineering \/ Biotechnology 

About: Advances in Biochemical Engineering \/ Biotechnology is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Stem cell. It has an ISSN identifier of 0724-6145. Over the lifetime, 1210 publications have been published receiving 56155 citations. The journal is also known as: Advances in biochemical engineering, biotechnology (Print).

Substrate pretreatment: the key to effective enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosics?

Abstract: Although the structure and function of cellulase systems continue to be the subject of intense research, it is widely acknowledged that the rate and extent of the cellulolytic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic substrates is influenced not only by the effectiveness of the enzymes but also by the chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of the heterogeneous lignocellulosic substrates. Although strategies such as site-directed mutagenesis or directed evolution have been successfully employed to improve cellulase properties such as binding affinity, catalytic activity and thermostability, complementary goals that we and other groups have studied have been the determination of which substrate characteristics are responsible for limiting hydrolysis and the development of pretreatment methods that maximize substrate accessibility to the cellulase complex. Over the last few years we have looked at the various lignocellulosic substrate characteristics at the fiber, fibril and microfibril level that have been modified during pretreatment and subsequent hydrolysis. The initial characteristics of the woody biomass and the effect of subsequent pretreatment play a significant role on the development of substrate properties, which in turn govern the efficacy of enzymatic hydrolysis. Focusing particularly on steam pretreatment, this review examines the influence that pretreatment conditions have on substrate characteristics such as lignin and hemicellulose content, crystallinity, degree of polymerization and specific surface, and the resulting implications for effective hydrolysis by cellulases.

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials for efficient bioethanol production.

Abstract: Second-generation bioethanol produced from various lignocellulosic materials, such as wood, agricultural or forest residues, has the potential to be a valuable substitute for, or a complement to, gasoline. One of the crucial steps in the ethanol production is the hydrolysis of the hemicellulose and cellulose to monomer sugars. The most promising method for hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose is by use of enzymes, i.e. cellulases. However, in order to make the raw material accessible to the enzymes some kind of pretreatment is necessary. During the last few years a large number of pretreatment methods have been developed, comprising methods working at low pH, i.e. acid based, medium pH (without addition of catalysts), and high pH, i.e. with a base as catalyst. Many methods have been shown to result in high sugar yields, above 90% of theoretical for agricultural residues, especially for corn stover. For more recalcitrant materials, e.g. softwood, acid hydrolysis and steam pretreatment with acid catalyst seem to be the methods that can be used to obtain high sugar and ethanol yields. However, for more accurate comparison of different pretreatment methods it is necessary to improve the assessment methods under real process conditions. The whole process must be considered when a performance evaluation is to be made, as the various pretreatment methods give different types of materials. (Hemicellulose sugars can be obtained either in the liquid as monomer or oligomer sugars, or in the solid material to various extents; lignin can be either in the liquid or remain in the solid part; the composition and amount/concentration of possible inhibitory compounds also vary.) This will affect how the enzymatic hydrolysis should be performed (e.g. with or without hemicellulases), how the lignin is recovered and also the use of the lignin co-product.

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics

Abstract: According to the German definition, probiotics are defined viable microorganisms, sufficient amounts of which reach the intestine in an active state and thus exert positive health effects. Numerous probiotic microorganisms (e.g. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. reuteri, bifidobacteria and certain strains of L. casei or the L. acidophilus-group) are used in probiotic food, particularly fermented milk products, or have been investigated—as well as Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917, certain enterococci (Enterococcus faecium SF68) and the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii—with regard to their medicinal use. Among the numerous purported health benefits attributed to probiotic bacteria, the (transient) modulation of the intestinal microflora of the host and the capacity to interact with the immune system directly or mediated by the autochthonous microflora, are basic mechanisms. They are supported by an increasing number of in vitro and in vivo experiments using conventional and molecular biologic methods. In addition to these, a limited number of randomized, well-controlled human intervention trials have been reported.

Progress and challenges in enzyme development for biomass utilization.

Abstract: Enzymes play a critical role in the conversion of lignocellulosic waste into fuels and chemicals, but the high cost of these enzymes presents a significant barrier to commercialization. In the simplest terms, the cost is a function of the large amount of enzyme protein required to break down polymeric sugars in cellulose and hemicellulose to fermentable monomers. In the past 6 years, significant effort has been expended to reduce the cost by focusing on improving the efficiency of known enzymes, identification of new, more active enzymes, creating enzyme mixes optimized for selected pretreated substrates, and minimization of enzyme production costs. Here we describe advances in enzyme technology for use in the production of biofuels and the challenges that remain.

Biological Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater.

Abstract: A review of the research on the kinetics of nitrification and denitrification is presented including an explanation of reaction engineering models. The results of laboratory scale experiments with high rate nitrification processes are discussed using kinetic results for oxygen limitation as well as for substrate limitation and inhibition. It can be demonstrated that reaction engineering models are helpful for a better understanding of the processes and for the design of reactors. Pilot scale investigations from the last 15 years show remarkable advances in the increase in nitrification efficiency and in the stabilization of the process. The time is ripe for nitrogen removal from industrial effluents in full scale processes!