Optimization of batch fermentation conditions for dextran production

Optimization of α-amylase production by Bacillus sp. using response surface methodology

Abstract: The combined effects of macronutrients of media on α-amylase production by Bacillus sp. were studied using response surface methodology. A 22 full-factorial central composite design was chosen to explain four medium constituents, viz. starch, glycerol, yeast extract (YE) and peptone, and to analysis of the results. This procedure limited the number of actual experiments performed while allowing for possible interactions between four components. The P-value of the coefficient for quadratic effect of glycerin concentration was <0.0001, suggesting that this was the principal experimental variable having the greatest effect on the production of α-amylase. It was found that YE had no effect on α-amylase production. The optimal combinations of media constituents for maximum α-amylase production were determined as 17.58 g/l starch, 12.37% (v/v) glycerin, 8.77 g/l peptone and 0.00 g/l YE.

Biodegradable plastics from renewable sources

Abstract: Plastic waste disposal is a huge ecotechnological problem and one of the approaches to solving this problem is the development of biodegradable plastics This review summarizes data on their use, biodegradability, commercial reliability and production from renewable resources Some commercially successful biodegradable plastics are based on chemical synthesis (ie polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, and polyvinyl alcohol) Others are products of microbial fermentations (ie polyesters and neutral polysaccharides) or are prepared from chemically modified natural products (eg, starch, cellulose, chitin or soy protein)

Levulinic acid production from wheat straw.

Abstract: Studies were carried out on the effects of temperature, acid concentration, liquid:solid ratio and reaction time on levulinic acid production from wheat straw using response surface methodology. The P-value of the coefficient for acid concentration was 0.0002, suggesting that this was highly significant. The quadratic effects of temperature and liquid:solid ratio were also significant and their P-values were <0.0001 and 0.0027, respectively. The coefficient determination (R(2)) was good for the second-order model. The optimal conditions for levulinic acid production from wheat straw were 209.3 degrees C, 3.5% acid concentration, 15.6 liquid:solid ratio and 37.6 min of reaction time resulted 19.86% yield.

Kinetic adsorption of application of carbon nanotubes for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution.

Abstract: The capability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to adsorb lead (Pb) in aqueous solution was investigated. Batch mode adsorption experiment was conducted to determine the effects of pH, agitation speed, CNTs dosage and contact time. The removal of Pb(II) reached maximum value 85% or 83% at pH 5 or 40 mg/L of CNTs, respectively. Higher correlation coefficients from Langmuir isotherm model indicates the strong adsorptions of Pb(II) on the surface of CNTs (adsorption capacity Xm = 102.04 mg/g). The results indicates that the highest percentage removal of Pb (96.03%) can be achieved at pH 5, 40 mg/L of CNTs, contact time 80 min, and agitation speed 50 r/min.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of flavonoids compounds (FC) from hawthorn seed (HS)

Abstract: Hawthorn seed (HS), an important by-product of the Hawthorn industry, is rich in potentially health-promoting flavonoids compounds. In this paper, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of FC from HS was investigated. Important variables and their levels were obtained using Plackett-Burman (PB) design and Box-Behnken (BB) design. A mathematical model was developed to show the effects of each variable and their combinatorial interactions on extraction yield of FC. A high coefficient of determination (R(2) = 91.26%) indicated good agreement between the experimental and predicted values of FC yield. The optimum levels of these significant parameters were determined using response surface methodology (RSM), which revealed these as follows: ultrasound temperature 65 °C, ultrasonic time 37 min, extraction temperature 91 °C, extraction time 1.5h, solid-liquid ratio of 1:18, and 72% ethanol. Under the optimum condition, the UAE rate of FC was up to 91.7%, and the yield of FC was 16.45 ± 0.02 mg/g (P<0.05) that was 1.32-fold the yield of conventional reflux extraction (CRE).

Encyclopedia of polymer science and technology

Abstract: VOLUME 1. Acetylenic Polymers, Substituted. Acrylamide Polymers. Acrylic (and Methacrylic) Acid Polymers. Acrylic Ester Polymers. Acrylonitrile and Acrylonitrile Polymers. Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Polymers. Additives. Adhesion. Adhesive Compounds. Aging, Physical. Alkyd Resins. Am,ino Resins and Plastics. Antifoaming Agents. Atomic Force Microscopy. Biotechnology Applications. Bloack Copolymers. Bloack Copolymers, Ternary Triblock. Blow Molding. Chitin and Chitosan. Chromatography, Affinity. Chromatography, HPLC. Chromatography, Size Exclusion. Coating Methods, Survey. Coatings. VOLUME 2 Coextrusion. Colorants. Coloring Processes. Composites, Fabrication. Conformation and Configuration. Critical Phase Polymerizations. Cyclohexanedimethanol Polyesters. Dendronized Polymers. Dental Applications. Diacethylene and Triacethylene Polymers. Elasticity, Rubber-Like. Electronic Packaging. Electrooptical Applications. Engineering, Thermoplastics, Overview. Enzymatic Polymerization. Ethylene Polymers, Chlorosulfonated. Ethylene Polymers, HDPE. Ethylene Polymers, LDPE. Ehtylene Polymers, LLDPE. Ethylene-Acrylic Elastomers. Ethylene-Norbornene Copolymers. Extrusion. Films, Orientation. Fluorocarbon Elastomers. Fractography. Fracture. Glass Transition. Hardness. Hydrogels. Hyperbranched Polymers. VOLUME 3 Injection Molding. Inorganic Polymers. Laser Light Scattering. Light-Emiting Diodes. Lignin. Liquid Crystalline Polymers, Main-Chain. Liquid Crystalline Thermosets. Mass Spectrometry. Membrane Technology. Methacrylic Ester Polymers. Micromechanical Properties. Modeling of Polymer Processing and Properties. Nanocomposites, Polymer-Clay. Packaging, Flexible. Perfluorinated Polymers, Perfluorinated Ethylene-Propylene Copolymers. Perfluorinated Polymers Polytetrafluoroethylene. Perfluorinated Polymers Tetrafluoroethylene-Ethylene Copolymers. Perfluorinated Polymers, Tetrafluoroethylene-Perfluorinated Copolymers. Perfluorinated Polymers. Tetrafluoroethylene-Perfluorovinyl Ether Copolymers. Phosgene. Phosphorus-Containing Polymers and Oligomers. Piezoelectric Polymers. Plasticizers. Poly(3-Hydroxyalkanoates). Poly(Trimethylene Terephthalate). Polyamides, Atomatic. Polyamides, Fibers. Polyamides, Plastics. Polycyanoacrylates. Polyesters, Fibers. Polyketones. Polynucleotides. Polysulfides. VOLUME 4 Polysulfones. Polyurethanes. Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive. Reinforcement. Release Agents. Shape-Memory Polymers. Single-Site Catalysis. Stabilization. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR). Styrene Polymers. Sulfur-Containing Polymers. Surface Properties. Syndiotactic Polystyrene. Vinyl Fluoride Polymers (PVF). Vinylidene Chloride Polymers. Vinylidene Fluoride Polymers. Viscoelasticity. Weathering.

The effect of certain cultural factors on production of dextransucrase by Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

Abstract: Present knowledge on the characteristics of dextransucrase and its mode of action is based primarily on the important investigations of Hehre (1941, 1946, 1951) and Hehre and Sugg (1942). Hitherto, a serious impediment to studies of this interesting enzyme has been the difficulty of procuring dextransucrase. Development of further knowledge about it would be greatly facilitated by the availability of culture liquors rich in dextransucrase. The rapid formation of dextransucrase in high yields has been reported in a preliminary note (Koepsell and Tsuchiya, 1952). The present report deals in greater detail with our observations on factors affecting production of dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides, strain NRRL B-512.2 However, culture liquors high in activity have been obtained from a large number of the organisms tested. The dextran produced by strain NRRL B-512 in the conventional whole culture procedure contains about 95 per cent a-1,6-glucopyranosidic linkage. Although the non-1,6 linkages have been assumed to be of the a-1,4 type, definite proof on this point is lacking (Jeanes and Wilham, 1950). L. mesenteroides, strain NRRL B-512, or its substrains, is the organism principally used in investigations of clinical dextran in the United States. Although the term \"dextransucrase\" is used in the singular for convenience, the possibility that more than one enzyme may be involved in the synthesis of dextran is recognized.

Medium development for xanthan production

Abstract: Statistical designs were used to determine optimum levels of medium nutrients for xanthan production in shake flask fermentations. Information about the effects of each medium component on xanthan fermentation and the metabolism of Xanthomonas campestris was also obtained. The use of high carbon to nitrogen ratios in the defined medium resulted in a major increase in the broth consistency index. Maximal production was achieved in nitrogen limitation, at a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 23. Mineral sources such as CaCO3 and KH2PO4 proved to be important factors influencing polysaccharide production and quality. A maximum concentration of 11·15 g/litre of xanthan was obtained during the optimization of the defined medium. An increase of xanthan production was accompanied by a decrease of exocellular protein. The addition to the defined medium of yeast extract at a concentration above 0·75 g/litre and peptone above 2·5 g/litre resulted in inhibition of production due to a drop in the carbon to nitrogen ratio. However, if the complex nutrients were added in lower quantities, a slight stimulation of xanthan formation was obtained, 12 g/litre of polysaccharide being achieved.