Effect of Glucose Administration on Biomass, ?-Carotene and Protein Content of Dunaliella sp. under Mixotrophic Cultivation

Dunaliella sp. is a prospective green microalga that can utilize both organic and inorganic carbon simultaneously. This study was aimed to determine the influence of various glucose concentrations on biomass concentration, β-carotene, and protein content of Dunaliella sp. under mixotrophic cultivation. Different glucose supplementation of 0.05 g/L, 0.10 g/L, 0.15 g/L, and 0.20 g/L were applied mixotrophically. The culture condition of Dunaliella sp. was also performed under photoautotrophic cultivation. The results exhibited that glucose administration significantly influenced the growth, biomass concentration, β-carotene, and protein production of Dunaliella sp. (P < 0.05). Supplementation of glucose in the mixotrophic culture remarkably improved cell growth, biomass production, β-carotene, and protein content of Dunaliella sp. compared to photoautotrophic culture. Increasing glucose concentration from 0.05 to 0.15 g/L increased biomass yield, β-carotene, and protein content of Dunaliella sp. The maximum specific growth rate and biomass concentration were produced at the glucose administration of 0.15 g/L with a value of 1.058 per day and 0.896 g/L, respectively. Moreover, supplementation of 0.15 g/L glucose resulted in the highest β-carotene and protein content. The results also noted that nitrate and phosphate consumption was highly related to biomass, β-carotene, and protein content of Dunaliella sp. In conclusion, the supplementation of glucose under mixotrophic conditions could improve the biomass, β-carotene, and protein content of Dunaliella sp. and could be practically used in mass-scale production. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

CytroCell: Valued Cellulose from Citrus Processing Waste

Isolating cellulose from citrus processing waste without employing chemicals has so far been an unfulfilled goal of chemical research applied to the valorization of a widely available biowaste, annually totaling >100 million tonnes. We have applied hydrodynamic cavitation using a Venturi-type reactor for the extraction of all valued bioproducts of industrial citrus processing waste in water only, directly on a semi-industrial scale. After reporting the discovery of IntegroPectin in the soluble fraction of the aqueous extract, we now report the isolation of a cellulosic material in the water-insoluble fraction of cavitated lemon and grapefruit processing waste. Named “CytroCell”, the material is cellulose of low crystallinity, high porosity, good water holding capacity and good dispersibility in water. These properties open the route to mass-scale production of a useful functional material from a cheap and abundant biowaste.

CytroCell: Valued Cellulose from Citrus Processing Waste

Named herein “CytroCell”, the cellulosic material obtained via hydrodynamic cavitation of citrus processing waste in water is cellulose of low crystallinity, high porosity, good water holding capacity and good dispersibility in water. These properties, here demonstrated for the first time for lemon and grapefruit CytroCell, open the route to mass scale production of a useful functional material from a cheap and abundant biowaste. The process, indeed, does not require any pre-treatment of the raw material, and does not use acid, alkali, chemical oxidants or enzymes.

Nanoflakes of chloride zinc–iron–aluminum-based layered double hydroxides obtained from industrial waste: a green approach to mass-scale production

A greener technology aiming at a smarter industrial waste treatment is proposed to produce chloride iron–zinc–aluminum layered double hydroxides (LDHs).

Mechanical Ventilator Milano (MVM): A Novel Mechanical Ventilator Designed for Mass Scale Production in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemics

We present here the design of the Mechanical Ventilator Milano (MVM), a novel mechanical ventilator designed for mass scale production in response to the COVID-19 pandemics, to compensate for the dramatic shortage of such ventilators in many countries. This ventilator is an electro-mechanical equivalent of the old, reliable Manley Ventilator. Our design is optimized to permit large sale production in short time and at a limited cost, relying on off-the-shelf components, readily available worldwide from hardware suppliers. Operation of the MVM requires only a source of compressed oxygen (or compressed medical air) and electrical power. The MVM control and monitoring unit can be connected and networked via WiFi so that no additional electrical connections are necessary other than the connection to the electrical power.At this stage the MVM is not a certified medical device. Construction of the first prototypes is starting with a team of engineers, scientists and computing experts. The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the conceptual design of the MVM broadly and to solicit feed-back from the scientific and medical community to speed the process of review, improvement and possible implementation.

Biosynthesis and Chaerchterization of Gold Nanoparticals by Using Local Serratia spp. Isolate

Biological sources of bacteria ,fungi, and plants are playing a major role in the reduction of metallic nanoparticles such as gold, as it attributed as an eco-friendly and contributed in application in nanotechnology. This study include the biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles using the culture supernatant of local Serratia spp. isolate. Gold(III) chloride trihydrate ( HAuCl2) in concentration1× 10-³ M added to supernatant separately. Their respective supernatants were examined for ability to produce gold nanoparticles, The events happend was in a dark place at 37Cº. After 24 h, it was observed that the color of the solutions turned from pale yellow to dark purple. The gold nanoparticles were characterized by: UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to ensure presence of different functional groups, respectively ,X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), finaly,scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to determined AuNPs size and shape. Results: The gold nanoparticles were approximatly uniform in size 57.17 nm , triangle in shape and FTIR spectra revealed the presence of various functional groups in the gold nanoparticles which were also present in the bacterial extract. Conclusion: The current approach suggests that rapid synthesis of nanoparticles would be feasible in developing a biological process for mass scale production of gold nanoparticles.

Cathodoluminescence of a 2 inch ultraviolet-light-source tube based on the integration of AlGaN materials and carbon nanotube field emitters

High efficiency and mass-scale production ultraviolet (UV) light sources have become a basic requirement for various applications, and as such have attracted considerable technological interest.

Orientación de Pasajeros con Discapacidad Visual dentro del Sistema de Transporte Masivo Transmilenio, mediante Geolocalización Satelital

Context: Although the mass-transport system Transmilenio provides audio information for travelers’ guidance, this is not helpful enough to blind users who are not able to transit easily within the system. For these reason, portable guidance devices are needed to improve the level of autonomy of the visually impaired people while using the transport system.Method: A review of aid devices to improve the level of autonomy of people with visual impairment was conducted so as to define the most practical technology for building an affordable device usable in the city of Bogotá. Subsequently, the functional modules of the device were defined, including file storage, sound reproduction, user interface and satellite geolocalization and location. Once built, the operation of the device was tested with 10 volunteers in condition of visual impairment who were oriented with the device between two main stations of one Transmilenio line; a final statistical study was conducted on the operation and usability perception of the device by the users.Results: 100% of the users were able to reach their destination successfully in the pilot test. In regards to the usability perception, users highlighted features such as sound indications for setting the device and orientation guidance throughout the journey. On the other hand, one of the main difficulties found was to correctly identify the bus approaching the stop and similarly locating the corresponding boarding door, as multiple bus routes may alight in the same door.Conclusions: The device was built incorporating low-cost technologies intended to make it affordable in an eventual mass—scale production. Likewise, a discreet design was chosen so as to lessen the risk of robbery, which unfortunately is a frequent issue in the Transmilenio system due to overcrowding of buses and stations. Additionally, we remark that the prototype can be made smaller by using special—purpose circuit boards. Policy-makers may take into account these considerations for an eventual wide implementation as part of governments’ plans for mobility inclusion in mass-transport systems for disabled people, in comparison with other alternatives such as smart cell phonesLanguage: Spanish.