Biodegradation Behavior of Starch in Simulated White Water System of Old Corrugated Cardboard Pulping Process

Considering the serious barriers/issues induced by the accumulated starch generated in white water system of old corrugated cardboard(OCC)pulping process,large amounts of accumulated starch in white water would be decomposed by microorganisms and could not be utilized,thereby resulting in severe resource wastage and environmental pollution.This study mainly explored the effects of biodegradation/hydrolysis conditions of the two types of starch substrates(native starch and enzymatically(α-amylase)hydrolyzed starch),which were treated via microorganism degradation within the simulated white water from OCC pulping system and their biodegradation products on the key properties were characterized via X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),and gel permeation chromatography(GPC)technologies.The effects of system temperature,pH value,starch concentration,and biodegradation time on starch biodegradation ratio and the characteristics of obtained biodegradated products from the two types of starches were studied.In addition,the effect ofα-amylase dosage on the biodegradation ratio of enzymatically hydrolyzed starch and its properties was investigated.It was found that the native starch presented a maximal degradation ratio at a system temperature of 55℃and pH value range of 5-7,respectively,the corresponding starch concentration within simulated white water system was 200 mg/L.Whereas the enzymatically hydrolyzed starch exhibited a highest degradation ratio at a system temperature of 50℃and pH value of 5.5,respectively,and the corresponding starch concentration within simulated white water system was 100 mg/L.It was verified that native starch is more readily bio-hydrolyzed and biodegradation-susceptive by microorganisms in simulated white water system of OCC pulping process,while the enzymatically hydrolyzed starch exhibits better biodegradation/hydrolysis resistance to the microbial degradation than that of native starch.This study provides a practical and interesting approach to investigate the starch hydrolysis or biodegradation behaviors in white water system of OCC pulping process,which would greatly contribute to the full recycling and valorized application of starch as a versatile additive during paperboard production.

Enhanced initial biodegradation resistance of the biomedical Mg-Cu alloy by surface nanomodification

Mg-Cu alloys are promising antibacterial implant materials.However,their clinical applications have been impeded by their high initial biodegradation rate,which can be alleviated using nanotechnology by for example surface nanomodification to obtain a gradient nanostructured surface layer.The present work(i)produced a gradient nanostructured surface layer with a∼500µm thickness on a Mg-0.2 Cu alloy by a surface mechanical grinding treatment(SMGT),and(ii)studied the biodegradation behavior in Hank's solution.The initial biodegradation rate of the SMGTed samples was significantly lower than that of the unSMGTed original counterparts,which was attributed to the surface nanocrystallization,and the fragmentation and re-dissolution of Mg_(2)Cu particles in the surface of the SMGTed Mg-0.2 Cu alloy.Furthermore,the SMGTed Mg-0.2 Cu alloy had good antibacterial efficacy.This work creatively used SMGT technology to produce a high-performance Mg alloy implant material.

A Comparative Investigation of the Biodegradation Behaviour of Linseed Oil-Based Cross-Linked Composites Filled with Industrial Waste Materials in Two Different Soils

The biodegradation of polymeric biocomposites formed from epoxidized linseed oil and various types of fillers(pine needles,pine bark,grain mill waste,rapeseed cake)and a control sample without filler was studied during 180 days of exposure to two types of forest soil:deciduous and coniferous.The weight loss,morphological,and structural changes of polymer composites were noticed after 180 days of the soil burial test.The greatest weight loss of all tested samples was observed in coniferous forest soil(41.8%–63.2%),while in deciduous forest soil,it ranged between 37.7%and 42.3%.The most significant changes in the intensities of the signals evaluated by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy,as well as morphological changes determined by scanning electron microscopy,were assessed for polymer composite with rapeseed cake and specimen without filler in coniferous forest soil and are in a good agreement with weight loss results.Whereas significantly lower changes in weight loss,morphology,and structure of polymeric film with pine bark were noticed in both soils.It was suggested that fungi of Trichoderma,Penicillium,Talaromyces and Clonostachys genera are the possible soil microorganisms that degrade linseed oil-based cross-linked polymer composites.Moreover,the novel polymer composites have the potential to be an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based mulching films.

Biodegradation of occluded hydrocarbons and kerogen macromolecules of the Permian Lucaogou shales,Junggar Basin,NW China

Three kerogen samples(JJZG-1,JJZG-2 and JJZG-3)isolated from the Permian Lucaogou shales of varying biodegradation levels(BLs≈0,3 and 7,respectively)were subjected to sequential stepwise pyrolysis combined with on-line detection of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).Occluded fractions(bitumenⅡ)released at low-temperature steps(≥410℃)show consistent biodegradative signatures with that reported for solvent-extracted fractions(bitumenⅠ)of the original shales,e.g.,broad range of abundant n-alkanes,isoprenoids and regular hopanes for the non-biodegraded JJZG-1;trace n-alkanes and abundant hopanes for the moderately biodegraded JJZG-2;and no n-alkanes but still prominent hopanes including the microbially produced 25-nohopanes for the severely biodegraded JJZG-3.This consistency between bitumenⅡand bitumenⅠfractions indicates the biodegradability of the kerogenoccluded bitumenⅡwith limited protection from host kerogen.A minor level of protection was suggested by the trace distribution of n-alkanes in the bitumenⅡof JJZG-2,whereas the bitumenⅠhad no nalkanes.The kerogen itself was more resistant to biodegradation as reflected by the persistence of high abundances of both n-alkanes and hopanes in the high temperature(≥460℃)products of all three kerogen samples.However,the relative abundances of these product groups did show some evidence of biodegradation alteration,e.g.,ratios of n-C_(15)alkene/C_(27)hop-17(21)-ene at 510℃pyrolysis decreased by order of magnitude from the non-biodegraded(JJZG-1=27.4)to highly biodegraded(0.3 for JJZG-3)samples.The reduced biodegradation impact on the kerogen fraction(Cf.bitumen fractions)was also evident by the absence of 25-norhopanes in the high-temperature analysis of the JJZG-3 kerogen.

Biodegradation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil by Mucor sp.SF06 and Bacillus sp.SB02 co-immobilized on vermiculite

Two indigenous microorganisms, Bacillus sp. SB02 and Mucor sp. SF06, capable of degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） were co-immobilized on vermiculite by physical adsorption and used to degrade benzo[a] pyrene （BaP）. The characteristics of BaP degradation by both free and co-immobilized microorganism were then investigated and compared. The removal rate using the immobilized bacterial-fungal mixed consortium was higher than that of the freely mobile mixed consortium. 95.3% of BaP was degraded using the co-immobilized system within 42 d, which was remarkably higher than the removal rate of that by the free strains. The optimal amount of inoculated co-immobilized system for BaP degradation was 2%. The immobilized bacterial-fungal mixed consortium also showed better water stability than the free strains. Kinetics of BaP biodegradation by co-immobilized SF06 and SB02 were also studied. The results demonstrated that BaP degradation could be well described by a zero-order reaction rate equation when the initial BaP concentration was in the range of 10--200 mg/kg. The scanning electronic microscope （SEM） analysis showed that the co-immobilized microstructure was suitable for the growth of SF06 and SB02. The mass transmission process of co-immobilized system in soil is discussed. The results demonstrate the potential for employing the bacterial-fungal mixed consortium, co-immobilized on vermiculite, for in situ bioremediation of BaP.

Biodegradation of phenol by free and immobilized Acinetobacter sp.strain PD12

A new phenol-degrading bacterium with high biodegradation activity and high tolerance of phenol, strain PD 12, was isolated from the activated sludge of Tianjin Jizhuangzi Wastewater Treatment Facility in China. This strain was capable of removing 500 mg phenol/L in liquid minimal medium by 99.6% within 9 h and metabolizing phenol at concentrations up to 1100 mg/L. DNA sequencing and homologous analysis of 16S rRNA gene identified PD12 to be an Acinetobacter sp. Polyvinyl alcohol （PVA） was used as a gel matrix to immobilize Acinetobacter sp. strain PDI2 by repeated freezing and thawing. The factors affecting phenol degradation of immobilized cells were investigated, and the results showed that the immobilized cells could tolerate a high phenol level and protected the bacteria against changes in temperature and pH. Storage stability and reusability tests revealed that the phenol degradation functions of immobilized cells were stable after reuse for 50 times or storing at 4℃ for 50 d. These results indicate that immobilized Acinetobacter sp. strain PD 12 possesses a good application potential in the treatment of phenol-containing wastewater.

Biodegradation of oil wastewater by free and immobilized Yarrowia lipolytica W29

The ability of Yarrowia lipolytica W29 immobilized by calcium alginate to degrade oil and chemical oxygen demand （COD） was examined. The degradation rules of oil and COD by immobilized cells with the cell density of 6.65 × 10^6 CFU/mL degraded 2000 mg/L oil and 2000 mg/L COD within 50 h at 30℃ （pH 7.0, 150 r/min）, similarly to those of free cells, and the degradation efficiencies of oil and COD by immobilized cells were above 80%, respectively. The factors affecting oil and COD degradation by immobilized cells were investigated, the results showed that immobilized cells had high thermostability compared to that of free cells, and substrate concentration significantly affected degrading ability of immobilized cells. Storage stability and reusability tests revealed that the oil degradation ability of immobilized cells was stable after storing at 4~C for 30 d and reuse for 12 times, respectively, the COD degradation rate of immobilized cells was also maintained 82% at the sixth cycle. These results suggested that immobilized Y lipolytica might be applicable to a wastewater treatment system for the removal of oil and COD.

Nitrobenzene biodegradation ability of microbial communities in water and sediments along the Songhua River after a nitrobenzene pollution event

More than 100 t of nitrobenzene (NB) and related compounds were discharged into the Songhua River,the fourth longest river in China,because of the world-shaking explosion of an aniline production factory located in Jilin City on November 13,2005.As one of the efforts to predict the fate of residual NB in the river,NB biodegradation abilities by microbes in the water and sediments from different river sections were evaluated systematically.The results indicated that microbial communities from any section of ...

Alleviation of mycotoxin biodegradation agent on zearalenone and deoxynivalenol toxicosis in immature gilts

Background: The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of mycotoxin biodegradation agent(MBA, composed of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01 G and Devosia sp. ANSB714) on relieving zearalenone(ZEA) and deoxynivalenol(DON) toxicosis in immature gilts.Methods: A total of forty pre-pubertal female gilts(61.42 ± 1.18 kg) were randomly allocated to four diet treatments: CO(positive control); MO(negative control, ZEA 596.86 μg/kg feed and DON 796 μg/kg feed);COA(CO + 2 g MBA/kg feed); MOA(MO + 2 g MBA/kg feed). Each treatment contained 10 replicates with 1 gilt per replicate. Gilts were housed in an environmentally controlled room with the partially slatted floor.Results: During the entire experimental period of 28 d, average daily gain(ADG) and average daily feed intake(ADFI)of gilts in MO group was significantly reduced compared with those in CO group. The vulva size of gilts was significantly higher in MO group than CO group. In addition, significant increases in the plasma levels of Ig A,Ig G, IL-8, IL-10 and PRL were determined in MO group compared with that in CO group. ZEA and DON in the diet upregulated apoptotic caspase-3 in ovaries and uteri, along with down-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in ovaries. The supplementation of MBA into diets co-contaminated with ZEA and DON significantly increased ADG, decreased the vulva sizes, reduced the levels of Ig G, IL-8 and PRL in plasma, and regulated apoptosis in ovaries and uteri of gilts.Conclusions: The present results indicated that feeding diet contaminated with ZEA and DON simultaneously(596.86 μg/kg + 796 μg/kg) had detrimental effects on growth performance, plasma immune function and reproductive status of gilts. And MBA could reduce the negative impacts of these two toxins, believed as a promising feed additive for mitigating toxicosis of ZEA and DON at low levels in gilts.

Comparison of Di-n-methyl Phthalate Biodegradation by Free and Immobilized Microbial Cells

To compare the biodegradation of di-n-methyl pathalate by free and immobilized microbial cells. Methods The enrichment and isolation technique was used to isolate the microorganism. The PAV-entrapment method was utilized to immobilize the microorganisms. The scanning electron microscophy (SEM) was used to observe the growth and distribution of microbial cells immobilized inside the PVA bead gels. The GC/MS method was used to identify the main intermediates of DMP degradation. Results The microbial cells could grow quite well in PVA gel. The metabolic pathway did not change before and after immobilization of the microbial cells. The degradation rate of immobilized cells was higher than that of free cells. Conclusion The immobilized microbial cells possess advantages than free cells when applied to the biodegradation of toxic organic pollutants.

Biodegradation of mixture of VOC's in a biofilter

Volatile organic compounds(VOC's) in air have become major concern in recent years. Biodegradation of a mixture of ethanol and methanol vapor was evaluated in a laboratory biofilter with a bed of compost and polystyrene particles using an acclimated mixed culture. The continuous performance of the biofilter was studied with different proportion of ethanol and methanol at different initial concentration and flow rates. The result showed significant removal for both ethanol and methanol, which were composition dependent. The presence of either compound in the mixture inhibited the biodegradation of the other.

Biodegradation of methyl parathion by Acinetobacter radioresistens USTB-04

Biodegradation of methyl parathion （MP）, a widely used organophosphorus pesticide, was investigated using a newly isolated bacterium strain Acinetobacter radioresistens USTB-04. MP at an initial concentration of 1200 mg/L could be totally biodegraded by A. radioresistens USTB-04 as the sole carbon source less than 4 d in the presence of phosphate and urea as phosphorus and nitrogen sources, respectively. Biodegradation of MP was also achieved using cell-free extract of A. radioresistens USTB-04. MP at an initial concentration of 130 mg/L was completely biodegraded in 2 h in the presence of cell-free extract with a protein concentration of 148.0 mg/L, which was increased with the increase of pH from 5.0 to 8.0. Contrary to published reports, no intermediate or final degradation metabolites of MP could be observed. Thus we suggest that the cleavage of C-C bond on the benzene ring other than P-O bond may be the biodegradation pathway of MP by A. radioresistens USTB-04.

Biodegradation of phenol and m-cresol by mutated Candida tropicalis

The phenol and m-cresol biodegradations were studied using the mutant strain CTM 2 obtained by the He-Ne laser irradiation on wild-type Candida tropicalis. The results showed that C. tropicalis exhibited the increased capacity of phenolic compounds degradation after laser irradiation. It could degrade 2600 mg/L phenol and 300 mg/L m-cresol by 5% inoculum concentration, respectively. In the dual-substrate biodegradation system, 0-500 mg/L phenol could accelerate m-cresol biodegradation, and 300 mg/L m-cresol could be completely utilized within 46 hr at the presence of 350 mg/L phenol. Besides, the maximum biodegradation of m-cresol could reach 350 mg/L with 80 mg/L phenol within 61 hr. Obviously, phenol, as a growth substrate, could promote CTM 2 to degrade m-cresol, and was always preferentially utilized as carbon source. Comparatively, low-concentration m-cresol could result in a great inhibition on phenol degradation. In addition, the kinetic behaviors of cell growth and substrate biodegradation were described by kinetic model proposed in our laboratory.

Impacts of heavy metals on 1,2-dichloroethane biodegradation in co-contaminated soil

1,2-Dichloroethane （DCA）, a potential mutagen and carcinogen, is commonly introduced into the environment through its industrial and agricultural use. In this study, the impact of lead and mercury on DCA degradation in soil was investigated, owing to the complex co-contamination problem frequently encountered in most sites. 1,2-Dichloroethane was degraded readily in both contaminated loam and clay soils with the degradation rate constants ranging between 0.370-0.536 week-1 and 0.309-0.417 week-1, respectively. The presence of heavy metals have a negative impact on DCA degradation in both soil types, resulting in up to 24.11% reduction in DCA degradation within one week. Both biostimulation and treatment additives increased DCA degradation, with the best degradation observed upon addition of glucose and a combination of diphosphate salt and sodium chloride, leading to about 17.91% and 43.50% increase in DCA degradation, respectively. The results have promising potential for effective remediation of soils co-contaminated with chlorinated organics and heavy metals. However, the best bioremediation strategy will depend on the soil types, microbial population present in the soil matrices, nutrients availability and metal forms.

Biodegradation of acetanilide herbicides acetochlor and butachlor in soil

The biodegradation of two acetanilide herbicides, acetochlor and butachlor in soil after other environmental organic matters addition were measured during 35 days laboratory incubations. The herbicides were applied to soil alone, soil SDBS (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) mixtures and soil HA (humic acid) mixtures. Herbicide biodegradation kinetics were compared in the different treatment. Biodegradation products of herbicides in soil alone samples were identified by GC/MS at the end of incubation. Addition of SDBS and HA to soil decreased acetochlor biodegradation, but increased butachlor biodegradation. The biodegradation half life of acetochlor and butachlor in soil alone, soil SDBS mixtures and soil HA mixtures were 4.6d, 6.1d and 5.4d and 5.3d, 4.9d and 5.3d respectively. The biodegradation products were hydroxyacetochlor and 2 methyl 6 ethylaniline for acetochlor, and hydroxybutachlor and 2,6 diethylaniline for butachlor.

Biodegradation of Gaseous Chlorobenzene by White-rot Fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Objective To evaluate the effect of white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium on removal of gaseous chlorobenzene. Methods Fungal mycelium mixed with a liquid medium was placed into airtight bottles. A certain amount of chlorobenzene was injected into the headspace of the bottles under different conditions. At a certain interval, the concentrations in the headspace were analyzed to evaluate the degradation of chlorobenzene by P. chrysosporium. Results The degradation effects of P. chrysosporium on chlorobenzene under different conditions were investigated. The difference in the optimum temperature for the growth of the fungi and chlorobenzene degradation was observed. The data indicated that a lower temperature （28℃） would promote the degradation of chlorobenzene than the optimum temperature for the growth of the fungi （37℃）. A low nitrogen source concentration （30 mg N/L） had a better effect on degrading chlorobenzene than a high nitrogen source concentration （higher than 100 mg N/L）. A high initial concentration （over 1100 mg/m3） of chlorobenzene showed an inhibiting effect on degradation by P chrysosporium. A maximum removal efficiency of 95% was achieved at the initial concentration of 550 mg/m3. Conclusion P. chrysosporium has a rather good ability to remove gaseous chlorobeuzene. A low nitrogen source concentration and a low temperature promote the removal of chlorobenzene by P. chrysosporium. However, a high initial chlorobenzene concentration can inhibit chlorobenzene degradation.

Optimizing aerobic biodegradation of dichloromethane using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology （RSM） was employed to evaluate the optimum aerobic biodegradation of dichloromethane （DCM） in pure culture. The parameters investigated include the initial DCM concentration, glucose as an inducer and hydrogen peroxide as terminal electron acceptor （TEA）. Maximum aerobic biodegradation efficiency was predicted to occur when the initial DCM concentration was 380 mg/L, glucose 13.72 mg/L, and H202 115 mg/L. Under these conditions the aerobic biodegradation rate reached up to 93.18%, which was significantly higher than that obtained under original conditions. Without addition of glucose degradation efficiencies were ≤ 80% at DCM concentrations ≤ 326 mg/L. When concentrations of DCM were more than 480 rag/L, the addition of hydrogen peroxide did not help to significantly increase DCM degradation efficiency. When DCM concentrations increased from 240 to 480 rag/L, the overall DCM degradation efficiency decreased from 91% to 60% in the presence of HaO2 for 120 mg/L.

Simultaneous biodegradation of nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds in a sequencing batch bioreactor

Many nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds （NACs）, such as nitrobenzene （NB）, 4-nitrophenol （4-NP）, aniline （AN）, and 2,4-dinitrophenol （2,4-DNP）, are environmentally hazardous, and their removal from contaminated water is one of the main challenges facing wastewater treatment plants. In this study, synthetic wastewater containing NB, 4-NP, 2,4-DNP, and AN at concentrations ranging from 50 to 180 mg/L was fed into a sequencing batch reactor （SBR）. Analyses of the SBR system indicated that it simultaneously removed more than 99% of the NACs at loading rates of 0.36 kg NB/（m^3·d）, 0.3 kg 4-NP/（m^3·d）, 0.25 kg AN/（m^3·d）, and 0.1 kg 2,4-DNP/（m^3·d）. Bacterial groups of Bacteriodetes, Candidate division TM7, α-Proteobacteria, and β-Proteobacteria were dominant in the clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes retrieved from the microbial communities in the SBR system. ＂Cycle tests＂ designed to alter feeding and aeration parameters of the SBR system demonstrated that the resident microbial biome of the SBR system responded rapidly to changing conditions. Consumption of O2 was concomitant with the apparent mineralization of NACs. Aromatic ring-cleaving dioxygenase activities suggested that （1） AN and NB were degraded via catechol 2,3-dioxygenase; （2） 4-NP was degraded via 1,2,4-benzentriol 1,2-dioxygenase; and （3） 2,4-DNP was degraded via an unresolved pathway.

Influence of nonionic surfactant on the solubilization and biodegradation of phenanthrene

Phenanthrene was solubilized in two different nonionic surfactants, Tween80 and Triton X-100. The bioavailability of phenanthrene to the bacteria isolated from the petroleum contaminated soils was studied based on the rotary flasks experiments. The results showed that the concentration of nonionic surfactants above the critical micelle concentration(CMC) can increase the solubility of phenanthrene in water and were innoxious to the phenanthrene-degrading bacteria; phenanthrene solubilized in the micelles of Tween80 was bioavailable and biodegradable. The research demonstrated the potential of surfactant-enhanced bioremediation of soils contaminated by hydrophobic organic compounds(HOCs).

Kinetics of phenol and m-cresol biodegradation by an indigenous mixed microbial culture isolated from a sewage treatment plant

An acclimatized mixed microbial culture,predominantly Pseudomonas sp.,was enriched from a sewage treatment plant,and its potential to simultaneously degrade mixtures of phenol and m-cresol was investigated during its growth in batch shake flasks.A 22 full factorial design with the two substrates at two different levels and different initial concentration ranges(low and high),was employed to carry out the biodegradation experiments.The substrates phenol and m-cresol were completely utilized within 21 h when ...