From Structure to Catalysis: Recent Developments in the Biotechnological Applications of Lipases

Microbial lipases are highly appreciated as biocatalysts due to their peculiar characteristics such as the ability to utilize a wide range of substrates, high activity and stability in organic solvents, and regio- and/or enantioselectivity. These enzymes are currently being applied in a variety of biotechnological processes, including detergent preparation, cosmetics and paper production, food processing, biodiesel and biopolymer synthesis, and the biocatalytic resolution of pharmaceutical derivatives, esters, and amino acids. However, in certain segments of industry, the use of lipases is still limited by their high cost. Thus, there is a great interest in obtaining low-cost, highly active, and stable lipases that can be applied in several different industrial branches. Currently, the design of specific enzymes for each type of process has been used as an important tool to address the limitations of natural enzymes. Nowadays, it is possible to “order” a “customized” enzyme that has ideal properties for the development of the desired bioprocess. This review aims to compile recent advances in the biotechnological application of lipases focusing on various methods of enzyme improvement, such as protein engineering (directed evolution and rational design), as well as the use of structural data for rational modification of lipases in order to create higher active and selective biocatalysts.

Download Full-text

Graphene and its Derivatives-Based Optical Sensors

Frontiers in Chemistry ◽

10.3389/fchem.2021.615164 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Xiao-Guang Gao ◽

Ling-Xiao Cheng ◽

Wen-Shuai Jiang ◽

Xiao-Kuan Li ◽

Fei Xing

Keyword(s):

Optical Sensors ◽

Low Cost ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Fast Response ◽

Cell Detection ◽

Single Cell Detection ◽

Sensing Applications ◽

Wide Range ◽

Surface Enhanced Raman ◽

Recent Developments

Being the first successfully prepared two-dimensional material, graphene has attracted extensive attention from researchers due to its excellent properties and extremely wide range of applications. In particular, graphene and its derivatives have displayed several ideal properties, including broadband light absorption, ability to quench fluorescence, excellent biocompatibility, and strong polarization-dependent effects, thus emerging as one of the most popular platforms for optical sensors. Graphene and its derivatives-based optical sensors have numerous advantages, such as high sensitivity, low-cost, fast response time, and small dimensions. In this review, recent developments in graphene and its derivatives-based optical sensors are summarized, covering aspects related to fluorescence, graphene-based substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), optical fiber biological sensors, and other kinds of graphene-based optical sensors. Various sensing applications, such as single-cell detection, cancer diagnosis, protein, and DNA sensing, are introduced and discussed systematically. Finally, a summary and roadmap of current and future trends are presented in order to provide a prospect for the development of graphene and its derivatives-based optical sensors.

Download Full-text

Eco-friendly and biodegradable cellulose hydrogels produced from low cost okara: towards non-toxic flexible electronics

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-54638-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Xi Cui ◽

Jaslyn J. L. Lee ◽

Wei Ning Chen

Keyword(s):

Flexible Electronics ◽

Food Processing ◽

Low Cost ◽

Body Movement ◽

Soft Materials ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Nih3t3 Cells ◽

Medical Supplies ◽

Wide Range ◽

Resource Shortage

AbstractWith increasing resource shortage and environmental pollution, it is preferable to utilize materials which are sustainable and biodegradable. Side-streams products generated from the food processing industry is one potential avenue that can be used in a wide range of applications. In this study, the food by-product okara was effectively reused for the extraction of cellulose. Then, the okara cellulose was further employed to fabricate cellulose hydrogels with favorable mechanical properties, biodegrablability, and non-cytotoxicity. The results showed that it could be biodegraded in soil within 28 days, and showed no cytotoxicity on NIH3T3 cells. As a proof of concept, a demostration of wearable and biocompatible strain sensor was achieved, which allowed a good and stable detection of human body movement behaviors. The okara-based hydrogels could provide an alternative platform for further physical and/or chemical modification towards tissue engineering, medical supplies, or smart biomimetic soft materials.

Download Full-text

Energy Scavenging

Noise & Vibration Worldwide ◽

10.1260/095745603322767383 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 34 (10) ◽

pp. 7-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Wireless Sensors ◽

Low Cost ◽

Electrical Energy ◽

Embedded Sensors ◽

Energy Scavenging ◽

Medical Implants ◽

Wide Range ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Natural Temperature

Recent developments in micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) point towards a wide range of applications for a new breed of integrated wireless sensors. Applications include embedded sensors in “smart” buildings, for example vibration and temperature monitoring, medical implants and remote sensing. The new devices, which will communicate by microwatt power, short range radio (picoradio), have been compared with communicating neurons. The vision is that hundreds, or even thousands of small independent, low cost devices will be built into, say, a building, producing a powerful, interlinked network of information transmission. But they require a long- term power source, which can be a significant problem. The limitations of batteries have led to interest in scavenging by conversion of another form into electrical energy. Possible energy sources are solar, body functions such as breathing, natural temperature gradients etc. This article considers energy scavenging from vibration.

Download Full-text

Perspectives of Hydrothermal Synthesis of Fluorides for Luminescence Applications

Emerging Synthesis Techniques for Luminescent Materials - Advances in Chemical and Materials Engineering ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-5170-6.ch008 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 277-303

Author(s):

Nilesh. S. Ugemuge ◽

Chhatrasal Gayner ◽

V. Natrajan ◽

Sanjay. J. Dhoble

Keyword(s):

Hydrothermal Synthesis ◽

Fine Particles ◽

Low Cost ◽

Synthesis Method ◽

Wide Range ◽

Hygroscopic Nature ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Conventional Methods ◽

Size And Morphology ◽

Physical And Chemical

Hydrothermal synthesis is an easy, portable, less-hazardous, and low-cost synthesis method. Various researchers across the globe are worked on the synthesis of different materials via this route. Practically, fluorides are difficult to synthesize due to their hygroscopic nature by conventional methods. But, the hydrothermal synthesis is used to prepare several compositionally optimized fluoride-based materials using closed-system physical and chemical processes in an aqueous solution at low temperatures and pressures. The silent features of the hydrothermal method over conventional methods of materials processing are a crystallization of materials, crystal growth, in the processing of a wide range of materials not only the bulk crystals but fine particles with a controlled size and morphology. Therefore, in order to place its numerous recent developments, past and current research come together in this chapter. This chapter is a recent clocking update for synthesis, materials, and their applications.

Download Full-text

Highly Active and Durable Nanostructured Ni-CNTs-HG Composite Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Production

Current Nanoscience ◽

10.2174/1573413715666190717150739 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 259-267

Author(s):

Jing Du ◽

Lixin Wang ◽

Jingmei Li ◽

Lei Cao ◽

Shijia Dang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Active Sites ◽

Rational Design ◽

Graphene Nanosheets ◽

Low Cost ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Active Surface ◽

Active Surface Area ◽

Ni Nanoparticles ◽

Ni Foam ◽

Highly Active

Background: World energy crisis has triggered more attention to energy developing of clean energy carrier. To find simple, economical and effective hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts is one of the major challenges. Rational design and modification of electrocatalysts materials are of great importance for the development of low-cost and effective catalysts. Methods: Herein, we report a Ni-CNTs-HG/NF electrode catalyst, which is fabricated on the surface of Ni foam by electrodeposition technique. The fabrication strategy allows the construction of a composite architecture with the Ni foam morphology at the macro level, and the Ni nanoparticles supported by carbon nanotubes and Hydrophilic graphene nanosheets at the nanoscopic level. Results: Compared to NF electrocatalyst, the Ni-CNTs-HG/NF, the CNTs and HG sheets possess the largest electrocatalytic active surface area, providing Ni nanoparticles with catalytically active sites. The Ni-CNTs-HG/NF electrocatalyst exhibits better HER performance in alkaline electrolytes. Conclusion: The Ni-CNTs-HG cathode performs its activity under alkaline conditions with an overpotential i.e 56 and 227 mV at a current density of 10 and 100mAcm-2, which is much lower than that of Ni foam electrode (423 and 278 mV). The secret of the enhanced electrochemical activity lies in its interior structure by coupling metal nanoparticles with carbon materials.

Download Full-text

Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy

10.1093/oso/9780198860846.001.0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Computational Modelling ◽

Late Antique ◽

Roman Economy ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Status ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Methodological Approaches ◽

First Time ◽

Site Types

The recycling and reuse of materials and objects were extensive in the past, but have rarely been embedded into models of the economy; even more rarely has any attempt been made to assess the scale of these practices. Recent developments, including the use of large datasets, computational modelling, and high-resolution analytical chemistry, are increasingly offering the means to reconstruct recycling and reuse, and even to approach the thorny matter of quantification. Growing scholarly interest in the topic has also led to an increasing recognition of these practices from those employing more traditional methodological approaches, which are sometimes coupled with innovative archaeological theory. Thanks to these efforts, it has been possible for the first time in this volume to draw together archaeological case studies on the recycling and reuse of a wide range of materials, from papyri and textiles, to amphorae, metals and glass, building materials and statuary. Recycling and reuse occur at a range of site types, and often in contexts which cross-cut material categories, or move from one object category to another. The volume focuses principally on the Roman Imperial and late antique world, over a broad geographical span ranging from Britain to North Africa and the East Mediterranean. Last, but not least, the volume is unique in focusing upon these activities as a part of the status quo, and not just as a response to crisis.

Download Full-text

Bio-Based Alternatives to Phenol and Formaldehyde for the Production of Resins

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym12102237 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 2237 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. R. Sarika ◽

Paul Nancarrow ◽

Abdulrahman Khansaheb ◽

Taleb Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

Raw Materials ◽

Phenol Formaldehyde ◽

Raw Material ◽

Wood Industry ◽

Suitable Material ◽

The Past ◽

Wide Range ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Sustainable Materials ◽

Materials Used

Phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin continues to dominate the resin industry more than 100 years after its first synthesis. Its versatile properties such as thermal stability, chemical resistance, fire resistance, and dimensional stability make it a suitable material for a wide range of applications. PF resins have been used in the wood industry as adhesives, in paints and coatings, and in the aerospace, construction, and building industries as composites and foams. Currently, petroleum is the key source of raw materials used in manufacturing PF resin. However, increasing environmental pollution and fossil fuel depletion have driven industries to seek sustainable alternatives to petroleum based raw materials. Over the past decade, researchers have replaced phenol and formaldehyde with sustainable materials such as lignin, tannin, cardanol, hydroxymethylfurfural, and glyoxal to produce bio-based PF resin. Several synthesis modifications are currently under investigation towards improving the properties of bio-based phenolic resin. This review discusses recent developments in the synthesis of PF resins, particularly those created from sustainable raw material substitutes, and modifications applied to the synthetic route in order to improve the mechanical properties.

Download Full-text

Information and information resources in COVID-19: Awareness, control, and prevention

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science ◽

10.1177/09610006211016519 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096100062110165

Author(s):

Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda ◽

Fatemeh Ranjbaran ◽

Asghar Sattari

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Information Resources ◽

Age And Gender ◽

Use Of Resources ◽

Strategic Approach ◽

Wide Range ◽

Data Collection Instrument ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

And Gender ◽

And Control

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the role of information and information resources in the awareness, control, and prevention of COVID-19. This study was a descriptive-analytical survey in which 450 participants were selected for the study. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data through SPSS. The findings show that a wide range of mass media has become well known as information resources for COVID-19. Other findings indicate a significant statistical difference in the rate of using information resources during COVID-19 based on age and gender; however, this difference is not significant regarding the reliability of information resources with regard to age and gender. Health information has an undisputable role in the prevention and control of pandemic diseases such as COVID-19. Providing accurate, reliable, and evidence-based information in a timely manner for the use of resources and information channels related to COVID-19 can be a fast and low-cost strategic approach in confronting this disease.

Download Full-text

Advanced mycelium materials as potential self-growing biomedical scaffolds

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-91572-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria Elena Antinori ◽

Marco Contardi ◽

Giulia Suarato ◽

Andrea Armirotti ◽

Rosalia Bertorelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Low Cost ◽

Direct Interaction ◽

Dermal Fibroblasts ◽

Engineering Systems ◽

Edible Fungi ◽

Avant Garde ◽

Fibrous Network ◽

Body Tissues ◽

Wide Range

AbstractMycelia, the vegetative part of fungi, are emerging as the avant-garde generation of natural, sustainable, and biodegradable materials for a wide range of applications. They are constituted of a self-growing and interconnected fibrous network of elongated cells, and their chemical and physical properties can be adjusted depending on the conditions of growth and the substrate they are fed upon. So far, only extracts and derivatives from mycelia have been evaluated and tested for biomedical applications. In this study, the entire fibrous structures of mycelia of the edible fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum are presented as self-growing bio-composites that mimic the extracellular matrix of human body tissues, ideal as tissue engineering bio-scaffolds. To this purpose, the two mycelial strains are inactivated by autoclaving after growth, and their morphology, cell wall chemical composition, and hydrodynamical and mechanical features are studied. Finally, their biocompatibility and direct interaction with primary human dermal fibroblasts are investigated. The findings demonstrate the potentiality of mycelia as all-natural and low-cost bio-scaffolds, alternative to the tissue engineering systems currently in place.

Download Full-text