scholarly journals An overview of biomass conversion: exploring new opportunities

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9586
Author(s):  
László Fülöp ◽  
János Ecker
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Modeling ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Fossil Energy ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Biomass Processing ◽  
Modeling Techniques ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Made In

Recycling biomass is indispensable these days not only because fossil energy sources are gradually depleted, but also because pollution of the environment, caused by the increasing use of energy, must be reduced. This article intends to overview the results of plant biomass processing methods that are currently in use. Our aim was also to review published methods that are not currently in use. It is intended to explore the possibilities of new methods and enzymes to be used in biomass recycling. The results of this overview are perplexing in almost every area. Advances have been made in the pre-treatment of biomass and in the diversity and applications of the enzymes utilized. Based on molecular modeling, very little progress has been made in the modification of existing enzymes for altered function and adaptation for the environmental conditions during the processing of biomass. There are hardly any publications in which molecular modeling techniques are used to improve enzyme function and to adapt enzymes to various environmental conditions. Our view is that using modern computational, biochemical, and biotechnological methods would enable the purposeful design of enzymes that are more efficient and suitable for biomass processing.

scholarly journals Analytical and in silico study of the inclusion complexes between tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine with cyclodextrins

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Butnariu ◽  
Massimiliano Peana ◽  
Ioan Sarac ◽  
Salvatore Chirumbolo ◽  
Haralampos Tzoupis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Modeling ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Tropane Alkaloids ◽  
Datura Stramonium ◽  
In Silico Study ◽  
Modeling Techniques ◽  
Poorly Soluble ◽  
Application Potential ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
Allelopathic Compounds

AbstractDatura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) possesses a rich tropane alkaloids (TAs) spectrum. The plant contains, in particular, the allelopathic compounds scopolamine and atropine, which are poorly soluble in water, thus limiting their use in agrochemical formulations as biocidal and deterrent agents against herbivore insects. The efficacy of the hydrophobic TAs extracts could be increased with the improvement of their dissolution/leaching properties. This is important for improving screening and test performance and for elucidating the activity of environmentally friendly agricultural approaches, with new perspectives for the production and use of those biodegradable insecticidal products. The present study explores the aspects of atropine and scopolamine complexation with cyclodextrin (CDs) through FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. In addition, the structures of the inclusion complex of atropine, scopolamine and β-CD have been investigated by molecular modeling techniques. The results obtained indicate that β-CDs are a promising carriers for improving the properties of TAs, therefore increasing their application potential in agrochemical formulations. Graphic abstract

scholarly journals Bioelectricity production from tofu wastewater using microbial fuel cells with microalgae Spirulina sp as catholyte

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 ◽  
pp. 08007
Author(s):  
Wahyu Zuli Pratiwi ◽  
Hadiyanto Hadiyanto ◽  
Purwanto Purwanto ◽  
Muthi’ah Nur Fadlilah
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Salt Bridge ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Made In

Microalgae-Microbial Fuel Cells (MMFCs) are very popular to be used to treat organic waste. MMFCs can function as an energy-producing wastewater pre-treatment system. Wastewater can provide an adequate supply of nutrients, support the large capacity of biofuel production, and can be integrated with existing wastewater treatment infrastructure. The reduced content of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is one way to measure the efficiency of wastewater treatment. MMFCs reactors are made in the form of two chambers (anode and cathode) both of which are connected by a salt bridge. Tofu wastewater as an anode and Spirulina sp as a cathode. To improve MFCs performance which is to obtain maximum COD removal and electricity generation, nutrient NaHCO3 as the nutrient carbon source for Spirulina sp was varied. The system running phase on 12 days. The results were Spirulina sp treated with MFCs technology has better growth than non-MFCs. The MMFC generated a maximum power density of 21.728 mW/cm2 and achieved 57.37% COD removal. These results showed that the combined process was effective in treating tofu wastewater.

Recent advancements in lignin valorization and biomedical applications: A patent review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vandana Prasad ◽  
Lubna Siddiqui ◽  
Pawan Kumar Mishra ◽  
Adam Ekielski ◽  
Sushama Talegaonkar
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Drug Carrier ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lignin Valorization ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Cleaning Agents ◽  
Patent Review ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
Made In

Background: Synthetic polymers present disadvantages such as high cost, limited availability, safety concerns, environmental hazards and overtime accumulation in body. Lignin, an aromatic biopolymer, is highly abundant and offers various advantages including cost effectiveness, biocompatibility and biodegradability. It also possesses various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer and UV protection, thus lignin has become a popular biopolymer in recent years and is no more considered as bio-waste rather an extensive research is been carried out on developing it as drug carrier. Lignin also has non-biomedical applications including dispersing agents, surfactants, detergent/cleaning agents, energy storage, etc. Methods: This review compiles patents granted on production of technical lignin, different lignin therapeutic carriers and its biomedical and non-biomedical applications. The literature is collected from recent years including both articles as well as patents and is carefully analyzed and compiled in an easy to comprehend pattern for guiding future research. Results: The reviewed patents and articles highlighted the advancement made in lignin isolation and valorization. Numerous lignin nanoformulations as drug delivery agents or as standalone entities with various pharmacological actions like antibacterial, antioxidant or UV protectant have been reported. As well as industrial applications of lignin as adhesives, insulators or supercapacitors have also made lignin a biopolymer of choice. Conclusion: Lignin being a bio-inspired polymer has huge potential in commercial applications. New methods of lignin isolation from lignocellulosic biomass including physical pretreatments, solvent fraction, and chemical and biological pretreatment have been widely patented. Several micro/nano lignin formulations with improved and controllable reactivity like nanocontainers, nanocapsules, nanoparticles have also been reported recently. Also various pharmacological properties of lignin have also been explored, thus valorization of lignin is a hot topic of hour.

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