Application of recombinant gene technology for production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids: Biosynthesis of poly(4-hydroxybutyric acid) homopolyester

Screening of a large number of bacteria revealed several strains, which utilize 1,4-butanediol and/or 4-hydroxybutyric acid (4HB) as a carbon source for growth and for synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA) containing 4HB as one constituent among others (mostly 3-hydroxybutyric acid). However, none of the wild-type strains investigated in this study was able to produce a homopolyester consisting solely of 4HB. Only several poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)-leaky mutants ofAlcaligenes eutrophus strain JMP222 synthesized poly(4HB) homopolyester, which amounted to approximately 10% (w/w) of the cellular dry matter. If the PHA synthase structural gene ofA. eutrophus strain H16 was expressed in these mutants, the amount of poly(4HB) was increased to approximately 30% (w/w). The occurrence of poly(4HB) was demonstrated by gas chromatographic as well as¹H and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Second National Meeting, August 19–21, 1993, Chicago, Illinois.     

Laboratory-scale chlorination to estimate the levels of halogenated DBPs in full-scale distribution systems

Occurrence of halogenated disinfection by-products (DBPs) (trihalomethanes –THMs– and haloacetic acids –HAAs–) in the waters of two utilities in Quebec City (Canada) was investigated using two approaches: experimental chlorination studies and full-scale sampling within distribution systems. Experimental studies were designed to reproduce treatment plant and distribution system conditions (chlorine dose, water temperature, pH and water residence time). Differences in halogenated DBPs in the two distribution systems under study were significant and comparable to those observed in experimental laboratory studies. For the waters of both utilities, chlorination studies better reproduced the occurrence of halogenated DBPs in points of the distribution system located near the treatment plant (low residence time of water) than in other points. Multivariate regression models for THMs, HAAs and their species were developed using the data from experimental studies in order to predict halogenated DBP levels measured in the distribution system. Models were all statistically significant, but showed low ability to predict full-scale halogenated DBPs, particularly in points located at distribution system extremities. Specifically, experimental chlorination-based models are not able to simulate the decrease of HAA levels. Results of this research suggest that the use of experimental data to predict halogenated DBP levels in full-scale distribution systems – for operational, regulatory and epidemiological purposes – must be done with caution.     

高铁酸钾预处理强化污泥破解及厌氧产酸

在序批式污泥厌氧反应器中探究了高铁酸钾对污泥破解及厌氧产酸的影响。实验结果表明高铁酸钾对污泥具有较强的破解性,当高铁酸钾的质量浓度由0 mg/L增加至16 mg/L时,溶解性COD与总COD的比值由6.2%升至35.6%。同时污泥液相中溶解性蛋白质的质量浓度由561 mg/L增加至1 365 mg/L。高铁酸钾的浓度与挥发性悬浮固体(VSS)的减量具有一定的线性关系。当高铁酸钾的质量浓度为8 mg/L时,污泥厌氧产挥发性脂肪酸最大,并且最大值为895 mg/L,其浓度是空白组2.56倍。     

丝状菌对生物淋滤去除底泥中重金属的促进作用

利用氧化亚铁硫杆菌(Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans,A.f)对采自株洲霞湾港底泥中的Cu、Cd、Pb和Zn 4种重金属进行生物淋滤实验,在实验中加入丝状菌考察其对重金属去除效果的影响。结果表明,丝状菌可以有效抑制低分子量有机酸对A.f的毒害作用,促进各种重金属的去除。当加入10%(体积比)的丝状菌后,生物淋滤过程中系统pH值在5 d内降低到2以下,Fe2+在4 d内完全氧化。经过10 d的处理,Cu、Cd、Pb和Zn 4种重金属的最高去除率分别达到76.3%、92.5%、52.6%和88.5%,与不加入丝状菌的处理相比,达到最大去除率所需的时间缩短1~2 d,4种重金属中,丝状菌的加入对Pb的去除促进作用最为明显,其去除率增加1倍左右。因此,在生物淋滤处理重金属-有机物复合污染底泥工艺中接入丝状菌对处理效果有很好的促进作用。     

碳源对铜绿微囊藻生理特性及微囊藻毒素产率的影响

为研究水体中不同碳源对铜绿微囊藻生理特性的影响,以Na2CO3与葡萄糖分别作为铜绿微囊藻生长的无机碳源与有机碳源,将铜绿微囊藻于光照下进行培养,并对其一系列的生理特性与微囊藻毒素产率进行检测。实验结果表明,同等碳浓度下,有机碳源更能促进铜绿微囊藻的生长,经过30 d的培养,铜绿微囊藻在有机碳源中的产量为187.55 g,比其在无机碳源中的产量提高了6.06%;微囊藻毒素在有机碳源中的产量为969.00μg/g,而在无机碳源中的产量却升高至1 193.60μg/g。参与藻毒素合成的3种氨基酸在无机碳源中的浓度要比有机碳源中的浓度高,但是其余几种氨基酸的含量与之情况相反。而有机碳源培养的铜绿微囊藻总可溶性蛋白含量为387.00μg/g,比无机碳源培养的铜绿微囊藻的蛋白含量提高了93.60%。     

梯度淋洗离子色谱法同时测定雨水中12种有机酸和无机阴离子的研究

研究了用离子色谱梯度洗脱-抑制电导检测器同时分离12种有机酸和无机阴离子的规律和色谱务件,建立了最佳梯度程序.在所选实验务件下,方法对所测有机酸和无机阴离子的线性相关系数为0.9929～0.9998,相对标准偏差为4.2%～9.3%,加标回收率为91.4%～107.0%,最低检测限为0.0069～0.34mg/L.方法用于雨水样品的测定,结果令人满意.     

烟草工业废弃物中提取氨基酸

以生产烟碱及茄尼醇后的烟叶废渣为原料,采用酸水解及活性炭脱色处理提取氨基酸,研究了酸水解中HCl用量、水解时间以及活性炭脱色处理中活性炭处理方式、pH、活性炭用量、脱色温度和脱色时间等因素对氨基酸收率和脱色率的影响。结果表明,最佳水解条件:以6 mol/L HCl溶液为水解液,在120℃、料液比1∶18条件下,水解12 h,所得水解液经以下工艺脱色处理:0.25%KOH处理活性炭、pH=10、活性炭用量为2.5%、脱色温度80℃、脱色40 min,所得产物氨基酸收率86.65%,脱色率达84.31%。     

Comparative sorption,desorption and leaching potential of aminocyclopyrachlor and picloram

Sorption and desorption of aminocyclopyrachlor (6-amino-5-chloro-2-cyclopropylpyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid) were compared to that of the structurally similar herbicide picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) in three soils of differing origin and composition to determine if picloram data is representative of aminocyclopyrachlor behavior in soil. Aminocyclopyrachlor and picloram batch sorption data fit the Freundlich equation and was independent of concentration for aminocyclopyrachlor (1/n = 1), but not for picloram (1/n = 0.80–0.90). Freundlich sorption coefficients (K _f) for aminocyclopyrachlor were lowest in the eroded and depositional Minnesota soils (0.04 and 0.12 μmol ^(1–1/n) L^1/n kg^?1) and the highest in Molokai soil (0.31 μmol ^(1–1/n) L^1/n kg^?1). For picloram, K _f was lower in the eroded (0.28 μmol ^(1–1/n) L^1/n kg^?1) as compared to the depositional Minnesota soil (0.75 μmol ^(1–1/n) L^1/n kg^?1). Comparing soil to soil, K _f for picloram was consistently higher than those found for aminocyclopyrachlor. Desorption of aminocyclopyrachlor and picloram was hysteretic on all three soils. With regard to the theoretical leaching potential based on groundwater ubiquity score (GUS), leaching potential of both herbicides was considered to be similar. Aminocyclopyrachlor would be ranked as leacher in all three soils if t_1/2 was > 12.7 days. To be ranked as non-leacher in all three soils, aminocyclopyrachlor t_1/2 would have to be <3.3 days. Calculated half-life that would rank picloram as leacher was calculated to be ～15.6 d. Using the current information for aminocycloprachlor, or using picloram data as representative of aminocycloprachlor behavior, scientists can now more accurately predict the potential for offsite transport of aminocycloprachlor.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of interaction of simazine with humic acids

Abstract

The adsorption of simazine on two fractions of hu‐mic acids of different molecular size was investigated at a pH range of 2.5 to 6.2. The amounts of the herbicide adsorbed decreased with increasing pH for both of the two humic acids fractions used and no adsorption was observed at pH 5.5. The adsorption capacity of fraction I (M_v >100,000) exceeded that of fraction IV (M_v < 4,000) over the entire pH region used. No appreciable changes in the adsorbed amounts were observed after 24 hours.

Continuous flow dialysis techniques were used to determine the extent of binding between simazine and dissolved humic acids. It was observed that 50% and 60% of simazine added were thus removed from the dialysis bags containing humic acids fractions I and IV,respectively. Higher amounts of simazine were adsorbed by the high molecular weight humic fraction. The adsorption processes involve ionic bonds between simazine and humic acids. In addition it is likely that hydrogen bonds and physical forces are also involved in the adsorption of simazine by humic acids.     

Effects of a gradually increased load of fish waste silage in co-digestion with cow manure on methane production

This study examined the effects of an increased load of nitrogen-rich organic material on anaerobic digestion and methane production. Co-digestion of fish waste silage (FWS) and cow manure (CM) was studied in two parallel laboratory-scale (8 L effective volume) semi-continuous stirred tank reactors (designated R1 and R2). A reactor fed with CM only (R0) was used as control. The reactors were operated in the mesophilic range (37 °C) with a hydraulic retention time of 30 days, and the entire experiment lasted for 450 days. The rate of organic loading was raised by increasing the content of FWS in the feed stock. During the experiment, the amount (volume%) of FWS was increased stepwise in the following order: 3% – 6% – 13% – 16%, and 19%. Measurements of methane production, and analysis of volatile fatty acids, ammonium and pH in the effluents were carried out. The highest methane production from co-digestion of FWS and CM was 0.400 L CH4 gVS^?1, obtained during the period with loading of 16% FWS in R2. Compared to anaerobic digestion of CM only, the methane production was increased by 100% at most, when FWS was added to the feed stock. The biogas processes failed in R1 and R2 during the periods, with loadings of 16% and 19% FWS, respectively. In both reactors, the biogas processes failed due to overloading and accumulation of ammonia and volatile fatty acids.