Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering Commons^™

The Extraction Of Waxes And Lipids From Sorghum Using Green And Renewable Solvents Followed By Conversion To Biofuels Using Gamma-Valerolactone Pretreatment, Marissa Gallmeyer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Plant matter contains waxes and lipids that can be extracted and used or sold as a value-added product prior to conversion of the remaining plant material to biofuels. Wax and lipid extraction of plant materials is currently performed using volatile, non-renewable hydrocarbons, primarily hexane, which is produced from fossil fuels and can pose a health and safety hazard. The purpose of this study is to compare the amount and characteristics of waxes extracted by hexane with those extracted using organic solvents that are less toxic and can be produced from renewable sources.

Sorghum samples were extracted separately with hexane, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran …

Effects Of Calcination Temperature Of Naturally Occurring Absorbents On Drinking Water Defluoridation, Brenda Mndolwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Currently, in Tanzania, fluoride removal from drinking water is treated mostly using the bone char method. The method has poor acceptability in some religious communities and also causes water quality deterioration in taste and odour if the bones are not properly prepared. The use of local natural adsorbents as an alternative is feasible with limitations of high levels of other impurities in treated water. Locally available gypsum, magnesite and bauxite were converted to adsorbents through calcination. The study was conducted to determine the removal efficiency, best calcination temperature and composite ratio of the three adsorbents for the removal of fluoride …

Fermentability Of Concentrated Sulfuric Acid Hydrolyzates From Aspenwood And Pinewood, Kando Janga

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The fermentability of hydrolyzates derived from two-stage concentrated sulfuric acid hydrolysis of Trembling aspen (Populus tremula) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were investigated. Three types of hydrolyzates were produced at mild, moderate and high decrystallization severity conditions. Portions of each of the original hydrolyzates were concentrated by vacuum evaporation to increase the sugar fraction to simulate industrial applications. Both sets of hydrolyzates were fermented anaerobically using Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 96581. After 23 hours of fermentation, complete glucose consumption was observed for all the original hydrolyzates, with no signs of inhibition. The ethanol yields from these hydrolyzates ranged from 68% to …

Optimal Conditions Of Fermentation Of The Pichia Pastoris Yeast Expressing The Recombinant Pres2-S Protein (M-Hbsag) Of Hepatitis B Virus (Hbv), Sasmakоv Sobirdjan, Ashirоv Оybek, Abdurakhmanоv Jaloliddin, Xasanоv Shuhrat

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The aim of this study is determination of optimal fermentation conditions of the Pichia pastoris yeast expressing the recombinant Pres2-S protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV). For this purpose we investigated the main factors influencing for the cultivation of recombinant strain of the yeast Pichia pastoris pPIC3,5-S-HBsAg - the composition of the nutrient medium, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). As a result, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) the optimal concentration of methanol ≈1.0 %, which is the initiator and the only source of carbon for protein expression in the Mut+ phenotype Pichia pastoris yeast cells was determined. In the selected …

Detection Of Nucleotides In Hydrated Ssdna Via 2-D H-Bn Nanopore With Ionic-Liquid/Salt-Water Interface, Jungsoo Lee

Multidisciplinary Studies Theses and Dissertations

Accomplishing slow translocation speed with high sensitivity has been the greatest mission for solid-state nanopore (SSN) to electrically detect nucleobases in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). In this study, a method to detect nucleobases in ssDNA using a SSN is introduced by considerably slowing down the translocation speed and effectively increasing its sensitivity. The ultra-thin titanium dioxide (TiO₂) coated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanopore was fabricated, along with an ionic-liquid [bmim][PF₆]/2.0 M KCl aqueous (cis/trans) interfacial system, to increase both the spatial and the temporal resolutions. As the ssDNA molecules entered the nanopore, a …

Atherosclerosis: Pathology, Role Of Sd-Ldl, Particle Size Characterization Of Sd-Ldl With Multiangle Light Scattering, Akshay Sudhakar Ukey

Masters Theses

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease due to the accumulation of lipids in the inner wall of arteries. As per the report of Center of Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 4 deaths is due to heart diseases each year. Atherosclerosis occurs when artery walls harden by the buildup of cholesterol, forming multiple atherosclerotic plaques within the aorta (4). Out of the modern medicines available to control cholesterol, statin is amongst the foremost widely used because it is both safe and effective in lowering high risk patients (9). However, usage of high statins dosage typically leads to some mild …

The Use Of Nanoparticles And Electrospun Fibers For Intravaginal Delivery To Treat Viral And Bacterial Infections And Electrophysiological Measurements Of Synthetic Chloride Channels., Farnaz Minooei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Female reproductive viral and bacterial infections affect millions of women worldwide. Given the diversity and magnitude of these unmet reproductive health challenges, topical administration of antiretrovirals (ARVs) and antibiotics have emerged as promising approaches to maintain and restore reproductive health. However, currently available intravaginal dosage forms often suffer from low user adherence and the need for frequent, daily administration to achieve therapeutic effect. To address these challenges, the broad goal of this research was to focus on the development of new localized nanoparticle (NP) and electrospun fiber dosage forms to prolong the delivery and enhance the efficacy of active agents …

Aldosterone Up-Regulates Voltage-Gated Potassium Currents And Nkcc1 Protein Membrane Fractions, Parveen Bazard, Bo Ding, Harish K. Chittam, Xiaoxia Zhu, Thomas A. Parks, Thomas E. Taylor-Clark, Venkat R. Bhethanabotla, Robert D. Frisina, Joseph P. Walton

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Na+–K+–2Cl− Cotransporter (NKCC1) is a protein that aids in the active transport of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions across cell membranes. It has been shown that long-term systemic treatment with aldosterone (ALD) can enhance NKCC1 protein expression and activity in the aging cochlea resulting in improved hearing. In the present work, we used a cell line with confirmed NKCC1 expression to demonstrate that in vitro application of ALD increased outward voltage-gated potassium currents significantly, and simultaneously upregulated whole lysate and membrane portion NKCC1 protein expression. These ALD-induced changes were blocked by applying the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone. However, application of …

Incorporation Of Lignin In Natural And Synthetic Biomaterials To Alter Mechanical And Biochemical Properties For Enhanced Wound Healing, Jorge Alfonso Belgodere

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

It is estimated that chronic, non-healing wounds affect more than 6.5 million Americans annually, with an estimated healthcare cost beyond $14 billion. Here, we attempted to create composites of natural (collagen type I or gelatin-methacrylate) or synthetic (poly(ethylene glycol) polymers incorporating a natural plant component, lignin, to combat the costs and limitations current wound healing methods face. Three-dimensional matrices of collagen type I (Col I) are widely used in tissue engineering applications for its abundance in many tissues, bioactivity with many cell types, and excellent biocompatibility. Inspired by the structural role of lignin in plant tissue, we found that sodium …

Calcium Sulfate-Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Cement For Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Fixation, Leyla Hasandoost, Adel Alhalawani, Omar Rodriguez, Alireza Rahimnejad Yazdi, Paul Zalzal, Emil H. Schemitsch, Stephen D. Waldman, Marcello Papini, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement is used as a minor void filler in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). The application of PMMA is indicated only for peripheral bone defects with less than 5 mm depth and that cover less than 50% of the bone surface. Treating bone defects with PMMA results in complications as a result of volumetric shrinkage, bone necrosis, and aseptic loosening. These concerns have driven the development of alternative bone cements. We report here on novel modified glass polyalkenoate cements (mGPCs) containing 1, 5 and 15 wt% calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) and how the modified …

Physical And Chemical Characteristics Of Supramolecular Complexes Of Glycirrizinic Acid With Phytohormones, Djuraev Tulqin, Esanov Rakhmatillo, Gafurov Makhmudjon, Kushiev Khabibjon

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The process of formation of supramolecular complexes of glycyrrhizinic acid with some phytohormones (indolylacetic acid, indolylbutyric acid, α-naphthyl acetic acid and kinetin) were studied with the aim of creation the plant growth stimulator. The complexes structure was studied using IR and UV spectroscopy methods. The prepared compounds described by some physicochemical parameters. The stability constants and stoichiometric composition of complexes were determined in an aqueous solution at pH of 7,2 using UV spectrometry method. In result, all complexes have composition as 1:1 ratio, except the kinetin complex which has 2:1 ratio. The stability constants were equal: KGA:IAA=1,86±1×104; KGA:IBA=2,51±1×103; KGA:NAA =2,70±1×103 …

Study Of The Process For The Removal Of Dyeing Matters Of The Plant Occimum Basilicum L. Lamiaceae, Usmonjonova Khulkar, Atkhamova Saida, Dodaev Kuchkor

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The aim of the work is dedicated isolation of anthocyanins by ethanol from herbal plant of Occimum basilicum L. Lamiaceae basis. The were studied influencing of temperature, concentration of ethanol to isolation of anthocyanins. There were passed investigations on studying influence level of heating and hydromodule system of rav material-solvent to maximal isolating of anthocyanins. The colors define by fotokolorometrical method at wave length 400-600 nm. There are shown at 540 nm maximal peak of anthocyanins and it is geven as a grapfical diagram. From the obtained depends on content of alcohol in aquatic solution from outlet of colors is …

Study Of Recombinant Protein Fractions From The Bombyx Mori And Pichia Pastoris Using "Native Page" Method, Abdurhakhmanov Jaloliddin, Sasmakov Sobirdjan, Khasanov Shuhrat, Ashirov Оybek

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

We have studied the recombinant protein fractions of ̴ 24-34 kDa obtained from Bombyx mori - silkworm larvae and yeast Pichia pastoris. Fractions, containing the recombinant proteins by gel-electrophoresis using the “Native PAGE” method, which allows for differentiation of proteins according to their natural (surface) charge and conformational properties were studied. The results showed that the recombinant protein fraction from Bombyx mori (̴ 34 kDa) consisted of four components and fraction from Pichia pastoris (̴ 24 kDa) consisted one component. The most optimal conditions for the “Native PAGE”- the main gel: Tris HCl (pH-8.8) 244 mM, Bis-Acrylamide 10%, TEMED 0.08%, …

Novel Application Of Graphene Oxide Based-Biosensor Utilizing Crispr/Dcas9 For Rapid Detection Of Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Joel Omage

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest public health challenges globally. To combat this threat, we have designed a method for the facile and rapid detection of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) in bacteria. We utilized an emerging tool termed the clusters of regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in complex with deactivated CRISPR associated proteins (dCas9) on conjugated 2-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) sheets. Nuclease-deactivated Cas9 in complex with customized single guided RNA (sgRNA) was used for the target DNA recognition. The sgRNA was easy to design and we demonstrated that it is complementary to its target sequence by performing a …

Hybrid Electro-Plasmonic Neural Stimulation With Visible-Light-Sensitive Gold Nanoparticles, Ratka Damnjanovic, Parveen Bazard, Robert D. Frisina, Venkat R. Bhethanabotla

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biomedical prosthetics utilizing electrical stimulation have limited, effective spatial resolution due to spread of electrical currents to surrounding tissue, causing nonselective stimulation. So, precise spatial resolution is not possible for traditional neural prosthetic devices, such as cochlear implants. More recently, alternative methods utilize optical stimulation, mainly infrared, sometimes paired with nanotechnology for stimulating action potentials. Infrared stimulation has its own drawbacks, as it may cause collateral heating of surrounding tissue. In previous work, we employed a plasmonic method for stimulation of an electrically excitable neuroblastoma cell line, which had limited success. Here, we report the development of a hybrid electro-plasmonic …

Bio-Oils From Vacuum Ablative Pyrolysis Of Torrefied Tobacco Residues, Nattawut Khuenkaeo, Blake Macqueen, Thossaporn Onsree, Sangu Daiya, Nakorn Tippayawong, Jochen A. Lauterbach

Faculty Publications

Fast pyrolysis, in combination with torrefaction pretreatment, was used to convert tobacco residues to value-added bio-fuels and chemicals. Tobacco plant residues were torrefied at 220, 260, and 300 °C, before being pyrolyzed at 450, 500, 550, and 600 °C in a rotating blade ablative reactor under vacuum conditions to test the effects on product yields. With torrefaction, tobacco residues thermally decomposed 20-25% w/w at low temperatures. Torrefaction and pyrolysis temperatures were found to markedly affect pyrolytic product yields of bio-chars and bio-oils, while having no effect on gas-phase products. Bio-oil yields exhibited a direct relation with pyrolysis temperature and an …

Bio-Oils From Vacuum Ablative Pyrolysis Of Torrefied Tobacco Residues, Nattawut Khuenkaeo, Blake Macqueen, Thossaporn Onsree, Sangu Daiya, Nakorn Tippayawong, Jochen A. Lauterbach

Faculty Publications

Fast pyrolysis, in combination with torrefaction pretreatment, was used to convert tobacco residues to value-added bio-fuels and chemicals. Tobacco plant residues were torrefied at 220, 260, and 300 °C, before being pyrolyzed at 450, 500, 550, and 600 °C in a rotating blade ablative reactor under vacuum conditions to test the effects on product yields. With torrefaction, tobacco residues thermally decomposed 20-25% w/w at low temperatures. Torrefaction and pyrolysis temperatures were found to markedly affect pyrolytic product yields of bio-chars and bio-oils, while having no effect on gas-phase products. Bio-oil yields exhibited a direct relation with pyrolysis temperature and an …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Silver Nanoparticles In Lamellar Lyotropic Liquid Crystal, Siti Mariah Mohd Yasin

Student Works (2020-2029)

Lamellar lyotropic liquid crystal-silver nanoparticles (LLLC-AgNPs) are synthesized using the in-situ method. The polarizer microscope showed a mosaic-like pattern with fan shape textures. The high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) confirmed that the AgNPs are spherical in shape with 4 – 12 nm size. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determined the LLLC-AgNPs transition anisotropic phase to the highly ordered isotropic phase at 300 °C, and crystallinity was completed at 350 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) verified that the LLLC-AgNPs were completely decomposed at 700 °C. Ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) found the absorption peaks at around 400 nm and proved that the AgNPs …

Process Improvement And Microbial Characterisation Of Biological Nitrogen Removal For Tropical Wastewater With Low Chemical Oxygen Demand/Nitrogen Ratio, How Seow Wah

Student Works (2020-2029)

Malaysia has one of the most established biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) among the developing Southeast Asian countries. The current WWTPs’ design and operating guidelines in Malaysia are mainly derived from other developed countries with more experiences in operating biological nitrogen removal. These design guidelines are good practices for WWTPs in the temperate climate region, but may not be optimal for the local wastewater characteristics and tropical climate in Malaysia. The local wastewater industry is keen to improve the design and operation of WWTPs to reduce the energy consumption and operating cost, which helps to foster a …

Fractionation And Characterization Of Extracted Lignin From Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Using Synthesized Deep Eutectic Solvents, Tan Yee Tong

Student Works (2020-2029)

Deep eutectic solvent (DES), a new generation green solvent has been introduced as an alternative pretreatment solvent due to its ability for lignocellulosic biomass fractionation and lignin extraction. Numerous types of compounds can be adopted as DES constituents, which has resulted in abundant variation of DES with varying properties. Selection of the suitable chemical compound category is therefore essential for optimum DES performance. However, investigation on the performance comparison between the different DES categories is lacking. In addition, despite its widely acknowledged effectiveness in biomass fractionation, the properties of DES-fractionated biopolymers, especially lignin are not well understood. Hence, this project …