Biopolymers are considered a potential alternative to conventional chemical polymers because of their ease of biodegradability, high efficiency, non-toxicity and non-secondary pollution. Recently, ...extracellular polymeric substances (EPS, biopolymers produced by the microorganisms) have been recognised by many researchers as a potential flocculent for their applications in various water, wastewater and sludge treatment processes. In this context, literature information on EPS is widely dispersed and is very scarce. Thus, this review marginalizes various studies conducted so far about EPS nature-production-recovery, properties, environmental applications and moreover, critically examines future research needs and advanced application prospective of the EPS. One of the most important aspect of chemical composition and structural details of different moieties of EPS in terms of carbohydrates, proteins, extracellular DNA, lipid and surfactants and humic substances are described. These chemical characteristics of EPS in relation to formation and properties of microbial aggregates as well as degradation of EPS in the matrix (biomass, flocs etc) are analyzed. The important engineering properties (based on structural characteristics) such as adsorption, biodegradability, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of EPS matrix are also discussed in details. Different aspects of EPS production process such as bacterial strain maintenance; inoculum and factors affecting EPS production were presented. The important factors affecting EPS production include growth phase, carbon and nitrogen sources and their ratio, role of other nutrients (phosphorus, micronutrients/trace elements, and vitamins), impact of pH, temperature, metals, aerobic versus anaerobic conditions and pure and mixed culture. The production of EPS in high concentration with high productivity is essential due to economic reasons. Therefore, the knowledge about all the aspects of EPS production (listed above) is highly essential to formulate a logical and scientific basis for the research and industrial activities. One of the very important issues in the production/application/biodegradation of EPS is how the EPS is extracted from the matrix or a culture broth. Moreover, EPS matrix available in different forms (crude, loosely bound, tightly bound, slime, capsular and purified) can be used as a bioflocculant material. Several chemical and physical methods for the extraction of EPS (crude form or purified form) from different sources have been analyzed and reported. There is ample information available in the literature about various EPS extraction methods. Flocculability, dewaterability and biosorption ability are the very attractive engineering properties of the EPS matrix. Recent information on important aspects of these properties qualitatively as well as quantitatively has been described. Recent information on the mechanism of flocculation mediated by EPS is presented. Potential role of EPS in sludge dewatering and biosorption phenomenon has been discussed in details. Different factors influencing the EPS ability to flocculate and dewaterability of different suspensions have been included. The factors considered for the discussion are cations, different forms of EPS, concentration of EPS, protein and carbohydrate content of EPS, molecular weight of EPS, pH of the suspension, temperature etc. These factors were selected for the study based upon their role in the flocculation and dewatering mechanism as well the most recent available literature findings on these factors. For example, only recently it has been demonstrated that there is an optimum EPS concentration for sludge flocculation/dewatering. High or low concentration of EPS can lead to destabilization of flocs. Role of EPS in environmental applications such as water treatment, wastewater flocculation and settling, colour removal from wastewater, sludge dewatering, metal removal and recovery, removal of toxic organic compounds, landfill leachate treatment, soil remediation and reclamation has been presented based on the most recent available information. However, data available on environmental application of EPS are very limited. Investigations are required for exploring the potential of field applications of EPS. Finally, the limitations in the knowledge gap are outlined and the research needs as well as future perspectives are highlighted.
•Bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are of bioengineering interest.•Biochemical nature and important properties of EPS were reviewed and discussed.•EPS have attractive engineering properties and they are the potential flocculants.•Important EPS production aspects were critically analysed and thoroughly discussed.•EPS can play important role in several environmental pollution control strategies.
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•Cloacibacterium normanense strain was isolated from wastewater sludge.•25.5g/L of EPS was produced in crude glycerol fortified wastewater sludge.•EDTA gave highest EPS extraction ...efficiency.•EPS produced exhibited high flocculation activity (>90%) in kaolin solution.•High efficiency of metal removal was achieved using 35mg/L EPS.
Extracellular polymeric substances synthesis by Cloacibacterium was affected by different concentrations of glycerol in the medium. The concentration of EPS in 72h fermentation was increased from 13g/L with no external carbon supplementation to 21.3±0.7g/L with 2% (w/v) crude glycerol addition. Physical and chemical extraction methods (heating, centrifugation and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)) were used in this study and their performance to extract EPS was compared. A significant variation in concentration of extracted B-EPS (broth-EPS) by heating (20.8±0.5g/L) and centrifugation (21.3±0.7g/L) extraction methods was not observed. However, in case of extraction with EDTA (5g/L), the B-EPS concentration extracted was 25.5±0.9g/L, which exhibited high flocculation activity of 95.3±0.5% at optimum dose of 23.1mgB-EPS/gkaolin. Moreover, Ni removal efficiency of 80% from primary treated wastewater was achieved using 35mg/L of B-EPS extracted by centrifugation method.
During the last decade, water demand and wastewater generation has increased due to urbanization around the globe which had led to an increase in the utilization of chemicals/synthetic polymers for ...treating the wastewaters. These synthetic polymers used during the coagulation/flocculation process are non-renewable, non-biodegradable, and have a potential neurotoxic and carcinogenic effect. From the literature it is clear that extracellular polymer substance (EPS) is a potential bioflocculant, moreover it is renewable, biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic as well as economically valued product. The various identification techniques and extraction methods of EPS are elaborated. Further application of EPS as absorbent in removing the dye from the industrial effluent is presented. Moreover EPS as a potential adsorbent for heavy metal removal from the various effluent is discussed. In addition, EPS is also utilized for soil remediation and soil erosion control. Mainly, EPS as bioflocculant in treating raw water, wastewater treatment, leachate and sludge management are summarized in this review.
•Extracellular polymer substance (EPS) is a potential bio-flocculant.•EPS is environmental friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable.•Identification of EPS producing bacteria using different techniques are presented.•EPS is used in soil remediation, soil erosion control, and heavy metal removal from the industrial effluents.
Nanotechnology has widespread application in agricultural, environmental and industrial sectors ranging from fabrication of molecular assemblies to microbial array chips. Despite the booming ...application of nanotechnology, there have been serious implications which are coming into light in the recent years within different environmental compartments, namely air, water and soil and its likely impact on the human health. Health and environmental effects of common metals and materials are well-known, however, when the metals and materials take the form of nanoparticles – consequential hazards based on shape and size are yet to be explored. The nanoparticles released from different nanomaterials used in our household and industrial commodities find their way through waste disposal routes into the wastewater treatment facilities and end up in wastewater sludge. Further escape of these nanoparticles into the effluent will contaminate the aquatic and soil environment. Hence, an understanding of the presence, behavior and impact of these nanoparticles in wastewater and wastewater sludge is necessary and timely. Despite the lack of sufficient literature, the present review attempts to link various compartmentalization aspects of the nanoparticles, their physical properties and toxicity in wastewater and wastewater sludge through simile drawn from other environmental streams.
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•Comprehensive summary of thermophilic PHA producers using waste feedstocks.•Thermophiles are potential microbes for economic pilot-scale PHA production.•Methods for efficient ...selection of thermophilic PHA producers are discussed.•Challenges in the bioprocess are addressed along with the present research gaps.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are produced by numerous microbes as a subcellular energy source. Despite of their diverse applications, exorbitant production cost limits their commercial synthesis. Apart from various cost determining factors such as cost-effective feedstocks or economic recovery methods, the use of appropriate bacteria holds the key to reduce the fermentation economics. Extremophiles, especially thermophilic PHA producers, could make the bioprocess economically viable by reducing the production cost in several aspects. Using variety of waste feedstocks as carbon substrates could open the way for the valorisation of industrial waste streams and cost-effective PHA production. Therefore, the article critically reviews the current knowledge of the synthesis of PHA polyesters in thermophilic conditions. Additionally, it summarises several studies on thermophilic PHA producing bacteria grown on various waste substrates. To conclude, the paper focuses on screening and recovery methods as well as technical challenges in thermophilic PHA production.
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•Simultaneous production of PHA with value-added products is desirable.•Co-products recovered in PHA process can be used in numerous market applications.•Challenges and possible ...solutions for integrative approaches are discussed.
The concern over the damaging effects of petrochemical plastics has inspired innumerable researchers to synthesize green plastics. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising candidates as they are biodegradable and possess characteristics similar to conventional plastics. However, their large-scale production and market application still have a long way to go due to the high production cost associated. Approaches like using industrial wastes as substrates and developing green strategies for PHA extraction during downstream processing have been investigated to make the process more economical. Recently, PHA production cost was minimized by concomitant synthesis of other valuable bioproducts with PHA. Investigating these co-products and recovering them can also make the process circular bioeconomic. Therefore, the paper attempts to review the recent strategies for the simultaneous synthesis of value-added bioproducts with PHA together with the challenges and opportunities for their large-scale production and applications.
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•Waste substrates or recycling of waste stream reduce cost and energy input for PHA production.•Recycling of waste streams and residual biomass has closed the gap in the circularity ...of the system.•Social and political factors need to be considered for effecting implementation of circular bioeconomy.
Research insight into the technical challenges of bioplastics production has revealed their confoundedness in their niche markets and struggles to enter the mainstream. There is an increasing problem of waste disposal and high cost of pure substrates in polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production. This has led to the future need of upgrading the waste streams from different industries into the role of feedstocks for production of PHA. The review covers the latest developments in using wastes and surplus materials for PHA production. In addition to inexpensive carbon sources, efficient upstream and downstream processes and recycling of waste streams within the process are required to maintain the circularity in the entire process. A view on the link between circular bioeconomy and PHA production process covering the techno-economic, life cycle assessment and environmental aspects has also been provided. Furthermore, the future perspectives related to the topic have also been discussed.
Ultrasonic pretreatment of sludge: A review Pilli, Sridhar; Bhunia, Puspendu; Yan, Song ...
Ultrasonics sonochemistry,
2011, 2011-Jan, 2011-01-00, 20110101, Letnik:
18, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Ultrasonication is an emerging and very effective mechanical pretreatment method to enhance the biodegradability of the sludge, and it would be very useful to all wastewater treatment plants in ...treating and disposing sewage sludge. Ultrasonication enhances the sludge digestibility by disrupting the physical, chemical and biological properties of the sludge. The degree of disintegration depends on the sonication parameters and also on sludge characteristics, therefore the evaluation of the optimum parameters varies with the type of sonicater and sludge to be treated. The full-scale installations of ultrasonication have demonstrated that there is 50% increase in the biogas generation, and in addition evaluation of energy balance showed that the average ratio of the net energy gain to electric consumed by the ultrasound device is 2.5. This review article summarizes the benefits of ultrasonication of sludge, the effect of sonication parameters, impact of sludge characteristics on sludge disintegration, and thereby the increase in biogas production in anaerobic digester. Due to uncertainty in the unit representation by many researchers and nonavailability of the data, comparison of these results is complicated. Comparison of ultrasonication with other pretreatment options is necessary to evaluate the best economical and environmental pretreatment technology for sludge treatment and disposal. The optimum parameters for the ultrasonication vary with sludge characteristics.
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•Circular bioeconomy in PHA process enhances process market implementation.•Recycling of liquid streams to improve circularity in the process.•Biorefinery approach for protein ...precipitation from waste streams.
The economy of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production process could be supported by utilising the different by-products released simultaneously during its production. Among these, proteins are present in high concentrations in liquid stream which are released after the cell disruption along with PHA granules. These microbial proteins can be used as animal feed, adhesive material and in manufacturing of bioplastics. The recycling of the protein containing liquid stream also serves as a promising approach to maintain circular bioeconomy in the route. For this aim, it is important to obtain good yield and limit the drawbacks of protein recovery processes and associated costs. The review focuses on recycling of the liquid stream generated during acid/thermal-alkali treatment for PHA production that would close the gap in linear economy and attain circularity in the process. Examples to recover proteins from other industrial waste streams along with their applications have also been discussed.
The byproduct of cheese-producing industries, cheese whey, is considered as an environmental pollutant due to its high BOD and COD concentrations. The high organic load of whey arises from the ...presence of residual milk nutrients. As demand for milk-derived products is increasing, it leads to increased production of whey, which poses a serious management problem. To overcome this problem, various technological approaches have been employed to convert whey into value-added products. These technological advancements have enhanced whey utilization and about 50% of the total produced whey is now transformed into value-added products such as whey powder, whey protein, whey permeate, bioethanol, biopolymers, hydrogen, methane, electricity bioprotein (single cell protein) and probiotics. Among various value-added products, the transformation of whey into proteinaceous products is attractive and demanding. The main important factor which is attractive for transformation of whey into proteinaceous products is the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) regulatory status of whey. Whey and whey permeate are biotransformed into proteinaceous feed and food-grade bioprotein/single cell protein through fermentation. On the other hand, whey can be directly processed to obtain whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and individual whey proteins. Further, whey proteins are also transformed into bioactive peptides via enzymatic or fermentation processes. The proteinaceous products have applications as functional, nutritional and therapeutic commodities. Whey characteristics, and its transformation processes for proteinaceous products such as bioproteins, functional/nutritional protein and bioactive peptides are covered in this review.
•Cheese whey as a potential resource for various value-added products•Routes of transformation and biotransformation of whey•Bioconversion of whey into yeast bioprotein for feed and food applications•Transformation of whey into functional and nutritional whey proteins•Transformation and biotransformation of whey proteins into bioactive peptides.
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