Alica Bartošová

Characterisation Of Polysacharides And Lipids From Selected Green Algae Species By FTIR-ATR Spectroscopy

Abstract Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used in this study to identify and determine spectral features of Chromochloris zofingiensis (Dönz) Fucíková et L.A. Lewis (SAG 211-14, Gottingen, Germany), Acutodesmus obliguus (Turpin) Hegewald (SAG 276-1, Gottingen, Germany) and Chlorella sorokiniana (K. Brandt) Pröschold et Darienko (SAG 211-40c, Gottingen, Germany). Polysaccharides and lipids from these three algae species were determined using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) with ATR accessory with diamante crystal in spectral range from 400 – 4000 cm−1 and resolution 4.

Biodiesel Production from Spent Coffee Grounds

Abstract The residue after brewing the spent coffee grounds is an oil-containing waste material having a potential of being used as biodiesel feedstock. Biodiesel production from the waste coffee grounds oil involves collection and transportation of coffee residue, drying, oil extraction, and finally production of biodiesel. Different methods of oil extraction with organic solvents under different conditions show significant differences in the extraction yields. In the manufacturing of biodiesel from coffee oil, the level of reaction completion strongly depends on the quality of the feedstock oil. This paper presents an overview of oil extraction and a method of biodiesel production from spent coffee grounds.

Cultivation Of Microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) For Biodiesel Production

Abstract Production of biofuel from renewable sources is considered to be one of the most sustainable alternatives to petroleum sourced fuels. Biofuels are also viable means of environmental and economic sustainability. Biofuels are divided into four generations, depending on the type of biomass used for biofuels production. At present, microalgae are presented as an ideal third generation biofuel feedstock because of their rapid growth rate. They also do not compete with food or feed crops, and can be produced on non-arable land. Cultivation conditions (temperature, pH, light, nutrient quantity and quality, salinity, aerating) are the major factors that influence photosynthesis activity and behaviour of the microalgae growth rate. In this paper, we present an overview about the effect of cultivation conditions on microalgae growth.

APPLICATION OF FTIR-ATR SPECTROSCOPY FOR DETERMINATION OF GLUCOSE IN HYDROLYSATES OF SELECTED STARCHES

Abstract Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was evaluated as an easy and simple analytical method for determination of starch residues after enzymatic hydrolysis. Different starch sources were liquefaction by α-amylase enzyme Termamyl SC for 25 minutes in autoclave. In the next step were starches solutions enzymatically hydrolysed by enzyme pollulanase Promozyme® for 24 hours to 60°C water bath. Total glucose in starch hydrolysate was determined using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) with ATR accessory with diamante crystal by recording the absorption of different carbohydrate in spectral range from 700 - 4000 cm-1. Based on calibration curves of glucose the release of total glucose in hydrolysates was calculated.

Unconventional Type of Biomass Suitable for the Production of Biofuels

Production of biofuel from renewable sources is considered to be one of the most sustainable alternatives to petroleum sourced fuels. Biofuels are also viable means for environmental and economic sustainability. Biofuels are divided into four generations. At present microalgae are presented as an ideal third generation biofuel feedstock because of their rapid growth rate and they also do not compete with food or feed crops, and can be produced on non-arable land. Microalgae have broad bioenergy potential because they can be used to produce liquid transportation and heating fuels (bioethanol, biodiesel). In this paper we present an overview about biofuels generation, especially about using duckweed for bioethanol production.

Usage of FTIR-ATR as Non-Destructive Analysis of Selected Toxic Dyes

Abstract The degradation of the environment which is due to the discharge of polluting wastewater from industrial sources poses a real problem in several countries. Textile industries use large volumes of water in their operations, discharging thus large volume of wastewater into the environment, most of which is untreated. The wastewater contains a variety of chemicals from various stages of process operations, including desizing, scouring, bleaching and dyeing. The main purpose of this paper is to introduce Infrared Spectrometry with Fourier transformation as a non-destructive method for study, identifation and rapid determination of selected representatives of cationic (Methylene Blue), azo (Congo Red, Eriochrome Black T) and nitroso (Naphthol Green B) dyes. In conjunction with the ATR technique, FTIR offers a reliable detection method of dyes without extraction by other dangerous substances. Spectral interpretation of dye spectra revealed valuable information about the identification and characterization of each group of dyes.

Study of Wastewaters Contaminated with Heavy Metals in Bioethanol Production

Abstract Bioethanol as a substitute for traditional sources of energy, especially oil transport, is currently one of the most researched alternative motor fuels. Normally, bioethanol is produced from agricultural crops such as sugar cane or corn. However, this is counter-productive, because agriculture is primarily serving to ensure enough food for the people. It is therefore necessary to look for new production of appropriate non-food crops or find an added value to this process. Utilisation of contaminated water from metal industry could be one of them. Based on the hypothesis of reduction of some toxic metals with higher oxidation number is opening the possibility of using this wastewater in alcohol fermentation of any kind of biomass. In this study, hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) was used as a model contaminant in the process of aerobic fermentation of corn to bioethanol. To determine the reduction potential of glucose to Cr(VI), and to quantitatively determinate the glucose content after saccharification, UV/VIS spectrophotometry was used. As a method of qualitative determination of fermentation product, gas chromatography with mass detection was used. Infrared spectrometry was used for qualitative analyses of produced ethanol. Based on the established results shown in this paper, we can conclude that the presence of hexavalent chromium in the fermentation process does not have a significant negative impact, while offering the opportunity of using the industrial wastewaters for the production of bioethanol fuel.

Changes in structure and content humic substances in soil during the laboratory simulated fires

Abstract The paper deals with the process of thermal degradation of humic substances in soil samples exposed to increased temperature. To determine the basic properties of humic substances, humic and fulvic acids are used conventional fractionation chemical laboratory methods. To determine changes in the chemical structure, the method of use of FT-IR ATR spectroscopy technique.

CrVI Adsorption Using Black Nickel Mud as Adsorbent

Rapid industrialization and usage of heavy metals in industrial processes have resulted in unprecedented increase in the heavy metal flux into groundwater. Hexavalent chromium is one of elements with high health risks such as mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Adsorption is economically feasible alternative of chromium removal. We have used spectrophotometric method for monitoring of hexavalent chromium adsorption from aqueous solution with the use of black as adsorbent. We have monitored the influence of temperature and surface treatment on the adsorption process.