Aloizijs Patmalnieks

Interrelations of the yeast Candida utilis and Cr(VI): metal reduction and its distribution in the cell and medium

Abstract An effect of chromium(VI) ions on the growth and bioaccumulation properties of growing cells of Candida Utilis was studied. Molasses media for yeast growth containing 20 g glucose l −1 and 50+500 mg Cr(VI) l −1 were used in batch cultivation. Addition of 100 mg Cr(VI) l −1 resulted in a threefold decrease in the cell concentration, as compared with the culture grown without metal. Cr(VI) inhibited culture growth in a concentration-dependent manner, this dependence was not linear. Glucose consumption by growing cells depended on the initial Cr(VI) concentration in the medium and correlated with growth activity. No inhibitory effect of high Cr(VI) concentrations on the activity of some exo-enzymes of C. utilis cells was observed. During C. utilis cultivation, Cr(VI) was partially reduced to an ultimate Cr(III) in all tested ranges of the Cr(VI) concentrations. The specific chromium uptake by cells was detected in biomass that grew in the presence of 100+300 mg Cr(VI) l −1 in a period of 48–96 h. The highest values were achieved after 96 h growth in the presence of 200 and 300 mg Cr(VI) l −1 , and were 7.3 and 7.2 mg Cr g dw l −1 , respectively. Electron microscopic observations showed morphological changes in yeast cells to be more pronounced upon culture growth with 100–300 mg Cr(VI) l −1 than in the cells subjected to higher metal concentrations. The conclusion has been made that the mechanism of the Cr(VI) toxic effect on the growing yeast cells can vary in dependence of the metal concentration.

Computational and experimental studies of size and shape related physical properties of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

In this work, the properties of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied both theoretically and experimentally focusing on computational analysis. HAP is widely used to fabricate implants, for drug delivery, etc. The physical properties of the nanosized HAP particles play an important role in the interaction with cells in the human body and are of great interest. Computer simulation was employed to understand the properties of HAP clusters (Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)OH) including formation energies, dipole moments and polarization (surface charges) by molecular mechanics (MM + , OPLS) and mostly by quantum semi-empirical Hartree-Fock (PM3) methods. The size of the simulated cluster is found to affect its dipole moment, polarization, and, finally, the electron work function- ϕ. These parameters depend on the concentration of hydrogen atoms H (or protons) at the surface. Values of ϕ were experimentally estimated via photoelectron emission measurements. The magnitude of ϕ was demonstrated to have a positive correlation on sizes. The NPs demonstrated a capability to be gathered within conglomerates. This property is confirmed by the calculated data for various sizes. Their sizes have a positive correlation on ϕ by the native particles. The main results show that the distributions of dipole moments have very different space orientations (along the OX, OY and OZ axes, the OZ axis is oriented along the OH column) and change with the addition of hydrogen atoms, which saturate the broken hydrogen bonds. This electrical property of NP leads to different behaviors and motions with consequent aggregation: (1) for the case of NPs having dipole moment oriented preferably perpendicular to the OZ axis (with more hydrogen bonds saturated by added H)-the HAP NP aggregates with hexagonal orientation and forms a wider and more spherical shape (sphere-like or bundle-like); (2) for the case of NPs having dipole moment oriented along the OZ axis (as is the case in the absence of added protons or non-saturated hydrogen bonds)-the NPs firstly rotated and oriented along this axis to form the most elongated cylindrical shape (rod-like).

Effects of yeast immobilization on bioethanol production

The current study evaluated a newer method, which includes a dehydration step, of immobilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae L‐77 and S. cerevisiae L‐73 onto hydroxylapatite and chamotte ceramic supports. The efficiency of cell immobilization on chamotte was significantly higher than hydroxylapatite. Immobilized yeast preparations were investigated for their ethanol‐producing capabilities. The glucose concentration in a fermentation medium was 100 mg/mL. Immobilized preparations produced the same amount of ethanol (48 ± 0.5 mg/mL) as free cells after 36 H of fermentation. During the early stages of fermentation, immobilized yeast cells produced ethanol at a higher rate than free cells. Yeast preparations immobilized on both supports (hydroxylapatite and chamotte) were successfully used in six sequential batch fermentations without any loss of activity. The chamotte support was more stable in the fermentation medium during these six cycles of ethanol production. In addition to the high level of ethanol produced by cells immobilized on chamotte, the stability of this support and its low cost make it a promising material for biotechnologies associated with ethanol production.

Optimization of Nitrification Process by a Bacterial Consortium in the Submerged Biofiltration System with Ceramic Bead Carrier

Laboratory-scale solid phase submerged system was developed to study the process of ammonium biodegradation. Ceramic beads were found to be an appropriate carrier material for the attachment of thePNN bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas sp., Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp.) exhibiting nitrification/denitrification activity. This consortium was previously isolated from a biological activated sludge process at a fish factory wastewater treatment plant. Three organic amendments - molasses, humic acid extract, and malt extract - were used for the ceramic bead pretreatment. Molasses significantly enhanced (p<0.05) the process of bacteria attachment onto the ceramic carrier and further ammonium removal from the bulk liquid media. The addition of 0.45% fructose to the column notably enhanced ammonium oxidation, as demonstrated by more rapid formation of nitrites in the medium when compared to the sets without sugars. The results of this study could be incorporated in a larger-scale test of a biofiltration column using wastewater from a fish processing factory.

Inorganic Nanoparticle as a Carrier for Hepatitis B Viral Capsids

Virus like particles (VLP) are used to transport immune response-modulating agents to target cells to treat them. In order to deliver a high concentration of VLP to the cell, a number of VLP can be attached to a nanoparticle to be used as a nanolorry. In this study, SiO2 nanoparticles were attached to Hepatitis B VLP. Spectrophotometry measurements, electron, and fluorescent microscopy evidence showed that the SiO2 – Hepatitis B VLP complexes were formed.

Self — Assembled System: Semiconductor and Virus Like Particles

Virus like nanoparticles (VLP) are in use to be absorbed by cells to cause biological effects. To increase a local concentration of VLP, nanoparticles-carriers bringing the latter to the target cell could be employed. N-type and p-type Si semiconductor nanoparticles, to control adhesion of VLP were applied. Optical absorbance spectra and electron microscopy evidenced that VLP became connected to Si nanoparticles. Moreover, a density of the adhered VLP depended on the type of both semiconductor and VLP.

Self-Assembled System of Semiconductor and Virus Like Nanoparticles

Virus like nanoparticles (VLP) are in use to be absorbed by cells to cause biological effects. To increase a local concentration of VLP, nanoparticles-carriers bringing the latter to the target cell could be employed. N-type and p-type Si semiconductor nanoparticles, to control adhesion of VLP were applied. Optical absorbance spectra and electron microscopy evidenced that VLP became connected to Si nanoparticles. Moreover, a density of the adhered VLP depended on the type of both semiconductor and VLP.

Atomic Force Microscopy Study of Yeast Cells Influenced by High Voltage Electrical Discharge

Human cells are the eukaryotic ones. Simulation of wide-spectrum electromagnetic radiation influence on eukaryotic cells was performed with yeast which is usually used now in molecular biological and medical biological investigations as the ideal model of eukaryotic system. The aim of the research was to observe possible induced alterations of the cell morphology. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron scanning microscopy (ESM) have been applied to image the surface of cells exposed to electromagnetic radiation.

Microscopic studies of the crystalline structure of ferroelectric and high temperature superconductor layers

Properties of ferroelectric ceramics and superconductors essentially depend on the microstructure formed during thermal processing of the material. Active electronic materials synthesized from oxides and carbonates by solid state reaction, and ceramic samples produced by conventional technology were studied. Thick layers have been sedimented on ceramics and single crystal substrates and fired in accordance with melt textured growth (MTG) technology. Choice of the substrate--its lattice parameters and structure--is essential. The surface morphology and structure of high temperature superconductor layers prepared on passive substrates of different crystal structures were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of substrate material on the structure formation of the layers is discussed.

Surface morphology of ferroelectric and high temperature superconductor ceramics

Abstract Properties of ferroelectric and superconductor materials depending on microstructure formation at thermal processing are studied. Ferroelectric ceramic samples prepared by conventional technology and MTG processed high temperature superconductor bulk samples are examined. Results of electron microscopy studies of surface morphology and structure of fractures are reported.