Anisa Ur Rahmah

Physicochemical and sorption characteristics of Malaysian Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. as a natural oil sorbent

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn (kapok) is a natural sorbent that exhibits excellent hydrophobic-oleophilic characteristics. The effect of packing density, the oil types and solvent treatment on the sorption characteristics of kapok was studied in a batch system. Oil sorption capacity, retention capacity, entrapment stability and kapok reusability were evaluated. Based on SEM and FTIR analyses, kapok fiber was shown to be a lignocellulosic material with hydrophobic waxy coating over the hollow structures. Higher packing density at 0.08 g/ml showed lower sorption capacity, but higher percentage of dynamic oil retention, with only 1% of oil drained out from the test cell. Kapok remained stable after fifteen cycles of reuse with only 30% of sorption capacity reduction. The oil entrapment stability at 0.08 g/ml packing was high with more than 90% of diesel and used engine oil retained after horizontal shaking. After 8h of chloroform and alkali treatment, 2.1% and 26.3% reduction in sorption capacity were observed, respectively, as compared to the raw kapok. The rigid hollow structure was reduced to flattened-like structure after alkali treatment, though no major structural difference was observed after chloroform treatment. Malaysian kapok has shown great potential as an effective natural oil sorbent, owing to high sorption and retention capacity, structural stability and high reusability.

Cell Engineering and Molecular Pharming for Biopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceuticals are often produced by recombinant E. coli or mammalian cell lines. This is usually achieved by the introduction of a gene or cDNA coding for the protein of interest into a well-characterized strain of producer cells. Naturally, each recombinant production system has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. This paper examines the current practices, developments, and future trends in the production of biopharmaceuticals. Platform technologies for rapid screening and analyses of biosystems are reviewed. Strategies to improve productivity via metabolic and integrated engineering are also highlighted.

Experimental investigation on the effect of wastewater matrix on oxytetracycline mineralization using UV/H2O2 system

Abstract Experiments on the mineralization of oxytetracycline in aqueous solutions using UV/H2O2 system were carried out. The mineralization process was monitored and measured as a function of total organic carbon (TOC) removal. Effect of five different water matrices on the mineralization efficiency, kinetics and the electrical energy per order was analyzed and reported. The present results showed that the percentage TOC removal, the rate constants and the electrical energy per order depend on the concentration of organics, inorganics and other impurities present in the water matrices. The value of electrical energy per order (EE/O) for the OTC mineralization is higher for more complex water matrices.Graphical Abstract

Degradation Kinetic of Oxytetracycline Antibiotic inside UV Reactor in the Presence of H2O2

– Oxytetracycline (OTC), a widely used of veterinary antibiotic, was degraded inside a UV/H2O2 system. Kinetic study was conducted at 30°C of temperature and pH 6.37, as suggested by the previous optimization experiment. About 250, 375 and 500 ppm initial OTC concentration were used for the kinetic studies, at H2O2 concentration of 0.116 M. The experimental data were plotted against the pseudo zero-th, first and second order of kinetic. Based on regression coefficient value, the data was well fitted with the pseudo first order of kinetic. The calculated value of kobs was 0.181 min-1.

UV/H2O2 Process for Removal of Total Organic Carbon from Refinery Effluent: Screening of Influence Factors Using Response Surface Methodology

Effluent containing high concentration of alkanolamine from a sweetening process of natural gas plant is commonly generated during maintaining, cleaning and scheduled inspection of the absorption and desorption column. The effluent is not readily biodegradable and cannot be treated in the conventional biological treatment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) is a promising method for the treatment of recalcitrant organic contaminant. Most methods used are Fenton reagent, UV/Ozone and UV/H2O2. Based on the advantages of the UV/H2O2 such as no formation of sludge during the treatment, high ability in production of hydroxyl radical and applicable in the wide range of pH, the UV/H2O2 has been chosen to treat the effluent from refinery plant, which has high concentration of methyldietnaolamine (MDEA). The factors influencing in the degradation of refinery wastewater that contain MDEA were screened using response surface methodology (RSM). It was found that degradation process of the refinery effluent was highly dependent on oxidant concentration (H2O2) and initial pH. Temperature of oxidation process was found oppositely. Since the temperature gave insignificant effect on the TOC removal process, hence the independent factor temperature will be eliminated during the further optimization process condition of degradation. Thus, the optimization process condition of degradation will be more effective and simpler.