Anita Slavica

Microbial acetate oxidation in horizontal rotating tubular bioreactor.

The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of conducting a continuous aerobic bioprocess in a horizontal rotating tubular bioreactor (HRTB). Aerobic oxidation of acetate by the action of a mixed microbial culture was chosen as a model process. The microbial culture was not only grown in a suspension but also in the form of a biofilm on the interior surface of HRTB. Efficiency of the bioprocess was monitored by determination of the acetate concentration and chemical oxygen demand (COD). While acetate inlet concentration and feeding rate influenced efficiency of acetate oxidation, the bioreactor rotation speed did not influence the bioprocess dynamics significantly. Gradients of acetate concentration and pH along HRTB were more pronounced at lower feeding rates. Volumetric load of acetate was proved to be the most significant parameter. High volumetric loads (above 2 g acetate l−1 h−1) gave poor acetate oxidation efficiency (only 17 to 50%). When the volumetric load was in the range of 0.60–1.75 g acetate l−1 h−1, acetate oxidation efficiency was 50–75%. At lower volumetric loads (0.14–0.58 g acetate l−1 h−1), complete acetate consumption was achieved. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that HRTB is suitable for conducting aerobic continuous bioprocesses.

The effects of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) essential oil components against ochratoxin-producing Aspergilli.

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the essential oil of Thymus serpyllum L. and of its components thymol and total phenols (total phenolic content, TPC) extracted from the plant on the growth and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus ochraceus, A. carbonarius, and A. niger. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined for the essential oil and thymol, and selected concentration of the TPC extract inhibited fungal growth and ochratoxin A biosynthesis by more than 60 %, depending on the conditions and duration of incubation with the fungi. Essential oil showed the strongest inhibitory effect which may have been related to the synergistic or cumulative effects of its components Cilj ovog rada bio je odrediti utjecaj eteričnog ulja majčine dušice (Thymus serpyllum), uljne komponente timola i ukupnih fenola ekstrahiranih iz biljke, na rast plijesni i sintezu mikotoksina. U odabranim uvjetima minimalna inhibitorna koncentracija (MIC) eteričnog ulja i timola, koja je određena u ovom radu, i koncentracija ukupnih fenola (TPC) inhibirale su više od 60 % rasta odabranih plijesni i biosinteze okratoksina A. Njihova inhibitorna učinkovitost ovisila je o uvjetima i trajanju inkubacije s plijesnima. U odnosu na timol i ekstrakt eterično ulje pokazalo je snažniji inhibitorni utjecaj, koji je uvjetovan sinergističkim ili kumulativnim djelovanjem uljnih komponenata.

Production of lactate and acetate by Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens DSM 20004T in comparison with Lactobacillus amylovorus DSM 20531T

Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens DSM20004(T) is a d-lactate producer, with a portion of the d-lactate higher than 99.9% of total lactic acid produced. Acetate was identified as the second end-product that appeared at the end of the exponential growth phase in MRS medium when glucose concentration dropped to 38.41mM (6.92g/L). The acetate production was prolonged to the stationary phase, while the concentration of d-lactate remained constant. Other end-products were not identified by HPLC method. The known metabolic pathways of glucose fermentation in lactic acid bacteria do not produce the particular combination of these two end-products, but besides lactate and acetate also formate, ethanol and CO2 are produced. For comparison, the production of lactate and acetate by a d-/l-lactate producer Lactobacillus amylovorus DSM 20531(T) was also investigated. This strain produced equimolar quantities of d- and l-lactate in the MRS medium. Acetate was produced only when initial concentration of glucose was 55.51mM (10g/L) and production started in the exponential phase when concentration of glucose dropped to 35.52mM (6.40g/L). Similar behavior was observed with the initial concentration of maltose of 29.21mM (10g/L). An unstructured mathematical model was established for the bioprocess simulation.

The Effects Of Wild Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum L.) Essential Oil Components Against Ochratoxin-Producing Aspergilli / Majčina Dušica (Thymus Serpyllum L.) I Njezine Komponente Protiv Okratoksikotvornih Vrsta Aspergillusa

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the essential oil of Thymus serpyllum L. and of its components thymol and total phenols (total phenolic content, TPC) extracted from the plant on the growth and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus ochraceus, A. carbonarius, and A. niger. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined for the essential oil and thymol, and selected concentration of the TPC extract inhibited fungal growth and ochratoxin A biosynthesis by more than 60 %, depending on the conditions and duration of incubation with the fungi. Essential oil showed the strongest inhibitory effect which may have been related to the synergistic or cumulative effects of its components Cilj ovog rada bio je odrediti utjecaj eteričnog ulja majčine dušice (Thymus serpyllum), uljne komponente timola i ukupnih fenola ekstrahiranih iz biljke, na rast plijesni i sintezu mikotoksina. U odabranim uvjetima minimalna inhibitorna koncentracija (MIC) eteričnog ulja i timola, koja je određena u ovom radu, i koncentracija ukupnih fenola (TPC) inhibirale su više od 60 % rasta odabranih plijesni i biosinteze okratoksina A. Njihova inhibitorna učinkovitost ovisila je o uvjetima i trajanju inkubacije s plijesnima. U odnosu na timol i ekstrakt eterično ulje pokazalo je snažniji inhibitorni utjecaj, koji je uvjetovan sinergističkim ili kumulativnim djelovanjem uljnih komponenata.

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling of simultaneous extraction and fermentation process in a single sugar beet cossette

Abstract For simulations of flow and microbial conversion reactions, related to modeling of simultaneous extraction and fermentation process in a single sugar beet cossette a software package OpenFOAM was used. The mass transfer of the components (sucrose, glucose, fructose and ethanol) in the studied system was controlled by the convection and diffusion processes. Microbial conversion rates and yield coefficients were experimentally determined and/or estimated by mathematical simulation. Dimensions of the model sugar beet cossette (SBC) were: average length of cosettes 40.10 mm, average thickness 3.32 mm and average width 3.5 mm, and represented in the model as a square-shape cross-section mathematical simulation. Dimensions of the model sugar beet cossette (SBC) were: average length of cosettes 40.10 mm, average thickness 3.32 mm and average width 3.5 mm, and represented in the model as a square-shape cross-section used to study the mass transfer and microbial conversion rates on the scale of single sugar beet cossette in the short time scales (up to 25 s). This model can be used for simulation of extractant flow around single sugar beet cossette as well as for description of simultaneous extraction and fermentation process in the studied system.

Applying gas chromatography to monitor extracellular free amino acids content in cultivation medium during lactic acid fermentation

Abstract The aim of this work was the adaptation of a Gas Chromatographic-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) method for detection and quantification of extracellular free amino acids in demineralized water, De Mann Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) medium and corn grits (CG) withdrawn during lactic acid fermentation. In order to analyze free amino acids by the GC-FID method it was necessary to convert free amino acids to volatile compounds. This was accomplished by derivatization of free amino acids with ethylchlor formate in aqueous medium followed by extraction of volatile free amino acid esters with chloroform. It was proven that the combination of derivatization and extraction procedure with developed GC-FID method gave accurate, reproducible and sensitive analytical results. Quantification of 15 (Ala, Gly, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Asn, Met, Pro, Lys, His, Asp and Glu) out of 20 ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl esters of free amino acids in demineralized water and MRS medium was achieved by established methods. In corn grits medium all of the above mentioned 15 amino acids, except His, were quantified with this GC-FID method. The established method was efficiently verified in monitoring of extracellular free amino acid concentration during lactic acid production with Lactobacillus rhamnosus DSM 20021T in MRS medium and Lactobacillus amylovorus DSM 20531T in corn grits medium.

Majčina dušica (Thymus serpyllum L.) i njezine komponente protiv okratoksikotvornih vrsta Aspergillusa

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the essential oil of Thymus serpyllum L. and of its components thymol and total phenols (total phenolic content, TPC) extracted from the plant on the growth and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus ochraceus, A. carbonarius, and A. niger. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined for the essential oil and thymol, and selected concentration of the TPC extract inhibited fungal growth and ochratoxin A biosynthesis by more than 60 %, depending on the conditions and duration of incubation with the fungi. Essential oil showed the strongest inhibitory effect which may have been related to the synergistic or cumulative effects of its components Cilj ovog rada bio je odrediti utjecaj eteričnog ulja majčine dušice (Thymus serpyllum), uljne komponente timola i ukupnih fenola ekstrahiranih iz biljke, na rast plijesni i sintezu mikotoksina. U odabranim uvjetima minimalna inhibitorna koncentracija (MIC) eteričnog ulja i timola, koja je određena u ovom radu, i koncentracija ukupnih fenola (TPC) inhibirale su više od 60 % rasta odabranih plijesni i biosinteze okratoksina A. Njihova inhibitorna učinkovitost ovisila je o uvjetima i trajanju inkubacije s plijesnima. U odnosu na timol i ekstrakt eterično ulje pokazalo je snažniji inhibitorni utjecaj, koji je uvjetovan sinergističkim ili kumulativnim djelovanjem uljnih komponenata.