Carlos Alberto Alves da Silva

Oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) by Serratia marcescens UCP 1549 formed biphenyl as final product

BackgroundThe desulphurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT), a recalcitrant thiophenic fossil fuel component by Serratia marcescens (UCP 1549) in order for reducing the Sulphur content was investigated. The Study was carried out establishing the growth profile using Luria Bertani medium to different concentrations of DBT during 120 hours at 28°C, and orbital Shaker at 150 rpm.ResultsThe results indicated that concentrations of DBT 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM do not affected the growth of the bacterium. The DBT showed similar Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MCB) (3.68 mM). The desulphurization of DBT by S. marcescens was used with 96 hours of growth on 2 mM of DBT, and was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry. In order to study the desulphurization process by S. marcescens was observed the presence of a sulfur-free product at 16 hours of cultivation.ConclusionsThe data suggests the use of metabolic pathway “4S” by S. marcescens (UCP 1549) and formed biphenyl. The microbial desulphurization process by Serratia can be suggest significant reducing sulphur content in DBT, and showed promising potential for reduction of the sulfur content in diesel oil.

Produção de biossurfactante por Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 utilizando milhocina e óleo de milho pós-fritura como nutrientes

The interest in microbial surfactants has been increased considerably in the recent years. Environmental concern amongxa0consumers, combined with new laws control of the environment,xa0the demand for natural surfactants, to replace petrochemicals. The microbial surfactants have been tested in many industrial and environmental applications, such as in bioremediation, oil dispersion and oil recovery, replacing chemical surfactants. Furthermore, they can also be used in the food, cosmetic, detergent and agriculture. However, increased environmental concern among consumers to new legislation combined control of the environment has led to demand for natural surfactants as alternatives to existing products. This work aimed to produce biosurfactant by Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, using low nutrient value. The surface tension of the biosurfactant produced by C. violaceum ATCC 12472 had values between 29 and 40 mN/m. The best result was observed on the assay 8 (8.0% of corn steep liquor, 1.0% of lactose and corn oil post-frying 7.5%) factorial design, within 72 hours of fermentation, lowering the surface tension of water from 71 to 29 mN/m. The best results of thexa0index (E24) and emulsification activity (UEA) were observed in the central point, and using the both methods and corn post-frying oil resulted in 72% of emulsification, and the emulsification activity value of 6 UAE. The results demonstrate the high potential of C. violaceum promising in producing a biosurfactant.

Promising Biosurfactant Produced by Cunninghamella echinulata UCP 1299 Using Renewable Resources and Its Application in Cotton Fabric Cleaning Process

A biosurfactant was produced from Cunninghamella echinulata using sustainable technology for cleaning and degreasing of cotton fabric impregnated with burned motor oil. The surface tension was 32.4u2009mN/m on a medium containing instant noodle waste (2%), corn steep liquor (2%), and postfrying oil (0.5%) with a carbon/nitrogen ratio of 30u2009:u20091, yield of 6.0u2009g·L−1, emulsifier index of 81.4%, and dispersant property of 32.15u2009cm2. The biosurfactant produced is a glycolipid constituted by carbohydrate (47.7%) and lipids (50.0%). The structure was confirmed by GC-MS (stearic acid in predominance with mass of 298u2009m/z), FTIR spectroscopy (polysaccharides in bands between 1025 and 1152u2009cm−1 and fatty acids in bands between 2057 and 3100u2009cm−1), 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectrum (carbohydrates in signal of 4.38u2009ppm and 77.0u2009ppm). The properties of cleaning and degreasing of burned engine oil in cotton fabric by biosurfactant of C. echinulata was evidenced by removal of 86% of oil. After use of the biosurfactant, the fibers were not damaged, which is important for structural integrity of cotton fabric after the wash. In addition, the biosurfactant did not show toxic effect. This study suggests that the biosurfactant from C. echinulata can be used in formulation of textile detergents, in particular for removal of hydrophobic residues from the automobile industry.