Gabriel Mercado

Annual productivity of Spirulina (Arthrospira) and nutrient removal in a pig wastewater recycling process under tropical conditions

An evaluation was made of the annual productivity of Spirulina (Arthrospira) and its ability to remove nutrients in outdoor raceways treating anaerobic effluents from pig wastewater under tropical conditions. The study was based at a pilot plant at La Mancha beach, State of Veracruz, Mexico. Batch or semi-continuous cultures were established at different seasons during four consecutive years. The protein content of the harvested biomass and the N and P removal from the ponds were also evaluated. Anaerobic effluents from digested pig waste were added in a proportion of 2% (v/v) to untreated sea-water diluted 1:4 with fresh water supplemented with 2 g L−1 sodium bicarbonate, at days 0, 3 and 5. A straight filament strain of Spirulina adapted to grow in this complex medium was utilized. A pH value 9.5 ± 0.2 was maintained. The productivity of batch cultures during summer 1998 was significantly more with a pond depth of 0.10 m than with a depth 0.065 m. The average productivity of semi-continuous cultures during summer 1999 was 14.4 g m−2 d−1 with a pond depth of 0.15 m and 15.1 g m−2 d−1 with a depth of 0.20 m. The average annual productivity for semi-continuous cultures operating with depths of 0.10 m for winter and 0.15 and 0.25 m for the rest of the year, was 11.8 g m−2 d−1. This is the highest value reported for a Spirulina cultivation system utilising sea-water. The average protein content of the semi-continuous cultures was 48.9% ash-free dry weight. NH4-N removal was in the range 84–96% and P removal in the range of 72–87%, depending on the depth of the culture and the season.

Production of Spirulina sp. in sea water supplemented with anaerobic effluents in outdoor raceways under temperate climatic conditions

Abstract The use of untreated sea water supplemented with anaerobic effluents from digested pig waste and sodium bicarbonate was evaluated as a low-cost medium for semi-continuous cultivation of a mixed culture of two Spirulina strains in outdoor raceways under temperate climatic conditions (pond temperature in the range 21–26 °C and light intensity in the range 225–957␣μE m−2 s−1). The mixed culture had a predominant population (86.6 ± 3.9%) of an atypical Spirulina strain consisting of straight filaments, which appeared spontaneously after the strain with helicoidal trichomes had been subcultured. Morphological studies for the identification of the type and size of trichomes of the two strains (HF and SF) were carried out. The proportions of the two strains were observed to be stable during the monitoring period (30 days). Three different sets of semicontinuous cultures were carried out. Sets 1 and 2 were operated under regime 1 (a single addition of anaerobic effluents at time zero and no pH control) during the same season (June and July) of different years. Set 3 was operated under regime 2 (semi-continuous addition of anaerobic effluents and pH control) during the autumn. A minimum productivity of 3.6 g m−2 day−1 was obtained at one of the lowest temperatures (22.1 °C) and light intensities (245 μE m−2 s−1) and a maximum productivity of 10.9 g m−2 day−1 was observed at the highest temperature (25 °C) and highest average light intensity (618 μE m−2 s−1) registered for sets 1 and 2. The protein content in the Spirulina biomass harvested from these two sets varied from 17% to 65.6%. In set 3, a maximum productivity of 9.0 g m−2 day−1 was recorded at an average temperature of 24.4 °C and at an average light intensity of 668 μE m−2 s−1. The protein content in this set under regime 2 varied within a narrower range than in set 1 and set 2 (from 34.8% to 49.1%), apparently because of a continuous availability of ammonia nitrogen at a level of 30–50 mg l−1. However, in terms of the removal of ammonia nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand, regime 1 was more efficient than regime␣2.

Resource recovery through recycling of sugar processing by-products and residuals.

Various technological options for recycling of sugar processing by-products and residuals are discussed making use of field data from five sugar factories in the State of Veracruz in Mexico and information from the literature. It is emphasized that diversification is urgently required in developing sugar exporting countries but that the feasibility of each technological option has to be assessed within each national and regional scenario. Bagasse is already recycled towards energy generation or sold to paper and pulp industries. It is recommended that the use of this by-product as a fuel should be optimied through various actions in such a way that a large saving of fossil fuel could be achieved. In the case of molasses, a strategy to increase ethanol production in the short, medium and long term is discussed. For the short term, the introduction of highly productive yeast strains and use of well trained personnel is recommended. For the medium and long term, development and adaptation of innovative technologies such as those involving continuous reactors and the use of Zymomonas mobilis are suggested. The strategy could be promoted through a National Programme aimed at increasing ethanol exportations, contributing to the benefit of the imports/exports balance. As stillage is the most important residual due to its high BOD and COD values, a discussion of at least five different alternative technologies for the recovery of the minerals or organic matter contained in it is presented. Such alternatives range from low to medium and high capital costs. Some of their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Anaerobic digestion seems to be the best option whenever capital is available, although a secondary polishing treatment of the anaerobic effluents is required. In this case, an integrated system with recuperation of a multiproduct microalgae biomass (Spirulina sp.) appears to be a feasible option.

Simultaneous high-biomass protein production and nutrient removal using Spirulina maxima in sea water supplemented with anaerobic effluents

Maximum protein accumulation (71%, w/w) and nutrient removal by a mutant strain of Spirulina maxima growing on sea water supplemented with anaerobically treated pig slurry was achieved at 30°C with constant illumination (60 to 70 μEm-2s-1), using a flow rate of 14.5 cm s-1 (20 rev. min-1 of a paddle wheel). Total phosphates were decreased by 99% and all ammonia-N was removed under these conditions.

Spinosad Toxicity to Simulium spp. Larvae and Associated Aquatic Biota in a Coffee-Growing Region of Veracruz State, Mexico

ABSTRACT Spinosad is a naturally derived insecticide that has shown potential as a mosquito larvicide. To determine the activity of spinosad against blackflies, late-instar larvae from a community comprising Simulium triittatum (63.6%) and seven other species, including three known vectors of onchocerciasis in Mexico (S. metallicum, S. ochraceum, and S. callidum), were subjected to concentration-mortality laboratory bioassays following World Health Organization guidelines. Cephalic capsule measurements confirmed the relatively homogeneous distribution of experimental larvae. The 50% lethal concentration of spinosad was estimated at 1.48 ppm spinosad (95% confidence interval: 1.07–2.33) for a 10-min exposure period, whereas larvae treated with 0.05 ppm of the organophosphate temephos experienced 61% mortality. Immature aquatic insects were identified to genus and tested for their susceptibility to spinosad in the laboratory. After exposure to 12 ppm spinosad for 10 min, ephemeropterans, odonates, trichopterans, and hemipterans did not experience significantly increased mortality over that of untreated controls, whereas a significant increase in mortality was observed in spinosad-treated Plecoptera (P < 0.001). Tilapia and trout fry exposed to 12 ppm spinosad for 10 min did not experience increased mortality at 24-h postexposure over that of the controls. We conclude that spinosad is less toxic than temephos to these blackfly species, but is likely to have a low impact on nontarget members of the aquatic community.

Anticarsia gemmatalis Nucleopolyhedrovirus from Soybean Crops in Tamaulipas, Mexico: Diversity and Insecticidal Characteristics of Individual Variants and their Co-Occluded Mixtures

Abstract In 1999, Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) was introduced into a major soybean-growing region in Tamaulipas, Mexico, for control of its lepidopteran host, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The virus introduction proved to be highly successful in controlling this agronomically important pest. In order to determine the genotypic diversity and insecticidal traits of Mexican AgMNPVs, we obtained 30 field-collected isolates from Tamaulipas State. Five distinct variants (genotypes 1–5) were identified from plaques replicated in A. gemmatalis larvae by examination of restriction profiles using HindIII. Initial screening indicated that none of the variants, or co-occluded mixtures of variants in different proportions, was more pathogenic than the 30 field isolates mixture or a reference variant from Brazil (AgMNPV-2D). Mean occlusion body production also was similar among genotype variants, the mixture of 30 field isolates and AgMNPV-2D treatments, but was significantly reduced in 1 co-occluded mixture. Speed of kill also was similar among variants (except genotype 1) and their mixtures. Lethal concentration metrics indicated that these results were unlikely due to selection of variants with reduced pathogenicity during the plaque purification process. We conclude that the mixture of 30 field isolates most likely would prove suitable for use as a biological insecticide in the soybean-growing region of Mexico.