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Dive into the research topics where Joel L. Cuello is active.

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Featured researches published by Joel L. Cuello.


Bioresource Technology | 2013

Bioethanol production from the macroalgae Sargassum spp.

Myra G. Borines; Rizalinda L. de Leon; Joel L. Cuello

Macroalgae, an abundant and carbon-neutral renewable resource, with several species rich in carbohydrates are suitable for bioethanol production. This study focused on the pretreatment, enzyme saccharification and fermentation of Sargassum spp., a brown macroalgae for bioethanol production. The optimal acid pretreatment condition achieved in terms of glucose and reducing sugar yields was 3.4-4.6% (w/v) H2SO4 concentration, 115°C and 1.50h. The pretreated biomass was hydrolyzed with cellulase enzyme system supplemented with β-glucosidase. After fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 40°C, pH of 4.5 for 48 h, the ethanol conversion rate of the enzyme hydrolysate reached 89%, which was markedly higher than the theoretical yield of 51% based on glucose as substrate. Since all the glucose was consumed during fermentation, other sugar sources might be present in the hydrolysate. The macroalgae, Sargassum spp., showed significant potential as a renewable feedstock for the production of bioethanol.


Biotechnology Progress | 2008

Sub-lethal Levels of Electric Current Elicit the Biosynthesis of Plant Secondary Metabolites

Evans Kaimoyo; Mohamed A. Farag; Lloyd W. Sumner; Catherine C. Wasmann; Joel L. Cuello; Hans D. VanEtten

Many secondary metabolites that are normally undetectable or in low amounts in healthy plant tissue are synthesized in high amounts in response to microbial infection. Various abiotic and biotic agents have been shown to mimic microorganisms and act as elicitors of the synthesis of these plant compounds. In the present study, sub‐lethal levels of electric current are shown to elicit the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in transgenic and non‐transgenic plant tissue. The production of the phytoalexin (+)‐pisatin by pea was used as the main model system. Non‐transgenic pea hairy roots treated with 30–100 mA of electric current produced 13 times higher amounts of (+)‐pisatin than did the non‐elicited controls. Electrically elicited transgenic pea hairy root cultures blocked at various enzymatic steps in the (+)‐pisatin biosynthetic pathway also accumulated intermediates preceding the blocked enzymatic step. Secondary metabolites not usually produced by pea accumulated in some of the transgenic root cultures after electric elicitation due to the diversion of the intermediates into new pathways. The amount of pisatin in the medium bathing the roots of electro‐elicited roots of hydroponically cultivated pea plants was 10 times higher 24 h after elicitation than in the medium surrounding the roots of non‐elicited control plants, showing not only that the electric current elicited (+)‐pisatin biosynthesis but also that the (+)‐pisatin was released from the roots. Seedlings, intact roots or cell suspension cultures of fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum‐graecum), barrel medic, ( Medicago truncatula), Arabidopsis thaliana, red clover ( Trifolium pratense) and chickpea ( Cicer arietinum) also produced increased levels of secondary metabolites in response to electro‐elicitation. On the basis of our results, electric current would appear to be a general elicitor of plant secondary metabolites and to have potential for application in both basic and commercial research.


Bioresource Technology | 2012

Design of new strategy for green algal photo-hydrogen production: spectral-selective photosystem I activation and photosystem II deactivation.

Takanori Hoshino; Daniel J. Johnson; Joel L. Cuello

A new strategy in photosynthetic hydrogen (photo-H(2)) production from green algae was developed based on theory and successfully demonstrated. The new strategy applied a spectral-selective photosystem I (PSI) activating/photosystem II (PSII) deactivating radiation (or PSI light) that would drive a steady flow of electrons in the electron transport chain for delivery to hydrogenase for photo-H(2) production, but would reduce oxygen production through water photolysis below the respiratory oxygen consumption so that an anoxic condition would be maintained as required by hydrogenase. Implementing the strategy by using a PSI light (692 nm peak, 680-700 nm) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells resulted in relatively sustained photo-H(2) production (total of 0.108 mL H(2)mg(-1)Chl, exceeding 0.066 mL H(2)mg(-1)Chl under white light). The strategy also proved successful and convenient in allowing cells to alternately switch between photo-H(2) production and a recovery period by simply turning on or off the PSI light.


Transactions of the ASABE | 2002

Evaluation of two fiber optic-based solar collection and distribution systems for advanced space life support.

Darren Jack; Takashi Nakamura; Philip Sadler; Joel L. Cuello

Growing plants in an enclosed controlled environment is crucial in developing bioregenerative life-support systems (BLSS) for space applications. The major challenge currently facing a BLSS is the extensive use of highly energy-intensive electric light sources, which leads to substantial energy wastes through heat dissipations by these lamps. An alternative lighting strategy is the use of a solar irradiance collection, transmission, and distribution system (SICTDS). Two types of fiber optic-based SICTDS, a Fresnel-lens Himawari and a parabolic-mirror optical waveguide (OW) lighting system, were evaluated. The overall efficiency for the OW SICTDS of 40.5% exceeded by 75% that for the Himawari of 23.2%. The spectral distributions of the light delivered by the Himawari and the OW SICTDS were almost identical and had practically no difference from that of terrestrial solar radiation. The ratios of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) to total emitted radiation (k) of 0.39 +/- 0.02 for the Himawari and 0.41 +/- 0.04 for the OW SICTDS were statistically indistinguishable, were not significantly different from that of 0.042 +/- 0.01 for terrestrial solar radiation, and were comparable to that of 0.35 for a high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamp. The coefficients of variation (CV) of 0.34 and 0.39 for PPF distributions, both at 50 mm X 50 mm square grid arrays, corresponding to the Himawari and the OW SICTDS, respectively, were comparable with each other but were both significantly greater than the CV of 0.08 corresponding to the HPS lamp. The average fresh weight or dry weight of lettuce grown in the solar chamber with either the Himawari or the OW SICTDS showed no statistical difference from the average fresh weight or dry weight of lettuce grown in the reference chamber with the HPS lamp. The results of this study suggest that an SICTDS could help reduce the electric power demand in a BLSS.


international conference on fuel cell science engineering and technology fuelcell collocated with asme international conference on energy sustainability | 2014

Multi-Regional Multi-Objective Optimization of an Algal Biofuel Polygeneration Supply Chain With Fuzzy Mathematical Programming

Aristotle T. Ubando; Joel L. Cuello; Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi; Alvin B. Culaba; Raymond R. Tan

A polygeneration approach is proposed to improve the economic viability of algal biofuel production through simultaneous production of co-products (i.e. electricity, heat, and other biochemicals). A multi-regional polygeneration supply chain consists of various array of processing plants in producing multiple bioenergy products given spatial constraints of each plant found in different regions. The inherent complexity of the polygeneration compounds the difficulty of designing the composite network of processing plants in multi-regions. Optimizing the design flow of the polygeneration supply chain considers multiple objectives, such as satisfying product demand, maximizing economic performance, and minimizing environmental footprint. In addition, the optimal strategic capacity design of the supply and distribution of biodiesel across multi-regions are considered. This study uses a fuzzy mathematical programming model to generate an optimized design of the polygeneration supply chain while satisfying all objectives. The developed model is demonstrated using a modified industrial case study comparing two cultivation alternatives. Results showed that all fuzzy multi-objective goals are satisfied and the flat-plate photobioreactor is the preferred cultivation system in terms of environmental footprints and economic performance.Copyright


Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy | 2016

Application of stochastic analytic hierarchy process for evaluating algal cultivation systems for sustainable biofuel production

Aristotle T. Ubando; Joel L. Cuello; Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi; Alvin B. Culaba; Michael Angelo B. Promentilla; Raymond R. Tan

Algal biomass is considered as a promising source of alternative fuel energy given its high yield per land area and other potential benefits. Categorized as an advanced generation biofuel feedstock, microalgae are grown in non-conventional ways through different cultivation systems. A preference of a cultivation system may vary depending on a given scenario and its inherent configuration (strength and weakness). Hence, the usage of a specific cultivation system to sustainably produce algal biofuels depends on various factors. Thus, a multi-criteria approach based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed for evaluating alternative cultivation systems for sustainable production of algal biofuels. The main criteria considered to evaluate the alternatives based on consultation with a panel of expert and from literature are environmental impact, energy consumption, economic viability, social acceptability, and system robustness. Sub-criteria were identified under each main criterion to further qualify the analysis into relevant sub-factors in the sustainable production of algal biofuels. Three cultivations systems were used as an example to demonstrate the developed decision model using qualitative data and quantitative data. Probabilistic scenarios were analyzed using stochastic approach via Monte Carlo simulation. The results of the stochastic-based AHP showed which cultivation system is preferred for conservative (risk-averse) and optimistic (risk-inclined) scenarios.


international conference on evolvable systems | 2001

Plant Hardware Equipped with Hybrid Lighting: Combining Solar Irradiance with Xenon-Metal Halide Lamps or Light-Emitting Diodes for Life Support in Space

Joel L. Cuello; Yu Yang; Sara S. Kuwahara; Eiichi Ono; Kenneth A. Jordan; Takashi Nakamura; Hiroyuki Watanabe

Hybrid solar and electric lighting (HYSEL) systems constitute the latest generation of lighting systems for advanced life support, exhibiting continued potential for reducing the significant electrical power demand of current bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS). Two experimental HYSEL systems were developed: one employing xenon-metal halide (XMH) lamps and the other adopting light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the electric-lighting components, and both using a mirrorbased, fiberoptic-based solar collection system. The results showed that both the XMH and LED HYSEL systems effected reduced effective plant growing volume, indicating potential for a compact plant hardware design. The apparent electrical conversion efficiency of the LED HYSEL system exceeded that of the XMH HYSEL system by five-fold. Both the XMH and LED HYSEL systems provided reasonably acceptable spectral quality and lighting uniformity. So far, LEDs appear to be the most competent artificial light source for a HYSEL system. Also, preliminary studies suggested that HYSEL systems show promise of BLSS application both on the Martian surface and on a Sun synchronous orbit around Mars.


2005 Tampa, FL July 17-20, 2005 | 2005

Regulating radiation quality and intensity using narrow-band leds for optimization of somatic embryogenesis

Takanori Hoshino; Joel L. Cuello

The objectives of this study were to examine and optimize how radiation quality and intensity influenced both the induction and development of somatic embryos from carrot embryogenic calli using light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which emit precise narrow-band radiation. Somatic embryos induced from carrot embryogenic calli were exposed for 14 days to red and blue radiation at various light intensities. The results pertaining to somatic embryo induction showed that: (1) red radiation at 10 µmol m-2 s-1 significantly increased the density of total somatic embryos induced from carrot embryogenic calli; (2) lower and higher intensities of red radiation (1 to 5 µmol m-2 s-1 and 20 µmol m- 2 s-1) did not significantly influence the density of induced total somatic embryos; and, (3) increasing the intensity of blue radiation (up to 20 µmol m-2 s-1) appeared to have reduced the density of induced total somatic embryos. In regard to somatic embryo development, the results showed that: (1) red radiation (up to 20 µmol m-2 s-1) had virtually no effect on the development of the carrot somatic embryos; and, (2) blue radiation (10 or 20 µmol m-2 s-1) exerted positive effects on the development of the carrot somatic embryos, especially in the globular and heart-shaped stages.


Journal of The Illuminating Engineering Society | 2004

The phytometric system: A new concept of light measurement for plants

Gilberto J. C. da Costa; Joel L. Cuello

Gilberto J. C. da Costa and Joel L. Cuello The normalized quantum efficiency (RQE) curve that shows the relative photosynthetic response to light of the average photosynthesizing plant was used as the basis in developing the phytometric system, a new concept of light measurement for plants. Based on the multiplication of the RQE curve with the spectral power distribution (SPD) of a given light source, the phytometric measurement would yield units of phytoW.m - 2 . The unit phytoW easily provided conversion factors to the radiometric, photometric, and photon flux (quantum) systems within the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 400 to 700 nm or within the extended PAR of 300 to 800 nm. The use of the phytometric system was demonstrated by applying it to four types of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp. Pertinent conversion factors were calculated for each lamp type.


Chemical engineering transactions | 2015

Fuzzy mathematical programming approach in the optimal design of an algal bioenergy park

Aristotle T. Ubando; Alvin B. Culaba; Kathleen B. Aviso; Raymond R. Tan; Joel L. Cuello; Denny K.S. Ng; Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi

a Mechanical Engineering Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue Manila, Philippines b Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue Manila Philippines 1004 c Chemical Engineering Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue Manila, Philippines d Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA e Deaprtment fo Chemical and Environmental Engineering/ Centre of Excellence for Green Technologies, The University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, Malaysia f Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines [email protected]

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Gilberto J. C. da Costa

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

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