Lepakshi Barbora

Biofuel cell for generating power from methanol substrate using alcohol oxidase bioanode and air-breathed laccase biocathode

We report here an alcohol oxidase (AOx) based third generation bioanode for generating power from methanol substrate in a fuel cell setup using air breathed laccase biocathode. A composite three dimensional microporous matrix containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon paste and nafion was used as electroactive support for immobilization of the enzymes on toray carbon paper as supporting electrode in the fabrication of the bioelectrodes. Polyethylenimine was used to electrostatically stabilize the AOx (pI 4.3) on the anode operating on direct electrochemistry principle. Osmium tetroxide on poly (4-vinylpyridine) was used to wire the laccase for electron transfer in the biocathode. The enzymatic biofuel cell (EFC) generated an open circuit potential of 0.61 (±0.02) V with a maximum power density of 46 (±0.002) µW cm(-2) at an optimum of 1M methanol, 25 °C and an internal resistance of 0.024 µΩ. The operation and storage half life (t1/2) of the EFC were 17.22 h and 52 days, respectively at a fixed load of 1.85 Ω. The findings have demonstrated the feasibility of developing EFC using AOx based bioanode and laccase based biocathode without applying any toxic free mediator and metal electrode supports for generating electricity.

Recent Inventions in Biodiesel Production and Processing- A Review

Since recent past the research on biodiesel production and processing has got high momentum as evidenced from the large number of publications and patents on the subject. Many novel and improved protocols based on chemical, physical, and biological approaches have been reported that addresses the critical issues related to biodiesel production, recovery, purification, and associated recovery of high valued secondary products. Biodiesel typically comprises lower alkyl fatty acid (chain length C14-C22) esters of short-chain alcohols, primarily, methanol or ethanol. Various methods, such as pyrolysis, micro-emulsification, ozonization, ultrasonication, and transesterification have been reported for the production of biodiesel from vegetable oil. Among these, transesterification is appeared as attractive and widely accepted technique. This transesterification is mostly done chemically or enzymatically using lipase as biocatalyst. Lipase catalysis has received increasing attention due to its certain advantages over the conventional chemical catalysis. However, poor operational stability and low focus on the application of lipase for the biodiesel production are some of the important obstructing factors that impede the progress of the enzyme-based process. In addition to the transesterification step, separation of the ester from the reaction mixture, purification of the ester and glycerol, maintenances of appropriate fuel quality standards of the biodiesel (or blend stocks) as per specification for the particular nation, storage and stabilization are ascribed as the critical steps having immense effect on the successful implementation of biodiesel production and processing. In this review the authors emphasise the important patents developed in the last few years that contribute to mitigate the major technological challenges on biodiesel production and processing.

Multiwalled carbon nanotube-based bi-enzyme electrode for total cholesterol estimation in human serum

This study aims at fabricating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based enzymatic bioelectrode for total cholesterol estimation in human serum. For this purpose, a gold (Au) electrode was modified with MWCNTs uniformly dispersed in nafion (Nf) matrix. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) and cholesterol esterase (ChEt) were immobilised onto this Nf–MWCNTs film-modified Au electrode using layer-by-layer technique to fabricate the final bioelectrodes. The immobilisation of ChOx and ChEt onto the electrodes was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. The fabricated bioelectrodes were electrochemically characterised using cyclic voltammetry. The bioelectrodes offer reliable response characteristics towards cholesterol and stable electrochemical properties in terms of extended linear response range of 0.080–0.950 mM, detection limit up to 0.01 mM and optimum storage stability up to three weeks. Experimental results reveal that the fabricated bioelectrode offer optimum repeatability and reproducibility towards the cholesterol estimation and can also efficiently exclude interference by the commonly coexisting ascorbic acid, uric acid, lactic acid, glucose and urea, which is favourable for its efficient use in the highly selective analysis of total cholesterol in serum samples.

Effect of electrode surface properties on enhanced electron transfer activity in microbial fuel cells

The influence of electrode surface chemistry over biofilm growth was evaluated for photo‐bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell. A consortium of photosynthetic bacteria was grown onto different electrodes designed with polyethylenimine (PEI) and multiwall carbon nanotubes as hydrophilic and hydrophobic modifier, respectively. The designed electrodes were loaded with 0.08, 0.17, and 0.33 μg/cm2 of PEI to change the hydrophilicity. However, 0.56, 0.72, and 0.83 mg/cm2 of multiwall carbon nanotubes were used to alter the hydrophobicity of the electrodes. The surface chemistry of electrode and bio‐interaction was evaluated as a function of contact angle and biofilm formation. The results were compared with those obtained with a carbon paper electrode. The contact angle on the untreated electrode (carbon paper) was 118°, whereas for hydrophobic and hydrophilic electrodes, the maximum and minimum contact angles were 170° and 0°, respectively. Interestingly, the maximum biofilm growth (0.2275 g, wet basis) was observed on highly hydrophobic surface; however, the maximum electrochemical performance (246 mV) was shown by the most hydrophilic electrode surface. PEI‐based electrode with good biofilm formation showed comparatively higher electrogenic activity.

Silk-Cocoon Matrix Immobilized Lipase Catalyzed Transesterification of Sunflower Oil for Production of Biodiesel

Biodiesel from sunflower oil using lipase chemically immobilized on silk-cocoon matrix in a packed-bed bioreactor was investigated. The immobilization was demonstrated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and activity study. The lipase loading was 738.74 U (~0.01 g lipase powder)/g-lipase-immobilized matrix. The (Michaelis-Menten constant) of the free and the immobilized lipase was 451.26 μM and 257.26 μM, respectively. Low value of the immobilized lipase is attributed to the hydrophobic nature of the matrix that facilitated the substrate diffusion to the enzyme surface. The biodiesel yield of 81.62% was obtained at 48 hours reaction time, 6 : 1 methanol : oil ratio (v/v), and 30°C. The immobilized lipase showed high operational stability at 30°C. The substrate conversion was only marginally decreased till third cycle (each of 48 hours duration) of the reaction since less than even 5% of the original activity was decreased in each of the second and third cycle. The findings demonstrated the potential of the silk-cocoon as lipase immobilization matrix for industrial production of biodiesel.

The microorganisms used for working in microbial fuel cells

Investigated the use as biological object in microbial fuel cells (MFC) of various microorganisms performing the transport of electrons in the processing of various substrates. Most MFC, uses complex substrates. Such MFC filled with associations of microorganisms. The article deals with certain types of microorganisms for use in the MFC, shows the characteristics of molecular electron transfer mechanisms microorganisms into the environment.Investigated the use as biological object in microbial fuel cells (MFC) of various microorganisms performing the transport of electrons in the processing of various substrates. Most MFC, uses complex substrates. Such MFC filled with associations of microorganisms. The article deals with certain types of microorganisms for use in the MFC, shows the characteristics of molecular electron transfer mechanisms microorganisms into the environment.