Decolorization and degradation potential of enhanced lignocellulolytic enzymes production by Pleurotus eryngii using cherry waste from industry

Laccase Production from Agrocybe pediades: Purification and Functional Characterization of a Consistent Laccase Isoenzyme in Liquid Culture

Laccases are valuable enzymes as an excellent ecological alternative for bioremediation issues because they can oxidize persistent xenobiotic compounds. The production and characterization of extracellular laccases from saprotrophic fungi from disturbed environments have been scarcely explored, even though this could diversify their functional characteristics and expand the conditions in which they carry out their catalysis. Agrocybe pediades, isolated from a disturbed forest, produces an extracellular laccase in liquid culture. The enzyme was purified, identified and characterized. Copper and hexachlorobenzene do not function as inducers for the laccase produced. Partial amino acid sequences were obtained by LC-MS/MS that share similarity with laccases from other fungi. Purified laccase is a monomer with a molecular mass between 55-60 kDa and had an optimum activity at pH 5.0 and the optimum temperature at 45 °C using 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP) as substrate. The K_m and V_max also determined with 2,6-DMP were 100 μM and 285 μmol∙min^-1∙mg^-1, respectively, showing that the laccase of A. pediades has a higher affinity for this substrate than that of other Agaricales. These features could provide a potential catalyst for different toxic substrates and in the future laccase could be used in environmental recovery processes.

Magnetic porous Ag2O/Chitin nanostructure adsorbent for eco-friendly effective disposing azo dyes

Water treatment is as much important as it is to satisfying 11 worldwide sustainable development goals out of 17. The removal of Azo is much important as they are toxic and their existence in water, air and food can easily affect humans by triggering allergies, forming tumours etc. Azo contained Dyes Production was banned in many countries. This research aims to synthesize composite Nanorods and Nanospheres and characterize and test to remove Azo dyes from the wastewater. This research used a previously reported method to rapidly synthesize chitin magnetite nanocomposites (ChM) by co-precipitation while irradiating with ultrasound (US). Detailed structural characterization of ChM revealed a crystalline phase analogous to magnetite and spherical morphologies; extending the reaction time to 8 min yielded a "nanorod" type morphology. Both the morphologies displayed a nanoscale limit with particles averaging between 5 and 30 nm in size, resulting the superparamagnetic performance and saturation magnetization values between 45 and 58 emu/g. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms showed that the surface modification of ChMs resulted in a rise of specific surface area and pore size. Anionic azo dyes (methyl orange (MO) and reactive black 5 (RB5)) adsorption on the surface of nanocomposites was also demonstrated to be pH-dependent, with the reaction favoured for surface-modified samples at pH 4 and unmodified samples at pH 8. Adsorption capacity studies showed that molecule size effect and electrostatic attraction were two distinct adsorption processes for unmodified and modified ChMs. Chitin Magnetite nanoparticles appear to be a substitute for traditional anionic dye adsorbents. Additionally, the two key materials sources, chitin, and magnetite are inexpensive and easily accessible.

Agro waste as a potential carbon feedstock for poly-3-hydroxy alkanoates production: Commercialization potential and technical hurdles

The enormous production and widespread applications of non -biodegradable plastics lead to their accumulation and toxicity to animals and humans. The issue can be addressed by the development of eco-friendly strategies for the production of biopolymers by utilization of waste residues like agro residues. This will address two societal issues - waste management and the development of an eco-friendly biopolymer, poly-3-hydroxy alkanoates (PHAs). Strategies adopted for utilization of agro-residues, challenges and future perspectives are discussed in detail in this comprehensive review. The possibility of PHA properties improvements can be increased by preparation of blends.

Assessment of anammox, microalgae and white-rot fungi-based processes for the treatment of textile wastewater

The treatability of seven wastewater samples generated by a textile digital printing industry was evaluated by employing 1) anammox-based processes for nitrogen removal 2) microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) for nutrient uptake and biomass production 3) white-rot fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium) for decolorization and laccase activity. The biodegradative potential of each type of organism was determined in batch tests and correlated with the main characteristics of the textile wastewaters through statistical analyses. The maximum specific anammox activity ranged between 0.1 and 0.2 g N g VSS-1 d-1 depending on the sample of wastewater; the photosynthetic efficiency of the microalgae decreased up to 50% during the first 24 hours of contact with the textile wastewaters, but it improved from then on; Pleurotus ostreatus synthetized laccases and removed between 20-62% of the colour after 14 days, while the enzymatic activity of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was inhibited. Overall, the findings suggest that all microbes have great potential for the treatment and valorisation of textile wastewater after tailored adaptation phases. Yet, the depurative efficiency can be probably enhanced by combining the different processes in sequence.