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Results for “Biodegradation”

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At least 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

[Effects of phenol presence on the biodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol in a bioaugmented system].

Special culture for 2,4-Dichlorophenol(2,4-DCP) degradation were supplemented to an activated sludge system and the effects of the presence of phenol at various concentration on the removal of 2,4-DCP were studied. In addition, the changes of the removal rate of 2,4-DCP and phenol under the long existence of phenol was investigated in semicontinuous test. Results show than the presence of phenol at the concentration of 10 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 300 mg/L inhibit the biodegradation of 2,4-DCP and the inhibition increased with increasing of phenol concentration. 2, 4-DCP biodegradation rate declined with the run of semi-continuous test, while the biodegradation rate of phenol was much faster than the first run.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2003

Kinetics of benzene biodegradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: parameter estimation.

This study determined the model parameters describing biodegradation of benzene by conducting kinetic microcosm batch tests in both pure solution and saturated aquifer material conditions for various initial benzene (100-700 mg/L) and microbial concentrations (10(7)-10(9) colony-forming units [CFU]/ml) using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as benzene-degrading bacteria. In both tests, benzene and microbial concentrations were monitored over time in order to investigate which of two Monod kinetic equations, the Monod-with-growth or the Monod-no-growth model, was more suitable for describing benzene biodegradation and to estimate the associated model parameters. Parameter estimation was performed by fitting the numerical solution of each model obtained by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration to the measured data of benzene and/or microbial concentrations. For the Monod-with-growth model, the best fit of the numerical solution was significantly different than the measured benzene concentrations, especially at early times, because of the gradual increase of microbial population in the growth curve. In contrast, the solution based on the Monod-no-growth model produced reasonable agreement with the measured benzene data. The estimated parameters of maximum substrate utilization rate (kmax) and half-saturation constant (Kc) were in the range of 61 to 105 mg/L/d and about 270 mg/L, respectively, which differ significantly from values previously reported in the literature. We attribute the differences observed in our study to our experimental conditions of initial substrate and bacterial concentrations and oxygen and nutrient supply. Our results imply that an appropriate model type and reasonable values of kinetic parameters should be chosen to model the biodegradation of hydrocarbons in the subsurface environment.

Benzene↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Biodegradable ureteral stents in treating patients with infravesical obstruction].

Biodegradable endoprostheses SR-PLGA and SR-PLLA were used in combined treatment of 39 patients with urethral stricture (n = 24), neurogenic urinary bladder (n = 9), benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 4), prostatic cancer (n = 2). In definition of indications for stent implantation the leading role was assigned to preoperative diagnosis of the state of the urinary bladder, urethra and sphincters using urodynamic tests and dynamic Doppler and three-dimensional echourethrography. Introduction of biodegradable urethral stents provides adequate spontaneous urination and allows avoiding external drainage. This prevents nosocomial infection and lowers the number of inflammatory complications. Palliative usage of stents in inoperable and neurological patients is effective in their medical and social rehabilitation. Analysis of errors and complications in 8 patients demonstrates that implantation of biodegradable stents is not absolute safe and requires some caution.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Biodegradation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons at high temperatures.

In this paper, the high temperature (65-75 degrees C) biodegradation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons is investigated and kinetic parameters are derived. The shift of the physico-chemical system properties with rising temperature will be discussed in detail. For example, the solubility of naphthalene is increased by a factor of about ten if the temperature is increased from 20 to 75 degrees C. This effect is essential to increase the bioavailability of sparingly soluble hydrocarbons. It is also demonstrated in experiments that very high oxygen transfer rates can be obtained at high temperatures in the presence of hydrocarbons. It is shown that efficient phenol biodegradation is essential for high temperature hydrocarbon degradation because some microorganisms tend to transform phenols into polyphenols which are very inhibitory for microbial growth. A defined mixed culture adapted to phenol converted more than 90% of a mixture of phenol, hexadecane and pyreno and a very high maximal growth rate of 0.19 h(-1) was determined. A yield coefficient Y(X/S) of about 0.8 g (biomass)/g (hydrocarbons) was calculated in this experiment. In a separate experiment the influence of the hydrocarbon droplet size on the biodegradation is investigated at 70 degrees C using a newly isolated Thermus sp. In this case, the growth on a hexadecane/pyrene mixture was described by a model based on the Monod equation and the corresponding kinetic parameters are derived. A mixed culture was used for the bioremediation of soil in a slurry reactor. The initial contamination of 11 g/kg was lowered to about 2 g in a reactor inoculated by an immobilized culture of extreme thermophilic microorganisms, while 9 g/kg remained in a sterile control.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Biodegradability of the components of natural hydrocarbon mixtures previously submitted to landfarming].

The complex composition of the crude oil and the hydrocarbons that integrate the waste of the different stages of the oil industry turn this product a mixture that presents different difficulties for its elimination by biological methods. The objective of this paper was to study the biodegradation potential of autochthonous bacterial communities on hydrocarbons obtained from four polluted places and subjected to landfarming biorremediation system during a decade. The results showed a marked difference in biodegradability of the three main fractions of crude oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and polar fractions, obtained by column chromatography. All fractions were used as carbon source and energy. There were variations in the production of biomass among the different fractions as well as in the kinetics of biodegradation, according to the composition of each fraction.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2002

Experimental studies on waste paper pulp biodegradation.

In continuation of their studies on Biodegradation of cellulosic waste materials, the authors have presented their experimental data on biodegradation on waste paper pulp. Greater efficiency in the cow dung and M3 culture experimental setups have been pointed out and discussed. Necessity of detailed data evaluation of temperature, pH, dry weight, cellulose, protein, carbohydrate, Nitrate, Phosphate & Potassium levels is suggested. Derivation of %, absolute and increase/decrease % of BOO, COD and VS have been pointed out for the first time in solid waste Biodegradation. Further data evaluation and derivation of critical reaction rate kinetics have been recommended for further studies in solid waste-degradation to achieve quicker Bioconversion of cellulosic wastes into compost.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2003

A novel biodegradable PCL film for tendon reconstruction: Achilles tendon defect model in rats.

This study aims to investigate applicability of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) biodegradable films for repair of gaps in Achilles tendons in a rat model, also comparing surgical repair versus no repair approaches. PCL was synthesized with tailor-made properties, then, PCL films were prepared by solvent casting. Seventy-five outbred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: (i) sham operated (skin incision only); (ii) no repair (complete division of the Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon without repair); (iii) Achilles repair (with a modified Kessler type suture); and (iv) plasty of Achilles tendon defects with the biodegradable PCL films, and (v) animals subjected to 1 cm mid-substance defect with no repair. Functional performance was determined from the measurements of hindpaw prints utilizing the Achilles functional index. The animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery and histological and biomechanical evaluations were made. All groups subjected to Achilles tendon division had a significant functional impairment that gradually improved so that by day 28 there were no functional impairments in any group whereas animals with a defect remained impaired. The magnitude of the biomechanical and morphological changes at postoperative 8 weeks were similar for no repair group (conservative), Achilles repair group and tendonplasty group (biodegradable PCL film group). The initial rate of functional recovery was significantly different for primary suture, Achilles repair group and PCL film group (p>0.01). But, at the 28th day, functional recovery was quite similar to the other groups. In summary, our results suggest that the PCL film can be an alternative biomaterial for tendon replacement.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2004

Influence of the origin of the inoculum on the anaerobic biodegradability test.

Five different sources of inocula were studied to determine its influence on biodegradability tests. Inocula were characterized determining granulometry, specific methanogenic activity, solids content, and volumetric sludge index. Also, the fermentative, aceticlastic, hydrogenophilic, OPHA, and sulfate-reducing groups were determined by the most probable number technique. Anaerobic biodegradability tests were conducted with two different substrates, one easy to degrade (glucose) and a toxic one (phenol). The best performance, in terms of percent of biodegradation and lag time, for both substrates, was obtained with the inoculum from a brewery industry UASB. The results can be explained in terms of the initial activity of the inoculum. The influence of the significant variations found in the specific methanogenic activity of the five inocula studied is discussed, in terms of the microbial composition of the samples. The results emphasized the importance of the selection of an appropriate source of inoculum in order to obtain reliable results.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2004

[Studies on design, synthesis and biodegradation of carrier for colon-site specific, drug delivery system].

AIM: To design and synthesize a novel vector for colon-site specific drug delivery system and investigate the relationship between the biodegradation properties and composition of materials in the simulated colon fluid. METHODS: The azocopolymer P (HEMA-MMA-MAA) was synthesized using 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) as comonmer, azobisisobutyronitrilel (AIBN) as initiator, cross-linked with divinylazobezene (DVAB). The chemical structure of the synthesized series of azocopolymer is examined by UV, FTIR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance data. Their swelling behavior is evaluated by the swelling equilibrium parameter Q, the biodegradation tests of the materials were carried out at physiologically relevant buffer designed to mimic the colon environment. The biodegradation properties were assessed using the differential scanning calorimeters (DSC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and the morphology on the surface of materials before and after degradation was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The swelling equilibrium parameter Q increased with increasing the contents of HEMA and MAA in the materials. The degradation behavior was relevant to the ratio of three components in the copolymers. CONCLUSION: This materials may become a good carrier for the colon-site specific drug delivery system if the contents of commoners HEMA, MMA and MAA are adjusted reasonably.

Azo Compounds↗

PubMed2004

[Simulation of biodegradation of petroleum contaminants in natural waters of the Yellow River].

Petroleum contaminants is one of the major pollutants in the Yellow River. Laboratory simulation experiments were carried out to study the natural biodegradation of the petroleum contaminants. When adding 10 mg/L petroleum contaminants to the Yellow River water samples containing 0 or 0.5 g/L sediment, the petroleum contaminants-degrading bacteria increased gradually after about one week of acclimatization. With the sediment content of 0.5 g/L, about 85% petroleum contaminants with the initial concentration of 11.64 mg/L in river water could be degraded within 63 days at 20 degrees C. The biodegradation rate was greatly influenced by the sediment content and the initial concentration of petroleum contaminants, and such effect was different from one degradation stage to another. In addition, the existence of sediment affected the biodegradation kinetics of petroleum contaminants.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Investigation of the process of personal hygiene items biodegradation by cellulose-fermenting microorganisms].

Cellulose-containing wastes are one of the heaviest and biggest ingredients of solid domestic wastes piling up during spaceflight. For the most part these are disposable personal hygiene items used in large quantities in the absence of shower. These wastes contain human body products which are very dangerous from the sanitary-epidemiological standpoint. The purpose was to explore potentiality of microbial biodegradation of cellulose-containing hygiene items anaerobically with dry mass transformation into liquid and biogas. Among specific objectives were test cultivation of active strains of reference cultures of cellulose-fermenting anaerobic thermophilic bacteria on hygiene items as the only source of carbon, evaluation of ways and need of pretreatment of gauze pads to stimulate biodegradation, and chemical analysis of resulting biogas. From the investigation it was concluded that gauze pads are susceptible to biodegradation by anaerobic bacteria producing a low toxicity gas fraction. Therefore, the proposed technology can be considered as a candidate for integration into the spacecrew life support system.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed1992

Biodegradation of aniline and abundance of potential degraders in river waters.

Total dissolved organic carbon (TOC), number of colony forming units (CFU), and total direct count (TDC) were compared to the biodegradation of aniline and the number of potential degraders in water samples from head waters to down stream of the Ina River and several other sites of rivers traversing Osaka city. The results indicate that aniline degrading populations of these various microbial communities exhibit different activities probably depending on the extent of adaptation to pollutants to which the microbes are exposed. The number of aniline degraders found in river water samples was in agreement with other parameters which were used to demonstrate the degree of pollution in river water even though higher biodegradability was evident in waters which show comparatively low TOC and CFU. These results suggest that biodegradation of aniline and enumeration of its potential degraders may serve as valuable indicators for the assessment of pollution in river waters.

Aniline Compounds↗

PubMed2005

Photosynthetically oxygenated acetonitrile biodegradation by an algal-bacterial microcosm: a pilot-scale study.

A 43-L column photobioreactor was tested for the treatment of acetonitrile using a symbiotic consortium consisting of a Chlorella sorokiniana strain and a Comamonas strain. Complete biodegradation of 1 g acetonitrile/l was achieved in 79 hours under continuous illumination at 500 microE/m(2)s and 26 degrees C. When the photobioreactor was operated at 26 degrees C under a 14/10 hours light/dark illumination regime at 500 microE/m(2)s, complete mineralization of 1 g acetonitrile/l was achieved in 111 hours. However, when acetonitrile was supplied at 2 g/l, the biodegradation process was severely inhibited by the increase of pH and NH4+ concentration during cultivation. In addition to saving energy for aeration, the microalgae assimilated 33% of the NH4+ released during acetonitrile biodegradation, which significantly reduces the need for subsequent nitrogen removal.

Acetonitriles↗

PubMed2005

[Effects of acid soils on the biodegradation of hydrocarbons].

Biodegradation efficiency of hydrocarbons and melioration of micro-ecosystem conditions in acid soils should be seriously concerned due to either occurrence of acid polluted soils or acidification during bioremediation process. The influence of acid situation on degrading microbes and the biodegradation rate were figured out by monitoring variations of biomass, microbial activities and petroleum contents with time in acid and alkaline polluted soils in laboratory. Injecting degrading microbes and meliorating micro-ecosystem conditions of acid soils were conducted. The results showed that acid soils (pH = 5.4-5.7) had extreme restraint on local microbe numbers and activities, and biodegradation rate almost reached zero. Injection of degrading microbes could not remarkably reduce the restriction of acid conditions. The microbe numbers quickly went down from 10(6) cells/g dried soil to zero in 14 days and the Fluorescein Diacetate (FDA) activities were only about 0.10 Abs/g dried soil. However, addition of bio-carriers could effectively improve micro-ecosystem conditions in acid soils, thus notably diminish the restraint to some extent. In 19 days, the amount of microorganisms decreased from 2 x 10(6) to 2.2 x 10(2) cells/g dried soil. And up to 49 days, about 13% hydrocarbons were removed from the polluted soils by microbes.

Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of naphthalene biodegradation plasmids on physiological characteristics of rhizospheric bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas].

Specific growth rate, duration of the lag phase, stability of plasmids, and activities of the key enzymes involved in naphthalene biodegradation were studied in rhizospheric pseudomonades carrying structurally similar plasmids pOV17 and pBS216. It was demonstrated that these plasmids determined various levels of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activities. The structural rearrangements in the plasmid pBS216 could "switch off" the genes of catechol oxidation meta-pathway. It was shown that certain combinations of biodegradation plasmids and bacterial hosts, such as Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1391(pBS216), P. chlororaphis PCL1391(pOV17), and P. putida 53a(pOV17), were considerably more efficient than natural variants in their growth characteristics and stability of the biodegradation activity, having a potential for bioremediation of soils polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2005

Correlation study of toxicity of substituted phenols to river bacteria and their biodegradability in river water.

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of toxicity with biodegradability (BODT) in order to promote QSBR development and understand the degradation mechanism. METHODS: Toxicity of substituted phenols to river bacteria was determined by the turbidities that were measured using a spectrophotometer (UV-190) at 530 nm against a blank control. The biodegradability of substituted phenols was expressed as BODT and the DO concentrations were determined by the iodometric titration method. RESULTS: The BODT and toxicity(log 1/IC50) of 12 substituted phenols to bacteria from the Songhua River were determined respectively. The correlation of biodegradability with toxicity was developed: BODT=8.21 (+/-2.22) pKa -32.44 (+/-8.28) log 1/IC50 +89.04 (+/-38.20), n=12, R2=0.791, R2(adj)=0.745, SE=9.134, F=17.066, P=0.001. CONCLUSION: The BODT of substituted phenols was influenced by their toxicity and the ionization constant pKa. The stronger the toxicity, the less readily the compound was degraded by river bacteria.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2005

Biodegradation of phenol at low temperature using two-phase partitioning bioreactors.

Two-phase partitioning bioreactors offer many advantages for the removal of toxic pollutants. In particular, such systems can be loaded with very large quantities of pollutants without risks of microbial inhibition, they are self-regulated and they prevent the risks of hazardous pollutant volatilisation during aerobic treatment. However, their potential has never been tested at low temperatures. Phenol biodegradation by a cold adapted Pseudomonas strain was therefore tested at 14 or 4 degrees C using 2-undecanone, diethyl sebacate or 2-decanone as organic phases in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor. The three solvents were biocompatible at 14 degrees C but evidence was found that diethyl sebacate was biodegraded by the bacteria and this solvent was not tested further. Although only 2-decanone was suitable at 4 degrees C, phenol biodegradation was more efficient in 2-undecanone at 14 degrees C, reaching a maximum volumetric rate (based on the volume of aqueous phase) of approximately 1.94 g/L.day after 47 h of cultivation. In 2-decanone at 14 degrees C, evidence was found that phenol degradation was limited by the release of biosurfactants, which increased the solubility and toxicity of the solvent in the aqueous phase inhibiting microbial activity. This study therefore shows that pollutant removal at low temperature is feasible but that the production of biosurfactants can have a negative impact on the process and must be taken into consideration when selecting the organic solvent. Future work should therefore focus on the selection of solvents suitable for use at temperatures below 14 degrees C.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1990

Long-term evaluation of a new selectively biodegradable vascular graft coated with polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid for right ventricular conduit. An experimental study.

Low-porosity woven Dacron grafts have been used extensively as an extracardiac conduit in the surgical treatment of congenital and acquired heart diseases involving total heparinization. Caution is still warranted in their use, however, because of long-term complications, including calcification and development of obstructive fibrous peel. In contrast, high-porosity grafts offer much better tissue anchorage and healing but cannot be used under heparinization. We have developed a compound vascular prosthesis in which a knitted Dacron graft is coated with a polymeric biodegradable sealant. Polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid-segmented copolymers comprised the degradable component of the graft. In vitro studies showed that the coated prosthesis exhibited a highly flexible elastomer-like mechanical response. The prostheses were completely watertight, and significant degradation started after 1 week, with absorption completed after 3 weeks. Seven woven and six knitted polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid-coated Dacron grafts used as extracordiac conduits (16 mm), connecting the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery were implanted in dogs. The dogs were killed after 12 to 18 months, and the results are reported. Scanning electron microscopy examination showed peel detachment and nonhomogenous intimal surface with fenestrations in the woven graft group, but complete healing and incorporation of the pseudointima with homogenous, thin lining of the luminal surface in the polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid-coated group. Histologic studies indicated much superior healing and anchorage of the periprosthetic tissue and the pseudointima in the polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid-coated grafts. The biodegradable polymer was fully degraded and exhibited a complete incorporation of the compound vascular prosthesis. This study indicates the superior healing properties of these selectively biodegradable grafts, which might increase long-term patency and decrease complications of right ventricular conduits.

Animals↗