Thesis ( Ph.D.)--Cleveland State University, 2009. / Abstract. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 22, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-160). Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center and also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-103).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2008. / "Graduate Program in Food Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-247).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008. / Prepared for: Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry. Title from thesis description page.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Brandeis University, 2010. / "UMI:3390501." MICROFILM COPY ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES. Includes bibliographical references

No description available.

In recent years, climate change has severely impacted forest ecosystems, leading to violent storms, wildfires, soil erosion, and increased insect and fungi infestations, clearing large forest areas. Restocking and restoring these forests is a challenge, particularly with the decrease in rainfall across Europe. Southern Europe faces a high risk of desertification due to over-exploitation of land and water, urban sprawl, tourism and unplanned industrialisation. To address these problems, it is necessary to develop technological solutions to support planting and forestry operations, even on degraded land. On the basis of these considerations, this research developed innovative and sustainable solutions for supporting plant growth and revitalizing degraded forests within the scope of the H2020 European project ONEforest. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to design novel multifunctional topsoil covers (TSCs) and soil conditioners (SCs). TSCs are mulching films that regulate soil moisture and protect plants from weeds, while SCs enhance soil chemical, physical, and water regulation properties by being mixed into the planting hole. Both products were produced as wood-reinforced composite materials using xanthan gum, a bio-based polysaccharide, as matrix. For the development of TSCs, various compositions of hydrogels based on xanthan gum reinforced with cellulose or wood fibers, and cross-linked with different agents, were tested. Hydrogels, especially those cross-linked with citric acid, showed excellent water absorption, retention, and stability. These hydrogels also demonstrated good water vapor permeability, weed growth inhibition, non-flammability and biodegradability. For the development of SCs, several compositions of xanthan gum mixed with different types of cellulose fillers were tested to improve water absorption and retention properties of the soil. These SCs significantly enhanced soil-water holding capacity and delayed water loss, outperforming commercial alternatives. However, in saturated conditions, high doses of SCs could negatively impact soil geotechnical properties. The local use of SCs in small quantities in planting holes could minimize these impacts. Field experiments were performed to assess the effects of TSCs and SCs on tree growth under various climates. TSCs maintained excellent plant health but did not significantly enhance plant growth. In contrast, SCs improved plant growth, health, and reduced mortality rates. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify the environmental impacts of the developed products. Furthermore, a cost estimate suggested that the current price for the production of TSC and SC was comparable to that of commercial products. Considering the ease of the manufacturing process, the interesting outcomes of laboratory activity and the results obtained from practical experiments, these products have the potential to be upscaled to an industrial level and to be widely applied in forestry and agricultural applications.

No description available.

No description available.

The main aim of this research was to utilise whey as a fermentation substrate for the production of microbial biopolymers.Of the three commercial biopolymer producers tested for biopolymer production in whey, only Pseudodomonas elodea produced significant apparent viscosities of up to 470cP at 2 s-1 on enriched whey broths. In these broths lactose utilisation was poor (14% w/v). A strain of P. elodea that had improved lactose utilising capacity was selected after six serial transfers on whey and lactose rich broths. After screening more than 60 bacterial isolates, a strain of Klebsiella oxytoca that initially produced a broth apparent viscosity of 36 cP at 12 s-1 in whey was isolated from raw milk. Biopolymer production was optimised in the K. oxytoca isolate.Concentrations of over 16 g/1 and broth apparent viscosities greater than 20,000 cP at 0.6 s-1 were obtained after optimisation. The biopolymer produced by the K. oxytoca isolate was shown to contain rhamnose, glucose and cellobiose, a composition not comparable to any reported polysaccharide. Polymer application studies indicated that it had potential to be used as a thickener, stabiliser, and binder. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)