Conventional plastics have been used for decades in a diverse range of applications, however, many are resistant to degradation, leading to environmental pollution and their manufacture is dependent on non-renewable fossil fuels. Therefore, there has been an increasing need for eco-friendly biodegradable materials from renewable resources. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a compostable polyester with a hydrolysable backbone that is susceptible to biodegradation and produced from renewable feedstocks. PLA has mechanical qualities comparable to non-biodegradable plastics, and currently is commercialized as food-packaging polymer for short shelf-life products. However, while PLA hydrolysis at elevated temperatures proceeds abiotically, ultimately releasing lactic acid and short chain oligomers, the role of microorganisms is unclear. Since PLA short-shelf life products are disposed after use, understanding the role of microorganisms and the effect of degradation on microbial populations in the environment is important. Therefore, the aims of this research was to (a) determine the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors on PLA degradation; (b) to isolate putative fungal PLA degraders from the surface of PLA when buried in compost or soil and to test their ability to degrade PLA; (c) to assess the impact of PLA degradation on fungal communities when entering compost systems. The roles of abiotic and biotic factors in the degradation of high molecular weight PLA were investigated by comparing degradation rates in compost, soil and sterile water at temperatures of 25°, 37°, 45°, 50° and 55°C. Tensile strength loss and molecular weight decline of PLA in microorganism-rich compost and soil were greater than chemical hydrolysis in sterile water at elevated temperatures (above 45°C) indicating microorganisms can directly enhance PLA degradation. Since extensive fungal growth was observed on the surface of PLA when buried in compost and soil, putative fungal PLA degraders were isolated from PLA surface and their community profile on PLA surface was compared with the compost and soil community with a molecular method, terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (TRFLP). Among the identified fungi, Thermomyces lanuginosus was the dominant isolate recovered and shown to enhance PLA degradation in compost at 50°C. The fungal community profile on PLA surface was different than the fungal profile in compost and soil suggesting enrichment for PLA degraders on the surface of PLA. In order to determine the impact of PLA degradation on the fungal compost community, two different high molecular weight PLA sources, films and granules were buried in compost at 10%, 25% and 50% (w/w) concentration for 4 months at 25°C and 50°C and the community profile analysed by TRFLP and pyrosequencing. TRFLP revealed that when PLA did not degrade, the fungal community shifted back toward the initial compost community profile, however, when PLA degraded to its monomers releasing lactic acid at 50°C at a concentration of 50% (w/w) it changed the fungal community profile and decreased the fungal diversity. Pyrosequencing revealed that the presence of PLA enriched for Thermomyces in the compost population over time.

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

Orientador: Nelson Eduardo Duran Caballero / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T19:54:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gaspari_PriscylaDanielyMarcato_M.pdf: 3916509 bytes, checksum: 15b4d148bf7fb5ebc6d8b40b2108c914 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O projeto consistiu na preparação e caracterização de sistemas de liberação sustentada veiculando a estreptomicina, um agente antimicobacteriano. A estreptomicina (STM) foi encapsulada em micropartículas poliméricas preparadas a partir do polímero biodegradável poli(e-caprolactona) (PCL) e do copolímero biodegradável poli(3-hidroxibutirato-co-3-hidroxivalerato) (PHBV), pela técnica de emulsificação seguida da evaporação do solvente. Estas partículas foram caracterizadas quanto ao diâmetro médio e distribuição de tamanho, morfologia, Potencial Zeta e eficiência de encapsulamento. Micropartículas de PCL e PHBV foram obtidas pelo método de dupla emulsão e evaporação de solvente com diferentes morfologias, sendo que as partículas de PCL apresentaram superfície mais lisa do que as de PHBV. Além disto, a adição do co-solvente acetona na fase orgânica, provocou a formação de micropartículas de PHBV maiores e mais porosas. Alterações em parâmetros da preparação como, aumento da concentração do tensoativo, evaporação de solvente a baixa pressão e uso de polímero com menor massa molar foram fatores que reduziram do diâmetro das partículas. A eficiência de encapsulamento nas micropartículas de PHBV, medida por eletroforese capilar, foi de 43 ± 4 %. No ensaio biológico in vitro em células V- 79 (células de fibroblastos de pulmão derivadas de hamsters chineses), hepatócitos e Vero (células do rim de macaco) foi verificada baixa toxicidade do antibiótico estreptomicina nos alvos celulares avaliados (captura do corante vermelho neutro, conteúdo de ácidos nucléicos e redução do corante metiltiazoletetrazolium). Entretanto, as micropartículas de PHBV com e sem fármaco apresentaram alteração no lisossoma, que pode ter sido causada pela presença de PVA na superfície das partículas. A atividade antimicrobiana da estreptomicina livre e encapsulada frente à Escherichia coli foi verificada, obtendo menor eficiência do fármaco encapsulado em relação ao fármaco livre. Entretanto, nos testes frente à Streptococcus lentus, foi verificada maior eficiência quando o fármaco estava encapsulado. / Abstract: This research was related to the preparation and characterization of a sustained release system with streptomycin, an antimycobacterial agent. The streptomycin (STM) was encapsulated in polymeric micro and nanopartículas from the biodegradable polymers, poli(e-caprolactona) (PCL) and of the biodegradable copolymers, poli(3-hydroxybutirate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), by double emulsion and solvent evaporation method. These particles were characterized in function of the size and size distribution, morphology, Potential Zeta and encapsulation efficiency. PCL and PHBV microparticles that were obtained by described methods, PCL presented surface smoother than the PHBV microparticles. Moreover, the addiction of the co-solvent acetone in the organic phase provoked the formation of PHBV microparticles larger and more porous than in PCL. Alterations in preparation parameters such as increase of the surfactant concentration, solvent evaporation in low pressure and a decrease molar mass were factors that reduced the particle sizes. The encapsulation efficiency in microparticles of PHBV, measured by capillary electrophoresis, it was 43 ± 4.4%. In the in vitro biological assay in V-79 cells (permanent lung fibroblasts cell line derived from Chinese hamsters), hepatocytes and Vero cells (from monkey kidney) was verified low toxicity of the streptomycin in the endpoints targets (neutral red uptake, nucleic acid content and tetrazolium reduction). However, microparticles of PHBV with and without drug demonstrated an alteration in the lysosome that it could have been caused by the presence of poly vinylic alcohol (PVA) in the particles surfaces. The antimicrobial activity of free and encapsulated streptomycin against Escherichia coli was demonstrated. A smaller efficiency of encapsulated drug than the free one was found. However, in the tests against Streptococcus lentus was verified larger efficiency of the free drug than the encapsulated one. / Mestrado / Físico-Química / Mestre em Química

A poluição do solo por uso de derivados de petróleo como o grupo de hidrocarbonetos denominado de BTEX (benzeno, tolueno, etil-benzeno e xilenos), apresenta grande risco às comunidades residentes próximas a esses locais. Esses compostos são tóxicos, comprovadamente cancerígenos e podem levar uma pessoa a morte, mesmo em concentrações extremamente baixas. O cidadão, muitas vezes não tem noção do que sejam estes contaminantes e o grande perigo que representam. Milhares de residências têm sido construídas sobre resíduos perigosos que continuam ativos, emitindo gases e/ou contaminando o lençol freático. Em particular, na região de Cubatão, o problema se agrava com o uso indevido de águas de rios e riachos, que por um processo de percolação, acabam sendo contaminados pelos poluentes presentes no solo, podendo ocorrer de o ponto de coleta de água ser próximo a um sítio contaminado. Este estudo relata o isolamento e caracterização de 4 cepas de bactérias isoladas de um solo contaminado com BTEX em Cubatão-SP, através da técnica de enriquecimento seletivo de culturas. A idéia é que estas cepas possam ser utilizadas em futuros processos de biorremediação (tratamento) destes solos. Além disso, o trabalho conta com o auxílio de programas sócio-ambientais existentes no Centro de Capacitação e Pesquisa em Meio Ambiente (CEPEMA-POLI-USP) os quais tem como um dos objetivos conscientizar a população carente cubatense, que faz uso indevido da água contaminada, aos perigos da exposição ao BTEX. / Contaminated soils by hydrocarbons known as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene), represent a risk to communities who live close to these places. These compounds are toxic, carcinogenic and can cause death to people, even in extremely small concentrations. Citizens often have no idea who and how hazardous are these contaminants. Millions of homes have been built on dangerous actives wastes, emitting gases and contaminating the groundwater. In particular, the problem is worst in Cubatão due inappropriate use of water from rivers and streams, which by a percolation process, contaminate soil. Most of times the water collected points are near from the contaminated site. This study reports the successful isolation and characterization of 4 bacteria strains isolated from an industrial soil in Cubatão-Brazil, using a culture enrichment technique. The idea is use these microorganisms in future soils bioremediation processes (treatment). This work have as partners, social and environmental programs from the Center for Training and Environmental Research (CEPEMA-POLI-USP), which has as goal educate poor people against dangers of BTEX.

Thesis advisor: Heather C. Olins / This study creates a protocol to investigate microplastics in local freshwater wetlands surrounding Boston College. This study also investigated potential plastic-degrading bacteria in the sediment of local freshwater wetlands. A list of potential plastic-degrading bacterial species and genera were compiled from the literature. Using these compiled lists, we searched for these potential plastic-degrading organisms in our metagenomics and 16S datasets. Looking for potential correlations between abiotic factors and the abundance of potential plastic-degrading bacteria, for both data sets, it was found that sandy sediment had a higher abundance of potential plastic-degrading bacteria than non-sandy sediment. Finally, our list of plastic-degrading bacterial species was cross-referenced with a previously compiled list of potential pathogens. Of the 26 taxa in our sites that were identified as potential plastic-degrading bacteria, 57.69% of those taxa are also potentially pathogenic to humans. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Orientador: Paulo Renato Matos Lopes / Resumo: O herbicida tebuthiuron é largamente utilizado na cultura da cana-de-açúcar e pode acarretar prejuízos ao ambiente devido seu elevado potencial tóxico e alta persistência no solo. Assim, esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de espécies vegetais em diminuir a concentração de tebuthiuron no solo com aplicação de vinhaça. A eficiência do processo de biorremediação foi avaliada quanto: ao desenvolvimento vegetal, aos parâmetros físico-químicos do solo e à ecotoxicidade do meio. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação utilizando vasos com solo sem histórico de aplicação do herbicida. As espécies potencialmente fitorremediadoras testadas foram: feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis), feijão-guandu (Cajanus cajan), milheto (Pennisetum glaucum), e mucuna-cinza (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.). Como espécie sentinela foi utilizada a Crotalaria juncea. Ao longo do experimento foram avaliados: o diâmetro do colo, a altura da planta e o número de folhas. Ao final, avaliações de massas fresca e seca foram realizadas para as cinco plantas testadas. A fitotoxicidade das amostras nos tratamentos foi determinada nos tempos inicial (zero) e final (50 dias), utilizando sementes de alface como organismos-teste. Os resultados revelaram que o feijão-de-porco e o feijão-guandu não resistiram a presença do herbicida. O milheto apresentou o menor índice de mortalidade e também o melhor desempenho em solos na presença do tebuhiuron associado ou não à vinhaça. Baseado em seu des... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The herbicide tebuthiuron is widely used in sugarcane cultivation and can cause damage to the environment due to its high toxic potential and high soil persistence. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the potential of plant species in decreasing tebuthiuron concentration in the soil with vinasse application. The efficiency of the bioremediation process was evaluated for: plant development, soil physicochemical parameters and environment ecotoxicity. To evaluate these parameters, the experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using pots with soil with no history of herbicide application. Potential phytoremediation species tested were: jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), millet (Pennisetum glaucum), and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.). As bioindicator species was used Crotalaria juncea. Throughout the experiment were evaluated: the neck diameter, the plant height and the number of leaves. At the end, fresh and dry mass evaluations were performed for the five plants tested. The phytotoxicity of the samples in the treatments was determined at the initial (zero) and final (50 days) times, using lettuce seeds as test organisms. Results revealed that pigeon bean and jack bean did not resist the herbicide presence. Millet plants showed the lowest mortality rate among all plant species and also presented the best performance in tebuthiuron presence associated or not with vinasse. However, despite of these results for millet, velvet bean was the most suit... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

No description available.

Harmful organic contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, are ubiquitous in coastal marine ecosystems around the world, a problem that will only be exacerbated with rising sea level and increased inundation of coastal urban areas. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the fate of these contaminants following their deposition on marine sediment, where they can potentially persist for long periods of time. As organic carbon remineralization rates depend on the respiration process employed by the bacteria in the sediment, it was the goal of this study to determine how the sediment redox environment, with an emphasis on Fe redox chemistry, affects the biodegradation of recalcitrant petroleum hydrocarbon compounds. While amendment of natural sediment with Fe minerals that are commonly transported to coastal areas following erosion from continental crust did successfully catalyze Fe reduction and inhibit sulfate reduction, the effect on the hydrocarbon biodegradation rate was negligible. However, inoculation of the sediment with Shewanella oneidensis, an exoelectrogenic, Fe reducing bacteria known to catalyze the degradation of hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil, did significantly affect the redox environment and sediment microbial communities and alter the pattern of hydrocarbon loss in the sediment over time. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are chlorinated organic compounds, which belong to persistent organic pollutants and exhibit various modes of toxic action, including mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption. PCBs were manufactured during the 20th century in many countries and extensively used due to their advantageous physicochemical properties. PCBs mostly served as insulating liquids in electrical equipment; however, they were also utilized in many open applications. Despite the worldwide ban on PCB manufacture imposed at the end of the 20th century, the contamination of the environment persists to this day as a result of their recalcitrance. Moreover, PCBs are still being inadvertently produced during many industrial activities. Because of their stability, the breakdown of PCBs in nature is extremely slow. This dissertation thesis focuses on the study of PCB biodegradation by ligninolytic fungi. This group of microorganisms belongs to the most promising, especially in regard to the degradation of organic pollutants. The biodegradation mechanism of PCBs was studied in vitro, including the identification of degradation intermediates. Laccase, an enzyme expressed by the oyster mushroom (strain Pleurotus ostreatus 3004), was able to degrade hydroxylated PCBs. In addition, chlorinated...

No description available.