Orientador: Pedro de Oliva Neto / Banca: Valéria Marta Gomes de Lima / Banca: Ivanise Guilherme Branco / Resumo: Xanthomonas campestris é uma bactéria fitopatogênica que causa a podridão negra no sistema vascular das plantas da família das cruciferaceaes. Produz um exopolissacarídeo denominado goma xantana, que possui propriedades reológicas únicas sendo utilizada amplamente como agente de suspensão, espessante, emulsionante e estabilizante. É aplicados em indústrias petrolíferas, alimentícias, farmacêuticas, mineração, têxtil, termoquímicas, tintas, cosméticos e produtos agropecuários. O Brasil é um grande produtor mundial de cana de açúcar e álcool etílico. Produtos estes utilizados para a produção de xantana; o primeiro como substrato da fermentação e o segundo para a separação da goma. Apesar de todo esse potencial, o Brasil importa grande quantidade de goma xantana que poderá ser produzida com grande competitividade internacional. Portanto, este trabalho objetivou a utilização da técnica de irradiação ultravioleta, em uma linhagem específica de Xanthomonas campestris, para a obtenção de mutantes estáveis que possam melhorar o rendimento e/ou qualidade de goma obtida. A quantificação foi realizada através da determinação da biomassa, viscosidade, cálculos do rendimento da biomassa e goma. A irradiação UV por 600 segundos causou uma redução de 92,2% na população irradiada e as linhagens sobreviventes foram isoladas e analisadas nos testes de produção e viscosidade da goma xantana. As linhagens I6, I7, I9 e I10 apresentaram um aumento de 102% na produção de goma comparando com a linhagem não irradiada. Em relação à viscosidade do caldo, as linhagens irradiadas obtiveram um aumento de 48% comparadas com as não irradiadas de 20 e 30 rpm. A viscosidade da solução de goma xantana 1%, também foram superiores quando comparadas com a não irradiada. O aumento de...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Xanthomonas campestris is fitopatogenic bacterium that causes the black rotten in the vascular system of the plants of the family of the cruciferaceaes. It produces an exopolysaccharides that forms the xanthan gum, which is used in ample variety as agent of suspension, thicker, emulsifier and stabilizing, and singular rheological properties. It is applied in petroliferous, nourishing, pharmaceutical industries, of mining, textile, thermo chemistries, inks, cosmetics and farming products. Brazil is the worldwide producing greater of sugar cane of sugar and ethyl alcohol. Products theses used for the xanthan production; the first one as substratum of the fermentation, and the second as for the separation of the gum. Despite all this potential, the Brazil imports lot of xanthan gum that could be produced with great international competitiveness. This aimming work the used of the ultraviolet technique of irradiation in a specific strain of Xanthomonas campestris to obtain the mutants that can improve the income and/or quality of produced gum, through the determination of the biomass, viscosity, calculations of the income of the biomass and gum. The UV irradiation during 60 seconds caused a reduce of the 92.2% in the irradiated strains and the survived strains were isolated and analysed in the tests of production and viscosity of xanthan gum. The strains I6, I7, I9 e I10 showed increased in the xanthan production of 102% comparing with the non-irradiated strain. In relation the viscosity of the broth the irradiated strains the increase of 48% in shear rate of 20 and 30 rpm compared with the no irrdiated. The viscosity of the xanthan solution 1% irradiated were higher also whwn compared with no irradiated in both shear rate (20 and 30 rpm. The increase of viscosity was of 17% to rotational speed of 20 rpm and 16% to 30 rpm. The ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Este trabalho utilizou glicerol como fonte de carbono na obtenção de biopolímero a partir de fermentação com fungos do cerrado. Foram utilizados quatro diferentes micro-organismos com o objetivo de converter glicerol em biopolímeros. Os micro-organismos testados foram: Mucor racemosus Fresenius, Monilia sitophila, Fusarium sp, e Acremonium sp. Para cada microrganismo realizou-se ensaios exploratórios, afim de selecionar cepas capazes de converter glicerol no bioproduto de interesse. No primeiro teste exploratório, com 168 horas de fermentação, o micro-organismo Mucor racemosus Fresenius, apresentou formação de 1 g/L de biopolímero. As variáveis avaliadas nos ensaios posteriores (em erlenmyer) foram em sequência cronológica: concentração inicial de glicerol; tempo de fermentação; tempo de cultivo do inóculo em meio Czapeck; ensaios com aeração contínua; avaliação da reposição de meio durante a fermentação; avaliação da vazão de ar; avaliação da influência da aeração aplicada em duas fases no crescimento celular e na produção do biopolímero; avaliação do efeito da adição de extrato de levedura sobre a produção de goma e avaliação da produção de goma sem adição do glicerol. Dentre as condições estudadas identificou-se como mais promissoras: concentração inicial de glicerol de 50 g/L, 2 g/L de extrato de levedura, com tempo de fermentação de 96 horas e com agitação de 100 rpm, 120 horas de idade de cultivo do inóculo, sistema com aeração empregando vazão de ar de 4 vvm na fase de produção (72 horas após as 24 h sem aeração), sem reposição de meio de cultivo. Nestas condições houve uma produção máxima de 14,21 g/L de goma formada e 67,7% consumo de glicerol. Após estes ensaios foi realizado o ensaio cinético em fermentador Biostat B de capacidade de 2L, com volume útil de 1L, para avaliar o desempenho do fungo na produção do biopolímero nas melhores condições estabelecidas de processo. Nesta etapa foi gerada uma produção de 23 g/L de goma e consumo de glicerol de 75%. A análise do espectro de infravermelho da goma produzida comparada a goma xanthana mostrou, que as gomas possuem natureza de carboidrato. / The present work used glycerol as a carbon source to obtain bio-based products from fermentation with fungi. It was used four different microorganisms in order to convert glycerol into biopolymers and biosurfactants. The microorganisms tested were: Mucor racemosus Fresenius, Monilia sitophila, Fusarium sp and Acremonium sp. For each microorganism exploratory tests were held in order to select strains capable of converting glycerol in bio-based products of interest. In the first exploratory test of 168 hours fermentation, the microorganism Mucor racemosus Fresenius showed the formation of 1 g/L biopolímero.As variables evaluated in subsequent tests (in Erlenmyer) are in chronological order: the concentration of glycerol; fermentation time; cultivation time of inoculum amid Czapeck; trials with continuous aeration; review the replacement of the medium during fermentation;review of the flow rate; evaluate the influence of aeration applied in two stages in cell growth and production of the biopolymer; assessing the effect of adding yeast extract on gum production and evaluation of gum production without addition of glycerol. These assays have promoted the following results: glycerol concentration of 50 g/L 2 g/L yeast extract with fermentation time of 96 hours with agitation of 100 rpm and 120 hours of culture age of the inoculum, aeration system using flow rate of 4 vvm in the production phase (72 hours after the 24 h without aeration) without replacement of culture medium. Under these conditions there was a maximum yield of 14.21 g/L and 67.7% gum formed consumption glicerol. After these tests the kinetic assay was performed in Biostat B fermenter with a capacity of 2L, with a working volume of 1L to evaluate the performance of the fungi in the production of biopolymer in the best conditions established process. In this step has been generated an output of 23 g/L of starch and glycerol consumption of 75%. The analysis of the infrared spectrum of the biopolymer produced compared to xanthana gum showed that biopolymers have carbohydrate nature. / Dissertação (Mestrado)

A preocupação com o meio ambiente tem gerado discussões em torno da sustentabilidade ambiental. Neste ponto, o design pode contribuir com o desenvolvimento de produtos voltados para a redução de impactos ambientais. Visando a colaboração do design com a preservação do meio ambiente, uma possível alternativa encontra- se na aplicação de materiais biodegradáveis em soluções de design. Dessa forma, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo geral investigar a viabilidade de aplicação dos compósitos biodegradáveis à base de biopolímero poli(butileno adipato-co-tereftalato e poli(ácido lático) com fibras de curauá no design de produto. Para isso, inicialmente foi realizado um mapeamento em torno de artigos que visam o desenvolvimento e a caracterização de compósitos biodegradáveis que utilizam fibras vegetais brasileiras como reforço. Este levantamento resultou em um panorama de pesquisas da área, os tipos de materiais que compõe os compósitos biodegradáveis, os tratamentos utilizados nas fibras e os aditivos na matriz, as formas de processamento e as propriedades mecânicas. A partir destas propriedades foi possível verificar os materiais que possuem propriedades semelhantes, e assim, averiguar em que tipo de produtos são empregados estes materiais, para posteriormente, examinar o emprego de compósitos biodegradáveis nestas aplicações. Desse modo, foi possível realizar o prognóstico de aplicações para os compósitos biodegradáveis. Na sequência do trabalho, realizou-se um estudo de caso em torno dos compósitos biodegradáveis, a fim de verificar a viabilidade de aplicação destes materiais. Utilizou-se a técnica de entrevistas semi estruturadas com designers de produto, que resultou na relação de atributos tangíveis, intangíveis com possíveis aplicações para os referidos compósitos. / Concern for the environment has generated discussions on environmental sustainability. At this poin, the design can contribute to the development of products designed to reduce environmental impacts. Aiming at the design collaboration with the preservation of the environment, a possible alternative is the use of biodegradable materials in design solutions. Thus, this research aims at investigating the feasibility of application of composite biopolymer based biodegradable poly (butylene adipate -co- terephthalate and poly (lactic acid) fiber curauá in product design. Initially we conducted a mapping around articles aimed at the development and characterization of biodegradable composites using Brazilian vegetable fibers as reinforcement. This survey resulted in an overview of research in the area, the types of materials that make up the biodegradable composites, the treatments used in the fibers and additives in matrix, forms processing and mechanical properties. based on these properties was possible to verify that the materials have similar properties, and thus determine what kind of products are used these materials to further examine the use of biodegradable composites in these applications. Thus, it was possible to perform the prediction of applications for biodegradable composites, following the study, there was a case study around biodegradable composites in order to verify the feasibility of these materials. to do this, we used the technique of semi-structured interviews with product designers, which resulted in the ratio of tangible attributes, intangible assets with potential applications for these composites.

A preocupação com o meio ambiente tem gerado discussões em torno da sustentabilidade ambiental. Neste ponto, o design pode contribuir com o desenvolvimento de produtos voltados para a redução de impactos ambientais. Visando a colaboração do design com a preservação do meio ambiente, uma possível alternativa encontra- se na aplicação de materiais biodegradáveis em soluções de design. Dessa forma, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo geral investigar a viabilidade de aplicação dos compósitos biodegradáveis à base de biopolímero poli(butileno adipato-co-tereftalato e poli(ácido lático) com fibras de curauá no design de produto. Para isso, inicialmente foi realizado um mapeamento em torno de artigos que visam o desenvolvimento e a caracterização de compósitos biodegradáveis que utilizam fibras vegetais brasileiras como reforço. Este levantamento resultou em um panorama de pesquisas da área, os tipos de materiais que compõe os compósitos biodegradáveis, os tratamentos utilizados nas fibras e os aditivos na matriz, as formas de processamento e as propriedades mecânicas. A partir destas propriedades foi possível verificar os materiais que possuem propriedades semelhantes, e assim, averiguar em que tipo de produtos são empregados estes materiais, para posteriormente, examinar o emprego de compósitos biodegradáveis nestas aplicações. Desse modo, foi possível realizar o prognóstico de aplicações para os compósitos biodegradáveis. Na sequência do trabalho, realizou-se um estudo de caso em torno dos compósitos biodegradáveis, a fim de verificar a viabilidade de aplicação destes materiais. Utilizou-se a técnica de entrevistas semi estruturadas com designers de produto, que resultou na relação de atributos tangíveis, intangíveis com possíveis aplicações para os referidos compósitos. / Concern for the environment has generated discussions on environmental sustainability. At this poin, the design can contribute to the development of products designed to reduce environmental impacts. Aiming at the design collaboration with the preservation of the environment, a possible alternative is the use of biodegradable materials in design solutions. Thus, this research aims at investigating the feasibility of application of composite biopolymer based biodegradable poly (butylene adipate -co- terephthalate and poly (lactic acid) fiber curauá in product design. Initially we conducted a mapping around articles aimed at the development and characterization of biodegradable composites using Brazilian vegetable fibers as reinforcement. This survey resulted in an overview of research in the area, the types of materials that make up the biodegradable composites, the treatments used in the fibers and additives in matrix, forms processing and mechanical properties. based on these properties was possible to verify that the materials have similar properties, and thus determine what kind of products are used these materials to further examine the use of biodegradable composites in these applications. Thus, it was possible to perform the prediction of applications for biodegradable composites, following the study, there was a case study around biodegradable composites in order to verify the feasibility of these materials. to do this, we used the technique of semi-structured interviews with product designers, which resulted in the ratio of tangible attributes, intangible assets with potential applications for these composites.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2017-05-10T14:07:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese - MICHELLE GALINDO DE OLIVEIRA.pdf: 3250688 bytes, checksum: 733ff03fc983cb5b86b68f40df163b29 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-10T14:07:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese - MICHELLE GALINDO DE OLIVEIRA.pdf: 3250688 bytes, checksum: 733ff03fc983cb5b86b68f40df163b29 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-25 / Os produtos cárneos apresentam alto consumo mundial e devido as suas propriedades nutricionais constituem ambiente favorável para o desenvolvimento de micro-organismos patogênicos. A indústria de alimentos vem tentando reduzir os níveis de aditivos químicos e investindo em pesquisa de compostos naturais que tenham ação conservante. A quitosana é um polímero natural que apresenta aplicações em alimentos, pois dentre suas várias propriedades destaca-se sua ação antimicrobiana Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a ação antimicrobiana da quitosana na inibição de cepas patogênicas (Staphylococcus aureus e Listeria monocytogenes) em hambúrgueres elaborados, bem como acompanhar a vida de prateleira e aceitação sensorial deste produto formulado. Os testes para determinar a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) da quitosana, foram realizados através da técnica de microdiluição. Os testes em matriz alimentar foram realizados em hambúrgueres infectados por S. aureus e L. monocytogenes, por meio da contagem de células viáveis nos intervalos de 1, 3, 5,7, 9, 11, 13, 15 e 30 dias. Ademais, no produto cárneo preparado, com e sem quitosana, foram realizadas análises microbiológicas, físico-químicas, sensorial mensalmente durante o período de 4 meses para verificação da vida de prateleira. O teste sensorial dos hambúrgueres elaborados, com e sem quitosana, foi avaliado através de uma escala hedônica. Observou-se que a quitosana apresentou efeito bactericida e bacteriostático para ambas bactérias, sendo CIM 2,5mg.mL-1 e CBM 5,0mg.mL-1. Nos hambúrgueres previamente infectados por cada micro-organismo, as concentrações de 2,5 e 5,0mg.mL-1 de quitosana apresentaram efeito similar nos patógenos testados. Durante o armazenamento não ocorreram alterações prejudiciais às características sensoriais e microbiológicas devido à interação da quitosana com os demais constituintes dos hambúrgueres. A partir dos resultados obtidos foi possível observar que a quitosana foi capaz de inibir o crescimento de cepas patogênicas em hambúrgueres. Hambúrgueres adicionados de quitosana apresentaram estabilidade durante 120 dias à -18oC. Dessa forma a quitosana pode ser considerada uma alternativa viável na preservação de alimentos, podendo ser utilizada como conservante natural em hambúrguer. Este estudo contribui de forma significativa não somente para a comunidade científica, mas também para as indústrias de produtos cárneos, uma vez que o importante achado da utilização de quitosana pode auxiliar no controle destes patógenos de maneira saudável, segura e saborosa, isto é, do ponto de vista nutricional, microbiológico e sensorial, respectivamente. / The meat products have high global consumption and because of its nutritional properties contribute to the development of pathogenic micro-organisms. The food industry has been trying to reduce levels of chemical additives and investing in research of natural compounds that have preservative action. Chitosan is a natural polymer with many applications in food, because among its various property stands out for its antimicrobial action This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of chitosan in inhibiting pathogenic strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) in elaborate burgers, and monitor its shelf life and check the sensory acceptance of the formulated product. Tests to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of chitosan were performed by broth microdilution technique. The tests were conducted in the food matrix into hamburger infected by S. aureus and L. monocytogenes, through the viable cell count in the ranges of 1, 3, 5,7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 30 days. Ademas in prepared meat product, with and without chitosan were carried out microbiological, physical-chemical, sensory monthly during the period of four months shelf life for verification. The sensory test of the elaborate hamburgers with and without chitosan was evaluated using a hedonic scale. It was observed that chitosan inhibited the growth of bacteria tested, with static and lished effect similar for both bacteria, MIC being 2,5mg.mL 5,0mg.mL-1 and CBM-1. In burgers previously infected by each microorganism, concentrations of 2.5 and 1 5,0mg.mL-chitosan exhibited a similar effect on the tested pathogens. During storage there were no detrimental changes to the organoleptic and microbiological characteristics due to the interaction of chitosan with the other constituents of the burgers. From the results obtained it was observed that chitosan was able to inhibit the growth of pathogenic strains burgers. Hamburgers added chitosan remained stable for 120 days at -18° C. Thus chitosan can be considered a viable alternative in the preservation of foods and can be used as a natural preservative in hamburger. This study makes a significant contribution not only to the scientific community, but also for industries of meat products, since the important finding of the use of chitosan can help control these pathogens of healthy, safe and tasty way, that is, from the point nutritional, microbiological and sensory view, respectively

L’électrospinning est un procédé couramment utilisé pour la fabrication de membranes nanofibreuses non-tissées. Ces membranes sont particulièrement intéressantes pour des applications tels que l’ingénierie tissulaire et la libération contrôlée de médicaments car elles sont très poreuses et ont une large surface spécifique. Dans une première partie, nous avons développé une nouvelle stratégie afin de contrôler la morphologie et la dimension des fibres fabriquées par electrospinning. Puis nous avons développé un composite fait de nanofibres de PLA et de microparticules de PEG auto-organisé, créant des motifs en nid d’abeilles qui grandissent avec l’épaisseur de la membrane. Ces membranes auto-organisées ont une structure poreuse dont la dimension des pores va de quelques microns à plusieurs centaines de microns. Enfin, deux modèles ont été développés pour une libération contrôlée d’un composé model : la délivrance retardée par l’élaboration de structure sandwich et la libération directionnnelle par la création d’un gradient de concentration avec différentes cinétiques. / Electrospinning is widely used for the synthesis of nanofibrous non-woven membranes. The fabricated electrospun membranes have high porosity and high surface to volume ratio; they are thus suitable for many applications such as sensing, tissue engineering or drug delivery. In the present work, the first focus was on the fabrication of electrospun fibers with controlled morphology and dimension. Then A self-organized honeycomb-like composite made of simultaneously electrosprayed PEG microparticles and PLA electrospun fibers was developed. The obtained composite mat exhibits a hierarchical, porous structure with pore sizes ranging from few microns up to several hundreds of microns. Finally, a method tailoring the hydrophobicity of drug loaded nanofibrous membranes by the incorporation of electrosprayed PEG microparticles was developed.

Clay minerals have historically played a consequential role in human health. While the beginnings were rooted in geophagy, a primitive act of consuming earth, the health-related uses of clay minerals have evolved and diversified over time. As excipients in pharmaceutical formulations, clay minerals can attribute novel properties onto intercalated compounds. Intercalating oxybenzone, a UV filter, within the interlamellar space of montmorillonite is desirable in order to minimize direct contact with skin. Intercalating resveratrol, a compound known for attributing beneficial effects onto human health, may be advantageous since this compound is susceptible to cis-trans isomerisation. The strategy of using alkylammonium–modified clay was undertaken and proved successful for the intercalation of oxybenzone. The field of biopolymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is heavily researched for use in a multitude of applications. Novel montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared with neutral guar gum and cationic guar gum, using an environmentally friendly process and are fully characterized.

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is an alternative material that has been widely studied to enhance the mechanical properties of a polymer matrix due to a number of perceived advantages over traditional plant fibre forms. Mechanical properties of MFC networks were found to depend on parameters such as the modulus of fibrils, bonding strength, porosity, degree of crystallinity, contact area of fibrils and possibly the modulus of the cellulose crystals of the raw materials (cellulose I or II). Even though the longer processing time used to produce MFC was found to yield networks with fewer fibre aggregates, finer fibrils and higher density, some properties, for instance thermal stability and degree of crystallinity, decreased due to the degradation of fibrils caused by the harsh treatment. The aims of this thesis were to assess the mechanical properties and interfaces of composites produced using of a range of MFC materials, prepared using different treatments and from different sources. Raman spectroscopy has been used to detect the molecular orientation of cellulose chains within an MFC network, and to monitor the deformation micromechanics of MFC networks. The Raman band initially located at ~1095 cm-1 obtained from MFC networks was observed to shift towards a lower wavenumber position upon the application of tensile deformation. The intensity of this band as a function of rotation angle of MFC networks was similar, indicating randomly oriented networks of fibrils. From the Raman band shift rate data, the effective moduli of MFC single fibrils produced from pulp were estimated to be in the range of 29-41 GPa. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites reinforced with MFC networks were prepared using compression moulding. Enhanced mechanical properties of MFC reinforced composites were reported, compared to neat PLA films. The mechanical properties of these composites were found to mainly depend on the interaction of the PLA matrix and the reinforcement phase. The mechanical properties of the composites reinforced with dense networks were shown to be dominated by the network properties (fibril-fibril interactions), while matrix-fibril interactions played a major role where more opened networks were used to reinforce a polymer matrix. The penetration of the matrix into the network was found to depend on the pore sizes, fibre width and porosity within the network. It was found that the matrix easily penetrates into the network with a range of mean fibril dimensions, rather than for networks with only fine fibrils present. The stress-transfer process in MFC reinforced PLA composites was monitored using Raman spectroscopy. Greater Raman band shift rates with respect to tensile deformation for the composites were observed compared to pure MFC networks. This indicates that stress is transferred from the PLA matrix to MFC fibrils, supporting the enhancement of the mechanical properties of the composites.

Different factors such as growing environmental awareness due to the increasing negative impact of persistent plastic wastes, the uncontrollable price variations of the raw material and the rapid depletion of  reserves have increased the interest in research regarding polymers derived from renewable sources to replace petroleum-based materials. One of the earth’s most abundant macromolecules is cellulose. The production of cellulose from another resource replaces and reduces the demand from plants, the other resource being cellulose from a bacterial system. Bcaterial cellulose film were produced by fermenting apple waste (apple pomace) from cider production donated by Herrljunga Cider in Herrljunga, Sweden and expired fruit juice, produced by LoveJuice Indonesia, containing a mixture of fruits, mainly apple. As inoculum for the fermentations two different Kombucha cultures were used. To optimize the fermentation conditions, factors such as nitrogen source, sugar content, temperature, pH, surface area, sterilization of the substrate, culture condition and fermentation time was varied to obtain the desired result. The bacterial cellulose films were dried at 50-70 °C in an oven, air-dried or freeze-dried to evaluate the impact of drying technique on the final material. The behavior of the microorganism during fermentation was monitored by sampling and observation. The consumption rate of carbohydrates was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The properties of the obtained biofilms were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile testing and determination of cellulose content in the obtained biofilms. Two different sugar concentrations (35 g/l and 70 g/l) and three different caffeine concentrations (0 g/l, 150 g/l and 225 g/l) as nitrogen source were investigated to determine the best condition. A control batch of conventional (black tea and 70 g/l table sugar) Kombucha was used as reference. The highest tensile strength (50 MPa) and thermal stability was observed in the biofilms with the highest yield that had been dried in oven. The biofilms obtained by fermenting apple pomace from the cider industry showed the highest tensile strength and highest thermal stability in comparison to fermenting expired fruit juice. The biofilm obtained by fermenting apple waste(sugar concentration 70 g/l) in combination with sterilizing the substrate without adding any nitrogen source, dried in an oven and purified using 0,1 M NaOH resulted in the highest tensile strength, highest thermal stability and the purest biofilm from a visual aspect. The highest yield was observed in the fermentation of apple pomace (sugar concentration 70 g/l) from the cider industry without sterilization of the initial media with an addition of nitrogen of approximately 450 mg/l). The optimal fermentation period was observed to be 14-15 days, at 25-28 °C under static conditions using a glass vessel with a diameter of 20 cm and an initial pH of 5,5.

This thesis discusses the mesoscopic physics of two examples for soft condensed matter: (i) aeolian sand transport and the ensuing structure formation and (ii) solutions of stiff biopolymers. It emphasizes the impact of a heterogeneous mesoscale structure on the macroscopic phenomenology. For the aeolian sand transport, we start with a coarse-grained description of the collisions between mobile grains and the sand bed. Combining the collision geometry with basic physical principles, like momentum and energy conservation, we derive the full splash statistics as a function of impact velocity and impactor--bed grain-size ratio. This serves as a starting point for attacking the complicated transport statistics of wind-blown sand. Two approaches are proposed: first, a two-species approximation that distinguishes between high-energy rebounding grains and low-energy bed ejecta, second, a statistical description that resolves the full distribution of grain trajectories. While the former provides an ideal framework to accurately predict macroscopic averages, the latter resolves the heterogeneous mesoscale structure of the transport layer. Both approaches are shown to be in excellent agreement with various laboratory and field data. We moreover establish a new perspective on the transport's saturation transients that illustrates the crucial influence of the intermittent turbulent wind fluctuations in the field, thereby resolving a long-standing debate. Eventually, we address the formation of megaripples, an aeolian bedform that is made from strongly polydisperse sand. Combining our proposed theory with long-term field measurements, we clarify the importance of wind-driven sand sorting and, again, intermittent turbulent fluctuations. Our approach suggests to describe the megaripples as down-scaled dunes, as indeed support by various field data for their morphology and migration. In the second part of the thesis, we consider the mesoscale structure and its influence on the viscoelastic response of entangled biopolymer solutions. Their mechanics is determined by the topological entanglements of the filamentous polymers that cannot pass through each other. The tube model for semiflexible polymers represents this effect on a mean-field level, where test filament is confined to a tube-like cage formed by surrounding polymers. We employ it to investigate the solution's mesoscale packing structure and its change under finite shear deformations. Comparing our predictions with systematic computer simulations and experiments, we find the tube deformations to relax quickly after the deformation, while tube alignment and hairpin conformations are found to be long lived. In a second step, we propose a new perspective on the entangled solution's dynamics. Accounting for the nonaffine response at the level of the test filament, and assuming sticky or frictional polymer contacts, we argue that soft bending deformations of the filaments can couple to stiff axial stretching modes. This allows us to explain various experimentally observed similarities of the entangled solutions to crosslinked networks, like the increasing elastic modulus with increasing length and bending rigidity of the filaments or the softening--stiffening transition as a function of polymer concentration, polymer length, deformation rate, and various solvent properties.:I Aeolian sand transport and megaripple formation 1 Introduction 2 The splash process 3 Aeolian sand transport 4 Structure formation 5 Outlook Bibliography II Solutions of stiff biopolymers 6 Introduction 7 Entangled solutions 8 Viscoelastic response Appendix Bibliography Acknowledgments