Neste trabalho a composição do biogás produzido em digestão anaeróbia foi avaliada em função da variação da carga aplicada específica (CAE) medida em termos da relação DQO/sólidos suspensos voláteis. Foram feitos ensaios de digestão anaeróbia utilizando vinhaça como fonte de carbono e lodo adaptado proveniente de reator UASB em 10 frascos reagentes contendo as seguintes variações de CAE: 0,20; 0,28; 0,34; 0,55; 0,95; 3,15; 6,58; 7,00; 9,60; 12,98 g.O2/g.SSV. Os melhores resultados obtidos com relação à produção volumétrica de biogás foram 263,79 mL de volume acumulado de metano para a CAE de 0,34 g.O2/g.SSV, e uma produção máxima acumulada de hidrogênio de 558,06 mL para a CAE de 6,58 g.O2/g.SSV. O resultado não se repetiu com relação ao rendimento de produção de biogás, atingindo um máximo rendimento de 80,68 LCH4/L vinhaça para a CAE de 0,20 g.O2/g.SSV, e 7,98 LH2/L vinhaça para a CAE 3,15 g.O2/g.SSV. A variação da CAE também teve influência direta na rota metabólica da digestão anaeróbia, alterando a concentração de metabólitos dissolvidos. / In this research, the composition of the biogas produced in anaerobic digestion was evaluated according to the variation of the applied load specific (ALS) measured in terms of the ratio COD/volatile suspended solids. Assays were done using anaerobic digestion of vinasse as a source of carbon and sludge obtained from UASB reactor adapted in 10 bottles for the following of ALSs: 0,20, 0,28, 0,34, 0,55, 0,95; 3,15, 6,58, 7,00, 9,60, 12,98 g.O2/g.VSS. The best results concerning to the volumetric biogas production were 263,79 ml cumulative volume of methane for ALS equal to 0,34 g.O2/g.VSS, and a maximum cumulative hydrogen production of 558,06 mL for ALS of 6,58 g.O2/g.VSS. The same was not observed with respect to yield biogas production, reaching a maximum yield of 80.68 LCH4/Lvinasse for ALS of 0,20 g.O2/g.VSS and 7,98 LH2/Lvinasse for ALS of 3,15 g.O2/g.VSS. The variation of ALS also has a direct influence on the metabolic pathway of anaerobic digestion, altering the concentration of dissolved metabolites.

Problems about greenhouse gas emissions attributed to cattle production and improvements in the productivity of these animals has been growing and becoming increasingly important. Cattle releases methane as part of their digestive process, and this represents loss of energy for the animal. The decomposition of feces releases methane and it can be recovered by digester and transformed into different types of energy. Thus, aiming to quantify the potential production of enteric methane and anaerobic fecal decomposition, as well as to evaluate ruminal and behavioral parameters of cattle fed with cottonseed and vitamin E. Six cannulated cows (864±16 kg) were distributed in a replicate 3x3 Latin square. Treatments were: 1) control diet; 2) CS: basal diet plus 30% cottonseed and 3) CSVitE: basal diet plus 30% of cottonseed plus 500 UI of vitamin E. Results were compared through orthogonal contrast and values were considered significant when P0,05. No differences were observed for dry matter intake (DMI), as well as digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Animals supplemented with cottonseed spent more time eating and ruminating and less time in idles. Reduction in the concentration and production of acetate, butyrate and the acetate: propionate ratio was observed in animals fed cottonseed compared to the control. Enteric methane mitigation was observed for the cottonseed treatments compared to the control. Changes in the substrates characteristics used to load the digesters were observed. However, no differences were verified for the total biogas production, methane yield and capacity to recover the energy of the feces in the form of methane. Inclusion of 30% cottonseed can be used as a strategy to mitigate enteric methane, without causing losses in the DMI, nutrients digestibility and anaerobic digestion of feces. In addition, it promoted favorable changes in the ingestive behavior, ruminal fermentation products, as well as in the energy partition of the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin E when is used as antioxidant had not effect on ruminal fermentation, feeding behavior and feces anaerobic digestion, thus the inclusion is not advised due absence of positive results. / A problemática das emissões de gases de efeito estufa atribuída à produção de bovinos e melhorias na produtividade desses animais vem crescendo e se tornando cada vez mais importante. Bovinos emitem metano como parte do seu processo digestivo, e isto representa perda de energia para o animal. A decomposição das fezes gera metano, este pode ser recuperado por biodigestores e transformado em diferentes tipos de energia. Assim, objetivou-se quantificar o potencial de produção do metano entérico e da decomposição anaeróbia das fezes, bem como avaliar parâmetros ruminais e comportamentais de bovinos alimentados com caroço de algodão e vitamina E. Foram utilizadas seis vacas fistuladas não gestantes e não lactantes (876 kg±16). Os tratamentos foram: 1) Controle: dieta basal; 2) CA: dieta basal mais 30% de caroço de algodão; 3) CAVitE: dieta basal mais 30% de caroço de algodão mais 500 UI vitamina E. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o quadrado latino. Os resultados foram comparados por contrastes ortogonais e foram considerados significantes valores de P0,05. Não foram verificadas diferenças para o consumo de matéria seca (MS), bem como digestibilidade da MS e da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN). Os animais suplementados com caroço de algodão passaram maior tempo comendo e ruminando e menor tempo em ócio. Houve redução na concentração e produção de acetato, butirato e da relação acetato:propionato dos animais que receberam caroço de algodão comparado ao controle. A inclusão do caroço de algodão provocou mitigação das emissões de metano entérico. Houve alteração nas características dos substratos utilizados para abastecer os biodigestores. No entanto, não foram verificadas diferenças para a produção total de biogás, rendimento de metano e capacidade dos biodigestores em recuperar a energia das fezes na forma de metano. A inclusão de 30% caroço de algodão pode ser utilizada como estratégia para mitigar metano entérico, sem causar perdas no consumo, digestibilidade dos alimentos e na biodigestão anaeróbia das fezes. Além disso, sua inclusão promoveu alterações favoráveis no comportamento ingestivo, nos produtos da fermentação ruminal, bem como na partição de energia do trato gastrointestinal. A vitamina E quando utilizada como antioxidante não possui efeitos sobre a fermentação ruminal, comportamento ingestivo e biodigestão anaeróbia das fezes, assim sua inclusão não é indicada devido a ausência de resultados favoráveis a sua utilização.

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Le séquençage du génome de nombreux organismes, en particulier le génome humain, n'a pas bien élucidé les mécanismes qui relient les génes aux fonctions biologiques et aux divers états pathologiques. Par conséquent, une nouvelle approche en science et en médecine - baptisé analyse protéomique - est émergée pour mieux comprendre la complexité cellulaire, pour la découverte de nouveaux marqueurs des pathologies humaines et pour le développement de nouveaux médicaments. Aujourd'hui, l'analyse protéomique est une discipline scientifique en pleine croissance. La nouvelle tendance à la miniaturisation de l'analyse biologique et des dispositifs associés, constatée depuis environ une décennie, a touché l'analyse protéomique. Cette tendance à la miniaturisation trouve ses justifications dans le gain à attendre en termes de vitesse et de débit d'analyse et en terme d'optimisation des analyses. Un haut débit d'analyse est à espérer du fait de la suppression de manipulation intense pour et entre les différentes étapes et également d'une automatisation des analyses avec l'utilisation d'une interface robotisée qui manipule les systèmes. Par ailleurs, cette miniaturisation s'accompagne d'un gain en sensibilité des analyses. Dans ce contexte général, l'objectif de ce travail de thèse et de développer de nouveaux dispositifs et supports chromatographiques miniatures, basés sur les monolithes à base de monomères méthacrylate pour la préparation des échantillons protéomiques. Cette préparation comporte la digestion, la purification, la séparation et l'enrichissement de certaines espèces, notamment les peptides phosphorylés. / The sequencing of the genome of many organizations, especially the human genome, did not elucidate the mechanisms that Iink genes to biological functions and the various pathological states. Therefore, a new approach to science and medicine-called proteomic analysis - has emerged to better understand the complex cell, for the discovery of new markers of human disease and the development of new drugs. Today, proteomic analysis is a scientific discipline growing. The new trend towards miniaturization of biological analysis and related devices, since nearly a decade, has affect proteomic analysis. This trend towards miniaturization has its justifications in the expected gain in terms of speed and flow analysis and optimization in terms of analysis. A high-speed analysis is to be hoped from the abolition of manipulation and intense for the different stages and also an automated analysis with the use of a robotic interface that handles systems. Moreover, this miniaturization is accompanied by a gain in sensitivity analysis. ln this general context, the objective of this thesis work and develop new devices and materials chromatographic miniatures, based on methacrylate monoliths for the preparation of proteomic samples. This preparation includes digestion, purification, separation and enrichment of certain species, including phosphorylated peptides. This work gives me a chance to participate in the BioChipLab consortium, from the GenHomme program of the Ministry of Economy and Finance assembling teams from Lille and Grenoble. The project is run by the pharmaceutical group Sanofi-Synthélabo

Most forage quality models were developed for ruminant nutrition, and may not apply to the horse. This two-part study evaluated the relationship between forage chemical composition and dry matter digestibility (DMD) using an in vitro method with equine feces as the inoculums. The first experiment determined that compared to 48 h of incubation, 72 h of incubation resulted in higher DMD for some forages. As a result of experiment 1, incubations in experiment 2 were conducted using 48 and 72 h incubation periods at 38 degrees C. The second experiment evaluated the effect of chemical composition on DMD. Thirty-one hay samples were used that ranged from 33% to 71% for NDF, 21% to 44% for ADF and 6.7 to 25.6% for CP (all on DMB). There were inverse relationships between ADF and DMD ( r = -0.826 at 48 h; -0.841 at 72 h) and NDF and DMD (r = -0.779 at 48 h; 0.812 at 72 h). There was a positive relationship between CP and DMD (r =0.572 at 48 h; 0.615 at 72 h). Forage chemical composition, particularly ADF and NDF, has potential to predict digestibility of forages by horses.

Research was conducted using algal biomass obtained from the surface of a secondary clarifier at Bridge City Wastewater Treatment Plant and subsequently sent through an electrochemical (EC) batch reactor at various concentrations. The first objective was to achieve maximum cell wall destruction electrochemically using the EC batch reactor and determine the optimal detention time and voltage/current relationship at which this occurred. The second objective was to subject two algal mediums to anaerobic digestion: the algal medium without electrochemical disinfection and the algal medium after disinfection. Every three days, for 12 days, total solids were measured from each apparatus to determine if cell destruction increased, decreased or did not change the consumption rate of algae by anaerobic bacteria. The consumption rate of algae is directly proportional to the production of methane, which can be used as a source of biofuel.

With an ever increasing concern for the environment, different methods of managing organic waste on dairy farms have been explored and analyzed. Anaerobic digestion has long been a popular method of managing organic waste. Its popularity stems from the potential to decrease greenhouse gases, improve air quality and provide a source of additional revenue for the farm. Problems with implementing anaerobic digestion arise from high failure rates, high start-up costs and continuous maintenance and equipment replacement. Subsidies for the initial investment and improved technology have increased the possibility of large-scale dairy farms to adopt anaerobic digestion. Due to economies of scale large-scale dairy farms are more able to adopt anaerobic digestion, but small-scale dairies struggle to finance the investment, maintain the digester system and provide sufficient organic waste to continuously feed the microorganisms inside the digester system. The increasing impact of urbanization greatly impacts the demand for anaerobic digestion on small-scale farms to mitigate the negative effects of organic waste produced by dairy farms. Dr. Conly Hansen at Utah State University suggested we use an IBR digester model to analyze the feasibility of adopting anaerobic digestion on small-scale farms. The IBR digester system is more conducive to small-scale dairies located in regions with varying temperature (i.e., Utah), and may be the solution to mitigate the negative effects of organic farm waste. Dr. Donald McMahon also suggested we analyze the potential of implementing a digester on a dairy farm that produces artisan cheese. We predicted that this would improve the feasibility due to the need to dispose of whey from the cheese production. To determine the feasibility of implementing a digester system on a small-scale dairy farm the net present value and the internal rate of return were calculated to estimate the success of the investment. These financial measures were calculated from equipment price quotes, estimations from the literature review and from using estimated annual receipts and costs for a dairy farm, artisan cheese plant and anaerobic digester system. The feasibility also depends on the success of marketing the products produced from the digester system and the farmer’s participation in incentive programs for digester systems. The products produced vary from electricity to waste disposal services, and marketing an array of diverse products and services is important to the success of the digester system. The feasibility determined by this study was estimated using generalized assumptions from various sources and should be analyzed by individual operations to determine specific farm feasibility.

Origin and purpose of research Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane or DDT as it is more commonly known, was first used extensively by the armed forces in the Pacific Area during World War II. This insecticide is not only a very toxic contact and stomach poison, but also is quite residual on most types of surfaces. Because of these qualities, it was selected to control the malaria mosquito and thus aided in the conquest of many disease-ridden islands of the Pacific. When DDT became available to the general public after the war, it was found not only to be effective against mosquitoes but also many other types of insects. Among these insects are the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica hon.) and lygus bugs (Lygus elisus Van D., Lygus hesperus Knight) that had previously impaired the production of alfalfa in Utah and other areas. Although treatment of alfalfa fields is usually confined to alfalfa for seed production, DDT-dusted alfalfa straw and DDT dusted alfalfa hay are fed to farm livestock. In ruminant animals, microorganisms play an important role in the synthesis of protein from nitrogenous non-protein compounds and also aid in the break-down of many complex plant materials so that they may be more fully utilized by these animals. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of DDT upon the role played by the microflora and fauna of the rumen in the synthesis, digestion and utilization of certain nutrients by dairy calves. Scope Digestion and balance studies were conducted with Holstein bull calves fed different levels of DDT and protein equivalent in the ration. The experiment was designed so that each calf would receive one level of DDT throughout the experiment, and would receive a low protein basal diet plus three additional levels of protein equivalent. These additional protein levels were made up by adding a nitrogenous non-protein compound, urea, to the basal diet to give an increased level of protein equivalent in the diet. The nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus balance and the digestibility of dry matter, protein, and ether extract were determined.

Due to population expiation and the increased awareness of the impact on the environment by wastewater treatment, improved wastewater treatment systems are needed to treat municipal and agricultural wastewater. Treating wastewater with oxygen decreases carbon compounds at the expense of energy to move carbon and oxygen to be in contact with each other. Anaerobic digestion of wastewater can reduce the cost by utilizing microbes to treat high amounts of carbon in wastewater without the need for extensive oxygen requirement. With a proper balance of nutrients, microbes also produce methane, a renewable energy source. It has been suggested that microalgae be utilized to help balance the nitrogen content of wastewater for treatment by microbes. One challenge with the use of algae is the initial breakdown of algae cells. Using a digester with microorganism that can produce methane and decompose algae could enhance production of methane from the digestion of algae. The combination of wastewater, which is high in carbon content relative to nitrogen, with algae, which is high in nitrogen, could provide the balance needed for the microbes to treat wastewater and provide methane. A biomethane potential test was used to compare the ability of two microbe communities, facultative lagoon sediment and anaerobic digester sludge to digest algae. Each microbe community treated dairy, swine, municipal, and petrochemical wastewater augmented with algae and acetate. The ability to degrade augmented wastewater and produce methane was determined by measuring the volume and composition of biogas produced over time. Both treatments were successful in production of methane. Facultative lagoon sediment showed more methane produced per carbon dioxide than anaerobic digester sludge.

Cereal based foods, including breakfast cereals and Asian noodles are potentially good sources of selenium. Although these are major foods consumed globally, their contribution to dietary intakes of selenium is unclear. In addition, there has been very limited research into the effect of processing steps on the analysis and apparent retention of selenium. The low levels typically present in foods and the presence of multiple chemical forms of the element provide significant analytical challenges to research in this area. Therefore, the aims of this study were firstly to evaluate and validate procedures for extraction and measurement of selenium in wheat flour. Secondly, the procedure has been applied to analysis of selenium in cereal foods. The methods employed were firstly validated using wheat-based reference materials and then samples of various breakfast cereals as well as different styles of Asian noodles were analysed. Selenium was extracted using closed- v essels by microwave digestion with a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, followed by determination through Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The optimum conditions for selenium determination in cereal based foods involved the digestion of 0.1 g samples using 1 mL of nitric acid and 1 mL of hydrogen peroxide. The addition of 1% (v/v) methanol was found to enhance the sensitivity of the ICP-MS system. Two particular isotopes of selenium (77 and 82) could be effectively employed in the analysis and there was no significant decrease in total selenium in the digested extracts during storage for up to twelve days under refrigeration and room temperature conditions. Good precision levels were obtained and the total selenium levels in the breakfast cereal samples ranged from 0.059 to 0.378 µg/g. For white salted noodles the values varied between 0.057 and 0.712 µg/g, for yellow alkaline noodles, 0.109 to 0.265 µg/g and 0.077 to 0.284 µg/g for fried instant noodles. There was no appar ent change observed in total selenium during the processing of fried instant noodles, indicating the effectiveness of the extraction method developed here. It is concluded that microwave digestion is an effective approach to sample extraction, the procedures validated in this study are suitable for cereal grain foods and that there is considerable variation in the selenium contents of breakfast cereal and Asian noodle products.