Šiame darbe tiriami polihidroksiliai alkoholiai sacharozė bei glicerolis, kaip ligandų alternatyvos cheminio variavimo sistemoms su reduktoriumi formaldehidu. Tai yra ekologiškos, biologiškai lengvai suyrančios medžiagos. Šiame darbe atlikti šių medžiagų kompleksų pusiausvyros skaičiavimai, eksperimentai parodantys sacharozės bei glicerolio praktinį pritaikomumą cheminio variavimo sistemose. Ultragarso poveikio cheminėms sistemoms dėsningumai dar nėra vienareikšmiškai ištirti ir suprasti. Siekiant padaryti cheminį metalų nusodinimą efektyvesniu pastaruoju metu cheminio metalizavimo procesams bandoma taikyti ultragarsą. Atlikti tyrimai parodė, kad naudojant sacharozę ir glicerolį ligandais cheminio variavimo tirpaluose vario nusėdimo greitis optimaliomis sąlygomis siekia atitinkamai 2,2 ir 3,4 m/h, o chemiškai nusodinto vario paviršiaus šiurkštumo faktoriai varijuoja 8,5-25,3 ir 2,3-4,3 ribose. Analizuojant gautus duomenis stebimos koreliacijos tarp vario nusėdimo greičio, viršįtampio, paviršiaus šiurkštumo faktoriaus, formaldehido anodinės oksidacijos srovių maksimumų priklausomybių nuo pH. Ultragarso panaudojimas cheminio variavimo sistemose keičia vario nusėdimo greičius. Priklausomai nuo pasirinktos cheminio variavimo sistemos, ultragarso dažnio ar jo skleidimo būdo vario nusėdimo greitis sumažėja iki visiško proceso sustabdymo arba gali padidėti 2-5 kartus ir pasiekti dideles vertes (10,87 μm/h). Ultragarso aplinkoje dažniausiai susiformuoja kompaktiškesnės, lygesnės... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / This work investigates polyols – glycerol and sucrose – as an alternative ligand for electroless copper plating systems with reducer formaldehyde. Natural polyols are environmentally friendly, easily bio-degradable materials, but has not been studied enough for suitability for copper plating systems. In order to increase of the efficiency, the electroless copper plating was investigated in ultrasonic milieu to observe how ultrasound impacts the copper plating rate and properties of the obtained coatings. Studies have shown that sucrose and glycerol can be used as ligands in solutions for electroless copper plating. A plating rate of copper under optimum conditions can reach 2.2 m h-1 (sucrose) and 3.4 m h-1 (glycerol) and copper surface roughness factors ranging 8.5 - 25.3 (sucrose) and 2,3 - 4.3 (glycerol). Correlations between dependences on pH observed for copper plating speeds, overpotentials, surface roughness factors, anodic oxidation currents of formaldehyde. A use of ultrasound for electroless copper plating systems change speeds. Depending on the choice of copper plating system and ultrasonic frequency, plating rate can decrease or may increase up to 5 times and can reach high values (10.87 m h-1). The copper surface formed in ultrasound environment more compact, smoother.

This work investigates polyols – glycerol and sucrose – as an alternative ligand for electroless copper plating systems with reducer formaldehyde. Natural polyols are environmentally friendly, easily bio-degradable materials, but has not been studied enough for suitability for copper plating systems. In order to increase of the efficiency, the electroless copper plating was investigated in ultrasonic milieu to observe how ultrasound impacts the copper plating rate and properties of the obtained coatings. Studies have shown that sucrose and glycerol can be used as ligands in solutions for electroless copper plating. A plating rate of copper under optimum conditions can reach 2.2 m h-1 (sucrose) and 3.4 m h-1 (glycerol) and copper surface roughness factors ranging 8.5 - 25.3 (sucrose) and 2,3 - 4.3 (glycerol). Correlations between dependences on pH observed for copper plating speeds, overpotentials, surface roughness factors, anodic oxidation currents of formaldehyde. A use of ultrasound for electroless copper plating systems change speeds. Depending on the choice of copper plating system and ultrasonic frequency, plating rate can decrease or may increase up to 5 times and can reach high values (10.87 m h-1). The copper surface formed in ultrasound environment more compact, smoother. / Šiame darbe tiriami polihidroksiliai alkoholiai sacharozė bei glicerolis, kaip ligandų alternatyvos cheminio variavimo sistemoms su reduktoriumi formaldehidu. Tai yra ekologiškos, biologiškai lengvai suyrančios medžiagos. Šiame darbe atlikti šių medžiagų kompleksų pusiausvyros skaičiavimai, eksperimentai parodantys sacharozės bei glicerolio praktinį pritaikomumą cheminio variavimo sistemose. Ultragarso poveikio cheminėms sistemoms dėsningumai dar nėra vienareikšmiškai ištirti ir suprasti. Siekiant padaryti cheminį metalų nusodinimą efektyvesniu pastaruoju metu cheminio metalizavimo procesams bandoma taikyti ultragarsą. Atlikti tyrimai parodė, kad naudojant sacharozę ir glicerolį ligandais cheminio variavimo tirpaluose vario nusėdimo greitis optimaliomis sąlygomis siekia atitinkamai 2,2 ir 3,4 m/h, o chemiškai nusodinto vario paviršiaus šiurkštumo faktoriai varijuoja 8,5-25,3 ir 2,3-4,3 ribose. Analizuojant gautus duomenis stebimos koreliacijos tarp vario nusėdimo greičio, viršįtampio, paviršiaus šiurkštumo faktoriaus, formaldehido anodinės oksidacijos srovių maksimumų priklausomybių nuo pH. Ultragarso panaudojimas cheminio variavimo sistemose keičia vario nusėdimo greičius. Priklausomai nuo pasirinktos cheminio variavimo sistemos, ultragarso dažnio ar jo skleidimo būdo vario nusėdimo greitis sumažėja iki visiško proceso sustabdymo arba gali padidėti 2-5 kartus ir pasiekti dideles vertes (10,87 μm/h). Ultragarso aplinkoje dažniausiai susiformuoja kompaktiškesnės, lygesnės... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Bisphenol A is an estrogenic compound that is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins; humans are continuously exposed to the compound and it is believed to possess the same carcinogenic effects as estrogen (Iso, 2006). In this study, I used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism to identify mechanisms by which BPA acts based on the genomic profiling of kinase genes from a Mat-α haploid deletion library. Kinases regulate many other proteins, so the identification of a single mutant could identify an entire affected pathway of genes. I conducted a systematic screen of these mutants using the phenotype of growth inhibition. Using solid growth assays, I identified 17 BPA sensitive mutants, six of which were related to the high osmolarity growth pathway, which is involved in osmotic stress response and could be a mechanism of defense of S. cerevisiae against BPA. I implemented liquid growth assays, protein analysis, as well as microscopy for a more in depth study of the effects of BPA on these mutants. Bisphenol-A initially inhibits the growth of S. cerevisiae, however, there were some strains that appeared to show adaptation in the presence of the compound. I found that BPA inhibits cell cycle progression, and may affect the phosphorylation regulation of Cdc28, but without affecting the production of the protein. This study provides clues for predicting the effects of BPA on homologous genes in mammals and identifying similar pathways of resistance. By having a better understanding of the effects on BPA on the cell, the compound can be better regulated by the EPA and complications resulting from continuous exposure to BPA can be treated effectively.

Oleic acid (18:1) is one of the important monounsaturated fatty acids, which is synthesized upon desaturation of stearic acid and this reaction is catalyzed by the SSI2 encoded stearoyl-acyl-carrier-protein-desaturase. A mutation in SSI2 leads to constitutive activation of salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense responses. Consequently, these plants accumulate high levels of SA and show enhanced resistance to bacterial and oomycete pathogens. Replenishing 18:1 levels in ssi2 plants, via a second site mutation in GLY1 encoded glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) dehydrogenase, suppresses all the ssi2-triggered phenotypes. Study of mechanism(s) underlying gly1-mediated suppression of ssi2 phenotypes showed that 18:1 levels are regulated via acylation with G3P and a balance between G3P and 18:1 is critical for the regulation of defense signaling pathways. To establish a role for 18:1 and G3P during host defense, interaction between Colletotrichum higginsianum and Arabidopsis was studied. Resistance to C. higginsianum correlated with host G3P levels. The gly1 plants showed increased susceptibility while act1 plants, defective in utilization of G3P, showed enhanced resistance. Plant overexpessing GLY1 showed enhanced resistance in both wild type as well as camalexin deficient backgrounds. Together, these results suggested that G3P conferred resistance acted downstream or independent of camalexin. Exogenous application of glycerol lowered 18:1 levels and produced ssi2-like phenotypes in wild-type plants. Furthermore, glycerol application or the ssi2 mutation produced similar phenotypes in fatty acid desaturation mutants and mutants defective in SA/resistance gene signaling. Expression studies showed that ssi2 phenotypes were likely due to increased expression of resistance genes. Epistatic analysis suggested that certain components of SA pathway had redundant function and were required for 18:1-regulated signaling.

The concern over depleting fossil fuel resources and increasing greenhouse gas emissions has prompted the research into alternative and renewable energy resources. Bioethanol is seen as a potential alternative to petroleum fuels and is mainly produced from sugar and starch containing crops such as sugar cane and maize. In South Africa the use of maize for ethanol production has been prohibited due to food security concerns; therefore, alternative feedstocks need to be investigated. Tropical sugar beet, a new variety of sugar beet, is a potential alternative as it is able to grow in tropical and subtropical climates using much less water than sugar cane. The main objective of this study was to determine the potential of using tropical sugar beet for ethanol production. The study focused on the effects of dilution ratio, pH, yeast concentration and the addition of a nitrogen supplement on the ethanol yield. The maximum ethanol yield of 0.47 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 92% and a glycerol yield of 0.08 g.g–1 was obtained when no additional water was added to the juice. The best dilution ratio was found to be 1:4 which gave a maximum ethanol yield of 0.48 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 94% and a glycerol yield of 0.07 g.g–1. An ethanol yield of 0.48 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 94% was achieved at a yeast concentration of 5 g.L–1 after four hours of fermentation. Nitrogen supplements such as urea, peptone, yeast extract and ammonium sulphate were added during fermentation. The addition of a nitrogen supplement to fermentation had a positive effect on the ethanol yield. The maximum ethanol yield of 0.47 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 92% was achieved when urea was added to the fermentation. The addition of a nitrogen supplement also decreased the amount of glycerol formed from 0.15 g.g –1 to 0.08 g.g–1. Ammonium sulphate was chosen as the preferred nitrogen source as it is a simple component that can enter the cell directly. A maximum ethanol yield of 0.45 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 88%, was achieved when 750 mg N.L–1 ammonium sulphate was added. Adjusting the pH prior to fermentation had no real effect on the ethanol yield. The maximum ethanol yield of 0.45 g.g–1 was achieved at all the pH values investigated. Therefore the natural pH of the juice, or pH values between 4 and 5.5, could be used. Adjusting the pH was done to merely reduce the risk of contamination. The optimal fermentation parameters were found to be pH 4, yeast concentration 5 g.L–1 and a ammonium sulphate concentration of 750 mg N.L–1. At these conditions, a maximum ethanol of 0.45 g.g–1 was achieved. These results show that tropical sugar beet with a sugar content of approximately 21.8% (w.w–1) is a good feedstock for ethanol production in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Sc. Engineering Sciences (Chemical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The concern over depleting fossil fuel resources and increasing greenhouse gas emissions has prompted the research into alternative and renewable energy resources. Bioethanol is seen as a potential alternative to petroleum fuels and is mainly produced from sugar and starch containing crops such as sugar cane and maize. In South Africa the use of maize for ethanol production has been prohibited due to food security concerns; therefore, alternative feedstocks need to be investigated. Tropical sugar beet, a new variety of sugar beet, is a potential alternative as it is able to grow in tropical and subtropical climates using much less water than sugar cane. The main objective of this study was to determine the potential of using tropical sugar beet for ethanol production. The study focused on the effects of dilution ratio, pH, yeast concentration and the addition of a nitrogen supplement on the ethanol yield. The maximum ethanol yield of 0.47 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 92% and a glycerol yield of 0.08 g.g–1 was obtained when no additional water was added to the juice. The best dilution ratio was found to be 1:4 which gave a maximum ethanol yield of 0.48 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 94% and a glycerol yield of 0.07 g.g–1. An ethanol yield of 0.48 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 94% was achieved at a yeast concentration of 5 g.L–1 after four hours of fermentation. Nitrogen supplements such as urea, peptone, yeast extract and ammonium sulphate were added during fermentation. The addition of a nitrogen supplement to fermentation had a positive effect on the ethanol yield. The maximum ethanol yield of 0.47 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 92% was achieved when urea was added to the fermentation. The addition of a nitrogen supplement also decreased the amount of glycerol formed from 0.15 g.g –1 to 0.08 g.g–1. Ammonium sulphate was chosen as the preferred nitrogen source as it is a simple component that can enter the cell directly. A maximum ethanol yield of 0.45 g.g–1 which is a conversion efficiency of 88%, was achieved when 750 mg N.L–1 ammonium sulphate was added. Adjusting the pH prior to fermentation had no real effect on the ethanol yield. The maximum ethanol yield of 0.45 g.g–1 was achieved at all the pH values investigated. Therefore the natural pH of the juice, or pH values between 4 and 5.5, could be used. Adjusting the pH was done to merely reduce the risk of contamination. The optimal fermentation parameters were found to be pH 4, yeast concentration 5 g.L–1 and a ammonium sulphate concentration of 750 mg N.L–1. At these conditions, a maximum ethanol of 0.45 g.g–1 was achieved. These results show that tropical sugar beet with a sugar content of approximately 21.8% (w.w–1) is a good feedstock for ethanol production in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Sc. Engineering Sciences (Chemical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Xylan was extracted from cotton waste, characterized by DSC and TGA analysis and used in biodegradable film production. Pure cotton waste xylan did not form film. The presence of an unknown compound, as an impurity, yielded composite films. The unknown compound was determined as a phenolic compound, and most probably lignin, by using DSC and TGA analysis and Folin-Ciocalteau method. The effects of xylan concentration of the film forming solutions, glycerol (plasticizer) and gluten additions on thickness, mechanical properties, solubility, water vapor transfer rate, color and microstructure of the films were investigated. Films were formed within the concentration range of 8-14%. Below 8%, film forming solutions did not produce films, whereas xylan concentrations above 14% was not used because of high viscosity problems. The average tensile strength, strain at break, water vapor transfer rate and water solubility of the cotton waste xylan films were determined as about 1.3 MPa, 10%, 250 g/m2.24h and 99%, respectively. The addition of glycerol as the plasticizer resulted in a decrease in the tensile strength and an increase in strain at break. The change in water solubility due to the addition of glycerol was very small. In addition, water vapor transfer rate and the deviation of the color from the reference color for the plasticized films were found to be higher than the unplasticized films. The effect of addition of wheat gluten in cotton waste xylan film forming solutions on film formation was investigated at different concentration ratios. However, the incorporation of wheat gluten worsen the film quality.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2005. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Vita. "May 2005" Includes bibliographical references.

Οι επιφανειοδραστικοί παράγοντες είναι αμφίφιλα μόρια, αποτελούμενα από μια υδρόφιλη κεφαλή και μια υδρόφοβη ουρά. Η ιδιαίτερη δομή τους τα καθιστά ικανά να μειώνουν τις επιφανειακές και διεπιφανειακές τάσεις, μεταξύ διαφορετικών υγρών φάσεων, αλλά και μεταξύ αέριων-υγρών φάσεων. Η ιδιότητα τους αυτή, σε συνδυασμό με την ικανότητά τους να δομούν γαλακτώματα ελαίων σε νερό (oil in water) ή νερού εντός ελαίων (water in oil), αποδεικνύεται ιδιαίτερα χρήσιμη και εν δυνάμει εφαρμόσιμη, σε πολλούς τομείς της σύγχρονης βιομηχανίας. Από την σύνθεση απορρυπαντικών ουσιών και προϊόντων προσωπικής υγιεινής, την παραγωγή φυτοφαρμάκων, παρασιτοκτόνων, ζιζανιοκτόνων και μυκητοκτόνων, έως τη σύνθεση φαρμακευτικών σκευασμάτων, αλλά και τη χρήση τους για την ανάκτηση ελαίων και τη βιοεξυγίανση χερσαίων και υδρόβιων συστημάτων, φαίνεται η υψηλή σημασία των ουσιών αυτών. Σήμερα, οι χημικοί επιφανειοδραστικοί παράγοντες χρησιμοποιούνται ευρέως στο εμπόριο, τόσο λόγω του χαμηλού κόστους παραγωγής τους, όσο και της αποδοτικότητάς τους. Ωστόσο, οι βιολογικά συντιθέμενοι επιφανειοδραστικοί παράγοντες, προσφέρουν μια πληθώρα πλεονεκτημάτων έναντι των αντίστοιχων χημικών. Είναι πιο συμβατοί με το περιβάλλον, λιγότερο τοξικοί, συντίθενται από μια πληθώρα μικροοργανισμών και διαρκώς ανακαλύπτονται νέοι βιοεπιφανειοδραστικοί παράγοντες με διαφορετικές ιδιότητες. Εάν η σύνθεσή τους συνδυαστεί με την παραγωγή κέρδους, τότε θα έχουν όλα τα φόντα να παραγκωνίσουν τους χημικά συντιθέμενους ανταγωνιστές τους. Ιδιαίτερα σημαντική είναι η σύνθεση βιοεπιφανειοδραστικών παραγόντων από ζύμες, καθώς οι μικροοργανισμοί αυτοί, στην πλειοψηφία τους, είναι ασφαλέστεροι από τα βακτήρια. Επιπλέον, η χρήση γλυκερόλης, που αποτελεί υδατοδιαλυτό υπόστρωμα, ως μοναδική πηγή άνθρακα και ενέργειας, οδηγεί σε πλήρη απελευθέρωση των ουσιών αυτών στο μέσο καλλιέργειας, στις περιπτώσεις που αυτές παράγονται. Στην παρούσα εργασία διερευνήθηκε η ικανότητα έξι στελεχών ζυμών να αυξάνονται, να συσσωρεύουν ενδοκυτταρικά λιπίδια και να συνθέτουν βιοεπιφανειοδραστικούς παράγοντες παρουσία υποστρώματος γλυκερόλης. Η ανάπτυξη όλων των ζυμών ήταν ικανοποιητική, εκτός από την περίπτωση της C. tropicalis, η οποία δεν αναπτύχθηκε, στο παρόν υπόστρωμα. Επιπλέον συσσώρευσαν ενδοκυτταρικά λιπίδια σε διαφορετικά ποσοστά, η σύσταση των οποίων σε λιπαρά οξέα ήταν τυπική για αυτούς τους μικροοργανισμούς. Δύο εκ των στελεχών που μελετήθηκαν, τα C. curvatus και P. ciferrii, βρέθηκε να συνθέτουν βιοεπιφανειοδραστικούς παράγοντες με γαλακτωματοποιητική ικανότητα. Για την πρώτη δεν έχει αναφερθεί στο παρελθόν η ικανότητα σύνθεσης τέτοιων ουσιών, ωστόσο για τη δεύτερη, είναι γνωστό ότι συνθέτει πλήρως ακετυλιωμένες τετραακέτυλ-φυτοσφιγγοσίνες, που αποτελούν πρόδρομα μόρια των σφιγγολιπιδίων, σημαντικό κλάσμα λιπιδίων των κυτταρικών μεμβρανών στα θηλαστικά. / Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules, comprising of a hydrophilic head group and a hydrophobic tail group. Their unusual structure makes them capable of reducing surface tension at the air/water interfaces and the interfacial tension at oil/water interfaces. This ability, which is sometimes associated, in the case of emulsifiers, with the formation of oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions, is very useful in many areas of industry. Many detergents and personal care products, as well as, many herbicides, pesticides and fungicides utilize surfactants as main ingredients. Their antimicrobial and anti-adhesive properties, makes them possible pharmaceutical agents. They can be also used in oil recovery and bioremediation processes. All these usages prove the great importance of surfactant agents. Today most of the commercially used surfactants are chemically synthesized, due to their low cost and high yield. However, biosurfactants present many advantages over the chemical ones. The first are more compatible with the environment, they present lower toxicity, they can be synthesized by many different microorganisms and newly synthesized biosurfactants, with various abilities, are being discovered all time. As soon as their production gets accompanied with profit, they will become extremely competitive over the chemically synthesized surfactants. The synthesis of biosurfactants from yeasts is quite important. These microorganisms, in their majority, are safer than bacteria. In addition, using glycerol, which is a water soluble substrate, as the only carbon and energy source, leads biosurfactants to be fully secreted in the culture medium. In the present study, the ability of six yeast strains to grow, accumulate intracellular lipids and produce biosurfactants on the presence of glycerol, was investigated. Growth of all microorganisms studied was satisfying, except for C. tropicalis, which showed no significant growth, on the current medium. They also accumulated intracellular lipids in various amounts. The fatty acid composition of these lipids was typical of these microorganisms. Two of the yeast strains studied, namely C. curvatus και P. ciferrii, was found to produce biosurfactants with emulsifying ability. No previous literature exists about the first one, producing such kind of agents. However, P. ciferrii is known to produce fully acetylated tetraacetyl-phytosphingosines, which constitute precursors of sphingolipids, an important fraction of lipids of mammalian cell membranes.

Τα τελευταία χρόνια έχουν ενταθεί οι προσπάθειες για την ανάπτυξη νέων και φιλικών προς το περιβάλλον τεχνολογιών για την παραγωγή ενέργειας από ανανεώσιμες πηγές, όπως η ηλιακή ενέργεια, με χρήση ευρέως διαθέσιμων και χαμηλού κόστους πρώτων υλών, όπως το νερό και η βιομάζα. Μια πολλά υποσχόμενη διεργασία στην κατεύθυνση αυτή είναι η παραγωγή υδρογόνου μέσω της φωτοκαταλυτικής αναμόρφωσης προϊόντων και παραγώγων βιομάζας σε υδατικά αιωρήματα ημιαγωγών, κυρίως διοξειδίου του τιτανίου (TiO2). Στην παρούσα εργασία μελετάται η δυνατότητα ανάπτυξης φωτοκαταλυτών με βάση το TiO2, οι οποίοι θα χαρακτηρίζονται από υψηλότερη απόκριση στο ορατό και μεγαλύτερη ενεργότητα στην αντίδραση αναμόρφωσης των οργανικών ενώσεων. Οι φωτοκαταλύτες που μελετήθηκαν ήταν TiO2 (Degussa P25) ενισχυμένο με μικρές ποσότητες αμετάλλων (N, P) ή μετάλλων (Li, Na, K, Cs, Ca). Στα υλικά αυτά εναποτέθηκε λευκόχρυσος (0.5 wt.%) με στόχο τη μελέτη της επίδρασής του στη φωτοκαταλυτική ενεργότητα και εκλεκτικότητα Επιπρόσθετα, πραγματοποιήθηκε κινητική μελέτη της αντίδρασης της φωτοκαταλυτικής αναμόρφωσης της γλυκερόλης (εξ.1) σε αιώρημα καταλύτη 0.5% Pt/TiO2, το οποίο ακτινοβολείται με φως στην περιοχή που απορροφά το TiO2. (1) Από τα αποτελέσματα προκύπτει οτι :  H προσθήκη των αμετάλλων (Ν-Ρ) παρότι προκαλεί αύξηση της απόκρισης του φωτοκαταλύτη στο ορατό έχει αρνητικές επιπτώσεις στο ρυθμό παραγωγής υδρογόνου.  H προσθήκη του CaΟ οδηγεί στη δημιουργία νέων ζωνών στο ενεργειακό χάσμα του ημιαγωγού μετατοπίζοντας έτσι την περιοχή απορρόφησης του σε μήκη κύματος που αντιστοιχούν στο ορατό φάσμα, χωρίς όμως η μετατόπιση αυτή να συνοδεύεται από τη δημιουργία ημιαγωγών με βελτιωμένη φωτοκαταλυτική ενεργότητα.  H φωτοκαταλυτική ενεργότητα του TiO2 βελτιώνεται με την προσθήκη αλκαλίων σύμφωνα με την ακόλουθη σειρά TiO2<Na<Cs<Li<K.  Με άυξηση τόσο της έντασης της προσπίπτουσας ακτινοβολίας, όσο και της συγκέντρωσης της γλυκερόλης αλλά και του φωτοκαταλύτη, ο ρυθμός παραγωγής υδρογόνου αυξάνεται / During the last years, intensive efforts have been made for the development of new and environmentally friendly technologies for energy production from renewable sources such as solar energy, using widely available and low cost raw materials, such as water and biomass. A well promising procedure to achieve this goal is the production of hydrogen through the photocatalytic reforming of products and derivatives of biomass in aqueous suspensions, mainly titanium dioxide (TiO2). In the present study, we investigated the potential of developing photocatalysts based on TiO2, that could be characterized by higher response to visible light and higher photocatalytic activity in the reforming of organic compounds. The photocatalysts studied were based on TiO2 (Degussa P25) dopped with small quantities of non-metals (N, P) or metals (Li, Na, K, Cs, Ca). The above were impregnated with platinum (Pt) 0.5 wt.%, in order to study its effect on the photocatalytic activity and selectivity. Moreover, a kinetic study of the reaction of glycerol reforming (Eq.1) in suspension of 0.5% Pt/TiO2 catalyst, irradiated by light in the absorption area of TiO2 was further performed (1) The results show that :  Although the addition of non-metals (N,P) causes an increase in the response of the photocatalyst in visible light, it also has a negative effect on the hydrogen production rate.  The addition of CaΟ results in the formation of new band gap zones of the semiconductor, shifting its absorption area into wavelengths that correspond to visible light, although this shift was not associated with the formation of semiconductors with improved photocatalytic activity.  The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 was improved by the addition of alkali according to the following order TiO2<Na<Cs<Li<K.  The rate of hydrogen production increases by increasing both the power of the induced irradiation, as well as the concentration of glycerol and photocatalyst.