The biogenic reduction of Mn(IV) oxides is one of the most favorable anaerobic electron transfer processes in aquatic systems and likely plays an important role in the redox cycle of both carbon and nitrogen in anaerobic environments; yet, the different pathways involved in the microbial transformation of Mn(IV) oxides remain unclear. The coupling between the reduction of Mn(IV) to Mn(II) and the oxidation of organic carbon to CO₂ is largely catalyzed by microorganisms in various environments such as redox stratified water columns and sediments. The recent discovery that soluble Mn(III) exists in natural systems and is formed during biological oxidation of Mn(II) implies the possibility that Mn(III) is formed as an intermediate during the microbial reduction of Mn(IV). In this dissertation, mutagenesis studies and kinetic analysis were combined to study the mechanism of microbial reduction of Mn(IV) by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, one of the most studied metal-respiring prokaryotes. We show for the first time that the microbial reduction of Mn(IV) proceeds step-wise via two successive one-electron transfer reactions with soluble Mn(III) as intermediate produced in solution. The point mutant strain Mn3, generated via random chemical mutagenesis, presents a unique phenotype that reduces solid Mn(IV) to Mn(III) but not to Mn(II), suggesting that these two reduction steps proceed via different electron transport pathways. Mutagenesis studies on various in-frame deletion mutant strains demonstrate that the reduction of both solid Mn(IV) and soluble Mn(III) occurs at the outer membrane of the cell and Mn(IV) respiration involves only one of the two potential terminal reductases (c-type cytochrome MtrC and OmcA) involved in Fe(III) respiration. Interestingly, only the second electron transfer step is coupled to the respiration of organic carbon, which opposes the long-standing paradigm that microbial reduction of Mn(IV) proceeds via the single transfer of two electrons coupled to the mineralization of carbon substrates. The coupling between anaerobic nitrification and Mn reduction has been demonstrated to be thermodynamically favorable. However, the existence of this process in natural system is still in debate. In this dissertation, characterization of coastal marine sediments was combined with laboratory incubations of the same sediments to investigate the effect of Mn oxides on the redox cycle of nitrogen. Our slurry incubations demonstrate that anaerobic nitrification is catalyzed by Mn oxides. In addition, mass balance calculations on NH₄⁺ link the consumption of NH₄⁺ to anaerobic ammonium oxidation in the presence of Mn oxides and confirm the occurrence of Mn(IV)-catalyzed anaerobic nitrification. The activity of anaerobic nitrification is greatly affected by the initial ratio of Mn(IV) to NH₄⁺, the reactivity of Mn oxides, and the reducing potential of the system. Overall, Mn(IV)-catalyzed anaerobic nitrification may be an important source of nitrite/nitrate in anaerobic marine sediments and provide an alternative pathway for subsequent nitrogen losses in the marine nitrogen cycle.

In Vietnam, the research and application of biogas technology were given a considerable attention in past 30 years. There is several biogas plant models apply in the suburban and rural areas where most people’s life is based on animal husbandry. Each biogas plant model own strong points or weakness that adapt to detail circumstances. The biogas plants play a key role within the VACB farming system especially in the Mekong Delta where produce more than 50% of yearly national agriculture production. This paper gives a comprehensive overview on the popular biogas models in the Mekong Delta through its development history. Knowing on the presented biogas technology in the Mekong Delta will lead the biogas-related organizations or private on biogas development at this region. / Ở Việt Nam việc nghiên cứu và ứng dụng công nghệ khí sinh học đã được chú ý trong 30 năm gần đây. Một số mô hình khí sinh học đã và đang được lắp đặt tại các vùng ngoại ô và nông thôn là những nơi tập trung nhiều hộ dân chăn nuôi heo. Có nhiều mô hình khí sinh học đã được triển khai, trong đó mỗi mô hình đều có những điểm mạnh và điểm yếu đáp ứng theo từng yêu cầu cụ thể. Ở ĐBSCL nơi sản xuất trên 50% sản lượng nông nghiệp của cả nước, hầm ủ khí sinh học đóng một vai trò quan trọng trong mô hình canh tác VACB. Bài báo này trình bày chi tiết các kiểu hầm ủ khí sinh học phổ biến tại ĐBSCL tương ứng với từng thời điểm phát triển của công nghệ này. Sự hiểu biết về các kiểu hầm ủ khí sinh học hiện tại ở ĐBSCL sẽ giúp các tổ chức hoặc cá nhân có liên quan trong việc định hướng phát triển công nghệ khí sinh học cho toàn vùng.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-245).

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Microbiology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Bibliography: leaves 189-205. / xi, 205 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aim of this PhD project is to screen feral goat rumen fluid for the presence of new organisms that may play a role in the detoxification of tannins and to investigate their mechanisms of action. An enrichment experiment is conducted to screen rumen fluid for anaerobic bacteria capable of growing in the presence of high levels of "Acacia" condensed tannin. Four morphologically-distinct bacteria are isolated, confirming that resistance is a property shared by more than one organism. One isolate is chosen at random for further characterisation and is identified as a strain of "Selenomonas ruminantium" subspecies "ruminantium". It is arbitrarily designated strain K2. "Selenomonas ruminantium" K2 is shown to be not only tannin-resistant but also able to grow on tannic acid. It is proposed that this bacterium obtained energy for growth from tannic acid. The thesis examines the molecular mechanisms controlling tannin resistance or tannin degradation in rumen microorganisms. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 1997

Bibliography: leaves 189-205. / xi, 205 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aim of this PhD project is to screen feral goat rumen fluid for the presence of new organisms that may play a role in the detoxification of tannins and to investigate their mechanisms of action. An enrichment experiment is conducted to screen rumen fluid for anaerobic bacteria capable of growing in the presence of high levels of "Acacia" condensed tannin. Four morphologically-distinct bacteria are isolated, confirming that resistance is a property shared by more than one organism. One isolate is chosen at random for further characterisation and is identified as a strain of "Selenomonas ruminantium" subspecies "ruminantium". It is arbitrarily designated strain K2. "Selenomonas ruminantium" K2 is shown to be not only tannin-resistant but also able to grow on tannic acid. It is proposed that this bacterium obtained energy for growth from tannic acid. The thesis examines the molecular mechanisms controlling tannin resistance or tannin degradation in rumen microorganisms. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 1997

Thesis (doctoral)--Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 1987. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 1987. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Στα πλαίσια της παρούσας μελέτης ερευνήθηκε η βιοτεχνολογική επεξεργασία αποβλήτων τυροκομείου με σκοπό την ενεργειακή αξιοποίηση τους. Ειδικότερα, μελετήθηκε η διεργασία παραγωγής υδρογόνου και μεθανίου από τον ορρό τυρογάλακτος, μέσω αναερόβιας επεξεργασίας, σε μια διεργασία δυο σταδίων, υπό μεσόφιλες συνθήκες. Στο πρώτο στάδιο μελετήθηκε η παραγωγή υδρογόνου του ορρού τυρογάλακτος μέσω της ζύμωσης των διαλυτών σακχάρων του. Πραγματοποιήθηκαν πειράματα σε αντιδραστήρα συνεχούς ανάδευσης, ο οποίος λειτούργησε σε υδραυλικούς χρόνους παραμονής 24, 18, και 12 h, είτε με προσθήκη αλκαλικότητας (ΝαHCO3 σε HRT=24h), είτε με χρήση αυτόματου ρυθμιστή του pH (KOH, 2Μ σε HRTs=24, 18 και 12h). Η στοιχειομετρική απόδοση σε υδρογόνο παρουσίασε μέγιστη τιμή με προσθήκη αλκαλικότητας σε υδραυλικό χρόνο παραμονής 24 h και ήταν ίση με 0.48 ± 0.03 mol H2 / mol καταναλισκόμενης γλυκόζης ή 2.4 L H2/ L τυρόγαλου/d και αποδόθηκε στην υψηλή παραγωγή βουτυρικού οξέος σε αυτές τις συνθήκες. Παράλληλα, πραγματοποιήθηκαν πειράματα σε αντιδραστήρα διαλείποντος έργου με χρήση καθαρής καλλιέργειας του μικροοργανισμού Ruminococcus albus. Από τα πειράματα προέκυψε ότι οι αποδόσεις ήταν αρκετά μικρότερες σε σχέση με τις παρατηρούμενες από άλλα υποστρώματα, γεγονός που αποδόθηκε στην αυξημένη παραγωγή αιθανόλης εις βάρος της παραγωγής υδρογόνου, αλλά και επειδή η κινητική μεταβολισμού των υδατανθράκων ήταν χαμηλή. Την μεγαλύτερη στοιχειομετρική απόδοση παρουσίασε η λακτόζη ως υπόστρωμα και η τιμή της ήταν 2.34 ± 0.02 mol H2/mol καταναλισκόμενων υδατανθράκων. Επίσης, μελετήθηκε η στοιχειομετρία των χημικών αντιδράσεων της ζύμωσης του ορρού τυρογάλακτος και υπολογίστηκε η απόδοση της διεργασίας για την παραγωγή κυττάρων και τελικών προϊόντων. Στο δεύτερο στάδιο μελετήθηκε η περαιτέρω μετατροπή του οργανικού φορτίου σε μεθάνιο με ταυτόχρονη μείωση του οργανικού φορτίου του αποβλήτου.Έγιναν πειράματα σε αντιδραστήρες διαλείποντος έργου για τον υπολογισμό του βιοχημικά μεθανογόνου δυναμικού του ορρού τυρογάλακτος και της απορροής του ζυμωτικού αναερόβιου αντιδραστήρα. Την μεγαλύτερη παραγωγικότητα σε μεθάνιο ανάμεσα στα δυο είχε το τυρόγαλο και συνολικά παρήχθησαν 18 L CH4/ L υποστρώματος που καταναλώθηκε. Επιπλέον, μελετήθηκε η αναερόβια χώνευση της απορροής του ζυμωτικού αντιδραστήρα σε μεθανογόνο χωνευτήρα συνεχούς ανάδευσης σε υδραυλικούς χρόνους παραμονής 20 και 30 d, συμπεραίνοντας ότι η μεγαλύτερη παραγωγικότητα σε μεθάνιο παρατηρήθηκε σε HRT = 30 d, ήταν ίση με 14.55 L CH4 / L τροφοδοσίας και η απομάκρυνση του COD ήταν μεγαλύτερη από 90% στις μόνιμες καταστάσεις, ενώ χρησιμοποιήθηκε το μαθηματικό μοντέλο ADM1 για την πρόβλεψη της συμπεριφοράς του μεθανογόνου αντιδραστήρα στους χρόνους παραμονής όπου λειτούργησε. / In the present study, the biotechnological exploitation of wastewaters from a cheese manufacturing process was researched. In particularly, the process of hydrogen and methane production from cheese whey in a two-stage continuous process under mesophilic conditions was studied. In the first stage, the fermentative hydrogen production from undiluted cheese whey was investigated at hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 24, 18 and 12 h in a continuous stirred tank reactor. Alkalinity addition (NaHCO3 in HRT=24h) or an automatic pH controller (KOH, 2Μ in HRTs=24, 18 and 12h) were used. The highest hydrogen production rate was 2.4 L/L reactor/d, while the yield of hydrogen produced was approximately 0.48 ± 0.03 mol H2/mol glucose consumed, with alkalinity addition and they were attributed to increased butyric acid production. Also, experiments with the use of batch reactor were done to investigate the efficiency of hydrogen production using pure cultures of the bacterium Ruminococcus albus. The results showed that the hydrogen yield was low compared to other substrates, and this was attributed to an increased production of ethanol compared to hydrogen and to a lower carbohydrate metabolic rate. The maximum yield of hydrogen production for lactose was 2.34 ± 0.02 mol H2/mol carbohydrates consumed. Also, the stoichiometry of the chemical reactions for the fermentation was studied and the process yield for cell production and energy were calculated. In the second stage, the conversion of the organic load to methane gas was studied. Batch reactors were used in order to study the biochemical methane potential of cheese whey and the effluent of the hydrogenogenic reactor. The highest methane production was observed for the whey and it was in total 18 L CH4/ L substrate consumed. Moreover, the anaerobic digestion of the effluent from the fermenting reactor was conducted in a conventional CSTR reactor and for HRTs of 20 and 30 d. The highest methane production was observed for the latter HRT. It equaled 14.55 L CH4 / L feed and the COD removal was more than 90% at steady state. The process of the anaerobic digestion was analyzed and simulated with the use of the anaerobic digestion model No 1 (ADM1).

Thesis (MSc Food Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is a developing country that relies on its agricultural sector as a main source of overall economic welfare. Development does not only give rise to new technology and new products but also results in increased amounts of liquid and solid waste. Generally, the production of wine is considered an environmentally friendly process, but significant amounts of natural resources and organic amendments are necessary, while generating large amounts of liquid and solid wastes. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an attractive and proven treatment option for both liquid and solid wastes as valuable products and depollution can be obtained. AD of liquid waste results in an effluent and biogas, while anaerobic composting of solid waste results in an organic amendment, leachate and biogas. The overall objective of this study was to investigate the operational feasibility of the cotreatment of leachate produced during the anaerobic composting (AnC) of grape skins in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor while treating winery wastewater. This first aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of the anaerobic composting of grape skins. Laboratoryscaled digesters (1L) were utilised as anaerobic composting units. The most important operational parameters were identified (pH, moisture content and inoculum (size, ratio, composition)) in order to produce a pH stable, odour free compost in 21 days. Experimental studies highlighted the importance of shredding waste as well as the addition of calcium oxide and green waste to increase the initial pH of the composting mixture. After optimising a 50% (m.m-1) cow manure inoculum, lower inoculum concentrations (10, 15 and 25% (m.m-1)) were investigated to make the process more economically viable. A 10% (m.m-1) anaerobic compost (AC) inoculum was found to produce the most favourable results in terms of pH stabilisation and leachate generation. A 50% (m.m-1) moisture level performed the best by attaining a pH > 6.5 on day 6 and having the highest end pH (7.65) on day 21, while white and red grape skins in an equal ratio were found to generate a higher end pH. With all these optimum parameters in place (shredded waste, green waste, CaO, inoculum, moisture, grape skins), a compost with a final pH (7.09), moisture (58%), nitrogen (2.25%), phosphorous (0.22%) and potassium content (1.7%) was obtained. The optimised parameters were scaled-up (1:10) by using polyvinyl chloride anaerobic digesters (20 L) to suit the operational requirements of the AnC process and also produced a stable compost within 21 days. The second aim of this study was to investigate the combined anaerobic digestion of winery wastewater (WWW) and leachate obtained from the anaerobic composting of grape skins in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). This involved the operation of a 2.3 L laboratory-scale UASB reactor for 205 days. The reactor successfully co-treated WWW and leachate at ca. 8.5 kgCOD.m-3d-1 with a final chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of over 90%, a stable reactor effluent pH (7.61) and alkalinity (3 281 CaCO3 mg.L-1). This study showed the feasibility for the combined treatment of liquid and solid waste from the winemaking process. Although the legal limits for reactor effluent disposal onto land was not met, significant reduction in COD concentrations were achieved, whilst producing a soil amendment that could potentially result in cost savings for chemical fertilisers. The benefits related to using anaerobic bioconversion as a treatment option for liquid and solid waste could possibly be advantageous to the wine industry as an environmental control technology, by converting liquid and solid waste into valuable resources. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika is 'n ontwikkelende land wat staatmaak op sy landbousektor as 'n hoofbron van algehele ekonomiese welstand. Ontwikkeling gee nie net aanleiding tot nuwe tegnologie en nuwe produkte nie, maar lei ook tot die verhoogde bydrae van vloeistof sowel as vaste afval. Oor die algemeen, word die produksie van wyn beskou as 'n omgewingsvriendelike proses, maar aansienlike hoeveelhede natuurlike hulpbronne en organiese kunsbemesting word benodig, terwyl groot hoeveelhede vloeistof en vaste afval gegenereer word. Anaërobiese vertering (AV) is 'n aantreklike en bewese behandelingsopsie vir beide vloeistof en vaste afval aangesien waardevolle produkte en suiwering verkry kan word. AV van vloeistowwe lewer uitvloeisel sowel as biogas, terwyl anaërobiese kompostering van vaste afval 'n organiese kunsbemesting, loog en biogas lewer. Die oorhoofse doel van hierdie studie was om die operasionele doeltreffendheid van die mede-behandeling van loog wat gegenereer word tydens die anaërobiese kompostering (AnK) van druiwe doppe in 'n opvloei-anaërobiese-slykkombers (OAS) reaktor terwyl kelderafvalwater behandel word, te ondersoek. Die eerste mikpunt van hierdie studie was om die doeltreffendheid van die anaërobiese komposteringsproses van druiwe doppe te ondersoek. Laboratorium-skaal verteerders (1L) is gebruik as anaërobiese komposteringseenhede. Die belangrikste operasionele parameters is geïdentifiseer (pH, voginhoud en inokulum (grootte, verhouding, samestelling)) om ‘n 'n pH-stabiele, reukvrye kompos te produseer in 21 dae. Die belangrikheid van gesnipperde afval asook die byvoeging van kalsiumoksied en groen afval om die aanvanklike pH van die komposmengsel te verhoog, is deur eksperimentele studies beklemtoom. Na die optimering van 'n 50% (m.m-1) koeimis inokulum, is laer inokulum konsentrasies (10, 15 en 25% (m.m-1)) geondersoek om die proses meer ekonomies uitvoerbaar te maak. Daar is gevind dat ‘n 10% (m.m-1) anaërobiese kompos (AK) inokulum die mees gunstige resultate lewer in terme van pH stabilisering en loog generering. ‘n 50% (m.m-1) vloeistof vlak het die beste presteer deur 'n pH> 6.5 te bereik teen Dag 6 asook die hoogste eind pH (7.65) teen Dag 21, terwyl wit en rooi druiwe doppe in dieselfde verhouding gevind is om ‘n hoër eind pH te genereer. Met al hierdie optimum parameters in plek (gesnipperde afval, groen afval, kalsiumoksied, inokulum, vog, druiwe doppe) is 'n kompos met 'n finale pH (7.09), vog (58%), stikstof (2.25%), fosfor (0.22%) en kalium inhoud (1.7%) verkry. Die optimale parameters is opgeskaal (1:10) deur gebruik te maak van polivinielchloried anaërobiese verteerders (20 L) om aan die operasionele vereistes van die AnK proses te voldoen en ook om 'n stabiele kompos binne 21 dae te produseer. Die tweede mikpunt van hierdie studie was om die gekombineerde anaërobiese vertering van kelderafvalwater en loog, verkry vanaf die anaërobiese kompos van druiwe doppe in 'n OAS reaktor, te ondersoek. Dit het die bedryf van 'n 2.3 L laboratorium-skaal OAS reaktor vir 205 dae ingesluit. Die reaktor het kelderafwater en loog suksesvol behandel by ongeveer 8.5 kgCSV.m-3d-1 met 'n finale chemiese suurstof vereiste (CSV) vermindering van meer as 90%, 'n stabiele reaktor uitvloeisel pH (7.61) en alkaliniteit (3 281 CaCO3mg.L-1). Hierdie studie het die uitvoerbaarheid van die gekombineerde behandeling van vloeistof en vaste afval van die wynmaakproses getoon. Alhoewel die wetlike vereistes van die reaktor uitvloeisel vir storting op grond nie bereik is nie, is ‘n beduidende vermindering in CSV konsentrasies bereik, asook die vervaardiging van kunsbemesting wat die potensiële aankoopkoste van chemiese kunsmis kan verminder. Die voordele verbonde aan die gebruik van anaërobiese bio-omskakeling as 'n behandelingsopsie vir vloeistof en vaste afval kan moontlik voordelig wees vir die wynbedryf as 'n omgewingsbeheerende tegnologie deur om vloeistof en vaste afval om te skakel na waardevolle bronne.