Entre as principais oleaginosas eleitas para a produção de biodiesel, encontra-se a mamona (Ricinus communis L.), por possuir elevado teor de óleo, conhecido como óleo de rícino, extraído pela prensagem das sementes, contendo 90% de ácido graxo ricinoléico, o qual confere ao óleo suas características singulares, possibilitando ampla gama de utilização industrial. A produção brasileira de mamona concentra-se na caatinga baiana. A agricultura desta região, embora seja feita sem o uso de insumos agrícolas mantém uma produtividade regular. Com isso, tornou-se importante avaliar o efeito ambiental desta cultura sobre os estoques de C (carbono) e N (nitrogênio) no solo e os mecanismos de sua manutenção. Este trabalho foi realizado em solos de uma fazenda na região de Irecê-BA, tendo como objetivos calcular os estoques de C e N no solo; calcular o fluxo de gases do efeito estufa dos resíduos de mamona; calcular os valores C e N da biomassa microbiana no solo (BMS) e analisar o perfil da comunidade de bactérias fixadoras de N2 no solo por PCR-DGGE. Os resultados indicaram a ausência de variações nos estoques de C entre os tratamentos de mamona com 10, 20 e 50 anos de cultivo (48 Mg ha-1) sendo superados pelos valores encontrados na caatinga (90 Mg ha-1); mesma condição para o estoque de N (5,3 Mg ha-1 nos tratamentos de mamona e 8 Mg ha-1 na caatinga). Já os valores de C-microbiano foram superiores na caatinga, mas não apresentaram diferenças entre os cultivos de mamona; para o N-microbiano, os valores não sofreram diferenças entre as camadas, porém foram inferiores no tratamento de mamona com 10 e 50 anos de cultivo. O fluxo de gases de N-N2O e C-CO2 foram maiores para o tratamento com aplicação de resíduos orgânicos de mamona chegando a 160 mg m-2 h-1 de C-CO2 e 600 mg m-2 h-1 de N-N2O. O teste de redução de acetileno (ARA) e a análise de DGGE indicaram que o perfil da comunidade de bactérias diazotróficas do solo nos diferentes tratamentos sofreu alteração e permitiu a estocagem de N no solo durante os 50 anos de cultivo viabilizando, ambientalmente, a produção de mamona nesta região. / Among the main oils elected for biodiesel production is the castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) for its high oil content, known as castor oil extracted by pressing the seeds containing 90% ricinoleic acid, which gives the oil its unique features, allowing a wide range of industrial use. Brazilian production of castor oil is concentrated in the tropical dry forest of Bahia. Farming in this region, although it is made without the use of agricultural inputs remains a regular productivity. With this, it became important to assess the \"environmental effect\" of this culture on the stocks of C (carbon) and N (nitrogen) in soil and the mechanisms for its maintenance. This work was carried out in soils of a farm in Irecê-BA, aimed to calculate the stocks of C and N in soil, calculated the flows of greenhouse gases from oil waste; to figure out the values of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) of microbial biomass in soil (BMS and to analyze the profile of the community of N2-fixing bacteria in soil through denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Results indicated the absence of changes in C stocks between treatments of castor oil with 10, 20 and 50 years of cultivation (about 48 Mg ha-1) being outweighed by values found in the tropical dry forest (90 Mg ha-1); same condition verified for the stock of N (5.3 Mg ha-1 treatments of castor and 8 Mg ha-1 in tropical dry forest). As for values of microbial-C, they were higher in the tropical dry forest and did not present differences between the cultures of castor oil; regarding microbial-N values, there have not been differences between the layers, but they were lower for castor oil with 10 and 50 years of cultivation. The gases flow accumulated N-N2O was significantly higher than that of CCO2 and higher for the treatment of soil with organic fertilizer castor reaching 160 mg m- 2 h-1 of C-CO2 and 600 mg m-2 h-1 of N-N2O. ARA analysis and DGGE indicated that the profile of the diazotrophic community of soil in different treatments had change, allowing the storage of N in soil during the 50 years of cultivation enabling, in environmental terms, the production of castor oil in this region.

As preocupações com o meio ambiente têm impulsionado o desenvolvimento de tecnologias verde para a produção de etanol de segunda geração (2G), com o intuito de aumentar a produção mundial de etanol e reduzir o uso de combustíveis fósseis. Além disso, o uso de processos biológicos para a obtenção de etanol 2G minimizam a geração de resíduos tóxicos e o uso de energia, reduzindo os custos do processo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os processos de biodeslignificação do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (BCA) (etapa 1) e biodestoxificação do hidrolisado hemicelulósico de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (HHBCA) (etapa 2) na produção de etanol celulósico e hemicelulósico. Inicialmente foi explorado o potencial de remoção de lignina presente no BCA por seis isolados fúngicos (JLS6-A6, JLS6-A7, JLS6-A12, JLS6-F6, JLS6-G4 and JLS6-H9) e uma cepa de Streptomyces (JLS3-C3), visando o aumento da acessibilidade aos açúcares fermentescíveis. Foram utilizados o planejamento fatorial fracionário 24-1 e o arranjo ortogonal de Taguchi L8 para avaliar o impacto de parâmetros físicos e nutricionais na atividade das enzimas hidrolíticas e ligninolíticas e transformação da lignina durante 21 dias. Como segundo passo foi utilizado o pré-tratamento com ácido diluído para a obtenção do HHBCA, rico em pentoses. Os parâmetros nuticionais para a biodestoxificação do HHBCA foram avaliados utilizando o modelo Box and Behnken 23. As cepas JLS6-A6, JLS6-A7, JLS6-F6 and JLS6-A12 apresentaram alta capacidade de síntese da enzima xilanase, que foi reduzida (de 30 U/mg para 5 U/mg) com o auxílio do planejamento fatorial fracionário 24-1 na condição otimizada (BCA moído e umedecido, pH 8,5, agitação de 100 rpm durante 14 dias). A cepa JLS6-A6 apresentou alto potencial de síntese da enzima manganês peroxidase, destacando-se entre as outras estirpes. A condição de sacarificação ótima identificada por meio do arranjo ortogonal de Taguchi foi pH 8,5 e BCA umedecido. O valor de YP/S obtido após a fermentação dos açúcares liberados a partir do BCA moído e pré-tratado (YP/S = 0,45 g de etanol celulósico/g) foi 2,14 vezes mais elevado do que o obtido para o BCA não moído e pré-tratado, e 1,29 vezes mais elevado do que o BCA moído e não pré-tratado durante o processo de sacarificação e fermentação simultâneas. A levedura Issatchenkia occidentalis Y1´a foi capaz de crescer no HHBCA não suplementado, utilizando ácido acético como fonte de energia. A etapa de fermentação (30oC, 150 rpm, 24 h) foi bem sucedida com uma produção volumétrica (YP/S) de 0,26 g de etanol hemicelulósico/g e produtividade (QP) de 0,14 g/Lh pela levedura Candida shehatae UFMG 52.2. Estes resultados confirmam o potencial de processos biológicos relacionados com a produção de etanol 2G. Além disso, JLS6-A6 e I. occidentalis Y1\'a são cepas promissoras no pré-tratamento biológico do BCA e destoxificação biológica do HHBCA, respectivamente. Desta forma, este trabalho contribuirá com o desenvolvimento da produção de etanol celulósico e hemicelulósico proporcionando a integração da produção do etanol de primeira e 2G. / Environmental concerns have driven the development of green technologies towards second-generation ethanol (2G) production in order to increase the global production of ethanol and to minimize usage of fossil fuels Furthermore, the use of biological processes through the steps required to obtain 2G bioethanol reduces the generation of residues, some of which are toxic to the environment, and the need for energy usage, reducing the overall costs of the process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the biodelignification of the sugarcane bagasse (SCB) (step 1) and the sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolyzate (SCBHH) biodetoxification (step 2) for the production of cellulosic and hemicellulosic ethanol. Firstly, six fungal strains (JLS6-A6, JLS6-A7, JLS6-A12, JLS6-F6, JLS6-G4 and JLS6-H9) and one Streptomyces strain (JLS3-C3), were explored according to their potential for lignin removal from SCB during a biological pretreatment in order to increase the accessibility of fermentable sugars. Fractional factorial design 24-1 and Taguchi L8 orthogonal array were utilized to assess the impact of physical and nutritional parameters in the hydrolytic and ligninolytic enzymes activity and lignin transformation over 21 days of incubation. Secondly, SCB was subjected to diluted-acid pretreatment to obtain the SCBHH, rich in pentoses sugar. Nutritional parameters for biodetoxification of SCBHH were evaluated utilizing the Box and Behnken 23 design. The strains JLS6-A6, JLS6-A7, JLS6-F6 and JLS6-A12 showed a high capacity for synthesis of xylanase enzyme. The xylanase activity was significantly reduced (from a maximum of 30 U/mg to 5 U/mg) in the optimized condition (moistened SCB milled to 20 mesh size, pH 8.5, agitation 100 rpm for 14 days) determined with the fractional factorial design. The strain JLS6-A6 showed high potential for synthesis of manganese peroxidase enzyme and efficiency during SCB biodelignification, standing out among the other strains. The optimum saccharification conditions identified by Taguchi orthogonal array was moistened SCB and pH 8.5. The value of YP/S obtained after fermentation of the sugars released from pretreated milled SCB (YP/S = 0.45 g cellulosic ethanol/g) was 2.14 times higher than that obtained for pretreated unmilled SCB and 1.29 times higher than unpretreated milled SCB after the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process. The yeast I. occidentalis Y1\'a was able to grow on unsupplemented SCBHH using acetic acid as an energy source during the biodetoxification process. The fermentation step (30oC, 150 rpm, 24 h) was successful with a volumetric yield (YP/S) of 0.26 g hemicellulosic ethanol/g and productivity (Qp) of 0.14 g/Lh by the yeast Candida shehatae UFMG 52.2. These results confirm the potential of biological processes related to the production of ethanol 2G. Furthermore, JLS6-A6 and I. occidentalis Y1\'a are promising strains for SCB biological pretreatment and SCBHH biological detoxification, respectively. Thus, this work will contribute to the development of cellulosic and hemicellulosic ethanol production, providing the integration of the production of the first and 2G ethanol.

Atualmente as organizações industriais notaram a importância de se preservar o meio ambiente e está demonstrando um crescente interesse em atuar de forma sustentável na utilização de matérias-primas para geração de produtos. Diante disso, métodos e ferramentas que permitam a identificação das relações existentes entre produtos e processos e o ambiente faz-se necessário. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho ambiental e energético do ciclo de vida da produção de etanol de batata-doce cultivada no Tocantins, e a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) foi a ferramenta que permitiu analisar os potenciais impactos ambientais causados pela produção do etanol, desde a extração da matéria-prima a sua produção na usina, avaliando as fases agrícola e industrial do seu ciclo de vida. Com base nos resultados da ACV foi possível identificar que as categorias de impacto ambiental Mudança Climática, Eutrofização e Acidificação Terrestre tiveram as maiores contribuições relacionados à fase agrícola, cujas emissões de gases acidificantes, emissões de GEE e “usos de recursos energéticos não-renováveis” estiveram relacionadas ao uso de fertilizantes sintéticos e ao uso de combustíveis fósseis principalmente no processo de plantio e manejo no cultivo da batata-doce, o que indica a necessidade de uma utilização mais eficiente desses recursos. Na avaliação energética constatou-se o que a produção do etanol de batata-doce é viável em relação à energia líquida gerando o total de 1,36 MJ para cada unidade de energia consumida, e 1,76 MJ produzido para cada unidade de energia fóssil despendida para sua fabricação. / Currently industrial organizations noted the importance of preserving the environment and is demonstrating a growing interest in acting in a sustainable way in the use of raw materials for generation of products. Therefore, methods and tools that enable the identification of the relationship between products and processes and the environment is necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the energy and environmental performance of the life cycle of sweet potato ethanol production grown in Tocantins, and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was the tool that allowed us to analyze the potential environmental impacts for ethanol production, from extraction of raw materials to production at the plant, evaluating the agricultural and industrial phases of their life cycle. Based on LCA results was possible to identify the categories of environmental impact climate change, eutrophication and acidification Land had higher contributions related to the agricultural phase, whose emissions of acidifying gases, greenhouse gas emissions and "non-renewable energy resources use were" related to the use of synthetic fertilizers and the use of fossil fuels especially in the planting and management of sweet potato process, which indicates the need for a more efficient use of those resources. In the energy assessment it was found that the production of sweet potato ethanol is feasible in relation to net energy generating total of 1.36 MJ for each unit of energy consumed, and 1.76 MJ produced for each unit of fossil energy expended to manufacture.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo primordial a verificação da viabilidade técnica de empregar sistema do tipo célula a biocombustível para tratamento de esgoto sanitário com geração de energia elétrica. A célula a biocombustível, em escala de bancada, adotada foi constituída por reator anaeróbio seguido de reator aeróbio, visando à remoção de matéria orgânica carbonácea e à nitrificação Cada reator apresentou área de 0,6275 m2 e volume útil de 24,0 L. A célula a biocombustível foi alimentada com esgoto sanitário com tempo de detenção hidráulica médio de 8 horas (nos dois módulos). Em cada reator instalou-se um eletrodo imerso, de modo que os dois eletrodos foram unidos por fio condutor externo. Foi verificada a potencialidade do sistema em gerar energia elétrica a partir das reações químicas e bioquímicas que se deram junto aos eletrodos e nos biofilmes aderidos aos mesmos. A operação da célula a biocombustível foi dividida em cinco Fases, denominadas de I, II, III, IV e V, sendo que o fator principal que distinguiu essas Fases consistiu no material eletródico. Manta de fibra de carbono e placa de grafite foram adotadas como ânodo da célula (reator anaeróbio). Chapa de aço inoxidável (AISI 316) e malhas de aço inoxidável (AISI 316) foram usadas como cátodo do sistema (reator aeróbio). Para monitoramento do sistema foram realizadas análises físico-químicas do afluente, do efluente do reator anaeróbio e do efluente do reator aeróbio e para o acompanhamento da produção de energia elétrica utilizou-se potenciômetro acoplado a software específico. Microssensores de OD, pH e potencial redox foram empregados como ferramentas auxiliares para o acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento dos biofilmes aderidos aos eletrodos da célula a biocombustível. Como resultados concernentes ao tratamento do esgoto sanitário foram obtidas eficiências médias de remoção de DQO de (74,4±17,1)% e de nitrificação de (65,8±21,0)%, no decorrer das cinco Fases. O valor da maior densidade de potência média verificada foi de 107,0 mW.m-2, ocorrida quando o ânodo da célula a biocombustível consistiu em placa de grafite e o cátodo em malha de aço inoxidável (AISI 316) do tipo 20, na Fase V. A dosagem de cloreto férrico e a colocação de meio suporte de material plástico no sistema para limpeza automática do cátodo, realizadas na Fase em que se observou a maior densidade de potência média foram consideradas como positivas no aprimoramento da obtenção de energia elétrica. Por meio da combinação dos resultados relacionados à geração de energia elétrica e da aplicação dos microssensores constatou-se que o desenvolvimento de biofilmes espessos sobre os eletrodos da célula a biocombustível consiste em fator negativo da sua eficiência energética. Concluiu-se que a célula a biocombustível é tecnicamente viável para o tratamento de esgoto com geração de energia elétrica, contudo diante do conhecimento que se tem sobre essa tecnologia, a sua adoção em escala real ainda é economicamente inviável. / This research aimed mainly to verify the technical feasibility of employing a system called biofuel cell for treating wastewater and generating electricity at the same time. The biofuel cell, in lab scale, adopted consisted of an anaerobic followed by an aerobic reactor, aiming the removal of carbonaceous organic matter and nitrification. Each reactor had an area of 0.6275 m2 and useful volume of 24.0 L. The biofuel cell was fed with sanitary wastewater with hydraulic retention time of eight hours (in both modules). In each reactor was installed an electrode immersed, and the two electrodes were connected by a wire conductor. The capability of the system to generate electricity from the chemical and biochemical reactions that occurred along the electrodes and in biofilms attached to them was verified. The biofuel cell operation was divided into five Phases, named I, II, III, IV and V, and the main factor that distinguished these Phases consisted of the electrode material. Carbon fiber felt and graphite plate were adopted as the anode of the cell (on anaerobic reactor). Stainless steel plates (AISI 316) and stainless steel meshes (AISI 316) were used as the cathode (on aerobic reactor). Monitoring system were carried out with physicochemical analyzes of the influent, anaerobic effluent and aerobic effluent and for monitoring the electricity production it was used a potentiometer coupled with a specific software. DO, pH and redox potential microsensors were employed as auxiliary tools for monitoring the growth and development of biofilms attached to the electrodes of the biofuel cell. The results concerning the treatment of wastewater were COD efficiencies removal of (74.4 ± 17.1)% and nitrification of (65.8 ± 21.0)%, throughout the five Phases. The amount of the higher power density observed was 107.0 mW.m-2 occurred when the anode of the biofuel cell consisted of graphite plate and cathode of stainless steel mesh (AISI 316) type 20, on Phase V . The dosage of ferric chloride and the placement of plastic midia on the aerobic module of the system for automatic cleaning of the cathode, conducted on Phase V, were considered positive for the improvement in obtaining electricity. By combining the results related to power generation and application of microsensors it was concluded that the development of thick biofilms on the electrodes of a biofuel cell is a negative factor in their energy efficiency. It was also concluded that the biofuel cell is technically feasible to treat sanitary wastewater and to generate electricity, but actually, based on the knowledge we have about this technology, its adoption in large scale is still not economically feasible.

O etanol, produto proveniente da indústria sucroalcooleira, um dos setores mais importantes da economia brasileira, atrai a atenção dos países desenvolvidos. O aumento de sua demanda em todo o mundo, motivado por razões econômicas e ambientais, impulsiona sua exportação. O volume exportado passou de 750 milhões de litros em 2003 para 3,5 bilhões de litros em 2006 e os produtores estimam que em cinco anos este volume alcance 6,5 bilhões de litros. Diante da perspectiva de acréscimo nas exportações, e do fato de quase 90% da produção brasileira concentra-se no Centro-Sul, esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar as alternativas de transporte de etanol para exportação no médio prazo, baseado no plano de investimentos proposto pelo projeto do corredor de exportação de etanol da Transpetro, um dos investimentos propostos para melhorar a eficiência logística do transporte de etanol. Tais investimentos pretendem atender a demanda instalada pelo mercado internacional de forma satisfatória, garantindo o suprimento do combustível e prevenindo o surgimento de gargalos logísticos motivados por falta de infra-estrutura suficiente para o escoamento da produção. Foram avaliadas três alternativas de transporte que representam a movimentação de etanol das unidades produtoras aos portos: alternativa rodoviária, alternativa rodo-dutoviária, e alternativa rodo-hidro-dutoviária. Definidas as alternativas, foram identificadas as trinta principais zonas produtoras de etanol e analisadas as alternativas específicas para cada uma. Assim, foi possível identificar as principais vantagens competitivas das alternativas de transporte por região produtora e verificar os ganhos derivados do transporte por dutos e pela hidrovia no escoamento da produção de etanol até os principais portos. / Ethanol, a product originated from the sugarcane and ethanol industry, one of the most important sectors in the brazilian economy is attracting the interest of the developed countries. The exportation of ethanol is stimulated by the increasing worldwide demand driven by economic and environmental reasons. The exported volume increased from more than 750 million liters in 2003 to 3.5 billion liters in 2006 and, in the next five years, the brazilian producers expect that this volume will reach 6.5 billion liters. Because of this expectation in increasing exportations of ethanol, and being aware that the center-south region of Brazil produces almost 90% of the brazilian ethanol, the objective of this dissertation is to analyze the alternatives of transportation of ethanol for exportation in the medium term. This study is based in the Transpetro´s corridor of ethanol exportation investment plan, which is one of the proposed investments to increase the logistic efficiency of the transportation of ethanol. These investments intend to satisfactorily fulfill the demand of the international market, guaranteeing the supply of ethanol and preventing the appearance of logistic gaps due to lacks of infra-structure for transporting the product. Three alternatives of transportation were evaluated, representing the transportation of ethanol from the manufacturing units to the ports: roadway alternative, road-pipeline alternative and road-waterway-pipeline alternative. After the definition of these alternatives, the thirty major manufacturing zones of ethanol were defined and each zone had these alternatives analyzed. As a result, the major competitive advantages of the transportation alternatives by zone were identified. Also, the potential gains of transporting ethanol to the major seaports by pipelines and waterways were evaluated.

Por meio das redes de colaboração para Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (P&D), as organizações acessam e mobilizam novas fontes de recursos, que recombinados com os recursos e capacidades internas, alavancam os resultados de inovação. No âmbito da análise das redes de colaboração para inovação, duas perspectivas são relevantes, as características estruturais das redes e a posição dos ocupada pelos atores nessas redes, pois ambos afetam o fluxo e a acessibilidade dos recursos na rede, impactando no desempenho inovador, individual e coletivo. Nesta perspectiva, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar as características estruturais, das redes de cooperação formadas para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias disruptivas, que resultaram em proteção patentária, em seis áreas tecnológicas relacionadas a biocombustíveis, e identificar os atores centrais dessas redes, sob a perspectiva de relacionamentos diretos e indiretos, por meio da aplicação da Análise de Redes Sociais (ARS). A pesquisa utiliza informações sobre famílias de patentes (INPADOC) em cotitularidade, depositadas no período de 1994-2014, classificadas como tecnologias de biocombustíveis, de acordo com o IPC-Green Inventory. Os metadados foram coletados na plataforma Thomson Innovation e submetidos a processo de padronização dos nomes das organizações para eliminar ambiguidades. Os resultados identificam os maiores desenvolvedores de tecnologias nas áreas de (biodiesel, bioetanol, biogás, óleos vegetais, biocombustíveis sólidos e biocombustíveis de organismos geneticamente modificados - OGM), e constata que uma pequena parcela das tecnologias são desenvolvidas em colaboração. Após a descrição e comparação das redes de colaboração para P&D&I constatou-se a existência de complexos arranjos relacionais, embora sejam altamente fragmentadas. Verificou-se a existência de parcerias internacionais em algumas áreas, entre elas a biodiesel, bioetanol e bicombustíveis OGM, embora a maioria das parcerias sejam estabelecidas com parceiros locais. Com a identificação dos atores centrais em cada uma das redes, observou-se que em algumas delas bioetanol e biocombustíveis OGM, os Centros de P&D e Universidades, exercem papel de destaque, posicionados como atores indutores das redes. / Through collaboration networks in Research and Development (R&D), organizations access and mobilize new sources of resources, which in combination with their internal properties and capacities, can leverage the innovation results. In collaboration networks analysis for innovation, two perspectives are relevant, the network\'s structural characteristics and the position occupied by the actors within these networks, since both affect the flow and accessibility of the resources in the network, impacting the innovative as well as individual and collective performance. Following this perspective, the objective of this study is to analyze the structural characteristics of the cooperation networks created for the development of disruptive technologies which resulted in patent protection in six technological areas related to biofuels. In addition, the study aims to identify the central actors of these networks, from the perspective of direct and indirect relationships using Social Network Analysis (SNA). The research is based on information of patent families (INPADOC) related to biofuel according to the IPC-Green Inventory and applied as co-ownership during the period 1994 to 2014. The metadata was collected using Thomson Innovation platform and submitted to the standardization of organizations names to eliminate ambiguities. The results identify the largest developers of technologies in the areas of biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, vegetable oils, solid biofuels and biofuels from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), evidencing only few technologies that are developed in collaboration. After descriptive and comparison analysis of the collaboration networks for R&D&I for all the areas, it was noted the existence of complex relational arrangements among actors, although highly fragmented. It was possible to verify the existence of international partnerships in some areas, including biodiesel, bioethanol and GMO biofuels, although most partnerships are established with local partners. Through identification of the central actors in each networks, it was observed that in some of them such as bioethanol and GMO biofuels, the R&D Centers and Universities play a prominent role, positioned as inductors of the networks.

As the global population rises to an estimated 9.4bn by 2050, the pressure for food, fuel and freshwater will continue to increase. Current renewable energy technologies are not widely applicable to the transport sector, which requires energy dense liquid fuels that drop into our existing infrastructure. Algal biofuels promise significantly higher yields than plants, without the displacement of valuable agricultural resources and have the potential to meet the global demand for transport fuel. Fossil fuel energy is largely ‘a legacy of algal photosynthesis’, with algae accounting for ~50% of global CO2 fixation today. In addition, these curious organisms show remarkable diversity in form, behaviour and composition. Recently there has been a global resurgence of interest in microalgae as a resource of biomass and novel products. With the present level of technology, knowledge and experience in commercial scale aquaculture, the capital cost and energy investment for algal biomass production is high. Culturing, harvesting and disrupting microalgal cells account for the largest energy inputs with more positive energy balances requiring low energy designs for culture, dewatering and extraction, efficient water and nutrient recycling with minimal waste. Little is known about the variable cell wall of microalgae, which presents a formidable barrier to the extraction of microalgal products. Staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and enzymatic digestion were all utilised in an attempt to visualise, digest and characterise the cell wall of stock strains of Chlorella spp. and Pseudochoricystis ellipsoidea. The presence of algaenan, a highly resistant biopolymer, rendered staining and enzymatic digestion techniques ineffective. TEM revealed that algaenan is present in the outer walls of microalgae in a variety of conformations which appeared to impart strength to cells. A preliminary investigation utilising Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. elaeidis as a novel source of enzymes for the digestion of algaenan has also been described. Methods were developed for the mutagenesis of Chlorella emersonii and P. ellipsoidea using EMS and UV with the intent of generating cell-wall mutants. Although no viable cell wall mutants were produced, a viable pale mutant of C. emersonii was recovered 5 from UV mutagenesis. Growth rates of the pale mutant were significantly slower than the wild type, yet FAME profile was largely unaffected. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) was also investigated as a means for the rapid screening of mutagenized cells for cell wall mutants. In an attempt to reduce cooling costs of closed-culture systems, temperature tolerant species of microalgae were sought by bioprospecting the thermal waters of the Roman Baths. Numerous methods for isolation and purification of microalgae from the Baths were employed, ultimately yielding seven diverse isolates including cyanobacterial, eukaryotic, filamentous and single celled species. Despite some species possessing an increased tolerance to higher temperatures, none showed marked temperature tolerance coupled with high productivity. Further improvements to the culture conditions may have improved the productivity at higher temperatures. All seven isolates were deposited to the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP). A variety of extraction methods including soxhlet, beadbeating, sonication and microwaving was investigated for efficacy of extracting fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from C. emersonii. Beadbeating proved most effective in the extraction of FAMEs from C. emersonii. Microwaving showed potential as a rapid method of extraction yet was coupled with degradation of FAMEs, requiring further method development to resolve this issue. Method development has been a significant component of the work described in this thesis.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:37:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ELISIANE_KARAM2.pdf: 586066 bytes, checksum: 73601aa55e1af89fd793a2a89fd5ed17 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The use of Biodiesel as an additive to diesel in automotive proportion of 2 % v/v is being marketed in Brazil since January 2008. Thus, it is extremely important Know the environmental and commercial impact of samples of B100 produced and mixtures, for example, B2 (stipulated by the ANP - the National Petroleum Agency). The objective this paper is to physical-chemistry analyses of samples B100, obtained of different oil (soya, sunflower and canola) and samples mixtures biodiesel+diesel, obtained ethanolic route for process of transesterification of soya oil. Basic analyses chemical of B100 obtained ethanol route were compared with methanol route. The process of biodiesel transesterification and glycerin separation obtained by methanol route is very quickly ompareted with ethanol route, can not forget the degree of toxicity of methanol and the high cost of methanol in Brazil. The results of color, density, flash point were almost the same within the experimental precision, but the infrared spectral of the samples of B100, in the two cases presented distinct peaks. The chemical analysis of samples of B100, via ethanol route from different oils, has presented different colors and densities, may cause changes of color in the final product, observed that color stipulated by ANP is red. Analysis of samples of B100, made before and after the step of washing and neutralized the pH, showed that the analyses required by the ANP for business this fuel, not relevant differences, allowing produce B100 with less cost, however the omission this step, could lead to oxidation of parts of the automobile, causing damage to consumers and future environmental and economic impact to the country. / A utilização do biodiesel como aditivo ao diesel automotivo em proporção de 2 % v/v está sendo comercializada no Brasil desde janeiro de 2008. Assim, é de extrema importância uma avaliação do impacto comercial e ambiental de amostras de biodiesel B100 produzido e das misturas, como por exemplo, da comercializada, B2 (estipulada pela ANP – Agência Nacional de Petróleo). O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar fisicoquimicamente amostras de biodiesel B100, de diferentes oleaginosas (soja, canóla e girassol) e de diferentes proporções de misturas biodiesel + diesel, amostras de B100 obtidas via rota etanólica do processo de transesterificação do óleo de soja. Análises químicas básicas foram feitas em amostras B100 obtidas via rota etanólica, utilizando-se o óleo de soja com matéria prima e comparadas com a rota metanólica. Ressalta-se que o processo de transesterificação do biodiesel e separação da glicerina, oriundo da rota metanólica é mais rápido, entretanto não se pode esquecer o grau de toxidez do metanol e o elevado custo do metanol no Brasil. Os resultados de cor, densidade, ponto de fulgor foram praticamente os mesmos dentro da precisão experimental, mas os espectros de infravermelho de amostras de B100, nos dois processos apresentaram alguns picos diferenciados. As análises químicas das amostras de combustível B100, via rota etanólica oriundas de diferentes oleaginosas, apresentaram cores e densidades diferentes, podendo causar mudanças de cores no produto final gerado, ressalta-se que e a cor estipulada pela ANP para este tipo de combustível é vermelha. Análises de amostras de B100, feitas antes e após a etapa de lavagem e neutralização do pH, mostraram que as análises exigidas pela ANP para revenda deste combustível, não apresentarem diferenças, o que pode levar o produtor a gerar o B100 com menor custo, entretanto a falta desta etapa, poderá levar a oxidação das peças dos veículos automotores, causando prejuízo aos consumidores e futuro impacto ambiental e econômico ao País.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T19:30:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Natali Maidl de Souza.pdf: 844295 bytes, checksum: c57633416b5efaeb2fb32fe1c80f26ed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Increasing use of vegetable oils as fuels has led to studies that seek to qualify these raw materials. In the case of soybean, genotype, soil and climatic cropping conditions, and agronomic management are reported as responsible by oil content, protein and fatty acid profile variation. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of phosphorus fertilization on oil content produced by soybean crop, and also effects on grain yield, weight of 100 seeds, oil yield, protein content, protein yield, content of phosphorus and phosphorus accumulation in the grain. The work was carried out in the years 2010/2011, under randomized blocks experimental design, with four replications, in a factorial scheme 3 x 3, with three sources (triple superphosphate, phosphate rock and magnesium termophosphate) and three rates of phosphorus (60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1 of P2O5) placed before soybean sowing (Apolo genotype), in the autumn/winter crop season, besides one additional treatment for each source, placed during the spring/summer crop season, at a 90 kg ha-1 of P2O5 (local control). There were no significant effects of sources and rates of phosphorus, applied earlier, on grain yield, weight of 100 seeds, oil content, oil yield, protein content and protein yield. For P content, triple superphosphate was superior than phosphate rock, and rates from 120 kg ha-1 were superior than the lowest rate. Phosphorus accumulation was higher in triple superphosphate and magnesium termophosphate sources, where the rate of 120 kg ha-1 of P2O5 was superior than the lowest rate. The contrast between the fertilization placed in autumn/winter and spring/summer crop seasons showed effect on protein content, where fertilization placed in spring/summer crop season showed superior effect, and on P accumulation, where fertilization placed in autumn/winter increased this accumulation. / O crescente aumento do uso dos óleos vegetais como combustíveis tem levado a estudos que busquem qualificar essas matérias-primas. No caso da soja, o genótipo, as condições edafoclimáticas de cultivo e o manejo agronômico são relatados como responsáveis pelas variações dos teores de óleo, proteína e perfil de ácidos graxos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a influência da adubação fosfatada sobre o teor de óleo produzido pela cultura da soja, além de efeitos sobre o rendimento de grãos, massa de 100 sementes, rendimento de óleo, teor e rendimento de proteína e teor e acúmulo de fósforo no grão. O trabalho foi desenvolvido nos anos de 2010/2011, sob delineamento experimental de blocos aleatorizados, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, onde os fatores foram três fontes (superfosfato-triplo, fosfato natural reativo e termofosfato magnesiano) e três doses de fósforo (60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1 de P2O5) aplicados antecipadamente à cultura da soja (cultivar Apolo), por ocasião da safra de outono/inverno, além de um tratamento adicional para cada fonte, aplicado por ocasião da safra de primavera/verão na dose de 90 kg ha-1 de P2O5 (controle regional). Não houve efeito significativo das fontes e doses de fósforo, aplicadas antecipadamente, sobre o rendimento de grãos, massa de 100 sementes, teor de óleo, rendimento de óleo, teor de proteína e rendimento de proteína. Para teor de P, o superfosfatotriplo foi superior ao fosfato natural reativo, sendo que as doses a partir de 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 foram superiores a menor dose. O acúmulo de P foi superior nas fontes superfosfatotriplo e termofosfato magnesiano, sendo a dose de 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 superior a menor dose. O contraste entre a fertilização realizada em outono/inverno e primavera/verão mostrou efeito sobre o teor de proteína, onde a fertilização por ocasião da safra de primavera/verão apresentou efeito superior, e sobre o acúmulo de P, onde a fertilização no outono/inverno favoreceu este acúmulo.

<div>Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is an important warm-season perennial grass in livestock systems and has been extensively researched as an herbaceous energy crop. Objectives of this series of studies were to compare morphological development, compositional quality, crop growth, and yield of a recently developed biofuel cultivar ‘Liberty’ to an improved forage cultivar ‘Shawnee’ in multiple Indiana environments. Pure stands of each cultivar were sampled in the field at Trafalgar and Roann, Indiana in 2016. In 2017, samples were collected at Trafalgar, Roann, and Lafayette, Indiana. Samples were collected weekly during the early season and every other week in the late season with development determined by use of the Mean Stage Count (MSC) and Mean Stage Weight (MSW) system.</div><div>In the morphological development study, MSC and MSW were linearly related to both GDD and DOY for both years. ‘Liberty’ growth lagged behind ‘Shawnee’ throughout the whole growing season by approximately seven days. Prediction equations for MSC and MSW were developed based on accumulated GDD and DOY for Trafalgar and Roann in 2017. The prediction equations for MSC as predicted by GDD explained from 84 to 93 percent of the variation in MSC across locations for ‘Shawnee’ and between 90 to 94 percent of the variation for ‘Liberty’. For MSW, ‘Shawnee’ and ‘Liberty’ prediction equations explained from 84 to 93 percent and 90 to 95 percent of the variation as predicted by GDD across locations, respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>In the compositional quality study, samples from every other sampling date were ground and analyzed using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Increasing nitrogen fertilizer caused a higher nitrogen concentration at a given MSC. The 0 kg N ha-1 fertilizer rate dropped below 10 mg g-1 nitrogen by MSC 2.2, whereas the 134 kg N ha-1 fertilizer rate had greater than 10 mg g-1 until MSC 2.7. ‘Liberty’ had increased Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) concentration as compared to ‘Shawnee’. For whole-plant samples, ‘Liberty’ averaged 727 mg g-1 NDF as compared to ‘Shawnee’ which averaged 718 mg g-1. ‘Liberty’ had 18 mg g-1 higher acid detergent fiber (ADF), on average, as compared to ‘Shawnee’. Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) was not different among nitrogen fertilizer treatments. Stem-plus-sheath material accounted for a higher percentage of NDF, ADF, and ADL, in whole-plants as MSC increased, as compared to leaf blades. ‘Shawnee’ had higher IVDMD as compared to ‘Liberty’ and the biggest differences occurred around MSC 2.9. At MSC 2.9, ‘Shawnee’ whole-plant IVDMD was 448 mg g-1 and ‘Liberty’ whole-plant IVDMD was 430 mg g-1. Whole-plant ash concentration decreased as MSC increased.<br></div><div><br></div><div>For the study that evaluated crop growth and yield, differences in grams m-2, mass tiller-1, and tiller number per unit area were analyzed in response to growing degree days (GDD) and day of year (DOY). Number of tillers had a negative linear response to GDD and DOY for both years, whereas, mass tiller-1 had a positive linear response to GDD and DOY for both years. Grams m-2 responded quadratically to GDD and DOY. Generally, ‘Liberty’ had 20 percent higher mass tiller-1 and lower number of tillers per m-2 at the end of the season as compared to ‘Shawnee.’ Addition of nitrogen fertilizer generally increased mass tiller-1 and grams m-2. Roann, the northern most site, also had highest tiller numbers at the beginning of the season and decreased faster than at the central Indiana sites. ‘Liberty’ yielded 8.8 percent higher than ‘Shawnee’ across locations, nitrogen rates, and sampling years. Addition of nitrogen fertilizer did not conclusively increase yield. Grams m-2, mass tiller-1, and tillers per sample area helped explain some yield differences. For example, ‘Liberty’ had increased yield as compared to ‘Shawnee’, and ‘Liberty’ also had higher mass tiller-1 with no differences in tiller number between cultivars. While additions of nitrogen fertilizer increased grams per tiller, yield was not significantly increased with added nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, these measures should not stand alone as a predictor of yield differences between cultivars. Switchgrass is a bunchgrass and has inherent difference in numbers of plant and tillers per plant within a plot, which may not be truly represented by one crop growth parameter alone.</div><div><br></div><div>This study confirms that switchgrass has great potential as a forage and biofuel crop in Indiana with low nitrogen fertilizer requirements and high yield. Understanding how switchgrass morphological development, compositional quality, growth, and yield responds in Indiana environments across locations, years, and nitrogen rates will help guide the future switchgrass management decisions of producers and researchers.</div>