Evaluation of a Brazilian fuel alcohol yeast strain for Scotch whisky fermentations

Traditionally, distilling companies in Scotland have employed a very limited number of yeast strains in the production of alcohol for Scotch whiskies. Recent changes such as the decline in availability of brewers’ yeast as a secondary yeast strain and the availability of yeast in different formats (e.g., dried and cream yeast as alternatives to compressed yeast) have promoted interest in alternative Scotch whisky distilling yeasts. In previous work, we investigated different strains of yeasts, specifically Brazilian yeasts which had been isolated from and used in fuel alcohol distilleries. One of the Brazilian yeasts (CAT 1) showed a comparable fermentation performance and superior stress tolerance compared with a standard commercial Scotch whisky distilling yeast (M Type). The Brazilian CAT 1 yeast isolate was further assessed in laboratory scale fermentations and subsequent new make spirit was subjected to sensory analyses. The spirits produced using the Brazilian strain had acceptable flavour profiles and exhibited no sensory characteristics that were atypical of Scotch whisky new make spirit. This study highlights the potential of exploiting yeast biodiversity in traditional Scotch whisky distillery fermentation processes

Anaerobic digestion of fungally pre-treated wine distillery wastewater

The combination of fungal pre-treatment with Trametes pubescens and anaerobic digestion were tested for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds from wine distillery wastewater. The COD removal efficiency after fungal pre-treatment reached 53.3%. During digestion, pH buffering was achieved using CaCO3 and K2HPO4. This provided a stable environment inside digester for efficient and time-independent COD removal. The total COD removal efficiency reached 99.5%, and the system proved able to eliminate shock COD loads, as indicated by the concentrations of sludge and volatile fatty acids. Complex changes of phenolic compounds are suspected in anaerobic digestionsystem, and are investigated further

Anaerobic digestion of fungally pre-treated wine distillery wastewater

The combination of fungal pre-treatment with Trametes pubescens and anaerobic digestion were tested for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds from wine distillery wastewater. The COD removal efficiency after fungal pre-treatment reached 53.3%. During digestion, pH buffering was achieved using CaCO3 and K2HPO4. This provided a stable environment inside digester for efficient and time-independent COD removal. The total COD removal efficiency reached 99.5%, and the system proved able to eliminate shock COD loads, as indicated by the concentrations of sludge and volatile fatty acids. Complex changes of phenolic compounds are suspected in anaerobic digestion system, and are investigated further

Investigating the Effect of Ozone on the Biodegradability of Distillery Wastewater

The effect of ozonation on wine distillery wastewater was investigated firstly by monitoring the effect of ozonationon the composition of the wastewater and, secondly, by investigating its effect on the biodegradability of thewastewater. An average COD reduction of 271 mg COD.g O3-1 was found for wastewater from a distillery pondsystem. Stable microbial populations, which are found in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) granules, wereused to determine the toxic effect of wastewater on microbial activity. Granule activity was measured in terms ofthe rate of biogas and methane production, as well as cumulative biogas volume. Low ozone doses (200 to 400 mgO3.L-1) increased granule activity in terms of biogas, methane production, and cumulative gas volumes. Distillerywastewater reduced the activity of granules, most likely due to the presence of polyphenols and other recalcitrantcompounds in the distillery wastewater

Potential utilization of industrial waste as feed material for the growth and reproduction of earthworms

The issue of managing organic waste such as animal waste and industrial waste has emerged as a result of the fast development in urbanization around the world. It can be hazardous to the environment and public health if these are not properly stored, collected, and disposed of. These biological wastes can be turned into nutrient-rich biofertilizers using the vermicomposting process. The bio-oxidative method includes the combined activity of earthworms and microbes. The pH, organic carbon, organic matter, and the C:N ratio of the various organic waste mixtures showed a declining tendency during this process but the content of nitrogen, available phosphorous and exchangeable potassium showed a rising trend as the vermicomposting time progressed. Maximum earthworm growth and reproduction were reported better in different feed materials prepared from industrial wastes. Therefore, the present review article is based on the knowledge of using earthworms to stabilize waste. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.773047

Impact of post biomethanated spentwash on soil properties, nutrient uptake and yield of soybean – wheat cropping sequence

A field experiment was conducted on Sawargaon series of isohyperthermic family of Vertic haplustepts to study the effect of application of primary treated biomethanated spentwash (PBSW) through irrigation on soil properties, nutrient uptake and yield of soybean – wheat cropping sequence. The bulk density and hydraulic conductivity of soil were improved in 100% recommended dose (RD) of N through PBSW with and without P chemical fertilizer at soil depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm. The lowest soil pH, calcium carbonate and highest electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available K, exchangeable sodium (Na), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and pooled bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes populations in surface (0-15 cm) soil depth were observed in 100% RD of N through PBSW + with and without P chemical fertilizer at all three soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-60 cm) over the other treatments. The highest pooled available soil P was recorded in 50% RD of N through PBSW application through irrigation and remaining N and P through chemical fertilizers in all three soil depths. The significantly highest total NPK uptake by cropping sequence and highest mean Benefit : Cost (B:C) ratio of soybean and wheat was recorded in 25 % RD of N through PBSW + remaining N and P through chemical fertilizers over the rest of the treatments. The 25 % N-recommended dose of soybean and wheat crop can be replaced by application of PBSW through irrigation in sequence without disturbing soils by salt load

COD removal and decolorization efficacy of ozonation process in spiral high pressure super mixing reactor for treatment of alcohol distilleries wastewater

Background and Aims: Alcohol distillery wastewater is a highly polluted wastewater which its treatment poses a special problem. In this work, the efficiency of ozonation process exploited in a spiral high pressure super mixing reactor was studied for COD removal and decolorization of alcohol distilleries wastewater. The results was also compared with a conventional reactor. Materials and Methods: The present laboratory-scale research was done on real effluent from anaerobic wastewater treatment unit of alcohol wastewater. Experiments were conducted in a pressurized spiral super mixing reactor equipped with static mixers and also in a control conventional reactor with the same volume. The process performance criteria, such as COD, BOD and color, were determined according to standards methods for water and wastewater examination. Results: The pressurized spiral super mixing reactor showed high efficiency in removing pollutants and reducing ozone consumption as compared to conventional reactor. Typically, during 30 min, and pH =5.3, the COD removal efficiency in the pressurized spiral super mixing reactor was 4.8 times higher than that of conventional reactor. According to the results, the efficacy of ozonation process increased by changing the pH from acidic to alkaline. Generally, the respective highest removal efficiency of COD and color was obtained at pH=11 and pH=5.3  in both reactors at their maximum retention time.  Also the biodegradability of wastewater (BOD/COD) was enhanced in both reactors following ozonation process. Conclusion: The pressurized spiral super mixing reactor performance in reducing ozone consumption highlights the potential applicability of this reactor for wastewater treatment of alcohol industry. The reactor can be used as pre-treatment or post treatment processes for the appropriate treatment of industrial wastewater. Keywords: Ozone, Alcohol industry, Pressurized spiral super mixing reactor, Colour, CO

Understanding the impact of crop and food production on the water environment ‐using sugar as a model

The availability of fresh water and the quality of aquatic ecosystems are important global concerns, and agriculture plays a major role. Consumers and manufacturers are increasingly sensitive to sustainability issues related to processed food products and drinks. The present study examines the production of sugar from the growing cycle through to processing to the factory gate, and identifies the potential impacts on water scarcity and quality and the ways in which the impact of water use can be minimised. We have reviewed the production phases and processing steps, and how calculations of water use can be complicated, or in some cases how assessments can be relatively straightforward. Finally, we outline several ways that growers and sugar processors are improving the efficiency of water use and reducing environmental impact, and where further advances can be made. This provides a template for the assessment of other crops