Biorefinery of the macroalgae Ulva lactuca : extraction of proteins and carbohydrates by mild disintegration

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Unity and diversity in a collaborative research project

Studies on crossing boundaries show evidence that diversity in perspectives amongst group members does not need to be overcome by unity in order for collaboration to take place. This study explores what mechanisms of collaboration allow groups to maintain both unity and diversity. A longitudinal study of a Dutch inter-university research project is reported. The analysis considered how the group pursues the aim to function as a unified collective as well as the aim to include diverse project agendas and diverse theoretical perspectives. The results show two mechanisms. The first mechanism refers to an extension of diverse individually into diverse collectively voiced positions. The second mechanism includes a continuous shift in the way these diverse collective positions are constructed. This latter indicates how various types of boundaries are continuously negotiated during collaboration. We conclude that research on crossing boundaries should consider unity and diversity as two dialogically related and multilayered dimensions

Biorefinery of the macroalgae Ulva lactuca : extraction of proteins and carbohydrates by mild disintegration

The effect of osmotic shock, enzymatic incubation, pulsed electric field, and high shear homogenization on the release of water-soluble proteins and carbohydrates from the green alga Ulva lactuca was investigated in this screening study. For osmotic shock, both temperature and incubation time had a significant influence on the release with an optimum at 30 °C for 24 h of incubation. For enzymatic incubation, pectinase demonstrated being the most promising enzyme for both protein and carbohydrate release. Pulsed electric field treatment was most optimal at an electric field strength of 7.5 kV cm−1 with 0.05 ms pulses and a specific energy input relative to the released protein as low as 6.6 kWh kgprot −1. Regarding literature, this study reported the highest protein (~ 39%) and carbohydrate (~ 51%) yields of the four technologies using high shear homogenization. Additionally, an energy reduction up to 86% was achieved by applying a novel two-phase (macrostructure size reduction and cell disintegration) technique.</p