Using Microalgae to Remediate Food and Bio-Digester Effluents from Western New York Agro Industries and Prospecting Harvested Algae Biomass for Biofuel Feedstocks

Agro-industries of Western NY contributes to the US economy in diverse ways. Among these are dairy, poultry, cheese, tofu and Greek Yogurt plants whose processes discharge effluents high in pollutants such as NH3, PO4, NO3, and Fe which adversely affect aquatic systems and the watershed if discharged untreated. Waste hauling causes an economic burden to industries as WWTPs remain restrictive to these effluents, but Algae Remediation Technology provides a sustainable alternative to treating agricultural wastewaters onsite. This study sampled, assessed and treated effluents from selected production plants within NY State with various algae. The research applied free suspended Algae technology to treat food-based waste waters that have pollutant levels exceeding USEPA limits. While Botyroccocus sp and Chlorella sp reduced 99% of NO3 from Synergy’s dairy and bio digester effluents within 5 days residence time, all algae species removed 75% of phosphorus within 5 days Residence Time (RT). Nostoc sp removed 98% NO3 from Kreher farm’s Egg wash effluents but moderately removed PO4 within 6 days RT while Anabaena and Chlorella sp impressively removed 90% PO4 and over 90% NO3 within an average of 3 and 12-days RT respectively. Tofu, cheese, and Greek yogurt whey all achieved bioremediation targets in less than 15 days RT. Post-treatment biomass harvested contained triglycerides and FFA fraction. Ultrasonication did not influence lipids, glucose and methane yields. Chlorella sp showed an avg 27g/L sugar yield compared to coffee and other algae biomass which yielded only avg 10g/L sugars. Lipid or lipid-sugar extractions from biomass increased Bio methane potential (BMP) by 1 and 5-fold respectively to 10ml meth/gVS and 25ml meth/g VS. Analysis and results indicate that algae are effective at reducing pollutants in agro-industrial effluents while producing high quality biomass for bioenergy purpose

KARAKTERISASI BEBERAPA GALUR INBRIDA JAGUNG PAKAN (Zea mays L.)

Saat ini, masih terdapat beberapa kendala yang menghambat produksi maksimum jagung. Penggunaan varietas unggul adalah salah satu upaya untuk peningkatan produksi. Karakterisasi merupakan salah satu tahapan penting dalam pembentukan varietas unggul yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakter-karakter penting yang bernilai ekonomis dan sebagai penciri dari varietas yang bersangkutan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan sejumlah galur jagung hasil dari proses seleksi yang akan digunakan sebagai tetua dalam pembuatan varietas hibrida. Pelaksanaan penelitian di Kebun Percobaan Jatikerto, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Brawijaya, Malang pada bulan Nopember 2013 sampai Pebruari 2014. Penelitian dilakukan dengan RAK sederhana sebanyak 3 ulangan dengan cara menanam 4 galur jagung yang disusun dengan pola persilangan. Penanaman dua baris Seri A (tetua jantan) diselang satu baris dengan G6, G3-34 dan G 10 (tetua betina). Data pengamatan terdiri dari karakter kuantitatif dan kualitatif yang mana masing-masing karakter dibedakan menjadi dua yaitu komponen morfologi tanaman (Seri A, G6, G3-34 dan G10) dan komponen hasil (G 6, G3-34 dan G 10). Hasil penelitian dari 4 galur jagung yang diuji, secara umum karakter morfologi dan karakter komponen hasil telah menunjukkan karakteristik yang khas. Bahkan pada beberapa galur telah menunjukkan karakter umur berbunga betina, tinggi tanaman, tinggi tongkol, letak tongkol, panjang tangkai, panjang kelobot, tip filling, diameter tongkol, jumlah baris tongkol-1 dan bobot 100 butir yang menunjukkan potensi untuk dipilih sebagai galur tetua pembuatan varietas hibrida. Kata kunci : jagung, Zea mays L., karakterisasi, karaker kualitatif dan kuantitati

The Incretins and Pancreatic β-Cells: Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide to Cure Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in prevalence worldwide. The complications associated with T2DM result in increased mortality and financial cost for those affected. T2DM has long been known to be associated with insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and a relative degree of insulin deficiency. However, the concept that insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity are not linked through a hyperbolic relationship in T2DM has continuously been demonstrated in many clinical trials. Thus, in order to prevent and treat T2DM, it is necessary to identify the substance(s) that will improve the function and survival of the pancreatic β-cells in both normal and pathologic conditions, so that production and secretion of insulin can be enhanced. Incretin hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), have been shown to lower the postprandial and fasting glucose and the glycated hemoglobin levels, suppress the elevated glucagon level, and stimulate glucose-dependent insulin synthesis and secretion. In this report, we will review the biological actions and mechanisms associated with the actions of incretin hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, on β-cell health and compare the differences between GLP-1 and GIP

Incretin Receptor Null Mice Reveal Key Role of GLP-1 but Not GIP in Pancreatic Beta Cell Adaptation to Pregnancy

Islet adaptations to pregnancy were explored in C57BL6/J mice lacking functional receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). Pregnant wild type mice and GIPRKO mice exhibited marked increases in islet and beta cell area, numbers of medium/large sized islets, with positive effects on Ki67/Tunel ratio favouring beta cell growth and enhanced pancreatic insulin content. Alpha cell area and glucagon content were unchanged but prohormone convertases PC2 and PC1/3 together with significant amounts of GLP-1 and GIP were detected in alpha cells. Knockout of GLP-1R abolished these islet adaptations and paradoxically decreased pancreatic insulin, GLP-1 and GIP. This was associated with abolition of normal pregnancy-induced increases in plasma GIP, L-cell numbers, and intestinal GIP and GLP-1 stores. These data indicate that GLP-1 but not GIP is a key mediator of beta cell mass expansion and related adaptations in pregnancy, triggered in part by generation of intra-islet GLP-1

Review article: a comparison of glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2.

BACKGROUND: Recent advancements in understanding the roles and functions of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and 2 (GLP-2) have provided a basis for targeting these peptides in therapeutic strategies. AIM: To summarise the preclinical and clinical research supporting the discovery of new therapeutic molecules targeting GLP-1 and GLP-2. METHODS: This review is based on a comprehensive PubMed search, representing literature published during the past 30 years related to GLP-1 and GLP-2. RESULTS: Although produced and secreted together primarily from L cells of the intestine in response to ingestion of nutrients, GLP-1 and GLP-2 exhibit distinctive biological functions that are governed by the expression of their respective receptors, GLP-1R and GLP-2R. Through widespread expression in the pancreas, intestine, nervous tissue, et cetera, GLP-1Rs facilitates an incretin effect along with effects on appetite and satiety. GLP-1 analogues resistant to degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV have been developed to aid treatment of diabetes and obesity. The GLP-2R is expressed almost exclusively in the stomach and bowel. The most apparent role for GLP-2 is its promotion of growth and function of intestinal mucosa, which has been targeted for therapies that promote repair and adaptive growth. These are used as treatments for intestinal failure and related conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our growing understanding of the biology and function of GLP-1, GLP-2 and corresponding receptors has fostered further discovery of fundamental biological function as well as new categories of potent therapeutic medicines

Dissecting the physiology and pathophysiology of glucagon-like peptide-1

Copyright © 2018 Paternoster and Falasca. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. An aging world population exposed to a sedentary life style is currently plagued by chronic metabolic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, that are spreading worldwide at an unprecedented rate. One of the most promising pharmacological approaches for the management of type 2 diabetes takes advantage of the peptide hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) under the form of protease resistant mimetics, and DPP-IV inhibitors. Despite the improved quality of life, long-term treatments with these new classes of drugs are riddled with serious and life-threatening side-effects, with no overall cure of the disease. New evidence is shedding more light over the complex physiology of GLP-1 in health and metabolic diseases. Herein, we discuss the most recent advancements in the biology of gut receptors known to induce the secretion of GLP-1, to bridge the multiple gaps into our understanding of its physiology and pathology