Feedstocks for Second-Generation Biodiesel: Microalgae’s Biology and Oil Composition

The solar energy is an inexhaustible source, while other energy reserves, like fossil and nuclear fuels, are limited in quantity and are depleted as years go by. Renewable energy is necessary to replace petroleum-derived fuels. The first generation biofuels, which are produced from oil seeds and crops, are a possible alternative, but they are limited in their capacity to provide all the energy demanded in the world. Therefore, new sources for the sustainable production of renewable energy are being looked for. This concern has promoted the keen interest in developing second generation biofuels, which are produced from other feedstocks, such as microalgal oils (Schenk et al., 2008; Mata et al., 2010). Some microalgal species are capable of producing biomass yields containing high percentages of oils (Aaronson et. al., 1980). In addition, microalgal systems can use low value natural resources, such as arid lands and saline water, thus offering the potential for large biomass energy contributions without competing for prime agricultural or forest land. Most microalgae grow photoautotrophically by using solar energy and mainly carbon dioxide as carbon source. Alternatively, some species can grow heterotrophically or mixotrophically using organic compounds as energy and carbon sources.Fil: Leonardi, Patricia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Popovich, Cecilia Angelines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Damiani, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin

A practical tool for selecting microalgal species for biodiesel production

In the search for energy sources to replace fossil fuels, microalgae have shown promising characteristics. Their cultures have several advantages over the conventional crops used for commercial biodiesel: they have fast growth rates and a high lipid content and can grow in environments unfit for agriculture. However, relatively few species have so far been studied as biodiesel feedstock. In order to facilitate the search for potentially useful species/strains, in this work, a bioprospecting tool based on biomass and oil production process requirements, triacylglyceride content, and biodiesel properties has been developed. For this purpose, an overall score (OS) was proposed as a tool based on biological, economic, and environmental factors. By applying the OS to nine species, we were able to narrow down the number of species within the diatom group, which are potentially suitable for large-scale biodiesel production. Halamphora coffeaeformis, Navicula cincta, and N. gregaria were the species with the highest OS (1.65-1.5). It is expected that this tool will provide a useful contribution to the criteria applied in the selection of microalgal species for large-scale biodiesel production.Fil: Martin, Lucas Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Popovich, Cecilia Angelines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación. Universidad Provincial del Sudoeste. Centro de Emprendedorismo y Desarrollo Territorial Sustentable; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Damiani, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, Patricia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin

Residual bilinearization combined with kernel-unfolded partial least-squares: A new technique for processing non-linear second-order data achieving the second-order advantage

A new second-order multivariate calibration model is presented which allows one to process matrix data showing a non-linear relationship between signal and concentration, and achieving the important second-order advantage. The latter property permits analyte quantitation even in the presence of unexpected sample components, i.e., those not present in the calibration set. The model is based on a combination of residual bilinearization, which provides the second-order advantage, and kernel partial least-squares of unfolded data, a flexible non-linear version of partial least-squares. The latter one involves projection of the measured data onto a non-linear space, which in the present case consists of a set of Gaussian radial basis functions. Simulations concerning two ideal systems are analyzed: one where the signal-concentration relation is quadratic with positive deviations from linearity, and another one where it is sigmoidal. The results are favorably compared with those provided by several artificial neural network approaches. Two experimental systems are also studied, involving the analysis of: 1) the lipid degradation product malondialdehyde in olive oil samples, where the background oil provides a strong interferent signal, and 2) the antibiotic amoxicillin in the presence of the anti-inflammatory salicylate as interferent. The results for these experimental cases are also encouraging.Fil: Garcia Reiriz, Alejandro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Analítica; ArgentinaFil: Damiani, Patricia Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Analítica; ArgentinaFil: Olivieri, Alejandro Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Analítica; Argentin

Influence of Light Stress on the Accumulation of Xanthophylls and Lipids in Haematococcus pluvialis CCALA 1081 Grown under Autotrophic or Mixotrophic Conditions

The influence of light stress and trophic environmental conditions on the production of astaxanthin, other xanthophylls and lipids from an Argentinian strain of Haematococcus pluvialis was investigated. Microalgae cultures were incubated for two weeks in autotrophic or mixotrophic conditions (with sodium acetate in the culture medium) and subjected to two different light stresses. HPLC analyses showed that: 1) regardless of the growth conditions, microalgal cells accumulated most of the astaxanthin (about 90%) in esterified form; 2) maximal increase of astaxanthin level was observed in the culture grown in autotrophic conditions subjected to moderate light stress (90 μmol photons m-2 s-1), while the same light regime in mixotrophic conditions led to a lower increase (only 25.8 fold); 3) in the case of high light stress (350 μmol photons m-2 s-1), the adaptive response of microalgae also led to a significant increase in the amount of astaxanthin both in autotrophic (22 fold increase) and in mixotrophic (16 fold increase) conditions; 4) an inverse correlation (R2 = 0.977) exists between the amount of lipids and that of astaxanthin accumulated by Haematococcus grown under different growth conditions; 5) lutein was found to be the most accumulated pigment in microalgae not subjected to light stress.Fil: Doria, Enrico. University of Pavia. Department of Biology and Biotechnology; ItaliaFil: Temporiti, Marta Elisabetta E.. University of Pavia. Department of Biology and Biotechnology; ItaliaFil: Damiani, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Popovich, Cecilia Angelines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, Patricia Ines. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Nielsen, Erik. University of Pavia. Department of Biology and Biotechnology; Itali

Biodiesel production from Neochloris oleoabundans by supercritical technology

Oleaginous microalgae have been proposed as a sustainable alternative biomass to produce biodiesel in order to substitute conventional vegetable oils derived from oilseed crops. Particularly, recent studies pointed out the potential of N. oleoabundans, cultured in seawater or in anaerobically digested dairy manure, to produce triglycerides with high content of monounsaturated fatty acids. The supercritical technology has been recognized as a green sustainable alternative to transform biomass into valuable products. Thus, the aim of the present wok was to study the direct supercritical alcohol processing of partially dried N. oleoabundans biomass and later reaction products fractionation by supercritical CO2 or liquid n-hexane. A direct alcoholysis of microalgae biomass was carried out at different temperatures (250 °C and 280 °C) and increasing reaction times in order to evaluate the fatty acid ester production. Bio-oils from microalgae with up to 35 wt.% fatty acid esters were obtained by two fold extraction with n-hexane. Conversely, supercritical CO2 fractionation produced upgraded bio-oils with up to 74 wt.% of fatty acid esters content.Fil: Hegel, Pablo Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Lucas Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Popovich, Cecilia Angelines. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Centro de Emprendedorismo y Desarrollo Territorial Sostenible; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Damiani, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Pancaldi, S.. Universita Di Ferrara; Italia. Universita Di Ferrara; ItaliaFil: Pereda, Selva. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, Patricia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentin

A rare case of pure uterine giant lipoma.

We encountered a rare case of uterine pure giant lipoma. Pure lipoma of the uterus is a very rare entity with an estimated occurrence of 0.03e0.12% [1,2]. To date, the histogenesis of lipomatous tumors has not been determined. A 73-year-old woman complained a sensation of pelvic heaviness and severe urge incontinence. Ultrasound showed an enlarged uterus, 16 weeks' size, with a round hyperechogenic lesion of 15 cm 14 cm, compressing the bladder and a bladder compression. Endometrial thickness was dislocated by the voluminous lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging (Figure 1A) showed the presence of two lesions with low-intensity signals (4 cm 3.2 cm; 2 cm 2.8 cm) and another one with a high-intensity signal on T1-weighted images (15 cm 12 cm). A hysteroscopic specimen showed atrophic endometrium. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Hysterectomy revealed an enlarged uterus (19 cm 11 cm 13 cm) due to the presence of three globular masses, which appeared as well-circumscribed intramural tumors. The lipoma was the largest of these globular masses, soft in consistency and homogeneously yellow (Figure 1B). No smooth muscle cells or fibrous elements were present intratumorally (Figure 1C, D); therefore, it was diagnosed as a pure lipoma [1]

Biodiesel production from Halamphora coffeaeformis microalga oil by supercritical ethanol transesterificati

The marine benthic diatom Halamphora coffeaeformis is a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. This species shows high growth rates, important triacylglycerol (TAG) contents and grows in seawater making largescale cultivation advantageous. Moreover, sustainable biofuel production in future biorefineries requires the implementation of technologies that employ renewable solvents. Thus, the goal of this work was to evaluate ethanol usage as extraction solvent and reaction medium for biodiesel production from H. coffeaeformis. In a first step a bio-oil extraction was carried out comparing ethanol and n-hexane to investigate the performance of ethanol with respect to a conventional solvent. Then, a free-catalyst supercritical ethanol transesterification of the bio-oils was carried out to obtain biodiesel. Higher lipid extraction yields were obtained using ethanol respect to n-hexane (26 wt.% vs 21.1 wt.%). The transesterification of crude lipids extracted with ethanol as solvent at 305 °C and 40 min. produced up to 15.9 wt.% of biodiesel respect to dried biomass processed. Comparable biodiesel yields were obtained using non-renewable organic solvents and a conventional catalytic technology. Thus, ethanol extraction and subsequent supercritical transesterification of H. coffeaeformis oil proved to be technically feasible and environmental friendly technology for the production of biodiesel

Heterologous prime-boost vaccination based on Polymorphic protein D protects against intravaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection in mice

The control of the worldwide spread of sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection urgently demands the development of a preventive vaccine. In this work, we designed a vaccine based on a fragment of polymorphic protein D (FPmpD) that proved to be immunogenic enough to generate a robust systemic and mucosal IgG humoral immune response in two strains of mice. We used a heterologous prime-boost strategy, including simultaneous systemic and mucosal administration routes. The high titers of anti-PmpD antibodies elicited by this immunization scheme did not affect murine fertility. We tested the vaccine in a mouse model of Ct intravaginal infection. Anti-PmpD antibodies displayed potent neutralizing activity in vitro and protective effects in uterine tissues in vivo. Notably, the humoral immune response of PmpD-vaccinated mice was faster and stronger than the primary immune response of non-vaccinated mice when exposed to Ct. FPmpD-based vaccine effectively reduced Ct shedding into cervicovaginal fluids, bacterial burden at the genitourinary tract, and overall infectivity. Hence, the FPmpD-based vaccine might constitute an efficient tool to protect against Ct intravaginal infection and decrease the infection spreading.Fil: Russi, Romina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Inmunologia Experimental.; ArgentinaFil: del Balzo, Diego Damián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Lujan, Agustin Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Reidel, Ivana Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Inmunologia Experimental.; ArgentinaFil: García, María Inés. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Inmunologia Experimental.; ArgentinaFil: Veaute, Carolina Melania Isabel. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Inmunologia Experimental.; ArgentinaFil: Damiani, Maria Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

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The Effectiveness of Coping Strategies in the Latent First Stage of Labour: A Systematic Review

The latent phase of labour is defined as a period of time marked by painful uterine contractions and variable changes of the cervix, including some degree of cervical effacement and a slow dilatation up to 5 cm [1]..