Leptospira interrogans outer membrane protein-based nanohybrid sensor for the diagnosis of leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is an underestimated tropical disease caused by the pathogenic Leptospira species and responsible for several serious health problems. Here, we aimed to develop an ultrasen-sitive DNA biosensor for the rapid and on-site detection of the Loa22 gene of Leptospira interrogans using a gold nanoparticle–carbon nanofiber composite (AuN/CNF)-based screen-printed electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance were performed for electrochemical analysis. The sensitivity of the sensor was 5431.74 µA/cm2 /ng with a LOD (detection limit) of 0.0077 ng/µL using cyclic voltammetry. The developed DNA biosensor was found highly specific to the Loa22 gene of L. interrogans, with a storage stability at 4¿ C for 180 days and a 6% loss of the initial response. This DNA-based sensor only takes 30 min for rapid detection of the pathogen, with a higher specificity and sensitivity. The promising results obtained suggest the application of the developed sensor as a point of care device for the diagnosis of leptospirosis.This research was funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), grant Leptos/27/2013-ECD-1. N.C.-M. acknowledges the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the Horizon 2020 Program (PTDC/PSI-GER/28076/2017), Supported by Excellence project FIM UHK (K.K.)

Research on the continuous casting process of CuCrZr alloys with the addition of scandium dedicated for resistance welding electrodes

The article presents the results of research on the metallurgical synthesis of CuCrZr copper alloys with the addition of scandium as a new material for spot welding electrodes for the resistance spot welding of Zn-coated steel sheets. The tested material was manufactured in a continuous casting process in a horizontal arrangement in the form of rod. The alloys were heat treated to determine their hardness and electrical conductivity properties. Zinc diffusion tests into the material structure were carried out on the produced castings, reflecting the conditions accelerating the wear of electrodes during resistance welding of Zn-coated steel sheets

Potential usage of edible mushrooms and their residues to retrieve valuable supplies for industrial applications

Currently, the food and agricultural sectors are concerned about environmental problems caused by raw material waste, and they are looking for strategies to reduce the growing amount of waste disposal. Now, approaches are being explored that could increment and provide value-added products from agricultural waste to contribute to the circular economy and environmental protection. Edible mushrooms have been globally appreciated for their medicinal properties and nutritional value, but during the mushroom production process nearly one-fifth of the mushroom gets wasted. Therefore, improper disposal of mushrooms and untreated residues can cause fungal disease. The residues of edible mushrooms, being rich in sterols, vitamin D2, amino acids, and polysaccharides, among others, makes it underutilized waste. Most of the published literature has primarily focused on the isolation of bioactive components of these edible mushrooms; however, utilization of waste or edible mushrooms themselves, for the production of value-added products, has remained an overlooked area. Waste of edible mushrooms also represents a disposal problem, but they are a rich source of important compounds, owing to their nutritional and functional properties. Researchers have started exploiting edible mushroom by-products/waste for value-added goods with applications in diverse fields. Bioactive compounds obtained from edible mushrooms are being used in media production and skincare formulations. Furthermore, diverse applications from edible mushrooms are also being explored, including the synthesis of biosorbent, biochar, edible films/coating, probiotics, nanoparticles and cosmetic products. The primary intent of this review is to summarize the information related to edible mushrooms and their valorization in developing value-added products with industrial applications.This research was funded by the UHK (Faculty of Science, VT2019-2021)

Ultrafiltration of waste brine from fish processing

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań ultrafiltracyjnego uzdatniania solanki pochodzącej z przetwórstwa ryb. Do badań zastosowano membranę ceramiczną o zdolności rozdzielczej 150 kDa. Analizowano i oceniano zależność stopnia zatrzymania białka ogólnego, tłuszczu i chlorku sodu oraz wydajności procesu od ciśnienia transmembranowego i pH roztworów poddawanych ultrafiltracji.Research results dealing with ultrafiltration of waste brine form fish processing are presented in the paper. The ceramic membrane with 150 kDa cut-off was used as a separation medium. Total protein, fat and sodium chloride rejection as well as permeate flux versus trans-membrane pressure and pH of feed were analyzed and discussed

Analysis of ceramic membrane fouling during ultrafiltration of protein and sodium chloride solutions

W publikacji przedstawiono wyniki badań doświadczalnych procesu ultrafiltracji modelowych i przemysłowych solanek z zastosowaniem membran ceramicznych 150 kDa. Głównym celem badań była analiza wpływu dwóch podstawowych parametrów operacyjnych, stężenia chlorku sodu w nadawie i ciśnienia transmembranowego TMP m fouling badanej membrany ceramicznej Al2O3/TiO2/ZrO2.Results of ultrafiltration studies using ceramic 150 kDa membrane and model solutions containing bovine serum albumin and sodium chloride as well as salted wastewater from fish industry are reported. A main objective of this work was to study the effect of two main operating parameters, i.e. sodium chloride concentration in feed solution and transmembrane pressure, TMP, on fouling behavior of ceramic Al2O3/TiO2/ZrO2. membrane during ultrafiltration tests

Application of ultrafiltration in culture water recycling in fish hatchery

Wody zasilające i opuszczające wylęgarnie ryb muszą być poddawane efektywnemu oczyszczaniu ze względu na konieczność optymalizacji procesu inkubacji ikry i ochrony środowiska wodnego. Celem badań jest przetestowanie procesu ultrafiltracji i membran ceramicznych l kDa, jako metody usuwania zawiesiny, fosforu i żelaza oraz redukcji poziomu BZT-, i ChZT z wód krążących w obiegu zamkniętym malej wylęgarni. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że badana technika membranowa może być wykorzystana w gospodarce wodno-ściekowej wylęgarni do recyklingu wody.Feed and wastewator from aquaculture facilities must be effectively treated for environmental and embryological reasons. The objective of this study was to evaluate ultrafiltration process using a ceramic 1 kDa membrane asa treatment option for removal of total suspended solids, total phosphorous and iron, and reducing BOD and COD level in closed loop of cyclic water in fish hatchery. The obtained results indicate that the tested membrane and technique employed can be used in full-scale treatment technology for culture water recycling