Methods of Increasing Miscanthus Biomass Yield for Biofuel Production

The lignocellulosic perennial crop miscanthus, especially Miscanthus × giganteus, is particularly interesting for bioenergy production as it combines high biomass production with low environmental impact. However, there are several varieties that pose a hazard due to susceptibility to disease. This review contains links showing genotype and ecological variability of important characteristics related to yield and biomass composition of miscanthus that may be useful in plant breeding programs to increase bioenergy production. Some clones of Miscanthus × giganteus and Miscanthus sinensis are particularly interesting due to their high biomass production per hectare. Although the compositional requirements for industrial biomass have not been fully defined for the various bioenergy conversion processes, the lignin-rich species Miscanthus × giganteus and Miscanthus sacchariflorus seem to be more suitable for thermochemical conversion processes. At the same time, the species Miscanthus sinensis and some clones of Miscanthus × giganteus with low lignin content are of interest for the biochemical transformation process. The species Miscanthus sacchariflorus is suitable for various bioenergy conversion processes due to its low ash content, so this species is also interesting as a pioneer in breeding programs. Mature miscanthus crops harvested in winter are favored by industrial enterprises to improve efficiency and reduce processing costs. This study can be attributed to other monocotyledonous plants and perennial crops that can be used as feedstock for biofuels

Evaluating the Influence of Microbial Fermentation on the Nutritional Value of Soybean Meal

The aim of this article is to increase the nutritional value of soybean meal while reducing the content of antinutrients by microbial fermentation of soybean meal with a mixed culture of probiotic microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) at two different hydromodules. The addition of microorganisms increased the content of easily digestible protein and amine nitrogen in fermented soybean meal (30:110 and 30:130, hydromodulus soybean meal:water) while decreasing urease activity (hydromodulus 30:110). The positive effect of microbial fermentation on the mineral composition of soybean meal was demonstrated. The ability of microorganisms in the fermentation process to increase the content of protein, essential amino acids, and macro- and microelements in soybean meal while decreasing anti-nutritional factors opens up possibilities for using this technology to advance animal husbandry

Evaluating the Influence of Microbial Fermentation on the Nutritional Value of Soybean Meal

The aim of this article is to increase the nutritional value of soybean meal while reducing the content of antinutrients by microbial fermentation of soybean meal with a mixed culture of probiotic microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) at two different hydromodules. The addition of microorganisms increased the content of easily digestible protein and amine nitrogen in fermented soybean meal (30:110 and 30:130, hydromodulus soybean meal:water) while decreasing urease activity (hydromodulus 30:110). The positive effect of microbial fermentation on the mineral composition of soybean meal was demonstrated. The ability of microorganisms in the fermentation process to increase the content of protein, essential amino acids, and macro- and microelements in soybean meal while decreasing anti-nutritional factors opens up possibilities for using this technology to advance animal husbandry

Improvement of Enzymatic Saccharification of Cellulose-Containing Raw Materials Using Aspergillus niger

Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose-containing raw materials, using Aspergillus niger, were studied. Filter paper, secondary cellulose-containing or starch-containing raw materials, miscanthus cellulose after alkaline or acid pretreatment, and wood chip cellulose, were used as substrates. The study focused on a wild A. niger strain, treated, or not (control), by ultraviolet (UV) irradiations for 45, 60, or 120 min (UV45, UV60, or UV120), or by UV irradiation for 120 min followed by a chemical treatment with NaN3 + ItBr for 30 min or 80 min (UV120 + CH30 or UV120 + CH80). A mixture of all the A. niger strains (MIX) was also tested. A citrate buffer, at 50 mM, wasthe most suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. As the UV exposure time increased to 2 h, the cellulase activity of the surviving culturewas increased (r = 0.706; p < 0.05). The enzymatic activities of the obtained strains, towards miscanthus cellulose, wood chips, and filter paper, were inferior to those obtained with commercial enzymes (8.6 versus 9.1 IU), in some cases. Under stationary hydrolysis at 37 °C, pH = 4.7, the enzymatic activity of A. niger UV120 + CH30 was 24.9 IU. The enzymatic hydrolysis of secondary raw materials, using treated A. niger strains, was themost effective at 37 °C. Similarly, the most effective treatment of miscanthus cellulose and wood chips occurred at 50 °C. The maximum conversion of cellulose to glucose was observed using miscanthus cellulose (with alkaline pretreatment), and the minimum conversion was observed when using wood chips. The greatest value of cellulase activity was evidenced in the starch-containing raw materials, indicating that A. niger can ferment not only through cellulase activity, but also via an amylolytic one

Production of nanocellulose from miscanthus biomass

Nanocellulose materials are distinguished by their safety, biodegradability, and adaptability. It was shown that bacterial nanocellulose does not contain lignin and hemicellulose and has an ultrafine network structure. The wide compatibility of such materials with biological molecules and the ability to change their structure makes nanocellulose a promising material for medical applications. Today, in the production of nanocellulose, mainly softwood is used. Despite the obvious advantages of nanocellulose, the limiting factor in production is the high cost of wood raw materials and the environmental damage caused by deforestation. Therefore, there is increasing interest in cheap and annually renewable herbaceous plant biomass, which is a potential raw material with a negative cost for the synthesis of nanocellulose. This review aimed to evaluate the viability of using Miscanthus plant genus as the primary source of nanocellulose. The characteristics of various types of nanocellulose and methods for their preparation from miscanthus are discussed. Miscanthus plants are disease resistant, frost resistant, and grow rapidly. The biomass growth of this plant reaches 35 tons per hectare, and the life span of miscanthus reaches 20 years. Miscanthus is a promising source of nanocellulose crystals because it is rich cellulose. The development of effective methods for obtaining nanocellulose will allow the introduction of a new class of materials for the production of biotechnical composite liquid and solid compositions, as well as raw materials for the food, medical, and pharmaceutical industries

Bioengineering and Molecular Biology of Miscanthus

Miscanthus is a perennial wild plant that is vital for the production of paper and roofing, as well as horticulture and the development of new high-yielding crops in temperate climates. Chromosome-level assembly of the ancient tetraploid genome of miscanthus chromosomes is reported to provide resources that can link its chromosomes to related diploid sorghum and complex polyploid sugarcane. Analysis of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed intense mixing and interspecific hybridization and documented the origin of a high-yielding triploid bioenergetic plant, Miscanthus × giganteus. The Miscanthus genome expands comparative genomics functions to better understand the main abilities of Andropogoneae herbs. Miscanthus × giganteus is widely regarded as a promising lignocellulosic biomass crop due to its high-biomass yield, which does not emit toxic compounds into the environment, and ability to grow in depleted lands. The high production cost of lignocellulosic bioethanol limits its commercialization. The main components that inhibit the enzymatic reactions of fermentation and saccharification are lignin in the cell wall and its by-products released during the pre-treatment stage. One approach to overcoming this barrier could be to genetically modify the genes involved in lignin biosynthesis, manipulating the lignin content and composition of miscanthus

Antimicrobial Screening and Fungicidal Properties of <i>Eucalýptus globulus</i> Ultrasonic Extracts

The prohibition of antibiotics has led to extensive research and use of phytogenic feed additives. James Barrie Kirkpatrick described four subspecies of eucalyptus (family Myrtaceae), including Eucalýptus globulus, in 1974. The maximum concentrations of quercetin-3D-glycoside (1703.30 g/mL), astragalin (1737.82 g/mL), chlorogenic acid (342.14 g/mL), catechin (282.54 g/mL), rosmarinic acid (36.39 g/mL), and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (27.55 g/mL) were found in samples of ultrasonic extraction with ethyl alcohol (extraction module 1:5, temperature of 32 °C, an ultrasonic exposure time of 25 min). Antimicrobial activity was observed in all studied samples after 12 h of incubation (against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria, as well as representatives of yeast fungi (Candida albicans)); a more pronounced antimicrobial effect (lysis zone) was observed after ultrasonic processing of extracts for 20 and 25 min. Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans had lysis areas of 10.0 mm (20 min extraction with ultrasonic treatment), 13.0 mm (20 min extraction without ultrasonic treatment), and 15.5 mm (25 min extraction with ultrasonic treatment), respectively. E. globulus was demonstrated to be a source of biologically active phenolic compounds with antibacterial and fungicidal activity. More research on the use of E. globulus in feed additives is required

The Process of Producing Bioethanol from Delignified Cellulose Isolated from Plants of the Miscanthus Genus

Plants of the Miscanthus genus (Miscanthus Anderss.) have a unique index of biomass production in relation to the occupied area. Miscanthus plants can be attributed to promising second-generation raw materials for the production of bioethanol and biofuel. Miscanthus plants are characterized by a high cellulose content. Herein, we report the results of a study on the obtained delignified cellulose with subsequent processing into bioethanol using microbial communities. In the course of the study, the optimal conditions for the delignification of the initial plant material for cellulose were selected. Ethanol with a high degree of conversion was successfully obtained from the isolated delignified cellulose. The article describes the pilot technological scheme for the conversion of Miscanthus plant biomass to bioethanol involving the delignification stages, followed by the conversion of the resulting cellulose into bioethanol by a consortium of microorganisms. As a result of the study, it was found that delignification using trifluoroacetic acid leads to the production of cellulose of high purity. Bioethanol with a yield of 3.1% to 3.4% in terms of the initial amount of biomass was successfully obtained by a microorganism consortium of Saccharomyces cerevisiae M Y-4242/Pachysolen tannophilus Y-3269, and Scheffersomyces stipitis Y-3264

Novel isatin-derived molecules activate p53 via interference with Mdm2 to promote apoptosis

International audienceThe p53 protein is a key tumor suppressor in mammals. In response to various forms of genotoxic stress p53 stimulates expression of genes whose products induce cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. An E3-ubiquitin ligase, Mdm2 (mouse-double-minute 2) and its human ortholog Hdm2, physically interact with the amino-terminus of p53 to mediate its ubiquitin-mediated degradation via the proteasome. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of the p53-Mdm2 interaction leads to overall stabilization of p53 and stimulation of its anti-tumorigenic activity. In this study we characterize the biological effects of a novel class of non-genotoxic isatin Schiff and Mannich base derivatives (ISMBDs) that stabilize p53 on the protein level. The likely mechanism behind their positive effect on p53 is mediated via the competitive interaction with Mdm2. Importantly, unlike Nutlin, these compounds selectively promoted p53-mediated cell death. These novel pharmacological activators of p53 can serve as valuable molecular tools for probing p53-positive tumors and set up the stage for development of new anti-cancer drugs