The utilization of the response surface methodology for the optimization of cultivation medium and growth parameters in the cultivation of the yeast strain S. cerevisiae 3.20 on ethanol

A mutant strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae growing on ethanol as single source of carbon and energy was used in optimization experiments at laboratory and micropilot scale, following the surface response methodology. The cultivation medium optimization was performed on the basis of maximization of dry cell weight and the process parameters optimization on the basis of substrate yield maximization

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Cynara Scolymus (Cynarae folium, Asteraceae Family)

Purpose: Cynara scolymus is a medicinal plant frequently used in traditional medicine for stomach and liver diseases. The purpose of the study was to identify the most suitable extraction solvent for maximum antioxidant and antimicrobial effect of fluidized bed extracts.Methods: The extracts were obtained by conventional maceration and fluidized bed extraction using 25, 50, 75 and 97 % v/v ethanol as solvent. The antioxidant effect of the extracts was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The quantities of phenols and flavonoids, and the reducing power of the extracts were also determined. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against different microbial strains using agar well diffusion method. The minimum inhibiting concentration (MIC) of the fluidized bed extract was also determined.Results: The ethanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity as well as yielded the largest quantity of polyphenolic compounds. For the extract obtained by fluidized bed technique, the optimum concentration of 10 mg/ml gave maximum antioxidant activity of 65.15 %. The MIC values obtained using the freeze-dried extract ranged from 5.0 mg/ml – 15.0 mg/ml. The extracts showed significant inhibitory activity against the tested strains of Listeria innocua CMGB 218, Bacillus cereus CMGB 215 with MIC of 5 mg/ml but showed MIC of 15 mg/ml for the other strains.Conclusion: The results indicate that the freeze-dried extract from Cynara scolymus is capable of yielding nutritional supplements with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.Keywords: Artichoke, Freeze-drying, Fluidized bed extract, MI

Isolation of a Lactobacillus plantarum strain used for obtaining a product for the preservation of fodders

An important problem in the field of animal nutrition is the preservation of fodder, which is done in silos for maintaining the nutritive value of the fodders. In anaerobic conditions, the lactic bacteria ferment the glucosides in the silo, leading to the formation of lactic acid and acetic acid, which cause the pH to decrease and inhibit the development of butyric bacteria. The enrichment of the ensiled fodders with probiotic products confers on them the role of maintaining a microbial flora inside the digestive tract favourable to animal health.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (5), pp. 403-408, 200

Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection - Assessment Results Communication

Computer simulation of real systems is most of the time a complex task, both in terms of the analytical models describing the process and the usage of the tools that implement the models themselves. The results of such tools are also mainly professional oriented. However, depending on the addressee and the goal of the assessment, communicating the results in an ¿out-of-the-business¿ manner is sometimes required. This document introduces CEIPSec, a web based GIS centric application developed by IPSC SCNI for results communication and visual assessment of the impact of failures on the European electrical power transport system. CEIPSec was developed within the context of the Administrative Arrangement Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection between DG ENERGY and the JRC.JRC.DG.G.6-Security technology assessmen

Understanding Malicious Attacks Against Infrastructures - Overview on the Assessment and Management of Threats and Attacks to Industrial Control Systems

This report describes approaches to the assessment and management of malicious threats and attacks relating to critical infrastructures in general, and electric power infrastructures in particular. Securing infrastructures implies taking into account both the natural and man-made (intentional) events. While protecting against the natural disruptive events is a feasible (yet not trivial) task, benefiting by well-established practices, dealing with intentional attacks comes up across many difficulties, especially due to the unpredictability of such events. The report outlines the state-of-the-art in dealing with threats and malicious attacks, considering both physical and cyber actions. Several approaches taken at national and international levels towards securing the critical infrastructures are also provided.JRC.G.6-Sensors, radar technologies and cybersecurit

Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection - Assessment Results Communication

Computer simulation of real systems is most of the time a complex task, both in terms of the analytical models describing the process and the usage of the tools that implement the models themselves. The results of such tools are also mainly professional oriented. However, depending on the addressee and the goal of the assessment, communicating the results in an ¿out-of-the-business¿ manner is sometimes required. This document introduces CEIPSec, a web based GIS centric application developed by IPSC SCNI for results communication and visual assessment of the impact of failures on the European electrical power transport system. CEIPSec was developed within the context of the Administrative Arrangement Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection between DG ENERGY and the JRC.JRC.G.6-Security technology assessmen