Biorefinery System of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Steam Explosion

Recently, plant biomass has been attracting attention due to global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels. Lignocellulosic biomass (i.e., wood, straw, and bagasse) is attracting attention as an abundant renewable resource that does not compete with the food resources. It is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin and is a potential resource that can be converted into high-value-added substances, such as biofuels, raw materials for chemical products, and cellulose nanofibers. However, due to its complicated structure, an appropriate pretreatment method is required for developing its biorefinery process. Steam explosion is one of the simplest and environmentally friendly pretreatments to decompose lignin structure, which converts cellulose into low-molecular-weight lignin with high efficiency. It has received significant attention in the field of not only biofuel but also biochemical production. Steam explosion involves the hydrolysis of plant biomass under high-pressure steam and the sudden release of steam pressure induces a shear force on the plant biomass. Moreover, it is a green technology that does not use any chemicals. Thus, a steam explosion-based biorefinery system is highly effective for the utilization of lignocellulosic into useful materials, such as ethanol, methane gas, antioxidant material, epoxy resin, and cellulose nanofiber

ヨウシュヤマゴボウを用いた低濃度重金属汚染土壌の浄化と有価金属回収システムの構築

金沢大学理工研究域近年、鉄鋼工場跡地や原料炭集積場での重金属による土壌汚染は、比較的低濃度であるために有効な浄化方法がなく、深刻な環境汚染問題となっている。本研究では、ヨウシュヤマゴボウが低濃度重金属を吸収・蓄積する能力を利用して重金属汚染土壌を浄化した後、水蒸気爆砕と抽出操作から成る環境保全型技術を用いてヨウシュヤマゴボウ中に蓄えられた有価金属を迅速かつ高効率で分離・回収するまでの一連のシステムの開発を試みた。草本中に蓄えられた有価金属を迅速かつ高効率で分離・回収するために鉄汚染土壌で生育させたヨウシュヤマゴボウを高温高圧水蒸気を用いた爆砕法によって処理し、水とメタノール抽出および硫酸処理によって水可溶性成分(ヘミセルロース成分)、メタノール可溶性成分(低分子リグニン成分)、硫酸可溶性成分(セルロース成分)、硫酸不溶性成分(高分子リグニン成分)に分離した。次に、各抽出成分中から鉄を分離・回収し、有価金属量を測定した結果、ヨウシュヤマゴボウの葉と茎の部分では主に水可溶成分、根の部分では主に水可溶成分と硫酸不溶性成分の中に鉄が含まれることがわかった。また、鉄をほとんど含まないメタノール可溶性成分は比較的均一性に富み、多量のフェノール性水酸基を含有する天然ポリマーなので、メタノール可溶性成分を原料として環境ホルモン作用を持たないエポキシ樹脂の合成を行った。さらに、鉄をほとんど含まない硫酸可溶性成分は主成分がグルコースであるので、酵母や乳酸菌を用いて迅速かつ高効率でアルコール、メタンや乳酸に変換する方法を確立した。研究課題/領域番号:16651036, 研究期間(年度):2004 – 2005出典：「ヨウシュヤマゴボウを用いた低濃度重金属汚染土壌の浄化と有価金属回収システムの構築」研究成果報告書　課題番号16651036（KAKEN：科学研究費助成事業データベース（国立情報学研究所））（https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-16651036/)を加工して作

Determination of Cu, Pb, Fe, and Zn in plant component polymers of a hyperaccumulating plant

金沢大学自然計測応用研究センターエコテクノロジー研究部門金沢大学工学部Phytoremediation is an innovative technology that utilizes the natural properties of plants to remediate hazardous waste sites. For more cost-effective phytoremediation, it is important to utilize a hyperaccumulating plant after phytoremediation, i.e. the recovery of valuable metals and the production of useful materials. In this work, the determination of metals in plant component polymers in a fern, Athyrium yokoscense, as a hyper-accumulating plant was established using steam explosion, Wayman\u27s extraction method, and ICP emission spectrometry. After A. yokoscense plants were treated by steam explosion, the steam-exploded A. yokoscense were separated into four plant component polymers, i.e. water-soluble material fraction, holocellulose fraction, methanol-soluble lignin fraction, and residual lignin fraction. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Fe, and Zn in these plant component polymers and the dry weights of plant component polymers were measured. These analytical process determining metals in the plants will contribute to not only the evaluation and the efforts of phytoremediation using a hyperaccumulating plant, but also to the development of more effective phytoremediation. 2005 © The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Efficient Extraction of Starch from Microalgae Using Ultrasonic Homogenizer and Its Conversion into Ethanol by Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation

To utilize starch and protein contained in microalgae as carbon and nitrogen sources for ethanol production, an extrac- tion method, i.e. ultrasonic treatment using a homogenizer, and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of extracted microalgae solution were studied using Chlamydomonas fasciata Ettl 437. 30 min of ultrasonic treatment gave the maximum extraction ratio of starch contained in microalgae, i.e. 93.8%, that corresponded to 0.408 g-starch/g-dry microalgae. SSF of the extracted solution obtained from ultrasonic treated microalgae at 30 min by glutase-AN and Saccahromyces cerevisiae AM12 provided 0.194 and 0.168 g-ethanol/g-dry microalgae with and without yeast extract, respectively, corresponding to 79.5 and 68.8% of theoretical ethanol yield

Acceleration of Hericium erinaceum mycelial growth in submerged culture using yogurt whey as an alternative nitrogen source

The effects of various carbon sources and their initial concentrations on mycelia production by Hericium erinaceum were investigated by determining the dry cell weight (DCW) and β-glucan content of mycelia in submerged culture. Glucose and xylose were superior carbon sources for promoting mycelial growth re-sulting in mycelial concentrations of 3.99 g/L and 4.01 g/L, respectively; glucose was the best carbon source in terms of productivity (0.44 g/L/day). Experiments were also performed using yogurt whey as an alternative nitrogen source for submerged cultivation of H. erinaceum mycelia, and DCW and β-glucan content were compared with those with chemical nutrient medium. When whey was used as a nitrogen source, DCW and total amount of β-glucan were 2.3- and 2.8-fold higher, respectively, than that with chemical nutrient medium. Thus, whey appears to be an alternative nitrogen source for promoting H. erinaceum mycelial growth

恒久的な平和への取組みと市民社会の可能性 : 核廃絶に向けた70年の軌跡と今後

要旨...1 開会の言葉...4 趣旨説明...5 第Ⅰ部　核廃絶に向けた努力の軌跡 　The OSCE in the Ukrainian Crisis and Beyond...Ertuğrul Apakan...7 　核廃絶から遠ざかる世界 : 「大乱」時代の様相...河東哲夫...12 　核軍縮・不拡散問題の現状と我が国の政策...中村吉利...18 　核に頼るリスクと廃絶に向けた課題...友次晋介...25 基調講演／Keynote speech 　The Challenges to Global Peace And the Hiroshima Legacy...Surakiart Sathirathai...29 第Ⅱ部　市民社会の可能性とグローバルな平和への展望 　核兵器廃絶へ向けての市民社会のあり方...櫻井本篤...40 　市民社会の可能性はあるか : 女性の視点から...坂東眞理子...48 　Empowering Peace in the Twenty-first Century...Brian Finlay...53 　グローバルな時代に生き残るために...薬師寺克行...59 閉会の言葉...64 資料1　シンポジウム・ポスター...68 資料2　参加者アンケート結果...702015年度第1回広島大学平和科学研究センター主催国際シンポジウ

Global population structure, genomic diversity and carbohydrate fermentation characteristics of clonal complex 119 (CC119), an understudied Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) lineage including O165:H25 and O172:H25.

peer reviewedAmong Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains of various serotypes, O157:H7 and five major non-O157 STEC (O26:H11, O111:H8, O103:H2, O121:H19 and O145:H28) can be selectively isolated by using tellurite-containing media. While human infections by O165:H25 STEC strains have been reported worldwide, their detection and isolation are not easy, as they are not resistant to tellurite. Systematic whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses have not yet been conducted. Here, we defined O165:H25 strains and their close relatives, including O172:H25 strains, as clonal complex 119 (CC119) and performed a global WGS analysis of the major lineage of CC119, called CC119 sensu stricto (CC119ss), by using 202 CC119ss strains, including 90 strains sequenced in this study. Detailed comparisons of 13 closed genomes, including 7 obtained in this study, and systematic analyses of Stx phage genomes in 50 strains covering the entire CC119ss lineage, were also conducted. These analyses revealed that the Stx2a phage, the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) encoding a type III secretion system (T3SS), many prophages encoding T3SS effectors, and the virulence plasmid were acquired by the common ancestor of CC119ss and have been stably maintained in this lineage, while unusual exchanges of Stx1a and Stx2c phages were found at a single integration site. Although the genome sequences of Stx2a phages were highly conserved, CC119ss strains exhibited notable variation in Stx2 production levels. Further analyses revealed the lack of SpLE1-like elements carrying the tellurite resistance genes in CC119ss and defects in rhamnose, sucrose, salicin and dulcitol fermentation. The genetic backgrounds underlying these defects were also clarified

Genome evolution and plasticity of <em>Serratia marcescens</em>:an important multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogen

Serratia marcescens is an important nosocomial pathogen that can cause an array of infections, most notably of the urinary tract and bloodstream. Naturally, it is found in many environmental niches, and is capable of infecting plants and animals. The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains producing extended-spectrum or metallo beta-lactamases now pose a threat to public health worldwide. Here we report the complete genome sequences of two carefully selected S. marcescens strains, a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate (strain SM39) and an insect isolate (strain Db11). Our comparative analyses reveal the core genome of S. marcescens and define the potential metabolic capacity, virulence, and multidrug resistance of this species. We show a remarkable intraspecies genetic diversity, both at the sequence level and with regards genome flexibility, which may reflect the diversity of niches inhabited by members of this species. A broader analysis with other Serratia species identifies a set of approximately 3,000 genes that characterize the genus. Within this apparent genetic diversity, we identified many genes implicated in the high virulence potential and antibiotic resistance of SM39, including the metallo beta-lactamase and multiple other drug resistance determinants carried on plasmid pSMC1. We further show that pSMC1 is most closely related to plasmids circulating in Pseudomonas species. Our data will provide a valuable basis for future studies on S. marcescens and new insights into the genetic mechanisms that underlie the emergence of pathogens highly resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents

グリーンテクノロジーを用いた木質系廃棄物の総合的有効利用法の開発

金沢大学自然科学研究科近年、人間活動からの環境への排出を限りなくゼロに近づけ、かつ生産活動を持続可能とするために業種を越えた産業ネットワークによる物質循環を実現しようとするゼロエミッションの試みが行われているが、木質系廃棄物の資源化はゼロエミッションネットワークの要となる場合が多い。また、木質系廃棄物を無駄なく完全に有用物質あるいは製品に変換する技術は排ガス、排水、固形残渣物を発生しないので、人体や環境に優しい(悪影響を与えない)技術、すなわちグリーンテクノロジーとして非常に期待される。本研究では水蒸気爆砕と種々の変換操作から成るグリーンテクノロジーを用いて廃材、おがくず、樹皮などの木質系廃棄物を無駄なく完全に有用製品化するための環境調和型変換プロセスを開発した。能登空港建設用地などから大量に発生する木質系廃棄物であるカラマツやスギ等のチップを原料として木質系廃棄物の総合的有効利用のための新規メタン発酵プロセスの構築を試みた。リグノセルロース系原料を基質とする場合、メタンの生成源は木材中のホロセルロース(セルロースやヘミセルロース)であり、リグニンはメタン発酵されない。それゆえ、メタンを効率よく得るためには、ホロセルロースを覆っているリグニンを除去する必要がある。そこで脱リグニンのための前処理方法として水蒸気爆砕(水のみの使用なので後処理不要)を用い、リグニン除去のための効果的爆砕条件を決定した。さらに、除去されたリグニンもオゾン分解(オゾンは酸素に自己分解するので後処理不要)によって低分子有機酸に分解することにより、木質廃棄物中の全構成成分を基質とする新規メタン発酵プロセスを開発した。また、リグニンから環境ホルモン活性を示さないエポキシ樹脂を合成し、その物理的・化学的特性や安全性を評価した。Woody biomass is renewable resources that can be converted into useful materials and energy. The amount of carbon contained in woody waste annually occurred and emitted into environment in Japan is about 30-40% of carbon consumed to produce a variety of petrochemicals from oil. The development of industrial technique for converting a raw material into useful materials and products completely without generating pollutants such as waste gas, wastewater, and solid waste materials is expected significantly for the global environmental protection on the base of zero emission. The holocellulose, i.e. cellulose and hemicellulose, in woody waste such as wood chips, baggase, bamboo, bark, and sweet sorghum are natural organic resources utilizable for the production of sugars. However, the holocellulose are with difficulty converted into sugars by direct biological means in a native state because a lignin network covers the holocellulose layers in the cell walls. Various different physical, chemical and biological pretreat-ments have been attempted to degrade the lignin in the biomass or to remove it from the holocellulose surface. In recent years, a steam explosion that consists of steam hydrolysis with a high temperature and pressure and a mechanical treatment of the hydrolyzed product with a sudden reduction of the pressure, has been attractive as an effective pretreatment for depolymelizing the lignin in woody biomass. In this work, the treatment and conversion system of plant biomass waste into useful materials was developed for zero emissions by using steam explosion and various conversion methods. This system was a significant conversion approach without generating pollutants, i.e. waste gas, wastewater, and solid waste materials. The conversion of woody wastes into useful materials was studied for the effective utilization of its components such as holocellulose, water-soluble material, methanol-soluble lignin, and Klason lignin. The holocellulose, water-soluble material, methanol-soluble lignin, and Klason lignin were converted into useful materials, i.e. lactic acid or antibacterial violet pigment and methane gas, monosaccharides and oligosaccharides, epoxy resin without an estrogenic activity, and activated carbon, respectively. The amounts of useful materials and products produced from each component were estimated, and the reduction of pollutants generated in their production process and waste treatment, and the detoxification of the lignin resin were confirmed.研究課題/領域番号:15360483, 研究期間(年度):2003 – 2004出典：「グリーンテクノロジーを用いた木質系廃棄物の総合的有効利用法の開発」研究成果報告書　課題番号15360483（KAKEN：科学研究費助成事業データベース（国立情報学研究所））（https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/report/KAKENHI-PROJECT-15360483/153604832004kenkyu_seika_hokoku_gaiyo/)を加工して作

抗菌性紫色素生産のための低温箘の分離と生化学的検討に基づく工業化の研究

金沢大学工学部世界中で生産されているすべての食料の約20%は微生物による腐敗作用のために廃棄されており、多くの人々が腐敗食料の摂取のために健康を損ねてきた。新鮮かつ安全な食料が微生物によって汚染されずに消費者に供給されることは、将来の食料不足の対策のために重要な課題の一つである。著者らは天然抗菌剤を生産する微生物のスクリーニングを行い、ニジマスの腸内から分離した低温細菌RT102株がある種の微生物に対して抗菌作用をもつ紫色素を生産することを見出した。16S rDNA塩基配列の相同性および遺伝的距離の解析より、低温細菌RT102株はJanthinobacterium lividumに属する新種の菌であることが判明した。^1H、^C-NMRとFT-MSスペクトルを用いた紫色素の化学構造の分析の結果、紫色素はビオラセインとデオキシビオラセインの混合物であることがわかった。紫色素の抗菌活性はBacillus subtilis、Bacillus megaterium、Staphylococcus aureusとPseudomonas aeruginosaなどの腐敗細菌に対して確認された。腐敗細菌に及ぼす紫色素の増殖阻害と死滅の影響が紫色素の濃度を5〜20mg/lの範囲で増加させることによって明らかにされた。高濃度(15mg/l)以上の紫色素は腐敗細菌の増殖阻害だけでなく、死滅を引き起こしたので、紫色素の食品防腐剤としての利用が示唆された。今後の研究は低温細菌の紫色素を合成する代謝経路を明らかにすることと、紫色素を大量生産するための培養装置と操作方法を確立することである。About 20 % of all foodstuffs produced in the world are wasted because of septic action by microorganisms and many people have experienced bad health effects due to the ingestion of septic food. Since many microorganisms have been reported as putrefactive and pathogenic bacteria, which cause the septic action of food, the prevention of bacteria contamination in food storage is one of the most important factors for supplying safe and healthy food to the consumer. The authors have screened a psychrotrophic bacterium, RT102 strain, which synthesized an antimicrobial violet pigment, from the intestine of a rainbow trout and found out that the violet pigment shows an antimicrobial action for some species of microorganisms. The chemical structure and antimicrobial activity of violet pigment produced by the psychrotrophic bacterium isolated from the intestine of a rainbow trout were investigated experimentally. The psychrotrophic bacterium was found to be a new species belonging to the genus Janthinobacterium lividum. ィイD11ィエD1H, ィイD113ィエD1C-NMR, and FT-MS spectra analyses results showed that the chemical structure of violet pigment was a mixture of vioracein and deoxyvioracein. The antimicrobial activity of violet pigment was confirmed for putrefactive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The growth inhibitory and lethal effects of violet pigment on the putrefactive bacteria were evaluated by increasing the concentration of violet pigment, ranging from 5 to 20 mg/1. It was found that higher concentrations of violet pigment caused not only growth inhibition but also the death of the putrefactive bacteria.研究課題/領域番号:10650690, 研究期間(年度):1998 – 1999出典：「抗菌性紫色素生産のための低温箘の分離と生化学的検討に基づく工業化の研究」研究成果報告書　課題番号10650690（KAKEN：科学研究費助成事業データベース（国立情報学研究所）） （https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/report/KAKENHI-PROJECT-10650780/106507801999kenkyu_seika_hokoku_gaiyo/）を加工して作