Outer membrane protein folding from an energy landscape perspective

The cell envelope is essential for the survival of Gram-negative bacteria. This specialised membrane is densely packed with outer membrane proteins (OMPs), which perform a variety of functions. How OMPs fold into this crowded environment remains an open question. Here, we review current knowledge about OFMP folding mechanisms in vitro and discuss how the need to fold to a stable native state has shaped their folding energy landscapes. We also highlight the role of chaperones and the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) in assisting OMP folding in vivo and discuss proposed mechanisms by which this fascinating machinery may catalyse OMP folding

A unified model for BAM function that takes into account type Vc secretion and species differences in BAM composition

Transmembrane proteins in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria are almost exclusively β-barrels. They are inserted into the outer membrane by a conserved and essential protein complex called the BAM (for β-barrel assembly machinery). In this commentary, we summarize current research into the mechanism of this protein complex and how it relates to type V secretion. Type V secretion systems are autotransporters that all contain a β-barrel transmembrane domain inserted by BAM. In type Vc systems, this domain is a homotrimer. We argue that none of the current models are sufficient to explain BAM function particularly regarding type Vc secretion. We also find that current models based on the well-studied model system Escherichia coli mostly ignore the pronounced differences in BAM composition between different bacterial species. We propose a more holistic view on how all OMPs, including autotransporters, are incorporated into the lipid bilayer

Phosphorus recovery from waste - methods review

According to sustainable development principles, searching for alternative phosphorus sources, especially possible ways of its recycling from waste, should be treated as a preferential problem of the phosphorus industry. The ways admitted as most important are: - phosphorus recovery from municipal and industrial sewage and from sewage sludge, - utilization of phosphorus from manure, - management of waste from meat industry. The forecasts elaborated at the end of the last century, indicate that over 50% of the world phosphorus resources in use today will be depleted during the next 60 - 70 years. That fact contributes to increase of market prices of phosphorus products. This work presents possible directions for the recovery and management of sewage sludge, meat meal and manure as a phosphorus source for chemical industry

From sewage sludge ash to calcium phosphate fertilizers

Our work presents the results of the research on the utilization of ashes after sewage sludge combustion comprising phosphorus recovery in the form of useful products. The investigations were divided into three parts: selecting the combustion parameters of sewage sludge, examining ash leaching with mineral acids (nitric and phosphoric) to high phosphorus selectivity assuring a low content of iron and heavy metals in the extracted solutions and precipitation of CaHPO4 .2H2O. Suitable temperature of a sewage sludge combustion enables selective extraction of phosphorus compounds from ash because of hematite phase forming, insoluble in mineral acids. The extracts from phosphoric acid leaching, where the extraction of phosphorus compounds was 96.1%, have very good properties for its further use as the initial solution for CaHPO4 .2H2O with 6% lime milk. The obtained product is characterized by high purity and phosphorus availability compatible even with the feed phosphate standard

Phosphorus recovery from waste - methods review

According to sustainable development principles, searching for alternative phosphorus sources, especially possible ways of its recycling from waste, should be treated as a preferential problem of the phosphorus industry. The ways admitted as most important are: - phosphorus recovery from municipal and industrial sewage and from sewage sludge, - utilization of phosphorus from manure, - management of waste from meat industry. The forecasts elaborated at the end of the last century, indicate that over 50% of the world phosphorus resources in use today will be depleted during the next 60 - 70 years. That fact contributes to increase of market prices of phosphorus products. This work presents possible directions for the recovery and management of sewage sludge, meat meal and manure as a phosphorus source for chemical industry

Manufacturing of phosphoric acid from hydroxyapatite, contained in the ashes of the incinerated meat-bone wastes

The results of the investigations concerning phosphoric acid manufacturing, by the extraction method, from the ashes containing hydroxyapatite, obtained through the thermal treatment of bone sludge have been presented. The incinerated bone sludge with ~ 16% P content and the minimal amount of impurities can be an alternative source for phosphoric acid production. The process consists in two stages. In the 1st stage, reaction of hydroxyapatite with phosphoric acid resulting in monocalcium phosphate formation in the solution obtained is carried out. The tests revealed that overall hydroxyapatite dissolution in phosphoric acid takes place when the concentration is 37% H3PO4. In the 2nd stage monocalcium phosphate is converted into calcium sulphate using concentrated sulphuric acid at the recommended temperature of 95°C. The principles of the technological idea of the process of phosphoric acid manufacturing from HA-containing ashes, obtained by bone wastes incineration, as well as a preliminary economic analysis for the production of 10 000 t/year of food-grade phosphoric acid have been developed

Manufacturing of phosphoric acid from hydroxyapatite, contained in the ashes of the incinerated meat-bone wastes

The results of the investigations concerning phosphoric acid manufacturing, by the extraction method, from the ashes containing hydroxyapatite, obtained through the thermal treatment of bone sludge have been presented. The incinerated bone sludge with ~ 16% P content and the minimal amount of impurities can be an alternative source for phosphoric acid production. The process consists in two stages. In the 1st stage, reaction of hydroxyapatite with phosphoric acid resulting in monocalcium phosphate formation in the solution obtained is carried out. The tests revealed that overall hydroxyapatite dissolution in phosphoric acid takes place when the concentration is 37% H3PO4. In the 2nd stage monocalcium phosphate is converted into calcium sulphate using concentrated sulphuric acid at the recommended temperature of 95°C. The principles of the technological idea of the process of phosphoric acid manufacturing from HA-containing ashes, obtained by bone wastes incineration, as well as a preliminary economic analysis for the production of 10 000 t/year of food-grade phosphoric acid have been developed

In vitro tests of dense hydroxyapatite materials

The paper presents the results of the calcining process of deproteinised and defatted bone pulp called bone sludge. The calcining process was performed in two stages. The first step of the calcining process was realized at the temperature of 600°C in a rotary kiln. In the second stage the obtained bone ashes were calcined at five different temperatures from 650°C to 950°C for 2 hours in a chamber kiln and in air atmosphere. The products of the calcining process were characterized by the XRD method. Calcium content was determined by titration whereas the contents of total phosphorus and acid-soluble phosphorus - by the spectrophotometric method. The X-ray analysis confirmed that hydroxyapatite is the main component of the calcining products. Calcium and phosphorus contents were kept at the level of 40% and 17.5%, respectively, which corresponded to the Ca/P ratio of not stechiometric hydroxyapatite. In vitro studies, in the simulated body fluid, Ringer liquid and distilled water were realised. The measurements of pH value of SBF and Ringer fluid were realized. Additionally electrical conductivity as well as pH for distilled water where conducted. The goal of these tests was to evaluate chemical durability of dense hydroxyapatite materials

The influence of thermal processing of sewage sludge on the usage properties of the formed ash

The influence of sewage sludge incineration temperature on the formed ash constitution was examined. The comparative extraction tests of two differently prepared ashes (laboratory and industrial) were carried out in order to verify if the parameters of sewage sludge incineration influence the extraction selectivity of phosphorus compounds. The laboratory ash (A(lab)) were prepared from sewage sludge incinerated at 950°C on a laboratory scale while the industrial ash (A(ind)) comes from thermal utilization system of the sewage sludge at the Gdynia Sewage Treatment Plant, which uses fluid-bed furnace incineration at 850 - 900°C. It was found that the temperature and the conditions of the sewage sludge incineration process have an effect on the usage properties of the formed ash. Despite the twofold lower Fe content in the industrial ash than that of the laboratory one, its content in extracts after phosphoric acid leaching is 4.7 times higher. The lower values of PO4^3- leaching degree from the industrial ash than the laboratory ash were observed, as well as a decrease of extraction productivity

A chemical method of the production of "heavy" sodium tripolyphosphate with the high content of Form I or Form II

Sodium tripolyphosphate STPP is used in laundry detergent as a detergent "builder". The paper presents the chemical method of obtaining "heavy", i.e. with higher bulk density granulated sodium tripolyphosphate. The bulk density of sodium tripolyphosphate was increased by preparing a mixture of the dried sodium phosphates, the recycled subgrain of STPP and water in specific proportions and calcining this mixture for 1 hour at 400°C and 550°C (to obtain a proper STPP form) in the chamber kiln. This method allows producing the granular sodium tripolyphosphate with high bulk density (1.04-1.07 kg/dm3) and a high content of Form I or Form II, respectively