Stress responses of the oil-producing green microalga Botryococcus braunii Race B

Plants react to biotic and abiotic stresses with a variety of responses including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may result in programmed cell death (PCD). The mechanisms underlying ROS production and PCD have not been well studied in microalgae. Here, we analyzed ROS accumulation, biomass accumulation, and hydrocarbon production in the colony-forming green microalga Botryococcus braunii in response to several stress inducers such as NaCl, NaHCO3, salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate, and acetic acid. We also identified and cloned a single cDNA for the B. braunii ortholog of the Arabidopsis gene defender against cell death 1 (DAD1), a gene that is directly involved in PCD regulation. The function of B. braunii DAD1 was assessed by a complementation assay of the yeast knockout line of the DAD1 ortholog, oligosaccharyl transferase 2. Additionally, we found that DAD1 transcription was induced in response to SA at short times. These results suggest that B. braunii responds to stresses by mechanisms similar to those in land plants and other  organisms

Agro-Industrial Waste Revalorization: The Growing Biorefinery

Agro-industrial residues have been the spotlight of different researches worldwide, due to some of their constituents being raw material to generate a diversified variety of industrial products. Nowadays, this situation keeps prevailing and will increase continuously in the future. In the agroindustry, diverse biomasses are subjected to distinct unit processes for providing value to different waste materials from agriculture, food processing, and alcoholic industries. In this chapter, we reported an updated survey of different renewable organic materials that including agricultural wastes can be converted to bioenergy. Similarly, these wastes encrypt different bioactive compounds with an excellent nutraceutical functions and with high adding value. In addition, biocomposites can be elaborated using fibers from wastes with a wide variety of applications in the automotive and packaging industry. Vinasses derived from tequila industry in Mexico represent a lot of potential to extract biocompounds, and we propose a process to obtain them. A perspective of market trend is mentioned in this chapter for compounds derived from agro-industrial wastes. Adding value to those agro-industrial wastes can provide the reduction of negative impact emission, discharge, or disposal, solves an environmental problem, and generates additional income

Análisis de las cadenas de suministro de bio-etanol y biodiesel en México: Estudio de caso

Abstract Introduction This paper identified and analyzed the current state of the main actors involved in liquid biofuel supply chains in southeastern Mexico with the goal to identify the possibility estab-lishment of biofuels supply chains in this country. The description of the production process of biodiésel, bioethanol and castor oil is included. Case A refers to a company that produces biodiésel from recycled vegetable oils, Case B refers to a company that uses molasses to produce anhydrous ethanol through a molecular sieve, Case C describes supply chain management, from the organization of farmers to the production process of castor oil and its marketing to industry. Method For field research, a team of subject matter specialists collected on-site data through on-site interviews and telephone interviews with suppliers, collectors, recycled vegetable oil processors and seed improvers involved in the supply chain. For schems designs, the Model Reference for Supply Chain Operations (SCOR) was used. Results Key elements involved in the biodiésel and bioethanol supply chains were identified in the case studies. Fifty seven interviews were conducted, identifying the main elements involved in the supply chain. Eight interviews were conducted with bioethanol and biodiésel producers; twenty one with suppliers of recycled vegetable oils; eleven with suppliers of agricultural inputs and seeds; and seventeen with oil collectors. The present work establishes that the biodiésel supply chain is not consolidated, the main reason being the lack of regulation of raw material prices. On the other hand, the bioethanol supply chain is more consolidated due to the level of international commercialization. Discussion or Conclusion According to fieldwork information, we found evidence of the absence of price regulation in raw materials and subproducts obtained in the biodiésel production process. The pricing of raw materials, products and subproducts dictates the feasibility of the supply chain. The case studies analysed in this paper have a high chance of entering the biofuels market on another scale. However, the potential for biofuel production in Mexico is still emerging and far from being matched by the demand to be covered.Resumen Introducción El trabajo identificó y analizó el estado actual de los principales actores que intervienen en las cadenas de suministro de biocombustibles líquidos en el sureste de México con el objetivo de identificar la posibilidad del establecimiento de las cadenas de suministro de biocombustibles en el país. Se incluye la descripción del proceso de producción de: biodiésel, bioetanol y aceite de ricino. El caso A se refiere a una empresa que a partir de aceites vegetales reciclados produce biodiésel, el caso B se refiere a una empresa que utiliza melazas para producir etanol anhidro mediante un tamiz molecular, el caso C describe la gestión de la cadena de suministro, desde la organización de los agricultores hasta el proceso de producción de aceite de ricino y su comercialización para la industria. Método Para la investigación de campo se realizó con un equipo de especialistas en el tema que recolectó datos en sitio mediante entrevistas en el sitio y telefónicamente a los proveedores, recolectores, transformadores de aceite vegetal reciclado y a los mejoradores de semillas involucrados en la cadena de suministro. Para el diseño de los esquemas se empleó el modelo Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR). Resultados Fueron identificados los elementos claves involucrados en las cadenas de suministro de biodiésel y bioetanol de los casos de estudio. Se realizaron cincuenta y siete entrevistas en las que se identificaron los principales elementos en la cadena de suministros en un contexto cercano a los actores principales. Se levantaron ocho entrevistas a productores de bioetanol y biodiésel; veintiuna a generadores de aceites vegetales usados; once a proveedores de insumos agrícolas y semillas y diez y siete a recolectores de aceites. El presente trabajo muestra evidencia de la falta de consolidación de la cadena de suministro de biodiésel, la principal razón es la falta de regulación de los precios y la inconsistencia en la oferta de las materias primas. Por otro lado, la cadena de suministro de bioetanol se encuentra más consolidada debido al nivel de oferta nacional e internacional. Discusión o Conclusión De acuerdo a la información de campo encontramos evidencia de la falta de regulación de precios en las materias primas y así como de los subproductos obtenidos en el proceso de producción de biodiésel. El establecimiento de los precios de materias primas, productos y subproductos dicta la rentabilidad de la cadena de suministro. Los casos de estudios analizados en este trabajo tienen altas posibilidad de entrar en el mercado de los biocombustibles a otra escala. Sin embargo, el potencial de producción de biocombustibles en México aún es incipiente y dista de acercarse a la demanda que habrá que cubrir