Displaying publications 141 - 160 of 529 in total

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  1. Fulltext Biodegradation of Halloysite Nanotubes-Polyester Nanocomposites Exposed to Short Term Seawater Immersion
    Saharudin MS, Wei J, Shyha I, Inam F
    Polymers (Basel), 2017 Jul 28;9(8).
    PMID: 30970992 DOI: 10.3390/polym9080314
    Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)-polyester nanocomposites with four different concentrations were produced using solution casting technique and the biodegradation effect of short-term seawater exposure (120 h) was studied. Monolithic polyester was observed to have the highest seawater absorption with 1.37%. At 0.3 wt % HNTs reinforcement, the seawater absorption dropped significantly to the lowest value of 0.77% due to increase of liquid diffusion path. For samples tested in dry conditions, the Tg, storage modulus, tensile properties and flexural properties were improved. The highest improvement of Tg was from 79.3 to 82.4 °C (increase 3.1 °C) in the case of 0.3 wt % HNTs. This can be associated with the exfoliated HNTs particles, which restrict the mobility of polymer chains and thus raised the Tg. After seawater exposure, the Tg, storage modulus, tensile properties and flexural properties of polyester and its nanocomposites were decreased. The Young's modulus of 0.3 wt % HNTs-polyester dropped 20% while monolithic polyester dropped up to 24% compared to their values in dry condition. Apart from that, 29% flexural modulus reduction was observed, which was 18% higher than monolithic polyester. In contrast, fracture toughness and surface roughness increased due to plasticization effect. The presence of various microbial communities caused gradual biodegradation on the microstructure of the polyester matrix as also evidently shown by SEM images.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  2. Evaluation of the phytoremediation potential of two medicinal plants
    Chai TT, Fazilah Abd Manan, Azman Abd Samad, Dayangku Dalilah Mamat
    Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:503-509.
    Heavy metal pollution leads to human health problems and represents a constant threat to the environment. Pollutant
    clean-up using conventional methods are often hampered by high cost and ineffective pollutant removal. Phytoremediation
    technique is a preferable alternative due to its minimal side effects to the environment in addition to reasonable treatment
    cost. In this study, we investigated the potential of Centella asiatica and Orthosiphon stamineus as phytoremediation
    agents. Both species were grown in contaminated soil obtained from industrial land. Plant growth response and their
    ability to accumulate and translocate zinc, copper and lead were assessed. From this study, root growth of C. asiatica
    was compromised when grown in contaminated soil. Copper was highly accumulated in C. asiatica roots while the
    leaves were more concentrated with zinc and lead. Conversely, all three tested metals were highly detected in the roots
    of O. stamineus, although the root elongation was not adversely affected. Low amount of metals in the stems of both
    species permits longer stem length. Correlation study showed that the accumulation of zinc, copper and lead in plant
    tissues varies depending on plant species and the type of metals. Based on the bioaccumulation, translocation and
    enrichment factor, our study showed that C. asiatica was tolerant towards zinc, copper and lead; hence suitable for
    phytoextraction. By contrast, O. stamineus acted as a moderate accumulator of the tested metal elements.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  3. Diversity and DMS(P)-related genes in culturable bacterial communities in Malaysian coastal waters
    Kuek FWI, Aazani Mujahid, Lim Pt, Leaw Cp, Müller M
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:915-931.
    Little is known about the diversity and roles of microbial communities in the South China Sea, especially the eastern
    region. This study aimed to expand our knowledge on the diversity of these communities in Malaysian waters, as well as
    their potential involvement in the breakdown or osmoregulation of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP). Water samples
    were collected during local cruises (Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Semporna) from the SHIVA expedition and the diversity
    of bacterial communities were analysed through the isolation and identification of 176 strains of cultured bacteria. The
    bacteria were further screened for the existence of two key genes (dmdA, dddP) which were involved in competing,
    enzymatically-mediated DMSP degradation pathways. The composition of bacterial communities in the three areas varied
    and changes were mirrored in physico-chemical parameters. Riverine input was highest in Kuching, which was mirrored
    by dominance of potentially pathogenic Vibrio sp., whereas the Kota Kinabalu community was more indicative of an
    open ocean environment. Isolates obtained from Kota Kinabalu and Semporna showed that the communities in these
    areas have potential roles in bioremediation, nitrogen fixing and sulphate reduction. Bacteria isolated from Kuching
    displayed the highest abundance (44%) of both DMSP-degrading genes, while the bacterial community in Kota Kinabalu
    had the highest percentage (28%) of dmdA gene occurrence and the dddP gene responsible for DMS production was
    most abundant (33%) within the community in Semporna. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study looking at
    the diversity of culturable bacteria in coastal waters of East Malaysia and also their potential roles in the DMS(P) cycle.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  4. Biodegradation of various homologues of palm-based methyl ester sulphonates (MES)
    Siti Afida I., Razmah G., Zulina A. M.
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:949-954.
    The concern on the widespread use of surfactants is increasing worldwide as they can be potential toxicants by polluting
    the environment, with the damage formed depending on their exposure and persistence in the ecosystem. This paper
    was intended to evaluate the biodegradability of palm-based surfactant, MES, in order to establish their environmental
    friendliness. The respirometric method was used to monitor the biodegradation of various homologues of MES over 28
    days as described in the OECD 301F Manometric respirometry test method. The results showed all the MES homologues
    tested were readily biodegradable with percentage of biodegradation achieved for C12, C14 and C16 MES was 73%
    within 6 days, 66% within 8 days and 63% within 16 days, respectively, while linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS)
    sample 60% biodegraded within 8 days. From the results, it can be concluded that the longer the carbon chain length, the
    lower is the biodegradability of MES as the microorganisms took longer time to degrade a longer chain surfactant. Other
    than that, the presence of aromatic structure in LAS may also extend the biodegradation process. The use of palm-based
    surfactant, i.e. MES, is more environmental friendly and can be used as an alternative to petroleum-based surfactant to
    reduce adverse environmental effects of surfactant on ecosystem.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  5. Removal of heavy metals and production of bioethanol by green alga scenedesmus obliquus grown in different concentrations of wastewater
    Hamouda RA, Yeheia DS, Hamzah HA, Hussein MH
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:467-476.
    Algae have recently received a lot of attention as a new biomass source for the production of renewable energy and an important bioremediation agent. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of green algae Scenedesmus obliquus grow in different concentrations of wastewater and the improvement of cultivation conditions to produce biomass rich in sugar to produce bioethanol by fermentation processes. The highest sugar content of S. obliquus biomass was recorded for algae cultivated with 40 and 85% wastewater after 9 days under aeration condition with dark and light duration (44.5%). It was found that the highest removal efficiency of BOD and COD were 18% for S. obliquus grown under aeration condition. The highest ethanol efficiency of S. obliquus biomass hydrolysate was 20.33% at 4th day. The best condition of S. obliquus to grow efficiently was under aeration with light and dark durations, where it has high efficiency to remove heavy metals from wastewater in this condition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  6. Phytoaccumulation of Zn, Pb, and Cd in Conocarpus lancifolius irrigated with wastewater: does physiological response influence heavy metal uptake?
    Rasheed F, Zafar Z, Waseem ZA, Rafay M, Abdullah M, Salam MMA, et al.
    Int J Phytoremediation, 2020;22(3):287-294.
    PMID: 31468990 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2019.1658711
    Conocarpus lancifolius is a fast-growing and drought tolerant tree species with phytoremediation potential in arid environments. The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytoaccumulation potential under wastewater treatment. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse where 3-month-old seedlings were irrigated with industrial wastewater and growth, biomass and physiological parameters were measured. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in leaves, shoots, and roots along with translocation and tolerance index were also determined. The results showed that under wastewater treatment total biomass increased from 24.2 to 31.5 g, net CO2 assimilation rate increased from 9.93 to 13.3 μmol m-2 s-1, and water use efficiency increased from 1.7 to 2.42. Similarly, heavy metals (Zn, Pb, and Cd) accumulation in stem, leaves, and roots increased significantly under wastewater treatment where the highest concentration of Zn, Pb and Cd was found in roots followed by leaves and stem, respectively. Tolerance index was found >1, and translocation factor of all heavy metals was found >1. The study revealed that phytoaccumulation potential of C. lancifolius was mainly driven by improved net CO2 assimilation rate and water use efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  7. Particle size and rate of biochar affected the phytoavailability of Cd and Pb by mustard plants grown in contaminated soils
    Samsuri AW, Fahmi AH, Jol H, Daljit S
    Int J Phytoremediation, 2020;22(6):567-577.
    PMID: 31744301 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2019.1687423
    Various amendments are used to reduce the phytoavailability of heavy metals in contaminated soils, but recently the use of biochar is receiving serious attention. In this study, two particle sizes of an oil palm empty fruit bunch biochar (EFBB); <50 µm (F-EFBB) and >2 mm (C-EFBB) were applied at either 0, 0.5, or 1% (w/w) to soils contaminated with either Cd or Pb and the phytoavailability of these metals by mustard plants grown on the soils was evaluated. Results revealed that the application of EFBB at 1% significantly increased plant growth parameters as compared with the control in Cd-soil. However, there was no significant effect of EFBB application rate on plant growth parameters in Pb-soil. There was a significant difference in the concentrations of Cd and Pb in the plant root and shoot between soils receiving different particle sizes of EFBB. The treatment of 1% F-EFBB gave the lowest concentration of the Cd concentration in the shoot (115.200 mgkg-1) and Pb concentration in the root and shoot (4196.000 and 78.467 mgkg-1, respectively) as compared with the other treatments. Therefore, F-EFBB application at high rates can be recommended for reducing the phytoavailability of Cd and Pb in contaminated soils.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  8. Fulltext Comprehensive genome analysis of a pangolin-associated Paraburkholderia fungorum provides new insights into its secretion systems and virulence
    Tan KY, Dutta A, Tan TK, Hari R, Othman RY, Choo SW
    PeerJ, 2020;8:e9733.
    PMID: 32953261 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9733
    Background: Paraburkholderia fungorum (P. fungorum) is a Gram-negative environmental species that has been commonly used as a beneficial microorganism in agriculture as an agent for biocontrol and bioremediation. Its use in agriculture is controversial as many people believe that it could harm human health; however, there is no clear evidence to support.

    Methodology: The pangolin P. fungorum (pangolin Pf) genome has a genomic size of approximately 7.7 Mbps with N50 of 69,666 bps. Our study showed that pangolin Pf is a Paraburkholderia fungorum supported by evidence from the core genome SNP-based phylogenetic analysis and the ANI analysis. Functional analysis has shown that the presence of a considerably large number of genes related to stress response, virulence, disease, and defence. Interestingly, we identified different types of secretion systems in the genome of pangolin Pf, which are highly specialized and responsible for a bacterium's response to its environment and in physiological processes such as survival, adhesion, and adaptation. The pangolin Pf also shared some common virulence genes with the known pathogenic member of the Burkholderiales. These genes play important roles in adhesion, motility, and invasion.

    Conclusion: This study may provide better insights into the functions, secretion systems and virulence of this pangolin-associated bacterial strain. The addition of this genome sequence is also important for future comparative analysis and functional work of P. fungorum.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  9. Efficiency of pollutants removal in treated palm oil mill effluent (TPOME) using different concentrations of sodium alginate-immobilized Nannochloropsis sp. cells
    Emparan Q, Harun R, Sing Jye Y
    Int J Phytoremediation, 2021;23(5):454-461.
    PMID: 32976718 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2020.1825327
    Palm oil mill effluent (POME) has high chemical oxygen demand (COD), thus requires effective treatments to environmentally benign levels before discharge. In this study, immobilized microalgae cells are used for removing pollutants in treated palm oil mill effluent (TPOME). Different ratios of microalgae beads to TPOME concentration were examined at 1:2.5, 1:5, and 1:10. The biomass concentration and COD removal were measured through a standard method. The color of the cultivated microalgae beads changed from light green to darker green after the POME treatment for 9 days, hence demonstrating that microalgae cells were successfully grown inside the beads with pH up to 9.84. The immobilized cells cultivated in the POME at 1:10 achieved a higher biomass concentration of 1.268 g/L and a COD removal percentage of 72% than other treatment ratios. The increment of the ratio of microalgae cells beads to POME concentration did not cause any improvement in COD removal efficiency. This was due to the inhibitory effect of self-shading resulting in the slow growth rate of microalgae cells which responsible for low COD removal. Therefore, this system could be a viable technology for simultaneous biomass production and POME treatment. This will contribute to research efforts toward the development of new and improved technologies in treating POME.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  10. Fulltext Decolorization of Palm Oil Mill Effluent by Klebsiella Pneumonia ABZ11: Remediation Efficacy and Statistical Optimization of Treatment Conditions
    Abdulsalam M, Man HC, Abidin ZZ, Yunos KF, Idris AI
    Front Microbiol, 2020;11:675.
    PMID: 32477278 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00675
    Colorants contained in palm oil mill effluent (POME) are recalcitrant and carcinogenic in nature. The commonly applied ponding treatment methods have been reported inefficient for remediating the concentration of the colorants before discharge. The need for sustainable and efficient treatment technique is crucial in order to preserve the environment. In this view, this study reported the first attempt to decolorize POME using a proliferate Klebsiella Pneumonia ABZ11 at varied inoculum sizes of 5-25% (v/v), initial color concentration (650-2,600 ADMI) and treatment time of 5-40 h. The treatment conditions were optimized using Response Surface Methodology. At optimal conditions of 20% (v/v) inoculum size, initial-color concentration of 2,600 ADMI, initial pH of 7 and 35 h treatment retention time, over 80.40% color removal was achieved with insignificant disparity compared with the model predicted value of 81.538%. Also, the Monod model excellently described the decolorization kinetic process with 0.9214 coefficient of correlation (R2), and the calculated maximum growth μ
    max
    ) and half-saturation constant (K
    s
    ) were 7.023 d-1 and 340.569 ADMI d-1, respectively. This study revealed that the Klebsiella Pneumonia ABZ11 was highly prolific and such feature may favor a synergistic biodegradation process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  11. Dual function of Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata as phytoremediator for Palm Oil Mill Effluent and as feedstock
    Kadir AA, Abdullah SRS, Othman BA, Hasan HA, Othman AR, Imron MF, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2020 Nov;259:127468.
    PMID: 32603966 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127468
    In this study, two native duckweeds (Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata) were cultivated in Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) to extract nutrients from the effluent. Five grams of A. pinnata and 2 g of L. minor were transferred to 2 L POME (Initial concentrations: 198 mg/L COD, 4.3 mg/L nitrates, pH 9.53, 4 mg/L phosphate, 2.98 mg/L ammonia) with four different dilutions (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%) under greenhouse conditions. Samples of POME were taken every two days up to 10 days. Growth parameter, phosphate, ammonia, nitrates, pH, and COD were monitored within 10 days to select the most suitable growth medium for both plants. Results showed that 2.5% POME dilution had positive effect on L. minor growth and A. pinnata (wet weight increased by 8.7 g and 9.8 g, respectively), with all plants able to survive until the final day of exposure. The highest removal of ammonia was accomplished in 5% POME dilution by A. pinnata (98%) and L. minor (95.5%). The maximum phosphate removal was obtained in 10% POME dilution with 93.3% removal by A. pinnata and 86.7% by L. minor. Significant COD removal in 15% POME was obtained by L. minor (78%) and A. pinnata (66%). Both plants responded positively to the phytoremediation process, especially for A. pinnata which showed significant decreases in all parameters. The nutrient extraction by both plants from POME showed a positive effect on growth parameter, which has further promising potential to be used as animal feedstock.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  12. Fulltext Chitosan Epoxidized Natural Rubber Biocomposites for Sorption and Biodegradability Studies
    Raju G, Mas Haris MRH, Azura AR, Ahmed Mohamed Eid AM
    ACS Omega, 2020 Nov 10;5(44):28760-28766.
    PMID: 33195929 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04081
    The slow-release mechanism of copper into soil followed by soil biodegradation was studied using the chitosan (CTS)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) biocomposite. The biocomposite was prepared by homogenizing CTS in ENR50 (ENR with about 50% epoxy content) latex in the presence of curing agents and acetic acid. It was found that the adsorption property of the biocomposite was very much influenced by chitosan loading, where 20phrCTS-t-ENR biocomposite can absorb 76.31% of Cu(II) ions. The desorption study indicates that the copper (II) ion can be released at a very slow and control phase as proven by the kinetic study using zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer Peppas equations. The slow-release studies comply with the Higuchi square-root equation, indicating that the release process is diffusion-controlled. Results of desorption and biodegradation process suggest that this biocomposite has the potential use of being a slow-release matrix in the field of agriculture.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  13. Fulltext Modelling of hydrogen sulfide fate and emissions in extended aeration sewage treatment plant using TOXCHEM simulations
    Zwain HM, Nile BK, Faris AM, Vakili M, Dahlan I
    Sci Rep, 2020 12 17;10(1):22209.
    PMID: 33335267 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79395-8
    Odors due to the emission of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have been a concern in the sewage treatment plants over the last decades. H2S fate and emissions from extended aeration activated sludge (EAAS) system in Muharram Aisha-sewage treatment plant (MA-STP) were studied using TOXCHEM model. Sensitivity analysis at different aeration flowrate, H2S loading rate, wastewater pH, wastewater temperature and wind speed were studied. The predicted data were validated against actual results, where all the data were validated within the limits, and the statistical evaluation of normalized mean square error (NMSE), geometric variance (VG), and correlation coefficient (R) were close to the ideal fit. The results showed that the major processes occurring in the system were degradation and emission. During summer (27 °C) and winter (12 °C), about 25 and 23%, 1 and 2%, 2 and 2%, and 72 and 73% were fated as emitted to air, discharged with effluent, sorbed to sludge, and biodegraded, respectively. At summer and winter, the total emitted concentrations of H2S were 6.403 and 5.614 ppm, respectively. The sensitivity results indicated that aeration flowrate, H2S loading rate and wastewater pH highly influenced the emission and degradation of H2S processes compared to wastewater temperature and wind speed. To conclude, TOXCHEM model successfully predicted the H2S fate and emissions in EAAS system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  14. Comprehensive review on phytotechnology: Heavy metals removal by diverse aquatic plants species from wastewater
    Rezania S, Taib SM, Md Din MF, Dahalan FA, Kamyab H
    J Hazard Mater, 2016 Nov 15;318:587-599.
    PMID: 27474848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.07.053
    Environmental pollution specifically water pollution is alarming both in the developed and developing countries. Heavy metal contamination of water resources is a critical issue which adversely affects humans, plants and animals. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective remediation technology which able to treat heavy metal polluted sites. This environmental friendly method has been successfully implemented in constructed wetland (CWs) which is able to restore the aquatic biosystem naturally. Nowadays, many aquatic plant species are being investigated to determine their potential and effectiveness for phytoremediation application, especially high growth rate plants i.e. macrophytes. Based on the findings, phytofiltration (rhizofiltration) is the sole method which defined as heavy metals removal from water by aquatic plants. Due to specific morphology and higher growth rate, free-floating plants were more efficient to uptake heavy metals in comparison with submerged and emergent plants. In this review, the potential of wide range of aquatic plant species with main focus on four well known species (hyper-accumulators): Pistia stratiotes, Eicchornia spp., Lemna spp. and Salvinia spp. was investigated. Moreover, we discussed about the history, methods and future prospects in phytoremediation of heavy metals by aquatic plants comprehensively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  15. Fulltext Isolation and Characterisation of a Molybdenum-reducing and Metanil Yellow Dye-decolourising Bacillus sp. strain Neni-10 in Soils from West Sumatera, Indonesia
    Mansur R, Gusmanizar N, Roslan MA, Ahmad SA, Shukor MY
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2017 Jan;28(1):69-90.
    PMID: 28228917 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2017.28.1.5
    A molybdenum reducing bacterium with the novel ability to decolorise the azo dye Metanil Yellow is reported. Optimal conditions for molybdenum reduction were pH 6.3 and at 34°C. Glucose was the best electron donor. Another requirement includes a narrow phosphate concentration between 2.5 and 7.5 mM. A time profile of Mo-blue production shows a lag period of approximately 12 hours, a maximum amount of Mo-blue produced at a molybdate concentration of 20 mM, and a peak production at 52 h of incubation. The heavy metals mercury, silver, copper and chromium inhibited reduction by 91.9, 82.7, 45.5 and 17.4%, respectively. A complete decolourisation of the dye Metanil Yellow at 100 and 150 mg/L occurred at day three and day six of incubations, respectively. Higher concentrations show partial degradation, with an approximately 20% decolourisation observed at 400 mg/L. The bacterium is partially identified based on biochemical analysis as Bacillus sp. strain Neni-10. The absorption spectrum of the Mo-blue suggested the compound is a reduced phosphomolybdate. The isolation of this bacterium, which shows heavy metal reduction and dye-decolorising ability, is sought after, particularly for bioremediation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  16. Single chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) with a cathodic microalgal biofilm: A preliminary assessment of the generation of bioelectricity and biodegradation of real dye textile wastewater
    Logroño W, Pérez M, Urquizo G, Kadier A, Echeverría M, Recalde C, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2017 Mar 01;176:378-388.
    PMID: 28278426 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.02.099
    An air exposed single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) using microalgal biocathodes was designed. The reactors were tested for the simultaneous biodegradation of real dye textile wastewater (RTW) and the generation of bioelectricity. The results of digital image processing revealed a maximum coverage area on the biocathodes by microalgal cells of 42%. The atmospheric and diffused CO2 could enable good algal growth and its immobilized operation on the cathode electrode. The biocathode-SCMFCs outperformed an open circuit voltage (OCV), which was 18%-43% higher than the control. Furthermore, the maximum volumetric power density achieved was 123.2 ± 27.5 mW m(-3). The system was suitable for the treatment of RTW and the removal/decrease of COD, colour and heavy metals. High removal efficiencies were observed in the SCMFCs for Zn (98%) and COD (92-98%), but the removal efficiencies were considerably lower for Cr (54-80%). We observed that this single chamber MFC simplifies a double chamber system. The bioelectrochemical performance was relatively low, but the treatment capacity of the system seems encouraging in contrast to previous studies. A proof-of-concept experiment demonstrated that the microalgal biocathode could operate in air exposed conditions, seems to be a promising alternative to a Pt cathode and is an efficient and cost-effective approach to improve the performance of single chamber MFCs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  17. Fulltext Effect of PEG on the biodegradability studies of Kenaf cellulose -polyethylene composites
    Behjat, T., Russly, A.R., Luqman, C.A., Yus, A.Y., Nor Azowa, I.
    International Food Research Journal, 2009;16(2):243-247.
    MyJurnal
    Several blends of cellulose derived from bast part of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) plant, with different thermoplastics, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), were prepared by a melt blending machine. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as plasticizer. Biodegradability of these blends was measured using soil burial test in order to study the rates of biodegradation of these polymer blends. It was found that the cellulose/LDPE and cellulose/HDPE blends were biodegradable in a considerable rate. The bio-composites with high content of cellulose had higher degradation rate. In addition, biodegradability of the bio-composites made up using PEG was superior to those of the bio-composites fabricated without PEG, due to the improved wetting of the plasticizer in the matrix polymer. The results were also supported by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  18. Fulltext Batch kinetics and effects of process parameters for biodegradation of reactive black 5 in an aerobic mixed microbial culture
    Krishnan, Jagannathan, Siti Rabiatul Adawiyah Ibrahim
    Scientific Research Journal, 2013;10(2):0-0.
    MyJurnal
    Mixed microbial culture used in this study was developed from sludge that was taken from local textile wastewater treatment tank. Acclimatization process was performed before starting the biodegradation experiment to obtain a microbial culture with high degradation properties. Kinetic studies by the mixed microbial culture were determined quantitatively for the model pollutant, Reactive Black 5 (RB 5). By using Michaelis-Menten model, the constants were found to be 11.15 mg l-1 h -1 and 29.18 mg l-1 for Vm and Km respectively. The values of kinetic constants for Monod model were found to be 33.11 mg l-1 cell h-1 for the maximum specific microbial growth rate, µm and 86.62 mg l-1 for Monod constant, Ks. The effects of process parameters such as pH, inoculum size and initial dye concentration on the biodegradation of azo dye, RB 5 were systematically investigated. Maximum removal efficiencies observed in this study were 75% for pH 6, 100% for 15% inoculum concentration and 75% for 20 ppm of initial dye concentration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  19. Fulltext Optimization of modified fenton (fegac/h2o2) pretreatment of antibiotics
    Augustine Chioma Affam, Malay Chaudhuri, Shamsul Rahman Mohammed Kutty
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2014;22(1):239-254.
    MyJurnal
    The study examined modified Fenton (FeGAC/H2O2) pretreatment of the antibiotics amoxicillin and cloxacillin in aqueous solution for biological treatment. The treatment was optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum operating conditions at pH3 were H2O2/COD molar ratio 2.0, FeGAC dose 3.5 g/L and reaction time 90 min for 87.53% removal of COD, 78.01% removal of TOC, and 98.24% removal of NH3-N. Biodegradability (BOD5/COD ratio) improved from zero to 0.36, indicating the effluent was amenable to biological treatment. Meanwhile, FTIR spectra indicated degradation of the antibiotics. Compared with Fenton or photo-Fenton, modified Fenton (FeGAC/H2O2) was more effective in the pre-treatment of the antibiotics amoxicillin and cloxacillin in aqueous solution for biological treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
  20. Filamentous fungi in Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) sewage treatment plant for biological treatment of domestic wastewater sludge
    Fakhrul-Razi A, Alam MZ, Idris A, Abd-Aziz S, Molla AH
    J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2002 Mar;37(3):309-20.
    PMID: 11929070
    A study was carried out to isolate and identify filamentous fungi for the treatment of domestic wastewater sludge by enhancing biodegradability, settleability and dewaterability of treated sludge using liquid state bioconversion process. A total of 70 strains of filamentous fungi were isolated from three different sources (wastewater, sewage sludge and leachate) of IWK's (Indah Water Konsortium) sewage treatment plant, Malaysia. The isolated strains were purified by conventional techniques and identified by microscopic examination. The strains isolated belonged to the genera of Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Spicaria and Hyaloflorae The distribution of observed isolated fungi were 41% in sewage sludge followed by 39% in wastewater and 20% in leachate. The predominant fungus was Penicillium (39 strains). The second and third most common isolates were Aspergillus (14 strains) and Trichoderma (12 strains). The other isolates were Spicaria (3 strains) and Hyaloflorae (2 strains). Three strains (WWZP1003, LZP3001, LZP3005) of Penicillium (P. corylophilum, P. waksmanii, and P. citrinum respectively), 2 strains (WWZA1006 and SS2017) of Aspergillus (A. terrues and A. flavus respectively) and one strain (SSZT2008) of Trichoderma (T. harzianum) were tentatively identified up to species level and finally verified by CABI Bioscience Identification Services, UK.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental
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