| 1. |
- Patel, Alok, Dr. 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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An Overview of Potential Oleaginous Microorganisms and Their Role in Biodiesel and Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Based Industries
- 2020
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Ingår i: Microorganisms. - : MDPI. - 2076-2607. ; 8:3
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microorganisms are known to be natural oil producers in their cellular compartments. Microorganisms that accumulate more than 20% w/w of lipids on a cell dry weight basis are considered as oleaginous microorganisms. These are capable of synthesizing vast majority of fatty acids from short hydrocarbonated chain (C6) to long hydrocarbonated chain (C36), which may be saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), depending on the presence and number of double bonds in hydrocarbonated chains. Depending on the fatty acid profile, the oils obtained from oleaginous microorganisms are utilized as feedstock for either biodiesel production or as nutraceuticals. Mainly microalgae, bacteria, and yeasts are involved in the production of biodiesel, whereas thraustochytrids, fungi, and some of the microalgae are well known to be producers of very long-chain PUFA (omega-3 fatty acids). In this review article, the type of oleaginous microorganisms and their expertise in the field of biodiesel or omega-3 fatty acids, advances in metabolic engineering tools for enhanced lipid accumulation, upstream and downstream processing of lipids, including purification of biodiesel and concentration of omega-3 fatty acids are reviewed.
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| 2. |
- Antonopoulou, Io, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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CO2 to Methanol: A Highly Efficient Enzyme Cascade
- 2022. - 1
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Ingår i: Multienzymatic Assemblies. - New York, NY : Springer Nature. ; , s. 317-344
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been increasingly regarded not only as a greenhouse gas but also as a valuable feedstock for carbon-based chemicals. In particular, biological approaches have drawn attention as models for the production of value-added products, as CO2 conversion serves many natural processes. Enzymatic CO2 reduction in vitro is a very promising route to produce fossil free and bio-based fuel alternatives, such as methanol. In this chapter, the advances in constructing competitive multi-enzymatic systems for the reduction of CO2 to methanol are discussed. Different integrated methods are presented, aiming to address technological challenges, such as the cost effectiveness, need for material regeneration and reuse and improving product yields of the process.
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| 3. |
- Antonopoulou, Io, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Ferulic Acid From Plant Biomass: A Phytochemical With Promising Antiviral Properties
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Nutrition. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-861X. ; 8
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant biomass is a magnificent renewable resource for phytochemicals that carry bioactive properties. Ferulic acid (FA) is a hydroxycinnamic acid that is found widespread in plant cell walls, mainly esterified to polysaccharides. It is well known of its strong antioxidant activity, together with numerous properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. This review article provides insights into the potential for valorization of FA as a potent antiviral agent. Its pharmacokinetic properties (absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion) and the proposed mechanisms that are purported to provide antiviral activity are presented. Novel strategies on extraction and derivatization routes, for enhancing even further the antiviral activity of FA and potentially favor its metabolism, distribution and residence time in the human body, are discussed. These routes may lead to novel high-added value biorefinery pathways to utilize plant biomass toward the production of nutraceuticals as functional foods with attractive bioactive properties, such as enhancing immunity toward viral infections.
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| 4. |
- Antonopoulou, Io, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Inhibition of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) by repurposing/designing drug-like substances and utilizing nature’s toolbox of bioactive compounds
- 2022
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Ingår i: Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. - : Elsevier. - 2001-0370. ; 20, s. 1306-1344
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a long pandemic, with numerous cases and victims worldwide and enormous consequences on social and economic life. Although vaccinations have proceeded and provide a valuable shield against the virus, the approved drugs are limited and it is crucial that further ways to combat infection are developed, that can also act against potential mutations. The main protease (Mpro) of the virus is an appealing target for the development of inhibitors, due to its importance in the viral life cycle and its high conservation among different coronaviruses. Several compounds have shown inhibitory potential against Mpro, both in silico and in vitro, with few of them also having entered clinical trials. These candidates include: known drugs that have been repurposed, molecules specifically designed based on the natural substrate of the protease or on structural moieties that have shown high binding affinity to the protease active site, as well as naturally derived compounds, either isolated or in plant extracts. The aim of this work is to collectively present the results of research regarding Mpro inhibitors to date, focusing on the function of the compounds founded by in silico simulations and further explored by in vitro and in vivo assays. Creating an extended portfolio of promising compounds that may block viral replication by inhibiting Mpro and by understanding involved structure–activity relationships, could provide a basis for the development of effective solutions against SARS-CoV-2 and future related outbreaks.
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| 5. |
- Antonopoulou, Io, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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The Inhibitory Potential of Ferulic Acid Derivatives against the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and ADMET Evaluation
- 2022
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Ingår i: Biomedicines. - : MDPI. - 2227-9059. ; 10:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is an appealing target for the development of antiviral compounds, due to its critical role in the viral life cycle and its high conservation among different coronaviruses and the continuously emerging mutants of SARS-CoV-2. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phytochemical with several health benefits that is abundant in plant biomass and has been used as a basis for the enzymatic or chemical synthesis of derivatives with improved properties, including antiviral activity against a range of viruses. This study tested 54 reported FA derivatives for their inhibitory potential against Mpro by in silico simulations. Molecular docking was performed using Autodock Vina, resulting in comparable or better binding affinities for 14 compounds compared to the known inhibitors N3 and GC376. ADMET analysis showed limited bioavailability but significantly improved the solubility for the enzymatically synthesized hits while better bioavailability and druglikeness properties but higher toxicity were observed for the chemically synthesized ones. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the complexes of the most promising compounds with Mpro, highlighting FA rutinoside and compound e27 as the best candidates from each derivative category.
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| 6. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(författare)
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Advances in cathode designs and reactor configurations of microbial electrosynthesis systems to facilitate gas electro-fermentation
- 2022
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Ingår i: Bioresource Technology. - : Elsevier. - 0960-8524 .- 1873-2976. ; 354
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In gas fermentation, a range of chemolithoautotrophs fix single-carbon (C1) gases (CO2 and CO) when H2 or other reductants are available. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) enables CO2 reduction by generating H2 or reducing equivalents with the sole input of renewable electricity. A combined approach as gas electro-fermentation is attractive for the sustainable production of biofuels and biochemicals utilizing C1 gases. Various platform compounds such as acetate, butyrate, caproate, ethanol, butanol and bioplastics can be produced. However, technological challenges pertaining to the microbe-material interactions such as poor gas-liquid mass transfer, low biomass and biofilm coverage on cathode, low productivities still exist. We are presenting a review on latest developments in MES focusing on the configuration and design of cathodes that can address the challenges and support the gas electro-fermentation. Overall, the opportunities for advancing CO and CO2-based biochemicals and biofuels production in MES with suitable cathode/reactor design are prospected.
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| 7. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(författare)
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Chapter 12 - Advances in gas fermentation processes
- 2022
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Ingår i: Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. - : Elsevier. - 9780323911672 ; , s. 321-351
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Microbial metabolism enables the sustainable synthesis of fuels and chemicals from gaseous substrates (H2, CO, and CO2), thus drastically diminishing the carbon load in the atmosphere. Various value-added biochemicals and biofuels, such as acetate, methane, ethanol, butanol, butyrate, caproate, and bioplastics, have been produced during the conversion of syngas or H2/CO2, using a variety of microorganisms as biocatalysts. Gas fermentation processes using acetogenic and methanogenic organisms are being extensively investigated. This chapter provides an overview of microbial CO and CO2 conversion technology, with an emphasis on recent developments and integration with renewable electricity for the generation of H2 or other forms of electron donors. A discussion on technological challenges in gas fermentation addresses issues, such as poor mass transfer, low microbial biomass, and low productivity. It also presents possible solutions based on the latest advances in bioelectrochemical processes including microbial gas electrofermentation. Finally, the chapter includes a sustainability analysis of the process and includes a brief update on commercially established companies operating gas fermentation systems. Overall, an integrated approach combining gas fermentation and renewable electricity offers an opportunity for the development of CO and CO2- based biochemical and biofuel production at commercial scale.
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| 8. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(författare)
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Dual cathode configuration and headspace gas recirculation for enhancing microbial electrosynthesis using Sporomusa ovata
- 2022
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Ingår i: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 287, Part 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High-rate production of acetate and other value-added products from the reduction of CO2 in microbial electrosynthesis (MES) using acetogens can be achieved with high reducing power where H2 appears as a key electron mediator. H2 evolution using metal cathodes can enhance the availability of H2 to support high-rate microbial reduction of CO2. Due to the low solubility of H2, the availability of H2 remains limited to the bacteria. In this study, we investigated the performances of Sporomusa ovata for CO2 reduction when dual cathodes were used together in an MES, one was regular carbon cathode, and the other was a titanium mesh that allows higher hydrogen evolution. The dual cathode configuration was investigated in two sets of MES, one set had the usual S. ovata inoculated graphite rod, and another set had a synthetic biofilm-imprinted carbon cloth. Additionally, the headspace gas in MES was recirculated to increase the H2 availability to the bacteria in suspension. High-rate CO2 reduction was observed at −0.9 V vs Ag/AgCl with dual cathode configuration as compared to single cathodes. High titers of acetate (up to ∼11 g/L) with maximum instantaneous rates of 0.68–0.7 g/L/d at −0.9 V vs Ag/AgCl were observed, which are higher than the production rates reported in literatures for S. ovata using MES with surface modified cathodes. A high H2 availability supported the high-rate acetate production from CO2 with diminished electricity input.
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| 9. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(författare)
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Microbial Electrosynthesis Using 3D Bioprinting of Sporomusa ovata on Copper, Stainless-Steel, and Titanium Cathodes for CO2 Reduction
- 2023
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Ingår i: Fermentation. - : MDPI. - 2311-5637. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Acetate can be produced from carbon dioxide (CO2) and electricity using bacteria at the cathode of microbial electrosynthesis (MES). This process relies on electrolytically-produced hydrogen (H2). However, the low solubility of H2 can limit the process. Using metal cathodes to generate H2 at a high rate can improve MES. Immobilizing bacteria on the metal cathode can further proliferate the H2 availability to the bacteria. In this study, we investigated the performances of 3D bioprinting of Sporomusa ovata on three metal meshes—copper (Cu), stainless steel (SS), and titanium (Ti), when used individually as a cathode in MES. Bacterial cells were immobilized on the metal using a 3D bioprinter with alginate hydrogel ink. The bioprinted Ti mesh exhibited higher acetate production (53 ± 19 g/m2/d) at −0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl as compared to other metal cathodes. More than 9 g/L of acetate was achieved with bioprinted Ti, and the least amount was obtained with bioprinted Cu. Although all three metals are known for catalyzing H2 evolution, the lower biocompatibility and chemical stability of Cu hampered its performance. Stable and biocompatible Ti supported the bioprinted S. ovata effectively. Bioprinting of synthetic biofilm on H2-evolving metal cathodes can provide high-performing and robust biocathodes for further application of MES.
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| 10. |
- Bhattacharyya, Shubhankar, et al.
(författare)
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Melt Stable Functionalized Organosolv and Kraft Lignin Thermoplastic
- 2020
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Ingår i: Processes. - : MDPI. - 2227-9717. ; 8:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A shift towards an economically viable biomass biorefinery concept requires the use of all biomass fractions (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) for the production of high added-value products. As lignin is often underutilized, the establishment of lignin valorization routes is highly important. In-house produced organosolv as well as commercial Kraft lignin were used in this study. The aim of the current work was to make a comparative study of thermoplastic biomaterials from two different types of lignins. Native lignins were alkylate with two different alkyl iodides to produce ether-functionalized lignins. Successful etherification was verified by FT-IR spectroscopy, changes in the molecular weight of lignin, as well as 13C and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The thermal stability of etherified lignin samples was considerably improved with the T2% of organosolv to increase from 143 °C to up to 213 °C and of Kraft lignin from 133 °C to up to 168 °C, and glass transition temperature was observed. The present study shows that etherification of both organosolv and Kraft lignin with alkyl halides can produce lignin thermoplastic biomaterials with low glass transition temperature. The length of the alkyl chain affects thermal stability as well as other thermal properties.
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