PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

High production of polyols using crude glycerol by wild-type safe yeasts

2024-02-05
(Press-News.org)

Utilizing crude glycerol for the synthesis of high-value products offers a promising solution to counter the adverse effects of declining glycerol prices in the biodiesel sector. The prevalence of crude glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production, across agriculture, biofuel, and industrial sectors is steadily rising. Recent advancements have demonstrated the effectiveness of both wild-type and mutant yeast strains as microbial cell factories capable of converting glycerol into a diverse array of valuable compounds, including microbial oils, sugar-alcohols (polyols), and organic acids. With the projected increase in biodiesel production, there is a need to explore integrated (bio)-processes for the valorization of this residual material, embracing a "bio-refinery approach."

In a new study published in the KeAi journal Carbon Resources Conversion, a team of researchers in Greece reported innovative approaches to harnessing the potential of crude glycerol. They utilized it as a substrate for natural yeasts of the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) species Yarrowia lipolytica. This method resulted in the production of valuable compounds such as sugar-alcohols (mannitol, arabitol, and erythritol), as well as other metabolites including citric acid, yeast biomass, and polysaccharides.

“In the context of the industrial scale, the production of polyols through the use of crude glycerol could significantly contribute to the recycling of this residue that is generated in constantly increasing quantities worldwide, offering a ‘green’ alternative on the protection of the environment, as huge amounts of the mentioned residue can be successfully used to produce high added-value products with a plethora of applications in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors”.

“Therefore, the use of microorganisms is a topic that needs further investigation as it could demonstrate the possibility of various yeasts, to be used as microbial cell factories in various glycerol utilization processes, with the production of biotechnological products and yeast biomass, of utmost importance for food, pharmaceutical and chemical applications,” shares corresponding author Seraphim Papanikolaou. “It is worth emphasizing that the biochemical pathway of polyol synthesis has not yet been fully elucidated, making such a study highly attractive and interesting. Consequently, the production of polyols from industrial by-products is an important area of focus for food biotechnology, offering dual benefits of environmental enhancement and economic advancement.”

###

Contact the author: 1) Eleni-Stavroula Vastaroucha (PhD), Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, ellens.v@hotmail.co.uk; 2) Professor Seraphim Papanikolaou, Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, spapanik@aua.gr

The publisher KeAi was established by Elsevier and China Science Publishing & Media Ltd to unfold quality research globally. In 2013, our focus shifted to open access publishing. We now proudly publish more than 100 world-class, open access, English language journals, spanning all scientific disciplines. Many of these are titles we publish in partnership with prestigious societies and academic institutions, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Solvent sieve method sets new record for perovskite light-emitting diodes

Solvent sieve method sets new record for perovskite light-emitting diodes
2024-02-05
Using a simple solvent sieve method, researchers from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have taken the lead in developing highly efficient and stable perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with record performance. The study was published in Nature Photonics. Perovskites are one of the most promising optoelectronic materials due to their excellent optoelectronic performance and low preparation cost. Compared with traditional organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), PeLEDs have a narrower light-emitting spectrum and superior color ...

Combination therapy lowers blood pressure in patients receiving ibrutinib

2024-02-05
(WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2024) – Combination treatments with two or more blood pressure drugs can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients taking ibrutinib, according to a new study published in Blood Advances. Targeted drugs such as ibrutinib have improved outcomes for patients with cancers of the lymphatic system, but patients treated with ibrutinib and other drugs in its class often develop new or worsening high blood pressure (or hypertension or HTN). Few studies have examined how best to treat this potentially serious side effect, nor do any formal guidelines exist to steer doctors toward the most effective treatments. “To ...

Ultra-sensitive lead detector could significantly improve water quality monitoring

Ultra-sensitive lead detector could significantly improve water quality monitoring
2024-02-05
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an ultra-sensitive sensor made with graphene that can detect extraordinarily low concentrations of lead ions in water. The device achieves a record limit of detection of lead down to the femtomolar range, which is one million times more sensitive than previous sensing technologies. “With the extremely high sensitivity of our device, we ultimately hope to detect even the presence of one lead ion in a reasonable volume of water,” said Prabhakar Bandaru, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. “Lead exposure is a serious health concern, ...

World’s largest childhood trauma study uncovers brain rewiring

2024-02-05
The world’s largest brain study of childhood trauma has revealed how it affects development and rewires vital pathways.     The University of Essex study – led by the Department of Psychology’s Dr Megan Klabunde – uncovered a disruption in neural networks involved in self-focus and problem-solving.    This means under-18s who experienced abuse will likely struggle with emotions, empathy and understanding their bodies.     Difficulties in school caused by memory, hard mental tasks and decision making may also emerge.    Dr ...

Number of shark bites consistent with recent trends, with small spike in fatalities

Number of shark bites consistent with recent trends, with small spike in fatalities
2024-02-05
There was an increase in the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide and an uptick in fatalities in 2023 compared to the previous year. The University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF), a scientific database of global shark attacks, confirmed 69 unprovoked bites in 2023. Although this is higher than the most recent five-year average of 63 attacks, the data remain consistent with long-term trends. Ten of the past year’s unprovoked attacks were fatal, up from five the year before, with a disproportionate number occurring in Australia. Although the country accounted for 22% of all attacks, ...

Schmidt Sciences awards $1.95M gift to Mount Sinai's Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health to establish The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Human Health Fellowship Program

2024-02-05
New York, NY (February 5, 2024) — The Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai announced a transformative $1.95 million gift from Schmidt Sciences to create The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Human Health Fellowship Program. The gift will support an inaugural cohort of five fellows over a three-year fellowship. By leveraging AI and machine learning to tackle the increasing volume of data in health care, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Human Health Fellows will play a pivotal role in advancing medical research. ...

NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break broadcast delivers movement minutes in advance of Super Bowl LVIII

2024-02-05
DALLAS, Feb. 5, 2024 — The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with its 32 NFL clubs, are challenging kids to get moving and PLAY 60 in advance of Super Bowl LVIII with the latest installment of the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break broadcast series. On Thursday, February 8 at 1 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. CT/ 10 a.m. PT the Association and the NFL will deliver an action packed, 15-minute synchronous broadcast to help students add movement to their day leading up to the big game along with ...

Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields

Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields
2024-02-05
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have found a way to boost ethanol production via yeast fermentation, a standard method for converting plant sugars into biofuels. Their approach, detailed in the journal Nature Communications, relies on careful timing and a tight division of labor among synthetic yeast strains to yield more ethanol per unit of plant sugars than previous approaches have achieved. “We constructed an artificial microbial community consisting of two engineered yeast strains: a glucose specialist and a xylose specialist,” said Yong-Su Jin, a professor of food science and human nutrition ...

Fencing young mussels for ecosystem restoration

Fencing young mussels for ecosystem restoration
2024-02-05
The restoration of mussel beds in the Wadden Sea or the Delta is a lot more successful when young mussels are helped a little with low, protective fences on the bottom. That is shown by research conducted by marine biologist Jildou Schotanus at the Hogeschool Zeeland / University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen and at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research in Yerseke. She defends her thesis Restoring mussel beds on highly dynamic mudflats at the University of Groningen on Monday February 5th. Ecosystem engineers Mussels are so-called ecosystem ...

Mild Covid-19 infections make insomnia more likely, especially in people with anxiety or depression

2024-02-05
Although most patients diagnosed with Covid-19 will quickly recover, some people experience symptoms that linger well after they start testing negative again — including insomnia. Scientists already knew that insomnia was common in patients who had to be hospitalized, but a team of scientists led by Dr Huong T. X. Hoang of Phenikaa University, Vietnam began to wonder if mild infections might also affect sleep quality. “As a sleep researcher, I received many questions and complaints from relatives, friends, ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Emory-led Lancet review highlights racial disparities in sudden cardiac arrest and death among athletes

A new approach to predicting malaria drug resistance

Coral adaptation unlikely to keep pace with global warming

Bioinspired droplet-based systems herald a new era in biocompatible devices

A fossil first: Scientists find 1.5-million-year-old footprints of two different species of human ancestors at same spot

The key to “climate smart” agriculture might be through its value chain

These hibernating squirrels could use a drink—but don’t feel the thirst

New footprints offer evidence of co-existing hominid species 1.5 million years ago

Moral outrage helps misinformation spread through social media

U-M, multinational team of scientists reveal structural link for initiation of protein synthesis in bacteria

New paper calls for harnessing agrifood value chains to help farmers be climate-smart

Preschool education: A key to supporting allophone children

CNIC scientists discover a key mechanism in fat cells that protects the body against energetic excess

Chemical replacement of TNT explosive more harmful to plants, study shows

Scientists reveal possible role of iron sulfides in creating life in terrestrial hot springs

Hormone therapy affects the metabolic health of transgender individuals

Survey of 12 European countries reveals the best and worst for smoke-free homes

First new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years

Certain HRT tablets linked to increased heart disease and blood clot risk

Talking therapy and rehabilitation probably improve long covid symptoms, but effects modest

Ban medical research with links to the fossil fuel industry, say experts

Different menopausal hormone treatments pose different risks

Novel CAR T cell therapy obe-cel demonstrates high response rates in adult patients with advanced B-cell ALL

Clinical trial at Emory University reveals twice-yearly injection to be 96% effective in HIV prevention

Discovering the traits of extinct birds

Are health care disparities tied to worse outcomes for kids with MS?

For those with CTE, family history of mental illness tied to aggression in middle age

The sound of traffic increases stress and anxiety

Global food yields have grown steadily during last six decades

Children who grow up with pets or on farms may develop allergies at lower rates because their gut microbiome develops with more anaerobic commensals, per fecal analysis in small cohort study

[Press-News.org] High production of polyols using crude glycerol by wild-type safe yeasts