Biodegradability Study of the Biosurfactant Contained in a Crude Extract from Corn Steep Water

Over the last few years, the global biosurfactant market has raised due to the increasing awareness among consumers, for the use of biological or bio-based products. Because of their composition, it can be speculated that these are more biocompatible and more biodegradable than their chemical homologous. However, at the moment, no studies exist in the literature about the biodegradability of biosurfactants. In this work, a biosurfactant contained in a crude extract, obtained from a corn wet-milling industry stream that ferments spontaneously in the presence of lactic acid bacteria, was subjected to a biodegradation study, without addition of external microbial biomass, under different conditions of temperature (5–45 °C), biodegradation time (15–55 days), and pH (5–7). For that, a Box–Behnken factorial design was applied, which allowed to predict the percentage of biodegradation for the biosurfactant contained in the crude extract, between the range of the independent variables selected in the study, obtaining biodegradation values between 3 and 80%. The percentage of biodegradation for the biosurfactant was calculated based on the increase in the surface tension of samples of the crude extract. Furthermore, it was also possible to predict the variation in t_1/2 for the biosurfactant (time to achieve the 50% of biodegradation) under different conditions.     

2-Fatty Acrylic Acids: New Highly Derivatizable Lipophilic Platform Molecules

This paper reports the incorporation of an alpha-methylene unit into fatty acid skeletons. Since the new olefin is conjugated with the carboxylate, it is susceptible to 1,4-(Michael) additions. We have used multifunctional thiols and amines for additions at the methylene. The resulting products possess clusters of functionality grouped at one end of a hydrophobic tail. These structural patterns will be of use in the design of new types of bio-based surfactants and polymers. One particularly promising pattern of functionality that can be obtained through oxidation and reduction chemistry is a 2-fatty 1,2,3-propanetriol, or a lipophilized glycerol moiety.     

An electrochemical sensor for distinguishing two-stroke-engine oils

An electrochemical sensor, which is composed of two gold-plated iron electrodes, was developed to distinguish two-stroke-engine oils from four-stroke-engine oils, so that the catalytical converter on a two-stroke-engine car would not be poisoned by the antiwear agents (zinc organodithiophosphates or ZDP's) or metallo-organic detergents (such as calcium sulfonates) existing in four-stroke-engine oils. The sensor has demonstrated its capability in detecting metallo-organic detergents, ZDP's, and ashless detergents. At 23 and 50°C, the sensor outputs obtained from the four-stroke-engine oils are much higher than those from the two-stroke-engine oils (with the exception of Pro-Series and Yamalube). High sensor outputs obtained from Pro-Series and Yamalube are due to the addition of an ashless detergent, amide, in these two-stroke-engine oils. Therefore, the sensor has the potential of distinguishing two-stroke-engine oils; (without ashless detergents) from four-stroke-engine oils and two-stroke-engine oils containing ashless detergents. At present, it is not clear whether the ashless detergents would poison the catalytic converter on a two-stroke-engine car.     

氧化型杀菌剂在油田生产系统中应用探讨

氧化型杀菌剂包括无机氯（液氯、次氯酸钠、二氧化氯等）和有机氯，价格低廉。本文以室内对比试验结果展示了氧化型杀菌剂的特点：作用快、杀菌致死时间短，有破胶聚沉和除铁作用，有一定腐蚀性，有清除菌体堵塞作用，不能用于高pII值环境。介绍了国外一个成功的应用实例和国内中原、新疆一些油田在注水井洗井、注水管线清洗、回注油田污水处理中试用的简况。     

Theory and Application of Multipocket Bearings for Optimum Turborotor Stability

Rotating machinery in the process industries and pipeline applications are many times designed with fixed-lobe-type bearing inserts. This paper summarizes a method of analysis which has been computer automated to allow the analysis and design optimization of multipocket bearings for application in turbomachinery. The general stability characteristics of multipocket bearing designs are compared to plain axial groove and multilobe bearings for specific examples. The analysis permitted the rapid design of a modified multipocket bearing which was successful in suppressing a high-amplitude subsynchronous vibration in two separate gas expanders under field operating conditions.     

Release of bisphenol A from polycarbonate baby bottles: mechanisms of formation and investigation of worst case scenarios

The question was further investigated whether there could be conditions resulting in contamination of beverages in polycarbonate bottles for babies with bisphenol A (BPA) at concentrations causing the tolerable daily intake (TDI) to be approached or exceeded. It is a follow up of previous work showing increased release of BPA after extended use of the bottles. Migration in the proper sense was low, but larger amounts of BPA were observed from degradation of the polycarbonate. Since there are no standardized testing conditions to determine release by degradation of the polymer, worst case scenarios were investigated. Alkali washing solutions at concentrations typical for dishwashers contained BPA in concentrations little above 100 μg/l. In reality they are diluted in the general washing liquid and finally poured out. Drying was the most critical step, particularly after inadequate rinsing of bottles, when alkali detergent was “baked” to the bottle wall at elevated temperature. BPA thus formed is transferred into the beverage, but is unlikely to exceed 10 μg/l. The highest transfer into the beverage (up to about 500 μg/l) could occur when the bottle is positioned in the dishwasher at such inclination that the detergent solution does not fully run off and is poorly rinsed, but this scenario is unlikely to often occur. In conclusion, even rather extreme scenarios do not result in BPA contamination near to the level corresponding to the TDI.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Detergent‐Grade Zeolite from Indian Clay

Detergent‐grade zeolite 4A has been synthesized from the clays found in various parts of India. The process parameters for the synthesis of detergent‐grade zeolite, like the activation temperature for the chemical transformation of clay, the composition of the reacting mixture and finally the crystallization temperature, have been studied. Better metakaolinite formation has been observed at a calcination temperature of around 550 °C. The characterization of the synthesized zeolite by X‐ray diffraction study confirms its formation. Moreover, the calcium binding capacity 170 mg of CaO/gm as well as particle size in the range of 3–7 microns of this zeolite are found to be satisfactory characteristics to substitute phosphate in detergents.     

The Influence of the Spray Drying Process on Product Properties

Uniform and repeatable product characteristics are critical in the performance and acceptance of consumer products, and the spray drying process can have a major influence on achieving these characteristics. This article shares experiences in the Spray Drying of powdered detergent granules in Procter & Gamble. It looks at the influence of both process operation and process equipment design on product characteristics. Procter & Gamble (P&G) is a major global producer of consumer products in the areas of fabric and home care; personal and beauty care; health care; and snacks and beverages. Whilst different drying operations, and product quality measuring tools are mentioned by Genskow (Genskow, L.R.¹ Considerations in Drying Consumer Products, Proceedings of 6th International Drying Symposium, Versailles, September, 1988; Keynote lecture, 39-46.) as being involved in all of the categories of Company production, I will concentrate on the counter-current Spray Drying process and controls, used in the manufacture of most of the detergent granules business of P&G. This area is the oldest and largest of the Company's core business activities. Innovative technology development is critical in continuing to satisfy the consumer need for performance and value. Use of modeling in the spray drying process is helping the Company to move faster in delivering these advanced technologies. And, through better understanding of the process, it is possible to minimize capital expenditure, and improve trouble-shooting ability across the global production facilities.     

Aqueous Ozonation Of Surfactants: A Review

The aqueous ozonation reactions of surfactants have been reviewed, including the degree of reaction and ozonation byproduct identity. Compounds are classified into three groups: anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants. Experimental conditions for each study reviewed are summarized. Much work has been carried out under conditions unlikely to occur during drinking water treatment. Thus, most of the findings of the papers reviewed cannot be directly applied to potable water treatment. However this review can serve to indicate the likely reactivity of the individual surfactants towards ozone and the possible byproducts formed. This reactivity depends mainly upon the chemical structure of the surfactants. The removal of surfactants is pH dependent, with the best results being obtained in alkaline media. High ozone doses usually do not cause complete disruption of the surfactants, while smaller doses are sufficient to enhance their biodegradation.     

Phospholipid Hydrolysis and Transphosphatidylation by Phospholipase D from Indian Mustard Seeds in Two-Phase Systems

Phospholipase D (PLD), isolated from Indian mustard seeds and purified to homogeneity, has recently been identified as typical α‐type PLD with a high activity toward phosphatidylcholine (PC) in an aqueous mixed micellar system (Khatoon et al. 2014, Phytochemistry 117, 65–75). In light of biocatalytical application, we have now studied the enzyme in aqueous‐organic two‐phase systems and compared the results with the properties of the enzyme in aqueous mixed micellar systems. n‐Hexane containing 5–10 mol% of 1‐ or 2‐octanol proved to be optimal as an organic solvent in the two‐phase system, whereas anionic detergents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium deoxycholate were favorable components in the mixed micellar system. The optimum pH value (5.5–5.6) and the optimum Ca²⁺ ion concentration (70 mM) were independent of the reaction system. The head group selectivity in terms of activity toward different phospholipids (PC > phosphatidylethanolamine > phosphatidylglycerol) was similar in both types of reaction systems. Also, the K_M values toward PC were on the same order of magnitude. In contrast, the V_max value in the two‐phase system was 20‐fold lower than in the mixed micellar system. The enzyme was able to catalyze the substitution of choline in PC by ethanolamine, glycerol, and ethylene glycol with high efficiency. l ‐Serine was exchanged for choline with low activity. Myo‐inositol was not an alcohol acceptor, but promoted the hydrolysis of PC.