Category Archives: Biotechnology

Video Abstract from Manfred Zinn on his recently published B

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Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Putting cells under pressure... (Manfred Zinn) - Video

superb dance performance by girls of biotechnology department!! n trust dem... dey r biotechnologists 😉

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biotechnology dance - Video

New York State Senator Joseph A. Griffo and Clarkson University President Tony Collins toured Clarkson University's new Nanoengineering and Biotechnology Laboratories, on December 19, 2011 Clarkson is in the final stages of completing this new construction and starting to move several research groups into the new labs. This "sneak peak" with the Senator provided an interesting view of the work that goes into creating new laboratories and the intended impact

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NYS Senator Joseph A. Griffo Visits Clarkson University Nanoengineering

Background:
Contamination of bacteria in large scale yeast fermentations is a serious problem and threat to the development of successful biofuel production plants. Huge research efforts have been spent in order to solve this problem, but additional ways must still be found to keep bacterial contaminants from thriving in these environments. The aim of this project was to develop process conditions that would inhibit bacterial growth while giving yeast a competitive advantage.
Results:
Lactic acid bacteria are usually considered to be the most common contaminants in industrial yeast fermentations. Our observations support this view but also suggest that acetic acid bacteria, although not so numerous, could be a much more problematic obstacle to overcome. Acetic acid bacteria showed a capacity to drastically reduce the viability of yeast. In addition, they consumed the previously formed ethanol. Lactic acid bacteria did not show this detrimental effect on yeast viability. It was possible to combat both types of bacteria by a combined addition of NaCl and ethanol to the wood hydrolysate medium used. As a result of NaCl + ethanol additions the amount of viable bacteria decreased and yeast viability was enhanced concomitantly with an increase in ethanol concentration. The successful result obtained via addition of NaCl and ethanol was also confirmed in a real industrial ethanol production plant with its natural inherent yeast/bacterial community.
Conclusions:
It is possible to reduce the number of bacteria and offer a selective advantage to yeast by a combined addition of NaCl and ethanol when cultivated in lignocellulosic medium such as wood hydrolysate. However, for optimal results, the concentrations of NaCl + ethanol must be adjusted to suit the challenges offered by each hydrolysate.Source:
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/rss/

Background:
Due to the complexity of lignocellulosic materials, a complete enzymatic hydrolysis into fermentable sugars requires a variety of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes. Addition of xylanases has been shown to significantly improve the performance of cellulases and to increase cellulose hydrolysis by solubilising xylans in lignocellulosic materials. The goal of this work was to investigate the effect of acetyl xylan esterase (AXE) originating from Trichoderma reesei on xylan solubilisation and enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose.
Results:
The solubilisation of xylan in pretreated wheat straw and giant reed (Arundo donax) by xylanolytic enzymes and the impact of the sequential or simultaneous solubilisation of xylan on the hydrolysis of cellulose by purified enzymes was investigated. The results showed that the removal of acetyl groups in xylan by AXE increased the accessibilty of xylan to xylanase and improved the hydrolysis of xylan in pretreated wheat straw and giant reed. Solubilisation of xylan led to an increased accessibility of cellulose to cellulases (CEL) and thereby increased the hydrolysis extent of cellulose. A clear synergistic effect between CEL and xylanolytic enzymes was observed. The highest hydrolysis yield of cellulose was obtained with a simultaneous use of CEL, xylanase (XYL) and AXE, indicating the presence of acetylated xylan within the cellulose matrix. Acetylated xylobiose and acetylated xylotriose were produced from xylan without AXE as confirmed by atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization ion trap mass spectrometer (AP-MALDI-ITMS).
Conclusions:
The results in this paper demonstrate that supplementation of xylanase with acetyl xylan esterase enhances the solubilisation of xylan to some extent and consequently, increases the following hydrolysis of cellulose. Highest hydrolysis yield was, however, obtained by simultaneous hydrolysis of xylan and cellulose, indicating a layered structure of cellulose and xylan chains in the cell wall substrate. AXE had an important role in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials containing acetylated xylan.Source:
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/rss/

Learn more about our School of Environmental Studies and Biotechnology here: http://www.canadorecollege.ca Want more information? Want to book a tour?

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School of Environmental Studies and Biotechnology - Canadore College - Video