The objective of this study is to assess the enhancement in biodegradation of dichlorodiethyl ether (DCDE) by ozonation and Fenton treatment. Acclimated and non-acclimated sludge cultures were used to test the biodegradability of the preoxidized DCDE solutions by three different tests: Short-term and long-term respirometry through continuous monitoring of oxygen consumption, and the mid-term te...

The use of PLA and PLA-g-AA/starch as materials for the controlled release of encapsulated PSB was evaluated. The results showed that the bacterium degraded both the PLA and the PLA-g-AA/starch composite films, resulting in cell release. Severe disruption of the film structure occurred after incubation for 60-90 d. The PLA-g-AA/starch (20 wt.-%) films were more biodegradable than those made of ...

The oxidation of organic compounds and color removal of a synthetic dyeing effluent when treated with a combination of Fenton’s Reagent and biological oxidation in a sequencing batch reactor was evaluated in this work. A central composite design approach was used to find the best conditions of temperature, hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ion concentrations that maximize color and dissolved organi...

The present investigation highlights the feasibility of a polymer grafting process to enhance the durability and flame retardancy of rice straw towards application as a low cost roofing material. The success of this grafting methodology was perceived to depend upon a bi-step pre-treatment process encompassing delignification and inorganic salts dispersion. Subsequently free radical polymer graf...

---The goal of this research was to assess the biodegradability of two synthetic tanning agents (syntans), Phenol condensation product and Nitrogen containing resin using Respirometry. The evaluation involved the analysis of oxygen uptake rate (OUR), profiles by respirometry. The study was conducted with different syntan concentrations of 50mg/L, 100mg/L, 150mg/L and 200mg/L. The oxygen uptake ...

The objective of the work was to assess the effect of mild alkaline pretreatment on the anaerobic biodegradability of tomato processing waste (TPW). Experiments were carried out in duplicate BMP bottles using a pretreatment contact time of 4 and 24 h and a 1% and 5% NaOH dosage. The cumulative methane production during a 30 d period was recorded and modelled. The alkaline pretreatment did not s...

In vivo adipose tissue regeneration by preadipocytes was evaluated by combining them with collagen sponges with different biodegradabilities and gelatin microspheres incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for the controlled release. The collagen sponge biodegradability was regulated from 1-4 weeks by changing the cross-linking conditions in collagen sponge preparation. The time pro...

Dimeric quaternary alkylammonium salts possess a favourable surface and antimicrobial activity. In this paper we describe synthesis, spectroscopic analysis, surface and antimicrobial activity as well as biodegradability of polymethylene-α,ω-bis(N,N-dialkyl-N-deoxy-D-glucitolammonium iodides), a new group of dimeric quaternary ammonium salts. This new group of gemini surfactants can be produced ...