3020 research outputs found
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Impact of Microplastics on Harmful Algal Blooms
No full textOur group used different concentrations of dryer lint containing synthetic fibers to assess the impact of microplastics on the growth rate of algae in water samples from three different locations
Influence of Waste Water Treatment on Algae Growth
No full textTaking 8 different water samples from 4 sites (2 of which are downstream from a waste water treatment plant and the other samples are streams not downstream from a wastewater treatment plant). We tested the turbidity of the samples before placing them under the heat lamps and we will test the turbidity after 1 week of being under the heat lamps
Does Freeze Drying Change the Chemical Composition of Apples?
No full textFreeze drying is a process that removes the water from a food item by freezing it and reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the ice to sublimate into vapor. This process helps to preserve the material’s structure, nutrients, and flavor while extending its shelf life. But is it possible that after freeze drying occurs it changes the chemical composition of food, for instance, apples? To run the experiment a granny smith apple was chosen and pureed to an apple sauce consistently. Then, it was added to a flask with methylene chloride to dissolve the apple. After being boiled for 30 minutes, it was filtered and tested using the GCMS. Subsequently the post-freeze-dry apple had the same procedure except water was added at the beginning to help mush it up. After both experiments were completed, the GCMS spectra were analyzed and compared. Benzaldehyde an aromatic aldehyde associated with an almond-like odor was located in both the pre and post spectra showing that this flavor was not lost through the freeze-drying process. But on the other hand evidence proves that some flavor was lost. 4- Oxohex-2-enal is a compound that can be found in insect pheromones or flavoring agents. This compound was only located on the post diagram possibly indicating that either the apple wasn’t washed well or that something happened during the freezing process to have this occur. There is much still to be done scientifically about what happens to food during freeze-drying and more trials need to be done to figure out exactly what
Tiny Earth Candidate #8
No full textThe tiny earth research was done to determine the antibiotic producing bacteria of a screened pathogen, one to inhibit safe ESKAPE pathogens, this screened pathogen is identified as candidate #8. ESKAPE pathogens are important for medical research because they cause a vast amount of infections, and finding the antibiotics for these bacterial infections is vitalAs for combating illnesses. Candidate #8 throughout the testing process was shown to inhibit the growth of Escherichia Coli, Enterobacter Aerogenes, Pseudomonas putida, and Acinetobacter baylyi. Additional tests will be performed to better identify the identity of candidate #8. This all helps better understand the candidate and its potential impact on antibiotic resistance
Sheet Metal Lamp
No full textSheet metal is a very important part of our everyday lives. It is used in a variety of everyday applications, such as ovens, microwaves, vent ducts, and even cars. It is very important to be smart about how the metal is cut out, in order to make sure that the least amount of it is wasted. For this project we wish to explain a bit more about the process of manufacturing sheet metal items, show how to create a lamp out of a flat piece of sheet metal, and how to make these lamps with the least amount of waste material possible
Impact of Transition Metals on Beer Oxidation Rate
No full textThis study investigates how transition metals influence the oxidation rate in beer, a key factor in determining shelf life. By introducing manganese at a concentration of 100 mg/L and taurine at 250 µM, we will analyze their effects on oxidation over time. The findings aim to provide insights into the role of transition metals in beer stability and potential strategies for extending shelf life
Antibiotics Produced by a Bacteria named “Sophia”
No full textAntibiotics can be derived from bacteria and can treat bacterial infections in humans and animals. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistant that can pose significant threat to global health. JCCC Microbiology students have worked with soil samples and identified Sophia as a newer strain of Pseudomonas bacteria that inhibits the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In this research we extracted and tested antibiotics produced by Sophia (Bacteria). Chemical extracts taken from bacteria named Sophia inhibit both, E. coli and S. epi when grown in broth with the extract. We used chromatography to separate the extract mixture, including TLC (Thin-Layer Chromatography), Column chromatography, and HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) to separate the extract mixtures. After each step in the process, the fractions were tested against strains in broth using a plate reader
Analysis of Freeze-Dried Apple Using GC-MS
No full textThis experiment utilized methods of thin layer chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of an apple before and after freeze drying. Methylene chloride was used to prepare the apple for extraction and subsequent evaporation of the aqueous layer. The GC-MS was used on this sample to determine the composition of the apple before freeze-drying. Following evaporation, the apple was freeze-dried and then rehydrated, and another GC-MS test was performed to identify any potential changes caused by the freeze-drying process. Thin layer chromatography was also performed on both samples. Through analysis of data gathered with these methods, it was possible to determine the chemical makeup of the apple before and after freeze-drying. By comparing the two samples, before and after, it was possible to extrapolate conclusions on what effects freeze-drying may have on an object’s chemical composition
The Importance of Aseptic Technique & Potential Antibiotic Discovery
No full textAseptic technique is the base principle to obtaining reliable results and caution when conducting experiments inside of a microbiology lab. In a microbiology lab, it is important to handle all bacteria in a careful way to avoid cross contamination, guarantee personal safety, and providing accurate results. Sterilizing tools in between each use, wearing gloves, and keeping an organized, clean space are all essential practices in maintaining the best environment for a successful experiment like identifying potential antibiotic producing candidates from soil, a project I’ve been working on this semester. This project goes beyond microbiology labs, using the same methods of aseptic technique for patient care in healthcare settings and for potential discovery of antibiotics as resistance increase
The Cultivation of Bacteria for Antibacterial use from Shawnee, KS
No full textIn order to counteract the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria, there is a massive need for new antibiotics. New strains of antibiotic producing bacteria can be found anywhere, but are commonly found in soil. A soil sample was taken from Shawnee, Kansas, with the hopes of it containing a strain of antibiotic producing bacteria. Originally, 12 potential cultures were isolated from the soil sample. Through a system of tests and screening plates, a single potential culture was isolated. This culture had inhibitory properties with several ESKAPE relatives, including Enterococcus Faecalis. After this culture had been isolated, a Gram Stain was conducted to gain insight to the structure of this bacteria. The gram stain revealed two things. First, the culture was made up of bacillus, with spores being present. Secondly, the culture is gram positive. This information will be crucial as further testing is done for potential antibiotic viability