Open Journals at Memorial University
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Bio-dispersant produced by a Rhodococcus erythropolis mutant as an oil spill response
Get PDFBio-dispersants have been considered as superior alternatives of currently used dispersants as they are generally more biodegradable, less toxic, and better at enhancing biodegradation. However, the application of bio-dispersants is limited by the availability of economic products and the corresponding producers that can work effectively. Hyperproducers generated by metabolic engineering of biosurfactant producers are highly desired to overcome this obstacle. A Rhodococcus erythropolis SB-1A strain was isolated from Newfoundland offshore oily water samples. One of its mutant derived by random mutagenesis with ultraviolet radiation, producing high levels of biosurfactants was selected by the oil spreading technique. The mutant produces biosurfactants with critical micelle dilutions (CMD) approximately 4 times of the parent strain. The results obtained with thin layer chromatography (TLC) indicated the produced biosurfactant remained unchanged between the mutant and the parent strain. In addition, the produced biosurfactants were recovered with solvent extraction method and applied as the oil spill response agents to effectively disperse oil slick. Based on the baffled flask test (BFT) results, the dispersion efficiency of the biosurfactants produced by the mutant is higher than that induced by the parent strain and Corexit 9527 while comparable to the Corexit 9500
Algae Involved Generation of Compost
Get PDFThis research investigated the potential application of blue-green algae to improve the quality of composts generated from multiple waste streams including- fly ash, fish waste, and sludge from a local wastewater treatment plant. The alga strain used is called Anabaena 387, which was obtained from the Canadian Phycological Culture Centre. Different mixture ratio of fly ash, fish waste compost, sludge and algae and different reaction period were tested to generate different levels of compost products. The parameters including trace elements concentration, carbon to nitrogen ratio, pH level, moisture content, organic matter, and germination index were monitored for evaluating the quality of composts. Three different levels of compost were generated, which are Type AA, A, and B. The algae treated compost could be used as an amendment for agriculture application
Is freedom of the press required for a liberal democracy: A case study of Mexico’s freedom of the press and democracy
Get PDFDemocracies within states have become more predominant than at any other point in history. Whether this shift is directing towards liberal democracies, however, has yet to be determined. This article focuses on freedom of the press and how it is required for a liberal democracy. Using Mexico as a case study, this paper identifies how a state is unable to excel in its democratic principles without the virtues of a free press. Using the Freedom House dataset, countries are categorized by their level of democracy against their level of free press. Although Mexico holds many democratic values, this paper concludes that a country cannot be truly democratic without adequate freedom of the press