1,720,988 research outputs found
Le biomasse algali: come coniugare una risorsa naturale alla bioeconomia e all'ecosostenibilità
No full textEstrazione e produzione di lipidi e pigmenti da microalghe per applicazioni nel settore energetico e nutracetico
No full textThe influence of light and nutrient starvation on morphology, biomass and lipid content in seven strains of green microalgae as a source of biodiesel
Full text linkEstrazione e produzione di lipidi e pigmenti da microalghe per applicazioni nei settori energetico e nutraceutico
No full textCu and Ni removal from aqueous media by green microalgae in single and bimetal solutions
No full textBiomass production and nutrient removal of Scenedesmus sp. under diverse culture conditions.
No full textBiodeterioration of Roman hypogea: the case study of the Catacombs of SS. Marcellino and Pietro (Rome, Italy)
No full textNo information exists on phototrophs growing on the stone surfaces of the Catacombs of SS. Marcellino and Pietro (the site was
only recently opened to the public in 2014). Therefore, it was decided to characterise the microbial communities and to compare
them with those of the other previously studied catacombs. Moreover, a new non-invasive strategy to reduce the phototrophic
growth was tested. Phototrophic microorganisms were investigated under light and confocal laser scanning microscopes from
samples collected non-invasively in situ. Tests were carried out to determine the effect of the application of two essential oils
(from L. angustifolia and T. vulgaris) on biofilm photosynthetic activity. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and reflectance
measurements in the visible range have been used to evaluate respectively, any chemical modification and discolouration on a
frescoed stone that may occur after the application of the essential oils. At all the concentrations of essential oils, there was a
quasi-immediate, large reduction in photosynthetic activity of the biofilms. At 10% essential oil concentration, there was no
detectable photosynthetic activity after 15 min. At 1%, there was a need for two applications and after 5-day activity was
undetectable. No effect of the essential oils on the substrate surface properties or colour modification of the fresco has been
observed with the LIF prototype. Cyanobacterial typical of Roman catacombs were present in the sites investigated. Innovative
and non-destructive strategies, involving the application of a combination of two essential oils, have been successfully tested and
developed to prevent biodeterioration of these sites
Biocidal activity of phyto-derivative products used on phototrophic biofilms growing on stone surfaces of the domus Aurea in Rome (Italy)
Full text linkHypogean or enclosed monuments are important cultural heritage sites that can suffer biodegradation. Many of the stone walls of the prestigious Domus Aurea are overwhelmed by dense biofilms and so need intervention. Room 93 was chosen as a study site with the aim to test the efficacy of phyto-derivatives as new biocides. Laboratory studies were performed comparing the effects of liquorice leaf extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and a combination of both. In situ studies were also performed to test the effect of liquorice. The results were compared with those of the commonly used synthetic biocide benzalkonium chloride. The effects on the biofilms were assessed by microscopy along with chlorophyll fluorescence analysis. The phototrophs in the biofilms were identified morphologically, while the heterotrophs were identified with culture analysis and 16S gene sequencing. Results showed that the mixed solution liquorice/lavender was the most effective in inhibiting the photosynthetic activities of biofilms in the laboratory tests; while, in situ, the effect of liquorice was particularly encouraging as an efficient and low-invasive biocide. The results demonstrate a high potential biocidal efficacy of the phyto-derivatives, but also highlight the need to develop an efficient application regime
Investigating the biostimulant potential of Arthrospira platensis biomass on Chicorium intybus
No full textExploiting the Potential in Water Cleanup from Metals and Nutrients of Desmodesmus sp. and Ampelodesmos mauritanicus
Full text linkIncreasing levels of freshwater contaminants, mainly due to anthropogenic activities, have resulted in a great deal of interest in finding new eco-friendly, cost-effective and efficient methods for remediating polluted waters. The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility of using a green microalga Desmodesmus sp., a cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. and a hemicryptophyte Ampelodesmos mauritanicus to bioremediate a water polluted with an excess of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and heavy metals (copper and nickel). We immediately determined that Nostoc sp. was sensitive to metal toxicity, and thus Desmodesmus sp. was chosen for sequential tests with A. mauritanicus. First, A. mauritanicus plants were grown in the ‘polluted’ culture medium for seven days and were, then, substituted by Desmodesmus sp. for a further seven days (14 days in total). Heavy metals were shown to negatively affect both the growth rates and nutrient removal capacity. The sequential approach resulted in high metal removal rates in the single metal solutions up to 74% for Cu and 85% for Ni, while, in the bi-metal solutions, the removal rates were lower and showed a bias for Cu uptake. Single species controls showed better outcomes; however, further studies are necessary to investigate the behavior of new specie
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