Fungus Use Improves Corn-to-ethanol Process

Biofuels: Fungus Use Improves Corn-to-ethanol Process
ScienceDaily (2008-05-30) -- Scientists are developing a process that cleans up and improves the dry-grind ethanol production process. The process uses fungus to reduce energy costs, allow more water recycling and improve a co-product that's used as livestock feed. The process could change ethanol production in dry-grind plants so much that energy costs can be reduced by as much as one-third, according to researchers. ... > read full article

After-hour HVAC Shutdown May Dramatically Increases Airborne Mold and Bacteria in Offices

A recent study published in the journal of Indoor and Build Environments found that when building HVAC systems are shut down, airborne bacterial and mold concentrations dramatically increase. The study investigated the relationships between the airborne bacteria levels, mold levels, and thermal environmental parameters, i.e., air temperature and relative humidity, in offices with a Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system operating. A total of 101 samples were collected from two typical air-conditioned office buildings. There was evidence that intermittent operation of the HVAC system may significant influence both indoor airborne bacteria and mold levels. The results showed significantly higher airborne bacteria and mold levels in offices during non-office hours when air-conditioning systems were shut down as compared to offices where HVAC systems were left running during non-office hours. The study shows that the airborne bacteria and mold levels correlated with the thermal environmental parameters, i।e. lack of airflow, increase humidity and ambient heating from the outside environment.

Citation

Wong, L।T., K.W. Mui, P.S. Hui, W.Y. Chan, and A.K.Y. Law. "Thermal Environmental Interference with Airborne Bacteria and Fungi Levels in Air-Conditioned Offices." Indoor and Built Environment". 17.2 (April 2008): 122(6).

Author's Comments

The findings of this study indicates greater research is needed related to HVAC systems and cost saving provisions, such as after hour shutdown. Property managers and plant managers for schools and office buildings should be aware of these findings. Or more importantly they should bring it to the attention of the proper decision makers. When companies or schools try to save money by shutting down the HVAC during after-hours they may not be aware that they may also create indoor air quality problems. This study found that workers are exposed to elevated concentrations of mold and bacteria when HVAC systems are shut down after hours. Healthy workers are more often more productive, take less sick days, and in general, add to a enjoyable workplace. Even though mold has not been directly linked to major illness in healthy individuals, the effects of long term exposure remain unknown. Moreover, individuals allergic to mold and asthmatics will experience likely experience respiratory symptoms. Their symptoms may not be life threatening, but those individuals will likely not feel 100%. Everyone has had a cold from time to time. It's no fun to be working with a stuffy head and sore throat. But we do it and the cold passes. Just imagine if you went to work everyday and had to deal with cold-like symptoms. It wouldn't be much fun.

Indoor Air Fungus Aids in Biofuel Production

The bane of military quartermasters may soon be a boon to biofuels producers. The genome analysis of a champion biomass-degrading fungus has revealed a surprisingly minimal repertoire of genes that it employs to break down plant cell walls, highlighting opportunities for further improvements in enzymes customized for biofuels production. The results were published online May 4 in Nature Biotechnology by a team of government, academic, and industry researchers led by the U.S. Dept. of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

The discovery of Trichoderma reesei, the target of the published analysis, dates back to World War II, when it was identified as the culprit responsible for the deterioration of fatigues and tents in the South Pacific. This progenitor strain has since yielded variants for broad industrial applications and is known today as an abundant source of enzymes, particularly cellulases and hemicellulases, currently being explored to catalyze the deconstruction of plant cell walls as a first step towards the production of biofuels from lignocellulose.

“The information generated from the genome of T. reesei provides us with a roadmap for accelerating research to optimize fungal strains for reducing the current prohibitively high cost of converting lignocellulose to fermentable sugars,” says Eddy Rubin, DOE JGI Director and one of the paper’s senior authors. “Improved industrial enzyme ‘cocktails’ from T. reseei and other fungi will enable more economical conversion of biomass from such feedstocks as the perennial grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass, wood from fast-growing trees like poplar, agricultural crop residues, and municipal waste, into next-generation biofuels. Through these incremental advances, we hope to eventually supplant the gasoline-dependent transportation sector of our economy with a more carbon-neutral strategy.”

http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nbt1403.html

Infective Zygomycetes

Zygomycetes are primitive, but fast growing fungi. The are widely distributed in terrestrial environments where they break down plant debris in soil. However, many species are common environmental contaminants, often causing food spoilage and a few are pathogens of plants, insects, and, humans. By definition, all pathogenic zygomycotic species will grow at 37°C, with the possible exception of the

M. circinelloides. The common genera that infect humans include Rhizopus, followed by Mucor, Rhizomucor, Absidia, Cunninghamella and Syncephalastrum. Underlying diseases in humans include cancer and leukemia, antibiotic or prednisone use, diabetes, deferoxamine and desferrioxamine therapy, transplantation, burn wounds and the associated forms of immunosuppressive therapies. The most common clinical form of zygomycosis is rhinocerebral disease followed by pulmonary, cutaneous/subcutaneous, gastrointestinal and disseminated disease

Bacteria Tesing in The Home or Office

Each of us has from 10,000 to 100,000 billion bacteria on our skin, throat, the surface of the intestine, etc. These bacteria belong to more than 400 different species. The digestive tract, in particular, contains enormous amounts of bacteria. Most do not cause infection because the body is equipped with ways to fight off invasion (antibodies, secretions of mucous, macrophages, etc.) and constantly eliminates them. Sometimes, however, certain microbes are more pathogenic or our defenses are not strong enough. Microbes that are benign for healthy individuals may be dangerous for people with health conditions that put them at risk (immunosuppression, organ transplant, malnutrition, premature birth, etc.). Bacteria are often neglected when conducting indoor air quality assesments. Homes should be checked for at least coliforms and E. coli bacteria (all associated with fecal material), which usually are present because of flooding or black-water (sewage backup). The tests are simple and fast and provide peace of mind.