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BACKGROUND: Effluents from Food Services Establishments (FSEs) contain primarily Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) which severely impact on sewers and the environment when released in high concentrations. In Trinidad & Tobago, it is estimated that approximately 231,304 kg/day of unaccounted for FOG bearing wastewaters from FSEs, are released into the environment with no viable treatment in the country. This research explored the optimization of physico-chemical processes for the treatment of FOGs for subsequent release into sewers. RESULTS: Bench-scale studies analysed the characteristics of FSE's effluents from three popular sources, conducted the treatment of these effluents using Jar Tests, and subsequently confirm results via a pilot plant study. Characterization showed the mean concentration of the parameters examined to be; FOG (511 mg/l ± 116 mg/l), Suspended Solids (446 mg/l ± 146 mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand (2229 mg/l ± 963 mg/l) and pH (6 ± 0.3). Jar Tests were conducted using Poly-aluminium Chloride (PACl) as coagulant, anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes as flocculant aids with suitable pH adjustments of samples to determine the isoelectric point for the coagulant. Effluent results showed FOG removal levels of 99.9% and final effluent concentration of 0.17 mg/l. This was attained using PACl concentration of 250 mg/l, a 0.1% low cationic polyelectrolyte (CP 1154) at 4 mg/l with the pH of sample adjusted to 8. The pilot plant achieved a 97.4% removal of FOG (residual of 16.8 mg/l) using the same coagulant dosing, and pH value, but increasing the strength of the flocculant aid to 0.1% medium cationic (CP1156) at 5 mg/l. CONCLUSION: Experimentation showed high concentrations of emulsified FOG can be efficiently removed to levels below the permissible requirements (20 mg/l) for entry into sewer systems in Trinidad and Tobago using coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation techniques. Pilot scale study also revealed that a higher strength and/or dose of the cationic polyelectrolyte and increased times in primary and final tanks were required to attain the desired results as in the bench level study, where equipment limitations in the flocculation tank were faced. This is in alignment with theory where factors critical for agglomeration is equipment type and density charge. It is, concluded that the optimum combination of chemicals and the respective dosages attained at the bench level study should prove effective should the right equipment be made available.

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Paper is one of the packaging materials that presents a biodegradable character, being used in several areas; however, its barrier properties (gases and fat) and mechanics are reduced, which limits its application. Coating papers with synthetic polymers improve these properties, reducing their biodegradability and recyclability. The objective of this work was to develop and characterize coated paperboard, using the tape casting technique, with different ratios of film form agar-agar/chitosan (AA:CHI, 100:0, 50:50, and 0:100) and different numbers of coating layers (operating times for application of 14.25 min and 28.5 min for one and two layers, respectively). A significant reduction in water absorption capacity was found by applying a 0:100 coating (approximately 15%). Considering all coating formulations, the water vapor permeability reduced by 10 to 60% compared to uncoated paperboard, except for two layers coated with 0:100. The tensile index (independent of AA:CHI) was higher in the machine direction (22.59 to 24.99 MPa) than in the cross-section (11.87-13.01 MPa). Paperboard coated only with chitosan showed superior properties compared to the other formulation coatings evaluated.

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Large volumes of produced water are generated as a byproduct in activities of oil and gas exploitation, which can be reused in agriculture after a treatment process. Activated sludge treatment has been successfully used to remove oil from wastewater, but systematic studies on the toxicity of this effluent using this treatment are scarce in the literature. In this study, it was investigated the performance of an activated sludge system in the treatment of a synthetic produced water under different initial conditions in terms of salinity and oil and grease concentration. Furthermore, it was evaluated this effluent phytotoxicity in the germination, and seedling and plant growths of sunflower and corn seeds using untreated and treated synthetic produced water. Results revealed the activated sludge effectiveness in oil and grease and salinity removal from produced water, viz. high removal efficiency of 99.01 ± 0.28 and 91.07 ± 0.39%., respectively. Untreated produced water showed considerable toxic effects on the germination (74.67 ± 2.31% and 82.67 ± 2.31 for sunflower and corn seeds, respectively) and growth stages of sunflower and corn seed plants. The germination percentage was approximately 100% for both types of seed. The seedling and plant growth of the two seeds irrigated with treated produced water had similar performance when used tap water. These results highlighted the potential reuse as an unconventional water resource for plant irrigation of the synthetic produced water treated by an activated sludge process, which technology has showed high removal performance of salinity and oil.

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Two strains (DMKU-GTCP10-8 and CLIB 1740) representing a novel anamorphic yeast species were isolated from a grease sample collected from a grease trap in Thailand and from an unidentified fungus collected in French Guiana, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis based on the combined D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, Lachancea fermentati CBS 707T was the closely related species with 12.8 % sequence divergence (70 nucleotide substitutions and three gaps in 571 nucleotides) and 28.1 % sequence divergence (93 nucleotide substitutions and 90 gaps in 651 nucleotides) in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and the ITS region, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of the five genes including the small subunit rRNA gene, the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene, the ITS region, translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF1) and RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (RPB2) genes confirmed that the two strains (DMKU-GTCP10-8 and CLIB 1740) were well-separated from other described yeast genera in Saccharomycetaceae. Hence, Savitreea pentosicarens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these two strains as members of the family Saccharomycetaceae. The holotype is S. pentosicarens DMKU-GTCP10-8T (ex-type strain TBRC 12159=PYCC 8490; MycoBank number 835044).

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Abstract: Introduction: Young people who start the university life face a key stage for the acquisition of habits and lifestyles. The test Course Navette is one of the most used worldwide because of its easy measurement, validity, effectiveness and sensitivity in different age ranks. Material and methods: An observational, descriptive and transversal study with quantitative approach; with 100 students participating (43 men and 57 women) with an average age of 21.06 ± 2.43 at the University of Santander, Cúcuta. For the development of this research, were obtained measurements anthropometric, hematological, physiological and performance on an empty stomach Leger test. Results: 62% of participants had a BMI of normal weight, 24% overweight and obesity and underweight was 8 and 6% respectively. In turn 32% of men and 17.5% of women have high cardiovascular risk according to abdominal circumference. VO2max. in the Leger test was 32.92 ± 7.12 to 533.80 ± 371.34 meters traveled. Regarding glycemia before the test was 80.99 ± 11.91 and after 105.59 ± 20.89. Conclusion: No significant differences in fat percentage were found (p = 0,863), muscle (p = 0,740) and water (p = 0,804) after Leger test. However, there were significant changes in FC, TAS, TAD, red cells, white cells, hemoglobin, platelets and blood glucose levels (p = 0,000). Regarding the VO2max. (p = 0,597) and travel meters (p = 0,619) no differences were found by gender.

Resumen: Introducción: Los jóvenes que inician la vida universitaria enfrentan una etapa clave y vital para la adquisición de hábitos y estilos de vida. El test de Course Navette es uno de los test más utilizados a nivel mundial, debido a su fácil medición, validez, efectividad y sensibilidad en diferentes rangos de edad. Material y métodos: Un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal con enfoque cuantitativo; en el que participaron 100 estudiantes (43 hombres y 57 mujeres) con una edad promedio de 21.06 ± 2.43 de la Universidad de Santander, Cúcuta. Para el desarrollo de esta investigación, se obtuvieron medidas antropométricas, hematológicas, fisiológicas y realización del test de Leger en ayunas. Resultados: El 62% de los participantes tuvieron un índice de masa corporal (IMC) de normopeso, el 24% sobrepeso y para obesidad e infrapeso fue 8 y 6% respectivamente. A su vez el 32% de los hombres y el 17.5% de las mujeres tienen alto riesgo cardiovascular según medidas de circunferencia abdominal. El VO2máx. en el test de Leger fue de 32.92 ± 7.12 con 533.80 ± 371.34 metros recorridos. Respecto a la glucemia antes del test fue de 80.99 ± 11.91 y después 105.59 ± 20.89. Conclusión: No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el porcentaje graso (p = 0,863), muscular (p = 0,740) y agua (p = 0,804) después del test de Leger. No obstante, hubo cambios significativos en la FC, TAS, TAD, glóbulos rojos, blancos, linfocitos, hemoglobina, plaquetas y glucemia (p=0,000). Respecto al VO2máx. (p = 0,597) y metros recorridos (p = 0,619) no se encontraron diferencias según género.

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RESUMO: O uso de biomassa fúngica como biocatalisadora lipásica representa uma atraente abordagem para o tratamento de águas residuais oleosas e produção de biodiesel, a partir de óleos e graxas residuais, devido à sua maior estabilidade, possibilidade de reuso e baixo custo. Neste trabalho foram obtidos cem isolados de fungos, a partir de escumas de caixa de gordura e esgoto, solo e tecidos necrosados de plantas e insetos, que foram avaliados quanto ao crescimento e à atividade lipásica, no meio de cultura básico, para atividade lipásica extracelular, e meio mineral mínimo + óleo de soja + rodamina, para atividade lipásica intracelular, com resposta positiva e diferenciada de 66 deles, inclusos como pertencentes aos gêneros Aspergillus , Beauveria , Botrytis , Cladosporium , Colletotrichum , Fusarium , Geotrichum , Penicillium , Rhizomucor e Verticillium . Na sequência, o potencial hidrolítico dos isolados Penicillium sp. F002 e Rhizomucor sp. F018 foi avaliado sobre óleo de soja comestível e escuma de caixa de gordura, em fermentação em estado sólido, através da quantificação das variáveis: produção de CO2, remoção do teor de óleos e graxas e crescimento da biomassa. Os resultados confirmaram a elevada atividade lipásica extracelular de Penicillium sp. F002 e a elevada atividade lipásica intracelular de Rhizomucor sp. F018. Portanto, o isolado Rhizomucor sp. F018 mostrou potencial para utilização em pesquisas futuras, na forma de células integrais lipásicas, para o tratamento de águas residuais oleosas e como biocatalisador na produção de biodiesel a partir de resíduos oleosos.

ABSTRACT: The use of fungal biomass as a lipase biocatalyst represents an attractive approach for the treatment of oil wastewater and production of biodiesel from oil and residual grease, due to its greater stability, possibility of reuse, and lower cost. In this work, a hundred filamentous fungi were isolated from grease trap and sewage scums, soil, and necrotized plants and insects tissues. The isolates were assessed for growth and lipase activity in the culture basic medium, for extracellular lipase activity, and mineral medium minimum + soybean oil + rhodamine, for intracellular lipase activity, with positive and differential response of 66 of them, including those belonging to the genera Aspergillus , Beauveria , Botrytis , Cladosporium , Colletotrichum , Fusarium , Geotrichum , Penicillium , Rhizomucor , and Verticillium . Following, previously selected Penicillium sp F002 and Rhizomucor sp. F018 isolates were evaluated in solid-state fermentation, for the hydrolytic potential on edible soybean oil and grease trap scum, quantified by: CO2 production, removal of the content of oils and greases, and biomass growth. Results confirmed the high extracellular lipase-activity of Penicillium sp. F002 and the high intracellular lipase activity of Rhizomucor sp. F018. Therefore, the isolated Rhizomucor sp. ECG18 showed potential for use in future research, in the form of whole-cell lipases, for oily wastewater treatment, and as a biocatalyst in the production of biodiesel from oil residues.

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The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of soybean oil (SBO) and choice white grease (CWG) on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) in corn-soybean meal-distillers dried grains with solubles-based diets fed to growing pigs. Three diets were prepared. The control diet contained corn, soybean meal, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), cornstarch, and no additional fat. Two additional diets were formulated by adding 5% SBO or 5% CWG to the control diet at the expense of cornstarch. Twelve growing barrows with initial body weight of 37.6 kg (standard deviation = 3.22) were equipped with a T-cannula at the end of the ileum and they were allotted to one of three dietary treatments during six experimental periods.The AID of indispensable AA (e.g., arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and valine) and dispensable AA (e.g., alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, and proline) was improved (p<0.10) by the addition of 5% SBO or 5% CWG in the diets. The addition of SBO or CWG improved the AID of AA in a commercial-type diet containing corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles, and the extent of improvement in the AID of AA was comparable between the two sources of dietary fat.

El objetivo de este experimento fue medir el efecto del aceite de soya (SBO) y la grasa blanca (grasa de cerdo, CWG) sobre la digestibilidad ileal aparente (DIA) de aminoácidos (AA) en dietas maíz-soya adicionadas con derivados solubles de destilería para cerdos en crecimiento. Tres dietas fueron preparadas. La dieta control contenía maíz, harina de soya, granos secos de destilería con solubles (DDGS), almidón de maíz, y sin grasa adicionada. Dos dietas adicionales fueron formuladas adicionando 5% de SBO o de GTC a la dieta control, a expensas de la fécula de maíz. Doce cerdos machos castrados, con peso inicial de 37.6 kg (desviación estándar =3.22), fueron equipados con una cánula en T en el extremo del íleo y fueron asignados a uno de los tres tratamientos dietarios durante seis periodos experimentales. La DIA de AA esenciales (por ejemplo, arginina, histidina, isoleucina, leucina, fenilalanina y valina) y no esenciales (por ejemplo, alanina, ácido aspártico, cisteína y prolina) se mejoró (p<0.10) mediante la adición de 5% SBO o de 5% de CWG. La adición de SBO o CWG mejoró la DIA de AA en la dieta, y su nivel de mejoría fue similar entre las dos fuentes de grasa.

O objectivo deste experimento foi avaliar o efeito do óleo de soja (SBO) e gordura branca (de suino, CWG) sobre a digestibilidade ileal aparente (AID) de aminoácidos (AA) em dietas com adição de derivados de milho-soja solúvel de destilaria para suínos em crescimento. Três dietas foram preparadas. A dieta controle continha milho, farelo de soja, grãos secos de destilaria com solúveis (DDGS), amido de milho, e não tinha gordura adicionada. As outras duas dietas tinham uma adição de 5% SBO e a outra com 5% de GTC à custa de amido de milho. Doze suínos machos castrados, com peso inicial de 37.6 kg (DP = 3.22) foram equipados com uma cânula T no final do íleo. O núcleo do AA (por exemplo, arginina, histidina, isoleucina, leucina, fenilalanina e valina) e não-essenciais (por exemplo, alanina, ácido aspártico, cisteína e prolina) foi melhorada (p<0.10) pela adição de 5% SBO CWG ou 5%. A adição de SBO ou CWG melhorou de AA na dieta e o nível de melhora foi semelhante entre as duas fontes de gordura.