RESUMO
Carbohydrates and glycoconjugates are involved in numerous natural and pathological metabolic processes, and the precise elucidation of their biochemical functions has been supported by smart technologies assembled with lectins, i.e., ubiquitous proteins of nonimmune origin with carbohydrate-specific domains. When lectins are anchored on suitable electrochemical transducers, sensitive and innovative bioanalytical tools (lectin-based biosensors) are produced, with the ability to screen target sugars at molecular levels. In addition to the remarkable electroanalytical sensitivity, these devices associate specificity, precision, stability, besides the possibility of miniaturization and portability, which are special features required for real-time and point-of-care measurements. The mentioned attributes can be improved by combining lectins with biocompatible 0-3D semiconductors derived from carbon, metal nanoparticles, polymers and their nanocomposites, or employing labeled biomolecules. This systematic review aims to substantiate and update information on the progress made with lectin-based biosensors designed for electroanalysis of clinically relevant carbohydrates and glycoconjugates (glycoproteins, pathogens and cancer biomarkers), highlighting their main detection principles and performance in highly complex biological milieus. Moreover, particular emphasis is given to the main advantages and limitations of the reported devices, as well as the new trends for the current demands. We believe that this review will support and encourage more cutting-edge research involving lectin-based electrochemical biosensors.
Assuntos
Técnicas Biossensoriais , Lectinas , Carboidratos , Glicoconjugados , GlicoproteínasRESUMO
The removal of nitrogen and organic matter using a single reactor has been a common focus of investigation, and reactors operated in batch mode and under intermittent aeration have attracted special attention. This study aimed to evaluate the application of a new reactor configuration consisting of a fixed-bed reactor that was operated under conditions of continuous feeding and intermittent aeration. The reactor was built using acrylic, with a working volume of 6.1L. The fixed bed used for biomass support was composed of polyurethane foam cylinders vertically oriented inside the reaction zone. The reactor was operated under intermittent aeration (2h aerated and 1h non-aerated) and a recirculation ratio Q(r)/Q=5. Three different operating conditions (Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III) corresponding to hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 12h, 8h, and 10h, respectively, were tested. In Phase I, the system achieved total nitrogen (TN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 82% and 89%, respectively. At HRTs of 8 h and 10 h, the reactor was unstable with respect to TN removal, and the average resultant removal efficiencies were 49% and 45%, respectively. However, COD removal efficiencies remained high with mean values of 85% and 88% for Phases II and III, respectively. Based on these results, it can be concluded that this new reactor configuration constitutes an alternative method for effective removal of organic matter and nitrogen from wastewater.