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Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds are considered a nutritional powerhouse, rich in proteins and unsaturated fatty acids. The market for hemp seed food products is growing, due to the loosening of constraints in industrial cultivation. During the food processing chain, the external part of the seed is discarded, although it contains a significant amount of proteins. Converting this material into value-added products with a biorefinery approach could meet the ever-increasing need for sustainable protein sources while reducing food waste. In this study, creating value from hemp byproducts was pursued with three different approaches: (i) chemical extraction followed by enzymatic digestion, (ii) liquid fermentation by strains of Lactobacillus spp., and (iii) solid-state fermentation by Pleurotus ostreatus. The resulting products exhibited a range of in vitro antioxidant and antihypertensive activity, depending on the proteases used for enzymatic digestion, the bacterial strain, and the length of time of the two fermentation processes. These byproducts could be exploited as functional ingredients in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries; the suggested biorefinery processes thus represent potential solutions for the development of other protein-containing byproducts or wastes.

There are important questions surrounding the potential contribution of outdoor and indoor air quality in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and perpetuation of COVID-19 epidemic waves. Environmental health may be a critical component of COVID-19 prevention. The public health community and health agencies should consider the evolving evidence in their recommendations and statements, and work to issue occupational guidelines. Evidence coming from the current epidemiological and experimental research is expected to add knowledge about virus diffusion, COVID-19 severity in most polluted areas, inter-personal distance requirements and need for wearing face masks in indoor or outdoor environments. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for maintaining particulate matter concentrations at low levels for multiple health-related reasons, which may also include the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Indoor environments represent even a more crucial challenge to cope with, as it is easier for the SARS-COV2 to spread, remain vital and infect other subjects in closed spaces in the presence of already infected asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic people. The potential merits of preventive measures, such as CO2 monitoring associated with natural or controlled mechanical ventilation and air purification, for schools, indoor public places (restaurants, offices, hotels, museums, theatres/cinemas etc.) and transportations need to be carefully considered. Hospital settings and nursing/retirement homes as well as emergency rooms, infectious diseases divisions and ambulances represent higher risk indoor environments and may require additional monitoring and specific decontamination strategies based on mechanical ventilation or air purification.

ObjectivesA number of studies have shown that the airborne transmission route could spread some viruses over a distance of 2 meters from an infected person. An epidemic model based only on respiratory droplets and close contact could not fully explain the regional differences in the spread of COVID-19 in Italy. On March 16th 2020, we presented a position paper proposing a research hypothesis concerning the association between higher mortality rates due to COVID-19 observed in Northern Italy and average concentrations of PM10exceeding a daily limit of 50 µg/m3.MethodsTo monitor the spreading of COVID-19 in Italy from February 24th to March 13th (the date of the Italian lockdown), official daily data for PM10levels were collected from all Italian provinces between February 9th and February 29th, taking into account the maximum lag period (14 days) between the infection and diagnosis. In addition to the number of exceedances of the daily limit value of PM10, we also considered population data and daily travelling information for each province.ResultsExceedance of the daily limit value of PM10appears to be a significant predictor of infection in univariate analyses (p10levels, while 62 out of 66 Southern provinces presented low PM10concentrations (p0>6.0, comparable with the highest values estimated for China.ConclusionA significant association has been found between the geographical distribution of daily PM10exceedances and the initial spreading of COVID-19 in the 110 Italian provinces.

A number of nations were forced to declare a total shutdown due to COVID-19 infection, as extreme measure to cope with dramatic impact of the pandemic, with remarkable consequences both in terms of negative health outcomes and economic loses. However, in many countries a “Phase-2” is approaching and many activities will re-open soon, although with some differences depending on the severity of the outbreak experienced and SARS-COV-2 estimated diffusion in the general population. At the present, possible relapses of the epidemic cannot be excluded until effective vaccines or immunoprophylaxis with human recombinant antibodies will be properly set up and commercialized. COVD-19-related quarantines have triggered serious social challenges, so that decision makers are concerned about the risk of wasting all the sacrifices imposed to the people in these months of quarantine. The availability of possible early predictive indicators of future epidemic relapses would be very useful for public health purposes, and could potentially prevent the suspension of entire national economic systems. On 16 March, a Position Paper launched by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) hypothesized for the first time a possible link between the dramatic impact of COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Italy and the high concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) that characterize this area, along with its well-known specific climatic conditions. Thereafter, a survey carried out in the U.S. by the Harvard School of Public Health suggested a strong association between increases in particulate matter concentration and mortality rates due to COVID-19. The presence of SARS-COV-2 RNA on the particulate matter of Bergamo, which is not far from Milan and represents the epicenter of the Italian epidemic, seems to confirm (at least in case of atmospheric stability and high PM concentrations, as it usually occurs in Northern Italy) that the virus can create clusters with the particles and be carried and detected on PM10. Although no assumptions can be made concerning the link between this first experimental finding and COVID-19 outbreak progression or severity, the presence of SARS-COV-2 RNA on PM10 of outdoor air samples in any city of the world could represent a potential early indicator of COVID-19 diffusion. Searching for the viral genome on particulate matter could therefore be explored among the possible strategies for adopting all the necessary preventive measures before future epidemics start.

In previous communications, we have hypothesized the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 virus could be present on particulate matter (PM) during the spreading of the infection, consistently with evidence already available for other viruses. Here, we present the first results of the analyses that we have performed on 34 PM10 samples of outdoor/airborne PM10 from an industrial site of Bergamo Province, collected with two different air samplers over a continuous 3-weeks period, from February 21st to March 13th. We can confirm to have reasonably demonstrated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by detecting highly specific RtDR gene on 8 filters in two parallel PCR analyses. This is the first preliminary evidence that SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be present on outdoor particulate matter, thus suggesting that, in conditions of atmospheric stability and high concentrations of PM, SARS-CoV-2 could create clusters with outdoor PM and, by reducing their diffusion coefficient, enhance the persistence of the virus in the atmosphere. Further confirmations of this preliminary evidence are ongoing, and should include real-time assessment about the vitality of the SARS-CoV-2 as well as its virulence when adsorbed on particulate matter. At the present, no assumptions can be made concerning the correlation between the presence of the virus on PM and COVID-19 outbreak progression. Other issues to be specifically addressed are the average concentrations of PM eventually required for a potential boost effect of the contagion (in case it is confirmed that PM might act as a carrier for the viral droplet nuclei), or even the theoretic possibility of immunization consequent to minimal dose exposures at lower thresholds of PM.

BackgroundAn epidemic model based only on respiratory droplets and close contact could not fully explain the regional differences in the spread of the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 in Italy, which was fast and dramatic only in Lombardy and Po Valley. On March 16th 2020, we presented a Position Paper proposing a research hypothesis concerning the association between higher mortality rates due to COVID-19 observed in Northern Italy and the peaks of particulate matter concentrations, frequently exceeding the legal limit of 50 µg/m3 as PM10 daily averageMethodsTo assess environmental factors related to the spread of the COVID-19 in Italy from February 24th to March 13th (the date when the lockdown has been imposed over Italy), official daily data relevant to ambient PM10 levels were collected from all Italian Provinces between February 9th and February 29th, taking into account the average time (estimated in 17 days) elapsed between the initial infection and the recorded COVID positivity. In addition to the number of exceedances of PM10 daily limit value, we considered also population data and daily travelling information per each Province.ResultsPM10 daily limit value exceedances appear to be a significant predictor (p < .001) of infection in univariate analyses. Less polluted Provinces had a median of 0.03 infection cases over 1000 residents, while most polluted Provinces had a median of 0.26 cases over 1000 residents. Thirty-nine out of 41 Northern Italian Provinces resulted in the category with highest PM10 levels, while 62 out of 66 Southern Provinces presented low PM10 concentrations (p< 0.001). In Milan, the average growth rate before the lockdown was significantly higher than Rome (0.34 vs. 0.27 per day, with a doubling time of 2.0 days vs. 2.6), suggesting a basic reproductive number R0>6.0, comparable with the highest values estimated for China.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of entire nations all over the world. In addition to mobility restrictions of people, the World Health Organization and the Governments have prescribed maintaining an inter-personal distance of 1.5 or 2 m (about 6 feet) from each other in order to minimize the risk of contagion through the droplets that we usually disseminate around us from nose and mouth. However, recently published studies support the hypothesis of virus transmission over a distance of 2 m from an infected person. Researchers have proved the higher aerosol and surface stability of SARS-COV-2 as compared with SARS-COV-1 (with the virus remaining viable and infectious in aerosol for hours) and that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV can occur besides close-distance contacts. Indeed, there is reasonable evidence about the possibility of SARS-COV-2 airborne transmission due to its persistence into aerosol droplets in a viable and infectious form. Based on the available knowledge and epidemiological observations, it is plausible that small particles containing the virus may diffuse in indoor environments covering distances up to 10 m from the emission sources, thus representing a kind of aerosol transmission. On-field studies carried out inside Wuhan Hospitals showed the presence of SARS-COV-2 RNA in air samples collected in the hospitals and also in the surroundings, leading to the conclusion that the airborne route has to be considered an important pathway for viral diffusion. Similar findings are reported in analyses concerning air samples collected at the Nebraska University Hospital. On March 16th, we have released a Position Paper emphasizing the airborne route as a possible additional factor for interpreting the anomalous COVID-19 outbreaks in northern Italy, ranked as one of the most polluted areas in Europe and characterized by high particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The available information on the SARS-COV-2 spreading supports the hypothesis of airborne diffusion of infected droplets from person to person at a distance greater than two meters (6 feet). The inter-personal distance of 2 m can be reasonably considered as an effective protection only if everybody wears face masks in daily life activities.

A protein-based film (PBF), obtained from black soldier fly prepupae proteins, was assessed for its agronomic performance as mulch. PBF was investigated in a potting experiment and compared with Mater-Bi (MB), polyethylene (PE) and bare soil. During the experiment, degraded surface area, weight and thickness of the film, water evaporated from the pot, and the soil microbiological content (SMC) were recorded. In addition, films were buried to assess their biodegradability and impact on SMC. During the mulching process, the PBF showed a significant degradation. In terms of evaporated water, the PBF performed similarly to MB and worse than PE. Regarding SMC, film of any nature caused an increase in the Clostridia spp. and a decrease of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria and fungi contents. When buried, only PBF recorded a faster biodegradability, showing a reduction of surface area, thickness and weight. PBF and MB highlighted a significant increase in contents of Clostridia spp., mesophilic aerobic bacteria and fungi. Our results reported, for the first time, the valorization of black soldier fly (BSF) prepupae proteins as a biodegradable film for mulching purposes. However, further study is needed to reduce the PBF biodegradability and allow it to be used for the most important mulched crops.

At present, consumer concern about the impact of food production on the environment is driving increased demand for high quality and healthy tomatoes. However, the yield of processing tomatoes in organic systems are generally lower than that in conventional systems and only a limited number of genotypes suitable for low input or organic systems are available for farmers. The technique of grafting commercial genotypes onto selected rootstocks offers a faster alternative to the classic breeding process. Therefore, in this study, the use of the interspecific rootstock RS01658654 (RT1) was assessed, aiming to improve the marketable yield of processing tomatoes grown in an organic cropping system. The non-commercial processing tomato genotype TC266 was grafted onto the interspecific rootstock RT1 and the plants were then grown under organic conditions. In two growing seasons, morphological, physiological and agronomic performances of grafted processing tomato plants were compared to non-grafted and self-grafted plants. TC226 grafted onto RT1 had a higher number of flowers and leaves compared with the non-grafted and the self-grafted plants. In addition, the marketable yield (significant in 2017 only), the number of fruits and the fruit dry weight were higher for plants grown on the interspecific rootstock RT1, without affecting the quality of the fruit. The results of this study showed that the use of the interspecific rootstock RT1 could provide a good option for improving the production of processing tomatoes in organic farming.

Nowadays agriculture needs to increase crop sustainability and the organic cropping system has emerged as an interesting alternative approach with respect to the conventional one. On the other hand, the current unfavorable yield gap between organic and conventional systems reduces the organic system's value. Processing tomato is a globally important horticultural crop and used as crop model. The objective of this study was to investigate different biofertilizers that could improve the yield and quality of processing tomato in organic cropping system. An experiment was conducted in Po Valley, northern Italy, during spring-summer 2017. The cultivar used was 'Barone Rosso' blocky fruit genotype, using 2.8 plants m-2, in randomized complete block design with seven biofertilizer treatments (pelleted digestate, granular biofertilizer, biochar, compost tea as foliar spray biostimulant, SiO(2) as foliar spray biostimulant, compost tea + SiO(2) as foliar spray biostimulant, zero biofertilizer as a control) and three replications. Agronomical and physiological parameters were recorded during the crop cycle. Results showed that tomato grown with biochar recorded the maximum commercial yield (136 t ha(-1)), followed by pelleted digestate (117 t ha(-1)) and compost tea + SiO(2) as foliar spray biostimulant (113 t ha(-1)) while the minimum production (71 t ha(-1)) was recorded in untreated plots. On average, the results revealed that biochar, pelleted digestate and compost tea + SiO(2) as foliar spray biostimulant, increased the vegetative vigor of plant (+10%), the number of flowers (+13%) and fruits (+41%), the average weight of fruits (+20%), the total biomass production (+48%), the harvest index (+15%) and the Brix t ha(-1) (+49%), with respect to the control. Considering the overall performance, innovative biofertilizers could be promising to improve yield and quality of processing tomato cultivated in organic cropping systems, reducing the yield gap with conventional one.

A method of liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the determination of free soluble phenolic compounds in eight ancient varieties of wheat ( Triticum sp. pl.): Autonomia, Gentil rosso, Inallettabile, Leone aristato, Mentana, Poulard di Ciano, Risciola, and Terminillo. Trace compounds such as two conjugated flavones, vitexin (17.13-34.32 μg/kg) and isovitexin (9.76-30.01 μg/kg), were also determined. Poulard di Ciano, presumably an autochthonous wheat of the Reggio Emilia province (northern Italy), showed a peculiar quali/quantitative phenolic profile (7097.03 μg/kg sum of total phenolic compounds and 1.97 sum of hydroxycinnamic acids to sum of hydroxybenzoic acids ratio) along with a tetraploid genome. Terminillo, Risciola, Gentil rosso, Mentana, and Leone aristato showed hexaploid genomes and high concentrations of phenolic compounds (ranging from 6796.12 to 7605.78 μg/kg), also in comparison with two modern varieties of bread wheat, Bolero and Blasco. The targeted metabolomic approach proved to be effective to determine some secondary metabolites of wheat. The richness in phenolic compounds combined with high rusticity and adaptability to marginal soils showed by ancient wheat varieties make them suitable for sustainable agricultural and organic cultivation.

The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is an insect whose larvae thrive on agro-industrial by-products. This study reports the first use of black soldier fly larvae processing residue (BSPR) as an innovative ingredient for growing media. BSPR was characterized and evaluated to partially replace commercial peat (CP) in the production of potted plants. Chemical and microbiological analysis showed the suitability of BSPR for soilless production. Hence, six growing media mixtures (CP 100% + slow acting synthetic solid fertilizer, CP 90% + BSPR 10%, CP 80% + BSPR 20%, CP 70% + BSPR 30%, CP 60% + BSPR 40% and CP 100% without fertilizer) were assessed for the production of baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato potted plants. Using BSPR in a proportion up to 20%, all investigated crops showed values significantly greater than or comparable to those obtained using CP 100% + slow acting synthetic solid fertilizer. In general, BSPR used in a proportion up to 20% increased the crop growth of baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato, recording a high total dry weight (+31%, compared to the total average) and the measured leaf parameters (+39% of leaf area, +14% of leaf number), without showing abiotic stresses. This study indicates that BSPR used in a proportion up to 20% might be a valid approach for soilless production of potted baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato plants.

Digestate was evaluated as an alternative and sustainable growing medium and nutrient solution in the hydroponic cultivation of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Nine hydroponic combinations of substrate and fertilization (agriperlite + standard solution, agriperlite + liquid digestate, solid digestate + standard solution, solid digestate + liquid digestate, soil + standard solution, peat moss + standard solution; peat moss + liquid digestate, pelleted digestate + standard solution and pelleted digestate + liquid digestate) were tested and compared for the cultivation of baby leaf lettuce, in three different experiments. During the crop cycles, yield as other agronomical and microbiological parameters were investigated. The combination of agriperlite + liquid digestate, solid digestate + standard solution and pelleted digestate + standard solution enhanced plant growth by affecting the root, the shoot, the total dry weight and SPAD parameters, in the all investigated experiments (+32%, +40%, +29%, +17% respectively). Based on the obtained results, digestate represents a sustainable and alternative growing media or nutrient solution for the production of baby leaf lettuce cultivated in hydroponic system.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical reactors that directly convert the chemical energy stored in chemical bonds of organic substrates, to electrical energy. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was implemented as biocatalyst in the anaerobic anode compartment of an MFC using glucose as carbon source and methylene blue as electron mediator. Our results showed the effect of methylene blue on the microbial metabolism and the reversibility of the redox reaction of the shuttle mediator in the presence and the absence of a carbon source. The implementation of this reaction in a yeast catalysed MFC suggested that the electron transfer from the cells to the anode was certainly limited by the mediator concentration in the solution. However, a higher influence on the biopower generation of the MFC seemed to be linked to the yeast adsorption on the electrode surface than to the reduced methylene blue concentration in solution.

Background The burden of COVID-19 was extremely severe in Northern Italy, an area characterized by high concentrations of particulate matter (PM), which is known to negatively affect human health. Consistently with evidence already available for other viruses, we initially hypothesized the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 presence on PM, and we performed a first experiment specifically aimed at confirming or excluding this research hyphotesys. Methods We have colelcted 34 PM10 samples in Bergamo area (the epicenter of the Italian COVID-19 epidemic) by using two air samplers over a continuous 3-weeks period. Filters were properly stored and underwent RNA extraction and amplification according to WHO protocols in two parallel blind analyses performed by two different authorized laboratories. Up to three highly specific molecular marker genes (E, N, and RdRP) were used to test the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on particulate matter. Results The first test showed positive results for gene E in 15 out of 16 samples, simultaneously displaying positivity also for RdRP gene in 4 samples. The second blind test got 5 additional positive results for at least one ofthe three marker genes. Overall, we tested 34 RNA extractions for the E, N and RdRP genes, reporting 20 positive results for at least one of the three marker genes, with positivity separately confirmed for all the three markers. Control tests to exclude false positivities were successfully accomplished. Conclusion This is the first evidence that SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be present on PM, thus suggesting a possible use as indicator of epidemic recurrence., Highlights • COVID-19 burden seems more severe in areas with high concentrations of PM. • Particulate matter is already known to have negative effects on human health. • This is the first evidence that SARS-CoV-2RNA can be found on particulate matter.

Metal–organic framework (MOF) on activated carbon (AC) enhanced the performance of cathodes but longevity needs to be considered in the presence of metal chelators or ligands, such as phosphate, present in wastewaters. MOF catalysts on AC initially produced 2.78 ± 0.08 W m−2, but power decreased by 26% after eight weeks in microbial fuel cells using a 50 mM phosphate buffer (PBS) and acetate due to decreased cathode performance. However, power was still 41% larger than that of the control AC (no MOF). Power generation using domestic wastewater was initially 0.73 ± 0.01 W m−2, and decreased by 21% over time, with power 53% larger than previous reports, although changes in wastewater composition were a factor in performance. Adding phosphate salts to the wastewater did not affect the catalyst performance over time. While MOF catalysts are therefore initially adversely affected by chelators, performance remains enhanced compared to plain AC.

We studied the anisotropic charge transport properties of solution-grown organic single crystals based on a dipolar molecule 4HCB (4-hydroxy-cyanobenzene) by electrical transport measurements, current-voltage and space charge limited current (SCLC), and by X-ray diffraction analyses.Optical excitation differently affects the flow of charge carriers along the two main planar crystal axis, altering the charge transport anisotropy induced by the molecular π-orbitals stacking. We attribute this behaviour to the presence of an intrinsic molecular dipole and to its different orientation within the crystal lattice. The anisotropy of transport along the three crystallographic directions has been assessed by electrical characterization and correlated to the crystal molecular packing as determined by X-ray analyses.

Direct inkjet printing of a complete and working amperometric biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide, based on horseradish peroxidase (HRP), has been demonstrated. The device has been realized with a commercial printer. A thin layer of PEDOT:PSS, which was in turn covered with HRP, was inkjet printed on top of an ITO-coated glass slide. The active components of the device retained their properties after the thermal inkjet printing. The whole device has been encapsulated by means of a selectively permeable cellulose acetate membrane. The successful electron transfer between the PEDOT:PSS covered electrode and the enzyme has been demonstrated, and the biosensor evidenced very good sensitivity, in line with the best devices realized with other techniques, and a remarkable operational stability. This result paves the way for an extensive application of “biopolytronics”, i.e. the utilization of conductive/semiconductive polymers and biologically active molecules to design bioelectronic devices using a common PC, and exploiting normal commercial printers to print them out.

none 7 no Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells were fabricated employing different poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) buffers: one deposited by electrochemical potentiostatic synthesis (perchlorate as counterion) and the other by casting a commercial polymer (polystyrene sulfonate, PSS, as counterion) on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. The experimental conditions to electrosynthesize the PEDOT film and control its thickness were successfully investigated. [6,6]-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was used as electron acceptor in the blend. As electron donor, either the regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) or a polythiophene copolymer, functionalized with a porphyrin derivative to improve the absorption of the layer in the visible range, was employed. The morphologies of the PEDOT and the photoactive layers were extensively investigated by atomic force microscopy. The performances of all devices were tested evaluating the power conversion efficiencies which resulted comparable when either PEDOT:ClO4 or PEDOT:PSS was used as buffer layer. That proves electrochemical deposition of PEDOT can represent a good alternative to casting for the production of solar cells, since it is less expensive and permits an excellent control of the layer thickness. mixed Ylea Vlamidis; Massimiliano Lanzi; Elisabetta Salatelli; Isacco Gualandi; Beatrice Fraboni; Leonardo Setti; Domenica Tonelli Ylea Vlamidis; Massimiliano Lanzi; Elisabetta Salatelli; Isacco Gualandi; Beatrice Fraboni; Leonardo Setti; Domenica Tonelli

No abstract

The performance of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) and PCBM can be enhanced by the employment of suitably tailored partially substituted poly(oligothiophene)s. In view of this, three new polythiophenes with a different content in a hexamethylenic side chain ending with a methoxy group have been prepared and characterized completely using NMR and FT-IR techniques. The optical features of the synthesized polymers have been compared by registering their UV–Vis spectra both in different solvent–non solvent systems and in film, and their thermal stability, electrical conductivities, and photovoltaic properties have been carefully analyzed. In particular, the two samples with low side-chain content showed very promising electrical performances even if their use as the active layer in polymer-based organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells has not yet been fully optimized.

Pure silica zeolites have been prepared in powder and pellets form with different surface chemical properties in order to investigate how the binding forces in the lipase enzyme adsorption influence the final conformation of the immobilized enzyme and its catalytic activity. The catalytic activity of the adsorbed lipase have been tested in the alkyl esters hydrolysis reaction. The higher alkyl-esters conversion is observed for the lipase immobilized on the supports prepared in OH- media compared to the fluoride media supports. The obtained results can be explained by the two different non-covalent interactions between the external surface of zeolites and the enzyme.

In order to understand the role of the acid–base, electrostatic and covalent interactions between enzyme and support, the catalytic behavior of the Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) immobilized on zeolite materials has been studied. The highest lipase activities were obtained when this enzyme, immobilized by adsorption, interacts through acid–base binding forces with the support surface, resulting in activation of the enzyme catalytic center. Due to the interest in biodiesel production by mild enzymatic transesterification, this heterogeneous biocatalyst has been used in transesterification of fatty acids contained in olive oil. The results show a high oleic acid conversion for several reaction cycles with a higher total biodiesel productivity compared to that using the free enzyme.

Recent progress in inkjet printing of parts of biosensors are highlighted, with particular reference to the printing of biologically active molecules. We describe a system constituted by a thermal inkjet printer, adapted to layering a bidimensional array of dots [701 × 701 dots per inch] on solid supports. The printer was used to depose a β‐galactosidase (GAL)‐containing ink on a polyester sheet, with dots obtained from 10 pL drops, each drop containing in turn 6 pg of enzyme. The activity of GAL after the preparation was determined using a colorimetric probe (Brilliant Blue FCF). The activity loss of the microdeposed enzymes was found to be around 15%, showing that the 2 µsec‐lasting thermal shock experienced by the biomolecule into the printhead nozzle affects to a lesser extent the activity of the thermal inkjet deposited enzyme. In conclusion, the most recent findings of our group in this line are depicted, and a view of possible future developments of the “biopolytronics” field is outlined.

In view of direct inkjet printing of low-cost sensors, we describe here the thermal printing of a thin film of a commercially available conjugated polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonic acid, PEDOT:PSS). The printed film has been investigated by optical microscopy, AFM and cyclic voltammetry. The results have been compared to the ones obtained for a continuous film of the same polymer deposed by spin-coating. No appreciable differences were noted between the electrochemical behaviour of the two samples, indicating that the thermal printing of the polymer did not alter appreciably the material properties. Our findings indicate that the thermal printing route may be then a good alternative for the controlled deposition of thin films of conjugated polymers.

Pentylferulate synthesis was achieved at high yields (50–60%) with Aspergillus niger feruloyl esterase using a water-in-oil microemulsion system. The initial rate of synthesis decreased by 15–20% when the water content of the microemulsion was increased from 1.8 to 2.4% (v/v), although a concomitant decrease in conversion was not observed. The enzyme stability was significantly higher in the microemulsion than in an aqueous solution.

We report on the overall improvement of a single layer organic light-emitting diode device based on poly{[3-hethylthiophene]-co-3-[2-( p -cyano-phenoxy)ethyl]thiophene} or namely PTOPhCN. This polymer was recently developed by adding a cyano group as a side-chain substituent of the thiophenic backbone onto the main polymer chain and showed promising results for light-emitting diode devices. Using an improved device layout, bright red electroluminescence was obtained at 4 V and showed a luminance of about 400 cd/m 2 at 8 V with current densities in the order of 6000 A/m 2 .

The reaction between o -, m -, and p -methoxyphenols and 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone was studied in the presence of laccase from Pyricularia oryzae . The findings show that laccase (benzenediol:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2) catalyzes the oxidative coupling reaction between MBTH and phenols producing red colored azo-dye compounds. On the basis of kinetic parameters and optimum pH values, the mechanisms of the oxidative coupling reactions with the different phenols are discussed. The results suggest that the reaction is initialized by the enzymatic 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone activation, which undergoes electrophilic substitution with m -methoxyphenol in solution, enzymatic activated guaiacol, and chelated p -methoxyphenol at the catalytic site of the laccase. The current study also demonstrates the possibility of using the azo-dye formed in the presence of guaiacol for measuring laccase activity following a similar assaying method as that used for measuring peroxidase activity. This type of assay permits the determination of laccase at micromolar levels by fixed time method.

The microbial degradation of the saturated and sulfur aromatic fractions of a heavy oil was examined in aerobic aqueous conditions employing a pure culture of a Pseudomonas sp. in the presence of natural and synthetic sorbents. All three natural sorbents tested (keratin, chitosan and chitin) were capable of adsorbing large amounts of heavy oil as well as enormously increasing the n-alkane biodegradation rate and decreasing the lag phase by up to five-seven times as much as that in the absence of sorbents. In the presence of natural sorbents n-alkane biodegradation was complete after 7 days while in their absence the same result took 40 days. This time decrease was ascribed to an improved interaction between the oil and the microorganisms derived from the formation of a water/cell/oil/sorbent interphase. The values of the accelerating conversion factor, b, and the length of the lag phase, 1/ab, were determined for the different sorbents using a mathematical expression, and they could represent two important parameters for the description of n-alkane biodegradation kinetics.

A thiophene-based conjugated polymer bearing a cyano group (–CN) as a side chain substituent was successfully synthesized. The polymer evidences an excellent filmability from various organic solvents as well as an enhanced photoluminescence. The polymer has been characterized optically (Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy, absorption and photoluminescence) in solution and in film, while X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD) of thin films were performed to investigate its bulk morphological features. From the absorption edge of the spectrum of a thin polymer film, the optical band gap of the polymer is estimated to be 2.0 eV, which corresponds to orange emission. Furthermore, a single layer light emitting diode (LED) was fabricated. The device produced bright stable electroluminescence at room temperature. All of the results indicate that this polymer is a promising emissive material for application in polymeric LEDs.

We report here on the results of the characterization of a novel -OPhCN substituted thiophenic monomer, and of the obtained copolymers between the latter and the plastifying comonomer 3-hexylthiophene. The polymer evidences an excellent filmability from various organic solvents as well as an enhanced photoluminescence. The characteristics of the polymer were characterized by FTIR and XRD as well as photoluminescence. A bandgap of 2.0eV was obtained which corresponds to orange emission. Furthermore, a single layer organic device was fabricated and resulted in bright stable electroluminescence at room temperature. All of the results indicate that this polymer is a promising emissive material for application in light-emitting devices (LEDs).

The prototype of an amperometric glucose biosensorwas realized by thermal inkjet printing using biological and electronicwater-based inks, containing a glucose oxidase (GOD) from Aspergillus niger and the conducting polymer blend poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/polystyrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT/PSS), respectively. The biosensor was fabricated microdepositing PEDOT/PSS and GOD, in sequence, on ITO-glass, by a commercial inkjet printer, with the help of a commercial software. High density microdots matrices were so-realized, with a calculated resolution of about 221×221 dpi (dot per inch). By means of a rapid and easy assay it was demonstrated that no activity loss occurred upon the printing of GOD, despite of the use of a thermal printhead. The device was encapsulated in a semipermeable membrane of cellulose acetate, applied by dip-coating, in order to prevent dissolution of the enzyme and/or PEDOT/PSS in water. The preliminary response of the electrode was measured in an aqueous glucose solution in the presence of ferrocenemethanol (FeMeOH) as a mediator, and resulted linear up to 60mM in glucose. The best sensitivity value achieved was 6.43AM−1 cm−2 (447 nAM−1 U−1 cm−2). The characteristics of the device, and the possible performance improvements have been analyzed and discussed. The reported findings indicate that inkjet printing could be a viable instrument for the easy construction of a working biosensor via direct digital design using biological and conductive polymer based inks. Such an approach may be seen as an example of “biopolytronics”.

In view of direct inkjet printing of low-cost sensors, we describe here the thermal printing of a thin film of a commercially available conjugated polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonic acid, PEDOT:PSS). The printed film has been investigated by optical microscopy, AFM and cyclic voltammetry. The results have been compared to the ones obtained for a continuous film of the same polymer deposed by spin-coating. No appreciable differences were noted between the electrochemical behaviour of the two samples, indicating that the thermal printing of the polymer did not alter appreciably the material properties. Our findings indicate that the thermal printing route may be then a good alternative for the controlled deposition of thin films of conjugated polymers.

Recent progress in inkjet printing of parts of biosensors are highlighted, with particular reference to the printing of biologically active molecules. We describe a system constituted by a thermal inkjet printer, adapted to layering a bidimensional array of dots [701 701 dots per inch] on solid supports. The printer was used to depose a b-galactosidase (GAL)- containing ink on a polyester sheet, with dots obtained from 10 pL drops, each drop containing in turn 6 pg of enzyme. The activity of GAL after the preparation was determined using a colorimetric probe (Brilliant Blue FCF). The activity loss of the microdeposed enzymes was found to be around 15%, showing that the 2 msec-lasting thermal shock experienced by the biomolecule into the printhead nozzle affects to a lesser extent the activity of the thermal inkjet deposited enzyme. In conclusion, the most recent findings of our group in this line are depicted, and a view of possible future developments of the “biopolytronics” field is outlined.

The use of a non-ionic surfactant for preparing a stable aqueous dispersion of regioregular head-to-tail poly(3-hexylthiophene) (R-P3HT) is described. The spectral features of a THF solution of R-P3HT dispersed in water are investigated by means of UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. A clear difference between the classical solvatochromic phenomenology and the behaviour of the realized polymer/THF/water/surfactant system is observed, pointing to interactions between the polymeric alkylic side chains and the surfactant hydrophobic tail. From a technological point of view, the presented water-based dispersions, reducing use of toxic organic solvents, may be an interesting and environmentally friendly approach to the processing of conjugated polymers.

Copyright (c) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Various attempts have been made to develop biotechnological processes based on microbiological desulfurization employing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. In order to obtain a biodesulfurization process competitive with the chemical-physical one of hydrodesulfurization (HDS), a biotechnological process has to follow the three main refinery steps: 1) separation, entailing some pretreatment of crude oil; 2) conversion, i.e. biocatalytic transformation where the biocatalyst favours a selective desulfurization process without destroying useful products; 3) finishing, in which the crude oil is separated from the biocatalyst and the byproducts. Biocatalysis may be carried out using whole cells or isolated enzymes in the free or immobilized form. The use of isolated enzymes is advantageous since it avoids the formation of undesirable byproduct mediated by contaminating enzymes as in the case of the aerobic biodesulfurization, which is not a selective process. In fact, the aerobic microorganisms may degrade almost all the compounds which make up the heavy oil. However, despite this advantage, extraction and purification of the enzyme is costly and, frequently, enzymes catalyzing oxidation-reduction reactions require enzyme cofactors which must be regenerated after the reaction. For these reasons, metabolic conditions can often be designed by using whole cell biotransformations to promote cofactor regeneration, thus avoiding the problems associated with cofactor recycling and regeneration. Today, the main limitations for the industrial application of a biodesulfurization process are associated with the high cost of the biocatalyst and with the volumetric ratio between the organic phase and the aqueous one. In order to overcome these problems, cell immobilization is one of the most promising approaches in terms of treatment costs and in finishing step times when compared to a continuous stirred tank bioreactor for the biodesulfurization process. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Selective aerobic biodesulphurization is possible using an unselective biocatalyst, such as a Pseudomonas sp. The results were obtained in a model solution dissolving an aromatic sulphur compound, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT), in a poorly biodegradable solvent, such as dioctyl phthalate (DOC) or 2,2-4,4-6-8,8 heptamethylnonane (HMN). This system forces the microorganisms to work in ‘obliged desulphurizing selectivity’ (ODS) conditions, as indicated by the values of biodesulphurization process selectivity which were 30–40% of effective organic phase biodesulphurization. ODS is a useful system for studying an ideal microbial desulphurization process and its limiting factors with the aim of developing a desulphurizing microorganism with high specificity. The ODS process may also permit further work on the effects of different groups of compounds, such as n-alkanes and fatty acids which make up heavy oil, on the biodegradation rate of the aromatic sulphur compounds. The findings of this work show that diffusion, co-assimilation and microbial hydrophobic effects may account for the inhibition effects of n-alkanes and fatty acids on the biodegradation rate of DBT dissolved in DOC.

A new mathematical model for n-alkane biodegradation in crude oil, heavy oil and paraffinic mixtures is described. The pattern of n-alkane degradation as a function of the inverse of hydrocarbon chain length reported in this paper can be considered as general behaviour for many aerobic n-alkane biodegradation processes. A new interpretation of n-alkane biodegradation as a function of surface tension, is given. A mathematical expression was obtained starting from the degradation values of n-alkane and relative surface tension, which is a parameter independent of fermentation conditions. An interesting parameter, b, was identified which represented the accelerating conversion factor for n-alkane biodegradation. The findings suggested that the n-alkane biodegradation. The findings suggested that he n-alkane biodegradation rate may be affected by the fermentation condition (agitation, aeration, etc.) and by the strain of microorganism, while the behaviour pattern of n-alkane degradation was essentially linked to the substrate characteristics (molecular structure, molecular weight and density).

The presence of fatty acid and an n -alkane may affect the biodegradation rate of aromatic sulphur compounds such as dibenzothiophene (DBT). A fatty acid (hexadecanoic acid) may form micellar structures favouring DBT bioavailability. n -Alkanes, such as n -dodecane or n -hexadecane, form a film around the aromatic sulphur molecule as a consequence of solvation, thus increasing DBT bioavailability. The mass-transfer rate from the solid to the aqueous phase controls the DBT biodegradation rate when DBT is the only carbon source. Diffusional coassimilation and microbial hydrophobic effects are rate-limiting steps in DBT biodegradation in the presence of aliphatic compounds. Diffusion depends on the DBT concentration in n -alkane, while cometabolism is associated with different n -alkane biodegradation rates. Through the definition of biodesulphurization selectivity and biodersulphurization efficiency, our investigations have shown that a selective aerobic biodesulphurization process is possible by using an unselective biocatalyst, such as a Pseudomonas sp.

Microbial degradation of hydrocarbons depends on various chemical and physical factors (viz, temperature, electron acceptors, nutrients, pH, substrate characteristics) and on the presence of degrading microorganisms. Even if all these factors are optimized, oil biodegradation can still be retarded by diminished availability of the compound. Setti et al. (1992) have shown that n-alkanes affect the biodegradation of aromatic sulfur compounds by an aerobic Pseudomonas sp. This communication illustrates further investigations into the diffusion effect that controls the biodegradation of aromatic sulfur compounds. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be converted in the dissolved state only. This implies that mass-transfer from the solid phase to the aqueous phase might be rate-limiting. Dibenzothiophene (DBT) biodegradation is a good example of this model. The presence of a fatty acid (hexadecanoic acid, aC16) during the fermentation affects DBT degradation. We propose a model in which aC16 surrounds the DBT molecule forming a micelle which favors a co-metabolic process between the fatty acid and the aromatic sulfur compound. Similar behavior is seen when DBT is dissolved in n-dodecane (C12) and n-hexadecane (C16). There are two important parameters that affect DBT degradation in this system: the surface area of the substrate and the DBT concentration in C12. DBT degradation is limited by the diffusion of the sulfur compound from the organic phase to the adsorbed microorganism on the hydrocarbon. Diffusion increases with the DBT concentration, and the DBT degradation rate is significantly higher than that reported for DBT alone. In this case, a carrier effect of the n-alkane in the DBT degradation is shown. A barrier effect is suggested when the DBT concentration is below the limit for which the degradation rate is lowest. Our investigations show that the presence of a co-substrate, such as fatty acids or n-alkanes, affects the bioavailability of the aromatic sulfur compound in aerobic conditions.

Directive 28/2009/CE illustrates the European Road Map for energy to fight climate change and promote renewable energy. Such a directive contains a well-defined normative frame imposing final targets at 2020 and designing an indicative trajectory towards the achievement of obligatory targets for EU Member States. Each European Member State can find in the directive the rules for managing and transposing the targets into national laws. Reaching the indicated targets might be extremely complex and expensive if the Member State does not use an Integrated Energy Management System. In this article, we present a detailed Energy Road Map for Italy taking in account both energy saving and development of renewables. Different strategic options are discussed to identify realistic targets capable to meet at 2020 the constraints which bind Italy to produce 17% renewable energy for final gross consumption, with 10% of renewable energy for transportation, following a well-defined trajectory that starts from the quote of 5.2% in 2005. Our Road Map is then compared with the National Action Plan to highlight the problems, inherent to the Plan’s objectives, which are likely to lead Italy to a deficit of about 4 MTEP (million tonnes of oil equivalent) of renewable energy that should thus be imported.

n-Alkanes affect the degradation of aromatic sulfur compounds both in aerobic and in anaerobic conditions. Some authors have reported anaerobic desulfurization by sutfate-reducing bacteria. These catalytic reactions are biphydrodesulfurizations (BHDS). n-Dodecane has a barrier or carrier effect on benzothiophene degradation in the absence (growing cell condition) or presence (resting cell condition) of hydrogen in the head space of the batch. In addition, thermodynamic factors are very important in benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene degradation by the microorganism Desulfovibrio desulfuricans.

The microbial degradation of the saturated fraction of a heavy oil was examined in aerobic conditions employing a pure culture of a Pseudomonas sp. isolated from soil. A new model of n -alkane degradation is proposed. The n -alkanes were divided into three degradation groups: i) liquid n -alkanes, C12C16; ii) low solid n -alkanes, C17C28; iii) high solid n -alkanes, above C28. Our results show that n -alkane degradation depends on chemical and physical factors such as solubility and surface tension.

Steady state photoconductivity and x-ray diffraction combined with optical and electronic spectroscopies were applied to study spin coated poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films mechanically rubbed using a teflon bar. As expected, photoconductivity evidenced a strong increase in the photo-response along the rubbing direction. But, while rubbing during annealing at a temperature of 70 °C resulted in a sizeable photocurrent anisotropy along the direction parallel or perpendicular to the rubbing, the samples rubbed at room temperature (RT) showed an isotropic and comparatively stronger enhancement of absorption and photoconductivity spectral features. According to these observations, rubbing at RT resulted in a significant increase in local order and macroscopic alignment of the film, while a higher degree of global order but with a relaxed local structure was obtained after rubbing at 70 °C.