Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry - Clean Technologies and Processes

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

Effect of saccharomycin, a natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae biocide, on Hanseniaspora guilliermondii cells surface

Publication . Calvário, Joana; Silva, Nelly; Almeida, M. Gabriela; Albergaria, Helena; Eaton, Peter; Macedo, Anjos L.; Caldeira, Jorge

ABSTRACT: During spontaneous wine fermentations, most of the non-Saccharomyces yeasts present in grape musts show an early decline in their population. It was traditionally assumed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.c.) prevalence was due to the higher resistance of this species to ethanol. However, wine fermentations performed with single cultures of non-Saccharomyces strains showed that those strains could withstand much higher ethanol levels [1]. It was then found that S.c. (strain CCMI 885) produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are responsible for the early death of the non Saccharomyces yeasts [2]. In previous work, we isolated, purified and sequenced those ntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and found that they derive from the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme [3]. These GAPDH-derived AMPs compose the natural biocide secreted by S.c., which we named saccharomycin, and are effective against sensitive yeasts both in its natural/isolated and synthetic form.

2021-04Journal article

Open access

Recovery of Nd3+ and Dy3+ from E-Waste Using Adsorbents from Spent Tyre Rubbers: Batch and Column Dynamic Assays

Publication . Nogueira, Miguel; Matos, Inês; Bernardo, Maria; Pinto, Filomena; Fonseca, Isabel Maria; Lapa, Nuno

ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the use of spent tyre rubber as a precursor for synthesising adsorbents to recover rare earth elements. Through pyrolysis and CO2 activation, tyre rubber is converted into porous carbonaceous materials with surface properties suited for rare earth element adsorption. The study also examines the efficiency of leaching rare earth elements from NdFeB magnets using optimised acid leaching methods, providing insights into recovery processes. The adsorption capacity of the materials was assessed through batch adsorption assays targeting neodymium (Nd3+) and dysprosium (Dy3+) ions. Results highlight the superior performance of activated carbon derived from tyre rubber following CO2 activation, with the best-performing adsorbent achieving maximum uptake capacities of 24.7 mg.g(-1) for Nd3+ and 34.4 mg.g(-1) for Dy3+. Column studies revealed efficient adsorption of Nd3+ and Dy3+ from synthetic and real magnet leachates with a maximum uptake capacity of 1.36 mg.g(-1) for Nd3+ in real leachates and breakthrough times of 25 min. Bi-component assays showed no adverse effects when both ions were present, supporting their potential for simultaneous recovery. Furthermore, the adsorbents effectively recovered rare earth elements from e-waste magnet leachates, demonstrating practical applicability. This research underscores the potential of tyre rubber-derived adsorbents to enhance sustainability in critical raw material supply chains. By repurposing waste tyre rubber, these materials offer a sustainable solution for rare earth recovery, addressing resource scarcity while aligning with circular economy principles by diverting waste from landfills and creating value-added products.

2025-01Journal article

Open access