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Encarnação T, Nicolau N, Ramos P, Silvestre E, Mateus A, de Carvalho TA, Gaspar F, Massano A, Biscaia S, Castro RAE, Nogueira BA, Singh P, Pacheco D, Patrício T, Fausto R, Sobral AJFN. Recycling Ophthalmic Lens Wastewater in a Circular Economy Context: A Case Study with Microalgae Integration. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 17:75. [PMID: 38203929 PMCID: PMC10779472 DOI: 10.3390/ma17010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Water pollution poses a global threat to ecosystems and human health and is driven by the presence of various contaminants in wastewater, including nano- and microplastics. Despite the magnitude of this problem, the majority of global wastewater is released untreated into water bodies. To combat this issue, a multi-strategy approach is needed. This study explores a circular economy-based solution for treating emerging pollutants, particularly wastewater from ophthalmic spectacle lens production. Our approach integrates solid waste materials into polymeric and cement matrices while also utilising wastewater for microalgae cultivation. This innovative strategy focuses on biomass generation and economic valorisation. By adopting a circular economy model, we aim to transform environmental pollutants from wastewater into valuable organic products. A key component of our approach is the utilisation of microalgae, specifically Nannochloropsis sp., known for its high lipid content and resilience. This microalgae species serves as a promising biobased feedstock, supporting the production of innovative biobased products, such as biopolymers, for ophthalmic lens manufacturing. Our interdisciplinary approach combines microalgae technology, analytical chemistry, cement production, and polymer processing to develop a sustainable circular economy model that not only addresses environmental concerns, but also offers economic benefits. This study underscores the potential of harnessing high-value products from waste streams and underscores the importance of circular economy principles in tackling pollution and resource challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma Encarnação
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.A.E.C.); (B.A.N.); (D.P.); (R.F.); (A.J.F.N.S.)
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
- PTScience, Avenida do Atlântico, N 16, Office 5.07, Parque das Nações, 1990-019 Lisboa, Portugal; (N.N.); (P.R.); (E.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Nadia Nicolau
- PTScience, Avenida do Atlântico, N 16, Office 5.07, Parque das Nações, 1990-019 Lisboa, Portugal; (N.N.); (P.R.); (E.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Pedro Ramos
- PTScience, Avenida do Atlântico, N 16, Office 5.07, Parque das Nações, 1990-019 Lisboa, Portugal; (N.N.); (P.R.); (E.S.); (P.S.)
- Opticentro, 2460-071 Alcobaça, Portugal
| | - Elsa Silvestre
- PTScience, Avenida do Atlântico, N 16, Office 5.07, Parque das Nações, 1990-019 Lisboa, Portugal; (N.N.); (P.R.); (E.S.); (P.S.)
- Opticentro, 2460-071 Alcobaça, Portugal
| | - Artur Mateus
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Tomás Archer de Carvalho
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Florindo Gaspar
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Anabela Massano
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Sara Biscaia
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Ricardo A. E. Castro
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.A.E.C.); (B.A.N.); (D.P.); (R.F.); (A.J.F.N.S.)
| | - Bernardo A. Nogueira
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.A.E.C.); (B.A.N.); (D.P.); (R.F.); (A.J.F.N.S.)
| | - Poonam Singh
- PTScience, Avenida do Atlântico, N 16, Office 5.07, Parque das Nações, 1990-019 Lisboa, Portugal; (N.N.); (P.R.); (E.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Diana Pacheco
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.A.E.C.); (B.A.N.); (D.P.); (R.F.); (A.J.F.N.S.)
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Tatiana Patrício
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (A.M.); (T.A.d.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.); (S.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Rui Fausto
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.A.E.C.); (B.A.N.); (D.P.); (R.F.); (A.J.F.N.S.)
- Faculty of Sciences and Letters, Department of Physics, Istanbul Kultur University, Ataköy Campus, Bakirköy, Istanbul 34156, Turkey
| | - Abílio J. F. N. Sobral
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.A.E.C.); (B.A.N.); (D.P.); (R.F.); (A.J.F.N.S.)
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Kalia VC, Patel SKS, Lee JK. Exploiting Polyhydroxyalkanoates for Biomedical Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15081937. [PMID: 37112084 PMCID: PMC10144186 DOI: 10.3390/polym15081937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are biodegradable plastic. Numerous bacteria produce PHAs under environmental stress conditions, such as excess carbon-rich organic matter and limitations of other nutritional elements such as potassium, magnesium, oxygen, phosphorus, and nitrogen. In addition to having physicochemical properties similar to fossil-fuel-based plastics, PHAs have unique features that make them ideal for medical devices, such as easy sterilization without damaging the material itself and easy dissolution following use. PHAs can replace traditional plastic materials used in the biomedical sector. PHAs can be used in a variety of biomedical applications, including medical devices, implants, drug delivery devices, wound dressings, artificial ligaments and tendons, and bone grafts. Unlike plastics, PHAs are not manufactured from petroleum products or fossil fuels and are, therefore, environment-friendly. In this review, a recent overview of applications of PHAs with special emphasis on biomedical sectors, including drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, and biocontrols, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Chandra Kalia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanjay K S Patel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Kul Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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Zhu J, Yuan H, Zhang S, Hao X, Lan M. Construction of antifouling and antibacterial polyhexamethylguanidine/chondroitin sulfate coating on polyurethane surface based on polydopamine rapid deposition. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.53009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqian Zhu
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Huihui Yuan
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Shunqi Zhang
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Xiang Hao
- School of Physical Science and Technology Suzhou University of Science and Technology Suzhou China
| | - Minbo Lan
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
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Kalia VC, Singh Patel SK, Shanmugam R, Lee JK. Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Trends and advances toward biotechnological applications. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 326:124737. [PMID: 33515915 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are an integral part of most of the daily requirements. Indiscriminate usage and disposal have led to the accumulation of massive quantities of waste. Their non-biodegradable nature makes it increasingly difficult to manage and dispose them. To counter this impending disaster, biodegradable polymers, especially polyhydroxy-alkanoates (PHAs), have been envisaged as potential alternatives. Owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics, PHAs are gaining importance for versatile applications in the agricultural and medical sectors. Applications in the medical sector are more promising because of their commercial viability and sustainability. Despite such potential, their production and commercialization are significant challenges. The major limitations are their poor mechanical strength, production in small quantities, costly feed, and lack of facilities for industrial production. This article provides an overview of the contemporary progress in the field, to attract researchers and stakeholders to further exploit these renewable resources to produce biodegradable plastics on a commercial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Chandra Kalia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Ramasamy Shanmugam
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Kul Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Valorization of agro-wastes for the biosynthesis and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate by Bacillus sp. isolated from rice bran dumping yard. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:202. [PMID: 33927992 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02722-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations have been made to determine the usage of inexpensive agro-waste products as an alternative carbon source for the production of degradable bacterial polyester. Among 33 bacterial isolates, a gram-positive bacterium PPECLRB-16 isolated from rice bran dumping yard was found to accumulate a relatively higher quantity of PHB and identified as Bacillus sp. through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The higher PHB producing bacterial isolate was grown with different inexpensive agro-wastes to determine the suitable carbon source for its growth and PHB production. The one-factor-at-a-time approach comparatively enhanced PHB yield (5.64 g/L) when grown for 48 h with 1.5% (w/v) of defatted oil cake at a pH of 7.0. The bacterially accumulated PHB was isolated from the cells, purified, and characterized using solid-state 13C NMR, FT-IR, Powder XRD, TGA, GPC, Tensile and HR-SEM analyses. The hydrophobicity and printing accessibility of recovered PHB were demonstrated using contact angle measurement by coating on different surfaces. The results obtained in the present investigation have thrown light on the potential usage of agro-waste by-products, mainly oil cake, as an appropriate carbon source for the commercial production of PHB by Bacillus sp. in a cost-effective way.
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Municipal Wastewater: A Sustainable Source for the Green Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris Biomass Production. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11052207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The need to reduce the costs associated with microalgae cultivation encouraged scientific research into coupling this process with wastewater treatment. Thus, the aim of this work was to assess the growth of Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorophyta) in different effluents from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), namely secondary effluent (SE) and sludge run-off (SR). Assays were performed, under the same conditions, in triplicate with 4 dilution ratios of the wastewaters (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) with the standard culture medium bold basal medium double nitrated (BBM2N) as a control. The capability of C. vulgaris for biomass production, chlorophyll synthesis and nutrients removal in the SE and SR was evaluated. The 25% SE and 25% SR showed increased specific growth rates (0.47 and 0.55 day−1, respectively) and higher biomass yields (8.64 × 107 and 1.95 × 107 cells/mL, respectively). Regarding the chlorophyll content, the 100% SR promoted the highest concentration of this pigment (2378 µg/L). This green microalga was also able to remove 94.8% of total phosphorus of SE, while in 50% SR, 31.2% was removed. Removal of 73.9% and 65.9% of total nitrogen in 50% and 100% SR, respectively, was also observed. C. vulgaris growth can, therefore, be maximized with the addition of municipal effluents, to optimize biomass production, while cleansing the effluents.
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