Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Extremophile

Abstract

"With increased demands around the world to make modern lifestyles more environmentally friendly, the chemical commodity market has rapidly shifted. Through new technologies in chemical production, certain high value products have oversaturated the market and have become high-volume, low value waste products. The expansion of biodiesel production offers a prime example; high volumes of glycerol byproduct from this process have shifted glycerol from a high priced commodity to a common waste product. A number of microorganisms are known to synthesize the polymeric precursor 1,3-propanediol from glycerol; however, crude glycerol from biodiesel production creates a harsh environment for most microbes, and must go through expensive pre-treatment steps to lower alkaline pH values and salt concentrations before it can be considered a suitable feedstock. Halanaerobium hydrogeniformans has been identified to convert glycerol into 1,3-propanediol under haloalkaline conditions. Samples were grown over five days at pH 11 and at 7% (w/v) NaCL. The growth medium was amended with vitamin B12 to stimulate 1,3-propanediol production. HPLC analysis indicated statistically significant production of 1,3-propanediol, with the vitamin B12 amended bottles having a significant increase in 1,3-propanediol production compared to glycerol-only cultures. Data indicated a 0.6mol/mol conversion for vitamin B12 amended samples, while glycerol-only cultures had a conversion rate of 0.32mol/mol. H. hydrogeniformans, and potentially other haloalkaliphilic bacteria, provides a unique opportunity to develop new chemical processes that can overcome traditional problems and increase profitability by reducing the need for pH neutralization and dilution of residual salts in wastes such as crude glycerol"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Mormile, Melanie R.

Committee Member(s)

Westenberg, David J.
Sitton, Oliver C., 1951-
Elias, Dwayne A.

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

M.S. in Applied and Environmental Biology

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2013

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

  • Metabolic capabilities of the members of the order halanaerobiales and their potential biotechnological applications
  • Production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol under haloalkaline conditions by halanaerobium hydrogeniformans

Pagination

ix, 40 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 185-187).

Rights

© 2013 Daniel William Roush, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Factory and trade waste -- Biodegradation
High performance liquid chromatography

Thesis Number

T 10415

Electronic OCLC #

870650953

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