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Involvement of vibrational spectroscopy in the in-situ analysis of PHA in bacterial biomass.
Kevélyová, Barbora ; Samek, Ota (referee) ; Sedláček, Petr (advisor)
The aim of this thesis was the study of polyhydroxyalkanoates in bacterial biomass using the ATR-FTIR method. Furthermore, the PCA method was chosen to evaluate the measured data and observe correlations or differences among the spectra of various biomass samples. The bacterial producents were Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus H1, AH30 and AFn2, Cupriavidus malaysiensis DSM 25816, DSM 19416 and DSM 19379 and three strains of Schlegelella thermodepolymerans M 15344, DSM 15264 and LMG 21645. Various heteropolymers with different monomer content and total PHA content were investigated. The monomers in the samples were 3-hydroxybutyrate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxyvalerate, 5-hydroxyvalerate and 4-hydroxyhexanoate. As the reference method for accurate quantitative and qualitative determination of polyhydroxyalkanoates in the samples, gas chromatography was performed. The spectra obtained by the FTIR method were compared and significant peaks related to the qualitative properties of PHA, namely monomer composition and crystallinity, were searched for. The PCA statistical method was successfully applied to the collected data from FTIR, with the help of which the qualitative differences between the samples were monitored. The most significant differences were observed in the presence of monomers 4-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxyhexanoate, and they were related to the crystallinity of the samples. The analysis did not show potential for semi-quantitative determination of PHA in biomass. Differences between microorganisms were not observed. The procedure for evaluating FTIR spectra using PCA could in the future be used in the study of biomass containing various monomeric units, especially hydroxyvalerates in case of their higher content within the sample.
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Biocomposites based on polyhydroxybutyrate for 3D printing
Horálek, Matyáš ; Tocháček, Jiří (referee) ; Přikryl, Radek (advisor)
The submitted diploma thesis deals with preparation and characterization of biocomposite based on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate. Biocomposites were fabricated with respect to later use in 3D printing. The methodology for testing different kinds of materials and their suitability for 3D printing as well as evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties was established. The first part of this work was focused on the experiments with print temperature and the material flow rate and its influence on the look of 3D printed object and on the material tendency to warp during 3D printing. The design of the experiment method was used for the analyzing of obtained data. It was proven that the amount of kaolin and tributyl citrate has positive influence in reducing warping. By optimization of the biocomposite recipe it was achieved improvement in tensile modulus of elasticticity, ductility, tensile strength, notched and unnotched toughness.
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Determination of PLA microplastics in soil by using pyrolysis methods
Románeková, Ivana ; Mravcová, Ludmila (referee) ; Kučerík, Jiří (advisor)
Nowadays, plastic waste poses one of the greatest risks to the environment. Plastics affect the environment at all stages of their life cycle. Bioplastics have become widely used as a substitute for conventional plastics, without detailed examination of their behavior in real environmental conditions. As a result, it is assumed that they can accumulate in the environment and the question arose as to how to identify them. The main goal of this thesis is to develop a method based on sample pyrolysis that is suitable for the identification and determination of the amount of PLA microplastics in soil and other solid matrices. Three types of soils and sludge were used for analysis. These matrices were spiked to obtain concentration ranges 0,2% - 5,0%. The pyrolysis resulted in evolution of gases with the signals m/z 29, 43 and 44, witch originated from PLA and are suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Analysis of PLA in sludge was more complicated due to similarity of gases evolved from pure matrices. We tested three approaches based on analysis of signal´s peak areas, intensities and temperatures of gas evolution. While the first approach failed, the last two approaches appeared to be promising for qualitative and quantitative analysis of PLA in the sludge. Several methods suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of even very small amounts of PLA in soils and sludge have also been designed/developed. These methods were based on analysis of the composition and dynamics of the released gases and the characterisctic degradation temperatures.
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Influence of bioplastics´ biodegradation on soil quality
Paluchová, Natálie ; Doležalová Weissmannová, Helena (referee) ; Kučerík, Jiří (advisor)
V poslední době se pozornost polečnosti obrátila k mikroplastům. Jsou produkovány různými odvětvími a šíří se napříč prostředím. Po dlouhou dobu byly považovány za inertní, bez dalšího vlivu na rostliny a jiné živé organismy, avšak jak zjistily nedávné studie, mohly by představovat vážnou hrozbu. Několik vědců, včetně nás, se proto začalo soustředit na jejich transport a transformace v životním prostředí. Většina se však zaměřuje pouze na jejich přítomnost v mořských a sladkých vodách, a proto jejich chování ve vzduchu a půdě zůstává nejasné. Kromě toho byla pozornost soustředěna i na bioplasty. Jsou prezentována jako ekologická alternativa, která má vyřešit všechny dosud zmíněné problémy (a další). Avšak často se zapomíná, že jejich hlavní výhoda může být zároveň nevýhodou. Z tohoto důvodu se tato diplomová práce zaměřuje na negativní účinky spojené s přítomností mikroplastů (konkrétně bioplastu poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrátu) v půdě jako jejich běžný receptor. Kombinovali jsme respirometrii, elementární analýzu, termogravimetrii a enzymatické testy, abychom zkoumali fyzikálně-chemické změny v půdě vyvolané přítomností bioplastu. Naše výsledky ukázaly negativní vliv na půdní organickou hmotu a zadržování vody v půdě. V tomto smyslu byl zkoumán i tzv. "priming effect", jelikož docházelo k urychlení a také zpomalení rozkladu půdní organické hmoty. Zaznamenali jsme rozdílný vliv vybraných koncentrací biopolymeru na půdu a také vliv půdních vlastností na průběh degradace. V neposlední řadě zvýšení enzymatické aktivity jasně naznačovalo vliv přítomnosti biopolymeru na mikrobiální komunitu. Na základě takových zjištění jsme došli k závěru, že přidání biopolymeru vede k dlouhodobému dopadu na řadu funkcí půdního ekosystému.
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Utilization of waste banana peels for packaging materials
Vachta, Jonáš ; Mikulíková, Renata (referee) ; Kovalčík, Adriána (advisor)
This bachelor thesis deals with isolation of cellulose from waste banana peels and it’s use as a filler in composite films. The aim of this work was to prepare a bioplastic capable of being an eco-friendly alternative to conventional polymers with a potential for application in the packaging industry. The cellulose was isolated from banana peels using a method combination of alkalic and acidic hydrolysis and bleaching by sodium chlorite. The samples after isolation were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and their average particle size was determined by microscope observation. Subsequently, composite films were prepared using agar and starch matrix, glycerol as plasticizer and isolated cellulose as filler in various concentrations to assess the effect of added cellulose on the properties of the resulting bioplastics. Characterization of the prepared bioplastics included FT-IR measurement, surface examination by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the determination of mechanical properties by measuring tensile strength, elongation at break and Young’s modulus. It was found that the addition of cellulose from banana peels has a positive effect on the mechanical properties of all prepared agar- or strach-based composites, with the exception of elongation at break in agar films, where there was a slight decrease compared to the reference films.
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Kompostování bioplastů
Kořínková, Aneta
The final work deals with research on the behaviour of various bioplastic materials placed in composting base under laboratory conditions and subsequent assessment of the phytotoxic effects of individual composts. Composting was carried out on the basis of modified standard ČSN EN 14045 and knowledge from standard ČSN EN 14046. The determination of chronic phytotoxic effects followed the modified standard ČSN EN 13432 and acute phytotoxicity was assessed using the Phytotoxkit test. Following completion of the composting process, decomposition was observed for the certified vegetable starch-based sample, two other samples without certification, but marked as 100% degradable, showed no evidence of decomposition. Various indicator organism growth inhibition values were observed, with chronic toxicity testing in the range of 3.4-20.9%, and phytotoxkit testing two of the samples showed a stimulating effect. Different bioplastic materials have achieved different results and represent a different level of potential environmental burden.
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Zapojení podniků v ČR do evropského podnikání v rámci bioekonomiky
SAGAPOVA, Nikola
The dissertation deals with the mapping of the potential for the involvement of enterprises in the Czech Republic in European bioeconomy, specifically in the bioplastics sector, which is currently a dynamically developing industry. The focus is on the factors and contexts that influence the possibility of entering this sector, which arise from the internal and external conditions of firms. The research relies on a combination of methods and provides both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The methods used include literature search, scientometric analysis, neural networks, correlation analysis, market situation analysis, mapping, case studies and questionnaire surveys. Through these methods, the thesis provides a comprehensive picture and broader context of the current situation of the bioplastics industry.
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Study on degradation processes of bioplastics
Fojt, Jakub ; Koutný, Marek (referee) ; Gregor, Tomáš (referee) ; Kučerík, Jiří (advisor)
Biodegradable bioplastics are currently developed as a more environmentally friendly replacement for conventional plastics to be used in agriculture or packaging materials. As the production of these products increases, so will the likelihood of introducing them in the environment. Biodegradable materials are expected to biodegrade rapidly, thereby they should reduce the number of microplastics in the environment. Biodegradability is currently determined by biodegradation tests, the parameters of which are defined in very general terms and often do not reflect the actual conditions under which the bioplastic will degrade in the environment. There is a lack of knowledge about the fate and impact of these particles in different ecosystems (especially in soil, where contamination is expected to be highest). Therefore, in this dissertation, we critically evaluate the ISO soil biodegradation test and extend it with a subsequent determination of bioplastic residues in soil. For this reason, an analytical method for the determination of polyhydroxybutyrate and polylactic acid microplastics based on methods used for the determination of conventional microplastics. The effect of microbioplastics on soil is also discussed, focusing on the effects that may pose problems in agriculture. The influence of microbioplastics on abiotic (soil water properties, soil structure) and biotic (soil diversity, nutrient cycling) soil properties immediately after their entry into the soil are described. The effect of biodegradation and long-term presence of microbioplastics in soil on soil organic matter, nutrient content, and soil microbial diversity (described by determining the activity of 5 key enzymes involved in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling) are also studied. The last chapter demonstrates the potential problems that can be encountered when bioplastic products are applied in agriculture, where the growth of fungi and molds naturally occurring in the soil can be accelerated. As a result of this dissertation, a comprehensive view of bioplastics in the environment is presented, which can serve to assess the suitability of the application of current generation bioplastic products in agriculture and the possible management of bioplastic waste.
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Utilization of waste banana peels for packaging materials
Vachta, Jonáš ; Mikulíková, Renata (referee) ; Kovalčík, Adriána (advisor)
This bachelor thesis deals with isolation of cellulose from waste banana peels and it’s use as a filler in composite films. The aim of this work was to prepare a bioplastic capable of being an eco-friendly alternative to conventional polymers with a potential for application in the packaging industry. The cellulose was isolated from banana peels using a method combination of alkalic and acidic hydrolysis and bleaching by sodium chlorite. The samples after isolation were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and their average particle size was determined by microscope observation. Subsequently, composite films were prepared using agar and starch matrix, glycerol as plasticizer and isolated cellulose as filler in various concentrations to assess the effect of added cellulose on the properties of the resulting bioplastics. Characterization of the prepared bioplastics included FT-IR measurement, surface examination by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the determination of mechanical properties by measuring tensile strength, elongation at break and Young’s modulus. It was found that the addition of cellulose from banana peels has a positive effect on the mechanical properties of all prepared agar- or strach-based composites, with the exception of elongation at break in agar films, where there was a slight decrease compared to the reference films.
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Biocomposites based on polyhydroxybutyrate for 3D printing
Horálek, Matyáš ; Tocháček, Jiří (referee) ; Přikryl, Radek (advisor)
The submitted diploma thesis deals with preparation and characterization of biocomposite based on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate. Biocomposites were fabricated with respect to later use in 3D printing. The methodology for testing different kinds of materials and their suitability for 3D printing as well as evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties was established. The first part of this work was focused on the experiments with print temperature and the material flow rate and its influence on the look of 3D printed object and on the material tendency to warp during 3D printing. The design of the experiment method was used for the analyzing of obtained data. It was proven that the amount of kaolin and tributyl citrate has positive influence in reducing warping. By optimization of the biocomposite recipe it was achieved improvement in tensile modulus of elasticticity, ductility, tensile strength, notched and unnotched toughness.
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