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Biotechnological production of PHA by selected bacterial isolates
Matějka, Filip ; Šedrlová, Zuzana (referee) ; Obruča, Stanislav (advisor)
This bachelor thesis deals with the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using thermophilic bacterial isolates with designation 34, 35 and BŽ. Bacterial straines were isolated from activated sludge and compost The theoretical part contains a description of PHA, extremophilic bacteria and detection techniques for the determination of polyhydroxyalkanoates. In the experimental part, the presence of the phaC gene, which is crucial for the ability to produce PHA, was first determined by PCR and bacterial strains were also subjected to DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA gene which enabled preliminary taxonomical classification of the isolates. In the next part of the experimental work, the conditions for biomass growth and PHA production were optimized. Suitable carbon source, the ideal temperature for cultivation and the influence of precursors on the production of copolymers were studied and identified. The composition and proportion of PHA were determined spectrophotometrically and by GC-FID. Finally, visual screening of PHA accumulation inside bacterial cells was performed using fluorescence microscopy.
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Biodegradation of polyesters and other polymers in soil and compost
Papala, František ; Smilek, Jiří (referee) ; Obruča, Stanislav (advisor)
This diploma thesis studies the biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA) within soil and compost environments. The experimental part of this work is concerned with the differences in degradation across environments and the effects of degraded polymers on the environment itself. Experiments revealed that higher temperature and potentially also higher humidity substantially affect the rate of biodegradation. A significant degradation of all the polymers was observed in the compost medium, while polymers within the soil medium did not demonstrate any visible change nor change in mass after the 8th week of experiment. Even though SEM images revealed slow microbial degradation of soil PHB, this was not seen in any of the soil-incubated PLA samples. This might indicate primarily abiotic mechanism of PLA degradation. Germination and grow tests, which used the prepared polymer-enriched compost as a substrate and fertilizer, respectively, did not in most cases reveal any significant differences between individual plants across substrates. This seems to imply that neither the examined polymers nor their degradation products generated during composting are phytotoxic.
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Influence of compost application on properties of soil humic substances
Enev, Vojtěch ; Pospíšilová, Ľubica (referee) ; Klučáková, Martina (advisor)
The aim of this diploma thesis is to study to the influence of compost addition to soil humic substances extracted from blackland luvicsol. Humic substances extracted from soil and from compost were characterized by titration with potentiometrical and conductival indication, UV-VIS, FT-IR and 3D EEM fluorescential spectroscopy. Compost in amount of 124, 239 and 478 t/ha was applicated and manured into dept of 150 mm at blackland luvicsol. The main aim of thesis was the appraisal of compost influence into fluorescent attributes of soil HS and localization of fluorescent peaks at excitation emission spectrums. Next part of diploma thesis was focused on the study of spectroscopic attributes of soil HS and compost by UV-VIS and infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation. Humic substances were characterized by humifical index E4/E6 and transmissional vibratile spectrums. The last aim of diploma thesis were the characterization of soil HS extracts and compost by acidimetral titration. For each sample was calculated value of H+ ionts amount of substance from measured titrational curves.
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Composting in the Czech Republic
Glombová, Pavla ; Horák, Marek (referee) ; Hluštík, Petr (advisor)
The aim of bachelor thesis is a description of the issue related to biological disposing of degradable waste by composting. It is concerned by the most important valid laws in this field, by technologies of composting and by the facilities used to dispose these waste – by composting facilities. In the practical part there is a compiled database of composting facilities in the Czech Republic, sorted by the regions. Their basic data are included (operator, address, website, contact information, capacity, used technology, amount of compost production, its price and utilization, accepted waste, used machinery and equipment, the year of commissioning, intensification).
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Composting of biodegradable polymers
Hollá, Tereza ; Smilek, Jiří (referee) ; Obruča, Stanislav (advisor)
This master’s thesis deals with the study of composting of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA). The experimental part focuses on the composting test based on the IS/ISO 20200 standard, in which biopolymers were degraded within 8 weeks. The advantage of the composting test was the unique use of bags for polymer granules, which simplified the handling of samples. The placement of the polymers ensured an even load of compost, which simulated the landfill environment, which also made this experiment exceptional. The use of different methods of analysis ensured the investigation of the influence of compost on the degradation of polymers, but also the influence of polymers on the compost microbiome. In the compost environment all of the studied polymers degraded. After 8 weeks the weight loss of approximately 40 % was detected in PHB. Amorphous PLA degraded completely in the 5th week of experiment, while semicrystalline PLA lost approximately 70 % of its weight in 8 weeks. Using SEM images and SEC analysis, we conclude that PHB degradation was predominantly biological. Degradation of PLA samples was found to be predominantly abiotic. Analysis of compost samples revealed that the enzymatic activity of esterases increased in composts with polymers compared to compost without polymers. The effect of polymers on the microbiome in compost was analyzed using Biolog EcoPlates™. Compost with PHB showed a high ability to adapt to various substrates and microbiome expanded during composting. In the case of a sample with semicrystalline PLA, it was found that in the last week of composting, the ability of microorganisms to adapt and use substrates decreased, which indicates a possible negative effect of this polymer on compost development.
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Design of heat transfer and recovery systems for Thermocompost
Dokoupilová, Bára ; Jícha, Miroslav (referee) ; Fišer, Jan (advisor)
The following master’s thesis examines the use of biothermal energy released during the decomposition process of composting. The aim of this thesis is to explain the heat generation principles of composting, to summarize its consumption possibilities, and to design a suitable use of the source for the demands of a real building. First, the theoretical framework compares various options of the biomass utilization. It then describes the biochemical course of organic matter decomposition, and conceptualizes the term thermocompost as well as different methods of heat extraction. Subsequently, it lists ways of applying this technology in practice. Second, the empirical part uses the findings to propose a compost pile installation, and its connection to the current heating and hot water system in Ecocentre Karpaty in Nová Lhota, Hodonín. Due to the low-temperature nature of the source and the mode of usage of the building, it is recommended to accumulate the heat generated in the hot water storage tank. The preheating of potable water is considered as its primary benefit. In case of sufficiently high temperature of the thermocompost, the design also includes the possibility of preheating of heating water. In conclusion, the thesis evaluates the financial costs of the project and determines the financial savings. These have – due to the low frequency of the building usage and the consumption of hot water reach – relatively low values.
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Design of Composter
Gálová, Kateřina ; Buganská, Tamara (referee) ; Sládek, Josef (advisor)
The topic of this bachelor thesis is the design of a garden composter. The main goal is to innovate the design and ergonomic elements to better meet the needs of users. The work is based on an examination of problematic areas of current products on the market. The main benefit of this work is bringing an original way of manipulating individual elements and achieving a non-traditional look with regard to functionality and ergonomics.
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Quality control of biodegradable waste process
Krbalová, Maria ; Fiala, Alois (referee) ; Koška, Petr (advisor)
The waste production and especially biodegradable waste is following mankind since the beginning of his existence. This thesis deals with a description and dividing of current available waste process technologies, including description of their advantages and disadvantages. The work is also focused on the more detailed description of the composting technology, its control and opportunities to influence on resulting parameters of compost product. The information about technical description of workplace equipments, including industrial and technological processes was provided by the company VIA ALTA from their compost plant in Blansko.
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Biodegradation of bioplasts in compost environment
Vodička, Juraj ; Kovalčík, Adriána (referee) ; Obruča, Stanislav (advisor)
This master’s thesis focuses on biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA). The theoretical part discusses an origin, properties and applications of investigated biopolyesters, and so the enzymology of their biodegradation. The experimental part deals with biodegradation of these polymers in liquid medium using several pure thermophilic bacteial strains and controlled composting of these bioplastics. Amongst six tested thermophilic bacterial strains only one showed PHB-biodegradation activity – strain Schlegelella thermodepolymerans. No degradation degree of amorphous or semi-crystalline PLA was observed. Mainly disintegration of both forms of PLA articles was observed in compost environment, thus the abiotic mechanism of its decomposition was indicated. After 4 weeks of composting, the relative weight loss of 99 % and 63 % was detected in amorphous and semi-crystalline PLA respectively. On the contrary, the weight loss of PHB after 4 weeks of composting reached 36 %, moreover, a half decrease of molar mass was observed using SEC. The surface erosive mechanism of PHB-biodegradation was stated using SEM. By monitoring of esterase, lipase and protease activities, no influence on the compost by polymer presence was concluded at statistical significance.
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Composting of sewage sludge of small producers
Pumprlová Němcová, Miroslava ; Hynánková,, Eva (referee) ; Kriška-Dunajský, Michal (advisor)
This thesis deals with the composting of sewage sludge and wetland plants biomass wasted from treatment wetlands. The introductory part of this thesis is the literature research of technical information from authors who deal with the topic of sewage sludge and composting. The introductory part provides basic information about the issue compost and composting. The theoretical part of this thesis is followed by the practical part. The practical part is divided into two research projects. The first one is focuses on methodology of building compost from waste materials such as sewage sludge and wetland plants biomass. The second one deals with the testing and usability soil moisture sensors mostly used to monitoring of the compost humidity. The research work is focused on soil moisture sensors calibration. The measurement results will be statistically analyzed and used for further work with soil sensors of compost. Results of the work can serve materials for operators and owners of treatment wetlands. This solution would lead to a significant reduction of operating costs when is considered sludge management.
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