Treatment of Phaeodactylum tricornutum cells with papain facilitates lipid extraction

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) from microalgae have the potential to be used for biodiesel, but several technical and economic hurdles have to be overcome. A major challenge is efficient extraction of intracellular TAGs from algae. Here we investigate the use of enzymes to deconstruct algal cell walls/membranes. We describe a rapid and simple assay that can assess the efficacy of different enzyme treatments on TAG-containing algae. By this means crude papain and bromelain were found to be effective in releasing TAGs from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, most likely because of their cysteine protease activity. Pre-treating algal biomass with crude papain enabled complete extraction of TAGs using heptane/isopropyl alcohol. Heptane as a single solvent was also effective, although complete recovery of TAG was not obtained. Economic implications of these findings are discussed, with the aim to reduce the complexity of, and energy needed in, TAG extraction. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Coupling model uncertainty for coupled rainfall/runoff and surface water quality models in river problems

Coupled hydrology and water quality models are an important tool today, used in the understanding and management of surface water and watershed areas. Such problems are generally subject to substantial uncertainty in parameters, process understanding, and data. Component models, drawing on different data, concepts, and structures, are affected differently by each of these uncertain elements. This paper proposes a framework wherein the response of component models to their respective uncertain elements can be quantified and assessed, using a hydrological model and water quality model as two exemplars. The resulting assessments can be used to identify model coupling strategies that permit more appropriate use and calibration of individual models, and a better overall coupled model response. One key finding was that an approximate balance of water quality and hydrological model responses can be obtained using both the QUAL2E and Mike11 water quality models. The balance point, however, does not support a particularly narrow surface response (or stringent calibration criteria) with respect to the water quality calibration data, at least in the case examined here. Additionally, it is clear from the results presented that the structural source of uncertainty is at least as significant as parameter-based uncertainties in areal models. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.