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A novel antifouling coating based on the polymerization of a polymerisable bicontinuous microemulsion (PBM) was developed and applied for commercially available membranes for textile wastewater treatment. PBM coating was produced by polymerizing, on a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, a bicontinuous microemulsion, realized by finely tuning its properties in terms of chemical composition and polymerization temperature. In particular, the PBM was prepared by using, as the surfactant component, inexpensive and commercially available dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). The coating exhibited a more hydrophilic and a smoother surface in comparison to uncoated PES surface, making the produced PBM membranes more resistant and less prone to be affected by fouling. The anti-fouling potential of PBM membranes was assessed by using humic acid (HA) as a model foulant, evaluating the water permeability decrease as an indicator of the fouling propensity of the membranes. PBM membrane performances in terms of dye rejection, when applied for model textile wastewater treatment, were also evaluated and compared to PES commercial ones. The PBM membranes were finally successfully scaled-up (total membrane area 0.33 m) and applied in a pilot membrane bioreactor (MBR) unit for the treatment of real textile wastewater.

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Iron liver excess is associated to biochemical and histological liver perturbations. Our aim was to know even if fresh garlic consumption can remediate these problems. Three groups of rats were utilized: control group A, iron overload group B and garlic and iron overload group C. Important morphological and biochemical modifications were obtained in group B rats comparatively to control group A. Indeed, body and liver weights and liver iron contents increased, respectively, by 12.5 ± 0.06%; 17 ± 0.25% and 35 ± 0.11% comparatively to controls. Radical cation scavenging ability in liver cytosol of group B rats was significantly low (54 ± 0,1%) in comparison to group A. Garlic consumption allowed the group C to achieve an increase by 46 ± 0,11 and 75 ± 0,14% of total antioxidant capacity comparatively to group A and B rats. For the serum ALAT, ASAT, triglyceride and LDH levels, they increased in iron-treated rats, respectively, by 25 ± 0.21; 15 ± 0.12; 30 ± 0.14 and 22 ± 0.16% comparatively to controls. These perturbations were accompanied by deep histological changes. After food fresh garlic supplementation, we had found a deep regulation of all modified parameters showing a hepatoprotective effect of garlic against iron liver excess. Garlic chemical compounds have curative effects on iron liver excess.

A B S T R A C TThe feasibility of reclaiming an anionic surfactant-rich wastewater with a submerged membrane bioreactor was investigated in a pilot scale plant of 60 L in the frame of the FP7 BioNexGen project. The MBR was operated continuously for eight months. The effects of the HRT (from 3 to 1 d) were evaluated regarding COD and anionic surfactant removal efficiencies. At a reduced HRT of 32 h, the MBR achieved high COD and anionic surfactant removal efficiencies (83.73 and 98.13%, respectively). Considering the complexity of the wastewater processed, the MBR was very stable and achieved high organic removal efficiency at organic loading of 1.5 g COD l −1 d −1 and HRT of 32 h. The evaluation of MBR potential to reduce the cytotoxicity of the investigated wastewater was studied at HRT of 32 h and OLR of 1.5 g COD L −1 d −1 . The toxicity bioremoval was assessed by the MTT assay on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.