Poultry litter extract (PLE) was treated using a microbial consortium dominated by the filamentous cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. in synergy with heterotrophic microorganisms of the poultry waste. Laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments were conducted under aerobic conditions using suspended and attached growth photobioreactors. Different dilutions of the extract were performed, leading to different initial pollutant (nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved chemical oxygen demand (d-COD), total sugars) concentrations. Significant nutrient removal rates, biomass productivity, and maximum lipid production were determined for all the systems examined. Higher d-COD, nitrogen, phosphorus, and total sugars removal were recorded in the attached growth reactors in both laboratory- (up to 94.0%, 88.2%, 97.4%, and 79.3%, respectively) and pilot-scale experiments (up to 82.0%, 69.4%, 81.0%, and 83.8%, respectively). High total biomass productivities were also recorded in the pilot-scale attached growth experiments (up to 335.3 mg L−1d−1). The produced biomass contained up to 19.6% lipids (w/w) on a dry weight basis, while the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids accounted for more than 70% of the total fatty acids, indicating a potential biodiesel production system. We conclude that the processing systems developed in this work can efficiently treat PLE and simultaneously produce lipids suitable as feedstock in the biodiesel manufacture.

The use of a strict transfusion strategy could help in reducing overall blood transfusion. Furthermore, a perioperative Hb of 8.5--10 g/dl could be considered safe in elective lung resections for carcinoma.

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The marine microalgae Tetraselmis striata was cultivated in drilling waters with different salinities. Growth substrate optimization was performed while the effects of different pH, temperature, photoperiod and CO2 flow rate on biomass productivity and its composition were studied. Results showed that the strain grew better in 2.8% drilling waters employing the fertilizer Nutri-Leaf together with ΝaHCO3. A pH value of 8 resulted in high biomass productivity (79.8 mg L−1 d−1) and biomass composition (proteins 51.2% d.w., carbohydrates 14.6% d.w., lipids 27.8% d.w. and total chlorophylls 5.1% d.w.). The optimum cultivation temperature was found to be 25 ± 1 °C which further enhanced biomass productivity (93.7 mg L−1 d−1) and composition (proteins 38.7% d.w., carbohydrates 20.4% d.w., lipids 30.2% d.w., total chlorophylls 5.1% d.w.). Photoperiod experiments showed that continuous illumination was essential for biomass production. A 10 mL min−1 flow rate of CO2 lead to biomass productivity of 87.5 mg L−1 d−1 and high intracellular content (proteins 44.6% d.w., carbohydrates 10.3% d.w., lipids 27.3% d.w., total chlorophylls 5.2% d.w.). Applying the optimum growth conditions, the produced biomass presented high protein content with adequate amino acids and high percentages of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), indicating its suitability for incorporation into conventional fish feeds. In addition, this study analyzed how functional parameters may influence the uptake of nutrients by Tetraselmis.

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