Biocatalysis and Bioremediation
Code
10826
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Química
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Susana Filipe Barreiros
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
70
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
This course aims at providing fundamental principles on the biodegradation/biotransformation of hazardous pollutants and waste, and presenting emerging technologies for their elimination/reduction, using isolated enzymes or microorganisms.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
I - Examples of biotransformations carried out on an industrial scale. Advantages of using nonaqueous media (NAM). Enzymatic properties in NAM. ‘Greener’ NAM. Medium engineering. Immobilization and characterization of biocatalysts.
II – Enzyme classes most used in bioremediation. Relevance of NAM. Applications. Enzymatic conversion of waste biomass and of CO2.
III – Discovery of new enzymes and modification of existing ones. Applications in bioremediation.
IV - Environmental contamination by hazardous substances; magnitude of the contamination problem. Advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation. Type of pollutants (organic, inorganic). Physical/chemical transformation of pollutants in soil.
V - Principles of biodegradation of pollutants. Microbial ecology. Factors influencing biodegradation. Biodegradation mechanisms (metabolism and kinetics).
VI - In situ and ex situ bioremediation. Aerobic vs. anaerobic bioremediation. Biostimulation vs. bioaugmentation.
Bibliography
1. Industrial Biotransformations, A. Liese, K. Seelbach, C. Wandrey (Eds), WILEY-VCH, Alemanha, 2006.
2. Biocatalysts and Enzyme Technology, Klaus Buchholz, Volker Kasche, Uwe Theo Bornscheuer, WILEY-VCH, Alemanha, 2005.
3. Engenharia Enzimática, J.M.S. Cabral, M.R.Aires-Barros, M. Gama (Eds), Lidel-Edições Técnicas Lda, Lisboa, 2003.
4. Biotecnologia –Fundamentos e Aplicações, M. Mota, N. Lima (Eds), Lidel-Edições Técnicas Lda, Lisboa, 2003.
5. Bioremediation and Natural Attenuation- Process Fundamentals and Mathematical Models, P.J. Alvarez, W.A. Illman (Eds), Wiley InterScience, 2006.
Teaching method
Lectures.
Seminars on relevant topics given by invited specialists.
Problem solving classes.
Laboratory classes.
Guided research on suggested topics.
Elaboration of a written report based on the laboratory classes, followed by discussion.
Elaboration of powerpoint slide presentations.
Seminars given by the students, based on researched topics,
followed by discussion.
Projects.
Evaluation method
This course comprises 2 modules: Biocatalysis, and Biorremediation.
Each module has a number of components that must be rated for evaluation. To qualify for evaluation students must take the laboratory classes and deliver a written report along the guidelines set out for the course, and must prepare and submit/hand in the seminars/projects indicated, in each case within the deadlines agreed.
Weight of each component rated for evaluation in the Biocatalysis module:
Laboratory work, report and discussion– 32.5 %
Topics in Biocatalysis and discussion - 32.5 %
Written midterm – 35 %
Weight of each component rated for evaluation in the Bioremediation module:
Laboratory work, report and discussion - 40 %
Seminar - 25 %
Written midterm – 35 %
To pass, students must score at least 9.5 points (on a 0-20 scale) in ecah component rated for evaluation.
The grade obtained in each module, rounded off to 1 decimal place, weighs 50 % of the final grade in the Biocatalysis and Bioremediation course.