• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.200-207
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• 2017

A new approach to the solubilization of waste activated sludge (WAS) using alginate-quaternary ammonium complex beads was investigated under controlled mild alkaline conditions. The complex beads were prepared by the reaction of sodium alginate (SA) with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl-octadecyldimethylammonium chloride (TSA) in acid solution, followed by crosslinking with $CaCl_2$. Treatment of WAS with SA-TSA complex beads was effective for enhancing the efficacy of WAS solubilization. The highest value of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) concentration (3,900 mg/L) was achieved after 10 days of treatment with 30% (v/v) SA-TSA complex beads. The WAS solubilization efficacy of the complex beads was also evaluated by estimating the concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The maximum value of VFAs was 2,961 mg/L, and the overall proportions of VFAs were more than 75% of SCOD. The main components of VFAs were acetic, propionic, iso-butyric, and butyric acids. These results suggest that SA-TSA complex beads might be useful for enhancing the solubilization of WAS. The potential use of VFAs as the external carbon substrate for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by a mixed microbial culture (MMC) was also examined. The enrichment of PHA-accumulating MMC could be achieved by periodic feeding of VFAs generated from WAS in a sequencing batch reactor. The composition of PHA synthesized from VFAs mainly consisted of 3-hydroxybutyrate. The maximum PHA content accounted for 25.9% of dry cell weight. PHA production by this process is considered to be promising since it has a doubly beneficial effect on the environment by reducing the amount of WAS and concomitantly producing an eco-friendly biopolymer.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.527-535
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of smear layer and dentin primers on the sealing ability of root canals. 126 extracted human teeth with single, straight canals and mature apices were used. The Samples were first classified into six groups as follows: presence of smear layer; absence of smear layer; Scotchbond Bond Multi-Purpose; All Bond 2; Mac Bond 2; Clearfil Liner Bond 2. A Positive control was also established. All teeth except the control group were then obturated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha and AH26. Electrochemical and dye penetration technique were later used to evaluate the degree of micro leakage through the root canal. Seventy teeth were then immersed in a 1% potassium chloride solution and An external power supply(DC 10 V) was then applied to the circuit for the electrochemical microleakage test. The degree of Microleakage was determined over period of 28 days before being evaluated. In total, 48 teeth were submitted to the dye infiltration technique. All specimen were suspended in 2% methylene blue dye for 1 week before being longitudinally split. The degree of dye infiltration was measured under a stereo microscope at ${\times}10$ magnification and evaluated. The results were as follows: 1. Apical microleakage increased throughout the test period in all group and one group having a smear layer showed a dramatic increase under electrochemical test (p<0.05). In the group having smear layer, the degree of apical microleakage was the highest, and the micro leakage was much higher than in the smear layer removed group in electrochemical test (p<0.05). Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, All Bond 2, Mac Bond 2 and Clearfil Liner Bond 2 showed lower micro leakage than one group having smear layer. The All Bond 2 and Clearfil Liner Bond 2 treated groups showed the lowest microleakage in electrochemical test (p<0.05). 2. There was no significant difference between the experimental groups in dye penetration technique. These results suggested that the removal of the smear layer from root canal and concomitantly the application of dentin primer into root canal could improve the sealing ability of root canal obturation.