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Recently Completed Biosystems Engineering Research Projects
Garcia, Rafael -- Ph.D. 2003
Optimizing the use of lipase in organic solvents for fat modification
Okeson, Carl -- M.S. 1999
Glutamine replenishment and ammonia removal in hybridoma cell cultures via immobilized Glutamine Synthetase
Jack, Darren -- M.S. 1999
Evaluation of two fiberoptic-based solar collection and distribution systems for biogenerative space life support
Reyes, Jose -- Ph.D. 1997
Biophysical Modeling of Agave pacífica under controlled environments
Yue , Chun -- M.S. 1997
Modelling of dynamic liquid hold-up distribution of scale up of the Ebb-and-Flow Bioreactor (EFBR) for "hairy-root"
Garcia, Rafaeal -- Ph.D. 2003
Advisor: Dr. Mark Riley
Optimizing the use of lipase in organic solvents for fat modification
ABSTRACT:
The effect of organic
solvents, pH, aw and other factors on the structure of an enzyme will
be investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Changes
in enzyme structure will be related to changes in enzyme function.
Research will be designed so it will have industrial relevance. The
model system will probably be a fat modifying interesterification
reaction catalyzed by a lipase. This research should improve the
understanding and efficiency of enzymatic processing of materials in
non-polar media.
Okeson, Carl -- M.S. 1999
Advisor: Dr. Mark Riley
Glutamine replenishment and ammonia removal in hybridoma cell cultures via immobilized Glutamine Synthetase
ABSTRACT:
Hybridoma cells utilize
glutamine as their primary nitrogen source and excrete ammonia as a
metabolic waste product. This ammonia can quickly accumulate to toxic
levels in hybridoma culture media, and can severely reduce monoclonal
antibody production (Ozturk et al., 1991. The effect of each enzyme
reactant on soluble glutamine synthetase activity was quantified, and
enzymatic reaction equilibrium evaluated. Enzyme reaction rates in two
culture media, both with and without serum, were compared. Glutamine
synthetase was immobilized via three different methods, and their
effects compared. Cell sensitivity to each enzymatic reactant was
studied. Finally, immobilized glutamine synthetase was incorporated in
a hybridoma cultivation, and its effect on culture characteristics
evaluated.
Jack, Darren -- M.S. 1999
Advisor: Dr. Joel Cuello
Evaluation of two fiber optic-based solar collection and distribution systems for biogenerative space life support
ABSTRACT:
Growing plants in an
enclosed controlled environment is crucial in developing
bioregenerative life Support systems (BLSS) for space applications.
There are two major challenges in current designs of a BLSS: the first
being the extensive use of highly energy-intensive artificial light
sources; and second being the energy wastes incurred through heat
dissipations by these lamps. An alternative lighting strategy is the
use of a Solar Irradiance Collection, Transmission and Distribution
System (SICTDS). An SICTDS can deliver available solar irradiance and
reduce heat generation and energy wastes. Two types of SICTDS, a
Fresnel-lens collector (Himawari SICTDS) and a parabolic-mirror
collector (Optical Waveguide SICTDS ), were evaluated. The light
spectral qualities delivered by both SICTDS types were similar to that
of terrestrial solar radiation. The overall SICTIDS efficiencies
(Himawari = 22.8% and OW 40.5%) and percent visible light of emitted
radiation (Himawari, k = 0.39 and OW, k 0.41) were either comparable
with or greater than those of the High-Pressure Sodium lamp (25% and k
- 0.35, respectively). Fresh and dry weights of lettuce produced under
SIMS and HPS lighting were not significantly different.
Reyes, Jose -- Ph.D. 1997
Advisor: Dr. Joel Cuello
Biophysical Modeling of Agave pacífica under controlled environments
ABSTRACT:
Biophysical models were
developed for biomass accumulation, transpiration and carbon dioxide
(CO,) assimilation of Agave Pacifica m functions of air C02
concentration, photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and irrigation
interval. Parameter estimation and validation were performed for the
Gompertz's equation for biomass accumulation and for the
Penman-Monteith equation for transpiration. A new biophysical model for
C02 assimilation is proposed consisting of four components: stomatal
opening and C02 fixation; malic acid accumulation; malic acid
depletion; and photosynthetic carbon assimilation. The main and
interactive effects of air C02 concentration, PPF and irrigation
interval on biomass accumulation, transpiration and C02 assimilation of
Agave pacifica were also determined.
Yue, Chun -- M.S. 1997
Advisor: Dr. Joel Cuello
Modelling of dynamic liquid hold-up distribution of scale up of the Ebb-and-Flow Bioreactor (EFBR) for "hairy-root"
ABSTRACT:
An ebb-and-flow
bioreactor (EFBR) drainage/hold-up simulation model for "hairy" roots
was earlier proposed by Cuello (1994). In this study, by experimentally
determining the water characteristic curve for Hyoscyamus muticus
"hairy root" culture, the proposed model was implemented and was
validated using a segmented EFBR (SEFBR). The water characteristic
curve was determined at an average porosity of 88%, whereas the SEFBR
had an average porosity of 77%. While the simulated dynamic drainage
profiles generated large errors owing to the porosity value
discrepancy, both the simulated dynamic average hold-up profiles and
the simulated dynamic spatial hole-up distribution produced generally
acceptable errors of less than 10%.
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