Biomass Project Research Center, Hiroshima University, and HOSTY Association are co-organizing the Hiroshima University Biomass Evening Seminar. This seminar covers topics from the fundamentals of biomass to the latest information so that it can contribute the activities on biomass in this district. The 59th seminar will be held as follows. Please join.

Wednesday, 6 December, 2017 16:20-17:50

Engineering 110 Lecture Room, Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, Hiroshima University

For the access to the venue, click here.
For the campus map, click here.
For the layout of the lecture rooms, click here. (It directs you to a Japanese page.)

Commentary: Yukihiko MATSUMURA
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University

Chair: Nattacha PAKSUNG
Researcher, Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University

◆Lecture: Tsunehiro AKI
Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University
“Lipid biorefinery using marine microbes”

We aim at practically using sustainable biorefinery technology to convert underutilized biomass such as food wastes, waste water, non-edible plants and marine macroalgae into a various value-added lipids such as biologically functional polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidative carotenoids and hydrocarbons for general chemicals and biofuels by marine oleaginous microbe, Aurantiochytrium sp. This seminar will present our recent progress including microbial breeding.

◆Lecture: Shota MIYAMOTO
M2 Student, Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University
“Degradation mechanism of long-chain fatty acid in methane fermentative flora”

A microbial flora with high methanogenic activity against long chain fatty acid (LCFA), a hardly degradable substance, was found in our laboratory. However, as a result of the microflora analysis, microorganisms presumed to be involved in LCFA decomposition were not detected, suggesting decomposition by complex microorganisms. Therefore, in this study, in order to clarify the mechanism of anaerobic LCFA decomposition, screening method of microorganism population involved in LCFA decomposition activity using centrifugation treatment and dilution method was investigated.

◆Lecture: Hiroshi ITO
M2 Student, Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University
“Behavior of Kelp Cell under Hydrothermal Pretreatment”

Kelp is known as usable resource for renewable energy because it includes fermentable sugar which are alginic acid and mannitol. However, most of the organic matter exist inside the cell membrane. Hydrothermal process can break the cell structure and make this organic matter released. To make the best of the organic matter, the condition to make this release take place should be elucidated. However, it is yet to be decided. The purpose of this study is to indicate the condition where cells of kelp break under hydrothermal pretreatment. In this research, kelp was treated by continuous flow reactor under hydrothermal condition. The experimental condition, temperature was varied from 110 to 130 ℃, pressure was fixed at 5 MPa, and residence time was set at 10 min. The carbon recovery yield in liquid phase was measured using total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer. The state of kelp cell was observed using optical microscope. After hydrothermal pretreatment, the TOC value increaced when treatment temperature is higher than 130 ℃. Observation by the optical microscope confirmed that cell wall of kelp was destroyed at 130 ℃. This results suggests that hydrothermal pretreatment at 130 ℃, 10 min and 5 MPa in hydrothermal pretreatment of kelp is effective for releasing organic matter.

We will hold the discussion meeting from 18:00 (800 JPY needed). Join this meeting, too if you are available.