Biotechnologia Acta

5-13

Authors: O. M. Klyuchko

The aim of the work was to analyze the method of artificial neural networks and to examine its implementation in biotechnology. Nearly 300 publications are reviewed because this method is very widely used. The artificial neural networks are described and analyzed, and the examples of their application in biology and medicine are given. Solutions of complex problems, which required combining this method with other modern mathematical methods, are examined. Recommendations are presented for the application of this method in biotechnology.

25-33

Authors: T. P. Pirog A. A. Voronenko, M. O. Ivakhniuk

The purpose of the research was to establish Acinetobacter sp. IMB B-7005 cultivation conditions, which provide the maximal synthesis of microbial exopolysaccharide ethapolan on a mixture of molasses and sunflower oil, and to explore the possibility of replacing refined oil in a mixture with molasses for waste one. On the basis of theoretical calculations of energy consumption for the synthesis of ethapolan and biomass, it was determined that the optimal molar ratio of the concentrations of energy-deficient (sucrose) and energy-excessive (sunflower oil) substrates in the mixture was 1.0:0.9. Experiments have shown that the highest values of exopolysaccharide synthesis were observed at a molar ratio of monosubstrates in mixture 1.0:1.1, which is as close as possible to the theoretically calculated one. It was shown that increasing concentration of molasses and refined oil in mixture from 1.0 to 1.5% was accompanied by increase in amount of synthesized exopolysaccharide and its synthesizing capacity by 1.2 and 1.3 times, respectively. The possibility of replacing refined oil in a mixture with molasses for various types of waste (after frying potatoes, meat, vegetables and mixed) was established. The maximum parameters of exopolysaccharide synthesis (concentration 14 g/l, synthesizing capacity 3.5 g exopolysaccharide/g biomass) were observed when using mixed waste oil for both inoculum obtaining and EPS biosynthesis. The obtained results testify to the possibility of development of universal technology for obtaining microbal exopolysaccharide ethapolan on a mixture of waste (molasses and waste oil) independent of the type and provider of waste oil.

36-42

Authors: О. О. Тigunova, H. S. Аndriiash, N. Ye. Beiko, І. V. Melnyk, S. М. Shulga

The aim of the research was to investigate the accumulation of biobutanol by strains Clostridium acetobutylicum using alternative substrates (Jerusalem artichoke juice, technical glycerol, crude glycerol, shredded biomass of soy, rape, wheat and switchgrass). In order to increase the accumulation of butanol in the process of cultivation, the cells of C. acetobutylicum were statically immobilized on carriers (belting strips, ferrite rings and Raschig rings) by the method of adsorption immobilization. The cells were precipitated by centrifugation, the supernatant was distilled and then fermentation products were determined. Gas chromatography was used to determine the presence of solvents in the culture fluid. The biggest accumulation of butanol (2 g/dm3) was at concentration of crude glycerol 16 g/dm3 in the medium, and complete inhibition of culture development — at glycerol concentration 25 g/dm3. The accumulation of butanol by the strain C. acetobutylicum ІМВ В-7407 using fill and draw method depended on the amount of sequestered and infused medium. Immobilization of the culture using the Raschig rings allowed increasing the bioconversion to butanol twice. So it is shown the possibility to use non-traditional substrates for the production of biobutanol. The most accumulation of butanol was achieved using glycerol (11 g/dm3) as water-soluble substrate, and using switchgrass as lignocelluloses substrate (2,6 g/dm3). Immobilization of C. acetobutylicum culture cells on carriers increased the accumulation of butanol. The use of Raschig rings, as carriers for immobilization, allowed increasing the accumulation of butanol twice.

53-58

Authors: V. R. Mazurenko, O. V. Manchulyak

The aim of the study was to create an algorithm for controlling subclinical forms of mastitis of cows on the basis of determining the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and the number of somatic cells in milk. Milk samples were taken from conditionally positive cows according to the results of the California test; the activity of lactate dehydrogenase was determined and compared with the content of somatic cells in milk. According to the results of the analyzes, 2 out of 20 milk samples had low values of lactate dehydrogenase activity, an increased number of somatic cells (more than 250 000 in 1 ml) and negative results of bacteriological examination, which may indicate on the absence of intra-infection and a physiological increase in the number of secreted somatic cells. With increased lactate dehydrogenase activity and a somatic cell level of no more than 250 000 in 1 ml, Streptococcus agalactiae or Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were isolated, indicating on a mono-infection. At the level of somatic cells from 250 000 to 500 000 in 1 ml (4 of 20 milk samples) bacteria Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated, indicative on of mix infections. Thus, the determination of lactate dehydrogenase activity makes it possible to more accurately determine the presence of inflammatory processes in the udder, since the number of somatic cells can also increase with physiological changes (e. g., stress, etc.). The results obtained can be used to determine the subclinical forms of mastitis in the infected herd. Recommendations developed on the basis of this study were implemented in practice in the economy of the Chernihiv region.