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Today, insect applications for food and feed are of strong economic, ecological and social interest. Despite their tremendous potential, insects still elicit negative associations in the mindset of Western consumers, which is attributed to a lack of knowledge and scarce opportunities for engagement in this topic. The citizen science project ‘six-legged livestock’ aims to increase the potential of the insect Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), merging the topics ‘waste re-valorisation’ and ‘protein production’ as a cross-link to circular economy. Workshops were held in four school classes, involving 89 pupils, aged 15 to 18 years old. Making use of organic wastes, participating school classes ran eight rearing systems containing a total of 1800 H. illucens larvae. In the four-week experiments, the pupils monitored larval growth and development. Evidently, the pupils were highly motivated to run their rearing systems and fulfil their working tasks. Furthermore, negative associations with insects, including phobia and scepticism decreased, while excitement for the topic increased after hands-on work with the insects. The presented project may be considered an innovative approach paving the way for the establishment of insects as an important educational tool, since they are still underrepresented in scholarly curricula, despite the public outrage over insect decline.
Andreas Walter; Thomas Klammsteiner; Magdalena Gassner; Carina Desirée Heussler; Suzanne Kapelari; Markus Schermer; Heribert Insam. Black Soldier Fly School Workshops as Means to Promote Circular Economy and Environmental Awareness. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9574 .
AMA StyleAndreas Walter, Thomas Klammsteiner, Magdalena Gassner, Carina Desirée Heussler, Suzanne Kapelari, Markus Schermer, Heribert Insam. Black Soldier Fly School Workshops as Means to Promote Circular Economy and Environmental Awareness. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (22):9574.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Walter; Thomas Klammsteiner; Magdalena Gassner; Carina Desirée Heussler; Suzanne Kapelari; Markus Schermer; Heribert Insam. 2020. "Black Soldier Fly School Workshops as Means to Promote Circular Economy and Environmental Awareness." Sustainability 12, no. 22: 9574.
In this study, seven full‐scale anaerobic digesters, with or without co‐substrate regime, were analysed by physicochemical and molecular biological methods. A combination of robust community fingerprinting and Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed a core bacterial community dominated by Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, with variations in the profiles because of differences in the co‐substrate feeding regime. Despite these differences, physicochemical properties revealed a stable performance of all reactors, indicating a resilient bacterial microbiota in all full‐scale reactors. A rich bacterial core community ensured reactor functionality, whilst feeding regime and reactor type impacted the overall and the core bacterial diversity. Within the Archaea, Methanosaeta dominated in all reactors. Results indicated no relationship between archaeal community structure and the type of co‐substrate digested. Methanogens rely on the metabolic end products of bacterial activity and are thus less dependent on differences in the initial co‐substrate regime.
Andreas Walter; Maraike Probst; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle; Christian Ebner; Sabine Marie Podmirseg; Mohammad Etemadi-Shalamzari; Sebastian Hupfauf; Heribert Insam. Microbiota in anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge with and without co‐substrates. Water and Environment Journal 2018, 33, 214 -222.
AMA StyleAndreas Walter, Maraike Probst, Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle, Christian Ebner, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Mohammad Etemadi-Shalamzari, Sebastian Hupfauf, Heribert Insam. Microbiota in anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge with and without co‐substrates. Water and Environment Journal. 2018; 33 (2):214-222.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Walter; Maraike Probst; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle; Christian Ebner; Sabine Marie Podmirseg; Mohammad Etemadi-Shalamzari; Sebastian Hupfauf; Heribert Insam. 2018. "Microbiota in anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge with and without co‐substrates." Water and Environment Journal 33, no. 2: 214-222.
A solid-state anaerobic digestion box-type container system for biomethane production was observed in 12 three-week batch fermentations. Reactor performance was monitored using physico-chemical analysis and the methanogenic community was identified using ANAEROCHIP-microarrays and quantitative PCR. A resilient community was found in all batches, despite variations in inoculum to substrate ratio, feedstock quality, and fluctuating reactor conditions. The consortia were dominated by mixotrophic Methanosarcina that were accompanied by hydrogenotrophic Methanobacterium, Methanoculleus, and Methanocorpusculum. The relationship between biotic and abiotic variables was investigated using bivariate correlation analysis and univariate analysis of variance. High amounts of biogas were produced in batches with high copy numbers of Methanosarcina. High copy numbers of Methanocorpusculum and extensive percolation, however, were found to negatively correlate with biogas production. Supporting these findings, a negative correlation was detected between Methanocorpusculum and Methanosarcina. Based on these results, this study suggests Methanosarcina as an indicator for well-functioning reactor performance.
Andreas Walter; Maraike Probst; Stephan Hinterberger; Horst Müller; Heribert Insam. Biotic and abiotic dynamics of a high solid-state anaerobic digestion box-type container system. Waste Management 2016, 49, 26 -35.
AMA StyleAndreas Walter, Maraike Probst, Stephan Hinterberger, Horst Müller, Heribert Insam. Biotic and abiotic dynamics of a high solid-state anaerobic digestion box-type container system. Waste Management. 2016; 49 ():26-35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Walter; Maraike Probst; Stephan Hinterberger; Horst Müller; Heribert Insam. 2016. "Biotic and abiotic dynamics of a high solid-state anaerobic digestion box-type container system." Waste Management 49, no. : 26-35.
Cellulose-containing waste products from the agricultural or industrial sector are potentially one of the largest sources of renewable energy on earth. In this study, the biomethane potential (BMP) of two types of industrial paper wastes, wood and pulp residues (WR and PR, respectively), were evaluated under both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions, and various pretreatment methods were applied in the attempt to increase the methane potential during anaerobic digestion. The methanogenic community composition was investigated with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and the ANAEROCHIP microarray, and dominant methanogens were quantitated using quantitative PCR. All pretreatments investigated in this study with the exception of the alkaline pretreatment of PR were found to increase the BMP of two paper industry wastes. However, the low recalcitrance level of the PR resulted in the pretreatments being less effective in increasing BMP when compared with those for WR. These results were supported by the physico-chemical data. A combined application of ultrasound and enzymatic pretreatment was found to be the best strategy for increasing methane yields. The retention time of substrates in the reactors strongly influenced the BMP of wastes subjected to the different pretreatments. In sludges from both paper wastes subjected to the various pretreatments, mixotrophic Methanosarcina species were found to dominate the community, accompanied by a consortium of hydrogenotrophic genera. Pretreating industrial paper wastes could be a potentially viable option for increasing the overall degradation efficiency and decreasing reactor retention time for the digestion of complex organic matter such as lignocellulose or hemicellulose. This would help reduce the environmental burden generated from paper production. Although there were minor differences in the methanogenic communities depending on the temperature of anaerobic digestion, there was little effect of substrate and pretreatment type on the community composition. Thus, methanogen community dynamics would not seem to be an appropriate indicator regarding BMP in the AD processes investigated.
Andreas Walter; Sandra Silberberger; Marina Fernández-Delgado Juárez; Heribert Insam; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle. Biomethane potential of industrial paper wastes and investigation of the methanogenic communities involved. Biotechnology for Biofuels 2016, 9, 1 -12.
AMA StyleAndreas Walter, Sandra Silberberger, Marina Fernández-Delgado Juárez, Heribert Insam, Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle. Biomethane potential of industrial paper wastes and investigation of the methanogenic communities involved. Biotechnology for Biofuels. 2016; 9 (1):1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Walter; Sandra Silberberger; Marina Fernández-Delgado Juárez; Heribert Insam; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle. 2016. "Biomethane potential of industrial paper wastes and investigation of the methanogenic communities involved." Biotechnology for Biofuels 9, no. 1: 1-12.
A trial at semi-industrial scale was conducted to evaluate the effect of wood ash amendment on communal biowaste in a composting process and on the final composts produced. For this purpose, three treatments including an unamended control (C0) and composts with additions of 6% (C6), and 12% (C12) of wood ash (w/w) were studied, and physico-chemical parameters as well as microbial activity and community composition were investigated. At the end of the process, composts were tested for toxicity and quality, and microbial physiological activity. The influence of ash addition on compost temperature, pH, microbial activity and composition was stronger during the early composting stages and diminished with time, whereby composts became more similar. Using the COMPOCHIP microarray, a reduction in the pathogenic genera Listeria and Clostridium was observed, which together with the temperature increases of the composting process helped in the hygienisation of composts. Lactobacillus species were also affected, such that reduced hybridisation signals were observed with increased ash addition, due to the increased pH values in amended composts. Organic matter mineralisation was also increased through ash addition, and no negative effects on the composting process were observed. The nutrient content of the final products was increased through the addition of ash, and no toxic effects were observed. Nonetheless, greater concentrations of heavy metals were found in composts amended with more ash, which resulted in a downgrading of the compost quality according to the Austrian Compost Ordinance. Thus, regulation of both input materials and end-product quality is essential in optimising composting processes.
Marina Fernández-Delgado Juárez; Barbara Prähauser; Andreas Walter; Heribert Insam; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle. Co-composting of biowaste and wood ash, influence on a microbially driven-process. Waste Management 2015, 46, 155 -164.
AMA StyleMarina Fernández-Delgado Juárez, Barbara Prähauser, Andreas Walter, Heribert Insam, Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle. Co-composting of biowaste and wood ash, influence on a microbially driven-process. Waste Management. 2015; 46 ():155-164.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarina Fernández-Delgado Juárez; Barbara Prähauser; Andreas Walter; Heribert Insam; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle. 2015. "Co-composting of biowaste and wood ash, influence on a microbially driven-process." Waste Management 46, no. : 155-164.
The biomethane potential and structural changes of the methanogenic community in a solid-state anaerobic digestion process co-digesting cattle slurry and empty fruit bunches were investigated under mesophilic (37°C) and thermophilic (55°C) conditions. Phylogenetic microarrays revealed the presence of two hydrogenotrophic genera (Methanoculleus and Methanobrevibacter) and one acetoclastic genus (Methanosarcina). Methanosarcina numbers were found to increase in both mesophilic and thermophilic treatments of empty fruit bunches. Methanobrevibacter, which dominated in the cattle slurry, remained constant during anaerobic digestion (AD) at 37°C and decreased in numbers during digestion at 55°C. Numbers of Methanoculleus remained constant at 37°C and increased during the thermophilic digestion. Physicochemical data revealed non-critical concentrations for important monitoring parameters such as total ammonia nitrogen, free ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids in all treatments after AD. The biomethane potential of empty fruit bunches was higher under thermophilic conditions than under mesophilic conditions.
Andreas Walter; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle; Andreas Otto Wagner; Heribert Insam. Methane yields and methanogenic community changes during co-fermentation of cattle slurry with empty fruit bunches of oil palm. Bioresource Technology 2015, 175, 619 -623.
AMA StyleAndreas Walter, Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle, Andreas Otto Wagner, Heribert Insam. Methane yields and methanogenic community changes during co-fermentation of cattle slurry with empty fruit bunches of oil palm. Bioresource Technology. 2015; 175 ():619-623.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Walter; Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle; Andreas Otto Wagner; Heribert Insam. 2015. "Methane yields and methanogenic community changes during co-fermentation of cattle slurry with empty fruit bunches of oil palm." Bioresource Technology 175, no. : 619-623.
This feasibility study investigated a two-step biorefining approach to increase the value gained by recycling of organic municipal solid waste. Firstly, lactic acid was produced via batch fermentation at 37°C using the indigenous microbiome. Experiments revealed an optimal fermentation period of 24h resulting in high yields of lactic acid (up to 37gkg(-1)). The lactic acid proportion of total volatile fatty acid content reached up to 83%. Lactobacilli were selectively enriched to up to 75% of the bacterial community. Additionally conversion of organic matter to lactic acid was increased from 22% to 30% through counteracting end product inhibition by continuous lactic acid extraction. Secondly, fermentation residues were used as co-substrate in biomethane production yielding up to 618±41Nmlbiomethaneg(-1) volatile solids. Digestate, the only end product of this process can be used as organic fertilizer.
G. Dreschke; M. Probst; A. Walter; T. Pümpel; J. Walde; H. Insam. Lactic acid and methane: Improved exploitation of biowaste potential. Bioresource Technology 2015, 176, 47 -55.
AMA StyleG. Dreschke, M. Probst, A. Walter, T. Pümpel, J. Walde, H. Insam. Lactic acid and methane: Improved exploitation of biowaste potential. Bioresource Technology. 2015; 176 ():47-55.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Dreschke; M. Probst; A. Walter; T. Pümpel; J. Walde; H. Insam. 2015. "Lactic acid and methane: Improved exploitation of biowaste potential." Bioresource Technology 176, no. : 47-55.
A study was conducted to determine whether differences in the levels of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in anaerobic digester plants could result in variations in the indigenous methanogenic communities. Two digesters (one operated under mesophilic conditions, the other under thermophilic conditions) were monitored, and sampled at points where VFA levels were high, as well as when VFA levels were low. Physical and chemical parameters were measured, and the methanogenic diversity was screened using the phylogenetic microarray ANAEROCHIP. In addition, real-time PCR was used to quantify the presence of the different methanogenic genera in the sludge samples. Array results indicated that the archaeal communities in the different reactors were stable, and that changes in the VFA levels of the anaerobic digesters did not greatly alter the dominating methanogenic organisms. In contrast, the two digesters were found to harbour different dominating methanogenic communities, which appeared to remain stable over time. Real-time PCR results were inline with those of microarray analysis indicating only minimal changes in methanogen numbers during periods of high VFAs, however, revealed a greater diversity in methanogens than found with the array.
Ingrid H. Franke-Whittle; Andreas Walter; Christian Ebner; Heribert Insam. Investigation into the effect of high concentrations of volatile fatty acids in anaerobic digestion on methanogenic communities. Waste Management 2014, 34, 2080 -2089.
AMA StyleIngrid H. Franke-Whittle, Andreas Walter, Christian Ebner, Heribert Insam. Investigation into the effect of high concentrations of volatile fatty acids in anaerobic digestion on methanogenic communities. Waste Management. 2014; 34 (11):2080-2089.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIngrid H. Franke-Whittle; Andreas Walter; Christian Ebner; Heribert Insam. 2014. "Investigation into the effect of high concentrations of volatile fatty acids in anaerobic digestion on methanogenic communities." Waste Management 34, no. 11: 2080-2089.