Rita Sousa

Ms. Rita Sousa


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 May 2017 in Fermentation
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DQDiogo Queirós
Diogo Queirós
RSRita Sousa
Rita Sousa
SPSusana Pereira
Susana Pereira
Luísa SerafimLuísa Serafim
Luísa Serafim
In this work, hardwood sulfite spent liquor (HSSL)—a by-product from a pulp and paper industry—was used as substrate to produce short-chain organic acids (SCOAs) through acidogenic fermentation. SCOAs have a broad range of applications, including the production of biopolymers, bioenergy, and biological removal of nutrients from wastewaters. A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) configuration was chosen to impose selective pressure conditions. The CSTR was operated for 88 days at 30 °C, without pH control, and 1.76 days of hydraulic and sludge retention times were imposed. The culture required 46 days to adapt to the conditions imposed, reaching a pseudo-steady state after this period. The maximum concentration of SCOAs produced occurred on day 71—7.0 g carbon oxygen demand (COD)/L that corresponded to a degree of acidification of 36%. Acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, and lactate were the SCOAs produced throughout the 88 days, with an average proportion of 59:17:19:1.0:4.0%, respectively.