ENAC Seminar Series by Dr A. Alloul
Event details
| Date | 01.07.2021 |
| Hour | 09:30 › 10:30 |
| Speaker | Dr Abbas Alloul |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
09:30 – 10:30 – Dr Abbas Alloul
Postdoctoral researcher, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Toward wastewater treatment and bioproduct recovery with phototrophic purple bacteria
Aquaculture and animal husbandry rely on protein ingredients for primary nutrition, yet ingredients such as fishmeal and soybean meal cause serious environmental problems and expose Europe to an import dependency. Microbial biomass as a source of animal protein, also known as microbial protein or single-cell protein, offers a solution. In particular when produced on wastewater as it allows to combine treatment and resource recovery in an economically-friendly manner. Especially, the phototrophic purple bacteria show great potential as they can be selectively grown on wastewater (i.e., low microbial diversity and high abundance of one species). This is particularly relevant for animal feed as stability in community composition might yield stability in nutritional quality. This lecture will discuss several operational strategies to selectively grow purple bacteria on wastewater in closed photobioreactors and open raceway reactors. A cost-estimations will show the competitiveness of the protein production technology. Case studies of piloting work in India and The Netherlands will also be introduced to show the implementation of the technology in an urban context. The last section will present evidence for the use of purple bacteria as a protein ingredient and probiotic for penaeid shrimp.
Short bio:
Dr. Abbas Alloul obtained his master of Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology from Ghent University. His master’s thesis explored wastewater treatment for space applications in the context of the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative. This preliminary research experience drove him towards an academic career. After a successful defense, Abbas was awarded a Doctoral Fellowship by the Research Foundation – Flanders. His PhD research at the University of Antwerp and Ghent University explored the production of purple bacteria on wastewater as a source of microbial protein. UAntwerp appreciated his accomplishments and honored Abbas with the ‘Young scientist encouragement award’ and selected him as a ‘young potential’ representative for the Autumn Concert of the Belgian King Philippe. In 2020, he started his postdoctoral research at UAntwerp and the Delft University of Technology. At UAntwerp, he combines activities as a researcher, scientific coordinator, co-supervisor and co-lecturer. In Delft, Abbas is active in the team of prof. David Weissbrodt. Together with a master’s student, he is constructing a mechanistic model to simulate the treatment performance and abundance of purple bacteria. Recently, Abbas was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Research Foundation - Flanders. In this project, he will continue to explore purple bacteria, with a focus on photohydrogenotrophy and photomethylotrophy.
Postdoctoral researcher, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Toward wastewater treatment and bioproduct recovery with phototrophic purple bacteria
Aquaculture and animal husbandry rely on protein ingredients for primary nutrition, yet ingredients such as fishmeal and soybean meal cause serious environmental problems and expose Europe to an import dependency. Microbial biomass as a source of animal protein, also known as microbial protein or single-cell protein, offers a solution. In particular when produced on wastewater as it allows to combine treatment and resource recovery in an economically-friendly manner. Especially, the phototrophic purple bacteria show great potential as they can be selectively grown on wastewater (i.e., low microbial diversity and high abundance of one species). This is particularly relevant for animal feed as stability in community composition might yield stability in nutritional quality. This lecture will discuss several operational strategies to selectively grow purple bacteria on wastewater in closed photobioreactors and open raceway reactors. A cost-estimations will show the competitiveness of the protein production technology. Case studies of piloting work in India and The Netherlands will also be introduced to show the implementation of the technology in an urban context. The last section will present evidence for the use of purple bacteria as a protein ingredient and probiotic for penaeid shrimp.
Short bio:
Dr. Abbas Alloul obtained his master of Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology from Ghent University. His master’s thesis explored wastewater treatment for space applications in the context of the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative. This preliminary research experience drove him towards an academic career. After a successful defense, Abbas was awarded a Doctoral Fellowship by the Research Foundation – Flanders. His PhD research at the University of Antwerp and Ghent University explored the production of purple bacteria on wastewater as a source of microbial protein. UAntwerp appreciated his accomplishments and honored Abbas with the ‘Young scientist encouragement award’ and selected him as a ‘young potential’ representative for the Autumn Concert of the Belgian King Philippe. In 2020, he started his postdoctoral research at UAntwerp and the Delft University of Technology. At UAntwerp, he combines activities as a researcher, scientific coordinator, co-supervisor and co-lecturer. In Delft, Abbas is active in the team of prof. David Weissbrodt. Together with a master’s student, he is constructing a mechanistic model to simulate the treatment performance and abundance of purple bacteria. Recently, Abbas was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Research Foundation - Flanders. In this project, he will continue to explore purple bacteria, with a focus on photohydrogenotrophy and photomethylotrophy.
Practical information
- General public
- Invitation required
- This event is internal
Organizer
- ENAC
Contact
- Cristina Perez