Abstract We evaluated the conditions to produce lipase in solid-state cultivation using a recently isolated strain of Aspergillus brasiliensis 157f in bioreactors of different configurations: static flat-bed, plugged-flow bed with forced water-saturated aeration, and pilot-scale rotating drum bioreactor, using malt bagasse as substrate. Lipase production was optimized applying experimental design analysis, which showed optima parameters defined as pH 7.7, addition of 11.3 % of soybean oil to the medium, and culture temperature of 32.7 oC, in static flat-bed. The highest enzyme activity (9.8 U.g-1 substrate) was obtained in the plugged-flow bed with forced water-saturated aeration. The fermented culture medium was lyophilized to create a solid enzymatic preparation (SEP), which was used to test the possibility of using this cheap biocatalyst in bioreactors to mediate esterification and transesterification reactions. SEP presented lipase activities of 7.35 U.g-1 substrate, indicating the possibility of further enhancing aspects of the use of such biocatalyst.

National industrial effluent remediation strategies are largely outdated, which makes these processes costly and at the same time inefficient. Among the most worrying compounds are heavy metals, which have bioaccumulative and toxic characteristics to living beings. In addition to these, high nutrient loads constitute a huge environmental problem, since the devastation promoted by eutrophic niches is capable of disrupting complex food chains. This paper presents a bibliographical review of the current researches that are applying biomass from microalgae in effluent bioremediation, both domestic and industrial (mainly the latter, since its pollution potential is abruptly greater). Such strategy is interesting since the diversity of these microorganisms is abundant, propitiating the application of them in various conditions. Another point to be taken into consideration is the fact that many species of microalgae produce large amounts of lipids, many of which have potential application in the production of biodiesel.

<p>With rising global energy demands and the perception of an imminent lack of petroleum, a main source of energy, comes a big rush for renewable and sustainable energetic sources. In Brazil, a reasonable fraction of energy comes from biomass, a renewable source with increasing energetic potential, not only for the direct production of energy in combustion but also as feedstock in the chemical industry. In this context, Bio-Methanol arises as one of the possible substitutes for petroleum fuels, since it can come from renewable sources, has excellent fuel properties and low CO₂ emissions. Bio-Methanol produced from biomass via gasification is well known, and its advantages are increasing, with new studies and technologies appearing around the process. This literature review summarizes recent technology for bio-methanol production and the economics of large-scale applications, presenting the advantages of the process along with the future prospects of bio-methanol in Brazil.</p>