Examinando por Autor "Vera Villalobos, Hernan"

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    Ítem
    Current Trends and Biotechnological Innovations in Biofouling Control of RO Membranes in Desalination Systems
    (MDPI, 2025) Cruz-Balladares, Victoria; Vera Villalobos, Hernan; Riquelme, Carlos; Silva Aciares, Fernando
    Background: Water scarcity is a pressing global challenge increasingly addressed by ad-vanced desalination that converts seawater into potable water. Reverse osmosis and ultra-filtration dominate because they deliver permeate with very low impurities. Their principallimitation is membrane biofouling, which causes clogging, raises energy, operation, andmaintenance costs, and shortens membrane life. Multiple approaches mitigate biofouling—most notably pretreatment trains and engineered surface coatings—but cleaning remainsthe most decisive remediation pathway. Current practice distinguishes physical, chemical,and biological cleaning. Biological cleaning has gained momentum by exploiting microor-ganisms that inherently counter biofilms. These strategies include targeted secretion ofenzymes and antifouling metabolites, and the application of whole-cell culture super-natants containing the full suite of secreted components. In addition, predatory bacteriacan infiltrate established biofilms and eradicate them by lysing prey, thereby acceleratingthe removal of adherent biomass. Progress across these bio-based approaches signals mean-ingful advances in fouling control and could substantially improve the efficiency, reliability,and sustainability of desalination facilities. Collectively, they underscore the transformativepotential of biological antifouling agents in operational systems. Realizing that potentialwill require rigorous evaluation of technical performance, long-term stability, compatibilitywith polyamide membranes, regulatory acceptance, and environmental safety, ultimatelyalongside scalable production and cost-effective deployment in full-scale plan
  • Miniatura
    Ítem
    Sulfate Nutrition Modulates the Oxidative Response against Short-Term Al3+-Toxicity Stress in Lolium perenne cv. Jumbo Shoot Tissues
    (MDPI, 2024) Vera Villalobos, Hernan; Lunario Delgado, Lizzeth; S. Gálvez, Anita; Román Silva, Domingo; Mercado Seguel, Ana; Wulff-Zottele, Cristián
    Al3+-toxicity in acidic soils is among the main abiotic stress factors that generate adverse effects in plant growth; in leaves, it affects several physiological parameters such as photosynthesis and ROS balance, leading to limited crop production. On the other hand, sulfur is a macronutrient that has a key role against oxidative stress and improves plant growth in acidic soils; however, the implication of sulfate nutritional status in the modulation of short-term Al3+-toxicity tolerance mechanisms in plant leaves are barely reported. This study is focused on the role of sulfate on the leaf response of an Al3-sensitive perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Jumbo) after 48 h of exposure. Lolium perenne cv. Jumbo seeds were cultivated in hydroponic conditions with modified Taylor Foy solutions supplemented with 120, 240, and 360 μM sulfate in the presence or absence of Al3+-toxicity. The L. perenne cv. Jumbo leaves were collected after 48 h of Al3+-toxicity exposure and processed to evaluate the effects of sulfate on Al3+ toxicity, measuring total proteins, mineral uptake, photosynthesis modulation, and ROS defense mechanism activation. The plants exposed to Al3+-toxicity and cultivated with a 240 μM sulfate amendment showed a recovery of total proteins and Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentration levels and a reduction in TBARS, along with no changes in the chlorophyll A/B ratio, gene expression of proteins related to photosynthesis (Rubisco, ChlAbp, and Fered), or ROS defense mechanism (SOD, APX, GR, and CAT) as compared with their respective controls and the other sulfate conditions (120 and 360 μM). The present study demonstrates that adequate sulfate amendments have a key role in regulating the physiological response against the stress caused by Al3+ toxicity.