Conference Agenda

The replacement of petroleum-derived surfactants with other environmentally correct ones such as those produced from biomass represents a window of opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of agro-industrial waste thar is currently not used, and it also represents an opportunity to promote the circular economy for the benefit of communities.

In this work, the possibilities of using the shell of the Honduran cashew nut were evaluated, from which its oil was extracted by using a solvent, obtaining 32 – 36% oil with respect to the mass of the shell. The oil from the cashew nutshell is liquid rich in phenolic compounds such as cardanol, which, through some organic transformations, can be converted into different chemical compounds such as surfactants. To understand the structural properties of the surfactant that could be obtained from cardanol oil, the molecular dynamics technique was used, suggesting that the sizes of the tails and heads are closely related to their organization at the air-water interface, characteristics comparable to surfactants currently used in the industry, showing the viability of the substitution.

Dyes are widely used in various industries, but they represent significant pollutants due to their harmful effects on the environment. Their high solubility facilitates their dispersion and complicates their removal in aqueous media. In addition, intermediate compounds such as naphthalene and benzene, present in some dyes, are highly toxic to various biological systems. Bioremediation with microorganisms is an effective, simple and sustainable alternative to address this problem. This study evaluated the ability of bacterial strains isolated from Cartagena mangroves (UTB 24, UTB 35, UTB 44, UTB 63, UTB 67 y UTB 85), related to the Bacillus genus, to degrade textile dyes. The strains were grown in MBS medium with 1000 mg/L of dye, incubated at 30 °C for 48 hours, and the percentage of degradation was determined. Most strains showed a degradation greater than 60%, with strains UTB 24, UTB 35, UTB 63 and UTB 67 standing out, which exceeded 80%. The results obtained demonstrate the potential of bacteria from mangals to be used in remediation strategies for bodies of water contaminated by dyes.

Modern mining requires more sustainable and efficient processes. Physicochemical methods have been effective on high-grade ores but have limitations on low-grade ores due to their low selectivity and mineralogical characteristics. As an alternative, bioleaching has gained popularity, especially on copper and gold sulfide ores. Countries such as Australia, Chile, and the USA apply it industrially on copper, while in Europe and Asia bacterial strains are being investigated for more complex minerals such as gold-bearing refractories. This article updates the state of the art in bioleaching of copper and gold sulfides based on laboratory studies. A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA method, selecting 27 articles that analyze variables such as pH, temperature, growth medium, kinetics, and nutrients. Recoveries of 76% and 77% for gold and copper are reported using bacteria adapted to flotation concentrates with arsenopyrite and pyrite. In addition, the industrial limitations of the process and its environmental and social benefits are discussed. Biomining is proposed to process uranium ores, rare earths, and extraterrestrial materials in ISRU technologies, opening new frontiers for the industry.

The discovery of antibiotics transformed the treatment of bacterial infections, but their excessive use has led to the accumulation of these compounds in the environment and the spread of resistant microorganisms, even in isolated regions such as Antarctica. This study evaluated the resistance of Antarctic bacteria to five groups of antibiotics (β-lactams, cephalosporins, quinolones, macrolides and sulfonamides), considering the level of human intervention at their isolation sites. Sixteen strains were analyzed by disk diffusion antibiograms, incubating the cultures at 10°C for one week. The results showed variations in resistance depending on the location. Livingston and Deception Islands presented the highest levels of resistance, with strains UTB 117 and UTB 118 (Pseudomonas mandelii) and UTB 145 (Pseudomonas antarctica) standing out, resistant to all the antibiotics evaluated. In addition, 80% of the strains showed resistance to dicloxacillin. These findings suggest that antimicrobial resistance in Antarctica is influenced by proximity to scientific bases, human activity and pollution