Eyal Kurzbaum

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• Professor
• Professor (Associate) at University of Haifa

A pilot-scale treatment system was developed to manage winery wastewater (WWW) generated by small and medium wineries. The system incorporated three stages: pre-treatment for suspended solids removal and a two-step aerobic biotreatment. The biotreatment phase utilized a bioaugmented bioreactor with encapsulated Pseudomonas putida F1, employing the...

Psilocybe cubensis, a widely recognized psychoactive mushroom species, has played a significant role in both historical and modern therapeutic practices. This review explores the complex interplay between genetic diversity, strain variability and environmental factors that shape the biosynthesis of key psychoactive compounds, including psilocybin a...

Algal biomass and algal substances attract much interest from researchers, entrepreneurs, and farmers. Macroalgal biomass can be collected from the wild or cultivated in open tanks with a relatively low risk of contamination; however, achieving a sufficient amount of microalgal biomass is much more challenging, as the study of algal substances requ...

The larvicidal potential of olive mill waste water (OMWW) extract against mosquito larvae was evaluated. We exposed second instar Culex laticinctus (Edwards) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) larvae to increasing OMWW concentrations. In addition, we tested the effects of long term exposure to a low OMWW concentration on larval development. The two mosqu...

The main aim of this study was to develop a new biotreatment process for denitrification by using a small bioreactor platform (SBP) for macro-encapsulation of a bacterial consortium equipped with a slow-release organic matter core for ex situ and in situ treatment configurations. The biotreatment system in the continuous ex situ mode achieved a max...

This study aimed to develop a wastewater treatment method that employs an advanced oxidation process (AOP) physico-chemical pretreatment (ultraviolet–hydrogen peroxide (UV-H2O2)) followed by biological treatment using an Acinetobacter sp. biofilm to treat toxic concentrations of phenol. This study shows that when the initial phenol concentration wa...

Efficient biofilm-forming bacteria are crucial for biofilm wastewater treatment reactors. Nevertheless, finding a suitable bacterial culture with high biodegradation capabilities and ability to grow a stable and effective biofilm that can survive the reactor environment poses a challenge. Here, we present a newly isolated bacterium Acinetobacter EM...

על מנת להגיע ליבול ואיכות מיטביים של המנגו, יש להגדיר את תצרוכת יסודות המזון והמים, על ידי העץ לאורך העונה ואת התנאים המיטביים בבית השורשים, שיאפשרו קליטת מים ויסודות מזון על ידי הצמח בקצב הנדרש בשלבי הגידול השונים. יבול גבוה ואיכותי הוא המפתח להישרדות בשוק העולמי, ובתנאי האקלים של ישראל ניתן להשגה ע"י משטר השקיה ודישון אינטנסיביים. הידע העולמי בנו...

Constructed wetlands (CW) have attracted growing interest in wastewater treatment research in the last 20 years, and have been investigated intensively worldwide. Many of the basic processes occurring in CWs have been qualitatively established; however, much quantitative knowledge is still lacking. In this mini review, the proportionate contributio...

The larvicidal potential of olive mill waste water (OMWW) extract against mosquito larvae was evaluated. We exposed 2nd and 4th instar Culex laticinctus (Edwards) larvae to increasing OMWW concentrations. In addition, the effects of sublethal OMWW concentrations on larval development time and adult size were tested as well. The larvicidal activity...

Highly effective nitrate removal from a nitrate-rich reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate was achieved by the bioaugmentation of a new Acinetobacter isolate. The anoxic denitrifying capabilities of the isolate were studied in a real RO concentrate solution (containing 230 mg/L nitrate, 14,120 mg/L total dissolved solids, and 18 mg/L biological oxygen d...

Degradation of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) and estrogenicity were examined in a novel oxidative bioreactor (OBR) that combines small bioreactor platform (SBP) capsules and UV-LED (ultraviolet light emission diode) simultaneously, using enriched water and secondary effluent. Preliminary experiments examined three UV-LED wavelengths—267, 279, and 286...

The practical applicability of decolorization techniques for synthetic textile wastewater (STW) mimicking real conditions in terms of organic matter and carbonate alkalinity content remains unclear. To address this issue, this study investigated the decolorization of an anthraquinone dye, Acid Blue 25 (AB-25), in STW using advanced oxidation proces...

A very effective removal of nitrate in batch and continuous experiments was achieved by a newly biofilm-formative isolated bacterium, identified by 16S rRNA as Acinetobacter EMY. The anoxic denitrifying capabilities of Acinetobacter EMY, attached to plastic biocarriers in batch and continuous moving bed bioreactors, demonstrated up to 1.75 times hi...

Small bioreactor platform (SBP) capsules are designed to implement selective bacterial cultures within aquatic media, mainly wastewaters, in a bioaugmentation process. Such capsules, coated with cellulose acetate (CA) membranes to form three‐dimensional (3D) structural barriers, are intended to provide a long‐term protected and confined environment...

Bioaugmentation treatments in general and the use of encapsulated selected microbial cultures in particular are gaining significant attention as a promising approach for the treatment of wastewater containing phenols and other organic pollutants. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the biodegradation performance of a Pseudomonas putid...

Featured Application In this study, we present an innovative new bio-treatment approach for 17α-ethynyestradiol (EE2) using a new macro-encapsulation method, the SBP (Small Bioreactor Platform) technology, for the encapsulation of two bacterial cultures, Rhodococcus zopfii and Pseudomonas putida F1. Our findings demonstrate that SBP-encapsulated cu...

A successful attempt to degrade synthetic estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) is demonstrated via combining photocatalysis employing magnesium peroxide (MgO2)/low-pressure ultraviolet (LP-UV) treatment followed by biological treatment using small bioreactor platform (SBP) capsules. Reusable MgO2 was synthesized through wet chemical synthesis and ex...

A sample of eighty Israeli in-service teachers filled out a questionnaire assessing their beliefs about the existence and the anthropogenic origin of climate change, their knowledge about the causes and consequences of climate change and the actions which can be taken to remediate it, as well as their level of concern about it and their readiness t...

Anionic xanthan (X) and cationic chitosan (C) form xanthan‐chitosan (X+C) complexes by electrostatic attraction in an aquatic environment where concentration of either of the polysaccharides does not exceed 2.5 wt %. Covalently bonded xanthan‐chitosan (X−C) composites were prepared in dry glycerol with concentration of either of the polysaccharides...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of batch and semi-continuous treatment systems for phenol degradation using a consortium of bacterial cultures that were encapsulated using the ‘Small Bioreactor Platform’ (SBP) encapsulation method. The maximal phenol biodegradation rate was 22 and 48 mg/L/h at an initial phenol concentration of...

BACKGROUND A large persistent seed bank of invasive plants is a significant obstacle to restoration programs. Soil solarization was demonstrated to be an effective method for reducing the seed bank of Australian acacias. However, use of this method in natural habitats might be limited due to the requirement to moisten the soil by irrigation. This s...

Bacteria attach themselves either reversibly or irreversibly onto practically any surface in aqueous and other environments in order to reproduce, while generating extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as a supportive structure for biofilm formation. Surfaces with a potential to prevent cellular attachment and aggregation (biofilm) would be extr...

Delayed fluorescence (DF) is a characteristic feature of light-excited plant cells caused by the back-reaction of electrons through the electron transport chain. Targeting the response of light-adapted green algae to diurnal light changes, the present study presents novel results of DF measurements in the absence of an artificial excitation light s...

Reducing the seed bank of invasive plants is a prerequisite for successful restoration of invaded ecosystems. The Australian legume tree Acacia saligna is one of the worst invasive plants in Mediterranean climate regions. This fire-adapted species possesses a large persistent seed bank characterized by physical dormant seeds. The present research w...

The environmental impacts caused by Olive Mill Wastewater (OMWW) are a concern for both developing and developed countries. In this study, an ozone pretreatment combined with a fixed biomass bio-treatment using the Small Bioreactor Platform (SBP) capsules technology encasing a pure culture of a phenol-degrading OMWW isolate named Delftia EROSY was...

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) presents a challenge to the control of effluents due to the pres-ence of a high organic load, antimicrobial agents (monomeric-polymeric phenols, volatile acids, polyalcohols, and tannins), salinity and acidity. In this study, the production of extracellular laccase from an OMWW isolate based on its ability to biodegrade...

The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential of flue gases to be efficiently and economically applied in production of algal biomass in a photobioreactor (PBR). Various microalgae strains (Chlorella sorokiniana 211–234, Bracteacoccus minor 61.80, Radiosphaera negevensis 87.80, Chlorosarcinopsis negevensis 67.80 and Chlorococcum nova...

Accurate enumeration of Paenibacillus mucilaginosus (formerly Bacillus mucilaginosus) bacterium from environmental samples on solid medium is challenging owing to its extensive extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) excretion. In the present study, P. mucilaginosus enumeration has been facilitated by a simple modification: addition of triphenyl tetraz...

Adsorption has been suggested as an effective method for removing phosphates from agricultural wastewater effluents that contain relatively high phosphate concentrations. The present study focused on the use of a bentonite-lanthanum clay (Phoslock(®)) for reducing the dissolved phosphate concentration in fishpond effluents. Batch experiments with s...

Phenols are toxic byproducts from a wide range of industry sectors. If not treated, they form effluents that are very hazardous to the environment. This study presents the use of a Pseudomonas putida F1 culture encapsulated within a confined environment particle as an efficient technique for phenol biodegradation. The innovative encapsulation techn...

The saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away ”. But besides the fact that it rhymes, which apple do we like to eat- is it bright red wax coated or unglossy fresh one? Morpholine (1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane) is a commonly used solvent and emulsifier to give an “attractive look” to fruits and vegetables to help them last longer and remain shiny and f...

The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential of flue gases to be efficiently and economically applied in production of algal biomass in a photobioreactor (PBR). Various microalgae strains (Chlorella sorokiniana 211–234, Bracteacoccus minor 61.80, Radiosphaera negevensis 87.80, Chlorosarcinopsis negevensis 67.80 and Chlorococcum nova...

Cryptosporidium, formerly classified to subclass Coccidia has been relocated to genus Gregarina which includes free living stages, enabling host-free multiplication and therefore may constitute an additional risk factor for human infection. The free stage of this parasitic protozoon, the oocyst, is incredibly durable under various environmental con...

This study was performed in order to understand the relative contribution of a constructed wetland (CW) system’s various components to phenol degradation (100 mg∙L–1) under controlled plant biomass/gravel/ water experimental ratios. This was done by division of a pilot-scale CW system into its components, with or without their associated bacteria:...

A novel bioaugmentation treatment approach, the Small-Bioreactor Platform (SBP) technology, was developed to increase the biological stabilization process in the treatment of wastewater in order to improve wastewater processing effectiveness. The SBP microfiltration membrane provides protection against the natural selection forces that target exoge...

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) is claimed to be one of the most polluting effluents produced by agro-food industries, providing high contaminants load that encase cytotoxic agents such as phenolic and polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, a significant and continuous stress episode is induced once the mixed liquor of the wastewater treatment plants (WWT...

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) contains high concentrations of phenolic compounds that can induce a significant damage to the biological process of a wastewater treatment plant. In a newly macro-encapsulation procedure named the Small-Bioreactor Platform (SBP) technology as a method for a bioaugmentation treatment, we introduced autochthonous microbi...

The bioaugmentation treatment approach presents both an economical and environmentally friendly solution for wastewater treatment. However, the use of exogenous bacterial cultures presents several limitations: negative interaction between microorganisms and adaptation to new physical and chemical composite environment. These selective forces create...

Bioaugmentation treatment approach presents both an economical and environmental friendly solution for wastewater treatment. However, the use of exogenous bacterial culture presents several limitations: negative interaction between microorganisms, and adaptation to new physical and chemical composite environment. These selective forces create a sig...

Constructed wetlands are among the recently proven efficient technologies for wastewater treatment. Compared with conventional treatment systems, constructed wetlands are low in cost, easily operated and maintained, and have a strong potential for application in developing countries, particularly by small rural communities. Nevertheless, the use of...

In some phytoremediation studies it is highly desirable to have the ability to separate and define the specific contribution of plants themselves with or without their associated root-colonizing bacteria for contaminants removal. Separating the activity of plants and bacteria for remediation studies is a very complex task for plant grown in natural...

In the present study, Streptomyces sp. CW1 was isolated from a constructed wetland system mesocosm and identified as such based on 16S rDNA analysis, and additional biochemical properties were evaluated. This isolate was found to be halotolerant (up to 11% NaCl) and able to grow and utilize biopolymers such as: agarose, agar, gellan gum (a bacteria...

In the last two decades, constructed wetland systems gained increasing interest in wastewater treatment and as such have been intensively studied around the world. While most of the studies showed excellent removal of various pollutants, the exact contribution, in kinetic terms, of its particular components (such as: root, gravel and water) combine...

Analysis of a low organic load constructed wetland (CW) system was performed in order to understand the relative role of its various components contribution in phenol removal (100 mg/L) under controlled plant biomass/gravel/water experimental ratios (50 g/450 g/100 mL). The results [expressed as phenol50/time (hours) required to remove 50% of the i...

A simple method for the evaluation of respiration activity of root cells of intact plants grown hydroponically and/or in agar medium was developed. The novelty of the present method is based on visual detection of dehydrogenase activity of plant roots by use of tetrazolium violet dye without destructive steps, allowing follow up of living and photo...

Groundwater wells containing large concentrations of ferrous iron face serious clogging problems as a result of biotic iron oxidation. Following a short time after their start off, wells get clogged, and their production efficiency drop significantly up to a total obstruction, making cleanup and rehabilitation an economic burden. The present study...

Delayed fluorescence (DF) excitation spectrometry was examined as a proxy for phytoplankton activity in comparison to pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorometry and dissolved oxygen (DO) evolution. During several day–night cycles, the three target variables were monitored simultaneously, together with pH, temperature and photosynthetically active...

We compared delayed fluorescence (DF) excitation spectrometry with radiocarbon (14C) technique using a monoalgal culture of Chlorella vulgaris grown under natural temperature and irradiance. This was done by monitoring the DF, in parallel to quantum efficiency (QE) and index of radiant energy utilization efficiency (Ψ) as calculated on the basis of...

This abstract was presented at the 60th annual meeting of the Phycological Society of America (2006, Alaska)