Author: lalander

Evans Were has joined the Kretsloppsteknik group as a Postdoc Research Fellow. At SLU, Evans will investigate the mechanisms and dynamics of infectious biological agents, including prions, bacteriophages, and spore-forming bacteria in the process of bio-conversion of biowaste using black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. Larvae of H. illucens remarkably convert biowaste into larval biomass (high-quality protein feed) and residue (biofertilizer) as end products. Understanding the dynamics of infectious biological agents within this process is crucial to ensure process safety and efficacy.

Evans worked as a technical assistant researcher at the Hans-Ruthenberg Institute, University of Hohenheim. There, he taught bench techniques (including microbiology and molecular biology) to graduate students. Before joining Hohenheim, Evans worked as a research assistant at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Uganda. At IITA, Evans optimized methods for molecular characterization of plant pathogenic microorganisms and supported phytopathology and plant breeding teams. This work led to the discovery of novel genetic traits that enhance resistance to some of the most economically important diseases of banana, a crop that provides food security and income for over 400 million people globally.

Evans was born and raised in Uganda, where he completed his diploma and BSc degree in Biological Sciences, and MSc degree in Molecular Biology from Makerere University. Evans earned his Doctorate in 2023 from the University of Hohenheim, Germany where he studied the notorious phytopathogenic fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4.

Hi, our names are Ava & Evelina. We are two 17 year old girls in our final year studying Natural science (Naturvetenskap) at Rosendalsgymnasiet. For nearly three years we’ve been studying topics based around scientific subjects. Part of our studies consists of a scientific rapport, called a Gymnasiearbete (highschool diploma work), a requirement needed to graduate next summer. Throughout the next couple of weeks we’ll be doing laboratory work in the Department of Energy and Technology at SLU. We intend on focusing on the link between larvae and algae infected mussels from the Baltic Sea. We’ll be guided by Viktoria Wiklicky and Dr Cecilia Lalander who will help us in carrying out our studies.

Keeping a viable and productive Black Soldier Fly colony up and running can be hard sometimes, this is why it is great to have international relationships and colleagues to help you out when your colony needs to be replaced. Our Black Soldier Fly colleagues from Estonia picked up their new stock of larvae from SLU last week and finally also visited SLU facilities. The newest developments on both sides were discussed over lunch and after a tour through the (new) container based fly lab, larvae were sent off to their new home at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu.

 

 

Legitimacy of source-separating wastewater systems with Swedish water utilities

Jennifer R. McConville^a, Elisabeth Kvarnström^b, Abdulhamid Aliahmad^a & Maria Lennartsson^c

^a Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; jennifer.mcconville@slu.se, Abdulhamid.aliahmad@slu.se

^b Ecoloop, Stockholm Sweden; elisabeth.kvarnstrom@ecoloop.se

^c Research and Development Coordinator, City of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden; maria.lennartsson@extern.stockholm.se

Source separation of excreta from the rest of urban wastewater flows can enable safe and efficient nutrient recovery. Yet, source-separating wastewater systems are not yet common in urban areas. The aim of this study is to assess the legitimacy of source-separating wastewater systems from the perspective of wastewater professionals in Sweden. The study uses interviews and a survey to explore the pragmatic, normative, cognitive and regulatory dimensions of legitimacy and how these aspects can vary between different municipalities. It also looks into possible knowledge-based activities to increase legitimacy. The results from this study show variations in legitimacy levels in urban areas in Sweden. Overall opinion appears to be neutral to the concept rather than negative. Although many see multiple barriers to implementation. Normative legitimacy (moral motivation) was relatively high, while cognitive legitimacy (knowledge & experiences) was lowest. Respondents from organizations where source-separation is being implemented, or they believe that it will be implemented within 10 years, generally saw more drivers and fewer barriers. These innovators were also more interested in knowledge-based activities. Overall recommendations to increase cognitive knowledge regarding source-separating systems among multiple stakeholders seems the most promising path forward to increase legitimacy in the Swedish wastewater sector.

Hello, my name is Nikos Gyftopoulos, I am from Greece, where I did my bachelors in Biology in the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, and now I am living in Uppsala.

I am doing my master’s programme in Applied Biotechnology at Uppsala University and I am presently doing my thesis in the Department of Energy and Technology of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), with the Environmental Engineering Research Group. During the following months I intend to learn many aspects related to the bioconversion of organic wastes with black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, BSFL) and develop my thesis in this subject.

I will be supervised by Dr. Ivã Guidini Lopes and Dr. Cecilia Lalander, and the project we will develop together regards evaluations of the inactivation patterns of microbial pathogens during the bioconversion of contaminated post-consumer food waste.

Our latest publication on the dynamics of BSFL composting is just out in Waste management.

Around the world, many types of waste streams are (bio)converted with these insect larvae, and the treatment efficiency is dependent on the materials’ characteristics and rearing conditions. In this study, we evaluated the impact of these traits on the efficiency of this bioconversion.

We found out that the nutritional composition of waste is far from being the only factor that affect the efficiency of the bioconversion process. The number of larvae we add in one treatment unit impact on in the total yield of larval biomass (feed ingredient) up to a threshold at which point adding more seed larvae no longer increase the total yield of larval biomass. The depth and moisture of the biowaste was found to affect the larval survival and consequently, the overall process efficiency.

This study sheds light in how to establish several process parameters during waste treatment with BSFL, assisting waste managers and insect breeders on how to treat new waste streams with this insect larvae, promoting circularity in the sector.

If you are intrested to find out more, check the full article out.