last updated: 19 July 2003

Dr. Terence Philip Nemenzo “Butch” Talorete

Current Affiliation

Editorial Staff
MYU International Communication Services
2-32-3 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0022 Japan
Publisher of the following peer-reviewed journals: Environmental Sciences, Sensors and Materials, New Diamond and Frontier Carbon Technology

Educational Background

2003 Ph.D. Agricultural Sciences
University of Tsukuba

Specialization: Animal Cell Biology
Research on endocrine disruptors using in vitro bioassays and proteomics
Under Japanese Government (Monbusho) Scholarship

PhD Dissertation Title:
Alkylphenols and Phytoestrogens, their Interaction with Food Factors and Mechanisms of Action in Vitro

Awarded:
“Soudai” or Class Representative/ Valedictorian of the Doctoral Degree Program for Agricultural Sciences

Recipient:
"Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award”

1997 Master of Science in Biology
University of the Philippines - Diliman

Specialization: Marine Microbiology/ Bioremediation

Awarded: Outstanding Graduate Student
by the UP Institute of Biology on April 25, 1998

MS Thesis title:
Marine Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria from the Manila Bay North Harbor and their Bioremediation Potential

1992 Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of St. La Salle
Magna cum Laude

PERSONAL WEBSITE: http://www.geocities.com/tpbnt

Research

MARINE HYDROCARBON-DEGRADING BACTERIA AND BIOREMEDIATION

Bioremediation can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including the use of microorganisms and their biodegradative capacity to remove pollutants from the environment. This work involved the isolation, characterization, and identification, as well as the quantitative characterization of the degradation potential of marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. Assays were conducted using n-paraffins, C-heavy oil, and anthracene as the sole carbon and energy source of selected marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria acting singly, in consortium, in a free state, or in immobilized conditions. Strains with outstanding degradation potential were isolated, and when used in consortium to degrade C-heavy oil, degradation rates doubled compared to strains acting singly. Cells immobilized on polyurethane beads likewise showed increased degradation capacities.

LARGE-SCALE, MASS CULTIVATION OF SPIRULINA SP. WITH THE CONCOMITANT REMOVAL OF NUTRIENT POLLUTANTS

The cyanobacterium Spirulina sp. is a photoautotrophic bacterium, i.e., it derives its energy from light by capturing it with photosynthetic pigments, while at the same time deriving its carbon from CO2 or bicarbonates. Containing as much as 70% protein, this alga is widely used as a food supplement in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. This work involved the development of a novel culture medium using seawater and/or polluted prawn pond effluents as a nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace elements source. Medium cost was reduced to 10% that of the conventional formulation, while at the same time, maintaining yields of as much as 1 kg dried Spirulina every 10 days for every 2000-liter outdoor culture. The current market value in the Philippines of imported dried Spirulina is around PhP 2,588/ kg. Our method can produce this alga at a fraction of this cost. And while biomass is produced, N and P pollutants from say, prawn or fishpond effluents are removed at a much rapid rate, preventing eutrophication of bays.

ENVIRONMENTAL HORMONES

Hormonally active agents (HAAs) or so-called "environmental hormones" are compounds that possess hormonelike activity and have the capacity to disrupt the endocrine system of both humans and wildlife. These compounds can affect the endocrine system by binding to classic hormone receptors and promote measurable responses, such as the induction of hormone-responsive genes or gene products. Examples of these compounds are DDT, nonylphenol, octylphenol, dioxin, PCB’s, and isoflavones. This work involved various in vitro bioassays using cancer cell lines to determine both the toxicity and estrogenicity of selected HAAs. Among the bioassays employed are lactate dehydrogenase assay, acetylcholinesterase assay, DNA fragmentation, E-SCREEN assay, protein kinase C assay, western blotting, northern blotting and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

FOR MORE, VISIT: http://www.geocities.com/tpbnt/science.htm

International Conference Proceedings

The role of organophosphorus pesticides used in China in neurite differentiation: A bioassay study on environmental pollution.
Isoda H., Ru S., Talorete TPN, Sugiura N and Maekawa T., Biosystem Studies, 3, 28-32, (2000).

Low-cost production of Spirulina platensis using brackish water
Talorete, T.P.N., Butardo, Jr., V.M., and Cruz, L.J.
International Symposium on Biotechnology for the Next Millenium, Edsa Shangri-la Plaza Hotel, Mandaluyong City, Philippines, 24-26 February 1999.

A survey of marine and aquatic oil spills in the Philippines from 1975-1997
Talorete, T.P.N.
Extended Synopses of the International Symposium on Marine Pollution. 5 - 9 October, 1998, Monte Carlo, Monaco. p. 657.

Spirulina: a promising tool for pollution control and biomass production
Talorete, T.P.N., Camagong, C., Barraquio, W.L., Lincoln, E.P. and Cruz, L.J.
Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering Scientific Meeting. 18 - 19 June, 1998, UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

Isolation and characterization of marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from Manila Bay, Philippines
Talorete, T.P.N., Suzuki, M., Maruyama, A., Kawano, Y., Fujita, T., Ishiwata, H. and Higashihara, T.
Proceedings (Poster Session) of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Marine Biotechnology Conference and 3rd Asia-Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology. 7-10 May 1997, Phuket, Thailand. p. 56.

Crude oil-degrading activity of a polyurethane-immobilized marine Micrococcus sp.
Talorete, T.P.N. and Barraquio, W.L.B.
Proceedings of the 3rd Asia-Pacific Biotechnology Congress and 25th Annual Convention of the Philippine Society for Microbiology. 22-24 May 1996, Manila, Philippines. p.29.

Immobilization of Acetobacter sp. cells by gel entrapment: Comparison of acetic acid production rates
Talorete, T.P.N., and Ruaya, A. L.
Proceedings of the 6th Asian Chemical Congress 11th Philippine Chemistry Congress. 22-25 May 1995, Manila, Philippines. p. BiCP-5

International Publications

Alkylphenolic compounds and their effect on the injury rate, survival and acetylcholinesterase activity of the rat neuronal cell line PC12
T.P.N. Talorete, H. Isoda and T. Maekawa (2001) Cytotechnology 36:163-169

Agaricus blazei (Class Basidiomycotina) aqueous extract enhances the expression of c-Jun protein in MCF7 cells
T.P.N. Talorete, H. Isoda and T. Maekawa (2002) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 50:5162-5166

Phytoestrogens genistein and daidzin enhance the acetylcholinesterase activity of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 by binding to the estrogen receptor
H. Isoda, T.P.N. Talorete, M. Kimura, T. Maekawa, Y. Inamori, N. Nakajima and H. Seki. (2002) Cytotechnology 40 (1-3): 117-123.

FOR ABSTRACTS, VISIT: http://www.geocities.com/tpbnt/abstracts.htm

Other Affiliations

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