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Diana Losantos Velasco

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Bio

Diana Losantos Velasco is a Chemical Engineer (Universidad Católica Boliviana, 2015) with a master in Biological and Environmental Engineering (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2020). She is currently doing a PhD at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2021) on the use of fungi for degrading Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). From 2016 to 2018 she worked as a research assistant and a professor for the Chemical Engineering Department of Universidad Católica Boliviana. During this period, she studied the effects of a fungicide obtained from Andean products on fungi that grow in coffee plantations. This project won her the first place in the “Falling Walls Bolivia” contest and was chosen for participating in “Falling Walls Lab” (Germany, 2018). From 2018 to 2020 she worked as an intern in “Leitat Technological Center” for European projects regarding the use of bio-electrochemical cells for the decontamination of different effluents.

Her research focuses on the use of microorganisms for developing bioremediation processes for contaminated effluents. Her current work is centered on studying the viability of using White Rot Fungi for degrading organophosphate flame retardants contained in wastewaters, as well as immobilization strategies for fungal bioreactors.

Current research interests

  • Identification and assessment of White Rot Fungi with OPFRs degrading ability.
  • Understanding the processes involved in the degradation of recalcitrant compounds and the obtained products.
  • Implementation of new support systems for fungal retention for its use in bioreactors.
  • Assessment of the potential of White Rot Fungi to continuously degrade contaminated real wastewaters in a rotary drum reactor.

Publications before Biorem

  • Zavaleta Mercado, R., & Losantos Velasco, D. M. (2019). Fine tuning the production of colorless sucrose syrups. Acta Nova, 9(2), 176-189.
  • Losantos, D., Aliaguilla, M., Molognoni, D., González, M., Bosch-Jimenez, Pau., Sanchis, Sonia., Guisasola, Albert., & Borràs, E. (2021). Development and optimization of a bioelectrochemical system for ammonium recovery from wastewater as fertilizer. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 4, 100142.

Publications (since 2012)

  • Losantos D, Fernández-Arribas J, Pérez-Trujillo M, Eljarrat E, Sarrà M(*), Caminal G (2025).Degradation of organophosphate flame retardants by white-rot fungi: Degradation pathways and associated toxicity. Sci. Total Environ. 959, 178260  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178260. .
  • Losantos D, Palacios O, Berge MJ, Sarrà M(*), Caminal G, Eustaquio A (2024). Novel method for fast-monitoring of OPFRs by LLE and GC-MS as a tool for assessing biodegradation: validation and applicability. Anal. Bioanal Chem. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-024-05154-7. .
  • Losantos D, Sarrà M (*), Caminal G (2024). Removal of TBP sorbed on wood by Trametes versicolor through solid-state fermentation. J. Hazard Mater. 480, 136066 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136066. .
  • Losantos D, Sarrà M(*), Caminal G (2024). OPFR removal by white rot fungi:screening of removers and approach to removal mechanism. Frontiers in Fungal Biology, 1387541. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2024.1387541. .
  • Tayar S, Losantos D, Villagra J, Hu K, Shokrollahzadeh S, Sarra M (*), Gaju N, Martinez-Alonso M. (2024). Biodegradation of tri-butyl phosphate by Trametes versicolor and its application in a trickle bed reactor under non-sterile conditions. Environ. Technol & Innov. 36, 103867 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2024.103867. .
  • Tan Z, Losantos D, Li Y, Sarrà M (*) (2023). Biotransformation of chloramphenicol by white-rot-fungi Trametes versicolor under cadmium stress. Bioresource Technol. 369, 128508 DOI: http://10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128508. .