Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Green Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2021) | Viewed by 61890

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: biological degradation; cell surface modification; microbial and plant surfactants; impact of surfactants and biosurfactants on hydrocarbon biodegradation; toxicity; environmental chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: bioremediation; enzymatic activity; toxicity; analytical chemistry; wastewater treatment; chemical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of the economy and the growing standard of living of societies is unfortunately associated with an increasing risk of environmental contamination with products of the chemical industry. Despite a number of regulations and a great care for storage and transport safety, there is still the possibility of uncontrolled release of petroleum products, substrates in chemical synthesis, etc. Moreover, the currently used methods of solid waste and sewage water management do not allow for effective removal of both persistent contaminants and pharmaceuticals. Ecological disasters, occurring frequently in large sizes, as well as regular waste management, show how important it is to have some appropriate techniques that are helpful in rapid remediation of the environment. Biodegradation of pollutants depends on various factors, such as their chemical structure, physicochemical properties, or bioavailability for microorganisms. Therefore, there is a need to develop new effective bioremediation processes as well as extensive and deep studies on biodegradation processes conducted by microorganisms. What is more, a comprehensive and multifaceted look at the phenomena accompanying biological degradation is very important.

We hope that the Special Issue will become a platform for the exchange of experiences and valuable observations of researchers in various fields and will also open up new perspectives in the field of combating environmental pollution.

This Special Issue will concentrate on highlighting timely research studies addressing the persistent pollutants and xenobiotics’ biodegradation. Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Pollutant and xenobiotic biodegradation;
  • The influence of surfactants and biosurfactants on hydrocarbon biodegradation;
  • Role of adsorption in biodegradation process;
  • Enzyme and bacterial immobilization and their use in different compounds’ degradation;
  • Impact of pollutants on the microorganism cells;
  • Physical or electrochemical methods as the support of biodegradation process.

Authors are invited and welcome to submit original research papers, reviews, and short communications.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ewa Kaczorek
Dr. Wojciech Smułek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Biodegradation and bioremediation
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Surfactants and biosurfactants
  • Persistent pollutants and xenobiotics
  • Enzymatic activity
  • Immobilization
  • Cell surface properties

Published Papers (14 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 178 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation”
by Ewa Kaczorek and Wojciech Smułek
Processes 2021, 9(7), 1130; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9071130 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1501
Abstract
It is with great pleasure that we present to you the output of the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

19 pages, 1861 KiB  
Article
Iron-Stimulated Production and Antimicrobial Potential of a Novel Biosurfactant Produced by a Drilling Waste-Degrading Pseudomonas citronellolis Strain
by Argyro Tsipa, Konstantina Stylianou, Maria Papalli, Erato Papageorgiou, Loucas Kyriakou, Ioannis Rigopoulos, Ioannis Ioannou and Eftychia Pinakoulaki
Processes 2021, 9(4), 686; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9040686 - 14 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3047
Abstract
A Pseudomonas citronellolis strain was isolated from drilling waste (DW). This strain utilizes DW as the sole energy and carbon source to produce biosurfactants (BSs). The BS produced was thermally stable, amorphous and includes a peptide structure. FeSO4, FeCl3 and [...] Read more.
A Pseudomonas citronellolis strain was isolated from drilling waste (DW). This strain utilizes DW as the sole energy and carbon source to produce biosurfactants (BSs). The BS produced was thermally stable, amorphous and includes a peptide structure. FeSO4, FeCl3 and Fe(NO3)3 were supplemented at various concentration levels to assess possible enhancement of BS production and DW biodegradation. The limit concentration of Fe compounds between the increase in BS formation and microbial toxicity was 0.1 mM. FeCl3 enhanced DW biodegradation and more than doubled the BS formation yield, determining an optimization strategy for BS production. The BS was then partially purified and used against several Gram-negative and positive multi-drug resistant bacteria (such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli spp, Acinetobacter baumaniii, Enterococcus faecalis spp, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica). The minimum inhibitory concentration was defined at a range of 0.25 to 10 mg/mL. The antimicrobial properties of the partially purified BS established its effectiveness and suggested a down-stream processing cost reduction, as no additional purification steps were necessary. The study could lead to a sustainable low-cost bioprocess towards a circular bioeconomy because waste, a non-expensive substrate, is used; while the BS holds great potential as a novel compound with antibiotic and disinfectant-like action, following toxicity testing with human cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1530 KiB  
Article
Coal-Degrading Bacteria Display Characteristics Typical of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria
by Yinka Titilawo, Wiya L. Masudi, Jacob T. Olawale, Lerato M. Sekhohola-Dlamini and A. Keith Cowan
Processes 2020, 8(9), 1111; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8091111 - 07 Sep 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3188
Abstract
Coal mining produces large quantities of discard that is stockpiled in large dumps. This stockpiled material, termed coal discard, poses an environmental threat emphasising the need for appropriate bioremediation. Here, metagenomic analysis of the 16S rRNA from ten coal-degrading strains previously isolated from [...] Read more.
Coal mining produces large quantities of discard that is stockpiled in large dumps. This stockpiled material, termed coal discard, poses an environmental threat emphasising the need for appropriate bioremediation. Here, metagenomic analysis of the 16S rRNA from ten coal-degrading strains previously isolated from coal slurry from discard dumps and from the rhizosphere of diesel-contaminated sites was used to establish genetic relatedness to known plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria in the NCBI database. Measurement of indole and ammonium production and solubilisation of P and K were used to screen bacteria for PGP characteristics. BLAST analysis revealed ≥ 99% homology of six isolates with reference PGP strains of Bacillus, Escherichia, Citrobacter, Serratia, Exiguobacterium and Microbacterium, while two strains showed 94% and 91% homology with Proteus. The most competent PGP strains were Proteus strain ECCN 20b, Proteus strain ECCN 23b and Serratia strain ECCN 24b isolated from diesel-contaminated soil. In response to L-trp supplementation, the concentration of indolic compounds (measured as indole-3-acetic acid) increased. Production of ammonium and solubilisation of insoluble P by these strains was also apparent. Only Serratia strain ECCN 24b was capable of solubilising insoluble K. Production of indoles increased following exposure to increasing aliquots of coal discard, suggesting no negative effect of this material on indole production by these coal-degrading bacterial isolates and that these bacteria may indeed possess PGP characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2664 KiB  
Article
Effects of Mercury II on Cupriavidus metallidurans Strain MSR33 during Mercury Bioremediation under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions
by Guillermo Bravo, Paulina Vega-Celedón, Juan Carlos Gentina and Michael Seeger
Processes 2020, 8(8), 893; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8080893 - 25 Jul 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3912
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic element that harms organisms and disturbs biogeochemical cycles. Mercury bioremediation is based on the reduction of Hg (II) to Hg (0) by mercury-resistant bacteria. Cupriavidus metallidurans MSR33 possesses a broad-spectrum mercury resistance. This study aims to establish the effects [...] Read more.
Mercury is a toxic element that harms organisms and disturbs biogeochemical cycles. Mercury bioremediation is based on the reduction of Hg (II) to Hg (0) by mercury-resistant bacteria. Cupriavidus metallidurans MSR33 possesses a broad-spectrum mercury resistance. This study aims to establish the effects of mercury on growth, oxygen uptake, and mercury removal parameters by C. metallidurans MSR33 in aqueous solution during aerobic and anaerobic mercury bioremediation. A new culture medium (GBC) was designed. The effects of mercury (II) (20 ppm) on growth parameters, oxygen uptake, and mercury removal were evaluated in GBC medium in a bioreactor (3 L) under aerobiosis. The anaerobic kinetics of mercury removal was evaluated by nitrogen replacement during mercury bioremediation in a bioreactor. Strain MSR33 reached a growth rate of µ = 0.43 h−1 in the bioreactor. Mercury inhibited oxygen uptake and bacterial growth; however, this inhibition was reversed after 5 h. Strain MSR33 was able to reduce Hg (II) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, reaching, at 24 h, a metal removal of 97% and 71%, respectively. Therefore, oxygen was crucial for efficient mercury removal by this bacterium. Strain MSR33 was capable of tolerating the toxic effects of mercury (II) during aerobic bioremediation and recovered its metabolic activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3824 KiB  
Article
A Novel Cysteine-Functionalized MxOy Material as Support for Laccase Immobilization and a Potential Application in Decolorization of Alizarin Red S
by Agnieszka Kołodziejczak-Radzimska and Teofil Jesionowski
Processes 2020, 8(8), 885; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8080885 - 23 Jul 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2549
Abstract
Immobilization process improves the enzyme properties, like stability, activity, selectivity or specificity. In the study, a novel cysteine-functionalized MxOy (ZrO2, SiO2) material was used as a support for the immobilization of laccase from Trametes versicolor. [...] Read more.
Immobilization process improves the enzyme properties, like stability, activity, selectivity or specificity. In the study, a novel cysteine-functionalized MxOy (ZrO2, SiO2) material was used as a support for the immobilization of laccase from Trametes versicolor. The proposed matrix was prepared using a simple sol-gel method. The cysteine was introduced during the synthesis of a sample. Additionally, the obtained supports were modified with glutaraldehyde. The basic properties of the prepared cysteine functionalized ZrO2 and SiO2 were determined using spectroscopic, thermal, porous, electrostatic and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the obtained biocatalytic systems were used as catalysts in the oxidation of sulfonic acid. Catalytic and kinetic parameters were determined based on the proposed model reaction. Next, laccase immobilized on ZrO2- and SiO2-based materials were, for the first time, utilized in the decolorization of Alizarin Red S. In that process, the influence of duration, pH and temperature on the efficiency of decolorization was evaluated. The results show that the proposed biocatalytic systems offer good specific activity (ca. 19 U/mg) and activity retention (ca. 77%). Importantly, they can be successfully used in the decolorization of Alizarin Red S with high efficiency (above 95%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2761 KiB  
Article
Performance and Kinetics of Bioaugmentation, Biostimulation, and Natural Attenuation Processes for Bioremediation of Crude Oil-Contaminated Soils
by Cevat Yaman
Processes 2020, 8(8), 883; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8080883 - 22 Jul 2020
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3642
Abstract
Bioremediation of contaminated sites is usually limited due to the inadequate availability of nutrients and microorganisms. This study was conducted to assess the impact of bioaugmentation (BA) and biostimulation (BS) on petroleum hydrocarbon degradation efficiency. In addition, treatment performance and kinetics of different [...] Read more.
Bioremediation of contaminated sites is usually limited due to the inadequate availability of nutrients and microorganisms. This study was conducted to assess the impact of bioaugmentation (BA) and biostimulation (BS) on petroleum hydrocarbon degradation efficiency. In addition, treatment performance and kinetics of different remediation processes were investigated. For this purpose, four tanks containing oil-contaminated soils were tested. Tank 1 was operated as the natural attenuation process. Then, a microbial inoculum and nutrients were added to tank 2 to promote BA and BS. In tank 3, only the BA process was adopted, whereas in tank 4, only the BS process was adopted. After 63 days of operation, the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in tank 2 was reduced from 1674 to 430 mg/kg, with 74% reduction. Tank 1, tank 3, and tank 4 indicated TPH reductions of 35%, 41%, and 66%, respectively. Microbiological analysis of the inoculum indicated that Alcanivorax was the dominant bacterium. The population of TPH degrader bacteria in tank 2 soil was two orders of magnitude higher than in the control tank. Reaction rate data were fitted with a first-order reaction rate model. The Monod kinetic constants, maximum specific growth rate (µmax), and substrate concentration at half-velocity constant (Ks) were also estimated. This study showed that the TPH removal efficiency in the combined BA and BS process was higher than in other processes tested. The populations of TPH degrading microorganisms in soil tanks were positively related to TPH removal efficiency during bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

10 pages, 2007 KiB  
Article
Identification of Copper in Stems and Roots of Jatropha curcas L. by Hyperspectral Imaging
by Juan Francisco García-Martín, Amanda Teixeira Badaró, Douglas Fernandes Barbin and Paloma Álvarez-Mateos
Processes 2020, 8(7), 823; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8070823 - 12 Jul 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2460
Abstract
The in situ determination of metals in plants used for phytoremediation is still a challenge that must be overcome to control the plant stress over time due to metals uptake as well as to quantify the concentration of these metals in the biomass [...] Read more.
The in situ determination of metals in plants used for phytoremediation is still a challenge that must be overcome to control the plant stress over time due to metals uptake as well as to quantify the concentration of these metals in the biomass for further potential applications. In this exploratory study, we acquired hyperspectral images in the visible/near infrared regions of dried and ground stems and roots of Jatropha curcas L. to which different amounts of copper (Cu) were added. The spectral information was extracted from the images to build classification models based on the concentration of Cu. Optimum wavelengths were selected from the peaks and valleys showed in the loadings plots resulting from principal component analysis, thus reducing the number of spectral variables. Linear discriminant analysis was subsequently performed using these optimum wavelengths. It was possible to differentiate samples without addition of copper from samples with low (0.5–1% wt.) and high (5% wt.) amounts of copper (83.93% accuracy, >0.70 sensitivity and specificity). This technique could be used after enhancing prediction models with a higher amount of samples and after determining the potential interference of other compounds present in plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 1693 KiB  
Article
A Novel Approach in Crude Enzyme Laccase Production and Application in Emerging Contaminant Bioremediation
by Luong N. Nguyen, Minh T. Vu, Md Abu Hasan Johir, Nirenkumar Pathak, Jakub Zdarta, Teofil Jesionowski, Galilee U. Semblante, Faisal I. Hai, Hong Khanh Dieu Nguyen and Long D. Nghiem
Processes 2020, 8(6), 648; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8060648 - 29 May 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4777
Abstract
Laccase enzyme from white-rot fungi is a potential biocatalyst for the oxidation of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and steroid hormones. This study aims to develop a three-step platform to treat ECs: (i) enzyme production, (ii) enzyme concentration and (iii) enzyme [...] Read more.
Laccase enzyme from white-rot fungi is a potential biocatalyst for the oxidation of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and steroid hormones. This study aims to develop a three-step platform to treat ECs: (i) enzyme production, (ii) enzyme concentration and (iii) enzyme application. In the first step, solid culture and liquid culture were compared. The solid culture produced significantly more laccase than the liquid culture (447 vs. 74 µM/min after eight days), demonstrating that white rot fungi thrived on a solid medium. In the second step, the enzyme was concentrated 6.6 times using an ultrafiltration (UF) process, resulting in laccase activity of 2980 µM/min. No enzymatic loss due to filtration and membrane adsorption was observed, suggesting the feasibility of the UF membrane for enzyme concentration. In the third step, concentrated crude enzyme was applied in an enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) to remove a diverse set of ECs (31 compounds in six groups). The EMR effectively removed of steroid hormones, phytoestrogen, ultraviolet (UV) filters and industrial chemical (above 90%). However, it had low removal of pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1292 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Toxicity on Ctenopharyngodon idella Due to Tannery Effluent Remediated by Constructed Wetland Technology
by Sobia Ashraf, Muhammad Naveed, Muhammad Afzal, Sana Ashraf, Sajid Rashid Ahmad, Khadeeja Rehman, Zahir Ahmad Zahir and Avelino Núñez-Delgado
Processes 2020, 8(5), 612; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8050612 - 20 May 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3792
Abstract
Aquatic pollution caused by industrial effluents is an environmental issue, imposing deleterious impacts on the overall environment, specifically, on humans, by disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. Among all the industries, tanneries are considered some of the most polluting due to heavy use [...] Read more.
Aquatic pollution caused by industrial effluents is an environmental issue, imposing deleterious impacts on the overall environment, specifically, on humans, by disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. Among all the industries, tanneries are considered some of the most polluting due to heavy use of toxic organic and inorganic compounds during leather processing, most of which find their way into rivers, lakes, and streams, thus exerting adverse effects on aquatic life, particularly on fish. Considering the huge concentrations of pollutants present in tannery effluents, toxicity evaluation is of prime importance. Therefore, bioassays are usually employed to assess the acute toxicity of industrial effluents and efficiency of effluent clean-up technologies as they provide a thorough response of test species to the substances present in the tested media. In the present study, the toxic effects of tannery effluent on common grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were studied for 96 h in laboratory conditions. The effluent was added at different concentrations, before and after treatment by constructed wetlands (CWs). During this period, mortality data was collected to calculate the 96 h-LC50 (lethal concentration inducing 50% mortality) and acute toxicity of C. idella. In addition to this, observations on change in morphological, physiological, and behavioural patterns were also made every 24 h. The present toxicity assay revealed that the raw tannery effluent changed the morphology, physiology, and behavioural response of fish. Moreover, fish exposure to raw/untreated effluent caused high acute toxicity and 100% mortality, due to the presence of high concentrations of salts and chromium (Cr) metal. While treatment of tannery effluent by CWs vegetated with different plants (B. mutica, L. fusca, and T. domingensis) significantly reduced its toxicity and fish mortality as well, and inoculation of salt and Cr-tolerant endophytic bacteria (Enterobacter sp. HU38, Microbacterium arborescens HU33, and Pantoea stewartii ASI11) further reduced (up to 90%) its toxicity level. Hence, the use of CWs for tannery effluent treatment can be recommended to favour public health and promote the overall safety of the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1798 KiB  
Article
Ability of Trichoderma hamatum Isolated from Plastics-Polluted Environments to Attack Petroleum-Based, Synthetic Polymer Films
by Kateřina Malachová, Čeněk Novotný, Grażyna Adamus, Nadia Lotti, Zuzana Rybková, Michelina Soccio, Pavlína Šlosarčíková, Vincent Verney and Fabio Fava
Processes 2020, 8(4), 467; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8040467 - 16 Apr 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3877
Abstract
Microorganisms colonizing plastic waste material collected in composting-, landfill-, and anaerobic digestion plants were isolated to obtain novel strains maximally adapted to the degradation of plastics due to long-term contact with plastic polymers. Twenty-six bacterial strains were isolated and identified by the 16 [...] Read more.
Microorganisms colonizing plastic waste material collected in composting-, landfill-, and anaerobic digestion plants were isolated to obtain novel strains maximally adapted to the degradation of plastics due to long-term contact with plastic polymers. Twenty-six bacterial strains were isolated and identified by the 16 S rRNA method, and eighteen strains of yeasts and fungi using 18 S rRNA and the internal transcribed spacer ITS sequencing of the 18 S rRNA gene. In selected strains, the ability to degrade linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was tested in aerobic liquid-medium cultures. An oxidative, two-step pretreatment of LLDPE and LDPE using γ- or UV-irradiation followed by a high-temperature treatment was carried out, and the pretreated plastics were also included in the degradation experiments. The respective weight losses after biodegradation by Trichoderma hamatum were: virgin and γ/T90-pretreated LLDPE (2.2 ± 1.2 and 3.9 ± 0.5%), virgin and UV/T60-pretreated LDPE (0.5 ± 0.4 and 1.3 ± 0.4%), and virgin PS (0.9 ± 0.4%). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that during the treatment of pretreated LLDPE, T. hamatum attacked low molecular weight LLDPE oligomers, reducing the functional groups (carbonyl C = O), which was paralleled by a slight increase of the molar mass of pretreated LLDPE and a decrease of the dispersity index, as demonstrated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) highlighted the formation of functional groups on LLDPE due to polymer pretreatment that favored fungal attack at the polymer surface. The results provide insight into microbial consortia that spontaneously colonize the surface of plastics in various environments and their capability to attack plastic polymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

10 pages, 709 KiB  
Article
Modification of the Bacterial Cell Wall—Is the Bioavailability Important in Creosote Biodegradation?
by Wojciech Smułek, Amanda Pacholak and Ewa Kaczorek
Processes 2020, 8(2), 147; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8020147 - 23 Jan 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3257
Abstract
Creosote oil, widely used as a wood preservative, is a complex mixture of different polycyclic aromatic compounds. The soil contamination result in the presence of a specific microcosm. The presented study focuses on the most active strains involved in bioremediation of long-term creosote-contaminated [...] Read more.
Creosote oil, widely used as a wood preservative, is a complex mixture of different polycyclic aromatic compounds. The soil contamination result in the presence of a specific microcosm. The presented study focuses on the most active strains involved in bioremediation of long-term creosote-contaminated soil. In three soil samples from different boreholes, two Sphingomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) and one Paenibacillus ulginis (P. ulginis) strain were isolated. The conducted experiments showed the differences and similarities between the bacteria strains capable of degrading creosote from the same contaminated area. Both S. maltophilia strains exhibit higher biodegradation efficiency (over 50% after 28 days) and greater increase in glutathione S-transferase activity than P. ulginis ODW 5.9. However, S. maltophilia ODW 3.7 and P. ulginis ODW 5.9 were different from the third of the tested strains. The growth of the former two on creosote resulted in an increase in cell adhesion to Congo red and in the total membrane permeability. Nevertheless, all three strains have shown a decrease in the permeability of the inner cell membrane. That suggests the complex relationship between the cell surface modifications and bioavailability of the creosote to microorganisms. The conducted research allowed us to broaden the current knowledge about the creosote bioremediation and the properties of microorganisms involved in the process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 9217 KiB  
Article
Preparation of KOH and H3PO4 Modified Biochar and Its Application in Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solution
by Li Liu, Yang Li and Shisuo Fan
Processes 2019, 7(12), 891; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr7120891 - 01 Dec 2019
Cited by 83 | Viewed by 9309
Abstract
Improperly treated or directly discharged into the environment, wastewater containing dyes can destroy the quality of water bodies and pollute the ecological environment. The removal of dye wastewater is urgent and essential. In this study, corn stalk was pyrolyzed to pristine biochar (CSBC) [...] Read more.
Improperly treated or directly discharged into the environment, wastewater containing dyes can destroy the quality of water bodies and pollute the ecological environment. The removal of dye wastewater is urgent and essential. In this study, corn stalk was pyrolyzed to pristine biochar (CSBC) in a limited oxygen atmosphere and modified using KOH and H3PO4 (KOH-CSBC, H3PO4-CSBC, respectively). The biochars were characterized by surface area and pore size, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as their behavior in adsorbing methylene blue (MB). Results indicated that the pore structure of CSBC became more developed after modification by KOH. Meanwhile, H3PO4-CSBC contained more functional groups after activation treatment. The pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm represented the adsorption process well. The maximum MB adsorption capacity of CSBC, KOH-CSBC, and H3PO4-CSBC was 43.14 mg g−1, 406.43 mg g−1 and 230.39 mg g−1, respectively. Chemical modification significantly enhanced the adsorption of MB onto biochar, especially for KOH-CSBC. The adsorption mechanism between MB and biochar involved physical interaction, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding and π–π interaction. Hence, modified CSBC (especially KOH-CSBC) has the potential for use as an adsorbent to remove dye from textile wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

17 pages, 711 KiB  
Review
Use of Nanotechnology for the Bioremediation of Contaminants: A Review
by Edgar Vázquez-Núñez, Carlos Eduardo Molina-Guerrero, Julián Mario Peña-Castro, Fabián Fernández-Luqueño and Ma. Guadalupe de la Rosa-Álvarez
Processes 2020, 8(7), 826; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8070826 - 13 Jul 2020
Cited by 81 | Viewed by 10063
Abstract
Contaminants, organic or inorganic, represent a threat for the environment and human health and in recent years their presence and persistence has increased rapidly. For this reason, several technologies including bioremediation in combination with nanotechnology have been explored to identify more systemic approaches [...] Read more.
Contaminants, organic or inorganic, represent a threat for the environment and human health and in recent years their presence and persistence has increased rapidly. For this reason, several technologies including bioremediation in combination with nanotechnology have been explored to identify more systemic approaches for their removal from environmental matrices. Understanding the interaction between the contaminant, the microorganism, and the nanomaterials (NMs) is of crucial importance since positive and negative effects may be produced. For example, some nanomaterials are stimulants for microorganisms, while others are toxic. Thus, proper selection is of paramount importance. The main objective of this review was to analyze the principles of bioremediation assisted by nanomaterials, nanoparticles (NPs) included, and their interaction with environmental matrices. It also analyzed the response of living organisms employed to remediate the contaminants in the presence of nanomaterials. Besides, we discuss the international regulatory frame applicable to these technologies and how they might contribute to sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 4812 KiB  
Review
Environmental Remediation of Antineoplastic Drugs: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions
by Abhilash Kumar Tripathi, Aditi David, Tanvi Govil, Shailabh Rauniyar, Navanietha Krishnaraj Rathinam, Kian Mau Goh and Rajesh Kumar Sani
Processes 2020, 8(7), 747; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8070747 - 27 Jun 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4254
Abstract
The global burden of cancer is on the rise, and as a result, the number of therapeutics administered for chemotherapy is increasing. The occupational exposure, recalcitrant nature and ecotoxicological toxicity of these therapeutics, referred to as antineoplastic (ANP) drugs, have raised concerns about [...] Read more.
The global burden of cancer is on the rise, and as a result, the number of therapeutics administered for chemotherapy is increasing. The occupational exposure, recalcitrant nature and ecotoxicological toxicity of these therapeutics, referred to as antineoplastic (ANP) drugs, have raised concerns about their safe remediation. This review provides an overview of the environmental source of ANPs agents, with emphasis on the currently used remediation approaches. Outpatient excreta, hospital effluents, and waste from pharmaceutical industries are the primary source of ANP waste. The current review describes various biotic and abiotic methods used in the remediation of ANP drugs in the environment. Abiotic methods often generate transformation products (TPs) of unknown toxicity. In this light, obtaining data on the environmental toxicity of ANPs and its TPs is crucial to determine their toxic effect on the ecosystem. We also discuss the biodegradation of ANP drugs using monoculture of fungal and bacterial species, and microbial consortia in sewage treatment plants. The current review effort further explores a safe and sustainable approach for ANP waste treatment to replace existing chemical and oxidation intensive treatment approaches. To conclude, we assess the possibility of integrating biotic and abiotic methods of ANP drug degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Biodegradation and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop