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[Display omitted] • Development of BC/BF adsorbent for the first time through co-fermentation. • High PNP adsorption potential of BC/BF composite. • Pore filling, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonding all involved in PNP adsorption. • Renewability and reusability of BC/BF adsorbent. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nano-plastics (PNP) is a major source of water pollution which in turn causes health issues in humans. There is no effective method to completely remove PNP from wastewater. In this study, bacterial cellulose (BC)/bacterial flocculant (BF) composite was produced from PNP ammonia hydrolysate through the co-cultivation of Taonella mepensis WT-6 and Diaphorobacter nitroreducens R9. The structural characterization of the BC/BF composite through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal and mechanical analyses demonstrated that the amino-group-rich flocculant produced by the D. nitroreducens R9 was incorporated into the BC network without interfering the self-aggregation of cellulose fibrils. Fast PEP removal was observed in pure and tap water with maximum sorption capacity (Qmax) of 124.65 mg/g and 115.60 mg/g, respectively, whereas least removal was observed for campus lake water with a Qmax value of 84.78 mg/g. A 10 mM SO 4 2− significantly decreased the adsorption capacity to 44.52 mg/g, while 2 mM Ca2+ contributed to the adsorption of PNP with a maximum adsorption capacity of 144.78 mg/g at pH 6.0. The potential adsorption mechanism was investigated through adsorption kinetic studies, isothermal models, and thermodynamics studies. The adsorbed BC/BF was recycled by desorbing PNP with ammonia water, and the eluent could be utilized as a medium for sustainable production of BC/BF. The reusable BC/BF adsorbent produced through the co-culture technique can effectively control PNP pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a novel bioflocculant, MBF-15, which is an exopolysaccharide extracted from the alkaliphilic bacterium Paenibacillus jamilae. The biophysical characteristics of MBF-15 were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MBF-15 was also evaluated for its biocompatibility by examining its inflammatory, coagulant, and hemostatic properties in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with MBF-15 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, production of nitric oxide, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. In addition, MBF-15 increased both mRNA and protein levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor-β and IL-10. The hemocompatibility of MBF-15 was investigated by measuring the hemolysis ratio and clotting times. MBF-15 had high pro-thrombogenic activity but was not hemolytic. In a rat model, MBF-15 showed superior hemostatic properties compared with chitosan. Thus, MBF-15 offers a promising combination of anti-inflammatory and pro-coagulant properties that may be useful for hemostasis in a variety of clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]