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Pollution can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, aquaculture operations, and recreational water quality. Many aquatic microbes can sequester or degrade pollutants and have been utilized for bioremediation. While planktonic and benthic microbes are well-studied, host-associated microbes likely play an important role in mitigating the negative impacts of aquatic pollution and represent an unrealized source of microbial potential. For example, aquatic organisms that thrive in highly polluted environments or concentrate pollutants may have microbiomes adapted to these selective pressures. Understanding microbe-pollutant interactions in sensitive and valuable species could help protect human well-being and improve ecosystem resilience. Investigating these interactions using appropriate experimental systems and overcoming methodological challenges will present novel opportunities to protect and improve aquatic systems. In this perspective, we review examples of how microbes could mitigate negative impacts of aquatic pollution, outline target study systems, discuss challenges of advancing this field, and outline implications in the face of global changes.

Variovorax species catabolize a wide range of natural and industrial products and have been shown to be integral rhizosphere inhabitants. Here, we report the complete genomes of V. paradoxus 2u118 and V. sp. SPNA7, which were isolated from alfalfa root nodules and possess plant growth-promoting properties.

The article is devoted to topical issues of ensuring measures for restoration of agricultural land. The article notes that in recent years there has been a further deterioration in the quality of agricultural land. It is emphasized that the aggravation of the crisis phenomena regarding the current state of land is largely due to the hostilities in the country. The article analyses new types of soil degradation that have become widespread as a result of Russian military aggression. The article focuses on the fact that agricultural land is subject to the greatest degradation compared to other categories of land. It is established that there are preliminary and basic legal measures for land restoration. It is substantiated that preliminary land restoration measures include: application of mineral fertilisers, bio-fertilisers; washing of saline soils, their irrigation; planting of trees, sowing of herbaceous plants. Attention is paid to the introduction of crop rotation, which is an important measure for restoring agricultural land. The article also examines the responsibilities of land owners and users in the field of land restoration. Based on the results of the analysis of legislation, it is proved that the main organisational and legal measures for the restoration of agricultural land are as follows: reclamation of disturbed lands, conservation of degraded, low-productive and technogenically polluted lands, and land reclamation of lands with disturbed water regime. It is stated that the implementation of the above measures has received proper legal support. The author highlights the considerations that today land restoration measures are being implemented, which have not received proper legal support. The author examines the peculiarities of implementation of bioremediation (divided into two types: biostimulation and bioaugmentation), phytoremediation based on the use of properties of certain plant species, and de toxification of contaminated land. The author makes proposals for improving land legislation by legislating such land restoration measures as bioremediation, phytoremediation, land detoxificatio n and environmental requirements for their implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xerophilic fungi occupy versatile environments owing to their rich arsenal helping them successfully adapt to water constraints as a result of low relative humidity, high-osmolarity, and high-salinity conditions. The general term xerophilic fungi relates to organisms that tolerate and/or require reduced water activity, while halophilic and osmophilic are applied to specialized groups that require high salt concentrations or increased osmotic pressure, respectively. Species belonging to the family Aspergillaceae, and especially those classified in Aspergillus subgenus Aspergillus (sections Restricti and Aspergillus) and Polypaecilum, are particularly enriched in the group of osmophilic and salt-tolerant filamentous fungi. They produce an unprecedently wide spectrum of salt tolerant enzymes including proteases, peptidases, glutaminases, γ-glutamyl transpeptidases, various glycosidases such as cellulose-decomposing and starch-degrading hydrolases, lipases, tannases, and oxidareductases. These extremophilic fungi also represent a huge untapped treasure chest of yet-to-be-discovered, highly valuable, biologically active secondary metabolites. Furthermore, these organisms are indispensable agents in decolorizing textile dyes, degrading xenobiotics and removing excess ions in high-salt environments. They could also play a role in fermentation processes at low water activity leading to the preparation of daqu, meju, and tea. Considering current and future agricultural applications, salt-tolerant and osmophilic Aspergilli may contribute to the biosolubilization of phosphate in soil and the amelioration salt stress in crops. Transgenes from halophile Aspergilli may find promising applications in the engineering of salt stress and drought-tolerant agricultural crops. Aspergilli may also spoil feed and food and raise mycotoxin concentrations above the permissible doses and, therefore, the development of novel feed and food preservation technologies against these Aspergillus spp. is also urgently needed. On the other hand, some xerophilic Aspergilli have been shown to be promising biological control agents against mites. Key points: • Salt tolerant and osmophilic Aspergilli can be found in versatile environments • These fungi are rich resources of valuable enzymes and secondary metabolites • Biotechnological and agricultural applications of these fungi are expanding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a widely used plastic that significantly contributes to environmental pollution, and its biodegradation remains challenging. This study investigates the dynamics of bacterial communities in consortia enriched with LDPE as the sole carbon source. The potential for microbial diversity to adapt to polluted environments underscores its role in bioremediation. Community analysis identified Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria as key contributors to LDPE degradation, with dominant genera including Mycobacterium, Cupriavidus, Gordonia, Ochrobactrum, Nocardia, Agromyces, Amycolatopsis, and Cellulosimicrobium. The biodegradation of untreated and pretreated LDPE films was also examined, revealing that UV pretreatment significantly enhances degradation, with weight losses of 2.22–5.17% after 120 days. In contrast, sunlight and thermal treatments resulted in lower weight losses of 1.67–4.56% and 1.42–3.22%, respectively, while untreated LDPE showed only 1.32–2.80% weight loss. These findings underscore the importance of UV pretreatment in facilitating plastic biodegradation. Furthermore, potential LDPE-degrading Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were isolated, identified as key players in the communities and co-occurrence networks, suggesting promising candidates for developing sustainable plastic waste management solutions. Moreover, this study is the first to reveal the potential LDPE degradation abilities of several genera, including Mesorhizobium, Agromyces, Amycolatopsis, Olivibacter, Aquamicrobium, Pseudaminobacter, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laccase is an enzyme known for its eco-friendly uses in environmental cleanup and biotechnology. However, it has limitations such as low stability, high cost, and complex recycling. So, there is a need for laccase mimics that can effectively imitate its properties. Herein, we created copper formate–lysine nanoparticles (Cuf-Lys) that mimic laccase's activity. The developed Cuf-Lys demonstrated remarkable polyphenol oxidase-like activity, stability, and recyclability, making them suitable for the fabrication of efficient colorimetric sensors for the detection of epinephrine. These sensors had a specific response and could accurately measure epinephrine concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 50 μM, with a detection limit as low as 1 μM. Furthermore, the biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity when applied to the detection of rutin. The limit of detection for rutin was determined to be 0.16 μM while in the linear concentration range of 0.25 to 150.0 μM. We believe that Cuf-Lys provide a new route for the design of laccase mimics, showing potential applications for biomedical diagnosis and environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture is important for food security and livelihoods, especially in the developing tropics. Many nutrients supplied by feed degrade water quality, waste resources and lead to nutrient loss. Halophytes have the potential to recover these nutrients from aquaculture effluents. Most studies have focused on temperate species, but there is a need for extractive species suitable for integration in tropical saline aquaculture. Sea purslane Sesuvium portulacastrum is a promising candidate providing biomass for human consumption with potential pharmaceutical applications, but to date, nutrient uptake has not been studied in this species. This study investigated the nutrient removal from milkfish wastewater by systems planted with S. portulacastrum in hydroponics versus planted in sand. Most nutrients were removed from the wastewater within 48 h. Phosphorus and nitrogen were most efficiently removed in treatments with plants and sand and on average lower in the hydroponic incubations. However, in hydroponic systems, plants assimilated 50.2% of the added labelled N with no significant difference in recovery after 48 h when 15NH4 or 15NO3 was added. The recovery of wastewater N into plant biomass was several-fold higher in hydroponics than in sand substrate. Integration of S. portulacastrum into aquaculture turns aquaculture effluents into a valuable resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the efficacy of discrete bacterial consortia in bioremediating sandy loamy soil deliberately contaminated with 20 mg/kg of chlorantraniliprole (CAP). It monitors alterations in total bacterial populations and CO2 emissions, tracking residual CAP levels through UV scanning and HPLC analysis. Six active bacterial degraders (four Bacillus strains (B. subtilis subsp. subtilis AZFS3, B. pumilus AZFS5, B. mojavensis AZFS15, and B. paramycoides AZFS18), one Alcaligenes strain (A. aquatilis KZFS11), and one Pseudomonas strain (P. aeruginosa KZFS4)) were used in single or combined preparations and grown on trypticase soy broth for 24 h at 30 °C before preparing the inoculants and adjusting the bacterial cell count to 107 CFU/dwt g soil. The bacterial consortia were added to the CAP-contaminated soil and incubated for 20 days at 30 °C. The di-, tetra-, and hexa-bacterial consortia recorded the highest levels of viable bacteria, reaching their peak after 3 to 11 days of incubation. Then, they declined to the minimum levels at the end of the 20 days, which coincided with their complete removal of CAP from the soil. At the end of the incubation period (20 days), the CAP was mainly biodegraded, scoring biodegradation rates of 90.05%, 93.65%, and 98.65% for T3, T4, and T5, respectively. This concurred with the highest average CO2 production. Based on the results of the HPLC analysis, the hexa-bacterial consortium T5 demonstrated the highest rate of CAP biodegradation (99.33%) after a 20-day incubation period, resulting in the lowest residual level of CAP in the soil (0.67%). Bioinformatic analysis predicted that the CAP biodegradation pathway reached CO2 and H2O. Under optimized conditions, the hexa-bacteria consortium is the most effective CAP biodegraded and is recommended as an eco-friendly treatment for eliminating CAP pollution in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) currently has emerged as a potential biopolymer that can be used for various industrial applications. However, the major concern is the limitation of the bacteria used for BNC production on a larger scale. This study aimed to isolate and identify potential nanocellulose-producing bacteria from pineapple wastes. In this study, 11 isolates were screened and the F1 isolate, which produced the highest BNC yield was chosen for 16S rRNA sequencing. Based on the 16S rRNA analysis, Comamonas terrae YSZ sp. (OQ592726.1) was the best BNC producer with 1.68 ± 0.19 g/L yield. The physicochemical characteristics from FESEM analysis revealed that C. terrae YSZ sp. produced amorphous BNC, with fewer nanofibrils. The XRD analysis showed that the BNC produced had a 19.3% of crystallinity index. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work reporting the isolation of C. terrae YSZ sp. from pineapple wastes with more amorphous regions providing an interesting alternative for heavy metal removal potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe hazardous nature of heavy metals (HMs) in the ecosystem has drawn global attention due to its emergence as a major environmental and public health concern. As toxic metals are non-degradable, they affect not only animals but also human beings and vegetation. These HMs are long-lasting pollutants that travel vast distances from their site of origin in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans and other organisms through the food chain. These pollutants can cause extensive pollution since they are frequently produced by industrial activities and inappropriate disposal procedures. Biosurfactants’ (BSs) versatility makes them an appealing category that plays an essential role in various biotechnological applications for environmental remediation. BSs have a variety of characteristics, including metal binding, solubilization, and emulsification. They remediate the HMs through processes like complexation, ion exchange, and metal solubilization. Furthermore, owing to their amphiphilic nature, they improve the sorption and solubility of hydrophobic contaminants and reduce the surface area and interfacial tension of immiscible liquids. As a result, BS-based remediation plays an important part in the heavy metal removal process in multiple ways. This review aims to provide information on the function of BSs in eliminating HMs through bioremediation processes for environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMitigation of the environment from hazardous pesticides is clamant for all living things. The behavior of the fungicide Fuberidazole was investigated toward biodegradation. Biotransformation experiments were conducted by bacterial strains isolated from soils including, Xanthomonas citri (XC), and Pseudomonas syringae (PS), and fungal strains including, Aspergillus flavus (AF), Aspergillus niger (AN) and Penicillium chrysogenum (PC). Analysis and quantification of Fuberidazole degradation and its metabolites were performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and UV-visible spectrophotometry. Pseudomonas syringae and Penicillium chrysogenum displayed great bioremedial potential and degraded 91 and 86% of Fuberidazole after 35 days. Significant metabolites such as Benzimidazole 2-carboxylic acid, Benzimidazole, and 1-(1H-benzimidazole-2-yl)ethanone were produced in the current experiment. The increasing order of half-life for all strains was obtained as, PS (10.3) < PC (10.6) < AN (11) < AF (11.9) = XC (11.9) days. Experimental results demonstrated the capability of bacterial cells to efficiently utilize Fuberidazole as a nutrition source and the significance of favorable environmental conditions for its dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater from many food and beverage manufacturers is enriched in organic content, and it must therefore be treated before being discharged to comply with the strict environmental regulations to protect the final water quality. Concretely, the honey processing wastewater, that remains in holding tanks until is disposal, is a rich source of sugars and this high level of organic material will degrade the water quality if not treated properly provoking an imbalance in the ecosystem. There are different strategies for an adequate treatment of this wastewater effluent to obtain a sustainable usage. One of the techniques that is more cost-effective and environmental friendlier than chemical procedures used for water remediation, is the use of microorganisms (including algae, fungi, yeasts, or bacteria). Given that they are fast-growing, robust, and metabolically diverse, yeast strains are often used for wastewater treatment. In this work, we have studied the potential for bioremediation of non Saccharomyces yeast isolated from a honey processing wastewater generated by an Argentine exporting company. The inoculation of these yeast strains to the existing flora in the honey wastewater yielded a better improvement in the treatment yield. These results suggest that these strains display a promising role could for optimizing bioremediation strategies in industrial wastewater treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High concentrations of harmful metal(loid)s and extreme acidity are persistent environmental concerns in acidic pit lakes. In this study, we examine Cueva de la Mora (CM), a meromictic pit lake in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain, as a model system. Our research aims to explore potential bioremediation strategies to mitigate the impacts of metal(loid)s and acidity in such environments. The major strategy applied in this research is to biologically stimulate sulfate reduction (i.e., biosulfidogenesis) in the deep layer of the lake to promote the formation of low-solubility sulfide minerals. Previous omics-based studies of CM have shown that several sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) taxa are present in the deep layer. However, their activities are likely limited by the availability of electron donors for sulfide production. Therefore, different amendments (glycerol, elemental sulfur, and glycerol + elemental sulfur) were tested to promote sulfide production and enrich acid-tolerant sulfide-producing microbes. Our results showed that glycerol stimulated dissimilatory sulfate reduction much faster than elemental sulfur alone, suggesting that electron donor limitations control sulfide production. Furthermore, the combined addition of glycerol and elemental sulfur (S(0)) resulted in the highest level of sulfide production. This indicates that S(0) can play a significant role as an electron acceptor in further promoting sulfide production when a suitable electron donor is present. Microbial community analysis revealed that Desulfosporosinus acididurans , a previously discovered acid-tolerant SRB, was enriched and became the dominant species in incubations with glycerol only (~76–96% abundance) or the combination of glycerol and S(0) (~93–99% abundance). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Monoraphidium sp were cultivated in effluent from the household appliance industry as an alternative medium for bioremediation due to the high variability of chemical and biological substances in wastewater. The experiments were carried out using biological effluent (BE), chemical effluent (CE), and a combination of the two (MIX). The results showed a maximum biomass yield of 1056 mg/L (± 0.216) in the BE cultivation of the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus, 969 mg/L (± 0.20) in the BE of the microalga Monoraphidium sp. and 468 mg/L (± 0.46) in the CE of Chlorella vulgaris. In addition, they showed N O 3 - removal (100%) in the CE and MIX for cultivation with Chlorella vulgaris and 100% BE and 75% MIX with Monoraphidium sp. For the P O 3 4 - (75.3%, 99% e 97.9%) in the cultures with C. vulgaris BE, CE, and MIX respectively, with Monoraphidium sp. 58% in BE and 42% in CE and MIX. With S. obliquus, 100% removal was observed in all 3 treatments. Metal removal was also observed. The C. vulgaris culture showed lipid contents of 16%, 12%, and 17% for BE, CE, and MIX, respectively. For Monoraphidium sp., 14.5% for BE, 16% for CE, and 14% for MIX. In the culture of S. obliquus, 17%, 15.5%, and 16.5% for BE, CE, and MIX, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are lethal and hazardous pollutants for the ecosystem owing to their virtues including acute toxicity, prolonged persistence, and bioaccumulation. These contaminants are not only a threat to aquatic/terrestrial biota but also pose serious health issues to humans. Natural and anthropologic processes consistently upsurge heavy metal concentration beyond acceptable limits and mobilization and hence disturb biogeochemical cycles and the food chain, although several conventional strategies including adsorption, chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and membrane separation methods are being employed for the removal of these lethal heavy metals from the ecosystem but failed due to lower efficiency rates and high application charges. The current scenario highly demands advanced biosorption or bioaccumulation processes that slow down heavy metal mobilization within the acceptable limit in the ecosystem. Genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) with desired features are developed through interdisciplinary participation of genomics, molecular microbiology, and bioinformatics that have more potential to bioremediate heavy metals than the native microbes from polluted ecosystems. The study focuses on different sources of heavy metals, their impact on the ecosystem, and the bioremediation of toxic heavy metals via GMMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe present work reports the bioremediation ability of cow dung isolated bacterial strain Cellulosomicrobium cellulans KHP3 identified by applying PCR amplification and rRNA gene sequencing. The potential of C. cellulans KHP3 to tolerate different concentrations of heavy metals was investigated by growing the novel strain on nutrient agar medium supplemented with increasing concentrations (in ppm) of heavy metals i.e., Chromium (50–1500) Copper (50–200), and Zinc (50–200). The strain KHP3 displayed maximum tolerable concentration (MTC) of 1500 ppm against Chromium while 200 ppm was observed for Copper and Zinc. The strain KHP3 was found to be very effective in the removal of Chromium as indicated by 59.8% removal percentage followed by Zinc (36.6%) and Copper (20.4%) after 72 h of incubation at 37 °C. The higher biosorption capacity of our strain was achieved against Chromium (349.6 mg/g) followed by Zinc (198.8 mg/g) and Copper (58.6 mg/g) which reflects the potential of bacterial strain to absorb a greater amount of heavy metal ions. Following bioremediation assay, the strain C. cellulans KHP3 was subjected to FE-SEM coupled with EDS and FTIR to confirm surface morphological and physiochemical changes resulting from heavy metal adsorption. FE-SEM observation provided substantial information on the immobilization ofChromium, Copperand Zincions on the bacterial cell surface while EDS peaks revealed surface bio-sorption of these heavy metals. The binding of heavy metals on the surface of C. cellulans KHP3 was proved through FTIR study which revealed the involvement of various functional groups acting as surface ligand such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, and amine present on bacterial surface. Moreover, studies based on Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherm models were also done to further validate the adsorption mechanism of our strain. The significant R2 values of 0.9983 and 0.9852 observed in case of Chromium and Zinc respectively depicted monolayer adsorption. On the other hand, R2 value 0.7959 in case of Copper significantly revealed multilayer adsorption mechanism. The findings highlight the biosorption ability of Cellulosomicrobium cellulans KHP3 for heavy metals that may be explored in the remediation of environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes secreted by white-rot fungi, such as laccase, offer a promising solution for treating xenobiotic compounds dangerous to the environment and human health. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis of the tolerance of Pleurotus pulmonarius LBM 105 and its laccase activity toward the pesticides 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos both in vitro and in silico. The fungal strain was able to grow in different concentrations of the pesticides, showing evident morphological alterations. Laccase activity and a 53 kDa electromorph were present in all treatments, showing significant stability with peak activity achieved at a pH of 5.6 and within a temperature range of 50–60 °C. Three laccase genes were mapped, annotated, and characterized from the genome. PplacI obtained better structural validation and affinity energy of − 5.05 and − 7.65 kcal mol−1 with 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos, respectively. The Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area analysis at 250 ns confirmed the docking results, revealing the existence of stronger hydrophobic interactions between laccase and chlorpyrifos and highlighting the importance of the Phe341 residue in stabilizing both complexes. Understanding the impact of pesticides on laccase's catalytic function is key to formulating and applying future biotechnological strategies with this enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are extensively discharged through various anthropogenic activities, resulting in an environmental risk on a global scale. In this case, microorganisms can survive in an extreme heavy metal-contaminated environment via detoxification or resistance, playing a pivotal role in the speciation, bioavailability, and mobility of heavy metals. Therefore, studies on the mechanism for the microbial transformation of heavy metals are of great importance and can provide guidance for heavy metal bioremediation. Current research studies on the microbial transformation of heavy metals mainly focus on the single oxidation, reduction and methylation pathways. However, complex microbial transformation processes and corresponding bioremediation strategies have never been clarified, which may involve the inherent physicochemical properties of heavy metals. To uncover the underlying mechanism, we reclassified heavy metals into three categories based on their biological transformation pathways, namely, metals that can be chelated, reduced or oxidized, and methylated. Firstly, we comprehensively characterized the difference in transmembrane pathways between heavy metal cations and anions. Further, biotransformation based on chelation by low-molecular-weight organic complexes is thoroughly discussed. Moreover, the progress and knowledge gaps in the microbial redox and (de)methylation mechanisms are discussed to establish a connection linking theoretical advancements with solutions to the heavy metal contamination problem. Finally, several efficient bioremediation strategies for heavy metals and the limitations of bioremediation are proposed. This review presents a solid contribution to the design of efficient microbial remediation strategies applied in the real environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil bacteria offer a promising approach to bioremediate pesticide contamination in agricultural ecosystems. This study investigated the potential of bacteria isolated from rice paddy soil for bioremediating fipronil and thiobencarb, common agricultural pesticides. Methods: Bacterial isolates capable of degrading fipronil and thiobencarb were enriched in a mineral salt medium. A response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design was utilized to optimize pesticide degradation with the isolated bacteria. Bioaugmentation tests were performed in paddy soils with varying conditions. Results and discussion: Six strains, including single isolates and their mixture, efficiently degraded these pesticides at high concentrations (up to 800 µg/mL). Enterobacter sp., Brucella sp. (alone and combined), and a mixture of Stenotrophomonas sp., Bordetella sp., and Citrobacter sp. effectively degraded fipronil and thiobencarb, respectively. Notably, a single Pseudomonas sp. strain degraded a mixture of both pesticides. Optimal degradation conditions were identified as a slightly acidic pH (6-7), moderate pesticide concentrations (20-50 µg/mL), and a specific inoculum size. Bioaugmentation assays in real-world paddy soils (sterile/non-sterile, varying moisture) demonstrated that these bacteria significantly increased degradation rates (up to 14.15-fold for fipronil and 5.13-fold for thiobencarb). The study identifies these novel bacterial strains as promising tools for bioremediation and bioaugmentation strategies to tackle fipronil and thiobencarb contamination in paddy ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and wastewater samples contaminated by petroleum-related industries were collected from various locations in Saudi Arabia, a country known for its vast oil reserves. The samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties, including the presence of metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and aromatic compounds. A total of 264 fungal isolates were analyzed and categorized into eight groups of Aspergillus (194 isolates) and four groups of Penicillium (70 isolates). The potential of these fungal groups to grow in oil or its derivatives was investigated. Two isolates, Aspergillus tubingensis FA-KSU5 and A. niger FU-KSU69, were utilized in two remediation experiments—one targeting wastewater and the other focusing on polluted soil. The FA-KSU5 strain demonstrated complete removal of Fe3+, As3+, Cr6+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+, with bioremediation efficiency for petroleum hydrocarbons in the wastewater from these sites ranging between 90.80 and 98.58%. Additionally, the FU-KSU69 strain achieved up to 100% reduction of Co2+, Ba2+, B3+, V+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+, with removal efficiency ranging from 93.17 to 96.02% for aromatic hydrocarbons after 180 min of wastewater treatment. After 21 days of soil incubation with Aspergillus tubingensis FA-KSU5, there was a 93.15% to 98.48% reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and an 88.11% to 97.31% decrease in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This strain exhibited the highest removal rates for Cd2+ and As3+ followed by Fe3+, Zn2+, Cr6+, Se4+ and Cu2+. Aspergillus niger FU-KSU69 achieved a 90.37% to 94.90% reduction in TPHs and a 95.13% to 98.15% decrease in PAHs, with significant removal of Ni2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+, followed by Co2+, V+, Ba2+ and B3+. The enzymatic activity in the treated soils increased by 1.54- to 3.57-fold compared to the polluted soil. Although the mixture of wastewater and polluted soil exhibited high cytotoxicity against normal human cell lines, following mycoremediation, all treated soils and effluents with the dead fungal biomass showed no toxicity against normal human cell lines at concentrations up to 500 µL/mL, with IC50 values ≥ 1000 µL/mL. SEM and IR analysis revealed morphological and biochemical alterations in the biomass of A. tubingensis FA-KSU5 and A. niger FA-KSU69 when exposed to petroleum effluents. This study successfully introduces non-toxigenic and environmentally friendly fungal strains play a crucial role in the bioremediation of contaminated environments. Both strains serve as low-cost and effective adsorbents for bio-remediating petroleum wastewater and oil-contaminated soil. Heavy metals and hydrocarbons, the primary pollutants, were either completely removed or reduced to permissible levels according to international guidelines using the dead biomass of FA-KSU5 and FA-KSU69 fungi. Consequently, the environments associated with this globally significant industry are rendered biologically safe, particularly for humans, as evidenced by the absence of cytotoxicity in samples treated with A. tubingensis FA-KSU5 and A. niger FA-KSU69 on various human cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biosurfactants represents a promising technology for remediating hydrocarbon pollution in the environment. This study evaluated a highly effective biosurfactant strain-Bacillus cereus GX7's ability to produce biosurfactants from industrial and agriculture organic wastes. Bacillus cereus GX7 showed poor utilization capacity for oil soluble organic waste but effectively utilized of water- soluble organic wastes such as starch hydrolysate and wheat bran juice as carbon sources to enhance biosurfactant production. This led to significant improvements in surface tension and emulsification index. Corn steep liquor was also effective as a nitrogen source for Bacillus cereus GX7 in biosurfactant production. The biosurfactants produced by strain Bacillus cereus GX7 demonstrated a remediation effect on oily beach sand, but are slightly inferior to chemical surfactants. Inoculation with Bacillus cereus GX7 (70.36%) or its fermentation solution (94.38%) effectively enhanced the degradation efficiency of diesel oil in polluted seawater, surpassing that of indigenous degrading bacteria treatments (57.62%). Moreover, inoculation with Bacillus cereus GX7's fermentation solution notably improved the community structure by increasing the abundance of functional bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas in seawater. These findings suggest that the Bacillus cereus GX7 as a promising candidate for bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzyme biocatalysts can be used to improve industrial sustainability. Improvements are necessary to reach sustainability targets and reduce the impacts of climate change, plastic pollution, depleting natural resources, and deforestation. Protein engineering enables the design of enzymes with increased specificity, efficiency, and stability. Engineered enzymes are being developed and implemented for GHG sequestration, biofuel production, plastic waste treatment, and bioremediation. The push for industrial sustainability benefits from the use of enzymes as a replacement for traditional chemistry. Biological catalysts, especially those that have been engineered for increased activity, stability, or novel function, and are often greener than alternative chemical approaches. This Review highlights the role of engineered enzymes (and identifies directions for further engineering efforts) in the application areas of greenhouse gas sequestration, fuel production, bioremediation, and degradation of plastic wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of the microbial rhizosphere (Canavalia ensiformis) in the phytoremediation of sulfentrazone using quantification methods (CO2 evolution, microbial biomass carbon, and metabolic quotient) and identification of bacteria (PCR-DGGE technique). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 2x4 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments were composed of rhizospheric soil (cultivated with C. ensiformis) and non-rhizosphere soil (uncultivated soil); and four levels of contamination by sulfentrazone (0, 200, 400, and 800 g ha−1 a.i.). The microbiota associated with the rhizosphere of C. ensiformis efficiently reduced sulfentrazone residues in the soil, with better performance at the dose of 200 g ha−1 a.i. Using the PCR-DGGE technique allowed the distinction of two profiles of bacteria in the rhizospheric activity of C. ensiformis. The second bacterial profile formed was more efficient in decontaminating soil contaminated with sulfentrazone residue. The microbiota associated with the rhizosphere of C. ensiformis has an efficient profile in decontaminating soils with residues equivalent to 200 g ha−1 a.i. the herbicide sulfentrazone. NOVELTY STATEMENT: Phytoremediation of soils contaminated with herbicide residues is a viable technique for decontamination of the environment. Canavalia ensiformis has an efficient profile in the decontamination of soils with residue equivalent to 200 g ha−1 a.i. of the herbicide sulfentrazone. The PCR technique and microbial respiration used to analyze the diversity and estimate the bacterial population of a soil are viable tools to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of the microbiota associated with plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As plastics become more ubiquitous, their impact on the environment and on human health cannot be overlooked. Once generated, micro‐ and nano‐plastics end‐up in the environment, causing widespread health and environmental risks. This is a significant environmental problem given the minuscule sizes of microplastics, and therefore warrants further investigation. This study presents a comprehensive review of the ecotoxicology of microplastics and methods for their degradation and decomposition besides discussing the fate and transport processes, recent progress, emerging strategies, challenges and potential future directions. The authors carefully evaluate the processes through which microplastics cause harm, from molecular interactions in species, to ecological impacts, and end with advances in microplastic biodegradation. Different kinds of microplastics found in the environment include polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Analysis of microbial and enzymatic decomposition provides several swelling mitigation strategies designed to reduce environmental threats. In‐depth investigations of microplastic ecotoxicity and biodegradation are being facilitated by interdisciplinary proposals in the areas of nanotechnology, new analytical methods, and synthetic biology. The extensive study helps understand microplastics comprehensively which in‐turn ensures informed actions to mitigate the challenge of the environmental impact of microplastics for sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are a class of emerging contaminants that have gained significant attention in recent years. The presence of MPs in the aquatic environment is reported to have serious potential environmental and health impacts. Therefore, it is essential to develop efficient and sustainable strategies for the remediation of MPs from the aqueous environment. Traditional techniques for the remediation of MPs from an aqueous environment have limitations, including high costs and the production of secondary pollutants. In this scenario, bioremediation offers several advantages and has emerged as a cost‐effective, eco‐friendly, and efficient strategy for the removal of MPs from water. This article critically reviews the recent progress in the applications of bioremediation for the removal of different MPs from water. The effects of key factors such as the characteristics of MPs, environmental conditions, and types of microorganisms on the removal of MPs are elaborated in detail. The underlying mechanisms involved in the removal of MPs by microorganisms are also discussed comprehensively. Major technological challenges are identified, and recommendations for future research are provided. Despite several challenges, bioremediation is a promising approach that can revolutionize the MP removal process if the major challenges are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystems and public safety. Traditional remediation methods have limitations, necessitating innovative approaches. This study integrates numerical modeling and bioremediation to address groundwater contamination in an industrial site. It explores the potential of chemotactic bacteria to enhance remediation efficiency. The research establishes groundwater pollutant transport models, analyzes flow fields, and assesses the distribution of various pollutants. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of chemotactic bacteria, particularly chemotactic bacteria that can rapidly adapt as the pollutant concentration decreases, the concentration of chemotactic bacteria in the low-permeability area has increased by 112%. This study provides insights into the practical application of bioremediation and the promising role of bacterial chemotaxis in treating contaminated groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal pollution poses significant threats to the ecosystem and human health, demanding effective remediation strategies. Bioremediation, which leverages the unique metal‐resistant genes found in bacteria, offers a cost‐effective and efficient solution to heavy metal contamination. Genes such as Cad, Chr, Cop, and others provide pathways to improve the detoxification of the ecosystem. Through multiple techniques, genetic engineering makes bacterial genomes more capable of improving metal detoxification; nonetheless, there are still unanswered questions regarding the nature of new metal‐resistant genes. This article examines bacteria's complex processes to detoxify toxic metals, including biosorption, bioaccumulation, bio‐precipitation, and bioleaching. It also explores essential genes, proteins, signaling mechanisms, and bacterial biomarkers involved in breaking toxic metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic contamination of soil and water is a major environmental issue. Bioremediation through plant growth-promoting bacteria is viable, cost-effective, and sustainable. Along with arsenic removal, it also improves plant productivity under stressful conditions. A crucial aspect of such a strategy is the selection of bacterial inoculum. The described study demonstrates that the indigenous wastewater isolate, ASBTKP1, could be a promising candidate. Identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae, ASBTKP1 harbors genes associated with heavy metal and oxidative stress resistance, production of antimicrobial compounds and growth-promotion activity. The isolate efficiently accumulated 30 µg/g bacterial dry mass of arsenic. Tolerance toward arsenate and arsenite was 120 mM and 70 mM, respectively. Plant biomass content of Vigna radiata improved by 13% when grown in arsenic-free soil under laboratory conditions in the presence of the isolate. The increase became even more significant under the same conditions in the presence of arsenic, recording a 37% increase. The phylogenetic analysis assigned ASBT-KP1 to the clade of Klebsiella strains that promote plant growth. Similar results were also observed in Oryza sativa, employed to assess the ability of the strain to promote growth, in plants other than V. radiata. This study identifies a prospective candidate in ASBT-KP1 that could be employed as a plant growth-promoting rhizoinoculant in agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encapsulation and nutrient addition in bacterial formulations have disadvantages concerning cell viability during release, storage, and under field conditions. Then, the objective of this work was to encapsulate a bacterial consortium with hydrocarbon-degrading capacities in different matrices composed of cross-linked alginate/ polyvinyl alcohol /halloysite beads (M1, M2, and M3) containing nanoliposomes loaded with or without nutrients and evaluate their viability and release in a liquid medium, and soil (microcosmos). Also, evaluate their capacity to remove total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) for 165 days and matrices characterization. The encapsulate consortium showed a quick adaptation to contaminated soil and a percentage of removal (PR) of TPH up to 30% after seven days. All the matrices displayed a PR of up to 90% after 165 days. The matrix M2 displayed significant resistance to degradation and higher cell viability with a PR of 94%. This result supports the encapsulation of bacteria in a sustainable matrix supplemented with nutrients as a well-looked strategy for improving viability and survival and, therefore, enhancing their effectiveness in the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are essential for the survival of all living organisms in trace amounts. Industrializations and urbanisation are the two major rationale behind the massive rise in the contamination of land and water bodies including marine and freshwater. The major sources of heavy metal are coal burning, smelting operations, tanneries, waste incineration, pesticides, fungicides, metallurgy, etc. Due to the toxicity of heavy metals when living beings encounter contaminated water of sediment laden with heavy metal endure health hazards. Heavy metals and metalloids such as chromium, lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, and cobalt are poisonous and carcinogenic even in minute amounts, posing a major threat to human life. The most sustainable approach towards remediating these heavy metals is bioremediation. It involves bacterial bioremediation, fungal, biofilms and phytoremediation, which is not only sustainable but also efficient and cost effective. This review delivers a comprehensive overview of the recent trends in bioremediation of heavy metals, their sources, toxicity, and alternative approach of using marine microbes and their pottential for remediation of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscience has evolved in the recent past with potential applications in nanomedicine, nano-bioremediation, catalysis, and other applications. Utilization of plant extract, bacteria, algae, and other organic feedstock for nanoparticle (NP) synthesis has provided the backbone of green nanoscience aims at the synthesis of eco-friendly NPs. The presence of different functional groups/organic molecules in plant extract serves as a source of reducing and capping agents during NP synthesis. Among the plant-based sources, agro-fruit waste is considered to be an appropriate source as utilization of organic waste for NP synthesis renders an eco-friendly, economic, stable, and effective for food waste management, which is otherwise a challenge. In addition, fruit waste (extract)-based NP has reportedly exhibited superior biological activities compared to plant/food extract alone. The synthesized nanoparticles are superlative for many pharmacological and catalytic applications due to their outstanding features. These nanoparticles increased bioavailability and biocompatibility and have been linked to their considerable promise in pharmacology for drug transport, antibacterial action, and cancer therapy. They have demonstrated their effectiveness and reusability by being used catalytically in environmental remediation processes that include the breakdown of organic contaminants and the decrease of harmful metal ions. The present study aims to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in sustainable nanotechnology by emphasizing the mutual advantages of waste reduction and high-value nanomaterial creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial wastewater often contains highly carcinogenic and mutagenic inorganic pollutants and harmful heavy metals such as Chromium (Cr), which are highly reactive and toxic, even at low concentrations. Efficient remediation or removal of Chromium is necessary to prevent its adverse impacts on humans and the environment. We have employed biofilm grown on a glass surface as a sustainable tool to reduce water's Cr(VI) levels. We studied biofilm formation using four different bacterial strains. Among those, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was selected based on its biofilm formation ability, estimated by qualitative and quantitative means. Maximum biofilm formation was observed on a glass surface using tryptone soya broth (TSB) at 37 °C and pH 7.5. The biofilm was characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and stereo microscopy. The biofilm tolerated up to 10 ppm of chromium supplementation in the culture medium. The Cr(VI) concentration was determined using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer, and total chromium content was obtained using Inductively Coupled Plasma—Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). With preformed biofilm on glass, Cr(VI) concentration was reduced by 97% within eight hours with a reduction rate of 12.27% per hour. In comparison to biofilm during formation, preformed biofilm gave better results. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM)—Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) (FESEM-EDS) analysis depicted very minimal Cr(VI) adsorption into the cells, indicating the reduction of more harmful Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III). The present findings can lead to the development of an efficient treatment strategy for chromium-contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermentative kitchen waste to produce high-value chemicals (e.g., acetic acid) has been investigated actively in the past decades. Creating an alkaline condition is widely used to improve the hydrolysis of polysaccharide and inhibit the methanogenesis, but this method significantly increases the overall cost. Herein, the present study investigated the bioaugmentation with rumen fluid to improve acetic acid production from kitchen waste at neutral condition via strengthening hydrolytic and acid-forming bacteria. Results showed that the highest acetic acid yield reached 1.52 g/L at rumen fluid and granular sludge ratio of 1:1. The proportion of acetic acid in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) has increased by 10% compared to control. Microbial community analysis revealed that bioaugmentation with rumen fluid increased the relative abundance of Prevotella and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group which has the ability to degrade polysaccharides and produce acetic acid. Moreover, the proliferation of butyric acid producers (Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_7) were inhibited significantly, which was in agreement with high acetic acid proportion in VFAs. The bioaugmentation strategy and process optimization provided an energy and cost-saving method for acetic acid production from kitchen waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Canadian Arctic summer sea ice has dramatically declined due to global warming, resulting in the rapid opening of the Northwest Passage (NWP), slated to be a major shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by 2040. This development elevates the risk of oil spills in Arctic regions, prompting growing concerns over the remediation and minimizing the impact on affected shorelines. Results: This research aims to assess the viability of nutrient and a surface washing agent addition as potential bioremediation methods for Arctic beaches. To achieve this goal, we conducted two semi-automated mesocosm experiments simulating hydrocarbon contamination in high-Arctic beach tidal sediments: a 32-day experiment at 8 °C and a 92-day experiment at 4 °C. We analyzed the effects of hydrocarbon contamination, biostimulation, and a surface washing agent on the microbial community and its functional capacity using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics. Hydrocarbon removal rates were determined through total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis. Biostimulation is commonly considered the most effective strategy for enhancing the bioremediation process in response to oil contamination. However, our findings suggest that nutrient addition has limited effectiveness in facilitating the biodegradation process in Arctic beaches, despite its initial promotion of aliphatic hydrocarbons within a constrained timeframe. Alternatively, our study highlights the promise of a surface washing agent as a potential bioremediation approach. By implementing advanced -omics approaches, we unveiled highly proficient, unconventional hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms such as Halioglobus and Acidimicrobiales genera. Conclusions: Given the receding Arctic sea ice and the rising traffic in the NWP, heightened awareness and preparedness for potential oil spills are imperative. While continuously exploring optimal remediation strategies through the integration of microbial and chemical studies, a paramount consideration involves limiting traffic in the NWP and Arctic regions to prevent beach oil contamination, as cleanup in these remote areas proves exceedingly challenging and costly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTrichloroethene (TCE) is a chlorinated solvent that can adversely affect human health. TCE-contaminated groundwater bioremediation relies on the presence of an active and diverse reductively dechlorinating microbial community. This process requires the presence of reduced conditions, which are also favorable to methanogens. Methanogens and dechlorinating bacteria can both use hydrogen for metabolism thus competition can arise. Previous studies have indicated that methanogens might also be beneficial for the dechlorinating microbial community since they can provide enzymes, cofactors and vitamins necessary for the metabolism. In this study, the methanogenesis inhibitors garlic oil (GO) and 2-chloroethanesulfonate (CES) were assessed for their effect on reductive dechlorination and methanogenesis in TCE contaminated groundwater. GO has been used in the field as a methanogenesis inhibitor but limited information is available on its effects on the microbial community. The results from this study indicated that GO did not impact the activity of the microbial community, while CES partially inhibited methanogenesis. At the assessed electron donor concentration (5 mM) neither of the compounds affected TCE dechlorination in the reactor microcosms. This information can be beneficial for decision-makers, when designing a TCE-bioremediation plan to assess the need for amendments to enhance long-term TCE dechlorination activity at the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimum conditions, including aerobic and anoxic conditions, for operating a long-term bioreactor system to decrease the toxicity of industrial electroplating wastewater effluents containing metal cyanide using Agrobacterium tumefaciens SUTS 1 and Pseudomonas monteilii SUTS 2. The initial results revealed that bacteria performed better under aerobic conditions than under anoxic conditions. An aerobic bioreactor system was subsequently set up in a long-term study lasting 30 days under optimum operating conditions. Both mixed-culture bacteria and indigenous bacteria promoted the high-efficiency treatment of cyanide and metals in the first 7 days of the study. When the system had high removal rates, cyanide removal was greater than that of zinc, copper, nickel, and chromium (CN− > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr), with removal efficiencies of 96.67%, 93.93%, 74.17%, 63.43%, and 44.65%, respectively, with residual concentrations of 0.15 ± 0.01, 0.24 ± 0.005, 0.03 ± 0.002, 18.41 ± 0.06 and 14.26 ± 0.15 mg/L, respectively. The cell concentration in the bioreactor increased to approximately 107 CFU/mL over 30 days from initial cell concentrations of 6.15 × 105 CFU/mL and 1.05 × 103 CFU/mL for the mixed culture and indigenous inoculation, respectively. These results implied that the bacteria were resistant to heavy metal toxicity. The addition of an appropriate carbon source with sufficient aeration to a bioreactor resulted in increased cyanide degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractContamination of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a major environmental issue since it has the ability to cause cancer and genetic mutations. Bioremediation techniques using Pseudomonas aeruginosa have emerged as potential methods to tackle this problem. This study offers a thorough examination of the underlying mechanisms and potential future paths in the process of P. aeruginosa-mediated Cr(VI) remediation. Herein, the strategies used by P. aeruginosa were examined for the removal of Cr(VI) via processes such as biosorption, intracellular reduction, and extracellular metabolism. In addition, the function of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in capturing and isolating Cr(VI) was studied and the possibility of using genetic engineering techniques to improve P. aeruginosa’s ability to remove Cr(VI) from the environment was explored. In addition, we investigate the difficulties related to the use of P. aeruginosa for Cr(VI) bioremediation, such as environmental conditions and the presence of other microorganisms, and suggest potential areas for further study. These include the development of bioremediation strategies using consortia of microorganisms and the incorporation of nanomaterials to improve the removal of Cr(VI). This study seeks to enhance the development of sustainable solutions for remediating Cr(VI) by integrating existing information and identifying future research directions, with a focus on employing P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolite exchange mediates crucial interactions in microbial communities, significantly impacting global carbon and nitrogen cycling. Understanding these chemically-mediated interactions is essential for elucidating natural community functions and developing engineered synthetic communities. This study investigated membrane-separated bioreactors (mBRs) as a novel tool to identify transient metabolites and their producers/consumers in mixed microbial communities. We compared three co-culture methods (direct mixed, 2-chamber mBR, and 3-chamber mBR) to grow a synthetic binary community of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and the fungus Rhodotorula toruloides NBRC 0880, as well as axenic S. elongatus. Despite not being natural lichen constituents, these organisms exhibited interactions resembling those in cyanolichens. S. elongatus fixed CO2 into sugars as the primary shared metabolite, while R. toruloides secreted various biochemicals, predominantly sugar alcohols, mirroring the metabolite exchange observed in natural lichens. The mBR systems successfully captured metabolite gradients and revealed rapidly consumed compounds, including TCA cycle intermediates and amino acids. Our approach demonstrated that the 2-chamber mBR optimally balanced metabolite exchange and growth dynamics. This study provides insights into cross-species metabolic interactions and presents a valuable tool for investigating and engineering synthetic microbial communities with potential applications in biotechnology and environmental science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus var. oryzae (formerly Aspergillus oryzae) (Aspergillaceae, Eurotiales) is one of the most significant filamentous fungi in terms of marked contributions in the pharmaceutical, industrial, food, and veterinary fields. It has been extensively utilized in fermented food production, including miso, sake, and sauce, for a very long time. Also, this fungus has drawn marked attention as a factory for producing a variety of secondary metabolites, including sesquiterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, sterols, and phenolics, as well as furan, pyranone, and isocoumarin derivatives. Aspergillus flavus var. oryzae secretes diverse enzymes with biotechnological and industrial potential. This review focused on the reported metabolites from this fungus, including their structures, biological properties, and biosynthetic pathways from 1954 to December 2023. Additionally, the reported studies on the applications of A. flavus var. oryzae and its enzymes from 2021 to December 2023 have been surveyed. The antiviral potential against COVID-19 has been studied using computational studies, which revealed promising activities of selected compounds. This review can help direct future research into the active natural metabolites biosynthesized by A. flavus var. oryzae and inform how they might contribute to discovering new therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe main causes of this environmental catastrophe are pollutants such as iron, zinc, lead, nickel, and chromium that have entered the water system as a result of uncontrolled industrial effluent discharge in the area. This study finds resistant bacteria and shows the toxicity of heavy metals in industrial effluent near the steel industry. Five separate locations were used for water sampling, and 16s RNA sequencing of the microorganisms that were found was done along with physicochemical parameter analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometer use. Different water samples’ conductivity, TDS, salinity, DO, turbidity, and pH levels indicate changes in the quality of the water. In addition to having higher values for each of these characteristics, Sample D3’s water samples had greater concentrations of heavy metals, suggesting contamination. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus were identified in all samples. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive Bacilli’s resistance to heavy metals has been found to be a sign of microbial adaptation to exposure to heavy metals. 16s rRNA sequencing of microorganisms revealed their roles in heavy metal bioremediation processes. The delicate balance between the flora and fauna in the affected water bodies has been upset by the devastating losses in aquatic life. In this study, we presented the biological methods for eliminating heavy metals, which comprised both metabolically dependent and independent techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diatoms are photosynthetic microalgae widely diffused around the globe and well adapted to thrive in diverse environments. Their success is closely related to the nanostructured biosilica shell (frustule) that serves as exoskeleton. Said structures have attracted great attention, thanks to their hierarchically ordered network of micro‐ and nanopores. Frustules display high specific surface, mechanical resistance and photonic properties, useful for the design of functional and complex materials, with applications including sensing, biomedicine, optoelectronics and energy storage and conversion. Current technology allows to alter the chemical composition of extracted frustules with a diverse array of elements, via chemical and biochemical strategies, without compromising their valuable morphology. We started our research on diatoms from the viewpoint of material scientists, envisaging the possibilities of these nanostructured silica shells as a general platform to obtain functional materials for several applications via chemical functionalization. Our first paper in the field was published in ChemPlusChem ten years ago. Ten years later, in this Perspective, we gather the most recent and relevant functional materials derived from diatom biosilica to show the growth and diversification that this field is currently experiencing, and the key role it will play in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of nature and the increase in manufacturing production are the cause of major environmental concerns, and considerable efforts are needed to resolve such issues. Oil and petroleum derivatives constitute the primary energy sources used in industries. However, the transportation and use of these products have huge environmental impacts. A significant issue with oil-related pollution is that hydrocarbons are highly toxic and have low biodegradability, posing a risk to ecosystems and biodiversity. Thus, there has been growing interest in the use of renewable compounds from natural sources. Biosurfactants are amphipathic microbial biomolecules emerging as sustainable alternatives with beneficial characteristics, including biodegradability and low toxicity. Biosurfactants and biosurfactant-producing microorganisms serve as an ecologically correct bioremediation strategy for ecosystems polluted by hydrocarbons. Moreover, synthetic surfactants can constitute additional recalcitrant contaminants introduced into the environment, leading to undesirable outcomes. The replacement of synthetic surfactants with biosurfactants can help solve such problems. Thus, there has been growing interest in the use of biosurfactants in a broad gamut of industrial sectors. The purpose of this review was to furnish a comprehensive view of biosurfactants, classifications, properties, and applications in the environmental and energy fields. In particular, practical applications of biosurfactants in environmental remediation are discussed, with special focus on bioremediation, removal of heavy metals, phytoremediation, microbial enhanced oil recovery, metal corrosion inhibition, and improvements in agriculture. The review also describes innovating decontamination methods, including nanobioremediation, use of genetically modified microorganisms, enzymatic bioremediation, modeling and prototyping, biotechnology, and process engineering. Research patents and market prospects are also discussed to illustrate trends in environmental and industrial applications of biosurfactants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an essential role in plant growth and have great potential to enhance plant tolerance under polluted and toxic conditions. This study deals with a survey of five contaminated sites of the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh (BBN) industrial corridor/hub to investigate the morpho-diversity of endotrophic AM fungi associated with native plants. The high contamination factor of Cd and Fe in different study sites revealed a high intensity of contamination, indicating that the sites were significantly polluted with Cd and Fe. Results showed that AM symbioses were successfully established in the roots of native plants, highlighting their role in mitigating the harmful effects of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) through bioremediation. A total of 50 AMF morphotypes across 9 genera (Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Ambispora, Diversispora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora, Glomus, Rhizophagus, and Sclerocystis) were identified, with Glomeraceae being the most abundant (46%), followed by Acaulosporaceae (39%) and others contributing less (15%). The study also indicated that the hyphal and vesicular infections were prominent than arbuscular infections in roots. This is the first report on the diversity of native and putative AMF species associated with plants in the BBN industrial corridor, suggesting that these fungi could be cultured for further use as a sustainable organic approach in agriculture and rehabilitation practices in polluted areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is one of the most brutal environmental factors limiting the productivity of crop plants because most of the crop plants are sensitive to salinity caused by high concentrations of salts in the soil, and the area of land affected by it is increasing day by day. High soil salinity causes osmotic stress, nutritional imbalance, and ion toxicity to plants and severely affects crop productivity in farming systems. The salinization of soil is causing a decrease in farmland agriculture as the world’s population rises day by day, endangering the availability of food. There are soils affected by salt all throughout the world, particularly in dry and semi-arid areas. For sustainable crop production, salt-stressed soils need to be corrected and managed in a proper way. Compared to chemical and physical methods, bioremediation is more environmental friendly method for correcting salt affected soils. The use of halophilic bacteria has been found to be an effective approach for plant promotion under salt-stress conditions. They help in enhancing the soil health and the yield of crop in salt-affected soils. This review will focus on the revitalizing the salt affected soils by using halophilic bacteria and their mechanisms in the soil and interaction with the plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a prevalent groundwater contaminant detected worldwide, and microbes are sensitive indicators and initial responders to these chemical contaminants causing disturbances to their ecosystem. In this study, microbes isolated from San Marcos River sediment were screened for their TCE degradation potential. Among the twelve isolates (SAN1-12), five isolates demonstrated TCE degradation within 5 days at 25 °C and 40 mg/L of TCE concentration in the following order: SAN8 (87.56%), SAN1 (77.31%), SAN2 (76.58%), SAN3 (49.20%), and SAN7 (3.36%). On increasing the TCE concentration to 80 mg/L, the degradation efficiency of these isolates declined, although SAN8 remained the prominent TCE degrader with 75.67% degradation. The prominent TCE-degrading isolates were identified as Aeromonas sp. SAN1, Bacillus sp. SAN2, Gordonia sp. SAN3, and Bacillus proteolyticus SAN8 using 16S rRNA sequencing. The TCE degradation and cell biomass of Bacillus proteolyticus SAN8 were significantly improved when the incubation temperature was increased from 25 °C to 30 °C. However, both slightly acidic and alkaline pH levels, as well as higher TCE concentrations, lowered the efficacy of TCE degradation. Nevertheless, these conditions led to an increase in bacterial cell biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental existence of any living organism necessitates the availability of pure and safe water. The ever-increasing population has led to extensive industrialization and urbanization, which have subsequently escalated micropollutants and water contamination. The environmental impact on various life forms poses a dire need for research in effective environmental management. Versatile technologies involving multiple approaches, including physiochemical and biological bioremediation strategies, draw insights from environmental biology. Metabolic annihilation mediated by microbes shows significant potential in the bioconversion of toxic micropollutants to tolerable limits. Environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable strategies are envisaged for efficient environmental protection. Phytoremediation technology, especially floating wetland treatments, facilitates micropollutant elimination, landscape management, ecosystem conservation, and aesthetic enhancement in diverse environments. The incorporation of nanomaterials in the bioremediation of toxic micropollutants augments novel and innovative strategies for water pollution abatement. This paper offers a novel strategy that combines nanomaterials to improve micropollutant degradation with bioremediation techniques, particularly the creative application of phytoremediation technologies like floating wetlands. Combining these techniques offers a novel viewpoint on long-term, affordable approaches to reducing water pollution. Additionally, the review proposes a forward-looking strategic framework that addresses the accumulation and refractory nature of micropollutants, which has not been thoroughly explored in previous literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the microalga Arthrospira platensis DHR 20 was cultivated in vertical flat-plate photobioreactors (FPBRs) to bioremediate anaerobically digested cattle wastewater (ACWW) and used as a growth substrate. The final objective was to evaluate the properties of the oil extracted from this biomass to determine its potential for biodiesel production. The process was divided into five phases, varying the volume of the applied substrate: 1 L (Phase I), 5 L (Phase II), 10 L (Phase III), 15 L (Phase IV), and 20 L (Phase V). Dry biomass reached a maximum of 5.7 g L−1, and productivity peaked at 0.74 g L−1d−1. The highest rate of CO2 biofixation was 1213.5 mg L−1 day−1, showing good potential for purifying the air. The highest specific maximum growth rate (μmax) and the shortest doubling time (Dt) were found during Phase I. The removal of pollutants and nutrients during the experimental phases ranged from 65.8% to 87.1% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 82.2% to 85.8% for total organic carbon (TOC), 91% to 99% for phosphate (PO43−), 62.5% to 93% for nitrate (NO3−), 90.4% to 99.7% for ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4+), and 86.5% to 98.5% for total nitrogen (TN). The highest lipid production recorded was 0.172 g L−1 day−1. The average cetane number recorded in Phase IV of 51 suggests that the fuel will ignite efficiently and consistently, providing smooth operation and potentially reducing pollutant emissions. The analysis of fatty acids revealed that the produced biodiesel has the potential to be used as an additive for other low-explosive biocombustibles, representing an innovative and sustainable approach that simultaneously offers bioremediation and carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic contamination of soil and water is a major environmental issue. Bioremediation through plant growth-promoting bacteria is viable, cost-effective, and sustainable. Along with arsenic removal, it also improves plant productivity under stressful conditions. A crucial aspect of such a strategy is the selection of bacterial inoculum. The described study demonstrates that the indigenous wastewater isolate, ASBTKP1, could be a promising candidate. Identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae, ASBTKP1 harbors genes associated with heavy metal and oxidative stress resistance, production of antimicrobial compounds and growth-promotion activity. The isolate efficiently accumulated 30 μg/g bacterial dry mass of arsenic. Tolerance toward arsenate and arsenite was 120 mM and 70 mM, respectively. Plant biomass content of Vigna radiata improved by 13% when grown in arsenic-free soil under laboratory conditions in the presence of the isolate. The increase became even more significant under the same conditions in the presence of arsenic, recording a 37% increase. The phylogenetic analysis assigned ASBT-KP1 to the clade of Klebsiella strains that promote plant growth. Similar results were also observed in Oryza sativa, employed to assess the ability of the strain to promote growth, in plants other than V. radiata. This study identifies a prospective candidate in ASBT-KP1 that could be employed as a plant growth-promoting rhizoinoculant in agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To advance environmentally friendly technologies in the aquaculture of Atractoscion nobilis, and simultaneously to diversify seafood production, a 79-day trial was conducted to assess the performance of Ulva lactuca and Devaleraea mollis cultured in the effluent from A. nobilis in a land-based integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system in southern California, USA. Water quality and performance of macroalgae were measured weekly. The impacted factors on the growth of macroalgae and nutrient uptake rate of macroalgae were assessed. The specific growth rate of juvenile A. nobilis was 0.47–0.52%/d. Total ammonia nitrogen in effluents of A. nobilis tanks ranged from 0.03 to 0.19 mg/L. Ulva lactuca and D. mollis achieved an average productivity of 24.53 and 14.40 g dry weight (DW)/m2/d. The average nitrogen content was 3.48 and 4.89% DW, and accordingly, the average nitrogen uptake rate was 0.88 and 0.71 g/m2/d, respectively. Temperature and nutrient concentration were key factors impacting macroalgae growth, and light intensity also impacted the growth of D. mollis. The high protein content of U. lactuca and D. mollis would make them good for use as human or animal food, or for use in other industries. Research on the interaction effects between seawater exchange rates and aeration rates on the performance and nutrient uptake rates of macroalgae will be conducted in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]