Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Noemi Poma, Federico Vivaldi, Andrea Bonini, Pietro Salvo, Arno Kirchhain, Zeliha Ates, Bernardo Melai, Daria Bottai, Arianna Tavanti, Fabio Di Francesco
Summary: Future strategies for detecting and monitoring biofilm formation in both industry and human health are crucial due to the negative impact of biofilms. Various electrochemical techniques including potentiometric, voltammetric, and impedance-based sensors are being used to provide an overview of biofilm detection and monitoring processes.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Iana Cruz Mendoza, Esther Ortiz Luna, Maria Dreher Pozo, Mirian Villavicencio Vasquez, Diana Coello Montoya, Galo Chuchuca Moran, Luis Galarza Romero, Ximena Yepez, Romulo Salazar, Maria Romero-Pena, Jonathan Coronel Leon
Summary: This review provides an overview of the main problems associated with microbial contamination in fruits and vegetables, as well as various chemicals, physical, and biological disinfection methods. By understanding and implementing these methods, the fruit and vegetable industries can ensure food safety.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Vaidhegi Kugarajah, Kamaldeen Nasrin Nisha, R. Jayakumar, S. Sahabudeen, P. Ramakrishnan, S. B. Mohamed
Summary: Environmental pollutants pose a significant threat to the ecosystem and various life forms, especially in the face of rapid industrialization and population growth. Bioremediation, utilizing microbes and their enzymes to degrade pollutants, has emerged as an effective strategy. Through the advancements in genetic engineering, Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) have proven successful in bioremediation by utilizing the catabolic genes obtained through pure culture techniques and metagenomics analyses. This review highlights the role of microbes in pollutant degradation, their evolutionary adaptation, the importance of microbial degradative genes, and the efficacy of recombinant DNA technology in creating GEMs for bioremediation.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Rania Nassar, Mahmood Hachim, Mohannad Nassar, Eleftherios G. Kaklamanos, Mohamed Jamal, David Williams, Abiola Senok
Summary: Bacterial biofilms are microbial lifestyles found in all environments, with urgent need for novel antibiofilm strategies. Analysis of S. aureus biofilm transcriptomic data identified potential new targets for more effective treatment strategies against biofilm-associated infections.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
N. Premnath, K. Mohanrasu, R. Guru Raj Rao, G. H. Dinesh, G. Siva Prakash, V Ananthi, Kumar Ponnuchamy, Govarthanan Muthusamy, A. Arun
Summary: The text discussed the significant rise in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination over the past century due to intensified industrial activities, and highlighted the widespread distribution of PAHs in various ecosystems. It also emphasized on the microbial degradation of PAHs using diverse microorganisms and various cultivation conditions that govern the rate of degradation.
Article
Polymer Science
Erica Tambone, Alice Marchetti, Chiara Ceresa, Federico Piccoli, Adriano Anesi, Giandomenico Nollo, Iole Caola, Michela Bosetti, Letizia Fracchia, Paolo Ghensi, Francesco Tessarolo
Summary: This study aimed to grow a fungal-bacterial mixed biofilm on medical-grade titanium and assess the inhibitory effects of R89BS coating on biofilm formation. Results showed that the R89BS coating significantly inhibited biofilm formation, with over 90% inhibition observed at 24 hours. The coating exhibited similar effects on biofilm biomass, cell metabolic activity, and cell viability, while showing no cytotoxicity on human primary osteoblasts. R89BS coating is a promising strategy to prevent microbial colonization on titanium surfaces, especially for dental implants.
Article
Microbiology
Silvia Monteiro, Gaspar Queiroz, Filipa Ferreira, Ricardo Santos
Summary: The study reveals that urban stormwater runoff is heavily impacted by fecal contamination, not only from domestic animals but possibly also from humans, posing a high risk to human health and the environment before passing through the drainage system.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Eva M. Voglauer, Benjamin Zwirzitz, Sarah Thalguter, Evelyne Selberherr, Martin Wagner, Kathrin Rychli
Summary: This study reveals the presence of biofilms in water hoses in the food processing environment, which are mainly dominated by Proteobacteria, represented mainly by Comamonadaceae and Pseudoxanthomonas. The microbial community of biofilms is less diverse than the water microbial community, and those from different sample sites are distinct from each other.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. Azizi, A. Faz, R. Zornoza, S. Martinez-Martinez, V. Shahrokh, J. A. Acosta
Summary: This study evaluated the distribution, relationship, and pollution of metal(loid)s and rare earth elements (REEs) in mine tailings. The results showed high concentrations of these elements, with some exceeding soil contamination limits. The acidity of the waste materials decreased with increasing depth, resulting in precipitation and reduced mobility of the studied elements. Multivariate analysis proved to be a useful tool for identifying the sources of heavy metals and REEs in the mining waste.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jinli Zheng, Qi Zhang, Yi Ding, Wenru Liu, Liwei Chen, Tianming Cai, Xiao-Ming Ji
Summary: Two mature anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) consortia, with high and low relative abundance of anammox bacteria, were used for rapid sludge proliferation and biofilm formation. UASB2 showed a nitrogen removal efficiency of 90.94% after 120 days of operation, which was 13% higher than UASB1. The relative abundances of genes involved in anammox transformation and carbon metabolism were higher in UASB2, indicating the importance of microbial interactions in anammox sludge proliferation and biofilm formation.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hajime Miyazaki, Ryohei Hirose, Mikako Ichikawa, Hiroki Mukai, Katsuma Yamauchi, Takaaki Nakaya, Yoshito Itoh
Summary: Through experiments, it was found that the most accurate method for quantifying infectious viruses on environmental surfaces is to use cotton swabs under wet conditions and within a target surface area of approximately 10 cm(2).
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Zhang, Xi Tang, Yifan Cai, Wen-Wen Zhou
Summary: This paper reviews the contamination of aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, and ochratoxin A in major cereals (rice, wheat, and maize) in China. Based on 8700 samples from 30 provincial areas, previous research suggests that the temperature and humidity in the highly contaminated Chinese cereal-growing regions match the growth conditions of potential antagonists. Therefore, the paper summarizes the methods of microbial detoxification, microbial active substance detoxification, and other microbial inhibition methods for treating contaminated cereals, and proposes strategies for combining these methods with the treatment of contaminated cereals in China.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Olga Maria Bonilla-Luque, Aricia Possas, Marta L. Cabo, Pedro Rodriguez-Lopez, Antonio Valero
Summary: A harmonised microbiological survey was conducted in two artisanal factories of raw goat milk cheeses in Spain. The study revealed the presence of various microorganisms in raw materials, final products, food-contact surfaces, and the air, with differences observed between the two producers. Staphylococcus aureus was the only pathogen detected, highlighting the importance of considering the entire cheesemaking process to ensure food safety.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carla Viegas, Bianca Gomes, Renata Cervantes, Silvia Moreira, Marta Dias, Pedro Pena, Elisabete Carolino, Magdalena Twaru Zek, Robert Kosicki, Ewelina Soszczy Nska, Liliana Aranha Caetano, Lidia Canas, Sofya Pozdniakova, Silvia Borras, Susana Viegas
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination in Portuguese and Spanish grocery shops using passive sampling methods. The results showed that the fruits/vegetables sampling location was the most contaminated area with bacteria and fungi in shops from both countries. Reduced susceptibilities to commonly used azoles in the clinical treatment of fungal infections were observed in samples from Portuguese grocery shops. The overall findings raise concerns about human health and food safety and call for a One Health approach for surveillance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ramon E. Cevallos-Cedeno, Guillermo Quinones-Reyes, Consuelo Agullo, Antonio Abad-Somovilla, Antonio Abad-Fuentes, Josep Mercader
Summary: Sensitive and selective immunological assays for anatoxin-a have been developed using homemade monoclonal antibodies. The assays have low detection limits, good recovery rates, and are applicable in different formats. A visual detection method with a relatively low limit of detection has also been optimized. The accuracy of the method has been validated by comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy data.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivan Carralero Bon, Lucas M. Salvatierra, Luciana D. Lario, Jordi Morato, Leonardo M. Perez
Summary: The study found that free-living Oscillatoria sp. achieved maximal cadmium removal efficiency within 12-24 hours by utilizing negatively charged functional groups for metal adsorption and Cd bioaccumulation into living cells. Additionally, Cd-exposed Oscillatoria sp. exhibited enhanced antioxidative defense through carotenoid-mediated ROS quenching and carbohydrate catabolism induction. No significant reduction in cell density, total protein amount, and chlorophyll a content was observed even at the highest metal concentration after 24-hour Cd exposure, indicating the cyanobacterium's resilient metabolic and physiological behavior during Cd remediation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lorena Aguilar, Angel Gallegos, Leonardo Martin Perez, Carlos A. Arias, Raquel Rubio, Leila Haulani, Josep Garcia Raurich, Marc Pallares, Joan de Pablo, Jordi Morato
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of intermittent induced aeration on nitrogen removal in four pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetlands using different filter materials and found that the aerated systems had higher removal efficiency for COD, BOD5, NO3-N, and slightly improved NH4-N removal compared to non-aerated systems. The aerated cork wetlands showed better nitrogen elimination, with higher abundance of key functional genes nirS and nosZ associated with nitrogen metabolism.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH PART A-TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eleonora Orsetti, Nicola Tollin, Martin Lehmann, Vanessa Agudelo Valderrama, Jordi Morato
Summary: This article discusses the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels on air quality and the climate system. It emphasizes the negative effects of climate change and air pollution on human health. To address these issues, the article proposes recommendations for capacity building and knowledge sharing between the planning and health sectors, and comprehensive assessments of the interactions between climate, health, and the quality of urban spaces to support informed decision-making for public spaces.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nury Infante, Refugio Rodriguez, Yaneth Bartolo, Olga Sanchez, Isabel Sanz, Lizeth Bermeo, Jordi Morato
Summary: The study demonstrated the potential of cork biofunctionalized with MoSe extracts in reducing waterborne pathogens. It was found that f-cork effectively reduced the growth of E. coli in the experiment.
Article
Plant Sciences
Julia Emiliani, Wendi G. Llatance Oyarce, Lucas M. Salvatierra, Luis A. B. Novo, Leonardo M. Perez
Summary: This study assessed the bioaccumulation and toxicity effects of cadmium in Salvinia biloba plants exposed to artificially contaminated water. The leaves showed more pronounced deterioration compared to the roots, with flavonoids and carotenoids being the most affected by low levels of Cd. These results suggest that physiological data obtained from S. biloba specimens may serve as a valuable tool for monitoring metal-polluted water.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Camila Olivera, Maria Laura Tondo, Valentina Girardi, Lucia Fattobene, Maria Sol Herrero, Leonardo Martin Perez, Lucas Matias Salvatierra
Summary: This study investigated the early-stage response of six lab-scale biogas bioreactors fed with different amounts of a sulfaterich organic agro-industrial effluent. The results showed that the yield of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) transitioned from transient to steady state within 2 weeks for all conditions. Additionally, volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) such as methanethiol (MeSH) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) were generated at high sulfate loads. Changes were observed in the microbial community structures, with a higher abundance of genes involved in the dissimilatory sulfate-reduction pathway in high loaded sulfate bioreactors. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analyses revealed strong relationships between H2S, VSCs, and the microbial community.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dana B. Loureiro, Luciana D. Lario, Maria S. Herrero, Lucas M. Salvatierra, Luis A. B. Novo, Leonardo M. Perez
Summary: This exploratory study evaluated the potential of Salvinia biloba for remediating atrazine and carbendazim polluted water. The results showed that atrazine had a detrimental impact on S. biloba, whereas carbendazim-treated plants were able to grow even in high concentrations. The study also identified bacteria resistant to carbendazim in the roots of the plants. The use of S. biloba for phytoremediation of carbendazim contamination shows promise, but further research is needed to understand the elimination process and identify alternative species for mitigating atrazine.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lizeth Bermeo, Kristina Ivanova, Leonardo Martin Perez, Eva Fores, Silvia Perez-Rafael, Juan C. Casas-Zapata, Jordi Morato, Tzanko Tzanov
Summary: Providing clean drinking water is a global challenge, particularly for low-income countries with limited access to safe water. In recent years, the use of antimicrobial nanoparticles for water treatment systems has gained significant attention in biotechnological research. In this study, antimicrobial lignin capped silver nanoparticles were embedded on residual cork pieces to create a biofunctionalized nanomaterial. The resulting material showed high efficiency in reducing viable Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in liquid medium. The coated cork was further used as a filter bed in a water disinfection device, effectively reducing the number of E. coli and Bacillus cereus spores at various residence times.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Lorena Aguilar, Leonardo M. Perez, Angel Gallegos, Eva Fores, Carlos A. Arias, Carme Bosch, Maria Verdum, Patricia Jove, Joan de Pablo, Jordi Morato
Summary: The wine industry produces a large amount of wastewater with high levels of organic matter and nutrients. This study used an innovative compact and mobile treatment wetland system with cork as the media to treat the wastewater from a winery. The results showed that intermittent induced aeration improved nitrogen compound removal and stimulated the growth of denitrifying bacteria in the wetland system.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
F. Codony, L. Barreto, G. Agusti, D. Asensio
Summary: Viability-PCR (vPCR) protocols are based on photo-reactive dyes impermeant to intact cell membranes. The absence of cell barriers allows the reagent's interaction with the genetic material after a short incubation period, preventing DNA amplification and detection by PCR.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Codony, C. Dangla, L. Ventola, N. Sabate
Summary: The microbiological quality control of water for human consumption does not start on the field due to the difficulty of initiating effective incubation at the sampling site. However, the use of isothermal media with phase change materials solves this limitation, allowing for shorter effective testing times and improved water quality control.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Naglaa Elshafey, Samy Selim, Asmaa H. Mohammed, Nashwa Hagagy, Mennatalla Samy, Ehab M. Mostafa, Fatmah A. Safhi, Salha M. Alshamrani, Amna Saddiq, Salam S. Alsharari, Dalia G. Aseel, Iram Hafiz, Amr Elkelish, Leonardo M. Perez
Summary: The diversity of haloarchaea in four hypersaline alkaline lakes in Northern Egypt was investigated, and the majority of identified sequences belonged to Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. The highest levels of archaeal diversity were found in sediment samples from Beida Lake and water samples from El-Hamra Lake. Clones with high sequence similarities to uncultured Halorhabdus, Euryarchaeota, and archaeon clones were also discovered. The study suggests that while the variety of alkaliphilic haloarchaea in the examined soda lakes was restricted, the potential for discovering novel species with biotechnological applications from these extreme habitats remains promising.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)