Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhang-Wei He, Chun-Xue Yang, Cong-Cong Tang, Wen-Zong Liu, Ai-Juan Zhou, Yong-Xiang Ren, Ai-Jie Wang
Summary: The study found that residual ferric ions had significant effects on the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge, with different concentrations of FI leading to varying impacts on methane production and short chain fatty acids accumulation. Low FI levels enhanced methane production, while high FI levels inhibited acidogenesis and methanogenesis.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Azemina Bajramova, Peter Spegel
Summary: This study compares the nutritional value of the fatty acid profiles of superfruits (goji berry, white mulberry, and cranberry) and common fruits (banana, apple, and strawberry). The findings suggest that cranberries and apples have the most beneficial lipid profiles, while superfruits do not show a common and beneficial lipid profile.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wade T. Johnson, Nicholas C. Dorn, Dora A. Ogbonna, Nunzio Bottini, Nisarg J. Shah
Summary: Lipids are a diverse class of molecular regulators with ubiquitous physiological roles in sustaining life. They can be used directly as structural cellular building blocks or as a substrate for generating signaling mediators to regulate cell behavior, playing a key role in immune activation and suppression.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ao Xie, Jessica A. Deaver, Emily Miller, Sudeep C. Popat
Summary: Anaerobic treatment of high-fat content wastewater can generate significant methane yields, but the accumulation of LCFA inhibits methane production efficiency. Increasing the feed-to-inoculum ratio decreases the efficiency of RW COD conversion and leads to delayed methane production, impacting the utilization of acetate.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brayan Alexis Parra-Orobio, Mariano Nicolas Cruz-Bournazou, Patricia Torres-Lozada
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of different reactor configurations on food waste, showing that the two-stage configuration performed better in terms of higher organic loading rates, improved CODtotal and VS removal efficiencies, superior methane production performance, and the production of other high-value by-products. Total reducing sugars were identified as an important parameter in monitoring and converting organic matter, particularly in the two-stage configuration.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Jie Wu, Xiao-Xiao Li, Fan Yang, Quan Zhou, Rui-Peng Ren, Yong-Kang Lyu
Summary: De-oiled grease trap waste is suitable for anaerobic digestion treatment. Different temperature conditions showed distinct responses to the waste, with mesophilic digestion demonstrating higher tolerance loading. Recovery of biogas production took longer in hyperthermophilic digestion compared to thermophilic digestion, with different concentrations of long chain fatty acids affecting the processes. Food waste with composite fractions was observed to be favorable for biogas production in the hyperthermophilic digester. Residual lipid concentrations were higher in the hyperthermophilic digestion compared to other conditions, indicating different responses to lipid loading. Additionally, composite substrates helped alleviate inhibition from long chain fatty acids by converting them into shorter chain length fatty acids.
PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sungyup Jung, Minyoung Kim, Kun-Yi Andrew Lin, Young-Kwon Park, Eilhann E. Kwon
Summary: This study proposes a direct valorization platform for converting bio-heavy oil into biodiesel via thermally induced transesterification, achieving high biodiesel yield without catalyst, which enhances production efficiency and economic benefits.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Harsh B. Jadhav, Uday Annapure
Summary: Designer lipid is a chemically or enzymatically modified lipid with superior physicochemical properties and nutritional benefits, widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Its demand has been increasing due to its unique properties and health benefits.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xuyen H. Le, A. Harvey Millar
Summary: Plant respiration is a vital process that can be enhanced to increase crop yield. To achieve this, a comprehensive understanding of respiratory substrates and their transport into and out of mitochondria is crucial. The identification of unidentified mitochondrial carriers and catabolic pathways is necessary to determine direct and indirect respiratory substrates. This review discusses the usage of direct respiratory substrates under normal and stressed conditions, suggesting the introduction of enzymes to enable new substrates and comparing them based on energetic yields and oxidation during cell catabolism. The information provided can guide the use of synthetic biology to optimize plant respiration.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sarah Z. Gavrizi, Pardis Hosseinzadeh, Richard Steven Brush, Madison Tytanic, Erin Eckart, Jennifer D. Peck, LaTasha B. Craig, Michael P. Diamond, Martin-Paul Agbaga, Karl R. Hansen
Summary: This study aims to explore the correlation between VLC-PUFAs levels and sperm parameters, as well as the outcome of live birth after conventional therapy for unexplained infertility. The results demonstrate a positive association between VLC-PUFAs percentage and sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and total motile count. Moreover, a significant link is observed between hydroxylated VLC-PUFA percentage and the likelihood of a live birth outcome.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chun-Xue Yang, Zhang-Wei He, Wen-Zong Liu, Ai-Jie Wang, Ling Wang, Jia Liu, Bao-Ling Liu, Nan-Qi Ren, Shao-Peng Yu, Ze-Chong Guo
Summary: This study investigates the microbial response mechanism under chronic effects of benzalkonium chlorides (BACs) on acidogenesis and methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion. It was found that low BACs concentrations can increase waste activated sludge (WAS) hydrolysis and fermentation, but also disturb acidogenic bacteria. A noticeable inhibition to methanogenesis occurred when BAC concentration was up to 15 mg/g TSS. Metagenomic analysis revealed the key genes involved in acetic acid biosynthesis, beta-oxidation pathway, and propionic acid conversion were slightly promoted compared with control. BACs also inhibited acetotrophic methanogenesis, especially at high concentrations, leading to increased accumulation of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cunsheng Zhang, Yuxuan Sun, Tianyu Cao, Wenjuan Wang, Shuhao Huo, Ze-Hua Liu
Summary: Organic load (OL) is an important factor affecting biogas composition and microbial community, with high OL promoting the relative abundance of hydrogen-producing bacteria and reducing the numbers of hydrolysis bacteria and methanogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lisa F. M. Lee Nen That, Baojun Xu, Jessica Pandohee
Summary: The maturation of omics technologies and bioinformatics tools has greatly advanced prebiotics research. Prebiotics are no longer limited to oligosaccharides, but include various compounds that have been proven to have prebiotic characteristics. The discovery of novel prebiotics requires further understanding of their roles in the microbiota and the host. The relationship between the gut microbiota and the host is crucial for health, and dysbiosis can result in severe illnesses.
CURRENT OPINION IN FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anatoly Zhukov, Valery Popov
Summary: Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) play important roles in plant physiological functions. Disruptions in genes related to VLCFA synthesis can lead to various phenotypic consequences. The synthesis of VLCFA in the endoplasmic reticulum involves multiple elongase complexes with different substrate specificities. Information on enzymes involved in the synthesis of VLCFA with more than 26 carbon atoms is limited. Recently, researchers have discovered and studied genes encoding enzymes for both regular-length fatty acid and VLCFA synthesis. In plants, polyunsaturated VLCFA are primarily formed by elongation of 20:1 fatty acids, followed by import into chloroplasts and further desaturation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Harsh B. Jadhav, Parag Gogate, Uday Annapure
Summary: This study focused on the intensified production of designer lipids using ultrasound assisted enzymatic acidolysis reaction, achieving a high yield and lower reaction time compared to conventional synthesis methods. Key design information for optimal operating conditions was elucidated, showcasing the efficacy of the ultrasound intensified approach for synthesis of designer lipids.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Janneke Elzinga, Menno Grouls, Guido J. E. J. Hooiveld, Meike van der Zande, Hauke Smidt, Hans Bouwmeester
Summary: There is a need for standardized in vitro models of the human intestinal tract to study intestinal health without using animals. The Caco-2 cell line is a widely accepted and characterized model for studying intestinal drug transport, host-microbe interactions, and toxicity. We investigated the effect of different experimental variables on gene expression using transcriptome analysis of Caco-2 cells grown on permeable membranes. Our analysis revealed a weak association between experimental variables and gene expression, possibly due to heterogeneity in cell culture practice and inadequate reporting. This highlights the need for improved reporting protocols and serves as a template for future comparative studies.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sara N. Jimenez-Volkerink, Joaquim Vila, Maria Jordan, Cristina Minguillon, Hauke Smidt, Magdalena Grifoll
Summary: Polar biotransformation products have been found to cause an increase in genotoxicity after the bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soils. The microorganisms and mechanisms underlying their further biodegradation have not been fully understood.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ton That Huu Dat, Georg Steinert, Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, Pham Viet Cuong, Hauke Smidt, Detmer Sipkema
Summary: Recent reviews have shown that sponge-associated bacteria are valuable sources of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with potent biological activities, making these microbial communities promising for new drug candidates. However, accessing the overall diversity of secondary metabolite biosynthetic potential in bacteria is challenging due to the difficulty in culturing the majority of bacteria in the laboratory. This study investigates the diversity of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters in metagenomes of bacterial communities associated with three different sponge species and identifies numerous potential gene clusters for the production of novel compounds.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maximilienne T. Allaart, Martijn Diender, Diana Z. Sousa, Robbert Kleerebezem
Summary: Carboxydotrophic metabolism is gaining interest for its applications in gas fermentation technology, where carbon monoxide is converted into fuels and commodities. Acetogenic carboxydotrophs, such as C. autoethanogenum, play a crucial role in this process. To cope with the toxicity of CO, these organisms employ a form of overflow metabolism that allows them to efficiently use CO at varying substrate influxes. The study focuses on how C. autoethanogenum utilizes acetate reduction to ethanol as a form of overflow metabolism when grown solely on CO and syngas mixtures.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sara Cantera, Francesca Di Benedetto, Ben F. Tumulero, Diana Z. Sousa
Summary: This study explores a novel conversion of CO2 into high-value chemicals hydroxyectoine and ectoine in the pharmaceutical industry. Through literature search and genomic mining, 11 species of microbes capable of using CO2 and H-2 with the genes for ectoine synthesis were identified. Laboratory tests confirmed that Hydrogenovibrio marinus, Rhodococcus opacus, and Hydrogenibacillus schlegelii are the most promising bacteria for CO2 to ectoines bioconversion. These results provide the first proof of a novel valorization platform for CO2 and lay the foundation for a new economic niche in CO2 recircularization into pharmaceuticals.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nicolas Vecchini Santaella, Diana Z. Sousa, Alfons J. M. Stams
Summary: Based on genomic analysis and phenotypic results, strain AMPT (DSM 21394T=JCM 35360T) should be classified as a new bacterial species in the genus Moorella, named Moorella caeni sp. nov.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pediatrics
Desiree F. Baaleman, Carrie A. M. Wegh, Tessa J. M. de Leeuw, Faridi S. van Etten-Jamaludin, Elaine E. Vaughan, Margriet H. C. Schoterman, Clara Belzer, Hauke Smidt, Merit M. Tabbers, Marc A. Benninga, Ilan J. N. Koppen
Summary: A systematic review was conducted to estimate normal reference values for defecation frequency and stool consistency in healthy children up to age 4. The results showed that younger infants have a higher frequency of defecation compared to young children, and the type of feeding and age also have an impact on defecation frequency and stool consistency.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Martha F. Endika, David J. M. Barnett, Cynthia E. Klostermann, Henk A. Schols, Ilja C. W. Arts, John Penders, Arjen Nauta, Hauke Smidt, Koen Venema
Summary: Antibiotic exposure disrupts infant gut microbiota, but the ability to recover from this disruption depends on the type of antibiotic. This study investigated the effect of two common infant prebiotics, 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), on the resilience of the gut microbiota after exposure to amoxicillin/clavulanate. The results showed that the prebiotics supported the recovery of the microbiota and restored the production of beneficial fatty acids.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Le Min Chen, Stefan de Bruin, Mario Pronk, Diana Z. Sousa, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, Yuemei Lin
Summary: This study investigates the sialylation and sulfation of anionic glycoconjugates in anaerobic and aerobic granular sludge. The results showed that these two glycoconjugate modifications commonly occur in the extracellular polymericsubstances (EPS) of both types of sludge. Mass spectrometry analysis and gene identification provided insights into the distribution and synthesis of these modifications in the sludge communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Asimenia Gavriilidou, Burak Avci, Anastasia Galani, Michelle A. Schorn, Colin J. Ingham, Thijs J. G. Ettema, Hauke Smidt, Detmer Sipkema
Summary: Using genome-centric metagenomics, researchers revealed the phylogenomic placement of the candidate phylum Dadabacteria and predicted the metabolism of sponge-associated members. The results showed that these strains are aerobic heterotrophs capable of synthesizing amino acids, vitamins and cofactors, degrading complex carbohydrates, and exhibiting host-specific gene adaptations. Additionally, fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed the morphology and lifestyle of a member of Ca. Desulfobacterota.
Review
Microbiology
Angela Sessitsch, Steve Wakelin, Michael Schloter, Emmanuelle Maguin, Tomislav Cernava, Marie-Christine Champomier-Verges, Trevor C. Charles, Paul D. Cotter, Ilario Ferrocino, Aicha Kriaa, Pedro Lebre, Don Cowan, Lene Lange, Seghal Kiran, Lidia Markiewicz, Annelein Meisner, Marta Olivares, Inga Sarand, Bettina Schelkle, Joseph Selvin, Hauke Smidt, Leo van Overbeek, Gabriele Berg, Luca Cocolin, Yolanda Sanz, Wilson Lemos Fernandes, S. J. Liu, Matthew Ryan, Brajesh Singh, Tanja Kostic
Summary: Microbiomes play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning, supporting planetary health through nutrient cycling, climate regulation, and water filtration. They are closely associated with complex multicellular organisms and contribute to the health of their hosts. However, there is still limited understanding of microbiome transfer and connectivity.
MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Taojun Wang, Nils Leibrock, Caroline M. Plugge, Hauke Smidt, Erwin G. Zoetendal
Summary: Methanogens, reductive acetogens, and sulfate-reducing bacteria interact with each other in gut ecosystems, and their interactions may vary depending on environmental conditions.
Review
Environmental Sciences
M. Salome Duarte, Gilberto Martins, Pedro Oliveira, Bruno Fernandes, Eugenio C. Ferreira, M. Madalena Alves, Frederico Lopes, M. Alcina Pereira, Paulo Novais
Summary: Wastewater treatment companies are facing challenges in energy efficiency optimization, meeting stricter water quality standards, and resource recovery potential. Computational models have been recognized as effective tools for addressing these challenges and improving economic and operational efficiencies of wastewater treatment plants. Deterministic, stochastic, and time series-based models have been developed to predict the performance of wastewater treatment plants. Mechanistic models, although dominant, may introduce model structure uncertainty and require frequent calibration. Data-driven models, which search for relationships in available data, are becoming more attractive with the increasing amount of data. This review discusses the implementation of machine learning models for predicting WWTP effluent characteristics, wastewater inflows, anomaly detection, and energy consumption optimization. Hybrid models, merging mechanistic and machine learning models, are presented as a promising approach. The review also assesses gaps and future directions in the implementation of mathematical modeling in wastewater treatment processes, focusing on explainability of data-driven models and the use of Transfer Learning processes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara N. Jimenez-Volkerink, Maria Jordan, Hauke Smidt, Cristina Minguillon, Joaquim Vila, Magdalena Grifoll
Summary: By studying a specific microbial consortium in PAH-contaminated soils, it was discovered that the degradation of the carcinogenic compound BaAQ may occur through the Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMOs) pathway, and that horizontal gene transfer may play a significant role in this degradation process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Karel Olavarria, Marco V. Becker, Diana Z. Sousa, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, S. Aljoscha Wahl
Summary: This study proposes a novel metabolic engineering strategy to achieve efficient anaerobic production of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in Escherichia coli. The strategy involves rerouting the glycolytic flux through non-oxidative glycolysis and coupling PHB synthesis with NADH re-oxidation. Stoichiometric analysis and various thermodynamic approaches were used to assess the feasibility and bottlenecks of the engineered pathway.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
