Article
Microbiology
Sinchan Banerjee, Andras Tancsics, Erika Toth, Fruzsina Revesz, Karoly Boka, Balazs Kriszt
Summary: The bacterium D2P1(T) is capable of degrading benzene, para-xylene, and meta-xylene, belonging to the genus Hydrogenophaga with distinct genetic lineage. Analysis based on 16S rRNA genes showed its low genomic relatedness to closest relatives, suggesting it represents a novel species within the genus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matteo Tucci, Carolina Cruz Viggi, Simona Crognale, Bruna Matturro, Simona Rossetti, Anna Laura Capriotti, Chiara Cavaliere, Andrea Cerrato, Carmela Maria Montone, Falk Harnisch, Federico Aulenta
Summary: The degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons in anaerobic contaminated environments is limited by the lack of bioavailable electron acceptors. Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) provide a solution by offering solid electrodes as virtually unlimited electron acceptors. In a recent study, researchers demonstrated the syntrophic degradation of toluene in a continuous-flow bioelectrochemical reactor called the bioelectric well. The results showed that the electroactive microbiome associated with the toluene degradation involved various metabolic processes and interactions among different microbial communities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sinchan Banerjee, Anna Bedics, Peter Harkai, Balazs Kriszt, Nagaraju Alpula, Andras Tancsics
Summary: This study investigated the microbial community diversity and degradation abilities of xylene isomers in a legacy BTEX-contaminated site. The results showed that different bacterial groups were involved in the degradation of different xylene isomers, and the composition of the bacterial community was distinct for each isomer. Two Hydrogenophaga strains were identified as effective degraders of p-xylene, and comparative whole-genome analysis revealed the genomic adaptations that contribute to their different xylene isomer-degrading abilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chenyang Xue, Lingmei Li, Cheng Guo, Yingmei Gao, Caixia Yang, Xin Deng, Xiaojun Li, Peidong Tai, Lizong Sun
Summary: The study reveals that graphene oxide (GO) promotes the microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment by increasing the abundance of potential degrading microorganisms. GO can reduce the diversity of soil microbial community but enhance the biodegradation of PAHs. This research provides important insights for the application of GO-assisted microbial degradation technology.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. S. Rejiniemon, R. Lekshmi, Hissah Abdulrahman Alodaini, Ashraf Atef Hatamleh, Rengasamy Sathya, Palaniselvam Kuppusamy, Munirah Abdullah Al-Dosary, M. Kalaiyarasi
Summary: This study screened three bacterial strains capable of degrading naphthalene (NAP) using an enrichment culture method. The identified strains were Bacillus cereus CK1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa KD4, and Enterobacter aerogenes SR6. The bacterial consortium demonstrated efficient NAP degradation under optimal conditions, highlighting its potential for removing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Article
Microbiology
Go Kayama, Robert A. Kanaly, Jiro F. Mori
Summary: Comprehensive investigation of Thalassospira genomes revealed that these bacteria possess functional genes involved in the metabolism of single-ring aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation intermediates but are incapable of utilizing the actual PAH compounds. This expands our understanding of Thalassospira's role in PAH-degrading microbial communities and their specialization in driving downstream reactions of PAH biodegradation.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carmen Fernandez-Lopez, Rosa Posada-Baquero, Jose Luis Garcia, Jose Carlos Castilla-Alcantara, Manuel Cantos, Jose Julio Ortega-Calvo
Summary: The study demonstrates that plants facilitate bacterial access to distant pollutant sources, possibly by increasing bacterial dispersal in the soil, which in turn promotes cometabolism and increases the risks of biodegradation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paul Olusegun Bankole, Kirk Taylor Semple, Byong-Hun Jeon, Sanjay Prabhu Govindwar
Summary: This study demonstrated the efficient fluorene degradation capability of marine-derived filamentous fungus Mucor irregularis strain bpo1, with optimization using Response Surface Methodology resulting in a degradation rate of 81.50%. Enhanced degradation efficiencies were achieved through growth-linked validation experiments, showing promising potentials for PAH degradation and green remediation technology.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhao Lu, Qingguang Li, Yiwen Ju, Shangyi Gu, Peng Xia, Wei Gao, Zhihua Yan, Chaobing Gong
Summary: In this study, the compositional characteristics of saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons in coal and coal-measure mudstone were analyzed to investigate their biodegradation characteristics and impact on secondary biogenic gas (SBG) enrichment. The research found that saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons experienced different degrees of biodegradation, with varying levels of degradation observed.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xiaojia Wu, JunJun Shi, Hui Yu, Qunsheng Li, Zhiyong Zhou, Zhongqi Ren
Summary: Naphtha is a crucial raw material for ethylene cracking, where the presence of aromatics can lead to coking and decreased ethylene yield. Therefore, it is important to separate aromatics from naphtha to enhance the alkane content and improve ethylene production. This study proposes a novel pyridine ionic liquid-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) for efficient extraction of aromatics from alkanes. The DES, composed of 1-ethylpyridinium chloride (EpyCl) and levulinic acid (LA), utilizes pi-pi interactions and acidic groups to enhance interactions with aromatics. Experimental results using toluene/n-heptane and toluene/cyclohexane systems demonstrate that the optimal EpyCl/LA ratio of 2:1 achieves the highest extraction efficiency and selectivity for toluene. The interaction mechanism between DES and aromatics/alkanes is mostly van der Waals forces, dominated by dispersion forces.
Article
Microbiology
Sinchan Banerjee, Anna Bedics, Erika Toth, Balazs Kriszt, Andre R. Soares, Karoly Boka, Andras Tancsics
Summary: Members of the genus Pseudomonas are widely distributed in hydrocarbon contaminated environments due to their ability to degrade various petroleum hydrocarbons. In this study, a novel bacterium designated as MAP12(T) was isolated, which showed efficient degradation of xylene under both aerobic and microaerobic conditions. The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence and genome confirmed that MAP12(T) represents a new species of the genus Pseudomonas with distinct characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lihua Guo, Xingyu Ouyang, Weiwei Wang, Yiqun Huang, Xiaoyu Qiu, Ping Xu, Hongzhi Tang
Summary: A novel aromatic ring-hydroxylating oxygenase named NarA2B2, capable of degrading multiple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives, was identified from the thermophilic microorganism Hydrogenibacillus sp. N12. The degradation characteristics of NarA2B2 were characterized by adding one or two atoms of molecular oxygen to the substrate. Key catalytic amino acids played pivotal roles in catalysis, and the catalytic activity of NarA2B2 could be restored by adding L-ascorbic acid.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Aswin Thacharodi, Saqib Hassan, Tripti Singh, Ramkrishna Mandal, Jeganathan Chinnadurai, Hilal Ahmad Khan, Mir Ashiq Hussain, Kathirvel Brindhadevi, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
Summary: PAHs, a class of organic priority pollutants, pose significant public health and environmental concerns due to their carcinogenic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic properties. With increased awareness of their negative effects on the environment and human health, research on eliminating PAHs from the environment has exponentially increased. Various environmental factors, such as nutrients, microorganisms present and their abundance, and the nature and chemical properties of PAHs, affect the biodegradation of PAHs. While bacteria and fungi have garnered the most attention for their biodegradation capacity, a comprehensive understanding of microbial communities and their enzymatic and biochemical properties is crucial for successful PAH degradation. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the latest findings and advancements in the microbial bioremediation of PAHs to enhance the broader understanding of PAHs bioremediation in the environment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nadya Hussin Al Sbani, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Mushrifah Idris, Hassimi Abu Hasan, Mohd Izuan Effendi Halmi, Omar Hamed Jehawi, Nur Izzati Ismail
Summary: This study identified plant rhizobacteria capable of degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aiding in enhancing the phytoremediation of PAH-contaminated wastewater. The rhizobacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Lepironia articulata showed promising potential for degrading PAHs and improving remediation efficiency.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matteo Tucci, Alessandro Milani, Marco Resitano, Carolina Cruz Viggi, Ottavia Giampaoli, Alfredo Miccheli, Simona Crognale, Bruna Matturro, Simona Rossetti, Falk Harnisch, Federico Aulenta
Summary: Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) show promise for groundwater remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PH). However, the degradation mechanisms are not well understood. This study analyzed the degradation of toluene, a model PH, in a bioelectrochemical reactor. The results revealed a syntrophic pathway involving different microbial populations for the degradation of toluene. Hydrocarbon degraders converted toluene into metabolic intermediates, which were further converted by fermentative bacteria into volatile fatty acids (VFA) and possibly H2. These compounds were then used as substrates by electroactive microorganisms forming the anodic biofilm. The increase in intermediate concentration did not result in a current increase as toluene degradation was faster.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Philip M. M. Stanley, Alice Y. Y. Su, Vanessa Ramm, Pascal Fink, Ceren Kimna, Oliver Lieleg, Martin Elsner, Johannes A. A. Lercher, Bernhard Rieger, Julien Warnan, Roland A. A. Fischer
Summary: A light-harvesting metal-organic framework has been engineered as a catalyst carrier, achieving controllable photocatalytic synthesis of syngas. This study is a significant breakthrough for photocatalytic CO2 reduction and H2 evolution in sustainable energy cycles.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Julia Kluepfel, Sandra Passreiter, Melina Rumpf, Catharina Christa, Hans-Peter Holthoff, Martin Ungerer, Martin Lohse, Percy Knolle, Ulrike Protzer, Martin Elsner, Michael Seidel
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has emphasized the significance of rapid and comprehensive diagnostic tools. A competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay has been developed to detect neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies within 7 minutes, providing a more efficient alternative to current time-consuming neutralization tests.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tina Koehler, Carolin Schaum, Shu-Yin Tung, Franziska Steiner, Nicolas Tyborski, Andreas J. Wild, Asegidew Akale, Johanna Pausch, Tillmann Lueders, Sebastian Wolfrum, Carsten W. Mueller, Alix Vidal, Wouter K. Vahl, Jennifer Groth, Barbara Eder, Mutez A. Ahmed, Andrea Carminati
Summary: This study investigates the impact of plant hydraulic traits on stomatal regulation in maize during soil drying. The results demonstrate the importance of belowground hydraulics for stomatal regulation and suggest that stomata close when soil hydraulic conductivity drops.
Article
Soil Science
Adina Rauscher, Nele Meyer, Aileen Jakobs, Ryan Bartnick, Tillmann Lueders, Eva Lehndorff
Summary: Plastic input to the terrestrial environment is a global concern, and the effect of microplastics on soil CO2 emissions and microbial biomass has been investigated. It was found that biodegradable microplastics can significantly increase CO2 emissions and microbial biomass in sandy loam soil.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aileen Jakobs, Elif Guerkal, Julia N. Moeller, Martin G. J. Loeder, Christian Laforsch, Tillmann Lueders
Summary: The increasing accumulation of microplastics in the environment is a significant environmental challenge. Reliable extraction and detection methods for microplastics in environmental samples are crucial, but the extraction from complex matrices like soil remains challenging. Current methods lack the ability to fractionate microplastics based on their specific polymer densities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Lena Heining, Laura Welp, Achim Hugo, Martin Elsner, Michael Seidel
Summary: This study presents a culture-independent method for quantifying L. pneumophila in bioaerosols using immunomagnetic separation coupled with flow cytometry. The results demonstrate that this method provides comparable sensitivity and higher recovery rates compared to cultivation, making it a promising tool for field application.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Oliver Jacob, Alejandro Ramirez-Pinero, Martin Elsner, Natalia P. Ivleva
Summary: Accurate quantification of small microplastics in environmental and food samples is essential for studying their potential hazard. Raman microspectroscopy can identify particles as small as 1 μm in diameter. This study presents a new software, TUM-ParticleTyper 2, which allows for automated quantification of microplastics across the defined size range, using random window sampling and on-the-fly confidence interval estimation.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
David Gloeckler, Christopher Wabnitz, Martin Elsner, Rani Bakkour
Summary: The synthesis of cyclodextrin polymers as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents can increase extraction selectivity and reduce background interference. The use of β-CDP as an SPE sorbent can significantly reduce backgrounds, enhance sensitivity, and avoid isotopic fractionation.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jianrong Huang, Adrian Mellage, Julian Pavon Garcia, David Gloeckler, Susanne Mahler, Martin Elsner, Natalia Jakus, Muammar Mansor, Hongchen Jiang, Andreas Kappler
Summary: Autotrophic nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms play a crucial role in carbon, iron, and nitrogen cycles. The study showed that the distribution of electrons from Fe(II) oxidation to either CO2 fixation or nitrate reduction deviated from the theoretical value. N2O was the main denitrification product. Furthermore, the Fe/N ratios influenced the distribution of electrons and the degree of cell-mineral interactions.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Arar, Rani Bakkour, Martin Elsner, Anat Bernstein
Summary: The degradation of atrazine in contaminated groundwater adjacent to its production plant was investigated. It was found that there is a high potential for microbial degradation of atrazine in groundwater enrichment cultures, even when atrazine served as the sole nitrogen source. In-situ degradation was reflected by a high percentage of metabolites in field samples.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Cajetan Neubauer, Kristyna Kantnerova, Alexis Lamothe, Joel Savarino, Andreas Hilkert, Dieter Juchelka, Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, Marcus Elvert, Verena Heuer, Martin Elsner, Rani Bakkour, Maxime Julien, Merve Oztoprak, Stefan Schouten, Shohei Hattori, Thorsten Dittmar
Summary: Recent studies have shown that electrospray-ionization Orbitraps and other mass spectrometers widely used in life sciences can be used for high-precision isotope ratio analysis. In this article, the authors introduce current topics in stable isotope research and discuss how soft-ionization mass spectrometry coupled with ultrahigh mass resolution can lead to significant progress. They highlight the potential of observing isotopes in intact polar compounds and speculate on future directions of research in the overlapping realms of biology, chemistry, and geology.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Helge Oesinghaus, Daniel Wanken, Kilian Lupp, Martina Gastl, Martin Elsner, Karl Glas
Summary: Reverse osmosis (RO) is a widely used membrane technology for water production, but biofouling poses a significant challenge. This study introduces two methods for early detection of biofouling using optical fiber sensors and image analysis. The effectiveness of these methods was validated through accelerated biofouling experiments.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Thomas R. Neu, Ute Kuhlicke, Clemens Karwautz, Tillmann Lueders
Summary: This study investigated a methane-driven microbial community and discovered previously unknown gelatinous snottite structures. By using a combination of fluorescence techniques and confocal laser scanning microscopy, the complex architecture of these biofilms was examined, revealing the presence of various bacteria and glycoconjugates. Further research is recommended to explore the characteristics of these unconventional microbial biofilms.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Gernot Bodner, Anna Zeiser, Katharina Keiblinger, Christoph Rosinger, Samuel Konrad Winkler, Christine Stumpp, Thomas Weninger
Summary: This study evaluates the restoration of soil pore characteristics in the transition towards soil-health oriented farming systems and identifies the factors shaping different pore domains. The results suggest that soil-health oriented pioneer farmers can effectively manage functionally relevant pore domains for climate change resilience by promoting biological agents of structure formation.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dheeraj Kanaparthi, Marko Lampe, Jan-Hagen Krohn, Baoli Zhu, Andreas Klingl, Tillmann Lueders
Summary: This study investigates the life cycle of bacterial protoplasts in their natural environment and discovers that their reproduction occurs in a defined sequence of steps, influenced by environmental conditions.