Review
Engineering, Environmental
Sheila M. Saia, Hunter J. Carrick, Anthony R. Buda, John M. Regan, M. Todd Walter
Summary: Despite advances in wastewater treatment research on phosphorus cycling, there is still limited application in reducing agricultural phosphorus loading. Interdisciplinary research is needed to improve agricultural phosphorus management strategies and achieve water quality goals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Seungdae Oh, Youngjun Kim
Summary: This study advanced the understanding of the diversity and interactions of PAOs and GAOs in EBPR systems using machine learning models, identifying specific species populations strongly correlated with water temperature and validating their positive association in real-scale processes.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Bohan Liu, Jun Nan, Xuehui Zu, Xinhui Zhang, Qiliang Xiao
Summary: The study introduced a support vector machine algorithm to achieve rapid identification and prediction of PAOs using bioinformatics data, demonstrating high accuracy and stability.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yangang Lin, Yawen Sun, Liyuan Zhang, Qiong Zhang, Xiyao Li, Jun Sui, Yongzhen Peng
Summary: Balancing the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus in municipal wastewater under carbon limitation remains challenging. The key parameter in achieving this balance is the COD-to-PO43--P ratio. By operating an A(2)/O-BCO system for 205 days, it was found that increasing the COD/P ratio deteriorated the nitrogen removal performance, while decreasing it led to the proliferation of Ca.Competibacter and an increase in nitrogen removal. The nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency reached up to 79.3% and 95.2%. Overall, establishing a balance between DGAOs and DPAOs through strengthening the effect of DGAOs can improve nutrient removal performance and enhance the stability and efficiency of the system.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jing Ding, Xinjie Gao, Yi Peng, Yongzhen Peng, Qiong Zhang, Xiyao Li, Shuying Wang
Summary: The study optimized the quantitative distribution of anaerobic carbon source removal pathways for the first time, improving the endogenous denitrification rate. The results showed an increase in NO3- removal rate and the abundance of glycogen accumulating organisms, providing an effective strategy to improve postdenitrification efficiency.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qiongpeng Dan, Yongzhen Peng, Bo Wang, Qi Wang, Tiantian Sun
Summary: The study proposed and implemented a side-stream sludge treatment strategy using phosphorus famine to selectively strengthen GAOs, resulting in improved endogenous denitrification efficiency for low COD/N municipal wastewater. The strategy led to a decrease in PAOs and DOHOs abundance, while increasing the abundance of GAOs, ultimately promoting enhanced nitrogen removal through simultaneous utilization of glycogen and PHA as carbon sources.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Abdul M. Maszenan, Irina Bessarab, Rohan B. H. Williams, Steve Petrovski, Robert J. Seviour
Summary: This comprehensive review critically evaluates the knowledge about members of the Defluviicoccus genus in wastewater treatment plants, examining their functionality, phylogeny, physiology, and biochemistry. It addresses the controversies and problems in the literature, and discusses the importance of future research in this field.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Timothy Paez-Watson, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, S. Aljoscha Wahl
Summary: Understanding microbial communities and their regulation is important for new technologies. Resource allocation and biosynthesis in microbial communities are poorly understood. In this study, metabolic flux analysis was used to study the optimal phenotype of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). The results validate limited anaerobic biosynthesis in PAOs and identify temperature-dependent resource allocation strategies.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bohan Chen, Yong Li, Zhizhan Luo, Mengen Lei, Xiaolei Zhang, Ji Li
Summary: This study reveals the important role of denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAOs) in sludge granulation, which can help wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) formulate specific operation strategies to promote the extent of sludge granulation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
McKenna Farmer, Fabrizio Sabba, Zhen Jia, Patrick Dunlap, James Barnard, Cindy Dongqi Qin, Levi Straka, Joseph A. A. Kozak, Leon Downing, George Wells
Summary: This study assessed the performance and microbial community structure of a full-scale sidestream-enhanced biological phosphorus removal (S2EBPR) demonstration supplemented with external carbon dosing. The most abundant phosphorus-accumulating organism (PAO) detected was Dechloromonas phosphorivorans, while the glycogen-accumulating organism Competibacter proliferated throughout the study with no tangible performance impacts.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Min Ni, Yang Pan, Dapeng Li, Yong Huang, Zhiqiang Chen, Lu Li, Zuowei Song, Yimeng Zhao
Summary: This study assessed the impact of operating conditions of a biofilm sequencing batch reactor (BSBR) on the community structure and metabolic pathways of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). The findings suggest significant differences compared to the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process. The PAOs in BSBR have various metabolic pathways to ensure efficient energy circulation and show distinct differences from the classic mechanism based on Candidatus_Accumulibacter and Tetrasphaera.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Wang, Adrian Oehmen, Chencheng Le, Jianbo Liu, Yan Zhou
Summary: The study found that at high temperatures, glycogen-accumulating organisms are less competitive in anaerobic VFA uptake compared to polyphosphate-accumulating organisms, contrary to previous observations. Different types of glycogen-accumulating organisms also exhibit differences in competitiveness in anaerobic VFA uptake.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Njabulo Thela, David Ikumi, Theo Harding, Moses Basitere
Summary: This study cultured phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) in the laboratory and investigated their preference for different carbon sources and their ability to remove phosphorus from wastewater. The results showed that PAOs preferred propionate, and the concentration of PAO biomass increased when the propionate concentration in the wastewater increased.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingan Meng, Wei Zeng, Zhiwei Fan, Jianmin Li, Yongzhen Peng
Summary: This study investigated the impact of different levels of polyphosphate on DPAOs and found that a high C/P ratio led to a shift from polyphosphate accumulating metabolism to glycogen accumulating metabolism. DPAOs under glycogen accumulating metabolism showed a significantly higher nitrate reduction rate. Additionally, these DPAOs exhibited better tolerance to free nitrous acid, although it resulted in the destruction of N2O reductase and the accumulation of N2O. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that free nitrous acid caused DPAOs to over-consume ATP and depolarize, inhibiting their growth.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jun Yin, Kristopher A. Hunt, Ting Xie, Bao Nguyen Quoc, Kim Tran, David A. Stahl, Mari-Karoliina H. Winkler
Summary: Coupling denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organisms (DPAO) with anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (Anammox) bacteria in a single treatment scheme has challenges due to their competition for nitrite and different growth rates. This study aimed to uncouple their solid retention time (SRT) by growing them in different sludge fractions and found that Anammox bacteria had higher nitrite affinity in biofilms, while DPAO were more sensitive to nitrite and better suited for growth in the protective biofilm.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Juliana R. Almeida, Joana C. Fradinho, Gilda Carvalho, Adrian Oehmen, Maria A. M. Reis
Summary: This work evaluates the influence of different operational conditions on the bacterial communities reported in phototrophic mixed culture (PMC) systems with polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production capabilities. Chromatiaceae members were identified as the main phototrophic PHA producers, favored under high carbon concentrations and the permanent feast regime. Increasing the organic loading rate in systems fed with fermented wastewater enriched for other bacteria responsible for PHA storage. High-sugar feedstock impaired PHA production under the permanent feast conditions, but not under feast and famine conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catarina Rangel, Gilda Carvalho, Adrian Oehmen, Nicola Frison, Nidia D. Lourenco, Maria A. M. Reis
Summary: The study focused on PHA production using fermented confectionary industry wastewater as feedstock. A mixed microbial culture with a high PHA content of up to 59.1 wt% was successfully enriched by operating a culture selection reactor at an organic loading rate of 150 Cmmol·L-1·d-1. Ethanol concentration was found to have an inhibitory effect on PHA production rate and yield. The produced polymer was poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) with a molecular weight of 4.3 x 105 Da and a polydispersity index of 1.88.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hileia K. S. Souza, Mariana Matos, Maria A. M. Reis, Jose A. Covas, Loic Hilliou
Summary: Wet biomass mastication before solvent extraction can improve the purity and thermal stability of PHA, as well as its melt rheology, thus recovering the viscoelasticity of PHA extracted from dried biomass.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ines Carvalho Leonardo, Adriana Alberti, France Denoeud, Maria Teresa Barreto Crespo, Jorge Capelo, Frederic Bustos Gaspar
Summary: This study describes the complete chloroplast genome of Centaurium erythraea subsp. majus, the first available plastome belonging to the Centaurium genus. The genome is 153,107 bp long and contains 129 genes, including tRNA, rRNA, and protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis supports the placement of this subspecies under the Gentianaceae family and provides evidence for lineage divergence within the family. This study is important for conservation, phylogenetic and evolutionary studies, and DNA barcoding applications for food, feed, and supplements safety.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Francisco Quintas-Nunes, Pedro. R. R. Brandao, Maria. T. T. Barreto Crespo, Bernard. R. R. Glick, Francisco. X. X. Nascimento
Summary: This study presents a functional and genomic characterization of strain NFX-FRZ, a eukaryotic microalga belonging to the Micractinium genus, isolated from the rhizosphere of a plant in Portugal. The results show that strain NFX-FRZ belongs to a novel species, promotes tomato plant growth by synthesizing plant growth-promoting compounds and contains genes involved in phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling. This research provides insights into the importance of eukaryotic microalgae as plant growth-promoting agents and contributes to the understanding of phytohormone biosynthesis, signaling, and plant-microalgae interactions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
V. C. F. Carvalho, J. C. Fradinho, A. Oehmen, M. A. M. Reis
Summary: The utilization of non-aerated microalgae-bacterial consortia for phototrophic biological nutrient removal (photo-BNR) has emerged as an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment. This study evaluated the long-term operation and operational parameters of a photo-BNR system to understand its limitations and performance. The results showed that light availability had a greater impact on oxygen production than CO2 concentration, and the system achieved efficient nutrient removal without internal polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) limitation. The photo-BNR system demonstrated a good settling capacity and the potential for aeration-free wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eliana C. Guarda, Eunice Costa, Catia Gil, Catarina L. Amorim, Claudia F. Galinha, Anouk F. Duque, Paula M. L. Castro, Maria A. M. Reis
Summary: Traditional tools for controlling and monitoring biological systems are often offline and time-consuming, leading to ineffective and delayed responses. This study evaluated the feasibility of using two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy as a real-time and non-destructive procedure to monitor acidogenic fermentation in a granular sludge reactor. The results showed that fluorescence spectroscopy combined with mathematical analysis could accurately predict fermentation products and soluble protein concentrations in the effluent.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ines Carvalho Leonardo, Adriana Alberti, France Denoeud, Maria Teresa Barreto Crespo, Jorge Capelo, Frederic Bustos Gaspar
Summary: This study presents the complete chloroplast genome of Glandora prostrata subsp. lusitanica, the first of its kind for the Glandora genus. The genome is 150,041 bp long with a GC content of 37.5% and displays a quadripartite structure. It contains 131 annotated genes and phylogenetic analysis confirms its placement under the Boraginaceae family. This research will contribute to the conservation, phylogenetic, and evolutionary studies of this traditional species relevant to aromatic, medicinal, and condiment plants from Portugal.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Constanca D. F. Bertrand, Rodrigo Martins, Francisco Quintas-Nunes, Pedro Reynolds-Brandao, Maria T. B. Crespo, Francisco X. Nascimento
Summary: This study reports the characterization and genomic analysis of Saccharopolyspora sp. NFXS83, a marine bacterium isolated from seawater from the Sado estuary in Portugal. The NFXS83 strain produced multiple functional and stable extracellular enzymes under high-salt conditions, showed the ability to synthesize auxins such as indole-3-acetic acid, and produced diffusible secondary metabolites capable of inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. These findings indicate that Saccharopolyspora sp. NFXS83 has a significant potential for a wide range of marine biotechnological applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kayo Santana Barros, Monica Carvalheira, Bruno Costa Marreiros, Maria Ascensao M. Reis, Joao Goulao Crespo, Valentin Perez-Herranz, Svetlozar Velizarov
Summary: For the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using nitrogen-rich feedstocks, the typical strategy of restricting cell growth by nitrogen limitation is not applicable. In this study, Donnan dialysis was evaluated as an alternative method to remove excess nitrogen ions by separating ammonium ions from volatile fatty acids in the media. The use of Fumasep and Ralex membranes showed better performance in terms of ammonium extraction compared to Ionsep.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
P. Y. Nguyen, Ricardo Marques, Hongmin Wang, Maria A. M. Reis, Gilda Carvalho, Adrian Oehmen
Summary: Members of the genus Tetrasphaera, potential polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs), have been found to be more abundant than Accumulibacter in full-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) wastewater treatment plants worldwide. Previous studies have primarily focused on the response of Accumulibacter to pH changes, while this study examines the effect of pH on a Tetrasphaera PAO enriched culture. The results show that pH has a significant impact on the P release and uptake kinetics of PAOs and that high pH levels can benefit the performance of EBPR.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Congcong Zhang, Albert Guisasola, Adrian Oehmen, Juan Antonio Baeza
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of incorporating a side-stream sludge fermenter (SSSF) into an anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2O) configuration for P/N/COD removal under a limited influent COD condition. The results show that the S2EBPR configuration improves P removal but also increases P-release, leading to higher effluent P concentration.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samuel Namonyo, Karen D. Weynberg, Jianhua Guo, Gilda Carvalho
Summary: This study investigated the role of phages in disrupting and inactivating clinical P. aeruginosa biofilms. Four previously isolated phages were effective in disrupting the formed biofilms at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10. Phage treatments reduced the biofilms' biomass and led to the detachment of cells. The phages were also able to kill the cells from the biofilms, reducing the living cell counts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
J. R. Almeida, E. Serrano Leon, E. Lara Corona, J. C. Fradinho, A. Oehmen, M. A. M. Reis
Summary: This research evaluates the impact of ammonia on the selection of PHA accumulating PPB and found that the best PHA accumulation performance was obtained with selection under permanent presence of ammonia.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Jianyuan Zhen, Adrian Oehmen, Wei Wei, Shou-Qing Ni, Bing-Jie Ni
Summary: The recently proposed GAOs-driven EPDA process shows promise as an alternative method for supplying NO2- to anammox bacteria without external carbon source addition. This process demonstrates superior nitrogen elimination efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and operational stability in low C/N wastewater treatment, while also mitigating greenhouse gas releases. Future research should focus on balancing the competitiveness between functional consortia and addressing the effects of adverse conditions on nutrient removal performance in the EPDA-based processes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
