Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
A. Firrincieli, D. Zannoni, E. Donini, H. Dostalova, R. Radisch, L. Iommarini, R. J. Turner, T. Busche, M. Patek, M. Cappelletti
Summary: Members of the genus Rhodococcus exhibit high metabolic versatility and tolerance to toxic metals. In this study, the response of R. aetherivorans BCP1 to two inorganic arsenic oxyanions, arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)], was investigated. The results shed light on the plasticity of Rhodococcus' response to arsenic stress and provide insights into its energetic metabolism.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erika E. Rios-Valenciana, Tonatiuh Moreno-Perlin, Roberto Briones-Gallardo, Reyes Sierra-Alvarez, Lourdes B. Celis
Summary: Biogeochemical processes control the transport and availability of arsenic in sediments. Transition from indigenous communities to cultivable consortia exposed to high arsenic concentrations is poorly understood. Understanding the dynamics and selective pressures in the development of bacterial consortia is crucial for arsenic bioremediation. We found that a significant portion of arsenic in sediments is bioavailable and developed bacterial consortia using arsenic sulfide biominerals. Our study highlights the importance of these biogenic minerals as reservoirs of arsenic-resistant bacteria.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aiting Li, Yingying Lu, Da Zhen, Ziheng Guo, Gejiao Wang, Kaixiang Shi, Shuijiao Liao
Summary: The presence of Enterobacter sp. E1 significantly affects the accumulation of arsenic in Pteris vittata by promoting plant growth and dissolving soil arsenic. The strain E1 increases the water-soluble and exchangeable arsenic while reducing the Fe-bound arsenic in the soil. Additionally, the strain E1 has a positive effect on microbial diversity and soil enzymatic activities with low ecological risks.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Noor ul Huda, Rabia Tanvir, Javaria Badar, Iftikhar Ali, Yasir Rehman
Summary: This study isolated arsenic-resistant bacteria from contaminated irrigation water and investigated their potential for promoting plant growth. Two strains of bacteria showed the highest resistance to arsenic and belonged to the species Pseudoxanthomonas mexicana and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. These bacteria not only produced auxin and fixed nitrogen, but also enhanced the growth of Vigna radiata, suggesting their potential application in improving plant growth in arsenic-contaminated lands.
Article
Microbiology
Esin Isik, Cigdem Balkan, Vivien Karl, Huseyin Caglar Karakaya, Sansan Hua, Sebastien Rauch, Markus J. Tamas, Ahmet Koc
Summary: This study identified multiple genes contributing to arsenic resistance in yeast through overexpression. The researchers revealed different resistance mechanisms by exploring the effects of gene overexpression on cell growth, intracellular arsenic, and protein aggregation levels.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Dabrowska, K. Debiec-Andrzejewska, M. Andrunik, T. Bajda, L. Drewniak
Summary: The study revealed the resistance of key bacterial groups in SMC to arsenic, as well as the microbial community's ability to oxidize As(III) and reduce As(V). It also showed the cooperation between arsenate and sulfate-reducing bacteria in the precipitation of AsxSy.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ling-Dong Shi, Yu-Jie Zhou, Xian-Jin Tang, Andreas Kappler, Ludmila Chistoserdova, Li-Zhong Zhu, He -Ping Zhao
Summary: Microbial oxidation of organic compounds can promote the release of arsenic by reducing it to a more mobile form. Our study reveals that aerobic methane oxidation (aeMO) can also contribute significantly to reductive arsenic mobilization.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xu Ma, Jiaxi Zhang, Mario A. Gomez, Yu Ding, Shuhua Yao, Hongtao Lv, Xin Wang, Shaofeng Wang, Yongfeng Jia
Summary: The coprecipitation and aging of Fe(III)-As(III)-As(V)-SO4(2-) in acidic systems play a crucial role in controlling arsenic behavior. The study investigates the redistribution and transformation of arsenic in the system at different Fe/As molar ratios and pH values. Results show that As(III) contents in the solid products change with aging time and conditions, indicating the complex behavior of arsenic in the system.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhi-Hua Dai, You-Jing Peng, Song Ding, Jia-Yi Chen, Si-Xue He, Chun-Yan Hu, Yue Cao, Dong-Xing Guan, Lena Q. Ma
Summary: Selenate treatment can enhance arsenic (As) accumulation in the hyperaccumulator plant Pteris vittata, mainly by promoting reduction of AsV to AsIII, translocation of AsIII from roots to fronds, and sequestration of AsIII into vacuoles in the fronds. This finding suggests that selenate may be used to enhance phytoremediation of As-contaminated soils using P. vittata.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vladimir Bermanec, Tina Paradzik, Snjezana P. Kazazic, Chantelle Venter, Jasna Hrenovic, Dusica Vujaklija, Robert Duran, Ivan Boev, Blazo Boev
Summary: Novel hyper-resistant bacteria were isolated from the Crven Dol mine in North Macedonia, showing the ability to survive exposure to high concentrations of arsenite and arsenate. The bacterial isolates were mainly identified as Stenotrophomonas sp. and two Microbacterium spp. Some of the bacteria exhibited increased tolerance to arsenic compounds through As-efflux systems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pieter Ostermeyer, Luiza Bonin, Karel Folens, Florian Verbruggen, Cristina Garcia-Timermans, Kim Verbeken, Korneel Rabaey, Tom Hennebel
Summary: Arsenic precipitation as As2S3 is effective for removal, but the efficiency is influenced by the composition of the wastewater and the S:As ratio. Flocculation and coagulation characteristics of As2S3 particles are affected by the speciation of arsenic.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Andre G. Gouveia, Bruno A. Salgueiro, Dean O. Ranmar, Wilson D. T. Antunes, Peter Kirchweger, Ofra Golani, Sharon G. Wolf, Michael Elbaum, Pedro M. Matias, Celia V. Romao
Summary: Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal that is widely present in the environment and can severely harm water resources. Bioremediation is a sustainable and cost-effective technology for removing toxic compounds. The resistance of Deinococcus indicus, an arsenic resistant bacterium, to cellular insults was extensively characterized to explore its potential use in arsenic bioremediation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiang Tang, Man Zhou, Changzheng Fan, Guangming Zeng, Yue Lu, Haoran Dong, Biao Song, Qizi Fu, Yanjing Zeng
Summary: This study found that lysogenic phages carrying arsenic biotransformation genes can help hosts alleviate arsenic stress and transfer these genes in soil microbial communities. Additionally, different arsenic species proportions and viral gene compositions may alter the abundance of ABGs in soil microbes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jichao Zhang, Zijun Ye, Liping Huang, Qianyu Zhao, Kaige Dong, Wei Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the biotransformation and bioaccumulation of arsenobetaine (AsB) in mouse tissues, and finds that AsB undergoes biotransformation to inorganic arsenic (As) in mammals, indicating potential health risks associated with long-term AsB intake in mammals.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Reeta Bhati, Smitha Mony Sreedharan, Asfa Rizvi, Mohammad Saghir Khan, Rajni Singh
Summary: The indiscriminate discharge of heavy metals/metalloids into sustainable agro-ecosystems poses a major threat to food security and human health globally. This study identified and evaluated the arsenic removal/detoxification potential of arsenic-resistant bacteria. Enterobacter cloacae, isolated from an arsenic-rich environment, demonstrated high tolerance to arsenic and possessed the gene (arsC) responsible for the transformation of arsenate to arsenite. In addition, this bacterial strain displayed resistance to other heavy metals and antibiotics. The findings suggest that E. cloacae has the potential for the remediation of arsenic-contaminated environments.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renren Sun, Lucia Casali, Raymond J. Turner, Dario Braga, Fabrizia Grepioni
Summary: Co-crystallization of kojic acid with metal salts yielded coordination polymers and complexes, which were fully characterized. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds was tested against bacterial strains, and appreciable activity was observed in the order of silver, zinc, copper, and gallium complexes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cecilia Fiore, Andrii Lekhan, Simone Bordignon, Michele R. R. Chierotti, Roberto Gobetto, Fabrizia Grepioni, Raymond J. J. Turner, Dario Braga
Summary: The antimicrobial activity of coordination polymers obtained by co-crystallizing amino acids with metal salts was investigated. The effects of chirality on enantiopure and racemic forms of arginine and histidine were explored. The coordination polymers showed comparable or superior antimicrobial activity compared to metal salts alone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Paolo Seri, Silvia Nici, Martina Cappelletti, Silvia G. Scaltriti, Arturo Popoli, Andrea Cristofolini, Gabriele Neretti
Summary: Nowadays, sterilization methods for disposable medical devices have drawbacks in terms of safety, energy consumption, and costs. This study presents a sterilization method using indirect nonthermal plasma treatment, which has advantages in terms of low environmental impact and backward compatibility. The method utilizes reactive species produced by a plasma reactor to achieve sterilization of devices enclosed in protective packaging. Complete sterilization was achieved for various devices using USP and EU-PHARMA protocols, with the need for pretreatment of carton packaging.
PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Daniele Ghezzi, Marco Boi, Enrico Sassoni, Francesco Valle, Elena Giusto, Elisa Boanini, Nicola Baldini, Martina Cappelletti, Gabriela Graziani
Summary: This study proposes a combination of the Ionized Jet Deposition technology with the Calgary Biofilm Device to develop and screen novel metal-based coatings for implantable devices. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the coatings is related to the metal ions release and surface roughness. This innovative approach can be useful for the development of materials with pleiotropic antimicrobial mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro Presentato, Eleonora La Greca, Luca Consentino, Rosa Alduina, Leonarda Francesca Liotta, Michelangelo Gruttadauria
Summary: The reaction of octakis(3-chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane with hexylimidazole or decylimidazole resulted in the synthesis of HQ-POSS and DQ-POSS. HQ-POSS demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Due to its viscous nature, HQ-POSS was adsorbed onto the surface of active oxides for application purposes.
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Manuel Carmona, Ignacio Poblete-Castro, Mahendra Rai, Raymond J. Turner
Summary: Metallic nanoparticles (MeNPs) have wide applications in various fields such as biomedicine, packaging, cosmetics, agriculture, and energy industries. Some MeNPs also exhibit quantum properties, making them suitable for photonics, electronics, and energy. Microbes can be considered as nanofactories in the production of enzymes, metabolites, and capping materials for the synthesis and stabilization of MeNPs. However, there are still challenges in microbial synthesis of MeNPs as an alternative to chemical synthesis.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Elham Lashani, Mohammad Ali Amoozegar, Raymond J. Turner, Hamid Moghimi
Summary: Microorganisms play a crucial role in reducing metalloid contamination risks through their ability to tolerate and detoxify these elements.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sara Casalini, Marco G. Baschetti, Martina Cappelletti, Adriana C. Guerreiro, Custodia M. Gago, Silvia Nici, Maria D. Antunes
Summary: The study focuses on the antimicrobial activity of nanocellulose films embedded with thyme, cinnamon, and oregano essential oils for active packaging application. The quantity of essential oil and the surface area of the films strongly influence the antimicrobial effect. Thyme and oregano essential oils were found to be more effective in maintaining fruit firmness and reducing weight loss compared to cinnamon essential oil or the control.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elham Lashani, Hamid Moghimi, Raymond J. Turner, Mohammad Ali Amoozegar
Summary: Selenium oxyanions are released into environments from various activities and are present in wastewater in many locations worldwide. Excessive amounts of selenium have negative impacts on living organisms. Halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms were used for selenium oxyanion remediation in wastewater containing salt. Factors such as aeration, carbon sources, competitive electron acceptors, and reductase inhibitors were investigated for their effects on SeO32- removal. The study also explored the remediation of SeO32- in agricultural effluents containing NO3-. The results showed that aerobic conditions with succinate as a carbon source were most effective for SeO32- removal. Certain ions, such as WO42- and TeO32-, decreased the removal percentage, while SO42- and PO43- had minimal interference. NO3- had an adverse effect on SeO32- biotransformation. Consortia of halophilic/halotolerant bacteria and yeasts were able to reduce SeO32- in synthetic agricultural wastewater by 45-53% within 120 hours. This study suggests that these consortia could be used for the bioremediation of selenium-contaminated drainage water.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hafeez Ur Rahim, Enrica Allevato, Francesco Primo Vaccari, Silvia Rita Stazi
Summary: This study investigates the aging process of biochar (BC) with humic substances (HSs), and the impact of BC and HSs on soil properties, nutrient pools, microbial communities, metal ion immobilization, and plant performance. The results show that the co-application of aged BC with HSs is more effective in enhancing nutrient pools, accessibility to plants, pollutant amelioration, and microbial activities, leading to improved plant performance.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elena Piacenza, Kevin Sule, Alessandro Presentato, Frieda Wells, Raymond J. J. Turner, Elmar J. J. Prenner
Summary: Microbial nanotechnology is a growing research area focused on producing biogenic metal and metalloid nanomaterials using microorganisms. This study evaluated the toxicity of well-characterized biogenic selenium nanoparticles (bSeNPs) produced by the Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia strain SeITE02 on the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, comparing it to chemogenic selenium nanoparticles (cSeNPs). The results showed that the biogenic extract mediated changes in the fluidity of lipid vesicles, while the chemogenic nanoparticles had negligible effects.
Review
Plant Sciences
Hafeez Ur Rahim, Enrica Allevato, Emanuele Radicetti, Francesco Carbone, Silvia Rita Stazi
Summary: The copious amounts of data generated through publications have played a crucial role in advancing Science, Technology, and Policy, providing valuable information on research topics and emerging trends. Biochar has greatly contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, with extensive research on modified or functionalized biochar. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analysis on aging biochar for agro-environmental applications, which this study aims to address.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ali Pormohammad, Andrea Firrincieli, Daniel A. Salazar-Aleman, Mehdi Mohammadi, Dave Hansen, Martina Cappelletti, Davide Zannoni, Mohammad Zarei, Raymond J. Turner
Summary: The constant, ever-increasing antibiotic resistance crisis requires urgent development of novel antibiotics according to the World Health Organization. Silver-tellurite combination treatment shows promising synergistic antibacterial activity, surpassing common antibiotics and reducing the risk of future resistance chance. The mechanism involves targeting cellular processes and amplifying changes. Adding tellurite improves the efficacy of silver in biomedical applications, providing alternative antimicrobial options with greater stability and lower toxicity.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Andrea Conte, Patrizia Brunetti, Enrica Allevato, Silvia Rita Stazi, Maria Luisa Antenozio, Laura Passatore, Maura Cardarelli
Summary: This article presents an attempt to link phytomanagement, art, and social involvement. The Remediation Project in Rome aimed to find sustainable solutions for a riparian area and involved citizens in a preliminary survey and a demonstrative experiment on phytoremediation. The project also organized social and cultural events, demonstrating the potential of art to raise curiosity on scientific issues.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)