Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer N. Russell, Benjamin J. Perry, Jordyn Bergsveinson, Claire N. Freeman, Claudia Sheedy, Denise Nilsson, Larry Braul, Christopher K. Yost
Summary: Biobeds are agricultural bioremediation tools designed to safely contain and degrade pesticide waste on farms, reducing environmental impacts. A study using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic techniques examined the microbial community in a Canadian biobed system before and after a season of pesticide application, identifying enriched xenobiotic-degrading bacteria and genes. Transcription of these genes was linked to specific bacterial taxa.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Janina Gospodarek, Milena Rusin, Gabriela Barczyk, Aleksandra Nadgorska-Socha
Summary: The study found that petroleum-derived substances significantly affect soil enzyme activity, with dehydrogenase potentially being a good indicator of PDSs contamination. Engine oil and diesel fuel contamination still limit the occurrence of soil invertebrates. The biopreparation ZB-01 had varied effects on soil enzyme activity, but was generally beneficial for soil invertebrates, especially in diesel fuel-contaminated soil.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Vasiliki Kinigopoulou, Evangelos Hatzigiannakis, Athanasios Guitonas, Efstathios K. Oikonomou, Petros Samaras
Summary: The study aimed to examine the efficiency of a biobed system for treating olive oil mill wastewaters (OMWW). Results showed significant removal of pollutants and improvement in water quality, indicating the system's potential for efficient treatment and detoxification.
DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianan Li, Ximei Niu, Ping Wang, Jingjing Yang, Jinwen Liu, Donghui Wu, Pingting Guan
Summary: Soil microorganisms obtain energy and nutrients by decomposing plant litter through soil extracellular enzymes. The type of litter is a critical factor that influences the activity of soil extracellular enzymes. However, it is still unclear how litter types modulate soil extracellular enzyme activity in different degraded grasslands.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ranu Yadav, Pratibha Tripathi, Raghavendra Pratap Singh, Puja Khare
Summary: This study demonstrates that biochar-assisted Pelargonium graveolens plantation can enhance plant tolerance to chlorpyrifos-contaminated soil and reduce CP accumulation in plants. The addition of biochar also promotes the activity of ecoenzymes in soil, mitigating the inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos on enzymatic activities and plant growth.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Xiaozhen Wu, Jiayi Li, Zhe Zhou, Ziqiu Lin, Shimei Pang, Pankaj Bhatt, Sandhya Mishra, Shaohua Chen
Summary: Diazinon is an organophosphorus pesticide commonly used in agriculture to control pests, but its continuous application poses ecological risks and biological hazards. Microbial degradation has been found to be more effective than physicochemical methods for complete clean-up from contaminated environments. Further research is needed to understand the environmental fate and degradation mechanisms of this pesticide, with potential application of ecotechnological techniques for remediation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Tartaglia, Daniela Zuzolo, Alessia Postiglione, Antonello Prigioniero, Pierpaolo Scarano, Rosaria Sciarrillo, Carmine Guarino
Summary: This study validates the potential of a microbial consortium combined with a plant for in-situ remediation of polluted soil. Through enzymatic activity analysis and chemical analyses, the study found that this method can significantly reduce the main pollutants in the soil. The metatranscriptomic approach used to analyze enzymatic activity in the rhizosphere revealed an increased abundance of enzymes involved in rhizospheric activities and pollutant removal. The findings of this study are important for the advancement of rhizosphere engineering.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Pankaj Kumar, Muhammad Arshad, Amel Gacem, Sunil Soni, Snigdha Singh, Manoj Kumar, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Mohd. Tariq, Ramesh Kumar, Deepankshi Shah, Shivraj Gangadhar Wanale, Mohammed Khaloofah Mola Al Mesfer, Javed Khan Bhutto, Krishna Kumar Yadav
Summary: Pesticides are crucial for agricultural output and economic support, but their usage has caused public health concerns and environmental hazards. Chlorpyrifos (CPY) is a widely used organophosphate pesticide that has led to environmental pollution and health issues. Research has shown that bacterial degradation of CPY is the most efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable approach.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Pankaj Kumar, Muhammad Arshad, Amel Gacem, Sunil Soni, Snigdha Singh, Manoj Kumar, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Mohd. Tariq, Ramesh Kumar, Deepankshi Shah, Shivraj Gangadhar Wanale, Mohammed Khaloofah Mola Al Mesfer, Javed Khan Bhutto, Krishna Kumar Yadav
Summary: Pesticides play a critical role in agriculture, but their usage has created health issues and environmental hazards. Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, has caused widespread pollution and neurological, immunological, and psychological consequences. Bacterial degradation of CPY is currently considered the most effective, cost-effective, and sustainable method.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anna Piotrowska-Dlugosz, Miroslaw Kobierski, Jacek Dlugosz
Summary: Most studies on soil enzymes focus on the upper horizons of the soil profile, but this research investigated the distribution of enzyme activities in 14 trunked soil profiles formed from glacial till. The enzymatic activity was highest in the top 30 cm layer of the profiles and decreased towards deeper horizons, with exceptions for certain enzymes like NR and PHA. The availability of carbon and nutrients were key drivers of microbial abundance and enzymatic activity with depth.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Edgar A. Cordova-Mendez, Virgilio R. Gongora-Echeverria, Avel Gonzalez-Sanchez, Carlos Quintal-Franco, German Giacoman-Vallejos, Carmen Ponce-Caballero
Summary: Biobeds are an effective technology for controlling and minimizing pesticide pollution in farmlands; temperature and moisture are important factors affecting pesticide dissipation; in experiments conducted under optimal temperature and moisture conditions, the optimal dissipation time for pesticides exceeded 14 days.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elzbieta Sobiecka, Milena Mroczkowska, Tomasz P. Olejnik
Summary: Water pollution, including the use of plant protection products, is a significant environmental issue. Some plants have developed an efficient antioxidative system to cope with the pollution, and local plants can enhance the remediation process of polluted water ecosystems. The study found that toxic compounds can impact enzyme activities, and water mint showed the strongest response in terms of glutathione S-transferase activity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Asma Saljooqi, Tayebeh Shamspur, Ali Mostafavi
Summary: The research investigated the photocatalytic degradation of pesticide chlorpyrifos using mZnO/TiO2-Fe3O4 nanocomposite, with optimized parameters achieving a degradation performance of over 94%. The results suggest that the nanocomposite is a promising alternative for chlorpyrifos degradation in aqueous solution, attributed to effective electron-hole pair separation via a Z-scheme mechanism.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Majid Kermani, Mohsen Dowlati, Mitra Gholami, Hamid Reza Sobhi, Ali Azari, Ali Esrafili, Mojtaba Yeganeh, Hamid Reza Ghaffari
Summary: This study conducted a systematic investigation and meta-analysis to evaluate the levels of three commonly used pesticides in vegetables, with the highest concentrations found in Pakistan, Thailand, and South Korea, while the lowest levels were reported in China and Poland. The results indicated that the presence of pesticides in vegetables does not pose a threat to the health of consumers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chun-Chi Chen, Xu Han, Xian Li, Pengcheng Jiang, Du Niu, Lixin Ma, Weidong Liu, Siyu Li, Yingying Qu, Hebing Hu, Jian Min, Yu Yang, Lilan Zhang, Wei Zeng, Jian-Wen Huang, Longhai Dai, Rey-Ting Guo
Summary: The mutational strategy of replacing His/Phe residues with Ser/Ile has been found to enhance the PET-hydrolytic activity of enzymes, providing an important approach for improving the activity of potential PET-hydrolytic enzymes.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
G. R. Tortella, J. C. Pieretti, O. Rubilar, M. Fernandez-Baldo, A. Benavides-Mendoza, M. C. Diez, A. B. Seabra
Summary: The rapid development of nanomedicine has led to a high demand for silver, copper, and copper oxide nanoparticles due to their potent antimicrobial activity. The recent pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for effective alternatives for treating and preventing viral infections. This review discusses the antiviral activity of silver and copper-based nanoparticles, along with the challenges and limitations in their biomedical applications.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Nicolas Hoffmann, Gonzalo Tortella, Edward Hermosilla, Paola Fincheira, M. Cristina Diez, Isabella M. Lourenco, Amedea B. Seabra, Olga Rubilar
Summary: This study compares the toxicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by biogenic and chemical routes. The experimental results demonstrate the different effects of these nanoparticles on aquatic organisms and plants.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Carla Cisternas Novoa, Gonzalo Tortella, Amedea B. Seabra, Maria Cristina Diez, Olga Rubilar
Summary: In this study, L-cysteine-capped silver nanoparticles were successfully linked to cotton textiles, producing antibacterial fabrics with enhanced durability. The fabric showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Edward Hermosilla, Marcela Diaz, Joelis Vera, Amedea B. Seabra, Gonzalo Tortella, Javiera Parada, Olga Rubilar
Summary: In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using molecular weight fractions of mycelia-free aqueous extract produced by the white-rot fungus Stereum hirsutum. The antimicrobial activity and photocatalytic decolorization ability of these nanoparticles were evaluated. The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles had different sizes and activities depending on the molecular weight fractions used.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Javiera Parada, Marcela Diaz, Edward Hermosilla, Joelis Vera, Gonzalo Tortella, Amedea B. Seabra, Andres Quiroz, Emilio Hormazabal, Olga Rubilar
Summary: In this study, a manganese-ferrite/silver nanocomposite (MnFe2O4/Ag-NC) obtained by biogenic routes was combined with eucalyptus oil or garlic oil to significantly reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration against Pseudomonas syringae, with a synergistic effect observed with eucalyptus oil and an additive effect observed with garlic oil.
Article
Microbiology
M. Cristina Diez, Cesar Llafquen, Paola Fincheira, Claudio Lamilla, Gabriela Briceno, Heidi Schalchli
Summary: Biosurfactant-producing bacteria were found in contaminated environments, and two strains were selected for their ability to produce biosurfactants. Both strains had good emulsification activities, and their biosurfactant production was independent of biomass.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edward Hermosilla, Marcela Diaz, Joelis Vera, Maria Jose Contreras, Karla Leal, Rodrigo Salazar, Leticia Barrientos, Gonzalo Tortella, Olga Rubilar
Summary: In this study, chitosan was used to encapsulate the mycelia of the white-rot fungus and form chitosan fungal beads for multiple extractions and nanoparticle synthesis. The resulting nanoparticles were composed of chitosan-silver nanoparticles with a size of 25 nm. The chitosan fungal beads lost their ability to produce chitosan-silver nanoparticles after three extractions and nanoparticle synthesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Marcela Levio-Raiman, Cristian Bornhardt, M. Cristina Diez
Summary: This study establishes the foundation for implementing a continuous treatment system for wastewater containing a pesticide mixture of IPR and CHL using a bacterial consortium. Two bacterial strains were found to efficiently remove IPR and CHL at different concentrations as individual strains and in a free consortium. An immobilized bacterial consortium was formulated and evaluated for pesticide removal in batch experiments, with the highest removal efficiency observed at an inoculum concentration of 15% w/v. The packed-bed bioreactor with the immobilized consortium successfully removed IPR and CHL in continuous mode, achieving removal efficiencies of 96% and 82% respectively after 60 days of operation.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Gonzalo Tortella, Olga Rubilar, Joana C. Pieretti, Paola Fincheira, Bianca de Melo Santana, Martin A. Fernandez-Baldo, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza, Amedea B. Seabra
Summary: Nanoparticles are recognized for their unique physical and chemical properties due to their nanometer size. They have various applications in different industries, including agriculture, where they can be used as nanofertilizers and biostimulants to improve crop productivity and control abiotic stress. Additionally, nanoparticles have exceptional antimicrobial properties. This review focuses on different nanoparticles, such as metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and silica nanoparticles, that have shown the capacity to control biotic stress in plants. The uptake and translocation of nanoparticles are also discussed. Future studies and the beneficial role of nanoparticles in biotic stress management are considered.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alvaro Astudillo, Olga Rubilar, Gabriela Briceno, Maria Cristina Diez, Heidi Schalchli
Summary: Recycled agroindustrial waste has gained significant attention as a cost-effective and sustainable substrate for fermentation processes. The composition of the waste, including proteins, carbohydrates, and/or polyphenolic compounds, determines the types of products and their potential applications. This review explores recent reports on the utilization of different types of agroindustrial waste for the production of microbial products, and discusses the current scenario and future prospects of using these wastes as substrates for fermentation processes. The review offers insights for future research on sustainable microbial products and their market potential.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joelis Vera, Wence Herrera, Edward Hermosilla, Marcela Diaz, Javiera Parada, Amedea B. Seabra, Gonzalo Tortella, Hector Pesenti, Gustavo Ciudad, Olga Rubilar
Summary: The antioxidant activity of plant extracts affects the physicochemical characteristics of zinc oxide nanoparticles, such as production yield, chemical composition, polydispersity index, surface charge, and average particle size. Plant extracts with lower antioxidant activity result in a decrease in the yield of zinc oxide nanoparticles and an increase in the amount of residual organic extract, leading to particle agglomeration and coarsening.
Article
Microbiology
Camila Aranda, Isabel Mendez, Patricio Javier Barra, Luis Hernandez-Montiel, Ana Fallard, Gonzalo Tortella, Evelyn Briones, Paola Duran
Summary: One of the challenges in long-term research on microorganisms is the maintenance of isolates and their characteristics. We have studied Gaumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt), the main biotic factor affecting wheat, for over 10 years. To preserve the microorganisms, we used oil overlaid, but some strains lost their pathogenicity over time, possibly due to low melanin content. Therefore, understanding the role of melanin in Ggt pathogenicity is crucial for laboratory studies.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paola Fincheira, Nicolas Hoffmann, Gonzalo Tortella, Antonieta Ruiz, Pablo Cornejo, Maria Cristina Diez, Amedea B. Seabra, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza, Olga Rubilar
Summary: The excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers has led to loss of biodiversity, environmental pollution, and adverse effects on human health. Nanotechnology provides an innovative solution to address these issues, particularly through the use of nanocarriers as controlled release systems for agrochemicals. This eco-friendly strategy has shown great potential in reducing plant diseases and improving nutrient release.
Article
Plant Sciences
Paola Fincheira, Javier Espinoza, Joelis Vera, Daniela Berrios, Javiera Nahuelcura, Antonieta Ruiz, Andres Quiroz, Luis Bustamante, Pablo Cornejo, Gonzalo Tortella, Maria Cristina Diez, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza, Olga Rubilar
Summary: It has been found that solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), as a nanocarrier, can modulate the growth and antioxidant system of L. sativa seedlings through the controlled release of 2-ketones. The effect depends on the dose of the released compound.
