Article
Engineering, Environmental
Phuc-Nguon Hong, Norihisa Matsuura, Mana Noguchi, Ryoko Yamamoto-Ikemoto, Ryo Honda
Summary: This study investigated the effects of vanillin on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and microbial community in an MBR. The results showed that vanillin remarkably reduced membrane fouling by inhibiting the production of viscous EPS and hydrophobic lipopolysaccharides. This interference to microbial activity effectively mitigated biofouling in the MBR.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huan Chen, Cheng-Hai Yan, Yu-Fan Zhan, Li-Tian Geng, Lin-Lin Zhu, Lu-Chan Gong, Jun Wang
Summary: Boron derivatives promote biofilm formation in E. coli by enhancing AI-2 activity, increasing EPS secretion, and upregulating the expression levels of biofilm-related genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shaofeng Zhou, Wenwen An, Kexin Zhao, Lizhou Lin, Shan Yang, Yifeng Zhang, Meiying Xu
Summary: Quorum sensing (QS) is an ideal strategy for boosting the operating performance of electroactive biofilms (EABs). In this study, a QS signaling molecule was employed to promote the anti-shock property of EABs against extreme saline shock. The presence of the QS molecule led to a thicker and more compact biofilm, increased polysaccharides in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), enriched key microbial species, and up-regulated functional genes related to the bacterial community. These findings highlight the importance of QS effects in protecting electroactive biofilm under extreme environmental shock.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xu Wang, Cancan Jiang, Danhua Wang, Yang Yang, Lijing Fan, Shengjun Xu, Xuliang Zhuang
Summary: Free nitrous acid (FNA) is widely used for wastewater management by altering sludge characteristic and function. This study investigated the role of collective behaviors in FNA treatment and revealed the impact of FNA on sludge morphology and composition.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hong-Xin Shi, Jing Wang, Shao-Yang Liu, Jin-Song Guo, Fang Fang, You-Peng Chen, Peng Yan
Summary: This study investigates the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and quorum sensing (QS) in filamentous bulking, and the feasibility of using quorum quenching (QQ) to maintain sludge stability and settling. It reveals that filamentous bacteria and QS induce changes in EPS composition and structure, affecting the stability and aggregation of sludge flocs.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yue Shen, Fangchao Cui, Dangfeng Wang, Tingting Li, Jianrong Li
Summary: A new QS quenching enzyme, PF-1240, was discovered in this study, which can effectively inhibit spoilage phenotype of spoilage bacteria in aquatic products and has potential applications in the preservation of aquatic products.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiayuan Wu, Lina Zhang, Zuopeng Lv, Fengxue Xin, Weiliang Dong, Guannan Liu, Yan Li, Honghua Jia
Summary: This study investigates the effects of two acclimation conditions on the formation of chloramphenicol (CAP)-degrading anode biofilm in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). It finds that AHLs in the sludge EPS play a crucial role in enhancing CAP degradation and maintaining stable voltage outputs in MFCs. The use of EPS conditions results in higher voltage and removal rates compared to the traditional method, thanks to the 3D structure of the biofilm and more conductive contents.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Frederick Verbeke, Kevin Van der Borght, Anton De Spiegeleer, Nathan Debunne, Yorick Janssens, Evelien Wynendaele, Bart De Spiegeleer
Summary: A method for detecting Streptococcal competence stimulating quorum sensing peptides in human saliva at the nanomolar level was developed using an anti-adsorption diluent. The study found that a small number of saliva samples contained these peptides, indicating the production of quorum sensing peptides by Streptococcus species in the human oral cavity.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Longxiang Wang, Kimberly Main, Henry Wang, Olivier Julien, Antoine Dufour
Summary: Proteases play a crucial role in regulating cellular processes and targeting them has led to effective therapies, despite limited knowledge about their substrates. Inhibiting proteases could be a key strategy for developing new drugs in the future.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Evelien Wynendaele, Nathan Debunne, Yorick Janssens, Anton De Spiegeleer, Frederick Verbeke, Liesa Tack, Sophie Van Welden, Evy Goossens, Daniel Knappe, Ralf Hoffmann, Christophe Van De Wiele, Debby Laukens, Peter Van Eenoo, Lars Vereecke, Filip Van Immerseel, Olivier De Wever, Bart De Spiegeleer
Summary: This study identifies quorum sensing peptides as potential regulators of host-microbe interactions and demonstrates that a metabolite of an EntF peptide promotes colorectal cancer metastasis in vivo. These findings provide a starting point for further investigation into the role of the microbiome in colorectal cancer metastasis and the development of novel biotherapeutics in other disease areas.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Peio Elichiry-Ortiz, Pauline Maes, Stephanie Weidmann, Dominique Champion, Christian Coelho
Summary: Sugar-enriched media are used to produce extracellular substances by Lactobacillus plantarum, with distinct physicochemical patterns observed at different growing stages. A higher production of proteinaceous materials compared to polysaccharides is highlighted in the study.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shu Wang, Nanqi Ren, Danhui Liang, Jifei Chang, Xin Wang, Jiaguo Yan, Xiang Cheng, Lili Dong, Nan Li
Summary: This study evaluated the changes of rFe, vFe, and RV after removing EPS, and found that TB-EPS played a crucial role in vivianite formation, contributing 28-51% of vivianite recovery and 34-55% of iron reduction. Electronic shuttle substances in TB-EPS enhanced the EET rate and efficiency between cells and Fe(III). Additionally, redox proteins were embedded in EPS, shortening the distance of electron hopping and accelerating vivianite recovery from wastewater.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lan Lu, Mingxing Li, Guojuan Yi, Li Liao, Qiang Cheng, Jie Zhu, Bin Zhang, Yingying Wang, Yong Chen, Ming Zeng
Summary: Interference with quorum sensing is an important strategy for the treatment of bacterial infections and restoring antibiotic tolerance. The discovery of quorum sensing inhibitors has a significant impact on the development of anti-infective drugs. Various approaches exist for the discovery of quorum sensing inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qinxue Wen, Shaojiao Liu, Xiao Lin, Baozhen Liu, Zhiqiang Chen
Summary: The addition of azithromycin can improve the sedimentation capacity of the sludge in the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) enrichment stage and prevent extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) sludge bulking. Azithromycin works by reducing the polysaccharide/protein ratio in EPS and inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause sludge bulking.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiming Zhang, Linlin Wang, Yatong Ji, Runjuan Cao, Jiaheng Zhou, Mengyan Li, Liang Zhu, Xiangyang Xu
Summary: In this study, it was found that starch-fed granules were larger and contained higher EPS content than acetate-fed granules. Three AHLs were detected as dominant autoinducers in the granules, and their addition increased the activity of alpha-amylase, leading to higher substrate-degradation rate and EPS yield in the starch-fed system, thereby promoting the stability of the granules.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhaolu Feng, Tianle Li, Yang Lin, Guangxue Wu
Summary: Microorganisms play a key role in wastewater treatment plants, and their seasonal variations are important for system optimization. Environmental factors, such as dissolved oxygen concentration and pH, have a significant impact on nitrogen metabolism and microbial interactions. Quorum sensing systems are crucial for microbial interactions.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kai He, Wataru Shono, Zejun Liu, Yasuhiro Asada, Shinya Echigo, Tomohiro Nakanishi, Sadahiko Itoh
Summary: This study compared dissolved organic carbon (DOC) characteristics, substrate utilisation patterns, and microbial communities between pre-chlorination SAT and SAT columns, and observed effective removals of DOC. However, the composition of HiA in SAT columns without chlorination was less than in pre-chlorination SAT columns. Different metabolic patterns and the composition of the microbial community were demonstrated by the top layer of SAT column and pre-chlorination SAT column in comparison to A(2)O effluent. Furthermore, deeper layers showed similarities in the metabolic pattern and composition of the microbial community.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jin Du, Qidong Yin, Xingzhao Zhou, Qiannan Guo, Guangxue Wu
Summary: This study evaluated the cross-feeding function by analyzing microbial aggregates in anaerobic digesters and found complementary genetic potential for amino acid synthesis between syntrophs and methanogens, implying potential cross-feeding partnership.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinyue Ma, Ziyan Cheng, Wenjing Bai, Rui Tang, Guangxue Wu, Xinmin Zhan, Zhen-Hu Hu
Summary: Intensive animal farming generates a large volume of digested liquid, and excessive application can lead to pollution of surface water and groundwater. This study investigates the use of Ca(ClO)2 pretreatment to enhance SS flocculation removal in digested dairy wastewater. Results show that Ca(ClO)2 pretreatment combined with PAC flocculation can effectively remove SS and improve the removal of chemical oxygen demand and phosphorus.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bang Du, Mengqi Gu, Zhenhu Hu, Xinmin Zhan, Guangxue Wu
Summary: Anaerobic ethanol oxidation can be thermodynamically unfavourable under standard conditions, but can become exergonic with extracellular electron transfer (EET) through microbial redox-active proteins (RAP). This study evaluates the thermodynamic effects of the fraction of substrate degraded through EET, product feedback, distribution of electrons from EET between acetotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, and the redox potential of RAP on anaerobic ethanol oxidation. The results show that ethanol oxidation can occur when the redox potential is above -0.408 V with EET or when product concentration is below a certain threshold. The appropriate redox potential ranges for active acetotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens were determined. The EET fraction and electron distribution were found to be key factors in maintaining biomass yields and influencing the ratio of methanogens.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhongzhong Wang, Yuansheng Hu, Shun Wang, Guangxue Wu, Xinmin Zhan
Summary: The dry anaerobic digestion (AD) process is a promising technology for the treatment and stabilization of high-solid organic waste, with advantages such as higher methane yield and reduced digester size. However, it still faces challenges due to the excessive solids content and differences from wet AD in terms of operation and design. It is important to understand the characteristics of dry AD, analyze operational factors, and evaluate optimization methods to develop practical applications.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jin Du, Xingzhao Zhou, Qidong Yin, Jiane Zuo, Guangxue Wu
Summary: This study explores the effects of operational parameters on microbial communities in anaerobic digestion (AD) with sulfate. It finds that reactors in rapid-filling mode exhibit fast kinetic properties, while reactors in slow-filling mode can mitigate propionate accumulation. Taxonomic and functional analysis further support the suitability of rapid- and slow-filling modes for the growth of r-strategists (such as Desulfomicrobium) and K-strategists (such as Geobacter), respectively.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bang Du, Zhongzhong Wang, Piet N. L. Lens, Xinmin Zhan, Guangxue Wu
Summary: This study investigated the performance, syntrophic relationships, microbial communities, and metabolic pathways of ethanol-fed reactors with different operational modes and solids retention times. The results showed that different microorganisms were enriched under different SRT conditions, and syntrophic bacteria related to methane production could be enriched under low SRT conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zejun Liu, Yingying Lin, Yanhong Ge, Ziyue Zhu, Jinlong Yuan, Qidong Yin, Bingjun Liu, Kai He, Maochuan Hu
Summary: Microbial source tracking (MST) technology is an innovative approach used to trace fecal contamination in environmental water systems. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of amplification techniques, target primer categories, and regional differences on primer recognition performance in water environments. The results showed that virus-based primers exhibited superior specificity and recognition capacity compared to bacteria-based primers, highlighting an important direction for future advancements.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenjing Bai, Rui Tang, Guangxue Wu, Wei Wang, Shoujun Yuan, Liwen Xiao, Xinmin Zhan, Zhen-Hu Hu
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of heavy metals in suspended solids (SS) and their influence on co-precipitation during struvite recovery from digested swine wastewater. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals in the wastewater ranged from 0.05 to 17.05 mg/L. During struvite generation, 56.9-80.3% of individual heavy metals were co-precipitated. These findings provide a potential way for controlling the co-precipitation of heavy metals in struvite.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenjing Bai, Rui Tang, Guangxue Wu, Wei Wang, Shoujun Yuan, Liwen Xiao, Xinmin Zhan, Zhen-Hu Hu
Summary: Struvite recovered from wastewater contains significant amounts of fecal indicator bacteria, porcine adenoviruses, and antibiotic resistance genes, which can pose potential risks. This study investigated the co-precipitation behavior of these pathogens and genes with suspended solids (SS) and found that high-density SS contributed more to the co-precipitation than low-density SS. Furthermore, the presence of SS in struvite hindered the inactivation of bacteria and genes during drying. These findings suggest that removing high-density SS prior to struvite recovery can effectively control the co-precipitation and inactivation of pathogens and genes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yaotong Gao, Yuxuan Zhang, Qiuying Wei, Xiaoyuan Qi, Qidong Yin, Bingjun Liu, Kai He
Summary: The issue of black and smelly water bodies is crucial for urban management. Ecological restoration using submerged macrophytes is an effective technology to prevent and control this issue. This study investigated the effect of different planting structures of submerged macrophytes on the removal efficiency of pollutants and the microbial community composition using high-throughput DNA sequencing. The results showed that mixed submerged macrophytes had a better water quality improvement effect and influenced microbial diversity and composition.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yuyin Wang, Guangxue Wu
Summary: Antibiotics like tetracycline in wastewater can lead to operational failure of anaerobic digestion systems, inhibiting COD removal, causing VFAs accumulation, reducing methane production, and impacting microbial communities. CFRs performed better in COD shock loading recovery, propionate degradation, and methane production. Additionally, CFRs exhibited superior tetracycline removal capacity compared to SBRs. Biodegradation was found to be the primary pathway for tetracycline removal, and long-term tetracycline exposure affected archaea abundances and enrichment of hydrolytic-acidogenic bacteria. CFRs provided a more conducive environment for the enrichment of these microorganisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bang Du, Xinmin Zhan, Piet N. L. Lens, Yifeng Zhang, Guangxue Wu
Summary: Efficient anaerobic digestion relies on the cooperation of different microorganisms with different metabolic pathways. This study investigated the effects of different operational modes and the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on ethanol metabolic pathways. The results showed that the SBR mode and the presence of CO2 facilitated ethanol metabolism towards propionate production, while the CFR mode with extended solids retention time enriched Geobacter. Adjusting operational modes and PAC addition can modulate anaerobic ethanol metabolism and enrich Geobacter.
