Purification and immobilization of acetate kinase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris

Methanogenic potential of diclofenac and ibuprofen in sanitary sewage using metabolic cosubstrates

Diclofenac (DCF) and ibuprofen (IBU) are widely used anti-inflammatory drugs and are frequently detected in wastewater from Wastewater Treatment Plants and in aquatic environments. In this study, the methanogenic potential (P) of anaerobic sludge subjected to DCF (7.11 ± 0.02 to 44.41 ± 0.05 mg L^-1) and IBU (6.11 ± 0.01 to 42.61 ± 0.05 mg L^-1), in sanitary sewage, was investigated in batch reactors. Cosubstrates (200 mg L^-1 of organic matter) in the form of ethanol, methanol:ethanol and fumarate were tested separately for the removal of drugs. In the DCF assays, P was 6943 ± 121 μmolCH₄, 9379 ± 259 μmolCH_4, 9897 ± 212 μmolCH₄ and 11,530 ± 368 μmolCH₄ for control, fumarate, methanol:ethanol and ethanol conditions, respectively. In the IBU assays, under the same conditions, P was 6145 ± 101 μmolCH₄, 6947 ± 66 μmolCH₄, 8141 ± 191 μmolCH₄and 10,583 ± 512 μmolCH₄, respectively. Without cosubstrates, drug removal was below 18% for 43.10 ± 0.01 mgDCF L^-1 and 43.12 ± 0.03 mgIBU L^-1, respectively. Higher P and removal of DCF (28.24 ± 1.10%) and IBU (18.72 ± 1.60%) with ethanol was observed for 43.20 ± 0.01 mgDCF L^-1 and 43.42 ± 0.03 mgIBU L^-1, respectively. This aspect was better evidenced with DCF due to its molecular structure, a condition that resulted in a higher diversity of bacterial populations. Through the 16S rRNA sequencing, bacteria genera capable of performing aromatic ring cleavage, β-oxidation and oxidation of ethanol and fatty acids were identified. Higher relative abundance (>0.6%) was observed for Smithella, Sulfuricurvum and Synthophus for the Bacteria Domain and Methanosaeta (>79%) for the Archaea Domain. The use of ethanol favored greater mineralization of organic matter and greater methane production, which can directly assist in the metabolic pathways of microorganisms.

Acetate kinase Activity and Kinetic Properties of the Enzyme in Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 Intestinal Bacterial Strains

Activity of acetate kinase in cell-free extracts and individual fractions and the kinetic properties of the enzyme obtained from the Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 intestinal bacterial strains were presented at the first time. The highest activity of the enzyme was measured in the cell-free extracts (1.52 ± 0.163 and 0.46 ± 0.044 U × mg-1 protein for D. piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9, respectively) compared to other fractions. The specific activity of acetate kinase in the extracts of both bacterial strains was determined at different temperature and pH. Analysis of the kinetic properties of the purified acetate kinase was carried out. The acetate kinase activity, initial (instantaneous) reaction rate (V0) and maximum rate of the acetate kinase reaction (Vmax) in D. piger Vib-7 and Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9 intestinal bacterial strains were defined. Michaelis constants (KmAcetyl phosphate and KmADP) of the enzyme reaction (2.54 ± 0.26 and 2.39 ± 0.24 mM for D. piger Vib-7 as well as 2.68 ± 0.25 and 2.47 ± 0.27 mM for Desulfomicrobium sp. Rod-9, respectively) were calculated. The described results of acetate kinase, an important enzyme in the process of organic compounds oxidation and dissimilatory sulfate reduction would be perspective and useful for clarification of the etiological role of these bacteria in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases in humans and animals.