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Li Q, Zhang M, Wei B, Lan W, Wang Q, Chen C, Zhao H, Liu D, Gadd GM. Fungal biomineralization of toxic metals accelerates organic pollutant removal. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2077-2084.e3. [PMID: 38663397 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Fungal biomineralization plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of metals in the environment and has been extensively explored for bioremediation and element biorecovery. However, the cellular and metabolic responses of fungi in the presence of toxic metals during biomineralization and their impact on organic matter transformations are unclear. This is an important question because co-contamination by toxic metals and organic pollutants is a common phenomenon in the natural environment. In this research, the biomineralization process and oxidative stress response of the geoactive soil fungus Aspergillus niger were investigated in the presence of toxic metals (Co, Cu, Mn, and Fe) and the azo dye orange II (AO II). We have found that the co-existence of toxic metals and AO II not only enhanced the fungal biomineralization of toxic metals but also accelerated the removal of AO II. We hypothesize that the fungus and in situ mycogenic biominerals (toxic metal oxalates) constituted a quasi-bioreactor, where the biominerals removed organic pollutants by catalyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation resulting from oxidative stress. We have therefore demonstrated that a fungal/biomineral system can successfully achieve the goal of toxic metal immobilization and organic pollutant decomposition. Such findings inform the potential development of fungal-biomineral hybrid systems for mixed pollutant bioremediation as well as provide further understanding of fungal organic-inorganic pollutant transformations in the environment and their importance in biogeochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Biao Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Wei Lan
- Pipechina Institute of Science and Technology, No. 51 Jinguang Road, Guangyang District, Langfang 065000, China
| | - Qinghong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Chunmao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Huazhang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences (Ministry of Education), College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Shanxi Laboratory for Yellow River, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Daoqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China.
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China; Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK.
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Debnath A, Hazra C, Sen R. Insight into biomolecular interaction-based non-classical crystallization of bacterial biocement. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:6683-6701. [PMID: 37668700 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12736-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
In an attempt to draw a correlation between calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation and biomacromolecules such as extracellular polymeric substances and enzyme activity in biomineralizing microbe, this report aims to elucidate the ureolytic and ammonification route in Paenibacillus alkaliterrae to explore the possible role of organic biomolecule(s) present on cell surface in mediating nucleation and crystallization of biogenic CaCO3. After 168 h of biomineralization in ureolysis and ammonification, 2.2 g/l and 0.87 g/l of CaCO3 precipitates were obtained, respectively. The highest carbonic anhydrase activity (31.8 µmoles/min/ml) was evidenced in ammonification as opposed to ureolysis (24.8 µmoles/min/ml). Highest urease activity reached up to 9.26 µmoles/min/ml in ureolytic pathway. Extracellular polymeric substances such as polysaccharides and proteins were found to have a vital role not only in the nucleation and crystal growth but also in addition direct polymorphic fate of CaCO3 nanoparticles. EPS production was higher during ammonification (3.1 mg/ml) than in ureolysis (0.72 mg/ml). CaCO3 nanoparticle-associated proteins were found to be 0.82 mg/ml in ureolysis and 0.56 mg/ml in ammonification. After 30 days of biomineralization, all the polymorphic forms stabilized to calcite in ureolysis but in ammonification vaterite predominated. In our study, we showed that organic template-mediated prokaryotic biomineralization follows the non-classical nucleation and varying proportions of these organic components causes selective polymorphism of CaCO3 nanoparticles. Overall, the findings are expected to further the fundamental understanding of enzymes, EPS-driven non-classical nucleation of CaCO3, and we foresee the design of fit-for-purpose futuristic biominerals arising from such renewed understanding of biomineralization. KEY POINTS: • Organic-inorganic interface of cell surface promote crystallization of biominerals • Carbohydrate and proteins in the interface results selective polymorphism of CaCO3 • Calcite stabilized at 30 days in ureolysis, vaterite-calcite mix in ammonification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Debnath
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Chinmay Hazra
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Ramkrishna Sen
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India.
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Kang X, Csetenyi L, Gadd GM. Fungal biorecovery of cerium as oxalate and carbonate biominerals. Fungal Biol 2023; 127:1187-1197. [PMID: 37495308 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cerium is the most sought-after rare earth element (REE) for application in high-tech electronic devices and versatile nanomaterials. In this research, biomass-free spent culture media of Aspergillus niger and Neurospora crassa containing precipitant ligands (oxalate, carbonate) were investigated for their potential application in biorecovery of Ce from solution. Precipitation occurred after Ce3+ was mixed with biomass-free spent culture media and >99% Ce was recovered from media of both organisms. SEM showed that biogenic crystals with distinctive morphologies were formed in the biomass-free spent medium of A. niger. Irregularly-shaped nanoparticles with varying sizes ranging from 0.5 to 2 μm and amorphous biominerals were formed after mixing the carbonate-laden N. crassa supernatant, resulting from ureolysis of supplied urea, with Ce3+. Both biominerals contained Ce as the sole metal, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analyses identified the biominerals resulting from the biomass-free A. niger and N. crassa spent media as cerium oxalate decahydrate [Ce2(C2O4)3·10H2O] and cerium carbonate [Ce2(CO3)3·8H2O], respectively. Thermal decomposition experiments showed that the biogenic Ce oxalates and carbonates could be subsequently transformed into ceria (CeO2). FTIR confirmed that both amorphous and nanoscale Ce carbonates contained carbonate (CO32-) groups. FTIR-multivariate analysis could classify the biominerals into three groups according to different Ce concentrations and showed that Ce carbonate biominerals of higher purity were produced when precipitated at higher Ce3+ concentrations. This work provides new understanding of fungal biotransformations of soluble REE species and their biorecovery using biomass-free fungal culture systems and indicates the potential of using recovered REE as precursors for the biosynthesis of novel nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Kang
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom; Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Laszlo Csetenyi
- Concrete Technology Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom; State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Pollution Control, College of Chemical Engineering and Environment, China University of Petroleum, 18 Fuxue Road, Changping District, Beijing, 102249, China.
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Mycosynthesis of Metal-Containing Nanoparticles-Synthesis by Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes and Their Application. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010304. [PMID: 36613746 PMCID: PMC9820721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi contain species with a plethora of ways of adapting to life in nature. Consequently, they produce large amounts of diverse biomolecules that can be generated on a large scale and in an affordable manner. This makes fungi an attractive alternative for many biotechnological processes. Ascomycetes and basidiomycetes are the most commonly used fungi for synthesis of metal-containing nanoparticles (NPs). The advantages of NPs created by fungi include the use of non-toxic fungus-produced biochemicals, energy efficiency, ambient temperature, pressure conditions, and the ability to control and tune the crystallinity, shape, and size of the NPs. Furthermore, the presence of biomolecules might serve a dual function as agents in NP formation and also capping that can tailor the (bio)activity of subsequent NPs. This review summarizes and reviews the synthesis of different metal, metal oxide, metal sulfide, and other metal-based NPs mediated by reactive media derived from various species. The phyla ascomycetes and basidiomycetes are presented separately. Moreover, the practical application of NP mycosynthesis, particularly in the fields of biomedicine, catalysis, biosensing, mosquito control, and precision agriculture as nanofertilizers and nanopesticides, has been studied so far. Finally, an outlook is provided, and future recommendations are proposed with an emphasis on the areas where mycosynthesized NPs have greater potential than NPs synthesized using physicochemical approaches. A deeper investigation of the mechanisms of NP formation in fungi-based media is needed, as is a focus on the transfer of NP mycosynthesis from the laboratory to large-scale production and application.
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Green Nanotechnology: Recent Research on Bioresource-Based Nanoparticle Synthesis and Applications. J CHEM-NY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/4030999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, the idea of green nanotechnology has been expanding, and researchers are developing greener and more sustainable techniques for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs). The major objectives are to fabricate NPs using simple, sustainable, and cost-effective procedures while avoiding the use of hazardous materials that are usually utilized as reducing or capping agents. Many biosources, including plants, bacteria, fungus, yeasts, and algae, have been used to fabricate NPs of various shapes and sizes. The authors of this study emphasized the most current studies for fabricating NPs from biosources and their applications in a wide range of fields. This review addressed studies that cover green techniques for synthesizing nanoparticles of Ag, Au, ZnO, CuO, Co3O4, Fe3O4, TiO2, NiO, Al2O3, Cr2O3, Sm2O3, CeO2, La2O3, and Y2O3. Also, their applications were taken under consideration and discussed.
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Yanchatuña Aguayo OP, Mouheb L, Villota Revelo K, Vásquez-Ucho PA, Pawar PP, Rahman A, Jeffryes C, Terencio T, Dahoumane SA. Biogenic Sulfur-Based Chalcogenide Nanocrystals: Methods of Fabrication, Mechanistic Aspects, and Bio-Applications. Molecules 2022; 27:458. [PMID: 35056773 PMCID: PMC8779671 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bio-nanotechnology has emerged as an efficient and competitive methodology for the production of added-value nanomaterials (NMs). This review article gathers knowledge gleaned from the literature regarding the biosynthesis of sulfur-based chalcogenide nanoparticles (S-NPs), such as CdS, ZnS and PbS NPs, using various biological resources, namely bacteria, fungi including yeast, algae, plant extracts, single biomolecules, and viruses. In addition, this work sheds light onto the hypothetical mechanistic aspects, and discusses the impact of varying the experimental parameters, such as the employed bio-entity, time, pH, and biomass concentration, on the obtained S-NPs and, consequently, on their properties. Furthermore, various bio-applications of these NMs are described. Finally, key elements regarding the whole process are summed up and some hints are provided to overcome encountered bottlenecks towards the improved and scalable production of biogenic S-NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar P. Yanchatuña Aguayo
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador; (O.P.Y.A.); (K.V.R.); (P.A.V.-U.)
| | - Lynda Mouheb
- Laboratoire de Recherche de Chimie Appliquée et de Génie Chimique, Hasnaoua I, Université Mouloud Mammeri B.P.17 RP, Tizi-Ouzou 15000, Algeria;
| | - Katherine Villota Revelo
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador; (O.P.Y.A.); (K.V.R.); (P.A.V.-U.)
| | - Paola A. Vásquez-Ucho
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador; (O.P.Y.A.); (K.V.R.); (P.A.V.-U.)
| | - Prasad P. Pawar
- Nanobiomaterials and Bioprocessing Laboratory (NABLAB), Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamar University, P.O. Box 10051, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA; (P.P.P.); (C.J.)
- Center for Midstream Management and Science, Lamar University, 211 Redbird Ln., P.O. Box 10888, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA;
| | - Ashiqur Rahman
- Center for Midstream Management and Science, Lamar University, 211 Redbird Ln., P.O. Box 10888, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA;
| | - Clayton Jeffryes
- Nanobiomaterials and Bioprocessing Laboratory (NABLAB), Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamar University, P.O. Box 10051, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA; (P.P.P.); (C.J.)
- Center for Advances in Water and Air Quality, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA
| | - Thibault Terencio
- School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador
| | - Si Amar Dahoumane
- Center for Advances in Water and Air Quality, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada
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Liu F, Shah DS, Csetenyi L, Gadd GM. Application of fungal copper carbonate nanoparticles as environmental catalysts: organic dye degradation and chromate removal. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2021; 167. [PMID: 34882532 PMCID: PMC8745000 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Biomineralization is a ubiquitous process in organisms to produce biominerals, and a wide range of metallic nanoscale minerals can be produced as a consequence of the interactions of micro-organisms with metals and minerals. Copper-bearing nanoparticles produced by biomineralization mechanisms have a variety of applications due to their remarkable catalytic efficiency, antibacterial properties and low production cost. In this study, we demonstrate the biotechnological potential of copper carbonate nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesized using a carbonate-enriched biomass-free ureolytic fungal spent culture supernatant. The efficiency of the CuNPs in pollutant remediation was investigated using a dye (methyl red) and a toxic metal oxyanion, chromate Cr(VI). The biogenic CuNPs exhibited excellent catalytic properties in a Fenton-like reaction to degrade methyl red, and efficiently removed Cr(VI) from solution due to both adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) identified the oxidation of reducing Cu species of the CuNPs during the reaction with Cr(VI). This work shows that urease-positive fungi can play an important role not only in the biorecovery of metals through the production of insoluble nanoscale carbonates, but also provides novel and simple strategies for the preparation of sustainable nanomineral products with catalytic properties applicable to the bioremediation of organic and metallic pollutants, solely and in mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixue Liu
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Dinesh Singh Shah
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Laszlo Csetenyi
- Concrete Technology Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.,State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Pollution Control, College of Chemical Engineering and Environment, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, PR China
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Newsome L, Falagán C. The Microbiology of Metal Mine Waste: Bioremediation Applications and Implications for Planetary Health. GEOHEALTH 2021; 5:e2020GH000380. [PMID: 34632243 PMCID: PMC8490943 DOI: 10.1029/2020gh000380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Mine wastes pollute the environment with metals and metalloids in toxic concentrations, causing problems for humans and wildlife. Microorganisms colonize and inhabit mine wastes, and can influence the environmental mobility of metals through metabolic activity, biogeochemical cycling and detoxification mechanisms. In this article we review the microbiology of the metals and metalloids most commonly associated with mine wastes: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc. We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which bacteria, archaea, and fungi interact with contaminant metals and the consequences for metal fate in the environment, focusing on long-term field studies of metal-impacted mine wastes where possible. Metal contamination can decrease the efficiency of soil functioning and essential element cycling due to the need for microbes to expend energy to maintain and repair cells. However, microbial communities are able to tolerate and adapt to metal contamination, particularly when the contaminant metals are essential elements that are subject to homeostasis or have a close biochemical analog. Stimulating the development of microbially reducing conditions, for example in constructed wetlands, is beneficial for remediating many metals associated with mine wastes. It has been shown to be effective at low pH, circumneutral and high pH conditions in the laboratory and at pilot field-scale. Further demonstration of this technology at full field-scale is required, as is more research to optimize bioremediation and to investigate combined remediation strategies. Microbial activity has the potential to mitigate the impacts of metal mine wastes, and therefore lessen the impact of this pollution on planetary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Newsome
- Camborne School of Mines and Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Carmen Falagán
- Camborne School of Mines and Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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Liu F, Shah DS, Gadd GM. Role of Protein in Fungal Biomineralization of Copper Carbonate Nanoparticles. Curr Biol 2021; 31:358-368.e3. [PMID: 33176131 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Biomineralization processes are of key importance in the biogeochemical cycling of metals and other elements by microorganisms, and several studies have highlighted the potential applications of nanoparticle synthesis via biomineralization. The roles played by proteins in the transformation and biologically induced biomineralization of metals by microorganisms is not well understood, despite the interactions of protein and nanoparticles at mineral interfaces attracting much interest in various emerging fields for novel biomaterial synthesis. Here, we have elucidated the association and involvement of fungal proteins in the formation of biogenic copper carbonate nanoparticles (CuNPs) using a carbonate-enriched biomass-free ureolytic fungal culture supernatant. Proteomic analysis was conducted that identified the major proteins present in the culture supernatant. Of the proteins identified, triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) exhibited a strong affinity to the CuNPs, and the impact of purified TPI on CuNP formation was studied in detail. The combined use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirmed that TPI played an important role in controlling the morphology and structure of the nanomaterials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was applied to examine conformational changes of the proteins to further clarity the interaction mechanisms with CuNPs during biomineralization. Such analyses revealed unfolding of proteins on the mineral surface and an increase in β sheets within the protein structure. These results extend understanding of how microbial systems can influence biomineral formation through protein secretion, the mechanisms involved in formation of complex protein/inorganic systems, and provide useful guidelines for the synthesis of inorganic-protein based nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixue Liu
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Dinesh Singh Shah
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK; State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Pollution Control, College of Chemical Engineering and Environment, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China.
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Li Q, Liu J, Gadd GM. Fungal bioremediation of soil co-contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and toxic metals. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:8999-9008. [PMID: 32940735 PMCID: PMC7567682 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10854-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Much research has been carried out on the bacterial bioremediation of soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and toxic metals but much less is known about the potential of fungi in sites that are co-contaminated with both classes of pollutants. This article documents the roles of fungi in soil polluted with both petroleum hydrocarbons and toxic metals as well as the mechanisms involved in the biotransformation of such substances. Soil characteristics (e.g., structural components, pH, and temperature) and intracellular or excreted extracellular enzymes and metabolites are crucial factors which affect the efficiency of combined pollutant transformations. At present, bioremediation of soil co-contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and toxic metals is mostly focused on the removal, detoxification, or degradation efficiency of single or composite pollutants of each type. Little research has been carried out on the metabolism of fungi in response to complex pollutant stress. To overcome current bottlenecks in understanding fungal bioremediation, the potential of new approaches, e.g., gradient diffusion film technology (DGT) and metabolomics, is also discussed. Key points • Fungi play important roles in soil co-contaminated with TPH and toxic metals. • Soil characteristics, enzymes, and metabolites are major factors in bioremediation. • DGT and metabolomics can be applied to overcome current bottlenecks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China.
| | - Jicheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China.
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 5EH, UK.
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Abdel-Gawwad HA, Hussein HS, Mohammed MS. Bio-removal of Pb, Cu, and Ni from solutions as nano-carbonates using a plant-derived urease enzyme-urea mixture. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:30741-30754. [PMID: 32472505 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09359-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on utilizing a plant-derived urease enzyme (PDUE)-urea mixture to remove heavy metals from water as constituents of nano-carbonate minerals. The bio-removal process was conducted by individually mixing PbCl2, CuCl2, and NiCl2 solutions with a PDUE-urea mixture, followed by incubation for 24 h at 23 ± 2 °C. The preliminary results revealed that the proposed method exhibited high Pb removal efficiency (˃ 99%) in a short time (8 h); meanwhile, moderate Cu and Ni removal efficiencies (67.91% and 58.49%, respectively) were obtained at the same incubation time. The concentration of heavy metals (50-200 mM) had an insignificant effect on the bio-removal rate, indicating that the PDUE-urea mixture is highly effective for the removal of heavy metals at different concentrations. The bio-removal process involved the transformation of soluble heavy metals into insoluble carbonate materials. A spherically shaped nano-cerussite (4-15 nm), a malachite hexahydrate nanosheet (thickness 8 nm), and an ultrafine micro-hellyerite (thickness 0.3 μm) were the main minerals produced by the Pb, Cu, and Ni bio-removal processes, respectively. As a beneficial application, nano-cerussite was used as an additive in an alkali-activated slag/ceramic waste-based geopolymeric coating. A preliminary study proved that increasing the nano-cerussite content enhanced the resistance of the geopolymeric coating to sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which is detrimental to normal concrete, particularly in sewer systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamdy A Abdel-Gawwad
- Raw Building Materials and Processing Technology Research Institute, Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC), Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Hala S Hussein
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Pilot Plant, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona S Mohammed
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Pilot Plant, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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Liang X, Perez MAM, Zhang S, Song W, Armstrong JG, Bullock LA, Feldmann J, Parnell J, Csetenyi L, Gadd GM. Fungal transformation of selenium and tellurium located in a volcanogenic sulfide deposit. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:2346-2364. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinjin Liang
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH Scotland UK
| | - Magali Aude Marie‐Jeanne Perez
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory (TESLA), Department of Chemistry King's College, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UE Scotland UK
| | - Shuai Zhang
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee Dundee DD1 4HN Scotland UK
| | - Wenjuan Song
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH Scotland UK
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences Urumqi 830011 China
| | - Joseph Graham Armstrong
- Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology King's College, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen AB24 3UE Aberdeen, Scotland UK
| | - Liam Adam Bullock
- Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology King's College, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen AB24 3UE Aberdeen, Scotland UK
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory (TESLA), Department of Chemistry King's College, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UE Scotland UK
| | - John Parnell
- Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology King's College, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen AB24 3UE Aberdeen, Scotland UK
| | - Laszlo Csetenyi
- Concrete Technology Group, Department of Civil Engineering University of Dundee Dundee, Scotland UK
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH Scotland UK
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Pollution Control College of Chemical Engineering and Environment, China University of Petroleum 18 Fuxue Road, Changping District, 18 Fuxue Road, Changping District, Beijing 102249 China
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15
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Biorecovery of cobalt and nickel using biomass-free culture supernatants from Aspergillus niger. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 104:417-425. [PMID: 31781818 PMCID: PMC6942576 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10241-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this research, the capabilities of culture supernatants generated by the oxalate-producing fungus Aspergillus niger for the bioprecipitation and biorecovery of cobalt and nickel were investigated, as was the influence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on these processes. The removal of cobalt from solution was >90% for all tested Co concentrations: maximal nickel recovery was >80%. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of cobalt and nickel oxalate. In a mixture of cobalt and nickel, cobalt oxalate appeared to predominate precipitation and was dependent on the mixture ratios of the two metals. The presence of EPS together with oxalate in solution decreased the recovery of nickel but did not influence the recovery of cobalt. Concentrations of extracellular protein showed a significant decrease after precipitation while no significant difference was found for extracellular polysaccharide concentrations before and after oxalate precipitation. These results showed that extracellular protein rather than extracellular polysaccharide played a more important role in influencing the biorecovery of metal oxalates from solution. Excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy showed that aromatic protein-like and hydrophobic acid-like substances from the EPS complexed with cobalt but did not for nickel. The humic acid-like substances from the EPS showed a higher affinity for cobalt than for nickel.
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16
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Liu F, Csetenyi L, Gadd GM. Amino acid secretion influences the size and composition of copper carbonate nanoparticles synthesized by ureolytic fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:7217-7230. [PMID: 31289902 PMCID: PMC6691030 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09961-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ureolytic activity of Neurospora crassa results in an alkaline carbonate-rich culture medium which can precipitate soluble metals as insoluble carbonates. Such carbonates are smaller, often of nanoscale dimensions, than metal carbonates synthesized abiotically which infers that fungal excreted products can markedly affect particle size. In this work, it was found that amino acid excretion was a significant factor in affecting the particle size of copper carbonate. Eleven different amino acids were found to be secreted by Neurospora crassa, and L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid and L-cysteine were chosen to examine the impact of amino acids on the morphology and chemical composition of copper carbonate minerals. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the obtained copper carbonate samples. Copper carbonate nanoparticles with a diameter of 100-200 nm were produced with L-glutamic acid, and the presence of L-glutamic acid was found to stabilize these particles in the early phase of crystal growth and prevent them from aggregation. FTIR and TG analysis revealed that the amino acid moieties were intimately associated with the copper mineral particles. Component analysis of the final products of TG analysis of the copper minerals synthesized under various conditions showed the ultimate formation of Cu, Cu2O and Cu2S, suggesting a novel synthesis method for producing these useful Cu-containing materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixue Liu
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Laszlo Csetenyi
- Concrete Technology Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK.
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17
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Kang X, Csetenyi L, Gadd GM. Biotransformation of lanthanum by Aspergillus niger. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 103:981-993. [PMID: 30443797 PMCID: PMC6373195 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Lanthanum is an important rare earth element and has many applications in modern electronics and catalyst manufacturing. However, there exist several obstacles in the recovery and cycling of this element due to a low average grade in exploitable deposits and low recovery rates by energy-intensive extraction procedures. In this work, a novel method to transform and recover La has been proposed using the geoactive properties of Aspergillus niger. La-containing crystals were formed and collected after A. niger was grown on Czapek-Dox agar medium amended with LaCl3. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) showed the crystals contained C, O, and La; scanning electron microscopy revealed that the crystals were of a tabular structure with terraced surfaces. X-ray diffraction identified the mineral phase of the sample as La2(C2O4)3·10H2O. Thermogravimetric analysis transformed the oxalate crystals into La2O3 with the kinetics of thermal decomposition corresponding well with theoretical calculations. Geochemical modelling further confirmed that the crystals were lanthanum decahydrate and identified optimal conditions for their precipitation. To quantify crystal production, biomass-free fungal culture supernatants were used to precipitate La. The results showed that the precipitated lanthanum decahydrate achieved optimal yields when the concentration of La was above 15 mM and that 100% La was removed from the system at 5 mM La. Our findings provide a new aspect in the biotransformation and biorecovery of rare earth elements from solution using biomass-free fungal culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Kang
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Laszlo Csetenyi
- Concrete Technology Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 5EH, UK.
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18
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19
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El Mountassir G, Minto JM, van Paassen LA, Salifu E, Lunn RJ. Applications of Microbial Processes in Geotechnical Engineering. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2018; 104:39-91. [PMID: 30143252 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 10-15 years, a new field of "biogeotechnics" has emerged as geotechnical engineers seek to find ground improvement technologies which have the potential to be lower carbon, more ecologically friendly, and more cost-effective than existing practices. This review summarizes the developments which have occurred in this new field, outlining in particular the microbial processes which have been shown to be most promising for altering the hydraulic and mechanical responses of soils and rocks. Much of the research effort in this new field has been focused on microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) via ureolysis, while a comprehensive review of MICP is presented here, the developments which have been made regarding other microbial processes, including MICP via denitrification and biogenic gas generation are also presented. Furthermore, this review outlines a new area of study: the potential deployment of fungi in geotechnical applications which has until now been unexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grainne El Mountassir
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | - James M Minto
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Leon A van Paassen
- Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Emmanuel Salifu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rebecca J Lunn
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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