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Zahra SA, Persiani R, Dueholm MK, van Loosdrecht M, Nielsen PH, Seviour TW, Lin Y. Rethinking characterization, application, and importance of extracellular polymeric substances in water technologies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 89:103192. [PMID: 39216163 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Biofilms play important roles in water technologies such as membrane treatments and activated sludge. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are key components of biofilms. However, the precise nature of these substances and how they influence biofilm formation and behavior remain critical knowledge gaps. EPS are produced by many different microorganisms and span multiple biopolymer classes, which each require distinct strategies for characterization. The biopolymers additionally associate with each other to form insoluble complexes. Here, we explore recent progress toward resolving the structures and functions of EPS, where a shift towards direct functional assessments and advanced characterization techniques is necessary. This will enable integration with better microbial community and omics analyses to understand EPS biosynthesis pathways and create further opportunities for EPS control and valorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasmitha A Zahra
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rozalia Persiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Morten Kd Dueholm
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mark van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Per H Nielsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Thomas W Seviour
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 Delft, the Netherlands.
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2
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Flemming HC, van Hullebusch ED, Little BJ, Neu TR, Nielsen PH, Seviour T, Stoodley P, Wingender J, Wuertz S. Microbial extracellular polymeric substances in the environment, technology and medicine. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01098-y. [PMID: 39333414 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01098-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
Microbial biofilms exhibit a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), including polysaccharides, proteins, extracellular DNA and lipids. EPS promote interactions of the biofilm with other cells and sorption of organics, metals and chemical pollutants, and they facilitate cell adhesion at interfaces and ensure matrix cohesion. EPS have roles in various natural environments, such as soils, sediments and marine habitats. In addition, EPS are relevant in technical environments, such as wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities, and water distribution systems, and they contribute to biofouling and microbially influenced corrosion. In medicine, EPS protect pathogens within the biofilm against the host immune system and antimicrobials, and emerging evidence suggests that EPS can represent potential virulence factors. By contrast, EPS yield a wide range of valuable products that include their role in self-repairing concrete. In this Review, we aim to explore EPS as a functional unit of biofilms in the environment, in technology and in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Curt Flemming
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), Qingdao, China.
| | | | | | - Thomas R Neu
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Per H Nielsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Thomas Seviour
- Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Paul Stoodley
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity and the Department of Orthopaedics, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), National Biofilm Innovation Centre (NBIC), Mechanical Engineering, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jost Wingender
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefan Wuertz
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Chen LM, Beck P, van Ede J, Pronk M, van Loosdrecht MCM, Lin Y. Anionic extracellular polymeric substances extracted from seawater-adapted aerobic granular sludge. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:144. [PMID: 38231410 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12954-x] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Anionic polymers, such as heparin, have been widely applied in the chemical and medical fields, particularly for binding proteins (e.g., fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and histones). However, the current animal-based production of heparin brings great risks, including resource shortages and product contamination. Recently, anionic compounds, nonulosonic acids (NulOs), and sulfated glycoconjugates were discovered in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of aerobic granular sludge (AGS). Given the prevalence of anionic polymers, in marine biofilms, it was hypothesized that the EPS from AGS grown under seawater condition could serve as a raw material for producing the alternatives to heparin. This study aimed to isolate and enrich the anionic fractions of EPS and evaluate their potential application in the chemical and medical fields. The AGS was grown in a lab-scale reactor fed with acetate, under the seawater condition (35 g/L sea salt). The EPS was extracted with an alkaline solution at 80 °C and fractionated by size exclusion chromatography. Its protein binding capacity was evaluated by native gel electrophoresis. It was found that the two highest molecular weight fractions (438- > 14,320 kDa) were enriched with NulO and sulfate-containing glycoconjugates. The enriched fractions can strongly bind the two histones involved in sepsis and a model protein used for purification by heparin-column. These findings demonstrated possibilities for the application of the extracted EPS and open up a novel strategy for resource recovery. KEY POINTS: • High MW EPS from seawater-adapted AGS are dominant with sulfated groups and NulOs • Fifty-eight percent of the EPS is high MW of 68-14,320 kDa • EPS and its fractions can bind histones and fibroblast growth factor 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Min Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Paula Beck
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jitske van Ede
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mario Pronk
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
- Royal HaskoningDHV, Laan 1914 35, Amersfoort, 3800, AL, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
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4
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Chen LM, Keisham S, Tateno H, van Ede J, Pronk M, van Loosdrecht MCM, Lin Y. Alterations of Glycan Composition in Aerobic Granular Sludge during the Adaptation to Seawater Conditions. ACS ES&T WATER 2024; 4:279-286. [PMID: 38229592 PMCID: PMC10788855 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria can synthesize a diverse array of glycans, being found attached to proteins and lipids or as loosely associated polysaccharides to the cells. The major challenge in glycan analysis in environmental samples lies in developing high-throughput and comprehensive characterization methodologies to elucidate the structure and monitor the change of the glycan profile, especially in protein glycosylation. To this end, in the current research, the dynamic change of the glycan profile of a few extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) samples was investigated by high-throughput lectin microarray and mass spectrometry, as well as sialylation and sulfation analysis. Those EPS were extracted from aerobic granular sludge collected at different stages during its adaptation to the seawater condition. It was found that there were glycoproteins in all of the EPS samples. In response to the exposure to seawater, the amount of glycoproteins and their glycan diversity displayed an increase during adaptation, followed by a decrease once the granules reached a stable state of adaptation. Information generated sheds light on the approaches to identify and monitor the diversity and dynamic alteration of the glycan profile of the EPS in response to environmental stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Min Chen
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Sunanda Keisham
- Cellular
and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
(AIST), Central 6, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tateno
- Cellular
and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
(AIST), Central 6, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
| | - Jitske van Ede
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mario Pronk
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
- Royal
HaskoningDHV, Laan 1914
35, Amersfoort 3800 AL, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
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Chen LM, de Bruin S, Pronk M, Sousa DZ, van Loosdrecht MCM, Lin Y. Sialylation and Sulfation of Anionic Glycoconjugates Are Common in the Extracellular Polymeric Substances of Both Aerobic and Anaerobic Granular Sludges. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13217-13225. [PMID: 37604486 PMCID: PMC10483923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic and aerobic granular sludge processes are widely applied in wastewater treatment. In these systems, microorganisms grow in dense aggregates due to the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). This study investigates the sialylation and sulfation of anionic glyconconjugates in anaerobic and aerobic granular sludges collected from full-scale wastewater treatment processes. Size exclusion chromatography revealed a wide molecular weight distribution (3.5 to >5500 kDa) of the alkaline-extracted EPS. The high-molecular weight fraction (>5500 kDa), comprising 16.9-27.4% of EPS, was dominant with glycoconjugates. Mass spectrometry analysis and quantification assays identified nonulosonic acids (NulOs, e.g., bacterial sialic acids) and sulfated groups contributing to the negative charge in all EPS fractions. NulOs were predominantly present in the high-molecular weight fraction (47.2-84.3% of all detected NulOs), while sulfated glycoconjugates were distributed across the molecular weight fractions. Microorganisms, closely related to genera found in the granular sludge communities, contained genes responsible for NulO and sulfate group synthesis or transfer. The similar distribution patterns of sialylation and sulfation of the anionic glycoconjugates in the EPS samples indicate that these two glycoconjugate modifications commonly occur in the EPS of aerobic and anaerobic granular sludges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Min Chen
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan de Bruin
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Mario Pronk
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
- Royal
HaskoningDHV, Laan 1914
35, Amersfoort 3800 AL, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Z. Sousa
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Wageningen University &
Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
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6
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Wang X, Chen D, Zhou Y, Yu M, Niu J. Degradation performance and potential protection mechanism of the anammox consortia in response to capecitabine. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 327:138539. [PMID: 36996924 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The potential risks of anti-cancer drugs such as capecitabine have attracted considerable attention due to their continuous release. Understanding the response of removal performance and protective mechanism to the presence of emerging contaminants is crucial for the application of anammox techniques in wastewater treatment. Capecitabine affected the nitrogen removal performance slightly in the activity experiment. Due to bio-adsorption and biodegradation, up to 64-70% of the capecitabine can be removed effectively. However, 10 mg/L of capecitabine significantly decreased the removal efficiency of capecitabine and total nitrogen at repeated load of capecitabine. Metabolomic analysis revealed the metabolites 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine, while metagenomic analysis confirmed the biodegradation pathway and underlying gene distribution. The potentially protective mechanisms of the system against capecitabine were the increased heterotrophic bacteria and secretion of sialic acid. Blast analysis confirmed the presence of potential genes involved in the complete biosynthesis pathway of sialic acid in anammox bacteria, some of which are also found in Nitrosomonas, Thauera, and Candidatus Promineofilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Wang
- Research Center for Eco-environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Duxiong Chen
- Research Center for Eco-environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Yufei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Mingchuan Yu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Junfeng Niu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China.
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7
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Deng X, Yuan J, Chen L, Chen H, Wei C, Nielsen PH, Wuertz S, Qiu G. CRISPR-Cas phage defense systems and prophages in Candidatus Accumulibacter. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 235:119906. [PMID: 37004306 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Candidatus Accumulibacter plays a major role in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from wastewater. Although bacteriophages have been shown to represent fatal threats to Ca. Accumulibacter organisms and thus interfere with the stability of the EBPR process, little is known about the ability of different Ca. Accumulibacter strains to resist phage infections. We conducted a systematic analysis of the occurrence and characteristics of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) systems and prophages in Ca. Accumulibacter lineage members (43 in total, including 10 newly recovered genomes). Results indicate that 28 Ca. Accumulibacter genomes encode CRISPR-Cas systems. They were likely acquired via horizontal gene transfer, conveying a distinct adaptivity to phage predation to different Ca. Accumulibacter members. Major differences in the number of spacers show the unique phage resistance of these members. A comparison of the spacers in closely related Ca. Accumulibacter members from distinct geographical locations indicates that habitat isolation may have resulted in the acquisition of resistance to different phages by different Ca. Accumulibacter. Long-term operation of three laboratory-scale EBPR bioreactors revealed high relative abundances of Ca. Accumulibacter with CRISPSR-Cas systems. Their specific resistance to phages in these reactors was indicated by spacer analysis. Metatranscriptomic analyses showed the activation of the CRISPR-Cas system under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Additionally, 133 prophage regions were identified in 43 Ca. Accumulibacter genomes. Twenty-seven of them (in 19 genomes) were potentially active. Major differences in the occurrence of CRISPR-Cas systems and prophages in Ca. Accumulibacter will lead to distinct responses to phage predation. This study represents the first systematic analysis of CRISPR-Cas systems and prophages in the Ca. Accumulibacter lineage, providing new perspectives on the potential impacts of phages on Ca. Accumulibacter and EBPR systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhan Deng
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liping Chen
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hang Chen
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chaohai Wei
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Per H Nielsen
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Centre for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg DK-9220, Denmark
| | - Stefan Wuertz
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
| | - Guanglei Qiu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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8
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Tomás-Martínez S, Chen LM, Pabst M, Weissbrodt DG, van Loosdrecht MCM, Lin Y. Enrichment and application of extracellular nonulosonic acids containing polymers of Accumulibacter. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:931-941. [PMID: 36484828 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12326-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pseudaminic and legionaminic acids are a subgroup of nonulosonic acids (NulOs) unique to bacterial species. There is a lack of advances in the study of these NulOs due to their complex synthesis and production. Recently, it was seen that "Candidatus Accumulibacter" can produce Pse or Leg analogues as part of its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In order to employ a "Ca. Accumulibacter" enrichment as production platform for bacterial sialic acids, it is necessary to determine which fractions of the EPS of "Ca. Accumulibacter" contain NulOs and how to enrich and/or isolate them. We extracted the EPS from granules enriched with "Ca. Accumulibcater" and used size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) to separate them into different molecular weight (MW) fractions. This separation resulted in two high molecular weight (> 5500 kDa) fractions dominated by polysaccharides, with a NulO content up to 4 times higher than the extracted EPS. This suggests that NulOs in "Ca. Accumulibacter" are likely located in high molecular weight polysaccharides. Additionally, it was seen that the extracted EPS and the NulO-rich fractions can bind and neutralize histones. This opens the possibility of EPS and NulO-rich fractions as potential source for sepsis treatment drugs. KEY POINTS: • NulOs in "Ca. Accumulibacter" are likely located in high MW polysaccharides • SEC allows to obtain high MW polysaccharide-rich fractions enriched with NulOs • EPS and the NulOs-rich fractions are a potential source for sepsis treatment drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Tomás-Martínez
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van Der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Le Min Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van Der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Pabst
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van Der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - David G Weissbrodt
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van Der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van Der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van Der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
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9
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Diaz R, Mackey B, Chadalavada S, Kainthola J, Heck P, Goel R. Enhanced Bio-P removal: Past, present, and future - A comprehensive review. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136518. [PMID: 36191763 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Excess amounts of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) from anthropogenic activities such as population growth, municipal and industrial wastewater discharges, agriculture fertilization and storm water runoffs, have affected surface water chemistry, resulting in episodes of eutrophication. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) based treatment processes are an economical and environmentally friendly solution to address the present environmental impacts caused by excess P present in municipal discharges. EBPR practices have been researched and operated for more than five decades worldwide, with promising results in decreasing orthophosphate to acceptable levels. The advent of molecular tools targeting bacterial genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has also helped us reveal the identity of potential polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) and denitrifying PAO (DPAO) responsible for the success of EBPR. Integration of process engineering and environmental microbiology has provided much-needed confidence to the wastewater community for the successful implementation of EBPR practices around the globe. Despite these successes, the process of EBPR continues to evolve in terms of its microbiology and application in light of other biological processes such as anaerobic ammonia oxidation and on-site carbon capture. This review provides an overview of the history of EBPR, discusses different operational parameters critical for the successful operation of EBPR systems, reviews current knowledge of EBPR microbiology, the influence of PAO/DPAO on the disintegration of microbial communities, stoichiometry, EBPR clades, current practices, and upcoming potential innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Diaz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Brendan Mackey
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Sreeni Chadalavada
- School of Engineering, University of Southern Queensland Springfield, Queensland, 4350, Australia.
| | - Jyoti Kainthola
- Department of Civil Engineering, École Centrale School of Engineering, Mahindra University, Hyderabad, India, 500043
| | - Phil Heck
- Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ramesh Goel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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10
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Tomás-Martínez S, Chen LM, Neu TR, Weissbrodt DG, van Loosdrecht MCM, Lin Y. Catabolism of sialic acids in an environmental microbial community. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6571932. [PMID: 35446356 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sialic acids are a family of nine-carbon negatively charged carbohydrates. In animals, they are abundant on mucosa surfaces as terminal carbohydrates of mucin glycoproteins. Some commensal and pathogenic bacteria are able to release, take up, and catabolize sialic acids. Recently, sialic acids have been discovered to be widespread among most microorganisms. Although the catabolism of sialic acids has been intensively investigated in the field of host-microbe interactions, very limited information is available on microbial degradation of sialic acids produced by environmental microorganisms. In this study, the catabolic pathways of sialic acids within an microbial community dominated by 'Candidatus Accumulibacter' was evaluated. Protein alignment tools were used to detect the presence of the different proteins involved in the utilization of sialic acids in the flanking populations detected by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed the ability of Clostridium to release sialic acids from the glycan chains by the action of a sialidase. Clostridium and Chryseobacterium can take up free sialic acids and utilize them as nutrient. Interestingly, these results display similarities with the catabolism of sialic acids by the gut microbiota. This study points at the importance of sialic acids in environmental communities in the absence of eukaryotic hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Tomás-Martínez
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Le Min Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas R Neu
- Microbiology of Interfaces, Department River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research - UFZ, Brueckstrasse 3A, 39114, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - David G Weissbrodt
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
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