Copper environmental toxicology, recent advances, and future outlook: a review

The dark side of organic farming: Copper sulphate compromises the life history and behaviour of the walking stick insect, Bacillus rossius

Organic farming is considered the most sustainable form of modern soil cultivation. Yet it often relies on the use of chemical compounds that are not necessarily harmless for the surrounding wildlife. In this study, we tested the effects of realistic concentrations of copper sulphate-largely used in organic farming as a fungicide-on ecologically-relevant traits of the walking stick insect Bacillus rossius, a species commonly found in the proximity of cultivated fields across Europe. By using second-generation progeny of wild-caught parthenogenetic females bred in common gardens, we measured the impact of copper sulphate (CuSO4) on both the life-history (body condition, number of eggs, and hatching success) and behavioural traits (activity and maximum vertical speed) of the individuals. We observed strong negative effects of high, realistic concentrations of copper sulphate on most traits within 12 days of exposure, while effects were less evident at lower concentrations of the pollutant. Our results reveal that realistic concentrations of copper sulphate can compromise important traits that regulate both the survival and reproduction of animals in the wild, with such effects that are, however, dose dependent. We suggest that common practices in organic farming require further consideration on their ecological and evolutionary impact on wildlife.

Cu1.4Mn1.6O4 as a bifunctional transducer for potentiometric Cu2+ solid-contact ion-selective electrode

Current potentiometric Cu2+ sensors mostly rely on polymer-membrane-based solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs) that constitute ion-selective membranes (ISM) and solid contact (SC) for respective ion recognition and ion-to-electron transduction. Herein, we report an ISM-free Cu2+-SC-ISE based on Cu-Mn oxide (Cu1.4Mn1.6O4) as a bifunctional SC layer. The starting point is simplifying complex multi-interfaces for Cu2+-SC-ISEs. Specifically, ion recognition and signal transduction have been achieved synchronously by an ion-coupled-electron transfer of crystal ion transport and electron transfer of Mn4+/3+ in Cu1.4Mn1.6O4. The proposed Cu1.4Mn1.6O4 electrode discloses comparable sensitivity, response time, high selectivity and stability compared with present ISM-based potentiometric Cu2+ sensors. In addition, the Cu1.4Mn1.6O4 electrode also exhibits near Nernstian responses toward Cu2+ in natural water background. This work emphasizes an ISM-free concept and presents a scheme for the development of potentiometric Cu2+ sensors.

Copper, Iron, Cadmium, and Arsenic, All Generated in the Universe: Elucidating Their Environmental Impact Risk on Human Health Including Clinical Liver Injury

Humans are continuously exposed to various heavy metals including copper, iron, cadmium, and arsenic, which were specifically selected for the current analysis because they are among the most frequently encountered environmental mankind and industrial pollutants potentially causing human health hazards and liver injury. So far, these issues were poorly assessed and remained a matter of debate, also due to inconsistent results. The aim of the actual report is to thoroughly analyze the positive as well as negative effects of these four heavy metals on human health. Copper and iron are correctly viewed as pollutant elements essential for maintaining human health because they are part of important enzymes and metabolic pathways. Healthy individuals are prepared through various genetically based mechanisms to maintain cellular copper and iron homeostasis, thereby circumventing or reducing hazardous liver and organ injury due to excessive amounts of these metals continuously entering the human body. In a few humans with gene aberration, however, liver and organ injury may develop because excessively accumulated copper can lead to Wilson disease and substantial iron deposition to hemochromatosis. At the molecular level, toxicities of some heavy metals are traced back to the Haber Weiss and Fenton reactions involving reactive oxygen species formed in the course of oxidative stress. On the other hand, cellular homeostasis for cadmium and arsenic cannot be provided, causing their life-long excessive deposition in the liver and other organs. Consequently, cadmium and arsenic represent health hazards leading to higher disability-adjusted life years and increased mortality rates due to cancer and non-cancer diseases. For unknown reasons, however, liver injury in humans exposed to cadmium and arsenic is rarely observed. In sum, copper and iron are good for the human health of most individuals except for those with Wilson disease or hemochromatosis at risk of liver injury through radical formation, while cadmium and arsenic lack any beneficial effects but rather are potentially hazardous to human health with a focus on increased disability potential and risk for cancer. Primary efforts should focus on reducing the industrial emission of hazardous heavy metals.

Isolation of biocrust cyanobacteria and evaluation of Cu, Pb, and Zn immobilisation potential for soil restoration and sustainable agriculture

Soil contamination by heavy metals represents an important environmental and public health problem of global concern. Biocrust-forming cyanobacteria offer promise for heavy metal immobilisation in contaminated soils due to their unique characteristics, including their ability to grow in contaminated soils and produce exopolysaccharides (EPS). However, limited research has analysed the representativeness of cyanobacteria in metal-contaminated soils. Additionally, there is a lack of studies examining how cyanobacteria adaptation to specific environments can impact their metal-binding capacity. To address this research gap, we conducted a study analysing the bacterial communities of cyanobacteria-dominated biocrusts in a contaminated area from South Sardinia (Italy). Additionally, by using two distinct approaches, we isolated three Nostoc commune strains from cyanobacteria-dominated biocrust and we also evaluated their potential to immobilise heavy metals. The first isolation method involved acclimatizing biocrust samples in liquid medium while, in the second method, biocrust samples were directly seeded onto agar plates. The microbial community analysis revealed Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria as the predominant groups, with cyanobacteria representing between 13.3 % and 26.0 % of the total community. Despite belonging to the same species, these strains exhibited different growth rates (1.1-2.2 g L-1 of biomass) and capacities for EPS production (400-1786 mg L-1). The three strains demonstrated a notable ability for metal immobilisation, removing up to 88.9 % of Cu, 86.2 % of Pb, and 45.3 % of Zn from liquid medium. Cyanobacteria EPS production showed a strong correlation with the removal of Cu, indicating its role in facilitating metal immobilisation. Furthermore, differences in Pb immobilisation (40-86.2 %) suggest possible environmental adaptation mechanisms of the strains. This study highlights the promising application of N. commune strains for metal immobilisation in soils, offering a potential bioremediation tool to combat the adverse effects of soil contamination and promote environmental sustainability.

Selective and sensitive CQD-based sensing platform for Cu2+ detection in Wilson's disease

Excessive Cu2+ intake can cause neurological disorders (e.g. Wilson's disease) and adversely affect the gastrointestinal, liver, and kidney organs. The presence of Cu2+ is strongly linked to the emergence and progression of Wilson's disease (WD), and accurately measuring the amount of copper is a crucial step in diagnosing WD at an early stage in a clinical setting. In this work, CQDs were fabricated through a facile technique as a novel fluorescence-based sensing platform for detecting Cu(II) in aqueous solutions, and in the serum samples of healthy and affected individuals by WD. The CQDs interact with Cu(II) ions to produce Turn-on and Turn-off states at nano-molar and micro-molar levels, respectively, with LODs of 0.001 µM and 1 µM. In fact, the Cu2+ ions can act like a bridge between two CQDs by which the charge and electron transfer between the CQDs may increase, possibly can have significant effects on the spectroscopic features of the CQDs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported research that can detect Cu(II) at low levels using two different complexation states, with promising results in testing serum. The potential of the sensor to detect Cu(II) was tested on serum samples from healthy and affected individuals by WD, and compared to results obtained by ICP-OES. Astonishingly, the results showed an excellent correlation between the measured Cu(II) levels using the proposed technique and ICP-OES, indicating the high potential of the fluorimetric CQD-based probe for Cu(II) detection. The accuracy, sensitivity, selectivity, high precision, accuracy, and applicability of the probe toward Cu(II) ions make it a potential diagnostic tool for Wilson's disease in a clinical setting.

Exogenous GABA Enhances Copper Stress Resilience in Rice Plants via Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms, Gene Regulation, Mineral Uptake, and Copper Homeostasis

The importance of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in plants has been highlighted due to its critical role in mitigating metal toxicity, specifically countering the inhibitory effects of copper stress on rice plants. This study involved pre-treating rice plants with 1 mM GABA for one week, followed by exposure to varying concentrations of copper at 50 μM, 100 μM, and 200 μM. Under copper stress, particularly at 100 μM and 200 μM, plant height, biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, mineral content, and antioxidant activity decreased significantly compared to control conditions. However, GABA treatment significantly alleviated the adverse effects of copper stress. It increased plant height by 13%, 18%, and 32%; plant biomass by 28%, 52%, and 60%; chlorophyll content by 12%, 30%, and 24%; and relative water content by 10%, 24%, and 26% in comparison to the C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Furthermore, GABA treatment effectively reduced electrolyte leakage by 11%, 34%, and 39%, and the concentration of reactive oxygen species, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), by 9%, 22%, and 27%, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 12%, 38%, and 30%, and superoxide anion content by 8%, 33, and 39% in comparison to C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Additionally, GABA supplementation led to elevated levels of glutathione by 69% and 80%, superoxide dismutase by 22% and 125%, ascorbate peroxidase by 12% and 125%, and catalase by 75% and 100% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Similarly, GABA application upregulated the expression of GABA shunt pathway-related genes, including gamma-aminobutyric transaminase (OsGABA-T) by 38% and 80% and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (OsSSADH) by 60% and 94% in the C100+G and C200+G groups, respectively, as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Conversely, the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid dehydrogenase (OsGAD) was downregulated. GABA application reduced the absorption of Cu2+ by 54% and 47% in C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. Moreover, GABA treatment enhanced the uptake of Ca2+ by 26% and 82%, Mg2+ by 12% and 67%, and K+ by 28% and 128% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. These findings underscore the pivotal role of GABA-induced enhancements in various physiological and molecular processes, such as plant growth, chlorophyll content, water content, antioxidant capacity, gene regulation, mineral uptake, and copper sequestration, in enhancing plant tolerance to copper stress. Such mechanistic insights offer promising implications for the advancement of safe and sustainable food production practices.

Mitigating potential of polystyrene microplastics on bioavailability, uptake, and toxicity of copper in maize (Zea mays L.)

The coexistence of polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) and copper (Cu) has become a pressing issue for croplands. However, limited literature is available regarding the interaction of PSMPs with essential micronutrients in Cu-contaminated soils. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the immobilization potential of PSMPs for micronutrient bioavailability in soil and Cu toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.). A pot experiment was conducted with maize variety "Islamabad gold" exposed to varying Cu concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and PSMPs (150-250 μm size, 0, 1, and 3% w/w) via soil spiking for 60 days. The concentrations of essential micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) in soil and plant tissues were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and peroxidase) were recorded. The concentration of Cu showed significant reduction in post-harvesting soil by 21, 24.8, 27.6, 29.2, and 30.2% from Cu0 to Cu400 mg/kg respectively from pre-sowing soil. On the other hand, the addition of 1%PSMPs and 3%PSMPs declined Cu by 16, 21.6, 24.4, 25.9, 27.8, and 12.6, 16.5, 19.9, 23.2, 25% from Cu0 to Cu400 mg/kg respectively. Maize showed significant improvement in growth under combined exposure of Cu and 3% PSMPs compared to individual exposure. The MDA level was decreased under the combined presence of Cu and PSMPs compared to individual Cu exposure. The percentage difference with 1%PSMPs was 98.1, 95.0, 92.0, 90.0, and 89.6%, while with 3%PSMPs was 93.2, 93.2, 87.7, 81.4, and 79.2% from Cu0 to Cu400 mg/kg respectively. Moreover, the impact of PSMPs was more prominent at a 3% dose compared to a 1% dose. The findings provided significant knowledge about the potential of PSMPs to mitigate Cu toxicity in maize. Future research should incorporate a variety of particle size distributions at natural conditions for variety-specific differences.

Polydopamine-immobilized yeast cells for portable electrochemical biosensors applied in environmental copper sensing

The coupling of biological organisms with electrodes enables the development of sustainable, low cost, and potentially self-sustained biosensors. A critical aspect is to obtain portable bioelectrodes where the biological material is immobilized on the electrode surface to be utilized on demand. Herein, we developed an approach for the rapid entrapment and immobilization of metabolically active yeast cells in a biocompatible polydopamine layer, which does not require a separate and time-consuming synthesis. The reported approach allows obtaining the "electrical wire" of intact and active yeast cells with resulting current generation from glucose oxidation. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of the biohybrid yeast-based system has been characterized in the presence of CuSO4, a widely used pesticide, in the environmentally relevant concentration range of 20-100 μM. The system enabled the rapid preliminary monitoring of the contaminant based on variations in current generation, with a limit of detection of 12.5 μM CuSO4. The present approach for the facile preparation of portable yeast-based electrochemical biosensors paves the way for the future development of sustainable systems for environmental monitoring.

Geochemical fractionation of iron in paper industry and municipal landfill soils: Ecological and health risks insights

Industrial processes and municipal wastes largely contribute to the fluctuations in iron (Fe) content in soils. Fe, when present in unfavorable amount, causes harmful effects on human, flora, and fauna. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the composition of Fe in surface soils from paper mill and municipal landfill sites and assess their potential ecological and human health risks. Geochemical fractionation was conducted to explore the chemical bonding of Fe across different fractions, i.e., water-soluble (F1) to residual (F6). Different contamination factors and pollution indices were evaluated to comprehend Fe contamination extent across the study area. Results indicated the preference for less mobile forms in the paper mill and landfill, with 26.66% and 43.46% of Fe associated with the Fe-Mn oxide bound fraction (F4), and 57.22% and 24.78% in the residual fraction (F6). Maximum mobility factor (MF) of 30.65% was observed in the paper mill, and 80.37% in the landfill. The enrichment factor (EF) varied within the range of 20 < EF < 40, signifying a high level of enrichment in the soil. The individual contamination factor (ICF) ranged from 0 to >6, highlighting low to high contamination. Adults were found to be more vulnerable towards Fe associated health risks compared to children. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) index showed the highest risk potential pathways as dermal contact > ingestion > inhalation. The study offers insights into potential Fe contamination risks in comparable environments, underscoring the crucial role of thorough soil assessments in shaping land use and waste management policies.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles of Pirata subpiraticus in response to copper exposure

Copper (Cu) contamination represents a persistent and significant form of heavy metal pollution in agricultural ecosystems, posing serious threats to organisms in current society. Spiders serve as crucial biological indicators for assessing the impact of heavy metals-induced toxicity. However, the specific molecular responses of spiders to Cu exposure and the mechanisms involved are not well understood. In our study, the wolf pond spiders, Pirata subpiraticus, were exposed to Cu for 21 d, resulting in a notable decline in survival rates compared with the control (n = 50, p < 0.05). We observed an increased expression of enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (p < 0.05), signaling a strong oxidative stress response crucial for counteracting the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species. This response was corroborated by a rise in malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05), a marker of lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed 2004 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 220 metabolites (DEMs). A significant number of these DEGs were involved in the glutathione biosynthetic process and antioxidant activity. A conjoint analysis revealed that under the Cu stress, several important enzymes and metabolites were altered (e.g., cathepsin A, legumain, and lysosomal acid lipase), affecting the activities of key biological processes and components, such as lysosome and insect hormone biosynthesis. Additionally, the protein interaction network analysis showed an up-regulation of processes like the apoptotic process, glutamate synthase activity, and peroxisome, suggesting that spiders activate cellular protective strategies to cope with stress and maintain homeostasis. This study not only deepens our understanding of spider biology in the context of environmental stress but also makes a significant contribution to the field of environmental stress biology.

Cadmium, zinc, and copper leaching rates determined in large monolith lysimeters

Soil mass balances are used to assess the risk of trace metals that are inadvertently applied with fertilizers into agroecosystems. The accuracy of such balances is limited by leaching rates, as they are difficult to measure. Here, we used monolith lysimeters to precisely determine Cd, Cu, and Zn leaching rates in 2021 and 2022. The large lysimeters (n = 12, 1 m diameter, 1.35 m depth) included one soil type (cambisol, weakly acidic) and distinct cropping systems with three experimental replicates. Stable isotope tracers were applied to determine the direct transfer of these trace metals from the soil surface into the seepage water. The annual leaching rates ranged from 0.04 to 0.30 for Cd, 2.65 to 11.7 for Cu, and 7.27 to 39.0 g (ha a)-1 for Zn. These leaching rates were up to four times higher in the year with several heavy rain periods compared to the dry year. Monthly resolved data revealed that distinct climatic conditions in combination with crop development have a strong impact on trace metal leaching rates. In contrast, fertilization strategy (e.g., conventional vs. organic) had a minor effect on leaching rates. Trace metal leaching rates were up to 10 times smaller than fertilizer inputs and had therefore a minor impact on soil mass balances. This was further confirmed with isotope source tracing that showed that only small fractions of Cd, Cu, and Zn were directly transferred from the soil surface to the leached seepage water within two years (< 0.07 %). A comparison with models that predict Cd leaching rates in the EU suggests that the models overestimate the Cd soil output with seepage water. Hence, monolith lysimeters can help to refine leaching models and thereby also soil mass balances that are used to assess the risk of trace metals inputs with fertilizers.

Aging effects of titanium dioxide on Cu toxicity to Daphnia magna: Exploring molecular docking and significance of surface properties

Cosmetics and personal care products containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) may enter aquatic environments, where the surface coatings of TiO2 NPs may change with aging due to environmental factors such as light, and potentially affect their bioaccumulation and toxicity. This study examined how aging impacted the physicochemical properties of three commercially available TiO2 NPs and subsequent influence on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of copper (Cu) in Daphnia magna (D. magna). We demonstrated that aging significantly affected the hydrophobicity of TiO2 NPs, which affected their binding to water molecules and adsorption of Cu. Changes of bioaccumulation of TiO2 NPs and Cu in D. magna ultimately affected the activities of intracellular antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and the transmembrane protein Na+/K+-ATPase. Molecular docking calculations demonstrated that changes of activities of these biological enzymes were due to the interaction between TiO2 NPs, Cu, and amino acid residues near the sites with the lowest binding energy and active center of the enzyme. Such effect was closely related to the hydrophobicity of TiO2 NPs. Our study demonstrated the close relationship between surface properties of TiO2 NPs and their biological effects, providing important evidence for understanding the behavior of nanomaterials in aquatic environments.

Environmental copper exposure, placental cuproptosis, and miscarriage

Copper pollution has become global environmental concern. Widespread Cu pollution results in excessive Cu exposure in human. Epidemiological studies and animal experiments revealed that Cu exposure might have reproductive toxicity. Cuproptosis is a newly reported Cu-dependent and programmed cell death formTsvetkov et al., 2022. However, whether copper exposure at real environmental exposure dose might cause placental cuproptosis and induce miscarriage was completely unexplored. In this study, we found that Cu exposure during pregnancy induced miscarriage or complete pregnancy loss by inducing placenta cuproptosis in CuCl2-exposed pregnant mice. Notably, Cu exposure at 1.3 mg/kg/d (a real environmental exposure dose) was enough to cause placenta cuproptosis. CuCl2 exposure disrupts the TCA cycle, causes proteotoxic stress, increases Cu2+ ion import/decreases Cu2+ export, and results in the loss of Fe-S cluster proteins in mouse placenta, which induces placenta cuproptosis. Moreover, we also identified that Cu exposure down-regulates the expression levels of mmu-miR-3473b, which interacts with Dlst or Rtel1 mRNA and simultaneously positively regulates Dlst or Rtel1 expression, thereby disrupting the TCA cycle and resulting in the loss of Fe-S cluster proteins, and thus epigenetically regulates placental cuproptosis. Treatment with TTM (a cuproptosis inhibitor) suppressed placental cuproptosis and alleviated miscarriage in CuCl2-exposed mice. This work provides novel reproductive toxicity of Cu exposure in miscarriage or complete pregnancy loss by causing placental cuproptosis. This study also provides new ways for further studies on other toxicological effects of Cu and proposes a new approach for protection against Cu-induced reproductive diseases.

Oenothera biennis with strong copper toxicity resistance enriches trace copper in seeds under copper pollution soil

Excess copper (Cu) imparts negative effects on plant growth and productivity in soil. To develop the ability of O. biennis to govern pollution soil containing excessive Cu, we investigated seed germination, seedling growth, and seed yield. Furthermore, Cu content and the expression levels of Cu transport related genes in different tissues were measured under exogenous high concentration Cu. O. biennis seeds were sensitive to excess Cu, with an observed reduction in the germination rate, primary root length, fresh weight, and number of seeds germinated daily. Consecutive Cu stress did not cause fatal damage to evening primrose, yet it slowed down plant growth slightly by reducing the leaf water, chlorophyll, plant yield, and seed oil contents while increasing the soluble sugar, proline, malondialdehyde, and H2O2 contents. The Cu content in different organs of O. biennis was disrupted by excess Cu. In particular, the Cu content in O. biennis seeds and seed oil increased and subsequently decreased with the increase of exogenous Cu, reaching a peak under 600 mg·kg-1 consecutive Cu. Furthermore, the 4-month 900 mg·kg-1 Cu treatment did not induce the excessive accumulation of Cu in peels, seeds, and seed oil, maintaining the Cu content within the range required by the Chinese National Food Safety Standards. The treatment also resulted in an upregulation of Cu-uptake (ObCOPT5, ObZIP4, and ObYSL2) and vigorous efflux (ObHMA1) of transport genes, of which expression levels were significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with the Cu content. Among all organs, the stem replaced the root as the organ exhibited the greatest ability to absorb and store Cu, and even the Cu transport genes could still function continuously in stem under excess Cu. This work identified a species that can tolerate high Cu content in soil while maintaining a high yield. Furthermore, the results revealed the enrichment of Cu to occur primarily in the O. biennis stem rather than the seeds and peel under excess Cu.

Heavy metal contamination from fuel station run-off and carwash wastewater: An assessment of ecological risk and experimental treatment

Fuel station run-off (FSR) and carwash wastewater (CWW) are potential sources of heavy metals contamination in surface waters. High levels of heavy metals can have dire consequences on the ecosystem in receiving waterbodies. Ghanaians demand (and supply) of fuel and vehicle cleaning services has increased sharply with population and economic growth and the trend will continue. In this study, a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer was used to analyze the levels of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in CWW and FSR from ten fuel stations and ten carwash facilities in the Oforikrom and Ejisu Municipalities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. An experimental sand filter bed augmented with charcoal was used to treat the CWW and FSR. The efficacy of the treatment and the potential ecological risk posed by the untreated CWW and FSR were assessed using single- (contamination factor, CF) and multi-element ecological risk indicators (potential ecological risk index, PERI). The findings showed that CWW contained 0.07 mg/L Cr, 0.20 mg/L Cu, 0.02 mg/L Ni, 1.16 mg/L Pb, and 0.58 mg/L of Zn, while, FSR contained 0.05 mg/L Cr, 0.09 mg/L Cu, 0.17 mg/L Ni, 0.31 mg/L Pb, and 0.18 mg/L Zn. Copper levels in CWW and FSR were positively correlated (0.8), suggesting similar sources of contamination. CF revealed that Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in CWW and FSR posed low to medium risk, while Pb posed high risk. The PERI also ranked Pb in all samples as extreme pollution, and Ni as severe pollution in FSR. The charcoal augmented sand filter effectively removed Pb (96%), Cu (61%), and Zn (79%) in both CWW and FSR. Therefore, Ghana EPA and Department of Urban Planning policies should include the construction of a charcoal-augmented sand filtration system at FS and CW facilities to intercept and treat wastewater and run-off before discharge.

Heavy Metal Removal from Wastewater Using Poly(Gamma-Glutamic Acid)-Based Hydrogel

The removal of toxic heavy metal ions from wastewater is of great significance in the protection of the environment and human health. Poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (PGA) is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and highly water-soluble polymer possessing carboxyl and imino functional groups. Herein, water-insoluble PGA-based hydrogels were prepared, characterized, and investigated as heavy metal adsorbents. The prepared hydrogels were recyclable and exhibited good adsorption effects on heavy metal ions including Cu2+, Cr6+, and Zn2+. The effects of adsorption parameters including temperature, solution pH, initial concentration of metal ions, and contact time on the adsorption capacity of the hydrogel for Cu2+ were investigated. The adsorption was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The process followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, implying a physical and monolayer adsorption. The adsorption mechanisms investigation exhibited that Cu2+ adsorbed on the hydrogel via electrostatic interactions with anionic carboxylate groups of PGA in addition to the coordination interactions with the -NH groups. Importantly, the PGA hydrogel exhibited good reusability and the adsorption capability for Cu2+ remained high after five consecutive cycles. The properties of PGA hydrogel make it a potential candidate material for heavy metal ion removal in wastewater treatment.

Analyzing retraction responses of Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta: Naididae) colonies to copper treatments through a digital image analysis approach for developing early biological warning systems

Biological monitoring and assessments are commonly used for sustainable ecosystem management. Oligochaetes are found in various freshwater ecosystems and have been used as indicators of water quality and for the biological assessment of aquatic ecosystems. Among aquatic oligochaetes, the sludge worm Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Naididae) is tolerant to organic pollution and has been used as a biomonitoring indicator of toxicity and organic pollution. In this study, we investigated the response of worm colonies to copper (CuSO4) treatments (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L) in an observation cage (100 mL beaker) for 30 min. Using a digital image analysis approach, we measured the changes in the colony image area between pre- and post-copper treatment. After copper treatment, the colony image area tended to decrease, even at low copper concentrations. In addition, the colony areas did not recover to their original levels at high concentrations, although those at low concentrations did. Area decreased proportional to the logarithm of the copper concentration. Finally, our results present the possible use of the retraction responses of Tubifex tubifex colonies to chemical disturbances as early biological warning systems.

Long-term Cu exposure alters CYP450s activity and induces jejunum injury and apoptosis in broilers

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element that plays a crucial role in numerous physiopathological processes related to human and animal health. In the poultry industry, Cu is used to promote growth as a feed supplement, but excessive use can lead to toxicity on animals. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450s) are a superfamily of proteins that require heme as a cofactor and are essential for the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of exposure to Cu on CYP450s activity and apoptosis in the jejunum of broilers. Hence, we first simulated the Cu exposure model by feeding chickens diets containing different amounts of Cu. In the present study, histopathological observations have revealed morphological damage to the jejunum. The expression levels of genes and proteins of intestinal barrier markers were prominently downregulated. While the mRNA expression level of the gene associated with CYP450s was significantly increased. Additionally, apoptosis-related genes and proteins (Bak1, Bax, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and CytC) were also significantly augmented by excessive Cu, while simultaneously decreasing the expression of Bcl-2. It can be concluded that long-term Cu exposure affects CYP450s activity, disrupts intestinal barrier function, and causes apoptosis in broilers that ultimately leads to jejunum damage.

A combined experimental and computational approach to unravel degradation mechanisms in electrochemical wastewater treatment

Electrochemical wastewater treatment is a promising technique to remove recalcitrant pollutants from wastewater. However, the complexity of elucidating the underlying degradation mechanisms hinders its optimisation not only from a techno-economic perspective, as it is desirable to maximise removal efficiencies at low energy and chemical requirements, but also in environmental terms, as the generation of toxic by-products is an ongoing challenge. In this work, we propose a novel combined experimental and computational approach to (i) estimate the contribution of radical and non-radical mechanisms as well as their synergistic effects during electrochemical oxidation and (ii) identify the optimal conditions that promote specific degradation pathways. As a case study, the distribution of the degradation mechanisms involved in the removal of benzoic acid (BA) via boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes was elucidated and analysed as a function of several operating parameters, i.e., the initial sulfate and nitrate content of the wastewater and the current applied. Subsequently, a multivariate optimisation study was conducted, where the influence of the electrode nature was investigated for two commercial BDD electrodes and a customised silver-decorated BDD electrode. Optimal conditions were identified for each degradation mechanism as well as for the overall BA degradation rate constant. BDD selection was found to be the most influential factor favouring any mechanism (i.e., 52-85% contribution), given that properties such as its boron doping and the presence of electrodeposited silver could dramatically affect the reactions taking place. In particular, decorating the BDD surface with silver microparticles significantly enhanced BA degradation via sulfate radicals, whereas direct oxidation, reactive oxygen species and radical synergistic effects were promoted when using a commercial BDD material with higher boron content and on a silicon substrate. Consequently, by simplifying the identification and quantification of underlying mechanisms, our approach facilitates the elucidation of the most suitable degradation route for a given electrochemical wastewater treatment together with its optimal operating conditions.

Chitosan-Based Beads Incorporating Inorganic-Organic Composites for Copper Ion Retention in Aqueous Solutions

In recent years, there has been a challenging interest in developing low-cost biopolymeric materials for wastewater treatment. In the present work, new adsorbents, based on different types of chitosan (commercial, commercial chitin-derived chitosan and chitosan synthesized from shrimp shell waste) and inorganic-organic composites have been evaluated for copper ions removal. The efficacy of the synthesis of chitosan-based composite beads has been determined by studying various characteristics using several techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, porosimetry (N2 adsorption), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adsorption kinetics was performed using different adsorption models to determine the adsorption behavior of the materials in the aqueous media. For all composite beads, regardless of the type of chitosan used, good capacity to remove copper ions from simulated waters was observed (up to 17 mg/g), which proves that the new materials hold potential for heavy metal retention. However, the adsorption efficiency was influenced by the type of chitosan used. Thus, for the series where commercial chitosan (CC) was used, the removal efficiency was approximately 29%; for the series with chitosan obtained from commercial chitin (SC), the removal efficiency was approximately 34%; for the series with chitosan enriched with CaCO3 (SH), the removal efficiency was approximately 52%.

Application of bacterial agent YH for remediation of pyrene-heavy metal co-pollution system: Efficiency, mechanism, and microbial response

The combination of organic and heavy metal pollutants can be effectively and sustainably remediated using bioremediation, which is acknowledged as an environmentally friendly and economical approach. In this study, bacterial agent YH was used as the research object to explore its potential and mechanism for bioremediation of pyrene-heavy metal co-contaminated system. Under the optimal conditions (pH 7.0, temperature 35°C), it was observed that pyrene (PYR), Pb(II), and Cu(II) were effectively eliminated in liquid medium, with removal rates of 43.46%, 97.73% and 81.60%, respectively. The microscopic characterization (SEM/TEM-EDS, XPS, XRD and FTIR) results showed that Pb(II) and Cu(II) were eliminated by extracellular adsorption and intracellular accumulation of YH. Furthermore, the presence of resistance gene clusters (cop, pco, cus and pbr) plays an important role in the detoxification of Pb(II) and Cu(II) by strains YH. The degradation rate of PYR reached 72.51% in composite contaminated soil, which was 4.33 times that of the control group, suggesting that YH promoted the dissipation of pyrene. Simultaneously, the content of Cu, Pb and Cr in the form of F4 (residual state) increased by 25.17%, 6.34% and 36.88%, respectively, indicating a decrease in the bioavailability of heavy metals. Furthermore, YH reorganized the microbial community structure and enriched the abundance of hydrocarbon degradation pathways and enzyme-related functions. This study would provide an effective microbial agent and new insights for the remediation of soil and water contaminated with organic pollutants and heavy metals.

The effect of ingested copper on the structural and cytotoxic properties of Steatoda grossa (Theridiidae) spider silk

Spiders, assigned to macroconcentrators of heavy metals, are particularly threatened by the toxic effects of these chemicals. Until now, it has not been specified to what extent metals alter the processes proceeding in silk glands and if such changes could consequently influence the chemical and structural properties of the spun web threads. In the present study selected biological properties of Steatoda grossa (Theridiidae) silk yarn after nutritional exposure to copper at sublethal doses (0.234 mM CuSO4) were assessed. It was determined both changes in ultrastructure of ampullate glands and hunting web's architecture as well the cytotoxic effect in model cells (fibroblasts: line ATCC® CCL-1 NCTC clone 929), that were in contact with the analyzed biomaterial. The exposure of spiders to copper caused the occurrence of apoptotic cells in the ampullate glands as well as a significant reduction in the diameter of single fibers in double and multiple connection complexes as compared with control. At both 24 and 72 h of incubation, intensification of apoptotic and necrotic processes was observed in the fibroblast cultures that were remaining in indirect contact with the webs produced by copper-contaminated individuals. In the case of fibroblasts in direct contact with silk from the copper group, a clear cytotoxic effect resulting in an increased frequency of necrosis was observed after 72 h of incubation. The results indicated that copper may change the biological properties of spider silk and compromise its biomaterial properties.

MitomiR-1736-3p regulates copper-induced mitochondrial pathway apoptosis by inhibiting AATF in chicken hepatocytes

Copper (Cu) is a toxic heavy metal pollutant. The hepatic toxicity of Cu has attracted widespread attention from researchers. However, its underlying mechanism remains elusive. Mitochondrial microRNAs (mitomiRs) are considered important factors in regulating mitochondrial and cellular functions, and their roles have been implicated in the mechanisms of metal toxicity. Therefore, this research revealed the changes in the mitomiRs expression profile of chicken liver after Cu exposure. It was ultimately determined that mitomiR-1736-3p can be involved in Cu-induced chicken liver damage by targeting AATF. In particular, our investigations have uncovered that exposure to Cu can trigger heightened levels of apoptosis in the hepatic tissue of chickens and primary chicken embryo hepatocytes (CEHs). It is noteworthy that we found upregulation of miR-1736-3p expression can exacerbate Cu-induced cell apoptosis, while inhibition of miR-1736-3p can effectively reduce apoptosis occurrence. Subsequently, we found that Cu-induced cell apoptosis could be restored by overexpressing AATF, while silencing AATF exacerbated the level of apoptosis. Fascinatingly, this change in apoptotic level is directly influenced by AATF on Bax and Bak1, rather than on p53 and Bcl-2. Overall, these findings suggest that the mitomiR-1736-3p/AATF axis mediates the mitochondrial pathway of cell apoptosis potentially involved in Cu-induced chicken liver toxicity.

Chelate facilitated phytoextraction of Pb, Cd, and Zn from a lead-zinc mine contaminated soil by three accumulator plants

This study aims to evaluate the enhancement of phytoextraction of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn) by species Marrubium cuneatum, Stipa arabica, and Verbascum speciosum, through EDTA amendment. Assisted phytoextraction pot experiments were performed at different EDTA dosages (0, 1, 3, and 5 mmol kg-1 soil). The DTPA-extractable metal content increased in the presence of EDTA, followed by their contents in the tissues of all three studied species. Resulting from oxidative stress, the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) increased when the chelating agent was added. EDTA in higher doses partially decreased chlorophyll concentration, and 5 mmol kg-1 of that reduced the biomass of the studied species. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) for Cd was notably high in all studied plants and considerably elevated for Zn and Pb with the addition of EDTA in M. cuneatum and S. arabica (BCF > 1), whilst an accumulation factor greater than one (AF > 1) was found for Cd in all species and for Pb in the case of S. arabica. In general, the results demonstrated that EDTA can be an effective amendment for phytoextraction of Cd, Zn, and Pb by M. cuneatum, V. speciosum and S. arabica in contaminated soils.

Disruption of intestinal structure, tight junction complex, immune response and microbiota after chronic exposure to copper in swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

As an essential micronutrient, copper is crucial in aquatic organisms' growth and development. Numerous studies have consistently reported that excessive intake of copper can have harmful effects on organisms. However, there are limited studies on the impact of copper on the intestine of the swamp eel (Monopterus albus). This study aimed to investigate the changes of intestinal histopathology, tight junction complex, immune response, and microbiota in swamp eel treated with 0 mg/L Cu2+, 0.05 mg/L Cu2+, and 0.10 mg/L Cu2+ for 56 d. Intestinal histopathology showed major changes such as the increased number of erythrocytes and goblet cells in the lamina propria, and separation of the lamina propria. The expression of genes involved in tight junction complex (ZO-1, Claudin-3, Claudin-12 and Claudin-15) was significantly changed. In addition, copper exposure significantly increased the mRNA levels of TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, NF-κB, I-κB, TNF-α and IL-8, especially in 0.10 mg/L Cu2+ group. In contrast, the relative expression level of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β was significantly decreased after exposure to copper. Analysis of the intestinal microbiome showed the intestinal microbiota of swamp eels in the control and copper exposure groups were dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria at the phylum level. Notably, copper exposure changed the diversity of the intestinal microbiota and decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in the intestine of swamp eel. Collectively, this study demonstrates that chronic copper exposure induces intestinal pathologic changes and inflammatory response, disrupts the intestinal microbial diversity and microbiota composition, and decreases intestinal barrier function in swamp eel, which enhances our understanding of copper-induced intestinal toxicity in fish.

The copper resistance mechanism in a newly isolated Pseudoxanthomonas spadix ZSY-33

Resolving the heavy metal resistance mechanisms of microbes is crucial for understanding the bioremediation of the ecological environment. In this study, a multiple heavy metal resistance bacterium, Pseudoxanthomonas spadix ZSY-33 was isolated and characterized. The copper resistance mechanism was revealed by analysis of the physiological traits, copper distribution, and genomic and transcriptomic data of strain ZSY-33 cultured with different concentrations of copper. The growth inhibition assay in basic medium showed that the growth of strain ZSY-33 was inhibited in the presence of 0.5 mM copper. The production of extracellular polymeric substances increased at a lower concentration of copper and decreased at a higher concentration of copper. Integrative analysis of genomic and transcriptomic, the copper resistance mechanism in strain ZSY-33 was elucidated. At a lower concentration of copper, the Cus and Cop systems were responsible for the homeostasis of intracellular copper. As the concentration of copper increased, multiple metabolism pathways, including the metabolism of sulfur, amino acids, and pro-energy were cooperated with the Cus and Cop systems to deal with copper stress. These results indicated a flexible copper resistance mechanism in strain ZSY-33, which may acquire from the long-term interaction with the living environment.

Enrichment of biofertilizer-type hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria on urea containing Cu(II)

With the utilization of pesticides and fertilizers (e.g. urea), the presence of nitrogen and heavy metals (e.g. copper) can enter and pollute the environment. Biofertilizers can be used to replace chemical fertilizers to increase crop yields and reduce environmental stress. The utilization of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (HOB) to be biofertilizers has recently attracted more attention. However, the enrichment of HOB on urea and the effect of copper are undetermined. HOB were successfully enriched using urea in this investigation. The average urea conversion rate (AUCR) was 180.08 mgN/L/d with a hydraulic retention time of 10 h. Microbial community (R1) was dominated by Hydrogenophaga (83.92%), a biofertilizer-type HOB. After addition of 5.47 mg/L Cu2+, the AUCR was decreased by 16%-151.18 mgN/L/d, and the growth of HOB was inhibited by 48%. Meanwhile, inhibition was also reflected by the increase of polysaccharide content (20.27 ± 0.57 to 33.45 ± 2.53 mg/gVSS) and protein content (106.19 ± 19.39 to 125.14 ± 24.73 mg/gVSS) of extracellular polymeric substances in the HOB. The resulting microbial community (R2) was changed to Azospiralium-dominated flora (91.33%). Both enriched microbial communities (R1 and R2) exhibited the abilities of ACC degradation and phosphate solubilization. This study demonstrates that employing urea can directly enrich biofertilizer-type HOB and copper-tolerant HOB can be obtained in a 5.47 mg/L Cu2+ environment. The results provide potential methods to obtain biofertilizer from copper-containing urea wastewater via HOB.

Toxicity, physiological, and morphological alterations of Indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica) in response to excess copper

Indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica (L.) Less.) is used as herbal tea due to the presence of volatile aromatic oils and several phytochemical compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of copper (Cu) contamination on the physiology and morphology of P. indica, and the health risks associated with its consumption as tea. The cuttings of P. indica were subjected to 0 mM (control), 5 mM (low Cu), and 20 mM (excess Cu) of CuSO4 treatments for 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Thereafter, Cu contamination as well as physiological and morphological parameters were assessed. Cu accumulation was higher in the root tissues of plants (25.8 folds higher as compared to the leaves) grown under 20 mM CuSO4 for 4 weeks. This increased Cu accumulation resulted in the inhibition of root length, root fresh weight, and root dry weight. Cu concentration was found maximum (1.36 μg g-1 DW) in the leaf tissues under 20 mM Cu exposure for 4 weeks, with the highest target hazard quotient (THQ = 1.85), whereas Cu was not detected in control. Under exposure to 20 mM Cu treatment for 4 weeks, leaf greenness, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, and photon yield of photosystem II diminished by 21.4%, 16.1%, and 22.4%, respectively, as compared to the control. Leaf temperature was increased by 2.5 °C, and the crop stress index (CSI) exceeded 0.6 when exposed to 20 mM Cu treatment for 2 and 4 weeks; however, the control had a CSI below 0.5. This led to a reduced transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. In addition, the net photosynthetic rate was also found sensitive to Cu treatment, which resulted in decreased shoot and root growth. Based on the key results, it can be suggested that P. indica herbal tea derived from the foliage of plants grown under a 5 mM Cu level (0.75 μg g-1 DW) with a target hazard quotient below one aligns with the recommended dietary intake of Cu in leafy vegetables. The study recommends choosing cuttings from plants with a small canopy as plant material in the greenhouse microclimates to validate the growth performance in the Cu-contaminated soil and simulate the natural shrub architecture and life cycle.

Four antibiotics and copper interactive effects on the growth and physiological characteristics of Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle

Co-pollution of antibiotics and heavy metal copper (Cu) is common in freshwater environments because of their wide use as antimicrobial agents, especially in aquaculture. However, the toxic effects of coexisting antibiotics and heavy metals on aquatic plants remain unclear. This study investigated the effect of four antibiotics (i.e., enrofloxacin, ENR; tetracycline, TC; sulfamethoxazole, SMX; erythromycin, ERY), Cu, and their mixture on the growth and physiological responses of Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle. Results showed that the four antibiotics exhibited toxic effects on the growth and physiological indicators of H. verticillata, and root elongation was the most sensitive endpoint of the phytotoxicity test. The median effect concentration (EC50) of root elongation indicated that TC (EC50 = 10.05 mg/L) has the highest level of growth toxicity, and the toxicity of ENR to aquatic plants was close to TC (EC50 = 10.44 mg/L), followed by SMX (EC50 = 20.08 mg/L). However, there was no significant toxic effect of 20 mg/L ERY on the root elongation. Hydrophobicity may be a key factor affecting the phytotoxicity of antibiotics. Moreover, antagonistic toxic effects were observed under ENR + Cu, TC + Cu, SMX + Cu, and ERY + Cu co-exposures at all the experimental concentrations (0.01-20 mg/L). Due to the concentrations of antibiotics in natural waters usually with ng/L levels, our results suggested that environmental antibiotic concentrations probably pose low ecological risk to aquatic plants and indicated the H. verticillata could be used as phytoremediation candidate to remove antibiotic or antibiotic-Cu pollutions in general nature water.

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles suppress copper toxicity in Mentha arvensis L. by adjusting ROS homeostasis and antioxidant defense system and improving essential oil production

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants; however, the excessive accumulation of Cu due to various anthropogenic activities generates progressive pollution of agricultural land and that causes a major constraint for crop production. Excess Cu (80 mg kg-1) in the soil diminished growth and biomass, photosynthetic efficiency and essential oil (EO) content in Mentha arvensis L., while amplifying the antioxidant enzyme's function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Therefore, there is a pressing need to explore effective approaches to overcome Cu toxicity in M. arvensis plants. Thus, the present study unveils the potential of foliar supplementation of two distinct forms of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) i.e., Aerosil 200F and Aerosil 300 to confer Cu stress tolerance attributes to M. arvensis. The experiment demonstrated that applied forms of SiO2 NPs (120 mg L-1), enhanced plants' growth and augmented the photosynthetic efficiency along with the activities of CA (carbonic anhydrase) and NR (nitrate reductase), however, the effects were more accentuated by Aerosil 200F application. Supplementation of SiO2 NPs also exhibited a beneficial effect on the antioxidant machinery of Cu-disturbed plants by raising the level of proline and total phenol as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), thereby lowering ROS and electrolytic leakage (EL). Interestingly, SiO2 NPs supplementation upscaled EO production in Cu-stressed plants with more pronounced effects received in the case of Aerosil 200F over Aerosil 300. We concluded that the nano form (Aerosil 200F) of SiO2 proved to be the best in improving the Cu-stress tolerance in plants.

Biochemical Responses to the Long-Term Impact of Copper Sulfate (CuSO4) in Tobacco Plants

Metabolic changes under stress are often studied in short-term experiments, revealing rapid responses in gene expression, enzyme activity, and the amount of antioxidants. In a long-term experiment, it is possible to identify adaptive changes in both primary and secondary metabolism. In this study, we characterized the physiological state of tobacco plants and assessed the amount and spectrum of phenolic compounds and the lignification of axial organs under excess copper stress in a long-term experiment (40 days). Plants were treated with 100 and 300 μM CuSO4, as well as a control (Knop solution). Copper accumulation, the size and anatomical structure of organs, stress markers, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were studied. Lignin content was determined with the cysteine-assisted sulfuric method (CASA), and the metabolite profile and phenolic spectrum were determined with UHPLC-MS and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Cu2+ mainly accumulated in the roots and, to a lesser extent, in the shoots. Copper sulfate (100 μM) slightly stimulated stem and leaf growth. A higher concentration (300 μM) caused oxidative stress; H2O2 content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) activity increased in roots, and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in all organs. The deposition of lignin increased in the roots and stems compared with the control. The content of free phenolics, which could be used as substrates for lignification, declined. The proportions of ferulic, cinnamic, and p-coumaric acids in the hydrolysate of bound phenolics were higher, and they tended toward additional lignification. The metabolic profile changed in both roots and stems at both concentrations, and changed in leaves only at a concentration of 300 μM. Thus, changes in the phenolic spectrum and the enhanced lignification of cell walls in the metaxylem of axial (root and stem) organs in tobacco can be considered important metabolic responses to stress caused by excess CuSO4.

A Portable, Encapsulated Microbial Whole-Cell Biosensing System for the Detection of Bioavailable Copper (II) in Soil

A portable, field deployable whole-cell biosensor was developed that can withstand the complex matrices of soil and requires minimal to no sample preparation to monitor bioavailable concentrations of the essential micronutrient copper (II). Conventional measurement of micronutrients is often complex, laboratory-based, and not suitable for monitoring their bioavailable concentration. To address this need, we developed a fluorescence based microbial whole-cell biosensing (MWCB) system encoding for a Cu2+-responsive protein capable of generating a signal upon binding to Cu2+. The sensing-reporting protein was designed by performing circular permutation on the green fluorescent protein (GFP) followed by insertion of a Cu2+ binding motif into the structure of GFP. The design included insertion of several binding motifs and creating plasmids that encoded the corresponding sensing proteins. The signal generated by the sensing-reporting protein is directly proportional to the concentration of Cu2+ in the sample. Evaluation of the resulting biosensing systems carrying these plasmids was performed prior to selection of the optimal fluorescence emitting Cu2+-binding protein. The resulting optimized biosensing system was encapsulated in polyacrylate-alginate beads and embedded in soil for detection of the analyte. Once exposed to the soil, the beads were interrogated to measure the fluorescence signal emitted by the sensing-reporting protein using a portable imaging device. The biosensor was optimized for detection of Cu2+ in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, matrix effects, detection limits, and reproducibility in both liquid and soil matrices. The limit of detection (LoD) of the optimized encapsulated biosensor was calculated as 0.27 mg/L and 1.26 mg/kg of Cu2+ for Cu2+ in solution and soil, respectively. Validation of the portable imaging tools as a potential biosensing device in the field was performed.

Impact and mitigation of lead, cadmium and micro/nano plastics in fragrant rice

Heavy metals (HMs) and micro(nano)plastics (MNPs), represent a significant risk to global food supply as well as a potential risk to humankind. Over 50% of the worldwide population eat rice every day, and rice aroma is a significant qualitative trait that is highly valued by consumers and fetches premium prices in the global market. Despite the huge commercial importance of fragrant rice, limited studies were directed to investigate the influence of HMs and MNPs on yield related traits and 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) compound, mainly responsible for aroma production in fragrant rice. In this review, we found that the interaction of HMs and MNPs in fragrant rice is complex and accumulation of HMs and MNPs was higher in root as compared to the grains. Nutrients and phytohormones mediated mitigation of HMs and MNPs were most effective sustainable strategies. In addition, monitoring the checkpoints of 2-AP biosynthesis and its interaction with HMs and MNPs is challenging. Finally, we explained the potential challenges that fragrant rice faces considering the continuous rise in environmental pollutants and discussed the future avenues of research to improve fragrant rice's yield and qualitative traits.

MeGLYI-13, a Glyoxalase I Gene in Cassava, Enhances the Tolerance of Yeast and Arabidopsis to Zinc and Copper Stresses

Although zinc and copper are the two essential nutrients necessary for plant growth, their excessive accumulation in soil not only causes environmental pollution but also seriously threatens human health and inhibits plant growth. The breeding of plants with novel zinc or copper toxicity tolerance capacities represents one strategy to address this problem. Glyoxalase I (GLYI) family genes have previously been suggested to be involved in the resistance to a wide range of abiotic stresses, including those invoked by heavy metals. Here, a MeGLYI-13 gene cloned from a cassava SC8 cultivar was characterized with regard to its potential ability in resistance to zinc or copper stresses. Sequence alignment indicated that MeGLYI-13 exhibits sequence differences between genotypes. Transient expression analysis revealed the nuclear localization of MeGLYI-13. A nuclear localization signal (NLS) was found in its C-terminal region. There are 12 Zn2+ binding sites and 14 Cu2+ binding sites predicted by the MIB tool, of which six binding sites were shared by Zn2+ and Cu2+. The overexpression of MeGLYI-13 enhanced both the zinc and copper toxicity tolerances of transformed yeast cells and Arabidopsis seedlings. Taken together, our study shows the ability of the MeGLYI-13 gene to resist zinc and copper toxicity, which provides genetic resources for the future breeding of plants resistant to zinc and copper and potentially other heavy metals.

Mitochondrial miR-12294-5p regulated copper-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial quality control imbalance by targeted inhibition of CISD1 in chicken livers

Copper (Cu) is hazardous metal contaminant, which induced hepatotoxicity is closely related to mitochondrial disorder, but exact regulatory mechanism has not yet been revealed. Mitochondrial microRNAs (mitomiRs) are a novel and critical regulator of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial homeostasis. Hence, this study revealed the impact of Cu-exposure on mitomiR expression profiles in chicken livers, and further identified mitomiR-12294-5p and its target gene CISD1 as core regulators involved in Cu-induced hepatotoxicity. Additionally, our results showed that Cu-exposure induced mitochondrial oxidative damage, and mitochondrial quality control imbalance mediated by mitochondrial dynamics disturbances, mitochondrial biogenesis inhibition and abnormal mitophagy flux in chicken livers and primary chicken embryo hepatocytes (CEHs). Meaningfully, we discovered that inhibition of the expression of mitomiR-12294-5p effectively alleviated Cu-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial quality control imbalance, while the up-regulation of mitomiR-12294-5p expression exacerbated Cu-induced mitochondrial damage. Simultaneously, the above Cu-induced mitochondrial damage can be effectively rescued by the overexpression of CISD1, while knockdown of CISD1 dramatically reverses the mitigating effect that inhibition of mitomiR-12294-5p expression on Cu-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial quality control imbalance. Overall, these results suggested that mitomiR-12294-5p/CISD1 axis mediated mitochondrial damage is a novel molecular mechanism involved in regulating Cu-induced hepatotoxicity in chickens.

A Strategy to Valorize a By-Product of Pine Wood (Pinus pinaster) for Copper Removal from Aqueous Solutions

This study describes the valorization of a pine wood by-product (Pinus pinaster) in the form of individualized fibers to a complex copper or more broadly metals present in an aqueous solution using a batch process. The adsorption results show that pine fibres activated by sodium carbonate are effective in recovering copper ions from monocontaminated or polycontaminated solutions of varying concentrations in a few minutes. One gram of material captures 2.5 mg of copper present in 100 mL of solution at pH 5 in less than 10 min. The results are perfectly reproducible and independent of pH between 3 and 5. The presence of the Na+ cation at concentrations of 0.1 M has no impact on material performance, unlike that of Ca2+ ions, which competes with Cu2+ ions for active sites. The adsorption process can be considered as rapid, as most of the copper is adsorbed within the first 10 min of exposure. Investigation of modeling possibilities shows some limitations. Indeed, the Weber and Morris and Elovich models show poor possibilities to describe all the kinetic data for copper adsorption on fibres. This may prove that the mechanism is far more complex than simple physisorption, chemisorption and/or diffusion. Complexation by wood fibers can be extended to solutions containing several types of metals. The results of this study show that the field of selective metal recovery could be a new way of valorizing by-products from the wood industry.

Are Basic Substances a Key to Sustainable Pest and Disease Management in Agriculture? An Open Field Perspective

Pathogens and pests constantly challenge food security and safety worldwide. The use of plant protection products to manage them raises concerns related to human health, the environment, and economic costs. Basic substances are active, non-toxic compounds that are not predominantly used as plant protection products but hold potential in crop protection. Basic substances' attention is rising due to their safety and cost-effectiveness. However, data on their protection levels in crop protection strategies are lacking. In this review, we critically analyzed the literature concerning the field application of known and potential basic substances for managing diseases and pests, investigating their efficacy and potential integration into plant protection programs. Case studies related to grapevine, potato, and fruit protection from pre- and post-harvest diseases and pests were considered. In specific cases, basic substances and chitosan in particular, could complement or even substitute plant protection products, either chemicals or biologicals, but their efficacy varied greatly according to various factors, including the origin of the substance, the crop, the pathogen or pest, and the timing and method of application. Therefore, a careful evaluation of the field application is needed to promote the successful use of basic substances in sustainable pest management strategies in specific contexts.

Multifunctional Composite Materials Based on Anion Exchangers Modified with Copper Compounds-A Review of Their Synthesis Methods, Characteristics and Applications

As copper and its compounds are of fundamental importance for the development of innovative materials, the synthesis of composites intended for water purification was undertaken in which submicron copper containing particles were dispersed within the matrix of a strongly basic anion exchanger, with a macroporous and gel-like structure. Due to their trimethylammonium functional groups, the host materials alone exhibited an affinity to anionic water contaminants and antimicrobial properties. The introduction of such particles as CuO, Cu2O, metallic Cu, CuO/FeO(OH), Cu4O3, Cu(OH)2, Cu4(OH)6SO4, Cu2(OH)3Cl increased these properties and demonstrated new properties. The composites were obtained unconventionally, in ambient conditions, using eco-friendly reagents. Alternative synthesis methods were compared and optimized, as a result of which a new group of hybrid ion exchangers was created (HIXs) containing 3.5-12.5 wt% of Cu. As the arrangement of the inorganic phase in the resin matrix was atypical, i.e., close to the surface of the beads, the obtained HIXs exhibited excellent kinetic properties in the process of oxidation and adsorption of As(III), as well as catalytic properties for the synthesis of triazoles via click reaction, and also antimicrobial properties in relation to Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, preventing biofilm formation. Using thermogravimetry, the effect of the inorganic phase on decomposition of the polymeric phase was evaluated for the first time and comprehensively, confirming the relationship and finding numerous regularities. It was also found that, depending on the oxidation state (CuO, Cu2O, Cu), copper-containing particles affected the textural properties of the polymeric phase endowing a tighter structure, limiting the porosity and reducing the affinity for water.

Electrocoagulation/flotation process for removing copper from an aqueous environment

The presence of copper in aqueous environments such as drinking water has led to several environmental effects, such as flavor and odor. The increase in Cu levels in ground and surface water has been mainly attributed to anthropogenic and natural sources. Consequently, this applied-analytical study aimed to investigate copper removal from urban drinking water through batch reactor electrocoagulation/flotation (ECF) with aluminum electrodes. The copper removal efficiency was evaluated under various operating conditions of current density (0.8-2.4 mA/cm2), initial concentration (1-100 mg/L), pH (3.5-10.5), and time (10-30 min). Cu was determined using the method outlined in the standard procedures (3500-Cu B at 4571 nm). The results indicated that increasing the current density from 0.8 to 2.4 mA/cm2 and the reaction time from 10 to 30 min improved Cu+2 removal efficiency (from 95 to 100%). In addition, the results demonstrated that Cu+2 reduction is 100% with an initial concentration of 100 mg/L, a pH of 7.5, a reaction time of 30 min, and an anode current density of 2.4 mA/cm2. The Taguchi method results for copper removal efficiency show that reaction time is the most significant variable. Furthermore, Cu removal kinetics models in an ECF reactor are second-order (R2 > 0.92). The Cu removal in the ECF reactor is due to redox and adsorption. Moreover, the operational costs of Cu treatment with Al electrode pairs are estimated to range from 8857 and 9636 Rial/kg of Cu removed. Thus, it can be concluded that the ECF process is very efficient in removing Cu from aqueous environments under optimum conditions.

Antimicrobial mechanisms of ZnO nanoparticles to phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae: Damage of cell envelope, suppression of metabolism, biofilm and motility, and stimulation of stomatal immunity on host plant

Nanoparticles have recently been employed as a new strategy to act as bactericides in agricultural applications. However, the effects and mechanisms of foliar deposition of nanoparticles on bacterial pathogens, plant physiology and particularly plant immunity have not been sufficiently understood. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of ZnO NPs in controlling of tobacco wildfire caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci, through the comprehensive analysis of biological changes of both bacteria and plants. The global gene expression changes of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci supported that the functions of "protein secretion", "membrane part", "signal transducer activity", "locomotion", "chemotaxis" and "taxis" in bacteria, as well as the metabolic pathways of "bacterial chemotaxis", "two-component system", "biofilm formation", "ABC transporters" and "valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation" were significantly down-regulated by ZnO NPs. Correspondingly, we reconfirmed that the cell envelope structure, biofilm and motility of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci were directly disrupted or suppressed by ZnO NPs. Different from completely killing Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci, ZnO NPs (0.5 mg/mL) potentially improved plant growth and immunity through enzymatic activity and global molecular response analysis. Furthermore, the changes of gene expression in ABA signaling pathway, ABA concentration and stomatal aperture all supported that ZnO NPs can specifically stimulate stomatal immunity, which is important to defend bacterial infection. Taken together, we proposed that both the inhibition or damage of motility, biofilm, metabolisms, virulence and cell envelope on P. syringae pv. tabaci, and the activation of the stomatal immunity formed two-layered antibacterial mechanisms of ZnO NPs on phytopathogenic bacteria.

Computational Insights on the Chemical Reactivity of Functionalized and Crosslinked Polyketones to Cu2+ Ion for Wastewater Treatment

Today, the high concentrations of copper found in water resources result in an urgent problem to solve since human health and aquatic ecosystems have been affected. Functionalized crosslinked polyketone resins (XLPK) have demonstrated high performance for the uptake of heavy metals in water solutions. In addition, its green chemical synthesis makes these resins very attractive as sorbents for metal ions contained in wastewater. XLPK are not soluble in aqueous media and do not require any catalyst, solvent, or harsh conditions to carry out the uptake process. In this paper, a series of functionalized XLPK with pending amino-derivatives namely; butylamine (BA), amino 2-propanol (A2P), 4-(aminomethyl) benzoic acid (HAMC), 6-aminohexanoic acid (PAMBA), and 1,2 diamino propane (DAP) directly attached to the pyrrole backbone of the polymers and crosslinked by di-amine derivatives was investigated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Our computational analysis revealed that dipole-dipole interactions played a crucial role in enhancing the adsorption of Cu2+ ions onto XLPKs. The negatively charged ketone moieties and functional groups within XLPKs were identified as key adsorption sites for the selective binding of Cu2+ ions. Additionally, we found that XLPKs exhibited strong electrostatic interactions primarily through the -NH2 and -C=O groups. Evaluation of the adsorption energies in XLPK-Cu(II) complexes showed that the DAP-Cu(II) complex exhibited the highest stability, attributed to strong Cu(II)-N binding facilitated by the amino moiety (-NH2). The remaining XLPKs displayed binding modes involving oxygen atoms (Cu(II)-O) within the ketone moieties in the polymer backbone. Furthermore, the complexation and thermochemical analysis emphasized the role of the coordinator atom (N or O) and the coordinating environment, in which higher entropic effects involved in the adsorption of Cu2+ ions onto XLPKs describes a lower spontaneity of the adsorption process. The adsorption reactions were favored at lower temperatures and higher pressures. These findings provide valuable insights into the reactivity and adsorption mechanisms of functionalized and crosslinked polyketones for Cu2+ uptake, facilitating the design of high-performance polymeric resins for water treatment applications.

Modulation of toxicity effects of CuSO4 by sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown algae (Sargassum tenerrimum) in Danio rerio as a model

Copper is widely used in agriculture and aquaculture due to its high disinfection properties and relatively low cost. However, the increase in copper concentration due to evaporation can lead to water reservoir pollution, which can harm the health of consumers. The present study aimed to determine the role of sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) extracted from Sargassum tenerimum algae in reducing lesions caused by the heavy metal copper. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were used as a human model in five treatments. The negative and positive control groups were fed a diet containing zero percent of SPs, while the experimental groups were fed 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% of SPs in three treatments for 56 days, finally CuSO4 was exposed only to the positive control group and the groups fed with SPs. Results showed a significant decrease in the activity level of ALT enzymes (39-16 U/mL), AST (67-46 U/mL), and ALP (485-237 U/mL), confirming the results obtained from histopathological studies in CuSO4 exposed groups. The addition of SPs to the diet resulted in a significant reduction (sig < 0.05) of mortalities due to the decrease of tissue damage. Additionally, due to the anti-inflammatory properties and the protective effect of SPs, a significant decrease (sig < 0.05) was observed in the relative expression of Il-1β and Tnf-α genes.

Exogenous acetone O-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)oxime improves the adverse effects of excess copper by copper detoxification systems in maize

The current study is to elucidate the responses of maize seedlings to excess copper and acetone O-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)oxime (NS) pretreatment. The study was divided into the following experimental groups: 18 h distilled water (DW) control (C), 6 h 0.3 mM NS + then 12 h DW (NS), 6 h DW + then 12 h 1 mM CuSO4.5H2O (CuS), 0.3 mM NS for 6 h + then 1 mM CuSO4.5H2O (NS + CuS) for 12 h. When the NS + CuS group is compared with the CuS group; It accumulated 10% more copper, while the ABA, H2O2, MDA, and carotenoid contents decreased significantly, the total chlorophyll, proline, gallic acid, ascorbic acid, catechol, trans-P-qumaric acid, and cinnamic acid contents increased. While SOD activity, which is one of the antioxidant system enzymes, decreased with NS application, GPX, CAT, and APX activities increased despite copper stress. When all the findings are evaluated as a whole, exogenous NS, despite excessive copper, ameliorated the adverse effects of copper stress by increasing the effectiveness of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the antioxidant system and the contents of phenolic substances. In addition, increasing the copper content by 10% reveals its importance in terms of NS phytoremediation.Abbreviation: Style-sheet: When full form and abbreviated form both are used as keywords, retain both as provided by the author.

Metabolomics: a promising tool for deciphering metabolic impairment in heavy metal toxicities

Heavy metals are the metal compounds found in earth's crust and have densities higher than that of water. Common heavy metals include the lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, copper, manganese, chromium, nickel, and aluminum. Their environmental levels are consistently rising above the permissible limits and they are highly toxic as enter living systems via inhalation, ingestion, or inoculation. Prolonged exposures cause the disruption of metabolism, altered gene and/or protein expression, and dysregulated metabolite profiles. Metabolomics is a state of the art analytical tool widely used for pathomolecular inv22estigations, biomarkers, drug discovery and validation of biotransformation pathways in the fields of biomedicine, nutrition, agriculture, and industry. Here, we overview studies using metabolomics as a dynamic tool to decipher the mechanisms of metabolic impairment related to heavy metal toxicities caused by the environmental or experimental exposures in different living systems. These investigations highlight the key role of metabolomics in identifying perturbations in pathways of lipid and amino acid metabolism, with a critical role of oxidative stress in metabolic impairment. We present the conclusions with future perspectives on metabolomics applications in meeting emerging needs.

A novel method of rapid detection for heavy metal copper ion via a specific copper chelator bathocuproinedisulfonic acid disodium salt

The extensive usage and production of copper may lead to toxic effects in organisms due to its accumulation in the environment. Traditional methods for copper detection are time consuming and infeasible for field usage. It is necessary to discover a real-time, rapid and economical method for detecting copper to ensure human health and environmental safety. Here we developed a colorimetric paper strip method and optimized spectrum method for rapid detection of copper ion based on the specific copper chelator bathocuproinedisulfonic acid disodium salt (BCS). Both biological assays and chemical methods verified the specificity of BCS for copper. The optimized reaction conditions were 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 200 µM BCS, 1 mM ascorbate and less than 50 µM copper. The detection limit of the copper paper strip test was 0.5 mg/L by direct visual observation and the detection time was less than 1 min. The detection results of grape, peach, apple, spinach and cabbage by the optimized spectrum method were 0.91 μg/g, 0.87 μg/g, 0.19 μg/g, 1.37 μg/g and 0.39 μg/g, respectively. The paper strip assays showed that the copper contents of grape, peach, apple, spinach and cabbage were 0.8 mg/L, 0.9 mg/L, 0.2 mg/L, 1.3 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. These results correlated well with those determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The visual detection limit of the paper strip based on Cu-BCS-AgNPs was 0.06 mg/L. Our study demonstrates the potential for on-site, rapid and cost-effective copper monitoring of foods and the environment.

Scavenging of copper(II) ions, phosphate(V) ions, and diuron from aqueous media by goethite modified with chitosan or poly(acrylic acid)

Goethite was modified by chitosan (CS) or poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to improve its adsorptive abilities toward components of agrochemicals, i.e., copper ions (Cu), phosphate ions (P), and diuron. The pristine goethite effectively bound Cu (7.68 mg/g, 63.71%) and P (6.31 mg/g, 50.46%) only in their mixed systems. In the one adsorbate solutions, the adsorption levels accounted for 3.82 mg/g (30.57%) for Cu, 3.22 mg/g (25.74%) for P, and 0.15 mg/g (12.15%) for diuron. Goethite modification with CS or PAA did not yield spectacular results in adsorption. The maximum increase in adsorbed amount was noted for Cu ions (8.28%) after PAA modification as well as for P (6.02%) and diuron (24.04%) after CS modification. Both goethite modifications contributed to clear reduction in desorption of pollutants (even by 20.26% for Cu after PAA coating), which was mainly dictated by electrostatic attractive forces and hydrogen bonds formation occurring between macromolecules and impurities. The only exception in this phenomenon was Cu desorption from CS-modified solid-the polymer made it higher (to 95.00%). The Cu adsorption on PAA-modified goethite enhanced solid aggregation and thus facilitated metal cation separation from aqueous media. Consequently, the goethite modification with PAA was considered more promising for environmental remediation.

Environmental impacts of air pollution and its abatement by plant species: A comprehensive review

Air pollution is one of the major global environmental issues urgently needed attention for its control through sustainable approaches. The release of air pollutants from various anthropogenic and natural processes imposes serious threats to the environment and human health. The green belt development using air pollution-tolerant plant species has become popular approach for air pollution remediation. Plants' biochemical and physiological attributes, especially relative water content, pH, ascorbic acid, and total chlorophyll content, are taken into account for assessing air pollution tolerance index (APTI). In contrast, anticipated performance index (API) is assessed based on socio-economic characteristics including "canopy structure, type, habit, laminar structure, economic value and APTI score" of plant species. Based on previous work, plants with high dust-capturing capacity are identified in Ficus benghalensis L. (0.95 to 7.58 mg/cm2), and highest overall PM accumulation capacity was observed in Ulmus pumila L. (PM10 = 72 µg/cm2 and PM2.5 = 70 µg/cm2) in the study from different regions. According to APTI, the plant species such as M. indica (11 to 29), Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (6 to 24), and F. benghalensis (17 to 26) have been widely reported as high air pollution-tolerant species and good to best performer in terms of API at different study sites. Statistically, previous studies show that ascorbic acid (R2 = 0.90) has good correlation with APTI among all the parameters. The plant species with high pollution tolerance capacity can be recommended for future plantation and green belt development.

Root development in Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit enhances copper accumulation

Potentially toxic elements (PTE) in soil like copper (Cu) have been common in agricultural and mining areas worldwide. The sustainable remediation of these areas has been shown to have high socio-environmental relevance and phytoremediation is one of the green technologies to be considered. The challenge is to identify species that are tolerant to PTE, and to assess their phytoremediation potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological response of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and to determine the species tolerance and phytoremediation potential to concentrations of Cu in the soil (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/dm3). The photosynthetic rate was not affected, while the content of chlorophylls decreased as Cu concentrations increased. There was an increased in stomatal conductance and water use efficiency from the treatment of 300. The root biomass and the length were bigger than the shoots, in the treatments above 300. Cu accumulation was greater in the roots than in the shoot of the plants, thus, the Cu translocation index to the shoot was lower. The ability to absorb and accumulate, mainly, Cu in the roots, allowed the development and growth of plants, since the parameters of photosynthesis and biomass accumulation were not affected by the Cu excess. This accumulation in the roots is characterized as a strategy for the phytostabilization of Cu. Therefore, L. leucocephala is tolerant to the Cu concentrations evaluated and has a potential phytoremediation of Cu in the soil.

Optimization of Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017 Application as a Biocontrol Agent for Phytophthora tropicalis and Moniliophthora roreri in Cacao-Growing Fields in Chiapas, Mexico

In Mexico, cacao production is endangered by pathogenic fungi, such as Phytophthora spp. and Moniliophthora rorei, that cause black pod rot and moniliasis, respectively. In this study the biocontrol agent Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017 was tested in cacao fields against the previous diseases. The treatments applied were shade management, inoculation of the bacterial strain with or without an adherent, and use of chemical control. The statistical analysis showed that the incidence of black pod rot in tagged cacao trees diminished when the bacterium was applied (reduction of 44.24 to 19.11%). The same result was observed with moniliasis when the pods were tagged (reduction of 66.6 to 27%). The use of Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017 with an integrated management might be a solution to cacao diseases and to having a sustainable production of cacao in Mexico.