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Odibo A, Janpum C, Pombubpa N, Monshupanee T, Incharoensakdi A, Ur Rehman Z, In-Na P. Microalgal-bacterial immobilized co-culture as living biofilters for nutrient recovery from synthetic wastewater and their potential as biofertilizers. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 398:130509. [PMID: 38452949 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130509] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates nutrient recovery from synthetic municipal wastewater using co-immobilized cultures of Chlorella vulgaris TISTR 8580 (CV) and plant growth-promoting bacteria, Bacillus subtilis TISTR 1415 (BS) as living biofilters for a subsequent biofertilizer activity. The optimal condition for nutrient recovery was at the 1:1 ratio of CV/BS using mixed guar gum/carrageenan (GG/CG) binders. After 7-day wastewater treatment, the living biofilters removed 86.7 ± 0.5% of ammonium and 99.3 ± 0.3% of phosphates and were tested subsequently as biofertilizers for 20 days to grow selected plants. The highest optimal biomass and chlorophyll a content was 2 ± 0.3 g (CV/BS 3:1) and 12.4 ± 0.7 µg/g (CV/BS 1:1) from cucumber respectively, however, the close-to-neutral pH (8.0 ± 0.3) was observed from sunflower using CV/BS 1:1 living biofilters. Conclusively, the designed living biofilters exhibit the potential to recover nutrients from wastewater and be used as biofertilizers for circular agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Odibo
- Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chalampol Janpum
- Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nuttapon Pombubpa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Tanakarn Monshupanee
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Research Unit on Sustainable Algal Cultivation and Applications (RU SACAS), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Aran Incharoensakdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Zia Ur Rehman
- Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pichaya In-Na
- Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Research Unit on Sustainable Algal Cultivation and Applications (RU SACAS), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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2
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González-Martín J, Cantera S, Muñoz R, Lebrero R. Indoor air VOCs biofiltration by bioactive coating packed bed bioreactors. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 349:119362. [PMID: 37897901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Bioactive coatings are envisaged as a promising biotechnology to tackle the emerging problem of indoor air pollution. This solution could cope with the low concentrations, the wide range of compounds and the hydrophobicity of some indoor air VOCs, which are the most important bottlenecks regarding the implementation of conventional biotechnologies for indoor air treatment. A bioactive coating-based bioreactor was tested in this study for the abatement of different VOCs (n-hexane, toluene and α-pinene) at different empty bed residence times (EBRT) and inlet VOC concentrations. The performance of this reactor was compared with a conventional biofilm-based bioreactor operated with the same microbial inoculum. After an acclimation period, the bioactive coating-based bioreactor achieved abatements of over 50% for hexane, 80% for toluene and 70% for pinene at EBRTs of 112-56 s and inlet concentrations of 9-15 mg m-3. These results were about 25, 10 and 20% lower than the highest removals recorded in the biofilm-based bioreactor. Both bioreactors experienced a decrease in VOC abatement by ∼25% for hexane, 45% for toluene and 40% for pinene, after reducing the EBRT to 28 s. When inlet VOC concentrations were progressively reduced, VOC abatement efficiencies did not improve. This fact suggested that low EBRTs and low inlet VOCs concentration hindered indoor air pollutant abatement as a result of a limited mass transfer and bioavailability. Metagenomic analyses showed that process operation with toluene, hexane and pinene as the only carbon and energy sources favored an enriched bacterial community represented by the genera Devosia, Mesorhizobium, Sphingobacterium and Mycobacterium, regardless of the bioreactor configuration. Bioactive coatings were used in this work as packing material of a conventional bioreactor, achieving satisfactory VOC abatement similar to a conventional bioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier González-Martín
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina S/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina S/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain.
| | - Sara Cantera
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708, WE Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina S/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina S/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain.
| | - Raquel Lebrero
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina S/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina S/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain.
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Tong CY, Kee CY, Honda K, Derek CJC. Bio-coatings in permeated cultivation systems: Unprecedented impacts on microalgal monoculture growth and organic matter yield. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117403. [PMID: 37848079 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117403] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Bio-coating, a recent and promising approach in attached microalgal cultivation systems, has garnered attention due to its efficiency in enhancing immobilized algal growth, particularly in submerged cultivation systems. However, when the cells are cultured on thin solid microporous substrates that physically separate them from the nutrient medium, it remains unclear whether the applied bio-coatings still have a significant impact on algal growth or the subsequent rates of algal organic matter (AOM) release. Therefore, this current work investigated the role of bio-coatings on the microalgal monoculture growth of one freshwater species, Chlorella vulgaris ESP 31, and one marine species, Cylindrotheca fusiformis on a hydrophilic substrate, polyvinylidene fluoride membrane in a permeated cultivation system. Wide range of bio-coating sources were adapted, with the result demonstrating that bacteria-derived coating promoted algal growth by as high as 140% when compared with the control group for both species. Interestingly, two distinct adaptation mechanisms were observed between the species, with only C. fusiformis demonstrating a positive correlation between cell growth and AOM productivity, particularly in its extracellularly bound fractions. It is worth noting that despite this specific fraction exhibiting the lowest content among all; it displayed significant relevance in terms of AOM productivity. High extracellular protein-to-polysaccharide ratio (>5.7 fold) quantified on bacterial intracellular exudate-coated membranes indirectly revealed an underlying symbiotic microalgal-bacterial interaction. This is the first study showing how bio-coating influenced AOM yield without any physical interaction between microalgae and bacteria. It further confirms the practical benefits of bio-coating in attached cultivation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Y Tong
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia; International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Chai Ying Kee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Kohsuke Honda
- International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - C J C Derek
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
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Tong CY, Lim SL, Chua MX, Derek CJC. Uncovering the role of algal organic matter biocoating on Navicula incerta cell deposition and biofilm formation. Bioengineered 2023; 14:2252213. [PMID: 37695682 PMCID: PMC10496527 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2252213] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous natural biofilm concentrates microalgal biomass on solid supports. However, the biofilm is frequently susceptible to exfoliation upon nutrient deficiency, particularly found in aged biofilm. Therefore, this study highlights a novel biofilm cultivation technique by pre-depositing the algal organic matters from marine diatom, Navicula incerta onto microporous polyvinylidene fluoride membrane to further strengthen the biofilm developed. Due to the improvement in membrane surface roughness and hydrophobicity, cells adhered most abundantly to soluble extrapolymeric substances-coated (sEPS) (76× 106± 16× 106 cells m-2), followed by bounded EPS-coated (57.67× 106± 0.33× 106 cells m-2), internally organic matter (IOM)-coated (39.00× 106± 5.19× 106 cells m-2), and pristine control the least (6.22× 106± 0.77× 106 cells m-2) at 24th h. Surprisingly, only bEPS-coated membrane demonstrated an increase in cell adhesion toward the end of the experiment at 72 h. The application of the bio-coating has successfully increased the rate of cell attachment by at least 45.3% upon inoculation and achieved as high as 89.9% faster attachment at 72 hours compared to the pristine control group. Soluble polysaccharides and proteins might be carried along by the cells adhering onto membranes hence resulting in a built up of EPS hydrophobicity (>70% in average on bio-coated membranes) over time as compared with pristine (control) that only recorded an average of approximately 50% hydrophobicity. Interestingly, cells grown on bio-coated membranes accumulated more internally bounded polysaccharides, though bio-coating had no discernible impact on the production of both externally and internally bounded protein. The collective findings of this study reveal the physiological alterations of microalgal biofilms cultured on bio-coated membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Y. Tong
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Siew Li Lim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Mei Xia Chua
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - C. J. C. Derek
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
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Krings S, Chen Y, Keddie JL, Hingley-Wilson S. Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0187023. [PMID: 37747195 PMCID: PMC10580922 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01870-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biocoatings, in which viable bacteria are immobilized within a waterborne polymer coating for a wide range of potential applications, have garnered greater interest in recent years. In bioreactors, biocoatings can be ready-to-use alternatives for carbon capture or biofuel production that could be reused multiple times. Here, we have immobilized cyanobacteria in mechanically hard biocoatings, which were deposited from polymer colloids in water (i.e., latex). The biocoatings are formed upon heating to 37°C and fully dried before rehydrating. The viability and oxygen evolution of three cyanobacterial species within the biocoatings were compared. Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was non-viable inside the biocoatings immediately after drying, whereas Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 survived the coating formation, as shown by an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 consumed oxygen (by cell respiration) for up to 5 days, but was unable to perform photosynthesis, as indicated by a lack of oxygen evolution. However, Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433, a strain of desiccation-resistant extremophilic cyanobacteria, survived and performed photosynthesis and carbon capture within the biocoating, with specific rates of oxygen evolution up to 0.4 g of oxygen/g of biomass per day. Continuous measurements of dissolved oxygen were carried out over a month and showed no sign of decreasing activity. Extremophilic cyanobacteria are viable in a variety of environments, making them ideal candidates for use in biocoatings and other biotechnology. IMPORTANCE As water has become a precious resource, there is a growing need for less water-intensive use of microorganisms, while avoiding desiccation stress. Mechanically robust, ready-to-use biocoatings or "living paints" (a type of artificial biofilm consisting of a synthetic matrix containing functional bacteria) represent a novel way to address these issues. Here, we describe the revolutionary, first-ever use of an extremophilic cyanobacterium (Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433) in biocoatings, which were able to produce high levels of oxygen and carbon capture for at least 1 month despite complete desiccation and subsequent rehydration. Beyond culturing viable bacteria with reduced water resources, this pioneering use of extremophiles in biocoatings could be further developed for a variety of applications, including carbon capture, wastewater treatment and biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Krings
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Yuxiu Chen
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph L. Keddie
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Hingley-Wilson
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
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Xu C, Frigo-Vaz B, Goering J, Wang P. Gas-phase degradation of VOCs using supported bacteria biofilms. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:1323-1333. [PMID: 36775904 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Herein we report the use of Pseudomonas putida F1 biofilms grown on carbonized cellulosic fibers to achieve biodegradation of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the absence of any bulk aqueous-phase media. It is believed that direct exposure of gaseous VOC substrates to biomass may eliminate aqueous-phase mass transfer resistance and facilitate VOC capture and degradation. When tested with toluene vapor as a model VOC, the supported biofilm could grow optimally at 300 p.p.m. toluene and 80% relative humidity, with a specific growth rate of 0.425 day-1 . During long-term VOC biodegradation tests in a tubular packed bed reactor, biofilms achieved a toluene degradation rate of 2.5 mg gDCW -1 h-1 during the initial growth phase. Interestingly, the P. putida F1 film kept biodegrading activity even at the stationary nongrowth phase. The supported biofilms with a biomass loading of 20% (wt) could degrade toluene at a rate of 1.9 mg gDCW -1 h-1 during the stationary phase, releasing CO2 at a rate of 6.4 mg gDCW -1 h-1 at the same time (indicating 100% conversion of substrate carbon to CO2 ). All of these observations promised a new type of "dry" biofilm reactors for efficient degradation of toxic VOCs without involving a large amount of water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xu
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.,Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Benjamin Frigo-Vaz
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.,Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joshua Goering
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.,Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Janpum C, Pombubpa N, Monshupanee T, Incharoensakdi A, In-Na P. Advancement on mixed microalgal-bacterial cultivation systems for nitrogen and phosphorus recoveries from wastewater to promote sustainable bioeconomy. J Biotechnol 2022; 360:198-210. [PMID: 36414126 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Biological wastewater treatment is a promising and environmentally friendly method that utilises living microorganisms to remediate water and enable recovery or conversion of contaminants into valuable products. For many decades, microalgae and cyanobacteria, photosynthetic living microorganisms, have been explored extensively for wastewater bioremediation. They can be used for recovering valuable nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous from secondary effluents and capable of transforming those nutrients into marketable products such as biofuels, biofertilisers, nutraceutical, and pigments for promoting a Bio-Circular Green economy. In recent years, there has been a shift towards mixing compatible microalgae with bacteria, which is inspired by their natural symbiotic relationships to increase nitrogen and phosphorus recoveries. With this enhanced bioremediation, recovery of polluted wastes can be intensified and higher biomass quality (with high nutrient density) can be achieved. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art of mixed microalgal-bacterial cultivating systems. A comprehensive comparison of existing studies that used Chlorella species as microalgae in various mixed microalgal-bacterial cultivating systems (suspension, biofilm, and immobilisation) for nitrogen and phosphorus recoveries from wastewater is conducted. Key technical challenges such as balancing microalgae and bacteria species, pH regulation, light distribution, biomass harvesting, and biomass conversion are also discussed. From the data comparisons among different cultivation systems, it has been suggested that immobilisation appears to require less amount of operational light compared to the suspended and biofilm-based systems for similar nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalampol Janpum
- Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuttapon Pombubpa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tanakarn Monshupanee
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aran Incharoensakdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pichaya In-Na
- Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Wahid E, Ocheja OB, Marsili E, Guaragnella C, Guaragnella N. Biological and technical challenges for implementation of yeast-based biosensors. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 16:54-66. [PMID: 36416008 PMCID: PMC9803330 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosensors are low-cost and low-maintenance alternatives to conventional analytical techniques for biomedical, industrial and environmental applications. Biosensors based on whole microorganisms can be genetically engineered to attain high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of selected analytes. While bacteria-based biosensors have been extensively reported, there is a recent interest in yeast-based biosensors, combining the microbial with the eukaryotic advantages, including possession of specific receptors, stability and high robustness. Here, we describe recently reported yeast-based biosensors highlighting their biological and technical features together with their status of development, that is, laboratory or prototype. Notably, most yeast-based biosensors are still in the early developmental stage, with only a few prototypes tested for real applications. Open challenges, including systematic use of advanced molecular and biotechnological tools, bioprospecting, and implementation of yeast-based biosensors in electrochemical setup, are discussed to find possible solutions for overcoming bottlenecks and promote real-world application of yeast-based biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehtisham Wahid
- DEI – Department of Electrical and Information Engineering – Politecnico di BariBariItaly
| | - Ohiemi Benjamin Ocheja
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment – University of Bari “A. Moro”BariItaly
| | - Enrico Marsili
- Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation InstituteNingboChina
| | - Cataldo Guaragnella
- DEI – Department of Electrical and Information Engineering – Politecnico di BariBariItaly
| | - Nicoletta Guaragnella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment – University of Bari “A. Moro”BariItaly
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In-na P, Sharp EB, Caldwell GS, Unthank MG, Perry JJ, Lee JGM. Engineered living photosynthetic biocomposites for intensified biological carbon capture. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18735. [PMID: 36333406 PMCID: PMC9636219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21686-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon capture and storage is required to meet Paris Agreement targets. Photosynthesis is nature's carbon capture technology. Drawing inspiration from lichen, we engineered 3D photosynthetic cyanobacterial biocomposites (i.e., lichen mimics) using acrylic latex polymers applied to loofah sponge. Biocomposites had CO2 uptake rates of 1.57 ± 0.08 g CO2 g-1biomass d-1. Uptake rates were based on the dry biomass at the start of the trial and incorporate the CO2 used to grow new biomass as well as that contained in storage compounds such as carbohydrates. These uptake rates represent 14-20-fold improvements over suspension controls, potentially scaling to capture 570 tCO2 t-1biomass yr-1, with an equivalent land consumption of 5.5-8.17 × 106 ha, delivering annualized CO2 removal of 8-12 GtCO2, compared with 0.4-1.2 × 109 ha for forestry-based bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. The biocomposites remained functional for 12 weeks without additional nutrient or water supplementation, whereupon experiments were terminated. Engineered and optimized cyanobacteria biocomposites have potential for sustainable scalable deployment as part of humanity's multifaceted technological stand against climate change, offering enhanced CO2 removal with low water, nutrient, and land use penalties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pichaya In-na
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Merz Court, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK ,grid.7922.e0000 0001 0244 7875Present Address: Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Elliot B. Sharp
- grid.42629.3b0000000121965555Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST UK
| | - Gary S. Caldwell
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Ridley Building, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
| | - Matthew G. Unthank
- grid.42629.3b0000000121965555Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST UK
| | - Justin J. Perry
- grid.42629.3b0000000121965555Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST UK
| | - Jonathan G. M. Lee
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Merz Court, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
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Tong CY, Derek CJC. Novel Extrapolymeric Substances Biocoating on Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane for Enhanced Attached Growth of Navicula incerta. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022:10.1007/s00248-022-02091-9. [PMID: 35978183 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02091-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell adhesion is always the first step in biofilm development. With the emergence of attached cultivation systems, this study aims to promote a cost-effective approach for sustainable cultivation of microalgae, Navicula incerta, by pre-coating the main substrates, commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes with its own washed algal cells and self-produced soluble extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) for strengthened biofilm development. The effects of pH value (6 to 9), cell suspension volume (10 to 30 mL), and EPS volume (10 to 50 mL) were statistically optimized by means of response surface methodology toolkit. Model outputs revealed good agreement with cell adhesion data variation less than 1% at optimized pre-coating conditions (7.20 pH, 30 mL cell suspension volume, and 50 mL EPS volume). Throughout long-term biofilm cultivation, results demonstrated that EPS pre-coating substantially improved the attached microalgae density by as high as 271% than pristine PVDF due to rougher surface and the presence of sticky exopolymer particles. Nutrients absorbed via the available EPS coating from the bulk medium made the immobilized cells to release less polysaccharides on an average of 30% less than uncoated PVDF. This work suggests that adhesive polymer binders derived from organic sources can be effectively integrated into the development of high-performance novel materials as biocoating for immobilized microalgae cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Y Tong
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - C J C Derek
- School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
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11
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Fluoxetine and Nutrients Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Phycoremediation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106081. [PMID: 35627618 PMCID: PMC9141300 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The tertiary treatment using microalgae offers an attractive alternative to the removal of low but relevant concentrations of pharmaceuticals from domestic wastewaters. The removal of fluoxetine from aqueous solutions by living and non-living (lyophilized) Chlorella vulgaris was assessed. The determination of the pH at the point of zero charge, Fourier transmittance infrared analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to characterize the microalgae biomass. Kinetic and equilibrium experiments were performed. The pseudo-second-order model described the kinetics of fluoxetine. The corresponding kinetic constants indicated that biosorption was faster onto non-living biomass than onto living biomass. The equilibrium results showed that the systems followed the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum capacity of living microalgae (1.9 ± 0.1 mg·g−1) was slightly higher than the non-living microalgae (1.6 ± 0.2 mg·g−1). Living Chlorella vulgaris, free and immobilized in calcium-alginate, were also used to remove fluoxetine and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from treated municipal wastewater in a batch system. In both experiments, fluoxetine was completely removed within six days. The total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies achieved for free and immobilized cells were, null and 65.0 ± 0.1%, and 86.2 ± 0.1% and 81.8 ± 3.1, respectively.
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González-Martín J, Cantera S, Lebrero R, Muñoz R. Optimization of acrylic-styrene latex-based biofilms as a platform for biological indoor air treatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132182. [PMID: 34547564 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132182] [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: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biotechnologies have emerged as a promising solution for indoor air purification with the potential to overcome the inherent limitations of indoor air treatment. These limitations include the low concentrations and variability of pollutants and mass-transfer problems caused by pollutant hydrophobicity. A new latex-based biocoating was herein optimized for the abatement of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) toluene, trichloroethylene, n-hexane, and α-pinene using acclimated activated sludge dominated by members of the phylum Patescibacteria. The influence of the water content, the presence of water absorbing compounds, the latex pretreatment, the biomass concentration, and the pollutant load was tested on VOC removal efficiency (RE) by varying the formulation of the mixtures. Overall, hexane and trichloroethylene removal was low (<30%), while high REs (>90%) were consistently recorded for toluene and pinene. The assays demonstrated the benefits of operating at high water content in the biocoating, either by including mineral medium or water absorbing compounds in the latex-biomass mixtures. The performance of the latex-based biocoating was likely limited by VOC mass-transfer rather than by biomass concentration in the biocoating. The latex-based biocoating supported a superior toluene and pinene removal than biomass in suspension when VOC loading rate was increased by a factor of 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier González-Martín
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain.
| | - Sara Cantera
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, , Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Raquel Lebrero
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain.
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain.
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Immobilising Microalgae and Cyanobacteria as Biocomposites: New Opportunities to Intensify Algae Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14092566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
There is a groundswell of interest in applying phototrophic microorganisms, specifically microalgae and cyanobacteria, for biotechnology and ecosystem service applications. However, there are inherent challenges associated with conventional routes to their deployment (using ponds, raceways and photobioreactors) which are synonymous with suspension cultivation techniques. Cultivation as biofilms partly ameliorates these issues; however, based on the principles of process intensification, by taking a step beyond biofilms and exploiting nature inspired artificial cell immobilisation, new opportunities become available, particularly for applications requiring extensive deployment periods (e.g., carbon capture and wastewater bioremediation). We explore the rationale for, and approaches to immobilised cultivation, in particular the application of latex-based polymer immobilisation as living biocomposites. We discuss how biocomposites can be optimised at the design stage based on mass transfer limitations. Finally, we predict that biocomposites will have a defining role in realising the deployment of metabolically engineered organisms for real world applications that may tip the balance of risk towards their environmental deployment.
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Berillo D, Al-Jwaid A, Caplin J. Polymeric Materials Used for Immobilisation of Bacteria for the Bioremediation of Contaminants in Water. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1073. [PMID: 33805360 PMCID: PMC8037671 DOI: 10.3390/polym13071073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioremediation is a key process for reclaiming polluted soil and water by the use of biological agents. A commonly used approach aims to neutralise or remove harmful pollutants from contaminated areas using live microorganisms. Generally, immobilised microorganisms rather than planktonic cells have been used in bioremediation methods. Activated carbon, inorganic minerals (clays, metal oxides, zeolites), and agricultural waste products are acceptable substrates for the immobilisation of bacteria, although there are limitations with biomass loading and the issue with leaching of bacteria during the process. Various synthetic and natural polymers with different functional groups have been used successfully for the efficient immobilisation of microorganisms and cells. Promise has been shown using macroporous materials including cryogels with entrapped bacteria or cells in applications for water treatment and biotechnology. A cryogel is a macroporous polymeric gel formed at sub-zero temperatures through a process known as cryogelation. Macroporous hydrogels have been used to make scaffolds or supports for immobilising bacterial, viral, and other cells. The production of composite materials with immobilised cells possessing suitable mechanical and chemical stability, porosity, elasticity, and biocompatibility suggests that these materials are potential candidates for a range of applications within applied microbiology, biotechnology, and research. This review evaluates applications of macroporous cryogels as tools for the bioremediation of contaminants in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy Berillo
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
- Department of Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Pharmacognosy and Botany School of Pharmacy, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
| | - Areej Al-Jwaid
- School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (A.A.-J.); (J.C.)
- Environment and Pollution Engineering Technical Department, Basrah Engineering Technical College, Southern Technical University, Basra 61003, Iraq
| | - Jonathan Caplin
- School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (A.A.-J.); (J.C.)
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Chen Y, Krings S, Booth JR, Bon SAF, Hingley-Wilson S, Keddie JL. Introducing Porosity in Colloidal Biocoatings to Increase Bacterial Viability. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:4545-4558. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joshua R. Booth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan A. F. Bon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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Berillo DA, Caplin JL, Cundy AB, Savina IN. A cryogel-based bioreactor for water treatment applications. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 153:324-334. [PMID: 30739074 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop and test a non-diffusion limited, high cell density bioreactor for biodegradation of various phenol derivatives. The bioreactor was obtained using a straightforward one-step preparation method using cryostructuration and direct cross-linking of bacteria into a 3D structured (sponge-like) macroporous cryogel composite material consisting of 11.6% (by mass) cells and 1.2-1.7% polymer, with approximately 87% water (in the material pores). The macroporous cryogel composite material, composed of live bacteria, has pore sizes in the range of 20-150 μm (confirmed by SEM and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy). The enzymatic activity of bacteria within the cryogel structure and the effect of freezing on the viability of the cross-linked cells was estimated by MTT assay. Cryogels based on Pseudomonas mendocina, Rhodococcus koreensis and Acinetobacter radioresistens were exploited for the effective bioremediation of phenol and m-cresol, and to a lesser extent 2-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenol, utilising these phenolic contaminants in water as their only source of carbon. For evaluation of treatment scalability the bioreactors were prepared in plastic "Kaldnes" carriers to improve their mechanical properties and allow application in batch or fluidised bed water treatment modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy A Berillo
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.
| | - Jonathan L Caplin
- School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Andrew B Cundy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Irina N Savina
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
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Ekins-Coward T, Boodhoo KVK, Velasquez-Orta S, Caldwell G, Wallace A, Barton R, Flickinger MC. A Microalgae Biocomposite-Integrated Spinning Disk Bioreactor (SDBR): Toward a Scalable Engineering Approach for Bioprocess Intensification in Light-Driven CO 2 Absorption Applications. Ind Eng Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b05487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thea Ekins-Coward
- Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Kamelia V. K. Boodhoo
- Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Velasquez-Orta
- Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Gary Caldwell
- Marine Science, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Ridley Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE1 7RU
| | - Adam Wallace
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Engineering Building 1, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Ryan Barton
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Engineering Building 1, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Michael C. Flickinger
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Engineering Building 1, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, BTEC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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Bresolin D, Estrella AS, da Silva JRP, Valério A, Sayer C, de Araújo PHH, de Oliveira D. Synthesis of a green polyurethane foam from a biopolyol obtained by enzymatic glycerolysis and its use for immobilization of lipase NS-40116. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2018; 42:213-222. [PMID: 30367249 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-018-2026-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The use of green sources for materials synthesis has gained popularity in recent years. This work investigated the immobilization of lipase NS-40116 (Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase) in polyurethane foam (PUF) using a biopolyol obtained through the enzymatic glycerolysis between castor oil and glycerol, catalyzed by the commercial lipase Novozym 435 for the PUF formation. The reaction was performed to obtain biopolyol resulting in the conversion of 64% in mono- and diacylglycerol, promoting the efficient use of the reaction product as biopolyol to obtain polyurethane foam. The enzymatic derivative with immobilized lipase NS-40116 presented apparent density of 0.19 ± 0.03 g/cm3 and an immobilization yield was 94 ± 4%. Free and immobilized lipase NS-40116 were characterized in different solvents (methanol, ethanol, and propanol), temperatures (20, 40, 60 and 80 °C), pH (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11) and presence of ions Na+, Mg++, and Ca++. The support provided higher stability to the enzyme, mainly when subjected to acid pH (free lipase lost 80% of relative activity after 360 h of contact, when the enzymatic derivative lost around 22%) and high-temperature free lipase lost 50% of relative activity, while the immobilized remained 95%. The enzymatic derivative was also used for esterification reactions and conversions around 66% in fatty acid methyl esters, using abdominal chicken fat as feedstock, were obtained in the first use, maintaining this high conversion until the fourth reuse, proving that the support obtained using environmentally friendly techniques is applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bresolin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Arthur S Estrella
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline R P da Silva
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Alexsandra Valério
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Sayer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Pedro H H de Araújo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Débora de Oliveira
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil.
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