Production of toxic volatile trimethylbismuth by the intestinal microbiota of mice

Overview of the rules of the microbial engagement in the gut microbiome: a step towards microbiome therapeutics

Human gut microbiome is a diversified, resilient, immuno-stabilized, metabolically active and physiologically essential component of the human body. Scientific explorations have been made to seek in-depth information about human gut microbiome establishment, microbiome functioning, microbiome succession, factors influencing microbial community dynamics and the role of gut microbiome in health and diseases. Extensive investigations have proposed the microbiome therapeutics as a futuristic medicine for various physiological and metabolic disorders. A comprehensive outlook of microbial colonization, host-microbe interactions, microbial adaptation, commensal selection and immuno-survivability is still required to catalogue the essential genetic and physiological features for the commensal engagement. Evolution of a structured human gut microbiome relies on the microbial flexibility towards genetic, immunological and physiological adaptation in the human gut. Key features for commensalism could be utilized in developing tailor-made microbiome-based therapy to overcome various physiological and metabolic disorders. This review describes the key genetics and physiological traits required for host-microbe interaction and successful commensalism to institute a human gut microbiome.

Hermetia illucens exhibits bioaccumulative potential for 15 different elements - Implications for feed and food production

A new branch of the insect-based food and feed industry is intensively developing all over the world, the best proof of which is the recent change in legislation at the European level allowing the use of insect protein in the production of feed for aquaculture animals. Previous publications have proven that some heavy metals can be bioaccumulated in fly H. illucens (black soldier fly), even when the insect is raised on optimal feed with an acceptable heavy metal content. The purpose of this study was to determine the bioaccumulation potential of H. illucens in relation to micro- and macroelements, toxic elements and for the first time, selected non-essential elements from optimal feed. Our results showed that bioaccumulation of Ba, Bi, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mo, Se and Zn occurred in all stages of insect development and in puparia, while bioaccumulation of Al, As, Co, K, Pb and Si was not found. The highest bioaccumulation factors were obtained for Ca and Mn in puparia - 38 and 21 respectively. In addition, Ca, Cd, Ga, Mn, P and S were bioaccumulated only in some developmental stages of the insect. The results are discussed in the context of the safety of feed and food production from H. illucens.

Gut microbiota of aquatic organisms: A key endpoint for ecotoxicological studies

Gut microbial communities constitute a compartment of crucial importance in regulation of homeostasis of multiple host physiological functions as well as in resistance towards environmental pollutants. Many chemical contaminants were shown to constitute a major threat for gut bacteria. Changes in gut microbiome could lead to alteration of host health. The access to high-throughput sequencing platforms permitted a great expansion of this discipline in human health while data from ecotoxicological studies are scarce and particularly those related to aquatic pollution. The main purpose of this review is to summarize recent body of literature providing data obtained from microbial community surveys using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing technology applied to aquatic ecotoxicity. Effects of pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, heavy metals, nanoparticles, PPCPs, microplastics and endocrine disruptors on gut microbial communities are presented and discussed. We pointed out difficulties and limits provided by actual methodologies. We also proposed ways to improve understanding of links between changes in gut bacterial communities and host fitness loss, along with further applications for this emerging discipline.

Bismuth(III) volatilization and immobilization by filamentous fungus Aspergillus clavatus during aerobic incubation

As with many metals, bismuth can be accumulated or transformed by microorganisms. These interactions affect microbial consortia and bismuth environmental behaviour, mobility, and toxicity. Recent research focused specifically on bismuth anaerobic transformation by bacteria and archaea has inspired the evaluation of the mutual interactions between bismuth and filamentous fungi as presented in this article. The Aspergillus clavatus fungus proved resistant to adverse effects from bismuth contamination in culture medium with up to a concentration of 195 µmol L(-1) during static 15- and 30-day cultivation. The examined resistance mechanism includes biosorption to the fungal surface and biovolatilization. Pelletized fungal biomass has shown high affinity for dissolved bismuth(III). Bismuth biosorption was rapid, reaching equilibrium after 50 min with a 0.35 mmol g(-1) maximum sorption capacity as calculated from the Langmuir isotherm. A. clavatus accumulated ≤70 µmol g(-1) of bismuth after 30 days. Preceding isotherm study implications that most accumulated bismuth binds to cell wall suggests that biosorption is the main detoxification mechanism. Accumulated bismuth was also partly volatilized (≤1 µmol) or sequestrated in the cytosol or vacuoles. Concurrently, ≤1.6 µmol of bismuth remaining in solution was precipitated by fungal activity. These observations indicate that complex mutual interactions between bismuth and filamentous fungi are environmentally significant regarding bismuth mobility and transformation.

Toxicity of Methylated Bismuth Compounds Produced by Intestinal Microorganisms to Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a Member of the Physiological Intestinal Microbiota

Methanoarchaea have an outstanding capability to methylate numerous metal(loid)s therefore producing toxic and highly mobile derivatives. Here, we report that the production of methylated bismuth species by the methanoarchaeum Methanobrevibacter smithii, a common member of the human intestine, impairs the growth of members of the beneficial intestinal microbiota at low concentrations. The bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, which is of great importance for the welfare of the host due to its versatile digestive abilities and its protective function for the intestine, is highly sensitive against methylated, but not against inorganic, bismuth species. The level of methylated bismuth species produced by the methanoarchaeum M. smithii in a coculture experiment causes a reduction of the maximum cell density of B. thetaiotaomicron. This observation suggests that the production of methylated organometal(loid) species in the human intestine, caused by the activity of methanoarchaea, may affect the health of the host. The impact of the species to reduce the number of the physiological intestinal microbiota brings an additional focus on the potentially harmful role of methanoarchaea in the intestine of a higher organism.