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Ali SS, Elsamahy T, Al-Tohamy R, Sun J. A critical review of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: Degradation mechanisms and removing strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 21:100427. [PMID: 38765892 PMCID: PMC11099331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Plastic waste discarded into aquatic environments gradually degrades into smaller fragments, known as microplastics (MPs), which range in size from 0.05 to 5 mm. The ubiquity of MPs poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and, by extension, human health, as these particles are ingested by various marine organisms including zooplankton, crustaceans, and fish, eventually entering the human food chain. This contamination threatens the entire ecological balance, encompassing food safety and the health of aquatic systems. Consequently, developing effective MP removal technologies has emerged as a critical area of research. Here, we summarize the mechanisms and recently reported strategies for removing MPs from aquatic ecosystems. Strategies combining physical and chemical pretreatments with microbial degradation have shown promise in decomposing MPs. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and specific enzymes are being leveraged in MP remediation efforts. Recent advancements have focused on innovative methods such as membrane bioreactors, synthetic biology, organosilane-based techniques, biofilm-mediated remediation, and nanomaterial-enabled strategies, with nano-enabled technologies demonstrating substantial potential to enhance MP removal efficiency. This review aims to stimulate further innovation in effective MP removal methods, promoting environmental and social well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh S. Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Tamer Elsamahy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Rania Al-Tohamy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
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2
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Ali SS, Al-Tohamy R, Elsamahy T, Sun J. Harnessing recalcitrant lignocellulosic biomass for enhanced biohydrogen production: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspective. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 72:108344. [PMID: 38521282 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108344] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Biohydrogen (Bio-H2) is widely recognized as a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source, devoid of any detrimental impact on the environment. Lignocellulosic biomass (LB) is a readily accessible and plentiful source material that can be effectively employed as a cost-effective and sustainable substrate for Bio-H2 production. Despite the numerous challenges, the ongoing progress in LB pretreatment technology, microbial fermentation, and the integration of molecular biology techniques have the potential to enhance Bio-H2 productivity and yield. Consequently, this technology exhibits efficiency and the capacity to meet the future energy demands associated with the valorization of recalcitrant biomass. To date, several pretreatment approaches have been investigated in order to improve the digestibility of feedstock. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of comprehensive systematic studies examining the effectiveness of pretreatment methods in enhancing Bio-H2 production through dark fermentation. Additionally, there is a dearth of economic feasibility evaluations pertaining to this area of research. Thus, this review has conducted comparative studies on the technological and economic viability of current pretreatment methods. It has also examined the potential of these pretreatments in terms of carbon neutrality and circular economy principles. This review paves the way for a new opportunity to enhance Bio-H2 production with technological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh S Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Rania Al-Tohamy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
| | - Tamer Elsamahy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
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Makopa TP, Ncube T, Alwasel S, Boekhout T, Zhou N. Yeast-insect interactions in southern Africa: Tapping the diversity of yeasts for modern bioprocessing. Yeast 2024; 41:330-348. [PMID: 38450792 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Yeast-insect interactions are one of the most interesting long-standing relationships whose research has contributed to our understanding of yeast biodiversity and their industrial applications. Although insect-derived yeast strains are exploited for industrial fermentations, only a limited number of such applications has been documented. The search for novel yeasts from insects is attractive to augment the currently domesticated and commercialized production strains. More specifically, there is potential in tapping the insects native to southern Africa. Southern Africa is home to a disproportionately high fraction of global biodiversity with a cluster of biomes and a broad climate range. This review presents arguments on the roles of the mutualistic relationship between yeasts and insects, the presence of diverse pristine environments and a long history of spontaneous food and beverage fermentations as the potential source of novelty. The review further discusses the recent advances in novelty of industrial strains of insect origin, as well as various ancient and modern-day industries that could be improved by use yeasts from insect origin. The major focus of the review is on the relationship between insects and yeasts in southern African ecosystems as a potential source of novel industrial yeast strains for modern bioprocesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawanda P Makopa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Thembekile Ncube
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Applied Science, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nerve Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
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Hussain A, Podgursky V, Goljandin D, Antonov M, Sergejev F, Krasnou I. Circular Production, Designing, and Mechanical Testing of Polypropylene-Based Reinforced Composite Materials: Statistical Analysis for Potential Automotive and Nuclear Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3410. [PMID: 37631467 PMCID: PMC10458085 DOI: 10.3390/polym15163410] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The circularity of polymer waste is an emerging field of research in Europe. In the present research, the thermal, surface, mechanical, and tribological properties of polypropylene (PP)-based composite produced by injection molding were studied. The pure PP matrix was reinforced with 10, 30, and 40% wt. of pure cotton, synthetic polyester, and polyethylene terephthalate post-consumer fibers using a combination of direct extrusion and injection molding techniques. Results indicate that PP-PCPESF-10% wt. exhibits the highest value of tensile strength (29 MPa). However, the values of tensile and flexural strain were lowered with an increase in fiber content due to the presence of micro-defects. Similarly, the values of modulus of elasticity, flexural modulus, flexural strength, and impact energy were enhanced due to an increase in the amount of fiber. The PP-PCCF-40% wt. shows the highest values of flexural constant (2780 MPa) and strength (57 MPa). Additionally, the increase in fiber loadings is directly proportional to the creation of micro-defects, surface roughness, abrasive wear, coefficient of friction, and erosive wear. The lowest average absolute arithmetic surface roughness value (Ra) of PP and PP-PCCF, 10% wt., were 0.19 µm and 0.28 µm. The lowest abrasive wear value of 3.09 × 10-6 mm3/Nm was found for pure PP. The erosive wear value (35 mm3/kg) of PP-PCCF 40% wt. composite material was 2 to 17 times higher than all other composite materials. Finally, the single-step analysis of variance predicts reasonable results in terms of the p-values of each composite material for commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Hussain
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (V.P.); (M.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Vitali Podgursky
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (V.P.); (M.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Dmitri Goljandin
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (V.P.); (M.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Maksim Antonov
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (V.P.); (M.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Fjodor Sergejev
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (V.P.); (M.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Illia Krasnou
- Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
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Narayanan M, Ali SS, El-Sheekh M. A comprehensive review on the potential of microbial enzymes in multipollutant bioremediation: Mechanisms, challenges, and future prospects. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 334:117532. [PMID: 36801803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Industrialization and other human activity represent significant environmental hazards. Toxic contaminants can harm a comprehensive platform of living organisms in their particular environments. Bioremediation is an effective remediation process in which harmful pollutants are eliminated from the environment using microorganisms or their enzymes. Microorganisms in the environment often create a variety of enzymes that can eliminate hazardous contaminants by using them as a substrate for development and growth. Through their catalytic reaction mechanism, microbial enzymes may degrade and eliminate harmful environmental pollutants and transform them into non-toxic forms. The principal types of microbial enzymes which can degrade most hazardous environmental contaminants include hydrolases, lipases, oxidoreductases, oxygenases, and laccases. Several immobilizations, genetic engineering strategies, and nanotechnology applications have been developed to improve enzyme performance and reduce pollution removal process costs. Until now, the practically applicable microbial enzymes from various microbial sources and their ability to degrade multipollutant effectively or transformation potential and mechanisms are unknown. Hence, more research and further studies are required. Additionally, there is a gap in the suitable approaches considering toxic multipollutants bioremediation using enzymatic applications. This review focused on the enzymatic elimination of harmful contaminants in the environment, such as dyes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, plastics, heavy metals, and pesticides. Recent trends and future growth for effectively removing harmful contaminants by enzymatic degradation are also thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathiyazhagan Narayanan
- Division of Research and Innovations, Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Chennai, 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sameh Samir Ali
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt; Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Mostafa El-Sheekh
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
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Lin K, Xia A, Huang Y, Zhu X, Zhu X, Cai K, Wei Z, Liao Q. How can vanillin improve the performance of lignocellulosic biomass conversion in an immobilized laccase microreactor system? BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 374:128775. [PMID: 36828216 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Gentle and effective pretreatment is necessary to produce clean lignocellulosic biomass-based fuels. Herein, inspired by the efficient lignin degradation in the foregut of termites, the microreactor system using immobilized laccase and recoverable vanillin was proposed. Firstly, the co-deposition coating of dopamine, hydrogen peroxide and copper sulfate was constructed for laccase immobilization and a high immobilization efficiency of 87.0% was obtained in 30 min. After storage for 10 days, 82.2% activity was maintained in the laccase-loaded microreactor, which is 210.0% higher than free laccase. In addition, 6% (w/w) vanillin can improve lignin degradation in the laccase-loaded microreactor without impairing laccase activity, leading to a 47.3% increment in cellulose accessibility. Finally, a high cellulose conversion rate of 88.1% can be achieved in 1 h with glucose productivity of 2.62 g L-1 h-1. These demonstrated that the appropriate addition of vanillin can synergize with immobilized laccase to enhance the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lin
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China; Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Ao Xia
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China; Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China; Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xianqing Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China; Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China; Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Kaiyong Cai
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Zidong Wei
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qiang Liao
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China; Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
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Al-Tohamy R, Ali SS, Zhang M, Sameh M, Mahmoud YAG, Waleed N, Okasha KM, Sun S, Sun J. Can wood-feeding termites solve the environmental bottleneck caused by plastics? A critical state-of-the-art review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 326:116606. [PMID: 36403319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The abundance of synthetic polymers has become an ever-increasing environmental threat in the world. The excessive utilization of plastics leads to the accumulation of such recalcitrant pollutants in the environment. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, face masks, and gloves made up of single-use items has resulted in the massive generation of plastic biomedical waste. As secondary pollutants, microplastic particles (<5 mm) are derived from pellet loss and degradation of macroplastics. Therefore, urgent intervention is required for the management of these hazardous materials. Physicochemical approaches have been employed to degrade synthetic polymers, but these approaches have limited efficiency and cause the release of hazardous metabolites or by-products into the environment. Therefore, bioremediation is a proper option as it is both cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. On the other hand, plants evolved lignocellulose to be resistant to destruction, whereas insects, such as wood-feeding termites, possess diverse microorganisms in their guts, which confer physiological and ecological benefits to their host. Plastic and lignocellulose polymers share a number of physical and chemical properties, despite their structural and recalcitrance differences. Among these similarities are a hydrophobic nature, a carbon skeleton, and amorphous/crystalline regions. Compared with herbivorous mammals, lignocellulose digestion in termites is accomplished at ordinary temperatures. This unique characteristic has been of great interest for the development of a plastic biodegradation approach by termites and their gut symbionts. Therefore, transferring knowledge from research on lignocellulosic degradation by termites and their gut symbionts to that on synthetic polymers has become a new research hotspot and technological development direction to solve the environmental bottleneck caused by synthetic plastic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Al-Tohamy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environmnt and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Sameh S Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environmnt and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| | - Meng Zhang
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environmnt and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Mariam Sameh
- Clinical Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt, El-Sherouk City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yehia A-G Mahmoud
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Nadeen Waleed
- Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Kamal M Okasha
- Internal Medicine and Nephrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Sarina Sun
- Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environmnt and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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Al-Tohamy R, Ali SS, Zhang M, Elsamahy T, Abdelkarim EA, Jiao H, Sun S, Sun J. Environmental and Human Health Impact of Disposable Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Wood-Feeding Termites as a Model for Plastic Biodegradation. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:2093-2113. [PMID: 36370247 PMCID: PMC9652579 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented form of plastic pollution: personal protective equipment (PPE). On the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a tremendous increase in the production of plastic-based PPE. To control the spread of the virus, face masks (FMs) are used as primary PPE. Thus, the production and usage of FM significantly increased as the COVID-19 pandemic was still escalating. The primary raw materials for the manufacturing of FMs are non-biodegradable synthetic polymers derived from petrochemicals. This calls for an urgent need to develop novel strategies for the efficient degradation of plastics. Furthermore, most of these masks contain plastic or other derivatives of plastic. The extensive usage of FM generates millions of tons of plastic waste for the environment in a short span of time. However, their degradation in the environment and consequences are poorly understood. Therefore, the potential impacts of disposable FM on the environment and human health during the COVID-19 pandemic are clarified in the present study. Despite structural and recalcitrance variations, lignocellulose and plastic polymers have physicochemical features, including carbon skeletons with comparable chemical bonds as well as hydrophobic properties in amorphous and crystalline regions. In this review, we argue that there is much to be learned from termites by transferring knowledge from research on lignocellulose degradation by termites to that on plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Al-Tohamy
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 China
| | - Sameh Samir Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China. .,Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| | - Meng Zhang
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 China
| | - Tamer Elsamahy
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 China
| | - Esraa A. Abdelkarim
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 China
| | - Haixin Jiao
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 China
| | - Sarina Sun
- Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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Microalgae-mediated wastewater treatment for biofuels production: A comprehensive review. Microbiol Res 2022; 265:127187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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