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Paper M, Jung P, Koch M, Lakatos M, Nilges T, Brück TB. Stripped: contribution of cyanobacterial extracellular polymeric substances to the adsorption of rare earth elements from aqueous solutions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1299349. [PMID: 38173874 PMCID: PMC10762542 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1299349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The transformation of modern industries towards enhanced sustainability is facilitated by green technologies that rely extensively on rare earth elements (REEs) such as cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), terbium (Tb), and lanthanum (La). The occurrence of productive mining sites, e.g., is limited, and production is often costly and environmentally harmful. As a consequence of increased utilization, REEs enter our ecosystem as industrial process water or wastewater and become highly diluted. Once diluted, they can hardly be recovered by conventional techniques, but using cyanobacterial biomass in a biosorption-based process is a promising eco-friendly approach. Cyanobacteria can produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that show high affinity to metal cations. However, the adsorption of REEs by EPS has not been part of extensive research. Thus, we evaluated the role of EPS in the biosorption of Ce, Nd, Tb, and La for three terrestrial, heterocystous cyanobacterial strains. We cultivated them under N-limited and non-limited conditions and extracted their EPS for compositional analyses. Subsequently, we investigated the metal uptake of a) the extracted EPS, b) the biomass extracted from EPS, and c) the intact biomass with EPS by comparing the amount of sorbed REEs. Maximum adsorption capacities for the tested REEs of extracted EPS were 123.9-138.2 mg g-1 for Komarekiella sp. 89.12, 133.1-137.4 mg g-1 for Desmonostoc muscorum 90.03, and 103.5-129.3 mg g-1 for Nostoc sp. 20.02. A comparison of extracted biomass with intact biomass showed that 16% (Komarekiella sp. 89.12), 28% (Desmonostoc muscorum 90.03), and 41% (Nostoc sp. 20.02) of REE adsorption was due to the biosorption of the extracellular EPS. The glucose- rich EPS (15%-43% relative concentration) of all three strains grown under nitrogen-limited conditions showed significantly higher biosorption rates for all REEs. We also found a significantly higher maximum adsorption capacity of all REEs for the extracted EPS compared to cells without EPS and untreated biomass, highlighting the important role of the EPS as a binding site for REEs in the biosorption process. EPS from cyanobacteria could thus be used as efficient biosorbents in future applications for REE recycling, e.g., industrial process water and wastewater streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Paper
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Patrick Jung
- Integrative Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Germany
| | - Max Koch
- Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Michael Lakatos
- Integrative Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Germany
| | - Tom Nilges
- Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas B. Brück
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- Department of Aerospace and Geodesy, TUM AlgaeTec Center, Ludwig Bölkow Campus, Taufkirchen, Germany
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Ramesh B, Saravanan A, Senthil Kumar P, Yaashikaa PR, Thamarai P, Shaji A, Rangasamy G. A review on algae biosorption for the removal of hazardous pollutants from wastewater: Limiting factors, prospects and recommendations. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121572. [PMID: 37028793 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals, dyes and pharmaceutical pollutants in water environment are considered as serious threat to the human and animal health globally. Rapid development of industrialization and agricultural activities are the major source for eliminating the toxic pollutants into the aquatic environment. Several conventional treatment methods have been suggested for the removal of emerging contaminants from wastewater. Algal biosorption, among other strategies and techniques, is demonstrating to be a limited technical remedy that is more focused and inherently more efficient and helps remove dangerous contaminants from water sources. The different environmental effects of harmful contaminants, including heavy metals, dyes, and pharmaceutical chemicals, as well as their sources, were briefly compiled in the current review. This paper provides a comprehensive definition of the future possibilities in heavy compound decomposition by using algal technology, from aggregation to numerous biosorption procedures. Functionalized materials produced from algal sources were clearly proposed. This review further highlights the limiting factors of algal biosorption to eliminate the hazardous material. Finally, this study showed how the existence of algae indicates a potential, effective, affordable, and sustainable sorbent biomaterial for minimizing environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ramesh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - A Saravanan
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - P Senthil Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, 603110, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre of Excellence in Water Research (CEWAR), Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, 603110, Tamil Nadu, India; School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - P R Yaashikaa
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - P Thamarai
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - Alan Shaji
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - Gayathri Rangasamy
- School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon; University Centre for Research and Development & Department of Civil Engineering, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India
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Cavelius P, Engelhart-Straub S, Mehlmer N, Lercher J, Awad D, Brück T. The potential of biofuels from first to fourth generation. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002063. [PMID: 36996247 PMCID: PMC10063169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The steady increase in human population and a rising standard of living heighten global demand for energy. Fossil fuels account for more than three-quarters of energy production, releasing enormous amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) that drive climate change effects as well as contributing to severe air pollution in many countries. Hence, drastic reduction of CO2 emissions, especially from fossil fuels, is essential to tackle anthropogenic climate change. To reduce CO2 emissions and to cope with the ever-growing demand for energy, it is essential to develop renewable energy sources, of which biofuels will form an important contribution. In this Essay, liquid biofuels from first to fourth generation are discussed in detail alongside their industrial development and policy implications, with a focus on the transport sector as a complementary solution to other environmentally friendly technologies, such as electric cars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Cavelius
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Selina Engelhart-Straub
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Norbert Mehlmer
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Johannes Lercher
- Chair of Technical Chemistry II, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Dania Awad
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas Brück
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
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Paper M, Koch M, Jung P, Lakatos M, Nilges T, Brück TB. Rare earths stick to rare cyanobacteria: Future potential for bioremediation and recovery of rare earth elements. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1130939. [PMID: 36926689 PMCID: PMC10011134 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1130939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Biosorption of metal ions by phototrophic microorganisms is regarded as a sustainable and alternative method for bioremediation and metal recovery. In this study, 12 cyanobacterial strains, including 7 terrestrial and 5 aquatic cyanobacteria, covering a broad phylogenetic diversity were investigated for their potential application in the enrichment of rare earth elements through biosorption. A screening for the maximum adsorption capacity of cerium, neodymium, terbium, and lanthanum was conducted in which Nostoc sp. 20.02 showed the highest adsorption capacity with 84.2-91.5 mg g-1. Additionally, Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, Calothrix brevissima SAG 34.79, Desmonostoc muscorum 90.03, and Komarekiella sp. 89.12 were promising candidate strains, with maximum adsorption capacities of 69.5-83.4 mg g-1, 68.6-83.5 mg g-1, 44.7-70.6 mg g-1, and 47.2-67.1 mg g-1 respectively. Experiments with cerium on adsorption properties of the five highest metal adsorbing strains displayed fast adsorption kinetics and a strong influence of the pH value on metal uptake, with an optimum at pH 5 to 6. Studies on binding specificity with mixed-metal solutions strongly indicated an ion-exchange mechanism in which Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ions are replaced by other metal cations during the biosorption process. Depending on the cyanobacterial strain, FT-IR analysis indicated the involvement different functional groups like hydroxyl and carboxyl groups during the adsorption process. Overall, the application of cyanobacteria as biosorbent in bioremediation and recovery of rare earth elements is a promising method for the development of an industrial process and has to be further optimized and adjusted regarding metal-containing wastewater and adsorption efficiency by cyanobacterial biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Paper
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Max Koch
- Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Patrick Jung
- Integrative Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Germany
| | - Michael Lakatos
- Integrative Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Germany
| | - Tom Nilges
- Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas B Brück
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.,TUM AlgaeTec Center, Ludwig Bölkow Campus, Department of Aerospace and Geodesy, Taufkirchen, Germany
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Reversible Metal Ion/Complex Binding to Chitin Controlled by Ligand, Redox, and Photochemical Reactions and Active Movement of Chitin on Aquatic Arthropods. POLYSACCHARIDES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/polysaccharides3030031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is strong adsorption of metal ions and their complexes to chitin, which depends on both the oxidation and complexation states of many of the said elements (whereas others display chemical reactions detectable via electrochemical methods while being retained by chitin); thus, ad- and desorption at ambient water concentrations (often in the nMol/L range) are controlled by the presence and photochemical properties (concerning Eu and probably U and Ag) of mainly biogenic organic matter (both DOC and POC, and DON). With chitin forming the outer hull of mobile organisms (animals), this biopolymer is expected to take part in metal distribution in aquatic (limnetic and riverine) ecosystems. Having studied the attachment of many different elements to both crayfish and grafted (marine shrimp) chitin, with the highest accumulations observed in Bi, V, Ni, and LREEs, one should consider secondary biochemical transformations which take place at different water and sediment levels. After chitin had been embedded into sediment, methanogenesis (which requires Ni), Bi, and Sb biomethylations and photodesorption in the illuminated water column will occur if there are appropriate organics, causing the vertical separation of Eu from other REEs, at least during the daytime. Eutrophication will enhance both the production and especially the photooxidation rates of organics in water because phosphorylated sugars and lipids are formed quantitatively within min P, which enter water and undergo Eu-mediated photooxidation much more readily. Another biopolymer, gelatin, acts as an inert matrix-enhancing organic photooxidation product via Eu, producing chemical waves, indicating autocatalysis upon light impact. From the redox-related photodesorption of metal analytes from chitin, both sensors and devices for (light-assisted) electrochemical energy conversion are being developed by our workgroup. The electrochemical determination of adsorption thermodynamics on chitin is thus directly linked to its applications in environmental monitoring and technology.
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