1
|
Eckel F, Sinzinger K, Van Opdenbosch D, Schieder D, Sieber V, Zollfrank C. Influence of microbial biomass content on biodegradation and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) composites. Biodegradation 2024; 35:209-224. [PMID: 37402058 PMCID: PMC10881657 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10038-1] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradation rates and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) composites with green algae and cyanobacteria were investigated for the first time. To the authors knowledge, the addition of microbial biomass led to the biggest observed effect on biodegradation so far. The composites with microbial biomass showed an acceleration of the biodegradation rate and a higher cumulative biodegradation within 132 days compared to PHB or the biomass alone. In order to determine the causes for the faster biodegradation, the molecular weight, the crystallinity, the water uptake, the microbial biomass composition and scanning electron microscope images were assessed. The molecular weight of the PHB in the composites was lower than that of pure PHB while the crystallinity and microbial biomass composition were the same for all samples. A direct correlation of water uptake and crystallinity with biodegradation rate could not be observed. While the degradation of molecular weight of PHB during sample preparation contributed to the improvement of biodegradation, the main reason was attributed to biostimulation by the added biomass. The resulting enhancement of the biodegradation rate appears to be unique in the field of polymer biodegradation. The tensile strength was lowered, elongation at break remained constant and Young's modulus was increased compared to pure PHB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Eckel
- Chair for Biogenic Polymers, TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Schulgasse 16, Straubing, 94315, Germany
| | - Korbinian Sinzinger
- Chair for Chemistry of Biogenic Resources, TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Schulgasse 16, Straubing, 94315, Germany
| | - Daniel Van Opdenbosch
- Chair for Biogenic Polymers, TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Schulgasse 16, Straubing, 94315, Germany
| | - Doris Schieder
- Chair for Chemistry of Biogenic Resources, TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Schulgasse 16, Straubing, 94315, Germany
| | - Volker Sieber
- Chair for Chemistry of Biogenic Resources, TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Schulgasse 16, Straubing, 94315, Germany
| | - Cordt Zollfrank
- Chair for Biogenic Polymers, TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Schulgasse 16, Straubing, 94315, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Current and emerging tools of computational biology to improve the detoxification of mycotoxins. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 88:e0210221. [PMID: 34878810 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02102-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological organisms carry a rich potential for removing toxins from our environment, but identifying suitable candidates and improving them remain challenging. We explore the use of computational tools to discover strains and enzymes that detoxify harmful compounds. In particular, we will focus on mycotoxins-fungi-produced toxins that contaminate food and feed-and biological enzymes that are capable of rendering them less harmful. We discuss the use of established and novel computational tools to complement existing empirical data in three directions: discovering the prospect of detoxification among underexplored organisms, finding important cellular processes that contribute to detoxification, and improving the performance of detoxifying enzymes. We hope to create a synergistic conversation between researchers in computational biology and those in the bioremediation field. We showcase open bioremediation questions where computational researchers can contribute and highlight relevant existing and emerging computational tools that could benefit bioremediation researchers.
Collapse
|