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Cowan DA, Albers SV, Antranikian G, Atomi H, Averhoff B, Basen M, Driessen AJM, Jebbar M, Kelman Z, Kerou M, Littlechild J, Müller V, Schönheit P, Siebers B, Vorgias K. Extremophiles in a changing world. Extremophiles 2024; 28:26. [PMID: 38683238 PMCID: PMC11058618 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-024-01341-7] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Extremophiles and their products have been a major focus of research interest for over 40 years. Through this period, studies of these organisms have contributed hugely to many aspects of the fundamental and applied sciences, and to wider and more philosophical issues such as the origins of life and astrobiology. Our understanding of the cellular adaptations to extreme conditions (such as acid, temperature, pressure and more), of the mechanisms underpinning the stability of macromolecules, and of the subtleties, complexities and limits of fundamental biochemical processes has been informed by research on extremophiles. Extremophiles have also contributed numerous products and processes to the many fields of biotechnology, from diagnostics to bioremediation. Yet, after 40 years of dedicated research, there remains much to be discovered in this field. Fortunately, extremophiles remain an active and vibrant area of research. In the third decade of the twenty-first century, with decreasing global resources and a steadily increasing human population, the world's attention has turned with increasing urgency to issues of sustainability. These global concerns were encapsulated and formalized by the United Nations with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the presentation of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. In the run-up to 2030, we consider the contributions that extremophiles have made, and will in the future make, to the SDGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
| | - S V Albers
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - G Antranikian
- Institute of Technical Biocatalysis, Hamburg University of Technology, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
| | - H Atomi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - B Averhoff
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - M Basen
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - A J M Driessen
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M Jebbar
- Univ. Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, Laboratoire de Biologie Et d'Écologie Des Écosystèmes Marins Profonds (BEEP), IUEM, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Z Kelman
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - M Kerou
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Littlechild
- Henry Wellcome Building for Biocatalysis, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - V Müller
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - P Schönheit
- Institute of General Microbiology, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - B Siebers
- Molecular Enzyme Technology and Biochemistry (MEB), Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB), Centre for Water and Environmental Research (CWE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - K Vorgias
- Biology Department and RI-Bio3, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Paniagua S, Lebrero R, Muñoz R. Syngas biomethanation: Current state and future perspectives. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 358:127436. [PMID: 35680093 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127436] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In regions highly dependent on fossil fuels imports, biomethane represents a promising biofuel for the transition to a bio-based circular economy. While biomethane is typically produced via anaerobic digestion and upgrading, biomethanation of the synthesis gas (syngas) derived from the gasification of recalcitrant solid waste has emerged as a promising alternative. This work presents a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the state-of-the-art and most recent advances in the field, compiling the potential of this technology along with the bottlenecks requiring further research. The key design and operational parameters governing syngas production and biomethanation (e.g. organic feedstock, gasifier design, microbiology, bioreactor configuration, etc.) are critically analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Paniagua
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raquel Lebrero
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
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Recent Trends in Biogenic Gas, Waste and Wastewater Fermentation. FERMENTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8080347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the optimization of bioprocesses for the removal of pollutants from industrial biogenic gas emissions, waste and wastewater has been the focus of intensive research. Recently developed technologies not only aim to remove such pollutants, but also to valorize them, whenever possible, through their bioconversion into useful added-value products. In this domain of progressive research, lab-, pilot-, and demonstration-scale studies are dealing with the fermentation of biogenic gases (e.g., CO2, CO, and CH4), waste or wastewater to produce a range of biofuels and valuable products, based on the activity of pure or mixed cultures of native or recombinant aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, algae, or yeasts as biocatalysts. Waste can also be converted to syngas, which can subsequently be fermented as well. A broad range of bioproducts can be obtained, e.g., biofuels and several other platform chemicals and products. This environmentally-friendly biorefinery approach addresses the need to build modern societies according to the concept of a circular economy, and yields products of commercial interest. Different examples of such approaches are described in this collection of scientific reports.
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