Response of the Intertidal Microbial Community Structure and Metabolic Profiles to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Exposure

Exploring research on ecotechnology through artificial intelligence and bibliometric maps

Ecotechnology, quintessential for crafting sustainable socio-environmental strategies, remains tantalizingly uncharted. Our analysis, steered by the nuances of machine learning and augmented by bibliometric insights, delineates the expansive terrain of this domain, elucidates pivotal research themes and conundrums, and discerns the vanguard nations in this field. Furthermore, we deftly connect our discoveries to the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, thereby accentuating the profound societal ramifications of ecotechnology.

Draft genome sequence of potato crop bacterial isolates and nanoparticles-intervention for the induction of secondary metabolites biosynthesis

Introduction

Insights about the effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the biosynthetic manipulation of unknown microbe secondary metabolites could be a promising technique for prospective research on nano-biotechnology.

Aim

In this research, we aimed to isolate a fresh, non-domesticated unknown bacterium strain from a common scab of potato crop located in Saudi Arabia and study the metabolic profile.

Methodology

This was achieved through genomic DNA (gDNA) sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technology. The genomic data were subjected to several bioinformatics tools, including canu-1.9 software, Prokka, DFAST, Geneious Prime, and AntiSMASH. We exposed the culture of the bacterial isolate with different concentrations of AuNPs and investigated the effects of AuNPs on secondary metabolites biosynthesis using several analytical techniques. Furthermore, Tandem-mass spectrometric (MS/MS) technique was optimized for the characterization of several significant sub-classes.

Results

The genomic draft sequence assembly, alignment, and annotation have verified the bacterial isolate as Priestia megaterium. This bacterium has secondary metabolites related to different biosynthetic gene clusters. AuNPs intervention showed an increase in the production of compounds with the molecular weights of 254 and 270 Da in a direct-dependent manner with the increase of the AuNPs concentrations.

Conclusion

The increase in the yields of compound 1 and 2 concomitantly with the increase in the concentration of the added AuNPs provide evidences about the effects of nanoparticles on the biosynthesis of the secondary metabolites. It contributes to the discovery of genes involved in different biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and prediction of the structures of the natural products.

Cow dung extract mediated green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for agricultural applications

In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) were synthesized using cow dung extract to apply sustainable agriculture from rural resources. Studies on their antibacterial potential against E. coli DH 5 alpha indicated lower antimicrobial activities than the bulk Zn and commercial Zn nanoparticles. Compared with control and commercial ZnO nanoparticles, the maximum seed germination, root length, and shoot length were observed after the priming of synthesized ZnO NPs. This study suggests that ZnO may significantly increase seed germination and have lower antimicrobial potential. Further, the lower in-vitro cellular leakage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production provided new hope for using cow dung extract mediated nanoparticles for agricultural and industrial applications.

Seasonal variability of the correlation network of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance determinants, and bacteria in a wastewater treatment plant and receiving water

Sewage treatment plants are an essential source of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance determinants, and bacteria in environmental waters. However, it is still unclear whether they can maintain a relatively stable relationship in wastewater and environmental waters. This study analyzed the removal capacity of the above three pollutants in the sewage treatment plant in summer and their impact on environmental waters, and then examines the relationship between the three contaminants in the wastewater and environmental waters in summer and winter based on our previous study. The results found that the removal capacity of bacteria in summer was poor, the concentration of fluoroquinolone in the effluent was higher than that in influent, and the abundance of intI1, tetW, qnrB, and ermB increased after wastewater treatment. Proteobacteria and Bacteroides were the main bacteria that constitute the correlation network between bacteria, and they existed stably in summer and winter. However, fluoroquinolones occupied a significant position in the determinant network of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in summer and winter. There are fewer correlation between antibiotics and antibiotics resistance determinants in winter. Interestingly, the relationship between bacteria, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance determinants was a mainly positive correlation in summer and negative correlation in winter. This study analyzed the relationship between bacteria, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance determinants that were stable in the wastewater and environmental waters and pointed out the direction for subsequent targeted seasonal control of novel pollutants in wastewater and environmental waters.