1
|
Zeghal E, Vaksmaa A, van Bleijswijk J, Niemann H. Environmental factors control microbial colonization of plastics in the North Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:116964. [PMID: 39342912 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116964] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Large quantities of plastic enter the oceans each year providing extensive attachment surfaces for marine microbes yet understanding their interactions and colonization of plastic debris remains limited. We investigated microbial colonization of various plastic types (polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-terephthalate, and nylon) in ex-situ incubation experiments. Plastic films, both UV-pretreated and untreated, were exposed to seawater from a coastal and an offshore location in the North Sea. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was employed to assess microbial community structures after 5, 10, 30, and 45 days of incubation. Our findings show the significant influence of time, seawater origin and plastic type on microbial community succession. We also identified several genera associated with hydrocarbon or plastic degradation potential as well as genera selecting for specific plastics such as Ketobacter and Microbacterium. Our results highlight potential role of microorganisms in plastic biodegradation and support the idea that microbial colonizers on marine plastics debris seemingly select distinct substrate types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emna Zeghal
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, the Netherlands.
| | - Annika Vaksmaa
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, the Netherlands
| | - Judith van Bleijswijk
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, the Netherlands
| | - Helge Niemann
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, the Netherlands; Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gong K, Peng C, Hu S, Xie W, Chen A, Liu T, Zhang W. Aging of biodegradable microplastics and their effect on soil properties: Control from soil water. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 480:136053. [PMID: 39395391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2024] [Revised: 09/25/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024]
Abstract
The ecological risks of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) to soil ecosystems have received increasing attention. This study investigates the impacts of polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate microplastics (PBAT-MPs) on soil properties of black soil (BS) and fluvo-aquic soil (FS) under three water conditions including dry (Dry), flooded (FL), and alternate wetting and drying (AWD). The results show that BMPs exhibited more evident aging under Dry and AWD conditions compared to FL condition. However, BMPs aging under FL condition induced more substantial changes in soil properties, especially dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, than under Dry and AWD conditions. BMPs also increased the humification degree of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM), particularly in BS. Metagenomic analysis of PBAT-MPs treatments showed different changes in microbial community structure depending on soil moisture. Under Dry conditions, PBAT-MPs enhance the ammonium-producing process of soil microbial communities. Genes related to N nitrification and benzene degradation were enriched under AWD conditions. In contrast, PBAT-MPs do not change the abundance of genes related to the N cycle under FL conditions but significantly reduce genes related to benzene degradation. This reduction in benzene degradation genes under FL condition might potentially slow down the degradation of PBAT-MPs, and could lead to temporary accumulation of benzene-related intermediates. These findings highlight the complex interactions between BMPs, soil properties, and microbial communities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluations of BMPs' environmental impacts under varying soil water conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kailin Gong
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Shuangqing Hu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Wenwen Xie
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Anqi Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Tianzi Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kou L, Chen H, Zhang X, Liu S, Zhang B, Zhu H, Du Z. Enhanced degradation of phthalate esters (PAEs) by biochar-sodium alginate immobilised Rhodococcus sp. KLW-1. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 45:3367-3380. [PMID: 37191443 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2023.2215456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a new strain of bacteria, named Rhodococcus sp. KLW-1, was isolated from farmland soil contaminated by plastic mulch for more than 30 years. To improve the application performance of free bacteria and find more ways to use waste biochar, KLW-1 was immobilised on waste biochar by sodium alginate embedding method to prepare immobilised pellet. Response Surface Method (RSM) predicted that under optimal conditions (3% sodium alginate, 2% biochar and 4% CaCl2), di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) degradation efficiency of 90.48% can be achieved. Under the adverse environmental conditions of pH 5 and 9, immobilisation increased the degradation efficiency of 100 mg/L DEHP by 16.42% and 11.48% respectively, and under the high-stress condition of 500 mg/L DEHP concentration, immobilisation increased the degradation efficiency from 71.52% to 91.56%, making the immobilised pellets have strong stability and impact load resistance to environmental stress. In addition, immobilisation also enhanced the degradation efficiency of several phthalate esters (PAEs) widely existing in the environment. After four cycles of utilisation, the immobilised particles maintained stable degradation efficiency for different PAEs. Therefore, immobilised pellets have great application potential for the remediation of the actual environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liangwei Kou
- School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Environmental Pollution, Remediation and Grain Quality Security, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanyu Chen
- School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Environmental Pollution, Remediation and Grain Quality Security, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueqi Zhang
- School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Environmental Pollution, Remediation and Grain Quality Security, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoqin Liu
- School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Environmental Pollution, Remediation and Grain Quality Security, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Baozhong Zhang
- School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Environmental Pollution, Remediation and Grain Quality Security, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huina Zhu
- School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Environmental Pollution, Remediation and Grain Quality Security, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Du
- School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Environmental Pollution, Remediation and Grain Quality Security, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Embarcadero-Jiménez S, Araujo-Palomares CL, Moreno-Perlín T, Ramírez-Álvarez N, Quezada-Hernández C, Batista-García RA, Sanchez-Flores A, Calcáneo-Hernández G, Silva-Jiménez H. Physiology and comparative genomics of the haloalkalitolerant and hydrocarbonoclastic marine strain Rhodococcus ruber MSA14. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:328. [PMID: 38935150 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04050-z] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria can use polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as carbon and energy sources, that makes these bacteria highly attractive for bioremediation in oil-polluted waters. However, genomic and metabolic differences between species are still the subject of study to understand the evolution and strategies to degrade PAHs. This study presents Rhodococcus ruber MSA14, an isolated bacterium from marine sediments in Baja California, Mexico, which exhibits adaptability to saline environments, a high level of intrinsic pyrene tolerance (> 5 g L- 1), and efficient degradation of pyrene (0.2 g L- 1) by 30% in 27 days. Additionally, this strain demonstrates versatility by using naphthalene and phenanthrene as individual carbon sources. The genome sequencing of R. ruber MSA14 revealed a genome spanning 5.45 Mbp, a plasmid of 72 kbp, and three putative megaplasmids, lengths between 110 and 470 Kbp. The bioinformatics analysis of the R. ruber MSA14 genome revealed 56 genes that encode enzymes involved in the peripheral and central pathways of aromatic hydrocarbon catabolism, alkane, alkene, and polymer degradation. Within its genome, R. ruber MSA14 possesses genes responsible for salt tolerance and siderophore production. In addition, the genomic analysis of R. ruber MSA14 against 13 reference genomes revealed that all compared strains have at least one gene involved in the alkanes and catechol degradation pathway. Overall, physiological assays and genomic analysis suggest that R. ruber MSA14 is a new haloalkalitolerant and hydrocarbonoclastic strain toward a wide range of hydrocarbons, making it a promising candidate for in-depth characterization studies and bioremediation processes as part of a synthetic microbial consortium, as well as having a better understanding of the catabolic potential and functional diversity among the Rhodococci group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Embarcadero-Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, México
| | - Cynthia Lizzeth Araujo-Palomares
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, México
| | - Tonatiuh Moreno-Perlín
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, C.P. 62209, México
| | - Nancy Ramírez-Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, México
| | - Cristina Quezada-Hernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, México
| | - Ramón Alberto Batista-García
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, C.P. 62209, México
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, Jaén, 23071, España
| | - Alejandro Sanchez-Flores
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, C.P. 62210, México
| | - Gabriela Calcáneo-Hernández
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, C.P. 04510, México
| | - Hortencia Silva-Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, México.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu X, Dong X, Wang D, Xie Z. Biodeterioration of polyethylene by Bacillus cereus and Rhodococcus equi isolated from soil. Int Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s10123-024-00509-7. [PMID: 38530479 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-024-00509-7] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE), a non-biodegradable plastic, is widely used in agriculture as a mulch material, which causes serious plastic pollution when it is discarded. Recent studies have described the biodeterioration of PE by bacteria, but it is difficult for a single bacterial species to effectively degrade PE plastic. We isolated two strains with PE-degrading ability, Bacillus cereus (E1) and Rhodococcus equi (E3), from the soil attached to plastic waste on the south side of Mount Tai, China, using a medium with PE plastic as the only carbon source. By clear zone area analysis, we found that E1 mixed with E3 could improve the degradation of PE plastics. The mixture of E1 and E3 was incubated for 110 days in a medium containing PE and mulch film as the only carbon source, respectively. After 110 days, a decrease in pH and mass was observed. Obvious slits and depressions were observed on the surface of the PE film and the mulch films using scanning electron microscopy. The surface hydrophobicity of both films decreased, and FTIR revealed the formation of new oxidation groups on their surfaces during the degradation process and the destruction of the original CH2 long chains of PE. Besides, we found that surface of the mulch films contained more viable bacteria than the liquid medium. In conclusion, we identified two PE-degrading strains whose mixture can effectively degrade mulch film than pure PE film. Our results provide a reference for understanding PE plastic degradation pathways and their associated degradation processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinbei Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xusheng Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihong Xie
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang Y, Jiao M, Zhao Z, Wang Y, Li T, Wei Y, Li R, Yang F. Insight into the role of niche concept in deciphering the ecological drivers of MPs-associated bacterial communities in mangrove forest. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120995. [PMID: 38071907 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120995] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Myriad inherent and variable environmental features are controlling the assembly and succession of bacterial communities colonizing on mangrove microplastics (MPs). However, the mechanisms governing mangrove MPs-associated bacterial responses to environmental changes still remain unknown. Here, we assessed the dissimilarities of MPs-associated bacterial composition, diversity and functionality as well as quantified the niche variations of each taxon on plastispheres along river-mangrove-ocean and mangrove landward-to-seaward gradients in the Beibu Gulf, China, respectively. The bacterial richness and diversity as well as the niche breadth on mangrove sedimentary MPs dramatically decreased from landward to seaward regions. Characterizing the niche variations linked the difference of ecological drivers of MPs-associated bacterial populations and functions between river-mangrove-ocean (microplastic properties) and mangrove landward-to-seaward plastispheres (sediment physicochemical properties) to the trade-offs between selective stress exerted by inherent plastic substrates and microbial competitive stress imposed by environmental conditions. Notably, Rhodococcus erythropolis was predicted to be the generalist species and closely associated to biogeochemical cycles of mangrove plastispheres. Our work provides a reliable pathway for tackling the hidden mechanisms of environmental factors driving MPs-associated microbe from perspectives of niches and highlights the spatial dynamic variations of mangrove MPs-associated bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yijin Wang
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Meng Jiao
- School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yinghui Wang
- Institute of Green and Low Carbon Technology, Guangxi Institute of Industrial Technology 16 Songxiang Road, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Tiezhu Li
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yihua Wei
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ruilong Li
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Fei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Naidu G, Nagar N, Poluri KM. Mechanistic Insights into Cellular and Molecular Basis of Protein-Nanoplastic Interactions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2305094. [PMID: 37786309 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste is ubiquitously present across the world, and its nano/sub-micron analogues (plastic nanoparticles, PNPs), raise severe environmental concerns affecting organisms' health. Considering the direct and indirect toxic implications of PNPs, their biological impacts are actively being studied; lately, with special emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanistic intricacies. Combinatorial OMICS studies identified proteins as major regulators of PNP mediated cellular toxicity via activation of oxidative enzymes and generation of ROS. Alteration of protein function by PNPs results in DNA damage, organellar dysfunction, and autophagy, thus resulting in inflammation/cell death. The molecular mechanistic basis of these cellular toxic endeavors is fine-tuned at the level of structural alterations in proteins of physiological relevance. Detailed biophysical studies on such protein-PNP interactions evidenced prominent modifications in their structural architecture and conformational energy landscape. Another essential aspect of the protein-PNP interactions includes bioenzymatic plastic degradation perspective, as the interactive units of plastics are essentially nano-sized. Combining all these attributes of protein-PNP interactions, the current review comprehensively documented the contemporary understanding of the concerned interactions in the light of cellular, molecular, kinetic/thermodynamic details. Additionally, the applicatory, economical facet of these interactions, PNP biogeochemical cycle and enzymatic advances pertaining to plastic degradation has also been discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Goutami Naidu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Nupur Nagar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zampolli J, Vezzini D, Brocca S, Di Gennaro P. Insights into the biodegradation of polycaprolactone through genomic analysis of two plastic-degrading Rhodococcus bacteria. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1284956. [PMID: 38235436 PMCID: PMC10791956 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1284956] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an aliphatic polyester often utilized as a model to investigate the biodegradation potential of bacteria and the involved catabolic enzymes. This study aims to characterize PCL biodegradative metabolic potential and correlate it to genomic traits of two plastic-degrading bacteria-Rhodococcus erythropolis D4 strain, a new isolate from plastic-rich organic waste treatment plant, and Rhodococcus opacus R7, known for its relevant biodegradative potential on polyethylene and similar compounds. After preliminary screening for bacteria capable of hydrolyzing tributyrin and PCL, the biodegradation of PCL was evaluated in R. erythropolis D4 and R. opacus R7 by measuring their growth and the release of PCL catabolism products up to 42 days. After 7 days, an increase of at least one order of magnitude of cell number was observed. GC-MS analyses of 28-day culture supernatants showed an increase in carboxylic acids in both Rhodococcus cultures. Furthermore, hydrolytic activity (~5 U mg-1) on short/medium-chain p-nitrophenyl esters was detected in their supernatant. Finally, a comparative genome analysis was performed between two Rhodococcus strains. A comparison with genes annotated in reference strains revealed hundreds of gene products putatively related to polyester biodegradation. Based on additional predictive analysis of gene products, gene expression was performed on a smaller group of genes, revealing that exposure to PCL elicits the greatest increase in transcription for a single gene in strain R7 and two genes, including that encoding a putative lipase, in strain D4. This work exhibits a multifaceted experimental approach to exploit the broad potential of Rhodococcus strains in the field of plastic biodegradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patrizia Di Gennaro
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Buhari SB, Nezhad NG, Normi YM, Shariff FM, Leow TC. Insight on recently discovered PET polyester-degrading enzymes, thermostability and activity analyses. 3 Biotech 2024; 14:31. [PMID: 38178895 PMCID: PMC10761646 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03882-8] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The flexibility and the low production costs offered by plastics have made them crucial to society. Unfortunately, due to their resistance to biological degradation, plastics remain in the environment for an extended period of time, posing a growing risk to life on earth. Synthetic treatments of plastic waste damage the environment and may cause damage to human health. Bacterial and fungal isolates have been reported to degrade plastic polymers in a logistic safe approach with the help of their microbial cell enzymes. Recently, the bacterial strain Ideonella sakaiensis (201-F6) was discovered to break down and assimilate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic via metabolic processes at 30 °C to 37 °C. PETase and MHETase enzymes help the bacterium to accomplish such tremendous action at lower temperatures than previously discovered enzymes. In addition to functioning at low temperatures, the noble bacterium's enzymes have amazing qualities over pH and PET plastic degradation, including a shorter period of degradation. It has been proven that using the enzyme PETase, this bacterium hydrolyzes the ester linkages of PET plastic, resulting in production of terephthalic acid (TPA), nontoxic compound and mono-2-hydroxyethyl (MHET), along with further depolymerization of MHET to release ethylene glycogen (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA) by the second enzyme MHETase. Enzymatic plastic degradation has been proposed as an environmentally friendly and long-term solution to plastic waste in the environment. As a result, this review focuses on the enzymes involved in hydrolyzing PET plastic polymers, as well as some of the other microorganisms involved in plastic degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunusi Bataiya Buhari
- Enzyme and Microbial Research Center, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Nima Ghahremani Nezhad
- Enzyme and Microbial Research Center, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Yahaya M. Normi
- Enzyme and Microbial Research Center, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Fairolniza Mohd Shariff
- Enzyme and Microbial Research Center, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Thean Chor Leow
- Enzyme and Microbial Research Center, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
- Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Putcha JP, Kitagawa W. Polyethylene Biodegradation by an Artificial Bacterial Consortium: Rhodococcus as a Competitive Plastisphere Species. Microbes Environ 2024; 39:ME24031. [PMID: 39085141 PMCID: PMC11427307 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me24031] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE), a widely used recalcitrant synthetic polymer, is a major global pollutant. PE has very low biodegradability due to its rigid C-C backbone and high hydrophobicity. Although microorganisms have been suggested to possess PE-degrading enzymes, our understanding of the PE biodegradation process and its overall applicability is still lacking. In the present study, we used an artificial bacterial consortium for PE biodegradation to compensate for the enzyme availability and metabolic capabilities of individual bacterial strains. Consortium members were selected based on available literature and preliminary screening for PE-degrading enzymes, including laccases, lipases, esterases, and alkane hydroxylases. PE pellets were incubated with the consortium for 200 days. A next-generation sequencing ana-lysis of the consortium community of the culture broth and on the PE pellet identified Rhodococcus as the dominant bacteria. Among the Rhodococcus strains in the consortium, Rhodococcus erythropolis was predominant. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed multilayered biofilms with bacteria embedded on the PE surface. SEM micrographs of PE pellets after biofilm removal showed bacterial pitting and surface deterioration. Multicellular biofilm structures and surface biodeterioration were observed in an incubation of PE pellets with R. erythropolis alone. The present study demonstrated that PE may be biodegraded by an artificially constructed bacterial consortium, in which R. erythropolis has emerged as an important player. The results showing the robust colonization of hydrophobic PE by R. erythropolis and that it naturally possesses and extracellularly expresses several target enzymes suggest its potential as a host for further improved PE biodeterioration by genetic engineering technology using a well-studied host-vector system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyothi Priya Putcha
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9 Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060–8589, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial and Technology (AIST), 2–17–2–1, Tsukisamu-Higashi, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo 062–8517, Japan
| | - Wataru Kitagawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9 Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060–8589, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial and Technology (AIST), 2–17–2–1, Tsukisamu-Higashi, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo 062–8517, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tao X, Ouyang H, Zhou A, Wang D, Matlock H, Morgan JS, Ren AT, Mu D, Pan C, Zhu X, Han A, Zhou J. Polyethylene Degradation by a Rhodococcous Strain Isolated from Naturally Weathered Plastic Waste Enrichment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13901-13911. [PMID: 37682848 PMCID: PMC10515485 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely produced synthetic polymer and the most abundant plastic waste worldwide due to its recalcitrance to biodegradation and low recycle rate. Microbial degradation of PE has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we isolated a Rhodococcus strain A34 from 609 day enriched cultures derived from naturally weathered plastic waste and identified the potential key PE degradation enzymes. After 30 days incubation with A34, 1% weight loss was achieved. Decreased PE molecular weight, appearance of C-O and C═O on PE, palmitic acid in the culture supernatant, and pits on the PE surface were observed. Proteomics analysis identified multiple key PE oxidation and depolymerization enzymes including one multicopper oxidase, one lipase, six esterase, and a few lipid transporters. Network analysis of proteomics data demonstrated the close relationships between PE degradation and metabolisms of phenylacetate, amino acids, secondary metabolites, and tricarboxylic acid cycles. The metabolic roadmap generated here provides critical insights for optimization of plastic degradation condition and assembly of artificial microbial communities for efficient plastic degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Tao
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Huanrong Ouyang
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Aifen Zhou
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Dongyu Wang
- Department
of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Hagan Matlock
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Josiah S. Morgan
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Abigail T. Ren
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Dashuai Mu
- Marine
College, Shandong University, Weihai 264105, China
| | - Chongle Pan
- Department
of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Xuejun Zhu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Arum Han
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M
University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute
for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Malik S, Maurya A, Khare SK, Srivastava KR. Computational Exploration of Bio-Degradation Patterns of Various Plastic Types. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15061540. [PMID: 36987320 PMCID: PMC10056476 DOI: 10.3390/polym15061540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic materials are recalcitrant in the open environment, surviving for longer without complete remediation. The current disposal methods of used plastic material are inefficient; consequently, plastic wastes are infiltrating the natural resources of the biosphere. The mixed composition of urban domestic waste with different plastic types makes them unfavorable for recycling; however, natural assimilation in situ is still an option to explore. In this research work, we have utilized previously published reports on the biodegradation of various plastics types and analyzed the pattern of microbial degradation. Our results demonstrate that the biodegradation of plastic material follows the chemical classification of plastic types based on their main molecular backbone. The clustering analysis of various plastic types based on their biodegradation reports has grouped them into two broad categories of C-C (non-hydrolyzable) and C-X (hydrolyzable). The C-C and C-X groups show a statistically significant difference in their biodegradation pattern at the genus level. The Bacilli class of bacteria is found to be reported more often in the C-C category, which is challenging to degrade compared to C-X. Genus enrichment analysis suggests that Pseudomonas and Bacillus from bacteria and Aspergillus and Penicillium from fungi are potential genera for the bioremediation of mixed plastic waste. The lack of uniformity in reporting the results of microbial degradation of plastic also needs to be addressed to enable productive growth in the field. Overall, the result points towards the feasibility of a microbial-based biodegradation solution for mixed plastic waste.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunny Malik
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad 121002, Haryana, India
| | - Ankita Maurya
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, Delhi, India
| | - Sunil Kumar Khare
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, Delhi, India
| | | |
Collapse
|