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The use of phosphate in detergents and possible replacements for phosphate.

About 5% of the total phosphate mined worldwide is used in detergents. The chemical form in which phosphate is used in detergents is predominantly pentasodium triphosphate (PSTP). The most significant feature for the use of PSTP in detergents is its ability to form soluble and strong complexes with calcium and magnesium ions. This provides a strong synergism with regard to detergency when PSTP is used in combination with synthetic surfactants. Other important features of PSTP are its ability to disperse dirt in the washing solution, its weak alkalinity, its crystalline form when dry (which enables production of crisp powders) and, last but not least, its toxicological acceptability. The development of PSTP for use in detergents has a history of over 25 years. In certain areas of highly developed countries where effluents from major centres of population can reach stagnant surface waters a rapid increase of eutrophication of these surface waters is observed. Phosphates are being recognized as one of the essential nutrients contributing to the eutrophication and detergents are one of the many sources of phosphate discharged to the environment. This is now causing demands for reduction in or even banning of the use of phosphates in detergents. Major reserach projects and some practical approaches to meeting these demands are described. The potential environmental impact of removing phosphate from detergents remains, however, doubtful, as it has been demonstrated in Sweden that phosphate removal by sewage treatment is the most effective measure to control phosphate discharges. This makes the case of phosphates in detergents an example of how science and technology can become entangled with politics.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1979

Use of casein, tyrosine, and hypoxanthine in the identification of nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli.

Four hundred and five (405) strains of nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli (NFB) were identified using conventional tests. The NFB studied include 323 originating from clinical specimens, 37 from environmental samples, and 45 authentic strains from other workers and from our culture collections. All these strains were studied for their ability to degradate casein, tyrosine, and hypoxanthine. It was found that these tests are useful in identifying NFB within 24 to 48 h when used with other tests.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1991

Degradation of dioxane, tetrahydrofuran and other cyclic ethers by an environmental Rhodococcus strain.

By enrichment and isolation techniques bacterial strains with the capacity to grow on aliphatic cyclic ethers (dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,3-dioxolane) have been isolated. Six strains that degrade tetrahydrofuran were classified as belonging to the genus Rhodococcus. One of two strains that degrade dioxane instead of or in combination with tetrahydrofuran was further characterized and a hypothetical catabolic pathway comprising an initial 2-hydroxylation and several oxidation steps is postulated.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1976

Chemistry, biological activity, and uses of formamidine pesticides.

The formamidines, a relatively new group of acaricide-insecticides, are novel both in their range of biological activities and in their mode of action, which is presently unknown. This paper is a review of the historical development, properties, structures, uses, and chemistry of this group of pesticides, with particular emphasis on chlordimeform (Galecron or Fundal), N'-4-chloro-o-tolyl-N,N-dimethylformamidine, and amitraz, 1,3=di-(2,4-dimethylphenylimino)-2-methyl-2-azapropane. Their biological activity and uses are defined by their toxicity to spider mites, ticks, and certain insects, and they are particularly effective against juvenile and resistant forms of these organisms. A significant, but poorly understood feature of their field effectiveness is their breadth of toxic action which includes direct lethality, excitant-repellant behavioral effects, and chemosterilization. They are generally of low hazard for nontarget species with the significant exception of predaceous mites. Several aspects of the chemistry of these compounds are considered, including structure--activity relations, synthetic pathways, isomerism and configuration, and their chemical and environmental stability. A significant feature of the metabolism and toxicity of these agents is the possible activation of chlordimeform by N-demethylation in vivo. Strong evidence for this has been presented with the cattle tick, but recent results discussed here suggest that in other species, i.e., mice, German cockroaches or black cutworm eggs, N-demethylation is neither a strong activation nor a detoxication reaction.

Amidines↗

PubMed2026

Influence of microplastics on microalgal performance during wastewater polishing.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that are increasingly accumulating in aquatic ecosystems due to excessive anthropogenic activity and insufficient mitigation strategies, posing serious environmental and public health risks. Their impact on wastewater (WW) treatment processes remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of five MPs commonly found in WW - polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, low-density polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene - on the physiology and bioremediation performance of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris in synthetic WW (SWW). Metabolic responses were assessed via esterase activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), while nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and glucose removal were monitored to evaluate bioremediation efficiency. MPs inhibited esterase activity and elevated ROS levels, indicating oxidative stress. Nevertheless, C. vulgaris maintained a high bioremediation capacity (> 75 % N, > 60 % P, and > 70 % for glucose). Environmental conditions modulated microalga response to MPs exposure. Under N-limited conditions, C. vulgaris exhibited enhanced nutrient uptake and biomass production, but a 12 h/12 h light/dark photoperiod reduced N removal but stimulated glucose consumption via heterotrophic metabolism. In contrast, C-limited conditions exacerbated oxidative stress and compromised nutrient removal, resulting in residual concentrations exceeding legal limits. These findings highlight that environmental factors can either mitigate or exacerbate the physiological stress induced by MPs, ultimately affecting WW polishing. This work provides a comprehensive insight into the cellular and metabolic effects of MPs on microalgae and supports C. vulgaris as a resilient and sustainable approach for nutrient and carbon removal in MP-contaminated WW systems.

Microalgae↗

PubMed1976

Environmental and toxicological aspects of insect growth regulators.

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are a class of new chemicals that interfere with maturation and reproduction in insects. Proposed hypotheses on the biochemical mechanism of action are presented herein. The environmental aspects as metabolism in soils, plants, insects, and animals suggest strongly that these chemicals undergo rapid degradation and metabolism to innocuous metabolites. The toxicological properties determined for registration of the IGR methoprene, isopropyl (E,E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dodecadienoate, reflected no significant effects against any of the species tested. Toxicological evaluations in swine, sheep, hamsters, rats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and cattle revealed no clinical signs of toxicosis. Additionally, teratological studies in swine, sheep, hamsters, rats, and rabbits also resulted in no observable effects in the animals at the levels administered.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Degradation of halogenated aromatic compounds.

Due to their persistence, haloaromatics are compounds of environmental concern. Aerobically, bacteria degrade these compounds by mono- or dioxygenation of the aromatic ring. The common intermediate of these reactions is (halo)catechol. Halocatechol is cleaved either intradiol (ortho-cleavage) or extradiol (meta-cleavage). In contrast to ortho-cleavage, meta-cleavage of halocatechols yields toxic metabolites. Dehalogenation may occur fortuitously during oxygenation. Specific dehalogenation of aromatic compounds is performed by hydroxylases, in which the halo-substituent is replaced by a hydroxyl group. During reductive dehalogenation, haloaromatic compounds may act as electron-acceptors. Herewith, the halosubstituent is replaced by a hydrogen atom.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1992

Use of white rot fungi in the degradation of environmental chemicals.

White rot fungi have been shown to mineralize a wide variety of environmental pollutants. These fungi secrete a number of enzymes that are involved in its unique ability to degrade lignin, the structural component of woody plants. Lignin is a very complex heteropolymer that can only be degraded by white rot fungi. Degradation is complete without energy value to the fungus. The evolution of this ability has apparently given the organism the ability to degrade structurally diverse and normally very recalcitrant environmental pollutants such as DDT, PCB, benzo(a)pyrene, TNT, etc. Some of the major enzymes that are secreted by the fungi are peroxidases with unique properties. In addition to their ability to catalyze a wide variety of oxidations, they can also catalyze indirect oxidations and reductions. The fungi synthesize and secrete hydrogen peroxide to activate the peroxidases, veratryl alcohol to serve as a free radical intermediate for indirect oxidations, and electron donors, such as oxalate, which with veratryl alcohol catalyze reductions. Reductions are often required for subsequent oxidation of chemicals by the peroxidases. The enzymes can also reduce molecular oxygen.

Basidiomycota↗

PubMed1976

[Environmental chemicals and their microbial breakdown (author's transl)].

Environmental chemicals are compounds synthesized by man which have entered our environment. Depending on their consitution, these compounds are either easy or difficult to break down. They are preferably broken down by microorganisms, but chemical and physical processes also play a role. Sometimes various microorganisms are involved in the breakdown of a compound simultaneously. The breakdown mechanism depends on the micro-organism. Depending on the type, certain compounds are broken down via various intermediates. Even several breakdown pathways may exist simultaneously in a single micro-organisms. Extrachromosomal elements may be involved in the breakdown. The breakdown of aromatic and chloro-substituted compounds is explained, as is also the microbial breakdown of herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics and alkaloids.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1978

Elimination of the hazards from hazardous wastes.

The "hazard" associated with a waste essentially controls the overall engineering approach to finding suitable alternatives for solving potential disposal problems. It should be recognized that all factors affecting environmental equilibrium must be considered, including product sales, process design, financing, pre- and end-of-pipe treatment, residuals management, and ultimate bioaccumulation of residuals. To meet this challenge, a systems approach to waste treatment and residuals disposal provides a logical approach, but this management concept requires a thorough understanding of the important physical and chemical aspects of the problem, as well as many social implications of the resulting decisions. Thus waste management within a plant necessarily involves process control, pretreatment and end-of-pipe treatment. Further, it follows that residuals management from a disposal point-of-view must ultimately embrace what is called the "multi-barrier concept." In essence, hazard elimination occurs in varying degrees during each phase of a properly engineered system.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1992

Detoxification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by fungi.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of hazardous environmental pollutants, many of which are acutely toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic. A diverse group of fungi, including Aspergillus ochraceus, Cunninghamella elegans, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Syncephalastrum racemosum, have the ability to oxidize PAHs. The PAHs anthracene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, fluoranthene, fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, as well as several methyl-, nitro-, and fluoro-substituted PAHs, are metabolized by one or more of these fungi. Unsubstituted PAHs are oxidized initially to arene oxides, trans-dihydrodiols, phenols, quinones, and tetralones. Phenols and trans-dihydrodiols may be further metabolized, and thus detoxified, by conjugation with sulfate, glucuronic acid, glucose, or xylose. Although dihydrodiol epoxides and other mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds have been detected as minor fungal metabolites of a few PAHs, most transformations performed by fungi reduce the mutagenicity and thus detoxify the PAHs.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1992

Reductive debromination of the commercial polybrominated biphenyl mixture firemaster BP6 by anaerobic microorganisms from sediments.

Anaerobic microorganisms eluted from three sediments, one contaminated with polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and two contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, were compared for their ability to debrominate the commercial PBB mixture Firemaster. These microorganisms were incubated with reduced anaerobic mineral medium and noncontaminated sediment amended with Firemaster. Firemaster averages six bromines per biphenyl molecule; four of the bromines are substituted in the meta or para position. The inocula from all three sources were able to debrominate the meta and para positions. Microorganisms from the Pine River (St. Louis, Mich.) contaminated with Firemaster, the Hudson River (Hudson Falls, N.Y.) contaminated with Aroclor 1242, and Silver Lake (Pittsfield, Mass.) contaminated with Aroclor 1260 removed 32, 12, and 3% of the meta plus para bromines, respectively, after 32 weeks of incubation. This suggests that previous environmental exposure to PBBs enhances the debromination capability of the sediment microbial community through selection for different strains of microorganisms. The Pine River inoculum removed an average of 1.25 bromines per biphenyl molecule during a 32-week incubation period, resulting in a mixture potentially more accessible to aerobic degradation processes. No ortho bromine removal was observed. However, when Firemaster was incubated with Hudson River microorganisms that had been repeatedly transferred on a pyruvate medium amended with Aroclor 1242, 17% of the meta and para bromines were removed after 16 weeks of incubation and additional debromination products, including 2-bromobiphenyl and biphenyl, were detected. This suggests the possibility for ortho debromination, since all components of the Firemaster mixture have at least one ortho-substituted bromine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aroclors↗

PubMed1991

Selection and isolation of bacteria capable of degrading dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol).

Dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) has been a widely used herbicide that persists in some contaminated soils, and has been found in groundwaters, causing health and environmental hazards. Persistence in some soils may stem from a lack of dinoseb-degrading organisms. We established a chemostat environment that was strongly selective for aerobic (liquid phase) and anaerobic (sediment phase) bacteria able to degrade dinoseb. The chemostat yielded five taxonomically diverse aerobic isolates that could transform dinoseb to reduced products under microaerophilic or denitrifying conditions, but these organisms were unable to degrade the entire dinoseb molecule, and the transformed products formed multimeric material. The chemostat also yielded an anaerobic consortium of bacteria that could completely degrade dinoseb to acetate and CO2 when the Eh of the medium was less than -200 mV. The consortium contained at least three morphologically different bacterial species. HPLC analysis indicated that dinoseb was degraded sequentially via several as yet unidentified products. Degradation of these intermediates was inhibited by addition of bromoethane sulfonic acid. GC-MS analysis of metabolites in culture medium suggested that regiospecific attacks occurred non-sequentially on both the nitro groups and the side-chains of dinoseb. The consortium was also able to degrade 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 2,6-dinitrotoluene via a similar series of intermediate products. The consortium was not able to degrade 2,4-dinitrophenol. To our knowledge, this is the first report of strictly anaerobic biodegradation of an aromatic compound containing a multicarbon, saturated hydrocarbon side chain.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

PubMed2025

Ultrahigh-throughput screening assay for PET-degrading enzymes.

In recent years, several PET-degrading enzymes have been identified from both known microorganisms and metagenomic sources in response to the growing environmental issue of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) accumulation. Despite this progress, there is a limited number of (ultra)high-throughput screening methods for assessing PET-hydrolyzing activity without relying on surrogate substrates. This method utilizes the coupled activity of ketoreductases (KREDs) and diaphorase to produce a fluorescent compound (resorufin) in the presence of PET degradation products, offering a more direct and efficient screening approach. A metagenomic KRED was coupled with the diaphorase from Clostridium kluyveri to enable the detection of the hydrolysis of PET degradation products catalyzed by the Bacillus subtilis BS2 esterase. The coupled reaction was established in water-in-oil microdroplets, encapsulating a single E. coli cell per droplet, demonstrating its potential for use in the ultrahigh-throughput screening of metagenomic libraries or randomized libraries for directed evolution campaigns.

High-Throughput Screening Assays↗

PubMed1992

Soluble methane monooxygenase component B gene probe for identification of methanotrophs that rapidly degrade trichloroethylene.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms, Western blot (immunoblot) analysis, and fluorescence-labelled signature probes were used for the characterization of methanotrophic bacteria as well as for the identification of methanotrophs which contained the soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO) gene and were able to degrade trichloroethylene (TCE). The gene encoding a soluble MMO component B protein from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b was cloned. It contained a 2.2-kb EcoRI fragment. With this cloned component B gene as probe, methanotroph types I, II, and X and environmental and bioreactor samples were screened for the presence of the gene encoding soluble MMO. Fragments produced by digestion of DNA with rare cutting restriction endonucleases were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and transferred to Zeta-Probe membrane (Bio-Rad) for Southern blot analysis. Samples were also analyzed for the presence of soluble MMO by Western blot analysis and the ability to degrade TCE. The physiological groups of methanotrophs in each sample were determined by hybridizing cells with fluorescence-labelled signature probes. Among twelve pure or mixed cultures, DNA fragments of seven methanotrophs hybridized with the soluble MMO B gene probe. When grown in media with limited copper, all of these bacteria degraded TCE. All of them are type II methanotrophs. The soluble MMO component B gene of the type X methanotroph, Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, did not hybridize to the M. trichosporium OB3b soluble MMO component B gene probe, although M. capsulatus Bath also produces a soluble MMO.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1975

Environmental factors affecting the degradation of Dyfonate by soil fungi.

The ability of selected fungi to degrade the soil insecticide Dyfonate (O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate) into water-soluble, noninsecticidal metabolites was found to be dependent on the supply of nutrients, incubation time, temperature, pH, as well as other factors. With yeast extract as the carbon source (5 g/liter) and ammonium nitrate (1 g/liter) as the nitrogen source, both Rhizopus arrhizus and Penicillium notatum degraded the insecticide to a larger extent than with any other combination of nutrients used. With glucose as the carbon source, concentrations of ammonium nitrate above 5 g/liter inhibited the degradation of Dyfonate by R. arrhizus. Time-course studies on the metabolism of the insecticide indicated that Dyfonate was first absorbed by the fungal mycelium, where it was metabolized followed by the release of water-soluble, noninsecticidal, breakdown products into the culture media. The degradation appeared to involve the breakdown of Dyfonate into ethyl acetate soluble metabolites, such as ethylethoxyphosphonothioic acid, ethylethoxyphosphonic acid, methyl phenyl sulfoxide, and methyl phenyl sulfone. These compounds were then further degraded into water-soluble products. The optimum conditions for the degradation of the insecticide by R. arrhizus were observed at pH 6.0 to 7.0 and at 15-25 degrees C. Aged fungal mycelia were as active as mycelia in the logarithmic growth phase.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2026

Bioprospecting Chromobacterium violaceum for bioremediation: an alternative to environmental lead pollution.

Lead pollution is a major environmental concern, but current decontamination technologies remain limited due to high costs. Therefore, alternative biotechnological processes have been successfully developed and applied due to their reduced cost and lower aggressiveness in the environment. The remarkable adaptive versatility of Chromobacterium violaceum in metal-contaminated environments makes this bacterium a promising candidate for Pb bioremediation. Therefore, the reference strain C. violaceum ATCC 12,472 and the environmental isolate C. violaceum SCV1, the first strain of this species isolated from a Brazilian area with natural Pb occurrence, were evaluated for Pb resistance under different Pb concentrations and exposure times. Pb biosorption was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, while strain-specific protein profiles were characterized using tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. The results obtained revealed the potential of C. violaceum to perform lead bioremediation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed the biosorption of lead by C. violaceum strains. C. violaceum SCV1 was able to remove up to 40% more lead concentration when compared to ATCC 12,472 which suggested adaptation through natural selection process of C. violaceum SCV1. Proteome analysis revealed 1531 proteins, of which several are candidates for lead bioremediation. This is the first study on the resistance proteomics of C. violaceum against lead. The acclimatization of the bacteria linked to the identification of several proteins related to: biosorption; efflux and ionic uptake (bioaccumulation); biomolecule transport; and biomethylation, point out to this organism as a potential lead bioremediation agent.

Chromobacterium↗

PubMed2025

Unlocking microbial potential: advances in omics and bioinformatics for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation.

Aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs) are persistent environmental pollutants with high toxicity. Bacterial degradation of AHs provides a sustainable and cost-effective approach for the remediation of sites contaminated with both mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Aerobic degradation of AHs typically involves oxygenases-mediated hydroxylation followed by aromatic ring cleavage. In contrast, anaerobic degradation relies on diverse activation mechanisms that ultimately converge on the central intermediate benzoyl-CoA. Over the past decades, research on bacterial degradation of AHs has grown steadily, supported by advances in omics and bioinformatics. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the pathways, enzymes, and microbial diversity involved in AH degradation, highlighting how omics and bioinformatic approaches are advancing our understanding of this process. However, to improve our knowledge of microbial AHs catabolism, it is crucial to prioritize the characterization of novel enzymes and pathways, especially those mediating anaerobic and hybrid degradation strategies. Addressing this gap requires the development of specialized resources that incorporate a broader taxonomic diversity and an expanded inventory of anaerobic genes and enzymes supported by experimental evidence. Equally important is the integration of multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence, and ecological modeling into unified analytical pipelines. These efforts will be key to fully unlocking microbial metabolic potential and guiding more effective bioremediation and monitoring strategies for AHs.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗