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PubMed2005

Development of a PCR method for the detection and quantification of benzoyl-CoA reductase genes and its application to monitored natural attenuation.

Benzoyl coenzyme A reductase (BCR) catalyzes dearomatization of benzoyl coenzyme A (benzoyl-CoA), which is the central step in the anaerobic degradative pathways for a variety of aromatic compounds. This study developed a PCR method for the detection and quantification of BCR genes in bacterial strains and environmental samples. PCR primers were designed by aligning known BCR genes in Thauera, Azoarcus and Rhodopseudomonas species, and their utility was assessed by amplifying BCR fragments from aromatic-hydrocarbon degrading anaerobes and other bacteria. BCR fragments with the expected sizes were obtained from denitrifying and phototrophic aromatics degraders. The positive signals were also obtained from Geobacter metallireducens and xylene-degrading sulfate-reducing bacterium (strain mXyS1) but not from other aromatics-degrading sulfate-reducing bacteria and aerobic bacteria. When the PCR was used for analyzing a natural attenuation (NA) site, the positive signal was obtained only from gasoline-contaminated groundwater; sequence analysis of these amplicons revealed that most of them exhibited substantial similarities to the known BCRs. Quantitative competitive PCR analysis estimated BCR-gene copies to account for 10-40% of bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies in the contaminated groundwater, indicating that bacteria possessing BCR genes were highly enriched in the contaminated groundwater. In microcosm bioremediation tests using the contaminated groundwater, the copy number of BCR gene was approximately 10-fold increased in the course of aromatics degradation under denitrifying conditions but not under sulfidogenic conditions. These results suggest the utility of the PCR method for assessing the potential of denitrifying bacteria for aromatic-compound degradation in groundwater.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

PubMed2006

Molecular characterization of microbial populations at two sites with differing reductive dechlorination abilities.

This study compares three molecular techniques, including terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), RFLP analysis with clone sequencing, and quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) for surveying differences in microbial communities at two contaminated field sites that exhibit dissimilar chlorinated solvent degradation activities. At the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), trichloroethene (TCE) was completely converted to ethene during biostimulation with lactate. At Seal Beach, California, perchloroethene (PCE) was degraded only to cis-dichloroethene (cDCE) during biostimulation but was degraded to ethene after bioaugmentation with a dechlorinating culture containing Dehalococcoides strains. T-RFLP analysis showed that microbial community composition differed significantly between the two sites, but was similar within each site among wells that had low or no electron donor exposure. Analysis of INEEL clone libraries by RFLP with clone sequencing revealed a complex microbial population but did not identify any Dehalococcoides strains. Q-PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Dehalococcoides strains - known for their unique capability to dechlorinate solvents completely to ethene - revealed a significant population at INEEL, but no detectable population at Seal Beach prior to bioaugmentation. Detection of Dehalococcoides by Q-PCR correlated with observed dechlorination activity and ethene production at both sites. Q-PCR showed that Dehalococcoides was present in even the pristine well at INEEL, suggesting that the difference in dechlorination ability at the two sites was due to the initial absence of this genus at Seal Beach. Of the techniques tested, Q-PCR quantification of specific dechlorinating species provided the most effective and direct prediction of community dechlorinating potential.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2007

Chemolithotrophic perchlorate reduction linked to the oxidation of elemental sulfur.

Perchlorate (ClO(4)(-)) contamination of ground and surface water has been recently recognized as a widespread environmental problem. Biological methods offer promising perspectives of perchlorate remediation. Facultative anaerobic bacteria couple the oxidation of organic and inorganic electron-donating substrates to the reduction of perchlorate as a terminal electron acceptor, converting it completely to the benign end-product, chloride. Insoluble inorganic substrates are of interest for low maintenance bioreactor or permeable reactive barrier systems because they can provide a long-term supply of electron donor without generating organic residuals. The main objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of utilizing elemental sulfur (S(0)) as an insoluble electron donor for the biological reduction of perchlorate. A chemolithotrophic enrichment culture derived from aerobic activated sludge was obtained which effectively coupled the oxidation of elemental sulfur to sulfate with the reduction of perchlorate to chloride and gained energy from the process for cell growth. The enrichment culture grew at a rate of 0.41 or 0.81 1/d in the absence and presence of added organic carbon for cell growth, respectively. The enrichment culture was also shown to carry out sulfur disproportionation to a limited extent as evidenced by the formation of sulfide and sulfate in the absence of added electron acceptor. When nitrate and perchlorate were added together, the two electron acceptors were removed simultaneously after an initial partial decrease in the nitrate concentration.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2002

Rapid screening of aqueous chemical warfare agent degradation products: ambient pressure ion mobility mass spectrometry.

The use of electrospray ionization ambient pressure ion mobility spectrometry with an orthogonal reflector time-of-flight mass spectrometer to analyze chemical warfare (CW) degradation products from aqueous environmental samples has been demonstrated. Certified reference materials of analytical standards for the detection of Schedule 1, 2, or 3 toxic chemicals or their precursors as defined by the chemical warfare convention treaty verification were used in this study. A combination of six G/V-type nerve and four S-type vesicant related CW agent degradation products were separated with baseline resolution by this instrumental technique. Analytical figures of merit for each CW degradation product were determined. In some cases, reduced mobility constants (K0) have been reported for the first time. linear response ranges for the selected CW degradation products were found to be generally approximately 2 orders of magnitude, where the overall dynamic response ranges were found to extend to 4 orders of magnitude. Limits of detection for five of the nine chemical products tested were found to be less than 1 ppm. To demonstrate the potential of this instrumental method with complex mixtures, four CW degradation products were separated and detected from a spiked Palouse River water sample in less than 1 min. Finally, a homologous series of n-alkylamines were used as baseline reference standards, producing a mobility/mass trend line to which the CW degradation products could be compared. Comparison of these products in this manner is expected to reduce the number of false positive/negative responses.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2001

Identification and characterization of bacteria in a selenium-contaminated hypersaline evaporation pond.

Solar evaporation ponds are commonly used to reduce the volume of seleniferous agricultural drainage water in the San Joaquin Valley, Calif. These hypersaline ponds pose an environmental health hazard because they are heavily contaminated with selenium (Se), mainly in the form of selenate. Se in the ponds may be removed by microbial Se volatilization, a bioremediation process whereby toxic, bioavailable selenate is converted to relatively nontoxic dimethylselenide gas. In order to identify microbes that may be used for Se bioremediation, a 16S ribosomal DNA phylogenetic analysis of an aerobic hypersaline pond in the San Joaquin Valley showed that a previously unaffiliated group of uncultured bacteria (belonging to the order Cytophagales) was dominant, followed by a group of cultured gamma-Proteobacteria which was closely related to Halomonas species. Se K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy of selenate-treated bacterial isolates showed that they accumulated a mixture of predominantly selenate and a selenomethionine-like species, consistent with the idea that selenate was assimilated via the S assimilation pathway. One of these bacterial isolates (Halomonas-like strain MPD-51) was the best candidate for the bioremediation of hypersaline evaporation ponds contaminated with high Se concentrations because it tolerated 2 M selenate and 32.5% NaCl, grew rapidly in media containing selenate, and accumulated and volatilized Se at high rates (1.65 microg of Se g of protein(-1) x h(-1)), compared to other cultured bacterial isolates.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2002

Use of hop (Humulus lupulus) agricultural by-products for the reduction of aqueous lead(II) environmental health hazards.

The agricultural by-products of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.) were investigated to determine their potential for use in the removal of heavy lead(II) ions from contaminated aqueous solutions. Separate batch laboratory experiments were performed to establish the optimal binding pH, time exposures, and capacity of the metal adsorption for lead(II) ions by dried and ground hop leaves and stems biomass. Results from these studies have shown a pH dependent binding trend from pH 2-6, with optimum binding occurring around pH 5.0. Time dependency experiments showed a rapid adsorption of lead(II) ions within the first 5 min of contact. Binding capacity experiments demonstrated that 74.2mg of lead(II) were bound per gram of leaf biomass. Similarly overall capacity was seen for the leaves and stems. Desorption of 99% of the bound lead(II) ions was achieved by exposing the metal laden biomass to 0.5M sodium citrate. Further experiments were performed with silica-immobilized hop tissues to determine the lead(II) binding ability under flow conditions. Comparison studies were performed with ion-exchange resins to evaluate the binding ability and to gain further insight into the metal binding mechanism. X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments were also utilized to gain further insight into the possible lead(II) binding mechanism by the hop plant tissue. Results from these studies indicate that carboxyl ligands are involved in the binding of lead(II) from aqueous solution. These findings show that the use of hop agricultural waste products may be a viable alternative, for the removal and recovery of aqueous lead(II) ions from contaminated waters.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1994

Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of azo dyes: mechanism of disperse Yellow 3 degradation.

Disperse Yellow 3 [2-(4'-acetamidophenylazo)-4-methylphenol] (DY3) (I) is an important yellow dye used in industry and is also a carcinogen. Earlier we demonstrated that lignin-degrading cultures of white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium degrade DY3 to CO2. In this report, we have examined the degradation of DY3 and its naphthol analog, 1-(4'-acetamidophenylazo)-2-naphthol (NDY3) (II) by lignin peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase, and Mn(III)-malonate complex (a manganese peroxidase mimic). Lignin and manganese peroxidases are two extracellular peroxidase produced by ligninolytic cultures of P. chrysosporium and are involved in the degradation of lignin and various other environmental pollutants by this fungus. DY3 oxidation by peroxidases yields 4-methyl-1,2-benzoquinone (III), acetanilide (IV), and a dimer of DY3 (V) as products. NDY3 oxidation yields acetanilide (IV) and 1,2-naphthoquinone (VI). In deuterium incorporation experiments with DY3, 55-67% incorporation of deuterium from dioxane-d8 into acetanilide (IV) is observed. However, when D2O is the donor, deuterium is not incorporated into acetanilide (IV). Based on these results, a mechanism for azo dye degradation is proposed. The H2O2-oxidized forms of a peroxidase oxidize the phenolic ring of DY3, or its analogs, by two electrons to produce a carbonium ion, which is located on the carbon bearing the azo linkage. Water attacks the carbonium ion, producing an unstable intermediate which breaks down to generate 1,2-naphthoquinone (VI) or 4-methyl-1,2-benzoquinone (III) and 4-acetamido-phenyldiazene. O2, H2O2-oxidized peroxidase, or a metal ion, oxidize the phenyldiazene by one electron to produce a phenyldiazene radical, which cleaves homolytically to generate 4-acetamidophenyl radical and molecular nitrogen. The 4-acetamidophenyl radical then abstracts a hydrogen radical from the surroundings to produce acetanilide (IV). DY3 degradation by whole cultures of P. chrysosporium yields acetanilide as the major product. This suggests that lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase are involved in the in vivo metabolism of DY3 by P. chrysosporium.

Acetanilides↗

PubMed1996

Inactivation of virus during anaerobic digestion of manure in laboratory scale biogas reactors.

Reduction of porcine parvovirus, bovine enterovirus and faecal enterococci were measured in biogas reactors continuously run on manure and manure supplemented with household waste at 35 degrees C and 55 degrees C and in batch test run at 70 degrees C. The aim of the experiments was to study the sanitation effect of anaerobic digestion and to evaluate the use of faecal enterococci as an indicator of sanitation. Parallel studies on the reduction of virus and faecal enterococci were done in physiological saline solution. Heat inactivation was found to be an important factor in thermophilic biogas plants and the overall dominant factor at 70 degrees C. However, other environmental factors with a substantial virucidal and bactericidal effect were involved in inactivation. The death rates for faecal enterococci were generally higher than for porcine parvovirus and lower than for bovine enterovirus. For faecal enterococci, a logarithmic reduction of 4 (corresponding to the recommended minimum guaranteed retention time) was obtained after 300 hours at 35 degrees C and after 1-2 hours at 55 degrees C. In continuously-fed reactors, a high reduction rate was initially seen for the virus tested, followed by a reduction in the rate. For porcine parvovirus, a minimum guaranteed retention time of 11-12 hours is necessary at 55 degrees C in the initial phase (0-4 hours) and 54 hours hereafter (4-48 h). Correspondingly, for bovine enterovirus a MGRT of 23 hours was necessary at 35 degrees C and < 0.5 hours at 55 degrees C. The data indicate that faecal enterococci measurements give a good indication of inactivation of enterovirus and other more heat sensitive virus, especially under thermophilic conditions. Parvovirus is very suitable for comparative investigations on inactivation in the temperature range of 50-80 degrees C, due to the extreme thermal resistance of this virus. However, in stipulating sanitation demands for biogas reactors it seems more reasonable to use less resistant virus, such as a reovirus or picornavirus, which better represents the pathogenic animal virus.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed2006

Fate of pentabrominated diphenyl ethers in soil: abiotic sorption, plant uptake, and the impact of interspecific plant interactions.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are potentially harmful and persistent environmental pollutants. Despite evidence that soils are a major sink for PBDEs, little is known regarding their behavior in this medium. An environmentally relevant level of a commercial penta-BDE mixture (75 microg kg(-1)) was added to topsoil, and the extractability of three congeners (BDE-47, -99, and -100) was monitored over 10 weeks in planted and unplanted treatments. The extractability of each congener decreased rapidly in the experimental soil due largely to abiotic sorption to soil particles, which was demonstrated by low PBDE recovery from sterilized and dry soils. Monoculture plantings of zucchini and radish did not affect the recovery of PBDEs from soil. However, PBDE recovery from mixed species plantings was nearly 8 times higher than that of unplanted and monoculture treatments, indicating that interspecific plant interactions may enhance PBDE bioavailablity in soil. Evidence for competitive interactions between the two species was revealed by reduced shoot biomass of zucchini plants in mixed treatments relative to pots containing only zucchini. Both plant species accumulated PBDEs in root and shoot tissue (<5 microg kg(-1) plant tissue). PBDE uptake was higher in zucchini, and translocation of PBDEs to zucchini shoots was congener-specific. Our results suggest that although abiotic sorption may limit the potential for human exposure to PBDEs in soil, plants may increase the exposure risk by taking up and translocating PBDEs into aboveground tissues and by enhancing bioavailability in soil.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Initial studies for the phytostabilization of a mine tailing from the Cartagena-La Union Mining District (SE Spain).

Mine tailings are one of the main environmental problems in post-mining landscapes and their removal is often complicated due to their high heavy metal content and dimensions. In this sense, using plant species for in situ stabilization may be an interesting and low cost option. Moreover, there are some plant species that have adapted to these conditions and are usually present at these contaminated sites. In this study, a mine tailing located in South-East Spain was investigated in order to establish lines for further phytostabilization research. A plot sampling design was carried out in order to characterize the soil properties. In addition, two plant species that have naturally colonized some parts of the tailing, Hyparrhenia hirta and Zygophyllum fabago, were sampled, including the analyses of their respective rhizospheric soils. The results of plot soil samples showed pH values from ultra acid to slightly alkaline. The electrical conductivity values were around 4dSm(-1) in plots with vegetation and 8dS m(-1) in the plot without vegetation. Total metal concentrations were high (4000 mg kg(-1) for Pb, 9000-15000 mg kg(-1) for Zn). DTPA- and water-extractable Zn were 5% and 3% of the total, respectively. H. hirta accumulated around 150 mg kg(-1) Pb in both shoots and roots. Zn concentration was 750 mg kg(-1) in Z. fabago shoots. DTPA-extractable Zn and Cu were positively correlated to plant uptake.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2005

Phytoremediation of landfill leachate using Pennisetum clandestinum.

Landfills are still the most widely used solid waste disposal method used across the world. Leachate generated from landfill areas exerts environmental risks mostly on surface and groundwater, with its high pollutant content, most notably metals, which cause an unbearable lower water quality. During dumping or after the capacity of the landfill has been reached, a decontamination and remediation program should be taken for the area. This study was conducted to assess the capacity and efficiency of Pennisetum clandestinum, a prostrate perennial plant, to accumulate chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb). Leachate, taken from the Sofulu Landfill Site, was given to Pennisetum clandestinum for 180 days, in 3 dilution sets as 1/1, 1/2 and 1/4, in batch configuration. An additional control set was also installed for comparison. Results showed that, even though the metal content of soil had risen, plants accumulated 2 to 8.5 times higher concentrations than the control set. It is important to see, the plant showed almost no stress symptoms even if the set was fed by pure leachate. Pennisetum clandestinum was observed to accumulate metals mostly in the upper bodies, excluding Fe and Cu. 76% of accumulated Cr, 85% of Ni, 66% of Zn and 100% of Pb was observed to accumulate in above-ground parts, where only 20% of Cu and 4% of Fe was accumulated. Due to the high pollution tolerance of Pennisetum clandestinum, makes this plant suitable for decontamination and remediation of landfill sites.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2001

Relationship of approaches and a tiered methodology for screening chemicals in the context of long-range transport.

In many national and international initiatives, where thousands of chemicals are screened, the ability of a chemical to be transported over long distances is an important criterion in determining whether environmental concern is warranted. Preliminary screening can be conducted using: (1) effective travel distance (ETD); (2) characteristic travel distance (CTD); and/or (3) the degradation half-life in air. The CTD is the distance traveled before the concentration of a chemical in air is reduced by a factor of 50%, for example. Differences in the distance traveled associated with the environmental release medium of a chemical are taken into account the ETD measure. The ETD can be defined as the distance traveled before the concentration in a stated medium (air, water, soil or sediment) is reduced to a specified level for a given mass release rate to air, to water and/or to soil. However, despite their merits, the use of multimedia screening measures like the ETD and CTD remains inhibited by both the limited availability of degradation data (particularly for soils and sediments) and release pattern information. Preliminary screening in terms of the atmospheric degradation half-life is commonly the only practical option. In this paper, straightforward guidelines based on partitioning coefficients (Henry's law constant and octanol water partitioning coefficient) are proposed to reduce the degradation data requirements of multimedia measures like the ETD and CTD. The values used in the guidelines reflect a quantifiable trade-off between data acquisition requirements and uncertainty. The relationship of the potential screening options (using all degradation data versus using only data identified as required in the CTD and ETD approaches; screening in terms of the degradation half-life in air versus the CTD versus the ETD) is derived and the consequences of the differences are illustrated. A three-tiered screening methodology is then proposed. This tiered methodology will result in significant savings in time and money in national and international screening initiatives.

Air Movements↗

PubMed2004

Biosorption of phenol and chlorophenols by acclimated residential biomass under bioremediation conditions in a sandy aquifer.

Phenol and chlorophenols are common environmental contaminants. The fate and transport of these chemicals must be sufficiently understood to predict detrimental environmental impacts and to develop technically and economically appropriate remedial action to minimise environmental degradation. In order to gain a better understanding of the many mechanisms influencing the fate of phenol and chlorophenols in a sandy aquifer, we conducted biosorption experiments with biomass collected from a simulated aquifer polluted by consecutive accidental spills of phenol, 2-monochlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol under continuous bioremediation conditions following a closed-loop configuration during 180 days. A comparative study of the biosorption capacity of phenol and chlorophenols characterised by different physicochemical properties, at different pHs in the range of 6.0+/-0.1 to 9.0+/-0.1 showed the following: (i) the biosorption of phenol and chlorophenols on resident biomass was rapid (equilibrium reached in less than 2h); (ii) the experimental data followed the Freundlich isotherm; (iii) changes in pH from 6.0+/-0.1 to 9.0+/-0.1 resulted in a decrease in the equilibrium biosorption capacity (qeq); (iv) both Freundlich parameters (KF, n) should be used together as predictive parameters in mathematical models to simulate the fate of phenol and chlorophenols in the aquifer; (v) qeq of phenol and chlorophenols investigated in this study were satisfactorily correlated to their hydrophobicity (Kow) with a correlation factor 0.98. In addition, available data from other reported studies fell in the same correlation curve. The results of the present study should be introduced in mathematical models developed to predict the effect of biomass fate and transport of contaminants in aquifers during bioremediation conditions.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

An approach to evaluation of the effect of bioremediation on biological activity of environmental contaminants: dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls.

The effectiveness of bioremediation efforts is assessed traditionally from the loss of the chemical of interest. In some cases, analytical techniques are coupled with evaluation of toxicity to organisms representative of those found in the affected environment or surrogate organisms. Little is known, however, about the effect of remediation of environmental chemicals on potential toxicity to mammalian organisms. We discuss both an approach that employs mammalian cell system bioassays and the criteria for selection of the assays. This approach has been used to evaluate the biological response to mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) before and after remediation by reductive dechlorination. The dechlorination process used results in accumulation of congeners substituted in only the ortho and para positions and containing fewer chlorines than the starting mixtures. Evaluation of the dechlorinated mixture reveals a loss of biological activity that could be ascribed to coplanar PCBs not containing chlorine in the ortho positions. Conversely, biological activity associated with ortho-substituted PCB congeners is unaffected or increased by remediation. Thus, the results of the bioassays are consistent with the remediation-induced change in the profile of PCB congeners and the known mechanisms of action of PCBs. The results emphasize a need for evaluation of the products of remediation for biological activity in mammalian systems. Furthermore, the approach outlined demonstrates the potential to assess the impact of remediation on a range of biological activities in mammalian cells and thus to estimate positive and negative effects of remediation strategies on toxicity. Future needs in this area of research include assays to evaluate biological effects under conditions of exposure that mimic those found in the environment and models to extrapolate effects to assess risk to people and wildlife.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Biotreatment of tannin-rich beer-factory wastewater with white-rot basidiomycete Coriolopsis gallica monitored by pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Some fractions of beer-factory wastewaters represent an important environmental concern owing to their high content of polyphenols and dark-brown color. The capacity of Coriolopsis gallica to preferentially degrade lignin has been successfully applied in our laboratory to the biotreatment and decolorization of paper-industry effluents. In this work, the ability of this white-rot fungus to degrade high-tannin-containing wastewaters is evaluated. Under all the conditions studied, effluent decolorization and chemical oxygen demand reduction achieved by C. gallica at day 12 of incubation were close to 50 and 65%, respectively. No adhesion of dark color to the fungal mycelium was observed suggesting that decolorization could be ascribed to C. gallica degradation systems. Mycelium dry-weight values showed that C. gallica is tolerant to relatively high tannin content present in the effluent samples. In the sample containing the highest effluent concentration (60% v/v), dry-weight values suggested an inhibition of fungal growth at day 6 of incubation and a further adaptation of the fungus to the stressing tannin effect at day 12 of fungal treatment. Pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry results showed a decrease of polyphenols pyrolysis products, mainly phenol and guaiacol, with the incubation time. All these results indicate the potential use of C. gallica in bioremediation of tannin-containing industrial wastewaters and in other applications where a reduction in polyphenols content is required.

Beer↗

PubMed2000

Engineering bacterial biopolymers for the biosorption of heavy metals; new products and novel formulations.

Bioremediation of heavy metal pollution remains a major challenge in environmental biotechnology. One of the approaches considered for application involves biosorption either to biomass or to isolated biopolymers. Many bacterial polysaccharides have been shown to bind heavy metals with varying degrees of specificity and affinity. While various approaches have been adopted to generate polysaccharide variants altered in both structure and activity, metal biosorption has not been examined. Polymer engineering has included structural modification through the introduction of heterologous genes of the biosynthetic pathway into specific mutants, leading either to alterations in polysaccharide backbone or side chains, or to sugar modification. In addition, novel formulations can be designed which enlarge the family of available bacterial biopolymers for metal-binding and subsequent recovery. An example discussed here is the use of amphipathic bioemulsifiers such as emulsan, produced by the oil-degrading Acinetobacter lwoffii RAG-1, that forms stable, concentrated (70%), oil-in-water emulsions (emulsanosols). In this system metal ions bind primarily at the oil/ water interface, enabling their recovery and concentration from relatively dilute solutions. In addition to the genetic modifications described above, a new approach to the generation of amphipathic bioemulsifying formulations is based on the interaction of native or recombinant esterase and its derivatives with emulsan and other water-soluble biopolymers. Cation-binding emulsions are generated from a variety of hydrophobic substrates. The features of these and other systems will be discussed, together with a brief consideration of possible applications.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2001

Environmental and nutritional factors affecting geosmin synthesis by Anabaena sp.

A cyanobacterium isolated from a source-water reservoir during a spring odor and taste episode and identified as Anabaena sp. consistently produced geosmin during laboratory culture on modified BG-11 liquid medium. Maximal geosmin/biomass occurred at 20 degrees C and a light intensity of 17 microE/m2/s; geosmin/chla values directly correlated with increasing light intensity (r2 = 0.95, P < 0.01). It was concluded that at 20 degrees C, increasing light intensity favors less chla synthesis and higher geosmin synthesis; at 17 microE/m2/s, increasing temperature stimulates chla production (to 25 degrees C) while repressing geosmin synthesis (above 20 degrees C). Nutritional factors promoting biomass, chla, and geosmin synthesis by Anabaena sp. were also investigated. For cultures grown at 17 microE/m2/s and 20 degrees C for 20 days, both ammonium-N and nitrate-N generally enhanced the growth of Anabaena sp. Nitrate-N promoted more chla production (r2 = 0.99) than ammonium-N. Geosmin synthesis was directly correlated with ammonium-N concentrations (r2 = 0.89), with low nitrate-N (123.5 micrograms/l) favoring maximal geosmin production (2.8 micrograms/l). Increasing nitrate-N concentrations promoted a three-fold increase in chla content with geosmin synthesis decreased by two-fold. Geosmin/mg biomass was directly related to ammonium-N concentration; high nitrate-N levels suppressed geosmin production. No geosmin was detected at or below 118 micrograms phosphate-phosphorus/l. Geosmin, dry weight biomass, and chla production were correlated with increasing phosphorus (P) concentration (r2 = 0.76, 0.96 and 0.98, respectively). No geosmin was detected when copper was present in growth media at or above 6.92 micrograms Cu2+/l (CuSO4.5H2O). Dry weight biomass and chla production were negatively correlated with Cu2+ ion concentrations.

Anabaena↗

PubMed2007

Environmental degradation of glass-ionomer cements: a depth-sensing microindentation study.

This study investigated the effects of various environmental conditions on the hardness and elastic modulus of restorative glass-ionomer cements (GICs). Two resin-modified GICs (RMGICs) (Fuji II LC [FL]; Photac-Fil Quick [PQ]) and three highly viscous GICs (HVGICs) (Fuji IX Fast [FN]; KetacMolar [KM]; KetacMolar Quick [KQ]) were evaluated in this study. Specimens were fabricated according to the manufacturers' instructions and stored under a variety of conditions (n = 7): 100% humidity, distilled water, pH 5 demineralization solution, and pH 7 remineralization solution. The hardness and elastic modulus were measured using a depth-sensing microindentation test after 4 weeks. The results were analyzed using the independent samples T-test and ANOVA/Scheffe's post hoc test (p < 0.05). HVGICs showed significantly higher hardness and elastic modulus than RMGICs under all storage conditions. Storage in distilled water significantly increased the hardness and elastic modulus of FN, but decreased that of PQ. All HVGICs and RMGICs stored in remineralization solution had hardness values and elastic moduli comparable to those stored in water. Compared to remineralization solution, demineralization solution had no significant effects on the modified GICs with the exception of KQ. The results suggest that the mechanical properties of glass-ionomer restoratives are material-type and storage condition dependent. Therefore, the clinical selection of a glass-ionomer material should be based on the oral environment to which it will be subjected.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗