Next Article in Journal
NMR-Based Fragment Screening for RNA-Targeted Drug Discovery
Previous Article in Journal
Tides of Promise: Sponge-Derived Marine Natural Products in Southeast Asia
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Molecules
Volume 31
Issue 6
10.3390/molecules31060915
molecules-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Biodegradation of Cyanide-Based Compounds by Rhodanese Produced from Kocuria rhizophila Under Submerged Fermentation and Its Role in Environmental Detoxification

by
Nada Z. Mahdi
1,
Suhair Sh. Al-Siraj
1,
Nehad A. Taher
1,
Muneefah Abdullah Alenezi
2,
Khyreyah J. Alfifi
2,
Fauzeya Mateq Albalwe
2,
Hanan Khalaf Anazi
2,
Siham M. AL-Balawi
2,
Mahmoud Galal
3,4,
Maha F. Lotfy
5 and
Eman M. Sharaf
6,*
1
Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad 10052, Iraq
2
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
3
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, MSA University, Cairo 11799, Egypt
4
Curative Care Sector, Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo 11841, Egypt
5
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11241, Egypt
6
Bacteriology, Immunology and Mycology Department, Animal Health Research Institute, ARC, Shebin El Kom 32511, Egypt
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2026, 31(6), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31060915
Submission received: 15 January 2026 / Revised: 1 March 2026 / Accepted: 5 March 2026 / Published: 10 March 2026
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

Widespread release of cyanide from industrial activities represents a significant environmental challenge due to its acute toxicity and adverse effects on biological systems. In response to this concern, this study focused on the production of rhodanese from Kocuria rhizophila under submerged fermentation conditions and the assessment of its relevance for cyanide detoxification applications. A soil-derived Gram-positive bacterium was isolated and identified as Kocuria rhizophila based on morphological traits, biochemical profile-based VITEK 2 analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Preliminary screening confirmed rhodanese production with an activity of 0.968 RU/mL. Under cyanide-induced submerged fermentation, enzyme production followed a growth-associated pattern and reached maximal activity at 40 h under optimized conditions (35 °C, pH 8.0). Partial purification using sequential precipitation and chromatographic steps enhanced enzyme purity, and SDS–PAGE analysis of the final fraction revealed protein bands at approximately 40, 140, and 260 kDa. Biochemical characterization showed Km values of 33.9 mM for KCN and 19.7 mM for sodium thiosulfate, with a Vmax of ~5.6 µmol min−1 mL−1 for KCN and optimal activity at pH 7–8 and 35 °C. Functional assays demonstrated efficient cyanide detoxification, achieving >85% conversion of KCN, ~92% of NaCN, and 65–77% of Ca (CN)2 within 60 min in vitro. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Kocuria rhizophila represents a promising microbial source of rhodanese with efficient cyanide-detoxifying activity, highlighting its potential for biotechnological and environmental remediation applications.
Keywords: Kocuria rhizophila; rhodanese; submerged fermentation; cyanide detoxification Kocuria rhizophila; rhodanese; submerged fermentation; cyanide detoxification
Graphical Abstract

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Mahdi, N.Z.; Al-Siraj, S.S.; Taher, N.A.; Alenezi, M.A.; Alfifi, K.J.; Albalwe, F.M.; Anazi, H.K.; AL-Balawi, S.M.; Galal, M.; Lotfy, M.F.; et al. Biodegradation of Cyanide-Based Compounds by Rhodanese Produced from Kocuria rhizophila Under Submerged Fermentation and Its Role in Environmental Detoxification. Molecules 2026, 31, 915. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31060915

AMA Style

Mahdi NZ, Al-Siraj SS, Taher NA, Alenezi MA, Alfifi KJ, Albalwe FM, Anazi HK, AL-Balawi SM, Galal M, Lotfy MF, et al. Biodegradation of Cyanide-Based Compounds by Rhodanese Produced from Kocuria rhizophila Under Submerged Fermentation and Its Role in Environmental Detoxification. Molecules. 2026; 31(6):915. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31060915

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mahdi, Nada Z., Suhair Sh. Al-Siraj, Nehad A. Taher, Muneefah Abdullah Alenezi, Khyreyah J. Alfifi, Fauzeya Mateq Albalwe, Hanan Khalaf Anazi, Siham M. AL-Balawi, Mahmoud Galal, Maha F. Lotfy, and et al. 2026. "Biodegradation of Cyanide-Based Compounds by Rhodanese Produced from Kocuria rhizophila Under Submerged Fermentation and Its Role in Environmental Detoxification" Molecules 31, no. 6: 915. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31060915

APA Style

Mahdi, N. Z., Al-Siraj, S. S., Taher, N. A., Alenezi, M. A., Alfifi, K. J., Albalwe, F. M., Anazi, H. K., AL-Balawi, S. M., Galal, M., Lotfy, M. F., & Sharaf, E. M. (2026). Biodegradation of Cyanide-Based Compounds by Rhodanese Produced from Kocuria rhizophila Under Submerged Fermentation and Its Role in Environmental Detoxification. Molecules, 31(6), 915. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31060915

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop