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Microorganisms
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Biotechnology for Environmental Remediation
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Biotechnology for Environmental Remediation

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 4107

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Elena Efremenko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Russian Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
Interests: biotechnology; bioremediation; nano- and microbiocatalysts

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

We are delighted to introduce the new Special Issue of Microorganisms, entitled "Biotechnology for Environmental Remediation." Microorganisms (ISSN: 2076-2607, IF 4.926) is a prestigious, peer-reviewed open access journal dedicated to the exploration of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms and viruses.

Environmental pollution has become an urgent global problem that requires innovative approaches if it is to be resolved. This Special Issue is dedicated to biotechnology as a promising direction in solving environmental problems. Biotechnological tools have shown immense potential in the effective removal of pollutants, mitigation of pollution effects and restoration of ecosystems. Various types of pollutants (petroleum products, metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, toxins, hormones, alkaloids, ionic liquids, synthetic polymers, detergents, microplastics, nanoparticles, prions, etc.) and their combinations are the main objects of the microbiological purification of water, soil and atmosphere. Different strains of microorganisms and their enzymes, natural and artificial microbial consortia, biotechnological processes based on the biocatalysts, and various control biosystems (biorecognizing elements, biosensors, enzymes, antibodies, etc.), stabilizers and carriers for microbial cells are of primary interest as the main objects for research in the field of remediation biotechnology. Within this framework, combinations of some nanosystems (nanoadsorbents, nanosensors, nanomaterials, nanocarriers, etc.) are also attractive components of microbiological processes developed for environmental bioremediation.

We invite you to publish high-quality original research and review articles. These may cover a wide range of topics related to environmental restoration, including, but not limited to:

  1. Combinations of various materials with microorganisms for the capture of pollutants: a study of the accumulation and conversion of pollutants from air, water and soil;
  2. Biotechnology and biocatalysts for water, air and soil purification: Understanding the application of biotechnological approaches in soil and wastewater treatment, the use of microbial enzymes to restore air, soil and water sources;
  3. Elements of biological recognition for evaluation of microbial detoxification. Nano- and microsensors for environmental monitoring: Special attention is paid to the development of new biosensors and biosystems for the sensitive detection of pollutants in soil, sea and river water, wastewater, air in real time for their removal;
  4. Biodegradation and bioremediation: Study of the role of microbial enzymes, microorganisms and microbiological processes in the decomposition and detoxification of various pollutants. Establishing the mechanisms of biological decomposition of pollutants;
  5. Nanomaterials inspired by Biology: Demonstrating nanobiotechnological innovations inspired by biological systems for environmentally friendly and sustainable recovery strategies;
  6. Innovative methods for controlling metabolic cell activity, identification and discrimination of microbial living cells in biotechnological processes focused on environmental remediation.

This Special Issue aims to stimulate interdisciplinary research that addresses solutions to environmental pollution problems by bringing microbiological remediation and biotechnology closer to the methods of controlling and regulating these processes. By demonstrating the latest achievements and breakthroughs in this field, we strive to inspire further innovations to create a cleaner and healthier planet.

Prof. Dr. Elena Efremenko
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biotechnology
  • bioremediation
  • environmental monitoring
  • biocatalysts
  • microbial enzymes
  • biodegradation
  • bio-inspired materials
  • pollutant degradation
  • detoxification
  • biosensors
  • biorecognition
  • consortia

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3156 KiB  
Article
Utilization of Spent Coffee Grounds for Bioelectricity Generation in Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells
by Nurfarhana Nabila Mohd Noor, Ilwon Jeong, Seokjin Yoon and Kyunghoi Kim
Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030618 - 19 Mar 2024
Viewed by 750
Abstract
This study examined the utilization of spent coffee grounds with different aqueous extraction methods for the bioelectricity generation from coastal benthic sediment through a sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) system. Different methods for the aqueous extraction of SCGs were evaluated, including rinsing and [...] Read more.
This study examined the utilization of spent coffee grounds with different aqueous extraction methods for the bioelectricity generation from coastal benthic sediment through a sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) system. Different methods for the aqueous extraction of SCGs were evaluated, including rinsing and drying of the SCG (SMFC-CRD), immersion, rinsing and drying (SMFC-CRID), drying alone (SMFC-CD), and untreated SCG (SMFC-C). The caffeine concentration in the SCG was significantly reduced using pretreatments, with SMFC-CRID achieving the lowest concentration of 0.021 ± 0.001 mg/g. SMFC-CRD contributed to the generation of the highest current density of 213.7 mA/m2 during closed-circuit operation and exhibited the highest power density of 96.9 mW/m2 in the polarization test, due to the suitable caffeine content of 0.275 ± 0.001 mg/g in the SCG. This study could provide a cost-effective method for reusing SCGs (i.e., 128 g) while generating bioelectricity as an alternative energy source. These results suggest that pretreatment with SCGs is essential for achieving optimal power density and reducing the caffeine concentration in the SMFC system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology for Environmental Remediation)
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15 pages, 2934 KiB  
Article
Biotechnological Key Genes of the Rhodococcus erythropolis MGMM8 Genome: Genes for Bioremediation, Antibiotics, Plant Protection, and Growth Stimulation
by Daniel Mawuena Afordoanyi, Yaw Abayie Akosah, Lidiya Shnakhova, Keremli Saparmyradov, Roderic Gilles Claret Diabankana and Shamil Validov
Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010088 - 31 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 988
Abstract
Anthropogenic pollution, including residues from the green revolution initially aimed at addressing food security and healthcare, has paradoxically exacerbated environmental challenges. The transition towards comprehensive green biotechnology and bioremediation, achieved with lower financial investment, hinges on microbial biotechnology, with the Rhodococcus genus emerging [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic pollution, including residues from the green revolution initially aimed at addressing food security and healthcare, has paradoxically exacerbated environmental challenges. The transition towards comprehensive green biotechnology and bioremediation, achieved with lower financial investment, hinges on microbial biotechnology, with the Rhodococcus genus emerging as a promising contender. The significance of fully annotating genome sequences lies in comprehending strain constituents, devising experimental protocols, and strategically deploying these strains to address pertinent issues using pivotal genes. This study revolves around Rhodococcus erythropolis MGMM8, an associate of winter wheat plants in the rhizosphere. Through the annotation of its chromosomal genome and subsequent comparison with other strains, its potential applications were explored. Using the antiSMASH server, 19 gene clusters were predicted, encompassing genes responsible for antibiotics and siderophores. Antibiotic resistance evaluation via the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) identified five genes (vanW, vanY, RbpA, iri, and folC) that were parallel to strain CCM2595. Leveraging the NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP) for biodegradation, heavy metal resistance, and remediation genes, the presence of chlorimuron-ethyl, formaldehyde, benzene-desulfurization degradation genes, and heavy metal-related genes (ACR3, arsC, corA, DsbA, modA, and recG) in MGMM8 was confirmed. Furthermore, quorum-quenching signal genes, critical for curbing biofilm formation and virulence elicited by quorum-sensing in pathogens, were also discerned within MGMM8’s genome. In light of these predictions, the novel isolate MGMM8 warrants phenotypic assessment to gauge its potential in biocontrol and bioremediation. This evaluation extends to isolating active compounds for potential antimicrobial activities against pathogenic microorganisms. The comprehensive genome annotation process has facilitated the genetic characterization of MGMM8 and has solidified its potential as a biotechnological strain to address global anthropogenic predicaments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology for Environmental Remediation)
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15 pages, 6948 KiB  
Article
Arsenic Removal via the Biomineralization of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria Pseudarthrobacter sp. Fe7
by Xia Fan, Hanxiao Zhang, Qian Peng, Yongliang Zheng, Kaixiang Shi and Xian Xia
Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 2860; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122860 - 26 Nov 2023
Viewed by 773
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid, and its widespread contamination of water is a serious threat to human health. This study explored As removal using Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria. The strain Fe7 isolated from iron mine soil was classified as the genus Pseudarthrobacter based [...] Read more.
Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid, and its widespread contamination of water is a serious threat to human health. This study explored As removal using Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria. The strain Fe7 isolated from iron mine soil was classified as the genus Pseudarthrobacter based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and phylogenetic analyses. The strain Fe7 was identified as a strain of Gram-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria that can oxidize Fe(II) and produce iron mineral precipitates. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy patterns showed that the iron mineral precipitates with poor crystallinity consisted of Fe(III) and numerous biological impurities. In the co-cultivation of the strain Fe7 with arsenite (As(III)), 100% of the total Fe and 99.9% of the total As were removed after 72 h. During the co-cultivation of the strain Fe7 with arsenate (As(V)), 98.4% of the total Fe and 96.9% of the total As were removed after 72 h. Additionally, the iron precipitates produced by the strain Fe7 removed 100% of the total As after 3 h in both the As(III) and As(V) pollution systems. Furthermore, enzyme activity experiments revealed that the strain Fe7 oxidized Fe(II) by producing extracellular enzymes. When 2% (v/v) extracellular enzyme liquid of the strain Fe7 was added to the As(III) or As(V) pollution system, the total As removal rates were 98.6% and 99.4%, respectively, after 2 h, which increased to 100% when 5% (v/v) and 10% (v/v) extracellular enzyme liquid of the strain Fe7 were, respectively, added to the As(III) and As(V) pollution systems. Therefore, iron biomineralized using a co-culture of the strain Fe7 and As, iron precipitates produced by the strain Fe7, and the extracellular enzymes of the strain Fe7 could remove As(III) and As(V) efficiently. This study provides new insights and strategies for the efficient remediation of arsenic pollution in aquatic environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology for Environmental Remediation)
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Review

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26 pages, 1121 KiB  
Review
Using Fungi in Artificial Microbial Consortia to Solve Bioremediation Problems
by Elena Efremenko, Nikolay Stepanov, Olga Senko, Aysel Aslanli, Olga Maslova and Ilya Lyagin
Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030470 - 26 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
There is currently growing interest in the creation of artificial microbial consortia, especially in the field of developing and applying various bioremediation processes. Heavy metals, dyes, synthetic polymers (microplastics), pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pharmaceutical agents are among the pollutants that have been [...] Read more.
There is currently growing interest in the creation of artificial microbial consortia, especially in the field of developing and applying various bioremediation processes. Heavy metals, dyes, synthetic polymers (microplastics), pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pharmaceutical agents are among the pollutants that have been mainly targeted by bioremediation based on various consortia containing fungi (mycelial types and yeasts). Such consortia can be designed both for the treatment of soil and water. This review is aimed at analyzing the recent achievements in the research of the artificial microbial consortia that are useful for environmental and bioremediation technologies, where various fungal cells are applied. The main tendencies in the formation of certain microbial combinations, and preferences in their forms for usage (suspended or immobilized), are evaluated using current publications, and the place of genetically modified cells in artificial consortia with fungi is assessed. The effect of multicomponence of the artificial consortia containing various fungal cells is estimated, as well as the influence of this factor on the functioning efficiency of the consortia and the pollutant removal efficacy. The conclusions of the review can be useful for the development of new mixed microbial biocatalysts and eco-compatible remediation processes that implement fungal cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology for Environmental Remediation)
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