Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental microorganisms play key roles in driving the biogeochemical cycles of different elements by catalyzing a large diversity of redox reactions and, thus, contribute greatly to maintaining environmental sustainability. They display highly diverse abilities to catalyze the synthesis, degradation, modification, mobilization, immobilization, oxidation, reduction, mineralization, and weathering of a vast number of different compounds. Therefore, environmental microorganisms have been widely used in bioengineering applications, such as bioremediation, bioleaching, water and groundwater treatment, biofuels, biosynthesis, metabolite production, biofertilizer, solid waste treatment, and wastewater treatment. This Special Issue on “Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology” will publish original research papers and comprehensive reviews about environmental microorganisms and their functions and applications in bioengineering. Topics for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) Redox reactions catalyzed by environmental microorganisms and their roles in biogeochemical cycles. (b) Interactions between microbes and minerals. (c) The biodegradation and transformation of environmental contaminants, including organic and inorganic contaminants, as well as heavy metals. (d) The functional and genetic diversity of environmental microorganisms, revealed via laboratory experiments and metagenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses. (e) The bioremediation of soils, sediments, surface water, and groundwater. (f) The microbial treatment of solid waste and wastewater. (g) Biofertilizer and interactions between microbes and plants. (h) Extremophilic microorganisms: diversity and functions. (i) Microbial synthesis. (j) Engineered microorganisms.

Prof. Dr. Xian-Chun Zeng
Prof. Dr. Deng Liu
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Microbiology applmicrobiol	-	-	2021	14.3 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Bioengineering bioengineering	3.8	4.0	2014	16.4 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Biology biology	3.6	5.7	2012	16.4 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Environments environments	3.5	5.7	2014	22.8 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.1	7.4	2013	11.7 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Open AccessArticle

Assessing Microbial Activity and Rhizoremediation in Hydrocarbon and Heavy Metal-Impacted Soil

by Robert Conlon, David N. Dowling and Kieran J. Germaine

Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040848 - 8 Apr 2025

Viewed by 390

Abstract

Rhizodegradation enhances pollutant degradation through plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Plant roots provide a colonisation surface and root exudates that promote microbial abundance and activity, facilitating organic pollutant breakdown via direct microbial degradation and co-metabolism. This study assessed the rhizodegradation of weathered petroleum [...] Read more.

Rhizodegradation enhances pollutant degradation through plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Plant roots provide a colonisation surface and root exudates that promote microbial abundance and activity, facilitating organic pollutant breakdown via direct microbial degradation and co-metabolism. This study assessed the rhizodegradation of weathered petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in heavy metal co-contaminated soil in a microcosm-scale pot trial. Treatments included Sinapis alba, Lolium perenne, a L. perenne + Trifolium repens mix, and Cichorium intybus, alongside a non-planted control. After 14 weeks, PHC concentrations were analysed via gas chromatography, and rhizosphere microbial communities were characterised through sequencing. Sinapis alba achieved the highest PHC degradation (68%), significantly exceeding the non-planted control (p < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis test). Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, including KCM-B-112, C1-B045, Hydrogenophaga, unclassified Saccharimonadales sp., and Pedobacter, were enriched in the rhizosphere, with the uncultured clade mle1-27 potentially contributing indirectly. Metals analysis of plant tissues showed that mustard could accumulate copper more than lead and zinc, despite higher concentrations of zinc and lead in the soil. These results highlight the potential of S. alba for rhizoremediation in PHC–heavy metal co-contaminated soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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15 pages, 1408 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Predatory Behavior of Coccinella septempunctata on Two Different Aphid Species via Functional Response at Two Different Temperatures

by Muhammad Usama Altaf, Adeel Mukhtar, Muazzama Batool, Syed Muhammad Zaka, Rashid Azad, Yasir Hameed, Alia Tajdar, Asad Ali and Waqar Jaleel

Biology 2025, 14(3), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030245 - 28 Feb 2025

Viewed by 665

Abstract

Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) is a voracious predator all over the world where aphids have found a niche. Behavioral studies of C. septempunctata are very important to make them effective bio-controllers. Therefore, this study explains the functional response of C. septempunctata praying on [...] Read more.

Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) is a voracious predator all over the world where aphids have found a niche. Behavioral studies of C. septempunctata are very important to make them effective bio-controllers. Therefore, this study explains the functional response of C. septempunctata praying on two distinct aphid species, examined in this work at two different temperatures. Six different prey densities (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 aphids) and two different temperatures (15 and 25 °C) were used in the experiment. All of the development stages of the predator were used to perform the experiment. Every experiment was replicated five times. The type and parameters of functional response were ascertained by the application of Roger’s random predator models and logistic regression. Results showed that C. septempunctata adults and larvae both had a type II functional reaction against the tested aphids in both temperatures. When comparing the fourth instar to other predatory stages, the attack rate against both aphids was shown to be greater. As the temperature rose, so did the attack rate. Fourth instar larvae exhibited attack rates of 1.314 h⁻¹ on Aphis nerii Fonscolombe, 1758 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and 1.959 h⁻¹ on Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach, 1843 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at 15 °C, while at 25 °C, the rates were 1.747 h⁻¹ and 1.321 h⁻¹, respectively. Handling time was influenced by both temperature and predator stage. As the temperature increased, the handling time of the later predatory stages decreased. This study suggests that later predatory stages of C. septempunctatas actively hunt aphids at higher temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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18 pages, 2910 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Omics Approaches to Explore a New System of Genetic Control of Dibenzothiophene Desulfurization and Aromatic Ring Cleavage by Gordonia alkanivorans Strain 135

by Ekaterina Frantsuzova, Alexander Bogun, Anna Vetrova, Elizaveta Kazakova, Tomiris Kusainova, Irina Tarasova, Irina Pozdnyakova-Filatova and Yanina Delegan

Biology 2025, 14(2), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020188 - 12 Feb 2025

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Abstract

Dibenzothiophene (DBT) is a widespread environmental pollutant. The most common metabolic pathway for DBT degradation by Gordonia strains is the 4S pathway, which is under the control of the dsz operon. The ability to utilize DBT as the sole source of sulfur in [...] Read more.

Dibenzothiophene (DBT) is a widespread environmental pollutant. The most common metabolic pathway for DBT degradation by Gordonia strains is the 4S pathway, which is under the control of the dsz operon. The ability to utilize DBT as the sole source of sulfur in Gordonia alkanivorans strain 135 has been revealed. The dsz operon was not detected in the genome of strain 135. In this work, using genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data of strain 135, it was shown that an alternative pathway of DBT transformation is possible in non-dsz Gordonia; the sfnB and tauD genes and two acyl-dehydrogenase genes are significantly involved in the desulfurization process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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20 pages, 9421 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Cyperus esculentus var. sativus Adapts to Multiple Heavy Metal Stresses Through the Assembly of Endophytic Microbial Communities

by Qiaofeng Liu, Jialing Lai, Yaozhong Zhang and Xin Wang

Biology 2025, 14(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14010083 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 813

Abstract

Interactions between plants and their endophytes alter their metabolic functions and ability to cope with abiotic stresses. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the species diversity and functions of endophytes in Cyperus esculentus var. sativus (CES) tubers under different heavy [...] Read more.

Interactions between plants and their endophytes alter their metabolic functions and ability to cope with abiotic stresses. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the species diversity and functions of endophytes in Cyperus esculentus var. sativus (CES) tubers under different heavy metal stress conditions. The results indicated that the number of observed endophytic species in the tubers increased under heavy metal stress (p < 0.05), leading to changes in species diversity and composition. The response of tuber endophytes to different metal concentrations varied, with certain endophytic bacteria and fungi, such as Pseudomonas, Novosphingobium, and Fusarium, showing increased abundance and becoming the dominant species in the tubers. Additionally, new endophytic genera, Actinophytocola and Monosporascus, emerged at specific metal concentrations (p < 0.05). Fatty acid salvage was enriched in the endophytes of CES, which may play an important role in assisting CES in responding to multiple heavy metal stresses. These findings showed that CES tuber endophytes undergo adaptive changes to support the ability of plants to cope with heavy metal stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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27 pages, 4124 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced MICP for Soil Improvement and Heavy Metal Remediation: Insights from Landfill Leachate-Derived Ureolytic Bacterial Consortium

by Armstrong Ighodalo Omoregie, Fock-Kui Kan, Hazlami Fikri Basri, Muhammad Oliver Ensor Silini and Adharsh Rajasekar

Microorganisms 2025, 13(1), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010174 - 15 Jan 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1973

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) for soil stabilization and heavy metal immobilization, utilizing landfill leachate-derived ureolytic consortium. Experimental conditions identified yeast extract-based media as most effective for bacterial growth, urease activity, and calcite formation compared to nutrient [...] Read more.

This study investigates the potential of microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) for soil stabilization and heavy metal immobilization, utilizing landfill leachate-derived ureolytic consortium. Experimental conditions identified yeast extract-based media as most effective for bacterial growth, urease activity, and calcite formation compared to nutrient broth and brown sugar media. Optimal MICP conditions, at pH 8–9 and 30 °C, supported the most efficient biomineralization. The process facilitated the removal of Cd²⁺ (99.10%) and Ni²⁺ (78.33%) while producing stable calcite crystals that enhanced soil strength. Thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)) confirmed the successful production of CaCO₃ and its role in improving soil stability. DSC analysis revealed endothermic and exothermic peaks, including a significant exothermic peak at 444 °C, corresponding to the thermal decomposition of CaCO₃ into CO₂ and CaO, confirming calcite formation. TGA results showed steady weight loss, consistent with the breakdown of CaCO₃, supporting the formation of stable carbonates. The MICP treatment significantly increased soil strength, with the highest surface strength observed at 440 psi, correlating with the highest CaCO₃ content (18.83%). These findings underscore the effectiveness of MICP in soil stabilization, pollutant removal, and improving geotechnical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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15 pages, 1090 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Biooxidation of a Pyrite-Arsenopyrite Concentrate Under Stressful Conditions

by Aleksandr Bulaev, Alena Artykova, Anna Diubar, Aleksandr Kolosoff, Vitaliy Melamud, Tatiana Kolganova, Alexey Beletsky and Andrey Mardanov

Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2463; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122463 - 29 Nov 2024

Viewed by 863

Abstract

Gold recovery from refractory pyrite-arsenopyrite concentrates using stirred tank reactor biooxidation is widely applied worldwide. Therefore, studies to address the characteristic problem of this technology are urgent. The goal of the present work was to research the possibility of counteracting the negative effects [...] Read more.

Gold recovery from refractory pyrite-arsenopyrite concentrates using stirred tank reactor biooxidation is widely applied worldwide. Therefore, studies to address the characteristic problem of this technology are urgent. The goal of the present work was to research the possibility of counteracting the negative effects of unfavorable conditions (increasing pulp density and temperature) on the biooxidation of pyrite-arsenopyrite concentrate in laboratory-scale stirred tank reactors using additional carbon supply in the form of CO₂. A refractory concentrate containing pyrite (48%) and arsenopyrite (13%) was used in biooxidation experiments. In the control experiment, biooxidation was performed under “normal conditions”: temperature 40 °C, pulp density (solid to liquid ratio, S:L) 1:10, residence time 5 days. It was shown that under “normal conditions”, additional carbon dioxide supply insignificantly affected the biooxidation rate and composition of the microbial population of biooxidation reactors. In addition, the effect of “stressful conditions” was studied. In this case, either temperature or pulp density were increased (up to 50 °C and S:L 1:5, respectively), which provided unfavorable conditions for biooxidation and led to the decrease in biooxidation rate. Under “stressful conditions”, additional carbon dioxide supply affected biooxidation to a greater extent and made it possible to increase both pyrite and arsenopyrite biooxidation rates. The analysis of microbial populations showed that additional carbon dioxide supply also changed their composition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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18 pages, 6900 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Macrogenomic Analysis Reveals Soil Microbial Diversity in Different Regions of the Antarctic Peninsula

by Jiangyong Qu, Xiaofei Lu, Tianyi Liu, Ying Qu, Zhikai Xing, Shuang Wang, Siluo Jing, Li Zheng, Lijun Wang and Xumin Wang

Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2444; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122444 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1146

Abstract

(1) Background: The unique geographical and climatic conditions of the Antarctic Peninsula contribute to distinct regional ecosystems. Microorganisms are crucial for sustaining the local ecological equilibrium. However, the variability in soil microbial community diversity across different regions of the Antarctic Peninsula remains underexplored. [...] Read more.

(1) Background: The unique geographical and climatic conditions of the Antarctic Peninsula contribute to distinct regional ecosystems. Microorganisms are crucial for sustaining the local ecological equilibrium. However, the variability in soil microbial community diversity across different regions of the Antarctic Peninsula remains underexplored. (2) Methods: We utilized metagenome sequencing to investigate the composition and functionality of soil microbial communities in four locations: Devil Island, King George Island, Marambio Station, and Seymour Island. (3) Results: In the KGI region, we observed increased abundance of bacteria linked to plant growth promotion and the degradation of pollutants, including PAHs. Conversely, Marambio Station exhibited a significant reduction in bacterial abundance associated with iron and sulfur oxidation/reduction. Notably, we identified 94 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across 15 classes of antibiotics in Antarctic soils, with those related to aminoglycosides, β-lactamase, ribosomal RNA methyltransferase, antibiotic efflux, gene regulatory resistance, and ABC transporters showing a marked influence from anthropogenic activities. (4) Conclusions: This study carries substantial implications for the sustainable use, advancement, and conservation of microbial resources in Antarctic soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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16 pages, 5123 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Rice–Frog Co-Cropping on the Soil Microbial Community Structure in Reclaimed Paddy Fields

by Yunshuang Ma, Anran Yu, Liangliang Zhang and Rongquan Zheng

Biology 2024, 13(6), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13060396 - 30 May 2024

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Abstract

Utilizing and improving the productivity of reclaimed land are highly significant for alleviating the problem of food production shortage in China, and the integrated rice–frog farming model can improve soil fertility. However, there are few studies on the use of integrated rice–frog farming [...] Read more.

Utilizing and improving the productivity of reclaimed land are highly significant for alleviating the problem of food production shortage in China, and the integrated rice–frog farming model can improve soil fertility. However, there are few studies on the use of integrated rice–frog farming technology to improve the fertility of reclaimed land and increase its efficiency in food production. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the rice–frog co-cropping mode on the soil fertility and microbial diversity of reclaimed land. A rice monoculture group (SF), low-density rice–frog co-cropping group (SD, 5000 frogs/mu, corresponds to 8 frogs/m²), and high-density rice–frog co-cropping group (SG, 10,000 frogs/mu, corresponds to 15 frogs/m²) were established and tested. The contents of total nitrogen, soil organic matter, available potassium, and available phosphorus of the soil in the SG group were significantly higher than those in the SF group (p < 0.05) in the mature stage of rice. Compared with the SF group, the SD and SG groups improved the soil microbial diversity and changed the structure of the microbial community. This study indicates that compared with the rice monoculture mode, the rice–frog co-cropping pattern can improve the soil fertility, as well as microbial diversity, of reclaimed land. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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16 pages, 2818 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Red Claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus Cultivation Influences the Dynamics and Assembly of Benthic Bacterial Communities in Paddy Fields

by Yiran Hou, Rui Jia, Wei Sun, Houmeng Ding, Bing Li and Jian Zhu

Environments 2023, 10(10), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10100178 - 9 Oct 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3043

Abstract

Red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus has emerged as a highly significant and suitable species to be raised in integrated rice–aquatic animal farming systems. To optimize an integrated aquaculture and agriculture (IAA) system and ensure sustainable utilization and development of land resources, an IAA [...] Read more.

Red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus has emerged as a highly significant and suitable species to be raised in integrated rice–aquatic animal farming systems. To optimize an integrated aquaculture and agriculture (IAA) system and ensure sustainable utilization and development of land resources, an IAA system combining rice cultivation with red claw crayfish culture was implemented to assess the impacts of rice–red claw crayfish co-culturing on the dynamics and assembly of bacterial communities in paddy soils. We established two experimental groups, each with eight replicates. We utilized 16S rRNA Illumina high-throughput sequencing to access the bacterial community composition and assembly in paddy soils. Red claw crayfish C. quadricarinatus cultivation did not significantly affect the alpha diversity of the bacterial community in the paddy field, but it obviously increased the relative abundances of the phyla Acidobacteriota and Pseudomonadota involved in organic matter degradation and nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycling. Red claw crayfish cultivation could lead to more complex bacterial communities, increased bacterial resistance to disturbances, the promotion of niche differentiation, and increased competition intensity between bacterial communities during the mid-cultivation period. Nitrogen emerged as a critical factor influencing the bacterial community composition in paddy soil during the culture period, and the red claw crayfish cultivation affected the bacterial community by altering the ammonia concentration in the paddy soil. As the culture progressed, the assembly of the bacterial community in the paddy soil was predominantly driven by stochastic processes, and red claw crayfish cultivation accelerated the evolution of the bacterial community assembly towards a stochastic process. Our study offers valuable insights into the dynamic changes occurring in the composition and assembly of bacterial communities in paddy soils in response to red claw crayfish cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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18 pages, 1389 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Potential of Porous Substrate Bioreactors for Removal of Pollutants from Wastewater Using Microalgae

by Dora Allegra Carbone and Michael Melkonian

Bioengineering 2023, 10(10), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10101173 - 9 Oct 2023

Viewed by 2486

Abstract

Porous substrate bioreactors (PSBRs) are a new technology to grow microalgae immobilized in a dense culture and solve some problems linked to suspended cultivation. During recent years, this technology has been used in laboratory and pilot setups in different fields of environmental biotechnology, [...] Read more.

Porous substrate bioreactors (PSBRs) are a new technology to grow microalgae immobilized in a dense culture and solve some problems linked to suspended cultivation. During recent years, this technology has been used in laboratory and pilot setups in different fields of environmental biotechnology, such as wastewater treatment. The aim of this short review is to introduce the PSBR technology, summarize the results obtained in removing some pollutants from wastewater, provide an assessment of the potential of PSBRs for wastewater treatment, and the subsequent use of the algal biomass for other purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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17 pages, 3685 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Microbial Consortium HJ-SH with Very High Degradation Efficiency of Phenanthrene

by Rui Chen, Zhenhua Zhao, Tao Xu and Xiaoqiang Jia

Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2383; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102383 - 23 Sep 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1989

Abstract

Phenanthrene (PHE) is one of the model compounds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, a natural PHE-degrading microbial consortium, named HJ-SH, with very high degradation efficiency was isolated from soil exposed to long-term PHE contamination. The results of GC analysis showed [...] Read more.

Phenanthrene (PHE) is one of the model compounds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, a natural PHE-degrading microbial consortium, named HJ-SH, with very high degradation efficiency was isolated from soil exposed to long-term PHE contamination. The results of GC analysis showed that the consortium HJ-SH degraded 98% of 100 mg/L PHE in 3 days and 93% of 1000 mg/L PHE in 5 days, an efficiency higher than that of any other natural consortia, and even most of the engineered strains and consortia reported so far. Seven dominating strains were isolated from the microbial consortium HJ-SH, named SH-1 to SH-7, which were identified according to morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequencing as Pseudomonas sp., Stenotrophomonas sp., Delftia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Brevundimonas sp., Curtobacterium sp., and Microbacterium sp., respectively. Among all the seven single strains, SH-4 showed the strongest PHE degradation ability, and had the biggest degradation contribution. However, it is very interesting that the microbial consortium can hold its high degradation ability only with the co-existence of all these seven single strains. Moreover, HJ-SH exhibited a very high tolerance for PHE, up to 4.5 g/L, and it can degrade some other typical organic pollutants such as biphenyl, anthracene, and n-hexadecane with the degradation ratios of 93%, 92% and 70%, respectively, under 100 mg/L initial concentration in 5 days. Then, we constructed an artificial consortium HJ-7 consisting of the seven single strains, SH-1 to SH-7. After comparing the degradation ratios, cell growth, and relative degradation rates, it was concluded that the artificial consortium HJ-7 with easier reproducibility, better application stability, and larger room for modification can largely replace the natural consortium HJ-SH. In conclusion, this research provided novel tools and new insights for the bioremediation of PHE and other typical organic pollutants using microbial consortia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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11 pages, 959 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Novel and Simple Method for Quantification of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol with Microbial Conversion to 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole

by Saki Goto, Taro Urase and Kaito Nakakura

Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2133; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092133 - 23 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1716

Abstract

Contamination with 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) often causes taste and odor (T&O) problems in drinking water due to its low odor threshold concentration. Microbial O-methylation of the precursor 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) would be the dominant mechanism for TCA formation. Simple and rapid measurement of TCP [...] Read more.

Contamination with 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) often causes taste and odor (T&O) problems in drinking water due to its low odor threshold concentration. Microbial O-methylation of the precursor 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) would be the dominant mechanism for TCA formation. Simple and rapid measurement of TCP in the low concentration range is necessary to control the problems induced by TCA. In this study, the combination of microbial conversion and instrumental analysis was proposed as a method of TCP quantification. Fungi and bacteria were isolated from various water samples and examined for their ability to produce TCA from TCP. As a result, a strain exhibiting quantitative TCA production and a high growth rate was obtained and named Mycolicibacterium sp. CB14. The conversion rate of TCP to TCA by this strain was found to be high and stable (85.9 ± 5.3%), regardless of the applied TCP concentration, although within the range of 0.1–10 µg/L. The limits of detection and quantification for TCP by this proposed method were determined to be 5.2 ng/L and 17.3 ng/L, respectively. By improving the methods, Mycolicibacterium sp. CB14 could be used for the quantification of TCP at very low concentration levels, which is sufficient to manage the T&O problem caused by TCA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Bioengineering and Geomicrobiology)

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