Research Keyword: Biodegradation

Screening, identification, metabolic pathway of di-n-butyl phthalate degrading Priestia megaterium P-7 isolated from long-term film mulched cotton field soil in Xinjiang

This research identifies a special bacterium called Priestia megaterium P-7 that can efficiently break down di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), a harmful plastic chemical that accumulates in cotton field soils. Scientists found that this bacterium can completely remove DBP from contaminated soil within 20 hours under optimal conditions. By studying the bacterium’s genes and metabolism, they discovered the specific enzymes and pathways it uses to degrade DBP into harmless compounds. This finding offers a practical biological solution for cleaning up contaminated agricultural soils, particularly in Xinjiang where plastic film mulching is widely used in cotton farming.

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Complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. PP3, a dehalogenase-producing bacterium, confirms the unusual mobile genetic element DEH

Scientists completed the full genetic sequence of a special bacterium called Pseudomonas sp. PP3 that can break down harmful chlorinated chemicals used in herbicides and pesticides. The bacterium carries unusual mobile genetic elements that contain genes for dehalogenase enzymes, which enable it to remove chlorine atoms from these pollutants. This discovery helps us understand how bacteria can be used to clean up contaminated soil and water. The research confirms that this organism is closely related to another known Pseudomonas species and provides valuable information for developing better bioremediation strategies.

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Adaptive responses of Gordonia alkanivorans IEGM 1277 to the action of meloxicam and its efficient biodegradation

This research demonstrates that a bacterium called Gordonia alkanivorans can break down meloxicam, a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug that pollutes our environment. The bacteria successfully converted the harmful drug into less toxic byproducts over two weeks. The study reveals how the bacteria adapted to handle the drug stress and identified the specific genes and enzymes responsible for the degradation process. These findings could lead to new biological methods for cleaning pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater.

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Treatment of Cigarette Butts: Biodegradation of Cellulose Acetate by Rot Fungi and Bacteria

Cigarette butts are a major global pollution problem because they contain cellulose acetate that doesn’t break down naturally. This study tested whether specific fungi and bacteria could eat away at cigarette filters. After one month of treatment, the bacteria B. cereus and fungi like P. ostreatus and L. lepideus successfully degraded about 24-34% of the cigarette material, suggesting these microorganisms could be used to help dispose of cigarette waste.

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Microbial communities in petroleum refinery effluents and their complex functions

Oil refineries produce large amounts of wastewater containing harmful petroleum products and heavy metals. Instead of using toxic chemical treatments, scientists are discovering that microorganisms naturally found in this wastewater—including bacteria, fungi, algae, and yeast—can break down these pollutants safely and effectively. These microbes can degrade oil hydrocarbons, remove heavy metals, and produce natural surfactants that help in the cleanup process, offering an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution to refinery pollution.

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Mycoremediation of Petroleum-Contaminated Soil Using Native Ganoderma and Trametes Strains from the Ecuadorian Amazon

Oil spills in the Amazon rainforest cause serious environmental and health problems. Scientists discovered that certain mushroom fungi found in Ecuador can break down petroleum pollutants in soil more effectively than natural processes. In lab tests, five native fungal strains removed over 96% of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil in just 60 days, offering a promising natural solution for cleaning up oil-polluted areas.

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Effect of AgNPs on PLA-Based Biocomposites with Polysaccharides: Biodegradability, Antibacterial Activity and Features

Scientists created new plastic-like materials made from corn-based PLA combined with silver nanoparticles and natural starches or chitosan. These biocomposites break down in soil while also killing harmful bacteria. The materials showed that adding silver particles didn’t prevent fungi from breaking them down in nature, making them suitable for environmentally-friendly products like food packaging that need to both degrade naturally and prevent bacterial growth.

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Nicotine Degradation by Trametes versicolor: Insights from Diverse Environmental Stressors and Wastewater Medium

Scientists tested whether a type of fungus called Trametes versicolor could break down nicotine pollution in wastewater. They found that the fungus successfully removed 80-99% of nicotine, especially when grown at comfortable temperatures (25°C) and neutral pH levels in wastewater-like solutions. This research suggests fungi could offer an affordable, environmentally-friendly way to clean up nicotine contamination in water systems, which is important since traditional wastewater treatments don’t completely remove nicotine.

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Advancements in biopile-based sustainable soil remediation: a decade of improvements, integrating bioremediation technologies and AI-based innovative tools

This review examines how biopile technology, which uses naturally occurring microorganisms to break down soil pollutants, has improved over the past decade. By optimizing conditions like moisture, temperature, and oxygen levels, and combining biopiles with sustainable materials like biochar and biosurfactants, scientists can effectively remove contaminants from soil while supporting carbon storage and ecosystem recovery. The approach offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical remediation methods.

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Precision of Fungal Resistance Test Method for Cereal Husk-Reinforced Composite Construction Profiles Considering Mycelium Removal Techniques

Scientists tested how well building materials made from plant husks and plastic resist fungal growth. They found that the standard testing method has serious accuracy problems, with results varying by more than 20%. They also discovered that how you clean the samples after fungal exposure significantly affects the test results, suggesting the test method needs better instructions.

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