Scientists sequenced the complete genetic code of a soil bacterium called Bacillus licheniformis strain KNU11. This bacterium produces powerful enzymes and can break down pollutants, making it useful for cleaning up environmental contamination and promoting plant growth. The genetic blueprint revealed over 4,000 genes that enable these beneficial capabilities.
Fungi used in industries to produce antibiotics, enzymes, and other useful products sometimes mysteriously lose their ability to produce these substances effectively. This review explains why this happens through various mechanisms including genetic changes, chemical modifications of genes, and stress responses. The authors provide practical strategies to prevent this loss of productivity, such as careful strain selection, proper storage methods, and tailored bioprocess design to maintain stable production.
Researchers isolated and identified four species of Trichoderma fungi from industrial wastewater in Pakistan, including steel mill, tannery, and textile mill effluents. These fungi were characterized using both traditional microscopy and modern DNA sequencing techniques. The study identified three new species records for Pakistan and showed these fungi can help treat industrial pollution while potentially producing useful enzymes.
This research shows that oyster mushrooms can be successfully grown on leftover coffee waste (husks and parchment), turning an environmental problem into a nutritious food source. Different oyster mushroom species performed differently, with P. ostreatus being the most efficient. Pre-composting the coffee waste improved mushroom yields significantly. The study demonstrates that using coffee waste for mushroom cultivation is both economically viable and environmentally beneficial.
Actinobacteria and fungi are powerful microorganisms that can be used together to clean up polluted environments and improve agriculture. When these two types of organisms work together in co-cultures, they can degrade toxic substances like pesticides and heavy metals more effectively than either could alone. This approach offers a sustainable way to address environmental contamination while potentially reducing reliance on chemical treatments.
This review explains how fermentation—a natural biological process—can enhance the health-promoting compounds in plant-based foods. By using specific fungi and bacteria on solid plant materials, scientists can increase beneficial antioxidants and proteins that may help prevent chronic diseases. This method is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional extraction techniques, making nutritious plant foods even healthier.
Researchers developed a new method to produce laccase, a useful enzyme with many industrial applications, by growing oyster mushrooms on prairie plants and waste materials from bio-oil production. Through optimization experiments and economic modeling, they found that this process could produce laccase at prices significantly lower than current commercial enzyme products, making it economically viable at small to moderate production scales. The method has the added benefit of providing farmers with a financial incentive to grow perennial prairie plants instead of traditional crops, supporting ecological and soil health improvements.
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus commonly known for causing lung infections, but scientists have discovered it can be harnessed for environmentally friendly industrial processes. This fungus produces powerful enzymes useful in making biofuels, detergents, and textiles, and can even create tiny nanoparticles with antibacterial properties. By leveraging these capabilities while developing safer strains through genetic engineering, this fungus could play a major role in sustainable development and circular economy initiatives.
Honey contains many beneficial microorganisms that can survive its harsh environment of high sugar and low pH. These microorganisms have the ability to produce useful compounds like lactic acid, citric acid, and other valuable substances used in food, medicine, and industry. Scientists believe these honey-derived microbes have significant potential for industrial applications but need more research to fully unlock their benefits.
Scientists tested ten different types of fungi to see which ones could best break down lignin, a tough natural material found in plants. Four fungi species showed exceptional ability to produce special enzymes that decompose lignin. These findings could help develop new eco-friendly industrial processes for converting plant waste into useful products, potentially reducing reliance on chemical treatments and fossil fuels.