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.
Researchers studied bacteria in uranium-contaminated soil from a mine in China to find microorganisms that could help clean up the pollution. They discovered that three types of bacteria—Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria—are particularly good at binding uranium and could be used for natural soil remediation. These bacteria survive in the contaminated environment by producing amino acids and fatty acids that help them deal with uranium stress.
Chromium from industries like leather tanning and metal plating contaminates water and soil, causing serious health problems including cancer and organ damage. Scientists have developed eco-friendly methods using bacteria, fungi, plants, and agricultural waste to remove chromium from polluted water at low cost. These biological treatment methods are more sustainable and affordable than traditional chemical approaches, offering a promising solution for cleaning up contaminated environments.
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 research shows that leftover mushroom growing material (spent compost) can be used to clean phthalates from wastewater. Phthalates are harmful chemicals found in plastics that can damage human health. Scientists tested four types of mushroom composts and found they all worked, with the best results removing 99% of certain phthalates. This provides an affordable, eco-friendly way to treat polluted water.
Scientists discovered a bacterium called Bacillus cereus BC4 that can remove dangerous chromium from contaminated soil very effectively. By sequencing the bacteria’s genes, they found specific proteins that help it break down and transport chromium, converting the toxic form into a less harmful version. This research could help clean up polluted soils and restore damaged ecosystems, offering a natural and sustainable approach to environmental cleanup.
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.
Scientists tested over 1,000 different fungi to see which ones could break down human-made pollutants like industrial dyes, plastics, and paper waste. They found that different types of fungi are good at degrading different pollutants, with wood-decaying fungi being particularly useful. This research suggests that fungi could be engineered to help clean up environmental pollution caused by industry and human activities.
Scientists isolated a soil bacterium called Bacillus sp. MFK14 that can completely break down toxic fluorinated pesticides (specifically β-cyfluthrin and λ-cyhalothrin) within just two days. These pesticides are widely used in agriculture but persist in the environment and accumulate in living tissues, causing health problems. The study shows that special bacterial enzymes called cytochrome P450 play a key role in breaking these pesticides apart into less harmful products like fluoride ions. This discovery offers a promising natural solution for cleaning up pesticide-contaminated soil and water.
This review explores how combinations of fungi and other microorganisms can clean up polluted soil and water more effectively than using individual microbes alone. Fungi are particularly valuable because they produce powerful enzymes that can break down toxic substances like heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, and plastics. By carefully designing microbial teams and sometimes immobilizing them in gels or on materials, scientists can achieve much higher removal rates of pollutants while maintaining environmental safety.