Environmental remediation

Harnessing and Degradation Mechanism of Persistent Polyethylene Waste by Newly Isolated Bacteria from Waxworm and Termite Gut Symbionts

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Researchers discovered that bacteria living in the guts of waxworms and termites can effectively break down plastic waste, particularly low-density polyethylene (LDPE) commonly found in plastic bags and packaging. Two bacterial strains—Bacillus cereus from waxworms and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from termites—were tested for their ability to degrade LDPE. The Bacillus cereus strain proved more effective, breaking down nearly 20% of the plastic over 45 days by forming biofilms and using enzyme-producing capabilities. These findings suggest a promising biological approach to managing plastic pollution that could complement traditional recycling methods.

Characterizing the Contaminant-Adhesion of a Dibenzofuran Degrader Rhodococcus sp.

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Dibenzofuran is a toxic pollutant that bacteria can degrade, but the process of bacterial adhesion to this contaminant wasn’t well understood. Researchers found that the bacterium Rhodococcus sp. strain p52 produces sticky outer coatings called extracellular polymeric substances when exposed to dibenzofuran. These coatings change the bacteria’s surface properties, making them better able to stick to and degrade the pollutant. The study reveals how bacteria naturally adapt to efficiently clean up toxic contamination.

Silk-based microparticles for the adsorption of methylene blue: formulations, characterization, adsorption study, in silico molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation

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This research demonstrates that microparticles made from silk fibroin, a protein derived from silkworm cocoons, are exceptionally effective at removing methylene blue dye from water. The silk-based particles work about 32 times better than other forms of silk and can absorb large amounts of the toxic dye. Scientists used computer simulations to understand exactly how the silk protein attracts and binds the dye molecules, providing insights for creating even better eco-friendly water treatment materials.

The Strategies Microalgae Adopt to Counteract the Toxic Effect of Heavy Metals

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Microalgae can help clean water polluted with toxic heavy metals like cadmium and chromium while also producing useful biomass. The review explains how microalgae absorb and trap heavy metals, and describes ways to make them more effective, including adding certain chemicals, selecting resilient strains, and using genetic modification. Combining heavy metal removal with biomass production could make the process cost-effective for real-world applications.

Sorption–Biological Treatment of Coastal Substrates of the Barents Sea in Low Temperature Using the Rhodococcus erythropolis Strain HO-KS22

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Scientists tested a method to clean oil-polluted beaches and sandy areas in the Arctic Barents Sea using a special bacteria strain combined with absorbing materials. The treatment worked well for sandy areas contaminated with lighter oils, speeding up natural cleanup by 3-4 times in the first month. The use of activated carbon or vermiculite prevented pollutants from washing back into the sea, protecting marine ecosystems.

Cellulose-Based Hydrogels for Wastewater Treatment: A Focus on Metal Ions Removal

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Heavy metal pollution from industrial activities poses serious health risks including cancer, kidney damage, and neurological problems. This review explores how cellulose-based hydrogels—soft, water-absorbing materials made from natural plant sources—can effectively remove toxic metals from contaminated water. These hydrogels are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and can be reused multiple times, making them promising alternatives to conventional water treatment methods for industrial and municipal applications.

Genomic analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii DUEMBL6 reveals diesel bioremediation potential and biosafety concerns

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Researchers isolated bacteria from diesel-contaminated soils in Bangladesh that can break down diesel fuel efficiently. The best strain, Acinetobacter baumannii DUEMBL6, degraded about 41% of diesel in laboratory tests through multiple enzymatic pathways. However, this bacteria also carries genes for antibiotic resistance and virulence factors, making it both a promising environmental solution and a potential health risk that requires careful monitoring before field application.

Systematic Evaluation of Biodegradation of Azo Dyes by Microorganisms: Efficient Species, Physicochemical Factors, and Enzymatic Systems

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Azo dyes used in textiles and fashion contaminate water supplies and pose health risks including cancer potential. This research review shows that certain microorganisms like specific fungi and bacteria can break down these harmful dyes into less toxic substances through natural enzymatic processes. By optimizing conditions like pH and temperature, and using combinations of different microbes, scientists have achieved degradation rates up to 90%, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical treatment methods.

The potential of fungi in the bioremediation of pharmaceutically active compounds: a comprehensive review

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Pharmaceutical drugs that we take end up in our water systems because our bodies don’t fully process them. Fungi, especially types of mushrooms, have powerful enzymes that can break down these drug residues and clean contaminated water. Scientists are studying how to use these fungi in treatment systems to remove medications from hospital wastewater and drinking water sources.

Breaking Down Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Using Fungal Mycelium (Part A): A Path Towards Sustainable Waste Management and Its Possible Economic Impacts

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Researchers discovered that certain fungi, especially Schizophyllum commune, can effectively break down plastic waste called LLDPE through their natural enzymes. In laboratory tests, this fungus degraded plastic about 20 times faster than samples without fungal treatment over 30 days. This fungal approach is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods like incineration or landfilling, and could help solve plastic pollution while creating jobs and using agricultural waste productively.

therapeutic action: Environmental remediation