Research Topic: bioremediation

Native Fungi as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Toxic Metal(loid) Accumulation in Rice

Researchers tested whether beneficial fungi from contaminated rice paddies could help reduce toxic metal buildup in rice plants. When rice was grown in heavy metal-contaminated soil under alternate wet and dry conditions and treated with native fungi, arsenic levels dropped dramatically by up to 75%. This nature-based approach offers a sustainable way to grow safe food in polluted soils without expensive chemical treatments.

Read More »

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.

Read More »

Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

This editorial introduces a special issue on fungi that survive in harsh environments like deserts, salty water, polar regions, and polluted sites. Scientists are discovering that these remarkable fungi can help clean up contaminated soil, support plant growth under stress, and may have pharmaceutical uses. The research brings together classical mycology with modern genetic techniques to unlock the untapped potential of these extreme-environment fungi.

Read More »

Pb immobilization by phosphate-solubilizing fungi and fluorapatite under different Mn2+ concentrations

Researchers studied how two types of beneficial fungi (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum) can remove dangerous lead contamination from environments. By adding the mineral fluorapatite and controlling the level of manganese in the growth medium, they found that Aspergillus niger was much more effective at capturing and permanently locking up lead particles, preventing them from leaching back into the environment. The optimal amount of manganese (7.5 mg/L) significantly boosted the fungi’s production of organic acids that capture lead, making this an environmentally friendly solution for cleaning polluted sites.

Read More »

Impact of sublethal zinc exposure on ectomycorrhizal Laccaria bicolor x poplar symbiosis

This research examines how a fungus called Laccaria bicolor helps poplar trees survive in soil contaminated with excess zinc. The study found that even under zinc stress, the fungus and tree can maintain their symbiotic partnership, though both grow slower and the fungal layer around roots thins. The fungus activates special defense mechanisms and transporter proteins to manage zinc levels and protect the tree host, demonstrating remarkable resilience of this natural partnership.

Read More »

Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

This research collection explores fungi living in extreme environments like salty lagoons, Arctic lakes, and polluted soils. Scientists discovered that many fungi have special abilities to survive harsh conditions and can even help clean up contaminated areas. The findings suggest that understanding these remarkable fungi could lead to new applications in environmental cleanup and sustainable agriculture. The research emphasizes the need to combine traditional laboratory methods with modern genetic techniques to fully understand fungal diversity.

Read More »

Characterization of the Enzymatic and Biosorption Processes Involved in the Decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R Dye by Pleurotus ostreatus Pellets

This research demonstrates how oyster mushroom pellets can effectively remove harmful synthetic dyes from industrial wastewater through a combination of chemical absorption and enzymatic breakdown. The fungus produces specialized enzymes that degrade the complex dye molecules while also physically absorbing dye particles. This biological approach offers a promising, sustainable alternative to traditional chemical wastewater treatment methods used in the textile industry.

Read More »

Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms

Two types of fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans, can effectively break down pharmaceutical pollutants commonly found in wastewater, such as antidepressants and antibiotics. When grown as biofilms on foam carriers, these fungi removed over 90% of the target pharmaceuticals very quickly. The fungi accomplish this primarily through enzymatic breakdown rather than absorption, making them promising candidates for cleaning wastewater at treatment plants.

Read More »

Hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase mycoremediation to increase inorganic nitrogen availability

When biomass is converted to biofuel through a heating process called hydrothermal liquefaction, it produces a waste liquid containing nutrients but also toxins. Scientists used a type of fungus called Trametes versicolor to clean up this waste and convert the nitrogen into forms that plants can use. After three days of treatment with the fungus, nitrogen levels that plants can use increased dramatically. Adding helpful bacteria further improved the results, making this waste potentially usable as a fertilizer for growing vegetables hydroponically.

Read More »

Toxic Effects of p-Chloroaniline on Cells of Fungus Isaria fumosorosea SP535 and the Role of Cytochrome P450

Scientists discovered a fungus called Isaria fumosorosea that can completely break down p-chloroaniline, a toxic chemical used in dyes and pesticides that pollutes our environment. The fungus works by using special enzymes called cytochrome P450 to degrade the pollutant. This discovery could help clean up contaminated soil and water, though more research is needed to ensure it works safely in real-world environments.

Read More »
Scroll to Top