Research Topic: Environmental Biotechnology

Isolation of Fungi from a Textile Industry Effluent and the Screening of Their Potential to Degrade Industrial Dyes

Researchers isolated six fungal strains from textile factory wastewater and tested their ability to remove industrial dyes. Two types of fungi, Emmia latemarginata and Mucor circinelloides, successfully broke down different synthetic dyes commonly used in textile production. The fungi produced specific enzymes that degraded the dyes, particularly when exposed to the dye itself or plant materials like wheat straw. These findings suggest these fungi could potentially be used to clean up colored wastewater from textile industries.

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Natural-selected plastics biodegradation species and enzymes in landfills

Landfills contain billions of tons of plastic waste that can take centuries to decompose naturally. This research discovered that landfill microorganisms have evolved to break down plastics through natural selection. Using advanced computer analysis of microbial DNA, scientists identified thousands of potential plastic-degrading enzymes that could be engineered for industrial applications to help clean up plastic pollution.

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Biodecolorization and Biodegradation of Methyl Orange by Immobilized Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacterium into SA/PVA Matrix Integrated with MOF UiO-66 Adsorbent

Scientists created special beads containing bacteria and a porous material called MOF to remove orange dye (methyl orange) from contaminated water. The bacteria break down the dye molecules while the porous material helps trap the dye, working together more effectively than either method alone. These beads removed over 92% of the dye from water in just 10 days, making them promising for treating textile industry wastewater.

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Removal of Ibuprofen in Water by Bioaugmentation with Labrys neptuniae CSW11 Isolated from Sewage Sludge—Assessment of Biodegradation Pathway Based on Metabolite Formation and Genomic Analysis

This study shows that a bacterium called Labrys neptuniae CSW11 can effectively remove ibuprofen from water, a common pharmaceutical that pollutes our environment. The bacteria works especially well when given glucose as extra food, removing ibuprofen completely within a week. However, the bacteria breaks ibuprofen down into toxic byproducts, so using it alongside other bacteria that can degrade these byproducts would make the treatment even more effective for cleaning contaminated 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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Enhancement of Activated Carbon on Anaerobic Fermentation of Heavy-Metal-Contaminated Plants: Insights into Microbial Responses

This research shows that when plants contaminated with heavy metals are processed for energy production through anaerobic fermentation, adding activated carbon dramatically improves the efficiency of biogas generation. The activated carbon acts like a filter to reduce the toxic effects of heavy metals while providing surfaces for beneficial microorganisms to grow and work more effectively. The study reveals how specific bacteria and microbes adapt to these conditions, making the overall process more productive and potentially opening new possibilities for recycling contaminated plant waste into useful energy.

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Characteristics of Aniline Aerofloat Biodegradation in Mineral Processing Wastewater and Energy Recovery by Single-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System: Strategies for Efficiency Improvement and Microbial Mechanisms

This study demonstrates that microbial fuel cells can effectively treat mining wastewater containing aniline aerofloat, a toxic organic chemical, while simultaneously generating electricity. By optimizing conditions such as pH and electrical resistance, the system achieved over 72% removal of the contaminant. Specific bacteria enriched in the fuel cell anode proved instrumental in breaking down this complex compound, offering a promising sustainable solution for mining industry wastewater management.

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

Oyster mushrooms can effectively remove synthetic dyes from wastewater through a combination of absorption and enzymatic breakdown. Researchers tested Pleurotus ostreatus pellets with a textile dye commonly used as a standard pollutant. The mushroom achieved over 98% dye removal, suggesting it could be used in wastewater treatment systems to clean industrial textile effluent. The fungus both absorbs the dye and produces enzymes that break it down.

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Oestrogen Detoxification Ability of White Rot Fungus Trametes hirsuta LE-BIN 072: Exoproteome and Transformation Product Profiling

Scientists discovered that a white rot fungus called Trametes hirsuta can effectively remove harmful oestrogen hormones from water and soil. Within just one day, the fungus eliminated more than 90% of two common oestrogens (E1 and E2) that pollute our environment through pharmaceutical waste and animal farming. The fungus achieves this by producing special enzymes that couple oestrogen molecules together into larger, less harmful compounds that can be easily removed.

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Evaluation of Aspergillus flavus Growth on Weathered HDPE Plastics Contaminated with Diesel Fuel

Diesel storage tanks made from plastic accumulate stubborn hydrocarbon residues that are difficult to clean using traditional methods. Scientists discovered that a common fungus called Aspergillus flavus can effectively grow on and potentially help break down these diesel-contaminated plastics, especially when the diesel has aged for years and is exposed to warmer temperatures. This research suggests fungi could offer an environmentally friendly way to clean up contaminated plastic waste from fuel storage.

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