Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10234-1
Maria Luísa Oliveira, Gabriela Messias Miranda, Danielle Silva Trentin
Plastic pollution is a worldwide problem, especially when it comes to polyethylene (PE), the most consumed plastic in the world. Biodegradation is a naturally occurring process mediated by microorganisms and their enzymes. The biodegradation of PE by fungi has been investigated since 1980, and these microorganisms are considered great PE biodegraders due to the strong oxidative activity and low substrate specificity of their ligninolytic extracellular enzymes. This review covers 40 manuscripts published up to December 31st of 2024 and the search was performed on PudMed and Science Direct databases using keywords linked by Boolean operators. It was listed 26 cultivable fungal genera capable of biodegrading PE, of which Aspergillus was the genus most reported. Filamentous fungal species, mainly from terrestrial ecosystem were the most studied for this purpose; however, the highest PE biodegradation rates were demonstrated by fungi isolated from the aquatic environment (Alternaria alternata). The data evidences that different methods of plastic pre-treatment and fungal consortia improve and accelerate PE biodegradation. Moreover, there is a non-homogeneous global distribution of research in this area of knowledge as well as the need for a standardization of methodological experimentation. Therefore, this area of research is still in its infancy and deserves to be explored in more in-depth studies to advance biotechnological solutions for plastic waste management.
{"title":"Polyethylene biodegradation by cultivable fungi: review and prospects","authors":"Maria Luísa Oliveira, Gabriela Messias Miranda, Danielle Silva Trentin","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10234-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10234-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Plastic pollution is a worldwide problem, especially when it comes to polyethylene (PE), the most consumed plastic in the world. Biodegradation is a naturally occurring process mediated by microorganisms and their enzymes. The biodegradation of PE by fungi has been investigated since 1980, and these microorganisms are considered great PE biodegraders due to the strong oxidative activity and low substrate specificity of their ligninolytic extracellular enzymes. This review covers 40 manuscripts published up to December 31st of 2024 and the search was performed on PudMed and Science Direct databases using keywords linked by Boolean operators. It was listed 26 cultivable fungal genera capable of biodegrading PE, of which <i>Aspergillus</i> was the genus most reported. Filamentous fungal species, mainly from terrestrial ecosystem were the most studied for this purpose; however, the highest PE biodegradation rates were demonstrated by fungi isolated from the aquatic environment (<i>Alternaria alternata</i>). The data evidences that different methods of plastic pre-treatment and fungal consortia improve and accelerate PE biodegradation. Moreover, there is a non-homogeneous global distribution of research in this area of knowledge as well as the need for a standardization of methodological experimentation. Therefore, this area of research is still in its infancy and deserves to be explored in more in-depth studies to advance biotechnological solutions for plastic waste management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145720100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as anthracene persist in the ecosystem due to their low solubility, toxicity, and resistance to microbial attack, posing serious environmental and health risks. Current remediation approaches are often limited by poor degradation efficiency and incomplete mineralization. Here, we present a nano bioremediation strategy that couples Zinc Selenium (ZnSe) nanoparticles with biosurfactant-assisted microbial degradation to enhance anthracene removal. In this study, enrichment culture technique was performed to isolate potential strains, and it was identified as Dyadobacter endophyticus KSKT01 (accession number-PP422395) and Pseudomonas otitidis KKT09 (accession number-PP563796). The biosurfactants were isolated and characterized using FTIR and GC–MS, and it was identified as lipopeptides. The nanoparticles were synthesized and structurally characterized by a UV–Visible spectrophotometer, FTIR, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, EDX, AFM, and XRD. ZnSe exhibited an absorbance peak at 200 nm in the UV spectrum. The FTIR spectra showed possible functional groups associated with biomolecules (alkyne, alkene, and nitro compounds), FE-SEM and HR-TEM demonstrated that ZnSe nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a size range of 200 nm, and AFM also expressed a spherical form of the synthesized ZnSe NPs. XRD showed a crystalline size of 55.5 nm, and the element composition of ZnSe (Zn-53.2% and Se-46.8%) was analyzed by EDX. The obtained results expressed that ZnSe is stable and crystalline, which facilitated electron transfer and microbial interaction. Comparative degradation assays revealed that the combined nanoparticle, biosurfactant, and microbial consortium achieved 98% anthracene degradation in 14 days (50 mg/L). The Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy analysis confirmed the transformation of anthracene into less toxic intermediates such as naphthoic acid and salicylic acid via dioxygenase-mediated pathways. Our findings establish nanobioremediation as a promising platform for sustainable cleanup and provide mechanistic insight for anthracene degradation.
{"title":"Comparative study on ZnSe nanoparticles and biosurfactant for enhanced anthracene biodegradation","authors":"Kumar Kowsalya, Anbalagan Ashika, Narayanaswamy Tamilselvan","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10233-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10233-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as anthracene persist in the ecosystem due to their low solubility, toxicity, and resistance to microbial attack, posing serious environmental and health risks. Current remediation approaches are often limited by poor degradation efficiency and incomplete mineralization. Here, we present a nano bioremediation strategy that couples Zinc Selenium (ZnSe) nanoparticles with biosurfactant-assisted microbial degradation to enhance anthracene removal. In this study, enrichment culture technique was performed to isolate potential strains, and it was identified as <i>Dyadobacter endophyticus KSKT01</i> (accession number-PP422395) and <i>Pseudomonas otitidis KKT09</i> (accession number-PP563796). The biosurfactants were isolated and characterized using FTIR and GC–MS, and it was identified as lipopeptides. The nanoparticles were synthesized and structurally characterized by a UV–Visible spectrophotometer, FTIR, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, EDX, AFM, and XRD. ZnSe exhibited an absorbance peak at 200 nm in the UV spectrum. The FTIR spectra showed possible functional groups associated with biomolecules (alkyne, alkene, and nitro compounds), FE-SEM and HR-TEM demonstrated that ZnSe nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a size range of 200 nm, and AFM also expressed a spherical form of the synthesized ZnSe NPs. XRD showed a crystalline size of 55.5 nm, and the element composition of ZnSe (Zn-53.2% and Se-46.8%) was analyzed by EDX. The obtained results expressed that ZnSe is stable and crystalline, which facilitated electron transfer and microbial interaction. Comparative degradation assays revealed that the combined nanoparticle, biosurfactant, and microbial consortium achieved 98% anthracene degradation in 14 days (50 mg/L). The Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy analysis confirmed the transformation of anthracene into less toxic intermediates such as naphthoic acid and salicylic acid via dioxygenase-mediated pathways. Our findings establish nanobioremediation as a promising platform for sustainable cleanup and provide mechanistic insight for anthracene degradation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145706942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10231-4
Patricia Feijoo, Anna Marín, José Tena-Medialdea, José Rafael García-March, José Gámez-Pérez, Luis Cabedo
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues worldwide, with large amounts of conventional plastics accumulating in terrestrial and marine ecosystems due to their persistence and ineffective waste management. Developing and understanding the biodegradation behavior of environmentally friendly alternatives, such as bioplastics, is therefore crucial to mitigate this problem. In this context, the degradation of PHBV-based biocomposites containing purified cellulose (TC), wood flour (WF), and almond shell (AS) fibers have been investigated and compared with neat PHBV in two Mediterranean marine locations—a port and the open sea, within the same geographic region. Changes in weight, surface morphology, surface roughness, surface chemistry, and mechanical properties were monitored and periodically evaluated over 18 months of seawater exposure at the two sites. After 18 months of immersion, PHBV/AS showed the highest disintegration degree (88% for 150 µm films and 33% for 500 µm sheets), with the port environment promoting up to a two- to three-fold higher biodegradation rate compared to the open sea. Additionally, mineralization was studied in lab-simulated marine conditions by tracking CO2 release in order to study the actual effect of the fibers on the biodegradation rate of the PHBV. The research highlighted the significant influence of habitat-specific factors on biodegradation, with the port environment exhibiting a more pronounced impact on bacterial adhesion, weight loss, and the deterioration of mechanical properties compared to the open sea. Lignocellulosic fillers, regardless of type, promoted PHBV biodegradation in both conditions. In particular, PHBV/AS exhibited the highest disintegration degree, followed by PHBV/TC and PHBV/WF. Fiber characteristics such as size, shape, and porosity predominantly governed biocomposite disintegrability. Almond shell was revealed as the most favorable fiber for PHBV biodegradation during mineralization test. Under laboratory-simulated marine conditions, the composites reached 50% mineralization between 55 and 70% faster than neat PHBV, confirming the accelerating effect of the fibers on the biodegradation kinetics. This study aims to shed light on the understanding of the biodegradation mechanism of biodegradable polymers and the effect of cellulosic fillers on this natural process. Additionally, the study includes tests and measurements of biodegradation under real conditions, which will provide further insights into the kinetics of this process. This knowledge is of interest for designing biodegradable products and predicting their biodegradation time.
{"title":"Biodegradation of PHBV-based biocomposites in two different marine environments of the Mediterranean Sea","authors":"Patricia Feijoo, Anna Marín, José Tena-Medialdea, José Rafael García-March, José Gámez-Pérez, Luis Cabedo","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10231-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10231-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues worldwide, with large amounts of conventional plastics accumulating in terrestrial and marine ecosystems due to their persistence and ineffective waste management. Developing and understanding the biodegradation behavior of environmentally friendly alternatives, such as bioplastics, is therefore crucial to mitigate this problem. In this context, the degradation of PHBV-based biocomposites containing purified cellulose (TC), wood flour (WF), and almond shell (AS) fibers have been investigated and compared with neat PHBV in two Mediterranean marine locations—a port and the open sea, within the same geographic region. Changes in weight, surface morphology, surface roughness, surface chemistry, and mechanical properties were monitored and periodically evaluated over 18 months of seawater exposure at the two sites. After 18 months of immersion, PHBV/AS showed the highest disintegration degree (88% for 150 µm films and 33% for 500 µm sheets), with the port environment promoting up to a two- to three-fold higher biodegradation rate compared to the open sea. Additionally, mineralization was studied in lab-simulated marine conditions by tracking CO<sub>2</sub> release in order to study the actual effect of the fibers on the biodegradation rate of the PHBV. The research highlighted the significant influence of habitat-specific factors on biodegradation, with the port environment exhibiting a more pronounced impact on bacterial adhesion, weight loss, and the deterioration of mechanical properties compared to the open sea. Lignocellulosic fillers, regardless of type, promoted PHBV biodegradation in both conditions. In particular, PHBV/AS exhibited the highest disintegration degree, followed by PHBV/TC and PHBV/WF. Fiber characteristics such as size, shape, and porosity predominantly governed biocomposite disintegrability. Almond shell was revealed as the most favorable fiber for PHBV biodegradation during mineralization test. Under laboratory-simulated marine conditions, the composites reached 50% mineralization between 55 and 70% faster than neat PHBV, confirming the accelerating effect of the fibers on the biodegradation kinetics. This study aims to shed light on the understanding of the biodegradation mechanism of biodegradable polymers and the effect of cellulosic fillers on this natural process. Additionally, the study includes tests and measurements of biodegradation under real conditions, which will provide further insights into the kinetics of this process. This knowledge is of interest for designing biodegradable products and predicting their biodegradation time.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10532-025-10231-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145706917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10237-y
Nabila Kridi, Alaa Khallouf, Marah Iskandar, Abd Elaziz Sulieman Ahmed Ishag, Magboul M. S. Siddig
Crude oil pollution in soil poses a serious global risk to food production and ecosystem health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic organic compounds found in crude oil and pose health and ecosystem risks. In this study, we assessed the efficiency of indigenous Syrian fungal and bacterial isolates to biodegrade PAHs. To evaluate bioremediation potential, eighteen isolates were isolated, identified, and tested against 28 detected PAHs. The fungal isolates Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., and Cladosporium sp. exhibited chromatic change rates (CCR) of 82.2%, 87.3%, and 89.0%, respectively, and their combinations reached CCR of 93.7 ± 1.8%. Key bacterial isolates, including Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., and Micrococcus sp., demonstrated effectiveness ranging from 77.3 to 78% individually, and 90.7% for consortium. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis confirmed substantial reductions in crude oil components after biodegradation. These results demonstrated the value of indigenous microbes for bioremediation. This study is the first combined bacterial–fungal study of PAHs biodegradation in Syria, supporting the use of local isolates to enhance food security and environmental health. This would help decision makers to think about using eco-friendly strategies for PAHs remediation.
{"title":"Efficiency of indigenous microorganisms for biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oil-contaminated soil","authors":"Nabila Kridi, Alaa Khallouf, Marah Iskandar, Abd Elaziz Sulieman Ahmed Ishag, Magboul M. S. Siddig","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10237-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10237-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Crude oil pollution in soil poses a serious global risk to food production and ecosystem health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic organic compounds found in crude oil and pose health and ecosystem risks. In this study, we assessed the efficiency of indigenous Syrian fungal and bacterial isolates to biodegrade PAHs. To evaluate bioremediation potential, eighteen isolates were isolated, identified, and tested against 28 detected PAHs. The fungal isolates <i>Aspergillus niger</i>, <i>Penicillium</i> sp<i>.,</i> and <i>Cladosporium</i> sp<i>.</i> exhibited chromatic change rates (CCR) of 82.2%, 87.3%, and 89.0%, respectively, and their combinations reached CCR of 93.7 ± 1.8%. Key bacterial isolates, including <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp<i>., Bacillus</i> sp<i>.,</i> and <i>Micrococcus</i> sp<i>.,</i> demonstrated effectiveness ranging from 77.3 to 78% individually, and 90.7% for consortium. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis confirmed substantial reductions in crude oil components after biodegradation. These results demonstrated the value of indigenous microbes for bioremediation. This study is the first combined bacterial–fungal study of PAHs biodegradation in Syria, supporting the use of local isolates to enhance food security and environmental health. This would help decision makers to think about using eco-friendly strategies for PAHs remediation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145712741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-07DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10232-3
C. Krishna Raj, R. Siranjeevi, R. Susmitha, S. Sameera Shabnum, A. Saravanan, A. S. Vickram, Hitesh Chopra
Wastewater treatment remains a global challenge, and not all conventional methods are successful from the perspective of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Bioremediation, which leverages the metabolic activities of microorganisms, plants, and biological agents to degrade or neutralize pollutants, is increasingly recognized as a promising and sustainable remediation strategy. This review discusses the processes of bioremediation, including microbial degradation, bioaccumulation, and phytoremediation, and highlights their applications to various wastewater pollutants such as heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients. Special emphasis is placed on recent advancements such as genetically engineered microorganisms, nanotechnology-based enhancements, and integrated biological systems. By consolidating these developments, the review demonstrates the significance of bioremediation as a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally safe alternative to traditional wastewater treatment methods. It provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements, technological innovations, and future opportunities that can assist researchers and practitioners in developing more efficient remediation systems. Finally, the review outlines emerging research directions needed to position bioremediation as a reliable and sustainable component of future wastewater treatment methods.
{"title":"Bioremediation in action: recent progress, challenges, and future directions for environmental restoration","authors":"C. Krishna Raj, R. Siranjeevi, R. Susmitha, S. Sameera Shabnum, A. Saravanan, A. S. Vickram, Hitesh Chopra","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10232-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10232-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Wastewater treatment remains a global challenge, and not all conventional methods are successful from the perspective of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Bioremediation, which leverages the metabolic activities of microorganisms, plants, and biological agents to degrade or neutralize pollutants, is increasingly recognized as a promising and sustainable remediation strategy. This review discusses the processes of bioremediation, including microbial degradation, bioaccumulation, and phytoremediation, and highlights their applications to various wastewater pollutants such as heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients. Special emphasis is placed on recent advancements such as genetically engineered microorganisms, nanotechnology-based enhancements, and integrated biological systems. By consolidating these developments, the review demonstrates the significance of bioremediation as a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally safe alternative to traditional wastewater treatment methods. It provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements, technological innovations, and future opportunities that can assist researchers and practitioners in developing more efficient remediation systems. Finally, the review outlines emerging research directions needed to position bioremediation as a reliable and sustainable component of future wastewater treatment methods.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145699497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10222-5
Hazem T. Abd El-Hamid, Muhammad A. El-Alfy, Hanan M. Hafiz, Hoda M. El-Gharabawy
Aquaculture wastewater contains elevated levels of nutrients and organic pollutants that can accelerate eutrophication and impair aquatic ecosystems if discharged untreated. In the study, a fungal-based remediation approach was investigated for the removal of pollutants from aquaculture wastewater collected from Baltim Station ponds (31.55244° N, 31.092855° E) near Lake Burullus, Egypt. Two native fungal isolates, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, were employed for primary mycoremediation experiments, while Ganoderma mbrekobenum was included only in the Plackett–Burman experimental design to evaluate the influence of environmental and nutritional factors on total phosphorus (TP) removal under optimized conditions. The fungal treatment significantly improved water quality, showing substantial reductions in total protein, phosphorus, nitrogen, organic matter, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) indicating a vital role of Aspergillus species in the bioremediation of nutrient-rich aquatic environments. The Plackett–Burman design (PBD) showed that fungal treatment significantly reduced pollutant concentrations with higher metabolic activity and enzymatic production as dehydrogenase and total protein from 9 to 12 days. Moreover, PBD identified KH2PO4 and MgSO₄ as the most influential variables for enhancing TP removal in the presence of G. mbrekobenum, while peptone and yeast extract exhibited the greatest effect in the non-fungal control system. The regression models demonstrated strong predictive accuracy (R2 > 0.99), confirming the validity of the optimization approach. The results highlight the effectiveness of fungal biomass as a cost-effective and eco-friendly bioremediation strategy for mitigating nutrient pollution in aquaculture effluents and protecting sensitive aquatic environments such as Lake Burullus.
{"title":"Bioremediation of aquaculture wastewater using the fungal biomass integrating Plackett–Burman design","authors":"Hazem T. Abd El-Hamid, Muhammad A. El-Alfy, Hanan M. Hafiz, Hoda M. El-Gharabawy","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10222-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10222-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Aquaculture wastewater contains elevated levels of nutrients and organic pollutants that can accelerate eutrophication and impair aquatic ecosystems if discharged untreated. In the study, a fungal-based remediation approach was investigated for the removal of pollutants from aquaculture wastewater collected from Baltim Station ponds (31.55244° N, 31.092855° E) near Lake Burullus, Egypt. Two native fungal isolates, <i>Aspergillus niger</i> and <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>, were employed for primary mycoremediation experiments, while <i>Ganoderma mbrekobenum</i> was included only in the Plackett–Burman experimental design to evaluate the influence of environmental and nutritional factors on total phosphorus (TP) removal under optimized conditions. The fungal treatment significantly improved water quality, showing substantial reductions in total protein, phosphorus, nitrogen, organic matter, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) indicating a vital role of <i>Aspergillus</i> species in the bioremediation of nutrient-rich aquatic environments. The Plackett–Burman design (PBD) showed that fungal treatment significantly reduced pollutant concentrations with higher metabolic activity and enzymatic production as dehydrogenase and total protein from 9 to 12 days. Moreover, PBD identified KH<sub>2</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> and MgSO₄ as the most influential variables for enhancing TP removal in the presence of <i>G. mbrekobenum</i>, while peptone and yeast extract exhibited the greatest effect in the non-fungal control system. The regression models demonstrated strong predictive accuracy (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.99), confirming the validity of the optimization approach. The results highlight the effectiveness of fungal biomass as a cost-effective and eco-friendly bioremediation strategy for mitigating nutrient pollution in aquaculture effluents and protecting sensitive aquatic environments such as Lake Burullus.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10532-025-10222-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145675240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10215-4
Khaled Saeed, Shaimaa Abdelmohsen Ibrahim, Ola M. Gomaa
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a widely used fluoropolymer known for its chemical stability and resistance to degradation, making it a persistent environmental pollutant. The bioremediation of PTFE has proven challenging due to its inert nature. The aim of the present study is to characterize how changes in PTFE and irradiated PTFE may affect the proteomic profile of Aspergillus niger to propose protein biomarkers and depict bioremoval strategies. The results show that irradiating PTFE causes structural and spectral changes that increase with the increase of electron beam irradiation doses at 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 kGy as compared to the control. PTFE and irradiated PTFE were added to a 24 h Aspergillus niger culture, and the proteomic profile was studied using quantitative protein assay and a high-throughput Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) proteomics approach. The resultant chromatograms show that peak shifts can serve as a rapid indicator of PTFE and irradiated PTFE, highlighting the potential of proteomic profiling as a rapid screening tool. Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) mapping images show fluoride attached to A. niger mycelia, while quanitative SPADNS Fluoride assay revealed deflourination % of 28.0 and 31.6% for 80 and 320 kGy irradiated PTFE culture, respectively, as compared 11.2% for non-irradiated PTFE. These findings suggest that 1) high electron beam irradiation doses enhance PTFE degradation, 2) the proteomic profile can be used as a biomarker to detect the presence of PTFE or irradiated PTFE, and 3) A. niger can be further exploited for both PTFE and irradiated PTFE bioremoval via deflourination or adsorption on mycelial network. Further research is needed to enhance the deflourination process.
{"title":"Comparative proteomic profile of Aspergillus niger in response to polytetrafluoroethylene and irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene for enhanced bioremoval","authors":"Khaled Saeed, Shaimaa Abdelmohsen Ibrahim, Ola M. Gomaa","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10215-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10215-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a widely used fluoropolymer known for its chemical stability and resistance to degradation, making it a persistent environmental pollutant. The bioremediation of PTFE has proven challenging due to its inert nature. The aim of the present study is to characterize how changes in PTFE and irradiated PTFE may affect the proteomic profile of <i>Aspergillus niger</i> to propose protein biomarkers and depict bioremoval strategies. The results show that irradiating PTFE causes structural and spectral changes that increase with the increase of electron beam irradiation doses at 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 kGy as compared to the control. PTFE and irradiated PTFE were added to a 24 h <i>Aspergillus niger</i> culture, and the proteomic profile was studied using quantitative protein assay and a high-throughput Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) proteomics approach. The resultant chromatograms show that peak shifts can serve as a rapid indicator of PTFE and irradiated PTFE, highlighting the potential of proteomic profiling as a rapid screening tool. Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) mapping images show fluoride attached to <i>A. niger</i> mycelia, while quanitative SPADNS Fluoride assay revealed deflourination % of 28.0 and 31.6% for 80 and 320 kGy irradiated PTFE culture, respectively, as compared 11.2% for non-irradiated PTFE. These findings suggest that 1) high electron beam irradiation doses enhance PTFE degradation, 2) the proteomic profile can be used as a biomarker to detect the presence of PTFE or irradiated PTFE, and 3) <i>A. niger</i> can be further exploited for both PTFE and irradiated PTFE bioremoval via deflourination or adsorption on mycelial network. Further research is needed to enhance the deflourination process.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10532-025-10215-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145666647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Worldwide, one third of waste accumulation was shared by solid waste plastic bags which play a major role in manufacturing and packaging industries. Mismanage of waste plastics results in soil absorption and leads to soil infertility and structural degradation of soil. Biodegradation of plastic films enlighten the microbial activity towards plastic treatment without harming the ecosystem. Advancement towards biodegradation with aid of nanoparticles as degradation enhancer provides a synergistic approach to mitigate the plastic pollution. In this study, plastic degrading microorganisms were isolated from agriculture soil and metal nanoparticles such as Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Zinc-Magnesium oxide (ZnO-MgO) nanoparticles were synthesized using Co-precipitation method. Thus prepared inorganic metal nanoparticles were subsequently added to enhance the microbial degradation action. The synthesised nanoparticles appeared as hexagonal nanoflakes with a size range of 32.8 and 35 nm respectively. The isolated strain from the soil Stutzerimonas stutzeri, a gram negative bacterium was identified using 16S rRNA sequencing technique. The plastic films treated with isolated strain, showed 65% of degradation efficiency rate in the presence of synthesised nanoparticles as enhancers. SEM analysis confirmed the bacterial adhesion and revealed significant structural damage such as cracks, pits, holes and erosion in plastic film. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of functional groups such as carbonyl (C=O) and (–CH) stretching at 1076 cm−1 and 719 cm−1 as a indication of polymer degradation. Further, simpler metabolic by-products formation such as fatty acids and succinic acid were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Further, metabolic byproducts were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and their toxicity was assessed using the Allium cepa as an invitro plant model. The absence of negative effects on mitotic cell division suggested that no toxic compounds were released during the microbial degradation process. This study reveals about an improved method of nanoparticles assisted biodegradation which may pave a better pathway for sustainable solution in plastic waste management.
{"title":"Plastic film biodegradation using Stutzerimonas stutzeri with metal nanoparticles as degradation enhancers—A bioeconomic approach","authors":"Mohanapriya Purushothaman, Karthikeyan Manivannan, Chamundeeswari Munusamy","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10210-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10210-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Worldwide, one third of waste accumulation was shared by solid waste plastic bags which play a major role in manufacturing and packaging industries. Mismanage of waste plastics results in soil absorption and leads to soil infertility and structural degradation of soil. Biodegradation of plastic films enlighten the microbial activity towards plastic treatment without harming the ecosystem. Advancement towards biodegradation with aid of nanoparticles as degradation enhancer provides a synergistic approach to mitigate the plastic pollution. In this study, plastic degrading microorganisms were isolated from agriculture soil and metal nanoparticles such as Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Zinc-Magnesium oxide (ZnO-MgO) nanoparticles were synthesized using Co-precipitation method. Thus prepared inorganic metal nanoparticles were subsequently added to enhance the microbial degradation action. The synthesised nanoparticles appeared as hexagonal nanoflakes with a size range of 32.8 and 35 nm respectively. The isolated strain from the soil <i>Stutzerimonas stutzeri,</i> a gram negative bacterium was identified using 16S rRNA sequencing technique. The plastic films treated with isolated strain, showed 65% of degradation efficiency rate in the presence of synthesised nanoparticles as enhancers. SEM analysis confirmed the bacterial adhesion and revealed significant structural damage such as cracks, pits, holes and erosion in plastic film. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of functional groups such as carbonyl (C=O) and (–CH) stretching at 1076 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 719 cm<sup>−1</sup> as a indication of polymer degradation. Further, simpler metabolic by-products formation such as fatty acids and succinic acid were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Further, metabolic byproducts were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and their toxicity was assessed using the <i>Allium cepa</i> as an invitro plant model. The absence of negative effects on mitotic cell division suggested that no toxic compounds were released during the microbial degradation process. This study reveals about an improved method of nanoparticles assisted biodegradation which may pave a better pathway for sustainable solution in plastic waste management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145675275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10230-5
Nishaa Balasundharam, Karthikeyan Ramalingam
Synthetic azo dyes, extensively utilized in textile and allied industries, are a persistent source of environmental contamination due to their chemical stability, xenobiotic nature, and resistance to conventional wastewater treatment. In this study, Lactobacillus casei immobilized on porous clay substrates was evaluated for the biodegradation of six reactive dyes: Reactive Red 198, Reactive Violet 5, Reactive Yellow 3, Reactive Orange 5, Reactive Navy Blue 4, and Reactive Black 5 sourced from textile effluents. Decolorization assays demonstrated efficient removal across concentrations of 250–1000 mg/L, with maximum degradation observed at pH 7, 37 °C, and 72 h under static conditions, achieving removal efficiencies of 90.17% (RR198), 92.24% (RV5), 92.18% (RY3), 94.04% (RO5), 95.66% (RNB4), and 92.18% (RB5). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the Box–Behnken design facilitated optimization of operational parameters, and statistical analyses confirmed model adequacy, with predicted and experimental decolorization values in close agreement. By accounting for interactive effects among variables, RSM achieved superior degradation efficiency compared to the single-factor OFAT approach. FTIR analysis revealed the disappearance and shifting of characteristic –N = N– (azo), –OH, and –NH peaks, indicating cleavage and modification of the dye’s functional structure. Complementary HPLC profiling showed the emergence of new peaks with altered retention times, confirming the formation of low-molecular-weight metabolites and providing clear evidence of dye biodegradation. Phytotoxicity assays using Vigna radiata demonstrated that degraded metabolites exhibited minimal toxicity, with plumule and radicle growth comparable to the control. The germination percentage in untreated dye controls was only 20–40%, whereas the degraded dye–treated samples showed significantly higher germination rates of 80–95%. These findings highlight L. casei immobilized on porous clay as a cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and mechanistically robust strategy for the remediation of azo dye-contaminated wastewater, with potential for scalable industrial application.
{"title":"Eco-friendly remediation of reactive azo dye-laden wastewater via Lactobacillus casei immobilized on porous clay: mechanistic and phytotoxicity insights","authors":"Nishaa Balasundharam, Karthikeyan Ramalingam","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10230-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10230-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Synthetic azo dyes, extensively utilized in textile and allied industries, are a persistent source of environmental contamination due to their chemical stability, xenobiotic nature, and resistance to conventional wastewater treatment. In this study, <i>Lactobacillus casei</i> immobilized on porous clay substrates was evaluated for the biodegradation of six reactive dyes: Reactive Red 198, Reactive Violet 5, Reactive Yellow 3, Reactive Orange 5, Reactive Navy Blue 4, and Reactive Black 5 sourced from textile effluents. Decolorization assays demonstrated efficient removal across concentrations of 250–1000 mg/L, with maximum degradation observed at pH 7, 37 °C, and 72 h under static conditions, achieving removal efficiencies of 90.17% (RR198), 92.24% (RV5), 92.18% (RY3), 94.04% (RO5), 95.66% (RNB4), and 92.18% (RB5). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the Box–Behnken design facilitated optimization of operational parameters, and statistical analyses confirmed model adequacy, with predicted and experimental decolorization values in close agreement. By accounting for interactive effects among variables, RSM achieved superior degradation efficiency compared to the single-factor OFAT approach. FTIR analysis revealed the disappearance and shifting of characteristic –N = N– (azo), –OH, and –NH peaks, indicating cleavage and modification of the dye’s functional structure. Complementary HPLC profiling showed the emergence of new peaks with altered retention times, confirming the formation of low-molecular-weight metabolites and providing clear evidence of dye biodegradation. Phytotoxicity assays using <i>Vigna radiata</i> demonstrated that degraded metabolites exhibited minimal toxicity, with plumule and radicle growth comparable to the control. The germination percentage in untreated dye controls was only 20–40%, whereas the degraded dye–treated samples showed significantly higher germination rates of 80–95%. These findings highlight <i>L. casei</i> immobilized on porous clay as a cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and mechanistically robust strategy for the remediation of azo dye-contaminated wastewater, with potential for scalable industrial application.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145659855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-02DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10225-2
Tauseef Anwar, Huma Qureshi, Hossam S. El-Beltagi, Alisher Shokirov, Nargiza Khudoyberdiyeva, Akhtam Nurniyazov, Oybek Mamarakhimov, Nazih Y. Rebouh, Maryam M. Alomran, Ibtisam M. Alsudays, Khalid H. Alamer, Dilrabo Kodirova, Shavkat Durxadjayev, Gamal Awad El-Shaboury
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a vital global staple, suffers substantial yield losses under concurrent salinity and drought stress—two major constraints to sustainable agriculture and food security. This study, conducted at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, evaluated the individual and combined effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and biochar (BC) on wheat performance under salinity (2.43 and 5.11 dS m⁻1) and drought stress (35% field capacity). A completely randomized design with sixteen treatment combinations was employed in triplicate. Compared with the stressed control (no amendments), the combined application of GA3 and BC significantly improved germination rate by 8.8% under salinity stress and by 8% under drought stress. Shoot and root lengths under salinity stress increased by 43% and 41%, respectively, and under drought stress by 34% and 30%. Shoot and root fresh weights were enhanced under salinity by 23% and 14%, respectively, and under drought stress by 12% and 3.3%. Relative water content increased under salinity from 52.49% to 61.26% and under drought from 62.54% to 66.96%. Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents were also elevated, with carotenoids increasing by 39% under salinity and 85% under drought, reflecting improved photosynthetic efficiency and photoprotection. These findings demonstrate a synergistic effect of GA3 and BC in enhancing wheat tolerance to salinity and drought stress through improved water retention, pigment stability, and early seedling vigor. The integration of these eco-friendly amendments offers a promising, sustainable strategy to improve wheat resilience and productivity in stress-prone environments, contributing to long-term food security.
{"title":"Biochar and GA3-mediated enhancement of wheat performance under combined salinity and drought: physiological and biochemical insights for resilient agriculture","authors":"Tauseef Anwar, Huma Qureshi, Hossam S. El-Beltagi, Alisher Shokirov, Nargiza Khudoyberdiyeva, Akhtam Nurniyazov, Oybek Mamarakhimov, Nazih Y. Rebouh, Maryam M. Alomran, Ibtisam M. Alsudays, Khalid H. Alamer, Dilrabo Kodirova, Shavkat Durxadjayev, Gamal Awad El-Shaboury","doi":"10.1007/s10532-025-10225-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10532-025-10225-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.), a vital global staple, suffers substantial yield losses under concurrent salinity and drought stress—two major constraints to sustainable agriculture and food security. This study, conducted at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, evaluated the individual and combined effects of gibberellic acid (GA<sub>3</sub>) and biochar (BC) on wheat performance under salinity (2.43 and 5.11 dS m⁻<sup>1</sup>) and drought stress (35% field capacity). A completely randomized design with sixteen treatment combinations was employed in triplicate. Compared with the stressed control (no amendments), the combined application of GA<sub>3</sub> and BC significantly improved germination rate by 8.8% under salinity stress and by 8% under drought stress. Shoot and root lengths under salinity stress increased by 43% and 41%, respectively, and under drought stress by 34% and 30%. Shoot and root fresh weights were enhanced under salinity by 23% and 14%, respectively, and under drought stress by 12% and 3.3%. Relative water content increased under salinity from 52.49% to 61.26% and under drought from 62.54% to 66.96%. Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents were also elevated, with carotenoids increasing by 39% under salinity and 85% under drought, reflecting improved photosynthetic efficiency and photoprotection. These findings demonstrate a synergistic effect of GA<sub>3</sub> and BC in enhancing wheat tolerance to salinity and drought stress through improved water retention, pigment stability, and early seedling vigor. The integration of these eco-friendly amendments offers a promising, sustainable strategy to improve wheat resilience and productivity in stress-prone environments, contributing to long-term food security.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":486,"journal":{"name":"Biodegradation","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145659889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}