BIORREMEDIACIÓN: ACTUALIDAD DE CONCEPTOS Y APLICACIONES

Vivimos una época que experimenta un crecimiento acelerado de la población y una fuerte industrialización. La humanidad, en el afán de satisfacer sus múltiples necesidades, se ha supeditado tanto a tecnologías que dañan el medio ambiente como a la dependencia de compuestos xenobióticos. En consecuencia, serios problemas de contaminación que amenazan tanto la salud de los seres vivos como del ambiente se han suscitado. Como respuesta, la biotecnología ambiental a través de la biorremediación como una de sus aplicaciones, desempeña un rol clave en la remoción de contaminantes. Diferentes sistemas biológicos de remediación, que incluyen el uso de plantas, algas, bacterias y hongos, se han empleado con éxito para tratar ambientes contaminados de metales pesados, hidrocarburos, compuestos xenobióticos, y elementos radioactivos. Aunque la biorremediación no es una tecnología nueva, esta ha ido evolucionando y se ha posicionado como un factor sustancial, tanto en términos de eficiencia como en aspectos económicos, para abatir la contaminación. Esta revisión analiza diferentes problemáticas de contaminación ambiental, describe las principales estrategias de biorremediación y detalla mecanismos moleculares empleados por algunos microorganismos para degradar compuestos tóxicos y recalcitrantes

Current findings on terrestrial plants – Engineered nanomaterial interactions: Are plants capable of phytoremediating nanomaterials from soil?

Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs) are revolutionizing our daily lives, industry, and agriculture. Along with their novel applications, major concerns have emerged due to the potential toxicity to biological systems. Since soils are considered the main destination for ENMs, research focused on their interaction with plants is gaining more attention, especially at the physiological and biochemical levels. This review addresses the capacity of some plants to accumulate ENMs or released ions, highlighting the beneficial and detrimental effects and the potential use of some plants to remediate ENM-contaminated environments. Although the uptake process depends on multiple factors, the literature suggests that concentrations <50 mg/kg are beneficial, while higher doses negatively impact physiological and biochemical parameters. However, the current data does not allow the formulation of mechanistic model effects. Finally, this review remarks on the pivotal role played by plants as a sustainable alternative to face the environmental buildup of ENMs and to guarantee food security

Biorremediación: actualidad de conceptos y aplicaciones

Vivimos una época que experimenta un crecimiento acelerado de la población y una fuerte industrialización. La humanidad, en el afán de satisfacer sus múltiples necesidades, se ha supeditado tanto a tecnologías que dañan el medio ambiente como a la dependencia de compuestos xenobióticos. En consecuencia, serios problemas de contaminación que amenazan tanto la salud de los seres vivos como del ambiente se han suscitado. Como respuesta, la biotecnología ambiental a través de la biorremediación como una de sus aplicaciones, desempeña un rol clave en la remoción de contaminantes. Diferentes sistemas biológicos de remediación, que incluyen el uso de plantas, algas, bacterias y hongos, se han empleado con éxito para tratar ambientes contaminados de metales pesados, hidrocarburos, compuestos xenobióticos, y elementos radioactivos. Aunque la biorremediación no es una tecnología nueva, esta ha ido evolucionando y se ha posicionado como un factor sustancial, tanto en términos de eficiencia como en aspectos económicos, para abatir la contaminación. Esta revisión analiza diferentes problemáticas de contaminación ambiental, describe las principales estrategias de biorremediación y detalla mecanismos moleculares empleados por algunos microorganismos para degradar compuestos tóxicos y recalcitrantes

Toxicity of copper hydroxide nanoparticles, bulk copper hydroxide, and ionic copper to alfalfa plants: A spectroscopic and gene expression study

Bulk Cu compounds such as Cu(OH)2 are extensively used as pesticides in agriculture. Recent investigations suggest that Cu-based nanomaterials can replace bulk materials reducing the environmental impacts of Cu. In this study, stress responses of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seedlings to Cu(OH)2 nanoparticle or compounds were evaluated. Seeds were immersed in suspension/solutions of a Cu(OH)2 nanoform, bulk Cu(OH)2, CuSO4, and Cu(NO3)2 at 25 and 75 mg/L. Six days later, the germination, seedling growth, and the physiological and biochemical responses of sprouts were evaluated. All Cu treatments significantly reduced root elongation (average = 63%). The ionic compounds at 25 and 75 mg/L caused a reduction in all elements analyzed (Ca, K, Mg, P, Zn, and Mn), excepting for S, Fe and Mo. The bulk-Cu(OH)2 treatment reduced K (48%) and P (52%) at 75 mg/L, but increased Zn at 25 (18%) and 75 (21%) mg/L. The nano-Cu(OH)2 reduced K (46%) and P (48%) at 75 mg/L, and also P (37%) at 25 mg/L, compared with control. Confocal microscopy images showed that all Cu compounds, at 75 mg/L, significantly reduced nitric oxide, concurring with the reduction in root growth. Nano Cu(OH)2 at 25 mg/L upregulated the expression of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (1.92-fold), while ionic treatments at 75 mg/L upregulated (∼10-fold) metallothionein (MT) transcripts. Results demonstrated that nano and bulk Cu(OH)2 compounds caused less physiological impairments in comparison to the ionic ones in alfalfa seedlings

Biorremediación: Actualidad de conceptos y aplicaciones.

Vivimos una época que experimenta un crecimiento acelerado de la población y una fuerte industrialización. La humanidad, en el afán de satisfacer sus múltiples necesidades, se ha supeditado tanto a tecnologías que dañan el medio ambiente como a la dependencia de compuestos xenobióticos. En consecuencia, serios problemas de contaminación que amenazan tanto la salud de los seres vivos como del ambiente se han suscitado. Como respuesta, la biotecnología ambiental a través de la biorremediación como una de sus aplicaciones, desempeña un rol clave en la remoción de contaminantes. Diferentes sistemas biológicos de remediación, que incluyen el uso de plantas, algas, bacterias y hongos, se han empleado con éxito para tratar ambientes contaminados de metales pesados, hidrocarburos, compuestos xenobióticos, y elementos radioactivos. Aunque la biorremediación no es una tecnología nueva, esta ha ido evolucionando y se ha posicionado como un factor sustancial, tanto en términos de eficiencia como en aspectos económicos, para abatir la contaminación. Esta revisión analiza diferentes problemáticas de contaminación ambiental, describe las principales estrategias de biorremediación y detalla mecanismos moleculares empleados por algunos microorganismos para degradar compuestos tóxicos y recalcitrantes

Current Findings on Terrestrial Plants - Engineered Nanomaterial Interactions: Are Plants Capable of Phytoremediating Nanomaterials from Soil?

Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs) are revolutionizing our daily lives, industry, and agriculture. Along with their novel applications, major concerns have emerged due to the potential toxicity to biological systems. Since soils are considered the main destination for ENMs, research focused on their interaction with plants is gaining more attention, especially at the physiological and biochemical levels. This review addresses the capacity of some plants to accumulate ENMs or released ions, highlighting the beneficial and detrimental effects and the potential use of some plants to remediate ENM-contaminated environments. Although the uptake process depends on multiple factors, the literature suggests that concentrations <50 mg/kg are beneficial, while higher doses negatively impact physiological and biochemical parameters. However, the current data does not allow the formulation of mechanistic model effects. Finally, this review remarks on the pivotal role played by plants as a sustainable alternative to face the environmental buildup of ENMs and to guarantee food security

Copper nanowires as nanofertilizers for alfalfa plants: Understanding nano-bio systems interactions from microbial genomics, plant molecular responses and spectroscopic studies

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. The recent application of nano copper (Cu) compounds in the agrosystem has shown potential to improve the physiological performance and agronomical parameters of crops. We grew alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in potting mix amended with bulk, nano, and ionic Cu compounds at 80 and 280 mg Cu/kg; then, we evaluated plant performance at physiological and molecular levels. Plants treated with bulk/nano Cu presented better agronomical responses. The P and S content was reduced in bulk and ionic Cu-exposed plants, compared to controls (p ≤ .05). All Cu forms increased the content of Fe and Zn in roots and Fe in leaves, compared to controls (p ≤ .05). Leaf-superoxide dismutase expression was augmented ~27-fold and rubisco mRNA was unaffected in bulk/nano Cu-treated plants, compared to controls (p ≤ .05). Bulk/nano Cu incremented the relative abundance of microorganisms involved in the elemental uptake. These results indicate that nano Cu improved the physiology of alfalfa and can be considered as potential nanofertilizers

Seed germination and sprouts production of Moringa oleifera: A potential functional food?

Moringa oleifera is a plant valued for its properties and applications in Ethnomedicine. It is cultivated in India, tropical Africa, and America; some regions use their different tissues as food supplements. Although germination can increase seedlings' phytochemical content, few studies have described the phytochemical content of moringa seedlings during early growth. This study aimed to investigate and discuss the limited information dealing with moringa seed germination, sprout production, and seedlings' chemical composition. This bibliographical research was systematically and thoroughly conducted using some of the most internationally-recognized databases. M. oleifera plants are characterized by their ability to grow under adverse environmental conditions. Although they generally germinate at rates greater than 70%, this response depends on the altitude, light periods, temperature, and nutrient availability. Pre-germination treatments have also been reported to help improve germination yields; the most common is soaking exposure. The production of M. oleifera sprouts is a viable option for obtaining functional food as this process can increase the content of nutrients (e.g. lipids, proteins) and phytochemicals (glucosinolates and phenolic compounds). Also, sprouts can be used as additives to enrich conventional foods. It is concluded that there is little scientific information describing the germination process and the chemical composition of both moringa seeds and moringa sprouts. Therefore, it is a niche opportunity to build new research that helps fill the informational gaps mentioned above. Meanwhile, it is envisioned that biotic or abiotic agents might modulate the germination process and their chemical compounds

Toxicity of copper hydroxide nanoparticles, bulk copper hydroxide, and ionic copper to alfalfa plants: A spectroscopic and gene expression study

Bulk Cu compounds such as Cu(OH)2 are extensively used as pesticides in agriculture. Recent investigations suggest that Cu-based nanomaterials can replace bulk materials reducing the environmental impacts of Cu. In this study, stress responses of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seedlings to Cu(OH)2 nanoparticle or compounds were evaluated. Seeds were immersed in suspension/solutions of a Cu(OH)2 nanoform, bulk Cu(OH)2, CuSO4, and Cu(NO3)2 at 25 and 75 mg/L. Six days later, the germination, seedling growth, and the physiological and biochemical responses of sprouts were evaluated. All Cu treatments significantly reduced root elongation (average = 63%). The ionic compounds at 25 and 75 mg/L caused a reduction in all elements analyzed (Ca, K, Mg, P, Zn, and Mn), excepting for S, Fe and Mo. The bulk-Cu(OH)2 treatment reduced K (48%) and P (52%) at 75 mg/L, but increased Zn at 25 (18%) and 75 (21%) mg/L. The nano-Cu(OH)2 reduced K (46%) and P (48%) at 75 mg/L, and also P (37%) at 25 mg/L, compared with control. Confocal microscopy images showed that all Cu compounds, at 75 mg/L, significantly reduced nitric oxide, concurring with the reduction in root growth. Nano Cu(OH)2 at 25 mg/L upregulated the expression of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (1.92-fold), while ionic treatments at 75 mg/L upregulated (∼10-fold) metallothionein (MT) transcripts. Results demonstrated that nano and bulk Cu(OH)2 compounds caused less physiological impairments in comparison to the ionic ones in alfalfa seedlings