Genomic characterization of a polyvalent hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain BUN14

Bioremediation offers a viable alternative for the reduction of contaminants from the environment, particularly petroleum and its recalcitrant derivatives. In this study, the ability of a strain of Pseudomonas BUN14 to degrade crude oil, pristane and dioxin compounds, and to produce biosurfactants, was investigated. BUN14 is a halotolerant strain isolated from polluted sediment recovered from the refinery harbor on the Bizerte coast, north Tunisia and capable of producing surfactants. The strain BUN14 was assembled into 22 contigs of 4,898,053 bp with a mean GC content of 62.4%. Whole genome phylogeny and comparative genome analyses showed that strain BUN14 could be affiliated with two validly described Pseudomonas Type Strains, P. kunmingensis DSM 25974T and P. chloritidismutans AW-1T. The current study, however, revealed that the two Type Strains are probably conspecific and, given the priority of the latter, we proposed that P. kunmingensis DSM 25974 is a heteronym of P. chloritidismutans AW-1T. Using GC-FID analysis, we determined that BUN14 was able to use a range of hydrocarbons (crude oil, pristane, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, naphthalene) as a sole carbon source. Genome analysis of BUN14 revealed the presence of a large repertoire of proteins (154) related to xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism. Thus, 44 proteins were linked to the pathways for complete degradation of benzoate and naphthalene. The annotation of conserved functional domains led to the detection of putative genes encoding enzymes of the rhamnolipid biosynthesis pathway. Overall, the polyvalent hydrocarbon degradation capacity of BUN14 makes it a promising candidate for application in the bioremediation of polluted saline environments

Allochthonous and Autochthonous Halothermotolerant Bioanodes From Hypersaline Sediment and Textile Wastewater: A Promising Microbial Electrochemical Process for Energy Recovery Coupled With Real Textile Wastewater Treatment

The textile and clothing industry is the first manufacture sector in Tunisia in terms of employment and number of enterprises. It generates large volumes of textile dyeing wastewater (TDWW) containing high concentrations of saline, alkaline, and recalcitrant pollutants that could fuel tenacious and resilient electrochemically active microorganisms in bioanodes of bioelectrochemical systems. In this study, a designed hybrid bacterial halothermotolerant bioanode incorporating indigenous and exogenous bacteria from both hypersaline sediment of Chott El Djerid (HSCE) and TDWW is proposed for simultaneous treatment of real TDWW and anodic current generation under high salinity. For the proposed halothermotolerant bioanodes, electrical current production, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency, and bacterial community dynamics were monitored. All the experiments of halothermotolerant bioanode formation have been conducted on 6 cm2 carbon felt electrodes polarized at −0.1 V/SCE and inoculated with 80% of TDWW and 20% of HSCE for 17 days at 45°C. A reproducible current production of about 12.5 ± 0.2 A/m2 and a total of 91 ± 3% of COD removal efficiency were experimentally validated. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated significant differences in bacterial diversity mainly at species level between anodic biofilms incorporating allochthonous and autochthonous bacteria and anodic biofilm containing only autochthonous bacteria as a control. Therefore, we concluded that these results provide for the first time a new noteworthy alternative for achieving treatment and recover energy, in the form of a high electric current, from real saline TDWW

Understanding the cumulative effects of salinity, temperature and inoculation size for the design of optimal halothermotolerant bioanodes from hypersaline sediments

The main objective of this study was to understand the interaction between salinity, temperature and inoculum size and how it could lead to the formation of efficient halothermotolerant bioanodes from the Hypersaline Sediment of Chott El Djerid (HSCE). Sixteen experiments on bioanode formation were designed using a Box-Behnken matrix and response surface methodology to understand synchronous interactions. All bioanode formations were conducted on 6 cm2 carbon felt electrodes polarized at −0.1 V/SCE and fed with lactate (5 g/L) at pH 7.0. Optimum levels for salinity, temperature and inoculum size were predicted by NemrodW software as 165 g/L, 45 °C and 20%, respectively, under which conditions maximum current production of 6.98 ± 0.06 A/m2 was experimentally validated. Metagenomic analysis of selected biofilms indicated a relative abundance of the two phyla Proteobacteria (from 85.96 to 89.47%) and Firmicutes (from 61.90 to 68.27%). At species level, enrichment of Psychrobacter aquaticus, Halanaerobium praevalens, Psychrobacter alimentaris, and Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus on carbon-based electrodes was correlated with high current production, high salinity and high temperature. Members of the halothermophilic bacteria pool from HSCE, individually or in consortia, are candidates for designing halothermotolerant bioanodes applicable in the bioelectrochemical treatment of industrial wastewater at high salinity and temperature

Understanding the cumulative effects of salinity, temperature and inoculation size for the design of optimal halothermotolerant bioanodes from hypersaline sediments

The main objective of this study was to understand the interaction between salinity, temperature and inoculum size and how it could lead to the formation of efficient halothermotolerant bioanodes from the Hypersaline Sediment of Chott El Djerid (HSCE). Sixteen experiments on bioanode formation were designed using a Box-Behnken matrix and response surface methodology to understand synchronous interactions. All bioanode formations were conducted on 6 cm2 carbon felt electrodes polarized at −0.1 V/SCE and fed with lactate (5 g/L) at pH 7.0. Optimum levels for salinity, temperature and inoculum size were predicted by NemrodW software as 165 g/L, 45 °C and 20%, respectively, under which conditions maximum current production of 6.98 ± 0.06 A/m2 was experimentally validated. Metagenomic analysis of selected biofilms indicated a relative abundance of the two phyla Proteobacteria (from 85.96 to 89.47%) and Firmicutes (from 61.90 to 68.27%). At species level, enrichment of Psychrobacter aquaticus, Halanaerobium praevalens, Psychrobacter alimentaris, and Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus on carbon-based electrodes was correlated with high current production, high salinity and high temperature. Members of the halothermophilic bacteria pool from HSCE, individually or in consortia, are candidates for designing halothermotolerant bioanodes applicable in the bioelectrochemical treatment of industrial wastewater at high salinity and temperature

Pseudomonas rhizophila S211, a New Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium with Potential in Pesticide-Bioremediation

A number of Pseudomonas strains function as inoculants for biocontrol, biofertilization, and phytostimulation, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Here, we present a new metabolically versatile plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas rhizophila S211, isolated from a pesticide contaminated artichoke field that shows biofertilization, biocontrol and bioremediation potentialities. The S211 genome was sequenced, annotated and key genomic elements related to plant growth promotion and biosurfactant (BS) synthesis were elucidated. S211 genome comprises 5,948,515 bp with 60.4% G+C content, 5306 coding genes and 215 RNA genes. The genome sequence analysis confirmed the presence of genes involved in plant-growth promoting and remediation activities such as the synthesis of ACC deaminase, putative dioxygenases, auxin, pyroverdin, exopolysaccharide levan and rhamnolipid BS. BS production by P. rhizophila S211 grown on olive mill wastewater based media was effectively optimized using a central-composite experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions for maximum BS production yield (720.80 ± 55.90 mg/L) were: 0.5% (v/v) inoculum size, 15% (v/v) olive oil mill wastewater (OMWW) and 40◦C incubation temperature at pH 6.0 for 8 days incubation period. Biochemical and structural characterization of S211 BS by chromatography and spectroscopy studies suggested the glycolipid nature of the BS. P. rhizophila rhamnolipid was stable over a wide range of temperature (40–90◦C), pH (6–10), and salt concentration (up to 300mM NaCl). Due to its low-cost production, emulsification activities and high performance in solubilization enhancement of chemical pesticides, the indigenous BS-producing PGPR S211 could be used as a promising agent for environmental bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated agricultural soils

The reasoned arguments of a group of future biotechnology technicians on a controversial socioscientific issue: human gene therapy

We tried to determine the reasoning behind the stances taken by a group of 19-21-year-old students on the controversial issue of the feasability and acceptability of human gene therapy. The students were in training at a biotechnology institute. We organised classroom debates, punctuated by phases of epistemological "disturbances". We used a variety of resources from authentic genetic therapy cases. We also worked on the reconsideration of Crick's model on the basis of recent results in molecular genetics and genomics. We stimulated critical analysis by presenting texts on the failure of gene therapies. This also encouraged the students to evaluate the empirical evidence, in the light of current molecular biology data that challenges Crick's dogma. We observed an increase in the intensity of the argumentation. According to Habermas, in all the didactic situations forms of communicative action are used less frequently, whereas forms of strategic action are the most prevalent. However we found that in the case of the final situation, the students'discourse was more in keeping with communicative action than in the other situations

MADFORWATER. WP4 Field pilots for the adaptation and integration of technologies. Task4.3 Operation and optimization of the field pilots. Wastewater treatment performances and Irrigation/treated wastewater reuse performances. Municipal wastewater pilot. UMA-Tunisia

This dataset contains the data produced by UMA team in the framework of task 4.3 of MADFORWATER project. Two sets of data were generated during the first and the second periods of survey of the pilot to evaluate: (i) the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Pilot efficiency, and (ii) the impact of the Treated Municipal Wastewater (TMWW) reuse in agriculture. The first part of the data consists of quantitative survey results from monitoring the Pilot at different sampling points, including SP1: pilot plant inlet, sampling point after preliminary treatments in the main WWTP, SP2: outlet of the BOD oxidation section, SP3: outlet of the nitrification section and SP4: sample point after disinfection and secondary settler, constructed wetland (CW) inlet and SP5: sample after the constructed wetland. The monitored physicochemical parameters are: chemical oxygen demand (COD), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), the conductivity, the turbidity, Kjeldahl Nitrogen (NKj), nitrite (NO2), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), phosphate (PO4) and Total Phosphorous (TP), pH, Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen, E. coli. The second part of the data consist of the irrigation pilot reports on the performance of the Treated Municipal Wastewater (TMWW) reuse in agriculture. The supply of Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) bacteria through irrigation network was also investigated. A first-year corn field trial allowed the evaluation of the plant growth and crop production including roots and shoots fresh and dry weights, plant height, tassel length, plant and ear numbers, grain number, crop yield, crop biomass and 100-grain weight. The second-year field trial on wheat crop estimated the effect of TMWW and PGPB supply on shoot and spike lengths; root, shoot and spike weights; and wheat crop biomass. Data related to crop water productivity and soil microbiological quality are also reported for both crop types (Maize and Wheat)

Microbial Exopolysaccharides as Alternative Sources of Dietary Fibers with Interesting Functional and Healthy Properties

Traditional polysaccharides obtained from plants may suffer from a lack of reproducibility in their rheological properties, purity, supply and cost. Most of the used plant polysaccharides are chemically modified to improve their characteristics. Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are principally composed of carbohydrate polymers, and they are produced by many microorganisms including bacteria, yeasts and fungi. Microorganisms can synthesize EPSs and excrete them out of cell either as soluble or insoluble polymers. These EPSs are able not only to protect the microorganisms themselves against desiccation, phage attack, antibiotics or toxic compounds, but also can be applied in several biotechnological applications. In food products they increase the dietary fiber content and can be used as viscosifiers, stabilizers, emulsifiers or gelling agents to improve physical and structural properties of water and oil holding capacity, viscosity, texture, sensory characteristics and shelf-life. EPSs are used as additives in various foods, such as dairy products, jams and jellies, wine and beer, fishery and meat products, icings and glazes, frozen foods and bakery products. Over the past few decades, interest in using microbial EPSs in food processing has been increasing because of main reasons such as easy production, better rheological and stability characteristics, cost effectiveness and supply. Dextran, xanthan, pullulan, curdlan, levan and gellan and alginate are the main examples of industrially important microbial exopolysaccharides. They also play crucial role in conferring beneficial physiological effects on human health, such as the ability to lower pressure and to reduce lipid level in blood. Furthermore, these EPSs exhibit antitumor, immunomodulating, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The utility of various biopolymers are dependent on their monosaccharide composition, type of linkages present, degree of branching and molecular weight. In the present chapter, an attempt was taken to recapitulate the most important polysaccharides isolated from microorganisms as well as the main methods for microbial exopolysaccharide production, purification and structural characterization. In addition, the functional and healthy benefits of EPSs and their applications in food industry were described

Carboxymethylated Sulfated Heteroexopolysaccharide from a Haloarchaeal Strain as Potential Biomolecule for Harmless Adjuvant Therapy in Cancer Treatment

This study explored the possible use of a microbial carboxymethylated sulfated heteroexopolysaccharide (CS-hEPS) as a potential anticancer agent. The investigation was carried out through antioxidant, antifatigue, and antiproliferative activities. Antioxidant potential including scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl radical activities and reducing power was evaluated. Antifatigue activity was determined by assessing the endurance of mice using the forced swimming test. Following 30 days of CS-hEPS oral treatment at different doses, biochemical parameters related to fatigue such as lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), serum urea nitrogen (SUN), and hepatic glycogen (HG) contents were measured. Antitumor activities were investigated against human cancer liver and myelogenous leukemia cells. Results showed that CS-hEPS possesses notable antioxidant, antifatigue, and antitumor effects. CS-hEPS significantly inhibited the proliferation of leukemia (86.6 ± 0.32%) and cancer liver (58.6 ± 0.43%) cells. CS-hEPS are promising natural antioxidant, antifatigue, and antitumor harmless adjuvant materials that could be applied in human cancer therapy

Optimization of enzymatic saccharification of Chaetomorpha linum biomass for the production of macroalgae-based third generation bioethanol

To evaluate the efficacy of marine macro-algae Chaetomorpha linum as a potential biofuel resource, the effects of the enzymatic treatment conditions on sugar yield were evaluated using a three factor three level Box-Behnken design. The hydrothermally pretreated C. linum biomass was treated with Aspergillus niger cellulase at various liquid to solid ratios (50–100 mL/g), enzyme concentrations (10–60 U/g) and incubations times (4–44 h). Data obtained from the response surface methodology were subjected to the analysis of variance and analyzed using a second order polynomial equation. The fitted model was found to be robust and was used to optimize the sugar yield (%) during enzymatic hydrolysis. The optimum saccharification conditions were: L/S ratio 100 mL/g; enzyme concentration 52 U/g; and time 44 h. Their application led to a maximum sugar yield of 30.2 g/100g dry matter. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation of the algal hydrolysate provided 8.6 g ethanol/100g dry matter. These results showed a promising future of applying C. linum biomass as potential feedstock for third generation bioethanol production