Diclofenac degradation - enzymes, genetic background and cellular alterations triggered in diclofenac-metabolizing strain Pseudomonas moorei KB4

Diclofenac (DCF) constitutes one of the most significant ecopollutants detected in various environmental matrices. Biological clean-up technologies that rely on xenobiotics-degrading microorganisms are considered as a valuable alternative for chemical oxidation methods. Up to now, the knowledge about DCF multi-level influence on bacterial cells is fragmentary. In this study, we evaluate the degradation potential and impact of DCF on Pseudomonas moorei KB4 strain. In mono-substrate culture KB4 metabolized 0.5 mg L-1 of DCF, but supplementation with glucose (Glc) and sodium acetate (SA) increased degraded doses up to 1 mg L-1 within 12 days. For all established conditions, 4'-OH-DCF and DCF-lactam were identified. Gene expression analysis revealed the up-regulation of selected genes encoding biotransformation enzymes in the presence of DCF, in both mono-substrate and co-metabolic conditions. The multifactorial analysis of KB4 cell exposure to DCF showed a decrease in the zeta-potential with a simultaneous increase in the cell wall hydrophobicity. Magnified membrane permeability was coupled with the significant increase in the branched (19:0 anteiso) and cyclopropane (17:0 cyclo) fatty acid accompanied with reduced amounts of unsaturated ones. DCF injures the cells which is expressed by raised activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases as well as formation of lipids peroxidation products (LPX). The elevated activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) testified that DCF induced oxidative stress

Special Issue “Biomembranes and Biomimetic Membranes—From Model Analysis to ‘In Vivo’ Study”

Membrane processes are one of the key factors influencing the function of living cells [...

Special Issue “Biomembranes and Biomimetic Membranes—From Model Analysis to ‘In Vivo’ Study”

Membrane processes are one of the key factors influencing the function of living cells [...

Factors Influencing the Bioavailability of Organic Molecules to Bacterial Cells—A Mini-Review

The bioavailability of organic compounds to bacterial cells is crucial for their vital activities. This includes both compounds that are desirable to the cells (e.g., sources of energy, carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients) and undesirable compounds that are toxic to the cells. For this reason, bioavailability is an issue of great importance in many areas of human activity that are related to bacteria, e.g., biotechnological production, bioremediation of organic pollutants, and the use of antibiotics. This article proposes a classification of factors determining bioavailability, dividing them into factors at the physicochemical level (i.e., those related to the solubility of a chemical compound and its transport in aqueous solution) and factors at the microbiological level (i.e., those related to adsorption on the cell surface and those related to transport into the cell). Awareness of the importance of and the mechanisms governing each of the factors described allows their use to change bioavailability in the desired direction

Application of natural surfactants for improving the leaching of zinc and copper from different soils

Threats connected with contamination of environment with heavy metals include negative influence on human and animal health and also negatively influence the biodiversity of ecosystems. While applying various techniques of heavy metal remediation from soils, an important problem is the adsorption of ions on solid particles. In this respect, the composition and properties of soil strongly affect the efficiency of the process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions leaching from soils of different types (luvisols, podzols, chernozem) by means of natural surfactants: Quillaja saponaria extract containing saponins and biosurfactant produced by P. aeruginosa belonging to rhamnolipids. The studies included both heavy metal removal tests from soils and the evaluation of ecotoxicity of applied surfactants towards soil microorganisms. The results obtained allow to conclude that especially the saponins from Q. saponaria constitute an effective and environmentally safe remediation agent, allowing to achieve elimination from luvisols over 80% for zinc(II) ions and 70% for copper(II) ions

Hemp seed oil nanoemulsion with Sapindus saponins as a potential carrier for iron supplement and vitamin D

Vitamin D3 and iron are important components of a balanced diet. Supplementing meals with these is essential to support the recovery of humankind’s malnutrition. It is necessary to develop effective delivery systems to ensure the high bioavailability of these hydrophobic components. For this purpose, emulsions were prepared based on hemp seed oil and with soap nut extract (Sapindus mukorossi fruits) as a natural emulsifier. To characterize the differences in the properties of the emulsions depending on the content of the oil phase and the emulsifier, measurements were performed to determine the following parameters: the color characteristics, transparency of the samples, infrared spectrum, particle size distribution, polydispersity of the system, and the rheological properties of the emulsions. The results showed that the highest stability was observed in systems with a relatively low oil concentration, i.e., 1%. These samples also had an average particle size not exceeding 200 nm. In turn, the low oil content significantly reduced the dynamic viscosity of the emulsions. At the same time, microscopic observations indicated that the presence of an oil phase was advantageous, not only because of the possibility of providing vitamin D but also because of the high hydrophobicity of the iron particles. Therefore, the realized research made it possible to identify the optimal emulsion composition. The created system can find applications in delivering dietary supplements such as vitamin D3 and iron by providing high dispersion of components and high stability

Combined Effect of Nitrofurantoin and Plant Surfactant on Bacteria Phospholipid Membrane

Due to the increasing use of antibiotics, measures are being taken to improve their removal from the natural environment. The support of biodegradation with natural surfactants that increase the bioavailability of impurities for microorganisms that degrade them, raises questions about their effect on bacterial cells. In this paper we present analysis of the interaction of nitrofurantoin (NFT) and saponins from the Saponaria officinalis on the environmental bacteria membrane and the model phospholipid membrane mimicking it. A wide perspective of the process is provided with the Langmuir monolayer technique and membrane permeability test with bacteria. The obtained results showed that above critical micelle concentration (CMC), saponin molecules are incorporated into the POPE monolayer, but the NFT impact was ambiguous. What is more, differences in membrane permeability between the cells exposed to NFT in comparison to that of the non-exposed cells were observed above 1.0 CMC for Achromobacter sp. KW1 or above 0.5 CMC for Pseudomonas sp. MChB. In both cases, NFT presence lowered the membrane permeability. Moreover, the Congo red adhesion to the cell membrane also decreased in the presence of a high concentration of surfactants and NFT. The results suggest that saponins are incorporated into the bacteria membrane, but their sugar hydrophilic part remains outside, which modifies the adsorption properties of the cell surface as well as the membrane permeability

Exploring the Degradation of Ibuprofen by Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b): The New Pathway and Factors Affecting Degradation

Ibuprofen is one of the most often detected pollutants in the environment, particularly at landfill sites and in wastewaters. Contamination with pharmaceuticals is often accompanied by the presence of other compounds which may influence their degradation. This work describes the new degradation pathway of ibuprofen by Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b), focusing on enzymes engaged in this process. It is known that the key intermediate which transformation limits the velocity of the degradation process is hydroxyibuprofen. As the degradation rate also depends on various factors, the influence of selected heavy metals and aromatic compounds on ibuprofen degradation by the B1(2015b) strain was examined. Based on the values of non-observed effect concentration (NOEC) it was found that the toxicity of tested metals increases from Hg(II) < Cu(II) < Cd(II) < Co(II) < Cr(VI). Despite the toxic effect of metals, the biodegradation of ibuprofen was observed. The addition of Co2+ ions into the medium significantly extended the time necessary for the complete removal of ibuprofen. It was shown that Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) was able to degrade ibuprofen in the presence of phenol, benzoate, and 2-chlorophenol. Moreover, along with the removal of ibuprofen, degradation of phenol and benzoate was observed. Introduction of 4-chlorophenol into the culture completely inhibits degradation of ibuprofen

Environmental Aspects of the Use of <i>Hedera helix</i> Extract in Bioremediation Process

This paper analyzes the impact of saponins from English ivy leaves on the properties of environmental bacterial strains and hydrocarbon degradation ability. For this purpose, two bacterial strains, Raoultella ornitinolytica M03 and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus M1B, have been used in toluene, 4-chlorotoluene, and &#945;,&#945;,&#945;-trifluorotoluene biodegradation supported by Hedera helix extract. Moreover, theeffects of ivy exposition on cell properties and extract toxicity were investigated. The extract was found to cause minor differences in cell surface hydrophobicity, membrane permeability, and Zeta potential, although it adhered to the cell surface. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus M1B was more affected by the ivy extract; thus, the cells were more metabolically active and degraded saponins at greater amounts. Although the extract influenced positively the cells&#8217; viability in the presence of hydrocarbons, it could have been used by the bacteria as a carbon source, thus slowing down hydrocarbon degradation. These results show that the use of ivy saponins for hydrocarbon remediation is environmentally acceptable but should be carefully analyzed to assess the efficiency of the selected saponins-rich extract in combination with selected bacterial strains