Distribution of potentially toxic elements in sediments of the municipal river channel (Balu), Dhaka, Bangladesh: Ecological and health risks assessment.

The concern of potential toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in the river ecosystem is growing due to anthropological activity. The contents of seven PTEs in sediments from the Balu River channel were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and an environmental risk model. Several PTEs were found in the sediment at high levels, including zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and mercury (Hg), that might pose a risk to human and ecological health.

Unlocking lignin valorization and harnessing lignin-based raw materials for bio-manufacturing.

Lignin, an energy-rich and adaptable polymer comprising phenylpropanoid monomers utilized by plants for structural reinforcement, water conveyance, and defense mechanisms, ranks as the planet's second most prevalent biopolymer, after cellulose. Despite its prevalence, lignin is frequently underused in the process of converting biomass into fuels and chemicals. Instead, it is commonly incinerated for industrial heat due to its intricate composition and resistance to decomposition, presenting obstacles for targeted valorization.

Lignin-based cryogels for advancing sustainable crop production via enhanced nutrient accessibility and growth efficiency.

Sustainable lignin-based materials are becoming increasingly valuable in agriculture, where climate change and nutrient deficiencies threaten crop productivity. We developed lignin-derived cryogels using waste biomass to improve soil nutrients, seed germination, water retention, and photosynthetic pigment levels. These cryogels were synthesized with gum Arabic (GA), keratin (K), and N-vinylpyrrolidone at lignin concentrations of 0.

Microbial degradation of polyethylene polymer: current paradigms, challenges, and future innovations.

Polyethylene (PE) is the second most commonly used plastic worldwide, mainly used to produce single-use items such as bags and bottles. Its significant resistance to natural biodegradation results in the accumulation of PE in landfills, leading to various ecological and toxicological consequences. Despite extensive research on the microbial degradation of PE, achieving complete biodegradation remains a challenge.

Harnessing Lignin Nanoparticles for Sustainable Enzyme Immobilization: Current Paradigms and Future Innovations.

Lignin, a vital plant component, is key in providing structural integrity and is the second most abundant biopolymer in nature. The growing interest in sustainable and efficient biocatalysis has driven the exploration of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) as a promising platform for enzyme immobilization. Given lignin's abundance and structural role in plants, converting it into nanoparticles offers a potential eco-friendly alternative to traditional supports.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the invasive Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) from polluted urban river areas of Bangladesh and evaluation of human health risk.

The invasive Asian clam species, Corbicula fluminea, has significant ecological and societal implications at both local and international levels due to its nutritional aspects. C. fluminea from four urban rivers in Bangladesh exhibited negative allometric growth and degree of contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which posed a concern to human health based on the AAS and USEPA risk models.

High-throughput screening and identification of lignin peroxidase based on spore surface display of Bacillus subtilis.

Background: Lignin peroxidase is closely related to agriculture and food as it improves the quality of feedstuffs, facilitates the degradation of lignin in agricultural wastes, and degrades azo dyes that have similar complex structures to lignin. However, the current status of homologous or heterologous expression of lignin peroxidase is unsatisfactory and needs to be modified with the help of immobilization and directed evolution to maximize its potential. Directed evolution technology is an effective strategy for designing and improving enzyme characteristics, and Bacillus subtilis spore surface display technology is an efficient method for preparing immobilized enzymes.

Microbial chemotaxis in degradation of xenobiotics: Current trends and opportunities.

Chemotaxis, the directed movement of microbes in response to chemical gradients, plays a crucial role in the biodegradation of xenobiotics, such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, which pose significant environmental and health risks. Emerging trends in genomics, proteomics, and synthetic biology have advanced our understanding and control of these processes, thereby enabling the development of engineered microorganisms with tailored chemotactic responses and degradation capabilities. This process plays an essential physiological role in processes, such as surface sensing, biofilm formation, quorum detection, pathogenicity, colonization, symbiotic interactions with the host system, and plant growth promotion.

Green synthesis of polyphenol-grafted lignin nanoparticles and their application as sustainable anti-acne, antioxidant, and UV-blocking agents.

Acne is a persistent infectious skin condition primarily caused by Propionibacterium acne that affects 80 % of teenagers. The rise of antibiotic resistance in P. acnes has led to an increasing interest in exploring alternative antimicrobial agents.

Biovalorization of lignin-derived substrates to vanillylamine via a self-sufficient amino donor and cofactor recycling whole-cell platform.

Lignin valorization through bioconversion to high-value chemicals is crucial for sustainable bioprocessing. Vanillin (VN), a primary lignin derivative, can be transaminated into vanillylamine (VM), a key precursor for capsaicin and pharmaceuticals. This study established a novel self-sufficient redox-complementary whole-cell system, facilitating the recycling of L-alanine and cofactors for efficient VM biosynthesis.

Elucidating the bioremediation potential of laccase and peroxidase enzymes from Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 in antibiotic degradation: A computationally guided study.

This study showcased the antibiotic degradation abilities of laccase and catalase-peroxidase from Bacillus ligniniphilus L1, an extremophile, against 18 common antibiotics using computationally guided approach. Molecular docking and simulation identified six enzyme-antibiotic complexes for laccase and four for catalase-peroxidase, demonstrating significant binding affinity and stability. Enzyme activity assays corroborated computational results, indicating both enzymes could degrade all tested antibiotics with varying efficiencies.

Directional co-immobilization of artificial multimeric-enzyme complexes as a robust biocatalyst for biosynthesis curcumin glucosides and regeneration of UDP-glucose.

Site-directed protein immobilization allows the homogeneous orientation of proteins while maintaining high activity, which is advantageous for various applications. In this study, the use of SpyCatcher/SpyTag technology and magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFeO NPs) nanoparticles were used to prepare a site-directed immobilization of BsUGT2m from Bacillus subtilis and AtSUSm from Arabidopsis thaliana for enhancing curcumin glucoside production with UDP-glucose regeneration from sucrose and UDP. The immobilization of self-assembled multienzyme complex (MESAs) enzymes were characterized for immobilization parameters and stability, including thermal, pH, storage stability, and reusability.

Systematic exploration of Ziziphus species collection and gene identification influencing physiological traits using genotype-by-sequencing technology.

The Ziziphus genus, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, holds significant economic, nutritional, and medicinal value. However, much remains to be discovered about its diversity and physical characteristics. Factors such as growth, resilience to changes, disease resistance, and unique features contribute to the quality of Ziziphus species.

Discovery of putative inhibitors of human Pkd1 enzyme: Molecular docking, dynamics and simulation, QSAR, and MM/GBSA.

Polycystic kidney disease is the most prevalent hereditary kidney disease globally and is mainly linked to the overexpression of a gene called PKD1. To date, there is no effective treatment available for polycystic kidney disease, and the practicing treatments only provide symptomatic relief. Discovery of the compounds targeting the PKD1 gene by inhibiting its expression under the disease condition could be crucial for effective drug development.

New wheat straw fermentation feed: recombinant efficient degradation of lignocellulose and increase feed protein.

Wheat straw contains a high amount of lignin, hindering the action of cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes, leading to difficulties in nutrient absorption by animals from straw feed. However, currently, the biological treatment of straw relies primarily on fungal degradation and cannot be directly utilized for the preparation of livestock feed. This study focuses on enzymatic co-fermentation of wheat straw to produce high-protein, low-cellulose biological feed, integrating lignin degradation with feed manufacturing, thereby simplifying the feed production process.

Lignin Degradation by TL3 under Anaerobic Conditions.

Lignin, the largest non-carbohydrate component of lignocellulosic biomass, is also a recalcitrant component of the plant cell wall. While the aerobic degradation mechanism of lignin has been well-documented, the anaerobic degradation mechanism is still largely elusive. In this work, a versatile facultative anaerobic lignin-degrading bacterium, TL3, was isolated from a termite gut, and was found to metabolize a variety of carbon sources and produce a single kind or multiple kinds of acids.

Advancements in bacterial chemotaxis: Utilizing the navigational intelligence of bacteria and its practical applications.

The fascinating world of microscopic life unveils a captivating spectacle as bacteria effortlessly maneuver through their surroundings with astonishing accuracy, guided by the intricate mechanism of chemotaxis. This review explores the complex mechanisms behind this behavior, analyzing the flagellum as the driving force and unraveling the intricate signaling pathways that govern its movement. We delve into the hidden costs and benefits of this intricate skill, analyzing its potential to propagate antibiotic resistance gene while shedding light on its vital role in plant colonization and beneficial symbiosis.

Display of Lignin Peroxidase on the Surface of Bacillus subtilis.

Lignin peroxidase (LiP) has a good application prospect in lignin degradation, environmental treatment, straw feed, and other industries. However, its application is constrained by the high price and low stability of enzyme preparation. In this study, the Escherichia coli-Bacillus subtilis (E.

Modulating the pH profile of vanillin dehydrogenase enzyme from extremophile Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 through computational guided site-directed mutagenesis.

Vanillin dehydrogenase (VDH) has recently come forward as an important enzyme for the commercial production of vanillic acid from vanillin in a one-step enzymatic process. However, VDH with high alkaline tolerance and efficiency is desirable to meet the biorefinery requirements. In this study, computationally guided site-directed mutagenesis was performed by increasing the positive and negative charges on the surface and near the active site of the VDH from the alkaliphilic marine bacterium Bacillus ligniniphilus L1, respectively.

Natural deep eutectic solvents-based green extraction of vanillin: optimization, purification, and bioactivity assessment.

The sustainable extraction of natural compounds has recently attracted significant attention. The extraction of high-quality natural vanillin in active form is crucial for its efficient use in various industries, but conventional solvents are not suitable for this purpose. The flammability, volatility, and toxicity of organic solvents can harm extraction personnel, and their waste liquid can cause environmental pollution.