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In recent era, with increasing heavy metal pollution, several sorbents are used to remove heavy metals from environment. Application of chemical adsorbents and biosorbents for uptake of heavy metals from soil and waste water is studied thoroughly. Very less attention has been paid to the recovery of heavy metals from sorbents and their reuse. Few researches have been performed to evaluate the recovery of heavy metals from sorbents and regeneration of sorbents for further adsorption processes. This review explains desorption of heavy metals from metal loaded adsorbents and regeneration of adsorbents. Various desorbing eluents and their utilization in desorption of certain metals are compiled along with the techniques and setups followed to achieve better recovery and regeneration rates. The prospect of such eluents in recovery of heavy metals from electronic wastes (e-waste) is scrutinized. This comprehensive study would be advantageous to determine methods and the most suitable desorbents for particular heavy metals for conducting adsorption–desorption cycles.

This paper reports the results of gamma irradiation experiments and whole genome sequencing (WGS) performed on vegetative cells of two radiation resistant bacterial strains, Metabacillus halosaccharovorans (VITHBRA001) and Bacillus paralicheniformis (VITHBRA024) (D 10 values 2.32 kGy and 1.42 kGy, respectively), inhabiting the top-ranking high background radiation area (HBRA) of Chavara-Neendakara placer deposit (Kerala, India). The present investigation has been carried out in the context that information on strategies of bacteria having mid-range resistance for gamma radiation is inadequate. WGS, annotation, COG and KEGG analyses and manual curation of genes helped us address the possible pathways involved in the major domains of radiation resistance, involving recombination repair, base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair and mismatch repair, and the antioxidant genes, which the candidate could activate to survive under ionizing radiation. Additionally, with the help of these data, we could compare the candidate strains with that of the extremely radiation resistant model bacterium Deinococccus radiodurans , so as to find the commonalities existing in their strategies of resistance on the one hand, and also the rationale behind the difference in D 10 , on the other. Genomic analysis of VITHBRA001 and VITHBRA024 has further helped us ascertain the difference in capability of radiation resistance between the two strains. Significantly, the genes such as uvsE (NER), frnE (protein protection), ppk1 and ppx (non-enzymatic metabolite production) and those for carotenoid biosynthesis, are endogenous to VITHBRA001, but absent in VITHBRA024, which could explain the former’s better radiation resistance. Further, this is the first-time study performed on any bacterial population inhabiting an HBRA. This study also brings forward the two species whose radiation resistance has not been reported thus far, and add to the knowledge on radiation resistant capabilities of the phylum Firmicutes which are abundantly observed in extreme environment.

Polythene and plastic waste are found to accumulate in the environment, posing a major ecological threat. They are found to be considered non-degradable, once it enters the environment it has been found to remain there indefinitely. However, significant attention has been placed on biodegradable polymer, identification of microbes with degradative potential on plastic material. The aim of the present investigation was to biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using potential fungi isolated from landfill soil. Based on 18S rRNA analyses the isolated strain was identified as Aspergillus clavatus . LDPE degradation by A. clavatus was monitored for 90 days of incubation in aqueous medium. The degradation was confirmed by changes in polyethylene weight, CO 2 evolution by Strum test, infrared spectra and morphological changes by SEM and AFM analysis.

Microbial degradation offers an efficient and ecofriendly approach to remove toxicants from the contaminated environments. Botryosphaeria laricina JAS6 and Aspergillus tamarii JAS9 were capable of degrading endosulfan and their metabolites which were isolated through enrichment technique. Both the strains were able to withstand an exposure of 1300 mg/L and showed luxuriant growth at 1000 mg/L of endosulfan. The change in pH in the culture broth was from 6.8 to 3.4 and 3.8 during growth kinetic studies of JAS6 and JAS9 strains, respectively upon biological degradation of endosulfan. The degradation of endosulfan by JAS6 and JAS9 strains were examined by HPLC. The biodegradation rate constant (k) and the initial concentration were reduced by 50% (DT50) which was determined by first and pseudo first order kinetic models. In the present investigation it has been revealed that Botryosphaeria laricina JAS6 and Aspergillus tamarii JAS9 possessing endosulfan degrading capability are being reported for the first time. These findings confirm the degradation of endosulfan by JAS6 and JAS9 strains which were accompanied by significant reduction in the toxicity and could be used as remedial measure in contaminated environments.

The development of eco-friendly alternative to chemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles is of great challenge among researchers. The present study aimed to investigate the biological synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial study and synergistic effect of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles against clinical pathogens using Pichia fermentans JA2. The extracellular biosynthesis of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles was investigated using Pichia fermentans JA2 isolated from spoiled fruit pulp bought in Vellore local market. The crystalline and stable metallic nanoparticles were characterized evolving several analytical techniques including UV–visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction pattern analysis and FE-scanning electron microscope with EDX-analysis. The biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles were tested for their antimicrobial property against medically important Gram positive, Gram negative and fungal pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the biosynthesized nanoparticles were also evaluated for their increased antimicrobial activities with various commercially available antibiotics against clinical pathogens. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles inhibited most of the Gram negative clinical pathogens, whereas zinc oxide nanoparticles were able to inhibit only Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The combined effect of standard antibiotic disc and biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles enhanced the inhibitory effect against clinical pathogens. The biological synthesis of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles is a novel and cost-effective approach over harmful chemical synthesis techniques. The metallic nanoparticles synthesized using Pichia fermentans JA2 possess potent inhibitory effect that offers valuable contribution to pharmaceutical associations.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) are commonly utilized antiseptics in medical and consumer products. Nonetheless, their ecological impact has sparked worries because of their toxicity to marine organisms and possible long term environmental consequences. It has been demonstrated to possess higher toxicity levels that may cause considerable alterations in aquatic ecosystems, impacting protozoan populations, algal biomass, and bacterial communities. Consequently, it is crucial to develop an efficient approach to reduce or remove this contaminant from the surroundings. In this current research, a fungal strain was isolated via enrichment technique, showing the ability to degrade BAC and CHG and its metabolites and was designated as AJ11. The isolated fungal strain was identified as Schizophyllum commune based on its morphological and molecular characteristics (28 S rRNA sequence). Strain AJ11 was able to effectively degrade 100 mg/L of BAC and 50 mg/L of CHG in aqueous environment. Furthermore, the degradation of the antiseptics was assessed using different kinetic models, and the findings confirmed the biodegradation according to pseudo-first order kinetics, and first order rate kinetics. The infrared spectrum of the degraded antiseptics sample verified the presence of nitro, and alkane groups. A proposed degradation pathway for BAC and CHG by strain AJ11 has been suggested based on Liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC–MS) analysis. The activities of ligninolytic enzymes were investigated throughout the degradation of antiseptics by isolate AJ11. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to analyse the surface morphology of strain AJ11 post antiseptic degradation.

There are many antibiotic-resistant microbial pathogens that have emerged in recent years causing normal infections to become harder and sometimes impossible to treat. The major mechanisms of acquired resistance are the ability of the microorganisms to destroy or modify the drug, alter the drug target, reduce uptake or increase efflux of the drug and replace the metabolic step targeted by the drug. However, in recent years, resistant strains have been reported from almost every environment. New antimicrobial compounds are of major importance because of the growing problem of bacterial resistance, and antimicrobial peptides have been gaining a lot of interest. Their mechanism of action, however, is often obscure. Antimicrobial peptides are widespread and have a major role in innate immunity. An increasing number of peptides capable of inhibiting microbial growth are being reviewed here. In this article, we consider the possible use of antimicrobial peptides against pathogens.

Fipronil is a phenylpryazole insecticide which is extensively used for the protection of agricultural yields. However, this insecticide poses various threats to  the environment. Therefore it is essential to develop an effective method to degrade or eliminate this pollutant from the  environment. In this present study, a fungal strain AJAG1 capable of degrading fipronil and its metabolite, fipronil sulfone, was isolated through enrichment technique. Isolated fungal strain was identified as Aspergillus glaucus based upon its morphological, and 18S rRNA sequence analysis. Strain AJAG1 could degrade 900 mg L −1 of fipronil efficiently in both aqueous medium and soil. In addition, fipronil degradation was tested with various kinetic models and the results revealed that biodegradation in aqueous medium and soil was ascertained by pseudo-first order and zero order rate kinetics, respectively. The infrared spectrum of fipronil degraded sample confirmed the formation of esters, nitro, and alkanes groups. A tentative degradation pathway of fipronil by strain AJAG1 has been proposed on the basis of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. The lignolytic enzymes activities were studied during fipronil degradation by strain AJAG1. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surface morphology of strain AJAG1 after fipronil degradation. In the present investigation, bioformulation of strain AJAG1 was developed using low cost materials such as groundnut shell powder, molasses, and fly ash to remediate the fipronil from agricultural field. These results highlight A. glaucus strain AJAG1 may have potential for use in bioremediation of fipronil-contaminated environment.

Actinomycetes strain was isolated from leaf litter soil sample and was identified as Streptomyces sp. by conventional and molecular approaches. The biologically active compound responsible for antimicrobial and anticancer activity of the strain JAR6 was elucidated by solid state fermentation followed by subsequent chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis. Extraction, purification and structural confirmation of red pigment metabolite viz undecylprodigiosin were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies and comparing the data from the literature. The biologically active compound was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates and its minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded. The antimicrobial activity of undecylprodigiosin is more prominent against Salmonella sp., Proteus mirabilis, Shigella sp. and Enterococcus sp. whereas, it was less effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli. The anticancer activity of undecylprodigiosin was tested against HeLa cell lines and it exhibited commendable cytotoxicity effect with IC50 value of 145 µg/ml. The present investigation reveals that undecylprodigiosin produced by Streptomyces strain JAR6 is a potent bioactive metabolite with effective pharmaceutical properties.

The current work reports the biocompatibility and mechanical stability of enstatite and forsterite bioceramics prepared by sol–gel combustion method. XRD results conferred that enstatite and forsterite phase formation take place at 1000 °C and 900 °C respectively. TEM micrographs indicated the particle size of enstatite in the micron range while forsterite is in the range of 100–200 nm. The FT-IR spectra of forsterite after biomineralization revealed the presence of phosphate and carbonate groups shows apatite deposition ability of forsterite. The slow degradation and better apatite deposition of forsterite resulted in ten folds greater compressive strength than enstatite. Both the bioceramics have shown a remarkable impact on inhibiting the growth of clinical pathogens at a very low concentration. The good hBMSCs attachment and significant proliferation revealed the cytocompatibility of enstatite and forsterite. These observations suggested that magnesium silicate bioceramics can be explored for load-bearing applications, maxillofacial reconstruction and septic arthritis. Graphical abstract