Amany Gomaa Ibrahim

To address the environmental and health risks of cobalt, agricultural byproducts (peanut shells and luffa sponge), spent chicken bones, and sea sand were recruited as immobilization matrices for Aspergillus terreus . Their adsorptive performance toward cobalt (250 mg L ⁻¹ at pH 7 and 30 °C for 1 h) was evaluated. The fungi-immobilized chicken bones ( At -I-CB) showcased superior adsorptive performance (45.42±0.66%) among other examined bio-carriers. To maximize biosorption efficacy, Box–Behnken design inferred that 8.7 g L ⁻¹ of At -I-CB could adsorb 103.04 mg L ⁻¹ of cobalt by 96.8% at pH 6.76 within 101.4 min. Characterization via EDX, FTIR and SEM confirmed the presence of signals and functional groups of the hybrid constituents with higher distribution of cobalt particles on the surface of fungal conidia/hyphae and hydroxyapatite, which implied the structural heterogeneity/porosity of bio-carrier. Such design furnished a potent stabilization and enhanced the adsorption performance. Meanwhile, kinetic analysis declared that cobalt biosorption onto At -I-CB followed chemisorption mechanisms via electrostatic interactions, ion exchange, and complexation. The most fitting model was Intra-Particle Diffusion (R ² = 0.99), followed by Fractional Power and Elovich (R ² = 0.96), reflecting multi-stage dynamics of adsorption including external surface interaction, internal pore diffusion, and boundary layer diffusion. Thermodynamic studies revealed maximum adsorption capacity (84.60%) at 75 °C, with positive ΔG° values unveiling a non-spontaneous process with favorability at higher temperatures. Further, enthalpy change (∆H°; 49.54 kJ/mol) emphasized the endothermic chemisorption. Remarkably, no study reported such a deeply detailed bio-adsorption capacity of novel At -I-CB. Finally, this study demonstrates the feasibility of biowastes recyclability and safe utilization as natural, sustainable and eco-benevolent fungal carriers for implementing sustainability goals and circular bioeconomy.

Due to their low cost and ability to synthesize lipids for sustainable biodiesel production, oleaginous fungus has recently gained more prominence than other microorganisms. The new oleaginous fungus Aspergillus carneus OQ275240’s dry biomass, lipid content, and lipid yield were all optimized in this work, using the response surface methodology-based Box–Behnken design. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also used to examine the experimental data, and multiple regression analysis was used to fit the data to a second-order polynomial equation. Three independent variables, such as the concentration of yeast, glucose, and phosphorus, were examined for their mutual impacts. Maximum dry biomass (0.024 g/50 mL), lipid content (36.20%), and lipid yield (8.70 mg/50 mL) were achieved at optimal concentrations of 2.68 g/L of yeast, 20.82 g/L of glucose, and 0.10 g/L of phosphorus, respectively, showing that the actual data and predictions of the models were in good agreement. A. carneus OQ275240 has a favorable fatty acid profile that can be used to successfully create biodiesel, as shown by the presence of palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), and oleic acid (C18:1) in its fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) profile. Furthermore, the qualities of the biodiesel were investigated, and it was found that they fell within the parameters established by the international specifications EN 14214 (Europe) and ASTM D6751-08 (United States). These findings point to the newly evaluated filamentous fungal strain as a potential feedstock for the production of high-quality biodiesel.

Methyl orange (MO) is categorized among the recalcitrant and refractory xenobiotics, representing a significant burden in the ecosystem. To clean-up the surrounding environment, advances in microbial degradation have been made. The main objective of this study was to investigate the extent to which an autochthonous consortium immobilized in alginate beads can promote an efficient biodegradation of MO. By employing response surface methodology (RSM), a parametric model explained the interaction of immobilized consortium (Raoultella planticola, Ochrobactrum thiophenivorans, Bacillus flexus and Staphylococcus xylosus) to assimilate 200 mg/L of MO in the presence of 40 g/L of NaCl within 120 h. Physicochemical analysis, including UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR, and monitoring of the degrading enzymes (azoreductase, DCIP reductase, NADH reductase, laccase, LiP, MnP, nitrate reductase and tyrosinase) were used to evaluate MO degradation. In addition, the toxicity of MO-degradation products was investigated by means of phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity. Chlorella vulgaris retained its photosynthetic performance (>78%), as shown by the contents of chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and carotenoids. The viability of normal lung and kidney cell lines was recorded to be 90.63% and 99.23%, respectively, upon exposure to MO-metabolic outcomes. These results reflect the non-toxicity of treated samples, implying their utilization in ferti-irrigation applications and industrial cooling systems. Moreover, the immobilized consortium was employed in the bioremediation of MO from artificially contaminated agricultural and industrial effluents, in augmented and non-augmented systems. Bacterial consortium remediated MO by 155 and 128.5 mg/L in augmented systems of agricultural and industrial effluents, respectively, within 144 h, revealing its mutual synergistic interaction with both indigenous microbiotas despite differences in their chemical, physical and microbial contents. These promising results encourage the application of immobilized consortium in bioaugmentation studies using different resources.

The progress in industrialization everyday life has led to the continuous entry of several anthropogenic compounds, including dyes, into surrounding ecosystem causing arduous concerns for human health and biosphere. Therefore, microbial degradation of dyes is considered an eco-efficient and cost-competitive alternative to physicochemical approaches. These degradative biosystems mainly depend on the utilization of nutritive co-substrates such as yeast extract peptone in conjunction with glucose. Herein, a synergestic interaction between strains of mixed-culture consortium consisting of Rhodotorula sp., Raoultella planticola; and Staphylococcus xylosus was recruited in methylene blue (MB) degradation using agro-industrial waste as an economic and nutritive co-substrate. Via statistical means such as Plackett–Burman design and central composite design, the impact of significant nutritional parameters on MB degradation was screened and optimized. Predictive modeling denoted that complete degradation of MB was achieved within 72 h at MB (200 mg/L), NaNO₃ (0.525 gm/L)_, molasses (385 μL/L), pH (7.5) and inoculum size (18%). Assessment of degradative enzymes revealed that intracellular NADH-reductase and DCIP-reductase were key enzymes controlling degradation process by 104.52 ± 1.75 and 274.04 ± 3.37 IU/min/mg protein after 72 h of incubation. In addition, azoreductase, tyrosinase, laccase, nitrate reductase, MnP and LiP also contributed significantly to MB degradation process. Physicochemical monitoring analysis, namely UV−Visible spectrophotometry and FTIR of MB before treatment and degradation byproducts indicated deterioration of azo bond and demethylation. Moreover, the non-toxic nature of degradation byproducts was confirmed by phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity assays. Chlorella vulgaris retained its photosynthetic capability (˃ 85%) as estimated from Chlorophyll-a/b contents compared to ˃ 30% of MB-solution. However, the viability of Wi-38 and Vero cells was estimated to be 90.67% and 99.67%, respectively, upon exposure to MB-metabolites. Furthermore, an eminent employment of consortium either freely-suspended or immobilized in plain distilled water and optimized slurry in a bioaugmentation process was implemented to treat MB in artificially-contaminated municipal wastewater and industrial effluent. The results showed a corporative interaction between the consortium examined and co-existing microbiota; reflecting its compatibility and adaptability with different microbial niches in different effluents with various physicochemical contents.

Lake Mariout is one of the polluted coastal marine ecosystems in Egypt which is considered to be a reservoir of serious effluents from different anthropogenic activities. Such selective pressure enforces indigenous microbial populations to acquire new advantageous themes. Thus, in this study, two Streptomyces strains were screened, from Lake Mariout’s sediment for bioreduction of 5 mM AgNO₃. Both strains were identified molecularly; their biochemical and physiological characterization revealed their ability to secrete bioactive metabolites with antagonistic activity. The cultural and incubation conditions influencing AgNPs productivity were evaluated. Subsequently, the physicochemical properties of the biofabricated AgNPs were pursued. UV-Vis spectroscopy detected surface plasmon resonance at range 458–422 nm. XRD indicated crystalline, pure, face-centered cubic AgNPs; EDX demonstrated strong silver signal at 3.5 keV. Besides, FT-IR and TGA analysis unveiled self-stabilization and functionalization of AgNPs by bioorganic molecules. However, electron microscopy micrographs depicted numerous uniform spherical AgNPs (1.17–13.3 nm). Potent bactericidal and fungicide activity were recorded by zone of inhibition assay at 50 μg/mL. Further, the antibiofilm activity was exerted in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the conjugation of AgNPs with the crude bioactive metabolites of both bionanofactories ameliorated the antimicrobial potency, reflecting a synergistic efficiency versus examined pathogens (free-living and biofilm).

Phenol and its chemical derivatives are essential for production of polycarbonates epoxies, bakelite, nylon, detergents, herbicides, and numerous pharmaceutical drugs. In order to increase the biodegradation of phenol by fungi, fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium griseofulvum and Aspergillus terreus), were isolated from different contaminated sites in Saudi Arabia such as Jeddah Governate, the second industrial city of Jeddah, some garbage collection places, gas stations and Red Sea), then screened for phenol degradation. For the first time in Saudi Arabia, biodegradation of phenol by fungi is improved by mutation as well as immobilization of fungi above calcium alginate. The isolated fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium griseofulvum and Aspergillus terreus), were mutated physically (UV) and chemically (Ethidium bromide), also immobilized in alginate beads and its phenol degradation efficiency was observed. The degradation was increased many fold after immobilization, but after mutation some mutants appeared highly degradation rate for the phenol such as Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium griseofulvum but Aspergillus terreus appeared highly degradation rate for the phenol only after exposure to UV for 5 and 10 mins only than the wild strains. In addition, phenol degradation was increased with increase the fungal disk size of the tested strains.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate, (SDS) is an anionic surfactant that widely utilized in industry and households. Which represent toxic effects to the health and aquatic organisms. The bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas otitidis were isolated from the water samples from waste disposal sites (Taif Governate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). So, in the present study, we have made an attempt to improve the biodegradation of SDS by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas otitidis by different methods such as mutation (Physically and chemically), physically by exposure of bacterial strains to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and chemically by using chemicals such as ethidium bromide (EtBr), also biodegradation rate of SDS can be increased by immobilization technique. The bacterial strains were immobilized in alginate beads, and its SDS degradation efficiency was observed to increase many fold than free strains.

Surfactants are synthetic chemicals which are utilized as crude material in cleanser production. Sodium dodecyl sulfate, (SDS) is an anionic surfactant that broadly utilized everywhere throughout the world. Which represent severe hazards effects on the ambient environment. Bacterial strains were isolated from different contaminated sites in Taif Governate (KSA) and screened for SDS degradation. Four bacterial isolates showed high degradation for SDS. The factors that affect the degradation rate of SDS were studied in this work. The selected isolates that can degrade SDS were found to degrade SDS at pH 7-7.5. The optimum temperature was at 30ºC and optimum agitation was at 150 rpm. The degree of SDS degradation was increased when the bacterial isolates were combined together. It was found that the four isolates were able to degrade different concentration of SDS until 4%. Different incubation time was studied and it appear that the degradation begin after 24 hrs. but the optimum degradation occur after 15 days. Also different inoculum size was tested. These isolates were physiologically and molecularly identified. These potential strains were biochemically characterized as Gram-negative bacteria. Subsequently, partial sequence of 16S rRNA identified these strains as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (H), Pseudomonas otitidis (A3), Enterobacter cloacae (A5) and Klebsiella aerogenes (A6). This work reveals that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (H), possess greater potential to degrade SDS when compared with other bacterial strains.