Mycotransformation of Commercial Grade Cypermethrin Dispersion by Aspergillus terreus PDB-B Strain Isolated from Lake Sediments of Kulamangalam, Madurai.

A fungal isolate Aspergillus terreus PDB-B (accession number: MT774567.1), which could tolerate up to 500 mg/L of cypermethrin, was isolated from the lake sediments of Kulamangalam tropical lake, Madurai, and identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. The biotransformation potential of the strain was compared with five other strains (A, J, UN2, M1 and SM108) as a consortium, which were tentatively identified as Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, and Aspergillus flavus, respectively. Batch culture and soil microcosm studies were conducted to explore biotransformation using plate-based enzymatic screening and GC-MS. A mycotransformation pathway was predicted based on a comparative analysis of the transformation products (TPs) obtained. The cytotoxicity assay revealed that the presence of (3-methylphenyl) methanol and isopropyl ether could be relevant to the high rate of lethality.

Production of a Rich Fertilizer Base for Plants from Waste Organic Residues by Microbial Formulation Technology.

This review explores different methods of sustainably introducing nutrients from agro-industrial waste into the soil. The focus is on sustainable agriculture and how the soil system can be modified by introducing secondary raw materials and beneficial microorganisms. Soil is a nexus between plants and microorganisms that must be balanced. The article emphasizes the importance of maintaining the microbiological balance when supplying nutrients. This review is focused on the possible techniques involved in the production of biofertilizers and their mode of application into the soil system and on plants. We addressed several advantages concerning the use of beneficial microorganisms in waste management by microbial formulation techniques. Not only the advantages but several limitations and challenges were also discussed in regard to the large scale production of microbial products. Therefore, the proper treatment of industrial waste is essential so that we can preserve the environment and human safety and also achieve sustainable agriculture.

An Insight into Microbial Inoculants for Bioconversion of Waste Biomass into Sustainable "Bio-Organic" Fertilizers: A Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Literature Review.

The plant-microbe holobiont has garnered considerable attention in recent years, highlighting its importance as an ecological unit. Similarly, manipulation of the microbial entities involved in the rhizospheric microbiome for sustainable agriculture has also been in the limelight, generating several commercial bioformulations to enhance crop yield and pest resistance. These bioformulations were termed biofertilizers, with the consistent existence and evolution of different types. However, an emerging area of interest has recently focused on the application of these microorganisms for waste valorization and the production of "bio-organic" fertilizers as a result. In this study, we performed a bibliometric analysis and systematic review of the literature retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science to determine the type of microbial inoculants used for the bioconversion of waste into "bio-organic" fertilizers. The Bacillus, Acidothiobacillus species, cyanobacterial biomass species, Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp. were identified to be consistently used for the recovery of nutrients and bioconversion of wastes used for the promotion of plant growth. Cyanobacterial strains were used predominantly for wastewater treatment, while Bacillus, Acidothiobacillus, and Aspergillus were used on a wide variety of wastes such as sawdust, agricultural waste, poultry bone meal, crustacean shell waste, food waste, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sewage sludge ash. Several bioconversion strategies were observed such as submerged fermentation, solid-state fermentation, aerobic composting, granulation with microbiological activation, and biodegradation. Diverse groups of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) with different enzymatic functionalities such as chitinolysis, lignocellulolytic, and proteolysis, in addition to their plant growth promoting properties being explored as a consortium for application as an inoculum waste bioconversion to fertilizers. Combining the efficiency of such functional and compatible microbial species for efficient bioconversion as well as higher plant growth and crop yield is an enticing opportunity for "bio-organic" fertilizer research.

Phosphorus Fertilizers from Sewage Sludge Ash and Animal Blood as an Example of Biobased Environment-Friendly Agrochemicals: Findings from Field Experiments.

Wastes of biological origin from wastewater treatment systems and slaughterhouses contain substantial amounts of phosphorus (P) with high recovery potential and can contribute to alleviating the global P supply problem. This paper presents the performance of fertilizer (AF) and biofertilizer (BF) from sewage sludge ash and animal blood under field conditions. BF is AF incorporated with lyophilized cells of P-solubilizing bacteria, Bacillus megaterium. In the experiments with spring or winter wheat, the biobased fertilizers were compared to commercial P fertilizer, superphosphate (SP). No P fertilization provided an additional reference. Fertilizer effects on wheat productivity and on selected properties of soil were studied. BF showed the same yield-forming efficiency as SP, and under poorer habitat conditions, performed slightly better than AF in increasing yield and soil available P. Biobased fertilizers applied at the P rate up to 35.2 kg ha-1 did not affect the soil pH, did not increase As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb content, and did not alter the abundance of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi in the soil. The findings indicate that biobased fertilizers could at least partially replace conventional P fertilizers. Research into strain selection and the proportion of P-solubilizing microorganisms introduced into fertilizers should be continued.

Biogenic synthesis of silica nanoparticles from corn cobs husks. Dependence of the productivity on the method of raw material processing.

Corn processing generates thousands of tons of cob husks, which still contains many valuable elements. To make the most of these wastes, they are applied as substrates for biotransformation's procedures. This approach allowed converting or releasing, the elements deposited in the plant material and obtaining valuable products. Thus bioconversion of corn cob husks (CCH) using a fungus of the Fusarium culmorum genus resulted in obtaining silica nanoparticles of defined size and morphology. SEM analysis excluded their presence on the surface of the substrate. FTIR confirmed the presence of siloxane bonds and O-Si-O bonds in post-biotransformation fluid. Using the Heteropoly Blue Method, it was checked that the highest concentration of silica during 16-day biotransformation falls on the 7th day of the process, in which both the substrate sterilization and the process of the biocatalyst starvation were of key importance. Using the STEM and EDX analysis, it was proved that the obtained nanoparticles with a spherical form are structured and their dimensions are ~40 and ~70 nm. ICP-OES proved that the overall process efficiency was 47%. Such nanoparticles can be successfully used in the medical industry.

Valorization of ash and spent mushroom substrate via solid-state solubilization by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

This work describes the possibility of utilization of ash originated from the incineration of sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plant with the 3rd stage of biological treatment, and spent mushrooms substrate (SMS) as a raw material for the production of the substrate for agriculture and horticulture with the property of slow-releasing of phosphorus via solubilization process. Ash was mixed with SMS in different ratios (1, 5 and 10%), where SMS was used as a substrate/medium - the source of nutrients necessary for the growth of bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans), while the ash was used as a source of phosphorus. Solubilization of phosphorus from ash via solubilization process was conducted for 50 days. During this time pH, conductivity, as well as the concentration of available forms of phosphorus were monitored. Obtained results were compared with the control group deprive inoculation by A. ferrooxidans. The concentration of available to plants phosphorus (express as P2O5) was an average 1.5 times higher in the SMS inoculated with A. ferrooxidans in all considered groups. Observation confirms the possibility of utilization of treated SMS as a substrate in agriculture and horticulture as the utilitarian properties (weight and length of plant/root) of plants obtained in germination test were higher when compared with the control group where SMS without inoculation was used.

Biofortification of hens' eggs with microelements by innovative bio-based dietary supplement.

New bio-based dietary supplement with micronutrients for livestock was elaborated. The new preparation was tested on laying hens to determine the influence of new biological feed additives on the level of trace elements in egg content. The diet of laying hens (Hy-Line Brown, 30 weeks of age) was supplemented with soya bean meal enriched with Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Cr(III) by biosorption. A total of 150 laying hens were divided into five groups: one control and four experimental. In the control group, microelements were supplemented in the inorganic form, whereas in experimental groups, Cu, Zn, Fe and Cr were replaced with soya bean meal enriched with a given microelement ion. The feeding experiment was conducted for 12 weeks and was divided into three series. The results showed that adding the new feed additives to the diet of laying hens had an impact on microelement transfer to eggs, in particular with increased dosing. Eggs were biofortified with iron, zinc and copper and to a lesser extent with chromium. The microelements were accumulated primarily in the albumen because soy protein was the carrier of micronutrient ions in hens' diet. Transfer of trace elements to eggs was not linearly dependent on the dosage of biologically bound microelements in the diet.

Phosphorus Solubilization by Bacillus Species.

Microbial solubilization applies the natural ability of a microorganism to liberate phosphorus from unavailable structures. The main mechanism recognized to be responsible for the solubilization of phosphorus is the production of different types of organic acids. Three kinds of Bacillus species and three types of raw materials (poultry bones, fish bones, and ash) were tested for solubilization. The following parameters were compared for all discussed cases: pH, specific growth rate, solubilization factor, released phosphorus concentration, and total and individual concentration of organic acids. Utilization of ash brought about the highest specific and maximum specific growth rates. A decrease in pH was observed in most of the discussed cases with the exception of fish bones. At the same time, fish bones had the highest concentration of released P2O5 and the highest total concentration of produced organic acids (gluconic, lactic, acetic, succinic, and propionic) in all discussed cases. The tested Bacillus species produced the mentioned acids with the exception of B. megaterium, where propionic acid was not present. The lactic and acetic acids were those produced in the highest amount. The kind of raw materials and type of Bacillus species used in solubilization had a strong influence on the kind of organic acids that were detected in the broth culture and its total concentration, which had a direct influence on the amount of released phosphorus. The combination of Bacillus megaterium with the fish bones at 5 g/L is proposed as the pair that gives the highest concentration of released phosphorus (483 ± 5 mg/L).

Valorization of Phosphorus Secondary Raw Materials by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

This paper presents the possibility of producing phosphorus fertilizers through Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans utilization in secondary raw materials solubilization. Phosphorus was obtained from the bones of poultry and fish as well as from Morocco phosphorite. Four doses of poultry bones and fish bones were used in the experiment (2, 4, 10 and 20 g/L) and two doses (2 and 4 g/L) of phosphorite were also used. The experimenters measured the final pH, which increased in proportion to the increase in the number of poultry bone doses, whereas in the case of fish bones it decreased in proportion to the increase in the number of fish bone doses. Only in the case of phosphorite, where 10 g/L were used, there was a slight increase in pH during solubilization observed. The highest phosphorus concentration of 1.9% (expressed as P2O5) was found for the solubilization performed on fish bones with the highest dose (20 g/L). The formulation obtained in this study meets the necessary requirements for use as a bio-fertilizer because of the relatively low content of P2O5 and the low content of toxic elements. The results confirm the utilization of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in the biosolubilization of phosphorus renewable raw materials that can alleviate the problem of the world's depleting phosphorite deposits.

Plant Growth Biostimulants, Dietary Feed Supplements and Cosmetics Formulated with Supercritical CO2 Algal Extracts.

The review paper presents the use of algal extracts as safe and solvent-free components of plant growth biostimulants, dietary feed additives and cosmetics. Innovative technology that uses extracts obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction, as a method of isolation of biologically active compounds from algal biomass, is presented. An important part of the complete technology is the final formulation of the product. This enabled realization of the further step which was assessment of the utilitarian properties of the extract-based products. The extracts were analysed for the presence of biologically active molecules (e.g., plant hormones, polyphenols) which provide useful properties such as antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. The bio-products were tested in germination tests and underwent field trials to search for plant growth biostimulatory properties. Tests on animals (laying hens experiments) were conducted to assess pro-health properties of new dietary feed supplement. Another application were cosmetic formulations (dermatological tests). The results of the application tests were very promising, however further studies are required for the registration of the products and successful implementation to the market.

In situ solubilization of phosphorus-bearing raw materials by Bacillus megaterium.

This paper presents the results of in situ studies on solubilization of different phosphorus-bearing raw materials by application of natural ability to produce organic acids by Bacillus megaterium. Poultry bones as well as fish bones were used as renewable sources of phosphates. Morocco phosphorite was used as nonrenewable sources of phosphates. Glass columns, filled with the soil mixed with different doses (1, 5, and 10%) of mentioned sources of phosphorus, were used as a medium for solubilization. It was found that the amount of released phosphorus (determined in the eluent and expressed as P2O5) significantly increased in the cases of columns where B. megaterium was used, when compared with the control group (without microflora). Higher doses of phosphorus-bearing material used in the experiment influenced in the release of higher amount of phosphorus. The highest effectiveness of solubilization was found in the case of poultry bones. The experiment was repeated for poultry bones but with the supplementation of nutrients. It was found that the delivery of nutrients had a strong effect on the increase of effectiveness of solubilization. Two times higher amount of phosphorus (express as P2O5) was released from the hydroxyapatite structure of bones. It was confirmed that poultry bones could serve as a source of phosphates in microbial solubilization performed in in situ.

Biosorption of microelements by Spirulina: towards technology of mineral feed supplements.

Surface characterization and metal ion adsorption properties of Spirulina sp. and Spirulina maxima were verified by various instrumental techniques. FTIR spectroscopy and potentiometric titration were used for qualitative and quantitative determination of metal ion-binding groups. Comparative FTIR spectra of natural and Cu(II)-treated biomass proved involvement of both phosphoryl and sulfone groups in metal ions sorption. The potentiometric titration data analysis provided the best fit with the model assuming the presence of three types of surface functional groups and the carboxyl group as the major binding site. The mechanism of metal ions biosorption was investigated by comparing the results from multielemental analyses by ICP-OES and SEM-EDX. Biosorption of Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions by lyophilized Spirulina sp. was performed to determine the metal affinity relationships for single- and multicomponent systems. Obtained results showed the replacement of naturally bound ions: Na(I), K(I), or Ca(II) with sorbed metal ions in a descending order of Mn(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II) for single- and Cu(II) > Mn(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) for multicomponent systems, respectively. Surface elemental composition of natural and metal-loaded material was determined both by ICP-OES and SEM-EDX analysis, showing relatively high value of correlation coefficient between the concentration of Na(I) ions in algal biomass.

Exposure to nickel by hair mineral analysis.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the exposure to nickel from various sources by investigation of mineral composition of human scalp hair. The research was carried out on hair sampled from subjects, including 87 males and 178 females (22 ± 2 years). The samples of hair were analyzed by ICP-OES. The effect of several factors on nickel content in hair was examined: lifestyle habits (e.g. hair coloring, hair spray, hair straighteners, hair drier, drugs); dietary factors (e.g. yoghurts, blue cheese, lettuce, lemon, mushroom, egg, butter); other (e.g. solarium, cigarette smoking, tap water pipes, tinned food, PVC foil, photocopier, amalgam filling). These outcomes were reached by linking the results of nickel level in hair with the results of questionnaire survey. Basing on the results it can be concluded that exposure to nickel ions can occur from different sources: lifestyle, eating habits and environmental exposure.