Diversity of bacteria, archaea and protozoa in a perchlorate treating bioreactor.

A microbial consortium reducing high level of perchlorate was developed and in a fed batch bioreactor using acetate as substrate perchlorate was reduced at 0.25 g/g vss. day. Under stable performance, the microbial community structure of the reactor was analyzed through molecular and phenotypic methods. The diversity of bacteria and archaea were analyzed through whole cell Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) and PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), whereas higher trophic community was analyzed phenotypically. FISH analysis revealed the presence of alpha, beta, gamma and delta proteobacteria in the sludge, dominated by beta proteobacteria (68.7%). DGGE analysis of bacteria revealed the presence of a single known perchlorate reducing bacterium-Dechloromonas, nitrate reducers like Thaeura and Azoarcus and a number of other genera so far not reported as perchlorate or nitrate reducing. The archaea community was represented by an acetoclastic methanogen, Methanosaeta harundinacea. We have also observed the presence of an acetate consuming flagellate, Polytomella sp. in significant number in the reactor. Archaea and protozoa community in perchlorate treating bioreactor is reported first time in this study and point out further the significance of non perchlorate reducing but acetate scavenging microbial groups in acetate fed perchlorate treating reactors.

Heteroaromatic donors in donor-acceptor-donor based fluorophores facilitate zinc ion sensing and cell imaging.

The excited state intra molecular charge transfer (ICT) property of fluorophores has been extensively used for the design of fluorescent chemosensors. Herein, we report the synthesis and properties of three donor­π-acceptor­π-donor (D­π-A­π-D) based molecular probes BP, BT and BA. Two heteroaromatic rings, pyrrole (BP), and thiophene (BT) and a non-heteroaromatic ring N-alkoxy aniline (BA) were selected as donor moieties which were linked to a bipyridine binding site through a vinylic linkage. The heteroaromatic systems BP and BT perform selective and ratiometric emission signalling for zinc ions whereas the non-heteroaromatic probe BA does not. The advantages of the D­π-A­π-D design strategy in the design of ICT based probes for the selective fluorescent ratiometric signalling of zinc ions in biological media is discussed. Further, the use of BP, BT and BA for imaging Zn(2+) ions from MCF-7 cell lines is demonstrated.

Effect of triclosan on protozoa in wastewater treating bioreactors.

The effect of antimicrobial chemical, triclosan (TCS) on protozoa present in aerobic and anaerobic bioreactors for wastewater treatment is reported in this study. Bioreactor sludge ciliated protozoa such as Spirostomum, Cyclidium and Colpoda and flagellated protozoa Mastigella were exposed to TCS at 1 mg/L level in batch cultures. The response of TCS on protozoa was followed by microscopic observation of the sludge at specific time intervals. Among the protozoa in aerobic sludge, Colpoda exhibited strong sensitivity to triclosan and the cells distorted and burst in 20 minutes period. Mastigella and Spirostomum were resistant to triclosan for first two days, but afterwards the mobility was found declined and subsequently mortality increased to 100% in four and five days respectively. Anaerobic sludge ciliate, Cyclidium exhibited morphological distortion and motility decline after 1 hour exposure to triclosan. The sludge flocs were affected and pelagic cell count declined by the presence of triclosan at the tested level.

PDMS-based porous particles as support beds for cell immobilization: bacterial biofilm formation as a function of porosity and polymer composition.

The objective of this work is to test the performance of new synthetic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based bed particles acting as carriers for bacteria biofilms. The particles obtained have a highly interconnected porous structure which offers a large surface adsorption area to the bacteria. In addition, PDMS materials can be cross-linked by copolymerization with other polymers. In the present work we have chosen two hydrophilic polymers: xanthan gum polysaccharide and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). This versatile composition helps to modulate the interfacial hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance at the particle surface level and the roughness topology and pore size distribution, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Biofilm formation of a consortium isolated from a tannery effluent enriched in Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB), and pure Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (AF) strains were assayed in three different bed particles synthesized with pure PDMS, PDMS-xanthan gum and PDMS-TEOS hybrids. Bacterial viability assays using confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy indicate that inclusion of hydrophilic groups on particle's surface significantly improves both cell adhesion and viability.

Phosphatase activity in anaerobic bioreactors for wastewater treatment.

Phosphatase (PO4ase) activity was investigated in continuous and fed-batch anaerobic bioreactors for wastewater treatment. PO4ase levels were high in continuously fed reactors (880-2632 micromol/L/h), compared to a fed-batch reactor (FBR) (540-1249 micromol/L/h). Alkaline and acid PO4ases were present in all the reactors, but in varying magnitudes and total PO4ase activity exhibited a 10-30% variation even at steady-state reactor conditions. The PO4ase activity was not affected by the inorganic phosphate (Pi) level in the reactors, but biomass level and wastewater type, including specific PO4ases (either alkaline or acid), strongly influenced the PO4ase activity in a reactor. Both flocculated and suspended cells produced PO4ase, and 60-65% of the enzyme was cell bound, remaining entrapped in the extracellular matrix and in cell-free form. Batch studies with anaerobic sludge showed a negative correlation between Pi and PO4ase activity. An increase in PO4ase activity was observed under starvation and higher salinity (above 15 g/L). Glucose and propionate (at 10 mM level) induced PO4ase activity, whereas acetate and butyrate (10 mM) addition had no response. This study also reveals that Archaea and bacteria contributed 45% and 55%, respectively, of total PO4ase activity in anaerobic sludge.