Microorganism-mediated biodegradation for effective management and/or removal of micro-plastics from the environment: a comprehensive review.

Micro- plastics (MPs) pose significant global threats, requiring an environment-friendly mode of decomposition. Microbial-mediated biodegradation and biodeterioration of micro-plastics (MPs) have been widely known for their cost-effectiveness, and environment-friendly techniques for removing MPs. MPs resistance to various biocidal microbes has also been reported by various studies. The biocidal resistance degree of biodegradability and/or microbiological susceptibility of MPs can be determined by defacement, structural deformation, erosion, degree of plasticizer degradation, metabolization, and/or solubilization of MPs. The degradation of microplastics involves microbial organisms like bacteria, mold, yeast, algae, and associated enzymes. Analytical and microbiological techniques monitor microplastic biodegradation, but no microbial organism can eliminate microplastics. MPs can pose environmental risks to aquatic and human life. Micro-plastic biodegradation involves fragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization, influenced by abiotic and biotic factors. Environmental factors and pre-treatment agents can naturally degrade large polymers or induce bio-fragmentation, which may impact their efficiency. A clear understanding of MPs pollution and the microbial degradation process is crucial for mitigating its effects. The study aimed to identify deteriogenic microorganism species that contribute to the biodegradation of micro-plastics (MPs). This knowledge is crucial for designing novel biodeterioration and biodegradation formulations, both lab-scale and industrial, that exhibit MPs-cidal actions, potentially predicting MPs-free aquatic and atmospheric environments. The study emphasizes the urgent need for global cooperation, research advancements, and public involvement to reduce micro-plastic contamination through policy proposals and improved waste management practices.

Optimization of process variables for increased production of lovastatin in Aspergillus terreus PU-PCSIR1 and its characterization.

During intrinsic cholesterol formation 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) converts HMGCoA to mevalonate, in biosynthetic cascade of cholesterol. Statins, competitive inhibitors of HMGCR, now-a-days commonly used to lower the blood-cholesterol level in the hyper-cholesterolemic patients. Lovastatin, one of the most potent natural statins, was produced from wild-type indigenous isolate Aspergillus terreus PU-PCSIR-1, through solid state fermentation (SSF). This study was carried out to investigate different parameters influencing lovastatin production such as pH, carbon source, nitrogen source and media components etc. Each parameter was investigated separately to optimize lovastatin production. Maximum yield of 2860mg/Kg of total lovastatin, comprising 1700 and 1160mg/Kg of hydroxy and lactone forms respectively, was achieved after incubating for 14 days, pH 5.5 and at 28°C. The integrity of biotechnologically-produced lovastatin was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lovastatin was purified by preparative HPLC, and was characterized by FT-IR and LC-MS analyses. The study revealed that A. terreus PU-PCSIR-1 has been proved to be a potent strain for the production of lovastatin that has great pharmaceutical and commercial applications.

Staphylococcus aureus carrying lukS/F Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) toxin genes in hospitals of Lahore city.

INTRODUCTION: Panton Valentine-Leukocidin (PVL) toxin is secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and is mostly associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). This study aims to find out the prevalence of lukS/F-PV gene, which encode PVL toxin from strains of SSTI, burn wounds and nasal colonizers of out-patients and to measure the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolates. METHODOLOGY: This is an analytical observational cross-section study and was conducted from July 2014 to June 2015 at four tertiary care hospitals and PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 376 random clinical swabs were collected from SSTI (n = 179), nasal nares (n = 134) and burn wounds (n = 63) from out-patients' departments (OPD). The specimens were cultured on nutrient and mannitol salt agar (MSA) and the organism was identified by catalase, coagulase, and DNase tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility, methicillin, inducible clindamycin, and high-level mupirocin (HLMR) resistance were determined as per CLSI guidelines. Molecular identification of mecA and lukS/F-PV genes was performed by PCR. RESULTS: We isolated 127 S. aureus, where 41 (32.3%) were MRSA and 86 (67.7%) were MSSA. All MRSA carried mecA gene whereas lukS/F-PV gene was found in 21 MRSA and 31 MSSA strains. Overall, a high antimicrobial resistance was found against MRSA and lukS/F-PV positive MSSA. Inducible clindamycin and high-level mupirocin resistance (HLMR) was 23.6% and 19.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of PVL toxin gene was detected among S. aureus strains and a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistant strains was observed.

Determination of heavy metals in fresh water fish species of the River Ravi, Pakistan compared to farmed fish varieties.

The untreated industrial and sewage wastes arising from industries and metropolitan activities make their passage to the River Ravi, Pakistan, where Balloki Headworks is one of the major sites of effluent concentration. This study was designed to evaluate the concentration of various toxic elements in fishes of that area compared to a nearby fish farm. The concentrations of heavy metals, such as As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn, and electrolytes Ca, K, and Na were determined in different edible and non-edible fresh water fish varieties. Fish samples were collected from two selected sites and were analyzed for aforementioned elements. Higher levels of As (35.74-45.33 ppm), Cd (0.35-0.45 ppm), Pb (2.1-3.0 ppm), Hg (83.03-92.35 ppm) while normal levels of Zn (37.85-40.74 ppm) and Cu (1.39-2.93 ppm) were observed. Mercury, higher levels of which trigger cough, impairment of pulmonary function, and psychotic reactions, was significantly higher in all studied categories. At the sites under study, there has been observed alarming levels of toxic metals which are needed to be monitored regularly.

Effect of some trace elements on the nucleic acid metabolising enzymes level of germinating wheat seeds.

Wheat seeds were grown in the presence and absence of some trace elements like Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn in non-toxic limits. The level of enzyme activities involved in nucleic acid metabolism were measured by spectrophotometric methods. The level of certain RNA metabolising enzymes increased manyfold in trace element-treated seeds, while the level of AMP-deaminase was increased manyfold in Co-treated seeds.