Microbial Treatment Research Articles

Mitigating soil compaction and enhancing corn (Zea mays L.) growth through biological and non-biological amendments

Soil compaction is a pressing issue in agriculture that significantly hinders plant growth and soil health, necessitating effective strategies for mitigation. This study examined the effects of sugarcane bagasse, both in its raw form and as biochar, along with biological activators (Bacillus simplex UTT1 and Phanerochaete chrysosporium) on soil characteristics and corn (Zea mays L.) plant biomass in a compacted soil. Using a completely randomized factorial design, we assessed their impact on soil bulk density, porosity, nutrient concentrations, and plant growth parameters. Results indicated that combining organic amendments with microbial inoculation (B. simplex UTT1 + P. chrysosporium) significantly reduced soil bulk density (7–14%) (p < 0.05) and enhanced soil aggregate stability (38%), soil permeability coefficient (52%), and total porosity (40%) (p < 0.01) compared to controls. Notably, the application of biochar and microbial inoculants improved soil moisture retention (p < 0.05) and soil nutrient availability, particularly potassium and phosphorus, which increased by 18% and 23%, respectively. Plant biomass responses (10–35%) varied, with combined microbial treatments (B. simplex UTT1 + P. chrysosporium) yielding optimal outcomes (p < 0.01) compared to individual applications. The study emphasizes that integrating organic amendments with biological processes not only mitigates soil compaction but also fosters soil health and productivity. These findings support the need for sustainable agricultural practices, highlighting the role of effective resource management in enhancing soil structure and crop yields. Future research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of these interactions and their long-term implications for soil health and agricultural sustainability.Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Valorization of mixed blackwater/agricultural wastes for bioelectricity and biohydrogen production: A microbial treatment pathway.

The management of wastewater and agricultural wastes has been limited by the separate treatment processes, which exacerbate pollution and contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. Given the energy demands and financial burdens of traditional treatment facilities, there is a pressing need for technologies that can concurrently treat solid waste and generate energy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of producing bioelectricity and biohydrogen through the microbial treatment of blackwater and agricultural waste using a dual-chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC). The research focused on identifying optimal feedstock ratios and pH conditions, accompanied by biochemical assays to characterize the microbial community involved. The predominant microorganisms identified included Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, among others. The highest open circuit voltage achieved was 1090mV at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6 days. Maximum removal efficiencies for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) were 90.87% and 76.67%, respectively, with a Columbic efficiency of 40.17%. The peak power density measured was 345mW/m2, and the highest hydrogen yield was 483ppm/s. The optimal feedstock ratio was found to be 3:1:1 (300g cassava peel, 100g banana peel, and 100g tomato waste), with ideal pH conditions at 9.35. This study underscores the potential for generating bioelectricity and biohydrogen from the microbial treatment of mixed blackwater and agricultural wastes in a single system, eliminating the need for separate treatment and the use of external energy source. The work contributes to the advancement of environmental engineering and management, bioenergy, microbial fuel cell, and affordable and clean energy.

Rhizobacteria and Phytohormonal interactions increase Drought Tolerance in Phaseolus vulgaris through enhanced physiological and biochemical efficiency

The cultivation of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in semi-arid regions is affected by drought. To explore potential alleviation strategies, we investigated the impact of inoculation with Bacillus velezensis, and the application of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) via foliage application (FA), which promote plant growth and enhance stress tolerance. A split-split-plot experiment with four replications was conducted, featuring two irrigation levels: full watering (FW, 100% of plant water requirements) and deficit watering (DW, 70% of plant water requirements) as a main plot, two ASA levels (No foliage application (NFA) 0 and 0.5 mM) as sub plot, and bacterial inoculation (BI) versus non-bacterial inoculation (NBI) as sub-sub plot. Results showed that the highest grain yield was achieved with the ASA + BI under FW (3270 kg ha−¹), a 56% increase compared to the control (2094 kg ha−¹). Under DW, the ASA + BI increased yield by approximately 30%. ASA significantly increased relative water content under deficit watering, achieving 84% with BI. Chlorophyll a content peaked at 3.11 mg g− 1 with full watering, and chlorophyll b content increased by up to 23.8% under deficit watering, indicating improved photosynthetic capacity. Malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels were reduced to 10.88 and 14.81 µmol g−¹ fresh weight, respectively, in ASA + BI treatments, demonstrating reduced oxidative stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly elevated in treated plants under DW. This study demonstrates the potential of microbial and hormonal treatments in boosting drought tolerance in common beans, providing a viable approach for sustaining crop performance under stress conditions.

Impact of effective micro-organisms (EM) on the yield, growth and bio-chemical properties of lettuce when applied to soil and leaves

BackgroundIn today’s conditions, it is not possible to eliminate chemical inputs without reducing food production. Therefore, integrated methods that reduce the negative effects of chemical inputs are needed. One of the alternatives is the use of beneficial bacteria, which can both improve the yield and quality of vegetable crops and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers. This research was carried out to test the effects of a microbial fertiliser combined with inorganic fertiliser on the growth, biochemical properties and yield of lettuce and whether the use of chemical fertilisers could be reduced. Caipira curly lettuce variety was used as plant material. The microbial fertilizer used contains 7 different microorganisms and 2 different yeasts. The experiment consisted of eight treatments: Control (T0), 100% Chemical Fertilisation (T1), 50% Chemical Fertilisation + Microbial Fertilisation (T2), 75% Chemical Fertilisation + Microbial Fertilization (T3), 100% Chemical Fertilisation + Microbial Fertilisation (T4), Microbial Fertilisation Alone (T5), 50% Chemical Fertilisation + Microbial Fertilisation + Foliar Microbial Fertilisation (T6), 75% Chemical Fertilisation + Microbial Fertilisation + Foliar Microbial Fertilisation (T7).ResultsThe results of the research were statistically evaluated using analysis of variance at a significance level of p < 0.05, and the means were compared using the LSD test. It was observed that the microbial fertiliser did not adversely effect on the growth characteristics of lettuce and even had an ameliorative effect. The highest root dry weights were obtained in the T7, T3, T4 and T1 treatments. T7 treatment had 7.8% and 5.5% more dry weight than T1 and T4 respectively. Biochemical properties were significantly affected by treatments and it was significant that T2 and T4 had similar results. Because chemical fertilizer dose was reduced by 50% in the T2 treatment. The chemical fertiliser dose was reduced by 50% in the T2 treatment. Microbial fertiliser treatments had no negative effect on lettuce colour formation and even greener lettuces were harvested from T1, T7, T3 and T6 treatments. The highest total yield was obtained from T3 (30638.89 kg ha− 1) and T7 (30518.52 kg ha− 1). In other words, when the recommended dose of chemical fertiliser was reduced by 25%, higher yields were obtained. The yields in T3 and T7 were 6.71% and 6.29% higher than in T1, respectively. The marketable yield did not differ statistically between treatments except T0 and T5. Although there was no statistical difference, the highest numerical values belonged to the T7 (28907.41 kg ha− 1) and T3 (28814.82 kg ha− 1) treatments. In terms of marketable yield, T7 and T3 treatments gave 5.05% and 4.71% more than T1, respectively.ConclusionsIt was determined that the microbial fertiliser used had no negative effect on the lettuce crop and even had an ameliorative effect. With the use of microbial fertiliser, both chemical fertilisation was reduced and higher yield and quality values were obtained from T3 and T7 treatments compared to chemical treatment alone (T1). In addition, the ameliorative effects of the foliar application of microbial fertiliser were also noted in the T7 treatment. As a result, this study showed that the use of microbial fertiliser could increase yield and quality and save at least 25% of fertiliser.

Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Wastewater Treatment: A Dynamic Analysis of Emerging Research Trends

Wastewater treatment is a critical process for ensuring water quality and public health, particularly in the context of increasing environmental challenges such as pollution and water scarcity. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology capable of optimizing various wastewater treatment processes, such as contaminant removal, energy consumption, and cost-efficiency. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of AI applications in wastewater treatment, utilizing data from Scopus and Web of Science covering 4335 publications from 1985 to 2024. Utilizing machine learning techniques such as neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms, the analysis reveals key trends in the role of the AI in optimizing wastewater treatment processes. The results show that AI has increasingly been applied to solve complex problems like membrane fouling, nutrient removal, and biofouling control. Regional contributions highlight a strong focus on advanced oxidation processes, microbial sludge treatment, and energy optimization. The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model further identifies emerging topics such as real-time process monitoring and AI-driven effluent prediction as pivotal areas for future research. The findings provide valuable insights into the current state and future potential of AI technologies in wastewater management, offering a roadmap for researchers exploring the integration of AI to address sustainability challenges in the field.

Probiotic Bacillus cereus regulates metabolic disorders and activates the cholic acid-FXR axis to alleviate DSS-induced colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by severe imbalance of intestinal flora and metabolic disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that probiotics can effectively alleviate inflammatory bowel disease by restoring the intestinal flora structure and modulating the immune response. However, the role of probiotics in regulating intestinal metabolism disorders is still unclear. This study explores the role of probiotic B. cereus in alleviating DSS-induced colitis. The findings indicated probiotic B. cereus treatment mitigated tissue damage and apoptosis during inflammation. Metabolome and transcriptome analysis revealed B. cereus activated the cholic acid-FXR axis by increasing cholic acid levels, which promoted the gene expression level of NF-κB inhibitor α, reduced the IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α concentrations. Furthermore, it effectively mitigated the DSS-induced disruption of bile acid metabolism, arginine metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism. This study explores the effect and mechanisms of probiotic B. cereus on alleviating DSS-induced colitis. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for microbial therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. SignificanceThis study used metabolome and transcriptome to reveal the roles and mechanisms, which probiotic Bacillus cereus modulates metabolic disorders and alleviate DSS-induced colitis. We identified the cholic acid-FXR axis as an important target for alleviating DSS-induced colitis. These findings provide new insights into microbial treatment strategies for IBD.

Microbial Use as an Agent to Improve the Durability of Sub-Structure Concrete: A Comprehensive Structured Review

The increasing degradation of sub-structure concrete due to environmental factors and aging has intensified the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance its durability. To increase the longevity of sub-structure concrete, microbial use is becoming more and more important. One key technique in this exploration of the literature is Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP). We reviewed over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers published between 2020 and 2024, selecting those that specifically address microbial applications in concrete. To achieve this, we conducted an extensive search of scholarly articles from reportable databases, such as Scopus, IEE, and Science Direct, focusing on studies from 2020 to 2024. The flow of studies is based on the PRISMA framework. Our methodology involved analyzing the effectiveness of microbial treatments in extending the service life of concrete through qualitative and quantitative data synthesis. The studies found that n=29 final primary data was analyzed. The finding was divided into three themes, which are (1) Microbial Applications in Soil and Foundation Crack Stabilization, (2) Microbial Applications in Concrete and Construction Materials and (3) Advanced Microbial Technologies and their Impacts. Additionally, this study demonstrates the environmental sustainability of microbial applications compared to traditional chemical-based methods. The review concludes that while using microbes in concrete shows significant potential for enhancing durability and sustainability, further research is required to optimize these biological processes for mainstream construction practices and assess long-term of their impacts. This study lays the groundwork for future investigations into scalable microbial solutions, aiming to revolutionize the construction industry’s approach to prolonging the lifespan of concrete infrastructures.

Rooting for Success: The Role of Microorganisms in Promoting Growth and Resilience in Black Alder Seedlings.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose a global environmental risk, impacting human health. Enhancing phytoremediation with microbial-plant interactions could help mitigate these pollutants. However, tree responses to PAHs are unclear, necessitating controlled studies before field experiments. This study examined how PAH-degrading microbes affect black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) seedlings grown hydroponically, hypothesizing that specific microbes improve growth and stress tolerance. Two half-sib families (41-65-7 K, 13-99-1 K) were inoculated with Rhodotorula sphaerocarpa (R.s.), Pseudomonas putida (P.p.), and Sphingobium yanoikuyae (S.y.). Results showed family-dependent and microbe-specific effects, with family 41-65-7 K showing enhanced shoot growth (threefold increase by R.s.) and higher carotenoid levels. Antioxidant enzyme activities varied: R.s. elevated superoxide dismutase activity by 4.8-fold in 13-99-1 K, while catalase activity increased but decreased in 41-65-7 K. Principal component analysis revealed distinct phytochemical clustering based on microbial treatment, highlighting genotype-specific modulations. Each microorganism had unique plant growth-promoting traits, with P.p. producing the most phytohormone and S.y. fixing nitrogen. These findings support targeted microbial inoculation for effective remediation of PAH-contaminated environments.

Bacterial biofilm inactivation by plasma activated nanobubble water

This research developed novel plasma activated nanobubble water (PANBW) by integrating atmospheric cold plasma and nanobubble water (NBW) technologies. Mixing of plasma reactive species with NBW to generate the PANBW makes it an effective solution for microbial biofilm inactivation and water treatment, possibly by leveraging the benefits of both technologies. Selected properties of PANBW, including the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) were characterized, and the stability of RONS during storage for 7 days were evaluated. The combination of argon and air as feed gases was used to determine the influence of feed gas type on RONS production and the effect of the generated PANBW on biofilm reduction. The effectiveness of PANBW in inactivating mixed-species bacterial biofilms was assessed against NBW, plasma activated water (PAW), and their combinations. This comparison involved treating biofilms of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium ATCC 13311 and Aeromonas australiensis, that were grown on stainless steel coupons by these solutions. The PANBW treatment was most effective in the inactivation of the tested mixed species biofilms with a reduction of >2 log CFU/cm2 in the biofilm population. The confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis was consistent with the bacterial inactivation results. This study highlights the potential of atmospheric cold plasma when combined with nanobubble technology, as a novel and efficient method for biofilm control and food safety applications.

Effects of Artificially Modified Microbial Communities on the Root Growth and Development of Tall Fescue in Nutrient-Poor Rubble Soil.

The granite rubble soil produced through excavation during construction is nutrient-poor and has a simplified microbial community, making it difficult for plants to grow and increasing the challenges of ecological restoration. Recent studies have demonstrated that microbial inoculants significantly promote plant growth and are considered a potential factor influencing root development. Microorganisms influence root development either directly or indirectly, forming beneficial symbiotic relationships with plant roots. However, the mechanisms by which microorganisms affect root development and root anatomy, as well as the dynamics of soil microbial communities following the artificial application of microbial inoculants, remain unclear. This experiment utilized granite rubble soil from construction excavation in a pot trial, implementing five different treatment methods. After the fast-growing grass species tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was planted, four growth-promoting microbial inoculants-Bacillus subtilis (K), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (JD), Aspergillus niger (H), and Trichoderma harzianum (HC)-were applied to the soil in the pots. These treatments were compared with a control group (CK) that received no microbial inoculant. At 120 days of plant growth, the composition of the soil microbial community, biomass, root structure, and root anatomy were measured for each treatment group. This analysis aimed to explore the effects of different microbial treatments on the microbial communities and root development of Festuca arundinacea root soil. The study found that the addition of microbial inoculants reduced the number of microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of bacteria and fungi in the soil, affecting both the marker species and their abundance at the phylum level. Additionally, microbial inoculants promoted the development of the tall fescue root structure, increasing metrics such as the total root length, root surface area, root volume, and root-to-shoot ratio per plant. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the area ratios of various components in the root anatomy of tall fescue's primary roots, such as the root cortex area, stele area, and the number of lateral roots, were influenced by Proteobacteria. Mortierellomycota was found to affect the root epidermis area.

Blood Profile of West African Dwarf Does Fed Microbial Treated Bambara Nutshell

A study was conducted using twenty-one (21) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with an average weight of 10.50± 0.36 kg to evaluate the blood profile of WAD goats fed microbial treated Bambara nutshell diets. The goats were allotted seven dietary treatments with three replicated per treatment in a completely randomized design. The Bambara nutshells underwent sterilization for 15 minutes, were inoculated with 25, 50, and 75ml of Pleurotus pulmonaris and Aspergillus niger, incubated for 7 days, air-dried, and then integrated into the diets, diet A (control), diet B, C, D (25ml, 50ml 75ml Pleurotus pulmonaris) and E, F, G (25ml, 50ml, 75ml Aspergillus niger). Blood was collected from each animal via the jugular vein into bottles containing anticoagulant and without anticoagulant for the measurement of hematological and serum biochemical indices respectively. The study lasted for 63 days. Results showed that the proximate compositions were significantly influenced (p&gt;0.05). Results showed that the blood parameters were significantly (p&lt;0.05) influenced by the diet. Does fed diet C had the highest packed cell volume (35.00 %), hemoglobin (11.97 %) and lymphocytes (47.67%). The serum biochemical parameters also indicated that, total protein (20.09g/l) was highest in diet C. The albumin (4.27g/l) was higher in animals fed diet G, while the serum enzymes alanine aminotransferase (5.40 iu/l) and aspartate aminotransferase (22.83 iu/l) were least in animals fed diet F and G respectively. Conclusively, microbial treatment of Bambara nutshell does not have adverse effects on the goat's health status.

Leather Waste Hydrolysation, Carbonization, and Microbial Treatment for Nitrogen Recovery by Ryegrass Cultivation.

Leather waste contains up to 10% nitrogen (N); thus, combustion or gasification only for the energy recovery would not be rational, if safety standards are met. On the other hand, the chromium (Cr) content exceeding 5% in half of the waste stream (w/w) is too significant to be applied in agriculture. In this work, four acid hydrolysates from leather waste shavings, both wet-white free of Cr and wet-blue with Cr, were used: two with a mixture of acids and supplemented with Cu, Mn, and Zn, and the other two as semi-products from collagen extraction using hydrochloric acid. Additionally wet-green leather waste shavings, e.g., impregnated with olive extract, were used followed by the two treatments: amendment with a biochar from "wet white" leather waste shavings and amendment with this biochar incubated with the commercial phosphorus stimulating microbial consortia BactoFos. They were applied as organic nitrogen-based fertilizers in a glasshouse experiment, consisting of 4-5 subsequent harvests every 30 days, under spring-autumn conditions in northern Poland. Biochar-amended wet-greens provided the highest nitrogen use efficiencies, exceeding 100% after 4 months of growth (for 20 kg N/ha) and varying from 17% to 37% in particular months. This is backed up by another parameter (relative agronomic effectiveness) that for these materials exceeded 150% for a single month and in total was around 33%. Biochar amendments significantly increased agronomic parameters for wet-greens, and their microbial treatment enhanced them even further. Recycling this type of waste can replace inorganic fertilizers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint.

Water Treatment Using Boron-Doped Diamond Powder-Packed Electrolysis Flow Cell

Water treatment by electrolysis can decompose persistent organic compounds, such as low-molecular-weight organic compounds in urine, which cannot be decomposed by microbial water treatments, into H2O and CO2. Anodic oxidation is being considered for use as one of the processes in the water reclamation system required for manned space exploration. Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes can generate efficiently OH radical, which is a strong active oxidizing species, when high potential is applied in aqueous solution. In addition, BDD electrodes are known to be useful as electrode materials for electrolytic water treatment because of their physical and chemical stability. However, BDD electrodes are usually thin films, so their shape, size, and the configuration of electrolytic cells are restricted. Boron-doped diamond powder (BDDP)-packed electrolysis flow cell has been reported to be useful for water treatment with high efficiency because of the large electrode surface area. In this study, the BDDP-packed electrolytic flow cell with a closed system was developed for improvement of the decomposition efficiency.BDDP was prepared by using commercially available diamond powder with a particle size of 40-60 μm as a substrate material and depositing a BDD layer on its surface by microwave plasma CVD. The BDDP-packed electrolytic flow cell is as shown in Figure 1a. A plastic cylinder with an inner diameter of 1 cm was bonded to a glass filter (particle holding capacity: 20-25 μm, diameter: 10 mm), and a Pt wire was placed as a current collector above the filter. 0.8 g of BDDP was packed into the filter without a binder so that it was in full contact with the current collector. Electrolysis of 50 mL of 0.1 M Na2SO4 solution containing 50 μM methylene blue (MB) was performed for 60 min at a constant voltage of 5 V. The MB concentration after electrolysis was estimated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. In addition, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the electrolyte was measured before and after electrolysis.The result of MB constant voltage electrolysis with the BDDP-packed electrolysis flow cell is shown in Fig. 1b. MB was not sufficiently decomposed at a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min. The reason for this is thought to be that the bubbles generated on the BDDP surface caused insufficient contact between the BDDP. When the flow rate was increased to 20.0 mL/min to flush out all bubbles, about 90% MB degradation was achieved in 15 min and about 99% in 30 min. The higher the flow rate, the faster the MB concentration decreased. These results suggest that the closed BDDP-packed electrolysis flow cell allows bubbles generated on the electrode surface to be quickly flushed out with the treated water. The COD of the electrolyte before and after the electrolysis was measured and it ranged from 42.2 to 21.9. The decrease in COD suggests that part of MB was completely converted to CO2. In the future, we intend to quantitatively clarify the urine treatment capacity of the cell and apply it to a water recovery system in space. Figure 1

Research focus and emerging trends of the gut microbiome and infant: a bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2024.

Over the past two decades, gut microbiota has demonstrated unprecedented potential in human diseases and health. The gut microbiota in early life is crucial for later health outcomes. This study aims to reveal the knowledge collaboration network, research hotspots, and explore the emerging trends in the fields of infant and gut microbiome using bibliometric analysis. We searched the literature on infant and gut microbiome in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database from 2004 to 2024. CiteSpace V (version: 6.3.R1) and VOSview (version: 1.6.20) were used to display the top authors, journals, institutions, countries, authors, keywords, co-cited articles, and potential trends. A total of 9,899 documents were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The United States, China, and Italy were the three most productive countries with 3,163, 1,510, and 660 publications. The University of California System was the most prolific institution (524 publications). Van Sinderen, Douwe from University College Cork of Ireland was the most impactful author. Many studies have focused on atopic dermatitis (AD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), as well as the immune mechanisms and microbial treatments for these diseases, such as probiotic strains mixtures and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The mother-to-infant microbiome transmission, chain fatty acids, and butyrate maybe the emerging trends. This study provided an overview of the knowledge structure of infant and gut microbiome, as well as a reference for future research.

Influence of Microbial Treatments on Vine Growth and Must Quality: Preliminary Results.

Microorganisms play a crucial role in addressing the challenges related to the increasing detrimental effects of intensive agriculture in vineyards by contributing to various aspects, from maintaining soil health and vine vitality to influencing fermentation and the overall wine features. Among microorganisms, mycorrhizal fungi are widely distributed in both natural and agricultural ecosystems, and their mutually beneficial relationship with most terrestrial plants provides valuable ecological benefits. Nowadays, the wine industry is increasingly moving toward the production of organic wines, highlighting the need for novel and healthier strategies that prioritize both the consumer well-being and the quality of the final wine product. Following our previous study in collaboration with the Bioma SA Company (Quartino, Switzerland), the investigation was continued by extending the organic practice to the cultivation. The present work, indeed, aimed to evaluate the influence of the treatment with mycorrhizal fungi on the metabolism of "Sangiovese" grapevines. In particular, the chemical parameters, including alcohol content, pH, acidity, phenolic composition, and sulfur dioxide, were assessed on the must, while the analysis of the volatile emission was conducted both on whole and pressed grapes, on must, as well as on the grape skins. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the mycorrhizal fungi association effect on the quality of "Sangiovese" grapes and, further, its effect on the VOCs emission.

Clinical Outcomes of Infectious Keratitis Associated with Contact Lens Wear Following Penetrating Keratoplasty: A Case Series.

To report on the clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients who developed infectious keratitis associated with contact lens (CL) wear following penetrating keratoplasty (PK). A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients who underwent PK between November 2012 and January 2023 at a single tertiary referral practice, and subsequently developed CL related infectious keratitis. 74 patients using CL following PK were identified. Charts were reviewed to obtain data about demographics, ocular history, CL usage, microbial culture reports, visual acuity, treatment, and clinical outcomes. CL-associated infectious keratitis occurred in 9 patients, more frequently in males (66%), and patients had a mean age of 54.5 ± 11.8years old. The identified causative organisms included: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (N = 3), Candida parapsilosis (N = 2), Moraxella nonliquefaciens (N = 1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (N = 1), Staphylococcus epidermidis (N = 1), Streptococcus mitis (N = 1), Candida albicans (N = 1), and Acanthamoeba (N = 1). Contact lenses were used following PK for an average of 9.1 ± 10.8months before development of keratitis. Patients were followed for 31.8 ± 30.2months after infection. The mean best corrected visual acuity without CL prior to infection was 20/150 and decreased to 20/260 post-infection. Complications following the contact-lens-associated infectious keratitis included: central corneal haze (N = 8), chronic corneal epithelial defects (N = 3), perforation (N = 3), endophthalmitis (N = 1), and enucleation (N = 1). Three grafts required repeat PK. CL-associated infectious keratitis following PK have high rates of complication. Patients should be monitored closely for signs of infection.

Treatment with Leflunomide in Conjunction with Glucocorticoids for Dogs with Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis Is Not Associated with Improved Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 93 Dogs from Australia (2017-2024).

Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) has a relatively high relapse rate compared to other immune-mediated diseases. Leflunomide is frequently used to treat dogs with IMPA in conjunction with prednisolone. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of leflunomide as an adjunctive therapy to prednisolone in reducing relapse and mortality rates in dogs diagnosed with IMPA in Australia. The medical records of client-owned dogs diagnosed with IMPA at a specialist referral hospital in Southeast Queensland from 2017 to 2024 were reviewed. A total of 93 dogs were included in this study, divided into two groups based on the treatment received: Group PRED, consisting of 53 dogs treated with prednisolone as the sole immunosuppressive agent, and Group L+PRED, consisting of 40 dogs that received leflunomide as adjunctive therapy alongside prednisolone. Data collected included breed, age, weight, sex, serum C-reactive protein concentration, results of synovial fluid analysis and microbial culture, treatment protocol, relapse rates and time to relapse, and mortality rates. There was no difference in relapse or mortality rates, time to relapse, nor time to discontinue prednisolone between the PRED and L+PRED groups. The L+PRED group had higher body weights and lower prednisolone dose rate at discharge compared to those in the PRED group. This study demonstrated that the use of leflunomide as an adjunctive therapy to prednisolone for the treatment of dogs with IMPA had no improved outcomes, reduced relapse rates, or shortening in the duration of prednisolone therapy when compared to dogs receiving prednisolone monotherapy.

Biochar derived from straw residue prepared via combined pre-treatment designed for efficient removal of tetracycline hydrochloride and sulfadiazine sodium salt

In this study, straw residue (SR) was prepared from corn straw by a combined pre-treatment method that involved both microbial treatment (Myrothecium verrucaria, Aspergillus niger, and Trichoderma reesei) and treatment with ρ-toluenesulfonic acid. After pre-treatment, the cellulose content of the residues reached 79.3 %, 72.1 %, 83.5 %, and 85.2 %, respectively. The results indicated that Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma reesei effectively destroyed the corn stover structure, improving the efficiency of the subsequent treatment. Following carbonation and activation processes, the SRs were converted into a series of biochars (ACCC, ACMC, ACTC, and ACNC) with large specific surface areas (2343, 2219, 2693, 2672 m2 g−1). The prepared biochars demonstrated excellent performance in adsorption tests performed using tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) and sulfadiazine sodium salt (SDZ) as adsorption models. The maximum adsorption capacities recorded for TC (908, 1117, 1216, and 1189 mg/g) and SDZ (930, 965, 1033, and 1083 mg/g) were higher than most of the other adsorbents. Furthermore, the potential adsorption mechanisms included pore filling, π-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic attraction. Even after 5 test cycles, the biochar retained over 75 % of its adsorption performance, highlighting its strong potential for applications in removing antibiotics from water.

Biochar Composite with Enhanced Performance Prepared Through Microbial Modification for Water Pollutant Removal.

This study developed mycelial biochar composites, BQH-AN and BQH-MV, with stable physicochemical properties and significantly improved adsorption capabilities through microbial modification. The results showed that the specific surface area and porosity of BQH-AN (3547.47 m2 g-1 and 2.37 cm3 g-1) and BQH-MV (3205.59 m2 g-1 and 2.46 cm3 g-1) were significantly higher than those of biochar BQH (2641.31 m2 g-1 and 1.81 cm3 g-1), which was produced without microbial treatment. In adsorption experiments using rhodamine B (RhB), tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), and Cr (VI), BQH-AN showed maximum adsorption capacities of 1450.79 mg g-1 for RhB, 1608.43 mg g-1 for TC, and 744.15 mg g-1 for Cr(VI). BQH-MV showed similarly strong performance, with 1329.85 mg g-1 for RhB, 1526.46 mg g-1 for TC, and 752.27 mg g-1 for Cr(VI). These values were not only higher than those of BQH but also outperformed most other biochar adsorbents. Additionally, after five reuse cycles, the pollutant removal efficiency of the mycelial biochar composites remained above 69%, demonstrating excellent regenerative ability. This study not only produced biochar with superior adsorption properties but also highlighted microbial modification as an effective way to enhance lignocellulosic biochar performance, paving the way for further biomass development.

A critical Review on Advanced Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment: Fouling Reduction and Energy Demand

Objectives:Rapid industrialization has highlighted the importance of addressing environmental issues and the increasing demand for water supply. As a result, innovative solutions to improve water circulation management in both public and industrial sectors have been proposed, one of which is the introduction of Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology. This study aims to understand the mechanisms and characteristics of membrane fouling in MBR processes and compare the associated energy consumption, with the goal of improving process efficiency and energy performance.Methods:In this study, various factors influencing the MBR process were considered to analyze the mechanisms and characteristics of membrane fouling. The impact of fouling on the process was assessed, and energy consumption was compared. Specifically, the power consumption of flat-sheet and hollow-fiber MBRs was analyzed, focusing on the proportion of energy used for microbial treatment and membrane cleaning. The Specific Energy Demand (SED) was calculated to evaluate the energy consumption efficiency of different fouling control methods in MBRs.Results and Discussion:In typical MBR processes, 68.0% (flat-sheet) and 53.0% (hollow-fiber) of the power consumption is attributed to air scouring for microbial treatment and membrane cleaning. Notably, 57.0% (flat-sheet) and 36.0% (hollow-fiber) of the power is consumed to supply air for detaching adhered foulants to maintain filtration performance. These results indicate that aeration is a major energy consumer in MBR processes. SED is a critical indicator for assessing the energy consumption of specific fouling control methods, with typical MBR processes having an SED of 0.2-0.3kWh/m3. In contrast, using a non-aerated membrane module with reciprocating inertial force for fouling control reduces SED to 0.005-0.01 kWh/m3, representing a 20-60 fold decrease in energy consumption, highlighting the need for energy reduction.Conclusion:This study provides insights into fouling reduction characteristics in MBR processes, suggesting a new paradigm for enhancing the economic feasibility of MBR technology. Applying non-aerated membrane modules to reduce energy consumption can significantly improve MBR efficiency, contributing to energy reduction and environmentally friendly technology development. Therefore, strategies to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact in MBR processes are essential.