The Production of Ligninolytic Enzymes by Marine-Derived Basidiomycetes and Their Biotechnological Potential in the Biodegradation of Recalcitrant Pollutants and the Treatment of Textile Effluents

Filamentous fungi derived from marine environments are well known as a potential genetic resource for various biotechnological applications. Although terrestrial fungi have been reported to be highly efficient in the remediation of xenobiotic pollutants, fungi isolated from the marine environment may possess biological advantages over terrestrial fungi because of their adaptations to high salinity and pH extremes. The present study describes the production of ligninolytic enzymes under saline and non-saline conditions and the decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye by three basidiomycetes recovered from marine sponges (Tinctoporellus sp. CBMAI 1061, Marasmiellus sp. CBMAI 1062, and Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063). Ligninolytic enzymes were primarily produced by these fungi in a salt-free malt extract and malt extract formulated with artificial seawater (saline condition). CuSO₄ and wheat bran were the best inducers of lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase activity. RBBR was decolorized up to 100% by the three fungi, and Tinctoporellus sp. CBMAI 1061 was the most efficient. Our results revealed the biotechnological potential of marine-derived basidiomycetes for dye decolorization and the treatment of colored effluent as well as for the degradation of other organopollutants by ligninolytic enzymes in non-saline and saline conditions that resemble the marine environment.     

Decolorization of Azo,Triphenylmethane and Anthraquinone Dyes by Laccase of a Newly Isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Armillaria</Emphasis> sp. F022

A newly isolated white-rot fungus, Armillaria sp. strain F022, was isolated from the decayed wood in a tropical rain forest. Strain F022 was capable of decolorizing a variety of synthetic dyes, including azo, triphenylmethane, and anthraquinone dyes, with an optimal efficiency of decolorization obtained when dyes added after 96 h of culture, with the exception of Brilliant Green. All of the tested dyes were decolorized by the purified laccase in the absence of any redox mediators, but only a few were completely removed, while others were not completely removed even when decolorization time was increased. The laccase, with possible contributions from unknown enzymes, played a role in the decolorization process carried out by Armillaria sp. F022 cultures, and this biosorption contributed a negligible part to the decolorization by cultures. The effect of dye to fungal growth was also investigated. When dyes were added at 0 h of culture, the maximum dry mycelium weight (DMW) values in the medium containing Brilliant Green were 1/6 of that achieved by the control group. For other dyes, the DMW was similar with control. The toxic tolerance of dye for the cell beads was excellent at least up to a concentration of 500 mg/l. The optimum conditions for decolorization of three synthetic dyes are at pH 4 and 40°C.     

Effect of environmental C/N ratio on activities of lignin-degrading enzymes produced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Lignin-degrading enzymes secreted by white rot fungi play an important role in the degradation of lignin and persistent organic pollutants(POPs).In this study,effect of environmental C/N ratio on the activities of lignin-degrading enzymes,lignin peroxide(Li P)and manganese peroxidase(Mn P),produced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium,a white rot fungus,was investigated.Glucose was used as C source,and ammonium tartrate of different concentrations was used as N source to provide different C/N ratios.Relationships between Li P and Mn P activities and environmental C/N ratio were explored.The results showed that the higher the N source concentration,the faster the mycelium pellets aged.The faster the mycelium dry weight increased,the higher the Li P and Mn P activities.A high C/N ratio was a necessary condition for the secretion of Li P or Mn P.In addition,mycelium dry weight essentially affected enzyme activities.In the 122 C/N ratio and 50 C/N ratio treatments,mycelium dry weight essentially affected Mn P activity and both Li P and Mn P activities,respectively.     

Correlation of Ligninolytic Enzymes from the Newly-Found Species Trametes versicolor U97 with RBBR Decolorization and DDT Degradation

Thirty strains of fungi collected from nature were investigated for their ability to grow on agar medium contaminated with Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT). The results showed that strain U97, later identified as Trametes versicolor, was the most active decomposer. This fungus decolorized 85?% of RBBR in 6?h and degraded 71?% of DDT in 30?days. In RBBR decolorization, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that two peaks were identified as metabolic products. Among inducers for ligninolytic enzymes, only veratryl alcohol improved RBBR decolorization and DDT degradation by 93?% and 77?%, respectively. A partial least squares method using Minitab 15 showed that lignin peroxidase exhibited a positive correlation to the abilities of T. versicolor U97 to decolorize RBBR and degrade DDT. A multivariate linear equation, with the same values of ligninolytic activity during RBBR decolorization and DDT degradation, revealed that 1?% RBBR decolorization represented 1.16?% DDT degradation. Screening with agar or liquid medium and improvement of the mathematical modeling could have practical importance in the exploitation of T. versicolor U97 for the removal of DDT on a commercial scale.     

Degradation of isoproturon by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The ability of the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium to degrade isoproturon was tested in solid substrate fermentation (SSF) cultures using straw as substrate/carrier material. The role of the lignin degrading enzymes, lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP), in the degradation of the herbicide was also studied. Isoproturon concentration and LiP and MnP activities were followed in sterile straw cultures of the fungus. In vitro degradation tests with pure LiP and MnP were performed. P. chrysosporium in straw cultures was able to degrade 91% of the herbicide isoproturon in 14 days of incubation. A sharp decrease of isoproturon coincided with the largest MnP activity. Although LiP activity was also present, its role in SSF is unclear. The in vitro tests showed a strong isoproturon oxidation by LiP and a slower oxidation by MnP in the presence of Tween 80 probably by a lipid peroxidation process. Two N-demethylated metabolites were identified in pure enzyme tests and in SSF cultures. Several unidentified isoproturon derivatives, most likely hydroxylated, were also formed in both systems. The different pattern of derivatives detected in pure LiP and MnP tests showed a completely different metabolism by these two enzymes.     

Decolorization of Synthetic Dyes and Textile Effluents by Basidiomycetous Fungi

Decolorization of six synthetic dyes and two raw textile effluents (A and B) by eight basidiomycetous fungi was investigated. Among eight basidiomycetous fungi, fungal isolate RCK-1 decolorized textile effluent A maximally (42%), while fungal isolate RCK-3 was found to decolorize more of Congo Red (69%), Xylidine Ponceau 2R (100%), Poly R-478 (96%), Indigo Carmine (99%), Lissamine Green B (90%), Toluidine Blue (57%) and textile effluent B (54%), than the rest of fungi. Percentage decolorization of all synthetic dyes and textile effluents by the new fungal isolates RCK-1 and RCK-3 was higher compared to the most widely studied simultaneous lignin degrader, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and selective lignin degrader, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, when tested in liquid cultures. A statistically significant positive correlation between laccase production and decolorization of dyes and effluents was obtained as compared to other ligninolytic enzymes (lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase) production. This showed the importance of the differential contribution of the different ligninolytic enzymes towards the decolorization of the synthetic dyes and textile effluents. The substantially higher ligninolytic enzyme production by the fungal isolates RCK-1 and RCK-3 also suggested their potential use for textile effluent treatment and other possible biotechnological applications.     

田间条件下不同促腐菌对水稻秸秆腐解及胞外酶活性的影响

  【目的】  田间环境的复杂性影响促腐菌种的实际促腐效果。研究3个经鉴定的促腐菌种在田间条件下提高秸秆腐解相关酶活性的效果，并比较其和商品菌剂的效果，为秸秆促腐菌剂研发及秸秆高效还田提供科学依据。  【方法】  田间试验采用秸秆包网袋填埋法，在江西省上高县双季稻种植区晚稻季节进行，设置水稻秸秆接种假单胞菌、芽孢杆菌、青霉、商品菌剂以及不施菌剂 (对照) 5个处理，分别于秸秆包填埋于土壤后第7、14、28、56、84天取秸秆样品，测定秸秆剩余量、养分含量及胞外酶活性，并计算秸秆腐解率。  【结果】  1) 不论是否添加促腐菌剂，秸秆的腐解均呈现出先快后慢的趋势。添加假单胞菌处理秸秆腐解率以及C、N、P释放率在0～84天始终显著高于对照，最终分别提高5.6%、9.09%、11.66%和7.87%；添加青霉处理秸秆腐解率 (第14天除外) 和氮释放率在0～84天也显著高于对照，最终分别提高5.2%和7.46%；添加商品菌剂处理秸秆腐解率仅在第14天显著高于对照；而添加芽孢杆菌处理秸秆腐解率始终与对照无显著差异。2) 腐解时间是影响胞外酶活性的最重要因素，添加菌剂也能不同程度地提高秸秆腐解胞外酶活性。胞外酶中，乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶活性是影响秸秆腐解和养分释放的重要变量，其次是β-纤维二糖苷酶和磷酸酶。添加假单胞菌处理乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶 (第14天除外) 以及磷酸酶的酶活性在0～84天内显著高于对照，添加青霉、芽孢杆菌以及商品菌剂处理相关胞外酶活性表现并不稳定，添加青霉处理乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶活性仅在0～14天显著高于对照。3) 添加菌剂处理水稻产量较对照提高1.87%～9.92%，施假单胞菌处理增产最为显著。  【结论】  胞外酶中乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶活性与秸秆腐解和养分释放关系最为密切。青霉仅在秸秆腐解的前14天显著提高乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶活性，芽孢杆菌剂对胞外酶活性的提升效果不稳定，因此，其在田间条件下促进秸秆腐解、养分释放的效果也不稳定，最终没有增产效果。假单胞菌剂可在0～84天腐解周期内显著提高乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶 (第14天除外) 活性，因而在田间条件下，假单胞菌剂可以有效促进秸秆腐解和养分释放，提高晚稻产量。     

制备工艺参数对菌丝体生物质材料性能的影响

为获得菌丝体生物质材料优化性能的最佳工艺参数,该研究以最小缓冲系数和弯曲强度为评定指标,通过3因素3水平正交试验研究了菌种接种量、基质颗粒度和水添加量对平菇菌丝体材料性能的影响。研究结果表明,正交试验9组菌丝体材料中菌丝平均直径最大为1 641 nm,最小为520 nm,前者约为后者的3倍,表明不同工艺参数显著（P<0.05）影响菌丝生长状态。影响菌丝体材料力学性能的最大因素是颗粒度,其次是水添加量和接种量。最佳工艺参数为接种量10%、颗粒度10 mm和水添加量60%,对应菌丝体材料的最小缓冲系数最低为4.17、弯曲强度最大为417.43 kPa,与发泡聚苯乙烯泡沫的弯曲强度相近。研究结果可为菌丝体材料制备工艺参数与性能的优化提供基础。     

碳氮源对复合木质素降解菌木质素降解能力及相关酶活的影响

白腐真菌所具有的降解木质素能力源于其所产生的酶系统,碳源和氮源是其降解木质素和产酶的一个极为重要的影响因素。通过室内小麦秸秆固态发酵试验,研究了不同的碳、氮源对两株侧耳属真菌Tf1（P.pulmonarius）和JG1（P.cornucopiae）产酶活力、木质素降解和粗蛋白含量的影响。结果表明,Lip和MnP是参与复合木质素降解菌Tf1＋JG1降解小麦秸秆重要的木质素降解酶。以葡萄糖为碳源,酒石酸铵为氮源能显著提高复合木质素降解菌对木质素的降解能力,发酵9 d后小麦秸秆的失重率为14.87%,木质素含量为8.68%,木质素降解率为22.95%;粗蛋白含量为7.28%,比未发酵麦秸提高了36.84%（P〈0.05）;Lip和MnP活力分别为629.11 U.g-1和622.22 U.g-1。     

黄河三角洲不同退化程度人工刺槐林土壤酶活性、养分和微生物相关性研究

由人为及自然多种因素的影响造成很多地区人工林地出现衰退现象。本研究选择黄河三角洲不同退化程度的刺槐人工林,对林地土壤酶、养分和微生物及其相关性进行了研究,探讨人工刺槐林退化的原因。结果表明:随着人工刺槐林退化程度加重,土壤脲酶、多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性下降;过氧化氢酶活性则先上升,重度退化林地下降。脲酶与多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性显著相关,过氧化物酶与多酚氧化酶活性显著相关,其他酶之间相关性不显著。土壤养分与土壤酶的变化趋势基本一致,随着林分退化程度加重,有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷含量均呈下降趋势;土壤pH、含盐量随着林分退化程度加重与土壤深度增加而上升,与土壤酶活性的变化趋势相反。土壤酶特别是脲酶活性与土壤养分显著正相关性,与土壤pH和含盐量呈显著负相关。不同退化程度的人工刺槐林地土壤细菌数量最多;真菌和放线菌与细菌变化趋势各不相同,随着退化程度的增加,细菌平均数量表现为未退化>轻度退化>中度退化>重度退化,真菌数量为轻度退化>未退化>中度退化>重度退化,放线菌数量为中度退化>轻度退化>未退化>重度退化。脲酶与细菌、真菌和放线菌数量显著相关,细菌与除过氧化氢酶外的土壤酶活性显著相关,其他酶活性与各类微生物数量相关性不显著。     

Nodulation,growth and yield of soybeans as affected by paddy straw application to soil

The application of paddy straw to soil improved the yield of soybeans significantly in a light-textured red sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.6. Whereas the nodulation was unaffected in the crop grown under rainfed conditions it was improved in the irrigated summer crop of soybeans. Grain yield was significantly increased in treatment receiving straw at 3 t/ha. Addition of dung slurry as a source of inoculum for straw decomposition or a second inoculation of plants with Rhizobium failed to affect nodulation and yield of soybeans.     

分根装置中接种AM真菌对玉米秸秆降解及土壤微生物量碳、氮和酶活性的影响

本试验通过两室分根装置种植玉米,利用网袋法研究接种Glomus mosseae和Glomus etunicatum两种AM真菌对玉米秸秆降解的影响。试验分别在玉米移栽后第20 d、30 d、40 d、50 d和60 d时取样,通过测定接种AM真菌后玉米秸秆中碳、氮释放,土壤中3种常见酶活性、微生物量碳、微生物量氮及土壤呼吸的动态变化,探讨AM真菌降解玉米秸秆可能的作用机制。研究结果表明:经60 d的培养后,与未接种根室相比,接种G.mosseae和G.etunicatum真菌的菌根室玉米秸秆降解量提高了20.75%和20.97%;另外,接种G.mosseae和G.etunicatum加快了玉米秸秆碳素释放,降低了氮素释放,致使碳氮比降低25.45%和26.17%,有利于秸秆进一步降解。在本试验条件下,接种AF真菌的菌根室中土壤酸性磷素酶、蛋白酶和过氧化氢酶活性均有显著提高,并增加了微生物量碳、氮和土壤呼吸作用,形成了明显有别于根际的微生物区系。这一系列影响都反映出AM真菌能够直接或间接作用于玉米秸秆的降解过程,是导致玉米秸秆降解加快的重要原因。     

Wheat straw and cellulolytic fungi application increases nodulation, nodule efficiency and growth of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L.) grown in saline soil

This study was performed to evaluate the ability of cellulolytic fungi and wheat straw incorporation to improve the nodulation, growth and nitrogen status of fenugreek grown in saline soils. NaCl addition to the growth medium at rates of 0.5 and 1% strongly decreased the enzymatic activity of the ten tested moulds. Three of these fungi, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum and Trichoderma harzianum, showed the highest enzymatic activity. The three moulds have the ability to degrade straw in the presence of NaCl and T. harzianum was the best straw degrader. Inoculating the plants with Rhizobium meliloti strain TAL1373 and cellulolytic fungi slightly promoted nodulation, growth and nitrogen accumulation when plants were grown with the addition of 0.5% NaCl when compared to plants inoculated with R. meliloti alone. However, application of wheat straw with cellulolytic fungi significantly enhanced growth, nodulation and nodule efficiency at 0.5 and 1.0% salinity. The greatest values of nodulation and growth parameters were obtained with a straw-Trichoderma harzianum combination. Cellulolytic fungi and wheat straw increased the concentration of Ca, Mg and K in the shoots and roots of plants. The increase in dry matter production and N content was mainly due to improved N₂ fixation reflected by enhanced formation and growth of nodules as well as nitrogenase activity. Received: 20 January 1997     

泥鳅生长及抗氧化 解毒酶系统对水体中转Cry1Ab/Ac基因水稻残遗物的响应

在泥鳅养殖水体中添加稻秆粉模拟水稻残遗物生境,研究了泥鳅生长和肝胰脏抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT)与解毒酶(GST)活性对转Cry1Ab/Ac基因水稻‘华恢1号’(HH1)的响应。设计以HH1稻秆粉10 mg·L?1、50 mg·L?1、100 mg·L?1和200 mg·L?1 4个梯度浓度处理泥鳅为试验组,以非转Bt基因水稻‘明恢63’(MH63)稻秆粉处理组为阴性对照,不加稻秆粉的基础饲养组为空白对照。结果显示:在4种稻秆粉浓度下,HH1组与MH63对照组泥鳅的特定生长率、肥满度、内脏系数及SOD、CAT和GST酶活性均无显著差异(P0.05);与空白对照比较,稻秆粉浓度升高对泥鳅生长的抑制逐渐增强,当浓度达到200 mg·L?1时,HH1组和MH63对照组泥鳅的特定生长率、内脏系数与CAT活性降低。研究结果表明,水体中低含量的转融合基因Cry1Ab/Ac水稻HH1稻秆粉对泥鳅的生长与生理酶活性没有明显影响,高浓度HH1和MH63稻秆粉均使泥鳅的生长和生理酶活性显著降低,这可能与养殖水体中浓度较高的悬浮稻秆粉妨碍了泥鳅的呼吸和滤食,及稻秆粉的分解降低了水体p H和溶氧量有关。     

Straw and biochar effects on soil properties and tomato seedling growth under different moisture levels

ABSTRACT

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of wheat straw and its biochar on tomato seedling growth and soil physicochemical properties under different moisture levels. Treatments included control (no amendments, CK), three biochar amendments (B1: 1%, B2: 3% and B3: 6% w/w) and three straw amendments (S1: 1%, S2: 3% and S3: 6% w/w), under two moisture levels (M1: 40% water holding capacity (WHC) and M2: 70% WHC). The straw and biochar had contrasting effects on soil physiochemical properties and physiology of tomato seedlings. The B1 treatment significantly increased the soil urease activity (15%) and decreased the activity of dehydrogenase and β glucosidase enzymes (67% and 56%), as compared to the S1 treatment, especially for the high moisture condition. Biochar significantly improved shoot and root dry weights, biomass and altered chlorophyll contents. Plant antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly decreased in biochar treatments, however, an increasing trend was observed for straw treatments. The current findings suggest that application of high amount of biochar (6%) or low amount of straw (1%) would be a reasonable management practice in semi-arid regions to improve soil physiochemical properties and the physiology of tomato seedlings.     

Role of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Biochar,and Chemical Fertilizer under Salinity Stress

Pot experiment was conducted under axenic conditions in a growth chamber with 14 h photoperiod at 22/26°C to evaluate the role of biochar, phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas sp.), and chemical fertilizer under induced salt stress (150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)). Factorial randomized complete plot designs with three replications were used. Biochar and fertilizer were mixed in soil (5:1) while Pseudomonas sp. was applied as seed soaking. Salt stress applied at 3 leaf stage significantly reduced (27%) soil moisture and increased electrolyte leakage, Na and potassium (K) uptake, proline, and antioxidant enzymes. Biochar and Pseudomonas sp. decreased the sodium by 24% and 50%, respectively, and increased proline, soil moisture content, and peroxidase (POD) activity. Fertilizer treatment increased the electrolyte leakage by 73%. The effect of fertilizer was 3–4× higher for proline and POD activity in combined treatment with biochar and Pseudomonas. The fertilizer effect can be augmented by the application of Pseudomonas sp. and biochar to alleviate salt stress.     

Decolorization of Textile Effluent by Soluble Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L) Seeds Peroxidase

Peroxidase from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds was highly effective in the decolorization of textile effluent. Effluent was recalcitrant to the action of fenugreek seeds peroxidase (FSP). However, in order to effectively decolorize effluent by peroxidase, the role of six redox mediators has been investigated. The maximum decolorization of textile effluent was observed in the presence of 1.0 mM 1-hydroxybenzotrizole, 0.7 mM H₂O₂, and 0.4 U ml^?1 of FSP in the buffer of pH 5.0 at 40°C in 2.5 h. The decolorization of textile effluent in a batch process by peroxidase was 85% in 5 h, whereas the complete decolorization of textile effluent by membrane-entrapped FSP was observed within 11 h of its operation. The absorption spectra of treated effluent exhibited a marked diminution in the absorbance at different wavelengths compared to untreated effluent.     

Effect of Adding Exogenous Oxidative Enzymes on the Activity of Three Endogenous Oxidoreductases During Mixing of Wheat Flour Dough

The behavior of different exogenous enzymes (soybean lipoxygenase [SLOX], horseradish peroxidase [HPOD], catalase from bovine liver [BCAT], and glucose oxidase [GOX] from Aspergillus niger) added to dough was studied during mixing. The effect of adding these exogenous oxidoreductases on the activity of three oxidative enzymes present in wheat flour (lipoxygenase [WLOX], peroxidase [WPOD], and catalase [WCAT]) was examined. Proper assay conditions were established to differentiate between added WLOX, WPOD, and WCAT and the corresponding activities present in wheat flour. For doughs with added SLOX, an immediate loss of extractable SLOX (≈40%) was observed which remained constant during further mixing. When compared with the control dough, addition of SLOX decreased the losses in WLOX and WCAT activities, whereas WPOD activity was unaffected. With doughs supplemented by HPOD, an immediate loss of 20% in the HPOD activity was observed which did not change after 20 min of mixing. Compared with control dough, addition of HPOD did not affect the behavior of WLOX and WPOD, whereas a slight decrease in the WCAT losses was observed. Addition of BCAT to the dough did not change the behavior of WLOX and WPOD, whereas the losses in WCAT were less rapid. Half of the extractable activity of BCAT was lost at the beginning of mixing with no change during further mixing. For doughs supplemented with GOX, 25% of the GOX activity was lost in the first 5 min of mixing and an additional loss of 20% was observed after 20 min of mixing. Compared with dough without GOX, addition of GOX decreased the losses in WLOX, whereas losses in WCAT and WPOD increased. Glucose and ferulic acid were also added to doughs supplemented with GOX. Added glucose decreased the losses in GOX and WLOX and did not change the behavior of WPOD and WCAT during mixing. Addition of ferulic acid promoted a slight increase of the losses in WLOX and WCAT and almost no change for GOX and WPOD.     

Improvement of Antioxidant System and Decrease of Lignin by Nickel Treatment in Tea Plant

The effect of nickel (Ni) on the activities of antioxidant enzymes was evaluated in suspension-cultured cells of tea (Camellia sinensis L. cv. ‘Yabukita’) and two-year-old rooted cuttings of tea (Camellia sinensis L. assamica × sinensis). Suspension-cultured cells were grown in B5 medium and treated with 40 μM of Ni for 24 h. Tea plants were grown in a modified Hoagland solution and treated for one week with 40 μM of Ni. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and ionically wall-bound peroxidase of both Ni-treated tea cells and Ni-treated tea plants increased compared with those of control groups. The activities of soluble peroxidase and covalently wall-bound peroxidase, as well as the lignin content of both tea cells and tea plants, decreased under Ni treatment. Thus it seems that Ni may have beneficial effects on tea plants via elevation of antioxidant activity and decrease of lignification of the walls.     

Influence of organic amendments used for benz[a]anthracene remediation in a farmland soil: pollutant distribution and bacterial changes

Purpose

Organic amendments are usually carried out at field-scale for efficient remediation of organic pollutants; however, their effects on pollutant distribution and the corresponding microbial mechanisms were rarely discussed. The main aim of this study was to compare the fate of benz[a]anthracene in soil amended by several bioremediation materials and underlying microbial mechanisms.

Materials and methods

In this study, the potential for biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in a farmland soil was investigated in microcosms spiked with ¹⁴C-benz[a]anthracene as the tracer. A series of organic amendments including lignin, straw, mushroom culture waste, and cow manure, as well as a fungal inoculum of Pleurotus ostreatus, were compared. Illumina sequencing was introduced to reveal the bacterial community in different amendments. The metagenomic function was predicted with the bioinformatics tool of phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt).

Results and discussion

From the results, the lignin-contained substrates (lignin, straw, mushroom culture waste) showed increase trend in the dissipation of benz[a]anthracene, while Pleurotus ostreatus and cow manure resulted in opposite trends. Specifically, mushroom culture waste mainly increased ¹⁴C to the formation of humin-bound residue (39.5?±?6.8%); lignin amendment significantly (P?<?0.05) enhanced the mineralization to CO₂ (7.38?±?0.89%) and humic acid–related nonextractable residue (9.77?±?0.45%). The influence of straw on the environmental fate of benz[a]anthracene was marginal. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes demonstrated that mushroom culture waste and lignin significantly changed bacterial community composition, leading to increases in the relative abundance of Pseudomonadaceae, Methylophilaceae, Bacillaceae, and Burkholderiaceae. Moreover, the result of PICRUSt showed that the genes-encoding bacterial cytochrome P450 enzymes were significantly increased in the lignin treatment, suggesting a possible co-metabolism between lignin degradation and PAH mineralization.

Conclusions

These findings suggest lignin-containing organic amendments could be promising soil remediation agents of benz[a]anthracene by stimulating mineralization and sequestration of pollutants.