Degradation/solubilization of Chinese lignite by Penicillium sp. P6

Penicillium sp. P6, isolated from coal mine soil at the Qiantong colliery Liaoning Province, Northwest China, can degrade Chinese lignite in 36 h on a plate colony and in 48 h using a 4-day cultured cell-free filtrate. Results of elemental analysis and IR spectrometry indicated that solubilized products exhibited some alterations in comparison to the original lignite. The amount of fulvic acid extracted from the biodegraded lignite was high, and the molecular distribution of the humic acids from biodegraded lignite changed distinctively in comparison to which extracted from the control lignite, possibly due to the depolymerization associated with fungal biodegradation.     

Nitrogen Incorporation into Lignite Humic Acids during Microbial Degradation

Previous study showed that nitrogen content in lignite humic acids (HA) increased significantly during lignite biodegradation. In this paper we evaluated the factors responsible for the increased level of N in HA and the formation of new nitrogen compound following microbial degradation. When the ammonium sulfate concentration in lignite medium was < 0.5%, the N-content in HA was higher than that in the crude lignite humic acid (cHA); when the ammonium sulfate concentration was ≥ 0.5%, both the biodegraded humic acid (bHA) N-content and the content of bHA in lignite increased significantly, but at 2.0% no increase was observed. This indicated that HA incorporated N existing in the lignite medium, and more HA can incorporate more N with the increase of bHA amount in lignite during microbial degradation. CP/MAS ¹⁵N NMR analysis showed that the N incorporated into HA during biotransformation was in the form of free or ionized NH₂-groups in amino acids and sugars, as well as NH₄ ⁺. We propose nitrogen can be incorporated into HA biotically and abiotically. The high N content bHA has a potential application in agriculture since N is essential for plant growth.     

Lignite Biosolubilization by Bacillus sp. RKB 2 and Characterization of its Products

Abstract

Nowadays, the advancements of coal microbiology and biotechnology have been highly emphasized, providing leading-edge approaches in sustainable development of agriculture and the protection of the environment. The biosolubilization of low-rank coals, such as lignite and leonardite is a promising technology for converting these sedimentary rocks into valuable products. In this study, the process involved in lignite biosolubilization by Bacillus sp. RKB 2 was investigated. The biotransformed lignite and the produced humic substances were determined in vitro in a liquid medium and on a solid matrix. The bacterial strain was isolated from untreated Kazakhstani lignite and was shown to be capable of effectively solubilizing and transforming lignite (5% w/v). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analyses were performed to examine the solubilization products and lignite humic substances processed by bacteria. The absorption peaks of FTIR showed the diverse nature of the bacteria-induced humic substances, and the vast majority of intense peaks detected are mainly below an m/z of 1000?Da (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry [LC-MS] (QqQ)). Data analysis concluded that our isolate could depolymerize lignite and form bio-humic substances. Due to its ability to solubilize lignite Bacillus sp. RKB 2 may be useful in the coal-bed for in situ bioutilization of low-rank coal.     

Biodegradation and ecotoxicity of soil contaminated by pentachlorophenol applying bioaugmentation and addition of sorbents

Biodegradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil by autochthonous microorganisms and in soil bioaugmented by the bacterial strain Comamonas testosteroni CCM 7530 was studied. Subsequent addition of organomineral complex (OMC) or lignite as possible sorbents for PCP immobilization has been investigated as well. The OMC was prepared from humic acids (HAs) isolated from lignite by binding them onto zeolite. Biodegradation of PCP and number of colony forming units (CFUs) were determined in the three types of soil, Chernozem, Fluvisol, and Regosol, freshly spiked with PCP and amended separately with tested sorbents. The enhancing effect of sorbent addition and bioaugmentation on PCP biodegradation depended mainly on the soil type and the initial PCP concentration. Microbial activity resulted in biotransformation of PCP into certain toxic substances, probably lower chlorinated phenols that are more soluble than PCP, and therefore more toxic to present biota. Therefore, it was necessary to monitor soil ecotoxicity during biodegradation. Addition of the OMC resulted in a more significant decrease of soil toxicity in comparison with addition of lignite. Lignite and OMC appear to be good traps for PCP with potential application in remediation technology.     

Solubilization of low-rank coal by Trichoderma atroviride: Evidence for the involvement of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes by using 14C-labelled lignite

The deuteromycete Trichoderma atroviride is able to solubilize lignite in dependence on a given carbon source for growth. When cultivated on media containing glutamate, this mold excreted a set of different enzymes with hydrolytic activity. Addition of lignite to the growth media induced the synthesis of extracellular lignite-specific esterase activity but no evidence has been provided for its direct involvement in the process of lignite solubilization. Hence, the basic capability of T. atroviride enzymes to degrade a variety of ester and ether bonds at the surface or within the bulky lignite structure was tested using coal following its direct labelling with ¹⁴C-alkyl iodide. The participation of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes in lignite degradation was assessed by measuring the release of ¹⁴C radioactivity from selectively alkylated carboxylic and phenolic OH groups. T. atroviride cleaved both carboxylic esters using esterases and the phenolic ether bonds by using oxidative enzymes, most likely laccases. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 207–212 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000232 Received 05 July 2001/ Accepted in revised form 08 December 2001     

Solid substrate fermentation of lignite by the coal-solubilizing mould, Trichoderma atroviride, in a new type of bioreactor

Trichoderma atroviride CBS 349 is able to solubilize lignite. The mould was cultured under non-sterile conditions in a new type of bioreactor for solid substrate fermentation. German lignite (lithotype A, Bergheim) was used as complex solid substrate. Over 40 days 140 g of 1.5 kg lignite held in a 25 l-bioreactor was solubilized by the fungus.     

White‐rot fungi combined with lignite granules and lignitic xylite to decolorize textile industry wastewater

The feasibility of using immobilized fungi to decolorize textile industry wastewater containing dyes was examined in experiments with: two species of white‐rot fungi (a Marasmius species from Indonesia, which produces copious biomass, and Trametes hirsuta, which produces high levels of laccase); two types of lignite products as adsorbents and solid substrates (lignitic xylite and lignite granules); and four simulated wastewaters, each containing a different kinds of reactive textile azo dye. The growth, extracellular enzyme production, dye degradation and dye absorption parameters afforded by each permutation of fungus, substrate and dye were then measured. Both fungal species grew poorly on xylite, but much better on lignite granules. Marasmius sp. produced up to 67 U/L laccase on lignite granules, but just 10 U/L on xylite, and no other detectable extracellular enzymes. T. hirsuta produced 1343 U/L laccase and up to 12 U/L unspecific peroxidase when immobilized on lignite granules, and 898 U/L laccase with 14 U/L unspecific peroxidase when immobilized on xylite. The amount of color lost from the dye solutions depended on both the type of dye and the enzyme levels in the fermenter.     

Stabilization of Cr,Pb, and Zn in Soil Using Lignite

A uniform multivariable model system was used to investigate whether lignite from Visonta (Hungary) has a stabilizing effect on the heavy metals Cr, Pb, and Zn in the case of complex soil contamination with these metals. The investigated soil was acidic sand. Soluble element concentrations extracted by distilled water, ammonium acetate buffer, and ammonium-acetate + EDTA extractant were determined. The effect of lignite on the humus quality of the soil and its influence on the cation exchange capacity was also measured. The results were evaluated using analysis of variance, regression analysis, and principal component analysis. The results indicated that lignite was capable of stabilizing Pb, Zn, and particularly Cr. According to the optical method, lignite did not increase the amount of higher condensation and polymerization humic fractions, but it did increase the cation exchange capacity of the soil. If the lignite-based remediation technology is to become applicable in practice, further tests will be required on the efficiency of lignite, accompanied by a change in the scale of the experiments.     

Biodepolymerization studies of low rank Indian coals

Biodepolymerization of some of the lower rank Indian coals by Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Aspergillus species were studied in a batch system. The main disadvantage in burning low rank coals is the low calorific values. To get the maximum benefit from the low rank coals, the non fuel uses of coals needs to be explored. The liquefaction of coals is the preliminary processes for such approaches. The present study is undertaken specifically to investigate the optimization of bio depolymerization of neyveli lignite by P. djmor. The pH of the media reached a constant value of about 7.8 by microbial action. The effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources and influence of chelators and metal ions on depolymerization of lignite were also studied. Lignite was solubilized by P. djamor only to a limited extent without the addition of carbon and nitrogen sources. Sucrose was the best suitable carbon source for coal depolymerization by P. djamor and sodium nitrated followed by urea was the best nitrogen source. The Chelators like salicylic acid, TEA and metal ions Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺ has enhanced the lignite solubilization process. The finding of the study showed that, compared to sub-bituminous and bituminous coal, the lignite has higher rate of solubilization activity.     

硫酸盐还原菌Desulfotomaculum reducens ZTS1厌氧降解昭通褐煤

[目的] 以云南昭通褐煤为研究对象,从矿井水富集产物中分离得到SRB菌株Desulfotomaculum reducens ZTS1厌氧降解褐煤,分析研究SRB菌株处理褐煤前后的物化性质变化。[方法] 采用工业和元素分析、XRD、FT-IR、SEM和低温液氮吸附法比较研究SRB厌氧降解褐煤前后矿物组成、有机官能团、表面形貌和孔隙结构变化。[结果] D.reducens ZTS1厌氧降解褐煤后灰分和挥发分略有降低,碳、氮和硫元素的含量降低,氧的含量增加,煤中硫代硫酸钠消失,FT-IR结果表明褐煤长链烃上的甲基和亚甲基团增多,游离羟基减少。煤表面粗糙度增加,小孔径的孔隙增多,孔径比表面积增大。[结论] D.reducens ZTS1可以厌氧降解昭通褐煤,厌氧降解后煤的物化性质发生变化。     

Characterization of Bacterial Flora from Afşin–Elbistan Lignite Mine for Potential Microbial Biotech Applications

Abstract

The energy demand is enhancing day by day all over the world with the increasing of huge population. Lignite, a fossil fuel with low energy efficiency, is used in many different fields. However, lignite is primarily an energy source and its use without treatment causes environmental pollution as well as low energy efficiency. Advantages are known for the use of microorganisms in lignite processing technologies, and research is underway to improve this process. In this research designed to meet this need, isolation and characterization of bacteria with potential for use in biotechnological applications resistant to extreme conditions were performed from lignite mine. Turkey’s largest lignite mine bacterial flora have been identified for the first time in this study. In addition to lignite processing technologies, a bacterial strain collection has been created to be used in other biotechnological studies. This collection of bacteria includes Methylorubrum zatmanii, Streptomyces argenteolus, Streptomyces galilaeus, Pseudomonas mandelii, Paenarthrobacter aurescens, Paeniglutamicibacter sulfureus, Arthrobacter humicola, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus safensis, Kocuria polaris, Arthrobacter sp., Rhodococcus sp. This specific bacteria collection is open to sharing with other researchers who want to do field applications.     

The effect of humic substances on germination and early growth of Lamb’s Quarters (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium album</Emphasis> agg.)

In order to understand the biological activity of humic substances (HS), the effect of four humic acids (HA) and one fulvic acid (FA) on seed germination and early growth of cosmopolitan weed Chenopodium album agg. were tested. Humic substances of diverse origin were used, namely purified commercial HA, HA isolated from lignite, cambisol and podzol, and FA from mountain spruce forest soil. Data processing by two-way ANOVA has shown that type of the tested substances was a more important factor on seed development than used concentration. The major differences in germination and length of shoots were found in the first days of the experiment. Commercial and lignite HA stimulated the seed germination and growth, while podzol HA inhibited them. After this initial phase, all humic substances stimulated the seed development, but these stimulations were not significant (P < 0.05). At the end of germination test, the greatest stimulation effect (up to 20%) was achieved with the lignite HA.     

Degradation of Microcystin-RR by Sphingomonas sp. CBA4 isolated from San Roque reservoir (Córdoba – Argentina)

We report the aerobic biodegradation of Microcystin-RR (MC-RR) by a bacterial strain isolated from San Roque reservoir (Córdoba – Argentina). This bacterium was identified as Sphingomonas sp. (CBA4) on the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing. The isolated strain was capable of degrading completely MC-RR (200 μg l⁻¹) within 36 h. We have found evidence that MC-RR biodegradation pathway by this Sphingomonas sp. strain would start by demethylating MC-RR, affording an intermediate product, which is finally biodegraded by this strain within 72 h. Our results confirm that certain environmental bacteria, living in the same habitat as toxic cyanobacteria, have the capability to perform complete biodegradation of MC, leading to natural bioremediation of waterbodies. The bacterium reported here presents genetic homologies with other strains that degrade MC-LR. However, initial demethylation of MC-RR has been not described previously, raising questions on the probable presence of different biodegradation pathways for different MC variants.     

First Report of Fungal Strains from Afşin–Elbistan Mine for Microbial Lignite Process

Abstract

Today, the need for energy is increasing and fossil fuels are constituting one of the most important energy sources in the world. Therefore, the efficient use of fossil fuels has become inevitable. In order to better use the opportunities offered by nature, we have turned to nature’s own resources. In this study, fungal strains of potential use in coal processing technology, isolated from Turkey’s largest lignite mine and identified. Our goal was to obtain active isolates for the biotechnological applications using the mine’s own source. For this aim, lignite samples were collected from different regions of the Af?in–Elbistan lignite mine, isolation studies were done and eventually, distinguished fungal isolates were identified by using conventional and molecular techniques. Hereby, fungal biodiversity of Turkey’s largest lignite mine has been investigated for the first time. Furthermore, 20 fungal isolates belong to Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium genera were cultured to provide resources for the development of future biotechnological coal processing techniques.     

Growth substrates control the ability of Fusarium oxysporum to solubilize low-rank coal

The ability of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum to solubilize lignite was found to depend on the presence of a specific carbon source. When grown on glucose or another carbohydrate, the fungus is unable to solubilize coal but it produces the red dye bikaverin. In the coal-solubilizing state, which can be induced by cultivation in the presence of glutamate or gluconate, the fungus does not produce bikaverin. The presence or absence of the pigment can therefore be taken as an indicator of the ability of the fungus to solubilize coal. Addition of extracted and purified bikaverin to F. oxysporum growing on glutamate or gluconate inhibits coal solubilization. Hence, F. oxysporum offers a suitable system for investigating the mechanism of microbial coal degradation by comparing the two growth-substrate-controlled physiological states.     

Root Distribution and Nutrient Status of Mycorrhizal and Non-mycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris L. Seedlings Growing in a Sandy Substrate with Lignite Fragments

Reclaimed mine soils of the Lusatian mining district are characterised by small-scale heterogeneous distribution of lignite fragments of varying size embedded in a matrix of Tertiary and Quaternary sandy material. Despite amelioration with basic fly ashes, ongoing pyrite oxidation and the subsequent acidification generate a high physical and chemical heterogeneity within the substrate, which could negatively affect root proliferation. We hypothesised that this limitation for the root system may be compensated for by intensive exploration of the porous lignite fragments by roots and/or mycorrhizal hyphae to access water and nutrients stored in these fragments. To test this hypothesis, we compared growth, shoot nutrient content, and root distribution of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings in lignite-containing and lignite-free sandy substrate. Rhizotrons used for this experiment were filled with a sandy matrix with 6–9 evenly distributed spots of lignite fragments. Treatments included different levels of water and nutrient availability. After 8 months of growth, root tip vitality as well as growth and shoot nutrient concentration of the plants was higher for treatments with lignite spots in the sandy substrate than for sandy substrate without such amendments. Compared to the non-mycorrhizal plants, the seedlings inoculated with Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. had a higher root dry mass, an increased number of root tips and a higher root length. These results confirm our hypothesis that the lignite fragments are an important nutrient and water reservoir for plants in these mine soils and they indicate that mycorrhizal colonisation may allow an intensive exploration of porous lignite fragments by mycorrhizal hyphae.     

Processes of liquefaction/solubilization of Spanish coals by microorganisms

Several fundamental aspects of microbial coal liquefaction/solubilization were studied. The liquefied/solubilized products from coal by microorganisms were analysed. The liquid products analysed by IR titration and UV/visible spectrometry showed some alterations with regard to the original coal. Humic acids extracted from the liquefied lignite showed a reduction in the average molecular weight and a increase in the condensation index, probably due to depolymerization caused by microorganisms. The mechanisms implicated in coal biosolubilization by two fungal strains, M2 (Trichoderma sp.) and M4 (Penicillium sp.) were also studied. Extracellular peroxidase, esterase and phenoloxidase enzymes appear to be involved in coal solubilization. Received: 15 June 1998 / Received revision: 23 November 1998 / Accepted: 29 November 1998     

Production,optimization and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate,a biodegradable plastic by Bacillus spp.

Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is the intracellular lipid reserve accumulated by many bacteria. The most potent terrestrial bacterium Bacillus cereus SE-1 showed more PHB accumulating cells (22.1 and 40% after 48 and 72 h) than that of the marine Bacillus sp. CS-605 (5 and 33% after 48 and 72 h). Both the isolates harbored phbB gene and the characteristics C=O peak was observed in the extracted PHB by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis. Maltose was found to be the most suitable carbon source for the accumulation of PHB in B. cereus SE-1. The extracted PHB sample from B. cereus SE-1 was blended with a thermoplastic starch (TS) and an increased thermoplasticity and decreased crystallinity were observed after blending in comparison to the standard PHB. The melting temperature (T_m), melting enthalpy (?Hf), and crystallinity (X_c) of the blended PHB sample were found to be 109.4 °C, 64.58 J/g, and 44.23%, respectively.     

Use of lignite slurry as inoculating medium for vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza in chinese potato (Coleus parviflorus)

Tubers of Coleus parviflorus were inoculated with spores of the vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus microcarpum. The spores had been suspended in a lignite slurry and stored in a refrigerator for 1–6 months periods. Inoculation took place by soaking the tubers in the slurry for 3 h followed by drying in the shade, subsequent planting of such tubers gave rise to nearly 100% infection even after 6 months of storage.     

Studies on the solubilization of German coal by fungi

Summary The capability of seven basidiomycetes (Trametes versicolor, Poria placenta, Pleurotus florida, P. ostreatus, P. sajor-caju, P. eryngii, Stropharia sp.), one ascomycete (Chaetomium globosum) and five hyphomycetes and moulds (Humicola grisea, Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus terreus, Paecilomyces varioti, Papulaspora immersa) to solubilize medium and high volatile bituminous coals (types A and B) as well as four types of lignite B from Germany was tested in surface cultures. The intensity of bioliquefaction was determined by estimating the rate of droplet formation and by measuring the loss of weight of the coal granules gravimetrically. The bituminous coals with a relative high degree of coalification were only moderately converted by Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus florida, P. ostreatus and P. sajor-caju. The three species of Pleurotus caused the greatest rate of biosolubilization of lignite, yielding a loss of weight of the coal granules of more than 5.8% with a maximum of 7.6% with P. florida. The non-basidiomycetes proved to be less active with a liquefaction rate of up to 3.5% with Trichoderma viride. In general, the geologically younger lignite coals were more effectively solubilized than the older hard coals. The volatile matter and the oxygen content proved to be the principal factors influencing the intensity of bioconversion.