Role of Microbial Communities in the Low-Cost, Sustainable Treatment of Pig Effluent Waste

Fruits and vegetables are foods that come into contact with various types of microorganisms from planting to their consumption. A lack or poor sanitation of these products after harvest can cause high losses due to deterioration and/ or pathogenic microorganisms. There are practically no post-harvest fungicides or bactericides with a broad spectrum of action that have no toxic residual effects and are safe. However, to minimize such problems, the use of sanitizers is an efficient device against these microorganisms. Chlorine is the most prevalent sanitizing agent because of its broad spectrum, low cost and well-established practices. However, the inevitable formation of disinfection by-products, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), is considered one of the main threats to food safety. Alternative sanitizers, such as chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and ozone, are becoming popular as a substitute for traditional post-harvest treatments. Thus, this review addresses the use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone emphasizing aspects, such as usage, safe application, spectrum of action and legislation. In order to ensure the quality and safety of final products, the adoption of well-prepared sanitation and sanitation programs for post-harvest fruits and vegetables is essential.

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Influence of pig farming on human Gut Microbiota: role of airborne microbial communities

Gut Microbes ◽

10.1080/19490976.2021.1927634 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Julia Moor ◽

Tsering Wüthrich ◽

Suzanne Aebi ◽

Nadezda Mostacci ◽

Gudrun Overesch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Microbial Communities ◽

Human Gut ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Pig Farming

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Discovery of novel community-relevant small proteins in a simplified human intestinal microbiome

Microbiome ◽

10.1186/s40168-020-00981-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hannes Petruschke ◽

Christian Schori ◽

Sebastian Canzler ◽

Sarah Riesbeck ◽

Anja Poehlein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

De Novo ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Single Strain ◽

Small Proteins ◽

Human Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in protecting the host from pathogenic microbes, modulating immunity and regulating metabolic processes. We studied the simplified human intestinal microbiota (SIHUMIx) consisting of eight bacterial species with a particular focus on the discovery of novel small proteins with less than 100 amino acids (= sProteins), some of which may contribute to shape the simplified human intestinal microbiota. Although sProteins carry out a wide range of important functions, they are still often missed in genome annotations, and little is known about their structure and function in individual microbes and especially in microbial communities. Results We created a multi-species integrated proteogenomics search database (iPtgxDB) to enable a comprehensive identification of novel sProteins. Six of the eight SIHUMIx species, for which no complete genomes were available, were sequenced and de novo assembled. Several proteomics approaches including two earlier optimized sProtein enrichment strategies were applied to specifically increase the chances for novel sProtein discovery. The search of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data against the multi-species iPtgxDB enabled the identification of 31 novel sProteins, of which the expression of 30 was supported by metatranscriptomics data. Using synthetic peptides, we were able to validate the expression of 25 novel sProteins. The comparison of sProtein expression in each single strain versus a multi-species community cultivation showed that six of these sProteins were only identified in the SIHUMIx community indicating a potentially important role of sProteins in the organization of microbial communities. Two of these novel sProteins have a potential antimicrobial function. Metabolic modelling revealed that a third sProtein is located in a genomic region encoding several enzymes relevant for the community metabolism within SIHUMIx. Conclusions We outline an integrated experimental and bioinformatics workflow for the discovery of novel sProteins in a simplified intestinal model system that can be generically applied to other microbial communities. The further analysis of novel sProteins uniquely expressed in the SIHUMIx multi-species community is expected to enable new insights into the role of sProteins on the functionality of bacterial communities such as those of the human intestinal tract.

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Vanadium doped CaTiO3 cuboids: Role of vanadium in improving the photocatalytic activity

Nanoscale Advances ◽

10.1039/d1na00468a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Harsha Bantawal ◽

Sandhya U. Shenoy ◽

Denthaje Krishna Bhat

Keyword(s):

Photocatalytic Activity ◽

Water Splitting ◽

Dye Degradation ◽

Low Cost ◽

Physicochemical Stability ◽

Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

CaTiO3 has attracted enormous interest in the field of photocatalytic dye degradation and water splitting owing to its low cost, excellent physicochemical stability and structural tunability. Herein, we have developed...

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Deconstruction of Lignin: From Enzymes to Microorganisms

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26082299 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 2299

Author(s):

Jéssica P. Silva ◽

Alonso R. P. Ticona ◽

Pedro R. V. Hamann ◽

Betania F. Quirino ◽

Eliane F. Noronha

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Metabolic Pathways ◽

Low Cost ◽

Direct Analysis ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Lignocellulosic Residues ◽

Complementary Techniques ◽

Plant Polymer ◽

Powerful Strategy

Lignocellulosic residues are low-cost abundant feedstocks that can be used for industrial applications. However, their recalcitrance currently makes lignocellulose use limited. In natural environments, microbial communities can completely deconstruct lignocellulose by synergistic action of a set of enzymes and proteins. Microbial degradation of lignin by fungi, important lignin degraders in nature, has been intensively studied. More recently, bacteria have also been described as able to break down lignin, and to have a central role in recycling this plant polymer. Nevertheless, bacterial deconstruction of lignin has not been fully elucidated yet. Direct analysis of environmental samples using metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics approaches is a powerful strategy to describe/discover enzymes, metabolic pathways, and microorganisms involved in lignin breakdown. Indeed, the use of these complementary techniques leads to a better understanding of the composition, function, and dynamics of microbial communities involved in lignin deconstruction. We focus on omics approaches and their contribution to the discovery of new enzymes and reactions that impact the development of lignin-based bioprocesses.

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The microbial world in a changing environment

Revista chilena de historia natural ◽

10.1186/s40693-021-00099-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 94 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rafael Vicuña ◽

Bernardo González

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Microbial Communities ◽

Recent Literature ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Complete Evaluation ◽

Microbial World ◽

Sustainable Environment ◽

Entire Planet ◽

New Strategies

Abstract Background In this article we would like to touch on the key role played by the microbiota in the maintenance of a sustainable environment in the entire planet. For obvious reasons, this article does not intend to review thoroughly this extremely complex topic, but rather to focus on the main threats that this natural scenario is presently facing. Methods Recent literature survey. Results Despite the relevance of microorganisms have in our planet, the effects of climate change on microbial communities have been scarcely and not systematically addressed in literature. Although the role of microorganisms in emissions of greenhouse gases has received some attention, there are several microbial processes that are affected by climate change with consequences that are presently under assessment. Among them, host-pathogen interactions, the microbiome of built environment, or relations among plants and beneficial microbes. Conclusions Further research is required to advance in knowledge of the effect of climate change on microbial communities. One of the main targets should be a complete evaluation of the global microbial functional diversity and the design of new strategies to cope with limitations in methods to grow microorganisms in the laboratory. These efforts should contribute to raise a general public awareness on the major role played by the microbiota on the various Earth ecosystems.

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Do Institutional Transplants Succeed? Regulating Raiffeisen Cooperatives in South India, 1930–1960

The Business History Review ◽

10.1017/s0007680520000884 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-27

Author(s):

Maanik Nath

Keyword(s):

South India ◽

Financial Regulation ◽

Low Cost ◽

Credit Market ◽

Rural Credit ◽

Market State ◽

The Government ◽

Political Economic ◽

Rural Credit Market

The government in British-ruled India established cooperative banks to compete with private moneylenders in the rural credit market. State officials expected greater competition to increase the supply of low-cost credit, thereby expanding investment potential for the rural poor. Cooperatives did increase credit supply but captured a small share of the credit market and reported net losses throughout the late colonial and early postcolonial period. The article asks why this experiment did not succeed and offers two explanations. First, low savings restricted the role of social capital and mutual supervision as methods of financial regulation in the cooperative sector. Second, a political-economic ideology that privileged equity over efficiency made for weak administrative regulation.

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Current role of ultrasound in hemodialysis access evaluation

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/11297298211034638 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 112972982110346

Author(s):

Meola Mario ◽

Jose Ibeas ◽

Jan Malik

Keyword(s):

Turning Point ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Low Cost ◽

Wireless Systems ◽

Future Perspectives ◽

Maturation Period ◽

Surveillance Programs ◽

Dialysis Nurses

Physical examination (PE) is considered the backbone before vascular access (VA) placement, during maturation period and for follow-up. However, it may be inadequate in identifying suitable vasculature, mainly in comorbid patients, or in detecting complications. This review highlights the advantages of ultrasound imaging to manage VA before placement, during maturation and follow-up. Furthermore, it analyses the future perspectives in evaluating early and late VA complications thank to the availability of multiparametric platforms, point of care of ultrasound, and portable/wireless systems. Technical improvements and low-cost systems should favor the widespread ultrasound-based VA surveillance programs. This significant turning point needs an adequate training of nephrologists and dialysis nurses and the standardization of exams, parameters, and procedures.

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Towards a Glass New World: The Role of Ion-Exchange in Modern Technology

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11104610 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 4610

Author(s):

Simone Berneschi ◽

Giancarlo C. Righini ◽

Stefano Pelli

Keyword(s):

Ion Exchange ◽

Communication Networks ◽

High Speed ◽

High Performance ◽

Low Cost ◽

Modern Technology ◽

Historical Background ◽

Wide Range ◽

Happy Marriage

Glasses, in their different forms and compositions, have special properties that are not found in other materials. The combination of transparency and hardness at room temperature, combined with a suitable mechanical strength and excellent chemical durability, makes this material indispensable for many applications in different technological fields (as, for instance, the optical fibres which constitute the physical carrier for high-speed communication networks as well as the transducer for a wide range of high-performance sensors). For its part, ion-exchange from molten salts is a well-established, low-cost technology capable of modifying the chemical-physical properties of glass. The synergy between ion-exchange and glass has always been a happy marriage, from its ancient historical background for the realisation of wonderful artefacts, to the discovery of novel and fascinating solutions for modern technology (e.g., integrated optics). Getting inspiration from some hot topics related to the application context of this technique, the goal of this critical review is to show how ion-exchange in glass, far from being an obsolete process, can still have an important impact in everyday life, both at a merely commercial level as well as at that of frontier research.

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