Gene Duplication of Androgen Receptor As An Evolutionary Driving Force Underlying the Diversity of Sexual Characteristics in Teleost Fishes.

Sexual dimorphism allows species to meet their fitness optima based on the physiological availability of each sex. Although intralocus sexual conflict appears to be a genetic constraint for the evolution of sex-specific traits, sex-linked genes and the regulation of sex steroid hormones contribute to resolving this conflict by allowing sex-specific developments. Androgens and their receptor, androgen receptor (Ar), regulate male-biased phenotypes. In teleost fish, ar ohnologs have emerged as a result of teleost-specific whole genome duplication (TSGD). Recent studies have highlighted the evolutionary differentiation of ar ohnologs responsible for the development of sexual characteristics, which sheds light on the need for comparative studies on androgen regulation among different species. In this review, we discuss the importance of ar signaling as a regulator of male-specific traits in teleost species because teleost species are suitable experimental models for comparative studies owing to their great diversity in male-biased morphological and physiological traits. To date, both in vivo and in vitro studies on teleost ar ohnologs have shown a substantial influence of ars as a regulator of male-specific reproductive traits such as fin elongation, courtship behavior, and nuptial coloration. In addition to these sexual characteristics, ar substantially influences immunity, inducing a sex-biased immune response. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of teleost ar studies and emphasizes the potential of teleost fishes, given their availability, to find molecular evidence about what gives rise to the spectacular diversity among fish species.

Microbial Consortia: Promising Tool as Plant Bioinoculants for Agricultural Sustainability.

In the present scenario, growing population demands more food, resulting in the need for sustainable agriculture. Numerous approaches are explored in response to dangers and obstacles to sustainable agriculture. A viable approach is to be exploiting microbial consortium, which generate diverse biostimulants with growth-promoting characteristics for plants. These bioinoculants play an indispensable role in optimizing nutrient uptake efficiency mitigating environmental stress. Plant productivity is mostly determined by the microbial associations that exist at the rhizospheric region of plants. The engineered consortium with multifunctional attributes can be effectively employed to improve crop growth efficacy. A number of approaches have been employed to identify the efficient consortia for plant growth and enhanced crop productivity. Various plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes with host growth-supporting characteristics were investigated to see if they might work cohesively and provide a cumulative effect for improved growth and crop yield. The effective microbial consortia should be assessed using compatibility tests, pot experimentation techniques, generation time, a novel and quick plant bioassay, and sensitivity to external stimuli (temperature, pH). The mixture of two or more microbial strains found in the root microbiome stimulates plant growth and development. The present review deals with mechanism, formulation, inoculation process, commercialization, and applications of microbial consortia as plant bioinoculants for agricultural sustainability.

Activism for Abortion Rights and Access Is Global: What the United States Can Learn from the Rest of the World.

While the US Supreme Court's 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade guaranteed a legal right to abortion, universal access to legal abortion has never been achieved in the United States. At the same time, the Helms Amendment, a US foreign-assistance policy, is keeping millions of people around the world, particularly Black and Brown people, from receiving abortion-related information and services. As abortion-rights advocates in the United States look for ways to move forward in the post-Roe era, two sources can offer insights and inspiration: the inclusive, human rights-based reproductive justice framework, and some of the strategies and approaches being used to expand access in countries around the world with restrictive abortion laws.

Mixture toxicity assessment of selected insecticides to silver perch fingerling, Bidyanus bidyanus.

The organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate (CB) insecticides are responsible for inhibition of the Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. The AChE activity, therefore, has been demonstrated to be a potent biomarker for these insecticides in terrestrial and aquatic environments. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of AChE in the brain of four-week old fingerlings of silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus exposed to OP and CB insecticides. The fish fingeling were exposed to three OPs and one CB insecticide as individual and their binary mixtures for 48 h. The OP insecticides with oxon (PO) as well as thion (PS) group gets oxidized to oxon analogs in biological systems. The 50% AChE inhibition (48 h EC50) in fingerling exposed to chlorpyrifos (CPF) and triazophos (TRZ) was evident at 2.3 and 6.7 µg/L, respectively. The toxicological interaction of three OPs and one CB insecticide was evaluated using the toxic unit method. A strong synergism was observed for binary combination of CPF with profenofos (PRF), and CPF with TAZ. In contrast, the mixture of TAZ with PRF and carbofuran (CBF) with CPF and PRF showed antagonistic behavior. Although OP and CB insecticides can break down rapidly in the environment, this study suggests that non-target aquatic biota may be exposed to mixtures of ChE-inhibiting insecticides for a period of several months, in agricultural regions where insecticides are applied for extended periods of the year. And at environmentally relevant concentrations such mixtures may lead to deleterious effects in non-target organisms.

Combined toxicity of therapeutic pharmaceuticals to duckweed, Lemna minor.

Pharmaceuticals, which are designed to be biologically active at low concentrations, are found in surface waters, meaning aquatic organisms can be exposed to complex mixtures of pharmaceuticals. In this study, the adverse effects of four pharmaceuticals, 17α-ethynylestradiol (synthetic estrogen), methotrexate (anticancer drug), diclofenac (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and fluoxetine (antidepressant), and their binary mixtures at mg/L concentrations were assessed using the 7-day Lemna minor test, with both apical and biochemical markers evaluated. The studied biochemical markers included chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and oxidative stress enzymes catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase, with effects compared to solvent controls. The adverse effects on Lemna minor were dose-dependent for frond number, surface area, relative chlorophyll content and activity of glutathione S-transferase for both individual pharmaceuticals and binary mixtures. According to the individual toxicity values, all tested pharmaceuticals can be considered as toxic or harmful to aquatic organisms, with methotrexate considered highly toxic. The most sensitive endpoints for the binary mixtures were photosynthetic pigments and frond surface area, with effects observed in the low mg/L concentration range. The concentration addition model and toxic unit approach gave similar mixture toxicity predictions, with binary mixtures of methotrexate and fluoxetine or methotrexate and 17α-ethynylestradiol exhibiting synergistic effects. In contrast, mixtures of diclofenac with fluoxetine, 17α-ethynylestradiol or methotrexate mostly showed additive effects. While low concentrations of methotrexate are expected in surface water, chronic ecotoxicological data for invertebrates and fish are lacking, but this is required to better assess the environmental risk of methotrexate.

Aquatic Phytotoxicity to Lemna minor of Three Commonly Used Drugs of Addiction in Australia.

The manufacturing and consumption of drugs of addiction has increased globally and their widespread occurrence in the environment is an emerging concern. This study evaluated the phytotoxicity of three compounds: methamphetamine, codeine and morphine; commonly reported in Australian urban water, to the aquatic plant Lemna minor under controlled conditions. L. minor was sensitive to lower drug concentrations when administered in multi-compound mixtures (100-500 µg L-1) than when applied individually (range 600-2500 µg L-1), while no adverse effects were observed at environmentally-relevant concentrations (1-5 µg L-1) detected in wastewater effluent. In conclusion, the results show that the concentrations of these compounds discharged into the environment are unlikely to pose adverse phytotoxic effects. These three compounds are known to be the most stable of their group under such conditions indicating that with this respect it is safe to use recycled water for existing regulated reclaimed purposes including agricultural or parklands irrigation or replenishing surface and groundwater. However, more research on the analysis of methamphetamines and opiates in municipal effluents is needed to reassure the likely environmental hazard of these neuroactive drug classes to aquatic organisms. Given the ever-growing production and aquatic disposal of discharge wastewater globally, this study provides timely and valuable insights into the likely drug-related impacts of effluent disposal on aquatic plants in receiving environments.

The impacts of modern-use pesticides on shrimp aquaculture: An assessment for north eastern Australia.

The use of pyrethroid and neonicotinoid insecticides has increased in Australia over the last decade, and as a consequence, increased concentrations of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid have been measured in Australian rivers. Previous studies have shown that non-target crustaceans, including commercially important species, can be extremely sensitive to these pesticides. Most shrimp farms in Australia are predominantly located adjacent to estuaries so they can obtain their required saline water, which support multiple land uses upstream (e.g. sugar-cane farming, banana farming, beef cattle and urbanisation). Larval and post-larval shrimp may be most susceptible to the impacts of these pesticides because of their high surface area to volume ratio and rapid growth requirements. However, given the uncertainties in the levels of insecticides in farm intake water and regarding the impacts of insecticide exposure on shrimp larvae, the risks that the increased use of new classes of pesticide pose towards survival of post-larval phase shrimp cannot be adequately predicted. To assess the potential for risk, toxicity in 20day past hatch post-larval Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) to modern use insecticides, imidacloprid, bifenthin, and fipronil was measured as decreased survival and feeding inhibition. Post-larval phase shrimp were sensitive to fipronil, bifenthrin, and imidacloprid, in that order, at concentrations that were comparable to those that cause mortality other crustaceans. Bifenthrin and imidacloprid exposure reduced the ability of post-larval shrimp to capture live prey at environmentally realistic concentrations. Concentrations of a broad suite of pesticides were also measured in shrimp farm intake waters. Some pesticides were detected in every sample. Most of the pesticides detected were measured below concentrations that are toxic to post-larval shrimp as used in this study, although pesticides exceed guideline values, suggesting the possibility of indirect or mixture-related impacts. However, at two study sites, the concentrations of insecticides were sufficient to cause toxicity in shrimp post larvae, based on the risk assessment undertaken in this study.

No evidence of exposure to environmental estrogens in two feral fish species sampled from the Yarra River, Australia: A comparison with Northern Hemisphere studies.

Environmental estrogens originate from a variety of sources including sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents and adverse physiological effects (endocrine disruption) have been observed in several fish species sampled downstream of STP discharges. In this study we examined common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and roach (Rutilis rutilis) for signs of exposure to environmental estrogens in the iconic Yarra River, Melbourne, Australia. The Yarra River flows through the city of Melbourne and more than 2 million people live within the catchment. Two STPs discharge water into the Yarra River within the middle reaches, and the areas immediately downstream of these discharge locations were the focus of this study. Carp and roach were chosen as test species since both have been utilised extensively for endocrine disruption research throughout Europe, North America and Asia, and data from various international studies was used for comparison with the results of the present study. Neither species showed evidence of exposure to environmental estrogens, with no elevation of plasma vitellogenin levels in males and no incidence of intersex gonads. Most physiological endpoints in both species from this study were within ranges reported in carp and roach from reference sites in other studies, however some degenerative histological changes in both male and female gonads were observed. Surface water samples showed no estrogenic activity (measured by the yeast-estrogen screen, YES), but did display strong anti-estrogenic and weak androgenic activity (measured by the yeast-androgen screen, YAS). Whilst the results show no evidence of impacts from environmental estrogens in the Yarra River, the presence of both anti-estrogenic and androgenic activity in water samples, as well as some gonadal changes in carp is concerning and indicates that our focus needs to broaden, in order to look for biological impacts in resident fauna that might be due to environmental pollutants other than environmental estrogens.

Binary combinations of organophosphorus pesticides exhibit differential toxicity under oxidised and un-oxidised conditions.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition has been demonstrated to be useful as a biomarker for exposure to organophosphorus (OP) insecticides in many environments. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of housefly (Musca domestica) head AChE (HF-AChE) exposed to five OPs as individual compounds and their binary mixtures under in vitro conditions. To examine the effects of oxidation on OP potency in the HF-AChE system, bromine water was used as an oxidisng agent. With oxidation, the sensitivity of HF-AChE to chlorpyrifos (CPF), malathion (MLT) and triazophos (TRZ) increased significantly. Monocrotophos (MCP) and profenofos (PRF) did not exhibit any significant differences in toxicity under oxidised and un-oxidised conditions. The toxicological interaction of five organophosphorus pesticides was evaluated using the concentration addition model, the combination index-isobologram equation and the toxic unit approach. All three models provided similar predictions for the 10 binary combinations of OPs under oxidised and un-oxidised conditions. In the present study, the antagonistic effects of the binary combination of OPs (CPF+PRF, CPF+MLT, MCP+MLT, PRF+MLT, MLT+TRZ and PRF+TRZ) were observed under oxidised conditions. This may be due to dispositional and/or receptor antagonism. Most of the binary combinations assayed under un-oxidised conditions exhibited synergistic responses. Triazophos showed very strong synergism in binary combinations with CPF, MCP and PRF un-oxidised conditions. In contrast, under oxidised conditions, only CPF+TRZ exhibited synergism. The results obtained indicate differential toxicity of binary combinations of OPs under oxidised and un-oxidised conditions. This information could be a valuable tool in understanding the mechanisms of OPs interactions and the interpretation of future in vivo studies with mixtures of OP insecticides.

Chandipura virus infection causing encephalitis in a tribal population of Odisha in eastern India.

BACKGROUND: The sudden death of 10 children in a tribal village of Kandhamal district, Odisha in eastern India led to this investigation. METHODS: We conducted a door-to-door survey to identify cases. Antibodies for Chandipura, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and West Nile viruses were tested by ELISA in probable cases. Chandipura virus RNA was tested from both human blood samples and sand flies by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We conducted vector surveys in domestic and peridomestic areas, and collected sand flies. RESULTS: Entomological investigations revealed the presence of Phlebotomus argentipes and Sergentomiya sp. Thirty-five patients presented with fever, 12 of them had altered sensorium including 4 who had convulsions. The blood samples of 21 patients were tested; four samples revealed Chandipura virusspecific IgM antibody. CONCLUSION: Chandipura virus infection causing encephalitis affected this tribal population in eastern India at 1212 m above sea level.

Benchmarking organic micropollutants in wastewater, recycled water and drinking water with in vitro bioassays.

Thousands of organic micropollutants and their transformation products occur in water. Although often present at low concentrations, individual compounds contribute to mixture effects. Cell-based bioassays that target health-relevant biological endpoints may therefore complement chemical analysis for water quality assessment. The objective of this study was to evaluate cell-based bioassays for their suitability to benchmark water quality and to assess efficacy of water treatment processes. The selected bioassays cover relevant steps in the toxicity pathways including induction of xenobiotic metabolism, specific and reactive modes of toxic action, activation of adaptive stress response pathways and system responses. Twenty laboratories applied 103 unique in vitro bioassays to a common set of 10 water samples collected in Australia, including wastewater treatment plant effluent, two types of recycled water (reverse osmosis and ozonation/activated carbon filtration), stormwater, surface water, and drinking water. Sixty-five bioassays (63%) showed positive results in at least one sample, typically in wastewater treatment plant effluent, and only five (5%) were positive in the control (ultrapure water). Each water type had a characteristic bioanalytical profile with particular groups of toxicity pathways either consistently responsive or not responsive across test systems. The most responsive health-relevant endpoints were related to xenobiotic metabolism (pregnane X and aryl hydrocarbon receptors), hormone-mediated modes of action (mainly related to the estrogen, glucocorticoid, and antiandrogen activities), reactive modes of action (genotoxicity) and adaptive stress response pathway (oxidative stress response). This study has demonstrated that selected cell-based bioassays are suitable to benchmark water quality and it is recommended to use a purpose-tailored panel of bioassays for routine monitoring.

Understanding PFAS toxicity through cell culture metabolomics: Current applications and future perspectives.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous environmental contaminants, pose significant challenges to ecosystems and human health. While cell cultures have emerged as new approach methodologies (NAMs) in ecotoxicity research, metabolomics is an emerging technique used to characterize the small-molecule metabolites present in cells and to understand their role in various biological processes. Integration of metabolomics with cell cultures, known as cell culture metabolomics, provides a novel and robust tool to unravel the complex molecular responses induced by PFAS exposure. In vitro testing also reduces reliance on animal testing, aligning with ethical and regulatory imperatives. The current review summarizes key findings from recent studies utilizing cell culture metabolomics to investigate PFAS toxicity, highlighting alterations in metabolic pathways, biomarker identification, and the potential linkages between metabolic perturbations. Additionally, the paper discusses different types of cell cultures and metabolomics methods used for studies of environmental contaminants and particularly PFAS. Future perspectives on the combination of metabolomics with other advanced technologies, such as single-cell metabolomics (SCM), imaging mass spectrometry (IMS), extracellular flux analysis (EFA), and multi-omics are also explored, which offers a holistic understanding of environmental contaminants. The synthesis of current knowledge and identification of research gaps provide a foundation for future investigations that aim to elucidate the complexities of PFAS-induced cellular responses and contribute to the development of effective strategies for mitigating their adverse effects on human health.

Percutaneous Tenotomy for Chronic Tennis Elbow: A Minimally Invasive Technique with Better Outcomes - A Case Series.

Background: Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis elbow) is a self-limiting disease of indeterminate pathogenesis. Conservative therapy is the treatment of choice. In chronic tennis elbow with failure of conservative therapy; surgical treatment is a method of choice. Percutaneous tenotomy of extensor origin for patients with chronic tennis elbow is a minimally invasive technique with better long-term outcomes. Case Report: Ten patients (six males, four females) presented with chronic tennis elbow, who did not respond to conservative treatment/non-surgical intervention for more than 6 months underwent percutaneous tenotomy in an outpatient setting. Two patients were lost to follow-up at 2 months' post-operative. The remaining eight patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 3 years and assessed using the numerical rating scale, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire ,and Oxford elbow score. These scores had a statistically significant difference in baseline to 3-year follow-up values (P < 0.05). No adverse outcomes, recurrence of symptoms, and signs of lateral epicondylitis elbow were noted and none required open surgical release. Conclusion: Percutaneous tenotomy, a minimally invasive technique is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for chronic tennis elbow and gives good pain relief and functional recovery.

River rejuvenation in urban India for enhancing living conditions through integrated water resources management.

India, being a developing country, faces big challenges in ensuring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for all. This case study presents the performance evaluation of a large wastewater management and sanitation-related infrastructure in a metropolitan city in North India. "Dravyavati River Project" is the major sanitation program of the water-stressed Jaipur city based on the concept of river rejuvenation of the long-lost Dravyavati River which flows across the city. The project envisages integrated urban water management such that it aims at the collection and treatment of wastewater (sewage network and treatment plants), safe disposal, ensuring continuous unpolluted flow, geological and ecological integrity to strengthen public health, to reduce the impact of water stress on the total water cycle by promoting groundwater recharge, and improvement in biodiversity. The technical assessment is based on the primary and secondary data collection of field samples and laboratory analysis of influent and effluent samples collected from the five sewage treatment plants (STPs). The results suggest that the project has largely delivered the envisaged environment, public well-being, and ecological and socioeconomic benefits, but there are substantial gaps in the conceived outputs and actual performance. The challenge lies in bridging these gaps and overcoming operational inefficiencies to ensure the sustainability of the Dravyavati River rejuvenation.

An analytical review on revamping plastic waste management: exploring recycling, biodegradation, and the growing role of biobased plastics.

Globally, 90% of plastics are synthetic, made up of crude oil, natural gas, and coal. Even though plastic is extremely useful in our lives, its excessive use and mismanaged disposal are negatively affecting the ecosystem. The review highlights that the recycling process plays a critical role in controlling the problem of plastic pollution. Although plastic recycling is the most common approach used for managing plastic waste, only 2% of the total plastic waste enters the closed-loop system. However, the review suggests that along with recycling, cost-effective and environmentally friendly plastic approaches can synergistically help to control this increasing problem of plastic waste accumulation. The review further discusses the consequences of plastic pollution on humans and the environment. In particular, the review focuses on biocatalytic and bioengineering tools for the degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the major contributors to plastic waste in landfills and oceans. Moreover, the review presents biobased and biodegradable materials, derived from renewable feedstocks, as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics along with their complete end-of-life options. Overall, this review analyzes the current scenario of the plastic industry, from plastic production to waste generation and management, loopholes and challenges in the current management strategies, and possible solutions like recycling, biodegradation, and biobased plastics.

Ecotoxicological assessment of sanitary sewer overflows and rainfall dynamics offers insights into conditions for potential adverse ecological outcomes.

Sewer overflows are an environmental concern due to their potential to introduce contaminants that can adversely affect downstream aquatic ecosystems. As these overflows can occur during rainfall events, the influence of rainwater ingress from inflow and infiltration on raw untreated wastewater (influent) within the sewer is a critical factor influencing the dilution and toxicity of the contaminants. The Vineyard sewer carrier in the greater city of Sydney, Australia, was selected for an ecotoxicological investigation of a sanitary (separate from stormwater) sewerage system and a wet-weather overflow (WWO). Three influent samples were collected representing dry-weather (DW), intermediate wet-weather (IWW) and wet-weather (WW). In addition, a receiving water sample was also collected downstream in Vineyard Creek (WW-DS) coinciding with a WWO. We employed direct toxicity assessment (DTA) and toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) approaches to gain comprehensive insights into the nature and magnitude of the impact on influent from rainwater ingress into the sewer. Three standard ecotoxicological model species, a microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, the water flea, Ceriodaphnia dubia and the midge larva, Chironomus tepperi were used for both acute and chronic tests. The study revealed variable toxicity responses, with the sample of influent collected in wet-weather displaying lower toxicity compared to the dry-weather sample of influent. Ammonia, and metals, were identified in dry weather as contributors to the observed toxicity, however, this risk was alleviated through rainwater ingress in wet-weather with further dilution within the receiving water. Based on toxicity data, dilutions of influent to minimise effects on C. vulgaris and C. dubia ranged from 1 in 12 in DW to 1 in 2.8 in WW, and further diminished in the receiving water to 1 in 1.8. The successful application of ecotoxicological approaches enabled the assessment of cumulative effects of contaminants in influent, offering valuable insights into the sanitary sewer system under rainwater ingress.

Modeling of steroid estrogen contamination in UK and South Australian rivers predicts modest increases in concentrations in the future.

The prediction of risks posed by pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the aquatic environment now and in the future is one of the top 20 research questions regarding these contaminants following growing concern for their biological effects on fish and other animals. To this end it is important that areas experiencing the greatest risk are identified, particularly in countries experiencing water stress, where dilution of pollutants entering river networks is more limited. This study is the first to use hydrological models to estimate concentrations of pharmaceutical and natural steroid estrogens in a water stressed catchment in South Australia alongside a UK catchment and to forecast their concentrations in 2050 based on demographic and climate change predictions. The results show that despite their differing climates and demographics, modeled concentrations of steroid estrogens in effluents from Australian sewage treatment works and a receiving river were predicted (simulated) to be similar to those observed in the UK and Europe, exceeding the combined estradiol equivalent's predicted no effect concentration for feminization in wild fish. Furthermore, by 2050 a moderate increase in estrogenic contamination and the potential risk to wildlife was predicted with up to a 2-fold rise in concentrations.

Evaluating chemicals of emerging concern in the Ganga River at the two major cities Prayagraj and Varanasi through validated analytical approaches.

Evaluating environmental water quality means to assess and protect the environment against unfriendly impacts from various organic impurities emerging from industrial emissions and those released during harvesting. Potential risks related with release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides and pharmaceuticals (PhAcs), and personal care products (PCPs) into the environment have turned into an increasingly serious issue in ecological safety. Monitoring helps in control of chemicals and ecological status compliance to safeguard specific water uses, for example, drinking water abstraction. A longitudinal review was carried out for 55 different persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for the Ganga River which passes through the urban areas of Prayagraj and Varanasi, India, through validated analytical approaches and measurement uncertainty (MU) estimation to assess their potential use for routine analysis. Furthermore, environmental risk assessment (ERA) carried out in the present study has revealed risk quotient (RQ) higher than 1 in a portion of the aquatic bodies. Using a conservative RQ strategy, POPs were assessed for having extensive risks under acute and chronic exposure, proposing that there is currently critical ecological risk identified with these compounds present in the Ganga River. In general, these outcomes demonstrate a significant contribution for focusing on measures and feasible techniques to minimize the unfavorable effects of contaminants on the aquatic environment.

Perceiving biobased plastics as an alternative and innovative solution to combat plastic pollution for a circular economy.

Plastic waste from fossil-based sources, including single-use packaging materials, is continuously accumulating in landfills, and leaching into the environment. A 2021 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report suggests that the plastic pollution is likely to be doubled by 2030, posing a major challenge to the environment and the overall global plastic waste management efforts. The use of biobased plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a biodegradable substitute for petroleum-based plastics could be a feasible option to combat this issue which may further result in much lower carbon emissions and energy usage in comparison to conventional plastics as additional advantages. Though recent years have seen the use of microbes as biosynthetic machinery for biobased plastics, using various renewable feedstocks, the scaled-up production of such materials is still challenging. The current study outlays applications of biobased plastics, potential microorganisms producing biobased plastics such as Cupriavidus necator, Bacillus sp., Rhodopseudomonas palustris, microalgae, and mixed microbial cultures, and inexpensive and renewable resources as carbon substrates including industrial wastes. This review also provides deep insights into the operational parameters, challenges and mitigation, and future opportunities for maximizing the production of biobased plastic products. Finally, this review emphasizes the concept of biorefinery as a sustainable and innovative solution for biobased plastic production for achieving a circular bioeconomy.

Biodegradation of synthetic estrogen using bioelectrochemical system and degradation pathway analysis through Quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry.

Synthetic estrogenic compounds such as 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) are significant environmental contaminants. This research studied the biodegradation of EE2 utilizing the EE2 adapted cells isolated from a dairy farm waste site in suspension flask vis-a-vis Bioelectrochemical System (BES) and compared the power output in the BES with and without EE2 as a co-substrate. 78% removal of EE2 was observed in the BES as against 60% removal in suspension flasks. The maximum power density in the BES increased about 53% when EE2 is used as a co-substrate. The EE2 biodegradation studied using HPLC and Q-TOF methods, also proposes a hypothetical pathway for EE2 degradation by the newly isolated strain Rhodopseudomonas palustris MDOC01 and reports the significant metabolites like nicotinic acid and oxoproline being detected during bioelectrochemical treatment process of EE2. Study also suggests that Plasma peroxide treatment of anode material enhanced the overall performance in terms of biodegradation efficiency and power output.