Green solutions for antibiotic pollution: Assessing the phytoremediation potential of aquatic macrophytes in wastewater treatment plants.

We compared the ability of one emergent (Sagittaria montevidensis), two floating (Salvinia minima and Lemna gibba), and one heterophyllous species (Myriophyllum aquaticum) to simultaneously remove sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, doxycycline, azithromycin, amoxicillin, and meropenem from wastewater in a mesocosm-scale constructed wetland over 28 days. Antibiotic concentrations in plants and effluent were analyzed using an LC-MS/MS to assess the removal rates and phytoremediation capacities. M. aquaticum did not effectively mitigate contamination due to poor tolerance and survival in effluent conditions. S. minima and L. gibba demonstrated superior efficiency, reducing the antibiotic concentrations to undetectable levels within 14 days, while S. montevidensis achieved this result by day 28. Floating macrophytes emerge as the preferable choice for remediation of antibiotics compared to emergent and heterophyllous species. Antibiotics were detected in plant tissues at concentrations ranging from 0.32 to 29.32 ng g-1 fresh weight, highlighting macrophytes' ability to uptake and accumulate these contaminants. Conversely, non-planted systems exhibited a maximum removal rate of 65%, underscoring the persistence of these molecules in natural environments, even after the entire experimental period. Additionally, macrophytes improved effluent quality regardless of species by reducing total soluble solids and phosphate concentrations and mitigating ecotoxicological effects. This study underscores the potential of using macrophytes in wastewater treatment plants to enhance overall efficiency and prevent environmental contamination by antibiotics, thereby mitigating the harmful impact on biota and antibiotic resistance. Selecting appropriate plant species is crucial for successful phytoremediation in constructed wetlands, and actual implementation is essential to validate their effectiveness and practical applicability.

The phytoremediation capacity of Lemna minor prevents deleterious effects of anti-HIV drugs to nontarget organisms.

We investigated physiological responses of Lemna minor plants and their capacity to remove tenofovir (TNF; 412 ng l-1), lamivudine (LMV; 5428 ng l-1) and/or efavirenz (EFV; 4000 ng l-1) from water through phytoremediation. In addition, the toxicological safety of water contaminated with these drugs after treatment with L. minor plants to photosynthetic microorganisms (Synechococcus elongatus and Chlorococcum infusionum) was evaluated. The tested environmental representative concentrations of drugs did not have a toxic effect on L. minor, and their tolerance mechanisms involved an increase in the activity of P450 and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and ascorbate peroxidase). L. minor accumulated significant quantities of TNF, LMV and EFV from the media (>70%), and the interactive effect of LMV and EFV increased EFV uptake by plants submitted to binary or tertiary mixture of drugs. Photosynthetic microorganisms exposed to TNF + LMV + EFV showed toxicological symptoms which were not observed when exposed to contaminated water previously treated with L. minor. An increased H2O2 concentrations but no oxidative damage in S. elongatus cells exposed to non-contaminated water treated with L. minor was observed. Due to its capacity to tolerate and reclaim anti-HIV drugs, L. minor plants must be considered in phytoremediation programs. They constitute a natural-based solution to decrease environmental contamination by anti-HIV drugs and toxicological effects of these pharmaceuticals to nontarget organisms.

Biofixation of Air Emissions and Biomass Valorization-Evaluation of Microalgal Biotechnology.

This research appraised the simultaneous biofixation, that is not quite common in scientific literature, of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitric oxides (NOx) by microalgae species Chlorella vulgaris, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Scenedesmus subspicatus. The experimental design was established by five treatments with gas concentrations between control-0.04% of CO2, 5 to 15% of CO2, and 30 to 100 ppm of NOx. Parameters such as pH, growth, productivity, lipids, protein, carbon/ nitrogen ratio, and astaxanthin were evaluated. For all species, the maximal growth and productivity were achieved with 5% of CO2 and 30 ppm of NOx. Regarding protein content, for all the three species, better results were obtained at higher concentrations of CO2 and NOx. These results prove the microalgae capacity for CO2 and NOx biofixation and reuse of biomass as a source of high value-added products, such as lipids, proteins, and astaxanthin. These findings support the indication of these species for flue gas treatment process and use in biorefineries systems.

Effects of oil contamination on plant growth and development: a review.

Oil spills generate several environmental impacts and have become more common with the increase in petroleum extraction, refining, transportation, and trade. In soil, oil contamination increases water and nutrient availability and compaction, directly affecting plant growth and development. Different aspects of phytotoxicity can be observed and will vary according to the characteristics of soil and plants. Oil-contaminated soil also results in negative effects on biomass and changes in leaves and roots. Investigating the effects of oil contamination on plant growth and development can aid in the conservation of plant species and in the development of techniques such as bioremediation and biomonitoring. Thus, this review aims to discuss the main effects of oil contamination on plants, such as environmental stress and morphological, physiological, and anatomical changes, and the strategies developed by plants to survive contamination, as well as to identify plants with phytoremediation potential that can assist in removing oil from the environment.

Petroleum-Tolerant Rhizospheric Bacteria: Isolation, Characterization and Bioremediation Potential.

Petroleum is an important energy source. Due to its intensive exploration, accidents resulting in oil spills on soil are frequent, which creates consequences to ecosystems and human health. Rhizodegradation is an efficient technique that promotes the decontamination of polluted environments through the selection and use of rhizosphere microorganisms from phytoremediation plants. The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and characterize bacteria capable of degrading petroleum from the rhizosphere of Panicum aquaticum Poir., a plant that grows in petroleum contaminated soils. Three bacteria were isolated and characterized at the morphological (Gram staining), molecular (16S rRNA gene sequence analysis) and biochemical level. These bacteria were identified as new strains of Bacillus thurigiensis, Bacillus pumilus and Rhodococcus hoagii, which have been reported as potential bioremediators in the literature. All three bacteria were able to use petroleum hydrocarbons as the sole carbon source during in vitro degradation assays. Gas chromatography analysis of these assays indicated reductions of petroleum hydrocarbons between 23% and 96% within 48 h. Among the isolated bacteria, Rhodococcus hoagii presented the highest efficiency of petroleum consumption, reaching 87% of degradation after only 24 h of cultivation, which corresponds to a higher and faster degradation than previously reported, confirming the potential use of Rhodococcus hoagii for petroleum biodegradation.

Eficiência de um sistema piloto utilizando áreas alagadas no pós-tratamento do lixiviado gerado no Aterro Sanitário de Curitiba, Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil / Efficiency of a pilot system using wetlands in the post-treatment of the leachate generated in the Curitiba Landfill, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

RESUMO No Aterro Sanitário de Curitiba ocorre o pós-tratamento do lixiviado em áreas alagadas naturais. Para avaliar o papel das macrófitas nesse pós-tratamento, foi desenvolvido um sistema piloto. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a eficiência do sistema piloto utilizado para o pós-tratamento do lixiviado desse aterro sanitário. O sistema foi construído com duas caixas d'água: na primeira foi colocada a macrófita Echinochloa polystachya e na segunda, Eichhornia crassipes. O sistema operou em batelada e foi realizado um ciclo de sete dias. Para o monitoramento do sistema foram efetuadas coletas e análises do lixiviado, do substrato e das macrófitas. A eficiência do sistema no pós-tratamento do lixiviado foi de 72% para demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, 30% para demanda química de oxigênio, 76% para fósforo total e fósforo inorgânico, 38% para nitrato, 33% para nitrito, 58% para nitrogênio amonical, 44% para nitrogênio orgânico e 13% para zinco.

ABSTRACT In the Curitiba Landfill the post-treatment of the leachate occurs in natural wetlands. In order to evaluate the role of macrophytes in this post-treatment, it was developed a pilot system. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot system in the post-treatment of the leachate in this landfill. The system was built with two water tanks: the macrophyte Echinochloa polystachya was placed in the first one; and the Eichhornia crassipes was placed in the second one. The system operated in batch in a seven-day cycle. For monitoring the system, samples were collected, and analyses of the leachate, the substrate, and the macrophytes were performed. The efficiency of the system in the post-treatment of the leachate was 72% for biochemical oxygen demand, 30% for chemical oxygen demand, 76% for total phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus, 38% for nitrate, 33% for nitrite, 58% for ammoniacal nitrogen, 44% for organic nitrogen, and 13% for zinc.

Rhizospheric microorganisms as a solution for the recovery of soils contaminated by petroleum: A review.

Petroleum is currently the world's main energy source, and its demand is expected to increase in coming years. Its intense exploitation can lead to an increase in the number of environmental accidents, such as spills and leaks, and an increase in the generation of environmental liabilities resulting from refining. Due to its hydrophobic characteristics and slow process of biodegradation, petroleum can remain in the environment for a long time and its toxicity can cause a negative impact on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, with the main negative effects related to its carcinogenic potential for both animals and humans. The objective of the present review is to discuss environmental contamination by oil, conventional treatment techniques and bioremediation an alternative tool for recovery petroleum-contaminated soils, focusing on the rhizodegradation process, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), a phytoremediation strategy in which the microorganisms that colonize the roots of phytoremediatior plants are responsible for the biodegradation of petroleum. These microorganisms can be selected and tested individually or in the form of consortia to evaluate their potential for oil degradation, or even to measure the use of biosurfactants produced by them to constitute tools for the development of environmental recovery strategies and biotechnological application.

Leaf anatomy and gas exchange of ornamental sunflower in response to silicon application / Anatomia foliar e trocas gasosas de girassol ornamental em função da aplicação de silício no substrato

Silicon applied to substrate for greenhouse cultivation of ornamental pot plants can improve the yield and quality of the ornamental product; however, the possible anatomical and physiological changes caused by Si have to be assessed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate gas exchange rates and leaf anatomy of ornamental sunflower 'Sunbright' grown on a substrate amended with Si. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, and the treatments consisted of sunflower plants cultivated in pots containing 600 g substrate fertilized with Si at rates of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 g kg-1. The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design and four replications. Samples from the middle region of leaf blades in the sixth pair from the apex were collected and analyzed morphometrically. Epidermal trichomes were analyzed using diaphanization and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The following traits were determined: leaf blade thickness, palisade and spongy parenchyma thickness, mesophyll thickness, and abaxial and adaxial epidermis thickness. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration rates were determined in the fifth leaf at the beginning of the flowering stage by an infrared gas analyzer. The data were subjected to ANOVA and regression analyses. The results indicate that the ornamental sunflower 'Sunbright' accumulates Si in leaf trichomes, and that leaf thickness is not affected by Si application to the substrate; however, transpiration rates decrease while net photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance increase in response to Si application.

A utilização de silício no cultivo de algumas plantas ornamentais em vasos e em casa de vegetação tem proporcionado aumento na produção e qualidade do produto final. No entanto, possíveis alterações fisiológicas e anatômicas causadas por este elemento precisam ser avaliadas. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar trocas gasosas e anatomia foliar de girassol ornamental cv. Sunbright em resposta à aplicação de doses de Si no substrato. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação e os tratamentos consistiram em cinco doses de Si: 0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,00 g kg-1, em DBC, com quatro repetições. Para o estudo anatômico, amostras da região mediana do limbo do sexto par de folhas a partir do ápice foram coletadas e análises morfométricas realizadas. Tricomas da epiderme foram analisados usando-se as técnicas de diafanização e microscopia eletrônica de varredura acoplada a raios-X. Determinou-se a espessura da lâmina foliar, dos parênquimas paliçádico e lacunoso, do mesofilo e das faces abaxial e adaxial da epiderme. A taxa fotossintética líquida, condutância estomática e taxa de transpiração foram determinadas com o auxílio de um analisador de gás no infravermelho. Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA e análise de regressão. O girassol ornamental cv. Sunbright acumula Si nos tricomas foliares. A espessura dos tecidos foliares do girassol não foi influenciada pela aplicação do Si ao substrato. Entretanto, houve redução da taxa de transpiração e aumento da taxa de fotossíntese líquida e da condutância estomática em resposta às doses de Si.

Effectiveness of Persea major Kopp (Lauraceae) extract against Enterococcus faecalis: a preliminary in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Persea major Kopp (Lauraceae) is a plant with wound healing, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro antibacterial activity of the concentrated crude extract (CCE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of this plant against Enterococcus faecalis and compare it with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] paste and 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX). METHODS: The plant material was collected, and an extract was prepared according to the requirements of the study (CCE and EAF). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CCE, EAF, Ca(OH)2, Ca(OH)2 + CCE, and CHX against E. faecalis were determined using the broth microdilution method RESULTS: The EAF inhibited E. faecalis at concentrations of 166.50, 83.25, and 41.62 mg mL-1, and 1.00, 0.50, and 0.25% of CHX solutions showed antimicrobial activity. The MICs of Ca(OH)2 paste were 166.50 and 83.25 mg mL-1, whereas Ca(OH)2 + CCE showed antimicrobial activity only at a concentration of 166.50 mg mL-1. CCE showed no inhibitory effect at any of the concentrations tested CONCLUSIONS: The CCE did not show any antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis; however, the EAF was the most effective among the three highest concentrations tested.

Management of the environmental restoration of degraded areas

The aim of this work was to study ecotechnology for the management of degraded areas originally covered by the Atlantic Rainforest and located at the coordinates 25º31'50''S, 9º09'30''W. The area included 12 islands, each consisting of six jute bags with 20 kg of substrate (cattle manure and soil transposed from forest fragments). In six of these bags, native plants and seeds were also included. Six additional islands were selected randomly in the vicinity as the control. The process of evaluation was monitored through the chemical and granulometric soil analysis and surveys of survival, biometrics, floristic and phytosociological vegetation. An improvement in soil properties was observed where the model was implemented, which could be attributed to the substrate and re-vegetation. In the floristic and phytosociological studies, out of the 118 identified species, 65 were observed in the first floristic inventory and 86 in the second floristic inventory with similarities between the subfields of 27.69% and 11.36%, respectively. The influence of the substrate seed bank in the implemented islands was also observed. Increased diversity was only significant in the subareas with the model. It was concluded that this technology was effective in accelerating the succession and promoting the beginning of the restoration.

The bioindicative potential evaluation of Tabebuia alba (Cham.) Sandwith, Bignoniaceae, in urban atmospheric pollution

This study aimed to evaluate the existence of leaf anatomic characteristics in Tabebuia alba changed by air pollutants, which could be used as tool for a bioindication program. The quantification of mutagenic events on pollen grains also were measured. For this, median leaves and pre-anthesis flowers were collected from the adult plants from three places of Curitiba and one place in Araucaria, all nearby to the air monitoring stations. The comparison of the four study sites showed a reduction in leaf area, an increasing of stomatal density, subepidermic layer, epidermis in both faces and the amount of micronucleus. Also, there was reduction of chlorophyllian parenchymas at the site where there was the higher average for the ozone level. It was concluded that these modifications might be a consequence of the effect of troposferic pollution on T. alba plants. However, further studies with this species would be necessary to confirm its potential for bioindication.

Restoration of polluted waters by phytoremediation using Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc., Haloragaceae.

The present study assessed the reduction of nutrients and organic matter in polluted waters using Myriophyllum aquaticum. Twelve experimental groups were established and distributed in six control groups (CG) and six plant treated groups (PTG). The following analyses were performed in three sampling sets and measured every three days: chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammoniacal nitrogen (AN), organic nitrogen (ON), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP). Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature (TEMP). The parameters that showed variation between the experimental groups were dissolved oxygen (0.1-5.0 mg L(-1)), pH (7.5-8.5), electrical conductivity (550-750 µS cm(-1)), and temperature (15-19 °C). The highest level of removal was observed on day 30 as 75.4% for BOD; 67.4% for COD; 88.3% for TKN; and 93.6% for TP. The use of M. aquaticum demonstrated its potential application in phytoremediation, showing reductions in COD, BOD, and TP at day 15, and in AN and TKN at day 30.

Avaliação dos métodos rápidos de análise microbiológica na indústria de alimentos / Evaluation of rapid methods for microbiological analysis in food industry

Com a finalidade de avaliar a eficiência dos métodos rápidos para a detecção de Coliformes totais e E. coli, foi testada uma metodologia utilizando a técnica do número mais provável NMP para Coliformes totais e E. coli e duas metodologias para Salmonella sp. Foram submetidas à pesquisa de Coliformes 12 amostras de vários alimentos e para a pesquisa de Salmonella sp. 6 amostras de produtos derivados da soja e uma amostra de peito de frango. Os resultados demonstraram não haver diferença para a detecção de E. coli sendo assim, uma metodologia alternativa para informar os resultados de E.coli em apenas 48 horas. Os resultados de Coliformes totais, porém,no método rápido apresentaram-se mais elevados que na metodologia tradicional. Para a pesquisa de Salmonella apenas uma técnica apresentou resultados compatíveis com a metodologia tradicional, permitindo sugeri-la como método de escolha para a pesquisa de Salmonella sp, em alimentos.

Phytodegradation potential of Erythrina crista-galli L., Fabaceae, in petroleum-contaminated soil.

This work aimed at investigating both the tolerance and the phytodegradation potential of Erythrina crista-galli L. in petroleum-contaminated soil. It consisted in analyzing E. crista-galli germination, surviving, growth, and development when cultivated at different contaminant concentrations and pollutant degradation rates. This specimen was selected because it presented a special behavior among others also exposed to petroleum in an accident that occurred in the Araucaria region (south of Brazil), resulting in a four-million-liter oil spill. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse containing non-contaminated soil (NCS), vegetated contaminated soil (VCS), and non-vegetated contaminated soil (NVCS) at the following petroleum concentrations: 25 g kg(-1) (VCS-25), 50 g kg(-1) (VCS-50), and 75 g kg(-1) (VCS-75). After 60 days, the soil samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. Germination was more and more evident as higher petroleum concentrations were observed. The surviving rates of groups NCS, VCS-25, VCS-50, and VCS-75 were 64%, 70%, 61%, and 96%, respectively. The VCS group growth was reduced when compared to the control group (NCS). The individuals exposed to petroleum pollution presented differences in the anatomic structure of their roots when compared to the NCS group. It was observed that the petroleum degradation rate was higher for VCS group than for NVCS. E. crista-galli is potentially recommended for petroleum-contaminated soils because of its positive association in the presence of contamination.