Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by the Thermophilic Cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa gelatinosa: Characterization and Assessment of Their Antioxidant and Metal-Chelating Activities.

Cyanobacteria, particularly thermophilic strains, represent an important potential source of EPSs, harboring structural complexity that predicts diverse and specific bioactive potential. The thermophilic cyanobacteria Gloeocapsa gelatinosa, isolated from a natural hot source in Ain Echfa (Tunisia), was cultivated in a cylindrical reactor, and the production of biomass and EPSs was investigated. Results revealed that the strain is amongst the most efficient EPSs producers (0.89 g L-1) and that EPSs production was not correlated with the growth phase. EPSs were sulfated heteropolysaccharides containing carbohydrates (70%) based on nine different monosaccharides, mainly mannose (22%), and with the presence of two uronic acids. EPSs were formed by two polymers moieties with a molecular weight of 598.3 ± 7.2 and 67.2 ± 4.4 kDa. They are thermostable in temperatures exceeding 100 °C and have an anionic nature (zeta potential of -40 ± 2 mV). Atomic force microscopy showed that EPSs formed multimodal lumps with 88 nm maximum height. EPSs presented high water holding capacity (70.29 ± 2.36%) and solubility index (97.43 ± 1.24%), and a strong bivalent metal sorption capacity especially for Cu2+ (91.20 ± 1.25%) and Fe2+ (75.51 ± 0.71%). The antioxidant activity of G. gelatinosa EPSs was investigated using four methods: the ß-carotene-bleaching activity, DPPH assays, iron-reducing activity, and metal-chelating activity. EPS has shown high potential as free radicals' scavenger, with an IC50 on DPPH (0.2 g L-1) three-fold lower than ascorbic acid (0.6 g L -1) and as a metal chelating activity (IC50 = 0.4 g L-1) significantly lower than EDTA. The obtained results allow further exploration of the thermophilic G. gelatinosa for several biotechnological and industrial applications.

Microalgae as Sustainable Biofactories to Produce High-Value Lipids: Biodiversity, Exploitation, and Biotechnological Applications.

Microalgae are often called "sustainable biofactories" due to their dual potential to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide and produce a great diversity of high-value compounds. Nevertheless, the successful exploitation of microalgae as biofactories for industrial scale is dependent on choosing the right microalga and optimum growth conditions. Due to the rich biodiversity of microalgae, a screening pipeline should be developed to perform microalgal strain selection exploring their growth, robustness, and metabolite production. Current prospects in microalgal biotechnology are turning their focus to high-value lipids for pharmaceutic, nutraceutic, and cosmetic products. Within microalgal lipid fraction, polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids are broadly recognized for their vital functions in human organisms. Microalgal-derived phytosterols are still an underexploited lipid resource despite presenting promising biological activities, including neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuromodulatory, immunomodulatory, and apoptosis inductive effects. To modulate microalgal biochemical composition, according to the intended field of application, it is important to know the contribution of each cultivation factor, or their combined effects, for the wanted product accumulation. Microalgae have a vital role to play in future low-carbon economy. Since microalgal biodiesel is still costly, it is desirable to explore the potential of oleaginous species for its high-value lipids which present great global market prospects.

Hemiselmis andersenii and Chlorella stigmatophora As New Sources of High-value Compounds: A Lipidomic Approach.

To unlock the potential of Chlorella stigmatophora (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) and Hemiselmis andersenii (Cryptophyceae, Cryptophyta) as natural reactors for biotechnological exploitation, their lipophilic extracts were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) before and after alkaline hydrolysis. The GC-MS analysis enabled the identification of 62 metabolites-namely fatty acids (27), aliphatic alcohols (17), monoglycerides (7), sterols (4), and other compounds (7). After alkaline hydrolysis, monounsaturated fatty acids increased by as much as 87%, suggesting that the esterified compounds were mainly neutral lipids. Hemiselmis andersenii yielded the highest Σω3/Σω6 ratio (7.26), indicating that it is a good source of ω3 fatty acids, in comparison to C. stigmatophora (Σω3/Σω6 = 1.24). Both microalgae presented significant amounts of aliphatic alcohols (6.81-10.95 mg · g dw-1 ), which are recognized by their cholesterol-lowering properties. The multivariate analysis allowed visualization of the chemical divergence among H. andersenii lipophilic extracts before and after alkaline hydrolysis, as well as species-specific differences. Chlorella stigmatophora showed to be a valuable source of essential fatty acids for nutraceuticals, whereas H. andersenii, due to its high chemical diversity, seems to be suitable for different fields of application.

Electrospun polylactic acid-chitosan composite: a bio-based alternative for inorganic composites for advanced application.

Fabricating novel materials for biomedical applications mostly require the use of biodegradable materials. In this work biodegradable materials like polylactic acid (PLA) and chitosan (CHS) were used for designing electrospun mats. This work reports the physical and chemical characterization of the PLA-CHS composite, prepared by the electrospinning technique using a mixed solvent system. The addition of chitosan into PLA, offered decrease in fiber diameter in the composites with uniformity in the distribution of fibers with an optimum at 0.4wt% CHS. The fiber formation and the reduction in fiber diameter were confirmed by the SEM micrograph. The inverse gas chromatography and contact angle measurements supported the increase of hydrophobicity of the composite membrane with increase of filler concentration. The weak interaction between PLA and chitosan was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The stability of the composite was established by zeta potential measurements. Cytotoxicity studies of the membranes were also carried out and found that up to 0.6% CHS the composite material was noncytotoxic. The current findings are very important for the design and development of new materials based on polylactic acid-chitosan composites for environmental and biomedical applications.

Efficacy of bacterial cellulose hydrogel in microfiber removal from contaminated waters: A sustainable approach to wastewater treatment.

Microfibers (MFs), the dominant form of microplastics in ecosystems, pose a significant environmental risk due to the inadequacy of existing wastewater treatments to remove them. Recognising the need to develop sustainable solutions to tackle this environmental challenge, this research aimed to find an eco-friendly solution to the pervasive problem of MFs contaminating water bodies. Unused remnants of bacterial cellulose (BC) were ground to form a hydrogel-form of bacterial cellulose (BCH) and used as a potential bioflocculant for polyacrylonitrile MFs. The flocculation efficiency was evaluated across various operational and environmental factors, employing response surface methodology computational modelling to elucidate and model their impact on the process. The results revealed that the BCH:MFs ratio and mixing intensity were key factors in flocculation efficiency, with BCH resilient across a range of environmental conditions, achieving a 93.6 % average removal rate. The BCH's strong retention of MFs released only 8.3 % of the MFs, after a 24-hour wash, and the flocculation tests in contaminated wastewater and chlorinated water yielded 89.3 % and 86.1 % efficiency, respectively. Therefore, BCH presents a viable, sustainable, and effective approach for removing MFs from MFs-contaminated water, exhibiting exceptional flocculation performance and adaptability. This pioneer study using BCH as a bioflocculant for MFs removal sets a new standard in sustainable wastewater treatment, catalysing research on fibrous pollutant mitigation for environmental protection.

Phthalates and fatty acid markers in free-ranging cetaceans from an insular oceanic region: Ecological niches as drivers of contamination.

Plastic additives, such as phthalates, are ubiquitous contaminants that can have detrimental impacts on marine organisms and overall ecosystems' health. Valuable information about the status and resilience of marine ecosystems can be obtained through the monitoring of key indicator species, such as cetaceans. In this study, fatty acid profiles and phthalates were examined in blubber biopsies of free-ranging individuals from two delphinid species (short-finned pilot whale - Globicephala macrorhynchus, n = 45; common bottlenose dolphin - Tursiops truncatus, n = 39) off Madeira Island (NE Atlantic). This investigation aimed to explore the relations between trophic niches (epipelagic vs. mesopelagic), contamination levels, and the health status of individuals within different ecological and biological groups (defined by species, residency patterns and sex). Multivariate analysis of selected dietary fatty acids revealed a clear niche segregation between the two species. Di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the most prevalent among the seven studied phthalates, with the highest concentration reached by DEHP in a bottlenose dolphin (4697.34 ± 113.45 ng/g). Phthalates esters (PAEs) concentration were higher in bottlenose dolphins (Mean ∑ PAEs: 947.56 ± 1558.34 ng/g) compared to pilot whales (Mean ∑ PAEs: 229.98 ± 158.86 ng/g). In bottlenose dolphins, DEHP was the predominant phthalate, whereas in pilot whales, DEP and DBP were more prevalent. Health markers suggested pilot whales might suffer from poorer physiological conditions than bottlenose dolphins, although high metabolic differences were seen between the two species. Phthalate levels showed no differences by ecological or biological groups, seasons, or years. This study is the first to assess the extent of plastic additive contamination in free-ranging cetaceans from a remote oceanic island system, underscoring the intricate relationship between ecological niches and contaminant exposure. Monitoring these chemicals and their potential impacts is vital to assess wild population health, inform conservation strategies, and protect critical species and habitats.

Optimization and validation of a micro-QuEChERS method for phthalates detection in small samples of cetacean blubber.

In this study, an innovative method was developed to detect and quantify phthalates in fresh cetacean blubber. An adaptation of the ammonium formate QuEChERS method was used and adapted as a micro-extraction for small quantities of samples. Significantly, this technique utilized minimal quantities of reagents and salts, with the additional implementation of rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocols to further reduce background contamination. To ensure the reliability of this method, comprehensive validation procedures were conducted, with a specific focus on two widely studied cetacean species: the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). Determination coefficients (R2) for matrix-matched calibration were >0.93 with limits of quantifications (LOQ) of the method in the range of 5-10 ng/g. Mean recovery values were between 40 and 100 %. This novel methodology holds particular relevance for environmental research studies, offering the capability to detect emerging contaminants with minimal sample requirements. This aspect is particularly valuable in investigations that involve free-ranging animals and rely on biopsy sampling. It allows for the assessment of contaminant levels in healthy individuals within wild populations, enhancing our understanding of ecological impacts and potential conservation measures.•A micro-extraction adaptation of the ammonium formate QuEChERS method was developed and applied to a small quantity of fresh cetacean blubber to detect phthalates.•Small quantities of reagents and salts were used, and additional Quality Assurance/ Quality Control procedures were taken to further minimize background contamination.•Method validation was carried out for two cosmopolitan and extensively studied cetacean species: the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus).

Solving urban water microplastics with bacterial cellulose hydrogels: Leveraging predictive computational models.

The prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in both urban and aquatic ecosystems is concerning, with wastewater treatment plants being considered one of the major sources of the issue. As the focus on developing sustainable solutions increases, unused remnants from bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes were ground to form BC hydrogels as potential bioflocculants of MPs. The influence of operational parameters such as BC:MPs ratio, hydrogel grinding, immersion and mixing time, temperature, pH, ionic strength, and metal cations on MPs flocculation and dispersion were evaluated. A response surface methodology based on experimental data sets was computed to understand how these parameters influence the flocculation process. Further, both the BC hydrogel and the hetero-aggregation of MPs were characterised by UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR, IGC, water uptake assays, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. These highlights that the BC hydrogel would be fully effective at hetero-aggregating MPs in naturally-occurring concentrations, thereby not constituting a limiting performance factor for MPs' optimal flocculation and aggregation. Even considering exceptionally high concentrations of MPs (2 g/L) that far exceed naturally-occurring concentrations, the BC hydrogel was shown to have elevated MPs flocculation activity (reaching 88.6%: 1.77 g/L). The computation of bioflocculation activity showed high reliability in predicting flocculation performance, unveiling that the BC:MPs ratio and grinding times were the most critical variables modulating flocculation rates. Also, short exposure times (5 min) were sufficient to drive robust particle aggregation. The microporous nature of the hydrogel revealed by electron microscopy is the likely driver of strong MPs bioflocculant activity, far outperforming dispersive commercial bioflocculants like xanthan gum and alginate. This pilot study provides convincing evidence that even BC remainings can be used to produce highly potent and circular bioflocculators of MPs, with prospective application in the wastewater treatment industry.

Microplastics reduce microalgal biomass by decreasing single-cell weight: The barrier towards implementation at scale.

Microplastics (MPs) are a widespread environmental threat, especially to aquatic and urban systems. Water quality is vital for biomass production in microalgal-based industries. Here, industrially relevant microalgae Tetraselmis suecica, Scenedesmus armatus, and Nannochloropsis gaditana were exposed to PS- and PE-MPs (polystyrene and polyethylene, respectively - 10-20 µm) contaminated waters (5 and 10 mg/L). Following industrial empirical and ecotoxicological procedures, the production period was established as four days (exponential growth phase). 27-long day experiments were conducted to determine the chronic effects of MPs contamination in microalgal biomass yields. MPs induced different responses in cell density: T. suecica decreased (up to 11 %); S. armatus showed no changes; and N. gaditana increased (up to 6 %). However, all three microalgae exhibited significant decreases in biomass production (up to 24, 48, and 52 %, respectively). S. armatus exposed to PS-MPs and N. gaditana exposed to PE-MPs were the most impacted regarding biomass production. The decrease in biomass yield was due to the reduction in single-cell weight (up to 14, 47, and 43 %), and/or the production of smaller-sized cells (T. suecica). In response to chronic exposure, microalgae showed signs of cell density adaptation. Despite cell density normalizing, biomass production was still reduced compared to biomass production in clean water. Computational modelling highlighted that MPs exposure had a concentration-dependent negative impact on microalgae biomass. The models allow the evaluation of the systematic risks that MPs impose in microalgal-based industries and stimulate actions towards implementing systems to contain/eliminate MPs contamination in the waters used in microalgae production.

Microplastic ingestion and plastic additive detection in pelagic squid and fish: Implications for bioindicators and plastic tracers in open oceanic food webs.

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the ocean represents a potential threat to marine organisms, with poorly understood long-term adverse effects, including exposure to plastic additives. The present study investigated the ingestion of MPs in two epipelagic fish species (Trachurus picturatus and Scomber colias) and three pelagic squid species (Loligo vulgaris, Ommastrephes caroli and Sthenoteuthis pteropus) from an open oceanic region of the Northeast Atlantic. Seven phthalate esters (PAEs) were also analysed in the organisms' tissue, and the potential correlation between PAEs concentrations and ingested MPs was investigated. Seventy-two fish and 20 squid specimens were collected and analysed. MPs were found in the digestive tract of all species and in the squid species' gills and ink sacs. The highest occurrence of MPs was in the stomach of S. colias (85 %) and the lowest in the stomach and ink sac of O. caroli and L. vulgaris (12 %). Most of the particles identified (>90 %) were fibres. Among all the ecological and biological factors considered (dietary preferences, season, body size, total weight, liver weight, hepatosomatic index and gastrosomatic index), only gastrosomatic index (GSI) and season were significant predictors of MPs ingestion in fish species, with a greater likelihood of ingestion in the cold season and in specimens with higher GSI values (i.e. higher feeding intensity). Four PAEs (DEP, DIBP, BBP, DEHP) were detected in all the species analysed, with average ∑PAEs concentrations ranging between 10.31 and 30.86 ng/g (wet weight). DIBP was positively correlated with ingested MPs, suggesting this compound might represent a "plastic tracer". This study looks into the problem of MPs ingestion for pelagic species in an open oceanic region, highlighting the most suitable bioindicators and providing essential insights into the factors that may influence ingestion rates. Additionally, the detection of PAEs in all species indicates the need for further research on the contamination sources, the effects of these chemicals on marine organisms, and the potential risks to human health through seafood consumption.

Polystyrene microplastics exposure modulated the content and the profile of fatty acids in the Cladoceran Daphnia magna.

A growing number of studies has shown that the exposure to microplastics (MPs) of different polymeric compositions can induce diverse adverse effects towards several aquatic species. The vast majority of such studies has been focused on the effects induced by the administration of MPs made by polystyrene (PS; hereafter PS-MPs). However, despite the increase in the knowledge on the potential toxicity of PS-MPs, there is a dearth of information concerning their role in affecting energy resources and/or their allocation. The present study aimed at exploring the impact of 21-days exposure to three concentrations (0.125, 1.25 and 12.5 µg mL-1) of PS-MPs of different sizes (1 and 10 µm) on fatty acids (FAs) profile of the freshwater Cladoceran Daphnia magna. The exposure to the highest tested concentration of PS-MPs induced an overall decrease in D. magna total FAs content, independently of the particle size. Moreover, a change in the accumulation of essential FAs by the diet was noted, with an enhanced synthesis of monounsaturated FAs-rich storage lipids. However, a sort of adaptation to counteract the adverse effects and to re-establish the FAs homeostasis was observed in individuals treated with high PS-MPs concentration, independently of their size. These results indicate that the exposure to PS-MPs could alter the allocation or induce changes in FAs composition in D. magna, with potential long-term consequences on life-history traits of this zooplanktonic species.

Bacterial cellulose biopolymers: The sustainable solution to water-polluting microplastics.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become one of our time's most consequential issue. These micropolymeric particles are ubiquitously distributed across all natural and urban ecosystems. Current filtration systems in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) rely on non-biodegradable fossil-based polymeric filters whose maintenance procedures are environmentally damaging and unsustainable. Following the need to develop sustainable filtration frameworks for MPs water removal, years of R&D lead to the conception of bacterial cellulose (BC) biopolymers. These bacterial-based naturally secreted polymers display unique features for biotechnological applications, such as straightforward production, large surface areas, nanoporous structures, biodegradability, and utilitarian circularity. Diligently, techniques such as flow cytometry, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate the feasibility and characterise the removal dynamics of highly concentrated MPs-polluted water by BC biopolymers. Results show that BC biopolymers display removal efficiencies of MPs of up to 99%, maintaining high performance for several continuous cycles. The polymer's characterisation showed that MPs were both adsorbed and incorporated in the 3D nanofibrillar network. The use of more economically- and logistics-favourable dried BC biopolymers preserves their physicochemical properties while maintaining high efficiency (93-96%). These polymers exhibited exceptional structural preservation, conserving a high water uptake capacity which drives microparticle retention. In sum, this study provides clear evidence that BC biopolymers are high performing, multifaceted and genuinely sustainable/circular alternatives to synthetic water treatment MPs-removal technologies.

Seasonal variation in microplastics and zooplankton abundances and characteristics: The ecological vulnerability of an oceanic island system.

The ingestion of microplastics (MPs - plastic particles <5 mm) by planktivorous organisms represents a significant threat to marine food webs. To investigate how seasonality might affect plastic intake in oceanic islands' ecosystems, relative abundances and composition of MPs and mesozooplankton samples collected off Madeira Island (NE Atlantic) between February 2019 and January 2020 were analysed. MPs were found in all samples, with fibres accounting for 89 % of the particles. MPs and zooplankton mean abundance was 0.262 items/m3 and 18.137 individuals/m3, respectively. Their monthly variations follow the seasonal fluctuation of environmental parameters, such as currents, chlorophyll-a concentration, sea surface temperature and precipitation intensity. A higher MPs/zooplankton ratio was recorded in the warm season (May-Oct), reaching 0.068 items/individual when considering large-sized particles (1000-5000 µm). This is the first study to assess the seasonal variability of MPs in an oceanic island system providing essential information respecting its ecological impact in pelagic environments.

Tissue Engineering Scaffold Material with Enhanced Cell Adhesion and Angiogenesis from Soy Protein Isolate Loaded with Bio Modulated Micro-TiO2 Prepared via Prolonged Sonication for Wound Healing Applications.

Tissue engineering is a technique that promotes healing by creating an ideal environment for endogenous cells to migrate and grow into the site of injury via a scaffold, improving regeneration and reducing the time required for in vitro cell culture. In this work, the effect of the addition of sonicated TiO2 in the soy protein isolate (SPI) matrix for tissue engineering applications was studied. In comparison to adding expensive nano TiO2, this method of incorporating sonicated TiO2 into the SPI matrix will aid in achieving improved properties at a lower cost. The effect of the addition of sonicated TiO2 on the morphological, UV transmittance, mechanical, thermal, surface energy, and hydrophilicity of SPI films was investigated. The result shows that the uniformly distributed TiO2 particles successfully blocked 95% of UV light. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a significant reduction in the TiO2 agglomerate size and homogeneous distribution of the same when sonication was applied instead of mechanical dispersion. A simultaneous increase of tensile strength (from 3.16 to 4.58 MPa) and elongation at break values (from 24.25% to 95.31%) with 0.5% TiO2 was observed. The addition of 0.25% TiO2 was found to significantly enhance the elongation at break value to 120.83%. Incorporation of micro-TiO2 particles could improve the surface roughness, surface energy, and wettability of SPI films. In vitro cell adhesion studies and in vivo subcutaneous implantation studies were performed to assess the cell growth and angiogenesis of the developed film membranes. An MTT assay showed that SPI-1%TiO2 film favored cell viability up to 118%, and in vivo subcutaneous implantation studies showed enhanced cell growth and angiogenesis for SPI-1% TiO2 films. This SPI-TiO2 film with enhanced surface properties can be used as an ideal candidate for tissue engineering applications.

Determination of phthalic acid esters and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate in fish and squid using the ammonium formate version of the QuEChERS method combined with gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

In the present study, the ammonium formate version of the QuEChERS method, considered highly advantageous in relation to instrument maintenance and other issues, was applied for the first time to extract a group of twelve phthalic acid esters (PAEs, i.e. dipropyl phthalate, DPP; diisobutyl phthalate, DIBP; dibutyl phthalate, DBP; diisopentyl phthalate, DIPP; di-n-pentyl phthalate, DNPP; dihexyl phthalate, DHP; butyl benzyl phthalate, BBP; dicyclohexyl phthalate, DCHP; di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP; di-n-octyl phthalate, DNOP; diisononyl phthalate, DINP; and diisodecyl phthalate, DIDP) and one adipate (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, DEHA) from two species of fish (Scomber colias and Katsuwonus pelamis) and one of squid (Loligo gahi). The method was validated in terms of linearity, trueness and matrix effects. Determination coefficients (R2) for matrix-matched calibration curves were higher than 0.99 in all cases, being the lowest calibration levels in the range 0.5-10 ng/g. Mean recovery values were between 70 and 117% with relative standard deviation values ≤20%. Matrix effects were soft (between -20 and +20%) for most analytes and matrices, except in squid samples, which was mostly medium with a moderate ion suppression. The analysis of 10 samples of each type showed the presence of DIBP, DBP and DEHP at concentrations up to 44.2 ± 2.1 ng/g of wet weight in some of the samples and species, still not representing concerning values when considering the daily intake of such species of seafood in the human diet (tolerable daily intake -TDI- values were not exceeded). Results demonstrated that the ammonium formate version of the QuEChERS method can be applied with success for the extraction and determination of the selected PAEs and DEHA in fish and squid samples.

Exploring Pavlova pinguis chemical diversity: a potentially novel source of high value compounds.

To uncover the potential of Pavlova pinguis J.C. Green as a natural source of value added compounds, its lipophilic extracts were studied before and after alkaline hydrolysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis of the lipophilic extracts showed a wide chemical diversity including 72 compounds distributed by fatty acids (29), sterols (14), fatty alcohols (13) and other lipophilic compounds (16). Fatty acids represented the main class of identified compounds presenting myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic and eicosapentaenoic acids as its main components. Through the ∑ω6/∑ω3 ratio (0.25) and sterol composition it was possible to observe that P. pinguis is a valuable source of ω3 fatty acids and stigmasterol (up to 43% of total sterols). After alkaline hydrolysis, fatty acids and fatty alcohols content increased by 32 and 14% respectively, in contrast to, monoglycerides which decreased by 84%. The long chain alcohols content enables the exploitation of this microalga as a source of these bioactive compounds. Smaller amounts of sugars and other compounds were also detected. The present study is a valuable reference to the metabolite characterization of P. pinguis and shows the potential of this microalga for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Microalgal-based biopolymer for nano- and microplastic removal: a possible biosolution for wastewater treatment.

The increasing water pollution caused by the presence of nano- and microplastics has shown a need to pursue solutions to remediate this problem. In this work, an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) producing freshwater Cyanothece sp. strain was exposed to nano- and microplastics. The bioflocculant capacity of the biopolymer produced was evaluated. The influence of different concentrations (1 and 10 mg L-1) of polystyrene nano- and microplastics in the extracellular carbohydrates and in the EPS production was studied. The presence of nano- and microplastics induced a negative effect on the microalgal growth (of up to 47%). The results show that the EPS produced by Cyanothece sp. exhibits high bioflocculant activity in low concentrations. Also, the EPS displayed very favourable characteristics for aggregation, as the aggregates were confirmed to consist of microalga, EPS and both the nano- and microplastics. These results highlight the potential of the microalgal-based biopolymers to replace hazardous synthetic flocculants used in wastewater treatment, while aggregating and flocculating nano- and microplastics, demonstrating to be a multi-purposed, compelling, biocompatible solution to nano- and microplastic pollution.

The effect of microplastics pollution in microalgal biomass production: A biochemical study.

Microplastics (MPs) are widely spread throughout aquatic systems and water bodies. Given that water quality is one of the most important parameters in the microalgal-based industry, it is critical to assess the biochemical impact of short- and long-term exposure to MPs pollution. Here, the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum was exposed to water contaminated with 0.5 and 50 mg L-1 of polystyrene (PS) and/or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Results show that the microalgal cultures exposed to lower concentrations of PS displayed a growth enhancement of up to 73% in the first stage (days 3-9) of the exponential growth phase. Surprisingly, and despite the fact that long-term exposure to MPs contamination did not impair microalgal growth, a steep decrease in biomass production (of up to 82%) was observed. The production of photosynthetic pigments was shown to be pH-correlated during the full growth cycle, but cell density-independent in later stages of culturing. The extracellular carbohydrates production exhibited a major decrease during long-term exposure. Still, the production of extracellular proteins was not affected by the presence of MPs. This pilot laboratory-scale study shows that the microalgal exposure to water contaminated with MPs disturbs its biochemical equilibrium in a time-dependent manner, decreasing biomass production. Thus, microalgal industry-related consequences derived from the use of MPs-contaminated water are a plausible possibility.

Marine vs freshwater microalgae exopolymers as biosolutions to microplastics pollution.

Microalgae can excrete exopolymer substances (EPS) with a potential to form hetero-aggregates with microplastic particles. In this work, two freshwater (Microcystis panniformis and Scenedesmus sp.) and two marine (Tetraselmis sp. and Gloeocapsa sp.) EPS producing microalgae were exposed to different microplastics. In this study, the influence of the microplastic particles type, size and density in the production of EPS and hetero-aggregates potential was studied. Most microalgae contaminated with microplastics displayed a cell abundance decrease (of up to 42%) in the cultures. The results showed that the formed aggregates were composed of microalgae and EPS (homo-aggregates) or a combination of microalgae, EPS and microplastics (hetero-aggregates). The hetero-aggregation was dependent on the size and yield production of EPS, which was species specific. Microcystis panniformis and Scenedesmus sp. exhibited small EPS, with a higher propension to disaggregate, and consequently lower capabilities to aggregate microplastics. Tetraselmis sp. displayed a higher ability to aggregate both low and high-density microplastics, being partially limited by the size of the microplastics. Gloeocapsa sp. had an outstanding EPS production and presented excellent microplastic aggregation capabilities (adhered onto the surface and also incorporated into the EPS). The results highlight the potential of microalgae to produce EPS and flocculate microplastics, contributing to their vertical transport and consequent deposition. Thus, this work shows the potential of microalgae as biocompatible solutions to water microplastics treatment.

Ecotoxicological and biochemical effects of environmental concentrations of the plastic-bond pollutant dibutyl phthalate on Scenedesmus sp.

Phthalate esters are highly present in aquatic plastic litter, which can interfere with the biological processes in the wildlife. In this work, the commonly found freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. was exposed to environmental concentrations (0.02, 1 and 100 µg L-1) and to a higher concentration (500 µg L-1) of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which is an environmental pollutant. The growth, pH variation, production of photosynthetic pigments, proteins and carbohydrates were evaluated. The main inhibition effect of DBP on the microalgal growth was observed in the first 48 h of the exposure (EC50: 41.88 µg L-1). A reduction in the photosynthetic pigment concentration was observed for the 0.02, 1 and 100 µg L-1 conditions indicating that the DBP downregulated the growth rate and affected the photosynthetic process. A significant increase in protein production was only observed under 500 µg L-1 DBP exposure. The extracellular carbohydrates production slightly decreased with the presence of DBP, with a stronger decrease occurring in the 500 µg L-1 condition. These results highlight the environmental risk evaluation and ecotoxicological effects of DBP on the production of biovaluable compounds by microalgae. The results also emphasize the importance of assessing the consequences of the environmental concentrations exposure as a result of the DBP dose-dependent correlation effects.