Use of Microbial Consortia in Bioremediation of Metalloid Polluted Environments

Abstract

Metalloids are released into the environment due to the erosion of the rocks or anthropogenic activities, causing problems for human health in different world regions. Meanwhile, microorganisms with different mechanisms to tolerate and detoxify metalloid contaminants have an essential role in reducing risks. In this review, we first define metalloids and bioremediation methods and examine the ecology and biodiversity of microorganisms in areas contaminated with these metalloids. Then we studied the genes and proteins involved in the tolerance, transport, uptake, and reduction of these metalloids. Most of these studies focused on a single metalloid and co-contamination of multiple pollutants were poorly discussed in the literature. Furthermore, microbial communication within consortia was rarely explored. Finally, we summarized the microbial relationships between microorganisms in consortia and biofilms to remove one or more contaminants. Therefore, this review article contains valuable information about microbial consortia and their mechanisms in the bioremediation of metalloids.

Simultaneous bioreduction of tellurite and selenite by Yarrowia lipolytica, Trichosporon cutaneum, and their co-culture along with characterization of biosynthesized Te–Se nanoparticles

“…Recent studies showed the presence of Te and Se in waste products of different industries, which would result in contamination of environment. The bioremediation of these toxic compounds to less toxic elemental forms using these capable yeast strains is promising approach for treatment of metalloid oxyanions present in the industrial effluents instead of less effective and more expensive chemical and physical methods [ 9 , 19 , 23 , 26 ].…”

“…Tellurite and selenite pollution is typically treated using a variety of physicochemical techniques, including cutting-edge technologies like ultrafiltration and nanofiltration [ 24 , 25 ]. On the other hand, biological approaches using microorganisms can offer additional benefits for treating these wastewaters since they allow for the biorecovery and production of elemental nanoparticles (NPs) from these pollutants [ 9 , 19 , 23 , 26 ]. A variety of microbial species can transform selenium and tellurium oxyanions through different processes, such as reduction, oxidation, demethylation, and methylation [ 27 – 29 ].…”

Using Fungi in Artificial Microbial Consortia to Solve Bioremediation Problems

“…Such an artificial consortia, involving cells of microorganisms from different kingdoms [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], are especially attractive from a scientific and practical point of view, due to the possibility of expanding its total metabolic potential. At the same time, all the advantages that the artificial consortia of microorganisms themselves have over natural analogues, which have mainly been described in the literature on bacterial cells, are preserved: easy-to-use reproducibility of the compositions of the consortia; the possibility of introducing maximum targeted metabolic activity into the consortia cells, which are improved, including through the genetic modification of cells; targeted variation of the ratios of cell concentrations in the consortium, to regulate the rates of associated biochemical processes catalyzed by cells; sustainable functioning of the created consortia, which are accompanied by increased degrees of conversion of the original substrates, including toxic compounds [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. …”

“…sustainable functioning of the created consortia, which are accompanied by increased degrees of conversion of the original substrates, including toxic compounds [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Microorganisms 2024, 12, 470 2 of 26 -easy-to-use reproducibility of the compositions of the consortia; -the possibility of introducing maximum targeted metabolic activity into the consortia cells, which are improved, including through the genetic modification of cells; -targeted variation of the ratios of cell concentrations in the consortium, to regulate the rates of associated biochemical processes catalyzed by cells; -sustainable functioning of the created consortia, which are accompanied by increased degrees of conversion of the original substrates, including toxic compounds [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”