Yun Kong

Component analysis of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during aerobic sludge granulation using FTIR and 3D-EEM technologies

In recent years, lots of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) related researches have focused on its role in the granulation and structural stability of aerobic sludge. Three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum (3D-EEM) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technologies were used to analyse the main components of sludge EPS during aerobic sludge granulation in this study. Results showed that the components of sludge EPS tended to be stable during aerobic sludge granulation. The peak F (Ex/Em=230/308.5) from 3D-EEM and the predominant spectral band at approximately 1517 cm(-1) from the FTIR spectra of the matured granular sludge indicated the importance of aromatic protein-like substances together, especially tyrosine in maintaining the stable structure of the granular sludge. Furthermore, the differences in the occurrence position and frequency of C-O bonds (1110-1047 cm(-1)) observed during aerobic sludge granulation showed that the transformations between the isomers and other forms of carbohydrates may be attributed to the formation of aerobic granule.

Isolation of aerobic denitrifiers and characterization for their potential application in the bioremediation of oligotrophic ecosystem.

In recent years, nitrogen pollution has been increasingly serious in environmental waters in China, especially in drinking source. Seven predominant aerobic denitrifiers were isolated and characterized from the oligotrophic ecosystems. Based on their phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the isolates were identified as the genera of Pseudomonas, Achromobacter and Acinetobacter, and all isolates could express periplasmic nitrate reductase which was essential for the aerobic denitrification. The growth rates of the isolates were at 0.30-0.83 h(-1), and obvious denitrification occurred when the dissolved oxygen (DO) level maintained at 3-10 mg L(-1). The isolates were able to conduct heterotrophic nitrification for realizing completely nitrogen removal in aerobic oligotrophic niche. Furthermore, three strains especially Pseudomonas sp.3-7 showed outstanding capacities of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion and aggregation. Results demonstrated that the isolation of aerobic denitrifiers favored the bioremediation of oligotrophic ecosystems.

Cyanobactericidal Effect of Streptomyces sp. HJC-D1 on Microcystis auruginosa

An isolated strain Streptomyces sp. HJC-D1 was applied to inhibit the growth of cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB-905. The effect of Streptomyces sp. HJC-D1 culture broth on the cell integrity and physiological characteristics of M. aeruginosa FACHB-905 was investigated using the flow cytometry (FCM), enzyme activity and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. Results showed that the growth of M. aeruginosa FACHB-905 was significantly inhibited, and the percentage of live cells depended on the culture broth concentration and exposure time. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) increased with exposure concentration and exposure time, and the significant increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) led to the disruption of the subcellular structure of M. aeruginosa FACHB-905, and caused the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, TEM observation suggested the presence of three stages (cell breakage, organelle release and cell death) for the cyanobactericidal process of Streptomyces sp. HJC-D1. Therefore, Streptomyces sp. HJC-D1 not only affected antioxidant enzyme activities and ROS level, but also destroyed the subcellular structure of M. aeruginosa FACHB-905, demonstrating excellent cyanobactericidal properties.

Physiological responses of Microcystis aeruginosa under the stress of antialgal actinomycetes

Eutrophication has occurred frequently in various lakes and reservoirs, and the metabolic excretion produced during the algae growth causes serious water pollution and threatens ecological security. Biological control approaches such as screening bacteria with the capability to degrade cyanobacteria are an environment-friendly way. An isolated antialgal strain Streptomyces sp. KY-34, was applied to degrade the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, and the possible biodegradation mechanism was investigated. The results showed that the fermentation liquor of Streptomyces sp. KY-34 could inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa by restrained the synthesis of chlorophyll and photosynthetic pigments, and decreasing the contents of cellular protein and non-protein, accordingly led to the increase of malondialdehyde content, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase in algae cells. In addition, the variation of the cellular ultrastructure indicated a serious change in algal physiology. Its revealed that the biodegradation mechanism of M. aeruginosa should primarily be that Streptomyces sp. KY-34 caused the damage of algae cell membrane and led to the increases of antioxidant enzymes, and then the growth of M. aeruginosawas inhibited.