Original title: Xenobiotics impact on cyanobacterial biomass viability and further usability as bioaccumulators of rare earth elements
Authors: Samson, S. O. ; Serafin-Lewańczuk, M. ; Żymańczyk-Duda, E. ; Čížková, Mária ; Vítová, Milada
Document type: Papers
Conference/Event: Plantmetals 2025, České Budějovice (CZ), 20250909
Year: 2025
Language: eng
Abstract: The growing environmental and industrial demand for rare earth elements (REEs) necessitates innovative and effective recovery methods, particularly the use of biological systems. In this study, we systematically evaluate the dual role of cyanobacterial cells in both biotransformation of xenobiotics and bioaccumulation of REEs, specifically gadolinium (Gd) and europium (Eu). Four cyanobacterial strains: Limnospira indica, Limnospira maxima, Synechococcus bigranulatus and Leptolyngbya foveolarum were employed for this purpose. Two xenobiotics: epoxymethyl dimethyl phosphonate and 1-phenylethyl acetate were selected to induce bioconversion in these strains. Ecotoxicity assays were performed to assess the impact of Gd and Eu on both pre- and post-bioconversion biomasses. Sub-lethal concentrations of REEs were determined using 96-well plate growth inhibition assays. After ecotoxicity tests, cyanobacterial biomasses were exposed to selected concentrations of Gd and Eu for 3 days. The experiments were conducted under controlled conditions in photobioreactors, monitored biomass growth (OD720) and dry weight over 72 hours. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis was used to quantify the accumulated REEs. The ecotoxicity test results showed strain-specific variations in REE tolerance, with all strains demonstrating higher resilience. Dry weight analysis showed increased biomass in the REE-treated cultures, suggesting that REEs can enhance cyanobacteria growth and subsequently increase resource recovery. Microscopic analyses confirmed no significant morphological changes between pre- and post-bioconversion biomasses. These findings highlight the potential of cyanobacteria to not only thrive under xenobiotic exposure but also to sequester REEs, benefiting applications such as the synthesis of high-value bioproducts (e.g., dimethyl (1E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-enylphosphonate and enantiomerically pure phenyl ethanol), resource recovery, and biofertilizer production.
Keywords: bioaccumulation; biotransformation; cyanobacteria; rare earth elements
Project no.: SS07020018
Funding provider: GA TA ČR
Host item entry: Book of Abstracts, PLANTMETALS
Note: Související webová stránka: https://plantmetals.net/plantmetals-home.html

Institution: Institute of Botany AS ČR (web)
Document availability information: Fulltext is available at the institute of the Academy of Sciences.
Original record: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0372780

Permalink: http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-692751


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