Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings
ABSTRACT Biocoatings, in which viable bacteria are immobilized within a waterborne polymer coating for a wide range of potential applications, have garnered greater interest in recent years. In bioreactors, biocoatings can be ready-to-use alternatives for carbon capture or biofuel production that co...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Society for Microbiology
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Microbiology Spectrum |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01870-23 |
| _version_ | 1797658231417339904 |
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| author | Simone Krings Yuxiu Chen Joseph L. Keddie Suzanne Hingley-Wilson |
| author_facet | Simone Krings Yuxiu Chen Joseph L. Keddie Suzanne Hingley-Wilson |
| author_sort | Simone Krings |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Biocoatings, in which viable bacteria are immobilized within a waterborne polymer coating for a wide range of potential applications, have garnered greater interest in recent years. In bioreactors, biocoatings can be ready-to-use alternatives for carbon capture or biofuel production that could be reused multiple times. Here, we have immobilized cyanobacteria in mechanically hard biocoatings, which were deposited from polymer colloids in water (i.e., latex). The biocoatings are formed upon heating to 37°C and fully dried before rehydrating. The viability and oxygen evolution of three cyanobacterial species within the biocoatings were compared. Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was non-viable inside the biocoatings immediately after drying, whereas Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 survived the coating formation, as shown by an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 consumed oxygen (by cell respiration) for up to 5 days, but was unable to perform photosynthesis, as indicated by a lack of oxygen evolution. However, Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433, a strain of desiccation-resistant extremophilic cyanobacteria, survived and performed photosynthesis and carbon capture within the biocoating, with specific rates of oxygen evolution up to 0.4 g of oxygen/g of biomass per day. Continuous measurements of dissolved oxygen were carried out over a month and showed no sign of decreasing activity. Extremophilic cyanobacteria are viable in a variety of environments, making them ideal candidates for use in biocoatings and other biotechnology. IMPORTANCE As water has become a precious resource, there is a growing need for less water-intensive use of microorganisms, while avoiding desiccation stress. Mechanically robust, ready-to-use biocoatings or “living paints” (a type of artificial biofilm consisting of a synthetic matrix containing functional bacteria) represent a novel way to address these issues. Here, we describe the revolutionary, first-ever use of an extremophilic cyanobacterium (Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433) in biocoatings, which were able to produce high levels of oxygen and carbon capture for at least 1 month despite complete desiccation and subsequent rehydration. Beyond culturing viable bacteria with reduced water resources, this pioneering use of extremophiles in biocoatings could be further developed for a variety of applications, including carbon capture, wastewater treatment and biofuel production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:56:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83377d199b4e4047bbf8f9daa44590e3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2165-0497 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:56:13Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microbiology Spectrum |
| spelling | doaj.art-83377d199b4e4047bbf8f9daa44590e32023-10-17T13:04:35ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyMicrobiology Spectrum2165-04972023-10-0111510.1128/spectrum.01870-23Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatingsSimone Krings0Yuxiu Chen1Joseph L. Keddie2Suzanne Hingley-Wilson3Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey , Guildford, Surrey, United KingdomSchool of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey , Guildford, Surrey, United KingdomSchool of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey , Guildford, Surrey, United KingdomDepartment of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey , Guildford, Surrey, United KingdomABSTRACT Biocoatings, in which viable bacteria are immobilized within a waterborne polymer coating for a wide range of potential applications, have garnered greater interest in recent years. In bioreactors, biocoatings can be ready-to-use alternatives for carbon capture or biofuel production that could be reused multiple times. Here, we have immobilized cyanobacteria in mechanically hard biocoatings, which were deposited from polymer colloids in water (i.e., latex). The biocoatings are formed upon heating to 37°C and fully dried before rehydrating. The viability and oxygen evolution of three cyanobacterial species within the biocoatings were compared. Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was non-viable inside the biocoatings immediately after drying, whereas Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 survived the coating formation, as shown by an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 consumed oxygen (by cell respiration) for up to 5 days, but was unable to perform photosynthesis, as indicated by a lack of oxygen evolution. However, Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433, a strain of desiccation-resistant extremophilic cyanobacteria, survived and performed photosynthesis and carbon capture within the biocoating, with specific rates of oxygen evolution up to 0.4 g of oxygen/g of biomass per day. Continuous measurements of dissolved oxygen were carried out over a month and showed no sign of decreasing activity. Extremophilic cyanobacteria are viable in a variety of environments, making them ideal candidates for use in biocoatings and other biotechnology. IMPORTANCE As water has become a precious resource, there is a growing need for less water-intensive use of microorganisms, while avoiding desiccation stress. Mechanically robust, ready-to-use biocoatings or “living paints” (a type of artificial biofilm consisting of a synthetic matrix containing functional bacteria) represent a novel way to address these issues. Here, we describe the revolutionary, first-ever use of an extremophilic cyanobacterium (Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433) in biocoatings, which were able to produce high levels of oxygen and carbon capture for at least 1 month despite complete desiccation and subsequent rehydration. Beyond culturing viable bacteria with reduced water resources, this pioneering use of extremophiles in biocoatings could be further developed for a variety of applications, including carbon capture, wastewater treatment and biofuel production.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01870-23biocoatingsextremophilescyanobacteriaChroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433oxygen evolutioncarbon dioxide fixation |
| spellingShingle | Simone Krings Yuxiu Chen Joseph L. Keddie Suzanne Hingley-Wilson Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings Microbiology Spectrum biocoatings extremophiles cyanobacteria Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433 oxygen evolution carbon dioxide fixation |
| title | Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings |
| title_full | Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings |
| title_fullStr | Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings |
| title_short | Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings |
| title_sort | oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings |
| topic | biocoatings extremophiles cyanobacteria Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433 oxygen evolution carbon dioxide fixation |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01870-23 |
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