LU4 Applications of Modern Biotechnology Environment PDF

LU4 APPLICATIONS OF MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY Environment ENVIRONMENT Any biotechnological process thatmay promote a good environment.  Organisms developed during the gulf war to “eat” oil  Organism used in gold mining to “eat” contaminants  Prob...

LU4 APPLICATIONS OF MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY Environment ENVIRONMENT Any biotechnological process thatmay promote a good environment.  Organisms developed during the gulf war to “eat” oil  Organism used in gold mining to “eat” contaminants  Problems naturally solved by microorganisms such as bacteria & fungi - break down contaminant into a form less harmful or not harmful. Environmental pollutions  Wastes released from industrial processes  Accidental oil and chemical spills or intentional dumping  Radioactive substances  Pesticides used  Burnt wastes release chemicals to air The most Prevalent Environmental Pollutants (Environmental Protection Agency, USA, 2011) Chemical Source Acetone Plastics, fibers, solvents, drugs & other chemicals Benzene Plastics, detergents, nylon & other chemicals Carbon tetrachloride Refrigerants, pesticides, cleaning products, degreases & fire extinguishers Cyanide Plastics and mining DDT, DDE Pesticides Detergents Paper, textiles, paints, plastics & other chemicals Mercury Thermometers, dental filling, batteries & other chemicals Toluene Paints, cleaners, glues, coating & other chemicals Vinyl chloride Plastics (PVC)  STU1013 STB1073 Bioremediation:  Process of using organisms to convert hazardous pollutants into less toxic compounds.  It involves the manipulation of the process of degradation of compounds through biological activity  Ongoing research since 1940.  STB1073 Players Bacteria Fungi Algae Plants  Microbes living just about everywhere, including in soil, water, air, animals, plants, and rocks.  A single teaspoon of garden soil contains over 1,000,000,000 bacteria, about 120,000 fungi and 25,000 algae. Bacteria Fungi Algae  STB1073 Why Bioremediation?  Involves the use of natural processes by applying organisms, eg: bacteria  Bioremediation transforms pollutants instead of simply moving them from one media to another.  The cost of bioremediation is the cheapest compared to other methods of pollutant removals.  The resulting products of degradation are harmless. For example oil degradation produce substances such as alcohol, phenols, esters, aldehydes, ketones, and fatty acids.  These in turn are converted into carbon dioxide, water and simpler compounds that do not affect the environment.  STB1073 Advantages of Bioremediation  Can be highly specific  Less expensive than excavation or incineration processes If mineralization occurs get complete degradation and clean up  Does not transfer contaminants from one environment to another  Uses a natural process  Good public acceptance  Process is simple  STB1073 Disadvantages of Bioremediation o Not instantaneous o Often need to develop a system o Always need to test and optimize conditions empirically;cannot use computer models o May have inhibitors present o Compounds may not be in a biodegradable form –polymers, plastics o Compounds may be recalcitrant – higher congeners of PCBs Different strategies are employed in bioremediation depending upon the type of environment involved.  Soil environment  Aquatic environment- include fresh & marine waters, groundwater sources (reservoirs & wastewater treatment facilities EXAMPLES OF BIOREMEDIATION APPLICATIONS  STB1073 Microbial remediation Oil Spill  Hundreds of oil spills have been recorded since 1970. Between 1990 and 2013- 448 spills were recorded.  Oil provides the ingredients for useful everyday products but carries potential pollutants. Harmful to the environment if not handled properly.  Known to disturb ecosystems and marine habitats.  Eg; Bioremediation used in Exxon Valdez spill in1989 at the Prince William Sound, Alaska. Spill Affected Area Exxon Valdez Exxon Voldcz SpillArca nt E.u:aiVa.duOilSplll AE11inrll*t d!e u a acbed bytt. i,n. j.d_wer:r I.C...'.l..l..l..oWrl.h t_:c. : N. « i b..w.t.e.tl,.'_-,"i.avp.w.t.n.IiOydl ofrf.« l n l.......... ri t W -. ini1no45 °C)  Warmer environments are generally known to have greater degradation rates.  STB1073 Method applied Genetic engineering. Controversial subject since the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment may alter the environment and could also lead to the rise of mutated organisms that are harmful. Also, genetically engineered microorganisms would be in competition with microbes naturally present at a polluted site.  Examples STB1073  Some naturally occurring plasmids carry genes that encode enzymes that catalyze degradation of toxic organic pollutants  E.g. aromatic solvents: benzene, toluene, xylenes  "Superbug" was created for remediation of oil spills.  The first living organism to be patented in USA; by Ananda Chakrabarty in 1970s - United States Patent No. 4,259,444. Pseudomonas strain capable of degrading several organic molecules present in petroleum. Phytoremediation  Bioremediation process applying plants.  Chemicals are absorbed via plant roots; metabolized  Efficient when contaminants are near the surface.  Known as “carbon sinks”-Help in reducing air pollution (greenhouse gas) Continue…… Alfafa Chemicals:  Arsenic  Atrazine  Radioactive compounds  PAHs  PCBs Organisms: o Juniper grass Sunflower o Alfafa o Prairie grass o Sunflowers o Indian mallow Indian mallow Mycoremediation  Bioremediation process applying fungi. Fusarium oxysporum Chemicals: Pentachlorophenols Asbestos Heavy metals Sewage PCBs Organisms: o Fusarium oxysporum o Mortierella spp. o Phanerochaete spp. Mortierella spp  Bioremediation proses applying algae for waste treatment  ‘Electric bacteria’ are used in purifying sewage water.  “super-enzyme" engineered using proteins derived from bacteria to “eat” plastics  Potential uses of algae and fungal mycelium to replace plastics  Bio-Enrich (Biological Solution for environment) Bio-Enrich® is a potent mix of natural microbial flora and enzymes that specialize in bio- degradation of harmful pollutants found in variety of industrial waste waters. Bio- Enrich® is a broad spectrum solution that can tackle any type of natural or man-made organic pollutants and significantly reduce COD and BOD with the use of advance Microbial Biotechnology. Every gram of Bio- Enrich® is packed with a robust mix of microbes and enzymes that rapidly adapt to dynamic condition in the waste water treatment facility and continue to perform consistently.