Mineral Nanoparticles Act as Nanozyme Mimics, Enhancing Fungi’s Ability to Degrade Organic Pollutants
Scientists have discovered that mineral nanoparticles, specifically magnetite nanoparticles, exhibit nanozyme-like properties that assist fungi in breaking down organic pollutants. Led by Dr. Guanghui Yu from the School of Earth System Science at Tianjin University, the study explored the role of magnetite nanoparticles as nanozyme mimics.
The researchers focused on the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium and its ability to degrade 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB15), a common organic pollutant. They conducted experiments with and without the presence of magnetite nanoparticles and found that the addition of these nanoparticles greatly enhanced the breakdown of PCB15 by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. After 3 and 5 days of co-cultivation, degradation rates reached 42% and 84%, respectively.
To better understand the interaction between the fungus and magnetite nanoparticles, microscopic assessments were performed. The researchers observed that the magnetite particles tightly adhered to the fungal hyphae, with uneven distribution on the hyphal surfaces.
Intrigued by this fungal-mineral synergy, the scientists identified that magnetite nanoparticles exhibited enzyme-like activity, leading them to classify them as nanozymes. They discovered that co-cultivating the fungus with magnetite nanoparticles significantly enhanced the nanozymatic activity of the nanoparticles. Statistical analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between the nanozymatic activity of magnetite and the concentration ratio of PCB15, indicating that white rot fungi amplify the nanozyme activity of magnetite to degrade PCB15.
To further investigate the mechanisms at play, the researchers employed high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). They found that the white rot fungus enhances the nanozymatic activity of magnetite primarily through oxygen vacancies on the mineral surface, rather than iron chemistry. These oxygen vacancies were filled by adsorbed oxygen species, including hydroxyl groups (-OH) and adsorbed water.
This study provides valuable insights into the fungal-facilitated degradation of organic pollutants and highlights the remarkable resilience and adaptation of fungi in extreme conditions. The findings could have implications for soil remediation in contaminated environments.
The research, published in the journal Science China Earth Sciences, deepens our understanding of the potential applications of mineral nanoparticles as nanozyme mimics and their role in environmental remediation.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
