Use of bacterial metabolites to intensify the removal of organic pollutants and stimulate the activity of the natural microbiota

Project title: Use of bacterial metabolites to intensify the removal of organic pollutants and stimulate the activity of the natural microbiota
Project leader: mgr inż. Pola Łomża-Kalinowska
Lead entity implementing the project at the WUT: WIBHiIŚ
Call, programme or project name: YOUNG PW, IDUB

Sales of plant protection products (PPPs) in the European Union amount to more than 350,000 tons per year. The prevalence of their use, like the prevalence of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) used in the production of pesticides, plastics, coolants, paints, adhesives, solvents and many others, results in the release of these xenobiotics into the environment, where they adversely affect entire ecosystems. In addition, these agents exhibit high toxicity to humans and other organisms, accumulate in the environment and are often persistent pollutants that resist degradation processes. Microorganisms have developed, in the course of evolution, mechanisms for biotransformation and biodegradation of organic compounds, which often occur as a pollutant. The use of these mechanisms in bioremediation treatments can remove contamination and restore the environment to its original state of equilibrium in an efficient, inexpensive and environmentally friendly manner. This project proposes to construct a prototype biopreparation based on key enzymes such as siderophores, dehalogenases, laccases, mono- and dioxygenases involved in the biotransformation and biodegradation processes of organic compounds and appropriately selected supplements. The biopreparation is expected to have a stimulating effect on the activity of the natural microbiota of contaminated areas, improving the biological quality of the soil, increase the effectiveness of bioremediation treatments of contaminated environments, as well as stimulate the growth of plant biomass. Metabolites included in the biopreparation will be isolated from bacterial cultures. The efficacy of the biopreparation will be tested against glyphosate and 2,4-D, which are PPPs, and in the case of 2,4-D also HOC.