Humin: No longer inactive natural organic matter

Duyen Minh Pham; Takuya Kasai; Mirai Yamaura; Arata Katayama

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128697

Humin: No longer inactive natural organic matter

Chemosphere. 2021 Apr:269:128697. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128697. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Authors

Duyen Minh Pham¹, Takuya Kasai², Mirai Yamaura³, Arata Katayama⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
² Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan; Department of Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
³ Department of Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
⁴ Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan; Department of Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan. Electronic address: katayama.arata@nagoya-u.jp.

PMID: 33139048
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128697

Abstract

The discovery of the function of humin (HM), an insoluble fraction of humic substances (HSs), as an extracellular electron mediator (EEM) in 2012 has provided insight into the role of HM in nature and its potential for in situ bioremediation of pollutants. The EEM function is thought to enable the energy network of various microorganisms using HM. Recently, a number of studies on the application of HM as EEM in anaerobic microbial cultures have been conducted. Even so, there is a need for developing a holistic view of HM EEM function. In this paper, we summarize all the available information on the properties of HM EEM function, its applications, possible redox-active structures, and the interaction between HM and microbial cells. We also suggest scopes for future HM research.

Keywords: Extracellular electron mediator; Functional groups; Humic substances; Humin; Redox potential; Redox-active moieties.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biodegradation, Environmental
Electrons*
Humic Substances* / analysis
Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

Humic Substances
humin