Recently, Mn oxides (MnOxs) have been attracting considerable interest in the oxidation of organic pollutants. However, the reduction of MnOx in these reactions leads to the deactivation of the catalyst, which must be frequently regenerated. We evaluated the application of a manganese-oxidizing bacterium (MOB) and MnOx in removing toxic dyes. We studied the co-function of a plant-endophytic MOB, Pantoea eucrina SS01, with its bio-generated MnOx and evaluated the detoxification activity and chemical transformation mechanisms of the complex in malachite green (MG) degradation. We found a synergistic effect between MnOx and the strain. Particularly, strain SS01 could adsorb MG but could not degrade it, whereas the addition of Mn(II) promoted MG degradation by the formation of a complex containing the bacterium and MnOx aggregates (SS01-bio-MnOx), with distinct morphology characteristics. The complex showed a marked sustainability in the degradation of MG into less toxic or non-toxic metabolites. In this process, strain SS01 might have enhanced the regeneration of MnOx, accelerating MG degradation. Our data not only contribute to understanding the mechanism of MG removal by the SS01-bio-MnOx complex, but also provide a scientific basis for the future application of MOB and MnOx.
Keywords: Malachite green; Manganese-oxidizing bacteria; Mn oxides; Sustainability; Synergistic effect.
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