Insights into the response of electroactive biofilm with petroleum hydrocarbons degradation ability to quorum sensing signals

Jianliang Xue; Han Ma; Xing Dong; Ke Shi; Xiaoyu Zhou; Yanlu Qiao; Yu Gao; Yang Liu; Yujie Feng; Qing Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134407

Insights into the response of electroactive biofilm with petroleum hydrocarbons degradation ability to quorum sensing signals

J Hazard Mater. 2024 Jun 5:471:134407. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134407. Epub 2024 Apr 24.

Authors

Jianliang Xue¹, Han Ma², Xing Dong², Ke Shi², Xiaoyu Zhou², Yanlu Qiao³, Yu Gao³, Yang Liu², Yujie Feng⁴, Qing Jiang⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China; Institute of Yellow River Delta Earth Surface Processes and Ecological Integrity, Shandong University of Science and Technology, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Science for Yellow River Delta, Binzhou University, Binzhou, Shandong 256600, China.
² College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China.
³ College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China; Institute of Yellow River Delta Earth Surface Processes and Ecological Integrity, Shandong University of Science and Technology, China.
⁴ School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 256600, China.
⁵ College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China; Institute of Yellow River Delta Earth Surface Processes and Ecological Integrity, Shandong University of Science and Technology, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Science for Yellow River Delta, Binzhou University, Binzhou, Shandong 256600, China. Electronic address: qingjiang2021@126.com.

PMID: 38677122
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134407

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical technologies based on electroactive biofilms (EAB) are promising for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) remediation as anode can serve as inexhaustible electron acceptor. However, the toxicity of PHs might inhibit the formation and function of EABs. Quorum sensing (QS) is ideal for boosting the performance of EABs, but its potential effects on reshaping microbial composition of EABs in treating PHs are poorly understood. Herein, two AHL signals, C4-HSL and C12-HSL, were employed to promote EABs for PHs degradation. The start-times of AHL-mediated EABs decreased by 18-26%, and maximum current densities increased by 28-63%. Meanwhile, the removal of total PHs increased to over 90%. AHLs facilitate thicker and more compact biofilm as well as higher viability. AHLs enhanced the electroactivity and direct electron transfer capability. The total abundance of PH-degrading bacteria increased from 52.05% to 75.33% and 72.02%, and the proportion of electroactive bacteria increased from 26.14% to 62.72% and 63.30% for MFC-C4 and MFC-C12. Microbial networks became more complex, aggregated, and stable with addition of AHLs. Furthermore, AHL-stimulated EABs showed higher abundance of genes related to PHs degradation. This work advanced our understanding of AHL-mediated QS in maintaining the stable function of microbial communities in the biodegradation process of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Keywords: Direct electron transfer; Electroactive biofilms; Electroactivity; Petroleum hydrocarbons degradation; Quorum sensing.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bacteria / genetics
Bacteria / metabolism
Biodegradation, Environmental*
Bioelectric Energy Sources
Biofilms* / drug effects
Electrochemical Techniques
Hydrocarbons* / metabolism
Petroleum* / metabolism
Quorum Sensing*

Substances

Petroleum
Hydrocarbons