@article{2-s2.0-85215068377,

title = {Luffa cylindrica-based immobilization: Effects on metabolic activity and paracetamol degradation by Pseudomonas moorei KB4},

author = { U. Guzik and A. Dzionek and A. Nowak and A. Marchlewicz and K.T. Hupert-Kocurek and D. Szada and T. Jesionowski and J. Borgulat and Ł. Jałowiecki and G.A. Płaza and D. Wojcieszyńska},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85215068377&doi=10.1016%2fj.ibiod.2025.106007&partnerID=40&md5=9b83173f657a987457f61d74ebf18343},

doi = {10.1016/j.ibiod.2025.106007},

issn = {09648305},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation},

volume = {198},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Pseudomonas moorei KB4 belongs to the paracetamol-degrading strains. This strain was immobilized on a biodegradable carrier – a cellulose sponge from Luffa cylindrica. The study aimed to determine the impact of the immobilization process on the metabolic activity of the strain, including the biodegradation process of paracetamol. The research that was conducted showed significant differences in the level of transcription of selected genes, as well as in the metabolic profile and the composition of total fatty acids. However, the immobilization process did not significantly affect the degradation of paracetamol. This indicates a lack of limitation in the availability of the substrate, which is not very toxic to the tested strain. However, immobilization causes greater strain resistance to the appearance of the toxic 4-aminophenol. After immobilization, it is possible to decompose higher concentrations of paracetamol, which, under normal conditions, leads to the accumulation of 4-aminophenol, inhibiting the free strain's growth. Differences in the degradation of this drug by free and immobilized cells, depending on the number of doses, were observed. After analyzing the enzymes and intermediates of the paracetamol degradation pathway, differences were shown between the metabolism of this compound by the free and immobilized strain. It was shown that, 3-methyl-3-vinyl-cyclohexanon was a characteristic intermediate identified only during paracetamol degradation by the free strain of KB4. Moreover, no deaminase and hydroquinone 1,2-dioxygenase were active in the system with immobilized KB4. The resulting hydroquinone ring was probably not cleaved in the immobilized system. Hence, decomposition probably proceeds by catechol cleavage. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85206536704,

title = {The Influence of Activated Sludge Augmentation on Its Ability to Degrade Paracetamol},

author = { A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and O.A. Menashe and D. Szada and I.W. Potocka and T. Jesionowski and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85206536704&doi=10.3390%2fmolecules29194520&partnerID=40&md5=8105f0323057435af5bfe503e5099f48},

doi = {10.3390/molecules29194520},

issn = {14203049},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Molecules},

volume = {29},

number = {19},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used painkillers. Its significant production and consumption result in its presence in the environment. For that reason, paracetamol has a negative impact on the organisms living in ecosystems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective methods to remove paracetamol from sewage. One of the methods is the bioaugmentation of activated sludge with organisms with increased degradation potential in relation to paracetamol. This study determined the effectiveness of paracetamol degradation by activated sludge augmented with a free or immobilised Pseudomonas moorei KB4. To immobilise the strain, innovative capsules made of cellulose acetate were used, the structure of which provides an optimal environment for the development of bacteria. Augmentation with both a free and immobilised strain significantly improves the efficiency of paracetamol biodegradation by activated sludge. Over a period of 30 days, examined systems allowed ten doses of paracetamol decomposition, while the unaugmented system degraded only four. At the same time, using the immobilised strain does not significantly affect the functioning of the activated sludge, which was reflected in the stability of processes such as nitrification. Due to the high stability of the preparation, it can become a valuable tool in wastewater treatment processes. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {2},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85212699915,

title = {Changes in Ibuprofen Toxicity and Degradation in Response to Immobilization of Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b)},

author = { A. Marchlewicz and A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and J. Borgulat and Ł. Jałowiecki and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85212699915&doi=10.3390%2fmolecules29235680&partnerID=40&md5=0f4f66895534812ea8976a6bd73fd857},

doi = {10.3390/molecules29235680},

issn = {14203049},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Molecules},

volume = {29},

number = {23},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {Ibuprofen is one of the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs by humans, resulting in its appearance in the environment, which can negatively affect organisms living in it. The studies undertaken have shown that the immobilized Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) strain can decompose this drug at a rate of qmax = 0.36 mg/L*h, with a Ks constant of 0.95 mg/L for this process. An analysis of the effect of ibuprofen on the metabolic profile of the immobilized strain B1(2015b) showed an increase in the consumption of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur compounds by this strain compared to the free strain. Studies on the toxicity of ibuprofen against the B1(2015b) strain indicated a small protective effect of the carrier, manifested by a slightly higher EC50 value = 1190 mg/L (for the free strain EC50 = 1175 mg/L). A toxicity analysis of intermedia formed during ibuprofen degradation indicated that the increase in toxicity is positively correlated with the degree of hydroxylation of ibuprofen metabolites. A toxicity analysis of the post-culture fluid obtained after ibuprofen degradation by the immobilized and free strain indicated that the products formed due to this process are completely safe. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {0},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85184913863,

title = {Decomposition of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by activated sludge supported by biopreparation in sequencing batch reactor},

author = { A. Dzionek and A. Nowak and D. Wojcieszyńska and I.W. Potocka and W. Smułek and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85184913863&doi=10.1016%2fj.biortech.2024.130328&partnerID=40&md5=39d790eda0f9fbd9643a4146cbc5c18d},

doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130328},

issn = {09608524},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Bioresource Technology},

volume = {395},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {The presence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in wastewater from sewage treatment plants indicates that they are not completely biodegradable. The designed biopreparation based on immobilized bacteria enables the degradation of paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac at a rate of 0.50 mg/L*day, 0.14 mg/L*day, 0.16 mg/L*day and 0.04 mg/L*day, respectively. Lower degradation of drugs in the mixture than in monosubstrate systems indicates their additive, antagonistic effect, limiting the degradative capacity of microorganisms. The biopreparation is stable for at least 6 weeks in bioreactor conditions. Biochemical parameters of activated sludge functioning showed increased oxygen demand, which was related to increased ammonia concentration caused by long-term exposure of activated sludge to drugs. Reduced metabolic activity was also observed. The preparation enables decomposing drugs and their metabolites, restoring the activated sludge's functionality. The tested biopreparation can support activated sludge in sewage treatment plants in degrading non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and phenolic compounds. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd},

note = {2},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85181777064,

title = {Naproxen as environmental pollution, its effect on bacteria metabolism and degradation mechanism in immobilized Planococcus sp. S5},

author = { A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and A. Marchlewicz and W. Smułek and I.W. Potocka and Ł. Jałowiecki and J. Borgulat and G.A. Płaza and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85181777064&doi=10.1016%2fj.cej.2023.148174&partnerID=40&md5=899216654a60c6867293bebad6864093},

doi = {10.1016/j.cej.2023.148174},

issn = {13858947},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Chemical Engineering Journal},

volume = {481},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Planococcus sp. S5 belongs to strains that degrade naproxen, one of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the presented work, the immobilization of the S5 strain was carried out on the Loofah plant sponge, which improved the degradation efficiency, and kinetic studies indicated the abolition of the inhibition by the substrate observed in the free cell system. At the same time, after immobilization, evident changes were observed in the metabolic profile of the strain, which was related to the specific microenvironment of the carrier. The study also presents the naproxen degradation pathway in a system with the immobilized S5 strain for the first time. The analysis of intermediates formed during the decomposition of naproxen indicated that this decomposition occurs through naphthalene and salicylic acid. Furthermore, the degradation of naproxen via 3-hydroxybenzoic acid to gentisic acid is also possible. The high efficiency of naproxen degradation by the immobilised S5 strain enables its use in bioremediation. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.},

note = {9},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85165181270,

title = {Application of Immobilized Biocatalysts in the Biotransformation of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs},

author = { A. Nowak and A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85165181270&doi=10.3390%2fapp13137789&partnerID=40&md5=d7c404aacc43dd4a75ef48ee72f2f9f7},

doi = {10.3390/app13137789},

issn = {20763417},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Applied Sciences (Switzerland)},

volume = {13},

number = {13},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

abstract = {Featured Application: Given the new EU Water Directive, wastewater treatment plants are interested in increasing the efficiency of wastewater treatment in terms of pharmaceuticals. Diclofenac is one of the most common pollutants indicated in the above directive. In connection with the above, the developed preparation, after passing tests on a semi-technical scale, can be used as a factor supporting the work of the sewage treatment plant to remove non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Among the micropollutants identified in the environment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) dominate more and more often. This is due to both the high consumption and low efficiency of biological wastewater treatment plants, where the initial transformation of NSAIDs most often takes place. The solution to the problem may be using preparations supporting activated sludge in sewage treatment plants in the biodegradation of NSAIDs. Therefore, the research aimed to develop a biopreparation stimulating the activated sludge of the sewage treatment plant to decompose paracetamol and selected NSAIDs. This biopreparation is based on strains of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KB2, Planococcus sp. S5, Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b), and Pseudomonas moorei KB4 immobilized on a plant sponge. As a result of the tests, it was shown that the optimal species composition of the proposed preparation includes all tested strains immobilized on a carrier with a mass of 1.2 g/L. The system optimization showed that the optimal amount of strains on the carrier was 17 mg/g of the carrier, 15 mg/g of the carrier, 18 mg/g of the carrier, and 20 mg/g of the carrier for KB4, B1(2015b), KB2, and S5, respectively. The presence of phenol stimulated the degradation of the tested drugs, and this effect deepened with increasing phenol concentration. At the same time, the degradation rate of the mixture of NSAIDs in the presence of phenol did not depend on the amount of biomass. The lack of inhibition in the presence of an additional co-contaminant, i.e., phenol, indicates that the preparation constructed in this way has a chance of being used in sewage treatment plant systems, where introduced strains are exposed to various aromatic compounds. © 2023 by the authors.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85126104603,

title = {Use of xanthan gum for whole cell immobilization and its impact in bioremediation - a review},

author = { A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85126104603&doi=10.1016%2fj.biortech.2022.126918&partnerID=40&md5=557138976da2d3299c2302204cae8dd2},

doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126918},

issn = {09608524},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Bioresource Technology},

volume = {351},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Xanthan gum is one of the exo-polysaccharides produced by bacteria and is characterized by unique non-Newtonian properties. Its structure and conformation strongly depend on the fermentation conditions and such factors as temperature and ions concentration. The properties of the xanthan gum were appreciated in the controlled drug delivery but in the crosslinked form. Due to its ability to enhance the survival rate of immobilized bacteria, the potential of a crosslinked form is promising. Unfortunately, xanthan gum crosslinking procedures often require toxic substances or harsh environmental conditions, which cannot be used in the entrapment of living cells. In this study, we summarised a crosslinking method that could potentially be modified to reduce its toxicity to living cells. Moreover, this review also includes using xanthan gum in bioremediation studies and possible utilization methods to avoid carrier accumulation in the environment. © 2022 The Authors},

note = {15},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85090585955,

title = {Xanthan gum as a carrier for bacterial cell entrapment: Developing a novel immobilised biocatalyst},

author = { A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and M. Adamczyk-Habrajska and J. Karczewski and I.W. Potocka and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85090585955&doi=10.1016%2fj.msec.2020.111474&partnerID=40&md5=4a58bcdb7fc091b5c8bf180f466e858d},

doi = {10.1016/j.msec.2020.111474},

issn = {09284931},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Materials Science and Engineering C},

volume = {118},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Xanthan gum (XAN) is a widely used polysaccharide in various industries. Because of its unique properties, in this study, an attempt was made to adopt the procedure of xanthan gum cross-linking for the entrapment of bacterial cells that are able to biodegrade naproxen. The developed procedure proved to be completely neutral for Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) cells, which demonstrated a survival rate of 99%. A negative impact of entrapment was noted for strain Planococcus sp. S5, which showed a survival rate in the 93–51% range. To achieve good mechanical properties of the composites, they were additionally hardened using polydopamine (PDA). XAN/PDA composites revealed a high stability in a wide range of pH, and their sorption capacity included both cationic and anionic molecules. Analysis of the survival rate during storage at 4 °C in 0.9% NaCl showed that, after 35 days, 98–99% of B1(2015b) and 47% of S5 cells entrapped in XAN/PDA remained alive. This study also presents the results of naproxen biodegradation conducted using XAN/PDA/B1(2015b) in a trickling filter with autochthonous microflora. Hence, owing to the significant acceleration of drug biodegradation (1 mg/L in 14 days) and the chemical oxygen demand removal, the entrapped B1(2015b) cells in XAN/PDA composites showed a promising potential in bioremediation studies and industrial applications. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.},

note = {6},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85079637258,

title = {Enhanced Degradation of Naproxen by Immobilization of Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) on Loofah Sponge},

author = { A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and M. Adamczyk-Habrajska and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85079637258&doi=10.3390%2fmolecules25040872&partnerID=40&md5=b37cbe5c7bd659ee99d37e365bb7e99f},

doi = {10.3390/molecules25040872},

issn = {14203049},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Molecules},

volume = {25},

number = {4},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {The naproxen-degrading bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) was immobilised onto loofah sponge and introduced into lab-scale trickling filters. The trickling filters constructed for this study additionally contained stabilised microflora from a functioning wastewater treatment plant to assess the behavior of introduced immobilized biocatalyst in a fully functioning bioremediation system. The immobilised cells degraded naproxen (1 mg/L) faster in the presence of autochthonous microflora than in a monoculture trickling filter. There was also abundant colonization of the loofah sponges by the microorganisms from the system. Analysis of the influence of an acute, short-term naproxen exposure on the indigenous community revealed a significant drop in its diversity and qualitative composition. Bioaugmentation was also not neutral to the microflora. Introducing a new microorganism and increasing the removal of the pollutant caused changes in the microbial community structure and species composition. The incorporation of the immobilised B1(2015b) was successful and the introduced strain colonized the basic carrier in the trickling filter after the complete biodegradation of the naproxen. As a result, the bioremediation system could potentially be used to biodegrade naproxen in the future. © 2020 by the authors.},

note = {9},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85054792135,

title = {Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis using the whole biofilm as a sensitive tool to evaluate the physiological state of immobilized bacterial cells},

author = { A. Dzionek and J. Dzik and D. Wojcieszyńska and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85054792135&doi=10.3390%2fcatal8100434&partnerID=40&md5=263d76d78b4a0410fa4b969485ca4a69},

doi = {10.3390/catal8100434},

issn = {20734344},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {Catalysts},

volume = {8},

number = {10},

publisher = {MDPI},

abstract = {Due to the increasing interest and the use of immobilized biocatalysts in bioremediation studies, there is a need for the development of an assay for quick and reliable measurements of their overall enzymatic activity. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis is a widely used assay for measuring total enzymatic activity (TEA) in various environmental samples or in monoculture researches. However, standard FDA assays for TEA measurements in immobilized samples include performing an assay on cells detached from the carrier. This causes an error, because it is not possible to release all cells from the carrier without affecting their metabolic activity. In this study, we developed and optimized a procedure for TEA quantification in the whole biofilm formed on the carrier without disturbing it. The optimized method involves pre-incubation of immobilized carrier in phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) on the orbital shaker for 15 min, slow injection of FDA directly into the middle of the immobilized carrier, and incubation on the orbital shaker (130 rpm; 30◦C) for 1 h. Biofilm dry mass was obtained by comparing the dried weight of the immobilized carrier with that of the unimmobilized carrier. The improved protocol provides a simple, quick, and more reliable quantification of TEA during the development of immobilized biocatalysts compared to the original method. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.},

note = {11},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85048057032,

title = {Immobilization of Planococcus sp. S5 strain on the loofah sponge and its application in naproxen removal},

author = { A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and K.T. Hupert-Kocurek and M. Adamczyk-Habrajska and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85048057032&doi=10.3390%2fcatal8050176&partnerID=40&md5=ae170a3a84ad2289b7ca0641afaad21c},

doi = {10.3390/catal8050176},

issn = {20734344},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {Catalysts},

volume = {8},

number = {5},

publisher = {MDPI},

abstract = {Planococcus sp. S5, a Gram-positive bacterium isolated from the activated sludge is known to degrade naproxen in the presence of an additional carbon source. Due to the possible toxicity of naproxen and intermediates of its degradation, the whole cells of S5 strain were immobilized onto loofah sponge. The immobilized cells degraded 6, 9, 12 or 15 mg/L of naproxen faster than the free cells. Planococcus sp. cells immobilized onto the loofah sponge were able to degrade naproxen efficiently for 55 days without significant damage and disintegration of the carrier. Analysis of the activity of enzymes involved in naproxen degradation showed that stabilization of S5 cells in exopolysaccharide (EPS) resulted in a significant increase of their activity. Changes in the structure of biofilm formed on the loofah sponge cubes during degradation of naproxen were observed. Developed biocatalyst system showed high resistance to naproxen and its intermediates and degraded higher concentrations of the drug in comparison to the free cells. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.},

note = {15},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-84987668157,

title = {Natural carriers in bioremediation: A review},

author = { A. Dzionek and D. Wojcieszyńska and U. Guzik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84987668157&doi=10.1016%2fj.ejbt.2016.07.003&partnerID=40&md5=5cebfeeab0cd9f059b8acfb99c69e9f0},

doi = {10.1016/j.ejbt.2016.07.003},

issn = {07173458},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Electronic Journal of Biotechnology},

volume = {23},

pages = {28-36},

publisher = {Electronic Journal of Biotechnology},

abstract = {Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater or soil is currently the cheapest and the least harmful method of removing xenobiotics from the environment. Immobilization of microorganisms capable of degrading specific contaminants significantly promotes bioremediation processes, reduces their costs, and also allows for the multiple use of biocatalysts. Among the developed methods of immobilization, adsorption on the surface is the most common method in bioremediation, due to the simplicity of the procedure and its non-toxicity. The choice of carrier is an essential element for successful bioremediation. It is also important to consider the type of process (in situ or ex situ), type of pollution, and properties of immobilized microorganisms. For these reasons, the article summarizes recent scientific reports about the use of natural carriers in bioremediation, including efficiency, the impact of the carrier on microorganisms and contamination, and the nature of the conducted research. © 2016 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.},

note = {223},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}