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The rapid discrimination of bacteria is currently an emerging trend in the fields of food safety, medical detection, and environmental observation. Traditional methods often require lengthy culturing processes, specialized analytical equipment, and bacterial recognition receptors. In response to this need, we have developed a paper-based fluorescence sensor array platform for identifying different bacteria. The sensor array is based on three unique carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as sensing units, each modified with a different antibiotic (polymyxin B, ampicillin, and gentamicin). These antibiotic-modified CQDs can aggregate on the bacterial surface, triggering aggregation-induced fluorescence quenching. The sensor array exhibits varying fluorescent responses to different bacterial species. To achieve low-cost and portable detection, CQDs were formulated into fluorescent ink and used with an inkjet printer to manufacture paper-based sensor arrays. A smartphone was used to collect the responses generated by the bacteria and platform. Diverse machine learning algorithms were utilized to discriminate bacterial types. Our findings showcase the platform's remarkable capability to differentiate among five bacterial strains, within a detection range spanning from 1.0 × 10 3  CFU/mL to 1.0 × 10 7  CFU/mL. Its practicality is further validated through the accurate identification of blind bacterial samples. With its cost-effectiveness, ease of fabrication, and high degree of integration, this platform holds significant promise for on-site detection of diverse bacteria., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Expansins are proteins that loosen plant cell walls but lack enzymatic activity. Here we describe two protocols tailored to measure the biomechanical activity of bacterial expansin. The first assay relies on the weakening of filter paper by expansin. The second assay is based on induction of creep (long-term, irreversible extension) of plant cell wall samples., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Infections caused by resistant microorganisms are a complex global public health challenge, and the way to combat the increase of resistance is the development of more modern and faster techniques for resistance detection. This study aimed to evaluate the transport of inactivated bacteria impregnated in a filter paper disk to detect carbapenem resistance genes by multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) using high-resolution melting (HRM). A total of 88 isolates of 10 different species of Enterobacterales harboring well-characterized carbapenem resistance genes were evaluated. A full 10-µL loop of fresh growth of bacteria were impregnated in a filter paper disk, which was left at room temperature for 2 days in order to simulate the time spent in transportation. Bacterial inactivation was performed with 70% ethanol at 15 min. Afterwards, the DNA was extracted from the paper disks for further analysis by qPCR HRM. The time of 15 min in 70% ethanol was enough to inactivate all the isolates tested. It was possible to correctly identify the presence of the carbapenem resistance gene by HRM qPCR in 87 isolates (98.87%) that were transported in the filter paper disks. Our results indicated that it is possible to use filter paper to transport inactivated bacteria and to identify carbapenem resistance genes by qPCR HRM. This alternative tends to facilitate the access to this technology by many laboratories which do not have the qPCR equipment., (© 2021. Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

Objective: Pathogens can be transmitted to banknotes due to the personal unhygienic habits. The aim of study was to find the possible pathogens on the banknotes circulating in the market and also to present their antibacterial resistance and their various virulence factors using genotypic and phenotypic methods., Methods: A total of 150 samples of bank-notes were randomly collected between August 2017 and March 2018. VITEK systems were used for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing respectively. Antimicrobial resistance genes (mecA, van, extended-spectrum β-lactamase [ESBL] and carbapenemases) and staphyloccoccal virulence genes (staphyloccoccal enterotoxins [SEs], pvl, and tsst-1) were determined using with real-time PCR., Results: Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Enterococcus spp., Gram-negative enteric bacteria, non-fermentative Gram-negative bacteria and Candida spp. were detected 48%, 54.7%, 56%, 21.3%, 18.7%, and 4%, respectively. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and ESBL producing Gram-negative were found 46.8%, 1.3%, and 28.7%, respectively. Pvl, tsst-1, and SEs genes were found in a 2.8/4.9%, 1.4/1.2%, and 100/ 87.8% of the S. aureus/CoNS strains, respectively. The sea gene was found the most common enterotoxigenic gene. blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-1, blaKPC, and blaOXA-48 were found 55.8%, 46.5%, 41.2%, 18.6%, 18.6%, and 18.6%, respectively in Gram-negative strains., Conclusions: These results is very important to highlight hygienic status of paper currencies. This can be considered as an indication that banknotes may contribute to the spread of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, we may need to start using alternative products instead of banknotes., (©The Author 2020. Published by Sociedad Española de Quimioterapia. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).)

Infections caused by foodborne microorganisms are a great threat to the global environment and public healthcare today. Thus, rapid, portable and sensitive assays that can realize the identification of foodborne bacteria are highly desired. In this study, a smart fluorescent and colorimetric dual-readout sensing system has been established for simple and rapid E. coli determination by utilizing the Cu 2+ -triggered oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD). Initially, Cu 2+ can oxidize OPD to OPDox, resulting in an orange-yellow fluorescence and visible pale-yellow color. However, E. coli can effectively reduce Cu 2+ into Cu + , inhibiting the Cu 2+ -triggered oxidation of OPD to OPDox. Consequently, the introduction of E. coli can turn off both the fluorescence and the UV-vis absorbance signals of the OPD-Cu 2+ system, illustrating an original mechanism for fluorescent and colorimetric dual-channel detection of E. coli. Moreover, a filter paper-based visual sensor was built and coupled with OPD-Cu 2+ solution under the assistance of a UV lamp. The as-prepared sensor can detect E. coli quantitatively with the help of a typical smartphone color-scanning application (APP). Thus, this study offers a valid dual-mode assay for sensitive and on-site visible detection of E. coli, guaranteeing the reliability of the results and is more attractive for practical use. Graphical Abstract Schematic illustration of the smartphone-integrated sensing system for fluorescent and colorimetric dual-channel detection of E. coli based on the Cu 2+ -OPD system.

Despite the green energy generation with low cost compared to conventional fuel cells, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) still suffer with anode related constraints including laborious pretreatment and modification process of conventional electrodes, limited bacterial loading capacity, and inferior extracellular electron transfer efficiency. Accordingly, this investigation explores the waste tissue paper derived three dimensional (3D) carbon aerogel (CA) integrated with cerium dioxide (CeO 2 ) nanotubes decorated nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (NRGO) as a competent anode to address these technical complements. The direct growth of NRGO and CeO 2 over CA in the form of freestanding and binder-free NRGO/CeO 2 (1:2)/CA alleviates the significant constrains of conventional anode fabrication. The 3D hierarchical architectures of CA with open porous structure provide easy access of bacteria, thus increases the bacterial colonies per unit volume. Furthermore, the hydrogen bonding between the interfacial oxygen atoms of CeO 2 and lysine residues of the cytochrome c in bacteria yields excellent extracellular electron transfer efficiency. The electrostatic interaction between the NRGO and bacteria cells improves the bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, leading to the compact biofilm formation for the improved direct electron transference. With the profits of above, the MFC with NRGO/CeO 2 (1:2)/CA demonstrates a maximum power output and good lifespan performances. The present exploration facts thus access advanced avenues to converting waste matters of tissue paper, human urine, and wastewater into profitable constituents for the development of efficient and durable power producing systems.

Bioelectrochemical technologies have attracted significant scientific interest because the effective bacterial electron exchange with external electrodes can provide a sustainable solution that joins environmental remediation and energy recovery. Multispecies electroactive bacterial biofilms are catalysts that will drive the operation of bioelectrochemical devices. Unfortunately, there is a lack of understanding of key mechanisms determining their electron-generating capabilities and syntrophic relations within microbial communities in biofilms. This is because there are no universally standardized models for simple, rapid, reliable, and cost-effective fabrication and characterization of electroactive multispecies biofilms. The heterogeneous and long-term nature of biofilm formation has hampered the development of those models. This work develops novel biofabrication and analysis platforms by creating innovative, paper-based 3-D systems that accurately recapitulate the structure, function, and physiology of living multispecies biofilms. Multiple layers of paper containing bacterial cells were stacked to simulate different layered 3-D biofilm models with defined cellular compositions and microenvironments. Overall bacterial electrogenic capabilities through the biofilm structures were characterized by thoroughly monitoring collective electron flows through different external resistors. Changes in the type of species and order of stacking created biofilm modeling which allowed for the study of their electrogenic performance via variation in electron flow rate output. Furthermore, multi-laminate structures allowed for straightforward de-stacking and layer-by-layer separation for analyses of pH distribution and cellular viability. Our multi-laminate structures provide a new strategy for (i) controlling the biofilm geometry of 3-D bacterial cultures, (ii) monitoring the microbial electoral properties, and (iii) constructing an artificial biofilm layer by layer.

Microbial content formed in bioreactors plays a significant role in the anaerobic process. Therefore, the physicochemical characteristics of microbial content in a modified anaerobic inclining-baffled reactor (MAI-BR) treating recycled paper mill effluent (RPME) were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric (TG), and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analyses, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and surface area analyzer. FTIR spectra revealed that the microbial content had stronger characteristic peaks corresponding to alcohols, water, lipids carbohydrates, proteins, and mineral compounds. Calcite, muscovite, and lepidolite were the prevalent mineral phases found by XRD analysis. The elemental of these minerals like C, Ca, N, O, and Si was confirmed by XPS results. The microbial content samples from each compartment showed similar thermal behavior. SEM images showed that straight rod-shaped and Methanosaeta-like microorganisms were predominant, whereas C, O, and Ca were noticed by EDS on the surface of granules. The BET surface areas and pores of granules are found to decline throughout the reactor's compartment, where Compartment 1 had the largest values. Thus, the findings of this study establish further understanding of the physicochemical properties of microbial content formed in MAI-BR during the RPME treatment.

In this study, the coupling of magnetic enrichment of bacteria from real samples with rapid surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection was reported. The selective isolation and enrichment for the model bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) was performed using E. coli (primary) antibody bound-magnetic gold (Fe 3 O 4 @Au) nanoparticles. Following isolation and enrichment, the rennet enzyme was used to cleave of casein modified Fe 3 O 4 /Au-PEI nanoparticles from primary antibody-bound bacteria to prevent the nanoparticle aggregation and provide the movement of bacteria on nitrocellulose membrane. In the first part of the study, optimization studies were carried out namely; the amounts of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), polyethyleneimine coated magnetic gold (Fe 3 O 4 /Au-PEI) nanoparticles, casein and rennet enzyme. The SERS signals of DTNB (5,5'-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)) molecule were collected on the test line and a calibration curve was plotted by using signal intensities. The correlation between the concentration of E. coli and SERS signal was found to be linear within the range of 10 1 -10 7  cfu/mL (R 2  = 0.984, LOD = 0.52 cfu/mL and LOQ = 1.57 cfu/mL). The selectivity of the paper-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) was examined with Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus), Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) which did not produce any significant response compared with E. coli measurement. Finally, the developed paper-based LFIA was tested with urine and milk samples. The obtained SERS results were compared with a plate counting method results which were in a good accordance. The developed method was found as rapid and sensitive to E. coli with a total analysis time of less than 60 min., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Managing food contamination from bacteria has been an ongoing issue in the public health and industrial fields. Enzymatic substrates possessing optical properties, e.g. fluorescence or color manifestation, are widely exploited in pathogenic/non-pathogenic bacteria culture methods. Recently, various chromogenic substrates have been utilized in the development of point-of-care diagnostic tools. Herein, four types of chromogenic substrates were exploited to develop paper-based sensors for major foodborne pathogens. We designed a compact sized three-dimensional paper device with a simple user interface. By inserting functional layers in the middle of multilayers, pre-lysis and pH regulation steps were excluded and the analysis time was subsequently reduced, while only one sample droplet was needed for the whole analysis process. After the enzymatic reactions had proceeded, target-specific colors appeared. When it was combined with enrichment, 101 cfu mL-1 of pathogens were successfully detected in 4-8 hours, while those in milk samples were readily sensed in 12 hours. The proposed bacteria sensor exhibited great advantages of low cost, portability and simple operation, while showing a respectable limit-of-detection as low as 101 cfu mL-1 and below. Significantly, we emphasize that it takes fewer steps than existing methods and provides a reduced analysis time owing to the layer functionalization.

Rapid and reliable identification of bacteria is an important issue in food, medical, forensic, and environmental sciences; however, conventional procedures are time-consuming and often require extensive financial and human resources. Herein, we present a label-free method for bacterial discrimination using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Filter paper decorated with gold nanoparticles was fabricated by the dip-coating method and it was utilized as a flexible and highly efficient SERS substrate. Suspensions of bacterial samples from three genera and six species were directly deposited on the filter paper-based SERS substrates before measurements. PLS-DA was successfully employed as a multivariate supervised model to classify and identify bacteria with efficiency, sensitivity, and specificity rates of 100% for all test samples. Variable importance in projection was associated with the presence/absence of some purine metabolites, whereas confidence intervals for each sample in the PLS-DA model were calculated using a resampling bootstrap procedure. Additionally, a potential new species of bacteria was analyzed by the proposed method and the result was in agreement with that obtained via 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, thereby indicating that the SERS/PLS-DA approach has the potential to be a valuable tool for the discovery of novel bacteria. Graphical abstract This paper describes the discrimination of bacteria at the genus and species levels, after minimal sample preparation, using paper-based SERS substrates and PLS-DA with uncertainty estimation.

As a representative colorimetic biosnesor, paper-based LFSA have emerged as a promising and robust tool that can easily and instansly detect the presence of target biological components in food sample. Recently, LFSAs have gained a considerable attention as an alternative method for rapid diagnosis of foodborne pathogens to the conventional culture-based assays such as plate counting and PCR. One major drawback of the current LFSAs for the detection of pathogenic bacteria is the low sensitivity, limiting its practical applications in POCT. Not like many other protein-based biomarkers that are present in nM or pM range, the number of pathogenic bacteria that cause disease can be as low as few CFU/ml. Here, we review current advances in LFSAs for the detection of pathogenic bacteria in terms of chromatic agents and analyte types. Furthermore, recent approaches for signal enhancement and modifications of the LFSA architecture for multiplex detection of pathogenic bacteria are included in this review, together with the advantages and limitations of each techniques. Finally, the technological challenges and future prospect of LFSA-based POCT for the detection of pathogenic bacteria are discussed.

Bacterial infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, particularly due to a delay in treatment and misidentification of the bacterial species causing the infection. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification of these pathogens has been of prime importance. The conventional diagnostic techniques include microbiological, biochemical, and genetic analyses, which are time-consuming, require large sample volumes, expensive equipment, reagents, and trained personnel. In response, we have now developed a paper-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor array. Environment-sensitive fluorescent dyes (3-hydroxyflavone derivatives) pre-adsorbed on paper microzone plates fabricated using photolithography, upon interaction with bacterial cell envelopes, generate unique fluorescence response patterns. The stability and reproducibility of the sensor array response were thoroughly investigated, and the analysis procedure was refined for optimal performance. Using neural networks for response pattern analysis, the sensor was able to identify 16 bacterial species and recognize their Gram status with an accuracy rate greater than 90%. The paper-based sensor was stable for up to 6 months after fabrication and required 30 times lower dye and sample volumes as compared to the analogous solution-based sensor. Therefore, this approach opens avenues to a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that can be potentially translated into clinical applications in low-resource environments.

Bacterial cellulose is a biological macromolecule synthesized by bacteria of high purity and crystallinity. Bacterial cellulose nanofibers (BCNF) have been produced by soft homogenization and added to a recycled pulp to improve its quality. The benefits of BCNF on mechanical, physical and optical paper properties have been quantified and the retention mechanism of the BCNF in the paper network has been proposed. The use of BC to improve paper strength is usually limited by the decrease of tear index. The novelty of this work is that these two effects are decoupled by the addition of BCNF of low fibrillation (35.2%). In this way, some BCNF clusters are produced together with the individual nanofibers. Thus, with the addition of 3% BCNF, tensile and tear indexes as well as strain at break were improved by 11.1, 7.6, and 66.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the clusters were retained in the fiber network not only by hydrogen bonding, but also by physical retention within the gaps. Therefore, the addition of BCNF not only increases the mechanical properties of paper but also makes the handsheets more flexible and facilitates filler retention., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Treatment of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) effluent from a paper mill in aerated activated sludge reactors involves high aeration costs. Moreover, this calcium-rich effluent leads to problematic scale formation. Therefore, a novel strategy for the aerobic treatment of paper mill UASB effluent in microalgal bacterial floc sequencing batch reactors (MaB-floc SBRs) is proposed, in which oxygen is provided via photosynthesis, and calcium is removed via bio-mineralization. Based on the results of batch experiments in the course of this study, a MaB-floc SBR was operated at an initial neutral pH. This SBR removed 58±21% organic carbon, 27±8% inorganic carbon, 77±5% nitrogen, 73±2% phosphorus, and 27±11% calcium. MaB-flocs contained 10±3% calcium, including biologically-influenced calcite crystals. The removal of calcium and inorganic carbon by MaB-flocs significantly decreased when inhibiting extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA), an enzyme that catalyses the hydration and dehydration of CO 2 . This study demonstrates the potential of MaB-floc SBRs for the alternative treatment of calcium-rich paper mill effluent, and highlights the importance of extracellular CA in this treatment process., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This paper addresses two key challenges toward an integrated forward error-correcting biosensor based on our previously reported self-assembled quick-response (QR) code. The first challenge involves the choice of the paper substrate for printing and self-assembling the QR code. We have compared four different substrates that includes regular printing paper, Whatman filter paper, nitrocellulose membrane and lab synthesized bacterial cellulose. We report that out of the four substrates bacterial cellulose outperforms the others in terms of probe (gold nanorods) and ink retention capability. The second challenge involves remote activation of the analyte sampling and the QR code self-assembly process. In this paper, we use light as a trigger signal and a graphite layer as a light-absorbing material. The resulting change in temperature due to infrared absorption leads to a temperature gradient that then exerts a diffusive force driving the analyte toward the regions of self-assembly. The working principle has been verified in this paper using assembled biosensor prototypes where we demonstrate higher sample flow rate due to light induced thermal gradients.

We present a simple all-in-one paper-based sensor for E. coli detection using a composite ink made of a fluorogenic DNAzyme probe for bacterial recognition and signal generation, lysozyme that lyses whole bacterial cells, and pullulan/trehalose sugars that stabilize printed bioactive molecules. The paper sensor is capable of producing a fluorescence signal as a readout within 5 minutes upon contacting E. coli, can achieve a limit of detection of 100 cells/mL, in a variety of sample matrixes, without sample enrichment, and remains stable for at least 6 months when stored at ambient temperature. Therefore, this simple paper sensor provides rapid bacterial testing on site, and can be shipped and stored under ambient conditions to benefit users living in resource-limited regions.

The critical risk from airborne infectious diseases, bio-weapons, and harmful bacteria is currently the highest it has ever been in human history. The requirement for monitoring airborne pathogens has gradually increased to defend against bioterrorism or prevent pandemics, especially via simple and low-cost platforms which can be applied in resource-limited settings. Here, we developed a paper-based airborne bacteria collection and DNA extraction kit suitable for simple application with minimal instruments. Airborne sample collection and DNA extraction for PCR analysis were integrated in the paper kit. We created an easy-to-use paper-based air monitoring system using 3D printing technology combined with an air pump. The operation time of the entire process, comprising air sampling, bacterial cell lysis, purification and concentration of DNA, and elution of the DNA analyte, was within 20 min. All the investigations and optimum settings were tested in a custom-designed closed cabinet system. In the fabricated cabinet system, the paper kit operated effectively at a temperature of 25-35 °C and 30-70% relative humidity for air containing 10-10 6 CFU Staphylococcus aureus . This paper kit could be applied for simple, rapid, and cost-effective airborne pathogen monitoring.

Habitat spatial structure has a profound influence on bacterial life, yet there currently are no low-cost equipment-free laboratory techniques to reproduce the intricate structure of natural bacterial habitats. Here, we demonstrate the use of paper scaffolds to create landscapes spatially structured at the scales relevant to bacterial ecology. In paper scaffolds, planktonic bacteria migrate through liquid-filled pores, while the paper's cellulose fibres serve as anchor points for sessile colonies (biofilms). Using this novel approach, we explore bacterial colonisation dynamics in different landscape topographies and characterise the community composition of Escherichia coli strains undergoing centimetre-scale range expansions in habitats structured at the micrometre scale. The bacteria-in-paper platform enables quantitative assessment of bacterial community dynamics in complex environments using everyday materials., (© 2019 The Authors. Ecology Letters published by CNRS and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Thermophilic methane fermentation was a valid approach for handling the stillage eluted from ethanol fermentation of waste paper and kitchen waste. The wide organic loading rate (OLR) range (2-14 g VTS/(L d)) for stable performance and relatively high energy recovery efficiency (79.0%) were achieved, and OLR of 8 g VTS/(L d) was optimum for achievement of highest biogas evolution and VTS removal efficiency. Microbial community analysis revealed that hydrolysis of cellulose was the critical step for methane production from the stillage., (Copyright © 2018 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Innovative techniques are urgently required to remove pathogenic bacterial contamination of drinking water. This study aimed to evaluate the biocidal activity of calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl) 2 ], silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Ca(OCl) 2 /AgNPs composite against bacteria isolated from drinking water supplies (tap and hand pump water). A field trial was subsequently performed to evaluate the efficacy of a biocidal filter paper containing Ca(OCl) 2 /AgNPs composite against existing pathogenic bacteria and indicator coliform bacteria., Methods: A total of 100 water samples were collected from the main source and water troughs used for cattle drinking and were examined for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. The susceptibility of 60 isolated strains to Ca(OCl) 2 , AgNPs and Ca(OCl) 2 /AgNPs was evaluated by the broth macrodilution method. The field trial examined different water samples collected from water supplies (pre- and post-treatment) using filter paper impregnated with Ca(OCl) 2 /AgNPs., Results: Ca(OCl) 2 loaded on AgNPs at a concentration of 1.5mg/L showed a lethal effect (100%) on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae following 180min of exposure. Furthermore, filter paper impregnated with Ca(OCl) 2 /AgNPs exhibited a biocidal effect (100%) against existing pathogenic bacteria, bacterial total viable count, total coliform count and faecal coliform count., Conclusions: Use of the disinfectant Ca(OCl) 2 against isolated bacteria revealed the existence of bacterial resistance. Enhancement of the biocidal effect of Ca(OCl) 2 using AgNPs was reliable, proving that Ca(OCl) 2 /AgNPs composite had a biocidal effect against isolated bacteria at 1.5mg/L as well as inactivation of coliforms and pathogenic bacteria during percolation through bactericidal filter paper., (Copyright © 2018 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Paper currency notes, exchangeable fomite, that is continuously contaminated because of the poor handling and storage practices. Objective: the general objective of the study was to determine the bacterial contamination of paper currency notes possessed by food vendors around Mulago National Referral Hospital Complex., Methods: A total of sixty paper notes of six denominations (1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000) were collected from different food vendors. Each note was preserved in a sterile falcon tube and transported to the microbiology lab for bacteriological examination. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS version 23 (IBM SPSS Statistics)., Results: All sampled paper notes had bacterial contamination. The bacterial counts ranged from 4×10 2 cfu/ml to 6.8×10 9 cfu/ml, with the Shs.1000 notes having the highest average total bacterial load of 2.17×10 9 cfu/ml and highest average total coli form counts of 21.5×10 2 cfu/ml. The fifty thousand shillings note had no coliform detected. Of the analysed 60 samples, 27(45%) samples contained Staphylococcus aureus . None of the sampled paper notes had Escherichia coli ., Conclusion: The study revealed that most of Ugandan paper notes are contaminated with bacteria including potential pathogens that cause disease in healthy individuals and opportunistic pathogens that may cause disease in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. This study showed that the most contaminated note denominations were those of low denomination (Shs.1000 and Shs.2000) which had the highest bacterial count. The study revealed the paper currency notes were stored in different places where the commonest was the drawer and kept with different items, the commonest being pens. Hence, great care must be taken while handling money during the preparation and handling of food to avoid cross contamination., Competing Interests: The author declare no competing interests.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of a bacterial species to resist the action of an antimicrobial drug, has been on the rise due to the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. Per the World Health Organization, AMR has an estimated annual cost of USD 34 billion in the US and is predicted to be the number one cause of death worldwide by 2050. One way AMR bacteria can spread, and by which individuals can contract AMR infections, is through contaminated water. Monitoring AMR bacteria in the environment currently requires that samples be transported to a central laboratory for slow and labor intensive tests. We have developed an inexpensive assay using paper-based analytical devices (PADs) that can test for the presence of β-lactamase-mediated resistance. To demonstrate viability, the PAD was used to detect β-lactam resistance in wastewater and sewage and identified resistance in individual bacterial species isolated from environmental water sources., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Objective: To evaluate the significance of bacteria detection with filter paper method on diagnosis of diabetic foot wound infection. Methods: Eighteen patients with diabetic foot ulcer conforming to the study criteria were hospitalized in Liyuan Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from July 2014 to July 2015. Diabetic foot ulcer wounds were classified according to the University of Texas diabetic foot classification (hereinafter referred to as Texas grade) system, and general condition of patients with wounds in different Texas grade was compared. Exudate and tissue of wounds were obtained, and filter paper method and biopsy method were adopted to detect the bacteria of wounds of patients respectively. Filter paper method was regarded as the evaluation method, and biopsy method was regarded as the control method. The relevance, difference, and consistency of the detection results of two methods were tested. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of filter paper method in bacteria detection were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn based on the specificity and sensitivity of filter paper method in bacteria detection of 18 patients to predict the detection effect of the method. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and Fisher's exact test. In patients tested positive for bacteria by biopsy method, the correlation between bacteria number detected by biopsy method and that by filter paper method was analyzed with Pearson correlation analysis. Results: (1) There were no statistically significant differences among patients with wounds in Texas grade 1, 2, and 3 in age, duration of diabetes, duration of wound, wound area, ankle brachial index, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar, blood platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen (with F values from 0.029 to 2.916, P values above 0.05), while there were statistically significant differences among patients with wounds in Texas grade 1, 2, and 3 in white blood cell count and alanine aminotransferase (with F values 4.688 and 6.833 respectively, P <0.05 or P <0.01). (2) According to the results of biopsy method, 6 patients were tested negative for bacteria, and 12 patients were tested positive for bacteria, among which 10 patients were with bacterial number above 1×10(5)/g, and 2 patients with bacterial number below 1×10(5)/g. According to the results of filter paper method, 8 patients were tested negative for bacteria, and 10 patients were tested positive for bacteria, among which 7 patients were with bacterial number above 1×10(5)/g, and 3 patients with bacterial number below 1×10(5)/g. There were 7 patients tested positive for bacteria both by biopsy method and filter paper method, 8 patients tested negative for bacteria both by biopsy method and filter paper method, and 3 patients tested positive for bacteria by biopsy method but negative by filter paper method. Patients tested negative for bacteria by biopsy method did not tested positive for bacteria by filter paper method. There was directional association between the detection results of two methods ( P =0.004), i. e. if result of biopsy method was positive, result of filter paper method could also be positive. There was no obvious difference in the detection results of two methods ( P =0.250). The consistency between the detection results of two methods was ordinary (Kappa=0.68, P =0.002). (3) The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of filter paper method in bacteria detection were 70%, 100%, 1.00, 0.73, and 83.3%, respectively. Total area under ROC curve of bacteria detection by filter paper method in 18 patients was 0.919 (with 95% confidence interval 0-1.000, P =0.030). (4) There were 13 strains of bacteria detected by biopsy method, with 5 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, 5 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 1 strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1 strain of Streptococcus bovis, and 1 strain of bird Enterococcus . There were 11 strains of bacteria detected by filter paper method, with 5 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, 3 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 1 strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1 strain of Streptococcus bovis, and 1 strain of bird Enterococcus . Except for Staphylococcus aureus, the sensitivity and specificity of filter paper method in the detection of the other 4 bacteria were all 100%. The consistency between filter paper method and biopsy method in detecting Acinetobacter baumannii was good (Kappa=1.00, P <0.01), while that in detecting Staphylococcus aureus was ordinary (Kappa=0.68, P <0.05). (5) There was no obvious correlation between the bacteria number of wounds detected by filter paper method and that by biopsy method ( r =0.257, P =0.419). There was obvious correlation between the bacteria numbers detected by two methods in wounds with Texas grade 1 and 2 (with r values as 0.999, P values as 0.001). There was no obvious correlation between the bacteria numbers detected by two methods in wounds with Texas grade 3 ( r =-0.053, P =0.947). Conclusions: The detection result of filter paper method is in accordance with that of biopsy method in the determination of bacterial infection, and it is of great importance in the diagnosis of local infection of diabetic foot wound.

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to address the low utilization of straw and poor fermentation quality of paper mulberry silage (under natural fermentation conditions). Straw was combined with paper mulberry for ensiling, and the fermentation characteristics, bacterial community, and metabolite composition of the mixed straw and paper mulberry silage were investigated. Four treatment groups were established: corn-straw treatment 2 (3:7 ratio of corn straw to paper mulberry), corn-straw treatment 3 (5:5 ratio of corn straw to paper mulberry), wheat-straw treatment 2 (3:7 ratio of wheat straw to paper mulberry), wheat-straw treatment 3 (5:5 ratio of wheat straw to paper mulberry), and a control group (ensiling of paper mulberry alone).ResultsThe control group demonstrated the highest pH and ammonia (AN) and acetic acid (AA) content compared with all the treatment groups. Corn-straw treatment 2 had the highest lactic acid content (54.70 g/kg dry weight) compared with the control and other treatment groups. The relative abundance of Enterobacter (7.085%) was the lowest in the control than in the other treatment groups (p

Access to clean potable water is increasingly becoming a struggle for whole humankind, thus water treatment to remediate wastewater and fresh water sources is an important task. Pollutants in the nanoscale, such as viruses and macromolecules, are usually removed by means of membrane filtration processes, predominantly nanofiltration or ultrafiltration. Cellulose nanopapers, prepared from renewable resources and manufactured by papermaking, have recently been demonstrated to be versatile alternatives to polymer membranes in this domain. Unfortunately, so far nanopaper filters suffer from limited permeance and thus efficiency. We here present nanopapers made from bacterial cellulose dispersed in water or different types of low surface tension organic liquids (alcohol, ketone, ether) through a simple papermaking process. Nanopapers prepared from organic liquids (BC-org) exhibited 40 times higher permeance, caused by a lower paper density hence increased porosity, compared to conventional nanopapers produced from aqueous dispersions, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of bacterial cellulose nanopaper membranes. Despite their higher porosity, BC-org nanopapers still have pore sizes of 15-20 nm similar to BC nanopapers made from aqueous dispersions, thus enabling removal of contaminants the size of viruses by a size-exclusion mechanism at high permeance., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Xylanases are enzymes with biotechnological relevance in a number of fields, including food, feed, biofuel, and textile industries. Their most significant application is in the paper and pulp industry, where they are used as a biobleaching agent, showing clear economic and environmental advantages over chemical alternatives. Since this process requires high temperatures and alkali media, the identification of thermostable and alkali stable xylanases represents a major biotechnological goal in this field. Moreover, thermostability is a desirable property for many other applications of xylanases. The review makes an overview of xylanase producing microorganisms and their current implementation in paper biobleaching. Future perspectives are analyzed focusing in the efforts carried out to generate thermostable enzymes by means of modern biotechnological tools, including metagenomic analysis, enzyme molecular engineering and nanotechnology. Furthermore, structural and mutagenesis studies have revealed critical sites for stability of xylanases from glycoside hydrolase families GH10 and GH11, which constitute the main classes of these enzymes. The overall conclusions of these works are summarized here and provide relevant information about putative weak spots within xylanase structures to be targeted in future protein engineering approaches.

A novel approach to transport inactivated bacteria in filter paper for identification in the MALDI-TOF MS was evaluated. Seventy four bacterial isolates were evaluated and the approach presented sensitivity of 97.3% and specificity of 100%. Inactivated bacteria in filter paper are a safer alternative to transport bacteria for MALDI-TOF MS identification., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None to declare., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria, although relatively simple, are not robust. As a consequence, if the data generated in such tests are to be commensurate, all susceptibility tests must be performed using standard protocols. A review of the published literature of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria from aquatic animals revealed a frequent occurrence of significant errors, particularly with regard to testing methodology, quality control and the use of appropriate interpretive criteria in the performance and reporting of susceptibility tests. This opinion piece provides a set of rules that, if followed, would help authors to avoid these frequently detected shortcomings.

The intrinsic properties of paper, such as its light weight, flexibility, foldability, portability and degradability, have led to increasing interest in fabricating flexible energy storage devices and power supply devices on paper-based substrates. Hereby, a robust honeycomb-like thermoelectric generator (TEG) inspired by the origami and kirigami techniques was established in the present study. A thermoelectric ink with the properties of high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity was formulated by Bi2Te3 and bacterial cellulose (BC). The formulated ink was printed on a paper surface using a facile processing method. The manufactured paper was further folded and bonded to fabricate a honeycomb-like TEG. This honeycomb-like paper-based TEG exhibited 96 p-n junctions, achieving a maximum voltage and output power of ∼70.5 mV and ∼596 nW, respectively, at a 55 K temperature difference. Moreover, the honeycomb structure was able to withstand a large number of bending and stretching cycles while maintaining its pristine structure. This unique honeycomb structure thus provides a new strategy for future development of paper-based TEGs.

Herein, we introduce a nanopaper-based analytical device (NAD) or "lab-on-nanopaper" device for visual sensing of human serum albumin (HSA) in human blood serums, which relies on embedding of curcumin within transparent bacterial cellulose (BC) nanopaper. BC nanopaper is an appropriate candidate to be an excellent platform for the development of optical (bio)sensors due to having exceptional properties such as optical transparency, high flexibility, porosity, biodegradability, and printability. The hydrophilic test zones were created on the fabricated bioplatform through creating the hydrophobic walls via laser printing technology. The color changes of curcumin embedded in BC nanopaper (CEBC) due to the inhibitory effect of HSA on the curcumin degradation in alkaline solutions, which can be monitored visually (naked eye/Smartphone camera) or spectroscopically using a spectrophotometer, were linearly proportional to the HSA concentration in the range of 10-300 μM and 25-400 μM, respectively. The developed NAD/CEBC as a novel albumin assay kit was successfully utilized to the determination of HSA in human blood serum samples with satisfactory results. Building upon the fascinating features of BC nanopaper as a very promising bioplatform in optical (bio)sensing applications we are confident "lab-on-nanopaper" devices/NADs, which take the advantages of the nanopaper and also meet the ASSURED criteria, could be considered as a new generation of optical (bio)sensing platforms that are currently based on paper, glass or plastic substrates., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Expansins are proteins that loosen plant cell walls but lack enzymatic activity. Here, we describe two protocols tailored to measure the biomechanical activity of bacterial expansin. The first assay relies on weakening of filter paper by expansin. The second assay is based on induction of creep (long-term, irreversible extension) of plant cell wall samples.

Lignocellulose biomass predominantly constitutes the main feedstock for pulp and paper industry. Though some products of pulp and paper industry require the presence of lignin content, for most of the useful products formation lies in the efficient and selective removal of lignin component to make use of the intact cellulose fraction during the pretreatment of pulp. Lignin is a recalcitrant heteropolymer comprised of several complex stable bonds and linkages. The chemicals or intense energy processes used for delignification process release the hazardous chemicals compounds in the wastewater which cause toxicity and environmental pollution. The implementation of bacterial species has elucidated an effective approach in the generation of value-added products while degrading lignin from pulp biomass as well as detoxification of effluent. The direct use of bacterial cells in lignocellulose biomass and wastewater streams is promising as it outperforms the practical and technical constraints largely confronted by fungal and enzymatic means. The present review paper thus unleashed the potential of ligninolytic bacteria towards delignification of pulp biomass and treatment of effluent together with bioconversion of biomass and lignin into value-added products. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of potential possible contribution of ligninolytic bacteria towards pulp and paper industry.

Microbial anodes were formed under polarization at -0.3 V/SCE on graphite plates in effluents from a pulp and paper mill. The bioanodes formed with the addition of acetate led to the highest current densities (up to 6A/m(2)) but were then unable to oxidize the raw effluent efficiently (0.5A/m(2)). In contrast, the bioanodes formed without acetate addition were fully able to oxidize the organic matter contained in the effluent, giving up to 4.5A/m(2) in continuous mode. Bacterial communities showed less bacterial diversity for the acetate-fed bioanodes compared to those formed in raw effluents. Deltaproteobacteria were the most abundant taxonomic group, with a high diversity for bioanodes formed without acetate addition but with almost 100% Desulfuromonas for the acetate-fed bioanodes. The addition of acetate to form the microbial anodes induced microbial selection, which was detrimental to the treatment of the raw effluent., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We investigated whether dried cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) conserved on filter paper can be used as a substrate for accurate PCR diagnosis of important causes of bacterial meningitis in the Lao PDR. Using mock CSF, we investigated and optimized filter paper varieties, paper punch sizes, elution volumes and quantities of DNA template to achieve sensitive and reliable detection of bacterial DNA from filter paper specimens. FTA Elute Micro Card™ (Whatman, Maidstone, UK) was the most sensitive, consistent and practical variety of filter paper. Following optimization, the lower limit of detection for Streptococcus pneumoniae from dried mock CSF spots was 14 genomic equivalents (GE)/μL (interquartile range 5.5 GE/μL) or 230 (IQR 65) colony forming units/mL. A prospective clinical evaluation for S. pneumoniae, S. suis and Neisseria meningitidis was performed. Culture and PCR performed on fresh liquid CSF from patients admitted with a clinical diagnosis of meningitis (n = 73) were compared with results derived from dried CSF spots. Four of five fresh PCR-positive CSF samples also tested PCR positive from dried CSF spots, with one patient under the limit of detection. In a retrospective study of S. pneumoniae samples (n = 20), the median (IQR; range) CSF S. pneumoniae bacterial load was 1.1 × 10(4) GE/μL (1.2 × 10(5) ; 1 to 6.1 × 10(6) DNA GE/μL). Utilizing the optimized methodology, we estimate an extrapolated sensitivity of 90%, based on the range of CSF genome counts found in Laos. Dried CSF filter paper spots could potentially help us to better understand the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in resource-poor settings and guide empirical treatments and vaccination policies., (© 2013 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease.)

Microbial bioanodes were formed in pulp and paper effluent on graphite plate electrodes under constant polarization at -0.3 V/SCE, without any addition of nutriment or substrate. The bioanodes were characterized in 3-electrode set-ups, in continuous mode, with hydraulic retention times from 6 to 48 h and inlet COD from 500 to 5200 mg/L. Current densities around 4A/m(2) were obtained and voltammetry curves indicated that 6A/m(2) could be reached at +0.1 V/SCE. A theoretical model was designed, which allowed the effects of HRT and COD to be distinguished in the complex experimental data obtained with concomitant variations of the two parameters. COD removal due to the electrochemical process was proportional to the hydraulic retention time and obeyed a Michaelis-Menten law with respect to the COD of the outlet flow, with a Michaelis constant KCOD of 400mg/L. An inhibition effect occurred above inlet COD of around 3000 mg/L., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Paper documents in archives, libraries, and museums often undergo biodeterioration by microorganisms. Fungi and less often bacteria have been described to advance paper staining, so called "foxing" and degradation of paper substrates. In this study, for the first time, the fungal and bacterial diversity in biodeteriorated paper documents of Hellenic General State Archives dating back to the 19th and 20th century has been assessed by culture-dependent and independent methods. The internally transcribed spacer (ITS) region and 16S rRNA gene were amplified by PCR from fungal and bacterial isolates and amplicons were sequenced. Sequence analysis and phylogeny revealed fungal phylotypes like Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp., Penicillium citrinum, Alternaria infectoria, Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum, and Penicillium chrysogenum which are often implicated in paper deterioration. Bacterial phylotypes closely related to known biodeteriogenic bacteria such as Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., Kocuria sp. in accordance with previous studies were characterized. Among the fungal phylotypes described in this study are included well-known allergens such as Penicillium spp., Alternaria spp., and Cladosporium spp. that impose a serious health threat on staff members and scholars. Furthermore, fungal isolates such as Chalastospora gossypii and Trametes ochracea have been identified and implicated in biodeterioration of historical paper manuscripts in this study for the first time. Certain new or less known fungi and bacteria implicated in paper degradation were retrieved, indicating that particular ambient conditions, substrate chemistry, or even location might influence the composition of colonizing microbiota., (© 2018 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The microbiota can play important roles in the development of human immunity and the establishment of immune homeostasis. Lifestyle factors including diet, hygiene, and exposure to viruses or bacteria, and medical interventions with antibiotics or anti-ulcer medications, regulate phylogenetic variability and the quality of cross talk between innate and adaptive immune cells via mucosal and skin epithelia. More recently, microbiota and their composition have been linked to protective effects for health. Imbalance, however, has been linked to immune-related diseases such as allergy and cancer, characterized by impaired, or exaggerated immune tolerance, respectively. In this AllergoOncology position paper, we focus on the increasing evidence defining the microbiota composition as a key determinant of immunity and immune tolerance, linked to the risk for the development of allergic and malignant diseases. We discuss novel insights into the role of microbiota in disease and patient responses to treatments in cancer and in allergy. These may highlight opportunities to improve patient outcomes with medical interventions supported through a restored microbiome., (© 2019 The Authors. Allergy Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria seriously threaten human lives. Although antibiotic therapy is effective in the treatment of bacterial infections, the overuse of antibiotics has led to an increased risk of antibiotic resistance, putting forward urgent requirements for novel antibacterial drugs. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) and its constituents are considered to be potential sources of new antimicrobial agents. Currently, a series of chemical compounds purified from TCHM have been reported to fight against infections by drug-resistant bacteria. In this review, we summarized the recent findings on TCHM-derived compounds treating drug-resistant bacterial infections. Further studies are still needed for the discovery of potential antibacterial components from TCHM., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Lignocellulosic materials are widely used for food packaging due to their renewable and biodegradable nature. However, their porous and absorptive properties can lead to the uptake and retention of bacteria during food processing, transportation, and storage, which pose a potential risk for outbreaks of foodborne disease. Thus, it is of great importance to understand how bacteria proliferate and survive on lignocellulosic surfaces. The aim of this research was to compare the growth and survivability of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria innocua on bleached and unbleached paper packaging materials. Two different paper materials were fabricated to simulate linerboard from fully bleached and unbleached market pulps and inoculated with each bacterium at high bacterial loads (107 CFU). The bacteria propagated during the first 48 h of incubation and persisted at very high levels (>107 CFU/cm2) for 40 days for all paper and bacterium types. However, the unbleached paper allowed for a greater degree of bacterial growth to occur compared to bleached paper, suspected to be due to the more hydrophobic nature of the unbleached, lignin-containing fibers. Several other considerations may also alter the behavior of bacteria on lignocellulosic materials, such as storage conditions, nutrient availability, and chemical composition of the fibers.

Identifying the source and the distribution of bacterial contaminant communities in water circuits of industrial applications is critical even when the process may not show signs of acute biofouling. The endemic contamination of facilities can cause adverse effects on process runability but may be masked by the observed daily variability. The distribution of background communities of bacterial contaminants may therefore be critical in the development of new site-specific antifouling strategies. In a paper mill as one example for a full-scale production process, bacterial contaminants in process water and pulp suspensions were mapped using molecular fingerprints at representative locations throughout the plant. These ecological data were analyzed in the process-engineering context of pulp and water flow in the facilities. Dispersal limits within the plant environment led to the presence of distinct groups of contaminant communities in the primary units of the plant, despite high flows of water and paper pulp between units. In the paper machine circuit, community profiles were more homogeneous than in the other primary units. The variability between sampled communities in each primary unit was used to identify a possible point source of microbial contamination, in this case a storage silo for reused pulp. Part of the contamination problem in the paper mill is likely related to indirect effects of microbial activity under the local conditions in the silo rather than to the direct presence of accumulated microbial biomass.

The silver-nanoparticle (AgNP) containing paper was successfully prepared. The AgNP is deposited by the in situ reduction of silver nitrate on the acrylamide grafted bagasse paper sheets in the presence of citrate molecules as stabilizing agent. In the present paper, grafting of acrylamide onto bagasse paper sheets using potassium persulfate was carried out under the influence of microwave radiations (MWR). The modified paper sheets were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Antimicrobial activities of the prepared paper sheets were also investigated against G+ve bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, G-ve bacterium Pseudomomas aeruginosa, and yeast Candida albicans, which are model microorganisms for testing bactericidal properties. The AgNP containing paper sheets exhibited antibacterial activity., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The main mechanism that causes resistance to carbapenem, one of the most potent antibiotic available, in Enterobacterales bacterial isolates, is due to Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) production by the bacterium. KPC is spread worldwide, requiring laboratories to be capable of identifying this enzyme, however some methods can be expensive for small laboratories, especially in developing countries. Therefore, the development of methods with low cost of reagents for the detection of KPC enzyme is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the detection of KPC enzyme by MALDI-TOF MS from inactivated bacteria impregnated in filter paper. A total of 129 Enterobacterales isolates were impregnated in filter paper, and after 7 days at room temperature, they were subjected to a protein extraction protocol and spectra acquisition, in triplicates, by MALDI-TOF MS. The spectra were evaluated and KPC was identified according to the presence of a peak of 28,712.62 ± 27.80 m / z. Considering the presence of the KPC peak in at least one spectrum of the triplicates, this method presented 60.8% sensitivity and 96.4% specificity. However, considering the presence of KPC peak in at least two spectra of the triplicate, a specificity of 100% was achieved. The detection of KPC enzyme from inactivated bacteria impregnated in filter paper can be used as a method to confirm the presence of KPC, which could be very significant for small laboratories with limited resources. • Detection of KPC by MALDI-TOF MS can be performed from bacteria in filter-paper. • Detection of KPC from filter-paper by MALDI-TOF MS can be a confirmatory method. • The impregnation of inactivated bacteria in filter-paper is simple and inexpensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper mills processing recycled paper suffer from biofouling causing problems both in the mill and final product. The total bacterial community composition and identification of specific taxa in the process water and biofilms at the stock preparation and paper machine areas in a mill with recycled paper pulp was described by using a DNA-based approach. Process water in a similar mill was also analyzed to investigate if general trends can be found between mills and over time. Bacterial community profiles, analyzed by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), in process water showed that the dominant peaks in the profiles were similar between the two mills, although the overall composition was unique for each mill. When comparing process water and biofilm at different locations within one of the mills, we observed a separation according to location and sample type, with the biofilm from the paper machine being most different. 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were generated and 404 clones were screened by RFLP analysis. Grouping of RFLP patterns confirmed that the biofilm from the paper machine was most different. A total of 99 clones representing all RFLP patterns were analyzed, resulting in sequences recovered from nine bacterial phyla, including two candidate phyla. Bacteroidetes represented 45% and Actinobacteria 23% of all the clones. Sequences with similarity to organisms implicated in biofouling, like Chryseobacterium spp. and Brevundimonas spp., were recovered from all samples even though the mill had no process problems during sampling, suggesting that they are part of the natural paper mill community. Moreover, many sequences showed little homology to as yet uncultivated bacteria implying that paper mills are interesting for isolation of new organisms, as well as for bioprospecting.

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is one of the sulfurous pollutants present in the waste gas generated from the pulp and paper industry. DMS has environmental health implications; therefore, it is necessary to treat the waste gas containing DMS prior to discharge into the environment. A bench-scale biofilter was operated in the laboratory as well as in a pulp and paper industry for the treatment of DMS. Both the biofilters were packed with pre-sterilized wood chips and cow dung/compost of the same origin seeded with biomass developed from garden soil enriched with DMS. The biofilters were operated for the generation of process parameters, and the potential microorganisms isolated from both the biofilters have been purified and characterized for degradation of DMS. Further, these cultures were purified on a basal medium using DMS as a sole carbon source for the growth. Further, the purified cultures were characterized through standard fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)-gas chromatography method, and the isolates were found to be mesophilic, aerobic microbes. These microbes were identified as Bacillus sphaericus-GC subgroup F, Paenibacillus polymyxa, B. sphaericus-GC subgroup F, B. sphaericus-GC subgroup F, and Bacillus megaterium-GC subgroup A, respectively. The potential culture for degradation of DMS was identified as B. sphaericus by 16s rRNA molecular analysis.

This study aimed to characterize biofilms from the paper industry and evaluate the effectiveness of enzymatic treatments in reducing them. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from six industrial biofilms were studied. EPS were mainly proteins, the protein to polysaccharide ratio ranging from 1.3 to 8.6 depending on where the sampling point was situated in the paper making process. Eight hydrolytic enzymes were screened on a 24-h multi-species biofilm. The enzymes were tested at various concentrations and contact durations. Glycosidases and lipases were inefficient or only slightly efficient for biofilm reduction, while proteases were more efficient: after treatment for 24 h with pepsin, Alcalase® or Savinase®, the removal exceeded 80%. Savinase® appeared to be the most adequate for industrial conditions and was tested on an industrial biofilm sample. This enzyme led to a significant release of proteins from the EPS matrix, indicating its potential efficiency on an industrial scale.

Microbiological control programmes at industrial level should aim at reducing both the detrimental effects of microorganisms on the process and the environmental impact associated to the use of biocides as microbiological control products. To achieve this target, new efficient and environmentally friendly products are required. In this paper, 17 non-specific, commercial enzymatic mixtures were tested to assess their efficacy for biofilm prevention and control at laboratory and pilot plant scale. Pectin methylesterase, an enzyme found in the formulation of two of the mixtures tested, was identified as an active compound able to reduce biofilm formation by 71% compared to control tests.

This study deals with the decolorization of black liquor (BL) by isolated potential bacterial consortium comprising Serratia marcescens (GU193982), Citrobacter sp. (HQ873619) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (GU193983). The decolorization of BL was studied by using the different nutritional as well as environmental parameters. In this study, result revealed that the ligninolytic activities were found to be growth associated and the developed bacterial consortium was efficient for the reduction of COD, BOD and color up to 83%, 74% and 85%, respectively. The HPLC analysis of degraded samples of BL has shown the reduction in peak area compared to control. Further, the GC-MS analysis showed that, most of the compounds detected in control were diminished after bacterial treatment while, formic acid hydrazide, 4-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, carbamic acid, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid and erythropentanoic acid were found as new metabolites. Further, the seed germination test using Phaseolus aureus has supported the detoxification of bacterial decolorized BL., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)