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        <title>Frontiers in Microbiology | Microbiotechnology section | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/sections/microbiotechnology</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Microbiotechnology section in the Frontiers in Microbiology journal | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-13T11:41:46.677+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1856978</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1856978</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Microbial degradation of agricultural waste]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Nadeem Tahir</author><author>Tünde Pusztahelyi</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1813967</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1813967</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Biocontrol strategies for fungal diseases of Ganoderma lucidum: from antagonistic microbes and synthetic communities to intelligent technologies]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Xianchao Chang</author><author>Xiaohan Jiang</author><author>Kexin Wang</author><author>Hui-lian Xu</author><author>Dongjie Chen</author><author>Mengmeng Kong</author><author>Xiaoyong Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Ganoderma lucidum, a rare macrofungus renowned for its substantial medicinal and economic significance, is increasingly at risk from various pathogenic fungi, such as Neurospora sitophila, Trichoderma spp., and Fusarium graminearum, particularly during extensive cultivation processes. Conventional chemical control strategies raise apprehensions concerning pesticide residues and environmental contamination, which contradict the principles of green and organic cultivation of G. lucidum alongside its medicinal safety prerequisites. As a result, the formulation of environmentally sustainable, efficient, and targeted biocontrol approaches has become a pivotal challenge for the sustainable progression of the G. lucidum sector. This review comprehensively examines the infection biology and pathogenic mechanisms associated with the primary pathogens that impact G. lucidum, while also highlighting the shortcomings of existing control measures. It emphasizes biological control tactics, which include the direct inhibitory impacts of antagonistic microorganisms, the establishment of synthetic microbial communities exhibiting synergistic effects, and integrated strategies utilizing precision-targeted genetically modified strains. This review focuses on the use of beneficial microorganisms (biocontrol agents) to protect G. lucidum from fungal pathogens, rather than using G. lucidum itself as a biocontrol agent. Ultimately, we propose a prospective research framework that amalgamates multi-omics technologies, nanobiotechnology, and artificial intelligence. This review aspires to create a solid theoretical basis and technical pathway for the development of a new generation of specialized biocontrol agents for G. lucidum, thereby propelling the cultivation of medicinal fungi toward greener, more precise, and more efficient agricultural methodologies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1830632</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1830632</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Biodegradable microplastics influence on organic component microbial transformation during sludge composting]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zixuan Wang</author><author>Yuewei Du</author><author>Yunfei Gao</author><author>Xinyu Zhao</author><author>Ting Yang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Sludge-based composting offers a promising pathway for sustainable resource recovery and pollution mitigation; however, the biodegradation mechanisms of biodegradable microplastics (MPs) during this process and their interactions with organic matter transformation have not yet been investigated. This study investigated the biodegradation response of polylactic acid (PLA) and the coupled dynamics of microbial communities and organic matter transformation during a 33-day sludge composting process at 55 °C and 70 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that thermophilic composting (70 °C) induced severe structural degradation of PLA-MPs, characterized by extensive void formation, surface wrinkling, and fragmentation. Compared to the mesophilic control, thermophilic composting significantly enhanced the transformation and turnover of key organic components, including amino acids (AAs), reducing sugars (RSs), polysaccharides, and polyphenols (PPs). Bacterial communities were predominantly composed of thermophilic Firmicutes (74.6–98.2%), with significant contributions from Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes, while fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Although the addition of MPs reduced overall microbial richness and diversity, high-temperature conditions selectively enriched key organic matter-degrading taxa, suggesting a functional trade-off where thermal pressure favors specialized degradative capacity over generic community complexity. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that high-temperature composting combined enhanced microbial functional connectivity and metabolic redundancy for both MPs and organic component transformation, promoting the proliferation of polysaccharides and lignocellulose-decomposing bacteria and fungi. These findings provide mechanistic insights into biodegradable MP degradation during thermophilic composting and establish a theoretical foundation for designing efficient MP remediation strategies in sludge treatment systems. Future studies are warranted to evaluate these findings under field-scale composting conditions and explore the integration of microbial inoculants to optimize the removal efficiency of biodegradable MPs.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1835468</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1835468</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Bioaugmentation as microbiome engineering: a framework for evaluating functional performance, persistence, and safety]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Mariusz Cycoń</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Bioaugmentation is increasingly applied to enhance the degradation of contaminants in environmental and engineered systems, yet its effectiveness is often evaluated using endpoints that do not establish whether the introduced microbial function was expressed, sustained, or responsible for the observed outcome. This review considers bioaugmentation as an approach to microbiome engineering rather than a discrete inoculation step. It outlines an evaluation framework based on three complementary criteria: functional performance, functional persistence, and safety. Emphasis is placed on the microbiological determinants of successful implementation, including pathway completion, expression of terminal transformation steps, functional redundancy, ecological compatibility, and the maintenance of introduced activity under variable environmental conditions. The analysis also examines how inoculum design, delivery, selective pressure, retention, and biomonitoring influence the establishment of degradative functions within complex microbial communities. A central theme is the need to distinguish genuine inoculum-driven effects from outcomes generated by biostimulation, modified mass transfer, or changes in contaminant bioavailability. Available evidence indicates that robust interpretation requires an integrated assessment of substrate-to-product relationships, functional and activity markers, community-level responses, and, where appropriate, indicators of biological effect. Microbiological safety considerations are also reviewed, including selective pressures and resistance-related consequences in systems exposed to biologically active contaminants. Bioaugmentation should therefore be evaluated as a controlled microbiotechnological intervention in which function, persistence, mechanistic attribution, and safety are assessed collectively.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1862916</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1862916</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Advanced biocatalysts for sustainable chemical synthesis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Madan L. Verma</author><author>Deniz Yildirim</author><author>Christopher N. Boddy</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1826206</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1826206</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Highly efficient chitinase production from Chitinibacter mangrovi FCG-7T and immunomodulatory efficacy of generated GlcNAc in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Longzhi Chen</author><author>Jianong Wang</author><author>Zixuan Zhang</author><author>Lixia Pan</author><author>Dengfeng Yang</author><author>Nan Li</author><author>Liyan Yang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharide, is poorly soluble and underutilized, whereas its monomer N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) has broad pharmaceutical applications. Efficient enzymatic conversion of chitin to GlcNAc remains challenging. Chitinibacter mangrovi FCG-7T, a novel chitinolytic strain isolated from mangrove sediments, exhibited exceptional chitin degradation, achieving a hydrolysis zone ratio (H/C) of 4.75 and maintained genetic stability over ten successive passages. Sequential optimization using One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT), Plackett-Burman designs (PBD), and Box–Behnken designs (BBD) enhanced chitinase production by 49.43-fold, yielding a final activity of 1.211 U/mL under optimized conditions (pH 7.4, 20 °C, 12 g/L powdered chitin). Purification yielded a 100 kDa bifunctional chitinase CmChi, exhibiting dual chitobiosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) activities. The purified enzyme showed a specific activity of 7.96 U/mg toward colloidal chitin. CmChi demonstrated a high affinity for colloidal chitin with a Km value of 0.24 mg/mL and retained over 80% stability across a broad pH range 4.0–11.0. Furthermore, CmChi completely converted colloidal chitin to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) within 48 h and demonstrated tolerance to various reagents, including 1% methanol, acetonitrile, Tween 20, and Tween 80 (v/v). Notably, in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed mice, GlcNAc (200 mg/kg) significantly restored body weight, thymic/splenic indices, and tissue architecture while elevating serum TNF-α, IL-2, IgG, and IgM (p < 0.05). This study establishes CmChi as an efficient biocatalyst for industrial GlcNAc production and validates the immunomodulatory potential of GlcNAc, highlighting its dual applicability in biotechnology and immunotherapy.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1825368</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1825368</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Fungal fuel cells: an environmentally friendly approach to addressing heavy metal pollution and electricity production]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Muhammad Tanveer Altaf</author><author>Aisha Umar</author><author>Mustansar Mubeen</author><author>Amjad Ali</author><author>Talha Shafique</author><author>Muhammad Asif Shabbir</author><author>Yasir Iftikhar</author><author>Muhammad Ahmad Zeshan</author><author>Manoj Kumar Solanki</author><author>Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail</author><author>Hossam S. El-Beltagi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Heavy metal contamination of soil and water is an escalating global environmental issue driven by industrialization and poor waste management. This problem is no longer confined to urban areas, as even small towns are grappling with severe heavy metal contamination, posing substantial threats to human health and aquatic ecosystems. To address these issues, fungal fuel cells have become one of the most promising and environmental friendly technologies. This technology is at the forefront of efforts to combat heavy metal contamination. This method utilizes the unique properties of fungi at the biocathode to treat contaminants and remove heavy metals from soil and water. In addition to reducing pollution, this technology has the capacity to generate electrical current which can serve as an alternative to conventional remediation methods. This review aims to provide a general overview of the fungal fuel cells as a method of bioremediation to remove toxic heavy metals and while simultaneously generating electricity. This review is based on a critical analysis of the recent peer-reviewed publications focusing on the development, operation, and application of fungal fuel cells in heavy metal remediation and bioelectricity production. By exploring the potential of fungal fuel cells, the review provides insight into a future where heavy metal pollution is effectively curtailed while contributing to sustainable energy production, thereby fostering a cleaner and healthier environment.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1758150</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1758150</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Biogenic gold nanoparticles conjugated with rhizobacteria enhance tomato growth and suppress pathogen infection]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Narjes Haje Dashti</author><author>Nedaa Ali</author><author>Anandavalli Inbamani Raju</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Erwinia persicina (Ep) is recognized as an emerging pathogen of considerable threat to tomato yields. Although Stenotrophomonas rhizophila (Sr) has long been recognized as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), the use of this PGPR has sometimes been constrained by the rhizosphere stress factor in the biocontrol of the pathogen. This study investigated the potential of biogenic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to enhance the performance of Sr. through bio-conjugation. Biogenic AuNPs were synthesized and conjugated with S. rhizophila (Sr-AuNPs). The physical and biochemical stability of the conjugate was verified via TEM, DLS, and FTIR. Greenhouse trials were conducted across three independent growing seasons to evaluate the impact of the Sr-AuNP conjugate (T3) on tomato growth, yield, and resistance against E. persicina infection (T4) compared to healthy controls (T1) and non-conjugated bacteria (T2). Bio-conjugation facilitated robust root surface colonization, with FESEM-EDS confirming AuNP persistence (7.1–10.2 wt.%) on the root epidermis. The T3 treatment consistently demonstrated superior disease suppression, maintaining the lowest Disease Severity Index (DSI) values (0.65–0.80) throughout the study. Agronomically, T3 was the only treatment that sustained the highest statistical order (Tukey group ‘a’) in terms of fruit weight throughout the three seasons, reaching 204.62 g in Season 3, which was a remarkable threefold increase from the infected control T4 (72.52 g). These results indicate that AuNPs act as a supporting scaffold that promotes the longevity and efficacy of PGPR. Interestingly, rather than acting solely as a plant growth promoter, the bio-conjugate functioned chiefly as a potent disease suppressor and plant growth stabilizer under high pathogen pressure. This biologically derived method presents itself as a sustainable solution to the threat presented by emergent phytopathogens in contemporary agriculture.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1786024</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1786024</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluation of H2 supplementation in in situ biomethanation using fed-batch reactors for paper industry wastewater treatment]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Caroline Varella Rodrigues</author><author>Maria Leticia Bonatelli</author><author>Angel-Maria Thattil</author><author>Maria Bernadete Amâncio Varesche</author><author>Marcell Nikolausz</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundThis study investigated in situ biomethanation as a biogas upgrading strategy by injecting hydrogen (H2) into anaerobic fed-batch reactors treating wastewater from the pulp and paper industry.MethodsGranular sludge was used as inoculum and H2 was supplied at two pressures (0.6 and 0.9 bar overpressure in CB and CC assays, respectively) to evaluate its impact on treatment efficiency, methane (CH4) production, and microbial community dynamics compared to control reactors (CA sets) after an adaptation phase with feeding wastewater only.ResultsThe CH4 production increased during the first two feeding cycles with H2 supplementation accompanied by a reduction in CO2 emissions. However, this was transient and at the end of cycle 7 acid accumulation (mainly acetic and propionic acids) and reduced CH4 production was observed in both H2-supplemented assays. Microbial community structure changed first as a function of new stirred reactor conditions and later according to amount of H2 addition resulting in three clearly separated groups of communities. The family Syntrophobacteraceae responsible for propionate degradation declined in all reactors due to operational changes and following microbial succession. In control reactors it was out-competed by members of Geobacteraceae and Desulfobulbaceae. In CB and CC assays, Ethanoligenenaceae, Bacillaceae, Kosmotogaceae, Anaerolineaceae, and Anaerolineaceae families were enriched as a result of H2 supplementation. The most abundant methanogens were affiliated to the acetotrophic Methanothrix and the hydrogenotrophic Methanobacterium in all batch reactors. Upon H2 addition the relative abundance of Methanobacterium increased and became predominant in later cycles of CB and CC sets. Despite this shift, both genera coexisted throughout the experiments, suggesting that multiple metabolic pathways contributed to CH4 production under H2-enriched conditions.ConclusionsAlthough the process demonstrated potential for simultaneous biogas upgrade and wastewater treatment, the overall performance was negatively influenced by increased H2 pressure. This highlights that proper H2 dosing and microbial monitoring are critical to ensure process stability for in situ biomethanation systems. Considering the fragile balance of the investigated wastewater treatment process an ex situ upgrade of biogas using a separate reactor is recommended.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1822141</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1822141</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A novel manometric test to assess inherent biodegradability of complex and non-soluble chemicals]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Philippe Marchal</author><author>Alicia Lessentier</author><author>Maël Guedj</author><author>Anaelle Torres</author><author>Valérie Jomain</author><author>Neil Wang</author><author>Sophie Galinat Delpech</author><author>Emie Lacombe</author><author>Céline Guillaume</author><author>Min Yan Wu</author><author>Yi Gong</author><author>Christophe Moineau</author><author>Céline Coste</author><author>Feng Wang</author><author>D. James Wilson</author><author>Mickael Cregut</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study presents a modified manometric test for inherent biodegradability designed to assess the inherent biodegradability of complex and poorly soluble chemicals, including polymers with adsorption behavior. The method is derived from OECD 301F and adjusted toward inherent conditions, with higher biomass loading and an optimized Mass/ Food ratio. It addresses limitations of traditional tests, particularly for polymers and substances with low solubility or adsorption properties, while offering enhanced automation. The study used chemicals such as sodium benzoate and polyhydroxybutyrate to assess the modified manometric test for inherent biodegradability using OxiTop®-IDS pressure sensors, comparing it against standard OECD 301F (manometric pressure) and OECD 302B (DOC removal). The modified manometric test for inherent biodegradability enabled the assessment of biodegradability for pure chemicals and of overall biodegradability for complex polymers. Reference soluble chemicals that were evaluated achieved biodegradation levels between 78 and 100%. For polymers, the method overcame solubility and adsorption challenges, with biodegradation levels ranging from 76 to 100% for biodegradable polymers. Notably, in the BMT-C* polymer case study, OECD 302B indicated high apparent biodegradation based on DOC removal, whereas the modified manometric test for inherent biodegradability showed substantially lower biodegradation, highlighting the potential of DOC-based methods to overestimate biodegradation in such systems. These results support the potential of the method as an interesting option for determining overall inherent biodegradability of complex polymers. Significance: The modified manometric test for inherent biodegradability extends inherent biodegradability testing to low-solubility and adsorptive substances while maintaining agreement of 301F/302B results for soluble references (78–100% in 28 d).]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1817064</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1817064</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Production, optimization, and purification of serratiopeptidase from Bacillus siamensis found in marine sediments]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Aswin Viswan</author><author>Anice Jossia Hermon</author><author>Anjana Hemabindu Madhusoodanan</author><author>Sreelakshmi Ramu Nair</author><author>Sinsha Kanisankandy</author><author>Kothari Neeti Suresh</author><author>Mohanasrinivasan Vaithilingam</author><author>Subathra Devi Chandrasekaran</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Serratiopeptidase is a proteolytic enzyme with significant clinical applications, specifically acting as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. The current study focuses on the optimization of different process parameters for the enhanced production of serratiopeptidase from marine Bacillus siamensis. The effect of pH, metal ions, surfactants, and inhibitors on enzyme activity was also analyzed. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, and gel filtration chromatography. Growth kinetics of the bacterial strain showed a maximum of 3.449 U/mL of enzyme production at 18 h. The maximum growth rate and enzyme activity were obtained when the optimized medium was supplemented with lactose as the carbon source (1.779 U/mL) and yeast extract as the nitrogen source (1.807 U/mL), at a pH of 7.2 (1.589 U/mL) and an inoculum size of 250 μL (2.5 × 107 CFU/mL; 2.87 U/mL), respectively. The enzyme activity was highly stable at pH 6 (0.32 U/mL), in the presence of 20 mM CaCl₂ (0.45 U/mL), and 20 mM MgSO4 (5.5 U/mL). After purification of the protein, a 3.6-fold increase in the specific activity of the enzyme was attained. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) analysis showed a band of molecular size of 50 kDa, confirming the presence of the anti-inflammatory protein. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the molecular and structural integrity of the protein. Serratiopeptidase produced from marine Bacillus siamensis was found to be highly stable and effective. The findings of this study support the potential of this anti-inflammatory protein as a potent candidate for therapeutic and industrial applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1793713</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1793713</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Unveiling the genomes and secondary metabolomes of Streptomyces spp. from freshwater sediments]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Inmaculada Tocino-Márquez</author><author>Martin Zehl</author><author>Jovana Batajic</author><author>Joana Séneca</author><author>Petra Pjevac</author><author>José Murillo-Alba</author><author>Jesús Martín</author><author>Olga N. Sekurova</author><author>Sergey B. Zotchev</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Several Streptomyces strains were isolated from freshwater sediments collected in the Laxenburg ponds (Lower Austria). Genome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses revealed biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that may specify production of chemically diverse secondary metabolites. Various culture conditions were employed to induce metabolite production, and subsequent LC-MS analyses facilitated the identification of the produced compounds and their correlation with the corresponding BGCs. These analyses of sediment-derived Streptomyces spp. highlight their extensive biosynthetic potential, revealing a diverse range of bioactive secondary metabolites, including siderophores, antibiotics, and other compounds with potential therapeutic applications. Genomes of two Streptomyces isolates, one of them representing a potentially new species, harbored several uncharacterized BGCs that may specify biosynthesis of novel secondary metabolites. Although targeted overexpression of pathway-specific regulators from these BGCs did not yield additional metabolites, whereas knockout experiments led to metabolic changes, presumably reflecting regulatory or compensatory interactions between multiple biosynthetic pathways. Continued exploration of these strains and their BGCs may lead to the discovery of new bioactive molecules with pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1798786</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1798786</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A rapid detection system for core virulence and resistance genes in hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae using multiplex fluorescence PCR-capillary electrophoresis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Methods</category>
        <author>Huimin Ning</author><author>Li Qin</author><author>Chaoqun Wang</author><author>Kai Zhou</author><author>Tiantian Wang</author><author>Qiang Feng</author><author>Wenyang Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Infections caused by hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) have increased in clinical settings, yet rapid methods for integrated virulence–serotype–resistance profiling remain underdeveloped. In this study, we developed a multiplex fluorescence PCR-capillary electrophoresis (MPCE) system for the rapid and simultaneous detection of core genetic markers in hvKp. Specifically, the MPCE assay detected 16 genetic markers: five virulence genes (iucA, iroB, peg344, rmpA, and rmpA2), two major capsular serotype genes (K1 and K2), seven resistance genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-48 and mcr-1), and two internal controls. Amplicons were subsequently analyzed via capillary electrophoresis and GeneMapper software. As a result, the MPCE system simultaneously detected all 16 targets in 152 min, demonstrating single-base resolution that enabled precise discrimination between closely related amplicons. Moreover, the assay achieved a limit of detection of 102 copies/μL, exhibited excellent repeatability, and showed no cross-reactivity against a panel of non-target pathogens. Furthermore, clinical validation confirmed its strong concordance with next-generation sequencing (κ = 0.659–1.000). Therefore, the MPCE-based assay provides a high-throughput, sensitive, and specific platform that enables simultaneous profiling of virulence and resistance genes for the comprehensive genotyping of hvKp. It represents a valuable tool for enhancing antimicrobial resistance surveillance and epidemiological investigations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1789579</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1789579</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Advances in the evolution of antibiotic resistance risks in hospital wastewater and multibarrier control strategies]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Zhankun Zhu</author><author>Jinfeng Shu</author><author>Yaoqin Zhang</author><author>Ying Gao</author><author>Kehong Lou</author><author>Guosheng Gao</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Since it is imbued with antibiotics, resistant bacteria, and their resistance genes, hospital waste has transformed post-medical “tail water” into a global epicenter of connected ecological and health emergencies. By considering a “gap identification, risk tracking, and barrier rebuilding” framework and integrating 10 years of worldwide evidence, we first reveal how four mutually reinforcing deficits: absent primary treatment units, static design, aging infrastructure, and a hollowed-out workforce—perpetually overload small-scale facilities, unleashing high loads of antibiotics and antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs). We then follow ng/L residues along the “outfall—sediment—zooplankton—fish” continuum, showing how horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and mutational evolution processes restructure microbial communities, suppress algal photosynthesis and fish reproduction, and ultimately amplify threats to biodiversity and human health throughout the food web. To address the paradox that treatment does not equate to safety, we advance a multibarrier portfolio: (i) implement proactive retrofitting of equipment to confer inherent operational flexibility; (ii) process-stage adsorption-biodegradation hybrids that curtail selective pressure; and (iii) a harmonized, end-line monitoring network coupled with bioindicators to pinpoint ARG hotspots. Complementary measures, including regional pooled maintenance, microcredential training, green finance incentives, and a global data-sharing platform, shift the governance paradigm from end-of-pipe removal to life-cycle risk management, offering a replicable, technoinstitutional roadmap to overcome the pollution-resistance feedback loop.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1805553</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1805553</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Developing Emericellopsis sp. XJ1056 as a versatile fungal platform for high-yield biosynthesis of nonribosomal peptides: a case study on beauvericin]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yutong Ai</author><author>Kainan Song</author><author>Dongliang Xiao</author><author>Qun Yue</author><author>Chen Wang</author><author>Linan Xie</author><author>Liwen Zhang</author><author>Yuquan Xu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionBeauvericin is a cyclodepsipeptide with insecticidal, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities, yet its application is limited by low yields. Filamentous fungi represent promising cell factories for complex natural products, but constraints in genetic manipulation and productivity hinder their widespread use.MethodsIn this study, we developed a high-efficiency fungal cell factory for the de novo biosynthesis of beauvericin. The filamentous fungus Emericellopsis sp. XJ1056, which natively produces high levels of the peptidyl product antiamoebins (5.2 g/kg), was selected as the host due to its exceptional peptide synthetic capacity. A robust genetic toolkit was established, including the construction of a Δku70strain to enhance homologous recombination efficiency (from 9.4% to 50–73.68%). Using Δku70 as the chassis, we integrated the ∼10-kb beauvericin synthetase gene (bbBeas) via multiplexed homologous recombination, along with kivr (encoding 2-ketoisovalerate reductase) under the native helA promoter to supply the precursor D-hydroxyisovaleric acid (D-Hiv). Fermentation conditions were optimized, and strategies including split expression and codon optimization were evaluated.ResultsThe engineered strain Δku70-bbBeas-kivr synthesized beauvericin without precursor feeding. Optimal production (663.40 mg/kg) was achieved using rice supplemented with wheat bran as the solid medium. While split expression did not further enhance yield, codon optimization (opbbBeas) significantly increased transcriptional efficiency, raising beauvericin production to 921.24 mg/kg dry weight—surpassing the previously reported maximum (98.56 mg/L) in Beauveria bassiana.DiscussionThis study achieves the highest beauvericin yield reported to date and establishes a generalizable platform for the heterologous production of diverse nonribosomal peptides (NRPs), with broad implications for sustainable biomanufacturing and natural product discovery.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1820915</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1820915</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Study on the effects and mechanisms of different coal matrix structures on the desulfurization efficiency of Pseudomonas putida]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Chunming Ai</author><author>Jiazhen Cui</author><author>Pingping Sun</author><author>Chao Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study aims to reveal the influence mechanism of coal matrix structure on microbial desulfurization efficiency and clarify the regulatory effect of coal chemical structural characteristics on microbial desulfurization efficiency, providing theoretical support for the precise application of coal biodesulfurization technology. Pseudomonas putida was used as the functional strain for microbial desulfurization experiments on 092a and 100b coal samples with significant structural differences, and the characteristics of the desulfurized coal samples were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the organic sulfur removal rate of 100b coal reached 60.9%, which was much higher than the 17.6% of 092a coal; Pseudomonas putida could efficiently degrade various forms of organic sulfur such as thiophene, sulfide and sulfoxide in 100b coal, while only selectively removing sulfone-type sulfur in 092a coal, and FTIR characterization further confirmed that coal matrix characteristics are the core factor determining the desulfurization efficiency of this strain. The high aromaticity and high condensation degree of 092a coal resulted in significant steric hindrance of sulfur components, which limited the specific binding between enzymes and substrates, whereas the thiophene sulfur in 100b coal could be efficiently degraded through the 4S metabolic pathway, and this study clarifies the regulatory effect of coal chemical structural characteristics on microbial desulfurization efficiency, further supplementing the theoretical basis for the precise application of coal biodesulfurization technology.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1783533</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1783533</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Synthesis of biochar-supported sulfidated nanoscale zero-valent iron and its application as a persulfate activator for remediation of crude oil-contaminated soil]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jin Zheng</author><author>Yong Zhai</author><author>Chunyang Gao</author><author>Mengmeng Niu</author><author>Jufeng Li</author><author>Hongkun Chen</author><author>Jun Xu</author><author>Wenwen Wang</author><author>Qian Wu</author><author>Hongyun Zhao</author><author>Ziqiu Nie</author><author>Xianyuan Du</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Petroleum contamination poses a serious threat to soil ecosystems and microbial communities. Persulfate (PS)-based advanced oxidation has shown promising remediation potential; however, conventional nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) suffers from surface passivation, aggregation, and limited stability in complex soil systems. To address these challenges, a biochar-supported sulfidated nanoscale zero-valent iron composite (S-nZVI@BC) was synthesized via liquid-phase reduction to enhance PS activation efficiency and improve remediation performance in crude oil-contaminated soil. Material characterization confirmed the successful loading of sulfidated nZVI onto biochar with good dispersion. At a biochar loading rate of 25%, S/Fe molar ratio of 1:10, and activated carbon particle size of 0.83 mm, the S-nZVI@BC/PS system achieved the best crude oil degradation effect. Moreover, a maximum degradation efficiency of 90.14% was achieved by employing PS and S-nZVI@BC dosages of 2 and 10%, respectively, at a water-soil ratio of 1:1. SO4–∙ and ∙OH are the primary species responsible for crude oil degradation, and the contribution of SO4–∙ was greater than that of ∙OH. After the reaction, significant reductions were observed in saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, resins, and asphaltenes. Meanwhile, The soil remediated by S-nZVI@BC/PS altered the microbial community structure and increased the relative abundance of petroleum degradation-related microorganisms. The germination rate of Elymus dahuricus increased markedly, approaching that of uncontaminated soil. These findings highlight the potential of the S-nZVI@BC/PS system as an efficient and sustainable strategy for the remediation of crude oil-contaminated soils.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1798413</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1798413</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Interplay of iron and sulfur with syntrophic propionate oxidation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Nils Weng</author><author>Eduardo Pinela</author><author>Sepehr Shakeri Yekta</author><author>Jan Moestedt</author><author>Maria Westerholm</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In anaerobic environments, different chemical forms of iron and sulfur influence microbial community composition and functions. This study employs mesophilic and thermophilic ammonia-tolerant syntrophic propionate-oxidizing (SPO) cultures to investigate how different iron and sulfur species influence propionate oxidation, as well as downstream syntrophic acetate oxidation and methanogenesis. Elevated concentrations of both Fe3+ and Fe2+ species strongly inhibited SPO activity and suppressed propionate oxidation by the mesophilic culture. In contrast, FeSO4 addition to the thermophilic SPO culture markedly enhanced propionate oxidation and methane formation. Notably, neither Na2SO4 nor FeCl2 alone produced comparable stimulation, suggesting that the observed response was driven by a synergistic effect of Fe2+ and SO42− on the SPO microbial network. Following Fe2+ amendment of thermophilic cultures, a bacterium associated with the glycine cleavage pathway became enriched. Subsequently, with the onset of syntrophic propionate and acetate oxidation, the SPO candidate “Candidatus Thermosyntrophopropionicum ammoniitolerans,” a syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacterium affiliated with the family Thermacetogeniaceae, and a hydrogenotrophic methanogen affiliated with the genus Methanothermobacter increased in relative abundance. Overall, the study demonstrates that predicting the outcomes of iron amendments to the anaerobic microbiome demands careful consideration of the prevailing iron and sulfur chemical speciation and their relative molar concentrations, as these factors drive divergent microbial responses under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. The outcomes support developing targeted strategies to optimize anaerobic digestion and enhance renewable methane yields in high-ammonia biogas systems.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1776517</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1776517</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Biological control of Botrytis cinerea in tomato and Fusarium graminearum in wheat using the novel species Burkholderia mycopellens and Burkholderia crassaminum]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ayesha Kousar</author><author>Eliza Depoorter</author><author>Charlotte Peeters</author><author>Kurt Houf</author><author>Kris Audenaert</author><author>Peter Vandamme</author><author>Noémie De Zutter</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The use of beneficial microbes to reduce plant stress upon fungal pathogens is a promising strategy for sustainable crop protection. In this study, we evaluated five novel Burkholderia strains for their capacity to mitigate Botrytis cinerea infection in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Fusarium graminearum infection in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). All strains significantly suppressed B. cinerea infection symptoms in tomato plants, hallmarked by a smaller decrease in photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content compared to infected control. Using a GFP-tagged F. graminearum strain, we show that the strains reduced fungal biomass accumulation in F. graminearum-infected wheat leaves and mitigated chlorosis. Phytotoxicity assessments revealed no adverse effects in tomato for any strain, while two strains induced a mild reduction in chlorophyll fluorescence in wheat, suggesting potential host-specific phytotoxicity. Whole-genome sequencing of the Burkholderia strains revealed a rich repertoire of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with conserved replicon positioning. While all strains shared BGCs for known bioactive metabolites such as occidiofungin A, ornibactin, and pyochelin, variation in other clusters did not directly correlate with the phenotypic effects observed. Our results highlight the strong biocontrol potential Burkholderia strains in two economically important crops against two globally important fungal pathounder controlled conditions. Finally, a microbial phylogenomic analysis revealed that the five strains belong to two new and previously uncharacterized species within the Burkholderia cepacia complex, for which the names Burkholderia mycopellens sp. nov. and Burkholderia crassaminum sp. nov. are proposed. These strains hold promise as next-generation biocontrol agents for enhancing crop health and managing fungal diseases sustainably.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1788713</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1788713</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Understanding the role of vanadium: insights into bacterial responses and adaptations]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Joana B. Caldeira</author><author>Rita Branco</author><author>Paula V. Morais</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Vanadium (V) is a critical and important metal used in various industries, but its accumulation in the environment poses a risk and can lead to pollution. The study of microorganisms for metal recycling in renewable biotechnologies has attracted significant research interest. However, there is limited information on the interaction between V and bacteria. The present paper aims to summarize advancements made in the last 5 years (2020–2025) by systematically reviewing articles that mention V. We analyzed a total of 347 articles, ultimately focusing on 45 relevant studies from three different databases. This work enhances our understanding of the bacterial mechanisms responding to V-exposure, as reported in the literature over the last 5 years. The published articles primarily focus on three areas: the exploration of V-containing proteins, the investigation of genes and proteins that are most active with V-exposure, or bioremediation processes. The articles demonstrate a clear that become most active upon V-exposure, and the study of bioremediation processes involving V. The articles illustrate a clear biological relationship between V resistance mechanisms and denitrification processes. Specifically, it has been shown that certain metabolic activities typically associated with nitrates and nitrites become more prevalent in the presence of V. Moreover, mechanisms that provide resistance to other metals, such as chromate and arsenate, are suggested to also contribute to cellular resistance to V. Similar to the effects of other metals, V-exposure appears to induce oxidative stress, with many stress protection mechanisms being enhanced during V-exposure. While some studies indicate that cells can perform V-bioreduction, quantifying this process and making comparisons is challenging due to limitations in experimental design. Extracellular V-immobilization has been observed through interactions with bacterial extracellular polymeric substances; however, the specific enzymatic activities involved remain unidentified. This review also identifies some knowledge gaps that will drive future research into bacterial interactions with V. The lack of identified dedicated V(V)-reductases, as well as unclear mechanisms of V transport and intracellular handling, requires further investigation. By consolidating this information, the review reveals bacterial mechanisms related to V and offers insights for the development of new biotechnologies.]]></description>
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