A. P. Florentino, J. Sánchez-España, I. Sánchez-Andrea
Oct 26, 2022
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Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
The physiological adaptability of microorganisms thriving by respiration of sulfur compounds and generating sulfide as an end product makes them an attractive tool for biotechnological applications in a variety of settings. Such versatility entices the scientific community interest; and, therefore, engineering and microbiological techniques have been combined to design and improve biotechnological systems targeting biological sulfide production. The application of biosulfidogenesis has extensive possibilities, making it a noteworthy process for approaching environmental issues and reaping added-value products, therefore contributing to economical circularity. Although the processes involved in biosulfidogenesis have long been understood, current developments in microbial physiology, last-generation molecular biology techniques that combine several “omics,” and engineering techniques have broadened the scope of this technology. This Research Topic issue comprises six original research articles, bringing forth a valuable update on biosulfidogenic processes with novel data on molecular, genomic, biochemical, physiological and applied aspects. Three manuscripts focus their research on microbial sulfate reduction in acidic conditions, which has as target the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid rock drainage (ARD)-impacted environments. Although biosulfidogenic microorganisms thriving at low pH have been isolated and characterized, they are commonly isolated from enrichments obtained from sediments of acidic environments. Ayala-Muñoz et al. focus their investigation on the overlooked water column of acidic environments and revealed such environments as a potential source of novel microorganisms responsible for complete conversions of sulfur compounds. The combination of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses in an acidic and deeply stratified pit lake have allowed these authors to find novel taxa from Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Nitrospirae phyla which were abundant and show an important capability of biosulfidogenesis. The information reported by the authors provides multiple insights on how to improve OPEN ACCESS