Microbial production of phytases for combating environmental phosphate pollution and other diverse applications

Abstract

Concerns of phosphorus pollution and its impact on environments have driven the biotechnological development of phytases. Phosphoric acid, inositol phosphate, or inositols are produced after hydrolysis of phosphate from phytate, initiated by phytase. Research over the last two decades on microbial phytases has deepened our understanding of their production, optimization, and characterization. Despite the wide availability of phytase producing microorganisms, only a few have been commercially exploited. The current high cost of phytases, inability to withstand high temperatures (>85 C), a limited pH range, and poor storage stability are a major bottleneck in the commercialization of phytases. The development of novel phytases with optimal properties for various applications is a major research challenge. In this paper, recent advances in microbial phytase production, application of tools to optimize higher enzyme production, and characterization of phytases along with potential biotechnological applications are reviewed. Additionally the development of phytase assay methods and functions of phytate and phytate degradation products are discussed.

Understanding and Designing the Strategies for the Microbe-Mediated Remediation of Environmental Contaminants Using Omics Approaches

“…To safeguard both humans and environment from the adverse consequences of environmental pollution novel approaches must be designed, and bioremediation is one such approach. Interest in the microbial-based bioremediation of contaminants has increased in recent years, as people endeavor to find sustainable ways of remediating polluted environments (Raghunandan et al, 2014 , 2018 ; Kumar et al, 2016 ). The biotransformation and bioremediation-based methods strive to harness the naturally occurring microbial catabolic diversity to degrade, transform or accumulate vast amounts of problematic compounds, including radionuclides, metals, pharmaceutical substances, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).…”

Taxonomic and Functional Annotation of Termite Degraded Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze (Flame of the Forest)

“…6). The variation in bacterial diversity may be associated with the change in environmental conditions (like pH, temperature, oxygen content, altitude and feeding habit) because the colonization of the microbes relies on the environmental factors [38,39]. Protobacteria are usually characterized by their dominance in early stages of composting of plant materials and hence are responsible for cellulose degradation [40,41].…”

“…Thus, the colonization of Protobacteria can be endorsed with their ability to hydrolyze the hemi-cellulose. The abundance of bacterial phyla Actinobacteria (TO), Bacteroidetes (TA), Spirochaetes (TFL), Proteobacteria (TFA) and Firmicutes (TC) has shown their contribution to symbiotic relation of the termite species, acetogenesis (acetate production) and nitrogen acquisition, and cellulose degradation [38,42]. Termite microbiome incorporates abundant and morphologically distinct communities of Spirochetes, which own metabolic properties such as N 2 fixation and H 2 /CO 2 -acetogenesis, thereby contributing to the nitrogen, carbon as well as energy requirements for the termite hosts.…”

Fungal phytases: from genes to applications

“…Therefore, pig/poultry diets must be supplemented with P i to reach the nutritional requirements. However, feed supplementation with P i must be undertaken with care because it counts for approximately 50-75% costs of the mineral mix and the phosphate excess, excreted to the environment through the feces, can trigger the eutrophication process in freshwater bodies [30]. Then, animal feed supplementation with phytases emerges as a promising alternative.…”