The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the possibilities of anaerobic sludge cells immobilized into poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel for the methanogenic conversion of various lignocellulosic waste and other media containing antibiotics (ampicillin, kanamycin, benzylpenicillin) or pesticides (chlorpyrifos or methiocarb and its derivatives). It was established that the immobilized cells of the anaerobic consortium can be stored frozen for at least three years while preserving a high level of metabolic activity. The cells after the long-term storage in an immobilized and frozen state were applied for the methanogenesis of a wide number of wastes, and an increase in both methane yield and methane portion in the produced biogas as compared to the conventionally used suspended anaerobic sludge cells, was ensured. It was shown that the “additional” introduction of bacterial Clostridium acetobutylicum, Pseudomonas sp., Enterococcus faecalis cells (also immobilized using same support) improves characteristics of methanogenesis catalyzed by immobilized anaerobic sludge.

There is currently growing interest in the creation of artificial microbial consortia, especially in the field of developing and applying various bioremediation processes. Heavy metals, dyes, synthetic polymers (microplastics), pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pharmaceutical agents are among the pollutants that have been mainly targeted by bioremediation based on various consortia containing fungi (mycelial types and yeasts). Such consortia can be designed both for the treatment of soil and water. This review is aimed at analyzing the recent achievements in the research of the artificial microbial consortia that are useful for environmental and bioremediation technologies, where various fungal cells are applied. The main tendencies in the formation of certain microbial combinations, and preferences in their forms for usage (suspended or immobilized), are evaluated using current publications, and the place of genetically modified cells in artificial consortia with fungi is assessed. The effect of multicomponence of the artificial consortia containing various fungal cells is estimated, as well as the influence of this factor on the functioning efficiency of the consortia and the pollutant removal efficacy. The conclusions of the review can be useful for the development of new mixed microbial biocatalysts and eco-compatible remediation processes that implement fungal cells.

Quorum sensing (QS) of various microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, microalgae) today attracts the attention of researchers mainly from the point of view of clarifying the biochemical basics of this general biological phenomenon, establishing chemical compounds that regulate it, and studying the mechanisms of its realization. Such information is primarily aimed at its use in solving environmental problems and the development of effective antimicrobial agents. This review is oriented on other aspects of the application of such knowledge; in particular, it discusses the role of QS in the elaboration of various prospective biocatalytic systems for different biotechnological processes carried out under aerobic and anaerobic conditions (synthesis of enzymes, polysaccharides, organic acids, etc.). Particular attention is paid to the biotechnological aspects of QS application and the use of biocatalysts, which have a heterogeneous microbial composition. The priorities of how to trigger a quorum response in immobilized cells to maintain their long-term productive and stable metabolic functioning are also discussed. There are several approaches that can be realized: increase in cell concentration, introduction of inductors for synthesis of QS-molecules, addition of QS-molecules, and provoking competition between the participants of heterogeneous biocatalysts, etc.).

Bioluminescent analysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations is now acquiring new applications in the form of objects and processes in which it can be effectively used for sensing. A quick analysis of biological objects and systems for which the level of ATP concentrations is one of the main parameters, and a forecast of the development of various situations in such biosystems under industrial production conditions or the ecological state of the environment, confirmed by various results of analytical control of other parameters, turns out to be simple and effective. Sanitary control, quality control of purified water, microbial analysis in the food industry, maintenance of drugs and estimation of their quality, and monitoring of the metabolic state of biocatalysts used in various biotechnological processes are between the main trends of recent applications of bioluminescent ATP-assay. Additionally, the new areas of ATP sensing are developed, and the following topics are their creation of synthetic microbial consortia, their introduction as new biocatalysts to biodegradation of pesticides, suppression of methane accumulation in model urban land fields, control of dangerous development of biocorrosive processes, design of chemical-biocatalytic hybrid processes, creation of effective antimicrobial dressing and protective tissue materials, etc. These aspects are the subject of this review.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria form serious problems in many areas, including medicine and the food industry. At the same time, great interest is shown in the transfer or enhancement of antimicrobial properties to various materials by modifying them with enzymes. The use of enzymes in biomaterials with antimicrobial properties is important because enzymes can be used as the main active components providing antimicrobial properties of functionalized composite biomaterials, or can serve as enhancers of the antimicrobial action of certain substances (antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, metal nanoparticles, etc.) against cells of various microorganisms. Enzymes can simultaneously widen the spectrum of antimicrobial activity of biomaterials. This review presents the most promising enzymes recently used for the production of antibacterial materials, namely hydrolases and oxidoreductases. Computer modeling plays an important role in finding the most effective combinations between enzymes and antimicrobial compounds, revealing their possible interactions. The range of materials that can be functionalized using enzymes looks diverse. The physicochemical characteristics and functionalization methods of the materials have a significant impact on the activity of enzymes. In this context, fibrous materials are of particular interest. The purpose of this review is to analyze the current state of the art in this area.

Sulfur recovery from organic molecules such as toxic sulfones is an actual problem, and its solution through the use of environmentally friendly and nature-like processes looks attractive for research and application. For the first time, the possible bioconversion of organic sulfones (benzo-and dibenzothiophene sulfones) to inorganic sulfide under anaerobic conditions with simultaneous biogas production from glucose within a methanogenesis process is demonstrated. Biogas with a methane content of 50.7%–82.1% was obtained without H₂S impurities. Methanogenesis with 99.7%–100% efficiency and 97.8%–100% conversion of benzo- and dibenzothiophene sulfones (up to 0.45 mM) to inorganic sulfide were obtained in eight days by using a combination of various anaerobic biocatalysts immobilized in a poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel. Pure cell cultures of sulfate-reducing bacteria and/or H₂-producing bacteria were tested as additives to the methanogenic activated sludge. The immobilized activated sludge “enhanced” by bacterial additives appeared to retain its properties and be usable multiple times for the conversion of sulfones under batch conditions.