The aims of this article were to investigate Bacillus safensis HL3 spore for its capacity to degrade and detoxify indigo carmine and to provide an effective biological agent for the treatment of isatin dye wastewater. Bacillus safensis HL3 spore was found to decolorize indigo carmine by 97% in the presence of acetosyringone within 2 h. Significantly increased activities of spore laccase, intracellular tyrosinase, and lignin peroxidase upon exposure to indigo carmine were observed. The results of RT–qPCR also showed that the expression of laccase gene was significantly increased. The spore has the ability to degrade indigo carmine through oxidization. Furthermore, the pathway by which indigo carmine is degraded was investigated using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis to identify the biodegradation products. A detailed pathway of indigo carmine degradation by bacterial spores was proposed for the first time. Toxicity tests indicated that the biodegradation products of indigo carmine are non-toxic to Nicotiana tabacum seeds and are less hazardous to human erythrocytes than the original dye. Indigo carmine is a typical recalcitrant dye and severely jeopardizes human health. The results demonstrate the utility of the spore from Bacillus safensis HL3 for the degradation of indigo carmine and simultaneous reduction of its toxicity.

Erinacine A, a cyathane diterpenoid derived from the medicinal and edible fungus Hericium erinaceus, is increasingly recognized for its potent neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. It demonstrates significant therapeutic promise for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, primarily by stimulating the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF). However, the clinical applicability of erinacine A is currently restricted by its low yield from natural sources and high production costs. This challenge has spurred significant research focused on optimizing its production. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current advancements in the fermentation-based preparation of erinacine A, including both liquid and solid-state cultivation techniques. Furthermore, we summarize its diverse biological activities, spanning neuroprotection, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects, and detail the recent discoveries elucidating its complex biosynthetic pathway. This consolidated overview offers insights into strategies for enhancing its production and supports its ongoing development as a therapeutic agent.

Synthetic dyes discharged from the textile and dyeing industry present a significant environmental and health hazard due to their inherent toxicity, environmental persistence, and potential carcinogenicity. Microbial degradation has garnered significant interest as a cost-effective and eco-friendly strategy for dye wastewater treatment in recent years. The study systematically evaluated the decolorization performance, degradation pathways, and detoxification effects of three bacterial strains, including Rhodopseudomonas palustris gh32, Bacillus cereus HL7, and Bacillus safensis X64, on the dye indigo carmine (IC) and three azo dyes: reactive black 5 (RB5), direct black G (DBG), and direct blue 15 (DB15). The degradation mechanisms were elucidated through UV-Vis spectroscopy, UPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS analysis, and enzyme activity assays. Molecular docking simulations were employed to investigate the interactions between key redox enzymes (such as laccase, tyrosinase, and azoreductase) and the dye molecules. The results demonstrated that the strain-specific enzymatic systems effectively disrupted the dye structures. Significant detoxification effects were further confirmed through a series of bio toxicity assays involving Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, plant seeds, and erythrocytes. The addition of Fe³⁺, sodium citrate, or yeast extract significantly enhanced both the decolorization efficiency and enzyme activity. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the bacterial dye degradation process at the mechanistic level, highlighting the potential of customized bacterial systems for eco-friendly dye wastewater treatment. It offers theoretical support for elucidating the mechanisms of bacterial dye degradation and advancing bioremediation technologies.