There is a groundswell of interest in applying phototrophic microorganisms, specifically microalgae and cyanobacteria, for biotechnology and ecosystem service applications. However, there are inherent challenges associated with conventional routes to their deployment (using ponds, raceways and photobioreactors) which are synonymous with suspension cultivation techniques. Cultivation as biofilms partly ameliorates these issues; however, based on the principles of process intensification, by taking a step beyond biofilms and exploiting nature inspired artificial cell immobilisation, new opportunities become available, particularly for applications requiring extensive deployment periods (e.g., carbon capture and wastewater bioremediation). We explore the rationale for, and approaches to immobilised cultivation, in particular the application of latex-based polymer immobilisation as living biocomposites. We discuss how biocomposites can be optimised at the design stage based on mass transfer limitations. Finally, we predict that biocomposites will have a defining role in realising the deployment of metabolically engineered organisms for real world applications that may tip the balance of risk towards their environmental deployment.

We have developed a chromogenic reagent to show nitrilase activity and demonstrate its use with 23 enzymes as cell-free extracts.

In this study a diverse range of purified cobalt containing nitrile hydratases (NHases, EC 4.2.1.84) from Rhodopseudomonas palustris HaA2 (HaA2), Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 (009), Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 (1021), and Nitriliruptor alkaliphilus (iso2), were screened for the first time for their enantioselectivity towards a broad range of chiral nitriles. Enantiomeric ratios of >100 were found for the NHases from HaA2 and CGA009 on 2-phenylpropionitrile. In contrast, the Fe-containing NHase from the well-characterized Rhodococcus erythropolis AJ270 (AJ270) was practically aselective with a range of different α-phenylacetonitriles. In general, at least one bulky group in close proximity to the α-position of the chiral nitriles seemed to be necessary for enantioselectivity with all NHases tested. Nitrile groups attached to a quaternary carbon atom were only reluctantly accepted and showed no selectivity. Enantiomeric ratios of 80 and >100 for AJ270 and iso2, respectively, were found for the pharmaceutical intermediate naproxennitrile, and 3-(1-cyanoethyl)benzoic acid was hydrated to the corresponding amide by iso2 with an enantiomeric ratio of >100.

We demonstrate the potential of deploying a UAV with MSI camera to contribute useful diagnostics on potential sub-surface contamination from an operational oil reprocessing site and report the impact on the environment after 50 years of operation.

Carbon capture and storage is required to meet Paris Agreement targets. Photosynthesis is nature’s carbon capture technology. Drawing inspiration from lichen, we engineered 3D photosynthetic cyanobacterial biocomposites (i.e., lichen mimics) using acrylic latex polymers applied to loofah sponge. Biocomposites had CO₂ uptake rates of 1.57 ± 0.08 g CO₂ g⁻¹_biomass d⁻¹. Uptake rates were based on the dry biomass at the start of the trial and incorporate the CO₂ used to grow new biomass as well as that contained in storage compounds such as carbohydrates. These uptake rates represent 14–20-fold improvements over suspension controls, potentially scaling to capture 570 tCO₂ t⁻¹_biomass yr⁻¹, with an equivalent land consumption of 5.5–8.17 × 10⁶ ha, delivering annualized CO₂ removal of 8–12 GtCO₂, compared with 0.4–1.2 × 10⁹ ha for forestry-based bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. The biocomposites remained functional for 12 weeks without additional nutrient or water supplementation, whereupon experiments were terminated. Engineered and optimized cyanobacteria biocomposites have potential for sustainable scalable deployment as part of humanity’s multifaceted technological stand against climate change, offering enhanced CO₂ removal with low water, nutrient, and land use penalties.

Econea^®, or 4-bromo-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile, is a new type of environmentally friendly anti-fouling compound used in the immersed coatings of commercial sea going vessels. This paper reports the development of a new analytical method to directly detect the active biocide Econea^® in an artificial sea water matrix using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The developed method is both rapid and sensitive, with a limit of detection of 0.05 μg/L and a limit of quantitation of 0.17 μg/L in artificial seawater. The subsequent developed method was then applied to investigate the biocide’s release from a commercially available Econea^® containing paint immersed in artificial sea water over a 45-day period. It was found that the average release rate of Econea^® from this paint was 4.3 ± 0.6 μg cm⁻² d⁻¹.