Friend Microbe Co., Ltd.
Developed the world’s first method to decompose carbon nanotubes using microorganisms
~ Friend Microbe, Zeon, and Nagoya University achieve groundbreaking results aimed at environmental protection and industrial innovation ~ ……
Friend Microbe Co., Ltd., a venture company originating from Nagoya University, Zeon Corporation, a major chemical manufacturer, and the research group led by Professor Katsutoshi Hori of the Tokai National University Organization, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University are conducting joint research in various areas including electronics. We have developed a new method for efficiently
decomposing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using microorganisms, which is expected to bring great benefits to various industrial fields. It has been thought that CNTs, an inorganic substance made of carbon, cannot be biodegraded in the environment, but these results overturn that idea. In addition, until now, the effects of release into the environment have not been fully elucidated, and the formulation of immediate countermeasures has been a major challenge for
industrialization, but the results of this research have found a way out. have become.
【overview】
Professor Hori and colleagues have developed an efficient biological degradation method for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using bacteria of the genus Shewanella. The new method utilizes the ability of the Shewanella genus to efficiently induce the Fenton reaction by reducing Fe(III) to Fe(II) under anoxic conditions and reducing O2 to H2O2 under oxic conditions. doing. In this study, we utilized this property to achieve continuous and long-term decomposition of SWCNTs. This new approach reduces the environmental risks of SWCNTs and offers new possibilities in waste treatment and environmental bioremediation. This degradation technique by the Shewanella genus holds promise as a safe method for processing CNTs under a wider range of environmental conditions.
The results of this research were published online in the
international academic journal “Frontiers in Microbiology” on November 30, 2023.
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[Research background and content]
This study focuses on the biological degradation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), especially single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Although CNTs have a wide range of applications due to their excellent physical properties, there are concerns about potential risks to human health and ecosystems. For example, CNTs have needle-like structures that can cause health problems such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and toxicity to plants, animals, and microorganisms has also been reported. Previous studies have reported the decomposition of CNTs using heme enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP), but these decomposition processes are actually due to the Fenton reaction, and are not due to enzymatic reactions. The presenters have already announced in a paper that this is not the case. Based on this knowledge, we have successfully developed a new CNTs biodegradation technology. The Fenton reaction rapidly and nonselectively oxidizes organics by highly reactive hydroxyl radicals generated by iron(II), which catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Bacteria of the genus Shewanella have the ability to efficiently induce the Fenton reaction by reducing iron(III) to iron(II) under anoxic conditions and reducing oxygen to hydrogen peroxide under oxic conditions. there is. This has the potential to be applied to the decomposition of CNTs, but there was no knowledge of whether Shewanella genus is resistant to CNTs or whether the Fenton reaction lasts long enough to decompose CNTs. In this study, we performed a 21-h anoxic and 3-h aerobic cycle under conditions containing 30 µg/mL O-SWCNTs and 10 mM Fe(III) citrate, and the O-SWCNTs 56.3% of it was decomposed. These results suggest that the Fenton reaction by the Shewanella genus can be applied to the decomposition of CNTs under a wide range of conditions, and may contribute to the development of new methods for waste treatment and environmental bioremediation of CNTs. Masu.
[Significance of the results]
Although CNTs are widely used in industry, health and environmental concerns have been raised. This research opens up new possibilities for using bacteria, which are widely present in the environment, to degrade CNTs in a safe and sustainable manner. This provides an avenue to improve waste treatment technology, reduce environmental pollution and, in the long term, reduce risks to human and ecosystem health. This research will be an important step for the safe use and sustainable development of nanotechnology.
[About Friend Microbe Co., Ltd.]
Our company name is “Make microorganisms your friends,” and by commercializing technology using microorganisms and their enzymes and implementing them in society, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society as advocated by the SDGs.
[Company Profile]
Company name: Friend Microbe Co., Ltd.
Head office location: NALIC 104, 2-22-8 Chikusa, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Representative Director: Junichi Kanie
Established: June 13, 2017
Business content: Microorganism-related contract research business, oil-related environmental business
HP: https://friendmicrobe.co.jp/