londiwezikalala09
Choosing this environment was more than just scientific curiosity, it was also a pressing necessity. With ongoing water shortages and increasing strain on freshwater resources, understanding how bacteria like Cupriavidus necator thrive in wastewater can open doors to innovative solutions. We often see wastewater as a problem, but what if it is part of the solution?
Wastewater carries pathogens and toxic substances that are disease causing but most importantly it is home to the Cupriavidus necator bacteria which is able to utilize wastewater components to produce useful materials such as bioplastics and biofuels.
.3. Cupriavidus necator is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium which uses flagella to move around. It utilizes different carbon sources such as sugars, organic acids and even toxic compounds so it is said to be both heterotrophic and lithoautotrophic. This bacterium synthesizes Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in its cytoplasm a polymer that is biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic. PHA is polymerized into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) which is the bioplastic.
C. necator plays a major role in the ecosystem by facilitating bioremediation by feeding on the toxic waste like plastics and spills from industrials to produce biodegradable plastics using the PHA that is produced. It also supports the environment through carbon capture by utilizing the carbon dioxide for growth
In the rhizosphere C. necator plays a role in nutrient cycling by decomposing organic matter which releases nitrogen and other matter plants can absorb and utilize. It also competes with harmful pathogens indirectly benefiting plant health and it also detoxify the heavy metals reducing plant toxicity stress.
There are many applications of C. necator in various sectors including pharmaceuticals, one of which it includes the use of the PHB produced from the bacteria as the carrier for drug delivery. It is also used for other important productions like the volarization of carbon dioxide for microbial electrosynthesis system (MES) to help minimize global warming by producing hydrogen independently of fossil fuels from the renewable electricity.
High production costs for large scale productions as well as high carbon source requirements are the major challenges when working with C. necator. They compete with other bacteria which limit their ability to dominate and perform its desired functions. Also using this genetically engineered bacteria industrially raises concerns for biosecurity and environmental consequence. Even though the plastic produced from this bacterium is biodegradable, improper disposal may still contribute to pollution!!
