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A novel fluorescent long-chain fatty acid-substituted dye: labeling and biodegrading of Microthrix parvicella
Yingchun Gu1, Dayong Lin2, Xuening Fei1
1Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Chemical Wastewater Source Reduction and Recycling, School of Science, Tianjin Chengjian University Tianjin 300384 China xueningfei@126.com.
Abstract:
Microthrix parvicella (M. parvicella) is a filamentous bacterium that induces bulking in activated sludge. Here, we used the affinity of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) for M. parvicella to create a novel fluorescent probe of carbazole modified by LCFA. The structure was characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The spectral properties, photostability, and hydrophobic properties of the probe were also characterized. Fluorescent-labeling results showed that it can label M. parvicella in situ and could be biodegraded via metabolism. The stable docking mode of carbazole probes with different fatty acid chains and lipases was also docked by the density functional tight-binding (DFTB) method.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel fluorescent probe targeting Microthrix parvicella, a filamentous bacterium causing activated sludge bulking. This probe, utilizing long-chain fatty acids, enables in situ labeling and biodegradation, offering a new tool for wastewater treatment monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Analytical chemistry
Background:
- Microthrix parvicella is a filamentous bacterium known to cause bulking in activated sludge systems.
- Effective monitoring of M. parvicella is crucial for optimizing wastewater treatment processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel fluorescent probe for the specific detection and labeling of Microthrix parvicella.
- To investigate the probe's properties and its potential for in situ monitoring and biodegradation.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel carbazole-based fluorescent probe modified with long-chain fatty acids (LCFA).
- Characterization of the probe's structure (NMR, mass spectrometry) and properties (spectral, photostability, hydrophobic).
- In situ fluorescent labeling experiments and computational docking studies (DFTB) of probe-lipase interactions.
Main Results:
- The novel LCFA-modified carbazole probe successfully labeled Microthrix parvicella in situ.
- The probe demonstrated good spectral properties, photostability, and hydrophobicity.
- The probe was found to be biodegradable via microbial metabolism.
- Docking studies elucidated stable binding modes between the probe, fatty acid chains, and lipases.
Conclusions:
- The developed fluorescent probe is a promising tool for the specific detection and monitoring of Microthrix parvicella in activated sludge.
- The probe's biodegradability and specific targeting offer potential advantages for wastewater treatment applications.
- Further research into probe optimization and application is warranted.
