Bacillus safensis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, motile, mesophilic, and chemoheterotrophic bacterium renowned for its adaptability to a wide array of stringent environments, including spacecraft assembly facilities, saline deserts, and heavy metal-contaminated soils. Originally identified as a persistent contaminant, its unique physiological and genomic characteristics have positioned it as a promising candidate for diverse biotechnological applications. In 2015, we published the first review on the basic biology and biotechnological potentials of the bacterium, and we documented its first reference in producing keratinase through degradation of poultry feather, and its abilities to synthesize metal and metal alloy nanoparticles amidst several other applications. Since then, several new applications have emerged on the bacterium, including a US patent for B. safensis-based biofertilizer, thereby necessitating a renewed documentation on the fascinating bacterium—detailing current knowledge on the biology, ecology, and multifaceted applications of B. safensis, highlighting its potential as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, a formidable biocontrol agent against phytopathogens, a producer of valuable industrial enzymes, and an effective tool for bioremediation, and production of secondary metabolites. Genomic and experimental analyses revealed its capacity to synthesize many bioactive compounds alongside exhibiting robust stress response systems. Future investigations on B. safensis should involve leveraging advanced molecular techniques for strain improvement, exploration of bioinformatic tools to reveal its metabolome, enhancement of its safety profile, and expansion of its application in sustainable agriculture and environmental management.
To review the current advances, persistent challenges, and future prospects of methanol fuel cell technologies, thereby supporting the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. This is a comprehensive review that analyzes recent global progress across key aspects of methanol fuel cell technology. The focus areas include catalyst development, membrane innovation, performance optimization, and system integration. Recent advances in electrocatalysts, nanostructured membranes, and hybrid system designs have substantially enhanced the efficiency, durability, and operational flexibility of methanol fuel cells. This progress has enabled their expansion in transportation, portable electronics, stationary power, and industrial energy generation. This review offers a holistic overview of the current state-of-the-art and identifies critical limiting factors, such as methanol crossover, limited long-term durability, and high production costs, that continue to constrain commercialization. It emphasizes the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts in materials science and system engineering, alongside favorable policies, to accelerate adoption and position methanol fuel cells as an integral component of the future renewable-energy landscape.
Biopolymers are essential materials sourced from biomass. In response to the increasing demand for sustainable materials, research in biopolymers is rapidly growing. Biopolymers are biodegradable materials that can offer measurable environmental benefits over synthetic alternatives. Life-cycle assessments show that biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) can produce 20–50
Industrialization has significantly increased human exposure to co-occurring psychological stressors and environmental toxicants, including heavy metal contamination. The combined exposures to chronic stressors and heavy metal exposures are common, but their effects on the kidney and liver are not known. Hence, this study investigates how exposure to heavy metals, manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni), in combination with a chronic stress paradigm in the rat model, impacts the structural and functional integrity of the kidney and liver. Adult Wistar rats were divided into the control, stress-only, Mn-only, stress + Mn, Ni-only, and stress + Ni groups. The rats were treated intraperitoneally with either vehicle, Mn (25 mg/kg), or Ni (25 mg/kg) with/without a restraint stress paradigm for two weeks. Blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected after sacrifice to measure hematological parameters, perform liver and kidney function tests, perform histological examinations, and assess oxidative stress markers. Our results showed significant liver and kidney damage, evidenced by the increased alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin (total, direct, and indirect), urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels in all treatment groups when compared to the control. Histological examinations revealed cell degeneration and necrosis, as well as glomeruli atrophy, tubular degeneration, and parenchymal disintegration in the liver and kidney, respectively. Also, there was increased lipid peroxidation, accompanied by a concomitant decrease in endogenous antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, in the liver and kidney. When combined, these factors lead to severe inflammation, cell degeneration, and necrosis, especially with Ni exposure. In conclusion, this study reveals that co-exposure to stress and metals exacerbated hepatorenal disruptions, likely due to worsened oxidative damage.
