Biology

The role of extracellular polymeric substances of fungal biofilms in mineral attachment and weathering

R. Breitenbach, R. Gerrits, et al.

Explore the fascinating interplay between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and mineral weathering through the lens of genetically modified biofilms of the rock-inhabiting fungus Knufia petricola. This research, conducted by Romy Breitenbach, Ruben Gerrits, Polina Dementyeva, Nicole Knabe, Julia Schumacher, Ines Feldmann, Jörg Radnik, Masahiro Ryo, and Anna A. Gorbushina, unveils how melanin production influences EPS generation and mineral dissolution rates.

00:00

Playback language: English

Index

Abstract

This study investigated the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in mineral attachment and weathering using genetically modified biofilms of the rock-inhabiting fungus *Knufia petricola* strain A95. Melanin-deficient mutants produced more EPS with fewer pullulan-related glycosidic linkages, while melanin-producing strains showed stronger attachment to olivine and higher dissolution rates. Pullulan-related linkages are hypothesized to facilitate attachment and weathering, and phenolic melanin synthesis intermediates may act like Fe-chelating siderophores, enhancing olivine dissolution.

Publisher

npj Materials Degradation

Published On

May 26, 2022

Authors

Romy Breitenbach, Ruben Gerrits, Polina Dementyeva, Nicole Knabe, Julia Schumacher, Ines Feldmann, Jörg Radnik, Masahiro Ryo, Anna A. Gorbushina

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Environmental Studies and Forestry

A Review on the Roles of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPSs) in Wastewater Treatment: Source, Mechanism Study, Bioproducts, Limitations, and Future Challenges

H. A. Hasan, N. F. M. Rahim, et al.

Medicine and Health

The role of the private sector in noncommunicable disease prevention and management in low-and middle-income countries: a series of systematic reviews and thematic syntheses

K. Marshall, P. Beaden, et al.

Biology

Untangling the Effects of Plant Genotype and Soil Conditions on the Assembly of Bacterial and Fungal Communities in the Rhizosphere of the Wild Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth)

A. S. D. Fossalunga, V. Cozzolino, et al.

Business

The sharing economy in the hospitality sector: The role of social interaction, social presence, and reciprocity in eliciting satisfaction and continuance behavior

L. H. Lho, W. Quan, et al.

Listen, Learn & Level Up

Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.

No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.

listen to research audio papers with researchbunny