CO2 Biofixation of Actinobacillus succinogenes Through Novel Amine-Functionalized Polystyrene Microsphere Materials

Wenhao Zhu, Qiang Li, Ning Dai

CO2-derived succinate production was enhanced by Actinobacillus succinogenes through polystyrene (PSt) microsphere materials for CO2 adsorption in bioreactor, and the adhesion forces between A. succinogenes bacteria and PSt materials were characterized. Synthesized uniformly sized and highly cross-linked PSt microspheres had high specific surface areas. After modification with amine functional groups, the novel amine-functionalized PSt microspheres exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 25.3 mg CO2/g materials. After addition with the functionalized microspheres into the culture broth, CO2 supply to the cells increased. Succinate production by A. succinogenes can be enhanced from 29.6 to 48.1 g L−1. Moreover, the characterization of interaction forces between A. succinogenes cells and the microspheres indicated that the maximal adhesive force was about 250 pN. The amine-functionalized PSt microspheres can adsorb a large amount of CO2 and be employed for A. succinogenes anaerobic cultivation in bioreactor for high-efficiency production of CO2-derived succinate.

DOI

Three powerful research tools from single cells into single molecules: AFM, laser tweezers, and raman spectroscopy

Wu, Y., Liu, K., Song, K., Pan, S.

By using three physical techniques (atomic force microscopy (AFM), laser tweezers, and Raman spectroscopy), many excellent works in single-cell/molecule research have been accomplished. In this review, we present a brief introduction to the principles of these three techniques, and their capabilities toward single-cell/ molecule research are highlighted. Afterward, the advances in single-cell/molecule research that have been facilitated by these three techniques are described. Following this, their complementary assets for single-cell/molecule research are analyzed, and the necessity of integrating the functions of these three techniques into one instrument is proposed.

DOI