Engineers from the University of Nebraska have discovered a promising new ally in the fight against PFAS in the form of a common photosynthetic bacterium. The work represents a new potential pathway towards using microbial systems as a low-impact, scalable solution to PFAS contamination.
Outlined in the journal Environmental Science: Advances, the study discovered that Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a common photosynthetic bacterium, can absorb PFOA into it’s cell membrane. The discovery provides further insights into how microbes could one day be used to break down PFAS.
"While R. palustris didn't completely degrade the chemical, our findings suggest a stepwise mechanism where the bacterium may initially trap PFOA in its membranes," said Rajib Saha, Associate Professor. "This gives us a foundation to explore future genetic or systems biology interventions that could improve retention or even enable biotransformation."
"By bringing together microbiology, chemical engineering, and environmental analytical science, we're gaining a more complete picture of how to tackle PFAS pollution with biological tools," added Associate Professor Nirupam Aich.
Due to their persistence in water, PFAS compounds have become a global concern. Current methodologies used for their remediation are costly and energy-intensive, creating a demand for scalable, lower-impact solutions. The work performed by the team brings us one step closer to that goal, and the team is exploring follow up studies aimed at enhancing the degradation potential of the system.