Researchers from the laboratories of Rajib Saha and Nirupam Aich have discovered that the widely distributed photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris can interact with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent compound from the PFAS family. According to a study published in Environmental Science: Advances, the bacterium absorbs PFOA through its cell membrane, and this process changes over time.

Potential for Combating PFAS Pollution

This discovery sheds light on how natural microorganisms could be used or engineered to reduce PFAS contamination, which may help improve water quality and protect public health.

Results of Laboratory Experiments

In controlled laboratory experiments, researchers found that R. palustris was able to remove about 44% of PFOA from its environment within 20 days. However, most of the absorbed substance was later released back, likely due to the breakdown of bacterial cells. This result highlights both the promise and the challenges of using living microorganisms to capture or transform PFAS. As Saha noted, although the bacterium did not completely break down the chemical compound, the results suggest a stepwise mechanism in which PFOA is first captured by the bacterial membranes. This opens up opportunities for further genetic and biological interventions that could enhance the retention or even biotransformation of harmful compounds.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Aich’s laboratory provided specialized methods for precise PFAS detection, allowing the team to track changes in PFOA concentration with high accuracy. Meanwhile, Saha’s group conducted biological experiments to study the bacterium’s response to different PFAS concentrations. Aich emphasized that such collaboration between microbiology, chemical engineering, and analytical ecology is essential for solving complex environmental challenges. By combining these disciplines, scientists gain a more comprehensive understanding of the potential of biological tools in addressing PFAS pollution.

The Global PFAS Problem and Prospects for Microbial Solutions

PFAS compounds remain a serious global issue because they persist in soil and water for long periods. Existing purification methods are often expensive and require significant energy input. Microbial strategies could offer a more flexible and less resource-intensive approach, though further scientific development is needed for their implementation.

The results of this project point to the promise of this direction. Research groups are already planning additional work focused on microbial engineering and synthetic biology to improve the efficiency of PFAS degradation in the future.