Critical Review: Bioremediation of lead in water by two pure microorganisms and bacteria yeast consortium

 Alonzo Bell

Critical Review

Article : Bioremediation of lead in water by two pure microorganisms and bacteria yeast consortium 

Authors : Marisol Espinoza, Ana Victoria Selene Gomez, Maria Rita Valladares, Erasmo Flores and Maria Teresa Casteneda. 

Journal : Articulos

1. Comments to Authors

I like that the authors provide many details and data to support their arguments of the two successful methods used to justify the removal of lead in these experiments. The article tells a cohesive story in explaining  how bioaccumulation and biosorption is effective using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pseudomonas putida. A major contribution is that focuses on lead as a control contaminant in examining the efficiencies of lead removal. The important methods and procedures are easy to follow and put into layman terms for readers. The authors continue to convey the efficiency which the biosorption method worked in relation to the successful bacteria and fungi. Another major contribution is that the study is easy to follow and uses sound science to justify their argument. The authors did a good job of providing background information on the human systems which may cause leaching of heavy metals. By providing background information on anthropocentric uses causing pollution, it solidifies the argument of the study. Another strength is that the authors briefly describe the differences between the bioaccumulation and biosorption processes which had varying results based on the study. I like that the authors briefly described the bacterial and fungal microbes used in the study, because it gives the reader background information on the tolerable properties which each organism possesses. 

2. General 

This study is significant for microbiology because it reveals some biosorption efficient methods which can be used for lead removal and also removal of other metals. This would be an interesting read for readers who like to learn more about bioremediation, biosorption or bio accumulation methods used in removing toxic pollutants from a specific environment. The authors were original and the data and information proposed was scientifically sound. The organization of the article was thorough and clear to understand. The authors continue to convey that yeast and bacteria through biosorption can be used to remove metal ions from environments. The main points that this bacterial yeast consortium can be effective in removing lead was proven with adequate data and also in the conclusion. 

3. Specific

1. Presentation

The paper tells a cohesive story of examining lead removal using Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as efficient hosts when removing lead and other metals from a certain environment using inactivation autoclaves. The story is a tightly reasoned argument throughout the paper because it reiterates the main argument and supports it with sound data and information. The title, key words , abstract and sub headings accurately and consistently demonstrate the main points of this presentation.

2. Length 

I believe the length of this paper was appropriate and didn’t need to be expanded or condensed. The story provided information regarding common pollutants, microbes efficient at removing metals via biosorption and the parameters recorded during the experiment. The length of the story did a good job in elaborating on these points while making the read feasible and easy to read. 

3. Methods

The methods were appropriate and described clearly enough so that one can repeat the experiment. The authors clearly explained that they used autoclave to analyze the processes of biosorption and bioaccumulation with the favorable bacteria yeast consortium of the bacteria Pseudomonas putida and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 

4. Data Representation

As results are stated in the article the reader can easily verify those with the graphs, tables and figures presented throughout the paper. The main argument of the paper presents the efficiencies of these microbes to remove lead and other metals which can be less costly than other extensive removal processes. For example ; the most successful method of biosorption reported lead removal efficiencies of P. putida : 100% and S. cerevisiae : 90.23% . These results are reported on Table 4 and Table 5 which correlates to the main points of this research. All of the data aligns with the tables, figures and graphs and also continually illustrates the efficiency of using cultures microorganisms as a viable source of metal removal or remediation. The authors also compare the parameters of the bioreactors before and after the study and these results can be seen on Figure 5 and Figure 7. All tables, figures and graphs were labeled correctly and necessary to drive home the main points of the article. 

5. Statistical Design and Analysis 

The statistical design and analysis is correct and displays the correlation between the experiment and its significant variables. The reader can easily discern the main statistics and measurements because they are pervaded throughout the article with a lot of context so that the reader can understand the overall dynamics of this experiment. Significant ane statements are justified by reporting results of the biosorption and bioaccumulation processes of the bacteria yeast consortium used in the experiment.

6. Errors

I didn’t notice any outstanding errors and the article was correctly formatted. 

7. Citations 

All references were cited correctly and are also in alphabetical order. 

8. Overlap

There are some studies which utilize biosorption and bio augmentation  using P. putida and S. Cerevisiae to examine heavy metals other than lead. This article provides a unique approach of study because it produces results not yet published utilizing inactivation autoclaves in the experiment.