Sevcan Aydin

By Sevcan Aydin, Nalan Tavşanli, Ahmet Arıhan Erözden and Mahmut Çalişkan

The human body can be considered a superorganism, containing a large number of microorganisms in symbiosis. An average human body contains about a kilogram of bacterial cells, which is about the same weight as the human brain. Majority of these bacteria resides within the gastrointestinal tract, outnumbering human cells and constituting approximately 99% of the genetic material in the human body. Human gut microbiota has been shown to have diverse effects on the host, and recent studies show that their effects extend to mental health. This review aims to understand the recent developments of the effects of gut microbiota community on mental health and potential manipulations of gut microbiota for prevention and mitigation of mental disorders by highlighting the nutritional value of diet, probiotics, prebiotics, and psychobiotics for mental health, modifying gut microbiota by fecal microbiota transplantation and antibiotics. In addition to these, providing the current knowledge on relevant neuroprotective mechanisms in the brain associated with gut microbiota and main gut microbiota modifying ways such as quorum sensing and bacteriophage was reviewed for future recommendation.

Part of the book: Genetic Diversity

By Şuheda Reisoglu and Sevcan Aydin

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serve as habitats for diverse and densely populated bacterial communities, fostering intricate microbial interactions. Conventional treatment methods employed often fail to completely eliminate pathogens. Consequently, inadequate chemical treatments lead to the eventual release of waterborne bacterial pathogens into the environment through effluent water. Anaerobic digestion represents a biological treatment approach for organic waste and wastewater, providing cost-reduction benefits and enabling energy generation through biogas production from organic waste. However, the role of viruses-host interactions in anaerobic digestion and their effects on biological wastewater treatment (WWT) has been lacking and requires further research and attention. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that target specific bacteria, are abundant within WWTPs and engage in diverse interactions with their host organisms. Also, there are reports indicating the presence of archaeal viruses capable of impacting crucial methanogenic organisms in anaerobic digestion, alongside phages. Despite their apparent lack of discernible metabolic functions, viral community have significant potential to influence WWT by shaping the structure of microbial communities, thereby impacting the efficiency of the processes. This chapter aims to explore the influence of reported viral communities, especially phages on shaping microbial communities; elucidate the dynamics and limitations of phage-host relationships; and evaluate their potential as biological tools for enhancing the anaerobic digestion process in WWT.

Part of the book: Anaerobic Digestion

By Şuheda Reisoglu and Sevcan Aydin

The modern world is confronted with the pressing challenges of reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions as the leading promoter of climate change while also addressing the energy and food crisis. Microalgae, being photosynthetic organisms, possess the unique ability to utilize solar energy for the conversion of CO₂ into organic matter. Their ability to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere proves advantageous in mitigating climate change. Algae have demonstrated effectiveness in wastewater treatment (WWT) by removing pollutants. In agriculture, microalgae offer a green alternative to chemical fertilizers, benefiting crop growth. The ease and cost-effectiveness of sampling and culturing microalgae contribute to their popularity. This chapter examines the sustainable applications of microalgae, including WWT, bioproduct recovery, bioremediation, energy production, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. The examination of the growing global microalgae market, particularly in relation to biotechnological applications, was also reviewed as an indicator of the immense potential offered by microalgae.

Part of the book: Microalgae - Current and Potential Applications [Working title]