Researchers have uncovered significant new insights into how microbes utilize large quantities of carbon monoxide (CO), aiding in the reduction of this harmful gas.
Researchers have uncovered significant new insights into how microbes utilize large quantities of carbon monoxide (CO), aiding in the reduction of this harmful gas.
Globally, more than two billion tonnes of carbon monoxide are emitted into the atmosphere every year. Of this, microbes process around 250 million tonnes, thereby lowering CO levels to safer standards.
A study spearheaded by Monash University, published in Nature Chemical Biology, details the atomic mechanisms through which microbes metabolize atmospheric CO. They employ a specific enzyme known as CO dehydrogenase to derive energy from this widely available but highly toxic gas.
Co-first author Ashleigh Kropp, associated with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute’s (BDI) Greening lab and the University of Melbourne’s Grinter lab, noted that this research demonstrates for the first time the way this enzyme harnesses atmospheric CO to fuel microbial cells.
“This enzyme is utilized by trillions of microbes found in soils and water. While these microbes consume CO for their own survival, they inadvertently assist us in the process,” stated Ms. Kropp.
Co-first author Dr. David Gillett, who conducted his PhD research in the Greening Lab, commented on the remarkable adaptability of microbes, emphasizing how nature has developed mechanisms to transform a toxic substance into something beneficial.
“These microbes play a vital role in purifying our atmosphere,” Dr. Gillett explained. “This helps mitigate air pollution, which is responsible for millions of deaths annually, and also contributes to the reduction of global warming, given that CO acts as an indirect greenhouse gas.”
Although this finding may not be immediately applied for the reduction or monitoring of CO emissions, it enriches our understanding of atmospheric regulation and its potential responses to future environmental shifts.
Professor Chris Greening, a co-senior author and head of BDI’s Global Change Program, emphasized the wider significance of microbes revealed by this discovery.
“Microbes fulfill countless essential roles for both human and planetary health. However, their contributions often go unnoticed due to their invisibility and the misunderstandings surrounding them,” he remarked.
Ms. Kropp highlighted the crucial role microbes play in making the air we breathe. “They produce approximately half of the oxygen we inhale and detoxify various pollutants like CO. It is essential that we enhance our understanding and appreciation of their role in supporting our survival,” she stated.
About microbes
Microbes are tiny living organisms present in water, soil, air, and our bodies. Known as microorganisms, some can cause illness, while others are vital to our health. The most prevalent types include bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
