Team 4

Scientific description of the team's research program:

The team's research program is based on three components:

• Biomolecules of environmental interest: Are molecules produced by bacteria isolated locally and selected according to their high potential for the production of biosurfactants. The program is mainly adapted to obtaining these semi and/or purified biomolecules in order to use them in the depollution of sites contaminated by crude oil and hydrocarbons, in particular, in soils and sea water. After selection of the efficient strains, an optimization of the production followed by the extraction, purification and characterization (physicochemical, biochemical and structural) of the biosurfactants and finally we will target the appropriate applications.
• Biomolecules of industrial interest: Are bacterial proteases with applications in detergents, in tanning and in the hydrolysis of keratin waste.
• The third part concerns the bioconversions of secondary metabolites from algae or contained in agro-waste (polyphenols from vegetable waters).
• An additional section on the biomarkers used in the biomonitoring of marine environments.

Adequacy between the initial program of the team and its realization:

A perfect match between the initial program and its realization. We have 10 hydrocarbonoclastic bacterial strains isolated from soils polluted by hydrocarbons (HC) in the Hassi-Messaoud region and from the polluted marine sediment of the Bay of Bouismail. Around 60 strains of marine bacteria and fungi newly isolated from seaweed, these strains are the subject of several ongoing studies (two national research projects and two international projects and 4 theses). These strains are the source of 4 patents and more than 40 publications in IF journals.

The team's research program is based on three components:

• Biomolecules of environmental interest: are molecules produced by locally isolated bacteria and selected according to their high potential for the production of biosurfactants. The program is mainly adapted to obtaining these semi and/or purified biomolecules in order to use them in the depollution of sites contaminated by crude oil and hydrocarbons, in particular, in soils and sea water. After selection of the high-performance strains, optimization of production followed by extraction, purification, characterization (physicochemical, biochemical and structural) of biosurfactants and finally we target the appropriate applications.
• Biomolecules of industrial interest: these are bacterial proteases with applications in detergents, in tanning and in the hydrolysis of keratin waste.
• The third component concerns the microbial bioconversions of natural substances into value-added products.

Work in progress :

The current work :

Seven doctoral subjects (classical + LMD) are in progress on the different aspects of the theme of biomolecules:

• Study of biosurfactant production in a locally isolated thermophilic strain of the genus Bacillus: application in the food industry.
• Chemical study of metabolites (primary and secondary) produced by bacterial strains from marine ecological niches.
• Study of an ecotoxicological approach to biomarkers in mussels: monitoring, bioaccumulation and bioadsorption of pollutants
• Use of biosurfactants as corrosion inhibiting agents in food industry equipment.
• Use of a hydrocarbonoclast bacterial strain with multifunctional potential for the depollution of complex discharges: Production of biosurfactant and alkaline protease.
• Modeling of chemical contaminants: Contribution to the biomonitoring of marine pollution. Four research projects are in progress, assured the members of the team.
• Chemical and biochemical study of lipases and proteases of bacterial origin isolated from marine algae: Application in the degradation of poultry feathers.

Some indicators:

The current situation of the laboratory would allow the researchers of the team to have the vital space, essential in the experimental sciences, necessary for the realization of their scientific work. Although the laboratory cannot function properly for the reasons we have already mentioned, we have noticed a keen interest from all the researchers, especially the young researchers, through their permanent presence in the laboratory.

The period extending from 2013, date of approval of the laboratory, and 2016 was characterized by a very difficult situation in terms of means. The operating budget to acquire the basic tools for carrying out the manipulations. During the year 2019, we were able to have a socio-economic project which will be a very useful financial support for the team.