Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector. However, it faces significant challenges, including demand from a growing global population, which is estimated to reach 10.4 billion by the year 2100, disease outbreaks, environmental impacts, and the overuse of antibiotics. To address these issues, sustainable alternatives such as the use of microorganisms (probiotics, bacteriophages, and genetically modified microorganisms) have gained attention. This review examines the effects of these microorganisms on fish aquaculture, focusing on their potential to improve growth, health, and disease resistance while reducing environmental impacts. Probiotics, particularly lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, have been shown to enhance immune responses, digestive enzyme activity, and nutrient absorption in fish. Bacteriophages offer a promising alternative to antibiotics for controlling bacterial pathogens, with studies demonstrating their efficacy in reducing mortality rates in infected fish. Additionally, genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) have been explored for their ability to produce beneficial compounds, such as enzymes and antimicrobial peptides, which can improve fish health and reduce the need for chemical treatments. Despite their potential, challenges such as regulatory hurdles, public acceptance, and environmental risks must be addressed. This review highlights the importance of further research to optimize the use of microorganisms in aquaculture and underscores their role in promoting sustainable practices. By integrating these biological tools, the aquaculture industry can move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Foodborne illnesses caused by microorganisms pose a significant threat to public health. Understanding the survival and persistence of these microorganisms in various food matrices is crucial for developing effective control strategies. This systematic review aims to address the current knowledge gaps related to the duration of survival and persistence of microbial pathogens in food, as well as the impact of external environmental conditions on their viability. A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases, including studies published until 3 June 2024. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to ensure a systematic and transparent approach. Foodborne bacteria, such as <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7, were found to persist for extended durations, ranging from days to over a year. The mean duration of persistence for all of the bacteria was 246 days, whereas the survival duration was 16 days. Bacterial survival and persistence were significantly influenced by temperature, with warmer conditions (>25 °C) generally supporting longer persistence. Relative humidity also played a role, with low-humidity environments (<50% RH) favouring the survival of pathogens like <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. In contrast, viruses, such as hepatitis A virus and Human norovirus, showed only survival patterns, with average durations of 21 days and temperature being the primary environmental factor influencing their survival. Overall, this review provides evidence that a wide range of microbial pathogens, including <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7, <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, and the hepatitis A virus, can survive and persist in food for prolonged periods, leading to potential harm. These insights underscore the necessity of stringent food safety measures and continuous monitoring to mitigate the risks posed by these resilient pathogens, contributing to a safer and more secure food supply chain.

Nanotechnology is a technological discipline focused on the design, fabrication and utilization of structures, systems and devices through the manipulation of atoms and molecules at the nanoscale. A significant advancement in this field is the development of a nanocarrier system for microbe encapsulation using electrospun nanofibers. These nanofibers, characterized by their diameters in the nanometric range, are produced through nanotechnology. The electrospinning technique is a versatile method that fabricates these nanofibers from polymer solutions, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and chitosan, using high voltage. Nanofibers play a crucial role in various fields, including environmental remediation, medicine, agriculture and textiles. Beneficial microorganisms are microbial cells that aid crops by protecting them from pathogens, supplying essential nutrients and alleviating both biotic and abiotic stresses. Several techniques have been developed to encapsulate microorganisms within nanofibers, with electrospinning being the most widely applied method. This technique effectively traps microbial cells while preserving their viability for extended periodswithout causing harm. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, as well as fertilizers, pesticides and growth hormones, can be successfully encapsulated within nanofibers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of nanofibers, including their characterization, the polymers utilized [such as chitosan, PVA, PEO, PEG and alginate] and the electrospinning process with its variations. It also discusses techniques for encapsulating microbial cells within nanofibers and their current applications in agriculture.

Microorganisms play an essential role in the biogeochemical processes of macroalgal cultivation ecosystems by participating in a complex network of interactions, significantly influencing the growth and development of macroalgae. This study used bibliometric analysis and VOSviewer based on Web of Science data to provide an overview by tracing the developmental footprint of the technology. Countries, institutions, authors, keywords, and key phrases were tracked and mapped accordingly. From 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2023, 619 documents by 2516 authors from 716 institutions in 51 countries were analyzed. Keyword co-occurrence network analysis revealed five main areas of research on microbes in macroalgal cultivation ecosystems: (1) identification of microbial species and functional genes, (2) biogeochemical cycling of carbon in microbial communities, (3) microbial influences on macroalgae growth and development, (4) bioactivities, and (5) studies based on database. Thematic evolution and map research emphasized the centrality of microbial diversity research in this direction. Over time, the research hotspots and the core scientific questions of the microorganisms in the macroalgal cultivation ecosystems have evolved from single-organism interactions to the complex dynamics of microbial communities. The application of high-throughput techniques had become a hotspot, and the adoption of systems biology approaches had further facilitated the integrated analysis of microbial community composition and function. Our results provide valuable guidance and information for future researches on algal–bacterial interactions and microbe-driven carbon cycling in coastal ecosystems.

Electroactive microorganisms are capable of exchanging electrons with electrodes and thus have potential applications in many fields, including bioenergy production, microbial electrochemical synthesis of chemicals, environmental protection, and microbial electrochemical sensors. Due to the limitations of low electron transfer efficiency and poor stability, the application of electroactive microorganisms in industry is still confronted with significant challenges. In recent years, many studies have demonstrated that modulating anode potential is one of the effective strategies to enhance electron transfer efficiency. In this review, we have summarized approximately 100 relevant studies sourced from PubMed and Web of Science over the past two decades. We present the classification of electroactive microorganisms and their electron transfer mechanisms and elucidate the impact of anode potential on the bioelectricity behavior and physiology of electroactive microorganisms. Our review provides a scientific basis for researchers, especially those who are new to this field, to choose suitable anode potential conditions for practical applications to optimize the electron transfer efficiency of electroactive microorganisms, thus contributing to the application of electroactive microorganisms in industry.

Microorganisms in high-salinity environments play a critical role in biogeochemical cycles, primary production, and the biotechnological exploitation of extremozymes and bioactive compounds. The main challenges in current research include isolating and cultivating these microorganisms under laboratory conditions and understanding their complex adaptive mechanisms to high salinity. Currently, universally recognized protocols for isolating microalgae and cyanobacteria from salt pans, salterns, and similar natural habitats are lacking. Establishing axenic laboratory cultures is essential for identifying new species thriving in high-salinity environments and for exploring the synthesis of high-value metabolites by these microorganisms ex situ. Our ongoing research primarily focuses on photosynthetic microorganisms with significant biotechnological potential, particularly for skincare applications. By integrating data from the existing literature with our empirical findings, we propose a standardized pipeline for the isolation and laboratory cultivation of microalgae and cyanobacteria originating from aqueous environments characterized by elevated salt concentrations, such as solar salterns. This approach will be particularly useful for researchers working with microorganisms adapted to hypersaline waters.

Background: Climate change affects life on Earth. Meanwhile, microorganisms (unlike plants and animals) are usually not considered when studying climate change, particularly due to the impact of climatic fluctuation on them. A substantial variety of microbes and their responses to changing environmental conditions make determining their role in the ecosystem functioning very difficult. Nevertheless, microorganisms support the existence of all life forms on the planet. It is also important to know how microorganisms affect climate change and how this subsequently then affects microorganisms. Previous research demonstrates the leading role and importance of microorganisms in studying the biological aspects of climate change. Thus, this paper aimed to examine the correlation between nitrogen cycle microorganisms and climate change. Methods: The nitrogen cycle microorganism (NCM) soil formed the primary research object, which, simultaneously, is not associative microflora and belongs to the following groups: amino heterotrophs using organic forms of nitrogen, aminoautotrophs using mineral forms of nitrogen, and diazotrophs fixing nitrogen in the air. The response of NCMs in simultaneously increasing atmospheric CO2, precipitation, temperature, and nitrogen in an artificially created agricultural soil ecosystem was investigated. Results: The NCM number and their structure responded to these simulated changes. The increased volume of nitrogen significantly changed the NCM structure, which depends on temperature and precipitation. The dominance of NCMs was noted when the temperature and precipitation remained unchanged. However, the number of microorganisms consuming mineral forms of nitrogen increased following a rise in temperature and a reduction in precipitation. Further, the proportion of microorganisms consuming organic forms of nitrogen increased following a decrease in temperature and increased precipitation. Total NCMs reduced significantly when the CO2 increased; this decrease was most pronounced with increased precipitation. Changes in the group composition of the community are associated with an increase in the nitrification process, with no changes in total NCMs. Conclusions: These results illustrate that the ever-increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has a direct impact on both Earth’s climate and alters the composition and activity of microbial populations.

The increased dependence of modern agriculture on excessive use of agrochemicals and mineral fertilizers, combined with the effects of climate change, will contribute significantly to environmental degradation and loss of soil quality. Consequently, current trends are based on the search for sustainable agricultural practices, in line with the pro-environmental elements of European policy, to reduce energy use and environmental problems, and to provide an adequate supply of high quality, healthy food for an ever growing world population. The production of healthy food is entirely dependent on the availability of nutrients, so the use of biofertilizers with microorganisms is one of the best ways to supplement and increase the availability of nutrients necessary for proper plant growth and yield. Microorganisms are a powerful tool that can provide significant benefits to crops for sustainable agriculture. The aim of this paper is therefore to review the literature on some of the most important groups of microorganisms that are components of biofertilisers. These are those that increase nutrient availability: atmospheric nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, phosphorus-solubilising microorganisms and potassium-solubilising microorganisms. This review therefore distinguishes between different groups of microorganisms and their plant growth promoting mechanisms by which they exert their yield enhancing function to meet the demand for healthy food. Microorganisms that are involved in balanced nutrient cycling and have other plant growth promoting properties (PGP) are an effective way to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers, enabling efficient and sustainable agriculture that maintains a healthy soil for future generations.

Insect pollinators acquire microorganisms when they visit flowers for nutrients. The interactions that occur at the floral interface are complex with three participants – pollinators, plants and microorganisms. The majority of the insect pollinator’s microbiome is shaped by their behaviour, diet and environment. At present the bee (Apidae family) microbiome is the best documented and contributes to our understanding of the bi-directional exchange of microbes between pollinators and flowers. The transferred microorganisms may be mutualistic, commensal or pathogenic. We identify a lack of information due to limited studies concerning the diversity of pollinators and a focus on pathogenic microorganisms and their gut microbiome influence on their health. Each candidate, the insect, plant and microbe, makes their own contribution which aids the interaction, but some participants may benefit more than others. The benefits for pollinators include enhanced acquisition of nutritional resources; for microorganisms dispersal and a ‘new’ habitat to colonise and for plants pollination is the outcome. Finally, we explore a novel concept of whether the fruit acts as a potential vector for insect microorganisms to hibernate and extend their lifecycle in the absence of a pollinator host.

The composition of the human microbiome is a critical health indicator, and culture-independent methodologies have substantially advanced our understanding of human-associated microorganisms. However, precise identification and characterization of microbial strains require culture-based techniques. Recently, the resurgence of culturomics, combined with high-throughput sequencing technology, has reduced the high labor demand of pure culture methods, facilitating a more efficient and comprehensive acquisition of culturable microbial strains. This study employed an integrated approach combining culturomic and high-throughput sequencing to identify culturable microorganisms on the human scalp and in human saliva and feces. Several <i>Staphylococcus</i> strains were identified from the scalp, whereas anaerobic microorganisms were dominant in the saliva and fecal samples. Additionally, the study highlighted the beneficial effects of transportation conditions (liquid nitrogen treatment, dry ice transport, and dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] buffer) in preserving culturable microorganisms. A robust methodology was developed for the large-scale acquisition of culturable microorganisms with optimized transport conditions that enhance the potential for isolating a greater diversity of culturable strains.