The use of disposable gaas generating kits for the growth of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria and the determination of hydrogen autotrophy

A simplified procedure for the determination of autotropic growth of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria has been developed. The method uses commercially available disposable hydrogen and carbon dioxide kits, commonly used in anaerobic bacteriology, to produce a gaseous atmosphre containing by volume approximately 41% hydrogen, 6% carbon dioxide, 11% oxygen and 42% nitrogen. The atmosphere was suitable for the growth of strains assigned to the species Alcaligenes eutrophus, Alcaligenes paradoxus, Paracoccus denitrificans, Pseudomonas facilis, Pseudomonas flava, Pseudomonas palleronii, Pseudomonas saccahrophilia and Rhodococcus sp. (‘Nocardia opaca’). The method can also be used for the screening of hydrogen-oxidizing ability in bacterial isolates, thus eliminating the need for complex gas mixing devices or expensive gas mixtures.     

Serological studies on lithotrophic,ammonia oxidizing bacteria

Rabbit antisera were prepared against living cells of six different ammonia oxidizing nitrifying bacteria. They were examined as to cross-reactivity in the agglutination test (Microtiter-system) with 24 nitrifier strains, including members of all known genera.Usually distinct cross-reactions were obtained only within the genera, but some exceptions were noticed. There was stated a clear cross-reaction between the two anti-Nitrosospira-antisera and the four tested Nitrosolobus strains. In some cases cross-reactions between cells of the Nitrosovibrio strains and the anti-Nitrosospira- as well as the anti-Nitrosococcus-antisera could be observed. The interpretation of the results obtained with the Nitrosomonas group was complicated by the fact that all strains showed positive zero titers with the control sera. In seven cases lipopolysaccharides were isolated and tested in the passive hemagglutination test to their cross-reactivity with the above mentioned antisera. hemagglutination could only be observed in the homologous system, cross-reactivity was never expressed.Abbreviations LPS Lipopolysaccharide(s) - G+C Guanine + cytosine - PBS Phosphate-buffered saline - SRBC Sheep red blood cells     

好氧甲烷氧化菌及其工程应用进展

好氧甲烷氧化菌能以甲烷作为碳源和能源,对全球甲烷消除的贡献率高达10%–20%,还能有效地合成有价值的甲烷来源生物产品。文中介绍了好氧甲烷氧化菌的甲烷氧化代谢机理,总结了好氧甲烷氧化菌在填埋场甲烷减排、煤矿通风气治理、合成生物产品、油气藏勘探等领域的实际应用功效和研究热点,即污染物去除和产品合成效率的影响因素。基于对甲烷氧化菌规模化培养方法的研究,本文认为加强培养过程中代谢产物对甲烷氧化菌活性和种群结构影响的研究,以及开发经济高效的替代培养基和培养技术的研究将有利于好氧甲烷氧化菌生物技术的应用推广。     

Numerical simulation for electrochemical cultivation of iron oxidizing bacteria

A numerical simulation model was constructed for electrochemical cultivation of iron oxidizing bacterium, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, based on Monod's dual limitation equation. In this model, two limiting factors were examined, low supply of Fe(II) ion and dissolved oxygen, from empirical viewpoints. The simulation model was constructed taking into consideration the energy balance based on the amount of the electronic flow from the electrode to bacteria via an iron ion, and then to oxygen. The model consisted of a logarithmic bacterial growth phase during the first three days, followed by a plateau and growth limitation thereafter. The predicted results were in agreement with the actual growth under electrochemical cultivation. It was predicted the growth limiting factor would be changed from insufficient supply of Fe(II) ions to that of oxygen by decreasing the value of oxygen transfer constant K, which correlated with the aeration rate. The optimum aeration rate was determined for the ideal electrochemical cultivation. The algorithm described here can be used in any electrochemical cultivation by modifying the parameters for each system.     

Recent advances in microbial capture of hydrogen sulfide from sour gas via sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria

Biological desulfurization offers several remarkably environmental advantages of operation at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, no demand of toxic chemicals as well as the formation of biologically re‐usable sulfur (S⁰), which has attracted increasing attention compared to conventionally physicochemical approaches in removing hydrogen sulfide from sour gas. However, the low biomass of SOB, the acidification of process solution, the recovery of SOB, and the selectivity of bio‐S⁰ limit its industrial application. Therefore, more efforts should be made in the improvement of the BDS process for its industrial application via different research perspectives. This review summarized the recent research advances in the microbial capture of hydrogen sulfide from sour gas based on strain modification, absorption enhancement, and bioreactor modification. Several efficient solutions to limitations for the BDS process were proposed, which paved the way for the future development of BDS industrialization.     

从典型硝化细菌到全程氨氧化微生物：发现及研究进展

生物硝化过程在全球氮循环中起关键性作用,被认为由氨氮氧化成亚硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐氧化成硝酸盐两个步骤组成,分别由氨氧化微生物(Ammonia oxidizing microorganisms,AOM)和硝化细菌(Nitrite oxidizing bacteria,NOB)催化完成。AOM包括氨氧化细菌(Ammonia oxidizing bacteria,AOB)和氨氧化古菌(Ammonia oxidizing archaea,AOA),AOB与AOA分布广泛,两者的相对丰度和氨氮浓度密切相关。2015年底,3个硝化螺菌属(Nitrospira)谱系Ⅱ的NOB被证实含有AOM的特征功能酶,包括氨单加氧酶(AMO)和羟胺脱氢酶(HAO),并证明NOB同时具有氨氧化和亚硝酸盐氧化的能力,命名为全程氨氧化微生物(Complete ammonia oxidizer,Comammox)。根据AMO的α亚基基因amoA的相似性将Comammox分为两大分支clade A和clade B。它们广泛分布于自然环境和人工系统,包括土壤(稻田、森林)、淡水(湿地、河流、湖泊沉积物、蓄水层)、污水处理厂和自来水厂等。本文综述了Comammox的发现及其最新的研究进展,并展望了Comammox作为氮循环关键功能菌群的研究方向和应用前景。     

Distribution of Coenzyme Q Homologues in Brain

Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q₁₀), in addition to its function as an electron and proton carrier in mitochondrial electron transport coupled to ATP synthesis, acts in its reduced form (ubiquinol) as an antioxidant, inhibiting lipid peroxidation in biological membranes and protecting mitochondrial inner-membrane proteins and DNA against oxidative damage accompanying lipid peroxidation. Tissue ubiquinone levels are subject to regulation by physiological factors that are related to the oxidative activity of the organism: they increase under the influence of oxidative stress, e.g. physical exercise, cold adaptation, thyroid hormone treatment, and decrease during aging. In the present study, coenzyme Q homologues were separated and quantified in the brains of mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens using high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the coenzyme Q homologues were measured in cells such as NG-108, PC-12, rat fetal brain cells and human SHSY-5Y and monocytes. In general, Q₁ content was the lowest among the coenzyme homologues quantified in the brain. Q₉ was not detectable in the brains of chickens and rabbits, but was present in the brains of rats and mice. Q₉ was also not detected in human cell lines SHSY-5Y and monocytes. Q₁₀ was detected in the brains of mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens and in cell lines. Since both coenzyme Q and vitamin E are antioxidants, and coenzyme Q recycles vitamins E and C, vitamin E was also quantified in mice brain using HPLC-electrochemical detector (ECD). The quantity of vitamin E was lowest in the substantia nigra compared with the other brain regions. This finding is crucial in elucidating ubiquinone function in bioenergetics; in preventing free radical generation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in the brain; and as a potential compound in treating various neurodegenerative disorders.     

CARD-FISH研究食细菌线虫对氨氧化细菌（AOB）数量的影响

土壤动物与微生物的取食与反馈之间的关系是土壤生态学研究的核心内容之一。通过接种原位的食细菌线虫和微生物群落模拟土壤真实环境,采用CARD-FISH方法来观察食细菌线虫的不同取食密度下,氨氧化细菌(ammonia oxidizing bacteria)数量的动态变化,以揭示土壤食细菌线虫对AOB数量的影响及AOB的反馈强度。结果表明:与单独接种细菌的处理(SB)相比,接种食细菌线虫显著地增加了土壤中AOB的数量,3个不同线虫接种密度处理中AOB数量表现为接种20条g-1干土的处理(SBN20)接种10条g-1干土的处理(SBN10)接种40条g-1干土的处理(SBN40)。由于过度取食,SBN40处理中AOB的数量在培养了14d后低于SB处理,且在第28天时显著低于SB处理。接种食细菌线虫显著增加了土壤中NH4+-N和NO3-N的含量,表明食细菌线虫促进了N的矿化和硝化作用。矿化作用增强使得硝化作用的底物NH4+-N显著增加可能是AOB数量显著增多的重要原因之一。     

Dietary Coenzyme Q10 Suppressed Hepatic Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Activity in Laying Hens

The effects of dietary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on cholesterol metabolism in laying hens were investigated. Dietary CoQ10 significantly reduced egg yolk cholesterol content and suppressed hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) activity. It is therefore likely that CoQ10 acts as an HMGR inhibitor in the livers of laying hens, which in turn results in a reduction in egg-yolk cholesterol.     

Inhibitory effect of iron‐oxidizing bacteria on ferrous‐promoted chalcopyrite leaching

It is generally accepted that iron‐oxidizing bacteria, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, enhance chalcopyrite leaching. However, this article details a case of the bacteria suppressing chalcopyrite leaching. Bacterial leaching experiments were performed with sulfuric acid solutions containing 0 or 0.04 mol/dm³ ferrous sulfate. Without ferrous sulfate, the bacteria enhance copper extraction and oxidation of ferrous ions released from chalcopyrite. However, the bacteria suppressed chalcopyrite leaching when ferrous sulfate was added. This is mainly due to the bacterial consumption of ferrous ions which act as a promoter for chalcopyrite oxidation with dissolved oxygen. Coprecipitation of copper ions with jarosite formed by the bacterial ferrous oxidation also causes the bacterial suppression of copper extraction. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 64: 478–483, 1999.     

Evaluating four mathematical models for nitrous oxide production by autotrophic ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria

There is increasing evidence showing that ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are major contributors to N₂O emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Although the fundamental metabolic pathways for N₂O production by AOB are now coming to light, the mechanisms responsible for N₂O production by AOB in WWTP are not fully understood. Mathematical modeling provides a means for testing hypotheses related to mechanisms and triggers for N₂O emissions in WWTP, and can then also become a tool to support the development of mitigation strategies. This study examined the ability of four mathematical model structures to describe two distinct mechanisms of N₂O production by AOB. The production mechanisms evaluated are (1) N₂O as the final product of nitrifier denitrification with NO as the terminal electron acceptor and (2) N₂O as a byproduct of incomplete oxidation of hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) to NO. The four models were compared based on their ability to predict N₂O dynamics observed in three mixed culture studies. Short‐term batch experimental data were employed to examine model assumptions related to the effects of (1) NH concentration variations, (2) dissolved oxygen (DO) variations, (3) NO accumulations and (4) NH₂OH as an externally provided substrate. The modeling results demonstrate that all these models can generally describe the NH, NO, and NO data. However, none of these models were able to reproduce all measured N₂O data. The results suggest that both the denitrification and NH₂OH pathways may be involved in N₂O production and could be kinetically linked by a competition for intracellular reducing equivalents. A unified model capturing both mechanisms and their potential interactions needs to be developed with consideration of physiological complexity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 153–163. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

锰氧化细菌的生理生态功能与作用机制研究进展

锰的生物地球化学循环过程与全球尺度的营养元素循环紧密联系,是影响全球生态平衡及气候变化的重要因素之一。在自然界中,锰元素主要以氧化锰和含氧酸盐的矿物形式存在,近年来的研究观点普遍认为细菌介导的氧化作用是自然环境中锰氧化物形成的主要原因。锰氧化细菌广泛分布于海洋、锰矿土壤等生态系统,近期在植物微生态系统中也被发现,其生理生态功能未知。细菌的锰氧化过程是一个复杂的过程,多铜氧化酶和过氧化物(氢)酶是参与该过程的主要酶类,但关于其催化机制的认识尚不成熟。本综述系统探讨锰氧化细菌的种类和分布、细菌锰氧化作用的生理生态功能、参与细菌锰氧化作用的功能酶及其分子机制,总结这一研究领域所取得的成果和仍未解决的科学问题,并对今后的发展方向进行展望。     

光合细菌Rhodopseudomonas产氢的影响因子实验研究

利用光合细菌Rhodopseudomonas 8株菌株研究初期活性、光照强度、C源种类、菌株差异对生物产氢的影响表明 ,不同菌株的C源利用性有较大差异 ,但对乳酸钠都有很好的利用性 .细菌的初期活性对产氢有一定程度的影响 ,稳定生长期的细菌比对数生长期的细菌产氢活性略高 .光照强度对产氢活性的影响明显 ,在光饱和度以下 ,光照强度大则产氢速率高 .不同菌种的产氢性能有效大差异 ,从上海地区有机污染环境中分离到的RhodopseudomonasB2 1 菌株在以乳酸钠 ( 50mmol·L- 1 )为C源、谷氨酸钠 ( 1 0mol·L- 1 )为N源 ,60 0 0Lx光照、30℃下 ,最大产氢速率达到 1 4.7ml·h- 1 ·g- 1 细胞干重 .     

Relations Between Tocopherol Depletion and Coenzyme Q During Lipid Peroxidation in rat Liver Mitochondria

In order to evaluate different mitochondrial antioxidant systems, the depletion of alpha-tocopherol and the levels of the reduced and oxidized forms of CoQ were measured in rat liver mitochondria during Fe⁺⁺/ascorbate and NADPH/ADP/Fe⁺⁺ induced lipid peroxidation. During the induction phase of malondialdehyde formation, alpha-tocopherol declined moderately to about 80% of initial contents, whereas the total CoQ pool remained nearly unchanged, but reduced CoQ9 continuously declined. At the start of massive malondialdehyde formation, CoQ9 reaches its fully oxidized state. At the same time alpha-tocopherol starts to decline steeply, but never becomes fully exhausted in both experimental systems. Evidently the oxidation of the CoQ9 pool constitutes a prerequisite for the onset of massive lipid peroxidation in mitochondria and for the subsequent depletion of alpha-tocopherol. Trapping of the GSH by addition of dinitrochlorbenzene (a substrate of the GSH transferase), results in a moderate acceleration of lipid peroxidation, but alpha-tocopherol and ubiquinol levels remained unchanged when compared with the controls. Addition of succinate to GSH depleted mitochondria effectively suppressed MDA formation as well as alpha-tocopherol and ubiquinol depletion. The data support the assumption that the protective effect of respiratory substrates against lipid peroxidation in the absence of mitochondrial GSH is mediated by the regeneration of the lipid soluble antioxidants CoQ and alpha-tocopherol.     

Relations Between Tocopherol Depletion and Coenzyme Q During Lipid Peroxidation in rat Liver Mitochondria

In order to evaluate different mitochondrial antioxidant systems, the depletion of alpha-tocopherol and the levels of the reduced and oxidized forms of CoQ were measured in rat liver mitochondria during Fe⁺⁺/ascorbate and NADPH/ADP/Fe⁺⁺ induced lipid peroxidation. During the induction phase of malondialdehyde formation, alpha-tocopherol declined moderately to about 80% of initial contents, whereas the total CoQ pool remained nearly unchanged, but reduced CoQ9 continuously declined. At the start of massive malondialdehyde formation, CoQ9 reaches its fully oxidized state. At the same time alpha-tocopherol starts to decline steeply, but never becomes fully exhausted in both experimental systems. Evidently the oxidation of the CoQ9 pool constitutes a prerequisite for the onset of massive lipid peroxidation in mitochondria and for the subsequent depletion of alpha-tocopherol. Trapping of the GSH by addition of dinitrochlorbenzene (a substrate of the GSH transferase), results in a moderate acceleration of lipid peroxidation, but alpha-tocopherol and ubiquinol levels remained unchanged when compared with the controls. Addition of succinate to GSH depleted mitochondria effectively suppressed MDA formation as well as alpha-tocopherol and ubiquinol depletion. The data support the assumption that the protective effect of respiratory substrates against lipid peroxidation in the absence of mitochondrial GSH is mediated by the regeneration of the lipid soluble antioxidants CoQ and alpha-tocopherol.     

Coenzyme Q10 production in plants: current status and future prospects

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or Ubiquinone10 (UQ10), an isoprenylated benzoquinone, is well-known for its role as an electron carrier in aerobic respiration. It is a sole representative of lipid soluble antioxidant that is synthesized in our body. In recent years, it has been found to be associated with a range of patho-physiological conditions and its oral administration has also reported to be of therapeutic value in a wide spectrum of chronic diseases. Additionally, as an antioxidant, it has been widely used as an ingredient in dietary supplements, neutraceuticals, and functional foods as well as in anti-aging creams. Since its limited dietary uptake and decrease in its endogenous synthesis in the body with age and under various diseases states warrants its adequate supply from an external source. To meet its growing demand for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, there is a great interest in the commercial production of CoQ10. Various synthetic and fermentation of microbial natural producers and their mutated strains have been developed for its commercial production. Although, microbial production is the major industrial source of CoQ10 but due to low yield and high production cost, other cost-effective and alternative sources need to be explored. Plants, being photosynthetic, producing high biomass and the engineering of pathways for producing CoQ10 directly in food crops will eliminate the additional step for purification and thus could be used as an ideal and cost-effective alternative to chemical synthesis and microbial production of CoQ10. A better understanding of CoQ10 biosynthetic enzymes and their regulation in model systems like E. coli and yeast has led to the use of metabolic engineering to enhance CoQ10 production not only in microbes but also in plants. The plant-based CoQ10 production has emerged as a cost-effective and environment-friendly approach capable of supplying CoQ10 in ample amounts. The current strategies, progress and constraints of CoQ10 production in plants are discussed in this review.     

Sulphate respiration from hydrogen in Desulfovibrio bacteria: a structural biology overview

Sulphate-reducing organisms are widespread in anaerobic enviroments, including the gastrointestinal tract of man and other animals. The study of these bacteria has attracted much attention over the years, due also to the fact that they can have important implications in industry (in biocorrosion and souring of oil and gas deposits), health (in inflamatory bowel diseases) and the environment (bioremediation). The characterization of the various components of the electron transport chain associated with the hydrogen metabolism in Desulfovibrio has generated a large and comprehensive list of studies. This review summarizes the more relevant aspects of the current information available on the structural data of various molecules associated with hydrogen metabolism, namely hydrogenases and cytochromes. The transmembrane redox complexes known to date are also described and discussed. Redox-Bohr and cooperativity effects, observed in a few cytochromes, and believed to be important for their functional role, are discussed. Kinetic studies performed with these redox proteins, showing clues to their functional inter-relationship, are also addressed. These provide the groundwork for the application of a variety of molecular modelling approaches to understanding electron transfer and protein interactions among redox partners, leading to the characterization of several transient periplasmic complexes. In contrast to the detailed understanding of the periplasmic hydrogen oxidation process, very little is known about the cytoplasmic side of the respiratory electron transfer chain, in terms of molecular components (with exception of the terminal reductases), their structure and the protein–protein interactions involved in sulphate reduction. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the sulphate respiratory chain in Desulfovibrio remains a challenging task.     

施氮肥对华北平原土壤氨氧化细菌和古菌数量及群落结构的影响

利用荧光定量PCR、末端限制性片段长度多样性(T-RFLP)和基因克隆文库技术,比较了4种施氮水平(不施氮肥,0 kg N/hm~2,CK;施低水平氮肥,75 kg N/hm~2,N1;施中水平氮肥,150 kg N/hm~2,N2;施高水平氮肥,225 kg N/hm~2,N3)下华北平原地区小麦季表层(0—20 cm)土壤总细菌、氨氧化细菌(AOB)和氨氧化古菌(AOA)的丰度和群落结构。结果表明,土壤总细菌、AOB和AOA数量分别在每克干土5.74×10~9—7.50×10~9、8.89×10~6—2.66×10~7和3.83×10~8—7.78×10~8之间。不同施氮量土壤AOA数量均高于AOB数量,AOA/AOB值在81.72—14.38之间。增施氮肥显著显著提高AOB数量(P0.05),对总细菌和AOA数量的影响不显著(P0.05)。与CK相比,处理N1、N2和N3中AOB数量分别提高了0.64、1.50和1.99倍。增施氮肥显著改变了AOB和AOA的群落结构,且不同施氮量处理中AOB群落结构差异更大。系统进化分析显示,施氮肥小麦土壤AOB主要为Nitrosospira属类群,分布在Cluster 3的两个分支中;AOA分布在Cluster S的4个分支中。相关性分析显示,AOB数量与全氮和铵态氮含量呈显著正相关关系,与土壤pH和碳氮比呈显著负相关关系(P0.05);AOA数量与硝态氮含量和土壤pH呈显著正相关关系,与铵态氮含量呈显著负相关关系(P0.05)。研究结果表明:增施氮肥可显著改变华北平原地区碱性土壤AOB数量与群落结构,该地区小麦土壤中AOB比AOA对氮肥响应更敏感。