Principles and biotechnological applications of bacterial ice nucleation.

Certain aerobic, Gram-negative bacteria, including the epiphytic plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae, possess a membrane protein that enables them to nucleate crystallization in supercooled water. Currently, these ice-nucleating (IN) bacteria are being used in snow making and have potential applications in the production and texturing of frozen foods, and as a replacement of silver iodide in cloud seeding. A negative aspect of these IN bacteria is frost damage to plant surfaces. Thus, of the various types of biological ice nucleators, bacteria have been the subject of most research and also appear relevant to the anticipated practical uses. The intent of this review is to explain the identification and ecology of the ice-nucleating bacteria, as well as to discuss aspects of molecular biology related to ice nucleation and consider existing and potential applications of this unique phenomenon.     

Screening of plant resources with anti-ice nucleation activity for frost damage prevention

Previous studies have shown that some polyphenols have anti-ice nucleation activity (anti-INA) against ice-nucleating bacteria that contribute to frost damage. In the present study, leaf disk freezing assay, a test of in vitro application to plant leaves, was performed for the screening of anti-INA, which inhibits the ice nucleation activity of an ice-nucleating bacterium Erwinia ananas in water droplets on the leaf surfaces. The application of polyphenols with anti-INA, kaempferol 7-O-β-glucoside and (–)-epigallocatechin gallate, to the leaf disk freezing assay by cooling at ?4–?6 °C for 3 h, revealed that both the compounds showed anti-INAs against E. ananas in water droplets on the leaf surfaces. Further, this assay also revealed that the extracts of five plant leaves showed high anti-INA against E. ananas in water droplets on leaf surfaces, indicating that they are the candidate resources to protect crops from frost damage.     

Perturbation of bacterial ice nucleation activity by a grass antifreeze protein

Certain plant-associating bacteria produce ice nucleation proteins (INPs) which allow the crystallization of water at high subzero temperatures. Many of these microbes are considered plant pathogens since the formed ice can damage tissues, allowing access to nutrients. Intriguingly, certain plants that host these bacteria synthesize antifreeze proteins (AFPs). Once freezing has occurred, plant AFPs likely function to inhibit the growth of large damaging ice crystals. However, we postulated that such AFPs might also serve as defensive mechanisms against bacterial-mediated ice nucleation. Recombinant AFP derived from the perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne (LpAFP) was combined with INP preparations originating from the grass epiphyte, Pseudomonas syringae. The presence of INPs had no effect on AFP activity, including thermal hysteresis and ice recrystallization inhibition. Strikingly, the ice nucleation point of the INP was depressed up to 1.9 °C in the presence of LpAFP, but a recombinant fish AFP did not lower the INP-imposed freezing point. Assays with mutant LpAFPs and the visualization of bacterially-displayed fluorescent plant AFP suggest that INP and LpAFP can interact. Thus, we postulate that in addition to controlling ice growth, plant AFPs may also function as a defensive strategy against the damaging effects of ice-nucleating bacteria.     

Isolation and identification of an ice-nucleating bacterium from the gills of the intertidal bivalve mollusc Geukensia demissa

In the fall, freeze tolerant intertidal invertebrates usually produce ice-nucleating proteins that are secreted into the hemolymph. These proteins help protect against freeze damage by insuring that ice formation is limited to extracellular spaces. Geukensia demissa, a freeze tolerant, salt marsh bivalve mollusc was examined for the presence of ice nucleating proteins. The ice-nucleating temperature (INT) of the hemolymph was not significantly different from artificial seawater of the same salinity indicating the lack of an ice nucleating protein in the hemolymph. The palial fluid did have an elevated INT, indicating the presence of an ice nucleator. The INT of the palial fluid was significantly reduced by boiling and filtration through a 0.45-&mgr;m filter. High INT was also observed in the seawater associated with the bivalves, and was demonstrated in water samples collected from salt marshes but not sand and pebble beaches. Moreover, the INT of water samples collected from a salt marsh decreased in the summer. All of these data suggest that the ice-nucleating agents in the hemolymph and the seawater are ice-nucleating bacteria. One species of ice-nucleating bacteria, Pseudomonas fulva was isolated from the gills of Geukensia. These bacteria could perform the same function as hemolymph ice-nucleating proteins by limiting ice formation to extracellular compartments.     

Properties of a Novel Extracellular Cell-free Ice Nuclei from Ice-nucleating Pseudomonas antarctica IN-74

Some ice-nucleating bacterial strains, including Pantoea ananatis (Erwinia uredovora), Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas syringae isolates, were examined for the ability to shed ice nuclei into the growth medium. A novel ice-nucleating bacterium, Pseudomonas antarctica IN-74, was isolated from Ross Island, Antarctica. Cell-free ice nuclei from P. antarctica IN-74 were different from the conventional cell-free ice nuclei and showed a unique characterization. Cell-free ice nuclei were purified by centrifugation, filtration (0.45 μm), ultrafiltration, and gel filtration. In an ice-nucleating medium in 1 liter of cell culture, maximum growth was obtained with the production of 1.9 mg of cell-free ice nuclei. Ice nucleation activity in these cell-free ice nuclei preparations was extremely sensitive to pH. It was demonstrated that the components of cell-free ice nuclei were protein (33%), saccharide (12%), and lipid (55%), indicating that cell-free ice nuclei were lipoglycoproteins. Also, carbohydrate and lipid stains showed that cell-free ice nuclei contained both carbohydrate and lipid moieties.     

三株固氮类芽孢杆菌的特点及其对中国青菜的产量和土壤酶活性的影响

【目的】本研究分析三株固氮菌PGPR性状特征及其对中国青菜产量和土壤酶活的影响。【方法】氮(N)-修复(固氮)细菌被认为是一种能够促进植物生长和增产的施氮方式。在本研究中,我们用无氮培养基分离出了30株根际固氮细菌:11株来自小麦根际,16株来自中国青菜根际和3株来自莲花根际。基于16S r DNA序列分析,对小麦、中国青菜和莲花等植物根际中属于类芽孢杆菌属的主要固氮细菌进行研究。【结果】本研究从这30株固氮菌中筛选出三株属于类芽孢杆菌属(Paenibacillus)的细菌,分别命名为P-4、W-7和L-3,它们的固氮酶活性不但高于对照组(圆褐固氮菌),而且可以有效抑制两种或三种植物病原菌的生长,即核盘菌(Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)、玉蜀黍赤霉(Gibberella zeae)和棉花黄萎病菌(Verticillium dahliae)。菌株W-7还具有溶解难溶磷的能力,中国青菜在接种菌株W-7和L-3后,其鲜重显著增加,同时改变了田间土壤蔗糖酶、磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶的活性;而接种了菌株P-4对植物的生长和酶活性没有显著的影响。【结论】土壤蔗糖酶、磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性与中国青菜的生物量呈正相关。同时,菌株W-7和L-3具有促进植物产量和提高土壤质量的良好潜力。     

Maintenance of the supercooled state in the gut fluid of overwintering pyrochroid beetle larvae, Dendroides canadensis : role of ice nucleators and antifreeze proteins

  The effect of gut fluid ice nucleators and antifreeze proteins on maintenance of supercooling was explored in fire-colored beetle larvae, Dendroides canadensis, via seasonal monitoring of supercooling points, antifreeze protein activity and ice nucleator activity of gut fluid and/or larvae. During cold hardening in the field, freeze-avoiding larvae evacuated their guts and depressed larval supercooling points. Analysis of gut fluid indicated supercooling points and ice nucleator activity decreased, whereas antifreeze protein activity increased as winter approached. Suspensions of bacteria isolated from guts of feeding larvae collected in spring/summer had higher supercooling points than those from midwinter-collected non-feeding larvae, suggesting bacterial ice nucleators are removed from midwinter gut fluid. The ice nucleation active bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens was isolated from gut fluid of feeding larvae but was absent in winter. When mixed with purified D.␣canadensis hemolymph antifreeze proteins (structurally similar and/or identical to those in gut fluid), the cumulative ice nucleus spectra of P. fluorescens suspensions were shifted to lower temperatures indicating an inhibitory effect on the bacteria's ice-nucleating phenotype. By extending larval supercooling capacity, both gut clearing and masking of bacterial ice nucleators by antifreeze proteins may contribute to overwintering survival in supercooled insects. Accepted: 8 August 1996     

Freeze Concentration of Some Foodstuffs Using Ice Nucleation-active Bacterial Cells Entrapped in Calcium Alginate Gel

Cells of an ice nucleation-active strain of Ermnia ananas were entrapped in calcium alginate to prepare an ice-nucleating gel usable as ice nuclei for freeze concentration. The ice-nucleating gel was also adjusted as to specific gravity. When it was placed at a desired position in a liquid material such as egg white, ice formed at this position as the material was cooled. It was possible to put the ice- nucleating gel in liquid foodstuffs such as egg white and lemon juice before their temperatures reached subzero points. Application of this method produced freeze-concentrated foods whose properties were not significantly deteriorated.     

Characterization of Bacterial Flora from Afşin–Elbistan Lignite Mine for Potential Microbial Biotech Applications

Abstract

The energy demand is enhancing day by day all over the world with the increasing of huge population. Lignite, a fossil fuel with low energy efficiency, is used in many different fields. However, lignite is primarily an energy source and its use without treatment causes environmental pollution as well as low energy efficiency. Advantages are known for the use of microorganisms in lignite processing technologies, and research is underway to improve this process. In this research designed to meet this need, isolation and characterization of bacteria with potential for use in biotechnological applications resistant to extreme conditions were performed from lignite mine. Turkey’s largest lignite mine bacterial flora have been identified for the first time in this study. In addition to lignite processing technologies, a bacterial strain collection has been created to be used in other biotechnological studies. This collection of bacteria includes Methylorubrum zatmanii, Streptomyces argenteolus, Streptomyces galilaeus, Pseudomonas mandelii, Paenarthrobacter aurescens, Paeniglutamicibacter sulfureus, Arthrobacter humicola, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus safensis, Kocuria polaris, Arthrobacter sp., Rhodococcus sp. This specific bacteria collection is open to sharing with other researchers who want to do field applications.     

烟草根际可培养微生物多样性及防病促生菌的筛选

[背景] 根际微生物在植物根部生态系统中扮演着重要角色,影响着植物的营养吸收和健康生长。[目的] 了解常年不发病烟田烤烟品种K326根际可培养微生物的多样性,筛选具有防病促生功能的菌株,为烟草病害绿色防控提供资源。[方法] 采用传统培养方法对烟草根际土壤中的细菌和真菌进行分离鉴定,评价菌株的促生特性及病原菌拮抗能力,并进一步验证典型菌株对盆栽烟苗的促生效果。[结果] 共获得261株微生物菌株,包括160株细菌和101株真菌。经分子鉴定,细菌中以变形菌门（Proteobacteria）和厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）为主要类群;真菌中以子囊菌门（Ascomycota）和毛霉菌门（Mucoromycota）为主要类群。在属水平上,细菌以假单胞菌属（Pseudomonas）和芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）为主,真菌以曲霉属（Aspergillus）和青霉属（Penicillium）为主。从不同种水平上进一步选择44株细菌为代表菌株,发现它们均具有不同程度的吲哚-3-乙酸（Indole-3-Acetic Acid,IAA）产生能力,9株能够溶解有机磷,16株能够溶解无机磷,13株产生铁载体,14株产生生1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸（1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate,ACC）脱氨酶。从160株细菌中筛选得到抑制青枯病菌和黑胫病菌的菌株数目分别为25、26株。经盆栽试验发现韩国假单胞菌（P. koreensis） HCH2-3、浅黄绿假单胞菌（P. lurida） FGD5-2和贝莱斯芽孢杆菌（B. velezensis） EM-1对烟苗呈现不同程度的促生作用,其中3株菌联合施加对烟苗的促生效果最明显。[结论] 烟草根际存在着丰富多样的具有防病促生潜力的微生物,并且合成菌群或功能互补的菌株联合施用是未来微生物菌剂研发的重要方向。     

Ice-nucleating activity of Pseudomonas syringae cultivated on a natural substrate; influence of phosphate

A novel kind of culture medium is used for the production Pseudomonas syringae with a high ice-nucleating activity. It is based on a natural substrate, wheat bran, which contains a relatively high proportion of phytate. The double salt of phytic acid is the precursor of a major component of the ice-nucleating site (myo-inositol). Experiments with the purified components show the positive effects on the ice-nucleating activity. The use of the wheat bran medium seems to be specifically efficient on class A bacteria, which is the most active type of P. syringae. We have shown that inorganic phosphate starvation during the preculture of P. syringae leads to higher ice-nucleating activity.     

Identification of a Compound in Chamaecyparis taiwanensis Inhibiting the Ice-nucleating Activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens KUIN-1

Inactivation of the ice-nucleating activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens KUIN-1 by compounds in the leaves from coniferous trees were investigated, and the inactivated material was identified. Intact cells of the strain KUIN-1 and the acetone or methanol extracts of leaves of various coniferous trees were allowed to react for 30 min at 18°C. Antinucleation compounds were obtained from Chamaecyparis taiwanensis. When the acetone extract from the leaves of coniferous trees was added to the cell suspension (about 10⁶ cells/ml) in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), the ice nucleating temperature, T₅₀, was significantly decreased (T₅₀<-5°C). This inhibitor was isolated by using TLC, then identified as hinokitiol based on UV-VIS, IR, and mass spectral data. When intact cells of the strain KUIN-1 were incubated with hinokitiol, limonene, and α-pinene of the principal constituent of the leaves of coniferous trees in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), the ice-nucleating activity decreased, but not in α-terpinene. Furthermore, the ice-nucleating activities from other ice-nucleating bacteria also decreased in the presence of hinokitiol. This inhibition was proportional to the concentration of hinokitinol. The pH and thermal stabilities of the ice-nucleating activity of the cells were changed by the addition of hinokitiol (10 mM).     

Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Ice-nucleating Bacterium,Pseudomonas sp. KUIN-4, Which Has Stable Activity in Acidic Solution

A novel ice-nucleating bacterium, KUIN-4 was isolated from a cherry leaf, which was unsusceptible to frost injury. Strain KUIN-4 was identified as Pseudomonas sp. from its characteristics and taxonomies; the optimum temperature and pH for its growth were 18°C and 4.5, respectively. When strain KUIN-4 was cultured aerobically in CYE medium (pH 4.5) for 48 h at 18°C, the ice-nucleating activities of strain KUIN-4 cells and culture broth (extracellular ice-nucleating matter) after removal of the cell were obtained. The ice-nucleating temperature, T₅₀ (°C), was indicated to be –2.8°C in cell suspensions (4.25 x 10⁷ cell/ml) of strain KUIN-4. Also, it had become apparent that the ice-nucleating activity involved class A, B, and C structures as judged by its freezing difference spectrum in D₂O versus H₂O. The ice-nucleating activity of this strain as well as other ice-nucleating bacteria was significantly decreased by heat treatment (40°C, 30 min). The ice-nucleating activity from this strain had unique features, which was stable under acidic conditions (pH 3.5–5.0) and was weakly inhibited by denaturants and protein-modifying reagents.     

西太平洋多金属结核区12个站位沉积物中可培养潜在腐殖质转化菌的多样性

【背景】海洋环境作为地球上最大的有机碳库贮藏着大量腐殖质,其中可能蕴藏着丰富的腐殖质转化菌。【目的】从深海沉积物环境中分离具有潜在腐殖质转化能力的细菌,为难降解天然有机多聚物的生物转化提供菌种资源。【方法】利用以腐殖质为唯一碳源的培养基,对西太平洋多金属结核区12个站位沉积物样品中的腐殖质转化菌进行富集培养和纯化,通过16S rRNA基因测序分析比对初步确定分离菌株的分类地位,并利用含苯胺蓝的培养基筛选潜在的腐殖质转化菌。【结果】从12个沉积物样品中共分离获得菌株276株,隶属于放线菌纲(Actinobacteria)、纤维粘网菌纲(Cytophagia)、黄杆菌纲(Flavobacteria)、 α变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria)和γ变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria)中的14个目37个属56个种(含1个潜在新属和2个新种),其中49个种呈现木质素修饰酶阳性。【结论】利用以腐殖质为唯一碳源和能源的培养基可以分离获得具有较高多样性的潜在腐殖质转化菌。     

Polyhydroxyalkanoates in Gram-positive bacteria: insights from the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis>

Gram-positive bacteria, notably Bacillus and Streptomyces, have been used extensively in industry. However, these microorganisms have not yet been exploited for the production of the biodegradable polymers, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Although PHAs have many potential applications, the cost of production means that medical applications are currently the main area of use. Gram-negative bacteria, currently the only commercial source of PHAs, have lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which co-purify with the PHAs and cause immunogenic reactions. On the other hand, Gram- positive bacteria lack LPS, a positive feature which justifies intensive investigation into their production of PHAs. This review summarizes currently available knowledge on PHA production by Gram- positive bacteria especially Bacillus and Streptomyces. We hope that this will form the basis of further research into developing either or both as a source of PHAs for medical applications.     

Determination of the Chemical Form of Fluorine in Tea Infusions by 19F-NMR

A novel marine ice-nucleating bacterium, KUIN-5, was isolated from a marine algae, Monostroma latissum. Strain KUIN-5 was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. from its characteristics and taxonomies; the optimum temperature and pH for its growth were 25°C and 6.0, respectively. When strain KUIN-5 was aerobically cultured in Carlucci-Pramer medium (pH 6.0) for 50 h at 25°C, the highest ice-nucleating activity of the cells among the media for marine bacteria was obtained, and the ice-nucleating temperature, T₅₀, was indicated to be ? 3.2°C. Also, the optimum concentration of NaCl for the growth in this medium, which was prepared with distilled water instead of seawater, was 2.0% (w/v) and then the ice-nucleating activity was inversely proportional to the NaCl concentration. Moreover, when strain KUIN-5 was cultured in Davis medium under optimum conditions, it produced insoluble polysaccharide (IPS) in the culture. The maximum amount of IPS production by strain KUIN-5 was 84.5 mg/ml of medium under optimum conditions. Therefore, this IPS was isolated and could be identified as cellulose, based on TLC or HPLC of the acid hydrolysate, and GC-MS of the acetylated polyalcohol prepared by periodate oxidation and Smith degradation of this polysaccharide. This is the first report of cellulose production by a marine ice-nucleating bacterium.     

薇甘菊根际可培养固氮菌和氨化细菌的分离鉴定与促生作用

【目的】固氮菌和氨化细菌是氮循环产生生物有效氮的关键起始环节,直接影响了外来入侵植物的生长速度和扩散进程。然而,关于典型入侵植物薇甘菊根际可培养固氮菌和氨化细菌的研究尚未见报道,这在很大程度上制约了我们对薇甘菊根际高效的氮素转化机制的深刻理解。【方法】采用传统平板涂布培养法对野外采集的薇甘菊根际土壤中的可培养固氮菌和氨化细菌进行了分离鉴定,并进行了接种验证实验。【结果】结果表明,入侵植物薇甘菊根际土壤中的固氮菌和氨化细菌的菌群密度显著高于两个本地伴生植物(火炭母和鸡屎藤),其固氮效率及有机氮矿化效率也优于2个本地种;系统发育分析表明：薇甘菊根际的固氮菌菌株归类于5个属,分别为伯克霍尔德氏菌属(Burkholderia)、肠杆菌属(Enterobacter)、植物杆菌属(Phytobacter)、新肠杆菌属(Kosakonia)和根瘤菌属(Rhizobium);氨化细菌归类于7个属,分别为沙雷氏菌属(Serratia)、不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、博德特氏菌属(Bordetella)、寡养单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas)、苍...     

一株高效甘蔗内生固氮细菌GXS16的鉴定及其对甘蔗的促生长作用

[背景] 我国甘蔗生产中氮肥过量施用严重,导致生产成本居高不下,充分发挥甘蔗与内生固氮菌的联合固氮作用,减少氮肥施用量,对促进我国甘蔗产业可持续发展具有重要意义。[目的] 筛选优势甘蔗内生固氮菌,对其基本特性、联合固氮效率及促生长功能进行评价。[方法] 从甘蔗根系分离到一株内生固氮菌GXS16,利用乙炔还原法测定固氮酶活性,通过PCR扩增nifH基因确定菌株为固氮菌;通过形态观察、Biolog检测和16S rRNA基因序列分析等对菌株进行分类;通过接种盆栽甘蔗检测菌株的促生长作用,采用¹⁵N同位素稀释法检测菌株相对固氮效率。[结果] 菌株GXS16固氮酶活性为2.42μmol-C₂H₄/（h·mL）,根据菌株培养性状和菌体形态观察、Biolog检测、16S rRNA、nifH、acdS基因序列分析结果,菌株GXS16属于伯克氏菌属（Burkholderia）;菌株GXS16还具有1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸脱氨酶（1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Deaminase,ACC）活性及合成生长素吲哚乙酸（Indoleacetic Acid,IAA）、降解无机磷的功能;接种GXS16处理甘蔗植株的株高比对照增长15%以上,干重增长20%以上,¹⁵N同位素测定显示甘蔗根、茎、叶从空气中获得氮的百分比分别为7.69%、15.64%和8.72%,效率显著优于模式菌株G.diazotrophicus PAL5。[结论] Burkholderia sp.GXS16是一株高效甘蔗内生固氮菌,具有良好应用前景。     

Bacteria associated with yellow lupine grown on a metal‐contaminated soil: in vitro screening and in vivo evaluation for their potential to enhance Cd phytoextraction

In order to stimulate selection for plant‐associated bacteria with the potential to improve Cd phytoextraction, yellow lupine plants were grown on a metal‐contaminated field soil. It was hypothesised that growing these plants on this contaminated soil, which is a source of bacteria possessing different traits to cope with Cd, could enhance colonisation of lupine with potential plant‐associated bacteria that could then be inoculated in Cd‐exposed plants to reduce Cd phytotoxicity and enhance Cd uptake. All cultivable bacteria from rhizosphere, root and stem were isolated and genotypically and phenotypically characterised. Many of the rhizobacteria and root endophytes produce siderophores, organic acids, indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) and aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, as well as being resistant to Cd and Zn. Most of the stem endophytes could produce organic acids (73.8%) and IAA (74.3%), however, only a minor fraction (up to 0.7%) were Cd or Zn resistant or could produce siderophores or ACC deaminase. A siderophore‐ and ACC deaminase‐producing, highly Cd‐resistant Rhizobium sp. from the rhizosphere, a siderophore‐, organic acid‐, IAA‐ and ACC deaminase‐producing highly Cd‐resistant Pseudomonas sp. colonising the roots, a highly Cd‐ and Zn‐resistant organic acid and IAA‐producing Clavibacter sp. present in the stem, and a consortium composed of these three strains were inoculated into non‐exposed and Cd‐exposed yellow lupine plants. Although all selected strains possessed promising in vitro characteristics to improve Cd phytoextraction, inoculation of none of the strains (i) reduced Cd phytotoxicity nor (ii) strongly affected plant Cd uptake. This work highlights that in vitro characterisation of bacteria is not sufficient to predict the in vivo behaviour of bacteria in interaction with their host plants.     

灰飞虱核心共生菌的鉴定

媒介昆虫的核心共生菌能被用作基因工程菌发挥抗病毒功能.灰飞虱是一种重要的农业害虫,其传播的水稻条纹病毒造成水稻的大面积减产甚至绝收.[目的]本研究对不同稻区及温室饲养的灰飞虱进行菌群组成分析并初步鉴定灰飞虱的核心共生菌.[方法]通过16SrDNA介导的二代测序技术,分析了 2018-2020年间采集自云南昆明、河南开封...