Malachite green agar,a new selective medium for Fusarium spp.

Malachite Green Agar 2.5 ppm (MGA 2.5) is a potent selective medium for isolation and enumeration of Fusarium spp. It has been tested with pure and mixed cultures as well as in naturally contaminated samples. The recoveries of Fusarium species in MGA 2.5 were the same as the recoveries obtained in Nash and Snyder medium. However, this medium is a more selective culture medium for Fusarium spp. than Nash and Snyder medium, because it does not allow the development of colonies belonging to other fungal genera. MGA 2.5 is simple to prepare and less hazardous than other Fusarium selective media containing pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

来自海洋的链霉菌抑菌活性与其培养条件的关系

研究培养条件对来自海洋的12株链霉菌抑菌活性的影响。结果表明,用海水（含3．5％NaCl）制备的高氏1号培养基（pH72）、22℃培养时,能表现抑菌活性的菌株数最多;但减少培养基的营养成分、改变氮源、NaCl浓度、pH和培养温度,部分菌株可表现新的抑菌活性,或使原有的抑菌活性有较大提高;新表现或提高的抑菌活性绝大部分都是针对革兰氏阳性菌和白色假丝酵母。本文结果提示在海洋放线菌抗生素产生菌的筛选中,应注意培养条件的选择。     

Effect of various growth media upon survival during storage of freeze-dried Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus durans

AIMS: The effects of three different growth media (MRS, M17 and Lee's) on survival during freeze-drying and subsequent storage of six strains of Enterococcus faecalis and two strains of E. durans were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Distinct Enterococcus spp. strains were grown on M17, MRS and Lee's broth, freeze-dried and stored at 20 degrees C in air under darkness. At regular intervals throughout storage, freeze-dried samples were rehydrated and then plated on M17 agar. CONCLUSIONS: A higher survival rate during storage of dried E. durans was obtained when growth occurred in MRS. The same effect was not observed, however, for the majority of E. faecalis strains, which clearly survived better in the dried state when this organism had been grown in M17 or Lee's medium. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The survival of the dried Enterococcus spp. tested during storage was shown to be strain-specific and dependent on the growth medium.     

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius with commercially available selective media

Aims: Commercially available selective media for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were tested for the detection and isolation of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). Methods and Results: Five different screening agars [mannitol salt agar with oxacillin and BD BBL? Chromagar? MRSA (BD Diagnostics); chromID? MRSA agar (bioMérieux); Oxacillin resistance screening agar base (ORSAB); and Brilliance MRSA agar (Oxoid)] were analysed for the detection of MRSP. Bacteria that may be isolated together with MRSP and may grow on the screening agars were included in the study to determine possible interference with the growth of MRSP. MRSP grew well on all selective media except on BD BBL? Chromagar? MRSA (BD Diagnostics) and chromID? MRSA agar (bioMérieux), on which a low to moderate growth rate was noted. Conclusions: ORSAB (Oxoid) and Brilliance MRSA agar (Oxoid) are most suitable for the detection and isolation of MRSP from clinical material. Significance and Impact of the Study: The importance of MRSP in veterinary medicine is increasing. Diagnostic systems are needed to detect MRSP carrier as soon as possible. This study provides information about selected MRSA screening agars for the detection of MRSP to the clinical microbiologists.     

傣药植物内生真菌的抑菌活性评价及发酵条件探索

从云南傣药植物中分离到180株内生真菌,选用9种培养基进行发酵。利用茄腐镰刀菌、尖孢镰刀菌、立枯丝核菌、玉米小斑病、稻梨孢菌等5种植物病原菌作为指示菌株,结合TLC检测对其发酵粗提物进行活性评价和化学多样性分析,以期寻找到具有开发潜力的活性菌株。研究结果表明活性菌株为36株,其中有7株菌活性好且产物多样性丰富。     

抗动物病原菌芽孢杆菌的筛选、初步鉴定和抗菌活性

从鸡肠道分离、挑选的18株芽孢杆菌经培养特征、形态观察、生理生化实验,初步被鉴定为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilus)、地衣芽孢杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis)、蜡状芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)、巨大芽孢杆菌(Bacillus megaterium)和凝结芽孢杆菌(Bacillus coagulans)。同时测定了它们对5种常见动物病原菌大肠杆菌(E.coli)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)、肠炎沙门氏菌(Salmonella typhimurium)、猪链球菌(Streptococcus suis)、奇异变形杆菌(Proteus mirabilis)的抑菌活性,其中有4株芽孢杆菌对5种病原菌都有抑制作用。还分别测定了它们产木聚糖酶(从0.895 U1到3.239 U1)和纤维素酶活性(分别为0.391 U2和0.465 U2)。结果表明,芽孢杆菌分离株BC17、BC32、BC106、BC228、BC247和BC261具有作为益生菌的开发潜力。     

荷叶离褶伞优良菌株筛选

以棉籽壳、木屑、玉米芯等为主料设计了10个栽培配方,研究不同配方下7株荷叶离褶伞的菌丝生长和出菇情况。结果表明,各菌株菌丝颜色以雪白色为主,在玉米芯为主料的配方上菌丝体生长优于以棉籽壳、木屑为主料的配方,但均无子实体形成;以棉籽壳为主料有利于子实体的形成,特别是棉子壳添加少量木屑、树叶、腐殖土、发酵料和小麦更利于子实体形成,菌株3001的出菇周期最短（108d）,产量最高（214.80g/袋）,各菌株出菇的顺序为3001、1035、1004和1013。因此,栽培料组分对荷叶离褶伞菌丝生长及子实体形成影响较大。     

Biochemical markers as a useful tool for the early identification of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense,race 1 resistance banana clones

Abstract

Panama disease of banana (Musa spp) caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense (FOC), is a serious constraint both to the commercial production of banana and cultivation for subsistence agriculture. Chemical control is not economically effective and is also hazardous to the environment and human health. Breeding for disease resistance is an alternative strategy, which leads to the development of resistance clones. Field evaluation is the most reliable method of screening for disease resistance, but it is demanding in terms of cost, manpower and space requirements. Another approach of screening hybrids at the sucker's stage (planting material) through biochemical markers has been found to be effective in early identification of resistant hybrids. The resistance mechanisms involving the role of phenol, PAL, oxidative enzymes like peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and PR-proteins like chitinase, β-1-3 glucanase were studied and they showed relatively higher activity in resistant hybrids than susceptible hybrids. Isozyme analysis of peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was also carried out in cultivars and hybrids, which revealed the induction of specific isoforms in the resistant hybrids upon challenge inoculation. This could be a useful tool for early identification of F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense resistance banana clones.     

Application of Plackett-Burman design and response surface methodology to achieve exponential growth for aggregated shipworm bacterium

Here we report the successful implementation of the Plackett-Burman multifactorial design to screen the limiting components for growth and subsequent use of the response surface methodology (RSM) to design a medium that supported exponential growth of the aggregated morphology of the shipworm bacterium, Teredinobacter turnirae. The results obtained with the help of Plackett-Burman design indicated limitations of three components in the growth medium, MnCl2.4H2O, Na2CO3, and K2HPO4. The concentrations of these three components were further optimized using RSM. By increasing the concentrations of the above-mentioned components by 4-fold, 12-fold, and 12-fold, respectively, it became possible to achieve exponential growth of the culture.     

Biofilm formation by Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes on plastic surface

AIMS: To investigate the biofilm formation by 122 Salmonella spp. and 48 Listeria monocytogenes strains on a plastic surface. METHODS: Quantification of biofilm formation was performed in brain heart infusion (BHI), trypcase soya broth (TSB), meat broth (MB) and 1/20 diluted trypcase soya broth (1/20-TSB) in plastic microtitre plates. RESULTS: All tested Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes strains produced biofilm in a suitable medium. However, the quantities of biofilm produced by Salmonella spp. were greater than those produced by tested L. monocytogenes strains. The nutrient content of the medium significantly influenced the quantity of produced biofilm. Diluted TSB was the most effective in promoting biofilm production by Salmonella spp., followed by TSB, while the least quantity of biofilm was formed in BHI and MB. L. monocytogenes produced the highest quantities of biofilm in BHI, followed by TSA, then MB, and the least quantities of biofilm were produced in 1/20-TSB. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonella spp. produces more biofilm in nutrient-poor medium, while L. monocytogenes produce more biofilm in nutrient-rich medium.     

A greenhouse technique to screen pigeonpea for resistance to Heterodera cajani*

Heterodera cajani is an important nematode pest of pigeonpea in India and a simple and reliable greenhouse procedure has been developed to screen pigeonpea genotypes for resistance to it. In pot experiments, white cysts of H. cajani were counted on the roots of the susceptible genotype ICPL 87 at 15, 30 and 45 days after seedling emergence in soils infested with different levels of H. cajani. The seedlings were rated for the number of white cysts per root system on a one (highly resistant, no cysts) to nine (highly susceptible, more than 30 cysts) scale. White cysts were not easy to see on wet roots but were clearly visible on slightly dried roots. Cyst counts and ratings were more uniform when roots of 30 day old seedlings were evaluated than when 15 or 45 day old seedlings were examined. Effects of different H. cajani infestation levels on the ratings were not significant although the use of higher inoculum densities (16 to 27 eggs and juveniles/cm³ soil) was effective in reducing variability. This procedure was used to screen 60 pigeonpea genotypes and all of them were rated seven or nine. Ten accessions of Atylosia spp. and Rhynchosia spp. were rated three.     

Production of yam microtubers using a temporary immersion system

Yam clones ‚Pacala Duclos’ and ‚Belep’ in temporary immersion system culture showed favourable results on shoot growth stage and in the development of microtubers in comparison with solid culture media. Cultures in temporary immersion systems in both clones obtained a higher microtuber number per plant, with greater fresh weight and diameter in comparison with solid culture media. Besides, 45 and 47% of microtubers greater than 3.0 gFW for ‚Belep’ and ‚Pacala Duclos’ clones respectively, were obtained. Those tubers may be planted without acclimatization and may be stored for a prolonged period of time.     

一种能同时富集沙门菌、大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的增菌培养基

研究设计出一种能同时富集培养沙门菌、大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的缓冲盐水肉汤(buffed saline broth,BSB),主要组分和含量为:蛋白胨10g、牛肉膏3g、磷酸氢二钠9g、磷酸二氢钾1.5g、添加剂50g、蒸馏水定容至1000mL,pH7.2。将1cfu/mL的上述3种菌同时分别接种到97mLBSB、蛋白缓冲水、乳糖肉汤、营养肉汤、大肠杆菌肉汤、氯化镁孔雀绿增菌液、7.5%氯化钠肉汤增菌培养基中,37℃增菌18h。结果表明BSB能使这3种菌以相对一致的速度增殖,分别达到106、106、107cfu/mL,并且多重PCR能同时分别扩增沙门菌invA基因284bp、大肠杆菌phoA基因622bp和金黄色葡萄球菌nuc基因484bp的特异性条带。相反,其他几种培养基则不能同时协调增殖上述3种菌。这些结果表明,BSB有较好的应用前景。     

高产精氨酸菌株选育及发酵培养基优化

利用改良阿须贝培养基筛选出4种产精氨酸的菌株,其菌落特征分别为白色链球状菌株,干白分散球状菌株,金黄色杆状菌株,粉红色球状菌株,对它们分别进行了产精氨酸发酵试验,利用分光光度计测定精氨酸含量,最终确定金黄色棒状菌株为生产精氨酸产量较高的菌株。通过单因素和正交设计试验,分别考察玉米浆、硫酸铵、尿素、葡萄糖对金黄色杆状菌株发酵产精氨酸的影响,结果表明最佳条件为:玉米浆浓度3%,硫酸铵浓度6%,尿素浓度0.3%,葡萄糖浓度13%,在此条件下,可获得精氨酸最大产量为368.9ug/mL,与初始发酵培养基条件下发酵相比精氨酸产量提高约300%。该研究为精氨酸菌株的筛选提供了一条新途径,也为所筛选的金黄色杆状菌后期的研究及进一步规模生产精氨酸提供了参考依据。     

Xenorhabdus nematophila YL001培养基筛选和培养条件优化

筛选得到一株昆虫病原线虫共生菌X.nematophilaYL001,进行了基础培养基的筛选及培养条件优化研究。结果表明最佳发酵条件为:初始pH 7.0,250 mL三角瓶装液25 mL,摇床转速220 r/min,培养温度28.0℃,接种量9.0%,在此条件下菌体生长量和抗菌活性分别达到23.28 g/L和30.00 mm,抑菌圈直径增大23.3%,细胞干重增加52.97%。     

不同培养基对放线菌TRM10325抑制群感效应活性的影响

检测不同培养基条件下,放线菌TRM10325发酵液抑制群感效应的活性,初步了解其活性稳定性,并为筛选最优发酵培养基提供实验依据。选取17种合成培养基、26种天然培养基发酵放线菌TRM10325,采用微孔板半定量法检测其对紫色素杆菌群感效应以及表皮葡萄球菌生物膜形成的抑制作用。不同配方的培养基对放线菌10325抑制群感效应活性的影响也不相同,其中Am6培养基抑制群感效应效果最佳。成分不同的培养基,明显影响微生物不同次级代谢产物的产生。同一微生物在不同培养基中发酵,其次生代谢产物的种类和含量变化很大。最终选定Am6培养基为最适发酵培养基。     

Screening for microbial trehalases: extracellular trehalases produced byFusarium species

Two hundred microorganisms comprising actinomycetes, bacteria, fungi and yeasts were screened for extracellular trehalases by their growth on trehalose in solid and liquid culture.Candida albicans, Gelasinospora retispora and four isolates belonging to the genusFusarium produced extracellular trehalases. The production of trehalase by theFusarium spp. was influenced by the nutrient composition of the medium and the carbon source; of the substrates examined starch produced the highest enzyme titre. Trehalase was an inducible enzyme and was repressed when theFusarium spp. were grown on glucose. The properties of the trehalases from two of theFusarium spp. (isolates MU-105 and TR-8) were typical of non-regulatory trehalases. Activity of several α-glucosidases, an amylase, an invertase and a cellobiase was also demonstrated when the two isolates were grown on trehalose.     

Evaluation of a new chromogenic agar medium for isolation and identification of Group B streptococci

AIMS: To evaluate a new chromogenic agar as a screening medium for the isolation of Group B streptococci from high vaginal swabs from pregnant women. METHODS AND RESULTS: The medium was evaluated with 195 high vaginal swabs referred for antenatal screening and compared with blood agar and Granada medium. The new chromogenic medium showed 100% sensitivity for the detection of Group B streptococci, and also showed a positive predictive value of 100%. Granada medium also showed excellent sensitivity and specificity and both media were superior to blood agar. CONCLUSIONS: The new chromogenic medium showed excellent performance for the detection of Group B streptococci from clinical samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first chromogenic medium described for the detection of Group B streptococci. The medium offers an effective and convenient alternative to conventional media, currently used in clinical laboratories.     

Relationship of in vitro and in planta screening: improving the selection process for biological control agents against Fusarium root rot in row crops

Fusarium root rot in row crops is typically managed by cultural practices and fungicide seed treatments. Biological control using microbial agents is another option but needs further development for improved disease management. Screening to identify biocontrol agents are crucial. However, relationships among the steps and how to improve the screening process are unresolved questions. Strains of Burkholderia (4), Bacillus (5) and Trichoderma (26) were studied in vitro against six Fusarium pathogens. All the bacteria and five selected Trichoderma strains were tested in planta in the greenhouse against diseases of Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium oxysporum. Burkholderia ambifaria C628, Bacillus simplex R180, and all Trichoderma isolates showed high reduction in disease levels in corn, soybean and wheat, ranging from 16 to 63%. Responses of the biocontrol agents during in vitro and in planta screening did not always correlate. In vitro and in planta tests should be considered independently in selecting biocontrol candidates.