Establishment of CTAB Turbidimetric method to determine hyaluronic acid content in fermentation broth

The characters of visible spectra on the formation of turbidity between hyaluronic acid (HA) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were investigated. The effects of reaction time and temperature on the formation of turbidity were also explored. Consequently, CTAB Turbidimetric method (CTM), a quick and safe method to determine HA content in large batch fermentation broth samples, was established. CTM and Bitter–Muir method (BMM) were respectively applied to measure HA content and were thoroughly compared. The results indicate that CTM was superior to BMM in terms of accuracy, precision and sensitivity. CTM is a promising alternative to BMM to determine HA content in fermentation broth.     

An ATP Bioluminescence Assay Applicable to Rapid Fluconazole Susceptibility Testing of Dermatophytes

An ATP bioluminescence assay as a rapid reference method for fluconazole (FLCZ) susceptibility testing of dermatophytes, as well as yeasts, was developed and evaluated by comparing it with viability, turbidity and fungal protein content-based conventional methods. FLCZ susceptibility results obtained with strains of Candida albicans and dermatophytes by the bioluminescence method in high-resolution medium were well correlated with those obtained by conventional methods currently used in clinical microbiology laboratories or reported previously, including a broth dilution method by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Thus, ATP bioluminescence assay can be used to monitor fungal growth in liquid culture media. The procedure has considerable potential for the rapid testing of FLCZ susceptibility of dermatophytes and other fungi.     

构建无抗性标记双拷贝透明质酸合成酶基因工程菌

【目的】探讨一种构建无抗生素选择标记链球菌透明质酸合成酶基因工程菌的方法。【方法】PCR扩增链球菌透明质酸合成酶操纵子hasABC基因,用温度敏感载体pJR700构建携带hasABC基因重组质粒pXL32;电转化pXL32质粒到马链球菌兽疫亚种感受态细胞,卡那霉素(Kanamycin,kan)平板37℃培养筛选重组子,在不含kan液体培养基中30℃传代,37℃平板分离挑取抗生素敏感菌落,RT-PCR检测工程菌染色体hasABC基因表达,Bitter-Muir法测定菌体透明质酸含量。【结果】在无抗生素选择压力条件下,获得透明质酸产率提高34%的马链球菌兽疫亚种透明质酸合成酶基因工程菌。【结论】用pJR700温度敏感载体系统,构建能提高透明质酸产量的无抗生素选择标记的基因工程菌是可行的。     

Formation of mixed spheroids by a coculture of human cancerous and fibroblast cells

The coculture of fibroblasts with cancerous cells under the conditions which lead to spheroid formation, allowed the obtention of spheroids composed of a fibroblastic core surrounded by cancerous cells. The fibroblast core was labelled by hyaluronic acid and hyaluronectin. Hyaluronic acid concentration was also measured by enzymoimmunological assay in culture medium where it was found to accumulate during spheroid growth. The composite spheroid technique is a good model system for analysis of cancer cells-fibroblasts interaction in vitro.     

Control of glucose feeding using exit gas data and its application to the production of PHB from tapioca hydrolysate byAlcaligenes eutrophus

Summary A method to estimate the glucose concentration in the culture broth using CO₂ evolution rate (CER) data from a mass spectrometer was developed.Alcaligenes eutrophus was cultivated to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) from tapioca hydrolysate using this method. Thek value (g glucose/mol CO₂), defined as the glucose consumption per CO₂ evolution, decreased with culture time and was automatically changed using CER data. The glucose concentration in the culture broth could be controlled at 10 to 20 g/L. A final cell concentration of 106 g/L, PHB concentration of 61 g/L. and PHB content of 58 % of dry cell weight were obtained after 59 h of cultivation.     

A rapid method for separation and assay of radiolabeled mucopolysaccharides from cell culture medium

A method is described for the separation and assay of radiolabeled glycosaminoglycuronans (GAGs) from cell culture medium. Following papain digestion and precipitation with cetylpyridinium chloride onto cellulose ester filter membrane, hyaluronic acid can be separated from sulfated GAGs by selective elution with HCl.     

基于pH的反馈补料方法在谷氨酸发酵中的应用

为简化谷氨酸发酵补料工艺,提出了一种新型的基于pH的补料方式。考察谷氨酸发酵过程中氨消耗量 (x) 和糖消耗量 (y) 发现,两者之间存在较好的线性关系 (y=7.4744x,R2=0.9989),以此为pH反馈补料工艺中补料液中葡萄糖与氨的混合比例,能较好地将谷氨酸发酵过程中葡萄糖浓度稳定在12~21 g/L。比较恒定葡萄糖浓度补料工艺与pH反馈补料工艺发现,采用pH反馈补料工艺进行发酵,葡萄糖转化率、谷氨酸产酸速率分别提高了9.06％和17.5％左右,同时发酵周期缩短2 h以上。     

复合透明质酸微针制剂的制备及优化

目的:考察透明质酸复合微针的制备方法,并选择形态粘度适宜的高分子溶液制备透明质酸微针。方法:测定不同浓度透明质酸溶液的粘度,确定适宜制备微针的溶液浓度。利用聚乙烯醇反复冷冻-解冻的物理交联方法制备透明质酸复合微针,并加入其他辅料考察微针针形的优劣。利用高效液相色谱法考察优化后透明质酸微针的体外释放行为。结果:10%透明质酸溶液适宜用抽真空法制备微针,聚乙烯醇优化后的透明质酸微针柔韧性更佳,刚性减小,易于揭膜。微针针形良好,不易断裂。体外释放实验中显示有缓释效果,8小时内可释放40%的理论载药量。结论:通过加入聚乙烯醇等生物相容性良好的辅料制备透明质酸微针,既具有良好的物理性能,又有较好的释放行为,优于目前文献报道的纯透明质酸微针的性能,可继续优化处方,具有更进一步研究的价值。     

A colorimetric method for the quantitation of uronic acids and a specific assay for galacturonic acid.

A method of quantitating uronic acids and uronic acids from pectin in particular is described. The method uses carbazole in 80% sulfuric acid with borate ions added. The assay is carried out at 60 degrees C. This assay has some cross reactivity with aldose sugars and must be timed precisely. A further method that is specific for galacturonic acid is also described. This method uses concentrated sulfuric acid and carbazole only. Of the biological substances tested, only formaldehyde and glyceraldehyde showed a reactivity of more than 10% that of galacturonic acid on a weight to weight basis.     

Quantitation of heparosan with heparin lyase III and spectrophotometry

Heparosan is Escherichia coli K5 capsule polysaccharide, which is the key precursor for preparing bioengineered heparin. A rapid and effective quantitative method for detecting heparosan is important in the large-scale production of heparosan. Heparin lyase III (Hep III) effectively catalyzes the heparosan depolymerization, forming unsaturated disaccharides that are measurable using a spectrophotometer at 232 nm. We report a new method for the quantitative detection of heparosan with heparin lyase III and spectrophotometry that is safer and more specific than the traditional carbazole assay. In an optimized detection system, heparosan at a minimum concentration of 0.60 g/L in fermentation broth can be detected.     

Measurement of ethanol concentration using solvent extraction and dichromate oxidation and its application to bioethanol production process

A method for measuring the ethanol concentration in a yeast culture broth was developed using both microtubes and a 96-deepwell microplate. The strategy involved first the solvent extraction of ethanol from the yeast culture broth and measurements of the ethanol concentration using the dichromate oxidation method. Particular focus was made on selecting the extraction solvent as well as determining the measurable range of ethanol concentrations using this solvent extraction-dichromate oxidation method. This method was developed as an assay format in 2.0-ml microtubes and 1.2-ml 96-deepwell microplates, and the ethanol concentration in the batch cultures and fed-batch fermentations was measured. Tri-n-butyl phosphate [non-alcoholic solvent, density = 0.9727, solubility in water = 0.028% (w/v)] was used for solvent extraction when measuring the ethanol concentration from the yeast culture broth. The maximum detectable ethanol concentration was 8% (v/v) when 10 g potassium dichromate in 100 ml of 5 M sulfuric acid was used. The concentrations determined from the solvent extraction-dichromate oxidation methods were remarkably similar to those of gas chromatography in which samples were prepared from seven experiments, such as four batch cultures and three fed-batch fermentations.     

Semiautomated Method for Microbiological Vitamin Assays

A semiautomated method for microbiological vitamin assays is described, which includes separate automated systems for the preparation of the cultures and for the measurement of turbidity. In the dilution and dosage unit based on the continuous-flow principle, vitamin samples were diluted to two different dose levels at a rate of 40 per hr, mixed with the inoculated test broth, and dispensed into culture tubes. After incubation, racks with culture tubes were placed on the sampler of an automatic turbidimeter. This unit, based on the discrete-sample system, measured the turbidity and printed the extinction values at a rate of 300 per hr. Calculations were computerized and the results, including statistical data, are presented in an easily readable form. The automated method is in routine use for the assays of thiamine, riboflavine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, calcium pantothenate, nicotinic acid, pantothenol, and folic acid. Identical vitamin solutions assayed on different days gave variation coefficients for the various vitamin assays of less than 10%.     

Stable production of hyaluronic acid in Streptococcus zooepidemicus chemostats operated at high dilution rate

Hyaluronic acid is routinely produced through fermentation of both Group A and C streptococci. Despite significant production costs associated with short fermentations and removal of contaminating proteins released during entry into stationary phase, hyaluronic acid is typically produced in batch rather than continuous culture. The main reason is that hyaluronic acid synthesis has been found to be unstable in continuous culture except at very low dilution rates. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying this instability and developed a stable, high dilution rate (0.4 h-1) chemostat process for both chemically defined and complex media operating for more than 150 h of production. In chemically defined medium, the product yield was 25% higher in chemostat cultures than in conventional batch culture when arginine or glucose was the limiting substrate. In contrast, glutamine limitation resulted in higher ATP requirements and a yield similar to that observed in batch culture. In complex, glucose-limited medium, ATP requirements were greatly reduced but biomass synthesis was favored over hyaluronic acid and no improvement in hyaluronic acid yield was observed. The successful establishment of continuous culture at high dilution rate enables both commercial production at reduced cost and a more rational characterization and optimization of hyaluronic acid production in streptococci.     

Characterization of lysosomal-type hyaluronidase in the culture medium of 2 cell lines derived from human hepatomas

A sensitive assay for hyaluronidase was developed using as a substrate, hyaluronic acid insolubilized on polystyrene microtest plates. Hyaluronic acid was measured exploiting the fact that it can bind immune complexes made up with hyaluronectin and alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-hyaluronectin antibodies. Hyaluronidase was detected in both cell line culture media. Optimum pH was between 3.25 and 3.75. Sodium chloride dependence was absolute, and the optimum concentration of sodium chloride was between 0.2 and 0.3 M. The activity was not affected by dialysis, and was suppressed by a 5 minute heating at 50 degrees C or by protease treatment. The molecular weight was 68 K as determined by gel permeation chromatography. The results are close to those reported for human lysosomal hyaluronidase.     

Hyaluronic acid synthesis in articular cartilage: an inhibition by hydrogen peroxide

The synthesis of hyaluronic acid by bovine articular cartilage in culture was inhibited after treatment with xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine. Through the use of catalase, superoxide dismutase and the specific iron chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, the active species responsible for inhibition was shown to be hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide generated by glucose oxidase was also inhibitory. Some recovery of hyaluronic synthesis was evident after a further period of culturing. Proteoglycan synthesis was inhibited in parallel with hyaluronic acid synthesis.     

高效测定发酵液中透明质酸含量的改良CTAB浊度法

透明质酸（HA）在保健品、化妆品及临床医疗等领域都具有重要应用,发酵法是HA生产的主要方法。发酵液中HA含量的快速、准确测定对于HA的生产具有重要意义。在原始十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（CTAB）浊度法测量HA浓度的基础上,提出了去除HA与乙酸缓冲液混合后的水浴步骤、降低CTAB试剂浓度（2.5 g/L）以及确定HA-CTAB络合反应时间（5 min）的改良CTAB法。进一步研究了发酵液各成分对改良CTAB方法的干扰,结果表明,葡萄糖、阿拉伯糖、D 葡萄糖酸前体等对CTAB浊度法没有干扰,但Mg2+等具有较为明显的干扰。通过冰乙醇沉淀与改良CTAB浊度法的耦合,实现了发酵液中HA含量的高效测定。     

Growth and sporulation of Bacillus subtilis mutants blocked in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Two "ACE" mutants of Bacillus subtilis which require acetate for growth on glucose minimal medium have been isolated. They do not grow with acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, fatty acids, isoleucine, lipoic acid, malic acid, pyruvic acid, succinic acid, thiamine, or valine, but respond somewhat to glutamate or citrate. The mutants lack the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex; they excrete pyruvate and later acetoin. They grow in nutrient sporulation medium (NSMP) to one-half the normal turbidity and do not sporulate subsequently. When acetate is added to NSMP (at the optimal concentration of 0.07 m), the ACE mutants grow to the normal turbidity and then sporulate normally. Growth but not sporulation is restored in NSMP upon addition of 2,3-butanediol, citrate, glucose, glutamate, glycerol, or ribose, but not upon addition of acetoin, malate, oxaloacetate, pyruvate, and several other compounds. After growth in NSMP has stopped, the mutants incorporate uracil only at a very low rate, which can be increased by the addition of acetate, citrate, or glutamate. Furthermore, the metabolism of acetoin is prevented after growth has stopped but can be restored by the addition of acetate. All these results can be explained by a lack of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) resulting from the deficiency in acetylcoenzyme A. In fact, after growth of the ACE mutants had stopped, the NADH concentration was at the borderline of measurability, whereas it increased significantly upon addition of glucose. The growing standard strain contains, at the same bacterial turbidity, at least 20 times more NADH (230 pmole/optical density unit at 600 nm) than the nongrowing ACE mutants. The isolated spores, obtained after growth in NSMP plus acetate, can be initiated to germinate in the presence of either l-alanine or the combination of l-asparagine, fructose, glucose, and potassium; addition of acetate is not required and has no effect.     

The control of glucose concentration during yeast fed-batch cultivation using a fast measurement complemented by an extended Kalman filter

In this contribution results are presented from the control of glucose during a yeast fed-batch cultivation. For glucose measurements a special flow injection analysis (FIA) system was employed, which uses a glucose oxidase solution instead of immobilized enzymes. To avoid the large delay time caused by probing systems samples containing cells, i.e., samples containing the ordinary culture broth, are injected into the FIA system. Based on a special evaluation method the glucose concentration can be measured with a delay time of about 60 s. Employing an extended Kalman filter, the biomass, the glucose concentration as well as the w_max (Monod model) are estimated. Based on the estimation a feed forward and a PI-control with a set point of 0.5 g/l was carried out. The mean deviation of the set point and the estimated value as well as the set point and the measured value were 0.05 and 0.11 g/l respectively for a control period of 8 h producing a cell dry mass of more than 6 g/l.     

Quantitative continuous assay for hyaluronan synthase

A rapid, continuous, and convenient three-enzyme coupled UV absorption assay was developed to quantitate the glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine transferase activities of hyaluronan synthase from Pasteurella multocida (PmHAS). Activity was measured by coupling the UDP produced from the PmHAS-catalyzed transfer of UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-GlcUA to a hyaluronic acid tetrasaccharide primer with the oxidation of NADH. Using a fluorescently labeled primer, the products were characterized by gel electrophoresis. Our results show that a truncated soluble form of recombinant PmHAS (residues 1-703) can catalyze the glycosyl transfers in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The assay can be used to determine kinetic parameters, inhibition constants, and mechanistic aspects of this enzyme. In addition, it can be used to quantify PmHAS during purification of the enzyme from culture media.