Bacterial Communities in Bangladesh Aquifers Differing in Aqueous Arsenic Concentration

At Titas, Bangladesh, two aquifers of different arsenic concentrations and redox conditions were investigated to link variations in geochemistry to in situ bacterial diversity characterized by T-RFLP (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism) and clone library analysis. While the shallow aquifer was characterized by reduced gray sediments with a higher share of easily mobilized sedimentary arsenic (2.6% was easily mobilized from 18 mg/kg of total arsenic available in sediments) and higher aqueous arsenic concentrations of 120 ± 6 μg/L (45% arsenite), the deeper aquifer consisted of brown oxidized sediments with lower aqueous arsenic concentrations, predominantly as arsenate (60 ± 6 μg/L; 3% arsenite) and a higher share of tightly bound arsenic (only 0.6% of 53 mg/kg total sorbed arsenic was easily mobilized). The bacterial communities of both aquifers were dominated by putative aerobic or denitrifying populations of Pseudomonas, Elizabethkingia and Pantoea. The shallow aquifer was more diverse in bacterial populations of aerobic, facultative and anaerobic bacteria, an observation which may be correlated to more variable geochemical conditions resulting in arsenic mobilization and re-sorption. The deeper aquifer showed higher abundance of aerobic bacterial populations including the presence of iron-oxidizing Sideroxydans possibly of importance for the sorption of arsenic on oxidized iron hydroxides. From the arsenic-affected shallow aquifer, As(III) oxidizing isolates of Comamonas and Microbacterium were obtained, which may provide information on suitable conditions for arsenic immobilization useful for future bioremediation efforts. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher’s online edition of Geomicrobiology Journal to view the free supplemental file.     

Lycopene in Tomatoes: Chemical and Physical Properties Affected by Food Processing

ABSTRACT:?

Lycopene is the pigment principally responsible for the characteristic deep-red color of ripe tomato fruits and tomato products. It has attracted attention due to its biological and physicochemical properties, especially related to its effects as a natural antioxidant. Although it has no provitamin A activity, lycopene does exhibit a physical quenching rate constant with singlet oxygen almost twice as high as that of β-carotene. This makes its presence in the diet of considerable interest. Increasing clinical evidence supports the role of lycopene as a micronutri-ent with important health benefits, because it appears to provide protection against a broad range of epithelial cancers. Tomatoes and related tomato products are the major source of lycopene compounds, and are also considered an important source of carotenoids in the human diet. Undesirable degradation of lycopene not only affects the sensory quality of the final products, but also the health benefit of tomato-based foods for the human body. Lycopene in fresh tomato fruits occurs essentially in the all-trans configuration. The main causes of tomato lycopene degradation during processing are isomerization and oxidation. Isomerization converts all-trans isomers to cis-isomers due to additional energy input and results in an unstable, energy-rich station. Determination of the degree of lycopene isomerization during processing would provide a measure of the potential health benefits of tomato-based foods. Thermal processing (bleaching, retorting, and freezing processes) generally cause some loss of lycopene in tomato-based foods. Heat induces isomerization of the all-trans to cis forms. The cis-isomers increase with temperature and processing time. In general, dehydrated and powdered tomatoes have poor lycopene stability unless carefully processed and promptly placed in a hermetically sealed and inert atmosphere for storage. A significant increase in the cis-isomers with a simultaneous decrease in the all-trans isomers can be observed in the dehydrated tomato samples using the different dehydration methods. Frozen foods and heat-sterilized foods exhibit excellent lycopene stability throughout their normal temperature storage shelf life.

Lycopene bioavailability (absorption) can be influenced by many factors. The bioavailability of cis-isomers in food is higher than that of all-trans isomers. Lycopene bioavailability in processed tomato products is higher than in unprocessed fresh tomatoes. The composition and structure of the food also have an impact on the bioavailability of lycopene and may affect the release of lycopene from the tomato tissue matrix. Food processing may improve lycopene bioavailability by breaking down cell walls, which weakens the bonding forces between lycopene and tissue matrix, thus making lycopene more accessible and enhancing the cis-isomerization. More information on lycopene bioavailability, however, is needed. The pharmacokinetic properties of lycopene remain particularly poorly understood. Further research on the bioavalability, pharmacology, biochemistry, and physiology must be done to reveal the mechanism of lycopene in human diet, and the in vivo metabolism of lycopene.

Consumer demand for healthy food products provides an opportunity to develop lycopene-rich food as new functional foods, as well as food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade lycopene as new nutraceutical products. An industrial scale, environmentally friendly lycopene extraction and purification procedure with minimal loss of bioactivities is highly desirable for the foods, feed, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. High-quality lycopene products that meet food safety regulations will offer potential benefits to the food industry.     

Oxidative degradation of quinazoline in supercritical water: a combined ReaxFF and DFT study

ABSTRACT

Quinazoline (Qu) is a representative heterocyclic compound in chemical wastewater. In this work, the supercritical water oxidation of Qu is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations based on the ReaxFF reactive force field combined with density functional theory (DFT) method. The detailed reaction pathways, transformation routes of nitrogen element, and kinetic behaviours are systematically analyzed at the atomistic level. Simulation results show that the increment of temperature and O₂ molecule accelerates the reaction rate and facilitates the complete destruction of Qu. The pyrimidine ring in Qu can be attacked by the OH radical, O₂ molecule, and H₂O molecule, thereby causing three main pathways for the pyrimidine ring-opening reaction. The aromatic ring undergoes a ring rearrangement process and opens under the attack of active O₂ molecules. DFT calculations demonstrate that the supercritical water cluster can decrease the cracking energy of chemical bonds and accelerate the degradation rate of Qu. In addition, the transformation routes of nitrogen element during reaction are described. NH₃ is found to be the primary N-containing product after ring-opening reactions and is an intermediate for the production of N₂. Finally, the value of activation energy is obtained as 123.0?kJ/mol, which is reasonably consistent with the experimental results.     

A facile synthesis of (1S,5R,6S)-5-azido-6-benzyloxycyclohex-2-en-1-ol

A facile and short synthesis of (1S,5R,6S)-5-azido-6-benzyloxycyclohex-2-en-1-ol (1) has been achieved in high yield starting from 4,5-epoxycyclohex-1-ene by using a catalytic asymmetric allylic oxidation reaction.     

Antioxidant protective effect of flavonoids on linoleic acid peroxidation induced by copper(II)/ascorbic acid system

Antioxidants are compounds that can delay or inhibit lipid oxidation. The peroxidation of linoleic acid (LA) in the absence and presence of Cu(II) ion–ascorbate combinations was investigated in aerated and incubated emulsions at 37 °C and pH 7. LA peroxidation induced by copper(II)–ascorbic acid system followed first order kinetics with respect to hydroperoxides concentration. The extent of copper-initiated peroxide production in a LA system assayed by ferric thiocyanate method was used to determine possible antioxidant and prooxidant activities of the added flavonoids. The effects of three different flavonoids of similar structure, i.e. quercetin (QR), morin (MR) and catechin (CT), as potential antioxidant protectors were studied in the selected peroxidation system. The inhibitive order of flavonoids in the protection of LA peroxidation was: morin > catechin ≥ quercetin, i.e. agreeing with that of formal reduction potentials versus NHE at pH 7, i.e. 0.60, 0.57 and 0.33 V for MR, CT, and QR, respectively. Morin showed antioxidant effect at all concentrations whereas catechin and quercetin showed both antioxidant and prooxidant effects depending on their concentrations. The structural requirements for antioxidant activity in flavonoids interestingly coincide with those for Cu(II)-induced prooxidant activity, because as the reducing power of a flavonoid increases, Cu(II)–Cu(I) reduction is facilitated that may end up with the production of reactive species. The findings of this study were evaluated in the light of structure–activity relationships of flavonoids, and the results are believed to be useful to better understand the actual conditions where flavonoids may act as prooxidants in the preservation of heterogeneous food samples containing traces of transition metal ions.     

Energy pathways associated with sustained spermatozoon motility in the endangered Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii

Sturgeon spermatozoa are unique for their sustained motility. We investigated the relative importance of bioenergetic pathways in the energy supply of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii spermatozoa during motile and immotile states. Spermatozoon motility and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were analysed following exposure to inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (sodium azide, NaN₃), glycolysis (2-deoxy-D-glucose, DOG) and β-oxidation of fatty acids (sodium fluoride, NaF), and to an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine, CCCP). No significant difference in curvilinear velocity was observed after addition of these reagents to activation medium (AM) or nonactivation medium (NAM) for incubation. Incubation of spermatozoa in NAM containing CCCP or NaN₃ resulted in significantly decreased motility duration compared to controls. The OCR of sturgeon spermatozoa in AM (11.9 ± 1.4 nmol O₂ min⁻¹ (10⁹ spz)⁻¹) was significantly higher than in NAM (8.2 ± 1.5 nmol O₂ min⁻¹ (10⁹ spz)⁻¹). The OCR significantly declined with addition of NaN₃ to AM and NAM. No significant difference in motility parameters or OCR was observed with NaF or DOG. These results suggest active oxidative phosphorylation in both immotile and motile spermatozoa. Nevertheless, mitochondrial respiration occurring during motility is not sufficient to meet the high energy demands, and the energy required for sustained motility of Siberian sturgeon spermatozoa is derived from adenosine triphosphate accumulated during the quiescent state.     

微生物胞外长距离电子传递网络研究进展

[目的] 解析一株从黄河三角洲湿地甲烷氧化富集物中分离获得的甲烷氧化菌伴生菌的生理学及电化学特性,并探究该菌株对甲烷氧化过程的影响。[方法] 使用高通量测序技术解析甲烷氧化富集物的菌群结构,采用稀释涂布法、平板划线法分离甲烷氧化菌的伴生菌,通过16S rRNA基因测序技术进行菌株初步鉴定。利用扫描电子显微镜观察菌株形态,并通过气相色谱（gas chromatography,GC）检测伴生菌利用甲烷情况及对甲烷氧化菌氧化甲烷效率的影响。采用双室微生物燃料电池（microbial fuel cells,MFCs）及差分脉冲伏安法（differential pulse voltammetry,DPV）检测菌株的电化学活性。[结果] 黄河三角洲湿地土壤甲烷氧化富集物主要的好氧甲烷氧化菌为甲基杆菌属Methylobacter,同时还发现一些伴生菌。分离得到一株甲醇利用菌P7,其16S rRNA基因序列与恶臭假单胞菌Pseudomonasputida的相似性达99.79%。扫描电镜结果显示该菌株为杆状,长约1.5-2.5μm,宽度约为0.5μm。GC检测结果显示,该菌株不能利用甲烷,但与甲烷氧化菌共培养时,可以促进甲烷氧化（P<0.05）。双室MFCs检测结果显示该菌株具有电活性,最大电流输出密度为28 mA/m²,DPV检测结果显示该菌株主要的氧化峰和还原峰分别位于-0.17 V和-0.25 V。[结论] 本研究从黄河三角洲湿地甲烷氧化富集物中获得一株具有电活性的甲烷氧化菌的伴生菌恶臭假单胞菌Pseudomonas putida P7,该菌株可以促进甲烷氧化。本研究加深了对甲烷氧化过程中伴生菌的生理学特性及功能的认识。     

嗜盐菌中甘氨酸甜菜碱的合成途径及其生物学功能

在嗜盐菌长期的盐适应或短期的盐胁迫过程中,甘氨酸甜菜碱(又名三甲基甘氨酸,N,N,N-trimethylglycine)发挥着极为重要的作用。甘氨酸甜菜碱在嗜盐菌中的生物合成有2种途径:胆碱氧化途径和甘氨酸甲基化途径。前者以胆碱为底物,由胆碱脱氢酶(cholinedehydrogenase,BetA)和甜菜碱乙醛脱氢酶(betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase,BetB)经2次氧化生成甜菜碱;后者以甘氨酸作为底物,由甘氨酸肌醇甲基转移酶(glycine sarcosine N-methyltransferase,GSMT)和肌氨酸二甲基甘氨酸甲基转移酶(sarcosine dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase,SDMT)经3次N-甲基化生成甜菜碱。目前在JGI-IMG和EZBioCloud数据库中公布了134株嗜盐菌标准菌株的全基因组序列。其中,约56.0%的嗜盐细菌和约39.6%的嗜盐古菌拥有胆碱氧化途径所需的2个基因;约9.7%的嗜盐细菌和约0.7%的嗜盐古菌携带甲基化途径所需的2个基因。其中,8株嗜盐细菌同时拥有胆碱氧化途径和甘氨酸甲基化途径所需的全部基因。甘氨酸甜菜碱生物合成基因在典型微生物菌株或经济作物中的表达可以提高其耐盐抗逆能力,这种独特的优势已经引起科学家们强烈的兴趣,相信未来,嗜盐菌中甘氨酸甜菜碱生物合成领域内的科学理论和技术应用会有重大的突破。     

红树林沉积物中微生物驱动硫循环研究进展

红树林滨海湿地是在周期性咸水、淡水作用下形成的特殊生态系统,其沉积物中有机质含量丰富,微生物驱动的营养物质循环活跃。由于红树林沉积物中硫酸盐含量高、硫化物种类多,因此红树林是研究硫元素生物地球化学循环过程和机制的理想系统。本文综述了红树林生态系统中主要的硫元素循环过程,重点总结了硫氧化和硫酸盐还原过程及其功能微生物,分析了影响硫氧化和硫酸盐还原的主要环境因素,并对红树林沉积物中微生物驱动硫循环的重点研究方向进行了展望。鉴于微生物驱动的硫循环过程耦合碳、氮和金属元素循环,本文可为深入探究微生物驱动的生物地球化学元素循环耦合机制提供参考。     

A simple and rapid spectrofluorometric determination of pomalidomide in spiked plasma and urine. Application to degradation studies

A rapid and accurate spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of pomalidomide was developed and validated based on the measurement of its native fluorescence without the need for any derivatization and separation for the first time. The fluorescence intensity of the drug in acetonitrile solution allowed precise detection at 460 nm after excitation at 296 nm. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range 31.0–500.0 ng/ml. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 8.04 and 24.36 ng/ml, respectively. Sensitive results allowed the drug to be detected with good recovery (75.46–109.72%) in human plasma and urine using the developed method. The proposed method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, recovery, and stability parameters. Pomalidomide was subjected to degradation under various stress conditions (hydrolytic, oxidative and thermal) to demonstrate that the method was stable, indicating and identifying possible degradation products. In addition, the drug was exposed to electrochemical degradation using the chronoamperometry technique for the first time. Characterization of pomalidomide degradation products obtained because of oxidative degradation and electrochemical degradation was carried out using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography ? mass spectrometry methods and possible structures were proposed.