Antimicrobial activity of steady-state cultures of Bacillus sp. CCMI 1051 against wood contaminant fungi

The effect of changing dilution rate (D) on Bacillus sp. CCMI 1051 at dilution rates between 0.1 and 0.55 h⁻¹ in a glucose-limited medium was studied. Biomass values varied between 0.88 and 1.1 g L⁻¹ at D values of 0.15–0.35 h⁻¹. Maximal biomass productivity was found to be 0.39 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹, obtained at D = 0.35 h⁻¹ and corresponding to a 54.4% conversion of the carbon into cell mass. The highest rate of glucose consumption was 4.45 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ occurring at D = 0.4 h⁻¹. The glucose concentration inside the chemostat was below the detection level starting to accumulate around 0.4 h⁻¹. Growth inhibition of fifteen strains of fungi by the broth of the steady-state cell-free supernatants was assessed. Results showed that the relative inhibition differ among the target species but was not influenced by the dilution rate changing.     

Environmental dynamics of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CCMI 1051 antifungal activity under different nitrogen patterns

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental conditions on the antifungal activity of the Bacillus sp. CCMI 1053 cultures. Methods and Results: The electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI‐MS) analysis was used to detect the active peptides produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CCMI 1051 cultures in a glucose‐containing medium to which four different nitrogen sources were added. The cultures produced different patterns of Bacillus sporulation and distinct antifungal activity of the cell‐free culture broths. Conclusions: The highest sporulation obtained corresponds to higher antifungal activity when it is formed after 3 days of microbial growth. The antifungal activity against Trichoderma harzianum CCMI 783 is more influenced by the concentration on the nitrogen source than the culture time of incubation. The association of nitrogen concentration and the time of incubation is particularly relevant in the expression of the antifungal activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: The present findings allow the reduction of the use of chemical pesticides and to limit some plant diseases. The association of the nitrogen source and the time of incubation is a novelty, which would improve the production of secondary metabolites. Both economical and environmental benefits arise from the study.     

Activity of dehydroabietic acid derivatives against wood contaminant fungi

The antifungal activity of 10 dehydroabietic acid derivatives with different configuration in A and B rings (cis/trans A/B junction) and different substituents and/or functionalities was evaluated in bioassays in vitro and in situ (pine wood blocks).

The test compounds dissolved in acetone were assayed at several concentrations w/w (test compound/culture medium) against the fungi. The Relative Inhibition (RI) was determined by measuring the radial growth of colonies of the fungi treated with the test compounds by comparison with those of control cultures; the results are expressed as EC₅₀.

The results of bioassays in vitro have shown that hydroxyl and aldehyde functions are required for antifungal activity in this group of compounds and deisopropylation can increase the activity. Our assay of antifungal activity in situ (in pine wood blocks) provides a means to investigate the preservative activities of these antifungal compounds under actual conditions of use.

The dehydroabietic acid derivative cis-deisopropyldehydroabietanol (10) inhibited the growth of several of the fungi tested, in vitro and in situ.

The results obtained in situ with the test compound (10) at 6% and 8% were not significantly different from the reference products and a good level of protection of the wood against the organisms tested was achieved.

The results in wood bioassays present new possibilities in the search for natural new compounds in the wood protection, as an alternative to conventional fungicides.     

Antagonistic activity of bacteria from Bacillus genus against dermatophyte fungi

Antagonistic properties of the strain Bacillus subtilis IB-54 with respect to dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes var. gypseum, Microsporum canis was studied. The studied strains of bacilli effectively inhibited growth and development of dermatophytes when were cultivated on the media containing different carbon sources. Experiments on laboratory animals showed that B. subtilis IB-54 displayed no virulence, toxicity, and toxigenicity and can be considered as perspective object for development of antimycotic drugs.     

Antifungal activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> 355 against wood-surface contaminant fungi

A strain of Bacillus subtilis was examined for antifungal activity against phytopathogenic and wood-surface contaminant fungi. The bacterium was grown in five culture media with different incubation times in order to study cell development, sporulation, and the production of metabolites with antifungal activity. The anti-sapstain and anti-mould activity of the bacterium grown in yeast extract glucose broth (YGB) medium in wood was also evaluated. In YGB, the bacterium inhibited the growth of several fungi and displayed a broader spectrum of activity than in the other media tested. A relationship between bacterial spore production and the formation of metabolites with antifungal activity was detected. YGB medium displayed effective control in wood block tests. YGB medium was extracted with solvents of increasing polarity and the dry residues were applied to silicagel plates, resolved with the appropriate solvent and sprayed with different solutions, detecting the presence, of amines, and higher alcohols. The bioautographic method revealed the presence of at least two active compounds against the blue-stain fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum.     

Functional analysis of antibacterial activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens phage endolysin against Gram-negative bacteria.

To analyze the antibacterial activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens phage endolysin, nine deletion derivatives of the endolysin were constructed. Each deletion mutant was overexpressed, purified and characterized. The catalytic domain was located on the N-terminal region and the C-terminus had an affinity with the bacterial envelope. The enzymatic activity remained in spite of the deletion of the C-terminal 116-amino acid region; however, the antibacterial activity was lost. These results indicate that antibacterial action requires both the C-terminal cell-binding and the N-terminal enzymatic activities.     

解淀粉芽胞杆菌抗真菌活性研究进展

解淀粉芽胞杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens)具有很强的抑制植物病原真菌的能力。其菌体细胞能产生多种酶类、脂肽类抗生素、生物表面活性素、聚酮类化合物和抑菌蛋白,同时具有诱导植物产生系统抗性(ISR)的能力,因此在工农业、种植业、养殖业、食品加工业、果蔬的采后保鲜和饲料业等行业具有重要价值。本文对解淀粉芽胞杆菌抗真菌作用、抗真菌能力提高策略、抗菌化合物合成调节、抑制真菌机制及其引发的ISR等问题进行了深入探讨和综述。     

Transformation in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

The methodology and some of the requirements for the deoxyribonucleic acid-mediated transformation of an arginine auxotroph of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to prototrophy are described.     

Antifungal activity of the lipopeptides produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens anti-CA against Candida albicans isolated from clinic

The bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens anti-CA isolated from mangrove system was found to be able to actively kill Candida albicans isolated from clinic. The bacterial strain anti-CA could produce high level of bioactive substance, amylase and protease in the cheap medium containing 2.0 % soybean meal, 2.0 % wheat flour, pH 6.5 within 26 h. After purification, the main bioactive substance was confirmed to be a cyclic lipopeptide containing a heptapeptide, L-Asp→L-Leu→L-Leu→L-Val→L-Val→L-Glu→L-Leu and a 3-OH fatty acid (15 carbons). In addition to C. albicans, the purified lipopeptide can also kill many yeast strains including Metschnikowia bicuspidata, Candida tropicalis, Yarrowia lipolytica and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After treated by the purified lipopeptide, both the whole cells and protoplasts of C. albicans were destroyed.     

Evaluation of in vitro antifungal activity of medicinal plants against phytopathogenic fungi

Fourteen medicinal plants belonging to 13 families were collected and extracted with petroleum ether (PE), chloroform, methanol and water to yield 60 crude extracts. Using agar diffusion method, these extracts were evaluated for antifungal activity on the growth of five phytopathogenic fungi. Among all the extracts tested, PE, chloroform and methanol extracts of Piper betle L. and PE and chloroform extracts of Allamanda cathartica exhibited promising antifungal activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the above promising extracts were determined using broth dilution technique and observed that chloroform extract of P. betle L. exhibited the least MIC value ranging from 280 to 1130 μg ml^?1. In this study, we report chloroform extract of P. betle L. to be thermally stable even when steam sterilised for the first time and that it could be stored at 4°C with almost no change in its activity for a period of 180 days.     

Optimisation of physical factors on the production of active metabolites by Bacillus subtilis 355 against wood surface contaminant fungi

A Surface Response Model was used to study the effect of pH, temperature and agitation on growth, sporulation and production of antifungal metabolites by Bacillus subtilis CCMI 355.Strong agitation, temperature between 27 and 34 °C and pH 6 favoured cell growth. Alkaline pH, strong agitation and temperature between 28 and 34 °C favoured spore formation. No relationship was found between sporulation and the production of antifungal metabolites. According to the model, pH 8, 37 °C and the absence of agitation were the optimal conditions for the production of broad-spectrum antifungal metabolites against Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, Trichoderma sp, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii and Trichoderma virgatum.In situ assays using green wood impregnated with Bacillus subtilis CCMI 355 inoculated in Yeast Extract Glucose Broth medium in the conditions above, displayed an efficient protection against wood surface contaminant fungi.     

Antifungal activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NJN-6 volatile compounds against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NJN-6 produces volatile compounds (VOCs) that inhibit the growth and spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. Among the total of 36 volatile compounds detected, 11 compounds completely inhibited fungal growth. The antifungal activity of these compounds suggested that VOCs can play important roles over short and long distances in the suppression of Fusarium oxysporum.     

Iturin A is the principal inhibitor in the biocontrol activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 against postharvest fungal pathogens

Aims: A Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain, surviving epiphytically on the surface of fruit, was isolated while searching for naturally occurring biological control agents. This bacterial strain was characterized for its antifungal activity against seven selected fungal postharvest pathogens of citrus. Methods and Results: To understand the antifungal activity, seven postharvest fungal pathogens were screened for growth inhibition by B. amyloliquefaciens strain. Assays using B. amyloliquefaciens lipopeptide extracts showed a strong inhibitive activity. The inhibitory effect was observed in abnormal conidial germination and germ tube development when conidia were treated with different lipopeptide extract concentrations. Further analysis using PCR and chromatography confirmed the presence of fengycin, iturin and surfactine, of which iturin A showed the strongest and most common inhibitory effect. The results are supported by site‐directed mutagenesis analysis, targeted to suppress the biosynthesis of iturin A production. Fruit trials confirmed disease development inhibition when the antagonist was applied 1 day prior to or 1 day after fungal application. Conclusions: We conclude that the iturin family of lipopeptides are vital in the antagonism of B. amyloliquefaciens against the seven citrus postharvest pathogenic fungi tested. Significance and Impact of the Study: We elucidated the principal mechanism used by B. amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 to suppress postharvest disease development on stored fruits.     

一株抗真菌解淀粉芽孢杆菌的分离鉴定及其发酵条件的初步研究

从堆肥中分离到一株对植物病原菌尖孢镰刀菌(Fusarium oxysporum)具有强烈抗菌活性并具有较广抗菌谱的细菌Q-12菌株。通过形态观察、生理生化实验1、6S rDNA同源性序列分析以及部分特异性基因序列分析,鉴定该菌为解淀粉芽孢杆菌。该菌的最适培养基组成为:葡萄糖5g/L,NH4Cl 1g/L,牛肉膏0.8g/L,氯化镁5g/L。最适培养温度为33℃,最适培养pH为6.0,最适培养时间为40h。     

In vitro fibrinolytic activity of an enzyme purified from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain KJ10 isolated from soybean paste

A fibrinolytic protease secreting producing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain KJ10 was initially screened from the fermented soybean. Maximum productivity was obtained in the culture medium after 40 h incubation, 34 °C incubation temperature at pH 8.0. Fibrinolytic protease production was enhanced in the culture medium with 1% sucrose (3712 ± 52 U/mL), 1% (w/v) yeast extract (3940 ± 28 U/mL) and 0.1% MgSO₄ (3687 ± 38 U/mL). Enzyme was purified up to 22.9-fold with 26%recovery after Q-Sepharose HP column chromatography. After three steps purification, enzyme activity was 1606U/mg and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed 29 kDa protein and enzyme band was detected by zymograpy. Enzyme was highly active at pH 8.0, at wide temperature ranges (40 °C ? 55 °C) and was activated by Mn²⁺ (102 ± 3.1%) and Mg²⁺ (101.4 ± 2.9%) ions. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme was highly specific against N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA (189 mmol/min/mL) and clot lytic activity reached 28 ± 1.8% within 60 minin vitro. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme showed least erythrocytic lysis activity confirmed safety to prevent various health risks, including hemolytic anemia. Based on this study, administration of fibrinolytic enzyme from B. amyloliquefaciens strain KJ10 is safe for clinical applications.     

一株抗水稻纹枯病菌的解淀粉芽胞杆菌分离与鉴定

【目的】筛选对水稻纹枯病菌(Rhizoctonia solani)具有强拮抗作用的细菌菌株。【方法】用指示菌法筛选拮抗菌株;通过形态观察、生理生化实验、Biolog及16S rDNA序列分析鉴定目标菌株;利用平板双向培养法和滤纸片扩散法测定抑菌谱及拮抗性质。【结果】分离到一株高活力的水稻纹枯病菌拮抗菌株YB-3,该菌株属于解淀粉芽胞杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens);菌株YB-3对常见的14株病原真菌和7株细菌具有较强的拮抗作用,并发现其对亲缘关系较近的芽孢菌属有较强的拮抗作用;该菌株的抑制活性具有温度稳定、耐酸、但对蛋白酶敏感的特点。【结论】通过指示菌法筛选到一株对水稻纹枯病菌有强拮抗作用的解淀粉芽胞杆菌(B.amyloliquefaciens)YB-3,它具有广谱、高效的植物病原菌拮抗活性。     

Antifungal activity of phytochemicals from Eucalyptus hybrid leaves against some plant pathogenic and wood decay fungi

The in vitro fungitoxicity of the essential oil (EO), crude extracts, dried fractions and ursolic acid (UA) isolated from the abundantly available and underutilised leaves of Eucalyptus hybrid (Eucalyptus camaldulensis × Eucalyptus tereticornis) was assessed against three plant pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani and Ganoderma lucidum causing pathogenesis in seeds, seedlings and trees, respectively, and Trametes versicolor and Pycnoporous sanguineus making wood to decay. The EO, methanol extract and UA demonstrated varied antifungal activity against all the fungi with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3.0%. The results of the study demonstrate a new chemical utilisation approach of the leaves of Eucalyptus hybrid towards the development of biofungicides in the management of above fungi of common occurrence in Indian forestry.     

Calcium-dependent catalytic activity of a novel phytase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DS11

The thermostable phytase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DS11 hydrolyzes phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, IP6) to less phosphorylated myo-inositol phosphates in the presence of Ca2+. In this report, we discuss the unique Ca2+-dependent catalytic properties of the phytase and its specific substrate requirement. Initial rate kinetic studies of the phytase indicate that the enzyme activity follows a rapid equilibrium ordered mechanism in which binding of Ca2+ to the active site is necessary for the essential activation of the enzyme. Ca2+ turned out to be also required for the substrate because the phytase is only able to hydrolyze the calcium-phytate complex. In fact, both an excess amount of free Ca2+ and an excess of free phytate, which is not complexed with each other, can act as competitive inhibitors. The Ca2+-dependent catalytic activity of the enzyme was further confirmed, and the critical amino acid residues for the binding of Ca2+ and substrate were identified by site-specific mutagenesis studies. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to understand if the decreased enzymatic activity was related to poor Ca2+ binding. The pH dependence of the Vmax and Vmax/Km consistently supported these observations by demonstrating that the enzyme activity is dependent on the ionization of amino acid residues that are important for the binding of Ca2+ and the substrate. The Ca2+-dependent activation of enzyme and substrate was found to be different from other histidine acid phytases that hydrolyze metal-free phytate.