Diversity and characterization of cultivable oleaginous yeasts isolated from mangrove forests

A total of 198 yeasts were isolated from 140 samples collected from 7 mangrove forests in 4 provinces of Thailand, and were found to belong to 30 genera, 45 described species and at least 12 undescribed species based on their 26S rRNA (D1/D2 domain) gene sequence. The most prevalent species was Candida tropicalis, followed by Candida pseudolambica and Rhodosporidium paludigena. Lipid accumulation, as determined by Nile red staining, of the isolated yeasts revealed that 69 and 18 strains were positive and strongly positive, respectively, while quantitative analysis of the intracellular lipid accumulated in the latter indicated that 10 of these strains, Pseudozyma tsukubaensis (YWT7-2 and YWT7-3), Rhodotorula sphaerocarpa (YWW6-1 and SFL14-1SF), Saitozyma podzolica (YWT1-1, NS3-3 and NS10-2), Prototheca zopfii var. hydrocarbonea OMS6-1 and Prototheca sp. (YMTW3-1 and YMTS5-2), were oleaginous. In this study we found that under nitrogen depletion condition (155 C/N ratio) Pseudozyma tsukubaensis YWT7-2 accumulated the highest level of intracellular lipid at 32.4% (w/w, dry cell weight), with a broadly similar fatty acid composition to that in palm oil.     

云南星云湖酵母菌多样性及产类胡萝卜素的评价

【背景】星云湖属云南高原湖泊,对其酵母菌的多样性研究和产类胡萝卜素菌株的筛选有助于开发利用星云湖酵母菌资源。【目的】研究云南星云湖酵母菌群落结构多样性,筛选和评价产类胡萝卜素活性菌株。【方法】采用膜过滤平置培养对星云湖水样进行酵母菌分离;应用26S rRNA D1/D2区域序列分析和形态特征及生理生化指标相结合,对分离获得的酵母菌进行鉴定;运用软件BIO-DAP分析酵母菌类群的多样性;采用酸热法提取类胡萝卜素,紫外分光光度计测定类胡萝卜素含量。【结果】从星云湖湖水中分离得到797株酵母菌,鉴定为18个属37个种。胶红酵母(Rhodotorula mucilaginosa)和Naganishia albida是优势种,分别占总菌株数的36.64%和28.86%;有28株酵母菌类胡萝卜素产量可达200μg/g细胞干重以上;有4株类胡萝卜素产量可达300μg/g细胞干重以上;粘红酵母(Rhodotorula glutinis) 2株、胶红酵母(Rhodotorula mucilaginosa)和Rhodosporidiobolus fluviale各1株。【结论】云南高原湖泊星云湖的酵母菌具有丰富的多样性,湖泊的营养化程度以及地理差异影响酵母菌群落的结构;红冬孢酵母属(Rhodosporidiobolus)和红酵母属(Rhodotorula)是星云湖类胡萝卜素产量可达300μg/g细胞干重以上的主要类群。有进一步开发研究的价值。     

Biodiversity of killer activity in yeasts isolated from the Brazilian rain forest

The occurrence of killer activity against a panel composed of 22 industrially and (or) medically important yeasts was investigated in 438 yeast and yeast-like cultures belonging to 96 species, isolated from different environments of the Brazilian rain forest. Altogether, 26% of ascomycetes, 56% of basidiomycetes, and 42% of yeast-like cultures exhibited killer activity against at least one of the panel yeasts. More than 15 species never reported before as toxin producers were found, with Pseudozyma antarctica, Trichosporon asteroides, and Geotrichum klebahnii, showing the broader activity spectra. Plasmid curing did not cure the killer phenotypes of Candida maltosa, Debaryomyces hansenii, G. klebahnii, Tr. asteroides, Cryptococcus laurentii, and Ps. antarctica.     

Identification and characterization of non-saccharomyces spoilage yeasts isolated from Brazilian wines

The industry of fine wines and also locally consumed table wines is emerging in Brazil with an increasing volume and economic impact. Enologists in this region currently lack information about the prevalence and characteristics of spoilage yeasts, which may contaminate and potentially undervalue Brazilian wines. Herein, we analyzed 50 local red wines including 27 fine wines (V. vinifera) and 23 table wines (V. labrusca). Presumptive spoilage yeasts were isolated on differential medium, and classified by RFLP-PCR and sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and D1/D2 26S rDNA loci. The prevalence of spoilage yeasts in fine wines (11 %) was comparable to that reported in European and US wines, and significantly lower than that observed for local table wines (70 %). The majority of isolates belonged to Brettanomyces bruxelliensis, followed by Pichia guillermondii, and more rarely Candida wickerhamii and Trigonopsis cantarelli. The Brettanomyces isolates varied greatly in off-flavor production, displayed ethanol tolerance (>10 % by volume), tolerated sulfite (≥0.68 mg/l mSO₂), and 39 % of them grew on ethanol as sole carbon source. We discuss the causes and consequences of spoilage yeasts in relation to the Brazilian wine industry.     

Taxonomic and phenotypic characterization of yeasts isolated from worldwide cold rock-associated habitats

Yeast strains isolated from rock samples collected from worldwide cold regions were identified by sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the 26S rDNA gene and the ITS region followed by molecular phylogeny. Over 77 % of yeasts isolates were Basidiomycota. Cryptococcus (orders Filobasidiales and Tremellales) and Rhodotorula (order Cystobasidiales) were the most frequent genera. About 40 % of yeast isolates belonged to undescribed species.     

Locally isolated yeasts from Malaysia: identification, phylogenetic study and characterization

Yeasts are a convenient platform for many applications. They have been widely used as the expression hosts. There is a need to have a new yeast expression system to contribute the molecular cloning demands. Eight yeast isolates were screened from various environment sources and identified through ribosomal DNA (rDNA) Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS). Full sequence of the rDNA ITS region for each isolate was BLASTed and phylogenetic study was constructed by using MEGA4. Among the isolates, isolate WB from 'ragi' (used to ferment carbohydrates) could be identified as a new species in order Saccharomycetales according to rDNA ITS region, morphology and biochemical tests. Isolate SO (from spoiled orange), RT (rotten tomato) and RG (different type of 'ragi') were identified as Pichia sp. Isolates R1 and R2, S4 and S5 (from the surrounding of a guava tree) were identified as Issatchenkia sp. and Hanseniaspora sp., respectively. Geneticin, 50 μg/mL, was determined to be the antibiotic marker for all isolates excepted for isolates RT and SO which used 500 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL Zeocin, respectively. Intra-extracellular proteins were screened for lipolytic activity at 30°C and 70°C. Thermostable lipase activity was detected in isolates RT and R1 with 0.6 U/mg and 0.1 U/mg, respectively. In conclusion, a new yeast-vector system for isolate WB can be developed by using phleomycin or geneticin as the drugs resistance marker. Moreover, strains RT and R1 can be investigated as a novel source of a thermostable lipase.     

Identification and characterization of yeasts isolated from sedimentary rocks of Union Glacier at the Antarctica

The study of the yeasts that inhabit cold environments, such as Antarctica, is an active field of investigation oriented toward understanding their ecological roles in these ecosystems. In a great part, the interest in cold-adapted yeasts is due to several industrial and biotechnological applications that have been described for them. The aim of this work was to isolate and identify yeasts from sedimentary rock samples collected at the Union Glacier, Antarctica. Furthermore, the yeasts were physiologically characterized, including the production of metabolites of biotechnological interest. The yeasts isolated that were identified at the molecular level belonged to genera Collophora (1 isolate), Cryptococcus (2 isolates), Sporidiobolus (4 isolates), Sporobolomyces (1 isolate) and Torrubiella (2 isolates). The majority of yeasts were basidiomycetous and psychrotolerant. By cross-test assays for anti-yeast activity, it was determined that Collophora sp., Sporidiobolus salmonicolor, and Sporobolomyces roseus secreted a protein factor that kills Sporidiobolus metaroseus. The colored yeasts Sp. salmonicolor, Sp. metaroseus and Collophora sp. produced several carotenoid pigments that were identified as 2,3 dihydroxy-γ-carotene, -carotene, 4-ketotorulene, torulene β-cryptoxanthin and spirilloxanthin. Concerning analysis of mycosporines, these metabolites were only found in the yeasts Torrubiella sp. and Cryptococcus sp. T11-10-1. Furthermore, the yeasts were evaluated for the production of extracellular hydrolytic activities. Of the twelve activities analyzed, alkaline phosphatase, invertase, gelatinase, cellulase, amylase, and protease enzyme activities were detected. The yeasts Cryptococcus sp. T11-10-1 and Sporidiobolus metaroseus showed the highest number of different enzyme activities.     

Diversity and physiological and biochemical properties of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from Lake Baikal neuston

For heterotrophic microorganisms (44 strains) isolated from the surface film of Lake Baikal, identification was carried out and their physiological and biochemical characteristics were determined. Compared to the water column, diversity of cultured heterotrophs was low, indicating formation of stable microbial communities at the air–water interface. Heterotrophic bacteria isolated from the surface microlayer exhibited the enzymatic activity comparable to that for strains from other biofilm associations. Deinococcus ficus strain NA202 was the most active component of the community, capable of utilization of the broadest spectrum of mono- and disaccharides, sugars, and amino acids. This strain possessed the highest diversity of extracellular enzymes and was the most resistant to UV radiation. The physiological and biochemical properties of this strain may be responsible for its adaptation to survival in extreme conditions of the surface microlayer. These results improve our understanding of occurrence of UV-resistant strains in freshwater ecosystems.     

Resilient networks of ant-plant mutualists in amazonian forest fragments

Background

The organization of networks of interacting species, such as plants and animals engaged in mutualisms, strongly influences the ecology and evolution of partner communities. Habitat fragmentation is a globally pervasive form of spatial heterogeneity that could profoundly impact the structure of mutualist networks. This is particularly true for biodiversity-rich tropical ecosystems, where the majority of plant species depend on mutualisms with animals and it is thought that changes in the structure of mutualist networks could lead to cascades of extinctions.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We evaluated effects of fragmentation on mutualistic networks by calculating metrics of network structure for ant-plant networks in continuous Amazonian forests with those in forest fragments. We hypothesized that networks in fragments would have fewer species and higher connectance, but equal nestedness and resilience compared to forest networks. Only one of the nine metrics we compared differed between continuous forest and forest fragments, indicating that networks were resistant to the biotic and abiotic changes that accompany fragmentation. This is partially the result of the loss of only specialist species with one connection that were lost in forest fragments.

Conclusions/Significance

We found that the networks of ant-plant mutualists in twenty-five year old fragments are similar to those in continuous forest, suggesting these interactions are resistant to the detrimental changes associated with habitat fragmentation, at least in landscapes that are a mosaic of fragments, regenerating forests, and pastures. However, ant-plant mutualistic networks may have several properties that may promote their persistence in fragmented landscapes. Proactive identification of key mutualist partners may be necessary to focus conservation efforts on the interactions that insure the integrity of network structure and the ecosystems services networks provide.     

崇明老白酒酿造过程中酵母菌的鉴定及其特性初探

从八二酒曲及酿造崇明老白酒过程中分离纯化得到1株白色酵母菌和1株红色酵母菌,采用分子生物学方法进行鉴定,并对其酿造老白酒的特性进行了分析。结果显示,八二酒曲及崇明老白酒酿造过程中的优势酵母菌为酿酒酵母(Saccaromyces cerevisiae),从酿酒过程中分离的红色酵母菌为粘红酵母(Rhodotorula mucilaginosa)。采用粘红酵母和米根霉曲酿造的酒液的酒精度为11.9%vol,残余还原糖含量为11.2 g/100 m L,总酸含量为4.59 g/L,总酯含量为4.42 g/L。纯化的酿酒酵母和米根霉曲酿成的酒液口味醇和爽口,酒曲的纯化有助于开发出口感更爽口的老白酒。混合酵母和米根霉曲酿造的酒液呈典型的崇明老白酒风味,粘红酵母的参与对崇明老白酒口味风格的形成有一定的作用。     

Psychrophilic yeasts isolated from marine fish

Yeasts were isolated from marine fish using low incubation temperatures. The isolates were screened for their ability to grow at 4 C and 30 C. Isolates growing at 4 C but not at 30 C were considered to be psychrophilic and were selected for further study. Approximately 25% of the isolates were in this category. The isolates comprised the following genera:Candida, Cryptococcus, Debaryomyces, Rhodotorula, Torulopsis andTrichosporon. Rhodotorula infirmo-miniata accounted for 50% of the isolates andTrichosporon pullulans 10%. Other species were present in numbers below the 10% level. The distribution of the species between the two sample areas is discussed. The vitamin requirements and optimum growth temperatures of the isolates were assessed.     

Diversity of cry genes and genetic characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from Brazil

Two hundred and eighteen Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from Brazil were characterized by the presence of crystal protein genes by PCR with primers specific to different cry and cyt genes. Among these isolates, 95 were selected according to their geographic origin for genetic characterization with the 16S rRNA gene, RAPD, and plasmid profile. Isolates containing cry1 genes were the most abundant (48%) followed by the cry11 and cyt (7%) and cry8 genes (2%). Finally, 40.3% of the isolates did not produce any PCR product. The plasmid profile and RAPD analysis showed a remarkable diversity among the isolates of B. thuringiensis not observed in the 16S rRNA gene. These results suggest that the genetic diversity of B. thuringiensis species results from the influence of different ecological factors and spatial separation between strains generated by the conquest of different habitats.     

北戴河海洋沉积物中L-半胱氨酸脱硫细菌的多样性及其特性

【背景】脱硫细菌对有机硫的脱硫作用在硫的生物地球化学循环以及脱硫工业中都起着重要的作用。【目的】了解海洋沉积物中可分解有机物产生硫化氢的细菌多样性。【方法】对我国北戴河海洋沉积物中可培养的L-半胱氨酸脱硫细菌进行分离与筛选,通过对其16SrRNA基因序列测定与分析,构建系统发育树,并对其脱硫、脱氮能力进行检验。【结果】从海洋沉积物中分离得到97株细菌,从以L-半胱氨酸为硫源的培养基中筛选出62株有机脱硫专一型细菌。根据脱硫细菌的形态及其特征,从中选取12株作为典型代表做进一步分析,它们分别属于芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、赖氨酸芽孢杆菌属(Lysinibacillus)、动性球菌属(Planococcus)和红球菌属(Rhodococcus)。结果表明,这12株细菌均可产生半胱氨酸脱巯基酶,能够将半胱氨酸分解为丙酮酸、硫化氢和氨,即同时具备脱硫与脱氮的能力。其中有5株菌脱硫能力较强,分别属于赖氨酸芽孢杆菌属、动性球菌属和芽孢杆菌属。【结论】海洋沉积物中存在着丰富的L-半胱氨酸脱硫细菌,为进一步研究海洋中硫的生物地球化学循环提供了素材。     

Molecular identification and characterization of wine yeasts isolated from Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain)

AIMS: The present study was aimed at the identification, differentiation and characterization of indigenous yeasts isolated from Tenerife vineyards (viticulture region that has never been characterized before). Microbiota were studied from 14 samples taken during fermentations carried out in the 2002 vintage, from 11 wineries belonging to five wine regions on Tenerife Island. METHODS AND RESULTS: Yeasts' strains were identified and characterized through restriction analysis of the 5.8S-internal transcribed spacer region and the mitochondrial DNA. At the beginning of alcoholic fermentation, 26 yeast species were found, where 14 species were present in significant frequencies in only one sample. Likewise, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated are very specific, as they were only present in one wine region. CONCLUSIONS: There were isolated specific yeasts from each region on Tenerife Island. The founded yeasts may be responsible for distinctive and interesting properties of the studied wines. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study forms part of an extensive taxonomic survey within the ecological framework of vineyards in Tenerife. This investigation is an essential step towards the preservation and exploitation of the hidden oenological potential of the untapped wealth of yeast biodiversity in the grape growing regions of this island. The results obtained demonstrate the value of using molecular genetic methods in taxonomic and ecological surveys. The results also shed some light on the ecology and oenological potential of S. cerevisiae strains isolated from this unique environment.     

Diversity of yeasts from bovine mastitis in Southern Brazil

Mastitis is one of the most serious problems in the dairy cattle farms. The great majority of the cases are caused by bacteria, but lately there have been an increasing number of reports about cases of mycotic etiology. The objective of this work was to characterize the yeasts and yeast-like fungi associated with milk of cows with mastitis. Milk samples (n = 248) from a dairy belt situated around the region of Passo Fundo, hinterland of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, were analyzed. Aliquots of 0.1 ml of milk were inoculated on yeast extract-malta agar with chloramphenicol. After a period of incubation of 3-5 days at 22-25 degrees C, the counting of the morphologically distinct colonies was performed, as well as the isolation and identification through phenotypical and physiological criteria. It was possible to isolate 68 yeast species from 43 (17.3%) of the samples. The most frequent genera were Candida (37.9%), Pichia (19.1%), Cryptococcus (10.3%) and Rhodotorula (10.3%).     

云南程海湖冬季酵母菌多样性及胞外酶活性研究

采用过滤涂皿的方法对云南程海湖冬季湖水样品中的酵母菌进行分离,通过26S r DNA D1/D2区域序列分析并结合形态观察和生理生化测试对分离获得的菌株进行鉴定,同时采用胞外酶定性筛选培养基进行产酶活性筛选,分析冬季程海湖酵母菌的多样性及胞外酶活性。结果从程海湖中分离获得171株酵母菌,鉴定为14个属22个种和2个潜在的新分类单元;优势属是红冬孢酵母属Rhodosporidium、红酵母属Rhodotorula和隐球酵母属Cryptococcus;优势种是红冬孢酵母Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae和斯鲁菲亚红酵母Rhodotorula slooffiae;湖北半部的样点CH2的多样性指数(H′=1.5945)和丰富度指数(R=2.7576)均最高,均匀度指数较高的是湖北部的样点CH1(J=0.8531);样点之间种群差异大,相似性低。大多数酵母菌株具有产1种以上的胞外酶。