Microbial manganese reduction mediated by bacterial strains isolated from aquifer sediments

One hundred and five strains isolated from aquifer sediments andEscherichia coli ML30S were tested for their ability to reduce manganese oxides. Eighty-two strains, includingE. coli, reduced manganese. In most cases the bacterial activity decreased the pH and Eh below 6.75 and 350 mV, respectively, enhancing a spontaneous and nonspecific reduction of manganese. However, for 12 strains the reduction was specifically catalyzed by bacteria; the high pH and Eh values would not permit a spontaneous reduction of manganese. Some of the most active strains were identified as genera common in soils and waters, i.e.,Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, andAcinetobacter. Two strains were studied in detail. One of the strains, identified asPseudomonas fluorescens, required contact between the cells and the manganese oxides for reduction to occur. The reduction was inhibited by 15 mM of sodium azide. The other strain, identified asAcinetobacter johnsonii, catalyzed manganese reduction by an inductive and dialyzable substance which was excreted by the bacteria. The mechanism involved has not been previously demonstrated.     

The influence of biosurfactants released by S. mitis BMS on the adhesion of pioneer strains and cariogenic bacteria

The influence of Streptococcus mitis BMS biosurfactants on the adhesion of eight pioneer and four cariogenic oral bacterial strains was, for a first screening, examined in a microtiter plate assay. The adhesion to pellicle-coated wells of three cariogenic strains was inhibited >70% by the biosurfactants, while only one pioneer strain showed >70% reduction. The reduction for the other strains did not exceed 50%. Subsequently, adhesion of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus sobrinus HG 1025, both cariogenic strains, and Actinomyces naeslundii T14V-J1 and Streptococcus oralis J22, two pioneer strains, to biosurfactants-coated enamel with and without a salivary pellicle was studied in a parallel plate flow chamber. A biosurfactants coating to enamel with or without a pellicle caused a reduction in the number of adhering cariogenic organisms, although no such reduction was observed for the pioneer strains. Consequently, it is concluded that S. mitis BMS biosurfactants may play a protective role against adhesion of cariogenic bacteria.     

Denitrification in Rhizobium

Thirty-three strains of Rhizobium were examined for their reduction of nitrate under anoxic conditions. Three patterns of dissimilatory nitrate reduction were observed: (1) reduction to N2O and N2 (denitrification), (2) reduction to and subsequent accumulation of NO2- (nitrate respiration), (3) no reduction. Strains of R. japonicum and the cowpea miscellany displayed all three types, while strains of R. leguminosarum, R. phaseoli, and R. trifolii did not reduce nitrate by dissimilatory means. The production and subsequent metabolism of N2O was considerably different among the denitrifying strains: in some instances, N2O was a transient intermediate, while in others, it continued to accumulate during the incubation period.     

Influence of apple cultivars on inactivation of different strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in apple cider by UV irradiation

This study examined the effect of different apple cultivars upon the UV inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains within unfiltered apple cider. Apple cider was prepared from eight different apple cultivars, inoculated with approximately 10(6) to 10(7) CFU of three strains of E. coli O157:H7 per ml (933, ATCC 43889, and ATCC 43895), and exposed to 14 mJ of UV irradiation per cm(2). Bacterial populations for treated and untreated samples were then enumerated by using nonselective media. E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43889 showed the most sensitivity to this disinfection process with an average 6.63-log reduction compared to an average log reduction of 5.93 for both strains 933 and ATCC 43895. The highest log reduction seen, 7.19, occurred for strain ATCC 43889 in Rome cider. The same cider produced the lowest log reductions: 5.33 and 5.25 for strains 933 and ATCC 43895, respectively. Among the apple cultivars, an average log reduction range of 5.78 (Red Delicious) to 6.74 (Empire) was observed, with two statistically significant (alpha < or = 0.05) log reduction groups represented. Within the paired cultivar-strain analysis, five of eight ciders showed statistically significant (alpha < or = 0.05) differences in at least two of the E. coli strains used. Comparison of log reductions among the E. coli strains to the cider parameters of (o)Brix, pH, and malic acid content failed to show any statistically significant relationship (R(2) > or = 0.95). However, the results of this study indicate that regardless of the apple cultivar used, a minimum 5-log reduction is achieved for all of the strains of E. coli O157:H7 tested.     

Use of Yarrowia lipolytica strains for the treatment of olive mill wastewater

The principal aim of this research was to evaluate the ability of different Yarrowia lipolytica strains, having different origin, to grow in olive mill wastewater (OMW) and reduce its COD level. All the strains were able to grow in undiluted OMW; the comparison between the data obtained in a semi-synthetic medium and in OMW suggests that lipases with different specificity can be produced in relation to the medium composition. Under the adopted conditions, the reduction of the OMW COD values varied from 1.47% and 41.22% of the initial value. Some strains determined a significant reduction of polyphenol content, while other ones caused its apparent increase. Moreover, some Y. lipolytica strains, isolated from chilled foods, produced the highest citric acid concentrations. These results evidenced that some Y. lipolytica strains are good candidates for the reduction of the pollution potential of OMW and for the production of enzymes and metabolites such as lipase and citric acid.     

The effects of soybean cultivar,rhizobium strain and nitrate on plant growth,nodule mass and acetylene reduction rate

Summary The effects of twelve strains ofBradyrhizobium japonicum and ten cultivars of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) on plant and nodule weights, and acetylene reduction rates (33 to 41 days) were measured in the presence and absence of 6mM nitrate. No interactions between strains and cultivars were observed. Strain by nitrate interactions were found for plant and nodule weights, and acetylene reduction rates per gram of nodule. Cultivar by nitrate interactions were found for nodule weights, acetylene reduction rates per plant and per gram of nodule. Blackhawk with all strains, and all cultivars with strains 110 and CB 1809, seemed to be able to grow as well in the absence of nitrate (utilizing nodule fixation) as in its presence. The problems of identifying strains and cultivars with especially good nitrogen fixing ability in the presence of nitrate are discussed.     

Effect of toxins produced by various Clostridium difficile strains on cecum size reduction in gnotobiotic mice

Inoculation of axenic mice with Clostridium difficile strains induced a significant reduction in ceca weight (dry or wet), whereas a nontoxinogenic strain led to a partial reduction. A strain, which produces cytotoxin and no enterotoxin in vivo, caused a reduction similar to that observed with a nontoxinogenic strain. Simultaneous cytotoxin and enterotoxin production by various C. difficile strains caused the cecum size to diminish to that observed for conventional control mice.     

The Influence of Biosurfactants Released by S. mitis BMS on the Adhesion of Pioneer Strains and Cariogenic Bacteria

The influence of Streptococcus mitis BMS biosurfactants on the adhesion of eight pioneer and four cariogenic oral bacterial strains was, for a first screening, examined in a microtiter plate assay. The adhesion to pellicle-coated wells of three cariogenic strains was inhibited > 70% by the biosurfactants, while only one pioneer strain showed > 70% reduction. The reduction for the other strains did not exceed 50%. Subsequently, adhesion of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus sobrinus HG 1025, both cariogenic strains, and Actinomyces naeslundii T14V-J1 and Streptococcus oralis J22, two pioneer strains, to biosurfactants-coated enamel with and without a salivary pellicle was studied in a parallel plate flow chamber. A biosurfactants coating to enamel with or without a pellicle caused a reduction in the number of adhering cariogenic organisms, although no such reduction was observed for the pioneer strains. Consequently, it is concluded that S. mitis BMS biosurfactants may play a protective role against adhesion of cariogenic bacteria.     

Fat maintenance is a predictor of the murine lifespan response to dietary restriction

Dietary restriction (DR), one of the most robust life-extending manipulations, is usually associated with reduced adiposity. This reduction is hypothesized to be important in the life-extending effect of DR, because excess adiposity is associated with metabolic and age-related disease. Previously, we described remarkable variation in the lifespan response of 41 recombinant inbred strains of mice to DR, ranging from life extension to life shortening. Here, we used this variation to determine the relationship of lifespan modulation under DR to fat loss. Across strains, DR life extension correlated inversely with fat reduction, measured at midlife (males, r= -0.41, P<0.05, n=38 strains; females, r= -0.63, P<0.001, n=33 strains) and later ages. Thus, strains with the least reduction in fat were more likely to show life extension, and those with the greatest reduction were more likely to have shortened lifespan. We identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting fat mass under DR in males but none for lifespan, precluding the confirmation of these loci as coordinate modulators of adiposity and longevity. Our data also provide evidence for a QTL previously shown to affect fuel efficiency under DR. In summary, the data do not support an important role for fat reduction in life extension by DR. They suggest instead that factors associated with maintaining adiposity are important for survival and life extension under DR.     

Redox potential to discriminate among species of lactic acid bacteria

AIMS: To verify to what degree reducing capacity is a characterizing parameter of a species, and of the strains themselves within a given species, of lactic acid bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-eight strains belonging to 10 species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditional Italian cheeses were studied for their reduction activity: Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus durans, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus helveticus and Pediococcus pentosaceus. It was observed that the lactococci reached minimum redox potential before the lactobacilli. The reduction rate of Enterococcus spp. and L. lactis ssp. lactis was higher than that of the streptococci and Lactobacillus spp. All the P. pentosaceus strains had poor reduction activity compared with the other species. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of the redox potential in milk over a time span of 24 h has been found to be a parameter that characterizes a species: the different courses corresponding to the species in question are clearly evident, and interesting differences can also be noted within the same species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The reduction aptitude of strains might be used to select and adapt appropriate strains for use as starters for dairy products.     

Extrachromosomal Elements Cause a Reduced Division Potential in Nib 1 Strains of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

The nib 1 allele of yeast confers a sensitivity to an endogenous plasmid, 2 mu DNA, in that nib 1 strains bearing 2 mu DNA (cir+) exhibit a reduction in division potential. In the present study, the reduction in division potential characteristic of nib 1 cir+ strains is shown to be dependent on the simultaneous presence of both the A and the D open reading frames of 2 mu DNA as well as on the presence of an unidentified extrachromosomal element other than 2 mu DNA. Furthermore, in nib 1 strains, an uncharacterized extrachromosomal element can cause a less severe reduction of division potential in the absence of intact 2 mu DNA. Thus, the nib 1 allele may confer a generalized sensitivity to extrachromosomal elements.     

In vitro suppression of fungi caused by combinations of apparently non-antagonistic soil bacteria

We hypothesized that apparently non-antagonistic soil bacteria may contribute to suppression of fungi during competitive interactions with other bacteria. Four soil bacteria (Brevundimonas sp., Luteibacter sp., Pedobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp.) that exhibited little or no visible antifungal activity on different agar media were prescribed. Single and mixed strains of these species were tested for antagonism on a nutrient-poor agar medium against the plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia solani and the saprotrophic fungus Trichoderma harzianum. Single bacterial strains caused little to moderate growth reduction of fungi (quantified as ergosterol), most probably due to nutrient withdrawal from the media. Growth reduction of fungi by the bacterial mixture was much stronger than that by the single strains. This appeared to be mostly due to competitive interactions between the Pseudomonas and Pedobacter strains. We argue that cohabitation of these strains triggered antibiotic production via interspecific interactions and that the growth reduction of fungi was a side-effect caused by the sensitivity of the fungi to bacterial secondary metabolites. Induction of gliding behavior in the Pedobacter strain by other strains was also observed. Our results indicate that apparently non-antagonistic soil bacteria may be important contributors to soil suppressiveness and fungistasis when in a community context.     

Survival of Flavobacterium psychrophilum in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) serum in vitro

Virulent and non-virulent strains of Flavobacterium psychrophilum of different serotypes were examined for survival and growth in non-immune and immune rainbow trout serum, in vitro. A majority of the examined strains consumed complement of non-immune serum, but the complement cascade was not able to cause an immediate (after 3 h incubation) notable reduction in viability of the inoculated cells. After 24 h incubation a more pronounced reduction in the number of viable bacteria was observed in untreated serum as well as in serum heated at 45 degrees C. In serum heated at 56 degrees C this reduction in cell number was not observed, but an increase in cell number did not occur either. The serum survival of one of the examined strains was different from the others in showing cell multiplication after 24 h incubation in normal as well as heat-treated (45 and 56 degrees C) serum. In immune serum no immediate reduction in viability of inoculated cells, of all tested strains, was observed. The number of viable cells showed a slow decrease or remained almost unchanged for up to 72 h post-inoculation in untreated serum, at 5 degrees C as well as 15 degrees C. In heat-treated serum (45 degrees C) the number of viable cells decreased slowly at 5 degrees C and 15 degrees C for up to 72 h. The results suggest that the examined strains were unaffected by the alternative complement reaction present in fish serum as well as by antibodies against F. psychrophilum. However, some unknown component(s) in the fish sera, or lack of nutrients or essential growth factors, inhibited the growth of most of the examined strains in the tested fish sera.     

The Relationship between H(2) Evolution and Acetylene Reduction in Pisum sativum-Rhizobium leguminosarum Symbioses Differing in Uptake Hydrogenase Activity

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) were inoculated with strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum having different levels of uptake hydrogenase (Hup) activity and were grown in sterile Leonard jars under controlled conditions. Rates of H₂ evolution and acetylene reduction were determined for intact nodulated roots at intervals after the onset of darkness or after removal of the shoots. Hup activity was estimated using treatment plants or equivalent plants from the growth chamber, by measuring the uptake of H₂ or ³H₂ in the presence of acetylene. In all cases, the rate of H₂ evolution was a continuous function of the rate of acetylene reduction. In symbioses with no demonstrable Hup activity, H₂ evolution increased in direct proportion to acetylene reduction and the slopes were similar with the Hup⁻ strains NA502 and 128C79. Hup activity was similar in strains 128C30 and 128C52 but significantly lower in strain 128C54. With these strains, the slopes of the H₂ evolution versus acetylene reduction curves initially increased with acetylene reduction, but became constant and similar to those for the Hup⁻ strains at high rates of acetylene reduction. On these parallel portions of the curves, the decreases in H₂ evolution by Hup⁺ strains were similar in magnitude to their H₂-saturated rates of Hup activity. The curvilinear relationship between H₂ evolution and acetylene reduction for a representative Hup⁺ strain (128C52) was the same, regardless of the experimental conditions used to vary the nitrogenase activity.     

Heat resistance of coliform species isolated from cooked ham, snail flesh, and 'bouchées à la reine'

AIMS: In this study, the heat resistance of coliform species isolated from cooked ham and ready-made meals was determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen coliform strains belonging to 12 different species were studied using laboratory medium in order to determine delta (first decimal reduction time) and z(T) values (temperature increase leading to a 10-fold reduction of delta) using the Weibull model. For seven strains, delta-values were determined at temperatures ranging from 55 to 60 degrees C, with, delta values between 0.52 and 2.98 min, at 59 degrees C. For the other six strains, lower temperature values were determined with delta-values ranging from 0.47 to 1.64 min at 54 degrees C. z(T) values calculated for the 13 strains were 3.1 to 7.5 degrees C. For eight strains, plotting of the log of survivors was not linear but rather showed shoulders or shoulders and tails. CONCLUSIONS: Coliform species were sensitive to heat treatment with a decimal reduction time under 2 min at 60 degrees C. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The better knowledge of coliform heat resistance by determining thermal resistance parameters with confidence intervals will be useful for evaluating the efficiency of industrial thermal processes.     

Triton X-100-induced lipoteichoic acid release is correlated with the methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

We previously reported that Triton X-100 (TRX) reduced methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, although the degree of reduction varied among strains. One of the biological effects of TRX on S. aureus cells was enhancement of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) release. We investigated the correlation between the amount of LTA released and the degree of reduction in methicillin resistance induced by TRX. The strains showing the greatest reduction of methicillin resistance released the largest amount of LTA, compared to those showing slight or moderate reduction. A mutant whose resistance was not affected by TRX did not increase its release of LTA. These findings suggest that LTA release is associated with a reduction in methicillin resistance in the presence of TRX.     

Concerning the Differentiation of Bacillus subtilis and Related Species

The results of an investigation involving 45 strains of Bacillus subtilis , 31 strains of B. licheniformis and 29 strains of B. pumilus are reported. The hitherto recognized varieties B. subtilis var. niger and B. subtilis var. aterrimus appear to be only variants of B. subtilis. For a rapid differentiation of B. licheniformis from B. subtilis two tests are recommended—reduction of nitrites and splitting of arginine. The present tests, reduction of nitrate and hydrolysis of starch, are the most suitable for distinguishing between B. pumilus and B. subtilis.     

Influence of Apple Cultivars on Inactivation of Different Strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Apple Cider by UV Irradiation

This study examined the effect of different apple cultivars upon the UV inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains within unfiltered apple cider. Apple cider was prepared from eight different apple cultivars, inoculated with approximately 10⁶ to 10⁷ CFU of three strains of E. coli O157:H7 per ml (933, ATCC 43889, and ATCC 43895), and exposed to 14 mJ of UV irradiation per cm². Bacterial populations for treated and untreated samples were then enumerated by using nonselective media. E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43889 showed the most sensitivity to this disinfection process with an average 6.63-log reduction compared to an average log reduction of 5.93 for both strains 933 and ATCC 43895. The highest log reduction seen, 7.19, occurred for strain ATCC 43889 in Rome cider. The same cider produced the lowest log reductions: 5.33 and 5.25 for strains 933 and ATCC 43895, respectively. Among the apple cultivars, an average log reduction range of 5.78 (Red Delicious) to 6.74 (Empire) was observed, with two statistically significant (α ≤ 0.05) log reduction groups represented. Within the paired cultivar-strain analysis, five of eight ciders showed statistically significant (α ≤ 0.05) differences in at least two of the E. coli strains used. Comparison of log reductions among the E. coli strains to the cider parameters of °Brix, pH, and malic acid content failed to show any statistically significant relationship (R² ≥ 0.95). However, the results of this study indicate that regardless of the apple cultivar used, a minimum 5-log reduction is achieved for all of the strains of E. coli O157:H7 tested.     

Biotransformation of acetophenone and its halogen derivatives by Yarrowia lipolytica strains

The ability of 16 strains of Yarrowia lipolytica to biotransform acetophenone and its derivatives has been studied. Thirteen of these strains were derived from a wild-type strain Y. lipolytica A-101; six had the invertase gene (SUC2) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae integrated into their genome, as well as the damaged or undamaged gene encoding orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase (URA3), three had integrated the damaged URA3 gene into their genome and three were UV acetate-negative mutants, not able to growth on acetate as the sole carbon source. The other tested strains included two wild strains, A-101 and PMR-1, and an adenine auxotroph ATCC 32-338A. All strains were capable of reducing acetophenone to the R-alcohol in high enantiomeric excess (80–89 %). In all of the cultures tested, reversibility of the reduction was observed, which led to an increase in the enantiomeric excess. nantioselective reduction of the acetophenone halogen derivatives revealed that the nature and location of the halogen atom had a significant influence on the enantioselectivity of the reduction. In the culture of ATCC 32-338A, after a 3-day biotransformation of 2,4′-dibromoacetophenone the enantiopure R-alcohol was obtained at a rate of 100 % of substrate conversion. In conclusion, using these invertase-containing strains or uracyl auxotrophs provided no additional benefit in terms of biotransformation capacity over the parental strain.     

Stereoselective reduction of keto esters: thermophilic bacteria and microalgae as new biocatalysts

This review covers the possibility of aerobic thermophilic bacteria (Bacillus strains and thermophilic actinomycetes) and microalgae (Chlorella strains and marine algae) as new biocatalysts for the stereoselective reduction of - and β-keto esters. The mechanistic interpretation of the reduction by a thermophilic actinomycete is also delineated.