Development of a real-time TaqMan assay to detect <Emphasis Type="Italic">mendocina</Emphasis> sublineage <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> species in contaminated metalworking fluids

A TaqMan quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for the detection and enumeration of three Pseudomonas species belonging to the mendocina sublineage (P. oleovorans, P. pseudoalcaligenes, and P. oleovorans subsp. lubricantis) found in contaminated metalworking fluids (MWFs). These microbes are the primary colonizers and serve as indicator organisms of biodegradation of used MWFs. Molecular techniques such as qPCR are preferred for the detection of these microbes since they grow poorly on typical growth media such as R2A agar and Pseudomonas isolation agar (PIA). Traditional culturing techniques not only underestimate the actual distribution of these bacteria but are also time-consuming. The primer–probe pair developed from gyrase B (gyrB) sequences of the targeted bacteria was highly sensitive and specific for the three species. qPCR was performed with both whole cell and genomic DNA to confirm the specificity and sensitivity of the assay. The sensitivity of the assay was 10¹ colony forming units (CFU)/ml for whole cell and 13.7 fg with genomic DNA. The primer–probe pair was successful in determining concentrations from used MWF samples, indicating levels between 2.9 × 10³ and 3.9 × 10⁶ CFU/ml. In contrast, the total count of Pseudomonas sp. recovered on PIA was in the range of <1.0 × 10¹ to 1.4 × 10⁵ CFU/ml for the same samples. Based on these results from the qPCR assay, the designed TaqMan primer–probe pair can be efficiently used for rapid (within 2 h) determination of the distribution of these species of Pseudomonas in contaminated MWFs.     

Enhanced production and characterization of a β-glucosidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus halodurans</Emphasis> expressed in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

A putative β-glucosidase gene from the genome of Bacillus halodurans C-125 was expressed in E. coli under the regulation of T7lac promoter. On induction with isopropyl-β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside, the enzyme expressed at ∼40% of the cell protein producing 238 mg/liter culture. With increase in culture cell density to A ₆₀₀ 12 in auto-inducing M9NG medium, β-glucosidase production increased 3-fold. Approximately 70% of the expressed enzyme was in a soluble form, while the rest was in an insoluble fraction of the cell lysate. The soluble and active form of the expressed enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by ion-exchange chromatography to a purity >98%. The mass of the enzyme as determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was 51,601 Da, which is nearly the same as the calculated value. Phylogenetic analysis of the β-glucosidase of B. halodurans was found to cluster with members of the genus Bacillus. Temperature and pH optima of the enzyme were found to be 45°C and 8.0, respectively, under the assay conditions. K _m and k _cat against p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside were 4 mM and 0.75 sec⁻¹, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of high-level expression and characterization of a β-glucosidase from B. halodurans.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> carbon supplementation in large-scale cultivations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis> in open raceway pond

The objective of this study was to estimate the CO₂ absorptivity provided by an in situ carbon supply system using a photosynthetic culture of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis in an open raceway pond. The effects of initial total carbon concentrations (ranging from 0 to 0.1 mol/L), suspension depths (ranging from 5 to 20 cm) and pH values (ranging from 8.9 to 11.0) on the CO₂ absorptivity were studied. The results indicated that CO₂ absorptivity was positively correlated with pH value, negatively correlated with total carbon concentration, and only negligibly affected by the suspension depth. The optimum total carbon concentration range and pH range were 0.03 ∼ 0.09 mol/L and 9.7 ∼ 10.0, respectively. An average CO₂ absorptivity of 86.16% and average CO₂ utilization efficiency of 79.18% were achieved using this in situ carbon-supply system in large-scale cultivation of Spirulina platensis, with an initial total carbon concentration of 0.06 mol/L and pH value of 9.8. Our results demonstrated that this system could obtain a favorable CO₂ utilization efficiency in outdoor, large-scale cultivation of Spirulina platensis in open raceway ponds.     

Excretory overexpression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus pabuli</Emphasis> US132 cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>: gene cloning and optimization of the culture conditions using experimental design

The gene encoding the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase of Paenibacillus pabuli US132 was connected to the amylase signal peptide of Bacillus stearothermophilus. This leads to an efficient secretion of the recombinant enzyme into the culture medium of Escherichia coli as an active form contrasting with the native construction leading to a periplasmic production. The optimum cultivation conditions for the maximum expression were optimized, using a Box-Behnken design under the response surface methodology, and found to be a post-induction temperature of 24°C, an induction-starting A₆₀₀ nm of 0.85, an isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside level of 0.045 mM and a post-induction time of 3.9 h. The screening of media components and their concentration were achieved using a Plackett-Burman and a Box-Behnken designs sequentially. Under the optimized conditions selected and in agreement with the predicted model, an activity of 6.03 U/mL was attained. This CGTase production was three-times higher than that using the non-optimized culture conditions (2 U/mL).     

Interaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus</Emphasis> with bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis>

Interaction of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 100NCJB with bacteria Campylobacter jejuni (strains 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) and Helicobacter pylori, strain TX30a, was confirmed. The results indicate that lytic activity of bdellovibrios both in liquid media and cells attached to a surface was observed. The potential use of the antimicrobial activity of predatory bacteria for environmental bioprotection and public health is discussed.     

High-Level Expression of Heme-Dependent Catalase Gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">katA</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus Sakei</Emphasis> Protects <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus Rhamnosus</Emphasis> from Oxidative Stress

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are generally sensitive to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), Lactobacillus sakei YSI8 is one of the very few LAB strains able to degrade H₂O₂ through the action of a heme-dependent catalase. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains are very important probiotic starter cultures in meat product fermentation, but they are deficient in catalase. In this study, the effect of heterologous expression of L. sakei catalase gene katA in L. rhamnosus on its oxidative stress resistance was tested. The recombinant L. rhamnosus AS 1.2466 was able to decompose H₂O₂ and the catalase activity reached 2.85 μmol H₂O₂/min/10⁸ c.f.u. Furthermore, the expression of the katA gene in L. rhamnosus conferred enhanced oxidative resistance on the host. The survival ratios after short-term H₂O₂ challenge were increased 600 and 10⁴-fold at exponential and stationary phase, respectively. Further, viable cells were 100-fold higher in long-term aerated cultures. Simulation experiment demonstrated that both growth and catalase activity of recombinant L. rhamnosus displayed high stability under environmental conditions similar to those encountered during sausage fermentation.     

Synergistic effect between dieckol from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ecklonia stolonifera</Emphasis> and β-lactams against methicillin-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis>

We have been attempting for some time to discover a compound evidencing antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The dieckol isolated from Ecklonia stolonifera has been shown to exhibit antibacterial activity against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of dieckol were determined in a range of 32 to 64 μg/mL against standard MSSA and MRSA strains. Furthermore, dieckol clearly reversed the high-level ampicillin and penicillin resistance of MRSA. The MICs of ampicillin against two standard strains of MRSA were dramatically reduced from 512 to 0.5 μg/mL in combination with 1/4 MIC of dieckol (16 μg/mL). The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices of ampicillin and penicillin were measured from 0.066 to 0.266 in combination with 8 or 16 μg/mL of dieckol against all tested MRSA strains, thereby suggesting that dieckol-ampicillin or dieckol-penicillin combinations exert a synergistic effect against MRSA. The results of this study indicate that dieckol, administered in combination with β-lactams, may prove effective in the treatment of MRSA infections. Our finding may also contribute to the development of an alternative phytotherapeutic anti-MRSA agent.     

Characterization of a recombinant endo-1,5-α-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-arabinanase from the isolated bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus licheniformis</Emphasis>

The bacterium Bacillus licheniformis, which exhibits high hydrolytic activity toward arabinan, was isolated from soil, and its gene encoding endo-1,5-α-l-arabinanase was cloned and sequenced. The gene has an open reading frame that encodes 328 amino acids, including a signal peptide of 37 amino acids. Endo-1,5-α-l-arabinanase, a member of glycosyl hydrolase family 43, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as a 34-kD monomer with a specific activity of 27 U/mg. Optimal activity toward debranched arabinan (linear 1,5-α-l-arabinan) occurred at pH 6.0 and 35°C, with a k _cat of 160/sec and a K _m of 19 mg/mL.     

Susceptibility of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> to organic acids and monoacylglycerols

Organic acids can be used as feed supplements or for treatment of poultry carcasses in processing plants. The antimicrobial activity of nineteen organic acids and two monoacylglycerols in cultures of Campylobacter jejuni CCM 6214^T (ATCC 33560) was determined using a SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay. The IC₅₀ was a concentration at which only 50 % of a bacteria specific DNA sequence was amplified. Caprylic, capric and lauric acids were the most efficient antimicrobials among the compounds tested (IC₅₀ ≤ 0.1 mg/mL). In a weakly acidic environment (pH 5.5), the antimicrobial activity was more pronounced than at pH 6.5. At pH 5.5, oleic and fumaric acid also had clear antimicrobial activity, as did monocaprylin. The antimicrobial activity of acetic, butyric, stearic and succinic acid was low. In cells treated with fumaric acid, the potential of potassium and tetraphenylphosphonium ion-selective electrodes changed, indicating an increase in cytoplasmic and outer membrane permeability, respectively. No changes in membrane permeability were observed in cells treated with capric acid or monocaprin. Transmission electron microscopy revealed separation of the inner and outer membrane in cells treated with capric and fumaric acid, as well as cytoplasmic disorganization in cells exposed to capric acid.     

Improved production and properties of β-glucosidase influenced by 2-deoxy-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucose in the culture medium of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Termitomyces clypeatus</Emphasis>

Increased production, secretion, and activity of β-glucosidase in the filamentous fungus Termitomyces clypeatus was achieved in presence of the glycosylation inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (0.05%, w/v) during submerged fermentation. Enzyme activity increased to 163 U/mL by adding mannose (2 mg/mL) to the medium. Such a high enzyme activity has not been achieved without mutation or genetic manipulation. The K_m and V_max of the enzyme in culture medium were determined to be 0.092 mM and 35.54 U/mg, respectively, with p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside as substrate, confirming its high catalytic activity. The enzyme displayed optimum activity at pH 5.4 and 45°C. The enzyme was fairly stable between acidic to alkaline pH and retained about 75 ∼ 65% residual activities between pH 4 and 10.6 and demonstrated full activity at 45°C for 3 days. The enzyme was also stable in the presence of Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and 80% of the residual activity was observed in the presence of Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺, Cu²⁺, EDTA, and sodium azide. Around 70% of the activity was retained in the presence of 2 M guanidium HCl and 3 M urea, whereas the activity was 5 and 2 times higher in the presence of 4 mM beta-mercaptoethanol and 50 mM DTT, respectively. The enzyme obtained from the culture filtrate showed potential cellulose saccharifying ability which increased further when supplemented with commercial cellulase. Thus, this enzyme could be used without any additional downstream processing for commercial cellulase preparation and production of bioethanol or for other biotechnological applications.     

Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus fermentum</Emphasis> I5007 on the intestinal and systemic immune responses of healthy and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> challenged piglets

The effect of feeding Lactobacillus fermentum I5007 on the immune system of weaned pigs with or without E. coli challenge was determined. Twenty-four weaned barrows (6.07 ± 0.63 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (N = 6) in a factorial design experiment. The first two treatments consisted of healthy piglets with half of the pigs receiving no treatment while the other half was orally administered with L. fermentum I5007 (10⁸ CFU/ml) at a daily dose of 20 ml. Pigs in the second two treatments were challenged on the first day with 20 ml of E. coli K88ac (10⁸ CFU/ml). Half of these pigs were not treated while the remaining pigs were treated with 20 ml of L. fermentum I5007 (10⁸ CFU/ml). Peripheral blood lymphocytes subsets were determined using flow cytometry. The intestinal mucosal immunity of the pigs was monitored by real time polymerase chain reaction. The cytokine content of the pig’s serum was also analyzed. Oral administration of L. fermentum I5007 increased blood CD4⁺ lymphocyte subset percentage as well as tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ expression in the ileum. Pigs challenged with E. coli had elevated jejunal tumor necrosis factor-α while interferon-γ expression was increased throughout the small intestine. There was no difference in the concentration of the cytokines interleukin-2, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ in the serum. CD8⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in peripheral blood were not affected by treatment. In conclusion, L. fermentum I5007 can enhance T cell differentiation and induce ileum cytokine expression suggesting that this probiotic strain could modulate immune function in piglets.     

Conversion of soybean sterols into 3,17-diketosteroids using actinobacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium neoaurum,Pimelobacter simplex</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus erythropolis</Emphasis>

Soybean sterols were converted into androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and 9α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (9-OH-AD) using three actinobacterium strains. The transformation of a microcrystallic substrate (particle size 5–15 μm) or the transformation in the presence of randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (MCD) were carried out by Mycobacterium neoaurum with a phytosterol load of 30 g/l over 144 h with an AD content of 14.5 and 15.2 g/l, respectively. AD obtained in the presence of MCD was transformed into ADD (13.5 g/l) by Pimelobacter simplex cells over 3 h and into 9-OH-AD by Rhodococcus erythropolis cells after 22 h without the isolation of AD from the cultural liquid. The crude product ADD was obtained in 75% yield, based on phytosterol. It contained as by-products 1.25% of AD and 1.5% of 1,2-dehydrotestosterone. In a control experiment—the process of 1,2-dehydrogenation of 20 g/l AD in the water solution of MCD—no by-products were isolated. Thus, it is more expedient to introduce the 1,2-double bond into pure AD, whereas R. erythropolis strain with low destructive activity towards steroid nucleus can be used in the mixed culture with M. neoaurum. The crystal product contained, according to HPLC, 80% of 9-OH-AD, and 1.5% AD was obtained. The yield of 9-OH-AD (m.p. 218–220°C) based on transformed phytosterol was 56%.     

Proteolysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-amylase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomycopsis fibuligera</Emphasis>: characterization of digestion products

α-Amylase from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera R-64 was successfully purified by butyl Toyopearl hydrophobic interaction chromatography, followed by Sephadex G-25 size exclusion and DEAE Toyopearl anion exchange chromatography. The enzyme has a molecular mass of 54 kDa, as judged by SDS PAGE analysis. Upon tryptic digestion, two major fragments with relative molecular masses of 39 kDa and 10 kDa, which resemble the A/B and C-terminal domains in the homologous Taka-amylase, were obtained and were successfully separated with the Sephadex G-50 size exclusion column. The 39-kDa fragment demonstrated a similar amylolytic activity to that of the undigested enzyme. However, it was found that the K _m value of the 39-kDa fragment was about two-times higher than that of the undigested enzyme. Moreover, thermostability studies showed a lower half-life time for the 39-kDa fragment. These findings suggest that the 39-kDa fragment is the catalytic domain, while the 10-kDa fragment is the C-terminal one, which plays a role in thermostability and starch binding. Although the undigested enzyme is able to act on raw starches at room temperature, with maize starches as the best substrate, neither the undigested enzyme nor the fragments adsorb the tested raw starches. These results propose Saccharomycopsis fibuligera α-amylase as a raw starch-digesting but not adsorbing amylase, with a similar domain organization to that of Taka-amylase A.     

Synthesis of orthogonally protected (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3S</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)-4,5-diamino-3-hydroxypentanoic acids

Summary.  The paper describes two methods of the synthesis of ethyl (3R,4S)- and (3S,4S)-4-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-5-[(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)amino]-3-hydroxypentanoates, useful for the syntheses of edeine analogs. Differently N-protected (S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid was used as a substrate in both procedures. The absolute configuration of newly generated asymmetric carbon atoms C-3 in β-hydroxy-γ,δ-diamino products was assigned by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy after their transformation into corresponding piperidin-2-ones. Received May 24, 2002 Accepted October 10, 2002 Published online December 18, 2002 Acknowledgment The authors are indebted to the Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk for financial support. Authors' address: Zbigniew Czajgucki, M. Sc., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland, Fax +48 58 347 11 44, E-mail: zmczaj@wp.pl     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus faecium</Emphasis> isolated from honey synthesized bacteriocin-like substances active against different <Emphasis Type="Italic">Listeria monocytogenes</Emphasis> strains

Four Enterococcus faecium strains, isolated from honeycombs (C1 and M2d strains) and feral combs (Mori1 and M1b strains) secreted antimicrobial substances active against fourteen different Listeria spp. strains. The antimicrobial compound(s) present in the cell free supernatant were highly thermostable (121°C for 15 min) and inactivated by proteolytic enzymes, but not by α-amylase and lipase, thus suggesting a peptidic nature. Since the structural bacteriocin gene determinants of enterocins A and B were PCR amplified from the four E. faecium isolates, only the bacteriocin produced by strain C1 was further characterized: it showed a broad band of approximately 4.0–7.0 kDa in SDS-PAGE and was bactericidal (4 log decrease) against L. monocytogenes 99/287. L. monocytogenes 99/287R, a clone spontaneously resistant to the enterocin produced by E. avium DSMZ17511 (ex PA1), was not inhibited by the enterocin-like compounds produced by strain C1. However, it was inhibited in mixed culture fermentations by E. faecium C1 and a bacteriostatic effect was observed. The bacteriocin-producer Enterococcus strains were not haemolytic; gelatinase negative and sensitive to vancomycin and other clinically relevant antibiotics.     

Response to different oxidants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">ure2Δ</Emphasis> mutant

Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ure2Δ mutant strain was investigated in the presence of diverse oxidant compounds. The inability of the strain to grow on a medium supplemented with H₂O₂ was confirmed and a relationship between diminishing levels of glutathione (GSH) and peroxide sensitivity was established. Data for the lack of significant effect of URE2 disruption on the cellular growth in the presence of paraquat and menadione were obtained. The possible role of Ure2p in acquiring sensitivity to oxidative stress by means of its regulatory role in the GATA signal transduction pathway was discussed. It was suggested that the susceptibility of ure2Δ mutant to the exogenous hydrogen peroxide can result from increased GSH degradation due to the deregulated localization of the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activating factors Gln3/Gat1. The important role of Ure2p in in vivo glutathione-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging was shown by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in an URE2 disrupted strain. A time-dependent increase in SOD and catalase activity was observed. More importantly, it was shown that the ure2 mutation could cause significant disturbance in cellular oxidant balance and increased ROS level.     

Inhibition of Vancomycin-Resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus</Emphasis> by Continuous-Flow Cultures of Human Stool Microflora With and Without Anaerobic Gas Supplementation

A continuous-flow competitive exclusion (CFCE) culture model of human stool microflora was used to examine whether supplemental anaerobic gas is necessary for maintenance of anaerobes and inhibition of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). CFCE cultures of human stool microflora were maintained with supplemental nitrogen, without supplemental nitrogen, or with percolated room air. Cultures with or without supplemental nitrogen maintained >9 log₁₀ CFU mL^–1 of obligate anaerobes and eliminated 10⁶ CFU mL^–1 of VRE. When room air was percolated into the culture, anaerobes were detected at 2 log₁₀ CFU mL^–1, and the same VRE inoculum was not eliminated (P < 0.001). These data demonstrate that human stool CFCE cultures maintain high levels of obligate anaerobes and inhibit VRE without the addition of supplemental anaerobic gas.     

Bactericidal effect of hydrolysable and condensed tannin extracts on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> in vitro

Strategies are sought to reduce intestinal colonisation of food-producing animals by Campylobacter jejuni, a leading bacterial cause of human foodborne illness worldwide. Presently, we tested the antimicrobial activity of hydrolysable-rich blackberry, cranberry and chestnut tannin extracts and condensed tannin-rich mimosa, quebracho and sorghum tannins (each at 100 mg/mL) against C. jejuni via disc diffusion assay in the presence of supplemental casamino acids. We found that when compared to non-tannin-treated controls, all tested tannins inhibited the growth of C. jejuni and that inhibition by the condensed tannin-rich mimosa and quebracho extracts was mitigated in nutrient-limited medium supplemented with casamino acids. When tested in broth culture, both chestnut and mimosa extracts inhibited growth of C. jejuni and this inhibition was much greater in nutrient-limited than in full-strength medium. Consistent with observations from the disc diffusion assay, the inhibitory activity of the condensed tannin-rich mimosa extracts but not the hydrolysable tannin-rich chestnut extracts was mitigated by casamino acid supplementation to the nutrient-limited medium, likely because the added amino acids saturated the binding potential of the condensed tannins. These results demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of various hydrolysable and condensed tannin-rich extracts against C. jejuni and reveal that condensed tannins may be less efficient than hydrolysable tannins in controlling C. jejuni in gut environments containing high concentrations of amino acids and soluble proteins.     

Expression of Two Self-enhancing Antifreeze Proteins from the Beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendroides canadensis</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

Antifreeze proteins depress the non-equilibrium freezing point of aqueous solutions, but only have a small effect on the equilibrium melting point. This difference between the freezing and melting points has been termed thermal hysteresis activity (THA). THA identifies the presence and relative activity of antifreeze proteins. Two antifreeze protein cDNAs, dafp-1 and dafp-4, encoding two self-enhancing (have a synergistic effect on THA) antifreeze proteins (DAFPs) from the beetle Dendroides canadensis, were introduced into the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana via Agrobacterium-mediated floral dip transformation. Southern blot analysis indicated multiple insertions of transgenes. Both DAFP-1 and/or DAFP-4 were expressed in transgenic A. thaliana as shown by RT-PCR and Western blot. Apoplastic fluid from T ₃ DAFP-1 + DAFP-4-producing transgenic A. thaliana exhibited THA in the range of 1.2–1.35°C (using the capillary method to determine THA), demonstrating the presence of functioning antifreeze proteins (with signal peptides for extracellular secretion). The freezing temperature of DAFP-1 + DAFP-4-producing transgenic A. thaliana was lowered by approximately 2–3°C compared with the wild type.     

Exploring the potential of clay in mitigating <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrodinium bahamense</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">compressum</Emphasis> and other harmful algal species in the Philippines

Harmful algal bloom occurrences worldwide have prompted the testing and use of methods to control and mitigate their detrimental effects. This study investigates the potential of Philippine clay minerals to physically remove phytoplankton cells under laboratory conditions. Ball clay had the highest removal efficiency (∼95%) for Pyrodinium bahamense (paralytic shellfish poisoning causative organism) cells. A slight decrease in the efficiency by 10–20% was seen when culture volume was increased from 50 mL to 1 L. Removal efficiency was reduced to ∼95% when water motion was introduced. Removal of other phytoplankton species (Gymnodinium sanguineum, Amphidinium carterae, Pyrophacus horologium, Chatonella marina, and Alexandrium sp.) using ball clay was less efficient (<70%). Cell removal efficiencies differed with phytoplankton species belonging to the same taxonomic group. Possible mechanisms for cell removal are described.