Microbial keratinases: industrial enzymes with waste management potential

Proteases are ubiquitous enzymes that occur in various biological systems ranging from microorganisms to higher organisms. Microbial proteases are largely utilized in various established industrial processes. Despite their numerous industrial applications, they are not efficient in hydrolysis of recalcitrant, protein-rich keratinous wastes which result in environmental pollution and health hazards. This paved the way for the search of keratinolytic microorganisms having the ability to hydrolyze “hard to degrade” keratinous wastes. This new class of proteases is known as “keratinases”. Due to their specificity, keratinases have an advantage over normal proteases and have replaced them in many industrial applications, such as nematicidal agents, nitrogenous fertilizer production from keratinous waste, animal feed and biofuel production. Keratinases have also replaced the normal proteases in the leather industry and detergent additive application due to their better performance. They have also been proved efficient in prion protein degradation. Above all, one of the major hurdles of enzyme industrial applications (cost effective production) can be achieved by using keratinous waste biomass, such as chicken feathers and hairs as fermentation substrate. Use of these low cost waste materials serves dual purposes: to reduce the fermentation cost for enzyme production as well as reducing the environmental waste load. The advent of keratinases has given new direction for waste management with industrial applications giving rise to green technology for sustainable development.     

Analysis of the genome of an alkaliphilic Bacillus strain from an industrial point of view

Bacillus species and other microbes with pH optima for growth higher than pH 9 are defined as alkaliphiles. A large number of alkaliphilic Bacillus strains producing useful enzymes, have been isolated from various environments. Some of these enzymes, such as proteases and cellulases from alkaliphilic Bacillus strains, have been commercialized and have brought great advantages to industry and domestic life. To support further development of the enzyme industry, we initiated analysis of the genome of Bacillus halodurans C-125, which is 4.25 Mb in size, and constructed a physical and genetic map for comparison with the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. Systematic sequencing of the whole genome of Bacillus halodurans C-125 has been automated since the beginning of May 1998, and sequencing of 98% of the whole genome has been done so far. Through genome analysis, it became apparent that the genome organization of alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans C-125 is totally different from that of B. subtilis orthologues. Received: July 11, 1999 / Accepted: December 27, 1999     

Optimization of physical factors affecting the production of thermo-stable organic solvent-tolerant protease from a newly isolated halo tolerant Bacillus subtilis strain Rand

Background  

Many researchers have reported on the optimization of protease production; nevertheless, only a few have reported on the optimization of the production of organic solvent-tolerant proteases. Ironically, none has reported on thermostable organic solvent-tolerant protease to date. The aim of this study was to isolate the thermostable organic solvent-tolerant protease and identify the culture conditions which support its production. The bacteria of genus Bacillus are active producers of extra-cellular proteases, and the thermostability of enzyme production by Bacillus species has been well-studied by a number of researchers. In the present study, the Bacillus subtilis strain Rand was isolated from the contaminated soil found in Port Dickson, Malaysia.     

Bacillus and biopolymer: Prospects and challenges

The microbially derived polyhydroxyalkanoates biopolymers could impact the global climate scenario by replacing the conventional non-degradable, petrochemical-based polymer. The biogenesis, characterization and properties of PHAs by Bacillus species using renewable substrates have been elaborated by many for their wide applications. On the other hand Bacillus species are advantageous over other bacteria due to their abundance even in extreme ecological conditions, higher growth rates even on cheap substrates, higher PHAs production ability, and the ease of extracting the PHAs. Bacillus species possess hydrolytic enzymes that can be exploited for economical PHAs production. This review summarizes the recent trends in both non-growth and growth associated PHAs production by Bacillus species which may provide direction leading to future research towards this growing quest for biodegradable plastics, one more critical step ahead towards sustainable development.     

Using enzymes to remove biofilms of bacterial isolates sampled in the food-industry

The aim of this study was to analyze the cleaning efficiency of polysaccharidases and proteolytic enzymes against biofilms of bacterial species found in food industry processing lines and to study enzyme effects on the composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and biofilm removal in a Clean-in-Place (CIP) procedure. The screening of 7 proteases and polysaccharidases for removal of biofilms of 16 bacterial species was first evaluated using a microtiter plate assay. The alkaline pH buffer removed more biofilm biomass as well as affecting a larger range of bacterial species. The two serine proteases and α-amylase were the most efficient enzymes. Proteolytic enzymes promoted biofilm removal of a larger range of bacterial species than polysaccharidases. Using three isolates derived from two bacterial species widely found in food processing lines (Pseudomonas fluorescens and the Bacillus cereus group), biofilms were developed on stainless steel slides and enzymatic solutions were used to remove the biofilms using CIP procedure. Serine proteases were more efficient in removing cells of Bacillus biofilms than polysaccharidases. However, polysaccharidases were more efficient in removing P. fluorescens biofilms than serine proteases. Solubilization of enzymes with a buffer containing surfactants, and dispersing and chelating agents enhanced the efficiency of polysaccharidases and proteases respectively in removing biofilms of Bacillus and P. fluorescens. A combination of enzymes targeting several components of EPS, surfactants, dispersing and chelating agents would be an efficient alternative to chemical cleaning agents.     

养猪微生物发酵床芽胞杆菌空间分布多样性

了解微生物发酵床大栏养猪垫料中的芽胞杆菌多样性和空间分布规律,为微生物发酵床管理、芽胞杆菌新资源挖掘及菌剂开发奠定基础。将发酵床划分为32个方格(4行×8列),采用五点取样法获得每个方格的样品。采用可培养法从32份样品中分离芽胞杆菌菌株,利用16S rRNA基因序列初步鉴定所分离获得的芽胞杆菌种类。利用聚集度指标和回归分析法,分析芽胞杆菌的样方空间分布型。通过Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数、Hill指数及丰富度指数分析,揭示微生物发酵床中芽胞杆菌的空间分布多样性。从32份样品中共获得芽胞杆菌452株,16S rRNA基因鉴定结果表明它们分别隶属于芽胞杆菌纲的2个科、8个属、48个种。其中,种类最多的为芽胞杆菌属(Bacillus),30种;赖氨酸芽胞杆菌属(Lysinibacillus),6种;类芽胞杆菌属(Paenibacillus),5种;短芽胞杆菌属(Brevibacillus),3种;鸟氨酸芽胞杆菌属(Ornithinibacillus)、大洋芽胞杆菌属(Oceanibacillus)、少盐芽胞杆菌属(Paucisalibacillus)和纤细芽胞杆菌属(Gracilibacillus)各1个种。芽胞杆菌种类在发酵床空间分布差异很大,根据其空间出现频次,可分为广分布种类,如地衣芽胞杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis);寡分布种类,如根际芽胞杆菌(B.rhizosphaerae);少分布种类,如弯曲芽胞杆菌(B.flexus)。依据其数量,可分为高含量组优势种群,如地衣芽胞杆菌(B.licheniformis);中含量组常见种群,耐盐赖氨酸芽胞杆菌(Lysinibacillus halotolerans);寡含量组寡见种群,如根际芽胞杆菌(B.rhizosphaerae);低含量组偶见种群,如土地芽胞杆菌(B.humi)。空间分布型聚集度和回归分析测定表明,芽胞杆菌在微生物发酵床的分布类型为聚集分布。微生物发酵床垫料中芽胞杆菌种类总含量高达4.41×108个/g,其种类含量范围为0.01—94.1×106个/g(均值为8.96×106个/g),丰富度指数(D)、优势度指数(λ)、Shannon-Wiener指数(H')和均匀度指数(J')分别为0.4928、0.2634、1.3589和0.9803,其中香农指数最大的单个芽胞杆菌种类为地衣芽胞杆菌(B.licheniformis)。根据芽胞杆菌种类多样性指数聚类分析,当欧式距离λ=17时,可分为高丰富度高含量和低丰富度低含量类型。微生物发酵床的芽胞杆菌种类丰富、数量高,是一个天然的菌剂"发酵罐",有望直接作为微生物菌剂,应用于土壤改良、作物病害防控、污染治理等领域。     

Isolation and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">polyfermenticus</Emphasis> isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meju,</Emphasis> Korean soybean fermentation starter

Bacteria of the Bacillus species have been reported as an important microorganism in fermented soybean products. In the present study, thirty Bacillus isolates were screened from Meju, a Korean soybean fermentation starter. The comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer sequences, phenotypic, and biochemical characterizations revealed three phylogenetically distinct groups namely Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus polyfermenticus and Bacillus subtilis. The isolates were assayed for poly-γ-glutamate production and fibrinolytic activity. Among the isolates, B. polyfermenticus exhibited maximum poly-γ-glutamate production and fibrinolytic activity. Moreover, the soybean products fermented by B. polyfermenticus have increased the time taken for coagulation and hemorrhage in mice. The results of the present study clearly indicate the functional role of B. polyfermenticus in fermented soybean products.     

传统豆瓣酱微生物群落发酵演替规律及其功能分析

[目的]解析中国传统豆瓣酱发酵过程中的微生物群落演替规律和理化代谢物质变化,探讨不同发酵阶段影响豆瓣酱风味的核心功能微生物.[方法]采用高通量测序解析豆瓣酱发酵过程中的微生物群落结构和演替,并跟踪检测发酵过程中的理化代谢物质,然后分析微生物群落和理化代谢物质变化之间的相关性,最后在体外分离核心微生物并对其功能特性进行验...     

Preparation and Purification of Microbial Proteases With Special Reference to The Bacilli

Methods for the examination of bacteria for protease production on semisolid media are described. The selection of media for production of small quantities of crude bacterial proteases from pure cultures of selected microorganisms in shake flasks is discussed. The most useful media have been found to be a grain-based medium, a soya fluff-starch-yeast extract medium and a fish meal-enzose-cerelose-cornsteep liquor medium. The alkaline proteases and neutral proteases can be identified and differentiated by specific assays and a purification procedure planned dependent upon the enzymes present in the fermentation beer. Crude enzyme can be precipitated from the fermentation beer by the addition of organic solvents such as acetone or isopropanol or by the addition of salts such as ammonium or sodium sulfate. The alkaline proteases typified by B. subtilis alkaline protease can be extensively purified by chromatography on Duolite C-10 cation exchange resin, whereas the neutral protease of 3 subtilis is best purified by chromatography on hydroxylapatite. Methods for purification of other proteases are discussed and the prechromatography steps for removal of pigment and other gross impurities are described.     

Enzymes from thermophiles

The most frequently used sources of more stable enzymes are thermophilic bacteria, e.g. Bacillus, Closrridium, and Therrnus strains, occurring in natural as well as man-made habitats. They grow from 55 to 88°C with a specific growth rate of up to 2.6 h^? and a yield coefficient of up to 0.4 gram of dry cell weight per gram of carbohydrate consumed. Several thermophilic strains, e.g. Bacillus sp. TP32, rapidly and effectively produce enzymes having a higher thermal stability and resistance to chemical denaturants in comparison to their mesophilic counterparts. Therefore, thermostable enzymes are of importance for bioorganic syntheses. For the further optimization of enzyme production, genetic engineering is applied.     

Restricting detergent protease action to surface of protein fibres by chemical modification

Due to their excellent properties, such as thermostability, activity over a broad range of pH and efficient stain removal, proteases from Bacillus sp. are commonly used in the textile industry including industrial processes and laundry and represent one of the most important groups of enzymes. However, due to the action of proteases, severe damage on natural protein fibres such as silk and wool result after washing with detergents containing proteases. To include the benefits of proteases in a wool fibre friendly detergent formulation, the soluble polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) was covalently attached to a protease from Bacillus licheniformis. In contrast to activation of PEG with cyanuric chloride (50%) activation with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) lead to activity recovery above 90%. With these modified enzymes, hydrolytic attack on wool fibres could be successfully prevented up to 95% compared to the native enzymes. Colour difference (ΔE) measured in the three dimensional colour space showed good stain removal properties for the modified enzymes. Furthermore, half-life of the modified enzymes in buffers and commercial detergents solutions was nearly twice as high as those of the non-modified enzymes with values of up to 63 min. Out of the different modified proteases especially the B. licheniformis protease with the 2.0-kDa polymer attached both retained stain removal properties and did not hydrolyse/damage wool fibres.     

Phylogenetic Diversity and Characterization of Novel and Efficient Cellulase Producing Bacterial Isolates from Various Extreme Environments

A set of 300 bacterial strains isolated from various extreme environments were screened for the presence of cellulase activity on CMC agar plates. Phylogenetic analysis of the positive strain, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolates were clustered within Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. A majority (17) of the isolates were identified as Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and Lysinibacillus sp., and the remaining three were identified as Arthobacter, Rhodococcus, and Bhargavaea cecembensis. Among the 20 positive isolates, 6 were evaluated for the production of cellulases on five different cellulosic substrates. Two isolates, B. cecembensis and Bacillus sp., based on maximum enzyme production on all cellulosic substrates, especially CMC and rice straw, were evaluated in terms of enzyme properties and kinetics. The enzymes of these two isolates are found to be active over broad range of pH and temperature. Such thermostable enzymes facilitate the development of efficient and cost-effective forms of the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process converting lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and value-added products.     

Biology and biotechnology of Trichoderma

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are soilborne, green-spored ascomycetes that can be found all over the world. They have been studied with respect to various characteristics and applications and are known as successful colonizers of their habitats, efficiently fighting their competitors. Once established, they launch their potent degradative machinery for decomposition of the often heterogeneous substrate at hand. Therefore, distribution and phylogeny, defense mechanisms, beneficial as well as deleterious interaction with hosts, enzyme production and secretion, sexual development, and response to environmental conditions such as nutrients and light have been studied in great detail with many species of this genus, thus rendering Trichoderma one of the best studied fungi with the genome of three species currently available. Efficient biocontrol strains of the genus are being developed as promising biological fungicides, and their weaponry for this function also includes secondary metabolites with potential applications as novel antibiotics. The cellulases produced by Trichoderma reesei, the biotechnological workhorse of the genus, are important industrial products, especially with respect to production of second generation biofuels from cellulosic waste. Genetic engineering not only led to significant improvements in industrial processes but also to intriguing insights into the biology of these fungi and is now complemented by the availability of a sexual cycle in T. reesei/Hypocrea jecorina, which significantly facilitates both industrial and basic research. This review aims to give a broad overview on the qualities and versatility of the best studied Trichoderma species and to highlight intriguing findings as well as promising applications.     

Production of plant proteases in vivo and in vitro--a review

In the latest two decades, the interest received by plant proteases has increased significantly. Plant enzymes such as proteases are widely used in medicine and the food industry. Some proteases, like papain, bromelain and ficin are used in various processes such as brewing, meat softening, milk-clotting, cancer treatment, digestion and viral disorders. These enzymes can be obtained from their natural source or through in vitro cultures, in order to ensure a continuous source of plant enzymes. The focus of this review will be the production of plant proteases both in vivo and in vitro, with particular emphasis on the different types of commercially important plant proteases that have been isolated and characterized from naturally grown plants. In vitro approaches for the production of these proteases is also explored, focusing on the techniques that do not involve genetic transformation of the plants and the attempts that have been made in order to enhance the yield of the desired proteases.     

Microbial metabolomics: essential definitions and the importance of cultivation conditions for utilizing Bacillus species as bionematicides

Root-knot nematodes are destructive phytopathogens that damage agricultural crops globally, and there is growing interest in the use of biocontrol based on rhizobacteria such as Bacillus to combat Meloidogyne species. It is hypothesized that nematicidal activity of Bacillus can be attributed to the production of secondary metabolites and hydrolytic enzymes. Yet, few studies have characterized these metabolites and their identities remain unknown. Others are speculative or fail to elaborate on how secondary metabolites were detected or distinguished from primary metabolites. Metabolites can be classified based on their origin as either intracellular or extracellular and based on their function, as either primary or secondary. Although this classification is in general use, the boundaries are not always well defined. An understanding of the secondary metabolite and hydrolytic enzyme classification of Bacillus species will facilitate investigations aimed at bionematicide development. This review summarizes the significance of Bacillus hydrolytic enzymes and secondary metabolites in bionematicide research and provides an overview of known classifications. The importance of appropriate cultivation conditions for optimum metabolite and enzyme production is also discussed. Finally, the use of metabolomics for the detection and identification of nematicidal compounds is considered.     

Polyhydroxyalkanoates in Gram-positive bacteria: insights from the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis>

Gram-positive bacteria, notably Bacillus and Streptomyces, have been used extensively in industry. However, these microorganisms have not yet been exploited for the production of the biodegradable polymers, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Although PHAs have many potential applications, the cost of production means that medical applications are currently the main area of use. Gram-negative bacteria, currently the only commercial source of PHAs, have lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which co-purify with the PHAs and cause immunogenic reactions. On the other hand, Gram- positive bacteria lack LPS, a positive feature which justifies intensive investigation into their production of PHAs. This review summarizes currently available knowledge on PHA production by Gram- positive bacteria especially Bacillus and Streptomyces. We hope that this will form the basis of further research into developing either or both as a source of PHAs for medical applications.     

Fermentative production of chiral acetoin by wild-type Bacillus strains

Abstract

In recent years, there have been many studies on producing acetoin by microbial fermentation, while only a few studies have focused on chiral acetoin biosynthesis. The weight assignment method was first applied to balance the chiral purity (expressed as the enantiomeric excess value) and the titer of acetoin. Bacillus sp. H-18W, a thermophile, was selected from seven Bacillus strains for chiral acetoin production. To lower the cost of the fermentation medium, soybean meal was used as a feedstock. Four kinds of frequently used commercial proteinases with different active sites were tested for the hydrolyzation of the soybean meal, and the combination of the acidic proteinase and the neutral proteinase showed the best results. In a fermentation medium containing 100?g L^?1 glucose and 200?g L^?1 hydrolysate, Bacillus sp. H-18W produced 21.84?g L^?1 acetoin with an ee value of 96.25% at 60?h. This is the first report of using a thermophilic strain to produce chiral acetoin by microbial fermentation. Thermophilic fermentation can reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and can save cooling water. Using soybean meal hydrolysate and glucose as feedstocks, this work provides an economical and alternative method for the production of chiral pure acetoin.     

芽胞杆菌中重组蛋白分泌表达的优化策略及研究进展

芽胞杆菌属具有良好的蛋白表达和分泌能力,在工业酶的生产中被广泛应用,是理想的工业宿主菌,但实现蛋白分泌表达的普遍高效性还存在许多瓶颈。本文综述了芽胞杆菌的蛋白分泌表达策略,从启动子、信号肽、分泌途径、宿主和培养条件这5个方面总结了提高芽胞杆菌中分泌表达重组蛋白的方法,对芽胞杆菌高效生产工业酶有一定的参考价值,最后展望了优化芽胞杆菌分泌表达的研究方向,各种新型生物技术的发展必将推进芽胞杆菌在分泌表达领域有更深入的应用。