Chelation effects on Azotobacter cells and cysts

Goldschmidt, Millicent C. (University of Texas, Austin), and Orville Wyss. Chelation effects on Azotobacter cells and cysts. J. Bacteriol. 91:120-124. 1966.-Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) is very toxic to Azotobacter in the presence of nitrogen compounds that form complexes with it. This appears to be due to stronger chelation of certain metal ions by the complex. When such complexes of EDTA and nitrogen compound are absent, Azotobacter cysts can be ruptured by chelation without being killed. The lethal action as well as the cyst rupture is modified by the presence of salts.     

The effect of Streptomyces species on the survival of Salmonella in soil

Abstract A modified Chelex 100 ion-exchange extraction method was used to monitor streptomycete spores, streptomycete mycelia and Salmonella in soil. Salmonella dusseldorf in soil was inhibited by the bactericidal effect of streptomycin and by the growth of Streptomyces bikiniensis . The soil used in the experiments exerted an antimicrobial effect on S. dusseldorf .
Competition between S. dusseldorf, Streptomyces lividans TK24 and Stm. bikiniensis ATCC 11062 was monitored in soil. In sterile amended soil Stm. lividans increased the survival of S. dusseldorf , whereas survival was reduced in the presence of the known streptomycin producer, Stm. bikiniensis . In the presence of S. dusseldorf the production of spores and mycelia by Stm. bikiniensis was reduced, and Stm. lividans sporulation was reduced but mycelia production increased. Evidence was seen for a beneficial effect between S. dusseldorf and Stm. lividans mycelia.
In non-sterile unamended soil the survival of S. dusseldorf was increased in the presence of Stm. lividans , whereas Stm. bikiniensis had no effect. Stm. lividans and Stm. bikiniensis reduced the survival of S. dusseldorf in non-sterile amended soil, with the most dramatic reduction caused by Stm. bikiniensis . No such changes in the survival of S. dusseldorf were observed with non-sterile amended soil that had been treated with sludge. The presence of sludge in unamended soil increased the rate of Salmonella die-off. In unamended soil containing sludge the presence of Stm. lividans increased the survival of S. dusseldorf , whereas survival was reduced in the presence of Stm. bikiniensis . The data provided evidence of antibiosis in soil, relating to the possible production of streptomycin by Stm. bikiniensis .     

Growth and nitrogenase activity of Azotobacter vinelandii on soil phenolic acids

M oreno , J., de la R ubia , T., R amos -C ormenzana , A. & V ela , G.R. 1990. Growth and nitrogenase activity of Azotobacter vinelandii on soil phenolic acids. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 69 , 850–855.
Growth and nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) of Azotobacter vinelandii were studied in soil suspensions supplemented with p -hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, p -coumaric and ferulic acids. Nitrogenase activity was detected only when the microorganism was cultured on p -hydroxybenzoic acid, suggesting that this compound could be utilized as a carbon source by A. vinelandii for the maintenance of its biological activities under certain environmental conditions.     

Pellet formation and cellular aggregation in Streptomyces tendae

In submerged cultures, Streptomyces tendae tended to form fluffy spherical pellets of the noncoagulative type. An increase in the average pellet size could be attained by decreasing any of the following: shear rate, pH, temperature, or inoculum size. Conditions leading to oxygen limitation tended to reduce the average pellet size and induced pulpy growth, whereas oxygen sufficiency seemed to induce pellet formation. Factors inducing pellet formation simultaneously increased cell wall hydrophobicity. It is therefore proposed that the main forces inducing cellular aggregation in S. tendae are hydrophobic interactions of cell walls, and these interactions are controlled by availability of dissolved oxygen.     

Lignin from rice straw Kraft pulping: effects on soil aggregation and chemical properties

Lignin contained in pulping liquor that is generated during the pulping process for papermaking is a disposal problem for the pulp and paper industry. Separating lignin and other organic components from pulping liquor with inorganic acids may improve its applicability to fields as a beneficial soil amendment while offering a potential disposal alternative. Sulfuric acid-precipitated lignin from rice straw pulping liquor applied at rates of 1.67 and 3.34 g C kg(-1) soil was incubated to evaluate its effects on soil properties over 8 weeks of incubation. Addition of this acid-precipitated lignin at these rates decreased soil pH by 0.24-0.53 units over 8 weeks of incubation, suggesting that this sulfuric acid-precipitated lignin from pulping liquor may have potential as a soil acidifying agent. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) only increased by up to 0.36 d Sm(-1), but highest EC levels were less than 4 d Sm(-1), indicating that lignin applied at both rates would not cause salinity problems. Application of this lignin increased soil organic C by 1.46 and 3.13 g C kg(-1), and total soil N by 0.07 and 0.17 g N kg(-1) over the incubation period. Lignin improved the macroaggregation of >2mm size fraction, and increased wet microaggregate stability of >2mm and 0.5-0.25 mm aggregates compared to a nonamended control. The results of this study suggest that this acid-precipitated lignin from pulping liquor may have potential as a beneficial soil amendment.