Survival of blue-green and green algae under stress conditions

Terrestrial blue-green algae Scytonema millei, Phormidium bohneri and Lyngbya mesotricha survived to 100 % at atmospheric temperatures of 5-36 degrees C and relative humidity 55-100 % in rainy, winter and spring seasons but the survival was 15-25 % in summer when atmospheric temperature reached 48 degrees C and relative humidity was < or =23 %. Microcoleus chthonoplastes maximum survival was =80 % in rainy season followed by a decrease to =1/2 and 1/4 level in winter and spring, respectively; it disappeared in summer but a few cells and/or trichomes enclosed within sheath may be surviving sticking to soil, not evident microscopically, since the population reappeared at the same place with the onset of rain. Terrestrial green alga Rhizoclonium crassipellitum survived only in spring and died at the onset of summer without forming any dormant cell and/or reproductive structure. Only P. bohneri survived better and longer under submerged conditions in liquid medium than air-exposed on moist soil surface in the culture chamber, while the other algae fared almost equally or slightly better air-exposed on moist soil surface (or even on 2 % agarized medium) than when suspended in liquid medium, indicating that air exposure rather than submerged conditions was needed for most of the terrestrial algae to survive. Water stress imposed on growing algae either on high-agar-solid media or in 0.2-0.6 mol/L NaCl liquid media in the culture chamber reduced vegetative survival in all; it resulted in death without any dormant cell remaining. When stored in desiccators over fused CaCl2, M. chthonoplastes died within 1/2 month, R. crassipellitum and L. mesotricha within 1 month, P. bohneri within 1/2 month, and S. millei not even within 1 1/2 month, indicating their survival pattern against atmospheric dryness to be wide; it also explained the M. chthonoplastes absence in summer and S. millei presence throughout the year. At increased atmospheric humidity the desiccation-sensitive algae (e.g., M. chthonoplastes) survived better than a desiccation-resistant alga (here S. millei). All algae survived considerable darkness (S. millei > 1 1/2 month; P. bohneri, M. chthonoplastes and R. crassipellitum >1 month, and L. mesotricha >1/2 month), and low light intensity of 2 and 10 micromol m(-2)s(-1) which explains their prolific growth in shady places. All algae were differently sensitive to wet heat (45 degrees C for 5-40 min) and to UV shock (0.96-3.84 kJ/m2).     

Viability of dried vegetative cells or filaments,survivability and/or reproduction under water and light stress,and following heat and UV exposure in some blue-green and green algae

Vegetative cells in dried, mucilagenous mass of Gloeocapsa aeruginosa and Aphanothece nidulans, reticulum of Hydrodictyon reticulatum, mucilagenous mass of Chroococcus minor, and filaments of Oedogonium sp. and Scytonema hofmanni died within 1/2, 1/2, 1/2, 1, 3 and 6 h, respectively, while dried vegetative filaments of Phormidium foveolarum retained under similar storage conditions viability for 4 d. P. foveolarum tolerated 1 mol/L NaCl. The resistance to desiccation in P. foveolarum exhibited similar dependence as that to heat or UV light. The water stress imposed on growing algae either on high-agar solid media or in NaCl-containing liquid media reduced at various levels or altogether inhibited the survival of vegetative parts in all, the cell division in C. minor, G. aeruginosa and A. nidulans, formation of heterocyst and false branch in S. hofmanni, oogonium in Oedogonium sp., and daughter net in H. reticulatum. Heat or UV shock of any level also produced similar effects as that by water stress. P. foveolarum tolerated low light level of 10 and 2 mumol m-2 s-1 and no light longer than the rest of other algae studied. Tolerance of microalgal forms to water, heat or UV stress depends primarily upon cell-wall characteristics or cell-sap osmotic properties rather than their habitats, morphology and prokaryotic or eukaryotic nature.     

Biodegradation of dyes by some green algae and cyanobacteria

The ability of Chlorella vulgaris, Lyngbya lagerlerimi, Nostoc lincki, Oscillatoria rubescens, Elkatothrix viridis and Volvox aureus to decolorize and remove methyl red, orange II, G-Red (FN-3G), basic cationic, and basic fuchsin was investigated. These algae showed different efficiency for colour removal; varied from 4 to 95% according to the algal species, its growth state and the dye molecular structure. Basic cationic and basic fuchsin were the most susceptible dyes for decolorisation and removal by all algae being tested, and up to 82% of methyl red was also removed by N. lincki and O. rubescens. However, the algal activity to decolorize orange II and G-Red was markedly fluctuated and lower. C. vulgaris displayed activity to remove 43.7 and 59.12% while as V. aureus removed 5.02 and 3.25% of the added dyes respectively. The results also showed that treatment of either C. vulgaris or N. Linckia with G-Red or methyl red, respectively, induced the algal azo dye reductase enzyme by 72 and 71% at the same order.     

Photosynthesis and biomass allocation of cotton as affected by deep-layer water and fertilizer application depth

Available water stored in deep soil layers could increase the photosynthetic capacity of cotton. It was hypothesized that the photosynthesis of cotton would be enhanced by changing the fertilizer application depth under different deep-layer water conditions. We examined two deep-layer water levels, i.e., well-watered (W₈₀) and not watered (W₀), combined with surface application (F₁₀) and deep application (F₃₀) of basal fertilizer. Compared to W₀, W₈₀ resulted in increased leaf area (LA), photosynthetic pigment contents, maximal PSII efficiency (F_v/F_m), effective quantum yield of PSII (Y_II) and PSI (Y_I), electron transport rate of PSII (ETR_II) and PSI (ETR_I). W₈₀ also increased the aboveground and root dry mass by 39 and 0.6%, respectively, and decreased the root/shoot ratio by 40–73%. Under the W₀ condition, higher values of F_v/F_m, Y_II, Y_I, ETR_II, and ETR_I were measured for F₁₀ compared to F₃₀ after 69 d from emergence. Under the W₈₀ condition, cotton plants with F₁₀ showed higher LA, F_v/F_m, Y_II, Y_I, ETR_II, and ETR_I, but there were no significant differences in the photosynthetic pigments compared to F₃₀. Our results suggest that sufficient water in deeper soil layers and the surface application of basal fertilizer could increase photosynthetic activity and efficiency, which promoted aboveground dry mass accumulation and partitioning towards reproductive organs.     

Survival of Mycobacterium avium in drinking water biofilms as affected by water flow velocity, availability of phosphorus, and temperature

Mycobacterium avium is a potential pathogen occurring in drinking water systems. It is a slowly growing bacterium producing a thick cell wall containing mycolic acids, and it is known to resist chlorine better than many other microbes. Several studies have shown that pathogenic bacteria survive better in biofilms than in water. By using Propella biofilm reactors, we studied how factors generally influencing the growth of biofilms (flow rate, phosphorus concentration, and temperature) influence the survival of M. avium in drinking water biofilms. The growth of biofilms was followed by culture and DAPI (4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining, and concentrations of M. avium were determined by culture and fluorescence in situ hybridization methods. The spiked M. avium survived in biofilms for the 4-week study period without a dramatic decline in concentration. The addition of phosphorus (10 microg/liter) increased the number of heterotrophic bacteria in biofilms but decreased the culturability of M. avium. The reason for this result is probably that phosphorus increased competition with other microbes. An increase in flow velocity had no effect on the survival of M. avium, although it increased the growth of biofilms. A higher temperature (20 degrees C versus 7 degrees C) increased both the number of heterotrophic bacteria and the survival of M. avium in biofilms. In conclusion, the results show that in terms of affecting the survival of slowly growing M. avium in biofilms, temperature is a more important factor than the availability of nutrients like phosphorus.     

Biotransformation of benzene and toluene to catechols by phenol hydroxylase from Arthrobacter sp. W1

Phenol hydroxylase gene engineered microorganism (PH_IND) was used to synthesize catechols from benzene and toluene by successive hydroxylation reaction. HPLC-MS and ¹H NMR analysis proved that the products of biotransformation were the corresponding catechols via the intermediate production of phenols. It was indicated that the main products of toluene oxidation were o-cresol and p-cresol. 3-Methylcatechol was the predominant product for m-cresol biotransformation. Formation rate of catechol (25 μM/min/g cell dry weight) was 1.43-fold higher than that of methylcatechols. It was suggested that phenol hydroxylase could be successfully used to transform both benzene and toluene to catechols by successive hydroxylation.     

Viability of dried vegetative trichomes, formation of akinetes and heterocysts and akinete germination in some blue-green algae under water stress

Almost all dried vegetative trichomes ofAnabaena iyengarii, Westiellopsis prolifica andNostochopsis lobatus died within 1 h, while those ofOscillatoria acuminata retained viability to some extent for 1 d under similar storage conditions. The viability of dried vegetative trichomes ofO. acuminata decreased about equally on storage at 20 degrees C in the light or in the dark, but dropped rapidly at 12 and 0 degrees C in the dark. Vegetative trichomes ofA. iyengarii, N. lobatus andW. prolifica were more sensitive to frost than those ofO. acuminata, and this correlated with their low resistance to desiccation because both types of exposure involved osmotic stress. Both dried and wet akinetes ofA. iyengarii, W. prolifica andN. lobatus were about equally viable when stored at 20 degrees C in the light or the dark or at 12 and 0 degrees C in the dark, but their germination ability decreased on storage at 0 degrees C. The water stress imposed on growing vegetative trichomes either in high-agar media or in NaCl-supplemented liquid media reduced the survival ofO. acuminata trichomes, decreased or totally suppressed akinete and heterocyst formation and akinete germination inA. iyengarii, W. prolifica andN. lobatus. The sensitivity decreased in the sequenceA. iyengarii 相似文献   

Ecology of yellowstone thermal effluent systems: Intersects of blue-green algae,grazing flies (Paracoenia,Ephydridae) and water mites (Partnuniella,Hydrachnellae)

Summary As subjects for ecosystem studies, thermal spring effluents offer the advantages of trophic diversity with taxonomic simplicity, ease of sampling, replicability, world-wide distribution and manipulability. The dominant primary producers (filamentous blue-green algae) are grazed by ephydrid flies. These in turn harbor larvae of the water mite Partnuniella. The high instrinic rate of increase of the fly enables it to exploit temporary cool spots in the mat. The lower fecundity and longer life cycle of the mite restrict its ability to exploit temporarily suitable habitat. Thus the intersect of mites with flies is a sensitive measure of stability in the algal mat. Springs with a variable-flow pattern and consequent mat instability had both a lower mean incidence of parasitism and a lower mean larval load per fly. The data support our hypothesis that the abundance and relative densities of organisms in higher trophic levels can be predicted from knowledge of the growth and stability patterns of the filamentous blue-green algal mat in thermal spring effluents.     

Removal of total lipids and fatty acids from sunflower oil factory effluent by UASB reactor

In this study wastewaters of a sunflower oil factory in Elazig (Turkey) were investigated in a pilot-scale mesophilic upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor by determination of removal of total lipids (TL) and fatty acids (FA). The removal efficiencies of TL and FA (linoleic, oleic, myristic, palmitic, stearic, arashidic, behenic and other FA) were above 70% at organic loading rates (OLR) between 1.6 and 7.8 kg COD/m(3)d and at optimum hydraulic retention times of 2.0 and 2.8 day. The conversion rate of removed COD to methane was between 0.16 and 0.354 m(3) CH(4)/kg COD.     

Water vapor uptake and photosynthesis of lichens: performance differences in species with green and blue-green algae as phycobionts

Summary Dry lichen thalli were enclosed in gas exchange chambers and treated with an air stream of high relative humidity (96.5 to near 100%) until water potential equilibrium was reached with the surrounding air (i.e., no further increase of weight through water vapor uptake). They were then sprayed with liquid water. The treatment took place in the dark and was interrupted by short periods of light. CO₂ exchange during light and dark respiration was monitored continuously. With no exception water uptake in all of the lichen species with green algae as phycobionts lead to reactivation of the photosynthetic metabolism. Further-more, high rates of CO₂ assimilation were attained without the application of liquid water. To date 73 species with different types of Chlorophyceae phycobionts have been tested in this and other studies. In contrast, hydration through high air humidity alone failed to stimulate positive net photosynthesis in any of the lichens with blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria). These required liquid water for CO₂ assimilation. So far 33 species have been investigated, and all have behaved similarly. These have included gelatinous as well as heteromerous species, most with Nostoc phycobionts but in addition some with three other Cyanophyceae phycobionts. The same phycobiont performance differences existed even within the same genus (e.g. Lobaria, Peltigera) between species pairs containing green or blue-green phycobionts respectively. Free living algae also seem to behave in a similar manner. Carbon isotope ratios of the lichen thalli suggest that a definite ecological difference exists in water status-dependent photosynthesis of species with green and blue-green phycobionts. The underlying biochemical or biophysical mechanisms are not yet understood. Apparently, a fundamental difference in the structure of the two groups of algae is involved.     

Vegetative survival,akinete and zoosporangium formation and germination in some selected algae as affected by nutrients,pH, metals,and pesticides

Lack of nitrogen, phosphorus, or all nutrients, extremes of pH (<4, >11), presence of ‘heavy’ metals (Co, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb; 0.5–10 ppm) or pesticides (carbofuran, 2,4-D, dithane, phorate, or bavistin; 1–50 ppm) decreased to various extent or completely inhibited the survival of vegetative cells in all studied algae. The formation of akinetes, thier viability and germination inAnabaena iyengarii, Westiellopsis prolifica, Nostochopsis lobatus andPithophora oedogonia and the formation of zoosporangia, their viability, and the germination of zoospores inCladophora glomerata andRhizoclonium hieroglyphicum was affected. The formation of viable akinetes or zoosporangia was shown to be directly linked with vegetative cell survival and growth; it could not be induced by any chemical stress imposed.     

Oxidation of benzene to phenol, catechol, and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene by toluene 4-monooxygenase of Pseudomonas mendocina KR1 and toluene 3-monooxygenase of Ralstonia pickettii PKO1

Aromatic hydroxylations are important bacterial metabolic processes but are difficult to perform using traditional chemical synthesis, so to use a biological catalyst to convert the priority pollutant benzene into industrially relevant intermediates, benzene oxidation was investigated. It was discovered that toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO) of Pseudomonas mendocina KR1, toluene 3-monooxygenase (T3MO) of Ralstonia pickettii PKO1, and toluene ortho-monooxygenase (TOM) of Burkholderia cepacia G4 convert benzene to phenol, catechol, and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene by successive hydroxylations. At a concentration of 165 microM and under the control of a constitutive lac promoter, Escherichia coli TG1/pBS(Kan)T4MO expressing T4MO formed phenol from benzene at 19 +/- 1.6 nmol/min/mg of protein, catechol from phenol at 13.6 +/- 0.3 nmol/min/mg of protein, and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene from catechol at 2.5 +/- 0.5nmol/min/mg of protein. The catechol and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene products were identified by both high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. When analogous plasmid constructs were used, E. coli TG1/pBS(Kan)T3MO expressing T3MO formed phenol, catechol, and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene at rates of 3 +/- 1, 3.1 +/- 0.3, and 0.26 +/- 0.09 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively, and E. coli TG1/pBS(Kan)TOM expressing TOM formed 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene at a rate of 1.7 +/- 0.3 nmol/min/mg of protein (phenol and catechol formation rates were 0.89 +/- 0.07 and 1.5 +/- 0.3 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively). Hence, the rates of synthesis of catechol by both T3MO and T4MO and the 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene formation rate by TOM were found to be comparable to the rates of oxidation of the natural substrate toluene for these enzymes (10.0 +/- 0.8, 4.0 +/- 0.6, and 2.4 +/- 0.3 nmol/min/mg of protein for T4MO, T3MO, and TOM, respectively, at a toluene concentration of 165 microM).     

Germination and some metabolic characteristics in green gram seedlings as affected by sodium carbonate and bicarbonate

Effects of Na₂CO₃ and NaHCO₃ at equal conductivities (2, 4 and 6 S cm⁻¹) on germination, seedling growth and some metabolites were studied in two cultivars of green gram (Phaseolus aureus Roxb. cv. Varsha and cv. Pusa Baiskhi) in Petri dishes and sand culture. With increasing conductivity both the salts depressed germination, length of shoot and root and their mass. NaHCO₃ was more depressiv than Na₂CO₃. The contents of chlorophyll, RNA, protein and free amino acids were higher and affected to a lesser extent under salt stress in leaves of cv. Varsha than cv. Pusa Baiskhi. Cv. Pusa Baiskhi was generally more susceptible to salt stress than cv. Varsha.     

Polysaccharides in desert reclamation: Compositions of exocellular proteoglycan complexes produced by filamentous blue-green and unicellular green edaphic algae

The filamentous blue-green alga Nostoc calcicola Geitler, strain 79WA01, showed a peak production of 70% of its biomass as a mixture of exocellular proteoglycan complexes, containing 3–30% of a polypeptide moiety and>70% of a complex glycuronoglycan. The former contained high proportions of Asp, Glu, Arg, and amido-NH₃, in addition to 35% of “hydrophobic” amino-acids. The latter varied in composition in different fractions: GalA (2.5–10.3%), GlcA (4.7–11.5%), Glc (11.7–39.0%), Xyl (5.7–17.9%), Man (2.7–9.5%), Gal (5.7–9.5%), Fuc (1.5–11.1%), Ara (1.9–4.3%), and Rha (1.4–4.4%). None of the fractions showed a stoichiometric ratio of sugar residues.

Palmelloid cells of three unicellular green soil-algae of the genus Chlamydomonas yielded 70% of their dry weight as capsular mucilage. About 50% of the sodium salt of this material was soluble in water, and contained 3–12% of polypeptide and 88–97% of glycuronoglycan (GlcA:Glc:Xyl = 1:1:3 for C. humicola Lucksch, and GlcA:Gal = 1:2 for C. peterfii Gerloff and C. sajao Lewin). These categorical differences in sugar composition, together with narrow composition distributions, suggested regular structures for the glycuronoglycans. The remainder of the mucilages contained essentially the same glycuronoglycan chains, but a higher proportion of polypeptide. These materials did not form true solutions in water, but dispersed as microgel particles.     

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in potato starch as affected by water activity, pH and temperature

A study was done to determine the survival characteristics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in potato starch powder as affected by aw (0.24-0.26, 0.51-0.52 and 0.75-0.78), pH (4.1 and 6.7) and temperature (4, 20 and 37 degrees C) over a 33-week storage period. Survival was enhanced as the aw decreased. The rate of death was higher as the storage temperature increased. Survival did not appear to be affected by pH. Since the composition of foods greatly affects the viability of E. coli O157:H7 at reduced aw, development of models to predict patterns of inactivation in a given food should be carried out using data generated from that food or one with very similar composition, aw and pH.