An annotated bibliography of recent significant publications on indigo and related compounds

Abstract This bibliography lists and provides commentary on publications describing the history, preparation, chemistry and applications of indigo and related dyes. The dates of the publications are mostly, but not exclusively, later than the previously published indigo bibliography. Note that commentary by the author is placed after the bibliographic information and is set in italics.     

Indigo: an annotated bibliography

This bibliography lists and comments on publications describing the history, preparation, chemistry and some applications of indigo and related dyes. Note that the commentary by the author is in italics after the bibliographic information.     

Indigo: an annotated bibliography

This bibliography lists and comments on publications describing the history, preparation, chemistry and some applications of indigo and related dyes. Note that the commentary by the author is in italics after the bibliographic information.     

The shifting sands of serials bibliography: titles using the term "peptide".

A commentary on the confusing nomenclature and bibliography of serial publications which use the term "peptide" in their titles is given, with guidance on citation.     

Lichen purple—an annotated bibliography

This bibliography lists and contains comments on publications describing the textile dyeing applications and organic chemistry of purple dyes derived from lichens. Elsewhere in this issue such colorants are termed orcein; the usage “lichen purple” reflects the historical emphasis of the work described. Note that commentary by CJC is placed after the bibliographic information in italics.     

Lichen purple—an annotated bibliography

This bibliography lists and contains comments on publications describing the textile dyeing applications and organic chemistry of purple dyes derived from lichens. Elsewhere in this issue such colorants are termed orcein; the usage “lichen purple” reflects the historical emphasis of the work described. Note that commentary by CJC is placed after the bibliographic information in italics.     

An Archaeological Bibliography:

Abstract

The bibliography contains 302 references to archaeological phenomena and investigations in the northern sector of the Great Plains Province and spans the period between 1840 and 1930. Much of the bibliography is annotated.     

Application of metabolic engineering to improve both the production and use of biotech indigo

A fermentation process was developed for production of indigo from glucose using recombinant Escherichia coli. This was achieved by modifying the tryptophan pathway to cause high-level indole production and adding the Pseudomonas putida genes encoding naphthalene dioxygenase (NDO). In comparison to a tryptophan-overproducing strain, the first indigo-producing strain made less than half of the expected amount of indigo. Severe inactivation of the first enzyme of aromatic biosynthesis, 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase (the aroG ^fbr gene product), was observed in cells collected from indigo fermentations. Subsequent in vitro experiments revealed that DAHP synthase was inactivated by exposure to the spontaneous chemical conversion of indoxyl to indigo. Indigo production was thereafter improved by increasing the gene dosage of aroG ^fbr or by increasing substrate availability to DAHP synthase in vivo by either amplifying the tktA (transketolase) gene or inactivating both isozymes of pyruvate kinase. By combining all three strategies for enhancing DAHP formation in the cell, a 60% increase in indigo production was achieved. Metabolic engineering was then further applied to eliminate a byproduct of the spontaneous conversion of indoxyl to indigo, thereby solving a serious problem with the use of bio-indigo in the final denim dyeing application. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 127–133 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000228 Received 20 May 2001/ Accepted in revised form 10 November 2001     

Book reviews

Seeing anthropology Karl G. Heider, Seeing Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology through Film. Boston: Allyn &; Bacon, 1997. xx+347 pp., photographs, maps, glossary, bibliography; with two half‐inch NTSC videotapes totalling 3hrs., 11 mins. US $37.75 nett.

History and politics Faris, James C. Navajo and Photography: A Critical History of the Representation of an American People; xv, 392 pp., 263 illus., notes, appendix, bibliography, index. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1996. $39.95 (hdbd.)

The Anthropology of Visual Communication Canevacci, Massimo, Antropologia della comunicazione visuale. Genova: Costa &; Nolan, 1995. 260 pp., photographs, bibliography. Lire 34,000, paper.     

Current Soviet Psychology: A Systematic Review

Scope and Nature of the Present Report: This presentation is based on materials, primarily books, that have become available since the completion of the chapter on "Recent Developments in Soviet Psychology," published in Vol. 15 of the Annual Review of Psychology (Brozek, 1964, pp. 493-594). It is closer to a commentary on Soviet contributions that are of potential interest to American psychologists (a "bibliography with comment") than to a critical appraisal. The latter is the task of topical reviews and monographic presentations.     

The mechanism of bacterial indigo reduction

The reduction of water-insoluble indigo by the recently isolated moderate thermophile, Clostridium isatidis, has been studied with the aim of developing a sustainable technology for industrial indigo reduction. The ability to reduce indigo was not shared with C. aurantibutyricum, C. celatum and C. papyrosolvens, but C. papyrosolvens could reduce indigo carmine (5,5-indigosulfonic acid), a soluble indigo derivative. The supernatant from cultures of C. isatidis, but not from cultures of the other bacteria tested, decreased indigo particle size to one-tenth diameter. Addition of madder powder, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid, and humic acid all stimulated indigo reduction by C. isatidis. Redox potentials of cultures of C. isatidis were about 100 mV more negative than those of C. aurantibutyricum, C. celatum and C. papyrosolvens, and reached –600 mV versus the SCE in the presence of indigo, but potentials were not consistently affected by the addition of the quinone compounds, which probably act by modifying the surface of the bacteria or indigo particles. It is concluded that C. isatidis can reduce indigo because (1) it produces an extracellular factor that decreases indigo particle size, and (2) it generates a sufficiently reducing potential.     

Azoreductase from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. AO1 catalyzes indigo reduction

Indigo is an insoluble blue dye historically used for dyeing textiles. A traditional approach for indigo dyeing involves microbial reduction of polygonum indigo to solubilize it under alkaline conditions; however, the mechanism by which microorganisms reduce indigo remains poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify an enzyme that catalyzes indigo reduction; for this purpose, from alkaline liquor that performed microbial reduction of polygonum indigo, we isolated indigo carmine-reducing microorganisms. All isolates were facultative anaerobic and alkali-tolerant Bacillus spp. An isolate termed AO1 was found to be an alkaliphile that preferentially grows at pH 9.0–11.0 and at 30–35 °C. We focused on flavin-dependent azoreductase as a possible enzyme for indigo carmine reduction and identified its gene (azoA) in Bacillus sp. AO1 using homology-based strategies. azoA was monocistronic but clustered with ABC transporter genes. Primary sequence identities were < 50% between the azoA product (AzoA) and previously characterized flavin-dependent azoreductases. AzoA was heterologously produced as a flavoprotein tolerant to alkaline and organic solvents. The enzyme efficiently reduced indigo carmine in an NADH-dependent manner and showed strict specificity for electron acceptors. Notably, AzoA oxidized NADH in the presence, but not the absence, of indigo. The reaction rate was enhanced by adding organic solvents to solubilize indigo. Absorption spectrum analysis showed that indigo absorption decreased during the reaction. These observations suggest that AzoA can reduce indigo in vitro and potentially in Bacillus sp. AO1. This is the first study that identified an indigo reductase, providing a new insight into a traditional approach for indigo dyeing.

     

A Selected And Annotated Bibliography On Wild Rice

Abstract

Information germane to a compre hensive anthropological study of wild rice and its use as a subsistence item is contained in the literature of several disciplines. The following annota.ted bibliography attempts to provide an indication of the location and nature of some of this material.     

Two new species of Mendoncia (Acanthaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

Two new species, Mendoncia bahiensis and Mendoncia blanchetiana, of the subgenus Bremekampia are described and illustrated. A key to four species represented in Bahia and commentary on their taxonomic affinities are provided.     

Rinvenimenti Floristici Marchigiani

Summary

The author communicates the list of taxa not commonly occurring in the “Marche”, which he has collected in localities not yet mentioned in the bibliography of that area. The list includes also several species more or less widely cultivated in that zone.     

Indigo biosynthesis by Comamonas sp. MQ

An indigo-producing strain was isolated from activated sludge and identified as Comamonas sp. based on 16S rRNA analysis. It produced indigo at 26.5 mg/l with a conversion of indole to indigo of 47%. Indole at 50 mg/l plus 200 mg naphthalene/l gave 32.2 mg indigo/l with a 58% conversion. A pathway for indigo formation is proposed. This is the first study of indigo biosynthesis by Comamonas sp.     

Response to commentary: does before bedtime body warming by bathing or other means attenuate sleep-time arterial blood pressure?

ABSTRACT

The commentary by Dr. Smolensky provides an insightful assessment of our study from the circadian point of view. In the present letter, we have responded to the commentary by Dr. Smolensky et al., suggesting interpretation of our analytic results and providing additional statistical data regarding the timing of antihypertensive drug use. In addition, we have discussed the terms “nighttime” and “sleep-time” period used in previous researches in relation to ambulatory blood pressure.     

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 12. Victoria’s rainbow

ABSTRACT

The identities of 18 dyes whose names begin with “Victoria” are described using their chemical structures, names and numerical identifiers. All are synthetic dyes originally synthesized in Germany during the late 19^th century as colorants for textiles. Brief manufacturing details are included. All the colors of the rainbow are represented except indigo. Unusual properties including explosive tendency or toxicity are noted. Some of the applications as stains and for food coloring, anti-obesity medication and pigments for ball pen inks also are discussed     

Bacterial Indigo Reduction

We have examined bacterial indigo reduction to provide a basis for the development of a sustainable alternative to the present chemical methods used to reduce indigo for denim dyeing. Indigo was reduced by Clostridium isatidis, but not by the related Clostridium aurantibutyricum, Clostridium celatum nor Clostridium papyrosolvens. However C. papyrosolvens could, like C. isatidis, reduce the soluble dye, indigo carmine. Of the bacteria examined only the supernatant from C. isatidis cultures decreased indigo particle size. An anthraquinone-rich madder root extract, the soluble anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid and humic acid all stimulated the reduction of indigo by C. isatidis, without affecting the redox potential of the cultures. C. isatidis cultures generated redox potentials from ?476 to ?602 mV vs SCE, which were about 100 mV more negative than those of the other bacteria examined. The mechanism of bacterial indigo reduction remains unknown, but the unique features of the indigo-reducing C. isatidis indicate possible mechanisms.     

Microbial Community Dynamics and Activity Link to Indigo Production from Indole in Bioaugmented Activated Sludge Systems

Biosynthesis of the popular dyestuff indigo from indole has been comprehensively studied using pure cultures, but less has been done to characterize the indigo production by microbial communities. In our previous studies, a wild strain Comamonas sp. MQ was isolated from activated sludge and the recombinant Escherichia coli _nagAc carrying the naphthalene dioxygenase gene (nag) from strain MQ was constructed, both of which were capable of producing indigo from indole. Herein, three activated sludge systems, G1 (non-augmented control), G2 (augmented with Comamonas sp. MQ), and G3 (augmented with recombinant E. coli _nagAc), were constructed to investigate indigo production. After 132-day operation, G3 produced the highest yields of indigo (99.5 ± 3.0 mg/l), followed by G2 (27.3 ± 1.3 mg/l) and G1 (19.2 ± 1.2 mg/l). The microbial community dynamics and activities associated with indigo production were analyzed by Illumina Miseq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The inoculated strain MQ survived for at least 30 days, whereas E. coli _nagAc was undetectable shortly after inoculation. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis suggested the abundance of naphthalene dioxygenase gene (nagAc) from both inoculated strains was strongly correlated with indigo yields in early stages (0–30 days) (P < 0.001) but not in later stages (30–132 days) (P > 0.10) of operation. Based on detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and dissimilarity test results, the communities underwent a noticeable shift during the operation. Among the four major genera (> 1% on average), the commonly reported indigo-producing populations Comamonas and Pseudomonas showed no positive relationship with indigo yields (P > 0.05) based on Pearson correlation test, while Alcaligenes and Aquamicrobium, rarely reported for indigo production, were positively correlated with indigo yields (P < 0.05). This study should provide new insights into our understanding of indigo bio-production by microbial communities.