由细菌产生的新型生物高分子材料——具新型结构的聚羟基脂肪酸酯PHAs简介

许多微生物能产生聚－β－羟基丁酸酯（PHB）,与淀粉一样作为细胞内的能量和碳源储存物。另外在一定条件下,细菌还可积累具不同结构的单体的共聚松。由荧光假单胞菌Pseudomonas积累的PHAs的结构单元可以是多种多样的。碳链长度可在6－14之间,可由各种饱和的和不饱和的3－羟基脂肪酸组成的。P．oleovorans以正烷烃、正烷基酯或正烷醇为基质,得到的PHAs是以结构单元长度与基质相同的3－羟基脂肪酯为主要组成部分的无视共聚物。含有高达九个碳原子测链的PHAs已可由P.oleovorans利用正烷烃和脂肪酸来合成。P.oleovorans利用1－烯烃或烯酸可合成倒链具不饱和健的聚－β－羟基烷烯酯。通过改变基质中正坡泛与1－烯径的比例,PHAs的不饱和度可由0增加到50％。当以1－辛烯和1－癸烯为碳源时,所得的聚酯主要由β－羟基脂肪酯组成,而链端则是不饱和的β－羟基烷烯酯,侧链可由丙基变化到庚基。最近的研究表明,在生物合成过程中还可在PHAs的侧基上引入部分含Br、Cl、CN的苯基的官能团,或在PHAs合成过程中,可进行β－氧化形成含3－羟酰基的中间产物和再次对脂肪酸进行生物合成。P．oleovorans的这种可将官能团引入聚合物分子链中的特征．为聚合物进行剪裁提供了可能性。     

黄土-古土壤原核生物群落对古气候变化的响应

【目的】黄土-古土壤序列是记录第四纪气候环境变化的良好载体,其内部的土壤微生物特征是蕴含土壤环境变化的重要信息。由于黄土与古土壤成壤环境的气候差异,微生物群落结构特征可能会有不同的响应,但针对该问题的研究还十分有限。【方法】选择任家坡(R)和九州台(J)两地黄土(RL和JL)-古土壤(RS和JS)序列,运用高通量测序技术和线性判别分析效应大小(linear discriminant analysis effect size, LEfSe)识别土壤原核生物群落结构和类群差异,基于原核生物分类单元功能注释(functional annotation of prokaryotic taxa, FAPROTAX)数据库进行群落功能预测,以及利用Mantel test探讨影响土壤原核生物群落稳定的环境因子。【结果】土壤中碳氮营养物质与气候变化的代用指标磁化率、Rb/Sr变化趋势一致,含量整体表现为古土壤(RS和JS)高,对应的黄土(RL和JL)低,这一特征在任家坡古土壤(RS)中尤为显著;在同一气候时期,九州台较任家坡更为干冷,并且九州台古土壤沉积阶段也受到较强冬季风的影响,使其气候冷干与暖湿转变呈渐变型。原核生物群落结构中酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、泉古菌门(Crenarchaeota)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)等具有嗜热嗜温性质的细菌和古菌在任家坡黄土-古土壤(RL和RS)中丰度较高,芽单胞菌门(Gemmatimonadetes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、广古菌门(Euryarchaeota)、异常球菌-栖热菌门(Deinococcus-Thermus)等耐旱、适宜极端环境中生存的细菌和古菌在九州台黄土-古土壤中(JL和JS)丰度较高。同时,生命产能、氮、锰、铁、氯元素循环相关功能基因在任家坡古土壤(RS)中表达量最高,而碳、氢、硫元素循环相关功能基因在任家坡黄土(RL)中表达量最高。与任家坡相比,九州台原核生物群落具有物种多样性高、功能种类少的特点。Mantel test分析进一步表明,有机碳(soil organic carbon, SOC)、含水率(soil water content, SWC)、总氮(total nitrogen, TN)和硝态氮(nitrate nitrogen, NO₃^--N)是影响任家坡原核生物群落和功能稳定的关键环境因子,而TN、SOC、pH值和铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)是影响九州台原核生物群落和功能稳定的关键环境因子。【结论】在暖湿期,微生物群落分化出更多的功能种类,具有更旺盛的生命活动;在冷干期,微生物群落通过提高物种多样性来完成主要的生命活动功能,通过协同共生维持群落生存和稳定来适应环境胁迫。研究成果对认识气候变化对土壤微生物多样性和功能的影响具有重要意义。     

黄土高原典型土壤有机氮矿化过程

以黄土高原从北向南不同地区典型土壤类为对象,采用Bremner淹水培养法,研究黄土高原典型土壤有机氮的矿化过程。结果表明,淹水培养期间矿化出的部分NH4^＋-N会被粘土矿物固定,固定量因土壤不同而异,因此在测定有机氮矿化量时,只有考虑这一部分氮素,才可获得可靠结果。不同土壤有机氮量矿化明显不同,表现为土垫旱耕人为土〉黄土正常新成土〉简育干润均腐土〉干润砂质新成土,从南到北氮素矿化量呈减小趋势。添加C／N低（C／N比为21．7）的紫花苜蓿（Medicago stativa）茎叶有利于促进土壤有机氮矿化,而添加C／N高（C／N比为43．3）的长芒草（Stipa bungeana）会促进矿质氮的生物固定;不同类型植被土壤间在培养20、40d和60d时的矿化量差异显著（P值分别为0．0177、0．0109和0．0073）,均表现为均为林地土壤〉裸地土壤〉草地土壤〉农田土壤;从平均看,加（NH4）2SO4后有机氮矿化量有一定减少。在不同培养阶段,不同土类间氮素矿化率不同,在20d和40d时存在显著差异（P分别为0．0092和0．0381）,60d时差异不显著,不同土类氮素矿化率的大小顺序为于润砂质新成土〉黄土正常新成土〉土垫旱耕人为土〉简育干润均腐土,这一结果说明在淹水条件下,黄土高原土壤从南到北易矿化氮所占全氮比例呈增加趋势。     

甘肃灵台文王沟晚中新世一早更新世小哺乳动物

根据大量小哺乳动物化石在地层中的分布,将文王沟剖面２３层划分出５个生物地层带： Ｉ带相当于榆社马会组;ＩＩ带与Ⅲ带相当于高庄组; ＩＶ带相当于麻则沟组; Ｖ带为午城黄土底部。根据牛物属种转达换判定出 ４个主要生物事件发生时期,分别在 ５．８、３６、３．０、２．４Ｍａ左右。每一个生物事件集中发生的时期指示生态环境的一次显著向干冷方向变化。     

红曲菌代谢产物中低极性组分的分离及表征

以石油醚∶醋酸乙酯 =4∶1(V/V)作为洗脱剂 ,采用柱层层析粗分离醇溶性红曲菌代谢产物中的低极性组分。经浓缩、结晶除去白色结晶后的浓缩液 ,用正己烷∶醋酸乙酯 =9∶1(V/V)作为展开剂进行薄层层析分离 ,在紫外灯下观察 ,从低极性组分中分离出六个组分 ,分别为 :具荧光组分、两个相隔较近的黄色组分、淡黄色具荧光组分、具浅蓝绿色荧光组分、具荧光组分。各组分的Rf 值分别为 :0 2 9、0 15、0 12、0 0 9、0 0 6、0 0 4。MS测定结果表明 ,Rf 值最大的具荧光组分可能为含有 OH及Br的共轭烯烃或脂肪酮 ,而在紫外灯下呈淡黄色组分为含有 OH的环状化合物。     

不同养殖模式下三倍体虹鳟鱼肉品质差异的研究

以网箱(W)、工厂化循环水(G)和流水池塘(C)养殖4 kg左右的三倍体虹鳟为研究对象, 通过检测表观、肉质、气味及营养价值相关111个品质指标来评价不同养殖模式下三倍体虹鳟鱼肉品质的差异。结果表明, 在3种养殖模式下三倍体虹鳟鱼肉品质存在明显差异。其中, 网箱养殖三倍体虹鳟鱼肉色调角、硬度、内聚性、弹性、咀嚼性、汁液流失率和失水率均显著高于其他养殖模式(P<0.05), 而挥发性气味物质中1-庚醇、庚醛、辛醛、壬醛和气味活度总值显著低于其他养殖模式(P<0.05); 工厂化循环水养殖三倍体虹鳟肥满度和鱼肉的红色值、色度值、盐溶性蛋白含量、总脂肪酸含量和n-3脂肪酸含量显著高于其他养殖模式(P<0.05); 流水池塘养殖三倍体虹鳟肥满度、鱼肉的黄色值、色度值、水分、脂肪含量、n-3脂肪酸含量和多不饱和脂肪酸含量最低(P<0.05), 出肉率、黏附性、肌糖原含量及挥发性风味物质中1-辛烯-3-醇、2,3-辛二酮、戊醛、庚醛、辛醛、(E)-2-癸烯醛和气味活度总值最高(P<0.05)。总之, 三种养殖模式养殖的三倍体虹鳟品质各具特色: 网箱养殖三倍体虹鳟鱼肉质地坚实富有弹性, 挥发性风味物质含量较低; 工厂化循环水养殖三倍体虹鳟具有较红的肉色并富含不饱和脂肪酸; 流水池塘养殖三倍体虹鳟形体优美且出肉率相对较高, 挥发性风味物质含量丰富。     

火烧对黔中喀斯特山地马尾松林土壤理化性质的影响

在黔中喀斯特山地马尾松人工次生林内取样分析火烧和对照样地间土壤理化指标的变化,研究了火烧对林地土壤理化性质的影响。结果表明马尾松火烧林地表层土壤毛管孔隙度和总孔隙度升高、最大持水量和最小持水量增加,土壤密度和非毛管孔隙度降低、土壤质量含水量和体积含水量减少;土壤有机质、全N量、全P量、全K量,水解N量、有效P量、速效K量、交换性盐基量和pH值增大,阳离子交换量降低。林火对马尾松林地土壤主要理化指标影响的趋势为或表层土壤影响率大于剖面影响率、或表层土壤影响率小于剖面影响率,不同指标在土壤剖面的变化趋势或增加、或降低,对数或幂函数拟合曲线均达相关显著性水平。火烧和对照样地间的表层土壤理化指标变化主要反映了林火影响,近岩层土壤理化指标变化主要是成土母质在空间上的分异,也受生物的影响。乔木层植株死亡率同表层土壤最大持水量、最小持水量、有机质量和全N量的正相关性显著,同土壤密度的负相关性显著;灌木层植株死亡率同表层土壤密度正相关性显著,同毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度、质量含水量、最大持水量、最小持水量、有机质量、全N量、全P量和速效K量的负相关性达显著或极显著水平;灌木层生物损失量同表层土壤密度和有机质量正相关显著,同速效K量的负相关性显著,枯物层生物损失量同pH值的正相关性显著。火烧马尾松林分平均胸径同表层土壤密度正相关性显著,同毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度、质量含水量、最大持水量、最小持水量和有机质量的负相关性显著。     

凋落物多样性及组成对凋落物分解和土壤微生物群落的影响

凋落物分解是生态系统营养物质循环的核心过程,而土壤微生物群落在凋落物分解过程中扮演着极其重要且不可替代的角色。随着生物多样性的丧失日益严峻,探讨凋落物多样性及组成对凋落物分解和土壤微生物群落的影响,不仅有助于了解凋落物分解的内在机制,而且可为退化草原生态系统的恢复提供参考。以内蒙古呼伦贝尔草原退化恢复群落中的草本植物为研究对象,依据植物多度、盖度、频度和物种的重要值及其在群落中的恢复程度筛选出排序前4的羊草（Leymus chinensis）、茵陈蒿（Artemisia capillaris）、麻花头（Serratula centauroides）、二裂委陵菜（Potentilla bifurca）的凋落物为实验材料,通过设置3种凋落物多样性水平（1,2,4）,包括11种凋落物组合（单物种凋落物共4种,两物种凋落物混合共6种,四物种凋落物混合共1种）,利用磷脂脂肪酸（PLFA）方法来研究分解60 d后凋落物多样性及组成对凋落物分解和土壤微生物群落的影响。结果表明：（1）凋落物物种多样性仅对C残余率具有显著影响,表现在两物种混合凋落物C残余率显著低于单物种凋落物,而凋落物组成对所观测的4个凋落物分解参数（质量、C、N残余率以及C/N）均具有显著影响;（2）凋落物物种多样性对细菌（B）含量具有显著影响,而凋落物组成对真菌（F）含量具有显著影响,两者对F/B以及微生物总量均无显著影响;（3）冗余分析结果表明凋落物组成与凋落物分解相关指标（凋落物质量、C、N残余率及C/N）和土壤微生物（真菌、细菌含量）的相关关系高于凋落物多样性。（4）进一步建立结构方程模型（Structural Equation Model,SEM）发现,凋落物初始C含量对凋落物质量、C、N残余率及C/N有显著正的直接影响;凋落物木质素含量对凋落物质量、C、N残余率有显著正的直接影响;凋落物初始N含量对N残余率有显著正的直接影响,而对C残余率及C/N有显著负的直接影响;凋落物初始C/N对凋落物质量、N残余率有显著正的直接影响,而对C/N有显著负的直接影响。此外,凋落物初始C、N、木质素含量及C/N均对真菌含量具有显著正影响,并可通过真菌对凋落物质量分解产生显著负的间接影响。以上结果表明该退化恢复区域优势种凋落物分解以初始C、木质素为主导,主要通过土壤真菌影响凋落物的分解进程,这将减缓凋落物的分解速率进而减慢草原生态系统的进程。这些结果为凋落物多样性及组成对自身分解和土壤微生物群落的影响提供了实验依据,也为进一步分析凋落物分解内在机制以及草原生态系统的恢复提供了数据参考。     

天津短杆菌T6-13谷氨酸脱氢酶的研究

本文研究了天津短杆菌(Brevibacterium tianjinese)T6-13谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)[EC1.4．1．4]的纯化和性质。该酶以辅酶11(NADP)为其专一性辅酶,正、逆反应酶活力最适pH分别为7．5和8．9—9 9,对热较敏感。 该酶对还原型辅酶11(NADPH)、α-酮戊二酸(α-KG)、NH,、NADP和L-谷氨酸(GA)的Km值分别为0．076、3．23、4．0、0．02和120．48 mmol／L。该酶受反应产物的抑制,逆反应受NADPH、α-KG和NH+4的抑制,正反应受NADP和谷氨酸的抑制,但该酶所催化的逆反应既不受三羧酸循环代谢中间产物的抑制,也不受氨基酸的抑制和氨基酸的积累抑制。对发酵过程中谷氨酸脱氢酶活力变化的研究表明,前期酶活力逐渐上升,当发酵至16小时左右酶活力最高,其后酶活力逐渐下降;二级种子的酶活力与发酵过程中酶活力最高时相当。     

黄土丘陵区不同土地利用类型土壤水分变化特征

土壤水分是制约黄土丘陵区生态建设和土地可持续利用的关键因子,认识不同土地利用类型的土壤水分状况对该地区植被恢复和土地资源的有效利用具有重要的理论和实际意义.本研究采用EC-5土壤水分传感器,对黄土高原园则沟流域坡耕地、梯田、枣园和草地生长季内(5—10月)0~160 cm土壤剖面含水量进行连续监测,探讨这4种典型土地利用类型的土壤水分变化特征.结果表明:在降水常态年和干旱年,不同土地利用方式土壤水分的季节变化、蓄水特征及垂直分布均存在差异.在2015年干旱年,梯田表现出良好的蓄水保墒效果,0~60 cm土层生长季平均土壤含水量分别比坡耕地、枣园和草地高2.6%、4.2%、1.8%(P<0.05),0~160 cm土层储水量分别比坡耕地、枣园和草地高43.90、32.08、18.69 mm.在2014年常态年,枣园0~60 cm土层生长季平均土壤含水量分别比坡耕地、梯田和草地低2.9%、3.8%、4.5%(P<0.05);在干旱年,0~160 cm土层有效水储量仅占土壤总储水量的35.0%.不同土地利用方式下均是表层(0~20 cm)与中层(20~100 cm)土壤水分的灰色关联度较大,且土壤水分变化态势的相似程度表现为梯田>草地>坡耕地>枣园.对于试验区内的坡耕地,可考虑改造为梯田,以提高雨水资源的有效利用、促进生态农业建设;而针对黄土丘陵区旱作枣园土壤缺水严重的现象,需采取适当水分管理措施以降低枣树自身耗水和其他无效耗水,实现枣园可持续发展.     

Biogeochemical features of lipids in endolithic microbial communities in the Ross Desert (McMurdo Dry Valleys), Antarctica.

Endolithic microbial communities inhabiting porous rocks in the cold, dry mountainous regions of Antarctica have been studied extensively as examples of life's adaptations to extreme environments. Here, we examine hydrocarbons and fatty acids occurring in these communities in order to clarify their biogeochemical features with respect to source organisms, microbial activity, fossilization processes and the influence of Gondwanaland sediments. Unusually, long-chain (>C19) n-alkanes and anteiso-alkanes were often the major hydrocarbons in the samples. A suite of n-alkanoic acids (n-C9-n-C32) and long-chain anteiso-alkanoic acids (a-C20-a-C30) were found, along with short-chain iso- and anteiso-alkanoic acids, and n-alkenoic acids. The relationship between long-chain n-alkanoic acids (n-C20-n-C32) and long-chain anteiso-alkanoic acids suggests that these compounds probably originated from the same group of microorganisms, such as bacteria or endolithic lichens, under moderate pH conditions (pH 3-5). Relatively high trans/cis-C16:1 alkenoic acid ratios suggest the presence of unfavorable environmental conditions in the endolithic microbial habitat. Normal-alkenoic/alkanoic acid ratios may be a useful marker for the fossilization of endolithic microbial communities. Thermally matured triterpanes and steranes from fossilized associations on Mount Fleming strongly suggest the presence of Gondwanaland sediments formed during Devonian and Jurassic (400-180 million years ago).     

Molecular indicators of microbial contributions to recent and Tertiary hypersaline lacustrine sediments in China

In this paper, we investigate the molecular characteristics of recent sediment from the Ejinur salt lake (northern China) and eight Tertiary (Eocene) core samples from Qianjiang Formation (Eq1-4) of Jianghan basin, central eastern China, focussing on the distributions and abundances of carboxylic acid isolated from extractable organic matter. n-Alkanoic acids in sediments from both study areas (Ejinur and Jianghan) show a pronounced even over odd predominance (EOP) and a bimodel distribution. In the lower molecular weight range C16 and C_18 components are prominent with the former dominant. For higher homologues (≥ C20), docosanoic (C22) and tetracosanoic (C24) acids dominant the n-alkanoic acid homologues for the Jianghan and Ejinur samples, respectively. Alkanoic acids with an isoprenoid skeleton are more abundant in Jianghan, including C20, C21, C24, C_25 and C30 homologues, with a C25 component (3, 7, 11, 15, 19-pentamethyleicosanoic acid) most pronounced in the lower part of the Qianjiang Fm. The carbon skeletons of these isoprenoid acids are identical to those of isoprenoid hydrocarbons previously recognized in source rocks and petroleums from Jianghan, and attributed to Archaea (formally called archaebacteria; e.g. halophiles, methanogens). The similarity in the distributions of isoprenoid alkanoic acids and alkanes suggests that these isoprenoid acids must derive from comparable biological sources, although they appear to be formed geochemically from biosynthetic precursors (e.g. alkanes, alkenes, alkanols or alkenols). The possibility that these acids are formed as oxidation artifacts from alkanes can be discounted because of the dissimilarity between the distributions of n-alkanoic acids and n-alkanes. Iso and anteiso branched carboxylic acids are prevalent in both the Ejinur sample and the upper portion of the Qiangiang Fm (Eq1-3). They derive from bacteria, perhaps sulfate reducing bacteria, and their abundances may aid assessment of the importance of bacterial contributions of organic matter in different sedimentary environments. The presence of hopanoid acids and a 3-carboxy steroidal acid further attest to contributions from bacterial and eukaryotic sources, respectively. The occurrence of carboxylic acids in the Jianghan samples confirms the potential for these compounds to survive in ancient sediments and source rocks, notably in hypersaline settings. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of homologous n-alkanoic on functional properties of isolated skeletal muscles. II. Membrane resting potential and the osmotic effectiveness of alkanoic acid]

The influence of butyric, hexanoic, octanoic, and decanoic acid on the membrane resting potential of isolated frog skeletal muscles were studied and the osmotic effects of n-alkanoic acids tested. 1. n-alkanoic acids cause osmotic effects like impermeable non-electrolytes (sucrose). Therefore, the permeability to alkanoic acids of the resting muscle cell membrane seems to be small. There are no differences between the acids tested. 2. The membrane resting potential is differently affected. Butyric acid in high concentration effects a hyperpolarization of the membrane whereas higher homologues (C6--C10) cause a depolarization. The depolarizing action increases with increasing concentration, exposure, and with the length of the hydrocarbon chain of the alkanoic acids. 3. It is suggested that osmotic effects are the cause for hyperpolarization of the membrane by high concentrations of butyric acid. 4. The depolarizing action of hexanoic, octanoic, and decanoic acid is discussed with regard to alterations induced by alkanoic acids in the membrane permeability and/or in the metabolism of the cells.     

Pseudomonas oleovorans as a Source of Poly(beta-Hydroxyalkanoates) for Potential Applications as Biodegradable Polyesters

Pseudomonas oleovorans was grown in homogeneous media containing n-alkanoic acids, from formate to decanoate, as the sole carbon sources. Formation of intracellular poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) was observed only for hexanoate and the higher n-alkanoic acids. The maximum isolated polymer yields were approximately 30% of the cellular dry weight with growth on either octanoate or nonanoate. In most cases, the major repeating unit in the polymer had the same chain length as the n-alkanoic acid used for growth, but units with two carbon atoms less or more than the acid used as a carbon source were also generally present in the polyesters formed. Indeed, copolymers containing as many as six different types of beta-hydroxyalkanoate units were formed. The weight average molecular weights of the poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymers produced by P. oleovorans ranged from 90,000 to 370,000. In spite of the higher cell yields obtained with octanoate and nonanoate, the use of hexanoate and heptanoate yielded higher-molecular-weight polymers. These copolyesters represent an entirely new class of biodegradable thermoplastics.     

Decomposition of aquatic biota and sediment formation: organic compounds in detritus resulting from microbial attack on the alga Ceratium hirundinella

To obtain further evidence of the contribution of autochthonous organic matter to lake sediments, the benzene-methanol extract of the particulate matter remaining after microbial attack upon an alga, Ceratium hirundinella, during laboratory simulation of natural decomposition processes, has been separated into its components. Comparison of each component with corresponding material isolated from the fresh alga facilitates the recognition of unchanged substances and microbial products in the decomposed sample. Certain common features in the occurrence and distribution of n-alkanes, alkenes, n- and branched/cyclic alkanoic acids, alkenoic and hydroxy acids in degraded algal organic matter and in sediments of productive lakes are believed to indicate a contribution of autochthonous material to the sediment.     

Two different pathways are involved in the beta-oxidation of n-alkanoic and n-phenylalkanoic acids in Pseudomonas putida U: genetic studies and biotechnological applications

In Pseudomonas putida U, the degradation of n-alkanoic and n-phenylalkanoic acids is carried out by two sets of beta-oxidation enzymes (betaI and betaII). Whereas the first one (called betaI) is constitutive and catalyses the degradation of n-alkanoic and n-phenylalkanoic acids very efficiently, the other one (betaII), which is only expressed when some of the genes encoding betaI enzymes are mutated, catabolizes n-phenylalkanoates (n > 4) much more slowly. Genetic studies revealed that disruption or deletion of some of the betaI genes handicaps the growth of P. putida U in media containing n-alkanoic or n-phenylalkanoic acids with an acyl moiety longer than C4. However, all these mutants regained their ability to grow in media containing n-alkanoates as a result of the induction of betaII, but they were still unable to catabolize n-phenylalkanoates completely, as the betaI-FadBA enzymes are essential for the beta-oxidation of certain n-phenylalkanoyl-CoA derivatives when they reach a critical size. Owing to the existence of the betaII system, mutants lacking betaIfadB/A are able to synthesize new poly 3-OH-n-alkanoates (PHAs) and poly 3-OH-n-phenylalkanoates (PHPhAs) efficiently. However, they are unable to degrade these polymers, becoming bioplastic overproducer mutants. The genetic and biochemical importance of these results is reported and discussed.     

Incorporation of chlorinated alkanes into fatty acids of hydrocarbon-utilizing mycobacteria

The cellular fatty acid composition of Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 and Mycobacterium convolutum R22 was examined after growth on n-alkanes and compared with the fatty acids of the organisms after growth on 1-chlorohexadecane and 1-chlorooctadecane. Growth on n-alkanes resulted in normal fatty acid profiles. Mass spectral analyses indicated that, after growth on the terminally chlorinated n-alkanes, 75 to 86% of the fatty acids in M. convolutum and ca. 55% of the fatty acids in M. vaccae contained chlorine. Neither organism could utilize chloroacetate or 3-chloropropionate as sole source of carbon and energy. When these compounds were added to a growth medium with n-hexadecane as substrate, there was no evidence that chlorinated fatty acids were produced. Terminally chlorinated n-alkanes can be added to the list of n-alkanes, alkenes, and cyclohexylalkane derivatives that can be directly incorporated into cellular fatty acids of hydrocarbon-utilizing organisms.     

Hydrogen and carbon isotopic fractionations of lipid biosynthesis among terrestrial (C3, C4 and CAM) and aquatic plants

Compound-specific hydrogen and carbon isotopic compositions in n-alkanoic acids, phytol and sterols were determined for various plant classes (terrestrial C3-angiosperm; C3-gymnosperm; C4; crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM); and aquatic C3 plants) in order to investigate isotopic fractionations among various plant classes. In all plants, lipid biomolecules are depleted in both D (up to 324 per thousand ) and 13C (up to 14.7 per thousand ) relative to ambient water and bulk tissue, respectively. In addition, the magnitude of D- and 13C-depletion of lipid biomolecules is distinctive depending on plant classes. For example, C3 angiosperm n-alkanoic acids are less depleted in D (95+/-23 per thousand ) and 13C (4.3 +/- 2.5 per thousand ) relative to ambient water and bulk tissue, respectively, while C4 plant n-alkanoic acids are more depleted in D (119 +/- 15 per thousand ) and 13C (10.2 +/- 2.0 per thousand ). On the other hand, C3 angiosperm phytol and sterols are much more depleted in D (306 +/-12 per thousand for phytol, 211+/-15 per thousand for sterol) with less depletion in 13C (4.1 +/- 1.1 per thousand for phytol, 1.3 +/- 0.9 per thousand for sterol) relative to ambient water and bulk tissue, respectively, while C4 plant phytol and sterols are less depleted in D (254 +/- 7 per thousand for phytol, 186 +/- 13 per thousand for sterols) with much more depletion in 13C (9.0 +/- 1.2 per thousand for phytol, 5.0 +/- 1.1 per thousand for sterols). Among various plant classes, there is a positive correlation between the D- and 13C-depletion for n-alkanoic acids, while a negative correlation was found for phytol and sterols from the same plants.     

Ability of the phototrophic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum to produce various poly (beta-hydroxyalkanoates): potential sources for biodegradable polyesters

Studies have been carried out in order to optimize growth and culture conditions for the intracellular formation of poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHA) in the phototrophic, purple, non-sulphur bacterium Rhodospirilum rubrum. Its potential to produce novel copolymers was investigated. Recently, it has become of industrial interest to evaluate these polyesters as potentially biodegradable plastics for a wide range of possible applications. On an industrial scale, the use of photosynthetic bacteria could harness sunlight as an energy source for the production of these materials. R. rubrum was grown anaerobically in the light on different linear and branched beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids and various n-alkanoic acids. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions a PHA content of up to 45% of cellular dry weight was detected. When R. rubrum was grown on different concentrations of various n-alkanoic acids, intracellular PHA production was detected on all acids used. In most of the cases, the storage polymer contained beta-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and beta-hydroxyvalerate (HV) monomer units. Grown on n-alkanoic acids with a chain length of four carbon atoms and more, R. rubrum produced a copolymer containing the beta-hydroxyhexanoate (HC) repeating unit in addition to the HB and HV monomer. Using beta-hydroxyheptanoic acid as the carbon source, a polyester which contained HB, HV, HC, and beta-hydroxyheptanoate was formed. These copolyesters represent a novel class of biodegradable thermoplastics. The results demonstrate the metabolic flexibility of R. rubrum to form many different types of polyesters which might substitute plastics synthesized from petrochemicals.     

Characterization of surface n-alkanes and fatty acids of the epiphytic lichen Xanthoria parietina, its photobiont a green alga Trebouxia sp., and its mycobiont, from the Jerusalem hills.

Surface alkanes and fatty acids from the thalli of the lichen Xanthoria parietina, its photobiont Trebouxia sp., and its mycobiont were analysed by GC-MS. The green alga Trebouxia sp. synthesized mainly unsaturated fatty acids such as (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-18 : 3 (Z,Z)-9,12-18 : 2 and (Z)-9-18 : 1, and light alkanes C8-C15 (up to 83% of total n-alkanes). However, the mycobiont contained mainly saturated fatty acids such as hexadecanoic (16 : 0) and octadecanoic acid (18 : 0), and also very long-chain n-alkanes C22-C34. Dehydroabietic acid was found in both lichen and mycobiont. The occurrence of different amounts of n-alkanes and fatty acids in the photobionts and mycobionts of X. parietina was shown for the first time. Lichens collected from different locations in the Jerusalem hills contained n-alkanes ranging in concentration from 187 to 211 mg x (g dry wt)-1; n-alkane concentrations in the photobiont and mycobiont were 17-24 and 215-262 mg x (g dry wt)-1, respectively.