Chlorella pyrenoidosa 7-11-05 in batch and in homogeneous continuous culture under autotrophic conditions

The growth ofChlorella pyrenoidosa 7-11-05 in batch and in continuous culture using two types of cultivation vessels was compared. The high values of specific growth rate obtained in batch deep stirred tank culture containing small amount of inoculum are not easily attainable in continuous culture with regard to the high number of autospores formed throughout the ontogenetic cycle ofChlorella. The obtained surface and volume productivities prove that in both types of cultivation vessels a high growth intensity can be achieved. The deep tank perfectly mixed cultivation may become of significance in the future.     

The activity of beta-galactosidase and lactose metabolism in Kluyveromyces lactis cultured in cheese whey as a function of growth rate

Aims: Kluyveromyces lactis was cultured in cheese whey permeate on both batch and continuous mode to investigate the effect of time course and growth rate on β‐galactosidase activity, lactose consumption, ethanol production and protein profiles of the cells. Methods and Results: Cheese whey was the substrate to grow K. lactis as a batch or continuous culture. In order to precise the specific growth rate for maximum β‐galactosidase activity a continuous culture was performed at five dilution (growth) rates ranging from 0·06, 0·09, 0·12, 0·18 to 0·24 h^?1. The kinetics of lactose consumption and ethanol production were also evaluated. On both batch and continuous culture a respirofermentative metabolism was detected. The growth stage for maximum β‐gal activity was found to be at the transition between late exponential and entrance of stationary growth phase of batch cultures. Fractionating that transition stage in several growth rates at continuous culture a maximum β‐galactosidase activity at 0·24 h^?1 was observed. Following that stage β‐gal activity undergoes a decline which does not correlate to the density of its corresponding protein band on the gel prepared from the same samples. Conclusion: The maximum β‐galactosidase activity per unit of cell mass was found to be 341·18 mmol ONP min^?1 g^?1 at a dilution rate of 0·24 h^?1. Significance and Impact of the Study: The physiology of K. lactis growing in cheese whey permeate can proven useful to optimize the conversion of that substrate in biomass rich in β‐gal or in ethanol fuel. In addition to increasing the native enzyme the conditions established here can be set to increase yields of recombinant protein production based on the LAC4 promoter in K. lactis host.     

Relationship between growth of parsley and soybean cells in suspension cultures and changes in the conductivity of the culture medium

Summary Changes in conductivity and pH during the growth cycle of cell suspensions derived from parsley (Petroselinum hortense) and soybean (Glycine max) have been investigated. Measurement of the conductivity of the medium represents a simple, rapid, and reliable method for the precise determination of the growth phase of a culture. The accuracy of this method has been tested by using phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, an enzyme that has a characteristically short, distinct period of activity during the growth cycle of soybean cell suspensions. It is suggested that an automatic regulation of the conductivity of the medium might be employed for growing plant cells in a continuous culture at a defined stage of growth.     

Microscopic green algae and cyanobacteria in high-frequency intermittent light

The effects of fluctuations in the irradiance onScenedesmus quadricauda, Chlorella vulgaris andSynechococcus elongatus were studied in dilute cultures using arrays of red light emitting diodes. The growth rate and the rate of photoinhibition were compared using intermittent and equivalent continuous light regimes in small-size (30 ml) bioreactors. The CO₂ dependent photosynthetic oxygen evolution rates in the intermittent and continuous light regimes were compared for different light/dark ratios and different mean irradiances. The kinetics of the electron transfer reactions were investigated using a double-modulation fluorometer. The rates of photosynthetic oxygen evolution normalized to equal mean irradiance were lower or equal in the intermittent light compared to the maximum rate found in the equivalent optimal continuous light regime. In contrast, the growth rates in the intermittent light can be higher than the growth rate in the equivalent continuous light. Photoinhibition is presented as an example of a physiological process affecting the growth rate that occurs at different rates in the intermittent and equivalent continuous lights. The difference in the dynamics of the redox state of the plastoquinone pool is proposed to be responsible for the low photoinhibition rates observed in the intermittent light.     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of two generic predator–prey models

We present the analysis of two reaction–diffusion systems modelling predator–prey interactions, where the predator displays the Holling type II functional response, and in the absence of predators, the prey growth is logistic. The local analysis is based on the application of qualitative theory for ordinary differential equations and dynamical systems, while the global well-posedness depends on invariant sets and differential inequalities. The key result is an L ^∞-stability estimate, which depends on a polynomial growth condition for the kinetics. The existence of an a priori L ^p -estimate, uniform in time, for all p≥1, implies L ^∞-uniform bounds, given any nonnegative L ^∞-initial data. The applicability of the L ^∞-estimate to general reaction–diffusion systems is discussed, and how the continuous results can be mimicked in the discrete case, leading to stability estimates for a Galerkin finite-element method with piecewise linear continuous basis functions. In order to verify the biological wave phenomena of solutions, numerical results are presented in two-space dimensions, which have interesting ecological implications as they demonstrate that solutions can be ‘trapped’ in an invariant region of phase space.     

A CONTINUOUS CULTURE STUDY OF PHOSPHATE UPTAKE,GROWTH RATE AND POLYPHOSPHATE IN SCENEDESMUS SP.1

The kinetics of phosphate uptake and growth in Scenedesmus sp. have been studied in continuous culture with particular reference to the shifts in the cellular P compounds as a function of growth rate. Uptake velocity is a function of both internal and external substrate concentrations and can be described by the kinetics of noncompetitive enzyme inhibition. The concentrations of polyphosphates (alkali-extractable or 7-min) can he substituted as inhibitors in the kinetic equation. The apparent half-saturation constant of uptake. K_m, is 0.6 μM. The apparent half-saturation concentration for growth is less than K_m, by 1 order of magnitude. Growth is a function of cellular P concentrations, and the polyphosphates (alkali-extractable or 7-min) appear to regulate growth rate directly or indirectly. To understand P limitation, therefore, it is necessary to measure both external P and internal polyphosphate levels. Evidence indicates that alkali-extractable polyphosphates, which can be quantitatively determined by a simple method of measuring surplus P, are involved in cell division process find that a maintenance concentration of functional phosphate exists in the form of poly phosphates. Alkaline phosphatase activity has an inversely linear relationship to growth rate and to the reciprocals of both polyphosphates and surplus P. Changes in lipid P, RNA P, and presumably all other forms except DNA are related to changes in growth rate.     

A continuous-flow system for growing fresh-water sponges in the laboratory

Two fresh-water sponge species, Ephydatia fluviatilis and Spongilla alba, were grown from gemmules in the laboratory. A system incorporating a continuous flow of filtered habitat water and live bacteria from a chemostat culture as a food source were used. Experiments with this system demonstrated a relationship between the concentration of bacteria and sponge growth rate. Because the continuous flow of water eliminates the effects of substances released by sponges and growth rate can be predicted for a given bacterial concentration, this system permits experimental studies which were not feasible in the past.     

Attività cambiale in Nerium oleander L. a Genova

Abstract

The cambial activity in Nerium oleander L. in Genoa. – The cambial activity in Nerium oleander L. is observed in order to compare the increasing rhythm of a specimen cultivated in Genoa with the rhythm of spontaneous and cultivated specimens growing in Puglia and Lucania, previously studied by other authors.

In Genoa Nerium oleander, a strongly scleromorphus species, has a nearly continuous growth activity, as already remarked at Policoro. However in Genoa a summer pause can be observed which is perhaps connected with the exceptional summer draught which occurred during the period of our research.

It can be said that the cambial activity, potentially continuous in Nerium, is modified by the environmental conditions.     

Influence of gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors on stem elongation and floral initiation on in vitro chicory root explants under dark and light conditions

Root explants of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) were cultured in vitro under continuous light or darkness. On a standard medium (no plant growth regulators added), flowering-stems were initiated under continuous light while under continuous dark, vegetative-stems were formed. Different types of GA (gibberellin) biosynthesis inhibitors were added to the culture medium. Paclobutrazol and compounds belonging to the group of cyclohexanetriones clearly reduced flowering-stem growth under light conditions and vegetative-stem growth under dark conditions. Under light conditions, flower bud initiation was not affected. These and other results suggest that GA₁ may be synthesized during the in vitro culture period and that it controls flowering-stem growth but not floral initiation.Abbreviations CCC chlormequat chloride - GA gibberellin - LAB 198 999 3,5-dioxo-4-butyryl-cyclohexane carboxylic acid ethyl ester - BAS 111..W 1-phenoxy-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-4-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylhexane     

Energy conservation in malolactic fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus sake

A comparably poor growth medium containing 0.1% yeast extract as sole non-defined constituent was developed which allowed good reproducible growth of lactic acid bacteria. Of seven different strains of lactic acid bacteria tested, only Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus sake were found to catalyze stoichiometric conversion of l-malate to l-lactate and CO₂ concomitant with growth. The specific growth yield of malate fermentation to lactate at pH 5.0 was 2.0 g and 3.7 g per mol with L. plantarum and L. sake, respectively. Growth in batch cultures depended linearly on the malate concentration provided. Malate was decarboxylated nearly exclusively by the cytoplasmically localized malo-lactic enzyme. No other C₄-dicarboxylic acid-decarboxylating enzyme activity could be detected at significant activity in cell-free extracts. In pH-controlled continuous cultures, L. plantarum grew well with glucose as substrate, but not with malate. Addition of lactate to continuous cultures metabolizing glucose or malate decreased cell yields significantly. These results indicate that malo-lactic fermentation by these bacteria can be coupled with energy conservation, and that membrane energetization and ATP synthesis through this metabolic activity are due to malate uptake and/or lactate excretion rather than to an ion-translocating decarboxylase enzyme.     

Developmental dynamic in synaptic ribbons of retinal receptor cells (Tilapia,Xenopus)

Summary In the cichlid teleost Tilapia leucosticta, the origin and linear development of synaptic ribbons in retinal receptor cells have been studied. First ribbons are invariably found close to their future synaptic sites between two dendritic invaginations. They are then clearly shorter than at later stages and appear bifurcate, or of bulb or drop shape. From these precursors typical ribbons rapidly develop, and these vary considerably in length. From a shift in length distribution, a main growth phase can be detected which takes place at the time when the retina first becomes functional. Similar observations were made in Xenopus. Placing Tilapia larvae in conditions of 24 h continuous light had no effect on ribbon growth, while 24 h of continuous darkness resulted in a prevalence of shorter ribbons. Thus the growth of synaptic ribbons in the course of retinal development appears to be subject to modification by environmental light conditions.     

Effect of culture conditions on the production of an extracellular proteinase byThermus sp. Rt41A

Thermus sp. Rt41A produced a single extracellular proteinase, as determined by fast protein liquid chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Proteinase activity was expressed from very early in the log phase, and halted when the growth substrate was exhausted. There was no continued proteinase production in the stationary phase. Proteinase production was not stimulated by O₂ limitation, not repressed by amino acid growth substrates, and its production could not be correlated to the type or oxidation state of the carbon and energy source or the growth rate on different carbon and energy sources. Growth on certain substrates, e.g. glutamate and glucose, resulted in production of high levels of proteinase, whereas others, such as acetate, resulted in low proteinase levels. Acetate repressed proteinase production in cultures growing on L-glutamate. In continuous culture on L-glutamate, acetate or pyruvate, proteinase production was highest at higher growth (dilution) rates. The kinetics of proteinase production in continuous culture on L-glutamate can be interpreted as evidence for the constitutive nature of proteinase expression byThermus sp. Rt41A. The data obtained show that the control of proteinase production is different to that postulated forThermus sp. Ok6.A1.     

In situ measurement of algal growth potential in aquatic ecosystems by immobilized algae

Cells of the green algaSelenastrum capricornutum were immobilized in alginate beads. The alga was able to grow inside these beads without being grazed by zooplankton. For P-limited immobilized cells, however, a lower µ _m and initial slope of the Monod growth curve µ _m /K _s were found than for free cells.To study the feasibility of immobilized algae to estimate algal growth potentialin situ in aquatic ecosystems, a series of experiments were conducted in indoor model ecosystems (microcosms) and in a small stream. The use of immobilized algae allowed a continuous registration of algal growth potential integrated over periods with natural fluctuations in the environment. The method of encapsulation of the algae can, however, still be improved. The alginate matrix is exposed to marked degradation by microorganisms when incubated in polluted streams for a period longer than two weeks. The applicability of other types of matrices should be tested.Author for correspondence     

The development of a novel strategy for the microbial treatment of acrylonitrile effluents

Effluent from the manufacture of acrylonitrile is difficult to biodegrade. It contains nine major organic components: acetic acid, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, acrylic acid, acrolein, cyanopyridine, fumaronitrile, succinonitrile, and maleimide. A range of bacteria have been isolated that can grow on, or convert all of the organic components of effluent from the manufacture of acrylonitrile. These bacteria can be used as the basis of a mixed culture system to treat the effluent. The bacteria were utilised in batch and continuous cultures to degrade a synthetic wastewater containing acrylonitrile, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cyanopyridine and succinonitrile. The mixed microbial population was adapted by varying the growth rate and switching from continuous to batch and back to continuous growth, to degrade these five compounds as well as acrolein, fumaronitrile and maleimide.Abbreviations BOD Biological Oxygen Demand - COD Chemical Oxygen Demand - T _D Doubling Time - ppm parts per million - HPLC High Pressure Liquid Chromatography - GLC Gas Liquid Chromatography     

Kinetics of polysaccharide B-1459 fermentation

Polysaccharide gum was made by fermentation with Xanthomonas campestris NRRL B-1459 in a medium of glucose, minerals, and distillers' solubles. The effect of distillers' solubles on growth rate can be described by the familiar saturation equation. Although a quasistoichiometric relationship was observed between nitrogen utilization and growth, total nitrogen supply was not growth limiting, nor was polymer formation growth associated. Cell growth primarily took place in the early part of the fermentation; polysaccharide biosynthesis occurred throughout the fermentation. Glucose was converted to polysaccharide at a fairly constant yield, which was 70–80% of glucose consumed, under optimum conditions. The kinetic patterns observed indicate that multistage continuous fermentation will be suitable for polysaccharide production.     

Effects of DL-Alpha-Difluoromethylornithine on Leishmania donovani Promastigotes1

ABSTRACT. Alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, has been demonstrated to be an effective agent against a variety of parasitic protozoa but not against Leishmania spp. In this report, we show that Leishmania donovani promastigotes in continuous culture are sensitive to the growth inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of DFMO. Incubation of the promastigotes with DFMO obliterates intracellular putrescine pools and depletes spermidine concentrations, which correlates with the onset of growth inhibition. The effects of DFMO on the growth and the intracellular polyamine pools can be reversed completely by the addition of 10 μM putrescine to the culture medium. These results suggest that the treatment of leishmaniasis may be amenable to chemotherapeutic manipulation by DFMO.     

Effect of photoperiod manipulation on the growth performance of juvenile lenok,Brachymystax lenok (Pallas, 1773)

The effect of four different light regimes on growth was studied in lenok, Brachymystax lenok. Fish with average weights of 5.5 g were subjected to four different photoperiods (0L:24D, 6L:18D, 12L:12D and 24L:0D) for 35 days. The specific growth rate (SGR) of lenok in 24‐h darkness had a significantly higher SGR than those in the continuous light regime (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference among fish exposed to 6L:18D, 12L:12D and 24L:0D photoperiods. There was a tendency for higher food intake over the light period extension from 0L to 24L, and feed intake was significantly higher in the continuous light group than in 24‐h darkness (P < 0.05). No significant difference in feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was observed between fish exposed to 0L:24D and 6L:18D photoperiods, however, the FCE in both photoperiods was significantly higher than that in the other two groups. The final survival rate of juveniles varied from 79.67 to 95.33%, with significant differences among experimental groups. Fish tested in continuous illumination spent much more energy on respiration and excretion while depositing less energy for growth than in the other photoperiods. In contrast, fish in 24‐h darkness deposited more energy for growth and spent less energy on respiration and excretion. Results show that photoperiod manipulation can affect growth, and that a continuous dark regime could improve growth in lenok at this stage of development.     

The viscostat: Productstat method of feed-rate control in continuous fermentations

Xanthan biopolymer has been produced in a single-stage continuous fermentation with Xanthomonas campestirs NRRL B-1459, using a viscostal control method instead of the conventional chemostat method. A Bendix Ultraviscoson

1 The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.

sensed the fermentor viscosity, and the recorder–controller actuated the feed medium pump in an on–off control mode. Since all continuous fermentations eventually become contaminated or suffer culture variation, this work served also to demonstrate the effectiveness of the viscostat control. Neither the presence of a mold contaminant with specific growth rates lower than that of X. campestris, nor the presence of a bacterial contaminant of specific growth rate greater than X. campestris, affected the maintenance of constant viscosity in this control system.     

Kinetic behavior of heterogeneous populations in completely mixed reactors

The kinetic behavior of heterogeneous microbial populations was studied in a continuous flow completely mixed reactor operated at various dilution rates. Glucose was used as the growth-limiting nutrient. The physiological growth parameters for cells harvested from continuous flow reactors were determined using batch experiments. It, was found that the growth parameters, maximum growth rate (μ_m), saturation constant (k_s), and cell yield (Y) vary for each dilution rate, and cannot be considered as precise constants in depicting the kinetic behavior of heterogeneous populations. In addition, it was found that the yield coefficients obtained from batch experiments were always lower than those obtained from continuous flow experiments. Levels of substrate and biological solids calculated for different dilution rates using growth constants from batch experiments did not agree with the experimental values observed in steady-state experiments. However, when the yield values from, the continuous flow experiments were used in conjunction with batch values for μ_m and k_s the theoretical and experimental dilute-out curves agreed fairly closely (within the range needed for engineering prediction) until the culture began to wash out of the unit. In general, the data substantiated the use of the single phase relationship between growth rate and substrate concentration described by the Monod equation, μ = μ_mS/(k_s + s).