Isolation and Characterization of Carotenoid Pigments of Micrococcus roseus

In addition to canthaxanthin, seven pigment fractions were isolated from Micrococcus roseus. They were purified by solvent partitioning and by column and thin-layer chromatography. Visible absorption spectra, chromatographic behavior, and partition coefficients of the pigments and derivatives prepared from the pigments were used in characterizing them. Both alpha- and beta-carotene derivatives were present. The structure of one pigment was suggested as phoenicoxanthin (3-hydroxy-4,4'-diketo-beta-carotene). Four other pigments were tentatively characterized as a dihydroxy-3,4-dehydro-alpha-carotene, a dihydroxy-alpha-carotene, a diketo-alpha-carotene, and a polyhydroxy-beta-carotene. Two pigments were isolated in trace amounts and could not be characterized. All the pigments studied were isolated as mixtures of cis-trans isomers and all except the diketo-alpha-carotene were isolated as esters from M. roseus. Quantitation of the pigments showed that canthaxanthin (4,4'-diketo-beta-carotene) represented 85% of the pigment recovered from extracts. Three of the other pigments contributed a significant proportion of the remaining pigments, whereas the other four were present in only small amounts. beta-Carotene derivatives comprised 96% and alpha-carotene derivatives 4% of the pigments recovered from extracts.     

The major carotenoid pigment of a psychrotrophic Micrococcus roseus strain: purification, structure, and interaction with synthetic membranes.

The major carotenoid pigment of a psychrotrophic Micrococcus roseus strain was purified to homogeneity from methanol extracts of dried cells by reverse-phase liquid chromatography and was designated P-3. On the basis of the UV-visible, infrared, mass, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of P-3, it was identified as bisdehydro-beta-carotene-2-carboxylic acid. The pigment interacted with synthetic membranes of phosphatidylcholine and dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine and stabilized the membranes. These results also indicate that P-3 is different from canthaxanthin, the major carotenoid pigment from a mesophilic M. roseus strain.     

Isolation and Identification of Echinenone from Micrococcus roseus

An orange carotenoid from Micrococcus roseus was purified by solvent partitioning followed by column and thin-layer chromatography. Absorption spectra, chromatographic mobility, and partition coefficient suggested that the pigment was echinenone (4-keto-beta-carotene). Reduction yielded a pigment with the spectral and polar properties of isocryptoxanthin (4-hydroxy-beta-carotene), the expected product. The orange pigment and its reduction product co-chromatographed with the respective authentic pigments, confirming the original pigment as echinenone. To our knowledge echinenone has not been identified previously as a bacterial pigment.     

玫瑰色微球菌A-04的红色素鉴定及稳定性分析

从石油污染的土壤和水样中筛选出一株玫瑰色微球菌A-04 Micrococcus roseus,对其所产红色色素进行了分离,并初步鉴定了色素种类,基于对影响A-04色素稳定性的单因素分析基础之上,采用3因素3水平响应面分析法,进一步对影响色素稳定性的主要因素进行了优化分析。结果表明A-04所产红色色素为类胡萝卜素,对该菌株的色素稳定性的单因素条件分析,色素对环境条件的耐受性较好,在80℃、pH5. 0～8. 0等条件下依然能长时间保持鲜红而不褪色。经响应面优化分析表明:温度、pH和溶剂是影响该色素稳定性的主要因素,温度与溶剂的交互作用对色素稳定性的影响也较为明显。pH5. 0～8. 0之间时,在80℃范围内,温度越低,同时溶剂的极性越大,越有利于维持色素的稳定性。本研究结果为该色素的实际开发和应用奠定了基础。     

Organization of two-component monomolecular layers formed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and the carotenoid pigment,canthaxanthin

Canthaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment of physiological importance owing to potential modulation of the dynamic and structural properties of biomembranes. The effect of canthaxanthin on the organization of lipid membranes formed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) was studied with application of monomolecular layer technique, FTIR spectroscopy and linear dichroism-FTIR. The specific molecular areas of the two-component monomolecular layers of canthaxanthin-DPPC show pronounced underadditivity in the concentration range below 2 mol% carotenoid with respect to the lipid, corresponding to the monomeric organization of the pigment. Additionally, the analysis of the FTIR spectra of the two-component monolayers deposited to the solid support shows that organization of the carotenoid in the lipid monolayer is governed primarily by van der Waals interactions between the pigment chromophore and lipid alkyl chains. This interaction is responsible for an ordering effect of canthaxanthin with respect to lipids. Analysis of FTIR spectra of two-component monolayers suggests the possibility of hydrogen bonding between the lipid polar headgroups and the keto groups of canthaxanthin via water bridges.     

Organization of two-component monomolecular layers formed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and the carotenoid pigment, canthaxanthin

Canthaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment of physiological importance owing to potential modulation of the dynamic and structural properties of biomembranes. The effect of canthaxanthin on the organization of lipid membranes formed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) was studied with application of monomolecular layer technique, FTIR spectroscopy and linear dichroism-FTIR. The specific molecular areas of the two-component monomolecular layers of canthaxanthin-DPPC show pronounced underadditivity in the concentration range below 2 mol% carotenoid with respect to the lipid, corresponding to the monomeric organization of the pigment. Additionally, the analysis of the FTIR spectra of the two-component monolayers deposited to the solid support shows that organization of the carotenoid in the lipid monolayer is governed primarily by van der Waals interactions between the pigment chromophore and lipid alkyl chains. This interaction is responsible for an ordering effect of canthaxanthin with respect to lipids. Analysis of FTIR spectra of two-component monolayers suggests the possibility of hydrogen bonding between the lipid polar headgroups and the keto groups of canthaxanthin via water bridges.     

Minimal requirements in defined media for improved growth of some radio-resistant pink tetracocci.

Defined media permitting extensive growth of representative pink radio-resistant tetracocci (Micrococcus radiodurans, Micrococcus roseus, and Micrococcus radiophilus) and two controls (an ultraviolet-sensitive mutant of M. radiodurans and Micrococcus luteus) are described. Availability of Fe (especially Fe3+) proved essential for good growth, as evidenced by (i) favorable effects of hydroxamic acids, e.g., salicylhydroxamic acid, and (ii) the growth promotion by hemin when joined with elevated concentrations of Fe. Cobalamin (B12) and methionine were interchangeable as an absolute requirement for methionine not affected by B12. M. luteus required neither. Pink radio-resistant micrococci may form a coherent group. Some divergences among them might be attributable to the method for isolating them, which for ordinary bacteria would be mutagenic to the point of total lethality. The ecology of these tetracocci vis-à-vis other pink-red radio-resistant organisms is discussed in relation to a question: can these bacteria be isolated without dependence on radiation as the cardinal selective factor?     

High-pressure adaptation by salt stress in a moderately halophilic bacterium obtained from open seawater

High-pressure adaptation was examined using a moderately halophilic bacterium (Micrococcus roseus), which was isolated from open seawater and capable of growing in 15% w/v NaCl (optimum NaCl concentration: 3% w/v). After treatment at 207 MPa, colony-forming units (CFUs) significantly decreased; however, the loss of integral cells after pressure was only 30% when direct cell count was performed microscopically. In order to investigate the piezotolerance of M. roseus under high pressure without morphological change, the survival of cells was examined under pressure at 138 MPa for 2 h. M. roseus in 3% NaCl was still sensitive to pressure at 138 MPa. However, the cells in the third generations showed remarkably increased pressure resistance, and no significant loss of viability was confirmed. Furthermore, when M. roseus was cultured in 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15% NaCl, the survival ratio proportionally increased at increased NaCl concentration. M. roseus cultured in 15% NaCl was remarkably resistant (94.7% viability) to pressure at 138 MPa, even when suspended in lower concentration of NaCl. This suggests that NaCl concentrations in growth culture affect the piezotolerance of M. roseus and that this species has an ability to adapt to high pressure.     

Studies on canthaxanthin in lipid membranes

Polar carotenoid pigment - canthaxanthin - has been found to interfere with the organization of biological membranes, in particular of the retina membranes of an eye of primates. The organization of lipid membranes formed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine containing canthaxanthin was studied by means of several techniques including: electronic absorption spectroscopy, linear dichroism, X-ray diffractometry, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. It appears that canthaxanthin present in the lipid membranes at relatively low concentration (below 1 mol% with respect to lipid) modifies significantly physical properties of the membranes. In particular, canthaxanthin (i) exerts restrictions to the segmental molecular motion of lipid molecules both in the headgroup region and in the hydrophobic core of the bilayer, (ii) promotes extended conformation of alkyl lipid chains, (iii) modifies the surface of the lipid membranes (in particular in the gel state, L_β´) and promotes the aggregation of lipid vesicles. It is concluded that canthaxanthin incorporated into lipid membranes is distributed among two pools: one spanning the lipid bilayer roughly perpendicularly to the surface of the membrane and one parallel to the membrane, localized in the headgroup region. The population of the horizontal fraction increases with the increase in the concentration of the pigment in the lipid phase. Such a conclusion is supported by the linear dichroism analysis of the oriented lipid multibilayers containing canthaxanthin: The mean angle between the dipole transition moment and the axis normal to the plane of the membrane was determined as 20 ± 3° at 0.5 mol% and 47 ± 3° at 2 mol% canthaxanthin. The analysis of the absorption spectra of canthaxanthin in the lipid phase and ¹H-NMR spectra of lipids point to the exceptionally low aggregation threshold of the pigment in the membrane environment (∼1 mol%). All results demonstrate a very strong modifying effect of canthaxanthin with respect to the dynamic and structural properties of lipid membranes.     

Neutral Lipids in the Study of Relationships of Members of the Family Micrococcaceae

The organisms studied were those of the family Micrococcaceae which cannot participate in genetic exchange with Micrococcus luteus and those whose biochemical and physiological characteristics appear to bridge the genera Staphylococcus and Micrococcus. The hydrocarbon compositions of M. luteus ATCC 4698 and Micrococcus sp. ATCC 398 were shown to be similar to those previously reported for many M. luteus strains, consisting of isomers of branched monoolefins in the range C25 to C31. However, Micrococcus sp. ATCC 398 differed somewhat by having almost all C29 isomers (approximately 88% of the hydrocarbon composition). Micrococcus spp. ATCC 401 and ATCC 146 and M. roseus strains ATCC 412, ATCC 416, and ATCC 516 contained the same type of hydrocarbon patterns, but the predominant hydrocarbons were within a lower distribution range (C23 to C27), similar to Micrococcus sp. ATCC 533 previously reported. The chromatographic profile and carbon range of the hydrocarbons of an atypical strain designated M. candicans ATCC 8456 differed significantly from the hydrocarbon pattern presented above. The hydrocarbons were identified as branched and normal olefins in the range C16 to C22. Studies of several different strains of staphylococci revealed that these organisms do not contain readily detectable amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons. The members of the family Micrococcaceae have been divided into two major groups based on the presence or absence of hydrocarbons. With the exception of M. candicans ATCC 8456, this division corresponded to the separation of these organisms according to their deoxyribonucleic acid compositions.     

Novobiocin Resistance and the Classification of Staphylococci and Micrococci

S ummary . Isolates of staphylococci and micrococci, 105 in all, classified according to Baird-Parker's classification (Baird-Parker, 1963,1965) were examined for their sensitivity to novobiocin. All of the staphylococci were sensitive to novobiocin as also were strains of Micrococcus luteus and M. roseus. Almost all strains belonging to Micrococcus subgroups 1–6 were resistant to novobiocin.     

Isolation of 4′-Hydroxyechinenone from Micrococcus roseus

The carotenoid 4′-hydroxyechinenone (4′-hydroxy-β, β-carotene-4-one) was isolated from Micrococcus roseus. It is proposed as an intermediate between echinenone and canthaxanthin.     

Molecular properties of succinate dehydrogenase isolated from Micrococcus luteus (lysodeikticus)

Succinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.1) of Micrococcus luteus was selectively precipitated from Triton X-100-solubilized membranes by using specific antiserum. The precipitated enzyme contained equimolar amounts of four polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 72,000, 30,000, 17,000, and 15,000. The 72,000 polypeptide possessed a covalently bound flavin prosthetic group and appeared to be strongly antigenic as judged by immunoprinting experiments. Low-temperature absorption spectroscopy revealed the presence of cytochrome b556 in the antigen complex. By analogy with succinate dehydrogenase purified from other sources, the 72,000 and 30,000 polypeptides were considered to represent subunits of the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, whereas one (or both) of the low-molecular-weight polypeptides was attributed to the apoprotein of the b-type cytochrome. A succinate dehydrogenase antigen cross-reacting with the M. luteus enzyme complex could be demonstrated in membranes of Micrococcus roseus, Micrococcus flavus, and Sarcina lutea, but not in the membranes isolated from a wide variety of other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.     

Preliminary studies on the characterization and distribution of Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species on animal skin.

A total of 221 strains of staphylococci and 98 strains of micrococci isolated from the skins of Eastern gray squirrels, Southern flying squirrels, raccoons, opossums, squirrel monkeys, swine, sheep, horses, cattle, and dogs were characterized in a preliminary attempt to resolve their natural relationships and distribution in nature. Staphylococci demonstrating the widest host range included Staphylococcus xylosus and unnamed Staphylococcus sp. 3. Unnamed Staphylococcus sp. 2 was isolated only from sheep, Staphylococcus sp. 4 only from opossums, Staphylococcus sp. 5 only from squirrel monkeys, and Staphylococcus sp. 6 only from swine. The predominant species isolated from human skin, including S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, and S. capitis, were either not isolated or only rarely isolated from animal skin. Micrococcus varians was the predominant Micrococcus species isolated from animal skin. M. luteus was only occasionally isolated. M. lylae, M. sedentarius, M. roseus, M. kristinae, and M. nishinomiyaensis, species occasionally isolated from human skin, were not isolated from animal skin.     

Partially saturated canthaxanthin purified from Aspergillus carbonarius induces apoptosis in prostrate cancer cell line

A mutant Aspergillus carbonarius selected for temperature tolerance after UV treatment, when grown in shake flasks, produced mycelia bearing yellow pigment. Since the mutant was affected in sterol biosynthetic pathway, the pigment was apparently produced to maintain membrane fluidity and rigidity for growth sustenance in low-pH culture broth. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses characterizing the pigment as a partially saturated canthaxanthin, containing beta-ionone end rings, suggested its application as a retinoid. When tested for this property in retinoic acid receptor expressing prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP, the fungal partially saturated canthaxanthin induced apoptosis. Low apoptosis percentage in DU145 prostrate cancer cells that does not express functional retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) suggested binding specificity of the partially saturated canthaxanthin for RAR-beta.     

Effects of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide on bacterial growth.

The effects of low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on actively dividing cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus cereus were studied. Fresh cultures of each organism were incubated for 24 h at 25 degrees C on both nutrient agar and mineral salts glucose agar plates under atmospheres containing various low concentrations of NO in air (0 to 1.9 ppm [0 to 2.0 micrograms/g of air]), NO2 in air (0 to 5.5 ppm [0 to 8.8 micrograms/g of air]), or NO and NO2 in air. Bacteria grown under air only were used as controls. After incubation, the colonies that developed on the plates were counted. None of the bacteria tested was affected by NO or NO2 at the indicated concentrations while growing on nutrient agar. Serratia marcescens, B. circulans, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. cereus grown on mineral salts glucose agar were not significantly affected by NO or NO2. Low concentrations (0 to 1.9 ppm) of NO were bacteriostatic to log-phase cultures of M. roseus, M. luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus grown on mineral salts glucose agar. Bacteriostatic activity over a 24-h interval was maximal at an initial NO concentration of 1 ppm. Appreciable amounts of NO2 were produced in 24 h at initial NO concentrations greater than 1 ppm. These results suggest that NO2 may reduce the bacteriostatic activity of NO. Low concentrations (0 to 5.5 ppm) of NO2 in air did not affect any of the bacteria tested. At these low concentrations, NO affected bacterial growth, although NO2, NO2-, and NO3- did not. In addition, it was determined that the bacteriostatic activity observed in this study was not due to an increase in the acidity of the medium.     

Carotenoids in bird plumage: the complement of red pigments in the plumage of wild and captive bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

We have studied the carotenoid pigments in the red plumage of male bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) immediately following capture and after the completion of the moult in captivity under dietary control. Astaxanthin, adonirubin, and alpha-doradexanthin, as well as papilioeritrinone and canthaxanthin (in lower amounts) are in every case the dominant carotenoids in the plumage pigment of wild individuals. alpha-Doradexanthin is responsible for the reddish-rose colour, which captive individuals adopt after a diet consisting mainly of lutein as disposable carotenoid. The red pigmentation biogenesis of captive bullfinch is compared with those of other red pigmented Carduelinae in which male individuals usually lose the red colour in captivity, namely Carpodacus roseus, Carpodacus rubricilloides, Uragus sibiricus, Carduelis cannabina, Carduelis flammea, Loxia curvirostra and Pinicola enucleator.     

Effects of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide on bacterial growth

The effects of low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on actively dividing cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus cereus were studied. Fresh cultures of each organism were incubated for 24 h at 25 degrees C on both nutrient agar and mineral salts glucose agar plates under atmospheres containing various low concentrations of NO in air (0 to 1.9 ppm [0 to 2.0 micrograms/g of air]), NO2 in air (0 to 5.5 ppm [0 to 8.8 micrograms/g of air]), or NO and NO2 in air. Bacteria grown under air only were used as controls. After incubation, the colonies that developed on the plates were counted. None of the bacteria tested was affected by NO or NO2 at the indicated concentrations while growing on nutrient agar. Serratia marcescens, B. circulans, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. cereus grown on mineral salts glucose agar were not significantly affected by NO or NO2. Low concentrations (0 to 1.9 ppm) of NO were bacteriostatic to log-phase cultures of M. roseus, M. luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus grown on mineral salts glucose agar. Bacteriostatic activity over a 24-h interval was maximal at an initial NO concentration of 1 ppm. Appreciable amounts of NO2 were produced in 24 h at initial NO concentrations greater than 1 ppm. These results suggest that NO2 may reduce the bacteriostatic activity of NO. Low concentrations (0 to 5.5 ppm) of NO2 in air did not affect any of the bacteria tested. At these low concentrations, NO affected bacterial growth, although NO2, NO2-, and NO3- did not. In addition, it was determined that the bacteriostatic activity observed in this study was not due to an increase in the acidity of the medium.     

Plackett-Burman Design与均匀设计法优化玫瑰色微球菌固定化脱氮的性能

【目的】采用Plackett-Burman Design (PBD)与均匀设计(Uniform Design, UD) 优化玫瑰色微球菌(Micrococcus roseus)固定化脱氮的条件,以提高其脱氮性能。【方法】选择聚乙烯醇(Polyvinyl alcohol,PVA)与海藻酸钠(Sodium alginate,SA)作为固定化细胞材料,研究其成球方式与性能,应用PBD对9个影响脱氮效果的因素进行显著性检验,筛选出PVA、SA、温度、菌液接种量、菌球量5个显著性因素(P<0.05)。采用UD对5个显著因素进行条件优化,优化数据通过Minitab与Matlab软件进行逐步回归分析,并建立二阶多项式模型。【结果】最优脱氮条件为PVA 9.6%、SA 2.2%、温度33.4 °C、菌液接种量8%、菌球量500个/100 mL,连续脱氮72 h,最高脱氮率达到60.9%。【结论】PBD与UD的联合使用能够在显著因子筛选与寻优中发挥重要的作用。连续脱氮试验表明,玫瑰色微球菌去除氨氮主要通过同化、硝化与反硝化途径。     

Reinvestigation of Brevibacterium sp. Strain KY-4313 as a Source of Canthaxanthin

The hydrocarbon-utilizing Brevibacterium sp. strain KY-4313 was reevaluated for its potential to produce canthaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment of strong commercial interest. Three approaches were used to optimize the canthaxanthin yield from this organism, i.e., the preparation of mutants, the addition of supposedly carotenogenic chemicals to the growth medium, and growth promotion. Following treatment of the parent strain with N-nitrosomethylurea, a presumed mutant was isolated which showed a 32% increase in cellular canthaxanthin content. No effective carotenogenic chemicals were found in connection with hydrocarbon fermentations, in which mainly growth promotion through periodic medium renewal proved conducive to enhanced pigment production. Carotenogenesis could be stimulated in brain heart infusion broth by adding alcohols or retinol. Improved growth in this medium was generally not associated with higher canthaxanthin yields. Both superior growth and pigment levels were obtained in a newly designed medium based on fumaric acid-molasses. The maximum yields of canthaxanthin in shake flasks were (in milligrams per liter) 4.2 (brain heart infusion broth plus propanol-zinc sulfate), 3.6 (hydrocarbon medium), and 9.3 (fumaric acid-molasses), which represent a significant improvement over the originally reported optimal result (1 mg/liter). The corresponding yields of echinenone, the direct precursor of canthaxanthin, were 1.2, 1.6, and 2.3 mg/liter, respectively. Two-liter hydrocarbon batch fermentations involving medium renewal maximally produced 7.2 mg of canthaxanthin and 3.7 mg of echinenone per liter.