Comparison of Bacterial Biodiversity and Enzyme Production in Three Hypersaline Lakes; Urmia,Howz-Soltan and Aran-Bidgol

This research is a comparative study on the diversity of halophilic bacteria with hydrolytic activities in three significant hypersaline lakes; Urmia in the northwest and Howz-Soltan and Aran-Bidgol in the central desert in Iran. Isolated strains from these saline lakes were found to be halotolerant, moderately and extremely halophilic bacteria. The bacteria in each saline lake were able to produce different hydrolytic enzymes including amylase, protease, lipase, DNase, inulinase, xylanase, carboxy methyl cellulase, pectinase and pullulanase. 188, 302, 91 halophilic strains were isolated from Urmia Lake, Howz-Soltan and Aran-Bidgol playa, respectively. The numbers of Gram-positive strains were more than Gram-negatives, and among Gram-positive bacteria; spore-forming bacilli were most abundant. Due to the unique physico-chemical conditions of the lake environments, the hydrolytic activities of isolated strains were significantly different. For instance, isolated strains from Howz-Soltan playa did not produce pectinase, DNase, amylase, lipase and inulinase, while the isolates from Aran-Bidgol playa had a great ability to produce pectinase and DNase. The strains from Urmia Lake were also good producers of DNase but failed to show any chitinase activity. The diversity of halophilic bacteria from the mentioned three saline lakes was also determined using PCR-amplified 16S rRNA followed by phylogenetic analysis of the partial 16S rRNA sequences.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12088-014-0481-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Thermoalkalophilic lipase-producing Bacillus selected by continuous cultivation

Abstract Several lipase-producing thermophilic bacteria were isolated by continuous culture from samples collected near Bulgarian hot springs. Most of them had lipase activity of about 0.5 U ml⁻¹ when activated in shaken flasks. Three strains, Gram-positive sporeforming rods, possess higher enzyme activity in a Tween-80 containing medium. The highest lipase activity (2.0–3.0 U ml⁻¹) was observed in the newly-isolated thermoalkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain MC7.     

渤海沉积物产脂肪酶细菌的筛选及其多样性分析

【目的】从渤海沉积物中分离筛选产脂肪酶细菌,分析其物种多样性,增加人们对渤海生态系统中产脂肪酶菌多样性的认识,获取高效产脂肪酶菌株,为海洋产脂肪酶微生物的挖掘提供菌群资源。【方法】分别将8个渤海沉积物样品梯度稀释涂布至吐温-80筛选平板和三丁酸甘油酯筛选平板,选择性分离产脂肪酶细菌;分析基于16SrRNA基因序列的系统发育关系,揭示这些细菌的分类地位和遗传多样性;利用对硝基苯酚法测定胞外脂肪酶活性,筛选出高效产脂肪酶菌株。【结果】从8个渤海沉积物样品中分离获得51株产脂肪酶细菌,这些菌株隶属于Bacteroidetes、Proteobacteria和Firmicutes三个门的8个属,其中Pseudoalteromonas(35.2%)、Marinobacter(23.5%)和Sulfitobacter(17.6%)是优势菌群;脂肪酶酶活性实验表明所有测定菌株都能够分泌脂肪酶,菌株70623分泌的脂肪酶酶活最高,为42.4 U/m L。【结论】渤海沉积物中可培养产脂肪酶细菌类群较为丰富,Pseudoalteromonas、Marinobacter和Sulfitobacter菌株是优势菌群,测定菌株所产胞外脂肪酶能力不同,获得了一株高效产脂肪酶菌株Marinobacter sp.70623。     

Characterization of Salicola sp. IC10, a lipase- and protease-producing extreme halophile

In order to explore the diversity of extreme halophiles able to produce different hydrolytic enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase and DNAse) in hypersaline habitats of South Spain, a screening program was performed. A total of 43 extreme halophiles showing hydrolytic activities have been isolated and characterized. The isolated strains were able to grow optimally in media with 15–20% (w/v) total salts and in most cases, growth was detected up to 30% (w/v) total salts. Most hydrolase producers were assigned to the family Halobacteriaceae , belonging to the genera Halorubrum (22 strains), Haloarcula (nine strains) and Halobacterium (nine strains), and three isolates were characterized as extremely halophilic bacteria (genera Salicola, Salinibacter and Pseudomonas ). An extremely halophilic isolate, strain IC10, showing lipase and protease activities and identified as a Salicola strain of potential biotechnological interest, was further studied. The optimum growth conditions for this strain were 15–20% (w/v) NaCl, pH 8.0, and 37 °C. Zymographic analysis of strain IC10 detected the lipolytic activity in the intracellular fraction, showing the highest activity against p -nitrophenyl-butyrate as a substrate in a colorimetric assay, whereas the proteolytic activity was detected in the extracellular fraction. This protease degraded casein, gelatin, bovine serum albumin and egg albumin.     

祁连山高山植物根际土放线菌生物多样性

从祁连山老虎沟不同海拔位点的15种植物根际土中培养得到78株特异表型放线菌,并结合菌体形态、生理代谢特征、抗菌活性及16S rDNA序列对其生理及系统发育多样性进行了研究。结果表明,分离菌株分属于链霉菌属(Streptomyces spp.)(73株)、诺卡氏菌属(Nocardia spp.)(4株),另有1株与GenBank中同源性最高的菌株Micromonospora saelicesensis相似性达92%,为1潜在新种。链霉菌属为主要类群,占分离菌株的93.6%,该属菌株在5个海拔位点的15种植物根际土中均有分布,但存在海拔位点、植物种类的差异性和特异性;诺卡氏菌属的菌株仅见于海拔2200 m的猪毛菜、海拔2800 m的钉柱萎陵菜和3800 m处的甘肃蚤缀根际土中;1潜在新种分离自海拔2200 m处的沙生针茅根际土。次级代谢物产生和拮抗性筛选研究结果表明:H2O2酶、脂酶2(Tween-40)、脲酶、蛋白酶、脂酶3(Tween-80)、淀粉酶、H2S、脂酶1(Tween-20)、可溶性色素及有机酸这10类次级代谢物产生菌分别占供试菌株的89.7%、82.1%、70.5%、62.8%、53.8%、52.6%、48.7%、44.9%、32.1%和17.9%,其中,淀粉酶、脂酶1、色素和有机酸仅由链霉菌产生;有29株放线菌对参试人类病原菌具有抑制作用,占供试菌株的37.2%,分布于5个海拔位点的12种植物根际土,其中,从药用植物甘肃黄芪和四裂红景天根际土中分离到的抗性菌株占拮抗性放线菌总数的60%。研究表明,高山地区植物根际土放线菌资源丰富,菌株生理功能多样,是新放线菌种和生物活性物质的重要资源库。     

Characteristics and identification of enterocins produced by Enterococcus faecium JCM 5804T

AIMS: To screen bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in 52 type and reference strains, which have not previously been studied, with respect to bacteriocins, and to characterize the presence of bacteriocins. METHODS AND RESULTS: Only Enterococcus faecium JCM 5804T showed bacteriocin-like activity. It inhibited the growth of Lactobacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Clostridium spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE). However, it was not effective against Gram-negative strains, Weisella spp., Leuconostoc spp., Lactococcus spp., or methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The inhibitory activity of Ent. faecium JCM 5804T was inactivated by proteinase K, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, and papain, but not by lysozyme, lipase, catalase, or beta-glucosidase. The inhibitory activity was stable at 100 degrees C for 30 min, and had a pH range from 2 to 10. The molecular weight of the partially purified bacteriocin(s) was approx. 4.5 kDa, according to tricine-sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing methods identified three different types of bacteriocins produced by Ent. faecium JCM 5804T, enterocin A, enterocin B, and enterocin P-like bacteriocin. CONCLUSION: Enterococcus faecium JCM 5804T produced three different types of bacteriocins, and they inhibited LAB and pathogens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: This is the first report of enterocin A, enterocin B, and enterocin P-like bacteriocin, detected in Ent. faecium JCM 5804T among LAB type and reference strains.     

Screening and isolation of halophilic bacteria producing extracellular hydrolyses from Howz Soltan Lake,Iran

Screening of bacteria from different areas of Howz Soltan playa, a hypersaline lake in the central desert zone of Iran, led to the isolation of 231 moderately halophilic bacteria, which were able to grow optimally in media with 5–15% of salt, and 49 extremely halophilic microorganisms that required 20–25% of salt for optimal growth. These isolates produced a great variety of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. A total of 195, 177, 100, 95, 92, 68, 65, 33, and 28 strains produced lipases, amylases, proteases, inulinases, xylanases, cellulases, pullulanases, DNases, and pectinases, respectively. In comparison with gram-negative bacteria, the gram-positive halophilic rods, showed more hydrolytic activities. Several combined activities were showed by some of these isolates. One strain presented 9 hydrolytic activities, 4 strains presented 8 hydrolytic activities, 10 strains presented 7 hydrolytic activities and 29 strains presented 6 hydrolytic activities. No halophilic isolate without hydrolytic activity has been found in this study. According to their phenotypic characteristics and comparative partial 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the halophilic strains were identified as members of the genera: Salicola, Halovibrio, Halomonas, Oceanobacillus, Thalassobacillus, Halobacillus, Virgibacillus, Gracilibacillus, Salinicoccus, and Piscibacillus. Most lipase and DNase producers were members of the genera Gracilibacillus and Halomonas, respectively, whereas most of the isolates able to produce hydrolytic enzymes such as amylase, protease, cellulose (CMCase) and inulinase, belonged to gram-positive genera, like Gracilibacillus, Thalassobacillus, Virgibacillus, and Halobacillus.     

Isolation of lipid- and polysaccharide-degrading micro-organisms from subtropical forest soil, and analysis of lipolytic strain Bacillus sp. CR-179

AIMS: To isolate the micro-organisms from three soil samples obtained from a subtropical forest of Puerto Iguazu (Argentina), to analyse them for detection of the biotechnologically interesting enzymatic activities lipase, esterase, cellulase, xylanase and pectinase, and to identify the most active strain. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 724 strains were isolated using different culture media and temperatures, and 449 of them showed at least one of the hydrolytic activities pursued. Lipolytic activity of the lipid-degrading strains was further determined using MUF-butyrate and MUF-oleate as substrates. The alkalophilic strain CR-179, one of the most active for all the enzymatic activities assayed, was characterized and preliminarily identified by morphological, physiological and 16S rDNA tests, as a Bacillus sp. closely related to Bacillus subtilis. CONCLUSIONS: Highly hydrolytic strains were isolated from all soil samples, suggesting the existence of a microbial community well-adapted to nutrient recycling. Strain CR-179, one of the most active, has been preliminarily identified as a Bacillus sp. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A collection of hydrolytic strains with high biotechnological potential was obtained. Presence of sequences codifying for a lipolytic system related to the B. subtilis group lipases was revealed by PCR for the best lipolytic strain.     

Lipases in autolysed cultures of filamentous fungi

Fifty-one fungi from different genera and strains were checked in plate to determine lipase activity in protein precipitates from their autolysed cultures. Each of them was then analysed at 3·5, 6·5 and 9·2 pH units and, as a consequence, basic lipases with high activity at 9·2 pH were found after 1 h of incubation. Only 25% of the studied fungi showed this lipase activity, among them the best producers were fungi from genus Fusarium (47% of fungi had lipase activity). In addition to lipase activity, Fusaria showed a low hydrolytic activity on cutin and suberin. The genus Aspergillus produced lipase and cutinase activity to a similar extent. Aspergillus nidulans 2544 also showed suberinase activity in a considerable amount. Penicillium species had very low activities. Other species and strains from genus Trichoderma , order Mucorales and class Basidiomycetes, did not show lipase activity in their degradative processes.     

Extracellular enzymes produced by microorganisms isolated from maritime Antarctica

Antarctic environments can sustain a great diversity of well-adapted microorganisms known as psychrophiles or psychrotrophs. The potential of these microorganisms as a resource of enzymes able to maintain their activity and stability at low temperature for technological applications has stimulated interest in exploration and isolation of microbes from this extreme environment. Enzymes produced by these organisms have a considerable potential for technological applications because they are known to have higher enzymatic activities at lower temperatures than their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts. A total of 518 Antarctic microorganisms, were isolated during Antarctic expeditions organized by the Instituto Antártico Uruguayo. Samples of particules suspended in air, ice, sea and freshwater, soil, sediment, bird and marine animal faeces, dead animals, algae, plants, rocks and microbial mats were collected from different sites in maritime Antarctica. We report enzymatic activities present in 161 microorganisms (120 bacteria, 31 yeasts and 10 filamentous fungi) isolated from these locations. Enzymatic performance was evaluated at 4 and 20°C. Most of yeasts and bacteria grew better at 20°C than at 4°C, however the opposite was observed with the fungi. Amylase, lipase and protease activities were frequently found in bacterial strains. Yeasts and fungal isolates typically exhibited lipase, celullase and gelatinase activities. Bacterial isolates with highest enzymatic activities were identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis as Pseudomonas spp., Psychrobacter sp., Arthrobacter spp., Bacillus sp. and Carnobacterium sp. Yeasts and fungal strains, with multiple enzymatic activities, belonged to Cryptococcus victoriae, Trichosporon pullulans and Geomyces pannorum.     

Partial purification and characterization of the organic solvent-tolerant lipase produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens RB02-3 isolated from milk

Eighty-five putative Pseudomonas isolates were obtained from various raw milk and pasteurized milk samples using Pseudomonas CFC agar. Among them, 36 isolates were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, and one isolate was identified as Pseudomonas putida. Lipase activity of the strains was quantitatively measured by the spectrophotometric method using p-nitrophenyl palmitate (p-NPP) as substrate. Detected lipase activity of the strains was between 10.03 U/mL and 22.16 U/mL. Pseudomonas fluorescens RB02-3 possessed the highest lipase activity. The extracellular lipase of P. fluorescens RB02-3 strain was homogeneously purified using a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, and gel filtration column chromatography. This purification procedure resulted in 2.97-fold purification with 20.3% recovery. The enzyme was characterized, and exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.0 and 50 °C; after it was incubated for 1 h it was activated in the presence of hexane, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, and ethanol and remained stable after the incubation was extended for 2 hr. The lipase was slightly inhibited in the presence of Zn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+ salts, and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), whereas Cd2+, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and Tween-80 had no effect on its activity.     

Immobilization of Lipase from Rhizopus Niveus: A Way to Enhance its Synthetic Activity in Organic Solvent

Lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from Rhizopus niveus was immobilized by physical adsorption on various carriers, including different types of Celite, Spherosil and Duolite. After the enzyme immobilization, the recovered hydrolytic and synthetic activities on the different carriers were then determined. The results showed that the highest synthetic activity was obtained when Duolite XAD 761 was used as the carrier. However the recovered hydrolytic activity after the immobilization on this resin was relatively low although this carrier showed the best protein loading capacity. The highest recovered hydrolytic activity was observed when the lipase was immobilized on Celite Hyflo-Supercel using an immobilization buffer adjusted to pH 4. The comparison of the free and immobilized lipase specific activities suggest that the immobilization on Celite Hyflo-Supercel, Spherosil XOA 200 and silica has enhanced the lipase hydrolytic activity. On the other hand, the use of the lipase immobilized on Duolite XAD 761 as biocatalyst of synthetic reaction, compared to that of the free enzyme, allows the reaction initial velocity to be increased 12.2-fold. In addition, the synthetic activity of the lipase immobilized on Duolite XAD 761 was shown to be maximum at a water activity in the range of 0.32-0.52.     

Efficient transformation of thermotolerant methanol & strains of methylophilus spp. via electroporation

Plasmid transformation of three thermotolerant strains of methylotrophic bacterium Methylophilus spp. was investigated using three different methods. The plasmids could be transformed by electroporation and were stabily maintained in these methylotrophic bacteria. The calcium chloride (competent cell) method was successful only in the case of one of the three strains studied. Protoplast transformation of methylotrophic bacteria was not successful. The antibiotic resistance markers conferred resistance on the transformants, whereas the wild-type bacteria were sensitive to the antibiotics.     

巴里坤湖和玛纳斯湖嗜盐菌的分离及功能酶的筛选

目的:了解新疆巴里坤湖与马纳斯湖中嗜盐菌及功能酶的多样性。方法:从两湖中采集水样进行菌种分离,采用PCR方法扩增出其16S rRNA基因(16S rDNA),并测定了基因的序列。对分离菌株进行了蛋白酶、淀粉酶、酯酶、脂肪酶、以及纤维素酶的筛选。结果:从两湖水样共分离得到51株嗜盐菌。基于16SrDNA序列的同源性比较和系统发育学分析,发现从两湖分离获得的中度嗜盐菌分别属于Planococcaceae、Bacillacea、Staphylococcus、Halomonadaceae、Salicolaceae以及Pseudomonadacaeae 6个属。分离得到的极端嗜盐古菌属于Halobacteriaceae属。功能酶筛选结果表明产蛋白酶的嗜盐菌共有15株,产酯酶的共有23株,产淀粉酶的共有8株,未获得产脂肪酶和纤维素酶的嗜盐菌。结论:新疆巴里坤湖和马纳斯湖中有丰富的嗜盐微生物资源及酶资源,有重要的研究意义和应用前景。     

Glycerol Ester Hydrolase Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria

Seventeen strains of lactic acid bacteria were assayed for their glycerol ester hydrolase activity by using an improved agar-well technique, and eight strains by determining the activity in cell-free extracts using a pH-stat procedure. All cultures tested showed activity and hydrolyzed tributyrin more actively than they did tricaproin. The cell extract studies demonstrated that the cells contained intracellular esterases and lipases. The culture supernatant fluid was without activity. The lipase and the esterase differed in their relative activity to each other in the different extracts and in the ease by which they could be freed from the cellular debris. It is suggested that the lipase of these organisms is an endoenzyme and the esterase an ectoenzyme.     

Production and regulation of different lipase activities from Rhizopus chinensis in submerged fermentation by lipids

The fungal Rhizopus chinensis could produce several types of lipase, which were mainly intracellular. During the whole-cell lipase production by this strain in submerged fermentation, it was observed that two catalytic characteristics (hydrolytic and synthetic activity) of lipases were different with addition of lipids. The hydrolytic activity of the lipase was not induced by lipids efficaciously and could be detected regardless of whether substrate-related compounds were present. However, it was found that the induction of lipids for the synthetic activity lipase was significant, and that nearly no synthetic activity was detected while the medium contained no lipids. When only a little lipid (1 g/L) was added to medium, the synthetic activity increased sharply in the initial process of fermentation. Analysis of crude membrane-bound lipase by SDS-PAGE confirmed this induction. De novo biosynthesis of lipases, especially the lipase with synthetic activity occurred only when lipids existed. Cell growth and maltose repress the lipase production with synthetic activity, but have little influence on the lipase production with hydrolytic activity. Since the production process of mycelium-bound lipase with hydrolytic activity was different, it was reasonable to consider hydrolytic activity and synthetic activity for different application purposes. Whole-cell lipase obtained from fermentation process with high synthetic activity showed excellent catalytic ability in solvent free system on synthesis of ethylcaprylate and ethyloleate, the conversion could reach more than 90% in 5 h.     

Microbial spoilage of pre-cooked potato-topped pies

The ecological succession of bacteria which developed in pre-cooked potato-topped pies stored at two different temperatures was examined. Bacillus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. were the predominant organisms isolated from freshly prepared pies and those stored at 4 degrees and 37 degrees C. None of these groups of bacteria caused significant biodeterioration of pies held at 4 degrees C, but all groups grew well in pies stored at 37 degrees C and achieved counts of ca 10(8)/g of sample. Bacillus spp. were the first group to grow, followed by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. Growth which occurred at 37 degrees C did so at the expense of glucose, lactate accumulated and the pH of pie components decreased. Amylase activity detected in all pie components during storage was associated with the growth of Bacillus spp. and probably supplemented glucose already present in pies, by hydrolytic cleavage of potato, flour or binder starches. Spoilage caused by growth and activity of the bacteria isolated was not associated with visual signs of biodeterioration, nor production of 'off' odour usually associated with spoilage of meats. These results suggest that pre-cooked potato-topped pies held at inappropriate temperatures represent a potential public health risk.     

Synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes during production of tylosin byStreptomyces fradiae

Summary The exposure of a wild-type tylosin producing strain ofStreptomyces fradiae to mutagenic agents resulted in the isolation of several tylosin over-producing strains. Examination of three mutants, T4310, 612 and 3204 showed that improved tylosin production was associated with increased hydrolytic enzyme activity and cell growth. The wild-type strain showed lower levels of hydrolytic activity including, protease, amylase, lipase and esterase activities and attained a lower cell density than the mutants.     

Isolation and characterization of some moderately halophilic bacteria with lipase activity

Lipases are an important class of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of long chain triglycerides and constitute the most prominent group of biocatalysts for biotechnological applications. There are a number of lipases, produced by some halophilic microorganisms. In this study, some lipase producing bacteria from the Maharla salt lake located in south of Iran were isolated. All isolates were screened for true lipase activity on plates containing olive oil. The lipase activity was measured using titrimetric methods. Among thirty three isolates, thirteen strains demonstrating orange zone around colonies under UV light, were selected for identification using the molecular methods and some morphological characteristics. The bacterium Bacillus vallismortis BCCS 007 with 3.41 ± 0.14 U/mL lipase activity was selected as the highest lipase producing isolate. This is the first report of isolation and molecular identification of lipase producing bacteria from the Maharla lake.     

Microbial spoilage of pre-cooked potato-topped pies

The ecological succession of bacteria which developed in pre-cooked potato-topped pies stored at two different temperatures was examined. Bacillus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. were the predominant organisms isolated from freshly prepared pies and those stored at 4°C and 37°C. None of these groups of bacteria caused significant biodeterioration of pies held at 4°C, but all groups grew well in pies stored at 37°C and achieved counts of ca 10⁸/g of sample. Bacillus spp. were the first group to grow, followed by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus- Micrococcus spp. Growth which occurred at 37°C did so at the expense of glucose, lactate accumulated and the pH of pie components decreased. Amylase activity detected in all pie components during storage was associated with the growth of Bacillus spp. and probably supplemented glucose already present in pies, by hydrolytic cleavage of potato, flour or binder starches. Spoilage caused by growth and activity of the bacteria isolated was not associated with visual signs of bio-deterioration, nor production of 'off' odour usually associated with spoilage of meats. These results suggest that pre-cooked potato-topped pies held at inappropriate temperatures represent a potential public health risk.