铜绿假单胞菌fur基因缺失突变株的构建及其表型分析

铁摄取调节蛋白(ferric uptake regulator, Fur)是控制铜绿假单胞菌铁代谢和毒力的关键调节因子。许多课题组尝试构建铜绿假单胞菌fur的缺失突变株均失败,因此铜绿假单胞菌的fur一直被认为是必需基因,这导致其生物学功能一直未得到全面的解析。【目的】构建铜绿假单胞菌fur的缺失突变株,并对该突变株的表型进行分析。【方法】以铜绿假单胞菌PAO1为亲本菌株,通过同源重组的方法构建fur缺失突变株,研究该基因对铜绿假单胞菌生长、铁载体生物合成、抗氧胁迫能力、鞭毛形成、生物被膜形成和毒力等的影响。同时,通过遗传分析对fur缺失突变株生长缺陷表型的原因进行探究。【结果】本研究成功构建了铜绿假单胞菌fur基因的缺失突变株,发现缺失突变fur极大地限制了铜绿假单胞菌的生长能力,并降低了该菌对限铁环境的生长适应性,但不影响该菌对高铁环境的生长适应性。铜绿假单胞菌Δfur的这种生长缺陷表型是细胞生长增殖变慢造成的,而不是诱导细胞死亡引起的。然而,其他异源的fur基因能完全互补Δfur的这种生长缺陷表型,暗示铜绿假单胞菌的Fur蛋白在功能上不存在独特性。尽管Fur与毒素-抗毒素系统PacTA存在功能关联性,但是铜绿假单胞菌Δfur的这种生长缺陷表型却与PacT毒素无关。除了影响铜绿假单胞菌的生长表型,缺失突变fur还使铜绿假单胞菌丧失了对铁载体生物合成的抑制作用,导致该菌对H₂O₂更敏感并丧失了鞭毛的形成能力,同时降低了该菌对大蜡螟幼虫的毒力。此外,缺失突变fur还显著提升了铜绿假单胞菌的胞内环二鸟苷酸(cyclic diguanylate, c-di-GMP)水平,从而诱导pelF和pslA基因的表达,进而促进铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜的形成。【结论】fur是可以缺失的非必需基因,在铜绿假单胞菌的正常生长、铁载体生物合成、抗氧胁迫能力、鞭毛形成、生物被膜形成和毒力等方面都发挥着十分重要的作用,这为针对铜绿假单胞菌的疫苗和抗菌药物开发奠定了基础。     

灵芝UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶酶学性质研究及其应用

【背景】灵芝多糖是灵芝的重要活性物质之一。UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶（UDP-glucose 4-epimerase,UGE,EC 5.1.3.2）是灵芝多糖合成途径中糖供体生成的重要酶,其参与了UDP-葡萄糖与UDP-半乳糖的相互转化,与多糖中半乳糖残基含量密切相关。【目的】通过对来源于灵芝的UGE基因进行异源表达,丰富灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。【方法】以灵芝菌株（Ganoderma lingzhi） CGMCC 5.26的cDNA为模板,克隆得到UGE基因GL30389,并在Escherichia coli BL21（DE3）中诱导表达,产物纯化后进行酶学性质、酶动力学、底物专一性及转化率的研究。【结果】灵芝UGE的分子量为45 kDa。最适反应pH值为6.0,在pH 7.0—9.0范围内有较好的稳定性;最适反应温度为30℃,温度在40℃时稳定性最好。Fe²⁺和Mg²⁺对UGE有激活作用。以UDP-葡萄糖为底物时,K_m为0.824 mmol/L,V_max为769.230 μmol/（L·min）,k_cat为1.333 s^—1,k_cat/K_m为1.618 L/（mmol·s）。灵芝UGE对D-葡萄糖、半乳糖醛酸及N-乙酰葡萄糖胺有催化活性。通过优化pH、温度、底物与酶的配比、添加金属离子将转化率从16.0%提升至39.4%。【结论】灵芝UGE与植物来源的UGE酶学性质较为相似,其催化效率优于大部分细菌来源的UGE。本研究丰富了灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,有利于深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。     

极端嗜热菌Thermus thermophilus HB8中天冬氨酸转氨酶在大肠杆菌中的表达、纯化及酶学性质研究

为获得具有热稳定性的天冬氨酸转氨酶,从极端嗜热细菌Thermus thermophilus HB8中克隆得到天冬氨酸转氨酶基因aspC,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)和Rosetta(DE3)中进行表达,发现在Rosetta(DE3)中具有较高的表达量。重组酶的最适反应pH是7.0,37 ℃下在pH8～10的缓冲液中保温1 h酶活几乎不改变。重组酶反应的最适温度为75 ℃,酶活稳定的温度范围为25～55℃。重组酶在65℃时半衰期为3.5h,75℃时为2.5h。重组酶的K_m^KG为7.559mmol/L,V_max^KG为0.086mmol/(L·min),K_m^Asp为2.031mmol/L,V_max^Asp为0.024mmol/(L·min)。Ca²⁺、Fe³⁺、Mn²⁺等金属离子对酶活性有微弱抑制作用。     

极端嗜热菌Thermus thermophilus HB8中天冬氨酸转氨酶在大肠杆菌中的表达、纯化及酶学性质研究

为获得具有热稳定性的天冬氨酸转氨酶,从极端嗜热细菌Thermus thermophilus HB8中克隆得到天冬氨酸转氨酶基因aspC,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)和Rosetta(DE3)中进行表达,发现在Rosetta(DE3)中具有较高的表达量。重组酶的最适反应pH是7.0,37 ℃下在pH8～10的缓冲液中保温1 h酶活几乎不改变。重组酶反应的最适温度为75 ℃,酶活稳定的温度范围为25～55℃。重组酶在65℃时半衰期为3.5h,75℃时为2.5h。重组酶的K_m^KG为7.559mmol/L,V_max^KG为0.086mmol/(L·min),K_m^Asp为2.031mmol/L,V_max^Asp为0.024mmol/(L·min)。Ca²⁺、Fe³⁺、Mn²⁺等金属离子对酶活性有微弱抑制作用。     

恶臭假单胞菌SJTE-1中转化17β-雌二醇的3-酰基-ACP还原酶的鉴定与功能研究

[目的]假单胞菌SJTE-1可高效转化17β-雌二醇,但是催化该转化的酶尚不清楚。本文鉴定了该菌株的一个新的3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶（ANI01589.1）,并对其进行了功能研究。[方法]首先,我们克隆了该3-酰基-ACP还原酶的编码基因,在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）菌株中进行了异源表达;利用金属离子亲和层析法,纯化获得了重组蛋白。体外检测了重组蛋白的活性与酶学性质,并利用高效液相色谱法（HPLC）测定了该酶的催化产物。[结果]3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶可被17β-雌二醇诱导表达,重组蛋白纯化量可达19.6 mg/L。蛋白序列比对结果表明,该蛋白包含短链脱氢酶/还原酶（SDR）的2个共有区域和多个保守残基。该酶以NAD⁺为辅助因子,将17β-雌二醇转化为雌酮;其K_m值为0.071 mmol/L,k_cat值为2.4±0.06/s^-1,5 min内可转化超过95.8%的雌二醇。该酶的最佳反应温度为42℃,最佳pH为8.0。不同二价离子对该酶的活性影响不同,Mg²⁺和Mn²⁺可增强其酶活性。[结论]这一假单胞菌SJTE-1来源的3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶可高效催化17β-雌二醇的转化,该酶可能在该菌株的雌激素代谢过程中起到重要作用。     

杀鱼假交替单胞菌C923几丁质酶基因PpchiC的克隆表达与酶学性质

【背景】某些假交替单胞菌可分泌几丁质酶,在降解利用几丁质为水产动物提供营养、免疫、抗病等方面有着重要潜力。【目的】克隆杀鱼假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas piscicida)C923的一个几丁质酶基因,实现其在大肠杆菌中的异源表达,并对重组几丁质酶的酶学性质进行研究。【方法】从菌株C923测序的基因组中注释到一个几丁质酶家族基因PpchiC,设计引物克隆该基因后进行生物信息学分析;构建载体进行异源表达并从温度、时间与诱导剂浓度进行表达优化;对表达蛋白进行最适温度与pH等酶学性质研究,同时比较了重组菌破碎后上清与沉淀及纯化的酶蛋白对几丁质的降解效应。【结果】基因PpchiC长1350bp,编码450个氨基酸,PpchiC蛋白理论分子量为48.76kDa,等电点为4.78,不稳定系数为29.08。结构域分析发现该蛋白含有一个类型Ⅲ几丁质结合域和一个糖苷水解酶18家族(glycosyl hydrolase 18,GH18)的催化域;PpchiC蛋白含有GH18家族几丁质酶的保守催化基序DxxDxDxE、YxR和[E/D]xx[V/I]。16℃、0.25mmol/L IPTG、诱导12h为其最优化表达条件,PpchiC在50℃、pH8.0时表现出最大酶活性;以胶体几丁质为底物时,PpchiC的K_m值为2.58mg/mL、V_max值为5.04mg/(mL·min)。降解结果表明,菌体的沉淀与上清及从上清中纯化的酶蛋白均有着较好的几丁质降解效应。【结论】杀鱼假交替单胞菌C923基因PpchiC编码GH18家族的几丁质酶,能被大肠杆菌高效表达且降解几丁质效应明显,这为PpchiC及菌株C923的应用提供了参考依据。     

褐藻胶裂解酶在枯草芽胞杆菌中的重组表达及催化特性研究

为拓展褐藻胶裂解酶在高效、安全的枯草芽胞杆菌体系中的表达,成功构建一株海洋来源的贝特氏菌（Cobetia sp.）WG-007褐藻胶裂解酶枯草芽胞杆菌工程菌Bacillus subtilis WB600/pMA5-aly-cob,对主要发酵条件进行优化,并对重组酶Aly-Cob的酶学性质进行表征。结果表明,优化后的工程菌培养温度和初始pH分别为30 ℃和7.0,发酵培养基为添加15 g/L甘油和30 g/L酵母浸膏的TB培养基。在此条件下,摇瓶发酵48 h褐藻胶裂解酶Aly-Cob酶活为58.62 U/mL,是优化前的2.7倍。重组酶Aly-Cob最适反应温度和pH分别为40 ℃和7.0,Mg²⁺、Ca²⁺、Na⁺和K⁺对酶活有促进作用,该酶可特异性地降解褐藻胶及其片段。研究拓展了褐藻胶裂解酶基因在枯草芽胞杆菌中的表达,为褐藻胶裂解酶的应用提供补充和参考。     

山西运城盐湖土壤沉积物细菌多样性及影响因素分析

地处山西省西南部的运城盐湖历史悠久,气候特征与地理环境独特,蕴藏着丰富的微生物资源,研究其土壤沉积物生态系统对了解盐碱地土壤细菌多样性及其功能具有重要意义。【目的】探究运城盐湖土壤与沉积物中细菌的多样性,分析其影响因素,为盐碱地土壤生态系统的可持续管理和纯培养物挖掘提供科学依据与参考。【方法】对运城盐湖6个采样点的18个样品进行土壤理化分析,结合16S rRNA基因的扩增子高通量测序,分析环境因素对细菌多样性的影响。【结果】假单胞菌门(Pseudomonadota)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidota)和芽孢杆菌门(Bacillota)为运城盐湖土壤微生物的优势类群,多样性和群落组成分析显示不同采样点间的微生物存在明显差异。典型相关分析(canonical correlation analysis, CCA)表明,总溶解固体(total dissolved solids, TDS)、总氮(total nitrogen, TN)、总碳(total carbon, TC)和SO₄^2-对土壤微生物多样性的影响最大,其次为Na⁺、Ca²⁺、Cl^-、土壤有效磷(available phosphorous, A-P)和pH,HCO₃^-、硝态氮(nitrate nitrogen, NO₃^--N)、氨态氮(ammonia nitrogen, NH₄⁺-N)、K⁺和Mg²⁺的影响较小。【结论】运城盐湖土壤微生物拥有较高的多样性,与环境因子关系密切。本研究完善了运城盐湖土壤细菌资源的生物信息,为盐湖细菌资源的挖掘和研究提供了理论依据。     

Ni2+胁迫下嗜酸氧化亚铁硫杆菌亚铁氧化应激效应

【目的】嗜酸氧化亚铁硫杆菌(Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans)作为湿法冶金的主要功能菌,其在重金属Ni²⁺胁迫下的亚铁氧化应激机制还不清楚。【方法】在两步法培养体系中,设计由低到高Ni²⁺胁迫浓度,利用分光光度法、电化学法和实时荧光定量PCR法等从宏观到微观探究Ni²⁺胁迫下A.ferrooxidans菌亚铁氧化应激效应。【结果】两步培养法体系下A.ferrooxidans菌能够耐受较高浓度的Ni²⁺毒性(≤30 g/L Ni²⁺)。当Ni²⁺胁迫浓度增加至40 g/L时,与对照组(不添加Ni²⁺胁迫)相比,A.ferrooxidans亚铁氧化率和速率显著降低(24 h的亚铁氧化抑制率约为59.4%),亚铁氧化代谢相关的rus操纵子各功能基因的表达量也显著下调,尤其是基因cyc1(最高下调了16倍)和coxBACD(4个不同亚基最高下调2.7–7.4倍);同时Fe²⁺氧化相关的胞外电子传递能力也降低,对照组(0 g/L Ni²⁺,29.0µA)最大还原峰电流值高于实验组(40 g/L Ni²⁺,24.5µA)。【结论】超高浓度Ni²⁺胁迫环境对A.ferrooxidans菌有毒性,导致该菌rus操纵子上各功能基因表达量下调,同时造成胞外电子传递速率降低,最终致使A.ferrooxidans菌亚铁氧化能力降低。研究结果将为含Ni固废高效生物浸出提供理论支持。     

617株耐亚胺培南铜绿假单胞菌耐药性及其产超广谱β-内酰胺酶基因型研究

探讨耐亚胺培南铜绿假单胞菌的耐药性及其产超广谱β-内酰胺酶基因型。收集2011年7月至2013年12月上海市中医药大学附属曙光医院临床分离的铜绿假单胞菌共1 125株,筛选亚胺培南耐药株,常规纸片法检测其耐药性,并用E-test检测金属β-内酰胺酶（MBL）,采用PCR法检测耐药基因型。结果显示,1 125株铜绿假单胞菌中耐亚胺培南铜绿假单胞菌共计617株,占54.8%;亚胺培南敏感铜绿假单胞菌共计508株,占45.2%。617株亚胺培南耐药铜绿假单胞菌100%为多重耐药,而亚胺培南敏感铜绿假单胞菌的多重耐药率仅为13.78%,明显较前者低（χ²=871.15,P<0.05）;亚胺培南耐药的铜绿假单胞菌中MBL表型阳性共126株,阳性率为15.4%,94株(74.60%)表现为VIM-2阳性,10株（7.94%）表现为IMP-1阳性,1株检出OXA-10,〖WTBZ〗且该例菌株同时表达VIM-2。临床分离的耐亚胺培南的铜绿假单胞菌多为多重耐药,其产MBL的主要基因型是VIM-2。     

Y-chromosome Data and Tribal Affiliations of Allenopithecus and Miopithecus

The phylogeny of Old World monkeys has remained unresolved in part because of a lack of resolution in the Cercopithecinae. Competing morphological hypotheses have had Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) and the talapoins (Miopithecus spp.) as basal branches of either the tribe Cercopithecini or the tribe Papionini. Previous molecular analyses have not adequately addressed the issue. To better understand the evolutionary history of these primates, we sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis 3.1 kb of 2 loci (TSPY and SRY) from the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome. Individuals from the genera Allenopithecus, Miopithecus, Erythrocebus, Chlorocebus, and Cercopithecus were surveyed and their sequences compared with those previously published for the Papionini and Colobinae. The results suggest Allenopithecus and Miopithecus are more closely related to the Cercopithecini than Papionini. Our data also support the hypothesis that within the Cercopithecini, Erythrocebus and Chlorocebus share a close evolutionary relationship, distinct from the other members of the tribe.     

Nystatin and killer toxin sensitivity of free and immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The inhibitory effect of nystatin and killer toxin on the growth of free and covalently-immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae cells was studied. The resistance of immobilized cells to both agents was accompanied by increased amounts of phospholipids and sterols. The possible relationship between these changes in the membrane composition and the transduction of a signal across the cytoplasmic membrane is discussed.     

The hernandez and fernandez genes of Drosophila specify eye and antenna

The formation of different structures in Drosophila depends on the combined activities of selector genes and signaling pathways. For instance, the antenna requires the selector gene homothorax, which distinguishes between the leg and the antenna and can specify distal antenna if expressed ectopically. Similarly, the eye is formed by a group of "eye-specifying" genes, among them eyeless, which can direct eye development ectopically. We report here the characterization of the hernandez and fernandez genes, expressed in the antennal and eye primordia of the eye-antenna imaginal disc. The predicted proteins encoded by these two genes have 27% common amino acids and include a Pipsqueak domain. Reduced expression of either hernandez or fernandez mildly affects antenna and eye development, while the inactivation of both genes partially transforms distal antenna into leg. Ectopic expression of either of the two genes results in two different phenotypes: it can form distal antenna, activating genes like homothorax, spineless, and spalt, and it can promote eye development and activates eyeless. Reciprocally, eyeless can induce hernandez and fernandez expression, and homothorax and spineless can activate both hernandez and fernandez when ectopically expressed. The formation of eye by these genes seems to require Notch signaling, since the induction of ectopic eyes and the activation of eyeless by the hernandez gene are suppressed when the Notch function is compromised. Our results show that the hernandez and fernandez genes are required for antennal and eye development and are also able to specify eye or antenna ectopically.     

Pericarp structure and phylogeny of theLamiaceae-Verbenaceae-complex

Pericarp structure was investigated in 158 species of the familiesLamiaceae andVerbenaceae. Data from 221 out of 262 genera ofLamiaceae s.l. and a few ofVerbenaceae s.str. were collected in a table. A cladistic analysis was performed on the basis of pericarp characters only. The abandonment of subfam.Pogostemonoideae as a taxonomic unit is considered. Examples of groups given additional support by similarities in pericarp characters are: (1) the gynobasic-styled labiates (subfamiliesPogostemonoideae, Lamioideae, Nepetoideae); (2) aLamioideae-Pogostemonoideae-group; (3)Nepetoideae; (4) aWestringia-Hemigenia-Hemiandra-Microcorys group (in subfam.Chloranthoideae); (5) aLepechinia-Chaunostoma-group (inNepetoideae); (6) aPrunella-Cleonia-group (inNepetoideae).     

Molecular identification and differentiation of Brevibacterium species and strains

Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction enzyme analysis (ARDRA), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping were used to differentiate among 24 strains of Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium casei and Brevibacterium epidermidis obtained from type culture collections or isolated from various smear ripened cheeses. ARDRA was applied to the 16S rDNA. B. linens was shown to be a quite heterogenic group with 2 to at least 4 copies of rrn operons per strain with aberrant nucleotide sequences. AccI gave genus specific restriction patterns and was used to separate Brevibacterium from Corynebacterium species. The expected species specificity of TaqI applied to B. linens type culture strains, but not to all strains isolated from cheese. By AvaI restriction, B. casei and B. linens were differentiated from B. epidermidis and the orange pigmented Arthrobacter casei, a new species of coryneform bacteria; by XmnI restriction, B. linens and B. epidermidis were differentiated from B. casei. One of 4 B. linens genotypes could not be distinguished from B. casei by this method. Here, the typical orange B. linens pigments were used for classification, which was confirmed by partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA.     

Theoretical Study of Antagonists and Inhibitors of Mammalian Adenosine Deaminase: I. Adenosine and Its Aza- and Deazaanalogues

Aza- and deazaanalogues of adenosine, including their 1-protonated forms (except for that of 1-deazaadenosine), were studied by computer computation to find a relationship between their molecular structures and substrate properties for the mammalian adenosine deaminase. The atomic charge distribution and maps of the electrostatic potential around their van der Waals molecular surface were calculated for these compounds using the ab initio STO-3G method. The conformational studies are carried out by the MM⁺ method of molecular mechanics. The mechanism that determines the substrate selectivity of mammalian adenosine deaminase is discussed.     

Evaluation of antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial activities of the resin glycosides and the other metabolites of Scrophularia cryptophila

Resin glycosides are secondary metabolites exclusive to the convolvulaceous plants. In this study, crypthophilic acids A–C (1–3), the first resin glycosides occurring in another family (Scrophulariaceae), and the other constituents of Scrophularia cryptophila were examined for in vitro antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial potentials. Except for crypthophilic acid B (2), all tested compounds exhibited growth-inhibitory effect against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, with l-tryptophan (6) and buddlejasaponin III (7) being the most potent ones (IC₅₀'s 4.1 and 9.7 μg/ml). In contrast, the activity towards Trypanosoma cruzi was poor, and only crypthophilic acid C (3), 6 and 7 were trypanocidal at concentrations above 40 μg/ml. With the exception of 2 and 6, all compounds were active against Leishmania donovani. Harpagide (4) and 3 emerged as the best leishmanicidal agents (IC₅₀'s 2.0 and 5.8 μg/ml). Only compounds 3, 6 and 7 showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ values of 4.2, 16.6 and 22.4 μg/ml. Overall the best and broadest spectrum activity was presented by compounds 3 and 7, as they inhibited all four parasitic protozoa. None of the isolates had significant activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MICs >100 μg/ml) or were toxic towards mammalian (L6) cells. This is the first report of antiprotozoal activity for natural resin glycosides, as well as for harpagide (4), acetylharpagide (5), tryptophan (6) and buddlejasaponin III (7).     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Activity of Betulin Dinicotinate

The assignment of NMR resonances of lupane triterpenoids was refined by the example of 3O,28O-dinicotinoylbetulin, obtained by acylation of betulin. Hepatoprotective, antiulcer, antiinflammatory, reparative, and anti-HIV activities were found for the compound. In addition, it was demonstrated to have immunomodulatory activity, for the first time detected among lupane triterpenoids.     

Development and function of Pisolithus and Scleroderma ectomycorrhizas formed in vivo with Allocasuarina,Casuarina and Eucalyptus

The effect of inoculating seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis, Allocasuarina littoralis and Casuarina equisetifolia with two isolates of Pisolithus and two isolates of Scleroderma from under eucalypts was examined in a glasshouse trial. Ectomycorrhizas formed extensively on Eucalyptus (23–46% fine roots ectomycorrhizal) and Allocasuarina (18–51% fine roots ectomycorrhizal). On Casuarina, the fungi were either unable to colonize the rhizosphere (one isolate of Pisolithus), or sheathed roots, resembling ectomycorrhizas, formed on 1–2% of the fine roots. Colonization of roots by one isolate of Scleroderma resulted in the death of Casuarina seedlings. Inoculation with fungi increased shoot dry weight by up to a factor of 32 (Eucalyptus), 4 (Allocasuarina) and 3 (Casuarina). Ectomycorrhizas formed in associations with Eucalyptus and Allocasuarina had fully differentiated mantles and Hartig nets in which the host and fungal cells were linked by an extensive fibrillar matrix. Sheathed roots in Casuarina lacked a Hartig net, and the epidermis showed a hypersensitive reaction resulting in wall thickening and cell death. The sheaths are described as mantles since the density and arrangement of the hyphae in the sheaths was similar to that in mantles of the eucalypt ectomycorrhizas. The intercellular carbohydrate matrix was not produced in the Casuarina mantle in association with Pisolithus, hence the mantle was not cemented to the root. These structures differ from poorly compatible associations described previously for Pisolithus and Eucalyptus. The anatomical data indicate that ectomycorrhizal assessment based on surface morphological features may be misleading in ecological studies because compatible and incompatible associations may not be distinguishable.     

Effects of carbon concentration and carbon to nitrogen ratio on the growth and sporulation of several biocontrol fungi

Effects of carbon concentration and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio on six biocontrol fungal strains are reported in this paper. All fungal strains had extensive growth on the media supplemented with 6–12 g l⁻¹ carbon and C:N ratios from 10:1 to 80:1, and differed in nutrient requirements for sporulation. Except for the two strains of Paecilomyces lilacinus, all selected fungi attained the highest spore yields at a C:N ratio of 160:1 when the carbon concentration was 12 g l⁻¹ for Metarhizium anisopliae SQZ-1-21, 6 g l⁻¹ for M. anisopliae RS-4-1 and Trichoderma viride TV-1, and 8 g l⁻¹ for Lecanicillium lecanii CA-1-G. The optimal conditions for P. lilacinus sporulation were 8 g l⁻¹ carbon with a C:N ratio of 10:1 for M-14 and 12 g l⁻¹ carbon with a C:N ratio of 20:1 for IPC-P, respectively. The results indicated that the influence of carbon concentration and C:N ratio on fungal growth and sporulation is strain dependent; therefore, consideration for the complexity of nutrient requirements is essential for improving yields of fungal biocontrol agents.