Accumulation of gold by microorganisms

Thirty species of microorganisms (8 bacteria, 9 actinomycetes, 8 fungi and 5 yeasts) were screened for maximal gold accumulation. Extremely high abilities to accumulate gold from a solution containing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) were found in bacterial strains, such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas maltophilia. Most of the actinomycetes, fungi and yeasts had lower ability to accumulate gold than bacteria. Some microorganisms could accumulate similar amounts of gold from a solution containing sodium gold(I) thiomalate as those from gold(III) solution. However, most microorganisms tested accumulated far lesser amounts of gold from a solution containing sodium dicyanoaurate(I) than from the other two gold solutions. The accumulation of gold from the solution containing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) by Pseudomonas maltophilia was very rapid, was affected by the pH of the solution, and obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Pseudomonas maltophilia cells immobilized in polyacrylamide gel adsorbed gold effectively from the solution containing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III). The gold adsorbed on the cells was easily desorbed with 0.1 M thiourea solution. The immobilized Pseudomonas cells could be used repeatedly in the adsorption–desorption cycle using 0.1 M thiourea solution as desorbent.     

Simultaneous cultivation of Spirulina platensis and the toxigenic cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa

Mangueira Lagoon, located in the extreme south of Brazil, has water with physicochemical characteristics such as alkaline pH and carbonate levels propitious for the growth of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. Previously published studies have shown that Mangueira Lagoon water supplemented with small quantities of carbon and nitrogen is suitable for S. platensis cultivation and can significantly reduce production costs. We studied mixed cultures of Spirulina platensis and the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa using a 2(3) factorial design in which the three factors were the initial biomass concentration of S. platensis and M. aeruginosa and the type of culture medium (100% Zarrouk's medium or 80% Mangueira Lagoon water plus 20% Zarrouk's medium). The highest S. platensis maximum specific growth rate (mu(max)) occurred in the culture with the highest M. aeruginosa biomass concentration and when undiluted culture medium was used (micro(max) = 0.283 d(-1)). The highest M. aeruginosa specific death rate (k) was obtained in the presence of S. platensis (k = 0.555 d(-1)) and was independent of the initial M. aeruginosa biomass concentration and culture medium, demonstrating that S. platensis cultures are not susceptible to contamination by M. aeruginosa. The culture medium had no significant influence (p > 0.05) on S. platensis micro(max) values, indicating that production costs could be reduced by using a medium consisting of 80% Mangueira Lagoon water plus 20% Zarrouk's medium.     

钝顶螺旋藻生物富集Cr(Ⅲ)影响因素的研究

对钝顶螺旋藻生物富集Cr(Ⅲ)的影响因素进行了研究。发现螺旋藻对Cr(Ⅲ)的生物富集主要经历了快速的吸附和缓慢的吸收两个步骤;化学键较弱的Cr(Ⅲ)化合物具有较高的富集效率;藻细胞浓度一定时,随着Cr(Ⅲ)浓度的增加,单位重量螺旋藻对Cr(Ⅲ)的富集量不断增加,最后趋于饱和;当Cr(Ⅲ)浓度一定时,随着藻细胞浓度的增加,螺旋藻对Cr(Ⅲ)的总富集量逐渐增加而单位重量藻体的富集量减少。研究还证实,螺旋藻干粉比新鲜藻能富集更多的Cr(Ⅲ);pH值是影响Cr(Ⅲ)生物富集的一个重要影响因素,最佳pH在7左右;温度升高和加强光强均可加强Cr(Ⅲ)的富集;阳离子对Cr(Ⅲ)的富集存在一定的促进或抑制作用。     

Thermal characteristics of Spirulina platensis cells under nongrowing conditions at various values of pH medium

The total value of heat (-Q) evolved by green-blue microalgae Spirulina platensis cells in a dark and stationary regime in the range of pH values 8.0-11.6 was determined. It was established that (-Q) reaches its maximum value at 360 +/- 40 J/g of dry biomass in the pH range 9.3-10.3 and then sharply dropped relative to these values and reached zero at pH 7.5 +/- 0.2 and 11.8 +/- 0.2. It is affirmed that an optimum regime for preservation of Spirulina platensis cell viability in a dark and stationary regime is pH range 9.3-10.3. It was also shown that the peak of heat evolution with maximum about 45 degrees C, reflecting mainly the respiration of cells (oxygen absorption rate), did not displace along the temperature scale at a change of pH from 9.3 to 10.4 and slightly displaced lower and higher of these values of pH. It is supposed that the thermostability of biomacromolecules and their complexes responsible for cell respiration does not depend on pH medium in pH range 9.3-10.3.     

Non-bicarbonate intracellular pH buffering of reptilian muscle

Summary Non-bicarbonate intracellular pH buffering values of skeletal and cardiac muscles were measured for 16 species of Australian reptiles from four orders (snakes, skelctal 19–36 slykes, cardiac 9–17 slykes; lizards, skeletal 25–54 slykes, cardiac 17–19 slykes; turtles, skeletal 25–43 slykes, cardiac 11–24 slykes; crocodile, skeletal 43 slykes). Although a positive correlation between pH buffering capacity and dependence on anaerobic muscle work was found, even the highest reptilian pH buffering values were low relative to equivalent white anaerobic muscles of fish, birds, and mammals. The low non-bicarbonate intracellular pH buffering capacity of reptilian muscle arises through lower contributions from proteins (10–14 slykes), non-protein histidine (7–18 slykes) and phosphate (5–15 slykes). It is concluded that while other vertebrates depend on these intracellular buffers for regulating muscle pH during anaerobic muscle work, reptiles rely less on buffering and instead may tolerate greater pH fluctuations.Abbreviations intracellular pH buffering capacity - EDTA ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - I.D. internal diameter - LDH lactate dehydrogenase     

Biosorption and recycling of gold using various microorganisms

In order to obtain basic information on the biosorption and recycling of gold from aqueous systems using microbial cells, the biosorption of gold by various microorganisms was investigated. Of 75 strains of microorganisms tested (25 bacteria, 19 actinomycetes, 17 fungi and 14 yeasts), high abilities of gold biosorption from a solution containing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) were found in some gram-negative bacterial strains, such as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Erwinia herbicola, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and P. maltophilia. Most of the gram-positive bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi and yeasts had a lower ability for gold biosorption than gram-negative bacteria. On the other hand, all of the microorganisms tested adsorbed far smaller amounts of gold from a solution containing gold dicyanoaurate (I). The biosorption of gold from a solution containing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) using P. maltophilia having a high adsorbing ability for gold was very rapid and was affected by the pH of the solution, external gold concentration, and cell amounts. P. maltophilia cells immobilized with polyacrylamide gel also have a high ability for gold biosorption. The gold adsorbed on the immobilized cells is easily desorbed with 0.1 M thiourea solution. The immobilized P. maltophilia cells can be used repeatedly in biosorption-desorption cycles.     

Batch studies on the removal of gold(III) from aqueous solution by Azolla filiculoides

Azolla filiculoides removed 86% and 100% of gold(III) from initial metal solutions of 2–10 mg gold l^–1 increasing with increased initial concentrations of gold(III). The biomass gave greater than 95% removal efficiency from solution at all biomass concentrations measured. Complete removal of gold occurred at pH 2, with 42% removal at pH 3 and 4, and 63% and 73% removal at pH 5 and 6, respectively. No temperature-dependence removal was observed.     

Competitiveness of Frankia strains on Elaeagnus clonal plantlets

Abstract Growth of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis , like that of many prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, is inhibited by low concentrations of valine, one of the three end-products of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic pathway. We assayed and partially characterized the activity of acetyhydroxy acid synthase (AHAS), the first common enzyme of the branched pathway in cell-free extracts from axenic S. platensis cultures. Assays performed at various pH values showed two peaks of activity, both inhibited by valine. FAD was not required for enzyme activity but protected it during dialysis. We also investigated whether the three amino acids were able to cause repression of AHAS synthesis and a significant drop in the enzyme-specific activity could be seen only when cultures were grown in the presence of valine. Chromatography on hydroxylapatite showed one single peak of activity.     

N-demethylation of lergotrile by Streptomyces platensis.

Thirty-eight microorganisms were screened for their ability to produce metabolites of the semisynthetic alkaloid, lergotrile. A total of five microorganisms were found to biotransform lergotrile, and N-desmethyl lergotrile was detected as the principal metabolite with most organisms. Streptomyces platensis (NRRL 2364) appeared to form the metabolite in highest yield, and a preparative-scale conversion was accomplished with a recovered yield of 50%. Structure proof was accomplished with comparative thin-layer chromatography, mixed melting point, mass spectrometry, and remethylation to lergotrile.     

N-demethylation of lergotrile by Streptomyces platensis.

Thirty-eight microorganisms were screened for their ability to produce metabolites of the semisynthetic alkaloid, lergotrile. A total of five microorganisms were found to biotransform lergotrile, and N-desmethyl lergotrile was detected as the principal metabolite with most organisms. Streptomyces platensis (NRRL 2364) appeared to form the metabolite in highest yield, and a preparative-scale conversion was accomplished with a recovered yield of 50%. Structure proof was accomplished with comparative thin-layer chromatography, mixed melting point, mass spectrometry, and remethylation to lergotrile.     

Zinc removal from model solution and wastewater by Arthrospira (Spirulina) Platensis biomass

The biosorption of zinc from model solution as well as wastewater by Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis biomass was studied. Adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was investigated as a function of contact time between adsorbent and zinc, the initial metals and sorbent concentration, pH value, and temperature. The ability of Arthrospira biomass for zinc biosorption exhibited a maximum at the pH range 4–8. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model as well as the Freundlich model with maximum adsorption capacity of 7.1 mg/g. The pseudo second-order model was found to correlate well with the experimental data. Different thermodynamic parameters, ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were evaluated and it has been found that the sorption was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature. The process of zinc removal from industrial effluent was studied at different time of sorbat–sorbent interaction and different sorbent dosage. Maximum zinc removal (83%) was obtained at sorbent concentration 60 g/L during 1-h experiment. The results indicate that Arthrospira platensis biomass could be effectively used for zinc removal from industrial effluents.     

不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻RAPD分析

本文对不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis进行了RAPD分析。结果表明, 鄂尔多斯高原碱湖和Chad湖的钝顶螺旋藻基因组DNA扩增多态性片段同源性为 48.23%。2 个样品在分子遗传水平上存在着较大的差异, 这是由于各自生态环境明显不同和长期地理隔离造成的。     

Factors determining rock phosphate solubilization by microorganisms isolated from soil

Forty two soil isolates (31 bacteria and 11 fungi) were studied for their ability to solubilize rock phosphate and calcium phosphate in culture medium. Eight bacteria and 8 fungi possessed solubilizing ability. Pseudomonas cepacia and Penicillium purpurogenum showed the highest activity. There was a correlation between final pH value and titratable acidity (r=–0.29 to –0.87) and between titratable acidity and soluble phosphate (r=0.22 to 0.99). Correlation values were functions of insoluble phosphate and of the group of microorganisms considered. A high correlation was observed between final pH and soluble phosphate only for the rock phosphates inoculated with the highest concentration of solubilizing bacteria (r=–0.73 to –0.98).     

不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻RAPD分析

本文对不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻Spirulina(Arthrospira)platensis进行了RAPD分析.结果表明,鄂尔多斯高原碱湖和Chad湖的钝顶螺旋藻基因组DNA扩增多态性片段同源性为48.23%.2个样品在分子遗传水平上存在着较大的差异,这是由于各自生态环境明显不同和长期地理隔离造成的.     

螺旋藻粉替代饲料中鱼粉对异育银鲫幼鱼生长、饲料利用和蛋白沉积的影响

实验以异育银鲫中科3号幼鱼(3.20.5) g为实验对象, 研究螺旋藻粉蛋白替代饲料鱼粉蛋白(0、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%)对鱼摄食、生长、饲料利用和蛋白沉积的影响。实验设计了6种等氮(38%)等脂(10%)等能(16.50 kJ)的饲料, 每处理3个重复。采用室内循环水养殖系统, 表观饱食投喂。实验水温为(283)℃, 实验共持续60d。结果发现:随藻粉替代比例的增加, 鱼摄食率显著上升; 饲料效率则呈显著下降趋势; 特定生长率在20%替代组与鱼粉组无显著差异(P0.05), 其他各替代组均显著低于鱼粉组(P0.05); 蛋白沉积率在20%、60%替代时与鱼粉组无显著差异(P0.05), 其他替代组显著低于鱼粉组(P0.05); 肥满度在各替代组均显著低于鱼粉组(P0.05); 鱼体蛋白随藻粉替代比例的增加呈现先持平后降低的趋势, 鱼体脂肪则呈先降低后升高的变化; 20%、40%和60%替代组全鱼灰分均高于全鱼粉组; 肠道消化酶(胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和-淀粉酶)在替代组和对照组间均无显著差异(P0.05); 干物质表观消化率随藻粉蛋白替代比例的增加而呈显著上升, 蛋白的表观消化率则呈显著下降趋势, 总磷表观消化率在20%替代时最低, 在100%替代时最高。综合特定生长率和蛋白沉积率情况, 当鲫幼鱼饲料中鱼粉含量约为50%, 且鱼粉为唯一蛋白源时, 螺旋藻粉蛋白可替代饲料中20%鱼粉蛋白。     

Factors indicating culture status during cultivation of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis

Factors indicating culture status of two Spirulina platensis strains were monitored in a batch mode cultivation for 36 days. Changing mode in all factors showed a common turning point, indicating shift of cell or culture status. Mean biomass productivity was highly sustained until day 22, chlorophyll a concentration peaked on day 22, pH value was >12 on day 22, coil number was abruptly shortened on day 22, and floating activity was sustained at greater than 79% after day 22, indicating that day 22 is a criterion reflecting phase-transfer in cell physiology in a batch culture system. Many of these changes may have been caused by increased pH, suggesting that pH control is essential for mass production of S. platensis. Fluctuations in floating activity were likely induced by the number of cellular gas vacuoles. Consequently, coil number per trichome and floating activity of S. platensis could readily act as simple indicators for determination of culture status or harvesting time of cells.     

碳酸盐碱度对钝顶螺旋藻生长的影响

研究了不同碳酸盐碱度浓度条件下,钝顶螺旋藻OD560值、藻液pH值及碳酸盐碱度的变化。结果显示:培养4d后,4mg/L和8mg/L组生长缓慢且呈现下降趋势,OD560值均低于对照组,具有极显著差异(P<0.01),16mg/L和32mg/L组与对照组相比,无显著差异,而64mg/L组具有显著差异(P<0.05)。第6~12d,4mg/L、8mg/L组和16mg/LOD560值均低于对照组,具有极显著差异(P<0.01),32mg/L组无显著差异,而64mg/L组在6~8d,具有显著差异(P<0.05),且在第10~12d,与其它实验组和对照组相比,表现出极显著差异性(P<0.01)。NaHCO3与Na2CO3组成的缓冲体系,其pH值调节功能优于单一使用NaHCO3的对照组。在充气状态下,实验期间各组的碱度始终保持动态平衡。     

Improving Spirulina platensis biomass yield using a fed-batch process

Increasing interest is being shown in the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis because of its nutritional properties when used as food supplement and possible therapeutic effects. One of the most important areas being studied is the development of alternative nutrient sources which can be used to decrease the production costs of commercially produced S. platensis and obtain high productivity. Water from Mangueira Lagoon (Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil) has high levels of carbonates and a high pH and has the potential to be used as a culture medium for S. platensis, although some nutrient supplementation may be required. We tested the effect of unsupplemented Mangueira Lagoon water (MLW) or MLW supplemented with 1.125 or 2.250 mg/l of urea and/or 21 or 42 mg/l of sodium bicarbonate on the growth of S. platensis in fed-batch culture using a 3(2) factorial design and found that there the addition of 1.125 mg/l of urea resulted in a 2.67 fold increase times in the final biomass concentration of S. platensis.     

Towards the mechanism and comparative effect of diphenyl diselenide, diphenyl ditelluride and ebselen under various pathophysiological conditions in rat's kidney preparation

As an extension of our previous work we not only evaluated the relationship between acidosis and lipid peroxidation in rat's kidney homogenate, but also determined for the first time the potential anti-oxidant activity of diphenyl diselenide, diphenyl ditelluride and ebselen at a range of pH values (7.4–5.4). Because of the pH dependency of iron redox cycling, pH and iron need to be well controlled and for the reason we tested a number of pH values (from 7.4 to 5.4) to get a closer idea about the role of iron under various pathological conditions. Acidosis increased rate of lipid peroxidation in the absence Fe (II) in kidney homogenates especially at pH 5.4. This higher extent of lipid peroxidation can be explained by; the mobilized iron which may come from reserves where it is weakly bound. Addition of iron (Fe) chelator desferoxamine (DFO) to reaction medium completely inhibited the peroxidation processes at all studied pH values including acidic values (5.8–5.4). In the presence of Fe (II) acidosis also enhanced detrimental effect of Fe (II) especially at pH (6.4–5.4). Diphenyl diselenide significantly protected lipid peroxidation at all studied pH values, while ebselen offered only a small statistically non-significant protection. The highest anti-oxidant potency was observed for diphenyl ditelluride. These differences in potencies were explained by the mode of action of these compounds using their catalytic anti-oxidant cycles. However, changing the pH of the reaction medium did not alter the anti-oxidant activity of the tested compounds. This study provides evidence for acidosis catalyzed oxidative stress in kidney homogenate and for the first time anti-oxidant potential of diphenyl diselenide and diphenyl ditelluride not only at physiological pH but also at a range of acidic values.     

Molecular classification of commercial Spirulina strains and identification of their sulfolipid biosynthesis genes

Cyanobacterial strains of the genus Spirulina have recently been identified as an excellent source of sulfolipids, some of which possess anti-HIV properties. Thus, to investigate the distribution of sufolipid biosynthesis pathways in Spirulina, a genetic screening/phylogentic study was performed. Five different strains of Spirulina [Spirulina (Jiangmen), Spirulina sp., S. platensis, S. maxima, and Spirulina seawater] sourced from different locations were initially classified via 16S rDNA sequencing, and then screened for the presence of the sulfolipid biosynthesis genes sqdB and sqdX via a PCR. To assess the suitability of these strains for human consumption and safe therapeutic use, the strains were also screened for the presence of genes encoding nonribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are often associated with toxin pathways in cyanobacteria. The results of the 16S rDNA analysis and phylogenetic study indicated that Spirulina sp. is closely related to Halospirulina, whereas the other four Spirulina strains are closely related to Arthrospira. Homologs of sqdB and sqdX were identified in Spirulina (Jiangmen), Spirulina sp., S. platensis, and the Spirulina seawater. None of the Spirulina strains screened in this study tested positive for NRPS or PKS genes, suggesting that these strains do not produce NRP or PK toxins.