Distribution and taxonomic implications of some phenolics in the family gesneriaceae determined by EPR spectroscopy

The dihydric phenolics from the leaves of 590 specimens of 91 genera of Gesneriaceae have been examined as semiquinone radicals by EPR spectroscopy. The glycosides acteoside and/or conandroside were found widespread in the family, but were not observed in the tribes Klugieae and Napeantheae and in the genera Agalmyla and Saintpaulia. The absence of the glycosides in several specimens seemed compensated for by the presence of either protocatechuic acid or an ester of homogentisic acid. Actually, the ester was found to be ubiquitous in Agalmyla, but absent in the related Aeschynanthus. A dihydrocaffeic acid ester was found restricted to the European gesneriads, distinguishing them from similar Asian genera. Chlorogenic acid was not observed in the family, at variance with older reports. Hydroquinone was recorded from three specimens.     

Seed lipids of the lythraceae

Fatty acid composition of seed lipids for 20 of the 26 genera in the Lythraceae and seed oil and protein content for nine genera are reported. The percent oil ranges from 2.7 to 34% of total weight and protein from 11.3 to 24.9%. Linoleic acid is the dominant fatty acid in seed lipids of all genera surveyed. Variations in pattern emphasize palmitic or oleic acid or both as second most abundant lipid component. There are three exceptions: in Diplusodon capric acid ranks second in abundance; in Adenaria lauric acid and oleic acid occur in approximately equal amounts as second most abundant fatty acid; in Decodon an unusual trienoic acid, previously reported only from the Compositae, is the main secondary component. Fatty acid composition of seeds in the genera is compared to that of the previously studied lythraceous genus Cuphea. Among all the genera, only Cuphea seed produces large quantities of lauric, capric, or caprylic acids, as well as a diversity of fatty acid patterns. No relationship between oil content or seed weight and habit is apparent in any genus studied, nor are differences in seed morphology reflected in composition of the seed lipids. The fatty acid patterns are judged evolutionarily conservative, with the strong exception of Cuphea, which remains unique in the Lythraceae and among all angiosperms for the diversity of patterns displayed.     

Distribution and chemotaxonomic significance of acetylenic fatty acids in mosses of the dicranales

Thirty-eight moss species from four families of the order Dicranales were analysed for the fatty acid composition of their acyl lipids. In the Ditrichaceae and the Dicranaceae numerous species were found to contain acetylenic fatty acids in their triglycerides, 9,12,15-Octadecatrien-6-ynoic acid was the major component, often accounting for more than 80 mol%, whereas 9,12-octadecadien-6-ynoic acid was found in small amounts of less than 5 mol%. In some genera, all the species examined contained acetylenic fatty acids, e.g.Dicranella andDicranum, whereas in the genusCampylopus all five species tested were free of acetylenic compounds. Two genera, Ditrichum andDicranoweisia, were found to have a non-homogeous distribution of acetylenic fatty acids. The chemotaxonomic significance of the fatty acid composition in relation to morphological characters is discussed.     

Unusually high quantity of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid accumulation in cell wall of palm mesocarps

Presence of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in the mesocarp walls of 22 genera of Arecaceae (Palmae) was investigated using a TLC/UV spectra analysis method and confirmed by HPLC and ESI-MS. The genera collected mainly belong to the Copryphoideae and Arecoideae subfamilies. All the investigated genera possess an unusually high amount of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, which varied from 5.6 mg/g dry wt cell wall material (CWM) (Areca catechu) to 1.0 mg/g dry wt CWM (Roystonea regia). Apart from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid is also found in all the genera studied along with some traces of 4-coumarate. This work presents an overview of the major wall-bound phenolics found in the mesocarp of different palms, and on the basis of this occurrence, a possible hypothesis for considering 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a chemotaxonomic marker of this particular family can be drawn.     

Occurrence of rosmarinic acid,chlorogenic acid and rutin in Marantaceae species

In a survey of the higher plants for families with rosmarinic acid-accumulating species we could show for the first time, that some species of the family Marantaceae of the order Zingiberales accumulate rosmarinic acid. Other compounds detected in Marantaceae are chlorogenic acid and rutin (quercetin 3-O-rutinoside). Out of 35 species coming from 9 different genera extracted and analysed, two species of Maranta (Maranta leuconeura, Maranta depressa) and one Thalia species (Thalia geniculata) showed the presence of rosmarinic acid. The two Maranta species additionally contained chlorogenic acid, which was also present in Stromanthe amabilis. Rutin was detected in the genera Calathea, Ctenanthe, Maranta, Pleiostachya and Thalia. For a comparison, species from six other families of the Zingiberales were analysed as well.     

Uric acid-degrading bacteria in the gut of the invading apple snail Pomacea canaliculata and their possible symbiotic significance

In previous studies we have mapped uric acid deposits in specialized tissues of the invading apple snail Pomacea canaliculata. Uric acid stores function as reservoirs of combined nitrogen in insects. The first step for recycling uric acid nitrogen involves the action of uricase and here we explored the occurrence of uricase-positive bacteria in the gut of this snail. Six bacterial strains assigned to the genera Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Citrobacter and Lactococcus were isolated on the basis of their ability to grow in vitro in a medium containing uric acid as the only carbon and nitrogen source. Uricase specific activity could be determined in three of these genera (not in Citrobacter), showing optimal pH values ranging 7.3–8.7 and optimal substrate concentrations (ranging 25–30 μM). These uricolytic bacteria may participate in recycling of combined nitrogen in this snail.     

Molecular-signature analyses support the establishment of the actinobacterial genus Sphaerimonospora (Mingma et al. 2016)

The genera Microbispora and Sphaerimonospora were examined for GyrB and RecA amino-acid signatures to determine whether molecular-signature analyses support the recent establishment of the genus Sphaerimonospora. The creation of Sphaerimonospora was based mainly upon morphological differences between Microbispora and Sphaerimonospora and the clustering of the type strains of the two genera in phylogenetic trees based on a multilocus sequence analysis. The molecular-signature analyses showed that all members of Sphaerimonospora can be distinguished from all members of Microbispora at 14 amino acid positions in the GyrB protein and at four positions in the shorter RecA protein. These amino acid differences can be used as signatures to differentiate the members of these genera from each other and thus provide support for the establishment of the genus Sphaerimonospora. This is the first demonstration of the use of molecular signatures to support the establishment of a new genus in the family Streptosporangiaceae. Following the transfer of Microbispora mesophila and Microbispora thailandensis from Microbispora to Sphaerimonospora, all species in the genus Microbispora are characterised by the insertion of a small, hydrophobic amino acid after position 208 in the GyrB protein. This insertion is absent from the GyrB protein of members of the genus Sphaerimonospora.     

Gastric acid reduction leads to an alteration in lower intestinal microflora

To clarify the alterations in lower intestinal microflora induced by gastric acid reduction, the dynamics of 12 major genera or groups of bacteria comprising the microflora in feces and colonic contents were examined by quantitative real-time PCR in proton pump inhibitor-treated rats and in asymptomatic human subjects with hypochlorhydria. In both rat and human experiments, most genera or groups of intestinal microflora (facultative and obligate anaerobes) proliferated by gastric acid reduction, and marked and significant increases in the Lactobacilli group and Veillonella, oropharyngeal bacteria, were observed. In rats, potent gastric acid inhibition led to a marked and significant increase of intestinal bacteria, including the Bacteroidesfragilis group, while Bifidobacterium, a beneficial bacterial species, remained at a constant level. These results strongly indicate that the gastric acid barrier not only controls the colonization and growth of oropharyngeal bacteria, but also regulates the population and composition of lower intestinal microflora.     

Systematic variation in amino acid compositions of grass caryopses

Variation in amino acid patterns of 121 species (72 genera) of grass caryopses is extensively consistent with taxonomic groupings. The patterns of pooids and chloridoids are distinguishable from one another and from those of eu-panicoids and andropogonoids; the bamboos, Oryza, Stipeae, Ehrharta and Microlaena, which share certain morphological and anatomical features, also share a characteristic amino acid profile, while profiles of danthonoioids, Triodia and Aristida are clearly non-pooid. Caryopsis amino acid patterns vary independently of photosynthetic pathway. Embryos from taxonomically diverse genera all show very similar amino acid profiles, which differ strikingly from those of the endosperms, and the amino acid patterns of whole caryopses are dominated by their endosperms, which are responsible for the taxonomic variation. ‘Chemical scores’ of the caryopsis proteins, but not total protein contents, correlate to some extent with taxonomic groupings.     

Occurrence of variabilin in New Zealand sponges of the order Dictyoceratida

Sixty-three collections of New Zealand sponges of the order Dictyoceratida were analysed for the presence of the sesterterpene tetronic acid variabilin. This compound was found only in the morphologically similar genera Ircinia, Psammocinia and Sarcotragus.     

Lysis of Halobacteria in Bacto-Peptone by Bile Acids

All tested strains of halophilic archaebacteria of the genera Halobacterium, Haloarcula, Haloferax, and Natronobacterium lysed in 1% Bacto-Peptone (Difco) containing 25% NaCl, whereas no lysis was observed with other strains belonging to archaebacteria of the genera Halococcus, Natronococcus, and Sulfolobus, methanogenic bacteria, and moderately halophilic eubacteria. Substances in Bacto-Peptone which caused lysis of halobacteria were purified and identified as taurocholic acid and glycocholic acid. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses of peptones revealed that Bacto-Peptone contained nine different bile acids, with a total content of 9.53 mg/g, whereas much lower amounts were found in Peptone Bacteriological Technical (Difco) and Oxoid Peptone. Different kinds of peptones can be used to distinguish halophilic eubacteria and archaebacteria in mixed cultures from hypersaline environments.     

Preen oil chemical composition in herring gull Larus argentatus,common gull Larus canus and black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus confirms their status as two separate genera

Fatty acid and alcohol components of preen oil were determined in three gull species that belong to two systematic genera: herring gull Larus argentatus, common gull Larus canus and black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus. All gulls were captured in winter, in Gdańsk, Poland. All gulls produced monoesters composed of C₇–C₁₆ saturated fatty acids and C₁₁–C₂₀ saturated alcohols, with n-octanoic acid and n-hexadecanol as the major fatty acid and alcohol, respectively. Preen oils of black-headed gull had higher content of trimethyl fatty acids, 2,8-dimethylundecanoic acid, 2,6-dimethylundecanoic acid and 2,6-dimethylnonanoic acid, and lower content of 2-methyl fatty acids than oils of herring gull and common gull. Preen oils produced by black-headed gull also had lower content of 2-methyl alcohols. The relative contents of n-octanoic acid and n-hexadecanol did not differ among species. The differences among species are probably not a result of different diet, as all gulls fed mainly on household refuse. Hence, preen oil analysis confirmed the taxonomic relations among these gull species, that recently were placed into two different genera.     

Freon 11 Extraction of Volatile Metabolites Formed by Certain Lactic Acid Bacteria

The volatile metabolites formed by 18 lactic acid bacteria, representing three genera, were extracted from a complex medium by using a Freon 11 extraction method. The Freon extracts were then analyzed by capillary gas chromatography, and certain extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 35 major peaks, of which 20 were positively identified, were used to differentiate between the various strains. On the basis of the results obtained, it was possible to differentiate between the members of the genera Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Leuconostoc, as well as between various species within the genus Leuconostoc. Of the 10 Leuconostoc oenos strains included in this study, 9 yielded similar results, but it was still possible to differentiate between the various strains. L. oenos B66 differed from the other L. oenos strains. Use of the Freon 11 extraction technique to determine volatile metabolites formed by lactic acid bacteria was shown to be highly reproducible and of great value. Furthermore, certain compounds not previously known to be formed by lactic acid bacteria were found.     

Numerical Taxonomy of Heterotrophic Bacteria Growing in Association with Continuous-Culture Chlorella sorokiniana

Twenty-nine cultures isolated from nonaxenic growths of Chlorella sorokiniana (Shihira and Krauss) and eight reference cultures were tested for 150 morphological and biochemical characteristics. The taxonomic data were subjected to computer analysis from which five major clusters were identified. The bacterial isolates have been placed in the genera: Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, and Bacillus. Amino acid requirements of four strains from the test set were determined.     

Comparative phytochemistry of Picramnia and Alvaradoa,genera of the newly established family Picramniaceae

The structures of the secondary metabolites, including fatty acids, of the genera Picramnia and Alvaradoa (Picramniaceae) are surveyed. Neither the fatty acid profiles nor the structures of the anthraquinones and sugar linked anthracenone derivatives characteristic of both genera indicate close relationships between the Picramniaceae and any other known families.     

The hydroxyproline content of gum exudates from several plant genera

Amino acid compositions are presented for the proteinaceous components of the gum exudates from Albizia glaberrima, A. sericocephala and A. anthelmintica; Aralia elata; Azadirachta indica; Entada africana; Grevillea robusta; Lannea humilis and L. schimperi; and Moringa oleifera. The gums from four of these genera (Albizia, Azadirachta, Grevillea and Moringa) contain low proportions, and the others contain high proportions, of hydroxyproline. High proportions of hydroxyproline were found previously in gum exudates from genera within the Leguminosae (Acacia, Astragalus and Prosopis), to which must now be added Entada and Leucaena. In contrast, however, Albizia spp. (Leguminosae) have low proportions of hydroxyproline, whereas the non-leguminous genera Aralia and Lannea have high proportions of hydroxyproline.     

Quantification of Frankia Strains and Other Root-Associated Bacteria in Pure Cultures and in the Rhizosphere of Axenic Seedlings by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Based Muramic Acid Assay

Application of a high-performance liquid chromatography-based muramic acid assay with precolumn fluorescence derivatization to quantification of root-associated bacteria was studied both in pure cultures and in the rhizosphere of axenic Festuca rubra seedlings. Quantities of muramic acid from acid-hydrolyzed cells of Frankia strains, Streptomyces griseoviridis, Enterobacter agglomerans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas sp., and Bacillus polymyxa were mostly proportional to the respective cell protein and carbon quantities, but in some strains, culture age and particularly sporulation affected these ratios considerably. The muramic acid/cell protein ratio was generally 2 to 4 times higher in strains of the two actinomycete genera, Frankia and Streptomyces, than in the rest of the strains. Quantification of Frankia strains, S. griseoviridis, E. agglomerans, and Pseudomonas sp. was also attempted from the rhizosphere of F. rubra seedlings which had been inoculated with pure cultured bacteria and incubated briefly. It was possible to quantify Frankia cells by use of the muramic acid assay from both the root and the growth medium, whereas cells of the rest of the bacterial genera could only be detected in the medium. The detection limit for muramic acid was about 10 ng/ml hydrolysis volume, and from the Festuca rhizosphere, 28 to 63% of the muramic acid in the Frankia inoculum was recovered.     

Structural and functional diversity of rhizobacteria associated with Rauwolfia spp. across the Western Ghat regions of Karnataka, India

The present study carried out with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from rhizosphere soils of Rauwolfia spp. collected from Western Ghat (WG) regions of Karnataka indicated that Pseudomonas sp. was prevalently found followed by Methylobacterium sp., Bacillus sp. and uncultured bacteria. A total of 200 rhizobacteria were isolated from 58 rhizosphere soil samples comprising of 15 different bacterial genera. The Shannon Weaver diversity index (H′) and Simpson’s diversity index (D) were found to be 2.57 and 0.91 for cultivable bacteria, respectively. The total species richness of cultivable rhizobacteria was high in Coorg district comprising 15 bacterial genera while in Mysore district, four bacterial genera were recorded. Rarefaction curve analysis also indicated the presence of higher species richness in samples of Shimoga and Coorg. All the rhizobacteria were screened for their multiple plant growth promotion and disease suppression traits. The results revealed that 70 % of the isolates colonized tomato roots, 42 % produced indole acetic acid, 55 % solubilized phosphorus, while 43, 22, 27, 19, 40, 15 and 44 % produced siderophore, salicylic acid, hydrogen cyanide, chitinase, phytase, cellulase and protease, respectively. Rhizobacterial isolates showing antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus were 53 and 33 %, respectively. Plant growth promotion studies revealed that most of the isolates increased percent germination with significantly higher vigour index as compared to untreated control. Most predominant rhizobacteria found in the rhizospheres of Rauwolfia spp. of WG regions are potential PGPR which can serve as biofertilizers and biopesticides.     

A taxonomic note on the genus Prevotella: Description of four novel genera and emended description of the genera Hallella and Xylanibacter

The genus Prevotella comprises 55 species with validly published, and correct, names (at June 2021) that are phenotypically, ecologically and functionally diverse. This study used a range of comparative genome approaches (marker gene-based genome phylogeny, core genome phylogeny, average amino acid identity, percentage of conserved proteins and clade-specific marker genes) to identify large differences between the 53 species for which genomes are available, as well as two effectively published yet not validly named species and four novel species. These differences were consistent between the various analysis methods and justify the separation of Prevotella into multiple genera. While the distribution across 19 ecosystem types was unique for each species and inconsistent within clades, the functional repertoire based on the presence/absence of both PFAMs and CAZy families revealed distinct clustering based on the proposed genera. Based on the integration of all results, we propose the reclassification of species previously assigned to the genus Prevotella into seven genera, including four novel genera for which the names Segatella, Hoylesella, Leyella and Palleniella are proposed. In addition to the reclassification of Prevotella, this work describes four novel species, Hallella faecis, Xylanibacter rodentium, Xylanibacter muris, and Palleniella intestinalis.