Reduction of Cr(VI) by immobilized cells of Desulfovibrio vulgaris NCIMB 8303 and Microbacterium sp. NCIMB 13776

Hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen and mutagen, can be reduced to Cr(III) by Desulfovibrio vulgaris NCIMB 8303 and Microbacterium sp. NCIMB 13776. This study examined Cr(VI) reduction by immobilized cells of the two strains in a common solution matrix using various entrapment matrices. Chitosan and PVA-borate beads did not retain integrity and supported low or no reduction of Cr(VI) by the cells. A commercial preparation (Lentikats) was stable but also did not support Cr(VI) reduction. K-carrageenan beads were stable in batch suspensions but gel integrity was lost after only 5 h in a flow-through system in the presence of 100 microM Cr(VI). The best immobilization matrices were agar and agarose, where the initial rates of reduction of Cr(VI) (from 500 microM solution) for D. vulgaris NCIMB 8303 and Microbacterium sp. NCIMB 13776 were 127 (agar) and 130 (agarose), and 15 (agar) and 12 (agarose) nmol h(-1) mg dry cell wt(-1), respectively. The higher removal of Cr(VI) by D. vulgaris was also seen in 14-mL packed-bed flow-through columns, where, at a flow rate of 2.4 mL h(-1), the percentage removal of Cr(VI) was approximately 95% and 60% for D. vulgaris and Microbacterium sp., respectively (agar-immobilized cells). The Cr(VI) reducing activities of D. vulgaris and Microbacterium sp. were lost after 159 and 140 h, respectively. Examination of the beads for structural integrity within the columns in situ using magnetic resonance imaging after 24 and 100 h of continuous operation against Cr(VI) (with negligible Cr retained within the columns) showed that agar beads were more stable with time. The most appropriate system for development of a continuous bioprocess is thus the use of D. vulgaris NCIMB 8303 immobilized in an agar gel matrix.     

Removal of toxic chromate using free and immobilized Cr(VI)-reducing bacterial cells of Intrasporangium sp. Q5-1

Chromate-reducing microorganisms with the ability of reducing toxic chromate [Cr(VI)] into insoluble trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] are very useful in treatment of Cr(VI)-contaminated water. In this study, a novel chromate-reducing bacterium was isolated from Mn/Cr-contaminated soil. Based on morphological, physiological/biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, this strain was identified as Intrasporangium sp. strain Q5-1. This bacterium has high Cr(VI) resistance with a MIC of 17 mmol l⁻¹ and is able to reduce Cr(VI) aerobically. The best condition of Cr(VI) reduction for Q5-1 is pH 8.0 at 37°C. Strain Q5-1 is also able to reduce Cr(VI) in resting (non-growth) conditions using a variety of carbon sources as well as in the absence of a carbon source. Acetate (1 mmol l⁻¹) is the most efficient carbon source for stimulating Cr(VI) reduction. In order to apply strain Q5-1 to remove Cr(VI) from wastewater, the bacterial cells were immobilized with different matrices. Q5-1 cells embedded with compounding beads containing 4% PVA, 3% sodium alginate, 1.5% active carbon and 3% diatomite showed a similar Cr(VI) reduction rates to that of free cells. In addition, the immobilized Q5-1 cells have the advantages over free cells in being more stable, easier to re-use and minimal clogging in continuous systems. This study provides potential applications of a novel immobilized chromate-reducing bacterium for Cr(VI) bioremediation.     

不同地区根霉分离株的RAPD多样性分析

为了研究微生物的分子多样性,在获得系列米根霉分离物的基础上,应用经筛选的13条随机引物,对来自不同地区的18株米根霉分离物进行了RAPD分析,聚类结果表明,18株分离物在0.75的相异水平上可以聚为6个群体,其分子多样性同地理来源之间具有一定的相关性。     

Expression of chromate resistance genes from Shewanella sp. strain ANA-3 in Escherichia coli

The plasmidic chromate resistance genes chrBAC from Shewanella sp. strain ANA-3 were transferred to Escherichia coli . Expression of chrA alone, on a high- or low-copy number plasmid, conferred increased chromate resistance. In contrast, expression of the complete operon chrBAC on a high-copy number plasmid did not result in a significant increase in resistance, although expression on a low-copy number plasmid made the cells up to 10-fold more resistant to chromate. The chrA gene also conferred increased chromate resistance when expressed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The chrR gene from the P. aeruginosa chromosome was necessary for full chromate resistance conferred by chrA . A diminished chromate uptake in cells expressing the chrA gene suggests that chromate resistance is due to chromate efflux.     

Production of L(+)-lactic acid from glucose and starch by immobilized cells of Rhizopus oryzae in a rotating fibrous bed bioreactor

A rotating fibrous-bed bioreactor (RFB) was developed for fermentation to produce L(+)-lactic acid from glucose and cornstarch by Rhizopus oryzae. Fungal mycelia were immobilized on cotton cloth in the RFB for a prolonged period to study the fermentation kinetics and process stability. The pH and dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) were found to have significant effects on lactic acid productivity and yield, with pH 6 and 90% DO being the optimal conditions. A high lactic acid yield of 90% (w/w) and productivity of 2.5 g/L.h (467 g/h.m(2)) was obtained from glucose in fed-batch fermentation. When cornstarch was used as the substrate, the lactic acid yield was close to 100% (w/w) and the productivity was 1.65 g/L.h (300 g/h.m(2)). The highest concentration of lactic acid achieved in these fed-batch fermentations was 127 g/L. The immobilized-cells fermentation in the RFB gave a virtually cell-free fermentation broth and provided many advantages over conventional fermentation processes, especially those with freely suspended fungal cells. Without immobilization with the cotton cloth, mycelia grew everywhere in the fermentor and caused serious problems in reactor control and operation and consequently the fermentation was poor in lactic acid production. Oxygen transfer in the RFB was also studied and the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficients under various aeration and agitation conditions were determined and then used to estimate the oxygen transfer rate and uptake rate during the fermentation. The results showed that the oxygen uptake rate increased with increasing DO, indicating that oxygen transfer was limited by the diffusion inside the mycelial layer.     

根霉菌脂肪酶的生产及酶特性的初步研究

我们在以氢化油为唯一碳源的培养基上培养分离到一株根霉菌,该菌能分泌高温脂肪酶。本文对固态培养条件及产酶工艺条件进行了初步研究。在３６℃培养４２小时,产酶可达１４７ｕｇ＾－１（绝干曲）。该脂肪酶的最佳作用ｐＨ和温度分别为７．２和５８℃。     

中国根霉12~#纤溶酶活力单位的测定

主要阐述了根霉纤溶酶活性 (效价 )的测定方法 ,采用血纤维蛋白平板法 ,在以尿激酶为参照标准的情况下 ,给出了根霉纤溶酶提纯各步骤的活性情况     

地衣内生菌Elaphocordyceps sp.的代谢产物

【目的】通过对猫耳衣内生菌Elaphocordyceps sp.代谢产物的研究,以期获得结构新颖、抗菌活性强的化合物。【方法】采用PCR扩增和测定nrDNA的ITS(Internal transcribed spacer)序列,在GenBank数据库中比对,并采用构建系统发育树的方法,确定该菌株的分类地位。采用硅胶柱色谱、凝胶柱色谱和高效液相色谱方法进行成分分离。根据理化性质和波谱数据进行结构鉴定。采用倍比稀释法进行抑菌活性测定。【结果】鉴定出供试菌株为地衣内生菌Elaphocordyceps sp.。从Elaphocordyceps sp.的发酵液中分离得到3个化合物,结构鉴定为麦角甾醇、4,8-Dihydroxy-1-tetralone和De-O-methyldiaporthin。化合物1–3表现弱的抑制白色念珠菌活性。化合物3具有非常强的植物毒活性(叶片敏感度:4 nmol)。化合物3在地衣内生菌Elaphocordyceps sp.发酵液中的得率为0.75 mg/L(3.2?103 nmol),远远高于其对叶片敏感度4 nmol。【结论】由猫耳衣内生菌Elaphocordyceps sp.产生的De-O-methyldiaporthin可作为一种微生物源除草剂。     

根霉纤溶酶发酵条件的优化

研究了不同培养基对中国根霉１２号（Ｒｈｉｚｏｐｕｓ ｃｈｉｎｅｓｉｓ１２）发酵生产纤溶酶的影响,发现Ｃ／Ｎ的降低有利于产酶,同时用正产实验给出了最佳培养条件为：以麸皮水＋胰蛋白胨＋豆渣为培养基,接种量２０％,转速１７０ｒ／ｍｉｎ;用响应面设计确定了最佳培养基为４．３６６６１％麸皮水＋０．９８９７５％胰蛋白胨＋４．８９８９５％豆渣;在最优条件下,纤溶酶的发酵效价可达３．０６Ｕ／ｍｌ。发现添加金属离子     

根霉TC1653产纤维素酶提纯及酶学性质研究

对根霉所产纤维素酶酶系进行了分析并研究了部分酶学性质。实验选择超滤和凝胶柱分离相结合的方式提纯纤维素酶,结果显示根霉TC1653纤维素酶系是一个完全酶系,具有一个较为明显的内切葡聚糖酶组分。β-葡萄糖苷酶组分的最适反应温度为70℃,温度高于70℃时,活性迅速下降,但在这种高温下具有最高反应活性的酶很少见,很可能又是一种新的β-葡萄糖苷酶。     

地衣内生真菌 Pestalotiopsis sp.次生代谢产物

拟盘多毛孢属 Pestalotiopsis真菌由于能够产生大量结构新颖活性显著的次生代谢产物,特别是从中发现抗肿瘤药物紫杉醇,成为近年来研究的热点。本研究通过对1株地衣内生真菌 Pestalotiopsis sp.的固体培养基次生代谢产物的UPLC-Q-TOF-MS分析,发现该菌株能够产生分子量比较特殊的两个色谱峰。通过进一步的菌株大量发酵,结合硅胶柱色谱,高效液相色谱等技术跟踪分离,得到了2个单体化合物。采用核磁共振波谱技术、质谱技术等方法确定这2个单体化 合物平面结构,分别为已知torrenyanic acid衍生物（1）和新化合物pestalotiopsin（2）。比对化合物的CD谱及考虑生源关系,确定了新化合物（2）的绝对构型。化合物1和2的体外抑制人白血病细胞K562实验显示二者均具有抗肿瘤活性,IC₅₀值分别为25.2和32.1µmol/L。     

A novel isolate of Desulfovibrio sp. with enhanced ability to reduce Cr(VI)

Kinetic analysis of the reduction of Cr(VI) by resting cell suspensions of Desulfovibrio vulgaris ATCC 29579 and a new isolate, Desulfovibrio sp. (`Oz7') was studied using lactate as the electron donor at 30 °C. The apparent K <sub>m</sub> (K <sub>m app</sub>) and V <sub>max</sub> with respect to Cr(VI) reduction was compared for both strains. Desulfovibio sp. `Oz7' had a K _{m app} of 90 M (threefold lower than that of D. vulgaris ATCC 29579) and a V _max of 120 nmol h^–1 mg^–1 biomass dry wt (approx. 30% lower than for the reference strain). The potential of the new isolate for bioremediation of Cr(VI) wastewaters is discussed.     

Exogenously applied sulphate as a tool to investigate transport and reduction of chromate in the duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza

The accumulation of chromium in Spirodela polyrhiza was investigated in the presence and absence of exogenously applied sulphate. Precultivation (10 d) at minimum sulphate concentration (0.013 m m versus 1 m m in controls) enhanced the rate of chromium accumulation. This effect was caused by the increased number of sulphate transporters which transport chromate into cells. Chromate and sulphate compete for the available sulphate transporters. The kinetics of reduction Cr(VI)→Cr(V) was investigated by l -band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The kinetic model developed previously (Appenroth et al., Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 78, 235–242, 2000) was refined and extended to include chromate transport and reduction in the presence of competing ions. The following conclusions were drawn from the fitting procedure: without simultaneously applied sulphate, the rate constant of Cr(VI) transport from apoplast into plant cells and the rate constant of Cr(VI) to Cr(V) reduction within the apoplast are comparable (7.0 versus 5.7 h⁻¹) demonstrating that these two processes are competing. Moreover, the rate constant of reduction Cr(V)→Cr(III) is much lower within cells than in apoplast (0.39 versus 7.0 h⁻¹) showing that Cr(V) is stabilized in the symplast. The rate of transport of Cr(VI) into plant cells is at least one order of magnitude higher than that of Cr(V) or Cr(III). The treatment with sulphate (10 m m ) decreases the rate constant of the transport of Cr(VI) into cells (2.0 h⁻¹) confirming the competition of chromate and sulphate for the same transporters. Simultaneously, the rate constant of Cr(V)→Cr(III) reduction is increased in the apoplast (by the factor of 3) and decreased in the symplast (by the factor of 5). Treatment with higher sulphate concentrations (100 m m ) increases the accumulation of chromium by enhancing the rate constant of Cr(VI) transport into cells leaving other processes essentially unchanged. We suggest that 100 m m sulphate opens a new pathway for chromate transport into cells.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas chromatireducens</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new denitrifying facultatively haloalkaliphilic bacterium from solonchak soil capable of aerobic chromate reduction

A heterotrophic bacterial strain AGD 8-3 capable of denitrification under extreme haloalkaline conditions was isolated from soda solonchak soils of the Kulunda steppe (Russia). The strain was classified within the genus Halomonas. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Halomonas axialensis, H. meridiana, and H. aquamarina are most closely related to strain AGD 8-3 (96.6% similarity). Similar to other members of the genus, the strain can grow within a wide range of salinity and pH. The strain was found to be capable of aerobic reduction of chromate and selenite on mineral media at 160 g/l salinity and pH 9.5–10. The relatively low level of phylogenetic similarity and the phenotypic characteristics supported classification of strain AGD 8-3 as a new species Halomonas chromatireducens.     

Resolution of 2-octanol via immobilized Pseudomonas sp. lipase in organic medium

Abstract

Pseudomonas sp. lipase (PSL) immobilization was performed using three different protocols. Lipase immobilized on Diaion HP20 (HP20-PSL) exhibited the highest catalytic activity and stability in the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-octanol. The reaction rate of HP20-PSL was approximately 20 times higher than that of free PSL and the residual activities of HP20-PSL and free PSL were respectively 84% and 19% after incubation in the reaction medium for 72 h. A study of the effect of different reaction parameters on HP20-PSL-catalyzed resolution of (R,S)-2octanol showed that the optimal water content of the immobilized matrix and the optimal molar ratio of vinyl acetate to 2-octanol were 60 ± 5% and 2.5:1, respectively. Under the optimized reaction conditions, (S)-2-octanol of high optically purity (enantiomeric excess > 99%) could be recovered at 53% conversion rate, and HP20-PSL could be reused for ten cycles without significant decrease in its activity and enantioselectivity.     

Taxol from Tubercularia sp. strain TF5, an endophytic fungus of Taxus mairei

The diterpenoid taxol is an important anticancer agent used widely in the clinic. The purpose of this work was to identify a taxol-producing endophytic fungus (strain TF5) isolated from Taxus mairei and study its anticancer activities. Strain TF5 was identified as a Tubercularia sp. according to the morphology of the fungal culture, the mechanism of spore production and the characteristics of the spores. Strain TF5 produced taxol, when grown in potato dextrose liquid medium and analyzed by thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet and mass spectrometry. The fungal taxol, which was isolated from the organic extract of the TF5 culture, had strong cytotoxic activity towards KB and P388 cancer cells in vitro, tested by the MTT assay. Observed with immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, the fungal taxol enhanced microtubule stability and bundling in culture cells and induced tubulin polymerization in vitro similar to the authentic taxol.     

Resolution of 2,2-diphenyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol via Rhizopus sp. lipase-catalyzed enantioselective transesterification with vinyl butanoate

2,2-Diphenyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol was resolved via Rhizopus sp. lipase-catalyzed enantioselective transesterification with vinyl butanoate in isopropyl ether (E=23). A gram-scale resolution resulted in the production of the (R)-alcohol with 95% e.e. in 33% yield based on racemate.     

Biosorption of Malathion by immobilized cells of Bacillus sp. S14

Abstract

Biosorption is potentially an attractive technology for the treatment of wastewater by removing pesticide molecules from dilute solutions. This study investigated the feasibility of an isolated Bacillus sp. S₁₄ immobilized in calcium alginate that was used as a biosorbent for Malathion removal from aqueous solutions in batch mode. The highest value of Malathion uptake by isolated Bacillus sp. S14 (1.33g L^?1, dry basis) immobilized in 3% calcium alginate was 64.4% at 25°C and pH7.0 when the initial Malathion concentration was 50 mg L^?1. Equilibrium was attained at 8h. The sorption data conformed well to the Fruendlich isotherm model.