<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phenylobacterium terrae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample of Khyber-Pakhtun-Khwa,Pakistan

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated YIM 730227^T, was isolated from a soil sample, collected from Karak district, Khyber-Pakhtun-Khwa, Pakistan. The bacterium was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Pairwise comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 730227^T is closely related to Phenylobacterium lituiforme FaiI3^T (97.5% sequence similarity), Phenylobacterium muchangponense A8^T (97.4%), Phenylobacterium panacis DCY109^T (97.1%), Phenylobacterium immobile E^T (97.1%) and Phenylobacterium composti 4T-6^T (97.0%), while also sharing 98.0% sequence similarity with Phenylobacterium hankyongense HKS-05^T after NCBI blast, showing it represents a member of the family Caulobacteraceae. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were C_16:0, summed feature 8 (comprising C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c), C_18:1ω7c 11-methyl and C_17:0. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified glycolipids, phospholipid and unidentified lipid. The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA was 68.2 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain YIM 730227^T with P. hankyongense HKS-05^T, P. lituiforme FaiI3^T, P. muchangponense A8^T, P. panacis DCY109^T, P. immobile E^T and P. composti 4T-6^T were 31.3?±?0.6, 26.1?±?0.2, 24.3?±?0.1, 21.8?±?0.9, 19.8?±?0.6 and 18.2?±?1.1%, respectively, values lower than 70%. Besides the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences and the biochemical characteristics indicated that the strain YIM 730227^T represents a novel member of the genus Phenylobacterium, for which the name Phenylobacterium terrae sp. nov. (type strain YIM 730227^T =?KCTC62324^T?=?CGMCC 1.16326^T) is proposed.     

The eurythermal adaptivity and temperature tolerance of a newly isolated psychrotolerant Arctic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.

A new strain of Chlorella sp. (Chlorella-Arc), isolated from Arctic glacier melt water, was found to have high specific growth rates (μ) between 3 and 27 °C, with a maximum specific growth rate of 0.85 day^?1 at 15 °C, indicating that this strain was a eurythermal strain with a broad temperature tolerance range. To understand its acclimation strategies to low and high temperatures, the physiological and biochemical responses of the Chlorella-Arc to temperature were studied and compared with those of a temperate Chlorella pyrenoidosa strain (Chlorella-Temp). As indicated by declining F _v/F _m, photoinhibition occurred in Chlorella-Arc at low temperature. However, Chlorella-Arc reduced the size of the light-harvesting complex (LHC) to alleviate photoinhibition, as indicated by an increasing Chl a/b ratio with decreasing temperatures. Interestingly, Chlorella-Arc tended to secrete soluble sugar into the culture medium with increasing temperature, while its intracellular soluble sugar content did not vary with temperature changes, indicating that the algal cells might suffer from osmotic stress at high temperature, which could be adjusted by excretion of soluble sugar. Chlorella-Arc accumulated protein and lipids under lower temperatures (<15 °C), and its metabolism switched to synthesis of soluble sugar as temperatures rose. This reflects a flexible ability of Chlorella-Arc to regulate carbon and energy distribution when exposed to wide temperature shifts. More saturated fatty acids (SFA) in Chlorella-Arc than Chlorella-Temp also might serve as the energy source for growth in the cold and contribute to its cold tolerance.     

Assessment of photosynthetic potential of indoor plants under cold stress

Photosynthetic parameters including net photosynthetic rate (P_N), transpiration rate (E), water-use efficiency (WUE), and stomatal conductance (g_s) were studied in indoor C₃ plants Philodendron domesticum (Pd), Dracaena fragans (Df), Peperomia obtussifolia (Po), Chlorophytum comosum (Cc), and in a CAM plant, Sansevieria trifasciata (St), exposed to various low temperatures (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C). All studied plants survived up to 0°C, but only St and Cc endured, while other plants wilted, when the temperature increased back to room temperature (25°C). The P_N declined rapidly with the decrease of temperature in all studied plants. St showed the maximum P_N of 11.9 μmol m^?2 s^?1 at 25°C followed by Cc, Po, Pd, and Df. E also followed a trend almost similar to that of P_N. St showed minimum E (0.1 mmol m^?2 s^?1) as compared to other studied C₃ plants at 25°C. The E decreased up to ≈4-fold at 5 and 0°C. Furthermore, a considerable decline in WUE was observed under cold stress in all C₃ plants, while St showed maximum WUE. Similarly, the g_s also declined gradually with the decrease in the temperature in all plants. Among C₃ plants, Pd and Po showed the maximum g_s of 0.07 mol m^?2 s^?1 at 25°C followed by Df and Cc. However, St showed the minimum g_s that further decreased up to ～4-fold at 0°C. In addition, the content of photosynthetic pigments [chlorophyll a, b, (a+b), and carotenoids] was varying in all studied plants at 0°C. Our findings clearly indicated the best photosynthetic potential of St compared to other studied plants. This species might be recommended for improving air quality in high-altitude closed environments.     

Adaptive photosynthetic strategies of the Mediterranean maquis species according to their origin

In consideration of their origin the adaptive strategies of the evergreen species of the Mediterranean maquis were analysed. Rosmarinus officinalis L., Erica arborea L., and Erica multiflora L. had the lowest net photosynthetic rate (P_N) in the favourable period [7.8±0.6 μmol(CO₂) m^?2s^?1, mean value], the highest P_N decrease (on an average 86 % of the maximum) but the highest recovery capacity (>70 % of the maximum) at the first rainfall in September. Cistus incanus L. and Arbutus unedo L. had the highest P_N during the favourable period [15.5±5.2 μmol(CO₂) m^?2s^?1, mean value], 79 % decrease during drought, and a lower recovery capacity (on an average 54 %). Quercus ilex L., Phillyrea latifolia L., and Pistacia lentiscus L. had an intermediate P_N in the favourable period [9.2±1.3 μmol(CO2) m^?2s^?1, mean value], a lower reduction during drought (on an average 63 %), and a range from 62 % (Q. ilex and P. latifolia) to 39 % (P. lentiscus) of recovery capacity. The Mediterranean species had higher decrease in P_N and stomatal conductance during drought and a higher recovery capacity than the pre-Mediterranean species. Among the pre-Mediterranean species, P. latifoliahad the best adaptation to long drought periods also by its higher leaf mass per area (LMA) which lowered leaf temperature thus decreasing transpiration rate during drought. Moreover, its leaf longevity determined a more stable leaf biomass during the year. Among the Mediteranean species, R. officinalis was the best adapted species to short drought periods by its ability to rapidly recover. Nevertheless, R. officinalis had the lowest tolerance to high temperatures by its P_N dropping below half its maximum value when leaf temperature was over 33.6°C. R. officinalismay be used as a bioindicator species of global change.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nibribacter flagellatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus syriacus</Emphasis> and emended description of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nibribacter</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile by flagella, rod-shaped strain (THG-T16^T) was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum 28–30 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–1.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T16^T were identified as Nibribacter koreensis KACC 16450^T (98.6%), Rufibacter roseus KCTC 42217^T (94.7%), Rufibacter immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351^T (94.5%) and Rufibacter tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084^T (94.4%). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T16^T was determined to be 46.7 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T16^T and N. koreensis KACC 16450^T, R. roseus KCTC 42217^T, R. immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351^T, R.tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084^T were 33.5?±?0.5% (31.7?±?0.7% reciprocal analysis), 28.1?±?0.2% (25.2?±?0.2%), 17.1?±?0.9% (10.2?±?0.6%) and 8.1?±?0.3% (5.2?±?0.1%). The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7 and the polyamine as sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:1 ω5c, C_17:1 ω6c, iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T16^T represents a novel species of the genus Nibribacter, for which the name Nibribacter flagellatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T16^T(=?KACC 19188^T?=?CCTCC AB 2016246^T).     

Evaluation of growth and phycobiliprotein composition of cyanobacteria isolates cultivated in different nitrogen sources

Phycobiliproteins, light-harvesting pigments found in cyanobacteria and in some eukaryotic algae, have numerous commercial applications in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Colorant production from cyanobacteria offers advantages over their production from higher plants, as cyanobacteria have fast growth rate and high photosynthetic efficiency and require less space. In this study, three cyanobacteria strains were studied for phycobiliprotein production and the influence of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride on the growth and phycobiliprotein composition of the strains were evaluated. In the batch culture period of 12 days, Phormidium sp. and Pseudoscillatoria sp. were able to utilize all tested nitrogen sources; however, ammonium chloride was the best nitrogen source for both strains to achieve maximum growth rate μ?=?0.284?±?0.03 and μ?=?0.274?±?0.13 day^?1, chlorophyll a 16.2?±? 0.5 and 12.2?±? 0.2 mg L^?1, and phycobiliprotein contents 19.38?±?0.09 and 19.99?±?0.14% of dry weight, whereas, for Arthrospira platensis, the highest growth rate of μ?=?0.304?±?0.0 day^?1, chlorophyll a 19.1?±?0.5 mg L^?1, and phycobiliprotein content of 22.27?±?0.21% of dry weight were achieved with sodium nitrate. The phycocyanin from the lyophilized cyanobacterial biomass was extracted using calcium chloride and food grade purity (A₆₂₀/A₂₈₀ ratio >?0.7) was achieved. Furthermore, phycocyanin was purified using two-step chromatographic method and the analytical grade purity (A₆₂₀/A₂₈₀ ratio >?4) was attained. SDS-PAGE demonstrated the purity and presence of two bands corresponding to α- and β-subunits of the C-phycocyanin. The results showed that Phormidium sp. and Pseudoscillatoria sp. could be good candidates for phycocyanin production.     

Phycoremediation potential,physiological, and biochemical response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphora subtropica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dunaliella</Emphasis> sp. to nickel pollution

Metal pollution can produce many biological effects on aquatic environments. The marine diatom Amphora subtropica and the green alga Dunaliella sp. possess a high metal absorption capacity. Nickel (Ni) removal by living cells of A. subtropica and Dunaliella sp. was tested in cultures exposed to different Ni concentrations (100, 200, 300, and 500 mg L^?1). The amount of Ni removed by the microalgae increased with the time of exposure and the initial Ni concentration in the medium. The metal, which was mainly removed by bioadsorption to Dunaliella sp. cell surfaces (93.63% of total Ni (for 500 mg Ni L^?1) and by bioaccumulation (80.82% of total Ni (for 300 mg Ni L^?1) into Amphora subtropica cells, also inhibited growth. Exposure to Ni drastically reduced the carbohydrate and protein concentrations and increased total lipids from 6.3 to 43.1 pg cell^?1, phenolics 0.092 to 0.257 mg GAE g^?1 (Fw), and carotenoid content, from 0.08 to 0.59 mg g^?1 (Fw), in A. subtropica. In Dunaliella sp., total lipids increased from 26.1 to 65.3 pg cell^?1, phenolics from 0.084 to 0.289 mg GAE g^?1 (Fw), and carotenoid content from 0.41 to 0.97 mg g^?1 (Fw). These compounds had an important role in protecting the algae against ROS generated by Ni. In order to cope with Ni stress shown by the increase of TBARS level, enzymatic (SOD, CAT, and GPx) ROS scavenging mechanisms were induced.     

Waste water treatment and metal (Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>) removal by microalgal based stabilization pond system

A case study was undertaken for the treatment of domestic wastewater generated at village of Sanghol, Distt. Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab (India), using a schematic designed algal and duckweed based stabilization pond system, which is discussed here for winter months only (November to March) as there was no growth of duckweeds and only algae dominated the whole system. A proficient increase in pH and dissolved oxygen was observed after the treatment with reduction in chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand by 93% and 79% respectively. Chlorella sp. was the dominating algal species in the stabilization pond water during entire period and was studied for its Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ metal removal efficiency. 60–70% removal of Zn²⁺ was observed from culture medium containing 5–20 mg L^?1 Zn²⁺, which declined to 42% at 50 mg L^?1. A constant decline in cell number from 538 × 10⁵ to 8 × 10⁵ cells ml^?1 was observed indicating zinc toxicity to Chlorella. Lead was maximally removed by 66.3% from culture medium containing 1 mg L^?1. The lead removal efficiency was 45 50 % at higher 5 to 20 mg L^?1 of external lead concentrations. The increase in cell number indicated no signs of Pb²⁺ toxicity up to 20 mg L^?1. The maximum uptake (q _max) by live Chlorella biomass for both Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ was 34.4 and 41.8 mg/g respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a cellulose-degrading bacterium isolated from tea

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped strain (THG-NT9^T) was isolated from a green tea sample. Growth occurred at 20–45 °C (optimum 28–35 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–2.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-NT9^T were identified as Scopulibacillus daqui DSM 28236^T (98.6%), Scopulibacillus darangshiensis DSM 19377^T (97.4%), Pullulanibacillus pueri CGMCC 1.12777^T (96.7%) and Pullulanibacillus camelliae CGMCC 1.15371^T (96.3%). The DNA G?+?C content of strain THG-NT9^T was determined to be 47.5 mol %. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-NT9^T and S. daqui DSM 28236^T, S. darangshiensis DSM 19377^T, P. pueri CGMCC 1.12777^T, P. camelliae CGMCC 1.15371^T and Pullulanibacillus naganoensis DSM 10191^T were 41.3?±?0.1 (39.4?±?0.4% reciprocal analysis), 39.1?±?0.1 (37.3?±?0.1%), 21.4?±?0.7 (20.1?±?0.3%), 20.7?±?0.1 (20.1?±?0.4%) and 12.1?±?0.2% (8.3?±?0.2%). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7. The major fatty acids were C_18:3 ω7c, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The cell wall type was determined to be A1γ peptidoglycan with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid plus alanine and glutamic acid and glucose as the cell wall sugar. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-NT9^T represents a novel species of the genus Scopulibacillus, for which the name Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-NT9^T (=?KCTC 33918^T?=?CGMCC 1.16305^T).     

Evolution of microalgal biotechnology: a survey of the European Patent Office database

Microalgal biotechnology is an innovative sector in the field of biotechnology and has evolved exponentially in the last 100 years. With the aim of finding out the current situation of the sector and its development, patents on microalgal biotechnology were surveyed in Espacenet, the European Patent Office database. The objective of this study was to identify the main trends in microalgae-related patents in the most commercial genera: Chlorella, Spirulina, Dunaliella, Haematococcus and model organism Chlamydomonas.     

Nitrogen Metabolism Genes from Temperate Marine Sediments

In this study, we analysed metagenomes along with biogeochemical profiles from Skagerrak (SK) and Bothnian Bay (BB) sediments, to trace the prevailing nitrogen pathways. NO₃ ^? was present in the top 5 cm below the sediment-water interface at both sites. NH₄ ⁺ increased with depth below 5 cm where it overlapped with the NO₃ ^? zone. Steady-state modelling of NO₃ ^? and NH₄ ⁺ porewater profiles indicates zones of net nitrogen species transformations. Bacterial protease and hydratase genes appeared to make up the bulk of total ammonification genes. Genes involved in ammonia oxidation (amo, hao), denitrification (nir, nor), dissimilatory NO₃ ^? reduction to NH₄ ⁺ (nfr and otr) and in both of the latter two pathways (nar, nap) were also present. Results show ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are similarly abundant in both sediments. Also, denitrification genes appeared more abundant than DNRA genes. 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that the relative abundance of the nitrifying group Nitrosopumilales and other groups involved in nitrification and denitrification (Nitrobacter, Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, Nitrosococcus and Nitrosomonas) appeared less abundant in SK sediments compared to BB sediments. Beggiatoa and Thiothrix 16S rRNA genes were also present, suggesting chemolithoautotrophic NO₃ ^? reduction to NO₂ ^? or NH₄ ⁺ as a possible pathway. Our results show the metabolic potential for ammonification, nitrification, DNRA and denitrification activities in North Sea and Baltic Sea sediments.     

Photosynthesis and primary production in Lake Kasumigaura (Japan) monitored monthly since 1981

This study reports the primary production of phytoplankton determined with a ¹³C tracer, and their related variables, in Lake Kasumigaura, a shallow, hyper-eutrophic lake, and the second largest lake in Japan. Measurements were conducted monthly from August 1981 to December 2013 at four stations within the lake. Monitoring was a component of the Lake Kasumigaura Long-term Environmental Monitoring program, conducted by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) since 1977. The program collects data on water quality, and plankton and benthic communities. Lake Kasumigaura is registered as a core site of the Japan Long-term Ecological Research Network (JaLTER), which is a member of the International Long-term Ecological Research Network (ILTER). This dataset includes daily primary production (Pzd gC m^?2 d^?1) and the six parameters required to calculate Pzd: maximum photosynthesis rate (P _max gC gC^?1 h^?1); light irradiance at the junction of the initial slope (α (gC gC^?1 h^?1) (μmol photon m^?2 s^?1)^?1) and P _max of the photosynthesis vs. irradiance (P vs. E) curve (E _k μmol photon m^?2 s^?1); attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) (K _PAR m^?1); water depth at each sampling station (Z _b , m); dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC mgC L^?1) and particulate organic carbon concentrations (POC gC m^?3); and chlorophyll a amounts (Chl.a μg L^?1). Daily primary production was calculated by obtaining a P vs. E curve over a short-term incubation (approximately 1 h) in a water tank using in situ water temperature in the laboratory, based on the field conditions of the sampling date. The dataset has been used for ecological studies as well as for management studies on water quality and ecosystems. This dataset is unique among the available published papers concerning lakes or primary production in various ecosystems, collected over a long period of time and freely available.     

The effect of gradual increase in salinity on the biomass productivity and biochemical composition of several marine,halotolerant<Emphasis Type="Bold">,</Emphasis> and halophilic microalgae

Open ponds are the preferred cultivation system for large-scale microalgal biomass production. To be more sustainable, commercial scale biomass production should rely on seawater, as freshwater is a limiting resource, especially in places with high irradiance. If seawater is used for both pond fill and evaporative volume makeup, salinity of the growth media will rise over time. It is not possible for any species to achieve optimum growth over the whole saline spectrum (from seawater salinity level up to salt saturation state). In this study, we investigated the effects of gradual salinity increase (between 35 and 233 ppt) on biomass productivity and biochemical composition (lipid and carbohydrate) of six marine, two halotolerant, and a halophilic microalgae. A gradual and slow stepped salinity increase was found to expand the salinity tolerance range of tested species. A gradual reduction in biomass productivity and maximum photochemical efficiency was observed as a consequence of increased salinity in all tested species. Among the marine microalgae, Tetraselmis showed highest biomass productivity (32 mg L^?1 day^?1) with widest salinity tolerance range (35 to 109 ppt). Halotolerant Amphora and Navicula were able to grow from 35 ppt to 129 ppt salinity. Halophilic Dunaliella was the only species capable of growing between 35 and 233 ppt and showed highest lipid content (56.2%) among all tested species. This study showed that it should be possible to maintain high biomass in open outdoor cultivation utilizing seawater by growing Tetraselmis, Amphora, and Dunaliella one after another as salinity increases in the cultivation system.     

Short-term effects of crop rotation,residue management,and soil water on carbon mineralization in a tropical cropping system

The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of maize (Zea mays)-fallow rotation, residue management, and soil water on carbon mineralization in a tropical cropping system in Ghana. After 15 months of the trial, maize–legume rotation treatments had significantly (P?C ₀ (μg CO₂–C g^?1) than maize–elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) rotations. The C ₀ for maize–grass rotation treatments was significantly related to the biomass input (r?=?0.95; P?=?0.05), but that for the maize–legume rotation was not. The soil carbon mineralization rate constant, k (per day), was also significantly related to the rotation treatments (P?k values for maize–grass and maize–legume rotation treatments were 0.025 and 0.036 day^?1 respectively. The initial carbon mineralization rate, m ₀ (μg CO₂–C g^?1 day ^?1), was significantly (P?θ. The m ₀ ranged from 3.88 to 18.67 and from 2.30 to 15.35 μg CO₂–C g^?1 day^?1 for maize–legume and maize–grass rotation treatments, respectively, when the soil water varied from 28% to 95% field capacity (FC). A simple soil water content (θ)-based factor, f _w, formulated as: \(f_{\text{w}} = \left[ {\frac{{\theta - \theta _{\text{d}} }}{{\theta _{{\text{FC}}} - \theta _{\text{d}} }}} \right]\), where θ _d and θ _FC were the air-dry and field capacity soil water content, respectively, adequately described the variation of the m ₀ with respect to soil water (R ²?=?0.91; RMSE?=?1.6). Such a simple relationship could be useful for SOC modeling under variable soil water conditions.     

Carbon Dioxide and Methane Fluxes From Tree Stems,Coarse Woody Debris,and Soils in an Upland Temperate Forest

Forest soils and canopies are major components of ecosystem CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes. In contrast, less is known about coarse woody debris and living tree stems, both of which function as active surfaces for CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes. We measured CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes from soils, coarse woody debris, and tree stems over the growing season in an upland temperate forest. Soils were CO₂ sources (4.58 ± 2.46 µmol m^?2 s^?1, mean ± 1 SD) and net sinks of CH₄ (?2.17 ± 1.60 nmol m^?2 s^?1). Coarse woody debris was a CO₂ source (4.23 ± 3.42 µmol m^?2 s^?1) and net CH₄ sink, but with large uncertainty (?0.27 ± 1.04 nmol m^?2 s^?1) and with substantial differences depending on wood decay status. Stems were CO₂ sources (1.93 ± 1.63 µmol m^?2 s^?1), but also net CH₄ sources (up to 0.98 nmol m^?2 s^?1), with a mean of 0.11 ± 0.21 nmol m^?2 s^?1 and significant differences depending on tree species. Stems of N. sylvatica, F. grandifolia, and L. tulipifera consistently emitted CH₄, whereas stems of A. rubrum, B. lenta, and Q. spp. were intermittent sources. Coarse woody debris and stems accounted for 35% of total measured CO₂ fluxes, whereas CH₄ emissions from living stems offset net soil and CWD CH₄ uptake by 3.5%. Our results demonstrate the importance of CH₄ emissions from living stems in upland forests and the need to consider multiple forest components to understand and interpret ecosystem CO₂ and CH₄ dynamics.     

Single point mutations enhance activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-epoxysuccinate hydrolase

Objectives

To enhance activity of cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase from Klebsiella sp. BK-58 for converting cis-epoxysuccinate to tartrate.

Results

By semi-saturation mutagenesis, all the mutants of the six important conserved residues almost completely lost activity. Then random mutation by error-prone PCR and high throughput screening were further performed to screen higher activity enzyme. We obtained a positive mutant F10D after screening 6000 mutations. Saturation mutagenesis on residues Phe10 showed that most of mutants exhibited higher activity than the wild-type, and the highest mutant was F10Q with activity of 812 U mg^?1 (k _cat /K _m , 9.8 ± 0.1 mM^?1 s^?1), which was 230 % higher than that of wild-type enzyme 355 U mg^?1 (k _cat /K _m , 5.3 ± 0.1 mM^?1 s^?1). However, the thermostability of the mutant F10Q slightly decreased.

Conclusions

The catalytic activity of a cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase was efficient improved by a single mutation F10Q and Phe10 might play an important role in the catalysis.

     

The nitrite reductase activity of horse heart carboxymethylated-cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis> is modulated by cardiolipin

Horse heart carboxymethylated cytc (CM-cytc) displays myoglobin-like properties. Here, the effect of cardiolipin (CL) liposomes on the nitrite reductase activity of ferrous CM-cytc [CM-cytc-Fe(II)], in the presence of sodium dithionite, is reported between pH 5.5 and 7.6, at 20.0 °C. Cytc-Fe(II) displays a very low value of the apparent second-order rate constant for the NO₂ ^?-mediated conversion of cytc-Fe(II) to cytc-Fe(II)-NO [k _on = (7.3 ± 0.7) × 10^?2 M^?1 s^?1; at pH 7.4], whereas the value of k _on for NO₂ ^? reduction by CM-cytc-Fe(II) is 1.1 ± 0.2 M^?1 s^?1 (at pH 7.4). CL facilitates the NO₂ ^?-mediated nitrosylation of CM-cytc-Fe(II) in a dose-dependent manner, the value of k _on for the NO₂ ^?-mediated conversion of CL–CM-cytc-Fe(II) to CL–CM-cytc-Fe(II)-NO (5.6 ± 0.6 M^?1 s^?1; at pH 7.4) being slightly higher than that for the NO₂ ^?-mediated conversion of CL–cytc-Fe(II) to CL–cytc-Fe(II)-NO (2.6 ± 0.3 M^?1 s^?1; at pH 7.4). The apparent affinity of CL for CM-cytc-Fe(II) is essentially pH independent, the average value of B being (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10^?6 M. In the absence and presence of CL liposomes, the nitrite reductase activity of CM-cytc-Fe(II) increases linearly on lowering pH and the values of the slope of the linear fittings of Log k _on versus pH are ?1.05 ± 0.07 and ?1.03 ± 0.03, respectively, reflecting the involvement of one proton for the formation of the transient ferric form, NO, and OH^?. These results indicate that Met80 carboxymethylation and CL binding cooperate in the stabilization of the highly reactive heme-Fe atom of CL–CM-cytc.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic profile in filamentous cyanobacteria: the impact of nitrogen

In the present study, ethanolic extracts of ten cyanobacterial strains cultivated under different nitrogen conditions were assessed for the phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The amount of detected phenolic compounds ranged from 14.86 to 701.69 μg g^?1 dry weight (dw) and HPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, rutin and apiin. Only catechin, among the detected phenolics, was present in all the tested strains, while quinic acid was the most dominant compound in all the tested Nostoc strains. The results also indicated the possibility of increasing the phenolic content in cyanobacterial biomass by manipulating nitrogen conditions, such as in the case of quinic acid in Nostoc 2S7B from 70.83 to 594.43 μg g^?1 dw. The highest radical scavenging activity in DPPH assay expressed Nostoc LC1B with IC₅₀ value of 0.04?±?0.01 mg mL^?1, while Nostoc 2S3B with IC₅₀ =?9.47?±?3.61 mg mL^?1 was the least potent. Furthermore, the reducing power determined by FRAP assay ranged from 8.36?±?0.08 to 21.01?±?1.66 mg AAE g^?1, and it was significantly different among the tested genera. The Arthrospira strains exhibited the highest activity, which in the case of Arthrospira S1 was approximately twofold higher in comparison to those in nitrogen-fixing strains. In addition to this, statistical analysis has indicated that detected phenolics were not major contributor to antioxidant capacities of tested cyanobacteria. However, this study highlights cyanobacteria of the genera Nostoc, Anabaena, and Arthrospira as producers of antioxidants and phenolics with pharmacological and health-beneficial effects, i.e., quinic acid and catechin in particular.     

Growth and photosynthetic response of two larches exposed to O<Subscript>3</Subscript> mixing ratios ranging from preindustrial to near future

In this study, we questioned whether ground-level ozone (O₃) induces hormesis in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) and its hybrid F₁ (L. gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi). In order to answer the question, we exposed seedlings of both taxa to four O₃ treatments [ranging from ≈10 to 60 nmol(O₃) mol^–1] in open-top chambers for two consecutive growing seasons. We found a hormetic response in maximum photosynthetic rate (P_Nmax) at 1700 μmol(CO₂) mol^–1 and maximum rates of carboxylation (V_cmax) and electron transport (J_max) in both larches. Stimulation of P_Nmax, V_cmax, and J_max did not lead to suppressed plant productivity in Japanese larch, which followed a stress-tolerant strategy, but it did lead to suppressed plant productivity in hybrid larch which followed a competitive strategy. These findings are the first to suggest that stimulation of physiological functions by low O₃ exposures may have negative consequences for larch reproduction.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium zaozhuangense</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>, isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil

Strain ZZ-8^T, a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil in China. The taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZZ-8^T is a member of the genus Flavobacterium and shows high sequence similarity to Flavobacterium humicola UCM-46^T (97.2%) and Flavobacterium pedocola UCM-R36^T (97.1%), and lower (<?97%) sequence similarity to other known Flavobacterium species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain ZZ-8^T possessed MK-6 as the major respiratory quinone; and iso-C_15:0 (28.5%), summed feature 9 (iso-C_17:1 w9c/C_16:0 10-methyl, 22.9%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (17.0%), iso-C_15:0 3-OH (8.9%), iso-C_15:1 G (8.6%) and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 w7c/C_16:1 w6c, 5.7%) as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain ZZ-8^T were determined to be lipids, a glycolipid, aminolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain ZZ-8^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with F. pedocola UCM-R36^T (43.23?±?4.1%) and F. humicola UCM-46^T (29.17?±?3.8%). The DNA G+C content was 43.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain ZZ-8^T is considered a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium zaozhuangense sp. nov. (type strain ZZ-8^T?=?KCTC 62315 ^T?=?CCTCC AB 2017243^T) is proposed.