Two Phosphate- and Potassium-solubilizing Bacteria Isolated from Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang, China

Summary Two phosphate- and potassium-solubilizing strains (KNP413 and KNP414) were isolated from the soil of Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang Province (China) and they were phenotypically and phylogenetically characterized. Both isolates effectively dissolved mineral phosphate and potassium, while strain KNP414 showed higher dissolution capacity even than Bacillus mucilaginosus AS1.153, the inoculant of potassium fertilizer widely used in China. When grown on Aleksandrov medium, both strains were rod-shaped spore-formers with a large capsule, and they formed slimy and translucent colonies. The DNA G+C contents were 57.7 mol% for strain KNP413 and 56.1 mol% for strain KNP414. Strain KNP413 shared a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of more than 99.1% with strain KNP414 and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains HSCC 1605 and YNUC0001, and a 94.6% similarity with Bacillus mucilaginosus VKM B-1480D, the type strain of Bacillus mucilaginosus. Strains KNP413 and KNP414 together with other Bacillus mucilaginosus were clustered with Paenibacillus strains in a group. The use of a specific PCR primer PAEN515F designed for differentiating the genus Paenibacillus from other members of the Bacillaceae showed that strains KNP413 and KNP414 had the same amplified 16S rRNA gene fragment (0.9-kb) as members of the genus Paenibacillus. In conclusion, phosphate- and potassium-solubilizing strains KNP413 and KNP414 should be integrated into the same species different from strain VKM B-1480D and they might be transferred to the genus of Paenibacillus, i.e. Paenibacillus mucilaginosus.The GenBank accession numbers of the 16S rRNA gene sequences are AY646227 for KNP413 and AY646228 for KNP414.     

Growth promoting effect of a transgenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus mucilaginosus</Emphasis> on tobacco planting

In this study, we have investigated the plant growth promoting effect of Bacillus mucilaginosus strain D₄B₁, a rhizosphere soil organism, and its transgenic strain NKTS-3 on tobacco planting. The transgenic strain contains a phytase expression cassette that can express high active phytase extracellularly and hydrolyze phytate in the soil to liberate inorganic phosphorus for the growth of tobacco plants. Greenhouse study and field experiments showed that both wild-type B. mucilaginosus and the transgenic strain could promote tobacco plant growth. Moreover, the transgenic strain promoted tobacco plant growth (235% more than control in pot experiments and 125% more than control in field experiments) was higher than the wild-type B. mucilaginosus (183% more than control in pot experiments and 108% more than control in field experiments). In addition, the inoculation with transgenic rhizobacteria could significantly improve root acquisition of phosphorus and increase the phosphorus content of the plant.     

Hg(II) adsorption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus mucilaginosus</Emphasis>: mechanism and equilibrium parameters

Our previous findings have indicated that Bacillus mucilaginosus might be a promising biosorbent. However, up to now, few studies have been performed to examine the use of B. mucilaginosus as a sorbent, especially as a sorbent for Hg(II). The aim of the current study was to investigate the adsorption of Hg(II) by B. mucilaginosus and the underlying mechanism involved. The results showed that B. mucilaginosus exhibited effective adsorption of Hg(II), and the experimental data were well fitted by the Langmuir model with equilibrium constant of 3.32 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and maximum adsorption capacity of 393 mg(Hg)/l(bacterial culture). The average saturated adsorption amount of Hg(II) by each cell was 9.83 × 10⁹ atoms, with time to reach adsorption equilibrium less than 10 min. The adsorption efficiency was mainly dependent on pH. Surface adsorption of capsules was identified to be the major mechanism for the biosorption of Hg(II) by B. mucilaginosus, which might be associated with the cell products on the surface of capsules of B. mucilaginosus. Differences observed in adsorption behaviors at different concentrations of Hg(II) were well explained using the Visual minTEQ software. Our findings might shed some lights on the application of B. mucilaginosus as an adsorbent for Hg(II) and other heavy metals.     

A gyrB-targeted PCR for rapid identification of Paenibacillus mucilaginosus

Paenibacillus mucilaginosus, one of the typical silicate bacteria, has long been used as a biofertilizer in agriculture and has recently shown potential in bioleaching and wastewater engineering. There has been considerable research involving the isolation of P. mucilaginosus for various utilizations; therefore, rapid identification of this species is of great interest. Herein, we describe a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method developed for a rapid identification of P. mucilaginosus, which might provide potential utilization in the investigation of populations, detection of biofertilizers, and identification of novel isolates on a large scale. A gyrB-targeted species-specific primer pair, F2 (5′-ACG GAT ATC TCC CAG ACG TTC AT-3′) and R5 (5′-ACG GGC ACG CTG CGC CTG TAC G-3′), was successfully designed to selectively amplify a 519-bp amplicon from P. mucilaginosus. Good specificity was demonstrated by both reference strains and total soil deoxyribonucleic acid, from which only the gyrB gene of P. mucilaginosus was amplified. The detection limit was 4–10 cells per assay. Using the culture-PCR method, 20 of 26 soil isolates on a nitrogen-free medium were rapidly identified as P. mucilaginosus, which was confirmed by sequencing of the gyrB gene.     

The Up-regulation of Carbonic Anhydrase Genes of Bacillus mucilaginosus under Soluble Ca2+ Deficiency and the Heterologously Expressed Enzyme Promotes Calcite Dissolution

Molecular mechanisms and gene regulation are of interest in the area of geomicrobiology in which the interaction between microbes and minerals is studied. This paper focuses on the regulation of the expression of carbonic anhydrase (CA) genes in Bacillus mucilaginosus and the effects of the expression product of the B. mucilaginosus CA gene in Escherichia coli on calcite weathering. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to explore the relationship between CA gene expression in B. mucilaginosus and promotion of calcite dissolution under condition of Ca²⁺ deficiency. The results showed that adding calcite to the medium, which lacks Ca²⁺, can up-regulate the expression of the bacterial CA genes to accelerate calcite dissolution for bacterial growth. CA genes from B. mucilaginosus were transferred into E. coli by cloning. We then employed crude enzyme extract from the resultant E. coli strain in calcite dissolution experiments. The enzyme extract promoted calcite dissolution. These findings provide direct evidence for the role of microbial CA on mineral weathering and mineral nutrition release.     

Immobilization of Bacillus mucilaginosus,a Producer of Exopolysaccharides,on Chitin

The bacteria Bacillus mucilaginosus were immobilized on chitin sorbents. Exopolysaccharides produced byB. mucilaginosus were capable of efficiently sorbing copper ions. A composite biosorbent involving the chitin derivative Khizitel with immobilized B. mucilaginosus cells at the stage of active exopolysaccharide synthesis was developed.     

An appraisal of the utility of biochar in a rotation involving tobacco–rice in southern China

The employment of biochar in crop production can not only improve soil quality, but also helps the field ecosystem to fix carbon and reduce emissions. Although the benefits of their application in crop production have been more and more confirmed, it is not clear when it comes to the acidic soil of tobacco and rice rotation. A tobacco–rice rotation experiment was conducted in southern China to probe the application value of biochar under these conditions. Three biochar application rates were employed in this experiment. BC0 (without biochar), BC25 (25 t ha⁻¹), and BC50 (50 t ha⁻¹). The findings show that biochar significantly boosted soil fertility and crop yields. Meanwhile, the soil organic carbon of tobacco rice rotation field with biochar increased by 31.76%. After a whole growth period of tobacco and rice, the cumulative emission reduction of CO₂ and N₂O from the soil by biochar were 15,944 kg ha⁻¹ and 1810 g ha⁻¹, respectively. The use of biochar not only significantly improved the bacterial diversity of tobacco and rice rotation soil, but also altered the original microbial community structure. The profusion of Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria was reduced and the abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes was enhanced in the treatments with biochar. Among them, Sphingomonadales, Planctomycotes, and Ktedonobacteria, which are beneficial to plant growth and soil health, have become key phylotypes. The carbon balance analysis data show that the net carbon sequestration of the two treatments with biochar is positive, while that of the treatment without biochar is negative. In terms of economic benefit, the application of biochar increased the average of 2.055 CNY kg⁻¹ consumed energy (CE) in the whole tobacco–rice rotation system. The ecological benefit was 0.51 kg C kg⁻¹ CE. In conclusion, biochar can be effectively used in the practice of tobacco–rice rotation and acidic soil improvement in southern China.     

The Water-Soluble Pool in Biochar Dominates Maize Plant Growth Promotion Under Biochar Amendment

Although amending biochar into agricultural soils has been regarded as an effective measure to improve crop productivity, it remains unclear why biochar increases crop yield. The objective of this study was to compare the relative contribution of different biochar components in crop growth promotion. Three biochar components were separated: (i) water-soluble biochar extract (BE), (ii) mineral nutrients from biochar ash (BA), and (iii) washed biochar residue (WB). Two soils (Anthrosol and Primosol) with distinctly different organic carbon content, soil texture and land use were amended with the three biochar components and their effects on maize (Zea mays L.) growth were tested in a pot experiment. We hypothesized that (1) plant grown in the Anthrosol benefitted more from the water-soluble compounds of biochar than from its mineral nutrients or washed residue, since the soil is already fertile and has a good structure; (2) plant grown in the Primosol benefitted more from the mineral nutrients of biochar and its washed residual, since the soil is nutrient-poor and has a poor structure. The addition of biochar and its three components increased maize aboveground biomass for both soils. In the Anthrosol, BE, BA, and WB increased the aboveground biomass by 41.6%, 32.7%, and 27.1%; in the Primosol, they increased the aboveground biomass by 41.3%, 24.4%, and 18.2%, respectively. BE had the highest plant growth-promoting effect compared to the other two biochar components, which was regardless of soil condition. In addition, the biomass, total volume, surface area, and number of maize root tips under BE amendment were significantly enhanced, particularly the fine roots (< 0.2 mm in diameter). And a strong positive correlation was observed between maize aboveground biomass and the total length of the fine roots. The results demonstrated that the water-soluble compounds present in biochar, in addition to the mineral nutrients and the washed biochar residue, dominate the plant growth promotion under both soil conditions.

     

Enhanced growth of halophyte plants in biochar‐amended coastal soil: roles of nutrient availability and rhizosphere microbial modulation

Soil health is essential and irreplaceable for plant growth and global food production, which has been threatened by climate change and soil degradation. Degraded coastal soils are urgently required to reclaim using new sustainable technologies. Interest in applying biochar to improve soil health and promote crop yield has rapidly increased because of its multiple benefits. However, effects of biochar addition on the saline–sodic coastal soil health and halophyte growth were poorly understood. Response of two halophytes, Sesbania (Sesbania cannabina) and Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica), to the individual or co‐application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer into a coastal soil was investigated using a 52 d pot experiment. The biochar alone or co‐application stimulated the plant growth (germination, root development, and biomass), primarily attributed to the enhanced nutrient availability from the biochar‐improved soil health. Additionally, the promoted microbial activities and bacterial community shift towards the beneficial taxa (e.g. Pseudomonas and Bacillus) in the rhizosphere also contributed to the enhanced plant growth and biomass. Our findings showed the promising significance because biochar added at an optimal level (≤5%) could be a feasible option to reclaim the degraded coastal soil, enhance plant growth and production, and increase soil health and food security.     

生物炭添加对不同水氮条件下芦苇生长和氮素吸收的影响

生物炭能改良土壤从而促进植物生长和氮素吸收,但其作用效果是否受水氮条件的影响尚不清楚。以湿地植物芦苇为研究对象,在3种氮添加水平（无添加,30 kg hm^-2 a^-1和60 kg hm^-2 a^-1）和两种水分（淹水和非淹水）条件下分别进行生物炭添加和不添加处理,结果表明：（1）生物炭添加能促进芦苇根系生长,在非淹水条件下根系生物量增加了40.5%,在淹水条件下根系生物量增加了20.1%。（2）生物炭添加能促进非淹水条件下芦苇的氮素吸收,能提高淹水条件下芦苇的氮素生产力。（3）生物炭添加加剧了土壤氮素损失,且在非淹水高氮条件下作用最强,可能是由于生物炭促进了芦苇的氮素吸收。芦苇氮素吸收速率与土壤氮损失之间存在显著的正相关关系。因此,在添加生物炭时,需要考虑土壤水分状况和氮素富集程度以及植物的氮素吸收偏好。该研究结果可为生物炭在湿地生态系统中的应用提供参考。     

Biochar mineralization and priming effect on SOM decomposition in two European short rotation coppices

As studies on biochar stability in field conditions are very scarce, the carbon sequestration potential of biochar application to agricultural soils remains uncertain. This study assessed the stability of biochar in field conditions, the effect of plant roots on biochar stability and the effect of biochar on original soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition in two (Italy and United Kingdom) short rotation coppice systems (SRCs), using continuous soil respiration monitoring and periodic isotopic (δ¹³CO₂) measurements. When root growth was excluded, only 7% and 3% of the biochar carbon added was decomposed after 245 and 164 days in Italy and United Kingdom sites respectively. In the presence of roots, this percentage was increased to 9% and 8%, suggesting a small positive priming effect of roots on biochar decomposition. A decreased decomposition rate of original SOM was observed at both sites after biochar incorporation, suggesting a protective effect of biochar on SOM. This study supports the carbon sequestration potential of biochar and highlights the role of root activity on biochar decomposition, questioning the applicability of laboratory incubation studies to assess biochar stability.     

生物炭对不同土壤化学性质、小麦和糜子产量的影响

以小麦和糜子为供试作物,利用室外盆栽试验,研究了不同添加量生物炭与矿质肥配施对两种不同土壤化学性质及小麦和糜子产量的影响。生物炭当季用量设5个水平：B0 (0 t/hm2)、B5 (5 t/hm2)、B10 (10 t/hm2)、B15 (15 t/hm2)和B20 (20 t/hm2),氮磷钾肥均作基肥施用。结果表明：1.与对照相比,施用生物炭可以显著增加新积土糜子季土壤pH值,其他处理随生物炭用量的增加虽有增加趋势但差异不显著;显著增加新积土土壤阳离子交换量,增幅为1.5 %—58.2 %;显著增加两种土壤有机碳含量,增幅为31.1 %—272.2 %;2.两种土壤的矿质态氮含量、新积土土壤有效磷和速效钾含量随生物炭用量的增加而显著提高,氮磷钾增幅分别为6.0 %—112.8 %、3.8 %—38.5 %和6.1 %—47.2 %;3.生物炭可显著提高塿土上作物氮吸收量,而作物磷、钾吸收量虽有增加,但差异不显著。生物炭对小麦和糜子的增产效应尚不稳定,在试验最高用量时甚至产生轻微抑制作用。总之,施用生物炭在一定程度上可以改善土壤化学性质,提高土壤有效养分含量,但生物炭对土壤和作物的影响与土壤、作物类型及土壤肥力密切相关。     

Bioaugmentation with Immobilized Microorganisms to Enhance Phytoremediation of PCB-Contaminated Soil

The aim of this study was evaluate the effect of bioaugmentation by free and immobilized strains of microbial consortium on the phytoremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil using the Avena sativa, Brachiaria decumbens, Brassica juncea, and Medicago sativa plants. Alginate and biochar were used as carrier materials and free cells were used as the control. PCBs 44, 66, 118, 138, 153, 170, and 180 were chosen as indicator PCB congeners. After 60 days of plant growth, the concentration of each congener and the survival of the microbial inoculum were evaluated. The removal of the PCB congener was greater in B. juncea planted treatments and using biochar as a carrier material. PCB 66 was the congener with the highest removal percentage in all using biochar and alginate-immobilized microorganisms and free microorganisms, while PCB 170 had the lowest removal percentage in all treatments. The largest removal percentage for all congeners was obtained using biochar as a carrier material (7.2–30.3%) and the lowest with planted treatments using free microorganisms (2.3–6.8%). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that the microbial inoculum survived when it was immobilized using both alginate and biochar without any significant differences between treatments; however, PCB removal percentages were obtained with biochar, which demonstrated that this carrier material has a positive effect on microbial activity.     

Offsetting global warming‐induced elevated greenhouse gas emissions from an arable soil by biochar application

Global warming will likely enhance greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soils. Due to its slow decomposability, biochar is widely recognized as effective in long‐term soil carbon (C) sequestration and in mitigation of soil GHG emissions. In a long‐term soil warming experiment (+2.5 °C, since July 2008) we studied the effect of applying high‐temperature Miscanthus biochar (0, 30 t/ha, since August 2013) on GHG emissions and their global warming potential (GWP) during 2 years in a temperate agroecosystem. Crop growth, physical and chemical soil properties, temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (R_s), and metabolic quotient (qCO₂) were investigated to yield further information about single effects of soil warming and biochar as well as on their interactions. Soil warming increased total CO₂ emissions by 28% over 2 years. The effect of warming on soil respiration did not level off as has often been observed in less intensively managed ecosystems. However, the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration was not affected by warming. Overall, biochar had no effect on most of the measured parameters, suggesting its high degradation stability and its low influence on microbial C cycling even under elevated soil temperatures. In contrast, biochar × warming interactions led to higher total N₂O emissions, possibly due to accelerated N‐cycling at elevated soil temperature and to biochar‐induced changes in soil properties and environmental conditions. Methane uptake was not affected by soil warming or biochar. The incorporation of biochar‐C into soil was estimated to offset warming‐induced elevated GHG emissions for 25 years. Our results highlight the suitability of biochar for C sequestration in cultivated temperate agricultural soil under a future elevated temperature. However, the increased N₂O emissions under warming limit the GHG mitigation potential of biochar.     

Net changes of soil C stocks in two grassland soils 26 months after simulated pasture renovation including biochar addition

The use of deep‐rooting pasture species as a management practice can increase the allocation of plant carbon (C) below ground and enhance C storage. A 2‐year lysimeter trial was set up to compare changes in C stocks of soils under either deep‐ or shallow‐rooting pastures and investigate whether biochar addition below the top 10 cm could promote root growth at depth. For this i) soil ploughing at cultivation was simulated in a silt loam soil and in a sandy soil by inverting the 0 to 10 and 10‐ to 20‐cm‐depth soil layers, and a distinctive biochar (selected for each soil to overcome soil‐specific plant growth limitations) was mixed at 10 Mg ha^?1 in the buried layer, where appropriate and ii) three pasture types with contrasting root systems were grown. In the silt loam, soil inversion resulted in a general loss of C (2.0–8.1 Mg ha^?1), particularly in the buried horizon, under shallow‐rooting pastures only. The addition of a C‐rich biochar (equivalent to 7.6 Mg C ha^?1) to this soil resulted in a net C gain (21–40% over the non‐biochar treatment, P < 0.10) in the buried layer under all pastures; this overcame the loss of C in this horizon under shallow‐rooting pastures. In the sandy soil, all pastures were able to maintain soil C stocks at 10–20 cm depth over time, with minor gains of C (1.6–5.1 Mg ha^?1) for the profile. In this soil, the exposure of a skeletal‐ and nutrient‐depleted soil layer at the surface may have fostered root growth at depth. The addition of a nutrient‐rich biochar (equivalent to 3.6 Mg C ha^?1) to this soil had no apparent effect on C stocks. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which soil C stocks at depth are preserved.     

生物炭对间作体系中刨花润楠生长及土壤养分年际变化的影响

为探究生物炭对刨花润楠(Machilus pauhoi)的促生及土壤保肥的长期效应,以刨花润楠-梅叶冬青(Ilex latifolia)间作系统为研究对象,开展田间小区试验,研究0 kg(CK)、1.2 kg(T1)、2.4 kg(T2)、和4.8 kg(T3)4个生物炭用量对2015—2017年间刨花润楠生长动态及土壤养分含量年际变化的影响。结果表明:移栽前期,刨花润楠生长较慢,但16月后生长速度加快。生物炭可促进刨花润楠株高、叶长及叶宽的生长,但不同用量间差异不显著;与对照相比,T1、T2和T3处理下刨花润楠地上部干重分别增加35.71%、59.02%和31.81%,地下部干重分别增加28.02%、39.69%和20.52%;3个年份生物炭处理下0—15 cm和15—30 cm土层pH、有机质和速效钾含量均高于对照,且均随着生物炭施用量的增加而增加;生物炭处理下土壤全氮、全磷、全钾含量均略有提高。施用生物炭后,2015年和2016年0—15 cm土层碱解氮含量降低,2017年则有所增加,但影响不显著(P0.05)。15—30 cm土层碱解氮含量变化不明显;生物炭对2015年0—15 cm土层有效磷含量的影响不显著,到2016年和2017年则增加其含量,且T1和T3处理下效应最显著。生物炭可增加15—30 cm土层有效磷含量,但到后期(2017年)效应不显著(P0.05)。总体看来,不同处理下土壤各养分含量均表现为0—15 cm15—30 cm,2015年2016年2017年。刨花润楠生物量与0—15 cm土壤养分含量间存在显著正相关性,各养分含量间也存在正相关关系。适量生物炭(T2)处理促生保肥效应最佳,且具有长效性。     

More plant growth but less plant defence? First global gene expression data for plants grown in soil amended with biochar

Biochar is a carbon (C)-rich solid formed when biomass is used to produce bioenergy. This ‘black carbon’ has been suggested as a solution to climate change, potentially reducing global anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases by 12%, as well as promoting increased crop growth. How biochar application to soil leads to better crop yields remains open to speculation. Using the model plant Arabidopsis and the crop plant lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), we found increased plant growth in both species following biochar application. Statistically significant increases for Arabidopsis in leaf area (130%), rosette diameter (61%) and root length (100%) were observed with similar findings in lettuce, where biochar application also increased leaf cell expansion. For the first time, global gene expression arrays were used on biochar-treated plants, enabling us to identify the growth-promoting plant hormones, brassinosteroid and auxin, and their signalling molecules, as key to this growth stimulation, with limited impacts on genes controlling photosynthesis. In addition, genes for cell wall loosening were promoted as were those for increased activity in membrane transporters for sugar, nutrients and aquaporins for better water and nutrient uptake and movement of sugars for metabolism in the plant. Positive growth effects were accompanied by down-regulation of a large suite of plant defence genes, including the jasmonic acid biosynthetic pathway, defensins and most categories of secondary metabolites. Such genes are critical for plant protection against insect and pathogen attack, as well as defence against stresses including drought. We propose a conceptual model to explain these effects in this biochar type, hypothesizing a role for additional K⁺ supply in biochar amended soils, leading to Ca²⁺ and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) –mediated signalling underpinning growth and defence signalling responses.     

Biochar Application Improves the Drought Tolerance in Maize Seedlings

Application of biochar to agricultural soils is mostly used to improve soil fertility. Experimental treatments were comprised of two factors: i) drought at two level, i.e., 80% and 40% water holding capacity (WHC) which was maintained on gravimetric basis ii) three levels of biochar i.e., control, 2 t ha^-1 and 4 t ha^-1 added to soil. Experimentation was done to examine potential of biochar application to enhance the growth attributes, water relations, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidants activities in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Results of study revealed that biochar application increased the growth qualities (total seedlings biomass, dry weight of shoot and root, shoot length and root length). In addition; contents of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, a + b and a/b), water relation (relative water contents, turgor potential, osmotic potential and water potential) were improved significantly due to addition of biochar. Addition of 4 t ha^-1 biochar led to significant rise activity of enzymatic antioxidant catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in leaf of maize seedling sunder drought as well as well watered circumstances. However, biochar applied at the rate 4 t ha^-1 improved the all the physiological and biochemical attributes in maize seedlings under drought. From the results it was concluded that biochar application is an efficient way to alleviate adverse effect of drought stress on maize. In drought prone areas, long term impacts of biochar on production of maize and properties of soil could be recommended as upcoming shove.     

Comparative proteomic analysis revealed the metabolic mechanism of excessive exopolysaccharide synthesis by Bacillus mucilaginosus under CaCO3 addition

Abstract

The metabolic mechanism of excessive exopolysaccharide (BMPS) synthesis by Bacillus mucilaginosus CGMCC5766 under CaCO₃ addition was investigated. Under CaCO₃ (5?g/L), the maximum BMPS concentration reached 28.4?g/L, which was 11.2 folds higher than that of the control. Proteomics was then used to analyze the proteins with substantial differences expressed by B. mucilaginosus with and without CaCO₃ addition. The proteomic results revealed that the enzymes related to the central metabolic pathway, amino acid biosynthesis, and nucleotide metabolism were depressed. By contrast, the UDP–glucose pyrophosphorylase involved in BMPS biosynthesis was overexpressed and converted metabolic flux from the biomass accumulation to the biosynthesis of BMPS. This research provides a new and widened perspective into understanding the mechanism of BMPS biosynthesis and applying theoretical and practical significance for the improvement of BMPS production from B. mucilaginosus.     

Biosorption and Bio-Kinetic Properties of Solar Saltern Halobacterial Strains for Managing Zn2+, As2+ and Cd2+ Metals

Bacillus mucilaginosus has already been proved to be capable of degrading silicate minerals, but it is not very clear about the molecular mechanisms of bacterial mineral weathering. To understand the relationship between bacterial weathering of minerals and bacterial secreted proteins, B. mucilaginosus was chosen to study the expression of its extracellular proteins in the process of weathering potassium minerals. This article reveals that certain secreted proteins, related to weathering of potassium minerals, can be induced under conditions such as bacterial nutritional deficiency and the existence of K-bearing rock powders. This suggests direct evidence of the metabolic changes of extracellular enzymes in bacteria during the process of weathering of potassium minerals. It was speculated that these secreted proteins, together with extracellular polymers like polysaccharides, may accelerate the weathering of potassium minerals, resulting in the release of K⁺ needed for the bacterial growth.