Methanogenesis from acetate: Physiology of a thermophilic, acetate-utilizing methanogenic bacterium

Abstract The biosynthesis of K88, K99 and F41 fibrillae by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains was shown to be dependent on the growth phase of the cultures. An increase in adhesin production was observed, during exponential growth reaching its maximum at the end of this phase; thereafter adhesin production was arrested.
A simple and rapid purification procedure was developed for adhesins isolated from exponentially growing cells.     

Physiology of sulfide tolerance in a thermophilic Oscillatoria

Oscillatoria amphigranulata is a fast-growing (3 doublings/day) cyanobacterium isolated from sulfide hot springs in New Zealand. Photosynthesis, as measured by incorporation of [¹⁴C]-HCO ₃ ^- , was initially inhibited by 0.3–1.5 mM sulfide at pH 7.9–8.1. However, conversion to sulfide-dependent anoxygenic photosynthesis occurred in about 2 h or less under light intensities of 3–14 klx. Under the stimulation of higher light intensity (8–14 klx) a partial recovery of oxygenic photosynthesis also occurred. It was concluded that oxygenic photosynthesis was responsible for 21–42% of the total incorporation at sulfide concentrations of 1.0–0.3 mM, respectively. This contribution was suppressed at 1.5 mM sulfide and not elicited under lower light intensities (3–7 klx). As judged by the inhibitory effect of 10 g/ml chloramphenicol protein synthesis was required for attainment of both anoxygenic photosynthesis and photosystem II recovery. Sulfide could not be replaced by thiosulfate, elemental sulfur or dithionite as electron donors in photosynthesis, but elemental sulfur could serve as the sole assimilatory source of sulfur. Oxygenic photosynthesis was inhibited by DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] or DBMIB (2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone), but sulfide relieved the effect of either inhibitor in adapted cells, indicating that electrons derived from sulfide enter the photosynthetic electron transport chain at a point beyond plastoquinone.Uncommon abbreviations DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - DBMIB 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone - DSPD disalicyclidene propanediamine - DNP-INT 2-4-dinitrophenyl ether of 2-iodo-4-nitrothymol - TMPD N,N,N,N-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine - PPO 2,5-diphenyloxazole - POPOP 1,4-bis-2-(5-phenyl oxzolyl) benzene     

Ensiling whole-crop wheat and corn in large containers with Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri

The effect of applying Lactobacillus buchneri, alone or in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum, at ensiling, on the aerobic stability of wheat and corn silages was studied in 50-l plastic containers. Treatments comprised control (no additives), L. plantarum, L. buchneri and a combination of L. plantarum+L. buchneri. After 3 months of storage, the wheat silages treated with L. buchneri had higher acetic acid contents than the control or L. plantarum-treated silages, and were free of mold, whereas the top layers of the control or L. plantarum-treated silages were moldy. In an aerobic stability test the L. buchneri-treated silages were stable, whereas those treated with L. plantarum deteriorated. In the corn silages the effects of L. buchneri were not as clear and the top layer was moldy in all silages. However, L. buchneri also improved the aerobic stability of the corn silage, as indicated by lower yeast numbers, less CO₂ production and stable pH. It is concluded that L. buchneri has a potential as a silage additive that protects the silage upon aerobic exposure. The 50-l plastic containers can serve as an appropriate model to test silage additives before conducting full-scale farm experiments. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 7–11 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000207 Received 17 April 2001/ Accepted in revised form 25 August 2001     

Characterization of the Lactobacillus casei group and the Lactobacillus acidophilus group by automated ribotyping

A total of 91 type and reference strains of the Lactobacillus casei group and the L acidophilus group were characterized by the automated ribotyping device Riboprinter microbial characterization system. The L. casei group was divided into five (C1-C5) genotypes by ribotyping. Among them, the strain of L. casei ATCC 334 was clustered to the same genotype group as most of L. paracasei strains and L casei JCM 1134T generated a riboprint pattern that was different from the type strain of L. zeae. These results supported the designation of L. casei ATCC 334 as the neotype strain, but were not consistent with the reclassification of L. casei JCM 1134T as L. zeae. The L. acidophilus group was also divided into 14 (A1-A11, B1-B3) genotypes by ribotyping. L. acidophilus, L. amylovorus, L. crispatus and L. gallinarum generated ribotype patterns that were distinct from the patterns produced by L. gasseri and L. johnsonii. This result confirmed previous data that the L. acidophilus group divided to two major clusters. Five strains of L. acidophilus and two strains of L. gasseri were correctly reidentified by ribotyping. Most strains belonging to the L. casei group and the L. acidophilus group were discriminated at the species level by automated ribotyping. Thus this RiboPrinter system yields rapid, accurate and reproducible genetic information for the identification of many strains.     

嗜酸乳杆菌在不同pH条件下生长和存活情况的研究

以豆汁为基质,研究了嗜酸乳杆菌（Ｌａｃｔｏｂａｃｉｌｌｕｓ ａｃｉｄｏｐｈｉｌｕｓ）在不同ＰＨ值的发酵基质和保存基质下的生长和存活情况。结果表明：嗜酸乳杆菌适宜生长的ＰＨ值在５．７左右,然而经过１０周保存实验,在较低ＰＨ值（４．５）培养的嗜酸乳杆菌存活率最高,在最适生长ＰＨ值（５．７）的菌活率却最低。将培养好的嗜酸乳杆菌置于不同ＰＨ值的豆汁中进行保存实验,偶然ＰＨ值对活菌的存活有一定的影响,但影响     

降胆固醇嗜酸乳杆菌的诱变选育

通过诱变获得具有降胆固醇功能的优良嗜酸乳杆菌新菌株。利用亚硝基胍(作用浓度为1 g/L)对嗜酸乳杆菌进行诱变。突变菌株测定其耐渗透压和抗胆盐能力后,在含有0.3 g/L胆固醇的培养基中培养48 h,测定降胆固醇率。挑选优良突变菌株制成酸奶并喂养高脂大鼠模型,28 d后测定血清及粪便胆固醇指标。嗜酸乳杆菌突变后获得的60个突变菌株中有8株具有良好的耐渗透压和抗胆盐能力,其中突变株Y48的清除胆固醇能力最高,清除率达到(61.44±1.8)%。Y48发酵酸奶喂养高脂大鼠模型28 d后与对照大鼠模型相比,血清中TC、TG明显减少(P<0.05),粪便TC明显增加。通过诱变获得了优良的嗜酸乳杆菌突变菌株,为今后获得优质降胆固醇乳酸制品提供良好的候选菌种。     

Comparative glucose and pentose utilization by a thermophilic Lactobacillus

Abstract A thermophilic Lactobacillus , isolate VB183, was tested for comparative glucose and pentose utilization. The possible adverse effect of high concentrations of metabolic end products on cell yield was lessened or eliminated by using low substrate concentrations. Possible growth due to intracellular reserve material, was counteracted by starving the cells for 90 min before being used as inoculant. Isolate VB183 exhibited a higher growth rate on glucose (μ= 1.08 h⁻¹) than on ribose (μ= 0.76 h⁻¹). L. salivarius was included as a pentose non-fermenting control and showed no significant difference between growth on basal medium with and without ribose. VB183 was also found to utilize l (+)-arabinose but not d (−)-arabinose, stressing the importance of the isomer of the sugars tested.     

嗜酸乳杆菌SR-1产类细菌素发酵条件及生物学特性的研究

本研究通过正交试验获得嗜酸乳杆菌sR-1分泌类细菌素的最适培养条件,即葡萄搪2％,大豆蛋白胨2．5％,酵母粉0．4％,血浆蛋白2．5％。并首次利用流加培养的方式,改进了类细菌素产生菌的发酵条件,抑菌直径从19mm提高到25mm,同时对类细菌素生物学特性进行了初步的探索。结果表明：嗜酸乳杆菌产生的类细菌素对多种蛋白酶不敏感,在低pH下能抑制革兰阴性、阳性的致病菌,在pH6．5下吸附菌体作用最强。     

Genome sequence of the thermophilic strain Bacillus coagulans XZL4, an efficient pentose-utilizing producer of chemicals

Bacillus coagulans XZL4 is an efficient pentose-utilizing producer of important platform compounds, such as l-lactic acid, 2,3-butanediol, and acetoin. Here we present a 2.8-Mb assembly of its genome. Simple and efficient carbohydrate metabolism systems, especially the transketolase/transaldolase pathway, make it possible to convert pentose sugars to products at high levels.     

奶牛阴道嗜酸乳杆菌生物学特性的研究

通过生长曲线、最适培养温度、最适培养方式、体外抑制奶牛子宫内膜炎常见病原菌的效果及其与奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞黏附性等一系列实验,对1株分离自健康奶牛阴道的嗜酸乳杆菌进行生物学特性的研究。结果表明该菌最适培养温度为39℃,在偏于厌氧的环境下生长最佳,在培养18~20 h后收获最佳,对奶牛子宫内膜炎常见病原菌具有一定的抑制作用,并与奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞具有一定的黏附作用。     

嗜酸乳杆菌固态发酵的初步研究

研究了嗜酸乳杆菌在 4种不同固态基质 (豆渣、麦麸、芋艿渣、纤维素 )中的生长情况 ,结果显示 :1)豆渣作为基质时嗜酸乳杆菌生长最佳 ,最高活菌数可达 1.6 45× 10 9cfu/g ,麦麸次之 ,达 3.2× 10 8cfu/g ,纤维素最差 ,仅为 2 .1× 10 7cfu/g ,并且豆渣固态培养基优于对照的 3种液体培养基 ;2 )豆渣的含水量以 75 %左右为宜 ;3)通过加入可中和所产酸量的CaCO3 ,并用缓冲液代替水配制培养基 ,结果发现用pH 6 .0的缓冲液配制的培养基 ,培养后活菌量可达 2 .12 4× 10 9cfu/g ,,比对照用自来水提高了 4.2倍 .     

Production kinetics of acidophilin 801, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus IBB 801

Lactobacillus acidophilus IBB 801 produces a small bacteriocin, designated acidophilin 801. Studying the relationship between growth and bacteriocin biosynthesis revealed primary metabolite kinetics of bacteriocin production with a peak activity at the end of the exponential growth phase followed by a decrease during the stationary phase. Both microbial growth and bacteriocin production was inhibited by lactic acid. Whereas volumetric bacteriocin production (activity units (AU) ml(-1)) was favoured under pH-controlled conditions, bacteriocin titres rapidly decreased because of strong adsorption of the bacteriocin molecules to the producing cells under less acidic conditions.     

嗜酸乳杆菌同化MRS培养基中胆固醇能力的研究

目的 对嗜酸乳杆菌在MRS液体培养基中同化胆固醇的能力进行初步研究。方法模拟人体不同胆固醇水平。结果 嗜酸乳杆菌对低胆固醇或正常水平胆固醇同化作用不明显,而对高胆固醇水平的同化作用比较明显。结论 嗜酸乳杆菌具有同化胆固醇的能力。     

乳酸、乙酸及pH对嗜酸乳杆菌和阴道加德纳菌的生长及交互作用影响

目的 探讨乳酸、乙酸及pH值变化对嗜酸乳杆菌和阴道加德纳菌的生长及交互作用影响,为探究细菌性阴道病患者治疗失败的可能原因提供依据。方法 （1）两菌经不同浓度乳酸、乙酸作用后,检测其细菌浓度变化。（2）两菌经不同pH的SBHIG肉汤单独及混合培养,检测其细菌浓度变化并涂片观察生长情况。结果 乳酸、乙酸浓度1.0%~5.0%时,均可抑制两菌的生长。0.1%乳酸对阴道加德纳菌生长的抑制能力较弱,但可促进嗜酸乳杆菌的生长。肉汤培养基在pH 3.5时,几乎只有嗜酸乳杆菌能生长;pH 8.5时,生长的细菌中阴道加德纳菌占绝大多数;pH 5.5和7.0时,两菌虽然共同生长,但嗜酸乳杆菌生长明显受抑制。结论 嗜酸乳杆菌与阴道加德纳菌存在交互作用,但受细菌浓度、乳酸和乙酸浓度及pH的影响。细菌性阴道病患者需多疗程疗治疗或治疗失败可能与乳杆菌累积浓度未能达到抑制阴道加德纳菌生长的要求有关。     

嗜酸乳杆菌P302菌株产类细菌素最佳条件的研究

目的对产类细菌素嗜酸乳杆菌P302的发酵条件进行研究。方法采用琼脂扩散法测定发酵上清液对大肠埃希菌O139的抑菌活性。结果通过正交试验确定P302产类细菌素的最佳培养基组分为牛肉膏4％、胰蛋白胨0．2％、酵母粉0．8％、碳酸钙0．4％和蔗糖1％,0．4％复合维生素,0．3％Tween-80有利于类细菌素的产生。发酵工艺条件为最适初始pH7．0,最适温度37℃,最佳接种量0．3％,种龄14h,厌氧培养22h。结论通过优化发酵条件和发酵工艺,类细菌素的产量提高了35％。     

嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株的抗生素敏感性及对万古霉素耐药机制

目的 研究嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株的抗生素敏感性及其耐药机制。方法 最低抑菌浓度法检测嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株对抗生素的敏感性;提取YIT2004株基因组,用特异性引物对耐药基因进行PCR扩增。结果 嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株对青霉素、氨苄西林、亚胺培南、庆大霉素、红霉素和克林霉素敏感,对万古霉素耐药;YIT2004株基因组中不存在vanA、vanB耐药基因,但存在高度相似的aad、ddl万古霉素耐药基因。该耐药为固有耐药,不具备传递性。结论 嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株对青霉素、氨苄西林、亚胺培南、庆大霉素、红霉素和克林霉素敏感,对万古霉素固有耐药且其耐药性不可传递。嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株的使用具有安全性。     

Improved treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with fluconazole plus probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14

Aims:  To determine the ability of probiotic lactobacilli to improve the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) using a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.
Methods and Results:  Fifty-five women diagnosed with VVC by vaginal discharge positive for Candida spp. (according to culture method) associated with at least one of the symptoms (itching and burning vaginal feeling, dyspareunia and dysuria), were treated with single dose of fluconazole (150 mg) supplemented every morning for the following 4 weeks with two placebo or two probiotic capsules (containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14). At 4 weeks, the probiotic treated group showed significantly less vaginal discharge associated with any of the above mentioned symptoms (10·3% vs 34·6%; P  =   0·03) and lower presence of yeast detected by culture (10·3% vs 38·5%; P  =   0·014).
Conclusion:  This study has shown that probiotic lactobacilli can increase the effectiveness of an anti-fungal pharmaceutical agent in curing disease.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This novel finding of probiotic lactobacilli augmenting the cure rate of yeast vaginitis, not only offers an alternative approach to a highly prevalent condition that adversely affects the quality of life of women around the world, but also raises the question of how this combination works.     

Development of a chromosome-plasmid balanced lethal system for Lactobacillus acidophilus with thyA gene as selective marker

A chromosome-plasmid balanced lethal gene delivery system for Lactobacillus acidophilus based on the thyA gene was developed. The selected L. acidophilus DOM La strain carries a mutated thyA gene and has an obligate requirement for thymidine. This strain can be used as a host for the constructed shuttle vector pFXL03, lacking antibiotic-resistant markers but having the wild-type thyA gene from L. casei which complements the thyA chromosomal mutation. The vector also contains the replicon region from plasmid pUC19 and that of the Lactococcus plasmid pWV01, which allows the transfer between Escherichia coli, L. casei and L. acidophilus. Eight unique restriction sites (i.e., PstI, HindIII, SphI, SalI, AccI, XbaI, KpnI and SacI) are available for cloning. After 40-time transfers in modified MRS medium, no plasmid loss was observed. The vector pFXL03 is potentially useful as a food-grade vaccine delivery system for L. acidophilus.     

Rapid CE microbial assays for consumer products that contain active bacteria

Recent advances in high efficiency separation methods of bacteria allow their rapid identification and quantitation in some cases. A specific capillary electrophoresis (CE) technique is used to identify and quantitate Lactobacillus acidophilus in both pill and syrup health products as well as Bifidobacterium infantis in a powdered formula supplement. Cell viability can be evaluated as well. In some cases, both the living and dead bacterial cells as well as the molecular excipients can be evaluated in a single run.