Distribution of microorganisms lysing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in reservoirs and soil

Various natural habitats were found to contain microorganisms producing lytic spots around their own colonies when grown on a lawn of viable Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells at 29 and 45 degrees C. The incidence of such microorganisms in water and soil was studied in quantitative terms. Contaminated waters with predominating Gram-negative heterotrophs and a high number of pseudomonades were shown to be an optimal source for the isolation of microorganisms causing the lysis of P. aeruginosa growing at 29 degrees C. Microorganisms responsible for the lysis of P. aeruginosa at 45 degrees C are abundant in the soil of mixed and foliage forests.     

The effect of chemical preparations on the biological properties of the intestinal lactobacilli in experimental animals

The oral administration of the therapeutic doses of tetracycline, pefloxacin, ampicillin, cephalexin, rifampicin, sisomicin to Wistar rats for 5 days was accompanied by a decrease in the total number of lactobacilli in feces and by changes of the species spectre of these microorganisms. In those rats species, never found in intact animals, could be revealed rather frequently. All antimicrobial preparations administered in this investigation induced a decrease in the proportion of antibiotic-sensitive cultures and led to the selection of strains having multiresistance and increased antagonistic activity with respect to Pseudomonas indicator strain. The possible relationship between the markers antibiotic resistance and antagonistic activity in lactobacilli is discussed.     

Storage of Pseudomonas strains degrading the surfactants

The survival rate and the destruction activity of Pseudomonas strains decomposing anionic and ampholytic surfactants were studied in the course of their storage for a long period of time. The strains were shown to remain viable and active after being freeze-dried for a year. Therefore, lyophilisation can be recommended as the main method of storage for bacterial strains decomposing the following surfactants: sulfoethoxylate, sulfonate, cyclimide, and amidobetaine.     

Degradation of hydrocarbons and their derivatives by a microbial association based on Canadian pondweed

The degrading action of an aquatic plant-microbial association on the base of Canadian pondweed (Elodea canadensis) and its components (sterilized plant and two periphytonic strains, Pseudomonas fluorescens E1-2.1 and Brevundimonas diminuta E1-3.1) on crude oil, the water-soluble crude oil fraction, and individual test compounds (phenol, toluene, benzene, decalin, and naphthalene) was studied. It was found that the native association had a wider range and higher degree of degrading activity than individual species. Bacterial strains were significantly more active only towards naphthalene. The ability of the sterilized plant to degrade crude oil and phenol was no less than that of microorganisms and much more for toluene. Enzymatic activity towards the pollutants studied was found in E. canadensis exudates and buffer extracts of its cells.     

Degradation of hydrocarbons and their derivatives by a microbial association on the base of Canadian pondweed

The degrading action of an aquatic plant-microbial association on the base of Canadian pondweed (Elodea canadensis) and its components (sterilized plant and two periphytonic strains, Pseudomonas fluorescens El-2.1 and Brevundimonas diminuta El-3.1) on crude oil, the water-soluble crude oil fraction, and individual test compounds (phenol, toluene, benzene, decalin, and naphthalene) was studied. It was found that the native association had a wider range and higher degree of degrading activity than individual species. Bacterial strains were significantly more active only towards naphthalene. The ability of the sterilized plant to degrade crude oil and phenol was no less than that of microorganisms and much more for toluene. Enzymatic activity towards the pollutants studied was found in E. canadensis exudates and buffer extracts of its cells.     

Bacterial degradation of airborne phenol in the phyllosphere

Despite the vast surface area of terrestrial plant leaves and the large microbial communities they support, little is known of the ability of leaf-associated microorganisms to access and degrade airborne pollutants. Here, we examined bacterial acquisition and degradation of phenol on leaves by an introduced phenol degrader and by natural phyllosphere communities. Whole-cell gfp-based Pseudomonas fluorescens bioreporter cells detected phenol on leaves that had previously been transiently exposed to gaseous phenol, indicating that leaves accumulated phenol; moreover, they accumulated it in sites that were accessible to epiphytic bacteria and to concentrations that were at least 10-fold higher than those in the air. After inoculated leaves were exposed to gaseous 14C-phenol, leaves harbouring the phenol-degrading Pseudomonas sp. strain CF600 released eight times more 14CO2 than did leaves harbouring a non-degrading mutant, demonstrating that CF600 actively mineralized phenol on leaves. We evaluated phenol degradation by natural microbial communities on green ash leaves that were collected from a field site rich in airborne organic pollutants. We found that significantly more phenol was mineralized by these leaves when the communities were present than by these leaves following surface sterilization. Thus, phenol-degrading organisms were present in these natural communities and were metabolically capable of phenol degradation. Collectively, these results provide the first direct evidence that bacteria on leaves can degrade an organic pollutant from the air, and indicate that bacteria on leaves could potentially contribute to the natural attenuation of organic air pollutants.     

Mechanistic insights into the global response to phenol in the phenol-biodegrading strain Pseudomonas sp. M1 revealed by quantitative proteomics

Quantitative proteomics was used to gain insights into the global adaptive response to phenol in the phenol-biodegrading strain Pseudomonas sp. M1 when an alternative carbon source (pyruvate or succinate) is present. A phylogenetic analysis indicated Pseudomonas citronellolis as the closest species to the environmental strain M1, while P. aeruginosa is the closest species with the genome sequence available. After two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) separation, protein identification by MS/MS ion search allowed the assignment of 87 out of 136 selected protein spots, 56 of which matched P. aeruginosa proteins present in databases. Coordinate induction of six enzymes of the phenol catabolic pathway in cells grown in pyruvate and phenol was revealed by expression proteomics. When succinate was the alternative carbon source (C-source), these catabolic proteins were not expressed. The global response of Pseudomonas sp. M1 to phenol-induced stress involved, among others, proteins of the energy metabolism, stress response proteins, and transport proteins. Quantitative and/or qualitative differences were registered in M1 response to different phenol concentrations or to identical phenol concentrations when cells were grown in pyruvate or succinate medium. They were attributed to differences observed in the specific growth rate, in the expression of phenol catabolism, and in resistance to phenol of Pseudomonas sp. M1 grown under different conditions.     

on the vertical distribution of microorganisms in lake baikal during spring deep-water renewal

The vertical distribution of microorganisms during spring deep-water renewal in Lake Baikal was studied. The downward advection of trophogenic waters was found to create conditions for the extensive growth of microorganisms capable of decomposing and mineralizing organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in deep water layers. These processes occur annually at spring thermal bars near the underwater slope of Lake Baikal, whereas in its pelagic zone, the deep intrusions of waters rich in organic material are observed only in the years when enhanced deep-water renewal is accompanied by a high spring yield of phytoplankton.     

On the vertical distribution of microorganisms in lake Baikal during spring deep-water renewal

The vertical distribution of microorganisms during spring deep-water renewal in Lake Baikal was studied. The downward advection of trophogenic waters was found to create conditions for the extensive growth of microorganisms capable of decomposing and mineralizing organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in deep water layers. These processes occur annually at spring thermal bars near the underwater slope of Lake Baikal, whereas in its pelagic zone, the deep intrusions of waters rich in organic material are observed only in the years when enhanced deep-water renewal is accompanied by a high spring yield of phytoplankton.     

Isolation and characterization of ultramicrobacteria from a gulf coast estuary

Viable bacteria were recovered from estuarine waters passed through a 0.2-mum polycarbonate membrane filter. The recovery method included the use of a dilute nutrient broth for primary enrichment followed by conditioning of the organism to a dilute nutrient solid medium. These bacteria were gram-negative rods and coccobacilli having an NaCl requirement and, upon initial culturing, low nutritional requirements. In response to increased nutrient preparations, these microorganisms underwent an increase in size and growth rate, giving rise to visible colonies. Phenotypic characterization suggests that species of Vibrio, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Alcaligenes were among the isolates. The abundance and the nutritional requirements of these ultramicrobacteria imply that they represent a class of microorganisms which have successfully adjusted to poor nutrient conditions.     

Protection of bacteria against toxicity of phenol by immobilization in calcium alginate

Summary The antibacterial activity of phenol was determined by measuring inhibition of exponentially growing free and immobilized cells of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida and Staphylococcus aureus. Immobilization of microorganisms in calcium alginate beads reduced the growth inhibition caused by bacteriostatic concentrations of phenol. The increase in phenol tolerance occurred at different culture conditions and growth rates of the cells. The strength of the effect, however, was found to correlate with the formation of colonies in the gel matrix. Dissolution of gel beads led to a substantial loss of the protection against phenol of immobilized-grown cells.     

不同地区森林土壤降解天然木质纤维素能力的分析评价

目的:分析不同地区森林土壤样品的木质纤维素分解能力,为分离和挖掘新的土壤木质纤维素分解酶系及微生物奠定基础.方法:测定来源于不同气候类型和植被的土壤样品的纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性的变化以及对天然木质纤维素的降解能力.结果:土壤样品具有较高的初始木聚糖酶活,相反许多样品的纤维素酶活未测到.富集后,除个别样品酶活性稍有下降之外其余均明显提高,其中木聚糖酶活增长最多达118.58 u·g~(-1),纤维素酶活涨幅最多达110.00 u·g~(-1).各样品木质纤维素的降解量从24.4mg到93.1mg不等,降解效率最高55.35%.结论:来源于不同气候条件和不同类型土壤样品在天然木质纤维素降解能力以及相关的纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性上表现出了广泛的多样性差异.     

Bioremediation of phenol by alkaliphilic bacteria isolated from alkaline lake of Lonar, India

Phenol is an industrially important compound which has a wide range of applications. Being highly soluble in water, it appears as the major pollutant in waste waters arising from both phenol manufacturing and from industrial units that utilise phenol. Because of its toxicity, bioremediation of phenol is necessary. Since some of the phenol-bearing industrial waste waters are alkaline in nature, use of alkaliphilic bacteria for bioremediation of phenol was investigated. Alkaliphilic bacteria were isolated from sediments of an alkaline lake in Lonar, Dist. Buldhana, Maharashtra State, India, by phenol enrichment at pH 10.0 and phenol concentration of 500 mg/l. The lake (lat. 19°58'45", long. 76°34') is known to be a unique inland saline lake in Asia. It has a circular periphery and diameter of 2 km around the top of the banks and 1.2 km at the bottom. The lake has a high saline level (～ 2649 mg/l sodium chloride) and a high level of alkalinity (～ 2605 mg/l calcium carbonate). Alkaliphilic strains of Arthrobacter spp., Bacillus cereus, Citrobacter freundii, Micrococcus agilis and Pseudomonas putida biovar B were capable of removing phenol from waste waters arising from industries manufacturing methyl violet (using phenol as one of the major raw materials) and cumene-phenol. The waste waters from both these units were alkaline in nature (pH ～ 9.95-10.1) and had a high phenol content (368-660 mg/l). The alkaliphilic bacteria being studied removed 100% of the phenol from the industrial waste waters within 48 h of incubation under shake culture conditions and at an ambient temperature of 28 ± 2 °C. Bioremediation of phenol by alkaliphilic strains of Arthrobacter spp., B. cereus, C. freundii and M. agilis seems to be the first report.     

ON THE BACTERIA RESPONSIBLE FOR SOFT ROT IN STORED POTATOES, AND THE REACTION OF THE TUBER TO INVASION BY BACTERIUM CAROTOVORUM (JONES) LEHMANN & NEUMANN

Bacterium carotovorum (Jones) Lehmann & Neumann and Pseudomonas syringae van Hall were the only two species of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from rotting potatoes collected from clamps in England in 1945-7. Both were found capable of producing a rot under known conditions, and both were isolated on plates of a pectate-gel medium which is liquefied by these bacteria. Ps. syringae has not been recorded before as causing a rot of stored potatoes. In a slightly different type of rot which was ropy or gassy and often pink in colour, Gram-positive spore-forming bacilli were found, generally associated with Bacterium carotovorum. These bacilli proved to be anaerobes–species of Clostridium –one of which, when inoculated together with Bacterium carotovorum, produced a gassy rot pink in colour.
On infection by Bad. carotovorum the tuber reacts to form a barrier of suberized cells, the extent and efficiency of which depend on temperature and relative humidity. Low temperatures and a low humidity favour the formation of the barrier and eventually of periderm; high temperatures favour the multiplication of the bacteria the advance of which is limited by humidities not reaching saturation. Fluctuations of temperature or humidity may promote a succession of barriers.     

Recent advances in the development of biosensor for phenol: a review

Phenol and its derivatives are widespread contaminants whose sources are both natural and industrial. Phenol is massively produced and used as a starting material for synthetic polymers and fibers. Although phenolic compounds play important biochemical and physiological roles in living systems, their accumulation in the environment as a result of intensive human activity may result in drastic ecological problem. Various analytical techniques are available for the detection of phenol in environmental samples. But they need complex sample pre-treatment so as are time consuming, costly and use heavy devices. On the other hand a biosensor is a device that gives rapid detection, cost effective and easy. A review study was carried out to accumulate the possible biosensors for the detection of phenolic compounds in environmental samples. A number of biological components including microorganisms, enzymes, antibodies, antigens, nucleic acids etc. can be used for the construction of biosensors that was found to detect phenolic compounds. Of all type of biological components microorganisms and enzymes are mostly used. The microorganisms are Pseudomonas, Moraxella, Arthrobacter, Rhodococcus, and Trichosporon. The most used enzymes are tyrosinase, peroxidase, laccase, glucose dehydrogenase, cellobiose dehydrogenase etc. Antibody sensors can detect a very trace level. The biorecognition of DNA biosensors occur by hybridization of DNA. Biosensors are found to work well when the biological sensing element is immobilized. A variety of immobilization techniques were found to use as adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, cross-linking etc. For immobilization the matrices used was polyvinyl alcohol, Osmium complex, nafion/sol?Cgel silicate, chitosan, silica gel etc.     

Application of pretreatments for the isolation of bioactive actinomycetes from marine sediments

Summary Actinomycetes were isolated from marine sediments collected in Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey. A variety of pretreatments, including heat and phenol, were employed to improve the recovery of these microorganisms. In addition, plating of sediment samples on chitin agar, and filtration through cellulose membrane filters were also utilized. These pretreatments eliminated or severely curtailed the growth of contaminating microorganisms thereby facilitating the isolation of actinomycetes. A total of 120 isolates was obtained, of which 19 displayed significant antimicrobial activity. Most of the activity was directed against gram-positive bacteria, but inhibition of gram-negative species and a yeast were also evident.     

Effect of three antagonists on the development of bacterial leaf streak of rice

Among 11 epiphytic microorganisms one species each of Pseudomonas, Erwinia, and Aspergillus were antagonistic to Xanthomonas translucens subsp. oryzicola. Symptoms of bacterial leaf streak did not develop when the antagonists were sprayed on rice leaves 24 h before inoculation. Although the symptoms developed when the antagonists were applied 24 h after inoculation, the number of lesions and their length was significantly reduced over control. When the mixture of each antagonist and the pathogen was applied, no symptoms developed with Pseudomonas and Aspergillus sp. However, the symptoms could develop with Erwinia sp. although the number and length of the lesions was reduced over control.     

Non-invasive determination of plant-associated bacteria in the phyllosphere of plants

Epiphytic living Pseudomonas strains isolated from different Malus domestica cultivars were transformed with two reporter genes [green fluorescent protein (gfp) and luciferase (luxAB)]. The establishment and distribution of these bacteria on sterile, in vitro-propagated, and thus genetically identical, Malus domestica plants were continuously analysed with a cooled, back-illuminated, charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera system. The combination of the assessment of bioluminescence and the use of a CCD camera offer an intriguing method to study, non-invasively and in real time, plant-microbe interactions as well as the colonization of the phyllosphere by microorganisms. Here we report on the applicability and sensitivity of the method with the goal to investigate quantitatively the interaction of symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms with the corresponding host plant. It will be shown that the three bacterial isolates of the genus Pseudomonas studied, differ considerably with respect to their establishment on the host plants. It will also be shown that the chosen host apple variety has an impact on the activity of the bacterial cultivars. Analysis by a laser scanning fluorescence microscope provides the first evidence for the mode by which the epiphytic microorganisms interact with the plant.     

The effect of phospholipids on the adhesive properties of bacteria]

The present work shows that choline-containing phospholipids (lysophosphatidylcholine and lyso-1-alkyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine) inhibit the adhesion of some strains: Bacterium bifidum 1, B. adolescentis MC-42, B. longum B. 379M, Staphylococcus aureus P 209 and Klebsiella pneumoniae 52. Phosphatidylcholine produces no effect on the adhesiveness of these strains, while platelet activation factor stimulates adhesiveness only in strain S. aureus 209. The stimulating or inhibiting action of phospholipids on the adhesive process of microorganisms depends on the species of bacteria and on the concentration of reagents.