Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages from fermenting sauerkraut

This paper presents the first report of bacteriophage isolated from commercial vegetable fermentations. Nine phages were isolated from two 90-ton commercial sauerkraut fermentations. These phages were active against fermentation isolates and selected Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum strains, including a starter culture. Phages were characterized as members of the Siphoviridae and Myoviridae families. All Leuconostoc phages reported previously, primarily of dairy origin, belonged to the Siphoviridae family.     

Isolation of the Citrate Transport-enhancing Factors from Aerobacter cloacae

Citrate transport-enhancing factors were isolated from cell surface of Aerobacter cloacae by means of cold osmotic shock, Diaflo Membrane filtration and silicic acid column chromatography. One of the factors was crystallized from aqeuous ethanol and some chemical and physical properties were studied. These factors can promote the utilization of citrate and lead to better growth of the bacteria which cannot utilize citrate as a sole source of carbon, such as Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium equi.     

Anaerobic growth yields of Aerobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli

Aerobacter cloacae UW-C83 and Escherichia coli K-12 were grown under various anaerobic environments. Y(atp) values were calculated by determination of cell weights and analyses for fermentation products. These Y(atp) values are compared with others reported in the literature. Limitation of growth by factors other than adenosine triphosphate supply is discussed.     

Promotion of Citrate Transport of the Transport-negative Mutants of Aerobacter cloacae

The “citrate transport-enhancing factor” obtained from Aerobacter cloacae did stimulate uptake of radioactive citrate by Escherichia coli, having an intrinsic barrier against citrate permeation. In order to prove function of the factor in the cells of Aerobacter, citrate transport-negative mutants of A. cloacae were isolated. These mutants were found to be lacking in the factor. Addition of the factor to these mutants resulted in stimulation of uptake of citrate. These results evidenced that the factor played an essential role in the citrate transport system of A. cloacae.     

Frankia growth and activity as influenced by water potential

Summary Growth responses of Frankia isolates to decreasing water potential were monitored in systems where potentials were controlled by KCl, NaCl and Polyethylene glycol. The highest potential tested was −2 bar (basal medium). The general pattern emerging was that isolates fromAlnus glutinosa, A. viridis andComptonia peregrina showed declining growth at potentials below −2 to −5 bar. AMyrica gale isolate showed declining growth with decreasing potential. All isolates were more sensitive to decreases in potential in a matric controlled than an osmotic controlled system. They all showed approximately 50 percent growth reduction at −5 to −8 bar, and meagre growth at −16 bar after 35 days. The Comptonia isolate was the most vigorous at low potentials. Nitrogen fixation ability was monitored for two isolates. Highest specific activities were observed between −3 and −5 bar for the Myrica isolate and between −5 and −7.5 bar for theA. glutinosa isolate.     

Pathways of Anaerobic Acetate Utilization in Escherichia coli and Aerobacter cloacae

Acetate-1-¹⁴C was added to anaerobic glucose-fermenting cultures of Escherichia coli and Aerobacter cloacae. In the E. coli culture, lactate formation occurred late in the fermentation, when the rate of production of formate and acetate had decreased. The occurrence of acetate label in the lactate indicated formation of pyruvate from acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and formate. In the A. cloacae cultures, substantial amounts of acetate label were found in the 2,3-butanediol formed. Evidence is presented that the label could have entered the diol only by conversion of formate and acetyl-CoA into pyruvate. The observed levels of radioactivity in the diol indicated that during diol formation the reaction yielding formate and acetyl-CoA from pyruvate CoA was operating close to equilibrium. The shift in metabolism from formation of acetate, ethyl alcohol, and formate to the formation of butanediol or lactate appears to be due basically to an approach to equilibrium of the pyruvate-splitting reaction, whatever the induction mechanism by which the shift is implemented.     

Seed germination of Agave species as influenced by substrate water potential

Background

Plants of Agave spp. perform Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and are highly drought-tolerant, but little is known concerning seed germination under low water availability. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of substrate water potential (Ψ_W) on seed germination and contrast hydrotime parameters of seven valuable and commercially-important Agave species from different geographical distributions and climatic regions of Mexico. Our hypothesis was that seed germination of Agave species is not affected by low water availability independently of seed biomass and the climate of their distribution area.

Results

Seed germination (at 25°C and in the dark) between 85 and 100% for all species occurred within 80–180 h at -0.03 MPa and 250–430 h at -1.0 MPa. Seed germination at -1.5 MPa declined to less than 50% (p < 0.05) for A. asperrima and A. cupreata but did not change significantly for A. americana var. marginata, A. lechuguilla and A. striata, although they showed the lowest mean base water potential (-2.01 to -2.64 MPa). Seed germination of 40% Agave species, from arid and semi-arid climates in this study, was not affected by the lower Ψ_W.

Conclusion

Germination of seeds of Agave species is moderately affected by low water availability, is partially dependent of their ecological distribution, and is independent of seed mass.