A new regulatory function of the A-factor--stimulation of the streptomyces spore germination

Spore germination in streptomycetes was shown to be stimulated by exogenously added A-factor. Agar medium either containing or not containing A-factor was inoculated with spore suspensions of three strains differing in their ability to produce regulators of the A-factor group: Streptomyces griseus 773, which produces A-factor and two its lower homologs, S. coelicolor A3(2), which forms six AcL-factors (A-factor analogues), and S. avermitilis JCM5070, which fails to form regulators of this group. The count of the grown colonies showed that exogenous A-factor stimulated spore germination in strains that were themselves able to synthesize regulators of the A-factor group. In S. griseus 773, the number of germinated spores increased by 67% on average after the addition A-factor to the medium in an amount 10 micrograms/ml. In strain S. coelicolor A3 (2), the number of germinated spores increased by 75% after the addition of 1 microgram/ml of A-factor. During germination of the S. avermitilis JCM5070 spores, no changes in the CFU number was observed after the addition of A-factor.     

A New Regulatory Function of A-Factor: Stimulation of the Germination of Streptomycete Spores

Spore germination in streptomycetes was shown to be stimulated by exogenously added A-factor. Agar medium either containing or not containing A-factor was inoculated with spore suspensions of three strains differing in their ability to produce regulators of the A-factor group: Streptomyces griseus 773, which produces A-factor and two its lower homologs; S. coelicolor A3(2), which forms six Acl-factors (A-factor analogues); and S. avermitilis JCM5070, which fails to form regulators of this group. A count of the grown colonies showed that exogenous A-factor stimulated spore germination in strains that were themselves able to synthesize regulators of the A-factor group. In S. griseus 773, the number of germinated spores increased by 67% on average after the addition of A-factor to the medium in an amount of 10 g/ml. In strain S. coelicolor A3 (2), the number of germinated spores increased by 75% after the addition of 1 g/ml of A-factor. During germination of the S. avermitilis JCM5070 spores, no changes in the CFU number was observed after the addition of A-factor.     

Search for A factor-dependent variants in actinomycete population

A study of 28 nocardia-like, asporogenous, and oligosporous spontaneous morphological variants belonging to 23 species of streptomycetes revealed five strains producing regulators of the A-factor group. Streptomyces griseus 1439, which forms aerial mycelium and spores only in the presence of exogenous A-factor was used as the test strain. Among the 28 spontaneous variants, three new A-factor-dependent strains were revealed, which represented the species Streptomyces griseus, S. citreofluorescens, and S. viridovulgaris subsp. albomarinus. These weakly differentiated variants id not produce A-factor and behaved as its recipients, responding by changes in their morphological characteristics at a concentration of this regulator in the medium of 0.01 microgram/ml and higher. The original collection strains in whose populations the variants were selected produced substances of the A-factor group. The A-factor-dependent variants differed in the level of the regulator required for maximal expression of the morphological characteristics were shown: it was necessary to introduce the A-factor at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml for S. citreofluorescens and S. viridovulgaris subsp. albomarinus and at 10 micrograms/ml for S. griseus.     

Selective medium for Pseudomonas aeruginosa that uses 1,10-phenanthroline as the selective agent.

The MIC of 1,10-phenanthroline for 35 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains was 128 micrograms/ml, whereas 32 micrograms or less per ml inhibited all other microorganisms tested. On the basis of these results, a selective agar for P. aeruginosa which contained 15 g of Trypticase soy broth (BBL Microbiology Systems), 15 g of agar, and 0.1 g of phenanthroline per liter was formulated. Forty-four P. aeruginosa strains yielded a mean efficiency of plating on this medium of 79% of the counts obtained on Trypticase soy agar, which was significantly higher than that obtained with pseudomonas isolation agar or Pseudosel agar. Pseudomonas cepacia, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas stutzeri, representatives of 13 other genera (including gram-negative rods, gram-positive rods, and cocci), and a yeast were not recovered within 48 h at 35 degrees C when approximately 10(7) CFU were plated on this medium. Only small colonies from one strain each of P. fluorescens and P. putida could be seen at 3 and 7 days, respectively, and they had an efficiency of plating of only less than 0.001%. When 10(7) CFU of either of these strains was plated with 10(2) CFU of P. aeruginosa, it did not interfere with the quantitative recovery of P. aeruginosa.     

Selective medium for Pseudomonas aeruginosa that uses 1,10-phenanthroline as the selective agent

The MIC of 1,10-phenanthroline for 35 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains was 128 micrograms/ml, whereas 32 micrograms or less per ml inhibited all other microorganisms tested. On the basis of these results, a selective agar for P. aeruginosa which contained 15 g of Trypticase soy broth (BBL Microbiology Systems), 15 g of agar, and 0.1 g of phenanthroline per liter was formulated. Forty-four P. aeruginosa strains yielded a mean efficiency of plating on this medium of 79% of the counts obtained on Trypticase soy agar, which was significantly higher than that obtained with pseudomonas isolation agar or Pseudosel agar. Pseudomonas cepacia, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas stutzeri, representatives of 13 other genera (including gram-negative rods, gram-positive rods, and cocci), and a yeast were not recovered within 48 h at 35 degrees C when approximately 10(7) CFU were plated on this medium. Only small colonies from one strain each of P. fluorescens and P. putida could be seen at 3 and 7 days, respectively, and they had an efficiency of plating of only less than 0.001%. When 10(7) CFU of either of these strains was plated with 10(2) CFU of P. aeruginosa, it did not interfere with the quantitative recovery of P. aeruginosa.     

Streptomyces griseolus # 182--a novel organism producing oligomycin antibiotics. Taxonomy, fermentation, and isolation]

Target screening of natural immunosuppressors resulted in isolation of a strain of Streptomyces griseolus (No. 182) producing a complex of antifungal antibiotics. The strain proved to be an aerobe with the growth temperature of 26 to 28 degrees C. Morphological features and physiological properties of the strain were studied. Scanning electron microscopy revealed smooth, oval spores 1.10-1.25 mu in size. The findings showed that the strain belonged to Streptomyces griseolus. Unlike the previously described organisms producing the oligomycin complex the new strain formed straight or twisted sporophores and did not produce melanoid pigment or soluble pigment when grown on the Gauze mineral agar medium No. 1. The procedures for biosynthesis and chemical recovery of the antibiotic complex from the mycelium are described. The complex was shown to include 3 components at a ratio of 80:15:5 identified as oligomycins A, B and C respectively. The oligomycin complex was highly active against Aspergillus niger 137, Tolypocladium inflatum, Fusarium ocsisporum, Curvularia lunata 645 and Trichoderma alba F-32 (MIC 0.1-1.0 mcg/ml). The activity against yeast and bacterial cultures was observed only when the doses were higher than 100 mcg/ml.     

Antibiotic Complex SP-351 Produced by a Psychrophile,Streptomyces sp. No. 351

In the course of a screening study for antibiotics using psychrophilic microorganisms a water-insoluble antibiotic complex, SP–351, was found in the culture filtrate of a psychrophilic actinomycete, strain No. 351. This active principle was isolated and characterized as a cyclicpolylactone antibiotic. The SP–351-producing strain was classified as a facultative psychrophile and identified as Streptomyces phaeochromogenes.

The main components of the antibiotic complex SP–351 changed with the composition of the culture medium but not with culture temperatures. Component A was exclusively produced in a medium composed of roasted soybean powder and glycerol; components B and C in a medium composed of soybean, glycerol and potassium nitrate; and components A and D in a synthetic medium containing a hydrocarbon, alcohol or ester as the sole carbon source. Maximum production of SP–351 from n-paraffin and methyl acetate was 10 and 15 mcg/ml, respectively.

SP–351 showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and acid-fast bacteria at 0.1~0.3 mcg/ml concentrations.     

Bacterial hand contamination and transfer after use of contaminated bulk-soap-refillable dispensers

Bulk-soap-refillable dispensers are prone to extrinsic bacterial contamination, and recent studies demonstrated that approximately one in four dispensers in public restrooms are contaminated. The purpose of this study was to quantify bacterial hand contamination and transfer after use of contaminated soap under controlled laboratory and in-use conditions in a community setting. Under laboratory conditions using liquid soap experimentally contaminated with 7.51 log(10) CFU/ml of Serratia marcescens, an average of 5.28 log(10) CFU remained on each hand after washing, and 2.23 log(10) CFU was transferred to an agar surface. In an elementary-school-based field study, Gram-negative bacteria on the hands of students and staff increased by 1.42 log(10) CFU per hand (26-fold) after washing with soap from contaminated bulk-soap-refillable dispensers. In contrast, washing with soap from dispensers with sealed refills significantly reduced bacteria on hands by 0.30 log(10) CFU per hand (2-fold). Additionally, the mean number of Gram-negative bacteria transferred to surfaces after washing with soap from dispensers with sealed-soap refills (0.06 log(10) CFU) was significantly lower than the mean number after washing with contaminated bulk-soap-refillable dispensers (0.74 log(10) CFU; P < 0.01). Finally, significantly higher levels of Gram-negative bacteria were recovered from students (2.82 log(10) CFU per hand) than were recovered from staff (2.22 log(10) CFU per hand) after washing with contaminated bulk soap (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that washing with contaminated soap from bulk-soap-refillable dispensers can increase the number of opportunistic pathogens on the hands and may play a role in the transmission of bacteria in public settings.     

Detection, Growth, and Amine-Producing Capacity of Lactobacilli in Cheese

A differential plating medium was developed to detect decarboxylating lactobacilli in cheese. With this medium, 15 cheeses made from raw milk were investigated for the presence of these bacteria. Five histidine-decarboxylating strains and one tyrosine-decarboxylating strain were isolated. The isolates were identified with the API 50L system. Accordingly, each of the five histidine-decarboxylating strains was identified as Lactobacillus buchneri, whereas the tyrosine-decarboxylating strain is a representative of Lactobacillus brevis. Cheesemaking experiments using a low inoculum concentration of the histidinedecarboxylating L. buchneri strain St2A (0.2 CFU/ml of milk) showed that, under conditions of accelerated proteolysis, histamine may accumulate rapidly; after 3 months of ripening, 410 mg/kg was found. An inoculum concentration of 5 CFU/ml gave rise to the formation of 1,060 mg/kg.     

Rapid methods for differentiating gram-positive from gram-negative aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria

Different tests based on lysis by KOH and on reaction with fluorogenic and chromogenic substrates, L-alanine-4-nitroanilide (LANA); L-alanine-4-methoxy- beta-naphthylamide (MNA); 4-alanine-2-amidoacridone (AAA); L-alanine-7-amido- 4-methylcoumarin (AAMC); 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulphonic acid (ANS) were compared for their suitability to distinguish Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria. A concentration of 100 micrograms/ml was chosen for incorporating LANA, AAA, AAMC and ANS into the growth medium, based on sensitivity tests. MNA did not show any detectable reaction over a concentration range from 50 to 200 micrograms/ml, and led to inhibition of all bacteria at 200 micrograms/ml. In the examination of a total of 146 bacterial strains, including Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, and B. subtilis the KOH test was not comparable with the Gram staining. A good correlation with Gram staining was found between LANA, AAA and AAMC added to plate count agar on one hand, and LANA and AAMC impregnated paper strips on the other hand, thereby utilizing the aminopeptidase activity. Agar containing ANS showed detectable fluorescence with all Gram-negative strains, but with Staphylococcus aureus and Staph. epidermidis a weak reaction was also observed. AAMC was selected for a rapid paper strip test. With this substrate a pronounced blue fluorescence was obtained with Gram-negative colonies.     

Rapid methods for differentiating Gram-positive from Gram-negative aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria

M anafi , M. & K neifel , W. 1990. Rapid methods for differentiating Gram-positive from Gram-negative aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 69 , 822–827.
Different tests based on lysis by KOH and on reaction with fluorogenic and chromogenic substrates, L-alanine-4-nitroanilide (LANA); L-alanine-4-methoxy-β-naphthylamide (MNA); 4-alanine-2-amidoacridone (AAA); L-alanine-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (AAMC); 8-anilino-l-naphthalene-sulphonic acid (ANS) were compared for their suitability to distinguish Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria. A concentration of 100 μg/ml was chosen for incorporating LANA, AAA, AAMC and ANS into the growth medium, based on sensitivity tests. MNA did not show any detectable reaction over a concentration range from 50 to 200 μg/ml, and led to inhibition of all bacteria at 200 μ/ml. In the examination of a total of 146 bacterial strains, including Yersinia enterocoiitica, Bacillus cereus , and B. subtilis the KOH test was not comparable with the Gram staining. A good correlation with Gram staining was found between LANA, AAA and AAMC added to plate count agar on one hand, and LANA and AAMC impregnated paper strips on the other hand, thereby utilizing the aminopeptidase activity. Agar containing ANS showed detectable fluorescence with all Gram-negative strains, but with Staphylococcus aureus and Staph. epidermidis a weak reaction was also observed. AAMC was selected for a rapid paper strip test With this substrate a pronounced blue fluorescence was obtained with Gram-negative colonies.     

In vitro activity of ramoplanin and comparator drugs against anaerobic intestinal bacteria from the perspective of potential utility in pathology involving bowel flora

Susceptibility of intestinal bacteria to various antimicrobial agents in vitro, together with levels of those agents achieved in the gut, provides information on the likely impact of the agents on the intestinal flora. Orally administered drugs that are poorly absorbed may be useful for treatment of intestinal infections and for certain other situations in which intestinal bacteria may play a role. The antimicrobial activity of ramoplanin (MDL 62,198) against 928 strains of intestinal anaerobic bacteria was determined using the NCCLS-approved Wadsworth brucella laked-blood agar dilution method. The activity of ramoplanin was compared with that of ampicillin, bacitracin, metronidazole, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and vancomycin. The organisms tested included Bacteroides fragilis group (n=89), other Bacteroides species (n=16), other anaerobic Gram-negative rods (n=56) anaerobic cocci (n=114), Clostridium species (n=426), and non-sporeforming anaerobic Gram-positive rods (n=227). The overall MIC(90)s of ramoplanin, ampicillin, bacitracin, metronidazole, and vancomycin were 256, 32, 128, 16, and 128 mcg/ml, respectively. Ramoplanin was almost always highly active vs. Gram-positive organisms and relatively poor in activity against Gram-negative organisms, particularly Bacteroides, Bilophila, Prevotella, and Veillonella. Vancomycin was quite similar to ramoplanin in its activity. Ampicillin was relatively poor in activity vs. organisms that often produce beta-lactamase, including most of the Gram-negative rods as well as Clostridium bolteae and C. clostridioforme. Bacitracin was relatively poor in activity against most anaerobic Gram-negative rods, but better vs. most Gram-positive organisms. Metronidazole was very active against all groups other than bifidobacteria and some strains of other types of non-sporeforming Gram-positive bacilli. TMP/SMX was very poorly active, with an MIC(90) of >2048 mcg/ml.     

Growth of Gram-negative bacteria in the presence of organic solvents

The growth behavior of Gram-negative bacteria when exposed to high concentrations (50% v/v) of water-insoluble organic solvents was investigated. The solvents were chosen according to their polarity values as denoted by a logarithmically expressed parameter log P, where P is the partition coefficient of a given solvent in an equimolar mixture of octanol and water. The cell growth was measured by the number of colonies developed on a solid agar medium in direct contact with the solvents. All 31 strains tested showed characteristic growth patterns. The survival and subsequent growth of bacteria increased with the increase in the log P value and was found to be strain specific. For all the strains, 100% cell growth was reached from 0% within 0.1–0.4 log P units. Log P₅₀ values, defined as the log P values at which 50% of the cells form colonies, were determined for each bacterial strain. On the whole, Pseudomonas strains were found to be more resistant to apolar solvents than all other bacteria tested. This resistance was dependent not only on the polarities but also on the toxic nature of different organic solvents, the cell membrane components, and to a limited extent, the growth medium. A tenfold increase in the Mg²⁺ concentration in the growth medium enhanced the solvent resistance of E. coli but had no such effect on Pseudomonads. In general, different growth temperatures had no impact on the solvent resistance of the Gram-negative bacteria tested.     

Development of a Gram-negative selective agar (GNSA) for the detection of Gram-negative microflora in sputa in patients with cystic fibrosis

AIMS: To develop a selective agar medium to help detect and quantify Gram-negative flora in the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS AND RESULTS: A novel Gram-negative Selective Agar (GNSA) medium was developed consisting of tryptone soya broth (30 g), bacteriological agar no.1 (10 g), yeast extract (5 g), crystal violet (2 mg), nisin (48 mg), novobiocin (5 mg), cycloheximide (100 mg), amphotericin (2 mg) and double distilled water (1 l), for the selective culture of all Gram-negative flora from the sputum of patients with CF. GNSA was able to support the proliferation of all 34 Gram-negative organisms examined, including 23 species most commonly associated with CF, but was unable to support the growth of the 12 Gram-positive or seven fungal organisms examined. Sensitivity studies demonstrated that the GNSA medium was able to detect not less than 1.50 x 102 CFU ml-1 sputum Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 2.38 x 102 CFU ml-1 sputum Burkholderia cepacia genomovar IIIb and 6.70 x 103 CFU ml-1 sputum Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. A comparison of the microbial flora detected in the sputa of 12 adult CF patients by employment of routine bacteriological agar media and GNSA, demonstrated that GNSA was able to detect all Gram-negative organisms cultured by routine media, but had the advantage of detecting Alcaligenes xylosoxidans in two CF patients, whom had no previous history of Gram-negative infection. CONCLUSIONS: GNSA was unable to support the proliferation of any Gram-positive organism or yeast/fungi, but was successful in supporting the growth of all Gram-negative organisms challenged. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Employment of this medium coupled with semi-automated technology may aid in helping to efficiently determine Gram-negative loading of respiratory secretions, particularly in response to antibiotic intervention.     

Effect of a culturing method and growth phase on composition of lipopolysaccharides in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

The effects of the culturing method (suspension cultures in a liquid nutrient broth or colonies on a solid agarized medium) and the growth phase on the lypopolysaccharide (LPS) composition of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (O:Ib serovar, strain KS 3058) grown in cold (5 degrees C) were studied. The amount the LPS synthesized by cells depended on the bacteria growth phase for both media. The LPS acylation degree was constant, whereas the length of the O-specific polysaccharide chain varied with the culture age and achieved maximum in the stationary growth phase for both media. The bacteria culturing on the nutrient agar stimulated more intensive synthesis of LPS, which were extracted more easily, had longer polysaccharide O-chains, and were more toxic than LPS of the bacteria cultured in the liquid medium. It was proposed that the culturing of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in cold as colonies on the agar surface causes an increase in the bacterial virulence.     

Effects of lactobacilli on yeast-catalyzed ethanol fermentations.

Normal-gravity (22 to 24 degrees Plato) wheat mashes were inoculated with five industrially important strains of lactobacilli at approximately 10(5), approximately 10(6), approximately 10(7), approximately 10(8), and approximately 10(9) CFU/ml in order to study the effects of the lactobacilli on yeast growth and ethanol productivity. Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus #3, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus fermentum were used. Controls with yeast cells but no bacterial inoculation and additional treatments with bacteria alone inoculated at approximately 10(7) CFU/ml of mash were included. Decreased ethanol yields were due to the diversion of carbohydrates for bacterial growth and the production of lactic acid. As higher numbers of the bacteria were produced (depending on the strain), 1 to 1.5% (wt/vol) lactic acid resulted in the case of homofermentative organisms. L. fermentum, a heterofermentative organism, produced only 0.5% (wt/vol) lactic acid. When L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and L. fermentum were inoculated at approximately 10(6) CFU/ml, an approximately 2% decrease in the final ethanol concentration was observed. Smaller initial numbers (only 10(5) CFU/ml) of L. paracasei or Lactobacillus #3 were sufficient to cause more than 2% decreases in the final ethanol concentrations measured compared to the control. Such effects after an inoculation of only 10(5) CFU/ml may have been due to the higher tolerance to ethanol of the latter two bacteria, to the more rapid adaptation (shorter lag phase) of these two industrial organisms to fermentation conditions, and/or to their more rapid growth and metabolism. When up to 10(9) CFU of bacteria/ml was present in mash, approximately 3.8 to 7.6% reductions in ethanol concentration occurred depending on the strain. Production of lactic acid and a suspected competition with yeast cells for essential growth factors in the fermenting medium were the major reasons for reductions in yeast growth and final ethanol yield when lactic acid bacteria were present.     

Isolation of amoebae and Pseudomonas and Legionella spp. from eyewash stations.

Forty eyewash units were sampled for protozoa, bacteria, and fungi. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts on nutrient agar and R2A agar (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.) ranged from 0 to 10(5) CFU/ml, with Pseudomonas spp. being the most frequently isolated. Total counts of 10(4) and 10(8) cells per ml were obtained with the acridine orange staining procedure. All samples were examined for Legionella spp. by direct fluorescent-antibody staining and by culturing on buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar containing alpha-ketoglutarate and glycine and supplemented with cycloheximide, vancomycin, and polymyxin B. DNA-DNA hybridization was used to confirm identification of the Legionella isolates. Legionellae were detected in 35 of 40 (87.5%) samples by direct fluorescent-antibody staining, with 3 samples yielding both Legionella spp. and amoebae. Amoebae identified as Hartmannella, Vahlkampfia, Acanthamoeba, and Cochliopodium spp. were detected in 19 of 40 (47:5%) samples. Sabouraud dextrose agar was used to obtain a crude estimate of viable fungal populations, pH, hardness, and ammonia, alkalinity, chlorine, copper, and iron contents were recorded for all water samples collected from eyewash stations; 33% of the samples had greater than or equal to 10 mg of CO2 per liter. It is concluded that eyewash stations not regularly flushed and/or cleaned and used to flush traumatized eye tissue may be a source of infection and can contaminate laboratory environments via aerosol transmission.     

Inhibitory effect of plantaricin peptides (Pln E/F and J/K) against Escherichia coli

Plantaricins are small bioactive peptides produced by Lactobacillus plantarum strains that exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against closely-related Gram-positive bacteria, including food spoilage organisms. In comparison, bacteriocins including plantaricins, are usually less effective against Gram-negative organisms. In this study, we demonstrate that heterologously expressed and purified plantaricins, Pln E, -F, -J, and -K when tested against Gram negative model organism Escherichia coli K-12 were highly effective under certain conditions. The apparent tolerance of Gram-negative members to these peptides has been explained on the basis of the presence of the outer membrane (OM) that acts as a protective barrier. We have shown that agents and/or conditions that destabilize OM of E. coli K-12, make it susceptible to plantaricin peptides. In order to further strengthen this conclusion, an OM lipoprotein-defective lpp mutant strain of E. coli K-12 was also studied and compared. A significant loss of cell viability both in terms of CFU/ml as well as with live–dead dual staining combined with flow cytometry, could be demonstrated with the lpp mutant in comparison to the wild type strain. The results indicate that plantaricins can inhibit Gram-negative bacteria if the outer-membrane is weakened and it can be used in preservation of food with the help of some food-grade chelating agents.     

Glycine-containing selective medium for isolation of Legionellaceae from environmental specimens.

Glycine, at a final concentration of 0.3%, has been shown to be an excellent selective agent for the isolation of Legionellaceae. Stock cultures of Legionella pneumophila were not inhibited on buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar containing the amino acid. Among the other Legionellaceae tested, only one of two strains of L. dumoffii and two of six strains of L. micdadei were appreciably inhibited. This medium permitted the isolation of L. pneumophila from environmental specimens with marked inhibition of many non-Legionellaceae bacteria. The selectivity of the medium was subsequently improved by the incorporation of vancomycin (5 microgram/ml) and polymyxin B (100 U/ml). This selective medium, glycine-vancomycin-polymyxin B agar, should facilitate the recovery of Legionellaceae from environmental sources.     

The effects of Korean propolis against foodborne pathogens and transmission electron microscopic examination

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Korean propolis against foodborne pathogens and spores of Bacillus cereus and to investigate the antimicrobial activity against B. cereus structure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial effects of the Korean propolis were tested against foodborne pathogens including Gram-positive (B. cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescence) bacteria by agar diffusion assay. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive than were Gram-negative bacteria. The vegetative cells of B. cereus were the most sensitive among the pathogens tested with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.036 mg/μl of propolis on agar medium. Based on MIC, sensitivity of vegetative cells of B. cereus and its spores was tested in a nutrient broth with different concentrations of propolis at 37°C. In liquid broth, treatment with 1.8 mg/ml propolis showed bactericidal effect against B. cereus. B. cereus vegetative cells exposed to 7.2mg/ml of propolis lost their viability within 20 min. Against spores of B. cereus, propolis inhibited germination of spores up to 30 hours, compared to control at higher concentration than vegetative cells yet acted sporostatically. The bactericidal and sporostatic action of propolis were dependent on the concentration of propolis used and treatment time. Electron microscopic investigation of propolis-treated B. cereus revealed substantial structural damage at the cellular level and irreversible cell membrane rupture at a number of locations with the apparent leakage of intracellular contents. The antimicrobial effect of propolis in this study suggests potential use of propolis in foods.