Optimization of nutrient medium containing agricultural wastes for xylanase production by Aspergillus niger B03 using optimal composite experimental design

The xylanase biosynthesis is induced by its substrate - xylan. The high xylan content in some of the wastes like corn cobs and wheat bran makes them an accessible and cheap source of inducers. Nutrient medium for xylanase biosynthesis in submerged cultivation of Aspergillus niger B03 has been optimized. The optimization process was analyzed using optimal composite experimental design and response surface methodology. The predicted by the regression model optimum components of nutrient medium are as follows (g/l): (NH(4))(2)HPO(4) 2.6, urea 0.9, corn cobs 24.0, wheat bran 14.6 and malt sprout 6.0. Five parallel experiments have been carried out, at definite, optimum components concentrations of the nutrient medium, and a mean value of the activity Y=996.30 U/ml has been obtained. The xylanase activity, obtained with the optimized nutrient medium is 33% higher than the activity, achieved with the basic medium.     

Conditions for Competence in the Bacillus licheniformis Transformation System

Some variables in the Bacillus licheniformis transformation system, such as inoculum size, initial cell density in transformation medium, and time of optimal competence, have been explored, and a methodology has been developed to obtain greater reproducibility and maximal competence for transformation. The transformation system in B. licheniformis has been shown to be similar to that of B. subtilis in a number of respects, including "dormancy" of transformed cells and the concentration of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid required for saturation.     

Isolation and culture of the terminally differentiated adult mammalian ventricular cardiac muscle cell

Summary We have carried out systematic studies to optimize and standardize methodology to isolate and culture the adult rat ventricular cardiac muscle cell. Four hearts were perfused simultaneously with a calcium-free medium containing collagenase. The ventricular tissue was then minced and further digested to liberate individual cells. Approximately 16 million rod-shaped muscle cells were obtained. The plating efficiency has been greatly improved by culturing the cells in a conditioned medium prepared from a rabbit corneal cell line. This medium also contained added fetal bovine serum, essential and nonessential amino acids, vitamins, insulin, transferrin, and 25 trace minerals. The culture flasks were precoated with rat-tail collagen. Fibroblast contamination was virtually eliminated by including cytosine arabinoside in the medium during the first 7 d of culture. After this time the cells could be cultured in the absence of serum in a chemically defined medium composed of MEM, vitamins, nonessential amino acids, and trace minerals. They continued to contract spontaneously and do well in this medium for at least 3 d thereafter. This improved methodology resulted in a reproducible culture system with improved plating efficiency. It provided a new and unique system to study the structure and function of the adult mammalian ventricular cardiac muscle cell. This investigation was supported by Grant HL 25873 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

The bryophyte Physcomitrella patens replicates extrachromosomal transgenic elements

Physcomitrella patens , recently renamed Aphanoregma patens , has been transformed with the plasmid, pBI426. On selective medium approx. 30% of regenerants expressed the transformed phenotype transiently (transients). The remaining 70% (transformants) retained their transformed phenotype (GUS-positive and resistant to G418) indefinitely when subcultured repeatedly on selective medium. However, most lost this phenotype after one or two passages through nonselective medium (unstable transformants). Approximately 0.2% of transformants retained their transformed phenotype after numerous passages through nonselective medium (stable transformants). Using PCR methodology, it has been shown that loss of the transformed phenotype by unstable transformants is invariably accompanied by disappearance of the transgenic DNA. Southern blot analysis data argue strongly that unstable transformants cultured under selective conditions contain unintegrated pBI426 as circular concatenates consisting of 3–40 copies of the plasmid. Under selective conditions, it appears that replication and/or partitioning of these extrachromosomal concatemers might be growth rate-limiting. This is the first report of a transgenic, autonomously replicating extrachromosomal element in a photosynthetic plant. A single copy of pBI426 has been inserted into the moss genome in each of three stable transformants analysed.     

Determination of Chinese hamster ovary cell-derived recombinant thyrotropin by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) methodology for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of human thyrotropin (hTSH) in CHO cell conditioned medium and in purified preparations has been set up and validated for accuracy, precision and sensitivity. A recovery test indicated a bias of less than 2% and intra-day and inter-day quantitative determinations presented relative standard deviations (RSD) always <7%, while sensitivity was 0.2 microg (RSD=5.6%). The novel methodology was applied to the study of the best cultivation conditions and was able to detect a significant difference in retention time (t(R)) between pituitary and recombinant hTSH, probably reflecting the influence of the heterogeneity of the carbohydrate moiety on the hydrophobic properties of the molecule.     

Identification of sources of cerebral activity in the cat

The identification of sources of cerebral activity is investigated, and the resulting methodology is applied to the simple case of hippocampal afterdischarges in the cat. We develop an “imagery” technique which consists in defining, in a preliminary step, the number and the power spectrum density of unknown sources (identification of sources) assumed to emit independent signals in the ill-defined noisy cerebral medium. The technique assumes the medium to be quasilinear and quasistationary, and these assumptions have to be checked. It is based upon the interspectral matrix and its diagonal form. It makes it clear that (1) the problem of estimating the number of sources is closely dependent on the estimation method used to assess the power spectrum density, and (2) the coherence matrix should be preferred to the interspectral matrix for reasons linked with the estimation variance of its elements and the proximity of the sources and sensors. In order to assess the validity of the methodology, a source of hippocampal afterdischarges has been created by threshold stimulation of the ventral hippocampus of the cat. The resulting EEG signals are used to show that there is a single source and to estimate its power density spectrum, which can then be compared with the true one.     

Response surface methodology for optimizing the fermentation medium of Clostridium butyricum

AIMS: Strains of Clostridium butyricum have been increasingly used as probiotics for both animals and humans. The aim of this study was to develop a growth medium for cultivating C. butyricum ZJUCB using a statistical methodology. METHODS AND RESULTS: Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of variables, namely the concentrations of the glucose, pectin, soyabean cake extract, casein, corn steep flour, ammonium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate and the medium initial pH. A fractional factorial design was applied to study the main factors that affected the growth of a probiotic strain of C. butyricum currently preserved in our lab and the central composite experimental design was adopted to derive a statistical model for optimizing the composition of the fermentation medium. The experimental results showed that the optimum fermentation medium for the growth of C. butyricum was composed of 2% glucose (w/v), 0.5% pectin (w/v), 0.2% casein (w/v), 3.98% soyabean cake extract, 0.1% (NH4)2SO4 (w/v), 0.124% NaHCO3 (w/v), 0.37% corn steep flour (w/v), 0.02% MnSO4 H2O (w/v), 0.02% MgSO4 7H2O (w/v) and 0.002% CaCl2 (w/v) at pH 7.5. CONCLUSIONS: After incubating 24 h in the optimum fermentation medium, the populations of the viable organisms were estimated to be 10(9) CFU ml(-1). In the present study, we report the optimization of a growth medium that produced increased yields using statistical approach. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of bacteria as a probiotic is showing increasing potential. The development of a growth medium that has a high yield is an obvious need, and the approach to optimizing a growth medium is innovative.     

Screen-printed biosensors for glucose determination in grape juice

An approach to the glucose determination by amperometric biosensing in wine industry applications is presented. Integrated screen-printed biosensors based on horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and glucose oxidase (GOx) have been developed. The experimental design methodology has been used to find the optimum conditions of the experimental variables, in such a way that a chronoamperometric response specific for glucose was recorded. Under these conditions, repeatability and reproducibility of the modified electrodes have been analyzed. The detection limit for glucose has been calculated taking into account the probability of false positive (alpha) and negative (beta), reaching a medium value of 4.37+/-0.21 micromol dm-3 (alpha=beta=0.05, and a replicate n=4). The biosensor was applied to the determination of glucose in white wine samples.     

Assessment and value of the polybrene microplate test for study and identification of irregular anti-erythrocyte antibodies

We have adapted Lalezari's manual polybrene test for use with microplate technology for screening and identification of anti-erythrocytes antibodies with a view to future automation. The technical conditions have been standardized, firstly by using a programmable centrifuge and a sequential shaking, secondly by using a preservative medium for panel after dispensing onto microplates. This methodology has been run in parallel with papain test and LIS indirect antiglobulin test: 7,000 screenings have been performed and their results are considered here. Our results are comparable to those described for automatic and manual techniques. The polybrene-microplate test affords a fast, reliable, handy and inexpensive means of screening and identification for irregular antibodies. It appears as an additional method for enzymatic tests in microplate. An antiglobulin test can be carried out after negative tests.     

Response surface optimization of the critical medium components for carbonyl reductase production by Candida viswanathii MTCC 5158

Culture conditions were optimized for the growth and carbonyl reductase production by a novel yeast strain Candida viswanathii. Response surface methodology was applied for the critical medium components (initial pH, mannitol, yeast extract and calcium chloride) identified earlier by one-factor-at-a-time approach. Central composite design was used for the optimization studies. Using this methodology, the optimal values for the concentration of mannitol, initial pH, yeast extract and calcium chloride were 1.9, 7.5, 1.6 and 4, respectively. This medium was projected to produce, theoretically, growth having an optical density of 1.1 (600 nm) and an enzyme activity of 81.5 U/ml. Using this optimized medium, an experimental growth of 1.1 OD (600 nm) and enzyme activity 80.9 U/ml verified the applied methodology. This approach for medium optimization led to an enhancement of the growth and enzyme activity by 1.3 and 2.3 times higher, respectively, as compared to the unoptimized media.     

Optimization of medium components for phytase production by E. coli using response surface methodology

The medium for recombinant phytase production by E. coli BL21 was optimized using response surface methodology. A 2³ central composite experimental design was used to study the combined effect of the medium components, tryptone, yeast extract and NaCl. Addition of 2?g/l glucose to the medium greatly influenced the phytase production. The optimization of the medium has increased the phytase production by 1.2 times. The incorporation of 2?g/l glucose significantly enhanced the phytase production by 1.58 times, showing an overall 2.78 fold increase before optimization and other modifications of the medium. The optimized medium with glucose showed a highest phytase activity of 2250?U/l.     

Optimization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-(+)-α-terpineol production by the biotransformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-(+)-limonene

R-(+)-limonene is an abundant and non-expensive by-product of the citrus industry and is, therefore, a suitable starting material for the production of natural flavor and fragrance compounds. The biotransformation of R-(+)-limonene to R-(+)-alpha-terpineol by Fusarium oxysporum 152b has already been reported, although the influence of the main process parameters on the production has not yet been evaluated. In this paper, a Plackett-Burman screening design was used to define the effects of the medium composition (glucose, peptone, yeast extract, malt extract and pH), the presence of a co-substrate (biosurfactant), the cultivation conditions (temperature, agitation), the substrate concentration and the inoculum/culture medium ratio on the absolute amount of R-(+)-alpha-terpineol resulting from this biotransformation. The process conditions were further optimized applying response surface methodology (RSM). The volatiles were extracted using a SPME device and were subsequently quantified by GC-FID and identified by GC-MS. The best results were obtained using 0.5% (v/m) R-(+)-limonene in pure distilled water as the culture medium with an inoculum/culture medium ratio of 0.25 (m/m) and 72 h cultivation at 26 degrees C/240 rpm. Under these conditions the concentration of R-(+)-alpha-terpineol in the culture medium reached 2.4 g L(-1), a production almost six times greater than in earlier trials. The presence of a biosurfactant (0-500 mg L(-1)) did not significantly increase the yield.     

Indirect cytotoxicity of dental materials: a study with Transwell inserts and the neutral red uptake assay

A modification of the Transwell insert methodology was evaluated by using the neutral red uptake (NRU) assay in a cytotoxicity test. The Transwell insert methodology was developed to assess the biocompatibility of solid materials used in dentistry and, when initially designed, used the release of radiochromium ((51)Cr) in the cytotoxicity assay. Another aim of this study was to evaluate different exposure regimes with which to assess cytotoxicity. The exposure regimes included: a 1-hour exposure in buffer followed by a 24-hour incubation in growth medium; a 2-hour exposure in buffer followed by a 24-hour incubation in growth medium; a 24-hour exposure in serum-limited medium; and a 24-hour exposure in a serum-sufficient medium. The bioindicator target was the Smulow-Glickman (S-G) human gingival cell line and the biomaterials were dental restoratives. The Transwell insert methodology with the NRU cytotoxicity assay as the cytotoxicity endpoint was effective in differentiating the potencies of the dental restoratives; a 2-hour exposure in buffer and a 24-hour exposure in serum-limited medium were the exposure regimes that most clearly differentiated the test agents according to their potencies. The sequence of cytotoxicity of the dental restoratives to the S-G cells was Vitremer > Ketac-Molar Aplicap > Flow-It.     

Entrainment of marginally stable excitation waves by spatially extended sub-threshold periodic forcing

We introduce a novel approach of stabilizing the dynamics of excitation waves by spatially extended sub-threshold periodic forcing. Entrainment of unstable primary waves has been studied numerically for different amplitudes and frequencies of additional sub-threshold stimuli. We determined entrainment regimes under which excitation blocks were transformed into consistent 1:1 responses. These responses were spatially homogeneous and synchronized in the entire excitable medium. Compared to primary pulses, pulses entrained by secondary stimulations were stable at considerably shorter periods which decreased at higher amplitudes and greater number of secondary stimuli. Our results suggest a practical methodology for stabilization of excitation in reaction-diffusion media such as nerve tissue with regions of reduced excitability.     

Selenomethionyl analog of recombinant human choriogonadotropin

Selenomethionyl and high mannose type analog of recombinant human choriogonadotropin (hCG) to solve the crystallization and phase problems has been obtained by gene transfer methodology. SF9 insect cells were infected with the recombinant viruses containing hCG alpha and hCG beta cDNAs in selenomethionine containing methionine-free Grace's medium. The selenomethionyl hCG (SehCG) was purified from the culture medium by one step immunoaffinity chromatography using an immobilized monoclonal antibody against hCG beta. The presence of selenomethionine was demonstrated by amino acid analysis of SehCG. The amino acid composition indicated that more than 84% of methionine residues were substituted by selenomethionine. Its sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis yielded a single 38-kDa protein band under nonreducing conditions. The carbohydrate analysis of SehCG was consistent with the presence of four N-linked high mannose type carbohydrates and four O-linked simple disaccharide chains. The in vitro immunological and biological studies of SehCG indicated that selenomethionine substitution had no effect on the immunopotency, receptor binding, and steroidogenic activities of the hormone.     

BioMEMS and cellular biology: perspectives and applications

The ability to culture cells has revolutionized hypothesis testing in basic cell and molecular biology research. It has become a standard methodology in drug screening, toxicology, and clinical assays, and is increasingly used in regenerative medicine. However, the traditional cell culture methodology essentially consisting of the immersion of a large population of cells in a homogeneous fluid medium and on a homogeneous flat substrate has become increasingly limiting both from a fundamental and practical perspective. Microfabrication technologies have enabled researchers to design, with micrometer control, the biochemical composition and topology of the substrate, and the medium composition, as well as the neighboring cell type in the surrounding cellular microenvironment. Additionally, microtechnology is conceptually well-suited for the development of fast, low-cost in vitro systems that allow for high-throughput culturing and analysis of cells under large numbers of conditions. In this interview, Albert Folch explains these limitations, how they can be overcome with soft lithography and microfluidics, and describes some relevant examples of research in his lab and future directions.     

Medium optimization by combination of response surface methodology and desirability function: an application in glutamine production

An optimization strategy based on desirability function approach (DFA) together with response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to optimize production medium in L-glutamine fermentation. Fermentation problems often force to reach a compromise between different experimental variables in order to achieve the most suitable strategy applying in industrial production. The importance of the use of multi-objective optimization methods lies in the ability to cope with this kind of problems. A sequential RSM with different combinations of glucose and (NH₄)₂SO₄ was performed to attain the optimal medium (OM-1) in glutamine production. Based on the result of RSM and the evaluation of production cost, a more economical optimal medium (OM-2) was obtained with the aid of DFA. In DFA study, glutamate, the main by-product in glutamine fermentation as another response was considered. Compared with OM-1 in validated experiment, similar amounts of glutamine were obtained in OM-2 while the concentration of glutamate and the production cost decreased by 53.6 and 7.1%, respectively.     

The calibration and use of a calcium ion-specific electrode for kinetic studies of mitochondrial calcium transport.

A calcium ion-specific electrode has been used to study calcium transport by isolated,hepatic mitochondria. The methodology used requires only a sensitive pH meter operated in the millivolt mode with the electrode. Free calcium ion concentrations may be followed continuously. Using incubation conditions which cause release of intramitochondrial calcium, the calcium electrode system may also be used to determine total. intramitochondrial calcium. Techniques for the calibration of the electrode response are discussed. Free calcium ion concentrations have been calculated from total calcium concentrations and the association constants for the binding species present in the assay medium. The observation that the electrode response is linear to submicromolar concentrations allows calculation of a linear least-squares fit of millivolt reading to computed free calcium ion concentration. A computer program written in BASIC for these computations is included in Appendix material. The half-maximal rate constant for mitochondrial calcium uptake has been found to occur at a free calcium ion concentration of 6.5 μm. The interaction or Hill coefficient for the process is 2.3, indicating positive cooperativity.     

Improving probiotic spore yield using rice straw hydrolysate

Spore-forming Bacillus sp. has been extensively studied for their probiotic properties. In this study, an acid-treated rice straw hydrolysate was used as carbon source to produce the spores of Bacillus coagulans. The results showed that this hydrolysate significantly improved the spore yield compared with other carbon sources such as glucose. Three significant medium components including rice straw hydrolysate, MnSO₄ and yeast extract were screened by Plackett–Burman design. These significant variables were further optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal values of the medium components were rice straw hydolysate of 27% (v/v), MnSO₄ of 0·78 g l⁻¹ and yeast extract of 1·2 g l⁻¹. The optimized medium and RSM model for spore production were validated in a 5 l bioreactor. Overall, this sporulation medium containing acid-treated rice straw hydrolysate has a potential to be used in the production of B. coagulans spores.     

Enhanced Biosynthesis of Sulfide Oxidase by Arthrobacter Species Using Response Surface Methodology

Response surface methodology was used to develop a fermentation medium for the enhanced biosynthesis of a novel sulfide oxidase by Arthrobacter species strain FR‐3. The interactive effect of the medium components – such as glucose as the carbon source, and tryptone and yeast extract as the nitrogen source – was evaluated by a 2³‐factorial central composite statistical design. Glucose and yeast extract were found to be the more influential medium constituents compared to tryptone since they had lower coefficients of linear effect, P‐values (< 0.02). The optimal fermentation medium components for the enhanced production of sulfide oxidase were recorded as glucose (8.98 g/L), tryptone (10.62 g/L) and yeast extract (7.3 g/L). Optimization of the medium constituents increased the experimental enzyme yield by 54 % compared to the unoptimized medium. This is the first report on the overproduction of sulfide oxidase by using response surface methodology.