Characterization,distribution, and significance ofMetallogenium in Lake Washington

During summer stratification,Metallogenium personatun was found exclusively in the hypolimnion of Lake Washington where the oxygen tension was below 8 ppm. Numbers of the organism decreased in the lake immediately following turnover in October. Significant concentrations ofMetallogenium microcolonies did not recur until spring, after the lake had stratified. During stratification the distribution of particulate manganese closely followed the distribution ofMetallogenium. EDAX analysis, confirmed by electron microprobe analyses of the encrustation, showed that the primary component was manganese. Iron and some trace elements were also precipitated on the organism but to a lesser degree. In addition, phosphate, the primary substance limiting phytoplankton growth in Lake Washington, was found in the encrustation, indicatingMetallogenium maybe important in limiting algal blooms in the lake. Attempts to growMetallogenium in the laboratory were unsuccessful. This inability, combined with the negative results of thin-sectioning and acridine orange staining ofMetallogenium microcolonies, suggests that the microcolonial structures seen in Lake Washington are not a living form of an organism.     

Morphology,distribution and significance of the manganese-accumulating microorganism metallogenium in lakes

The manganese-accumulating microorganism Metallogenium is very common in the deep water and on the sediment surface in lakes of the Oslo district, southern Norway. Metallogenium accumulates manganese in its star-shaped coenobia; other trace metals are also greatly concentrated. The taxonomic position of the organism is uncertain. Sections of coenobia suggests that the encrusted parts are not enclosing living structures.In lake Nordbytjern, the occurrence of Metallogenium coincides with periods of turbulence in the lake. By sinking, the population accumulates close to the chemocline, becoming heavily encrusted. Plankton traps indicate that Metallogenium adds to the downward transport and accumulation of manganese and iron in the lake.     

Differentiation between Gallionella and Metallogenium

Summary The DNA base composition and the sensitivity to iron of an ironoxidizing Metallogenium was determined. A comparison of the organism with Gallionella ferruginea suggests that the iron-oxidizing Metallogenium may be a common contaminant of G. ferruginea cultures.     

The Importance of the Manganese-Oxidizing Microorganism Metallogenium personatum for the Retention of Manganese in the Wahnbach Reservoir

The retention of manganese in the water of the Wahnbach reservoir was determined in mass balance calculations. The retention properties for manganese drastically decreased after the phosphorus elimination plant was taken into service. Processes controlling the distribution and mobility of manganese in the reservoir were based on the results of tests conducted to evaluate the role of the microorganism Metallogenium personatum. A substantial retention of manganese in the Wahnbach reservoir was found to be dependent on the presence of this planktonic manganese-oxidizing bacterium. The test results clearly indicate the importance of Metallogenium spec. as catalyst in the removal and oxidation of dissolved Mn(II).     

Distribution of iron- and manganese-oxidizing bacteria in the bottom sediments of Lake Baikal

The specific features of the distribution, abundance, and taxonomic diversity of bacteria oxidizing iron and manganese in the bottom sediments sampled from different areas of Lake Baikal are studied. These bacteria are widespread in Baikal bottom sediments. Cultivated iron- and manganese-oxidizing microorganisms are ascribed to six genera: Metallogenium, Leptothrix, Siderocapsa, Naumaniella, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas. The surface layers of the ground and the border between oxidized and reduced sediments serve as ecological niches for iron- and manganese-oxidizing microorganisms. Redox conditions of the environment and the availability of dissolved forms of iron and manganese, as well as of organic matter, which are controlled by the conditions of sedimentation in the lake, are the main factors affecting the abundance and distribution of iron bacteria.     

The manganese cycle in Lac Léman,Switzerland: the role ofMetallogenium

The manganese pathways in Lac Léman have been investigated on the basis of chemical analyses undertaken on water, suspended solids, bottom sediments and interstitial water samples. The various modes of occurrence of Mn have been determined by means of visual examination using SEM and TEM (scanning and transmission electron microscopy), by microanalysis (EDAX) of various sediment fractions, by chemical analysis of the dissolved phase, and by chemical speciation and XRD of bottom sediments. Fluxes to and from the sediment have also been computed. The time-depth variations of Mn in the water column are characterized by (a) a very steep gradient of Mn sol. from the sediment interstitial water (15 mg l⁻¹) to the overlying water, 2 m above the bottom(500 μg l⁻¹), (b) an accumulation of Mn part. between 280 m and the interface at 310 m, consisting of mineralized colonies ofMetallogenium. The abundance ofMetallogenium colonies is inversely related to O₂ concentration; the optimal value for the bacterium Mn fixation is around 1 mg l⁻¹. Because of the quasi-anoxic state of the bottom sediments and overlying water, Mn diffuses from a ‘source layer’, 2–5 cm below the interface (a) upwards across the interface, before being taken up byMetallogenium, and (b) downwards to a ‘sink layer’, in which large amounts of Mn-carbonate precipitate. Particulate Mn sedimentation rates measured in traps show that downwards Mn flux due toMetallogenium settling approximately balances the upwards soluble flux due to diffusion. Quantitatively, the process of Mn cycling in Lac Léman is, therefore, limited to the lowermost part of the hypolimnion. Although Zn and Cd seem to follow the same cycle as Mn, Fe behaves in a different manner; it was not taken up byMetallogenium at the time of our study.     

Effect of Enterobacter aerogenes on the Rhizosphere Microflora of Apple Trees*

Fifty–seven fungi and 59 bacteria were isolated from soils collected from two apple orchards located in Kelowna and Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. Sixteen fungi and 35 bacteria, respectively, were significantly inhibited by the biological control agent Enterobacter aerogeness in a dual culture test. These results indicate that the antibiotic(s) produced by this organism has a wide spectrum of activity. This ability of E. aerogenes may protect apple trees from infection by other, soil microorganisms.     

Production of Metallogenium-like particles by heterotrophic manganese-oxidizing bacteria collected from a lake

As a model of chemically stratified structure of environment typical to the chemocline of lakes, a semisolid gradient medium was prepared to cultivate heterotrophic manganese-oxidizing bacteria originally collected from a lake. The bacteria growing under the conditions described produced extracellularly Metallogenium-like particles similar to those which are often detected in the chemocline of lakes. This suggested that the naturally occurring Metallogenium-like particles originated in activities of such heterotrophic manganese-oxidizing bacteria. The manganese oxidation activity usually appeared only at the stationary phase of bacterial growth. The oxidation of Mn²⁺ and the formation of Metallogenium-like particles by the bacteria were observed at neutral or slightly acidic pH. not under alkaline conditions, which is a conspicuous difference from the inorganic oxidation of Mn²⁺ by O₂. Bacterial manganese oxidation was stimulated by bicarbonate (50 or 500 M). An experiment of addition of H₂O₂ to the incubation tubes isolated from atmosphere failed to confirm the availability of externally added H₂O₂ as the electron acceptor, suggesting that the bacterial manganese oxidation required the presence of O₂.     

Production of lytic enzymes by<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> spp. and their effect on the growth of phytopathogenic fungi

The production of β-1,3-glucanases and chitinases by three strains ofTrichoderma in submerged cultures was determined. The synthesis of enzymes was induced by cell wall biopolymers of phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium culmorum andF. oxysporum). T. hamatum produced the highest β-1,3-glucanase activity; the most effective inducer of enzyme synthesis was the biomass ofF. oxysporum. All examined strains ofTrichoderma inhibited phytopathogen growth in biotic tests. The diffusion tests showed that the lytic enzymes take part in growth inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi.     

Desulfuromonas palmitatis sp. nov., a marine dissimilatory Fe(III) reducer that can oxidize long-chain fatty acids

Studies on the microorganisms living in hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments in San Diego Bay, California led to the isolation of a novel Fe(III)-reducing microorganism. This organism, designated strain SDBY1, was an obligately anaerobic, non-motile, non-flagellated, gram-negative rod. Strain SDBY1 conserves energy to support growth from the oxidation of acetate, lactate, succinate, fumarate, laurate, palmitate, or stearate. H₂ was also oxidized with the reduction of Fe(III), but growth with H₂ as the sole electron donor was not observed. In addition to various forms of soluble and insoluble Fe(III), strain SDBY1 also coupled growth to the reduction of fumarate, Mn(IV), or S⁰. Air-oxidizedminus dithionite-reduced difference spectra exhibited peaks at 552.8, 523.6, and 422.8 nm, indicative ofc-type cytochrome(s). Strain SDBY1 shares physiological characteristics with organisms in the generaGeobacter, Pelobacter, andDesulfuromonas. Detailed analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence indicated that strain SDBY1 should be placed in the genusDesulfuromonas. The new species nameDesulfuromonas palmitatis is proposed.D. palmitatis is only the second marine organism found (afterD. acetoxidans) to oxidize multicarbon organic compounds completely to carbon dioxide with Fe(III) as an electron acceptor and provides the first pure culture model for the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids coupled to Fe(III) reduction.     

The abundance and biological activity of manganese-oxidizing bacteria and Metallogenium-like morphotypes in Lake Washington, USA

The distribution of bacteria, ATP, Metallogenium morphotypes and manganese-oxidizing activities were studied in Lake Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A. In accordance with earlier studies, we have found that Metallogenium morphotypes show a stable seasonal distribution in Lake Washington. We have used ⁵⁴Mn(II) tracer studies coupled with poisoned and no-oxygen controls to demonstrate that biological manganese oxidation was not linked to the numbers of Metallogenium morphotypes. The data suggest that these morphotypes do not contribute significantly to the biological oxidation of manganese in Lake Washington.     

Microbial mineralization of organic phosphate in soil

Summary Phosphate-dissolving microorganisms were isolated from non-rhizosphere and rhizosphere of plants. These isolates included bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. In broth cultures, Gram-negative short rod,Bacillus andStreptomyces species were found to be more active in solubilizing phosphate thanAspergillus, Penicillium, Proteus, Serratia, Pseudomonas andMicrococcus spp. The sterile soils mixed with isolated pure culture showed slower mineralization of organic phosphate than that of non-sterile soil samples at all incubation periods. Maximum amount of phosphate mineralization by isolated microorganisms were obtained at the 60th and the 75th day of incubation in sterile and non-sterile soils respectively. The mixed cultures were most effective in mineralizing organic phosphate and individuallyBacillus sp. could be ranked next to mixed cultures. Species ofPseudomonas andMicrococcus were almost the same as that of the control under both sterile and non-sterile conditions.     

Degradation of phenanthrene by the endophytic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratobasidum stevensii</Emphasis> found in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bischofia polycarpa</Emphasis>

Some strains of white rot fungi, non-lignolytic fungi and litter-decomposing basidiomycetes have been recognized as PAH degraders. The purpose of our research was to enlarge the scope of PAH-degrading fungi and explore the huge endophytic microorganism resource for bioremediation of PAHs. In this study, phenanthrene was used as a model PAHs compound. Nine strains of endophytic fungi isolated from four kinds of plant from Eupharbiaceae were screened for degradation of phenanthrene. The endophytic fungus Ceratobasidum stevensii (strain B6) isolated from Bischofia polycarpam showed high degradation efficiency and was selected for further studies. Into the fungal culture, 100 mg l⁻¹ phenanthrene was added, and after 10 days of incubation, about 89.51% of the phenanthrene was removed by strain B6. Extracellular ligninolytic enzyme activities of strain B6 were tested. The results showed that manganese peroxidase [MnP] was the predominant ligninolytic enzyme and that its production was greatly induced by the presence of phenanthrene. To confirm the involvement of MnP in phenanthrene degradation, promotion and inhibition studies on MnP in different concentration level of Mn²⁺ and NaN₃ were performed. Additionally, fungal mycelium-free and resuspended experiments were carried out. The results showed no apparent correlation between MnP activity and phenanthrene degradation. The mycelium and fresh medium were the crucial factors affecting the degradation of phenanthrene. To date, this is the first report on PAH degradation by Ceratobasidum stevensii. This study suggests that endophytic fungi might be a novel and important resource for microorganisms that have PAH-degrading capabilities.     

Effects of growth rate and oxygen tension on glucose dehydrogenase activity inAcinetobacter calcoaceticus LMD 79.41

The regulation of the synthesis of the quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.17) has been studied inAcinetobacter calcoaceticus LMD 79.41, an organism able to oxidize glucose to gluconic acid, but unable to grow on both compounds. Glucose dehydrogenase was synthesized constitutively in both batch and carbon-limited chemostat cultures on a variety of substrates. In acetate-limited chemostat cultures glucose dehydrogenase levels and the glucose-oxidizing capacity of whole cells were dependent on the growth rate. They strongly increased at low growth rates at which the maintenance requirement of the cells had a pronounced effect on biomass yield. Cultures grown on a mixture of acetate and glucose in carbon and energy-limited chemostat cultures oxidized glucose quantitatively to gluconic acid. However, during oxygen-limited growth on this mixture glucose was not oxidized and only very low levels of glucose dehydrogenase were detected in cell-free extracts. After introduction of excess oxygen, however, cultures or washed cell suspensions almost instantaneously gained the capacity to oxidize glucose at a high rate, by an as yet unknown mechanism.     

Solubilization of cobalt from ocean nodules at neutral pH—a novel bioprocess

A marine organism (Bacillus M1) isolated from Indian Ocean manganese nodules was characterized. The organism grew well in artificial seawater medium, at near neutral pH, 30°C and 0.25 M NaCl, and showed MnO₂-reducing activity. Growing cultures of Bacillus M1 as well as cell-free spent liquor from fully-grown cultures were employed to extract metals from the nodules. The spent liquor of cultures of the organism could dissolve around 45% cobalt (Co) at a pH of 8.2 in 2 h. Co recovery by this treatment was comparable to that in acidic leaching with 2.5 M hydrochloric acid solutions, and was independent of pulp density (w/v ratio). The amount of Co dissolved was beyond the thermodynamic solubility limit in aqueous solution at a pH of 8.2. It is inferred that the metabolites present in the spent liquor played a pivotal role in complexing the Fe (III) phase, solubilizing Co in the process. Partial characterization of spent liquor by spot tests, UV visible spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, showed the presence of siderophore-like phenolic compound(s) with an attached carboxyl group that might form soluble organic complexes with Fe (III).     

Biodegradation of pentachlorophenol by white rot fungi under ligninolytic and nonligninolytic conditions

The roles of lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase were investigated in the biodegradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by several white rot fungi. The disappearance of pentachlorophenol from cultures of wild type strains,P. chrysosporium, Trametes sp. andPleurotus sp., was observed. The activities of manganese peroxidase and laccase were detected inTiametes sp. andPleurotus sp. cultures. However, the activities of ligninolytic enzymes were not detected inP. chrysosporium cultures. Therefore, our results showed that PCP was degraded under ligninolytic as well as nonligninolytic conditions. Indicating that lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase are not essential in the biodegradation of PCP by white rot fungi.     

Extracellular proteases ofHendersonula toruloidea Scytalidium hyalinum andScytalidium japonicum

Proteolytic activity was demonstrated in all the six clinical isolates ofHendersonula toruloidea, five ofScytalidium hyalinum and one ofS. japonicum, screened, by using bovine serum albumin as the substrate. Assay of crude enzyme filtrates showed that enzyme activity increased with the age of the organism reaching a peak after twelve days of growth. The optimum temperature and pH for maximal enzyme activity were 37 °C and 5.6 respectively. The maximum dry weight of mycelia recorded wereH. toruloidea, 135 mg;S. hyalinum, 100 mg; andS. japonicum 103 mg/50 ml broth after 22 days of growth. Proteases may play a role in the pathogensis of infection caused by these fungi by hydrolyzing keratinized tissues such as stratum corneum and nails of humans.     

Selective effect of freezing as reflected in growth curves

Relationships were studied between conditions of freezing, nutrition-differentiated qualitative properties of the inoculum and the kinetics of growth of a mesophilic cryosensitive strain ofEscherichia coli and of a psychrophilic cryoresistant strain ofPseudomonas fluorescens. It was found that under conditions when freezing had a high lethal effect while nutritionally undamaged cells predominated among the surviving ones the exponential rate of growth of cultures was increased. Such an effect was usually achieved only after prolonged refrigeration with the cryosensitive microorganism at ?4°C, with the cryoresistant only at lower temperatures. On the other hand, if the refrigeration resulted in an increased proportion of nutritionally affected organisms, a retardation of culture growth took place which consisted in a prolongation of the lag phase but the exponential rate of growth was unchanged. Such an effect was usually achieved by short-term refrigeration but the cryoresistant organism responded in this way even after prolonged refrigeration at ?4°C. A general, statistically significant correlation was found between the changes of inoculum quality (as are empirically expressed by the product of the percentage of dead organisms and the ratio of undamaged and damaged cells) to the rate of growth of the culture after refrigeration. In the cases of growth stimulation the effects observed are explained on the basis of selection of more rapidly growing microorganisms assuming that they belong to the most cryoresistant fraction of the bacterial population. On the other hand, the inhibition based on a prolongation of the lag phase is explainable by retarded adaptation of damaged cells. The selection and adaptation processes are mutually not exclusive as it is assumed that they may be active simultaneously even if to different degrees.     

Frontiers in mycoplasma pathogenicity

Four different strains ofLactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus (Ss₁ and Yop₁₂) andStreptococcus salivarius subsp.thermophilus (Ss₂ and Yop₉) were isolated from two different yogurt sources in Argentina. In medium containing different carbon sources: lactose, fructose, sucrose or glucose plus fructose, the growth of a mixed culture (Yop₁₂+Ss₂) shows stimulation ofS. thermophilus and inhibition ofL. bulgaricus with respect to pure cultures. Both microorganisms in mixed culture grew less well on glucose plus galactose. However, in medium with glucose or galactose, both microorganisms were stimulated.     

Adherence of clinical isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosa to hamster trachael epithelium in vitro

The adherence to hamster tracheal epithelium, of mucoid and nonmucoid clinical isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients, was studied using tracheal organ cultures. Tracheal cultures were infected with 10⁷ colony-forming units per ml of either mucoid or nonmucoid clinical isolates ofP aeruginosa. The tracheal explants were rinsed at various time intervals to remove nonadherent bacteria, fixed, and prepared for transmission-and scanning-electron microscopy. Mucoid isolates were seen adhering to the ciliated epithelium as early as 4 h after initiation of infection, whereas nonmucoid isolates were only observed adhering at 6 to 8 h after infection. Mucoid organisms were found as clusters of bacteria embedded in an extensive extracellular matrix. The nonmucoid isolates were generally found as single organisms with no evidence of an extracellular matrix. These results suggest that the prevalence of mucoid isolates ofP. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis may be due to adherent properties of the mucoid organism.