Reclamation of chitinous materials by bromelain for the preparation of antitumor and antifungal materials

The main purpose of this research was to investigate the antitumor and antimicrobial activities of the chitooligosaccharides containing hydrolyzates obtained from the hydrolysis of chitinous materials (such as chitin, chitosan, and squid pen) by bromelain. The optimum preparations were gained in the hydrolysates of squid pen powder hydrolyzed at pH 5, 37 degrees C for 2 days by 0.1% bromelain. The hydrolysates had an 80% inhibitory activity on phyto-pathogenic mold Fusarium oxysporum. Chitooligosaccharides were recovered from the hydrolysates and were used for tumor cell surviving test. Surviving rate of the human leukemic U937 cells was reduced to 69% by the chitooligosaccharides. The solution of 0.1% of water-soluble chitosan was also hydrolyzed for 1 day at pH 5, 37 degrees C by bromelain. The resultant hydrolysates contained the highest chitooligosaccharides, which had inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis and also had 40% inhibitory activity on human pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Surviving rate of mouse CT26 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells was reduced to 57% by the chitooligosaccharides. This is the first publication of enzymatic reclamation of squid pen (fishery processing waste) for the preparation of antitumor and antimicrobial materials.     

In vitro fibrinolytic activity of an enzyme purified from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain KJ10 isolated from soybean paste

A fibrinolytic protease secreting producing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain KJ10 was initially screened from the fermented soybean. Maximum productivity was obtained in the culture medium after 40 h incubation, 34 °C incubation temperature at pH 8.0. Fibrinolytic protease production was enhanced in the culture medium with 1% sucrose (3712 ± 52 U/mL), 1% (w/v) yeast extract (3940 ± 28 U/mL) and 0.1% MgSO₄ (3687 ± 38 U/mL). Enzyme was purified up to 22.9-fold with 26%recovery after Q-Sepharose HP column chromatography. After three steps purification, enzyme activity was 1606U/mg and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed 29 kDa protein and enzyme band was detected by zymograpy. Enzyme was highly active at pH 8.0, at wide temperature ranges (40 °C ? 55 °C) and was activated by Mn²⁺ (102 ± 3.1%) and Mg²⁺ (101.4 ± 2.9%) ions. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme was highly specific against N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA (189 mmol/min/mL) and clot lytic activity reached 28 ± 1.8% within 60 minin vitro. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme showed least erythrocytic lysis activity confirmed safety to prevent various health risks, including hemolytic anemia. Based on this study, administration of fibrinolytic enzyme from B. amyloliquefaciens strain KJ10 is safe for clinical applications.     

Antifungal activity of the lipopeptides produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens anti-CA against Candida albicans isolated from clinic

The bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens anti-CA isolated from mangrove system was found to be able to actively kill Candida albicans isolated from clinic. The bacterial strain anti-CA could produce high level of bioactive substance, amylase and protease in the cheap medium containing 2.0 % soybean meal, 2.0 % wheat flour, pH 6.5 within 26 h. After purification, the main bioactive substance was confirmed to be a cyclic lipopeptide containing a heptapeptide, L-Asp→L-Leu→L-Leu→L-Val→L-Val→L-Glu→L-Leu and a 3-OH fatty acid (15 carbons). In addition to C. albicans, the purified lipopeptide can also kill many yeast strains including Metschnikowia bicuspidata, Candida tropicalis, Yarrowia lipolytica and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After treated by the purified lipopeptide, both the whole cells and protoplasts of C. albicans were destroyed.     

Isolation and structural analysis of bamylocin A, novel lipopeptide from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LP03 having antagonistic and crude oil-emulsifying activity

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain LP03 isolated from soil, produced an antagonistic compound that strongly inhibited the growth of plant-pathogenic fungi and a lipopeptide biosurfactant. Also, isolated strain LP03 had a marked crude oil-emulsifying activity as it developed a clear zone around the colony after incubation for 24 h at 37°C. LP03 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by analysis of partial 16 S rRNA gene and partial gyrA gene sequence. The lipopeptide was purified by acid precipitation of cell-free culture broth, extraction of the precipitates with methanol, silica gel column chromatography, and reverse-phase, high-pressure liquid chromatography. The purified biosurfactant was analyzed biochemical structure by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The masses of the two peaks were observed by HPLC chromatography. Their masses were determined to be 1,044 and 1,058 m/z with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. As constituents of the peptide and lipophilic part of the m/z 1,022.6, seven amino acids (Glu-Leu-Met-Leu-Pro-Leu-Leu) and β-hydroxy-C13 fatty acid were determined by ESI-MS/MS. The lipopeptide of 1,022.6 Da differed from surfactins in the substitution of leucine, valine and aspartic acid in positions 3, 4, and 5 by methionine, leucine, and proline, respectively. Novel lipopeptide was designated as bamylocin A.     

Antioxidant activity and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition by enzymatic hydrolysates from bee bread

Enzymatic hydrolysates were prepared from bee bread using three proteases. The antioxidant properties of these hydrolysates were measured using four different methods. These had remarkable antioxidant activity similar or superior to that of 1 mM alpha-tocopherol. They also had high scavenging activities against active oxygen species as the superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, they showed angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activities and the activities were similar to those from various fermented foods such as fish sauce, sake, vinegar, cheese, miso, and natto. The present studies reveal that enzymatic hydrolysates from bee bread are of benefit not only for the materials of health food diets, but also for in patients undergoing various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension.     

Calcium-dependent catalytic activity of a novel phytase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DS11

The thermostable phytase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DS11 hydrolyzes phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, IP6) to less phosphorylated myo-inositol phosphates in the presence of Ca2+. In this report, we discuss the unique Ca2+-dependent catalytic properties of the phytase and its specific substrate requirement. Initial rate kinetic studies of the phytase indicate that the enzyme activity follows a rapid equilibrium ordered mechanism in which binding of Ca2+ to the active site is necessary for the essential activation of the enzyme. Ca2+ turned out to be also required for the substrate because the phytase is only able to hydrolyze the calcium-phytate complex. In fact, both an excess amount of free Ca2+ and an excess of free phytate, which is not complexed with each other, can act as competitive inhibitors. The Ca2+-dependent catalytic activity of the enzyme was further confirmed, and the critical amino acid residues for the binding of Ca2+ and substrate were identified by site-specific mutagenesis studies. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to understand if the decreased enzymatic activity was related to poor Ca2+ binding. The pH dependence of the Vmax and Vmax/Km consistently supported these observations by demonstrating that the enzyme activity is dependent on the ionization of amino acid residues that are important for the binding of Ca2+ and the substrate. The Ca2+-dependent activation of enzyme and substrate was found to be different from other histidine acid phytases that hydrolyze metal-free phytate.     

The role of the promoter and leader sequences of extracellular ribonuclease from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in regulation of enzyme biosynthesis

It is shown that in the medium rich with inorganic phosphate there is a stimulation of biosynthesis of ribonuclease from B. amyloliquefaciens (barnase) by actinomycin D, while biosynthesis of ribonucleases from B. intermedius (binase) and B. pumilus (KNase Bpu) in these conditions was suppressed. Features of biosynthesis of binase and RNase Bpu, directed by the barnase promoter, and also expression of chimeric gene of RNase Bpu with leader peptide of barnase were investigated. It was established that stimulation of synthesis of extracellular ribonuclease from B. amyloliquefaciens in the presence of actinomycin D was defined by structure of leader sequences.     

Degradation of starchy substrates by a crude enzyme preparation and utilization of the hydrolysates for lactic fermentation

An enzyme preparation obtained from Aspergillus ustus, possessing cellulase, α-amylase, amyloglucosidase, proteinase and d-xylanase activities, was used along with commercial bacterial α-amylase and amyloglucosidase for the degradation of ragi (Eleusine coracana) flour and wheat (Triticum vulgare) bran. Lactic acid yield from ragi hydrolysate, adjusted to 5% reducing sugars (w/v), was 25% when fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum. The yields increased to 78% and 94% when the ragi hydrolysate was fortified with 20% and 60% (v/v) wheat bran hydrolysate, respectively. When commercial α-amylase and amyloglucosidase were used for the hydrolysis of ragi and wheat bran and L. plantarum was employed to ferment the hydrolysates containing 5% reducing sugars (w/v), lactic acid yields were 10% in ragi hydrolysate and 57% and 90% when the ragi hydrolysate was fortified with 20% and 60% (v/v) of wheat bran hydrolysate, respectively. α-Amylase and amyloglucosidase hydrolysed wheat bran added at 20% (v/v) as the sole source of nutrient to soluble starch hydrolysate (5% reducing sugars) gave 22% yield of lactic acid. The yield increased to 55% by the utilization of A. ustus enzyme preparation in addition to α-amylase and amyloglucosidase for wheat bran hydrolysis.     

Medium optimization of antifungal activity production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens using statistical experimental design

In order to overproduce biofungicides agents by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BLB371, a suitable culture medium was optimized using response surface methodology. Plackett-Burman design and central composite design were employed for experimental design and analysis of the results. Peptone, sucrose, and yeast extract were found to significantly influence antifungal activity production and their optimal concentrations were, respectively, 20 g/L, 25 g/L, and 4.5 g/L. The corresponding biofungicide production was 250 AU/mL, corresponding to 56% improvement in antifungal components production over a previously used medium (160 AU/mL). Moreover, our results indicated that a deficiency of the minerals CuSO(4), FeCl(3) · 6H(2)O, Na(2)MoO(4), KI, ZnSO(4) · 7H(2)O, H(3)BO(3), and C(6)H(8)O(7) in the optimized culture medium was not crucial for biofungicides production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BLB371, which is interesting from a practical point of view, particularly for low-cost production and use of the biofungicide for the control of agricultural fungal pests.     

Isolation of the Bacillus subtilis antimicrobial peptide subtilosin from the dairy product-derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Aims: To purify and characterize an antimicrobial protein (bacteriocin) isolated from the dairy product‐derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Methods and Results: An unknown bacterial species cultured from the Yogu Farm? probiotic dairy beverage was identified through 16S ribosomal RNA analysis as B. amyloliquefaciens, a phylogenetically close relative of Bacillus subtilis. The cell‐free supernatant (CFS) of overnight cultures was active against Listeria monocytogenes and also against clinical isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus agalactiae. At the same time, several isolates of vaginal probiotic Lactobacilli were resistant to the CFS. The nature of the compound causing inhibitory activity was confirmed as proteinaceous by enzymatic digestion. The protein was isolated using ammonium sulfate precipitation, and further purified via column chromatography. PCR analysis was conducted to determine relatedness to other bacteriocins produced by Bacillus spp. Conclusion: The antimicrobial protein isolated from B. amyloliquefaciens was shown to be subtilosin, a bacteriocin previously reported as produced only by B. subtilis. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report of intra‐species horizontal gene transfer for subtilosin and the first fully characterized bacteriocin isolated from B. amyloliquefaciens. Finally, this is the first report on subtilosin’s activity against bacterial vaginosis‐associated pathogens.     

Purification and characterization of a major fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MJ5-41 isolated from Meju

Meju is a traditional Korean fermented soy product used as a key element for soy sauce and doenjang. Bacilli with antimicrobial activity were isolated from meju prepared by traditional methods at Sunchang county, Jeollabukdo, Korea. Six isolates were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by recA gene sequencing and RAPD-PCR. One isolate, B. amyloliquefaciens MJ5-41, showed the strongest fibrinolytic activity. A 27 kDa active fibrinolytic enzyme, AprE5-41, was purified from the culture supernatant of MJ5-41 grown on LB by chromatographic methods. The optimum pH and temperature for purified AprE5-41 were 7.0 and 45°C, respectively. AprE5-41 quickly degraded Aα and Bβ chains but not the gamma-chain of fibrinogen. AprE5-41 exhibited the highest specificity for N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe pnitroanilide, a known substrate for α-chymotrypsin, cathepsin G, and subtilisin BPN'. The structural gene, aprE5-41, was cloned by PCR and successfully expressed in B. subtilis.     

Cloning of the BamHI methyl transferase gene from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

We wish to report the initial characterization of a recombinant clone containing the BamHI methylase gene. Genomic chromosomal DNA purified from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was partially cleaved with HindIII, fractionated by size, and cloned into pSP64. Plasmid DNA from this library was challenged with BamHI endonuclease and transformed into Escherichia coli HB101. A recombinant plasmid pBamM6.5 and a subclone pBamM2.5 were shown to contain the BamHI methylase gene based on three independent observations. Both plasmids were found to be resistant to BamHI endonuclease cleavage, and chromosomal DNA isolated from E. coli HB101 cells harboring either of the plasmids pBamM6.5 or pBamM2.5 was resistant to cleavage by BamHI endonuclease. In addition, DNA isolated from lambda phage passaged through E. coli HB101 containing either plasmid was also resistant to BamHI cleavage. Expression of the BamHI methylase gene is dependent on orientation in pSP64. In these clones preliminary evidence indicates that methylase gene expression may be under the direction of the plasmid encoded LacZ promoter.     

定点突变提高解淀粉芽孢杆菌JP-21脲酶应用特性

氨基甲酸乙酯(Ethylcarbamate,EC)是一种存在于发酵食品和酒精饮料中的可致癌物,过量摄入可能会影响人体健康。酶法降解是减少发酵食品中氨基甲酸乙酯及其前体尿素含量的有效方法之一。脲酶具有氨基甲酸乙酯水解酶和尿素酶两种活性,因此在减少发酵食品中氨基甲酸乙酯及其前体尿素方面具有良好的应用前景。目前脲酶降解发酵酒精饮料中氨基甲酸乙酯面临的主要问题是脲酶对氨基甲酸乙酯的催化活性及亲和力较低,因而其降解效果不理想。文中成功在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli中表达了来源于解淀粉芽孢杆菌Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JP-21的脲酶,表达水平为尿素酶3 291.74 U/L,氨基甲酸乙酯水解酶227.26 U/L。通过模拟脲酶中催化亚基UreC与氨基甲酸乙酯对接的结构,确定了M326和M374这两个影响酶与底物结合的位点。采用点饱和突变获得了3株氨基甲酸乙酯水解酶活性提高的突变体M374A、M374T和M326V,以EC为底物时的Km分别为101.84mmol/L、129.49 mmol/L和121.67 mmol/L,比野生型分别降低了37.47%–50...     

Pilot-scale production of carboxymethylcellulase from rice hull by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DL-3

Optimal conditions for pilot-scale production of the carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DL-3 were investigated. The best carbon and nitrogen sources for the production of CMCase by B. amyloliquefaciens DL-3 were found to be rice hull and peptone and their optimal concentrations were 5.0 and 0.20% (w/v), respectively. Optimal temperature and initial pH for the production of CMCase were 37°C and 6.8. Optimal agitation speed and aeration rate for the production of CMCase were 300 rpm and 1.0 vvm in a 7 L bioreactor, which were different from those for the cell growth of B. amyloliquefaciens DL-3. The highest productions of CMCase by B. amyloliquefaciens DL-3 from 5.0% (w/v) rice hull as a carbon source under optimal conditions in a 7 or 100 L bioreactor were 220 and 367 U/mL, respectively.