Determination of antibiotic chemicals using microbiological tests: evaluation of the limits of sensitivity]

Sensitivity of Bacillus subtilis BGA and Bacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis disc assays to 53 chemio-antibiotics was tested. Test-microorganisms were sown in two different mediums: PM Indicator Agar, Difco U.S.A., and Standard II Nutrient Agar, Merck Germany, modified according to Nouws. The mediums were used with or without addition of Trimethoprim (at a concentration of 0.12 or 0.024 mcg/ml of medium for B. subtilis and for B. stearothermophilus respectively). B. stearothermophilus did not grow in Standard II. However, the B. subtilis assay gave the best results with Standard II, apart for aminoglycosides. The B. stearothermophilus disc assay was the most sensitive to penicillins (Minimum Inhibiting Concentration in mcg/ml, MIC, between 0.001 and 0.004), cephalosporins (MIC between 0.003 and 0.09, apart from Ceftazidime, 0.3) and aminoglycosides (MIC between 0.03 and 0.6). The B.subtilis disc assay showed better sensitivity to quinolines (MIC between 0.05 and 4) and to some tetracyclines (oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline, MIC 0.03). Trimethoprim, where added, determined a higher sensitivity to sulfonamides (MIC between 0.025 and 0.25).     

Purification of bovine milk lactoperoxidase and investigation of antibacterial properties at different thiocyanate mediated

Bovine lactoperoxidase (LPO) was purified with amberlite CG 50 H+ resin, CM sephadex C-50 ion-exchange chromatography, and sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography from skim milk. The activity of lactoperoxidase was measured by using 2.2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) as a choromogenic substrate at pH 6.0. Purification degree for the purified enzyme was controlled with SDS-PAGE and Rz value (A412/A280). Rz value for the purified LPO was 0.8. Km value at pH 6.0 at 20 degrees C for the LPO was 0.20 mM. Vmax value was 7.87 micromol/ml min at pH 6.0 at 20 degrees C. Bovine LPO showed high antibacterial activity in 100 mM thiocyanate--100 mM H2O2 medium for some pathogenic bacteria, such as Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 7966, Micrococcus luteus LA 2971, Mycobacterium smegmatis RUT, Bacillus subtilis IMG 22, Pseudomonas pyocyanea, Bacillus subtilis var. niger ATCC 10, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 15753, Bacillus brevis FMC3, Klebsiella pneumoniae FMC 5, Corynebacterium xerosis UC 9165, Bacillus cereus EU, Bacillus megaterium NRS, Yersinia enterocolytica, Listeria monocytogenes scoot A, Bacillus megaterium EU, Bacillus megaterium DSM32, Klebsiella oxytocica, Staphylococcus aerogenes, Streptococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium smegmatis CCM 2067 and compared with well known antibacterial substances such as penicilline, ampicilline, amoxicillin-clavulanate and ceftriaxon. The LPO--100 mM thiocyanate--100 mM H2O2 system was purposed as an effective agent against many of the diseases causing organisms in human and animals.     

牛樟芝发酵液提取物抗菌活性研究

牛樟芝作为一种珍稀食用和药用菌,具有极大的开发潜力。该研究以麦芽浸粉肉汤液体培养基(BD,美国BD公司)对牛樟芝菌丝体进行摇床培养60 d后,收获发酵液并用乙酸乙酯对其进行萃取,浓缩至干获得提取物;同时,采用抑菌圈法评价培养物对13种致病细菌抗菌活性(蜡样芽孢杆菌、缓慢芽孢杆菌、无乳链球菌、短小芽孢杆菌、福氏志贺氏菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、藤黄微球菌、副溶血性弧菌、溶血性葡萄球菌、铜尿假单胞菌、乙型副伤寒沙门氏菌、大肠埃希菌),并检测相应致病细菌的最低抑制浓度(MIC)。结果表明:牛樟芝麦芽浸粉肉汤发酵液提取物对供试的13种致病菌均有抑菌活性;在供试的13种致病菌中,提取物对缓慢芽孢杆菌、短小芽孢杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、副溶血性弧菌、藤黄微球菌5种致病菌的最低抑制浓度值均小于80μg·m L~(-1),其中对藤黄微球菌的最低抑制浓度最低为66.5μg·m~(-1);随着培养时间的增加,提取物的抗菌活性也增加。这说明牛樟芝菌丝体在液体培养条件下,能够产生广谱高效抑菌活性的次生代谢产物。该研究结果为牛樟芝进一步的有效利用开发奠定了理论基础。     

Effects of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide on bacterial growth

The effects of low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on actively dividing cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus cereus were studied. Fresh cultures of each organism were incubated for 24 h at 25 degrees C on both nutrient agar and mineral salts glucose agar plates under atmospheres containing various low concentrations of NO in air (0 to 1.9 ppm [0 to 2.0 micrograms/g of air]), NO2 in air (0 to 5.5 ppm [0 to 8.8 micrograms/g of air]), or NO and NO2 in air. Bacteria grown under air only were used as controls. After incubation, the colonies that developed on the plates were counted. None of the bacteria tested was affected by NO or NO2 at the indicated concentrations while growing on nutrient agar. Serratia marcescens, B. circulans, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. cereus grown on mineral salts glucose agar were not significantly affected by NO or NO2. Low concentrations (0 to 1.9 ppm) of NO were bacteriostatic to log-phase cultures of M. roseus, M. luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus grown on mineral salts glucose agar. Bacteriostatic activity over a 24-h interval was maximal at an initial NO concentration of 1 ppm. Appreciable amounts of NO2 were produced in 24 h at initial NO concentrations greater than 1 ppm. These results suggest that NO2 may reduce the bacteriostatic activity of NO. Low concentrations (0 to 5.5 ppm) of NO2 in air did not affect any of the bacteria tested. At these low concentrations, NO affected bacterial growth, although NO2, NO2-, and NO3- did not. In addition, it was determined that the bacteriostatic activity observed in this study was not due to an increase in the acidity of the medium.     

Effects of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide on bacterial growth.

The effects of low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on actively dividing cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus cereus were studied. Fresh cultures of each organism were incubated for 24 h at 25 degrees C on both nutrient agar and mineral salts glucose agar plates under atmospheres containing various low concentrations of NO in air (0 to 1.9 ppm [0 to 2.0 micrograms/g of air]), NO2 in air (0 to 5.5 ppm [0 to 8.8 micrograms/g of air]), or NO and NO2 in air. Bacteria grown under air only were used as controls. After incubation, the colonies that developed on the plates were counted. None of the bacteria tested was affected by NO or NO2 at the indicated concentrations while growing on nutrient agar. Serratia marcescens, B. circulans, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. cereus grown on mineral salts glucose agar were not significantly affected by NO or NO2. Low concentrations (0 to 1.9 ppm) of NO were bacteriostatic to log-phase cultures of M. roseus, M. luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus grown on mineral salts glucose agar. Bacteriostatic activity over a 24-h interval was maximal at an initial NO concentration of 1 ppm. Appreciable amounts of NO2 were produced in 24 h at initial NO concentrations greater than 1 ppm. These results suggest that NO2 may reduce the bacteriostatic activity of NO. Low concentrations (0 to 5.5 ppm) of NO2 in air did not affect any of the bacteria tested. At these low concentrations, NO affected bacterial growth, although NO2, NO2-, and NO3- did not. In addition, it was determined that the bacteriostatic activity observed in this study was not due to an increase in the acidity of the medium.     

Antibacterial and antifungal lysozyme-type activity in Cameraria ohridella pupae

Lysozyme-type antibacterial and antifungal activity in pupae of Cameraria ohridella was studied. Activity against Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus megaterium was detected in pupae extract. Also antifungal activity from C. ohridella pupae extract directed against Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain W 303 was shown. During immunoblotting two bands in pupae extract, with molecular mass of about 15 and 28 kDa were recognized by antibodies directed against HEWL. After acid electrophoresis followed by bioautography of the extract, two lytic zones showing lysozyme-type activity against M. luteus were observed. Two bacteria: Gram-positive Aerococcus viridans and Gram-negative Aeromonas salmonicida ssp. masoucida were isolated from pupae of C. ohridella. Their activity against M. luteus, B. megaterium, and S. cerevisiae W303 was detected. After immunoblotting with antibodies against HEWL, also two proteins from bacterial suspensions of A. viridans and A. salmonicida were detected, about 15 and 28 kDa.     

Effect of pH on Sporulation of Bacillus Stearothermophilus

An improved broth medium was developed for high growth yields of Bacillus subtilis var. niger NCIB 8649, Bacillus cereus NCIB 9373, and Bacillus stearothermophilus NCIB 8919 and ATCC 7953. Sporulation was abundant (1.1 times 10-8 B. subtilis var. niger and 9.2 times 10-7 B. cereus per ml) at an initial pH of 7.0. Sporulation of both strains of B. stearothermophilus took place (1.9 times 10-7 and 2.4 times 10-7/ml, respectively) in this medium when initial pH values of 7.7 to 8.7 were used.     

16S rDNA sequence analysis of culturable marine biofilm forming bacteria from a ship's hull

Marine bacteria from the hull of a ship in the form of biofilms or microfouling were isolated, cultured, and identified by phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences. With an average length of 946 bp, all the 16 sequences were classified using the Ribosomal database project (RDP) and were submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences indicated that the 16 strains belonged to the Firmicutes (IK-MB6 Exiguobacterium aurantiacum, IK-MB7 Exiguobacterium arabatum, IK-MB8 Exiguobacterium arabatum, IK-MB9 Jeotgalibacillus alimentarius, IK-MB10 Bacillus megaterium, IK-MB11 Bacillus pumilus, IK-MB12 Bacillus pumilus, IK-MB13 Bacillus pumilus, IK-MB14 Bacillus megaterium), High GC, Gram-positive bacteria (IK-MB2 Micrococcus luteus, IK-MB5 Micrococcus luteus, IK-MB16 Arthrobacter mysorens), G-Proteobacteria (IK-MB3 Halomonas aquamarina, IK-MB15 Halotalea alkalilenta), CFB group bacteria (IK-MB1 Myroides odoratimimus), and Enterobacteria (IK-MB4 Proteus mirabilis). Among the 16 strains, representatives of the Firmicutes were dominant (56.25%) compared to the high GC, Gram-positive bacteria (18.75%), G-Proteobacteria (12.5%), CFB group bacteria (6.25%), and Enterobacteria (6.25%). Analysis revealed that majority of marine species found in marine biofilm are of anthropogenic origin.     

Identification of Named Cultures of Bacillus calidolactis as Bacillus stearothermophilus

A study was made of 23 cultures of Bacillus calidolactis. By using cultural, biochemical, and per cent guanine plus cytosine methods, the cultures were found to be B. stearothermophilus.     

Production of Antimicrobial Substances by Bacteria Isolated from Fermented Table Olives

Summary The production of antimicrobial substances was studied among 195 bacterial isolates from retail table olives. A total 86 isolates tested positive, and they clustered in 10 groups according to their inhibitory spectra. Many isolates (38.37%) produced strong inhibition against all bacteria tested (Listeria innocua, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus cereus, B. megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli). The selected bacterial isolates were Gram-positive bacteria with rod morphology (62.67%), short rods (26.65%) or cocci (10.67%). Isolates producing antimicrobial substances may be useful as starters to enhance control of table olive fermentation and improve the safety of retail table olives.     

Effect of polyene antibiotics on bacterial protoplasts

The carbonyl-conjugated pentaenes flavofungin, nigrofungin and flavopentin exhibit considerable lytic activity toward Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Bacillus megaterium protoplasts. The antibiotics at concentrations of 5 to 14 microgram/ml cause lysis of 50% of the protoplasts within 15 min of their incubation. The antibiotics inhibit the activity of NADH oxidase and malate oxidase by 50% in the lysates of Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Bacillus megaterium protoplasts at concentrations of 30 to 50 microgram/ml; preincubation of the lysates with the antibiotics intensify the inhibiting action of the polyenes. Growth of the bacteria is inhibited when the minimal concentration of the polyenes is 75 to 100 microgram/ml. Interaction of the polyenes with bacterial membranes lacking sterols indicates that resistance of at least some bacteria to polyenes is caused by impermeability of the cell wall for these substances rather than by the absence of sterols in the membranes.     

Growth, encystment and survival of Acanthamoeba castellanii grazing on different bacteria

Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in soil and water collections, where trophozoites (vegetative, multiplicative stages) feed mainly by phagocytosis and thus control bacterial populations in the environment. Here, we examined the growth, encystment and survival of Acanthamoeba castellanii receiving different bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Micrococcus luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus) in nonnutrient saline. All bacteria assayed induced a dose-dependent proliferative response, in most cases maximized with a bacterial dose of 1 x 10(9) mL(-1); except for M. luteus, trophozoites grew better with viable than with heat-killed bacteria. In addition, Acanthamoeba growth was improved by adding bacteria on alternate days. Single-dose experiments indicated a temporal association between the growth of trophozoite and bacterial consumption, and higher consumption of M. luteus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, bacterial species that allowed the highest trophozoite yields. Long-term Acanthamoeba-bacteria incubation revealed that encystment was significantly delayed by almost all the bacteria assayed (including S. aureus, which elicited a poor growth response) and that the presence of bacteria markedly increased cyst yield; final cyst recovery clearly depended on both the dose and the type of the bacterium given, being much higher with E. coli, M. luteus and P. aeruginosa.     

De novo synthesis of poly(dAT) by the cell extract of a thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus carrying a plasmid pTB913

Abstract In the absence of added template and primer, DNA synthesis activity which required dATP, dTTP, magnesium ion, and ATP was detected in the cell extracts prepared from a thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus carrying a plasmid pTB913, but not from the strain without plasmid. Polymer synthesis was detectable only after a lag period and then proceeded at an exponential rate. The DNA synthesized in vitro was the alternating copolymer of dAMP and dTMP, poly(dAT). This reaction was very similar to the de novo DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis , and Micrococcus luteus , except for the requirement of ATP and thermostability.     

Differential activation of the NF-kappaB-like factors Relish and Dif in Drosophila melanogaster by fungi and Gram-positive bacteria

The current model of immune activation in Drosophila melanogaster suggests that fungi and Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria activate the Toll/Dif pathway and that Gram-negative (G(-)) bacteria activate the Imd/Relish pathway. To test this model, we examined the response of Relish and Dif (Dorsal-related immunity factor) mutants to challenge by various fungi and G(+) and G(-) bacteria. In Relish mutants, the Cecropin A gene was induced by the G(+) bacteria Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus, but not by other G(+) or G(-) bacteria. This Relish-independent Cecropin A induction was blocked in Dif/Relish double mutant flies. Induction of the Cecropin A1 gene by M. luteus required Relish, whereas induction of the Cecropin A2 gene required Dif. Intact peptidoglycan (PG) was necessary for this differential induction of Cecropin A. PG extracted from M. luteus induced Cecropin A in Relish mutants, whereas PGs from the G(+) bacteria Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis did not, suggesting that the Drosophila immune system can distinguish PGs from various G(+) bacteria. Various fungi stimulated antimicrobial peptides through at least two different pathways requiring Relish and/or Dif. Induction of Attacin A by Geotrichum candidum required Relish, whereas activation by Beauvaria bassiana required Dif, suggesting that the Drosophila immune system can distinguish between at least these two fungi. We conclude that the Drosophila immune system is more complex than the current model. We propose a new model to account for this immune system complexity, incorporating distinct pattern recognition receptors of the Drosophila immune system, which can distinguish between various fungi and G(+) bacteria, thereby leading to selective induction of antimicrobial peptides via differential activation of Relish and Dif.     

Degradation of anthracene by bacteria isolated from oil polluted tropical soils

Four bacteria, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Alcaligenes eutrophus, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus were isolated from crude oil polluted soils using anthracene as the sole carbon and energy source. All the organisms utilized n-hexadecane, n-tetradecane, diesel oil, engine oil and naphthalene as sole carbon sources. None could utilize hexane, cycloheptane, xylene, benzene, toluene, phenol, fluoranthene,and kerosene as carbon sources. Highest cell density obtained with 0.1% (w/v) anthracene were 4.5 x 10(7) (cfu/ml), 8.6 x 10(6) (cfu/ml), 5.4 x 10(6) and 2.4 x 10(6) (cfu/ml) respectively, for P. aeruginosa, A. eutrophus, B. subtilis and M. luteus after 30 days incubation. Growth of the organisms on a Nigerian crude oil resulted in a residual oil concentration of 22.2%, 33.3%, 39.3%, 44% and 91.7% respectively, for P. aeruginosa, A. eutrophus, B. subtilis, M. luteus and the noninoculated control on the 14 th day. Ring fission enzymes of the meta pathway were detected in induced cells of P. aeruginosa and A. eutrophus while ortho pathway enzymes were detected in B. subtilis and M. luteus. P. aeruginosa and A. eutrophus had specific catechol-2,3-dioxygenase activities of 3.8 +/- 0.183 and 0.64 +/- 0.032 micromol/min x mg protein respectively while catechol-1,2-dioxygenase activities of 1.95 +/- 0.029 and 1.89 +/- 0.026 micromol/min x mg protein were detected in B. subtilis and M. luteus respectively. This work, highlights the capability of these unreported tropical strains of A. eutrophus, B. subtilis and M. luteus as anthracene degraders.     

Microbiological Aspects of Ethylene Oxide Sterilization: II. Microbial Resistance to Ethylene Oxide

The death rate kinetics of several sporeforming and nonsporeforming microorganisms, including radiation-resistant cocci, were determined by exposing them to a mixture of ethylene oxide and dichlorodifluoromethane (500 mg of ethylene oxide per liter, 30 to 50% relative humidity, and 54.4 C). Spore survivor curves obtained from tests of inoculated and exposed hygroscopic and nonhygroscopic carriers showed that the spores of Bacillus subtilis var. niger are more resistant to ethylene oxide than are spores of Clostridium sporogenes, B. stearothermophilus, and B. pumilus. The decimal reduction times (expressed as D values at 54.4 C-500 mg of ethylene oxide per liter) obtained under the test conditions for B. subtilis var. niger spores on hygroscopic and nonhygroscopic carriers exceeded the values obtained for the other organisms considered, both sporeformers and nonsporeformers. The decimal reduction times for the vegetative cells of the radiation-resistant organisms (Micrococcus radiodurans and two strains of Streptococcus faecalis) and the ATCC strain of S. faecalis demonstrated comparable resistance to ethylene oxide with the spores of C. sporogenes, B. stearothermophilus, and B. pumilus, but not those of B. subtilis var. niger.     

N-terminal analogues of cecropin A: synthesis, antibacterial activity, and conformational properties

Six analogues of the 37-residue antibacterial peptide cecropin A were synthesized by the solid-phase method: cecropin A-(2-37), [Glu2]cecropin A, [Pro4]cecropin A, [Glu6]cecropin A, [Leu6]cecropin A, and [Pro8]cecropin A. Their antibacterial activities against four test organisms were determined and related to conformational changes observed in their CD spectra and were discussed on the basis of a previously proposed amphipathic alpha-helix model. An aromatic residue in position 2 was shown to be important for activity against all tested bacteria. The highly alpha-helical 1-11 region of cecropin A did not appear to play a significant role in its activity against Escherichia coli but was clearly involved in its interaction against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus megaterium, and Micrococcus luteus.     

The purification and characterization of a DNA nicking-closing enzyme from Bacillus megaterium.

Although several eucaryote DNA nicking--closing (N--C) enzymes have been characterized, only the Escherichia coli enzyme has been extensively studied amongst procaryotes. The latter enzyme is distinctly different from the eucaryotic enzymes and we have therefore purified the N--C enzyme from Bacillus megaterium to determine if procaryotes form a distinctive class of N--C enzymes. The purified B. megaterium N--C enzyme has a molecular weight of 120,000, only partly relaxes negative supercoils, does not affect positive supercoils, requires Mg2+, and is inhibited by 0.2 M KCl. The enzyme is also inhibited by 1 mM nalidixic or oxolinic acids but unaffected by novobiocin. A crude N--C enzyme preparation from Micrococcus luteus shows very similar properties.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of ethanolic extract fromLepista nuda (Bull.) Cooke

Antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activities ofLepista nuda (Bull.) Cooke extracts obtained with ethanol were investigated. Four complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical scavenging, β-carotene/linoleic acid systems, total phenolic compounds and total flavonoid concentration, have been used. Linoleic, acid inhibition values ofL. nuda ethanolic extract, BHA and α-to copherol standards were found to be 84.3% 98.9% and 99.2% respectively in the concentration of 160μg/ml. Total flavonoid amount was 8.21 ± 0.56 μg mg^?1 quercetin equivalent while the phenolic compound amount was 48.01 ± 0.29 μg mg^?1 pyrocatechol equivalent in the extract. The antimicrobial activity ofL. nuda extract was testedin vitro by using the agar-well diffusion method. TheL. nuda extract showed antibacterial activity againstMicrococcus flavus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus cereus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis andEscherichia coli. TheL. nuda extract did not exhibit antican didal activity againstCandida albicans. The extracts could be suitable as antimicrobial and antioxidativeagents in the food industry.     

Thermophilic NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

A rapid purification procedure for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) from Bacillus stearothermophilus var calidolactis was developed. The homogeneous enzyme with a total molecular weight of approximately 240,000 daltons, contained 6 identical subunits. No high molecular weight form of GDH present in crude extracts was found after elution of the enzyme from a 5'AMP-Sepharose column with 4 M urea. The purified enzyme functions in both directions i.e. amination and deamination and is strictly specific for NAD. 2-Oxo glutarate, glutamate or 2-mercaptoethanol protects against heat inactivation. NADH or ammonia, on the other hand, makes GDH more sensitive to heat. The purified enzyme undergoes thermal inactivation process.