Presence of quorum-sensing inhibitor-like compounds from bacteria isolated from the brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa

Aims:  Several Gram-negative bacterial species use N -acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules as quorum-sensing (QS) signals to regulate various biological functions. Similarly, various bacteria can stimulate, inhibit or inactivate QS signals in other bacteria by producing molecules called as quorum-sensing inhibitors (QSI). Our aim was to screen and identify the epibiotic bacteria associated with brown algae for their ability of producing QS-inhibiting activity.
Methods and Results:  QSI screenings were conducted on several epibiotic bacteria isolated from a marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa , using Serratia rubidaea JCM 14263 as an indicator organism. Strain JCM 14263 controls the production of red pigment, prodigiosin by AHL QS. Out of 96 bacteria, which were isolated from the surface of the brown alga, 12% of strains showed the ability to produce QSI, which was observed from the pigmentation inhibition on Ser. rubidaea JCM 14263 without affecting its growth. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing method demonstrated bacterial isolates showing QS inhibition-producing bacteria belonging to the Bacillaceae (Firmicutes), Pseudomonadaceae (Proteobacteria), Pseudoalteromonadaceae (Proteobacteria) and Vibrionaceae (Proteobacteria).
Conclusion:  An appreciable percentage of bacteria isolated from the brown alga produced QSI-like compounds.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The screening method using Ser. rubidaea described in this report will facilitate the rapid identification of QSI-producing bacteria from marine environment. This study reveals new avenue for future environmental applications. This study also suggests that these algal epibiotic bacteria may play a role in the defensive mechanism for their host by producing QSI or QSI-like compounds to suppress the settlement of other competitive bacteria.     

Polysaccharide and lipid composition of the brown seaweed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria gurjanovae</Emphasis>

Polysaccharide and lipid composition of the Pacific brown seaweed Laminaria gurjanovae is determined. Alginic acid is shown to be the main polysaccharide of its biomass (about 28%); it consists of mannuronic and guluronic acid residues at a ratio of 3: 1. The yield of water-soluble polymannuronic acid is low and does not exceed 1.1% of dry biomass. High laminaran content (about 22%) is found, whereas the yield of fucoidan is no more than 3.6%. Laminaran consists of two fractions, soluble and insoluble in cold water, their ratio is 2.5: 1. Insoluble laminaran is a practically linear 1,3-β-D-glucan, and the soluble fraction was shown to be 1,3;1,6-β-D-glucan. The oligosaccharide products of desulfation or partial acidic hydrolysis of fucoidan were studied by MALDI TOF MS; they were found to be fuco- and galactooligosaccharides. The fucoidan is suggested to be a highly sulfated partially acetylated galactofucan (Fuc/Gal is ～1: 1). The main lipid components of the dried L. gurjanovae are neutral lipids and glyceroglycolipids, whereas phospholipids are found in minor amounts. The main fatty acid components of lipids are 14:0, 16:0, 16:1 ω-7, 18:1 ω-7 and 18:2 ω-6 acids.     

混合植物油替代鱼油对中华绒螯蟹成体雄蟹常规成分和脂肪酸组成的影响

为研究育肥饲料中混合植物油替代鱼油对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)成体雄蟹常规成分和脂肪酸组成的影响,采用豆油和菜籽油混合物替代鱼油制成5种不同鱼油替代水平(0%、25%、50%、75%和100%)的等氮等脂育肥饲料(分别记为1#~5#饲料组)饲喂雄蟹,测定5组雄蟹肝胰腺、肌肉和性腺中的常规成分和脂肪酸组成,并对实验数据进行方差分析。结果显示:(1)饲料1#组性腺灰分含量显著高于饲料4#和5#组(P0.05),但各组性腺中的水分、总脂和蛋白含量均无显著差异(P0.05);饲料1#组肝胰腺中的水分和灰分最高,但其总脂含量低于其他组,各组肝胰腺的蛋白含量无显著差异(P0.05);除1#饲料组外,肌肉中的总脂和灰分含量随鱼油替代水平的升高而显著上升(P0.05),而水分和蛋白含量均无显著差异(P0.05)。(2)各饲料组精巢中总饱和脂肪酸(∑SFA)、总多不饱和脂肪酸(∑PUFA)和总高度不饱和脂肪酸(∑HUFA)含量无显著差异(P0.05),其总n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(∑n-6PUFA)含量随鱼油替代水平升高而升高,而总n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(∑n-3PUFA)含量和∑n-3PUFA/∑n-6PUFA比值呈显著下降趋势(P0.05)。(3)肝胰腺中∑n-3PUFA和∑HUFA含量具有显著的组间差异,且均以饲料3#组最高。但各组的∑PUFA和∑n-6PUFA含量差异并不显著(P0.05)。(4)肌肉中大部分脂肪酸组成无显著差异,仅∑n-6PUFA含量随鱼油替代水平升高而升高。综上,中华绒螯蟹育肥饲料中植物油(豆油与菜籽油含量为1︰1)替代鱼油对成体雄蟹可食组织中水分和蛋白含量并无显著影响,但会对其脂肪酸组成造成显著的影响,50%的鱼油替代水平有利于雄蟹肝胰腺和肌肉中的脂肪沉积。     

Reproductive Investment and Energy Allocation in an Alpine Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Population

Reproductive investment was determined in a population of stunted Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, living in an ultra-oligotrophic alpine lake (altitude 1100m) in central Norway (62°51W). No reductions in somatic energy content (carcass and intestines) were detected during the spawning period. Post-spawning somatic lipid, protein and total energy content did not differ between male spawners, female spawners and immatures. The recorded reproductive output consisted of gonad tissue equivalent to 13% of total pre-spawning energy in females and 4% in males, respectively. Mean stored somatic lipid reserves were as low as 2.8% and did not change significantly from pre- (30 June) to post-spawning (1% October) samples. Female fecundity varied between 41 and 84 (mean 60) eggs, with a corresponding body length varying between 110 to 160mm (mean 13%). Mean yearly survival rate after maturation was 70% for females and 64% for males, respectively. This particularly low reproductive investment is discussed in relation to environmental conditions and low resource availability.     

INFLUENCE OF IRRADIANCE ON THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF PHYTOPLANKTON1

Eight species of marine phytoplankton commonly used in aquaculture were grown under a range of photon flux densities (PEDs) and analyzed for their fatty acid (FA) composition. Fatty and composition changed considerably at different PFDs although no consistent correlation between the relative proportion of a single FA and μ or chl a · cell^?1 was apparent. Within an individual species the percentage of certain fatty acids covaried with PFDs, growth rate and/or chl a · cell^?1. The light conditions which produced the greatest proportion of the essential fatty acids was species specific. Eicosapentaenoic acid. 20:5ω3 increased from 6.1% to 15.5% of the total fatty acids of Chaetoceros simplex Ostenfield grown at PFDs which decreased from 225 μE · m^?2· s^?1 to 6 μE · m^?2· s^?1, respectively. Most species had their greatest proportion of 20: 5ω3 at low levels of irradiance. Conversely, docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6ω3, decreased from 9.7% to 3.6% of the total fatty acids in Pavlova lutheri Droop as PFD decreased. The percentage of 22:6ω3 generally decreased with decreasing irradiances. In all diatoms the percentage of 16:0 was significantly correlated with PFD, and in three of five diatoms, with growth rate (μ). Results suggest that fatty acid composition is a highly dynamic component of cellular physiology, which responds significantly to variation in PFD.     

The value of lipid composition in the taxonomy of the Schizosaccharomycetales

In this study, the lipid fractions i.e. neutral (NL), phospho-(PL) and glycolipids (GL) with associated fatty acids (FAs) of 54 strains, representing the Schizosaccharomycetales, were analyzed during stationary growth phase and compared. Trace amounts of linoleic acid (18:2) were present in most of the strains representing Schizosaccharomyces. An increased percentage 18:2 was observed in the PL fraction when compared to the NL fraction. This is possibly related to membranes requiring polyunsaturated FAs for fluidity. On the basis of the percentage oleic acid (18:1) and 18:2 FAs in the different lipid fractions, the Schizosaccharomycetales can clearly be divided into two groups i.e. Group 1 (represented by the genus Hasegawaea) comprising strains producing relatively large amounts of 18:2 and relatively low amounts of 18:1 when compared to Group 2 (represented by the genus Schizosaccharomyces comprising Schizosaccharomyces octosporus and Schizosaccharomyces pombe). These results are in accordance with 18S and 26S rRNA base sequence analyses and emphasize the difference between the genera Hasegawaea and Schizosaccharomyces. Utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, it was found that these strains were all capable of producing gamma-linolenic acid. This further emphasizes the uniqueness of this order in the Dikaryomycota.     

Effects of dietary energy intake during gestation and lactation on milk yield and composition of first,second and fourth parity sows

Abstract

In order to determine the effects of a varied level of dietary energy intake during pregnancy and lactation on milk yield and composition, first, second and fourth parity sows (Large White × German Landrace) were provided with energy at a level of either: (i) 100% of ME requirement (MEreq) during pregnancy and lactation, (ii) 120% MEreq during pregnancy and 80% during lactation, and (iii) 80% MEreq during pregnancy and 120% during lactation. In spite of equal target levels feed analysis revealed that gestating first parity sows with 120/80 treatment combination and lactating sows of 80/120 treatment combination received 25, and 11 – 17% more digestible N than in the respective 100/100 treatment combination. Irrespective of this 120/80 sows responded with the highest milk DM, fat, and energy contents, and the lowest lactose concentrations whereas protein levels where not affected, irrespective of parity (p < 0.05). Milk yield of sows in 1st and 4th lactation was 85 and 106% of that in 2nd lactation, respectively. Average milk composition was 18.1% DM, 4.9% protein, 6.8% fat, 5.6% lactose, and 0.8% ash. Milk composition changes ceased at day 7 of lactation with a reduction of milk GE and protein, and an increase of lactose content. Concentrations of threonine, arginine, valine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cystine, and tryptophan, as well as stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid were higher in colostrum than in milk at later lactation stages. In contrast, laurine, myristic, palmitic, and palmitoleic acids were lower concentrated in colostrum. In conclusion, these results illustrate the importance of body reserve mobilization for milk production in sows and indicate that low energy supply during gestation cannot be compensated by higher energy supply during lactation.     

Content of arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids in polar lipids from Gracilaria (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta)

Fatty acid composition, especially the distribution of eicosapolyenoic acids in several species of Gracilaria, was analyzed in relation to their taxonomy. The species have been grouped into two types based on distribution of these polyenoic acids: Type 1, which contains palmitic, oleic and arachidonic acids as the major components, and Type II, which contains eicosapentaenoic acid in addition to Type I fatty acids. Octadecapolyenoic acids were detected only in trace amounts in each Type. A similar remarkable difference also was observed in the fatty acid composition of lipid classes. The major component of eicosapolyenoic acids in Type I was arachidonic acid in all lipid classes. In Type II, eicosapentaenoic acid was the major component in monogalactosyl diacylglycerol, digalactosyl diacylglycerol, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids were contained in large amounts in Type II phosphatidylcholine. Grouping of Gracilaria species into Type I and Type II is not entirely consistent with morphological and taxonomic features, but the difference in fatty acid composition is likely due to genetic rather than to environmental factors.