Antibacterial properties of a glycolipid-rich extract and active principle from Nunavik collections of the macroalgae Fucus evanescens C. Agardh (Fucaceae)

This study investigated the antibacterial activity of glycolipid-rich extracts of the brown macroalga Fucus evanescens in cell culture. Accessions were collected on the Arctic coast of Ungava Bay, Nunavik, Quebec. The crude ethyl acetate extract of these accessions showed strong antibacterial activity (≥4 log(10) cfu) against Hemophilus influenzae , Legionella pneumophila , Propionibacterium acnes (ATCC and clinical isolate), and Streptococcus pyogenes at 100?μg/mL. This algal extract inhibited by 3 log(10) Clostridium difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , whereas Bacillus cereus , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were not significantly affected. Further investigations of the activity of a glycolipid-rich fraction, extracted with dichloromethane, against Propionibacterium acnes showed an MIC(100) of 50?μg/mL, with an inhibition of more than 99% at only 7.8?μg/mL. The main active compound, a β-d-galactosyl O-linked glycolipid, was synthesized for the bioassay and showed an MIC(100) of 50?μg/mL but lost its activity more quickly with only 50% of inhibition at 12.5?μg/mL. Therefore, the semipurified F. evanescens extract could be a good choice for future research into the development of alternative treatments for acne therapy.     

Effect of oxygen supply on biomass,organic acids and vitamin B12 production by Propionibacterium shermanii

Propionibacterium shermanii CDB 10015 was able to grow at different volumetric oxygen transfer coefficients (KLa) of 10, 22, 53h–1. These results demonstrate that this bacterium, known as anaerobic, is able to grow well under aerobic conditions. The cell biomass increased from 7.9 in anaerobic conditions to 18.3g/l at KLa 53h–1, increasing also the cell yield from 0.3 to 0.7g/g. The organic acid production pattern also changed with aeration. The acetic: propionic acid ratio increased from 0.38 in anaerobiosis to 6.25 at KLa 53h–1. The vitamin B12 production decreased from 3.1mg/l in anaerobiosis to 0.5mg/l at KLa 53h–1.     

Antimicrobial effect of acidified nitrite on dermatophyte fungi, Candida and bacterial skin pathogens

AIMS: Nitric oxide is generated from sweat nitrite in the acidic environment of the skin surface and is thought to contribute to protection against infection. This study examined the sensitivity of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes to acidified nitrite. METHODS AND RESULTS: Organisms were cultured in varying concentrations of nitrite and pH for different lengths of time, before being transferred to recovery medium. With the exception of Strep. pyogenes, addition of nitrite increased the antimicrobial activity of acid solutions against all organisms tested. The rank order of sensitivity was: C. albicans < T. rubrum < T. mentagrophytes < Staph. aureus < P. acnes, with P. acnes being most sensitive. CONCLUSION: This work has shown that acidified nitrite is microbiocidal to common cutaneous pathogens. The concentrations of nitrite required to kill pathogenic fungi and bacteria in in vitro assays were higher than the concentrations of nitrite measured in sweat. However, additional co-factors in vivo and in sweat may potentiate the effect of acidified nitrite. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Pharmacological preparations of acidified nitrite are novel antimicrobial agents. These data suggest skin organisms which may be sensitive to this treatment.     

Whey fermentation by immobilized cells of Propionibacterium shermanii

Growth of Propionibacterium shermanii B-123 was faster on media containing lactate than on that containing lactose. Cheese whey was therefore fermented with Lactobacillus helveticus and neutralized with NaOH or Ca(OH)₂, before inoculation with B-123. Fermentation rate by immobilized propionibacteria was best in Ca(OH)₂-neutralized whey, and at lactate concentrations between 1 and 2%. Calcium propionate concentrations of 1 and 3% reduced fermentation rates by 40% and 55% respectively. Optimum temperature for propionate fermentation by immobilized cells was 37°C. Ratios of propionic acid to acetic acid increased as incubation temperature was increased. Agitation increased propionic acid fermentation rates but lowered the ratio of propionic acid to acetic acid. Beads containing immobilized propionibacteria were re-utilized for ten consecutive fermentations. Fermentation rates increased upon re-utilization. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were inhibited by the propionic fermentation but did not die; they kept growing at a reduced rate.     

Salivacin 140, a novel bacteriocin from Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius T140 active against pathogenic bacteria

K. ARIHARA, S. OGIHARA, T. MUKAI, M. ITOH AND Y. KONDO. 1996. Fifteen of 353 environmental isolates of lactic acid bacteria consistently showed activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus , and/or Propionibacterium acnes . Strain T140, isolated from the surface of Japanese pampas grass leaves and identified as Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius , also had activity against several Lactobacillus species, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica . Since the antagonistic factor(s) produced by T140 was sensitive to a proteolytic enzyme, it was concluded that a bacteriocin (named salivacin 140) was involved in the inhibition activity. Strain T140 required a high initial pH (7.5–8.5) in agar plates for bacteriocin production.     

Effects of pH on biomass, maximum specific growth rate and extracellular enzyme production by three species of cutaneous propionibacteria grown in continuous culture

Three cutaneous propionibacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, Propionibacterium avidum and Propionibacterium granulosum, were grown in chemostats using semi-synthetic medium at various pH values. Growth occurred between pH 4.5 and 7.5 for P. acnes and pH 5.0 and 8.0 for P. avidum and P. granulosum. The highest mumax was at pH 6.0 for the three species. Maximum biomass production was obtained at pH 6.0 for P. acnes and P. avidum and at pH 7.5 for P. granulosum. Extracellular enzyme production occurred over the entire pH growth range when denaturation of the enzymes was taken into account. However, detectable activity of the enzymes was found in a narrower range of pH due to the denaturation of the enzymes at low or high pH values. The highest production of enzymes occurred at pH values between 5.0 and 6.0, apart from the production of hyaluronate lyase of P. granulosum (pH 6.0 to 7.0) and the proteinase of P. acnes and P. avidum (pH 5.0 to 7.5). Propionibacterium acnes produced a lipase, hyaluronate lyase, phosphatase and proteinase activity. Propionibacterium avidum produced a lipase and proteinase activity. Propionibacterium granulosum produced a lipase and hyaluronate lyase.     

Propionic acid fermentation of lactose by Propionibacterium acidipropionici: effects of pH

Batch propionic acid fermentation of lactose by Propionibacterium acidipropionici were studied at various pH values ranging from 4.5 to 7.12. The optimum pH range for cell growth was between 6.0 and 7.1, where the specific growth rate was approximately 0.23 h(-1). The specific growth rate decreased with the pH in the acids have been identified as the two major fermentation products from lactose. The production of propionic acid was both growth and nongrowth associated, while acetic acid formation was closely associated with cell growth. The propionic acid yield increased with decreasing pH; It changed from approximately 33% (w/w) at pH 6.1-7.1 to approximately 63% at pH 4.5-5.0. In contrast, the acetic acid yield was not significantly affected by the pH; it remained within the range of 9%-12% at all pH values. Significant amounts of succinic and pyruvic acids were also formed during propionic acid fermentation of lactose. However, pyruvic acid was reconsumed and disappeared toward the end of the fermentation. The succinic acid yield generally decreased with the pH, from a high value of 17% at pH 7.0 to a low 8% at pH 5.0 Effects of growth nutrients present in yeast ex-tract on the fermentation were also studied. In general, the same trend of pH effects was found for fermentations with media containing 5 to 10 g/L yeast extract. However, More growth nutrients would be required for fermentations to be carried out efficienytly at acidic pH levels.     

Anti Propionibacterium acnes activity of rhodomyrtone, an effective compound from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. leaves

Propionibacterium acnes have been recognized as one of the main causative agents in pathogenesis of acne. Twenty one isolates of P. acnes isolated from acne lesions were screened for lipase and protease activity which are reported to be associated in acne and inflammation. Interestingly, all P. acnes isolates demonstrated lipase activity. Similarly, 90% of test P. acnes produced protease enzyme. Antibacterial activity of the ethanol extract of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. leaves and rhodomyrtone, its principle compound were tested against P. acnes using broth macrodilution method. The MIC(90) values of the ethanol extract and rhodomyrtone were 32 and 0.5 μg/mL, respectively. The numbers of the bacterial cells were reduced at least 99% after treatment with the ethanol extract and rhodomyrtone within 72 and 24 h, respectively. Cytotoxicity test of the extract and rhodomyrtone was performed on human normal fibroblast. The IC(50) values of the ethanol extract and rhodomyrtone were 476 and more than 200 μg/mL, approximately 15 and 400 folds higher than the MIC(90) values indicating that both substances were very low cytotoxic which could be applied as topical therapeutic anti-acne agents.     

Combined effect of acetic acid, pH and ethanol on intracellular pH of fermenting yeast

Summary The internal pH of Saccharomyces cerevisiae IGC 3507 III (a respiratory-deficient mutant) was measured by the distribution of [¹⁴C]propionic acid, when the yeast was fermenting glucose at pH 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 in the presence of several concentrations of acetic acid and ethanol. Good correlation was obtained between fermentation rates and internal pH. For all external pH values tested, the internal pH was 7.0–7.2 in the absence of inhibitors. The addition of acetic acid and/or ethanol resulted in a decrease of fermentation rate together with a drop in internal pH. Internal pH did not depend on the concentration of total external acetic acid but only on the concentration of the undissociated form of the acid. Ethanol potentiated the effect of acetic acid both with respect to inhibition of fermentation and internal acidification.     

丹皮酚对变形链球菌生物膜影响的体外研究

目的测定丹皮酚对变形链球菌的抑菌作用;共聚焦显微镜观察丹皮酚对变形链球菌生物膜结构和活性的影响。方法梯度法测定丹皮酚对变形链球菌的MIC(最小抑菌浓度)、MBC(最小杀菌浓度);体外构建变形链球菌生物膜模型,共聚焦显微镜观察不同浓度丹皮酚对变形链球菌生物膜作用后形态结构的影响并进行红绿荧光定量分析其活性变化。结果丹皮酚对变形链球菌的MIC为6.25mg/mL,MBC为25mg/mL;激光共聚焦显微镜观察丹皮酚对变形链球菌生物膜作用后其生物膜结构变稀疏,细菌链变短,生物膜活性也随丹皮酚浓度的提高而逐渐降低。结论丹皮酚对变形链球菌和变形链球菌生物膜结构及其活性均具抑制作用。     

Pectin-like acidic polysaccharide from Panax ginseng with selective antiadhesive activity against pathogenic bacteria

Previous studies have revealed the inhibitory effects of an acidic polysaccharide purified from the root of Panax ginseng against the adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelial cells and the ability of Porphyromonas gingivalis to agglutinate erythrocytes. In this study, this acidic polysaccharide from P. ginseng, PG-F2, was investigated further, in order to characterize its antiadhesive effects against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Propionibacterium acnes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were found to be in a range of 0.25-0.5mg/mL. However, results showed no inhibitory effects of PG-F2 against Lactobacillus acidophilus, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus epidermidis. PG-F2 is a pectin-type polysaccharide with a mean MW of 1.2 x 10(4) Da, and consists primarily of galacturonic and glucuronic acids along with rhamnose, arabinose, and galactose as minor components. The complete hydrolysis of PG-F2 via chemical or carbohydrolase enzyme treatment resulted in the abrogation of its antiadhesive activity, but limited hydrolysis via treatment with pectinase (EC. 3.2.1.15) yielded an oligosaccharide fraction, with activity comparable to the precursor PG-F2 (the MIC of ca. 0.01 mg/mL against H. pylori and P. gingivalis). Our results suggest that PG-F2 may exert a selective antiadhesive effect against pathogenic bacteria, while having no effects on beneficial and commensal bacteria.     

黄连素对变异链球菌抑制作用的体外研究

目的分析黄连素对体外变异链球菌生长、产酸、粘附的影响,探讨其防龋作用。方法采用微量肉汤稀释法进行最小抑菌浓度(MIC)的测定;然后通过试管粘附法测定不同浓度药液对变异链球菌粘附作用的影响;最后计算不同浓度药液作用24h后pH值的变化。结果黄连素对变异链球菌的MIC为1.25mg/mL,MBC为5.00mg/mL。实验组对变异链球菌的粘附及产酸的抑制作用随着药物浓度的增加而增强,与阴性对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论黄连素可抑制体外变异链球菌的生长、产酸及粘附。     

Growth engineering of Propionibacterium freudenreichii shermanii for organic acids and other value-added products formation

Propionic acid production from glucose was studied using Propionibacterium freudenreichii shermanii. Conditions were optimized for high yields of propionic acid and total organic acids by sequential optimization of parameters like pH, inoculum age, inoculum volume and substrate concentration. Near-theoretical yield (0.54?±?0.023?g/g) was achieved for propionic acid with fermentation of 1% glucose using 20% (v/v) of 48?hr old P. shermanii at 30°C, pH maintained at 5.5. Total organic acid yield under these conditions was 0.74?±?0.06?g/g. The study resulted in achieving 98% and 95% theoretical yields of propionic acid and total organic acids, respectively. Under optimized conditions, along with organic acids, P. shermanii also produced vitamin B12 and trehalose intracellularly, showing its potential to be used as a cell factory.     

Antimicrobial effects of tea-tree oil and its major components on Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes

Major components of two tea-tree oil samples were identified using thin layer and gas-liquid chromatography (TLC and GLC). Using a TLC-bioautographic technique, the tea-tree oils, terpinen-4-ol, oc-terpineol and α-pinene were found to be active against Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes whereas cineole was inactive against these organisms. The MIC values of the three active compounds increased in the order α-terpineol < terpinen-4-ol < α-pinene for all three micro-organisms. MIC values of the tea-tree oils and terpinen-4-ol were lower for P. acnes than for the two staphylococci. This study supports the use of tea-tree oil in the treatment of acne, and demonstrates that terpinen-4-ol is not the sole active constituent of the oil.     

产酸丙酸杆菌生长特性及5L罐发酵动力学研究

论文在摇瓶水平对产酸丙酸杆菌基本生长特性（温度、pH、摇床转速、接种量、种龄等）、碳源、氮源利用情况、产物抑制及5 L罐发酵动力学进行了研究。结果表明,该菌在32℃,初始pH 6．5,摇床转速150 r/min,接种24 h的种子液,接种量为5％条件下,产酸丙酸杆菌生长及产酸水平达最高值;该菌可利用碳源十分广泛,但对氮源要求比较高,只可利用有机氮源;在不同初始葡萄糖浓度下,产酸丙酸杆菌生长及产酸水平差异不大,无明显底物抑制现象;在2g/L的初始丙酸盐浓度下,该菌生长受到明显抑制;在5L发酵罐中,初始葡萄糖浓度为58．8 g/L,发酵72 h,葡萄糖消耗完全,丙酸终浓度达22．4 g/L,丙酸得率和产率分别达0．381 g/g和0．295 g/（L·h）,丙酸占总酸比例达72．10％。     

Inhibiting effect of Dorstenia asaroides extracts on cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Dorstenia asaroides extracts on cariogenic properties of the most cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans. Hexane (HFr), ethyl-acetate (EFr) and chloroform (CFr) extracts obtained from D. asaroides rhizomes were submitted to chemical analyses, Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC), glycolysis assay and S. mutans 12-h-old initial biofilms. Chemical characterization showed that all the extracts present furanocoumarins. The MIC values were 80 (HFr and CFr) and 50 μg/mL (EFr). Acid production by S. mutans cells was significantly disrupted by HFr (12.5 mg/mL), EFr (at 2.5; 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL) and CFr (at 2.5, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL) (p < 0.01). Topical applications of HFr, EFr and CFr significantly reduced the colony forming units of S. mutans biofilms compared with those treated with control group in order to 20, 30 and 25% respectively (p < 0.01). The results of the present study suggest that rhizomes of D. asaroides had inhibitory effects on cariogenic properties of S. mutans.     

Improvement of vitamin B(12) fermentation by reducing the inhibitory metabolites by cell recycle system and a mixed culture

The major problem in vitamin B(12) production using Propionibacterium is the growth inhibition of the cell due to the accumulation of inhibitory metabolites such as propionic acid and acetic acid. In the present paper, we considered several approaches of controlling the propionic acid concentration at low level. Namely: (1) the periodic cultivation of Propionibacterium where dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was alternatively changed between 0 and 1ppm; (2) cell recycle system using hollow fiber module; and (3) mixed culture using Propionibacterium and Ralstonia eutropha where the latter microorganism assimilates the propionic acid produced by the former. It was found that the productivity of vitamin B(12) was the highest for the cell recycle system, while if the performance was evaluated based on the amount of vitamin B(12) produced per medium used, the mixed culture system gave the far highest value.     

Production and recovery of propionic and acetic acids in electrodialysis culture of Propionibacterium shermanii

The simultaneous production and recovery of propionic and acetic acids in cultures of Propionibacterium shermanii were examined while maintaining the concentrations of these acids in the fermentation broth at low values with electrodialysis to alleviate end product inhibition. By this method, maximum cell concentration increased 1.36 fold and the average productivities of propionic and acetic acids increased 1.4 fold and 1.31 fold, respectively, compared to cultures without electrodialysis. The mass ratio of propionic and acetic acids recovered was the same as that for the acids produced by fermentation. The inhibitory effect of propionic acid was more significant on the growth of cells than on the production of propionic acid. Some kinetic equations are presented for simulating the dry cell concentration in the fermentor and the concentrations of propionic and acetic acids in the permeate solution of an electrodialysis culture.     

Antibacterial activity of extracts and neolignans from Piper regnellii (Miq.) C. DC. var. pallescens (C. DC.) Yunck

The evaluation of the activity of the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Piper regnellii was tested against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The aqueous extract displayed a weak activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1000 micrograms/ml. The ethyl acetate extract presented a good activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC and MBC at 15.62 micrograms/ml. In contrast to the relative low MICs for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited by the extracts at concentrations < or = 1000 mg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated on silica gel into nine fractions. The hexane and chloroform fractions were active against S. aureus (MIC at 3.9 micrograms/ml) and B. subtilis (MIC at 3.9 and 7.8 micrograms/ml, respectively). Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, the hexane fraction was rechromatographed to yield the antimicrobial compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 identified as eupomatenoid-6, eupomatenoid-5, eupomatenoid-3, and conocarpan, respectively. The pure compounds 1 and 2 showed a good activity against S. aureus with MIC of 1.56 micrograms/ml and 3.12 micrograms/ml, respectively. Both compounds presented MIC of 3.12 micrograms/ml against B. subtilis. The pure compound 6 named as conocarpan was quite active against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC of 6.25 micrograms/ml. The antibacterial properties of P. regnellii justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, contaminated through bacteria infections.     

Propionic acid fermentation by Propionibacterium acidipropionici: effect of growth substrate

Summary Batch propionic acid fermentations by Propionibacterium acidipropionici with lactose, glucose, and lactate as the carbon source were studied. In addition to propionic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid and CO₂ were also formed from lactose or glucose. However, succinic acid was not produced in a significant amount when lactate was the growth substrate. Compared to fermentations with lactose or glucose at the same pH, lactate gave a higher propionic acid yield, lower cell yield, and lower specific growth rate. The specific fermentation or propionic acid production rate from lactate was, however, higher than that from lactose. Since about equimolar acid products would be formed from lactate, the reactor pH remained relatively unchanged throughout the fermentation and would be easier to control when lactate was the growth substrate. Therefore, lactate would be a preferred substrate over lactose and glucose for propionic acid production using continuous, immobilized cell bioreactors. Correspondence to: S. T. Yang