Gentiopicrin-producing endophytic fungus isolated from Gentiana macrophylla

Gentiana macrophylla is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. Its dominant active constituents are secoiridoids, mainly gentiopicrin. The objective of this study was to determine whether endophytic fungi isolated from this plant produce the bioactive ingredient gentiopicrin. Primary screening was done by Dragendorff's reaction and the strain re-selection was done with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify the fermentation products of the selected strains. In this study, 20 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from G. macrophylla, and the extracts from five strains had a positive Dragendorff's reaction. Two strains (QJ16 and QJ18) had a component with the same R_f value in TLC as that of authentic gentiopicrin and one ingredient of the QJ18 extract had a retention time identical with that of authentic gentiopicrin in HPLC. Therefore, the fungus appears to produce the bioactive ingredient gentiopicrin, as does its host plant, and could be used for the production of gentiopicrin by fermentation.     

Concomitant occurrence of pyrrolizidine and quinolizidine alkaloids in the hemiparasite Osyris alba L. (Santalaceae)

The investigation of the alkaloid extracts of the hemiparasitic plant Osyris alba, collected from three different localities in southern France, revealed the concomitant presence of both pyrrolizidine (PA) and quinolizidine (QA) alkaloids in the samples from two of these localities. The sample from the third locality contained only PAs. The eight QAs identified were sparteine, N-methylcytisine, cytisine, methyl-12-cytisine acetate, hydroxy-N-methylcytisine, N-acetylcytisine, lupanine, and anagyrine. Of the eleven detected PAs, eight were identified as chysin A, chysin B, 1-carboxypyrrolizidine-7-olide, senecionine, integerrimine, retrorsine, senecivernine and a new alkaloid janfestine (7R-hydroxychysin A or 1R-carbomethoxy-7R-hydroxypyrrolizidine). PAs were mainly present as their N-oxides This is, to our knowledge, the first report demonstrating the simultaneous presence of two classes of alkaloids, quinolizidine and pyrrolizidine alkaloids, in a single parasitic plant. As these alkaloids do not occur in the same host plant, the results indicate that Osyris must have tapped more than one host plant concomitantly. Since both quinolizidine and pyrrolizidine alkaloids serve as defence compounds against herbivores, affecting different molecular targets, the simultaneous acquisition of the two types of alkaloids by a single plant could provide a novel mode of defence of hemiparasites against herbivores.     

响应面法优化生防菌吡咯伯克霍尔德氏菌JK-SH007的发酵工艺

以吡咯伯克霍尔德氏菌Burkholderia pyrrocinia JK-SH007为出发菌株,对其发酵工艺进行优化,以期提高发酵效率.通过筛选试验、最陡爬坡试验和响应面分析确定影响JK-SH007菌株生长最重要两因素为玉米浆和葡萄糖,其最佳浓度分别为13.88 g/L和3.37 g/L.优化后的发酵工艺培养该菌浓度可达1.18×109 CFU/mL,比优化前提高1.35倍,抑菌活性提高28.84％.     

Two steroidal alkaloids from fritillaria harelinii

Two new steroidal alkaloids named harepermine and hareperminside have been isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria harelinii together with a known alkaloid, peiminine. The structure of the alkaloids were found to be 3β, 6β-dihydroxy-5α, 14α,17β-cevanine and its 3-O-glucoside on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.     

Studies on Chemical Constituents of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.

In our previous papers, it was reported that peimine, peiminine, eduardine and three new alkaloids, zhebeinine, zhebeirine, zhebeinone, were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. In consecutive investigation of the plant, an additional new alkaloidal glucoside, 5α , 14α -cevanine-6α , 20β-dihydroxyl-3β-O-β-D-glucoside, named zhebeininoside (Ⅰ) and aknown picropodophyllotoxin (Ⅱ) were isolated. The structure of zhebeininoside was determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical reaction. Picropodophyllotoxin was firstly isolated from Fritillaria plants.     

产银杏内酯内生真菌的筛选及培养条件研究

通过对内生真菌的发酵提取物进行TLC和HPLC-UV分析,进行菌株筛选;对该菌株在不同培养基上的生长情况、产孢量、银杏内酯类物质产量的测定,确定最佳培养基;并用HPLC-ELSD测定了不同时间段的发酵液中银杏内酯类物质含量。结果,筛选出一株产量较高的烟曲霉原变种(Aspergillus fumigatusvar.fumigatus)FG052;对其培养条件的研究表明,PDA培养基、查氏培养基分别为其最佳传代和发酵培养基,菌丝最大生物量在发酵168 h,产银杏内酯类物质高峰在发酵144 h,此时总内酯产量可达0.13 mg/mL,pH值为4.86。本实验筛选的菌株稳定性较好,筛选的培养基价格低廉,碳氮比明确,且总内酯的产量高,可作为规模生产银杏内酯类物质的培养基。     

Oviposition-stimulatory activity of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids of host-plant origin to a danaid butterfly, Ideopsis similis

Oviposition response of Ideopsis similis (L.) (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) was examined for 12 phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids present in its host plant, Tylophora tanakae (Maxim.) (Asclepiadaceae). At least five alkaloids, i.e. (+)‐isotylocrebrine (3,4,6,7‐tetramethoxyphenanthroindolizidine; l ), (+)‐3‐demethyliso‐ tylocrebrine ( 3 ), (+)‐isotylocrebrine N‐oxide ( 5 ), (+)‐6‐demethyltylocrebrine ( 8 ) and (–)‐7‐demethyltylophorine ( 10 ), were found to individually stimulate oviposition by females. Of these, compounds 1, 3 and 10 were regarded as key components most responsible for host recognition or preference. However, female egg‐laying was much higher in response to a mixture of the five alkaloids. In two‐choice bioassays, more eggs were deposited on samples comprising the five alkaloids than on samples consisting of a single alkaloid. This suggests strongly that host selection by the butterfly is mediated by the synergistic action of several phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids present in the host plant.     

Biodiversity of Convolvulaceous species that contain ergot alkaloids,indole diterpene alkaloids,and swainsonine

Convolvulaceous species have been reported to contain several bioactive principles thought to be toxic to livestock including the calystegines, swainsonine, ergot alkaloids, and indole diterpene alkaloids. Swainsonine, ergot alkaloids, and indole diterpene alkaloids are produced by seed transmitted fungal symbionts associated with their respective plant host, while the calystegines are produced by the plant. To date, Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri represent the only Ipomoea species and members of the Convolvulaceae known to contain indole diterpene alkaloids, however several other Convolvulaceous species are reported to contain ergot alkaloids. To further explore the biodiversity of species that may contain indole diterpenes, we analyzed several Convolvulaceous species (n = 30) for indole diterpene alkaloids, representing four genera, Argyreia, Ipomoea, Stictocardia, and Turbina, that had been previously reported to contain ergot alkaloids. These species were also verified to contain ergot alkaloids and subsequently analyzed for swainsonine. Ergot alkaloids were detected in 18 species representing all four genera screened, indole diterpenes were detected in two Argyreia species and eight Ipomoea species of the 18 that contained ergot alkaloids, and swainsonine was detected in two Ipomoea species. The data suggest a strong association exists between the relationship of the Periglandula species associated with each host and the occurrence of the ergot alkaloids and/or the indole diterpenes reported here. Likewise there appears to be an association between the occurrence of the respective bioactive principle and the genetic relatedness of the respective host plant species.     

Identification and characterization of a new naringinase-producing strain, Williopsis californica Jmudeb007

A new naringinase-producing strain, Jmudeb007 was indentified by means of morphological observation, gene homogeneous analysis and physiological and biochemical test. Its characteristics in expressing naringinase were investigated by batch culture in 7 L fermentors. Jmudeb007 grown white, circular, convex, and smooth edged colonies, and single, oval-shaped and nucleus contained cells. Its gene sequences of 26S rDNA D1/D2 region and 5.8S rDNA-ITS region both showed homogeneities at 99% to Williopsis californica. It appeared positive in glucose fermentation test, negative in urease test and diazo blue B (DBB) test. Strain Jmudeb007 was identified to W. californica. Cultivation of Jmudeb007 with three media containing different amount of glucose showed it was capable of expressing naringinase which hydrolyze naringin to naringenin. The naringinase synthesis of Jmudeb007 was regulated by glucose which depended on the concentration. Jumdeb007 could express naringinase in medium containing glucose no more than 4 g/L. The present work provides a new source of naringinase, W. californica Jmudeb007, which is non-pathogenic, convenient to conduct breeding operation, easy to develop fermentation process. It is the first report about yeast that can produce naringinase, which help to explore naringinase and other glycosidase from yeast.     

3-Phenyllactic acid production by substrate feeding and pH-control in fed-batch fermentation of Lactobacillus sp. SK007

3-Phenyllactic acid (PLA), which is produced by some strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), is a known antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum. Batch and fed-batch fermentation by the strain Lactobacillus sp. SK007 for PLA production have been reported. With batch fermentation without pH-control, PLA production yield was 2.42 g L⁻¹. When fed-batch fermentation by Lactobacillus sp. SK007 was conducted in 3 L initial volume with pH-control at 6.0 and intermittent feeding, which was developed after fermentation for 12 h and every 2 h with 120 mL 100 g L⁻¹ PPA phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) and 50 mL 500 g L⁻¹ glucose each time, PLA production yield reached 17.38 g L⁻¹. The final conversion ratio of PPA to PLA was 51.1%, and the PLA production rate was 0.241 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹. This indicated that PPA was the ideal substrate for PLA fermentation production, and fed-batch fermentation with intermittent PPA feeding and pH-control was an effective approach to improve PLA production yield.     

Specificity in the interaction between an epibiotic clavicipitalean fungus and its convolvulaceous host in a fungus/plant symbiotum

Ipomoea asarifolia and Turbina corymbosa (Convolvulaceae) are associated with epibiotic clavicipitalean fungi responsible for the presence of ergoline alkaloids in these plants. Experimentally generated plants devoid of these fungi were inoculated with different epibiotic and endophytic fungi resulting in a necrotic or commensal situation. A symbiotum of host plant and its respective fungus was best established by integration of the fungus into the morphological differentiation of the host plant. This led us to suppose that secretory glands on the leaf surface of the host plant may play an essential role in ergoline alkaloid biosynthesis which takes place in the epibiotic fungus.Key words: ergoline alkaloids, ipomoea, turbina, convolvulaceae, claviceps, balansia, clavicipitaceae, penicillium, plant-fungus symbiotum     

芽孢杆菌SK007的分类鉴定及其拮抗植物病原菌的功能分析

【背景】农业生产中,发掘和利用具有生防功能的微生物资源是保障粮食安全和提高作物产量的重要举措。【目的】明确土壤中芽孢杆菌SK007的分类地位,验证其对多种植物病原菌的拮抗作用,挖掘潜在的生防功能。【方法】通过16SrRNA基因和基因组分析方法确定分离菌株SK007的分类地位;采用平板对峙法研究该菌株对番茄灰霉病菌、白菜黑斑病菌、烟草赤星病菌、小麦赤霉病菌、马铃薯干腐病菌等植物病原菌的拮抗作用;采用AntiSMASH分析和预测菌株SK007的抗生素相关基因。【结果】基于16SrRNA基因、全基因组序列、平均核苷酸一致性和DNA同源性分析,结果表明菌株SK007属于Bacillus velezensis,并且具有产生脂肽类抗生素和聚酮类抗生素的基因,对多种植物病原真菌有较强的抗性。此外,菌株SK007基因组中抗生素基因簇数目较多,丰富度高。【结论】芽孢杆菌SK007在拮抗植物病原菌方面有许多优良性状,具有促进作物抗病和增产的潜力。     

Metabolic engineering of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain capable of simultaneously utilizing glucose and galactose to produce enantiopure (2R,3R)-butanediol

2,3-Butanediol (BDO) is an important chemical with broad industrial applications and can be naturally produced by many bacteria at high levels. However, the pathogenicity of these native producers is a major obstacle for large scale production. Here we report the engineering of an industrially friendly host, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to produce BDO at high titer and yield. By inactivation of pyruvate decarboxylases (PDCs) followed by overexpression of MTH1 and adaptive evolution, the resultant yeast grew on glucose as the sole carbon source with ethanol production completely eliminated. Moreover, the pdc- strain consumed glucose and galactose simultaneously, which to our knowledge is unprecedented in S. cerevisiae strains. Subsequent introduction of a BDO biosynthetic pathway consisting of the cytosolic acetolactate synthase (cytoILV2), Bacillus subtilis acetolactate decarboxylase (BsAlsD), and the endogenous butanediol dehydrogenase (BDH1) resulted in the production of enantiopure (2R,3R)-butanediol (R-BDO). In shake flask fermentation, a yield over 70% of the theoretical value was achieved. Using fed-batch fermentation, more than 100 g/L R-BDO (1100 mM) was synthesized from a mixture of glucose and galactose, two major carbohydrate components in red algae. The high titer and yield of the enantiopure R-BDO produced as well as the ability to co-ferment glucose and galactose make our engineered yeast strain a superior host for cost-effective production of bio-based BDO from renewable resources.     

A rapid TLC bioautographic method for the detection of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors in plants

A simple and rapid bioautographic enzyme assay on TLC plates has been developed for the screening of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition by plant extracts. Enzyme activity was detected by the conversion of naphthyl acetate into naphthol and the formation of the corresponding purple-coloured diazonium dye with Fast Blue B salt. Inhibitors of cholinesterases produced white spots on the dye-coloured background of the TLC plates. The alkaloids galanthamine and physostigmine, which are known inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, were used to determine the sensitivity of the assay. Various plant extracts were tested using the bioassay.     

大蒜产香内生真菌的分离及其挥发性成分分析

大蒜(Allium sativum L.)是百合科葱属常见的植物,富含丰富的生物活性成分和营养物质。本研究采用组织分离法从新鲜的大蒜中分离内生真菌并进行纯化,获得1株产香浓郁的菌株KLBMPAS015。采用固相微萃取固定吸附,结合气相色谱-质谱解吸附分析技术(SPME-GC-MS)对菌株KLBMPAS015的挥发成分进行分析。结果表明:该菌株代谢产物的香气成分主要为:n-丁酸2-乙基己基酯(n-butyric acid 2-ethylhexyl ester)(1.36%)、1-丁醇3-甲基-丙酸(1-butanol,3-methyl-,propanoate)(25.40%)和戊基惕各酸(iso-amyl tiglate)(65.51%)。产香真菌KLBMPAS015的戊基惕各酸含量相对较高,在天然香料生产中具有重要的潜在应用价值。     

Thin-layer Chromatographic (TLC) Separations and Bioassays of Plant Extracts to Identify Antimicrobial Compounds

A common screen for plant antimicrobial compounds consists of separating plant extracts by paper or thin-layer chromatography (PC or TLC), exposing the chromatograms to microbial suspensions (e.g. fungi or bacteria in broth or agar), allowing time for the microbes to grow in a humid environment, and visualizing zones with no microbial growth. The effectiveness of this screening method, known as bioautography, depends on both the quality of the chromatographic separation and the care taken with microbial culture conditions. This paper describes standard protocols for TLC and contact bioautography with a novel application to amino acid-fermenting bacteria. The extract is separated on flexible (aluminum-backed) silica TLC plates, and bands are visualized under ultraviolet (UV) light. Zones are cut out and incubated face down onto agar inoculated with the test microorganism. Inhibitory bands are visualized by staining the agar plates with tetrazolium red. The method is applied to the separation of red clover (Trifolium pratense cv. Kenland) phenolic compounds and their screening for activity against Clostridium sticklandii, a hyper ammonia-producing bacterium (HAB) that is native to the bovine rumen. The TLC methods apply to many types of plant extracts and other bacterial species (aerobic or anaerobic), as well as fungi, can be used as test organisms if culture conditions are modified to fit the growth requirements of the species.     

Histopathology of Okra and Ridgeseed Spurge Infected with Meloidodera charis

Histological observations of okra Abelomoschus esculentus ''Clemson Spineless'' and ridgeseed spurge Euphorbia glyptosperma (a common weed) infected with Meloidodera charis Hopper, indicated that the juvenile nematode penetrated the roots intercellularly. Within 5 days after plant emergence the nematode positioned its body in the cortical tissue parallel to the vascular system. By 10 days after plant emergence the juvenile had extended its head into the vascular system and initiated giant cell formation, generally in protophloem tissue. Giant cells were one celled and usually multi-nucleate. Eggs were observed in the female body 30 days after plants emerged and juveniles were found within the female body by 40 days. Nematode development progressed equally in the root system of either host plant. Generally, throughout the nematode''s life cycle its entire body remained inside the cortical tissue of okra. In ridgeseed spurge, however, the posterior portion of the female erupted through the host epidermis as early as 15 days after plant emergence; only the head and neck remained embedded in the host. The nematode caused extensive tissue disruption in the cortical and vascular system of both plant species. Corn, Zea mays, was another host of the nematode.     

Tropical Plant Extracts as Sources of Grain-Protectant Compounds Against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The toxicity of organic plant extracts to Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was assessed for three tropical plant species: branches, leaves, and seeds of Annona montana (Annonaceae), branches of Aristolochia paulistana (Aristolochiaceae), and leaves and branches of Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae). The screening assay resulted that the extracts of A. montana seeds obtained with hexane (LC₅₀?=?534.75 mg kg^?1 and LT₅₀?=?6.10 days) and with dichloromethane (LC₅₀?=?424.67 mg kg^?1 and LT₅₀?=?5.03 days) were the most promising treatments, followed by the extract prepared from A. montana leaves with hexane (LC₅₀?=?837.70 mg kg^?1 and LT₅₀?=?4.90 days). Moreover, extracts (at 1,500 mg kg^?1) prepared from C. sylvestris branches with dichloromethane and A. paulistana with hexane caused significant mortality (37% and 41.5%, respectively) beyond sublethal effects on S. zeamais. Therefore, based on the biological assays, extraction yield, and evaluation of the chromatographic profile of the crude extracts by TLC, the hexane extract of A. montana seeds was selected and fractioned using liquid-liquid partitioning. The hydroalcoholic fraction caused mortality of 55.5%, significantly superior to dichloromethane fraction, which caused 35.5% of mortality. Chemical analyses (¹H NMR, HPLC, and TLC) were performed, and the results showed the presence of alkaloids and acetogenins in both active fractions, which have been associated with bioactivity. Therefore, extracts prepared from A. montana seeds (especially) is an interesting source of new compounds with promising grain-protectant properties.     

Isolation and identification of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. and assay of its exocellular water-soluble blue pigments

A bacterial strain producing a great amount of blue pigment during submerse fermentation was isolated and identified. Based on morphological characteristics cell-wall chemotype and sequence of 16S rRNA gene, the strain should belong to the genusStreptomyces; it had 99.4% homology of 16S rRNA gene sequence with that ofStreptomyces indigocolor. The pigment production by the strain was affected by carbon and nitrogen sources. The main components of the pigment mixture (detected by HPLC and TLC) were tentatively classified as actinorhodin-related compounds. The pigment was relatively stable against light and higher temperature but was sensitive to low pH. The preliminary acute-toxicity determination showed that the pigment was nontoxic (LD₅₀>15 mg/g).