Number,viability, and diversity of the filterable forms of prokaryotes in sphagnous high-moor peat

The number, potential viability, and taxonomic diversity (at the level of phylum) of the filterable forms of prokaryotes (FFP) are estimated in the main genetic horizons of high-moor peat. It was shown that the number of FFP reached 500 million cells in 1 g, i.e., up to 5% of the general size bacteria. The portion of viable cells among FFP (93–98%) was higher than that for the general size bacteria (60–68%). FISH-analysis (fluorescence in situ hybridization) showed that FFP contained the same phylogenetic groups as the population of general size bacteria (domain Archea and phylum Actinobacteria, Cytophaga, and Proteobacteria of the domain Bacteria).     

Tolerance of Soil Bacterial Complexes to Salt Shock

Investigations showed that bacteria present in soil are resistant to one-day exposure to a saturated solution of ammonium nitrate and can well develop when transferred to laboratory nutrient media. The evaluated number of bacteria in NH₄NO₃-treated soil samples was nearly the same as in native soil samples, while it was 1.5–2.5 times smaller in the former than in the latter case when microbial succession in the soil samples was initiated by wetting them. Bacteria (particularly gram-negative ones) occurring at the early stages of succession were the most sensitive to salt stress. Bacteria in soil were found to be much more resistant to salt stress than the same bacteria isolated in pure cultures.     

Bacteriocinogenic activity of strains of the genus Erwinia

Antibacterial activity of 272 Erwinia strains was studied. It was found that 182 or 66.9 per cent of the strains were capable of producing spontaneously antibacterial substances belonging to the class of bacteriocins; 125 bacteriocynogenic strains were divided into 25 groups on the basis of their antibacterial spectrum similarity; 57 bacteriocynogenic strains were not included into any of these groups because of their significant heterogenicity with respect to the feature studied. It was shown that most of the strains inhibited viability of the bacteria of both its own and other species. Investigation of the antagonistic activity of the Erwinia strains with broad antibacterial spectra with respect to E. coli indicative for colicins gave negative results. The study of the Erwinia strains sensitivity to the antibacterial effect of the bacteriocynogenic cultures showed that 210 out of 272 cultures were sensitive to separate bacteriocins.     

Monitoring of Microbial Degraders in Manned Space Stations

Samples of microorganisms from the surface of constructions of Mir Space Station (Mir SS) were taken and examined after 13 years of operation. The following microorganisms were isolated and identified: 12 fungal species belonging to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Aureobasidium; 3 yeast species belonging to the genera Debaryomyces, Candida, and Rhodotorula; and 4 bacterial species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Myxococcus, and Rhodococcus. The predominant species in all samples was Penicillium chrisogenum. It was shown that the fungi isolated could damage polymers and induce corrosion of aluminum-magnesium alloys. We commenced a study of microbial degraders on constructions of the Russian section of the International Space Station (RS ISS). Twenty-six species of fungi, bacteria, yeasts, and actinomycetes, known as active biodegraders, were identified in three sample sets taken at intervals. We founded a collection of microorganisms surviving throughout space flights. This collection can be used to test spacecraft production materials, in order to determine their resistance to biodegradation.__________Translated from Prikladnaya Biokhimiya i Mikrobiologiya, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2005, pp. 435–443.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Alekhova, Aleksandrova, Novozhilova, Lysak, Zagustina, Bezborodov.