Effect of organic carbon sources and environmental factors on cell growth and lipid content of Pavlova lutheri

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of organic carbon sources, cultivation methods, and environmental factors on growth and lipid content of Pavlova lutheri for biodiesel production. In the 250-mL flask bioreactors, P. lutheri was cultivated in the modified artificial seawater (ASW) medium containing glucose, glycerol, sodium acetate, or sucrose as an organic carbon substrate. The effects of different growth conditions (phototrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic) and environmental factors such as photoperiod, light intensity, and salinity were evaluated. Growth of P. lutheri was inhibited under heterotrophy but was enhanced in mixotrophy as compared to phototrophy. Biomass and lipid content of P. lutheri were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by changing photoperiod, light intensity, and salinity. Higher biomass concentration and lipid content were observed at a light intensity of 100 ± 2 μmol photons m−2 s−1, 18 h photoperiod, and 30% salinity, in a modified ASW medium supplemented with 10 mmol sucrose. An increase in biomass concentration from 320 ± 25.53 to 1106 ± 18.52 mg L−1 and high lipid content of 31.11 ± 1.65% (w/w) were observed with the optimized culture conditions, demonstrating a significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in biomass and lipid content due to the improved culture conditions. The present study emphasizes the possible use of sucrose for biomass and lipid production with P. lutheri under the optimized culture conditions. Using low-cost and relatively easy accessible feedstock such as sucrose would be a valuable alternative for growing microalgae with enhanced lipid content.     

Isolation,technological characterization and in vitro probiotic evaluation of Lactococcus strains from traditional Turkish skin bag Tulum cheeses

Purpose

The present study was undertaken to evaluate in vitro prerequisite probiotic and technological characteristics of ten Lactococcus strains isolated from traditional goat skin bags of Tulum cheeses from the Central Taurus mountain range in Turkey.

Methods

All isolates were identified based on the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. Eight isolates belonged to Lactococcus lactis and two belonged to Lactococcus garvieae. Probiotic potential was determined from resistance to acid and bile salt, resistance to gastric and pancreatic juices, resistance to antibiotic, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, diacetyl, hydrogen peroxide and exopolysaccharide productions. Technological properties were verified by alcohol, NaCl and hydrogen peroxide resistance and temperature tests.

Results

L. lactis NTH7 displayed high growth at all alcohol concentrations while L. lactis NTH4 grew very well even at NaCl concentrations of 10%. All strains showed to some extent resistance to acid and bile. Five strains exhibited desirable survival in gastric juice (pH 2.0), while three strains survived in pancreatic juice (pH 8.0). All Lactococcus isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, vancomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin and tetracycline. Also, only L. lactis NTH7 from among the isolates showed resistance against penicillin. L. lactis NTH10 and L. lactis NTH7 had higher auto-aggregation values in comparison with all other strains. All the strains demonstrated a co-aggregation ability against model food pathogens, particularly, L. lactis NTH10 which showed a superior ability with L. monocytogenes. All the ten strains produced H₂O₂ and exopolysaccharide (EPS); however, diacetyl production was detected for only four strains including L. lactis NTH10.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the L. lactis NTH10 isolate could be regarded as a favorable probiotic candidate for future in vivo studies.

     

Biosorption of lead by cotton shells powder: Characterization and equilibrium modeling study

Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal causing serious health risks to humans and animals. In the present study, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) shells powder was used as adsorbent for the treatment of synthetic Pb-contaminated water. The batch scale biosorption capacity of cotton shells powder was evaluated to study the effects of Pb concentrations, adsorbent doses and contact time at constant pH (6) and temperature (25?°C). Results revealed that sorption of Pb increased (q?=?0.09–9.60?mg/g) with increasing Pb concentration (1–15?mg/L) and contact time (15–90?min) while decreasing adsorbent dose (1–0.1?g/100?mL). The maximum Pb removal (90%) was achieved at Pb concentration (1?mg/L), contact time (90?min) and adsorbent dose (1?g/100?mL). Freundlich isotherm model proved best fit for Pb sorption (R²?=?0.99). The cotton shells powder has microporous structure confirmed by SEM, and has BET surface area (45 m²/g) and pore size (2.3 µm). These surface moieties along with various functional groups (C-H, C-O, C=O, O-H, S=O) confirmed by FTIR analysis might involve in Pb removal by complexation and ion exchange mechanisms. The cotton shells powder biomass could be considered as promising adsorbent for the removal of Pb from contaminated water.     

Enhancing crop growth, nutrients availability, economics and beneficial rhizosphere microflora through organic and biofertilizers

Field experiment was conducted on fodder maize to explore the potential of integrated use of chemical, organic and biofertilizers for improving maize growth, beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere and the economic returns. The treatments were designed to make comparison of NPK fertilizer with different combinations of half dose of NP with organic and biofertilizers viz. biological potassium fertilizer (BPF), Biopower, effective microorganisms (EM) and green force compost (GFC). Data reflected maximum crop growth in terms of plant height, leaf area and fresh biomass with the treatment of full NPK; and it was followed by BPF+full NP. The highest uptake of NPK nutrients by crop was recorded as: N under half NP+Biopower; P in BPF+full NP; and K from full NPK. The rhizosphere microflora enumeration revealed that Biopower+EM applied along with half dose of GFC soil conditioner (SC) or NP fertilizer gave the highest count of N-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Azoarcus andZoogloea). Regarding the P-solubilizing bacteria,Bacillus was having maximum population with Biopower+BPF+half NP, andPseudomonas under Biopower+EM+half NP treatment. It was concluded that integration of half dose of NP fertilizer with Biopower+BPF / EM can give similar crop yield as with full rate of NP fertilizer; and through reduced use of fertilizers the production cost is minimized and the net return maximized. However, the integration of half dose of NP fertilizer with biofertilizers and compost did not give maize fodder growth and yield comparable to that from full dose of NPK fertilizers.     

Glycation of low-density lipoprotein results in the time-dependent accumulation of cholesteryl esters and apolipoprotein B-100 protein in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages

Nonenzymatic covalent binding (glycation) of reactive aldehydes (from glucose or metabolic processes) to low-density lipoproteins has been previously shown to result in lipid accumulation in a murine macrophage cell line. The formation of such lipid-laden cells is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. In this study, we characterize lipid accumulation in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages, which are cells of immediate relevance to human atherosclerosis, on exposure to low-density lipoprotein glycated using methylglyoxal or glycolaldehyde. The time course of cellular uptake of low-density lipoprotein-derived lipids and protein has been characterized, together with the subsequent turnover of the modified apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB) protein. Cholesterol and cholesteryl ester accumulation occurs within 24 h of exposure to glycated low-density lipoprotein, and increases in a time-dependent manner. Higher cellular cholesteryl ester levels were detected with glycolaldehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein than with methylglyoxal-modified low-density lipoprotein. Uptake was significantly decreased by fucoidin (an inhibitor of scavenger receptor SR-A) and a mAb to CD36. Human monocyte-derived macrophages endocytosed and degraded significantly more (125)I-labeled apoB from glycolaldehyde-modified than from methylglyoxal-modified, or control, low-density lipoprotein. Differences in the endocytic and degradation rates resulted in net intracellular accumulation of modified apoB from glycolaldehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein. Accumulation of lipid therefore parallels increased endocytosis and, to a lesser extent, degradation of apoB in human macrophages exposed to glycolaldehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein. This accumulation of cholesteryl esters and modified protein from glycated low-density lipoprotein may contribute to cellular dysfunction and the increased atherosclerosis observed in people with diabetes, and other pathologies linked to exposure to reactive carbonyls.     

Antimicrobial peptides as effective tools for enhanced disease resistance in plants

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Four serotypes of the dengue virus that can cause severe disease in humans greatly increases the complexity of vaccine development. In this study, we...     

Immunomodulatory Expression of Cathelicidins Peptides in Pulp Inflammation and Regeneration: An Update

The role of inflammatory mediators in dental pulp is unique. The local environment of pulp responds to any changes in the physiology that are highly fundamental, like odontoblast cell differentiation and other secretory activity. The aim of this review is to assess the role of cathelicidins based on their capacity to heal wounds, their immunomodulatory potential, and their ability to stimulate cytokine production and stimulate immune-inflammatory response in pulp and periapex. Accessible electronic databases were searched to find studies reporting the role of cathelicidins in pulpal inflammation and regeneration published between September 2010 and September 2020. The search was performed using the following databases: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO and PubMed. The electronic search was performed using the combination of keywords “cathelicidins” and “dental pulp inflammation”. On the basis of previous studies, it can be inferred that LL-37 plays an important role in odontoblastic cell differentiation and stimulation of antimicrobial peptides. Furthermore, based on these outcomes, it can be concluded that LL-37 plays an important role in reparative dentin formation and provides signaling for defense by activating the innate immune system.     

海南岛象耳豆根结线虫的种类鉴定及其rDNA ITS序列分析

【背景】植物根结线虫病是世界性分布的土传病害,常造成农作物的重大经济损失。目前分布于热带亚热带区域的象耳豆根结线虫,由于其致病性和分子特征以及与植物互作关系的独特性,被认为是一种对农作物具有潜在危害性的重要病原根结线虫,因而引起国内外植物寄生线虫学者的广泛关注。【方法】用形态学、同工酶技术和分子生物学技术相结合的方法,对从海南岛农作物上采集到的10个根结线虫纯化种群进行分类鉴定。【结果】象耳豆根结线虫在海南岛大面积栽培的10种农作物和南药植物,包括黄瓜、南瓜、苦瓜、丝瓜、葫芦瓜、辣椒、番石榴、海巴戟、沈香和丁香上均有寄生,其形态学、酯酶表型和mtDNA PCR扩增产物均有别于常见的根结线虫种类;用引物18S和28S扩增象耳豆根结线虫种群的rDNA ITS区序列,并对其进行克隆、测序和比对分析,结果表明,象耳豆根结线虫4HBJ种群分别与南方根结线虫、爪哇根结线虫和花生根结线虫的同源性均仅为88%左右。【结论与意义】本文准确鉴定了象耳豆根结线虫,首次阐述其对海南岛多种农作物的致害性;阐释了象耳豆根结线虫的形态和分子特征,并明确了其与3种常见根结线虫的系统发育关系。本研究对今后进一步开展象耳豆根结线虫的基础研究和防治工作具有重要参考价值。     

杨树根系浸提液对3种牧草种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

采用不同浓度(3、10和30mg/mL)的南林95杨〔PopulusdeltoidsBartr.cv.Lux×P.euramericana(Dode)Guineircv.I 45/51〕和NL 80351杨(P.deltoidsBartr.cv.Lux×P.deltoidsBartr.cv.Harvard)根系浸提液,处理杨树 牧草复合经营系统中3种主要牧草种子,探讨杨树根系浸提液对牧草种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:南林95杨和NL 80351杨根系浸提液对3种牧草种子的萌发及幼苗的生长有一定影响。这2个无性系根系浸提液对紫花苜蓿(MedicagosativaL.)、白三叶(TrifoliumrepensL.)和杂交狼尾草(PennisetumalopecuroidesL.×P.americanumL.)的种子发芽率、幼苗高生长、根长生长及种子活力主要表现为抑制作用,在浓度较高时影响尤为明显;但2个无性系根系浸提液对白三叶的高生长(南林95杨30mg/mL除外)表现出一定的促进作用;在3mg/mL浓度时,2个无性系根系浸提液对白三叶的种子活力也有一定的促进作用。