Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Lavandulapedunculata subsp. atlantica (Braun‐Blanq.) Romo Essential Oil and Selected Terpenoids against Resistant Bacteria Strains–Structure–Activity Relationships

The genus Lavandula is known for its different uses in traditional medicine. This study is interested in the chemical composition of Lavandulapedunculata subsp.atlantica (Braun‐Blanq. ) Romo as well as evaluating its antibacterial potential against multi‐resistant strains. The analysis of Lavandulaatlantica essential oil (LAEO) allows the identification of 47 components representing 93.6 % of all identified. The main constituent of LAEO was camphor (50.4 %), followed by fenchone (14.1 %) and camphene (5.6 %). The antibacterial assays revealed that LAEO was active against all the studied bacteria. A preliminary study of the relationship between certain terpenoids and antibacterial activity was also carried out in order to note the compound(s) that are responsible for LAEO's antibacterial activity. This study showed that the activity of the essential oil may be due to the presence of certain minor compounds such as carvone, considering the presence of the synergistic effect between the essential oil.     

Mechanisms of biofilm formation in paper machine by Bacillus species: the role of Deinococcus geothermalis

Mechanisms for the undesired persistence of Bacillus species in paper machine slimes were investigated. Biofilm formation was measured for industrial Bacillus isolates under paper machine wet-end-simulating conditions (white water, pH 7, agitated at 45°C for 1–2 days). None of the 40 tested strains of seven Bacillus species formed biofilm on polished stainless steel or on polystyrene surfaces as a monoculture. Under the same conditions, Deinococcus geothermalis E50051 covered all test surfaces as a patchy thick biofilm. The paper machine bacilli, however, formed mixed biofilms with D. geothermalis E50051 as revealed by confocal microscopy. Biofilm interactions between the bacilli and the deinococci varied from synergism to antagonism. Synergism in biofilm formation of D. geothermalis E50051 was strongest with Bacillus coagulans D50192, and with the type strains of B. coagulans, B. amyloliquefaciens or B. pumilus. Two B. licheniformis, one B. amyloliquefaciens, one B. pumilus and four B. cereus strains antagonized biofilm production by D. geothermalis. B. licheniformis D50141 and the type strain of B. licheniformis were the strongest antagonists. These bacteria inhibited deinococcal growth by emitting heat-stable, methanol-soluble metabolite(s). We conclude that the persistence of Bacillus species in paper machine slimes relates to their ability to conquer biofilms formed by primary colonizers, such as D. geothermalis. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 343–351. Received 17 April 2001/ Accepted in revised form 16 July 2001     

A disposable corer for sampling organic soils

A disposable and inexpensive corer is described that offers a versatile method for sampling soft soils with a large organic content. The cans are suitable for the immediate collection of soil and for field incubations. Fine roots are sliced easily during insertion of corers by the sharp bottom edge, and the thin walls and the high thermal conductivity of steel aid transfer of heat energy between the bulk soil and the sample. If desired the cylinders may be perforated, have the upper cap removed and also can be used as an indicator of anaerobic soil conditions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

黔产昆明山海棠化学成分及其抑菌活性研究

该研究采用硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱色谱、半制备型高效液相色谱和重结晶等方法分离纯化,从黔产昆明山海棠乙醇提取物中分离得到11个化合物,并采用96孔板微量稀释法对化合物进行抑菌活性测定。结果表明:利用NMR,MS等现代波谱技术以及化合物的理化性质并结合参考文献分别鉴定为3-O-乙酰基齐墩果酸(1),雷酚萜(2),3-氧代齐墩果酸(3),β-谷甾醇(4),木栓酮(5),β-谷甾醇棕榈酸酯(6),雷公藤红素(7),大黄素(8),雷公藤内酯甲(9),雷藤二萜醌B(10),ent-kauran-16β,19-diol(11)。抑菌活性结果显示,化合物3、7和8具有较好的抑菌作用,MIC值为2~16μg·mL-1。其中,化合物6、11为首次从该植物中分离得到,化合物11为首次从雷公藤属植物中分离得到,且首次发现了化合物3、7对绿脓杆菌和青枯菌具有明显的抑制作用。     

Tricalycoside,a New Cerebroside from Tricalysia coriacea (Rubiaceae)

A new cerebroside, named as tricalycoside ( 1 ), was isolated from the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (1:1) extract of twigs and leaves of Tricalysia coriacea using repeated silica gel open column chromatography followed by preparative TLC and Sephadex LH‐20, together with six known compounds ( 2 – 7 ). The structure of the new compound was determined by analysis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, MS data, chemical conversion, and by comparison of these data with those from the literature. Tricalycoside ( 1 ) possessed a weak antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC = 75 μg/mL).     

一株肠膜明串珠菌的分离鉴定及其抑菌特性

[背景] 水产病原细菌严重威胁水产动物健康且制约水产养殖业发展,细菌性鱼病的有效防治成为水产养殖领域亟待解决的问题。[目的] 筛选对水产病原细菌有抑制效果的菌株,并研究其抑菌特性及其在水产细菌病害防治中的实际效果。[方法] 通过16S rRNA基因测序、构建系统发育树和生理生化鉴定确定筛选菌株的进化地位,通过乙酸乙酯萃取获得抑菌物质粗提物,通过偶氮酪蛋白法检测菌株胞外蛋白酶活力,采用结晶紫染色法对菌株的生物膜形成能力进行测定,通过浸浴攻毒模型确定所筛菌株对维氏气单胞菌的防治作用。[结果] 从泡菜发酵物中筛选出一株乳酸菌DH,经16S rRNA基因测序、发育树分析和生理生化鉴定确定其为肠膜明串珠菌,该菌分泌的胞外抑菌物质对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌、铜绿假单胞菌、杀鲑气单胞菌、希瓦氏菌和维氏气单胞菌表现出抑菌效果,其抑菌物质能被乙酸乙酯萃取并且具有热稳定性。菌株DH能够显著抑制待测菌株的蛋白酶产量和生物膜形成能力,并且对维氏气单胞菌浸浴攻毒有防治作用。[结论] 肠膜明串珠菌DH通过分泌抑菌物质抑制水产病原细菌的生长,能够为细菌性鱼病的防治提供一定的理论和应用潜力。     

A Microplate Assay to Assess Chemical Effects on RBL-2H3 Mast Cell Degranulation: Effects of Triclosan without Use of an Organic Solvent

Mast cells play important roles in allergic disease and immune defense against parasites. Once activated (e.g. by an allergen), they degranulate, a process that results in the exocytosis of allergic mediators. Modulation of mast cell degranulation by drugs and toxicants may have positive or adverse effects on human health. Mast cell function has been dissected in detail with the use of rat basophilic leukemia mast cells (RBL-2H3), a widely accepted model of human mucosal mast cells^3-5. Mast cell granule component and the allergic mediator β-hexosaminidase, which is released linearly in tandem with histamine from mast cells⁶, can easily and reliably be measured through reaction with a fluorogenic substrate, yielding measurable fluorescence intensity in a microplate assay that is amenable to high-throughput studies¹. Originally published by Naal et al.¹, we have adapted this degranulation assay for the screening of drugs and toxicants and demonstrate its use here.Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that is present in many consumer products and has been found to be a therapeutic aid in human allergic skin disease^7-11, although the mechanism for this effect is unknown. Here we demonstrate an assay for the effect of triclosan on mast cell degranulation. We recently showed that triclosan strongly affects mast cell function². In an effort to avoid use of an organic solvent, triclosan is dissolved directly into aqueous buffer with heat and stirring, and resultant concentration is confirmed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry (using ε₂₈₀ = 4,200 L/M/cm)¹². This protocol has the potential to be used with a variety of chemicals to determine their effects on mast cell degranulation, and more broadly, their allergic potential.     

Three New Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid Derivatives and A New Alkaloid from Endophytic Fungus Mortierella sp. in Epimedium acuminatum Franch. and Their Antibacterial Activity

Three new hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivatives, stachylines E-G ( 1 – 3 ), and a new alkaloid, mortieridinone ( 4 ), along with six known compounds ( 5 – 10 ), were isolated from endophytic fungus Mortierella sp. in Epimedium acuminatum Franch. Their structures were determined by their spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with the literature data. Compounds 7 and 10 showed selective antibacterial activity against tested multidrug-resistant bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 25 to 3.13 μg/mL.     

花卉植物对Cd、As、Pb污染农田的修复及其精油应用

为提高植物修复的经济价值,该文选取孔雀草、波斯菊和矢车菊三种附加值较高的花卉植物,考察其对广西某矿区Cd、As、Pb复合污染农田的修复潜力,测定分析三种花卉植物对重金属的富集和转运能力,并从修复后植物的地上部提取精油,研究植物精油对病原菌埃希氏大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphyloccocus aureus)、伤寒沙门氏菌(Salmonella typhimurium)的生长抑制效果,进一步探索植物精油作为洗手液添加剂的应用能力。结果表明:(1)试验区域内土壤污染严重,Cd、As全量超过风险管制值,Pb全量超过风险筛选值,属于Cd、As、Pb重度污染。(2)选取的三种花卉植物均可在试验区域较好地生长,其中孔雀草和波斯菊对Cd、Pb的富集与转运能力较强,对As的富集能力最弱但转运能力较强。与孔雀草和波斯菊相比,矢车菊除对Cd的转运能力较强外,对其他重金属的富集和转运能力均较弱。三种植物重金属富集能力大小排序为孔雀草>波斯菊>矢车菊,不同花卉对重金属富集偏好顺序依次为Cd>Pb>As。(3)从修复后的植物地上部提取精油进行研究分析发现,孔雀草精油对三种病原菌都具有良好的生长抑制效果(<10 CFU·mL^-1),且孔雀草体内富集的重金属并未影响精油中的重金属含量。另外,添加了孔雀草精油的洗手液,对金黄色葡萄球菌的生长抑制效果可延长至480 min。因此,孔雀草不仅可作为重金属复合污染农田的修复植物,而且修复后还可从植物体内提取精油作为抑菌剂。该研究结果为修复后重金属富集生物质的新型资源化利用提供了理论基础。     

Life cycle inventory analysis - A case study of steel used in Brazilian automobiles

Data acquisition to perform LCA is time and capital consuming. There is already international data about environmental aspects in several processes. This study aims to verify the possibility of adapting international data to Brazilian conditions. Therefore, a Life Cycle Inventory was conducted to compare the use of national and international data for steel used in automobiles. This was done in three steps: objective and scope definition, inventory analysis and interpretation. LCI is a simplification of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as impact assessment is not taken into account. Even so, LCI takes into account all life cycle stages of a product, that is, from its extraction through its deposition. In this study, three phases of the life cycle were considered: steel manufacturing, automobile use and disposal. In the case studied, the amount of steel evaluated was 263 kg, which would be possible to be replaced by other materials in a 1,300 kg automobile. Resources and energy consumption, atmospheric emissions and solid residues production were taken into account within the analysis done. Results show that automobile use and materials manufacturing are responsible for the bulk of energy and resources consumption. Solid residues occur mainly in the discard phase, due to the low level of recycling. Several differences were also achieved between national and international data, which implies the need of environmental databases development.