Plant growth promotion and suppression of charcoal‐rot fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) in velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L.) by root nodule bacteria

Root‐nodulating bacteria are intimate associates of legumes. From a pool of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of Mucuna pruriens (Velvet bean/Kaunch), RMP66 and BMP17 were found to be capable of promoting siderophore and IAA production and phosphate solubilization (insoluble tri‐calcium). Both symbionts were studied further to determine their abilities to promote plant growth and to control root‐rot in Mucuna pruriens caused by the pathogenic plant fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. RMP66 and BMP17 were selected based on their excellent inhibitory activities against M. phaseolina (by 78% and 71%, respectively) in dual culture and in agar‐well assays using cell‐free culture filtrate (CFCF) (by 76% and 62%, respectively). Both strains inhibited fungal growth to a greater extent in iron‐deficient medium (51% and 69%) than in iron‐supplemented medium (37% and 0%), respectively. CFCFs of RMP66 and BMP17 obtained from Pikovskaya's broth and tryptophan‐amended YEM broth inhibited fungal growth by 80%‐55% and 70%‐43%, respectively, and were identified as Sinorhizobium meliloti RMP66 and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens BMP17 by 16S rDNA sequencing. Centrifuged and pelleted cells harvested from exponentially grown cultures of S. meliloti RMP66 and B. diazoefficiens BMP17 were used to bacterize seeds of M. pruriens, which then showed enhanced seed germination (by up to 17% and 12%, respectively), and subsequent increases in other plant growth parameters in field trials. Considerable increases in seedling vigour indices (62%: 53% and 110%: 130%) and biomass (8%: 13% and 25%: 28%) were also observed for bacterial treatments. Tn5‐mediated antibiotic‐resistant marker strains showed enhanced nodule occupancy by up to 72% and 68%, respectively. This study describes a multifunctional legume nodule rhizobia that could be utilized in multicropping systems under different agroclimatic conditions as a bioinoculant and alternative to fertilizers.     

Influence of cultivation conditions on the production of a thermostable extracellular lipase from Amycolatopsis mediterranei DSM 43304

Among several lipase-producing actinomycete strains screened, Amycolatopsis mediterranei DSM 43304 was found to produce a thermostable, extracellular lipase. Culture conditions and nutrient source modification studies involving carbon sources, nitrogen sources, incubation temperature and medium pH were carried out. Lipase activity of 1.37 ± 0.103 IU/ml of culture medium was obtained in 96 h at 28°C and pH 7.5 using linseed oil and fructose as carbon sources and a combination of phytone peptone and yeast extract (5:1) as nitrogen sources. Under optimal culture conditions, the lipase activity was enhanced 12-fold with a twofold increase in lipase specific activity. The lipase showed maximum activity at 60°C and pH 8.0. The enzyme was stable between pH 5.0 and 9.0 and temperatures up to 60°C. Lipase activity was significantly enhanced by Fe³⁺ and strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺. Li⁺, Mg²⁺ and PMSF significantly reduced lipase activity, whereas other metal ions and effectors had no significant effect at 0.01 M concentration. A. mediterranei DSM 43304 lipase exhibited remarkable stability in the presence of a wide range of organic solvents at 25% (v/v) concentration for 24 h. These features render this novel lipase attractive for potential biotechnological applications in organic synthesis reactions.     

Optimization of Gibberellic Acid Production in Endophytic Bacillus cereus Using Response Surface Methodology and Its Use as Plant Growth Regulator in Chickpea

Gibberellic acid (GAs), a vital phytohormone, is necessary to increase seed germination as well as plant’s health and growth. Likewise, a number of plant growth-promoting bacteria produce identical secondary metabolites which serve as plant growth stimulants. The current study focuses to investigate optimization of multiple variables for the maximum GAs production by bacterial isolates via Response surface methodology (RSM) with the help of Box–Behnken design (BBD) and its effects on seed germination and growth promotion of Cicer arietinum (Chickpea). Initially, bacterial isolates were screened on the basis of quantitative production of gibberellic acid without amendment of any precursor. Later, bacterial isolate, MEN8, was selected for peak production of gibberellic acid via BBD and a total of 50 sets of trials were finalized. RSM analysis signified maximum GAs production by the isolate up to 109.25 μg/ml on 5th day of incubation at 35 °C on pH 7.0 by consuming 3 g/l fructose and 1.0 g/l ammonium chloride. The extracted gibberellic acid was purified by using Thin-layer chromatography, elucidated on R_f value 0.72 with gray-colored spot which was further confirmed by High-performance liquid chromatography technique, at 2.68 retention time (R_t). The MEN8 isolate was molecularly identified up to species level as Bacillus cereus by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogeny. As a final point, in vitro analysis confirmed that B. cereus MEN8 was a significant isolate for increasing seed germination parameters such as germination energy (GE-27%), capacity (GC-32%), index (GI-42%), percentage (GP-55%), vigor index (VI-89%), and vegetative growth parameters including root/shoot length and fresh/dry weight. Plant growth-promoting nature of B. cereus MEN8 creates a future avenue to be utilized as ‘phytohormone-producing bioinoculant’ for sustainable agriculture at commercial implications.

     

Purification and properties of Amycolatopsis mediterranei DSM 43304 lipase and its potential in flavour ester synthesis

An extracellular thermostable lipase from Amycolatopsis mediterranei DSM 43304 has been purified to homogeneity using ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by anion exchange chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. This protocol resulted in a 398-fold purification with 36% final recovery. The purified A. mediterranei DSM 43304 lipase (AML) has an apparent molecular mass of 33 kDa. The N-terminal sequence, AANPYERGPDPTTASIEATR, showed highest similarity to a lipase from Streptomyces exfoliatus. The values of K(m)(app) and V(max)(app) for p-nitrophenyl palmitate (p-NPP) at the optimal temperature (60°C) and pH (8.0) were 0.099±0.010 mM and 2.53±0.06 mmol/min mg, respectively. The purified AML displayed significant activity towards a range of short and long chain triglyceride substrates and p-nitrophenyl esters. Hydrolysis of glycerol ester bonds occurred non-specifically. The purified AML displayed significant stability in the presence of organic solvents (40%, v/v) and catalyzed the synthesis of the flavour ester isoamyl acetate in free and immobilized states.