Design of a PCR test based on the gyrA gene sequence for the identification of closely related species of the Bacillus subtilis group

A method for the taxonomic identification of seven closely related bacterial species of the Bacillus subtilis group (B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. licheniformis, B. vallismortis, B. atrophaeus, B. sonorensis, and B. mojavensis) using specific primers selected on the basis of the gyrA gene sequences was developed. The effectiveness of this method both for the identification of pure cultures of type strains of this group and for the precise species identification of collection and industrial bacterial strains was demonstrated. The principal possibility of using this method for detecting B. subtilis group bacteria in mixed cultures was shown.     

Capacity of N- and C-domains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> flo1p cell wall protein homologue to expose lip2 lipase on cell surface of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yarrowia lipolytica</Emphasis> yeast

The closest homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Flo1p cell wall protein was detected in Yarrowia lipolytica yeast (YALI0C09031p) by the method of genomic analysis, and capacity of its N- and C-domains to expose the Lip2 lipase on the cell surface was studied. The efficient fixation of the enzyme on the Y. lipolytica cell wall surface was demonstrated. The activity of the cell-bound lipase was 9170 and 3200 units per 1 g of dry solid matter when using N- and C-domains of the cell wall protein, respectively. At the same time, in the case of immobilization using the N-domain, approximately 30% of the total lipase activity was detected in the culture medium, whereas when using C-domain of the cell wall protein YALI0C09031p, practically all lipase was in the immobilized state. Obtained values of the level of the cell-bound lipase activity considerably exceed previously published data opening a prospect for new technological solutions which meet industrial needs.     

Antimicrobial activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus megaterium</Emphasis> strains

A bacterial strain with a high level of antimicrobial activity was isolated from soil and identified as Bacillus megaterium. Production of antibiotics by nine strains of this species from the collection of the State Research Institute for Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms was investigated. In submerged cultures, nine out of ten B. megaterium strains were found to produce antibacterial antibiotics differing in their spectra of action. Physicochemical characteristics of five compounds were described. Three of them belonged to peptide antibiotics. All five compounds were active against the methicillin-resistant strain Staphylococcus aureus INA 00761. Three of them were shown to be the previously undescribed compounds. Antibiotics produced by various B. megaterium strains were also active against the Leuconostoc mesenteroides VKPM B-4177 strain resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics and against gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922.     

Characterization of Lipoxygenase from Fungi of the Genus Mortierella

The specific activity of lipoxygenase from several strains of the zygomycete Mortierellavaried from 1.02 to 2.02 mol diene per min per mg protein. The enzyme equally used linoleic or arachidonic acid as a substrate. An increase in lipoxygenase activity was observed after adding corn oil to the culture medium. Tests with inhibitors having different chemical structures revealed that the lipoxygenase activity from Mortierellacells was inhibited only by esculetin, ethanol, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). NDGA inhibited the enzyme in vitro(IC₅₀=142 M), but its addition in the exponential phase of growth activated the enzyme.     

New antibiotics produced by Bacillus subtilis strains

Two Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from the fruiting body of a basidiomycete fungus Pholiota squarrosa exhibited a broad range of antibacterial activity, including those against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus INA 00761 (MRSA) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides VKPM B-4177 resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics, as well as antifungal activity. The strains were identified as belonging to the “B. subtilis” complex based on their morphological and physiological characteristics, as well as by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene fragments. Both strains (INA 01085 and INA 01086) produced insignificant amounts of polyene antibiotics (hexaene and pentaene, respectively). Strain INA 01086 also produced a cyclic polypeptide antibiotic containing Asp, Gly, Leu, Pro, Tyr, Thr, Trp, and Phe, while the antibiotic of strain INA 01085 contained, apart from these, two unidentified nonproteinaceous amino acids. Both polypeptide antibiotics were new compounds efficient against gram-positive bacteria and able to override the natural bacterial antibiotic resistance.     

Microbial synthesis of biodiesel and its prospects

An analytical review of the current data on the microbial synthesis of biodiesel and prospects of its usage is presented. The technological, biochemical, and genetic aspects of biodiesel production using microorganisms are discussed.     

Biodiesel production via enzymatic catalysis

A review of current work in biodiesel production via enzymatic catalysis has been done. The parameters of the process as determined by laboratories are represented and analyzed. The main factors affecting interesterification are considered. The major types of oils and alcohols used in biodiesel synthesis are listed. The means of lipase enzyme immobilization, including exposure on the cell surface, are discussed.