The antagonistic activity of the synbiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and pineapple residue FOS against pathogenic bacteria / A atividade antagônica do simbiótico contendo Lactobacillus acidophilus e resíduo de abacaxi FOS contra bactérias patogênicas

Fructooligosaccharide is used widely in many foods and pharmaceutical industries and produced by using different ways such as extracting it from plants or producing it by using plants and microorganisms' enzymes. In a previous study, we extracted Fructosyltransferase (Ftase) enzyme from pineapple residue and produced FOS. In this study, we measured the antagonistic activity of two synbiotics, the first synbiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and the produced FOS, the second synbiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and standard FOS, against pathogenic bacteria (P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus and B cereus). The results showed that the antagonistic activity of both synbiotic types was very close, as there were no significant differences between them except in the antagonistic activity against S. aureus, there was a significant difference between the synbiotic containing the standard FOS, which was the highest in its antagonistic activity compared to the synbiotic containing the produced FOS in this study. The activity of the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) extracted from pineapple residue was evident in enhancing the activity of the probiotic bacteria (L. acidophilus), which had a major role in the production of acids and compounds that inhibited the pathogenic bacteria. The diameters of inhibition areas in the current study ranged between 19.33-28 mm, and E. coli was more susceptible to inhibition, followed by S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and B. cereus, respectively.

O fruto-oligossacarídeo (FOS) é amplamente utilizado em muitos alimentos e indústrias farmacêuticas, e é produzido por meio de diferentes maneiras, como extraí-lo de plantas ou produzi-lo usando enzimas de plantas e microrganismos. Em um estudo anterior, extraímos a enzima frutosiltransferase (Ftase) do resíduo de abacaxi e produzimos FOS. Neste estudo, medimos a atividade antagônica de dois simbióticos: o primeiro simbiótico contendo Lactobacillus acidophilus e o FOS produzido, e o segundo simbiótico contendo Lactobacillus acidophilus e o FOS padrão, contra bactérias patogênicas (P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus e B. cereus). Os resultados mostraram que a atividade antagônica de ambos os tipos simbióticos foi muito próxima, pois não houve diferenças significativas entre eles, exceto na atividade antagônica contra S. aureus, em que houve uma diferença significativa entre o simbiótico contendo o FOS padrão, que foi o mais alto em sua atividade antagônica, em comparação com o simbiótico contendo o FOS produzido neste estudo. A atividade do fruto-oligossacarídeo (FOS) extraído do resíduo de abacaxi ficou evidente no aumento da atividade da bactéria probiótica (L. acidophilus), que teve papel importante na produção de ácidos e compostos inibidores das bactérias patogênicas. Os diâmetros das áreas de inibição no estudo atual variaram entre 19,33 e 28 mm, e E. coli foi mais suscetível à inibição, seguida por S. aureus, P. aeruginosa e B. cereus, respectivamente.

The antagonistic activity of the synbiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and pineapple residue FOS against pathogenic bacteria

Abstract Fructooligosaccharide is used widely in many foods and pharmaceutical industries and produced by using different ways such as extracting it from plants or producing it by using plants and microorganisms enzymes. In a previous study, we extracted Fructosyltransferase (Ftase) enzyme from pineapple residue and produced FOS. In this study, we measured the antagonistic activity of two synbiotics, the first synbiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and the produced FOS, the second synbiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and standard FOS, against pathogenic bacteria (P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus and B cereus). The results showed that the antagonistic activity of both synbiotic types was very close, as there were no significant differences between them except in the antagonistic activity against S. aureus, there was a significant difference between the synbiotic containing the standard FOS, which was the highest in its antagonistic activity compared to the synbiotic containing the produced FOS in this study. The activity of the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) extracted from pineapple residue was evident in enhancing the activity of the probiotic bacteria (L. acidophilus), which had a major role in the production of acids and compounds that inhibited the pathogenic bacteria. The diameters of inhibition areas in the current study ranged between 19.33-28 mm, and E. coli was more susceptible to inhibition, followed by S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and B. cereus, respectively.

Resumo O fruto-oligossacarídeo (FOS) é amplamente utilizado em muitos alimentos e indústrias farmacêuticas, e é produzido por meio de diferentes maneiras, como extraí-lo de plantas ou produzi-lo usando enzimas de plantas e microrganismos. Em um estudo anterior, extraímos a enzima frutosiltransferase (Ftase) do resíduo de abacaxi e produzimos FOS. Neste estudo, medimos a atividade antagônica de dois simbióticos: o primeiro simbiótico contendo Lactobacillus acidophilus e o FOS produzido, e o segundo simbiótico contendo Lactobacillus acidophilus e o FOS padrão, contra bactérias patogênicas (P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus e B. cereus). Os resultados mostraram que a atividade antagônica de ambos os tipos simbióticos foi muito próxima, pois não houve diferenças significativas entre eles, exceto na atividade antagônica contra S. aureus, em que houve uma diferença significativa entre o simbiótico contendo o FOS padrão, que foi o mais alto em sua atividade antagônica, em comparação com o simbiótico contendo o FOS produzido neste estudo. A atividade do fruto-oligossacarídeo (FOS) extraído do resíduo de abacaxi ficou evidente no aumento da atividade da bactéria probiótica (L. acidophilus), que teve papel importante na produção de ácidos e compostos inibidores das bactérias patogênicas. Os diâmetros das áreas de inibição no estudo atual variaram entre 19,33 e 28 mm, e E. coli foi mais suscetível à inibição, seguida por S. aureus, P. aeruginosa e B. cereus, respectivamente.

Antagonistic activity and application of Bacillus velezensis strain Bv-303 against rice bacterial-blight disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae / 生物工程学报

In this study, a new Bacillus velezensis strain Bv-303 was identified and its biocontrol effect against rice bacterial-blight (BB) disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) was investigated. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) of strain Bv-303 under different growth conditions were prepared to test the antagonistic activity and stability against Xoo by the Oxford-cup method in vitro. The antibacterial effect of strain Bv-303 to BB disease in rice were further analyzed in vivo by spraying the cell-culture broth (CCB), CFS and cell-suspension water (CSW), respectively, on the rice leaves inoculated with Xoo. Additionally, rice seeds germination rate and seedling growth under the strain Bv-303 CCB treatment were tested. The results showed that the strain Bv-303 CFS significantly inhibited Xoo growth by 85.7%‒88.0% in vitro, which was also stable under extreme environment conditions such as heat, acid, alkali and ultraviolet light. As tested in vivo, spraying the CCB, CFS or CSW of strain Bv-303 on the Xoo-infected leaves enhanced rice plant resistance to BB disease, with CCB showing the highest increase (62.7%) in disease-resistance. Notably, CCB does not have negative effects on rice seed germination and seedling growth. Therefore, strain Bv-303 has great potential for biocontrol of the rice BB disease.

Influence of microbial consortia on the incidence of grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) in strawberry (Monterey variety)

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mold disease, is one of the most destructive pathogens of strawberry crops, both in vegetative development and postharvest. The control of this pathogen is complex due to its aggressiveness and ability to attack and infect various plant tissues and is mainly based on chemical control; however, the incorrect use of pesticides, mainly due to overdosing, causes the presence of traces of these agrochemicals in the fruits, as well as the selection of pathogen resistance to fungicides, making it a risk to human health and the environment. The objective of the study was to use biological regulation strategies, with the application of microbial consortia made up of mycorrhizal fungi, antagonistic bacteria and Trichoderma harzianum, as an alternative for the management of grey mold in strawberry crops (Monterey variety) under field conditions. Treatments T4 (mycorrhizal fungi), T8 (mycorrhizal fungi, antagonistic bacteria and T. harzianum) and T2 (T. harzianum) presented the lowest incidence of the pathogen with 2.6, 3.1 and 3.6 %, respectively, compared to control plants with 16.6%. The influence of all biological treatments on the regulation of B. cinerea was greater than the control.

Botrytis cinerea, el agente causal de la enfermedad del moho gris, es uno de los patógenos más destructivos del cultivo de fresa, tanto en el desarrollo vegetativo como en poscosecha. El control de este patógeno es complejo, debido a su agresividad y capacidad de atacar e infectar diversos tejidos de la planta y se basa, principalmente, en el control químico; sin embargo, el uso incorrecto de plaguicidas, principalmente por sobredosificación, provoca la presencia de trazas de estos agroquímicos en los frutos, así como la selección de resistencia del patógeno a los fungicidas, convirtiéndolo en un riesgo para la salud humana y el ambiente. El objetivo del estudio fue utilizar estrategias de regulación biológica, con la aplicación de consorcios microbianos, conformados por hongos micorrícicos, bacterias antagonistas y Trichoderma harzianum, como alternativa para el manejo del moho gris, en cultivos de fresa (variedad Monterey), en condiciones de campo. Los tratamientos T4 (hongos micorrízicos), T8 (hongos micorrízicos, bacterias antagonistas y T. harzianum) y T2 (T. harzianum) presentaron la menor incidencia del patógeno, con 2,6, 3,1 y 3,6 %, respectivamente, en comparación con las plantas control, con 16,6 %. La influencia de todos los tratamientos biológicos en la regulación de B. cinerea fue mayor respecto al control.

Biocontrol potential of endophytic fungi in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) leaves against selected fungal phytopathogens

Aims@#Endophytic fungi are a diverse group of microorganisms that stay asymptomatically in the healthy tissues of the host. Many fungal endophytes are associated with the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and the pathogens of the tea plant have the potential to grow as endophytes or act as latent pathogens during the initial growth of the plant. The present study aimed at screening tea endophytic fungi with the potential for control of a few critical phytopathogens, Fusarium sp., Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Pestalotiopsis sp. and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum while evaluating the efficiency of growth inhibition of these phytopathogens by the endophytic fungal isolates using in vitro assays.@*Methodology and results@#Five endophytic fungal strains; Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. siamense, Daldinia eschscholtzii, Pseudopestalotiopsis chinensis and Phyllosticta capitalensis isolated from leaves of C. sinensis in Sri Lanka were evaluated for growth inhibition against plant pathogens; Fusarium sp., L. theobromae, Pestalotiopsis sp. and S. sclerotiorum using the dual culture assay and volatile compound-mediated inhibition assay. All the fungal endophytes used in this study exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., Pestalotiopsis sp. and S. sclerotiorum in the dual culture assay on PDA. Daldinia eschscholtzii (67.30%) and C. gloeosporioides (61.54%) showed strong antagonistic activity against S. sclerotiorum, while P. capitalensis (42.30%) demonstrated moderate activity. All the endophytic fungal strains showed moderate antifungal activities against Fusarium sp. The percentage growth inhibitions of Pestalotiopsis sp. by all the endophytic isolates tested were below 25.00%. In the volatile compound-mediated inhibition assay, none of the endophytic isolates showed visible inhibition against the phytopathogens used.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#In this study, the fungal endophytes which showed potential antagonistic activity against the tested phytopathogens can be used to develop commercialized products of fungal biocontrol agents (BCAs) for controlling plant fungal diseases.

Screening of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Weed Plant to Biocontrol Stem Rot Disease on Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)

Abstract Endophytic bacteria from weed are emerging as valuable alternatives for biochemical pesticides in sustainable agriculture. This study aims to discover the antagonistic effects of some endophytic bacteria isolated from weed (Lactuca indica) against A. alternata, a casual of stem end rot disease of pitaya. A total of 14 endophytic bacteria were isolated and four of them presented in vitro antagonistic activity against A. alternata. Of four, strain L115 significantly inhibited the pathogenic growth with a mean inhibition diameter of 12.67 ± 0.02 mm, while the other three (strain L110, L111, and L114) showed a weak inhibition. The results indicated that strain L115 could belong to the Bacillaceae family while the other three (strain L110, L111, and L114) had characteristics of the Pseudomonadaceae family. Interestingly, strain L115 showed positive results for phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA), and biofilm production, whereas three other strains presented weak capabilities for phosphate solubilization, biofilm production and IAA production. In addition, the filtrate of strain L115 presented antifungal activity on biocontrol tests in vitro. Especially, strain L115 significantly increased seedling biomass of pitaya and tomato compared to the control. Hence, these results suggest strain L115 has the potential to be used as biocontrol agents against A. alternata. More studies should be done in the future to evaluate their efficiency in field conditions.

Effect of electroacupuncture at antagonistic muscle and agonistic muscle on motor function in patients with upper-extremity spasticity after stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the improvement effect between simultaneous electroacupuncture at antagonistic muscle and agonistic muscle and simple electroacupuncture at antagonistic muscle on spasticity degree, upper-extremity motor function and activity of daily living in patients with upper-extremity spasticity after stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with upper-extremity spasticity after stroke were randomized into a comprehensive group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and an antagonistic muscle group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the antagonistic muscle group, acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI 15), Binao (LI 14), Zhouliao (LI 12), Shousanli (LI 10), Waiguan (TE 5) and Houxi (SI 3), electric stimulation was attached to Jianyu (LI 15)-Binao (LI 14), Zhouliao (LI 12)-Shousanli (LI 10) and Waiguan (TE 5)-Houxi (SI 3), with discontinuous wave, 15 Hz in frequency. On the basis of the treatment in the antagonistic muscle group, acupuncture was applied at Tianquan (PC 2), Chize (LU 5), Jianshi (PC 5) and Daling (PC 7) in the comprehensive group, electric stimulation was attached to Tianquan (PC 2)-Chize (LU 5) and Jianshi (PC 5)-Daling (PC 7), with continuous wave, 5 Hz in frequency. The treatment was given once a day, 6 days a week for 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the scores of modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer assessment upper extremity scale (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel index (MBI) scale were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the MAS scores of elbow flexors and wrist flexors after treatment were decreased (P<0.05), the scores of FMA-UE and MBI scale after treatment were increased in the two groups (P<0.05). The scores of FMA-UE and MBI scale after treatment in the comprehensive group were higher than those in the antagonistic muscle group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Simultaneous electroacupuncture at antagonistic muscle and agonistic muscle and simple electroacupuncture at antagonistic muscle can both improve the spasticity degree in patients with upper-extremity spasticity after stroke, however, the former can better restore motor function and improve activity of daily living.

Insights for integrative medicinal potentials of Ethiopian Kale (Brassica carinata): Investigation of antibacterial, antioxidant potential and phytocompounds composition of its leaves / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To compare the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of Ethiopian Kale leaves infusions, investigate the antioxidant activity and profile the major phytochemicals existing in the better solvent system. Methods: Ethiopian Kale leaves were collected from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and extracted using different solvents. The qualitative phytochemical analysis, antibacterial assays, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis are executed for all extracts. Antioxidant assay and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis are carried out for the solvent system, which showed better activity in preliminary studies. Results: The qualitative phytochemical analysis exposed the presence of different classes of phytoconstituents in most of the tested extracts. The broad spectrum of antibacterial activity (7–15 mm) was noted against the tested bacterial species. The functional groups of the extracts are reported by FTIR analysis. The antioxidant ability of ethanol extract was found to be (62.92 ± 0.34)% for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) assay and (71.12 ± 0.41)% for 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. More than 17 major phytocompounds in ethanol extract were profiled by GC–MS analysis. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Ethiopian Kale leaves contain a good source of phytochemicals and it can be a significant source for various functional applications.

Evaluation of cytokine immunotyping on the condition and prognosis of children with sepsis / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To evaluate the effect of serum cytokines and immune typing on the severity and prognosis of children with sepsis.Methods:One hundred and sixty children with sepsis admitted to No.2 PICU from May 2018 to May 2019 at Hunan Children′s Hospital were enrolled.Vital signs, blood routine and blood biochemical indexes of the children were collected within 24 hours after admission.Serum cytokine concentrations of interleukin(IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ were tested at the same time.According to the worst condition during the first 24 h after admission, and the consensus diagnostic criteria of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of septic shock in children in 2015, the patients were divided into sepsis group(76 cases) and severe sepsis group(84 cases). According to the prognosis of 28 days, the patients were divided into survival group(134 cases)and death group(26 cases). The differences of cytokine concentration and the composition of immune state among groups were compared.Results:The levels of IL-2[2.40(2.40, 2.55)pg/mL vs. 2.40(2.40, 3.76)pg/mL], IL-6[60.54(23.22, 250.38)pg/mL vs. 21.47(8.83, 57.94)pg/mL], IL-10[50.85(21.74, 217.12)pg/mL vs. 14.99(9.23, 28.79)pg/mL] , TNF-α[2.75(2.40, 5.15)pg/mL vs. 2.40(2.40, 3.23)pg/mL] and IFN-γ[8.01(4.34, 37.28)pg/mL vs.2.62(2.62, 28.56)pg/mL] in the severe sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the sepsis group( P<0.05). The levels of IL-10[99.57(10.51, 646.96)pg/mL vs. 23.17(11.74, 57.30)pg/mL] and TNF-α[3.08(2.40, 5.13)pg/mL vs. 2.45(2.40, 3.80)pg/mL] in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group( P<0.05). The risk of death in children with mixed antagonistic response syndrome (MARS) was significantly higher than those without MARS( OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.302-10.804). Conclusion:The increased concentrations of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ are significantly correlated with the severity of sepsis in children.Increased IL-10 concentration and the occurrence of MARS are significantly correlated with poor prognosis.The occurrence of MARS in children with sepsis should be highly vigilant for the poor prognosis.

Enhanced killing of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC10145 through a combined action of antibiotics and bacteriocin from Pediococcus pentosaceus TU2

Aims@#Due to its rapid development of resistance against most conventional antibiotics, there is an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial agents and strategies to overcome the challenges in combating multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. This study aimed to determine the antipseudomonal potency of bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus TU2 when combined with conventional antibiotics.@*Methodology and results@#The checkerboard method and time-kill assay were conducted to investigate the antagonism interaction and kinetics of the bacteriocin TU2 and selected antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC10145. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the cell surface morphological changes of the treated P. aeruginosa ATCC10145. The combination of bacteriocin TU2 with ciprofloxacin and tetracycline resulted in a 4-fold reduction in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and a fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFICI) of 0.5, indicating a synergistic interaction against P. aeruginosa ATCC10145. Similarly, the time-kill assay showed that the combination of bacteriocins TU2 respectively with chloramphenicol and tetracycline exerted enhanced bactericidal effect at 8 h and 10 h of treatments compared to treatment with antimicrobial agents alone. Results from SEM suggested that bacteriocin TU2 might cause pore formation on cells and thus enhanced the membrane permeability of antibiotics and intensified the membrane leakage that led to cell death of P. aeruginosa ATCC10145.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#The combined antagonistic effect of bacteriocin TU2 and antibiotics could be a promising strategy in combating P. aeruginosa infections and may be applied in therapeutic industries.

Antagonistic activity of volatile metabolites from Trichoderma asperellum / 生物工程学报

Trichoderma spp. is a kind of filamentous fungi with important biocontrol value. Twelve strains of Trichoderma spp. were isolated from the soils of different types of crops in Shaoxing, Zhejiang and Foshan, Guangdong. The antagonistic resistance to Fusarium oxysporum was compared by plate confrontation test. The further analysis of volatile secondary metabolites for two strains were carried out using HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis. The results showed that T. asperellum ZJSX5003 and GDFS1009 had fast growth ability, and the inhibition effects on F. oxysporum were 73% and 74% respectively. Six identical volatile metabolites were detected as follows 2-Methyl-1-propanol, 3-Methyl-1-butanol, 3-Methyl-3-buten-1-ol, Acetyl methyl carbinol, Butane-2,3-diol and 6-n-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6-PAP). Among them, 6-PAP was validated to have a higher inhibitory effect on F. oxysporum in vitro. This study will provide basis for the development of biocontrol agents with metabolites of Trichoderma, such as 6-PAP.

Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 induces ginsenosides biosynthesis in Panax ginseng adventitious roots by inducing plant resistance responses / 中草药·英文版

Objective: Fusarium oxysporum is a common pathogenic fungus in ginseng cultivation. Both pathogens and antagonistic fungi have been reported to induce plant resistance responses, thereby promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites. The purpose of this experiment is to compare the advantages of one of the two fungi, in order to screen out more effective elicitors. The mechanism of fungal elicitor-induced plant resistance response is supplemented. Methods: A gradient dilution and the dural culture were carried out to screen strains. The test strain was identified by morphology and 18 s rDNA. The effect of different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/L) of Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 and F. oxysporum on fresh weight and ginsenosides accumulation were tested. Signal molecules transduction, expression of transcription factors and functional genes were investigated to study the induction mechanism of fungal elicitors. Results: Antagonistic fungi of F. oxysporum was identified as Penicillium sp. YJM-2013, which reduced root biomass. The total ginsenosides content of Panax ginseng adventitious roots reached the maximum (48.95 ± 0.97 mg/g) treated with Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 at 200 mg/L, higher than control by 2.59-fold, in which protopanoxadiol-type ginsenosides (PPD) were increased by 4.57 times. Moreover, Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 activated defense signaling molecules, up-regulated the expression of PgWRKY 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and functional genes in ginsenosides synthesis. Conclusion: Compared with the pathogenic fungi F. oxysporum, antagonistic fungi Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 was more conducive to the accumulation of ginsenosides in P. ginseng adventitious roots. Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 promoted the accumulation of ginsenosides by intensifying the generation of signal molecules, activating the expression of transcription factors and functional genes.

Incompatible foods: an important concept to understand to prevent auto-immune disorders

The emerging field of trophologydeals primarily with suitable food combinations and also a few unsuitable food combinations. The science is still in its nascent state and a few things have emerged in terms of which foods should, or should not, be eaten together. But the ancient texts ofIndian Medicine are replete with such examples. What’s interesting is that there is a huge theoretical basis behind the concept of Incompatible foods. The science is rooted in the Ayurvedic concept of six tastes and the physiological basis of homeostasis-the doshas, which roughly correspond to the humours as propounded by the Greek philosopher Hippocrates. Inter cultural exchange in modern times of rapid transit has resulted in mixing up of foods and dishes in a haphazard manner, led by gustatory and aesthetic factors rather than immunological ones. This has led to explosion of so-called auto immune and metabolic diseases, because the immunological basis of incompatible food combinations has hardly begun to be researched

The effect of the lactic acid bacteria culturing conditions on their antagonistic activity to pathogens of tuberculosis

It has been found that the antagonistic activity of lactic acid bacteria depends on the composition of the nutrient medium and the temperature of culturing. It has been shown that the best antimicrobial effect to mycobacteria is achieved by the cultivation of lactic acid bacteria on the MRS nutrient media and a combined nutrient medium with the use of lactulose or glucose as a source of carbon. The optimum temperature for culturing an association of lactic acid bacteria for achieving high antagonistic activity to mycobacteria is 300C, and the duration of cultivation is 24 hours.

La amplia distribución de un microorganismo termoacidófilo en el mineral de una mina cuprífera a temperatura ambiente y en condición ácida, y su importancia en la biolixiviación del concentrado de calcopirita / The wide distribution of an extremely thermoacidophilic microorganism in the copper mine at ambient temperature and under acidic condition and its significance in bioleaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate

Thermoacidophiles can exist in a state of dormancy both in moderate temperatures and even in cold conditions in heap leaching. Sulphide mineral ores such as chalcopyrite produce sulfuric acid when exposed to the air and water. The produced sulfuric acid leads to the decrease of pH and exothermic reactions in heap leaching causing the temperature to increase up to 55 °C and the activation of thermoacidophilic microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to isolate indigenous extreme thermoacidophilic microorganisms at ambient temperature from Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, to adapt them to the high pulp density of a chalcopyrite concentrate, and to determine their efficiency in chalcopyrite bioleaching in order to recover copper. In this study samples were collected at ambient temperature from Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex in Iran. Mixed samples were inoculated into the culture medium for enrichment of the microorganisms. Pure cultures from these enrichments were obtained by subculture of liquid culture to solid media. Morphological observation was performed under the scanning electron microscope. Isolates were adapted to 30% (w/v) pulp density. For the bioleaching test, the experiments were designed with DX7 software. Bioleaching experiments were carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks and a stirred tank reactor. The highest copper recovery in Erlenmeyer flasks was 39.46% with pulp 15%, inoculums 20%, size particle 90 pm and 160 rpm. The lowest recovery was 3.81% with pulp 20%, inoculums 20%, size particle 40 pm and 140 rpm after 28 days. In the reactor, copper recovery was 32.38%. Bioleaching residues were analyzed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The results showed no jarosite (KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6) had formed in the bioleaching experiments. It seems that the antagonistic reactions among various species and a great number of planktonic cells in Erlenmeyer flasks and the stirred tank reactor are the reasons for the low recovery of copper in our study.

Los microorganismos termoacidófilos pueden estar en estado latente tanto a temperatura moderada como baja, en lixiviación en pilas. Los minerales sulfurosos, como la calcopirita, producen ácido sulfúrico cuando se exponen al aire y al agua. El ácido sulfúrico producido conduce a la disminución del pH y a reacciones exotérmicas durante la lixiviación en pilas, lo que hace que la temperatura aumente hasta 55 °C y se activen los microorganismos termoacidófilos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue aislar del complejo de cobre Sarchesh-meh (Irán) microorganismos termoacidófilos extremos que proliferan a temperatura ambiente e investigar su adaptación a la alta densidad de pulpa del concentrado de calcopirita, así como su eficiencia para biolixiviarese mineral, con el objeto de recuperar el cobre. Se recogieron muestras a temperatura ambiente del citado complejo, y luego muestras mixtas se inocularon en un medio de cultivo de enriquecimiento. A partir de estos enriquecimientos, mediante el subcultivo del cultivo líquido a medio sólido, se obtuvieron cultivos puros. La observación morfológica se realizó bajo microscopio electrónico de barrido. Los aislados estaban adaptados al 30% p/v de densidad de pulpa. Para la prueba de biolixiviación, los experimentos fueron diseñados con el software DX7. Los experimentos de biolixiviación se llevaron a cabo en Erlenmeyers y en un reactor tanque con agitación. La mayor recuperación de cobre en los Erlenmeyers fue del 39,46% y se obtuvo con la pulpa al 15%, un inóculo del 20%, un tamaño de partícula de 90 µm y una agitación de 160 rpm. La menor recuperación fue del 3,81% y se obtuvo con la pulpa al 20%, un inóculo del 20%, un tamaño de partícula de 40 µm y una agitación de 140 rpm, después 28 días. En el reactor, la recuperación del cobre fue del 32,38%. El análisis de difracción de rayos X (XRD) no mostró que se formara jarosita (KFe3-#91;SO4-#93;2-#91;OH-#93;6) en los experimentos de biolixiviación. Dicha técnica sirve para determinar la estructura cristalina de una sustancia desconocida. Al parecer, las reacciones antagónicas entre las diversas especies y el mayor número de células planctónicas en los Erlenmeyers y en el reactor fueron las causas de la baja recuperación de cobre observada en este estudio.

Trichoderma species diversity in rhizosphere soils and potential antagonism with Fusarium oxysporum / Diversidade de espécies de trichoderma em solos de rizosfera e potencial antagonismo com fusarium oxysporum

Neste estudo foram isoladas seis espécies de trichoderma isoladas de solos rizosféricos de arrozais, bananeiras, dendezeiros, seringueiras, hortaliças e pastagens. As espécies são t. harzianum, t. viride, t. koningii, t. asperellum, and t. parareesei. O estudo morfológico como pigmentação, crescimento de colônias e estudos anatômicos como aparências de conidiação, tamanho de conídios, padrão de ramificação dos conidióforos, formas de phialides, ausência ou presença de clamidósporos foram realizados para identificar as espécies de trichoderma. As espécies de trichoderma harzianum foram abundantes no solo enquanto as de t. viren foram a segunda mais frequente no solo. Todas as espécies apresentaram atividade antagônica contra o fusarium oxysporum. Enquanto t. parareesei apresentou a maior atividade antagônica de 91,10% contra f.oxysporum, relatado como melhor agente antagonista para fitopatógeno.

In this study, six species of trichoderma isolated from rhizospheric soils of rice fields, banana trees, oil palm trees, rubber trees, vegetables and pastures were isolated. The species are t. harzianum, t. viride, t. koningii, t. asperellum, and t. I will stop. Morphological studies such as pigmentation, colony growth and anatomical studies such as appearance of conidia, size of conidia, branching pattern of conidiophores, forms of phialides, absence or presence of chlamydospores were performed to identify the species of trichoderma. The species of trichoderma harzianum were abundant in the soil while those of t. viren were the second most frequent in the soil. All species showed antagonistic activity against fusarium oxysporum. While t. parareesei presented the greatest antagonistic activity of 91.10% against f.oxysporum, reported as the best antagonistic agent for phytopathogen.

Screening and Evaluation of Streptomyces Species as a Potential Biocontrol Agent against a Wood Decay Fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum

Two-hundred and fifty-five strains of actinomycetes isolated from soil samples were screened for their antagonistic activities against four well-known wood decay fungi (WDF), including a brown rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum and three white rot fungi Donkioporia expansa, Trametes versicolor, and Schizophyllum commune. A dual culture assay using culture media supplemented with heated or unheated culture filtrates of selected bacterial strains was used for the detection of their antimicrobial activity against four WDF. It was shown that Streptomyces atratus, S. tsukiyonensis, and Streptomyces sp. greatly inhibited the mycelial growth of the WDF tested compared with the control. To evaluate the biocontrol efficacy of S. atratus, S. tsukiyonensis, and Streptomyces sp., wood blocks of Pinus densiflora inoculated with three selected Streptomyces isolates were tested for weight loss, compression strength (perpendicular or parallel to the grain), bending strength, and chemical component changes. Of these three isolates used, Streptomyces sp. exhibited higher inhibitory activity against WDF, especially G. trabeum, as observed in mechanical and chemical change analyses. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cell walls of the wood block treated with Streptomyces strains were thicker and collapsed to a lesser extent than those of the non-treated control. Taken together, our findings indicate that Streptomyces sp. exhibits the potential to be used as a biocontrol agent for wood decay brown rot fungus that causes severe damage to coniferous woods.

Diversity and Bioactive Potential of Culturable Fungal Endophytes of Medicinal Shrub Berberis aristata DC.: A First Report

Bioactive natural compounds, isolated from fungal endophytes, play a promising role in the search for novel drugs. They are an inspiring source for researchers due to their enormous structural diversity and complexity. During the present study fungal endophytes were isolated from a well-known medicinal shrub, Berberis aristata DC. and were explored for their antagonistic and antioxidant potential. B. aristata, an important medicinal shrub with remarkable pharmacological properties, is native to Northern Himalayan region. A total of 131 endophytic fungal isolates belonging to eighteen species and nine genera were obtained from three hundred and thirty surface sterilized segments of different tissues of B. aristata. The isolated fungi were classified on the basis of morphological and molecular analysis. Diversity and species richness was found to be higher in leaf tissues as compared to root and stem. Antibacterial activity demonstrated that the crude ethyl acetate extract of 80% isolates exhibited significant results against one or more bacterial pathogens. Ethyl acetate extract of Alternaria macrospora was found to have potential antibacterial activity. Significant antioxidant activity was also found in crude ethyl acetate extracts of Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus flavus. Similarly, antagonistic activity of the fungal endophytes revealed that all antagonists possessed inhibition potential against more than one fungal pathogen. This study is an important step towards tapping endophytic fungal diversity for bioactive metabolites which could be a step forward towards development of novel therapeutic agents.

Clinical observation of the phased acupuncture for ischemic stroke hemiplegia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect difference among the staged acupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation, traditional acupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation, and conventional rehabilitation in the patients with ischemic stroke hemiplegia.@*METHODS@#A total of 145 patients with ischemic stroke hemiplegia were randomly assigned into an observation group (49 cases), a control group A (49 cases) and a control group B (47 cases). All the patients were received aspirin tablets 100 mg orally, once a day. The staged acupuncture according to Brunnstrom's theory combined with conventional rehabilitation were used in the observation group, at the acupoints in the meridian during the flaccid paralysis phase, at the acupoints in the antagonistic muscle and the tendon of spastic dominant muscle during the spasm stage, and at the acupoints in the meridian and Taixi (KI 3), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6) during the sequela stage. Conventional traditional acupuncture at the acupoints in the meridian combined with conventional rehabilitation were applied in the control group A. Simple conventional rehabilitation was used in the control group B. Patients in the observation group and the control group A were received acupuncture and rehabilitation once a day from Monday to Friday, 2 weeks as 1 course; patients in the control group B were received the same rehabilitation as the observation group. The indexes were observed before treatment and at the end of the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks of treatment, including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), short form Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (FMA) scale, Fugl-Meyer balance (FM-B) scale, comprehensive spasm scale (CSS) and modified Barthel index (MBI).@*RESULTS@#Compared with those before treatment, except the MBI score in the control group B after 2 weeks' treatment, the NIHSS, FMA, FM-B and MBI scores were improved in all three groups at the end of the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks of treatment (<0.01, <0.05). At the end of the 2nd week of treatment, the NIHSS and CSS scores were lower (<0.05, <0.01), the FMA, FM-B and MBI scores were higher (all <0.05) in the observation group and the control group A than those in the control group B. After 4, 6 and 8 weeks' treatment, the FMA, FM-B and MBI scores were higher (<0.05, <0.01), the NIHSS and CSS scores were lower (all <0.01) in the observation group than those of control group A and control group B; the FMA, FM-B and MBI scores in the control group A were higher than those in the control group B (<0.05, <0.01); the NIHSS and CSS scores in the control group A were lower than those in the control group B (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Staged acupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation are consistent with the rehabilitation rule of patients with hemiplegia. They can improve motor function and the ability of daily life. They achieve better effect than traditional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation.

Isolation, identification, and biocontrol of antagonistic bacterium against Botrytis cinerea after tomato harvest

ABSTRACT Tomato is one of the most important vegetables in the world. Decay after harvest is a major issue in the development of tomato industry. Currently, the most effective method for controlling decay after harvest is storage of tomato at low temperature combined with usage of chemical bactericide; however, long-term usage of chemical bactericide not only causes pathogen resistance but also is harmful for human health and environment. Biocontrol method for the management of disease after tomato harvest has great practical significance. In this study, antagonistic bacterium B-6-1 strain was isolated from the surface of tomato and identified as Enterobacter cowanii based on morphological characteristics and physiological and biochemical features combined with sequence analysis of 16SrDNA and ropB gene and construction of dendrogram. Effects of different concentrations of antagonistic bacterium E. cowanii suspension on antifungal activity after tomato harvest were analyzed by mycelium growth rate method. Results revealed that antifungal activity was also enhanced with increasing concentrations of antagonistic bacterium; inhibitory rates of 1 × 105 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL antagonistic bacterial solution on Fusarium verticillioides, Alternaria tenuissima, and Botrytis cinerea were 46.31%, 67.48%, and 75.67%, respectively. By using in vivo inoculation method, it was further confirmed that antagonistic bacterium could effectively inhibit the occurrence of B. cinerae after tomato harvest, biocontrol effect of 1 × 109 cfu/mL zymotic fluid reached up to 95.24%, and antagonistic bacterium E. cowanii has biocontrol potential against B. cinerea after harvest of fruits and vegetables.