Characteristics of a red-pigmented thermotolerant bacteria (GSB-001) isolated from Gedong Songo hot spring, Bandungan, Semarang – Indonesia

Aims@#Pigments used as food additives for a long time and people prefer natural pigment than synthetic ones because of their safety. Microorganisms are interesting for pigment production and many of them have been used in food industry. Many research have been conducted to find out for natural pigment sources. The objective of this research was to investigate the characteristics of a red-pigmented bacteria isolated from Gedong Songo hot spring, Bandungan- Indonesia. @*Methodology and results@#Bacterial isolates were grown on Nutrient Agar for 24 h, and the morphology of the colonies and of the cells were identified. Biochemical tests included indole, methyl red, catalase, urease tests and carbohydrate fermentation. Molecular identification was based on 16S rRNA sequence. The isolate was a rod shape and Gram-negative. Biochemical tests showed that the isolate was indole negative, catalase positive, methyl red negative and urease negative. This isolate was glucose, maltose and sucrose positive and negative for lactose. 16S rRNA sequence was BLAST and it matched with Serratia marcescens strain S823. The red pigment antioxidant activity showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging of 49.11% obtained from 48 h of incubation. Functional group of S. marcescens pigment on Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR) displayed specific peak at 1740 cm-1 represented of C═O (carbonyl) stretching group. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Based on morphological, biochemical and moleculer identifications, it showed that the bacteria isolated from Gedong Songo hot spring Bandungan-Indonesia had 94% homology with Serratia marcescens strain S823. Based on DPPH radical scavenging test, it demonstrated that S. marcescens had potency as an antioxidant.

Introduction of a synthetic Thermococcus-derived α-amlyase gene into barley genome for increased enzyme thermostability in grains

Background: The enzymes utilized in the process of beer production are generally sensitive to higher temperatures. About 60% of them are deactivated in drying the malt that limits the utilization of starting material in the fermentation process. Gene transfer from thermophilic bacteria is a promising tool for producing barley grains harboring thermotolerant enzymes. Results: Gene for α-amylase from hydrothermal Thermococcus, optimally active at 75­85°C and pH between 5.0 and 5.5, was adapted in silico to barley codon usage. The corresponding sequence was put under control of the endosperm-specific promoter 1Dx5 and after synthesis and cloning transferred into barley by biolistics. In addition to model cultivar Golden Promise we transformed three Slovak barley cultivars Pribina, Levan and Nitran, and transgenic plants were obtained. Expression of the ~50 kDa active recombinant enzyme in grains of cvs. Pribina and Nitran resulted in retaining up to 9.39% of enzyme activity upon heating to 75°C, which is more than 4 times higher compared to non-transgenic controls. In the model cv. Golden Promise the grain α-amylase activity upon heating was above 9% either, however, the effects of the introduced enzyme were less pronounced (only 1.22 fold difference compared with non-transgenic barley). Conclusions: Expression of the synthetic gene in barley enhanced the residual α-amylase activity in grains at high temperatures.

Characterization and comparison of phytase production by Bacillus and Paenibacillus strains from Thai soils

Aims: The objective of this research was to isolate, screen and identify phytase-producing bacteria from soils and a potent isolate was selected for its phytase production. Methodology and results: Eight spore-forming bacteria isolated from agricultural soils in Thailand were screened for their phytase production. They were identified as Bacillus and Paenibacillus strains based on their phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. The phytase production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CH3-1 [Group I(a)] was 20.956 ± 0.099 U/mL, while Bacillus subtilis SR9-3 [Group I(b)] produced 20.588 ± 0.099 U/mL. Five isolates in Group I(c), identified as Bacillus aryabhattai, produced phytase at levels ranging from 2.436 ± 0.116 to 20.910 ± 0.000 U/mL, while Paenibacillus cineris CM5-3 (Group II) produced 1.261 ± 0.111 U/mL. A potent strain, CH3-1, produced the highest phytase when cultivated in Phytate Specific Medium (PSM) supplemented with 1% glucose, at pH 7.0 and incubated at 45 °C. Additionally, wheat bran and sorghum seed (0.5%) substrates were used to induce phytase production by replacing Na-phytate. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Phytase producing bacteria were isolated from soils in Thailand. Gram-positive spore forming thermotolerant Bacillus strains displayed higher phytase activity than a Paenibacillus strain. A potent strain, CH3-1, could utilize agricultural waste as a substrate, which may be useful for animal feed supplementation.

Adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae and expression analysis of neuraminidase gene (NanA and NanB) after interaction of A549 human lung epithelial cells with pneumococcal strains of various serotypes

Aims: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial respiratory pathogen that can lead to invasive diseases such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. The interaction of S. pneumoniae with host respiratory epithelial cells is crucial in the colonization of human respiratory tract and involve in the virulence. The aim of the study is to investigate the adherence of S. pneumoniae and the effect of serotypic variation on neuraminidase genes (NanA and NanB) after interaction of A549 human lung epithelial cells with S. pneumoniae serotypes. Methodology and results: Six different serotypes of S. pneumoniae were used (1, 3, 5, 19F, 23F, and 14). A549 human lung epithelial cells were inoculated with pneumococcal strains of different serotype for 3 hours. The number of adherent bacteria was determined by serial dilution followed by spread plate technique on tryptic soy agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood. Bacterial RNA was harvested from the infected A549 cells. The differential expression level of neuraminidases was observed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Based on bacterial adherence assay, serotype 14 showed highest adherence, meanwhile, serotype 23F showed lowest adherence. This suggests that serotype 14 has a better affinity to adhere to A549 cells as compared to serotype 23F. Higher NanA gene expression was observed in serotype 5, 23F and 19F, while lower expression in serotype 14. In contrast, NanB gene shows low-level expression in serotype 23F and 19F, while higher expression in serotype 14. This postulates that NanA and NanB gene may have different functions in the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Our finding on differential expression of neuraminidase gene of S. pneumoniae of various serotypes on A549 cells might give a better understanding of host pathogen interaction between bacteria serotypes and host cell.

Water from different sources used for the irrigation of vegetables to be marketed: research on Cryptosporidiumspp, giardiaspp, and Coliforms in Parana, Brazil / Água de diferentes fontes utilizadas na irrigação de hortaliças comercializadas: pesquisa de Cryptosporidiumspp, giardiaspp, e coliformes, Paraná, Brasil

SUMMARYThe aim of this work was to compare, from a parasitological ( Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardia duodenalis), bacteriological (total and thermotolerants coliforms) and physicochemical perspective, water sources used for drinking and irrigation of vegetables intended to be sold for human consumption. From January 2010 to May 2011, samples of different water sources from vegetable producing properties were collected; 100 liters for parasitological analysis, 200 mL for bacteriological analysis, and five liters for physicochemical analysis. Water samples were filtered under vacuum with a kit containing a cellulose acetate membrane filter, 1.2 µm (Millipore(r), Barueri, SP, Brazil). The material retained on the membrane was mechanically extracted and analyzed by direct immunofluorescence (Merifluor(r)kit). From 20 rural properties investigated, 10 had artesian wells (40 samples), 10 had common wells (40 samples), and one had a mine (four samples), the latter contaminated by Cryptosporidiumspp. In samples from artesian wells, 90 to 130 meters depth, 42.5% were positive for total coliforms and 5.0% were identified to have abnormal coloration. From the samples of common wells, 14 to 37 meters depth, 87.5% were contaminated with total coliforms, 82.5% were positive for thermotolerant coliforms, and 12.5% had color abnormalities. We did not detect the presence of Giardiaspp. or Cryptosporidiumspp. in artesian and common wells. The use of artesian or common wells is an important step in the control of the spreading of zoonoses, particularly Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardiaspp., as well as artesian wells for coliform control in local production of vegetables to be marketed.

RESUMOO objetivo do estudo foi investigar fontes de água utilizadas para consumo e irrigação de hortaliças a serem comercializadas sob o aspecto parasitológico ( Cryptosporidiumspp. e Giardia duodenalis), bacteriológico (coliformes totais e termotolerantes) e físico-químico. De janeiro de 2010 a maio de 2011 foram coletadas amostras de água de diferentes fontes de abastecimento de propriedades produtoras de hortaliças; 100 litros para análise parasitológica, 200 mL para bacteriológica e cinco litros para análise físico-química. As amostras de água foram filtradas a vácuo com um kit de filtragem contendo uma membrana de acetato de celulose, 1,2 µm, (Millipore(r), Barueri, São Paulo, Brasil). O material retido na membrana foi extraído mecanicamente e analisado por imunofluorescência direta (kit Merifluor(r)). De 20 propriedades rurais, 10 tinham poços artesianos (40 amostras), 10 semi-artesianos (40 amostras) e um possuía uma mina (quatro amostras). Esta última contaminada por Cryptosporidiumspp. Das amostras de poços artesianos com 90 a 130 metros de profundidade, 42,5% foram positivas para coliformes totais e 5,0% apresentavam coloração alterada. Em amostras de poços semi-artesianos com 14 a 37 m de profundidade, 87,5% apresentaram coliformes totais, 82,5% termotolerantes, e 12,5% destas amostras tinham alteração de cor. Não foi detectada a presença de Giardiaspp. e Cryptosporidiumspp. em poços artesianos ou semi-artesianos. A utilização de poços artesianos ou semi artesianos constitui importante medida no controle da disseminação de zoonoses, principalmente Cryptosporidiumspp. e Giardiaspp., assim como de poços artesianos para o controle de coliformes, em locais de produção de hortaliças irrigadas, a serem comercializadas.

Isolation and Identification of Thermoacidiphilic Bacteria from Apple Juice Concentrate / 微生物学通报

The thermotolerant bacteria which was isolated from the Apple Juice Concentrate(AJC) was investigated by comparison with the standard strain of Aliyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSM3922 using Kirin-medium acidified with malic acid.The results shows the two polluted bacteria isolated from AJC can grow under the temperature of 21?C～55?C and pH of 2.4～6.2,which was corresponded with the characteristics of the thermo-acidiphilic Alicyclobacillus spp..Further more,the cell morphology,colony morphology,cultural characteristics and physiological characteristics tests indicated the two isolated strains of thermotolerant bacteria have obviously similar characteristics with the standard strain of Aliyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSM3922.