Effect of physical parameters in enhancing prodigiosin production and anti-MRSA activity of marine bacterium, Serratia marcescens IBRL USM84

Aims@#Marine bacteria have been reported to produce potential natural pigment with pharmaceutical properties and their growth can be manipulated in the laboratory to increase pigment production and their antimicrobial activity. Hence, this study aimed to enhance the prodigiosin production in Serratia marcescens IBRL USM84 by improving physical conditions.@*Methodology and results@#The quantification of the pigment produced by S. marcescens IBRL USM84, bacterial cell growth, and its antibacterial activity in the broth medium were determined using a spectrophotometry method. Meanwhile, the antibacterial effect of red pigment on MRSA cells was observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This marine isolate produced the highest yield of prodigiosin (6.95 μg/mL) when cultivated in marine broth with the addition of 0.2% of agar, 25 °C incubation temperature, initial medium pH of 7, 150 rpm of agitation speed for 48 h of cultivation time under light illumination. There was an increment of 151.81% in prodigiosin production after enhancement compared to before the enhancement of cultural conditions. SEM observations revealed that severe damage to the cell’s morphologies was exposed to red pigment as indicated by the formation of small dents, which led to completely collapse and eventually, cell death.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#A positive correlation between pigment production and antibacterial activity was observed in the present study. The results supported the fact that marine bacteria are a reservoir of various pigments with antimicrobial properties. Also, the pigment production by S. marcescens and its antibacterial activity were significantly influenced by physical parameters.

Bioactividad e identificación de los ácidos grasos de la esponja marina Tetilla rodriguesi (Tetractinellida: Tetillidae) en el Caribe colombiano / Bioactivity and identification of fatty acids of the marine sponge Tetilla rodriguesi (Tetractinellida: Tetillidae) in the Colombian Caribbean

Resumen Introducción: Durante millones de años, los organismos marinos han venido desarrollando estrategias para adaptarse a los cambios ambientales y con esto, sintetizando una gran variedad de metabolitos secundarios con actividades biológicas. Objetivo: Evaluar las actividades antimicrobiana y antioxidante e identificar los ácidos grasos del extracto metanólico de la esponja marina Tetilla rodriguesi recolectada en la bahía de Cispatá. Métodos: Los especímenes de T. rodriguesi se sometieron a extracción para obtener el extracto metanólico, del cual se obtuvieron los ácidos grasos que fueron esterificados e identificados haciendo uso de técnicas cromatográficas. Con el extracto metanólico se realizó la actividad antioxidante frente a los radicales ABTS+• y DPPH• y la actividad antimicrobiana por el método de microdilución frente a cepas de referencia de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis y Candida albicans; además de aislados clínicos de Candida albicans (obtenida en sangre) y Candida krusei (obtenida en catéter). Resultados: Los resultados arrojaron la identificación de 19 ácidos grasos de diferente naturaleza. En el análisis de la actividad antioxidante se pudo encontrar, que la inhibición de los radicales evaluados fue moderada (296.98 ppm para ABTS+• y 3 523.62 ppm para DPPH•). La evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana mostró, que el extracto metanólico de T. rodriguesi logró reducir en gran medida el crecimiento de todos los microorganismos evaluados. Conclusión: A pesar de que los poríferos tienden a poseer ácidos grasos de gran tamaño, en este trabajó no se encontró la presencia de ácidos grasos de cadena carbonada mayor a 20 miembros. Los resultados de la actividad antioxidante, se asemejan en gran medida al encontrado en otras especies del mismo phylum. En esta investigación, se pudo establecer que el extracto metanólico de T. rodriguesi logró disminuir en gran medida el crecimiento de todas las cepas bacterianas y fúngicas utilizadas.

Abstract Introduction: For millions of years, organisms that inhabit the marine environment have been developing strategies to adapt to environmental changes and with this, synthesizing a great variety of secondary metabolites with biological activities. Objective: Evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and identify the fatty acids of the methanolic extract of the marine sponge Tetilla rodriguesi collected in Cispatá bay, Colombian Caribbean. Methods: T. rodriguesi specimens were subjected to extraction to obtain the methanolic extract, of which the fatty acids were obtained, esterified and identified it using chromatographic techniques. With the methanolic extract, the antioxidant activity was carried out against the radicals ABTS+• and DPPH•, and the antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method against reference strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans; in addition to clinical isolates of Candida albicans (obtained in blood) and Candida krusei (obtained in catheter). Result: The results yielded the identification of 19 fatty acids of different nature. In the analysis of the antioxidant activity could be found that inhibition of radical evaluated was moderate (296.98 ppm for ABTS+• and 3 523.62 ppm for DPPH•). The evaluation of antimicrobial activity showed that the methanol extract of T. rodriguesi managed to greatly reduce the growth of all microorganisms tested. Conclusions: Despite the fact that porifers tend to have large fatty acids, in this study the presence of fatty acids with a carbon chain greater than 20 members was not found. The result of antioxidant activity is largely resembled that found in other species of the same phylum. In this research, it was established that the methanolic extract of T. rodriguesi managed to greatly reduce the growth of all the bacterial and fungal strains used.

Isolation and identification of early marine biofilm-forming bacteria on commercial paint surface

Aims@#To investigate early marine biofilm-forming bacterial diversity on immersed antimicrobial-free commercial paint substratum in seawater. @*Methodology and results@#Total ten bacterial strains were successfully isolated and identified by complete 16S rRNA sequencing. The isolates morphological, biochemical properties, biofilm-forming ability, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) productivity and components were characterised. The morphological and biochemical characterization of the strains showed strains-specific variation. All isolates were strong biofilm producers with four motile strains being both flat-bottom and air-liquid-interface biofilm producers, while other strains were only air-liquid interface biofilm producer. Based on 16S rRNA, three strains were identified as Marinomonas communis, two were Marinomonas sp., while the rest were Alteromonas litorea, Alteromonas sp., Salinimonas lutimaris, Idiomarine baltica and Bacillus niabensis. The amount of EPS that the isolates produced ranged from 1.95 to 2.89 g/L and productivity of EPS was inversely correlated with the cell biomass. Analysis of the extracted EPS using attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTiR) showed that all isolates EPS contained carbohydrates, nucleic acid, protein, DNA/RNA and lipid. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Bacterial diversity in early stages of biofilm on the commercial paint surface was dominated by Gram-negative bacteria from Gammaproteobacteria class. Isolates with superior cell growth showed lowest EPS production. This finding was expected to provide knowledge on distribution of different marine bacterial species in the biofilm on paint coated surfaces which may beneficial to formularize a new antibiofilm paint additive.

Riqueza y abundancia de peces arrecifales en el Caribe de Guatemala utilizando Estaciones Remotas de Video Subacuático con Carnada / Richness and abundance of reef fish in the Caribbean of Guatemala using Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations

El mar Caribe de Guatemala forma parte del Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano (SAM), el cual alberga una alta diversidad de especies marinas. Dichas poblaciones son importantes para el bienestar de las comunidades humanas que habitan en la zona marino-costera de los países que conforman el SAM, y que dependen de manera directa o indirecta de estos recursos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la riqueza y abundancia tanto de las especies de peces herbívoros presentes en el área, como de aquellas que son atraídas por carnada de sábalo y atún, utilizando la metodología de Estaciones Remotas de Video Subacuático con Carnada BRUVS en sitios con presencia de arrecifes. El muestreo se realizó en siete sitios ubicados fuera de la Bahía de Amatique, Izabal, en abril, junio y septiembre de 2016. Se grabaron 26.06 h, en 21 sets de BRUVS. Se contabilizaron 778 organismos, correspondientes a dos clases, 20 familias, 31 géneros y 59 especies. Las especies más abundantes en el estudio fueron Scarus spp. (19.67 %), Clepticus parrae (9.64 %), Aluterus scriptus (6.04 %), Scarus iserti (5.14 %) y Caranx ruber (5.01 %). Los sitios Quetzalito 1 y 2 presentaron una riqueza de especies significativamente mayor (p < 0.006) al resto de sitios de muestreo. Quetzalito 1, 2 y King Fish presentaron una abundancia significativamente mayor (p < .038) al resto de sitios. El dendrograma derivado de la abundancia por especie para los sitios de muestreo, mostró cinco agrupaciones (similaridad de Bray-Curtis del 43 %). Finalmente se observó una baja presencia de peces de importancia comercial en los siete puntos evaluados.

The Guatemalan Caribbean Sea forms part of the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR), which harbors a great marine biodiversity. These populations are important for the wellness of humans who live in communities at coastal areas located in the MAR region, and who directly or indirectly depend on these resources to survive and thrive. The main objective of this study was to determine not only species richness and abundance of herbivorous fish, but also those who are attracted by shad and tuna bait when used in the Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) in sites with coral reef presence. Monitoring was held at seven spots located outside Bahía de Amatique, Izabal, in April, June and September 2016. In 21 sets of BRUVS, 26.06 h of video were recorded, counting a total of 778 organisms which belongs to two classes, 20 families, 31 genera and 59 species. The most abundant species were Scarus spp. (19.67 %), Clepticus parrae (9.64 %), Aluterus scriptus (6.04 %), Scarus iserti (5.14 %) and Caranx ruber (5.01 %). The sites that presented higher richness of species were Quetzalito 1 y 2 (p < 0.006 compared to the rest of the sampled sites). Quetzalito 1, 2 and King Fish showed higher abundance (p < .038) compared to the rest of the sites. Abundance per specie dendrogram showed five groups (Bray-Curtis similarity of 43 %). Finally, low presence of commercial fish species was seen at the seven monitored sites.

Ecology and biotechnological potential of bacterial community from three marine sponges of the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABSTRACT Marine sponges has been a large reservoir of microbial diversity, with the presence of many species specific populations as well as producing biologically active compounds, which has attracted great biotechnological interest. In order to verify the influence of the environment in the composition of the bacterial community present in marine sponges and biotechnological potential of bacteria isolated from these organisms, three species of sponges and the waters surrounding them were collected in different beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The profile of the bacterial community present in sponges and water was obtained by PCR-DGGE technique and the biotechnological potential of the strains isolated by producing amylase, cellulase, protease and biosurfactants. The results showed that despite the influence of the environment in the composition of the microbial community, studied marine sponges shown to have specific bacterial populations, with some, showing potential in the production of substances of biotechnological applications.

Abundance of the reef-building Petaloconchus varians (Gastropoda: Vermetidae) on intertidal rocky shores at Ilha Grande Bay, southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT The reef-building vermetid Petaloconchus varians occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the Caribbean Sea to the southern coast of Brazil. The present study evaluated the abundance of P. varians on intertidal rocky shores in Ilha Grande Bay (Rio de Janeiro State), and characterized their reefs, describing the species density, besides the weight and the belt width of the reefs. Petaloconchus varians reefs were recorded at 25 sites, with rocky shores exposed to different wave action (very sheltered, sheltered, semi-exposed and exposed) and slopes (10° to 46°). Clusters of individuals constructed large reefs along the middle intertidal zone, creating a wide belt (38 cm to 2 m). The density of P. varians and the weight of the reefs ranged from 620 to 2,559 ind.100 cm-2 and from 100 to 1,500 g.100 cm-2, respectively. Considering that the species was last reported from the area in the mid-20th century, the present study suggests that P. varians reefs are becoming dominant in the intertidal zone of rocky shores in Ilha Grande Bay. This is a contribution to knowledge of this ecosystem in Ilha Grande Bay, in view of local or global ecological changes.

Crustacean communities in coastal ephemeral pools in the Araucanía region (38° S, Chile) / Comunidades de crustáceos em lagoas efêmeras costeiras na região de Araucanía (38° S, Chile)

Abstract The fauna communities of ephemeral pools in southern Chile are characterized by heterogeneity of crustacean taxa; nevertheless, no detailed studies exist of their community structure. The aim of the present study was to analyze the crustacean community structure in two groups of ephemeral pools (Puaucho and Nigue pools) in the coastal zone of the Araucanía region. A correlation matrix was made by species abundance against temperature, conductivity, pH and total dissolved solids. In a second step, a null model for species co-occurrence was applied to the total data and to each group. The results for total data revealed a significant direct relation between the abundance of H. costera, C. dubia and Mesocyclops. For the Puaucho pools, the same results were found together with direct associations with total dissolved solids, conductivity and pH. Finally, different results were found for the Nigue pools, with no clear significant associations, either direct or indirect, between the abundance of different crustacean taxa and abiotic parameters. These results were supported by the co-occurrence null model analysis, which revealed the presence of regulator factors for the total data, and for each of the two groups. Ecological topics are discussed with emphasis on meta-community dynamics.

Resumo As comunidades faunísticas das lagoas efêmeras do sul do Chile são caracterizadas pela heterogeneidade dos seus táxons. Entretanto, estudos detalhados da sua estrutura de comunidade ainda não existem. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a estrutura da comunidade de crustáceos em dois grupos de lagoas efêmeras (Puaucho e Nigue) na zona costeira da região de Araucanía. A matriz de correlação foi feita com a abundância das espécies em função da temperatura, condutividade, pH e sólidos totais dissolvidos. Num segundo passo, um modelo nulo para as espécies de coocorrência foi aplicado aos dados totais e para cada grupo. Os resultados para os dados totais revelaram uma relação direta e significativa entre a abundância de H. costera, C. dubia e Mesocyclops. Para as lagoas Puaucho, os mesmos resultados foram encontrados, juntamente com associações diretas com sólidos totais dissolvidos, condutividade e pH. Finalmente, diferentes resultados foram encontrados para as lagoas Nigue, sem associações significativas claras, diretas ou indiretas entre a abundância de diferentes táxons de crustáceos e parâmetros abióticos. Estes resultados foram suportados pela análise de modelo de coocorrência nula, a qual revelou a presença de fatores reguladores para o total de dados, e para cada um dos dois grupos. Temas ecológicos são discutidos com ênfase na dinâmica de meta-comunidade.

Natural antifouling compound production by microbes associated with marine macroorganisms: A review

In the marine environment, all hard surfaces including marine macroorganims are colonized by microorganisms mainly from the surrounding environment. The microorganisms associated with marine macroorganisms offer tremendous potential for exploitation of bioactive metabolites. Biofouling is a continuous problem in marine sectors which needs huge economy for control and cleaning processes. Biotechnological way for searching natural product antifouling compounds gained momentum in recent years because of the environmental pollution associated with the use of toxic chemicals to control biofouling. While, natural product based antifoulants from marine organisms particularly sponges and corals attained significance due to their activities in field assays, collection of larger amount of organisms from the sea is not a viable one. The microorganisms associated with sponges, corals, ascidians, seaweeds and seagrasses showed strong antimicrobial and also antifouling activities. This review highlights the advances in natural product antifoulants research from microbes associated with marine organisms.

Nueva especie del género Urobatis (Myliobatiformes: Urotrygonidae) del Pacífico oriental tropical / A new species of Urobatis (Myliobatiformes: Urotrygonidae) from the tropical Eastern Pacific

A new species of round stingray, Urobatis pardalis sp. nov., is described from material collected in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This new species differs from its congeners by the color pattern of the dorsal surface and by several proportional measurements. A key to all species of the genus is provided.

Nueva especie del género Urobatis (Myliobatiformes: Urotrygonidae) del Pacífico oriental tropical. Una nueva especie de raya redonda con espina, Urobatis pardalis sp. nov., es descrita a partir de material recolectado en las costas del Pacífico de Costa Rica. Esta nueva especie difiere de sus congéneres por el patrón de la coloración dorsal del disco y por varias relaciones de medidas. Se presenta una clave para la determinación taxonómica de las especies del género.

O mar no museu: um olhar sobre a educação nos aquários / The sea in the museum: a perspective on education at aquariums

A musealização do mar, hoje capitaneada por aquários e oceanários, envolveu a relação do homem com esses ambientes, assim como técnicas que permitiram sua exploração e a manutenção de organismos em cativeiro. Reconhecendo o papel de pesquisa e entretenimento que os aquários possuem, são analisados alguns aspectos sobre sua constituição ao longo do tempo, especialmente, a dimensão de educação e divulgação que esses locais assumiram mais fortemente nos dias atuais. Para tal, esmiuçamos o exemplo de uma instituição nacional – o Aquário de Ubatuba –, indicando como sua musealização possui intenções claras de ensinar e divulgar conteúdos ligados à zoologia, ecologia e conservação.

The musealization of the sea, today spearheaded by aquariums and oceanariums, encapsulated man’s relationship with these environments and the techniques used to explore them and keep organisms alive in captivity. Recognizing the combined roles of research and entertainment at aquariums, some aspects of their constitution over time are analyzed, especially the education and communication dimensions they have focused on more in recent times. For this purpose, we investigate in detail a Brazilian institution, Ubatuba Aquarium, indicating how its musealization incorporates clear intentions to promote education and communication in subjects from the realms of zoology, ecology and conservation.

The Kraken: when myth encounters science / O Kraken: quando mito e ciência se encontram

Hundreds of years ago, sailors were terrified by the Kraken, a dreadful sea monster capable of sinking ships and with a taste for human flesh. Today we know the legends of this monster were based on sightings of giant squids. This animal belongs to the genus Architeuthis and was the subject of many scientific studies. Despite its enormous size (up to 18m), the giant squid is astoundingly elusive and much of its biology remains unknown. Thus shrouded in mystery, Architeuthis is almost a mythological creature and has a place both in science and in myth: the very last of the legends to persist to this day.

Séculos atrás, marinheiros se amedrontavam com histórias do Kraken, um terrível monstro marinho capaz de afundar embarcações e devorar suas tripulações. Atualmente, sabemos que a lenda desse monstro foi baseada em encontros com lulas-gigantes. Esse animal pertence ao gênero Architeuthis e foi alvo de muitos estudos científicos. Apesar de seu enorme tamanho (pode chegar a 18m), a lula-gigante é incrivelmente elusiva e muito de sua biologia permanece desconhecida. Assim, envolto em mistério, Architeuthis é quase um ser mitológico, ocupando um lugar tanto na ciência como no mito: a última das lendas a persistir nos dias de hoje.

La pesca comercial y el estudio de la fauna marina en la Argentina, 1890-1930 / Commercial fishing and the study of marine fauna in Argentina, 1890-1930 / Commercial fishing and the study of marine fauna in Argentina, 1890-1930

Este trabajo examina la relación entre el desarrollo de la pesca comercial marítima y el estudio de la fauna marina en la Argentina de fines del siglo XIX y las primeras décadas del siglo XX. Se analizan las investigaciones ictiológicas, la comercialización de productos marítimos frescos y las oportunidades que ofrecieron los mercados urbanos para la formación de colecciones. También se focaliza en los inicios de la pesca de altura que posibilitaría la captura y estudio de nuevas especies así como la acumulación de información sobre el ambiente marino.

This paper examines the relationship between the development of commercial maritime fishing and the study of marine fauna in Argentina between the end of the nineteenth century and the first decades of the twentieth century. It analyzes ichthyological research, the commercialization of fresh maritime products and the opportunities that urban markets offered for the creation of collections. It also focuses on the beginnings of deep-sea fishing, which would make it possible to capture and study new species as well as gather information about the marine environment.

Joséphine Schouteden-Wéry no litoral belga: uma bióloga entre o trabalho de campo e a formação de coleções / Joséphine Schouteden-Wéry on the Belgian coast: a biologist involved in field work and collection building

O texto apresenta resultados e aspectos relacionados à prática de campo da bióloga Joséphine Schouteden-Wéry no litoral belga. Tais informações encontram-se em artigo publicado no periódico Recueil de L’Institut Botanique Léo Errera, da Universidade de Bruxelas, em 1911. Schouteden-Wéry dá uma resposta à Real Sociedade de Ciências Naturais e Médicas de Bruxelas sobre os fatores geológicos, climáticos, hidrológicos, entre outros, que regulam a distribuição geográfica das espécies. A bióloga participou de viagens de estudos no Congo, colônia belga no continente africano, e desempenhou papel de destaque atuando junto à L’Union des Femmes Coloniales.

This text presents the findings and other aspects about the fieldwork of biologist Joséphine Schouteden-Wéry on the coast of Belgium. The information is taken from an article published in 1911 in Recueil de L’Institut Botanique Léo Errera, a periodical of the University of Brussels. Schouteden-Wéry replied to the Royal Society for Medical and Natural Sciences of Brussels (Société Royale des Sciences Médicales et Naturelles de Bruxelles) about the geological, climatic, hydrological and other factors that regulate the geographical distribution of species. She took part in study trips to the Congo, a Belgian colony in Africa, and was a leading member of the Union of Colonial Women (L’Union des Femmes Coloniales).

O conhecimento da fauna marinha bentônica brasileira através dos tempos / Knowledge of Brazilian benthic marine fauna throughout time / Knowledge of Brazilian benthic marine fauna throughout time

Ambientes com características geomorfológicas, geofísicas e com organismos peculiares compõem os ecossistemas da plataforma continental e as ilhas oceânicas da costa brasileira. A extensão da costa, a biodiversidade, a alta taxa de endemismos e a escassez de especialistas dificultam o conhecimento da fauna marinha. Apresentamos o estado atual de conhecimento da biodiversidade marinha e as perspectivas para a área no Brasil, com base em revisão bibliográfica sistemática. Constatamos que iniciativas governamentais em diferentes âmbitos têm permitido maior conhecimento das espécies da fauna marinha brasileira, abrindo perspectivas que incluem o uso de ferramentas complexas na descrição dos habitats bentônicos marinhos quanto à sua composição geológica, geofísica e biótica.

The ecosystems of Brazil’s continental shelf and oceanic islands comprise a variety of environments that display unique geomorphological and geophysical features and biotic components. The quest to attain knowledge of Brazilian marine fauna is hampered by coastline length, biodiversity, a high rate of endemism, and a shortage of specialized researchers. Based on a systematic bibliographic review, the article offers an overview of the history, current knowledge, and outlook for the field of marine biodiversity in Brazil. Our findings show that government initiatives have afforded greater knowledge of Brazilian marine fauna species and opened new perspectives, including reliance on complex tools to describe benthic marine habitats in terms of their geological, geophysical, and biotic composition.

O litoral do Nordeste do Brasil como objeto científico darwinista: as prospecções de John Casper Branner, 1899-1911 / The coast of Northeast Brazil as a Darwinian scientific object: the explorations of John Casper Branner, 1899-1911

John Casper Branner, geólogo norte-americano, desenvolveu uma longa história de investigação no Brasil. Analisa-se, aqui, como ele tratou a geologia do litoral do Nordeste na Branner-Agassiz Expedition (1899) e na Stanford Expedition (1911). As expedições indicam como a geomorfologia das bacias sedimentares, dos recifes de arenito e dos recifes de corais foi caracterizada sob uma perspectiva evolutiva darwinista. Branner integrou o modelo de pesquisa de campo da história natural com as práticas da biologia moderna e da geologia dinâmica, e interpretou a evolução da formação geológica a partir dos fatores físico-químicos. Os estudos zoológicos identificaram o lugar da variação e das adaptações evolutivas das espécies marinhas isoladas como fator auxiliar da seleção natural.

John Casper Branner, a US geologist, had a long history of research in Brazil. The article analyzes his exploration of the geology of the coast of Northeast Brazil during the Branner-Agassiz (1899) and Stanford (1911) expeditions. In the findings from both voyages, Branner characterized the geomorphology of sedimentary basins, sandstone reefs, and coral reefs from a Darwinian evolutionary perspective, blending natural history’s model of field research with the practices of modern biology and dynamic geology. He based his interpretation of the evolution of the geological formation on physical and chemical factors. Zoological studies identified the place of evolutionary variation and adaptations of isolated marine species as an auxiliary factor in natural selection.

Optimization of Culture Conditions for Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity of Rhodococcus erythropolis VLK-12 Isolated from South Coast of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Aims: To Isolate and characterize the antimicrobial actinomycetes from the marine habitats of south coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. Place and Duration of the Study: Marine habitats of south coast of Andhra Pradesh, India, between June 2011 and July 2012. Methodology: The soil samples were collected, pre-treated and plated on yeast extractmalt extract dextrose agar medium. Identification of the strain was carried out by employing the polyphasic taxonomical studies including the 16S rRNA sequence based analysis. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using the Molecular Evolutionary Genetic Analysis (MEGA) version 5. The influence of culture conditions and the effect of environmental factors on the biomass and antimicrobial activy\ity of the strain was the focus of this study. Results: A total of 20 actinobacteria were isolated from the marine habitats of south coast of Andhra Pradesh, India, and screened for antimicrobial activity against test bacteria and fungi. The potent bioactive metabolite producing strain was designated as VLK-12. Further polyphasic studies revealed that the Isolate VLK-12 belongs to the genera Rhodococcus. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing studies revealed that the strain is closely related to Rhodococcus erythropolis. The crude ethyl acetate extract obtained by culturing the strain on YMD inhibited Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria along with fungi. Conclusion: Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from the marine habitats of south coast of Andhra Pradesh exhibited antimicrobial activity against pathogens.

Identification of tetracenomycin X from a marine-derived Saccharothrix sp. guided by genes sequence analysis / 药学学报

The crude extracts of the fermentation broth from a marine sediment-derived actinomycete strain, Saccharothrix sp. 10-10, showed significant antibacterial activities against drug-resistant pathogens. A genome-mining PCR-based experiment targeting the genes encoding key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites indicated that the strain 10-10 showed the potential to produce tetracenomycin-like compounds. Further chemical investigation of the cultures of this strain led to the identification of two antibiotics, including a tetracenomycin (Tcm) analogs, Tcm X (1), and a tomaymycin derivative, oxotomaymycin (2). Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis, including UV, 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and MS spectra. Tcm X (1) showed moderate antibacterial activities against a number of drug-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) pathogens, with the MIC values in the range of 32-64 microg x mL(-1). In addition, 1 also displayed significant cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines, including HL60 (leukemia), HepG2 (liver), and MCF-7 (breast) with the IC 50 values of 5.1, 9.7 and 18.0 micromol x L(-1), respectively. Guided by the PCR-based gene sequence analysis, Tcm X (1) and oxotomaymycin (2) were identified from the genus of Saccharothrix and their 13C NMR data were correctly assigned on the basis of 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis for the first time.

Saúde pública e saúde dos oceanos: interface conceitual dos paradigmas e análise de elementos essenciais e não essenciais em organismos marinhos de um ecossistema de ressurgência / Public health and health of the oceans: the conceptual interface paradigms and analysis of essential and nonessential elements in marine organisms in an ecosystem upwelling

Neste estudo foi avaliada a condição de vulnerabilidade ambiental e da saúde humana em decorrência dos impactos e alterações observados nos oceanos nas últimas décadas, incluindo o foco sobre as mudanças climáticas, florações de algas tóxicas, contaminação microbiológica e química nas águas marinhas e bioinvasão de espécies exóticas. Além disso, foi abordada a relação dos valores benéficos que os oceanos proporcionam à saúde e bem-estar da humanidade. Esta primeira fase do estudo mostrou a interface entre o estado de conservação dos oceanos e sua relação com a economia e saúde humana. Mais adiante neste manuscrito foi realizado um estudo sazonal das concentrações de metais tóxicos (Hg, Al e As), micro (Zn, Cu, Fe, Se e Sr) e macronutrientes (Na, K, Ca e Mg) em amostras de músculo de lula (Loligo plei) e peixes marinhos pelágicos (Sardinella brasiliensis, Trichiurus lepturus e Coryphaena hippurus) com importância para a pesca, considerando o fenômeno temporal (inverno e verão) da ressurgência de Cabo Frio. As concentrações de As e Cu ultrapassaram os limites máximos de tolerância para o consumo humano. Foram observadas diferenças sazonais em alguns indivíduos, porém associação antagônica temporal entre as espécies, algumas apresentando concentrações mais elevadas durante o verão enquanto outras mostraram concentrações maiores no inverno para um determinando elemento. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as concentrações detectadas nas diferentes espécies. No geral a lula (L. plei) e a sardinha-verdadeira apresentaram concentrações superiores dos elementos.

Foram detectadas correlações interelementares com destaque para associação entre Mg-Se e Ca-Sr. Um outra abordagem foi empregada com a finalidade de se estudar as concentrações de elementos tóxicos (Hg, Al e As), micronutrientes (Zn, Cu, Fe, Sr e Se) e macronutrientes (Na, K, Ca e Mg) em amostras de mexilhão (Perna perna), lula (Loligo plei), peixes pelágicos (Sardinella brasiliensis, Trichiurus lepturus e Coryphaena hippurus), tartaruga marinha (Chelonia mydas), ave marinha (Sula leucogaster) e mamíferos marinhos, incluindo duas espécies de golfinhos (Tursiops truncatus e Steno bredanensis) e uma espécie de baleia (Balaenoptera brydei). As coletas foram conduzidas na área de influência da ressurgência costeira de Cabo Frio, sendo estas espécies representativas deste hábitat. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as concentrações detectadas nas diversas espécies. Uma distribuição trófica na concentração dos elementos foi percebida para Hg e Fe. Concentrações de Al também foram expressivamente elevadas para as amostras de lula e mexilhão. Foram observadas correlações interelementares significativas entre as espécies avaliadas variando para cada espécie. As concentrações de macronutrientes foram expressivas se comparadas aos demais estudos publicados. Os resultados encontrados mostram que a região de ressurgência de Cabo Frio parece exercer papel importante na biodisponibilização de elementos para a estrutura trófica marinha.

Halogenated natural products from the marine-derived actinobacteria and their halogenation mechanism / 药学学报

In the last decade, along with the development of taxonomy research in marine-derived actinobacteria, more and more halogenated natural products were discovered from marine actinobacteria. Most of them showed good biological activity and unique structure compared to those from land. The special halogenation mechanism in some compounds' biosynthesis has drawn great attention. So in this review, we focus on the halogenated natural products from marine actinobacteria and their halogenation mechanisms.

Marine biodiversity of an Eastern Tropical Pacific oceanic island, Isla del Coco, Costa Rica / Biodiversidad marina de una isla oceánica del Pacífico Oriental Tropical, Isla del Coco, Costa Rica

Isla del Coco (also known as Cocos Island) is an oceanic island in the Eastern Tropical Pacific; it is part of the largest national park of Costa Rica and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island has been visited since the 16th Century due to its abundance of freshwater and wood. Marine biodiversity studies of the island started in the late 19th Century, with an intense period of research in the 1930’s, and again from the mid 1990’s to the present. The information is scattered and, in some cases, in old publications that are difficult to access. Here I have compiled published records of the marine organisms of the island. At least 1688 species are recorded, with the gastropods (383 species), bony fishes (354 spp.) and crustaceans (at least 263 spp.) being the most species-rich groups; 45 species are endemic to Isla del Coco National Park (2.7% of the total). The number of species per kilometer of coastline and by square kilometer of seabed shallower than 200m deep are the highest recorded in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Although the marine biodiversity of Isla del Coco is relatively well known, there are regions that need more exploration, for example, the south side, the pelagic environments, and deeper waters. Also, several groups of organisms, such as the flatworms, nematodes, nemerteans, and gelatinous zooplankton, have been observed around the Island but have been poorly studied or not at all.

La Isla del Coco es una isla oceánica en el Pacífico Tropical Oriental; es parte del Parque Nacional más grande de Costa Rica y es un sitio de Patrimonio Mundial. La isla ha sido visitada desde el Siglo XVI por su abundancia de agua dulce y árboles. Estudios de biodiversidad marina de la isla empezaron a finales del Siglo XIX, con un intenso período de investigación en la década de 1930, y de nuevo desde mediados de la década de 1990 al presente. La información sobre organismos marinos se encuentra dispersa y en algunos casos en publicaciones antiguas. En el presente trabajo se recopilan todos los registros publicados de organismos marinos de la isla. Al menos 1688 especies han sido registradas, con los gasterópodos (383 especies), peces óseos (354 spp.) y crustáceos (al menos 263 spp.) como los grupos con más especies; de esas, 45 son especies endémicas del Parque Nacional Isla del Coco (2.7% del total). El número de especies por kilómetro de costa y por kilómetro cuadrado de lecho marino de menos de 200m de profundidad son los más altos de cualquier sitio estudiado. Aunque se conoce relativamente bien la biodiversidad marina de la Isla del Coco, hay regiones, por ejemplo, el lado sur, los ambientes pelágicos, y las zonas más profundas que requieren de más exploración. También, varios grupos de organismos han sido observados en la isla pero muy poco estudiados o no del todo, por ejemplo los gusanos planos, nemátodos y el plancton gelatinosos.