El impacto de la hidroquinona usada como un modelo de efector redox sobre la desnitrificación potencial, la actividad microbiana y las condiciones redox de un suelo cultivable / Impact of hydroquinone used as a redox effector model on potential denitrification, microbial activity and redox condition of a cultivable soil

In this microcosm study, we analyzed the effect produced by hydroquinone on the expression of soil biological denitrification, in relation to the redox state of the soil, both in terms of intensity factor (Eh′) and capacity factor (amount of oxidized or reduced compounds). The supplementation of an Argiudoll soil with hydroquinone decreased the soil apparent reduction potential (Eh′) and soil dehydrogenase activity (formazan production from tetrazolium chloride reduction; redox capacity factor), the relationship between both factors being highly significative, r = 0.99 (p < 0.001). The bacterial population (measured by colony forming units) increased, and the production of N2O was greater (p < 0.001) at 200 and 400 μg/g dry soil doses. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between soil dehydrogenase activity and the number of bacteria (r = −0.82; p < 0.05), increased denitrification activity and changes in the CO2/N2O ratio value. These results suggest that hydroquinone at supplemented doses modified the soil redox state and the functional structure of the microbial population. Acetate supplementation on soil with hydroquinone, to ensure the availability of an energy source for microbial development, confirmed the tendency of the results obtained with the supplementation of hydroquinone alone. The differences observed at increased doses of hydroquinone might be explained by differences on the hydroquinone redox species between treatments.

En este trabajo estudiamos, en condiciones de microcosmos, el efecto que produce la hidroquinona sobre la expresión de la desnitrificación en relación con el estado de óxido-reducción del suelo, en términos de factor de intensidad (Eh′) y de factor de capacidad (cantidad de compuestos oxidados o reducidos). La suplementación de un suelo argiudol con hidroquinona disminuyó el potencial de reducción aparente (Eh′) y la actividad deshidrogenasa (producción de formazán a partir de la reducción de cloruro de tetrazolio; factor de capacidad redox), la relación entre ambos factores fue altamente significativa, r = 0,99 (p < 0,001). La población bacteriana heterotrófica (medida como unidades formadoras de colonias) aumentó y la producción de N2O fue mayor (p < 0,001) con las dosis de 200 y 400 μg/g de suelo seco. Además se observó una relación inversa entre la producción de formazán y el número de bacterias (r = −0,82; p < 0,05), la actividad desnitrificadora aumentó y se produjeron cambios en el valor del cociente CO2/N2O. Estos resultados sugieren que la hidroquinona, en las dosis empleadas, modificó el estado redox del suelo y la estructura funcional de la población microbiana. La suplementación con acetato en el suelo con hidroquinona, a fin de asegurar la disponibilidad de una fuente de energía para el desarrollo bacteriano, confirmó la tendencia de los resultados obtenidos con la suplementación con hidroquinona solamente. Las diferencias observadas con el incremento en la dosis de hidroquinona podrían explicarse por las diferencias sobre las especies redox de la hidroquinona entre los tratamientos.

Activity of glycosidases from freshwater heterotrophic microorganisms on the degradation of extracellular polysaccharide produced by Anabaena spiroides (Cyanobacteria)

The activity of specific glycosidases during the degradation of the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by Anabaena spiroides was determined using MUF-substrates (MUF-monosaccharides). Polysaccharide degradation was found to occur in a two-phase process. The first consisted of high enzymatic activity that consumed 41% of the EPS at a relatively high rate, while the second consumed the remaining polysaccharide (59%) at a slower rate. A transition phase from the higher to the slower degradation rates was marked by a replacement of bacterial populations from coccoid to bacillus cells. During the degradation process, the bacterial biomass increased with the decrease of EPS, as revealed by bacterial cell counts. The enzymatic activity detected through the substrates MUF-alpha-D- and MUF-beta-D-glucoside was higher than that detected by other substrates tested. The remaining glycosides were MUF-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, MUF-beta-D-galactoside, MUF-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, MUF-beta-D-fucoside, MUF-beta-D-mannopyranoside, MUF-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, and MUF-beta-L-fucoside. The fluorescence emitted by each MUF-substrate was proportional to the concentration of the corresponding monosaccharide in A. spiroides EPS. This demonstrates the susceptibility of EPS produced by A. spiroides to enzymatic attack by bacterial populations.

A atividade de glicosidases durante a degradação do polissacarídeo extracelular (EPS) produzido por Anabaena spiroides foi detectada e quantificada utilizando-se MUF-substratos (MUF-monossacarídeos). O consumo total do polissacarídeo efetuou-se em duas fases, uma primeira de alta atividade enzimática que rapidamente consumiu 41% do polissacarídeo e uma segunda, mais lenta, que consumiu o polissacarídeo restante (59%). A mudança de fase coincidiu com a sucessão de uma população de bactérias cocóides por outra de bacilos. A biomassa bacteriana, quantificada por contagens de células, aumentou com a degradação do EPS. As atividades registradas através dos substratos 4-MUF-alfa-D- e 4-MUF-beta-D- glicosídeo foram mais altas quando comparadas aos demais substratos testados que foram: MUF-alfa-L-ramnopiranosídeo, MUF-beta-D-galactosídeo, MUF-alfa-D-manopiranosídeo, MUF-beta-D-fucosídeo, MUF-beta-D-manopiranosídeo, MUF-alfa-L-arabinopiranosídeo, e MUF-beta-L-fucosídeo. A fluorescência emitida a partir de cada um dos diferentes MUF-substratos foi, de modo geral, proporcional à concentração dos monossacarídeos correspondentes constituintes do polissacarídeo, um indício da susceptibilidade ao ataque enzimático microbiano do EPS produzido por A. spiroides.