Valorisation of chicken feathers for xanthan gum production using Xanthomonas campestris MO-03.

Xanthan gum is an important commercial polysaccharide produced by Xanthomonas species. In this study, xanthan production was investigated using a local isolate of Xanthomonas campestris MO-03 in medium containing various concentrations of chicken feather peptone (CFP) as an enhancer substrate. CFP was produced with a chemical process and its chemical composition was determined. The addition of CFP (1-8 g/l) increased the conversion of sugar to xanthan gum in comparison with the control medium, which did not contain additional supplements. The highest xanthan production (24.45 g/l) was found at the 6 g/l CFP containing control medium in 54 h. This value was 1.73 fold higher than that of control medium (14.12 g/l). Moreover, addition of CFP improved the composition of xanthan gum; the pyruvate content of xanthan was 3.86% (w/w), higher than that of the control (2.2%, w/w). The xanthan gum yield was also influenced by the type of organic nitrogen sources. As a conclusion, CFP was found to be a suitable substrate for xanthan gum production.

Biodegradation of α-endosulfan via hydrolysis pathway by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia OG2.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia OG2 was isolated from the intestine of cockroaches that was collected from a cow barn contaminated some pesticides belong to pyrethroid and organochlorine groups. OG2 was able to degrade α-endosulfan in non sulfur medium (NSM) as a sole sulfur source for growth within 10 days of incubation. The effects of some growth parameters on endosulfan biodegradation by OG2 was studied and found that the biodegradation was significantly affected by the endosulfan concentrations, pH and temperature. Experimental results obtained in different conditions show that the optimum concentration of α-endosulfan, pH and temperature were 100 mg/L, 8.0 and 30 °C, respectively. Under these conditions, the bacterium degraded 81.53% of the α-endosulfan after 10 days. The concentration of α-endosulfan and its metabolites was determined by HPLC. Endosulfan ether, endosulfan lactone and endosulfan diol were the main metabolites in culture, but did not produce toxic metabolite, endosulfan sulfate. These results suggested that S. maltophilia OG2 degrades α-endosulfan via a hydrolysis pathway. The present study indicates that strain OG2 may have potential use in the biodegradation of pesticides contaminated environments.

Continuous production of indole-3-acetic acid by immobilized cells of Arthrobacter agilis.

Indole acetic acid (IAA) is a plant growth-promoting hormone used in agriculture; therefore, its continuous production is of paramount importance. IAA-producing eight bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of Verbascum vulcanicum. Among them, Arthrobacter agilis A17 gave maximum IAA production (75 mg/L) and this strain was used to immobilization studies. The A. agilis A17 cells were immobilized in calcium alginate for the production of IAA. Optimization of process parameters for IAA production was carried out to enhance IAA production using immobilized cells. The maximal production of IAA was 520 mg/L under the following optimal conditions: 1% mannitol, 30 °C, pH 8.0, and 24 h incubation. It was determined that the immobilized cells could be reused (13 times) for the production of IAA.

Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure (S)-(-)-1-(1'-naphthyl)-ethanol by the Fungus Alternaria alternata.

(S)-(-)-1-(1'-napthyl)-ethanol (S-NE) is an important intermediate for the preparation of mevinic acid analogs, which is used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The objectives of the study were to isolate a microorganism that could effectively reduce 1-acetonaphthone (1-ACN) to S-NE, to determine the influence that the physicochemical parameters would have on the reduction by the isolated microorganism, and to attempt large-scale studies with the microorganism. Over the years fungi have been considered a promising biocatalyst and it has been presumed that many fungal species have not been isolated and therefore the current study focused on possible isolation of these microorganisms. A total of 72 fungal isolates were screened for their ability to reduce 1-ACN to its corresponding alcohol. The isolate, EBK-62, identified as Alternaria alternata, was found to be the most successful at reducing the ketone to the corresponding alcohol in the submerged culture. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized for the reducing agent A. alternata EBK-62, which showed high stereospecificity and good conversion for the reduction. The preparative scale study was carried out in a 2 L bioreactor and a total of 4.9 g of S-NE in optically pure form (>99% enantiomeric excess) was produced in 48 h. Chirality 28:669-673, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enhanced production of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens MO-1 using ram horn peptone.

This work addresses the production of prodigiosin from ram horn peptone (RHP) using MO-1, a local isolate in submerged culture. First, a novel gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strain, MO-1, was isolated from the body of the grasshopper (Poecilemon tauricola Ramme 1951), which was collected from pesticide-contaminated fields. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA classified the microbe as Serratia marcescens. The substrate utilization potential (BIOLOG) and fatty acid methyl ester profile (FAME) of S. marcescens were also determined. The effect of RHP on the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens MO-1 was investigated, and the results showed that RHP supplementation promoted the growth of MO-1 and increased the production of prodigiosin. A concentration of 0.4% (w/v) RHP resulted in the greatest yield of prodigiosin (277.74 mg/L) after 48 h when mannitol was used as the sole source of carbon. The pigment yield was also influenced by the types of carbon sources and peptones. As a result, RHP was demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for prodigiosin production. These results revealed that prodigiosin could be produced efficiently by S. marcescens using RHP.

Enhanced production of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens MO-1 using ram horn peptone

This work addresses the production of prodigiosin from ram horn peptone (RHP) using MO-1, a local isolate in submerged culture. First, a novel gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strain, MO-1, was isolated from the body of the grasshopper (Poecilemon tauricola Ramme 1951), which was collected from pesticide-contaminated fields. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA classified the microbe as Serratia marcescens. The substrate utilization potential (BIOLOG) and fatty acid methyl ester profile (FAME) of S. marcescens were also determined. The effect of RHP on the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens MO-1 was investigated, and the results showed that RHP supplementation promoted the growth of MO-1 and increased the production of prodigiosin. A concentration of 0.4% (w/v) RHP resulted in the greatest yield of prodigiosin (277.74 mg/L) after 48 h when mannitol was used as the sole source of carbon. The pigment yield was also influenced by the types of carbon sources and peptones. As a result, RHP was demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for prodigiosin production. These results revealed that prodigiosin could be produced efficiently by S. marcescens using RHP.

Application of low magnetic field on inulinase production by Geotrichum candidum under solid state fermentation using leek as substrate.

This study evaluates the application of low magnetic field (LMF) on inulinase enzyme production by Geotrichum candidum under solid state fermentation (SSF) using leek as potential carbon source. First, the fermentation conditions were optimized using normal magnetic field grown microorganism. Among eight G. candidum isolates, the most effective strain called G. candidum OC-7 was selected to use in further experiments. In the second part of the study, SSF was carried out under different LMFs (4 and 7 mT). The results showed that inulinase activity was strongly affected by LMF application. The highest enzyme activity was obtained as 535.2 U/g of dry substrate (gds) by 7 mT magnetic field grown G. candidum OC-7. On the contrary, the control had only 412.1 U/gds. Consequently, the use of leek presents a great potential as an alternative carbon source for inulinase production and magnetic field treatment could effectively be used in order to enhance the enzyme production.

Utilization of ram horn peptone in the production of glucose oxidase by a local isolate Aspergillus niger OC-3.

Glucose oxidase (GO) is an enzyme that is used in many fields. In this study, ram horn peptone (RHP) was utilized as the nitrogen source and compared with other nitrogen sources in the production of GO by Aspergillus niger. To obtain higher GO activity, 14 A. niger strains were isolated from soil samples around Erzurum, Turkey. Among these strains, the isolate that was named A. niger OC-3 achieved the highest GO production. The production of GO was carried out in 100 mL scaled batch culture. The fermentation conditions such as initial pH, temperature, agitation speed, and time were investigated in order to improve GO production. The results showed that the cultivation conditions would significantly affect the formation of GO, and the utilization of the RHP achieved the highest enzyme production (48.6 U/mL) if compared to other nitrogen sources. On the other hand, the maximum biomass was obtained by using the fish peptone (7.2 g/L), while RHP yielded 6.4 g/L. These results suggest that RHP from waste ram horns could effectively be used in the production of GO by A. niger OC-3.

Effects of extremely low magnetic field on the production of invertase by Rhodotorula glutinis.

Invertase is an important enzyme used in many fields especially in food industry to produce fructose syrups. The current study focused on increasing invertase production by exposing Rhodotorula glutinis to extremely low magnetic fields (ELMF; 0 and 7 mT). For this purpose, the microorganism was allowed to grow in normal magnetic field and ELMF for 72 hours at the same temperature (24 ± 2°C). The fermentation was carried out in submerged culture for 120 hours. The results showed that invertase production is strongly dependent on the growth conditions of the microorganism. Both of the different magnetic fields applied to R. glutinis increased invertase production ranged from 48%-67% when compared with the control. On the other hand, ELMF treatment increased biomass formation about 14%-28% when compared with the control. As a result, magnetic field treatment could effectively be used in the production of invertase by R. glutinis.

Enhancement of citric acid production with ram horn hydrolysate by Aspergillus niger.

The potential use of ram horn hydrolysate (RHH) as a supplement for improvement of citric acid production by Aspergillus niger NRRL 330 was studied. For this purpose, first RHH was produced. Ram horns were hydrolyzed by treating with acid (6 N-H2SO4) and the RHH was obtained. With the addition of RHH to the fermentation medium with a final concentration of 4% (optimal concentration), citric acid value reached a maximum value (94 g/l), which is 52% higher than that of the control experiment. The addition of 4% (v/v) RHH enhanced citric acid accumulation, reduced residual sugar concentration and stimulated mycelial growth. Adding 4% RHH had no adverse effects on A. niger. As a result, RHH was found to be suitable as a valuable supplement for citric acid production in the submerged fermentation.

Utilization for lactic acid production with a new acid hydrolysis of ram horn waste.

The use of ram horn hydrolysate (RHH) as a substrate for lactic acid production was investigated using Lactobacillus casei. For this purpose, first RHH was produced. Ram horns were hydrolyzed by treating with acids (6N-H2SO4 and 6N-HCl) and neutralizing the solutions. The amounts of protein, nitrogen, ash, some minerals, total sugars, total lipids and amino acids of the RHH were determined. The effect of different concentrations (1-10% v/v) of RHH on the production of biomass, lactic acid concentration and sugar consumption was investigated, and a concentration of 6% RHH was found to be optimal. The content of lactic acid in the culture broth containing 6% RHH (44 g x l(-1)) for 26 h was 22% higher than that of the control culture broth (36 g x l(-1)). From this result, RHH was demonstrated to be a suitable supplement for lactic acid production, a use that would resolve a local environmental problem.

Single-cell protein production from ram horn hydrolysate by bacteria.

Ram horns obtained from the slaughterhouse of Erzurum, Turkey were hydrolyzed by treating with acid (6N-HCl) and ram horn hydrolysate (RHH) was obtained. The hydrolysate was used as substrate to grow Bacillus cereus NRRL B-3711, Bacillus subtilis NRRL NRS-744 and Escherichia coli in batch system at 30 degrees C; air 1.5 v/v/min; stirring 150 rpm. Both RHH and biomass samples were analyzed. The bacterial cells produced in this hydrolysate were found to be rich in total protein (66%, 68% and 71% for E. coli, B. cereus and B. subtilis, respectively). The chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand were reduced significantly by the growth of bacteria. The protein produced contained all essential amino acids for ruminant feed.