Application of Chitosan-Based Hydrogel Obtained from Insects in Pine Planting.

Agrogels, a hydrogel applied in the soil that collects water during irrigation or rainfall and distributes moisture to plant roots during drought, are a solution to water shortage concerns. Extending the release of low molecular weight chemicals has the potential to minimise mineral fertiliser losses as well as water and soil pollution. Thus, the aim of the research is to obtain chitosan from insect chitin, to synthesize a hydrogel based on chitosan with included mineral and organic fertilisers, and to report on experiments with agrogels in the field. In this study, chitosan was obtained from the adult beetles Zophobas morio. IR spectroscopy was used to examine chitosan. The existence of absorption lines typical of primary amines was demonstrated. In one step, a technique for the manufacture of chitosan-based hydrogels containing embedded mineral fertilisers was established. Hydrogel has a swelling coefficient of 60 g/g. Agrogels were evaluated while planting spruce seedlings on "Semei Ormany" LLP experimental locations. The survival rate of seedlings was found to be 40% higher in the experimental group than in the control group.

Data on the diversity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from raw and fermented camel milk.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the dominant and advantageous microorganisms of raw and fermented camel milk; these bacteria have the potential to develop functional camel-milk-derived products and can be used in dairy technology. This article presents data on the diversity of LAB, isolated from raw and fermented camel milk. In total, from two samples of raw camel milk and one sample of fermented camel milk, seventeen isolates of LAB were isolated. The data of genetic identification of strains, which was performed through analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, is presented. According to this data, the prevailing number of LAB belong to the Lactobacillus genus - 53%. Following species of Lactobacillus bacteria were determined - fermentum, casei, curizae, oryzae, brevis, plantarum, rhamnosus, paracasei. The next prevailing number of lactic acid bacteria belong to the Pediococcus genus - 23%, represented by acidilactici and pentosaceus species. Lactic acid bacteria of Weissella and Enterococcus genera comprised 12% each from total abundance. These results can be used for a further selection of potential starter cultures for functional camel-milk-derived products.

Data on the isolation and identification of thermotolerant microorganisms from cow manure promising for organic waste processing.

Thermotolerant microorganisms play an essential role in the composting process of organic waste; they are responsible for the degradation process of organic compounds owing to their enzymatic activity in the high-temperature phase of composting. This article presents data on the isolation and identification of thermotolerant microorganisms from cattle manure. In total, three bacterial strains with the ability to grow at 50°C were isolated on different media. The cultural and morphological characteristics of the strains are presented. By analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the isolates were assigned to the species Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus licheniformis. Isolated strains were characterized for their enzymatic potential (lipolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic). These results can be promising for further studies in order to design biological additive for accelerated composting of organic waste.

Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis DN1, a Crude Oil Biodegrader.

We report the 6,548-Mb genome sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis strain DN1, isolated from the oil-contaminated soil in the Karagandy region of Kazakhstan. The draft genome sequence of strain DN1 might provide new insights into the genetic mechanisms of crude oil biodegradation.

Lysozyme-mediated formation of protein-silica nano-composites for biosensing applications.

We demonstrate a rapid method for enzyme immobilization directly on a waveguide surface by encapsulation in a silica matrix. Organophosphate hydrolase (OPH), an enzyme that catalytically hydrolyzes organophosphates, was used as a model enzyme to demonstrate the utility of lysozyme-mediated silica formation for enzyme stabilization. Silica morphology and the efficiency of OPH encapsulation were directly influenced by the precursor choice used in silica formation. Covalent attachment of the lysozyme template directly to the waveguide surface provided a stable basis for silica formation and significantly increased the surface area for OPH encapsulation. OPH conjugated to a pH-responsive fluorophore was encapsulated in silica and patterned to a waveguide surface to demonstrate the immobilization strategy for the development of an organophosphate array biodetector. Silica-encapsulated OPH retained its catalytic activity for nearly 60 days with a detection limit of paraoxon of approximately 35 microM. The encapsulation technique provides a potentially versatile tool with specific application to biosensor development.