Appearance and partial purification of a high molecular weight protein in crabs exposed to saxitoxin.

This paper provides evidence for a protein component which appears to be involved in the seasonal resistance of small shore crabs, Hemigrapsus oregonesis and Hemigrapsus nudus to saxitoxin, a principle neurotoxin involved in paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). This unique protein complex was isolated and partially purified by ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-cellulose from visceral tissue extracts of resistant crabs. The complex was absent in control crabs that were sensitive to saxitoxin. In addition, the protein complex was induced in the crab after acute administration of low doses of saxitoxin. Results indicate that the protein complex is acidic in nature and has an apparent mol. wt of 145,000.

Analysis of an Effective Antibiotic (Chaetomacin) Isolated from a Thermophilic Bacillus sp. Against Olive Green Mold.

Successful methods to control the damaging weed mold Chaetomium olivaceum (olive green mold) in mushroom beds are not known. An effective antibiotic (named chaetomacin) against C. olivaceum was isolated from a thermophilic Bacillus sp. This compound was shown to be an extremely potent and stable antibiotic, effective over a wide range of both pH (2 to 10) and temperature (-15 to 150 degrees C). Chaetomacin is soluble in most polar solvents and insoluble in nonpolar solvents. It is produced only at mesophilic temperatures and is also active against other Bacillus spp. and various eucaryotes, but it demonstrates no activity against gram-negative rods or gram-positive cocci. Final purification of chaetomacin was accomplished through thin-layer chromatography on silica gel analytical plates. Amino acid analysis revealed the antibiotic to be a peptide, acidic in nature. Examination of the literature reveals no other previously isolated antibiotics identical to chaetomacin.

Cultivation of Tripterygium wilfordii Tissue Cultures for the Production of the Cytotoxic Diterpene Tripdiolide.

The production of the cytotoxic agent tripdiolide employing plant tissue cultures of TRIPTERYGIUM WILFORDII is demonstrated. Detailed investigations of a developed cell line of T. WILFORDII in terms of tripdiolide production versus variations in growth conditions, for example media composition, are presented. Also the age and size of the inoculum and the incubation period with respect to tripdiolide formation are evaluated.

Biological Control of Olive Green Mold in Agaricus bisporus Cultivation.

Successful methods to control the damaging weed mold Chaetomium olivaceum (olive green mold) in mushroom beds are not presently known. An attempt was made to control C. olivaceum by biological means. A thermophilic Bacillus sp. which showed dramatic activity against C. olivaceum on Trypticase soy agar (BBL Microbiology Systems)-0.4% yeast extract agar plates was isolated from commercial mushroom compost (phase I). When inoculated into conventional and hydroponic mushroom beds, the bacillus not only provided a significant degree of protection from C. olivaceum, but also increased yields of Agaricus bisporus.

Ascorbic acid in cultured tissue of briar rose, Rosa rugosa Thunb.

Ascorbic acid synthesis was studied using suspension cultured cells from the fleshy portion of the fruit of the rose, Rosa rugosa Thunb. Cells cultured in the dark contained ascorbic acid at a level of 13 mg/100 g wet wt. This value increased several fold when the cells were grown under light. Ascorbic acid does not accumulate in the growth medium possibly due to its rapid oxidation. L-galactono-1,4-lactone was readily converted to ascorbic acid whereas L-gulono-1,4-lactone was used to a much lesser degree. D-glucose, D-fructose, D-galactose. D-glucurono-1,4-lactone and myoinositol did not stimulate increased ascorbic acid synthesis. Reducing the sucrose content of the medium reduced the ascorbic acid content of the cells without altering cell yield.