Oxidative foliar photo-necrosis produced by the bacteria Pseudomonas cedrina

BackgroundAlthough bioactive metabolites capable of causing oxidative photo-necrosis in plant tissues have been identified in fungi, little is known about this type of mechanism in bacteria. These metabolites act as photosensitizers that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) capable of causing damage to cells. In addition, these metabolites can pass into an energetically excited state when they receive some luminous stimulus, a condition in which they interact with other molecules present in the environment, such as molecular oxygen (O₂), also known as triplet oxygen (³O₂), generating ROS.ResultsThe suspension of the bacterial culture of Pseudomonas cedrina was shown to produce foliar necrosis in papaya leaves (Carica papaya L.) only in the presence of sunlight, which is evidence of photosensitizing mechanisms that generate singlet oxygen (¹O₂). From the chemical study of extracts obtained from this bacteria, 3-(4-(2-carboxipropyl) phenyl) but-2-enoic acid (1) was isolated. This compound, in the presence of light and triplet oxygen (³O₂), was able to oxidize ergosterol to its peroxide, since it acted as a photosensitizer producing ¹O₂, with which it was corroborated that a photosensitization reaction occurs, mechanism by which this bacterium could prove to cause oxidative foliar photo-necrosis.ConclusionsP. cedrina was able to induce oxidative foliar photo-necrosis because of its potential ability to produce photosensitizing metabolites that generate singlet oxygen in the plants it colonizes. Based on the above, it can be proposed that some bacteria can cause oxidative foliar photo-necrosis as an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of host species.How to cite: Mendoza G, Sánchez-Tafolla L, Trigos A. Oxidative foliar photo-necrosis produced by the bacteria Pseudomonas cedrina. Electron J Biotechnol 2020;44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2020.01.007     

Production and characterization of algae extract from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

BackgroundAlgae offer many advantages as biofuel sources including: high growth rates, high lipid content, the ability to grow on non-agricultural land, and the genetic versatility to improve strains rapidly and produce co-products. Research is ongoing to make algae biofuels a more financially attractive energy option; however, it is becoming evident that the economic viability of algae-based fuels may hinge upon high-value co-products. This work evaluated the feasibility of using a co-product, algae extract, as a nutrient source in cell culture media.ResultsAlgae extract prepared from autolysed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was found to contain 3.0% protein, 9.2% total carbohydrate, and 3.9% free α-amino acid which is similar to the nutrient content of commercially available yeast extract. The effects of algae extract on the growth and metabolism of laboratory strains of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were tested by substituting algae extract for yeast extract in LB and YPAD growth media recipes. Complex laboratory media supplemented with algae extract instead of yeast extract showed markedly improved effects on the growth and metabolism of common laboratory microorganisms in all cases except ethanol production rates in yeast.ConclusionsThis study showed that algae extract derived from C. reinhardtii is similar, if not superior, to commercially available yeast extract in nutrient content and effects on the growth and metabolism of E. coli and S. cerevisiae. Bacto™ yeast extract is valued at USD $0.15–0.35 per gram, if algae extract was sold at similar prices, it would serve as a high-value co-product in algae-based fuel processes.     

Successful test for mass production of high-grade fuel from biomass

To address the current energy crisis, people are exploring new ways of synthesizing fuels with biomass. As biomass contains nearly 50% of oxygen in addition to hydrogen and carbon in its composition, the key to turning it into high-grade fuel for an internal-combustion engine lies in the technology that could liquefy biomass via deoxidation by making the best use of its contents of hydrogen and carbon without adding additional hydrogen or generating water.     

Potent antiulcerogenic activity of ethanol extract of leaf ofPiper betle Linn by antioxidative mechanism

Pretreatment of an ethanolic extract of leaf ofPiper betle linn at a dose of 200mg/kg body weight, orally administered to rats for ten consecutive days, was found to possess a significant protective action against gastric lesions induced by indomethacin. The extract pretreatment resulted in significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, increase in mucus, hexosamine and total thiol group content, but marked reduction in oxidatively damaged protein and peroxidised lipid levels as compared to untreated ulcerated control. The extract was also found to possess both superoxide and hydroxyl free radical scavenging action. The present observations establish the efficacy of the extract in prevention of experimentally induced peptic ulcer by indomethacin and antioxidant property appears to be predominantly responsible for such cytoprotective activity in the experimental model.     

Rat serum electrolytes, lipid profile and cardiovascular activity onNauclea latifolia leaf extract administration

Aqueous extract of the leaf and root ofNauclea latifolia Sm. (Rubiaceae) is used in Nigerian folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension. This work is carried out to investigate the effect ofNauclea latifolia leaf extract on lipid profile and cardiovascular activity of rats. Normal and 10% coconut oil fed rats were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract ofNauclea latifolia leaf for 2 weeks. Forty-eight mature male albino rats of the Wistar strain were divided into two experiments of four groups, each group having 6 animals. Experiment I animals were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract whilst experiment II animals were fed 10% coconut oil meal before treatment with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract. A single oral dose ofNauclea latifolia was 170, 340 and 510 mg/kg body wt/day of the extracts respectively for 2 wks. There was no significant change in the lipid profile of the experimental animals as compared with the controls. There was about 40% relaxation on contracted thoracic aorta that was pre-contracted with 2 μM phenylephrine. The viability of the tissue was tested against 10 μM of acetylcholine. There was no significant (P>0.05) change in Na⁺ concentration in the serum. However, the K⁺ concentration in the serum of the experimental animals showed a significant increase. The study shows that ethanol extract ofNauclea latifolia has vasodilator action on the aorta and that lipid profiles of experimental rats were not affected. Furthermore, the increase in the K⁺ may be contributing to the vasodilator effect ofNauclea latifolia.     

Antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of rhizome ofPicrorhiza kurroa on indomethacin induced gastric ulcer during healing

Oral administration of ethanol extract of the rhizome ofPirorhiza kurroa at a dose of 20mg/kg body weight, for 10 consecutive days, was found to enhance the rate of healing on Indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats, compared to the ulcerated group without treatment. The level of peroxidised lipid, in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), in gastric tissue, was increased in ulcerated rats which was restored to near normalcy on treatment with ethanol extract. The specific activity ofin vivo antioxidant enzymes, viz SOD and catalase and total tissue sulfhydryl (thiol) group, which were markedly decreased in ulcerated group, were found to be significantly elevated (p<0.05), on treatment with the above extract, at the specified dose, compared to the indomethacin—induced ulcerated group without any supporting treatment. The present study thus suggests that the ethanol extract of rhizome ofPicrorhiza kurroa, at the dose of 20mg/kg body weight, accelerated the healing of stomach wall of indomethacin induced gastric ulcerated rats by anin vivo free radical scavenging action.     

Antioxidant and anti-dyslipidemic effects of polysaccharidic extract from sea cucumber processing liquor

BackgroundSea cucumber is a seafood of high nutritional value. During its processing, sea cucumber processing liquor is routinely produced, which is usually discarded as waste. The chemical composition of this processing liquor is similar to sea cucumbers themselves. Hence, valuable ingredients, such as functional polysaccharides, could be obtained from them.ResultsBiologically active polysaccharides from sea cucumber processing liquor were extracted through protease hydrolysis and electroosmosis. The analysis revealed that the polysaccharide extract from sea cucumber processing liquor (PESCPL) is predominantly composed of mannose, in addition to some glucose and fucose. The antioxidant activity of PESCPL was analyzed using in vitro. It was demonstrated that PESCPL could effectively scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anion radicals. The effect of PESCPL was investigated in vivo by using mice model fed with high-fat diets with/without PESCPL supplement. It was shown that PESCPL could increase the catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in the serum and decrease serum malonaldehyde content. Furthermore, mice fed with PESCPL diet showed a considerable decrease in the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.ConclusionsOur research highlights that PESCPL is a natural antioxidant and could be utilized as a therapeutic supplement for dyslipidemia.     

Antitubercular activity of garlic (allium sativum) extract on combination with conventional antitubercular drugs in tubercular lymphadenitis

Based on our demonstration earlier that ethanol extract, water extract and a compound purified from garlic possessedin vitro antitubercular activity against drug resistant and susceptibleMycobacterium tuberculosis, we tried the effect of garlic extract in 30 patients of tubercular lymphadenitis. For ethical considerations, two groups of patients, 30 each, were given antitubercular therapy (ATT) consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for 30 days. For the next 15 days (31 to 45 days) group 1 patients received 3–6 garlic pearls per day in addition to ATT while group 2 patients received ATT only. From 46th day onwards both the groups received ATT only for 6–8 months. Antitubercular activity of the serum samples collected on 45th day was assessed by its effect on the growth ofM. tuberculois. The serum of group 1 patients showed significantly much higher antitubercular activity than that of group 2 patients. Further, there was relief of dyspeptic symptoms caused by ATT therapy in patients of group 1 with garlic plus ATT therapy but no change in group 2 patients with ATT only. Liver function and hematological tests were normal in both the groups after 6 months of therapy. Garlic extracts or compounds have a good potential as antitubercular(s) drug if given as a supplement to ATT.     

生物质资源综合利用的方案(一)

用稻壳中可提取物提取黄酮类化合物、稻壳中含半纤维素水解制取木糖、稻壳中含纤维素水解发酵制取乙醇、用乙醇提取稻壳中木质素、剩余残渣制取纳米二氧化硅。所得产品质量符合标准,工业化生产可行,经济效益相当好。     

Purification and characterization of an aspartic protease from the Rhizopus oryzae protease extract,Peptidase R

BackgroundAspartic proteases are a subfamily of endopeptidases that are useful in a variety of applications, especially in the food processing industry. Here we describe a novel aspartic protease that was purified from Peptidase R, a commercial protease preparation derived from Rhizopus oryzae.ResultsAn aspartic protease sourced from Peptidase R was purified to homogeneity by anion exchange chromatography followed by polishing with a hydrophobic interaction chromatography column, resulting in a 3.4-fold increase in specific activity (57.5 × 10³ U/mg) and 58.8% recovery. The estimated molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 39 kDa. The N-terminal sequence of the purified protein exhibited 63–75% identity to rhizopuspepsins from various Rhizopus species. The enzyme exhibited maximal activity at 75°C in glycine–HCl buffer, pH 3.4 with casein as the substrate. The protease was stable at 35°C for 60 min and had an observed half-life of approximately 30 min at 45°C. Enzyme activity was not significantly inhibited by chelation with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and the addition of metal ions to EDTA-treated protease did not significantly change enzyme activity, indicating that proteolysis is not metal ion-dependent. The purified enzyme was completely inactivated by the aspartic protease inhibitor Pepstatin A.ConclusionBased on the observed enzyme activity, inhibition profile with Pepstatin A, and sequence similarity to other rhizopuspepsins, we have classified this enzyme as an aspartic protease.     

An increasing of the efficiency of microbiological synthesis of 1,3-propanediol from crude glycerol by the concentration of biomass

Background1,3-Propanodiol (1,3-PD), is used in the production of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), an aromatic polyester that exhibits high elastic recoveries. It is also employed as a supplement with low solidification properties, a solvent and a lubricant in the formof propylene glycol. 1,3-PD is effectively synthesized by a microbiological way from crude glycerol. The main problem of this technology is using a high concentration of glycerol, which is a limiting factor for bacteria cells growth (especially in batch fermentation).ResultsIn this work, the influence of different glycerol concentration in batch fermentation on Clostridium butyricum DSP1 metabolism was investigated. The biomass was concentrated for two times with the use of membrane module (in case of increasing kinetic parameters). Increased optical density of bacteria cells six times increased the productivity of 1,3-PD in cultivation with 20 g/L of glycerol at the beginning of the process, and more than two times in cultivation with 60–80 g/L. Also the possibility of complete attenuation of 140 g/L of crude glycerol in the batch fermentation was investigated. During the cultivation, changes of protein profiles were analyzed. The most significant changes were observed in the cultivation in the medium supplemented with 80 g/L of glycerol. They related mainly to the DNA protein reconstructive systems, protective proteins (HSP), and also the enzymatic catalysts connected with glycerol metabolic pathway.ConclusionsThe application of filtration module in batch fermentation of crude glycerol by C. butyricum DSP1 significantly increased the productivity of the process.     

Acute and chronic toxicity studies on partially purified hypoglycemic preparation from water extract of bark ofFicus bengalensis

Acute and chronic toxicity studies were conducted to assess toxicity of a partially purified preparation from the water extract of the bark ofFicus bengalensis, which was demonstrated in our earlier studies to have significant hypoglycemic and hypocholesteroiemic effect on alloxan induced, mild and severe diabetes in rabbits. LD₅₀ of this preparation was found to be ∼1 gm/kg in rats when given orally. For chronic toxicity studies 3 doses of aqueous preparation were given to 3 groups of rats. First group received 5 times ED₅₀ (50 mg/kg), second group 10 times ED₅₀ (100 mg/kg) and the third group 15 times ED₅₀ (150 mg/kg) for 3 months. Fourth group which served as control was given water. After three months, blood was collected for studying biochemical and hematological parameters. Blood glucose, serum cholesterol, liver and kidney function tests, haemoglobin, total and differential leukocyte count were determined. Animals were sacrificed and histopathological examination of liver, heart and kidneys was carried out. Results of the study showed that partially purified preparation fromFicus bengalensis is not toxic by all the above mentioned parameters.     

Assessment of wasteland derived biomass for bioethanol production

BackgroundThe bioethanol produced from biomass is a promising alternative fuel. The lignocellulose from marginal areas or wasteland could be a promising raw material for bioethanol production because it is present in large quantities, is cheap, renewable and has favorable environmental properties. Despite these advantages, lignocellulosic biomass is much more difficult to process than cereal grains, due to the need for intensive pretreatment and relatively large amounts of cellulases for efficient hydrolysis. Therefore, there is a need to develop an efficient and cost-effective method for the degradation and fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol.ResultsThe usefulness of lignocellulosic biomass from wasteland for the production of bioethanol using pretreatment with the aid of ionic liquids of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride was evaluated in this study. The pretreatment process, enzymatic hydrolysis and alcoholic fermentation lasted a total of 10 d. The largest amounts of bioethanol were obtained from biomass originating from agricultural wasteland, in which the dominant plant was fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) and from the field where the common broom (Cytisus scoparius) was the dominant.ConclusionsThe plants such as fireweed, common broom, hay and goldenrod may be useful for the production of liquid biofuels and it would be necessary in the further stage of research to establish and optimize the conditions for the technology of ethyl alcohol producing from these plant species. Enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass from agricultural wastelands results in a large increase in fermentable sugars, comparable to the enzymatic hydrolysis of rye, wheat, rice or maize straw.How to cite: Smuga-Kogut M, Piskier T, Walendzik B, et al. Assessment of wasteland derived biomass for bioethanol production. Electron J Biotechnol 2019;41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2019.05.001.     

中国林木生物质能源替代煤炭的减排效益评估

应对全球气候变化的能源转型方案中,生物质能源替代化石燃料是重要的选项,中国资源丰富的林木生物质在替代化石燃料的能源转型中具有重要价值。本文以木质颗粒燃料及传统的化石燃料（煤炭）为研究对象,基于生命周期思想梳理不同能源系统的温室效应排放指标与经济评价指标边界,从传统的生命周期分析与经济指标分析两方面,探讨中国木质颗粒燃料替代煤炭的减排效益和经济效益。结果表明：①木质颗粒燃料替代煤炭供热或供电时,单位能量的供应能耗降低0.01~0.176 MJ,在碳中性假设下,木质颗粒燃料具有显著的碳减排效益;②平均市场价格下,木质颗粒的单位热能成本高于煤炭,即用木质颗粒燃料替代煤炭供能时,单位热能或电能的使用需要付出较高的燃料成本,约为16.06~34.16元;③敏感性分析表明,能量转换率、燃料热值和燃料的价格对替代效益的影响最为显著,提高能源使用效率、降低燃料价格等措施可以大幅度降低燃料替代使用成本,实现环境与经济双赢。生物质能源的开发及利用在未来中国能源结构转型中具有重要地位,本文从碳中性下的净减排、生物质原料问题、提高减排效率和财政补贴等方面提出了针对性建议。     

生物质裂解气化在有色冶金工业中的应用

随着生物质气化裂解应用技术越来越成熟,可在铝加工业、铜冶炼工业、锌冶炼工业等有色冶金工业中广泛应用。     

Proteolytic activity of recombinant DegP from Chromohalobacter salexigens BKL5

BackgroundDegP is a serine protease that specifically cleaves and refolds unfolding proteins in the periplasmic space of the cells. To date, there is no information regarding DegP from halophilic bacteria. Chromohalobacter salexigens BKL5 is a moderately halophilic bacterium that has the ability to grow in a media containing more than 15% salt. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to clone and overexpress DegP-encoding gene from C. salexigens BKL5 and characterize its biochemical properties.ResultsDegP-encoding gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) CodonPlus in an active form. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the molecular weight of the recombinant DegP was 45 kDa. Size-exclusion chromatography analysis suggested that recombinant DegP was present in two multimeric states, hexameric and dodecameric, with molecular weights of 297.9 and 579.12 kDa, respectively. Both conformations were enzymatically active when casein was used as substrate for enzymatic assay. Circular dichroism analysis showed that recombinant DegP was composed of 0.21–0.29 helical content, which was comparable to the helical content in the crystal structure of E. coli DegP. The basic/acidic residue ratio of recombinant DegP was 0.56, which was slightly higher than that of DegP from extreme halophiles (average, 0.45) but significantly lower than that of DegP from nonhalophiles (average, 0.94).ConclusionsRecombinant DegP from C. salexigens BKL5 showed proteolytic activity when β-casein was used as a substrate. In silico analysis indicated that recombinant DegP had characteristics similar to those of halophilic proteins depending on its amino acid composition.     

Novel antimicrobial activity of a dichloromethane extract obtained from red seaweed Ceramium rubrum (Hudson) (Rhodophyta: Florideophyceae) against Yersinia ruckeri and Saprolegnia parasitica,agents that cause diseases in salmonids

BackgroundEnteric red mouth disease and Saprolegniasis, which are caused by the bacteria Yersinia ruckeri and the oomycete Saprolegnia parasitica, respectively, are important illnesses that affect salmonid farming. Sanitary problems in farms are addressed by the prevention of disease outbreaks or by the treatment of diseases with chemicals. Environmental and governmental restrictions, toxicity and high treatment costs limit the use of drugs. Marine organisms, such as algae, sponges and corals, have developed an antimicrobial defense strategy based on the production of bioactive metabolites. Among these organisms, seaweeds offer a particularly rich source of potential new drugs. Hence, many pharmacologically active substances have been isolated from seaweeds. In the Ceramium genus, Ceramium rubrum has been emphasized by several authors for its antimicrobial properties. Based on this background, the present study focused on the antimicrobial activity of a lipophilic extract of C. rubrum on Y. ruckeri and S. parasitica.ResultsThe alga, collected from the Pacific coast of Chile, underwent an ethanol extraction, and the concentrated extract was partitioned between water and dichloromethane. From the dichloromethane extract, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, one hydrocarbon and phytol were identified by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. The antimicrobial study showed that the whole extract was more active than the individual components, which suggests a strong synergistic effect among the components.ConclusionsThese results may constitute a basis for promising future applied research that could investigate the use of C. rubrum seaweed as a source of antimicrobial compounds against fish pathogens.     

生物质能源的现状和发展前景

一.生物质能源概述 化石资源的过度消耗引发了能源和环境危机,寻找不可再生资源的替代品成为人类社会生存发展面临的重大问题.生物质能源环境友好,可再生.