Phylogenetic Diversity and Potential Activity of Bacteria and Fungi in the Deep Subsurface Horizons of an Uranium Deposit

Summary Introduction: Abies cilicica ssp. cilicica is an endemic species grown naturally in Syria. This taxon could be a potential and promising source of antimicrobial activity. Objective: Methanolic, ethanolic and acetonic extracts of leaf (LE) and flowering cones (FE) of A. cilicica ssp. cilicica plant were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against 3 bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and two fungi (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) pathogens. Methods: A. cilicica antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc-diffusion method (zone of inhibitions-ZIs), activity index (AI) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (Microdilution broth susceptibility assay). Similarly, ciprofloxacin (10 mg/ml) and nystatin (5 μg/ml) antibiotics were used as a standard for the antimicrobial activity of bacteria and fungi isolates, respectively. Results: Data revealed that the acetone FE with highest ZIs and lowest MICs showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens, while, ethanol LE was the lowest potent extract against all tested microorganisms. P. vulgaris bacteria was considered as the most sensitive isolate by showing the lowest MICs value of 0.52 μg/ml, whereas, A. niger fungus was pronounced as the most tolerant isolate by expressing the highest MICs value of 26.67 μg/ml. Conclusion: The current investigation proved the potential activity of A. cilicica extracts as an antibacterial and an antifungal source grown naturally in Syria.

Download Full-text

Theoretical and practical aspects of the quantification of biodiversity among microorganisms

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1994.0087 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 345 (1311) ◽

pp. 65-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Keyword(s):

Microbial Diversity ◽

Environmental Samples ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

New Technologies ◽

Significant Progress ◽

Molecular Approaches ◽

Universal Solution ◽

Bacteria And Fungi ◽

Immense Potential ◽

Selection Of

The quantification of biodiversity among microorganisms has to address both theoretical and practical aspects. Species concepts are often at variance with those applied in macroorganisms, and satisfactory concepts suitable for general use in bacteria and fungi have yet to be formulated. Molecular approaches have not yet provided a universal solution to this key issue. Quantification in habitats such as soil is difficult as isolation procedures yield only a small and skewed selection of the microorganisms present. Indices of taxonomic or phylogenetic diversity have potential in the quantification of microbial diversity at a range of ranks, but the non-equivalence of ranks and representatives of the taxa detected have to be addressed. Chemical and molecular methods have immense potential in the quantification of microbial diversity in environmental samples; 16 S rRNA has shown particular promise with bacteria, but as yet the fungi lack a universal probe. A greater awareness of the limitations of existing approaches and methodologies used by microbiologists is needed, but significant progress can be anticipated as new technologies are developed and become more widely adopted.

Download Full-text

A metagenomic view of novel microbial and metabolic diversity found within the deep terrestrial biosphere

10.1101/2021.05.06.442964 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lily M Momper ◽

Caitlin P Casar ◽

Magdalena R Osburn

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Physical Space ◽

Metagenomic Dataset ◽

Metabolic Diversity ◽

Deep Subsurface ◽

Terrestrial Biosphere ◽

Deep Mine ◽

Physical Heterogeneity ◽

Microbial Habitat ◽

Terrestrial Subsurface

The deep terrestrial subsurface is a large and diverse microbial habitat and a vast repository of biomass. However, in relation to its size and physical heterogeneity we have limited understanding of taxonomic and metabolic diversity in this realm. Here we present a detailed metagenomic analysis of samples from the Deep Mine Microbial Observatory (DeMMO) spanning depths from the surface to 1.5 km deep in the crust. From these eight geochemically and spatially distinct fluid samples we reconstructed ~600 metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs), representing 50 distinct phyla and including 18 candidate phyla. These novel clades include many members of the Patescibacteria superphylum and two new MAGs from candidate phylum OLB16, a phylum originally identified in DeMMO fluids and for which only one other MAG is currently available. We find that microbes spanning this expansive phylogenetic diversity and physical space are often capable of numerous dissimilatory energy metabolisms and are poised to take advantage of nutrients as they become available in relatively isolated fracture fluids. This metagenomic dataset is contextualized within a four-year geochemical and 16S rRNA time series, adding another invaluable piece to our knowledge of deep subsurface microbial ecology.

Download Full-text

Antimicrobials Potential Activity from Selective Plant Parts of Fagonia cretica and Desmostachya bipinnata

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics ◽

10.22270/jddt.v9i4-a.3453 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4-A) ◽

pp. 203-206

Author(s):

, Sayar ◽

Archana Sharma

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plant ◽

Methanol Extract ◽

Chloroform Extract ◽

Cancer Drug ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Plant Parts ◽

Potential Activity ◽

Bacteria And Fungi ◽

Chronic Fever ◽

Antibacterial And Antifungal

The aim of the present study is to determine antimicrobial potential activity of Fagonia cretica and Desmostachya bipinnata plant parts to look into possible natural therapy agents. Fagonia cretica (Linn.) is most valuable therapeutic medicinal plant, commonly known as Dhamasa and belong to Zygophyllaceae family and Desmostachya bipinnata is also valuable medicinal plant, commonly known as Kusha or Dabh and belong to Poaceae family‎. Fagonia cretica and Desmostachya bipinnata have a good medicinal property and used as: urinary disorder, abdominal pain, chronic fever, cancer, dysentery and menorrhagia, and as a diuretic and a blood purifier. Selective plant parts were also used as medicine contents in pharmaceuticals. Antibacterial and antifungal activity has to be done from various selective medicinal plant parts. Potential activity as antimicrobials against bacteria and fungi Bacillus subtilis is maximum in methanol extract and minimum against Staphylococcus aureus in chloroform extract. Fagonia cretica most valuable medicinal plant, used as anti breast cancer drug. Keywords: Fagonia cretica; Desmostachya bipinnata; Antimicrobials Activity; Methanol extract; Chloroform extract; Fungi strains; Bacterial strains.

Download Full-text