MOLECULAR HYDROGEN AND NITROGEN FIXATION BY CLOSTRIDIUM PASTEURIANUM

1959 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 617-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. S. Westlake ◽  
P. W. Wilson

The total amount of nitrogen fixed and the efficiency of nitrogen fixation, by strain Clostridium pasieurianum W5 have been increased by using improved cultural conditions. Also, consistent growth of the organism in shake culture has been obtained. Evidence is presented supporting the view that hydrogen is a specific, competitive inhibitor of nitrogen fixation in this organism. The Km for nitrogen fixation is around 0.03 atmosphere and the estimated Ki for hydrogen inhibition is 0.5 ± 0.05 atmosphere, a value considerably higher than that found in the other nitrogen-fixing systems studied.

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1095-1101
Author(s):  
Nermin Adel El Semary

The nitrogen-fixing heterocystous cyanobacterium Anabaena solitaria was tested for its response to different concentrations of nitrogen sources, namely nitrate and ammonia. To compare both the effect of concentration and type of nitrogen source, gradual concentrations were prepared for both ammonia and nitrate. The results showed concentration was significantly important on the frequency of heterocyst formation where highest nitrogen compounds concentrations were inhibitory for heterocyst formation. On the other hand, the effect of the type of nitrogenous compounds tested was insignificant which only proves that they are equally usable by cyanobacteria which will use them instead of transforming one of its cells to heterocyst thus not performing nitrogen fixation. Results also revealed the massive growth of heterotrophic bacteria in presence of nitrogenous compounds. This indicates that the presence of nitrogenous compounds in fields in which nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are to be used as biofertilizers can be inhibitory for nitrogen fixation and stimulatory for heterotrophic bacterial growth which could be pathogenic and harmful to plants. The use of more nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria with the minimum amount of nitrogenous compounds is recommended.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-82
Author(s):  
Julia Genz

Digital media transform social options of access with regard to producers, recipients, and literary works of art themselves. New labels for new roles such as »prosumers « and »wreaders« attest to this. The »blogger« provides another interesting new social figure of literary authorship. Here, some old desiderata of Dadaism appear to find a belated realization. On the one hand, many web 2.0 formats of authorship amplify and widen the freedom of literary productivity while at the same time subjecting such production to a periodic schedule. In comparison to the received practices of authors and recipients many digital-cultural forms of narrating engender innovative metalepses (and also their sublation). Writing in the net for internet-publics enables the deliberate dissolution of the received autobiographical pact with the reader according to which the author’s genuine name authenticates the author’s writing. On the other hand, the digital-cultural potential of dissolving the autobiographical pact stimulates scandals of debunking and unmasking and makes questions of author-identity an issue of permanent contestation. Digital-cultural conditions of communication amplify both: the hideand- seek of authorship as well as the thwarting of this game by recipients who delight in playing detective. In effect, pace Foucault’s and Barthes’ postulates of the death of the author, the personality and biography of the author once again tend to become objects of high intrinsic value


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2002-2014
Author(s):  
Ling-Ling Yang ◽  
Zhao Jiang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
En-Tao Wang ◽  
Xiao-Yang Zhi

Abstract Rhizobia are soil bacteria capable of forming symbiotic nitrogen-fixing nodules associated with leguminous plants. In fast-growing legume-nodulating rhizobia, such as the species in the family Rhizobiaceae, the symbiotic plasmid is the main genetic basis for nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, and is susceptible to horizontal gene transfer. To further understand the symbioses evolution in Rhizobiaceae, we analyzed the pan-genome of this family based on 92 genomes of type/reference strains and reconstructed its phylogeny using a phylogenomics approach. Intriguingly, although the genetic expansion that occurred in chromosomal regions was the main reason for the high proportion of low-frequency flexible gene families in the pan-genome, gene gain events associated with accessory plasmids introduced more genes into the genomes of nitrogen-fixing species. For symbiotic plasmids, although horizontal gene transfer frequently occurred, transfer may be impeded by, such as, the host’s physical isolation and soil conditions, even among phylogenetically close species. During coevolution with leguminous hosts, the plasmid system, including accessory and symbiotic plasmids, may have evolved over a time span, and provided rhizobial species with the ability to adapt to various environmental conditions and helped them achieve nitrogen fixation. These findings provide new insights into the phylogeny of Rhizobiaceae and advance our understanding of the evolution of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 881-883 ◽  
pp. 757-760
Author(s):  
Xiao Qing Ren ◽  
Li Zhen Ma ◽  
Xin Yi He

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of different levels of catfish bone paste to flour on the physicochemical, textural and crumb structure properties of steamed bread. Six different levels (0, 1, 3, 5, 7,10 %) of catfish bone paste to flour were used in the formulation of the steamed bread. The results showed that the weight loss and TTA of steamed bread decreased with an increase in the levels of the catfish bone paste. On the other hand, the pH increased with an increase in the levels of the catfish bone paste. The specific volume, hardness, chewiness and gas cell structure in the crumb of steamed bread with catfish bone paste at 5% supplementation level were better. Thus, a value of 5% catfish bone paste was considered a better level for incorporation into the steamed bread.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luz K. Medina-Cordoba ◽  
Aroon T. Chande ◽  
Lavanya Rishishwar ◽  
Leonard W. Mayer ◽  
Lina C. Valderrama-Aguirre ◽  
...  

AbstractPrevious studies have shown the sugarcane microbiome harbors diverse plant growth promoting microorganisms, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria (diazotrophs), which can serve as biofertilizers. The genomes of 22 diazotrophs from Colombian sugarcane fields were sequenced to investigate potential biofertilizers. A genome-enabled computational phenotyping approach was developed to prioritize sugarcane associated diazotrophs according to their potential as biofertilizers. This method selects isolates that have potential for nitrogen fixation and other plant growth promoting (PGP) phenotypes while showing low risk for virulence and antibiotic resistance. Intact nitrogenase (nif) genes and operons were found in 18 of the isolates. Isolates also encode phosphate solubilization and siderophore production operons, and other PGP genes. The majority of sugarcane isolates showed uniformly low predicted virulence and antibiotic resistance compared to clinical isolates. Six strains with the highest overall genotype scores were experimentally evaluated for nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and the production of siderophores, gibberellic acid, and indole acetic acid. Results from the biochemical assays were consistent and validated computational phenotype predictions. A genotypic and phenotypic threshold was observed that separated strains by their potential for PGP versus predicted pathogenicity. Our results indicate that computational phenotyping is a promising tool for the assessment of bacteria detected in agricultural ecosystems.


1952 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 360-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Egon Stark ◽  
P. A. Tetrault

Thirty-five cultures of Bacillus stearothermophilus hydrolyzed five starches under various cultural conditions. Hydrolysis occurred regardless of the type, brand, or batch of starch; regardless of the initial pH or of the subsequent pH changes of the medium. Starch in broth was better attacked than in agar media. Some cultures hydrolyzed 0.5%, but not 1% starch; others hydrolyzed easily 10% soluble starch. Length of incubation was important. Certain cultures never formed acid or sugar from starch. Dextrinization was a more reliable indication of starch hydrolysis than was the formation of acid or sugar. Soluble starch gave more consistent results in repeated experiments than did nonsoluble starches. The type of protein medium determines strongly the formation of amylase. Trypticase was the best commercial medium, yeast extract came second. The other 10 media yielded fewer amylolytic cultures. Yeast extract added to media enhanced amylase formation, except with trypticase. Tryptose, proteose-peptone, and neopeptone inhibited the growth of most cultures.


1968 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 393-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Hunter

Schools of six jack mackerel each were photographed with infrared film at eight levels of luminance and also in darkness. Three indices were used to measure the behavior of the school from motion pictures. Two of the indices, mean distance to nearest neighbor and mean separation distance, were measures of the distances between individuals in a school; the other, mean angular deviation, was a measure of differences in orientation between individuals. A value for each index was calculated for each motion picture frame.From 12.1 to 6 × 10−6 ft-L no differences existed in the angular deviation of the school or in the distances between fish. At 6 × 10−7 ft-L the intervals between fish were much larger than at higher levels of brightness and groups showed little uniformity in their orientation. Below 6 × 10−7 ft-L (darkness) schools were dispersed and the distributions of values of angular deviation were random.The ability of jack mackerel to feed on live adult Artemia was also tested at eight levels of luminance and in darkness. The number of Artemia eaten at 6 × 10−5 ft-L was about half of that eaten at the normal daytime level of 12.1 ft-L. Few Artemia were eaten at 6 × 10−7 ft-L and none in darkness.Comparison of these data with measurements of light in the sea indicated that jack mackerel probably would be able to maintain schools near the surface on a moonless starlit night and that they probably could feed effectively near the surface on a full moonlight night.


The International Biological Programme served as a focal point for studies on biological nitrogen fixation during the 1960s. The introduction of the acetylene reduction technique for measuring nitrogenase activity in the field led to estimates becoming available of the contribution of lichens, blue-green algae, nodulated non-legumes and bacterial-grass associations, as well as of legumes. Other studies carried out on the physiology and biochemistry of the process led to the eventual purification and characterization of the nitrogenase enzyme. These studies, collectively, provided the springboard for current work, so essential in view of the present energy crisis, on how to increase the use and efficiency of nitrogen-fixing plants, on the metabolic regulation of the nitrogenase enzyme and on the genetics of the nitrogen-fixing process, both in higher plants and in free-living micro-organisms.


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