Occurrence of poly(hydroxyalkanoate) in the gut homogenate of a phylogenetically higher termite: Macrotermes carbonarius

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 512-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumar Sudesh ◽  
Bee-Yong Tay ◽  
Chow-Yang Lee

Gas chromatography analysis of a phylogenetically higher termite-gut homogenate detected the presence of trace amounts of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a prokaryotic storage material. In addition, the gut homogenate smear, stained with Nile blue A, also suggested the presence of PHB-like granules. Chloroform extracts of both soldier and worker classes of this termite were obtained for further spectroscopic analysis. FTIR, 1H NMR, and 2D 1H-1H NMR analyses confirmed the presence of PHB in both the chloroform extracts. This showed for the first time the occurrence of bacteria capable of accumulating PHB in the termite gut. The results indicated that the physiological environment in the termite gut is suitable for the colonization by PHB-producing bacteria and is probably rich in organic carbon sources, which can be readily assimilated and stored as PHB.Key words: Macrotermes carbonarius, poly(hydroxyalkanoate), PHB, termite


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 5539
Author(s):  
Hadiqa Javaid ◽  
Ali Nawaz ◽  
Naveeda Riaz ◽  
Hamid Mukhtar ◽  
Ikram -Ul-Haq ◽  
...  

Synthetic pollutants are a looming threat to the entire ecosystem, including wildlife, the environment, and human health. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural biodegradable microbial polymers with a promising potential to replace synthetic plastics. This research is focused on devising a sustainable approach to produce PHAs by a new microbial strain using untreated synthetic plastics and lignocellulosic biomass. For experiments, 47 soil samples and 18 effluent samples were collected from various areas of Punjab, Pakistan. The samples were primarily screened for PHA detection on agar medium containing Nile blue A stain. The PHA positive bacterial isolates showed prominent orange–yellow fluorescence on irradiation with UV light. They were further screened for PHA estimation by submerged fermentation in the culture broth. Bacterial isolate 16a produced maximum PHA and was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. It was identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia HA-16 (MN240936), reported first time for PHA production. Basic fermentation parameters, such as incubation time, temperature, and pH were optimized for PHA production. Wood chips, cardboard cutouts, plastic bottle cutouts, shredded polystyrene cups, and plastic bags were optimized as alternative sustainable carbon sources for the production of PHAs. A vital finding of this study was the yield obtained by using plastic bags, i.e., 68.24 ± 0.27%. The effective use of plastic and lignocellulosic waste in the cultivation medium for the microbial production of PHA by a novel bacterial strain is discussed in the current study.



2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Saskia Rughöft ◽  
Nico Jehmlich ◽  
Tony Gutierrez ◽  
Sara Kleindienst

The application of chemical dispersants during marine oil spills can affect the community composition and activity of marine microorganisms. Several studies have indicated that certain marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, such as Marinobacter spp., can be inhibited by chemical dispersants, resulting in lower abundances and/or reduced biodegradation rates. However, a major knowledge gap exists regarding the mechanisms underlying these physiological effects. Here, we performed comparative proteomics of the Deepwater Horizon isolate Marinobacter sp. TT1 grown under different conditions. Strain TT1 received different carbon sources (pyruvate vs. n-hexadecane) with and without added dispersant (Corexit EC9500A). Additional treatments contained crude oil in the form of a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) or chemically-enhanced WAF (CEWAF; with Corexit). For the first time, we identified the proteins associated with alkane metabolism and alginate biosynthesis in strain TT1, report on its potential for aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation and present a protein-based proposed metabolism of Corexit components as carbon substrates. Our findings revealed that Corexit exposure affects hydrocarbon metabolism, chemotactic motility, biofilm formation, and induces solvent tolerance mechanisms, like efflux pumps, in strain TT1. This study provides novel insights into dispersant impacts on microbial hydrocarbon degraders that should be taken into consideration for future oil spill response actions.



1995 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1485 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Murray ◽  
G Currie ◽  
RJ Capon

A new macrocyclic γ- pyrone (10) and two known γ- pyrones (2) and (6) have been isolated from a Victorian collection of Phacelocarpus peperocarpos. The Z geometry about ∆17,18 in (2) has been established for the first time. All structure elucidations were supported by detailed spectroscopic analysis.



2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. T. Gooden ◽  
H. D. Skipper ◽  
J. H. Kim ◽  
K. Xiong

Abstract Rhizobacteria play an important role in sustainable agriculture via plant growth and biological control of pests in a number of ecosystems. Understanding the interactions of crop rotation and rhizobacteria on peanut production is a critical research need. Development of a database on the rhizobacteria obtained from continuous and rotational fields of peanut was initiated in 1997 and terminated in 2000. Peanut was planted in monoculture for 4 yr. In rotational plots, peanut, cotton, corn, and peanut were planted in sequence. Rhizobacteria were isolated from the roots of crop plants grown in a Norfolk soil near Florence, SC. These isolates were identified by composition of fatty acids from gas chromatography analysis (GC/FAME). Arthrobacter and Bacillus were the major genera from non-rhizosphere soils. At initiation of this study in July 1997, the plots selected for continuous peanut had more diversity in rhizobacteria than those plots selected for rotation. In July 2000, rhizobacteria diversity was greater from peanut roots in the rotation cropping system than continuous peanut. Even though rhizobacteria diversity was greater in the rotation system, higher peanut yields were recorded in the continuous peanut system in 2000. Burkholderia spp. were always isolated from the peanut and other crop rhizospheres at each sampling date.



2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (09n10) ◽  
pp. 814-820
Author(s):  
Yingying Jia ◽  
Ling Xu ◽  
Bangshao Yin ◽  
Mingbo Zhou ◽  
Jianxin Song

Beginning with 5,10,15-triarylporphyrin-nickel complex, five meso-to-meso directly linked porphyrin-diazaporphyrin triads were successfully prepared for the first time through a series of reactions including formylation via Vilsmeier–Haack reaction, condensation with pyrrole, bromination with [Formula: see text]-Bromosuccinimide (NBS), oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), metal-templated cyclization of dibromodipyrrin-metal complexes with NaN[Formula: see text] and demetalization. All these triads were comprehensively characterized by [Formula: see text]H NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry and UV-vis absorption. In addition, the structure of compound 6Ni was unambiguously determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, which showed that the two dihedral angles are both 86.65 (4)[Formula: see text] between each mean plane of porphyrin and that of central diazaporphyrin The UV-vis absorption spectra disclosed that the longest wavelengths of Soret bands and Q bands for these triads were observed at 429 and 642 nm, respectively. In contrast to diazaporphyrin-porphyrin dyads, diazaporphyrin dimers and diazaporphyrin monomers reported previously the molar extinction coefficients, particularly for triad 8Ni are much higher.



2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 6423-6431
Author(s):  
Xieji Lin ◽  
Yue Dong ◽  
Xiaohong Chen ◽  
Haiyan Liu ◽  
Zhaobin Liu ◽  
...  

It is the first time that metallasilsesquioxanes are introduced into the synthesis of porous carbon nanosheets. Lithium hepta(i-butyl)silsesquioxane trisilanolate is a multifunctional precursor for both carbon sources and templates with different dimensions.





2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-6
Author(s):  
Diana Nur Afifah ◽  
Fauzia Purnamasari ◽  
Luthfiatul Khusna ◽  
Noviasti Rahma Utami ◽  
Aida Fitri Nazillah ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Administration of resistant starch (RS) influences the diversity and the composition of microbiota as well as inhibits the growth of cancer cell. Banana as a potential source of RS has been reported. Although Musa paradisiaca has been reported to induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells, Musa balbisiana, which has low glycemic index and suitable for particular patients, has not been investigated yet.METHODS: Starches of M. balbisiana and M. paradisiaca were prepared and mixed with other components to make 3 types of mouse pellets. Mouse model for colon cancer was prepared and fed with different types of mouse pellets. Blood was collected and processed for measuring β-glucuronidase and malondialdehyde (MDA) with Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Resected ceca were incised to collect the inner part for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) measurement with gas chromatography analysis. Resected colas were fixed and processed for immunohistochemistry to detect Caspase-3.RESULTS: Colon-cancer-mice fed with the M. balbisiana and M. paradisiaca starches-contained pellets had significant higher concentrations of total SCFA (p=0.003), acetic acid (p=0.000), propionic acid (p=0.000) and butyric acid (p=0.000); lower concentration of β-glucuronidase (p<0.001); higher Caspase-3 score (p=0.040); and lower MDA concentration (p<0.001) than colon-cancer-mice fed with standard pellet (control).CONCLUSION: M. balbisiana and M. paradisiaca starches could be suggested as potential anti-colon cancer RS. Further research should be carried out to disclose the starches mechanisms in colon cancer cell.KEYWORDS: Musa balbisiana, Musa paradisiaca, colon cancer, resistant starch, Caspase-3, SCFA, β-glucuronidase, malondialdehyde



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