scholarly journals Three Types of Beetroot Products Enriched with Lactic Acid Bacteria

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasilica Barbu ◽  
Mihaela Cotârleț ◽  
Carmen Alina Bolea ◽  
Alina Cantaragiu ◽  
Doina Georgeta Andronoiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Microscopy Analysis

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) represents a very rich source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and carotenoids, among which the most important being betalains, mainly betacyanins and betaxanthins. The beetroot matrix was used in a fresh or dried form or as lyophilized powder. A 1012 CFU/g inoculum of Lactobacillus plantarum MIUG BL3 culture was sprayed on the vegetal tissue. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) viability for all the products was evaluated over 21 days, by microbiological culture methods. The antioxidant activity of the obtained food products was correlated to the betalains content and the viability of LAB. The content of polyphenolic compounds varied between 225.7 and 1314.7 mg L−1, hence revealing a high content of bioactive compounds. Through the confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis, a large number of viable probiotic cells were observed in all the variants but especially in the fresh red beet cubes. After 21 days of refrigeration, the high content of Lb. plantarum (CFU per gram) of the food products was attributed to the biocompounds and the nutrients of the vegetal matrix that somehow protected the bacterial cells, and thus maintained their viability. The obtained food products enriched with probiotic LAB can be regarded as new functional food products due to the beneficial properties they possessed throughout the undertaken experiments.

scholarly journals Effects of Antifungal Carriers Based on Chitosan-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Microcosm Biofilms

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 588
Author(s):  
Anne Caroline Morais Caldeirão ◽  
Heitor Ceolin Araujo ◽  
Camila Miranda Tomasella ◽  
Caio Sampaio ◽  
Marcelo José dos Santos Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Iron Oxide ◽  
Iron Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Mutans Streptococci ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Oxide Nanoparticles

Resistance of Candida species to conventional therapies has motivated the development of antifungal nanocarriers based on iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) coated with chitosan (CS). This study evaluates the effects of IONPs-CS as carriers of miconazole (MCZ) or fluconazole (FLZ) on microcosm biofilms. Pooled saliva from two healthy volunteers supplemented with C. albicans and C. glabrata was the inoculum for biofilm formation. Biofilms were formed for 96 h on coverslips using the Amsterdam Active Attachment model, followed by 24 h treatment with nanocarriers containing different concentrations of each antifungal (78 and 156 µg/mL). MCZ or FLZ (156 µg/mL), and untreated biofilms were considered as controls. Anti-biofilm effects were evaluated by enumeration of colony-forming units (CFUs), composition of the extracellular matrix, lactic acid production, and structure and live/dead biofilm cells (confocal laser scanning microscopy-CLSM). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Fisher LSD’s test (α = 0.05). IONPs-CS carrying MCZ or FLZ were the most effective treatments in reducing CFUs compared to either an antifungal agent alone for C. albicans and MCZ for C. glabrata. Significant reductions in mutans streptococci and Lactobacillus spp. were shown, though mainly for the MCZ nanocarrier. Antifungals and their nanocarriers also showed significantly higher proportions of dead cells compared to untreated biofilm by CLSM (p < 0.001), and promoted significant reductions in lactic acid, while simultaneously showing increases in some components of the extracellular matrix. These findings reinforce the use of nanocarriers as effective alternatives to fight oral fungal infections.

scholarly journals Calcite Biomineralization by Bacterial Isolates from the Recently Discovered Pristine Karstic Herrenberg Cave

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1157-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Rusznyák ◽  
Denise M. Akob ◽  
Sándor Nietzsche ◽  
Karin Eusterhues ◽  
Kai Uwe Totsche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Seepage Water ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rich Media

ABSTRACTKarstic caves represent one of the most important subterranean carbon storages on Earth and provide windows into the subsurface. The recent discovery of the Herrenberg Cave, Germany, gave us the opportunity to investigate the diversity and potential role of bacteria in carbonate mineral formation. Calcite was the only mineral observed by Raman spectroscopy to precipitate as stalactites from seepage water. Bacterial cells were found on the surface and interior of stalactites by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Proteobacteria dominated the microbial communities inhabiting stalactites, representing more than 70% of total 16S rRNA gene clones. Proteobacteria formed 22 to 34% of the detected communities in fluvial sediments, and a large fraction of these bacteria were also metabolically active. A total of 9 isolates, belonging to the generaArthrobacter,Flavobacterium,Pseudomonas,Rhodococcus,Serratia, andStenotrophomonas, grew on alkaline carbonate-precipitating medium. Two cultures with the most intense precipitate formation,Arthrobacter sulfonivoransandRhodococcus globerulus, grew as aggregates, produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and formed mixtures of calcite, vaterite, and monohydrocalcite.R. globerulusformed idiomorphous crystals with rhombohedral morphology, whereasA. sulfonivoransformed xenomorphous globular crystals, evidence for taxon-specific crystal morphologies. The results of this study highlighted the importance of combining various techniques in order to understand the geomicrobiology of karstic caves, but further studies are needed to determine whether the mineralogical biosignatures found in nutrient-rich media can also be found in oligotrophic caves.

scholarly journals Colonization of Mucin by Human Intestinal Bacteria and Establishment of Biofilm Communities in a Two-Stage Continuous Culture System

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 7483-7492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Macfarlane ◽  
Emma J. Woodmansey ◽  
George T. Macfarlane
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Culture ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Intestinal Bacteria ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Continuous Culture System

ABSTRACT The human large intestine is covered with a protective mucus coating, which is heavily colonized by complex bacterial populations that are distinct from those in the gut lumen. Little is known of the composition and metabolic activities of these biofilms, although they are likely to play an important role in mucus breakdown. The aims of this study were to determine how intestinal bacteria colonize mucus and to study physiologic and enzymatic factors involved in the destruction of this glycoprotein. Colonization of mucin gels by fecal bacteria was studied in vitro, using a two-stage continuous culture system, simulating conditions of nutrient availability and limitation characteristic of the proximal (vessel 1) and distal (vessel 2) colon. The establishment of bacterial communities in mucin gels was investigated by selective culture methods, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, in association with fluorescently labeled 16S rRNA oligonucleotide probes. Gel samples were also taken for analysis of mucin-degrading enzymes and measurements of residual mucin sugars. Mucin gels were rapidly colonized by heterogeneous bacterial populations, especially members of the Bacteroides fragilis group, enterobacteria, and clostridia. Intestinal bacterial populations growing on mucin surfaces were shown to be phylogenetically and metabolically distinct from their planktonic counterparts.

scholarly journals Intragenic Antimicrobial Peptide Hs02 Hampers the Proliferation of Single- and Dual-Species Biofilms of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus: A Promising Agent for Mitigation of Biofilm-Associated Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 3604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucinda J. Bessa ◽  
Julia R. Manickchand ◽  
Peter Eaton ◽  
José Roberto S. A. Leite ◽  
Guilherme D. Brand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Generalized Polarization ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two major pathogens involved in a large variety of infections. Their co-occurrence in the same site of infection has been frequently reported and is linked to enhanced virulence and difficulty of treatment. Herein, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of an intragenic antimicrobial peptide (IAP), named Hs02, which was uncovered from the human unconventional myosin 1H protein, were investigated against several P. aeruginosa and S. aureus strains, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated on single- and dual-species biofilms of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Moreover, the effect of peptide Hs02 on the membrane fluidity of the strains was assessed through Laurdan generalized polarization (GP). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of peptide Hs02 ranged from 2 to 16 μg/mL against all strains and MDR isolates. Though Hs02 was not able to hamper biofilm formation by some strains at sub-MIC values, it clearly affected 24 h preformed biofilms, especially by reducing the viability of the bacterial cells within the single- and dual-species biofilms, as shown by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images. Laurdan GP values showed that Hs02 induces membrane rigidification in both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Peptide Hs02 can potentially be a lead for further improvement as an antibiofilm agent.

Confocal microscopy analysis of native, full length and B-domain deleted coagulation factor VIII trafficking in mammalian cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (07) ◽  
pp. 23-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Becker ◽  
Jeremy Simpson ◽  
Rainer Pepperkok ◽  
Stefan Heinz ◽  
Christian Herder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Viii ◽  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Coagulation Factor ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Microscopy Analysis ◽  
Recombinant Fviii

SummaryIn mammalian cells, factor VIII (FVIII) secretion depends upon its interaction with chaperones of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and requires a unique ATP-dependent step to dissociate aggregates formed within the ER. To further elucidate mechanisms which might account for the inefficient secretion of recombinant FVIII (rFVIII), we have analyzed the pathways of recombinant full length (rFVIII-FL) and B-domain deleted (rFVIIIΔB) FVIII and compared these to the secretion route of native FVIII in primary hepatocytes. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with a pulse chase of a known secretion marker, we describe the trafficking route of FVIII, which upon release from the ER – where it colocalizes with calnexin – is transported to the Golgi complex in vesiculartubular transport complexes (VTCs) which could be further identified as being COP I coated. However, a large portion of rFVIII is retained in the ER and additionally in structures which could not be assigned to the ER, Golgi complex or intermediate compartment. Moderate BiP transcription levels indicate that this observed retention of FVIII does not reflect cellular stress due to an overexpression of FVIII-protein in transduced cells. Moreover, a pulse of newly synthesized rFVIII protein is released within 4 hrs, indicating that once rFVIII is released from the ER there is no further limitation to its secretion. Our data provide new details about the secretory route of FVIII, which may ultimately help to identify factors currently limiting the efficient and physiological expression of FVIII in gene therapy and manufacture.

scholarly journals Macropinocytosis as a Mechanism of Entry into Primary Human Urethral Epithelial Cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 1696-1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Zenni ◽  
Peter C. Giardina ◽  
Hillery A. Harvey ◽  
Jianqiang Shao ◽  
Margaret R. Ketterer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Microscopy Analysis ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

ABSTRACT Gonococcal entry into primary human urethral epithelial cells (HUEC) can occur by macropinocytosis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed lamellipodia surrounding gonococci, and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis showed organisms colocalized with M r 70,000 fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran within the cells. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors and an actin polymerization inhibitor prevented macropinocytic entry of gonococci into HUEC.

scholarly journals A Novel Hybrid Peptide Composed of LfcinB6 and KR-12-a4 With Enhanced Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Biofilm Activities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelladurai Ajish ◽  
Sungtae Yang ◽  
S. Dinesh Kumar ◽  
Eun Young Kim ◽  
Hye Jung Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Hybrid Peptide ◽  
Cell Selectivity ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Hybridizing two known antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is a simple and effective strategy for designing antimicrobial agents with enhanced cell selectivity against bacterial cells. Here, we generated a hybrid peptide Lf-KR in which LfcinB6 and KR-12-a4 were linked with a Pro hinge to obtain a novel AMP with potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biofilm activities. Lf-KR exerted superior cell selectivity for bacterial cells over sheep red blood cells. Lf-KR showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities (MIC: 4–8 mM) against tested 12 bacterial strains and retained its antimicrobial activity in the presence of salts at physiological concentrations. Membrane depolarization and dye leakage assays showed that the enhanced antimicrobial activity of Lf-KR was due to increased permeabilization and depolarization of microbial membranes. Lf-KR significantly inhibited the expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (NO and TNF-a) in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In addition, Lf-KR showed a powerful eradication effect on preformed multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) biofilms. We confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy that a large portion of the preformed MDRPA biofilm structure was perturbed by the addition of Lf-KR. Collectively, our results suggest that Lf-KR can be an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biofilm candidate as a pharmaceutical agent.

scholarly journals High Adhesion and Increased Cell Death Contribute to Strong Biofilm Formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
Siddhi Desai ◽  
Kinjal Sanghrajka ◽  
Devarshi Gajjar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
High Adhesion ◽  
Biofilm Matrix

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp), is a frequent cause of hospital and community-acquired infections and WHO had declared it as a “priority pathogen”. Biofilm is a major virulence factor of Kp and yet the mechanism of strong biofilm formation in Kp is unclear. A key objective of the present study is to investigate the differences between strong and weak biofilms formed by clinical isolates of Kp on various catheters and in different media conditions and to identify constituents contributing to strong biofilm formation. Quantification of matrix components (extracellular DNA (eDNA), protein, exopolysaccharides (EPS), and bacterial cells), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) and flow-cytometry analysis were performed to compare strong and weak biofilm matrix. Our results suggest increased biofilm formation on latex catheters compared to silicone and silicone-coated latex catheters. Higher amounts of eDNA, protein, EPS, and dead cells were observed in the strong biofilm of Kp. High adhesion capacity and cell death seem to play a major role in formation of strong Kp biofilms. The enhanced eDNA, EPS, and protein in the biofilm matrix appear as a consequence of increased cell death.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document