Growth and Phytase Activities of Bacillus subtilis IMV B-7023 During Cultivation with Sodium Phytate

Bacteria of the genus Bacillus are known for their ability to mineralize organic phosphorus compounds. Phytates constitute up to 60–80% of the total plant phosphorus and almost 50% of soil organic phosphorus. Phytates phosphorus is unavailable for plants. Bacillus can synthesize phosphatases both wide spectrum of action, and highly specific phytases that catalyze the hydrolysis of phytates. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the growth and phytase activity of Bacillus subtilis IMV B-7023, which is the component of the ”Azogran” complex bacterial preparation for plant growing. Methods. The growth activity of bacteria was studied by cultivation methods, the phytase activity – by measuring the amount of phosphate released from sodium phytate during the enzymatic reaction. Results. It was shown that B. subtilis IMV B-7023 assimilated phytate as the source of phosphorus nutrition during cultivation in media with 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/L of sodium phytate. The highest growth activity of these bacteria was observed after two days of cultivation in medium with 1.0 g/L of phytate. The number of bacteria was (3.91±0.32)×109 CFU/mL under these conditions. At the same time, B. subtilis IMV B-7023 demonstrated a low level of phytate assimilation as a source of carbon nutrition. Thus, after two days of cultivation the number of bacteria increased from (4.12±0.09)×106 CFU/mL to (1.07±0.07–3.11±0.51)×107 CFU/mL in the presence of 0.5–2.0 g/L phytate in the medium and the absence of another carbon source. It was determined that strain B. subtilis IMV B-7023 had phytase activity, the highest activity (221.85±0.12 U/g) was on the first day of their cultivation in medium with inorganic phosphates. It should be noted that B. subtilis IMV B-7023 phytase activity was lower during cultivating in medium with sodium phytate as a source of phosphorus nutrition, than in medium with inorganic phosphates. The obtained fact may be due to phytate hydrolysis by widespecific phosphatases. Higher rates of phytase activity obtained on the first and third days compared to the second and fourth days of bacterial cultivation may indicate the expression of phosphatases genes only in the period required for maximum bacterial development, in the absence of these proteins in the media. At the same time, the phytase activity of B. subtilis IMV B-7023 after 2 days cultivation in a media with 0.5 and 1.0 g/L of sodium phytate (194.80±0.15 U/g and 160.90±0.13 U/g, respectively) as the source of carbon and phosphorus was higher compared to the activity of bacteria on medium with inorganic phosphates (137.79±0.10 U/g). This may be caused by the synthesis of a larger number of highly specific phosphatases (phytases) in bacterial cells at the presence of only phytate in the medium as a substrate. Conclusions. B. subtilis IMV B-7023 strain is characterized by growth on nutrient medium with sodium phytate and phytase activity. Because they are soil microorganisms used as the component of the ”Azogran” complex bacterial preparation for plant growing, the ability to hydrolyze and assimilate phytate is important for functioning of this strain in the rhizosphere. The obtained results extend the understanding of B. subtilis IMV B-7023 influence on phosphorus nutrition and development of plants.

Nutritional Chemical Analysis of Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) Accessions from the State of Tabasco, Mexico

Objective: To determine the main nutritional properties and content of bioactive compounds of five varieties of taro, grown in the municipalities of Huimanguillo and Cunduacán, Tabasco. Methodology: The Campechana, Chiapaneca, Tabasqueña, Dulce (P1 and P2) varieties were evaluated to determine their proximal chemical composition, non-nutritional compounds, and antioxidant activity. An analysis of variance and the Tukey test were applied to the data obtained. Results: These varieties had a protein, lipid, ash, and moisture content of 1.13-3.95, 0.64-2.94, 1.58-7.32, and 2.28-5.34 %, respectively. In all cases, the starch content stood out with 62.7-74.7% values. This compound is important in the food industry because its functional properties enable its use in various food systems or other applications. Among the non-nutritional compounds, the following concentrations were identified: phytates (0.235-0.40 Eq/g sodium phytate / 100 g sample); total phenols (0.54-5.76 Eq/g gallic acid / 100 g sample); condensed phenols (1.20-1.51 Eq/mg catechin / 100 g sample); saponins (0.37-1.02 Eq/mg Diosgenin / 100 g sample); and trypsin inhibitors (0.00-0.70 UIT / 100 g sample). Finally, the antioxidant activity had 0.29-0.57 Eq/mg of trolox / g of flour values. Limitations: This work had no limitations. Conclusions: The varieties evaluated presented low concentration of non-nutritional compounds and adequate antioxidant activity; therefore, the taro varieties from the State of Tabasco can be considered sources of starch and compounds with antioxidant activity.

Innovative Polyelectrolyte Treatment to Flame-Retard Wood

Fire protection has been a major challenge in wood construction for many years, mainly due to the high flame spread risk associated with wood flooring. Wood fire-retardancy is framed by two main axes: coating and bulk impregnation. There is a growing need for economically and environmentally friendly alternatives. The study of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) for wood substrates is in its infancy, but PECs’ versatility and eco-friendly character are already recognized for fabric fire-retardancy fabrics. In this study, a new approach to PEC characterization is proposed. First, PECs, which consist of polyethyleneimine and sodium phytate, were chemically and thermally characterized to select the most promising systems. Then, yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) was surface-impregnated under reduced pressure with the two PECs identified as the best options. Overall, wood fire-retardancy was improved with a low weight gain of 2 wt.% without increasing water uptake.

Exploring the Functional Properties of Sodium Phytate Doped Polyaniline Nanofibers Modified FTO Electrodes for High-Performance Binder Free Symmetric Supercapacitors

The performance of high-rate supercapacitors requires fine morphological and electrical properties of the electrode. Polyaniline (PANI), as one of the most promising materials for energy storage, shows different behaviour on different substrates. The present study reports on the surface modification of fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) with the sodium phytate doped PANI without any binder and its utilization as a novel current collector in symmetric supercapacitor devices. The electrochemical behaviour of the sodium phytate doped PANI thin film with and without a binder on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) as current collector was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The electrode without a binder showed higher electrocatalytic efficiency. A symmetrical cell configuration was therefore constructed with the binder-free electrodes. The device showed excellent electrochemical performance with high specific capacities of 550 Fg−1 at 1 Ag−1 and 355 Fg−1 at 40 Ag−1 calculated from galvanostatic discharge curves. The low charge transfer and solution resistances (RCT and RS) of 7.86 Ωcm² and 3.58 × 10−1 Ωcm², respectively, and superior rate capability of 66.9% over a wide current density range of 1 Ag−1 to 40 Ag−1 and excellent cycling stability with 90% of the original capacity over 1000 charge/discharge cycles at 40 Ag−1, indicated it to be an efficient energy storage device. Moreover, the gravimetric energy and power density of the supercapacitor was remarkably high, providing 73.8 Whkg−1 at 500 Wkg−1, respectively. The gravimetric energy density remained stable as the power density increased. It even reached up to 49.4 Whkg−1 at a power density of up to 20 Wkg−1.

Reduction of extrinsic tooth stain by a toothpaste containing 10% high cleaning silica, 0.5% sodium phytate and 0.5% sodium pyrophosphate: an 8-week randomised clinical trial

Objective To assess the effects for controlling extrinsic tooth stain of a whitening toothpaste containing 10% high cleaning silica, 0.5% sodium phytate and 0.5% sodium pyrophosphate, in comparison with a negative control toothpaste. Methods A total of 86 adults who met with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were invited to take part in the study. They were distributed into test and control groups randomly. At baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, the same examiner provided the clinical examinations, including evaluations of oral soft and hard tissues and measurements of tooth stain of the anterior teeth using the Lobene Stain Index. Adverse events and any changes in general health conditions of the patients were monitored. Results When the study was completed, comparisons between patients in test and control groups yielded statistically significant differences in Lobene stain adjusted mean area score [0.83 (0.05) vs. 1.13 (0.05)], Lobene stain adjusted mean intensity score [0.99 (0.06) vs. 1.32 (0.06)] and Lobene stain adjusted mean composite score [1.45 (0.13) vs. 2.50 (0.13)] (All, P < 0.001). Patients in the test group exhibited reductions of 26.55%, 25% and 42%, respectively in Lobene stain area, intensity and composite scores, relative to patients in the control group. Comparisons within groups showed that all three Lobene scores at 8 weeks in both groups were lower than those at baseline (All, P < 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that 8-week use of a toothpaste containing 10% high cleaning silica, 0.5% sodium phytate and 0.5% sodium pyrophosphate can effectively reduce extrinsic tooth stain. Trial registration NCT04238429 (before enrollment of the first participant). Data register: March 4, 2018.

Surface Properties of Spray-Assisted Layer-By-Layer ElectroStatic Self-Assembly Treated Wooden Take-Off Board

Wooden take-off board is easy to crack, deform, discolor, and decay when it is used outdoors, which not only increases maintenance costs but also reduces its service life. Multifunctional coatings with UV-resistant, water-repellent, and flame-retardant properties were successfully obtained on the surface of a wooden take-off board substrate by spray-assisted layer-by-layer self-assembly. The coatings consisted of positively-charged chitosan, Al (OH)3, and negatively-charged sodium phytate through electrostatic adsorption several times. The treated wood exhibited high UV resistance, and the color remained constant after 720 hours of ultraviolet irradiation. The wettability of the wood surface after treatment became superhydrophobic, with initial static contact angles as high as 140°. In addition, limiting oxygen index and air exposure combustion tests were used to verify that chitosan, sodium phytate, and aluminum hydroxide could synergistically confer significant fire resistance to modified wood.

Do methanotrophs drive phosphorus mineralization in soil ecosystem?

Experiments were carried out to elucidate linkage between methane consumption and mineralization of P from different phosphorous sources. The treatments were no CH4 no P amendment absolute control, with CH4 no P amendment control, with CH4 + inorganic P as Ca3(PO4)2 and with CH4 + organic P (sodium phytate). P sources were added at 25 µg P g-1 soil. Soils were incubated to undergo three repeated CH4 feeding cycle referred as feeding cycle I, feeding cycle II, and feeding cycle III. CH4 consumption rate k (µg CH4 consumed g-1 soil d-1) was 0.297 ± 0.028 in no P amendment control, 0.457±0.016 in Ca3(PO4)2, and 0.627 ± 0.013 in sodium phytate. Rate k was stimulated by 2 to 6 times over CH4 feeding cycles and followed the trend of sodium phytate > Ca3(PO4)2 > no P amendment control. CH4 consumption stimulated P solubilization from Ca3(PO4)2 by a factor of 2.86. Acid phosphatase (µg paranitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1) was higher in sodium phytate than no P amendment control. Abundance of 16S rRNA and pmoA genes increased with CH4 consumption rates. The study suggested that CH4 consumption drive mineralization of unavailable inorganic and organic P sources in the soil ecosystem.