Improving CoQ10 productivity by strengthening glucose transmembrane of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Background Several Rhodobacter sphaeroides have been widely applied in commercial CoQ10 production, but they have poor glucose use. Strategies for enhancing glucose use have been widely exploited in R. sphaeroides. Nevertheless, little research has focused on the role of glucose transmembrane in the improvement of production. Results There are two potential glucose transmembrane pathways in R. sphaeroides ATCC 17023: the fructose specific-phosphotransferase system (PTSFru, fruAB) and non-PTS that relied on glucokinase (glk). fruAB mutation revealed two effects on bacterial growth: inhibition at the early cultivation phase (12–24 h) and promotion since 36 h. Glucose metabolism showed a corresponding change in characteristic vs. the growth. For ΔfruAΔfruB, maximum biomass (Biomax) was increased by 44.39% and the CoQ10 content was 27.08% more than that of the WT. glk mutation caused a significant decrease in growth and glucose metabolism. Over-expressing a galactose:H+ symporter (galP) in the ΔfruAΔfruB relieved the inhibition and enhanced the growth further. Finally, a mutant with rapid growth and high CoQ10 titer was constructed (ΔfruAΔfruB/tac::galPOP) using several glucose metabolism modifications and was verified by fermentation in 1 L fermenters. Conclusions The PTSFru mutation revealed two effects on bacterial growth: inhibition at the early cultivation phase and promotion later. Additionally, biomass yield to glucose (Yb/glc) and CoQ10 synthesis can be promoted using fruAB mutation, and glk plays a key role in glucose metabolism. Strengthening glucose transmembrane via non-PTS improves the productivity of CoQ10 fermentation.

Large-scale comparison of biomass and reproductive phenology among native and non-native populations of the seagrass Zostera japonica

Large-scale analysis along latitude or temperature gradients can be an effective method for exploring the potential roles of light and temperature in controlling seagrass phenology. In this study, we investigated effects of latitude and temperature on seagrass biomass and reproductive seasonality. Zostera japonica is an intertidal seagrass with a wide latitudinal distribution expanding from tropical to temperate zones in its native range in Asia, with an additional non-native distribution in North America. We collated available data on phenological traits (timings of peak biomass or reproduction, durations of biomass growth and reproductive season, and maximum biomass or reproductive ratio) from publications and our own observations. Traits were compared among geographic groups: Asia-tropical, Asia-temperate, and North America-temperate. We further examined relationships between traits and latitude and temperature for 3 population groups: Asian, North American, and all populations. Our analysis revealed significant variation among geographic groups in maximum biomass, peak reproductive timing, and maximum reproductive ratio, but not in other traits. Maximum biomass and peak reproductive timing for Asian and all populations were significantly correlated with latitude and temperature. Maximum biomass was highest at mid-latitudes or intermediate temperatures and decreased toward distribution range limits, and peak reproductive timing occurred later in the year at higher latitudes or cooler sites. North American populations showed shorter growth durations and greater reproductive ratios at higher latitude. Different responses observed for North American populations may reflect effects of introduction. Our study demonstrates potential variation among geographic regions and between native and non-native populations.

Improving CoQ10 Productivity by Strengthening Glucose Transmembrane of Rhodobacter Sphaeroides

Background: Many Rhodobacter sphaeroides have been widely applied in commercial CoQ10 production, but they have poor glucose use. Strategies for enhancing glucose use have been widely exploited in R. sphaeroides. Nevertheless, little research has focused on the role of glucose transmembrane in the improvement of production.Results: There are two potential glucose transmembrane pathways in R. sphaeroides ATCC 17023: the fructose specific-phosphotransferase system (PTSFru, fruAB) and non-PTS that relied on glucokinase (glk). fruAB mutation revealed two effects on bacterial growth: inhibition at the early cultivation phase (12-24 h) and promotion since 36 h. Glucose metabolism showed a corresponding change in characteristic vs. the growth. For △fruA△fruB, maximum biomass (Biomax) was increased by 44.39 % and the CoQ10 content was 27.08 % more than that of the WT. glk mutation caused a significant decrease in growth and glucose metabolism. Overexpressing a galactose:H+ symporter (galP) in the △fruA△fruB relieved the inhibition and enhanced the growth further. Finally, a mutant with rapid growth and high CoQ10 yield was constructed (△fruA△fruB/tac::galPOP) using several glucose metabolism modifications and was verified by fermentation in a 10-L fermenter.Conclusions: The PTSFru mutation revealed two effects on bacterial growth: inhibition at the early cultivation phase and promotion later. Additionally, biomass yield to glucose (Ybio/glc) and CoQ10 synthesis can be promoted using fruAB mutation, and glk plays a key role in glucose metabolism. Strengthening glucose transmembrane via non-PTS improves the productivity of CoQ10 fermentation.

Evaluation and Characterization of Microalgae from Kalaburagi Region as a Potential Source of Biomass Production

Microalgaes are considered for a large number of applications such as biomass and energy production due to their increased capability of biomass production. Various biotic and abiotic factors influence the growth of microalgae. Among the abiotic factors include the temperature, light intensity, pH of the medium, salinity, and nutritional conditions play the major role. Ten samples of microalgae were collected from different sites of water bodies from Gulbarga University campus. The microalgae isolated were identified and characterized using light microscope, SEM and PCR based 18s rRNA. Influence of cultural conditions such as carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, temperature and salinity on biomass production were studied and analyzed. Among the strains identified, a novel species was isolated and identified as Scenedesmus vacuolatus AK1. The maximum growth rate and biomass productivity can be achieved by providing glucose as carbon source and urea as nitrogen sources at an optimum of 0.5gm/l and 0.1mg/l irrespectively. It was also observed that the strain showed a good growth profile and increase in biomass production at an optimum alkaline pH of 8. Maximum biomass productivity of 0.6g/l was observed at an optimum temperature of 30˚C in BG-11 medium. Maximum biomass yield of 1.45g/l was observed at 5mM NaCl concentration.

Effects of cofD gene knock-out on the methanogenesis of Methanobrevibacter ruminantium

This study aimed to investigate the effects of cofD gene knock-out on the synthesis of coenzyme F420 and production of methane in Methanobrevibacter ruminantium (M. ruminantium). The experiment successfully constructed a cofD gene knock-out M. ruminantium via homologous recombination technology. The results showed that the logarithmic phase of mutant M. ruminantium (12 h) was lower than the wild-type (24 h). The maximum biomass and specific growth rate of mutant M. ruminantium were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of wild-type, and the maximum biomass of mutant M. ruminantium was approximately half of the wild-type; meanwhile, the proliferation was reduced. The synthesis amount of coenzyme F420 of M. ruminantium was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) after the cofD gene knock-out. Moreover, the maximum amount of H2 consumed and CH4 produced by mutant were 14 and 2% of wild-type M. ruminantium respectively. In conclusion, cofD gene knock-out induced the decreased growth rate and reproductive ability of M. ruminantium. Subsequently, the synthesis of coenzyme F420 was decreased. Ultimately, the production capacity of CH4 in M. ruminantium was reduced. Our research provides evidence that cofD gene plays an indispensable role in the regulation of coenzyme F420 synthesis and CH4 production in M. ruminantium.

EFFECT OF NITRATE AND PHOSPATE CONCENTRATION ON Spirulina platensis WITH INDOOR SCALE

One of the microalgae that are widely used in the industrial world is Spirulina platensis which has high nutritional content of protein, fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. In its growth, this microalgae requires media and the addition of macronutrients nitrate and phosphate which greatly affect the growth and productivity of S. platensis biomass. This study aims to determine the effect of nitrate and phosphate concentrations on S. platensis biomass on an indoor scale and to determine the optimal nitrate and phosphate concentrations to achieve maximum biomass. This research was conducted in August 2020 as an experimental method, with culturing S. platensis with the addition of different concentrations of nitrate and phosphate. The design used in this study was a Completely Randomized Design consisting of 5 treatments that are 0 ppm, 10 ppm, 20 ppm, 30 ppm, and 40 ppm, each treatment with 3 repetitions. The source of nitrate and phosphate used is NPK. Water quality parameters during culture with temperatures ranging from 29-30oC, salinity 25-26 ppt, and pH 8. The optimal concentrations of nitrate and phosphate to achieve the maximum biomass is in treatment C (30 ppm) with a total of biomass 0,43 g. Whereas in treatment D (40 ppm) the biomass did not show a significant increase because the dose was too high with a total of biomass only 0,299 g

The Effects of Total Dissolved Carbon Dioxide on the Growth Rate, Biochemical Composition, and Biomass Productivity of Nonaxenic Microalgal Polyculture

The biosequestration of CO2 using microalgae has emerged as a promising means of recycling CO2 into biomass via photosynthesis, which could be used to produce biofuels as an attractive approach to CO2 mitigation. We investigated the CO2 fixation capability of the native nonaxenic microalgal culture using a 2 L photobioreactor operated in batch mode. The cultivation was carried out at varying concentrations of total dissolved CO2 (Tco2) in the bulk media ranging from 200 to 1000 mg L−1, and the temperature and light intensities were kept constant. A maximum CO2 fixation rate was observed at 400 mg L−1 of Tco2. Characteristic growth parameters such as biomass productivity, specific growth rate, maximum biomass yield, and biochemical parameters such as carbohydrate, protein, and lipids were determined and discussed. We observed that the effect of CO2 concentration on growth and biochemical composition was quite significant. The maximum biomass productivity was 22.10 ± 0.70 mg L−1 day−1, and the rate of CO2 fixation was 28.85 ± 3.00 mg L−1 day−1 at 400 mg L−1 of Tco2. The maximum carbohydrate (8.17 ± 0.49% dry cell weight) and protein (30.41 ± 0.65%) contents were observed at 400 mg L−1, whereas the lipid content (56.00 ± 0.82% dry cell weight) was the maximum at 800 mg L−1 of Tco2 in the bulk medium.

Growth of Lettuce (Lactucasativa L.) Plant Under Red-Blue-White Light and Grow Light LEDs in Plant Factory System

Indoor culture requires a variety of inputs to get maximum biomass. These inputs are the nutrients, temperature, humidity, and light which plants needed to photosynthesize. Different types of light have been studied and it is known that the same spectrum will give different responses by different plants. The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of red-blue-white light LED on lettuce growth compared to grow light LED as a control which commonly used in plant factory rooms. The red-blue-white light is arranged on a 100 cm long aluminum rod, mounted along the plant in a gully DFT hydroponic fed by 1000-2000 ppm nutrients of ABmix plus with a pH of 5.5-6.5. LED grow light provided the plant a significantly higher height of 16.30% compared to red-blue-white light, but was no different to the length of lettuce root. The number and the area of leaves in red-blue-white light were markedly higher at 16.67% and 33.78% respectively than grow light. In addition, the red-blue-white light increased the chlorophyll content, fresh weight, and dry weight of lettuce plants, by 25.00%, 101.49% and 58.13% consecutively. Therefore, these results suggested that the red-blue-white LED light provided a significant higher biomass than the grow light LED.

Optimization of medium composition for propagation of recombinant Escherichia coli

Recombinant protein production in heterologous hosts often seems a simpler and more effective way than its production by natural producer. The secretion of recombinant protein in Escherichia coli has many advantages comparing to than in insect or mammalian cells. The important factor for high-level recombinant protein production is the sufficient amount of E. coli biomass. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimize the composition of propagation medium resulting in the maximum biomass yield of recombinant E. coli as the part of fermentation strategy for neuraminidase (NA) production. Three independent variables including glucose, asparagine and phosphate concentrations, and four dependent variables, such as biomass yield, residual concentrations of glucose or asparagine and pH of the propagation medium after fermentation, were chosen to the optimization by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for the maximum biomass yield expressed as dry cell weight (DCW) (16.57±0.55 g DCW.L−1) were as follows: glucose concentration of 39.37 mM, asparagine concentration of 62.68 mM and phosphate concentration of 14.80 mM. For this model, the predicted values for the responses are close to the experimental values. The yield of desired pET15b-neu plasmid from E. coli cells cultivated in optimized propagation medium was almost 23 % higher than in commonly used Luria-Bertani (LB) medium suggesting that asparagine may be involved in the induction of plasmid amplification.