ISSN 2736-1756
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Studies on the bioutilization of some petroleum hydrocarbons by single and mixed cultures of some bacterial species
Anene Moneke* and Chika Nwangwu
Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Accepted 19 January, 2019
Abstract
The ability of four bacterial species (Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp. and Proteus sp.) to utilize some petroleum hydrocarbons (kerosene, engine oil and automotive oil) was studied. Laboratory experiments were conducted over a five day period in Erlenmeyer flasks containing mineral salt medium (MSM) under aerobic conditions using the hydrocarbons as carbon sources. A bacteria consortium capable of utilizing the hydrocarbons was prepared from the bacterial cultures. All the bacterial species utilized the hydrocarbons as sole carbon and energy sources showing increases in cell number and optical density with decreases in pH of the culture media, and carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution. Data from statistical analyses showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the utilization competence of the bacterial cultures on the three hydrocarbon substrates. A significant variation was observed between the efficiency of single and mixed bacteria cultures. Mixed bacterial cultures showed the most appreciable growth on the substrates tested. It was also observed that Pseudomonas sp. utilized the three hydrocarbons better than the other bacterial species. This study has shown that the mixed bacterial cultures have potential application in the bioremediation of sites polluted with kerosene, engine oil and automotive oil and can assist researchers in developing strategies for removing hydrocarbon pollutants from the environment.
Key words: Biodegradation, bioremediation, mixed bacterial cultures, hydrocarbons, bacterial consortium.
Chika Nwangwu, Anene Moneke*
Short Communication
Effect of Tai Chi exercise on older people with nephritis
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Effect of Tai Chi exercise on older people with nephritis
Cao Yun1 and Niu Aijun2*
1Department of Sport of Zunyi Normal University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563002, China.
2Wushu Department, Guangzhou Sport Universtiy, Guangzhou 510500, China.
Accepted 19 January, 2019
Abstract
To evaluate the effect of Tai Chi exercise on older people with nephritis, 124 older people with nephritis were asked to practice Tai Chi exercise for 40 min once every day. Results showed that Tai Chi” quan exercise significantly decrease high-shear whole blood viscosity, low-shear whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hematocrit (HCT), usea nitrogen, creatinine and creatinine scavenging rate during 12 months of practice. This indicates that Tai Chi exercise is beneficial to prevent and delay nephritis deterioration.
Key words: Tai Chi, nephritis, old people, hematocrit (HCT).
Niu Aijun*, Cao Yun
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Bacteriophage specific to nisin producing-Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis TFF221, a starter culture inThai fermented food
Parichat Phumkhachorn and Pongsak Rattanachaikunsopon*
Department of Biological Science, Ubon Ratchathani University, Warin Chamrap, Ubon Ratchathani 34190, Thailand.
Accepted 01 January, 2019
Abstract
A lytic bacteriophage fTFF221, specific for nisin- producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis TFF221, was first isolated from kung-jom, a Thai traditional fermented shrimp paste. The plaques were clear and round-shaped on the lawn of bacteria, indicating its lytic activity. Restriction analysis indicated that genome of phage fTFF221 was double-stranded DNA. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that it had an icosahedral head with a contractile tail and a baseplate, and might be tentatively classified as a member of the Myoviridae family. Structural protein profile of phage fTFF221 by SDS-PAGE showed five bands with molecular masses estimated at, 45.3, 39.8, 26.8, 16.5, and 8.9 kDa. One-step growth experiment of its lytic activity appeared latent, and burst periods of 30 and 120 min, respectively, with a burst size of about 60 PFU/infected cell. The phage was highly specific to its host. None of the tested LAB strains was sensitive to phage fTFF221. Phage was stable over a wide pH range of 4 to 10 at 30°C for 1 h, and survived after heating at 70°C for at least 3 min. Phage had more survivals in 1 to 5% of NaCl than in 10% of NaCl. Kinetic monitoring of L. lactis subsp. lactis TFF221-GFP+ starter, which was containing pN014-GFP and had a fluorescent ability, and phage fTFF221 in food model, demonstrated the considerable decrease in the number of the starter in the presence of phage. Knowledge of these basic properties of this phage might be important for the development of using starter fermentation.
Key words: Bacteriophage, fermented food, Lactococcus lactis.
Parichat Phumkhachorn, Pongsak Rattanachaikunsopon*
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluation of the correlation between Aflatoxin B1 production and Aspergillus contamination in rice bran from northern Iran
Fatemeh Zaboli1*, Alireza Khosravi2 and Hojjatollah Shokri3
1Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAU) of Tehran, Iran.
2Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mazandaran, Amol, Iran.
Accepted 10 January, 2019
Abstract
Aflatoxins are potent mycotoxins, which are produced by toxigenic Aspergillus species including Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The goals of this study were to characterize Aspergillus fungus isolated from rice bran and to determine the correlation between Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production and Aspergillus contamination in the samples. Thirty rice bran samples were collected from different regions of Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Samples containing 15 specimens were conserved for one year in the storage and the other one was not subjected to storage. Mycological analysis of rice bran was performed and AFB1 was purified from the samples and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with fluorimetry detection. The results of this study showed that almost all collected samples contained AFB1. The averages of AFB1 in new and old rice bran samples were found to be 5.07 and 6.81 µg/kg, respectively. No significant difference was obtained between AFB1 value in new and old samples. In addition, the correlation between culture results and aflatoxin production were significantly observed only in old samples (P<0.05). The most frequent isolated Aspergillus species were Aspergillus terreus, A.flavus, Aspergillus niger, A. parasiticus and Aspergillus fumigatus. In conclusion, these results confirmed that rice bran could be contaminated with AFB1 and toxigenic Aspergillus species and human beings are in danger of been affected by contaminated rice products.
Key words: Aflatoxin B1, rice bran, toxigenic Aspergillus species.
Alireza Khosravi and Hojjatollah Shokri, Fatemeh Zaboli*
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Comparison of the VersaTrek and BACTEC MGIT 960 systems for the contamination rate, time of detection and recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens
Pelin Yuksel*, Suat Saribas and Yasar Bagdatli
Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, stanbul, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Turkey.
Accepted 21 January, 2019
Abstract
The most commonly used conventional Lowenstein Jensen (L.J) culture method requires at least 6 to 10 weeks of incubation due to the slow growth rate of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Today, there are liquid automated systems to detect mycobacteria than faster conventional LJ culture method. In this study, we aimed to compare of the VersaTrek system and BACTEC MGIT 960 system for the contamination rate and recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens. The recovery rates of mycobacteria were detected as 4% (2/50) for both of the VersaTrek and MGIT 960 systems. No statistically significant difference was detected for the recovery rates of mycobacteria in both of the systems (p>0.05). Two strains were detected on 12 and 15 day in MGIT 960 system. Two strains were detected on 15 and 20 day in VersaTrek system. No statistically significant difference was detected for the time of detection of mycobacteria in both of the systems (p>0.05). The contamination rates were found as 10% (5/50) and 6% (3/50) in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek, systems respectively (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected for the contamination rates for both of the systems. Antituberculosis resistance tests were performed using with antituberculosis agents in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems. The two strains were found sensitive against to streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol in MGIT 960 system. The two strains were found sensitive against to isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol in VersaTrek system. Streptomycin was not used in VersaTrek system because there is no standardization for streptomycin. We also examined the time of detection of 5 confirmed M. tuberculosis complex members in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems. When the time of detection in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems were compared, no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). In conclusion, no substantial difference has been observed between MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems for M. tuberculosis isolation and contamination rate. We believe that VersaTrek media, which is going to be put into use in Turkey, is easy for application and follow up, gives rapid and sensitive results and that it can be used in routine alike MGIT media.
Key words: VersaTrek, MGIT 960, M.tuberculosis.
Suat Saribas and Yasar Bagdatli, Pelin Yuksel*
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Soluble proteome analysis of male Ericerus pela Chavannes cuticle at the stage of the second instar larva
Pu Yang1, Jiaying Zhu2, Meng Li1, Junmin Li3 and Xiaoming Chen1*
1Key laboratory of Cultivating and Utilization of Resources Insects of State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, Yunnan, 650224, China.
2Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, College of Conservation Biology, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650224, China.
3State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310029, China.
Accepted 07 January, 2019
Abstract
Shotgun liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC -MS/MS) were employed to character the soluble proteome of male Ericerus pela cuticle at the stage of the second instar larva. A total of 278 protein groups (2584 peptides) were identified that involved in a wide spectrum of biological process and molecular function. The proteins were classified into seven categories according to their corresponding functions. Molecular weight (MW) of these identified proteins range from 11 kD to above 110 kD. (isoelectric point) pI were distributed in a range of pH 3.5 to 11.0. Gene ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the proteins involved in binding, catalytic, cellular process, metabolic process, biological regulation and protein folding, sorting and degradation are highest. Many important functional proteins related to cell motility and cytoskeleton, stress response, DNA transcription translation and signal transduction were identified. Most heat shock proteins were identified in the proteome of E. pela cuticle at this stage. Chitin deacetylase, gasp and chemosensory protein (CSP) was also identified. The results were expected to provide a better understanding of the development of E. pela.
Key words: Shotgun liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, proteome, cuticle, biological process, pathway, metabolism.
Pu Yang, Meng Li, Junmin Li and Xiaoming Chen*, Jiaying Zhu