Abstract
Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) are obligate predatory bacteria that selectively prey on a broad range of Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant human pathogens. Due to their unique lifestyle, they have been long recognized as a potential therapeutic and biocontrol agent. Research on BALOs has rapidly grown over the recent decade, resulting in many publications concerning molecular details of bacterial predation as well as applications thereof in medicine and biotechnology. This review summarizes the current knowledge on biotechnological potential of obligate predatory bacteria and their secreted enzymes.
Highlights
Reviewed by: David Edward Whitworth, Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom Or Rotem, Evogene Ltd., Israel Allison Zwaryc, Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom, in collaboration with reviewer DW
Other Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs), including Bdellovibrio exovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus employ an epibiotic strategy of predation, in which the predator remains attached to the prey cell and consumes it from the outside before dividing into two daughter cells (Jurkevitch, 2007; Pasternak et al, 2014; Pérez et al, 2016)
The results demonstrate an inability of B. bacteriovorus and M. aeruginosavorus to invade mammalian cells, and no apparent pathological effects or signs of cytotoxicity or reduction in cell viability, supporting the proposition that these two BALOs are inherently non-pathogenic to mammals (Westergaard and Kramer, 1977; Atterbury et al, 2011; Dwidar et al, 2012b; Gupta et al, 2016; Willis et al, 2016; Shatzkes et al, 2015, 2016, 2017b)
Summary
In both natural and man-made habitats, contamination of microorganisms can sometimes have detrimental outcomes. Biological control, meaning the use of any organism to target an undesirable population of another, is a technique being increasingly recognized for its low cost and limited adverse effects on the environment, wildlife and public health (Kergunteuil et al, 2016) It follows that the idea of using predatory bacteria as a biocontrol agent is gaining momentum. Ottaviani et al (2019) demonstrated that B. bacteriovorus is able to control E. coli and other spoilage bacteria in meat products This preliminary study showed that predatory bacteria can complement current methods of food spoilage prevention, as well as be a natural alternative to preservatives and antioxidants. Limited the number of contaminating bacteria, thereby promoting microalgae growth and the production of green biofuel Another pressing environmental and economical concern is the amount of “waste activated sludge” generated by WWTPs. Waste activated sludge is the excess microorganisms that need to be removed to maintain balance within the biological system. As several of their potential biocontrol applications could help ease human footprint, BALOs research is of high value and very much in line with current political trends
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