Bacterium Bacillus Licheniformis Research Articles

Biodegradation of poly(lactic acid) and its nanocomposites

PLA nanocomposites based on organically modified montmorillonites at 5% w/w loading were prepared by melt blending using an internal mixer and then degraded in a commercial compost. The addition of nanoclays was found to increase the PLA degradation rate, especially for the highest dispersed clay in the polymer matrix. Biodegradation by microorganisms isolated from the compost showed the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis as one of the responsible for PLA biodegradation in compost. It was also found that clays can influence the polymer bacterial degradation depending on their chemical structure and affinity of the bacterium towards the clay.

Biological synthesis of gold nanocubes from Bacillus licheniformis

Microorganisms play an important role in the eco-friendly synthesis of metal nanoparticles. This study illustrates the synthesis of gold nanocubes using the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis after 48 h of incubation at room temperature. The morphology of the samples was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the particles formed were characterized to be nanocubes. The size of gold nanocubes in aqueous solution has been calculated using UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD and SEM measurements. The nanoparticles are found to be polydisperse nanocubes in the size range 10–100 nm.

Biosynthesis of silver nanocrystals by Bacillus licheniformis

The use of microorganisms for the synthesis of nanoparticles is in the limelight of modern nanotechnology. Using the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis, the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was investigated. These silver nanoparticles were characterized by means of UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nanoparticles exhibited maximum absorbance at 440 nm in UV–vis spectroscopy. The XRD spectrum of silver nanoparticles exhibited 2 θ values corresponding to the silver nanocrystal. SEM micrographs revealed the formation of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles of 50 nm, and the presence of silver was confirmed by EDX analysis.

Amylose formulations for drug delivery to the colon: a comparison of two fermentation models to assess colonic targeting performance in vitro

The purpose of this study was to develop an enzyme-based fermentation system for the in vitro assessment of colonic digestion of amylose films and coatings, and to compare its performance with a conventional fermentation model inoculated with human faecal bacteria. Amylose and ethylcellulose were mixed in different ratios and cast as isolated films, as well as spray coated onto drug-(5-aminosalicylic acid) loaded pellets. Four commercial amylase enzymes were individually screened for their ability to digest amylose cast films. The enzyme from the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis was found to be the most active against this substrate. Digestion of mixed amylose and ethylcellulose films was also observed, with the extent of digestion being proportional to the quantity of amylose present in the film. In terms of product performance, drug release from coated pellets was accelerated in the presence of the enzyme. The results with the enzyme system were comparable to those obtained from a faecal-based fermentation model, thereby suggesting that such a system has practical potential for in vitro screening of putative amylose formulations for colonic drug delivery.

GLOGER'S RULE, FEATHER-DEGRADING BACTERIA, AND COLOR VARIATION AMONG SONG SPARROWS

Abstract Feathers tend to be darkly colored in habitats where relative humidity is high and pale where it is low. We suggest that this correlation, known as Gloger's rule, results, in part, from selection for dark feathers that are more resistant than light feathers to bacterial degradation, which is a severe problem in humid habitats where bacteria thrive and a lesser problem in arid habitats. In May and June 2000–2002 we sampled feather-degrading bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis) from the plumage of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) in southeastern Arizona and northwestern Washington. Under standardized laboratory conditions, feather-degrading bacteria from the plumage of sparrows in the humid Northwest degraded feathers more rapidly and more completely than feather-degrading bacteria from sparrows of the arid Southwest. The differences in feather-degrading bacteria and in relative humidity produce a difference in the intensity of selection, which in turn produces the difference in color described in Gl...

Effect of increasing oxygen concentration on total denitrification and nitrous oxide release from soil by different bacteria

The effect of increasing oxygen concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 20 Vol% O2) on total denitrification and N20 release was studied in model experiments using a neutral pH loamy soil relatively rich in easily decomposable organic matter and supplied with nitrate (300 μg nitrate N/g dry soil). The sterilized soil was inoculated with three different denitrifying bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis,Aeromonas “denitrificans” andAzospirillum lipoferum) and incubated (80% WHC, 30°C). The gas volume was analysed for O2, CO2, N2O, NO and N2 by gas chromatography and the soil investigated for changes in ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, pH, total N and C as well as water-extractable C. WithB. licheniformis andAeromonas “denitrificans” total denitrification increased remarkably with increasing pO2 as the result of intensified mineralization.Azospirillum lipoferum, however, showed the highest activity at 5 vol% O2. WithB. licheniformis N2O was released only in anaerobic conditions and at 5 Vol% O2 (maximum) or 10 Vol% 02, but not at 20 Vol%, whereasAeromonas “denitrificans” produced N2O only in the presence of He gas (maximum) or at 5 Vol% O2. In contrast to these bacteria, N2O production withAzospirillum lipoferum was restricted to 10 Vol% O2 (maximum) and to 20 Vol% 02, with some traces at 5 vol% O2. With a certain set of conditions, total denitrification and N2O formation seem to be governed by the mineralization rate of the organisms in question. The increased demand for electron acceptors by a high turnover rate rather than the presence of anaerobic conditions seems to have determined the rate of denitrification.