Cultures Of Microorganisms Research Articles

Isolation of cultures of microorganisms from pathological material from cows

Rapidly developing antibiotic resistance limits the capabilities of veterinary specialists and doctors in the fight against infectious diseases. Effective diagnosis and continuous improvement in the field of antimicrobial therapy is the main approach in the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. According to available data, bacteria are able to develop resistance in 2-3 years, while it takes an average of 5 years to develop and test a new antimicrobial drug. In our study, bacteriological examination of samples of pathological material from cows from 10 livestock farms in different districts of the Leningrad region was carried out, followed by determination of the sensitivity of isolated crops to antibiotics. In this study, 84 samples from cows were selected and examined and 115 cultures of microorganisms were isolated. As a result of the bacteriological study of the pathological material from cows, 9 groups and types of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms were identified. The main proportion is detected on staphylococci – 35.7%, mainly Staphylococcus aureus, epidermal staphylococcus and citrus staphylococcus. Escherichia coli (23.5%) and Proteus vulgaris (20.9%) were among the microorganisms in terms of frequency of occurrence. Most of the isolated cultures had average sensitivity to gentamicin, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, cefepim, cefotaxime, neomecin; resistant to doxycycline, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, colistin, doxycycline, streptomycin, tylosin, tetracycline.

Effect of air sterilizers in an outpatient clinic at a tertiary university hospital.

After the COVID-19 outbreak, interest in airborne virus infections has increased. We considered ways to reduce the risk of infection to other people by inactivating the virus before it is inhaled into the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. We installed a recently developed air sterilizer in the newly remodeled outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital and confirmed its effectiveness. After remodeling the ENT outpatient clinic at Chonnam National University Hospital, 15 KOKKOS air sterilizers (Bentech Frontier Co., Ltd., Gwangju, Korea) were installed. Total culturable microorganisms (TCMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in five separate inspection areas three days before installation, 2 weeks after installation, and 4 weeks after installation. After measurement of TCMs, improvement in air quality occurred 2 weeks after air sterilizer instatement at all timepoints except inspection area 5, and further improvement was achieved after 4 weeks (p < 0.05). After assessment of VOCs, improvement occurred 4 weeks after air sterilizer connection at all points (p < 0.05). KOKKOS air sterilizers are effective in improving air quality in an outpatient clinic at a tertiary university hospital.

Conservation techniques for promising bacteria in the oil industry to preserve biological properties

Background: The conservation of valuable bacterial strains is crucial for various scientific, industrial, and environmental applications. Microorganisms with oil-emulsifying and oil-displacing properties are potentially significant for biotechnologies applied in the oil industry, particularly in such areas as bioremediation and tertiary enhanced oil recovery. To supply enterprises with pure cultures of microorganisms, they should be constantly maintained in the collection conditions in an active state while monitoring the preservation of their biotechnological properties. Therefore, keeping microorganism strains in working conditions and preserving their valuable properties are important for almost any work with microorganisms, ranging from primary research to their use in the production of various biopreparations.&#x0D; Aim: The article focuses on studying a method for preserving bacteria that are useful in the oil industry. This method involves modifying the technique of microencapsulating microorganism cells in alginate gel by adding glycerin, which is used as an agent with biostatic action.&#x0D; Materials and methods: The subject of research are eight hydrocarbon-oxidizing cultures of microorganisms that were sourced from the Department of Biotechnology of the al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Of these, four cultures were spore-bearing, while the other four were non-spore-bearing. The research employed microbiological methods of cultivation and storage of microorganisms in both solid and liquid media under aerobic conditions. In addition, Cooper's method was used to determine oil emulsification index and statistical methods for data analysis.&#x0D; Results: It has been found that adding glycerin (15% vol.) as a biostatic to the gel-forming matrix of sodium alginate can ensure long-term (up to 6 months) cell viability for the studied bacteria in the range of 88-96% while maintaining functionality of immobilized cells. The values of the bacteria’s oil emulsification remained at the pre-conservation levels, whereas traditional storage methods result in a lower number of viable cells after six months. It should be noted that after six months of being stored in encapsulated form with glycerin, the viability of non-sporе-forming Pseudomonas cultures is lower (88-91%) than spore-forming Bacillus (95-98%). This correlation is also is observed for traditional methods.&#x0D; Conclusion: The modern method of preserving bacteria allows for their long-term storage while maintaining functionality and viability.

Root canals disinfection with a paste based on metronidazole, chlorhexidine and levomycetin

AIM. To identify the ability of an ex tempore paste with metronidazole, chlorhexidine and chloramphenicol, to disinfect root canals in patients diagnosed with “Chronic apical periodontitis” K04.5.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study involved 30 patients, 61 root canals diagnosed with “Chronic apical periodontitis” K04.5. Treatment was carried out in accordance with clinical recommendations (treatment protocols) for the diagnosis: “Diseases of periapical tissues”, approved by Resolution No. 18 of the Council of the Association of Public Associations “Dental Association of Russia” dated September 30, 2014, updated on August 2, 2018. Biological material from the contents of the root canal was taken before and after the introduction of a paste with metronidazole, chlorhexidine and chloramphenicol into the root canal for 5 days. The following methods were used: clinical, microbiological. The total microbial number, gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, fungi were determined. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out. Statistical analysis of the data included a description of accounting characteristics and assessment of the statistical significance of changes in the studied indicators. p &lt; 0.05 was selected as the critical level of statistical significance of differences (p).RESULTS. Statistical analysis showed a pronounced, statistically significant negative dynamics for all microbiological indicators in the structure of the root canal biofilm.CONCLUSIONS. The data obtained allow us to conclude that an ex tempore paste with metronidazole, chlorhexidine and chloramphenicol can be used in the treatment of patients diagnosed with “Chronic apical periodontitis” K04.5 as an intracanal drug. It reduces all sown cultures of microorganisms in a short time (5 days).

Insights into the degradation of diesel-contaminated seawater through natural microbiota and culturable microorganisms: The overlook role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)

The role of EPS produced during biodegradation diesel-contaminated seawater, as well as the effect of EPS on natural microbiota and culturable microorganisms, remains unknown. Here, natural microbiota (pre and post enrichment with diesel) from 5 islands’ seawater in Jiaozhou Bay were explored through metagenomic and culture-dependent approaches. EPS response degradation was mainly characterized by the following aspects: 1) The post-enrichment samples contained significantly fewer dominant bacterial genera than the pre-enrichment samples, and EPS or PS (polysaccharides) promoted degradation of C16-C24 hydrocarbon fractions; 2) EPS caused higher increases in aromatic compound degradation functional genes copies; 3) EPS enhanced the enzymatic activity of alkane hydroxylase and ethanol dehydrogenase; 4) Diesel degradation by mono and mixed cultures of culturable bacteria (B1 and B2) with extracted EPS showed a higher biomass, biosurfactant production, expression of PAH-RHDα GN and cytochrome P450 genes, degradability and emulsification capacity. The above innovations provided new perspectives for oil-spill bioremediation.

Isolation and molecular characterization of microorganisms with biofertilizer potential

Biofertilizers are microbial-agro products containing mixed culture of microorganisms that promote plant growth, yield, soil quality and disease control. This study aimed to isolate, identify and screen microorganisms with biofertilizer potentials for application in farms. Soil samples were collected from farmland and waste-dump soils around University of Port Harcourt. The various microorganisms were isolated and estimated using nutrient agar, potato dextrose agar, cetrimide agar and Ashby’s agar. The microorganisms were screened for biofertilizer potentials based on nitrogen fixation, potassium and phosphate solubilization using Pikovskaya media. The results obtained from this study showed that thefarmland soil sample had a total heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts of 5.045±0.02 and 4.220±0.02 Log10Cfu/gwhile the corresponding values in the waste-dump soil was 4.890±0.30 and 3.505±0.30 Log10Cfu/g respectively. After screening, the microorganisms with biofertilizer potentials were identified as Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azotobacter chroococcum. Findings from this study have demonstrated that the microorganisms isolated from the farmland soil were more adept at nitrogen fixation and solubilizing insoluble potassium and phosphate compounds than their counterparts in waste-dump soil. These microorganisms have shown potentials to improve soil fertility and crop productivity in a sustainable way.

Gas supply apparatus using rotational motion of shaking incubator for flask culture of aerobic microorganisms.

Shake flask cultivation, a cornerstone in bioprocess research encounters limitations in supplying sufficient oxygen and exchanging gases, restricting its accuracy in assessing microbial growth and metabolic activity. In this communication, we introduce an innovative gas supply apparatus that harnesses the rotational motion of a shaking incubator to facilitate continuous air delivery, effectively overcoming these limitations. We measured the mass transfer coefficient (kLa) and conducted batch cultures of Corynebacterium glutamicum H36LsGAD using various working volumes to assess its performance. Results demonstrated that the gas supply apparatus significantly outperforms conventional silicone stoppers regarding oxygen delivery, with kLa values of 2531.7h-1 compared to 20.25h-1 at 230rpm. Moreover, in batch cultures, the gas supply apparatus enabled substantial improvements in microbial growth, maintaining exponential growth even at larger working volumes. Compared to the existing system, an increase in final cell mass by a factor of 3.4-fold was observed when utilizing 20% of the flask's volume, and a remarkable 9-fold increase was achieved when using 60%. Furthermore, the gas supply apparatus ensured consistent oxygen supply and efficient gas exchange within the flask, overcoming challenges associated with low working volumes. This approach offers a simple yet effective solution to enhance gas transfer in shake flask cultivation, bridging the gap between laboratory-scale experiments and industrial fermenters. Its broad applicability holds promise for advancing research in bioprocess optimization and scale-up endeavors.

Latest Trends in Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Ester Carbohydrate Surfactants: From Key Parameters to Opportunities and Future Development.

Carbohydrate-based surfactants are amphiphilic compounds containing hydrophilic moieties linked to hydrophobic aglycones. More specifically, carbohydrate esters are biosourced and biocompatible surfactants derived from inexpensive renewable raw materials (sugars and fatty acids). Their unique properties allow them to be used in various areas, such as the cosmetic, food, and medicine industries. These multi-applications have created a worldwide market for biobased surfactants and consequently expectations for their production. Biobased surfactants can be obtained from various processes, such as chemical synthesis or microorganism culture and surfactant purification. In accordance with the need for more sustainable and greener processes, the synthesis of these molecules by enzymatic pathways is an opportunity. This work presents a state-of-the-art lipase action mode, with a focus on the active sites of these proteins, and then on four essential parameters for optimizing the reaction: type of lipase, reaction medium, temperature, and ratio of substrates. Finally, this review discusses the latest trends and recent developments, showing the unlimited potential for optimization of such enzymatic syntheses.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm studies on three endemic species of Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) in Türkiye

The consumption of traditional medicinal herbs has gained popularity as a viable alternative approach for addressing microbial infections or infectious structures. In this study, Verbascum detersile, Verbascum eskisehirensis, and Verbascum gypsicola endemic species belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, spreading in Eskişehir and its surroundings, were collected from natural habitats and evaluated in terms of antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. In biological activity studies, different concentrations of three plant extracts showed various antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities on selected standard microorganism cultures (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 14990, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicans ATCC 90028, and Candida krusei ATCC 6258). It was observed that the selected three endemic Verbascum extracts had a minimum inhibitory and minimum biofilm eradication concentration value of 1250 μg/mL.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ РАЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ РЕЖИМНЫХ ПАРАМЕТРОВ ФЕРМЕНТАЦИИ БИОВОДОРОДА С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ CLOSTRIDIUM BUTYRICUM И ENTEROBACTER CLOACAE НА ГИДРОЛИЗАТАХ СОЛОМЫ, АКТИВИРОВАННОЙ ПАРОВЗРЫВНОЙ ОБРАБОТКОЙ

Studies have been conducted to determine the possibility of using agricultural waste, in particular straw, for the production of biohydrogen. In our work, we used two types of straw hydrolysates (after acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis), pre-activated by steam blasting at steam temperatures of 100, 165, 210 0C. The hydrolysates were diluted with distilled water to a concentration of reducing agents (RR) equal to 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% of their mass in order to determine the rational concentration. Two cultures of anaerobic microorganisms were tested on 18 samples of hydrolysates: a strain of bacteria of the genus Clostridium Butyricum E.VI .3.2.1 (no. VKPM B-9619), a strain of bacteria of the genus Enterobacter cloacae (no. VKPM B-1980). The fermentation temperature for all samples was set at 37 ± 0.5 0C, pH 5.5 ± 0.1. The released gas accumulated in the gas tank; its samples were taken every 12 hours and analyzed for the volume content of hydrogen. After establishing the rational initial concentration of the substrate, the temperature of steam explosive activation of straw, the type of hydrolysate and the maximum yield of biohydrogen, the cultivation temperature and pH for each culture were further changed in order to determine the rational parameters: for Clostridium Butyricum, the cultivation temperature was set to 32 ±0.5, 37 ±0.5 and 42±0.5 0C for Enterobacter cloacae – 36±0.5, 37±0.5, 38±0.5 0C; the pH for all samples was set in the range of 5...6 in increments of 0.5 ± 0.1). On acidic straw hydrolysates, Clostridium Butyricum demonstrated the best productivity (steam explosion temperature 165 0C) - hydrogen yield was 73 ml/g, on hydrolysates fermented by Enterobacter cloacae (steam explosion temperature 210 0C), hydrogen yield was 50 ml/g. Both cultures are capable of producing the maximum amount of hydrogen at a concentration of reducing substances of 2%. The rational fermentation temperature for Clostridium Butyricum is 37 ± 0.5 0C, for Enterobacter cloacae – 36 ± 0.50 C, for both cultures – pH = 6.

No Difference in the Pathogenic Microorganisms Among Different Types of Anorectal Abscesses: A Retrospective Study.

There is limited data on the pathogenic microorganisms associated with anorectal abscesses. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the types and quantities of pathogenic microorganisms in the pus cultures of patients with anorectal abscesses and to explore the correlation between pathogenic microorganisms and types of anorectal abscesses. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the microbiological data of 517 inpatient surgical patients with anorectal abscesses treated at a single center from January 2017 to December 2021. Chi-square tests were used to analyze whether there were differences in the types and quantities of pathogenic microorganisms among different types of anorectal abscesses. Among the 517 patients, the mean age was 38.5 years, with an average duration of illness of 7.4 days. Of these, 440 (85.1%) were male and 77 (14.9%) were female. The types of anorectal abscesses included perianal abscesses (54 cases, 10.4%), intersphincteric abscesses (253 cases, 48.9%), ischiorectal abscesses (129 cases, 25.0%), deep posterior anal space (DPAS) abscesses (26 cases, 5.0%), supra-levator abscesses (10 cases, 1.9%), and horseshoe abscesses (45 cases, 8.7%). A total of 23 different microorganisms were cultured from the 517 pus specimens. The most common microorganism was Escherichia coli (323 cases, 62.5%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (77 cases, 14.9%), Bacteroides fragilis (nine cases, 1.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (eight cases, 1.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus (seven cases, 1.4%). Additionally, no microorganisms were cultured from 58 (11.2%) pus specimens. Nine patients (1.7%) were admitted with concomitant necrotizing fasciitis. Among the nine cases of concurrent necrotizing fasciitis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus were cultured in six (66.7%), two (22.2%), and one (11.1%) case, respectively. Chi-square tests revealed no significant differences in the types and quantities of pathogenic microorganisms among different types of anorectal abscesses (P > 0.05). This study provides a large sample of pus culture microbiological data from patients with anorectal abscesses. Regardless of whether it is a simple anorectal abscess or concurrent necrotizing fasciitis, E. coli was the most common microorganism cultured from the pus of patients with anorectal abscesses. Other common microorganisms include K. pneumoniae, B. fragilis, and S. aureus. These results provide evidence for the precise antibiotic treatment of anorectal abscesses. Additionally, there were no differences in the types and quantities of pathogenic microorganisms among different types of anorectal abscesses.

Culturable Microorganisms of Aerosols Sampled during Aircraft Sounding of the Atmosphere over the Russian Arctic Seas

Atmospheric sounding using the Tu-134 Optik aircraft-laboratory was conducted in September 2020 over the seas of the Russian sector of the Arctic Ocean, namely the Barents, Kara, Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi and Bering seas. Unique samples of atmospheric aerosols at altitudes from 200 and up to 10,000 m were taken, including samples for the identification of cultivated microorganisms and their genetic analysis. Data on the concentration and diversity of bacteria and fungi isolated from 24 samples of atmospheric aerosols are presented; the main phenotypic and genomic characteristics were obtained for 152 bacterial cultures; and taxonomic belonging was determined. The concentration of cultured microorganisms detected in aerosols of different locations was similar, averaging 5.5 × 103 CFU/m3. No dependence of the number of isolated microorganisms on the height and location of aerosol sampling was observed. The presence of pathogenic and condto shitionally pathogenic bacteria, including those referred to in the genera Staphylococcus, Kocuria, Rothia, Comamonas, Brevundimonas, Acinetobacter, and others, as well as fungi represented by the widely spread genera Aureobasidium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, capable of causing infectious and allergic diseases were present in most analyzed samples. Obtained data reveal the necessity of systematic studies of atmospheric microbiota composition to combat emerging population diseases.

Enhancing Native Plant Establishment in Mine Tailings under Drought Stress Conditions through the Application of Organo-Mineral Amendments and Microbial Inoculants

The implementation of phytoremediation strategies under arid and semiarid climates requires the use of appropriate plant species capable of withstanding multiple abiotic stresses. In this study, we assessed the combined effects of organo-mineral amendments and microbial inoculants on the chemical and biological properties of mine tailings, as well as on the growth of native plant species under drought stress conditions. Plants were cultivated in pots containing 1 kg of a mixture of mine tailings and topsoil (i.e., pre-mined superficial soil) in a 60:40 ratio, 6% marble sludge, and 10% sheep manure. Moreover, a consortium of four drought-resistant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) was inoculated. Three irrigation levels were applied: well-watered, moderate water deficit, and severe water deficit, corresponding to 80%, 45%, and 30% of field capacity, respectively. The addition of topsoil and organo-mineral amendments to mine tailings significantly improved their chemical and biological properties, which were further enhanced by bacterial inoculation and plants’ establishment. Water stress negatively impacted enzymatic activities in amended tailings, resulting in a significant decrease in acid and alkaline phosphatases, urease, and dehydrogenase activities. Similar results were obtained for bacteria, fungi, and actinomycete abundance. PGPR inoculation positively influenced the availability of phosphorus, total nitrogen, and organic carbon, while it increased alkaline phosphatase, urease (by about 10%), and dehydrogenase activity (by 50%). The rhizosphere of Peganum harmala showed the highest enzymatic activity and number of culturable microorganisms, especially in inoculated treatments. Severe water deficit negatively affected plant growth, leading to a 40% reduction in the shoot biomass of both Atriplex halimus and Pennisetum setaceum compared to well-watered plants. P. harmala showed greater tolerance to water stress, evidenced by lower decreases observed in root and shoot length and dry weight compared to well-watered plants. The use of bioinoculants mitigated the negative effects of drought on P. harmala shoot biomass, resulting in an increase of up to 75% in the aerial biomass in plants exposed to severe water deficit. In conclusion, the results suggest that the combination of organo-mineral amendments, PGPR inoculation, and P. harmala represents a promising approach to enhance the phytoremediation of metal-polluted soils under semiarid conditions.

Study of antimicrobial properties of liquid plaster containing of oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare L.)

Treatment of wounds resulting from combat injuries is complicated by the addition of a secondary infection caused by multi-resistant bacteria. The liquid patch appears to be a promising formulation for wound therapy. The antimicrobial effect of essential oils is manifested due to the content of numerous components that interfere with the proliferation and formation of bacterial resistance. The aim of the work was to substantiate the choice of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil as the main active ingredient of a liquid patch with antimicrobial action, confirm the composition of the essential oil and study the antimicrobial properties of the model drug. The object of the study were model samples of a liquid patch with an experimentally developed film-forming system. Various concentrations of commercial essential oil of O. vulgare L., the composition of which was confirmed by GB/MS analysis, were used as the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Antimicrobial activity was studied by direct contact method using microbial culture tests. The use of liquid patch in the treatment of skin lesions of various etiologies, including combat wounds, is justified. The variability of the composition of the essential oil of O. vulgare L. depending on the subspecies, chemotype and growth conditions of the plant is discussed. The component composition of a commercial sample of O. vulgare L. essential oil, confirmed by GC/MS analysis, is considered. 11 components declared by the manufacturer were found to be completely identical, in particular, carvacrol, thymol, and monoterpene hydrocarbons. The other 11 compounds discovered were monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids. Research has confirmed the feasibility of using O. vulgare L. essential oil, thymol-carvacrol chemotype, as an antimicrobial component. The dependence of the antimicrobial activity of model samples of liquid plaster on the concentration of Oregano essential oil was established. The essential oil of O. vulgare L. has a variable composition and requires mandatory control of the content of thymol and carvacrol, which inhibit the growth of the studied microorganisms. The antimicrobial effect of a liquid patch containing essential oil of O. vulgare L. at a concentration of 0.15 mg/ml is manifested against test cultures of microorganisms – Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis.

A comparative assessment of microbial biodiesel and its life cycle analysis.

Biodiesel is a type of sustainable, biodegradable energy made from natural sources like vegetable oils, animal fat, and from microbes. Unlike traditional diesel, it has a lower carbon footprint and produces fewer harmful emissions when burned. Biodiesel has gained popularity as a more sustainable substitute for hydrocarbon-based diesel and may be utilized in diesel engines without any modification. In this review, biodiesel from microorganisms such as algae, yeast, and fungi and advantages over another feedstock were discussed. The life cycle evaluation of biodiesel is a thorough assessment of the ecological and economic effects of biodiesel production and use, from the extraction of raw ingredients to the waste disposal process. The life cycle analysis considers the entire process, including the production of feedstocks, the production of biodiesel, and the use of biodiesel in vehicles and other applications. Life cycle analysis of biodiesel produced from microorganisms takes into consideration the environmental impact and sustainability of each step in the production process, including the impact on land use, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the availability of resources. In this section, biodiesel produced from microorganisms and other raw materials, its comparisons, and also steps involved in the life cycle such as the cultivation of microorganisms, harvesting of biomass, and conversion to biodiesel were discussed. The processes like extraction and purification, hydrothermal liquefaction, and their environmental impacts were examined by using various LCA software from the previously mentioned process.

Prospective microorganisms for the storage of apple fruitsin the conditions of the refrigerator

Goal. To select prom ising microorganisms from the collection of cultures of microorganisms with agronomically valuable properties of ETI «Biotechnica» of NAAS for storage of apple fruits in the refrigerator.&#x0D; Methods. Research was conducted using generally accepted methods and methodical approaches used in microbiology and biotechnology.&#x0D; Results. A set of studies was conducted to isolate harmful objects that affect apple fruits when stored in refrigeration conditions. As a result of research, such pathogenic microorganisms as: Botrytis (gray fruit rot); Rhizopus (gray mold); Aspergillus (black mold); Penicillium (green mold). In laboratory conditions, a study of the antagonistic activity of promising strains of microorganisms from the collection of ETI «Biotechnica» of NAAS against phytopathogens that were isolated from affected fruits was conducted. To perform the work, fungal and bacterial strains of microorganisms with fungicidal properties were selected from the institute’s collection.&#x0D; Conclusions. It was established that the fungi of the genus Trichoderma showed high antagonistic activity against phytopathogens of fungal etiology. The delay in the growth of harmful objects was at the level of 90—100%. Antagonist fungal strains Gliocladium rozeum and Ampelomuces artemisia pcs. A-1, caused growth retardation zones of phytopathogens in the range of 75—80%, and Soniotirium minitans pcs. C-20 showed absolutely no antagonistic activity against phytopathogens affecting apple fruits. Among the bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aureofaciens pcs. 111 and Pseudomonas fluorenscens pcs. AR33, which suppressed the growth of phytopathogens by 85—90% due to high titers of viable cells and active metabolites. Among the bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aureofaciens pcs. 111 and Pseudomonas fluorenscens pcs. AR33, which suppressed the growth of phytopathogens by 85—90% due to high titers of viable cells and active metabolites.

Bioprospecting photosynthetic microorganisms for the removal of endocrine disruptor compounds.

Endocrine disruption compounds can be found in various daily products, like pesticides, along with cosmetic and pharmaceutical commodities. Moreover, occurrence of EDCs in the wastewater alarms the urgency for their removal before discharge owing to the harmful effect for the environment and human health. Compared to implementation of physical and chemical strategies, cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms has been acknowledged for their high efficiency and eco-friendly process in EDCs removal along with accumulation of valuable byproducts. During the process, photosynthetic microorganisms remove EDCs via photodegradation, bio-adsorption, -accumulation, and -degradation. Regarding their high tolerance in extreme environment, photosynthetic microorganisms have high feasibility for implementation in wastewater treatment plant. However, several considerations are critical for their scaling up process. This review discussed the potency of EDCs removal by photosynthetic microorganisms and focused on the efficiency, mechanism, challenge, along with the prospect. Details on the mechanism's pathway, accumulation of valuable byproducts, and recent progress in scaling up and application in real wastewater were also projected in this review.

Optimizing start-up strategies for the two-inflow nitritation/anammox process: Influence on biofilm microbial community composition.

Low-energy nitrogen removal from ammonium-rich wastewater is crucial in preserving the water environment. A one-stage nitritation/anammox process with two inflows treating ammonium-containing wastewater, supplied from inside and outside the wound filter, is expected to stably remove nitrogen. Laboratory-scale reactors were operated using different start-up strategies; the first involved adding nitritation inoculum after anammox biomass formation in the filter, which presented a relatively low nitrogen removal rate (0.171 kg N/m3 · d), at a nitrogen loading rate of 1.0 kg N/m3 · d. Conversely, the second involved the gradual cultivation of anammox and nitritation microorganisms, which increased the nitrogen removal rate (0.276 kg N/m3 · d). Furthermore, anammox (Candidatus Brocadia) and nitritation bacteria (Nitrosomonadaceae) coexisted in the biofilm formed on the filter surface. The abundance of nitritation bacteria (10.5%) in the reactor biofilm using the second start-up strategy was higher than that using the first (3.7%). Thus, the two-inflow nitritation/anammox process effectively induced habitat segregation using a suitable start-up strategy.

The endophytic fungal community plays a crucial role in the resistance of host plants to necrotic bacterial pathogens.

Konjac species (Amorphophallus spp.) are the only plant species in the world that are rich in a large amount of konjac glucomannan (KGM). These plants are widely cultivated as cash crops in tropical and subtropical countries in Asia, including China. Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) is one of the most destructive bacterial pathogens of konjac. Here, we analyzed the interactions between Pcc and susceptible and resistant konjac species from multiple perspectives. At the transcriptional and metabolic levels, the susceptible species A. konjac and resistant species A. muelleri exhibit similar molecular responses, activating plant hormone signaling pathways and metabolizing defense compounds such as phenylpropanoids and flavonoids to resist infection. Interestingly, we found that Pcc stress can lead to rapid recombination of endophytic microbial communities within a very short period (96 h). Under conditions of bacterial pathogen infection, the relative abundance of most bacterial communities in konjac tissue decreased sharply compared with that in healthy plants, while the relative abundance of some beneficial fungal communities increased significantly. The relative abundance of Cladosporium increased significantly in both kinds of infected konjac compared to that in healthy plants, and the relative abundance in resistant A. muelleri plants was greater than that in susceptible A. konjac plants. Among the isolated cultivable microorganisms, all three strains of Cladosporium strongly inhibited Pcc growth. Our results further elucidate the potential mechanism underlying konjac resistance to Pcc infection, highlighting the important role of endophytic microbial communities in resisting bacterial pathogen infections, especially the more direct role of fungal communities in inhibiting pathogen growth.

Using biochar for environmental recovery and boosting the yield of valuable non-food crops: The case of hemp in a soil contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTEs)

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is known to tolerate high concentrations of soil contaminants which however can limit its biomass yield. On the other hand, organic-based amendments such as biochar can immobilize soil contaminants and assist hemp growth in soils contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTEs), allowing for environmental recovery and income generation, e.g. due to green energy production from plant biomass. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the suitability of a softwood-derived biochar to enhance hemp growth and promote the assisted phytoremediation of a PTE-contaminated soil (i.e., Sb 2175 mg kg−1; Zn 3149 mg kg−1; Pb 403 mg kg−1; and Cd 12 mg kg−1). Adding 3% (w/w) biochar to soil favoured the reduction of soluble and exchangeable PTEs, decreased soil dehydrogenase activity (by ∼2.08-fold), and increased alkaline phosphomonoesterase and urease activities, basal respiration and soil microbial carbon (by ∼1.18-, 1.22-, 1.22-, and 1.66-fold, respectively). Biochar increased the abundance of selected soil culturable microorganisms, while amplicon sequencing analysis showed a positive biochar impact on α-diversity and the induction of structural changes on soil bacterial community structure. Biochar did not affect root growth of hemp but significantly increased its aboveground biomass by ∼1.67-fold for shoots, and by ∼2-fold for both seed number and weight. Biochar increased the PTEs phytostabilisation potential of hemp with respect to Cd, Pb and Zn, and also stimulated hemp phytoextracting capacity with respect to Sb. Overall, the results showed that biochar can boost hemp yield and its phytoremediation effectiveness in soils contaminated by PTEs providing valuable biomass that can generate profit in economic, environmental and sustainability terms.