Unidentified Genus Research Articles

Influence of feeding black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), and superworm (Zophobas morio) on the gut microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

This study investigates how replacing fishmeal and fish oil with insect meals in feed impacts the gut microbiota in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a crucial species in aquaculture. Dietary inclusion of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), and superworm (Zophobas morio) were evaluated for their impact on intestinal microbial diversity and community composition following a 12-week feeding trial. Fish were fed one of four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets: a control diet without insect meal, and diets with 15% defatted black soldier fly meal, full-fat adult cricket meal, or full-fat superworm meal. The microbiota of intestinal digesta and fish feed was characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Results revealed significantly lower alpha diversity indices in the cricket treatment compared to the control. Beta diversity analysis showed Bacillota as the dominant phylum across all treatments, with the initial stock population richer in Mycoplasmatota. A novel genus within Mycoplasmataceae was prevalent at day 0 and in all treatments. Black soldier fly meal increased an unidentified Peptostreptococcaceae genus (bsv123) compared to control and superworm diets, while cricket meal elevated Streptococcus levels. Insect-based diets, particularly with black soldier fly meal, significantly alter beta diversity within the gut microbiota of rainbow trout, with cricket meal reducing alpha diversity and superworm having minimal impact.

Comparative analyses on nitrogen removal microbes and functional genes within anaerobic-anoxic-oxic and deoxidation ditch sewage-treating processes in Wuhan and Xi'an cities, China.

Anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2/O) and deoxidation ditch (DOD) processes are being increasingly preferred owing to their effectiveness in treating various wastes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Considering seasonal variations is crucial in optimizing treatment processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining the overall efficiency and effectiveness of WWTPs. This study aimed to determine the influence of seasonality on nitrogen removing microbes and functional genes within A2/O and DOD processes in the humid Wuhan and semi-arid Xi'an cities, China. The physicochemical parameters of water quality were determined, and molecular and bioinformatic analyses of the bacterial community and nitrogen metabolism functional genes in the two different treatment processes of two WWTPs were performed over four seasons. Our analyses revealed a significant difference in all physicochemical parameters across all experimental groups (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Dokdonella, one unidentified genus of Nitrospiraceae, Terrimonas, and one unidentified genus of Chloroflexi was the highest in all groups. Generally, warmer seasons exhibited higher biodiversity indices. The A2/O system exhibited higher values in terms of most nitrogen metabolism functional genes than those of the DOD sewage treatment system. In both WWTPs, the abundance of most genes in spring and summer were higher than that of autumn and winter seasons. Taken together, changes in temperature, caused by seasonal changes, may contribute to changes in abundance of nitrogen metabolic functional genes.

Low microbial abundance and community diversity in the egg capsule of the oviparous cloudy catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame) during oviposition.

Vertebrate embryos are protected from bacterial infection by various maternally derived factors, yet little is known about the defence mechanisms in elasmobranchs. This study aimed to characterize the intracapsular environment of freshly laid eggs of the oviparous catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame) by investigating the microbial abundance and microbiota to understand its potential contribution to embryonic defence. The egg capsule of oviparous elasmobranchs is tightly sealed until pre-hatching, after which seawater flows into the capsule, exposing the embryos to the surrounding seawater. We found that early embryos were highly vulnerable to environmental pathogens, suggesting that the embryos are somehow protected from infection before pre-hatching. Indeed, the intracapsular environment of freshly laid eggs exhibited significantly low bacterial density, maintained until pre-hatching. Furthermore, the microbiome inside eggs just after oviposition differed markedly from those of rearing seawater and adult oviducal gland epithelia; these eggs were predominantly populated by an unidentified genus of Sphingomonadaceae. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence that early embryos of oviparous cloudy catshark are incubated in a clean intracapsular environment that potentially plays a significant role in embryonic development in oviparous elasmobranchs.

Impact of including two types of destoned olive cakes in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition and study of the relationship between fecal microbiota, feed efficiency, gut fermentation, and gaseous emissions.

The microbial population in the pig's gastrointestinal tract can be influenced by incorporating fibrous by-products into the diets. This study investigated the impact of including two types of dried olive cake (OC) in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition. The correlation between fecal microbiota and growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut fermentation pattern and slurry gas emissions was also evaluated. Thirty male Pietrain x (Landrace x Large white) pigs (47.9 ± 4.21 kg) were assigned to three groups: a control group (C), a group fed a diet with 20% partially defatted OC (20PDOC), and a group fed a diet with 20% cyclone OC (20COC) for 21 days. Fecal samples collected before and after providing the experimental diets were analyzed for the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Pigs were weighed, and feed intake was recorded throughout the study. Potential ammonia and methane emissions from slurry were measured. No significant differences in alpha diversity indexes were found. The taxonomic analysis revealed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidota phyla were dominant at the phylum level across all groups. Differential abundance analysis using ALDEx showed significant differences among groups for various bacteria at the phylum, genus, and species levels at the end of the experiment. Pigs from 20PDOC and 20COC groups exhibited increased abundances of health-promoting bacteria, such as Plactomycetota at the phylum level and Allisonella and an unidentified genus from the Eggerthellaceae family at the genus level. These changes influenced short-chain fatty acids' (SCFA) concentration in slurries, leading to greater acetic, butyric, caproic and heptanoic acids in OC-fed groups, especially 20COC pigs. A volatility analysis revealed significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) between Uncultured_Bacteroidales and Unculured_Selenomonadaceae and energy digestibility. Monoglobus and Desulfovibrio showed a positive significant (p < 0.05) correlation with total SCFA, indicating a high impact on gut fermentation. However, growth performance parameters and potential gas emission displayed no significant correlations with a specific bacterial genus. In conclusion, our results suggest that OC inclusion into pig diets could positively modulate and contribute to the gut microbiota's favorable composition and functionality. Also, nutrient digestibility and gut fermentation patterns can be associated with specific microbial populations.

Gut Microbiome Changes in Patients With Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

The gut microbiome is a complex system within the human gastrointestinal tract. The bacteria play a significant role in human health, and some can promote inflammation and pathologic processes through chemical interactions or metabolites. Gut microbiome dysbiosis has been linked to some neurological and other diseases. Here we aimed to examine microbiome differences between patients with a progressive neurological disorder, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), compared with healthy controls (CO). We recruited 37 neurologically healthy CO and 10 patients with shunted iNPH. We evaluated these participants' cognition using the CERAD-NB test battery and CDR test, and collected a variety of information, including about dietary habits and health. We also collected fecal samples, which were subjected to 16S amplicon sequencing to analyze differences in gut microbiome composition. We found that the iNPH group exhibited significantly different abundances of 10 bacterial genera compared with the CO group. The Escherichia/Shigella and Anaeromassilibacillus genera were most remarkably increased. Other increased genera were Butyrivibrio , Duncaniella , and an unidentified genus. The decreased genera were Agathobaculum , Paramuribaculum , Catenibacterium , and 2 unidentified genera. Here we report the first identified microbiome differences in iNPH patients compared with healthy controls.

An interlaboratory study on the detection method for Escherichia albertii in food using real time PCR assay and selective agars

Escherichia albertii is an emerging enteropathogen. Although E. albertii-specific detection and isolation methods have been developed, their efficiency on food samples have not yet been systematically studied. To establish a series of effective methods for detecting E. albertii in food, an interlaboratory study was conducted in 11 laboratories using enrichment with modified E. coli broth supplemented with cefixime and tellurite (CT-mEC), real-time PCR assay, and plating on four kinds of selective agars. This study focused on the detection efficiency of an E. albertii-specific real-time PCR assay (EA-rtPCR) and plating on deoxycholate hydrogen sulfide lactose agar (DHL), MacConkey agar (MAC), DHL supplemented with rhamnose and xylose (RX-DHL), and MAC supplemented with rhamnose and xylose (RX-MAC). Chicken and bean sprout samples were inoculated with E. albertii either at 17.7 CFU/25 g (low inoculation level) or 88.5 CFU/25 g (high inoculation level), and uninoculated samples were used as controls. The sensitivity of EA-rtPCR was 1.000 for chicken and bean sprout samples inoculated with E. albertii at low and high inoculation levels. The Ct values of bean sprout samples were higher than those of the chicken samples. Analysis of microbial distribution by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in enriched cultures of bean sprout samples showed that approximately >96 % of the population comprised unidentified genus of family Enterobacteriaceae and genus Acinetobacter in samples which E. albertii was not isolated. The sensitivity of the plating methods for chicken and bean sprout samples inoculated with a high inoculation level of E. albertii was 1.000 and 0.848–0.970, respectively. The sensitivity of the plating methods for chicken and bean sprout samples inoculated with a low inoculation level of E. albertii was 0.939–1.000 and 0.515–0.727, respectively. The E. albertii-positive rate in all colonies isolated in this study was 89–90 % in RX-DHL and RX-MAC, and 64 and 44 % in DHL and MAC, respectively. Therefore, the sensitivity of RX-supplemented agar was higher than that of the agars without these sugars. Using a combination of enrichment in CT-mEC and E. albertii isolation on selective agars supplemented with RX, E. albertii at an inoculation level of over 17.5 CFU/25 g of food was detected with a sensitivity of 1.000 and 0.667–0.727 in chicken and bean sprouts, respectively. Therefore, screening for E. albertii-specific genes using EA-rtPCR followed by isolation with RX-DHL or RX-MAC is an efficient method for E. albertii detection in food.

Varied microbial community assembly and specialization patterns driven by early life microbiome perturbation and modulation in young ruminants.

Perturbations and modulations during early life are vital to affect gut microbiome assembly and establishment. In this study, we assessed how microbial communities shifted during calf diarrhea and with probiotic yeast supplementation (Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, SCB) and determined the key bacterial taxa contributing to the microbial assembly shifts using a total of 393 fecal samples collected from 84 preweaned calves during an 8-week trial. Our results revealed that the microbial assembly patterns differed between healthy and diarrheic calves at 6- and 8-week of the trial, with healthy calves being stochastic-driven and diarrheic calves being deterministic-driven. The two-state Markov model revealed that SCB supplementation had a higher possibility to shift microbial assembly from deterministic- to stochastic-driven in diarrheic calves. Furthermore, a total of 23 and 21 genera were specific ecotypes to assembly patterns in SCB-responsive (SCB-fed calves did not exhibit diarrhea) and nonresponsive (SCB-fed calves occurred diarrhea) calves, respectively. Among these ecotypes, the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that Blautia and Ruminococcaceae UCG 014, two unidentified genera from the Ruminococcaceae family, had the highest predictiveness for microbial assembly patterns in SCB-responsive calves, while Prevotellaceae, Blautia, and Escherichia-Shigella were the most predictive bacterial taxa for microbial assembly patterns in SCB-nonresponsive calves. Our study suggests that microbiome perturbations and probiotic yeast supplementation serving as deterministic factors influenced assembly patterns during early life with critical genera being predictive for assembly patterns, which sheds light on mechanisms of microbial community establishment in the gut of neonatal calves during early life.

COMPOSITION AND HORIZONTAL STRUCTURE OF THE SHRUSH-TREE COMPONENT OF A SEASONALLY DRY TROPICAL FOREST - SDTF

The objective was to evaluate the floristic composition and horizontal structure of a shrub-tree fragment of Tropical Seasonally Dry Forest - (SDTF), of conserved Caatinga, in the municipality of Campina Grande - PB, Brazil. Located at the Prof. Ignácio Salcedo, at the National Institute of the Semi-Arid Region – (INSA) / Ministry of Science, Technology and Information – (MCTI). In a transect of (50 m x 100 m), with 50 plots of (10 m x 10 m), individuals and stems with CBH ≥ 6 cm were measured. The presence of 2.602 individuals ha-1, with 3.210 stems ha-1, distributed in 17 families, 34 identified genera, 1 unidentified genus and 16 species. The most important families in number of species and individuals were Fabaceae and Apocynaceae, mainly due to the occurrence of the species Cenostigma nordestinum Gagnon &amp; G.P.Lewis and Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart. &amp; Zucc., respectively. The relevance of the two species with the highest density was perceived in relation to the basal area, which corresponded to 2.12 m2 ha-1 and 1.26 m2 ha-1, respectively, which showed the main contribution of the mentioned families, the area studied in terms of its diversity, was considered a normal pattern with a higher average value of 2.42 nats ind-1, when compared to some studies in the literature. In view of this, this study constitutes basic tools for its management and conservation, enabling the adoption of correct practices, comparisons between and within forest communities, in addition to giving rise to the formulation of hypotheses for other studies.

Symptomatology of Fungal Diseases of Cultivated Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the Main Production Areas in Côte D’ Ivoire

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant widely recognized worldwide for its nutritional and medicinal qualities. However, its cultivation faces various challenges, including fungal diseases, which are responsible for significant losses. This study aims to assess the symptoms of diseases caused by fungi in ginger cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire. To achieve this, a phytosanitary survey was conducted in five major ginger production areas (Tiassalé, Hermankono, Koun-Fao, Soubré, and Bongouanou). The observed symptoms were described, and their prevalence and severity were evaluated. Subsequently, the fungi associated with these symptoms were isolated and identified. The results obtained allowed the identification of four different types of symptoms: chlorosis, necrosis, wilt, and leaf spot. All these disease symptoms were observed in all the ginger plots in the surveyed localities. The leaf spot symptom was the most frequently observed, with the highest prevalence of 87.15% in the Soubré area and a lower prevalence in Bongouanou which was 45.17%. Symptom severity varied by locality. Fourteen genera of fungi were isolated from symptomatic ginger leaves and stems. These included Aspergillus, Colletotrichium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Penicillium, Pestalotiopsis, Pythium, Rhizoctinia, Rhizopus, Sclerotium, Trichoderma, and two unidentified genera, referred to as unknown 1 and unknown 2. The isolation frequencies of fungal genera varied by locality, with Fusarium having the highest isolation frequency among all the isolated fungi. This initial study on fungal diseases in ginger cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire could provide valuable insights for guiding control methods.

Effects of different feeding systems on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, methane emissions, and microbiota of Hanwoo steers.

This study evaluates how different feeding systems impact ruminal fermentation, methane production, and microbiota of Hanwoo steers native to Korea. In a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design over 29 days per period, eight Hanwoo steers (507.1 ± 67.4 kg) were fed twice daily using a separate feeding (SF) system comprising separate concentrate mix and forage or total mixed rations (TMR) in a 15:85 ratio. The TMR-feeding group exhibited a considerable neutral detergent fiber digestibility increase than the SF group. However, ruminal fermentation parameters and methane production did not differ between two feeding strategies. In addition, TMR-fed steers expressed elevated Prevotellaceae family, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and an unidentified Veillonellaceae family genus abundance in their rumen, whereas SF-fed steers were rich in the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-004, and Succinivibrio. Through linear regression modeling, positive correlations were observed between the Shannon Diversity Index and the SF group's dry matter intake and methane production. Although feeding systems do not affect methane production, they can alter ruminal microbes. These results may guide future feeding system investigations or ruminal microbiota manipulations as a methane-mitigation practice examining different feed ingredients.

Identification and Characterization of Endophytic Fungi from Garcinia atroviridis for Potential Antagonistic Against Phytopathogenic, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Biological control is referred to as the “use of natural or modified organisms, genes” to minimize the effects of undesirable pests, pathogenic microorganisms, and diseases on plant crops. This measure has become a suitable and safe alternative for chemical fungicides in plant disease management. Endophytic fungi have received much attention as biological control agents against many plant pathogens through antibiosis, parasitism, invading spores, mycelium, and cells of the pathogen, and secreting bioactive metabolites. While the therapeutic properties of Garcinia atroviridis have been studied, the existence of microbial endophytes and their properties is still less documented. In this research, G. atroviridis endophytic fungi were isolated and identified by fungal colony morphology observation combined with the PCR-amplified fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analyses. Fungal endophytes were assessed for their biocontrol potential against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. In total, 111 endophytic fungal isolates harboring inside the leaf, branch, and fruit of G. atroviridis belonged to 5 different species with 3 different genera and two unidentified genera. All the endophytic fungal species isolated were evaluated using an in vitro dual culture assay against C. gloeosporioides, a common pathogen that causes anthracnose disease. The results of the present study clearly showed that seven species of isolated fungal endophytes were capable of inhibiting the mycelial colony growth of C. gloeosporioides with an inhibition percentage between 54.67% to 87.94%. Among these species, Nigrospora sphaerica recorded the highest PIRG with 87.94%. Our work indicates that endophytic fungi isolated from G. atroviridis have a biocontrol effect on C. gloeosporioides and are expected to be a potential source of bioactive metabolites.

STUDY OF THE SPERM MICROBIOME OF BULLS USING METAGENOMIC ANALYSIS

The study aimed to obtain information about the microbial communities in bull sperm, which is used for artificial insemination. The research included ten samples of cryopreserved bull sperm obtained from domestic breeding farms and 24 imported sperm samples. Next-generation sequencing technology on the Illumina Miseq platform was used for the analysis. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using the QIIME2 software package. The obtained whole-genome sequencing data showed a low level of biodiversity in the analysed samples. Diversity index values were determined for two groups of samples: sperm from domestic and foreign bulls. The Shannon index values were 1.40±0.12 and 1.30±0.08 for each group, respectively. Student's t-test calculations indicated no statistically significant differences in the α-biodiversity parameters between these groups. Up to 19 known bacterial types were detected in the samples, with only Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes present at frequencies exceeding 5%. Fusobacteria and Firmicutes dominated Russian bull sperm samples, while the predominant type in foreign bull sperm was Proteobacteria. Of the 18 detected bacterial classes, genetic material from 11 classes was found in at least one of the samples at a frequency exceeding 5%. Russian bull samples contained up to 13 genera of bacteria with genetic material above 1%, while foreign bull samples contained up to 15 genera. The predominant genus for domestic bull sperm samples was Fusobacterium, while for alien bull sperm, it was an unidentified genus of the Clostridiales order. The presence of representatives from the Campylobacter and Pseudomonas genera was also noted in the samples. Possible associations between the presence of specific bacterial taxa and morphofunctional indicators of bull sperm quality are discussed.

Differences in Microbial Community Composition between Uterine Horns Ipsilateral and Contralateral to the Corpus Luteum in Beef Cows on Day 15 of the Estrous Cycle.

This study evaluated differences in uterine microbiota composition between uterine horns ipsilateral and contralateral to the corpus luteum of beef cows on day 15 of the estrous cycle. Cows (n = 23) were exposed to an estrus synchronization protocol to exogenously induce synchronized ovulation. Cows were then euthanized on day 15 of the estrous cycle, and individual swabs were collected from uterine horns ipsilateral and contralateral to the corpus luteum using aseptic techniques. DNA was extracted, and the entire (V1-V9 hypervariable regions) 16s rRNA gene was sequenced. Sequences were analyzed, and amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were determined. Across all samples, 2 bacterial domains, 24 phyla, and 265 genera were identified. Butyribirio, Cutibacterium, BD7-11, Bacteroidales BS11 gut group, Ruminococcus, Bacteroidales RF16 group, and Clostridia UCG-014 differed in relative abundances between uterine horns. Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Bacteroidales UCG-001, Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, Psudobutyribibrio, and an unidentified genus of the family Chitinophagaceae and dgA-11 gut group differed between cows that expressed estrus and those that did not. The composition of the microbial community differed between the ipsilateral and contralateral horns and between cows that expressed estrus and cows that failed to express estrus, indicating that the uterine microbiota might play a role in cow fertility.

Biodiversity of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza in the rhizosphere of some medicinal plants of Kurukshetra University

The Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) plays an integral role in agricultural sustainability by increasing the growth and productivity of plants. During the present study, the diversity of VAM fungi was studied in the rhizosphere of 17 medicinal plant species and the parameters, percent root colonization, spore number and diversity of VAM spores associated with the rhizosphere of medicinal plants were calculated. All the selected species were found to be mycorrhizal with varying degrees of species richness. A total of 62 morphotypes belonging to 4 genera, Glomus, Acaulospora, Sclerocystis and Gigaspora were found along with 2 unidentified genera. The spore number varied from 28.6 ± 9.864 to 326 ± 78.747 spores per 50g of soil. Percent root colonization ranged from 16.6% to 84.3% with maximum colonization in Barleria cristata L. and minimum colonization in Annona squamosa L. The genus Glomus was dominant with 32 species followed by Acaulospora (12), Gigaspora (9) and Sclerocystis (8).

Maternal weight, gut microbiota, and the association with early childhood behavior: the PREOBE follow-up study

Background and aimMaternal overweight and breastfeeding seem to have a significant impact on the gut microbiota colonization process, which co-occurs simultaneously with brain development and the establishment of the “microbiota-gut-brain axis”, which potentially may affect behavior later in life. This study aimed to examine the influence of maternal overweight, obesity and/or gestational diabetes on the offspring behavior at 3.5 years of age and its association with the gut microbiota already established at 18 months of life.Methods156 children born to overweight (OV, n = 45), obese (OB, n = 40) and normoweight (NW, n = 71) pregnant women participating in the PREOBE study were included in the current analysis. Stool samples were collected at 18 months of life and gut microbiome was obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Behavioral problems were evaluated at 3.5 years by using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). ANOVA, Chi-Square Test, ANCOVA, Spearman’s correlation, logistic regression model and generalized linear model (GLM) were performed.ResultsAt 3.5 years of age, Children born to OV/OB mothers showed higher scores in behavioral problems than those born to NW mothers. Additionally, offspring born to OB mothers who developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) presented higher scores in attention/deficit hyperactivity and externalizing problems than those born to GDM OV/NW mothers. Fusicatenibacter abundance found at 18 months of age was associated to lower scores in total, internalizing and pervasive developmental problems, while an unidentified genus within Clostridiales and Flavonifractor families abundance showed a positive correlation with anxiety/depression and somatic complaints, respectively. On the other hand, children born to mothers with higher BMI who were breastfed presented elevated anxiety, internalizing problems, externalizing problems and total problems scores; likewise, their gut microbiota composition at 18 months of age showed positive correlation with behavioral problems at 3.5 years: Actinobacteria abundance and somatic complaints and between Fusobacteria abundance and withdrawn behavior and pervasive developmental problems.ConclusionsOur findings suggests that OV/OB and/or GDM during pregnancy is associated with higher behavioral problems scores in children at 3.5 years old. Additionally, associations between early life gut microbiota composition and later mental health in children was also found.

Digestibility of insect meals for dogs and their effects on blood parameters, faecal characteristics, volatile fatty acids, and gut microbiota

To evaluate the effects of the inclusion of three insect meals in dogs’ diets (Madagascar cockroach, MC; cinerea cockroach, CC; and superworm, SW) at two different levels (7.5 and 15%) on nutrients digestibility, blood parameters, faecal characteristics, volatile fatty acids, and gut microbiota, a digestibility trial was performed in a 3×2 factorial scheme in Latin square design 6×6. Experimental diets consisted of insect meals replacing the reference diet (dry and moist commercial feeds) on each of the two levels. Apparent metabolised energy of dry matter (AMEDM) was higher for dogs fed with SW than MC meal in both inclusion levels and, with CC meal at 7.5% of inclusion. The digestibility for dry and organic matter and protein was higher for dogs fed with SW than for MC meals. The faecal pH was lower for the dogs fed with CC than for the MC meal. Butyrate was higher for dogs fed with CC than MC and SW meals. Phenol was higher for dogs fed with MC than SW meal. The relative abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria and the genusSutterella were higher at 7.5% of inclusion than 15%. Dogs fed with SW meal had a greater abundance ofPrevotella,Faecalibacterium, and an unidentified genus in the family Ruminococcaceae than dogs fed with MC meal. The abundance ofAllobaculum was higher for dogs fed with SW meal than CC meal. Even though all the insect meals evaluated can be included in adult dogs’ diets, the superworm meal appears as a highly digestible ingredient for dogs with lower negative impacts on intestine fermentative products and microbiota profile.

Chironomids diversity of Manipur

Chironomids are Diptera and these are good bioindicators of aquatic habitats, and serve as food of aquatic as well as the lower terrestrial animals. The diversity of these were assessed from the Dhanamanjuri University Campus, which revealed three genera and one unidentified genus viz., Kiefferulus calligaster, Chironomus plumosus, Chironomus circumdatus and one morphotype closely resembling Yama (Yama type). The chromosome compliments of these were observed to be with 2n=8 (K. calligaster- AB, CD, EF, G; C. plumosus- AB, CD, EF, G; C. circumdatus- BF, CD, AE, G and Yama type- AE, BF, CD, G). The differences were in the translocation both in NOR and chromosomes. Kiefferulus calligaster, C. plumosus, Yama type and C. circumdatus were observed coexisting in cemented drainage, with Yama type being predominant in the pond; the latter was mainly collected from more contaminated ditches with domestic waste. The polytene chromosomes were species-specific and could be utilized to identify the species in the larval forms.

Biodiversity and virulence characterization of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from soils in different regions of Nigeria

BackgroundStudying the diversity of the indigenous entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) is a prerequisite to effective insect pest control. The distribution and occurrence of EPF from the soil across Nigeria were evaluated. Three subsoil samples from three locations in each of the 11 states were used to isolate the fungi by the insect bait method. Three fungal rates, 1.0 × 102, 5.0 × 101 and 7.5 × 101 spores/ml, were applied to the Galleria larvae.ResultsEPF occurred in 41.1% of the soil sampled. These fungi belong to five and an unidentified genus. High species diversity was observed in Abuja with 6 species, and a uniform diversity of 5 species in Gombe, Ibadan, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa and Port Harcourt. The Shannon–Wiener index ranges from 2.48 to 1.84. Similarly, species evenness showed a distinct similarity across the 11 sampling states and ranges from 0.99 to 0.92. Simpson Diversity Index was found to be highest in Bauchi with 0.31 and lowest in Abuja with 0.19. The mortality of the Galleria mellonella (L.) larvae differed significantly (P < 0.01) with EPF species and time of exposure. There was also a strong (P < 0.001) relationship between larval mortality and conidial concentration within and among the species. The virulence of the isolated fungi on Galleria mellonella larvae based on LC50 differs with states (sampling site) even within the same species.ConclusionsThe present study uncovered the diversity and occurrence of EPF in soil across Nigeria. In addition, the results can be useful in selecting the suitable soils and best adapted EPF in a particular soil across the study area, or it could be the beginning of a molecular study.

Thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion of glycerol and cheese whey – Effect of increasing organic loading rate

The organic loading rate (OLR) is one of the variables that directly affects anaerobic digestion. An increase in OLR can improve methane production, but it can also lead to process failures. Therefore, determining the proper OLR for the process is of great importance. This study analyzed the effect of increasing the OLR on cheese whey and glycerol co-digestion in a thermophilic anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR) by varying both the influent concentration and the hydraulic retention time (HRT). The increase in OLR from 5 to 20 gCOD.L−1.d−1 was initially performed by increasing the influent concentration from 5 to 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 gCOD.L−1, at HRT of 24 h. Organic matter removal (87.7%), methane yield (MY) (253.0 mL CH4.gCOD−1rem), and methane production rate (MPR) (3.2 L CH4. L−1.d−1) showed the best performance at 10 gCOD.L−1.d−1. Conversely, raising the OLR to 20 gCOD.L−1 enhanced the buildup of volatile fatty acids, resulting in a 38.5% decrease in MY. Based on these findings, the HRT was reduced from 24 h to 20 h and 16 h at influent concentration of 10 gCOD.L−1 resulting in OLR of 10, 12, and 15 gCOD.L−1.d−1, respectively. The HRT at 20 h (12 gCOD.L−1.d−1) provided the highest MY values (around 292.5 mL CH4.gCOD−1rem), while the maximum MPR was observed at 16 h (5.1 L CH4. L−1.d−1). The main metabolites observed in all conditions were acetic acid (31.1–66.8%) and propionic acid (10.9–61.5%). The OLR also affected the microbial community, with Proteobacteria accounting for 53.1% of the relative abundance at 5 gCOD.L−1.d−1 while Firmicutes accounted for 76.6% at 10 gCOD.L−1.d−1. At 10 gCOD.L−1.d−1, with maximum MY, the bacteria observed with the highest relative abundance were an unidentified genus of Lentimicrobiaceae (8.9%), “Blvii28 wastewater sludge group” (2.9%), and Tolumonas (1.4%). The archaea identified with the highest relative abundance at both OLRs (5 and 10 gCOD.L−1.d−1) was hydrogenotrophic Methanobacterium (27.3% and 2.6%, respectively).

Euendolithic Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria Together Contribute to Trigger Bioerosion in Aquatic Environments.

Shellfish, mussels, snails, and other aquatic animals, which assimilate limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO3) to build shells and skeletons, are effective carbon sinks that help mitigate the greenhouse effect. However, bioerosion, the dissolution of calcium carbonate and the release of carbon dioxide, hinders carbon sequestration process. The bioerosion of aquatic environments remains to be elucidated. In this study, the bioerosion of Bellamya spp. shells from the aquatic environment was taken as the research object. In situ microbial community structure analysis of the bioerosion shell from different geographical locations, laboratory-level infected culture, and validated experiments were conducted by coupling traditional observation and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis method. Results showed that bioeroders can implant into the CaCO3 layer of the snail shell, resulting in the formation of many small holes in the shell, which reduced the shell’s density and made the shell fragile. Results also showed that bioeroders were distributed in two major phyla, namely, Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria. Cluster analysis showed that Cyanobacteria sp. and two unidentified genera (Burkholderiaceae and Raistonia) were the key bioeroders. Moreover, results suggested that the interaction of Cyanobacteria and other bacteria promoted the biological function of “shell bioerosion.” This study identified the causes of “shell bioerosion” in aquatic environments and provided some theoretical basis for preventing and controlling it in the aquatic industry. Results also provided new insights of cyanobacterial bioerosion of shells and microalgae carbon sequestration.