Anoxybacillus kamchatkensis subsp. asaccharedens subsp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring in Batman

A new thermophilic spore-forming strain KG8(T) was isolated from the mud of Taslidere hot spring in Batman. Strain KG8(T) was aerobe, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, occurring in pairs or filamentous. Growth was observed from 35-65 degrees C (optimum 55 degrees C) and at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.5). It was capable of utilizing starch, growth was observed until 3% NaCl (w/v) and it was positive for nitrate reduction. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain KG8(T) was shown to be related most closely to Anoxybacillus species. Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone-menaquinone-7; major fatty acid-iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0) supported the affiliation of strain KG8(T) to the genus Anoxybacillus. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain KG8(T). Based on these results we propose assigning a novel subspecies of Anoxybacillus kamchatkensis, to be named Anoxybacillus kamchatkensis subsp. asaccharedens subsp. nov. with the type strain KG8(T) (DSM 18475(T)=CIP 109280(T)).

Halobacillus alkaliphilus sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt lake in Fuente de Piedra, southern Spain

A Gram-positive, spore-forming, halophilic bacterial strain, FP5T, was isolated from a salt lake in southern Spain and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain FP5T was strictly aerobic. Cells were coccoidal, occurring singly or in clusters. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type of strain FP5T was A4 beta based on l-Orn-d-Asp. Strain FP5T was characterized chemotaxonomically by having MK-7 as the major menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the main fatty acids. The isolate grew optimally at 37 degrees C and in presence of 10 % NaCl; no growth was observed in the absence of NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 43.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain FP5T falls within the evolutionary radiation of species of the genus Halobacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain FP5T and the type strains of nine recognized Halobacillus species were in the range 97.0-99.0 %. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness indicated that strain FP5T represents a genomic species that is distinct from recognized Halobacillus species. Strain FP5T could be differentiated from recognized Halobacillus species based on several phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data, strain FP5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus alkaliphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FP5T (=DSM 18525T =ATCC BAA-1361T).

Tomato derived polysaccharides for biotechnological applications: chemical and biological approaches

Recent studies concerning the isolation and purification of exopolysaccharides from suspension-cultured tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var. San Marzano) cells and the description of a simple, rapid and low environmental impact method with for obtaining polysaccharides from solid tomato-processing industry wastes are reported. Their chemical composition, rheological properties and partial primary structure were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, GC-MS, ¹H-, ¹³C-NMR). Moreover, the anticytotoxic activities of exopolysaccharides obtained from cultured tomato cells were tested in a brine shrimp bioassay and the preparation of biodegradable film by chemical processing of polysaccharides from solid tomato industry waste was also reported.

Antioxidant activity of diphenylpropionamide derivatives: synthesis, biological evaluation and computational analysis

We report the synthesis, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity and a QSAR analysis of synthetic diphenylpropionamide derivatives. Synthesis of these compounds was achieved by direct condensation of 2,2- and 3,3-diphenylpropionic acid and appropriate amines using 1-propylphoshonic acid cyclic anhydride (PPAA) as catalyst. Compound structures were elucidated by NMR analysis and their melting points were measured. The in vitro antioxidant activity of these compounds was tested by evaluating the amount of scavenged ABTS radical and estimating ROS and NO production in LPS stimulated J774.A1 macrophages. All compounds were tested for their effect on viability of cells and results demonstrated that they are not toxic towards the cell lines used. The cytotoxic activity of all compounds was evaluated by a Brine Shrimp Test.

A Polysaccharide from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) peels affects NF-kappaB activation in LPS-stimulated J774 macrophages

We investigated the effect of PS ( 1) on nitrite and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in J774 macrophages stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. PS ( 1) inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner nitrite and ROS production as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression induced by LPS. Incubation of cells with PS ( 1) determined a significant decrease of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)/DNA binding activity which was correlated with a marked reduction of iNOS mRNA levels. These results show that PS ( 1) inhibits NF-kappaB activation and iNOS gene expression by preventing the reactive species production and suggest a role for this compound in controlling oxidative stress and/or inflammation.

Chemical composition and biotechnological properties of a polysaccharide from the peels and antioxidative content from the pulp of Passiflora liguralis fruits

A new polysaccharide with a high molecular weight (greater than 1 x 106 Da) was extracted and characterized from the peels of Passiflora liguralis (granadilla) fruits. Chemical composition of the biopolymer, performed by using a high pressure anion exchange-pulsed amperometric detector (HPAE-PAD), showed the presence of six different sugar residues: xylose, glucose, galactose, galactosamine, an unknown component, and fucose in the relative ratio of 1:0.5:0.2:0.06:0.05:trace. The optical rotation of this xyloglucan was [alpha](D)(25) degrees C = -186.42 (concentration of 1.4 mg/mL of H(2)O), and the viscosity was dependent on the concentration and pH, showing a maximum value of 1.4 eta at a concentration of 3% in distilled water and a maximum value of 7.0 eta in citrate buffer solution. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that this biopolymer was very stable at high temperatures, showing a degradation temperature at 280 degrees C. The characterization of the polysaccharide was also investigated by spectroscopic methods (1H NMR and IR) pointing out the complexity of this biopolymer and the presence of sugar residues in alpha-manno, alpha-gluco-galacto, and beta-gluco-galacto configurations. The formation of a biodegradable film using this novel xyloglucan was reported, and the anticytotoxic activity of the polysaccharide was studied in a brine shrimp bioassay. Considerable antioxidant activity (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of 0.32 microM/mg fresh product) was noted in the lipophilic extracts of Passiflora liguralis fruits, indicating, in this fruit, an alternative source of bioactive compounds.

Halomonas sinaiensis sp. nov., a novel halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt lake inside Ras Muhammad Park, Egypt

An alkalitolerant and halotolerant bacterium, designated strain Sharm was isolated from a salt lake inside Ras Muhammad. The morphological, physiological and genetic characteristics were compared with those of related species of the genus Halomonas. The isolate grew optimally at pH 7.0, 5-15% NaCl at 35 degrees C. The cells were Gram-negative rods, facultative anaerobes. They accumulated glycine-betaine, as a major osmolyte, and ectoine and glutamate as minor components. The strain Sharm(T) biosynthetised alpha-glucosidase. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and a novel phosphoglycolipid as major components. Ubiquinone with nine repetitive unities (Q9) was the only quinone found and, nC16:0 and C19:0 with cyclopropane were the main cellular fatty acids, accounting for 87.3% of total fatty acids. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 64.7 mol %. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that strain Sharm was a member of the genus Halomonas. The closest relatives of the strain Sharm were Halomonas elongata and Halomonas eurihalina. However, DNA-DNA hybridisation results clearly indicated that strain Sham was a distinct species of Halomonas. On the basis of the evidence, we propose to assign strain Sharm as a new species of the genus Halomonas, H. sinaiensis sp. nov, with strain Sharm(T) as the type strain (DSM 18067(T); ATCC BAA-1308(T)).

O-Allyl decoration on α-glucan isolated from the haloalkaliphilic Halomonas pantelleriensis bacterium

An alpha-glucan containing the unprecedented peculiar O-allyl substituent was isolated from the haloalkaliphilic Gram-negative Halomonas pantelleriensis bacterium. Its dextran-like structure was deduced from chemical degradative and spectroscopic methods.

Haloterrigena hispanica sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from Fuente de Piedra, southern Spain

An extremely halophilic archaeon belonging to the order Halobacteriales was isolated from Fuente de Piedra salt lake, Spain. This strain, designated FP1T, was a pleomorphic coccoid, neutrophilic and required at least 15 % (w/v) NaCl for growth. Strain FP1T grew at 37–60 °C, with optimal growth at 50 °C. Mg2+ was not required, but growth was observed with up to 10 % (w/v) MgSO4. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of mannose-6-sulfate(1-2)-glucose glycerol diether as a major glycolipid. Both C20C20 and C20C25 core lipids were present. The genomic DNA G+C content was 62.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the isolate was most closely related to species of the genus Haloterrigena. DNA–DNA reassociation values between strain FP1T and the most closely related species of the genus Haloterrigena (Haloterrigena thermotolerans, Haloterrigena saccharevitans and Haloterrigena limicola) were lower than 29 %. It is therefore considered that strain FP1T represents a novel species of the genus Haloterrigena, for which the name Haloterrigena hispanica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FP1T (=DSM 18328T=ATCC BAA-1310T).

Geobacillus toebii subsp. decanicus subsp. nov., a hydrocarbon-degrading, heavy metal resistant bacterium from hot compost

A thermophilic, spore-forming bacterial strain L1(T) was isolated from hot compost "Pomigliano Environment" s.p.a., Pomigliano, Naples, Italy. The strain was identified by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. L1(T) resulted in an aerobic, gram-positive, rod-shaped, thermophilic with an optimum growth temperature of 68 degrees C chemorganotrophic bacterium which grew on hydrocarbons as unique carbon and energy sources and was resistant to heavy metals. The G+C DNA content was 43.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR) analysis of L1(T) and related strains showed that it forms within Geobacillus toebii, a separate cluster in the Geobacillus genus. The composition of cellular fatty acids analyses by Gas-Mass Spectroscopy differed from that typical for the genus Geobacillus in that it is lacking in iso-C15 fatty acid, while iso-C16 and iso-C17 were predominant. Isolates grew on a rich complex medium at temperatures between 55-75 degrees C and presented a doubling time (t(d)) of 2 h and 6 h using complex media and hydrocarbon media, respectively. Among hydrocarbons tested, n-decane (2%) was the more effective to support the growth (1 g/L of wet cells). The microorganism showed resistance to heavy metal tested during the growth. Furthermore, intracellular alpha-galactosidase and alpha-glucosidase enzymatic activities were detectable in the L1(T) strain. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic, fatty acid analysis and results from DNA-DNA hybridization, we propose assigning a novel subspecies of Geobacillus toebii, to be named Geobacillus toebii subsp. decanicus subsp. nov., with the type strain L1(T) (=DSM 17041=ATCC BAA 1004).

Halomonas alkaliantarctica sp. nov., isolated from saline lake Cape Russell in Antarctica, an alkalophilic moderately halophilic, exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium

The taxomony of strain CRSS (DSM 15686(T)=ATCC BAA-848(T)) isolated from Cape Russell in Antarctica (Ross Sea, 74 52.35 S 163 53.03 E) was investigated in a polyphasic approach. The morphological, physiological and genetic characteristics were compared with that of related species of the genus Halomonas. The isolate grew optimally at pH 9.0, 10% NaCl at 30 degrees C. The cells were Gram-negative aerobic rods able to produce exopolysaccharide. They accumulated glycine-betaine, as a major osmolyte, with minor components ectoine and glutamate. The strain CRSS biosynthetised alpha-glucosidase. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as major components. Ubiquinone with nine repetitive unities (Q9) was the only quinone found and the fatty acid composition was dominated by C18:1 (53%). The G+C content of DNA was 55.0mol% and its phylogenetic position was established by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a member of the genus Halomonas. For physiological, chemotaxonomic and genetic features (DNA-DNA hybridisation) it is proposed to classify the isolate as a new species for which we propose the name Halomonas alkaliantarctica sp. nov.

Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi subsp. incaldanensis subsp. nov., an alkalitolerant halophile isolated from an algal mat collected from a sulfurous spring in Campania (Italy), and emended description of Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi

A halophilic, alkalitolerant bacterium, strain 20AGT, was isolated from an algal mat collected from a sulfurous spring located in Santa Maria Incaldana (Mondragone, Campania Region, southern Italy). The isolate is Gram-positive, ferments several carbohydrates and has motile, rod-shaped cells that do not sporulate. The isolate grows at pH 6.5-9.5 and in 5-20 % NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the strain was shown to belong to the genus Oceanobacillus; strain 20AGT showed 96.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of Oceanobacillus iheyensis, DSM 14371T, and 99.5 % similarity to Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi NCIMB 14022T. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 20AGT and O. iheyensis DSM 14371T and O. oncorhynchi NCIMB 14022T were respectively 29.4 and 59.0 %. The G+C content of the DNA of strain 20AGT was 40.1 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine were the predominant polar lipids and minor phospholipids were also detected. ai-C14 : 0, ai-C15 : 0 and i-C15 : 0 were the major fatty acids. Strain 20AGT accumulated osmolytes and produced exopolysaccharide. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA relatedness data, isolate 20AGT should be designated as the type strain of a subspecies of Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi, for which the name Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi subsp incaldanensis subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20AGT (=DSM 16557T = ATCC BAA-954T).

The structures of the cell wall teichoic acids from the thermophilic microorganism Geobacillus thermoleovorans strain Fango

The structures of two teichoic acid fractions (TA1 and TA2) isolated from the thermophilic gram-positive bacterium Geobacillus thermoleovorans strain Fango were investigated by means of chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods. The most abundant species (TA1) exhibited a rather regular structure comprising two different repeating units of 1,3-glycerol phosphate nonstoichiometrically substituted by terminal-alpha-D-Gal p (t-alpha-D-Gal p). The second molecular species (TA2) presented a higher structural variability and t-alpha-D-Glc p and the disaccharides t-alpha-D-Glc pNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Glc p and t-alpha-D-Glc pNAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glc p were also present as minor substituents at O-2 of the glycerol phosphate residues. Minor substitution by alanine could also be detected.

Anoxybacillus amylolyticus sp. nov., a thermophilic amylase producing bacterium isolated from Mount Rittmann (Antarctica)

A new thermophilic spore-forming strain MR3CT was isolated from geothermal soil located on Mount Rittmann in Antarctica. Strain MR3CT was Gram-positive, rod-shaped, occurring in pairs or filamentous. Growth was observed between 45 and 65 degrees C (optimum 61 degrees C) and at pH 5.0-6.5 (optimum pH 5.6). It was capable of utilizing galactose, trehalose, maltose and sucrose. The microorganism produced an exopolysaccharide and synthesized an extracellular constitutive amylolytic activity. The G + C content of DNA was 43.5 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain MR3CT was shown to be related most closely to Anoxybacillus species. Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone-menaquinone-7; major fatty acid-iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0) supported the affiliation of strain MR3C1T to the genus Anoxybacillus. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain MR3CT from the validly published Anoxybacillus species. MR3CT therefore represents a new species, for which the name Anoxybacillus amylolyticus sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain MR3CT (= ATCC BAA-872T = DSM 15939T = CIP 108338T).

The structures of glycolipids isolated from the highly thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus Samu-SA1

Thermophiles constitute a class of microorganisms able to grow at extremely elevated temperatures. Some of these species are classified as Gram-negative bacteria, because of the presence of an outer membrane in the cell envelope, which is located on the top of a thick murein layer. Unlike typical Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membranes of Thermus species are not composed of lipopolysaccharides but of peculiar glycolipids (GL), whose structures seem to be strictly involved in the adaptation to high temperatures. In this work, the complete structures of the major GL components from the cell envelope of the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus Samu-SA1 are presented. Protocols conventionally adopted for Gram-negative bacteria were used, and, for the first time, GL from Thermus were analyzed in their native form. Two GL and one phosphoglycolipid (PGL) were detected and characterized. The two GL, analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI FT-ICR) mass spectrometry, possessed the same tetrasaccharide structure linked to a glycerol unit or, alternatively, to a long-chain diol. Moreover, a PGL from Thermus was characterized for the first time, in which N-glyceroyl-heptadecaneamine was present. These molecules are chemically related to other GL from thermophile bacteria, in which they play a crucial role in the adaptation of cell membranes to heat.

Bioactive exopolysaccharides from the cultured cells of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum var. San Marzano

Three exopolysaccharides, EPS(1), EPS(2), and EPS(3), were isolated from suspension-cultured cells of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, var. San Marzano). The partial primary structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. EPS(2) was a heteropolysaccharide with a tetrasaccharide repeating unit constituted by sugars having one residue in alpha-manno, one residue in beta-manno, and two different residues in beta-gluco/galacto configurations. EPS(3) was a heteropolysaccharide with a pentasaccharide repeating unit with sugars having three residues in alpha-manno, one residue in alpha-gluco/galacto, and one residue in beta-gluco/galacto configurations. The anticytotoxic activities of exopolysaccharides were tested in a brine shrimp bioassay.

The (ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction in thermophilic bacteria

Species of Alicyclobacillus, Bacillus and Thermus genera were selected in order to study the possible presence of the (ADP-ribosyl)ation system. These bacteria are thermophilic, aerobic, and were isolated from different geothermal sources. Both activity and expression of (ADP-ribosyl)ating proteins were tested in cells at different growth phases, and evidence of an active system was obtained in all analyzed microorganisms, with comparable enzymatic levels. Immunochemical analyses with polyclonal antibodies against both eukaryotic anti-(ADP-ribose) transferase and anti-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase revealed, for all tested organisms, an immunosignal localized in the range of molecular masses between 43-53 kD. Several proteins of various molecular masses were found as ADP-ribose acceptors. Reaction product analyses showed mono(ADP-ribose) to be the only synthesized compound.