An Ultra-Violet Tolerant Wild-Type Strain of Melanin-Producing Bacillus thuringiensis

UV protection and insecticidal activity of microencapsulated Vip3Ag4 protein in Bacillus megaterium

In this study, secretable Vip3Ag4 protein was encapsulated in Bacillus megaterium and used for quantitative bioassays, in order to determine the UV photoprotective capacity of the cell, for preventing inactivation of the insecticidal activity of the protein. The non-encapsulated and purified protein was exposed to the UV light showing a LC50 of 518 ng/cm2 against Spodoptera littoralis larvae, whereas the exposed encapsulated protein exhibited 479 ng/cm2. In addition to the capability to accumulate Vip3 proteins for the development of novel insecticidal formulates, the B. megaterium cell has demonstrated to provide moderate protection against the deleterious action of UV light.

Effect of yhfS gene on Bt LLP29 antioxidant and UV ray resistance

BACKGROUND

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a widely used microbial insecticide. However, its persistence is limited because of ultraviolet (UV) rays or other environmental factors. The yhfS gene, which encodes acetyl-CoA acyltransferase, plays an important role in lipid transport and metabolism in many organisms. To explore whether it is related to the stress resistance of Bt LLP29, the yhfS gene knockout strain LLP29 Δ-yhfS and the complementary strain LLP29 R-yhfS were generated successfully by homologous recombination technology, and the related phenotypic changes were compared in this study.

RESULTS

Gene yhfS was found to be functional in response to UV radiation in Bt by comparing the survival rates of Bt LLP29 harboring yhfS or not under UV light. Enzyme activity assays of key enzymes showed the the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway was enhanced yet the tricarboxylic acid cycle as well as butanoate synthesis were repressed when the gene was deleted. At the same time, the amino acid content was decreased, but reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content were increased. Most noteworthy, antioxidase (such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) activities and contents of some potent antioxidants (such as pyruvate, carotenoids and NADPH) were lower in LLP29 Δ-yhfS than in LLP29.

CONCLUSION

These tests revealed that the loss of the yhfS gene led to metabolic disorders and reduction of the antioxidant ability of Bt. Higher ROS level and lower anti-oxidative capacity might be responsible for the reduced UV resistance when the gene was deleted. These results not only greatly enrich understanding of the mechanism of Bt UV resistance, but also provide an important theoretical basis for Bt application. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Whole Genome Resequencing Revealed the Effect of Helicase yqhH Gene on Regulating Bacillus thuringiensis LLP29 against Ultraviolet Radiation Stress

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a widely used microbial pesticide. However, its duration of effectiveness is greatly shortened due to the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, which seriously hinders the application of Bt preparations. Therefore, it is of great importance to study the resistance mechanism of Bt to UV at the molecular level to improve the UV-resistance of Bt strains. In order to know the functional genes in the UV resistance, the genome of UV-induced mutant Bt LLP29-M19 was re-sequenced and compared with the original strain Bt LLP29. It was shown that there were 1318 SNPs, 31 InDels, and 206 SV between the mutant strain and the original strain Bt LLP29 after UV irradiation, which were then analyzed for gene annotation. Additionally, a mutated gene named yqhH, a member of helicase superfamily II, was detected as an important candidate. Then, yqhH was expressed and purified successfully. Through the result of the enzymatic activity in vitro, yqhH was found to have ATP hydrolase and helicase activities. In order to further verify its function, the yqhH gene was knocked out and complemented by homologous recombinant gene knockout technology. The survival rate of the knockout mutant strain Bt LLP29-ΔyqhH was significantly lower than that of the original strain Bt LLP29 and the back-complemented strain Bt LLP29-ΔyqhH-R after treated with UV. Meanwhile, the total helicase activity was not significantly different on whether Bt carried yqhH or not. All of these greatly enrich important molecular mechanisms of Bt when it is in UV stress.

Determination, distribution, and environmental fate of Bacillus thuringiensis spores in various honeybee matrices after field application as plant protection product

The increasing use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based plant protection products (PPPs) has recently raised some concerns regarding their environmental accumulation and possible chronic exposure of non-target species, including pollinators, to higher than expected doses. The exposure level of such microbial PPPs in bee's matrices under field conditions has not yet been described. Therefore, the current study aims at evaluating the realistic exposure level and comparing the distributions and persistence of Bt spores under field conditions. A field trial with spray application in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) as a representative bee-attractive crop was conducted. During the experimental period, different matrices, including honeybee-collected and -stored matrices as well as bee larvae and dead bees, were collected and analyzed using newly established methods. The concentration of Bt spores in the various matrices was quantified. The results show high levels of Bt spores in honey sac and pollen pellets with reduction over time but no reduction of Bt spores in the stored matrices within the colony, i.e., nectar and bee bread, over time. Our results show for the first time the exposure level of bees to Bt spores under realistic field conditions and are fundamentally important for assessing potential exposure and risks for pollinators.

Microbial melanin: Recent advances in biosynthesis, extraction, characterization, and applications

Melanin is a common name for a group of biopolymers with the dominance of potential applications in medical sciences, cosmeceutical, bioremediation, and bioelectronic applications. The broad distribution of these pigments suggests their role to combat abiotic and biotic stresses in diverse life forms. Biosynthesis of melanin in fungi and bacteria occurs by oxidative polymerization of phenolic compounds predominantly by two pathways, 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene [DHN] or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine [DOPA], resulting in different kinds of melanin, i.e., eumelanin, pheomelanin, allomelanin, pyomelanin, and neuromelanin. The enzymes responsible for melanin synthesis belong mainly to tyrosinase, laccase, and polyketide synthase families. Studies have shown that manipulating culture parameters, combined with recombinant technology, can increase melanin yield for large-scale production. Despite significant efforts, its low solubility has limited the development of extraction procedures, and heterogeneous structural complexity has impaired structural elucidation, restricting effective exploitation of their biotechnological potential. Innumerable studies have been performed on melanin pigments from different taxa of life in order to advance the knowledge about melanin pigments for their efficient utilization in diverse applications. These studies prompted an urgent need for a comprehensive review on melanin pigments isolated from microorganisms, so that such review encompassing biosynthesis, bioproduction, characterization, and potential applications would help researchers from diverse background to understand the importance of microbial melanins and to utilize the information from the review for planning studies on melanin. With this aim in mind, the present report compares conventional and modern ideas for environment-friendly extraction procedures for melanin. Furthermore, the characteristic parameters to differentiate between eumelanin and pheomelanin are also mentioned, followed by their biotechnological applications forming the basis of industrial utilization. There lies a massive scope of work to circumvent the bottlenecks in their isolation and structural elucidation methodologies.

Biocompatibility and radioprotection by newly characterized melanin pigment and its production from Dietzia schimae NM3 in optimized whey medium by response surface methodology

Purpose

To characterize and optimize the productivity of melanin using an extremotolerant actinobacterium, Dietzia schimae NM3, for the first time.

Methods

An extracellular brown pigment produced by D. schimae NM3 in the nutrient broth and cheese whey medium by adding L-tyrosine. The extracted melanin was analyzed by UV-visible, HPLC, and FTIR assays. The radical scavenging activity (by DPPH) and sun protection factor (SPF) of the extracted melanin were measured. The melanin cytotoxicity was assayed by MTT and chromate biosorption was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Finally, melanin production by D. schimae NM3 was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken design in the whey medium.

Result

The purified melanin showed similar peak to the standard melanin (SIGMA) at 3.5 min in HPLC, and C=O bands, NH2, CH, C-N, and aromatic groups by FTIR. The radical scavenging activity (by DPPH) and SPF of the extracted melanin were obtained 188.9% and 20.22, respectively. Using MTT assay, the melanin revealed non-toxic effect on the normal human fibroblast (HFB) cell culture. The melanin yield 790 mg l−1, and tyrosinase activity 3400 U ml−1 were obtained in the medium contained whey powder [5% (w v−1)], L-tyrosine 2.5 g l−1, CuSO4 0.013 g l−1, and pH 10.5, incubated at 32 °C for 3 days. The ANOVA results indicated significant P-value, model F-value, and probability, with insignificant lack of fit. After optimization with mono-factors, the nutrient broth came up with melanin yield as 1.2 g l−1 and tyrosinase activity as 4040 U ml−1.

Conclusion

This is the first report of melanin production by D. schimae NM3 and this natural melanin showed valuable biological properties such as high antioxidant activity and radioprotection (SPF) and the biocompatibility to human cell line.

Di[(R)-2-ethylhexyl] Phthalate, a Bioactive Metabolite First Isolated from Three Different Bacillus Species, and its Synthesis

:

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most common phthalate ester, which has been used as a plasticizer for the production of numerous polymers, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Many other groups have synthesized meso-DEHP indicating interest in this molecule, but we are the first to synthesize enantiomerically pure di[(R)-2-ethylhexyl] phthalate. We report herein, for the first time, the isolation - from the cultures of Bacillus thuringiensis, B. subtilis, and B. velezensis strains - of di[(R)-2-ethylhexyl] phthalate, enantiomerically pure and in good yields: its biological activity against bacteria and fungi was probed and for the first time its synthesis was done.

Antimicrobial secondary metabolites from agriculturally important bacteria as next-generation pesticides

The whole organisms can be packaged as biopesticides, but secondary metabolites secreted by microorganisms can also have a wide range of biological activities that either protect the plant against pests and pathogens or act as plant growth promotors which can be beneficial for the agricultural crops. In this review, we have compiled information about the most important secondary metabolites of three important bacterial genera currently used in agriculture pest and disease management.

Noble UV protective agent for Bacillus thuringiensis based on a combination of graphene oxide and olive oil

The focus of this study is investigating the performance of graphene oxide (GO) in the protective effect of olive oil on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) after being exposed to UV radiations. Biological pesticides Bt subsp. Kurstaki is one of the most important biological control agents. We compared the protective effect of two UV protectant; GO and olive oil and also the combination of both, on the stability of the formulation of Bt after exposure to UV radiations. Spore viability was measured for protective effect and bioassay test was performed on the formulations of Bt. The combination of GO and olive oil revealed the highest viabilities of 50.62% after 96 h exposure to UV radiation, while viabilities of free spore, olive oil formulation and GO formulation were 32.54%, 37.19%,and 45.20%, respectively. The mortality of irradiated combination formulation on second-instar larvae Ephestia Kuehniella was 68.89%, while the same parameter for free spore, olive oil formulation and GO formulation were 40%, 46.66%,and 56%, respectively.

A new formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis: UV protection and sustained release mosquito larvae studies

Persistence of Bacillus thuringiensis is an important factor in determining the success of this product as a pest control agent. In this report we present the development of a highly active mosquitocidal formulation with high resistance to UV. LLP29-M19 strain of Bt, selected by repeated exposure to UV was found to be highly resistant to UV. The product was optimized and the methods used were statistically analyzed. Using single-factor experiments it was determined that the optimal concentration of sodium alginate, CaCl₂ and hollow glass beads in the formulation were 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.5%, respectively. Plackett-Burman design was used to screen the interaction of the three factors, CaCl₂, sodium alginate and hollow glass beads in the sustained-release formulation. The best combined concentration and mutual effects of the three factors were optimized by response surface methodology. The results showed that the most favorable composition was sodium alginate 0.78%, CaCl₂ 4.52%, hollow glass bead 3.12%, bacterial powder 3.0%, melanin 0.015%, sodium benzoate 0.2%, and mouse feed 0.5%, resulting in the immobilization time of 4.5 h, at which time the corrected sustained-release virulence rose 2391.67 fold, which was 6.07-fold higher than the basic formulation and deviated only 5.0% from the value predicted by RSM.