Microbial degradation of usnic acid in the reindeer rumen

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) eat and utilize lichens as an important source of energy and nutrients in winter. Lichens synthesize and accumulate a wide variety of phenolic secondary compounds, such as usnic acid, as a defense against herbivores and to protect against damage by UV-light in solar radiation. We have examined where and to what extent these phenolic compounds are degraded in the digestive tract of the reindeer, with particular focus on usnic acid. Three male reindeer were given ad libitum access to a control diet containing no usnic acid for three weeks and then fed lichens ad libitum (primarily Cladonia stellaris) containing 9.1 mg/g DM usnic acid for 4 weeks. Usnic acid intake in reindeer on the lichen diet was 91–117 mg/kg BM/day. In spite of this, no trace of usnic acid or conjugates of usnic acid was found either in fresh rumen fluid, urine, or feces. This suggests that usnic acid is rapidly degraded by rumen microbes, and that it consequently is not absorbed by the animal. This apparent ability to detoxify lichen phenolic compounds may gain increased importance with future enhanced UV-B radiation expected to cause increased protective usnic acid/phenol production in lichens.     

Potent activity of the lichen antibiotic (+)-usnic acid against clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis>

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant staphylococci, most notably methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are serious clinical problems. The antibiotic arsenal available against them is limited, and new mutants worsen the situation. We studied the activity of (+)-usnic acid, an old lichen-derived drug, and its sodium salt against clinical isolates of VRE and MRSA using the agar diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. The acid and, especially, the sodium salt had potent antimicrobial activity against all clinical isolates of VRE and MRSA studied. The MIC values of the sodium salt against VRE strains ranged between 4 and 16 μg/ml (1-day test) and between 4 and 31 μg/ml (2-day test), being below 8 μg/ml for most strains. The salt had potent activity even against those strains that were not inhibited by ampicillin (125 μg/ml), and it never lost its activity after 24 h, in contrast to ampicillin. Thus, in spite of the fact that usnic acid can in some cases cause serious toxicity, it and its salts may be worth considering in clinical practice in cases where other therapies have failed or the microbe is resistant toward other agents.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eubacterium rangiferina</Emphasis>, a novel usnic acid-resistant bacterium from the reindeer rumen

Reindeer are able to eat and utilize lichens as an important source of energy and nutrients. In the current study, the activities of antibiotic secondary metabolites including usnic, antranoric, fumarprotocetraric, and lobaric acid commonly found in lichens were tested against a collection of 26 anaerobic rumen bacterial isolates from reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) using the agar diffusion method. The isolates were identified based on their 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequences. Usnic acid had a potent antimicrobial effect against 25 of the isolates, belonging to Clostridiales, Enterococci, and Streptococci. Isolates of Clostridia and Streptococci were also susceptible to atranoric and lobaric acid. However, one isolate (R3_91_1) was found to be resistant to usnic, antranoric, fumarprotocetraric, and lobaric acid. R3_91_1 was also seen invading and adhering to lichen particles when grown in a liquid anaerobic culture as demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. This was a Gram-negative, nonmotile rod (0.2-0.7 x 2.0-3.5 microm) with a deoxyribonucleic acid G + C content of 47.0 mol% and main cellular fatty acids including 15:0 anteiso-dimethyl acetal (DMA), 16:0 iso-fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), 13:0 iso-3OH FAME, and 17:0 anteiso-FAME, not matching any of the presently known profiles in the MIDI database. Combined, the phenotypic and genotypic traits including the 16S rRNA gene sequence show that R3_91_1 is a novel species inside the order Clostridiales within the family Lachnospiraceae, for which we propose the name Eubacterium rangiferina. This is the first record of a rumen bacterium able to tolerate and grow in the presence of usnic acid, indicating that the rumen microorganisms in these animals have adapted mechanisms to deal with lichen secondary metabolites, well known for their antimicrobial and toxic effects.     

微型藻类在海水环境自净中的作用

研究了小定鞭金藻(Prymnesium parvum),标志星杆藻(Asterionella notota)和窄隙角毛藻(Chaetoceros affinis)在模拟生态条件下对生活污水细菌死亡率的影响,以及它们的细胞抽提物的抗菌作用、结果表明,小定鞭金藻和标志星杆藻对金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphyloco-ccus aureus),粪链球菌(Streptococcus faecalis),大肠菌群(Coliform group)、以及细菌总数具有加速死亡和协同抗菌作用,小定鞭金藻及标志星杆藻的抽提物能在很低浓度下对多种细菌有不同程度的抑制作用,标志星杆藻比小定鞭金藻抗菌活力低,但抗菌范围较广,窄隙角毛藻在对生活污水细菌死亡率的影响上或其抽提物对于试验菌株的拮抗性上均无作用.     

四溴乙基环己烷(TBECH)立体异构体的分析方法与环境行为及毒性效应研究进展

1,2-二溴-4-（1,2-二溴乙基）-环己烷,又名TBECH（tetrabromoethylcyclohexane,四溴乙基环己烷）,是一种添加型的新型溴代阻燃剂.TBECH的立体结构复杂,具有4个异构体,每个异构体又均含有一对对映体.随着传统溴代阻燃剂的禁止生产或限制使用,TBECH作为替代品之一被广泛用于建筑业、纺织业和电子等各行业.TBECH具有长距离迁移性、生物累积性和潜在毒性,被认为是一种可能的持久性有机污染物.通过对TBECH立体异构体的分析方法、环境行为和毒性效应研究的最新进展进行综述发现,TBECH的检测通常采用气相色谱质谱联用法,但仅集中于对环境样品中TBECH非对映异构体的分离分析,对映体水平的检测将成为未来TBECH立体异构体分析的发展方向.TBECH已在大气、水体、沉积物、土壤等环境介质和生物体中被陆续检出,并对生物体产生内分泌干扰、生殖发育等毒性效应,其各立体异构体具有特异的环境行为,表现出选择性的生物累积、转化和毒性效应.鉴于目前TBECH环境行为的研究主要关注水生生态系统,而从立体异构体水平出发的研究还很欠缺,建议今后加强对陆生生态系统中TBECH污染状况、分布特征以及环境行为的研究,进一步从异构体和对映体水平深入探讨TBECH的环境过程和生物效应,全面认识环境中TBECH的迁移转化规律及最终归趋.      

Zelluläre Wirkungen der ultravioletten Komponente des Sonnenlichts

The discussion on the possible increase of solar UV on earth due to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone has led to a renewed interest in the action of ultraviolet radiation on biological systems. The paper deals with changes at the cellular level stressing particularly molecular alterations in deoxyribonucleic acid, the carrier of genetic information. The most important repair processes by which lesions are removed or bypassed are described. It is also discussed whether the effectivity of a complex spectrum can be predicted on the basis of measurements with monochromatic radiation. Furthermore, possible consequences on human health are outlined which may be derived from cellular studies.     

黄土丘陵区不同土地利用类型下生物土壤结皮的入渗效应

为揭示黄土丘陵区BSCs(生物土壤结皮)的入渗特征,以甘肃省定西市安家沟小流域为例,选择荒草地、沙棘灌丛和油松林3种典型土地利用类型进行采样,采用环刀模拟法研究不同土地利用类型下苔藓结皮和地衣结皮对水分入渗的影响. 结果表明:①不同土地利用类型下的2种BSCs均明显减少初渗速率和达到稳渗所需时间,初渗速率降幅最小值、最大值分别出现在油松林、荒草地下地衣结皮;荒草地、沙棘灌丛苔藓结皮稳渗速率相对裸土分别增加2.4%、10.0%,而二者地衣结皮明显降低稳渗速率,降幅分别为45.2%和55.0%,油松林下苔藓结皮和地衣结皮稳渗速率均增幅为18.2%. ②苔藓结皮在3种土地利用类型下均促进土壤水分入渗,其入渗量调控率在荒草地、沙棘灌丛和油松林下分别是1.0%、10.0%和0.7%;而地衣结皮在荒草地和沙棘灌丛下明显阻碍水分入渗,其入渗量调控率的绝对值分别为43.9%和50.0%,在油松林下的入渗量调控率则为16.5%. ③Horton模型对生物土壤结皮入渗过程拟合效果最好,较适于描述本区具有生物结皮覆盖的土壤入渗特征.      

解淀粉乳酸细菌在厨余垃圾乳酸发酵中的应用

研究了水解淀粉乳酸细菌对厨余垃圾发酵生产乳酸的强化作用.从厌氧发酵的厨余垃圾中分离到6株水解淀粉的乳酸细菌,其中菌株FH164具有最高的淀粉降解率和乳酸产量.在pH5.5～6.0条件下,经48h发酵,菌株FH164从40.50g·L^-1的可溶性淀粉产生32.67g·L^-1的乳酸.根据形态、生理生化特征和16SrDNA序列分析结果,可将菌株FH164鉴定为链球菌属(Streptococcus sp.)细菌.接种菌株FH164可强化厨余垃圾的乳酸发酵,采用垃圾不灭菌的开放式发酵,菌株FH164可得到28.23g·L^-1的乳酸,比自然发酵(不接种的对照)的乳酸浓度高19.2%.     

Screening of agonistic activities against four nuclear receptors in wastewater treatment plants in Japan using a yeast two-hybrid assay

To assess the potential endocrine disruptive effects through multiple nuclear receptors(NRs),especially non-steroidal NRs,in municipal wastewater,we examined the agonistic activities on four NRs(estrogen receptor α,thyroid hormone receptor α,retinoic acid receptor α and retinoid X receptor α) of untreated and treated wastewater from municipal wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) in Japan using a yeast two-hybrid assay.Investigation of the influent and effluent of seven WWTPs revealed that agonistic activities...     

Green synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using methanolic root extracts of Diospyros sylvatica

The current research study focuses to formulate the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles for the first time from silver acetate using methanolic root extracts of Diospyros sylvatica, a member of family Ebenaceae. TEM analysis revealed the average diameter of Ag NPs around 8 nm which is in good agreement with the average crystallite size (10 nm) calculated from X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Further the study has been extended to the antimicrobial activity against test pathogenic Gram (+) ve, Gram (−) ve bacterial and fungal strains. The bioinspired Ag-NP showed promising activity against all the tested bacterial strains and the activity was enhanced with increased dosage levels.     

天然秸秆纤维素分解菌的分离选育

从土壤、酒糟、腐烂的玉米秸秆及牛粪中共分离到14株能分解纤维素的真菌菌株,外加已保藏的10株共24株菌株。分别对其进行了滤纸分解度、羧甲基纤维素(CMC)酶活和天然纤维素酶活的测定。筛选出6株对天然纤维素有较强的降解能力,酶活力在60mg/mL.d以上的菌株。通过改变其培养基中天然纤维素的含量,发现随着培养基中天然纤维素含量的减少,酶活力也随之降低。     

利用酵母菌处理高浓度味精废水的连续小试

利用批量实验对从高浓度味精废水中筛选出的一组酵母菌混合菌群进行了脱氢酶活性(DHA)测试.结果表明用该菌群对COD、硫酸根和氨氮均接近20000mg/L的味精离交尾液进行处理时,其DHA值在前36h高于对离交尾液稀释液的处理,说明高浓度氨氮和硫酸盐对酵母菌活性的影响不显著.利用接种了该酵母菌群的生物接触氧化反应器对味精废水进行的连续小试处理结果表明,COD容积负荷2.0～14.3kg/(m³·d)时,COD去除率稳定在80%以上;适当地补充磷源有利于维持稳定的处理效果对出水pH值和C     

鲁西南粮棉产区生态控制农田害虫技术研究

根据生态类型区的农业生态现状，以种植结构调整为基础，发挥生态因素控制害虫作用为重点，充分利用害虫天敌，生物制剂的控害作用，必要时辅以化学防治调节，达到生态控制农作物害虫的目的。     

古尔班通古特沙漠1970-2000年代生物结皮覆盖变化研究

生物结皮是古尔班通古特沙漠主要的地表覆盖类型,也是维持其地表稳定的重要生物因子。论文利用20世纪70年代中期、80年代末期及21世纪初的遥感影像,通过生物结皮指数提取了古尔班通古特沙漠在相应时期内的生物结皮空间分布。在此基础上,分析了研究区近30年来生物结皮空间分布的变化特征;利用景观分析软件Fragstats计算了各个时期内结皮覆盖的景观指数熏并对其变化特征进行了分析。结果表明:由于新疆气候增湿、增暖明显,近30年来结皮发育良好。但由于油田开采、水利工程建设、牲畜放牧等人类活动的加强,结皮发育受到较为严重的干扰,区域内结皮斑块破碎化程度加大。     

准好氧矿化垃圾床处理渗滤液的脱氮菌群研究

为探明准好氧矿化垃圾床处理渗滤液的生物脱氮机理,采用最大或然数计数法以及一系列的生化试验和镜检照片,研究了床层不同高度脱氮菌的数量和菌群结构.结果表明:床内亚硝化菌、硝化菌、厌氧反硝化菌和好氧反硝化菌的平均数量分别为5.3×106,7.5×106,6.9×103和2.5×105 g-1,亚硝化菌、硝化菌和好氧反硝化菌主要富集于反应床的表层和底部,厌氧反硝化菌主要富集于反应床的中部;从床内共分离出3株亚硝化菌,6株硝化菌,5株厌氧反硝化菌和6株好氧反硝化菌.准好氧矿化垃圾床处理渗滤液的生物脱氮机理为同步硝化反硝化,主要发生在反应床的表层和底部.      

对阳光—水生学废水处理技术的探讨

阳光—水生学废水处理技术模拟自然界水体的自净作用,利用自然界生态系统中物理、化学和生物的共同作用来实现对污水的净化,在国内外处于领先地位。从不同角度介绍了此技术,并对其在国内的应用前景进行了分析探讨。     

V_2O_5/ACF低温选择性催化还原烟气中NO的研究

文章对V2O5/ACF(活性炭纤维)进行低温选择性催化还原(SCR)NO的影响研究。实验表明:ACF用硝酸处理形成ACFN,然后采用等体积浸渍法制备V2O5/ACFN催化剂,NO脱除率明显增加。同时研究了V2O5负载量、反应温度、NH3初始浓度、NO初始浓度、O2含量等因素对NO脱除效率的影响,发现V2O5/ACFN在180℃低温时,在NH3/NO为1.1、NO初始体积分数1000×10-6和O2体积分数5%时NO脱除效率较高。     

关于废水中氮和磷的去除研究

废水中存在的氮和磷一旦排入天然水体,就会造成藻类繁殖和水体的富营养化,因此将氮和磷从废水中有效去除是非常必需的.本文从污水处理厂提高脱氮除磷的工艺出发进行研究,对进一步强化仅通过生物作用去除氮、磷的二级污水处理厂的处理工艺,将深度处理单元加入到污水处理厂中,减少出水指标和对地表水的影响很有意义.     

腐殖酸和半胱氨酸对Shewanella oneidensis MR-1生物转化硫化汞的影响

研究了不同浓度腐殖酸和半胱氨酸条件下,铁还原菌Shewanella oneidensis MR-1对固态硫化汞的生物溶解和甲基化作用.结果表明,固态硫化汞的生物溶解量随加入腐殖酸浓度的增大而增加,当腐殖酸浓度为10mg/L时,固态硫化汞的溶解量约为3.35mg/L;在腐殖酸浓度为1~5mg/L范围内, S. oneidensis MR-1对硫化汞的生物甲基化率呈上升趋势,在5~10mg/L范围时呈下降趋势,其中生物甲基化率最大值约为10.55%;加入不同浓度半胱氨酸对菌株生物溶解固态硫化汞的影响不明显,但能增加S. oneidensis MR-1对硫化汞的生物甲基汞生成量,加速甲基化反应进程,使硫化汞的生物甲基化率提高至19.23%.该研究为自然水体生态系统中铁还原菌参与固态硫化汞生物溶解及生物甲基化提供了直接证据.