Quantification of polyphenols during retting and characterization of bacteria from the Kadinamkulam Backwaters, Kerala

The retting environment which provides a competitive niche for specialized microbes is speculated to harbour a variety of microbes with high biodegradation potential. In this context, an effort has been made to isolate and identify bacterial species having high tolerance to phenol In vitro. Maximum polyphenol (1.897 mg l(-1)) as observed during the initial period of retting, which decreased as retting proceeded. Based on biochemical characterization, the isolated bacterial strains were identified as Micrococcus sp., Moraxella sp. strain MP1, Moraxella sp. strain MP2 and Moraxella sp. strain MP3, Pseudomonas sp. strain PP1 and Pseudomonas sp. strain PP2, Amphibacillus sp., Brucella sp. strain BP1 and Brucella sp. strain BP2, Aquaspirillum sp., Escherichia coli strain EP1 and Escherichia coli strain EP2, Campylobacter sp., Aeromonas sp., Neisseria sp., Vibrio sp., Erwinia sp. and Mesophilobacter sp. These strains were found to tolerate maximum concentration of phenol viz. 200 to 1000 mg l(-1). Plasmid analysis of phenol resistant bacterial isolates showed that almost all the cultures had at least one plasmid of size > 1Kb. Studies on the protein profile of isolated bacterial cultures showed the presence of proteins with molecular sizes ranging from 10 to 85 KDa with exception of Mesophilobacter and Neisseria having still high molecular weight protein (95 KDa). Bacterial strains isolated from coir-ret-liquor showed tolerance to high phenol concentration.     

Microbial decolourisation of pulp and paper mill effluent in presence of nitrogen and phosphorus by activated sludge process

The effect of pH, nutrient and aeration was studied on the removal of colour and reduction of BOD, COD and heavy metals with addition of readily available source of nitrogen and phosphorus in concentration of 1.0 g/L. Recalcitrant compound was effectively degraded by active microbial consortia. The isolated bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas putida (S1), Citrobacter sp. (S4) and Enterobacter sp. (S5). These organisms not only decolourised effluent upto 97% but reduced BOD, COD, phenolics and sulfide upto 96.63, 96.80, 96.92 and 96.67% respectively within 24 hrs of aeration and the heavy metals were removed upto 82-99.80%. The TSS and TDS were sharply reduced due to degradation. The absorption maxima was also decreased to 90%. However, in control without the microbial consortium no noticeable change was produced.     

Selection of poly(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid utilising bacteria by enrichment,optimisation and compatibility testing for consortia development

Bacterial strains with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) degradation potential were isolated from waste yard soil samples of selected industrial sites in Uttarakhand, India, and two microbial consortia were developed, i.e. Consortium I comprises Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb10, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb11 and Bacillus sp. strain Rb18, and Consortium II is composed of Lysinibacillus sp. strain Rb1, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb13 and Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb19. The current study involved enrichment selection via liquid and semi-solid media, followed by isolation and screening of bacterial strains using PHB pellets and films. Furthermore, the identification and characterisation was done by triphasic approach. The utilisation of PHB by the characterised strains was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration of solubilised PHB was found to be 2.5?mg/mL, which was detected through ‘clear zone assay’. Further, the selection and biocompatibility testing of potential isolates were performed for the formation of bacterial consortia. Thus, the present work would provide direct and standardised protocol for screening and selection of potential microbiomes for biodegradation of polymers by overcoming the negative effect of organic solvents. Moreover, indigenously developed consortia would be evaluated for their in situ biodegradation potential against various bioplastic films.     

Synergistic degradation of pyrene and volatilization of arsenic by cocultures of bacteria and a fungus

The combination of two bacteria (Bacillus sp. PY1 and Sphingomonas sp. PY2) and a fungus (Fusarium sp. PY3), isolated from contaminated soils near a coking plant, were investigated with respect to their capability to degrade pyrene and volatilize arsenic. The results showed that all strains could use pyrene and arsenic as carbon and energy sources in a basal salts medium (BSM), with the combined potential to degrade pyrene and volatilize arsenic. Bacillus sp. PY1, Sphingomonas sp. PY2 and Fusarium sp. PY3 were isolated from the consortium and were shown to degrade pyrene and volatilize arsenic independently and in combination. Fungal-bacterial coculture has shown that the most effective removal of pyrene was 96.0% and volatilized arsenic was 84.1% after incubation in liquid medium after 9 days culture, while bioremediation ability was 87.2% in contaminated soil with 100 mg·kg^-1 pyrene. The highest level of arsenic volatilization amounted to 13.9% of the initial As concentration in contaminated soil after 63 days. Therefore, a synergistic degradation system is the most effective approach to degrade pyrene and remove arsenic in contaminated soil. These findings highlight the role of these strains in the bioremediation of environments contaminated with pyrene and arsenic.     

1株贫营养好氧反硝化菌的分离鉴定及其脱氮特性

从水库底泥样品中,以硝酸盐为唯一氮源进行驯化、分离筛选出1株能在贫营养及好氧条件下进行高效反硝化的菌株PY8,经过电镜形态学观察、生理生化和16S rDNA序列分析,并基于16SrDNA序列结果,构建了该菌株的系统发育树,最终确定菌株PY8为根瘤菌Rhizobiumsp.。考察了初始pH值、温度、C/N、初始硝酸钠质量浓度、投菌量对菌株PY8硝酸盐还原活性的影响,以及该菌株的异养硝化性能。结果表明,在pH6.0～10.0,温度25～30℃,C/N1.0～9.0,初始硝酸钠质量浓度0.01～0.50g·L-1,投菌量1%～15%时,菌株PY8培养72h后的硝氮去除率可达到95%以上。另外,该菌株具有同时硝化-反硝化作用,在培养过程中氨氮去除率可达到58%左右。实验结果表明,菌株PY8在微污染水体生物脱氮领域中具有很大的应用潜力。     

Microcystin-LR biodegradation by Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05

A promising bacterial strain for biodegrading microcystin-LR (MC-LR) as the sole carbon and nitrogen source was successfully isolated from Lake Dianchi, China. The strain was identified as Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05, which was the first isolated MCs-biodegrading Sphingopyxis sp. in China. The average biodegradation rate of MC-LR by Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05 was 28.8 mg??L^?1 per day, which was apparently higher than those of other bacteria reported so far. The optimal temperature and pH for both strain USTB-05 growth and MC-LR biodegradation were 30??C and 7.0, respectively. The release of MC-LR from the cyanobacterial cells collected from Lake Guishui and the biodegradation of MC-LR by both strain and cell-free extract (CE) were investigated. The results indicated that MC-LR with the initial concentration of 4.0 mg??L^?1 in water was biodegraded by Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05 within 4 d, while MC-LR with the initial concentration of 28.8 mg??L^?1 could be completely removed in 3 h by CE of Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05 containing 350 mg??L^?1 protein. During enzymatic biodegradation of MC-LR, two intermediate metabolites and a dead-end product were observed on an HPLC chromatogram. Moreover, the similar scanning profiles of MC-LR and its metabolic products indicate that the Adda side-chain of MC-LR was kept intact in all products.     

Biodegradation of paclobutrazol by a microbial consortium isolated from industrially contaminated sediment

Biodegradability of the plant growth retardant paclobutrazol by a microbial consortium in which Pseudomonas was the predominant strain was investigated in batch culture. The consortium which had been isolated from an industrially contaminated sediment was proven to be useful for the treatment of effluents containing paclobutrazol. Paclobutrazol was degraded by the pure isolated strain of Pseudomonas sp. as well as the microbial consortium. Paclobutrazol was utilized as the sole source of carbon and energy. Sixty percent of the paclobutrazol was degraded by the microbial consortium from an initial concentration of 54 mg L^?1 within 48 h and more than 98% of an initial concentration of 3.4 mg L^?1 was degraded within 36 h. The optimum temperature and pH were determined to be 30°C and 7.0, respectively. A pure strain of a bacterium, isolated from the enrichment culture was identified as Pseudomonas sp. The microbial consortium was tolerant of high pH and could degrade paclobutrazol faster than the pure strain. The degradation rate of this plant growth regulator in an aerobic environment was greater than that under anaerobic conditions.     

丁草胺高效降解细菌的分离

通过瓶培养法富集培养，从肥东县一块单晚稻田土中分离出一株丁草胺高效降解细菌ＷＹ３０６，经鉴定，该菌为节杆菌属菌Ａｒｔｈｒｏｂａｃｔｅｒ ｓｐ．ＷＹ３０６．Ａｒｔｈｒｏｂａｃｔｅｒ ｓｐ．ＷＹ３０６降解丁草胺的影响因素研究表明：丁草胺降解半衰期与初始菌量近似成反比；当丁草胺添加浓度为５、９ｍｇ／Ｌ时，其降解半衰期分别为０．９７ｈ和１．８６ｈ，随浓度的增大而增大，而当丁草胺添加浓度为０．８ｍｇ／Ｌ或其     

生物氧化再生脱硫液的影响因素研究

化学-生物法脱硫中使用的脱硫液一般采用生物法氧化再生.探讨了pH、初始Fe3 浓度、硫磺、硫酸钠浓度等因素对生物氧化再生Fe3 的影响.结果表明,生物氧化再生脱硫液的最适初始pH为1.8;Fe3 对细菌生长有抑制作用,初始浓度低于1.5gL-1时对细菌抑制作用较小;硫磺的存在对Fe2 的生物氧化有很大的影响,当硫磺浓度低于2gL-1时,对细菌的影响较小;硫酸钠浓度低于15gL-1时,对生物氧化Fe2 几乎没有影响,通过驯化后,细菌可以耐受更高的硫酸钠浓度.图4表3参10     

A comparative study of Cu (II) biosorption on Ca-alginate and immobilized live and inactivated Cladosporium sp

Spores of Cladosporium sp. were immobilized into Ca-alginate beads via entrapment. The alginate beads and both entrapped live and inactivated spores of Cladosporium sp. were used for comparison of biosorptive capacity from aqueous solutions. The factors affecting the adsorption ability on Cu (II), such as the contact time, initial pH, temperature were investigated. The results showed that the Ca-alginate beads containing live spores of Cladosporium sp. had the maximum biosorptive capacity. The biosorption equilibrium was established in about 3 h. The maximum biosorption of Cu (II) on Ca-alginate entrapping spores and no spores were obtained between pH 4.0 and 3.5. Temperature over the range of 15-45 degrees C had no significant effect on the biosorption capacity. The biosorptive capacity increased with initial concentrations in the concentration range of 30-800mg/l. The equilibrium was well described by Langmuir biosorption isotherms. The Ca-alginate beads could be regenerated using 0.1M HCl, The biosorbents were reused in three biosorption-desorption cycles with negligible decrease in biosorptive capacity.     

对氯酚的生物降解及其污染土壤的生物修复探索

从天津农芭厂混合土壤中分离到一株能够降解对氯酚的黄单胞菌Ｄ－１,在此基础上,研究了该菌株对对氯酚的降解特性和将Ｄ－１菌株加入模拟对氯污染土壤中的生物修复试验。     

The use of chitosan of shrimp Penaeus sp. as cadmium adsorbent

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the heavy metals which contaminate the environment including water, air, and soil. At low concentrations, Cd produces adverse effects in aquatic organisms. An effort to reduce the level of Cd was conducted by removing the metal with chitosan. The aim of this study was to study the adsorption of Cd by using chitosan isolated from the shrimp Penaeus sp. as a function of stirring duration and chitosan concentration in aqueous solution. In this study, chitin was isolated by using NaOH 3% and HCl 1.25 N, adding NaOH 50% for the transformation of chitin to chitosan. For the adsorption test, chitosan was added to Cd solutions at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g per 10 ml Cd(NO₃)², stirring the solution for 5, 10, or 15 min, respectively. The results showed that the yield of isolated chitosan was 56% of crude prawn shell. The optimum concentration of chitosan was 0.6 g/10 ml with a stirring duration 10 min reducing Cd concentration by 91.7%.     

固定化微生物对土壤中苯并芘的降解

研究了3株细菌与3株真菌对土壤中苯并芘（BaP）的降解动态,从中筛选出1株细菌（Bacillus sp.）和1株真菌（Mucor sp.）,并采用吸附法将混合菌固定在改性后蛭石上,研究了固定化混合菌对土壤中BaP的降解效果。结果表明：细菌中芽孢杆菌（Bacillus sp.,SB02）降解率最高,42 d对B[a]P的降解率为33.0%,降解速率也最快,1周可降解12.6%的BaP;真菌中毛霉（Mucor sp.,SF06）降解率最高,42 d对B[a]P的降解率为69.7%;以改性后蛭石为载体用吸附法制得的固定化混合菌,传质性能好,对BaP的降解率42 d可达95.32%,高于游离菌20个百分点。     

一株踝节霉菌的培养特性及其在污泥生物淋滤中的应用

于实验室嗜酸氧化亚铁硫杆菌(Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans)淋滤处理城市污泥酸性废液中分离出一株踝节霉菌ZJ-1,并对其进行了摇瓶液体培养特性研究.单因素试验结果表明:该菌株的最适碳源和氮源分别为葡萄糖和酵母膏,最适温度为28℃,最适转速为140 r/min,最适初始pH值为5.0.正交试验优化得到碳、氮源的最优水平分别为葡萄糖70 g/L,酵母膏15 g/L.采用HPLC对该菌株PDA培养液中的有机酸进行了分析,发现其中含有丙酮酸.初始PDA培养液中丙酮酸含量为0.039 g/L,接菌培养d 5.5时其含量达0.106 g/L.为探讨踝节霉菌ZJ-1对嗜酸氧化亚铁硫杆菌淋滤污泥过程的影响,在生物淋滤起始阶段接种10%A.ferrooxidans和4%踝节霉菌ZJ-1,以仅接种10%A.ferrooxidans作为对照.结果表明A.ferrooxidans和踝节霉菌ZJ-1的复合菌组与对照组相比,淋滤耗时由7 d缩短至4 d,淋滤处理时间缩短了43%.     

Isolation and characterization of a marine bacteriophage

A bacteriophage active against a marine Aeromonas sp. was isolated from surface sediments of the North Pacific Ocean at 825 m depth. The sensitive Aeromonas sp. grew between 0° and 33°C but plaques were formed only between 0° and 23°C with a maximum zone of lysis at 5° to 12°C. The phage was rapidly inactivated at temperatures above 45°C. The characteristic plaque formation occurred only on media made with sea-water but some lysis was obtained in distilled water media supplemented with 0.085 M NaCl and 0.05 M MgCl₂. Phage replication occurred in cultures of Aeromonas sp. growing under applied hydrostatic pressures of up to 200 atmospheres. Electron microscopy revealed that the phage has an hexagonal head 530 Å in diameter, a thin tail 1200 Å in length and a terminal base plate 400 Å in diameter.     

Biosorption potential of Cr(VI) by Kocuria sp. ASB107, a radio-resistant bacterium isolated from Ramsar,Iran

Heavy metal pollution in soil and wastewater is a worldwide environmental issue in which microorganisms play a significant role for its removal. In the present study, biosorption of Cr(VI) by the live and dead cells of Kocuria sp. ASB107, a radio-resistant bacterium, was investigated. The effect of contact time, solution pH, initial hexavalent chromium concentration and adsorbent dose on biosorption efficiency was studied. Also, live cells were further immobilised on various matrices by different techniques and then were examined for tolerance to chromium biosorption. Experimental results indicated that the removal efficiency of chromium increased with decrease in pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and also increase in adsorbent dose and the contact time. The maximum removal efficiency of live and dead cells at acidic pH of 4–4.5, contact time of 24 hours, adsorbent dose 1.6?g/100?mL and initial chromium concentration 25?mg/L were 82.4% and 69.2%, respectively. The adsorption data was described well by Langmuir isotherm model. Among all immobilisation techniques tested, cross-linking showed the highest biosorption of Cr(VI). Results indicated that live cells of Kocuria sp. ASB107 were better than dead ones.     

Biosorption of hexavalent chromium and malachite green from aqueous effluents,using Cladophora sp.

Biosorption potential of green macroalgae Cladophora sp., (GAC) for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and malachite green (MG) from aqueous medium was investigated. Optimal conditions for biosorption experiments were determined as a function of initial pH, GAC dosage, temperature and initial concentration of Cr(VI) and MG. The biosorption equilibrium data were fitted with the isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Kiselev, Frumkin and Jovanovic, while the experimental data were analysed using the kinetic models such as pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Ritchie's and intraparticle diffusion. The Langmuir maximum biosorption capacity was calculated as 100.00?mg/g (Cr(VI)) and 142.85?mg/g (MG). The biosorption kinetic data showed better agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters indicated spontaneous and endothermic nature of the biosorption process for Cr(VI) removal, whereas exothermic in the case of MG removal. Furthermore, the biosorption efficiencies of the GAC reusability were found significant up to five cycles and tested using 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0?M HCl, respectively. The results of the present study indicated that GAC is a suitable biosorbent for the sequestration of Cr(VI) and MG from aqueous solutions.     

变形虫Naegleria sp.TH8的分离鉴定及食藻特性

从太湖水样品中筛选分离到一株能吞噬水华鱼腥藻的原生动物TH8,经形态学及ITS rRNA序列分析鉴定为纳氏属变形虫(Naegleria sp.).显微观察显示变形虫TH8呈蛞蝓状,用透明半球形单伪足爆破前进,有运动滋养体、包囊和鞭毛体3个形态.变形虫TH8能在10~30℃生长并具有食藻活性,但在37℃或灭菌后的水华鱼腥藻中均不能生长.在新鲜水华鱼腥藻中25℃下指数期生长速率达到1.68 cell d-1.食藻特性研究表明,该变形虫在水华鱼腥藻生长的对数初期、对数后期和稳定期的吞食效果优于对数中期.水华鱼腥藻Chl a下降程度与变形虫初始浓度有关.     

Benthic fauna of a shallow-water gaseohydrothermal vent area in the Aegean Sea (Milos, Greece)

The benthic community of shallow-water hydrothermal vents (10 m water depth) in a sandy bay on the south coast of Milos, Greece was studied. The macro- and meiofauna, as well as environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, sulfide concentration, grain size composition, ATP concentration, organic carbon, chlorophyll a and phaeopigments were evaluated. Samples were taken along transects from a seagrass meadow into a hydrothermally active area. Hydrothermally active spots were distinguished from the surrounding sediment by their black sediment coloration and an overlying white bacterial mat. For comparison, a control transect from a seagrass meadow into bare sand in a non-vent area in the same bay was studied. Overall, we found decreasing faunal diversity from the seagrass bed towards the hydrothermally active area. Along this gradient, four different zones could be distinguished. (a) The seagrass area had a relatively low diversity compared to the control stations, but much higher diversity than in the areas directly influenced by hydrothermal activity. (b) The border zone between the seagrass and the hydrothermal area, with moderate sulfide concentrations, pH values, seawater salinity and temperatures, was inhabited by an impoverished community dominated by the polychaete Capitella capitata, the nematodes Oncholaimus campylocercoides and Sabatieria sp., and an as yet undescribed chromadorid nematode (Chromadorina sp.). (c) The transition zone at the border of the hydrothermal area proper, with temperatures and sulfide concentrations higher than in the border zone, was characterized by high salinity (60‰) and low pH values. Along with the gastropod Cyclope neritea, single specimens of C. capitata and O. campylocercoides occurred. (d) The hydrothermal area proper, characterized by high sulfide concentrations, had high sediment temperatures and high salinities. The pH was as low as 6. Here, the gastropod Cyclope neritea was the only species occurring in considerable numbers. The gaseohydrothermal activity seems to largely exclude the surrounding fauna in a graded zonal pattern. The increasing hydrothermal stress entrains a change of the ambient biota towards a depauperate consortium of tolerant, opportunistic species, e.g. Capitella capitata (Polychaeta) and Oncholaimus campylocercoides (Nematoda). Although the hydrothermal area proper was characterized by a thick bacterial mat, the benthic community was characterized not by bacteria feeders but by scavenging species. Received: 13 September 1996 / Accepted: 24 October 1996