Chromium (VI) biosorption by immobilized Aspergillus niger in continuous flow system with special reference to FTIR analysis

Aspergillus niger was treated with acid and immobilized in calcium alginate matrix. The dynamic removal of Cr (VI) ion was studied using continuously fed column packed with immobilized biosorbent beads. Column experiments were carried out to study the effect of various bed heights (20, 30, 40 cm) under different flow rates (5, 7.5, 10 ml min(-1)) on efficiency of biosorption. The maximum time (1020 minutes; 17 hr) before breakthrough point was observed in case of 40 cm bed height with flow rate of 5ml min(-1). FTIR analysis of acid treated immobilized A. niger was used fora qualitative and preliminary analysis of chemical functional groups present on its cell wall which provided the information on nature of cell wall and Cr (VI) interaction during the process of biosorption. The IR spectra of biosorbent recorded before and after chromium biosorption had shown some changes in the band patterns, which were finally analyzed and was found that chemical interaction such as ion-exchange between carboxyl (-COOH), hydroxyl (-OH) and amine (-NH2) group of biosorbent and Chromium ion were mainlyinvolved in biosorption of Cr (VI) onto A. niger cell wall surface. The biosorbed metal was eluted from biosorbent by using 0.1 M H2SO4 as eluant. Immobilized biosorbent could be reused for five consecutive biosorption and desorption cycles without apparent loss of efficiency after its reconditioning. Considering all above factors together this paper discusses the efficient chromium biosorption process carried out by immobilized A. niger biosorbent.     

Agricultural waste from the tequila industry as substrate for the production of commercially important enzymes

Approximately 1 million tons of Agave tequilana plants are processed annually by the Mexican Tequila industry generating vast amounts of agricultural waste. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of Agave tequilana waste as substrate for the production of commercially important enzymes. Two strains of Aspergillus niger (CH-A-2010 and CH-A-2016), isolated from agave fields, were found to grow and propagate in submerged cultures using Agave tequilana waste as substrate. Isolates showed simultaneous extracellular inulinase, xylanase, pectinase, and cellulase activities. Aspergillus CH-A-2010 showed the highest production of inulinase activity (1.48 U/ml), whereas Aspergillus niger CH-A-2016 produced the highest xylanase (1.52 U/ml) and endo-pectinase (2.7U/ml) activities. In both cases production of enzyme activities was significantly higher on Agave tequilana waste than that observed on lemon peel and specific polymeric carbohydrates. Enzymatic hydrolysis of raw A. tequilana stems and leaves, by enzymes secreted by the isolates yielded maximum concentrations of reducing sugars of 28.2 g/l, and 9.9 g/l respectively. In conclusion, Agave tequilana waste can be utilized as substrate for the production of important biotechnological enzymes.     

Studies on influence of natural biowastes on cellulase production by Aspergillus niger

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of natural biowaste substrates such as banana peel powder and coir powder at varying environmental parameters of pH (4-9) and temperature (20-50 degrees C) on the cellulase enzyme production by Aspergillus niger. The cellulase enzyme production was analyzed by measuring the amount of glucose liberated in IU ml(-1) by using the dinitrosalicylic acid assay method. The substrates were pretreated with 1% NaOH (alkaline treatment) and autoclaved. The maximum activity of the enzyme was assayed at varying pH with temperatures being constant and varying temperatures with pH being constant. The highest activity of the enzyme at varying pH was recorded at pH 6 for banana peel powder (0.068 +/- 0.002 IU ml) and coir powder (0.049 +/- 0.002 IU ml(-1)) and the maximum activity of the enzyme at varying temperature was recorded at 35 degrees C for both banana peel powder (0.072 +/- 0.001 IU ml(-1)) and coir powder (0.046 +/- 0.003 IU ml(-1)). At varying temperatures and pH the high level of enzyme production was obtained at 35 degrees C and pH 6 by using both the substrates, respectively. However among the two substrates used for the production of cellulases by Aspergillus niger banana peel powder showed maximum enzymatic activity than coir powder as substrate.     

山苍籽油抑制黑曲霉生长的细胞学机制

采用电镜、多维显微、快速显微图像分析，并与计算机技术相结合，研究天然山苍籽香精油抗黑曲霉的机理，获得了单纯使用光学显微镜或电镜难以获得的结果，表明该香精油能直接通过损伤黑曲霉质膜，改变其膜的物理参数和选择通透性而进入细胞，诱发细胞的一系列因素，从而导致孢子失去萌发力，并抑制菌丝体生长．图2表1参12     

Active pharmaceutical ingredient (api) from an estuarine fungus, Microdochium nivale (Fr.)

Various marine habitats sustain variety of bio-sources of ecological and biotech potentials. Pharmaceutical potential compound Cyclosporine A was reported from marine fungus Microdochium nivale associated with Porteresia coarctata, a marine salt marsh grass from mangrove environment distributed along the Central West Coast (CWC) of India. This study involves association of M. nivale with P. coarctata plant, fermentation conditions, purification of Cyclosporine A, chemical characterization etc. Its antifungal inhibition and MIC (Minimum inhibitory concentration) against Aspergillus strains (A. niger, A. japonicus, A. fresenii), yeasts and dermatophytes (Candida sp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, T. violaceum, Microsporium gypsum and Fusarium sp.) were evaluated. However, the MIC against A. japonicus, C. neoformans, Candida sp. and T. tonsurans were confirmed to be as low as 12.5-25 mg disc(-1). The antifungal properties of Cyclosporine A against Aspergillus species, yeast and dermatophytes revealed that CyclosporineAwould be a potential compound for life threatening diseases caused by above fungi in both human and animals. Furthermore, we have reported herewith another source of Cyclosporin Aderived from filamentous fungus, M. nivale. occurring in marine environment.     

Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of Origanum majorana L. (Sweet marjoram)

In-vitro microbicidal activity of the methanol extract of Origanum majorana L. was tested against seven fungi (Fusarium solani, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, A. parasiticus, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizoctonia otyzae-sativae and Altemaria brassicicola) and six bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, Escherichia coil, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus). The methanol extract of O. majorana can be used as an effective herbal protectant against different pathogenic bacteria and fungi. High toxicity against the growth of Aspergillus niger was diagnosed.     

Studies on antimicrobial activities of solvent extracts of different spices

The antimicrobial activities of the ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol extract of 12 plant species were studied. The extract of Capsicum annuum (red pepper) (fruit) Zingiber officinale (ginger) (root), Cuminum cyminum (cumin), Alpinia ficinarum (galingale), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Cinnamomun zeylanicum Nees (cinnamomun), Origanum onites L. (thyme), Folium sennae (senna), Eugenia caryophyllata (cloves), Flos tiliae (lime), Folium menthae crispae (peppermint) and Piper nigrum (blackpepper) were tested in vitro against 2 fungi and 8 bacterial species by the disc diffusion method. Klebsiella pneumonia 13883, Bacillus megaterium NRS, Pseudomonas aeroginosa ATCC 27859, Staphylococcus aureus 6538 P, Escherichia coil ATCC 8739, Enterobacter cloaca ATCC 13047, Corynebacterium xerosis UC 9165, Streptococcus faecalis DC 74, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Rhodotorula rubra were used in this investigation. The results indicated that extracts of different spices has shown antibacterial activity in the range of 7-24 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibition zone Eugenia caryophyllata (clove), 7-20 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Capsicum annum (red pepper) and Cinnamomun zeylanicum (cinnamon) bark, 7-18 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Folium sennae (senna) leaves, 7-16 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibition zone Zingiber officinale (ginger) root, 7-15 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Cuminum cyminum (cumin) seed, 7-14 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibition zone Folium menthae crispae (peppermint), Origanum onites (thyme) leaves and Alpinia ficinarum (galingale) root, 7-12 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibiton zone Piper nigrum (blackpepper), 7-11 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Flos tiliae (lime) leaves, 7-8 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Coriandrum sativum (coriander) to the microorganisms tested.     

Synthesis,structural elucidation,electro-chemical behaviour and fungitoxic activity of transition metal(II) mixed-ligand complexes with some Schiff bases

The Schiff bases, potassium salt of salicylidene-β-alanine [KHL], bis(benzylidene)ethylenediamine [SB¹] and thiophene-o-carboxaldene-p-toluidine [SB²], and mixed-ligand complexes with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) have been prepared. They were characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analyses (t.g.a.), infrared spectra and electronic spectra. The mixed-ligand complexes were found to have the general composition [M(L)(SB)(H₂O)]. All the mixed-ligand complexes were found to have six-coordinated octahedral geometry. The fungitoxic activity of the ligands, metal salts, control (DMSO), bavistin, emcarb, and mixed-ligand complexes were screened against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus. All the mixed-ligand complexes show higher fungitoxic activity as compared to the Schiff bases, metal nitrate and control (dimethyl sulphoxide, DMSO), and moderate fungitoxic activity as compared to the fungicides (bavistin and emcarb).     

Antimicrobial activities of Eusteralis deccanensis and E. quadrifolia essential oils

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Eusteralis deccanensis and E. quadrifolia were investigated on Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus niger and Colletotrichum musae. Both the oils possess growth inhibitory activity against most of the microorganisms tested.     

Biodegradation of crude petroleum and petroleum products by fungi isolated from two oil seeds (melon and soybean)

Crude petroleum oil degrading fungi were isolated from two oil seeds, Cucumeropsis mannii (melon) and Glycine max (soybean) seeds in the presence and absence of petroleum fumes. An assessment of the relative ability of each fungus to degrade crude petroleum, diesel and kerosene on minimum salt solution was done using change in optical density read on spectrophotometer. Twenty-one fungal species (14 genera) were isolated altogether during this experiment. These include eight species of Aspergillus; one species each of Botryodiplodia, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Cunnighamella, Dreschlera, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Macrophomina, Mucor, Paeciliomyces, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Talariomyces. It was evident that most of the fungi tested were able to biodegrade the crude petroleum oil, though at different rates. Bipolaris had a low rate of biodegradation of the petroleum oil of all the fungal species isolated Botryodiplodia theobromae had the highest degrading ability on the crude oil, while Aspergillus flavus had the least after 40 days of incubation. Aspergillus flavus had the highest ability to biodegrade diesel while A. niger had the least ability. In kerosene, Macrophomina phaseolina had the highest ability while A. niger had the least ability to biodegrade it. There was fluctuation in the growth pattern of the fungi in the petroleum oil medium. The implication of these are discussed.     

菲胁迫下湿生植物美人蕉(Canna indica)对斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)生长的影响

多环芳烃有机污染物的环境问题日益严重,亟待需求从群落及生态系统的角度进行毒理学复合危害效应的研究。本文采用以美人蕉(Canna indica)种植根区水培养斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)的方式,观察菲胁迫下其生长的变化。结果表明,美人蕉种植根区水对斜生栅藻生长具有化感效应,且表现为"低促高抑"的现象。而在菲胁迫下,种植根区水比例为15%和30%时随着菲浓度的增加,生长促进作用增强,且在菲浓度为1 mg·L-1出现最高值;在100%种植根区水时随着菲浓度的增加生长抑制作用增强。说明,菲胁迫使美人蕉种植根区水对藻类的化感效应增强。进行逻辑斯谛生长拟合发现,30%、1 mg·L-1处理组种群内禀增长率最高,斜生栅藻种群出现暴发增长的生态风险最大。     

单宁酶产生菌的筛选和发酵条件研究

利用富集培养技术,从天然源分离得到具有较高单宁酶活性的黑曲酶Ｎｏ．１７株（ＡｓｐｅｒｇｉｌｕｓｎｉｇｅｒＮｏ．１７）．该菌株能把五倍子中的单宁酶法水解成没食子酸,在对Ｎｏ．１７株开展产酶条件和参数优化实验的基础上,进行了实验室酶法制备没食子酸试验,并获得产物浓度为１４．１ｇ／Ｌ的没食子酸,经大孔吸附树脂分离,最终净产率达到７０％．该样品经熔点测定、元素分析、ＴＬＣ、红外等理化方法分析检测,结果均与没食子酸标样一致     

Fungi and nematodes occurring in different composts used in Uruguayan agriculture

Forty three thermophilic, thermotolerant and mesophilic fungal species and nematodes from five trophic groups were found in four compost types. Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger were the most frequent species. Plant pathogenic fungi viz. Fusarium oxysporum, F. acuminatum, F. nygamai and F. solani were found in some of the composts in low frequency. The most abundant species of nematode corresponded to bacterivores. Tylenchus, a phytophagous nematode was scarcely found.     

Isolation and characterisation of antibiotic producing microorganisms in composted Nigerian soil

Compost samples obtained from different locations within the premises of the university of Lagos were analysed to determine the presence and types of antibiotic-producing bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes using nutrient agar, potato Dextrose agar and starch casein nitrate agar respectively as culture media. A variety of bacteria were isolated and these included Staphylococcus aureus, B. subtilis, B. pumilis, B. lactesporus, B. megaterium, B. pulvifaciens, B. licheniformis, Streptococus spp., Corynebacterium spp. and E. coli. The fungal isolates encountered were Aspergillus niger, A. flarus, T. viridae, P. chrysogenum, P. pinofylum and Absida spp., while the following actinomycetes were identified: Norcadia spp., Micromonospora spp., Streptomyces scabies, S. reticuli and S. hygroscopicus. When these organisms were screened for antibiosis, the following species were found to be antibiotic producers: B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, Penicillium chrysogenum, Streptomyces reticuli, S. hygroscopicus and Micromonospora spp. The fungus Penicillium chrysogenum had the highest rate of antibiotic production with an inhibitory zone width of 17mm while Trichoderma viridae produced toxins lytic to other fungal hyphae.     

Distribution and abundance of ctenophores and their zooplankton food in the Black Sea. II. Mnemiopsis leidyi

The distribution of Mnemiopsis leidyi Agassiz, 1865 in the Black Sea was determined using plankton samples collected above the anoxic zone (maximum depth 200 m) in the summer, winter, and spring from 1991 to 1995. Distribution was patchy. Average biomasses of 15 to 500 g m⁻² were measured, and abundances varied from 10 to 180 ind m⁻². Biomass and abundance peaked in winter, and there was a secondary peak in the summer. The distribution of M. leidyi was correlated with hydrographic features in the Black Sea with higher concentrations in anticyclonic gyres. The centers of the two main cyclonic gyres generally had a low biomass of M. leidyi. From July 1992 to March 1995, the populations were largely offshore. M. leidyi were confined to the upper part of the mixed layer both day and night. Some individuals displayed a negative taxis to daylight and were concentrated below the thermocline at night. Smaller M. leidyi (1.5 to 2 cm) were present in the winter, and individuals reached maximum size in the summer. Although reproduction was continuous throughout the year, there were two distinct peaks: the larger peak in the summer and the smaller peak in the winter. Microscopic analysis of stomach contents showed that copepods and molluscs form their main diet. Received: 1 November 1997 / Accepted: 30 August 1999     

黑曲霉耐热木聚糖酶XYNB在毕赤酵母中的高效表达

高比活木聚糖酶的高效表达是进一步提高木聚糖酶发酵效价、降低生产成本的有效途径.将黑曲霉木聚糖酶基因XynB(不含信号肽)克隆到分泌型表达载体pPIC9K上,线性化后电击转化巴斯德毕赤酵母GS115,G418和PCR鉴定的阳性转化子经0.5%甲醇、在28℃诱导表达.SDS-PAGE分析表明,该蛋白相对分子质量为20×103左右.优化的诱导表达条件为,每隔12 h添加0.5%的甲醇,发酵5 d后,比活达4 757 U/mg;其最适温度为55℃,最适pH为5.0,80℃处理30min后仍有74%的残余酶活.     

Biosorption of low level Cd~（2＋） in water by Aspergillus sojae

以酱油曲霉（Aspergillus sojae）为吸附剂,对水溶液中微量Cd2＋进行了吸附研究.实验考察了预处理方法、菌体用量、pH、温度和吸附时间对吸附的影响,同时分析了其吸附动力学和吸附等温线特性,并对酱油曲霉菌体吸附Cd2＋的可能作用机理进行了探讨.结果表明,碱预处理的菌体吸附效果最好.在菌体用量为0.08 g时,对Cd2＋的吸附量达到最大,为0.095 mg.g-1.pH值在3.4—8之间,酱油曲霉菌体对Cd2＋的吸附效果比较稳定,其最大吸附率出现在pH 3.4.温度在15℃—30℃之间时,菌体对Cd2＋的吸附率差异很小,吸附率在88.3%—94.4%之间.二级动力学方程能很好地表征酱油曲霉吸附微量Cd2＋的过程,R2在0.99以上,其吸附平衡时间大约2.5 h,线性模型更适于描述该吸附平衡过程.SEM、FTIR分析得出,Cd2＋可能是与酱油曲霉菌体表面的羟基、酰胺基、羧基、磷酸基和胺基等基团相络合而被吸附,也可能是形成颗粒沉淀而附着在菌丝上.     

生淀粉糖化酶产生菌Aspergillus niger(6#)的分离筛选及其产酶条件

从大曲中分离到了1株降解生淀粉能力较强的黑曲霉Aspergillusniger(6#).固体发酵酶活可达2461U/g,RDA值为21.47%;液体发酵酶活可达353U/mL,RDA值为20.30%.以6#菌为实验材料,进一步考察了氮源、碳源及pH对生淀粉糖化酶形成的影响.实验结果表明,无机氮源NaNO3较有机氮源蛋白胨更有利于生淀粉糖化酶的形成;pH是影响生淀粉糖化酶形成的重要因素,低pH会阻遏生淀粉糖化酶的形成;玉米粉和麦芽糖较其它碳源更有利于生淀粉糖化酶的形成.图4表2参12     

木聚糖酶基因xynB在不同大肠杆菌表达系统中的表达比较

从黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)nl-1中克隆获得木聚糖酶基因xynB.该基因全长745 bp,含有67 bp内含子,与公布的黑曲霉xynB基因有较高的同源性.将PCR扩增的木聚糖酶成熟肽基因和含有信号肽的基因分别连接到表达载体肠杆菌Top10 F’、DH10B和两种BL21宿主中获得重组菌株.通过IPTG诱导,xynB基因在重组菌株中获得特异性表达.表达产物以胞内可溶性蛋白和不溶性包涵体形式存在.诱导4 h,重组菌株pTrc-99a-xynB[BL21 condon plus(DE3)]表达量最高,胞内酶活达到299 IU/L.重组质粒pTrc-99a-xyn B(S)在不同宿主胞内和胞外均能分泌目的蛋白,诱导10 h,胞外酶活pTrc-99a-xynB(S)[BL21 condon plus(DE3)]达到347 IU/L.而pET-20b-xynB(S)在两种BL21宿主中均不表达.经SDS-PAGE分析,以pTrc-99a和pET-20b作为表达载体时,重组蛋白相对分子质量分别约为45×103和30×103.与pET-20b相比,pTrc-99a以及自身信号肽的引导更有利于重组木聚糖酶的表达.     

柠檬酸固态发酵过程的研究

本文研究了以甘薯为原料，以黑曲霉为菌种，固态发酵制柠檬酸的最佳发酵条件和发酵动力学。探讨了接种方式、灭菌与否以及温度、含水量、ｐＨ值、颗粒度、通气速率等因素对柠檬酸固态发酵过程的影响，提出了适宜的发酵参数。在此基础上，进一步研究甘薯固态发酵制取柠檬酸的动力学模型，确定了模型参数与操作条件的关系。该模型反映了基质消耗、产物生成、菌体生长及ＣＯ２释放速率的变化过程和温度、颗粒度的影响。模型的模拟结果与