Seaweed secondary metabolites as antifoulants: effects of Dictyota spp. diterpenes on survivorship, settlement, and development of marine invertebrate larvae

Summary. A recent investigation showed that the brown seaweed Dictyota menstrualis was unfouled relative to co-occurring seaweeds, and that larvae of fouling invertebrates avoided settling on D. menstrualis due to chemicals on its surface. The secondary metabolites dictyol E and pachydictyol A are among the compounds found on this alga's surface. In the present study, we tested the effects of specific diterpenes from Dictyota on the survivorship, growth, and development of invertebrate larvae and developing juveniles that could foul seaweeds. Exposure to dictyol E, dictyol B acetate, pachydictyol A, and dictyodial from Dictyota menstrualis and D. ciliolata caused significant larval mortality, abnormal development, and reduce growth rates for three species of co-occurring invertebrates when their larvae were forced into contact with these metabolites. Larvae were damaged at metabolite concentrations as low as 5% of maximum possible surface concentrations of these compounds for the populations of Dictyota we studied. The negative effects of these secondary metabolites on potential foulers, in conjunction with data demonstrating larval avoidance of dictyol-covered surfaces, suggest that these compounds could function as chemical defenses against fouling, and could select for larvae that avoid hosts producing these metabolites. Received 25 May 1998; accepted 22 June 1998.     

Biodegradation of methyl parathion by Acinetobacter radioresistens USTB-04

Biodegradation of methyl parathion (MP),a widely used organophosphorus pesticide,was investigated using a newly isolated bacterium strain Acinetobacter radioresistens USTB-04.MP at an initial concentration of 1200 mg/L could be totally biodegraded by A.radioresistens USTB-04 as the sole carbon source less than 4 d in the presence of phosphate and urea as phosphorus and nitrogen sources,respectively.Biodegradation of MP was also achieved using cell-free extract of A.radioresistens USTB-04.MP at an initial concentration of 130 mg/L was completely biodegraded in 2 h in the presence of cell-free extract with a protein concentration of 148.0 mg/L,which was increased with the increase of pH from 5.0 to 8.0.Contrary to published reports,no intermediate or final degradation metabolites of MP could be observed.Thus we suggest that the cleavage of C--C bond on the benzene ring other than P-O bond may be the biodegradation pathway of MP by A.radioresistens USTB-04.     

三株溶藻细菌溶藻活性代谢产物的初步研究

已知3株溶藻细菌L7、L8和L18的活性代谢产物具有明显的溶藻效果。为获得较高活性和浓度的目标产物,研究了培养基、碳源、氮源对溶藻效果的影响;为考察溶藻活性代谢产物保存和应用的环境条件,研究了其热、酸稳定性。在牛肉膏蛋白胨、淀粉、查氏和高氏1号4种培养基里,淀粉培养基最适宜用于获得溶藻活性代谢产物。以淀粉培养基为基础,碳、氮源组合依次为淀粉 (NH4)2SO4、淀粉 (NH4)2SO4,葡萄糖 KNO3时,3株溶藻细菌的溶藻活性代谢产物溶藻活性最高。这一结果为目标产物的分离奠定了物质背景。3株溶藻细菌溶藻活性代谢产物均具有良好的热稳定性,经热处理后,对叶绿素a的去除率仍高于73%。L7的无菌滤液调至pH值4.0或2.5,2h后丧失溶藻活性;L8和L18的无菌滤液调至pH值4.0,2h后未丧失溶藻活性,调至pH值2.5,2h后丧失溶藻活性。上述结果为溶藻活性代谢产物的分离奠定了基础。     

碳纳米管影响无机砷(As(III)和As(V))对大型蚤毒性的研究：特定砷形态的作用

作为一种新兴的纳米材料,羟基多壁碳纳米管(OH-MWCNTs)可能与其他污染物在水环境中共存,并进一步影响它们的毒性、输移和归趋。因此,评价碳纳米管存在下砷的毒性变化需要得到更多的关注。该试验探索了在不同pH值条件下,OH-MWCNTs诱导砷(As(III)和As(V))对水生生物大型蚤的毒性变化的潜在机制。发现了H₂AsO₃^-和H₂AsO₄^-是对大型蚤毒性最大的As(III)和As(V)。比较As(III)和As(V)的结果,发现pH值是影响砷毒性最重要的因素。此外,OH-MWCNTs影响砷对大型蚤毒性的结果表明,OH-MWCNTs的存在可以提高砷的毒性。通过吸附实验进一步研究了砷与OH-MWCNTs的相互作用。OH-MWCNTs 对As(V)吸附容量高于As(III)。总而言之, OH-MWCNTs对某些形态砷的吸附是解释砷毒性增强的可靠证据。
精选自Xinghao Wang, Ruijuan Qu, Ahmed A. Allam, Jamaan Ajarem, Zhongbo Wei, Zuoyao Wang. Impact of carbon nanotubes on the toxicity of inorganic arsenic [As(III) and As(V)] to Daphnia magna: the role of the certain arsenic species. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 35, Issue 7, pages 1852–1859, July 2016. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3340
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3340/full
     

Relation of hepatic EROD activity and CYP1A level in Sebastiscus marmoratus exposed to benzo[a]pyrene

This study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and its correlation with cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) protein levels in Sebastiscus marmoratus, which were exposed through a water column to BaP (10, 100, 1000 ng/L, respectively) or were treated with intraperitoneal injections of BaP (0.5, 1, 5, 10 mg/kg, respectively) every 7 d. The results showed that after 25 d of waterborne exposure to 1000 ng/L BaP, fish hepatic CYP1A levels and EROD activity were significantly induced. In contrast, EROD activity was not altered 7 d after second ip injections, whereas, CYP1A protein levels were increased. Dose-dependent increase of biliary BaP metabolites demonstrated that the catalytic activity of CYP1A was induced by treatment with BaP. The lowest observable effect concentration with regard to biliary BaP metabolites (100 ng/L) was much lower than that with reference to EROD activity (1000 ng/L). The results suggest that biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites were shown to better reflect the contamination gradients of PAHs than EROD activity. It appeared to be necessary to measure CYP1A protein levels to complement the EROD activity in relevant toxicological assessments.     

Carbofuran toxicity on total lipids and free fatty acids in air breathing fish during exposure and cessation of exposure--in vivo

Clarias batrachus, fish were exposed to sublethalconcentration of commercial carbofuran for 144 hr. After 144 hrof exposure period, fish were transferred to fresh water and kept inthe same for 144 hr in order to study the effect of carbofuranafter cessation of intoxication. Total lipids and free fattyacids were determined in liver, muscle kidney and ovary at aninterval of 24, 72 and 144 hr during exposure and after therelease into toxicant free water. Total lipids increased in allthe tissues throughout the exposure period, followed by decreaseduring depuration period. The results showed an alteration infree fatty acid content in different tissues of the fish. Theelevated levels returned to almost control values after transferof fish into carbofuran free water.     

Methylated and thiolated arsenic species for environmental and health research——A review on synthesis and characterization

Hundreds of millions of people around the world are exposed to elevated concentrations of inorganic and organic arsenic compounds, increasing the risk of a wide range of health effects. Studies of the environmental fate and human health effects of arsenic require authentic arsenic compounds. We summarize here the synthesis and characterization of more than a dozen methylated and thiolated arsenic compounds that are not commercially available. We discuss the methods of synthesis for the following14 trivalent(Ⅲ) and pentavalent() arsenic compounds: monomethylarsonous acid(MMA~Ⅲ), dicysteinylmethyldithioarsenite(MMA~Ⅲ(Cys)_2), monomethylarsonic acid(MMA~Ⅴ),monomethylmonothioarsonic acid(MMMTAⅤ) or monothio-MMA~Ⅴ, monomethyldithioarsonic acid(MMDTA~Ⅴ) or dithio-MMA~Ⅴ, monomethyltrithioarsonate(MMTTA~Ⅴ) or trithio-MMA~Ⅴ,dimethylarsinous acid(DMA~Ⅲ), dimethylarsino-glutathione(DMA~Ⅲ(SG)), dimethylarsinic acid(DMA~Ⅴ), dimethylmonothioarsinic acid(DMMTA~Ⅴ) or monothio-DMAⅤ, dimethyldithioarsinic acid(DMDTA~Ⅴ) or dithio-DMA~Ⅴ, trimethylarsine oxide(TMAO~Ⅴ), arsenobetaine(AsB), and an arsenicin-A model compound. We have reviewed and compared the available methods,synthesized the arsenic compounds in our laboratories, and provided characterization information. On the basis of reaction yield, ease of synthesis and purification of product, safety considerations, and our experience, we recommend a method for the synthesis of each of these arsenic compounds.     

Identification and comprehensive evaluation of a novel biocontrol agent Bacillus atrophaeus JZB120050

Abstract

Bacillus spp. have long been used as biocontrol agents because of their efficient broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. We identified a novel strain of Bacillus atrophaeus, named JZB120050, from soil. B. atrophaeus JZB120050 had a strong inhibitory effect against Botrytis cinerea and many other phytopathogens. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that B. atrophaeus JZB120050 produced many secondary metabolites, such as alkanes, alkenes and acids; some of which were related to pathogen inhibition. Enzyme activity analysis showed that B. atrophaeus JZB120050 secreted cell-wall-degrading enzymes, including chitinase, glucanase and protease, which degraded fungal cell walls. Both the novel glucanase gene bglu and chitinase gene chit1 were cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and the products showed strong enzyme activity. In addition, B. atrophaeus JZB120050 secreted siderophores and formed a significant biofilm. Future studies should focus on these antimicrobial factors to facilitate widespread application in the field of agricultural biocontrol.     

ZnO-NPs对好氧反硝化细菌Zobellella sp. B307的致毒机制

本文以一株筛自胶州湾沉积物中的好氧反硝化细菌Zobellella sp.B307为研究对象，在短期暴露条件下，通过细菌的生长、脱氮能力，相关酶活以及代谢途径等指标的变化，研究纳米氧化锌（ZnO-NPs）对该菌株的毒性效应；结合锌离子溶出试验、CAT和ROS等氧化应激水平测定，探讨ZnO-NPs对该菌株的致毒机制.结果表明，200mg/L的ZnO-NPs会使菌株硝酸盐氮去除率降至57.53%，LDH升高至对照组的378%，ROS水平高达对照组的5.34倍，SOD活性比对照组升高了60.32%，NIR活性仅为对照组的14.46%；ZnO-NPs主要通过诱导菌株活性氧的生成使其膜通透性改变、相关酶活性下降，并使相关蛋白质、氨基酸的合成及基因表达等代谢通路受到影响，进而抑制该菌株的反硝化能力；游离锌离子的产生可能不是ZnO-NPs对菌株的主要致毒途径.     

Organochlorine residues in maternal milk from inhabitants of the Thohoyandou area,South Africa

The presence of organochlorine compounds (OC) such as DDT and their metabolites in the environment have created a significant environmental concern over the years due to adverse effects. Consequently, DDT has been banned in many countries. However, it is still used in some countries including South Africa, particularly for vector-borne disease eradication programmes. Since the presence of DDT and its metabolites may provide an indication of the general exposure and use of these compounds, there was a need for such a study. Human breast milk samples (n = 30) were collected from mothers within the age range of 19–40 years from the Thohoyandou area, South Africa. The liquid–liquid extraction method was used to extract DDT and its metabolites from the samples. The crude extracts were subjected to column chromatography for measurements of OC levels. The concentration ranges of the contaminants were as follows: not detected (ND) to1770 ng g^?1 (2,4′-DDE); ND to 3977 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDE); ND to 3250 ng g^?1 (2,4′-DDD); ND to 2580 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDD) and ND to 2847 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDT). The mean ΣDDE, ΣDDD and ΣDDT obtained from the villages were 1180 ng g^?1, 830 ng g^?1 and 690 ng g^?1, respectively. The total DDT ranged from 820–7473 ng g^?1. The estimated daily intake varied from 260 to 4696 ng g^?1, ND-10551 ng g^?1 and ND-4237 ng g^?1 for DDE, DDD and DDT, respectively. These values are significantly higher than the FAO/WHO acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 20 ng g^?1. The ΣDDT was found to decrease with increasing age of the mothers. The observed high levels of DDE compared to DDT indicated chronic exposure of the mothers to DDT, which is metabolized to DDE and retained in the body.