Evaluation of two semi-selective media to detect Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in bean seeds

Evaluation of two semi-selective media to detect Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in bean seeds This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the semi-selective MSCFF and modified CNS culture media in detecting Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff) in bean seeds, using the streak and spread plate techniques. Four 500 g subsamples, obtained from two samples of bean seeds, were immersed in 600 mL of sterile distilled water for 18 h at 5 degrees C. Suspensions were picked and transferred to plates with both culture media. Plates were then incubated at 28 degrees C, and bacterial growth on both media was evaluated 72 and 144 hours later, compared to the growth of a Cff reference strain. Both media revealed the presence of Cff colonies. Typical colonies were isolated for PCR analyses and pathogenicity tests on tobacco leaves. A characteristic Cff growth on MSCFF medium was observed for the seed samples, for the two plate techniques used, in both evaluations. On the modified CNS culture medium, the bacterial growth was only detected in seed samples after 144 hours of incubation, regardless of the plate technique used. The results showed Cff grew faster on the MSCFF semi-selective culture medium. Bacterial isolates tested were identified as Cff by both PCR analyses and a positive tobacco hypersensitivity reaction.

Diversity of endophytic bacteria from Eucalyptus species seeds and colonization of seedlings by Pantoea agglomerans

The diversity and beneficial characteristics of endophytic microorganisms have been studied in several host plants. However, information regal-ding naturally, occurring seed-associated endophytes and vertical transmission among different life-history stages of hosts is limited. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from seeds and seedlings of 10 Eucalyptus species and two hybrids. The results showed that endophytic bacteria, Such as Bacillus, Enterococcus, Paenibacillus and Methylobacterium, are vertically transferred from seeds to seedlings. In addition, the endophytic bacterium Pantoea agglomerans was tagged with the gfp gene, inoculated into seeds and further reisolated from seedlings. These results suggested it novel approach to change the profile of the plants, where the bacterium is a delivery vehicle for desired traits. This is the first report of an endophytic bacterial community residing in Eucalyptus seeds and the transmission of these bacteria from seeds to seedlings. The bacterial species reported ill this work have been described as providing benefits to host plants. Therefore, we Suggest that endophytic bacteria can be transmitted vertically from seeds to seedlings, assuring the support of the bacterial community in the host plant.

Partial characterization of proteins from baru (Dipteryx alata Vog) seeds

BACKGROUND: Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) is a fruit distributed throughout the Brazilian savanna and contains a seed with a high protein content, whose properties have been rarely explored. The purpose of this study was to characterize this protein, especially by isolation and quantifying its fractions and measuring some of its molecular properties. RESULTS: Baru seeds contain 244 g kg(-1) protein on a dry weight basis. Solubility profiles showed a preponderance of globulins. This fraction dominated the seed composition, with 61.7 wt% of the total soluble proteins. Albumins and glutelins accounted for 14 and 3.3 wt%, respectively. SDS-PAGE resolution of albumin and globulin showed main bands with molecular weights of 84 kDa and 64,66 and 73 kDa, respectively. The total protein of the flour and the globulin showed values of in vitro digestibility of 85.59% and 90.54%, relative to casein. Total globulin produced only one chromatographic peak, both on Sepharose CL-6B gel filtration and on DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange columns, eluted at a concentration of 0.12 mol L(-1) NaCl. CONCLUSION: The baru seed had high protein content with large quantities of storage proteins. The chromatographic and solubility profiles indicate the predominance of a fraction with characteristics of a legumin-type protein. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry