Synthesis of acyl thiourea derivatives of chitosan and their antimicrobial activities in vitro

Three different acyl thiourea derivatives of chitosan (CS) were synthesized and their structures were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial behaviors of CS and its derivatives against four species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Sarcina) and four crop-threatening pathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Saec, and Phyllisticta zingiberi) were investigated. The results indicated that the antimicrobial activities of the acyl thiourea derivatives are much better than that of the parent CS. The minimum value of MIC and MBC of the derivatives against E coli was 15.62 and 62.49 mu g/mL, respectively. All of the acyl thiourea derivatives had a significant inhibitory effect on the fungi in concentrations of 50 - 500 mu g/mL; the maximum inhibitory index was 66.67%. The antifungal activities of the chloracetyl thiourea derivatives of CS are noticeably higher than the acetyl and benzoyl thiourea derivatives. The degree of grafting of the acyl thiourea group in the derivatives was related to antifungal activity; higher substitution resulted in stronger antifungal activity. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efeito do co2 sobre a qualidade nutricional, ferrugem e fusariose da alfafa

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Research into crown rot and wilt diseases of strawberries in Queensland

Plant losses due to fungal diseases in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) can potentially cause total loss of production. Three fungal pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Macrophomina phaseolina, cause similar crown rot and wilt symptoms in strawberries in Queensland. Since the withdrawal of methyl bromide in 2005, no effective chemical control of any of the three pathogens has been available. This study aims at identifying sources of plant genetic resistance that can be used in the breeding program to develop resistant cultivars for use as part of an integrated disease management plan in commercial strawberry production. Results from glasshouse pathogenicity and screening trials on the three pathogens showed that when breeding for resistance against a pathogen, resistance to other pathogens also needs to be considered, e.g., cultivar 'Festival' is resistant to F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, but is highly susceptible to C. gloeosporioides. The cultivars 'Earlisweet', 'Kabarla' and 'Phenomenal', two seedling clones and four DAFF breeding lines were resistant to C. gloeosporioides. Cultivar 'Suncoast Delight' showed the most promising level of resistance to M. phaseolina. These cultivars, breeding lines and seedling selections have been made available for incorporation into the crossing program to support the Queensland strawberry breeding program.

Fusarium wilt of cotton: Population diversity and implications for management

Fusarium wilt of cotton, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend. f. sp. vasinfectum (Atk.) Snyd. & Hans, was first identified in 1892 in cotton growing in sandy acid soils in Alabama (8). Although the disease was soon discovered in other major cotton-producing areas, it did not become global until the end of the next century. After its original discovery, Fusarium wilt of cotton was reported in Egypt (1902) (30), India (1908) (60), Tanzania (1954) (110), California (1959) (33), Sudan (1960) (44), Israel (1970) (27), Brazil (1978) (5), China (1981) (17), and Australia (1993) (56). In addition to a worldwide distribution, Fusarium wilt occurs in all four of the domesticated cottons, Gossypium arboretum L., G. barbadense L., G. herbaceum L., and G. hirsutum L. (4,30). Disease losses in cotton are highly variable within a country or region. In severely infested fields planted with susceptible cultivars, yield losses can be high. In California, complete crop losses in individual fields have been observed (R. M. Davis, unpublished). Disease loss estimates prepared by the National Cotton Disease Council indicate losses of over 109,000 bales (227 kg or 500 lb) in the United States in 2004 (12).

中国南海深海沉积物中的微生物资源

由于采样条件和培养条件的限制，深海微生物研究的较少，因此目前海洋微生物资源的研究主要集中在近海和浅海。而深海独特的生态环境，使微生物形成了独特的代谢体系，成为新颖化合物的重要来源，具有很好的开发应用前景。本文首次较为系统的研究了深度为1758-3600m南海海底沉积物中深海微生物资源的分离和活性菌株的筛选情况，旨在为探索我国南海深海微生物资源提供一定的科学依据。 采用多种分离培养基从6个不同深度（1758、2620、3200、3500、3587和3600m）的南海深海沉积物样品中，分离到225株深海微生物，包括40株放线菌和185株细菌。以分离得到的225株深海微生物为研究对象，从产蛋白酶、抗真菌、杀虫三个方面进行活性菌株的筛选，研究南海深海沉积物中的微生物资源状况： （1）.将分离到的225株深海微生物，同时在10℃、28℃、45℃三个温度下进行产低温蛋白酶、中温蛋白酶、高温蛋白酶的筛选。初筛结果表明：这225株深海微生物大都有大小不同的产蛋白酶能力。10℃有产蛋白酶的有109株，28 ℃产蛋白酶的有160株，45℃产蛋白酶的有117株。筛选到一株在45℃下有较强产蛋白酶能力的菌株B1394，其酶活可达873U/ml，有一定的应用前景。通过形态观察、生理生化测定、16SrDNA序列测定，将B1394定名为枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）。其粗酶液性质研究发现：最适酶活温度60℃，最适pH 8.0， 40℃、50℃和60℃热稳定性较好， Mn2+ 、Mg2+ 、Ca2+对该蛋白酶有激活作用，Hg2+ 、Fe3+ 、Cu2+ 、Zn2+ 、 Fe2+对其有抑制作用，苯甲基磺酰氟（PMSF）几乎完全抑制其活性，推断为丝氨酸蛋白酶。 （2）.对其中100株深海细菌和40株深海放线菌，以立枯丝核菌（ Rhizoctonia solani）和白色念珠菌（Candida albicans）为靶菌进行了抗真菌活性的筛选。初筛结果表明：分别有37株和35株深海细菌对立枯丝核菌和白色念珠菌有抑菌活性，分别占被检测细菌数目的37%和35%；有18株深海放线菌对立枯丝核菌有抑制作用，占被检测放线菌总数的45%。筛选到一株有较强抗真菌活性的深海放线菌SHA6，其发酵液对包括尖孢镰刀菌（Fusarium oxysporum）在内的10种植物病原菌有明显的抑制作用。对其发酵液的理化性质进行初步研究发现SHA6发酵液具有良好的热稳定性和酸碱稳定性, 对SHA6进行分子生物学鉴定后将其初步定名为为橙色单胞菌（Aurantimonas altamirensis）。 （3）.以卤虫为初步筛选模型，对其中的20株深海放线菌进行了杀虫方面的筛选，结果发现有5个深海放线菌菌株表现有较强的杀虫活性。其中深海放线菌SHA4发酵液的乙酸乙脂提取物杀卤虫的活性最强，在浓度为100μg/ml时杀卤虫活性为83%,而在浓度400ppm时，48h可以杀死38%的甜菜夜娥。对SHA4进行分子生物学鉴定后将其初步定为拟诺卡氏菌属（Nocardiopsis sp）。 总之，本论文阐明了我国南海深海沉积物中微生物资源状况的初步研究结果，为进一步开发利用我国南海深海微生物资源奠定了基础。

Metodologias para determinação da reação de cultivares de soja à Fusarium tucumaniae

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Expression regulation of AP -2 gamma gene

AP-2γ is a member of the AP-2 transcription factor family, is highly enriched in the trophoblast cell lineage, and is essential for placenta development. In an effort to identify factors regulating AP-2γ gene expression we isolated and characterized the promoter and 5′ flanking region of the mouse and human AP-2γ genes. The transcription start site of the mouse AP-2γ gene was mapped by primer extension and 5′ RACE. Transient gene transfer studies showed that basal promoter activity resides within a highly conserved ∼200 by DNA sequence located immediately upstream of the transcription start site. The conserved region is highly GC-rich and lacks typical TATA or CCAAT boxes. Multiple potential Sp and AP-2 binding sites are clustered within this region. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that Sp1 and Sp3 bind to three sites in the promoter region of the mouse AP-2γ gene. Combined mutation of the three putative Sp sites reduced promoter activity by 80% in trophoblast and non-trophoblast cells, demonstrating the functional importance of these sites in AP-2γ gene expression. ^ Mutational analysis of the 5′-flanking region revealed a 117-bp positive regulatory region of the mouse AP-2γ gene located between −5700 and −5583 upstream of the transcription start site. This 117-bp positive regulatory element provided approximately 7-fold enhancement of reporter gene expression in cultured trophoblast cells. A C/EBP-Sp1 transcription factor-binding module is located in this DNA sequence. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that transcription factors Sp1, Sp3 and C/EBP bind to the enhancer element. Mutation of each protein-binding site reduced the enhanced expression significantly. Mutagenesis assays showed that two other protein-binding sites also contribute to the enhancer activity. In summary, we have shown that Sp1 and Sp3 bind to cis-regulatory elements located in the promoter region and contribute to basal promoter activity. We have identified a 117-bp positive regulatory element of AP-2γ gene, and we have shown that Sp and C/EBP proteins bind to the cis -regulatory elements and contribute to the enhanced gene expression. ^

Fungal microbiota from rain water and pathogenicity of Fusarium species isolated from atmospheric dust and rainfall dust

In order to determine the presence of Fusarium spp. in atmospheric dust and rainfall dust, samples were collected during September 2007, and July, August, and October 2008. The results reveal the prevalence of airborne Fusarium species coming from the atmosphere of the South East coast of Spain. Five different Fusarium species were isolated from the settling dust: Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. equiseti, F. dimerum, and F. proliferatum. Moreover, rainwater samples were obtained during significant rainfall events in January and February 2009. Using the dilution-plate method, 12 fungal genera were identified from these rainwater samples. Specific analyses of the rainwater revealed the presence of three species of Fusarium: F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum and F. equiseti. A total of 57 isolates of Fusarium spp. obtained from both rainwater and atmospheric rainfall dust sampling were inoculated onto melon (Cucumis melo L.) cv. Piñonet and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. San Pedro. These species were chosen because they are the main herbaceous crops in Almeria province. The results presented in this work indicate strongly that spores or propagules of Fusarium are able to cross the continental barrier carried by winds from the Sahara (Africa) to crop or coastal lands in Europe. Results show differences in the pathogenicity of the isolates tested. Both hosts showed root rot when inoculated with different species of Fusarium, although fresh weight measurements did not bring any information about the pathogenicity. The findings presented above are strong indications that long-distance transmission of Fusarium propagules may occur. Diseases caused by species of Fusarium are common in these areas. They were in the past, and are still today, a problem for greenhouses crops in Almería, and many species have been listed as pathogens on agricultural crops in this region. Saharan air masses dominate the Mediterranean regions. The evidence of long distance dispersal of Fusarium spp. by atmospheric dust and rainwater together with their proved pathogenicity must be taken into account in epidemiological studies.

Biogeografía de especies de Fusarium en el litoral mediterráneo de España

El trabajo presentado estudia la presencia de Fusarium oxysporum, F.solani(sensulato), F. equiseti y F.acuminatum en puntos del litoral de Almería, Alicante, Gerona e Islas Baleares (Menorca, Ibiza, Espalmador). Se analizaron tanto arenas de las playas (zonas intermareal y supramareal) como fondos marino situados a 27,9 y 7,2 metros de profundidad en Almería y a 10 m de profundidad en las Islas Baleares. Exceptuando el litoral de Gerona, en el resto de los enclaves se presentaron varias especies de Fusarium que se aislaron de las arenas de las playas, confirmando así resultados obtenidos con anterioridad. Lo más novedoso fue encontrar especies de Fusarium a diferentes profundidades marinas. En Almería F.oxysporum y F.equisti se aislaron a 27,9 y7,2 m profundidad. F. acuminatum se aisló de la muetra recogida a 27m de profundidad. En las islas Baleares, a10m de profundidad, se aislaron F. oxysporum, F. solani (sensulato), F.equiseti y F.acuminatum. El efecto antrópico, el comportamiento como "airborne" o los arrastres de aguas por las ramblas y torrentes podría explicar la presencia de estas especies en los hábitats mencionados. La permanencia de estas especies en los hábitats mencionados, especialmente en la zona intermareal de las playas y en los fondos marinos donde soportan elevadas presiones osmóticas por la alta salinidad del agua del mar Mediterráneo, permitirá estudios específicos sobre el comportamiento de estos hongos en medios muy salinos. Otros hongos aislados de arenas de playa y fondos marinos fueron: Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Dreschlera, Gliocladium Humicola, Penicillium, Phialophora, Rhizopus, Stemphylium, Trichoderma, Trichocladium y Ulocladium. Muchos de ellos fueron aislados del fondo marino, testimoniando así que estos hábitats no son exclusivos de Fusarium.

Genome sequence of marine bacterium idiomarina sp. strain 28-8, isolated from Korean ark shells

Idiomarina sp. strain 28-8 is an aerobic, Gram-negative, flagellar bacterium isolated from the bodies of ark shells (Scapharca broughtonii) collected from underwater sediments in Gangjin Bay, South Korea. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Idiomarina sp. 28-8 (2,971,606 bp, with a G+C content of 46.9%), containing 2,795 putative coding sequences.