海藻表面附着弧菌多样性分析及方法研究

对四种大型海藻：江篱(Gracilaria textorii)、孔石莼（Ulva pertusa）、海带苗（Laminaria japonica）和多管藻（Polysiphonia urceolata）表面附着弧菌的多样性进行了分析，同时对多样性分析中采用的不同方法进行了比较。 利用TCBS培养基从四种海藻表面总共分离到12株细菌：G1、G2分离自江篱，U3分离自孔石莼，L4、L5、L6分离自海带苗，P7、P8、P9、P10、P11、P12分离自多管藻。菌株G1，G2属于盐单胞菌(Halomonas)，其余10株细菌都属于弧菌(Vibrio)。 对12株细菌的酶学活性、抗生素抗性进行了研究。发现除G1、G2外，其余菌株都可产生淀粉酶和明胶酶。菌株G1、G2和U3对氨苄青霉素、链霉素和四环素有很强抗性。 采用多种分子生物学方法（16S rDNA、gyrB、RFLP、DGGE ）分析了上述12株菌的系统发育关系，对不同方法获得的结果进行了比较。 12株菌的16S rDNA系统发生树可分为4个明显分支。G1、G2与细菌H. meridiana构成一个分支。U3与V. lentus构成一个分支。L4、L5、L6、P9、P10、P11、P12与V. tasmaniesis形成一个分支。P7、P8与V. splendidus形成一个分支。 以gyrB基因序列为基础构建的系统发生树将G1、G2以外的10株弧菌分成4个较大分支，L4、P9属于同一分支，L6、P8、P10、P11和P12属于一个大的分支， U3、L5各自构成一个分支。菌株G1、G2没有得到gyrB基因序列扩增带。表明试验设计的引物是弧菌特异性引物。相对16S rDNA，不同菌株间gyrB基因序列差异性更大。 RFLP分析结果显示，12株细菌HinfI酶切后得到6种带型，SmaI酶切后得到4种带型。结合16S rDNA、gyrB基因的分析结果可知，RFLP可以在种的水平上有效进行细菌多样性分析。 12株细菌的DGGE分析结果显示，G1、G2与其它菌株电泳图谱有明显不同。菌株U3独自构成一种带型，L5、L6构成一种带型。表明DGGE技术在属的水平上分析细菌多样性效果较好，在种的水平上分析细菌多样性有一定的局限性。

孔石莼主要化学组分的提取分析及多糖生物活性的研究

孔石莼（Ulva pertusa Kjellm）是一种大型经济海藻，除了可直接食用外在医药方面也有广泛的应用。在古代医书上便记载有多种药用活性，我国民间也流传用孔石莼治疗中暑、水肿和小便不利等病症。本论文比较全面地分析了孔石莼多糖和类脂等主要化学组合，探讨用红外和核磁光谱来解释多糖结构，并首次研究了孔石莼多糖的体外抗肿瘤的体内降血脂活性。为进一步开发孔石莼资源做了部分基础性的工作。通过对提取扎石莼多糖和类脂的方法研究，确定了两种主要组仇的提取方法，得到了多糖样品WPS、APS、DWPS、DAPS和类脂样品。用化学和仪器分析方法对多糖样品进行了水分、灰分、硫酸基含量、总糖含量、特性粘度、元素分析、单糖分析、氨基酸分析、红外和核磁光谱分析等。结果表明：用乙醇脱脂后的脱脂孔石莼水提物（DWPS）得率最高，含硫酸基量和总糖量最高，特性粘度最小；孔石莼水提物（WPS）得率和含硫酸基量次之；孔石莼碱提物（APS）因深解性不好未能按常规方法测定其总糖含量，且未检测出水解硫酸根。孔石莼多糖的单糖要有鼠李糖、葡萄糖、木糖、糖醛酸等，并检测到少量的甘露糖和阿拉伯糖。谷氨酸、天冬西氨酸是多糖样品蛋白质中的主要氨基酸，D－3－OH－半胱氨酸含量亦较高。IR谱图中出现了硫酸基的吸收峰：~H－NMR及~(13)C－NMR谱图中出现了鼠李糖和糖醛酸的特征峰。类脂样品中，非极性类脂与极性类脂的比例约为1：2；GC－MS 分析结果表明，不饱和脂质含量达61.37％，其中多不饱和脂类占44.17％，n-3系列高度不饱和脂类占39.90％。三个多糖样品WPS、DWPS、DAPS进行抗口腔上皮癌（KB）和肝癌（Bel）肿瘤细胞体外实验，结果表明在5μg/ml的剂量时三个样品抑制率均在10％以下，无明显活性表现。以烟酸肌醇为阳性对照药，蒸馏水为空白对照，对孔石莼水提多糖WPS进行了三个剂量的降血脂动物实验。实验结果表明：脂蛋白改善情况有明显的剂量依赖性；中高剂量组可显著降低胆固醇、甘油酸三脂，明显改善脂蛋白胆固醇的含量分布：高剂量样品组（500mg/kg·d~(-1)）的药用活笥最高，与相同剂量的阳性对照药烟酸肌醇结果相比，药效理佳。并对孔石莼多糖血脂的机理进行了讨论。

孔石莼多糖及其衍生物的研究

在中国，孔石莼应用于医药方面已有几千年的历史，其煎剂常被当地居民用来治疗中暑和泌尿方面的疾病。实验室以前所做的工作表明，孔石莼的水溶多糖具有很好的抗高血脂活性，本论文在此研究的基础上主要就多糖的长期毒性、一般药理、多糖的衍生化、不同分子量孔石莼多糖的抗氧化活性、衍生物的抗氧化活性和动物调血脂活性进行了研究。 水提醇沉制备多糖，多糖主要由糖醛酸、鼠李糖、木糖、葡萄糖和硫酸根组成，还含有微量的半乳糖、甘露糖和阿拉伯糖。多糖中主要的二糖重复单位为[β-D-Glcp A-(1->4)- α-L-Rhap 3S] 和 [α-L-Idop A-(1->4)- α-L-Rhap 3S]。急性毒性实验表明，KM小鼠对孔石莼多糖的最大耐受量(MTD)大于4000 mg/kg，其腹腔注射雌性小鼠的半致死量(LD50)为408.7 mg/kg，雄性动物为432.7 mg/kg。长期毒性（6个月）实验表明孔石莼多糖无毒反应剂量为1.2 g/kg。一般药理研究表明孔石莼多糖对小鼠中枢神经系统无明显影响，对麻醉犬心血管系统和呼吸系统均无明显影响。 采用过氧化氢降解的方法制备了不同分子量的孔石莼多糖，并且测定了体外抗氧化活性；制备了高硫酸根含量的孔石莼多糖、乙酰化和苯甲酰化孔石莼多糖衍生物，测定了体外抗氧化活性和动物调血脂试验。结果表明，不同分子量的孔石莼多糖其抗氧化活性是不同的，分子量低的孔石莼多糖表现出了较强的抗氧化活性。孔石莼多糖的衍生物其抗氧化活性要优于孔石莼多糖。调血脂动物试验表明，孔石莼多糖以及其衍生物都具有很好的调血脂效果。高硫酸根含量孔石莼多糖的中、低剂量组的调血脂活性要优于高剂量组（低剂量组降低低密度脂蛋白的能力要稍弱于原料），而且，中剂量组与原料组相比，小鼠血清TG明显降低（P＜0.05），LDL－C 明显降低（P＜0.01）。低剂量组乙酰化衍生物降低甘油三酯（TG）和低密度脂蛋白（LDL－C）的能力要优于中高剂量组。对于孔石莼多糖以及衍生物调血脂的机制还需进一步的研究。

Isolation and identification of bacteria associated with the surfaces of several algal species

We conducted this study to assess the diversity of bacteria associated with the surfaces of algae based on 16S rDNA sequence analyses. Twelve strains of bacteria were obtained from the surfaces of the following four species of algae: Gracilaria textorii, Ulva pertusa, Laminaria japonica, and Polysiphonia urceolata. The isolated strains of bacteria can be divided into two groups: Halomonas and Vibrio, in physiology, biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analyses. The phylogenetic tree constructed based on 16S rDNA sequences of the isolates shows four obvious clusters, Halomonas venusta, Vibrio tasmaniensis, Vibrio lentus, and Vibrio splendidus. Isolates from the surface of P. urceolata are more abundant and diverse, of which strains P9 and P28 have a 16S rDNA sequence very similar (97.5%-99.8%) to that of V. splendidus. On the contrary, the isolates from the surfaces of G textorii, U. pertusa and L. japonica are quite simple and distribute on different branches of the phylogenetic tree. In overall, the results of this study indicate that the genetic relationships among the isolates are quite close and display a certain level of host species specificity, and alga-associated bacteria species are algal species specific.

Food sources of three bivalves living in two habitats of Jiaozhou Bay (Qingdao, China): Indicated by lipid biomarkers and stable isotope analysis

Food Sources of three filter-feeding bivalves from two habitats (intertidal oyster Crassostrea gigas, mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. and subtidal cultured scallop Chlamys farreri) of Jiaozhou Bay (Qingdao,China) were determined by fatty acid and stable isotope in analysis. Cultured scallop was characterized by significant diatom markets such as 16:1/16:0 close to 1 and high ratio of 20:5(n - 3)/22:6(n - 3), hence we assume that the scallop mainly feeds on diatoms. Fatty acid biomarkers specific to bacteria and terrestrial materials were also found in considerable amounts in scallop tissue, which suggested that there were Substantial bacterial and terrestrial input into the food of the species. Intertidal oyster and mussel, however, exhibited significant flagellate marker. 22:6(n - 3). and lower level of diatom markers. which indicated that flagellates are also part of intertidal bivalves' Planktonic food Sources: meanwhile, high level of Chlorophyta fatty acid marker, Sigma 18:2(n - 6) + 18:3(n - 3), suggested that Ulva pertusa (Chlorophyta) seaweed bed supplied important food sources to intertidal bivalves. Additionally, result of stable isotope analysis showed that phytoplankton contributed 86.2 to 89.0% to intertidal bivalves' carbon budget; macroalga U. pertusa origin source had a contribution of MIX, to 11.0%, which indicated its role Lis in important supplemental food source to intertidal bivalves. From this study. it is concluded that the dietary difference of three bivalves probably relates to the different potential food sources in the scallop farm and intertidal zone in Jiaozhou Bay.

Screening marine algae from China for their antitumor activities

Thirty-nine species of marine algae collected from the coast of China were screened for their antitumor activities, and eight species Leathesia difformes, Polysiphonia urcedata, Scytosiphon lomentarius, Gloiopeliis furcata, Punctaria latifolia, Symphyocladia latiuscula, Rhodomela confervoides and Ulva pertusa showed potent cytotoxic activities. Three, Rhodomela confervoides, Scytosiphon lomentarius and Gloiopeliis furcata, were used for further investigation. More than 30 compounds were isolated and purified, and 14 bromophenols, 1 steroid and 1 carotene were identified by advanced spectroscopic methods including IR, MS, and NMR techniques. Amongst the 16 identified compounds, 7 showed vigorously selective activities against KB, Bel7402 and A549 cancer cells, and 6 bromophenols were new compounds.

Determination of chemical species of iodine in some seaweeds .1.

The chemical species of iodine in seven marine algae Codium fragile, Ulva pertusa, Monostroma nitidum, Gracilaria confervoides, Sargassum Kjellmanianum, Dictyopteris divaricata and Laminaria japonica were studied using neutron activation analysis combined with chemical separation. The contents of total iodine, water-soluble iodine, soluble organic iodine, I- and IO3- were determined. The results indicate that the chemical species and contents of iodine in various algae are remarkably different. The highest iodine content of 734 mg/kg (wet basis) was found in Laminaria japonica, with 99.2% of the total iodine being water soluble. The iodine contents of the other six algae are lower and soluble iodine makes up 16-41% of the total. In the aqueous leachate, iodine is mainly I-, which amounts to 61-93% of total water-soluble iodine; the percentages of organic iodine making up 5.5-37.4%, while the contents of IO3- are the lowest, 1.4-4.5%. This result suggests that the mechanism of iodine enrichment is different for various algae and that its bioavailability varies as well. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Extraction of the polysaccharides from five algae and their potential antioxidant activity in vitro

The sulfated polysaccharides extracted from algae possess excellent antioxidant activities. In this study, we prepared five polysaccharides extracted from five algae including one brown alga Laminaria japonica. one red alga Porphyra haitanensis and three green algae Ulva pertusa, Enteromorpha linza and Bryopsis plumose. And then the antioxidant activities of all the samples were investigated including scavenging effects of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, and reducing power. The chemical analysis and FT-IR spectrum showed these extracts were polysaccharides. And in addition, we found that certain polysaccharide exhibited stronger antioxidant activity in certain antioxidant activity. Factors effecting and attributing to radical scavenging effect need to be further studied. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

基于叶绿体DNA trnL-F序列研究肋果沙棘的谱系地理学

由于青藏高原的地理效应,第四纪冰期气候的反复变化应对现今该地区生物的地理分布及其居群遗传结构产生重大影响。肋果沙棘Hippophae neurocarpa是青藏高原地区的一个特有种,根据叶上的附属物（星状鳞毛或者鳞片状鳞毛）分为两个亚种：肋果沙棘亚种subsp.neurocarpa和密毛肋果沙棘亚种subsp.stellatopilosa。依据母系遗传的叶绿体DNA片段对该物种谱系地理学进行研究不仅能阐明该物种冰期避难所,而且对于理解两个亚种的母系分化也具有重要意义。共对两个亚种14居群的70个个体的trnL-F序列进行了测序,共发现8种单倍型,其中5种单倍型出现在肋果沙棘亚种中,4种出现在密毛肋果沙棘亚种中,两个亚种共享一种单倍型。种内谱系分化与两个亚种形态上的分化不一致。嵌套进化分支把8种单倍型分为三支：一支为肋果沙棘亚种,其他两支中两个亚种单倍型嵌套组成,且肋果沙棘亚种处于进化末端。我们的研究结果还表明肋果沙棘在冰期可能在高海拔地区存在多个避难所,并且存在来自避难所的邻域扩张。

马先蒿属6个种的核型与进化研究

分析和报道了马先蒿属（Pedicularis Linn.）分布于青藏高原东北部６个特有种的核型，并根据核型及其有关参数，分析和比较了该６种马先蒿核型的不对称性和相对进化程度。６个种的体细胞染色体数目都是２ｎ＝１６。核型分别为：绵德马先蒿P.pilostachya Maxim.，核型公式Ｋ（２ｎ）＝１６＝４ｍ＋１２ｓｍ，染色体相对长度组成２Ｌ＋６Ｍ２＋６Ｍ１＋２Ｓ，核型不对称系数Ａｓ·Ｋ＝６５．２９％，属于２Ａ型；青海马先蒿P.przewalskii Maxim.，Ｋ（２ｎ）＝１６＝８ｍ（ＳＡＴ）＋４ｓｍ＋２ｓ＋２ｔ，２Ｌ＋８Ｍ２＋２Ｍ１＋４Ｓ，Ａｓ·Ｋ＝６５．０２％，２Ｂ型；华马先蒿P.oederi Vahl.var.sinensis(Maxim.)Hurus.，K(2n)=16=12m+4sm，2L+4M2+8M1+2 S，As·K=59.89%，2B型；粗野马先蒿P.rudis Maxim.，K(2n)=16=4m+10sm+2st，4L+4M2+4M1+2 S，As·K=68.10%，2B型；甘肃马先蒿P.kansuensis Maxim. Subsp. kansuensis，K(2n)=16=6m+6sm+2st+2t，2L+6M2+6M1+2 S，As·K=68.92%，2A型；藓生马先蒿P.muscicola Maxim. K(2n)=16=8m(SAT)+8sm，2L=8M2+4M1+2S，As·K=62.64%，2B型。根据这6个种的核型和已有资料，认为该属的染色体基数x=8，极少数种有多倍体。通过对以上6种核型及进化程度的比较，该属核型变异较大，以中部着丝粒染色体为组成基础（较原始的种类，如华马先蒿和绵穗马先蒿），端部或近端部着丝粒染色体存在与否与该属内种的进化程度有关。核型不对称性所表示的进化程度似乎与花冠的演化有联系。

Summer diet of two sympatric species of raptors Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) and Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in alpine meadow: problem of coexistence

Summer diets of two sympatric raptors Upland Buzzards (Buteo hemilasius Temminck et Schlegel) and Eurasian Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo L. subsp. Hemachalana Hume) were studied in an alpine meadow (3250 m a.s.l.) on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Root voles Microtus oeconomus Pallas, plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae Hodgson, Gansu pikas O. cansus Lyon and plateau zokors Myospalax baileyi Thomas were the main diet components of Upland Buzzards as identified through the pellets analysis with the frequency of 57, 20, 19 and 4%, respectively. The four rodent species also were the main diet components of Eurasian Eagle Owls basing on the pellets and prey leftovers analysis with the frequency of 53, 26, 13 and 5%, respectively. The food niche breadth indexes of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls were 1.60 and 1.77 respectively (higher value of the index means the food niche of the raptor is broader), and the diet overlap index of the two raptors was larger (C-ue = 0.90) (the index range from 0 - no overlap - to I - complete overlap). It means that the diets of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls were similar (Two Related Samples Test, Z = -0.752, P = 0.452). The classical resource partitioning theory can not explain the coexistence of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls in alpine meadows of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, differences in body size, predation mode and activity rhythm between Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls may explain the coexistence of these two sympatric raptors.

Plasmid biology of natural Lactococcus lactis strains and molecular mechanisms of bacteriophage-host interaction

Lacticin 3147, enterocin AS-48, lacticin 481, variacin, and sakacin P are bacteriocins offering promising perspectives in terms of preservation and shelf-life extension of food products and should find commercial application in the near future. The studies detailing their characterization and bio-preservative applications are reviewed. Transcriptomic analyses showed a cell wall-targeted response of Lactococcus lactis IL1403 during the early stages of infection with the lytic bacteriophage c2, which is probably orchestrated by a number of membrane stress proteins and involves D-alanylation of membrane lipoteichoic acids, restoration of the physiological proton motive force disrupted following bacteriophage infection, and energy conservation. Sequencing of the eight plasmids of L. lactis subsp. cremoris DPC3758 from raw milk cheese revealed three anti-phage restriction/modification (R/M) systems, immunity/resistance to nisin, lacticin 481, cadmium and copper, and six conjugative/mobilization regions. A food-grade derivative strain with enhanced bacteriophage resistance was generated via stacking of R/M plasmids. Sequencing and functional analysis of the four plasmids of L. lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis DPC3901 from raw milk cheese revealed genes novel to Lactococcus and typical of bacteria associated with plants, in addition to genes associated with plant-derived lactococcal strains. The functionality of a novel high-affinity regulated system for cobalt uptake was demonstrated. The bacteriophage resistant and bacteriocin-producing plasmid pMRC01 places a metabolic burden on lactococcal hosts resulting in lowered growth rates and increased cell permeability and autolysis. The magnitude of these effects is strain dependent but not related to bacteriocin production. Starters’ acidification capacity is not significantly affected. Transcriptomic analyses showed that pMRC01 abortive infection (Abi) system is probably subjected to a complex regulatory control by Rgg-like ORF51 and CopG-like ORF58 proteins. These regulators are suggested to modulate the activity of the putative Abi effectors ORF50 and ORF49 exhibiting topology and functional similarities to the Rex system aborting bacteriophage λ lytic growth.

Osmotic stress tolerance mechanisms in Lactococcus lactis

The response of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NCDO 712 to low water activity (aw) was investigated, both in relation to growth following moderate reductions in the aw and in terms of survival following substantial reduction of the aw with NaCI. Lc.lactis NCDO 712 was capable of growth in the presence of ≤ 4% w/v NaCI and concentrations in excess of 4% w/v were lethal to the cells. The presence of magnesium ions significantly increased the resistance of NCDO 712 to challenge with NaCI and also to challenge with high temperature or low pH. Survival of Lc.lactis NCDO 712 exposed to high NaCI concentrations was growth phase dependent and cells were most sensitive in the early exponential phase of growth. Pre-exposure to 3% w/v NaCI induced limited protection against subsequent challenge with higher NaCI concentrations. The induction was inhibited by chloramphenicol and even when induced, the response did not protect against NaCI concentrations> 10% w/v. When growing at low aw, potassium was accumulated by Lc. lactis NCDO 712 growing at low aw, if the aw was reduced by glucose or fructose, but not by NaCI. Reducing the potassium concentration of chemically defined medium from 20 to 0.5 mM) produced a substantial reduction in the growth rate, if the aw was reduced with NaCI, but not with glucose or fructose. The reduction of the growth rate correlated strongly with a reduction in the cytoplasmic potassium concentration and in cell volume. Addition of the compatible solute glycine betaine, partially reversed the inhibition of growth rate and partially restored the cell volume. The potassium transport system was characterised in cells grown in medium at both high and low aw. It appeared that a single system was present, which was induced approximately two-fold by growth at low aw. Potassium transport was assayed in vitro using cells depleted of potassium; the assay was competitively inhibited by Na+ and by the other monovalent cations NH4+, Li+, and Cs+. There was a strong correlation between the ability of strains of Lc. lactis subsp. lactis and subsp. cremoris to grow at low aw and their ability to accumulate the compatible solute glycine betaine. The Lc. lactis subsp. cremoris strains incapable of growth at NaCI concentrations> 2% w/v did not accumulate glycine betaine when growing at low aw, whereas strains capable of growth at NaCI concentrations up to 4% w/v did. A mutant, extremely sensitive to low aw was isolated from the parent strain Lc. lactis subsp. cremoris MG 1363, a plasmid free derivative of NCDO 712. The parent strain tolerated up to 4% w/v NaCI and actively accumulated glycine betaine when challenged at low aw. The mutant had lost the ability to accumulate glycine betaine and was incapable of growth at NaCI concentrations >2% w/v or the equivalent concentration of glucose. As no other compatible solute seemed capable of substitution for glycine betaine, the data suggest that the traditional; phenotypic speciation of strains on the basis of tolerance to 4% w/v NaCI can be explained as possession or lack of a glycine betaine transport system.

Evaluation of microbial adjuncts and their effect on the ripening of cheddar cheese

A bacteriocin-producing strain of Lactobacillus paracasei DPC 4715 was used as an adjunct culture in Cheddar cheese in order to control the growth of “wild” nonstarter lactic acid bacteria. No suppression of growth of the indicator strain was observed in the experimental cheese. The bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus paracasei DPC 4715 was sensitive to chymosin and cathepsin D and it may have been cleaved by the rennet used for the cheese manufactured or by indigenous milk proteases. A series of studies were performed using various microbial adjuncts to influence cheese ripening. Microbacterium casei DPC 5281, Corynebacterium casei DPC 5293 and Corynebacterium variabile DPC 5305 were added to the cheesemilk at level of 109 cfu/ml resulting in a final concentration of 108 cfu/g in Cheddar cheese. The strains significantly increased the level of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen, total free amino acids after 60 and 180 d of ripening and some individual free amino acids after 180 d. Yarrowia lipolytica DPC 6266, Yarrowia lipolytica DPC 6268 and Candida intermedia DPC 6271 were used to accelerate the ripening of Cheddar cheese. Strains were grown in YG broth to a final concentration of 107 cfu/ml, microfluidized, freeze-dried and added to the curd during salting at level of 2% w/w. The yeasts positively affected the primary, secondary proteolysis and lipolysis of cheeses and had aminopeptidase, dipeptidase, esterase and 5’ phosphodiestere activities that contributed to accelerate the ripening and improve the flavor of cheese. Hafia alvei was added to Cheddar cheesemilk at levels of 107 cfu/ml and 108 cfu/ml and its contribution during ripening was evaluated. The strain significantly increased the level of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen, total free amino-acids, and some individual free amino-acids of Cheddar cheese, whereas no differences in the urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (urea-PAGE) electrophoretograms of the cheeses were detected. Hafia alvei also significantly increased the level of some biogenic amines. A low-fat Cheddar cheese was made with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, strain BB-12® at level of 108 cfu/ml, as a probiotic adjunct culture and Hi-Maize® 260 (resistant high amylose maize starch) at level of 2% and 4% w/v, as a prebiotic fiber which also played the role of fat replacer. Bifidobacterium BB-12 decreased by 1 log cycle after 60 d of ripening and remained steady at level of ~107 cfu/g during ripening. The Young’s modulus also increased proportionally with increasing levels of Hi-maize. Hencky strain at fracture decreased over ripening and increased with increasing in fat replacer. A cheese based medium (CBM) was developed with the purpose of mimicking the cheese environment at an early ripening stage. The strains grown in CBM showed aminopeptidase activity against Gly-, Arg-, Pro- and Phe-p-nitroanalide, whereas, when grown in MRS they were active against all the substrates tested. Both Lb. danicus strains grown in MRS and in CBM had aminotransferase activity towards aromatic amino acids (Phe and Trp) and also branched-chain amino acids (Leu and Val). Esterase activity was expressed against p-nitrophenyl-acetate (C2), pnitrophenyl- butyrate (C4) and p-nitrophenyl-palmitate (C16) and was significantly higher in CBM than in MRS.

Comparative genomics of Bifidobacteria

Chapter 2 of this thesis describes the sequence analysis of 14 bifidobacterial genomes from various species of the genus Bifidobacterium, and the determination of their open pan-genome trend. This analysis first determined the total number of genes to be considered as the reservoir of functions available to representatives of this genus. Many identified genes are still uncharacterized, but may be involved in the adaptation to the gut environment. This comparative genomic analysis also determined a pool of ortholog functions used to infer their phylogenetic relationship, thereby providing a more robust approach compared to that based solely on the16S rRNA-encoding gene. The genome sequence of an isolate from the insect hindgut Bifidobacterium asteroides PRL2011 was fully characterized in Chapter 3, surprisingly revealing a putative respiratory metabolism, which was also found to be present in other insect isolates, suggesting that respiration was an ancient feature of this genus, but also an adaptative trait to different atmosferic oxygen levels. Chapter 4 of this thesis outlines a comparative study which focused on the analysis of representatives of the Bifidobacterium breve species, revealing that the genetic variability among members of this species principally consists of genes with a role in adaptation to host environment and gut colonization. Finally, Chapter 5 describes the analysis of the genome sequence of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLC1, a probiotic bacterium widely used in food industries as an ingredient of functional foods, providing information that will allow future investigations of this species.