Bacillus pallidus sp nov., isolated from forest soil

A Gram-positive bacterium, designated strain CW 7(T), was isolated from forest soil in Anhui Province, south-east China. Cells were strictly aerobic, motile with peritrichous flagella and rod-shaped. The strain grew optimally at 30-37 degrees C and pH 7.0-8.0. The major fatty acids of strain CW 7(T) were anteiso-C-15:0, iso-C-15:0 and anteiso-C-17:0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 42.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain CW 7(T) belonged to a monophyletic cluster within the genus Bacillus and showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of less than 96.5% to recognized species of the genus Bacillus. The results of the polyphasic taxonomic study, including phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, showed that strain CW 7(T) represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus pallidus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CW 7(T) (=KCTC 13200(T)=CCTCC AB 207188(T)=LMG 24451(T)).

Pseudomonas duriflava sp nov., isolated from a desert soil

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain HR2(T) was isolated from a soil sample from the Talklimaken Desert in Xinjiang Province, China. Strain HR2(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0 and 30-37 degrees C in the presence of 0-1% (w/v) NaCl. An analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain HR2(T) fell within the radiation of the genus Pseudomonas, the highest level of similarity being found with respect to Pseudomonas luteola IAM 13000(T) (97.5%); the levels of sequence similarity with respect to other recognized Pseudomonas species were < 96.4%. DNA-DNA hybridization showed that the genetic relatedness between strain HR2(T) and P. luteola IAM 13000(T) was 53.2%. The G + C content of the genomic DNA of strain HR2(T) was 55.2 mol%. The major fatty acids were 18: 1, summed feature 3 and 16:0. The hydroxylated fatty acids 10:0 3-OH, 12:0 3-OH and 12:0 2-OH were also present. The data obtained in this polyphasic study indicated that this isolate represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas duriflava sp. nov. is proposed, The type strain is HR2(T) (=KCTC 221129(T) =CGMCC 1.6858(T)).

Sphingobacterium siyangense sp nov., isolated from farm soil

The taxonomic position of a novel Gram-negative strain, designated Sy1(T), isolated from a farm-soil sample obtained from Jiangsu Province, PR China, was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The cells were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. The organism grew optimally at 30-37 degrees C and at pH 6.0-8.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Sy1(T) is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium; Sphingobacterium multivorum JCM 21156(T) was the nearest relative (98.5% sequence similarity). The predominant fatty acids of strain Sy1T were isoC15:0 (32.90/o), C16:0 (10.9%) and summed feature 3 (iso-C-15:0 2-OH and/or C-16:1 omega 7c; 24.1%). The DNA G + C content was 38.5 mol%. The low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (2.2 %) to S. multivorum JCM 21156 T in combination with differential morphological and biochemical properties demonstrated that strain SY1(T) (=KCTC 22131(T)= CGMCC 1.6855(T)) should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium for which the name Sphingobacterium siyangense sp. nov. is proposed.

Flavobacterium anhuiense sp nov., isolated from field soil

A novel strain, D3(T), isolated from a field-soil sample obtained from Anhui Province, PR China, was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. The cells were Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented rods devoid of flagella, but showing gliding motility. The organism was able to grow at 5-37 degrees C and at pH 4.0-10.0. A comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain D3(T) is a member of the genus Flavobacterium, sharing highest sequence similarity with the type strain of Flavobacterium defluvii (96.7 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6 and the predominant fatty acids were iso-C-15:0, summed feature 3 (C-16:1 omega 7c and/or iso-C-15:0 2-OH) and C-16:0. The DNA G + C content was 31.4 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain D3(T) represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium anhuiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D3(T) (=KCTC 22128(T)= CGIVICC 1.6859(T)).

A serine proteinase inhibitor from frog eggs with bacteriostatic activity

By Sephadex G-50 gel filtration, Resource Q anionic exchange and C4 reversed phase liquid high performance liquid chromatography, a proteinase inhibitor protein (Ranaserpin) was identified and purified from the eggs of the odour frog, Rana grahami. The protein displayed a single band adjacent to the molecular weight marker of 14.4 kDa analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The inhibitor protein homogeneity and its molecular weight were confirmed again by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis. The MALDI-TOF mass spectrum analysis gave this inhibitor protein an m/z of 14422.26 that was matched well with the result from SDS-PAGE. This protein is a serine proteinase inhibitor targeting multiple proteinases including trypsin, elastase, and subtilisin. Ranaserpin inhibited the proteolytic activities of trypsin, elastase, and subtilisin. It has an inhibitory constant (K-i) of 6.2 x 10(-8) M, 2.7 x 10(-7) M and 2.2 x 10(-8) M for trypsin, elastase, and subtilisin, respectively. This serine proteinase inhibitor exhibited bacteriostatic effect on Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633). It was suggested that ranaserpin might act as a defensive role in resistance to invasion of pests or pathogens. This is the first report of serine proteinase inhibitor and its direct defensive role from amphibian eggs. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bacillus solisalsi sp nov., a halotolerant, alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from soil around a salt lake

A novel Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from a saline soil in China was characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain, designated YC1(T), was halotolerant [tolerating up to 15 % (w/v) NaCl] and alkaliphilic (growing at

Saccharibacillus kuerlensis sp nov., isolated from a desert soil

A taxonomic study was performed on strain HR1(T), which was isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Xinjiang Province (China). Cells were aerobic, Gram-positive-staining, pink-pigmented, sporulating rods with a single lateral flagellum. The orga

Molecular and functional characterization of a c-type lysozyme from the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis

Some lepidopteran lysozymes have been reported to display activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, in contrast to most lysozymes that are active only against Gram-positive bacteria. OstrinLysC, a c-type lysozyme, was purified from the As

Novel cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptides from Equus asinus

In the present study, EA-CATH1 and EA-CATH2 were identified from a constructed lung cDNA library of donkey (Equus asinus) as members of cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptides, using a nested PCR-based cloning strategy. Composed of 25 and 26 residues, respectively, EA-CATH1 and EA-CATH2 are smaller than most other cathelicidins and have no sequence homology to other cathelicidins identified to date. Chemically synthesized EA-CATH1 exerted potent antimicrobial activity against most of the 32 strains of bacteria and fungi tested, especially the clinically isolated drug-resistant strains, and minimal inhibitory concentration values against Gram-positive bacteria were mostly in the range of 0.3-2.4 mu g center dot mL-1. EA-CATH1 showed an extraordinary serum stability and no haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes in a dose up to 20 mu g center dot mL-1. CD spectra showed that EA-CATH1 mainly adopts an alpha-helical conformation in a 50% trifluoroethanol/water solution, but a random coil in aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscope observations of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC2592) treated with EA-CATH1 demonstrated that EA-CATH could cause rapid disruption of the bacterial membrane, and in turn lead to cell lysis. This might explain the much faster killing kinetics of EA-CATH1 than conventional antibiotics revealed by killing kinetics data. In the presence of CaCl2, EA-CATH1 exerted haemagglutination activity, which might potentiate an inhibition against the bacterial polyprotein interaction with the host erythrocyte surface, thereby possibly restricting bacterial colonization and spread.

Bioactivity of epidermal secretion of two marine catfish from Mumbai

Crude mucus and its partially purified fractions from two marine catfish from Mumbai, Arius dussumieri and Osteogeneiosus militaris were assayed for their crinotoxicity through assays for hemolysis and haemagglutination of chicken erythrocytes, formation of paw edema in mice, and antibacterial activity against one gram-positive and four gram-negative bacteria. Assays were also done to block the edema using Phineramine maleate, Piroxicam, and Atropine sulfate. Crude toxin as well as their fractions from both the fishes exhibited haemolytic and haemagglutinating activities on chicken blood, besides edematous activity in mice models. The edematous activity was blocked by Phineramine maleate and Piroxicam but enhanced by Atropine sulfate; however, all these activities, either blocking or enhancing, were statistically insignificant. Antibacterial activity was absent in all the extracts tested.

Bacteriology of spoilage of canned prawns

Spoilage characteristics of different types of bacteria isolated from bacteriologically defective cans and processing factory environs were studied by inoculating pure cultures into sterile prawn meat. The pattern of spoilage, namely, production of off odour, bulging of the cans and disintegration of meat were observed. Data on spoilage under aerobic as well as anaerobic conditions are presented. Most of the cultures produced some kind of spoilage, though differences were observed in the extent of spoilage produced by different types of bacteria. Gram positive spore formers were found to be the major spoilers and the extent of spoilage was more with mixed cultures.

Behaviour of marine microflora towards antibiotics 1. Sensitivity towards chlortetracycline (CTC)

The sensitivity of 61 cultures of bacteria isolated from fish towards chlortetracycline (CTC) at 5 ppm and 20 ppm levels has been determined on two solid media: sea water agar (SWA) and a distilled water based medium consisting of peptone, beef extract, glucose and NaCI (PBGA). The cultures employed consisted of (i) gram-negative rods of marine origin (Achromobacter, Pseudomonas, Vibrio and Flavobacterium) and (ii) gram positive organisms (Micrococci and Corynebacterium). Depending on the inhibition zone diameter, the order of CTC sensitivity was found to be Pseudomonas

Bacteriological investigations of prawn canneries 1. Incidence of aerobic sporeformers

A detailed bacteriological survey of the prawn canneries of Cochin area was carried out to study the nature and type of micro-organisms present in the factory environs and their role in causing contamination of the canned products. About 26% of the total of 1030 strains isolated was found to be gram positive spore-formers of the Bacillus type, the cooling water being their major source. Similar types of organisms formed the major group often met with in defective canned prawn samples picked up from the factories for examination, thus establishing a correlation between bacterial characteristics and load of cooling water and can contamination.

Morphological, biochemical and growth characteristics of Serratia strains isolated from sardine (Sardinella longiceps)

Two aerobic, gram-negative asporogenous, red-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps). Their morphological, biochemical and growth characteristics are reported. The pigment was identified to be a prodigiosene. The strains were found to resemble Serratia plymuthica. Effect of temperature and certain carbohydrates on pigmentation was also studied. Iron was found to inhibit pigmentation, and mannitol or sorbitol removed such inhibition.

The bacteriology of oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) and mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) from tropical waters off Cochin. 2. Qualitative aspects

80% of the flora of skin, gills and intestines of oil sardine and mackerel at isolation temperature 28 ± 2°C consisted of Gram negative asporogenous rods or cocci, belonging to the genera Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Moraxella, Acinetobacter and Flavobacteria/Cytophaga. Nearly 10% of the flora was constituted by Gram positives, Micrococcus and Arthrobacter. Incubation temperature of 36 ± 1°C recovered more Vibrio spp. and Gram positives, while at lower temperatures of 8 ± 1°C and 1 ± 1°C, more Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Moraxella spp. were recovered. Significant changes with respect to season were observed in the relative distribution of different genera.