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Frontiers in Microbiology 2023As tick-borne diseases rise to become the second most prevalent arthropod-transmitted disease globally, the increasing investigations focus on ticks correspondingly....
INTRODUCTION
As tick-borne diseases rise to become the second most prevalent arthropod-transmitted disease globally, the increasing investigations focus on ticks correspondingly. Factors contributed to this increase include anthropogenic influences, changes in vertebrate faunal composition, social-recreational shifts, and climatic variation. Employing the 16S gene sequence method in next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows comprehensive pathogen identification in samples, facilitating the development of refined approaches to tick research omnidirectionally.
METHODS
In our survey, we compared the microbial richness and biological diversity of ticks in Wuwei City, Gansu province, differentiating between questing ticks found in grass and parasitic ticks collected from sheep based on 16S NGS method.
RESULTS
The results show , , and were detected in all 50 samples, suggesting that the co-infection may be linked to specific symbiotic bacteria in ticks. Our findings reveal significant differences in the composition and diversity of microorganisms, with the and genera existing more prevalent in parasitic ticks than in questing ticks ( < 0.05). Additionally, the network analysis demonstrates that the interactions among bacterial genera can be either promotive or inhibitive in ticks exhibiting different lifestyles with the correlation index || > 0.6. For instance, restrains the development of 10 other bacteria in parasitic ticks, whereas and enhance colonization across all tick species.
DISCUSSION
By leveraging NGS techniques, our study reveals a high degree of species and phylogenetic diversity within the tick microbiome. It further highlights the potential to investigate the interplay between bacterial genera in both parasitic and questing ticks residing in identical habitat environments.
PubMed: 38192286
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1264939 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Oct 2023The use of enzymes represents an approach to combat bacterial infections by degrading extracellular biomolecules to disperse biofilms. Commercial enzyme preparations,...
The use of enzymes represents an approach to combat bacterial infections by degrading extracellular biomolecules to disperse biofilms. Commercial enzyme preparations, including cellulase, amylase, pectinase, zymolyase, and pepsin, exhibit concentration-dependent dispersion of biofilms. Here, we report that low concentrations of these enzymes generally lack synergy when combined or added together sequentially to biofilms. Only the addition of a protease (pepsin) followed by a commercial mixture of degradative enzymes from (zymolyase 20T), demonstrated synergy and was effective at dispersing biofilms. A more purified mixture of enzymes (zymolyase 100T) showed improved dispersal of biofilms compared to zymolyase 20T but lacked synergy with pepsin. This study emphasizes the complexity of enzymatic biofilm dispersal and the need for tailored approaches based on the properties of degradative enzymes and biofilm composition.
PubMed: 37873330
DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.05.561034 -
Biotechnologia 2024The ever-increasing demand for wildlife-derived raw or processed meat commonly known as bushmeat, has been identified as one of the critical factors driving the...
The ever-increasing demand for wildlife-derived raw or processed meat commonly known as bushmeat, has been identified as one of the critical factors driving the emergence of infectious diseases. This study focused on examining the bacterial community composition of smoked and fermented bushmeats, specifically grasscutter, rat, rabbit, and mona monkey. The analysis involved exploring 16Sr RNA amplicon sequences isolated from bushmeat using QIIME2. Microbiome profiles and their correlation with proximate components (PLS regression) were computed in STAMP and XLSTAT, respectively. Results indicate the predominance of (70.9%), (18.58%), and (9.12%) in bushmeat samples at the phylum level. , , , and constituted the core microbiomes in bushmeat samples, ranked in descending order. Notably, significant differences were observed between the bacterial communities of bushmeat obtained from omnivores and herbivores (rat and mona monkey, and grasscutter and mona monkey), as well as those with similar feeding habits (rat and monkey, and grasscutter and rabbit) at the family and genus levels. Each type of bushmeat possessed unique microbial diversity, with some proximate components such as fat in rat samples correlating with , while proteins in Mona monkey correlated with and , respectively. The study underscores public health concerns and highlights probiotic benefits, as bushmeat samples contained both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. Therefore, future research efforts could focus on improving bushmeat quality.
PubMed: 38633890
DOI: 10.5114/bta.2024.135637 -
Microbial Cell Factories May 2024Quantum Dots (QDs) are fluorescent nanoparticles with exceptional optical and optoelectronic properties, finding widespread utility in diverse industrial applications....
BACKGROUND
Quantum Dots (QDs) are fluorescent nanoparticles with exceptional optical and optoelectronic properties, finding widespread utility in diverse industrial applications. Presently, chemically synthesized QDs are employed in solar cells, bioimaging, and various technological domains. However, many applications demand QDs with prolonged lifespans under conditions of high-energy radiation. Over the past decade, microbial biosynthesis of nanomaterials has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective process. In this context, the utilization of extremophile microorganisms for synthesizing QDs with unique properties has recently been reported.
RESULTS
In this study, UV-resistant bacteria were isolated from one of the most extreme environments in Antarctica, Union Glacier at the Ellsworth Mountains. Bacterial isolates, identified through 16 S sequencing, belong to the genera Rhodococcus, Pseudarthrobacter, and Arthrobacter. Notably, Rhodococcus sp. (EXRC-4 A-4), Pseudarthrobacter sp. (RC-2-3), and Arthrobacter sp. (EH-1B-1) tolerate UV-C radiation doses ≥ 120 J/m². Isolated UV-resistant bacteria biosynthesized CdS QDs with fluorescence intensities 4 to 8 times higher than those biosynthesized by E. coli, a mesophilic organism tolerating low doses of UV radiation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis determined QD sizes ranging from 6 to 23 nm, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis demonstrated the presence of biomolecules. QDs produced by UV-resistant Antarctic bacteria exhibit high photostability after exposure to UV-B radiation, particularly in comparison to those biosynthesized by E. coli. Interestingly, red fluorescence-emitting QDs biosynthesized by Rhodococcus sp. (EXRC-4 A-4) and Arthrobacter sp. (EH-1B-1) increased their fluorescence emission after irradiation. Analysis of methylene blue degradation after exposure to irradiated QDs biosynthesized by UV-resistant bacteria, indicates that the QDs transfer their electrons to O for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at different levels.
CONCLUSIONS
UV-resistant Antarctic bacteria represent a novel alternative for the sustainable generation of nanostructures with increased radiation tolerance-two characteristics favoring their potential application in technologies requiring continuous exposure to high-energy radiation.
Topics: Quantum Dots; Antarctic Regions; Ultraviolet Rays; Cadmium Compounds; Rhodococcus; Arthrobacter; Sulfides
PubMed: 38760827
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02417-x -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023With the advent of long-term human habitation in space and on the moon, understanding how the built environment microbiome of space habitats differs from Earth habitats,...
Phylogenomics, phenotypic, and functional traits of five novel (Earth-derived) bacterial species isolated from the International Space Station and their prevalence in metagenomes.
With the advent of long-term human habitation in space and on the moon, understanding how the built environment microbiome of space habitats differs from Earth habitats, and how microbes survive, proliferate and spread in space conditions, is becoming more important. The microbial tracking mission series has been monitoring the microbiome of the International Space Station (ISS) for almost a decade. During this mission series, six unique strains of Gram-stain-positive bacteria, including two spore-forming and three non-spore-forming species, were isolated from the environmental surfaces of the ISS. The analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed > 99% similarities with previously described bacterial species. To further explore their phylogenetic affiliation, whole genome sequencing was undertaken. For all strains, the gyrB gene exhibited < 93% similarity with closely related species, which proved effective in categorizing these ISS strains as novel species. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values, when compared to any known bacterial species, were < 94% and <50% respectively for all species described here. Traditional biochemical tests, fatty acid profiling, polar lipid, and cell wall composition analyses were performed to generate phenotypic characterization of these ISS strains. A study of the shotgun metagenomic reads from the ISS samples, from which the novel species were isolated, showed that only 0.1% of the total reads mapped to the novel species, supporting the idea that these novel species are rare in the ISS environments. In-depth annotation of the genomes unveiled a variety of genes linked to amino acid and derivative synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, cofactors, vitamins, prosthetic groups, pigments, and protein metabolism. Further analysis of these ISS-isolated organisms revealed that, on average, they contain 46 genes associated with virulence, disease, and defense. The main predicted functions of these genes are: conferring resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds, and enabling invasion and intracellular resistance. After conducting antiSMASH analysis, it was found that there are roughly 16 cluster types across the six strains, including β-lactone and type III polyketide synthase (T3PKS) clusters. Based on these multi-faceted taxonomic methods, it was concluded that these six ISS strains represent five novel species, which we propose to name as follows: Arthrobacter burdickii IIF3SC-B10 (= NRRL B-65660 = DSM 115933), Leifsonia virtsii F6_8S_P_1A (= NRRL B-65661 = DSM 115931), Leifsonia williamsii F6_8S_P_1B (= NRRL B-65662 = DSM 115932), Paenibacillus vandeheii F6_3S_P_1C (= NRRL B-65663 = DSM 115940), and Sporosarcina highlanderae F6_3S_P_2 (= NRRL B-65664 = DSM 115943). Identifying and characterizing the genomes and phenotypes of novel microbes found in space habitats, like those explored in this study, is integral for expanding our genomic databases of space-relevant microbes. This approach offers the only reliable method to determine species composition, track microbial dispersion, and anticipate potential threats to human health from monitoring microbes on the surfaces and equipment within space habitats. By unraveling these microbial mysteries, we take a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and success of future space missions.
Topics: Humans; Metagenome; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Prevalence; Phenotype; Paenibacillus; Fatty Acids; DNA; DNA, Bacterial; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Bacterial Typing Techniques
PubMed: 37932283
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44172-w -
Microbiology Spectrum Dec 2023As the management of wheat fungal diseases becomes increasingly challenging, the use of bacterial agents with biocontrol potential against the two major wheat...
As the management of wheat fungal diseases becomes increasingly challenging, the use of bacterial agents with biocontrol potential against the two major wheat phytopathogens, and , may prove to be an interesting alternative to conventional pest management. Here, we have shown that dimethylpolysulfide volatiles are ubiquitously and predominantly produced by wheat-associated and actinomycetes, displaying antifungal activity against both pathogens. By limiting pathogen growth and DON virulence factor production, the use of such DMPS-producing strains as soil biocontrol inoculants could limit the supply of pathogen inocula in soil and plant residues, providing an attractive alternative to dimethyldisulfide fumigant, which has many non-targeted toxicities. Notably, this study demonstrates the importance of bacterial volatile organic compound uptake by inhibited , providing new insights for the study of volatiles-mediated toxicity mechanisms within bacteria-fungus signaling crosstalk.
Topics: Arthrobacter; Microbacterium; Triticum; Actinobacteria; Actinomyces; Soil; Plant Diseases
PubMed: 37800942
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05292-22 -
Microbial Ecology Dec 2023Sugar beet is the most important crop for sugar production in temperate zones. The plant microbiome is considered an important factor in crop productivity and health....
Sugar beet is the most important crop for sugar production in temperate zones. The plant microbiome is considered an important factor in crop productivity and health. Here, we investigated the bacterial diversity of seeds, roots, and rhizosphere of five sugar beet hybrids named Eduarda (ED), Koala (KO), Tibor (T), Tajfun (TF), and Cercospora-resistant (C). A culture-independent next-generation sequencing approach was used for the further investigation of seed-borne endophytes. Hybrid-associated bacteria were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting (PGP) characteristics, antagonistic activity towards Cercospora beticola and several Fusarium strains in dual culture assays, and drought and salinity tolerance. High-throughput sequencing revealed that the Proteobacteria phylum was most dominant in the seeds of all hybrids, followed by Cyanobacteria and Actinobacteriota. The predominant genus in all hybrids was Pantoea, followed by Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Chalicogloea, Corynebacterium, Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Glutamicibacter, Kosakonia, and Marinilactibacillus. Unique genera in the hybrids were Pleurocapsa and Arthrobacter (T), Klebsiella (TF), Apibacter (ED), and Alloscardovia (KO). The genera that were most represented in one hybrid were Weissella and Staphylococcus (TF); Streptococcus (T); Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Rothia (KO); and Gilliamella, Lactobacillus, and Snodgrassella (ED). Thirty-two bacteria out of 156 isolates from the rhizosphere, roots, and seeds were selected with respect to various plant growth-promoting activities in vitro, i.e., nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity, hydrogen cyanide production, exoenzymatic activity (amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, xylanase, mannanases, gelatinase, and pectinase), mitigation of environmental stresses, and antifungal activity. Mixta theicola KO3-44, Providencia vermicola ED3-10, Curtobacterium pusillum ED2-6, and Bacillus subtilis KO3-18 had the highest potential to promote plant growth due to their multiple abilities (nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, production of siderophores, and IAA). The best antagonistic activity towards phytopathogenic fungi was found for Bacillus velezensis C3-19, Paenibacillus polymyxa C3-36 and Bacillus halotolerans C3-16/2.1. Only four isolates B. velezensis T2-23, B. subtilis T3-4, B. velezensis ED2-2, and Bacillus halotolerans C3-16/2.1 all showed enzymatic activity, with the exception of xylanase production. B. halotolerans C3-16/2.1 exhibited the greatest tolerance to salinity, while two B. subtilis strains (C3-62 and TF2-1) grew successfully at the maximum concentration of PEG. The current study demonstrates that sugar beet-associated bacteria have a wide range of beneficial traits and are therefore highly promising for the formulation of biological control and PGP agents.
Topics: Beta vulgaris; Plant Development; Bacillus subtilis; Endophytes; Plant Roots; Phosphates
PubMed: 38148389
DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02329-0 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Birds are sensitive to heavy metal pollution, and lead (Pb) contamination can negatively affect their liver and gut. Therefore, we used budgerigars to examine liver and...
Birds are sensitive to heavy metal pollution, and lead (Pb) contamination can negatively affect their liver and gut. Therefore, we used budgerigars to examine liver and gut toxicosis caused by Pb exposure in bird, and the possible toxic mechanisms. The findings showed Pb exposure increased liver weight and decreased body weight. Moreover, histopathological and immunofluorescence assay results demonstrated obvious liver damage and cell apoptosis increased in Pb- treated budgerigars. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results also showed Pb caused an increase in apoptosis by inhibiting the PPAR-γ/PI3K/Akt pathway. The gut microbe analyses indicated Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were dominant microbial phyla, and Network analysis results shown Arthrobacter, Bradyrhizobium and Alloprevotella as the hubs of Modules I, II, and III, respectively. Phenylpropanoids and polyketides, Organoheterocyclic compounds, Organic oxygen compounds, and Organic nitrogen compounds were dominant metabolite superclasses. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid (sodium salt), and 2-[2-(5-bromo-2-pyridyl)diaz-1-enyl]-5-(diethylamino)phenol were significantly enriched in the Pb-treated group. It showed that 41 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthologues and 183 pathways differed between the Pb-treated and control budgerigars using microbial and metabolomic data. Moreover, orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) based on microbial and metabolite indicated distinct clusters in the Pb-treated and control groups. Additionally, the correlation analysis results indicated that a positive correlation for the Pb-treated and control groups between gut microbiota and metabolomic data, respectively. Furthermore, the microenvironment of the gut and liver were found to affect each other, and this study demonstrated heavy metal especially Pb may pose serious health risks to birds through the "gut-liver axis" too.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Dysbiosis; Lead Poisoning; Metabolic Diseases; Lead; Liver
PubMed: 38701653
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116388 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is the by-products of mushroom production, which is mainly composed of disintegrated lignocellulosic biomass, mushroom mycelia and some...
Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is the by-products of mushroom production, which is mainly composed of disintegrated lignocellulosic biomass, mushroom mycelia and some minerals. The huge output and the lack of effective utilization methods make SMS becoming a serious environmental problem. In order to improve the application of SMS and SMS derived biochar (SBC), composted SMS (CSMS), SBC, combined plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR, BUABN-01 and BUAYN-122) and SBC immobilized PGPR (BCP) were applied in the lettuce seedling. Seven substrate treatments were used, including (1) CK, commercial control; (2) T1, CSMS based blank control; (3) T2, T1 with combined PGPR (9:1, v/v); (4) T3, T1 with SBC (19:1, v/v); (5) T4, T1 with SBC (9:1, v/v); (6) T5, T1 with BCP (19:1, v/v); (7) T6, T1 with BCP (9:1, v/v). The physicochemical properties of substrate, agronomic and physicochemical properties of lettuce and rhizospheric bacterial and fungal communities were investigated. The addition of SBC and BCP significantly ( < 0.05) improved the total nitrogen and available potassium content. The 5% (v/v) BCP addiction treatment (T5) represented the highest fresh weight of aboveground and underground, leave number, chlorophyll content and leaf anthocyanin content, and the lowest root malondialdehyde content. Moreover, high throughput sequencing revealed that the biochar immobilization enhanced the adaptability of PGPR. The addition of PGPR, SBC and BCP significantly enriched the unique bacterial biomarkers. The co-occurrence network analysis revealed that 5% BCP greatly increased the network complexity of rhizospheric microorganisms and improved the correlations of the two PGPR with other microorganisms. Furthermore, microbial functional prediction indicated that BCP enhanced the nutrient transport of rhizospheric microorganisms. This study showed the BCP can increase the agronomic properties of lettuce and improve the rhizospheric microbial community.
PubMed: 37476665
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1218205 -
PeerJ 2024Biochar amendments enhance crop productivity and improve agricultural quality. To date, studies on the correlation between different amounts of biochar in pakchoi ( L.)...
BACKGROUND
Biochar amendments enhance crop productivity and improve agricultural quality. To date, studies on the correlation between different amounts of biochar in pakchoi ( L.) quality and rhizosphere soil microorganisms are limited, especially in weakly alkaline soils. The experiment was set up to explore the effect of different concentrations of biochar on vegetable quality and the correlation between the index of quality and soil bacterial community structure changes.
METHODS
The soil was treated in the following ways via pot culture: the blank control (CK) without biochar added and with biochar at different concentrations of 1% (T1), 3% (T2), 5% (T3), and 7% (T4). Here, we investigatedthe synergistic effect of biochar on the growth and quality of pakchoi, soil enzymatic activities, and soil nutrients. Microbial communities from pakchoi rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina MiSeq.
RESULTS
The results revealed that adding 3% biochar significantly increased plant height, root length, and dry weight of pakchoi and increased the contents of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, Vitamin C (VC), cellulose, and reduced nitrate content in pakchoi leaves. Meanwhile, soil enzyme activities and available nutrient content in rhizosphere soil increased. This study demonstrated that the the microbial community structure of bacteria in pakchoi rhizosphere soil was changed by applying more than 3% biochar. Among the relatively abundant dominant phyla, , , and were reduced, and , , , and relative abundance increased. Furthermore, adding 3% biochar reduced the relative abundance of s and increased the relative abundances of , , , , and . The nitrate content was positively correlated with the abundance of and the nitrate content was significantly negatively correlated with the relative abundance of . Carbohydrate transport and metabolism in the rhizosphere soil of pakchoi decreased, and lipid transport and metabolism increased after biochar application.
CONCLUSION
Overall, our results indicated that applying biochar improved soil physicochemical states and plant nutrient absorption, and affected the abundance of dominant bacterial groups (, and ), these were the main factors to increase pakchoi growth and promote quality of pakchoi. Therefore, considering the growth, quality of pakchoi, and soil environment, the effect of using 3% biochar is better.
Topics: Soil; Rhizosphere; Nitrates; Soil Microbiology; Microbiota; Bacteria; Plants; Charcoal
PubMed: 38515457
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16733