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Food Research International (Ottawa,... Aug 2024The food industry is increasingly striving to produce probiotics-based food and beverages using sustainable processes. Therefore, the use of by-products in product...
The food industry is increasingly striving to produce probiotics-based food and beverages using sustainable processes. Therefore, the use of by-products in product development has been investigated by several authors. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of cocoa bean shell infusion in the production of kombucha through microbiological and genetic characterization. Three beverage formulations were prepared, one based on black tea (KBT), one based on cocoa bean shell infusion (KCS) and one containing 50 % black tea and 50 % cocoa shell infusion (KBL). The infusions were prepared with water, filtered, and sucrose was added. They were then homogenized and a portion of finished kombucha and SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) were added. Fermentation took place for 13 days and aliquots were collected every three days for physicochemical and microbial count analyses. Samples from the last day of fermentation were sent for DNA sequencing, extraction and quantification. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and compared by using Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The results show that there was a significant decrease in pH over time in all samples, while the titratable acidity increased, indicating an acidification of the beverage due to the production of organic acids. There was an increase in lactic acid bacterial colonies in all the formulations, which have a probiotic nature and are not always found in this type of beverage. Regarding the taxonomic classification of the samples, microorganisms of the kingdoms Fungi and Bacteria, of the families Saccharomycetaceae and Acetobacteraceae, were found in KBT, KCS and KBL, but with different microbiological compositions, with different amounts of yeasts and bacteria. Therefore, the use of by-products such as cocoa bean shell in the production of kombucha can contribute to the reduction of waste in the food industry and, at the same time, accelerate fermentation increasing the presence of lactic acid bacteria when compared to black tea.
Topics: Cacao; Fermentation; Kombucha Tea; Food Microbiology; Tea; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Food Handling; Probiotics
PubMed: 38945598
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114568 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024Biodegradation stands as an eco-friendly and effective approach for organic contaminant remediation. However, research on microorganisms degrading sodium benzoate...
Biodegradation stands as an eco-friendly and effective approach for organic contaminant remediation. However, research on microorganisms degrading sodium benzoate contaminants in extreme environments remains limited. In this study, we report to display the isolation of a novel hot spring enriched cultures with sodium benzoate (400 mg/L) as the sole carbon source. The results revealed that the phylum Pseudomonadota was the potential sodium benzoate degrader and a novel genus within the family Geminicoccaceae of this phylum. The isolated strain was named Benzoatithermus flavus SYSU G07066 and was isolated from HNT-2 hot spring samples. Genomic analysis revealed that SYSU G07066 carried benABC genes and physiological experiments indicated the ability to utilize sodium benzoate as a sole carbon source for growth, which was further confirmed by transcriptomic data with expression of benABC. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) plays a significant role in acquiring sodium benzoate degradation capability among prokaryotes, and SYSU G07066 might have acquired benABC genes through HGT from the family Acetobacteraceae. The discovery of the first microorganism with sodium benzoate degradation function from a hot spring enhances our understanding of the diverse functions within the family Geminicoccaceae. This study unearths the first novel genus capable of efficiently degrading sodium benzoate and its evolution history at high temperatures, holding promising industrial applications, and provides a new perspective for further exploring the application potential of hot spring "microbial dark matter".
PubMed: 38936185
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135017 -
MSystems Jun 2024Transovarial transmission is the most reliable way of passing on essential nutrient-providing endosymbionts from mothers to offspring. However, not all endosymbiotic...
Transovarial transmission is the most reliable way of passing on essential nutrient-providing endosymbionts from mothers to offspring. However, not all endosymbiotic microbes follow the complex path through the female host tissues to oocytes on their own. Here, we demonstrate an unusual transmission strategy adopted by one of the endosymbionts of the planthopper (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) from Bulgaria. In this species, an endosymbiont is transmitted transovarially within deep invaginations of cellular membranes of an ancient endosymbiont -strikingly resembling recently described plant virus transmission. However, in males, colonizes the same bacteriocytes as but remains unenveloped. Then, the unusual endobacterial localization of observed in females appears to be a unique adaptation to maternal transmission. Further, the symbiont's genomic features, including encoding essential amino acid biosynthetic pathways and its similarity to a recently described psyllid symbiont, suggest a unique combination of the ability to horizontally transmit among species and confer nutritional benefits. The close association with symbiont correlates with the so-far-unreported level of genomic erosion of ancient nutritional symbionts of this planthopper. In , this is reflected in substantial changes in genomic organization, reported for the first time in the symbiont renowned for its genomic stability. In , substantial gene loss resulted in one of the smallest genomes known, at 108.6 kb. Thus, the symbionts of display a combination of unusual adaptations and genomic features that expand our understanding of how insect-microbe symbioses may transmit and evolve.IMPORTANCEReliable transmission across host generations is a major challenge for bacteria that associate with insects, and independently established symbionts have addressed this challenge in different ways. The facultatively endobacterial localization of symbiont, enveloped by cells of ancient nutritional endosymbiont in females but not males of the planthopper , appears to be a unique adaptation to maternal transmission. 's genomic features indicate its unusual evolutionary history, and the genomic erosion experienced by ancient nutritional symbionts demonstrates the apparent consequences of such close association. Combined, this multi-partite symbiosis expands our understanding of the diversity of strategies that insect symbioses form and some of their evolutionary consequences.
PubMed: 38934538
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00634-24 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The strain LMG 1385 was used for the bioconversion of crude glycerol to dihydroxyacetone. The suitability of fed-batch cultures for the production of dihydroxyacetone...
The strain LMG 1385 was used for the bioconversion of crude glycerol to dihydroxyacetone. The suitability of fed-batch cultures for the production of dihydroxyacetone was determined, and the influence of the pH of the culture medium and the initial concentration of glycerol on maximizing the concentration of dihydroxyacetone and on the yield and speed of obtaining dihydroxyacetone by bioconversion was examined. The feeding strategy of the substrate (crude glycerol) during the process was based on measuring the dissolved oxygen tension of the culture medium. The highest concentration of dihydroxyacetone P = 175.8 g·L and the highest yield Y = 94.3% were obtained when the initial concentration of crude glycerol was S = 70.0 g·L and the pH of the substrate was maintained during the process at level 5.0.
Topics: Gluconobacter oxydans; Dihydroxyacetone; Glycerol; Batch Cell Culture Techniques; Culture Media; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Fermentation
PubMed: 38930996
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122932 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Jun 2024Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer synthesized by bacteria, which possess excellent characteristics such as high water holding capacity, high crystallinity, and...
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer synthesized by bacteria, which possess excellent characteristics such as high water holding capacity, high crystallinity, and high purity. It is widely used in food, medical, cosmetics, and functional films. is a model strain used in BC synthesis research. In bacteria, motility-related genes are associated with BC synthesis, whereas in CGMCC 2955, the functions of motility-related genes and their effects on BC synthesis are not known. To address this gap, we used the λ Red recombinant system to individually knock out , , and respectively, and constructed the knockout strains . -Δ, . -Δ, and . -Δ. Additionally, both and were disrupted to construct the . -Δ mutant. The results demonstrated that knockout strain . -Δ exhibited the highest BC yield, reaching (5.05±0.26) g/L, which represented an increase of approximately 24% compared to wild-type strains. Furthermore, the BC synthesized by this strain exhibited the lowest porosity, 54.35%, and displayed superior mechanical properties with a Young's modulus of up to 5.21 GPa. As knocking out and genes in . CGMCC 2955 did not reduce BC yield; instead, it promoted BC synthesis. Consequently, this research further deepened our understanding of the relationship between motility and BC synthesis in acetic acid bacteria. The knockouts of and genes resulted in reduced BC porosity and improved mechanical properties, provides a reference for BC synthesis and membrane structure regulation modification.
Topics: Cellulose; Acetobacteraceae; Gene Knockout Techniques; Bacterial Proteins; Gluconacetobacter xylinus; Genes, Bacterial
PubMed: 38914496
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230684 -
Biotechnology Journal Jun 2024Industrial production of bacterial cellulose (BC) remains challenging due to significant production costs, including the choice of appropriate growth media. This...
Industrial production of bacterial cellulose (BC) remains challenging due to significant production costs, including the choice of appropriate growth media. This research focuses on optimization of cheese whey (CW) based media for enhanced production of BC. Two modifications were made for CW medium for BC production with Komagataeibacter rhaeticus MSCL 1463. BC production in a medium of enzymatically hydrolyzed CW (final concentration of monosaccharides: glucose 0.13 g L, galactose 1.24 g L) was significantly enhanced, achieving a yield of 4.95 ± 0.25 g L, which markedly surpasses the yields obtained with the standard Hestrin-Schramm (HS) medium containing 20 g L glucose and acid-hydrolyzed CW (final concentration of monosaccharides: glucose 1.15 g L, galactose 2.01 g L), which yielded 3.29 ± 0.12 g L and 1.01 ± 0.14 g L, respectively. We explored the synergistic effects of combining CW with various agricultural by-products (corn steep liquor (CSL), apple juice, and sugar beet molasses). Notably, the supplementation with 15% corn steep liquor significantly enhanced BC productivity, achieving 6.97 ± 0.17 g L. A comprehensive analysis of the BC's physical and mechanical properties indicated significant alterations in fiber diameter (62-167 nm), crystallinity index (71.1-85.9%), and specific strength (35-82 MPa × cm g), as well as changes in the density (1.1-1.4 g cm). Hydrolyzed CW medium supplemented by CSL could be used for effective production of BC.
Topics: Cellulose; Whey; Cheese; Culture Media; Hydrolysis; Acetobacteraceae; Fermentation; Zea mays; Glucose; Fruit and Vegetable Juices
PubMed: 38896375
DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300529 -
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry Jul 2024A novel technique was proposed for processing silkworm pupae by combining plasma- activated water (PAW) with ultrasound (US). The microbial diversity and quality...
A novel technique was proposed for processing silkworm pupae by combining plasma- activated water (PAW) with ultrasound (US). The microbial diversity and quality characteristics of the silkworm pupae were also evaluated. The results of the microbial diversity analysis indicated that PAW combined with US treatment significantly reduced the relative abundance of Streptococcaceae, Leuconostocaceae, and Acetobacteraceae from 32%, 18% and 16% to 27%, 11% and 11%, respectively. Microstructural analysis demonstrated that the collapse of the internal structure of chitin in silkworm pupae facilitated the release of nutrients and flavour compounds including fatty acids, water-soluble proteins (WSP), amino acids, phenolics, and volatile compounds. Furthermore, the increase in antioxidant capacity and the decrease in catalase activity and malondialdehyde content confirmed the mechanism of quality change. These findings provide new insights into the possible mechanism of PAW combined with US to improve the quality of edible insects.
Topics: Animals; Pupa; Water; Bombyx; Ultrasonic Waves; Chemical Phenomena; Antioxidants; Biodiversity
PubMed: 38820934
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.106927 -
Archives of Microbiology May 2024In many European regions, both local metallic and non-metallic raw materials are poorly exploited due to their low quality and the lack of technologies to increase their...
In many European regions, both local metallic and non-metallic raw materials are poorly exploited due to their low quality and the lack of technologies to increase their economic value. In this context, the development of low cost and eco-friendly approaches, such as bioleaching of metal impurities, is crucial. The acidophilic strain Acidiphilium sp. SJH reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) by coupling the oxidation of an organic substrate to the reduction of Fe(III) and can therefore be applied in the bioleaching of iron impurities from non-metallic raw materials. In this work, the physiology of Acidiphilium sp. SJH and the reduction of iron impurities from quartz sand and its derivatives have been studied during growth on media supplemented with various carbon sources and under different oxygenation conditions, highlighting that cell physiology and iron reduction are tightly coupled. Although the organism is known to be aerobic, maximum bioleaching performance was obtained by cultures cultivated until the exponential phase of growth under oxygen limitation. Among carbon sources, glucose has been shown to support faster biomass growth, while galactose allowed highest bioleaching. Moreover, Acidiphilium sp. SJH cells can synthesise and accumulate Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) during the process, a polymer with relevant application in biotechnology. In summary, this work gives an insight into the physiology of Acidiphilium sp. SJH, able to use different carbon sources and to synthesise a technologically relevant polymer (PHB), while removing metals from sand without the need to introduce modifications in the process set up.
Topics: Iron; Acidiphilium; Oxidation-Reduction; Hydroxybutyrates; Polyesters; Polymers; Culture Media; Biomass; Polyhydroxybutyrates
PubMed: 38775940
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04005-4 -
New Biotechnology Sep 2024Natural biopolymers become increasingly attractive as bio-based alternatives to petrol-based rheological modifiers, especially in personal care applications. However,...
Comprehensive rheological analysis of structurally related acetan-like heteroexopolysaccharides from two Kozakia baliensis strains in surfactants and galactomannan blends.
Natural biopolymers become increasingly attractive as bio-based alternatives to petrol-based rheological modifiers, especially in personal care applications. However, many polysaccharides exhibit undesired properties in cosmetic applications such as limited viscosifying characteristics, unpleasant sensory properties, or incompatibility with certain formulation compounds. Here, a comprehensive rheological analysis of non-decorated acetan-like heteroexopolysaccharides derived from two Kozakia baliensis strains was performed in selected surfactant formulations. The results were compared to native xanthan gum and a genetically engineered xanthan variant, Xan∆gumFGL, which lacks any acetyl- and pyruvyl moieties and whose rheological properties are unaffected by saline environments. All four polysaccharides displayed a highly similar rheological performance in the non-ionic surfactant lauryl glucoside, while the rheological properties differed in amphoteric and anionic surfactants cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium laureth sulfate due to minor changes in side chain composition. Polysaccharide precipitation was observed in the presence of the cationic surfactant. Nevertheless, the native heteroexopolysaccharide derived from K. baliensis LMG 27018 shows significant potential as a salt-independent rheological modifier compared to the genetically engineered Xan∆gumFGL variant. In addition, blends of heteroexopolysaccharides from K. baliensis and several galactomannans displayed synergistic effects which were comparable to native xanthan gum-galactomannan blends. This study shows that heteroexopolysaccharides of K. baliensis are capable of further extending the portfolio of bio-based rheological modifiers.
Topics: Mannans; Rheology; Galactose; Surface-Active Agents; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Glycosaminoglycans
PubMed: 38750817
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2024.05.003 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer renowned for its unique physicochemical and mechanical attributes, including notable water-holding capacity, crystallinity,...
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer renowned for its unique physicochemical and mechanical attributes, including notable water-holding capacity, crystallinity, and a pristine fiber network structure. While BC has broad applications spanning agriculture, industry, and medicine, its industrial utilization is hindered by production costs and yield limitations. In this study, Rhizobium sp. was isolated from bean roots and systematically assessed for BC synthesis under optimal conditions, with a comparative analysis against BC produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii. The study revealed that Rhizobium sp. exhibited optimal BC synthesis when supplied with a 1.5% glucose carbon source and a 0.15% yeast extract nitrogen source. Under static conditions at 30 °C and pH 6.5, the most favorable conditions for growth and BC production (2.5 g/L) were identified. Modifications were introduced using nisin to enhance BC properties, and the resulting BC-nisin composites were comprehensively characterized through various techniques, including FE-SEM, FTIR, porosity, swelling, filtration, and antibacterial activity assessments. The results demonstrated that BC produced by Rhizobium sp. displayed properties comparable to K. hansenii-produced BC. Furthermore, the BC-nisin composites exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study contributes valuable insights into BC's production, modification, and characterization utilizing Rhizobium sp., highlighting the exceptional properties that render it efficacious across diverse applications.
Topics: Cellulose; Plant Roots; Rhizobium; Acetobacteraceae; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38740945
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61619-w