The effects of different intensities, frequencies and exposure times of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7.

The impact of different types of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated. The cultures of bacteria in broth media were exposed to sinusoidal homogenous ELF-EMF with 2 and 4 mT magnetic intensities. Each intensity for each bacteria was combined with three different frequencies (20, 40 and 50 Hz), and four different exposure times (1, 2, 4 and 6 h). A cell suspension of each experiment was diluted for the appropriate range and inoculated to Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA) plates after exposure to ELF-EMF. The number of colony forming units (CFU) of both strains was obtained after incubation at 37 °C for 24 h. Data were statistically evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), statistical significance was described at p < 0.05 and data were compared with their non-exposed controls. Magnetic intensity, frequency and exposure time of ELF-EMFs changed the characteristic responses for both microorganisms. Samples exposed to ELF-EMF showed a statistically significant decrease compared to their controls in colony forming capability, especially at long exposure times. An exposure to 4 mT-20 Hz ELF-EMF of 6 h produced maximum inhibition of CFU compared to their controls for both microorganisms (95.2% for S. aureus and 85% for E. coli).

Increased alkalotolerant and thermostable ribonuclease (RNase) production from alkaliphilic Streptomyces sp. M49-1 by optimizing the growth conditions using response surface methodology.

Total of 171 alkaliphilic actinomycetes were evaluated for extracellular RNase production and Streptomyces sp. M49-1 was selected for further experiments. Fermentation optimization for RNase production was implemented in two steps using response surface methodology with central composite design. In the first step, the effect of independent fermentation variables including temperature, initial pH and process time were investigated. After identification of carbon and nitrogen sources affecting the production by one variable at a time method, concentrations of glucose and yeast extract and also inoculum size were chosen for the second central composite design. A maximum RNase activity was obtained under optimal conditions of 4.14 % glucose concentration, 4.63 % yeast extract concentration, 6.7 × 106 spores as inoculum size for 50 ml medium, 42.9 °C, 91.2 h process time and medium initial pH 9.0. Optimum activity of the enzyme is achieved at pH 11 and temperature 60 °C. The enzyme is highly stable at pH range 9.0-12.0 and at 90 °C after 2 h. Statistical optimization experiments provide 2.25 fold increases in the activity of alkalotolerant and thermostable RNase and shortened the fermentation time compared to that of unoptimized condition. The members of Streptomyces can be promising qualified RNase producer for pharmaceutical industries.

Isolation strategies of marine-derived actinomycetes from sponge and sediment samples.

During the last two decades, discoveries of new members of actinomycetes and novel metabolites from marine environments have drawn attention to such environments, such as sediment and sponge. For the successful isolation of actinomycetes from marine environments, many factors including the use of enrichment and pre-treatment techniques, and the selection of growth media and antibiotic supplements should be taken into account. High-throughput cultivation is an innovative technique that mimics nature, eliminates undesired, fast-growing bacteria and creates suitable conditions for rare, slow-growing actinomycetes. This review comprehensively evaluates the traditional and innovative techniques and strategies used for the isolation of actinomycetes from marine sponge and sediment samples.

Tryptamine derived amides with thiazole ring system from Thermoactinomyces strain TA66-2.

A moderately thermophilic actinomycete strain, which was identified as Thermoactinomyces strain TA66-2, was isolated from hot-spring water. Fermentation, followed by solvent partition and chromatographic separations, resulted in the isolation of two new and two known molecules. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 2-(1-Propionylaminoethyl)thiazole-4-carboxylic acid [2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]amide and 2-(1-Acetylaminoethyl)thiazole-4-carboxylic acid [2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]amide by using spectral methods (1D-, 2D-NMR and LC-ESI-MS).

Colonization and vertical transmission of Streptococcus mutans in Turkish children.

The aim of the study was to establish the colonization of Streptococcus mutans and to determine the possibility of intra-familial transmission in a group of Turkish children and their parents. A total of 56 children participated in the study together with their parents (20 fathers and 49 mothers). Saliva samples were collected from the individuals and cultivated on S. mutans selective TYCSB agar. The typical isolates of S. mutans were identified by using classical microbiological methods, as well as molecular typing of S. mutans clones which was performed by using AP PCR with OPA5 primer for the detection of transmission. The vertical transmission of salivary S. mutans was detected among 14 mother-father-child, 35 mother-child (one twins) and 6 father-child combinations. The homologies of strain types were recorded as 24% and 16.6% for mother-child and father-child combinations, respectively. A significant positive correlation (p<0.001) was found between the infected children and their parents with high S. mutans counts.

Prevalence of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in water distribution systems in Izmir province of Turkey.

Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 occurrence has been investigated in 168 hot water samples from 24 hotels, situated in 6 counties in Izmir province of Turkey, from 15 June to 30 September of the year 2000. Sampling was carried out at 15-day intervals and seven samples were taken from each of the hotels' hot water reservoirs and hot water networks. The samples were (1 L) concentrated using polycarbonate filters (mesh size 0.22 microm). Isolation was achieved using selective medium, GVPC agar. The samples were concentrated by membrane filtration, divided into three portions and cultured without pretreatment, after acid treatment, and after heat treatment, on GVPC agar. One hundred and ten isolates were identified as L.pneumophila sg 1 using the Legionella Latex Test (Oxoid). Arbitrarily primed PCR (AP PCR) was employed to assess the clonal relationship between Legionella pneumophila sg 1 isolates from the hot water samples of the hotels. Three genotypes of L. pneumophila sg 1 isolates were identified. With a high prevalence of type A, 22 hotels were found to be colonized with L. pneumophila serogroup 1, while only 2 were free from the bacteria.

Analysis of essential oil of Coridothymus capitatus (L.) and its antibacterial and antifungal activity.

The water-distilled essential oil the leaves of Coridothymus capitatus were analyzed by GC/MS and also analyzed by direct thermal desorption GC/MS. Comparison was made between two analyses techniques. The essential oil consisted mainly of monoterpenes 98.9%, while oxygenated hydrocarbons were identified as 55.6 % and non-oxygenated hydrocarbons as 43.6%. As major components were found carvacrol (35.6%), p-cymene (21.0%), thymol (18.6%), gamma-terpinene (12.3%), alpha-terpinene (3.2%), beta-myrcene (3.0%) and alpha-thujene (1.3%) by hydrodistillation and by the GC/MS method. The direct thermal desorption GC/MS analysis also showed the same major components, namely carvacrol (51.6%), thymol (21.7%), p-cymene (9.7%) gamma-terpinene (8.2%), alpha-terpinene (1.64%). The essential oil of C. capitatus showed strong activity against S. aureus, P. vulgaris, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumonia, B.