Enhanced production of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens MO-1 using ram horn peptone

This work addresses the production of prodigiosin from ram horn peptone (RHP) using MO-1, a local isolate in submerged culture. First, a novel gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strain, MO-1, was isolated from the body of the grasshopper (Poecilemon tauricola Ramme 1951), which was collected from pesticide-contaminated fields. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA classified the microbe as Serratia marcescens. The substrate utilization potential (BIOLOG) and fatty acid methyl ester profile (FAME) of S. marcescens were also determined. The effect of RHP on the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens MO-1 was investigated, and the results showed that RHP supplementation promoted the growth of MO-1 and increased the production of prodigiosin. A concentration of 0.4% (w/v) RHP resulted in the greatest yield of prodigiosin (277.74 mg/L) after 48 h when mannitol was used as the sole source of carbon. The pigment yield was also influenced by the types of carbon sources and peptones. As a result, RHP was demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for prodigiosin production. These results revealed that prodigiosin could be produced efficiently by S. marcescens using RHP.(AU)

Microbiota characterization of the catfish (Cathorops agassizii and Genidens genidens) sting venom / Caracterização microbiológica do veneno do ferrão do Bagre (Cathoropsagassizii and Genidens genidens)

This work aimed to study the bacterial contamination of the catfishes stings Genidens genidens (Valenciennes, 1839); and Cathorops agassizii (Agassiz, 1829) found in the estuary-bay complex of Santos and São Vicente (São Paulo State). Fish samples for bacteriological analyses were obtained and constituted of a group of 50 specimens, being 25 of Cathorops agassizii and 25 of Genidens genidens,. The bacteriological analyses showed that there was contamination of the stings by 13 different strains of Enterobacteriaceae with Klebsiella pneumoniae (26,80%) as the most frequent bacteria and lower percentual frequencies for Enterobacter sp and Escherichia coli (16,27%) and Serratia marcescens, Serratia sp. and Proteus mirabilis (1,16%). Gram positive bacteria, as well fungi species were not detected in the samples. In basis of the Gram negative species characterized , is possible to consider the bacterial strains are representative of the environmental public health conditions, as well as, accidents with these fish stings are able to develop significative acute secondary infections in humans.(AU)

Este trabalho teve por objetivo o estudo da contaminação bacteriana do veneno do ferrão dos bagres Genidens genidens (Valenciennes, 1839); e Cathorops agassizji (Agassiz, 1829) encontrados no Complexo Baia-Estuário de Santos e de São Vicente (Estado de São Paulo). Foram obtidas amostras dos peixes para análises bacteriológicas que constituíam de um grupo de 50 espécimes sendo, 25 Cathorops agassizii e 25 de Genidens genidens. As análises bacteriológicas mostraram que havia contaminação nos ferrões por 13 diferentes linhagens de Enterobacteriaceae, sendo a Klebsiella pneumoniae (26,80%) a bactéria mais freqüente enquanto que as Enterobacter sp e Escherichia coli (16,27%), Serratia marcescens, Serratia sp e Proteus mirabilis (1,16%) apresentaram os mais baixos percentuais de contaminação. Nas amostras que apresentaram Bactérias Gram positivas não foram detectadas espécies de fungos. Enquanto que nas amostras que apresentaram bactérias Gram negativas, foi possível considerar alta contaminação bacteriana representando periculosidade em relação aos aspectos ambientais voltados á saúde pública. Destaca-se ainda que acidentes ocorridos por ferimentos causados em função do ferrão do bagre podem desenvolver significativas infecções secundárias agudas em humanos.(AU)