Rainforest transformation reallocates energy from green to brown food webs.

Terrestrial animal biodiversity is increasingly being lost because of land-use change1,2. However, functional and energetic consequences aboveground and belowground and across trophic levels in megadiverse tropical ecosystems remain largely unknown. To fill this gap, we assessed changes in energy fluxes across 'green' aboveground (canopy arthropods and birds) and 'brown' belowground (soil arthropods and earthworms) animal food webs in tropical rainforests and plantations in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our results showed that most of the energy in rainforests is channelled to the belowground animal food web. Oil palm and rubber plantations had similar or, in the case of rubber agroforest, higher total animal energy fluxes compared to rainforest but the key energetic nodes were distinctly different: in rainforest more than 90% of the total animal energy flux was channelled by arthropods in soil and canopy, whereas in plantations more than 50% of the energy was allocated to annelids (earthworms). Land-use change led to a consistent decline in multitrophic energy flux aboveground, whereas belowground food webs responded with reduced energy flux to higher trophic levels, down to -90%, and with shifts from slow (fungal) to fast (bacterial) energy channels and from faeces production towards consumption of soil organic matter. This coincides with previously reported soil carbon stock depletion3. Here we show that well-documented animal biodiversity declines with tropical land-use change4-6 are associated with vast energetic and functional restructuring in food webs across aboveground and belowground ecosystem compartments.

Identification of novel flavin-dependent monooxygenase from Strobilanthes Cusia reveals molecular basis of indoles' biosynthetic logic.

BACKGROUND: Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze is a traditional medical plant distributed widely in south China. The indole compounds that originated from the plant are responsible for its pharmacological activities. However, the reason why indole ingredients are accumulated in this herb and how it is biosynthesized has remained largely unknown. RESULTS: In this study, metabolic and transcriptional profiling measurement experiments of different S. cusia organs were carried out to understand the underlying molecular basis of indoles' biosynthetic logic. A metabolic investigation demonstrated that the indoles are primarily accumulated mainly in aerial parts, particularly in leaves. RNA-seq was employed to reveal the organ specific accumulation of indoles in different S. cusia organs. Meanwhile, a flavin-dependent monooxygenase gene (ScFMO1) was found in S. cusia, and it has capacity to produce indoxyl from indole by the fermentation assay. Finally, we assessed the outcomes of transient expression experiment in tobacco and confirmed that ScFMO1 localizes in cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ScFMO1 plays a key role in biosynthesis of indoles (Indigo, indirubin, indican, etc.), it will be useful for illuminating the molecular basis of the medicinal indoles' biosynthesis and developing strategies for improving their yields.

Aluminum and Fluoride Stresses Altered Organic Acid and Secondary Metabolism in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Plants: Influences on Plant Tolerance, Tea Quality and Safety.

Tea plants have adapted to grow in tropical acidic soils containing high concentrations of aluminum (Al) and fluoride (F) (as Al/F hyperaccumulators) and use secret organic acids (OAs) to acidify the rhizosphere for acquiring phosphorous and element nutrients. The self-enhanced rhizosphere acidification under Al/F stress and acid rain also render tea plants prone to accumulate more heavy metals and F, which raises significant food safety and health concerns. However, the mechanism behind this is not fully understood. Here, we report that tea plants responded to Al and F stresses by synthesizing and secreting OAs and altering profiles of amino acids, catechins, and caffeine in their roots. These organic compounds could form tea-plant mechanisms to tolerate lower pH and higher Al and F concentrations. Furthermore, high concentrations of Al and F stresses negatively affected the accumulation of tea secondary metabolites in young leaves, and thereby tea nutrient value. The young leaves of tea seedlings under Al and F stresses also tended to increase Al and F accumulation in young leaves but lower essential tea secondary metabolites, which challenged tea quality and safety. Comparisons of transcriptome data combined with metabolite profiling revealed that the corresponding metabolic gene expression supported and explained the metabolism changes in tea roots and young leaves via stresses from high concentrations of Al and F. The study provides new insight into Al- and F-stressed tea plants with regard to responsive metabolism changes and tolerance strategy establishment in tea plants and the impacts of Al/F stresses on metabolite compositions in young leaves used for making teas, which could influence tea nutritional value and food safety.

Multi-Fold Enhancement of Tocopherol Yields Employing High CO2 Supplementation and Nitrate Limitation in Native Isolate Monoraphidium sp.

Tocopherols are the highly active form of the antioxidant molecules involved in scavenging of free radicals and protect the cell membranes from reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we focused on employing carbon supplementation with varying nitrate concentrations to enhance the total tocopherol yields in the native isolate Monoraphidium sp. CABeR41. The total tocopherol productivity of NRHC (Nitrate replete + 3% CO2) supplemented was (306.14 µg·L-1 d-1) which was nearly 2.5-fold higher compared to NRVLC (Nitrate replete + 0.03% CO2) (60.35 µg·L-1 d-1). The best tocopherol productivities were obtained in the NLHC (Nitrate limited + 3% CO2) supplemented cells (734.38 µg·L-1 d-1) accompanied by a significant increase in cell biomass (2.65-fold) and total lipids (6.25-fold). Further, global metabolomics using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was done in the defined conditions to elucidate the molecular mechanism during tocopherol accumulation. In the present study, the Monoraphidium sp. responded to nitrogen limitation by increase in nitrogen assimilation, with significant upregulation in gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). Moreover, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle upregulation depicted increased availability of carbon skeletons and reducing power, which is leading to increased biomass yields along with the other biocommodities. In conclusion, our study depicts valorization of carbon dioxide as a cost-effective alternative for the enhancement of biomass along with tocopherols and other concomitant products like lipids and carotenoids in the indigenous strain Monoraphidium sp., as an industrial potential strain with relevance in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Metal removal capability of two cyanobacterial species in autotrophic and mixotrophic mode of nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Cyanobacteria are ecologically significant prokaryotes that can be found in heavy metals contaminated environments. As their photosynthetic machinery imposes high demands for metals, homeostasis of these micronutrients has been extensively considered in cyanobacteria. Recently, most studies have been focused on different habitats using microalgae leads to a remarkable reduction of an array of organic and inorganic nutrients, but what takes place in the extracellular environment when cells are exposed to external supplementation with heavy metals remains largely unknown. METHODS: Here, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production in strains Nostoc sp. N27P72 and Nostoc sp. FB71 was isolated from different habitats and thenthe results were compared and reported. RESULT: Cultures of both strains, supplemented separately with either glucose, sucrose, lactose, or maltose showed that production of EPS and cell dry weight were boosted by maltose supplementation. The production of EPS (9.1 ± 0.05 µg/ml) and increase in cell dry weight (1.01 ± 0.06 g/l) were comparatively high in Nostoc sp. N27P72 which was isolated from lime stones.The cultures were evaluated for their ability to remove Cu (II), Cr (III), and Ni (II) in culture media with and without maltose. The crude EPS showed metal adsorption capacity assuming the order Ni (II) > Cu (II) > Cr (III) from the metal-binding experiments.Nickel was preferentially biosorbed with a maximal uptake of 188.8 ± 0.14 mg (g cell dry wt) -1 crude EPS. We found that using maltose as a carbon source can increase the production of EPS, protein, and carbohydrates content and it could be a significant reason for the high ability of metal absorbance. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that the treatment with Ni can change the functional groups and glycoside linkages in both strains. Results of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the biochemical composition of Nostoc sp. N27P72, showed that strong Ni (II) removal capability could be associated with the high silicon containing heterocyclic compound and aromatic diacid compounds content. CONCLUSION: The results of this studyindicatede that strains Nostoc sp. N27P72 can be a good candidate for the commercial production of EPS and might be utilized in bioremediation field as an alternative to synthetic and abiotic flocculants.

Simultaneous Quantification of Organic Acids in Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) and Untargeted Chemotyping Using Methyl Chloroformate Derivatisation and GC-MS.

Sixteen organic acids were quantified in peel and pulp of Amber, Laird's Large and Mulligan cultivars of tamarillo using GC-MS. Fourteen of these compounds had not previously been quantified in tamarillo. An untargeted metabolomics approach was used in parallel to identify and quantify 64 more metabolites relative to the internal standard, indicating abundances of glutamic acid, pro-line, aspartic acid and γ-aminobutyric acid as well as lower concentrations of several other essential fatty acids and amino acids. The main findings were that total organic acid concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in pulp than in peel, with the highest concentration seen in Mulligan pulp (219.7 mg/g DW). Remarkably, after citric acid, the potent bactericide itaconic acid was the second most abundant organic acid. At least 95% of organic acids in tamarillo were one of these two acids, as well as cis-aconitic, malic and 4-toluic acids. Differences between cultivar chemotypes were as substantial as differences between tissues. These results suggest that the bitter flavour of the peel does not result from organic acids. The combination of targeted and untargeted metabolomics techniques for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative investigation of nutrients and flavours is efficient and informative.

Estimation of diet organic matter digestibility in grazing dairy cows.

Precise and continual information on the energy supply from pasture is mandatory for managing grazing ruminants. Therefore, estimating the organic matter (OM) digestibility from faecal crude protein concentration using the regression equation, OM digestibility [%] = 79.76-107.7 · e(-0.01515 · faecal crude protein [g/kg OM]), is known to be a suitable tool. However, essential information regarding faeces sampling times and the required number of samples are not yet available. We therefore analysed the OM digestibility data of an experiment with dairy cows grazing two pasture types and receiving two concentrate types over 6 d in three independent runs. Both pasture type and grazing day affected the OM digestibility estimates, whereas concentrate type and intake did not, indicating that this method reliably detects small changes in OM digestibility of pasture without being interfered by moderate concentrate supplementation, selective grazing behaviour or differences in feed intake. Likewise, as sampling time did not influence OM digestibility, faeces sampling once daily can be recommended to be sufficient for an accurate estimation of OM digestibility. The variance within pasture type and grazing day amounted for 1.1 percentage units of estimated OM digestibility, which enabled to define the minimum sample number required to detect given differences in OM digestibility with adequate statistical certainty. In conclusion, estimating OM digestibility from faecal crude protein concentration is an applicable and sensitive method to reliably detect differences in the quality of ingested pasture using a limited number of animals. Therefore, instructions for faeces sample collection  were provided.

Identification of Novel High-Affinity Substrates of OCT1 Using Machine Learning-Guided Virtual Screening and Experimental Validation.

OCT1 is the most highly expressed cation transporter in the liver and affects pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Newly marketed drugs have previously been screened as potential OCT1 substrates and verified by virtual docking. Here, we used machine learning with transport experiment data to predict OCT1 substrates based on classic molecular descriptors, pharmacophore features, and extended-connectivity fingerprints and confirmed them by in vitro uptake experiments. We virtually screened a database of more than 1000 substances. Nineteen predicted substances were chosen for in vitro testing. Sixteen of the 19 newly tested substances (85%) were confirmed as, mostly strong, substrates, including edrophonium, fenpiverinium, ritodrine, and ractopamine. Even without a crystal structure of OCT1, machine learning algorithms predict substrates accurately and may contribute not only to a more focused screening in drug development but also to a better molecular understanding of OCT1 in general.

Effects of Replacing In-feed Antibiotics with Synergistic Organic Acids on Growth Performance, Health, Carcass, and Immune and Oxidative Statuses of Broiler Chickens Under Clostridium perfringens Type A Challenge.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing in-feed antibiotics with synergistic organic acids on growth performance, health, carcass, and immune and oxidative statuses of broiler chickens under Clostridium perfringens (CP) type A challenge. Two organic acid products were tested: organic acid 1 (OA1), consisting of butyrate, medium-chain fatty acids, organic acids, and phenolics; and organic acid 2 (OA2), consisting of buffered short-chain fatty acids. Six hundred 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of five treatments: Control 1, basal diet, nonchallenged birds; Control 2, basal diet, with CP challenge; antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP), basal diet supplemented with Aureomycin (chlortetracycline), with CP challenge; OA1, basal diet supplemented with OA1, with CP challenge; and OA1OA2, basal diet supplemented with OA1 and OA2, with CP challenge. Each treatment had eight replicate pens of 15 birds. The experiments lasted for 29 days. The disease challenge was performed on days 15-17, with an oral gavage of 0.5 mL of CP culture (2.0 × 108 colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) for each bird. Body weights (BWs), intestinal lesion scores, immune organ indices, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were measured on days 19, 22, and 29, respectively, in three birds per pen. Carcass characteristics were determined on day 29. No treatment-related differences in mortality were noted before (P = 0.28) or after (P = 0.64) challenge or over the whole study period (days 0-28; P = 0.66). On day 19, the BW of Control 2 was lower than other treatments (P < 0.0001). On day 22, AGP, OA1, and OA1OA2 had higher BW than Control 2 (P = 0.001). The breast muscle yield of OA1 and OA1OA2 was higher than AGP (P < 0.05). The abdominal fat yield of OA1OA2 was lower than AGP and Control 2 (P < 0.05). On day 22, the birds fed OA1OA2 showed lower intestinal lesion scores than OA1 (P < 0.05). No treatment-related differences in immune organ (spleen, thymus, and bursa) indices were noted (P > 0.05). On day 29, the MDA concentration of OA1 and OA1OA2 was lower than those of Control 1 and AGP (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of organic acids may protect broiler chickens from severe intestinal lesions and oxidative stress and may help reduce abdominal fat mass deposition. There is potential for organic acid-based products as alternatives for AGP in preventing necrotic enteritis in broilers.

Impact of land configuration and organic nutrient management on productivity, quality and soil properties under baby corn in Eastern Himalayas.

Appropriate land configuration and assured nutrient supply are prerequisites for quality organic baby corn (Zea mays L.) production in high rainfall areas of the delicate Eastern Himalayan Region of India. A long term (5-year) study was conducted during 2012-2016 on a sandy loam soil in the mid attitude of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayan Region of India to evaluate the productivity, produce quality, the profitability of baby corn, and soil properties under different land configurations comprising flatbed, ridge and furrow, and broad bed and furrow, and organic nutrient management practices comprising un-amended control, farmyard manure 12 t ha-1, vermicompost 4 t ha-1 and farmyard manure 6 t ha-1 + vermicompost 2 t ha-1. The baby corn sown on broad bed and furrow had the tallest plant (149.25 cm), maximum dry matter (64.33 g plant-1), highest leaf area index (3.5), maximum cob length (8.10 cm), cob girth (6.13 cm) and cob weight (8.14 g) leading to significantly higher fresh baby corn yield (1.89 t ha-1), and net returns (US$ 906.1 ha-1) than those of other treatments. Mineral composition (phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc), protein, and ascorbic acid content were also the highest in baby corn grown under the broad bed and furrow system. The soil of broad bed and furrow had a higher pH, organic carbon content, organic carbon pools, microbial biomass carbon, and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, and acid phosphatase) compared to soils of other land configurations. A combined application of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) + vermicompost (2 t ha-1) improved the crop growth and produced 117.8% higher fresh baby corn and 99.7% higher fodder yield over control (0.9 t fresh corn and 13.02 t fodder yield ha-1), respectively. This treatment also registered significantly higher gross return (US$ 1746.9 ha-1), net return (US$ 935.8 ha-1), and benefit-cost ratio (2.15) than other nutrient management practices. Fresh cob quality in terms of protein (22.91%) and ascorbic acid content (101.6 mg 100 g-1) was observed to be significantly superior under combined application of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) + vermicompost (2 t ha-1) than those of other nutrient management systems. However, fresh baby corn cobs produced with vermicompost 4 t ha-1 had the highest concentration of phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc. Application of farmyard manure 12 t ha-1 registered the maximum increment in soil organic carbon content (1.52%), its pool (40.6 t ha-1) and carbon sequestration rate (0.74 t ha-1 year-1) followed by integrated application of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) and vermicompost (2 t ha-1). The maximum soil microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activities [dehydrogenase (22.1 µg TPF g-1 soil h-1) and fluorescein diacetate (67.1 µg FDA g-1 soil h-1)] were noted with the combined use of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) + vermicompost (2 t ha-1). Thus, the study suggests that the broad bed and furrow land configuration along with the combined application of farmyard manure + vermicompost could be an economically feasible practice for quality organic baby corn production and soil health improvement in the Eastern Himalaya and other similar eco-regions elsewhere.

Comparative metabolomics of Phialemonium curvatum as an omnipotent fungus cultivated on crude palm oil versus glucose.

BACKGROUND: Sugars and triglycerides are common carbon sources for microorganisms. Nonetheless, a systematic comparative interpretation of metabolic changes upon vegetable oil or glucose as sole carbon source is still lacking. Selected fungi that can grow in acidic mineral salt media (MSM) with vegetable oil had been identified recently. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the overall metabolite changes of an omnipotent fungus and to reveal changes at central carbon metabolism corresponding to both carbon sources. RESULTS: Targeted and non-targeted metabolomics for both polar and semi-polar metabolites of Phialemonium curvatum AWO2 (DSM 23903) cultivated in MSM with palm oil (MSM-P) or glucose (MSM-G) as carbon sources were obtained. Targeted metabolomics on central carbon metabolism of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glyoxylate cycle were analysed using LC-MS/MS-TripleQ and GC-MS, while untargeted metabolite profiling was performed using LC-MS/MS-QTOF followed by multivariate analysis. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that glyoxylate pathway and TCA cycle were recruited at central carbon metabolism for triglyceride and glucose catabolism, respectively. Significant differences in organic acids concentration of about 4- to 8-fold were observed for citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, and oxaloacetic acid. Correlation of organic acids concentration and key enzymes involved in the central carbon metabolism was further determined by enzymatic assays. On the other hand, the untargeted profiling revealed seven metabolites undergoing significant changes between MSM-P and MSM-G cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study has provided insights on the understanding on the effect of triglycerides and sugar as carbon source in fungi global metabolic pathway, which might become important for future optimization of carbon flux engineering in fungi to improve organic acids production when vegetable oil is applied as the sole carbon source.

Removal of total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen and organic carbon from non-sterile municipal wastewater with Trametes versicolor and Aspergillus luchuensis.

Discharge of organic load from treated wastewater may cause environmental eutrophication. Recently, fungi have gained much attention due to their removal of pharmaceutical substances by enzymatic degradation and adsorption. However, the fungal effect in removing nutrients is less investigated. Therefore, two fungal species, the white-rot fungus T. versicolor as a laboratory strain and the mold A. luchuensis as an environmental isolate from the municipal wastewater treatment plant, were studied to determine the fungal potential for phosphorus, nitrogen, and the total organic carbon removal from municipal wastewater, carrying out a batch scale experiment to a fluidized bed pelleted bioreactor. During the batch scale experiment, the total removal (99.9 %) of phosphorus by T. versicolor was attained after a 6 h-long incubation period while the maximal removal efficiency (99.9 %) for phosphorus from A. luchuensis was gained after an incubation period of 24 h. Furthermore, both fungi showed that the pH adjustment to 5.5 kept the concentration of nitrogen constant and stabilized the total organic carbon reduction process for the entire incubation period. The results from the fluidized bed bioreactor demonstrated opposite tendencies on a nutrient removal comparing to a batch experiment where no significant effect on phosphorus, nitrogen, and total organics carbon reduction was observed. The obtained results from this study of batch and fluidized bed bioreactor experiments are a promising starting point for a successful fungal treatment optimization and application to wastewater treatment.

Draft genome of the European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudiniformes) with emphasis on anticoagulants.

The European medicinal leech has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia, and continues to be used today in modern hospital settings. Its utility is granted by the extremely potent anticoagulation factors that the leech secretes into the incision wound during feeding and, although a handful of studies have targeted certain anticoagulants, the full range of anticoagulation factors expressed by this species remains unknown. Here, we present the first draft genome of the European medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, and estimate that we have sequenced between 79-94% of the full genome. Leveraging these data, we searched for anticoagulation factors across the genome of H. medicinalis. Following orthology determination through a series of BLAST searches, as well as phylogenetic analyses, we estimate that fully 15 different known anticoagulation factors are utilized by the species, and that 17 other proteins that have been linked to antihemostasis are also present in the genome. We underscore the utility of the draft genome for comparative studies of leeches and discuss our results in an evolutionary context.

Intersecting Xenobiology and Neometabolism To Bring Novel Chemistries to Life.

The diversity of life relies on a handful of chemical elements (carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus) as part of essential building blocks; some other atoms are needed to a lesser extent, but most of the remaining elements are excluded from biology. This circumstance limits the scope of biochemical reactions in extant metabolism - yet it offers a phenomenal playground for synthetic biology. Xenobiology aims to bring novel bricks to life that could be exploited for (xeno)metabolite synthesis. In particular, the assembly of novel pathways engineered to handle nonbiological elements (neometabolism) will broaden chemical space beyond the reach of natural evolution. In this review, xeno-elements that could be blended into nature's biosynthetic portfolio are discussed together with their physicochemical properties and tools and strategies to incorporate them into biochemistry. We argue that current bioproduction methods can be revolutionized by bridging xenobiology and neometabolism for the synthesis of new-to-nature molecules, such as organohalides.

Combined cadmium-zinc interactions alter manganese, lead, copper uptake by Melissa officinalis.

Farmland soil typical for the Polish rural environment was used in pot experiment to estimate the impact of cadmium and zinc on the manganese, lead and copper uptake by lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L). Bioavailable and total forms of investigated metals in soil and metal concentrations in plants were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The plant photosynthesis indicators were also examined. Intensification of photosynthesis upon the high zinc and cadmium soil supplementation was observed. This effect was not detected at low metal concentrations. ANOVA proved that cadmium and zinc treatments influenced manganese, lead and copper transfer from soil and their concentration in plants. Zinc uptake and accumulation in either roots or above-ground parts in plant was inversely proportional to cadmium concentration in soil. Manganese concentration in roots decreased upon the soil supplementation with either zinc or cadmium. It suggests that the latter ions are transported via symplastic pathways and compete with manganese for similar transporters. The opposite situation was observed for lead and copper. Soil supplementation with cadmium and zinc affects manganese, lead and copper concentrations and photosynthesis intensity in lemon balm plant. The following combined interactions in either normal or stress conditions are important indicators of the migration pathways.

Olive Oil Oleogel Formulation Using Wax Esters Derived from Soybean Fatty Acid Distillate.

Oleogelation is an emerging technology to structure oils, which can be widely used to substitute saturated and trans fats. Extra virgin olive oil is widely recognized for its high nutritional value, but its utilization in oleogel production is currently limited. In this study, extra virgin olive oil was utilized for the production of a novel oleogel using wax esters derived from soybean fatty acid distillate (SFAD), a byproduct of industrial soybean oil refining. Different concentrations (7%, 10%, 20%, w/w) of SFAD-wax esters were used to evaluate the minimum concentration requirement to achieve oleogelation. Analyses of the mechanical properties of oleogel showed a firmness of 3.8 N, which was then reduced to around 2.1-2.5 N during a storage period of 30 days at 4 °C. Rheological analysis demonstrated that G' is higher than G″ at 20-27 °C, which confirms the solid properties of the oleogel at this temperature range. Results showed that SFAD was successfully utilized for the oleogelation of olive oil, resulting in a novel oleogel with desirable properties for food applications. This study showed that industrial fatty side streams could be reused for the production of value-added oleogels with novel food applications.

Improving cadmium mobilization by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria via regulating organic acids metabolism with potassium.

Organic acids secreted by phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is one of the main biological metabolites with cadmium (Cd) mobilization capacity in the conversion of insoluble precipitate forms to bioavailable forms in contaminated soil. However, the fluctuating concentrations of nutrient elements caused by agricultural activities may result in the substantial variances of carbohydrate metabolism of microorganisms involved in Cd remediation, it is therefore essential to study how metabolic strategies, especially for organic acids, affected by the environmentally friendly fertilizers, such as potassium (K). In this study, adding K+ (KCl) concentrations from 0.0 to 100.0 mg/L in medium clearly accelerated Cd mobilization from 15.9 to 35.9 mg/L via inducing the secretion of tartaric acid, 3-hydroxybutyrate, fumaric and succinic acids, increased by 10.0-, 7.5-, 4.3- and 4.1-fold changes, respectively. Current data revealed that the significant differences of metabolic pathways and genes expressions with the varied K+ concentrations included: ⅰ) K+ induces a substantial up-regulation in metabolic pathway of pyruvic acid to oxaloacetate and tartaric acids; ⅱ) the varied expression of genes involved in encoding enzymes of tricarboxylic acid cycle result in the up-regulated fumaric acid, succinic acid and 3-hydroxybutyrate; ⅲ) the expression of genes related enzyme cysteine and glutamate metabolism processes promoted with the increasing bioavailable Cd concentrations. Besides, P-type ATPase activity increased with K+ levels, indicating that H+ efflux and medium acidification were strengthened. In general, an appropriate enhancement of K based fertilizer is an effective manner for soil Cd remediation via the regulation of organic acids metabolism and H+ secretion of PSB.

Bioprocess development for the production of novel oleogels from soybean and microbial oils.

This study presents the production of novel oleogels via circular valorisation of food industry side streams. Sugarcane molasses and soybean processing side streams (i.e. soybean cake) were employed as fermentation feedstocks for the production of microbial oil. Fed-batch bioreactor fermentations carried out by the oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides led to the production of 36.9 g/L total dry weight with an intracellular oil content of 49.8% (w/w) and 89.4 µg/g carotenoids. The carotenoid-rich microbial oil and soybean oil were evaluated as base oils for the production of wax-based oleogels. The wax esters, used as oleogelators, were produced via enzymatic catalysis, using microbial oil or soybean fatty acid distillate as raw materials. All oleogels presented a gel-like behaviour (G' > G″). However, the highest G' was determined for the oleogel produced from soybean oil and microbial oil-wax esters, which indicated a stronger network. Thermal analysis showed that this oleogel had a melting temperature profile up to 35 °C, which is favorable for applications in the confectionery industry. Also, texture analysis demonstrated that soybean oil-microbial oil wax oleogel was stable (1.9-2.2 N) within 30-days storage period. This study showed the potential of novel oleogels production through the development of bioprocesses based on the valorisation of various renewable resources.

Enhanced and Balanced Microalgal Wastewater Treatment (COD, N, and P) by Interval Inoculation of Activated Sludge.

Although chemical oxygen demand (COD) is an important issue for wastewater treatment, COD reduction with microalgae has been less studied compared to nitrogen or phosphorus removal. COD removal is not efficient in conventional wastewater treatment using microalgae, because the algae release organic compounds, thereby finally increasing the COD level. This study focused on enhancing COD removal and meeting the effluent standard for discharge by optimizing sludge inoculation timing, which was an important factor in forming a desirable algae/bacteria consortium for more efficient COD removal and higher biomass productivity. Activated sludge has been added to reduce COD in many studies, but its inoculation was done at the start of cultivation. However, when the sludge was added after 3 days of cultivation, at which point the COD concentration started to increase again, the algal growth and biomass productivity were higher than those of the initial sludge inoculation and control (without sludge). Algal and bacterial cell numbers measured by qPCR were also higher with sludge inoculation at 3 days later. In a semi-continuous cultivation system, a hydraulic retention time of 5 days with sludge inoculation resulted in the highest biomass productivity and N/P removal. This study achieved a further improved COD removal than the conventional microalgal wastewater treatment, by introducing bacteria in activated sludge at optimized timing.

Different dietary trace mineral sources for broiler breeders and their progenies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different trace mineral supplementation sources in the diet of broiler breeders on their performance and on their progenies. In total, 128 Cobb 500 broiler breeders were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design in 2 experimental treatments. The control group was fed a diet supplemented with inorganic trace minerals (ITM), while the other group was fed a diet supplemented with reduced levels of trace minerals in the organic form. Eggs were collected when breeders were 35, 47, and 53 wk old. Their progeny (450 hatchlings) were divided according to trace mineral supplementation source from the maternal diet, creating 2 treatments with 16 replicates of 15 birds each. Organic trace mineral (OTM) supplementation improved broiler breeder performance, as shown by higher egg production and better eggshell quality of OTM-fed hens compared with those fed ITM. Egg fertility and hatchability were not influenced by the treatments. As to progeny performance, higher weight gain, and consequently, better feed conversion ratio, were obtained in the 41-day-old progenies of OTM-fed breeders, independently of hen age. Maternal diet trace mineral source did not affect broiler carcass, breast meat, or leg yields. The results of the present study show that supplementing broiler breeder diets with organic trace mineral sources enhances the performance of breeders and their progenies.