Effect of ammonium and amino acids on the growth of selected strains of Gluconobacter and Acetobacter.

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are a group of microorganisms highly used in the food industry. However, its use can be limited by the insufficient information known about the nutritional requirements of AAB for optimal growth. The aim of this work was to study the effects of different concentrations and sources of nitrogen on the growth of selected AAB strains and to establish which nitrogen source best encouraged their growth. Two strains of three species of AAB, Gluconobacter japonicus, Gluconobacter oxydans and Acetobacter malorum, were grown in three different media with diverse nitrogen concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 300mgN/L and 1gN/L) as a complete solution of amino acids and ammonium. With this experiment, the most favourable medium and the lowest nitrogen concentration beneficial for the growth of each strain was selected. Subsequently, under these conditions, single amino acids or ammonium were added to media individually to determine the best nitrogen sources for each AAB strain. The results showed that nitrogen requirements are highly dependent on the nitrogen source, the medium and the AAB strain. Gluconobacter strains were able to grow in the lowest nitrogen concentration tested (25mgN/L); however, one of the G. oxydans strains and both A. malorum strains required a higher concentration of nitrogen (100-300mgN/L) for optimal growth. In general, single nitrogen sources were not able to support the growth of these AAB strains as well as the complete solution of amino acids and ammonium.

Comparison of D-gluconic acid production in selected strains of acetic acid bacteria.

The oxidative metabolism of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) can be exploited for the production of several compounds, including D-gluconic acid. The production of D-gluconic acid in fermented beverages could be useful for the development of new products without glucose. In the present study, we analyzed nineteen strains belonging to eight different species of AAB to select those that could produce D-gluconic acid from D-glucose without consuming D-fructose. We tested their performance in three different media and analyzed the changes in the levels of D-glucose, D-fructose, D-gluconic acid and the derived gluconates. D-Glucose and D-fructose consumption and D-gluconic acid production were heavily dependent on the strain and the media. The most suitable strains for our purpose were Gluconobacter japonicus CECT 8443 and Gluconobacter oxydans Po5. The strawberry isolate Acetobacter malorum (CECT 7749) also produced D-gluconic acid; however, it further oxidized D-gluconic acid to keto-D-gluconates.

Impact of gluconic fermentation of strawberry using acetic acid bacteria on amino acids and biogenic amines profile.

This paper studies the amino acid profile of beverages obtained through the fermentation of strawberry purée by a surface culture using three strains belonging to different acetic acid bacteria species (one of Gluconobacter japonicus, one of Gluconobacter oxydans and one of Acetobacter malorum). An HPLC-UV method involving diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate (DEEMM) was adapted and validated. From the entire set of 21 amino acids, multiple linear regressions showed that glutamine, alanine, arginine, tryptophan, GABA and proline were significantly related to the fermentation process. Furthermore, linear discriminant analysis classified 100% of the samples correctly in accordance with the microorganism involved. G. japonicus consumed glucose most quickly and achieved the greatest decrease in amino acid concentration. None of the 8 biogenic amines were detected in the final products, which could serve as a safety guarantee for these strawberry gluconic fermentation beverages, in this regard.

Acetic acid bacteria isolated from grapes of South Australian vineyards.

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) diversity from healthy, mould-infected and rot-affected grapes collected from three vineyards of Adelaide Hills (South Australia) was analyzed by molecular typing and identification methods. Nine different AAB species were identified from the 624 isolates recovered: Four species from Gluconobacter genus, two from Asaia and one from Acetobacter were identified by the analysis of 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer. However, the identification of other isolates that were assigned as Asaia sp. and Ameyamaea chiangmaiensis required more analysis for a correct species classification. The species of Gluconobacter cerinus was the main one identified; while one genotype of Asaia siamensis presented the highest number of isolates. The number of colonies recovered and genotypes identified was strongly affected by the infection status of the grapes; the rot-affected with the highest number. However, the species diversity was similar in all the cases. High AAB diversity was detected with a specific genotype distribution for each vineyard.

La píldora anticonceptiva a debate / The contraceptive pill submitted for debate

El propósito de este trabajo es hacer una revisión sobre los riesgos y beneficios de la píldora anticonceptiva y la necesidad de informar desde las consultas de enfermeras/os y de matronas con base en la evidencia científica. Desde su comercialización en los años 60, se ha publicado una gran cantidad de información sobre los riesgos de la píldora , tanto en el ámbito científico como en los medios de comunicación social y sin embargo, los beneficios han sido poco difundidos. La píldora combinada es uno de los métodos anticonceptivos reversibles con mayor eficacia para evitar el embarazo. Se asocia a un aumento de riesgo de tromboembolismo venoso y presenta efectos beneficiosos no anticonceptivos relacionados con la menstruación, la fertilidad, la masa ósea, el acné, y reduce el riesgo de cáncer de ovario y de endometrio. Los profesionales de enfermería, al igual que el resto de profesionales del equipo de salud, deben abordar el derecho a la información de la población basada en datos científicos y deben implicarse en funciones de orientación en planificación familiar para mejorar la salud materno-infantil, promoviendo los embarazos deseados y que el derecho a tener el número de hijos e intervalo entre ellos sea respetado.

The objective of this research is to reflect on the risks and benefits of the contraceptive pill and the need for women to be informed by qualified health care providers including nurse midwives and nurse practitioners based on scientific evidence. Since its commercialization in the 60's, a lot of information has been published about the risks of the pill by both scientists and the social media and yet the benefits have been little known. The combined pill is one of the most effective reversible methods of preventing pregnancy. It is associated with increased risk factors for venous thromboembolism and it has non-contraceptive benefits not related to menstruation, fertility, bone mass, acne, and it reduces the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Nursing professionals, like all other health care team professionals should address the right to inform the population based on scientific data as well as get involved in family planning counseling to improve maternal and child health, promoting unintended pregnancies and the right to decide the number of children and the time interval be respected.

Acetobacter strains isolated during the acetification of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) wine.

Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are known to have positive health benefits. The production of blueberry vinegar is one method to preserve this seasonal fruit and allow extended consumption. In this study, blueberry wine acetification was performed with naturally occurring micro-organisms and with an inoculated Acetobacter cerevisiae strain. Acetifications were carried out in triplicate using the Schützenbach method. The successful spontaneous processes took up to 66% more time than the processes involving inoculation. The isolation of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) and the analysis of these AAB using molecular methods allowed the identification of the main genotypes responsible of the blueberry acetification. Although the Acet. cerevisiae strain was the predominant strain isolated from the inoculated process samples, Acetobacter pasteurianus was isolated from samples for both processes and was the only species present in the spontaneous acetification samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the identification and variability of AAB isolated during blueberry acetification. The isolated Acet. pasteurianus strains could be used for large-scale blueberry vinegar production or as a starter culture in studies of other vinegar production methods.

Effect of inoculation on strawberry fermentation and acetification processes using native strains of yeast and acetic acid bacteria.

The aim of this work was to analyze the microbiota involved in the traditional vinegar elaboration of strawberry fruit during a spontaneous and inoculated process. In the spontaneous processes, low biodiversity was detected in both alcoholic fermentation (AF) and acetification. Nevertheless, a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and of Acetobacter malorum were selected and tested as starter cultures in the inoculation study. The inoculated processes with these strains were compared with another spontaneous process, yielding a significant reduction in time for AF with a total imposition of the S. cerevisiae strain. The resulting strawberry wine was acetified in different containers (glass and wood) yielding an initial imposition of the A. malorum inoculated strain, although displacement by Gluconacetobacter species was observed in the wood barrels.

Identification of yeast and acetic acid bacteria isolated from the fermentation and acetification of persimmon (Diospyros kaki).

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is a seasonal fruit with important health benefits. In this study, persimmon use in wine and condiment production was investigated using molecular methods to identify the yeast and acetic acid bacteria (AAB) isolated from the alcoholic fermentation and acetification of the fruit. Alcoholic fermentation was allowed to occur either spontaneously, or by inoculation with a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strain, while acetification was always spontaneous; all these processes were performed in triplicates. Non-Saccharomyces yeast species were particularly abundant during the initial and mid-alcoholic fermentation stages, but S. cerevisiae became dominant toward the end of these processes. During spontaneous fermentation, S. cerevisiae Sc1 was the predominant strain isolated throughout, while the commercial strain of S. cerevisiae was the most common strain isolated from the inoculated fermentations. The main non-Saccharomyces strains isolated included Pichia guilliermondii, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Zygosaccharomyces florentinus and Cryptococcus sp. A distinct succession of AAB was observed during the acetification process. Acetobacter malorun was abundant during the initial and mid-stages, while Gluconacetobacter saccharivorans was the main species during the final stages of these acetifications. Four additional AAB species, Acetobacter pasteurianus, Acetobacter syzygii, Gluconacetobacter intermedius and Gluconacetobacter europaeus, were also detected. We observed 28 different AAB genotypes, though only 6 of these were present in high numbers (between 25%-60%), resulting in a high biodiversity index.

Effect of barrel design and the inoculation of Acetobacter pasteurianus in wine vinegar production.

The traditional production of wine vinegar is a lengthy process with little or no microbiological control. The aim of this study was to shorten the acetification process via three different strategies: changes in wood type; barrel shape; and the inoculation of an Acetobacter pasteurianus pure culture. The barrel shape was modified by constructing two prototypes with higher liquid-air interface. We compared the changes in acetic acid bacteria (AAB) population dynamics in these barrels with those of a submerged method. The wood type had no effect on the acetification length, whereas the shape of the barrel resulted in a significant shortening of the acetification length. Although the selected AAB strain did not always take over, it reduced the biodiversity of the AAB. The inoculated strain was predominant in oak barrels, whereas in the highly aerated prototypes Gluconacetobacter species (Ga. intermedius and/or Ga. europaeus) displaced A. pasteurianus, as what occurs in the submerged method.

Identification and quantification of acetic acid bacteria in wine and vinegar by TaqMan-MGB probes.

A Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) assay was developed using TaqMan minor groove binder (MGB) probes for the specific detection and quantification of five acetic acid bacteria (AAB) species (Acetobacter pasteurianus, Acetobacter aceti, Gluconacetobacter hansenii, Gluconacetobacter europaeus and Gluconobacter oxydans) in wine and vinegar. The primers and probes, designed from the 16S rRNA gene, showed good specificity with the target AAB species. The technique was tested on AAB grown in glucose medium (GY) and inoculated samples of red wine and wine vinegar. Standard curves were constructed with the five target species in all these matrices. Quantification was linear over at least 5 log units using both serial dilution of purified DNA and cells. When this technique was tested in GY medium and inoculated matrices, at least 10(2)-10(3) cells/ml were detected. To quantify low populations of AAB in microbiologically complex samples, a PCR enrichment including part of the 16S-23S rRNA gene ITS region was needed to increase the amount of target DNA compared to non-target DNA. The RT-PCR assay used in this study is a reliable, specific and fast method for quantifying these five AAB species in wine and vinegar.

Analysis of several methods for the extraction of high quality DNA from acetic acid bacteria in wine and vinegar for characterization by PCR-based methods.

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are fastidious microorganisms with poor recovery in culture. Culture-independent methods are currently under examination. Good DNA extraction is a strict requirement of these methods. We compared five methods for extracting the DNA of AAB directly from wine and vinegar samples. Four matrices (white wine, red wine, superficial vinegar and submerged vinegar) contaminated with two AAB strains belonging to Acetobacter pasteurianus and Gluconacetobacter hansenii were assayed. To improve the yield and quality of the extracted DNA, a sample treatment (washing with polyvinyl pyrrolidone or NaCl) was also tested. DNA quality was measured by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene with conventional PCR. DNA recovery rate was assessed by real-time PCR. DNA amplification was always successful with the Wizard method though DNA recovery was poor. A CTAB-based method and NucleoSpin protocol extracted the highest DNA recoveries from wine and vinegar samples. Both of these methods require treatment to recover suitable DNA for amplification with maximum recovery. Both may therefore be good solutions for DNA extraction in wine and vinegar samples. DNA extraction of Ga hansenii was more effective than that of A. pasteurianus. The fastest and cheapest method we evaluated (the Thermal shock protocol) produced the worst results both for DNA amplification and DNA recovery.

Yeast population dynamics in spontaneous fermentations: comparison between two different wine-producing areas over a period of three years.

Yeast ecology, biogeography and biodiversity are important and interesting topics of research. The population dynamics of yeasts in several cellars of two Spanish wine-producing regions was analysed for three consecutive years (1996 to 1998). No yeast starter cultures had been used in these wineries which therefore provided an ideal winemaking environment to investigate the dynamics of grape-related indigenous yeast populations. Non-Saccharomyces yeast species were identified by RFLPs of their rDNA, while Saccharomyces species and strains were identified by RFLPs of their mtDNA. This study confirmed the findings of other reports that non-Saccharomyces species were limited to the early stages of fermentation whilst Saccharomyces dominated towards the end of the alcoholic fermentation. However, significant differences were found with previous studies, such as the survival of non-Saccharomyces species in stages with high alcohol content and a large variability of Saccharomyces strains (a total of 112, all of them identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with no clear predominance of any strain throughout all the fermentation, probably related to the absence of killer phenotype and lack of previous inoculation with commercial strains.