Biosurfactant and biopolymer producing microorganisms from West Kazakhstan oilfield.

Microbiological enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) uses indigenous or exogenous microorganisms and nutrients to enhance oil production through synthesis of metabolites reducing oil viscosity and surface tension. In order to find bacteria suitable for MEOR, we studied 26 isolates from wells in the Akingen oilfield in West Kazakhstan. Six of them were selected for further analysis based on their ability to reduce surface tension to less than 40 mN/m, with the A9 isolate exhibiting tension reduction values of 32.76 ± 0.3 mN/m. Based on the morphological features, biochemical activities, and the 16S rRNA gene, the isolates were classified to the Bacillus subtilis group. In the phylogenetic analysis the isolates grouped into two main clusters. Genes encoding the surfactin synthetase subunits were found in A2, A8, A9, A12, PW2, only the PW2 strain had lchAA encoding lichenysin, while sacB encoding levan was noted in A2, A8, A9, and A12. The expression of srfAB, srfAC, and sacB tested with qPCR varied among strains. Nevertheless, whereas temperature moderately affects the expression level, with the highest level recorded at 40 °C, salinity significantly impacts the expression of the genes encoding biosurfactants. B. subtilis strains isolated in the study, especially A9, are promising for microbial-enhanced oil recovery.

Ultra-Fast Impedimetric Immunoassay for Detection of Streptococcus agalactiae Using Carbon Electrode with Nanodiamonds Film.

This publication presents the results of work on the development of a quick and cheap electrochemical immunosensor for the diagnosis of infections with the pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae. The research was carried out on the basis of the modification of the well-known glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. The surface of the GC (glassy carbon) electrode was covered with a film made of nanodiamonds, which increased the number of sites for the attachment of anti-Streptococcus agalactiae antibodies. The GC surface was activated with EDC/NHS (1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide/N-Hydroxysuccinimide). Determination of electrode characteristics after each modification step, performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).