Biodegradation of polystyrene by three bacterial strains isolated from the gut of Superworms (Zophobas atratus larvae).

AIMS: To isolate polystyrene-degrading bacteria from the gut of superworms and investigate their ability to degrade polystyrene (PS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three PS-degrading bacteria identified as Pseudomonas sp. EDB1, Bacillus sp. EDA4 and Brevibacterium sp. EDX were successfully isolated from the gut of superworms (Zophobas atratus Larvae) that ingest PS. Incubating PS with each strain for 30-day led to the formation of biofilm on the PS film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed considerable damage (in terms of pits formation) on the surface of the PS films. FTIR analysis suggested the incorporation of carbonyl group into the carbon backbone of PS. Decreasing of WCA of microbial-treated PS film confirmed a chemical change from hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity on the PS surface. Based on these results, we conclude that all isolates had the ability to degrade PS. CONCLUSIONS: Brevibacterium sp. EDX (GenBank MZ32399) was isolated as the most efficient PS-degrading strain based on the most changing in both PS surface morphology (SEM and WCA analyses) and chemical modification (FTIR analysis) in its PS degradation process. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This was the first study to describe the PS degradation by Brevibacterium sp. EDX, and thus provided for its development in the plastic remediation process.

Biotransformation of ß-Mangostin by an Endophytic Fungus of Garcinia mangostana to Furnish Xanthenes with an Unprecedented Heterocyclic Skeleton.

Biotransformation of ß-mangostin (1) by the endophytic fungus Xylaria feejeensis GM06 afforded hexacyclic ring-fused xanthenes with an unprecedented hexacyclic heterocylic skeleton. ß-Mangostin (1) was transformed to two diastereomeric pairs of enantiomers, mangostafeejin A [(-)-2a/(+)-2b)] and mangostafeejin B [(-)-3a/(+)-3b)]. The chemical structures of the transformation products were elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS data, and the structure of mangostafeejin A [(-)-2a/(+)-2b)] was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The absolute configurations of 3a and 3b were established on the basis of calculated and measured ECD data using the ECD spectra of 2a and 2b as models. The fungal biotransformation described herein provides an effective method to convert an abundant achiral plant natural product scaffold into new chiral heterocyclic scaffolds representing expanded chemical diversity for biological activity screening.

Indole-3-acetic acid biosynthetic pathways in the basidiomycetous yeast Rhodosporidium paludigenum.

Microorganisms produce plant growth regulators, such as auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins, to promote plant growth. Auxins are a group of compounds with an indole ring that have a positive effect on plant growth. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a plant growth hormone classified as an indole derivative of the auxin family. IAA biosynthesis pathways have been reported and widely studied in several groups of bacteria. Only a few studies on IAA biosynthesis pathways have been conducted in yeast. This study aimed to investigate IAA biosynthesis pathways in a basidiomycetous yeast (Rhodosporidium paludigenum DMKU-RP301). Investigations were performed both with and without a tryptophan supplement. Indole compound intermediates were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Indole-3-lactic acid and indole-3-ethanol were found as a result of the enzymatic reduction of indole-3-pyruvic acid and indole-3-acetaldehyde, in IAA biosynthesis via an indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway. In addition, we also found indole-3-pyruvic acid in culture supernatants determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Identification of tryptophan aminotransferase activity supports indole-3-pyruvic acid-routed IAA biosynthesis in R. paludigenum DMKU-RP301. We hence concluded that R. paludigenum DMKU-RP301 produces IAA through an indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway.

Indole-3-acetic acid production by newly isolated red yeast Rhodosporidium paludigenum.

Indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) is the principal hormone which regulates various developmental and physiological processes in plants. IAA production is considered as a key trait for supporting plant growth. Hence, in this study, production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by a basidiomycetous red yeast Rhodosporidium paludigenum DMKU-RP301 (AB920314) was investigated and improved by the optimization of the culture medium and culture conditions using one factor at a time (OFAT) and response surface methodology (RSM). The study considered the effects of incubation time, carbon and nitrogen sources, growth factor, tryptophan, temperature, shaking speed, NaCl and pH, on the production of IAA. The results showed that all the factors studied, except NaCl, affected IAA production by R. paludigenum DMKU-RP301. Maximum IAA production of 1,623.9 mg/l was obtained as a result of the studies using RSM. The optimal medium and growth conditions observed in this study resulted in an increase of IAA production by a factor of up to 5.0 compared to the unoptimized condition, i.e. when yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD) broth supplemented with 0.1% l-tryptophan was used as the production medium. The production of IAA was then scaled up in a 2-l stirred tank fermenter, and the maximum IAA of 1,627.1 mg/l was obtained. This experiment indicated that the obtained optimal medium and condition (pH and temperature) from shaking flask production can be used for the production of IAA in a larger size production. In addition, the present research is the first to report on the optimization of IAA production by the yeast Rhodosporidium.

Plant growth-promoting traits of epiphytic and endophytic yeasts isolated from rice and sugar cane leaves in Thailand.

A total of 1035 yeast isolates, obtained from rice and sugar cane leaves, were screened primarily for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. Thirteen isolates were selected, due to their IAA production ranging from 1.2 to 29.3 mg g(-)(1) DCW. These isolates were investigated for their capabilities of calcium phosphate and ZnO(3) solubilisation, and also for production of NH(3), polyamine, and siderophore. Their 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, catalase and fungal cell wall-degrading enzyme activities were assessed. Their antagonism against rice fungal pathogens was also evaluated. Strain identification, based on molecular taxonomy, of the thirteen yeast isolates revealed that four yeast species - i.e. Hannaella sinensis (DMKU-RP45), Cryptococcus flavus (DMKU-RE12, DMKU-RE19, DMKU-RE67, and DMKU-RP128), Rhodosporidium paludigenum (DMKU-RP301) and Torulaspora globosa (DMKU-RP31) - were capable of high IAA production. Catalase activity was detected in all yeast strains tested. The yeast R. paludigenum DMKU-RP301 was the best IAA producer, yielding 29.3 mg g(-)(1) DCW, and showed the ability to produce NH3 and siderophore. Different levels of IAA production (7.2-9.7 mg g(-)(1) DCW) were found in four strains of C. flavus DMKU-RE12, DMKU-RE19, and DMKU-RE67, which are rice leaf endophytes, and strain DMKU-RP128, which is a rice leaf epiphyte. NH(3) production and carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity was also detected in these four strains. Antagonism to fungal plant pathogens and production of antifungal volatile compounds were exhibited in T. globosa DMKU-RP31, as well as a moderate level of IAA production (4.9 mg g(-)(1) DCW). The overall results indicated that T. globosa DMKU-RP31 might be used in two ways: enhancing plant growth and acting as a biocontrol agent. In addition, four C. flavus were also found to be strains of interest for optimal IAA production.

Microbial metabolism of α-mangostin isolated from Garcinia mangostana L.

α-Mangostin (1), a prenylated xanthone isolated from the fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana L., was individually metabolized by two fungi, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (EYL131) and Neosartorya spathulata (EYR042), repectively. Incubation of 1 with C. gloeosporioides (EYL131) gave four metabolites which were identified as mangostin 3-sulfate (2), mangostanin 6-sulfate (3), 17,18-dihydroxymangostanin 6-sulfate (4)and isomangostanin 3-sulfate (5). Compound 2 was also formed by incubation with N. spathulata (EYR042). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. Of the isolated metabolites, 2 exhibited significant anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Enzymatic synthesis of dehydroderivatives from proline-containing cyclic dipeptides and their effects toward cell division.

We have previously isolated cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr) and cyclo(L-Phe-L-Pro) from an actinomycete by a novel enzymatic conversion-guided method. Their tetradehydro derivatives, cyclo(DeltaPro-DeltaTyr) and cyclo(DeltaPhe-DeltaPro), were enzymatically prepared. Neither of them inhibited cell division, in contrast to other tetradehydro cyclic dipeptides prepared previously. This result suggests that an NH proton in a diketopiperazine ring and/or conformation of the compound are important for the activity.

Chemical structures and biological activities of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa B189 isolated from milk factory waste.

The aim of this work was to study chemical structures and biological activities of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa B189 isolated from milk factory waste. The culture produced two biosurfactants, a and b, which showed strong activity and were identified as L-rhamnopyranosyl-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-hydroxydecanoyl-beta-hydroxydecanoate or Rha-Rha-C10-C10 and L-rhamnopyranosyl-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-hydroxydecanoyl-beta-hydroxydodecanoate or Rha-Rha-C10-C12, respectively. Both compounds exhibited higher surfactant activities tested by the drop collapse test than several artificial surfactants such as SDS and Tween 80. Rhamnolipid a showed significant antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 6.25 microg/mL while rhamnolipid b showed MIC against insect cell line C6/36 at 50 microg/mL.

Chemical structures and biological activities of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa B189 isolated from milk factory waste.

The aim of this work was to study chemical structures and biological activities of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa B189 isolated from milk factory waste. The culture produced two biosurfactants, a and b, which showed strong activity and were identified as L-rhamnopyranosyl-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-hydroxydecanoyl-beta-hydroxydecanoate or Rha-Rha C10-C10 and L-rhamnopyranosyl-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-hydroxydecanoyl-beta-hydroxydodecanoate or Rha-Rha C(10)-C(12), respectively. Both compounds exhibited higher surfactant activities tested by the drop collapse test than several artificial surfactants such as SDS and Tween 80. Rhamnolipid a showed significant antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 6.25 microg/mL while rhamnolipid b showed MIC against insect cell line C6/36 at 50 microg/mL.

Enzymatic conversion-based method for screening cyclic dipeptide-producing microbes.

We developed a method for screening cyclic dipeptide-producing microbes by enzymatic conversion. In this method, cyclic dipeptides are detected by the combination of: (i) conversion of cyclic dipeptides to dehydro cyclic dipeptides by cyclo(Leu-Phe) oxidase and (ii) detection of the dehydro derivative by UV spectrophotometry using TLC or HPLC analysis based on the absorbance change caused by the conversion. Using this method, the actinomycete strain A8 was isolated as a cyclic dipeptide-producing strain. The cyclic dipeptides were purified from the microbial extract by enzymatic detection-guided fractionation, and their structures were determined to be cyclo(L-Phe-L-Pro) and cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr) by spectroscopic methods.