Correlation between Peptacetobacter hiranonis, the baiCD Gene, and Secondary Bile Acids in Dogs.

Bile acid metabolism is a key pathway modulated by intestinal microbiota. Peptacetobacter (Clostridium) hiranonis has been described as the main species responsible for the conversion of primary into secondary fecal unconjugated bile acids (fUBA) in dogs. This multi-step biochemical pathway is encoded by the bile acid-inducible (bai) operon. We aimed to assess the correlation between P. hiranonis abundance, the abundance of one specific gene of the bai operon (baiCD), and secondary fUBA concentrations. In this retrospective study, 133 fecal samples were analyzed from 24 dogs. The abundances of P. hiranonis and baiCD were determined using qPCR. The concentration of fUBA was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The baiCD abundance exhibited a strong positive correlation with secondary fUBA (ρ = 0.7377, 95% CI (0.6461, 0.8084), p < 0.0001). Similarly, there was a strong correlation between P. hiranonis and secondary fUBA (ρ = 0.6658, 95% CI (0.5555, 0.7532), p < 0.0001). Animals displaying conversion of fUBA and lacking P. hiranonis were not observed. These results suggest P. hiranonis is the main converter of primary to secondary bile acids in dogs.

Isolation and characterization of antifungal peptides produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LBM5006.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LBM 5006 produces antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi, including Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., and Bipolaris sorokiniana. PCR analysis revealed the presence of ituD, but not sfp genes, coding for iturin and surfactin, respectively. The antimicrobial substance produced by this strain was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography and 1-butanol extraction. The ultraviolet spectrum was typical of a polypeptide and the infrared spectrum indicates the presence of peptide bonds and acyl group(s). The antimicrobial substance was resistant to proteolytic enzymes and heat treatment, and was reactive with ninhydrin. Mass spectroscopy analysis indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens LBM 5006 produces two antimicrobial peptides, with main peaks at m/z 1,058 Da and 1,464 Da, corresponding to iturin-like and fengycin-like peptides, respectively. B. amyloliquefaciens LBM 5006 showed significant activity against phytopatogenic fungi, showing potential for use as a biocontrol agent or production of antifungal preparations.