Device for safe manipulation of microorganisms with unknown properties.

A simple adaptation of common laboratory pipettes and injection syringes for safe manipulation with samples of cultivation liquid is described.

Srinivasan's coagulation test in taxonomically classified streptomycetes.

Srimivasan's coagulation test was performed in 18 strains of the genus Streptomyces and one strain of the genus Actinoplanes. The highest coagulation activity was detected in strains systematically classified in a series of streptomycetes with pink or red aerial mycelium: S. erythreus, Streptomyces sp. AJ/22, S. roseo-luteus and S. griseofuscus. With the exception of S. griscofuscus these three cultures also exhibited the highest inhibitory activity B. subtilis. When using hemoglobin as substrate it was possible to detect acid, neutral and alkaline proteinases with the highest poroteolytic activity at pH 3.0 to 4.0 in the most active strain of S. erythreus.

Taxonomical study of the reference strain of Streptomyces erythreus.

The reference strain Streptomyces erythreus formed filamentous growth with Retinaculum-Apertum forms and narrow, long, extended spirals. Under defined conditions it produced abundant red and white mycelium; for its taxonomical characterization the production of red mycelium according to which the strain is classified in a certain series is conclusive. Chains of spiny spores were observed in the electron microscope. In its growth requirements (taxonomically important carbon sources) this strain differed from other strains of the genus Streptomyces. Components of the cell wall type IV were demonstrated in its mycelium.

Quantitative changes of the alkaloid complex in a submerged culture of Claviceps paspali.

Claviceps paspali FA produced high concentrations of alkaloid under submerged conditions. Their production was found to depend on the developmental stage and treatment of the filamentous culture inoculum. A medium containing Bacto-peptone with a constant composition of amino acids was selected for the preparation of the inoculum. A two-week fermentation in a synthetic medium with mannitol at 24 +/- 1 degrees C resulted in an increased production of total alkaloids from the original value of 100-200 micrograms/mL to more than 2000 micrograms/mL. Addition of tryptophan did not further increase the production of alkaloids but resulted in changes of the spectrum of some metabolites, 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid accompanied the alkaloids in the fermentation medium. alpha-Hydroxyethyllysergamide was the predominant component of extracellular alkaloids (80% in the first days of fermentation). During fermentation the level of this alkaloid continuously decreased while the concentration of the accompanying alkaloids, i.e. lysergamide and the corresponding minor isomers, increased.

A psychrophilic strain Actinoplanes sp. 220.

The strain designated Actinoplanes sp. 220 differed in its characteristics from other strains of the genus Actinoplanes listed in Bergey's Manual (1974). The strain belongs to psychrophilic culture growing within the range of 0-30 degrees C. The optimal temperature for growth on yeast--malt agar is 10-23 degrees C. Cultures transferred at 23 and 28 degrees C differed in morphological and physiological properties, enzyme activity and pigmentation in standard media. Submerged culture transferred at 28 degrees C inhibited growth of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and ATCC 9945. LL-2,6-Diaminopimelic acid was chromatographically detected in the submerged mycelium of this culture. This compound was not found in the mycelium of the original culture transferred at 23 degrees C. The cultures did not substantially differ in the composition of other amino acids contained in larger quantities in the mycelium.

Correlation of certain alterations in metabolic activity with alkaloid production by submerged Claviceps.

Alkaloid biosynthesis in Claviceps paspali MG-6 was favored by unbalanced growth. A positive correlation between the rate of protein turnover and alkaloid formation was noted. The pattern of the orthophosphate content in the mycelium resembled that in the ripening sclerotia of the parasitic strains. Alkaloids were revealed as potentially effective in energy metabolism. Reduced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) utilization and an increase in the ATP pool were found to be favorable for alkaloid production. Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity and the level of cell lipids were directly related to the intensity of alkaloid biosynthesis. An inverse relationship was observed between the activities of the tricarboxylic acid and glycoxylate cycles and the rate of alkaloid formation.