Amphibian-killing chytrid in Brazil comprises both locally endemic and globally expanding populations.

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is the emerging infectious disease implicated in recent population declines and extinctions of amphibian species worldwide. Bd strains from regions of disease-associated amphibian decline to date have all belonged to a single, hypervirulent clonal genotype (Bd-GPL). However, earlier studies in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil detected a novel, putatively enzootic lineage (Bd-Brazil), and indicated hybridization between Bd-GPL and Bd-Brazil. Here, we characterize the spatial distribution and population history of these sympatric lineages in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. To investigate the genetic structure of Bd in this region, we collected and genotyped Bd strains along a 2400-km transect of the Atlantic Forest. Bd-Brazil genotypes were restricted to a narrow geographic range in the southern Atlantic Forest, while Bd-GPL strains were widespread and largely geographically unstructured. Bd population genetics in this region support the hypothesis that the recently discovered Brazilian lineage is enzootic in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and that Bd-GPL is a more recently expanded invasive. We collected additional hybrid isolates that demonstrate the recurrence of hybridization between panzootic and enzootic lineages, thereby confirming the existence of a hybrid zone in the Serra da Graciosa mountain range of Paraná State. Our field observations suggest that Bd-GPL may be more infective towards native Brazilian amphibians, and potentially more effective at dispersing across a fragmented landscape. We also provide further evidence of pathogen translocations mediated by the Brazilian ranaculture industry with implications for regulations and policies on global amphibian trade.

Production of bioemulsifier by Bacillus subtilis, Alcaligenes faecalis and Enterobacter species in liquid culture.

Three bacterial strains isolated from waste crude oil were selected due to their capacity of growing in the presence of hydrocarbons and production of bioemulsifier. The genetic identification (PCR of the 16S rDNA gene using fD1 and rD1 primers) of these strains showed their affiliation to Bacillus subtilis, Alcaligenes faecalis and Enterobacter sp. These strains were able to emulsify n-octane, toluene, xylene, mineral oils and crude oil, look promising for bioremediation application. Finally, chemical composition, emulsifying activity and surfactant activity of the biopolymers produced by the selected strains were studies under different culture conditions. Our results showed that chemical and functional properties of the bioemulsifiers were affected by the carbon source added to the growth media.

Characteristics of bioemulsifier V2-7 synthesized in culture media added of hydrocarbons: chemical composition, emulsifying activity and rheological properties.

The bioemulsifier V2-7 is an exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by strain F2-7 of Halomonas eurihalina and it has the property of emulsifying a wide range of hydrocarbons i.e. n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane, n-octane, xylene mineral light and heavy oils, petrol and crude oil. Characteristics of exopolysaccharide V2-7 produced in media supplemented with various hydrocarbons (n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane, n-octane, xylene, mineral light oil, mineral heavy oil, petrol or crude oil) were studied. Yield production varied from 0.54 to 1.45 g L(-1) according to the hydrocarbon added, in the same way chemical composition, viscosity and emulsifying activity of EPS varied with the culture conditions. Respect to chemical composition, percentage of uronic acids found in exopolymers produced in hydrocarbon media was always higher than that described for V2-7 EPS (1.32%) obtained with glucose. This large amount of uronic acid present could be useful in biodetoxification and waste water treatment. On the other hand, the highest amount of biopolymer was synthesized with mineral light oil, while the most active emulsifiers were those obtained from media added with petrol and n-octane. Furthermore, all EPS were capable of emulsifying crude oil more efficiently than the three chemical surfactants tested as control (Tween 20, Tween 80 and Triton X-100). The capacity of strain F2-7 to grow and produce bioemulsifier in presence of oil hydrocarbons together with the high emulsifying activity and low viscosity power of the biopolymers synthesized in hydrocarbons media could be considered highly beneficial for application of both bioemulsifier and producing strain in bioremediation of oil pollutants.

Selection and identification of bacteria isolated from waste crude oil with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons removal capacities.

Fifteen bacterial strains isolated from solid waste oil samples were selected due to their capacity of growing in the presence of hydrocarbons. The isolates were identified by PCR of the 16S rDNA gene using fD1 and rD1 primers. The majority of the strains belonged to genera Bacillus, Bacillus pumilus (eight strains) and Bacillus subtilis (two strains). Besides, three strains were identified as Micrococcus luteus, one as Alcaligenes faecalis and one strain as Enterobacter sp. Growth of the above-mentioned strains in mineral liquid media amended with naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene or pyrene as sole carbon source was studied and our results showed that these strains can tolerate and remove different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that may be toxic in the environment polluted with hydrocarbons. Finally, the capacity of certain strains to emulsify octane, xilene, toluene, mineral oil and crude oil, and its ability to remove hydrocarbons, look promising for its application in bioremediation technologies.

Surfactant activity of a naphthalene degrading Bacillus pumilus strain isolated from oil sludge.

We studied the growth, biosurfactant activities and petroleum hydrocarbon compounds utilisation of strain 28-11 isolated from a solid waste oil. The isolate was identified as Bacillus pumilus. It grew well in the presence of 0.1% (w/v) of crude oil and naphthalene under aerobic conditions and utilised these substances as carbon and energy source. The capacity of strain 28-11 to emulsify crude oil and its ability to remove hydrocarbons looks promising for its application in environmental technologies.

Yield production, chemical composition, and functional properties of emulsifier H28 synthesized by Halomonas eurihalina strain H-28 in media containing various hydrocarbons.

Halomonas eurihalina strain H-28 is a moderately halophilic bacterium that produces an extracellular polysaccharide not only in media with glucose but also in media supplemented with hydrocarbons (n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane, n-octane, xylene, mineral light oil, mineral heavy oil, petrol, or crude oil). In this study we investigated yield production, chemical composition, viscosity, and emulsifying activity of exopolysaccharides (EPS) extracted from the different media used. The largest amounts of biopolymer were synthesized in media with glucose and n-hexadecane. Chemical composition varied with culture conditions; thus EPS from cultures grown in the presence of hydrocarbons had lower contents of carbohydrates and proteins than EPS from media with glucose. However, the percentages of uronic acids, acetyls, and sulfates were always higher than glucose EPS. Crude oil was the substrate most effectively emulsified. All EPS were capable of emulsifying crude oil more efficiently than the three control surfactants tested (Tween 20, Tween 80, and Triton X-100). All polymers gave low viscosity solutions. EPS H28 could be attractive for application in the oil industry and/or in bioremediation processes, bearing in mind not only its functional properties, but also the capacity of producer strain H-28 to grow in the presence of high salt concentrations and oil substrates.

Characteristics of bioemulsifiers synthesised in crude oil media by Halomonas eurihalina and their effectiveness in the isolation of bacteria able to grow in the presence of hydrocarbons.

Halomonas eurihalina strains F2-7, H28, H96, H212 and H214 were capable of producing large amounts of exopolysaccharides (EPS) in MY medium with added crude oil. The biopolymers showed lower carbohydrate and protein content than those synthesised in control medium without oil. Nevertheless, the percentages of uronic acids, acetyls and sulphates were higher. The emulsifying activity of biopolymers was measured; crude oil was the substrate most efficiently emulsified. Furthermore, all the EPS tested emulsified higher volumes of crude oil than the commercial surfactants used as controls. We have also proved the effectiveness of both Halomonas eurihalina strains and their EPS to select indigenous bacteria able to grow in the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene) from waste crude oil. The majority of isolated strains belonged to the genus Bacillus.