• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1433-1442
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• 2018

To identify and quantify the effects of a combination of dietary $1{\times}10^8CFU/g$ Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis I2 ($LI_2$) and 0.1% ${\beta}$-glucooligosaccharides (BGO) on the growth and immunity of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), a feeding experiment was conducted. Flounder ($14{\pm}0.5g$) were divided into two groups and fed control and synbiotic feeds for 8 weeks. Investigations were carried out on growth and feed utilization, innate immunity, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal lactic acid bacterial (LAB) viability, microvillus length, and changes in the expression levels of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor $[TNF]-{\alpha}$, interleukin $[IL]-1{\beta}$, and IL-6). Results demonstrated the synbiotic diet had significantly better (p < 0.05) responses in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate, three innate immune parameters (respiratory burst, serum lysozyme, and superoxide dismutase), intestinal LAB viability, and the relative $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression level (p < 0.05). Moreover, after challenge with Streptococcus iniae ($1{\times}10^8CFU/ml$), the synbiotically fed group exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) protection against streptococcosis, validating the observed changes in immune parameters and induction of the cytokine-encoding gene. Therefore, according to the results of the present study, synbiotic feed ($LI_2+BGO$) increased growth, modulated innate immune parameters and protected olive flounder against streptococcosis.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.104-109
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• 1998

Methanol extracts from 84 Indian plant samples (50 species in 31 families) and 27 African plant samples (20 species in 12 families) in vitro were tested for their growth-inhibitory activities against Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Clostridium perfringens, and Escherichia coli, using a paper disc agar diffusion method under $O_2-free$ conditions. The responses varied with bacterial strain, plant species and plant part. Extracts from Cymbopogon citratus whole plants, Ocimum basilicum whole plant, Madhuca indica flowers, and Aegle marmelos leaves among Indian plant samples moderately or strongly inhibited the growth of Cl, perfringens whereas moderate growth-inhibitory activity against E. coli was obtained from extract of Indian O. basilicum whole plants. These plant extracts did not affect the growth of the lactic acid forming bacteria tested. These results may be an indication of at least one of the pharmacological actions of these tropical plants.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.154-161
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• 2018

Currently, urban greening projects and research are attracting attention as a way to mitigate urban heat island phenomenon. In this study, nitrogen fixative bacteria were isolated and their effects on plant growth were confirmed. First, enrichment was performed in a nitrogen-free medium to isolate the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and the colony showing high growth in a medium with limited nitrogen source was isolated and purified. Separated bacterial isolates were reduced by more than 90% acetylene by ARA and indirectly confirmed the activity of nitrogenase by ethylene production. Cedecea sp. MK7 and Enterobacter sp. Y8 with confirmed reproducibility were selected as nitrogen fixative bacteria. Nitrogen fixing bacteria were applied to the growth of perennial rye grass, and it was found that the dry weight increased to 34.80 mg (186.60%) compared with the control with 18.65 mg dry weight. After plant growth, microbial community analysis of soil applied by bacteria showed similarity to the control group. Therefore, in this study, it is expected that the efficiency will be increased if plant growth is promoted by using nitrogen fixing bacteria in urban greenery system.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.89-95
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• 2012

Immune cells express toll-like receptors (TLRs) and respond to molecular patterns of various pathogens. CpG motif in bacterial DNA activates innate and acquired immune systems through binding to TLR9 of immune cells. Several studies reported that CpG can directly regulate B cell activation, differentiation, and Ig production. However, the role of CpG in B cell growth and Ig production is not fully understood. In this study, we analyzed the effect of CpG on the kinetics of mouse B cell viability, proliferation, and Igs production. Overall, CpG enhanced mouse B cell growth and production of Igs in a dose-dependent manner. Unlike LPS, 100 nM CpG (high dose) did not support TGF-${\beta}1$-induced IgA and IgG2b production. Moreover, 100 nM CpG treatment abrogated either LPS-induced IgM or LPS/TGF-${\beta}1$-induced IgA and IgG2b production, although B cell growth was enhanced by CpG under the same culture conditions. We subsequently found that 10 nM CpG (low dose) is sufficient for B cell growth. Again, 10 nM CpG did not support TGF-${\beta}1$-induced IgA production but, interestingly enough, supported RA-induced IgA production. Further, 10 nM CpG, unlike 100 nM, neither abrogated the LPS/TGF-${\beta}1$- nor the LPS/RA-induced IgA production. Taken together, these results suggest that dose of CpG is critical in B cell growth and Igs production and the optimal dose of CpG cooperates with LPS in B cell activation and differentiation toward Igs production.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2001

Ethanol extracts of 38 vegetables were subjected to an in vitro screening for their growth-inhibitory activities towards Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. longum, Clostridium perfringens, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, and Escherichia coli using paper disc agar diffusion methods under anaerobic conditions. The responses varied with both bacterial strain and vegetable species. In a test with 20 mg/disc, Zingiber officinale extracts showed significant growth-inhibitory responses against B. bifidum, and strong inhibitions against L. casei were detected in the extracts of Chrysanthemum coronarium var. spatiosum and Lactuca sativa. The extracts of Allium sativum, Capsicum annuum, L. esculentum, L. esculentum var. cerasiforme, and Z. officinale showed strong inhibitory activities against C. perfringens, while moderate growth-inhibitory responses were observed in the extracts of C. ffutescens, Cucurbita moschata, Daucus carota var. sativa, and Rubus coreanus. However, all vegetable extracts showed no inhibitions against B. longum, L. acidophilus, and E. coli. In tests with 5 mg/disc, moderate inhibitions were observed in the extracts of C. coronarium var. spatiosum and L. sativa against L. casei and Z. officinale against B. bifidum. Vegetables extracts, except for C. coronarium var. spatiosum, L. sativa, and Z. officinale, did not affect the growth of beneficial bacteria. Strong inhibitory responses against C. perfringens were detected in the extracts of C. annuum and L. esculentum var. cerasiforme. Daily intake of vegetables may be important in the prevention of human diseases caused by the intestinal bacteria.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.179-183
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• 1996

Streptoccus Pneumoniae (pneumococcus), the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, has an ample polysaccharide (PS) capsule that is highly antigenic and is the source of PS vaccine. This investigation was undertaken to optimize the culture conditions for the production of capsulard PS by type 1 pneumococcus. Among several culture media, brain heart infusion (BHI) and Casitone based media were found to support luxuriant growth of pneumococcus type 1 at the same level. Because BHI medium is rather expensive and more complex than the Casitone based media, the Casitone based media was uwed to study optimization of the culture condition. The phase of growth which accomodated maximum PS production was logarithmic phase. Concentrations of glucose greater than 0.2% did not ehnahce growth or PS production. Substitution of netrogen sources with other resources or supplementation of various concentrations of metal ion (with the exception of calcium ion) had adverse affects on growth and PS production. On the other hand, low level aeration was beneficial for increased PS production. Addition of 3 mg/1 concentration of methionine, phenylalanine, and threonine were found to enhance growth and PS production. The synerigistic effect of all the favorable conditions observed in pneumococcal growth assays provided a two-fold cummulative increase in capsular PS production.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.323-328
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• 2015

Control efficacy was investigated with fungicides as 3 copper compound, 3 antibiotic fungicides and one fungicide containing to quinolone against the growth of Ralstonia solanacearum on NA medium and the disease occurrence on pepper seedlings. Among 7 fungicides, oxytetracycline was shown the highest activity against a growth of the pathogen in the agar diffusion method, but validamycin showed no activity against the pathogen. With $1000{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ of each copper fungicide as copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride+ dithianone and copper sulfate, 2.2, 1.3 and 1.5 mm in size of clear zone only could be found, respectively. In pepper seedling test, oxytetracycline showed a perfect activity in all treatments 7 days after inoculation. However, its activity was decreased from $500{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ of treatment over the time. Copper fungicides showed the control efficacy lower than antibiotic fungicides except for validamycin. Based on the results, it was suggested that it would be better to use antibiotic fungicides than copper fungicides to control pepper bacterial wilt in the fields.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1487-1493
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• 2011

E. tarda, a fish pathogen, can survive in seawater under relatively high salt conditions as well as in fish under physiological salt conditions. Bacterial growth under different salt concentrations may influence the expression of genes involved in bacterial structure and physiology. The growth rate of E. tarda culture in high salt (3.5% NaCl) was similar to that in low salt (1.0% NaCl, physiological salt concentration). Interestingly, the strain moved much faster in low salt conditions than in high salt conditions. Electron microscopic observation demonstrated that the bacterial cells grown in high salt had less or no flagellation. Obvious flagellation was observed in the parental strain E. tarda CK41 grown in low-salt condition. Two putative genes coding flagellin were identified in the E. tarda genome sequences. The amino acid sequence comparison of each gene revealed 93% identities. A flagellin gene was PCR amplified and cloned into a cloning vector. Using an E. coli protein expression system, a part of flagellin protein was overexpressed. Using the purified protein, an anti-flagellin antibody was raised in the rabbit. Immunoblot analyses with flagellin specific antibody demonstrated that E. tarda CK41 expressed falgellin in low salt conditions, which is consistent with the results seen in motility assay and microscopic observation. This is the first report of salt regulated flagella expression in E. tarda.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2007

Effects of gamma irradiation on chemical, microbiological, and immunological changes of Queso Blanco cheese were investigated. Although Queso Blanco cheese was made by heat pasteurization at 85$^{\circ}$C and addition of acid without lactic starter culture, total bacterial counts and lactic acid bacterial counts of control cheese were 7.65${\pm}$0.04 and 7.64${\pm}$0.02 log CFU/mL, respectively. It was thought that this microbial growth was due to the incomplete inactivation of raw milk by the heat treatment, resulting into growth during the pressing and the drying process. It demonstrated the possibility that if heat- and acid-resistant hazard microbes are present in raw milk, they can grow during the processes. Lactic acid bacterial counts of the irradiated cheese were 5.45${\pm}$0.02 log CFU/mL at 1kGy, 2.12${\pm}$0.12 log CFU/mL at 2kGy, and not detected at 3kGy or higher doses. The reduction of antigenicity by gamma irradiation was not found. It might be caused by the fact that most whey proteins of milk, a major antigen in milk, were already denaturated by heat process and removed during the draining.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.174-179
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• 2007

Seedlot disinfection techniques to control mung bean sprout rot caused by Colletoricum acutatum and C. gloeosporioides were evaluated for commercial production scheme. Soaking seedlots in propolis (100 X) and ethanol (20% for 30 min) appeared promising with control values of 85.5 and 80.8 respectively, but still resulted in up to 20% rot incidence. None of the C. acutatum conidia survived through hot water immersion treatment (HWT) for 10 min at temperatures of 55, 60 and $65^{\circ}C$, whereas the effective range of the dry heat treatment (DHT) was $60-65^{\circ}C$. Tolerance of mung bean seedlot, as estimated by hypocotyl elongation and root growth, was lower for HWT than for DHT. Germination and growth of sprouts were excellent over the range of $55-65^{\circ}C\;at\;5^{\circ}C$ intervals, except for HWT at $65^{\circ}C$ for 5 min. At this marginal condition, heat damage appeared so that approximately 2% of seeds failed to sprout to normal germling and retarded sprouts were less than 5% with coarse wrinkled hypocotyls. These results suggested that DHT would be more feasible to disinfect mung bean seedlots for commercial sprout production. Heat treatment at above ranges was highly effective in eliminating the epiphytic bacterial strains associated with marketed sprout rot samples. HWT of seedlot at 55 and $60^{\circ}C$ for 5 min resulted in successful control of mung bean sprout rot incidence with marketable sprout quality. DHT at 60 and $65^{\circ}C$ for 30 min also gave good results through the small-scale sprouting system. Therefore, we optimized DHT scheme at 60 and $65^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, considering the practical value of seedlot disinfection with high precision and accuracy. This was further proved to be a feasible and reliable method against anthracnose incidence and those bacterial strains associated with marketed sprout rot samples as well, through factory scale mung bean sprout production system.