<title>Micro-Raman scattering and infrared spectra of hemoglobin</title>

Confocal micro-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopies have been used for detection of radiation influence of hemoglobin of patients examined by radio-isotopes diagnosis (Tc99m). After irradiation we observed some little changes of the Raman scattering bands which connected with out of plane porphyrine bending vibrations, also we observed additional band due to methemoglobin. Radiation of blood lead to the transition from hemoglobin (Fe2+) to methemoglobin (Fe3+) with a delocalization of iron from porphyrine plane. It was shown that FT-IR spectra indicate the radiation effects on hemoglobin.© (2008) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is per…

Fructan Biosynthesis by Intra- and Extracellular Zymomonas mobilis Levansucrase after Simultaneous Production of Ethanol and Levan

Summary The chemical composition of the Zymomonas mobilis biomass and the culture liquid after ethanol and levan synthesis were studied. The activities of intra- and extracellular levansucrase produced by the Z. mobilis strain 113 ”S” under optimum conditions both for levan and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) synthesis were also determined. It was shown that levan production relates to the reduction of the carbohydrate and lipid content in the biomass by increasing the nucleic acid and protein content. The levan producing activity of cellular levansucrase after ethanol and levan synthesis was approximately 30–40% of the total activity in the second fermentation stage. It was established that th…

Stillage as a Source of Growth Promoting Biofactors and a Stimulator of Levan and Extracellular Levansucrase Synthesis for Zymomonas mobilis

In the present work, the fermentation of simultaneous production of ethanol and levan by Zymomonas mobilis grown on different growth media has been studied. Yeast extract, rye stillage or sugar beet molasses stillage were used as additives to the basic sucrose media and the chemical composition, including vitamins, of the cultivation liquids have been determined. It has been shown that 0.5 % of yeast extract dry weight additive could be substituted by 10.0 % of native stillage additive. It was established that molasses stillage stimulates the ethanol synthesis, but rye stillage additive is more preferable for levan production. The extracellular levansucrase obtained from the culture liquid …

Crypthecodinium cohnii Growth and Omega Fatty Acid Production in Mediums Supplemented with Extract from Recycled Biomass

Crypthecodinium cohnii is a marine heterotrophic dinoflagellate that can accumulate high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and thus has the potential to replace conventional PUFAs production with eco-friendlier technology. So far, C. cohnii cultivation has been mainly carried out with the use of yeast extract (YE) as a nitrogen source. In the present study, alternative carbon and nitrogen sources were studied: the extraction ethanol (EE), remaining after lipid extraction, as a carbon source, and dinoflagellate extract (DE) from recycled algae biomass C. cohnii as a source of carbon, nitrogen, and vitamins. In mediums with glucose and DE, the highest specific biomass gr…

Effective Degradation of Cigarette Butts via Treatment with Old Landfill Leachates

In this paper, results of feasibility study on microplastics (MPs) assessment in leachates from the Latvian solid municipal landfill Getliņi are discussed. The application of leachates for the treatment of cigarette butts (CGB) was evaluated. Methods of fluorescent microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and FTIR-microscopy were used for the identification and characterization of MPs in the leachates and analysis of CGB. Presence of the secondary MPs (e.g., degraded polyolefin mixtures) was determined in the tested landfill leachates, while cellulose acetate (CA) was not determined in these products. The leachates were tested as potential media for the thermophilic (55°C)…

Miniature diamond-anvil cells for FTIR-microspectroscopy of small quantities of biosamples.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques and data analyses have become widely available, are easy to use, and are convenient for studies of various biosamples, especially in biomedical science. Yet, cultivation of cells and purification of cell components are costly, often methodically challenging, and time and labor consuming. Therefore, reduction of the sample amount is of high value. Here we propose a novel method for the analysis of small quantities of biosamples by FTIR-microscopy of dry films using a diamond-anvil cell (DAC). This approach allows us to decrease the sample volume at least a hundred times compared to that for a high-throughput screening device (HTS-XT, …

IR-spectroscopic studies of Zymomonas mobilis and levan precipitate

Abstract The mid-infrared (mid-IR) absorption spectra of Zymomonas mobilis 113 “S” bacterial biomass grown in sucrose or glucose medium, and levan precipitate in the fingerprint region were studied. IR-qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out. The principal component concentration changes in Z. mobilis biomass at different growth phases showed that protein concentration was higher in case of glucose-based medium, but the total carbohydrate concentration was higher if grown in sucrose-based medium. Low concentration of intracellular carbohydrates was a characteristic parameter of levan-producing Z. mobilis cells. It was shown that during 2-month storage of Z. mobilis inoculum i…

Metabolic Profiling of Glucose-Fed Metabolically Active Resting Zymomonas mobilis Strains

Zymomonas mobilis is the most efficient bacterial ethanol producer and its physiology is potentially applicable to industrial-scale bioethanol production. However, compared to other industrially important microorganisms, the Z. mobilis metabolome and adaptation to various nutritional and genetic perturbations have been poorly characterized. For rational metabolic engineering, it is essential to understand how central metabolism and intracellular redox balance are maintained in Z. mobilis under various conditions. In this study, we applied quantitative mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to explore how glucose-fed non-growing Z. mobilis Zm6 cells metabolically adapt to change of oxygen avai…

Metabolic response of bacteria to elevated concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicide.

Abstract Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widespread commonly used broad-spectrum herbicides that contaminate soils and waters, are toxic to bacteria, plants and animals, and have been classified as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2015. Particular soil bacteria and fungi can degrade GBHs, hence, search for new GBH-degrading strains or microbial consortia, effective under specific growth conditions and local environment, seems to be a promising solution for bio-remediation of glyphosate-contaminated environment. Consequently, there is a need for rapid and informative methods to evaluate the GBH-induced changes of the meta…

Potato pulp as a composting substrate

Potato pulp is a waste, which is produced in considerable quantities by starch manufacturing industry. Addition of pulp fibre residue to soil results in beneficial effects on soil physical and biochemical properties. In this study, organic potato pulp was mixed with organic grass in three concentrations (75:25 (A), 50:50 (B) and 25:75 (C) % w/w) with the aim of comparing the dynamics of the composting process during a 30-day period. A mini-field experiment was conducted in 0.7 m 3 windrows which were left without covering and additional mixing during composting process, except sampling procedure. During 30-days’ experiment the C:N ratio decreased from 25÷30 to 13÷17 indicating the active co…

FT-IR spectroscopy studies of the breast cancer cell composition changes induced by Au-BSA nanoclusters

OATS AND FAT-FREE MILK BASED FUNCTIONAL FOOD PRODUCT

The present study addresses problems and solutions related to new functional bio-active food product creation. Commercial rolled oats and fat-free milk were used as raw materials. Limited enzymatic hydrolysis of oat starch was carried out by α-amylase. The lactic acid bacteria strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium sp., and commercial starter cultures ABT-1 were cultivated in enzymatically hydrolysed oat mash. Lactobacillus acidophilus was a more active producer of lactic acid, while Bifidobacterium sp. improved the taste properties. A fat-free milk additive was applied to stabilise the texture of the oat mash, and increase the protein content of the final product. All procedure…

Syntrophy of Crypthecodinium cohnii and immobilized Zymomonas mobilis for docosahexaenoic acid production from sucrose-containing substrates

Marine heterotrophic dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii is an aerobic oleaginous microorganism that accumulates intracellular lipid with high content of 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a polyunsaturated ω-3 (22:6) fatty acid with multiple health benefits. C. cohnii can grow on glucose and ethanol, but not on sucrose or fructose. For conversion of sucrose-containing renewables to C. cohnii DHA, we investigated a syntrophic process, involving immobilized cells of ethanologenic bacterium Zymomonas mobilis for fermenting sucrose to ethanol. The non-respiring, NADH dehydrogenase-deficient Z. mobilis strain Zm6-ndh, with high ethanol yield both under anaerobic and aerobic condition…

Anhydrobiosis in yeast: FT-IR spectroscopic studies of yeast grown under conditions of severe oxygen limitation

Anhydrobiosis is a unique state of living organisms when metabolism is temporarily and reversibly delayed in response to the extreme desiccation of cells. The production of dry active preparations of yeast grown under anaerobic conditions is not currently possible because preparations are extremely sensitive to the dehydration procedure, though they could be very helpful in different biotechnological processes, including bioethanol production. To characterize mechanisms responsible for such sensitivity to the dehydration procedure, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to study the composition of aerobically grown yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae resistant to dehydration and grown …

Hydrogen-producingEscherichia colistrains overexpressing lactose permease: FT-IR analysis of the lactose-induced stress

The lactose permease gene (lacY) was overexpressed in the septuple knockout mutant of Escherichia coli, previously engineered for hydrogen production from glucose. It was expected that raising the lactose transporter activity would elevate the intracellular lactose concentration, inactivate the lactose repressor, induce the lactose operon, and as a result stimulate overall lactose consumption and conversion. However, overexpression of the lactose transporter caused a considerable growth delay in the recombinant strain on lactose, resembling to some extent the "lactose killing" phenomenon. Therefore, the recombinant strain was subjected to selection on lactose-containing media. Selection on …

FT-IR spectroscopic analysis for studying Clostridium cell response to conversion of enzymatically hydrolyzed hay

Abstract Grass hay is one of assailable cellulose containing non-food agricultural wastes that can be used as a carbohydrate source by microorganisms producing biofuels. In this study three Clostridium strains Clostridium acetobutylicum, Clostridium beijerinckii and Clostridium tetanomorphum, capable of producing acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) were adapted to convert enzymatically hydrolyzed hay used as a growth media additive. The results of growth curves, substrate degradation kinetics and FT-IR analyses of bacterial biomass macromolecular composition showed diverse strain-specific cell response to the growth medium composition.

Cultivation of algae with indigenous species – Potentials for regional biofuel production

The massive need for sustainable energy has led to an increased interest in new energy resources, such as production of algae, for use as biofuel. There are advantages to using algae, for example, ...

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on the dehydrogenase and quinone-reductase activity of irradiated Lactobacillus plantarum cells

Abstract The resistance of lactobacilli to oxidative stress is of great importance for their applicability as probiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the response of Lactobacillus plantarum strain ATCC® 14917™, grown in either de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar (MRS medium) or tryptic soy broth (TSB medium), to 1–2 mM H2O2 after the exposure to different doses of ionising radiation. Two bacterial extracellular enzyme groups, dehydrogenases (DHAs) and quinone reductases (QRs), served as the criteria of viability and antioxidant activity, respectively. The irradiated L. plantarum culture grown in TSB showed increased QR activity at irradiation doses of 2–50 Gy, with the maximum activity at 10 G…

FT-IR spectroscopic investigation of bacterial cell envelopes from Zymomonas mobilis which have different surface hydrophobicities

Abstract Changes in the cell envelope composition of bacteria Zymomonas mobilis 113S which resulted in varied cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) were examined using FT-IR-spectroscopy and conventional methods of biochemical analysis. Significant differences in all analyses were detected between hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds in the envelopes of Z. mobilis . A significant positive linear relationship ( P Z. mobilis and the ratio of absorbance band intensities assigned to the CH 2 and CH 3 vibrations from lipids as well as the asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations of these methylene and methyl groups. Differences were also seen between the ratio of band absorbances arising from…

Evaluation of sewage sludge-based compost by FT-IR spectroscopy

The aerobic batch composting fermentations of sewage sludge with wood chips and maturity compost as co-composting additives were carried out in an open type lab-scale reactor. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the composting process, evaluate the degradation rate and thus determine the maturity. Although the composition of the input mixture strongly affects the shape of the infrared (IR) spectra, typical bands of components can be selected and used to follow the composting process. The appearance, shape and intensity of the nitrate band at 1384 cm 1 was well pronounced and evident for a sewage sludgebased compost maturity. An increase of the pe…

Antibacterial Activity of Extracts from Some Bryophytes

The antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of 11 Bryophyta species and 9 Marchantiophyta species collected in Latvia was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. The extract of Lophocolea heterophylla inhibited the growth of B. cereus, but none of the tested extracts inhibited the growth of E. coli. 70% of bryophyte species demonstrated certain activity in relation to S. aureus. In general, 73% of ethanolic extracts and 39% of aqueous extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The highest degree of antibacterial activity against S. aureus was shown by the ethanolic extract of Dicranum scoparium and aqueous extracts of At…

FTIR spectroscopy studies of high pressure-induced changes in pork macromolecular structure

Abstract High pressure processing (HPP) allows to extend the shelf life of meat and meat products by pressurization of microorganisms. At the same time, HPP can induce changes of the protein structure. Vacuum-packed pork chops were HPP-treated at 300, 600 MPa for 1 or 15 min. Samples of raw, cooked and HPP-treated meat muscles and juice were analysed to evaluate the structure of macromolecules. HPP caused visible discolouration of pork chops; hence, the colour of pork meat surface was tested. The lightness (colour component L*) was directly proportional to the applied pressure, probably due to the increased protein denaturation by high pressure. Pork meat muscle and juice samples were analy…

Raman and infrared spectromicroscopy of manganese oxides

Abstract Confocal micro-Raman and micro-FT-IR spectroscopies have been used to probe the phase composition of nominally pure single-crystal MnO and mixed MnO–Mn 3 O 4 samples, grown by the method of chemical transport reactions on MgO(1 0 0) substrate. The presence of spinel Mn 3 O 4 phase has been clearly detected in both samples by Raman and FT-IR spectroscopies. The size of the spinel Mn 3 O 4 phase regions has been estimated to be below 20 μm.

An increased sensitivity of hydrocarbons-degrading bacteria to heavy metals in the presence of diesel oil

Drying enhances immunoactivity of spent brewer's yeast cell wall β-D-glucans.

Due to immunological activity, microbial cell wall polysaccharides are defined as 'biological response modifiers' (BRM). Cell walls of spent brewer's yeast also have some BRM activity. However, up to date there is no consensus on the use of spent brewer's yeast D-glucan as specific BRM in humans or animals. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of spent brewer's yeast β-D-glucans as BRM, and drying as an efficient pretreatment to increase β-D-glucan's immunogenic activity. Our results revealed that drying does not change spent brewer's yeast biomass carbohydrate content as well as the chemical structure of purified β-D-glucan. However, drying increased purified β-D-glucan TN…

Comparative investigation of the macromolecular composition of mycelia forms Thielavia terrestris by infrared spectroscopy

Using analytical and infrared spectroscopic methods, the differences between the composition of diffuse and pellet forms of mycelium of the ascomycete Thielavia terrestris were described. Quantitative estimates of the amounts of protein, nucleic acids and carbohydrates in T. terrestris showed a predominance of catabolic processes in the metabolism of the pelleted form, in comparison to the diffused form.

Spectroscopic and electrochemical study of interactions between DNA and different salts of 1,4-dihydropyridine AV-153

1,4-dihydropyridines (1,4-DHP) possess important biochemical and pharmacological properties, including antimutagenic and DNA-binding activity. The latter activity was first described for water-soluble 1,4-DHP with carboxylic group in position 4, the sodium salt of the 1,4-DHP derivative AV-153 among others. Some data show the modification of physicochemical properties and biological activities of organic compounds by metal ions that form the salts. We demonstrated the different affinity to DNA and DNA-protecting capacity of AV-153 salts, depending on the salt-forming ion (Na, K, Li, Rb, Ca, Mg). This study aimed to use different approaches to collate data on the DNA-binding mode of AV-153-N…

Stability of levan produced by Zymomonas mobilis

Abstract The stability of levan produced by Zymomonas mobilis 113 “S” was investigated during storage of culture liquid at different pH and temperatures. Levan was not degraded if stored in a culture liquid for 120 h at 30 or 25 °C, but at 55 or 60 °C the degree of degradation was inversely proportional to pH. Cell biomass and levan sediment components did not cause the degradation of levan. The influence of organic acids (lactic-, acetic-, and gluconic) and HCl as levan hydrolyzing agents at pH 3.7, temperature 30 °C or 55 °C was investigated in a model solution. The hydrolytic effect was similar in the case of organic acids—ensuring more fructose formation, while HCl ensured higher amount…

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a tool for investigation of microbial response to the multi-component organic contamination

The influence of fermentation conditions on biomass composition during ethanol biosynthesis from cheese whey lactose concentrate by Kluyveromyces marxianus

Spectrophotometric study of DNA interactions with ftorafur and its elementoorganic derivatives

ABSTRACTFtorafur is an antimetabolite antitumour drug successfully used for treatment of various tumours. It is generally accepted that ftorafur is converted to 5-fluoruracil. However, some data indicate direct interactions of the compound with DNA. To test this hypothesis we have performed spectrophotometric study of DNA interactions of ftorafur and some of its elementoorganic derivatives with DNA. UV-VIS spectra of the tested compounds were recorded in absence and presence of increasing amounts of DNA. DNA caused a hypochromic effect in spectra of ftorafur, similar, but weaker effect was observed in 5-fluoruracil spectra. Trimethylgermyl derivative of ftorafur manifested a higher DNA-bind…

Quantitative analysis of oat by Infrared spectroscopy

Oat products as a source of soluble dietary fibre have shown to exhibit distinct hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycaemic effects in humans and recently have become a key focus of the nutrition and medical communities. Interest in assaying the contents of (1→3), (1→4)-β-D-ghican, referred to hereafter as β-glucan, in barley, malt and oat has been increasing because of its nutritional and technological importance [1].

Fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke by Zymomonas and Saccharomyces

PurposeThe aim of this study is to find out the appropriate fermentation conditions of Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) based media to obtain light beverage containing inulin.Design/methodology/approachJAP water suspension or filtrate were used for preparation of growth media with or without enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin for fermentation by Zymomonas mobilis 113 “S” or Saccharomyces cerevisiae.FindingsIf enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin was not used significantly higher amount of inulin (7.42 per cent) was unconverted by Z. mobilis than by S. cerevisiae (2.22 per cent) while the ethanol concentration was much higher (2.86 per cent) after S. cerevisiae fermentation than after Z. mobilis ferme…

Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 cell surface hydrophobicity and survival of the cells under adverse environmental conditions.

Abstract Changes in the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 and the survival of these cells were examined in response to varied cultivation conditions and adverse environmental conditions. An inverse linear relationship (P < 0.01) was detected between the CSH of intact L. acidophilus La5 and B. lactis Bb12 and survival of cells subjected to subsequent freezing/thawing, long-term storage or exposure to mineral and bile acids. The observed relationships were supported by significant correlations between the CSH and changes in composition of the cell envelopes (proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) of L. aci…

DNA-binding studies of AV-153, an antimutagenic and DNA repair-stimulating derivative of 1,4-dihydropiridine.

Abstract The ability to intercalate between DNA strands determines the cytotoxic activity of numerous anticancer drugs. Strikingly, intercalating activity was also reported for some compounds considered to be antimutagenic. The aim of this study was to determine the mode of interaction of DNA with the antimutagenic and DNA repair-stimulating dihydropyridine (DHP) AV-153. DNA and AV-153 interactions were studied by means of UV/VIS spectroscopy, fluorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. Compound AV-153 is a 1,4 dihydropyridine with ethoxycarbonyl groups in positions 3 and 5. Computer modeling of AV-153 and DNA interactions suggested an ability of the compound to dock between DNA strands at a sin…

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analyses of cellulose from different bacterial cultivations using microspectroscopy and a high-throughput screening device

Abstract Broad application of bacterial cellulose (BC) has led to search for new commercially interesting producers and consequently also for low-cost screening methods to select BC with particular properties. BC produced by four symbiotic Kombucha associations and fourteen acetic acid bacteria isolated from these Kombucha associations were purified by frequent washing with distilled water and pre-treatment with alkali. The obtained native and mercerized BC pellicles were analysed by two common time-saving FT-IR spectroscopy methods—high-throughput screening (HTS) and microspectroscopy. The FT-IR spectra showed traces of microbial cells and acids entrapped between the microfibrils of BC eve…

Ecotoxicological study on multi-component contamination with hydrocarbons and heavy metals

Development ofBifidobacterium lactis Bb 12 onβ-(2,6)-Linked Fructan-Containing Substrate

β-(2,1)-linked fructan of plant origin (inulin) and the related oligosaccharides (FOS) as non-digestible carbohydrates, i.e., potent prebiotics, can stimulate the growth of various probiotic lactic acid bacteria, including a number of bifidobacteria strains. The related (3-(2,6)-linked fructans of microbial origin (levan and FOS), however, have scarcely been investigated in this respect. Therefore, the bifidogenic properties of various fructans, i.e., inulin, levan, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and fructan syrup (FS), were tested as glucose substitutes in MRS media and were compared concerning their effect on the commercial strain Bifidobacterium lactis Bb 12. Although glucose was the prefe…

Modeling the mobility of glyphosate from two contrasting agricultural soils in laboratory column experiments

Glyphosate (GLP) currently is one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide. The persistence of GLP and its major metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in the environment has been described by other authors. This study was aimed at comparing the GLP and AMPA behavior in sandy and loamy sand soils after spiking with enhanced (445 µg g−1) concentrations of GLP in herbicide KLINIK® (Nufarm, Austria) and bioaugmentation followed by 40 days weathering and a consistent three-stage leaching in a laboratory column experiment. Soil samples were obtained from mineral topsoil (0–10 cm) within former agricultural lands where soil parent material was formed by glacigenic deposits. The total a…

Optimization of Nitrification Process by a Bacterial Consortium in the Submerged Biofiltration System with Ceramic Bead Carrier

Laboratory-scale solid phase submerged system was developed to study the process of ammonium biodegradation. Ceramic beads were found to be an appropriate carrier material for the attachment of thePNN bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas sp., Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp.) exhibiting nitrification/denitrification activity. This consortium was previously isolated from a biological activated sludge process at a fish factory wastewater treatment plant. Three organic amendments - molasses, humic acid extract, and malt extract - were used for the ceramic bead pretreatment. Molasses significantly enhanced (p<0.05) the process of bacteria attachment onto the ceramic carrier and further ammonium r…

Monitoring of a biotechnological process by FTIR spectroscopy of bacterial cells

In monitoring and control of biotechnological processes, the assessment of he physiological status of the organism is a crucial but difficult task. Mostly, process monitoring is based on the measurement of simple physico-chemical variables, trying to relate these to the status of the organism. We present here an approach which is based directly on the analysis of the microorganism cells.