Search

This study was performed from February to April 2006; several visits were made to abattoirs in the north of Iran for Hypoderma spp infestation. Necropsy inspection of slaughtered and skinned animals were carried out by examination of the inner skin surface and subcutaneous tissues. Warbles were isolated by squeezing nodules from subcutaneous tissues. In the case of abscess presence, aseptic sample were taken from abscesses. The parasitological and bacteriological examinations were performed on the samples. The results indicated that 104 out of 958 of slaughtered animals were infested to Hypoderma spp in which 48 (46.15 %), 34 (32.69 %) and 22 (21.15 %) were infested to Hypoderma bovis, Hypoderma lineatum and both species, respectively. Following bacterial analysis, the following bacteria were isolated: Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumonia.

Spent yeast from craft beers often includes more hops ( Humulus lupulus L.) secondary metabolites than traditional recipes. These compounds include α- and β- acids, which are antimicrobial to the rumen hyper ammonia-producing bacteria ( HAB) that are major contributors to amino acid degradation. The objective was to determine if the hops acids in spent craft brewer's yeast ( CY; ~ 3·5 mg g−1 hops acids) would protect it from degradation by caprine rumen bacteria and HAB when compared to a baker's yeast ( BY; no hops acids). Cell suspensions were prepared by harvesting rumen fluid from fistulated goats, straining and differential centrifugation. The cells were re-suspended in media with BY or CY. After 24 h (39 °C), HAB were enumerated and ammonia was measured. Fewer HAB and less ammonia was produced from CY than from BY. Pure culture experiments were conducted with Peptostreptococcus anaerobius BG1 (caprine HAB). Ammonia production by BG1 from BY was greater than from CY. Ammonia production was greater when exogenous amino acids were included, but similar inhibition was observed in CY treatments. These results indicate that rumen micro-organisms deaminated the amino acids in CY to a lesser degree than BY. Significance and Impact of the Study Spent brewer's yeast has long been included in ruminant diets as a protein supplement. However, modern craft beers often include more hops ( Humulus lupulus L.) than traditional recipes. These compounds include α- and β- acids, which are antimicrobial to the rumen hyper ammonia-producing bacteria ( HAB) that are major contributors to amino acid degradation. This study demonstrated that hops acids in spent craft brewer's yeast protected protein from destruction by HAB in vitro. These results suggest that the spent yeast from craft breweries, a source of beneficial hops secondary metabolites, could have value as rumen-protected protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hospital acquired infections are associated with prolonged hospitalization and visibly increased mortality & cost. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections VAP complicates the course of 9-70% % of mechanically ventilated patients and mortality varies greatly from 20-25% depending on the defining criteria and specific population being studied. As little is known about the epidemiology, risk factors, and microbiology of VAP in pediatrics we conducted this study to find most common micro-organisms and related risk factors. Materials and methods: We select 1-15 months intubated pediatric patients in Ali- Asghar children hospital in Tehran from 1388 up to end of 1389. 63 cases (36 male & 27 female) were included in this study with mean age 22.32±37.84 months. We identified 26 cases with VAP by positive protected bronchial brush. There was no differences between two groups of patients with & without VAP by considering variables such as nasogastric tube, head position, antacid administration, immunosuppressant drugs & chest physiotherapy. Results: The most common organisms, were Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus & Enterobacter. However, there was no differences between two groups related to the etiologic agents. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that most of the complications defined as VAP are patient-related, not modifiable risk factors and it seems that the new prevention strategies are needed to decrease the mortality in intensive care unit patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw chicken meat was comminuted and homogenised. There were measured water activity and pH (aw = 1 for temperature 25°C, pH = 5.8 for temperature 8°C). Input raw material was investigated for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes (negative) and the raw meat was inoculated by Listeria monocytogenes CCM 4699. Number of Listeria monocytogenes, total plate count and number of coliforms were determined in the range 0-7 days by bacteriological survey for the storage temperatures 4.9, 7 and 8.3°C. The increase of Listeria monocytogenes counts has been registered for temperature 4.9°C about log 1.5 CFU/g after 6 days, for temperatures 7 and 8.3°C about 2 log CFU/g (regarding to the starting counts). The prediction for listeria growth with the aid of Food MicroModel was also made. The best agreement between the experimentally analysed number of bacteria and prediction was received for the lowest incubation temperature 4.9°C.

This paper introduces the historical view of microbiology and discuss the importance of microorganisms not only as causative agents of disease but also as important contributors to food production, antibiotic manufacture, vaccine development, and environmental management. Microbiology contributed significantly to the development of new branches like biochemistry, Genetics and molecular biology. It presents a brief history of the science of microbiology an overview of the microbial world a discussion of the scope and relevance of microbiology in today's society and predictions about the future of microbiology.

Microorganisms are widely spreader in our environments. Some of them are pathogens, while many of them are useful for our life. In this regards, recently, many bio-industries are totally relying on the beneficial use of microorganisms, e.g. antibiotic and enzymes productions, wastewater treatment, biofuel and bioelectricity generation, and etc. Nowadays, a lot of debate is going on the overuse of chemical herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers, as they become an environmental hazard. On the other hand, our Egyptian society needs more attention on the improvement of water quality as well as development the agricultural field; thus, we paid our full attention to utilize certain types of microorganisms to improve the fertilization of agricultural soil and to contribute in the wastewater treatment process. There for we must to research seriously to found the safe and economic alternative replacement for chemical fertilization and more effectively wastewater treatment fast. Safety and easily procedure in correct way avoid chemicals and expensive and traditional methods for treatment. There's no doubt about that. Healthy soils require organic matter (compost, humus, biochar, and other sources of carbon), microbes, and moisture to promote a healthy environment for plants. The result is strong plants, healthier flowers, greater resistance to diseases and pests, and higher quality fruits and vegetables. During this study, isolation and characterization of strains isolates will be performed. Consequently, the bio-activity of the selected (isolates) on waste water treatment (either to decrease pH. TSS. SS, TDS and also decrease BOD. Via the accumulation features of microbes or to detoxify degrades (the toxic organic substance) as well as the enhancement of crop production will be carefully investigated (How?). (By introducing bacteria as bio-fertilizers). We look forward to exploit the benefits of microorganisms for: ∎ Removal the organic wastes as well as decrease the limit of some important parameter in the wastewater, not only this functions and factors which we search and hope to reach to the complete and high application form wastewater treatment by microorganisms but also increase the clarity of wastewater treatment thorough decrease or reduction the sulfides and bad odor which concept as undesirable factor and results for many pollutants and infection related to other pathogenic microorganisms which make them treated and reusable for the irrigation and other applications . ∎ Introducing bio-fertilizers for green food production and increasing the fertility of agricultural soil and increase crops and vegetables products. (Generally increase plant yields) with safety way and protect our healthy away from hazards and chemical fertilization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims The medical complications of injecting preparations from crushed tablets can be severe, and most can be attributed to the injection of insoluble particles and micro-organisms. Previously we have shown that most of the particles can be removed by filtration, but it was not known whether bacteria could also be filtered in the presence of a high particle load. This study aims to determine the feasibility of filtration to remove bacteria from injections prepared from tablets. Design and Methods Injections were prepared from crushed slow-release morphine tablets, in mixed bacterial suspensions of S taphylococcus aureus, S treptococcus pyogenes and P seudomonas aeruginosa. The injection suspensions were passed through syringe filters of porosity 0.45 or 0.20 μm, or combined 0.8 then 0.2 μm, and the bacterial load was counted. Results Bacterial concentrations in unfiltered injections were 2.5-4.3 × 106 colony forming units mL −1. Both the 0.20 and 0.45 μm filters blocked unless a prefilter (cigarette filter) was used first. The 0.2 μm filter and the combined 0.8/0.2 μm filter reduced the bacteria to the limit of detection (10 colony forming units mL −1) or below. Filtration through a 0.45 μm filter was slightly less effective. Discussion and Conclusions Use of a 0.2 μm filter, together with other injection hygiene measures, offers the prospect of greatly reducing the medical complications of injecting crushed tablets and should be considered as a highly effective harm reduction method. It is very likely that these benefits would also apply to other illicit drug injections, although validation studies are needed. [Ng H, Patel RP, Latham R, Bruno R, Wanandy R, McLean S. Filtration of crushed tablet suspensions has potential to reduce infection incidence in people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:67-73] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol demand has continued to grow, both as an alternative fuel and as a petroleum fuel extender because of gasoline shortages. Ethanol production from renewable carbohydrate materials has attracted worldwide interest, and much research has focused on ethanol production using immobilized viable microbial cells in continuous systems. Biochemical pathway, the main reactor used for fermentation is classical well-mixed reactor need to be improved to the continuous reactor to reduce the operation cost, product inhibition and wash out. Immobilized biomass (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) activity has been given more attention, since it has been acknowledged to play a significant role in bioreactor performance. An attempt has been made to compare the production of bioethanol in batch, packed, fluidized bed bio-reactors. Present study, focused mainly sodium alginate (2% to 6%) as micro-organism support for production of bio-ethanol in all three reactors and find the better reactor and better concentration of sodium alginate for immobilization of yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study aimed at screening micro-organisms for their capacity to absorb cadmium from an aqueous cadmium solution and focused on cadmium absorption by Arthrobacter nicotianae which indicated the maximum cadmium absorption of all tested strains. The absorptions of rare earths in growing and resting cells were examined. It suggests that metal ions like copper, uranium and rare earths must be pre-removed with micro-organisms before cadmium adsorption can be achieved.

The motion of a self propelling micro-organism symmetrically located in a rectangular channel containing viscous fluid has been studied by considering the peristaltic and longitudinal waves travelling along the walls of the channel. Theexpressions for the velocity of the micro-organism and time average flux have been obtained under long wavelength approximation by taking into account the viscosity variation of the fluid across the channel. Particular cases for constant viscosity and when it is represented by a step function have been discussed. It has been observed that the velocity of the micro-organism decreases as the viscosity of the peripheral layer increases and its thickness decreases.

Aim The aim of the study was to assess and compare the effect of chlorhexidine varnish and fluoride varnish application on Streptococcus mutans counts in plaque of occlusal pits and fissures of permanent mandibular first molars. Materials and methods The study was an in vivo comparative study, conducted among 50 schoolchildren aged 7-8 years under a field setting. The 50 subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Baseline plaque samples were collected from all the subjects followed by the application of two varnishes, Cervitec and Duraphat. The varnish was applied to pit and fissures of occlusal surface of mandibular first molar. The varnish application was carried out on the first day, fifth day and tenth day after baseline plaque sampling. Subsequent plaque samples were collected at the end of 1 month and at the end of 3 months after the varnish application. Results The Cervitec varnish has shown a statistically significant reduction at the end of 1 month and at the end of 3 months ( P < 0.05). Duraphat varnish did not show a statistically significant difference in reducing the plaque S. mutans count at the end of 1 month and third month ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Cervitec varnish was found to be effective in reducing S. mutans count for a 3-month period, when compared to Duraphat varnish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of the present case series was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of a single session of mechanical and manual scaling and root planing ( SRP) combined with the use of two different chlorhexidine formulations in the treatment for generalized chronic periodontitis. Methods Ten patients affected by chronic periodontal disease with periodontal probing depth ( PPD) ≥ 5 mm were treated with SRP plus local chlorhexidine. In each patient, similar teeth, treated with SRP with the adjunctive use of chlorhexidine digluconate and dihydrochloride or chlorhexidine gluconate, respectively, were selected and assigned to a test and a control group. In both groups, PPD, bleeding on probing ( BOP) parameters, total bacterial counts ( TBC) and quality of periodontal bacteria at time 0 and 6 weeks after treatment were measured. Results PPD significantly decreased over time both in the test and in the control group; however, no significant differences between the two groups were observed. BOP and TBC were significantly lower in the test than in the control group 6 weeks after treatment. In the post-treatment revaluation, a significant decrease both in the treatment and in the control group, for each of the single periodontal pathogens, was observed. Conclusion In this study - a preliminary case series with small sample size and short follow-up - the adjunctive use of chlorhexidine (CHX) to SRP resulted in clinical and microbiological benefits in the treatment for generalized chronic periodontitis. A CHX gel formulation consisting of CHX digluconate and CHX dihydrochloride seems to lead some additional benefits over SRP plus CHX gluconate in the short term. Additional investigations are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this antiseptic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a new experimental nano-hydroxyapatite epoxy resin-based sealer (Nanoseal) with several other commercially available sealers; AH26, Tubliseal, Sealapex and Roekoseal against Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Escherichia coli for up to 7 days. Agar diffusion was used in this study. Fifty Muller-Hinton agar plates were prepared and divided into five experimental groups ( n = 10), for each micro-organism. Another 10 agar plates were used as positive and negative controls. Endodontic sealers were tested against each micro-organism. Inhibition zones produced were recorded. The results of this study showed that all test materials exhibited inhibition zones towards the tested micro-organisms for 7 days except for Roekoseal, which showed no inhibition zones. Nanoseal and AH26 exhibited similar zones of inhibition. Significant difference was found between Nanoseal and the other tested sealers ( P < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As petroleum and good quality coal reserves in India are depleting, hence alternative renewable source of energy is the demand of the time. At the same time management of huge quantities of garbage produced in India is also a serious problem. Therefore, anaerobic digestion of garden-waste was tried using some indigenous natural sources to find potential microbes for the gasification of garden-waste. For this study four natural sources i.e. cow-dung, paddy field soil, mine water and termites were used. From the study it is inferred that microbes present in paddy field soil when enriched on garden-waste gave best results out of four natural sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysis has been applied to the remediation of an extensive range of chemical pollutants in water over the past 30 years. The application of this versatile technology for removal of micro-organisms and cyanotoxins has recently become an area that has also been the subject of extensive research particularly over the past decade. This paper considers recent research in the application of semiconductor photocatalysis for the treatment of water contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms and cyanotoxins. The basic processes involved in photocatalysis are described and examples of recent research into the use of photocatalysis for the removal of a range of microorganisms are detailed. The paper concludes with a review of the key research on the application of this process for the removal of chemical metabolites generated from cyanobacteria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the antibacterial activity of henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn) obtained from different regions of Oman against a wide array of micro-organisms. Methods: Fresh henna samples were obtained from different regions of Oman as leaves and seeds. 100 g fresh and dry leaves and 50 g of fresh and dry seeds were separately soaked in 500 mL of ethanol for three days, respectively, with frequent agitation. The mixture was filtered, and the crude extract was collected. The crude extract was then heated, at 48 °C in a water bath to evaporate its liquid content. The dry crude henna extract was then tested for its antibacterial activity using well-diffusion antibiotic susceptibility technique. Henna extracts were investigated for their antibacterial activity at different concentrations against a wide array of different micro-organisms including a laboratory standard bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCTC 10662) (P. aeruginosa) and eleven fresh clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from patients attending the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). 2-Hydroxy-p-Nathoqinone-Tech (2-HPNT, MW=174.16, C10H6O3) was included as control (at 50% concentration) along with the henna samples tested. Results: Henna samples demonstrated antibacterial activity against all isolates but the highest susceptibility was against P. aeruginosa with henna samples obtained from Al-sharqyia region. Conclusions: Omani henna from Al-sharqyia region demonstrates high in vitro anti-P. aeruginosa activity compared with many henna samples from different regions of Oman. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This review integrates knowledge on the removal of metals and metalloids from contaminated waters in constructed wetlands and offers insight into future R&D priorities. Metal removal processes in wetlands are described. Based on 21 papers, the roles and impacts on efficiency of plants in constructed wetlands are discussed. The effects of plant ecotypes and class (monocots, dicots) and of system size on metal removal are addressed. Metal removal rates in wetlands depend on the type of element (Hg > Mn > Fe = Cd > Pb = Cr > Zn = Cu > Al > Ni > As), their ionic forms, substrate conditions, season, and plant species. Standardized procedures and data are lacking for efficiently comparing properties of plants and substrates. We propose a new index, the relative treatment efficiency index (RTEI), to quantify treatment impacts on metal removal in constructed wetlands. Further research is needed on key components, such as effects of differences in plant ecotypes and microbial communities, in order to enhance metal removal efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a high risk of developing postoperative pneumonia (POP). This study aims to investigate the impact of COPD on POP and the trends for perioperative bronchial colonisation by micro-organisms. Methods: A retrospective chart review was made for 626 patients who underwent lung cancer surgeries at the Chiba University Hospital between 1996 and 2005. The patients were categorised as non-COPD (n =475) and COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) <70%; n =151). All the patients had sputum and bronchial bacterial cultures examined for potentially pathogenic micro-organisms (PPMs). Risk factors for POP and mortality were analysed. Results: Patients with COPD had a significantly higher incidence of POP (23/151, 15.2%) than those without COPD (17/475, 3.6%) (p <0.0001). Preoperative bronchial bacterial examinations showed that 50 of 475 patients without COPD (10.5%) had positive cultures, while the results for 30 of 151 patients with COPD (19.9%) were positive (p =0.0111). Only 31 of 548 patients (5.7%) who did not show any preoperative PPMs had POP, while nine of 78 patients (11.5%) who presented preoperative PPMs had POP (p =0.0469). The PPMs that emerged postoperatively were primarily Staphylococcus aureus (and Gram-negative bacilli (94.4% of PPMs), while they were seen less frequently preoperatively (46.5% of PPMs). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that advanced age and FEV1/FVC were independent risk factors for POP. Patients with POP had significantly worse long-term survivals than those without POP (p =0.0004). Conclusion: COPD was a risk factor for POP. Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacilli should be targets for postoperative prophylactic antibiotic selection. Patients with POP had poor long-term survivals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Experimental investigations on the effects of biofouling on air-side heat transfer and pressure drop for three biofouled finned tube heat exchangers and one clean finned tube heat exchanger were performed. Artificial accelerated method of microorganism growth on the fin surface was used for simulating the biofouled finned tube heat exchangers. Experimental results indicate that the effects of biofouling on the air-side heat transfer coefficient decreases 7.2% at 2.0m/s when the biofouled area ratio is 10%, while it decreases 15.9% at 2.0m/s when the biofouled area ratio is 60%, and biofouling causes a 21.8%∼41.3% increase in pressure drop when the air velocity is between 0.5 and 2.0m/s. The increase of inlet air velocity is helpful to improve the long-term performance of finned tube heat exchanger. Biofouling makes the hydrophilic coating failure, and the condensation water easily converges on the fin surface where biofouling grows. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Microbial biosensors have been developed for voltammetric determination of various substances. This paper describes the development of a new biosorption based microbial biosensor for determination of Cu2+. The developed biosensor is based on carbon paste electrode consisting of whole cells of Circinella sp. Cu2+ was preconcentrated on the electrode surface at open circuit and then cathodically detected with the reduction of Cu2+. The voltammetric responses were evaluated with respect to percentage cell loading in the carbon paste, preconcentration time, pH of preconcentration solution, scan rate and interferences. The optimum response was realized by biosensor constructed using 5mg of dry cell weight per 100mg of carbon paste in pH 5.5 preconcentration solution. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the developed microbial biosensor exhibited an excellent current response to Cu2+ over a linear range from 5.0×10−7 to 1.0×10−5 M (r 2 =0.9938) with a detection limit of 5.4×10−8 M (S/N=3). The microbial biosensor had good sensitivity and reproducibility (R.S.D. 4.3%, n =6). Finally, the applicability of the proposed microbial biosensor to voltammetric determination of Cu2+ in real sample was also demonstrated and validated with atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The amenability of carbonate separation from a sedimentary phosphate ore via the bioflotation process was investigated. The conventional flotation experiments using oleic acid as a collector could not give good results as in the presence of bacteria. Therefore, two types of bacteria were tested in beneficiation of carbonaceous phosphate ore. Flotation experiments were carried out using statistical designs for optimising the main operating parameters. The main parameters used in this study were micro-organism concentration, pH and collector dosage. The optimisation process was conducted using rotatable central composite design (RCCD) as a tool for optimisation. The design results showed that selective separation of carbonate from phosphate can be obtained using bacteria. An optimum concentrate containing 07%MgO and ∼31%P2O5 with a recovery of ∼93% can be obtained at pH 55, a micro-organism concentration of 10 × 107 cells and a collector dosage of 2 kg t–1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One of the important quantities to characterize unsteady behaviour of a cell suspension is the orientational relaxation time, which is the time scale for a micro-organism to re-orientate to its preferred direction from disorientated conditions. In this paper, a swimming micro-organism is modelled as a squirming sphere with prescribed tangential surface velocity, in which the centre of mass of the sphere is displaced from the geometric centre (bottom-heaviness). The orientational relaxation time of bottom-heavy squirmers in a suspension is investigated both analytically and numerically. The three-dimensional movement of 64 identical squirmers in a fluid otherwise at rest, contained in a cube with periodic boundary conditions, is dynamically computed, for random initial positions and orientations. The effects of volume fraction of squirmers, the bottom-heaviness and the squirming mode on the relaxation time are discussed. The results for a semi-dilute suspension show that both the mean stresslet strength and the orientational relaxation time decrease from those for a dilute suspension. We also observe a stress overshoot in some cases. The mechanism for this is different from that for a visco-elastic fluid, and is explained by the change with time of the orientation of squirmers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of semiconductor photocatalysis for treatment of water and air has been the topic of intense research activity over the past 20 years. This powerful process has also been extended to the disinfection of environments contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms. This review summarizes recent developments concerned with the photocatalytic treatment of water contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms presenting a potential hazard to animals and human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The preservation of micro-organisms by different drying methodologies has been used for decades. Freeze drying in particular is the preferred method for transporting and storing vast culture collections of micro-organism strain types. The literature on drying and preserving micro-organisms is extensive, but is often specific to one particular strain. This review attempts to draw some similar concepts and findings together in one paper, to compare different drying techniques, with specific reference to microorganisms. The main topics covered are cell growth phases and concentration, inducing drying tolerance in microbial cells, drying methods, rehydration of dried cells and packaging and storage conditions. Also, particular atention has been paid to the use of freeze drying and the protective matrices used to improve microbial cell viability after drying. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Probiotics are alive micro-organisms, generally bacteria but also yeasts than, when ingested alive in sufficient amount, they have a positive effect on the health going beyond the nutritional ones commonly known. Probiotics may operate through a nutritional and/or health or sanitary effect. Micro-organisms used in animal feed in the EU are mainly bacterial strains of Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the types Bacillus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Streptococcus and strains of yeast belonging to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae species and kluyveromyces. While most of the species and genera are apparently safe, certain micro-organisms may be problematic, particularly the enterococci, which may harbour transmissible antibiotic resistance determinants and bacilli, specially those belonging to the Bacillus cereus group that are known to produce enterotoxins and an emetic toxin. The history and the current legislation in the European Union on probiotics feed additives including the requirements for the safety assessment for the target animal species, consumers, workers, and environment are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of fermentation of whole polished rice grains on the physical properties of rice flour and the rheological characteristics of rice noodles were investigated. Natural fermentation had little effect on the crystalline structure of rice starch, as measured by X-ray diffraction, but the ratio of the crystalline to the amorphous regions increased. The thermal properties of rice flours were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and a rapid viscosity analyser (RVA). The gelatinization temperature, Tp, and the RVA peak viscosity of rice flour decreased, while the gelatinization enthalpy, Δ H, increased after fermentation. The FTIR spectra of fermented and control rice flours were similar. Fermented rice starch granules had slight superficial corrosion when examined using scanning electron microscopy. Fermentation may thus change the amorphous region of the starch granule as well as the chemical components and thereby modify both physical properties of rice flour and rheological characteristics of rice noodles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have studied the biodegradation behaviour and mechanism of poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) by Aspergillus versicolor isolated from compost. Analysis of weight loss showed that more than 90% of PBSA film was assimilated within 25 days. There was also a rapid decrease in molecular weight characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). A number of cracks and round holes were observed on the eroded film surface through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These results revealed the fast degradation of PBSA film in the presence of A. versicolor. As a comparison, the hydrolysis of the same sample was much slower in the corresponding abiotic medium. The analyses of 1H NMR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicate that the preferred degradation takes place in the adipate units and the succinate units are relatively recalcitrant to A. versicolor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Essential oils of fennel, peppermint, caraway, eucalyptus, geranium and lemon were tested for their antimicrobial activities against some plant pathogenic micro-organisms ( Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternate, Penicilium italicum Penicilium digitatum and Botyritus cinerea). Essential oils of fennel, peppermint, caraway were selected as an active ingredient for the formulation of biocides due to their efficiency in controlling the tested micro-organisms. Successful emulsifiable concentrates (biocides) were prepared from these oils using different emulsifiers (Emulgator B.L.M. Tween20 and Tween80) and different fixed oils (sesame, olive, cotton and soybean oils). Physico-chemical properties of the formulated biocide (spontaneous emulsification, emulsion stability test, cold stability and heat stability tests as well as viscosity, surface tension and pH) were measured. The prepared biocides were ready to be tested for application in a future work as a safe pesticide against different pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements were made of the adsorption of lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel and uranium per unit surface area of microorganisms, two clays (reference smectite, kaolinite), and two soils (untreated Vertisol and treated Vertisol) to quantify the selective affinity. The adsorption of heavy metals and uranium by the samples was influenced by soil constituents, and increased with increasing Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd and U concentrations. Microorganisms were also compared with these abiotic soil constituents for their ability to adsorb these metals. Dead cells adsorbed the largest quantity of all heavy metals than live cells and other soil components. At pH 6.0, the uptake percentage of U(VI) by dead cells was higher than that of any of the other metal ions. On the basis of amounts of adsorption on adsorbents, the selectivity sequences were varied. The most common sequences were U≫Pb>Cd≈Zn>Ni. The results verified the importance of geochemical parameters of soils such as type of clay mineral, oxide mineral content, and organic content, for controlling metal uptake. The results also suggest that bacterial membrane cells can be successfully used in the treatment of mixed metal-contaminated wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Microorganisms in the Cenomanian amber from Écommoy (Sarthe, northwestern France). The Cenomanian amber of Écommoy (Sarthe, France) is studied for the first time under the scope of the microscopical organic inclusions. A felting of Cyanobacteria Palaeocolteronema cenomanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., which is to be also found in ambers from marsh or estuarine deposits of the Late Albian of Charente-Maritime, is the most conspicuous character of this amber. The taphocoenosis also comprises oval inclusions of various sizes, euglenians, diatoms, naked amoebas, bacteria, algae cf. Siphonales?, one filament cf. Trentepohlia sp., and several incertae sedis. The Cenomanian amber from Écommoy is a litter amber, formed in a terrestrial to freshwater (occasionally briny) environment, in a marsh behind the coast. To cite this article: G. Breton, F. Tostain, C. R. Palevol 4 (2005) . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pictograms painted on gneiss near the inlet of Great Brook into the north-western corner of Kezar Lake are covered and partly obscured by a thin white hydrated amorphous silica film. Detailed studies of the rock surface at one place on the cliff reveal two episodes of painting separated by an interval of time during which silica was deposited over the lower image. The basal red haematitc paint layer follows the topography of the rock surface and therefore appears to have been painted directly on the rock. A layer of white amorphous silica, approximately 0.05 mm thick, was then deposited naturally from seepage water that flowed over the painting before a second haematite figure was painted. A similar white film covers and masks the details of the second figure. On-site microexcavations were carried out to obtain powdered silica samples from which carbon, derived from fossilised micro-organisms trapped in the coating during silica precipitation, was extracted for accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating of the ages of the pictograms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the date syrup industry, date fruits are mixed with a suitable amount of water at a temperature greater than 50 °C for about 1 h. This condition is not sufficient for killing the micro-organisms present in the fruit. In addition, Overheating for a long time can damages nutritious materials and also changes the final product''s color. Ultrasound was applied for improving the quantity and quality of the extraction, and also to overcome the health problem. In this research, the following variables were examined: date fruit/water ratio, ultrasonic intensity and temperature. The results showed that sonication under the proper conditions can lead to a higher extraction in a shorter time with a better physical quality of the product. Most importantly, the sonication significantly decreased the microbial count in comparison to the classical method. This study also confirmed the presence of anti-microbial substances in date fruit, and that ultrasonic waves can accelerate their effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Consumers safety of enzyme preparations is determined by three variables: the producing organism, the raw materials used in the production, and the production process itself. The latter one is embedded in current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP); therefore the safety focus can be directed to raw materials and the producing organism. In this paper, we describe the use of novel genetically modified strains of Aspergillus niger—made by a design and build strategy—from a lineage of classically improved strains with a history of safe use in enzyme production. The specifics of the host strain allow for integration and over-expression of any gene of interest at a targeted integration site implying that the rest of the host genome is not affected by this integration. Furthermore due to the fact that the newly integrated gene copies are put under the genetic regulation of the host’s own glucoamylase promoter, the recipe of the production process of any new production strain can be kept constant with respect to the raw materials composition. Consequently the safety of a new enzyme product from these novel genetically modified strains is determined by the background of the production organism. The use of a strain with a history of safe use and targeted integration according to the concept described above has consequences for the safety studies on the final product. If a known enzymatic activity is over-expressed the safety of a new enzyme preparation is covered by the results of the safety studies performed for other strains from this specific Aspergillus niger strain lineage. In this paper an overview is given on the available toxicity tests with these strains. We conclude that for new enzyme products produced with strains from this lineage using the design and build technology no new sub-acute/chronic oral toxicity studies are needed. This also has the benefit that no longer test animals are needed to demonstrate the safety of products produced by these strains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have developed a multi-species microbial assay, MARA, for assessing the (eco)toxic risks of chemical compounds and for the determination of their toxic fingerprints. The main advantages with MARA are (1) the simultaneous testing on several microbial strains; (2) the concept of toxic fingerprinting; (3) the simple and inexpensive handling and reading of the test. The toxic activity is measured in parallel on 11 different micro-organisms lyophilised in a microplate. A concentration gradient of the chemical to be tested is added and growth is indicated through the reduction of tetrazolium red (TTC). The microplates are read by a common flatbed scanner or a microplate spectrophotometer. The array of the 11 different inhibition values constitute a toxic fingerprint, characteristic for each type of chemical compound, and it is shown that the assay can distinguish between 12 standard chemicals. Both the reproducibility (CV&ap;20%) and the sensitivity are similar to other toxicity tests based on micro-organisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]