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Mayflies, recognized for their hemimetabolous life cycle and ephemeral adult phase, exhibit diverse larval forms categorized as burrowing, flattened, swimming, and creeping. Ameletus inopinatus Eaton, 1887, a member of the Ameletidae family within the order Ephemeroptera, undergoes aquatic development and is commonly found in the tranquil stretches of small rivers or streams, particularly among stones and boulders. This study focused on A. inopinatus nymphs collected from Yarımca village in Eskişehir, Turkiye. Employing molecular techniques and culture-independent methods, rRNA-based analyses were conducted to characterize the archaeal and bacterial communities within the nymphs' gut. Microbial DNA was extracted from the gut, and PCR amplification targeted 16S rRNA genes for both Archaea and Bacteria domains. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) separated the amplified products, yielding six distinct bands with Bacteria-specific primers. The subsequent analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing from DGGE bands revealed a predominance of the Proteobacteria phylum within the gut lumen. Complementary investigations into prokaryotic diversity employed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Total DAPI cell counts indicated a microbial cell population of approximately 106 ± 0.18 in the samples. The overarching conclusion derived from these findings is that the microbial community within the Ameletus inopinatus gut is predominantly associated with the Bacteria domain. Recognizing the ecological importance of this symbiotic relationship, the coexistence of mayflies with specific microbial communities is emphasized, underscoring the potential mutualistic roles played by these microorganisms in the life cycle and ecological dynamics of Ameletus inopinatus. This research not only contributes valuable insights into the microbial ecology of mayfly nymphs but also underscores the significance of understanding the intricate relationships between insects and their associated microorganisms for broader ecological perspectives and potential applications in environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the physicochemical, microbiological, and bacterial diversity of Jben cheese, a popular artisanal variety in Morocco. The bacterial diversity was explored using culture-independent methods, including temporal temperature gel electrophoresis (TTGE), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Significant intra-sample differences were observed for most physicochemical parameters within each milk type, while inter-sample differences occurred between cow and goat cheeses for dry matter and ash. Jben cheese exhibited distinct characteristics, with low pH values of 3.96, 4.16, and 4.18 for cow, goat, and mixed cheeses, respectively. Goat cheeses had higher fat (49.23 g/100 g), ash (1.91 g/100 g), and dry matter (36.39 g/100 g) than cow cheeses. All cheeses displayed high microbial counts, with a notable prevalence of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) group, averaging 8.80 ± 0.92 log CFU/g. Jben cheese also displayed high contamination levels with total coliforms, faecal coliforms, yeast, and molds. Fatty acid profiling revealed fraudulent practices in Jben cheese marketing, with cow or mixed cheeses sold as goat cheese, as proven by low capric acid concentration. HTS analysis of Jben cheese identified ten genera and twenty-four species, highlighting Lactococcus lactis as predominant. TTGE and DGGE confirmed the presence of L. lactis but failed to provide the detailed profile achieved through HTS analysis. HTS has been demonstrated to be more reliable, whereas TTGE/DGGE methods, though informative, were more time-consuming and less reliable. Despite limitations, the combined use of TTGE, DGGE, and HTS provided a comprehensive view of indigenous bacterial communities in Jben cheese, identifying L. lactis as the main species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Viticulture is one of the most resource-demanding agricultural sectors worldwide. Therefore, if we would like to find a way to make it more sustainable, we need to understand how cultivation methods affect the interactions between vine grape and its environment. However, very little is known about what bacteria live in the root system of grapes. Furthermore, we have even less knowledge about how the microorganisms' composition might be changed due to various tillage methods and soil disturbances. This study examined and compared the soil–bacterial microbial composition of three experimental plots using laboratory techniques and up-to-date molecular methods. We investigated soil microbial communities' composition and some cultivation practices' effects. Our results show that intensive tillage significantly and negatively affected soil bacterial community structure and diversity. The microbial communities of the rhizospheres of vineyards have been subject to a considerable body of research, but it is still unclear how the applied soil cultivation methods are able to change the structure, composition, and level of diversity of their communities. Rhizosphere samples were collected from three neighbouring vineyards with the same time of planting and planting material (rootstock: Teleki 5C; Vitis vinifera: Müller Thurgau). Our objective was to examine the diversity occurring in bacterial community structures in vineyards that differ only in the methods of tillage procedure applied, namely intensive (INT), extensive (EXT), and abandoned (AB). For that we took samples from two depths (10–30 cm (shallow = S) and 30–50 cm (deep = D) of the grape rhizosphere in each vineyard and the laboratory and immediately prepared the slices of the roots for DNA-based analysis of the bacterial communities. Bacterial community structure was assessed by means of PCR-DGGE analysis carried out on the v3 region of 16S rRNA gene. Based on the band composition of the DGGE profiles thus obtained, the diversity of the microbial communities was evaluated and determined by the Shannon–Weaver index (H′). Between the AB and EXT vineyards at the S depth, the similarity of the community structure was 55%; however, the similarity of the D samples was more than 80%, while the difference between the INT samples and the other two was also higher than 80%. Based on our results, we can conclude that intensive cultivation strongly affects the structure and diversity of the bacterial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceratocystis fimbriata is the causal agent of Ceratocystis wilt in eucalypt plantations, resulting in lower volumetric growth, lower pulp yields and reduced timber. Therefore, the first hypothesis is these changes also could affect root-associated bacterial communities; and second hypothesis is that some bacteria associated with eucalyptus roots may act as a natural barrier against C. fimbriata. The structure and composition of bacterial communities associated to roots of eucalyptus plants presenting four levels of infection by C. fimbriata were evaluated. The abundance of rhizoplane community was higher than in endorhizosphere. On rhizoplane the abundance was higher in healthy than the infected plants, suggesting that these communities respond differentially to the C. fimbriata infection. C. fimbriata infection has effect on the endophytic bacterial community. The Pseudomonas fluorescens, P veronii, and Rahnella aquatilis were isolated only from roots of healthy plants. It was confirmed that R. aquatilis effectively controls C. fimbriata in vitro, strongly suggesting a negative association between the abundance of these bacterial species and the presence of C. fimbriata infection. In summary, data clearly suggest that sequential dynamics in shifting bacterial communities could be taken into account to increase understanding of the underlying mechanisms of C. fimbriata root infection.

Circular economy recycling-derived fertilizers (RDF) have the potential to replace linear economy fertilizers such as unsustainable superphosphates. Here, effects of ash RDF treatments in Irish grassland cultivation were investigated in a simulated second growing season. Soil fertilized in a preceding pot trial with superphosphate (SP), poultry-litter ash (PLA) and sewage-sludge ash (SSA) at P concentration of 60 kg P ha−1 and a P-free control (SP0) was reused in a microcosm trial. Lolium perenne was cultivated for 54 days in six replicates with a full complement of micro- and macro-nutrients other than P. PLA treatments provided higher dry weight shoot yields than SP0, while SSA and SP overlapped with SP0 and PLA. Most probable number (MPN) analysis showed that phosphonate- and phytate-utilizing bacterial abundance was significantly increased in PLA. Alkaline (phoD) phosphomonoesterase gene fragments were significantly more abundant (qPCR) in the ashes than the superphosphate or P-free control. Bacterial communities were significantly affected by the P application. Similarly, a significant separation of treatments was confirmed in a canonical correspondence analysis of the phoD-harboring community. The genera Streptomyces and Xanthomonas were significantly higher in abundance in the ash RDFs. These results demonstrated the potential benefits of ash RDF treatments as an alternative P source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria is the property of Agrosavia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The glioblastoma brain tumour (GBM) stands out as the most aggressive and resistant-to-treatment malignancy. Nevertheless, the gut-brain connection plays a pivotal role in influencing the growth and activation of the central nervous system. In this particular investigation, we aimed to assess and characterize the gut microbial ecosystem in GBM patients, both quantitatively and qualitatively. We collected faecal samples from 15 healthy volunteers and 25 GBM patients. To delve into the microbial content, we employed PCR-DGGE, targeting the V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and conducted qPCR to measure the levels of crucial intestinal bacteria. For a more in-depth analysis, high-throughput sequencing was performed on a selection of 20 random faecal samples (10 from healthy individuals and 10 from GBM patients), targeting the V3+V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Our findings from examining the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota unveiled that GBM patients exhibited significantly higher microbial diversity compared to healthy individuals. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria saw a significant increase, while Firmicutes experienced a noteworthy decrease in the GBM group. Moving down to the family level, we observed significantly elevated levels of Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Lachnospiraceae in GBM patients, while levels of Veillonellaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Prevotellaceae were notably lower. Delving into genera statistics, we noted a substantial increase in the abundance of Parasutterella, Escherichia-Shigella, and Bacteroides, alongside significantly lower levels of Ruminococcus 2, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella_9 in the GBM group compared to the control group. Furthermore, when examining specific species, we found a significant increase in Bacteroides vulgatus and Escherichia coli in the GBM group. These observations collectively indicate a marked dysbiosis in the gut microbial composition of GBM patients. Additionally, the GBM group exhibited notably higher levels of alpha diversity when compared to the control group. This increase in diversity suggests a significant bacterial overgrowth in the gut of GBM patients in contrast to the controls. As a result, this research opens up potential avenues to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, pathways, and potential treatments for GBM, stemming from the significant implications of gut microbial dysbiosis in these patients.

Despite the potential adverse consequences they can impart on biotopes, cyanobacteria are an understudied component of lake plankton communities in Ireland. This study, in summer 2019, examined cyanobacterial diversity and associated environmental variables in a lake previously impacted by algal blooms, in north-west Ireland. Vertical profiling showed that photosynthetic pigment concentrations were spatially heterogenous for the majority of the survey. However, water column homogeneity was observed towards the end of the survey, coinciding with increases in pigment concentrations. Sunshine hours, nutrient concentrations and wind speed were stable throughout the survey. Spatial homogeneity in pigments was attributed to an increase in minimal temperatures observed in the water column. PCR-DGGE analysis identified patterns in community composition, indicating a rise in cyanobacterial richness concomitant to increase in temperature and photosynthetic pigments. Band sequencing analysis identified phylotypes similar to the toxigenic species Microcystis sp. These were prominent at the end of the survey and coincided with the presence of the mcyE gene and low levels of microcystins, as indicated by real time PCR and ELISA analyses. The summer background presence of toxigenic cyanobacteria with potential bloom-forming capacity highlights the importance of annual lake cyanotoxin monitoring to inform resource management to protect human and animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilean avocado (Persea americana Mill.) exports have accounted for 60 % of the total production and are recognized for their high quality worldwide. However, avocado production has significantly decreased in recent years, which is mainly attributed to abiotic and biotic factors, among which are high and low temperatures, intense and sudden rains, unavailability of water resources, and agricultural salinity. Secondary factors include pests and diseases. Applying plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM)-based commercial biofertilizers is a potential practice to increase avocado production and resistance to edaphoclimatic factors. In this study, to determine the functionality of microbial communities present in three commercial biofertilizers (Biofert A, Biofert B, and Biofert C) and thus offer a structure of associated microbial communities, the rhizospheric soil of avocado was analysed using the Biolog EcoPlate™ technique, providing information on the community level physiologic profiles (CLPP) and biodiversity indices by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The findings revealed that the microbial diversity in the three commercial biofertilizers is highly different, showing a SIMPER overall dissimilarity of 83.9 % in the catabolic capacity. Concerning the impact on avocados’ rhizosphere soil bacterial communities, the results demonstrated significant changes in their composition, particularly with Biofert A and C. In contrast, Biofert B did not show significant changes, especially on days 15 and 30. Long-term studies are recommended to develop sustainable agricultural practices for Chilean avocados.

The aims of this study were to examine bacterial communities in relation to the rumen digestion of rice straw and to understand how concentrate supplements affect gut bacteria involving the digestion of a rice straw-based diet. The substrates were rice straw (RS) alone (experiment 1) and RS with 25% concentrates (barley and kidney beans) (experiment 2). The genomic DNA was collected to determine bacterial diversity by conducting denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). V6-V8 region group-specific (Clostridium and Bacteroides) primers were employed in the analyses. The DGGE band pattern was subjected to cluster analysis to demonstrate the similarity and difference between dietary treatments and solid-liquid fractions. Fibre digestibility, gas production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were increased with incubation time. The differences between solid and liquid fractions were great in total bacteria, Clostridium, and Bacteroides communities. Clostridium and Bacteroides communities appeared unaffected by incubation time, whereas great differences existed between solid and liquid fractions throughout incubations (experiment 1). Barley and kidney bean supplements increased gas production and lowered rumen fluid pH, whereas changes in VFA concentration were significant only for kidney bean supplement. The Clostridium, and Bacteroides groups were affected by barley and kidney beans in the liquid fraction. However, the solid fraction was stable (experiment 2). These results indicate a rigid and stable community structure of Clostridium and Bacteroides groups involved in the digestion of rice straw-based diets in the rumen. Distinctive differences between solid and liquid fractions were described; hence, separate analyses of two fractions may greatly help understand the relationship between fermentation patterns and microbial communities in the rumen.

The microbial communities of the rhizospheres of vineyards have been subject to a considerable body of research, but it is still unclear how the applied soil cultivation methods are able to change the structure, composition, and level of diversity of their communities. Rhizosphere samples were collected from three neighbouring vineyards with the same time of planting and planting material (rootstock: Teleki 5C; Vitis vinifera: Müller Thurgau). Our objective was to examine the diversity occurring in bacterial community structures in vineyards that differ only in the methods of tillage procedure applied, namely intensive (INT), extensive (EXT), and abandoned (AB). For that we took samples from two depths (10–30 cm (shallow = S) and 30–50 cm (deep = D) of the grape rhizosphere in each vineyard and the laboratory and immediately prepared the slices of the roots for DNA-based analysis of the bacterial communities. Bacterial community structure was assessed by means of PCR-DGGE analysis carried out on the v3 region of 16S rRNA gene. Based on the band composition of the DGGE profiles thus obtained, the diversity of the microbial communities was evaluated and determined by the Shannon–Weaver index (H′). Between the AB and EXT vineyards at the S depth, the similarity of the community structure was 55%; however, the similarity of the D samples was more than 80%, while the difference between the INT samples and the other two was also higher than 80%. Based on our results, we can conclude that intensive cultivation strongly affects the structure and diversity of the bacterial community.

The aims of this study were to examine bacterial communities in relation to the rumen digestion of rice straw and to understand how concentrate supplements affect gut bacteria involving the digestion of a rice straw-based diet. The substrates were rice straw (RS) alone (experiment 1) and RS with 25% concentrates (barley and kidney beans) (experiment 2). The genomic DNA was collected to determine bacterial diversity by conducting denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). V6-V8 region group-specific (Clostridium and Bacteroides) primers were employed in the analyses. The DGGE band pattern was subjected to cluster analysis to demonstrate the similarity and difference between dietary treatments and solid-liquid fractions. Fibre digestibility, gas production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were increased with incubation time. The differences between solid and liquid fractions were great in total bacteria, Clostridium, and Bacteroides communities. Clostridium and Bacteroides communities appeared unaffected by incubation time, whereas great differences existed between solid and liquid fractions throughout incubations (experiment 1). Barley and kidney bean supplements increased gas production and lowered rumen fluid pH, whereas changes in VFA concentration were significant only for kidney bean supplement. The Clostridium, and Bacteroides groups were affected by barley and kidney beans in the liquid fraction. However, the solid fraction was stable (experiment 2). These results indicate a rigid and stable community structure of Clostridium and Bacteroides groups involved in the digestion of rice straw-based diets in the rumen. Distinctive differences between solid and liquid fractions were described; hence, separate analyses of two fractions may greatly help understand the relationship between fermentation patterns and microbial communities in the rumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms influence the sensory quality of the coffee beverage through the compounds degradation or release of metabolites that diffuse into the fruit. However, type and duration of fermentation can contribute to the growth and diversity of microorganisms. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the microbial and sensory profile of Arabica coffees under different fruit-processing conditions and fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Coffee cherries were used in the dry fermentation and washed fermentation at 28°C. Fermentation time ranged from 36 to 288 hours. A panel of sensory attributes was evaluated by 9 Q-graders. Mid-infrared spectra were obtained in the wavenumber range from 4000 to 650 cm−1. Microbial analyses were performed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Total sensory score for fermented coffee was higher than for unfermented coffee. In 108 and 216 hours of fermentation, the total score was higher in washed fermentation than in dry fermentation, which also shows the influence of post-harvest processing and the removal of husk on the quality of fermented coffee. Balance and body were the sensory attributes that most contributed to group formation in dry fermentation. Thus, induced fermentation increases the sensory classification of coffee beverages with positive effects on chemical and sensory profiles.

Saline and alkaline habitats of the Okha coastline, Gujarat, India, were explored for the diversity of actinobacteria. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity, nine haloalkaliphilic actinobacterial strains were characterized and identified. The PCR amplification of 16S rDNA using universal and genus-specific primers corroborated the trends that emerged through cultural and physiological characterization. Streptomyces was the most abundant genus amplified with the Streptomyces-specific primers (StreptB/E, StreptB/F), whereas other actinobacterial strains were amplified by the universal primers U1 and U2. Further molecular diversity was investigated by the gradient PCR-DGGE as a fingerprinting tool that generated group-specific DGGE patterns. Based on the nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis, strains OK-1 and OK-2 were identified as Streptomyces somaliensis. At the same time, OK-3 and OK-7 were detected as Streptomyces sp., while OK-5, OK-6, OK-8, OK-9, and OK-10 belonged to Nocardiopsis alba. Further, the cluster analysis using the UPGMA method generated 3 clusters based on biochemical characterization, sugar utilization, and enzyme production. The dendrogram based on the DGGE band pattern created with Jaccard-distance revealed two major clades with 33.33% similarity. Further, the study of alpha diversity calculation using phenotypic characteristics discloses highly diverse sugar utilization abilities. Moreover, a stress value of 0.1236 was obtained based on the NMDS analysis of the plots using Bary-Curties dissimilarity. Overall, the distinct phenotypic, metabolic, and molecular profiling illustrated the diversity among marine actinobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica is the property of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The ecological balance of an ecosystem has a relation to its biodiversity. Although it has been established that biodiversity and ecological stability are related, generalization about the exact nature of this relation remains elusive and more so in microbial diversity. A growing volume of studies has indicated that anthropogenic activities impact biodiversity, but it is difficult to generalize the impact of anthropogenic activities on microbial diversity. Landfilling by municipal solid waste is one such activity where microbes play a major role, and leachates are released from the landfill, altering the soil's physical and chemical nature. Change in factors like carbon source, pH, and toxicity of the soil is most likely to affect the indigenous microflora of the soil. The present study was undertaken to compare the microbial diversity of soil receiving landfill leachate with that of the soil not receiving any landfill leachate to assess the impact of the landfilling activity on microbial diversity. The landfill site selected for the study was that of Kamrup Metro District of Assam, located at Boragaon, near the Ramsar wetland called Deeporbeel. By using the Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) method, it has been found that the microbial diversity of the soil receiving leachate was higher than that of the soil not receiving any leachate from the landfill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee quality is achieved by performing good practices. This study aimed to evaluate coffees from different altitudes fermented with the self-induced anaerobic method (SIAF) and processed via natural (N) and pulped natural (PN). Molecular (PCR-DGGE), chemical (HPLC, ABTS, DPPH, ATR-FTIR, and GC-MS), and sensory analyses were performed. Leuconostoc predominated both processes and all altitudes. Hanseniaspora and Pichia predominated both processes at 800 and 1200 m. Acids were higher in N coffees for all altitudes. Acetic, malic acid and alcohols were the most abundant. Higher sensory scores were obtained in N (mainly at 1400 m—88.13). Floral and spices were perceived in all samples. ABTS capacity in roasted coffee increased with altitude in PN (2685.71, 2724.03, and 3847.14 µM trolox/g); meanwhile, the opposite was observed in N. High sensory scores were obtained in high altitudes. Alcohols and acids in roasted beans increase with altitude. Leuconostoc and Pichia showed potential as future coffee starters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waxy crude oil is a problem to the oil and gas industry because wax deposition in pipelines reduces the quality of the crude oil. Currently, the industry uses chemicals to solve the problem but it is not environmentally friendly. As an alternative, the biodegradation approach is one of the options. Previously eleven thermophilic bacteria were isolated and exhibited high ability to degrade hydrocarbon up to 70% of waxy crude oil. However, despite the successful study on these single bacteria strains, it is believed that biodegradation of paraffin wax requires more than a single species. Five consortia were developed based on the biodegradation efficiency of 11 bacterial strains. Consortium 3 showed the highest biodegradation (77.77%) with more long-chain alkane degraded throughout the incubation compared to other consortia. Enhancement of hydrocarbon degradation was observed for all consortia especially in long chain alkane (C18-C40). Consortium 3 exhibited higher alkane monooxygenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, lipase, and esterase activities. Moreover, the dominant bacteria in the consortia were determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), which showed the domination of genera Geobacillus, Parageobacillus, and Anoxybacillus. It can be concluded that the bacterial consortia showed higher biodegradation and improved degrading more long-chain hydrocarbon compared to a single isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the plant (Vigna unguiculata) and plant-growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) (Microcococcus luteus WN01) interactions in crude oil contaminated soil, experiments were conducted based on the newly designed rhizobox system. The rhizobox was divided into three main compartments namely the rhizosphere zone, the mid-zone, and the bulk soil zone, in accordance with the distance from the plant. Plants were grown in these three-chambered pots for 30 days under natural conditions. The plant root exudates were determined by analyzing for carbohydrates, amino acids, and phenolic compounds. The degradation of alkane, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) were quantified by GC-FID. Soil catalase, dehydrogenase, and invertase activities were determined. The microbial community structure was assessed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Results showed that the inoculation of M. luteus WN01 significantly enhanced cowpea root biomass and exudates, especially the phenolic compounds. Bioaugmented phytoremediation by cowpea and M. luteus promoted rhizodegradation of TPH. Cowpea stimulated microbial growth, soil dehydrogenase, and invertase activities and enhanced bacterial community diversity in oil contaminated soil. The rhizosphere zone of cowpea inoculated with M. luteus showed the highest removal efficiency, microbial activities, microbial population, and bacterial community diversity indicating the strong synergic interactions between M. luteus and cowpea. This is the first study to characterize the rhizosphere effect of cowpea on microbial activities, population, and community structure in crude oil contaminated soil in the presence and absence of PGPB, M. luteus WN01. The rhizosphere of cowpea was found to be a degradation hotspot where microbial abundance and metabolic activities were most active. Cowpea-M. luteus association can be a good candidate that can be implemented in real field sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A study with yam kombucha fermentation was proposed. • The addition and concentration of yam modified the kombucha microbiota. • B. bruxellensis is predominant in the kombucha SCOBY and liquid fraction. • The fruity descriptor was more perceived in treatments with yam. • Kombucha fermentation using yam extract is viable and sensorially accepted. Consumer demand for functional foods has increased, helping to popularize and increase the consumption of Kombucha. Other substrates have been used together with tea to improve the functional and sensory properties of the beverage. Thus, this study evaluated the comprehensive biochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of kombuchas fermented with green tea (Camellia sinensis) and different concentrations of yam (0, 10, and 20 % w/v). Based on pre-tests to detect the best concentration of yam in the beverage (10, 20, 30, and 40 %) and fermentation time (5, 7, and 14 days),the concentrations of 10 and 20 % of yam and five days of fermentation were selected through pH, °Brix, and sensory analysis. During the kombucha fermentation, there was a decrease in °Brix and pH. Sucrose, glucose, fructose, citric, and succinic acids were related to the beginning of fermentation, and lactic and acetic acids were more related to the end of fermentation in the treatment containing 20 % yam. The fermentation time did not change the color of the kombucha. Fatty acids, phenols, terpenoids, and alcohols were the volatile groups with the most compounds identified. Only two yeast genera were identified (Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Pichia membranifaciens), and bacteria of the genera Acetobacter , Lactobacillus , Pantoea , Pseudomonas , Azospirillum , and Enterobacter. The beverage control showed less turbidity and more clear. The fruity descriptor was more perceived in treatments with yam. However, the perception of the apple descriptor decreases as the yam concentration increases. The yam's concentration alters the kombucha's microbiota and sensory characteristics, mainly appearance and acidity. Kombucha fermentation using yam extract is viable, and the product is sensorially accepted. However, technological improvements, such as yam flour, could be made mainly for appearance and taste attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The haloarchaeal diversity of four hypersaline alkaline lakes from the Wadi El-Natrun depression (Northern Egypt) was investigated using culture-independent polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene phylotypes, which was combined with remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) data to highlight the distribution pattern of the microbial diversity in water and sediment samples. The majority of archaeal sequences identified in all four lakes belonged to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. Sediment samples from Beida Lake and water samples from El-Hamra Lake showed the highest levels of archaeal diversity. Sequence similarities ≥ 95% were found between six of the acquired clones and uncultured Halorhabdus, Euryarchaeota, and archaeon clones. In addition, two clones shared a high level of sequence similarity (97%) with unclassified archaea, while other nine clones exhibited 96% to 99% sequence similarity with uncultured archaeon clones, and only one clone showed 97% identity with an uncultured Crenarchaeota. Likewise, 7 DGGE bands presented a sequence similarity of 90 to 98% to Halogranum sp., Halalkalicoccus tibetensis, Halalkalicoccus jeotgali, uncultured Halorubrum, Halobacteriaceae sp., or uncultured haloarchaeon. In conclusion, while the variety of alkaliphilic haloarchaea in the examined soda lakes was restricted, the possibility of uncovering novel species for biotechnological applications from these extreme habitats remains promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a significant role in tropical forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the comprehensive effects of altitude gradient (1000–2600 m), seasons (October, January, April, and July), and slope aspects (east and west) on the abundance and diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in subtropical forest. Q-PCR and PCR-DGGE methods were performed to explore the abundance and diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, respectively, in the Ailao Mountain subtropical forest. Our results showed that the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria was highest in October and December, whereas it was lowest in April and July. Moreover, there was no difference in the total number of soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the eastern and western slopes. The diversity of soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria is higher at low and medium altitudes, but lower at high and medium altitudes with increasing altitude, and similar variation in the eastern and western slopes as well. Moreover, the most influential factors affecting the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria was NH4+-N and herbal coverage, while those most affecting the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria were NH4+-N and NO3−-N. In addition, permutational multivariate analysis demonstrated that the season had the greatest effects on the abundance of nitrogen-fixing, whereas altitude had the greatest effects on the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These findings provide evidence that the variation in nitrogen-fixing bacteria is affected by multiple factors (altitudes, seasons and slope aspects) in the subtropical forests of Yunnan, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive profile of structural and functional dynamics of the fungal community during fruit waste composting was investigated. For this purpose, fruit waste was composted in a windrow setup in a sub-tropical environment for 146 days. Representative samples were collected at varied range of temperatures during composting and employed to physicochemical and microbiological analysis. Time-series data revealed that variation in fungal load is temperature dependent that influenced morphotypes' shifts during different stages of composting. Shifts in abiotic factors, availability of accessible nutrients, water loss, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) participated in the transition of community and compost maturity. Fungal community shifts were studied using a culture-based method, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and Illumina sequencing. The Ascomycota were the most common phylum recovered using culture-based and DGGE methods. However, Illumina sequencing revealed a predominance of phylum Zygomycota (Mortierella sp, Rhizomucor sp), which had a low representation in the culture-based study, and phylum Basidomycota (Coprinopsis sp, Coprinellus canistri & Coprinus cordisporus), which was absent in the culture-based study. In contrast, Aspergillus fumigatus (ADIF1), which was found to be the most promising cellulase and pectinase producer at higher temperatures in culture-based studies, had a very low representation in molecular studies. The current findings imply that compost is a habitat for a diverse fungal population, it should be investigated using molecular approaches to study in-depth fungal ecology. Furthermore, the transformation of fruit waste into seed germination-friendly compost via a diverse fungal community yields an efficient organic fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effluent from a fish tank with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was treated in a system of two parallel fixed-bed anaerobic reactors followed by a suspended stirred, anoxic reactor for solids, organic matter and nitrogen removal. Microbial community structure was compared between the reactors and an enriched anammox culture originated from anaerobic sludge by using the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) techniques. DGGE analysis revealed three large microbial clusters, namely, the biomass in the inoculum, the biomass growing in the reactors, and the enriched anammox culture. The similarity between the microbial community recovered from the anaerobic reactors and the anammox community was considered low (32.7%), suggesting differentiation of the bacterial community as a function of the selection of specific anammox groups. The last step in the anoxic reactor had worsened the effluent quality. The potential of organic matter and ammonia removal in a single anaerobic reactor was demonstrated.

The extensive use of copper fungicides has resulted in significant non-target effects on soil microbial communities. However, the documented effects are often variable and contradictory, depending on the methods used to assess them. In this study, we examined the effects of copper accumulation in surface soils on microbial catabolic activity, active biomass and composition, and sensitive bacterial species. The community-level catabolic profiles (CLCPs) showed that both normal (50 mg CuSO4 kg−1 soil) and high dosages (tenfold rate) of CuSO4 significantly increased the catabolic diversity of gram-positive bacteria, while the high dosage increased the overall catabolic activity of gram-negative bacteria. The phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis showed that the high dosage reduced the biomass of gram-positive bacteria by 27% but did not affect that of gram-negative bacteria. In comparison, the normal and high dosages decreased the fungal biomass by 34% and 58%, respectively. Furthermore, 16S rRNA-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprint revealed that more than two-thirds of identified bands belonged to gram-negative bacteria. Some Cu-resistant gram-negative bacterial genera, such as Actinobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Proteobacterium, were detected in the soil to which the high dosage of CuSO4 had been applied. In conclusion, an excess application of CuSO4 increased the catabolic diversity of gram-positive bacteria and induced resistance in gram-negative bacteria, whereas the active fungal community displayed a dosage-dependent response to CuSO4 and can thus be used as a sensitive indicator of copper contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost half a million tons of plastic wastes are produced every year and it is accumulating in the environment. However, there is a lack of understanding of their potential influence on soil metabolic activities and microbial diversity. Therefore, a soil microcosm experiment was conducted to determine the influence of microplastics (MPs) (size ~ 500 µm) on soil microbial activities with various concentrations of low-density polyethylene MPs (0, 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w). PCR-DGGE was applied to determine the influence of MPs on soil microbial community structure. This study revealed that MPs with concentration > 1% could affect soil microbial metabolic activities and bacterial community profile with incubation time. Soil catalase (CAT), dehydrogenase (DHA), and invertase (INV) activities were determined. Soil DHA and INV activities decreased over time. No clear trend or pattern was observed in DHA activities. Catalase activity increased with the concentration of microplastics over time. Furthermore, DGGE analysis showed that LDPE microplastics >1% pose a powerful selection pressure on soil microbial community structure. In particular, microbial communities associated with hydrocarbon degradation were enriched (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Sphinogomonas species) in soil contaminated with a high concentration of LDPE microplastics. These findings add to the growing body of evidence on the complex interference of MPs on the soil ecosystem. The influence of MPs in microbial diversity and activities is a significant environmental concern as it may also disturb N and P nutrient cycling, which needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are often regarded as non‐specific symbionts, but some AMF communities show host preference in various ecosystems including vineyards. Grapevine plants are very responsive to AMF colonization. Although these fungi have potentially significant applications for sustainable agricultural ecosystems, there is a gap in knowledge regarding AMF–grapevine interactions worldwide and especially in New Zealand. This study focused on identifying AMF taxa colonizing grapevines in New Zealand vineyards and investigated the effect of grapevine rootstocks on AMF community diversity and composition. Methods and Results: Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and trap cultures were used to characterize the AMF communities. Grapevine roots from three vineyards and nine rootstocks were analysed by DGGE and used in trap cultures for AMF recovery. Trap cultures allowed the recovery of six AMF spore morphotypes that belonged to Ambispora sp., Claroideoglomus sp., Funneliformis sp. and Glomus sp. Bands excised, reamplified and sequenced from the DGGE were assigned to Glomus sp., Rhizophagus sp. and Claroideoglomus sp. The AMF community analyses demonstrated that rootstock significantly (P < 0·05) influenced the AMF community composition in all sites. Conclusions: The study showed that for a comprehensive identification of AMF, both results from trap culture and molecular work were needed and that the rootstock cultivar was the main driver of the arbuscular mycorrhizal community colonizing the roots. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides a firm foundation for future research exploring the beneficial use of AMF in enhancing grapevine production and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are commonly regarded as vectors for viruses, but little is known about bacterial communities in bats and the possible role of bats in the transmission cycle of foodborne diseases. To gain more insight, microbial communities in fecal samples from 37 insectivorous bats of different species from the Netherlands were investigated by polymerase chain reaction and denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Subsequently, 10 samples from the following bat species: common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus; n = 3), Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii; n = 3), serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus; n = 1), whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus; n = 1), Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus; n = 1) and Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri; n = 1) were selected and used in bacterial 16S rDNA cloning and sequencing. The fecal microbiota in bats was found to be diverse with predominant bacterial genera Carnobacterium, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus and Yersinia. The presence of opportunistic pathogens Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Serratia fonticola and Rahnella aquatilis was also recorded. Based on cloning results, we found no proof that bats in the Netherlands are a major vector for the transmission of bacterial zoonotic diseases, although previous findings in literature reported isolation of foodborne pathogens from bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gradual increase in organic loading is a strategy that has been used in reactor operation of wastewater treatment to adapt the microbial community and its metabolic activities. Within this context, the aim of this research was to investigate the microbial community present in an anaerobic chambered reactor (ACR) operating for 270 days treating ethanol distillery stillage. The operation the ACR reactor started with low feed rate which was increased gradually so that the organic load rate (OLR) ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 g COD m−3 day−1. Performance monitoring included physicochemical analyses, methane production, microscopy, and biomolecular analyses. The operational data shows satisfactory performance in terms of COD removal, averaging over 92.5%. DGGE analyses revealed that the structure of the microbial community of Bacteria domain is more sensitive to reactor operational conditions than that of the Archaea domain, when the OLR increased. A clear relationship was observed between the microbial diversity and the dominance for Bacteria and Archaea domains to different OLR, indicating adaptation of communities to the operating conditions imposed on the ACR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Para un manejo sustentable no se deben desconocer los efectos de la fertilización sobre el suelo y sus procesos microbianos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto acumulado de diferentes dosis de fertilización sobre las comunidades microbianas del suelo en dos profundidades (0-5 cm y 5-10 cm). El trabajo se realizó sobre un ensayo de campo con aplicación incorporada de fertilizantes desde 1999. Las dosis de fertilización evaluadas fueron: testigo (T), dosis de productor (DP), dosis de reposición (DR) y dosis de reposición con agregado de micronutrientes (DRM). Se midieron variables de estructura (DGGE), actividades enzimáticas de hidrólisis del diacetato de fluoresceína, fosfatasa ácida, ureasa y arilsulfatasa, nitrógeno potencialmente mineralizable (NAN) y glomalinas. La fertilización afectó diferencialmente las funciones microbiológicas en las dos profundidades. Los valores de ureasa fueron mayores en T a 0-5 cm. Los valores de NAN fueron superiores en T y DP a 0-5 cm y en T a 5-10 cm. En cambio, fosfatasa y glomalinas predominaron en DR y DRM. La acidez del suelo y volumen de rastrojo generados por la fertilización habrían ocasionado los elevados valores de fosfatasa y glomalinas. La disminución de NAN en altas dosis de fertilización respondería al incremento de la mineralización generado por el agregado de nutrientes (efecto "priming"). La estructura de la comunidad microbiana fue afectada por la fertilización en diferente medida según la profundidad de muestreo. En 0-5 cm la riqueza y diversidad fueron similares entre tratamientos. En cambio, en 5-10 cm, ambos índices fueron drásticamente afectados por la aplicación de fertilizantes. El índice de diversidad de Shannon fue de 2,21 y 2,20 en T y DP; y 1,4 y 1,39 en DR y DRM. Sólo se hallaron correlaciones significativas entre la actividad enzimática y la comunidad bacteriana en la profundidad 0-5 cm. El mantenimiento de la sustentabilidad de los agroecosistemas depende en gran medida del equilibrio entre la estructura y las funciones biológicas provistas por los microorganismos del suelo. Esperamos que este aporte constituya una herramienta más para tener en cuenta al momento de tomar decisiones sobre el manejo de fertilización a largo plazo en cultivos.

Abstract Background The olive fly, Bactrocera oleae, is the most important insect pest in olive production, causing economic damage to olive crops worldwide. In addition to extensive research on B. oleae control methods, scientists have devoted much effort in the last century to understanding olive fly endosymbiosis with a bacterium eventually identified as Candidatus Erwinia dacicola. This bacterium plays a relevant role in olive fly fitness. It is vertically transmitted, and it benefits both larvae and adults in wild populations; however, the endosymbiont is not present in lab colonies, probably due to the antibiotics and preservatives required for the preparation of artificial diets. Endosymbiont transfer from wild B. oleae populations to laboratory-reared ones allows olive fly mass-rearing, thus producing more competitive flies for future Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications. Results We tested the hypothesis that Ca. E. dacicola might be transmitted from wild, naturally symbiotic adults to laboratory-reared flies. Several trials have been performed with different contamination sources of Ca. E. dacicola, such as ripe olives and gelled water contaminated by wild flies, wax domes containing eggs laid by wild females, cages dirtied by faeces dropped by wild flies and matings between lab and wild adults. PCR-DGGE, performed with the primer set 63F-GC/518R, demonstrated that the transfer of the endosymbiont from wild flies to lab-reared ones occurred only in the case of cohabitation. Conclusions Cohabitation of symbiotic wild flies and non-symbiotic lab flies allows the transfer of Ca. E. dacicola through adults. Moreover, PCR-DGGE performed with the primer set 63F-GC/518R was shown to be a consistent method for screening Ca. E. dacicola, also showing the potential to distinguish between the two haplotypes (htA and htB). This study represents the first successful attempt at horizontal transfer of Ca. E. dacicola and the first step in acquiring a better understanding of the endosymbiont physiology and its relationship with the olive fly. Our research also represents a starting point for the development of a laboratory symbiotic olive fly colony, improving perspectives for future applications of the Sterile Insect Technique.

Abstract Background The symbiosis between the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, and Candidatus Erwinia dacicola has been demonstrated as essential for the fly’s larval development and adult physiology. The mass rearing of the olive fruit fly has been hindered by several issues, including problems which could be related to the lack of the symbiont, presumably due to preservatives and antibiotics currently used during rearing under laboratory conditions. To better understand the mechanisms underlying symbiont removal or loss during the rearing of lab colonies of the olive fruit fly, we performed experiments that focused on bacterial transfer from wild female flies to their eggs. In this research, eggs laid by wild females were treated with propionic acid solution, which is often used as an antifungal agent, a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and Triton X, or water (as a control). The presence of the bacterial symbiont on eggs was evaluated by real-time PCR and scanning electron microscopy. Results DGGE analysis showed a clear band with the same migration behavior present in all DGGE profiles but with a decreasing intensity. Molecular analyses performed by real-time PCR showed a significant reduction in Ca. E. dacicola abundance in eggs treated with propionic acid solution or a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and Triton X compared to those treated with water. In addition, the removal of bacteria from the surfaces of treated eggs was highlighted by scanning electron microscopy. Conclusions The results clearly indicate how the first phases of the colony-establishment process are important in maintaining the symbiont load in laboratory populations and suggest that the use of products with antimicrobial activity should be avoided. The results also suggest that alternative rearing procedures for the olive fruit fly should be investigated.

Abstract Taxonomic identification can be difficult when two or more species appear morphologically similar. DNA barcoding based on the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (COI) is now widely used in identifying animal species. High‐resolution melting analysis (HRM) provides an alternative method for detecting sequence variations among amplicons without having to perform DNA sequencing. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HRM of the COI barcode can be used to distinguish animal species. Using anurans as a model, we found distinct COI melting profiles among three congeners of both Lithobates spp. and Hyla spp. Sequence variations within species shifted the melting temperature of one or more melting domains slightly but do not affect the distinctness of the melting profiles for each species. An NMDS ordination plot comparing melting peak profiles among eight Anuran species showed overlapping profiles for Lithobates sphenocephala and Gastrophryne carolinensis. The COI amplicon for both species contained two melting domains with melting temperatures that were similar between the two species. The two species belong to two different families, highlighting the fact that COI melting profiles do not reveal phylogenetic relationships but simply reflect DNA sequence differences among stretches of DNA within amplicons. This study suggests that high‐resolution melting analysis of COI barcodes (COI‐HRM) may be useful as a simple and rapid method to distinguish animal species that appear morphologically similar.

ABSTRACT Both spatial and temporal variability are key attributes of sedimentary microbial communities, and while spatial effects on beta-diversity appear to dominate at larger distances, the character of spatial variability at finer scales remains poorly understood, especially for headwater stream communities. We investigated patterns of microbial community structure (MCS) in biofilms attached to streambed sediments from two watersheds across spatial scales spanning

Increasing evidences have showed that a tight link among pathogen infection, physiological indicators and intestinal microbiota. To investigate effects of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) infection to growth retardation and intestinal microbiota, different sized Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) infecting with EHP were studied. The shrimp with big, medium and small sized groups were from same batch of postlarvae and reared in one pond under the same diet and environmental conditions. Number of EHP copies revealed that the more EHP copies the smaller size of shrimp individuals. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles showed intestinal bacterial patterns of small sized shrimp were similar to the middle sized shrimp, rather than the big sized shrimp. It implied that intestinal microbiota were influenced by severity of EHP infection and suggested the different sizes of shrimp were due to the successive infection period of EHP. Among the different sized groups, the relative abundance of Vibrio of small group was the highest, suggesting EHP infection could result in higher susceptibility to pathogen invasion. Our findings provided the evidence intestinal bacterial patterns altered by infection of EHP, the more EHP copies the smaller size of shrimp, and different sized individuals due to successive infection period of EHP.

Coffee quality is achieved by performing good practices. This study aimed to evaluate coffees from different altitudes fermented with the self-induced anaerobic method (SIAF) and processed via natural (N) and pulped natural (PN). Molecular (PCR-DGGE), chemical (HPLC, ABTS, DPPH, ATR-FTIR, and GC-MS), and sensory analyses were performed. Leuconostoc predominated both processes and all altitudes. Hanseniaspora and Pichia predominated both processes at 800 and 1200 m. Acids were higher in N coffees for all altitudes. Acetic, malic acid and alcohols were the most abundant. Higher sensory scores were obtained in N (mainly at 1400 m—88.13). Floral and spices were perceived in all samples. ABTS capacity in roasted coffee increased with altitude in PN (2685.71, 2724.03, and 3847.14 µM trolox/g); meanwhile, the opposite was observed in N. High sensory scores were obtained in high altitudes. Alcohols and acids in roasted beans increase with altitude. Leuconostoc and Pichia showed potential as future coffee starters.

The glioblastoma brain tumour (GBM) stands out as the most aggressive and resistant-to-treatment malignancy. Nevertheless, the gut-brain connection plays a pivotal role in influencing the growth and activation of the central nervous system. In this particular investigation, we aimed to assess and characterize the gut microbial ecosystem in GBM patients, both quantitatively and qualitatively. We collected faecal samples from 15 healthy volunteers and 25 GBM patients. To delve into the microbial content, we employed PCR-DGGE, targeting the V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and conducted qPCR to measure the levels of crucial intestinal bacteria. For a more in-depth analysis, high-throughput sequencing was performed on a selection of 20 random faecal samples (10 from healthy individuals and 10 from GBM patients), targeting the V3+V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Our findings from examining the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota unveiled that GBM patients exhibited significantly higher microbial diversity compared to healthy individuals. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria saw a significant increase, while Firmicutes experienced a noteworthy decrease in the GBM group. Moving down to the family level, we observed significantly elevated levels of Enterobacteriaceae , Bacteroidaceae , and Lachnospiraceae in GBM patients, while levels of Veillonellaceae , Rikenellaceae , and Prevotellaceae were notably lower. Delving into genera statistics, we noted a substantial increase in the abundance of Parasutterella , Escherichia-Shigella , and Bacteroides , alongside significantly lower levels of Ruminococcus 2 , Faecalibacterium , and Prevotella&#95;9 in the GBM group compared to the control group. Furthermore, when examining specific species, we found a significant increase in Bacteroides vulgatus and Escherichia coli in the GBM group. These observations collectively indicate a marked dysbiosis in the gut microbial composition of GBM patients. Additionally, the GBM group exhibited notably higher levels of alpha diversity when compared to the control group. This increase in diversity suggests a significant bacterial overgrowth in the gut of GBM patients in contrast to the controls. As a result, this research opens up potential avenues to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, pathways, and potential treatments for GBM, stemming from the significant implications of gut microbial dysbiosis in these patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In recent years, improved paddy crop varieties, advanced tools and technologies have resulted in a huge quantity of crop residues (CRs) production. Hence, appropriate sustainable management of the paddy CRs produced annually is needed. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of rice husk biochar (RHB) amendments on soil physico‐chemical characteristics, methanotrophs diversity, and functional pmoA genes numbers in paddy soil. ThepmoA gene (27 kDa) encodes the β‐subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), an enzyme responsible for methane oxidation found in most of the methanotrophs. A marked variation in methanotrophs diversity, functional pmoA genes abundance, and physico‐chemical parameters in paddy soil have been noted across the given amendments. The RHB significantly improves soil physico‐chemical status and enhances methanotrophs community structure and number of pmoA gene numbers in paddy soils. The various soil physico‐chemical parameters were improved due to RHB + microbial inoculant treatments. Maximum rice grain yield (5.91 ± 0.07 t ha−1) and methanotrophic functional pmoA gene numbers (57.25 ± 0.88 × 107 g−1 paddy soil) were found in the RHB + microbial inoculant treated plot compared to untreated (control) plot. The predominant methanotrophic bacteria identified by the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) in RHB treated paddy soils were Methylovulum and Methylobacter members of the Methylococcaceae family. Consequently, the methanotrophs community study based on DGGE analysis shows that RHB could be a beneficial amendment to increase the methanotrophic community composition in paddy soils. Overall, the results suggest that the RHB amendment could markedly enhance soil conditions and methanotrophs abundance via regulating soil physico‐chemical properties in nutrient‐deprived and degraded paddy agriculture soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast community from home-made sauerkraut collected from Southwest China through culture-dependent and culture-independent technology. Forty-eight samples of home-made sauerkraut were collected from households at three different locations in Southwest China. The pH, total acidity and salt contents among these fermented vegetables were 3.69 ± 0.42, 0.86 ± 0.43 g/100 ml, and 3.86 ± 2.55 g/100 ml, respectively. The number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts were 7.25 ± 1.05 log10 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml and 3.74 ± 1.01 log CFU/ml, respectively. A total of 182 LAB and 81 yeast isolates were identified. The dominant isolates were Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis, Pediococcus ethanolidurans, Pichia membranifaciens, P. fermentans and Kazachstania bulderi. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that L. plantarum, uncultured Lactobacillus sp, P. ethanolidurans, and K. exigua were the predominant microflora. Our studies demonstrated that the DGGE technique combined with a culture-dependent method is very effective for studying the LAB and yeast community in Chinese traditional fermentation vegetables. The results will give us an understanding of LAB and yeast community of Chinese sauerkraut and improve the knowledge of LAB and yeast community of Chinese sauerkraut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]