Latest Articles[Objective] To address the low denitrification efficiency in high-salinity, and high-nitrate nitrogen wastewater, this study aimed to isolate and identify salt-tolerant denitrifying a strain with high efficiency. And elucidate its underlying mechanisms for enhanced nitrogen removal. [Methods] Morphological characterization and the analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence were employed for strain identification. Denitrification performance of bacterial strains was evaluated by measuring different forms of nitrogen. Exploring the mechanism of efficient denitrification of bacterial strains through the RT-qPCR analysis and the measurement of electron transport chain enzyme activity under low oxygen or low oxygen and low C/N ratio conditions. [Results] A halotolerant, facultative aerobic denitrifying bacterium, named W-8, was isolated from saline soil. The strain was identified as Marinobacter sp. This strain can perform denitrification under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, particularly demonstrating a significant denitrifying activity under low-oxygen conditions (dissolved oxygen concentration<1.2 mg/L). After 48 h of culture under static conditions, W-8 achieved the NO3--N (97.85 mg/L) removal efficiency of 95.56% and the total nitrogen removal efficiency of 87.63%. Under low dissolved oxygen, the expression of narG and narI was significantly upregulated, and the activities of electron transport chain complex I and II were enhanced, which promoted the efficient reduction of NO3-. The expression of norB was significantly upregulated, promoting the reduction of NO. Under low-oxygen conditions, W-8 further improved the activity of the complex II under a low C/N ratio, reducing carbon source requirements. Under anaerobic conditions, W-8 mainly metabolized NO3--N through denitrification, with a gaseous nitrogen production ratio of 87.63%. Under aerobic conditions, this strain achieved nitrogen removal through denitrification combined with assimilation. [Conclusion] Marinobacter sp. W-8 demonstrates exceptional salt tolerance and high-efficiency denitrification. It can significantly reduce sludge production without the need for aeration or strict anaerobic conditions and has a lower demand for carbon sources. It shows great application potential and provides a theoretical and practical basis for efficient, low-cost denitrification.
Traditional Chinese Baijiu products can be classified into multiple flavor types such as strong-flavor, light-flavor, soy sauce-flavor, and complex-flavor types. Due to differences in fermentation raw materials, starters, fermentation vessels, fermentation processes, and geographical environments, Baijiu products of different flavor types have unique and complex pit-mud microorganisms. As one of the core microbial groups in the complex microbial community of Baijiu, lactic acid bacteria, whose metabolites lactic acid and its derivatives are important flavor substances in strong-flavor Baijiu, play an important role in the flavor and taste of Baijiu. At present, the research on lactic acid bacteria in the brewing of strong-flavor Baijiu is scattered and not systematic enough. On the basis of our work, we review the research on the role of lactic acid bacteria in the brewing of strong-flavor Baijiu. This review encompasses the isolation and screening of lactic acid bacteria in the brewing of strong-flavor Baijiu by conventional microbiological methods and the in-depth understanding of the role of lactic acid bacteria in the brewing of strong-flavor Baijiu by modern microbiological research methods. Combining traditional with modern microbiological research methods to conduct systematic and in-depth research on lactic acid bacteria in strong-flavor Baijiu based on actual strains can provide references for deeply understanding the role of lactic acid bacteria in the brewing process and then strengthening or optimizing the brewing process.
Streptococcus suis, a major pathogen of pigs, can cause meningitis, septicemia, and arthritis, leading to serious economic losses in the pig industry. In addition, it can also infect humans and result in diseases or death, being a zoonotic pathogen. Therefore, accurate, rapid, sensitive, and simple detection methods are critical for the prevention and control of swine streptococcosis. At present, a variety of detection methods for S. suis have been developed, including traditional detection methods of microbiology, molecular biology, and immunology and emerging technologies such as nanomaterial-based immunosensors, CRISPR-Cas12a system, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. This review summarizes the principles, applications, advantages, and disadvantages of the above methods and introduces the future directions of S. suis detection methods, aiming to provide reference for the prevention and control of swine streptococcosis.
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators worldwide and models for the research on development and behaviors, showcasing great economic, environmental, and scientific benefits. As the symbiont of honeybees, the gut microbiota is transmitted through social behavioral interactions and plays a crucial role in the development and health of honeybees. It not only helps honeybees digest and absorb nutrients but also helps resist pathogen invasion and enhance immunity. Recently, honeybees have emerged as the models for studying gut microbiota. Researchers not only analyzed the composition and function of the gut microbiota in honeybees but also explored the diversity and functions of strains. This paper reviews the temporospatial dynamics of the gut microbiota in honeybees, the factors affecting the gut microbiota, the influences of the gut microbiota on the biological characteristics and health of honeybees, and the functional applications of the gut microbiota, providing references for the research and application of the gut microbiota in honeybees.
Shikimic acid (SA) is an important natural compound with many biological activities, including antiviral, antithrombotic, analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer properties. Due to its diverse applications in medicine, cosmetics, food, and agriculture, SA is considered a highly promising biomolecule. As a precursor of aromatic compounds, SA plays a crucial role in various metabolic pathways within organisms. Traditional methods for producing SA mainly rely on plant extraction (such as star anise) or chemical synthesis. However, these approaches face challenges such a high costs, low efficiency, and environmental concerns. With the ongoing advancements in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, the production of SA through metabolic engineering has emerged as a focal point of research, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. This paper reviews the applications and production methods of SA, with a particular emphasis on recent progress and optimization strategies in its biosynthesis.
The SaeRS system has been extensively and intensively studied for its involvement in the regulation of virulence factor expression and biofilm formation in the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcusaureus, mediating severe pathogenicity. The activation of the system depends on the recognition of external signals by the sensor histidine kinase SaeS and the phosphorylation status of the response regulator SaeR. With the help of auxiliary proteins SaeP and SaeQ, S. aureus is prompted to express a variety of virulence factors, coordinate its biofilm formation, and even evade the host immune response. In addition, other regulatory systems and modulators of S. aureus can synergize with the SaeRS system to participate in the regulation of virulence factor expression, enhancing bacterial pathogenicity. This paper reviews the SaeRS system and its interactions with other regulatory systems and factors to regulate the expression of virulence factors and biofilm formation. It summarizes targeted drugs against the SaeRS system and analyzes specific examples of anti-SaeRS system drugs to provide clues for the screening and design of new targeted drugs. This review is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the research on the specific regulatory mechanisms of the SaeRS system and the treatment of S. aureus-associated infections.
CsgD, a core regulatory protein for the biofilm formation of Salmonella, exerts its function by regulating the expression of key components (curli and cellulose) of the biofilm. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in analyzing the regulatory network of Salmonella CsgD protein and its complex influencing factors. Focusing on the regulatory function of CsgD in the biofilm formation of Salmonella, this paper systematically introduces how environmental factors affect the CsgD expression and comprehensively analyzes the multi-level regulatory effects of various regulatory factors on CsgD, aiming to enrich our understanding about the mechanism and regulatory network of the biofilm formation of Salmonella and provide possible research directions.
In the special environment of plateau, adaptive responses and pathological changes occur in the skin of organisms, which include skin barrier dysfunction, skin vasoconstriction disorder, abnormal thickening of the stratum corneum, and fibrous pigment deposition, leading to a high incidence of skin diseases in plateau areas. In the plateau environment, the composition and diversity of skin microbiota change, which may be related to the occurrence and development of skin diseases. This paper reviews the effects of plateau environments on the skin, common skin diseases in plateau environments, and the effects of skin microbiota on skin diseases and discusses the mechanisms by which skin microbiota influences skin diseases in plateau environments.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed in the environment and have ecological and environmental toxicological effects. Therefore, the treatment and remediation of PAH-contaminated sites have attracted much attention. Microbial degradation, as one of the remediation methods for PAH pollution, has the advantages of low cost, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness. The co-cultured microbial system usually has better degradation effect, stronger adaptability, and greater resistance to stress than single strains. This paper reviews the microbial species and mechanisms of co-cultured microorganisms for degrading PAHs and points out the strategies for constructing co-culture systems and different microbial combinations, hoping to provide reference for the application of co-cultured microbial flora in the remediation of organically polluted environments.
Cotton Verticillium wilt is the most serious disease affecting cotton cultivation, which could cause a significant decrease in cotton yield or even complete crop failure. Cotton Verticillium wilt is caused by the filamentous fungus Verticillium dahliae. The traditional chemical control affects public health and brings about environmental pollution, and the continuous usage has induced the drug resistance of Verticillium dahliae. Therefore, it is urgent to develop environmental friendly and sustainable development control strategies against cotton Verticillium wilt. Biological control has become a good choice to prevent cotton Verticillium wilt. Based on the analysis of the recent research progress, this review discussed the screening, mechanism of action and field application of biocontrol microbial strains against cotton Verticillium wilt, and summarized the research progress of biocontrol microorganisms inhibiting the growth of pathogen through various mechanisms such as competition, antibiotic action, and inducing plant defense response. Although the application prospects of biocontrol microorganisms are expected, they still face challenges such as environmental adaptability, stability, and usage costs of these biocontrol microorganisms. To further improve the practicality of biocontrol microbial strains in agricultural production, future research should focus on genetic improvement of biocontrol microorganisms, development, and application of the microbial agents and so on.